They Drive By Night (1940)

Plot Two Truck Drivers battle crooked bosses and dangerous long-hauls before getting entangled in a murder.
Stars: George Raft, Humphrey Bogart, Ida Lupino, Ann Sheridan.
Best Quote:  

Raft: That's some Classy Chassis 
Sheridan:  Ha. You couldn't even pay for the headlights.

Almost two separate films joined into one*. The first half is an action-drama as truckers Bogart and Raft try to get those Lemons to market without crashing or getting their Truck repossessed. The 2nd half turns into a love-triangle/film-noir murder as bad girl Lupino (who's excellent) misreads all the signals and bumps off her husband (lovable Lug Alan Hale) for an uninterested Raft. There's never a dull moment although it gets silly at times**.

Its a good example of the popular working class film that WB made before Pearl Harbor - full of warm, wisecracking working class Joe's, and crooked bosses in stuffed shirts.  As for Raft, he does well in this one, primarily because his part is relatively small, and he's surrounded by better actors. Flaws? 4th billed Bogart and Raft should have switched characters.  Summary:  Fast paced, unusual, trucker action-drama/film-noir.  Full of blue-collar hokum, but well-acted by an all-star cast. It kept my interest.  3 out 4

Notes:
* = In order to appeal to both men and women, Warner Brothers joins almost two separate films into one, but it works.
** =  The silliest scene? Raft spots a truck ahead with a driver who's fallen asleep. Refusing to honk the horn (that might cause him to drive off the road - LOL!), Raft drives up next to the truck so Bogart can throw a wrench at the hood. Needless to say it all ends badly.  Absurdly, later in the film, Bogart also falls asleep and drives off the road.  Of course, the whole purpose of having two drivers, is to allow one driver to sleep while the other drives. And why would anyone keep driving if they were falling asleep? Oh, well. How else can you make driving a truck full of Lemons seem dangerous and risky?

Nocturne (1946)

Plot: Low budget Film Noir.  The Coroner says suicide, but a policeman believes a Composer was murdered by one of his many Girlfriends.
Stars: George Raft, Lynne Bari,  Virginia Huston
Best Quote: He was a ladykiller. But don't get any ideas. I ain't no lady.

George Raft has always been a mystery to me. How did such a seeming mediocrity end up as a big star at Warner Brothers, and then fade so fast. At his peak, the guy was so popular, he turned down the lead for Casablanca, Maltese Falcon, and High Sierra. And yet its hard to find any of the movies he made after 1941, on DVD or well, anywhere.

Nocturne continues the mystery. Raft plays the lead detective and dominates the movie, he's in every scene, but he's not value-added. While he's a good straight man,  looks tough and gets off a few good sardonic rejoinders,  he fails to add any passion or energy to the part. He always seems aloof,  waiting for the other actor to say their lines, so he can speak his.

Raft aside, Nocturne has some good dialogue and some excellent comedy relief by Mabel  Paige and Myrna Dell, not to mention some good scenes here and there (the opening, a fight that ends with a cup of coffee,  a talk on an RKO sound-stage). But too much of the plot is cop-film paint by the numbers ( We even get a "You're off the case" Police Chief) and the romance between Raft and Bari is perfunctory.

Summary: Some interesting scenes but overall a mediocre film-noir with a lackluster Raft. Felt longer than the 87 minute run time. 2 out of 4

Manpower (1941)

Riddle: How do you turn a movie with a good supporting cast, good direction, and a good blue-collar story into an un-watchable disaster?  Answer: Cast George Raft, Marlene Dietrich and E.G. Robinson as the leads.

With Walsh directing, Eve Arden cracking wise, and Ward Bond/Alan Hale as the comic relief, this tale of two power-line men  battling over a "beautiful broad" should have been interesting in a working class  1940's  kind of way. But the 3 leads spoil it. We got 48 y/o paunchy New Yorker  E.G. Robinson as a two-fisted, tough with men,a sap with women, foreman. LOL! This part should gone to Cagney, Bogart, or Victor McLaglen. Then for the tough "clip joint" chippie we get - not Ida Lapino, Joan Crawford, or Joan Blondell - but Marlene "stone face"  Dietrich.  Imagine Marlene married to Eddie Robinson!  And the third leg in the love triangle? Its 41 y/o wooden George Raft. I'll give Raft credit, unlike the other 2 he doesn't embarrass himself.  But he doesn't add much to the part either.  Of course, Raft and Robinson - supposed buddies on-screen -  have zero bromance, and in real life ended up in a fist-fight.

