Category: Z-View

“Naked Alibi” (1954) starring Sterling Hayden, Gloria Grahame & Gene Barry / Z-View

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Naked Alibi (1954)

Director:  Jerry Hopper

Screenplay: Lawrence Roman based on the story Cry Copper by Gladys Atwater, J. Robert Bren

Stars: Sterling Hayden, Gloria Grahame, Gene Barry, Max Showalter, Billy Chapin, Stuart Randall, John Alvin, Dee Carroll  and Chuck Connors.

Tagline: The Cop, The Killer and the Border Town Woman!

The Plot…

Albert Willis (Barry) is brought in for questioning about some recent robberies.  Although drunk, Willis has no record, is married and owns a local bakery.  Willis becomes more and more angry as the questioning continues.  He ends up hitting a cop.  In retaliation, they work him over.  Willis, vows to get even with the cops who beat him.

Willis’ lawyer gets him released with no charges.  This only angers Chief Joseph E. Conroy (Hayden), who has no doubt Willis is guilty.  That evening one of the cops who beat Willis is murdered.  Chief Conroy is sure WIllis is the killer.  Conroy and a couple of his buddies begin tailing Willis everywhere he goes.  When Conroy is told to back off, he refuses.  Conroy is then fired.

Now, more than ever Conroy is determined to prove that Albert Willis is a thief and murderer.  Willis tells his wife he needs to get away from the publicity and to clear his head.  He decides to go to Border City for the weekend.  Little does he know Conroy is close behind.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Naked Alibi doesn’t play out at all like I thought it would.  I like that.  Who’s the “good guy” or better yet, who’s the bad guy?

Gloria Grahame is always good.  It’s fun seeing a young Chuck Connors years before The Rifleman fame.

Naked Alibi (1954) earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Muscle Up A Little Closer” (1957) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Muscle Up A Little Closer (1957)

Director:  Jules White

Screenplay: Felix Adler

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe Besser and Maxine Gates.

Tagline: Hilarious?  Better Than Ever!

The Plot…

Joe, Larry and Moe plan to propose marriage to their girls.  Joe discovers that the ring he bought for his sweetheart is missing.  The boys believe that a bully from work stole it.  Our guys decide to confront the lug in the company gym.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In Muscle Up A Little Closer Larry and Moe wear more conservative haircuts for the first time in the series. The new haircuts would appear from time to time in the Stooges’ shorts with Joe Besser (he suggested the new style do’s).  The problem was that most of the new shorts contained footage from previous Stooges’ outings and the hairstyles wouldn’t match.

Muscle Up A Little Closer (1957) earns 3 of 5 stars.

THE ABRUM FILES: A BISHOP RIDER BOOK by Beau Johnson

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THE ABRUM FILES: A BISHOP RIDER BOOK by Beau Johnson

First sentence…

I tell him I was a child when my father is ripped apart.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Marcel Abrum was the worst kid of predator, a human trafficker.  Rich and powerful, he thought that made him safe. But when Marcel Abrum brutally murdered Bishop Rider’s wife and sister, he discovered the truth,  Bishop Rider extracted a payback on Abrum equal to the horrors Abram had inflicted on so many women and children,

Then Bishop Rider made it his mission to hunt human traffickers and end their lives in ways that would make his name whispered in fear by those who targeted the weak.  Along the way others joined Rider’s cause. But nothing prepared Bishop Rider for the day when Jeramiah Abrum, the son of Marcel Abrum became a part of Rider’s group.  It took time for Rider to fully trust Jeramiah.  But the fire for vengeance that burned in Rider also blazed in Jeramiah.  For years they worked together brutally wiping out pedophiles and human traffickers.  The mission looked to be over when Rider’s cancer finally finished him.

But it wasn’t.

Jeramiah Abrum decided the operation would continue.  He and other like-minded individuals would carry on Bishop Rider’s work.  They would hunt down and brutally murder those that preyed on the weakest members of society.

THE ABRUM FILES: A BISHOP RIDER BOOK by Beau Johnson is a series of short stories detailing the work of Jeramiah Abrum.  It’s violent, brutal and bloody.  One reviewer called it “chainsaw noir”.  I like that description.

