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“48 Hrs.” (1982) directed by Walter Hill, starring Nick Nolte & Eddie Murphy / Z-View

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48 Hrs. (1982) 

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Roger Spottiswoode, Walter Hill, Larry Gross, Steven E. de Souza

Stars: Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy, Annette O’Toole, Frank McRae, James Remar, David Patrick Kelly, Sonny Landham, Brion James, Kerry Sherman, James Keane, Greta Blackburn, Margot Rose, Denise Crosby, Olivia Brown, Todd Allen, Jack Thibeau, Ola Ray and Jonathan Banks.

Tagline: The boys are back in town. Nick Nolte is a cop. Eddie Murphy is a convict. They couldn’t have liked each other less. They couldn’t have needed each other more. And the last place they ever expected to be is on the same side. Even for… 48 HRS

The Plot…

When San Francisco detectives, Cates (Nolte),  Algren (Banks) and Van Zant (Keane) attempt to arrest two escaped convicts, things go sideways.  Algren and Van Zant are killed.  The convicts get away.

Detective Cates has a plan to catch the killers.  He’s getting a 48 hour supervised prison release for Reggie Hammond (Murphy). Hammond is a fast-talking, hip con man and thief.  Hammond also worked with one of the convicts.  Cates believes Hammond’s inside info will lead him to the convicts.

Cates and Hammond take an instant dislike to each other.  Over the next 48 hours they may develop a friendship… if they survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The idea of a cop and a convict working together had been floating around for a while.  Paramount hired Walter Hill to write a script with the idea that Clint Eastwood would play the convict.  Hill did, but when he finished he said he thought the script would work better with Eastwood playing the cop and someone like Richard Pryor playing the convict.  The project went into limbo until a few years passed.  Hill was brought back to work with Nolte and Eddie Murphy (in his feature film debut).

Eddie Murphy wasn’t the first actor considered for the role.  Gregory Hines was.  Other actors considered before Murphy included Howard Rollins, Jr. and Denzel Washington.

Eddie Murphy’s character’s name originally was Willie Biggs.  Murphy thought it sounded like a “Hollywood, made-up, black guy’s name” so it was changed to Reggie Hammond.

Nick Nolte was paid one million dollars and got top billing.  Eddie Murphy made $450,000.00.  For the sequel Murphy got top billing and seven million dollars, while Nolte made three million dollars.

Director Walter Hill has a brief cameo as a convict in the opening chain gang scene.

Nolte and Murphy, Remar and Landham are perfectly cast.  Each pair has the right chemistry.

48 Hrs. (1982) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“American Fiction” (2023) written & directed by Cord Jefferson, starring Jeffrey Wright / Z-View

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American Fiction (2023) 

Director: Cord Jefferson

Screenplay: Cord Jefferson based on ERASURE by Percival Everett

Stars: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Sterling K. Brown, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Raymond Anthony Thomas, Okieriete Onaodowan, Miriam Shor, J.C. MacKenzie and Keith David.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Wright) is a writer and college professor.  Monk has had a couple of books published.  Although the books were critically praised, they were far from best sellers.  Monk’s latest book was turned down with publishers saying it wasn’t “black enough”.

To compound things, Monk’s mom’s mental health is rapidly deteriorating.  It’s clear she’s going to need the support of her family.  Monk’s brother just went through a divorce.  He won’t be much help.  His sister is willing, but there are issues.  Monk is feeling the pressure of life bearing down.

Monk’s exasperation grows when the novel WE’S LIVES IN DA GHETTO makes the best seller list.  The novel panders to the lowest common denominator and features typical black stereotypes.  Out of frustration, Monk begins writing.  His story features everything one would expect in a blaxploitation story – drugs, gangs, a deadbeat dad and a son who couldn’t rise above his surroundings.  When Monk is finished he has a book length story.  As a joke he submits it under the name Stagg R. Leigh, an ex-con who is one the run from the cops.

