wayjack Reviews

Sudden Fear (1952)

I could break your bones!

[8/10 · 11 June 2006]

In the film Jack Palance tells a woman during an embrace, "I could break your bones." And he means it romantically! That probably sums up the odd, entertaining, and off-beat nature of this movie. There is so much "eye-action" from Joan in this one that it's almost funny. Actually it is funny. Though Sudden Fear is not a comedy, it has moments that are truly hysterical in a "did they really just say that?" kind of way. Watch for the moments when Joan responds to overheard conversations, personal scheming, (or the voices in her head)with nothing but wide-eyed reaction shots. Joan is also a tremendously sympathetic character more so than in almost any other Crawford film I've ever seen (and I've seen almost all of them). I caught this film on TV one night and was utterly surprised at how entertaining it was. Not that I had low expectations but Sudden Fear wasn't a film I'd ever heard of. It was proof that there are lots of dark diamonds hidden out there. We all know about the "top 100" lists and the legendary films on them but there are gems worth watching that never got the attention they should have. I watched from beginning to end not knowing what to expect. Truly thrilling in places and just plain classic Crawford. Watch for the moment when Joan embraces her love interest Palance and asks, "I was just wondering what I'd done to deserve you."

It's a Gift (1934)

WC Fields should be remembered- especially for this film.

[9/10 · 11 June 2006]

WC was ahead of his time. An over-weight alcoholic bumbler in a straw hat had more comic genius in him in 1934 than any 10 comics today. It's A Gift is classic Fields with many of his trademark bits worked into the story line. If I were to introduce someone who didn't know WC Field's work to a film, this would be the first one I'd show them. There isn't much to say about the "plot" but a lot to recommend on pure sight-gags and dialog. When Field's young son whines at the dinner table, "Don't cha love me pop?" Fields leans over to slap him. His wife screams at him: "Don't you dare strike that child!" to which WC replies, "Well, he's not going to tell me I don't love him!" WC Fields commented in one of his short films, "My uncle Icabod told me, 'son, the city ain't a fit place for women, but pretty men go thar.'" A comment almost unbelievably funny . . . and even more unbelievable when considering he made it more than 75 years ago. WC should be remembered and It's A Gift is one of the reasons.

Love! Valour! Compassion! (1997)

What's the gay man's equivalent of a "chick flick"?

[8/10 · 11 June 2006]

Love, Valour, Compassion is a tear-jerker. No question about it, you'll get teary-eyed more than once before the credits roll. And it's worth it. This was originally a play and the film makes that fact apparent. Dialog is occasionally overly wordy and a bit contrived and most scenes play out in one place and from one angle. None of that hurts the movie but it's more noticeable than many other play-to-silver-screen adaptations. Jason Alexander pulls off a character I'd never have expected from him. Funny, sympathetic, and downright lovable. He also has one of the best lines of the movie. When asked what room he's staying in he responds: ". . .the Patty Hearst memorial closet. . ." The film is packed with philosophical conversations about life, love, compassion and many subjects that don't get discussed enough in real life or on film. It also has its' share of full frontal male nudity. Refreshing given the fact that directors historically seem more willing to strip females naked but keep the fellas covered in bed sheets. This is the kind of movie that will get its' viewers talking after they've turned off the TV and wiped their eyes.

Female on the Beach (1955)

Where did this movie go?!?

[7/10 · 10 June 2006]

I've seen this film exactly twice on TV late at night. If it isn't in print anywhere (it doesn't appear to be currently) it should be. Joan is at her campy, over-the-top best in this bizarre story of a woman, her love interest, and a couple truly strange neighbors (one of whom would later become "Lovey" on Gilligan's Island). The dialog alone is enough to make it worth seeing. Jeff Chandler is at his studly best too. So much of Joan's work is out on DVD and hopefully this film will be too some day. If you're a Crawford fan and you've never seen Female on the Beach (get a load of that title!) you'll be thrilled by this seemingly "lost" movie. You can't beat a film with a line like, "I wouldn't have you if you were hung with diamonds upside down!"

All About Eve (1950)

Fasten your seat-belts, it's going to be a great movie night!

[10/10 · 10 June 2006]

This movie is campy, great, funny, clever, and just plain fun. If someone didn't know who Bette Davis was, they'd know everything they needed to about her after seeing this movie. Her real life and her character in the film are practically one and the same. There's a reason it is consistently rated as one of the best classic movies of all time. If you like old black & whites, great dialog, and cynical wit, you'll find it all here. Occasionally a few lines slip into slightly corny territory but that may simply be a matter of 50's sensibilities clashing with modern expectations of how a character might speak. All About Eve has moments where a look or a turn of phrase is dead-on perfect. Those moments will stay with you long after you've finished watching it. 'Nuf said. Watch it and you'll see why it deserves its place in film history.