fshepinc Reviews

The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938)

Better Than Its Reviews Here

[8/10 · 25 February 2024]

The "Big Broadcast" films were Paramount's talent showcases -meant purely as escapist entertainment -giving audiences a chance to see and hear some of their favorite performers from radio. Mexican singer Tito Guizar might not be well-remembered today, but he was a name back in the 30s -as were the rest of the specialty acts and many of the regular cast.

Reading the reviews and trivia here it's shocking that so many factual errors abound. "Thanks For the Memory" was written for this film (not shoehorned in as some would have it). It was sung by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross -not Dorothy Lamour. Lamour sang "You Took the Words Right Out of My Heart." Both songs became standards, and the former won the Academy Award for Best Song! I could go on and on about all the other mistakes, but the point is you really can't trust some of these reviewers -especially those that say the film is unfunny, a waste of talent, or tuneless!

The script is witty and urbane. Fields was passing the peak of his career, so most of his bits were recycled material -but that's what audiences loved to see him do, and what they expected from this film! Bob Hope and Shirley Ross manage to bring some genuine emotion to the story as a divorced couple questioning whether their separation was really a good idea. The rest of the cast is solid, and deals well with the cliched plot of two ocean liners in a transatlantic race. Remember, this was a vehicle to give audiences a glimpse of some of their favorite radio performers, not Shakespeare.

With costumes by Edith Head and stylish scenic designs the film has a lot of visual impact. The main set, aboard the "SS Colossal" is an art deco dream that clearly foreshadowed designs for modern cruise ships with its domed observation lounge and sleek, aerodynamic lines.

This isn't Citizen Kane -nor was it meant to be. It's a solid piece of work, better than some others of its genre, and a great snapshot of America before the outbreak of the Second World War. It's well worth your time.

Lost in Space: Princess of Space (1968) Season 3, Episode 17

Angela As Ingrid Bergman

[3/10 · 19 August 2023]

The Lost In Space writers clearly watched the 1956 Ingrid Bergman film, Anastasia, before sitting down to write this way-out, silly episode. Despite the outer-space setting, the plot remains the same: a beautiful girl is coached by an unscrupulous military man to impersonate a lost princess, culminating in an interview with her only surviving near-relative to establish her identity.

Angela Cartwright assumes the Ingrid Bergman role as the alternately willing and unwilling princess-to-be, with guest star Robert Foulk in the Yul Brynner part. Neither actor, of course, is up to the famous roles thrust on them, but they play it for the laughs in the absurd script. Unfortunately the genuine laughs are few and far between. Instead we get pratfalls and a general air of silliness, and more than a little overacting.

This is not the worst episode of Lost In Space, but it's right up there (down there?) with some of the other silly episodes. I wonder if Ingrid ever saw it?

Protocol (1984)

"Americans don't do things like that! Do we?"

[8/10 · 25 July 2023]

On its release it was just a silly comedy. A look through the reviews here shows the film has its fans -and its haters. I've always been a fan, but I rewatched it tonight to see how it holds up in our chaotic political world of 2023. It has followed the trajectory of 1976's Network -from ridiculous satire to prescient cinema. Maybe I didn't laugh quite as much as when I first saw it, but so many lines jump out as a commentary on today's political world.

Hawn is, as always, a breath of fresh air and an absolute delight. The supporting cast are all excellent. Back in 1984 there were protests over the portrayal of the arab characters, but it earns back points for the way it treated the gay characters (non-stereotypically) as just ordinary people. Protocol also reveals itself to the a spiritual predecessor of films like Legally Blonde. This film is definitely worth a modern look.

This review was brought to you courtesy of Schmitters, for all your hardware needs.

Shower of Stars: A Christmas Carol (1954) Season 1, Episode 4

Much Better Than The Reviews Here

[7/10 · 25 December 2020]

This made-for-television version was necessarily quite short, with the story pared down even more by the inclusion of the songs by Maxwell Anderson and Bernard Herrmann. Herrmann's score is the real star here. Atmospheric and moody, the music really helps build the suspense in what is, essentially, a ghost story. It is sad that so many of the modern reviewers cannot appreciate its beauty and lyricism. It was hearing the score that made me track down the DVD. The production is fairly lavish for television in the early 1950s. If you're a fan of serious music and good, old-fashioned singing, check this version out.

