To answer these trivia questions, please email me at scinema@earthlink.net.
Brain Teasers:
Claudia Cardinale said "hi" to Henry Fonda while Fonda was relaxing off set with Robert Woods on BATTLE OF THE BULGE. What was Fonda's comment about Claudia to Robert?
"Beautiful girl.... Fat ass."
With which female co-star did Richard Harrison spend the night while she was having her "period" causing the maid in the morning to think there had been a murder with blood all over the room?
No one answered this question yet.
Which Italian Western, starring Klaus Kinski, reused the music from UN UOMO, UN CAVALLO, UNA PISTOLA, aka THE STRANGER RETURNS?
No one has answered this question yet.
Veteran screenwriter Ennio De Concini credited which director whose personality infused the Sword and Sandal movies of the 1950s and '60s?
Bertrand van Wonterghem, George Grimes and Angel Rivera knew that it was Pietro Francisci.
Apollonios of Rhodes wrote a poem about which Ancient Greek hero that inspired at least two movies and one TV mini-series?
Bertrand van Wonterghem, George Grimes and Angel Rivera knew that it was Jason and the Argonauts.
Which actress, born in 1933 Croatia, made five movies for Hollywood producers, but is mostly thought of as an Italian performer?
Bertrand van Wonterghem, George Grimes and Angel Rivera knew that it was Sylva Koscina.
And now for some new brain teasers:
By what name is Anthony Richmond better known?
Can you name two Italian actors known for their resemblance to Franco Nero?
Which Italian born actor survived the Allied bombing of Dresden in World War 2?
Name the movies from which these images came.
Bertrand van Wonterghem and George Grimes identified last week's photo of Antonio Sabato in DUE VOLTE GUIDA, aka TWICE A JUDAS.
Above is a new photo.
Can you name from what movie it came?
Bertrand van Wonterghem and George Grimes identified last week's photo of Alan Steel, Yann Lavor, Rentao Rossini and Nadir Moretti, in ERCOLE, SANSONE, MACISTE E URSUS, GLI INVINCIBILI, aka SAMSON AND THE MIGHTY CHALLENGE.
Above is a new photo.
Can you name from what movie it came?
Bertrand van Wonterghem and George Grimes identified last week's photo of Alan Steel in STORIA DI ARCIERI, PUGNI E OCCHI NERI, aka ROBIN HOOD... ARROW, BEANS AND KARATE.
Above is a new photo.
Can you name from what movie it came?
Above is a new photo.
Can you name 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:
SCRE4M (2011) - I love the original Sceam trilogy, so when a fourth film was announced, I cringed. It took me 14 years, and ignoring two new films, to finally get around to watching it. I was pleasantly surprised, because it didn't ruin the original three. But, my chief pleasure in watching it was staring at Neve Campbell again, as well as seeing Courteney Cox before her ruinous face lift. It was also a pleasure to see Hayden Panettiere, Marley Shelton, Anna Paquin and Kristen Bell.
SCREAM, aka SCREAM V (2022) - There are moments when this film seems in danger of heading up its own ass with all the talk about Horror movie conventions and the concept of a "requel" - neither a reboot nor a sequel but an introduction of a new cast of characters intended to continue the previously established storyline. With creator Kevin Williamson aboard as an executive producer, the production, written by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick and directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet, does a good job of being enough like the previous films to seem right, but different enough to be interesting. Through-out this movie there are references to the STAB franchise, which substitutes for the SCREAM movies. It got a little confusing when everyone complained about the last STAB movie, #8, being universally hated. It made me wonder if I missed something as the last SCREAM movie was #4. The motivation for a new killing spree was to inspire the movie makers to make a new STAB movie worthy of their fans. The film got on my good side by not having the first woman attacked die, and now I feel that I've finally seen Jenna Ortega. Who would have predicted that Mikey Madison would go on from this movie to win a Best Actress Oscar for ANORA? I was pleased to see SCREAM veterans Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Marley Shelton and Heather Matarazzo return, and that Courteney Cox looked better than she in Cougar Town. And it was good to hear "Red Right Hand" if only for a little bit. "I still prefer BABADOOK".
SCREAM VI, aka SCREAM (2023) - A sequel to a "requel" equals a franchise - and all rules are off. I'm okay with Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Hayden Panettiere (who I didn't immediately recognize) and Courtney Cox being the new "Legacy" characters. I'd be happy if Skeet Ulrich went away and the writers, James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, and directors, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet, would stop suggesting that Barrera will become a female Dexter. It is a shame that Samara Weaving won't be returning because she looks spectacular in that yellow dress.
