March 15 - 21, 2025

 

To answer these trivia questions, please email me at scinema@earthlink.net.

Brain Teasers:

In which Italian Western does the film end with the victim of rape killing one of the gang who raped her, but the one who did not participate in the rape?

Angel Rivera thinks that this is JIM IL PRIMO, aka THE LAST GUN. I've not watched THE LAST GUN yet, so I'm not sure if he is correct.

In which French Western does the film end with the victim of rape killing one of the gang who raped her, but the one who did not participate in the rape?

No one has answered this question yet.

In which French Western is a young woman raped on the orders of a woman whose husband was murdered?

Rick Garibaldi knew that it was CEMETERY WITHOUT CROSSES.

And now for some new brain teasers:

The making of which Italian film resulted in Franco Nero ending his contract with Warner Bros. in Hollywood?

By what name is Marc Meyer better known?

Which English actor worked with directors Ronald Neame, James Neilson, Roger Vadim, Robert Hossein, Duccio Tessari and Luigi Bazzoni?

Name the movies from which these images came.

No one identified the above photo yet.

Can you name from what movie it came?

George Grimes and Charles Gilbert identified last week's photo of Georges Marchal in ULISSE CONTRO ERCOLE, aka ULYSSES AGAINST HERCULES, aka ULYSSES AGAINST THE SON HERCULES.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

George Grimes identified last week's photo of Florinda Bolkan in LE ORME, aka FOOTPRINTS ON THE MOON.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

Above is a new photo.

Can you identify from what movie it came?

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I am interested in knowing what movies you have watched and what you enjoyed or not. So please send me an email at scinema@earthlink.net if you'd like to share. Here's what I watched last week:

Enjoyed:

RAGE 20 YEARS OF PUNK ROCK WEST COAST STYLE (2000) - Hey, at least filmmakers Michael Bishop and Scott Jacoby included some footage of Screamers and The Weirdos, though they didn't interview any of those band members. There's barely a mention of The Dils, The Alley Cats and The Avengers and no interviews with them. The filmmakers interview Rodney Bingenheimer at a Tower Records event for X, but no footage or interview with them. Was it a rights issue? Jello Biafra and Don Bolles seem to always be available to talk, and they have something interesting to impart. I am not very familiar with T.S.O.L., but Jack Grisham was interesting. Christian Death and U.S. Bombs came around after I stopped paying attention, so Gitane Demone and Duane Peters was completely unknown to me. But Keith Morris, wearing funny glasses and an huge wig, told a story about the Masque made the show worthwhile.

AMERICAN HARDCORE: THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN PUNK ROCK 1980-1986 (2006) - With all of its omissions, RAGE was a film that better spoke to my Punk Rock experience as AMERICAN HARDCORE dealt with many bands with whom I am unfamiliar. I was actually pleasantly surprised at how many bands that I had seen were included here, including Black Flag, Circle Jerks, D.O.A., Minutemen, The Middle Class, The Adolescents and Flipper. Most of the other bands were not part of the L.A. scene, or came after I stopped paying attention. Based on a book by Steven Blush, the film directed by Paul Rachman obviously was helped by backing from Sony Pictures Classics, so that it had a professional sheen to which RAGE could only aspire. And Keith Morris appears without funny glasses and a wig.

Mildly enjoyed:

Paradise (2025) - The mini-series on Hulu has a terrific first episode, but as the series continues it gets progressively dumb until it comes to an non-ending that doesn't make me want to see the second season.

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David Deal Enjoyed:

CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER (61)

THE AVENGER OF VENICE (64) - AKA Bridge of Sighs. 16th century Venice. Brett Halsey is the son of the Doge who is not popular with the rich and corrupt. So Brett is framed for murder and his fiance is forced to marry Conrado San Martin, a bad guy in on the plot to set up a new Doge. Gianna Maria Canale, Brett's former lover, is also forced to testify against him. This all sets up nicely for revenge. An above average adventure that looks very sumptuous with excellent photography and good use of the Venetian locations. And there is plenty of swordplay and double dealings to keep things moving. Fun one.

THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED (69)

MAN MADE MONSTER (41)

THE LOCKET (46) - Loraine Day is the psychically damaged woman at the center of this film noir. Accused of theft as a child, she has become a dangerous kleptomaniac who destroys the men in her life. This has a fun structure with flashbacks within flashbacks within flashbacks as each former husband of hers returns to warn the latest victim. Excellent photography and a solid cast including Robert Mitchum as an artist who fell for her fatal charms. Directed by John Brahm at RKO.

