“Screen Team (Bob Hope And Dorothy Lamour) Of The Month (May 2022)” Featuring Dorothy Lamour in… Lulu Belle (1948)

Since we started off the month of May a few weeks ago with a movie featuring our Screen Team Of The Month (Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour), it’s time to dig into their solo films! So, going with the principle of “ladies first,” we’ll start with one of Dorothy Lamour’s films, the 1948 Lulu Belle (based on the 1926 play of the same name by Charles MacArthur and Edward Sheldon), co-starring George Montgomery!

Coming Up Shorts! with… Woody The Giant Killer (1947)

(available on Blu-ray as part of The Woody Woodpecker Screwball Collection from Universal Studios)

(Length: 6 minutes, 47 seconds)

With a housing shortage, Woody Woodpecker can’t find a place to stay. Buck Beaver gives him some magic beans, and a beanstalk takes him up to the giant’s castle in the clouds. This one was fun, although, at the same time, it wasn’t enough. It’s fun seeing Woody’s version of “Jack And The Beanstalk,” as the gags themselves are quite fun. The problem is there is too much exposition and not enough interplay with Woody and the Giant (who spends a good chunk of his appearance sleeping through Woody’s antics). Still, I had a few good laughs with this one, and certainly look forward to revisiting it in the future!

And Now For The Main Feature…

In Natchez, Mississippi, young up-and-coming lawyer George Davis (George Montgomery) visits the Blue Catfish bar and café on behalf of one of his clients. While he is wrapping up his business, one of the performers, Lulu Belle (Dorothy Lamour), is getting abused by her former lover, and George steps in to fend him off. Lulu is instantly interested in him, but George (an engaged man) manages to turn her down. However, she wants what she wants, and she later visits him at his office, where she causes trouble between him and his fiancée. He later comes back to Lulu after his engagement is ended, and the two get married. He gets rid of his law practice, and they move to New Orleans, where they live lavishly in a hotel. George struggles to find work, while Lulu takes up a new relationship with boxer Butch Cooper (Greg McClure). At one of Butch’s boxing matches, she meets successful gambler Mark Brady (Albert Dekker), whom she convinces to give George work as a boxer (out of town, of course). Mark, meanwhile, offers Lulu a job as a singer at his club, where he can keep an eye on her. George sees all this going on, and begins drinking heavily. Lulu begins yet another relationship with married millionaire Harry Randolph (Otto Kruger) when he visits the club (since he has connections on Broadway). Between this and Butch’s continued teasing, George has had enough and picks a fight with Butch, with the fight ending when George stabs Butch in the eye with a fork. George runs from the scene, but is caught and sent to prison for a few years. During that time, Harry takes Lulu to Broadway, where she becomes a big sensation. However, even though she had divorced him, she slowly comes to the realization that she loves George and not her career. However, all the men that she has had a relationship with have come to town, and she and Harry end up being shot. Police Commissioner John Dixon (Addison Richards) is in charge of trying to find out who did it, but can he find out the truth from everybody?

Like all of Dorothy Lamour’s solo films (those outside of the Road series and her films with Bob Hope), this one was new to me. I will readily admit that I liked Dottie in this film! In general, I found myself comparing her character here to her character in Road To Zanzibar (1941). In that film, she is a manipulator in that she tries to get what she wants out of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope’s characters (as she attempts to make her way to a richer suitor), and she takes things even further here, without any trace of conscience whatsoever (at least, not for most of the early part of the film). Apart from her performance, though, I find myself with mixed feelings towards this movie. Dottie is very much the femme fatale here, but, at the same time, this movie never really quite hits the film noir aspects very well. In general, that’s not helped by her more musical moments (mostly, they just consist of her singing on stage or in nightclubs). The movie also tries to veer into murder mystery territory, but it’s not that effective there, either. The whole tale is essentially told in flashbacks by George Montgomery’s George Davis and Lulu’s friend Molly Benson (as played by Glenda Farrell), and really doesn’t leave too much room for some of the others involved, all of whom are “suspects” at the end when the police commissioner tries to finally figure out who did it. In general, it just feels like the writing is where it all fails, which ruins some of the characterizations for me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still an enjoyable movie, especially as a chance to see more of Dorothy Lamour as an actress. It’s just one that I would come closer to recommending as a rental instead of a purchase (outside of a really good sale price).

This movie is available on Blu-ray and DVD from Olive Films.

Film Length: 1 hour, 27 minutes

My Rating: 6/10

List Of Actor/Actress Filmographies/Collections

Road To Rio (1947) – Dorothy Lamour – Here Comes The Groom (1951)

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Film Legends Of Yesteryear (2021): Rita Hayworth in… Affair In Trinidad (1952)

It’s July 17, and that means it’s time for another round of “Film Legends Of Yesteryear” featuring actress Rita Hayworth! This time, we’ve got another movie she made opposite actor Glenn Ford, the 1952 noir Affair In Trinidad!

Coming Up Shorts! with… Boxing Gloves (1929)

(available on Blu-ray as part of The Little Rascals: The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 1 (1929-1930) from ClassicFlix)

(Length: 17 minutes, 28 seconds)

Harry (Harry Spear) and Farina (Allen Hoskins) are fight promoters, and decide to pit Joe (Joe Cobb) and Chubby (Norman Chaney) against each other. So far, of the four early “Little Rascals” shorts that I’ve seen, this one has been the most fun! Joe and Chubby are quite entertaining, as they both let Jean (Jean Darling) get under their skin, and their fight is equally as fun! It’s sad that this one is missing part of its soundtrack (mostly during the fight sequence), but I think it’s easy enough to understand what’s happening onscreen that it doesn’t hurt it as much as it could. A very enjoyable short, and I can only look forward to seeing more!

