Calling Dr. Death (1943)

Universal Pictures
Directed by Reginald Le Borg
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(DVD, Universal)

Neurologist Lon Chaney, Jr., develops a case of amnesia after a long weekend. When the cops show up to to question him about his wife's murder, he starts to believe he may have committed it. His secretary, with whom he is in love, helps him remember what happened using hypnosis. However, Chaney turns the tables on her, revealing the real murderer. First film of the Inner Sanctum Mysteries franchise based on the radio show suffers from poor acting and a low budget. Voiceovers advance the plot and reveal inner thoughts, but are overused and get in the way.

The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959)

Paramount Pictures
Directed by Terence Fisher
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, Kino Lorber)

In 1890 Paris, artist Anton Diffring secretly murders people and drinks a potion derived from a gland every 6 hours to keep from showing his true age of 104. He needs an operation to replace the gland which gives him the apparent immortality, but has to blackmail his model girlfriend's rival Christopher Lee into doing it. Lee fakes the operation, which causes Diffring to rapidly age unexpectedly. One of his victims which he keeps imprisoned takes the opportunity for revenge in a fiery climax. Talky if typical Hammer production, with some good make up effects, colorful sets and plunging necklines from costar Hazel Court.

The Fly (1958)

Twentieth Century-Fox Film
Directed by Kurt Neumann
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, Fox)

A scientist experimenting with the teleportation of matter accidentally teleports himself with a fly. He ends up with a fly head and one fly arm. Hiding in the basement laboratory, he implores his wife to find the fly so that he can attempt to separate himself. However, she is unable to capture the elusive fly in the house or gardens. With his mind deteriorating, he convinces her to kill him and destroy the all evidence of his discovery. Literate sci-fi with some great special effects, but the final scene with its famous "help me, help me" line is more funny than scary, undermining the serious tone of the rest of the film.

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966)

Universal Pictures
Directed by Alan Rafkin
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, Universal)

Mild mannered typesetter Don Knotts takes a challenge to spend the night in a haunted house in order to advance his newspaper career. He witnesses sliding doors, an organ with bloody fingerprints that plays by itself and a portrait gushing blood, and gains local fame by writing about it. However, the owner of the house sues for slander, leading to a showdown in court. Knotts leads the judge and jury back to the house, but when the strange doings fail to repeat, he is left alone and dejected, until he hears organ music emanating from the house. Loosely based on an episode of the Andy Griffith Show, with many familiar faces from that series in the cast, this feels more like a tv movie. Filmed on the Universal back lot, the Victorian mansion was also the home of the Munsters! Knott's scene as a very nervous public speaker is hilarious.

The Island at the Top of the World (1974)

Academy Awards, USA 1975

Nominated Oscar

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration Peter Ellenshaw John B. Mansbridge Walter H. Tyler Al Roelofs Hal Gausman

Buena Vista Distribution
Directed by Robert Stevenson
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(DVD, Walt Disney)

Archaeology professor David Hartman gets railroaded into helping a wealthy British aristocrat find his son who is lost in the Arctic. He hires a French airship and its captain to get them there, picking up a native Eskimo along the way who was the last person to see his son alive. They travel to a cloud-enshrouded island where they find a lost Viking civilization living in isolation. However, they are unwelcome and carted off in ropes to a majestic cavern where the religious leaders sentence them to death. A local girl in love with the son saves them, and the group tries to escape by foot across a desolate landscape of fire and ice. Immensely entertaining adventure in the Jules Verne vein, allows one to overlook the shortcomings of the dated special effects and stereotyped characters.

Libido (1965)

Directed by Ernesto Gastaldi
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(YouTube)

A young man returns to his childhood home to prepare to sell it. He bring along his wife, lawyer and the lawyer's wife. The foursome make up a strange group, as the lawyer is too old for his young, beautiful wife, who likes to sunbathe and strut around in her bikini, while he seems to young for his own aloof wife. The cracks begin to show when he has flashbacks to the night his father murdered his lover in a mirror-filled bedroom, then jumped off a nearby cliff. It seems the boy is destined to re-enact it, but his intended victim has other plans. Pretty good little early "giallo" with unexpected character motivations and plot twists, in black and white, and better for it. Psychological themes recall Hitchcock, particularly Psycho.