When Monk gets several offers as high as $750,000, he realizes that nobody gets the joke.  He tells his editor to decline the deal, but his mother’s bills are adding up.  So…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

American Fiction was nominated for five Academy Awards and won one…

  • nominee Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Laura Karpman
  • nominee Best Motion Picture of the Year – Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson
  • nominee Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – Jeffrey Wright
  • nominee Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Sterling K. Brown
  • winner Best Adapted Screenplay – Cord Jefferson

I thought American Fiction would be funny.  It is.  I didn’t realize how much heart it would have.  American Fiction is one of the best movie surprises I’ve had in recent years.

American Fiction is Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut.

American Fiction (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Demolition Man” (1993) starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes / Z-View

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Demolition Man (1993)

Director: Marco Brambilla

Screenplay: Daniel Waters, Robert Reneau, Peter M. Lenkov, story by Peter M. Lenkov, Robert Reneau

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne, Benjamin Bratt, Bob Gunton, Glenn Shadix, Grand L. Bush, Pat Skipper, Steve Kahan, Mark Colson, Andre Gregory, Troy Evans, Don Charles McGovern, Bill Cobbs, Dan Cortese, Jack Black, Adrienne Barbeau (voice), Rob Schneider, Jesse Ventura and Denis Leary

Tagline: The world’s most dangerous cop. The world’s most ruthless criminal. The 21st Century isn’t big enough for both of them.

The Plot…

In the near future, a maniac named Simon Phoenix (Snipes) kidnaps a busload of people.  Phoenix then fortifies himself in an abandoned warehouse protected by his gang.  A thermal reading shows no signs of the hostages.  The clock is ticking to keep the captives alive.  As the police prepare an assault, LAPD Detective John Spartan (Stallone) goes in alone.  Spartan works his way to Phoenix and they battle.  When Spartan gains the upper hand, Phoenix ignites an accelerate to blow up the building.

Spartan makes it out with Phoenix under arrest.  He then learns that the hostages were in the building.  All killed by the blast.  Because Spartan didn’t wait for authorization to go in, he is made a scapegoat.  Both Phoenix and Spartan are sentenced to the California Cryo-Penitentiary.  They will be placed in suspended animation for the length of their sentences.

Thirty-six years pass.

Simon Phoenix is revived from cryofreeze for his parole hearing.  Phoenix escapes his cuffs.  He kills the warden and guards.  Phoenix makes his escape into a world where violence is a thing of the past.  Phoenix is easily tracked. Officers are sent to arrest him. Phoenix kills them all.  It is then decided, they will revive John Spartan.  Spartan arrested Phoenix before.  He can do it again… they hope.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In the original script the entire movie takes place in the future.  Fred Dekker, who did uncredited rewrites, suggested the movie open in the past to show Spartan and Phoenix’s clash.  Dekker’s rationale, “If you don’t show Kansas, Oz isn’t all that special.”

When Demolition Man was released overseas, references to Taco Bell (dubbing and digitally) where changed to Pizza Hut.  Taco Bell wasn’t known in many overseas countries.

Lori Petty was originally cast as Lenina Huxley.  After a few days of filming, Petty left and Sandra Bullock got the role. Creative differences and/or lack of chemistry with Sly Stallone have been given as reasons for the change.

Jack Black appears as one of the Wasteland Scraps.  Adrienne Barbeau is heard (uncredited) as the mainframe computer’s voice.  Rob Schneider appears uncredited.

A scene where Sly Stallone fights Jesse Ventura was cut before the film’s release.

The Demolition Man song was written by Sting for Grace Jones and appeared on her album Nightclubbing, released in 1981.  It was re-recorded by Sting for use in Demolition Man‘s end credits.  Sting then released Demolition Man featuring the song and other live tracks.

The opening sequence of Demolition Man (with the helicopter under attack, bungee jump to the roof, gunfights with gang and fight with Simon Phoenix) is one of Sly’s best.  It has a John Woo feel to it.