Every review speaks of the book’s violence.  It permeates each story.  Thankfully, Johnson adds just the right amount of humor to take the edge off. He also has his main character, Jeramiah Abrum, realize that he’s not a good guy.  He’s wanted by the police.  The ways he kills are terrible.  But Jeramiah is doing these things to perverts and criminals who do much worse to their victims.  It’s old school, medieval, old testament justice.  And I like it.

The stories are self-contained.  When all are read the bigger picture forms.  Johnson has a unique format that usually takes us right to the start of the criminal’s certain demise.  It’s amazing how many unique ways Johnson comes up with for Rider to get justice.  The book is a fast read.  Because of the brutality and violence readers may want to pace themselves.

This was my first book by Beau Johnson.  It won’t be my last.

Rating:

“Hoofs and Goofs” (1957) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Hoofs and Goofs (1957)

Director:  Jules White

Screenplay: Jack White

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe Besser and Joe Palma.

Tagline: The Biggest Wave of Wackiness Yet!

The Plot…

Joe cannot get over the passing of his sister, Birdie.  He believes that she will come back reincarnated.  Larry and Moe think it best to not argue.  In an effort to get Joe out and clear his mind, they convince Joe that they will come across Birdie as they walk through the city.  To their surprise, they discover Birdie has been reincarnated as a horse!  Joe demands they take the horse home.  Let the hijinks begin.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hoofs and Goofs is Joe Besser’s first outing as a Stooge.  Sadly, this short isn’t one of their finest.  Joe and the boys do the best they can with the material given.  When I was a kid, I didn’t much care for Joe’s act.  As an adult, I’ve grown to like it.

Hoofs and Goofs (1957) earns 2 of 5 stars.

“Commotion on the Ocean” (1956) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Commotion on the Ocean (1956)

Director:  Jules White

Screenplay: Felix Adler

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard and Emil Sitka.

Tagline: The Biggest Wave of Wackiness Yet!

The Plot…

Our guys are janitors who dream of being hotshot reporters.  When the boys get home their neighbor tells them that he has to return to his country.  He asks our boys to carry three watermelons to the ship.  Little do Larry, Moe and Shemp know, the melons contain microfilm.  The neighbor is a foreign spy!  He then traps the boys on board the ship.  When our guys finally discover the agent’s evil plan, it is up to them to get the microfilm back.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Commotion on the Ocean is the last Stooges’ short featuring Shemp.  The short is mainly composed of footage from Crime on Their Hands (1948) and Dunked in Deep (1949).  The new footage consists of Larry and Moe trying to steal a fish off of a woman’s plate.  Joe Palma doubles for Shemp in a few scenes for continuity.

Commotion on the Ocean (1956) earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Tarzan’s New York Adventure” (1942) starring Johnny Weismuller / Z-View

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Tarzan’s New York Adventure (1942)

Director:  Richard Thorpe

Screenplay: William R. Lipman, Myles Connolly based on characters created by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Stars: Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O’Sullivan, Johnny Sheffield, Howard Hickman, Charles Lane, Matthew Boulton, Mantan Mooreland, Elmo Lincoln and Chill Wills.

Tagline: IMAGINE THE THRILLS OF THE JUNGLE SUPERMAN TURNED LOOSE IN NEW-YORK!

The Plot…

Tarzan (Weissmuller), along with Jane (O’Sullivan) must travel out of the jungle to New York City in an effort to save Boy (Sheffield) who was kidnapped by crooked circus owners.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tarzan’s New York Adventure is Johnny Weissmuller’s 6th outing as the Lord of the Jungle.  He would make at total of 12 Tarzan movies.  This was Maureen O’Sullivan’s last outing as Jane.

Tarzan’s New York Adventure was one of the most profitable MGM Tarzan movies, but it was also the last one produced by MGM.  The series would continue at other studios.

Elmo Lincoln who played the movie’s first Tarzan (back in 1919) appears in a cameo as a circus roustabout.  Mantan Mooreland also has a cameo has a nightclub janitor.

