From the 1940s to the 1980s, Victor Mature was a lone wolf leading man cutting a suave figure through high and low movies.  China Doll was done at his midpoint of his career.  This movie, done in B/W, is set in WW2, yet produced in 1958.  It is a love story set war, and very little war to be seen, till the end.  Mature plays a pilot flying the Hump, shipping war materials around Asia facing danger within a  cultural circus.  He unknowingly picks up a house maid who falls in love with her.

Lots of cultural bridges must have crossed in making the film. Interracial couples were not exactly smiled upon back in 58′.  The movie even managed to take a swipe at “the commies” at the touching end of the movie.  I give credit to the makers as not many movies cover the Hump story.  An aging Ward Bond plays the practical (Chinese speaking) American priest.  There is also a wisecracking little Chinese kid in the mold of Shortround from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

This is a fun, historical love story.  You will not soon forget Mature’s eyebrows.  They are big enough to hide the Nationalist Chinese Air Force under.

Typecast as a “nice guy”, Noah Beery, Jr. made his film and TV career one big smile.  You have to admire and envy making a living “being nice” on screen.  By all accounts Noah was a charm, on and off screen.  His family was all Hollywood.  Noah, who got his start in the 30’s, rubbed shoulders with John Wayne, Robert Mitchum (Gung Ho), and James Garner (in the Rockford Files), and had a long and distinguished career.  Catch him young, catch him old, easy to enjoy either way…and still with us in film.

There are good OTHs and bad OTHs.  Nevada Heat is good.  It is a cop movie–a pretty dame, a tough cop, intriguing mugs pushing their attitude in Las Vegas.  Telly Savalas (aka Kojak of the small screen) headlines this surprisingly entertaining 1970’s crime flick.

Pia Zadora, one of the few survivors with film careers of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, is all grown up in this picture.  Like in Santa Clausshe sings (and pretty well) as a night club act—mirroring her real life talents and career path.  She also bares herself—as said above “she’s all grown up”.  Pia herself made it worth watching.  But added to these stars there are minor faces to recognize including Telly’s brother George (who stays near Telly’s shadow) and Larry Storch of F-Troop fame playing a flamboyant hustler to cringing perfection. 

There is main plot and some subplots, some glimpses at Las Vegas nightlife circa 1970s and some casino destruction that has none of the digital overlay of CGI.  I picked this movie up on the cheap and it is a nice Saturday Afternoon movie with mild violence and sex.

This movie is quickly becoming a cult classic and a Christmas Classic.  The Griswold family redefines “Christmas spirit”.

Beyond the absolutely first rate ensemble cast and pratfalls enough to fill every stocking in North America, the music soundtrack and the every sexy Beverly D’Angelo add to high rating deemed by its popularity.  Worth watching anytime of the year, I strongly suggest it as a must see.

“Great” movies rarely remake themselves in the same glory and majesty as the original production.  King of Kings plays equally well in 1961 as did in 1927 when the always pedestal bound Cecil B. deMille “made” it.

deMille’s production (screened at Wilton Town Hall Theater) had zebras, harlots, and black and white to color.  The movie was long by even today’s standards, but Jeff Rapsis played the scenes (on his do everything electric keyboard) with gusto, fury, and stamina–lots of stamina.  Unfortunately the crowd was less than hoped due to the “religious nature” of the film.  Jeff also emceed–laying out front office information and back story with humor and celerity.  The 1961 version is no small thing.  As 1961 was at the height of the Hollywood big budgets this production was big, bold, and beautiful.  Jeffrey Hunter and Robert Ryan lead the cast of multitudes.  Both are well worth the time and effort to see.

Another movie I stumbled across via Netflix, Red Cherry is a movie along the lines of an epic—minor people swept up in major events.  In this case its two Chinese orphans (Communist kids whose parents were eliminated by the Nationalists).  They find refuge in Soviet Russia until the Germans invade in 1941.  The Chinese boy and girl get separated—one under Uncle Stalin, the other under Uncle Adolf.  Talk about a tough childhood.

The movie is produced by the Chinese Youth Film Institute.  And for a Red movie it has (beyond obvious political angles) some rather shocking cinematic given that is a feature film and a Chinese Communist at that.  Highly recommended and highly charged, it won’t please everyone and will disgust some.  But war and kids are tragic tragedies–to be faced or at least understood.

Keith David is cool.  He has “command presence” up the ying-yang.  His voice work is phenomenal—on par with James Earl Jones.  Keith David has acted in some cool stuff–and in some a bit “out of character”.

Keith David was a guest regular on none other than Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.  He humped it hard in Platoon (saving Sheen’s life as a bonus). He played heavy heavies in Armageddon and Behind Enemy Lines II (where he shared the screen with wicked cool Peter Coyote).  One my favorites was when he went Islam in Pitch Black.  He has done more–but I’m happy with his “guts and gravel” stage persona.

Currently I am in a dispute with Military Issue, a mail order outfit that sells real cool military stuff (books, videos). That got me to think about mail order versus in person purchasing.  Yes in person is more time consuming (among other things), but there is no question about what is paid for.  A great example is a DVD I picked up years ago.  I am pretty sure I paid a buck and think I got it at Walmart or a Goffstown Discount Place–by the old Sara restaurant.

I brought it for Zulu, an old, old favorite from when TV was a limited and precious resource and when videos meant renting–not buying.  But I watched the second feature Flame Over India with distinct glee.  Memories of late Saturday nights or lazy Sunday afternoons came back–exotic locales, rousing action, oh to travel far and away.  There are still other movies, lost in the deep recesses of my mind, that only viewing will bring back.  I’m pretty sure the costs will be much more than the $1…and I saw Flame over India (Northwest Frontier) going for $12 recently.

You’d swear it was a high grade low grade movie.  The production is between a Hollywood movie and Marvin the Western nut with a video cam.  Actually the title says it all—a drug cartel circa 1882.  The story is quirky, but the characters are simply over the top.  Horace Longstreet, the cold hearted kingpin has a deep christian streak and very nagging wife.  Highly entertaining with a taste of life back then (with odd reference to here and now).  The movie starts rough, confusing, but takes on a swing of its own.  I put this movie in the OTH category because it is a stand alone—a far out western with some strange twists—the John Wayne wannabee and a very transvestite prostitute.

Heavy stuff, I need a break.  Another huge storm hits NH–strangely Wooglin and my place are OK–we even have power.  I am still overwhelmed to be asked to be Best Man at my brother’s wedding this fall (Thank you Thomas and Amy).  The winter is dreary.  The economy is shutting down local establishments.  Added to the misery index, a very close friend has been hospitalized for some very serious stuff.  So I can’t think movies at the moment.  But I’ll be back.  Stay tuned.    —–   Drew