To answer these trivia questions, please email me at scinema@earthlink.net.
Brain Teasers:
Which Italian actress decided to retire from the screen after she married, but found herself drafted into playing roles in her director husband's movies?
George Grimes knew that it was Lorella De Luca.
Which Italian actress married a film director and moved to Brasil where they made two movies? They eventually moved back to Italy for most of their careers.
No one has answered this question yet.
Which Italian actress retired from the screen at the age of 37 and eventually died at the age of 81?
No one has answered this question yet.
And now for some new brain teasers:
Which American actor, who made Italian Westerns, got the first close up in Clint Eastwood's HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER?
By what name is THE WILD AND THE DIRTY better known?
By what name is Chip Corman better known?
Name the movies from which these images came.
George Grimes identified last week's frame grab from QUELLA SPORCA STORIA NEL WEST, aka THAT DIRTY STORY OF THE WEST, aka JOHNNY HAMLET.
Can you name from what movie it came?
Bertrand van Wonterghem and Angel Rivera identified last week's frame grab of Gordon Scott in MACISTE ALLA CORTE DEL GRAN KHAN, aka SAMSON AND THE SEVEN MIRACLES OF THE WORLD.
Above is a new photo.
Can you name from what movie it came?
George Grimes identified last week's photo of Lorella De Luca kissing Vittorio De Sica in PADRI E FIGLI..., aka FATHERS AND SONS, aka A TAILOR'S MAID.
George Grimes and Angel Rivera identified last week's frame grab of Hiroyuki Sanada and Conan Lee in NINJA IN THE DRAGON'S DEN.
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:
SEVEN CHANCES (1925) - Buster Keaton took Roi Cooper Megrue's 1916 play and turned it into a marvelous visual experience. After spending a year not being able to tell his sweetheart Ruth Dwyer that he loves her, Buster and his partner find themselves facing financial ruin. A lawyer tracks Buster down to inform him that his grandfather left him seven million dollars if he has married by 7pm on his 27th birthday. When Buster tells Dwyer that he has to marry someone by 7pm that day, she turns him down because it sounds like he's not interested in her personally. With his partner, Buster goes to the country club where he identifies seven women there that he knows. After the strikes out with these seven chances, the partner takes out an ad in the newspaper saying that a man needs to marry by 7pm in order to inherit seven million dollars. Needless to say, and army of single women descend on the church. Will Buster be able to escape the onslaught and convince Dwyer to finally say "yes"? Reportedly, the opening scenes of the film were shot with the early Technicolor process, but I've only seen it in B&W.
ONE WEEK (1920) - Buster Keaton and Sybil Seely are newly weds who are gifted a "kit house". An old boyfriend of Seely sabotages the kit by altering the order in which the kit is to be assembled. It takes a week for the house to be assembled - and then a storm hits. Hilarity ensues.
THE WALLS OF HELL (1964) - Three War films had a great impact on me as a kid. HELL IS FOR HEROES remains the best of the films, but THE WALLS OF HELL holds up pretty well. Based on the true story of an attempt by American and Filipino soldiers to rescue thousands of civilians being held by suicidal Japanese soldiers in the ancient Spanish walled city of Intramuros inside the city of Manila, THE WALLS OF HELL As much of the film takes place in the tunnels under the city, it achieves an eerie atmosphere which makes it unique in World War 2 dramas, which usually take place outdoors. Perhaps wisely, directors Gerado de Leon and Eddie Romero don't fill a lot of time with dialog. The action is very gritty and almost non-stop, which would have greatly appealed to this seven year old, who hated War movies that paused the action for some silly love story.
Mildly enjoyed:
MY WIFE'S RELATIONS (1922) - Buster Keaton inadvertenly finds himself married to Kate Price, but tries to fit into her brutish family.
