Casta diva (1954)iMDB Rating: 5.8 Date Released : 14 July 2014 Genre : Biography, Drama, Music, Romance Stars : Antonella Lualdi, Nadia Gray, Maurice Ronet, Fausto Tozzi. Appena diplomato al conservatorio di Napoli, Vincenzo Bellini incontra Maddalena Fumaroli e immediatamente si innamora di lei. Per farle un ritratto musicale scrive la romanza "Casta Diva" di cui le fa omaggio. Bellini è l'allievo più promettente del Conservatorio, ma desidera solo tornare in Sicilia e vivere con Maddalena. Rifiuta quindi l'offerta della famosa cantante Giuditta Pasta di andare a..." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Appena diplomato al conservatorio di Napoli, Vincenzo Bellini incontra Maddalena Fumaroli e immediatamente si innamora di lei. Per farle un ritratto musicale scrive la romanza "Casta Diva" di cui le fa omaggio. Bellini è l'allievo più promettente del Conservatorio, ma desidera solo tornare in Sicilia e vivere con Maddalena. Rifiuta quindi l'offerta della famosa cantante Giuditta Pasta di andare a Milano con lei. Maddelana non vuole però che vincenzo rinunzi alla fama e lo lascia. Bellini parte allora per Milano con Giuditta dove ha successo con l'opera "Il Pirata" e si incontra-scontra con Donizetti. Maddalena è però sempre nel suo cuore e per questo lascia Giuditta e scrive un'opera aspra, "Norma", che non ha successo. Maddalena, saputolo, porta a Giuditta la romanza "Casta Diva" che viene aggiunta all'opera e la porta al successo. Bellini corre a Napoli, ma Maddalena, malata, è in fin di vita ed egli arriva troppo tardi per vederla.
Poison Ivy (1953)iMDB Rating: 6.4 Date Released : 27 May 1953 Genre : Crime, Drama, Thriller Stars : Eddie Constantine, Dominique Wilms, Howard Vernon, Darío Moreno. Two million dollars have vanished into thin air. Lemmy Caution, an American agent, is assigned by the FBI to investigate in Casablanca. He soon finds out about a gang of gold smugglers, whose boss might be Saltierra, but Saltierra's mistress, Carlotta de la Rue, nicknamed "La môme vert de gris" stands in his way, at times helping Saltierra at other times helping him. Only when her brother is ..." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Two million dollars have vanished into thin air. Lemmy Caution, an American agent, is assigned by the FBI to investigate in Casablanca. He soon finds out about a gang of gold smugglers, whose boss might be Saltierra, but Saltierra's mistress, Carlotta de la Rue, nicknamed "La môme vert de gris" stands in his way, at times helping Saltierra at other times helping him. Only when her brother is gunned down by the gang does she choose her side, Lemmy of course.
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Review :
Eddie Constantine's first Lemmy Caution film
I have enjoyed Eddie Constantine films such as Alphaville, Attack of the Robots, and Hail Mafia. I was curious to see his first film as Lemmy Caution made in 1953. Considering that this film made Constantine a big star in France in 1953, it was disappointing. It is pretty boring, and I'm not sure that it is Constantine's voice that we are hearing (a voice I liked). He is out to stop some smugglers from stealing some gold, and as an FBI agent is dispatched to Morocco.
However, the film may have some interest. The book was written in 1937, this movie made in 1953, the birth of James Bond in Casino Royale. Like Bond, he flirts with the secretary before going to see his boss, he drinks whiskey, were as Bond drinks Martinis. He does not bed women, but he finds any way he can kiss a woman. Even the ending, where he is with a woman, will remind one of James Bond Films, as they are in no hurry to meet up with the police. What was more striking was that this film almost appeared to be a rehearsal for "Thunderball". There is a villain who will remind you of Largo from "Thunderball" played by Howard Vernon, and a woman who is at his side, named Poison Ivy, whose brother, the Vernon character killed. Will she like the female lead in Thunderball, go against this villain? There is a plane high-jacking, a yacht, where our hero is nearly done in, reminded that the sharks might eat him, and a mysterious financier, though not as interesting as Smersh. I could not help but wonder if Lemmy Caution, written by a British Writer, was not an inspiration for James Bond, and what influence "Poison Ivy" had on "Thunderball." A curious aspect of the film is that one of the characters is an alcoholic, and his character is somewhat the subject of ridicule. Yet, our hero drinks a lot (Constantine I have read had trouble with alcoholism) Even getting a drink as he gets up in the morning before going to work. All the drinking that he does, and what one could perceive as an anti alcoholic message is strange, and I found rather disturbing.
