Category: Trivia

“From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996) directed by Robert Rodriguez, written by Quentin Tarantino, starring George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis & Quentin Tarantino / Z-View

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, story by Robert Kurtzman

Stars: George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Quentin Tarantino, Ernest Liu, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, Tom Savini, Fred Williamson, Brenda Hillhouse, John Saxon, Marc Lawrence, Kelly Preston, John Hawkes, Greg Nicotero, Robert Rodriguez and Michael Parks.

Tagline: From Quentin Tarantino. From Robert Rodriguez. From Dusk Till Dawn

The Plot…

Seth (Clooney) and Richie (Tarantino) Gecko are bank robbers on the run.  They’re desperate to get to across the border to Mexico.  If they make it, they’ll meet Carlos at a strip club called The Titty Twister.  From there, for a price, they’ll be taken to a sanctuary.

The trip won’t be easy.  Every cop including the Texas Rangers are after them.  There are roadblocks, constant news reports plus Richie is liable to royally screw things up.  Seth is a thief and will kill anyone who attempts to bring him in, but there are lines he won’t cross.  Richie is a sadist, sexual deviant and is an eager killer.

Opportunity presents itself when the Gecko brothers see Jacob Fuller (Keitel) and his two teenage kids, Scott (Liu) and Kate (Lewis) outside their RV.  They kidnap the family and force Jacob to drive them across the border.

Now it’s a short journey to The Titty Twister.  Once there the family will be set free and the brothers will go to sanctuary.  Or so they think.  No one can imagine the horrors that await.  Not everyone will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I love how From Dusk Till Dawn morphs from a crime flick to a horror movie.

There are movie easter eggs throughout the film.  Earl McGraw (Michael Parks) appears here and in Kill Bill, Planet Terror and Death Proof.  Big Kahuna Burgers, made famous in Pulp Fiction (and later Death Proof) show up.  A Precinct 13 shirt worn by Scott is a reference to John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13.  The crotch-gun that Sex Machine uses was also seen in Rodriguez’s film Desperado. Chango Beer seen in this film was also a beverage in Desperado.

Cheech Marin plays three roles in the film: a border patrol agent, the barker at The Titty Twister and Carlos.

From Dusk Till Dawn fits in perfectly with Rodriguez and Tarantino’s Grindhouse double feature… instead make it a triple feature that would run from, uh, dusk till dawn.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Conan the Barbarian” (1982) directed by John Milius, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger & James Earl Jones / Z-View

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Director: John Milius

Screenplay: John Milius, Oliver Stone; based on CONAN THE BARBARIAN by Robert E. Howard

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Max von Sydow, Sandahl Bergman, Ben Davidson, Cassandra Gava, Gerry Lopez, Mako, Valérie Quennessen, Franco Columbu, Nadiuska, Sven-Ole Thorsen, Ron Cobb and William Smith.

Tagline: Slave. Barbarian. Warrior. Thief… Conan.

The Plot…

When Conan (Scwarzenegger) was a boy, his parents and entire village were massacred by a cult led by Thulsa Doom (Jones).  Conan was sold into slavery to work on the Wheel of Pain at a remote mill.  He grows into manhood.  The wheel has made Conan huge and muscular.  A passing traveler, buys Conan to turn him into a gladiator.

Conan is undefeated in the gladiator pits.  After countless wins, Conan earns his freedom.

Over the years, the cult of Thulsa Doom has grown.  Surrounded by warriors and his own mystical powers, Doom continues his heartless rule.  But now Conan has plans to avenge his parents.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Arnold was perfectly cast as Conan.

Sven-Ole Thorsen who appears as the warrior Thorgrim would go on to appear in a total of 15 films with Arnold Schwarzenegger either as an actor or stuntman.

Arnold was signed for three sequels.  Only one was made and it fell far short of the original.

Conan the Barbarian (1982) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Killer” (2024) directed by John Woo / Z-View

The Killer (2024)

Director: John Woo

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland, Josh Campbell, Matt Stuecken; based on The Killer by John Woo

Stars: Nathalie Emmanuel, Omar Sy, Sam Worthington, Diana Silvers, Saïd Taghmaoui, Tchéky Karyo and Aurélia Agel.