DILLINGER (45)

THE CAT (88) - Gotz George directs a bank job from a hotel room high above the bank so he can keep track of the cops' activities while his two compatriots do the heavy lifting of hostage negotiation. A simple setup is anything but simple. This German crime film was a big hit and it's easy to see why; it is gripping and keeps its audience guessing along with everyone else as to the outcome. Tightly edited with a good score and plenty of tension, this thriller comes recommended.

LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART AT THE RIVER STYX (72)

DO THE RIGHT THING (89) - Filmmaking as free as Breathless (60).

HORROR ISLAND (41)

THE BLACK CAT (41)

Mildly Enjoyed:

IL CAVALIERE DAI CENTO VOLTI (60) - AKA The Knight of 100 Faces. Lex Barker is a Robin Hood-type hero of the forest and a master of disguise (well, maybe not a master). Herbert A. E. Bohme (Mill of the Stone Women) is the local duke and bad guy whose daughter is in love with Rex. Livio Lorenzon is the Duke's lackey and Rex's main antagonist. Liana Orfei is the flame-haired gypsy who floats between the two factions. Cue the court intrigue and swordplay. Middle-of-the-road entry in the Italian adventure thread; neither great nor terrible but an adequate time waster.

THE DRAGON MURDER CASE (34) - The Stamm estate has a grotto out back and legend has it that the pool contains a dragon. One evening several guests and relatives decide to take a dip. When one of them doesn't come up after a dive, the police are called in and detective Philo Vance (Warren William) accompanies them. This Warner murder mystery has horror overtones and features Lyle Talbot and Eugene Pallette. It must be noted that the solution to the mystery doesn't hold water, so to speak.

SPIDER (91) - From 2018 "A young woman poses for an artist as the Virgin Mary and sexual delusions and hallucinations overcome her.  Sexy and trippy film from Latvia is thematically and sometimes visually reminiscent of Valerie and Her Week of Wonders from Czechoslovakia."

THE SECRET OF TWO OCEANS (56) - When two ships are destroyed, one in the Pacific and one in the Atlantic, the Russians send a futuristic submarine called the "Pioneer" to solve the mystery. Russian science fiction in color with some impressive effects. The version I saw was broken into two parts totaling about 2 hrs, 20 mins.

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Angel Rivera  Enjoyed:

"THE CREATION OF THE HUMANOIDS" (1962)
One review called this movie, "a talk fest!" Not a lot of action, but the story is one of those "what if" type of stories. In a post-apocalyptic world, "humanoid" type robots are created to work and live with humans who are dying out due to lingering nuclear fallout. Into this world comes Cragis (Don Megowan), a leader of a group calling themselves, "Order of Flesh and Blood", a fascist like organization that harasses the humanoids whom they disparagingly call "clickers"!  Ironically, the "humanoids" are plotting something and Cragis means to find out. Interesting world created for the film. Almost like a stage play, like "R.U.R." Another guilty pleasure, I like repeat viewings of.

"GEORGIE AND MANDY'S FIRST MARRIAGE" (2025)
Cute sitcom with characters spun off from "Young Sheldon" (2017-2024). Some what amusing. Emily Osment is very cute and nice to watch as "Mandy"!

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Charles Gilbert watched:

CHINA DOLL (1958) B&W. American pilot Cliff Brandon (Victor Mature) learns a few lessons on 1943 Oriental culture while stationed in China. An indigent local mandarin father offers his daughter's services to him for a period of servitude, but they soon consummate a relationship that produces an infant daughter, and dismays the resident catholic missionary father (Ward Bond). WW2 conflict in nearby Burma leaves the cherub without either parent in the tearjerker ending.

HIGHWAY DRAGNET (1954) B&W. Recently discharged marine (Richard Conte) is suspected of murdering a blonde upon meeting her in a bar. On the lam from Arizona sheriff (Reed Hadley), he just happens to hitchhike with the actual killer (Joan Bennett).

DEATH RAGE (1976) Even though police inspector Martin Balsam is on his heels, renowned aging mob hitman begins to train a young feller to carry on his activities in Naples and New York, as his eyes are going bad. Last film for Yul Brynner. Directed by Antonio Margherita. Horrendous musical score. Over 13 minutes into the film before the credits start to roll. Sal Borgese has a secondary role

The Making of Ben-Hur 1959. Christopher Plummer narrates the documentary largely featuring Gore Vidal in interview who worked on the script. Producer Sam Zimbalist died from heart attack before shooting was complete,  leaving William Wyler with double duty.

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March 8 - 14, 2025

 

To answer these trivia questions, please email me at scinema@earthlink.net.

