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Friday, September 29, 2023

IN THE LAND OF FRANCO 2020 (TUBI)

Interesting documentary.

This is a look at many of the film locations from many of Jess Franco's films.

Your host is Stephen Thrower and it was very nice to see a lot of these old castles and such still standing in Portugal. I did think this ran a little long at 97 minutes, but it does cover a lot of ground.

This is a very short review, but I think every Franco fan will want to see this. Cool stuff.

Thursday, September 28, 2023

THE PLUNDERERS 1948 (TUBI)

Excellent and beautifully filmed western from Republic.

Rod Cameron stars as John Drum who is a government agent who is set up as a killer so he can infiltrate a gang of horse thieves led by Whit Lacey (Forrest Tucker).

Drum meets two gorgeous saloon women, Julie Ann McCabe (Lorna Gray) and Lin Conner (Illona Massey). Drum meets Lacey thru Julie and he and Whit become uneasy partners.

In the meantime Julie tries to get back with Whit whom she loves and Drum is very interested in Lin. The tension builds between the two men until Whit discocovers the truth.

However, Whit and Drum join forces as the fort they are at is attacked by Indians and everyone must fight together in order to try and survive. Forrest Tucker does an excellent job as Whit, a thief who has some standards and is loyale to his beliefs.

The film is gorgeous in TruColor which really stands out. I did find it odd for Illona Massey to be in a republic western as it seems that she really doesn't fit, but somehow it all works.

I had a great time watching this fun film and Joe Kanes' direction is spot on. I found this on TUBI and was thrilled I found another film with the gorgeous Lorna Gray. I'd watch her in anything.

The rest of the cast includes George Cleveland, Grant Withers, Russell Hicks and Hank Bell. Western fans won't be disappointed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Brigitte Bardot is 89, and Dita Von Teese is 51.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

LOST CITY OF THE JUNGLE 1946 (TUBI)

A well made 13 chapter serial from Universal.

This story revolves around a new element that is a defense against the atomic bomb. Warmomngers, headed by Sir Eric Hazarias (Lionel Atwill) are determined to get it at any cost.

It is hidden in a lost city near Pendrang in the Himalayian mountains. Government agent Rod Stanton (Russell Hayden) is put on the case to stop Sir Eric and keep world peace. Tal Shan (Keye Luke) is his assistant as well as Marjorie Elmore (Jane Adams).

The entire presentation is very entertaining, and much different from the Republic serials of the time. There are lots of gunfights and fist fights, but nothing to the extreme of Republic.

This was Atwill's last role as he died during production. The rest of the cast includes Helen Bennett, John Eldridge, John Mylong, Arthur Space, Gene Roth and George Lynn.

If you like serials I know you'll like this, but as I saiud, Universal made them a little different than Republic, however both styles are very good and you'll be entertaind for over 4 hours with this one.

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

RIP DAVID MCCALLUM 1933-2023

Illya Kuryakin has passed away.

David McCallum began his long career in 1953 and never looked back.

I know he spent many years on the show "NCIS", but I have never watched any of that. I remember him from such great TV shows as "The Man From U.N.C.L.E. as secret agent Illya Kuryakin and from numerous other shows as well.

He starred as Dr. Henri Clerval in the 1973 TV movie entitled "Frankenstein: The True Story" as well as episodes of "The Outer Limits" and "Night Gallery".

He was also a standout in the movie "Sol Madrid". McCallum passed away on September 25th, 2023...just six days after he turned 90.

DEMENTED DEATHFARM MASSACRE 1971 (TUBI)

I still don't know what to make of this film.

This was originally entitled "Honey Britches" and then Fred Olen Ray bought the film and shot some scenes with John Carradine, retitled the film and sold it to Troma for a great deal of money.

The new titles makes it sound like just another 80's slasher film, but it really isn't like that at all. Four jewel theives run into car problems deep in a Florida swamp and attempt to seek shelter.

The find an old run down shack inhabited by Horlan Craven (George Ellis) and his very sexy wife Reba (Ashley Brooks). As you would expect, murder, violence and sordid sexual shenanigans take place.

The women in this film I found attractive and that is it's only saving grace...well maybe not it's only one. I like Ellis and find that he fits those kinds of roles perfectly.

