Director Frank Capra ("It Happened One Night" 1934) put together an enduring movie classic in "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town." It is a rags-to-riches story of small town resident Longfellow Deeds who inherits twenty million dollars from his uncle and must move to New York City [..]
The Old Corral (1936)
"The Old Corral" is a Gene Autry vehicle where the Singing Cowboy does plenty of crooning as well as saving a pretty girl from Chicago gangsters, as she was a witness to a murder. Autry's co-stars include Irene Manning, Smiley Burnett, Lon Chaney Jr., and the [..]
Swing Time (1936)
"Swing Time" is a musical-comedy film telling the story of a dancer with gambling problems who gets a severe case of the pre-marital jitters, and the bride and her father cancel the ceremony. The father gives him a second chance, with the drama, comedy, and musical numbers proceeding [..]
Death in the Air (1936)
"Death in the Air" is a murder mystery set in the aviation industry of the 1930's. It tells the story of an unknown lone airplane pilot who is shooting down planes, and officials are determined to catch him. They go through numerous plans they hope will reveal the [..]
The Petrified Forest (1936)
Humphrey Bogart became a big star by playing a criminal taking the patrons of a diner hostage in "The Petrified Forest." Director Archie Mayo crafted this fine film that has been a template for movies of this genre ever since. Screenwriters Charles Kenyon and Delmer Daves adapted it [..]
The Great Ziegfeld (1936)
The Best Picture of 1936 is....."The Great Ziegfeld." This biopic of Broadway producer Florenz "Flo" Ziegfeld Jr. got the full MGM treatment: Big stars, lavish sets, authentic costumes, and extravagant, full-blown musical numbers. It won three Oscars: Best Picture (Hunt Stromberg), Best Dance Direction (Seymour Felix), and Best [..]
The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (1963)
"The Courtship of Eddie's Father" is a romantic comedy about a widower finding himself the victim of matchmaking efforts by his nine-year-old son. Glenn Ford and Ronny Howard do an excellent job in the lead roles, superbly directed by Vincent Minnelli ("Meet Me In St. Louis" [..]
The Thrill of It All (1963)
"The Thrill of It All" is a romantic comedy film about a housewife who suddenly becomes famous when she is featured on television soap commercials. Her doctor husband has a difficult time adjusting to her new-found fame, and he plots to foil her career and return her [..]
From Russia With Love (1963)
In the second spy film in the 007 series, "From Russia With Love," James Bond continues to have trouble with SPECTRE, this time on land, on the sea, and in the air. Director Terence Young ("Dr. No" 1962) and the people at Eon Productions continue to [..]
Tom Jones (1963)
The Best Picture of 1963 is....."Tom Jones." This is a story of the adventures of a young man who was abandoned as a baby and raised by a wealthy nobleman. Director Tony Richardson ("A Taste of Honey" 1961) put together a film which is difficult to follow because [..]