Tagline: A classic. Reloaded.

The Plot…

Zee (Emmanuel) is a hit woman known as The Queen of the Dead.  On a job, Zee successfully eliminates all of her targets.  Unfortunately Jenn Clark, a singer is wounded, causing her to losing her sight.  Although Zee had been hired to execute everyone, she takes pity and allows Jenn to live.

This decision turns Zee’s employers against her.  Now Zee has a crime cartel and the police on her trail.  An unlikely alliance with a police inspector may be her saving grace.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Killer (1989) is a classic.  I’m a huge fan of it, so I was looking forward to see what Woo would do with the remake.  Sadly, it fell far short of my expectations.

There had been talk of a The Killer remake for years.  In 1992, Walter Hill and David Giler worked up a script.  The hope was Richard Gere and Denzel Washington would star.  Nicholas Cage had expressed interest if a remake was ever created.

The Killer (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Sorcerer” (1977) directed by William Friedkin, starring Roy Scheider / Z-View

Sorcerer (1977)

Director: William Friedkin

Screenplay: Walon Green basede on LE SALAIRE de la PEUR by Georges Arnaud

Stars: Roy Scheider, Amidou, Ramon Bieri, Peter Capell, Jacques François, Frank Pesce, Tom Signorelli and Joe Spinell.

Tagline: WANTED. Four men willing to drive a cargo of death to escape a life in hell.

The Plot…

Four men, on the run from their home countries have ended up in a small South American village.  They are:

  • Nilo, a Mexican hitman.
  • Kassem, an Arab terrorist
  • Victor, a French banker who embezzled millions
  • Jackie (Scheider), a U.S. getaway driver. During his last robbery one of his partners killed the brother of a Mafia kingpin.  Jackie, like each of these men has been marked for death.

All four men have by accident ended up in the same poor South American village.  They eek out a meager living working long hours for an American oil company.  When one of the company’s oil wells explodes, the only way to put out the resulting fire is by explosion.

Two truckloads of highly explosive nitroglycerin need to be transported to the oil well.  The journey will go through rainforests, over raging rivers, dangerous mountain roads, and areas where bandits kill travelers.  The company offers a huge bonus for any drivers willing to attempt the suicide mission.

Nilo, Kassem, Victor and Jackie are selected.  The four men will have to overcome personal differences and all of the obstacles of the trip… even then not all will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Stephen King has said that Sorcerer is his all time favorite movie.

Director William Friedkin said that the shoot was plagued by malaria, food poisoning and injury.  Friedkin contacted malaria and lost 50 pounds.

The decaying bridge scene over a raging river is a classic.  Despite looking like it could collapse at any moment, it was a special effect masterpiece.  It cost $1 million to construct.  The water below was only one and a half feet deep.  Friedkin created the visual effect of a raging river using wind machines, helicopters and huge water hoses.  The visuals are amazingly real.

Reportedly Friedkin wasn’t happen with Scheider in the starring role.  Friedkin wanted Steve McQueen.  McQueen would only agree if his wife, Ali McGraw was also cast.  Friedkin refused, so McQueen dropped out.  Friedkin then went after Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, Gene Hackman and Kris Kristofferson without success.  Friedkin agreed to have Scheider take the lead.  Friedkin later called it the worst casting decision he ever made.

The film has achieved a cult status, but was considered a failure when released.

The final scene is a classic.  A sound effect lives the viewer to determine the ending.

Sorcerer (1977) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Faculty” (1998) directed by Robert Rodriguez / Z-View

The Faculty (1998)

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Screenplay: Kevin Williamson; story by David Wechter, Bruce Kimmel

Stars: Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Laura Harris, Josh Hartnett, Shawn Hatosy, Salma Hayek, Famke Janssen, Piper Laurie, Christopher McDonald, Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Patrick, Usher, Daniel von Bargen, Elijah Wood, Jon Abrahams, Danny Masterson, Harry Knowles and Jon Stewart.

Tagline: Six students are about to find out their teachers really are from another planet.