POSSE FROM HELL (1961) - Clair Huffaker was the author of many Western movies, and the quality of the final product seems to vary with the talent of the directors. When teamed with Don Siegel he got FLAMING STAR. Here he got Herbert Coleman, who does little to keep the movie from becoming a talk fest filled with cliches. The villains are played by Vic Morrow, Lee Van Cleef, Charles Horvath and Henry Wills, so they prove formidale to hero Audie Murphy. I was unaware of Zohra Lampert until I saw 1971's LET'S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH, so to see her ten years younger here is a pleasure. John Saxon does a good job as the bank teller who is ill-suited to be in a posse, but proves himself to be better than he thought.
SPACE PROBE - TAURUS (1965) - Leonard Katzman was a producer on TV's Route 66 for years before he wrote and directed this feature film. Produced by Burt Topper, the film had only the tinest of budgets. I enjoy old B&W movies about space exploration, but none of the scientific stuff here is convincing. And the attempts at character development is also poor. And they had to throw in a love story! Here is another old movie that shows that reality is disappointing. This movie takes place in year 2000 and the U.S. is sending manned space ships beyond "Earth's universe" looking for a planet that can sustain Earth life.
Did not enjoy:
FOLLOW THE BOYS (1963) - Wives and sweethearts of Navy men head to France and Italy to spend time with their love ones. Connie Francis sings a number of tunes, none of which are memorable.
LOOKING FOR LOVE (1964) - After providing the singing voices for Tuesday Weld in ROCK, ROCK, ROCK!, Freda Holloway in JAMBOREE, and Jayne Mansfield in THE SHERIFF OF FRACTURED JAW, Connie Francis got an on-screen supporting role in WHERE THE BOYS ARE. The title tune for that flick joined her other hit records, so she was asked back for the follow up flick FOLLOW THE BOYS. In 1964, producer Joe Pasternak decided to give her the lead role in the very silly LOOKING FOR LOVE which reunited her with Jim Hutton. Feeling that her singing career is going nowhere, Francis leaves showbiz to the consternation of her roommate Susan Oliver. Looking for love, Francis is smitten by seeing Jim Hutton, but he doesn't notice her because she is so short. Oliver invites Hutton over to a party where she and Francis live so that the two can meet. Hutton finds the "Lady Valet" on which Francis made to hang her clothes to be a potential business opportunity and gets her on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson to sell the product. When Johnny hears that she originally wanted to be a singer, he requests that she sing on his show. Pulling her musician friend Joby Baker on stage with her, Francis proves to be a success. Francis enjoys having Hutton's attention, but ignores Joby Baker's affection because he is only a musician. Trying to decide on whether to take her career seriously or plan to be married, Francis trusts that if she hears bells when she kisses a man, that would be the man for her. She doesn't hear bells when she kisses Hutton, so she prepares to fly to Las Vegas for a job. Oliver arranges for two stewardesses and manager Jesse White to have bells at the ready when she sets up Francis to kiss Baker while Oliver kisses Hutton. They all hear bells, but it turns out that the ringers were still waiting for their cue. Oliver tells Francis that Baker is planning to be a doctor, which satisfies our heroine that he is a good catch. Fellow WHERE THE BOYS ARE castmates George Hamilton, Yvette Mimieux and Paula Prentiss make cameos as does Danny Thomas. Francis performs seven songs in this flick, none of which are memorable. LOOKING FOR LOVE failed at the box office, so a second followup to WHERE THE BOYS ARE was made called WHEN THE BOYS MEET THE GIRLS. That flick ended Francis' movie career.
THE MAZE (1953) - Maurice Sandoz's story got turned into a screenplay by Daniel Ullman and produced in 3D. Perhaps inspired by what director and designer William Cameron Menzies had achieved on a low-budget with INVADERS FROM MARS, producers Richard Heermance and Walter Mirisch hired him for the project. But Menzies can do little with the story of a fiancee and her aunt trying to discover the mystery behind Richard Carlson and his creepy Scotish castle. It is amusing that the filmmakers try to make a scientific explanation for the master of the castle turning out to be a 200 year old frog because he was born before he had advanced past the amphibious embryonic stage.
