djhbooklover Reviews

Li'l Abner (1959)

Valuable record of a Broadway Hit!

[10/10 · 10 December 2013]

I saw this show on stage in San Francisco when it was on a national tour in 1959. I had been a movie fan since 1940 and a theatre lover since 1950 I saw the movie with my wife later that year having heard the original Broadway cast recording numerous times previously. Obviously we love the show and the movie came as close as possible to capture the stage production. Having read the comics all my earlier life I was familiar with Al Capp and his satire. There were only a few transfers of hit shows from Broadway to movies in that era which included original cast members. Two I enjoyed and own copies on DVD or VCR are NEW FACES OF 1952 and WHERE'S CHARLEY?. Gerald Bordman in American MUSICAL THEATRE A CHRONICLE (1978) says it ran almost 700 performances on Broadway in the late fifties. I certainly understand that movies do not always please viewers but the great majority of reviewers on this site are enthusiastic and have very ably described the many qualities which are apparent in this production. The success of this musical undoubtedly paved the way for the creation of ANNIE.

Captain Eddie (1945)

I liked it a lot.

[9/10 · 16 August 2013]

I was 10 when I saw this movie. I have memories of scenes from favorite films as early as 1940. This is one of them. I left the theater feeling entertained, happy they were rescued, educated about Rickenbacker's career and thrilled. At that age I was not capable of critical review but have always wondered why I never saw it again. Perhaps I was too unsophisticated to make a valid judgment. I did, however, remember that MacMurray was the star. I looked it up to learn why it was never re- released. In that era few movies were deliberately aimed at the young including war films and westerns. Even the Disney films were popular with adults. I was an avid moviegoer with minimal supervision and lots of nearby theaters so I recall many which were not written for the children but still left me with fond memories of their value for me. That is the basis for my rating.

Bang the Drum Slowly (1973)

Great Novel and Great Movie

[10/10 · 24 April 2013]

I saw this when it was released in 1973. I did not know anything about DeNiro, Moriarty, or Mark Harris but I am a lifetime baseball lover and fan as is my wife. We were accompanied by a couple who also loved this production and none of had ever heard a word about it. It captures the feeling of baseball from the opening jogging scene throughout despite the fact that is not really about baseball as much as it's about dying. I also played baseball from age 12 to 18 and went to numerous games. I agree with all the favorable reviews and many of the disparaging ones as technical points are often well taken. Mark Harris wrote four books about baseball and Henry Wiggens; The Southpaw, this one, A Ticket for a Seamstitch, It Looked Like Forever as well as a collection of essays one of which I may have read as it is about his life long love of baseball and the making of the movie. Each of his books tells a story about humanity with baseball as an underlying theme. The essay on the movie mentions that it was partially financed by a reader who loved the story, none of the stars were baseball experienced but worked very hard to be convincing and I believe they captured the essence of the book preserving the humor and the Ring Lardner flavor.

On Your Toes (1939)

Disappointing version of great Rodgers and Hart show

[5/10 · 22 April 2013]

I had the pleasure of seeing the revival of this marvelous Rodgers and Hart show when it played San Francisco some years ago. The CD is available and should be mentioned as it is the only complete recording to be had. I agree with all the reviews previously mentioned on this site and also enjoyed Donald O'Connor in his early days. Eddie Albert did very well and probably was cast since he was well received in R&H's "Boys From Syracuse" which was tremendously successful as was "On Your Toes".

My disappointment arises from the same comments previously made; the missing wonderful lyrics of Larry Hart,the inane shenanigans of the Russian characters played by very capable actors, the waste of not thinking of casting Bolger, minimizing Junior's worth by not recognizing he is a music professor in the original play, and missing the opportunity of capturing a piece of Broadway history.

Anything, however, that captures what Rodgers and Hart did for the American theatre world deserves preservation on film.

New Faces (1954)

A delightful filmed Broadway Revue.

