Category: Music

RIP: Neil Sedaka

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Neil Sedaka died yesterday at the age of 86.  No cause of death was given.

Neil Sedaka was a singer and songwriter who graduated high school at the age of 17 and began his professional career in music the following year.  Although Neil Sedaka was a founding member of The Tokens, he soon departed for a solo career.  Hits quickly followed.  From 1958 to 1963, Mr. Sedaka charted 14 top 30 hits.  During this same period, Neil Sedaka wrote or co-wrote hits recorded by other artists including Connie Francis, The Everly Brothers, The Monkees, The 5th Dimension and Tom Jones just to name a few.

Although Mr. Sedaka’s singing career in the US dipped in the mid 60s, he continued to have a strong career as a songwriter and singer overseas.  In 1975, Neil Sedaka returned to the US charts with the #1 hit, “Laughter in the Rain”.

Although Mr. Sedaka officially retired from songwriting in 2022 and sold his music catalog in 2024, he continued to make live appearances and perform on social media with his last outing taking place in December 2025.

Some of Mr. Sedaka’s greatest hits include: Breaking Up is Hard to Do; Bad Blood; Laughter in the Rain and Calendar Girl.

Hits written or co-written for others include: “Love Will Keep Us Together” – Captain & Tennille; “Ring Ring” by ABBA; “Where the Boys Are” – Connie Francis; “Lonely Night (Angel Face)” – Captain & Tennille; “Crying in the Rain” – The Everly Brothers; “Workin’ on a Groovy Thing” – The 5th Dimension; “Puppet Man” – Tom Jones; “When Love Comes Knockin’ (At Your Door)” – The Monkees; “The Girl I Left Behind Me” – The Monkees; “I Go Ape” – The Monkees and “Rainy Jane” – Davy Jones.

What an amazing career!  Neil Sedaka was a wonderful singer and songwriter.  His performances always left me smiling.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Neil Sedaka’s family, friends and fans.

“Sean Combs: The Reckoning” (2025) / Z-View

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Sean Combs: The Reckoning (2025)

Executive Producer: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson

Director: Alexandria Stapleton

Cast: Sean Combs, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Janice Combs, Mark Curry, Kirk Burrowes, Aubrey O’Day, Suge Knight, Andre Harrell, Kalenna Harper, Al B. Sure!, Kim Porter, Cassie Ventura and Snoop Dogg.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Sean Combs: The Reckoning uses archival footage/interviews from the early 1990s to present day to cover the rise of Sean Combs from a college student intern to hip hop mogul to industry powerhouse able to put his name on a variety of products and make them best-sellers to a convicted felon doing several years in prison.

The four part documentary, through the use of archival news reports, court verdicts and interviews with accusers and those who claim to witnessed the events, details Sean Combs’ proven and or/alleged…

  • longterm sexual and emotional abuse of women
  • sexual assault and drugging of women… including rape, videotaping sexual assaults and playing the tapes for friends
  • sexual assault and harrasment of men
  • drugging men and women in order to take advantage of them
  • using intimidation and threats to regularly take advantage of business partners, cheating them out of money due or simply not paying them.
  • questions about Combs’ involvement in the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.
  • infamous “freak off” parties where people were secretly videotaped having sex, coerced or drugged for sex
  • involvement as co-promoter of the 1991 “first annual Heavy D and Puff Daddy Celebrity Charity Basketball Game” where dozens of people were injured and nine people died when nearly 5,000 people pushed to get in a gym with a capacity of 2,730.  No criminal charges were filed, but Combs settled with families in civil court.
  • involvement in a 1999 shooting incident while dating Jennifer Lopez.  Combs was arrested on a weapons and bribery charge.  He was acquitted of all charges. Still there are those who say Combs should have been found guilty.
  • and more.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

If only some of the allegations are true (and we know many are), Sean Combs is perfect example of how power can corrupt.

I am not a huge hip-hop fan, but I found the documentary compelling.

Sean Combs: The Reckoning (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Strip” (1951) starring Mickey Rooney and Sally Forrest / Z-View

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The Strip (1951)

Director: László Kardos

Screenplay: Allen Rivkin

Stars: Mickey Rooney, Sally Forrest, William Demarest, James Craig, Louis Armstrong, Tom Powers, Vic Damone, Monica Lewis, Don Anderson  and Tommy Rettig.

