Category: Z-View

“Justified: City Primeval” (2023) starring Timothy Olyphant & Boyd Holbrook / Z-View

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Justified: City Primeval (2023)

Written by: Dave Andron & Michael Dinner (eps. 1 – 2, 7 – 8); Eisa Davis & Chris Provenzano (eps. 3, 5); Taylor Elmore (ep. 4); Taylor Elmore & V.J. Boyd (ep. 6)

Directed by: Michael Dinner (eps. 1 -2, 8); Jon Avnet (ep. 3); Gwyneth Horder-Payton (ep. 4); Kevin Rodney Sullivan (ep. 5); Sylvain White (ep. 6); Katrelle Kindred (ep. 7)

Stars: Timothy Olyphant, Boyd Holbrook, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Adelaide Clemens, Marin Ireland, Victor Williams, Norbert Leo Butz, Alexander Pobutsky, Terry Kinney, Regina Taylor, Yosef Kasnetzkov, Paul Calderon, Amin Joseph, Walton Goggins, Keith David, Natalie Zea, Luis Guzmán  and Vivian Olyphant.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Raylan Givens (T. Olyphant) is a US Marshall and part time father to his 15 year old daughter, Willa (V. Olyphant). Raylan is sent to Detroit to testify in a court case.  While testifying, Raylan tests Judge Alvin Guy’s patience.  That evening the judge is murdered by a sociopath named Clement Mansell.. Raylan is assigned to the team tracking down the killer.

Mansell is known as The Oklahoma Wildman.  He has no fear and kills without remorse. Before it is over, Raylan will find himself dealing not only with Mansell, but an attorney willing to cross the line in her efforts to become a judge, a dirty cop, and the Armenian mob.

“You want a shootin’ match?  Let’s go.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Elmore Leonard novel City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit doesn’t feature Raylan Givens.  It was adapted to bring back Justified.  The novel’s protagonist is Homicide Detective Raymond Cruz.  The Cruz character also appeared in Leonard’s Out of Sight novel.  When Out of Sight was transformed into a feature film starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez, Paul Calderón played Detective Cruz.  Calderón also appears as Cruz in Justified: City Primeval.

A hero is only as good as the villain he’s facing.  Clement Mansell is a great one.  Boyd Holbrook is perfect.  Other standouts include:

  • Aunjanue Ellis as Carolyn Wilder.  Wilder is Mansell’s defense attorney who ends up in a complicated relationship with Raylan.  She’s strong, vulnerable and willing to cross lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
  • Vondie Curtis-Hall as Marcus “Sweety” Sweeton.  Sweety was once a talented musician, crook and friend to Mansell Clement.  Now Sweety owns a bar.  Sweety is drawn back into the life with the return of Mansell and his plan to get rich.
  • Adelaide Clemens as Sandy Stanton.  Sandy is Mansell’s woman girl. She’s in way over her head and sees no way out.
  • Victor Williams as Detective Wendell Robinson.  Williams is best known for his comedic role on The King of Queens.  Here he shows his dramatic chops.
  • Keith David as Judge Alvin Guy.  Keith is only in one episode, but he shines.

Some actors/actresses are born to play a character.  Timothy Olyphant is a perfect example.  He IS US Marshall Raylan Givens.  Everyone remembers the great lines and Olyphant’s delivery.  I also love the quiet moments when Olyphant uses his body language, eyes and facial expressions to sell a scene.

It’s not often a series returns and is as great as the original.  Justified: City Primeval is a great example that it can be done.  There’s an excellent set-up for another season at the end of Justified: City Primeval.  I hope it happens.