Brain Teasers:

Which American actor, who made Italian Westerns, also did an episode of The Twilight Zone which was directed by the fellow who directed 1971's THE HUNTING PARTY?

Charles Gilbert, Angel Rivera and George Grimes knew that Frank Wolff was in The Twilight Zone episode "A Passage For Trumpet" directed by Don Medford.

Bertrand van Wonterghem knew of Frank Wolff, but also of Fred Beir in The Twilight Zone episode "Death Ship".

Charles Gilbert asks, "The 'Reach for the Crown' Rolex commercial uses a musical theme from which  spaghetti western?"

George Grimes and Angel Rivera knew that it was "Ecstasy of Gold" from THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY.

Which actor, born in Venezuela, worked with directors John Korty, Sacha Guitry, Primo Zeglio, Antonio Leonviola and Giuseppe Vari?

Bertrand van Wonterghem knew that it was Jose Torres.

And now for some new brain teasers:

In which Italian Western does the film end with the victim of rape killing one of the gang who raped her, but the one who did not participate in the rape?

In which French Western does the film end with the victim of rape killing one of the gang who raped her, but the one who did not participate in the rape?

In which French Western is a young woman raped on the orders of a woman whose husband was murdered?

Name the movies from which these images came.

Bertrand van Wonterghem, Charles Gilbert, Rick Garibaldi and George Grimes identified last week's frame grab of George Hilton and Walter Barnes in IL MOMENTO DI UCCIDERE, aka THE MOMENT TO KILL.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

Bertrand van Wonterghem, George Grimes, Angel Rivera and Charles Gilbert identified last week's photo of Anita Ekberg and Jack Palance in I MONGOLI, aka THE MONGOLS.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

Bertrand van Wonterghem, Charles Gilbert, Angel Rivera and George Grimes identified last week's photo of Barbara Steele in AMANTI D'OLTRETOMBA, aka LOVERS BEYOND THE TOMB, aka NIGHTMARE CASTLE.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

No one has identified the above photo.

It shows Bunta Sugawara  and Michitaro Mizushi in NIPPON JOKYO-DEN: GEKITO HIMEYURI-MISAKI, aka TRIALS OF AN OKINAWAN VILLAGE in which I appear as an extra.

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I am interested in knowing what movies you have watched and what you enjoyed or not. So please send me an email at scinema@earthlink.net if you'd like to share. Here's what I watched last week:

Highly enjoyed:

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season three (2019) - This is a re-watch for me as I share it with my step daughter.

Enjoyed:

97th Academy Awards (2025)

Mildly enjoyed:

CAPTAIN AMERICA NEW WORLD ORDER (2025)

LO AMMAZZO COME UN CANE... MA LUI RIDEVA ANCORA, aka SHE KILLED HIM LIKE A DOG.... BUT HE WAS STILL SMILING, aka REQUIEM FOR A BOUNTY KILLER, aka DEATH PLAYED THE FLUTE (1972) The usual story about this film was that it was an Italian Western which had hardcore sex scenes put into it to become PORNO EROTIC WESTERN. Seeing the VHS release from Greece with the title REQUIEM FOR A BOUNTY KILLER, which was identical to a Spanish language VHS release with the title REQUIEM POR UN BANDIDO, it looked more to me that this was a porno film that had the sex scenes taken out to pass as an action movie. It also looked like someone started to make a movie with Michael Forest, and then when he wasn't available anymore, they continued to shoot with Steven Tedd, aka Giusepe Cardillo. Eventually, they realized that they needed to pad out the movie to reach the 70 minute running time, so they added some scenes with Susanna Levi and Chet Davis, aka Franco Borelli, that didn't need either Forest or Cardillo. To put it simply, this movie was a nearly incoherant mess. But the music score by Daniele Patucchi, which rarely sounded like something for a Western, kept my interest. It seemed to me that this production was entirely shot around Gordon Mitchell's Cave Studios in Italy, but some think that the scenes featuring Spanish actor Antonio Molino Rojo were actually shot in Spain, for the film UNA CUERDA AL AMANECER, aka YOU ARE A TRAITOR AND I WILL KILL YOU. There was also a report that credited director Angelo Pannaccio did not actually direct the movie. Luigi Petrini, who had previously directed a sex film COSI, COSI... PIU FORTE, aka SO, SO... LOUDER which Pannaccio wrote and produced, suppossedly wrote and directed LO AMMAZZO COME UN CANE. Petrini and Pannaccio argued during the editing of LO AMMAZZO, so Pannaccio took over the project, gave himself the directing credit. He would then do the same for PORNO EROTIC WESTERN. Reportedly PORNO also used footage from UNA CUERDA, plus new material featuring Ray O'Connor, aka Remo Capitani, Tomas Rudy and Laurence Bien. Now why those three were credited as the stars of REQUIEM FOR A BOUNTY KILLER when they don't appear in the film seemed to be a question only Pannaccio could answer. 