Tagline: Torchy romance tingling with mystery and throbbing with the rhythm of Dixieland along the glamorous avenue of night clubs!

The Plot…

When Stanley Maxton is released from a long hospital stay due to injuries sustained in the Korean War, he heads for LA..  He dreams of becoming a successful drummer and owning his own club some day.

A chance encounter earns Stanley a high-paying job working for mobster Sonny Johnston. In no time Stanley has money, a fine car and flashy clothes.  Then he meets Jane Tafford.  She’s a nightclub dancer who dreams of becoming a movie star.  Stanley falls hard.

So hard, he quits working for Sonny and takes a lower paying job as a drummer at the club where Jane is a dancer.  But it’s no go.  Jane is only interested in becoming a star and a nightclub drummer can’t help her with that.

Stanley takes Jane to meet Sonny.  Stanley figures Sonny’s mob connections can get Jane an audition.  Problem is, even though he’s married, Sonny falls for Jane.  This puts Stanley and Sonny at odds.

So when a woman is murdered, and evidence points to Stanley, he knows who set him up.  Time is running out to prove his innocence.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

The Strip earned one 1952 Academy Award nomination…

  • Nominee for Best Music, Original Song – For “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” – Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, Oscar Hammerstein II

The Strip is as much (if not more) a musical than a crime noir. The film features songs performed by Vic Damone, Monica Lewis, Jack Teagarden, and Louis Armstrong, floor show routines by Sally Forrest as well as drum solos by Mickey Rooney.

The film features an unexpected dark (for a musical featuring Mickey Rooney) twist.

Louie Armstrong, Vic Damone and Monica Lewis play themselves.

The Strip (1951) rates 3 of 5 stars.

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert – The Poster and Trailer are Here! (Featuring Long-Lost & Rediscovered Footage)

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EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

EPiC features long-lost footage from Presley’s legendary Vegas residency in the 1970s, woven together with rare 16mm footage from Elvis on Tour and treasured 8mm film from the Graceland archive, along with rediscovered recordings of Elvis telling ‘his side of the story,.’

One week IMAX exclusive starting 2.20.
In Theaters Worldwide 2.27.

RIP: Drew Struzan

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It was announced that Drew Struzan died yesterday.  Mr. Struzan had dealt with Alzheimer’s disease for may years . Drew Struzan was 78.

Drew Stuzan was born in Oregon City, Oregon.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles.  After graduation Drew Struzan began working for the design studio Pacific Eye & Ear.  During his time there Mr. Struzan designed many record album covers including covers for the Beach Boys, the Bee Gees, Roy Orbison, Black Sabbath, Glenn Miller, Earth, Wind & Fire, and many others.  Perhaps the most famous of Drew Struzan’s album art is Welcome to My Nightmare created for Alice Cooper.

Drew Struzan and a friend decided to start their own company, Pencil Pushers.  In these early days, Mr. Struzan began to get movie poster work, but it was mostly for B-films such as Empire of the Ants.  In 1977, Drew Stuzan was asked to work with Charles White III on a poster for the re-release of Star Wars.  Mr. Struzan painted the human likenesses and Mr. White worked on the spacecraft, robots and Darth Vader.  The poster was a hit.

Drew Struzan was considered by many to be THE go-to guy for a great movie poster.  Steven Spielberg said that Drew Struzan was his favorite artist and “I had to almost live up to the art that we later were going to ask Drew to create for the poster.”  High praise indeed.

