Category: Z-View

“Homicidal” (1961) directed by William Castle / Z-View

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Homicidal (1961)

Director:  William Castle

Screenplay: Robb White

Stars: Glenn Corbett, Patricia Breslin, James Westerfield, Gilbert Green, Joan Marshall, Ralph Moody, ‘Snub’ Pollard, Hope Summers and William Castle.

Tagline: SPECIAL “FRIGHT BREAK” * There will be a special FRIGHT BREAK during the showing of “Homicidal.” Can your heart stand the challenge when the clock starts the COUNTDOWN?

The Plot…

A woman claiming to be Miriam Webster offers a bellman $2,000.00 to marry her.  She says that they can annul the marriage right after the ceremony.  The bellman agrees.  The next night they go to a Justice of the Peace.  After he performs the ceremony the woman pulls out a long knife and repeatedly stabs him to death.  The woman then runs off into the night.

The police quickly clear the real Miriam Webster (Breslin).  They learn that Miriam and her brother, Warren, are about to inherit a fortune due to their father’s death.  More murders will occur before the secrets that they are hiding will be discovered.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

William Castle was known for his gimmick films.  Three examples include:

  • The Tingler, he had small electric jolts and/or vibrators in some theater seats
  • Mr. Sardonicus, audience members were given glow in the dark cards to vote on the movie’s ending
  • House on Haunted Hill, a flying skeleton flew across the theater

For Homicidal, William Castle had a “Fright Break” prior to the ending of the film.  Audience members too frightened to stay for the end had 45 seconds (a timer appeared on the movie screen) to leave the theater. They would go to the “Coward’s Corner” in the lobby.  There they had to sign a certificate verifying they were indeed a coward.  Very few patrons took up the offer, but it was a great selling point.  THAT wasn’t the best gimmick of Homicidal.  SPOILER ALERT – it will be discussed below.

Homicidal cashed in on the success of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho which was released the year before.

Joan Marshall played both Emily and Warren. Emily was credited as Jean Arless to keep the movie’s gimmick a secret.  In order to convince William Castle she could play both roles convincingly, Marshall showed up dressed as a man for an interview.  She fooled them and won the part.

Homicidal (1961) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Festival of the Living Dead” (2024) / Z-View

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Festival of the Living Dead (2024)

Director: Jen and Sylvia Soska

Screenplay: Miriam Lyapin, Helen Marsh

Stars: Camren Bicondova, Ashley Moore.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A group of teenage friends attend the Festival of the Living Dead which commemorates the 55th anniversary of the original zombie attack.  While at the festivals zombies, you guessed it, attack.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I enjoy a good zombie movie.  I tapped out of this one after 31 minutes.

Festival of the Living Dead (2024) rates 1 of 5 stars.

“Violence” (1947) / Z-View

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Violence (1947)

Director:  Jack Bernhard

Screenplay: Lewis Lantz, Stanley Rubin

Stars: Nancy Coleman, Michael O’Shea, Sheldon Leonard, Peter Whitney, Emory Parnell, Pierre Watkin, Frank Reicher, Cay Forester, Fred Aldrich, Frank Cady and John Hamilton.

Tagline: YOU READ ABOUT THESE CASES EVERY DAY!

The Plot…

True Dawson (Parnell) is a corrupt politician preying on working men and military veterans.  Undercover reporter Ann Mason (Coleman) has the goods to bring Dawson to justice.  As Ann makes her escape, she’s injured in a car wreck and develops amnesia.  If Dawson discovers Ann is the source, he’ll have her killed… and the clues are there.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although Violence is a run of the mill “B” picture, it’s interesting how the politics played out in the film could come from today.

Violence (1947) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Girl in Black Stockings” (1957) starring Lex Barker, Anne Bancroft, Mamie Van Doren & John Dehner / Z-View

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The Girl in Black Stockings (1957)

Director:  Howard W. Koch

Screenplay: Richard Landau, based on the short story “Wanton Murder” by Peter Godfrey

Stars: Lex Barker, Anne Bancroft, Mamie Van Doren, John Dehner, Ron Randell, Marie Windsor, John Holland, Diana Van der Vlis, Richard H. Cutting, Larry Chance, Gene O’Donnell, Stuart Whitman and Dan Blocker.

Tagline: One Will Die Tonight!

