Podcast Classic Movie Reviews by Classic Movie Reviews Episodes

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Dive into the complete episode list for Classic Movie Reviews. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

	Title	Pub. Date	Duration
	Episode 229 - Only Angels Have Wings	23 Mar 2024	00:45:23
“Only Angels Have Wings” 1939 takes place in the fictional South American town of Barranca. There is danger, romance, and drama surrounding Barranca Airways a struggling business with fatalistic pilots, money worries, unpredictable weather, few planes, and difficult human relationships. Director Howard Hawks creates excitement much as he did with “Red River” 1948 (Episode 71), “The Thing from Another World’ 1951 (Episode 59), and many other excellent films. The cast includes Cary Grant as Geoff Carter the Manager and lead pilot, Jean Arthur as Bonnie Lee the piano player-entertainer, Richard Barthelmess is Bat MacPherson a hated pilot who redeems himself, Judy MacPherson played by Rita Hayworth in her first major role, Thomas Mitchell as “Kid” Dabb best friend of Carter, and many others. Fasten seat belts for this movie. Here’s the IMDB page for “Only Angels Have Wing” Watch the full movie for free on YouTube here. And listen to the Lux Radio adaptation here on YouTube.
	Episode 228 - Bicycle Thieves	10 Mar 2024	00:45:42
“Bicycle Thieves” also known as “Bicycle Thief” 1948 is an Italian drama that presents a Rome family struggling with unemployment, poverty, and the aftermath of World War II. Director Vittorio De Sica captures this subsistence life with exceptional use of black and white cinematography, melancholy music, on location street scenes, untrained actors, and devastating events. The movie won an Academy Award (Special Award) as did Mr. De Sica’s 1946 film “Shoeshine”. Lamberto Maggiorani plays Antonio Ricci who is hired to hang outdoor wall posters in an assigned area, and he must have a bicycle for the work. Antonio’s supportive and strong-willed wife Maria is played by Lianella Carell. Enzo Staiola is masterful as Bruno, Antonio’s 8-year-old son. The large supportive cast enhances this drama of everyday life. This film is unforgettable.
	Episode 219 - Bombshell	02 Jan 2023	00:44:45
Thank you to one of our Patreon members for recommending “Bombshell” 1933 for this podcast. Director Victor Fleming has created a fast-paced comedy. Among Mr. Fleming’s many successes are “The Wizard of Oz” 1939 (Episode 144) and “Gone with the Wind” 1939. The talented Jean Harlow plays Lola Burns. Lola is “fed up” with the never-ending stories orchestrated in the press by Publicist E. J. “Space” Hanlon played by Lee Tracy. Lola’s father played by Frank Morgan and her brother played by Ted Healy create chaotic situations made more unpredictable by those large shaggy dogs engulfing Lola and her entourage. Then mix in Franchot Tone as the wealthy and romantic Gifford Middleton to maybe carry Lola away from this wildness. All this adds to our enjoyment of the movie. Madcap fun indeed! Here’s the IMDB page for “Bombshell” Up next is “King Solomon’s Mines” Support us over on Patreon!
	Episode 124 - The Ghost and Mrs. Muir	15 Sep 2019	01:12:00
“The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” is directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and stars Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison in the lead roles with Edna Best, George Sanders, Vanessa Brown and Natalie Wood providing excellent supporting characters. Charles Lang, the cinematographer deserves a special mention as well. And of course the moving music by Bernard Hermann. This is a wonderful movie about loss and love, life and death, hopes and dreams, and ultimately about the strength to carry on when life is throwing one difficult challenge after another at you. Bob and I dive into great detail and cover both the film and the music. This is after all the first movie of our Bernard Hermann film festival. So with that I would leave you with two thoughts, the first is to be sure and watch the movie before listening to the podcast if you can, as we do talk about the ending. And secondly, give this article on the music by Bernard Hermann a read, either before, after or during the movie. It really helped me understand the music and the use of leitmotifs, a style of film scoring that apparently Bernard Hermann only used in this film.
