VernC's reviews

Tight story well told. Features one of the first rhino versus truck on film. Unglamorous presentation of foundation of early game reserves in Africa.

Identity of the villain will be no surprise.

Ignored even when it was released this B western is akin to Audie Murphy's "No Name on the Bullet" as it is a different kind of western, actually a suspense/mystery in a western setting, not a horse opera at all. The cast is an ensemble of reliable character actors doing what they do.

This one is probably lost for ever, but it is an example of what can be accomplished on a starvation budget when a little creativity is applied.

IT'S THE WRITING, STUPID!

Vampire's Ghost is one of those gems that pops up now and again among the old B's. The vampire is multi-dimensional rather than unmitigated evil. There are some metaphysics mixed into the story. If you find this one on late night cable give it a watch.

I saw this film in first release, and still remember it well. It is a rehash of the more enjoyable legends of the Lost Dutchman's Mine in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. The casting of solid pros for all the roles probably lifts the film beyond the level of programmer. Gig Young was years away from the recognition that came with "They Shoot Horses Don't They?" and somewhat a prisoner of his classical good looks. Glenn Ford, not conventionally handsome, was a star at the time. People still search for the Lost dutchman, or "Dutchman's Lost Mine" in Arizona to this day. It would be a shame if someone found it.

Phil Harris's contribution to this low-key gem should be acknowledged. Harris does not strike a single false note in his role as the local merchant and bird hunter. Sydney Poitier is a little less believable. By the way, the characters are properly described as swamp folk, or swamp rats, not hill billies.

Saw this film when I was 13, and it struck me at the time that Maureen O'Hara -- as Irish as the Blarney Stone -- plays an Arab. They didn't even give her a brunette wig.

At one point one of Maureen's retainers says "You will ride unveiled!" Maureen replies "If necessary I would ride unclad!" now that would be worth seeing!

Jeff Chandler does his usual solid job. 4.8/10 might be a bit of an overrating.

Caught us by surprise back in '47. Expected the usual sword and slave girl opus from the period, which was the prime of Maria Montez, Turhan Bey, etc. Turns out to be a farce (deliberate) and apt satire of the genre (I love to say genre). It's worth watching for the climactic battle scenes alone.

The episode titled "A Child is Crying" provides a striking example of what can be achieved by good writing. "A Child is Crying" guest-starred Robin Morgan of "Mama" in a "Children of the Damned" style Cold War message story. There were maybe four actors in the cast and a single set. In the words of my best buddy: "It scared the Hell out of me!"

If you work in certain areas in the defense business, you will be sure that some one who worked in the business did the script. Some of the most outrageous incidents in the film are the most true to life. It may be that you have to have some professional insight to appreciate it fully. It's like a Dilbert cartoon.

Amazing what will make it into release sometimes. This one ranks with anything that Ed Wood ever put together. Marie Windsor walked into a shot that she was not in and scurried off. It's in the finished film. Even the usually reliable B stalwart Robert Lowery comes off like an amateur. Fun to see in a theater full of college students.

Rex Ingram as Sergeant Tambul is allowed to kill the Nazi pilot, although he then dies a hero's death. A few films and years earlier Rex Ingram as Jim couldn't fight a lynch mob in Huckleberry Finn. Rex Ingram was always a pleasure to watch and brought an impressive dignity to the screen at a time when the "Rastus" stereotype black man was dominant in film.

Gary Cooper (white), George Bancroft (black), and Akim Tamiroff (brown) characters are id'd as good, bad, and well-intentioned by the colors of the hats they wear.

Paulette Goddard's scene hiring the Indian Hit Man is straight from the silents.

Lynne Overman's burr is the lineal ancestor of James Doohan's.

People still revere De Mille?