Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Here we have the cover to Cracked 145 from October 1977. Rocky impresses Laverne & Shirley at the expense of The Fonz. ; )
It’s interesting to note that Sly Stallone and Henry Winkler were unknowns just a few years before when they co-starred in Lords of Flatbush. Now they were the hottest stars in movies and on television.
David Bordwell at CrimeReads has written an excellent overview of Rex Stout and his long-running detective/mystery series featuring Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin.
Wolfe was a 285 pound genius who leaves his brownstone home only in the most extreme emergencies. He “breeds orchids, reads, drinks vast quantities of beer, and dines on meals of rare delicacy.” To support his life’s luxuries, Wolfe works as a private detective. Since he detests venturing away from his sanctum, Archie Goodwin serves as Wolfe’s assistant. “Slender and strong, reasonably handsome, Archie is attractive to and attracted by women of many ages… Archie fetches clients, witnesses, and suspects to meetings.”
I am a, pardon the pun, huge fan of Nero Wolfe mysteries. If you are as well, check out David Bordwell’s “HOLMES AND WATSON IN MANHATTAN”: MUSINGS ON THE CREATION OF NERO WOLFE AND ARCHIE GOODWIN. If you’re not a fan, give the piece a look as well. You might become one.
Saved by the Belle (1939)
Director: Charley Chase
Writer: Searle Kramer, Elwood Ullman
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Vernon Dent and Al Thompson.
Tagline: Rings the bell for a laughing knockout!
The Plot…
Larry, Curly and Moe are traveling salesmen in a South American country undergoing a civil war and prone to earthquakes. How could it get any worse? They’re trying to sell fur coats! Our boys are jailed for trying to skip out of their hotel bill. While in lockup, they are befriended by a revolutionary. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
When the boys are lined up to be shot, Curly thinks it is for a photograph. He says, “I’m gonna send one home to Elaine”. Elaine was Curly Howard’s wife at the time.
Saved by the Belle (1939) rates 3 of 5 stars.
S.A. Cosby fans will want to check out S.A. Cosby Is Finding His Religion. If you’re not a fan read any of his books. You soon will be.
My Darkest Prayer
Blacktop Wasteland
Razorblade Tears
All Sinners Bleed
Nick Kolakowski’s Until the End features eleven stories of terror and wonder. Here’s the synopsis…
A woman moves her family into a house full of spirits… but who’s really haunting who? In the depths of an icy planet, a bored A.I. plots its escape… and it’s willing to kill anyone who stands in its way. The dead return for one big evening, all with their own secret missions.
These are just a few of the 11 tales in Until the End, an anthology of terror and wonder designed to keep you awake well into the night.
If this sounds like your jam, you know what to do.
When Sly Stallone was in college, he and his buddy, John Herzfeld worked on a project together called Horses. It was a film that involved time travel. Sadly it was never completed. Here is a photo from the project that I cleaned up a bit. Sly and Herzfeld stayed lifelong friends and both went on to careers in Hollywood. They worked together on the feature films Reach Me and Escape Plan: The Extractors.
Wee Wee Monsieur (1938)
Director: Del Lord
Writer: Searle Kramer
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Vernon Dent, William Irving, Bud Jamison, Ethelreda Leopold and John Rand.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Larry, Curly and Moe are artists living in Paris. When the landlord calls the police to collect overdue rent, our guys take off. On the lam, the boys accidently sign up for the French Foreign Legion!
When their Captain is captured, Larry, Curly and Moe are sent to infiltrate the fortress. They are to find and escape with the Captain. If they fail, it means certain death. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Stooges gain entry into the fort by disguising as Santa Claus. They would repeat this gag in Malice in the Palace (1949) with Shemp replacing Curly. Since they are disguised as Santas, they were able to use some of the same footage!
Wee Wee Monsieur (1938) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Graham Humphreys created this cool alt poster for Death Proof. While Death Proof isn’t one of my favorite films, it does feature Kurt Russell and Rosario Dawson directed (and in a screenplay) by Quentin Tarantino. If you’d like to see more of Graham Humphreys’ art, you can at his Instagram page.
Slippery Silks (1936)
Director: Jack White
Writer: Ewart Adamson
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Loretta Andrews, Symona Boniface, Vernon Dent and William Irving.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Larry, Curly and Moe are carpenters who accidently destroy a priceless antique cabinet. The owner of the antique vows revenge. Once away from the danger, our guys learn that they’ve inherited a designer dress boutique. Our guys as fashion designers? Why not?
They are hired to put on a fashion show by a rich woman. During the event they realize that the woman’s husband is the man who owned the priceless antique that they destroyed! What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Slipper Silks features the Stooges’ first pie/pastry fight. Actually one pie is thrown and the rest are cream puffs.
When the owner of the priceless cabinet asks, “Are you sure this work will be in competent hands?” Curly responds, “Soitenly, we’re all incompetent.”
Slippery Silks (1936) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Brian Shearer is a professional artist/illustrator. He is best known for his art on titles such as G.I. Joe, Transformers, Dr. Who as well as his creator-owned graphic novels, Gunship Thunderpunch and William the Last. When I saw that Brian was doing live-stream sketch sessions, I jumped on board and got his awesome take as Sly Stallone as Jack Carter. You can see more of Brian’s art at his website or his Twitter posts.
Gabriel Hardman recently posted the art above. I absolutely love the idea of Creatures from the Black Lagoon! Talk about potential. If you’d like to see more of Hardman’s art, you can at his Instagram page. Oh, and be sure to click on the art above to see it biggie-sized!
A Pain in the Pullman (1936)
Director: Jack White
Writer: Jack White
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Phyllis Crane, Bud Jamison, Ethelreda Leopold and James C. Morton.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Larry, Curly and Moe are small time performers who get a job that requires them to travel by train with their pet monkey. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
A Pain in the Pullman is the longest Stooges’ short. It clocks in at 19 minutes, 46 seconds.
Moe gets to say his classic: “Wake up and go to sleep!”
Moe was allergic and disliked shellfish. He’s not acting and his aversion becomes evident in the scene where the boys are eating crab. And how about Curly pulling the meat out and then eating the shell!
A Pain in the Pullman (1936) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Sharky’s Machine is an under-rated gem. Starring and directed by Burt Reynolds, it features an amazing cast and soundtrack. Check out this documentary and then (re)watch the film. You can thank me later. ; )
Gator McKlusky examines the 1982 film “Sharky’s Machine” with a focus on the amazing career of Burt Reynolds. Taken from the documentary “The Burt Reynolds Story” available on this channel. Be sure and check out the other segments and chapters for this in-depth series, documented in the unique way that has helped make this a fan favorite.
Written by Al Glasgow & Craig Cefola
Video by Craig Cefola
Open Music by Wheelhouse Junction
Ending Music by New Messiah
John Wick by Seung Eun Kim was just too cool not to share. You can see more of Seung Eun Kim’s art at his Instagram page.
Yvan Quinet created this cool alt poster for Heat. It is available as a very limited print. If you’d like to see more of Quinet’s art, check out his website or his Instagram.
