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Wagon Train: The Jarbo Pierce Story (1965)
Season 8 was at least one Season too many
The series had cratered by Season 8, and it was downhill to the end. The series had fallen to a #25 ranking by Season 6, and the ranking for Seasons 7 and 8 are "not available". The only original cast members were supporting characters Terry Wilson and Frank McGrath. Robert Fuller was added as the new Scout, but appeared in less and less episodes. The same was true of John McIntyre, who had succeeded Ward Bond as the Wagon Master. It was obvious that the show runners were concentrating on cost savings, and the salaries paid to Wilson and McGrath would have been significantly less than paid to Fuller and McIntyre -- the fewer episodes Fuller and McIntyre were in, the lower the cost. Terry Wilson and Frank McGrath were previously long time members of the John Ford Company, primarily as Stuntmen, but on occasion played small supporting roles. Now near the end of their careers (especially McGrath due to his age), they deserved the extra money, but my guess is that they were on a flat salary, and therefore received no additional money for assuming leading roles. In the final (mercifully) episode only McGrath was featured, and then very briefly.
The Andy Griffith Show (1960)
Without Don Knotts, no better than Mayberry R.F.D. ....
...... which isn't saying much. But this highly popular series appealed to all the viewers in the Yokel Belt. Despite the Civil Rights activity during the years the series was on, including North Carolina, all the people in Mayberry were White. They even had the Darlings, a forerunner of the Hee Haw series that began the year after this series ended. When producers took the moronic Gomer Pyle character and spun him into a equally hokey series, he was replaced with an equally moronic and completely irritating character named Goober -- the name Goober says everything you need to know. But Don Knotts was with the series for the first five seasons, and he is the major reason for its success. Even today, 60 years after he left the series, you just have to say the name Barney Fife, and the image of the skinny little nervous hapless Deputy pops into people's minds. Since the series runs continually in syndication, even younger generations know who Barney is.
The Wings of Eagles (1957)
John Ford's tribute to Frank "Spig" Wead
Frank "Spig" Wead was an important early Naval Aviators, and later an accomplished screen writer. His best known screenplay was for the outstanding John Ford WW2 film "They Were Expendable". Ford (John Dodge in the film) made this film as a tribute to his friend 10 years after Wead's death, and swore that everything in the film actually happened -- but I doubt if there was a real person Jughead Carson. In many ways it's a sad film. Wead's only son Frank Jr, nicknamed "The Commodore", died at the age one year, two weeks. Wead also chose to concentrate on his naval career at the expense of his family, and spent the largest part of his adult life away from his wife Minnie and two daughters. Wead fought back from an accident that left him paralyzed, and managed to walk with steel braces, only to die from heart failure at age 52. It's not a great film, but it is interesting, sad, and worth watching.
The Long Gray Line (1955)
An Enjoyable John Ford Film
This is the story of Martin Maher, who spent a total of 50 years at West Point, beginning at the Turn of the 20th Century. There are many familiar cast members from other Ford films, including Maureen O'Hara, Ward Bond, Donald Crisp, Harry Caray Jr. (as Cadet Dwight D Eisenhower), Sean McClory, Phillip Carey, Willis Bouchey, Jack Pennick and 16 year old Patrick Wayne (son of you-know-who). Unfortunately the screen writers found it necessary for some reason to invent events. At the conclusion of the story, Maher is visiting President Eisenhower at the White House, and is lamenting being forced to retire. This would have been in 1954 or 1955. In fact, Maher had retired from the Army in 1928, and from the Civil Service at West Point in 1946. There is also an important sequence in the film involving the death of Maher's infant son, when in fact Maher never had any children.
Finian's Rainbow (1968)
An overlooked film worth watching if you like Musicals
I have always been very picky about Musicals, and generally dislike most Musical films. I was too young to remember Finian's Rainbow when it was on Broadway. Years after its release, I saw the film version for the first time, primarily because it was directed by an up-and-coming Francis Ford Coppola. I like the music very much. I liked Petula Clark very much. I liked Don Francks, who I wasn't familiar with before, particularly his memorable rendition of "Old Devil Moon". I liked Barbara Hancock. And who doesn't like Fred Astaire? However, I could have done without Tommy Steele. I also was intrigued at how Coppola chose to shoot the film in a "Live" environment, rather than on a set as is usually done. It was also shot on limited scale, admittedly one reason being because of budget constraints, but by doing so, avoided an overblown productions like what happened with "South Pacific".