 

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David Deal Enjoyed:

TWO GUN SHERIFF (41) - The Sundown Kid (Don "Red" Barry) looks just like the sheriff of Apache Falls (also Barry), so upstanding citizen/bad guy Jay Novello hatches a plan to swap the two so he can sell stolen cattle without any hassle from the law. One of a series of solid westerns from Republic starring Barry, this one a bit more challenging with the dual role. A good example of the genre at the time. Lupita Tovar is the ill-fated love interest of the "Kid."

BOTTLE ROCKET (96)

THEY CAME TO ROB LAS VEGAS (68) - After Gary Lockwood's brother, Jean Servais, is killed trying to rob a supposedly impregnable armoured car made by the Skorsky company, he plans another heist of their vehicle to prove it can be done. This time it will be Vegas money on a run through the desert to LA. What Lockwood doesn't know is that Skorsky (Lee J. Cobb) is in cahoots with the mob and is running ill-gotten loot with the casino money. Throw in Treasury agent Jack Palance who smells a rat in Skorsky, and Lockwood's gal Elke Sommers who works for Skorsky and has the inside info enabling the heist. It's complicated. A Spanish/Italian/West German/French co-production that was a big hit and it's easy to see why. It's colorful and mod but also very cynical and downbeat. Lockwood and some of his crew are psychopaths, the mobsters all suspect each other, and the cops are not lily white either. It's a long film but doesn't feel like it most of the time. Plenty fun.

POISON IVY (53)

THE QUICK AND THE DEAD (95) - Good for more reasons than one.

JUST LIKE BEING THERE (12) - Documentary about the artists who create gig posters. This really focuses on the era from the 1990s to the present (2012) when multi-color posters became the norm. Interesting from a design perspective as well as from the carefree artist viewpoint. Recommended for those interested in design and the counterculture that spawned the art form.

THE DEADLY  DREAM (71) - Please refer to the "Television Fright Films of the 1970s" book.

THE MUMMY'S HAND (40) - Probably the best of the sequels. Okay, the best.

THE INVISIBLE WOMAN (40)

Mildly Enjoyed 

MAN BEHIND THE MASK (36) - AKA Behind the Mask. A madman wants an historic relic recently purchased by a Lord Slade, and will stop at nothing to get it, including kidnapping Slade's daughter. Shorn of twenty minutes for stateside viewing this now-confusing British serial-type adventure from director Michael Powell feels choppy and makes little sense. Too bad, as it might be worth seeing the full length version should one turn up.

HOUSE OF FEAR (39) - The leading man in a hit play is mysteriously killed while on stage and his body subsequently disappears. A year later, with the theatre in mothballs, cop William Gargan goes undercover as a producer who wants to reopen it with the same play to expose the killer. A snappy, breezy whodunit from Universal that keeps the interest up, and the unveiling at the end is a bit of a surprise. Not a bad old creaker.

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Angel Rivera  Enjoyed:

97th ACADEMY AWARDS" (2025)
Found it entertaining, especially the performances of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Conan O'Brien was fairly good as host! Unfortunately had not seen most of the nominees. 

"OCTAMAN" (1971)
Kerwin Mathews and Pier Angeli had worked together in Mathews' second OSS 117 film, "Shadow of Evil". Here they are a scientist and his girl who discover a "mutant creature" in a small fishing village down Mexico way.

"BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS (1970)
Not a sequel to Jacqueline Susann's novel; it is actually a collaboration between critic Roger Ebert and filmmaker Russ Myer. Lots of nudity in what someone called a "satire" about decadent Show Business. Has fairly no name stars, but does feature Dolly Read who would become the wife of Dick Martin of Rowan & Martin fame. She is a knockout and a living doll. A guilty pleasure!

"DEATH WISH 3" (1985)
Charles Bronson now being let loose in NYC (with backing from the local police) to take out a gang of hoodlums and save a neighborhood from these miscreants. Marina Sirtis of "Star Trek:the Next Generation" fame has a featured role as a Hispanic woman, (her character cries out in Spanish) who is attacked and murdered by the gang.  Bronson gets the job done.

"BABYLON 5: Season 2, Episode 10: "GROPOS" (1995)
I don't why Sheldon of "Big Bang Theory" didn't like this series, but this episode is some of the best television I have ever seen with a good anti-war message. If you have never watched this series, here is a good episode to watch.