The Plot…

When a party girl is found brutally murdered, Sheriff Jess Holmes (Dehner) has no shortage of suspects. They include:

  • David Hewson (Barker), a LA lawyer on vacation
  • Beth Dixon (Bancroft), Ed Parry’s former personal assistant
  • Ed Parry (Randell), the paralyzed, wheelchair-bound lodge owner
  • Julia Parry (Windsor), Ed’s sister and caretaker
  • Norman Grant (Holland), a once-famous actor hoping for a comeback
  • Harriett Ames (Van Doren), Norman Grant’s much younger lady friend
  •  Joseph Felton (O’Donnell), a guest who just recently arrived at the lodge
  • Joe (Chance), an employee of the lodge

Sheriff Holmes has his hands full. More will die before the murderer is revealed!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Girl in Black Stockings was filmed on location at the Parry Lodge in Kanab, Utah.

Top-billed Lex Barker played Tarzan in five movies prior to making this.

Anne Bancroft would go on to be nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actress in a Leading Role five times, winning once in 1963 for her performance in The Miracle Worker.

Stuart Whitman and Dan Blocker appear in small roles.

The Girl in Black Stockings (1957) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“On the Line” (2022) starring Mel Gibson / Z-View

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On the Line (2022)

Director:  Romuald Boulanger

Screenplay: Romuald Boulanger

Stars: Mel Gibson, William Moseley, Alia Seror-O’Neill, Paul Spera and Kevin Dillon.

Tagline: There’s a Killer on the Line

The Plot…

Elvis Cooney (Gibson), late night radio shock jock finds himself with a caller who will kill Cooney’s family if Cooney doesn’t follow his directions on-air.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

On the Line sets up and interesting premise and follows through for the first hour and a half or so.  Then in the final minutes we are left feeling like we just watched the ninth season of Dallas.

On the Line (2022) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Night of Terror” (1933) starring Bela Lugosi / Z-View

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Night of Terror (1933)

Director:  Benjamin Stoloff

Screenplay: Willard Mack, Beatrice Van, Lester Neilson, William Jacobs

Stars: Bela Lugosi, Wallace Ford, Tully Marshall, George Meeker, Matt McHugh, Dave O’Brien and Oscar Smith.

Tagline: A mad murdering midnight menace!

The Plot…

A serial killer known as The Maniac is on the loose.  He was last seen near the estate where a rich man was murdered.  When the family comes together they learn they are heirs to the fortune left behind.  As family members turn up dead, survivors wonder if the killer is the Maniac or someone in the family attempting to get a bigger share.

How many will have to die before the truth is known?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although Bela Lugosi gets top billing, he plays a supporting character.

The best part of the film is after the mystery is solved.  The killer is caught. The Maniac is lying dead on the floor.  The family exits and we’re expecting “THE END” to appear.  But instead the Maniac gets up, walks close to the camera and speaks directly to the audience.  He warns them that if any tell how the movie ends he will find and haunt them! (Oh, and the Maniac isn’t the killer!)

Night of Terror (1933) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Apocalypto” (2006) directed by Mel Gibson

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Apocalypto (2006)

Director:  Mel Gibson

Screenplay: Mel Gibson, Farhad Safinia

Stars: Rudy Youngblood, Raoul Max Trujillo, Gerardo Taracena, Jonathan Brewer and Iazua Larios.

Tagline: No one can outrun their destiny.

The Plot…

When Jaguar Paw’s village is attacked, he manages to hide his pregnant wife and young son in a deep hole right outside their jungle settlement.  He then goes back to fight the attackers.  With overwhelming numbers, the attacking Mayans kill or capture every man and woman in the village.  The prisoners will be marched to the Mayan city.  The women then sold into slavery and the men publicly sacrificed.

Jaguar Paw is determined to escape, survive and get back to his family.  Odds are against it.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When people talk about Mel Gibson’s directing ability they usually mention Braveheart, Hacksaw Ridge and The Passion of the Christ.  Apocalypto should be included in that group.  It’s arguably the best film he ever directed.

Many of the roles in Apocalypto were performed by Mayans who had never acted before.

Apocalypto was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Achievement in Makeup (Aldo Signoretti, Vittorio Sodano); Best Achievement in Sound Mixing (Kevin O’Connell, Greg P. Russell, Fernando Cámara) and Best Achievement in Sound Editing (Sean McCormack, Kami Asgar).

Apocalypto (2006) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Road House” (2024) starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniela Melchior & Conor McGregor / Z-View

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Road House (2024)

Director:  Doug Liman

Screenplay: Anthony Bagarozzi, Charles Mondry, story by Anthony Bagarozzi, Charles Mondry, David Lee Henry based on Road House by David Lee Henry, Hilary Henkin

Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniela Melchior, Conor McGregor, Billy Magnussen, Jessica Williams, B.K. Cannon, Joaquim de Almeida, Austin Post Malone, Lukas Gage, Dominique Columbus, Beau Knapp, Hannah Love Lanier, Travis Van Winkle and JD Pardo.