The Great Santini (1979)
A great film anchored by Robert Duvall's unforgettable performance
When I watched this film recently, it had been many years since I'd seen it in 1980. It was just as good, in fact even better, than I remembered -- so good, in fact, that I watched it again a short time later. It's an excellent cast, but Robert Duvall as "The Great Santini" stands out, and I still consider it the best of all his film performances. The story takes place in 1962, at the height of U. S. tensions with Castro Cuba. Duvall's character, Marine Lt. Col. "Bull" Meechum has a deserved reputation as a great jet fighter pilot, but is also a near alcoholic with a deeply flawed character and manic temperament, and has been passed over for promotion to Full Bird Colonel. In 1962, he is 41 years old and has been a Marine pilot since WWII, which means at least 17 years and near the end of his military career unless he is promoted to Colonel and could remain in the Marines after 20 years. He has a wife and four kids who love him, but also fear his volatile temperament. His oldest child Ben, age 18, has the most contentious relationship, and the story largely revolves around their stormy relationship. At times, Meechum's deeply flawed character makes viewing difficult and unpleasant, but this is a great film.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
One of the truly great films of the 1960's.
This film takes place during the peak of post-slavery racism in the South. When this film premiered, and although the South had lost the Civil War nearly 100 years before, the Civil Rights movement was still just building momentum in the South, and meeting violent opposition from Southerners. Author Harper Lee, herself a Southerner, showed great courage in writing this novel. Alan Pakula and Robert Mulligan showed commendable character resisting the not always subtle pressures from people to tone down the depiction of racism as it really was. The acting by the entire cast was.superb. James Anderson's portrayal of the trashy racist Robert Ewell was so convincing it makes one wonder if he was really like that?
Monte Walsh (1970)
This is the Real Deal" -- forget the mediocre Selleck remake
I don't understand why this classic Western isn't available more frequently for viewing on TV. It is one of the better Westerns ever made. It's not a Western in the conventional sense, but a story about when those Wild West days were coming to a close and Cowboys were losing their livelihoods and having to look for a new way of life. This is the story of how some successfully made the change, others couldn't with tragic outcomes, and some just wandered aimlessly. The cast delivers solid performances, and Jack Palance's restrained, sensitive performance is one of the best in his long illustrious career. The closing scene with Mama Cass singing John Barry's "The Good Times Are Comin'" over the closing credits is particularly poignant.
Lonesome Dove (1989)
Perhaps the Best Miniseries of all time.
The only miniseries that I can think of to rival "Lonesome Dove" as best miniseries of all time is "Band of Brothers. This is an Adult Western, at least a PG-13. The cast is absolutely superb from Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee James through all the smaller parts and character roles. Of those, Danny Glover and Angelica Huston are perhaps the best, but that's arguable because of all the outstanding performances. It has now been over 40 years since it premiered, and its impact is still as great. Even when compared to the greatest Big Screen Westerns of all time, "Lonesome Dove" is still one of the very best of all time. "Lonesome Dove" is proof that quality commercial television is possible, but there increasingly seems to be less rather than more.
I Never Sang for My Father (1970)
A difficult story to watch despite great performances
While I admire the writing and the outstanding performances, it's not a film that I can say that I enjoy. I watched it the first time years ago and greatly admired it. However, after I watched it a second time recently, I decided that I would never watch it again because it's simply too depressing. The story is all Tom Garrison, and Melvyn Douglas's performance was Oscar worthy. But Tom Garrison is not a person that you can like, and you feel conflicted at the end when a old man is slowly dying, but has left such a trail of destruction with his two children that you know he will die alone. Gene Hackman gives an excellent performance as Gene, the son who was the subject of his father's tyranny for so many years. The performance of Estelle Parsons as Tom's daughter Alice, who he rejected for marrying a Jewish man, is outstanding.
Oppenheimer (2023)
An exceptional film, the best in years
I'm writing this review before the Oscars are awarded. I was too young in the early 50's to truly understand the dangerous McCarthy years, but I was a teenager by the time of the Strauss Senate Hearings in 1959. I remember thinking then that there was certainly a great deal of hullabaloo for a comparatively minor Cabinet post. This film succinctly details why. Besides his role in denying Oppenheimer's security clearance, Strauss was arrogant and abrasive and had deservingly gained numerous enemies. I have no doubt that Robert Downey will will the Oscar for his performance as Strauss and Cillian Murphy should also win for his role as Oppenheimer. There are many other fine performances. Jason Clarke, Tom Conti, and Rami Malek stand out in lesser roles. If you look at real life historical photos, you will note an almost startling resemblance between Downey and Strauss, and almost as much so between Murphy and Oppenheimer.