If you like Eddie Constantine movies of the 50's and 60's,and also to see what I consider to be the connection to "Thunderball", a far better film I might also add, this might be an interesting film to see, hopefully you won't have to buy it like I did, for between 15.00 to 20.00 dollars, because it sure isn't worth that price.
Hell Raiders of the Deep (1953)iMDB Rating: 6.8 Date Released : 16 January 1953 Genre : Drama, War Stars : Eleonora Rossi Drago, Pierre Cressoy, Carlo Bellini, Tino Carraro." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
An opinion on a neglected aspect of the Italian war effort.
This movie tells a little-known true story of heroism on the part of a small group of Italian Navy men. The story focuses on the Italian frogmen who entered the harbor at Alexandria and sunk a British ship with limpet mines.
It is interesting for its technical as well as historical details. Eleonora Rossi Drago as a dancer with eyes and ears for intelligence adds a human and romantic element to the tale. The story, with lots of intervening suspense, ends with the British commander of the sunken warship decorating the Italian seaman who sunk his ship with the Medaglia d'Oro, Italy's Medal of Honor, at a NATO ceremony.
It is an entertaining movie which I would like to see again.
Admiral Ushakov (1953)iMDB Rating: 7.0 Date Released : 23 April 1953 Genre : Biography, Drama Stars : Ivan Pereverzev, Boris Livanov, Sergey Bondarchuk, Vladimir Druzhnikov." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
I was looking for this movie, which I saw as a little boy during the Cultural Revolution in China.
I cannot write a better review than what has been written here. I sincerely, wholeheartedly echo the reviewer's assessment. This is truly an epic film of all times, notwithstanding the intention ofr political propaganda behind the making of this film. Heck, all have tried to make such nationalistic films. The Soviets have done a better job than most others.
We were shown this film as part of Chinese government propaganda of revealing Soviet imperial designs. I was impressed, nevertheless, by the epic battle scenes and how Admiral Ushakov faded away (reminding an American perhaps General MacArthur).
How can we get to see more non-American/non-English epics?
Young Man with Ideas (1952)iMDB Rating: 6.0 Date Released : 2 May 1952 Genre : Comedy, Drama Stars : Glenn Ford, Ruth Roman, Denise Darcel, Nina Foch." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Leisen's best years were behind him when he made "young man" .First of all,Glenn Ford is no longer a young man (36) in 1952 and he is not really good at comedy.Ruth Roman isn't either but she manages quite well in the scene of the dinner with chic people.Except for this scene and the appearance of the horrible child showing off ,there are not many funny moments in "young man...",even in the would be original sequences in which Max plays both the convict and the lawyer .The screenplay is poor compared to those of the forties ("Remember the night" " Arise my love" ) and the cast (which includes also Nina Foch and French Denise Darcel who never made a movie in her native country ) cannot hold a candle to Leisen's former actors such as Claudette Colbert,Ray Milland ,Don Ameche ,etc
Border River (1954)iMDB Rating: 6.2 Date Released : 6 January 1954 Genre : Romance, Western Stars : Joel McCrea, Yvonne De Carlo, Pedro Armendáriz, Alfonso Bedoya Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
Zona Libre is a small enclave across the river from America. Despotically ruled by General Calleja, it offers sanctuary to outlaws, at a price. Newly arrived is Clete Mattson who has $2million in gold to buy guns for the Confederacy. But who can he trust with so much money around? Certainly not Calleja, but maybe the eye-catching Carmelita? The General thinks she's his property but she seems rather to fancy Mattson. Whatever's going on, Mexico wants the place back.