When I first saw Demolition Man I thought it had too much comedy/satire.  The film has grown on me over the years.

Demolition Man (1993) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“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.

RIP: Dabney Coleman

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Dabney Coleman, the award-winning actor of stage and screen, died yesterday. Mr. Coleman was 92.

Dabney Coleman attended both the Virginia Military Institute and the University of Texas at Austin.  Mr. Coleman was drafted and served in the U.S. Army.  After his service, Dabney Coleman attended the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.

In 1961, Dabney Coleman made his Broadway debut in A Call on Kupri.  That same year, Mr. Coleman appeared in an episode of Naked City.  For the rest of his career Dabney Coleman would appear on television and in feature films.

In 1987, Dabney Coleman won a Primetime Emmy as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for his role in Sworn to Silence.  Mr. Coleman was nominated for five other Primetime Emmys: 1983 and 1984 – Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Buffalo Bill; 1988 – Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for Baby M; 1988 – Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for The Slap Maxwell Story and 1991 – Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for Columbo.

Television appearances of Dabney Coleman include: Naked City; Armstrong Circle Theater (3 episodes); Alcoa Theater; Ben Casey; Breaking Point; Arrest and Trial; The Movie Maker; Kraft Suspense Theater (2 episodes); Dr. Kildare; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (2 episodes); The Outer Limits (3 episodes); Bob Hope Presents Chrysler Theater (2 episodes); Hazel; The Donna Reed Show; 12 O’Clock High (2 episodes); The Fugitive (4 episodes); Please Don’t Eat the Daisies; Run for Your Life; That Girl (8 episodes); I Dream of Jeannie (2 episodes); The Flying Nun; The Invaders (2 episodes); Iron Horse; Judd for the Defense; Death Valley Days; Mod Squad; Then Came Bronson; Bonanza (2 episodes); Dan August; Nanny and the Professor; The Bold Ones: The New Doctors; Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law; Banyon; Room 222 (2 episodes); Ironside; Search; Savage; Kojak; The FBI (7 episodes); Mannix (3 episodes); Medical Center; McMillian & Wife (2 episodes); The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Cannon (2 episodes); Switch; The Streets of San Francisco (2 episodes); Police Story (2 episodes); Petrocelli; Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (148 episodes); Fernwood Tonight (2 episodes); Quincy (2 episodes); Forever Fernwood (130 episodes); The Love Boat; Apple Pie (8 episodes); Diff’rent Strokes (2 episodes); Barnaby Jones (5 episodes); Buffalo Bill (26 episodes); Fresno (6 episodes); Dolly; The Slap Maxwell Story (22 episodes); It’s Gary Shandling’s Show (2 episodes); Columbo (2 episodes); Drexell’s Class (18 episodes); Lincoln; Madman of the People (16 episodes); The Wonderful World of Disney; Recess (14 episodes); The Guardian (67 episodes); Courting Alex (13 episodes); Heartland (6 episodes); Boardwalk Empire (24 episodes); Pound Puppies (4 episodes); Ray Donovan; NCIS and Yellowstone.

Feature film appearances of Dabney Coleman include: The Slender Thread; The Scalphunters; The Trouble with Girls; Downhill Racer; Cinderella Liberty; The Towering Inferno; Black Fist; Bite the Bullet; Midway; Viva Knievel!; Rolling Thunder; Go Tell the Spartans; North Dallas Forty; How to Beat the High Cost of Living; Melvin and Howard; 9 to 5; On Golden Pond; Modern Problems; Tootsie; War Games; Cloak and Dagger; The Muppets Take Manhattan; The Man with One Red Shoe; Dragnet; Amos & Andrew; The Beverly Hillbillies; Clifford; You’ve Got Mail; Inspector Gadget; Where the Red Fern Grows and Domino.