And Now For The Main Feature…

In Trinidad, American artist Neal Emery is found dead. At first, the police suspect suicide, so Inspector Smythe (Torin Thatcher) enlists the aid of Mr. Anderson (Howard Wendell) from the American consulate to tell Neal’s wife, Chris Emery (Rita Hayworth) (who works as a singer and dancer at a local nightclub). They question her about what reason Neal might have had to commit suicide, and when it is discovered that the two were estranged, with her on the receiving end of the affections of Neal’s friend Max Fabian (Alexander Scourby), she gets angry with them. The next day, the police determine that Neal was murdered. They bring Chris in, and take away her passport. The inspector reveals that they strongly suspect Fabian is guilty of murdering Neal and can easily arrest him, but they want bigger fish. They believe he is part of a group that deals in information and other forms of treason, and, since Fabian likes her, they want her to go undercover and find out what she can, which she agrees to do. Meanwhile, Neal’s brother, Steve Emery (Glenn Ford), has just arrived in Trinidad at his brother’s invitation. When he finds out his brother is dead, Steve quickly heads over to the inquest, where he listens to everybody talking about how suicidal his brother was. Angered, he follows Chris home, where he confronts her about the supposed love triangle with her, Neal and Fabian that the newspaper is reporting on. She is unable to say anything, and talks to the inspector, who tells her not to say anything until he can check on Steve. Later on, Steve apologizes for his initial reaction, and shows her a letter from his brother that had asked him to come down to Trinidad for a job. For a few days, Steve and Chris spend some time together, until Fabian shows up and reminds Chris that they have a dinner date (although he also invites Steve along). The dinner is interrupted when some of Fabian’s friends arrive earlier than expected (one of whom Steve recognized as a fellow passenger on his plane to Trinidad). After the party is over, Steve is angry with Chris, believing she has feelings for Fabian. She tries to explain that she has no interest in Fabian, but refuses to leave the country with Steve (or explain why), which makes him angrier. Steve tries to take the letter from his brother to the police, but they ignore him, leaving him to go off on his own to solve his brother’s murder. Chris has been invited to Fabian’s birthday party, and she makes use of that opportunity to look into the guest house to see what she could discover. She is able to discover what Fabian and his “guests” are planning, but she is caught when she accidentally leaves behind a scarf (which was a gift to her from Fabian, no less). Will Steve be able to rescue Chris and help stop Fabian’s crew, or will their plans succeed?

After filming The Loves Of Carmen in 1948, Rita Hayworth had left Hollywood behind and married Prince Aly Khan. However, that marriage fell apart after a few years, and she returned to Hollywood and Columbia Pictures. Her return was very much unexpected, though, forcing studio head Harry Cohn into a corner, as he had to put her in a movie or lose her (according to her contract). As a result, he tricked director Vincent Sherman into doing the film with almost no story written, save for a few bits and pieces. The film’s writer, Virginia Van Upp, also dealing with some personal issues, struggled to piece together a story from the different storylines going through her head. The fact that Rita had been away from Hollywood a few years (and wasn’t in the same shape she had been in) worked against them at the start, but with hard work, she was able to get back in shape. Audiences at the time didn’t mind the mild reviews, as they flocked to the movie, making it a decent-sized hit for her return.

I will admit, after seeing this film for the first time, that I do like it. As usual, Rita Hayworth is fun (and we get to see her dancing again, the first time we see her in this movie). Glenn Ford also has great chemistry with her, and the movie itself is entertaining. I do think it feels a little too disjointed, like they did indeed have issues putting the story together. And while I do like Glenn Ford’s performance, I think the love/hate relationship is a bit much, and his character’s feelings towards her turn too much on a dime for me. I think the film fares a little better than their last film together, The Loves Of Carmen, but this one again feels too easy to compare to Gilda (since, in bringing Rita back, they tried a little too much to make it like one of her biggest successes), and I have a very high opinion of that film. Still, as I said, I do like this one, and would certainly be willing to recommend it!

What’s Old Is A New Release Again (2020) with… Affair In Trinidad (1952)

This movie is available on Blu-ray as part of the twelve film Rita Hayworth: The Ultimate Collection from Mill Creek Entertainment. This film’s transfer looks quite good, with good detail helping to show off the film’s cinematography. The picture has been cleaned up of dust, dirt and other debris, so it’s certainly the best way to see this movie!

Film Length: 1 hour, 38 minutes

My Rating: 8/10

List Of Actor/Actress Filmographies/Collections

The Loves Of Carmen (1948) – Rita Hayworth – Salome (1953)

The Loves Of Carmen (1948) – Glenn Ford – It Started With A Kiss (1959)

The Loves Of Carmen (1948) – Rita Hayworth: The Ultimate Collection – Salome (1953)

“Star Of The Month (July 2021)” Featuring James Cagney in… White Heat (1949)

It’s time again for another James Cagney movie as we continue to celebrate him as the Star Of The Month! This time, it’s his 1949 classic White Heat, also starring Virginia Mayo!

Coming Up Shorts! with… So You Think You’re Not Guilty (1950)

(available as an extra on the White Heat Blu-ray from Warner Home Video)

(Length: 10 minutes, 31 seconds)

Joe McDoakes is fined for going through a (malfunctioning) traffic signal, but, in his stubbornness to admit to his guilt, that small fine quickly turns into a stretch in prison! This was a fun one, with the increasing ridiculousness as everything snowballs! Of course, being directed by Richard Bare (who later directed the TV series Green Acres), I’m not surprised about that! This one may not be realistic on a number of levels, but it’s certainly a funny short!

Coming Up Shorts! with… Homeless Hare (1950)

(available as an extra on the White Heat Blu-ray from Warner Home Video)

(Length: 7 minutes, 6 seconds)

When a construction worker destroys Bugs’ home, he vows revenge. Another type of Bugs cartoon in which he is wronged, and decides to fight back. You just know that construction worker won’t know what hit him. Of course, I was surprised to see him get one good shot in on Bugs partway through, but at least that allows for some variety. Still worth a few good laughs! (Compared to the previously reviewed version included as an extra on Young Man With A Horn, this one is not restored in any way).

