Category: Z-View

“Mr. Sardonicus” (1961) / Z-View

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Mr. Sardonicus (1961)

Director: William Castle

Screenplay: Ray Russell

Stars: Oscar Homolka, Ronald Lewis, Audrey Dalton, Guy Rolfe and William Castle.

Tagline:  YOU decide the fate of Mr. Sardonicus during the “Punishment Poll”! Vote “mercy” or “no mercy” right in your theatre seat!

The Plot…

The year is 1880.  Sir Robert Cargrave (Lewis), a world famous physician gets a letter from Maude (Dalton), his former lover.  She requests that he come meet with her husband in a matter of great importance.  Because Cargrave still has feelings for Maude he goes.

Her husband is the rich and feared  Baron Sardonicus (Rolfe).  Upon arrival at Castle Sardonicus, Cargrave is greeted by Krull (Homolka), Sardonicus’ disfigured servant.  When he meets Maude, she says that if Cargrave cannot cure her husband, Baron Sardonicus will take it out on her!  Baron Sardonicus enters the room so she cannot say more.  Cargrave is shocked to see that Sardonicus wears a mask.

We learn that Baron Sardonicus’ face is hideously disfigured.  Sardonicus expects Dr. Cargrave to cure him.  If he doesn’t then Maude will be “punished”.  As Dr. Cargrave decides his next move, he learns that as deformed as Sardoniscus’ face is, his sadistic behaviors are even worse.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

William Castle, the King of Movie Gimmicks, came up with a winner.  Before the start of the film, William Castle tells the audience that the cards they were given on entry will decide the ending of the film.  Before the last scene, Castle will return to tell the audience to hold up cards with glow-in-the-dark thumbs.  Sardoniscus will either be given “mercy” or not depending on how the majority of the audience votes. Thumbs up equals mercy.  Thumbs down, no mercy.   Truth be told, there was only one ending – no mercy.

Most William Castle films focus on horror and jump scares.  Mr. Sardonicus places emphasis on suspense.

Mr. Sardonicus (1961) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Mother” starring Jennifer Lopez / Z-View

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The Mother (2023)

Director: Niki Caro

Screenplay: Misha Green, Andrea Berloff, Peter Craig from a story by Misha Green[1]

Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Lucy Paez, Omari Hardwick, Joseph Fiennes, Jesse Garcia, Yvonne Senat Jones, Gael García Bernal and Edie Falco.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

“The Mother” (Lopez) is an unnamed ex-military, soldier brokering an arms deal between two of her former lovers, ex-SAS Captain Adrian Lovell (Fiennes) and arms dealer Hector Álvarez (Bernal).  When she discovers that they are both also involved in child trafficking, she turns FBI informant.

While “The Mother” is at a safe house being interrogated, and nearly ready to give birth, the safe house is attacked.  All of the FBI agents except, William Cruise (Hardwick) are murdered.  Cruise is badly wounded, but saved by “The Mother”, who is also wounded and nearly loses her baby.  Realizing she is a marked woman and her child would always be in danger, “The Mother” agrees to put the baby up for adoption with three conditions:
1.  The baby will be put in a good, safe home
2.  Cruise will send her a birthday photo every year
3.  Cruise will let her know if the child is ever in danger

Cruise agrees. The child is adopted and named Zoe (Paez). “The Mother” moves to Alaska to live off the grid.

Twelve years later Cruise contacts “The Mother”.  Zoe who is in grave danger.  Álvarez has learned where she is and is planning to kidnap her.  Together Cruise and “The Mother” move to save Zoe, but will they be too late?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Jennifer Lopez is more than capable to play an action hero.  Unfortunately, The Mother is content to coast.  The story hits all the marks you’d expect.  It feels like moviemaking by numbers.  There are no surprises. It does have enough star power and action to hold our attention.  Unfortunately except for Lopez, the stars are under-used.  I’d have loved to have seen Omari Hardwick and Edie Falco given more to do.

While “The Mother” is an okay way to spend a couple of hours, Jennifer Lopez and her co-stars deserved better.  So did the audience.

The Mother (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Fences” (2016) written by August Wilson, directed by Denzel Washington, starring Denzel Washington & Viola Davis / Z-View

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Fences (2016)

Director: Denzel Washington

Screenplay: August Wilson based on his play Fences

Stars: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby,
Mykelti Williamson, Saniyya Sidney, Christopher Mele, Lesley Boone and Rachelle Beinart.

Tagline:  Some people build fences to keep people out – and other people build fences to keep people in.

The Plot…

Troy Maxson (Washington) is a bitter, angry, 56 year old black man.  Once a talented baseball player, Troy was never given a chance to play in the big leagues due to his race.  Then World War II came.  Now that Troy is older, the color-barrier in baseball has broken.  But Troy is too old to play.  So he makes his living as a garbage collector.  Even there Troy see discrimination.  All the drivers are white.  All the workers doing the heavy lifting are black.

