“Take a Chance” (1918) starring Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels and ‘Snub’ Pollard / Z-View

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Take a Chance (1918)

Director:  Alfred J. Goulding

Screenplay: Alfred J. Goulding

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard, Bud Jamison. 

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Harold sees a girl (Bebe) and is smitten.  Before he can make any headway, Bebe’s boyfriend, Snub, pulls up. She gets in the front seat while Harold sneaks in the back.

Harold secretly influences Bebe and Snub into an argument. They arrive at the park. Harold continues to try to woo Bebe.  When two escaped convicts show up, one knocks Harold out and exchanges clothes with him as well.  Then the police chasing the escaped cons show up, they see Harold in prison clothes.

The chase is on!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Don’t go in to Take a Chance looking for a sensible story… even by early film standards.  Take a Chance feels like two partial films stuck together.  The first, a romantic comedy and the second, a slapstick chase.  It’s not Harold Lloyd’s finest but at this stage in his career, Harold Lloyd wasn’t yet Harold Lloyd the silent film star.

Take a Chance (1918) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Terminator / Terminator: Dark Fate” by Leo Leibelman!

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Leo Leibelman is a freelance artist who has provided art for comics, trading cards, novels, instructional materials, film storyboards and more.  Leo Leibelman takes commissions.

The Terminator / Terminator: Dark Fate by Leo Leibelman.

“My name is Sarah Connor. When I was about her age… a Terminator was sent to kill me to stop the birth of my son, John. Leader of the Resistance.” – Sarah Connor

“The Marathon” (1919) starring Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard and Bud Jamison / Z-View

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The Marathon (1919)

Director:  Alfred J. Goulding

Screenplay: H.M. Walker

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard, Bud Jamison. 

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A rich young woman has her pick of possible suitors.  Her stern father, a retired heavyweight boxer, oversees her choices.  When a slick potential boyfriend butters up to her daddy, he becomes the father’s choice.  Harold, another suitor, is willing to fight for his chance to date the young lady.

Put up your dukes and may the funniest man win!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The mirror gag appears in this film.  Harold and his brother Gaylord (who also plays the Chief of Police) pull off the famous routine.  It’s interesting to note, that Charlie Chaplin was the first to do the mirror comedy skit on film in Floorwalker (1916).  But it was Duck Soup starring The Marx Brothers that made the routine famous.

Bud Jamison, co-star of dozens of Three Stooges shorts, appears uncredited as The Rich Girl’s Father.  Jamison was just six years older than Bebe Daniels, the actress who played his daughter.

The Marathon (1919) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Mobland” – The Season 2 Trailer is Here!

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The Mobland Season 2 trailer has arrived.  I loved season 1.  Looking forward to season 2.

Deal me in.

Season 2 of MobLand premieres September 18 only on Paramount+.

The Harrigans, heads of North London’s largest criminal empire, are on the brink of civil war, and their rivals are starting to notice. As tensions within the Harrigan family intensify, their ‘fixer’ Harry Da Souza is the only one that can keep them from falling apart.

“Bumping into Broadway” starring Harold Lloyd / Z-View

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Bumping Into Broadway (1919)

Director:  Hal Roach

Screenplay:  Hal Roach, Harold Lloyd; titles by H.M. Walker

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard.

Tagline: Two thousand feet of girls and giggles with a kick like moonshine.

The Plot…

A “girl” dreams of being an actress.  The “boy” in the room next door dreams of being a playwright.  Neither have found success.  When the boy learns that the girl is going to be evicted for not paying her rent, he gives her the last of his money.  All he has to do now is avoid his tough landlady and her big bouncer until he can raise the cash for his rent.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bumping into Broadway is the final film made/released before the accident that cost Harold Lloyd is right thumb and forefinger.  During a photo shoot a prop bomb exploded causing Lloyd’s injury.  In his future films Lloyd wore a glove or keep his right hand hidden.

Bumping into Broadway is the first two-reel film that featured Lloyd’s “glasses” character.

Bumping Into Broadway (1919) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Hope” – The Full International Trailer is Here!

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The full international trailer for Hope is here and we get a clear view of the aliens.  This film looks to be all out action.

Deal me in.

In the remote South Korea village of Hope Harbor, police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung- min) and officer Sung-ae (Hoyeon) are called to find a mysterious creature that has wreaked havoc on the village.

