Postmark for Danger (1955)

RKO Radio Pictures
Directed by Guy Green
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

An artist is being framed for the murder of one of his models in his apartment. He sets out to prove to a Scotland Yard inspector that he is innocent. That proves to be difficult when more bodies show up, and some thought dead reappear, along with other outlandish claims. A labyrinthine mystery loaded with clues, suspects, motives and more, it can be both fascinating and frustrating. Let down somewhat by the restrained performance of Robert Beatty as the tortured artist, but still a lot of fun with a touch of noir.

A Well Spent Life (1972)

Flower Films
Directed by Les Blank
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Slice-of-life documentary about aging folk-blues guitarist Mance Lipscomb. He spends his time in rural Texas doing the same thing he's done his whole life: farming, eating home-cooked meals with his wife, singing and playing guitar at the local bar, attending a church baptism and raising kids. His music permeates the film, a soothing blend of acoustic guitar and blues lyrics drawn from a rich life.

Love (1927)

MGM
Directed by Edmund Goulding
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Greta Garbo and John Gilbert are the doomed lovers of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. He falls in love with the beautiful, but married, aristocrat. She initially rejects him, but eventually gives in to her desires. The crossed husband refuses to fight a duel with Gilbert, instead ruining both of their reputations and taking away her child. Garbo sacrifices their happiness to save his honor and standing in the military. Years pass, and they meet again, though with two outcomes: one happy for the American release and the other tragic for the rest of the world. While the latter is faithful to Tolstoy, it's still a bummer. The film works mainly because of the on-screen chemistry between Garbo and Gilbert, but it's an oversimplification of the much more complex novel.

Hill 24 Doesn't Answer (1955)

Continental Distributing
Directed by Thorold Dickinson
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Soldiers on their way to defend a remote hill tell their backstories in a series of flashbacks. In the first, an Irish soldier in Israel falls in love with a Palestinian girl. They endure suspicious looks from neighbors, harassment from coworkers and the police but ultimately are forced apart by war. In the second, a small patrol unit is sent to the old part of Jerusalem to rescue people trapped in a hospital. They face overwhelming odds against superior Arab forces in control of the city. In the final segment, a soldier tries to help a wounded enemy by carrying him to a nearby cave for shelter, but when he finds out he is really a Nazi has second thoughts. Excellent recreations of locations and battles involved in the fight for Israel's independence, but the plot is episodic and the wraparound narrative, which gives away the ending in the first few minutes, is anticlimactic.

A Lady of Chance (1928)

MGM
Directed by Robert Z. Leonard
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Con artist Norma Shearer sets her sights on southern business man Johnny Mack Brown. He falls in love with her and impulsively marries her, then takes her home to meet the family back on the plantation. Norma finds out he's not a millionaire and tries to leave him, but it turns out she has fallen in love with him as well. Her old accomplices show up and try to blackmail her out of the money he makes selling a formula for concrete. She confesses to him, but ultimately is redeemed. Lighthearted, if entertaining, fluff, buoyed by Shearer's winning smile and natural performance.

Strange Bargain (1949)

RKO Radio Pictures
Directed by Will Price
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Assistant bookkeeper Jeffrey Lynn barely scrapes by on his wages at a law firm. He lives in the suburbs with his devoted wife and kids, who encourage him to ask for a raise one day. Instead, he gets fired, but his boss proposes another arrangement on the way home from work. The law firm is going under and he plans to commit suicide and leave the life insurance to his own wife and son, but wants Lynn to help him make it look like murder. Pesky police detective Harry Morgan is assigned the case, and the clues all lead to Lynn who must deal with his guilty conscience. Good mystery with a twist that is difficult to anticipate.

Alice (1988)

First Run Features
Directed by Jan Svankmajer
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Blu-ray, First Run Features)

Kristyna Kohoutova is a bored little girl with a vivid imagination. She gets knocked out one day while playing games with her dolls and has an adventure following a white rabbit. She finds herself locked in small rooms and must use various methods to find a way out. The white rabbit leads her deeper and deeper into trouble, ultimately ending up in the court of the red queen and king on trial for her life. The plot tends to bog down in repetitive situations and since we don't really know much about Kohoutova we don't really care about her plight, leading to a rather unemotional story. Svankmajer's highly imaginative stop-motion animation makes up for those deficiencies for the most part. A bizarre, surreal interpretation of the classic Lewis Carroll story.

The Hidden Eye (1945)

MGM
Directed by Richard Whorf
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

A private detective is hired to solve a series of murders. He's blind, but is adept at using his other senses to compensate. Also helpful is his guide dog Friday, who saves him on many occasions. They get kidnapped by the killer and his gang, leading to a fist fight with obvious stunt doubles for the big finale. Edward Arnold as the blind detective is a little too smug for my tastes.