	Episode 123 - Don't Look Now	14 Aug 2019	00:39:30
Described as a “psychic thriller” on some of the movie posters, “Don’t Look Now” is certainly weird, and whether or not you think there’s anything “psychic” going on, well, that’s part of the fun and mystery of watching the movie. Bob and I really enjoyed this one. And since the ending is so integral to the overall impact of the movie, we hold off on giving away any specifics about the final scenes. Many consider this to be Director Nicolas Roeg’s masterpiece. It stars Donald Sutherland and Julie Christy both of whom are perfectly cast as a grieving couple. The film stars off as a straight-forward tragedy. A married couple with two young children suffer the loss of their youngest in an accident that happens very near the home where they live. And what’s worse, for both of them, but particularly for Donald’s character, is that the accident was most likely avoidable.  Then the movie takes a turn into the weird. I am defining weird here as “unknowable or unexplainable in a way that gives you the impression of horror or of some force or power operating at a level that we as mere humans can’t comprehend”. That’s my definition. I think that’s a pretty accurate description of this movie as well. The clips from the making of videos in this episode feature the Director, the Editor, Graeme Clifford and the Cinematographer, Anthony Richmond as well as Donald Sutherland and Julie Christy. We hope you enjoy this one. I’m off on a three week vacation, so we’ll be back in mid-September with our next Episode.
	Episode 122 - Zatoichi Challenged	02 Aug 2019	00:50:57
We’re back revisiting feudal Japan, on the road with Zatoichi, the blind swordsman/masseur/gambler/savior of the downtrodden. This time we find Zatoichi saving the life of a young artist, while protecting his son, and in the end going up against a samurai of equal prowess to his own. It’s full of adventure, beautiful scenery, excellent set design, and even a musical number. And do we think the ending sword fight is one of the best in samurai films? We dive deeper in the origins of the character and the film makers that brought him to life over 26 films and 100 television episodes. His origins are to be found in a brief story by Kan Shimozawa, first published in 1948, most succinctly in only a few passages: “No one who saw him walking along with his shaved head and his long-handled sword at his side would ever have guessed he was blind. The man had an uncanny sixth sense . . . Blind though he was, Zatoichi was a master swordsman with a lightning draw: he had only to lay a hand on his sword for an opponent to shrivel in fear.” Those sentences encapsulate the narrative essence of the Zatoichi films, but they can hardly explain how Katsu and the filmmakers with whom he worked managed to turn Zatoichi into a personage of subtle and enduring power.[1] So settle in and get ready to enjoy “Zatoichi Challenged”.  And up next, we visit Venice of the early 1970’s for an incredibly spooky and weird film “Don’t Look Now” [1] https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/2971-on-the-road-with-zatoichi
	Episode 121 - Rififi	22 Jul 2019	00:51:51
“Rififi” loosely defined as “a rumble among men” or “trouble/violent conflict/show of force” is a 1955 French movie directed by Jules Dassin after he was black listed in Hollywood. The film is based on a portion of a novel by Auguste Le Brenton. Starring Jean Servais as the lead character “Tony” and the other members of the heist crew, Carl Möhner as “Jo”, Robert Manuel as “Mario” and the director himself in the role of “Cesar”, who apparently was paid the equivalent of $8,000 for the roles of Director, Writer, and Actor. The money was extremely well spent as this is considered by many one of the best crime/heist film noir films of all time. Mr. Dassin won the Best Director prize at Cannes in 1995. And the film was nominated for the National Board of Review for Best Foreign Film. The influence this film has on subsequent heist films is clear. Bob also recommends watching “The Asphalt Jungle” for another tightly directed and acted noir crime/heist film that may have had an influence on “Rififi”. We both really enjoyed the movie and would place it near the top of our list as one of the best films we’ve seen. Just a reminder that we discuss the ending of the films we review and we definitely would spoil the plot for anyone that hasn’t seen the film. So, if you want to watch the film spoiler free and haven’t seen the film we recommend watching it before listening to the podcasts. Up next “Zatoichi Challenged”
	Episode 120 (A) - Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare - Movie Commentary WITH FILM AUDIO	09 Jul 2019	01:26:04
“Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare” was released in 1968 as the first of a trilogy of films starring famous Japanese Yokai. Yokai are supernatural beings from Japanese folklore. Here’s a link to the Wikipedia page on Yokai. There are literally thousands of different Yokai. This film features many of the most popular ones. In addition, the film is extremely well shot and includes many music themes that add to the drama and action of the film. The tokusatsu special effects are very well done and shown in such as way as to add to the impact of the film rather than detracting or creating a “cheezy” image. This is a special episode as it’s our first movie commentary and Hailey joins the podcast to talk about it with Matt. It’s a father and daughter special episode! Bob is doing well and was unable to make the recording due to a busy travel schedule this last month. Watch the movie for free on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wPBgtuM0SRo This is also the first of a four film festival of films from countries other than the United States. COMMENTARY NOTE: There is a “B” version of this episode without the film audio in the background. This “A” version contains the film audio in the background. If you want to listen to our commentary while watching the film yourself, be sure to listen to the “B” episode.
