Category: Z-View

“Pandora’s Box” (1929) starring Louise Brooks / Z-View

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Pandora’s Box (1929)

Director:  Georg Wilhelm Pabst

Writer:  G.W. Pabst, Ladislaus Vajda based on Die Büchse der Pandora (“Pandora’s Box”) and Erdgeist (“Earth Spirit”) by Frank Wedekind

Stars: Louise Brooks, Fritz Kortner, Francis Lederer, Carl Goetz, Gustav Diessl  and Michael von Newlinsky

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Lulu (Brooks) is a beautiful woman who uses her charms to get whatever she wants.  Lulu is currently the mistress of Dr. Ludwig Schön (Kortner).  When Schön announces he is going to marry a woman of his same social class, Lulu’s actions set in motion a tragic series of events that will lead to multiple murders.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lulu is Louise Brooks most famous role.  The part almost went to Marlene Dietrich.  Brooks was the director’s first choice, but didn’t think he could get her.  Dietrich was in Pabst’s office to sign the contract when word came that Brooks was available.  Years later Dietrich was understandably miffed.

It is easy to see why Louis Brooks created such a sensation in this role.  The camera loves her.  She projected both innocence and sexuality.  Sadly, Brooks would only make 9 more films and she hit hard times in later years.  When Pandora’s Box was rediscovered in the late 70s, Brooks was redisovered as well.

Fritz Kortner reminds me so much of Kelsey Grammer in this film.

SPOILER WARNING:

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The ending with Jack the Ripper was a surprising and bold move.

Pandora’s Box (1929) earns 4 of 5 stars.

“The Ghost Breakers” (1940) starring Bob Hope & Paulette Goddard / Z-View

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The Ghost Breakers (1940)

Director:  George Marshall

Writer:  Walter DeLeon based on the play The Ghost Breaker by Paul Dickey and Charles W. Goddard

Stars: Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, Richard Carlson, Willie Best, Pedro de Cordoba, Virginia Brissac, Noble Johnson, Anthony Quinn, Tom Dugan, Paul Fix, Lloyd Corrigan  and Robert Elliott

Tagline:  The two stars of “The Cat and the Canary” find love and laughter in a haunted house!

The Plot…

On a voyage to Cuba Mary Carter (Goddard) and Larry Lawrence (Hope) develop a flirtatious relationship.  Mary is going to Cuba to claim an inheritance. Larry ended up on the ship by accident.  When Mary is told about ghosts and zombies on the land and mansion she’s inherited, Larry decides to stick around.  The mansion is just as creepy as she’d been told.  It’s full of secret passageways, walls with hidden panels, and a painting that looks just like Mary. When what appear to be ghosts and zombies show up, it may be time to sell!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Due to the success of The Cat and The Canary, the studio wanted to quickly re-team Hope and Goddard. The Ghost Breakers fit the bill. Although they play different characters, the plots of both films are very similar.

This is the third time the play The Ghost Breakers was made into a film.  The first two versions were silent.  It was remade for a fourth time as Scared Stiff in 1953 with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

The Ghost Breakers (1940) earns 3 of 5 stars.

“The Gang’s All Here” (1941) starring Frankie Darro & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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The Gang’s All Here (1941)

Director:  Jean Yarbrough

Writer: Edmond Kelso

Stars: Frankie Darro, Marcia Mae Jones, Jackie Moran, Keye Luke, Mantan Moreland, Robert Homans and Paul Bryar

Tagline:  Frankie risks his life for a new sweetie, and then finds out she’s two-timing him for another motor jockey!

The Plot…

Frankie (Darro) and Jefferson (Moreland) get jobs driving for The Overland Transport Company, unaware that Overland’s trucks have been the targets of several hijackings that left the drivers dead.  When Frankie and Jefferson survive an attempt to drive them off the road, they decide to find out who is behind the attacks.  As they get closer to the truth, the targets on their backs grow bigger.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

My main interest in The Gang’s All Here was Mantan Moreland. He’s the bright spot in the movie, and I wish he was given more to do.

