Classic Movie Reviews

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Episode 197 - Son Of Frankenstein

April 22, 2021 by Matthew Johnson in horror, drama, science fiction

We continue our salute to Basil Rathbone with "Son of Frankenstein" from 1939. In this adventure Mr. Rathbone is Baron Wolf von Frankenstein who travels to the family ancestral castle. His mission is to redeem his father's reputation.

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April 22, 2021 /Matthew Johnson
basil rathbone, josephine hutchinson, donnie dunagan, rowland v lee, universal, frankenstein, bela lugosi, boris karloff, Lionel atwill
horror, drama, science fiction
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Episode 196 - The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

April 09, 2021 by Matthew Johnson in drama, action, thriller

"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" 1939 is the second and last of the Sherlock Holmes films from 20th Century Fox. However, good news for us Holmes fans because Universal Studios produced another twelve Holmes films from 1942 through 1946.

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April 09, 2021 /Matthew Johnson
basil rathbone, nigel bruce, george zucco, ida lupino
drama, action, thriller
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Episode 193 - Shanghai Express

February 21, 2021 by Matthew Johnson in drama, historical

"Shanghai Express" 1932 brings us the drama and danger facing several travelers on the train from Peking to Shanghai during the civil war in China. Director Josef von Sternberg builds an engaging film that has solid production values and the look of a more recent adventure movie. Our featured actor Anna May Wong is Hui Fei who plays a pivotal role that involves rebel leader Henry Chang played by Warner Oland.

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February 21, 2021 /Matthew Johnson
Josef von sternberg, anna may wong, warner oland, marlene dietrich, clive brook, lawrence grant, louise closser
drama, historical
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Episode 192 - Toll Of The Sea

February 13, 2021 by Matthew Johnson in drama, historical, silent

"The Toll of the Sea" from 1922 is the first lead role for Anna May Wong who was 17 and the second feature movie to use Technicolor film. Director Chester M. Franklin presents the tragic love of Lotus Flower played by Ms. Wong for Allen Carver an American played by Kenneth Harlan.

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February 13, 2021 /Matthew Johnson
anna may wong, beatrice bentley, chester m franklin, kenneth harlan, technicolor, silent
drama, historical, silent
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Episode 191 - To Be Or Not To Be

February 06, 2021 by Matthew Johnson in drama, action, comedy, historical

Masterfully directed by Ernst Lubitsch, "To Be Or Not To Be" successfully rides a fine line between satire, comedy, drama, romance and action.

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February 06, 2021 /Matthew Johnson
carole lombard, edwin justus mayer, ernst lubitsch, felix bressart, jack benny, lionel atwill, melchior lengyel, robert stack, sig ruman, stanley ridges
drama, action, comedy, historical
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Episode 177 - Capricorn One

October 08, 2020 by Matthew Johnson in drama, action, thriller, science fiction

NASA is about to launch the first crew to Mars. Three Astronautics are strapped in the spacecraft. However, Dr. James Kelloway a NASA executive played by Hal Holbrook knows the craft's life support system will fail killing all onboard. The three Astronauts are ordered off the spacecraft and forced to fake the mission. Dr. Kelloway's massive cover-up is meant to deceive the President, Congress and public.

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October 08, 2020 /Matthew Johnson
peter hyams, brenda vicaro, elliot gould, hal holbrook, james brolin, jerry goldsmith, karen black, oj simpson, sam waterson
drama, action, thriller, science fiction
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Episode 175 - Klute

September 24, 2020 by Matthew Johnson in drama, thriller

"Klute" is a neo film noir murder thriller with dark and foreboding elements. The film takes us into the life of Bree Daniels prostitute and aspiring model/actress played by Jane Fonda. As Bree, Ms. Fonda won the Academy Award for Best Actress. The film explores Bree's life and possible involvement in the disappearance of a Pennsylvania company executive while in New York City.

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September 24, 2020 /Matthew Johnson
alan pakula, michael small, charles cioffinot, donald sutherland, gordon willis, jane fonda, rita gam, roy scheider, spoiler-free, vivian nathan
drama, thriller
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Episode 171 - On The Waterfront

August 27, 2020 by Matthew Johnson in drama

"On the Waterfront" 1954 is from Columbia Pictures. Director Elia Kazan and screenwriter Budd Schulberg created this crime drama and love story starring Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy and Eva Marie Saint as Edie Doyle.

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August 27, 2020 /Matthew Johnson
best picture, boris kaufman, budd schulberg, columbia, elia kazan, eva marie saint, karl malden, lee j cobb, leif erickson, leonard bernstein, marlon brando, rod steiger
drama
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Episode 149 - Farewell to Manzanar - Part 2

March 26, 2020 by Matthew Johnson in historical, drama, documentary

“Farewell to Manzanar” is an excellent NBC television movie from 1976. The film is based on an autobiography written by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston.

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March 26, 2020 /Matthew Johnson
japanese internment, dori takeshita, john korty, mako, nbc, nobu mccarthy, pat morita, universal, juki shimoda
historical, drama, documentary
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Episode 141 - Sounder

February 06, 2020 by Matthew Johnson in drama, historical

“Sounder” the 1972 film is set in 1933 during the Great Depression. The Morgan’s are a family of sharecroppers in Louisiana who face the devastating effects of a scarcity of food. Director Martin Ritt is masterful in telling this story and it is one of his many excellent films.

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February 06, 2020 /Matthew Johnson
martin ritt, cicely tyson, paul winfield, kevin hooks, janet maclachlan, carmen matthews, taj mahal, james best
drama, historical
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