Episodes
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Episode 230 - The Blues Brothers
“The Blues Brothers” 1980 is packed with music and lots of law enforcement car chases. Then add in “Joliet” Jake and Elwood on “a mission from God” to save the orphanage, plus attacks on Jake’s life by a mysterious woman left waiting at the altar, pursuit by the angry country western band, and...
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Episode 229 - Only Angels Have Wings
“Only Angels Have Wings” 1939 takes place in the fictional South American town of Barranca. There is danger, romance, and drama surrounding Barranca Airways a struggling business with fatalistic pilots, money worries, unpredictable weather, few planes, and difficult human relationships. Director...
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Episode 228 - Bicycle Thieves
“Bicycle Thieves” also known as “Bicycle Thief” 1948 is an Italian drama that presents a Rome family struggling with unemployment, poverty, and the aftermath of World War II. Director Vittorio De Sica captures this subsistence life with exceptional use of black and white cinematography…
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Episode 227 - Double Feature: Time After Time & Somewhere In Time
Our podcast covers time travel movies. “Time After Time” 1979 from Director Nicholas Meyer transports us to H.G. Wells and his search for Doctor John Leslie Stevenson known as Jack-the-Ripper. Malcolm McDowell is H.G. Wells, Mary Steenburgen plays Amy Robbins who assists Wells, with…
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Episode 226 - Sextette
“Sextette” 1978 is Mae West’s last film and showcases her talents and one liners. The movie is a wedding day mash-up of oddball characters, funny situations, antics of ex-husbands, an international peace conference, musical numbers, and a potpourri of stars. Director Ken Hughes created this big...
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Episode 225 - Blood On The Moon
We incorrectly said Robert Wise never directed a western. Mr. Wise directed these westerns - “Two Flags West” 1950, “Tribute to a Bad Man” 1956, and “Blood on the Moon” 1948. We apologize for our oversight. The creativity of Mr. Wise is seen throughout “Blood on the Moon”. Robert Mitchum as Jim...
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Episode 224 - The Lion
“The Lion” 1962 is a family/adventure film set on an animal preserve in Kenya. Director Jack Cardiff relies on excellent movie making skills to fill the screen with beautiful scenes of Africa and wildlife. Mr. Cardiff‘s experience includes Cinematographer for films such as “Black Narcissus” 1947...
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Episode 223 - Mogambo
“Mogambo” 1953 is a romance-adventure film set in Africa. Thank you to Patreon listener Arthur who recommended we include the movie in a podcast. Director John Ford built the film around African locations and music from African tribes. The film has many elements found in the 1932 movie “Red…
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Episode 222 - The Fog
“The Fog” 1980 is a horror-drama set in the California coastal town of Antonio Bay. Director John Carpenter co-wrote the screenplay and created the music for this exciting story. A luminous, eerie fog rolls into town bringing with it the ghosts from 100 years ago seeking revenge for their brutal...
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Episode 221 - Cry, the Beloved Country
“Cry, the Beloved Country” 1951 is based on Alan Paton’s 1948 novel depicting several aspects of Apartheid in South Africa. Director Zoltan Korda persevered to make this film with intertwined stories of race relations, poverty, beliefs of diverse people, murder, a trial, status quo, yet a glimmer...
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Episode 220 - King Solomon's Mines
“King Solomon’s Mines” 1951 is the second film version depicting the danger and romance facing a group as they search for a missing husband and lost treasure in Africa in 1897. A 1937 movie was first to depict the story. For the 1951 film Directors Compton Bennett and Andrew Marton built the…
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Episode 219 - Bombshell
Thank you to one of our Patreon members for recommending “Bombshell” 1933 for this podcast. Director Victor Fleming has created a fast-paced comedy. Among Mr. Fleming’s many successes are “The Wizard of Oz” 1939 (Episode 144) and “Gone with the Wind” 1939. The talented Jean Harlow plays Lola…
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Episode 218 - Les Diaboliques
In “Les Diaboliques”, translated The Devils, Director Henri-Georges Clouzot gives us a prize winning eerie drama that is one of the best in the genre. As the story unfolds both the mistress and the wife of a mean and controlling husband work together to accomplish his murder. The movie takes...