It was interesting that in such a low budget production would feature so many actors that would have long careers and even appear in some classic films:

Frankie Dario played Robby the Robot in Forbidden Planet!  Marcia Mae Jones had a role in The Way We Were. Jackie Moran was in Gone with the Wind! Keye Luke had a long career but is best known as Charlie Chan’s #1 son. Robert Homans was in The Grapes of Wrath.  Paul Bryar had a small role in Butch Cassady and the Sundance Kid.

The Gang’s All Here (1941) earns 2 of 5 stars.

“Is That Black Enough for You?!? (2022)” written & directed by Elvis Mitchell

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Is That Black Enough for You?!? (2022)

Director:  Elvis Mitchell

Writer: Elvis Mitchell

Stars: Elvis Mitchell (voice), Margaret Avery, Harry Belafonte, Suzanne De Passe, Antonio Fargas, Laurence Fishburne, Sheila Frazier, Whoopi Goldberg, Samuel L. Jackson, Glynn Turman, Mario Van Peebles, Billy Dee Williams  and Zendaya

Tagline: Is That Black Enough For You?!? How One Decade Forever Changed the Movies (And Me)”

The Plot…

Elvis Mitchell, the writer and director of Is That Black Enough for You?!?, is a film scholar and film critic.  Here he explores the history and impact that African-American cinema had on all films and American culture.  There is an emphasis on the 1970s.  The film makes use of film clips as well as interviews with many of the artists who lived through this period.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I greatly enjoyed Is That Black Enough for You?!?.  The two hours and 15 minutes flew by.  It was interesting to see the history of how African-Americans were portrayed in movies and the impact the late 60s and early 70s had when more black artists were able to take control of their films.  The interviews are the glue that holds it all together,  The film clips reminded me of many movies I’d seen in my youth and many more I’d like to see.

When the film was over, it left me wanting to dig deeper into the history of black artists such as Paul Robeson, Mantan Moreland (who sadly wasn’t mentioned), Oscar Micheaux and many others.  The topic is so huge it would be hard to cover in just one film and I’m sure that fed in to Mitchell’s decision to focus on the late 60s though the mid 70s.  I would love to see a streaming series that took a deeper look.  Elvis Mitchell, are you listening?

Is That Black Enough for You?!? (2022) earns 4 of 5 stars.

“The War of the Gargantuas” (1966) / Z-View

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The War of the Gargantuas (1966)

Director:  Ishirô Honda

Writer: Ishirō Honda, Takeshi Kimura, Reuben Bercovitch (story)

Stars: Russ Tamblyn

Tagline:  Can a Country Survive When Two Gargantuas Battle to Death?

The Plot…

Two giant gargantuas have appeared.  The green one is evil, attacking, killing and eating people.  The brown gargantua is gentle.  Both are believed to be causing the havok.  When the military is called out to kill both, the battle is on… man vs gargantuas and gargantua vs gargantua.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Russ Tamblyn reportedly didn’t get along with Ishirô Honda and often ignored his directions.  Tamblyn also improvised many of his lines.  This created a problem with Tamblyn’s audio track had to be re-recorded and he didn’t remember exactly what he said in each scene.  Plus Tamblyn took a real laidback attitude in each scene.  All of this adds up to Russ Tamblyn being the weakest part of the movie.

The movie is at it’s best when the gargantuas are battling with each other, the military or attacking people (whether on land or at sea).  Seeing the monsters crashing through buildings, throwing ships or using full grown trees as clubs will bring out the kid in you.

There are a couple of truly creepy scenes: one is when the sailor is looking down into the ocean water and a gargantua is looking up at him, the other is when the gargantua is up to his shoulders walking in the ocean preparing for his next attack.

The War of the Gargantuas (1966) earns 2 of 5 stars.