WILD ON THE BEACH (1965) - Low budget filmmaker Maury Dexter had previously tried to cash-in on the success of BEACH PARTY with SURF PARTY, and this was his second attempt. There's a lot of music, but the only worthwhile tune is by Sonny & Cher doing "It's Gonna Rain". Dexter even fails to give Sherry Jackson a chance to show her beauty. Dexter's next movie, a Western shot in Spain called OUTLAW OF RED RIVER, was better.
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David Deal Enjoyed:
THE BECKETT AFFAIR (66) - Please refer to the Eurospy Guide.
BESOKARNA (88) - AKA The Visitors. An ad man, his journalist wife, and their two kids move into a house in the country. They have over-extended themselves financially, and there is discord in the house. Soon strange things start happening. When the ad man sees a magazine offering help with the occult, he takes advantage, hiring a ghost-hunter. Swedish slow-burn take on the haunted house story, doesn't go for the obvious, sticking closer to the effects on the family. Eventually, of course, all hell breaks loose but the ride there is - perhaps a bit long - but rewarding.
PLEASURES OF THE FLESH (65) - A man, upon learning of a friend's daughter's molestation, determines to kill the perpetrator. So he stealthily throws the rapist off a night train. He learns later that he was seen and is blackmailed; in order to prevent exposure to the police he must keep 30 million yen that his blackmailer embezzled for the five years that crime will land him in prison. Four years in, our hero decides to spend the money over the next year on wine, women, and song. A fascinating and visually interesting Japanese film on the weaknesses of the human spirit and the comeuppance that must be faced.
THE AWFUL DR. ORLOF (62)
TWO O'CLOCK COURAGE (45)
THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (42)
Mildly enjoyed:
TELESM (87) - AKA The Spell. A pair of newlyweds are forced off the road on their wedding day, and they must take shelter at a nearby creepy castle which is occupied by an old man who, significantly, lost his bride on their wedding day. It would seem the ghost of his wife still inhabits the castle, and soon the young bride disappears within its labyrinthian walls. Gorgeously photographed period Iranian horror clearly inspired by the Western Gothics of Hammer and Roger Corman.
ILYA MUROMETS (56)
DEAD MEN RIDE (70)
PSYCHO LOVER (70)
CENTERFOLD GIRLS (74)
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Angel Rivera Highly enjoyed:
"THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT" (aka "THE CREEPING UNKNOWN") (1955/6)
After watching a documentary about the British sci-fi series of TV serials and movies about Prof. Quatermass, I rewatched this classic sci-fi/horror movie. Well done and very atmospheric. The film tells the tale of the return of a manned rocket ship launched from Great Britain and its landing, with a single survivor to horrific consequences. Based on a popular TV serial aired on British TV in 1953, the film stars American actor, Brian Donlevy as Prof. Quatermass, leader of an agency that launched the rocket into space and brought it back. Only to learn that of its three man crew, only one has survived. The survivor unbeknownst to all involved has been infected with a deadly virus that slowly transforms him into a hideous large blob-like creature that kills and absorbs anything and any one it comes in contact with. Val Guest, its director keeps the pace of the film moving while we watch the unfortunate astronaut transform into the monstrous creature. A must see for fans of classic British sci-fi and horror.
Enjoyed:
"THE QUATERMASS PHENOMENON/ A BRITISH SCI-FI LEGACY" (2024)
Interesting documentary providing a history of the TV serials and films that feature this sci-fi character, Prof. Quatermass, who rivals Britain's own Doctor Who serials and films. Can be seen on YouTube for those interested.