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Review :
excellent example of western genre
this was yet another solid performance by joel mccrea. yvonne de carlo also adds strength to this feature. the film portrays a turbulent time in our history and the the film portrays just how dedicated some membersof the confederacy were in prolonging the war.
The Lady Wants Mink (1953)iMDB Rating: 6.4 Date Released : 30 March 1953 Genre : Comedy Stars : Dennis O'Keefe, Ruth Hussey, Eve Arden, William Demarest. For her birthday Ritchie Connors gives his wife Nora a coat from the store where he works. His workday gloom is made even worse when their friend from next-door shows up that evening in a mink. To try and make things right Nora goes out and buys four live mink to raise. But the attempt at grow-your-own-coat is none too popular with husband or neighbours." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
For her birthday Ritchie Connors gives his wife Nora a coat from the store where he works. His workday gloom is made even worse when their friend from next-door shows up that evening in a mink. To try and make things right Nora goes out and buys four live mink to raise. But the attempt at grow-your-own-coat is none too popular with husband or neighbours.
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Review :
Great Cast, Good Fun
This film is a great example of a good, solid B comedy of the early '50s, and has always been a favorite of mine. A superb cast of veteran studio players make the most of a light, ironic script. Eve Arden is particularly good as the arch, wise-cracking neighbor. The tone of the film is "suburbs-sophisticated" -- it will remind present-day audiences of the best old TV sit-coms of the '50s and early '60s. Suburban man versus nature in the form of a cage full of live minks. Lots of fun.
Red Snow (1952)iMDB Rating: 7.5 Date Released : 7 July 1952 Genre : Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller Stars : Guy Madison, Mala, Carole Mathews, Gloria Saunders. Lieutenant Johnson, a U. S. Air Force pilot, on the tip of Alaska, a few miles from the Bering Straits from Siberia, helps foil a Soviet plot to test a new secret weapon by loyal Alaskan Eskimos. He is aided by Sergeant Koovuk, an Alsaka native Eskimo also in the U.S. military service. Along the way there is an ice-floe evacuation, an air-ice rescue and a fight with a polar bear." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
Lieutenant Johnson, a U. S. Air Force pilot, on the tip of Alaska, a few miles from the Bering Straits from Siberia, helps foil a Soviet plot to test a new secret weapon by loyal Alaskan Eskimos. He is aided by Sergeant Koovuk, an Alsaka native Eskimo also in the U.S. military service. Along the way there is an ice-floe evacuation, an air-ice rescue and a fight with a polar bear.
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Review :
obscure cold-war programmer set among Eskimos of Western Alaska, nothing special
Here's an obscure cold-war melodrama, set among the Eskimos of Western Alaska, where the US Alaskan territory is separated by only a few miles from the extreme eastern section of Russian Siberia. Strange atomic-looking blasts (never really explained in the film, by the way) are coming from the Siberian side, causing the American military to use some of its forces of Eskimo background to investigate in their home areas and find out about any reports of Eskimos coming over from the Siberian side. The main Eskimo character is played by Ray Mala, familiar to serial fans from his starring roles in ROBINSON CRUSOE OF CLIPPER ISLAND and HAWK OF THE WILDERNESS. He isn't given a lot of lines, and the voice-over narration that is meant to be from his character is, according to the credits, read by someone else. The traitor among the Eskimos is played by well-known Korean-American character actor Philip Ahn. Perhaps the most interesting part of the film is the 25 minutes or so in the second half which takes place among the Eskimo people. A mix of location footage and close-ups shot in the studio arctic set or against an arctic rear-projection screen takes us on a hunting party, a feast, a wedding preparation, the building of an igloo, etc. The non-Eskimo military forces are filmed in a few small rooms, on a few sets in front of facades of military-looking buildings and phony snow, and in airplane cockpits. Guy Madison is top-billed, and this fine leading man brings his usual charm and wit to the role of a heroic lieutenant, but he can only do so much in a programmer such as this. Carole Mathews (best known to me for STRANGE AWAKENING/FEMALE FIENDS, with Lex Barker) is his romantic interest, and they are just about to kiss when a blast (animated) comes from the