In the nearby forest, a coterie of hunters, including Sung- ki (Zo In-Sung) set out to track the beast and find themselves hunted instead.

But all is not as it seems, and perceptions can be misleading. What begins as ignorance plants the seed of disaster, escalating through human conflict into a tragedy of cosmic proportions.

“A Night in the Show” (1915) written, directed & starring Charlie Chaplin / Z-View

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A Night in the Show (1915)

Director: Charlie Chaplin

Screenplay:  Charlie Chaplin

Stars:  Charlie Chaplin, Charlotte Mineau, Dee Lampton, Edna Purviance, Leo White and

Tagline: Uproariously Funny Charley Chaplin As a Dude and a Bum A Double Portion of Comedy

The Plot…

A Night in the Show follows two theater-goers: Mr. Pest and Mr. Rowdy (both played by Charlie Chaplin).  Mr. Pest is well-dressed man who has a great seat right up front.  Pest is rudely oblivious to all around him.  Mr. Rowdy watches from a cheap balcony seat.  Rowdy has had too much too drink and disrupts in his own way.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Chaplin adapted A Night in the Show from one of his stage plays.

Bud Jamison who appeared in nearly 40 Three Stooges shorts appears uncredited in the balcony.

A Night in the Show (1915) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Hollow Point” (2016) starring Patrick Wilson, Ian McShane, Lynn Collins, Jim Belusia and John Leguizamo / Z-View

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The Hollow Point (2016)

Director:  Gonzalo López-Gallego

Screenplay: Nils Lyew

Stars:  Patrick Wilson, Lynn Collins, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo and Jim Belushi.

Tagline: Good men can do bad things

The Plot…

Wallace returns to his hometown of Leland on the Mexico/Arizona border. Wallace comes back as the new Sheriff. Leland, the former Sheriff, was forced out of office after a routine stop ended in tragedy.

What Wallace doesn’t know, but will soon learn, is Atticus, one of the cartel’s deadliest hitmen is coming to town.  Atticus has his machette and a list.  Everyone on the list is marked for death.

As Wallace tries to figure out who was involved in the event that triggered the hitman’s arrival, Wallace learns his estranged girlfriend, Lynn’s name is on the list.

Leland, the former Sheriff who is old and drinks too much, offers help.  But can Leland be trusted?

Atticus has his list.  He’s killing people and checking off names.  Soon Atticus will come to Lynn’s name.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

John Leguizamo is good as Atticus the relentless killer.

There’s a pretty shocking scene fairly early on.  It was a pretty bold choice.

The Hollow Point (2016) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Captain Kidd’s Kids” (1919) starring Harold Lloyd and Bebe Daniels / Z-View

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Captain Kidd’s Kids (1919)

Director: Hal Roach

Screenplay:  H.M. Walker

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, “Snub” Pollard

Tagline: THERE ARE BARRELS OF LAUGHTER TO BACK UP THE SPECIAL $100,000 HAROLD LLOYD TWO REEL COMEDY “CAPTAIN KIDD’S KIDS

The Plot…

A wealthy young man discovers that his fiancé ‘s mother is taking her on a cruise so that she cannot marry.  The young man boards a ship and heads off to catch up with his bride-to-be.  As the ship sails, the young man dreams… he’s on an all woman pirate ship…

… and they want to hang him!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Harold Lloyd and Bebe Daniels made nearly 100 short films together.  This was their last together.

Captain Kidd’s Kids (1919) rates 2 of 5 stars.

THE GUN MAN JACKSON SWAGGER: A WESTERN by Stephen Hunter

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THE GUN MAN JACKSON SWAGGER: A WESTERN by Stephen Hunter

First sentences…

The sun was a blowtorch, scorching the Arizona Territory crisp.  Sagebrush, some living, some dead, bounced indifferently about the raw landscape.  While most of America prospered in the wonderful year of 1897, here vegetation turned brittle while the once abundant and variegated cacti had retreated within themselves, their spindly arms forming structures more appropriate to crucifixion than blossom.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

1897.  The Arizona Territory.  Due to a prolonged draught survival is tough.  Homes and even towns are left abandoned when residents left for a better climate.  Only rare rough railroad construction towns called railheads and Colonel Callahan’s massive ranch thrive.

Railheads are not towns really.  More like flophouses, whorehouses and taverns clustered together.  They’re inhabited by the lawless, rough railroad construction workers who come in to spend their week’s pay.