And Now For The Main Feature…

Cody Jarrett (James Cagney) and his gang rob a train of nearly $300,000. The engineers are killed when they accidentally learn Cody’s name, but, when one of them is shot, they accidentally release a steam valve, scalding one of Cody’s men. Cody and his crew go to a mountain hideout, where his mother (Margaret Wycherly) and his wife Verna (Virginia Mayo) are hiding out. One of his men, Big Ed Somers (Steve Cochran), wants to take over the gang and have Verna to himself, but he is just afraid enough of Cody to avoid doing anything. When a big storm comes, they make their move and leave behind the scalded man. Later, some members of the Treasury Department discover the (now dead) scalded man, and are able to learn about Cody and his associates. They almost catch up to Cody, but his mother warns him in time, and Cody, along with his mother and wife, manage to get away. They split up, and Cody decides to turn himself in for another, lesser robbery committed at the same time they robbed the train. Unable to trap him for the train robbery, the feds decide to send in an undercover man, Hank Fallon (Edmund O’Brien), under the alias Vic Pardo, to find out more. Outside the prison, Ma runs the gang, with Big Ed going along with her. In prison, Hank tries to get in Cody’s good graces, but has no luck. That is, until a friend of Big Ed’s tries to bump off Cody, and Hank manages to save him. Cody’s mother comes in to see him right after, and, realizing Big Ed had tried to off her son, she tells Cody that she will deal with him personally. Less than thrilled with this development, Cody turns to Hank for help in breaking out of prison. Hank makes plans with another agent acting as his wife on visiting day, but, before they can follow through on their plans, Cody learns from a new inmate that his mother is dead. He suffers a breakdown, and is taken to the doctor. Another inmate smuggles a gun in to him, and they, along with Hank and a few others, successfully escape from the prison. Meanwhile, Verna is getting nervous about Cody coming after her and Big Ed (since she had killed Cody’s mother), but when she tries to escape Big Ed, Cody catches her. Thinking quickly, she accuses Big Ed of shooting Cody’s mother in the back, and helps him past Big Ed’s defenses, so that he can shoot Big Ed. Under the advice of his fence, Daniel “The Trader” Winston (Fred Clark), Cody and his crew decide to rob a payroll. Hank tries to get word out to the police, who tip the feds. At the place they are robbing, Hank is recognized by another con brought in to help them (whom he had arrested years earlier), but they are quickly surrounded by the feds. Will Cody finally be brought to justice, or will he evade the authorities again?

After Yankee Doodle Dandy, James Cagney had once again ended his contract at Warner Brothers. With his brother William, he had formed his own production company. However, they only made a handful of films, and they weren’t very successful. So, Cagney once again returned to Warner Brother, although this time with a little more freedom, since he still retained his production company. He returned to the gangster genre (which he had tried to leave behind, with his last one being the 1939 film The Roaring Twenties) with the film White Heat. At first, he wasn’t thrilled with the script, and made some suggestions to the writers about making Jarrett and his mother more like the outlaws Ma Barker and her family (and making Jarrett himself psychotic). His suggestions worked, as the film turned out to be a hit with audiences and the critics, and it is considered one of Cagney’s best roles.

To say that Cagney is good in this role is an understatement! As Cody Jarrett, he takes things even further than he had as Tom Powers in The Public Enemy. Once again, he only cares for his mother (but, this time, she knows about his life of crime and very actively encourages him in it). While Cody is a married man, he doesn’t really trust his wife that much and can be cruel to her (but certainly doesn’t want anybody else to have her, either). He suffers from headaches that really lay him low, but, with his mother’s help, he recovers from them and maintains his image as a tough guy. And we can see from Cagney’s performance that it is when he suffers a headache in prison and Edmund O’Brien’s Hank Fallon helps him out like his mother (with similar encouragement) that he finds himself trusting Hank more. But he is indeed a very tough guy! At one point, we see his wife worrying that he will just keep coming even if he is shot, which we see she is right to be afraid about (although when in the story is for you to see for yourself)!

I’m coming off my first time seeing this movie, and I would definitely go so far as to say that I liked it! James Cagney was the main appeal of The Public Enemy, and he was again here (although, compared to that film, he was supported much better by the other actors and actresses here). Virginia Mayo as his wife Verna is also good as a woman who wants riches and is constantly playing angles to survive and get what she wants from whomever she is dealing with (although with mixed success). As Cody’s mother, Margaret Wycherly is almost as tough as her son, and served by a sixth sense that is able to help keep them out of trouble (but, as we find out, even she can’t predict everything). But, again, Cagney is what makes this movie, as a psychotic man who seemingly can’t be killed by anybody else, and is therefore a big threat to everybody. I was fascinated by the whole movie, and I have no problem whatsoever in giving this movie a very high recommendation!

This movie is available on Blu-ray and DVD from Warner Home Video, either individually or as part of the four film Ultimate Gangsters Collection: Classics.

Film Length: 1 hour, 53 minutes

My Rating: 9/10

List Of Actor/Actress Filmographies/Collections

Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) – James Cagney – Love Me Or Leave Me (1955)

Out Of The Blue (1947) – Virginia Mayo – Great Day In The Morning (1956)

Film Legends Of Yesteryear (2021): Rita Hayworth in… The Lady From Shanghai (1948)

Well, the 17th has rolled around again, and that means that it’s time for another Rita Hayworth film! Today’s film is the 1948 classic The Lady From Shanghai, which also stars Orson Welles. So let’s start things off with another theatrical short!

Coming Up Shorts! with… Dixieland Droopy (1954)

(Available on Blu-ray and DVD as part of Tex Avery Screwball Classics Volume 2 from Warner Archive Collection)

(Length: 7 minutes, 44 seconds)

Droopy plays Dixieland musician John Pettibone, as he tries to become famous. This is probably one of the weaker Droopy cartoons, with the main gags being how he gets thrown out of places for playing his record, and then is on the run after “stealing” some Dixieland musician fleas. Do I enjoy it? Yes! I’ll gladly stick it on to watch it! But I can’t deny that I’ve seen better from both Droopy and Tex Avery.

And Now For The Main Feature…

While walking through Central Park one night, sailor Michael O’Hara (Orson Welles) comes across Elsa Bannister (Rita Hayworth) being mugged, and helps her get away. He learns that she is married to famous criminal lawyer Arthur Bannister (Everett Sloane), who later offers Michael a job on his yacht (which he very reluctantly accepts). While they are sailing around the country, Michael falls for Elsa, but they find themselves watched, both by Arthur’s partner, George Grisby (Glenn Anders), and Sidney Broome (Ted De Corsia), a detective Arthur uses for some of his divorce cases. Eventually, Grisby makes Michael an offer: for $5000, he wants Michael to “murder” him (so that he can disappear and live a life in obscurity). Once the yacht arrives in San Francisco, Michael decides to go with the idea, hoping to use the money to help Elsa get away from her husband. What he doesn’t count on is Grisby’s treachery (as he plans to kill Arthur and blame Michael), which Broome finds out about. Broome tries to blackmail Grisby, but gets shot for his efforts. Before he dies, Broome tries to warn Elsa and then Michael about Grisby’s treachery, but it’s Grisby himself that gets killed. Michael is arrested (because of all the previous set-up, which included a signed confession), and has no choice but to have Arthur represent him. Will Michael get out of this mess, or will he go to the gas chamber for murder?

