Category: Trivia

“House of Numbers” (1957) starring Jack Palance / Z-View

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House of Numbers (1957)

Director: Russell Rouse

Screenplay:  Don Mankiewicz, Russell Rouse; based on HOUSE OF NUMBERS by Jack Finey.

Stars:  Jack Palance, Harold J. Stone, Barbara Lang, Edward Platt and Timothy Carey.

Tagline: The Most Fascinating Puzzle a Man Ever Faced…and his love depended on the solution!

The Plot…

Arnie Judlow is serving a life sentence for murder.  When Arnie throws a guard over the third floor railing during an altercation, he realizes he may get the gas chamber.  Authorities are waiting to see if the guard recovers or dies.

Arnie comes up with a daring plan.  There is a construction area in the prison. It is off limits to prisoners. Guards just make casual checks there.  Arnie realizes if he can get into the construction zone overnight, he could do “something” that would get him over-the-wall.  The only problem is that during the night count, he would be discovered missing.  The guards would then search every square inch of the prison until they found him.

Arnie knows his plan would work if he could work out a fix for the night count.  And it dawns on him.  If Bill, Arnie’s twin, could sneak into the prison and take his place for the night count, Arnie could setup his escape plan.

Arnie convinces his brother, if the guard dies, Arnie will get the death penalty. The only way to save him is to take Arnie’s place overnight.  Bill realizes, the plan has little hope to succeed, but it is Arnie’s only chance.

Bill agrees to take Arnie’s place overnight.  If all goes well, Bill will get out the next day and Arnie will escape that night.

The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jack Palance plays both Arnie and Bill.

Much of the movie was filmed in San Quentin.

Arnie’s escape plan is so over the top, I was lured in just to see if it would work.

Timothy Carey who is always interesting to watch has a small part.

House of Numbers (1957) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“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.

“Man on Fire” (1987) starring Scott Glenn / Z-View

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Man on Fire (1987)

Director: Elie Chouraqui

Screenplay:  Elie Chouraqui, Sergio Donati, Fabrice Ziolkowski; based on MAN ON FIRE by A. J. Quinnell.

Stars:  Scott Glenn, Brooke Adams, Danny Aiello, Joe Pesci, Paul Shenar, Jonathan Pryce and Jade Malle.

Tagline: For an ex-CIA agent, the job of bodyguard for a twelve-year old girl should have been a breeze…

The Plot…

Christian Creasy is a burned-out ex-C.I.A. agent. Creasy used to be one of the best.  That was before the deaths that Creasy has seen (and been a part of) as a soldier and C.I.A. agent finally took their toll.

Creasy reluctantly accepts the job of bodyguard for a wealthy Italian family.  His job will be to protect their twelve-year-old Samantha.  By the nature of his job Creasy spends a lot of time with Sam.  Her parents are often too busy, so Creasy takes their role.   As time passes, Sam gets Creasy to drop his tough exterior.

Creasy is gravely wounded during Samantha’s kidnapping.  Despite life-threatening injuries, Creasy knows that every passing hour, makes it less likely Samantha will be returned alive.  Creasy is determined to get her back alive… even if it kills him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tony Scott was considered to direct, but ultimately Elie Chouraqui was selected.  Scott would direct the 2004 (and vastly superior) adaptation.  If Scott had made the film in 2007, he hoped to get Marlon Brando or Robert De Niro to star.

Brooke Adams, Danny Aiello, Joe Pesci and Jonathan Pryce get very little screen time.

Man on Fire (1987) clocks in at 92 minutes but seems longer.  The supporting cast could have been put to better use.  Come to think of it so could the stars.

Man on Fire (1987) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Valley of Gwangi” (1969) starring James Franciscus / Z-View

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The Valley of Gwangi (1969)

Director:  Jim O’Connolly

Screenplay: William Bast, Julian More, Willis H. O’Brien

Stars:  James Franciscus, Gila Golan, Richard Carlson, Laurence Naismith, Freda Jackson, Gustavo Rojo.

Tagline: Cowboys Battle Monsters in the Lost World of Forbidden Valley.