Some of the movies that featured posters by Drew Struzan include: Escape to Witch Mountain; Robin and Marian; Harry & Walter Go and New York; Food of the Gods; Futureworld; Car Wash; The Seven-Per-Cent Solution; Tentacles; Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope; Empire of the Ants; The Last Remake of Beau Geste; March or Die; California Suite; The Muppet Movie; The Frisco Kid; Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back; Fame; Oh, Heavenly Dog; Raise the Titanic; All Night Long; Raiders of the Lost Ark; The Cannonball Run; The Great Muppet Caper; The Fox and the Hound; I, the Jury; E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial; The Thing; Blade Runner; Tron; First Blood; The Dark Crystal; The Sting II; The Pirates of Penzance; Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi; Under Fire; Risky Business; To Be or Not to Be; Police Academy; Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom; Ladyhawke; Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment; The Goonies; Back to the Future; Better Off Dead; White Nights; Police Academy 3: Back in Training; Big Trouble in Little China; The Name of the Rose; An American Tail; Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol; Harry and the Hendersons; Adventures in Babysitting; Masters of the Universe; Coming to America; The Land Before Time; Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade; Harlem Nights; All Dogs Go to Heaven; Back to the Future Part II; Back to the Future Part III; Hook; Aladdin; The Muppet Christmas Carol; The Flintstones; Angels in the Outfield; The Mask; The Shawshank Redemption; Mallrats; Cutthroat Island; Mars Attacks; The Lost World: Jurassic Park; Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace; The Green Mile; Harry Potter and the Sorcer’s Stone; Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones; Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Hellboy; Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith; War of the Worlds; Pans Labyrinth; The Mist; Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull; This is the End; Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens and Animal Crackers.

I first became aware of Drew Struzan’s art before I even knew who he was.  I saw a drawing of Sly Stallone for First Blood on a paperback cover.  I actually wrote to the publishing company with a self-addressed stamped envelope asking for the name of the artist that did the art.  I held out little hope for a response, but I got one.  Sadly, the person who responded didn’t know the name of the artist.  They did tell me that the company used was Pencil Pushers.  Since this was the days before the internet, I never found where Pencil Pushers was located.  Or that Drew Struzan created the art.  I would learn that later when I like every other movie fan fell in love with his beautiful movie posters.

My favorite Drew Struzan posters are the First Blood paintings he did followed very closely by his artwork for I, the Jury starring Armand Assante.  Thanks to the internet, as well as Drew Struzan’s personal website and his instagram page, we’ve been able to see many pieces of his art that weren’t movie posters.  I love Drew Struzan’s sketches, drawings, commissions and personal work.  There’s always a thrill to see a Drew Struzan piece for the first time.  Like all great artists, the thrill of repeated viewings is always there.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Drew Struzan’s family, friends and fans.

RIP Lalo Schifrin

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Lalo Schifrin died yesterday from from complications of pneumonia. Mr. Schifrin was 93.

Lalo Schifrin was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  His birth name was Boris Claudio Schifrin.  He legally changed his name to Lalo when he came to the United States.

Lalo Schifrin was trained as a classical musician before falling in love with jazz.  Mr. Schifrin received a scholarship to the Conservatoire de Paris.   He studied during the day and played jazz in clubs at night.  While still in his twenties, Mr. Schifrin returned to Argentina.  He began radio, television, and film work.  Mr. Schifrin wrote for Xavier Cugat’s dance orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington.  He was also recording his own music.

  • Lalo Schifrin began to get work for American television and films.  He became one of the most prolific and productive composers.  He was nominated for six Academy Awards, and in 2019 was given an Honorary Oscar.  Mr. Schifrin was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards as well as three Golden Globes.  He was nominated for 19 Grammy Awards and won four.

Mr. Schifrin has 226 composer credits and 207 soundtrack credits on his IMDb resume.  Some of his best known works include the themes to THE Cat; Mission Impossible, Mannix and Starsky and Hutch.   Some of his best known film scores include Enter the Dragon, Cool Hand Luke, Bullitt, Dirty Harry, Rush Hour, The Amityville Horror, The Eagle Has Landed and so many others.

Mr. Schifrin’s best known composition is probably the Mission Impossible theme song.  It’s a classic.  My sentimental favorite is for Enter the Dragon.  Truth is, I loved all of his music.  Mr. Schifrin is a legend for good reason.  His music which will live on forever.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Lalo Schifrin’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Bobby Sherman

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It was announced today that Bobby Sherman died today from stage 4 kidney cancer. Mr. Sherman was 81.

Bobby Sherman was born Robert Cabot Sherman Jr..  His professional career began as a singer when Sal Mineo arranged for the recording of two songs that Mineo had specifically written for Mr. Sherman.  Not long after this, Bobby Sherman landed a featured role on the television series Shindig!. This led to more records as well as appearances in teen magazines.

In 1968, Bobby Sherman landed the co-starring role as Jeremy Bolt on the television series Here Come the Brides.  It made Bobby Sherman a star.  During the show’s run Bobby Sherman received more fan mail than any other star on ABC.  Here Come the Brides. ran from 1968 – 1970.