The Plot…

When some members of the Herrington High faculty begin to act strangely, only a few students notice. Delilah (Brewster) and Casey (Wood) secretly see two teachers turning another faculty member and realize aliens are involved.

Only four of their closest friends believe what is happening.  As more of the faculty and students are turned the six students realize it is up to them to stop the alien takeover.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Faculty is like a love letter to horror movies of the 1950s geared to high school students with a nice helping of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Thing.

The Faculty features Jordana Brewster and Usher’s film debut.

Bebe Neuwirth and Robert Patrick own their scenes.

The Faculty (1998) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“14 Hours” (1951) starring Paul Douglas and Richard Basehart / Z-View

14 Hours (1951)

Director: Henry Hathaway

Screenplay: John Paxton; based on The Man on the Ledge by Joel Sayre

Stars: Paul Douglas, Richard Basehart, Barbara Bel Geddes, Debra Paget, Agnes Moorehead, Robert Keith, Howard Da Silva, Jeffrey Hunter, Martin Gabel, Frank Faylen, Jeff Corey, James Millican, Donald Randolph, Richard Beymer, John Cassavetes, Ossie Davis, Leif Erickson, Brian Keith, Rusty Lane and Grace Kelly.

Tagline: From the edge of the ledge he defied them all!

The Plot…

Robert Cosick (Basehart) has climbed out on the 15th story ledge outside his hotel room.  Cosick is threatening to jump.  The first officer on the scene is street cop Charlie Dunnigan (Douglas).  Dunnigan begins talking to Cosick in an attempt to get him to come back in.

When Dunnigan’s Chief and the police psychologist arrive, Dunnigan is sent back down to help with crowd control.  Cosick refuses to talk with anyone but Dunnigan, so he’s brought back up.

On ground level a crowd has formed.  It’s a circus atmosphere. Some want Cosick to jump while others are betting on the time he comes off the ledge.

As the minutes turn into hours, the chance of a safe outcome grows smaller.  The clock is ticking…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

14 Hours features the film debut of Grace Kelly, Joyce Van Patten and John Cassavetes.  In addition, Jeffrey Hunter, Brian Keith and Ossie Davis have bit parts.

14 Hours is based on a real incident from 1938.  After a 12 hour standoff, a man jumped 17 stories to his death.

To Catch a Killer (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Breakout” (1975) starring Charles Bronson, Robert Duvall & Jill Ireland / Z-View

Breakout (1975)

Director: Tom Gries

Screenplay: Howard B. Kreitsek, Marc Norman; based on THE TEN SECOND BREAKOUT by Elliott Baker

Stars: Charles Bronson, Robert Duvall, Jill Ireland, Randy Quaid, Sheree North, Jorge Moreno, Emilio Fernández, Paul Mantee, Alan Vint, Alejandro Rey, Roy Jenson, Sidney Clute, Chalo González and John Huston.

Tagline: Sentenced to 28 years in prison for a crime he never committed. Only two things can get him out – A lot of money and Charles Bronson!

The Plot…

Jay Wagner (Duvall) is framed for murder and sent to a Mexican prison.  All hope is lost.  Unwilling to give up, Jay’s wife, Ann (Ireland) turns to Nick Colton (Bronson).  Colton is a pilot with a crazy plan that just might work.

What Colton doesn’t know is the people that framed Jay will go to any length to see he never leaves prison.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tom Gries directed two Charles Bronson films in 1975; this one and Breakheart Pass.

Believe it or not, this film was based on a real life Mexican prison escape using a helicopter.

With Charles Bronson and Robert Duvall starring, I was hoping for a better movie.

Breakout (1975) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Arnold” (2023) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger / Z-View

Arnold (2023)

Director: Lesley Chilcott

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Cameron, Sylvester Stallone, Linda Hamilton, Danny DeVito, Jamie Lee Curtis, Frank Zane, Boyer Coe, Jay Leno, Franco Columbu and Ivan Reitman.

Tagline: A city at the center of chaos. A detective with special skills. A madman testing her limits.