Justified: City Primeval (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Paradise Alley” (1978) written, directed and starring Sylvester Stallone / Z-View

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Paradise Alley (1978)

Director: Sylvester Stallone

Screenplay: Sylvester Stallone

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Lee Canalito, Armand Assante, Frank McRae, Anne Archer, Kevin Conway, Terry Funk, Joyce Ingalls, Joe Spinell, Aimee Eccles, Tom Waits, Frank Pesce, Ray Sharkey, Frank Stallone, Ted DiBiase, Dory Funk Jr., Don Leo Jonathan, Gene Kiniski, Dick Murdoch, Ray Stevens  and Paul Mace.

Tagline:  Three brothers… One had the brains, one had the muscle and one had the suit. Together they had a million dollar dream.

The Plot…

The Carboni brothers, Lenny (Assante), Cosmo (Stallone) and Victor (Canalito) are just getting by.  Lenny, who returned from the war a hero with a limp, is an undertaker.  Cosmo lives by his wits, always looking for a fast buck.  Victor hauls ice.

After an evening in Paradise Alley where real (not scripted) wrestling matches take place, Cosmo gets an idea.  Victor could become a professional wrestler with Cosmo as his manager.  Lenny sees that Cosmo has a good idea, but fears that Victor could be exploited.  Victor likes the idea of the brothers working together so Lenny becomes his manager and Cosmo his trainer.

Victor becomes a popular, winning wrestler.  This puts him in the crosshairs of Stitch Mahone and Frankie the Thumper.  Stitch is a local mobster and Thumper is a big dumb brute who happens to be an undefeated wrestler.  As Cosmo begins to have concerns that Victor is being pushed to fight to often, Lenny starts working on a fight with Frankie the Thumper.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Sly Stallone wrote, directed, starred in and sang the title song for Paradise Alley.  It was his directorial debut.

Paradise Alley was Terry Funk’s, Lee Canalito’s and Tom Waits’ feature film debut.

Frank McRae as Big Glory and Terry Funk as Frankie the Thumper own their scenes.

The final wrestling match in the Paradise Alley ring during a pouring thunderstorm is amazing.

I rate Paradise Alley higher than most folks.  Keep in mind that I am a huge Sly Stallone fan.  Your mileage may vary.

Paradise Alley (1978) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Night of the Living Dead” (1968) directed by George Romero / Z-View

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Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Director: George A. Romero

Screenplay: John Russo, George A. Romero

Stars: Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Keith Wayne, Judith Ridley, Kyra Schon, S. William Hinzman, Bill Cardille, John A. Russo, Russell Streiner and George A. Romero.

Tagline:  They won’t stay dead!

The Plot…

When the dead suddenly begin reanimating with a craving for human flesh, a group of strangers find themselves together in a deserted farmhouse.  As the group argues about their best moves for survival, the dead continue to gather outside!  Soon the farmhouse will be overrun.  The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Night of the Living Dead, shot on a shoestring budget with most of the cast taking their first acting roles, reinvented and revitalized zombie movies.  Investors in the film, many of the people who worked on the film behind the scenes and some of locals ended up taking on-screen roles as well.

Although NotLD is one of the most profitable independent films of all-time.  Sadly, George Romero didn’t see much of the profits due to his little understanding of distribution deals.  To make matters worse, the film was released with no copyright notice which at the time placed it in the public domain.  Anyone or any company could make a sell copies of the movie with no proceeds going to George Romero or his investors.  That’s why there are so many crappy versions available.

NotLD takes place on the first day of a zombie apocalypse.  No one knows what is going on or the best course of action.  One of the interesting aspects of NotLD is that Harry Cooper argues that everyone is safer in the basement.  Cooper is the least likeable of the group and a different course of action is taken.  Turns out Cooper’s idea was the best.

Night of the Living Dead (1968) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“War of the Colossal Beast” (1958) produced and directed by Bert I. Gordon / Z-View

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War of the Colossal Beast (1958)

Director: Bert I. Gordon

Screenplay: George Worthing Yates, story by Bert I. Gordon

Stars: Sally Fraser, Duncan ‘Dean’ Parkin, Russ Bender, Jack Kosslyn and Rico Alaniz.