The Play on One: Unexplained Laughter (1989) Season 2, Episode 10

You Have To Pay Attention

[8/10 · 28 June 2020]

Unexplained Laughter is an atmospheric piece. Very little plot or action. Diana Rigg plays Lydia, a London-based freelance writer whose boyfriend, Finn, has left her for another woman. Lydia and her friend Betty (Elaine Paige) go off to Wales to get away from it all. There, they become tangentially involved with a troubled girl and the various love affairs of the locals, while Lydia constantly hears laughter that no one around her hears.

The film offers intelligent and black-humored dialogue delivered by very fine actors. Diana Rigg would be clever and interesting reading a telephone directory. Her chemistry with co-star Elaine Paige is amazing. Their characters are so dissimilar that in less skilled hands you would question how or why they ever became friends. There is clearly a great mutual respect that anchors their relationship.

The film has largely been ignored or forgotten over the last thirty years, but now that it is available on DVD as part of the Diana Rigg At The BBC Collection it will likely gain some new fans. I confess my first viewing of an early VHS release left me rather cold. But subsequent viewings prove there is more here than I first thought -You have to pay attention if you want the rewards.

Beane's of Boston (1979 TV Movie)

Are You Free?

[1/10 · 15 May 2020]

Beane's of Boston's greatest feature is its ability to make you appreciate the actors on the original British series Are You Being Served? This pilot for a never-produced American version of the show was based on the "German Week" episode of the original, but captures none of the charm, and very little humor, of the original.

The American cast looked great on paper, but only John Hillerman showed any signs of living up to the role. He and Charlotte Rae had a glimmer of potential chemistry, but the writers gave them nothing to work with. The real problem, though, was replacing the department manager, Mr. Rumbold, with a nebbish nephew of the store's owner. The pilot framed him as the central character, but gave him no funny lines, personality, or even character traits. The pecking order of the original series was gone, leaving only stock characters working in a failing store. George O'Hanlon, Jr. may be a very talented guy, but in 1979 he was not up to being the central character of a sitcom.

The original British cast delivered their lines with perfect timing, letting the bombs drop as character observations. The American cast beat every punchline with a borscht-belt gusto and dropped them in with the subtlety of a thermonuclear device.

Young Sheldon: A Secret Letter and a Lowly Disc of Processed Meat (2020) Season 3, Episode 21

Season 4, Where Are You?

[10/10 · 9 May 2020]

This series just keeps getting better and better. The third season finale had me laughing out loud constantly -And then in tears near the end. The writing and production of this show is simply the best. It's clear that everyone involved in the series takes pride in their work. The ensemble cast is perfect, with acting that lives up to the writing.

I can't wait for future seasons -Though I'm dreading when Sheldon turns 14, as that's canonically when he loses his father, and I just can't imagine the show without Lance Barber. I guess I'll just have to trust the team to make things work, however they handle it.

Lost in Space: Ninety-Seven (2019) Season 2, Episode 10

Season 2 As Good Or Better Than Season 1

[10/10 · 25 December 2019]

And with that cliffhanger, they had better make a third season!!

Season 2 is a rollercoaster of dangers, plans, and unexpected surprises. Buckle in for an E-Ticket ride!

Historical Roasts: Freddie Mercury (2019) Season 1, Episode 2

Not As Good As The First Episode

[2/10 · 2 June 2019]

Ugh. This was so unfunny! Witless and tasteless. The actor playing Bowie says, "I never realized I was funny too." That was the best joke...

Historical Roasts: Abraham Lincoln (2019) Season 1, Episode 1

A Great Idea Gone Wrong

[3/10 · 2 June 2019]

I thought roasts were supposed to be funny. This one wasn't. The talent was there, but the writing was lame.

Come On, Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story (1999 TV Movie)

The Author's Point of View

[7/10 · 25 November 2018]

So many reviewers bash this film for focusing on Danny Bonaduce's point of view. For heaven's sake -He wrote it! How could he tell anyone's story but his own?