The first time I saw Dabney Coleman on screen was probably in The Fugitive or Invaders.  But man, he sure did appear in many other shows I regularly watched.  My most memorable performance by Dabney Coleman is from 9 to 5.  He was perfect.  Of course that’s not surprising because any time you saw Dabney Coleman, you knew the program/movie would be better because of him.  It’s evidence of his talent that he could move from television to feature films or drama to comedy with ease.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Dabney Coleman’s family, friends and fans.

“The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957) directed by Jack Arnold / Z-View

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The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

Director:  Jack Arnold

Screenplay: Richard Matheson, Richard Alan Simmons based on THE SHRINKING MAN by Richard Matheson

Stars: Grant Williams, Randy Stuart, April Kent, Paul Langton, William Schallert, Frank J. Scannell, Helene Marshall, Billy Curtis and Raymond Bailey.

Tagline: Victim of weird mist ! Day by day he shrinks! Science is baffled! Cat becomes monster! Terror at every turn! Deadly spider attacks! Lost in a flood’s fury!

The Plot…

Scott Carey (Williams) and his wife, Louise (Stuart) are vacationing on a small boat.  When his wife goes down to get some drinks a strange mist passes over the craft.  Scott is covered with particles from the mist.  Six months later Scott realizes he’s shrinking.

The best doctors confirm that Scott is shrinking and begin searching for a cure.  As Scott continues to shrink life becomes more difficult.  Before too long even the household cat becomes a danger.

If no cure is found, what will become of Scott as he continues to shrink…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Incredible Shrinking Man is based on Richard Matheson’s novel THE SHRINKING MAN.  Some scenes from the book were to risqué for 1957 and probably still are today.  They include Scott sleeping with a female midget, Scott abused by a drunk homosexual, and Scott peering through the window to watch a teenage baby-sitter.

Although the story ends with no cure found to save Scott, the studio got cold feet as filming progressed.  Director Jack Arnold, hot off The Creature from the Black Lagoon, refused.  Instead Arnold came up with a soliloquy for Scott to speak that ends the film.  Test audiences proved the decision to be a winner.

The large props used when Scott shrinks were later used on the Universal Studios Tour and the television series Land of the Giants.

Look for Mr. Drysdale (Raymond Bailey) of The Beverly Hillbillies fame playing a doctor.

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) rates 5 of 5 stars.

Best of 2023: Films, Books & Posts

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As we start 2024, let’s pause for a look at the BEST OF 2023. I hope you see something that you enjoyed or gets you interested to check out. Here we go…

Movies and Limited Series

In 2023, I watched 409 movies and limited series. That number is up 04 from last year. None were seen in a theater! My favorite films and limited series released in 2023 included (in alpha order):

  • 1923
  • Agent Elvis
  • AKA
  • Bill Russell: Legend
  • Bye Bye Barry
  • Dark Winds: Season 2
  • Extraction 2
  • Fall of the House of Usher, The
  • Family Stallone, The
  • Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
  • Joe Pickett: Season 2
  • Justified: City Primeval
  • Knock at the Cabin
  • Lawman Bass Reeves: Season 1
  • Leave the World Behind
  • Night Agent, The
  • Perry Mason: Season 2
  • Sly
  • StarTrek: Strange New Worlds Season 2
  • Tulsa King: Season 1

Books

In 2023, I read 21 books (16 down from last year, but considering the year we had, that’s not bad). My favorites from this year included (in the order I read them):

  • It Dies With You by Scott Blackburn

  • Blood Standard by Barron Laird
  • Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

  • Black Mountain by Laird Barron

  • Worse Angels by Barron Laird (A) 5.29
  • The Last Action Heroes by Nick de Semlyen
  • All Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

  • Too Many Bullets by Max Allan Collins

  • But Enough About Me by Burt Reynolds

  • Things Get Ugly: The Best Crime Stories of Joe R. Lansdale by Joe Lansdale

  • Dirty Words by Todd Robinson

  • Everybody Dies by Lawrence Block

  • The Big Bundle by Max Allan Collins

My Most Popular Posts of the Year

I continue to find some surprises in what became my most popular posts each year. Here are the top ten for 2023 and some thoughts for each…