Tagline:  The towering terror from hell!

The Plot…

When it is learned that Glenn Manning aka The Amazing Colossal Man is alive, the Army captures him for further study.  Manning was caught in the fallout from an atomic bomb test.  Although Manning survived the blast, radiation caused him to grow 60 feet tall.  Now horribly disfigured and brain damaged, Manning is a threat who may be beyond curing.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

War of the Colossal Beast is the sequel to The Amazing Colossal Man released a year earlier.

The movie gets more exciting once the army captures the Amazing Colossal Man.  A word of warning:  Be very careful should you ever give a giant an injection.  The scenes at the end outside the observatory are the best.  The last minute or so of the film appears in color and the change is effective.

War of the Colossal Beast (1958) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Ice Station Zebra” (1968) starring Rock Hudson, Ernest Borgnine, Patrick McGoohan & Jim Brown / Z-View

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Ice Station Zebra (1968)

Director: John Sturges

Screenplay: Douglas Heyes, Harry Julian Fink, W. R. Burnett based on Ice Station Zebra by Alistair MacLean

Stars: Rock Hudson, Ernest Borgnine, Patrick McGoohan, Jim Brown, Tony Bill, Lloyd Nolan, Gerald S. O’Loughlin, Ted Hartley, Ron Masak, Sherwood Price, John Orchard, William O’Connell, Michael T. Mikler and Jonathan Goldsmith.

Tagline:  An American nuclear sub. a sky full of Russian paratroopers–and a race for the secret of Ice Station Zebra!

The Plot…

A Russian satellite containing information vital to the security interests of Russia and the United States has crashed in the Artic circle.  Commander James Ferraday (Hudson) of the US nuclear submarine, Tigerfish, has been directed to retrieve the information at all costs.  In addition to his crew, Ferraday is transporting a marine unit that will provide support should Russians attempt to intervene.

While in route, three men are delivered to Ferraday’s sub: David Jones (McGoohan), Boris Vaslov (Borgnine) and Captain Leslie Anders (Brown).  Jones is a British intelligence agent.  Vaslov a Russian who defected to Britain.  Anders is a seasoned soldier sent to command the marine unit.  When it becomes obvious that an traitor is onboard, Ferraday’s suspects are one of the new arrivals.

In a race to retrieve information vital to freedom of the world, Commander Ferraday will find himself in the ultimate showdown with a battle-hardened Russian military unit, and a traitor willing to die to stop Ferraday.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Ice Station Zebra was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Cinematography (Daniel L. Fapp) and Best Effects, Special Visual Effects (Hal Millar, J. McMillan Johnson).

Ice Station Zebra is an action thriller layered with the mystery of a traitor willing to die to make sure the Americans don’t succeed.  The reveal of the traitor is well done and the way the secret is kept from the characters in the movie (even after the audience learns the traitor’s identity) is clever.

Ice Station Zebra was reportedly Rock Hudson’s favorite of his films.  Howard Hughes loved the movie so much he would call the television station he owned and demand they play it. (This was in the days before cable, VHS and DVD players,)  Viewers would call and complain that the scheduled shows/movies were pre-empted, but Hughes didn’t care.

I’m a fan of the Ice Station Zebra poster above.  They don’t make ’em like that anymore.

Ice Station Zebra (1968) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Torpedo Run” (1958) starring Glenn Ford & Ernest Borgnine / Z-View

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Torpedo Run (1958)

Director: Joseph Pevney

Screenplay: Richard Sale, William Wister Haines

Stars: Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnine, Diane Brewster, Dean Jones, L.Q. Jones, Philip Ober, Richard Carlyle, Don Keefer, Kimberly Beck, Biff Elliot, Al Freeman Jr., Frank Gorshin and Robert Reed.

Tagline:  The greatest submarine picture of them all !