	Episode 120 (B) - Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare - Movie Commentary NO FILM AUDIO	09 Jul 2019	01:26:04
COMMENTARY NOTE: This is the "B" version of the podcast. If you want to listen to our commentary while watching the film yourself, be sure to listen to this episode. The main pocast post is for the "A" version which contains the film audio in the background. Enjoy! This is a special episode as it’s our first movie commentary and Hailey joins the podcast to talk about it with Matt. It’s a father and daughter special episode! Bob is doing well and was unable to make the recording due to a busy travel schedule this last month. NOTE: This “A” version contains the film audio in the background. If you want to listen to our commentary while watching the film yourself, be sure to listen to the “B” version. Watch the movie for free on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wPBgtuM0SRo
	Episode 119 - Star Trek: The Motion Picture & Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan	24 Jun 2019	01:13:05
It’s a double sci-fi feature! “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” wraps up our series of films directed by Robert Wise. A movie that was mired in delays and controversy from the very beginning, we feel that Robert Wise’s signature touches are missing from the film and we both want to get our hands on the Director’s Cut to see what this film may have been intended to be in the director’s original vision. “Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan” on the other hand, wow! This is an explosive, action packed and surprisingly deep film directed by Nicolas Meyer. We go into the details, and probably miss a ton of interesting facts, but in the end we enjoyed both films.
	Episode 118 - West Side Story	20 May 2019	00:53:59
“West Side Story” tells the tale of two rival gangs, the Sharks and the Jets on the west side of New York City during early 1960’s, or perhaps late 1950s. This is a film that on the surface appears to be a musical based on the story of Romeo and Juliet. And then you watch it, and it unfolds in such a way, that by the end you’re left feeling like you’ve been hit in the gut and you’re reeling with trying to wrap your mind around what you just witnessed.
	Episode 117 - Run Silent Run Deep	22 Apr 2019	00:56:20
The IMDB summaries for some movies are funny. Here’s a one liner for “Run Silent Run Deep”: A U.S. sub commander, obsessed with sinking a certain Japanese ship, butts heads with his first officer and crew. Yeah, that about sums it up, except that there are about three more layers of drama going on. There’s the Moby Dick aspect of Commander “Rich” Richardson’s obsession with the Japanese commander that sunk his sub. There’s the angle of the younger commander being usurped by the older returning commander. There’s the tension on board the ship as they sail deeper and deeper into Japanese territory. And then there’s the flat out dramatic war movie action that is brought to vidid life in this film by the excellent use of miniature photography. All helmed by one of our favorite directors Robert Wise. Starring Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster, Jack Warden, Brad Dexter and Don Rickles in his first film appearance. So secure the hatches and prepare for diving! We’re headed into the Bungo Strait! Be sure to listen all the way to the end for a clip from an Iron Maiden song called “Run Silent Run Deep” that features themes and lyrics that could be right out of this film. And here’s a link to a YouTube video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DU32myDHbM, with lyrics for Iron Maiden’s “Run Silent Run Deep” if you want to actually be able to understand everything that’s being sung!
	Episode 116 - The Day The Earth Stood Still	07 Apr 2019	00:55:28
One of our favorite movies, “The Day The Earth Stood Still” tells a cautionary tale in a time of the Cold War and rapidly advancing technology. Expertly directed by Robert Wise and starring the perfectly cast Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlow, Sam Jaffe and Billy Gray, this is a film with multiple layers of meaning and nuance. It’s a straight-forward sci-fi tale with a flying saucer, a superior alien race, and an invulnerable all powerful robot. It’s also a tale of the possibility of humankind's redemption in the face of a higher power. Or is it a tale of the origin of the human race on Earth. Or is it… well, you’ll see. There’s so much to discuss in this film. And let’s not forget the music, in what may be Bernard Herrmann’s best score, but which certainly is one of his best, he utilizes two Theramins for the first time in film and the score sets a standard for sci-fi scores that will be followed for decades after. We’re considering a Bernard Herrmann festival. So keep your eye out for that soon. We truly love this film and hopefully that comes through in the show. Enjoy!