Colonel Callahan’s ranch prospers.  It’s the largest spread in the Arizona territory.  Callahan makes a good living raising and marketing his cattle. But cattle isn’t all Callahan deals in.  He’s also has secret (and illegal) dealings across the border in Mexico.  Callahan employs ranch hands, cowboys, but most importantly gunmen.  The only job these gunfighters have is to protect all that Callahan owns.  Callahan’s top man and best with a gun is Tom Voth.

When a cowboy rides in looking for work, Voth is ready to send him on his way.  The stranger says his name is Jack.  Jack looks like a drifter.  Hardened, yes.  Tough looking yes.  But old.  Jack must be pushing sixty.  Voth says, unless Jack is good with a gun, they can’t use him.    Jack says he’s good with a gun and calm when bullets fly.  Voth is doubtful.  Jack doesn’t wear a gun.  Turns out Jack pawned his guns to survive.

Voth calls for a rife.  Jack takes the carbine and proceeds to amaze Voth with his shooting accuracy.  Voth takes Jack to Mr. Callahan for a final interview.  Callahan is impressed and hires Jack.

What they don’t know is the drifter Jack is actually Jack Swagger a feared gunfighter and he’s come to Callahan’s ranch on a personal mission.

Saddle up!

+++

I’m a fan of Stephen Hunter’s Swagger novels.  It is such a cool idea to follow the Swagger family tree.  It allows Hunter to write novels in different eras that are anchored by the Swagger family.

So far we have…

  • Jackson Swagger: a cowboy in the 1890s
  • Charles Swagger: a World War II sniper
  • Earl Swagger: a famous Arkansas State Trooper and Charles’ son
  • Bob Lee Swagger: a legendary sniper in Viet Nam pulled in to several adventures after the war.  He is Earl’s son.
  • Ray Cruz: a FBI agent and Bob Lee’s son.

Stephen Hunter’s Swagger novel are instant purchases for me.  I’ve loved every one.  THE GUN MAN JACKSON SWAGGER: A WESTERN is another winner.

Rating:

“The Dead Zone” directed by David Cronenberg; starring Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Herbert Lom, Anthony Zerbe, Colleen Dewhurst and Martin Sheen / Z-View

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The Dead Zone (1983)

Director: David Cronenberg

Screenplay:  Jeffrey Boam; based on THE DEAD ZONE by Stephen King

Stars:  Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Herbert Lom, Anthony Zerbe, Colleen Dewhurst and Martin Sheen.

Tagline: In his mind, he has the power to see the future. In his hands, he has the power to change it.

The Plot…

Everything is going great for Johnny.  He’s got a job teaching at a local school.  He’s in love with Sarah, a teacher at the same school and she’s in love with him.  Soon they will be married.

After a date with Sarah, as Johnny is driving home, a freak auto accident occurs.  Johnny survives, but is left in a coma.  When Johnny wakes up…

… FIVE YEARS HAVE PASSED.

Johnny has lost more than time.  He learns Sarah is married and has a child.  The wreck left him with a limp.  His full physical recovery will take time.  Yes, Johnny lost a lot.  But he also gained a power.  When Johnny makes physical contact with a person, he sometimes sees glimpses of their future.

Rumors spread about the man who cheated death who can now see the future.  Some people are doubtful.  Others think Johnny has been granted evil powers.  Still others want Johnny to see their future so they can gain from the insight.

Sheriff Bannerman is skeptical, but has nothing to lose.   A serial killer continues to kill and leaves no clues.  Johnny reluctantly agrees to assist Bannerman.  Along the way, Johnny discovers something even more deadly than a sadistic killer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When Johnny first discovers his new power, he sees a child trapped in a burning room.  As Johnny witnesses this vision, sweat breaks out all over his face.  The “sweat” is actually a flame retardant put on Christopher Walken to protect him from the flames.  It turned out to be a happy accident since it created a cool effect that wasn’t intentional.

THE DEAD ZONE  was the first Stephen King novel to reach #1 on the best selling hardcover list.

Christopher Walken was an excellent choice to play Johnny.

Martin Sheen plays Greg Stillson, a shyster politician running for President. Sixteen years later, Sheen began playing President Josiah Bartlet on the West Wing.

The Dead Zone is my favorite film directed by David Cronenberg.

The Dead Zone (1983) rates 5 of 5 stars.