Back in the day, The Partridge Family was a phenomenon. Other than Shirley Jones and Dave Madden the cast were plucked from obscurity and placed under the glare of the spotlight. Instant fame and recognition. The film deals well with that issue, focusing on its effects on Bonaduce and David Cassidy. Yes, there were certainly many other possible topics to address -But how much can you cover in a 90-minute TV movie?

The film was well-cast, with actors who strongly resembled the people they were portraying. Other than Cassidy, there was little time for character development, but he, Jones, Madden, and Susan Day were treated sympathetically (and accurately according to the interviews I've read). The three actors who portrayed the two youngest Partridges were treated the same as their real-life counterparts: little screen time and almost no dialogue. The real focus was on Danny Bonaduce and how his on-screen family became a happy surrogate for his dysfunctional off-screen family. Shawn Pyfrom's portrayal of Bonaduce was nicely understated. The scenes of domestic abuse and his relationships with his TV family were told from the child's perspective and rang truer than the rest of the film.

The Partridge Family was never high art. What kept it going for four years were the songs and the on-screen chemistry between Bonaduce, Cassidy, and Madden. This TV film shows a little of what was behind that -And what more could a fan ask for?

Lost in Space (2018–2021)

Thumbs Up From Diehard Fan Of Original

[9/10 · 14 April 2018]

I grew up with the original series and have never stopped watching it (the blu-ray release is truly amazing). I was first in line to see the film, and was sorely disappointed by the negative characters and the "look"... So this morning when I chanced to discover this new series on Netflix I had to grit my teeth, fully prepared to hate it. But I didn't hate it. By the third episode I was hooked.

Pros: The show's visuals are stunning and far better than anything I've seen on TV before. The acting is first-rate. There is actual character development!

Cons: As with the original, all science seems to be thrown out the window. Not wild about the new robot design. Too many flashbacks. I would have preferred a more traditional timeline.

Danger! Danger, Will Robinson: I know happy families aren't as dramatically satisfying as families with issues, but this series is treading on the ground that ruined the film for most of us. Midway through the first season things are developing and showing signs of better relationships to come -But I hope the series' writers don't fall into the trap of making things too dark and negative.

I don't know why this show has attracted so many virulent attacks for its alleged political correctness. Trolls? Bots? Kremlin agents? Ignore them, whatever they are. This series is interesting and engaging, and well worth a look.

1776 (1972)

A Classic That Has Withstood the Test of Time

[10/10 · 4 July 2017]

When it was first released, the film was not a box office success. To be fair, though, the studio butchered the film after its debut -cutting more than 40 minutes, including one complete song and parts of several others. Based on the award-winning musical play, 1776 is one of the best-written musicals of all time. Watching the restored director's cut is an entirely different experience from what most people saw in their movie theater.

The script humanizes and characterizes the founding fathers in a way never seen before, and seldom seen since. Much of the dialogue is taken directly from the letters and speeches of the characters (written before, during, and after the revolution). There are a few historical inaccuracies and embellishments, but the film by and large tells the true, and often unknown, story of how the Declaration of Independence came to be written.

The score, by former history teacher and sometime-popular-songwriter Sherman Edwards is delightful. Contrary to some of the reviews posted here, there are several stand-out songs, including "Yours, Yours, Yours", "He Plays the Violin", and "Momma, Look Sharp". The score and orchestrations evoke the musical styles of the period, and provide a lot of the film's humor. 1776 holds an odd record in the theater world: the longest space of time between musical numbers (over 30 minutes). Some critics have suggested that the show should have been a straight play, rather than a musical, but the songs serve to lighten the mood and energize the storytelling, It would be a lesser show if they were -as evidenced by the very different audience reaction to the highly-edited release version where much of the music was cut. Sadly, the film's soundtrack album was horribly botched, with heavy reverb added to the mix, and has never been available on CD or in digital format. An expanded, remastered release is possible with the remaining sound elements, but not deemed commercial enough to warrant the expense.

The cast is uniformly excellent, drawn almost entirely from the original and later Broadway and touring casts of the long-running hit. This is one of the very few times Hollywood allowed most of the principal cast of a Broadway show to preserve their performances on film. William Daniels owns the role of John Adams as few actors have ever owned a role. His scenes with Virginia Vestoff (Abigail Adams) are among the most beautiful and touching ever filmed. Howard DaSilva's Ben Franklin provides a great deal of common sense along with the comedy. He nearly wasn't allowed to do the film, but we are fortunate that he finally got to preserve his wonderful performance. (He had a mild heart attack during the Broadway previews and missed the opening night. Contractually, his understudy, Rex Everhart, got to record the original cast album, while DaSilva actually performed the role during the Broadway run.