Mildly enjoyed:
True Detective: North Country (2024) - As far as a TV series dealing with the missing and murdered indigenous women of Alaska, I felt that Alaska Daily on ABC-TV did a better job. And being a proper U.S. TV series, Alaska Daily filmed in Canada. Why the fourth season of True Detective decided to film in Iceland suggests a production deal of which I have no knowledge. Mexican writer/director Issa Lopez was perhaps best known for Horror Movies and True Detective: North Country had that kind of atmosphere. Unfortunately, like most shows made for streaming, it really didn't need to be six hours long.
GEKIJOBAN URUTORAMAN EKKUSU KITA ZO! WARERE NO URUTORAMAN, aka ULTRAMAN X THE MOVIE: HERE HE COMES! OUR ULTRAMAN (2016) - I watched Ultraman, without English subtitles or audio, religiously when I was a child and even saw the movie when it hit the threaters on Okinawa. When Ultra 7 replaced it, I continued to watch. When re-runs of Ultra Q came on, I was a viewer. When Return of Ultraman came around in 1971, I was occupied with high school stuff. So, I only saw some of the next 50 some years of the franchise on home video. Ultraman X came on TV in 2015 with the "movie" coming out the next year. Mill Creek put it out on Blu-ray, with English subtitles, which is where I saw it. If the movie is a good representation of the show, the show got more complicated over the years, and, thankfully, the humans got more useful. Ultraman X's human collaborator isn't a secret identity, and the Earth defense organization, Xio, even has an extra-terrestrial member. The team use "cyber cards", which look like Pokemon cards, in their weapons, which was certain to boost merchandising sales. For the finale, the villain monster, Zaigorg is able to create a small army of monsters which are spread throughout the world. Thankfully, because of a boy's love for his mother, a small army of Ultramen, including the original hero, show up to save the world - though it looks like most of Tokyo is once again rubble. This finale loosely resembles the final battle of the Japanese/Thai co-production URUTORA ROKU KYODAI TAI KAIJU GUNDAN, aka HANUNMAN POB JED YODMANUDE, aka THE 6 ULTRA BROTHERS VS. THE MONSTER ARMY, aka HANUMAN MEETS 7 SUPER MEN, which I saw on Japanese language VHS. The monster battles still look a bit like wrestling matches with a lot of explosions and sparks. Interestingly, while the Japanese filmmakers now have access to C.G.I., they still prefer the Ultras and the monsters to be humans in suits - and every Ultra has an obvious zipper in the back.
GEKIJOBAN URUTORAMAN GINGA ESU KESSEN! URUTORA JU YUSHI!! aka ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE, aka ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE: SHOWDOWN! THE 10 ULTRA WARRIORS! (2015) - The Ultraman Ginga S.series began on TV in 2014 with this movie following the next year.The Earth defense force is now UPG - Ultra Party Guardians, and for this movie their team is joined by an android girl, who was once a villain. (Shades of 7 of 9.) The most distinctive element of this movie - and possibly the TV series - is that to create a sense of the gigantic, everytime the monsters or the Ultras move about, they kick up a lot of dirt. In the final battle, it becomes obvious that the special effects guys have cannons all over the set to shoot dirt into the air. This time there are so many Ultras bonding with humans, that I lost count. Plus the villain is collecting all of the Ultras in some kind of dimensional prison (Shades of SUPERMAN, 1978.) that looks like trading cards. Eventually, all of the Ultras are freed and the villain brings back previously defeated monsters with which all of the Ultras battle seperately. I know I'm not watching these movies in the order in which they came out, but this makes the third movie I've seen in which a small army of monsters fight a small army of Ultras. As the Ultras all belong in the "Heisei" period of the franchise, my favorite, Ultra 7, doesn't appear. For all of the blade like weapons conjured up, none of them slice off mosters' heads the way Ultra 7 used to do. The fights here look less like wrestling and more like Kung Fu movie fights. The Chinese influence is underlined by when one hero is sent into a dream state to be menanced by her greatest fear, her greatest fear is three "hopping" ghost/vampires. Was the other hero being chased by a giant tomato a nod to ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES?