In the Eye of the Hurricane (1971)

Alianza Cinematográfica Española (Spain)
Directed by José María Forqué
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Blu-ray, Mondo Macabro)

A woman leaves her husband for a younger man. The couple take off to a beautiful Mediterranean location to frolic in the sun. However, she barely survives two attempts on her life that appear to be accidents. She sees her boyfriend with another woman and realizes there is a conspiracy to kill her, but exactly who is involved and their motivations are not revealed until the end. Tame "giallo" with no killings or nudity seems more like an entry in the Emmanuelle series.

Melody Time (1948)

RKO Radio Pictures
Directed by Jack Kinney, et al
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(DVD, Walt Disney)

Another Disney animated anthology film, this one consisting of seven segments set to popular music of the time. It is the most similar in style to Fantasia of all the anthology films. It does not shy from taking risks, occasionally incorporating abstractions, and has a vivid color palette. Stories range from the poetic Trees to the energetic Blame it on the Samba with Donald Duck. Even Roy Rogers and Trigger make an appearance in the final western-tinged story about Pecos Bill. Thoroughly enjoyable and somewhat underrated.

Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Buena Vista Distribution
Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson and Hamilton Luske
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(DVD, Walt Disney)

Pampered cocker spaniel "Lady" has her life turned upside down when her owner's have a baby. One day while under the care of an Aunt who wants to muzzle her, she escapes to the rough streets. She is befriended by a carefree mongrel named "Tramp", who saves her from attacking strays then romances her on scraps from an Italian restaurant. She decides, however, that she belongs back home with her family, but before she can get there Tramp's antics land her in the dog pound. The Aunt releases them but a bad encounter with a rat almost ruins the homecoming. Classic animated Disney has well-developed characters and plot, but missing a lushness in the animation that keeps it from being in the top tier. Siamese cat sequence is memorable.

The Corpse Packs His Bags (1972)

Constantin Film (Germany)
Directed by Jesus Franco
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(YouTube)

A killer in London leaves a packed suitcase in the room of his next victim. He murders them by throwing a knife from a great distance (accompanied by a cartoon-like sound effect). The police investigate, leading to a drug ring operating out of a nightclub. Uneasy mix of Krimi crime drama, giallo serial killer and slapstick comedy, directed by Jess Franco, usually known for his trashy horror films.

Fun and Fancy Free (1947)

RKO Radio Pictures
Directed by Jack Kinney, et al
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(DVD, Walt Disney)

Disney animated anthology of two stories with connecting segments featuring Jiminy Cricket. The first story, narrated and featuring songs by Dinah Shore, concerns a circus bear named "Bongo" who escapes his train to live in the wild. His joy turns to sorrow when he realizes that life in the wild is no circus. He falls in love with another bear, but runs into trouble when he misinterprets her slap as a rejection instead of a sign of affection. Eventually he figures it out but must fight another bear to win her. In the second story, Mickey and pals Donald and Goofy are peasants who get a hold of some magic beans that grow a giant beanstalk. They find an unfriendly giant at the top and must get back home with the help of a singing harp. Edgar Bergen hosts this segment and there is a mix of animation and live action for the ending. Fairly unmemorable Disney, sorely missing the usual character and plot development, but still entertaining for buffs.

The Redeemer (1978)

Dimension Pictures
Directed by Constantine S. Gochis
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, Code Red)

Six classmates are summoned to their old high scool for a class reunion. When they get there, they find out that not only are they the only ones invited, but they are locked in the school with a maniacal killer. They each meet their demise in various grisly manners. The last two manage to confront the killer and his identity is revealed as a preacher seen in the opening scenes. For some unexplained reason, he has two thumbs. There is also a small boy involved, who kills a fellow choir boy, then walks into a lake. Early "slasher" just doesn't cut it.