“The Phenomenon” (2020) / Z-View

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The Phenomenon (2020)

Director: James Fox

Writers: Marc Barasch, James Fox

Stars: Peter Coyote (narrator)

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

The Phenomenon explores the possibility that aliens have been visiting our planet and there is a deep state cover-up.  Included is archival news footage/interviews with  Major Jesse Marcel discussing the Roswell event, Kenneth Arnold, the pilot who coined the term flying saucers after viewing them, students and a teacher witnesses at the Ariel School Incident and other eye witnesses from reported documented UFO sightings.  Current interviews include Navy pilots, NASA astronauts and government officials with high ranking security clearance all indicating they have witnessed UFOs and/or there is more going on than we are being told.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Phenomenon presents a strong case for the belief that we are being visited by intelligent beings from outer space, another dimension or the future.  Some of the evidence presented may not be new to those interested in UFOs, but to see it all laid out in this film is impressive.

The Phenomenon (2020) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Jade Mask” (1945) starring Sidney Toler & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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The Jade Mask (1945)

Director:  Phil Rosen

Writer: George Callahan based on characters created by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Edwin Luke, Frank Reicher, Janet Warren, Cyril Delevanti, Edith Evanson and Edith Evanson

Tagline:  A MYSTERY MANSION…Where death lurks in every dark corner and a mad genius runs loose!

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Toler), aided by his #4 son Edwin and Birmingham Brown (Mooreland) are called in to solve a case where an eccentric scientist was killed in his spooky old mansion while hosting a dinner party.  As it turns out the scientist wasn’t well liked.  Everyone in attendance had motive to kill him!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Jade Mask has all the elements you’d want in a Charlie Chan mystery.  An unusual murder.  Plenty of viable suspects.  Charlie Chan’s humorous pearls of wisdom.  A spooky mansion with hidden passageways and wall panels.  Mantan Mooreland!

This is the first and only appearance of Chan’s #4 son Edwin, played by Edwin Luke, the real-life younger brother of Keye Luke who played Chan’s #1 son in previous films.

The addition of the old country sheriff’s interactions with Chan provides humor.

The Jade Mask earns 3 of 5 stars.

“The Shanghai Cobra” (1945) starring Sidney Toler & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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The Shanghai Cobra (1945)

Director:  Phil Karlson

Writer: George Callahan, George Wallace Sayre based on characters created by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Benson Fong, Janet Warren, Gene Roth, James Flavin, George Chandler  and Cyril Delevanti

Tagline:  Charlie Chan at his best in his most thrilling adventure!

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Toler) is brought in to work on a case where cobra venom is used as a murder weapon.  Chan solved a case ten years prior, but the alleged murderer’s face was badly burned in his escape.  Because of plastic surgery Chan won’t be able to recognize him from the several suspects he’s watching.  As Charlie Chan closes in on the killer, his #3 son Tommy (Fong) and Birmingham (Moreland) follow leads of their own.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

A highlight is Mantan and Fong performing a bit explaining how they received a traffic ticket. “You said, ‘No, you turn here.” “No, I said, no u-turn here.”

Charlie Chan has his usual (humorous) pearls of wisdom including when his son says, “Pop, I want to talk to you as man to man” and Chan responds with, “I am ready, but you still have few years to go.”

The Shanghai Cobra earns 3 of 5 stars.

“The Raven” (2012) starring John Cusack, Alice Eve, Luke Evans and Brendan Gleeson / Z-View

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The Raven (2012)

Director:  James McTeigue

Writer: Ben Livingston, Hannah Shakespeare

Stars: John Cusack, Alice Eve, Luke Evans, Brendan Gleeson, Kevin McNally, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Jimmy Yuill, Sam Hazeldine, Pam Ferris, Dave Legeno  and Michael Shannon

Tagline:  The only one who can stop a serial killer is the man who inspired him.

The Plot…

When a serial killer uses methods from Edgar Allan Poe stories to dispatch his victims, Detective Fields (Evans) reluctantly turns to Poe (Cusak) for help.  This only inspires the demented killer to up the ante by kidnapping Poe’s  fiancée and setting a timeline for her murder.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Edgar Allan Poe may have been an insufferable alcoholic, but to make an insufferable alcoholic the sympathetic hero of a movie is a tall order.  I did like how the ending aligns with real-life events in Poe’s life.

Luke Evans and Brendan Gleeson are welcome additions in any movie and they shine in The Raven.