Tagline: Take it outside.

The Plot…

Ex-UFC cage fighter, Elwood Dalton (Gyllenhaal) is offered $5,000.00 a week to become head bouncer at the Road House beach bar.  A biker gang has been terrorizing customers.  Dalton reluctantly takes the job.  He then discovers that the bikers are pawns used by a drug runner who wants the Road House for reasons of his own.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Road House is Conor McGregor’s film debut.

Director Doug Liman keeps the action moving and the shots interesting.

Jake Gyllenhaal is great as the “keep it cool” character with a savage dark side once a line is crossed.

Conor McGregor is as over the top in the movie as he is in real life.  Let that sink in.

While not as good as the original, I enjoyed it more than most folks.  Road House (2024) currently has a 6.2 out of 10 rating at IMDb.  At Rotten Tomatoes it has 59% rating among reviewers and a 54% audience rating.

Road House (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Pushover” (1954) starring Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak, Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone & E.G. Marshall / Z-View

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Pushover (1954)

Director:  Richard Quine

Screenplay: Roy Huggins based on THE NIGHT WATCH by Thomas Walsh and RAFFERTY by Bill Ballinger

Stars: Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak, Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone, E.G. Marshall, Allen Nourse, James Anderson, Tony Barrett, Phil Chambers, Alan Dexter, Anne Loos, Marion Ross, Paul Richards and Dick Crockett.

Tagline: HOT-BLOODED BLONDE…COLD-BLOODED GUY…and MURDER!

The Plot…

Detective Paul Sheridan (MacMurray) is sent undercover to befriend Lona McLane (Novak).  Lona is the girlfriend of Harry Wheeler (Richards), the prime suspect in a bank robbery where a security guard was killed and the thieves made off with over $200,000.00.  Paul and Lona hit it off.

The police have placed Lona’s apartment under 24 hour surveillance by Paul, an alcoholic cop named Paddy (Nourse) and Detective Rick McAllister (Carey).  Paul is surprised when Lona shows up at his house when he’s off-shift.  Lona tells Paul that she knows he’s a cop.  That she loves him.  That if Paul will kill Harry, they could run away together with the bank cash.

Paul refuses… at first.  But he’s in love and the temptation is too great.  Paul and Lona come up with a plan, but like the best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although Kim Novak’s credit says, Introducing, this wasn’t her first on-screen appearance.  She was just 21 when Pushover was released.  She definitely comes off as sexier,  older and more world-weary than a 21 year old.

Roy Huggins’s script was based on two books not written by him. Huggins was himself a novelist and screenwriter.  He was also writer, creator and/or producer of television series that include Maverick, 77 Sunset Strip, The Fugitive, Hunter, and The Rockford Files.

Marion Ross of Happy Days fame appears uncredited as Mrs. Crockett.

Fred MacMurray and Kim Novak are excellent.  Kudos also to Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone and E.G. Marshall.

Pushover (1954) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Crooked Circle” (1932) starring Zasu Pitts & James Gleason / Z-View

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The Crooked Circle (1932)

Director:  H. Bruce Humberstone

Screenplay: Ralph Spence (original screenplay), Tim Whelan (additional dialogue)

Stars: Zasu Pitts, James Gleason, C. Henry Gordon, Raymond Hatton, Berton Churchill, Spencer Charters, Robert Frazer, Frank Reicher and Christian Rub.

Tagline: WHAT TIME IS IT WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES 13? THRILLS will creep on you-LAUGHS will leap on you! IN ZASU PITTS FIRST FEATURE PICTURE

The Plot…

The Crooked Circle, a secret group of criminals, has vowed to kill Colonel Theodore Walters.  Walters is a member of the Sphinx Club, a group of amateur detectives.

When the Sphinx Club meets at a creepy, old mansion, the Crooked Circle plan to make good on their vow.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Crooked Circle is a variation on “The Old Dark House” movies that were popular in the era.  Hidden passageways, ghosts, bad guys and a touch of comedy are staples of this genre.

Zasu Pitts and James Gleason were the top billed stars, but their characters aren’t the main focus of the film.

Zasu is her real name.  Her mother made it up taking the last two letters of Eliza and the first two letters of Susan.  Her mother’s sisters were named Eliza and Susan.

Zasu Pitts was the inspiration for Popeye’s girlfriend, Olive Oyle!