Troy’s wife, Rose (Davis) sees times are starting to change.  Cory (Adepo), Troy and Rose’s son, is a bright student and talented football player.  A college is interested in giving Cory a scholarship, but Troy won’t sign the paperwork.  He wants Cory to get educated in a job that will always provide an income.

Troy sees barriers everywhere and is bitter about how life has treated him, never realizing that he is building barriers for himself and his family as well.  Despite Troy’s flaws, Rose loves him.  Sadly Troy’s choices are going to have terrible consequences for his family and friends.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Fences (2016) was honored at the Academy Awards:

Academy Award Wins:

  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Viola Davis

Academy Award Nominations:

  • Best Motion Picture of the Year: Todd Black, Scott Rudin, Denzel Washington
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Denzel Washington
  • Best Adapted Screenplay: August Wilson

“Fences” was first a Broadway play.  It opened in 1987 and went on to win Tony Awards for Best Play, Best Actor (James Earl Jones), and Best Featured Actress (Mary Alice).  “Fences” was revived in 2010.  It won Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Play, Best Actor (Denzel Washington), and Best Actress (Viola Davis).  All five adult actors from the revival reprise their roles in the film.

Although August Wilson is the only credited screenwriter for the film, Denzel Washington, Spike Lee and Tony Kushner did uncredited work.  They didn’t want their names on the credits to insure that Wilson alone received any writing honors or awards.

Denzel Washing and Viola Davis were rightfully nominated for Academy Awards.  Their roles in Fences may be their best performances ever.  Everyone in the supporting cast is wonderful.

It was fun to see Saniyya Sidney as a very young girl.  Sidney would go on to co-star in The Passage a few years later.

Fences (2016) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Blood & Gold” (2023) / Z-View

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Blood & Gold (2023)

Director: Peter Thorwarth

Screenplay: Stefan Barth, Peter Thorwarth

Stars: Robert Maaser, Jördis Triebel, Alexander Scheer, Marie Hacke, Connor Long and Roy McCrerey.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

The end of the war is close at hand.  Von Starnfeld, a disfigured SS Commandant, leads his unit into a small German village.  Von Starnfeld knows there’s gold hidden somewhere in the town.  He just doesn’t know where.  Von Starnfeld is willing to torture or kill anyone and everyone if it will get him the gold.  Only a German deserter and young woman are willing to take a stand against Von Starnfeld and his Nazis.  Let the fun begin.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Blood & Gold contains all of the things you’d want in a World War II movie:

  • It starts off with a bang.
  • A handsome hero
  • A woman willing to risk her life to help our hero
  • A disfigured, evil SS Leader
  • An evil, sadistic Second-in-Command to the SS Leader
  • Nazis who enjoy their power and use it to do bad things
  • Plenty of hand-to-hand fights
  • Plenty of shootouts
  • A couple of twists and a surprise or two

Blood & Gold isn’t a great movie, but it is a good one.  If it sounds like something you’d like, give it a shot. 

Blood & Gold (1972) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Poseidon Adventure” (1972) starring Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine & Shelley Winters / Z-View

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The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

Director: Ronald Neame

Screenplay: Stirling Silliphant, Wendell Mayes based on The Poseidon Adventure by Paul Gallico

Stars: Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Shelley Winters, Red Buttons, Carol Lynley, Roddy McDowall, Stella Stevens, Jack Albertson, Pamela Sue Martin, Eric Shea, Arthur O’Connell, Sheila Allen, Byron Webster, John Crawford, Bob Hastings and Leslie Nielsen.

Tagline:  Who will survive-in one of the greatest escape adventures ever!

The Plot…

On New Year’s Eve with a full ship, the S.S. Poseidon is hit by a 90-foot tidal wave and capsizes.  Now the ship is floating upside down.  Dozens of survivors are in the dinning room.  There is confusion on the best course of action.  Some believe that everyone should make their way up to the hull.  They reason rescuers will be able to cut them out where the ship’s metal is the thinnest.  Another group, argues that a distress call was sent.  Everyone should just stay in the dinning room.  Attempting to move through the upside down damaged ship would be dangerous.  Most agree that staying put is the best course of action.

Reverend Scott (Hackman), who is not your typical Reverend, leads a group up to the next level.  Joining Scott are:

  • Rogo (Borgnine): a tough NY City cop
  • Rogo’s wife, Linda (Stevens): a former prostitute Rogo met (and arrested several times) while working the streets
  • Susan (Martin) and her younger brother Robin (Shea)
  • Grandparents Manny (Albertson) and his wife, Belle (Winters)
  • Acres (McDowell): one of the dinning room waiters
  • Nonnie (Lynley): one of the ship’s singers
  • Martin (Buttons): a retired business man

Just as they make it up to the next level a series of underwater explosions occur.  The ship begins taking on more water and sinking.  It’s too late for those below.  As Scott leads his group up, the dangers mount. Not everyone will survive!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

The Poseidon Adventure (1972) did well at the Academy Awards:

Academy Award Wins:

  • Best Music, Original Song: Al Kasha, Joel Hirschhorn – for the song “The Morning After”
  • Best Music, Original Dramatic Score: John Williams
  • Special Achievement Award: L.B. Abbott, A.D. Flowers – for visual effects.

