“Sergeant Rutledge” (1960) starring Jeffrey Hunter, Woody Strode & Constance Towers / Z-View

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Sergeant Rutledge (1960)

Director: John Ford

Screenplay: James Warner Bellah, Willis Goldbeck, novelization SERGEANT RUTLEDGE by James Warner Bellah

Stars: Jeffrey Hunter, Woody Strode, Constance Towers, Billie Burke, Juano Hernandez, Willis Bouchey, Carleton Young, Judson Pratt, Phil Adams, Rafer Johnson and Toby Michaels.

Tagline: “I want the truth about that night.”

The Plot…

First Sergeant Braxton Rutledge (Strode) stands accused of the rape and murder of Lucy Dabney (Michaels) and the murder of her father, Major Custis Dabney.  Despite being a respected and decorated soldier, the evidence points to Sergeant Rutledge’s guilt.  He was wounded and seen leaving the scene of the crime before going AWOL.

Now on trial, with an mob ready to hang him, Sergeant Braxton knows he has little hope, despite his claims of innocence.  Who is going to believe a black man when he says he didn’t rape and kill a young white girl and her father?  Lt. Tom Cantrell (Hunter), Rutledge’s commanding officer has everything stacked against him as he works to prove Rutledge is innocent.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This was Billie (best known as Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz) Burke’s last film role.

Rafer Johnson, who plays Corporal Klump, won a Gold Medal in the 1960 Olympics in the decathlon.

Toby Michaels plays Lucy Dabney, the young girl who was raped and murdered.  Michaels is not listed in the credits.

The reveal of who committed the murder is worthy of Perry Mason.

Sergeant Rutledge (1960) rates 4 of 5 stars.

THE BIG EMPTY: AN ELVIS COLE AND JOE PIKE NOVEL by Robert Crais is Coming!

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Any new Robert Crais release is cause for celebration.  If the book is an Elvis Cole and Joe Pike novel, then lock the doors, cause the party is going to be off the chain.  Get ready to bar the doors.

THE BIG EMPTY: AN ELVIS COLE AND JOE PIKE NOVEL drops on January 14, 2025.  Here’s the lowdown…

Private investigator Elvis Cole and his enigmatic partner, Joe Pike, face a cryptic case and a terrifying, unpredictable killer in this twisty, satisfying thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Robert Crais.

Traci Beller was thirteen when her father disappeared in the sleepy town of Rancha, not far from Los Angeles. The evidence says Tommy Beller abandoned his family, but Traci never believed it. The police couldn’t find her dad and neither could the detectives her mother hired, but now, ten years later, Traci is a super-popular influencer with millions of followers and the money to hire a new detective: Elvis Cole.

Taking on a ten-years-cold missing person case is almost always a loser, but Elvis heads to Rancha where he learns an ex-con named Sadie Givens and her daughter, Anya, might have a line on the missing man. But when Elvis finds himself shadowed by a deadly gang of vicious criminals, the simple missing persons case becomes far more sinister and dangerous. Elvis calls in his ex-Marine friend, Joe Pike, to help, but even Pike might not be able to help.

As Elvis Cole and Joe Pike follow Tommy Beller’s trail into the twisted, nightmare depths of a monstrous evil, the case flips on its head. Victims become predators, predators become pray, and when everyone is a victim, can Elvis Cole save them all?

In a case that tests Elvis Cole’s loyalty to his clients and himself, the truth must come out no matter the cost. Elvis must face The Big Empty and see justice done.

“The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die” (2023) / Z-View

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The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023)

Director: Edward Bazalgette

Screenplay: Martha Hillier based on THE SAXON STORIES by Bernard Cornwell

Stars: Alexander Dreymon, Harry Gilby, Mark Rowley.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

When Edward, King of the Anglo-Saxons, dies without designating an heir to the throne, it sets off a chain reaction of lessor kings battling to become the one true king.  Expect brother versus brother, double-crosses and deceit.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023) is a spin-off of the The Last Kingdom series which ran for five seasons.  You don’t have to watch the series to enjoy the movie, but it probably would enhance the film if you did. (I had not seen the series prior to watching the film.)