	Episode 218 - Les Diaboliques	07 Nov 2022	00:42:00
In “Les Diaboliques”, translated The Devils, Director Henri-Georges Clouzot gives us a prize winning eerie drama that is one of the best in the genre. As the story unfolds both the mistress and the wife of a mean and controlling husband work together to accomplish his murder. The movie takes manytwists and turns leading to one of the best finales in film. Véra Clouzot plays the husband’s wife Christina, Simone Signoret is mistress Nicole, the dreadful husband Michel is played by Paul Meurisse, and a private detective and retired senior police official Alfred is played by Charles Vanel. His character seems like a forerunner to television’s Columbo. The excellent cast includes a well-placed student who adds to the mystery. Enjoy what one reviewer called “a pip of a murder thriller…” Check us out on Patreon at www.patreon.com/classicmoviereviews for even more content and bonus shows.
	Episode 115 - The Curse Of The Cat People	26 Mar 2019	00:43:42
Billed as a sequel to the widely popular “Cat People” movie, it’s more of a spiritual successor to that film. In many ways a masterpiece in its own right, “The Curse Of The Cat People” beautifully tells the tale of life from being a young person, dealing with all the loneliness and uncertainty of that age to middle age, struggling with making the right decisions for you and your family, to old age and the frailty of life and it’s ultimate end.
	Episode 114 - North By Northwest - Part 2	17 Mar 2019	01:19:26
Holy smokes, our review really is longer than the film. There’s not much else to say that we didn’t say in the podcast. Be sure to stay tuned until the very end for the story of the 16 suits. Enjoy!
	Episode 113 - North By Northwest - Part 1	09 Mar 2019	00:56:08
We’re finally reviewing North By Northwest, one of the greatest films ever made and many say Hitchcock’s greatest film. There’s so much to say and so much has already been said about this movie. Maybe we’re not breaking any new territory here with this review but we sure have fun talking about it. There’s the action, the drama, the subtle and not so subtle comedy, the romance, the suspense, not to mention the incredible direction, script, acting, set design, cinematography and score. We decided to give the movie the love it deserves and go through scene-by-scene. We only get through the first 46 minutes in Part 1. We’ve already recorded Part 2 and we’ll have that out next week. We’ll be back next episode to wrap this up and then we have a special five movie marathon planned of Robert Wise films. It’s going to be a great couple of months of movies!
	Episode 112 - Border Incident	02 Feb 2019	00:51:43
Two federal agents, one from Mexico and one from the United States team up to break up an illegal human trafficking operation along the US/Mexico border. Released in 1949 and directed by Anthony Mann and starring the incomparable Ricardo Montalban and George Murphy, this taught crime drama is sometimes mistakenly categorized as noir, though it lacks the essential noir elements, such as a femme fatale. It is a top-notch crime drama though and the cinematography, directing, acting and subject matter all elevate it to the top of our scale. We dive into some of the political aspects of the plot and discuss the stark similarities to the situation at the border today. We hope you enjoy this review as much as we enjoyed watching the film. And up next, a long time request from several listeners and one of our all time favorites “North By Northwest”! We’re so excited to review it, we already know it will be a two part review, we will have so much to discuss.
	Episode 111 - Stormy Weather	21 Jan 2019	00:32:39
Directed by Andrew Stone and starring an array of top talent including, Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, Cab Callaway, Katherine Dunham, Fats Waller, The Nicholas Brothers, Ada Brown, Dooley Wilson, and so many more, it’s an incredible film from a music and dance perspective and a troubling film from the perspective of accurate portrayals of the characters in the film, not to mention almost zero character development. There’s a lot to cover in this film and we do our best.
	Episode 110 - Holiday Inn	24 Dec 2018	00:36:07
Happy Holidays from Holiday Inn! We’re open 15 days a year for all the major holidays. Come on up to Connecticut for a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city. At least that’s what Bing Crosby’s character Jim Hardy hopes you’ll do in this enjoyable, if flawed film, also starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale, Walter Able and Louise Beavers and directed by Mark Sandwich, the film is full of memorable dance and song numbers and one song and dance we’d just as soon forget ever having seen. “Holiday Inn” introduced the world to the song “White Christmas” which is either number one or number two in the list of most sold songs ever depending on the year. And the song won an Academy Award in 1943 for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture. It’s a highlight of the film for sure. So cozy up with a warm blanket, some hot cider or something a bit stronger, gather around with your loved ones and enjoy the sights and sounds of Holiday Inn.
	Episode 109 - Bringing Up Baby	30 Nov 2018	00:47:33
Highly rated and much beloved, “Bringing Up Baby” stars Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant and is directed by one of our favorites, Howard Hawks. The movie requires a certain approach or mindset to really enjoy the zany antics. Prepare yourself for a movie full of overlapping dialog, bizarre situations, unrealistic setups and truly memorable characters. And if you’ve never seen it and like me thought the movie was about being a parent(!), you’re in for some surprises!