URUTORAMAN TIGA & URUTORAMAN DAINA: HIKARI NO HOSHI NO SENSHI-TACHI, aka ULTRAMAN TIGA & ULTRAMAN DYNA: WARRIORS OF THE STAR OF LIGHT, aka ULTRAMAN TIGA & ULTRAMAN DYNA: WARRIORS OF THE LIGHTING STAR (1998) - From 1980 until 1996, there were no new Ultraman shows. 1996's Ultraman Tiga was released and proved to be very popular. After 52 episodes, Tiga was followed by Ultraman Dyna. In Tiga, the TPC (Terrestrial Peaceable Consortium) created GUTS (Global Unlimited Task Squad) to combat monsters from outer space. Set seven years after the end of Tiga, Ultraman Dyna takes place in the year 2017 during the "Age of the Neo Frontier" with the terraforming of Mars and the creation of "Super GUTS". The ULTRAMAN TIGA & ULTRAMAN DYNA movie is set between episodes 26 & 30 of the Dyna TV series. The movie begins with a shot echoing the opening of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY before quickly echoing the opening of the first STAR WARS with a monster being chased by space ships flying overhead of the camera. When Dyna seems about to lose the fight with the giant monster, a giant new spaceship, called Prometheus appears and destroys it. It turns out that Prometheus is the newest weapon created by the TPC which is powered by a giant computer. (Shades of THE FORBIN PROJECT.) However, this new weapon is soon taken over by the evil extraterrestrials, who, as to be expected in an Ultraman story, incorporate it into a giant robot with which they plan to exterminate the human race. Also, as to be expected in an Ultraman story, the destruction of the human race will take place in a single Japanese city at high noon. Prefiguring 2005's WAR OF THE WORLDS, the alien attack doesn't come from the sky, but from under the ground. Luckily, our dispirited human host to Ultraman Dyna talks with a little boy who still has the Ultraman Tiga action figure. This sends our hero to visit with the former Captain of GUTS to learn more about Tiga. However, it is the little boy remembering how the Light in every human is what really powers Ultraman. (Shades of The Force.) When it looks like Dyna has died, the boy reminds the huddled humans that they can't lose Hope for the powers the Light in everyone. In a scene reminiscent of Peter Pan and the resurrection of Tinkerbell, everyone sends their Light to the moribund figure of Tiga, which revives him. Tiga revives Dyna and, of course, everyone is happy in victory - except, perhaps, the property owners of the Japanese city heavily damaged in the fight. Oh man, is this movie incredibly corny. Inspired by the memory of Tiga, the former Captain of GUTS joins in the final battle. This inspires all of the former members of GUTS to show up at the Captain's office to discuss old times. The special effects people at Tsuburaya Productions have no qualms about using a lot of explosive flash pots, but the same can be said about the guys at Toei who even used them in ninja TV shows.
Za Urutoraman, aka The Ultraman (1979), aka The Adventures of Ultraman (1981) and Ultraman II: The Further Adventures of Ultraman (1983) - Four years after the end of the TV series Ultraman Leo, Tsuburaya Productions decided to try an animated series with Nippon Sunrise. The series ran for 50 episodes. In 1981, a feature film compilation of the series was released. Even though the follow-up film was called Ultraman II, it wasn't a sequel. Instead, it was a straight English version of the first four episodes of the TV series. From a space station drawn to look similar to the one in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, our hero observes a strange glowing substance which surrounds the Earth's sky. Strange letters appear which no one can decypher. Because of this, the Earth Defense Force assembles the Emergency Science and Defense Squad. Our hero is requested to join the Eastern Defense Squad on Earth. Traveling from the space station to the planet, our hero is contacted by Ultraman - called Ultraman Joneus in Japan according to Wikipedia. Ultraman explains that he must use our hero's human body to survive on Earth, and that he needs to be on Earth to protect people from coming monsters. The strange events in the Earth's sky was a warning from his extraterrestrial federation. Meanwhile, giant prehistoric monsters are awakening around the Earth, including from melting glaciers in Antartica. At first our hero doesn't understand why he has a blue crystal like star in his posession, but eventually he learns that with it he can transform into Ultraman. Ultraman II also features a robot at the EDS home base that looks like Garamon, a popular friendly monster that first appeared in Ultra Q and the first Ultraman series. Why anyone would design a robot to look like a monster is never explained.
I found a copy of The Adventures of Ultraman on YouTube.