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Episode 217 - The 39 Steps
“The 39 Steps” 1935 is a spy movie with action taking place in the United Kingdom. Director Alfred Hitchcock packs the film with elements such as an innocent man on the run, a Hitchcock cameo, and the “MacGuffin” plot device important to the drama. These and other elements often appear in current...
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Episode 216 - Abbott And Costello - Buck Privates & Keep Em’ Flying
The comedy duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello fit the bill with their 1941 movies “Buck Privates” and “Keep ‘Em Flying”. With wars raging in Asia and Europe, there were several films in 1940 and 1941 aimed at building support for a United States military buildup.
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Episode 215 - Secret of the Incas & Raiders of the Lost Ark
“Secret of the Incas” 1954 an adventure film that influences“Indiana Jonas and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” 1981. In “Secret of the Incas” Charlton Heston as Harry Steele has a hat, coat, and other things similar to those of Indiana Jones played by Harrison Ford in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”....
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Episode 214 - The Sound Of Music
“The Sound of Music” 1965 is a musical and drama film andamong our favorite movies. The creative talent of Director Robert Wise beautifully captures the von Trapp family story. We have reviewed many films directed by Mr. Wise including “The Andromeda Strain” 1971 (Episode 38), “Run Silent Run…
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Episode 213 - Seven Brides For Seven Brothers
”Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” 1954 is set in 1850 and brings together wonderful Western themed musical and dance numbers and the horrible kidnapping of six women. Stanley Donen was Co-Director of “On the Town” 1948 (Episode 2) and “Singing in the Rain” 1952 (Episode 20), but as Director of…
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Episode 212 - Paint Your Wagon
“Paint Your Wagon” 1969 is a western – musical film. Director Joshua Logan faced multiple challenges including remote locations, cast members with differing ideas and styles, a ballooning budget, and studio anxieties. Mr. Logan needed his director experiences from films such as “South Pacific”…
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Episode 211 - Calamity Jane
“Calamity Jane” 1953 is a fanciful western, musical, and comedy involving the lives of Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickok and many others in and around Deadwood, Dakota Territory. Director David Butler corrals together quite a group of characters for this light-hearted romp through the make-believe...
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Episode 210 - Hondo
"Hondo" 1953 is a 3D western directed by John Farrow with John Ford directing the final scenes because Mr. Farrow had to leave to complete another film. The movie was shown in 3D, but many smaller theaters showed it in the traditional format. The story takes place in 1870 when the Army…
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Episode 209 - The Spiral Staircase
Robert Siodmak had a long career making films in Germany during the Weimar Republic (1919-1933) before fleeing to France in 1933. He then left for the United States in 1940 when France fell to Germany. "The Spiral Staircase" 1946 is a showcase of his talents in directing this gothic horror tale…
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Episode 208 - Paths Of Glory
"Paths of Glory" 1957 is a World War I drama that somewhat reflects the Souain Corporals affair a true story of four French soldiers executed in 1915 for failure to follow orders. The soldiers were exonerated posthumously in 1934. Director Stanley Kubrick shows the nightmarish horror of trench...
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Episode 207 - Crossfire
"Crossfire" 1947 deals with anti-Semitism and murder. Director Edward Dmytryk creates a masterful movie taking us to a place where hatred, fear, and ignorance culminate in the senseless beating death of Joseph Samuels a decorated veteran played by Sam Levene. The film is based on Richard Brooks's...
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Episode 206 - Touch Of Evil
"Touch of Evil" 1958 and 1998 Director's cut is based on the 1956 novel Badge of Evil. Orson Welles directed the movie, rewrote parts of the script, and played Hank Quinlan the corrupt and double-crossing Police Captain from Los Robles a U.S. border town. Car bomb deaths, drug smuggling, racial...
