Category: Humor

“The Court Jester” (1955) starring Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury and Cecil Parker / Z-View

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The Court Jester (1955)

Director: Norman Panama, Melvin Frank

Screenplay:  Norman Panama, Melvin Frank

Stars:  Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury, Cecil Parker,
Mildred Natwick, Robert Middleton, Michael Pate, Alan Napier and John Carradine.

Tagline: The Musical Romantic Adventure Of This Or Any Year!

The Plot…

King Roderick usurped the throne by killing the royal family.  Or so he thought.  A baby survived.  There is no doubt that the infant is of royal blood, as he possesses the inherited “purple pimpernel” birthmark on his bottom.  The baby is safely hidden away by The Black Fox and his rebel band.

Hubert Hawkins, a minstrel, joined the rebels.  He wanted to be a warrior fighting to overthrow King Roderick.  Unfortunately, Hubert is small, weak and not overly brave.

Roderick has barricaded himself in the King’s castle.  Unaware that a true heir to the throne survives, the king’s army provides support.  The Black Fox knows that their alliegence will change once they see the royal birthmark on the infant.  If they could only get a key to the king’s secret tunnel that would allow them access to the castle.

By chance, the rebels learn that Giacomo is on his way to the castle.  He will begin his new job as the King’s Jester!  A risky plan is quickly put together.  Hubert Hawkins will assume the role of Giacomo the Jester!  He will gain the king’s confidence, steal the key to the tunnel and The Black Fox and his rebels will take it from there.

Of course there are many things that can go wrong… all of them and more will.

Get it?  Got it?  Good!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Court Jester is one of my all time favorite musical/comedies.  There are so many truly funny scenes.  It is well written, well directed and perfectly cast.

Basil Rathbone was a two-time British Army fencing champion.  He was considered by many to be Hollywood’s best sword fighter. As such Rathbone had many famous on-screen sword fights.  His most famous were against Errol Flynn in Captain Blood and The Adventures of Robin Hood;  versus John Barrymore in Romeo and Juliet;  against Richard Plantagenet in Tower of London; against Tyrone Power in The Mark of Zorro and in his last on-screen battle versus Danny Kaye in The Court Jester.

The Court Jester (1955) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Dr. Jack” (1922) starring Harold Lloyd & Mildred Davis / Z-View

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Dr. Jack (1922)

Director: Fred C. Newmeyer

Screenplay:  Hal Roach, Sam Taylor, Jean C. Havez, H. M. Walker

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis.

Tagline: Here is your “Fountain of Youth.” Here is Joy, Laughter and Inspiration. Here is Lloyd’s Master-piece of Mirth that turns old wrinkles into new smiles, puts electricity in your funny bone and spreads health and happiness.

The Plot…

Dr. Jack Jackson is a young country doctor who prescribes medicine as a last resort.  He keeps his fees low, accepts barter or doesn’t charge patients low on funds.

When Dr. Jack is brought in to consult on the case of a young woman who has been “ill” for years, he suspects her problem is more than a sickness.  The woman is heir to a fortune.  Her father has depended on Dr. Ludwig von Saulsbourg for a cure.  Saulsburg has strung them along with expensive therapies and medicines.

Dr. Jack knows to tread lightly, but knows he’s right.

When the young woman and Dr. Jack begin to fall in love, Saulsbourg decides to use that as a wedge to convince the woman’s father Jack is up to no good.

Will love prevail?  Will the young woman be cured?

The doctor is in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

A year after the release of Dr. Jack, stars Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis were married.  They had three children and remained married until Mildred’s death in 1969.

Dr. Jack (1922) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Normal” (2025) starring Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler and Lena Headey / Z-View

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Normal (2025)

Director: Ben Wheatley

Screenplay:  Derek Kolstad, Bob Odenkirk.

Stars:  Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey.

Tagline: Small town. Big secret.

The Plot…

Ulysses Richardson, the interim sheriff of Normal, Minnesota, has an easy gig.  Normal is a small, quiet town full of friendly people.

That all changes when two bumbling crooks try to rob the town’s only bank.  Ulysses goes into the bank to talk the thieves into giving up.  Meanwhile the Mayor, the deputies and many of the townfolk have lined up outside.  They’re armed to the teeth and out for blood.

Inside, Ulysses and the two crooks are shocked.  The vault contains waaaaay more money and gold bars than the small town bank should have.  Way more.