URUTORAMAN YU ESU E, aka ULTRAMAN USA, aka ULTRAMAN: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS (1987) - Hanna-Barbera Productions in the U.S. collaborated with Tsuburaya to create an English language animated TV series, but the pilot never sold. So, it was turned into a feature length TV movie which aired in 1987, but had a threatrical run in Japan, dubbed into Japanese, in 1989. As in the original series, a jet pilot is accidentally killed encountering an extraterrestrial event. Only this time it is three pilots who become hosts to three Ultra Warriors. As the fun of all of the Tsuburaya FX productions is in watching models and giant monsters in "rubber suits", seeing this stuff done in animated drawings is a disappointment. However, the writers throw in some unique bits that make this interesting. First of all, there is no planetary defense force for our heroes to join. They are U.S. military stunt pilots like the Blue Angels, but are called the Flying Angels. After their new status as Ultra hosts, they discover a secret organization under the Georgia National Golf Course - possibly established by an interstellar peace keeping group. Soon they are whisked away to a secret base inside Mount Rushmore. (Years before TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE in 2004.) In this version, our heroes can not call forth their Ultra selves. The Ultras only come out when the human hosts are in danger of losing their lives. A meteor breaks up entering the Earth's atmosphere, with each piece turning into a monster. As this is an American show, all the pieces fall in the U.S. After Ultraman Scott destroys a monster in San Francisco, Dr. Susan Rand of the Federation for Extraterrestrial Research, F.E.R. Labs, angrilly accuses him of murder since he never tried to peacefully communicate with the monster first. (Shades of THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD.) Scott is obviously attracted to Susan and is so inspired that when our heroes encounter a monster in Utah that doesn't act agressively, they figure out a way to safely send it to another planet where it can life peacefully. The Ultras are assisted in this endeavour by the three robots that run the secret base. The little boy personalities of the three robots is made obvious when Susan talks to them and they all blush.
Did not enjoy:
DEVIL'S PARTNER (made in 1958, but not released until 1961) - In the small town of Furnace Flats, old coot Ed Nelson sells his soul to the Devil in order to return as his handsome young nephew Ed Nelson. He lusts for the attractive Jean Allison, who is in love with handsome gas station owner Richard Crane. She also wears a pesky gold cross around her neck. In addition to not sweating no matter how hot it gets, Nelson is able to will evil onto others with the help of a hexagon on the floor of his shack, and a seemingly endless supply of goat's blood. Nelson is also able to transform himself into an horse in order to trample a bum to death. But when he transforms into a rattlesnake to kill Crane, Crane has a gun and wounds the snake. Eventually, everyone chases down Nelson, who tries to get away as the horse, but Sheriff Spencer Carlisle shoots the steed dead. As the surviving main cast stands around, Nelson changes from the dead horse to the handsome young man, and finally the old coot. Also, the hideous scar across Crane's face, caused when Nelson willed Crane's dog to attack him, fades away so that the young couple can be pretty for each other again. The opening credits for this film says "introducing Ed Nelson" which isn't quite true as Nelson had already appeared in 13 films before making this one, and made 12 more before this "introduction" was released. Nelson finally became a star on the TV drama Peyton Place in 1964. This was director Charles R. Rondeau's third low-budget feature film, before he moved on to a 20 year career in TV working on just about every action show there was.
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Angel Rivera Highly enjoyed:
"STAR TREK Voyage One: THE MENAGERIE" (aka "The Cage) (1964/65/66/88)
This became my favorite episode of "Star Trek" when I first saw Roddenberry's B/W answer print of the original uncut version of the first Star Trek pilot. (the working title was "The Cage", but just before filming began, Roddenberry changed the title to "The Menagerie". That title was used when the two part edited version was shown on TV. When the original uncut and unedited version was finally shown on TV and released to home video, it was given its working title back to distinguish it from the televised version. I thought it was the best episode of "The Outer Limits" not actually produced by "The Outer Limits". Since the episode was actually filmed in color, it was a treat to see the restored version. Capt. Pike (captain of the Enterprise before Kirk) is taken prisoner on the planet Talos IV by its inhabitants, the Talosians for an experiment to see if humans can be used to rebuild their planet which had been destroyed by war. The Talosians also have great mental powers: especially in creating illusions.
This became my favorite episode of "Star Trek" when I first saw Roddenberry's B/W answer print of the original uncut version of the first Star Trek pilot. (the working title was "The Cage", but just before filming began, Roddenberry changed the title to "The Menagerie". That title was used when the two part edited version was shown on TV. When the original uncut and unedited version was finally shown on TV and released to home video, it was given its working title back to distinguish it from the televised version. I thought it was the best episode of "The Outer Limits" not actually produced by "The Outer Limits". Since the episode was actually filmed in color, it was a treat to see the restored version. Capt. Pike (captain of the Enterprise before Kirk) is taken prisoner on the planet Talos IV by its inhabitants, the Talosians for an experiment to see if humans can be used to rebuild their planet which had been destroyed by war. The Talosians also have great mental powers: especially in creating illusions.
