Category: Trivia

“Gladiator” (2000) directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen & Oliver Reed / Z-View

Posted on by

Gladiator  (2000)

Director:  Ridley Scott

Screenplay: David Franzoni, John Logan, William Nicholson; story by David Franzoni

Stars:  Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris, Ralf Moeller, David Hemmings, Sven-Ole Thorsen and Tommy Flanagan .

Tagline: Father of a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife and I shall have my vengeance in this life or the next.

The Plot…

Marcus Aurelius, the aging Emperor of Rome, with the leadership of his best General, Maximus Decimus Meridius, has conquered the Germanic tribes.  There have been many battles, but finally peace has come to Rome.  Maximus now wants to return home to his wife and child.

Emperor Aurelius has other plans for Maximus.  Aurelius says that his son Commodus is unfit to rule.  Aurelius wants Maximus to replace him as leader of Rome.  Not as Emperor, but as a regent as Rome transitions to a republic.

Commodus realizes his father’s plan and secretly murders him.  Commodus then names himself Emperor of Rome.  When Maximus refuses to pledge loyalty to Commodus, Commodus has him arrested and marked for execution.

Maximus escapes only to discover that Commodus had Maximus wife and son murdered.  Maximus is now the father of a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife and he shall have his vengeance in this life or the next.

Prepare to be entertained!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Gladiator was nominated for twelve 2001 Academy Awards and won five…

  • Nominee for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration – Arthur Max (art director), Crispian Sallis (set decorator)
  • Nominee for Best Music, Original Score – Hans Zimmer
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Pietro Scalia
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography – John Mathieson
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – David Franzoni (screenplay/story), John Logan (screenplay), William Nicholson (screenplay)
  • Nominee for Best Director – Ridley Scott
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Joaquin Phoenix
  • Winner for Best Effects, Visual Effects – John Nelson, Neil Corbould, Tim Burke, Rob Harvey
  • Winner for Best Sound – Scott Millan, Bob Beemer, Ken Weston
  • Winner for Best Costume Design – Janty Yates
  • Winner for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Russell Crowe
  • Winner for Best Picture – Douglas Wick, David Franzoni, Branko Lustig

Oliver Reed died three weeks short of the end of principal photography.  Ridley Scott didn’t want to recast and reshoot the role (which insurance would have covered).  The script was tweaked and a body double and CGI was used to finish Reed’s role.

Gladiator deserved all of the awards (and nominations) it received.  It is a rare film that continues to entertain over multiple viewings.

Gladiator  (2000) rates 5 of 5 stars.

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

Posted on by

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.

“Inside Moves”  (1980) directed by Richard Donner, starring John Savage, David Morse and Diana Scarwid / Z-View

Posted on by

Inside Moves  (1980)

Director:  Richard Donner

Screenplay: Valerie Curtin, Barry Levinson; based on INSIDE MOVES by Todd Walton

Stars:  John Savage, David Morse, Diana Scarwid, Amy Wright, Bill Henderson, Steve Kahan, Bert Remsen, Harold Russell, Pepe Serna, Harold Sylvester, Richard Donner and Tony Burton.

Tagline: Come join the gang at Max’s for a heartfelt visit and an unforgettable experience.

The Plot…

Roary’s failed suicide attempt left him partially crippled and living in a low-rent area.  One day Roary wanders into Max’s, a bar near his apartment.  Max, the owner is a warm-hearted guy who loves his regulars.

And his regulars are quite a crew.  There’s Blue Lewis who is paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair.  Wings is a double-amputee with hooks for hands.  Stinky is blind.  These three meet at the bar daily for a beer, cards and banter.  Oh, and there’s Jerry Maxwell, one of the bartenders.  Jerry’s bum knee killed his dreams of a career in the NBA.

Soon enough Roary is one of the regulars.  His daily meetings with the gang at Max’s reinvigorates his love of life.  Roary and Jerry become best friends.  Roary has started to develop feelings for Louise, a waitress at the bar.