"THE 3 WORLDS OF GULLIVER" (1960)
Kerwin Mathews is Jonathan Swifts' hero, Lemuel Gulliver who visits two distinct countries; one where "little tiny people" live ("Lilliput"). and the other a "land of human giants." ("Brobdingnag"). All thanks to the magic of "stop-motion animation" wizard, Ray Harryhausen. June Thorburn who plays Gulliver's fiancee would seven years after making this film die in a plane crash. Another actress Sherry Alberoni, a child actress who played the Gulliver's "protector", "Glumdalclitch" was a one time Mouseketeer and would later become a popular voice actress with voicing of one of the Pussycats in the animated series, "Josie and the Pussycats" among her credits.

"MAN FROM ATLANTIS" (1977)
The film that would lead to the series of a mysterious man found gasping for water starred Patrick Duffy of "Dallas" fame in what would be his first series, "Man from Atlantis" (1977-78). The comely Belinda J. Montgomery who would become better known as Dougie Howser's mom, on the series, "Dougie Howser, M.D." (1989-1993) plays the female doctor who saves and befriends our hero. Victor Buono plays the eccentric and evil genius, Mr, . Shubert who our hero, the man from "Atlantis", now known as Mark Harris goes up against to save mankind.

"THE COLOSSUS OF NEW YORK" (1958)
A minor Science fiction classic which features Ross Martin of "The Wild, Wild West"(1965-69) fame as an award winning scientist who is considered "a genius" by his renowned brain surgeon father, (played by Otto Kruger, who played the villain in Hitchcock's "Saboteur" (1942), who with the help of his other son, an expert in automation, played by John Baragrey, a popular character actor of the time), places Martin's brain in a giant robot. Mala Powers, best known for playing "Roxanne" opposite Jose Ferrer in his academy award winning role of "Cyrano de Bergerac" (1950), plays Martin's widow who is chased by Martin's brother and his best friend played by Robert Hutton, (best known for his roles in several Sci-Fi movies like "They Came from Beyond Space" (1967). The "Colossus" is played by 7'4" Ed Wolf in a giant costume. The effects while not the greatest, still serve the film well. Music for the film was composed by Van Cleave, a renowned film composer of the period.

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Charles Gilbert watched:

KISS ME, KILL ME (1976) Police woman Stella Stafford (Stella Stevens), with help from training mentor Claude Akin, is on the case of the murder of a school teacher who lead a prurient lifestyle despite her plain looks and limp. Made-for-tv movie not recommended.

SMASHUP ON INTERSTATE 5 (1976) TV movie with Robert Conrad as a CHP highway officer on the scene of a massive pileup on the northbound side south of LA near Encinitis. Included in the mayhem are Donna Mills, Buddy Essen, and Harriet Nelson.

BRUTE FORCE (1947) B&W. Miklos Rosza scores this prison drama with flashbacks of the convicts' better times. One of them, Joe Collins (Burt Lancaster) is over anxious to try an escape. Chief guard Muncy (Hume Cronyn) is aware of this courtesy of mole Jeff Corey. Fiery finale when the escape is thwarted, but cons are avenged when a wounded Joe throws Muncy off the tower.

ALL MY SONS (1948) B&W. Silver screen soap opera about big business corruption. Successful businessman Joe Keller (Edward G. Robinson) runs a manufacturing plant contracted for the war effort. He has unscrupulously shipped defective parts for airplanes that have crashed, and resulted in many deaths (no action scenes for that part of the storyline), but has always had an alibi. His partner was tried, convicted, and incarcerated. Now son Chris (Burt Lancaster) seeks the truth about his father's involvement.

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Bertrand van Wonterghem Enjoyed: 

Dealing (1971, Paul Williams)

Prisoners of the ghostland (2020, Sion Sono)

The return of doctor Fu Manchu (1930, Rowland V. Lee)

Borgman : last battle (anime) (1989, Hiroshi Negishi)

The sea hawk (1940, Michael Curtiz)

Teurigeo / Unmasked (2024, Yoo Sun-dong) – episode 12

Mildly enjoyed:

The coffin (2008, Ekachai Uekrongtham)

Borgman : lover's rain (anime) (1990, Kiyoshi Murayama)

Voyage to the bottom of the sea – episode «The sky's on fire» (1966, Gerald Mayer)

The story of doctor Wassell (1944, Cecil B. De Mille)

Alice in Movieland (short) (1940, Jean Negulesco)

Did not enjoy:

The charge of the light brigade (1936, Michael Curtiz)

The inside man (1984, Tom Clegg)

Sullivan's travels (1941, Preston Sturgess)

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