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lohman48
Reviews
Night Passage (1957)
Memorable Movie
The movie was made on the Silverton and Durango Railroad in 1957. I was there in 1959 as a boy of ten. I remember movie photos in some of the buildings. This is a great movie and it is mostly the scenery that was shot in Colorado. For some reason it had a special effect on me and I have seen it again several time. Jimmy Stewart is just Jimmy Stewart, he could have been the same character in all his westerns. He even wears the same cowboy hat. I heard him say one time he found it in the trash at a studio. I never think of Audie Murphy as the war hero, I never think of him with the personality of the man who is reported to have kept a gun under his pillow and other actors and staff were afraid of him. He always looked the kind little boy.
I think one highlight of the movie is when Stewart plays the accordion and sings the song about the railroad. That is one thing that takes him out of his own character. Stewart never sang much in the movies. Dan Duryea was always a great actor, he is the one who always seemed a little big like he was going over the edge. One will never forget the great supporting actor Jack Elam. The only thing I ever saw him in which was not a western was an episode of Home Improvement.
Wing and a Prayer (1944)
Ameche
The movie itself is entertaining and rather predictable at times. Kind of like the movie mill war stories of that era. The roll played by Don Ameche was not a Don Ameche roll. Ameche is better known for his humor, IE: The Bickersons and Cocoon. The roll of a sad, by the book Navy officer must have been a stretch for him, but he did it in perfection. He became a dark shadow in scenes where he just walks through and always alone. The lonely man, hardly cracking a smile. Everyone hating him, tough to the point, lonely, misunderstood and doing the job he was appointed to do. It makes you wonder how many men had to be this way during any war.
Ameche should have won an Acadamy Award for his role in this movie.
Private Benjamin (1980)
It died before it ended
The movie started out funny with a good plot and some good gags and laughs, but about the time she goes to France the movie seems to take on a different tone and try to become serious. Outside of the "knock out punch" in the last scene there is nothing to laugh about. Yes, it became a good movie for women to feel good about themselves, which is fine with me. I think the movie would have been better if it would have ended about thirty minutes before it did.
Goldie is always good in her role and played the part well, she was very believable, but again her role was somewhat predictable. The big surprise was just a few minutes after saying she wanted out of the army she decided to stay.
The movie also makes recruiters and officers in our military seem like a bunch of liars. Since I have never been in, I don't know if this is the right impression or not.
The Blues Brothers (1980)
You got to get the extended version
I just got the 25th Anniversary Version. It has the director's cut which adds several scenes not in the movie edition. I had never seen them before. First the question is answered why Jake was in prison and for how long. Some of the songs are extended as my favorite, "Sweet Home Chicago." You will also see Elwood without his glasses, a scene which needed to go for that reason if no other. You will see where Elwood puts the Bluesmobile at night The only question I have about the movie is, "why were the Good Old Boys and Bob so mad when The Blues Brothers filled in for them when they were late to the gig?
All I am saying is, if you love this movie like I do, YOU GOT TO GET THE 25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION
I Walk the Line (1970)
Peck brought back memories to many men
I just saw this movie for the first time. How many men have experienced the emotions of a man like Peck played? How many men in a stale and loveless marriage, or just full of desire felt this way towards a woman who deep down inside of themselves knew they could not have for long. A man felt trapped and worst of all in a community full of passion for judgment. I think the scene showing directions to the several churches said a lot.
With all the religion around him where could Peck share his feelings? He was getting set up by Tuesday Wells all the way. I know it brought back a memory to me, I could feel his pain. Now it is over for me I thought him the fool, but who am I to judge as I once was just as guilty.
The movie has more social commentary than it is given credit for. It is the man who is getting hurt not the woman. But nobody cares about men. All men should see the scene where Wells puts the hay fork into Peck's chest and remember it.
As far as the movie itself goes. It was all right.
China (1943)
A good one
The cast is great, especially William Bendix. I think the movie was made to draw attention to the terrible situation which was going on in China at the time. Thought Bendix is better known as a comic actor in many movies he also can switch to play the serious side. Here there is a soft hearted Bendix and comical Bendix and a serious Bendix as the movie is drawn to a very dark side as the Americans and a load of Chinese students try to out run the Japanese Army.
Ladd always played one role, a tough guy, either the good guy or the bad guy but always the tough guy. From what I have read about his personal life that fit him to a tea. He does not stretch his personality in this movie.
Loretta Young is a little out of her nature. She always seemed more reserved and lady like and does not seem to fit in the darker side of China. But I think it is all this change in what people believed about them, especially Bendix and Young is what really pulled it all together and pulled it off. This is really a great movie. Propaganda? Probably, but it is a great movie.