Academy Award Nominations:

  • Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Shelly Winters
  • Best Cinematography: Harold E. Stine
  • Best Art Direction-Set Decoration: William J. Creber, Raphael Bretton
  • Best Costume Design: Paul Zastupnevich
  • Best Sound: Theodore Soderberg, Herman Lewis
  • Best Film Editing: Harold F. Kress

The Poseidon Adventure features five Academy Award winning actors – Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Shelley Winters, Jack Albertson and Red Buttons; and one Oscar nominee: Arthur O’Connell.

Shelly Winters was 51 when she played Belle, a much older character.  Ms. Winters gained 35 pounds for the role.  I was 14 at the time.  I remembered a younger Shelly Winters in older movies playing a “hottie”.  It was hard to wrap my head around seeing Ms. Winters older and heavier.  Stars do age.

Reverend Scott is my favorite Gene Hackman role.

Ernest Borgnine is always great.  His wife in the movie Stella Stevens made quite an impact on this 14 year old  ; )

I have many great memories of seeing The Poseidon Adventure. A few of my friends and I took the city bus down town to see it.  We felt like big shots.

It’s funny (ironic?) now seeing Leslie Nielsen playing it straight.

The Poseidon Adventure (1972) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“D.O.A.” starring Edmund O’Brien / Z-View

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D.O.A. (1949)

Director: Rudolph Maté

Screenplay: Russell Rouse, Clarence Greene

Stars: Edmond O’Brien, Pamela Britton, Luther Adler, Beverly Garland, William Ching, Neville Brand, Frank Cady, Hugh O’Brian, Jerry Paris and Bill Baldwin.

Tagline:  A picture as excitingly different as its title!

The Plot…

Frank Bigelow (O’Brien) learns that he was poisoned with a a “luminous toxin” that will kill him in a few days.  The toxin has no antidote.  Bigelow is determined to discover who and why he was marked for death,  The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

What starts out as a fun weekend in San Francisco turns into one of the noirest noirs.

Sadly the copyright on D.O.A. wasn’t renewed so there are many poor copies out there.  Beware!

This is Neville Brand’s first credited role.  Look for future tv stars in small roles: Beverly (My Three Sons) Garland, Frank (Petticoat Junction / Green Acres) Grady and Jerry (Dick Van Dyke) Paris.  Hugh O’Brien, who would go on to star in feature films and more than one tv series, has an uncredited role.  Bill Baldwin, perhaps best known for his role as a fight commentator in Rocky, Rocky II and Rocky III, also has an uncredited role!

There’s a scene where Edmund O’Brien is running down a crowded city street.  O’Brien bumps into pedestrians as others look around confused by the man running past them at full speed.  That scene is an example of Gorilla Filming.  The filmmakers made the shot without any permits or permission.

I’m a D.O.A. fan and like to revisit it every so often.

D.O.A. (1949) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“65” (2023) starring Adam Driver & Ariana Greenblatt / Z-View

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65 (2023)

Directors: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods

Screenplay: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods

Stars: Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, Chloe Coleman and Nika King.

Tagline:  65 million years ago prehistoric earth had a visitor.

The Plot…

Mills (Driver) accepts a job to pilot a deep space ship for three times his normal pay.  He needs the money to pay for treatment for a potentially fatal illness his daughter has.  When Mills’ ship is knocked off course by meteors, it crash lands on Earth 65 million years ago.

Mills and a nine year old girl, Kona (Greenblatt) are the sole survivors.  The have a small shot at getting home.  One of the ship’s escape pods is located 15 kilometers away.  To get to it they will have to cross an unforgiving environment full of carnivorous dinosaurs, poisonous plants and bugs, quicksand, landslides and more.  The Earth 65 million years ago is a dangerous place.  Oh, and Mills just learned that the main meteor in the ring his ship went through is due to hit earth in 12 hours… and that meteor is a planet-killer.  The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Reviewers haven’t been kind to 65.  I was pleasantly surprised that it resonated with me much more than most.  It caused me to jump more than a couple of times.

Unlike many films of this nature, when the lead character is injured, he just shakes it off.  In 65, Mills’ injuries appear painful and take their toll.

While 65 features a happy ending, it’s as Rocky Balboa might say, “Not all sunshine and roses.”  If it had been, maybe reviewers would have enjoyed it more.

65 (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“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.