The Crooked Circle (1932) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Where Danger Lives” (1950) starring Robert Mitchum / Z-View

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Where Danger Lives (1950)

Director:  John Farrow

Screenplay: Charles Bennett, story by Leo Rosten

Stars: Robert Mitchum, Claude Rains, Faith Domergue, Maureen O’Sullivan, Ralph Dumke, Harry Shannon, Philip Van Zandt and Jack Kelly.

Tagline: She’s tempting to look at – dangerous to know!

The Plot…

Dr. Jeff Cameron (Mitchum) is about to leave work when an attempted suicide named Margo Lannington (Domergue) is brought in.  Jeff saves the young woman.  In short order, Jeff falls in love.  Suddenly one evening, Margo says that her father is taking her on a trip out of the country the next day.  Jeff attempts to talk Margo into not going.  She says she has no choice and leaves Jeff in the restaurant. After several drinks Jeff decides to ask Margo’s father for permission to marry her.

Jeff arrives at Lannington’s mansion.  He is invited in by Margo’s father (Reins) who listens to Jeff speak about his whirlwind romance of Margo.  Margo enters the room and is surprised to see Jeff.  She tells him to leave.  Jeff says, that he’s there to ask her father for permission to marry her.  Margo’s father says, “I don’t know why you kept calling me her father.  I’m her husband.”

Jeff is shocked. Margo says she loves Jeff, but he’s upset because she lied to him.  As he walks out, Jeff hears Margo scream.  He runs back in.  Margo is on the floor.  She’s obviously been struck by her husband.  Jeff and the husband struggle.  Jeff is struck several times with fireplace poker, but manages to knock her husband unconscious.

Jeff leaves the room to get a bandage for his head.  When Jeff returns he’s shocked to find that Margo’s husband isn’t knocked out.  He’s dead.  Jeff wants to call the police, but Margo convinces him that they’d never believe it was self-defense.  They had been seen dating and no court would believe their story.

Reluctantly, Jeff leaves with Margo.  Their plan is to cross into Mexico and escape.  But like the best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Before Jeff meets Margo, he’s dating Julie Dorn (O’Sullivan).  Despite dumping her, going on the run and being wanted for murder, she immediately takes him back.  It didn’t ring true, but it did give the movie a happy ending.

Maureen O’Sullivan was director, John Farrow’s wife. Speaking of John Farrow, I’m a fan of other movies that he directed.  They include: 5 Came Back, The Big Clock, Hondo, Back from Eternity (a remake of 5 Came Back) and The Unholy Wife.

Mitchum’s star power, Claude Rein’s small (but important) role and a nice twist at the end which gets Mitchum’s character off the hook for murder elevate this film.

Where Danger Lives (1950) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Town” directed by Ben Affleck, starring Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm & Jeremy Renner / Z-View

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The Town (2010)

Director:  Ben Affleck

Screenplay: Peter Craig, Ben Affleck, Aaron Stockard based on PRINCE OF THIEVES by Chuck Hogan

Stars: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, George Carroll, Owen Burke, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper and Victor Garber.

Tagline: Welcome to the bank robbery capital of America.

The Plot…

Doug MacRay (Affleck), “Jem” Coughlin (Renner), “Gloansy” MacGloan (Carroll) and “Dez” Elden (Burke) have been friends for years.  Now in their early twenties they are accomplished bank robbers.  When the latest heist goes sideways, Jem takes bank teller Claire Keesey (Hall) hostage during their getaway.

When Claire is released unharmed, FBI agents think she may have been working with the bank robbers.  Because Claire may have information she’s given to the FBI, the thieves decide Doug should “get close” to her.  Doug sets up a random encounter.  He and Claire hit it off.  Soon Doug finds himself falling for her.

As the FBI begin to close in, Doug and his crew are given their next robbery assignment.  When Doug refuses the job, Claire’s life is threatened.  No matter what Doug chooses, things are not going to end well.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jeremy Renner was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.  Renner was also a nominee for the Best Supporting Actor Award by the National Society of Film Critics, USA.  The Screen Actors Guild also nominated him as Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role.

Pete Postlethwaite was nominated for a British Academy Film Award as Best Supporting Actor.

Kudos to Ben Affleck who shows his prowess as a director.

The Town (2010) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Appaloosa” (2008) starring Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger & Jeremy Irons / Z-View

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Appaloosa (2008)

Director:  Ed Harris

Screenplay: Robert Knott, Ed Harris based on APPALOOSA  by Robert B. Parker

Stars: Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger, Jeremy Irons, Timothy V. Murphy, Luce Rains, Boyd Kestner, Cerris Morgan-Moyer and James Gammon.