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Episode 205 - Moonraker
”Moonraker" 1979 is the fourth film in our James Bond series. Director Lewis Gilbert combines themes in the movie. There is wealthy Hugo Drax whose monstrous plan involves multiple space shuttles and poison to dominate the world, a science fiction space adventure, comedic one liners, super hero...
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Episode 204 - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
The sixth James Bond film takes center stage with "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" from 1969. Long time industry veteran Peter R. Hunt makes his Director debut for this film. Mr. Hunt's quick film cutting accentuates the action. This may be the Bond film that most closely follows the novel's...
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Episode 203 - From Russia With Love
Terence Young returns to helm "From Russia with Love" 1963. Mr. Young's direction keeps the swagger in James Bond as it was initially captured in "Dr. No". Istanbul, Turkey, is the scene for much of the spy drama as James Bond and MI6 battle the Soviet Union's SMERSH (an actual…
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Episode 202 - Dr. No
Arthur Sculco joins us for the podcast discussion of "Dr. No" 1962. Arthur is a Patreon subscriber and an avid watcher of classic movies. Thank you Arthur for joining us! Our visit ranges from a review of "Dr. No" to an overview of the James Bond franchise and thoughts about other films. Terence...
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Episode 201 - Jules and Jim
"Jules and Jim" 1962 is the French film of a romantic love triangle set before, during and after World War I. Director Francois Truffaut also co-wrote and produced the film. The basis for the movie is Henri-Pierre Roché's 1953 book about his and another man's love and involvement with a...
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Episode 200 - Star Wars - Part 2
The George Lukas film was instrumental in launching the era of the movie blockbuster. The musical score by John Williams and the production values perfectly match the film's story. The memorable cast is highlighted by Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Darth Vader (David...
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Episode 200 - Star Wars - Part 1
"Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" 1977 is our podcast episode 200. We pay tribute to the movie genius of George Lucas who created the magnificent science fiction space adventures of the Star Wars films. His films changed the movie entertainment business. Mr. Lucas spent years building the…
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Episode 199 - Elevator to the Gallows
Happy May the 4th! Head over to Patreon at patreon.com/classicmoviereviews and check out our two-part review of “Star Wars” available early for Patrons. We also have special bonus content and behind the scenes videos available for Patrons. Check it out and help support the show! May the 4th be…
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Episode 198 - The Mark Of Zorro
"The Mark of Zorro" is a 1940 film based on The Curse of Capistrano written in 1919 by Johnston McCulley. This film is the wrap-up in our tribute to Basil Rathbone. The film follows on the success of the 1920 silent movie "The Mark of Zorro" starring Douglas Fairbanks. Rouben Mamoulian directed…
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Episode 197 - Son Of Frankenstein
We continue our salute to Basil Rathbone with "Son of Frankenstein" from 1939. In this adventure Mr. Rathbone is Baron Wolf von Frankenstein who travels to the family ancestral castle. His mission is to redeem his father's reputation. Joining the Baron is his wife Baroness Elsaplayed by Josephine...
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Episode 196 - The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" 1939 is the second and last of the Sherlock Holmes films from 20th Century Fox. However, good news for us Holmes fans because Universal Studios produced another twelve Holmes films from 1942 through 1946. In this adventure Holmes played by Basil Rathbone and...
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Episode 195 - Hound Of The Baskervilles
The Hound of the Baskervilles" 1939 is the first of two movies made by 20th Century-Fox as part of the fourteen Sherlock Holmes films released from 1939 through 1946. Universal Studios produced the remaining twelve films. Basil Rathbone plays Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce is Dr. Watson in all...
