“Beau Hunks” (1931) starring Laurel & Hardy / Z-View

Beau Hunks (1931)

Director: James W. Horne

Screenplay: H.M. Walker

Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, James W. Horne, Charles Middleton.

Tagline: They Lost in Love and Joined the Foreign Legion to Forget It!

The Plot…

When Ollie’s girl leaves him, he decides to join the French Foreign Legion.  He takes Stan with him. The boys make the kind of soldiers you’d expect.  When the fort is attacked by Riffian tribesmen, it will be up to Ollie and Stan to save the day!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Beau Hunks is the longest of the Laurel and Hardy shorts.  It also one of their most popular.  Producer Hal Roach, who made over 100 films, said that Beau Hunks was the favorite of the films he produced.

Jean Harlow allowed her photo to be used as the girl who jilted Ollie.

The film’s director, James W.  Horne plays the leader of the attacking tribesmen.

Beau Hunks (1931) rates 5 of 5 stars

Extinction: The G.M.O. Chronicles (2011) / Z-View

Extinction: The G.M.O. Chronicles (2011)

Director: Niki Drozdowski

Screenplay: Ralf Betz, Niki Drozdowski

Stars: Daniel Buder, Luise Bähr.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

When a zombie apocalypse breaks out, Tom makes his way to an abandoned military base.  He holes up there as the world falls apart.  As time passes, Tom brings in other survivors to his safe haven.

It becomes clear the zombies are mutating.  To make matters worse, tensions increase among Tom and the survivors.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I lasted one hour before tapping out.

Extinction: The G.M.O. Chronicles (2011) rates 1 of 5 stars

RIP: Richard Chamberlain

Richard Chamberlain died on March 29, 2025, just two days short of his 91st birthday.  The cause of death was complications from a stroke.

Mr. Chamberlain graduated from Beverly Hills High School.  He then attended Pomona College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and painting.  Richard Chamberlain was drafted and served two years in the army.  He attained the rank of sergeant before his discharge.

In 1959, Ricard Chamberlain co-founded Company of Angels, a LA-based theater group.  Mr. Chamberlain also began to get acting roles on television.  Richard Chamberlain’s breakout role came in 1961 when he was cast in the starring role on Dr. Kildare.  For the rest of his career Richard Chamberlain alternated between television, the stage and feature films.

Some of the television projects that feature Richard Chamberlain include: Alfred Hitchcock Presents; Rescue 8; Bourbon Street Beat; Gunsmoke; Mr. Lucky; Thriller; Riverboat; The Deputy; Whispering Smith; Dr. Kildare (191 episodes); The Red Skelton Hour; The Portrait of a Lady (6 episodes); Petulia; Hold On: It’s the Dave Clark Five; The Woman I Love; The Lady’s Not for Burning; The Count of Monte-Cristo; The Christmas Messenger; The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella; The Man in the Iron Mask; The Last Wave; Great Performances; The Good Doctor; Centennial (12 episodes); Shogun (movie); Shogun (5 episodes); The Thorn Birds (4 episodes); Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story; The Miracle; Dream West (3 episodes); Alfred Hitchcock Presents; The Bourne Identity (4 episodes); Island Son (19 episodes); Night of the Hunter; The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years; Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke (2 episodes); Touched by an Angel; The Drew Carey Show (2 episodes); Will & Grace; Hustle; Blackbeard (3 episodes); Nip & Tuck; Desperate Housewives; Brothers & Sisters (5 episodes); Thundercats; Leverage (2 episodes); Justice League: Gods and Monsters (video) and Twin Peaks.

Some of the feature films that Richard Chamberlain appeared in include: A Thunder of Drums; Twilight of Honor; The Eleventh Hour; Julius Caesar; The Music Lovers; The Three Musketeers; The Four Musketeers: Milady’s Revenge; The Towering Inferno; The Swarm; King Solomon’s Mines; Alan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold;  The Return of the Musketeers; Bird of Prey; We Are the Hartmans and Finding Julia.