The Lady From Shanghai came about mostly due to Orson Welles’ fall from grace. With Citizen Kane‘s failure, The Magnificent Ambersons famously being cut and redone by the studio, and another film that he had planned to shoot in South America never being completed, Orson Welles was no longer looking like the genius he was originally thought to be. He had gone back to the stage, to put together a musical for Around The World In 80 Days, but had run out of money to get the costumes right before the premiere. Without anywhere else to turn, he called Harry Cohn, the head of Columbia Pictures (and his wife Rita Hayworth’s boss), to ask him for the money. In return, he promised to direct a movie for him essentially for free (and Harry Cohn accepted). Some sources say that the film was chosen because the original story, If I Die Before I Wake by Sherwood King, was on a display of paperbacks next to where Orson Welles was when he made the call, and some say that it was a story that Columbia had already purchased the rights for, but whatever the case, it’s what Orson Welles ended up doing. Rita Hayworth was cast at Harry Cohn’s insistence (instead of some of the other actresses that Orson was considering), although Harry Cohn later made a fuss about her changing her image (which he had been carefully crafting for his star for years) by cutting her hair and dying it blonde for the film. At the time, The Lady From Shanghai still didn’t do well at the box office, and was considered one of Orson Welles’ biggest failures, but, like some of his other films, its reputation has improved with time.

This is a movie that I had heard of, but it’s taken me several years to actually get around to seeing. And I will admit to having enjoyed it! Like I said back when I reviewed Tomorrow Is Forever, after watching Citizen Kane, I was generally less than interested in any of Orson Welles’ films. Following up that film (Tomorrow Is Forever), I find my opinion improving, as I was impressed with his performance in this movie as well. I certainly feel for his character, trying to do good, but getting sucked into all the mess of the people he’s trying to help (and getting into trouble because of it). It’s definitely a different role for Rita Hayworth, one that seems to fit in somewhat with her role in the classic Gilda. Overall, I do think all the performances worked well, as everybody kept me guessing what was going on, and who was going to be the big culprit. I admit, the story could be confusing at times, in such a way that multiple viewings would certainly be preferred to fully understand what was going on. But, in this film’s favor, I find myself WANTING to watch it again (admittedly, it’ll probably be a while, but at least it’s not one that completely alienated me on the first viewing). So, I would definitely say there is a movie here worth seeing!

What’s Old Is A New Release Again (2020) with… The Lady From Shanghai (1948)

This movie is available on Blu-ray from Mill Creek Entertainment, either individually or as part of the twelve film Rita Hayworth: The Ultimate Collection. This is another transfer that seems typical of Sony (the company that owns this movie). In other words, it’s quite good! The detail is superb, and it shows off some of the cinematography very well, especially in the aquarium and the scene in the funhouse with all the mirrors! Certainly one of the best ways to see this movie!

Film Length: 1 hour, 28 minutes

My Rating: 8/10

List Of Actor/Actress Filmographies/Collections

Down To Earth (1947) – Rita Hayworth – The Loves Of Carmen (1948)

Tomorrow Is Forever (1946) – Orson Welles

Down To Earth (1947) – Rita Hayworth: The Ultimate Collection – The Loves Of Carmen (1948)

Thoughts From The Music(al) Man (2020) on… On Dangerous Ground (1951)

We now have one last noir for the month of “Noir-vember,” and that would be the 1951 film On Dangerous Ground, starring Ida Lupino and Robert Ryan!

Coming Up Shorts! with… Pinkfinger (1965)

(available on Blu-ray and DVD as part of The Pink Panther Cartoon Collection: Volume 1 (1964-1966) from Kino Lorber)

(Length: 6 minutes, 15 seconds)

The Pink Panther takes on a ring of spies. Bit of fun, with the narrator prompting the Panther to take on various spies. No doubt a reflection on the popularity of the then-recent James Bond films. A lot of fun here, and one of the more memorable Pink Panther cartoons (at least for me)!

And Now For The Main Feature…

Detective Jim Wilson (Robert Ryan), along with his partners Bill “Pop” Daly (Charles Kemper) and Pete Santos (Anthony Ross), are hunting down a pair of cop killers. Jim is getting increasingly frustrated, and when they find one of the killers’ accomplices, he really roughs him up to find out their location. The next day, Jim is summoned by Captain Brawley (Ed Begley), who warns him to cut out the rough stuff, as the accomplice’s lawyer is threatening to sue. Later that night, Jim and his partners are cruising the streets when they find a few thugs beating up a woman. Jim catches up to one of them and starts to rough him up before being stopped by one of his partners. Captain Brawley is less than thrilled to hear about this, and assigns Jim a murder investigation in a more rural area up north until things calm down. Jim drives up north, and he meets up with Sheriff Carey (Ian Wolfe), who directs him to the Brent family home. Jim tries to find out what he can about the girl who was murdered, when her father, Walter Brent (Ward Bond), comes in and makes everyone stop talking. They receive word that the murderer has been sighted, and they all go off in pursuit. Jim ends up with Walter (who is less than thrilled to be stuck with a city cop, since he wants to shoot the murderer himself), and they borrow someone else’s car when the murderer steals another one. When the snow starts really coming down, they end up crashing, not far from the car they were following. On foot again, they find a lone farmhouse. Inside, they meet Mary Malden (Ida Lupino), who tells them nobody is there. Jim quickly realizes that she is blind, and tries to be kind to her. They quickly realize she is not the only one who has been there, and she tells them her brother, Danny (Sumner Williams), also lives there, but is not there currently. Walter doesn’t believe her, and he, along with Jim, start looking around outside. Jim comes back in, and learns that her brother is there, but has a mental illness. She believes that her brother should turn himself in, but to Jim, as Walter is angry enough to kill her brother. Jim is convinced by her, and tries to promise to keep Danny safe. Before anything else can happen, Walter comes back in, and Mary offers the two of them a place to stay overnight. In the morning, Mary sneaks outside to the storm cellar, where Danny is hiding, and tries to convince him to go along with Jim. After she leaves, Jim stops her, and Danny makes a run for it. With Walter hot on their heels, the question remains: as much as Jim has come to care for Mary in such a short time, can he manage to save Danny, or will Walter’s thirst for revenge win out?

On Dangerous Ground was based on the novel Mad With Much Heart by Gerard Butler. Director Nicholas Ray came across it while he was working on another project, and it was submitted as something for him to work on later. However, some of the readers at RKO studios didn’t think it was suitable for filming. Still, producer John Houseman was able to secure the rights for the story, especially when actor Robert Ryan expressed interest in the role. There was some discussion with the police departments in Los Angeles and Boston, who were pleased to see the idea of police violence would be treated openly. Originally, the film’s ending was supposed to be a bit more of a downer, but actors Robert Ryan and Ida Lupino were able to convince the director to give the movie a happier ending.