The Plot…

Lt. Cmdr. Barney Doyle (Ford) commands the US submarine Greyfish.  Their orders are to find and destroy the Shinaru, the Japanese carrier that led the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Doyle learns that the Shinaru is protected by battleships and “shield” ships carrying US prisoners including women and children.  Two of those prisoners are Cmdr. Doyle’s wife and two year old daughter.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Torpedo Run was nominated for one Academy Award: Best Effects, Special Effects (A. Arnold Gillespie, Harold Humbrock)

There are some tense scenes when the Greyfish goes into a mined harbor and later when a submarine crew needs to abandon ship underwater to another sub!

Ernest Borgnine is especially good as second-in-command Lt. Archer ‘Archie’ Sloan.

Glenn Ford’s character’s tough decision makes him unlikable and I didn’t feel there wasn’t a solid enough redemption arc.

Torpedo Run (1958) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Winchester ’73” (1950) starring James Stewart, Shelley Winters & Dan Duryea / Z-View

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Winchester ’73 (1950)

Director: Anthony Mann

Screenplay: Borden Chase, Robert L. Richards story by Stuart N. Lake

Stars: James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea, Stephen McNally, Millard Mitchell, Charles Drake, John McIntire, Will Geer, Jay C. Flippen, Rock Hudson, John Alexander, Steve Brodie, Abner Biberman, Tony Curtis and James Best.

Tagline:  The Gun That Won The West!

The Plot…

Lin McAdam (Stewart) and Dutch Henry Brown (McNally) are sworn enemies.  Each would kill the other on sight.  When Lin and his buddy, High Spade Frankie Wilson (Mitchell) ride into Dodge City, they learn two things: 1) Dutch Henry is there and 2) the town is holding a shooting contest for a Winchester 1873 repeating rifle.

The only thing that stops Lin and Dutch Henry from shooting it out is the town’s Marshall, Wyatt Earp (Geer).  The shooting contest comes down to Lin and Dutch Henry.  After several shoot-offs, Lin wins the rifle.  It’s a beauty.  Lin turns down cash offers to buy it.  When Lin takes the rifle to his room, he is jumped by Dutch and two of his buddies.  The only thing that stops Dutch from killing Lin is Wyatt Earp and High Spade come running.

Dutch and his crew make their getaway with Lin and High Spade on their trail. Before the final showdown there will be card sharks, saloon girls, Indian attacks, run-ins with a gunfighter, a stagecoach robbery and a reveal of why Lin and Dutch are mortal enemies.

Saddle up.  This is a good one!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Jimmy Stewart’s agent worked out a deal for Stewart to make Harvey and Winchester ’73 for a percentage of the profits (50%) on both films rather than his normal $200,000 salary.  Stewart ended up making a reported $600,000 for Winchester ’73 because it was so successful.  This deal was the first time since sound pictures that a star was given points as part of his/her salary.

Will (Grandpa Walton) Geer seems a bit old to be playing Wyatt Earp. Geer himself felt he was miscast.  What makes the part work is the respect Stewart and Mitchell’s characters give Earp.

Dan Duryea, pardon the expression, kills it as Waco Johnny Dean.

Winchester ’73 was a comeback film of sorts for Jimmy Stewart.

It’s interesting to note that the rifle becomes the real star of the film.  We follow it as it changes hands in many exciting scenes all in support of Lin McAdams’ journey to get revenge.

Winchester ’73 (1950) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Blazing Saddles” (1974) directed by Mel Brooks, starring Cleavon Little & Gene Wilder / Z-View

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Blazing Saddles (1974)

Director: Mel Brooks

Screenplay: Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew aBergman, Richard Pryor, Alan Uger story by Andrew Bergman

Stars: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, Mel Brooks, Burton Gilliam, Alex Karras, David Huddleston, Liam Dunn, John Hillerman, George Furth, Jack Starrett, Richard Collier, Dom DeLuise, Richard Farnsworth, Sally Kirkland, Hal Needham, Rodney Allen Rippy  and Count Basie.

