“War of the Worlds” (1953) starring Gene Barry and Ann Robinson / Z-View

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War of the Worlds (1953)

Director: Byron Haskin

Screenplay: Barré Lyndon; based on THE WAR OF THE WORLDS by H.G. Wells

Stars: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne, Robert Cornthwaite, Sandro Giglio, Lewis Martin, Vernon Rich, Henry Brandon, Jack Kruschen, Cedric Hardwicke, Edgar Barrier, Carolyn Jones and Paul Frees.

Tagline: Amazing! terrifying! The most savage spectacle of all time!

The Plot…

When a meteor impacts near a small California town it generates a lot of attention.  The attention turns to fear when the meteor turns out to contain an alien ship. The ship goes airborne and begins destroying everything in it’s path.  Things go from terrible to devastating when it is learned that hundreds of these “meteors” have landed around the world.

Armies across the globe attempt to take down the alien invaders with no success. Cities are being wiped out.  Dr. Clayton Forrester (Barry) and Sylvia Van Buren (Robinson) find themselves on the run searching for safe haven.  As the aliens close in, reports from around the world show that no weapon works against the alien’s technology.

Humankind will be wiped out in weeks…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

War of the Worlds was nominated for three 1954 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Sound, Recording – Loren L. Ryder (Paramount Sound Department)
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Everett Douglas
  • Winner for Best Effects, Special Effects

The alien craft in H.G. Wells novel walk on tripod legs.  Unsure of how to make this work on screen, George Pal opted to give the craft the ability to fly.

H.G. Wells’ estate was so pleased with The War of the Worlds, that George Pal was offered any other H.G. Wells story to adapt.  Pal chose and made The Time Machine.

Paul Frees plays a radio reporter and uses his voice impersonation of Orson Welles as a homage to Welles’ War of the Worlds radio broadcast.

Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, the stars of this version appear as grandparents of Tom Cruise’s character’s children in Steven Spielberg’s 2005 War of the Worlds.

War of the Worlds is a classic.

War of the Worlds (1953) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Hog Wild” (1930) starring Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy / Z-View

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Hog Wild (1930)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay: H. M. Walker, Stan Laurel

Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.

Tagline: Amnesia! Mr. Hardy was beginning to forget things but Mr. Laurel had no fear of losing his memory – As a matter of fact, Mr. Laurel never had a memory to lose.

The Plot…

Stan and Ollie plan to spend the afternoon together having fun.  But first, Ollie’s wife insists that Ollie install the radio antenna on their roof.

Oliver and Hardy on a rooftop installing an antenna!  What could go wrong?

But is using the car as the base of a ladder that Ollie has climbed to the top of the best idea?  Let the go times roll!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hog Wild (1930) clocks in at just 19 laugh filled minutes.

Stan and Ollie on a rooftop — deal me in.

Hog Wild (1930) rates 5 of 5 stars.

RIP: George Foreman

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It was announced that George Foreman died on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76.  No cause of death was given.  George Foreman was a boxer, preacher and business man.

George Foreman was just 19 years old with 20 amateur fights when he represented the United States in the 1968 Olympics.  In four Olympic bouts, only one went the distance.  George Foreman won the Heavyweight Olympic Gold Medal.

The following year, George Foreman turned pro.  Mr. Foreman was 37 – 0, with 34 knockouts when he fought Joe Frazier for the Heavyweight title.  Mr. Frazier was 29 – 0 with 25 knockouts.  George Foreman won the title with a technical knockout in the second round.  (Joe Frazier suffered six knockdowns in two rounds before the ref stopped the fight.)

George Foreman defended his title against José Roman (KO, round 1) and Ken Norton (TKO, round 2) before taking on Muhammad Ali in the fight known as The Rumble in the Jungle.  Ali, using a strategy he later called “Rope-a-Dope” leaned back on the unusually loose ropes with his guard up and let Foreman wail away.  Ali took some heavy shots but was able to weather the storm.  In the eighth round, with Foreman arm weary, Ali came off the ropes and with his own flurry of punches ended the fight.  Ali had won the Championship.

George Foreman fought some exhibition bouts and five more sanctioned fights earning wins over Ron Lyle (KO, round 5), Joe Frazier (TKO, round 5); Scott LeDoux (TKO, round 3); John Denis (TKO, round 4) and Pedro Agosto (TKO, round 4).  Mr. Foreman then lost a unanimous 12 round decision to Jimmy Young.

In his dressing room after the fight, George Foreman became ill and felt as if he was dying.  At this point, Mr. Foreman wasn’t religious, but felt as if God was telling him to change his ways.  Although he didn’t retire, he stopped fighting and became an ordained minister.  He preached on street corners before becoming the minister of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Houston.  Mr. Foreman also opened a youth center.