	Episode 108 - The Frisco Kid	23 Oct 2018	00:52:37
The IMDB summary for this movie reads "A Polish rabbi wanders through the Old West on his way to lead a synagogue in San Francisco. On the way he is nearly burnt at the stake by Indians and almost killed by outlaws." Oh IMDB, you miss all the nuances in the movie. Directed by Robert Aldrich and starring Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford, this is a movie that hits all the best notes. It has everything from zany comedy to high drama. Including a buddy movie angle and a love story (sort of). Bob and I agree that this is a must see movie. It's especially fun to see Harrison Ford at the beginning of his career and Gene Wilder at the height of his talent. Both definitely went on to make many more excellent movies. And it's great to see Robert Aldrich bring his own brand of direction to these two super star talents. Up next, "Brining Up Baby", starring Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant. And contrary to my first impression, this movie has nothing to do with being a new parent! Thank you to our listeners for all the great movie suggestions.
	Episode 107 - The Sugarland Express	29 Sep 2018	00:35:40
"The Sugarland Express" is Steven Spielberg’s feature film debut, starring Goldie Hawn, Ben Johnson, Richard Atherton and Michael Sacks. It is based on a true story, though the details and some of the major events have been changed. In some ways we wish they’d been changed even more than they were in the film. It’s an incredibly strong debut film and it’s also uneven in places. Bob and I talk through what we liked and didn’t like about the movie and wonder if our views are influenced by Mr. Spielberg’s later huge successes.
	Episode 106 - Lillies Of The Field	17 Aug 2018	00:53:15
Ralph Nelson directed and also played a supporting role in this adaptation of "Lillies of the Field" a novel by William E. Barrett. The movie stars the incomparable Sydney Poitier who won the Academy Award for his role in the movie. Lilia Skala, Stanley Adams and a ensemble of excellent actors round out the cast. A simple story belies a complex character study. There are many wonderful small moments in the film. The dialog is sharp and witty when needed and at times profound in unexpected ways.
	Episode 217 - The 39 Steps	07 Nov 2022	00:46:04
“The 39 Steps” 1935 is a spy movie with action taking place in the United Kingdom. Director Alfred Hitchcock packs the film with elements such as an innocent man on the run, a Hitchcock cameo, and the “MacGuffin” plot device important to the drama. These and other elements often appear in current films. Robert Donat is Richard Hannay the innocent Canadian thrust into espionage operations designed to steal plans for an advanced, silent airplane engine. Joining Mr. Donat’s excellent performance is Madeleine Carroll as Pamela the woman who eventually realizes he needs her help, Professor Jordan played by Godfrey Tearle is the spy group’s leader, Wylie Watson as Mr. Memory who memorizes the engine design, and a cast of interesting people. Join us in following Richard Hannay’s many narrow escapes. Check us out on Patreon at www.patreon.com/classicmoviereviews for even more content and bonus shows.
	Episode 105 - Key Largo	13 Jul 2018	00:52:25
Written by John Huston and Richard Brooks and directed by John Huston and filmed almost entirely on the backlot of Warner Bros. studios, Key Largo is a intricate character study of people under pressure. Starring Humphrey Bogart, Edward G Robinson, Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore, Claire Trevor and many more excellent actors. We should also count the storm as a character. It plays a big role in setting the circumstances and the mood for everything that goes down in and around Key Largo. So grab some popcorn, close the blinds, and settle in for a trip to southern Florida during hurricane season. Enjoy!
	Episode 104 - Invaders From Mars & The Bamboo Saucer	13 Jun 2018	00:35:37
It's a sci-fi double feature, just like watching movies at the drive-in as a kid. Or at least when Bob and I were kids. I don't even know if there are any drive-in theaters anymore. This is a special episode, not just because of the double feature, we also have a special guest! Hailey returns and all three of us are in the same room at the same time recording our thoughts on these two amazing films. Note the sarcasm there. Actually, they both have some redeeming qualities. And they both have some things that really irk us. Whether it's the cheesy special effects, the repetitive story telling or the obvious racial overtones. We get through them though. And what's important is spending time as a family reviewing movies. Because that's what families do, right?!? And an extra special congratulations to Hailey for graduating from the University of Washington's School of Public Health on Sunday. Way to go! We are so very very proud of you!