For the rest of his entertainment career Bobby Sherman made records, appeared on television, in two feature films, and live concerts.  Although he still made television guest appearances, Bobby Sherman’s career shifted to public service.

Mr. Sherman became a paramedic.  He volunteered with the LA Police Department  where he taught first aide classes.  In the 1990s, Bobby Sherman became an LA Reserve Police Officer.  In 1999, Bobby Sherman earned LAPD’s Reserve Officer of the Year Award. Mr. Sherman became a reserve deputy sheriff in 1999 with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department where he continued CPR and emergency training of new deputies.

Some of the television projects that feature Bobby Sherman include:  Shindig! (28 episodes); Honey West; The Monkees; The F.B.I.; Here Come the Brides (52 episodes); The Partridge Family; Getting Together (14 episodes); Cade’s County; Mod Squad (2 episodes); Emergency; Ellery Queen; Jigsaw John; The Gossip Columnist; Fantasy Island; The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo; The Love Boat (2 episodes); Murder, She Wrote; Blacke’s Magic; Sanchez of Bel Aire (13 episodes) and Frazier.

Bobby Sherman’s feature film appearances are: Wild in the Streets; He is My Brother and Get Crazy.

As a singer, Bobby Sherman released 107 songs, 23 singles and 10 albums between 1962 and 1976.  Mr. Sherman had seven top 40 hits, seven gold singles, one platinum single as well as five gold albums.  Bobby Sherman’s biggest top ten hits were Little Woman [#3 in 1969]; La La La (If I Had You) [#9 in 1969]; Julie, Do Ya Love Me [#5 in 1970] and Easy Come, Easy Go [#9 in 1970].

I probably first saw Bobby Sherman when he appeared on The Monkees. Of course I remember him best from his co-starring role on Here Come the Brides.  When someone says “teen idol” it is Bobby Sherman that I think of first.  He was in all the teen magazines and the girls loved him.  He was also one of the few teen idols that the guys didn’t seem to mind.

I always admired that Bobby Sherman gave up the celebrity life for one of public service.  He didn’t just talk the talk.  Bobby Sherman walked the walk.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Bobby Sherman’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Brian Wilson

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Brian Wilson’s family announced that he died today.  No cause of death was given. Mr. Wilson was 82.

Brian Wilson’s musical aptitude was noted by his family when he was still a baby.  In high school, Brian was a three sport athlete (football, baseball and cross country).  After school he obsessively played piano.  Brian would listen to records, deconstruct the songs and recreate the harmonies.  In 1961, Brian wrote what would become The Beach Boys first song, Surfer Girl.  The Beach Boys consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl, plus their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine.

In 1962, Capitol Records signed The Beach Boys.  In January 1963, the band had their first top ten single Surfin’ U.S.A..  In May 1964, their first #1 single I Get Around topped the charts.  The pressure of writing, producing and traveling to perform at live concerts took a toll on Mr. Wilson. Glen Campbell replaced Brian Wilson for some of the December tour dates. In January 1965, Brian Wilson announced he was withdrawing from touring.  He wanted to become a full-time studio musician so he could focus on taking The Beach Boys’ music to another level.

Brian Wilson continued to write, produce and perform on Beach Boys albums, but with them touring and him in the studio, their comradery was strained.  The Beach Boys released over two dozen albums with Brian Wilson as a key member.  Brian Wilson also released 12 solo studio albums, three solo live albums, one compilation album under his name, plus many Beach Boys compilation albums that feature Brian Wilson.

Some of Brian Wilson’s most popular songs include: I Get Around (#1); Help Me, Rhonda (#1); Good Vibrations (#1); California Girls (#3); Surfin’ U.S.A. (#3); Wouldn’t It Be Nice (#8); Fun, Fun, Fun (#5); Surfin’ Safari (#14); In My Room (23); Little Saint Nick (#3); Don’t Worry Baby (#24 as a B side) and God Only Knows (#39 as a B-side).

I don’t remember the first song that I heard by Brian Wilson.  My uncle had several (all?) of their albums.  My favorites of his songs are Wouldn’t It Be Nice and Don’t Worry Baby.