This was one of my favorite Tarzan movies when I was a kid.  I loved the idea of Tarzan making his way through the concrete jungle.  I especially remember his rooftop escape, climbing skyscrapers, swinging from one building to another using a flagpole rope and of course the daring dive off the Brooklyn Bridge.

Tarzan’s New York Adventure (1942) earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Tarzan’s Desert Mystery” (1943) starring Johnny Weissmuller / Z-View

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Tarzan’s Desert Mystery (1943)

Director:  Wilhelm Thiele

Screenplay: Edward T. Lowe Jr. based on a story by Carroll Young based on characters created by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Stars: Johnny Weissmuller, Nancy Kelly, Johnny Sheffield, Otto Kruger, Joe Sawyer, Lloyd Corrigan, Philip Van Zandt, Bobby Barber, Frank Faylen, Nestor Paiva and John Dehner

Tagline: THRILL AFTER AMAZING THRILL…as savage hordes…inflamed by crafty foes…hunt down TARZAN and the lovely maiden he is guarding!

The Plot…

Tarzan (Weissmuller), along with Boy and Cheetah, is on a mercy mission to deliver a serum that will save service members wounded in the war.  His errand will take him across the desert.  Along the way, Tarzan meets Connie Bryce (Kelly).  Connie is a performer who has been entertaining the troops.  Connie has a secret message she is to deliver to an Arab king.  When foreign agents attempt to kill Connie, Tarzan comes to the rescue… along with Boy and Cheetah.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tarzan’s Desert Mystery is Johnny Weissmuller’s 8th outing as the Lord of the Jungle.  He would make at total of 12 Tarzan movies.

Ben Johnson, who would become a star himself and an Academy Award winner (1972 – Best Supporting Actor in The Last Picture Show), was Johnny Weissmuller’s stunt double for the horse sequences.

I have fond memories of watching Tarzan movies, especially this one, with my grandpa.  He particularly got a kick out of the last scene when Nazis finally get someone on the radio.  They think they are talking to Hitler and get up to salute.  It’s actually Cheetah they’re talking to.

Tarzan’s Desert Mystery (1943) earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Rumpus in the Harem” (1956) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Rumpus in the Harem (1956)

Director:  Jules White

Screenplay: Felix Adler, Jack White

Stars: Shemp Howard, Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Vernon Dent and Everett Brown

Tagline: Ha-Ha-Harem Hi-Hi-Hijinks!

The Plot…

The boys are diner owners whose customers end up wearing more food than they eat.  After the boys learn that their girls need money to pay off debts, the overhear two crooks discussing the whereabouts of a stolen diamond. Shemp, Larry and Moe decide to recover and return the gem for a reward.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Rumpus in the Harem is a reboot of Malice in the Palace.  Rumpus in the Harem was the first to make use of a “fake Shemp” for new scenes.

Rumpus in the Harem earns 3 of 5 stars.

“For Crimin’ Out Loud” (1956) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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For Crimin’ Out Loud (1956)

Director:  Jules White, Edward Bernds (stock footage)

Writer: Felix Adler, story by Edward Bernds

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Christine McIntyre and Emil Sitka

Tagline: None

The Plot…

When Councilman John Goodrich (Sitka) receives a note from a serial killer saying Goodrich will be his next victim, he hires our boys to guard him.  When our guys arrive they are greeted by Goodrich’s niece who says her uncle is missing.  Little do Larry, Moe and Shemp know, but the niece and her two accomplices are behind this!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

For Crimin’ Out Loud is a reboot of the Stooges’ 1949 short, Who Done It?.  They shot a new opening scene and the rest uses scenes from Who Done It?.

Who Done It? is one of my favorite Shemp shorts.  It contains the mansion with hidden panels, a scary looking monster/creep and the hijinks that come when our boys are running for their lives from room to room.

Moe sprained his ankle crashing through a door and so in scenes where he’s limping, the limp is real!

For Crimin’ Out Loud (1956) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Storm Fear” (1955) starring Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace & Dan Duryea / Z-View

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Storm Fear (1955)

Director: Cornel Wilde

Writer: Horton Foote based on STORM FEAR by Clinton Seeley

Stars: Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace, Dan Duryea, Lee Grant, David Stollery, Dennis Weaver, Steven Hill and Chet Huntley.