The Mayor informs Ulysses that the goods in the bank belong to a Japanese Yakuza crime syndicate.  The town safeguards the syndicate’s goods and the townfolk get a monthly check.  If Ulysses kills the two robbers, they’ll make him the permanent sheriff and he’ll get paid too.  If Ulysses refuses, the citizens of Normal will kill the Ulysses and the robbers.

Ulysses refuses.

Oh, and the crooks tripped the alarm that notified the crime cartel of the robbery.  A squad of angry Yakuza are on their way now.

Things are about to get crazy.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Normal is the third film that Derek Kolstad has written or co-written to star Bob Odenkirk.  The others were Nobody and Nobody 2.

If you’re looking for an over-the-top actionfest that doesn’t worry to much about anything but delivering fun and thrills, then give Normal a go.

Normal (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Kid Brother” (1927) starring Harold Lloyd / Z-View

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The Kid Brother (1927)

Director: Ted Wilde, J.A. Howe, Harold Lloyd (uncredited), Lewis Milestone (uncredited)

Screenplay:  Howard J. Green

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston.

Tagline: THAR’S LAFF IN THEM THAR REELS! A Gold Mine of mirth…HAROLD LLOYD AS “THE KID BROTHER”

The Plot…

Jim Hickory is the respected Sheriff of Hickoryville, the town named after his family.  Big Jim has three sons.  Leo and Olin are huge, strong barrel chested men like their father.  The youngest son, Harold, has none of their qualities.  Although they love Harold, he doesn’t get the same respect.

The residents of Hickoryville have finally raised enough money to get the state to build a much needed dam.  Big Jim is entrusted to hold the cash until a state representative arrives to collect it.

A traveling show comes to town.  Harold is attracted to Mary, the daughter of the show’s recently deceased owner.  Since her father’s death Mary is influenced by a couple of con men.  Big Jim knows the con men mean trouble.  Harold gets the chance to prove his manhood by shutting down the show.

Things go from bad to worse when the money Big Jim was holding turns up missing.  Big Jim is taken into custody.  There’s talk of lynching Jim if the money doesn’t appear and fast.

It will be up to Harold to save the day… and his father.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Kid Brother was Harold Lloyd’s favorite of all his films.

Lewis Milestone was the original director.  He left after directing a few scenes because of contract issues with Warner Bros.  Ted Wilde to over.  Wilde became ill and was unable to continue.  J.A. Howe picked up the reins with Harold Lloyd assisting to finish the film.  Lloyd helped direct most of his films, but never accepted credit.

If you look closely, you’ll see the list of “Subscribers to County Dam” are actual names of supporting cast members.

The Kid Brother is one of Harold Lloyd’s best silent films but doesn’t get the same respect as Safety Last or The Freshman.  It should.

The Kid Brother (1927) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Lighter That Failed” (1927) starring Charley Chase / Z-View

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The Lighter That Failed (1927)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay:  H.M. Walker

Stars:  Charley Chase, Edna Marion, May Wallace.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

It’s Charley’s birthday and his entire family has gathered for the party.   One of Charley’s gifts is a nice cigarette lighter.  Only problem is it won’t light. Charley’s frustration (and scenery destruction) grows as Charley repeatedly tries to get it working using the objects on hand.

Perhaps using gasoline as fuel for the lighter wasn’t the best idea…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charley Chase was an writer, director and actor.  Although he died at a relatively young age (46), his resume includes 282 acting roles, 174 films as a director and 37 as writer.

The Lighter That Failed was directed by Charley Chase’s brother.

The title The Lighter That Failed is a play on Rudyard Kipling’s novel THE LIGHT THAT FAILED.

The Lighter That Failed (1927) rates 3 of 5 stars.

PETRIFIED DREAMS: A HAP & LEONARD NOVEL by Joe R. Lansdale is Coming!

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Joe Lansdale, as well as Hap & Leonard fans will be preoccupied on October 6th.  That’s when PETRIFIED DREAMS: A HAP & LEONARD NOVEL drops.  Here’s what the boys are into this time…

With women going missing across the Deep South, dynamic detective duo Hap and Leonard zero in on a horrific, chimerical villain protected and abetted by Texas’ most powerful figures in this thrilling conclusion to the beloved series.