10. Top 10 Most Iconic Horror Movie Villains – Hung in the 10th spot for the second year in a row.

09. RIP: Rachel Welch. New to the list

08. The Different Covers for David Morrell’s First Blood. Same spot as last year.

07. Meeting Sly Stallone. New to the list!

06. Paul Gulacy Week: Day Four. New to the list!

05. Red Sonja, Conan and Dan Panosian. New to the list.

04. Louis Meyers: Evidence He was the Zodiac Killer. Same spot as last year.

03. Dracula Through the Ages. Same spot as last year.

02. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Fell from the first spot last year.

01. SYFY’s 2023/2024 TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Up! The most popular post last year.

My All-Time Most Popular Posts

The top 4 didn’t change and only one new post broke in to the All-Time most popular posts. Let’s see how things shook out…

10. Joel Osteen in Jacksonville – held on to the 10th spot for two years in a row.

09. Gadot & The Rock Strike a Pose – was in the 9th spot for the last three years.

08. Steve Reeves as Superman – No change.

07. TOP 10 MOST ICONIC HORROR MOVIE VILLAINS! – from 5th to 7th.

06. Dracula Through the Ages – still in the 6th spot. Vampires are in.

05. New Billy the Kid Photo Discovered – No change!

04. SYFY’s 2023/2024 TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Up!

03. Zodiac Killer Code Cracked? – No change!

02. Louis Meyers: Evidence He Was the Zodiac Killer – No change!

01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk” – was #1 last year and continues to be our most popular post of all-time.

It’s always interesting to see which topics resonate with fans and continue to be popular long after their initial post.

“The Accountant” (2016) starring Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal & John Lithgow / Z-View

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The Accountant (2016)

Director: Gavin O’Connor

Screenplay by: Bill Dubuque

Starring: Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, John Lithgow, Alison Wright, Jason Davis, Robert C. Treveiler, Seth Lee, Ron Prather and Jean Smart.

Tagline: Calculate your choices.

The Story:

Christian Wolff (Affleck), a mathematics savant, was diagnosed as being on the Autism spectrum as a child.  His father, a military vet, forced Christian to deal with the things that triggered him.  Dad also provided martial arts and weapons training for Christian and his brother.

Now an adult, Wolff uses his math talents as an accountant to criminal enterprises.  He operates out of a small office that is a front.  Wolff also owns several businesses used to launder money.  Wolff is hired by Lamar Blackburn (Lithgow), the billionaire owner of Living Robotics, to check his books.  What Wolff discovers puts in motion a chain of events that result in several murders.  At the same time Wolff is dealing with this, he learns that the Treasury Department has been investigating him and are about to close in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers) 

Ben Affleck is excellent as Christian Wolff.  He is supported by an amazing cast.  Standouts include Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jeffrey Tambor and John Lithgow.  Kudos to the always excellent Jon Bernthal, who owns every scene he’s in.

The Accountant features a cool twist that I didn’t see coming.

I’d love for Affleck and Bernthal to return in a sequel.

Opening Scene from “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” starring Kurt Russell & Wyatt Russell!

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Deal me in.

John Goodman reprises his role from Kong: Skull Island as Monarch official Bill Randa in this kaiju-packed opening scene from the Apple TV+ series.

Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco, and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters tracks two siblings following in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch.

Clues lead them into the world of monsters and ultimately down the rabbit hole to Army officer Lee Shaw (played by Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows. The dramatic saga – spanning three generations – reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives.

