Show Notes
"Crossfire" 1947 deals with anti-Semitism and murder. Director Edward Dmytryk creates a masterful movie taking us to a place where hatred, fear, and ignorance culminate in the senseless beating death of Joseph Samuels a decorated veteran played by Sam Levene. The film is based on Richard Brooks's 1945 novel The Brick Foxhole. Robert Young is Police Captain Finlay who uncovers the true reason for Mr. Levene's murder. Robert Ryan as "Monty" Montgomery delivers a frightening performance leaving no doubt about the impact of hate. Robert Mitchum is Army Sergeant Peter Keeley forceful leader of his troop and Gloria Grahame is Ginny Tremaine who carries the scars of her turbulent life. "Crossfire" from August 1947 and "Gentleman's Agreement" (Episode 14 - 15) from November 1947 is a double feature blockbuster about anti-Semitism. Here's the IMDB page for "Crossfire" Here's a TCM Introduction for the movie. Check us out on Patreon at www.patreon.com/classicmoviereviews for even more content and bonus shows.
More from Classic Movie Reviews
“The Blues Brothers” 1980 is packed with music and lots of law enforcement car chases. Then add in “Joliet” Jake and Elwood on “a mission from God” to save the orphanage, plus attacks on Jake’s life by a mysterious woman left waiting at the altar, pursuit by the angry country western band, and attacks by a neo-Nazi party. What did I forget? Director John Landis herds these events into a crazy-quilt of music and mayhem.
“Only Angels Have Wings” 1939 takes place in the fictional South American town of Barranca. There is danger, romance, and drama surrounding Barranca Airways a struggling business with fatalistic pilots, money worries, unpredictable weather, few planes, and difficult human relationships. Director Howard Hawks creates excitement much as he did with “Red River” 1948 (Episode 71), “The Thing from Another World’ 1951 (Episode 59), and many other excellent films. The cast includes Cary Grant as Geoff Carter the Manager and lead pilot, Jean Arthur as Bonnie Lee the piano player-entertainer, Richard Barthelmess is Bat MacPherson a hated pilot who redeems himself, Judy MacPherson played by Rita Hayworth in her first major role, Thomas Mitchell as “Kid” Dabb best friend of Carter, and many others. Fasten seat belts for this movie. Here’s the IMDB page for “Only Angels Have Wing” Watch the full movie for free on YouTube here. And listen to the Lux Radio adaptation here on YouTube.
“Bicycle Thieves” also known as “Bicycle Thief” 1948 is an Italian drama that presents a Rome family struggling with unemployment, poverty, and the aftermath of World War II. Director Vittorio De Sica captures this subsistence life with exceptional use of black and white cinematography, melancholy music, on location street scenes, untrained actors, and devastating events. The movie won an Academy Award (Special Award) as did Mr. De Sica’s 1946 film “Shoeshine”. Lamberto Maggiorani plays Antonio Ricci who is hired to hang outdoor wall posters in an assigned area, and he must have a bicycle for the work. Antonio’s supportive and strong-willed wife Maria is played by Lianella Carell. Enzo Staiola is masterful as Bruno, Antonio’s 8-year-old son. The large supportive cast enhances this drama of everyday life. This film is unforgettable.
Our podcast covers time travel movies. “Time After Time” 1979 from Director Nicholas Meyer transports us to H.G. Wells and his search for Doctor John Leslie Stevenson known as Jack-the-Ripper. Malcolm McDowell is H.G. Wells, Mary Steenburgen plays Amy Robbins who assists Wells, with Jack-the-Ripper played by David Warner. “Somewhere in Time” 1980 by Director Jeannot Szwarc is the timeless love story between Elise Mckenna and Richard Collier. It unfolds at the Grand Hotel on beautiful Mackinac Island, Michigan. Christopher Reeve plays Richard Collier, Jane Seymour is Elise McKenna, and Christopher Plummer plays William Fawcett Robinson Ms. McKenna’s manager and Mr. Collier’s nemesis. “Somewhere in Time” has unforgettable music composed by John Barry with Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for added beauty. Enjoy! Here's the IMDB page for Time After Time Here's the IMDB page for Somewhere In Time Here's a YouTube playlist of 10 memorable scenes from Time After Time
“Sextette” 1978 is Mae West’s last film and showcases her talents and one liners. The movie is a wedding day mash-up of oddball characters, funny situations, antics of ex-husbands, an international peace conference, musical numbers, and a potpourri of stars. Director Ken Hughes created this big budget smorgasbord that sank at the box office. Mae West is Marlo Manners/Lady Barrington the new bride of sixth husband Sir Michael Barrington played by Timothy Dalton. Sir Michael is also a secret agent. Dom DeLuise plays Dan Turner trying to hold everything together while also performing a search and dancing. The ex-husbands include Tony Curtis as Alexi Andreyev Karansky, Ringo Starr as Laslo Karony, and George Hamilton as Vance Norton. The cast includes Alice Cooper as Alice Cooper/Waiter and many cameo appearances. What a film! You can watch Sextette on YouTube here (at least as of this posting). https://youtu.be/swS-9j3BuAE