The Plot…

Arnold is a three part mini-series on the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger.  Each episode has a focus: 1) Athlete, 2) Actor and 3) American.  Arnold shares photos, videos and behind-the-scenes stories.  He is surprisingly frank about his life, including mistakes he’s made along the way.

It would have been easy for Arnold to just put the spotlight on his successes. Kudos to him for speaking frankly about his triumphs and shortfalls.

Arnold (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Breakheart Pass” (1975) starring Charles Bronson / Z-View

Breakheart Pass (1975)

Director: Tom Gries

Screenplay:  Alistair MacLean; based on BREAKHEART PASS by Alistair MacLean

Stars: Charles Bronson, Ben Johnson, Richard Crenna, Jill Ireland, Charles Durning, Ed Lauter, Bill McKinney, David Huddleston, Roy Jenson, Rayford Barnes, Scott Newman, Robert Tessier, Joe Kapp, Sally Kirkland, Eddie Little Sky, Paul Frees (voice) and Archie Moore.

Tagline: Death rode the express to Breakheart Pass.

The Plot…

A train is heading to Fort Humbold, a remote frontier outpost.  The soldiers at the fort have reported a diphtheria outbreak.  The train carries medical supplies, replacement soldiers, and civilians including Governor Fairchild (Crenna) and his fiancée Marica (Ireland), the daughter of the fort’s commander.  Also on board are U.S. Marshal Pearce (Johnson) and his prisoner, John Deakin (Bronson).

As the train gets further from civilization, people started turning up murdered.  There is a killer or killers on board.  To complicate matters, outlaw Levi Calhoun (Tessier) has joined with Chief White Hand (Little Sky) to rob the train of the weapons being taken to the fort.

No one knows who can be trusted.  As the bodies pile up, secrets are revealed and a conspiracy unfolds.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Breakheart Pass is a real location in Nevada’s Rocky Mountains.  And yes, trains pass through it.

The railroad cars that go off track and are destroyed weren’t miniatures.  They were actual full-sized train cars.

Archie Moore, the longest fighter to hold the light heavyweight title, has a featured role.  Moore fought in three weight divisions over his career.  He held the light heavyweight title for ten years!  His boxing record was 186 – 23.

Breakheart Pass is an under-rated Charles Bronson film.

Breakheart Pass (1975) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“London After Midnight” directed by Tod Browning, starring Lon Chaney – The Lost Film

London After Midnight is a lost film from 1927.  It was directed by Tod “Dracula” Browning and starred Lon “The Man of One Thousand Faces” Chaney.

London After Midnight was one of eight films Browning and Chaney made together,  The last known copy of the film was destroyed in the MGM vault fire of 1965.  I continue to hope another copy of the film will turn up one day.

“Revenge of the Creature” (1955) starring John Agar, Lori Nelson & John Bromfield / Z-View

Revenge of the Creature (1955)

Director: Jack Arnold

Screenplay: Martin Berkeley,  story by William Alland

Stars: John Agar, Lori Nelson, John Bromfield, Nestor Paiva, Grandon Rhodes, Dave Willock, Robert B. Williams, Charles Cane, Bill Baldwin, Clint Eastwood, Brett Halsey and Ricou Browning.

Tagline: ALL-NEW 3-D THILLS!

The Plot…

An expedition returns to the Amazon’s Black Lagoon.  They capture the Creature and bring it to the Ocean Harbor Oceanarium in Florida.  Professor Clete Ferguson (Agar) and Helen Dobson (Nelson) are the two main scientists studying the beast.

The Creature becomes enamored with Helen.  When the Creature escapes, it goes after Helen.  As one of the movie’s taglines says, “Monster Escapes! Terror Seizes City! …a woman’s beauty the lure for his dangerous desires!

Oh my!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Revenge of the Creature was originally released in 3D, but theaters could request a regular version. The studio released both since the 3ED craze was dying.

Marineland in Saint Augustine, Florida doubled for the Ocean Harbor Oceanarium.  I was in heaven as a kid when I went to Marineland and was able to walk the same paths as The Creature from the Black Lagoon!

Revenge of the Creature falls short of the original.

