Gallard-2 Reviews

Farewell, My Lovely (1975)

Very satisfying movie.

[17 June 2000]

After reading the other review of this movie I had to respond. Firstly, this version is NOT the original that starred Dick Powell as Philip Marlow. I guess the people who approve these reviews don't pay too much attention to accuracy as long as they don't contain spoilers or naughty words... oh well... As to 'Farewell, My Lovely', this is a very satisfying movie. Robert Mitchum was a first rate actor and is perfect in this role. Rent it and sit back and let the rich atmosphere roll over you... You won't be sorry.

Spectre (1977 TV Movie)

A great idea, but unrealized.

[19 May 2000]

Take the basis of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, bring them forward 100 years and instead of crime, have them battle spiritual evil... A great idea, but unrealized here. A slightly ridiculous plot only saved by the talented Robert Culp who plays it straight down the line. A criminologist who specializes in the occult and battling evil. Gig Young was at the end of his carreer and shortly following this outing, his life as well. A sad loss of a fine comedic actor who usually didnt get the girl but did get all the best lines. Though in this film, Young basically sleep walks through the movie... Almost as if he was on sedatives. Culp and Young are recruited by a beautiful woman whose brother has recently undergone a personality change after doing some archeological investigations on his English country estate. So, off they all go to England to get to the bottom of things. This movie has a real Gene Roddenberry flavor to it. If you have seen any of Roddenberry's post Star Trek TV movies (basically, failed pilots)... Well, you'll know what I mean. But, bottom line is I liked this when I saw it in 1977 and it is still fun to watch. Not scary, but fun never the less. Look for it on The Fox Movie Network as it gets shown there often....

Shadow of the Hawk (1976)

A young man must reluctantly come to grips with his heritage.

[5 April 2000]

Jan Michael Vincent is very good in this role as "Hawk", the grandson of a Native American medicine man, played by the venerable Chief Dan George. The plot? He must return to his tribe to safeguard them from an evil spirit. Along the journey through absolutely beautiful Northwest woods, Hawk, his grandfather and girlfriend must face attacks from both spirit and flesh and blood foes. An exciting and sometimes rather spooky road-trip. I give it ***1/2 out of *****.

Gargoyles (1972 TV Movie)

A fun film only slightly scary. (mild spoiler)

[29 September 1999]

Gargoyles should be on every film makers list of how not to make a horror film. It makes the common blunder of half way through the movie of letting us see the creatures too much. Cornel Wilde is good as the anthropologist writer looking for myths and monsters for his next book. Overall this is a fun movie if not very scary. Except for the first half of the film when we don't quite know what is after the actors. The suspense built by this is wonderful. So, pop some corn and turn out the lights and spend a pretty good 90 minutes watching Cornel Wilde and Jennifer Salt and Scott Glenn battling the Gargoyles for control of the world!

Battle Cry (1955)

Peyton Place set to the Marine Corp hymn.

[20 September 1999]

Let me start by saying I really enjoyed this film and have watched it perhaps a half dozen times. The comments by Mr. Glassey do seem unfair to me. This movie doesnt show us the guts and bloodshed and realism that is accepted and maybe even expected by todays standards but it does show the loss of war. The fear of war and the heroism that was a part of being a marine in WWII. It shows us 3 dimensional characters like "High Pockets" who loves his men as much as he loves the Marines. Yes, I suppose some of the situations are glossed over but that is to be expected when you are trying to tell a story this big in the time alloted. The beginning and middle of the film which focus' on training and shipping over seas to New Zealand is first rate entertainment. The last third where we go into combat with the cast is not as realistic as modern films, but how can it be? It is 1955 when this movie was made and the technology to show how war really looks was not possible then. And even if one may argue that it was, the desire and allowable limits of the day would have precluded that sort of realism anyway. All in all, this is a fair if not excellent portrait of marines going to war.

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966)

Knotts spends a night in a "Haunted" house to get the girl and a byline.

[29 July 1999]

This is Don Knott's most enjoyable film from the 1960's.

Due in no small measure to the wonderful supporting cast. Including Hal Smith who played Otis Campbell the town drunk from The Andy Griffith Show. This film is full of great character actors whose names you would never recognize but whose faces you will never forget. The music from the great TV composer of the 60's Vic Mizzy is instantly associated with numerous TV shows like The Munsters. Credit the fuzz guitar to Tommy Todesco. The plot of this cult classic is unimportant, but leave it to Knotts to solve the mystery without ever quite knowing what is happening. Charles Lane once again does his superb job as the pinch faced, squinty eyed lawyer. All in all, a very funny, snappy film.

The Lady Eve (1941)

Priceless dialog, lovable performances make this a must see.

[13 July 1999]

Sturgess was a genius and this is one of his best. Though the chemistry between Fonda and Stanwyck seems forced, none of the situations do. The dialog is brisk and you need several viewings to pick up the gems you miss on first seeing. Eugene Pallette is at his usual best as the wealthy father of Fonda... And Bill Demarest (later of My Three Sons fame), steals every scene he is in and actually has most of the best lines in the film.

The Thing from Another World (1951)

Best Sci-Fi of the 50's.

[13 May 1999]

In my opinion even better than Forbidden Planet, This Island Earth, Day The Earth Stood Still, War Of The Worlds and When Worlds Collide. The acting is first rate. Casting was perfect. Dialog is brisk and believable for the most part. My favorite line is from Lt. Dykes when as he is lying on a bunk, and asks reporter Scott "what's new?" and Scotts flabbergasted reply of

"What's New??? What more do you want?!?!?!" Priceless! Despite some major plot flaws (why bring IT inside, only to have to break windows to keep it cold? Why not just leave it outside in the first place?" Anyway, buy this movie. It is still a great film to enjoy on a dark, windy night.

The House That Would Not Die (1970 TV Movie)

I was 14 when I saw this and for weeks wouldn't go into our basement!

[9 April 1999]

Back in the late 1960's and through the early part of the 1970's the occult became an extremely popular subject for TV and movies. ABC was making "Movies Of The Week" that appeared usually on a Wednesday night. This was one of them. This one involves a haunted house which was recently bought by Barbara Stanwyk and soon she with the help of family and a helpful neighbor Richard Egan try to get to the bottom of things. Literally.

I was 14 when I first saw this and for weeks I wouldn't go into our basement. Don't watch it alone!

The Haunting (1963)

As good as it gets.

[10/10 · 9 April 1999]

Without a doubt the scariest movie ever made. There is a new version being filmed starring Liam Neeson. Why anyone felt this masterpiece needed to be remade is beyond me. I hope the director doesn't try to rely on 90's style digital FX to make the story "better". Because the original is as good as it gets for this type of film.