Siberian side that lights up the night. Their romance is picked up again later, but never really developed or brought to any climax. There are a few humorous moments with an enlisted man who hides his gum behind his ear when talking to his commanding officer, and who does some good vocal impressions of musical instruments like the trombone and the stand up bass, but again this humor is soon dropped and not developed. This must be one of the few films, if not the only film, producer-director Boris Petroff (aka Brooke Peters) made for a major studio (Columbia), but except for the Alaskan footage (and one wonders if that was shot specifically FOR this movie, or if the movie was written around already existing footage?), this is a VERY low budget film on a PRC level. It must have been a second feature in its day, or released by Columbia during an off-week. There is not enough cold-war hysteria here to make the film enjoyable on a camp level, and though on some levels it resembles the Sam Katzman-produced serials being made at Columbia during this period, it lacks the over-the-top and absurd elements that made those serials such fun to watch. Except for the Guy Madison fanatic, I can't imagine this film having much appeal to anyone. It's not BAD-- it's a professional though cheap piece of product, and it certainly shows respect for the native people of Alaska (which should earn it a few points when we think about how offensive it COULD have been in that department), but I can't imagine wanting to dig this film out again unless I am stranded above the Arctic Circle myself and all I have with me entertainment-wise is RED SNOW.
The City Stands Trial (1952)iMDB Rating: 7.4 Date Released : 14 July 2014 Genre : Crime, Drama, Mystery Stars : Amedeo Nazzari, Silvana Pampanini, Paolo Stoppa, Dante Maggio. Turn-of-the-century Naples. Salvatore Ruotolo and his wife are murdered and their bodies are found in different locations. Since the evidence points to a crime by the Neapolitan crime organization, the Camorra, fear and corruption cause serious hindrances to the investigation by police authorities. In charge is a young and courageous judge who, using evidence discovered by chance, tries to ..." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Turn-of-the-century Naples. Salvatore Ruotolo and his wife are murdered and their bodies are found in different locations. Since the evidence points to a crime by the Neapolitan crime organization, the Camorra, fear and corruption cause serious hindrances to the investigation by police authorities. In charge is a young and courageous judge who, using evidence discovered by chance, tries to reconstruct the story of the double murder. The plot that the judge must unravel is very complicated. Many people are questioned, even those apparently above suspicion. Deciding to get to the bottom of the matter, the judge keeps all the suspects under arrest, causing a backlash of public opinion. But in the face of passive resistance which he finds everywhere, even from his own colleagues and family, he begins to feel discouraged and is about to give up the investigation when a new piece of evidence comes to light. The information causes the death of an innocent man, but it revives in the judge the...
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Review :
Zampa anticipates in some way the Italian political film
It is remarkable the dynamic way Zampa works with themes, style and genres completely different. At same time this movie leads with typical characteristics of the investigative kind and appoints for the societal corruption, something very uncommon at that time. In a certain way it anticipates a political filmography of names as Francesco Rosi (and particularly Le Mani sulla Città) and it is no coincidence that Rosi is one of the the authors of the basic plot. The fact that is a historical drama is less important than a description of a corrupted society, almost inducting the spectator to think it lasting until the days of the film production. Its visual style and narrative plot structure its deep influenced for Welles'"Citizen Kane", something that could be particularly noticed in some sequences as the deep focus use of the restaurant that serves as momentary place for the suspects arrested by the police. Amedeo Nazzari, a lead actor that peak his career under fascist years lives a sophisticated judge with irreproachable ethical values and obsessive desire for justice in opposition to the nervous and violent policeman of Paolo Stoppa. Both are very well casted.Its prologue, with two poor kids running on the beach could be read wrongly as another neo-realist movie, although the way that movie approaches politics is more mature than most of the movies labeled as such.