Tagline:  Mel Brooks and the West! Together for the last time!

The Plot…

Quicksand forces the new railroad to change its route.  When the dastardly Hedley Lamarr (Korman) learns the railroad will have to go through the town of Rock Ridge, he sees an opportunity to get rich.  If Lamarr can get the town’s citizens to leave, he will become owner of all the land.

Lamarr sends his thugs to scare the people into leaving.  Instead, they wire the Governor that they need a Sheriff to protect them.  Lamarr tricks the Governor into sending an African American who was about to be hung.  Lamarr figures that a black Sheriff won’t be much protection and will upset some town folk enough to leave.

Boy, was Lamarr wrong.

Let the fun begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Blazing Saddles was nominated for six Academy Awards:
Nominated for
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Madeline Kahn)
Best Film Editing (John C. Howard, Danford B. Greene)
Best Music, Original Song (John Morris – music, Mel Brooks – lyrics, for the song “Blazing Saddles”)

Blazing Saddles wouldn’t be made today.  It almost wasn’t in 1973.  John Wayne turned down the Waco Kid role.  Wayne thought it would tarnish his image.  Gig Young was hired but collapsed during the first scene.  It was later discovered Young suffered from alcohol withdrawal.  Gene Wilder was brought in to replace Young.  Richard Pryor was the first choice to play Bart.  The studio wouldn’t hire Pryor due to previous drug arrests.  Cleavon Little got the role.

The film makes fun of classic western troupes, breaks the fourth wall, features sight and verbal gags.  It is all over the place.  Everything is fair game.  Blazing Saddles isn’t for those easily offended.  Everyone else is in for a comedy guaranteed to entertain.

Blazing Saddles (1974) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“High Noon” (1952) starring Gary Cooper / Z-View

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High Noon (1952)

Director: Fred Zinnemann

Screenplay: Carl Foreman based on The Tin Star short story in Collier’s by John W. Cunningham

Stars: Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Otto Kruger, Lon Chaney Jr., Harry Morgan, Morgan Farley, Harry Shannon, Lee Van Cleef, Sheb Wooley and Jack Elam.

Tagline:  Simple. Powerful. Unforgettable.

The Plot…

Will Kane (Cooper) and hi bride are ready to start a new life.  It’s their wedding day. Kane is retiring as Marshal of a small western town.  He and his young wife Amy (Kelly) are moving to another town to open a store and raise a family.

Shortly after Will and Amy are married, they learn that Frank Miller is set to arrive on the noon train. Miller is a killer that Kane sent to prison.  Miller’s trial resulted in a death sentence. Miller swore he would return to kill Kane.  Instead of being hung, Miller’s death sentence was commuted.  Now Miller is on his way to keep his word.  Things get worse when Kane learns that three of Miller’s gang are already in town..

Will Kane knows it’s too late to run. Nobody in town is willing to help Kane face down the killers.  What chance does one man alone have against four gunslingers?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

High Noon was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four:
Nominated for…
Best Picture
Best Director (Fred Zinnemann)
Best Writing Screenplay (Carl Foreman)
Won for…
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Winner – Gary Cooper)
Best Film Editing (Winner – Elmo Williams, Harry Gerstad)
Best Music Original Song (Winner – Dimitri Tiomkin: music, Ned Washington: lyrics, for the song “High Noon aka Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin'”)
Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (Winner – Dimitri Tiomkin)

John Wayne hated High Noon.  Every time I revisit the film, I like it better.  It’s a great film, expertly directed, with a first rate cast and a story that rings true.  At first Will Kane is willing to leave before the train arrives.  Then he realizes that Miller and his gang will track him down.  Kane thinks it’s better to meet them head on. Kane is sure that he will get support from some of the town members.

It’s interesting the way each person he approaches finds a rationale to not help.

