365 Movies: Third Finger, Left Hand Review

Third Finger, Left Hand stars Myrna Loy, Melvyn Douglas, and Lee Bowman in this 1940 comedy. The comedy is about magazine editor Margot Sherwood Merrick(Loy) who pretends to be married, so she stay in her position at work. Single women, who have had the job, don't have it for very long, so Margot lies about being married to keep her job in tact and to keep wild men at bay. Getting tangled up in her web of lies is painter Jeff Thompson(Douglas) who begins revenge on her, after he finds out about her lies. This is such a hysterical movie!!!! I loved it from start to finish, it was just so funny. Loy and Douglas play off each so well and they give the impression, they really enjoyed working together. Douglas is at his all-time funniest and most brilliant and really this is his film. Loy has perfect comedic timing but Douglas steals the movie. Absolutely wonderful film, that requires many viewings to bring smiles to my face!

Review for Tomorrow: And One Was Beautiful(A Re-Watch!)

365 Movies: The Killers Review

.

The Killers stars Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, and Edmond O' Brien in this 1946 film. The film is about ex-boxer Swede Anderson(Lancaster) who is found murdered but the reason into why, he was killed is unknown. Insurance man Jim Reardon(O'Brien) gets himself involved in the mess in hopes of bringing the puzzle pieces together. I really thought this movie was more Edmond's than Burt's or Ava's. He was in the film far more than either of them and honestly he was the star of the film. I found this film to be dragging a lot and it didn't catch my fancy. I liked the plot of the story but it seemed to take too long to getting to the point. Even though, she appears on the cover of the movie poster, Ava's not in it much. I don't understand why, they couldn't have put her in more scenes but she was really wonderful. In my opinion, it was a so-so film noir but the cast is to die for. Maybe.... I'll try watching this film when my mind isn't so distracted!

Review for Tomorrow: Third Finger, Left Hand

365 Movies: I Am A Fugitive from A Chain Gang Review

I Am A Fugitive From a Chain Gang stars Paul Muni, Glenda Farrell, and Helen Vinson in this 1932 film. The film is about James Allen(Muni) who returns from fighting during World War 1, when his life is turned upside down. James is looking for a new beginning and tries to get himself a new job, without much luck. In dire need of food, James meets another man, who tells him about a diner, that will give them free food. Not realizing what is to happen, James follows along with the man, only to have his life turn into hell. James' simple life is no longer and he is thrown into a life of misery- a chain gang. James witnesses torture being done to other prisoners and it completely alters him as a human being. This is a very disturbing film to watch but at the same time, it's worth it. It's traumatizing to watch, what happened in these chain gangs. This was my first Paul Muni and I was not at all disappointed. He showed the strength and terror, this character would have been. I'm quite looking forward to seeing more of his movies in the near future. I would definitely recommend this, to any classic film because this film shows you just what great films, came out of Warner Bros and the talent of that time.

Review for Tomorrow: The Killers

365 Movies: Rebel Without A Cause Review

Rebel Without A Cause stars James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo in this 1955 drama, directed by Nicholas Ray. A group of misfits find a common ground, when they all feel they don't fit in. James Dean plays Jim Stark, a young kid looking for peace but with his parents constantly arguing, he can't seem to find the happiness, he's looking for. Natalie Wood plays Judy, a girl who tries to find acceptance from her disapproval father and Sal Mineo plays Plato, a young boy who feels he has no companionship in his life until he meets Jim. This movie was made for James Dean and honestly, I don't believe anyone... and I mean anyone could have played that role. He not only embodied the role of Jim Stark but he made the audience believe, that's who he really was. He is just so remarkably talented, it's such a shame that we didn't get to see more of his versatility during his short life. Though, there was some short moments of humor in the film, I really feel you could see that James could not only handle dramatic roles but comedic roles as well. For instance, in the beginning of the film, when Jim Stark is in the police station, he has some very funny moments, like when he starts mimicking the sound of the sirens. Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo play good supporting roles to James' Jim.

Review for Tomorrow: I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

365 Movies: The Brothers Warner Review

The Brothers Warner is a 2008 documentary, directed by Cass Warner(Harry's Granddaughter). The documentary gives us a history into how the studio rose and because of differences between the brothers, how it tumbled. It was thoroughly interesting to watch and it was definitely intriguing to see, how it all began. I know it's kind of silly to have a favorite studio, but Warner Bros has been my favorite, for such a long time. They gave the audience a realistic look into life, unlike many other studios at that time. I am someone, who is not only fascinated by the actors and actresses of Old Hollywood but also the power houses behind the studios. Without those people, those movies we deeply cherish today wouldn't be. A great documentary that gives you a look into the studio, when it was at its best.

Review for Tomorrow: Rebel Without A Cause(A Re-Watch!)

365 Movies: An American Tragedy Review

An American Tragedy stars Phillips Holmes, Sylvia Sidney, and Frances Dee in this 1931 film. The film is the original "A Place in the Sun"(1951) but with some changes to it. In the 1951 version, the film begins with a mystery surrounding George Eastman, while in the 1931 version, you find out, why he left town and you get a glimpse into how he starts into his Uncle's business. Just like in the '51 version, Clyde Griffiths(Holmes) goes to his Uncle for employment, where through that, he meets two women. A shy lower class girl named Roberta Alden(Sidney) who loves him unconditionally, even though he loves Sondra Finchley, a socialite(Dee). Complications arise, when Roberta discovers she's pregnant and wants to be married to Clyde as soon as possible but Clyde doesn't want to be tied down to her. He loves Sondra but he wants Roberta out of his life. The 1951 version is far superior to this version! Although I thought Phillips was pretty good in the movie, I much more prefer watching Montgomery Clift as the character. He embodies the character moreso than Holmes. The film is good but can be awfully slow and it doesn't have the same anticipation that the 51' version had. I honestly thought Frances Dee as the socialite was a little strange, as well as Sylvia Sidney as the homely girl. Sure, Sylvia can play shy and sweet, but I didn't really think the role fit her well in this movie.

Review for Tomorrow: The Brothers Warner

365 Movies: Street Scene Review

Street Scene stars Sylvia Sidney, William Collier Jr, and Estelle Taylor in this 1931 film, directed by King Vidor. The film is about a group of neighbors, who gossip and chat about everyone and never seem to mind their own business. They are extremely nosy people and won't attend to their own business unless they know everyone else's. Sylvia Sidney plays Rose Maurrant, a young girl, who tries to protect her Mother from the neighbors but she can only do so much. Her Mother played by Estelle Taylor tries to live her life as normal as possible but with neighbors constantly picking on her and her alcoholic husband, the only comfort she finds is from another man. Rose finds her comfort and happiness from another neighbor, Sam Kaplan(Collier Jr), who doesn't involve himself in the silly going ons. Nothing really happens in the film until the last twenty minutes. It's quite slow until that moment. It's just a bunch of catty people, who can't seemed to mind their own business and tend to their lives. I found Matt McHugh(Frank's brother) to be quite a slime ball but he played it well. William Collier seemed a little off with his acting and his performance wasn't all too great. Even though a short movie, this movie felt like it was lot longer. I enjoyed watching the performances of Estelle and Sylvia greatly, but the storyline dragged so much.

Review for Tomorrow: An American Tragedy(This will conclude my Sylvia Sidney kick!)