Anyway, these 3 miscast leads ruin whatever this movie could have been. They're simply ridiculous in their assigned roles. Even George Raft agreed. He insulted Robinson throughout the filming, partly because he thought Robinson was miscast and should be off the picture.  Summary: Despite the all-star cast, avoid this turkey. Rating 1.5 of 4

Lost Horizon (1937)

Plot: After a plane crash in Tibet, a  group of Westerners experience life in "Shangri-la".
Stars: Ronald Coleman, E. Everett Horton, Thomas Mitchell, H.B. Warner, Sam Jaffe, Jane Wyatt, Margo

Best Quotes: Gentlemen, I give you a toast. Here's my hope that Robert Conway will find his Shangri-La. Here's my hope that we all find our Shangri-La.

Although it's been said that it's one of my best pictures, I thought that the main part of the film - I should have done better, somehow. I got lost in architecture, in utopia, in the never-never-land, and it was only toward the end of the picture that I got back on track with human beings and individuals, where I began to feel that the story dealt with human beings again  -  The Great Frank Capra 

For some reason, I'd put off watching Lost Horizon even though it won some Academy Award nominations and still has a high IMDB rating of 7.7.  I thought it would be a dull yakkety-yak fest, but its not. It has a compelling story and mucho adventure.* And despite being filmed in SoCal, its feels like Tibet, and the (fake) Mountain Climbing scenes are incredible.  Its definitely one of Ronald Coleman better roles (love that diction!) and Thomas Mitchell and E.E. Horton standout as comic relief.  The only real stinker is Sam Jaffe as the 200 year old High Lama. Incredibly, Jaffe only got the part when Columbia couldn't find anyone better! 

Summary: A grand fantasy/adventure film, magnificently staged, beautifully photographed, and capitally played.  One of the best movies of the 1930's**. Its only real flaws? Some miscasting and its 12 minutes too long in the middle. 

Notes

* = it does get bogged down in the middle, and some of the "restored scenes" should have been left out.

** - Lost Horizon was/is a Rorschach test for the critics.  Surprisingly, James Agee gave it a positive review, while soulless snob Graham Greene hated it. Other, more Leftist critics, were made uneasy by a Utopia at variance with Marx and "The Party Line".  More recent critics, like Kael, were distressed at all the politeness/nobleness. They wanted a more vulgar Utopia -  like Marlon Brando and friends  having endless sex orgies. 

The Subject was Roses (1968)

Based on the 1964 Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway play. Seen as a favor, its well-written and well- acted, but I didn't enjoy it much. Its dysfunctional family theater, another "Daddy was a Bastard" middle-class drama - so popular from 1948-1968.  For some reason, every American Playwright hated his father and wrote at least one play to get back at him.  This is the Irish-American version. Anyway, its a good filmed play. Patricia Neal is excellent, and makes it worth seeing.  Martin Sheen is OK as the son, and Jack Albertson  won a Supporting Oscar for playing Jack Albertson.  Its a puzzling win. Maybe, Jack had friends in high places  Summary:  If you like serious family drama, and don't mind filmed plays - give it a whirl.  However, its not my kind of movie  Rating 2.5 of 4

Guns of Darkness (1962)

Plot:  In a mythical Central American country, a British expat and wife, make a run for the border with the recently deposed ex-President.
Stars:  David Niven, Leslie Caron,

Despite the all-star cast, Guns of Darkness got middling reviews and box office when released and its no more popular today (Total IMDB reviews - 6).  But I found it interesting and often engaging - although very frustrating. It should be better than it is.

First, the movie doesn't know what it is. Is it a suspenseful chase movie? Or a serious melodrama about political revolution and a failing marriage?  It tries to be both, and ends up being neither. To me, the first 30 minutes of the movie are the best, as Niven and Caron bicker and we see the Revolutionaries take power. It then turns into a standard chase movie, as Niven/Caron drive to the border and outwit the pursing revolutionary police. "The Chase" - has its moments, but its no more than average and often unrealistic.

Lack of Realism
Is it really that hard, for a Revolutionary Government stop an Englishman and his French Wife - in a Station-Wagon - from leaving the country? How many paved roads are there? And silliest of all, Niven decides to DRIVE across a Tropical river and almost dies in quick-sand.  Wouldn't anyone WADE across first to make sure it was drive-able?