The Single Standard (1929)

MGM
Directed by John S. Robertson
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Socialite Garbo openly has a relationship with her chauffeur, defying the social codes of her wealthy circle of acquaintances. When they threaten to expose her, it leads to tragedy. Years later, she meets and falls in love with macho prizefighter, artist and sailor Nils Asther. They spend an idyllic few months together sailing the world, but he abruptly ends the relationship so not to "spoil it". Heartbroken, she settles for another man and they have a child together. Asther eventually shows up again wanting her back, leading to some tense moments before she decides to take him back or stay with her husband and child. Melodramatic to be sure, but Garbo has a way of making you care about what happens to her character.

The Brighton Strangler (1945)

RKO Radio Pictures
Directed by Max Nosseck
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Stage actor John Loder is hit on the head during an air raid and assumes the identity of his latest role: a maniac strangler. He proceeds to re-enact the play scene-by-scene, befriending young WAF June Duprez and her new husband. A Scotland Yard inspector figures out that he is the killer, but too late. He manages to get Duprez on a London rooftop for the big ending, but it doesn't turn out as planned. Good, atmospheric mystery, if a bit far fetched.

Il Sorpasso (1962)

Fair Film (Italy)
Directed by Dino Risi
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Carefree, middle-aged playboy Vittorio Gassman picks up meek law student Jean-Louis Trintignant and takes him on a 2-day road trip around Italy. They stop at various bars and restaurants, meet several women, speed on local highways in his sports car and have a grand time bothering normal folks with their antics. They stop by some relatives of Trintignant and we learn a little about his past, then later they visit Gassman's ex-wife and daughter, the lovely Catherine Spaak, who Tringtignant falls in love with Lolita-style. You will see the tragic ending coming a mile away in this rather predictable road movie.

Escape from Crime (1942)

Warner Bros.
Directed by D. Ross Lederman
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Recently paroled Richard Travis tries to go straight for his wife and new kid. He finally lands a job on a newspaper when he photographs his old pals during a bank robbery. He is constantly harassed by his parole officer who refuses to believe he has changed his ways. His editor forces him to illegally photograph an execution which lands him in hot water with the law, but he manages to clear his name in a final shootout. Another fast-paced Warner crime drama, but totally predictable.

I Was Framed (1942)

Warner Bros.
Directed by D. Ross Lederman
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

A newspaper reporter digging up dirt on a politician is framed for manslaughter after a drunk driving accident. His cell mate convinces him to escape, and he starts a new life in a nearby town. Five years go by, and his old cell mate shows up to blackmail his wife with the truth about their background. It starts out as a fast paced crime drama, but degenerates into a family melodrama, including gratuitous scenes with precocious 5-year-old Patti Hale singing songs with their negro servant!

Bullet Scars (1942)

Warner Bros
Directed by D. Ross Lederman
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Gangsters hire local country doctor Regis Toomey to take care of their mortally wounded partner. Toomey, oblivious to what's really going on, keeps him alive and falls in love with his nurse at the same time, who also happens to be the victim's sister. When the truth finally comes out he manages to sneak a message to the town pharmacist leading to a police shoot out for the big finale. Zippy Warner crime entry, but let down by a predictable plot, poor acting, particularly Adele Longmire as the nurse and interminable "comic" relief by character actor Ben Welden as "Pills Davis".

The Get-Away (1941)

MGM
Directed by Edward Buzzell
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Rebellious convict Robert Sterling turns out to be an undercover FBI agent hoping to befriend cellmate Dan Dailey, the leader of a gang responsible for a string of payroll robberies. He even goes as far as a breakout, eventually ending up in Chicago where Dailey's gang, and personal doctor, nurse him back to health after he is shot by pursuing cops. Donna Reed then shows up and spoils things, with the plot taking a left turn into a romantic melodrama. She can't decide if she loves Sterling enough to turn in her no-good long lost brother Dailey.

The Show of Shows (1929)

Warner Bros.
Directed by John G. Adolfi
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Long, tedious parade of stage acts, featuring mostly dancing girls in elaborately choreographed and synchronized routines. Frank Fay is the master of ceremonies, and he does manage to keep things afloat with some deft comedy. One sequence, a "Chinese Fantasy", is in color to provide a break from the monotony. The last couple of acts become almost surreal, including John Barrymore's soliloquy from Richard III, which looks like it comes from a different movie altogether, and another elaborate dance piece featuring human chandeliers.

Strange Alibi (1941)

Warner Bros
Directed by D. Ross Lederman
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Fast-paced story of police detective who fakes a falling out with the department in order to undercover with the mob. The trail leads right to the top of the precinct, but he gets framed for murder before he can expose them. Sent to prison, he fights with and convict and spends time in the hole. He escapes but the witness he was counting on to prove his innocence turns up dead. He kidnaps the governor and frames the crooked cops. Contrived but a lot of fun, almost serial-like in its manic pacing and cliffhanger situations. Memorable quote: "This town is so dirty it crawls".