Salem's Lot (1979)

CBS
Directed by Tobe Hooper
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, Warner Bros.)

Writer David Soul returns to his small hometown ostensibly to research a new book about the local "haunted house". An elderly James Mason has rented it out for his new antique shop. Soon, mysterious deaths start to occur and Soul and another newcomer are the primary suspects. However, it turns out there is a vampire loose and the missing townsfolk are infected. Soul sets out to find the vampire and kill it. Long, leisurely tv miniseries takes it time developing characters and plot. However, once it gets going there are some truly memorable scenes: particularly the one with a floating dead kid outside a bedroom window!

Dumbo (1941)

Academy Awards, USA 1942

Won Oscar	Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture Frank Churchill Oliver Wallace
Nominated Oscar	Best Music, Original Song Frank Churchill (music) Ned Washington (lyrics) For the song "Baby Mine".

R·K·O Radio Pictures Inc.
Directed by Sam Armstrong, et al
My rating: 3.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, Walt Disney)

A baby elephant in a circus is ridiculed for his big ears. When his mother defends him from hecklers during a parade, she is deemed mad and locked up alone in wagon. The abandoned Dumbo is befriended by a mouse determined to cheer him up by making him the star of the show. He does just that after discovering his big ears allow him to fly. An early Disney animated classic which includes the psychedelic-tinged "pink elephants" segment. The animation is not up to par with the other Disney classics, but the simple style allows the characterizations to shine.

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)

American International Pictures
Directed by Don Taylor
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, Kino Lorber)

Michael York and another man, lost at sea after their ship sinks, end up on a remote Pacific island where scientist Burt Lancaster is conducting experiments on animals. He slowly discovers that Lancaster is trying to turn them into humans, with decidedly mixed results. Some of his failures live in caves on the outskirts of the island, which is where York finds himself surrounded by some unfriendly mutants. The godlike Lancaster has laid down several laws in an attempt to make them more human, the first of which is not to kill. When he breaks it himself, it turns the human animals against him. Somewhat of a missed opportunity for the ending, but the blu ray contains the final image from a network showing that should have been used for the theatrical release as well. York and Lancaster give standout performances in this interesting story of a scientist who has lost his way, much like Victor Frankenstein. Makeup designer Thomas Burman creates realistic effects, echoing his earlier work as an assistant on Planet of the Apes. Soundtrack by Laurence Rosenthal completes the mood. Somewhat underrated gem from AIP's later period.

The Terror (1963)

American International Pictures
Directed by Roger Corman
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, HD Cinema Classics)

Jack Nicholson is a lost French soldier who is befriended by a beautiful girl on a beach (played by Mrs. Jack Nicholson). She turns out to be a phantom, so Jack goes to the nearby castle to find her. There he finds Boris Karloff and his servant, who reluctantly let him stay the night. Karloff eventually admits to murdering his wife decades earlier and being tormented by her ghost. Driven to suicide, Karloff tries to flood the castle and everyone in it, but Jack manages to save himself and the girl. Their final kiss is quite memorable. Low budget Corman has potential, but is ruined by Nicholson's stiff, emotionless performance. Some of the Gothic atmosphere manages to slip through, but it's tough sledding.

Cat's Eye (1985)

MGM/UA
Directed by Lewis Teague
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, Warner Bros)

Horror anthology based on three Stephen King stories. In the first, James Woods hires a company to help him quit smoking. Their extreme measures including torturing his wife, or worse, if he lights up again. In the second story, a tennis pro is kidnapped by the jealous husband of his girlfriend. The man, a wealthy mobster and casino owner, strikes a bargain with him: if he can walk around the narrow ledge of his penthouse apartment he will grant his wife a divorce. Much to his surprise, and constant distractions, the man makes it around, but there is a cruel twist waiting at the end. In the third story, a "troll" is tormenting poor little Drew Barrymore in her bedroom. Her parents don't believe her, until the troll almost kills her and her pet cat in an epic battle. Juvenile, comic-book level King, not even good for a few laughs. Littered with obvious references to/promotion of other King works.

