jayjerry Reviews

Girls in Chains (1943)

Ulmer and HUAC

[25 June 2007]

I don't normally post for films I haven't seen, but the comment here from 1999 caught my eye. It mentions that director Edgar G. Ulmer snitched to HUAC. I had never heard this before, nor could I find any confirmation of it. I assume the poster confused Ulmer with one of his contemporaries, Edward Dmytryk, one of the Hollywood Ten who did indeed cooperate with the committee. At any rate, 8 years is long enough for that comment to go unchallenged. I'd hate to think that Ulmer's reputation could be tarnished by this apparent error, especially among viewers of these posts who may have no other knowledge of the man or his career.

Combat!: No Trumpets, No Drums (1963) Season 1, Episode 32

Great episode

[7 April 2007]

"No Trumpets, No Drums" is an involving story in which Caje (Pierre Jalbert) accidentally kills a French villager. Being of French descent himself, he's overwhelmed by feelings of guilt and grief. When he learns the villager left behind a young daughter, Caje takes her under his wing and develops a bond with her. Their scenes together are heart-wrenching. Jalbert is superb (and he looks rather a lot like Bruce Springsteen!), and Vic Morrow matches him as the voice of reason, Sgt. Saunders. Richard Donner does a fine job at the helm, with some impressive staging and camera movement. I haven't seen too many episodes of the series, but surely this ranks among the best. If not, I can't wait to see the best!

Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)

My All-Time Favorite

[10/10 · 2 February 2007]

It's my favorite movie. I love it beyond all reason. I have it on VHS (need DVD NOW!) as well as a still reproduction of Charles Laughton in the title role. I named one of my cats Ruggles. In other words, my recommendation is high! That said, I don't want to oversell it. While it contains some admirable themes about throwing off tradition and becoming your own person, it's above all a charming character comedy distinguished by Leo McCarey's signature style of improvisatory naturalism (particularly in comparison to the usual run of mainstream fare). Jean Renoir's famous quote about McCarey being one of the few directors who understood human beings (or words to that effect) is made clear here.

While there's plenty of broad humor, my favorite scenes involve smaller, character-centered moments, such as the sly little courtship scene in which a piano-playing Leila Hyams coaches a smitten Roland Young as he attempts to accompany her on drums.

It's full of colorful characters, priceless dialogue and emotionally involving story arcs. Seek it out -- if you like it one-tenth as much as I do, you'll consider your time well spent.

The Caretaker's Daughter (1925)

Two-reel perfection from an underrated silent clown.

[10/10 · 10 March 2001]

I just saw The Caretaker's Daughter at The Silent Movie Theater in L.A. before a screening of Harold Lloyd's Hot Water. As with so many of director Leo McCarey's two-reelers (including a number of Laurel and Hardy gems), this Charley Chase short is comic perfection. It starts out as a rather simple comedy of misunderstanding, then escalates to full-blown farce. McCarey's light touch is a perfect fit with Chase's everyman persona. Though laugh-out-loud hilarious, the story also makes room for moments of subtle humor. Chase isn't a daredevil physical comedian like his more famous contemporaries, but his priceless reactions and deft timing have definitely stood the test of time. If you can track down any of his work on video, by all means do so. If you're a fan of classic comedy, you won't be disappointed.