“Joe R. Lansdale is to crime fiction what Willie Nelson is to country music: . . . raw, gritty, soulful, and lastly, timeless.” — May Cobb, author of The Hunting Wives

The sun never sets on justice, but it may finally be setting on the beloved crime fighting duo of Hap Collins and Leonard Pine. The two opposites — brothers from another mother — have called the detecting business quits, but when a prop plane holding the bodies of several kidnapped women crashes into their favorite watering hole, the boys know they’re in for one last effort. With the help of a victim’s sister, they learn that a network of men has stolen vulnerable young women on behalf of a horrifying, charismatic villain known as The Artist, a sculptor of living things, including his own body, and protected by the elite of the South. But the Artist refuses to be found, and every lead brings Hap and Leonard into the crosshairs of something even more dangerous. Finding The Artist is a long shot, and getting out alive is even less likely.

Perhaps the darkest, funniest, and most intense of the Hap & Leonard mysteries, PETRIFIED DREAMS concludes the revered series as audaciously as one would expect from the mojo master of Southern crime and wit.

The series conclusion? Say it isn’t so.

Preorders are available now.

Jack Carter and Marv Meet at Kadie’s by Marc Lapierre!

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Every year the Cartoon Art Museum does a fundraiser.  Artists take on commissions with the funds raised going to support the Museum.  It’s a great cause supported by exceptional artists who share their talents in an effort to support the Museum.

This year I commissioned Marc Lapierre again.  Last year Marc created one of my favorite comissions of the year.  I asked for Stallone as Jack Carter with Keanu Reeves as John Wick.  Here is the beauty Marc produced.  Not only did Marc nail the likenesses (which is always a plus), but the captions were the icing on the cake.  I hoped this year lightning would strike again.

As you can see, I asked for Stallone from Get Carter and gave Marc a choice of three characters to choose from to add to the scene.  The characters were, in no particular order: Seth Gecko (Geore Clooney) in From Dusk Till Dawn, Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) from Justified and Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City.

Marc liked all of the choices, but knew immediately which he was going to draw.  He came through with another great in-joke and wonderful drawing.  I hope to add another to the collection the next time.  I also suggested  with his drawing talent and sense of humor, that a book of “bar interactions” between pop culture icons would be a cool thing!

I cannot thank Marc Lapierre enough for this sweet addition to my Stallone art collection.

“Lethal Weapon 2” directed by Richard Donner, starring Mel Gibson & Danny Glover / Z-View

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Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)

Director: Richard Donner

Screenplay:  Jeffrey Boam; story by Shane Black, Warren Murphy; based on characters created by Shane Black

Stars: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Joss Ackland, Derrick O’Connor, Patsy Kensit, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Steve Kahan, Mark Rolston, Jeanette Goldstein, Nester Serrano, Grand L. Bush and Dean Norris.

Tagline: The magic is back!

The Plot…

LA Detective Martin Riggs and his partner, Detective Murtaugh are tasked with keeping Leo Getz alive long enough to testify in a federal case.  When an attempt is made on Getz’s life, Riggs and Murtaugh discover that Arjen Rudd, a South African diplomat, has put together a crime organization using “diplomatic immunity” to further his enterprise.

Without hard evidence Riggs and Murtaugh can’t move forward with an arrest.  When Arjen Rudd discovers that Riggs and Murtaugh are inquiring about him, Rudd uses his politcal influence to get them ordered to back off.

Any bets on if that will happen?

The magic is back!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lethal Weapon 2 was nominated for one Academy Award for Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing – Robert G. Henderson, Alan Robert Murray

Lethal Weapon 2 earned more money at the box office than the original film which is unusal for a sequel.

Shane Black’s original script for Lethal Weapon 2 was a much darker and more action-oriented film than what was made.  In the end of Black’s script Riggs is killed saving Murtaugh.  The studios wanted Riggs to live because they wanted more sequels.  So Jeffrey Boam was brought in to write the screenplay.

Lethal Weapon 2 features a reunion of sorts – Jenette Goldstein (Meagan Shapiro) and Mark Rolston (Hans) also appeared in Aliens (1986), as Vasquez and Drake.

Joe Pesci is perfect as Leo Getz.

Lethal Weapon 2 leans much more into comedy than the original.

Lethal Weapon (1987) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Paper” Season 2 – The Poster & Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for The Paper Season 2 is here.

I enjoyed the first season and will check out the second.  Any other fans?

The Paper Season 2 is streaming September 9 on Peacock, plus catch up on Season 1 streaming now: https://pck.tv/45hBP6q

Synopsis: The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch in the Emmy Award-winning series “The Office” find a new subject when they discover a historic Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it.

In season two, after sweeping the Ohio Journalism Awards, Ned searches for a journalistic crusade, coming for a local private club and jeopardizing the paper, while he and Mare try to figure out their attraction, Esmeralda struggles to find her place, and the staff gradually mature as reporters.

