monsterlover58 Reviews

Charlie Chan in Egypt (1935)

another good entry

[6/10 · 25 January 2004]

Charlie Chan In Egypt is an entry that stands out for a few reasons.. It features very young Rita Hayworth {billed as Rita Cansino} It also has what probably would be a somewhat "racist" performance by Stepin Fetchit. Fetchit's character "Snowshoes" literally seems like he's on heroin throughout the film, yet is a pleasant source of "comedy relief" such as was Mantan Moreland in the later Monogram entrys..The story has a sort of horror flavor to it {Ala The Mummy} with an old egyptian tomb, death gas, lots of old relics, and all the trimmings that make for a great old "pyramid mystery".

Far from my favorite entry, It's still pretty darn good. Unfortunatly It's never been made commercially availible..so unless Fox decides to liscense It out for dvd distribution You'll have a somewhat hard time obtaining a copy..but if you can It's worth a watch!!

Charlie Chan in Paris (1935)

first appearance of "Lee Chan"

[8/10 · 9 January 2004]

This entry in the Charlie Chan series has a great deal of signifigance due to the fact that it is the first entry to "feature" one of Charlies kids as a major part of the story. Set in Paris, Charlie is on the hunt for bank note forgers. He has an ally, a young dancer named Nardi. As he is about to make his first contact with her at the nightclub where she works,she is stabbed by a mysterious man just as she has completed her act. As the story moves along Charlie becomes suspicious of a particular artist who is involved in a small group of people that Charlie has befriended. Charlie also has to help another young lady in the same group who has been wrongly accused of murder As these multiple storylines weave together this becomes a really good mystery tale that leaves you guessing right up to It,s conclusion. Thought to be a "lost film" for almost 35 years,this is an excellent entry in the series and is commercially availible...So if you like a really good mystery...pick this up and enjoy!

Charlie Chan in London (1934)

another really good mystery

[7/10 · 7 January 2004]

Charlie Chan In London Is the second oldest surviving film with Warner Oland in the role and is very entertaining. The story moves along at a pretty fast pace for this era in films. A young man is accused,and convicted of murder. He,s only days from execution when by chance his sister{portrayed by Drue Leyton} encounters Chan and convinces him to try and clear her brother. Charlie then begins a brisk investigation into the crime,which brings him to a country estate..there he is faced with the harrowing task of trying to

identify the real killer. With only about 48 hours to complete his investigation, Charlie moves quickly and eliminates several suspects... As he brings the case to a close..It is very surprising to find out the identity of the actual murderer..This is a film well worth

watching if you can get a copy..It,s never been released commercially. Also appearing in this entry are Alan Mowbray and Ray Milland, both give excellent performances...also included in the cast is E.E.Clive another great character actor of this era.

The Black Camel (1931)

an excellent entry.

[6/10 · 6 January 2004]

As an avid Charlie Chan film buff..i,ve managed over the years to

obtain all of the "feature films"..The Black Camel is the earliest of all of the surviving films with Warner Oland portraying the great oriental slueth. This particular film was shot on location in Honolulu and is very entertaining..It also features Bela Lugosi as the fortune teller..Tarneverro..A fast moving story and a great cast of characters make this a "must have" for classic film buffs!

The Smiling Ghost (1941)

A Nice Gem From Warner Bros.

[8/10 · 4 January 2004]

This is one of those films you dont hear alot about...but that said this is one GREAT! little film...Wayne Morris absolutely shines as the comic hero "Lucky Downing" and Willie Best give his usual excellent performance as Luckys Valet Clarence...It,s all about an heiress whos lost a few beau,s to shall we say "misfortune" Lucky answers an ad in the paper by the young ladys Grandmother.. Soon he and Clarence are enveloped in a mystery set in an old spooky mansion..with a cast of family characters who are all kooky or sinister in some fashion....Not a film that takes itself seriously, this is one of those comedy-horror gems that you can really enjoy on a dark night or a rainy day....definitely give this an 8******** on a 10 scale..try it you wont be dissapointed.

The Giant Gila Monster (1959)

always had a soft spot fot this film

[7/10 · 27 December 2003]

I cant say this is one of the "great" sci-fi films of the 50,s It barely classifies as a "B" picture but I,ve always enjoyed this movie. Geez...you got hot rods,crazy teens,crazy adults,{boozehounds} and a giant creature stalking victims in the Florida swamplands..so whats not to love? This is one of those really hoakey plots with

sub-standard acting..but somehow the film comes off pretty good... Its got some good comedy scenes interjected as well as unintentional laughs...Originally double billed with "The Killer Shrews" this was definitly aimed at a teen audience and released to the drive-in circuit...So grab some popcorn,a coke,your favorite gal..check this one out for laffs and to see what hot rodders were doin in 59.... Its not a GREAT film..but it is GREAT fun....

Them! (1954)

the greatest of all atomic age sci-fi!

[10/10 · 27 December 2003]

If you are a fan of atomic age sci-fi, this is the absolute best film you,ll ever see. Fueled by an excellent cast and very interesting plot line THEM is one of those rare sci-fi,s of the 50,s that is not only entertaining, but is also shocking in its portrayal of what could happen due to mans abuse of nuclear energy...I,ve viewed this movie countless times and it has never failed to leave me without the message "What If" The film moves at a steady pace with the police searching the desert for a missing child that had been spotted..shortly after finding her the searchers encounter a mobile home that has been torn apart, but strangely from "the inside out". After finding out that one of the victims works for the FBI,they are called in as well to investigate.. they,re investigation leads them deep into the desert,where they discover a huge ant mound,they must then venture inside to try to

destroy any "queen" ants that may exist there. Unfortunaly they find that the queen ants have escaped to lay more eggs...the tale then moves nationwide to search for more of these huge killers....fast forward to the miles of drainage pipes in L.A. where the ants are discovered to have established an "egg" colony.Our heros battle it out and after one of them sacrifices his life to save two young boys,the army breaks thru and kills off the remaining ants with flame throwers....This film is an absolute must see! If you never watch any other 50,s sci-fi film you must see THEM!

Hot Rods to Hell (1966)

I,ve always enjoyed this flick

[19 December 2003]

Hot Rods To Hell is one of those movies me and my buddies rode our Schwinn stingrays to the theatre to see on a saturday afternoon... Of course we all got thrown out before the film was over for getting too loud or dumping popcorn from the balcony! However over the years I,ve seen it several times on television and I have to appreciate the really campy style in which it portrays the "wild youth" of the latter 60,s....If you,re lookin for good acting and plot "forget this movie" But if you want to see a movie for sheer brainless fun...this is it!!! I absolutly love this movie.....

Voodoo Man (1944)

An enjoyable little effort from monogram

[6/10 · 19 December 2003]

I found this film to be an enjoyable little effort from monogram I really liked the pairing of Lugosi and Zucco as the villians and also having John Carradine as an evil assistant....pretty much the standard fare you,ll get from most all Monogram films of this genre..but if you enjoy a simple little horror film like I do,this is a great one for a rainy day or a dark night...