Exit Smiling (1926)

MGM
Directed by Sam Taylor
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Beatrice Lillie works as a maid for a traveling theater show. She finally gets an opportunity on stage when the leading lady doesn't show up for a performance. This leads to more parts as a substitute, often with hilarious results. Her stint as a man is one of the best scenes in the film. She gets a part for a struggling actor in a run down town, then falls in love with him. Their budding romance is a mild diversion, but ultimately it's all about the comedy of Lillie, which works more times than not.

Hands Over the City (1963)

Warner Bros.
Directed by Francesco Rosi
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Corrupt politicians in Naples, Italy, argue endlessly over who is responsible for the tragic collapse of a building. All signs point to Rod Steiger, a greedy councilman who is funneling money to his construction company. However, he's got powerful political allies who won't let him take the fall. It's also an election year, but Steiger manages to get reelected and the cycle continues. Political corruption is as relevant as ever, but this is not exactly gripping film-making. Steiger's performance is muted by a dubbed voice in Italian.

Fire Maidens of Outer Space (1956)

Saturn Films
Directed by Cy Roth
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Blu-ray, Olive Films)

A group of astronauts, all men, travel to one of Jupiter's moons in search of life. They find the lost civilization of Atlantis, which consists of one old man, a "creature" outside of a protective wall and dozens of young, beautiful girls in short Roman togas. The women drug the men with wine and then pair off with them in  hopes of preserving their civilization. The "creature", a skinny dude in a hockey mask, occasionally shows up to terrorize the girls. Hilariously awful in every respect, with constant cigarette smoking (even in the "space flight") and a hopelessly outdated sexist point-of-view.

Hot Stuff (1979)

Columbia Pictures
Directed by Dom DeLuise
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Sony Movie Channel)

A team of Miami police officers convert a pawn shop into a sting operation to catch criminals trying to fence stolen goods. It's a non-stop parade of over-the-hill character actors trying to be funny and failing miserably. Dom DeLuise, who also directed, smokes pot and laughs uncontrollably. Jerry Reed, who sings the title song combining disco and country music, attempts to recreate his Smokey and the Bandit persona. Only Suzanne Pleshette adds some class to the proceedings, but she looks lost. A nearly plot-less concoction that is shockingly unfunny.

Warlords of the 21st Century (1982)

New World Pictures
Directed by Harley Cokeliss
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Shout! Factory)

In a post-war barren landscape, a group of savage marauders in an armored truck kill, torture and kidnap local residents trying to eek out a peaceful existence. Their leader becomes fixated on a girl who abandoned him and joined a commune. The truck destroys most of the settlement but he must fight a loner who has come to her rescue and fallen in love with her. A Mad Max derivative filmed in New Zealand, with endless shots of motorcycles racing across fields, fiery explosions and worst of all a totally predictable plot.

Deathsport (1978)

New World Pictures
Directed by Henry Suso and Allan Arkush
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Shout! Factory)

In a distant post-nuclear wasteland, desert survivors are rounded up by men on motorcycles and taken to a futuristic city where they battle to the death in a giant arena. David Carradine and Claudia Jennings are the latest victims, but they use their wits and fighting skills to escape. They are pursued by madman Richard Lynch and more men on motorcycles. Despite a few atmospheric scenes, and a synthesizer soundtrack featuring Jerry Garcia on guitar, this is really just an excuse for explosions, point-of-view motorcycle shots and Claudia naked.

Moving Violation (1976)

Twentieth Century-Fox Film
Directed by Charles S. Dubin
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Shout! Factory)

Hippie/Vietnam vet Stephen McHattie is accosted by the local police in a small town. Later he picks up local ice cream stand beauty Kay Lenz. They witness a murder by the sheriff while making out, and go on the run in a series of stolen vehicles. The film is a mix of Badlands and Smokey and the Bandit: young, idealistic lovers pursued by bad cops. McHattie and Lenz are no Sheen and Spacek, and the sheriff here is pure evil rather than the good-natured Buford T. Justice played by Jackie Gleason. As a result, it's not sure if it wants to be a  serious drama or a comedy-action drive-in picture. The chase scenes are marred by the use of fast motion.

Fighting Mad (1976)

Twentieth Century-Fox Film
Directed by Jonathan Demme
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Shout! Factory)

Good ole boy Peter Fonda takes on a coal mining company when it tries to buy his family's ranch. He soon finds out the company has the law, and the politicians, on his payroll, and they won't go down easily. When he doesn't succumb to their threats of violence, they don't hesitate to resort to murder. This riles Fonda up even more, leading to a final violent confrontation. Entertaining if contrived southern-fried drive-in fodder.