Yankee Buccaneer (1952)iMDB Rating: 6.2 Date Released : 17 April 1953 Genre : Adventure, History, Romance Stars : Jeff Chandler, Scott Brady, Suzan Ball, Joseph Calleia Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
A United States Navy ship in the first half of the 19th century, under the command of Captain David Porter, is expecting to put ashore after a year on the seas; but the arrival of one of Porter's ex-students, the willful and independent Lieutenant David Farragut, brings a new mission: to disguise the ship and crew as a pirate ship and help the Navy locate the criminals who have been robbing America's merchant fleet. But as Farragut's disobedience threatens the safety of the crew, they stumble upon an international conspiracy.
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Review :
Enjoyable little actioner
"Yankee Buccaneer" is a variation on the demented Arabian Nights fetish that Universal Pictures seemed to have in the late '40s and early '50s, the difference being that this one doesn't take place in the days of Ali Baba. It's the 1840s, and a U.S. Navy ship is ordered to disguise itself as a merchant vessel and sail to the waters off North Africa to put a stop to pirates preying on American ships. The action scenes are handled well, Jeff Chandler fits the part of the dashing American naval officer, the women are fetching, the cast is full of familiar faces (including Jay Silverheels, who played Tonto in the "Lone Ranger" series), the story doesn't venture past the realm of possibility and it moves along at a good clip. All in all, a neat little B picture--not the best of the lot, but far from the worst.
One Step to Eternity (1954)iMDB Rating: 6.4 Date Released : 17 December 1954 Genre : Thriller, Drama Stars : Danielle Darrieux, Michel Auclair, Corinne Calvet, Miriam Di San Servolo. Francois Roques, a power-and-money-mad editor of a Paris newspaper (who justifies his actions by calling attention to his poverty-stricken childhood), invites four women to a housewarming at his penthouse apartment. He plans on one of them to meet death by means of a loose railing on the balcony. The invitees are: Constance, Francois' first wife, whose love and integrity also stood in the way of ..." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Francois Roques, a power-and-money-mad editor of a Paris newspaper (who justifies his actions by calling attention to his poverty-stricken childhood), invites four women to a housewarming at his penthouse apartment. He plans on one of them to meet death by means of a loose railing on the balcony. The invitees are: Constance, Francois' first wife, whose love and integrity also stood in the way of his schemes; Vera Volpone, his second wife, from whom he is seeking a divorce, and who, with the aid of her lover, is blackmailing Ffancois; Maggy, his mistress who aids him in his illegal transactions; and Cecile, his fiancée, who is pregnant by another man. The women arrive, tension overwhelms them and the host, three of the women depart...and Francois is alone with his intended victim. Despite a misleading Review/Comment on this site-page, the keyword is "intended."
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Review :
Did she jump or was she pushed?
She was there one minute Lying in a pool of herself
And then she was gone the next
With a twisted neck.
O she fell from the roof to the ground....
A crowd gathers around the building as the cops shout " move along!" .Someone fell from the terrace of "Larry" 's luxury flat. Larry (Michel Auclair)had gathered for a formal occasion his ex-wife (Darrieux),his wife (Corinne Calvet),his fiancée and his mistress.An ominous stormy evening in a chic apartment with champagne served by a Chinese butler.There was a bad moon on the rise;it seemed that someone was going to get killed tonight.But which of the four women?
The ex-wife?
She crossed a lot of people
Some she called friends
She thought she'd live forever
But forever always ends.
Darrieux portrays a painter who remained loyal and true to her friends,which her ex-husband did not.
The fiancée?
She used to live the life she used
To live life with a vengeance
And the chosen would dance
The chosen would dance in attendance
The fiancée is a spoiled child,she thinks that her dad's money can buy her anything .She's pregnant by a student who disappeared but she won't care if Larry passes for the father in her folk's eyes.
The wife?
She used to have style
She used to have style and to use it
And they say it turned bad
When the truth came around and she refused it
She married Larry just because thanks to him,an unscrupulous journalist,her false suicide made the headlines.(It's thoroughly credible:a French actress did that in 1947) Like Larry, would do anything to get fortune and fame.
The mistress?
They did not find no killer
and they did not find no note.