I’ve only had the opportunity so far to see this movie twice, but it has been one I’ve enjoyed seeing both times. I’m really impressed with Robert Ryan’s performance here as a cop going bad. We see how, unlike his partners who have a life apart from their jobs, he takes his work home with him, and, in so doing, gets more and more of a bad impression of the world (not helped by all the people complaining to his face about what the cops are doing). We see him getting bad, and we also see the police captain trying to sweep the problem under the rug by having him go elsewhere. And that idea almost backfires, with Ward Bond’s character complaining about him being a city cop, as he seeks his own vengeance, while Robert Ryan’s Jim does little to stop him (at first). It’s only luck that he meets Ida Lupino’s Mary, who gets him to soften back up and be human again. And Robert Ryan isn’t the only good actor here, as everybody does their part well (including director Nicholas Ray’s nephew Sumner Williams as Danny, whose actions seem too relevant today, especially to the many women who complain, and rightfully so, about men wanting them to “smile” to be more beautiful). It’s not my absolute favorite noir, but it’s a good one, and I certainly would recommend it!

This movie is available on Blu-ray and DVD from Warner Archive Collection.

Now, before I sign off, in case you’re wondering, since I have been reviewing noirs for the month of November every Sunday for the last few years (and yet, as I said before, this is the last one I’m reviewing for this month, even though there is one Sunday left), my plan is to start in on the Christmas holiday films starting next week. If I don’t, I would otherwise only have three Sundays to work with in December before the holiday itself, and, since it will be past Thanksgiving anyways, I figured I would start in and still get in my four films for the year!

Film Length: 1 hour, 22 minutes

My Rating: 8/10

Audience Rating:

List Of Actor/Actress Filmographies/Collections

Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943) – Ida Lupino

The Sky’s The Limit (1943) – Robert Ryan – The Tall Men (1955)

Thoughts From The Music(al) Man (2020) on… Dark Passage (1947)

As we continue on with “Noir-vember,” it’s time to get a different point-of-view (pun intended) with that classic 1947 Bogie and Bacall film Dark Passage!

Coming Up Shorts! with… Slick Hare (1947)

(Available as an extra on the Dark Passage Blu-ray from Warner Archive Collection)

(Length: 7 minutes, 43 seconds)

At the Mocrumbo nightclub, Humphrey Bogart orders a dish of fried rabbit, and his waiter Elmer Fudd must come up with one in twenty minutes. Classic Looney Tunes cartoon with Elmer chasing down Bugs Bunny. Of course, there are various celebrity “cameos” to add to the fun (although I’d be surprised if most people nowadays could figure out most of them). For a classic film fan, certainly a fun cartoon to watch every now and then!

And Now For The Main Feature…

Convict Vincent Parry (Humphrey Bogart) has escaped from San Quentin prison. After the cops drive past his hiding place, he hitches a ride with passing motorist Baker (Clifton Young). However, that ride is short-lived, as they hear Vincent’s description on the radio, which forces him to knock out Baker. While Vincent changes into Baker’s clothes, painter Irene Jansen (Lauren Bacall) comes up on him and, recognizing who he is, offers him a ride. She gets him past the police blocks, and brings him to her apartment, which she offers as a place to hide out. Once, while she is out, a mutual friend, Madge Rapf (Agnes Moorehead), comes to the door, but he turns her away. Fearing the possibility of having been discovered, Vincent decides to leave that night, and takes a cab. The cabby, Sam (Tom D’Andrea), recognizes him, but is on his side and offers to take him to a plastic surgeon. While Sam makes the arrangements, Vincent drops in on his friend, George Fellsinger (Rory Mallinson), and makes plans to stay at his apartment. After that, Vincent goes to the plastic surgeon, Dr. Walter Coley (Houseley Stevenson), who does some work on his face. After he is all bandaged up and given his instructions by the doctor, Vincent is taken back to George’s apartment by Sam. However, once in the apartment, Vincent is horrified to find his friend had been murdered. Feeling he has no other place to turn to, Vincent walks back to Irene’s place. On the way, he sees Baker’s car, but does not see Baker himself. Out of sheer exhaustion, Vincent puts it out of his mind and keeps going towards Irene’s apartment building, where he collapses. Irene finds an unconscious Vincent, and brings him in. Vincent learns from the newspaper that he is accused of George’s murder, but he convinces Irene that he is innocent. After twelve days, she cuts the bandages off his face, and he leaves, with the intention of proving his innocence. He adopts the name of Allan Linnell, but Baker soon finds him and decides to blackmail him. Vincent ends up overpowering Baker, and learns about somebody else following him to George’s apartment before Baker accidentally falls to his death. So, Vincent goes off to confront the real killer.

Dark Passage was based on a novel (of the same name) written by David Goodis (which had been serialized in The Saturday Evening Post before it was published as a book). For the movie, they did some location shooting in San Francisco, including Irene’s house and a diner. But, as I hinted at earlier, the movie is best known for its first forty minutes, in which we see almost everything from Vincent’s (Humphrey Bogart) point-of-view (and what we don’t see that way very cleverly keeps his face in the shadows or out of sight). Of course, the fact that Humphrey Bogart doesn’t actually show his face on camera for the first hour originally irritated Jack Warner when he found out, but too much of the film had been done by that point for him to make any changes.

Personally, I consider Dark Passage the weakest of the four Bogie-Bacall films. Now, I’m not trashing this movie, as I really like it! I’m just saying that the other three are just that much better. I do like the film’s gimmick of the first person view for the first forty minutes, as I think it works with the story. Any other way would essentially have some other actor playing the part, with Humphrey Bogart’s voice dubbed in for them. This way, that’s not necessary. But Lauren Bacall is one of this film’s strengths, as she gives a great performance here, especially for the first part, when she’s mainly interacting with the camera (or so it would seem). And Agnes Moorehead is great, too, as their mutual friend, who pretty much makes a nuisance of herself with everybody. Humphrey Bogart is the only one who really suffers here performance-wise, as we don’t really get a lot of background there, and we’re generally stuck going with his character type rather than a fully fleshed out character for this movie. But, that’s a minor quibble, because, as I said before, this movie is one I enjoy, and for that reason, I would certainly recommend seeing it!

This movie is available on Blu-ray and DVD from Warner Archive Collection, either individually or as part of the four film Bogart And Bacall: The Complete Collection. Whether you go with the individual release or the set, the Blu-ray looks fantastic as always, and is certainly the best way to see the movie!

