The drama surrounding the creation of the U. S. Navy's Seabees in World War II is the subject of "The Fighting Seabees." Though not completely factual, this Republic Pictures movie about the Navy's construction unit is highly entertaining and was popular at the box office. The presence of [..]
Double Indemnity (1944)
"Double Indemnity" is a film noir classic about an insurance agent roped into a scheme by his new girl friend to murder her husband and live off of the fraudulent accidental death claims. Director Billy Wilder ("The Major and the Minor" 1942) put together quite a riveting [..]
The Woman in the Window (1944)
"The Woman in the Window" is a film noir melodrama which keeps viewers on the edge of their collective seats until the very end of the picture. Producer-screenwriter Nunnally Johnson put together this story featuring Edward G. Robinson as a mild-mannered professor who becomes obsessed with the picture [..]
To Have and Have Not (1944)
The big attraction of "To Have and Have Not" is that it is the first film to feature Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. The chemistry between the two is definitely the star of the show, under the expert guidance of director Howard Hawks ("His Girl Friday" [..]
Going My Way (1944)
The Best Picture of 1944 is....."Going My Way." This musical comedy-drama gave Bing Crosby the signature role of his career as the easy going Father Chuck O'Malley, which helped moved him up to the biggest box office draw of the 1940's, earned him the Best Actor [..]
Forbidden Planet (1956)
"Forbidden Planet" has stood the test of time, a science fiction classic that brought the genre into the modern era. Director Fred M. Wilcox ("Lassie Come Home" 1943) instilled this film with characteristics which scifi movies did not previously possess: High quality special effects, travel at [..]
The Kettles in the Ozarks (1956)
Marjorie Main as Ma Kettle goes solo in "The Kettles in the Ozarks," the eighth installment of the popular Universal-International franchise. Percy Kilbride's decision to leave his role of Pa Kettle had screenwriter Kay Lenard send Ma Kettle and the kids from their home in Cape Flattery, [..]
Moby Dick (1956)
Director John Huston ("Key Largo" 1948) did an outstanding job in bringing Herman Melville's 1851 novel "Moby Dick" to the big screen. The spectacle of Captain Ahab fighting the big whale combined with a morality play makes for great movie viewing. Huston co-wrote the screenplay [..]
Love Me Tender (1956)
Elvis Presley made his motion picture debut in "Love Me Tender," a western soap opera about four brothers in the Civil War. There were several musical numbers featured in the film, including the title song, which was an Elvis hit on the charts at the time. [..]
The King and I (1956)
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's 1951 winsome stage musical "The King and I" was preserved on film in 1956. The story was adapted from Margaret Landon's 1944 novel "Anna and the King," which in turn was based on the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, the tutor of the children [..]