The Awful David Niven Character  
For the first 30 minutes, in an interesting twist,  Niven plays a completely unsympathetic character.  He's one of those snarky, weak-willed, "I'm too good for business but..." types. Full of snide remarks and school boy jokes.  Its not clear whether the film-makers expect us to sympathize with Niven or made him so obnoxious that we would be surprised when he decides to help the wounded Ex-President Rivera escape the country. Ultimately, we and Caron come to  respect him.

Why are We Supposed to Root for Rivera to Get Away?
First, Niven's sentimental desire to help Rivera, causes the death of several innocent people - including a young boy. And what does Niven really know about Rivera? Nothing. Niven doesn't even speak Spanish! Its quite possible that Rivera committed crimes that deserve punishment. Or if Rivera escapes, he might cause a civil war in order to regain power. In any case, Niven is a guest in the country and its not really his business.  At the very least, his ignorant interference causes his Boss to lose the Plantation. The movie sides with Niven, but its obvious his emotional decision to help Rivera was a bad one.

Blackboard Jungle (1955)

Look, I cut movies a lot of slack.  Film isn’t real life ‘kay?  But sometimes a movie is so unrealistic  I can’t overlook it.  And that’s what happened with Blackboard Jungle.  For example:

• The HS “kids” are simply too old. Sidney Poitier is 27 (and played a Doctor when he was 23!),  and Vic Murrow (Artie) and Dan Terranova are around 25 - and look it.  Not to mention, there’s an old/odd looking “Kid” with coke-bottle glasses who looks like a Screenwriter. 
• All these 25 y/o “kids” finally have their eyes opened to learning when Ford shows them a “Jack in the Beanstalk cartoon”.  Really.
• Ford & another teacher are caught in a dark alley and beaten up by Artie, and five other students. Ford spends a week in the Hospital, but refuses to press charges.  Why? 
• Anyway, after playing a mild-mannered teacher for 80 minutes, Glenn Ford suddenly turns “macho man” and -with his bare hands - beats the crap out of knife-wielding Vic Murrow (who overacts shamelessly). Why didn't Ford just leave the classroom and get the Principal when Artie wanted to fight? Today, that kind of thing would end in a Million dollar settlement - for Artie!

Positives?  Good performances by Ford, who brings a quiet strength and convincing naivete to the role, and Louis Calhern.  Summary:  Too cornball, too dated, and too unrealistic.  Blackboard is one square movie that flunks out of class – Daddy-O.  Rating 2 of 4. 

The White Tower (1950)

Best Quote:
-Its two bottles of Brandy. One for medicinal purposes, and one for celebration when we reach the top.
-What if you don't?
-Then for consolation.

This movie about a diverse group climbing a Swiss Mountain has been completely forgotten and that's too bad. There's some good Technicolor Alpine scenery, and tense action scenes - that had my palms sweating.   Of course, Glenn Ford,  Claude Rains, Lloyd Bridges, Alida Valli,  and Sir Cedric Hardwicke* do most of their talking on studio sets - not at 12,000 feet -  but the film does a good job of "keeping it real."  Plus Ford/Valli have good chemistry.  Negatives? While well-acted, we needed less symbolism and talk.**  The German character might as well been called Nietzsche!  Although, in fairness, there's an interesting conflict at the end.  Summary:  A well-done Glenn Ford action movie with a good ensemble cast, slowed down by some occasional tedious talk.  But well directed and beautifully photographed.

Notes/Spoilers
* =  While 60 y/o Rains and Hardwicke look good on a Movie Marquee, they wouldn't be my first choices for deadly mountain climb.
** =  Poor Claude Rains is stuck with a character that should have died a noble death. Perhaps sacrificing himself to save the others. Instead for symbolism sake, he kills himself to escape a nagging  wife! He deserved better.

The Green Glove (1952)

I’m not too sure why The Green Glove was such a lackluster thriller. On the surface, it has it all. Great cast (Glenn ford, Geraldine Brooks, George Macready), great French locations, 85 minute run time, and nice story – a sort of cross between the Maltese Falcon and The 39 steps with a french accent. But nothing seems to click. There’s no real flair, tension or suspense. And the whole thing ends with one of the most perfunctory shoot-outs ever. Sads. It’s justifiably forgotten. Rating 2 of 4