My favorite scene is the night of the party when a masked rider (the killer?) enters the ballroom on horseback.

Had the movie centered on Detective Fields a sequel would have been very cool since the final scenes seem to set it up.

The Raven (2012) earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Sweet and Hot” (1958) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Sweet and Hot (1958)

Director:  Jules White

Writer:  Jerome S. Gottler, Jack White

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe Besser and Muriel Landers.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Larry is a successful nightclub performer.  When he returns home to the farm  he hears his sister, Tiny, singing.  He immediately gets the idea to have her in his act.  The only problem is Tiny suffers from stage fright.  Larry and Joe take Tiny to Dr. Hugo Gansamacher (Moe) in an effort to cure her.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

There have been Stooges shorts before where the boys play separate characters rather than a team.  This happens again, in Sweet and Hot.  The difference between Sweet and Hot and those other shorts, is that in the others, the Stooges were still the leads.  In Sweet and Hot, Muriel Tiny Landers is the star.  And, for my money, that doesn’t work.

There are sight gags and wordplay, often making fun of Tiny’s size.  If you’re showing someone Stooges’ comedy, Sweet and Hot wouldn’t be the short to use.

O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder (2023) / Z-View

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O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder (2023)

Stars: Tom Lange, Rod Englert, Kato Kaelin, Allan Park, O.J. Simpson

Tagline: None.

Synopsis…

O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder revisits the trial of the century.  It explores evidence collected (some which wasn’t used in the trial) at the murder scene as well as OJ’s house and features current interviews with Tom Lange, Rod Englert, Kato Kaelin and Allan Park.

Tom Lange was the lead detective investigating the murders of Nicole Kidman and Ron Goldman. Lange kept a personal case journal which is shared for the first time.   Rod Englert is a Crime Scene Reconstructionist.  He’s an expert in blood splatter and able to use evidence from murder scenes to determine how the killings took place. Kato Kaelin was a material witness who lived in OJ’s guest house.  Allan Park was the limo driver who took OJ to the airport the night of the murders.

The murders are discussed in detail.  Graphic crime scene photos are shown.  There is a recreation of the murders, based on the evidence collected.  The prosecution and defense strategies are discussed.  Evidence that didn’t make it into the trial is shared.  The “not guilty” verdict is discussed and reasons the jury went that way.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I cannot stress enough how disturbing the crime scene photos are.  O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder doesn’t shy away from sharing them in order for viewers to understand the brutality and overkill of the murderer.  This documentary is not for the squeamish.  I had mixed feelings about the use of the photos.  Without them viewers have a sanitized version of the crime.  Seeing them and the brutality involved is tough.

I remember when I heard that OJ was a suspect in the double murder case which involved his wife.  Like many Americans, I didn’t believe OJ, the great athlete and movie star, would do such a thing.  Then there was the slow speed chase, followed by the trial.  I watched with interest every day.  The twists and turns were unbelievable.  So was the verdict… at least for many.

The prosecution made terrible decisions along the way, while the defense seemed to make every “right” choice.  After watching  O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder, OJ’s guilt seems so obvious.  Then again, I didn’t buy in to the conspiracy theories at the time of the trial.

O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder earns 4 of 5 stars.

“I’ll Never Heil Again” (1941) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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I’ll Never Heil Again (1941)

Director:  Jules White

Writer:  Clyde Bruckman, Felix Adler

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Don Barclay, Lynton Brent, Vernon Dent, Ned Glass, Bud Jamison, Cy Schindell and Al Thompson.

Tagline: Hilarious howls with Hollywood’s daffiest dictators!

The Plot…

I’ll Never Heil Again is a sequel to You Nazty Spy.  Moe is still the idiot figurehead dictator with Curly and Larry his dimwit field marshals in the country of Moronica.  As our boys meet with other dictators to plan a world takeover, there are those closer to home planning to overthrow Moe, Curly and Larry’s dictatorship.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’ll Never Heil Again was released 5 months before the US would enter World War II.

As a sequel to You Nazty Spy, it carries the story forward.  In the first short arms manufacturers supported the dictatorship of Moe, Curly and Larry.  In I’ll Never Heil Again, these manufacturers have seen the error of their ways.