While shooting around one day, Jerry runs into Alvin Martin, one of the stars of the Golden State Warriors.  Jerry challenges Alvin to a game of one-on-one.  Martin at first refuses.  He doesn’t want to play a guy with a bum leg.  Jerry insults Alvin to the point, that he can’t back down.  Alvin wins.  Barely.  He’s impressed with Jerry’s skills.

Roary, who watched the game, is beyond impressed. He learns that an expensive operation might fix Jerry’s leg.  Jerry doesn’t have that kind of money.  It would take him years to save it.  By then he’d be too old to play.  Plus the operation isn’t a sure thing.  Roary believes it is worth the shot.

And Roary is willing to risk his life savings on it.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Valerie Curtin, who co-wrote the adaptation of Inside Moves, is a writer, actress, and cousin of Jane Curtin.  She co-wrote the film with her then husband, Barry Levinson.

Inside Moves features Harold Russell’s first theatrical film appearance since his Academy Award-winning performance in 1946’s The Best Years of Our Lives.

A pinball machine with Christopher Reeve as Superman appears in Max’s Bar.  Inside Moves‘ director, Richard Donner, also directed Superman starring Christopher Reeve.  In Jerry’s house a poster for The Omen can be seen.  Donner also directed that film.

Inside Moves features David Morse’s theaterical debut and he is excellent.

Diana Scarwid was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Richard Donner appears, uncredited, as the man who closes the ambulance door.  Donner’s cousin, Steve Kahan, has a role as Burt.

Inside Moves features my favorite performance by John Savage, who is excellent as Roary.

Inside Moves (1980) rates 5 of 5 stars.

ROBERT B. PARKER’S THE BRIDGE: A COLE AND HITCH NOVEL by Robert Knott / Z-View

Posted on by

ROBERT B. PARKER’S THE BRIDGE: A COLE AND HITCH NOVEL by Robert Knott

First sentence…

The dense mass of stars was unusually ominous and threatening as if the whole tangle of constellations was up to no damn good.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Word reaches Appaloosa that the massive 300 foot bridge being built over the Rio Blanco River has been blown up.  There has been no account of the lives lost or who was behind the deadly blast.  Appaloosa’s sheriff, Sledge Driskill and his two deputies ride out to investigate.

When days pass with no word from Sheriff Driskill, territorial Marshals Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch decide to investigate.  It could be that Driskill and his men were delayed by the treacherous winter storm that has hit the area.

Or it could be something worse.

When Cole and Hitch are involved, bet on something worse.

+++

THE BRIDGE is the seventh Cole and Hitch outing and the third written by Robert Knott.  The first four were written by the series creator, Robert B. Parker.  Knott was selected to continue the series due to Knott’s involvement with the movie adaptation of Parker’s first Cole and Hitch novel, APPALOOSA.  Knott co-wrote the screenplay with Ed Harris, the star of the film.  Knott also served as a producer on the film and played a supporting role in it as well.  Knott was a worthy choice to continue the Cole and Hitch tales.  Each new novel is sure to entertain.

Rating:

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

Posted on by

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.

“Wolf” (1994) starring Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer / Z-View

Posted on by

Wolf  (1994)

Director:  Mike Nichols

Screenplay: Jim Harrison, Wesley Strick

Stars:  Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader, Kate Nelligan, Richard Jenkins, Christopher Plummer, Allison Janey, David Schwimmer, and David Hyde Pierce.

Tagline: The Animal Is Out

The Plot…

Will Randall, Editor-in-Chief of a large New York publishing company, is driving a country road late one night when he hits something.  It appears to be a large dog. Will gets out to check on the animal. It turns out to be an injured wolf.  The beast bites Will before running into the woods.

Not long after Will learns that the publishing house has been bought out by Raymond Alden.  Alden doesn’t know anything about book publishing. But he knows how to make money.  So Will isn’t surprised to learn he’s been demoted. Stuart Swinton, his young former protégé, is now his boss.  Swinton’s attitude changes overnight from smarmy to condesending.

