rbrtfourie Reviews

Tarzan and the Leopard Woman (1946)

TARZAN - WHY NO TARZAN YELL?

[7/10 · 25 November 2022]

What is a Tarzan film without the Tarzan yell?

As a child what I enjoyed and looked forward to was the Tarzan yell. I was a bit disappointed when there was no Tarzan yell in this outing. I recently acquired a mint 16mm print of this film complete with leaders and all credits. I found the film enjoyable and actually enjoyed the plot.

As the plot has been well reviewed I will not go into it again. Enjoyable family entertainment. I liked Brenda Joyce as Jane. She had a reasonable part to play and it was pleasant to see Tarzan, Jane and Boy shopping like any normal family and Tarzan having to contend with house hold chores, fixing the shower. Robert: South Africa.

The Great Niagara (1974 TV Movie)

Enjoyable drama

[5/10 · 2 June 2022]

This film surprised me. The title and synopsis was not too inviting. But as I had acquired a reasonable condition 16mm print of the movie I watched it and was pleasantly surprised. The main theme is the father's obsession to "ride" the Niagara river and the falls and how this obsession impacts his two sons. There also is a sub plot regarding the struggle between father and daughter-in-law for the attention of the elder son. It was enjoyable to see a young Burt Young and Randy Quaid. As far as content advisory goes: There is one scene where the eldest son and his wife are looking for an intimate time in the bedroom. There is no nudity or sex scene portrayed and the couple is shown briefly kissing. No profane language. A movie suitable for all ages.

Robert Fourie - South Africa.

Billy Two Hats (1974)

SURPRISING ENJOYABLE

[6/10 · 29 January 2022]

I recently acquired a 16mm film print of Billy Two Hats. Upon reading most of the reviews on the film, my expectation was not too high. However, upon watching the film - incidentally the 16mm print was in very good condition - I was pleasantly surprised. The film was enjoyable and I appreciated the way the story unfolded, not to slow or fast. I enjoyed the pace. The film, in my opinion was a bit short and possibly there was scope to explore the friendship between the characters portrayed by Gregory Peck and Desi Anaz Junior. The language is not to offensive and the obligatory love scene is very tastefully handled with most of it being left to the imagination and being implied with no nudity or heavy breathing and sweating. The word unpretentious comes to mind as a description of the film. I found it entertaining and a film well worth adding to my 16mm collection. A worthy investment. Robert Fourie - South Africa.

The Limbo Line (1968)

JAMES BOND

[6/10 · 5 March 2021]

This film falls in the same category as the James Bond films - minus all the sexual innuendos.Suitable for all ages. Has got something for everyone: Romance, action, drama and an unexpected ending. Robert: South Africa

Loss of Innocence (1961)

First Love

[6/10 · 16 February 2021]

I came across a 16mm print of "Loss of Innocence".

Before adding it to my 16mm film collection, I consulted IMDB for an overview of the film. I found the general overview to be favourable so decided to add the print to my collection.

The opening credits are missing. Fortunately, the story line and the closing credits are intact. There is some perforation damage and the colour is faded.

One reviewer described the film as "a little gem." I agree.

The relationship between Susannah York and Kenneth More could have been developed a little more; to enable the viewer to identify with them. The climax of the story could also have been developed a little more as I felt that towards the end of the film the story was rushed to its end - although it is well done.

This film is suitable for viewing by all ages. Robert Fourie - South Africa

The Trap (1966)

ME TARZAN - YOU JANE

[6/10 · 25 January 2021]

Watching "The Trap" was reminiscent of "Tarzan the Ape man". Especially the part when Tarzan first discovers Jane. The wild man, brutish, loud, uncivilized. Yet, surprisingly so, respects the resistance of his bought, mute wife when she refuses his sexual advances. The film is highly enjoyable. It is suitable for viewing by all ages as there is no nudity or explicit simulated sex scenes. No blasphemous or vulgar language. The developing relationship between the wild man and the mute girl is well worth watching even if a little predictable. The principals perform superbly. Well worth a watch and adding to your film library.

Shoot Out (1971)

Rather disappointing

[3/10 · 26 October 2020]

I have enjoyed Gregory Peck westerns like "The Big Country" and "Mackenna's Gold". I did see this movie (Shoot out) as a child and I remembered the scene where Gregory Peck acts out a William Tell scenario with one of the villains. I was looking forward to seeing the film again.

I was a bit disappointed. The reason is not quite clear to me. Possibly it was the abusive way the unsavory villains treated the prostitute; maybe it was too realistic. There are some women that do suffer at the hands of men in that way.

I do not enjoy blasphemy and nudity in movies - even if it is brief. I am convinced that a good story and competent acting do not have to rely on these elements.

The scenery is breath-taking and beautifully captured on film.I only started to warm up to the relationship between Gregory Peck and the young girl (possibly his daughter) over one hour into the film.

I give the film a low rating due to the blasphemy, brief nudity and woman abuse. These elements, in my opinion did not add anything to the movie. Gregory Peck, as expected, performs his role well, but somehow this does not rank as one of the Gregory Peck films I will remember with fondness.

The three villains are truly unsavory and unscrupulous characters and when they get their come up-pence it is satisfying!