I’ll Never Heil Again like You Nazty Spy is a classic, full of slapstick, sight gags, and wordplay.

I’ll Never Heil Again earns 5 of 5 stars.

“We Have a Ghost” (2023) starring David Harbour & Jahi Winston / Z-View

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We Have a Ghost (2023)

Director:  Christopher Landon

Writer: Christopher Landon based on the short story Ernest by Geoff Manaugh

Stars: Jahi Di’Allo Winston, David Harbour, Anthony Mackie, Isabella Russo, Tig Notaro, Tom Bower, Sean Boyd, Jennifer Coolidge and Peggy Walton-Walker.

Tagline: Set your spirit free.

The Plot…

The Presley family has just moved into an old house that they got for a rock-bottom price.  Kevin (Winston) isn’t happy about the move, but the family is looking for a fresh start.  Kevin’s dad, Frank (Mackie) is always looking for a get rich quick scheme and they never pan out.  While in the attic, a ghost named Ernest (Harbour) makes a poor attempt at scary Kevin.  Kevin manages to film Ernest.  When Kevin’s dad gets a hold of the video he has a plan to use it to make money.

Kevin and Ernest develop a friendship.  Ernest cannot remember all the details of his life, but thinks if he could it would help him to move on.  Meanwhile the CIA has seen the video of Ernest and they’re ready to move in…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

We Have a Ghost has some funny scenes and a wonderful cast.  Unfortunately it has as many scenes that miss the mark and a running time that goes a bit too long.

Jahi Di’Allo Winston and David Harbour have good chemistry.  Anthony Mackie does the best he can with what he’s given.  The writers make him an unlikeable loser at the start so when he does come around, it’s a little too late.  We Have a Ghost is probably best enjoyed by children in late elementary or middle school.  Your mileage may vary.

We Have a Ghost earns 2 of 5 stars.

“You Nazty Spy!” (1940) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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You Nazty Spy! (1940)

Director:  Jules White

Writer:  Clyde Bruckman, Felix Adler

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Don Beddoe, Dick Curtis, Charles Dorety, Ned Glass, Lorna Gray, John Rand and Al Thompson.

Tagline: A World of Laughs in the Wackiest Hit in This Gaga Globe!

The Plot…

Three weapons manufacturers in the country of Moronica realize that a war will increase their profits. They need a stupid dictator to start the war.  They choose Moe to be their fall guy and Larry & Curly to be his field marshals.  With these idiots as figureheads, what could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

You Nazty Spy was the first Hollywood film to satirize Adolph Hitler and Nazis.  It was released nine months before Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator.  It’s interesting to consider that when You Nazty Spy was made, the US was two years away from entering World War II.

Moe Howard and Larry Fine named You Nazty Spy as their favorite of all the Stooges shorts.  It was popular enough to spawn a Stooges sequel, I’ll Never Heil Again!

You Nazty Spy is a classic, full of slapstick, sight gags, and wordplay.

You Nazty Spy earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Charlie Chan in the Secret Service” (1944) starring Sidney Toler & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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Charlie Chan in the Secret Service (1944)

Director:  Phil Rosen

Writer: George Callahan based on characters created by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Sarah Edwards, George J. Lewis, Benson Fong and Gene Roth

Tagline:  The screen’s most daring sleuth!

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Toler), now a government agent, is assigned to investigate the murder of a scientist working on a new type of weapon for the war effort.  The scientist was killed by an unknown method right before a dinner party he was hosting.  The house was filled with guests who are now suspects.  Chan is assisted by his #3 son, his #2 daughter and  a limo driver named Birmingham Brown (Moreland) Chan has just met.  The security of the United States rests with Charlie Chan solving this murder!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This is the first Charlie Chan to feature Mantan Moreland!  It is also the first Charlie Chan film made by Monogram Pictures.  Monogram’s films featured a lower budget, but this often adds to the charm of their Charlie Chan movies.

Charlie Chan in the Secret Service earns 4 of 5 stars.