Maggy is a shady lady,who seems to blackmail Larry ;he' d like to recover a receipt she owns.
This is a fine film noir by Henri Decoin,which does not equal his best in the field ("non Coupable" "La Vérité sur Bébé Donge" ),but where the suspense is sustained till the very end and its unexpected twist.The flashbacks are introduced in an unusual aggressive way.They begin with bells: they herald a wedding but they sound like a toll.
Darrieux and Auclair would team up again in Périer's "Meurtres en 45 tours" (1960)
Many lines of this comment were taken from the lyrics of Richard Thompson's extraordinarily gloomy song "Did she jump " on his "Shoot out the lights' majestic album (1982).
Knights of the Round Table (1953)iMDB Rating: 6.3 Date Released : 15 January 1954 Genre : Action, Adventure, Drama, History Stars : Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Mel Ferrer, Anne Crawford Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
King Arthur establishes the greatest reign England has ever seen, and along for the ride are his indispensable Knights of the Round Table, particularly Sir Lancelot. Then, Arthur finds himself a bride, the beautiful Guenivere. While she loves Arthur, she also loves Lancelot and though Lancelot repeatedly fights it, he loves her, too. Treachery is brewing as the evil Morgan le Fay and her knight Sir Modred work to trap them. So begins the decline and eventual fall of Arthur and Camelot.
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Review :
Colorful Entertaining Myth
This is a fine example of '50's style epics. Big name cast, colorful costumes,flashy swordplay, beautiful damsels and wild inaccuracies. The great Robert Taylor, who starred in several historical movies, is the honorable Sir Lancelot, a far more noble and pure portrayal than was recorded in all the legends, Ava Gardner is the stunningly beautiful Queen Guinevere, the ever dependable Felix Aylmer is the mysterious Merlin, Mel Ferer is a somewhat subdued and less than charismatic King Arthur. See it for the spectacle, costumes, word-play filled dialog and over the top Stanley Baker as Sir Mordred. Lancelot's joust with Niall Mac Ginnis is very well done. 8 stars for pure eye filling entertainment value.
When Ed Wheeler shoots Jim Granby, Gene brings him in. But Wheeler says even if Granby dies he cannot he charged because he has already served 10 years for Granby's supposed murder. Then in flashback Wheeler relates how he and Granby founded Goldtown based on an exaggerated supply of gold and how when Granby blackmailed him, he thought he killed him and confessed to the murder.
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Review :
Judge Gene dispenses six-gun justice !
This was one of the singin cowboys last films and was better than I expected. I think it compares favorably with several of his 1940's films in terms of writing and presentation. In this one, Gene is called upon to judge a murder case for which the accused might have already been punished for !
Smiley Burnette is back for this film, and is as good as ever. In many ways he was the King of the sidekicks ---- equally gifted at comedy, music and general hi-jinks. Gail Davis does a good job and the action is very entertaining. Overall, a pleasant diversion.
Better than some, but not the best of the series.........
Los ojos dejan huellas (1952)iMDB Rating: 6.8 Date Released : 3 December 1952 Genre : Drama, Crime Stars : Raf Vallone, Elena Varzi, Julio Peña, Fernando Fernán Gómez." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Superb noir Spanish film, with superb direction and screenplay.
"Martin" (Raf Vallone), a frustrated lawyer who sells perfumes, is reunited with "Robi" (Julio Peña), a former classmate and bright, and falls in love with his wife (Elena Varzi). One night "Robi" asks for help to "Martin", believing that he killed a man who was about his lover.
In the fifties of Spanish cinema, it seems there was an explosion of noir cinema which, combined with a host of actors, directors and writers inspired actually resulted in some of the most significant works of the genre they have done in Spain.
Besides the famous triple B: Bardem, Berlanga and Buñue,l Spanish filmmakers, there are others directors who also made extraordinary films like "Los Ojos dejan huellas" rather than dignified noir Spanish cinema displays and wisely directed by Jose Luis Saenz Heredia.