Then in 1987, at the age of 38, George Foreman announced a boxing comeback.  He said the money would be used to help his youth center.  Although very heavy and out of shape, George Foreman won the comeback fight by KO in four rounds.  Big George (as he came to be known) won four more fights (1 by KO and 3 by TKO) before the year was out.  In 1988, he had nine fights (!) winning all by KO or TKO.  In 1989, George went undefeated with five wins.

Despite his age, George was piling up wins and getting closer to another title fight.  He also had endeared himself to the public.  Before his comeback, George Foreman acted much like Sonny Liston (a fighter he admired for his tough no-nonsense persona).  Now George was outgoing, happy and modest.  He began to do advertisements.  George Foreman worked out a deal to be spokesman and allow his name to be used on the George Foreman Grill which became a national best-seller.  Mr. Foreman earned more from sales of the grill than he did as a professional boxer!

After going undefeated in five (all by TKO or KO) fights in 1990 the title fight was getting closer.  In 1991, Big George lost a unanimous decision to Evander Holyfield.  Mr. Foreman won three more fights and then finally got another shot at the title.

On June 7, 1993, at the age of 44, George Foreman won a unanimous decision over Tommy Morrison to win the WBO Heavyweight title.  Then in November, Mr. Foreman defeated Michael Moorer by KO in the 10th to win the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles.  He defended his titles four more times.  He lost by decision to Shannon Briggs in 1997.  George Foreman was nearly 49 years old!

I was always a fan of George Foreman, especially after his comeback.  In his first fights I was in awe of his strength and power.  I loved that he won a Gold medal for the U.S. in the 1968 Olympics.  For his comeback, I enjoyed the transformation for Liston-like personality to someone that seemed to enjoy life and inspire others.  George Foreman was one of a kind.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to George Foreman’s family, friends and fans.

“Loose in London” (1953) starring Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall & The Bowery Boys / Z-View

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Loose in London (1953)

Director: Edward Bernds

Screenplay: Elwood Ullman, Edward Bernds

Stars: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bernard Gorcey, Walter Kingsford, Norma Varden, David Gorcey, Benny Bartlett and Rex Evans.

Tagline: It’s a RIPPING RIOT of Noble Knuckleheads and Nutty Knights!

The Plot…

Sach gets word that his long-lost great-great-grand-uncle (a British Earl no less!), is near death.  Even more surprising, Sach is named in the will!  His great-great-grand-uncle has sent Sach a first class ticket to London so they can meet.

Sach trades in his first class ticket for four economy class vouchers so Slip, and a couple of the boys can come along.  When they arrive in London, they are waaaay out of their element.  Rich proper gentlemen they are not.

Complicating matters, great-great-grand-uncle’s other relatives are ready for him to die so they can collect their share of the inheritance.  In fact the other relatives have been slowly poisoning him.  And now they plan to get rid of Sach and the boys.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

There were 48 Bowery Boys movies made between 1946 and 1958.  Loose in London is the 30th.

Out of Time (2003) rates 3 of 5 stars.

RIP: Wings Hauser

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Wings Hauser born General Dwight Hauser died on March 15, 2025of natural causes.  Mr. Hauser was 77.

Wings was born in Hollywood, California.  His father, Dwight Hauser was a director and producer.  His brother, Eric Hauser, is also an actor.  Wings got the nickname Wings while playing high school football and it stuck.  Although Wings Hauser made his film debut with a small role in First to Fight in 1967, instead of acting he pursued a singing career.

In 1975, RCA released the album Your Love Keeps Me Off the Streets with Wings Hauser using the stage name Wings Livinryte.  The album wasn’t a success, but the same year Wings scored a role on Cannon.  He was credited as Wings Livinryte.  It soon became clear that Wings would have more success acting.  Mr. Hauser would branch out into screenwriting and directing as well.

Some of the television projects that feature Wings Hauser include: Cannon; The Young and the Restless (15 episodes); Movin’ On; Baretta; Emergency; Aspen; Magnum PI; The Fall Guy; Ghost Dancing; Jessie; Hunter; Hardcastle and McCormick; MacGruder and Loud; Airwolf; The Long Hot Summer (2 episodes); The A-Team (2 episodes); Dark Horse; The Last Precinct (8 episodes); The Highway Man; Perry Mason: The  Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel; Freddy’s Nightmares; Hardball; China Beach (4 episodes); Lightning Force (13 episodes); The Young Riders; Space Rangers; Roseanne (5 episodes); Route 66; Walker Texas Ranger; Marker; High Tide; Kung Fu: The Legend Continues; JAG; Murder, She Wrote (4 episodes); Beverly Hills 90210 (6 episodes); Arli$$ (2 episodes); Kingpin (4 episodes); CSI: Miami; Third Watch; Eyes; House; Monk; Mystery Woman: Wild West Mystery; Cold Case; Bones; Saving Grace; The Mentalist; Criminal Minds; The Defenders; CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Hawaii Five-0; Rizzoli & Isles and Castle.