As Will’s wolf bite heals, he feels reinergized.  Colors seem more vivid.  Smells stronger.  As Will’s body improves so does his confidence.  Will visits Raymond Alden at his home.  There Will meets Alden’s adult daughter.  Will is much older than she can’t deny the attraction.

Will knows the wolf bite is causing the changes.  Each day he’s becoming more aggressive and animalistic.  He worries the changes won’t stop.  What then?

The animal is out.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Wolf features Allison Janney’s feature film debut.

David Schwimmer appears as a cop in a very small role.  Just a few months later he would become a breakout star thanks to his role on Friends.

When werewolf movies are discussed, Wolf almost never is brought up.  Interesting to note that the word werewolf is never used in the film either.

I found Wolf to be better than most folks do. As always your mileage may vary.

Wolf presents an interesting take on becoming a werewolf.  Usually the person bitten feels changing is a curse.  Nicholson’s character enjoys the changes… at least at first.

Spader is so good at playing someone easy to dislike.

Wolf (1994) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“La Cage aux Folles” (1978) / Z-View

Posted on by

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.

“Bosch”: Season 1 (2015) starring Titus Welliver / Z-View

Posted on by

Bosch: Season 1 (2015)

Developed by: Eric Overmyer;  based on the HARRY BOSCH novels THE CONCRETE BLONDE; CITY OF BONES and ECHO PARK by Michael Connelly 

Director:

  • Jim McKay (Ep. 1)
  • Kevin Dowling (Eps. 2-3)
  • Ernest R. Dickerson (Eps. 4-5)
  • Roxann Dawson (Ep. 6)
  • Alex Zakrzewski (Ep. 7; 9)
  • Matt Earl Beesley (Ep.8)
  • Thomas Carter (Ep. 10)

Teleplay by:

  • Eric Overmyer (Eps. 1)
  • Tom Smuts and Eric Overmyer (Ep. 2)
  • Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider (Ep. 3; )
  • George Pelecanos and Michael Connelly (Ep. 4)
  • William N. Fordes (Ep. 5)
  • Jennifer Ames and Steve Turner (Ep. 6)
  • Joel Gonzalez and Eric Overmyer (Ep. 7)
  • William N. Fordes and Tom Smuts (Ep. 8)
  • Michael Connelly and T.L. Lankford (Ep. 10)

Starring:  Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino, Lance Reddick, Annie Wersching, Madison Lintz, Troy Evans, Sarah Clarke, Scott Wilson, Mimi Rogers, Adam O’Byrne, Veronica Cartwright and Jason Gedrick .

Tagline: Based on the best selling novels by Michael Connelly.

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

L.A. Detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch is 47 years old with twenty years on the force.  Before becoming a cop, Bosch served in the Gulf War in the Special Forces.

It’s not been a great year for Bosch.  Although cleared of criminal charges in a shooting, he now faces a civil trial.  Bosch claims the suspect was pulling a gun when Bosch killed him.  The prosecution claims the suspect was unarmed. The gun planted.  The civil trial has created a lot of bad publicity and renewed interest in Detective Bosch by Internal Affairs.

Still dealing with the trail, Bosch responds to a call.  A child’s bones are found in a shallow grave in a wooded area near a nice neighborhood. In short order Bosch discovers leads that implicate several people… including the boy’s father.

The case takes a surprising turn when a routine traffic stop turns out to be anything but.  Raynard Waits is driving a van containing a corpse.  The dead man was tortured before he was killed.  The evidence against Waits is overwhelming.  He is a sadistic sociopath. There will be no deals, no plea bargain.

Then everything changes.

Waits claims that he also killed the little boy whose bones were recently discovered.  Waits says he’s a serial killer of children.  He’ll clear cases and give parents of many missing children peace of mind… but he wants something in return.

Bosch interviews Waits and has several takeaways.  One: Waits is lying. Two: Waits is smart.  Three: Waits is much more clever than he appears.