The director not only to create the appropriate atmosphere, applying a force worthy of the magnificent narrative text of Carlos Blanco or get some brilliant performances of Raf Vallone and Emma Penella but goes a step further and get to be the eyes of the protagonists (as the title suggests) which unveil the internal process so closely guarded that corrodes the very depths of their souls.
"Los Ojos dejan huellas" is irregular, but very interesting collection of noir film whose main value lies in a very lucid script, full of details perverse and amoral study and a copy of the main characters, "Martin Jordan", the social misfit, "Berta", the ruthless femme fatale, and finally "Robi", the rogue unconscious. United for a complex story woven base tricks and deception, only one of the three will keep control of the situation. But we will not know who until the end.
But what is particularly remarkable in this film is its excellent script. Of course after seeing "Los Peces Rojos" 1955 (J.A.Nieves Conde), and "Los Ojos dejan huellas" can be said to Carlos Blanco is among the best writers of the Spanish cinema.
Woman in the Dark (1952)iMDB Rating: 6.4 Date Released : 15 November 1952 Genre : Action, Crime, Drama Stars : Penny Edwards, Ross Elliott, Rick Vallin, Richard Benedict. Following a news report that a fabulous jewel collection, called "Unclaimed Cargo", will be on display at the Waldorf Jewelry Company, a city alderman and secret underworld gang leader, Nick Petzik (Peter Brocco), plans a gigantic jewel robbery. Petzik intends to sell the jewels back to the insurance company; and to force the insurance company to play ball with him, Petzik enlists the aid of Gino..." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
Following a news report that a fabulous jewel collection, called "Unclaimed Cargo", will be on display at the Waldorf Jewelry Company, a city alderman and secret underworld gang leader, Nick Petzik (Peter Brocco), plans a gigantic jewel robbery. Petzik intends to sell the jewels back to the insurance company; and to force the insurance company to play ball with him, Petzik enlists the aid of Gino Morello ('Richard Benedict'), a young and reckless Italian boy, whose brother Phil (Rick Vallin') is the lawyer for the insurance company. Petzik is sure that once Phil learns that his brother is one of the thieves, he will do business with the gang without asking any questions. But...Anna Reichardt (Penny Edwards (I)'), an Austrian girl, who runs a pastry shop on the ground floor of the Morello apartment building...is a witness to the robbery and spots Gino as one of the robbers. Complications arise.
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Review :
Family Business
Following a news report that a fabulous jewel collection, called "Unclaimed Cargo", will be on display at the Waldorf Jewelry Company, a city alderman and secret underworld gang leader, Nick Petzik (Peter Brocco), plans a gigantic jewel robbery. To ensure the success of his scheme, Petzik chooses three of his most capable men for the job; "Dutch" Bender (John Doucette), "Slats" Hylan (Richard Irving), and Kirsten, a crooked official of the jewel company. Petzik intends to sell the jewels back to Waldorf's insurance company; and to force the insurance company to play ball with him, Petzik enlists the aid of Gino Morello (Richard Benedict), a young and reckless Italian boy, whose brother Phil(Rick Vallin)is the lawyer for the insurance company. Petzik is sure that once the 3-billed Phil learns that his 4th-Billed brother is one of the thieves, he will do business with the gang without asking any questions.
But...Anna Reichardt (Penny Edwards), a charming Austrian girl who---with her aunt Maria---runs a pastry shop on the ground floor of the Morello apartment building...is a witness to the robbery and spots Gino as one of the robbers.
Then it gets complicated...and messy. Barbara Billingsley is a socialite engaged to Phil, who is the nominal action hero in this one, because Ross Elliott, who should have been, plays the Priest brother of Phil and Gino, and only provides lectures. This means of course, Penny Edwards has to end up in somebody's arms, and Rick Vallin is the only qualified Morello brother. And he has to suddenly break his engagement to the surprised Barbara Billingsley right before THE END, in order for Penny Edwards to have somebody to kiss before THE END.