Hailing from Legendary Television, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is co-developed and executive produced by Chris Black and Matt Fraction. Matt Shakman directs the first two episodes and serves as executive producer alongside Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell from Safehouse Pictures, Andy Goddard, Brad Van Arragon, and Andrew Colville. Hiro Matsuoka and Takemasa Arita executive produce on behalf of Toho Co., Ltd., the owner of the Godzilla character. Toho licensed the rights to Legendary for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters as a natural byproduct of their long-term relationship with the film franchise.

Starring Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters‘ premieres globally with the first two episodes on Friday, November 17 on Apple TV+, followed by one episode every Friday through January 12.

“Hard Boiled Mahoney” (1947) starring Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Dan Seymour & the Bowery Boys / Z-View

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Hard Boiled Mahoney (1947)

Director: William Beaudine

Screenplay: Cy Endfield, Edmond Seward, Tim Ryan

Stars: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell, William ‘Billy’ Benedict, David Gorcey, Dan Seymour, Pierre Watkin, Bernard Gorcey, Patti Brill and Noble Johnson.

Tagline: DEFECTIVE DETECTIVES!

The Plot…

A woman mistakenly thinks that Slip (L. Gorcey) and Satch (Hall) are detectives.  She hires them to find her sister.  The clues lead to Dr. Rolfe Carter (Watkin).  Slip and Satch arrive at Dr. Carter’s office just as he’s being murdered.  Slip is knocked unconscious.  He awakens to find that he’s been set up to take the fall.

Slip escapes.  Now Slip, Satch and the rest of the Bowery Boys need to find the real killer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

This is one of the Bowery Boys better outings.

Dan Seymour is a welcome addition to the cast.  He plays the main bad guy.  You may know Seymour from his appearances in To Have and Have Not, Key Largo, The Big Heat, or another of his over 100 acting credits.

Patti Brill is in only a few scenes as Slip’s girl, but she makes an impact.

Heads up: There is a scene where two of the Bowery Boys are disguised as a shoe shiner and customer.  The shoe shiner is in blackface.

Hard Boiled Mahoney (1947) rates 3 of 5 stars.

The All-Time Best Action Movies!

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Variety posted The 50 Best Action Movies of All Time.  Like all lists of this sort it included some films that most might not consider (as action films) and left off others.  Still, lists can be fun. I decided to see how I’d rank the same films.  *** means I haven’t seen the movie.  (And I cannot believe I still haven’t seen Hard Boiled.)

Variety

01. The Road Warrior (1981)
02. Die Hard (1988)
03. North by Northwest (1959)
04. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
05. Enter the Dragon (1973)
06. The French Connection (1971)
07. The Matrix (1999)
08. Aliens (1986)
09. Seven Samurai (1954)
10. Bullitt (1968)
11. Speed (1994)
12. Goldfinger (1964)
13. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
14. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
15. Hard Boiled (1992)
16. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
17. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
18. Ben-Hur (1959)
19. The Wild Bunch (1969)
20. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
21. Heat (1995)
22. The Wages of Fear (1953)
23. Gladiator (2000)
24. Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
25. United 93 (2006)
26. Point Break (1991)
27. Police Story (1985)
28. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
29. Foxy Brown (1974)
30. Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol (2011)
31. The Dirty Dozen (1967)
32. Commando (1985)
33. Run Lola Run (1998)
34. Fast Five (2011)
35. The Black Pirate (1926)
36. Casino Royale (2006)
37. Once Upon a Time in China Part II (1992)
38. Inception (2010)
39. Duel (1971)
40. The Raid (2011)
41. The Warriors (1979)
42. Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965)
43. The Bourne Identity (2002)
44. The Day of the Jackal (1973)
45. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
46. Hero (2002)
47. Vanishing Point (1971)
48. The Fugitive (1993)
49. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
50. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Zablo