The series stars Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Tim Key, Ramona Young, Eric Rahill, Duane Shepard Sr., Alex Edelman, and Oscar Nuñez.

Greg Daniels and Michael Koman serve as co-creators and executive producers. Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Howard Klein, Ben Silverman, and Banijay Americas (formerly Reveille) also executive produce.

“The Paper” is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

“Widow’s Bay” Season 1, starring Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn and Stephen Root / Z-View

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Widow’s Bay: Season 1 (2026)

Created by: Katie Dippold 

Director:

  • Hiro Murai (eps. 1-3; 9-10)
  • Sam Donovan (eps. 4; 7)
  • Andrew DeYoung (eps. 5; 8)
  • Ti West (ep. 6)

Screenplay:

  • Katie Dippold (eps. 1; 10)
  • Kelly Galuska (ep. 2)
  • Neil Casey (ep. 3)
  • Mackenzie Dohr (ep. 4)
  • Colton Dunn (ep. 5)
  • Alberto Roldán (ep. 6)
  • Dave Harris (ep. 7)
  • Emma Ketchum (ep. 8)
  • Bobak Esfarjani (ep. 9)

Stars:  Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn, Kevin Carroll, Dale Dickey, Kingston Rumi Southwick and Stephen Root.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Tom Loftis is Mayor of the small island town called Widow’s Bay.  Tom, now a widower and single parent, moved to the island to marry his wife.  As mayor, Tom’s major goal is to turn Widow’s Bay into a tourist town.  Some of the residents are all for the idea.  There are others who feel the island is cursed and bringing more folks to the island will create major problems.

Tom sees the naysayers as silly and superstitious.  But when strange things begin to happen, Tom tries to find rational reasons for them.  Soon enough Tom and the islanders are dealing with ghosts, a killer clown, time warps, a Sea Hag, a serial killer and more.

Welcome to Widow’s Bay!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Widow’s Bay received 19 Prime-Time Emmy award nominations.  Results will be announced September 4th.

  • Nominee for Outstanding Comedy Series
  • Nominee for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Matthew Rhys
  • Nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Stephen Root
  • Nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Kate O’Flynn
  • Nominee for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series – Hiro Murai, For episode “Welcome to Widow’s Bay!”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series – Katie Dippold, For episode “Welcome to Widow’s Bay!”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Dale Dickey
  • Nominee for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) – David Fleming (composer), For episode “Our History”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Music Supervision – Toko Nagata (music supervisor), For episode “Beach Reads”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation – Matt Yocum (co-supervising sound editor), Sang Jun Kim (co-supervising sound editor), Goeun Everett (sound effects editor), Ryan A. Sullivan (sound effects editor), Nate Underkuffler (music editor), Leslie Bloome (foley artist). Shaun Brennan (foley artist), For episode “What to Expect on Your Trip”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation – Tim Hoogenakker (re-recording mixer),  Larry Benjamin (re-recording mixer),  Kevin S. Parker (production mixer),  Scott Michael Smith (scoring mixer), Judah Getz (ADR mixer),  Leslie Bloome (foley mixer), For episode “What to Expect on Your Trip”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series – Hamish Linklater (as Richard Warren), For episode “Seasickness”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series – Betty Gilpin (as Sarah Westcott Warren), For episode “Our History”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Single Camera Comedy Series – Isaac Hagy (editor), For episode “Our History”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Single Camera Comedy Series – Kyle Reiter (editor), For episode “Welcome To Widow’s Bay!”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Single Camera Comedy Series – Jen Bryson (editor), For episode “What To Expect On Your Trip”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series – Allison Jones (casting by), Emily Buntyn (casting by), Lisa Lobel (location casting), Angela Peri (location casting)
  • Nominee for Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (Half-Hour) – Christian Sprenger (director of photography)
  • Nominee for Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour) – Steve Arnold (production designer), Peter Borck (supervising art director),  Jennifer Engel (set decorator), For episode “Lodging”

As you can tell from the award nominations above, critics and viewers overwhelming like Widow’s Bay.  I enjoy it, but not as much as most folks.  I feel a bit of inconsistency due to the monster of the week format.  There are overarching storylines, but they take a back seat to dealing with each week’s ghost/sea hag/serial killer, etc.

Congrats to Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn and Stephen Root for their well deserved Prime-Time Emmy acting nominations.

As always your mileage may vary, but for me Widow’s Bay rates a three.