Some of the feature films that Wings Hauser appeared in include: First to Fight; Who’ll Stop the Rain; Vice Squad; Hear No Evil; Mutant; A Soldier’s Story; Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling; Tough Guys Don’t Dance; Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time; Tales from the Hood; Original Gangstas; Life Among the Cannibals; The Insider; The Blue Lizard; The Stone Angel and Eve N’ God: This Female is Not Yet Rated (TM).

I probably first saw Wings Hauser in Baretta.  Whatever the role was, it wasn’t long before I began to recognize Wings Hauser because he appeared in so many programs and movies that I watched.  A profile of Wings Hauser in Entertainment Weekly once called him “the biggest star you’ve never heard of”.  Thing of it was, movie and television fans not only knew of him, they appreciated seeing him listed in the credits.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Wing Hauser’s family, friends and fans.

“Out of Time” (2003) directed by Carl Franklin, starring Denzel Washington, Sanaa Lathan & Eva Mendes / Z-View

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Out of Time (2003)

Director: Carl Franklin

Screenplay: David Collard

Stars: Denzel Washington, Sanaa Lathan, Eva Mendes, Dean Cain, John Billingsley, Robert Baker, Alex Carter,
Antoni Corone, Terry Loughlin, Nora Dunn, Tom Hillmann, Arian Ash and James Murtaugh.

Tagline: How do you solve a murder when all the evidence points to you.

The Plot…

Matt Whitlock (Washington) and his wife, Alex (Mendes) are separated.  He loves her, but realizes she’s moving on.  Their jobs were a big part of the problem.  Matt is Chief of Police in the small town of Banyan Key, Florida.  Alex just was promoted to detective in Miami.

Since the separation Matt has been secretly seeing Ann Merai-Harrison (Lathan).  They were a thing years ago.  Ann’s married to an ex-NFL quarterback named Chris (Cain).  It’s a bad marriage.  Chris has hit Ann more than once.

Things get worse when Matt takes Ann to a doctor’s appointment.  They learn Ann has an aggressive incurable cancer.  Ann’s only hope is an expensive new treatment.  She plans to take a cash payment on her life insurance policy to cover the cost.  Her hopes are dashed when she learns that it will take time to get the money.  Time she doesn’t have.

After some consideration, Matt decides to take the money from the evidence locker. He gives the cash to Ann. Matt made a major bust and had nearly $500,000 in the evidence vault.  The money has to stay put until after the trail and that’s months away.  Ann’s insurance will pay off by then and he’ll replace the cash.  No one will ever know it was missing.

At least that was the plan.

Matt gets a call of a major fire with two fatalities.  The blaze is at Ann’s house.  It appears Ann and Chris were killed before the fire was set.  Matt remembers that Ann had made him the beneficiary of her substantial life insurance.  The money Matt gave Ann is missing.

As the evidence unfolds, Matt realizes that he will be the main suspect.  He was secretly sleeping with the victim and is the beneficiary of her life insurance.  A neighbor saw him sneaking out of her house on at least one occasion.

Matt can’t imagine that this can get any worse.  Then he gets a call that the Feds have another case involving the cash in the vault — the cash Matt gave to Ann that’s now missing — and the Feds are on their way to get it.

Matt needs to find the killer(s), the cash and the clock is ticking.  Soon he will be… Out of Time.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Denzel Washington attended Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Fl.  It’s the same high school that Vince Carter (and I) attended.  Denzel was there before me and Vince after.

I love the ever increasing tension in this film.

Carl Franklin and Denzel Washington worked together before on Devil in a Blue Dress.  I wish they had done more films together.

The balcony fight scene is a standout.

Denzel Washington and (just the right amount of comedic relief from) John Billingsley made for a great team.

Out of Time (2003) rates 4 of 5 stars.

From the World of John Wick — “Ballerina” —  The second trailer is here!

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From the World of John Wick — Ballerina.  The second trailer is here!

Deal me in.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina – in theaters June 6! Starring Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, with Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves.

Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Ballerina follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.

“Pay Day” (1922) written, directed and staring Charlie Chaplin / Z-View

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Pay Day (1922)

Director: Charlie Chaplin

Screenplay: Charlie Chaplin

Stars: Charlie Chaplin, Mack Swain, Edna Purviance, Syd Chaplin, Albert Austin, John Rand, Loyal Underwood, Henry Bergman  and Al Ernest Garcia.

Tagline: See Charlie juggle bricks and dodge the foreman—and hide his pay check from his wife.

The Plot…

Charlie Chaplin is a construction worker.  On pay day Charlie’s wife takes his cash (even the money he’s hidden).  Charlie sneaks enough of it back for a night out drinking and having fun. Too much fun (and drinking) and Charlie discovers getting home won’t be easy.

And Charlie knows his wife will be waiting.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Pay Day was Charlie Chaplin’s last short and reportedly one of his favorites.

Pay Day (1922) rates 5 of 5 stars.