	Episode 103 - Gunga Din	06 Jun 2018	00:52:42
Essentially a buddy movie, maybe one of the first of this genre, three fellow soldiers and best friends played by Cary Grant, Victor McLagen and Douglas Fairbanks have a series of adventures in northern India (aka Lone Pine, California). There’s a darker undertone to the film that rears itself in a few scenes covering the occupation of India by the British. Filmed on location with a huge crew of over 900 people, this is definitely a big budget spectacle film. We enjoyed it and Bob relates some of his time in Lone Pine to the film. Directed by George Stevens and also starring Sam Jaffe and Joan Fontaine, Gunga Din is a fun and at times thought provoking film. So sit back and prepare to be magically transported to the Khyber Pass as the British army fends off the “invading” forces of the Thuggee cult.
	Episode 102 - Lone Pine Special Episode	27 Apr 2018	00:44:33
We talk about Lone Pine, California and Bob's week long trip to visit the area in March 2018.
	Episode 101 - The Defiant Ones	13 Apr 2018
Set in the south, during a time of segregation, The Defiant Ones tells the tale of two escaped convicts, chained together and running for their lives. Directed by Stanley Kramer and starring Sidney Poitier, Tony Curtis, Theodore Bikel, Charles McGraw, Lon Chaney Jr., and Cara Williams it pulls no punches in showing the racism of the time. Depending on the review you read you'll either think it's a great classic movie or a boring melodrama. Bob and I lean more toward the great classic side of the debate. Spoilers, we talk about the ending and all the interesting points of the plot. This movie is also very difficult to find, unless you catch a showing on Turner Classic Movies or maybe it's also on Filmstruck, but in a pinch, a crappy copy is also on YouTube. We hope you enjoy this episode and up next we're going to deep dive on Bob's field trip to Lone Pine, California. The location where hundreds of Hollywood films take place.
	Episode 100 - A Retrospective	17 Mar 2018	00:35:46
We made it! 100 episodes! We spend our time talking through why we started the podcast, what it means to us, our top favorite and top worst movies and a bit of our plans for the next 100. Thank you to each of you for listening. It means a lot to us. We love hearing your thoughts and feedback.
	Episode 99 - The Gunfighter	10 Feb 2018	00:46:33
"The Gunfighter" tells the tale of Jimmy Ringo and his final days as he searches for a way out of his life as a “gunny”, a big time gunfighter. He tries to connect with his estranged wife and a son that doesn’t even know that the famous Jimmy Ringo is his father. Excellent dialog, fantastic music, and top notch acting all directed by Henry King. There’s a lot to like in the movie and the sense of doom prevailing in the film is totally appropriate given the dramatic ending. Starring Gregory Peck, Helen Westcott, Millard Mitchell, Jean Parker and a very young looking Karl Malden, Bob and I highly recommend this Shakespearian tragedy/western/noir film.
	Episode 98 - Black Narcissus	24 Jan 2018
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger direct Deborah Kerr, Flora Robson, Kathleen Byron, Sabu, David Farrar, Jean Simmons and more in an epic tale filled with ghosts of the past, the power of nature and the futility of trying to fight either force. Filmed in glorious Technicolor, almost completely on a soundstage, the film triumphs as a master work of cinema. In what turns out to be almost a double episode, Bob and I lose ourselves in diving deep into the subtext of the film and marvel at the technical mastery of the film makers. Truly a 10 out of 10 in every way, "Black Narcissus, is now on our must watch list. So if you haven't seen it, go find a copy and watch it! Up next, Gregory Peck in "The Gunfighter"
	Episode 97 - Murder At The Gallop	30 Dec 2017	00:36:59
We're joined by a special guest this episode, Hailey, my daughter and Bob's grand-daughter! Hailey and I watched "Murder At The Gallop" on Christmas Eve together. A totally fun way to spend the evening! We can't get enough of the scene with the cat jumping out of the closet. I mean, check out the screen grab of that amazing cat! Anyway, this movie is a hoot. We all three really enjoyed Margaret Rutherford's take on the Miss Marple character. Hailey coined a phrase to describe Miss Marple "Detective, Social Justice Warrior, and Hot Mama!" Turns out Bob really does think she's a Hot Mama! And so does Hector Enderby played marvelously by Robert Morley. And wow, check out his eyebrows. Impressive! The movie is excellently directed by George Pollock who also was an Assistant Director on "Brief Encounter" which Bob and I reviewed in Episode 16. Up next.... well, we haven't decided yet. We have several suggestions and we'll probably chose one of those. So stay tuned! Happy New Year!