So when Waits says he will take the police to where he buried the bodies, Bosch is against it.  District Attorny O’Shea (who is up for re-election) approves the field trip.  Waits demands that Bosch be one of the officers in the group.  Again O’Shea approves.

Bosch was right.  Waits had a plan. It results in the murder of the Assistant DA and gravely wounds another officer.  DA O’Shea shifts the blame for the murder and Wait’s escape to Bosch.

As Bosch’s civil trial moves forward, Waits killing spree continues.  As the bodies pile up, Waits publically taunts Bosch.

Did Waits really kill the child?  If not, who did?  If Waits is a serial killer of children why was he found with an adult victim?  Waits is using secrets from Bosch’s past to get under his skin.  How does he know these things?

Bosch needs the answers or more innocent people will die.

Thoughts…

Bosch is excellent in all aspects – writing, directing and acting.

Harry Bosch is a well rounded character brought to life by Titus Welliver who is excellent in the role.  Kudos also to Jason Gedrick who plays Raynard Waits.  Gedrick is perfect.  Other acting standouts include Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino, Lance Reddick, Annie Wersching, Troy Evans, Sarah Clarke and Scott Wilson.

Bosch: Season 1 (2015) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Round Up” (1920) starring Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, Wallace Beery and Buster Keaton / Z-View

Posted on by

The Round Up (1920)

Director:  George Melford

Screenplay: Tom Forman; adapted from the play by Edmund Day

Stars:  Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, Wallace Beery and Buster Keaton.

Tagline: Nobody loves a fat man.

The Plot…

Slim Hoover is the Sheriff of the frontier town Lonesome Pine.  Although adept with a gun, Slim often uses his quick wit to get the drop on the bad hombres.

Dick Lane is almost ready to head back to Lonesome Pine after success prospecting alone in the desert.  Once home Dick plans to marry Echo Allen.  Unfortunately, that is not to be.  Mexican bandits led by the “half-breed” Buck McKee shoot, rob and leave Dick for dead.

When Dick doesn’t return, Jack Payson tells Echo he will ride out and find him.  As Jack is about to go Buck McKee rides up. Buck says he was prospecting with Dick when they were attacked by Mexican bandits.  He says that he and Dick put up a fight, but there were too many.  Dick was shot.  Before he died, Dick asked Buck to escape and bring word to Echo.

What Buck doesn’t know is that although Dick was near death, Mexican Federales saved him.  It will take years for Dick to recover enough to return home.  Meanwhile Jack and Echo fall in love.  After three years pass, Echo agrees to marry Jack.

On the night Echo and Jack are to be wed, Dick returns.  It turns out the bandits didn’t get all of Dick’s gold.  Dick has enough cash to pay Jack the $3,000.00 he owes him.  Jack and Dick meet.  Jack accepts the $3,000.00.  Dick learns that Echo and Jack are about to be wed.  Since no one else has seen him, Dick leaves.

Meanwhile, Buck McKee decides the wedding will provide cover to rob the express agent’s office which is full of cash. The robbery goes sideways when Buck kills the express agent.  Buck takes the money.  He then heads to the wedding so he will have an alibi.

The robbery and murder are discovered.  The wedding guests are shocked.  Buck falls under suspicion. But Buck has seen the large amount of cash Jack has hidden. Buck tells everyone about it. Suddenly Jack becomes the number one suspect.  Jack can’t explain the cash without admitting that Dick is still alive.  That could cost him Echo.

Buck incites the crowd to get justice NOW.  The mob gets worked up for a necktie party.

It will be up to Sheriff Slim to save Jack and see justice is served.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Round Up was Fatty Arbuckle’s first feature film.  Arbuckle had made over 120 comedy shorts prior to this film.

The Round Up was first a successful Broadway play that starred Fatty’s cousin Macklin Arbuckle.  Tom Forman adapted the play and co-starred as Jack.  Because Fatty’s next comedy wasn’t ready, he was tapped to play Sheriff Slim.  The role earned him some of the best reviews of his career.

The Round Up was the first film to be shot in Lonesome Pine, California.  Over 300 more westerns would use the location.