Tagline:  IT HITS LIKE A THUNDERBOLT!

The Plot…

A bad winter storm is coming.  Fred Blake (Duryea), his wife Elizabeth (Wallace) and their son, David (Stollery) live in a remote mountainside farm house.  Fred is a sickly and unhappy man.  Just before the storm hits, Fred’s estranged brother, Charlie (Wilde) and two others show up.  Charlie has been shot in the leg.  The bullet is still lodged there.  His companions are Benji (Hill), a nervous, bully and Edna (Grant).  Obviously the three are on the run from the law.

As the storm hits, Fred learns that the three robbed a bank.  A police officer was killed in the process.  Charlie promises they will take off when the weather clears.  But as the night progresses, we learn secrets that had been long buried.  Worried that the family will become witnesses against them, Benji plans to kill them all, including Charlie.

It won’t be long until sunup…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Storm Fear marked Cornell Wilde’s feature film directorial debut.

Lee Grant had been nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in 1951’s The Detective.  It was her first feature film.  Because of Joseph McCarthy’s red scare, Grant was blacklisted and didn’t get another feature film role until Cornell Wilde cast her in Storm Fear.  Grant would then go on to a long career as an actress, director and producer.  She was nominated three more times for a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award, winning in 1976 for her role in Shampoo.

I was surprised to learn that Eddie Muller is not a fan of Storm Fear.  I’m not one to argue with the Czar of Noir, but Storm Fear resonated with me.

“Flagpole Jitters” (1956) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Flagpole Jitters (1956)

Director: Jules White

Writer: Felix Adler, Jack White

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, David Bond, Vernon Dent, Richard Alexander, Ned Glass and Frank Sully.

Tagline:  The Three Stooges hit a new high in low-down laughs

The Plot…

The boys are working as janitors to raise money for their invalid neighbor, Mary.  Their goal is to get enough dough that Mary can have an operation to allow her to walk again.  A criminal known as The Great Svengarlic hypnotizes Larry, Shemp and Moe to dance on a flagpole high above the street.  While the crowd watches Svengarlic’s act, his accomplices rob a jewelry store.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Flagpole Jitters (1956) is a reworking of the Stooges’ 1949 short Hokus Pokus.  It makes use of quite a bit of footage from the original.  In the original Mary was faking her disability, in this one she’s not.  Changing this aspect of the short weakens the ending.

Flagpole Jitters is the last Stooges’ short that features new footage of Shemp.  He died less than five months after the filming of this one.

The funniest scene is when Shemp gets physical with the insurance adjuster! (And that came from the original short.)

Hot Stuff (1956) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Mr. Harrigan’s Phone” (2022) starring Donald Sutherland & Jaeden Martell / Z-View

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Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (2022)

Director: John Lee Hancock

Screenplay by: John Lee Hancock based on Mr. Harrigan’s Phone  by Stephen King

Starring: Donald Sutherland, Jaeden Martell, Joe Tippett, Thomas Francis Murphy, Randy Kovitz and Cyrus Arnold.

Tagline: Some connections never die.

The Story:

Craig’s mother dies when he is still very young.  John Harrigan (Sutherland), an older, reclusive, billionaire is impressed when he hears Craig (Martell) speak at their small town church.  Mr. Harrigan hires Craig to read to him three times a week.  Over the years they develop a friendship.

When Mr. Harrigan dies, Craig slips Harrigan’s cell phone in his coffin.  The phone was a gift that Craig gave Mr. Harrigan.  That night after the funeral Craig’s phone receives a text that appears to be from Mr. Harrigan.

“All ghosts aren’t holy.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers) 

If you’re looking for a Stephen King horror movie, this isn’t it.  Mr. Harrigan’s Phone is more of a character student or psychological drama.  Mr. Harrigan’s Phone could have been an extended episode from The Twilight Zone.  It is well done, but if you go in expecting straight out horror, you’ll be disappointed.

Bird Box: Barcelona (2023) written & directed by Álex Pastor & David Pastor / Z-View

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Bird Box: Barcelona (2023)

Director: Álex Pastor, David Pastor

Screenplay by: Álex Pastor, David Pastor based on BIRD BOX  by Josh Malerman

Starring: Mario Casas, Georgina Campbell.