01. Enter the Dragon (1973)
02. Die Hard (1988)
03. Aliens (1986)
04. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
05. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
06. The Matrix (1999)
07. The Road Warrior (1981)
08. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
09. The Warriors (1979)
10. Commando (1985)
11. Casino Royale (2006)
12. Gladiator (2000)
13. Heat (1995)
14. Point Break (1991)
15. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
16. Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol (2011)
17. Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
18. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
19. The Bourne Identity (2002)
20. Speed (1994)
21. Fast Five (2011)
22. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
23. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
24. Goldfinger (1964)
25. The Dirty Dozen (1967)
26. North by Northwest (1959)
27. The Fugitive (1993)
28. Duel (1971)
29. The Wild Bunch (1969)
30. The Wages of Fear (1953)
31. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
32. Ben-Hur (1959)
33. Inception (2010)
34. Run Lola Run (1998)
35. Bullitt (1968)
36. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
37. Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965)
38. Foxy Brown (1974)
39. Seven Samurai (1954)
40. The French Connection (1971)
41. Vanishing Point (1971)
42. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
*** Hard Boiled (1992)
*** United 93 (2006)
*** Police Story (1985)
*** The Black Pirate (1926)
*** Once Upon a Time in China Part II (1992)
*** The Raid (2011)
*** The Day of the Jackal (1973)
*** Hero (2002)

“Out West” (1947) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Out West (1947)

Director:  Edward Bernds

Writer:  Clyde Bruckman, Thomas Moore

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Christine McIntyre, Jock Mahoney, Stanley Blystone, Heinie Conklin, Vernon Dent and Blackie Whiteford.

Tagline:  The Stooges are shootin’ up the West!

The Plot…

The doctor tells Shemp that the climate out west would be good for his enlarged vein.  So he, Larry and Moe head out.  A crook overhears the boys talking about Shemp’s vein and think he has a gold mine.  The crook and his gang decide they’re going to steal the boys’ gold.  Let the hijinks begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jock Mahoney who would go on to star in many television and feature films (he played Tarzan in two films) is billed as Jacques O’Mahoney.

Out West (1947) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Last Looks” (2021) starring Charlie Hunnam & Mel Gibson / Z-View

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Last Looks (2021)

Director:  Tim Kirkby

Screenplay:  Howard Michael Gould based on this novel Last Looks

Stars: Charlie Hunnam, Mel Gibson, Lucy Fry, Clancy Brown, Robin Givens, CC Castillo, Method Man, Dominic Monaghan, Paul Ben-Victor and Josh McDermitt

Tagline:  This city is a bad place to be a good guy.

The Plot…

Charlie Waldo (Hunnam) is an ex-cop who has withdrawn from society.  He lives a quiet life in a trailer outside the city.  All of that changes when he is convinced to look into the murder of a Alastair Pinch’s wife.  Pinch (Gibson) is a an arrogant, alcoholic, but extremely popular tv star.  Pinch is also the prime suspect in his wife’s murder.  He claims he was blackout drunk when she was killed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Last Looks has a great cast with Gibson and Hunnam leading the way.  Although Hunnam gets top billing, Gibson steals the show with his take on Alastair Pinch.  It’s fun to see see Clancy Brown, Dominic Monagham and Josh McDermitt show up as well.

Last Looks has the feel of a quirky detective show from the 1970s or 80s. You know the shows where the “guest star” gets the flashy part and there’s plenty of interesting characters along the way. I enjoyed Last Looks and could see it producing a sequel if the box office would support it.

Last Looks earns 4 of 5 stars.

RIP: Ted White

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Alex Bayouth who was known professionally as Ted White, stuntman and actor, died yesterday at the age of 96.  Mr. Bayouth enlisted in the marines when he was 17 and served at Iwo Jima!  He played football at the University of Oklahoma and was also a Golden Gloves boxer.  Because of his size and athletic ability, Mr. Bayouth decided to pursue a career as a stuntman/actor.

Mr. Bayouth was known professionally as Ted White.  As an actor/stuntman, Mr. White amassed over 150 credits performing on television and in feature films.  Clark Gable, John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Richard Boone and Fess Parker are just five of the stars for who Ted White served as a stunt double.