Beachhead (1954)iMDB Rating: 6.0 Date Released : 5 February 1954 Genre : War, Drama Stars : Tony Curtis, Frank Lovejoy, Mary Murphy, Eduard Franz. On a Japanese-occupied island during World War II, only two soldiers remain alive after a mission attempt goes horribly wrong. Trapped on the island, they must escort a scientist and his daughter to the other side of the island where their ship awaits. They must battle nature, hard terrain, and advancing Japanese troops." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
On a Japanese-occupied island during World War II, only two soldiers remain alive after a mission attempt goes horribly wrong. Trapped on the island, they must escort a scientist and his daughter to the other side of the island where their ship awaits. They must battle nature, hard terrain, and advancing Japanese troops.
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Review :
Good Pacific Theater war drama
One of Tony Curtis' early starring roles is this war film of a detachment of Marines sent out to locate a planter and verify a message he sent concerning the location of Japanese minefields on the island. Because of the danger surrounding their mission, tempers are frayed and old resentments surface as the platoon makes its way through the jungle while trying to avoid detection by Japanese soldiers who seem to be all around them. The film has several tense moments as the Marines find a way to slip through the tightening Japanese noose and face even more danger after locating the planter and his daughter. Curtis is the marquee name here and his Hollywood hunk appeal is displayed to good effect while trying to spark pretty Mary Murphy. Frank Lovejoy is solid as always as the Marine sergeant leader with something to prove after a disastrous result at Guadalcanal. John Doucette, a great character actor in his time, has a cameo role as a major who sends the platoon out on its mission impossible. Technicolor is lush and realistic and the music score is also very nice.
Attila (1954)iMDB Rating: 5.4 Date Released : 17 May 1958 Genre : Biography, Drama, History, War Stars : Anthony Quinn, Sophia Loren, Henri Vidal, Claude Laydu. Attila, the leader of the barbarian Huns and called by the Romans "The Scourge of God", sweeps onto the Italian peninsula, defeating all of the armies of Rome, until he and his men reach the gates of the city itself." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
The king of the Huns, whose hordes from various tribes and allies have been sweeping the Asian steppes and both Roman empires, dies, leaving the throne to two sons. Bleda, tired of war and hungry, bloody campaigns, wants to settle as allies of Rome in peace, his brother Attila believes only in the power of the sword. Roman general Aethius, who knows the Huns well as a result of former hostage exchanges, fails to get a true peace but buys a shaky one promising doubled tribute. The court of weakling emperor Valentinianus, moved north from Rome to Ravenna, where the true ruler is empress-mother Galla Placidia, widow of a barbarian king, refuses the terms and imprisons Aethius, who still refuses to seize power with Valentinian's sister Honoria. The ambitious princess now offers her hand and the empire as dowry to Attila, just what Bleda hoped for. Scorning peace, Attila has popular Bleda murdered during a hunt, and persuades the hordes to march with him on the empire. While clueless, ...
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Review :
The mighty Quinn
The script is admittedly very badly written but it follows roughly Attila 's biography.Of course ,as it is a 75 min movie,many moments are passed over in silence but all that concerns the main characters is accurate: the brother was slain by Attila and his German vassals ,Honoria tried to forge an alliance with him,(but her brother locked her into a convent),and yes,the pope found the right words to stop the conqueror.He had previously failed in front of Paris ,reportedly with a little help from Saint Genevieve ,a woman of God who urged the Parisians to resist.
The film suffers from an international ill-assorted cast:an American (Quinn) ideally cast as the bar bar,an Italian (Sophia Loren) which made sense,but also a Greek thespian (Irene Pappas) plus three French actors :Henri Vidal cast as the noble loyal hero- a character not unlike the legionnaire he played in "Fabiola"-,who was formerly Attila's good friend (?),Claude Laydu who gives a passable performance of an effeminate fearful emperor ,probably influenced by Peter Ustinov's masterful portrayal of Nero in Mervyn Le Roy's "Quo Vadis" ,Colette Régis,an obscure actress plays his mother ,an over possessive one of course.
Also handicapped by a last scene which verges on Christian propaganda -the last picture is revealing-,the film is to recommend only for Quinn's fans.
Casta diva (1954)iMDB Rating: 5.8