Widow’s Bay: Season 1 (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Little Brother” (2026) starring John Cena and Eric Andre / Z-View

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Little Brother  (2026)

Director:  Matt Spicer

Screenplay: Jarrad Paul, Andrew Mogel

Stars:  John Cena, Eric André, Michelle Monaghan, Ego Nwodim,  Sherry Cola and Christopher Meloni.

Tagline: An uncomfortably touching comedy.

The Plot…

Rudd Landy has a beautiful wife, two healthy boys and a successful real estate career.  Sadly, Rudd has always lived in Josh, his older brother’s shadow.  That may change if Rudd makes good on his shot to star in a reality series.

Rudd rushes to the hospital when he gets a call that his brother was in a bad wreck.  Rudd arrives to discover it wasn’t Josh in an accident.  A man named Marcus was… and Marcus claims to be Rudd’s brother.

It turns out that in high school, Rudd on a whim, signed up for the Big Brother program.  Rudd became Marcus’ “big brother.”  They hung out for a while and then as time passed drifted apart.  They hadn’t seen each other in decades.

But Marcus wants to rekindle their friendship.

Rudd thinks Marcus is working a scam.  Rudd’s wife thinks Marcus is sincere and invites him to stay with them while he recovers.

If Rudd thought his issues with his older brother were a problem, wait until he gets a load of what his little “brother” brings.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Little Brother‘s tagline, An uncomfortably touching comedy, is spot on.  Some of the humor is gross and uncomfortable.  If that’s your jam, you’ll like this better than me.

Little Brother  (2026) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Fluttering Hearts”(1927) starring Charley Chase and Oliver Hardy / Z-View

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Fluttering Hearts (1927)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay:  H.M. Walker

Stars:  Charley Chase, Oliver Hardy, Martha Sleeper.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A young woman cannot wait to get to a big department store sale.  Her reckless driving attracts the attention of a motorcycle cop.  The woman arrives at the sale with the cop in hot pursuit.  Charley, attracted to the woman decides to help her.

Later, in an effort to get in good with the lady’s dad, Charley goes up against Big Bill, a mobster who is blackmailing her father.

Let the antics begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charley Chase was an writer, director and actor.  Although he died at a relatively young age (46), his resume includes 282 acting roles, 174 films as a director and 37 as writer.

Fluttering Hearts was directed by Charley Chase’s brother.

Oliver Hardy (of Laurel & Hardy fame) plays Big Bill.

Fluttering Hearts (1927) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Guys and Dolls” starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra and Vivian Blaine / Z-View

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Guys and Dolls  (1955)

Director:  Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Screenplay: Joseph L. Mankiewicz; based on Guys and Dolls by Abe Burrows, Jo Swerling, Frank Loesser, Damon Runyon

Stars:  Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra, Vivian Blaine, Stubby Kaye, Johnny Silver, Robert Keith, B.S. Pullym, Regis Toomey and Sheldon Leonard.

Tagline: SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents America’s Own Musical!

The Plot…

Nathan Detroit is feeling the pressure.

Detroit is supposed to put together a huge crap game.  Word went out.  The town is gonna be full of high rollers and Nathan needs to deliver.  Complicating matters are three things.  One: New York City’s finest, Lieutenant Brannigan, is watching Nathan like a hawk.  First sign of an illegal game and he plans to bust Nathan and all involved.  Two: Nathan still needs a location.  Three: Nathan’s fiancée, Miss Adelaide, is pressuring him to marry her — their 14 year engagement is just too long.

Nathan finds the perfect location.  Problem is the location’s owner wants $1,000.00 for the property’s use.  Nathan doesn’t have the needed dough.

Then he gets an idea.  Sky Masterson is in town to gamble.  Sky will be on anything.  If Nathan can get Sky to bet $1,000 on a bet Sky’s sure to lose, Nathan will have the needed cash.

But what is a sure fire bet?

Nathan comes up with the perfect wager.  Sky is a known lady’s man and proud of his reputation.  Nathan gets Sky to say he could get any woman to go out on a date with him.  Nathan then wagers that if he can pick the woman, Sky would fail to get her to go with him to dinner in Havanna.  Sky agrees to the wager.

Nathan picks Sarah Brown.  Sarah happens to be very straight laced and a sister in the Save a Soul Mission.  Sarah runs the local chapter.

Sky wants to con Sarah.  Sarah wants to “save” Sky.   Nathan wants towin the bet so the big craps game is a go.  Miss Adelaide wants to get married.  Lieutenant Brannigan wants to arrest the whole lot of ’em.

There’s no way everyone is going to get what they want.  Wanna bet?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Guys and Dolls was nominated for four 1956 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture – Jay Blackton, Cyril J. Mockridge
  • Nominee for Best Costume Design, Color – Irene Sharaff
  • Nominee for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color –  Oliver Smith, Joseph C. Wright, Howard Bristol
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography, Color – Harry Stradling Sr.

Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando had a strained relationship during filming.  Sinatra referred to Brando as “Mumbles”.  Sinatra coveted the role of Sky Masterson and was upset that Brando, got it — especially since Brando wasn’t a singer.

Brando’s singing in the film was put together from multiple takes.  Brando approached Sinatra early on in filming to ask for help with his singing scenes.  Sinatra refused.

Director Joseph L. Mankiewicz made the decision to not shot on location and instead make the sets have the feel of a stage play.  This is a big part of the film’s charm and makes it feel special.

I’m not a huge fan of musicals, but I love Guys and Dolls.

Guys and Dolls  (1955) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Us” (1927) starring Charley Chase / Z-View

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Us (1927)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay:  Leo McCarey, H.M. Walker

Stars:  Charley Chase, Margaret Quimby, Jim Mason, William Orlamond.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Charley dreams of flying.  Every day Charley goes to the airfield where for a small price a pilot will give you a plane ride.  Every day Charley gets in line with his money ready.  And every day, Charley chickens out.

Today is no different.  Well… except for one small change.

Charley went to the airfield.  He got in line with his money.  He chickened out.  Instead of leaving he went over to stand by one of the airplanes.  When a cute woman came by, Charley acted as if he was a pilot and the plane was his.

What Charley didn’t know is the woman is a pilot and the plane is hers.  She thought Charley was cute by trying to impress her as a pilot when it was so clear, he wasn’t.

But she played along.  She asked Charley to take her up for a ride.  At that point Charley couldn’t refuse.

Better buckle up.  It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charley Chase was an writer, director and actor.  Although he died at a relatively young age (46), his resume includes 282 acting roles, 174 films as a director and 37 as writer.

Us was directed by Charley Chase’s brother.

Us is a play on the title of Charles Lindberg’s account of his solo flight across the Atlantic, titled We.

Us (1927) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“La Cage aux Folles” (1978) / Z-View

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La Cage aux Folles (1978)

Director:  Édouard Molinaro

Screenplay: Francis Veber, Édouard Molinaro, Marcello Danon, Jean Poiret; adapted from the play La Cage aux Folles by Jean Poiret

Stars:  Ugo Tognazzi, Michel Serrault, Claire Maurier, Rémi Laurent, Benny Luke,  Carmen Scarpitta, Luisa Maneri and Michel Galabru.

Tagline: The comedy that comes out of the closet!

The Plot…

Renato Baldi and Albin Mougeotte are a gay couple. They’ve been together for twenty years and share ownership of La Cage aux Folles, an extremely popular gay night club.  Renato manages the club.  Albin is the star attraction where he performs in drag as Zaza Napoli.

Renato and Albin’s life is turned upside down when Laurent, Renato’s son (from a brief hetersexual fling), comes home to announce his engagement. Laurent wants to marry Andrea. Andrea’s father is a leader in the Union for Moral Order, a super conservative political party.

Because Andrea was afraid that her parents wouldn’t approve of her marriage to Laurent if they knew he was raised by gay parents, she lied.  She told her parents that Laurent’s father was a political attache and his mother was a housewife.

Andrea’s parents are coming to dinner to meet Laurent’s parents — a nice middle-aged heterosexual couple.  Renalto and Albin are going to do their best to not disappoint.  Andrea’s parents will have dinner with – Renalto and Zaza.

Raise the curtain, the show is about to start!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

La Cage aux Folles was nominated for three 1979 Academy Awards…

  • Nominated for Best Costume Design – Piero Tosi, Ambra Danon
  • Nominated for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium – Francis Veber, Édouard Molinaro, Marcello Danon, Jean Poiret
  • Nominated for Best Director – Édouard Molinaro

When La Cage aux Folles was released in the United States it became the all-time highest grossing foreign film.

La Cage aux Folles opened on Broadway in August 1983.  It went on to win the 1984 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Book and Score.

La Cage aux Folles was remade as The Birdcage in 1996.  Mike Nichols directed Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman and Dianne Weist in this Americanized version.

La Cage aux Folles (1978) rates 3 of 5 stars.