Buster Keaton appears (uncredited) in two scenes as one of the attacking Indians.

The Round Up (1920) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“An Eastern Westerner” (1920) starring Harold Lloyd / Z-View

Posted on by

An Eastern Westerner (1920)

Director:  Hal Roach

Screenplay: Frank Terry, H.M. Walker

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, Noah Young. 

Tagline: A Riot of Rollicking Fun!

The Plot…

Harold is the son of wealthy parents.  Harold parties all night and sleeps during the day.  In an effort to toughen up his son, Harold is sent to his Uncle’s ranch out west.  Harold arrives in the frontier town of Piute Pass.

Almost immediately Harold becomes smitten with a beautiful woman.  The girl, along with her father are seeking work from Tiger Lip Tompkins.  He’s the hardcase that runs the town.  When the girl refuses Tiger Lip’s advances, he kidnaps her father.

Meanwhile Harold is literally dealing with cardsharps, roughnecks and gunslingers.  When Harold learns of the girl’s problem, he decides to win her over, by saving her dad.

Mount up!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Harold Lloyd made this film after an accident that cost him his right thumb and index finger.  For the rest of his career Lloyd wore a flesh-colored prosthetic glove.  Despite the loss of fingers, Lloyd was able to continue his acrobatic stunts.

This film is made in 1920, but it’s obvious that Cowboy movies had already established many of the troupes we expect to see: evil gunslinger who runs the town, damsel in distress, saloon card games and card sharks, barroom brawls, etc.

One of the John Wick 2 posters pays homage to the poster for An Eastern Westerner.

An Eastern Westerner (1920) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Immigrant” (1919) directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin / Z-View

Posted on by

The Immigrant (1917)

Director:  Charlie Chaplin

Screenplay: Charlie Chaplin, Vincent Bryan, Maverick Terrell

Stars:  Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell. 

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Charlie, The Little Tramp, is on a freighter to America.  On the journey Charlie sees a young woman traveling with her mother.  He’s attacted to her.  She seems interested in him.  Perhaps a new life together in America is in their future.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In The Immigrant Chaplin creates a nice mix of humor and romance.  Highlights include the Little Tramp in a card game with roughnecks, Charlie helping the woman and her mother by secretly slipping money into her belongings but being caught with his hand in her stuff and then accused of attempting to steal, plus an extended bit coming up short of cash in a restaurant.

Because The Immigrant wasn’t properly copyrighted, many inferior copies are out there.  Be aware!

The Immigrant (1917) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Massacre Mafia Style” (1974) written, directed and starring Duke Mitchell / Z-View

Posted on by

Massacre Mafia Style (1974)

Director:  Duke Mitchell

Screenplay: Duke Mitchell

Stars:  Duke Mitchell, Vic Caesar, Lorenzo Dodo, Peter Milo, Louis Zito, Cara Salerno, Jimmy Williams and George ‘Buck’ Flower. 

Tagline: You’re IN… or… you’re IN THE WAY!

The Plot…

Mimi Miceli’s father known as The Padrone, was once a powerful and respected mafia crime boss.  That was before The Padrone was tried, convicted and deported.  Mimi tried to live a good life.  But when Mimi’s wife unexpectantly dies something in him snaps.

Mimi decides to get back into “the life”.  He heads to LA where he reconnects with his old time crime partner Jolly Rizzo.  Together Mimi and Jolly plan a move to take over west coast organized crime.  Step one: kidnap west coast Godfather Chucky Tripoli.

After that it’s top of the world, ma!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Duke Mitchell co-produced, wrote, directed and starred in Massacre Mafia Style.  Before this, Mitchell was best known as the cartoon singing voice of Fred Flinstone or one half of the Mitchell / Petrillo nightclub act.  Mitchell and Petrillo were a knockoff of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.  Mitchell sang and Petrillo acted goofy.  Mitchell and Petrillo appeared with Bela Lugosi in the low-budget Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla.