Tagline: Feelings get you killed.

The Plot…

Randall Bragg (Irons) is a rancher who lives outside the town of Appaloosa.  When Bragg and his men ride into town they do as they wish.  Laws be damned.  After a disturbance, the town’s Marshall and two deputies are brutally gunned down when they try to serve a warrant.

Marshall Virgil Cole (Harris) and his partner, Deputy Everett Hitch (Mortensen) agree to become  Appaloosa’s lawmen.  They have a reputation for no nonsense.  Bragg learns of Cole and Hitch and rides into town with his crew to intimidate them.  Bragg sees that Cole and Hitch won’t back down or tolerate nonsense.  This puts them on a collision course that won’t end well for anyone.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Appaloosa is based on the first novel in Robert B. Parker’s Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch series.  Since Parker’s death Robert Knott (the co-screenwriter on this movie) has continued the book series.  At one point it was thought that there would be more movies based on the books, but they never happened.

Appaloosa (2008) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Black Mass” (2015) starring Johnny Depp / Z-View

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Black Mass (2015)

Director:  Scott Cooper

Screenplay: Mark Mallouk, Jez Butterworth based on BLACK MASS: WHITEY BULGER, THE FBI AND A DEVIL’S DEAL by Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neil

Stars: Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Joel Edgerton, Kevin Bacon, Jesse Plemons, Rory Cochrane, David Harbour, Adam Scott, Corey Stoll, Julianne Nicholson, W. Earl Brown, Bill Camp, Mark Mahoney, Brad Carter, Scott Anderson, James Russo and Juno Temple.

Tagline: Based on the true story of one of the most notorious gangsters in U.S. history

The Plot…

When FBI agent John Connolly (Edgerton) is assigned to the Boston area where he was raised, he gets an outrageous idea.  Growing up, Connolly was friends with James “Whitey” Bulger (Depp).  Bulger now controls one of the major crime gangs in Boston.  Connolly wants to make Bulger a FBI informant.

Reluctant at first, Bulger agrees when he realizes he can use the FBI connection to his advantage.  Protected by his “FBI informant” status, Bulger uses the information he gets from Connolly to take out rival gangs.  Bulger becomes even more powerful.  Realizing he’s been used Connolly has no recourse but to protect Bulger.  Bulger’s hunger for power continues to drive him to commit worse crimes.  Soon Connolly will be unable to protect Bulger, and even more importantly himself.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

As outrageous as it sounds, Black Mass is based on real-life criminal James “Whitey” Bulger.  Bulger’s brother was a US senator.  Whitey was at one time #1 on the FBI’s Most Wanted List!  Bulger was, as the film shows pre-end credits, captured and sent to prison.  While in prison, he was repeatedly stabbed and beaten to death by prisoners.

Johnny Depp is unrecognizable as Whitey Bulger. Depp has said that this role is his favorite performance of all the roles he’s played.  For his part Depp was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.

Depp is supported by an outstanding cast.  Special mention to Joel Edgerton, Jesse Plemons and Juno Temple for their performances.

Black Mass (2015) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Naked Prey” (1965) directed by and starring Cornel Wilde / Z-View

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The Naked Prey (1965)

Director:  Cornel Wilde

Screenplay: Clint Johnston, Don Peters

Stars: Cornel Wilde, Gert van den Bergh, Ken Gampu.

Tagline: Stripped, weaponless, alone and only ten desperate seconds ahead of the killers!

The Plot…

When a 1800s safari enters a tribe’s territory, one of the warriors demands a tribute.  Even though the “gifts” wouldn’t amount to much, the man who paid for the safari refuses.  The guide suggests that to not pay would be seen as an insult and the toll would be minimal.  The man again refuses and pushes the warrior out of his way as he walks off.

Later the expedition is overrun by tribal warriors.  They kill all but five members of the safari including the guide. The members of the expedition are killed by brutal methods.  The guide is saved for last.  He is stripped of all weapons and clothes.  Totally naked he will be given a short head start.  Then the best warriors from the tribe will chase him down and kill him.

What chance does he have?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The script was based on a real life adventure that took place in 1808.  John Colter was a fur trapper.  He and another trapper were captured by Blackfoot Indians.  His partner was killed and Colter was given a head start to run for his life.  He survived.

This was Cornel Wilde’s favorite film that he directed.

The Naked Prey was filmed on location in Southern Africa

The Naked Prey (1965) rates 4 of 5 stars.