It is amazing that the film was ever made. 1776 was a virtually all-male musical (there are only two female roles) about history and politics, made at a time when traditional musical films were box-office poison. It had no big names, and no popular song hits. Jack L. Warner is often excoriated for cutting "Cool, Considerate Men", when really he should be lauded for preserving a classic American musical in what must be considered the most faithful film adaptation ever made.

A Midwinter's Tale (1995)

More Real Than You'd Think

[10/10 · 21 December 2016]

As an actor, I've worked with many of these characters over the years. Kenneth Branagh's screenplay truly captures the craziness of life backstage, and the formation of a new, temporary family during a production. I am so pleased it's available on DVD at long last -now more people can get to know this wonderful film.

There are so many wonderful lines it would take far too much space to list them - But rest assured you'll write down a few to remember and use on your friends.

Virtually the entire cast is marvelous. The late, great Richard Briers was never better. Julia Sawalha's Ophelia was totally affective. Gerard Horan's dipsomaniacal character was very moving -He really should be given larger roles. If only Jennifer Saunders had not tried that terrible American accent... Hers is the only performance in the film that doesn't ring true.

Pursuit to Algiers (1945)

Highly Entertaining and Underrated

[10/10 · 30 November 2014]

None of the Rathbone-Bruce Holmes films hews too closely to the Conan Doyle originals. For some reason this entry in the series is judged more harshly on that score than the others. But the characters are still delightful, and the film full of suspense and surprises. It's actually one of my favorites. There's much more variety of location than the typical series entry, and a great deal of humor. We are even treated to Nigel Bruce singing! In fact, this is more Watson's film than Holmes', who is absent from the film for a large stretch.

The UCLA restoration is outstanding, and the film looks and sounds better than it did on its release. I understand we have Hugh Hefner of all people to thank for that, as he personally bankrolled the restoration of the series.

Other reviewers have gone over the plot in great detail, with and without spoilers. All I will add is that this film is highly entertaining, and delightful viewing.

Nanny and the Professor (1970–1971)

Holds Up Really Well!

[8/10 · 21 October 2014]

Unlike most sitcoms of the period, Nanny and the Professor holds up remarkably well, thanks to intelligent writing and an extremely talented cast. This is true family viewing - Something the kids will enjoy and the parents can get a nod and a wink in as well. The story lines are a bit predictable, and there's always a happy ending, but along the way there are often a few twists and surprises you didn't see coming.

The creators of the show very wisely chose to not add a romance between the title characters. They foresaw the inevitable shark jump that would lead to. Likewise, they never explained Nanny or her powers. They didn't even confirm that her powers existed. Instead they provided plausible alternative explanations for most of what Nanny did. But not always. The result is charming.

This is one of those "lost" shows that never airs anymore, but fortunately there are several "gray market" vendors selling mostly-complete collections of the series. If you have fond childhood memories of the show, or children to share it with, it is well worth the purchase.

Pacific Overtures (1976 TV Movie)

Underperformed Sondheim Masterpiece

[10/10 · 14 December 2013]

As with nearly all Sondheim shows, the critics were divided when Pacific Overtures bowed on Broadway. It also had the great misfortune to open the same season as A Chorus Line, which became one of the longest-running musicals of all time. But time and subsequent productions have shown that there is much more here than some of those reviewers realized.

The story of Commodore Matthew Perry's 1853 journey to "open" Japan to foreign trade sounds an unlikely premise for a musical. But playwright John Weidman and composer Stephen Sondheim tell the story from the Japanese point of view, using the experiences of two men, a samurai and a fisherman, to chart the cultural impact of gunboat diplomacy on Japanese society. Director Hal Prince (Evita, Phantom of the Opera) borrowed elements of traditional Japanese Noh and Kabuki theatre, including the use of an all-Asian, (nearly) all- male cast. Combined with brilliant designs and costumes, Pacific Overtures is a feast for the eyes as well as the heart and mind.