Ricou Browning appears again (uncredited) playing the Creature. He did appear on-screen as one of the lab technicians.  Interestingly enough, Clint Eastwood also appears uncredited as a lab worker.

Revenge of the Creature (1955) rates 3 of 5 stars.

RIP: James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones died today.  Mr. Jones was 93.

James Earl Jones attended the University of Michigan.  Initially he was a pre-med major, but in his junior year Mr. Jones switched to drama.  He as a stage carpenter, stage manager and actor at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, Michigan.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in drama.  After graduation, James Earl Jones attended Ranger School. He attained the rank of first lieutenant before his discharge.

Once out of the service, Mr. Jones moved to New York to pursue a career as an actor. In 1957, Mr. Jones became an understudy on Broadway.  Just a few months later James Earl Jones earned a feature role.  In the 1960s, James Earl Jones appeared in several productions of William Shakespeare’s plays.  He also began getting guest roles on television.  Then in 1964, Mr. Jones appeared in his first feature film, Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove.  For the rest of his career, James Earl Jones stayed busy, accepting roles for stage, television, and feature films.

Some of James Earl Jones’ honors include…

  • 1971 Oscar nomination as Best Leading Man for The Great White Hope
  • 2012 Oscar winner Honorary Award
  • 1987 Ace nominee Actor in a Comedy Series for Faerie Tale Theater: Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp
  • 1991 ACE winner Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries for Heatwave
  • 1991 Ace winner Actor in a Dramatic Series for Third and Oak: The Poolhall
  • 1998 Daytime Emmy nominee Outstanding Performer in Children’s Programing for CBS Schoolbreak Special
  • 2000 Daytime Emmy winner Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Special for Summer’s End
  • 1964 Primetime Emmy nominee Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for East Side/West Side
  • 1990 Primetime Emmy nominee Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for By Dawn’s Early Light
  • 1991 Primetime Emmy winner Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for Heatwave
  • 1991 Primetime Emmy winner Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Gabriel’s Fire
  • 1994 Primetime Emmy nominee Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for Picket Fences
  • 1995 Primetime Emmy nominee Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Under One Roof
  • 1997 Primetime Emmy nominee Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for Frasier
  • 2004 Primetime Emmy nominee Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for Everwood
  • 1970 Grammy nominee Best Spoken Word Recording for The Great White Hope
  • 1977 Grammy winner Best Spoken Word Recording for Great American Documents
  • 2001 Grammy nominee Best Spoken Word Album for Children for “The Christmas Miracle Of Jonathan Toomey (Susan Wojciechowski) (Album)”

Television projects that feature James Earl Jones include: Monitor; East Side/West Side; Channing; The Defenders (2 episodes); Camera Three (2 episodes); Dr. Kildare (4 episodes); Guiding Light; As the World Turns; Tarzan (2 episodes); NET Playhouse; NYPD (2 episodes); The UFO Incident; Jesus of Nazareth (4 episodes); Roots: The Next Generations; Paul Robeson; Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones; The Atlanta Child Murders (2 episodes); Highway to Heaven; LA Law (2 episodes); By Dawn’s Early Light; Heat Wave; Gabriel’s Fire (22 episodes); Mathnet (9 episodes); Pros and Cons (12 episodes); Square One Television (4 episodes); Garfield and Friends; Lincoln; Sesame Street; Law & Order; American Playhouse; The Vernon Johns Story; Picket Fences; Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman; Signs and Wonders (4 episodes); Under One Roof (6 episodes); People: A Musical Celebration; 3rd Rock from the Sun (19 episodes); Rebound: The Legend of Earl “The Goat” Manigault; Touched by an Angel; Frasier; Stargate SG-1; Homicide: Life on the Street (3 episodes); The Simpsons (3 episodes); Merlin (2 episodes): Recess (2 episodes); Summer’s End; Everwood (3 episodes); Two and a Half Men; House; The Big Bang Theory; Great Performances (2 episodes); Agent X (2 episodes); Star Wars Rebels (5 episodes) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (4 episodes).