Standouts in the cast include Gary Cooper, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Lon Chaney Jr., Lee Van Cleef and Harry Morgan.  High Noon was a comeback film for Gary Cooper.  Lloyd Bridges is great as the cocky, immature Deputy who wants to be Marshal. Katy Jurado owns every scene she’s in.  In High Noon, Lon Chaney Jr. gives the finest performance of his career.  Harry Morgan is a coward doing his best to not appear so to his wife. High Noon was Lee Van Cleef’s feature film debut! Look for Jack Elam in a cameo as a drunk. His part was supposed to be bigger, but it was determined it took away from the suspense of the impending gunfights.

High Noon (1952) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Extraction 2” directed by Sam Hargrave, starring Chris Hemsworth / Z-View

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Extraction 2 (2023)

Director: Sam Hargrave

Screenplay: Joe Russo based on Ciudad by Ande Parks, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Fernando León González

Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa, Idris Elba and Daniel Bernhardt.

Tagline:  Prepare for the ride of your life.

The Plot…

Tyler Rake barely survived his last mission.  For nine months he’s been in physical therapy.  When Rake learns that his ex-wife’s sister Ketevan and her two children are being held in foreign prison, he is determined to break them out.  Ketevan’s husband, Davit Radiani, is a high ranking member of the Nagazi, one of the most powerful crime syndicates in the country.   If Rake can break into the prison and get them out, the Nagazi will go to the ends of the earth to kill Rake and bring them back.

Cue the action!!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Sam Hargrave (director), Joe Russo (writer) and Chris Hemsworth (star) return from the original.  There is talk of them reteaming for a third Extraction film. Fingers crossed.

Although Extraction 2 doesn’t start as quickly with action as the original, there is a “one take” action sequence that runs over 20 minutes in the first act.  Once the action starts, it doesn’t let up.

The extended prison break scene is getting a lot of positive buzz (and rightly so), but my favorite scene is a fight that takes place on the glass overhang of a skyscraper.

I would love to see a third Extraction film.

Extraction 2 (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Shane” (1953) directed by George Stevens, starring Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur & Van Heflin / Z-View

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Shane (1953)

Director: George Stevens

Screenplay: A. B. Guthrie Jr., Jack Sher based on  Shane by Jack Schaefer

Stars: Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, Brandon De Wilde, Jack Palance, Ben Johnson, Edgar Buchanan,
Elisha Cook Jr., Douglas Spencer, John Dierkes, Ellen Corby, Edith Evanson and Leonard Strong.

Tagline:  There never was a man like SHANE. There never was a motion picture like SHANE.

The Plot…

Shane (Ladd), a gunfighter hoping to escape his past, befriends Joe Starrett (Heflin), his wife Marian (Arthur) and their young son Joey (De Wilde) when he stops for water at their small farm.  When Joe invites Shane to stay on, Shane sees the possibility of a quieter life.  But when Rufus Ryker’s men show up trying to run Starrett off, Shane knows that his gunfighter days aren’t over.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Shane was nominated for six Academy Awards: Best Picture; Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Palance); Best Actor in a Supporting Role (De Wilde); Best Director; Best Writing Screenplay; and won for Best Cinematography, Color (Loyal Griggs).

Shane is a classic western.  Everything came together to make it so.  George Stevens’ direction, coupled with a first rate story, and top notch cast make for a film deserving the accolades and love it’s received.

Shane is Alan Ladd’s best film and it reinvigorated his career.  It is Jean Arthur’s final feature film.  She came out of retirement to make it as a favor to director George Stevens.

Shane (1953) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“While the City Sleeps” (1956) directed by Fritz Lang, starring Dana Andrews & Rhonda Fleming / Z-View

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While the City Sleeps (1956)

Director: Fritz Lang

Screenplay: Casey Robinson based on The Bloody Spur by Charles Einstein

Stars: Dana Andrews, Rhonda Fleming, George Sanders, Howard Duff, Thomas Mitchell, Vincent Price, Sally Forrest, John Drew Barrymore, Ida Lupino, Robert Warwick, Mae Marsh, Larry J. Blake and Celia Lovsky.