Tagline: Fear the ones who see.

The Story:

An unexplained, unknown entity has wiped out the majority of the world’s population.  Most people who see it are compelled to quickly commit suicide, often by brutal means.  A few who look upon it, react differently.  Instead of killing themselves, these “seers” look to harm others.

The people who have survived have done so by covering their eyes when outside.  Although that method isn’t always effective, it provides the best chance to live.  Dangers are everywhere.  Not only from the entities, but also from the seers and normal people just fighting to survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers) 

I almost quit Bird Box: Barcelona early on.  A character did some things that seemed so out of character and stupid that I was ready to bail.  I’m glad I didn’t.  The actions were part of a twist that I didn’t see coming.  That twist (which I won’t give away) made Bird Box: Barcelona a nice advancement to the Bird Box universe.

If you liked Bird Box, you should enjoy Bird Box: Barcelona.

KRAJ THE ENFORCER: STORIES by Rusty Barnes / Z-View

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KRAJ THE ENFORCER: STORIES by Rusty Barnes

First sentence…

The cashier at the 7-11 on Water Street leaves to take a leak.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Kraj is an expatriate Croat.  He makes his living as a bouncer and occasional enforcer for his boss Tricky Ricky Gutierrez.  It’s a job Kraj was built for.  Tricky Ricky sees potential in Kraj.  That makes Mikael, nervous.  Mikael manages the strip club that serves as the front for Tricky Ricky’s various “businesses”.   Kraj continues to prove his worth and gain more trust from Ricky.  With the trust comes more responsibility.  Kraj is making the right moves.  Now that Kraj’s new girlfriend has been promoted to manager at the McDonald’s things are looking up.  Of course the higher up, the farther the fall.

Rusty Barnes presents 14 Kraj The Enforcer short stories.  Each story is a complete tale.  Read together they form a bigger yarn.  Kraj isn’t your typical anti-hero.  While he has some of the characteristics you’d expect, his supporting characters ground him in a reality you’d get visiting most small Appalachian towns. Plus his origin is unique and makes him standout in his new adopted country.  I enjoyed KRAJ THE ENFORCER: STORIES.  I hope we see more.

Rating:

“Strange Bargain” (1949) starring Jeffrey Lynn, Martha Scott & Henry Morgan / Z-View

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Strange Bargain (1949)

Director: Will Price

Screenplay by: Lillie Hayward from a story by J.H. Wallis

Starring: Martha Scott, Jeffrey Lynn, Harry Morgan, Richard Gaines and Walter Sande.

Tagline: “$10,000 If You Make My Suicide Look Like MURDER!”

The Story:

On the day that Sam Wilson (Lynn) asks his boss, Malcolm Jarvis (Gaines) for a raise, Jarvis offers him a deal. Jarvis will give Sam $10,000.00 if Sam will make Jarvis’ suicide look like a murder!  Jarvis explains that the company is probably going to go out of business in a matter of weeks.  Jarvis is himself broke despite the fact that he lives in a big house and looks rich.  Jarvis plans to shoot himself that very evening while his wife and son are out.  Before he kills himself, he will mess up his home office to look like a robbery.  All Sam has to do is get rid of the gun.  Sam refuses and tries to talk Mr. Jarvis out of killing himself.  Jarvis says there is no other way to leave money for his family and he’s ready to die.

That evening Sam receives the call.  He heads over to talk sense into Mr. Jarvis.  When he arrives, Mr. Jarvis is lying dead from a gunshot.  There is an envelope with $10,000 in it addressed to Sam.  Realizing that he will soon be out of a job and Jarvis is beyond help, Sam takes the money.

The next day police begin to investigate.  Things aren’t adding up.  It doesn’t look like suicide.  Any guesses on who the main suspect is?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers) 

Strange Bargain runs a quick 68 minutes.  It’s got a likable cast. There’s a nice twist on the suicide.  If I were to pick any nits is that it all wraps up a bit too nicely.  But in this day and age, why complain about things that end up that way?