The original Broadway production was filmed on stage at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York for airing on Japanese television. Sadly, that recording has never been (legally) commercially available in the US, though gray-market copies of varying quality do circulate. The brilliant, Tony-nominated performance of Mako as the Reciter (narrator) is preserved along with outstanding work by Sab Shimono, Soon-Teck Oh, Isao Sato, Alvin Ing, Yuki Shimoda, and the rest of the cast. That these wonderfully talented performers are not more of a household name is really a crime.

Finally, a musical can only be as good as its score, and Pacific Overtures has one of the finest ever written. Aided by Jonathan Tunick's brilliant and powerful orchestrations, songs such as "Poems", "Someone In A Tree", "There Is No Other Way", "Please Hello", "Pretty Lady", and "A Bowler Hat" are as beautiful as anything Sondheim has ever written. It is no small coincidence that several selections from the score have been turned into an orchestral suite of dances that have been performed and recorded by symphonic orchestras.

Pacific Overtures is engaging, moving, thought-provoking, and often quite funny as well. Don't miss any opportunity that comes your way to see it.

Futurama: Meanwhile (2013) Season 10, Episode 13

First Class Ending

[10/10 · 2 December 2013]

So often a series dies without an ending -often a season or two before it's taken off the air. Fans may argue about the last couple of seasons of Futurama, but none will complain about the wonderful final episode. The culmination of the Fry-Leela story line was handled with obvious love and respect -for the characters and for the audience. And it was cleverly done in such a way as to leave open the possibility (however slight) of yet another reprieve and another season.

Also of note in this episode are the great visuals. As part of their wanderings through frozen time, Fry and Leela come across snow, and the way the perspective shifts between the two characters' faces and a single snowflake is both beautiful and surprisingly affecting. Again, proof that the creative team gave this episode a great deal of thought and attention to detail.

Maybe more people watched the final episode of M*A*S*H, but this series finale was more reflective of the series as a whole, and much more of an artistic triumph. Kudos and thanks to everyone on the show who made this ending so memorable and so.. right.

Twelfth Night, or What You Will (1988 TV Movie)

The Best Twelfth Night On DVD

[10/10 · 1 December 2013]

This is my favorite filmed version of Twelfth Night -On DVD at last! Branagh's production captures both the humor and the melancholy of the play, with excellent performances all around and a stand-out performance by the late, great, Richard Briers as Malvolio. Patrick Doyle (along with an assist from Paul McCartney) provides an atmospheric score to accompany the shifting moods, with several songs sung by Feste the Fool (Anton Lesser in one of his best performances). The Dickensian setting compliments the story well, while purists will rejoice that the text of the play is complete. The DVD also features an informative, behind-the-scenes interview with Kenneth Branagh talking about the stage production and the play itself. Buy a copy for yourself, and a few more as gifts for friends -This is a real treat!

The Tony Randall Show (1976–1978)

One Of The Best Of The 70s

[10/10 · 18 February 2013]

This series only ran for two seasons, but not because it wasn't funny. It was perhaps one of the funniest series of the 70s -Certainly it holds up better than 99% of its contemporaries. The show had good ratings, but the network and the show's star found the creative team difficult to work with, and so it wasn't renewed.

The show centered on Judge Walter Franklin (Tony Randall), his family and staff. The cast included seasoned stage performers like Allyn Ann McLerie, Barney Martin, and Rachel Roberts. The scripts were impressively well-written, eschewing topical humor and pop- culture references in favor of witty dialog and subtle digs:

(Walter is mooning over his daughter's picture -she has gone off to college) WALTER: I remember her first day of school. Went off carrying a little lunch pail with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans on it. (singing) Happy trails, to you. Until we meet again... MISS REUBNER: You know they've stuffed Trigger? WALTER: Why do I try to talk sentiment and feeling to you? MISS REUBNER: Is this a riddle? WALTER: Happy trails, Miss Reubner. And when we meet again, may you have something in common with Trigger.

(An escaped convict has threatened revenge on Walter, and the insufferable Mario Lanza is sent to protect him.) MARIO: I'm on leave from the DA's office. Assignment: protect Judge Franklin. Even if it means throwing myself on your body to shield you from an assassin's bullet. Although frankly I hope it doesn't come to that. WALTER: That's where you and I differ, Mario.