The Plot…

Tuck Kirby, a stuntman working in a traveling Wild West Show ventures into the Forbidden Valley.  There he discovers a world that never changed.  Dinosaurs and other creatures thrive there!  Kirby and other cowboys from the show decide to capture an allosaurus called Gwangi.  They figure once they have the monster in the show, they’ll become rich.

What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Willis O’Brien, the genius behind the stop-motion animation effect in King Kong, had an idea for a follow-up film.  It was to be called Valley of the Mists.  Cowboys would discover a world of dinosaurs and bring one back to civilization.  World War II, budget constraints and changes in studio leadership brought about the demise of the project.  Years later, Ray Harryhausen (Willis’ mentee who went on to great success in stop-motion animation) brought forth the idea which became The Valley of Gwangi.

The Valley of Gwangi was adapted into a comic book published by Dell and released in December 1969.

The Valley of Gwangi was in production for one and a half years due to the extensive use of stop-motion animation.  The dinosaur roping sequence alone took two and a half months to complete.   During the production of Gwangi, the studio management changed.  The new regime didn’t have faith in the film and released it with little publicity.

I saw The Valley of Gwangi at a drive-in when it was first released.  I was ten or eleven.  The perfect age for a cowboys and dinosaurs movie.  I loved it.  Viewings as an adult are still fun, but some of the luster is gone.

The Valley of Gwangi brought its star James Franciscus to my attention.  I next saw him the following year in Beneath the Planet of the Apes and the year after that in the tv series Longstreet (with occasional guest star Bruce Lee!).

The Valley of Gwangi (1969) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Raid: Redemption” (2011) written & directed by Gareth Evans, starring Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian / Z-View

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The Raid: Redemption (2011)

Director:  Gareth Evans

Screenplay: Gareth Evans

Stars:  Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian, Pierre Gruno, Ray Sahetapy and Tegar Sathya.

Tagline: 1 Ruthless Crime Lord, 20 Elite Cops, 30 Floors of Hell

The Plot…

Rama, a rookie cop is part of a squad sent in to take down the notorius crime lord Tama Riyadi.  Riyadi along with his crime bosses Andi and Mad Dog have made a large apartment building their headquarters.  Although some law-abiding citizens live in the building, many of the apartments are rented by Riyadi’s drug dealers and crooks.

The raid starts off well… until one of Riyadi’s lookoouts sounds an alarm.  Riyadi calls in reinforcements and announces to all of the residents the police are there.  Anyone who kills a cop will get to live rent-free forever.

Rama hopes to survive to get home to his pregnant wife.  Outumbered and outgunned, Rama and the police squad are in a battle for their lives.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although the tagline says “30 Floors of Hell” the apartment building has just 15 stories.

Gareth Evans originally wanted to film in a prison, but the budget wouldn’t allow it.  So Gareth changed the location to an apartment building.  The success of the film allowed the sequel to be set in a prison.

The Raid: Redemption is a favorite of action fans.  It felt as if Gareth Evans took the plot of Bruce Lee’s Game of Death and said, “Let’s go bigger.”  Coincidentally, The Raid: Redemption and Dredd starring Karl Urban share a similar plot and were released within months of each other.

The Raid: Redemption (2011) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Alien Nation” (1988) starring James Caan & Mandy Patinkin / Z-View

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Alien Nation  (1988)

Director:  Graham Baker

Screenplay: Rockne S. O’Bannon

Stars:  James Caan, Mandy Patinkin, Terence Stamp, Kevyn Major Howard, Leslie Bevis, Peter Jason, Jeff Kober, Roger Aaron Brown  and Brian Thompson.

Tagline: Los Angeles, 1991. They have come to Earth to live among us. They’ve learned the language, taken jobs, and tried to fit in. But there’s something about them we don’t know.

The Plot…

Three years ago aliens landed.  Since then these “Newcomers” have intigrated into society.  In L.A.,  Newcomer Sam Francisco has just been promoted to Detective.  Francisco is teamed with veteran cop Matthew Sykes.  It’s an uneasy alliance.

Francisco and Sykes’ first case is to look into the murder of Newcomer Warren Hubley.  Their investigation uncovers a conspiracy between wealthy politicans and influential newcomers.  At the heart of the cabal’s scheme is a newcomer secret that changes everything.