Film Length: 1 hour, 46 minutes

My Rating: 8/10

List Of Actor/Actress Filmographies/Collections

To Have And Have Not (1944) – Humphrey Bogart – The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (1948)

To Have And Have Not (1944) – Lauren Bacall – Young Man With A Horn (1950)

Since You Went Away (1944) – Agnes Moorehead – Show Boat (1951)

Thoughts From The Music(al) Man (2020) on… Five Steps To Danger (1957)

Starting off the month of “Noir-vember,” we have the 1957 film Five Steps To Danger, starring Ruth Roman and Sterling Hayden.

Coming Up Shorts! with… Pickled Pink (1965)

(available on Blu-ray and DVD as part of The Pink Panther Cartoon Collection: Volume 1 (1964-1966) from Kino Lorber)

(Length: 6 minutes, 22 seconds)

A drunk invites the Pink Panther into his home, but they have to avoid his wife, who threatens to throw any of her husband’s “friends” out of the house. Not as original a cartoon, with the drunk and his wife having speaking roles. The gags seem a little too familiar, taking away from the fun. Definitely a lesser Pink Panther cartoon, but, considering it was early on, with them still trying to figure out what to do, it can be forgiven.

And Now For The Main Feature…

John Emmett (Sterling Hayden) is on his vacation when his car breaks down. When towed to a garage, he finds out that it will take too long to repair, and sells the car. There, he meets another traveler, Ann Nicholson (Ruth Roman), who offers him a ride if he will help her drive to Santa Fe, to which he agrees. However, at a diner, he meets Helen Bethke (Jeanne Cooper), a nurse who claims that Ann has had a mental breakdown. She says Ann is being encouraged to take a trip by her psychiatrist, Dr. Simmons (Werner Klemperer), and asks John to go with her, which he still agrees to do. The trip becomes more interesting, however, when two sheriffs pull John and Ann over and try to arrest them for a murder in Los Angeles supposedly committed by Ann. They get away, but John becomes suspicious of Ann and her rush to get to Santa Fe. So she tells him she had been sent by a friend of her brother’s to bring some information about guided missiles to an old family friend, Dr. Reinhardt Kissel, and she had discovered he was in Santa Fe. John decides to come along with her anyway, although when they come to a college that they had heard that Dr. Kissel was teaching at, they learn from Dean Brant (Richard Gaines) that he wasn’t there at all! So John takes Ann to a hotel, where he leaves her with Dr. Simmons and her nurse before moving on to the fishing lodge he had a reservation at. However, Dr. Simmons believes Ann needs to be put in a sanitarium, and makes arrangements to do so (although Ann escapes before she can be taken there). Meanwhile, CIA agent Kirk Patrick (Charles Davis) comes to John and tells him that Dr. Kissel is working for them at a nearby government testing facility. After the CIA agent leaves, Ann shows up. Figuring out that they love each other, they decide to get married and then go to the government facility to see Dr. Kissel. However, Ann determines that the man working there as Dr. Kissel is an imposter, and she tells CIA agent Kirk Patrick. But can they catch all the undercover Soviet agents?

I will admit, Five Steps To Danger, which is based on the Donald Hamilton story The Steel Mirror, barely qualifies as noir. It has hints of it, don’t get me wrong, but it also feels like more of a combination of Cold War-era spy thrillers and Gaslight. Admittedly, I wouldn’t say that the gaslighting that goes on here is anywehere near as good as what happens in that classic film, nor is it necessarily that good of a spy thriller. But, I blame that mostly on the script, which wanders around a little too much. I think the actors do a decent job with what they are given, especially Werner Klemperer (and boy, after having seen him for years on the TV series Hogan’s Heroes, it sure feels weird seeing him actually playing a competent, smart character). It’s not the best movie I’ve ever seen, but it has enough good points to it that it is a movie I would recommend giving a try!

What’s Old Is A New Release Again (2018) with… Five Steps To Danger (1957)

This movie is available on Blu-ray and DVD from Classicflix. According to the disc case, this movie was restored from the original camera negative. I will definitely say that this transfer looks pretty darn good! Sure, there are a few specks and dirt here and there, but they are minor at best, and do not take away from an otherwise good-looking release. So for its transfer alone, this is the best way to see the movie!

Film Length: 1 hour, 20 minutes

My Rating: 7/10

Audience Rating:

List Of Actor/Actress Filmographies/Collections

Great Day In The Morning (1956) – Ruth Roman

Crime Of Passion (1957) – Sterling Hayden

Thoughts From The Music(al) Man (2020) on… Great Day In The Morning (1956)

Our next movie would be the 1956 American Civil War drama/Western/noir Great Day In The Morning starring Virginia Mayo, Robert Stack and Ruth Roman!

Coming Up Shorts! with… The Ship That Died (1938)

(available as an extra on the Great Day In The Morning Blu-ray from Warner Archive Collection)

(Length: 10 minutes, 8 seconds)

In this short from a series on historical mysteries, the disappearance of all the people onboard the ship “Mary Celeste” back in 1872 is shown. Narrated by John Nesbitt, it’s an interesting short. So far, the first time that I have even heard of the “Mary Celeste” mystery, and it seems interesting. Even after all this time, it is still unknown what happened, and one does wonder! A few of the theories are shown, but, obviously, who knows what the truth may be? Certainly an interesting and thought-provoking short.

Coming Up Shorts! with… Strange Glory (1938)

(available as an extra on the Great Day In The Morning Blu-ray from Warner Archive Collection)

(Length: 10 minutes, 38 seconds)

Another historical mystery, this time on Anna Ella Carroll and whether she was the author of the Tennessee Plan that turned the tide of the American Civil War. This one is narrated by Carey Wilson. Certainly an interesting mystery (and one that still seems too relevant in some respects). Obviously, with all the participating parties long since gone, who knows whether this one will ever be cleared up.

Coming Up Shorts! with… The Face Behind The Mask (1938)

(available as an extra on the Great Day In The Morning Blu-ray from Warner Archive Collection)

(Length: 10 minutes, 46 seconds)

Another historical mystery, this time focusing on the man imprisoned by the French king Louis XIV, wearing an iron mask. Another interesting story, this time narrated by John Nesbitt. Obviously, like many, I have heard of the Alexandre Dumas tale (and seen a few versions of it), but watching this short was probably the first time I had heard that this had actually happened! Obviously, it still remains a mystery as who was imprisoned, and while this short had three theories, there are obviously any number of others to go around as well.