Feature films that feature James Earl Jones include: Dr. Strangelove; The Comedians; The Great White Hope; The Man; Claudine; The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings; The Greatest; Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope; Exorcist 2: The Heretic; Star Wars: Episode 5 – The Empire Strikes Back; Conan the Barbarian; Star Wars: Episode 6 – Return of the Jedi; Gardens of Stone; Matewan; Coming to America; Field of Dreams; The Hunt for Red October; Patriot Games; Sneakers; Sommersby; The Sandlot; Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult; The Lion King; Clear and Present Danger; Judge Dredd; Cry the Beloved Country; A Family Thing; Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith; Rogue One: A Star Wars Story; The Lion King; Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker and Coming 2 America.

I probably first saw James Earl Jones on Tarzan.  I first took notice of him with The Great White Hope.  After that I noticed him whenever he popped up in a movie of television appearance. I was thrilled that James Earl Jones provided the narration for Sly Stallone’s Judge Dredd.   Mr. Jones could do it all.  What an amazing career and legacy.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to James Earl Jones’ family, friends and fans.

Take You Back: Sylvester Stallone’s “Paradise Alley”Sneak Peak

The first sneak previews of Sylvester Stallone’s Paradise Alley took place on September 8, 1978.  Sly wrote, directed, starred and even sang the title song.  As Dave Buzan says…

This incredibly underrated Stallone film had the misfortune of following “Rocky,” so audiences were expecting something quite different.

It’s a strong movie that deserves more recognition than it has received over the years.

Source: Dave Buzan.

Scared Stiff (1953) starring Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis / Z-View

Scared Stiff (1953)

Director: George Marshall

Screenplay: Herbert Baker, Walter DeLeon; based on The Ghost Breaker by Paul Dickey, Charles W. Goddard

Stars: Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Lizabeth Scott, Carmen Miranda, Dorothy Malone, William Ching, Jack Lambert, Leonard Strong, Henry Brandon, Chester Clute, Earl Holliman, Frank Fontaine and Bing Crosby & Bob Hope.

Tagline: They’re making a spook-tacle of themselves!

The Plot…

Mary Carroll (Scott) receives word that she has inherited an island estate.  She also receives death threats and warnings that the place is haunted.  Throwing caution to the wind Mary boards a ship to claim her inheritance.  Joining Mary on the trip is nightclub singer, Larry Todd (Martin) and his buddy Myron Mertz (Lewis).

They three arrive at Mary’s castle… cue the ghosts and zombies!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Scared Stiff is based on the play The Ghost Breaker.  It was previously adapted in the movie The Ghost Breakers starring Bob Hope.  George Marshall directed both Scared Stiff and The Ghost Breakers.

Scared Stiff features Carmen Miranda’s last film appearance.

Frank Fontaine has an uncredited cameo as a drunk.  I recognized him from his appearances as Crazy Guggenheim on The Jackie Gleason Show.

Bob Hope and Bing Crosby have an uncredited cameo.  The previous year, Martin & Lewis made an uncredited cameo in Hope & Cosby’s Road to Bali film.

Scared Stiff is advertised as a comedy/horror film.  It takes forever to get to the horror aspect and then it’s not that funny.  I prefer the Bob Hope version, The Ghost Breakers.

Scared Stiff (1953) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“At War with the Army” (1950) starring Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis / Z-View

At War with the Army (1950)

Director: Hal Walker

Screenplay: Fred Finklehoffe; based on the play At War With the Army by James Allardice

Stars: Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Mike Kellin, Danny Dayton, Polly Bergen and Douglas Evans.

Tagline: America’s Funniest Guys Are GI’s!

The Plot…

Vic Puccinelli (Martin) and Alvin Korwin (Lewis) were nightclub performers before the war.  Now Vic is a Sergeant and Alvin a private at a stateside army base.  The change in their status has caused some problems between the two.

To complicate matters, Vic wants a transfer to active duty.  Alvin just wants a weekend pass to see his wife and new baby.  Add to the mix confusion about a woman that may be pregnant and who the father is.

Martin and Lewis are at war with the army.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

At War with the Army is in public domain.  Beware of shoddy copies.

Although Martin and Lewis had appeared together in films twice before, At War with the Army was their first starring roles as a team.

To Catch a Killer (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.