Some of  Ted White’s television appearances include: Maverick (actor); Cimarron City (actor/stunts); Perry Mason (actor); Wagon Train (actor); The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (actor/stunts); The Andy Griffith Show (actor); Bonanza (actor); Mannix (actor); Mission: Impossible (actor); Daniel Boone (actor/stunts 15 episodes); Marcus Welby (actor); Kojak (actor/stunts);  Kung Fu (actor); Kolchak: The Night Stalker (actor); The Streets of San Francisco (stunts); The Six Million Dollar Man (actor); Police Story (actor); The Rockford Files (actor); Matt Houston (actor/stunts); Spenser for Hire (stunts);  The Fall Guy (actor); Magnum PI (actor) and The X-Files (actor).

Some of  Ted White’s feature films include: Sands of Iwo Jima (actor); Creature from the Black Lagoon (stunts); Giant (stunts); The Naked and the Dead (stunts); Rio Bravo (actor/stunts); The Horse Soldiers (stunts); The Alamo (actor/stunts); The Misfits (stunts); Cat Ballou (stunts); The Cincinnati Kid (stunts); Point Blank (actor/stunts); Will Penny (stunts); Planet of the Apes (stunts); They Call Me Mister Tibbs (stunts); Prime Cut (stunts); Soylent Green (stunts); Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (actor/stunts); Rollerball (stunts); King Kong (stunts); Tron (actor); 1941 (stunts); Bronco Billy (stunts); Used Cars (stunts); Escape from New York (stunts); Against All Odds (actor); Romancing the Stone (actor); Ruthless People (stunts); Death Wish 4 (stunts); Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (actor); Road House (stunts); Starman (actor); Silverado (actor); 2 Fast 2 Furious (stunts) and Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift (stunts).

What an amazing career Ted White had.  As I compiled the list of some of his television and movie credits, I was truly shocked at how many of my favorite tv shows and movies he appeared in.  Although Ted White is most famous for playing Jason in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, it was not one of his favorite roles.  In fact, he turned down the change to return in the sequels.  Interestingly enough, many fans feel that Ted White was the best at playing Jason.

The role that first came to mind for me was when he played an escaped convict who returned to Mayberry to get even with the law officer that put him away — Barney Fife.  It’s one of my favorite Andy Griffith Show episodes. Ted White was a legitimate tough guy — a marine, a college football player, a boxer and a stunt man.  Coupled with his talent for acting, he put together a career to make any actor proud.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ted White’s family, friends and fans.

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THE DONUT LEGION by Joe R. Lansdale is Coming!

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Joe Lansdale is on my must-read list for ANY novel that he writes.  I emphasize any because Lansdale writes in whatever genre strikes his fancy.  His upcoming novel is titled The Donut Legion.  Here’s the synopsis…

Edgar award-winning author Joe R. Lansdale beams a light on an East Texas town held in the grip of conspiracy.
Charlie Garner has a bad feeling. His ex-wife, Meg, has been missing for over a week and one quick peek into her home shows all her possessions packed up in boxes. Neighbors claim she’s running from bill collectors, but Charlie suspects something more sinister is afoot. Meg was last seen working at the local donut shop, a business run by a shadow group most refer to as ‘The Saucer People’; a space-age, evangelist cult who believe their compound to be the site of an extraterrestrial Second Coming.

Along with his brother, Felix, and beautiful, randy journalist Amelia “Scrappy” Moon, Charlie uncovers strange and frightening details about the compound (read: a massive, doomsday storehouse of weapons, a leashed chimpanzee!) When the body of their key informer is found dead with his arms ripped out of their sockets, Charlie knows he’s in danger but remains dogged in his quest to rescue Meg.

Brimming with colorful characters and Lansdale’s characteristic bounce, this rollicking crime novel examines the insidious rise of fringe groups and those under their sway with black comedy and glints of pathos.

Pre-orders are available now.  Deal me in.