Coming Up Shorts! with… The Magic Alphabet (1942)

(available as an extra on the Great Day In The Morning Blu-ray from Warner Archive Collection)

(Length: 10 minutes, 54 seconds)

An entry in the “Passing Parade” series of shorts, this one is on Dr. Christiaan Eijkman, who sought a cure for beri-beri back in the 1890s. Also the later discovery, as a result, of vitamins. The short also shows its wartime creation, urging housewives to learn about vitamins to hep keep their families strong enough that victory in war could be achieved. Certainly an interesting short historically, even if it is a somewhat formulaic story of man trying to find a cure for a disease through trouble and then randomly hitting on something that makes it work (admittedly quite relevant today)!

And Now For The Main Feature…

While being shot at by a group of Native Americans, Owen Pentecost (Robert Stack) is saved by Ann Merry Alaine (Virginia Mayo) and her two guides, Stephen Kirby (Alex Nicol) and Zeff Masterson (Leo Gordon). Owen accompanies them to Denver, Colorado, where he soon finds himself gambling at the Circus Tent bar, owned by Jumbo Means (Raymond Burr). However, Owen has a lucky streak going, and with the aid of saloon girl Boston Grant (Ruth Roman), Owen ends up winning the bar. Amidst the growing tensions between North and South preceding the upcoming Civil War, Owen finds himself being aligned (whether he likes it or not) with the small group of Southerners in town. Since he inherited a bunch of mining claims when he took over the Circus Tent, Owen tries to offer the people in town a chance to mine some gold, as long as he gets his share. One man tries to hide his gold from him, but a shootout occurs, with Owen the only one still standing. Ann sees it happen, and although she is disappointed, she lies about the killing when the Northerners start threatening to hang Owen. Soon, the dead man’s son, Gary Lawford (Donald MacDonald), arrives in town, and Owen takes him in, even helping teach him how to shoot, much to Ann’s dismay. After the news of the surrender of Fort Sumter gets to town, the North/South tensions in town bust wide open, with the Northerners going after the Southerners. Owen finds himself trying to figure out what to do, whether he should help the other Southerners get their gold out, or try to save his own hide.

For me, this turned out to be an interesting movie. I’ll admit, I hadn’t heard of it before, and was only slightly familiar with actress Virginia Mayo (mainly from the Bob Hope comedy The Princess And The Pirate, but since Great Day In The Morning was announced and released on Blu-ray, I’ve also seen her in Out Of The Blue as well). Still, her presence was enough for me to give this a try. And boy, did I enjoy the movie! The Civil War aspects of this made it an interesting movie, especially since, in some ways, neither side was exactly portrayed as being flawless. Obviously, the flaws of most of the Southerners and their way of life are well known and come into play here (with the obvious exception of Owen Pentecost, who is disliked by both sides for his mercenary ways). But we also see the biases of the Northerners too, with the likes of Leo Gordon’s Zeff Masterson openly hating anybody from the South without even considering the possibility that they may not share the alliances of beliefs of other Southerners. Then there’s Raymond Burr’s Jumbo Means, who wants as much to profit from the coming war and take down the local Southerners (especially Owen Pentecost after he takes both Jumbo’s bar and gains the affections of Ruth Roman’s Boston, even though she openly admitted she doesn’t care for Jumbo’s advances). The only male Northerner we feel much sympathy for is Alex Nicol’s Stephen Kirby, who is a captain working in the secret service to keep the Southern miners from getting their gold back to the Confederacy, but he’s the only Northerner not working from hatred or mercenary means. And of course, Owen Pentecost as the film’s antihero takes some time for the audience to come around to rooting for him (even if things don’t go his way, both in this movie and historically, considering the outcome of the American Civil War). As I said, very much a blind buy, but one I will readily admit I liked and recommend giving a chance!

What’s Old Is A New Release Again (2019) with… Great Day In The Morning (1956)

The movie was released originally by RKO Studios near the end of that studio’s life. As a result, the movie never received its due. For home video in particular, it barely got released on VHS and never on DVD. And on TV, its had its problems with a poor transfer and incorrect aspect ratios (at least, that’s what I’ve heard). However, the Warner Archive Collection has rectified that problem by doing a 4K scan of the original camera negative, and restoring it for their recent Blu-ray release. Honestly, the film looks fantastic, with the transfer showing off the scenery from the location shooting in Silverton, Colorado! You couldn’t even begin to convince me to try watching the older transfers from what I’ve heard, so this recent restoration for Blu-ray is certainly the best way I know of to see it!

Film Length: 1 hour, 32 minutes

My Rating: 9/10

List Of Actor/Actress Filmographies/Collections

White Heat (1949) – Virginia Mayo

To Be Or Not To Be (1942) – Robert Stack

Down Three Dark Streets (1954) – Ruth Roman – Five Steps To Danger (1957)

Raw Deal (1948) – Raymond Burr – Crime Of Passion (1957)

Thoughts From The Music(al) Man (2020) on… T-Men (1947)

Now we have yet another classic noir, the 1947 film T-Men starring Dennis O’Keefe.

After an informant is killed before he can pass on a sample of paper being used by a counterfeit ring, The U.S. Treasury Department assigns two of its agents, Dennis O’Brien (Dennis O’Keefe) and Tony Genaro (Alfred Ryder), to help take down the ring. Going undercover, Dennis (now Vannie Harrigan) and Tony (now Tony Galvani) start out with a gang connected in Detroit. They are received well, and soon learn about somebody in L.A. known only as the Schemer. Upon hearing what information the Treasury Department does have on the Schemer, Dennis goes to L.A. under the guise of running from the law, which satisfies the Detroit mobsters. Dennis is able to find the Schemer (Wally Ford), and passes off some counterfeit money in a dice game to get his attention. Dennis starts getting in good with the ring, giving them one engraving plate and promising another later. Tony is brought to L.A. as well, but a friend of his wife’s sees him and accidentally outs him in front of the Schemer. Of course, they had been working on the Schemer to get him in trouble, which results in one mobster offing him in a steam bath, before they also go after Tony. Now alone, Dennis has to figure out who the boss is and get himself out before he also potentially ends up dead.

T-Men is widely credited as being director Anthony Mann’s first successful movie. Prior to that, he had directed a few other movies, but it was T-Men that he had the freedom to try doing things his way. After working with the Treasury Department and finding out how they worked, he was able to piece ideas together . The Treasury Department gave him permission to actually film genuine U.S. currency instead of the play money that was generally required to be used. One former official and IRS director, Elmer Lincoln Irey was involved, helping to introduce the movie. Anthony Mann was also able to get cinematographer John Alton to work with him, with the two learning that their thoughts on how to do things were quite similar. Together, they created many ways of lighting and staging scenes that worked within the budget but also effectively created memorable moments.