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Under Paris” (2024) / Z-View

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Under Paris (2024)

Director: Xavier Gens

Screenplay: Yannick Dahan, Xavier Gens, Maud Heywang, Yaël Langmann

Stars: Bérénice Bejo, Nassim Lyes.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Three years ago Sophia, a marine researcher, barely survived a shark attack that killed everyone else in her group. Now Sophia, still not fully recovered from the attack, works at an aquarium in Paris. She keeps up with the location of the killer shark thanks to a tracking beacon on it.

When the beacon shows the shark has traveled into the Seine River, Sophia can’t get anyone to believe her.  When mutilated bodies begin to appear, it becomes clear that sharks have mutated and are indeed in the river.  Despite this, the mayor refuses to cancel a huge event that includes a triathlon in the, you guessed, Seine River.

Didn’t anyone learn anything from Jaws, Jaws II, Jaws 3-D and Jaws: The Revenge?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Under Paris suffers from bad cgi, cliched characters and supposedly smart characters who die because of simply stupid choices.  The mayor knows there are mutated sharks in the river and still allows hundreds of swimmers to compete there.  A “smart” woman who has survived several shark attacks and has had her boat destroyed decides to swim towards the shark feeding frenzy.  Bombs from World War II are inadvertently detonated by sharks destroying bridge after bridge.  And so on…

I made it through the whole thing so it barely earns a 2 star rating.

After writing this, I saw a Tweet (er, X) from Stephen King which read…

I thought UNDER PARIS would be a jokey movie, like SHARKNADO, but Twitter convinced me to give it a watch, and it’s really quite good. The last 25 minutes were amazing.

Now, I’m not one to argue with Stephen King.  My opinion stands, as does King’s.  So, I’ll just say, “Your mileage may vary.”

Under Paris (2024), (for me) rates 2 of 5 stars.

RIP: Tony Lo Bianco

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Tony Lo Bianco, award-winning actor of stage and screen, died June 11, 2024. Mr. Lo Bianco was 87.

Tony Lo Bianco graduated from William E. Grady CTE High School.  He then attended the Dramatic Workshop, where he studied acting and theater production.  In 1963, Tony Lo Bianco founded the Triangle Theater where he served as the artistic director for six years.

In 1963, Mr. Lo Bianco made his first television appearance in an episode of The Doctors.  In 1964, he performed as an understudy on the Broadway play Incident at Vichy.  In 1965, Tony Lo Bianco appeared in the Broadway production of Tartuffe.  Mr. Lo Bianco followed that with a starring role in The Royal Hunt of the Sun on Broadway.  Tony Lo Bianco’s film debut came in 1965 in The Sex Perils of Paulette.

For the rest of his career Tony Lo Bianco would appear on stage, television and in feature films. In 1975, Mr. Lo Bianco won an OBIE (Off Broadway Theater) Award in the category Distinguished Performance by an Actor for Yanks-3, Detroit-0, Top of the Seventh.  In 1983, he was nominated for a Tony Award and won the Outstanding Actor in a Play Award for the Outer Critics Circle for his performance in A View from a Bridge.  In 1985, he won a New York Emmy for Outstanding Individual Crafts for his performance in Hizzoner!

Television appearances of Tony Lo Bianco include: The Doctors; Get Smart; Hawk; NYPD (2 episodes); Hidden Faces; Love of Life; Madigan; The Story of Jacob and Joseph; The Streets of San Francisco; Jesus of Nazareth (4 episodes); Police Story (6 episodes); Magee and the Lady; Champions: A Love Story; A Last Cry for Help; Marciano; Marco Polo (2 episodes); Another Woman’s Child; The Paper Chase; Hizzoner!; The Twilight Zone (1985); Welcome Home Bobby; Blood Ties; Police Story: The Freeway Killings; Night Heat; The Ann Jillian Story; CBS Summer Playhouse; Perry Mason: The Case of the Poisoned Pen; Fredrick Forsythe Presents; Palace Guard (8 episodes); Murder, She Wrote (2 episodes); The Maharaja’s Daughter (4 episodes); Homicide: Life on the Street (3 episodes); Tyson; F/X: The Series; Rocky Marciano; Walker, Texas Ranger; Law & Order (3 episodes); Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Somewhere in Queens.