Hardware (1990)

Miramax
Directed by Richard Stanley
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, Severn)

In a bleak post-nuclear future, a scavenger finds a robot buried in the sand. He brings it to the city and sells it for scrap, ending up in the hands of an soldier and his buddy. The soldier gives it to his artist girlfriend who works it into her latest sculpture. The robot turns out to be a secret government prototype that can repair itself, which it promptly does. Soon, it is on the rampage in her apartment. A stylish but over-the-top alien clone, with kinky sex and gore to match.

Face of the Screaming Werewolf (1964)

A.D.P. Pictures
Directed by Jerry Warren
My rating: BOMB
IMDb Wikipedia
(YouTube)

Scientists experimenting with regression hypnotize a patient, causing her to remember her past life as an Indian in Mexico participating in a human sacrifice ritual in a pyramid. Once awakened, she leads an expedition to the pyramid, where they awaken a mummy and a werewolf. The two monsters terrorize local residents. The most effective scenes involve Lon Chaney, Jr as the werewolf. However, this is the only redeeming value in an otherwise confusing mish mash of two old Mexican films edited together with new footage.

Oliver & Company (1988)

Buena Vista Pictures
Directed by George Scribner
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(DVD, Walt Disney)

A stray kitten on the streets of New York City is befriended by a carefree mongrel and taken to a barge where he lives with a thief and other dogs. The thief owes money to loan shark and has only a few days to come up with it. During an attempted robbery, the kitten gets adopted by a wealthy little girl ignored by her parents. Thinking the cat has been kidnapped, the dogs stage a rescue. The thief hatches the idea to ransom the kitten to pay off his debts, but it falls apart when he realizes the owner is the little girl. She ends up getting kidnapped instead by the loan shark, and it is up to Oliver and company to rescue her. Entertaining reworking of Oliver Twist, with stylish animation from George Scribner. However, the music badly dates it (Huey Lewis and Billy Joel), getting in the way rather than complementing the story. Cheech Marin steals every scene as the voice of a feisty Chihuahua.

Get Mean (1975)

Cinemation Industries
Directed by Ferdinando Baldi
My rating: 1.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, Blue Underground)

The fourth and final entry of The Stranger series (unless you count Comin' At Ya) finds Tony Tony heading to Spain with a princess. He goes for the reward money, but instead gets caught up in a war between Vikings and Moors. Failing to get paid, he sets his sights on a treasure instead, competing with everyone else to find it. Less spaghetti western and more absurd period piece, with offensive characters, poor acting and explosions, lots and lots of explosions.

The Silent Stranger (1968)

United Artists
Directed by Luigi Vanzi
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(DVD, Warner Archive Collection)

Tony Tony gets a scroll from a dying man in the Klondike and is told he will be given a large reward for it in Japan. He travels there with his horse only to get involved with two rival clans. One has a large machine gun manned by an American which gives them a huge advantage over the sword-wielding other clan. Tony gets swindled for his scroll, and decides to pit the two clans against each other. It works for awhile, but he still has to survive seemingly endless foes. He gets help from an experienced samurai, and an antique, large gun. The Japanese location works for awhile, as does the perpetual rain, but the extra does of humor drag it down from previous Stranger films. Even Stelvio Cipriani's soundtrack falls short.

The Stranger Returns (1967)

MGM
Directed by Luigi Vanzi
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(DVD, Warner Archive Collection)

Tony Tony wanders into another dusty western town, this time finding bandits collaborating with a corrupt town official to steal a gold shipment. He gets out of a tricky situation at the beginning of the film and borrows the identity of a dead postal official to infiltrate the gang. He gets beat up and dragged behind a coach, but escapes. With the help of a slightly deranged preacher, he tracks down the gang for revenge, and the gold, which is hidden in plain sight. Just as entertaining as the first film, with Tony's easy-going persona and slight touches of humor offsetting the frequent violence on display. Another outstanding soundtrack from Stelvio Cipriani.