Mildly enjoyed:
"RETURN OF THE SEVEN" (aka "RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN" (1966)
After viewing the original "Magnificent Seven" and its inspiration "Seven Samurai", I decided to watch the sequels of "M7". Yul Brynner returned as the leader of the seven with Robert Fuller of "Laramie" fame (TV western series from 1959 to 1963) and "Emergency" (TV series from 1972-1977) as his second in command. This time a team of seven is created to help save their comrade, "Chico" (here portrayed by Spanish actor, Julian Mateos, replacing Horst Buchholz of the original seven) who has been abducted with other villagers by a mad Mexican rancher who wants to use the captured men as slave labor to build a town and church to honor his dead sons. Brynner enlists the aid of a new bunch of "Magnificent Seven" which includes character actors, Claude Akins and Warren Oates. The film while not as memorable as the original, has more sex and violence than the original.
"THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE" (1972)
Lee Van Cleef takes over the role originated by Brynner and provides one of his usual dependable performances. (Van Cleef is a good stand-in for the Magnificent leader as he and Brynner both have a role in common. They both played "Sabata".) In this one Van Cleef after becoming a U.S. marshal and losing his bride, who is raped and murdered by some outlaws, takes up the cause of his friend, Ralph Waite of "The Waltons" TV show fame (1972-1981) and defends a town full of women. (Their men have all been murdered by the bandidos.) To help him Van Cleef enlists the aid of Michael Callan (probably best remembered as Jane Fonda's love interest in "Cat Ballou" (1965),as a newspaperman who wants to write the story of Van Cleef's life, but also turns out to be handy with a gun; and some prisoners who join Van Cleef for their pardons. (Shades of "The Dirty Dozen" (1967) Among the "prisoners" are: James B.Sikking of "Hill St. Blues" fame (1981-1987); and Luke Askew, probably best remembered as the hippie hitchhiker who leads Billy and Wyatt to the hippie commune in the classic, "Easy Rider" (1969). Also receiving a featured billing is Stephanie Powers as one of the women of the small town Van Cleef defends, ending up as Van Cleef's woman after the "Seven" vanquish the bandidos. (Ralph does not end up as one of the Seven as his character is killed off early, but not before he avenges the murder of Van Cleef's wife.) Also in the film is use of the "magnificent" Elmer Bernstein score. Unlike the original film which was filmed in Mexico and the two previous sequels which were filmed in Spain; this one was filmed entirely in the U.S. The film also has more sex and violence than the original.
Did not enjoy:
"GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN" (1969)
The second sequel which I tried to like, but its plot is too convoluted having the seven fight to free a revolutionary played by Fernando Rey who is held captive by a sadistic Mexican colonel portrayed by Michael Ansara, probably best remembered as Apache chief, Cochise in the TV western, "Broken Arrow" (1956-1958) (Itself an adaptation of the James Stewart western, "Broken Arrow" (1950). Also in the film is George Kennedy, who I believe was miscast in the Yul Brynner role,as leader of the Seven, cast after Brynner decided not to return to the role. (Kennedy was better suited as the sheriff chasing after Dean Martin, Raquel Welch and James Stewart in the western, "Bandolero!" (1967) This film also features the debut of football star turned actor, Bernie Casey. The first African-American to be featured in a Magnificent Seven film. The film also features more sex and violence than the original. All the sequels feature the same Elmer Bernstein score used in the original, but to less effect, I feel.
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Bertrand van Wonterghem Enjoyed:
War arrow (1953, George Sherman)
The avengers – episode « The thirteenth hole » (1965, Roy Ward Baker)
The strange love of Martha Ivers (1946, Lewis Milestone)
When the redskins rode (1951, Lew Landers)
Pochi dollari per Django (1966, Leon Klimovsky)
Mildly enjoyed:
The new adventures of Wonder Woman – episode « Knockout »
(1977, Seymour Robbie)
Désirée (1954, Henry Koster)
The goonies (1985, Richard Donner)
Cran d'arrêt (1970, Yves Boisset)
Did not enjoy:
Zombie king and the legion of doom (2003, Stacey Case)
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