Prepare yourself… the aliens are here and all is not as it seems.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sam Francisco’s name in the original script was George Jetson.  That changed when Hanna-Barbera refused to license the rights.  Sykes’ calling Sam “George” was a in-joke.

James Cameron was credited as one of the writers in an Alien Nation early draft, but his name doesn’t appear in the movie’s credits.

Alien Nation spawned a tv series that ran for one season.  There were also five television movie spin-offs, comic books and novelizations.

Brian “Cobra” Thompson is the only actor to appear in both the feature film and the television series.

I like the poster for the film.  It doesn’t feature the movie’s stars.  Instead we get a tagline that sets up everything and cool art that looks like it could be a crime thriller (with aliens).

Alien Nation is a fun film.

Alien Nation  (1988) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Play Misty for Me” (1971) directed and starring Clint Eastwood, also starring Jessica Walter, Donna Mills and John Larch / Z-View

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Play Misty for Me  (1971)

Director:  Clint Eastwood

Screenplay: Jo Heims, Dean Riesner;  story by Jo Heims

Stars:  Clint Eastwood, Jessica Walter, Donna Mills, John Larch, Clarice Taylor and Don Siegel.

Tagline: The scream you hear may be your own!

The Plot…

Dave Garner is a late night DJ.  Dave is also a player.  He’s good looking and knows it.  His womanizing ways cost him his relationship with Tobie, the woman would might have been “the one”.

Dave often stops in for a drink at his favorite bar after work.  Sometimes he uses his charm and good looks to pick up a woman.  Dave always makes sure that his new friend knows that he’s only looking for a casual relationship.  Which is what happens the night he meets Evelyn Draper.  She’s attractive, friendly and like Dave, isn’t looking for anything more than a good time.

It turns out Evelyn wasn’t being honest.  Worse still, she isn’t the friendly rationale person she seemed.

When Tobie comes back into Dave’s life, things spiral out of control.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Don Siegel, who directed five Clint Eastwood films, appears as Murph, the bartender.

Play Misty for Me marks Clint Eastwood’s debut as a film director… and Don Siegel’s as an actor.

The film was originally to be set in LA.  Clint Eastwood changed the location to  the small town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.  Eastwood was then able to film at actual locations (the radio station, bars, houses, etc.).  Years later Clint Eastwood would become mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

The concert scenes were shot at the 1970 Monterey Jazz Festival.

Jessica Walter is amazing in her role as Evelyn.  She was nominated for a well-deserved Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

I saw this film when it was first released.  I made the tagline, “the scream you hear may be your own” come true.  (Keep in mind I was just 13.)  I’ve watched Play Misty for Me many times over the years and it still holds up.

Play Misty for Me  (1971) rates 5 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.

“Slayground” (1983) starring Peter Coyote / Z-View

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Slayground  (1983)

Director:  Terry Bedford

Screenplay: Trevor Preston; based on SLAYGROUND by Richard Stark

Stars:  Peter Coyote, Mel Smith, Billie Whitelaw.

Tagline: Welcome to Your Funeral

The Plot…

Stone is a career criminal.  He’s ready to walk away from his next planned armed robbery because his regular getaway driver is unavailable.  Stone’s partner has another wheelman for the job and convinces Stone to go through it.

Big mistake.

The new driver is inexperienced.  During the getaway, he causes a crash that kills a nine-year-old girl.  The girl’s father is a millionaire.  He hires a hitman to find and murder the men responsible for his daughter’s death.

The killer is relentless and the girl’s father has money to pay whatever the cost.  When Stone learns there is a price on his head, he goes on the run.

But there is no where he can hide.  The killer is closing in.

Stone… welcome to your funeral.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Slayground is based on the novel of the same name by Richard Stark (Donald Westlake).  Except for the title, little else from Stark’s novel makes it onscreen.

When the film was released I thought it was another killer at a carnival movie.  Years later I learned it was based on the Parker novels by Richard Stark.  So I gave it a go only to find out it had little to do with the Stark’s novel.  Meh.

Slayground  (1983) rates 2 of 5 stars.

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

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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

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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.

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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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

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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.