	Episode 96 - Where Eagles Dare	22 Dec 2017	00:40:15
There's a great one liner on the movie poster for "Where Eagles Dare". "One weekend Major Smith, Lieutenant Schaffer, and a beautiful blonde named Mary decided to win World War II" But really, they didn't say "a tall handsome blue eyed man named Schaffer." Ugh. Things haven't changed much in 50 years. Anyway, the movie is an exciting roller coaster of action. And despite the trite description of Mary's character, played excellently by Mary Ure, she really kicks some ass in the movie along with the other female lead played by Ingrid Pitt. Prepare yourself though, this movie was made during an era when total running time wasn't much of a consideration in the editing room. Two hours and 38 minutes, sure! No problem! Let's put every excruciating detail into the action segments and draw out the narrative between those! Yes! Oh and I happen on one of the greatest trivia bits we've found in a long time about the Director, Mr. Brian Hutton. Really, I think you'll like it. And Bob makes a funny reference to the movie "Amadeus" near the end. We have a lot of fun talking about the movie as usual. We hope you enjoy! And Happy Holidays! Up next "Murder At The Gallop"
	Episode 216 - Abbott And Costello - Buck Privates & Keep Em’ Flying	03 Oct 2022	00:46:08
The comedy duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello fit the bill with their 1941 movies “Buck Privates” and “Keep ‘Em Flying”. With wars raging in Asia and Europe, there were several films in 1940 and 1941 aimed at building support for a United States military buildup.
	Episode 95 - Dangerous When Wet	07 Dec 2017	00:43:39
Ester Williams headlines this drama, comedy, cartoon about the exploits of the Higgins family as they train for the English Channel swim. It's the whole family picking up from rural Arkansas and heading the the south coast of England to train and prepare for this epic swim. And why you ask are they training for this incredibly challenging swim? Well, to buy a prize bull of course! Well, that's not the only reason as you'll find out as you learn more about the motivations and connections of this special and especially athletic family. Directed by Charles Walters it also stars the "fabulous" Fernando Lamas, Jack Carson, Charlotte Greenwood, Denise Darcel and my favorite William Demarest. So pull on your swim suit for a rollicking good time. And oh, I almost forgot, Tom and Jerry make an appearance as well!
	Episode 94 - The Court Jester	24 Nov 2017	00:39:15
Angela Lansbury, Basil Rathbone, Glynis Johns, and Mildred Natwick, among others, round out the cast. Danny Kaye for sure carries the day with his witty one liners, crazy rhyming scenes and especially his suave portrayal of Giacomo, when he’s hypnotized and under the influence of Griselda. You’re in for a treat with “The Court Jester”. There are also some great musical numbers, surprising choreography, and beautiful matte paintings, all skillfully written and directed by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama. And up next, it’s Ester Williams and Fernando Lamas in “Dangerous When Wet”
	Episode 93 - It Came From Outer Space & Them!	29 Sep 2017	00:38:47
It's a creature feature double-feature. Two classics from the golden age of cinema science fiction. Aliens and giant ants in the desert threatening humanity with utter destruction. "It Came From Outer Space" and "Them!" are classics that bring back a lot of great memories for both of us. And Bob surprises me with his rating of Them!
	Episode 92 - Shane (Part 2)	21 Sep 2017	00:22:28
Considered a classic western, included in several top 100 films of all times lists, and often quoted and imitated, Shane brings it all, the acting, the direction, the script, the cinematography, and on and on. It really is a great film and Bob and I couldn't stop talking about it.
	Episode 91 - Shane (Part 1)	11 Sep 2017	00:30:24
Considered a classic western, included in several top 100 films of all times lists, and often quoted and imitated, Shane brings it all, the acting, the direction, the script, the cinematography, and on and on. It really is a great film and Bob and I couldn't stop talking about it.
	Episode 90 - What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? (Part 2)	27 Aug 2017	00:29:13
Directed by Robert Aldrich and starring Joan Crawford and Betty Davis “What ever happened to Baby Jane?” is a strange tale of twisted fate between two sisters. The slow strange ride comes to an end on the beach with ice cream and a dance number? Well, not really, but maybe, in Baby Jane's mind anyway.
	Episode 89 - What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? (Part 1)	24 Jun 2017	00:34:05
Directed by Robert Aldrich and starring Joan Crawford and Betty Davis “What ever happened to Baby Jane?” is a strange tale of twisted fate between two sisters. It’s a slow weird ride into madness ending with a trip for ice cream to the beach! No, seriously, really.