An average western (in my opinion), which could have been above average if the negative elements I mentioned were left out. Robert - South Africa

The Man on the Eiffel Tower (1949)

A yawn!

[1/10 · 24 October 2020]

A waste of time. I wonder how many films Burgess directed, if this one is anything to go by, probably not too many. I was considering purchasing a 16mm print of this movie for my collection. Thankfully, I was able to view the movie on Youtube. The quality was atrocious, probably the quality of the print matched the movie. I definitely will give this one a wide berth.

South of St. Louis (1949)

Three Bells

[5/10 · 24 October 2020]

Entertaining western film. Suitable for family viewing. Follows the lives of three friends; the different paths their lives take. Watch for the mole on Alexis Smith face. In one scene, when she sings "Dixie", the mole has left her face and is seen on her chest area.In the closing scene there is no trace of the mole.

The Jackpot (1950)

James Stewart the attraction card

[5/10 · 26 September 2020]

The fact that James Stewart was billed as starring in this film, made me decide to have a peek at it on YouTube. I found the film entertaining. It is a story about wanting more from life and when you get it, you want your old hum drum life back. It is not hilariously funny or a movie that will be remembered for years to come - yet it is worth a viewing. Robert - South Africa.

The Purple Hills (1961)

Suitable for the family

[5/10 · 25 September 2020]

Roy Rogers, Red Ryder, the three Mesquiteers, were my staple diet of B westerns. Roy Rogers was my favourite. "The purple hills" comes at the end of this era, but nonetheless could easily slot into this category. Enjoyable for family viewing as there is no profanity, nudity or excessive violence. Even with a running time with just over one hour, the story does seem to drag a bit towards the middle. I am a 8mm and 16mm film collector and watched this movie to determine whether it would be worth adding to my 16mm collection. If I came across it at a reasonable price, I would consider buying it, but I would not go out of my way to look for it. Enjoyable matinee fun. Robert - South Africa.

The Fast Lady (1962)

Family fun

[6/10 · 25 August 2020]

Good, clean family fun. Some giggles towards the end. In the tradition of the Doctor and Carry on films. Worth a place in the DVD collection.

Hard Times (1975)

Role tailor made for Charles Bronson

[6/10 · 25 August 2020]

I bought a 4 movie collection DVD set of Charles Bronson movies. I bought it as I wanted to watch "The Valachi Papers." The other three movies in the set are: "Stone Killer", "Breakout" and "Hard times". "Valachi Papers" turned out a disappointment for me and I will not watch it again in a hurry - if ever. "Stone Killer" was more palatable and "Breakout" was entertaining. "Hard Times" was by far the best of the lot. The word understated comes to mind. A thoroughly enjoyable film, in my opinion, Charles Bronson at his best. A pity though that there was the obligatory blasphemy (about three times). Some moderate foul language. No nudity. A film I would watch again. This story and character suited Charles Bronson to the tee. Overall support acting well chosen and enhances the story line.

You Light Up My Life (1977)

No Debby Boone

[5/10 · 20 August 2020]

I missed an opportunity to see this movie, way back in 1978. Recently I got to see it. The first thing that surprised me - there was no Debby Boone. I always associated her with the movie. That apart, the movie is light weight, enjoyable entertainment. Basically it is the story of a young woman finding her dependence and breaking out of her fathers shadow. It reminded me of the movie "Valdez horses" aka as "Chino", with Charles Bronson. Nothing dramatic happens and it does not build up to any crescendo. Overall, it is recommendable and pleasant to watch and suitable for all ages. Robert

Breakout (1975)

Breakout - Entertaining

[4/10 · 20 August 2020]

"Breakout" is an entertaining movie. There is mild profane language throughout and at least one scene where blasphemous language is used. There is one brief scene of a woman in the nude revealing her buttocks. The suspense builds pleasantly as the breakout is planned and executed. The end, however, left me wondering what happened to Jay Wagner (played by Robert Duvall) and those who conspired against him. In my opinion the film was not rounded off well.I feel that the end of a movie can spoil the story if loose ends are not tied up. In my opinion this was the case here. However, overall, an enjoyable movie.

The Valachi Papers (1972)

The Valachi papers

[3/10 · 14 August 2020]

The Valachi papers takes the viewer behind-the-scenes into the lives of gangster-ism. Unfortunately, as in most cases, film makers often resort to blasphemy, profanity, nudity and sex to sell their product. The Valachi papers is no exception.In spite of good acting, good directing and a strong story line the powers that be still felt the obligatory accessories were needed. In my opinion these accessories detract from the movie and are the reason for my rating of 3. I would not recommend this movie because of these obligatory "accessories".

The Spiral Staircase (1975)

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

[5/10 · 30 May 2020]

I first saw this movie in 1977 when it was rented by my family on the Super 8mm film format. I was glad to watch it again recently as a trip down memory lane. I did enjoy the film (apart from the irreverent use of the name of the Lord Jesus). There are two distinct clues given as to the identity of the murderer (that I picked up). The suspect lot is not large as the story plays out in one location. In my opinion it falls in the genre of the television series Murder She Wrote and is entertaining with a mild suspense build up.