Feature film appearances of Tony Lo Bianco include: The Sex Perils of Paulette; The Honeymoon Killers; The French Connection; Serpico; The Seven Ups; FIST; Bloodbrothers; City Heat; City of Hope; Boiling Point; Nixon; The Juror; Mafia!; The Day the Ponies Came Back; Friends and Family and Kill the Irishman.

I don’t remember the first time I saw Tony Lo Bianco.  I do remember it seemed he came from nowhere and was holding his own with big name stars: Hackman in The French Connection, Pacino in Serpico, Roy Schneider in The Seven Ups, Sly Stallone in FIST, Eastwood and Reynold in City Heat.  My favorite role is probably his performance as Babe Milano in FIST.  I need to revisit Bloodbrothers.  I remember really liking that film (that had Richard Gere, Paul Sorvino and Tony Lo Bianco as its stars).  It’s evidence of Mr. Lo Bianco’s  talent that he could move from stage to television to feature films with ease.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Tony LoBianco’s family, friends and fans.

“Those About to Die” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Who doesn’t love gladiator movies?  Just ask Peter Graves.  ; ) (If you know, you know.)

Those About to Die is an epic drama set in the corrupt world of the spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition, exploring a side of ancient Rome never before told — the dirty business of entertaining the masses, giving the mob what they want most…blood and sport. The series introduces an ensemble of characters from all corners of the Roman Empire who collide at the explosive intersection of sports, politics, and dynasties.

Those About to Die is streaming July 18 on Peacock

Creepy Archives Volume 8 is Coming! Featuring Tom Sutton, Steve Skeates, Wally Wood, T. Casey Brennan, Ernie Colón & More!

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Creepy Archives Volume 8 is set to drop on September 24, 2024.  It collects Creepy issues 37–41.  Here’s some of what to expect…

Now available in a value-priced paperback edition, Creepy Archives Volume 8 features the best in gruesomely gore-geous tales of horror, fantasy, and science fiction from a capable cadre of celebrated storytellers including Tom Sutton, Steve Skeates, Wally Wood, T. Casey Brennan, Ernie Colón, and many more.

Also featured is a foreword by longtime Creepy scribe Nicola Cuti and a story starring none other than Uncle Creepy himself! Take a break from the mausoleum, hang up your mourning coat, and bury yourself in Creepy Archives!

“Mayor of Kingstown”: Season 2 (2023) starring Jeremy Renner / Z-View

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Mayor of Kingstown: Season 2 (2023)

Created by: Taylor Sheridan, Hugh Dillon

Director: Stephen Kay (Eps. 1-3, 7-10); Tasha Smith (Eps. 3-4); Guy Ferland (Ep. 5-6)

Teleplay: Dave Erickson and Taylor Sheridan (Ep. 1); Taylor Sheridan (Ep. 2); Keli Goff (Ep. 3); Evan Ball (Ep. 4); Leon Hendrix III (Ep. 5); Christian Donovan (Ep. 6); Regina Corrado (Ep. 7); Hugh Dillon & Stephen Kay (Ep. 8); Christian Donovan & James Arcega Tinsley (Ep. 9); Regina Corrado & Dave Erickson (Ep. 10)

Stars: Jeremy Renner, Dianne Wiest, Hugh D illon, Tobi Bamtefa, Taylor Handley, Emma Laird, Derek Webster, Hamish Allan-Headley, Aidan Gillen, Michael Beach, Nichole Galicia, Necar Zadegan, Lane Garrison, Gena Shaw, Frank Licari, Dylan Kenin, George Tchortov, Sandrine Holt, Gratiela Brancusi, Matt Gerald, Nona Parker Johnson, Sandra Holt, Dom Kegel, Jimmy Star and Kenny Johnson.

Tagline: You can’t bury the past.