Although I was too little to watch Dr. Kildare, I do remember the popularity of the show with mothers in the neighborhood (including mine). My favorite Richard Chamberlain performance is in Shogun.  

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Richard Chamberlain’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Bruce Glover

Bruce Glover died on March 12, 2025of natural causes.  Mr. Glover was 92.

Mr. Glover is best known for his role in Diamonds Are Forever.  He played Mr. Wint, a professional assassin who attempted to kill James Bond.   The role of Mr. Windt was just one of the over 100 credits on Bruce Glover’s resume for a career that lasted over 60 years!

Some of the television projects that feature Bruce Glover include: The Verdict is Yours; Car 54, Where Are You?; The DuPont Show of the Week; Route 66 (2 episodes); The Doctors and the Nurses; 12 O’Clock High; Perry Mason; My Favorite Martian; Hawk; The Danny Thomas Hour; Rat Patrol; Run for Your Life; The Good Guys (3 episodes); The Big Valley; The Guns of Will Sonnett (2 episodes); The Outsider; The Over-the-Hill Gang; Adam-12; Paris 7000; Bonanza; Mission Impossible (2 episodes); Mod Squad (2 episodes); Yuma; The Psychiatrist; Bearcats; The Partners; Gunsmoke (2 episodes); This Is The West That Was; The Blue Knight (3 episodes); S.W.A.T. (2 episodes); Harry O; Kojak; Switch (2 episodes); The Streets of San Francisco (2 episodes); The Six Million Dollar Man (4 episodes); Barney Miller; Battlestar Galactica; Police Story (2 episodes); Big Shamus, Little Shamus; CHiPs (3 episodes); Vega$; The Magical World of Disney; B.J. and the Bear (2 episodes); Hart to Hart; No Soup, Radio (2 episodes); Benson; The Dukes of Hazard; TJ Hooker; The Facts of Life; The A-Team; Santa Barbara; Murder, She Wrote; 

Some of the feature films that Bruce Glover appeared in include: Never Steal Anything Small; Frankenstein Meets the Spacemonster; The Thomas Crown Affair; CC and Company; Bless the Beasts and the Children; Diamonds are Forever; Walking Tall; One Little Indian; Chinatown; Hard Times; Part Two: Walking Tall; Final Chapter: Walking Tall; Big Bad Mama II; Ghost World and Scammerhead.

It’s hard to say where I first saw Bruce Glover perform because he appeared in so many shows I watched as a kid.  If I had to bet it was probably Car 54, Where Are You? or Route 66.  I do know that I began to recognize Mr. Glover when he’d show up.  I also knew that his appearance often meant trouble for the series or movie’s star… which was fun for the audience.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Bruce Glover’s family, friends and fans.

“The Returned” (2013) / Z-View

The Returned (2013)

Director: Manuel Carballo

Screenplay: Hatem Khraiche

Stars: Emily Hampshire, Kris Holden-Ried, Shawn Doyle, Claudia Bassols, Barry Flatman, Paul Anthony and Olunike Adeliyi.

Tagline: Neither Zombies Nor Humans

The Plot…

Twenty years ago a zombie virus killed nearly 100 million people around the world.  A cure was discovered that held back the transformation to zombie if administered soon after the infection.  A daily dose of the medicine was required to remain healthy.  If even one dose was missed the person would soon become sick and transform into a zombie.  For a missed dose there was no cure.

The infected people who survived thanks to the cure are called The Returned.  They are required to carry documentation that identifies them as such.

Lately there have been rumors that countries are running short on the medicine required for the cure.  This is creating panic and heightened tensions throughout the world.  There has always been a group of people who think The Returned shouldn’t be allowed to live because of the dangers they present if they miss even a single does of the cure.  These activists are using the rumors to step up their attacks on people identified as a Returned.

Kate (Hampshire) is a doctor who fears the rumor of a shortage of the cure is true.  Kate has been buying vials of the cure from the black market.  It’s not for her.  Kate’s husband, Alex is infected.  If there is a shortage of the cure, they have stockpiled enough for about a month.  But what then?

