Left Handed Gun Penn (1958)
Stars: Paul Newman and Lita Milan. B&W 102 minutes.
Plot: In 1880s New Mexico, Billy the Kid vows revenge on the 4 men who killed his boss.
Should be renamed "Billy the Kid - misunderstood Juvenile Delinquent." The story is melodramatic and historically inaccurate. People ride horses and fire six-shooters but the dialogue and characters are straight out of 50s Hollywood. Newman is in full "method acting" mode complete with pauses, grimaces, and smirks. He works way too hard in the role. The supporting cast is forgettable except for Denhner and Milan. For Newman Fans only Rating *
Harper (1965) - Paul Newman. Newman is "Harper" a Ross MacDonald type LA detective investigating Bacall's missing husband. We couldn't finish this, the movie seemed plotless and just a series of scenes strung together. Lots wisecracks that were less than wise. I remember episodes of Cannon and Rockford Files that were better. Newman's constant gum chewing didn't help.Rating **
Murder, My Sweet (1944)
Harper (1965) - Paul Newman. Newman is "Harper" a Ross MacDonald type LA detective investigating Bacall's missing husband. We couldn't finish this, the movie seemed plotless and just a series of scenes strung together. Lots wisecracks that were less than wise. I remember episodes of Cannon and Rockford Files that were better. Newman's constant gum chewing didn't help.Rating **
Murder, My Sweet (1944)
Stars Dick Powell and Claire Trevor - B&W 95 minutes.
Plot: Adoption of Chandler's "Farewell my Lovely. Private eye Philip Marlowe is hired to look for 'Velma' a client's former girlfriend.
While Bogart is the premiere Marlowe, and Mitchum was tougher, Powell runs a close third. Powell utters the wisecracks with excellent timing. The supporting cast is above average. The movie stays true to the novel and uses a lot of Chandler's dialogue and characters. Enjoyable Rating ***
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