[9/10 · 17 September 2012]

I initially saw this on the stage in Chicago after the show left Broadway where it was quite successful for a revue. I remember enjoying it immensely. I then saw the Cinemascope release in 1954 and was pleased that my wife could enjoy it as well. When I found it many years later on VHS and DVD I bought it and have seen it many times. As a musical theatre lover I am delighted that it has been preserved. Of course it is dated and the technical aspects of the filming and copying defects are well brought out by the other reviewers. Eartha Kitt is well represented as is Paul Lynde in two skits, the best a spoof of "Death of a Salesman" and the African travelogue; Robert Clary in two charming songs; Alice Ghostley in "Boston Beguine, hilarious, and yes she can sing!; Ronnie Graham doing a young Truman Capote; several ensemble numbers the best of which is the Lizzy Borden trial. It is clearly apparent that this is a filmed version of the stage show with the added silly plot. Theatre lovers will enjoy a rare opportunity to view an original revue as they were so frequently done in the early twentieth century but are uncommon today. I highly recommend taking a look at it

Downhill (1927)

A fine Ivor Novello performance.

[8/10 · 18 January 2009]

I just watched this film which I purchased on Ebay. I am a fan of Ivor Novello primarily because of his operatic musicals of the thirties and forties. I saw The Lodger recently and was impressed with his performance, read a biography or two, enjoyed Jeremy Northam's portrayal in Gosford Park, and am hunting for other performances in the cinema. This movie is very well done and adds an interesting insight into Hitchcock's early career. The quality of the acting, photography, use of symbolism are undeniable. I thought the impression that women are a bit dangerous was a major point but at least his mother cared about him although she didn't seem to resist his father's impulsive banishment. This is a film which held my interest throughout and I highly recommend it.

Where's Charley? (1952)

Filmed showstopper.

[9/10 · 25 January 2007]

I was fortunate to see this film while a freshman in college the year it was released. Having always enjoyed musical theater I loved the movie. Unfortunately I never got to see it again until it showed up once on television about thirty years ago. By that time I had the British original cast recording with Norman Wisdom so I knew the songs and found it even more fun. Then we saw a Ray Bolger nightclub act and I got to speak with him afterward. His "Once in Love With Amy" was the high point of his act as it was in the Broadway show. In the movie he repeats his famous interaction with an audience during that number as he did on the stage. According to Cy Feuer it was that number and that interaction that made the show a hit. I agree that this movie is part of show business history and should be available on DVD.

An American Romance (1944)

American success story.

[9/10 · 25 January 2007]

I saw this movie as a nine year old child and never forgot it. Later it appeared on television and more recently on TCM. I was impressed by the hero's fortitude in walking to Minnesota to join his cousin at the Mesabe Iron Range, his hard work, and his learning to read and eventually marrying the teacher. Each of his male children was named for a president after a friend remarked their child might reach that office. The movie taught me how iron ore was shipped east and processed into steel. Dangos also moves east and becomes a foreman. He eventually becomes an automobile manufacturer and his new ideas bring him success. His children succeed by achieving through the benefits of education. The movie ends after a documentary of American industry's contribution to the war effort. The Technicolor was gorgeous and Donlevy's performance believable. I still enjoy watching this film and believe King Vidor put his heart into it.

Butch Minds the Baby (1942)

A memory comment.

[9/10 · 29 November 2005]

I saw this movie as a child of seven and although details are not there I did remember Broderick Crawford was Butch. It has also stuck in my memory all these years along with many of the great early 40 movies. I have searched for it on TV and in Halliwell, Maltin and Videohound to no avail. I was delighted to find it here with a review to boot. I was certain it was a lost film. Thank you for your service. I'll be back looking for more. Later in my life I discovered Damon Runyon's stories and have read all I can get my hands on. I tried to see Guys and Dolls in New York in 1951 but couldn't get a ticket, not even standing room. I have seen every Runyon based movie since and would be delighted to see this one again if it were to turn up.