The series was never released on video in any format, which is a crime.

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Dark Page (1993) Season 7, Episode 7

Another Sad Episode

[9/10 · 28 May 2012]

Season 7 was certainly the most introspective season of this series, with several visits to the subconscious of the major characters. Dark Page explores the consequences of psychic trauma - in this case, for Lwaxana Troi. In Majel Barrett's final appearance on Next Generation, she gave what was probably the finest performance of her career. It's a shame this new depth of character never had a chance to be built on in later episodes. Lwaxana's crisis was clearly a turning point in her relationship with Deanna, and might have led to some interesting future episodes. It's interesting that I watch the episode and wonder why Majel Barrett wasn't nominated for an Emmy Award, and another review thought she was terrible. To each his own, I guess...

Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years (1999 TV Movie)

A Powerful and Insightful Film

[10/10 · 15 January 2012]

After seeing the play that this is based on, I was surprised to read that it was being made into a film for television. The entire play consisted of two old women cooking dinner and talking. How could they get a movie out of that? Well, they certainly did! As powerful and moving as the play was, this film adds voices and images that bring the past to life -sometimes warmly, and sometimes in a chilling manner that shocks our modern sensibilities.

All of the performances are excellent -There's no one to single out because everyone involved did fantastic work. The real stars are the Delaney sisters themselves, and their personalities emerge with crystalline clarity in every scene. This American classic is long overdue for a deluxe DVD release with commentary and other bonus materials. Until then, it is at least available from the Having Our Say website.

Don't let the subject of this film fool you. It's not just for women and/or people of color. It's a remarkable trove of insight and wisdom from two accomplished women who lived -and thrived -through precarious times and emerged with dignity and grace. We need more people like the Delaney sisters in our world.

Lost in Space: Castles in Space (1967) Season 3, Episode 14

A more careful review...

[13 September 2011]

The (single) alien bad guy is Chavo, not Pancho...

Those looking for logic in the plot should generally eschew Lost In Space reruns, and this episode is no exception. It hearkens back to the silliness of the second season, and might be viewed negatively by many today for its stereotypical portrayal of Chavo. Perhaps that is why it is often skipped when the series is shown in syndication.

On the plus side, the episode's musical score is quite good, apart from the trite Mexican-style riffs. Those who want to hear Bill Mumy and Marta Kristin's rendition of Sloop John B. can find it in the multi disc Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen set from a few years back.

The Munsters: My Fair Munster: Unaired Pilot (1964) Season 1, Episode 0

Frightening...

[3/10 · 2 June 2010]

This is certainly a curiosity -and a must for Munsters fans. But as a pilot it left me pretty cold. Fred Gwynne's Herman is very much in place, as is Al Lewis's Grandpa, but Joan Marshall as Herman's wife "Phoebe" was dull and nothing like the characterization that Yvonne DeCarlo brought to the part in the series. The less said about the kid playing Eddie, the better. Whoever the network executives were who insisted on recasting were totally right (for a change).

The story is incomplete, but familiar: Marilyn's date sees Herman and runs away. Marilyn's looks are blamed. Grandpa decides to cook up a love potion to snare her a husband. The pilot ends there, leaving the ensuing hilarity to our imaginations. Very wise of them, I'm sure... ; )

For now, at least, you can see it for yourself on YouTube.

The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender (1997)

Not For The Closeted

[8/10 · 23 May 2010]

It's interesting to read the outraged "reviews" others have posted here. The title makes it clear what the author/director's point of view is –Why act shocked? This documentary explores themes and images that are now archetypal, from a modern gay perspective. That it could merely be our modern eyes seeing more than the various filmmakers intended is a question that is explored, but the director provides so many examples that, in the end, you find yourself accepting his point of view.

This documentary is unabashedly gay; written and directed by, and starring gay men. It assumes that the viewer is either gay, or completely comfortable with and knowledgeable about homosexuality. This is not meant for closet cases. Those who approach it with an open mind (and a decent knowledge of old movies and character actors) will find it extremely interesting and enjoyable. Film buffs and queer historians won't find too much here that's new, but the included clips provide clear, specific examples of the topic.