Claude Rains tops the cast list in this Italian science fiction movie, originally titled Il pianeta degli uomini spenti, as a crotchety old scientist whose predictions about a looming astronomical threat to the world are at first disregarded, though he is called upon to help when a planet that had seemed poised to smash into …
Month: July 2021
The Dude Bandit (Allied, 1933)
Hoot Gibson once again plays a Zorro-like character, here investigating the death of “Dad” Mason while pretending to be a mild-mannered cowboy and also thwarting the bad guys while in disguise as the “Dude Bandit.” Fun but slight entertainment. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great. Movie 244 for 2021.
Django (1966)
Franco Nero stars as a mysterious gunfighter who drags a coffin along behind him and ends up tackling not one, but two different bands of cutthroats. An engaging, moody film. The popularity of the character spawned many unofficial “sequels” and unrelated films with his name in the title. Well worth a look for spaghetti western …
Shaolin Kung Fu Master (1978)
A killer is after the treasure of a Manchu prince, and others are after it as well, in this film, originally titled Zhui lie. Moderately entertaining but unmemorable action ensues. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great. Movie 242 for 2021.
Cockeyed Cavaliers (RKO, 1934)
Crazy antics in a not-too-specific past full of striking costumes, as Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey are teamed again with Dorothy Lee and Thelma Todd for humor and music. The boys pretend to be the king’s physicians and make hay with the household of a boisterous baron (Noah Beery). Plenty of laughs. Recommended. Otto finds …
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Assassino senza volto (1968)
Killings take place at an old castle in this slow-paced Italian thriller: Could the troubled heiress of the house be to blame? What’s going on is fairly obvious in broad outline, and the details aren’t particularly compelling. Lawrence Tierney has a small role but doesn’t contribute much. Not particularly recommended. Otto thinks you should avoid …
Dangerous Millions (Twentieth Century Fox, 1946)
Heirs of a shipping magnate are summoned to Shanghai with the prospect of splitting the old man’s fortune, but they’ll face some challenges along the way, including being abducted by the magnate’s erstwhile partner, who wants a share himself. Twists keep this one fairly interesting, and Kent Taylor does fine as the lead. Mildly recommended. …
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Flight to Mars (Monogram, 1951)
Pleasing, colorful Monogram entry in the space movie genre sees a small group of Earth people heading to the Red Planet, where they are made welcome indeed — but do their hosts have ulterior motives? Good performances and an unexpected resolution to a romantic subplot make this one worth a look. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously …
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Deadwood Pass (Monarch / Freuler Film Associates, 1933)
Postal inspector Tom Whitlock (Tom Tyler) goes undercover as an escaped criminal, the Hawk, who has hidden a fortune in stolen bonds, Whitlock hopes to use his position to get in with the bad guys and look for the loot, but matters get complicated when someone who knows the real Hawk arrives. Tyler has charisma, …
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Exile Express (Grand National, 1939)
Spies after a formula that can be used for warfare are after a woman being deported and riding the “exile express,” a cross-country train carrying deportees to the East Coast. Moderately entertaining fare. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great. Movie 236 for 2021.