Lancaster Films

272. Elmer Gantry (1960) - Brooks. Co-stars Burt Lancaster and Jean Simmons.
Plot: A 1920s con-man/salesman (Lancaster) joins an traveling revivalist show and falls in love with lay preacher Sister Sharon (Jean Simmons)

One of those well-acted and well-directed (for the most part) films that bore me silly. Yes, Simmons is delightful and Lancaster is a perfect fit for the role, but I just didn't care about 1920s evangelicals or Elmer Gantry. Brooks and Lancaster wanted a veiled attack on religion that did good box office - so the Novel's satirical attack on Christianity is softened and Gantry is made more likable. But they still couldn't make Gantry interesting. Note: I didn't like the book either - a tedious Sinclair Lewis 'satire', with the last 100 pages so bad, Mencken thought Lewis wrote it while drunk. Summary A movie for Burt Lancaster fans or those interested in 1920s evangelicals, everyone else will be bored Rating **1/2

273. His Majesty O'Keefe (1954) - Haskin. Co-stars Burt Lancaster and Joan Rice. Set in 19th Century Fiji, an adventurous Sea Captain becomes the King of a South Seas Isle. O'Keefe has an unremarkable story, a 2nd rate supporting cast, and mediocre script but it sill manages to be enjoyable due to the beautiful location shots of Fiji and the use of real Fijians in the cast. Further, Lancaster shows off athletic ability and there are several excellent fight/action scenes. Summary: Enjoyable for the local color and Lancaster, but forgettable. Rating **1/2

274. The Kentuckian (1955) - Lancaster. Co-stars Burt Lancaster and Walter Matthau. Often labeled a western its really a family drama set in 1820s Kentucky. Its enjoyable with some excellent action scenes, but nothing special. Matthau shines as the villain with a bullwhip. Rating **1/2

276. The Flame and the Arrow (1950) - Tourneur. Co-stars Lancaster and Virginia Mayo.
Plot: Dardo (Lancaster) is a Robin Hood-like figure in Medieval Lombardy who conducts an insurgency against their Hessian conquerors.

A delightful tongue-in-cheek spoof of Robin Hood and the Medieval swashbucklers. Lancaster's former circus partner Nick Cavato shows up and they engage in some great stunts. Summary: Not as good as The Crimson Pirate and it drags in spots, but Mayo and the technicolor are beautiful, and its an enjoyable romp Rating ***

278. The Crimson Pirate (1952) "Ask no questions, and believe only what you see...No, believe only half of what you see." So says swashbuckler Lancaster at the start. Shot on technicolor in Italy, Crimson Pirate was the last of Lancaster's tongue-in-cheek adventure spoofs and the best. Full of energy and comedy but you need to see a few Errol Flynn movies to appreciate some of the gags. Lancaster and his partner Cavato perform some excellent acrobatics. The plot is silly but the supporting characters are well-cast and move the plot from A to B. Rating ***