Now, I admit, prior to Classicflix announcing this as one of their releases, I hadn’t even heard of this movie, and what I was able to read about made it sound unappealing. But, over time, I developed an appreciation for the various films they had released, and was willing to give it a try. I was worried my initial feelings may have been right when the movie started with Elmer Lincoln Irey’s introduction. I admit, his delivery of his lines almost put me to sleep! But I’m glad I stayed awake, as the rest of the movie proved to work very well! I can still see Wallace Ford’s Schemer dying in the steam room very clearly! And, while it’s a bit part, June Lockhart as the wife of Alfred Ryder’s Tony Genaro really makes you feel for her, as she and her loudmouth friend accidentally tip the criminals off to her husband’s actual identity. You can see her trying to cover up, but her tears almost tell you she knew her husband wouldn’t be surviving. Just a wonderful movie, and one I very much recommend (although I would suggest skipping Irey’s intro so that you can stay awake)!

This movie is available on Blu-ray and DVD from Classicflix, either as a limited special edition or as part of a triple feature John Alton Collection with Raw Deal and He Walked By Night. The film’s restoration for this release is fantastic, allowing the detail to really shine. Add in the bonus features (only available in the special edition), such as an audio commentary by Alan K. Rode, a few featurettes and a written essay, and this certainly makes for a wonderful release for this movie! The movie itself is one hour, thirty-two minutes in length.

My Rating: 8/10

Audience Rating:

Coming Up Shorts! with… Popeye’s Premiere (1949)

(available on Blu-ray and DVD as part of Popeye The Sailor: The 1940s Volume 3 from Warner Archive Collection)

Disclaimer: On the disc case, it is noted that the set is intended for the adult collector, which is because these shorts were made at a time when a lot of racist and sexist stereotypes were prevalent. All I’m trying to say is, parents, be careful about just sticking these on for your kids.

Welcome to my new feature on various theatrical shorts! Sometimes my comments will be on shorts included as extras on a disc set I am reviewing, and other times, they will be completely unrelated to the movie being reviewed (and I will try to indicate which). Hope you enjoy!

(Length: 10 minutes, 47 seconds)

Popeye and Olive are at the premiere of his short “Popeye in Aladdin’s Lamp.” Another short that borrows footage from an earlier short, this time his special “Aladdin And His Wonderful Lamp” from 1939. Some fun to this cartoon, although it’s the old stuff that is a lot more fun. I can definitely see the slight differences in animation between the new and old footage, especially during moments when Popeye is actually interacting with the cartoon, but it’s fun enough (especially since it’s different from the usual “Popeye vs. Bluto” formula that most of the recent cartoons relied on)!

And stay tuned for more of Coming Up Shorts! featuring more of Popeye (and the eventual post on the entire 1940s Volume 3 set), along with other shorts!

Thoughts From The Music(al) Man (2020) on… Another Man’s Poison (1952)

The next film I will be talking about is the 1952 movie Another Man’s Poison, starring Bette Davis, Gary Merrill and Emlyn Williams.

Mystery writer Janet Frobisher (Bette Davis) walks to the train station one night to call her secretary’s fiance, Larry Stevens (Anthony Steel), to invite him over to her place. After hanging up, she is offered a ride home by the town veterinarian, Dr. Henderson (Emlyn Williams). Upon returning home, she is startled by the presence of George Bates (Gary Merrill). She quickly finds out he is looking for her husband, since the two of them had robbed a bank together with her husband shooting a policeman. George is insistent on talking with her husband, in spite of her attempts to make him leave, so she reveals that she had killed her husband. She tries to get him to leave, but he stays, posing as her husband, when Dr. Henderson comes in and spies her late husband’s hat. After Dr. Henderson leaves, they plan to throw the body in the lake, but George has to do it alone when Larry and Janet’s secretary, Chris Dale (Barbara Murray), show up, and end up staying the night. George is angry with Janet, as she spends a lot of her free time riding with Larry while Chris types up her next story, with the inquisitive Dr. Henderson constantly popping in and asking questions. Of course, Janet keeps trying to get George to leave, but he refuses, constantly trying to drag her into everything. But, with Dr. Henderson constantly nosing about, can they keep their crimes a secret?

When making the classic All About Eve, Bette Davis and Gary Merrill developed feelings for each other and got married. The success of All About Eve gave her more power in choosing her next role, and she ended up choosing Another Man’s Poison, which was based on a play called Deadlock. What appealed to her was that there was a part for her husband, and since it would be filmed in England, it would essentially be an all-expenses-paid honeymoon for the two of them. The script still needed some work, and Bette had actor/writer Emlyn Williams help to fix it. While there was only so much he was able to do, I can’t deny it was a fun watch. I enjoyed the movie mainly for Bette Davis’s performance, as she really carries the movie as much as anything. It’s worth a recommendation if only to see what she does with the role, so if you get a chance to see it, don’t hesitate!

This movie is available on Blu-ray and DVD from Classicflix. It was their first release (after having been a Netflix-type of DVD rental service specializing in movies from the silent era up through the sixties for about a decade), and, to the best of my knowledge, they licensed the transfer itself from Cohen Media Group. But it is a fantastic-looking transfer for the movie, that easily makes it worth recommending! The movie is one hour, thirty minutes in length.

My Rating: 8/10

Audience Rating:

List Of Actor/Actress Filmographies/Collections

Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943) – Bette Davis – Pocketful Of Miracles (1961)

Coming Up Shorts! with… Peep In The Deep (1946)

(available on Blu-ray and DVD as part of Popeye The Sailor: The 1940s Volume 2 from Warner Archive Collection)

(Length: 7 minutes, 37 seconds)

Popeye and Olive go diving for a sunken treasure, but stowaway Bluto is also after it. A fun short, apparently a remake of the 1935 “Dizzy Divers” (which I haven’t seen)! Harry Welch doesn’t do as well here as Popeye, being a little too different than some of the previous shorts, but it’s still fun enough. Watching Bluto try to stop Popeye from getting to the treasure (while Popeye doesn’t even know Bluto is there) is fun, and certainly allows for a good time here (and it’s a cartoon, so you know they do some goofy stuff underwater that wouldn’t happen in the real world)!

And stay tuned for more of Coming Up Shorts! featuring more of Popeye (and the eventual post on the entire 1940s Volume 2 set), along with other shorts!