Brian Wilson was a musical genius.  One of my favorite quotes about Brian Wilson is that the Beatles weren’t overly impressed by many contemporary artists, but Brian Wilson was one of them.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Brian Wilson’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Sly Stone

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Sly Stone’s family announced that he died today.  The cause of death was said to be COPD and other underlying health issues. Mr. Stone was 82.

At the age of 19, Sly Stone (whose real name was Sylvester Stewart) was a popular LA disc jokey and record producer. Along with his brother, Sly started the band Sly and the Family Stone. At the time the group was unique because of its make-up (men and women, multiple races). Sly wrote and produced many of their songs.

Sly and the Family Stone’s popularity was on the rise.  They were selling out concerts.  They had multiple hit records. Then Sly became addicted to drugs. This led to him being late or even missing show dates. His output dwindled.  So did the band’s popularity. Multiple drug arrests, the breakup of the band and continued drug dependency followed.

Yet, Sly Stone’s music stood the test of time.  Sly and the Family Stone hits include: Dance to the Music, Everyday People, Stand!, I Want to Take You Higher, Hot Fun in the Summertime, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) and Everybody Is a Star.

Sly and the Family Stone influenced many other bands of the era. Then a younger generation of song writers discovered and sampled his music. It took years but Sly Stone finally got his life together.

The first song that I remember hearing from Sly and the Family Stone was Dance to the Music.  Of course that was the band’s first hit. If you’re the right age, it was probably the song that introduced you to the band too.

My sentimental favorite of Sly Stone’s songs is Family Affair.  I was riding in the car with my grandfather.  I was probably 13.  Family Affair came on the radio.  I was bopping to it and my grandpa started singing mimicking Sly Stone’s deep voice… “It’s a family affair!”  I busted out laughing.  So did he.  What a great memory.

It’s unfortunate that drugs shortened Sly Stone’s career.  But not even years of struggle could cancel out Sly Stone’s impact.  I’m glad that Sly Stone is remembered for the genius he was.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Sly Stone’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: James Foley

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It was announced today that James Foley died earlier this week after a long battle with brain cancer.  Mr. Foley was 71.

James Foley graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo.  Mr. Foley then earned a Masters of Fine Arts degree in film study and production from USC (the University of Southern California).  It was there Hal Ashby saw one of James Foley’s student films and asked him to submit something to Ashby’s production company.  Unfortunately the production company folded before anything came of the offer.  Still, word was out about James Foley, a young director to keep an eye on.

Because of the buzz created by Hal Ashby, James Foley secured his first feature film, Reckless starring Aidan Quinn and Daryl Hannah.  James Foley would continue to direct feature films, television projects and music videos for the rest of his career.

Some of James Foley’s television and video projects include: Madonna: Dress You Up (Opening Sequence); Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour (Opening Sequence); Madonna: Live to Tell; Madonna: Papa Don’t Preach; Madonna: True Blue; Madonna: Who’s That Girl;  Madonna: The Look of Love; Deep Purple: King of Dreams; Twin Peaks; Gun; Hannibal; Red Zone; House of Cards (12 episodes); Wayward Pines; Billions (2 episodes); Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Free.

Some of the feature films directed by James Foley include: Reckless; At Close Range; Who’s That Girl; After Dark, My Sweet; Glen Garry Glen Ross; Fear; The Chamber; The Corrupter and Confidence.

My favorite James Foley film is Glen Garry Glen Ross.  Foley’s direction made a film that lacked physical action, fights or gun battles and instead focused on dialogue exciting and tension filled.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to James Foley’s family, friends and fans.

“Sly Lives” (2025) / Z-View

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Sly Lives (2025)

Director:  Questlove

Stars: Sly Stone, Greg Errico, Larry Graham, Jerry Martini, Vernon Reid, D’Angelo, Cynthia Robinson, Clive Davis, Jimmy Jam, Nile Rodgers, Terry Lewis, André 3000, George Clinton  and Chaka Khan.

Tagline: Baited…by a million dollars – and all they had to do was REACH!

The Plot…

Follows the rise and fall of Sly Stone.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

At the age of 19, Sly Stone (whose real name was Sylvester Stewart) was a popular LA disc jokey and record producer.  He started the group Sly and the Family Stone.  At the time they were unique because of the group’s make-up (men and women, multiple races).  Sly wrote and produced many of their songs.