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Episode 194 - Lady From Chungking
"Lady from Chungking" 1942 made at the height of World War II provides a star level role for Anna May Wong as Kwan Mei. Director William Nigh has ample experience putting together small budget movies. The film centers on Kwan Mei the leader of an underground group of farmers and villagers…
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Episode 193 - Shanghai Express
"Shanghai Express" 1932 brings us the drama and danger facing several travelers on the train from Peking to Shanghai during the civil war in China. Director Josef von Sternberg builds an engaging film that has solid production values and the look of a more recent adventure movie. Our featured…
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Episode 192 - Toll Of The Sea
"The Toll of the Sea" from 1922 is the first lead role for Anna May Wong who was 17 and the second feature movie to use Technicolor film. Director Chester M. Franklin presents the tragic love of Lotus Flower played by Ms. Wong for Allen Carver an American played by Kenneth Harlan. Because of…
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Episode 191 - To Be Or Not To Be
Masterfully directed by Ernst Lubitsch, "To Be Or Not To Be" successfully rides a fine line between satire, comedy, drama, romance and action. The script, written by Melchior Lengyel and Edwin Justus Mayer is one of the best in all of film. It stars Carole Lombard, Jack Benny, Robert Stack, Felix...
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Episode 190 - Some Like It Hot
Jimmy Kustes joins us for our discussion of "Some Like It Hot" 1959. In an earlier podcast Jimmy discussed his 2019 film "Body Swap" available on vimeo.com/on-demand. In "Some Like It Hot" Director Billy Wilder creates a romantic - dramatic comedy involving two men who play in a jazz band and...
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Episode 189 - Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
"Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" 1948 is a delightful comedy based on Eric Hodgins's 1946 book of the same name. Cary Grant as James Blandings and Myrna Loy as Muriel Blandings team up following their worktogether in "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer“ 1947. Director H.C. Potter crafts this...
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Episode 188 - Holiday Affair
"Holiday Affair" 1949 is an enjoyable film for the holiday season. There is excellent writing by Isobel Lennart, believable characters, solid production values and first-rate direction by Don Hartman. Actually these elements combine to make this a movie worth watching any time of the year. Among...
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Episode 187 - The War Of The Worlds
Thank you to Arthur Sculco for his selection of "The War of the Worlds" 1953 as well as three other films we recently reviewed "Soylent Green", "2001 A Space Odyssey" and "The Time Machine". Director Byron Haskin and Producer George Pal adapted the 1898 H.G. Welles novel to create an exciting and...
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Episode 186 - The Time Machine
Based on H.G. Wells' story, "The Time Machine" from 1960 is a first rate science fiction movie. Director George Pal is a master of creating films that nourish the imagination. Arnold Leibovit's documentary The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal captures the innovative talent of the Academy Award...
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Episode 185 - 2001: A Space Odyssey
Director Stanley Kubrick created the masterpiece film "2001: A Space Odyssey" 1968. Among the influences for the film are Arthur C. Clarke's "The Sentinel" 1951, "Universe" 1960 the documentary from the National Film Board of Canada and the 1964 New York World's Fair movie "To the Moon and…
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Episode 184 - Body Swap - Special Episode
"Body Swap" is a romantic comedy about a woman and man whose bodies are switched by accident with a defective office paper shredder. Ouch!!! This is a funny and engaging film. Tim Morton is the Director of this professionally produced film featuring excellent performances by Ella Jordan as CJ,...
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Episode 183 - Soylent Green
"Soylent Green" 1973 is an intense film depicting a grim and dangerous world of the future. The movie has multiple levels of drama and intrigue including murder, famine, overpopulation and authoritarian rule over people. Director Richard Fleischer creates a vision of despair as oceans die and the...
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Episode 182 - El Vampiro
"El vampiro" (The Vampire) from 1957 is an engrossing version of the vampire story. Director Fernando Mendez had a successful career with more than thirty films in the movie industry of Mexico. Mr. Mendez and Producer Abel Salazar created this entertaining movie. The story centers on Marta played...