Mostly short films, along with some features and some TV material. Feature films marked in
red.20 February 2017The E-Flat Man (1935) - 7.5/10. The reviews on IMDb are rather negative, but I rather enjoyed this little short 20-minute film. I particularly enjoyed Buster Keaton's charming co-star, Dorothea Kent, and am surprised she didn't have a bigger career.
Goldilocks and the Three Bares (1963) - 69/69. Seriously, how am I supposed to rate this 69-minute nudie film? It's basically an excuse for showing off a lot of boobs. But it does have a nice little plot, and I enjoyed seeing the classic cars and classic boobs.
The Timid Young Man (1935) - 7/10. A 20 minute comedy with Buster Keaton.
Mike and Stefani (1952) - 8/10. This 57-minute film doesn't even have 5 ratings on IMDb. It is an Australian film, depicting a couple from Ukraine who are separated by WW2, and meet again in a refugee camp. They have no home, and live at the camp with their daughter and a relative. Finally, the camp is closing, and they decide to immigrate to Australia. Remarkably, the scenes of them being interviewed to get approval for immigration are real, and are very tense. This was one of only two Australian-produced feature films of 1952, the other one being "Night Club", a comedy-musical. It would not be until the 1970s than Australian films began increasing greatly in number.
Little Dutch Mill (1934) 7.5/10. Cute little 8-minute cartoon, in living colour. Cinecolor, to be exact.
Also watched the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket via NASA TV. I also watched the 11 April 1952 episode of "Longines Chronoscope", a 1950s news talk show, and found the guest to be a windbag.
23 February 2017Wrecking Crew (1942) - 7/10. This film has three reviews on IMDb, two very negative, and one positive one. It has a rating of 6.8/10, which is fairly positive for a b-movie. Well, I enjoyed it, though I admit the script is rather dumb at times. The film concerns two demolition men, who both fall in love with the same woman. Meanwhile, the demolition firm they work for is struggling, and one of the two men is considered a jinx. Drama ensues. The cast includes nobody really famous but does feature people who appeared in a lot of films.
An Elephant Never Forgets (1935) - 7/10. Cute little 7-minute cartoon, but nothing special.
Son of Ingagi (1940) - 7/10. I seem to be the only person who likes this 62-minute low-budget African-American horror film. I found it relaxing.
The Girl from Chicago (1932) - 5/10. Good script, horrible direction, awful acting. I give it 5 stars only because of my respect for those trying to produce African-American cinema at the time. The film is 70 minutes but seemed to go on for ages.
Twist Around the Clock (1961) - 7.5/10 - Is this a good film? Was more than 5-minutes spent writing the script? Does the plot make sense? Does any of this really matter? I enjoyed the film for what it was....a cheap cash-in into the "twist" craze, which now serves a purpose as a retro artifact.
24 February 2017Watched an episode of "Biography" titled "The Kellogg Brothers: Corn Flake Kings". I ate several bowls of corn flakes while watching it.
25 February 2017The Golden Disc (1958) - 7/10. Such an innocent little 74-minute pop/rock film. It isn't a great film, but I found it very relaxing.
New Black Diamond Express (1900) - 7/10. A 30-second film showing a train. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
Watermelon Contest (1900) - ZERO/10. This 2-minute crapfest is the worst film I have ever seen. I think it's depressing that this film survives while 1948 TV series "
Amanda" is lost.
A Storm at Sea (1900) - 8/10. Simple but effective 1-minute documentary film.
The Old Maid Having Her Picture Taken (1901) - 7.5/10. Simple but effective one-minute comedy.
Another Job for the Undertaker (1901) - 7/10. Mildly amusing 1-minute comedy.
High Diving Scene (1901) - 7.5/10. A simple but effective 30-second documentary.
Photographing a Country Couple (1901) 6/10. Meh.
Three on a Limb (1936) - 7/10. Decent but unremarkable 18-minute comedy
Lying Lips (1939) - 7/10. Flawed but entertaining 72-minute crime drama/musical. This film has a largely African-American cast. These kind of films were known as "race films", and unusually for the genre, this film also includes several white characters.
Making a Living (1914) - 7.5/10. Hated by a lot of people, but I rather enjoyed this short comedy.
Kid Auto Races at Venice (1914) - 7.5/10. It probably helped that I was eating a delicious bag of Smith's thinly cut potato chips while I watched this 6-and-a-half-minute film. I find that silent comedy and potato chips go together very well.
Harlem Rides the Range (1939) - 7/10. An ordinary 56-minute b-western, except that it has an all-African-American cast.
Mabel's Strange Predicament (1914) - 7.5/10. Amusing little 12-minute comedy, though badly acted. Interestingly, it was directed by a female, Mabel Normand, who also directed other comedy shorts during this period.
I also watched the episode "Your Friendly Neighborhood Kidnappers" of the Monkees, telecast 3 October 1966. I also watched the episodes "The Hero" and "The Possible Dream" of The Brady Bunch.