Some of Sly and the Family Stone hits include: Dance to the Music, Everyday People, Stand!, I Want to Take You Higher, Hot Fun in the Summertime, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) and Everybody Is a Star.

The band’s popularity was on the rise, they were selling out concerts with multiple hit records and then Sly became addicted to drugs.  This led to him being late or even missing show dates.  His output dwindled along with the band’s popularity.  Multiple drug arrests, the breakup of the band and continued drug dependency…

Yet, Sly Stone’s music stood the test of time.  Sly and the Family Stone influenced many other bands of the era.  A younger generation of song writers discovered and sampled his music.  It took years but Sly Stone finally got his life together.

Sly Lives! is an excellent documentary that presents the life and career of Sly Stone… warts and all.

Sly Lives (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Panama Hattie” (1942) starring Red Skelton, Ann Southern and Rags Ragland / Z-View

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Panama Hattie (1942)

Director:  Norman Z. McLeod, Roy Del Ruth, Vincente Minnelli

Screenplay: Jack McGowan, Wilkie C. Mahoney (as Wilkie Mahoney), Herbert Fields, Mary C. McCall Jr. (uncredited), Lillie Messginer (uncredited), Vincent Minelli (uncredited), Joseph Schrank (uncredited), based on the 1940 American musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Herbert Fields and B. G. DeSylva.

Stars: Red Skelton, Ann Sothern, Rags Ragland, Ben Blue, Marsha Hunt, Virginia O’Brien, Alan Mowbray, Dan Dailey, The Berry Brothers and Lena Horne.

Tagline: Swing as Ann Sings – Laugh as Red Clowns – Thrill to the Navy Stirring Battle-cry

The Plot…

Panama Hattie is Hattie Maloney, a nightclub owner/singer in the Panama Canal Zone.  Hattie has three Navy buddies, Red, Rags and Rowdy.  They want Hattie to perform at big party they are organizing.  Hattie is also getting ready to meet her fiancé’s young daughter for the first time.  Kitty-Belle, an Admiral’s daughter also wants to marry Hattie’s fiancé.  Oh, and Red, Rags and Rowdy think that they’ve discovered some Nazi spies.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Panama Hattie is all over the place.  But considering the movie was based on a play, brought to the screen with eight writers and three directors, it isn’t surprising.  There’s a little something for everyone if you’re looking for music, comedy and dancing.

I like Red Skelton and the under-rated Rags Ragland.  My favorite parts of the movie involve them.  As to the musical aspects, Virginia O’Brien has the best songs (especially about her getting drunk at the Savoy!), and The Berry Brothers the best dance.  Oh, and Lena Horne made her MGM film debut in this film.  Ms. Horne sings in a nightclub.  Her scene was easily cut (without effecting the plot) when the film was shown in the South.

This film was made during World War II and the entire cast joins to sing the final song about the US joining the fight.  The movie ends and immediately a card for War Bonds appears.

Panama Hattie (1942) rates 3 of 5 stars

“The Devil and the Daylong Brothers” (2025) starring Brendan Bradley, Nican Robinson & Jordon Bolden / Z-View

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The Devil and the Daylong Brothers (2025)

Director: Brandon McCormick

Screenplay:  Nicholas Kirk, Brandon McCormick

Stars: Brendan Bradley, Nican Robinson, Jordon Bolden, Mark Ashworth, Brad Carter, Adam Boyer, Eugene H. Russell IV, Kate Kovach, Matt Mangum and Keith Carradine.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Ish (Bradley), Enoch (Robinson) and Abe (Bolden) are the Daylong brothers.  They had the same father but different mothers.  Before they were born, their daddy sold their souls to the devil.  Now grown, the Daylong brothers are on a mission to win their souls back.  The boys have a list of people they have to kill then the devil will return their souls.

We all know how deals with the devil turn out… right?   Right?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I knew that The Devil and the Daylong Brothers would be a stylish crime drama with memorable characters and outrageous action.  I didn’t know that it was a musical.  Think O Brother, Where Art Thou? meets Quentin Tarantino.  It took me a second to get in the grove, but once I did I enjoyed the ride.

The Devil and the Daylong Brothers (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars