stephen-63 Reviews

Evergreen (1934)

A revelation - true entertainment

[10/10 · 26 October 2003]

I have just seen a pristine print of this film on a large cinema screen and it was a real delight. For English readers, Jesse Matthews is best known as a radio soap star, but in this film she shows she was first a dancer, then a comedienne (her timing is excellent) and then a singer. The radio work came later. Her dancing is superb. Recall the dancing days and looks of Una Stubbs then add the radiant beauty of a young Joan Collins... For American readers, there is a brief on screen appearance by the choreographer, unable to obtain credit for his work in the Busby-Berkeley movies for which he did so much. The big dance numbers are superb. The story somehow works and there is an energy and sense of fun which does much to entertain. No bad language. No nudity- but Matthews dancing is quite sensuous enough. Lovely family film. Try to see it if the new print appears near you. And surely there must be a DVD release soon... (perhaps from the BFI).

Be Careful, Mr. Smith (1935)

Comedy with music hall entertainment

[26 May 2003]

Just watched on the big screen Singing Through, with original 1940 U certificate. Only ran for one reel (20 minutes) and apart from an introductory scene in the Golf Club seemed to be just the music hall comedy and singing acts. Good fun though and a rare record of the acts of the mid 1930's. Songs included "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo", "Who Were You With Last Night", "I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside" and others. With the story cut out it is difficult to comment on that, but it appeared to be about a rural man being taken for a ride, firstly caught with small stock profits, then reeled in with a false hole in one at the golf club. Encouraged to go to London where he lost everything but possibly won it all back again. Lots of comedy and singing at London night spots.

Magic Boy (1959)

The start of anime? An early classic.

[26 November 2002]

I saw this on first release, on the big screen. Released by MGM (Japan).

It has since been shown on UK satellite tv, but a long fight sequence seems to have been cut short. The transformation fight has some similarities to the later transformation fight in Disney's The Sword in the Stone - if you can watch the two back to back, the differences in style and tone are quite interesting.

Magic Boy is relatively primitive compared to modern anime, however you can still see the attention to detail, and the importance of the story telling. The sheer determination of our little hero is quite something to behold.

Worth checking out if you can find it and like modern anime.

Two a Penny (1967)

Almost a documentary on the 1967 London Crusade. Interesting.

[18 October 2002]

Now out in the UK on DVD - something of a collectors piece, with some well known actors and lots of cine verite coverage of the 1967 Billy Graham London Crusade. I say the film on the big screen in 1970, when booklets were handed out from the Crusade organisation. Several big name English actors add spice to a fairly ordinary - perhaps cusading - movie, which follows the generic story line of the Billy Graham films of the period, but this time we have a strong English accent to add interest. Watch out for Dora Bryan in a phone box - there is an odd graphic in view as grafitti - it is the symbol of another film that Dora was making at the time, perhaps not entirely in keeping with this movie (The Killing of Sister George). This movie is rather special for me - I witnessed some of the events on a large TV screen in Manchester in 1967, and then in 1970 it marked the date my present wife and I became a team.

Diary of a Lost Girl (1929)

Read the synopsis first

[10 July 2002]

This is based on the Tartan Video VHS release. The image was computer enhanced, leading to fewer shades and more grain. Unusually for a silent video this really was silent, no music at all. Lots of frames seemed to be missing with much jumping. Pretty hard to follow what is happening, unless you read a detailed synopsis first. Subject to those difficulties, a silent classic, with Brooks at her best. Some well shot scenes- the introduction to the reformatory seems to be a favorite with many viewers, this viewer also.

Amélie (2001)

Typical of this directors other work - dark

[1/10 · 22 June 2002]

Tempted by rave reviews and a trusted reviewer describing this film as "the feel good movie of the millenium" I watched it - or as much as I could stomach. It is very much in line with this directors other movies, tasteless and dark. With five unacceptable scenes in the first twelve minutes it makes for something of a record for me. The very very long narrative framework is boring and shows a distinct lack of imagination. The extremely rapid fire images are not breathtaking, they indicate an inability to focus, and a strong influence of music videos. If you like cardboard characters, gross bad taste, scenes flickering by like a moviola - typical of so many modern movies - you will like this. If you prefer slower movies with depth, stories, characterisation, you probably will not enjoy this one.

13 Demon Street (1959–1960)

An oddity perhaps best left buried

[12 February 2002]

Two episodes of 13 Demon Street were released on The Veil DVD: The Vine of Death and The Black Hand. The series was unaired, but a movie was made by reediting and released as The Devils Messenger. The TV episodes themselves? Cut out characters and very poor acting (think typical Swedish B movie from the 60's) really do not help the illogical stories much. Too poor to even laugh at, and no room for the intended horror. The Vine of Death for example deals with an imported dried out vine root from Malaya, only three thousand years old. The professor is stabbed by his neighbour in a struggle over the cold emotionless wife.

Oh dear. My husband is dead. Oh dear. Instead of calling the police they bury the husband with the vine. Which grows. Later, the neighbour returns, very drunk and collapses. Onto the vine bed. It kills him. I seem to have made it sound rather better than the episode... whatever were they thinking of. Some of the actors seemed to be speaking Swedish but then dubbed into English and then Swedish subtitles added. The picture quality is good. Strictly for the collector of the really awful.

The Veil (1958)

Well preserved tv history, good for its time

[26 January 2002]

Available complete on dvd, with magnificent picture and sound quality. This quite old anthology tv series of nine episodes plus an extra borrowed from British tv, is quite watchable. The acting styles are a little wooden, but there are some interesting early appearances- Robert Hardy, Patrick MacNee, Harry Bartell and so on.

Supposedly based upon real reports of paranormal reports this certainly predates the X Files. The approach is pure drama with no explanations.

A good addition to any classic tv collection - although it never was shown on tv.

Jack the Ripper (1958 TV Movie)

Stitched together from an unshown tv series. Buy the series on dvd.

[26 January 2002]

In general this is a compendium of four episodes from the unshown tv series The Veil. However the title episode is "borrowed" from British television. The Veil episodes are Summer Heat, Genesis, Food on the Table and the British implant, Jack the Ripper. The Veil is available complete on dvd and there seems little reason to watch or buy this edited compilation piece. The credited director David MacDonald probably never heard of the three Roach filmed episodes. Worth watching but go for the complete series instead.

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

New print still holds the audience

[1 December 2001]

Just watched the brand new print (premiere yesterday) on the big screen. Sumptuous colours and really clean picture quality. The story still holds the audience with much reaction (lots of coughing at the sadder scenes). June Lockhart appeared briefly and was really lovely. Judy of course was absolutely marvellous, and a prize performance from a very young Margaret O'Brien. The story is one which dates but little and the actors portray their characters very well. How much of Margaret O'Brien made its way into little Wednesday in the Addams Family- or do all American girls bury their dolls... Recommended.

Stowaways on the Ark (1988)

Interesting European animation. One to watch for.

[3 November 2001]

Shown once on UK tv in an English dub, this is a worthy feature from Europe. The animation style is unusual, with what looks like real water shots mixed with detailed pencil sketch animation (in colour). Not up to the best Japanese standards but better than many Hollywood epics of late. The story is of termites stowing away on the ark, being overcome, and the ark being saved from sinking by a mountain that gets in the way. The English characterisation was good although some of the animals tended to become a trifle overexcited from time to time (loud high pitched laughs and screams... ). If you collect animation styles this is one to look for. A reasonable family film, although maybe not suitable for the younger ones due to some emotional tensions and limited violence.

Alfred J. Kwak (1989–1991)

My favourite childrens anime

[21 September 2001]

Excellent childrens animation, animated in Japan, and associated with Dennis Livson who brought us The Moomins. Follow Alfred from hatching and the early death of his parents, through political and environmental adventures. In due course Alfred falls in love with a wonderful black duck called Winnie.

Lots of allusions to the real world of the time and no holds barred presentation of apartheid and environmental damage. Intelligent, well drawn and animated, a delight (but be warned- some episodes have rather sad / down beat endings).

What a Whopper (1961)

family film firmly set in the English sixties

[7 July 2001]

This is a family film with light humour and some lovely remembrancers of the sixties era, with baby doll nightgowns and pink angora sweaters...

Some early appearances by later UK comedy greats- an early old-man Clive Dunn, some early Wilfred Brambell etc make it worth watching.

The story about the Loch Ness Monster is pure tosh but the film never takes itself seriously at all and it is similar to a rather toned down very early Carry On film, relatively gentle.

English humour from the 60's.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1990–2003)

Superb animation and story. 11 out of 10.

[13 April 2001]

I have this in Japanese, English subbed and dubbed and even in French. Slightly different edits for each. A superb show with first class animation, especially in the first episode. Some very slight nudity was removed from several edits (including the French aired shows) and there are some very powerful emotional moments - such as Marie's grief at the loss of her parents. If you can, sit down and enjoy the whole show - it will not leave you untouched. Highly recommended introduction to the real art of Japanese animation. NB: The movie which followed is not so good.

Himalaya (1999)

Best film of 1999. Must see.

[9 April 2001]

That this did not win an Oscar is a criticism of the Oscar panel not the film, which is much superior to any recent Oscar winner. The photography is absolutely splendid, with some shots which clearly took a lot of thought and time for some excellent memorable moments making the best use of the large landscape. The people are not diminished by the landscape but appear as an integral part of it, struggling through adversity and shining through. No Hollywood epic could ever aspire to the truly magnificent scope of this film. The snow storms are not polyester, the people struggle through real storms and climb the steepest trails you can imagine. No trickery here. The story is simple but well told and despite the differing culture a Westerner can still feel empathy with these intelligent and caring people. Absolute must see.

American Beauty (1999)

Crude cardboard caricature

[9 April 2001]

With all the awards listed I bought this, and managed to get about 35 minutes into it before giving up and heaving it into the bin, which gave me more satisfaction than the preceding 35 minutes. Extremely crude story, script, and crude poorly drawn characters. Not one character to feel any empathy or sympathy with. Drowning in mud would be appropriate for these entirely unrepresentative and by no means credible caricatures of persons. American Beauty??? American yes, but there is nothing even remotely beautiful about this coarse and dark nightmare. I would have killed the hero after 35 minutes of his vacuous pointless floundering about. Very poor film- rent before you buy. You probably won't want to watch it twice. If this is what wins Oscars and Baftas and all the rest the cinema industry is in a mess. Fortunately there are much better films coming from the independents and foreign film makers.

Dreamchild (1985)

Must see test piece for Henson before Labyrinth

[25 January 2001]

Made entirely in England and yet not available in England, this film seems to lead us into dark corners only for the sun to shine brightly at the end, beautifully and carefully paced and with many very talented actors, especially the young Alice. This film predates Labyrinth by only a few months, and we can see in the Mad Hatter an early and successful test piece for Labyrinths Hoddle - even better though we can see the real life actor inspiring Hoddles face, as played by Ken Campbell. A must see companion piece to Labyrinth. Trek fans can note that Cheryl (Gates) McFadden (TNG Dr Crusher) also choreographed puppet movement for this movie.

Futz (1969)

Hillbilly bestial opera comedy - post Hair!

[8 January 2000]

Seen as an uncertified film in 1969 it was of its period featuring hillbilly love affairs (including an attractive pig) and very artistic writhing bodies in the desert sands. Of its time and worth old hippies watching for nostalgia.

Turn of the Tide (1935)

Real life rivalry between two fishing families.

[8/10 · 28 August 1999]

Exceptional cinematography brightens acting which today could be taken as unusually restrained. Incredible attention to detail- the actors playing the Lunn family (in real life the Duke family) wear the actual unique Lunn "ganseys" (fishing jumpers).

Filmed in the town the story was written about, with the author (Leo Walmsley) a paid advisor for the film.

The first introduction of J Arthur Rank to feature film production.

Based in North Yorkshire, the characters use good Yorkshire accents.

The music is by Arthur Benjamin best known for "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (Hitchcock).

For a 1935 film, quite outstanding and still very watchable.