Then word comes out that the rumors of a cure shortage are true.  Madness and chaos reign.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Returned is NOT your typical zombie flick. There is more psychological fear of what might happen then terror of a zombie trying to eat you.  (Although that is a worry as well.)

There is a nice twist that I didn’t see coming.  There is also a final scene that has a different tone (which I liked) that could have set up a sequel.

The Returned (2013) rates 4 of 5 stars

“The Earth Dies Screaming” (1964) directed by Terence Fisher, starring Willard Parker & Virginia Field / Z-View

The Earth Dies Screaming (1964)

Director: Terence Fisher

Screenplay: Harry Spalding (as Henry Cross)

Stars: Willard Parker, Virginia Field, Dennis Price, Thorley Walters, Vanda Godsell and Anna Palk.

Tagline: Why Were They Out To Kill Every Living Thing On Earth?

The Plot…

Jeff Nolan (Parker) is an American test pilot working in England.  When Jeff lands after a test run, he finds everyone on the ground is dead.  The airport is littered with bodies.  People seem to have suddenly died where they stood.

Nolan heads to a nearby small village.  Again, the streets are littered with the dead.  Nolan finds a small group of survivors.  Television and radio stations are playing nothing but static.  As Nolan and his group decide their next move they spot two beings in spacesuits moving slowly through the village.  It’s obvious the aliens intend to kill any person still alive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The two stars of The Earth Dies Screaming, Willard Parker and Virginia Field were married from 1951 until her death in 1992.

The Earth Dies Screaming was Virginia Field’s final film.

The Earth Dies Screaming felt like it could have fit in as an episode of The Twilight Zone.  With a running time of 62 minutes, it was just a bit longer than some of the episodes.

The Earth Dies Screaming (1964) rates 4 of 5 stars

“I Married a Monster from Outer Space” (1958) starring Gloria Talbott and Tom Tryon / Z-View

I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958)

Director: Gene Fowler Jr.

Screenplay: Louis Vittes

Stars: Tom Tryon, Gloria Talbott, Peter Baldwin, Robert Ivers, Valerie Allen, Ty Hardin, Ken Lynch, John Eldredge, Alan Dexter, James Anderson, Jean Carson, Steve London and Maxie Rosenbloom.

Tagline: Is it possible? Is it true? Can humans mate with MONSTERS?

The Plot…

Marge Farrell (Talbott), a newlywed bride, begins to suspect that something is strange about her husband, Bill (Tryon).  He’s become distant, cold even.  Tom loved dogs and now any dog that comes near him begins to growl and bark.  Things that Tom should know, he has forgotten.

Then Marge begins to notice changes in other men in Tom’s social circle.  Marge follows Tom one night and discovers an alien has taken Tom’s identity.  Marge realizes that aliens are planning a takeover.  But who will believe her before it is too late?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

John P. Fulton who did the special effects for I Married a Monster from Outer Space was well known and respected for his work.  Over the course of his career, Mr. Fulton was nominated for 8 Academy Awards for Special Effects and won three.

Tom Tryon retired from acting in 1969 and began a writing career.  He is best known for his novel THE OTHER.  Mr. Tryon wrote the screenplay for the feature film adaptation.

I’m surprised I Married a Monster from Outer Space isn’t as popular as other horror pictures of the era.  It is definitely an underrated gem.  Perhaps the title hurts the film from being given a chance.

I Married a Monster from Outer Space and the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers makes a great double feature!

I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Fight or Flight” starring Josh Hartnett, Katee Sackhoff and Charithra Chandran – New Poster & Trailer are Here!

Fight or Flight starring Josh Hartnett, Katee Sackhoff and Charithra Chandran looks like a fun ride.

Deal me in.

A mercenary takes on the job of tracking a high-value asset known only as The Ghost on an international flight. Realizing the plane is filled with assassins assigned to kill them both, the pair must work together in a fight for their lives.