Mitchell went on to have a solo nightclub career.  Mitchell often crossed paths with many celebrities including Frank Sinatra.  Mitchell would use money he saved from singing in an attempt to make low-budget movies.  Most were never completed or released.  Massacre Mafia Style was the exception.

Duke Mitchell died in 1981.  In 2011, a work print of Mitchell’s next film Gone with the Pope, was discovered.  It was restored and released on dvd by Grindhouse Releasing.  Grindhouse Releasing was co-founded by Academy Award winner Bob Murawski and Sage Stallone (Sylvester Stallone’s son).  Grindhouse Releasing also remastered and released Massacre Mafia Style in 2011.

Massacre Mafia Style was released under the following titles: The Executioner, Massacre Mafia Style and Like Father, Like Son.  Mitchell preferred Massacre Mafia Style.

Frank Sinatra reportedly responded to Mitchell’s request to appear in his film by saying, “Duke, I love you, but I get real money to make real films.”

Massacre Mafia Style (1974) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“High and Dizzy” (1920) starring Harold Lloyd & Mildred Davis / Z-View

Posted on by

High and Dizzy (1920)

Director:  Hal Roach

Screenplay: Frank Terry, H.M. Walker

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis. 

Tagline: The Cleverest and Most Rollicking Comedy Ever Produced

The Plot…

Harold is a young doctor with a new practice.  He goes to great lengths to appear busy.  When an older man brings his grown daughter in, Harold is smitten. So is the young lady.   She needsa cure for sleepwalking.   Unfortunately her father isn’t impressed with Harold.  Dad and his daughter leave.

Harold decides to take out his frustration with a few (too many drinks).  After a few close calls with a cop, Harold ends up in a high rise.  Wouldn’t you know it, the sleepwalking beauty lives there.

Rise and shine!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Harold Lloyd and his co-star, Mildred Davis were married three years after the release of High and Dizzy.  They would have three children and remain married until her death on August 18, 1969.  Harold Lloyd died on March 8, 1971.

High and Dizzy (1920) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Marathon” (1919) starring Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard and Bud Jamison / Z-View

Posted on by

The Marathon (1919)

Director:  Alfred J. Goulding

Screenplay: H.M. Walker

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard, Bud Jamison. 

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A rich young woman has her pick of possible suitors.  Her stern father, a retired heavyweight boxer, oversees her choices.  When a slick potential boyfriend butters up to her daddy, he becomes the father’s choice.  Harold, another suitor, is willing to fight for his chance to date the young lady.

Put up your dukes and may the funniest man win!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The mirror gag appears in this film.  Harold and his brother Gaylord (who also plays the Chief of Police) pull off the famous routine.  It’s interesting to note, that Charlie Chaplin was the first to do the mirror comedy skit on film in Floorwalker (1916).  But it was Duck Soup starring The Marx Brothers that made the routine famous.

Bud Jamison, co-star of dozens of Three Stooges shorts, appears uncredited as The Rich Girl’s Father.  Jamison was just six years older than Bebe Daniels, the actress who played his daughter.

The Marathon (1919) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Bumping into Broadway” starring Harold Lloyd / Z-View

Posted on by

Bumping Into Broadway (1919)

Director:  Hal Roach

Screenplay:  Hal Roach, Harold Lloyd; titles by H.M. Walker

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard.

Tagline: Two thousand feet of girls and giggles with a kick like moonshine.

The Plot…

A “girl” dreams of being an actress.  The “boy” in the room next door dreams of being a playwright.  Neither have found success.  When the boy learns that the girl is going to be evicted for not paying her rent, he gives her the last of his money.  All he has to do now is avoid his tough landlady and her big bouncer until he can raise the cash for his rent.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bumping into Broadway is the final film made/released before the accident that cost Harold Lloyd is right thumb and forefinger.  During a photo shoot a prop bomb exploded causing Lloyd’s injury.  In his future films Lloyd wore a glove or keep his right hand hidden.

Bumping into Broadway is the first two-reel film that featured Lloyd’s “glasses” character.

Bumping Into Broadway (1919) rates 4 of 5 stars.