"STARGIRL" S3: E13, Frenemies--Chapter Thirteen--The Reckoning" (2022)
Watched the final episode on Max and enjoyed it all over again. Stargirl and the newly formed Justice Society battle the Injustice Society. Since this was the last episode of the series before it was cancelled, they also have a section at the conclusion of the episode which hints at what might have been the series next season; had it not been cancelled. Satisfying as it gives one an idea of what was coming next.
"JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS" (1963)
TCM was showing what it calls Mythology Wednesdays and showing a tribute to Ray Harryhausen. First the original "Clash of the Titans" (which I only caught the ending) and then Harryhausen's masterpiece "Jason and the Argonauts". Every time I see this film I am amazed how well its technology holds up. Especially the battle with the skeleton "children of the Hydra".
Watched the final episode on Max and enjoyed it all over again. Stargirl and the newly formed Justice Society battle the Injustice Society. Since this was the last episode of the series before it was cancelled, they also have a section at the conclusion of the episode which hints at what might have been the series next season; had it not been cancelled. Satisfying as it gives one an idea of what was coming next.
"JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS" (1963)
TCM was showing what it calls Mythology Wednesdays and showing a tribute to Ray Harryhausen. First the original "Clash of the Titans" (which I only caught the ending) and then Harryhausen's masterpiece "Jason and the Argonauts". Every time I see this film I am amazed how well its technology holds up. Especially the battle with the skeleton "children of the Hydra".
Mildly enjoyed:
"SUPERMAN" (2025)
This film is now supposed to be the corner stone of the new DC cinematic universe. Don't want to reveal any parts of the story. If you were planning to see this film, let me just tell you I rated it "7 out of 10" for a score, 10 being highest score.. If you're a DC fan you won't want to miss this one.
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David Deal enjoyed:
WAR OF THE TROJANS (62)
WHITE SAVAGE (43)
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (81) - Maybe you've heard of it.
THE ADVENTURES OF ARSENE LUPIN (56) - Arsene Lupin (Robert Lamoureux), gentleman thief and master of disguise, becomes involved in a challenge by the German Kaiser to find a secret hiding place in his castle. Along the way, he alternately charms and frustrates the Kaiser's daughter (Liselotte Pulver). Highly enjoyable take on the famous character. Colorful and funny, this lighthearted turn will keep viewer amused throughout.
THE TERRIBLE PEOPLE (60)
TALES OF TERROR (62)
CAMILLE 2000 (69)
MY FAVORITE BRUNETTE (47)
L'IMMORTELLE (62) - A Frenchman (Jacques Doniol-Valcroze) in Istanbul meets a mysterious woman (Francoise Brion) who comes and goes, much to his frustration. Alain Robbe-Grillet's first film as director echoes his fascination with labyrinths explored earlier in his screenplay for Last Year in Marienbad. This time, the puzzle is an inscrutable Orient; the empty spaces, incomprehensible language (the Turkish spoken is not translated), and the unavoidable ruins of an ancient civilization. Fascinating, and filmed with a vacant beauty. Highly recommended for fans of Marienbad.
THEM (54)
TO CATCH A THIEF (54)
FUNERAL IN BERLIN (66)
Mildly Enjoyed
THE HIGH TERRACE (56) - Actress Lois Maxwell has a supporting role in a new play, and she shows promise. Playwright Dale Robertson wants Lois as the lead in his new work The High Terrace, but Lois's manager Eric Pohlman won't release her. Suddenly Pohlman turns up dead. A by-the-numbers backstage melodrama with little to distinguish it other than the short running time.
OCCHI DI CRISTALLO (04) - AKA Eyes of Crystal. A lovemaking couple and a voyeur are killed with extreme prejudice. Inspector Amaldi's (Luigi Lo Cascio) investigation reveals a serial killer who begins taking souvenirs from his victims. Well-crafted giallo with occult leanings and a certain exuberance in conveying the grisley, ritualistic killings; as if Dario Argento had made Seven. Fans of the form will be satisfied.
VAMPIRE CIRCUS (72)
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Bertrand van Wonterghem Enjoyed:
Stage to Tucson (1950, Ralph Murphy)
Along came Jones (1945, Stuart Heisler)
Man with the gun (1955, Richard Wilson)
Nolajuneun yeoja / My secret mobster (2024, Kim Yeong-hwan) – episodes 1 to 5
Unconquered (1947, Cecil B. De Mille)
Mildly enjoyed:
Rôjin Z (1991, Hiroyuki Kitakubo)
Hudson Hawk (1991, Michael Lehmann)
Voyage to the bottom of the sea – episode « The shape of doom » (1966, Nathan Juran)
Did not enjoy:
Dead fire (1996, Robert Lee)
Drums along the Mohawk (1939, John Ford)
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