Tagline:  Sensational LIPSTICK Murderer

The Plot…

The Lipstick Killer has the city on edge.  He continues to murder women and leave taunting messages.  The killings are coming with greater frequency. The news media is having a field day.

Amos Kyne (Warwick) died leaving his son, Walter (Price) in charge of the Kyne News Media conglomerate (newspaper, television, wire service).  Walter has little business sense. He decides his best bet is to create an Executive Director to run the corporation.  Walter offers the job to his top reporter/television commentator, Edward Mobley (Andrews).  Mobley turns him down flat.

Walter then tells the head of each arm of the conglomerate that whoever breaks the story of the capture of The Lipstick Killer will become the new Executive Director of Kyne News Media.  All three men want the job and are willing to go to great lengths to get it.  Although Mobley doesn’t want the position, he agrees to help his friend get it. Mobley goes on live tv and taunts the killer.  This puts Mobley and his fiancé in the killer’s path.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Vincent Price is perfectly cast as the smarmy son placed in charge of a business that he has no idea how to run.

There’s a lot of romance drama at the expense of serial killer drama.

There was a real serial killer dubbed The Lipstick Killer a decade prior to the release of While the City Sleeps!

While the City Sleeps (1956) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Out of the Past” (1947) directed by Jacques Tourneur, starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer and Kirk Douglas / Z-View

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Out of the Past (1947)

Director: Jacques Tourneur

Screenplay: Daniel Mainwaring based on Build My Gallows High by Daniel Mainwaring

Stars: Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas, Rhonda Fleming, Richard Webb, Steve Brodie, Virginia Huston, Paul Valentine and Dickie Moore.

Tagline:  A MAN – Trying to run away from his past… A WOMAN – Trying to escape her future!

The Plot…

Jeff Markum (Mitchum), a private eye, is hired by an underworld figure named Whit (Douglas).  Whit wants his girl back.  She shot him and stole $40,000.  Whit doesn’t care about the money, he just wants Kathie back.  Whit promises no harm will come to Kathie (Greer).  He loves her.  Whit says Markum will understand once he meets Kathie.  Money is no object.  Kathie could be anywhere in the world, but Whit trusts Markum will find her and Whit will pay for it.

Markum catches up with Kathie in  Acapulco.  She is beautiful. There’s a mutual attraction between Markum and Kathie.  Kathie admits she shot Whit, but denies taking his money.  Markum doesn’t contact Whit.  As the days (and nights) drag on, Markum and Kathie decide to run away together.

They know that Whit will send someone to find them…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Much of Out of the Past is told in flashback that brings us up to speed and then the story is carried forward.  This storytelling device is effectively used.

Out of the Past is a classic for many reasons:

  • Director Jacques Tourneur is at the top of his game.
  • Mitchum was born to play these kinds of roles.
  • Jane Greer is excellent as the good girl/dangerous dame.
  • Kirk Douglas had only played supporting roles up to this point in his career.  I cannot think of a better actor for the role of the rich, confident man who always gets what he wants.
  • Steve Brodie plays Mitchum’s PI partner who turns out to be not much of a partner.
  • Paul Valentine is impressive as Douglas’ right hand hood.
  • Out of the Past is as noir as it gets.  There are tough guys, beautiful but dangerous dames, multiple double crosses, murders, and a shocking ending.  I love this movie more with each viewing.

Out of the Past (1947) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Stormy Weather” (1943) starring Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, The Nicholas Brothers & Dooley Wilson / Z-View

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Stormy Weather (1943)

Director: Andrew L. Stone

Screenplay: Jerry Horwin, Seymour B. Robinson (story), Frederick J. Jackson, H.S. Kraft (adaptation)

Stars: Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, Cab Calloway and His Cotton Club Orchestra, Fats Waller, The Nicholas Brothers, Dooley Wilson, and Matthew ‘Stymie’ Beard.