The Plot…

The prison riot is over but the ramifications will be long-lasting.  The major gangs are without leadership.  Gangs, like the universe, hate a void.  Power struggles in the prison spill over into gang wars in the streets.  Mike comes up with a plan to return to status quo, but there will be a cost.  Since the riot, no one trusts anyone.  To complicate matters, Iris is missing and Milo may be alive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mayor of Kingstown continues to be well written, well directed, well acted with production values that rival those of feature films.

Jeremy Renner is perfect as the no-nonsense Mike McClusky.  Other standouts in the acting department include Dianne Wiest, Hugh Dillon, Emma Laird, Nichole Galicia, Tobi Bamtefa and Hamish Allan-Headley.  Actually, I should probably list every supporting actor/actress because they are all perfectly cast.

The surprises, twists and ever building tension make each episode must-see tv.  I look forward to season 3 and beyond.

Mayor of Kingstown: Season 2 (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.

Creepy Archives Volume 7 is Coming! Featuring Frank Frazetta, Tom Sutton, Nicola Cuti, Syd Shores, Ernie Colón, Richard Corben, Ken Kelly & More!

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Creepy Archives Volume 7 is set to release on July 23, 2024.  It collects Creepy issues 33–36.  Here’s some of what to expect…

Now available in a value-priced paperback edition, Creepy Archives Volume 7 features the finest in fiendish fiction from a skilled swarm of comics luminaries, including Tom Sutton, Nicola Cuti, Syd Shores, Ernie Colón, and the inaugural Creepy contributions by industry legends Richard Corben and Ken Kelly!

Also presents a lengthy interview with master illustrator Frank Frazetta. After a hard day at the boneyard, take a nice bloodbath, pour yourself a glass of hemlock, and curl up with Creepy Archives!

“Tomorrow is Another Day” (1951) starring Ruth Roman & Steve Cochran / Z-View

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Tomorrow is Another Day (1951)

Director: Felix E. Feist

Screenplay: Art Cohn, Guy Endore, story by Guy Endore

Stars: Ruth Roman, Steve Cochran, Lurene Tuttle, Hugh Sanders, Ray Teal, Morris Ankrum, John Kellogg, Walter Sande, Philip Carey and Lee Patrick.

Tagline: They take their lives in their hands… when they take each other in their arms!

The Plot…

Bill Clark (Cochran) was thirteen when he murdered his abusive father.  That was 18 years ago.  Clark is now 31 and just released from prison.  Although a man, Clark still has the naivety of a child.  Clark quickly learns that life as an ex-con won’t be easy.

When Clark meets a dance hall girl named Cathy (Roman), straight away he’s attracted to her.  Cathy rejects his offers of dinner, saying that she prefers gifts.  When Cathy gets off work, Clark is waiting.  He gives her a beautiful watch.  After a night on the town, Cathy invites Clark up to her apartment.

Almost immediately after they enter, George Conover (Sanders), Cathy’s “boyfriend” busts in.  Conover pulls a gun and orders Clark to leave.  Clark goes for the gun and in the struggle the gun is dropped and Clark is knocked  unconscious.  Cathy grabs the gun and instinctively shoots George when he lunges for her.  George staggers out and into a taxi headed for the hospital.

Clark comes to.  Cathy asks him what he remembers, which is everything leading up to the struggle for the gun.  Cathy leads Clark to believe that he was the one who shot New York Detective George Conover.  When they learn that Conover has died from his wounds and the police have launched an investigation, Cathy and Clark decide to take off.

If they’re caught Cathy will let Clark take the rap.  And if they make a clean getaway, she can always dump him.  Funny how the best made plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Both John Garfield and Burt Lancaster were considered for the role of Bill Clark.

Tomorrow is Another Day has the set-up to be a classic noir film.  Bill Clark was an abused kid who did time in prison but wants to now lead a good life.  He meets up with a beautiful woman that he’s drawn to, but she takes advantage of the relationship.  When she murders another lover, she lets Bill think that he did the crime.  They go on the run.  Everything lining up to be an excellent noir.  Then in the last couple of scenes we get an ending that makes everything “sunshine and roses” (as Rocky Balboa would say).  Still, Tomorrow is Another Day isn’t a bad film, just one that falls short of being really good.

Tomorrow is Another Day (1951) rates 3 of 5 stars.