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Katee Sackhoff, Charithra Chandran
Directed by: James Madigan
Release Date: May 9th, 2025

“The Human Duplicators” (1964) / Z-View

The Human Duplicators (1964)

Director: Hugo Grimaldi, Arthur C. Pierce (uncredited)

Screenplay: Arthur C. Pierce

Stars: George Nader, Barbara Nichols, George Macready, Dolores Faith, Hugh Beaumont, Richard Arlen, John Indrisano, Margaret Teele and Richard Kiel.

Tagline: Made to Kill or Love on Command!

The Plot…

 Dr. Kolos (Kiel) is teletransported to Earth to begin plans for an Intergalactic takeover.  The plan is to create human androids to assist in the takeover.  Kolos goes to the mansion of the brilliant scientist, Dr. Vaughan Dornheimer (Macready).  Kolos forces Dr. Dornheimer to work with him to create the androids.  They begin by duplicating the top scientists in the country.

As the android army increases an agent from the NIA (National Intelligence Agency) begins snooping around. He discovers the plan to take over the planet, but it may be too late.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hugh Beaumont, best known for his role as Beaver’s father on the television classic Leave It To Beaver, appears in his final feature film role.

Richard Kiel plays Dr. Kolos, the alien sent down to lead the takeover of Earth.  His name wasn’t featured on the original movie poster.

I made it through the movie so I’ll give it two stars… barely.

The Human Duplicators (1964) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Clash by Night” (1952) directed by Fritz Lang, starring Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan, Paul Douglas and Marilyn Monroe / Z-View

Clash by Night (1952)

Director: Fritz Lang

Screenplay: Alfred Hayes; based on Clash by Night by Clifford Odets

Stars: Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan, Paul Douglas, Marilyn Monroe, J. Carrol Naish, Keith Andes, Albert Cavens and Charles Cirillo.

Tagline: They called it love! But that isn’t what the whole town whispered…nor the ugly name the husband gave it when he found out…too late!

The Plot…

Mae Doyle (Stanwyck) left Monterey for a glamourous life.  Now, ten years later she’s returned.  The rich man she was seeing died.  He left Mae some money, but the man’s wife and family took her to court.  They won and Mae got nothing.  Now she’s ten years older and back in the same small town she hoped to never see again.

Mae moves into the family home now owned by her younger brother, Joe (Andes).  Joe isn’t happy to see Mae back.  Joe knows she’s a gold digger and is worried Mae will be a bad influence on his girl, Peggy (Monroe).

Mae begins to date Joe’s boss, Jerry.  Jerry owns a boat and makes a modest living leading a fishing crew.  Jerry falls for Mae but thinks he’s not in her league.  Mae hoped for a better life, but Jerry is the best she’ll find in this town.  They continue to date with Jerry hoping to win her over.

Jerry introduces Mae to his best friend, Earl (Ryan).  Earl is rough around the edges, and like Mae had hoped for a better life than he has.  Mae can’t stand Earl and the feeling is mutual.

Jerry proposes to Mae.  She warns him that she’s no good for him.  Jerry doesn’t see it that way.  Mae realizes that although Jerry isn’t her type of man, he could provide her with security.  Mae agrees to marry Jerry, maybe she will come to love him.

A year into the marriage and Jerry and Mae have a baby girl.  Small time life isn’t what Mae wanted.  And the way Earl is looking at her and talking to her.

Mae knows it’s wrong and someone could end up dead, but…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Clash by Night features one of Marilyn Monroe’s first starring roles.  During filming, news of Monroe’s nude calendar photos became public knowledge.  The news created quite a distraction for the film’s production.  Barbara Stanwyck advised Marilyn to admit the truth and say that she posed for the photos when she was younger and needed the money. (Much as Stanwyck did when she was younger.)

Stanwyck, Ryan and Monroe get well deserved praise for this film.  And rightly so.  Paul Douglas shines as well.

Clash by Night deals with a mature theme and is well directed and well cast.  I felt the ending wrapped things up too nicely.  Interestingly enough, the play on which the film is based had a different ending.  One of the main characters is murdered.  Director Fritz Lang wanted to keep that ending, but the studio forced a more positive outcome.  I wish Lang had gotten his way.

Clash by Night (1952) rates 3 of 5 stars