	Episode 88 - Oliver!	14 Apr 2017	00:40:10
Oliver! won 5 Oscars in 1969 including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Music. Carol Reed was once described as being able to put a picture together liked a clock maker and it shows in Oliver! The direction is top notch, the acting is outstanding, the sets are huge and amazing and the music is Oscar worthy. And yet… there’s something about the story that just doesn’t click with me and Bob. Give it a listen and see if you agree. Either way, drop us a line in the comments on the website, in iTunes or on Facebook.
	Episode 87 - No Way Out	22 Feb 2017	00:39:22
No Way Out is a movie that is as relevant today as it was in 1950. Director Joseph L. Mankiewicz delivers an outstanding film with an all star cast including Richard Widmark, Linda Darnell and Sidney Poitier in his first major motion picture appearance. This film is brutal in its honesty and in the depiction of the state of race relations. Set mainly in and around an urban hospital it tells the story of Ray Biddle a violently racist character, Edie Johnson, Ray’s ex-sister-in-law and Dr. Luther Brooks an up-and-coming young doctor as their lives crash together in the aftermath of an attempted robbery. Warning that this film pulls no punches with the use of racist language. I’ve muted certain words in the film clips to maintain our clean rating. Up next is the Carol Reed directed musical “Oliver!”
	Episode 86 - Gunfight At The O.K. Corral	26 Jan 2017	00:43:07
The Clanton’s and the Earp’s have the final showdown at the O.K. corral. Based on real life events, the film covers the lives of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday leading up to the fateful gunfight. In fact the gunfight is really only a small part of the whole movie. It’s a film more about the relationship between the two main characters, the meaning of loyalty and friendship, and the lengths to which one will go to uphold one’s honor. John Sturgess directed and Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Rhonda Fleming, Jo Van Fleet and a very young Dennis Hopper starred in this 1957 retelling of the tale. And to top it off, the music was composed by the incomparable Dimitri Tiomkin.
	Episode 215 - Secret of the Incas & Raiders of the Lost Ark	12 Aug 2022	00:47:14
“Secret of the Incas” 1954 an adventure film that influences“Indiana Jonas and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” 1981. In “Secret of the Incas” Charlton Heston as Harry Steele has a hat, coat, and other things similar to those of Indiana Jones played by Harrison Ford in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. Moreover, Harry uses a shaft of light in the tomb as does Indiana in the Map Room at the Nazi dig site. Nicole Maurey as Elena Antonescu and Thomas Mitchell as Ed Morgan add to the action in Peru. Meanwhile Indiana travels the world in search of the Ark. His adventures also include Marion Ravenwood a former lover played by Karen Allen and a host of heroes to ne’er-do-wells. Enjoy the action. We recorded this in 2021, the 40th anniversary of Raiders Of The Lost Arc Here’s the IMDB page for “Secret Of The Incas” and “Raiders” Check us out on Patreon at www.patreon.com/classicmoviereviews for even more content and bonus shows.
	Episode 85 - A Christmas Story	24 Dec 2016	00:43:13
We’re wrapping up 2016 with one of our favorite all time Christmas movies appropriately title “A Christmas Story”.
	Episode 84 - Bad Day At Black Rock	18 Dec 2016	00:23:44
Bad Day At Black Rock is as relevant today as it was when it was released in 1955. Spencer Tracy stars as John McCreedy, on a mission to deliver a medal to the father of a man that saved his life in Italy in World War II. The people of Black Rock have secrets. They are not happy to see a stranger roll into town on the train, which hasn’t stopped in over 4 years, asking questions about a certain homesteading family. Directed by John Sturges, and starring a powerhouse all star cast, including Robert Ryan, Anne Francis, Dean Jagger, Walter Brennan and Ernest Borgnine, Bad Day At Black Rock delivers the goods and takes us back to the top of our rating scale. Enjoy!
	Episode 83 - Genevieve	19 Nov 2016	33:44:00
Genevieve, oh Genevieve, why must you be so fickle. Breaking down every few miles. It’s only 60 miles from London to Brighton but in these turn of the 20th century cars it feels more like 600! Hijinks and pranks ensue along the way. Directed by Henry Cornelius, with some sweet mouth organ tunes provided by Larry Adler, starring Dinah Sheridan, John Greyson, Kay Kendall and Kenneth More. It’s part travel film, part slapstick comedy and part commentary on post World War II London. All in all a rollicking good time! Enjoy!

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