There are a couple of bloody deaths, but they are mild compared to the later films of the 80's. I can't knock this too much as it does show some effort from director Donn Davison and I know he was working on a very low budget.

It held my attention for it's runtime and I have seen much worse films in my day. You might want to check it out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Lysette Anthony is 60, Christina Milian is 42, Martine Beswick is 82, and Victoria Vetri is 79.

Monday, September 25, 2023

TIMETABLE 1956 (TUBI)

A great film noir with plenty of twists.

Mark Stevens stars as Charlie Norman one hale of a detective team investigating a payroll robbery from a speeding train.

His partner Joe Armstrong (King Calder) suspects several people and both men find that the crime is an almost perfect one as they re always one step behind the crooks.

The viewer is lead down many different paths until the great twist where we find out that Charlie is the mastermind behind the theft and almost pulled off a perfect heist.

Things begin to unravel very quickly and soon Charlie finds himself on the run from the law and Joe. It all comes down to a great climax and gunfight.

Mark Stevens also directed this gem and it was the one and only film released by his peoduction company. The cast is top notch and also includes Felicia Farr, Wesley Addy, Marianne Stewart, Jack Klugman and John Marley.

I had never heard of this film until it appeared on TUBI and I can easily recommend this for any film noir fan.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Michael Madsen is 66, and Heather Locklear is 62.

Sunday, September 24, 2023

CRUEL JAWS 1995 (FREEVEE)

Bruno Mattei directed this blatent Jaws rip off that actually did have a few entertaining moments.

This film actually lifts footage from Jaws as well as Jaws 2, Jaws 3 and Deep Blood. It's a simple story about a huge shark terrorizing a beach in Florida, but just the way this is presented makes it ok in my book. I can't explain that comment so I'm not gonna try.

The best line in the movie comes when a character says "We're gonna need a bigger Helicopter!!"

I'm a huge euro-trash fan and so I can't really say anything bad about the film except some of the acting is a bit off, but hey, what do you expect. The shark seems to be even larger than the one in Jaws and there are some cool scenes of it as it eats it's victims.

I loved the scene when it raised it's head out of the water and was in the process of eating a diver. Classic stuff her I'm telling you. This is a gem for schlock fans and I have to say I would recommend it for anyone.

The cast is made up of unknowns from Florida and I guess that adds a more real feel to the film. Can you believe I just said that? Oh well, if you want check it out...I bet you'll enjoy it too.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

April Hunter is 50.

Saturday, September 23, 2023

THE MAN INSIDE 1958 (TUBI)

A very interesting British crime film.

Sam Carter (Nigel Patrick) is a bookkeeper who steals a priceless jewel and kills a man while doing so. He then leaves the country and starts living a very lavish life.

Enter US detective Milo March (Jack Palance) who starts trailing him and discovers that there may be way more to the case than just the theft of a jewel.

March runs into a beautiful woman named Trudie Hall (Anita Ekberg) and finds that she is also involved somehow in this very complicated mess. There are a lot of twists and turns in this film and director John Gilling handles it all very well.

Ekberg is simply stunning as usual and the rest of the cast includes Anthony Newley, Bonar Colleano, Sidney James, Donald Pleasence, and Angela White.

This has been a hard to see film over the years and I was glad to see it finally maed available for people to watch. If you like film noir and crime movies I would suggest you watch this.

The cast is offbeat and so is the film, which is what gives it it's charm. The ending is something to see.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Maren Jensen is 67, and Paul Petersen is 78.

Friday, September 22, 2023

FANTASTICOZZI 2016 (TUBI)

A documentary on the life of director Luigi Cozzi and his love of science fiction.

Some great stuff here as we learn how Cozzi grew up obsessed with science fiction and fantasy and how he always wanted to make those kinds of films in Italy.

Cozzi has directed films such as "Starcrash", "Contamination", "Devil Fish" and many more. The viewer gets a lot of film clips from his movies and you can see just how entertaining they are.

I think of the most interesting things was his importing Godzilla into Italy and then shooting new scenes for it!! Yep, that's one I'd like to take a look at.

You can tell Cozzi relly likes making movies and at 75 he hasn't stopped yet. Italian cinema fans will really want to check this one out. The man is very unique and animated when talking about movies.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Catherine Oxenberg is 62, Asa Maynor is 87, and Debby Boone is 67.