Tagline:  If you like good singing, dancing and fun you are sure to get your money’s worth from this picture! We heartily recommend it as a cure for “the blues.”

The Plot…

Through a series of flashbacks Bill Williamson (Robinson) tells the story of his life from his return from fighting in World War I to being a respected performer.  He tells of the struggle to get started and all of the ups and downs along the way… and of meeting the love of his life, the talented performer Selina Rogers (Horne).

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Bill Williamson’s story is the fictionalized account of Bill Robinson’s life.  The character played by Lena Horne was created for the movie.  Although it is Bill Robinson’s story, Lena Horne got top billing.

The flashback aspect of Bill talking to some children and then fading to scenes he’s describing took me out of the story and reminded me each time, we’re watching a movie.

My favorite scenes (other than the performances) occur early in the film when Bill and his buddy, Gabe (Wilson) are just back in the states from the war.  Gabe is broke, but trying to impress a girl and things keep getting worse and worse as he convinced her money is no object and she believes him!

As to the performances, they are the reason to watch the film.  Performers include Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, Cab Calloway and His Cotton Club Orchestra, Fats Waller (in his final film; Waller died at the age of 39, before the year was out), The Nicholas Brothers, Dooley Wilson and Cab Calloway.

Stormy Weather (1943) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Billy Jack” (1971) written and starring Tom & Delores Laughlin, directed by Tom Laughlin / Z-View

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Billy Jack (1971)

Director: Tom Laughlin as T.C. Frank

Screenplay: Tom Laughlin (as Frank Christina), Delores Taylor (as Theresa Christina)

Stars: Tom Laughlin, Delores Taylor, Clark Howat, Richard Stahl, Howard Hesseman, Bert Freed and Kenneth Tobey.

Tagline:  When you need him, he’s always there!

The Plot…

Jean Roberts (D. Taylor) runs Freedom School, an educational center for troubled youth outside a small southern town. Most of the town thinks that the school is full of Indians, liberal hippies and dangerous kids.  Jean is in love with Billy Jack (T. Laughlin).  Billy Jack is half white, half Navajo.  He’s a former Green Beret, Hapkido master who struggles to keep his temper in control.

When a busload of Freedom School students go into town, they attract the attention of Bernard Posner and his big, dumb friend, Dinosaur.  Posner and Dinosaur follow some of the kids into an ice cream shop.  The shop owner refuses to serve the kids because they aren’t all white.  When Posner is put in his place by one of the girls he was flirting with, he humiliates the kids.  Dinosaur knocks the wind out of one of the boys just as Billy Jack enters the shop.

Posner yells for someone to go get his dad who is one of the town’s corrupt bigshots.  Billy Jack makes sure the kids are okay… he then proceeds to teach Posner and Dinosaur a painful lesson.

This of course puts Billy Jack at odds with Posner Sr. and his corrupt cronies.  This will not end well.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Billy Jack is a success due to Tom and Delores Laughlin’s determination.  They wrote the screenplay, he directed it and supported the slow roll release that saw Billy Jack become a pop cultural phenomenon.  Many of the actors in Billy Jack had never acted before.  Billy Jack was made for approximately $800,000 and earned $32.5 million in the US and $98 million worldwide.

The Billy Jack character first appeared in Born Losers (1967) also starring and directed by Tom Laughlin.

Delores Taylor received a Golden Globe nomination as Most Promising New Actress.

Bong Soo Han was Tom Laughlin’s body double.  Han was a Hapkido master and choregraphed the fights.

Billy Jack features so many memorable scenes and dialogue…

I love to revisit Billy Jack and Born Losers to bring back a great period of my youth (and to enjoy a couple of fun films).

Billy Jack (1971) rates 5 of 5 stars.