Return to Peyton Place (1961)
A fine actress like Mary Astor deserved better than this
This is really a terrible film that makes the 1957 original look like a great film -- which it certainly wasn't. The story, such as it is, is contrived beyond any credulity. Believe it or not, it was based on the eponymous novel by author Grace Metalious, obvious intent to capitalize on her minimal writing skills. Metalious herself held the work in poor esteem, claiming she was pressured by Hollywood producer Jerry Wald to write the sequel. But it should be noted that she didn't let her disdain overcome her greed. With one notable exception, the performances are absolutely horrible. That one exception was the great Mary Astor, one of the most versatile actresses and Oscar winner from films in the 30's and 40's. This was one of her last screen roles, but even she couldn't work miracles.
Two Rode Together (1961)
Underrated John Ford Western most memorable for the characters.
The greatest strength of this film is the fine performances. The two that stand out are James Stewart and Richard Widmark. The two worked so well together to develop the Guthrie MCabe and Jim Gary characters, and make them so believable. The McCabe character is especially interesting because he is corrupt and not the least bit ashamed that he is. But as the story progresses, you see that there is more to him than just those obvious facets. In the famous five-minute two-shot of James Stewart and Richard Widmark bantering on a riverbank about money, women and the Comanche problem, the film's downbeat comedy, misogyny and careless attitude toward human life is the most memorable scene in the film. McCabe also gives a memorable dressing down of the snobbish attitudes of the officers and their wives at the Post dance. In one of the few light hearted moments in the film, Ken Curtis and Dobe Carey give a classic performance as the imbecilic brothers, Greeley and Ortho Clegg.
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
Typical but superior to most of MGM's 1940's Musicals
Louis B. Mayer was at the peak of his power during the 1940's, and MGM was definitely the #1 studio. Mayer liked "happily ever after" stories, and Musicals were obviously a perfect venue for that. Their success was not due to Mayer, but rather to exceptionally skilled MGM personnel -- not just the Stars. Most of them weren't well known by the public, but were highly respected by their peers. MGM Musicals were consistently well produced and technically outstanding. However, the "happily ever after" endings became more and more tiresome. By the end of WWII, movie goer tastes were changing, but Mayer kept pushing the old formula. Even when box office receipts begin to fall off at an increasing pace, Mayer refused to change. Mayer was an ogre, and no one dared cross him. In fact, most of his subordinates tried to emulate his tyrannical behavior. By the time MGM executives in New York dumped Mayer, it was already too late.
Hope and Glory (1987)
An English boy's remembrances of his family during the Blitz
There are so many insights in this film that could only come from actual experiences, which they did -- Director John Boorman's childhood memories during the early days of World War II. It takes place between September 3, 1939 when Chamberlain announced that Britain had declared War on Germany, and November 1942 when Churchill gave his "End of The Beginning" speech. The boy Bill's family is a Working Class family in London, the ones who suffered the most during the Blitz. Bill has two sisters, one who is younger, and a particularly precocious 15-year old sister. Sarah Miles is especially believable in the role of the children's mother, but the entire cast is very, very good. It's an entirely British cast, and besides Ms. Miles, Ian Bannen (who portrays the grandfather) is the only other actor that American theater-goers might have been familiar with. In the recounting of events, the strength of character of the British people is very evident. Any Britisher should be proud.
Dragnet 1967 (1967)
Absolutely terrible, one of the worst series of the 1960's
Jack Webb created this reboot as a response to rising drug use among youth in the 1960's. He was so anxious to slay the dragon that his overbearing attempts became ludicrous. There was even a "fad" for awhile where young adults would watch the program like tuning in for the Gong Show. Webb liked to sermonize on just about any topic, and viewers were forced to listen to his lengthy diatribes. The 60's had left Webb far behind, as the ridiculous costuming and laughable music he used to supposedly emulate the 60's culture. The scripts didn't have characters, just caricatures. The so-called humorous byplay between Friday and his partner Bill Gannon was embarrassing to have to listen to. When Webb died, the joke was "How could they tell?"
Sitting Bull (1954)
Historical accuracy grade is an F
I saw this film as a kid, and even then knew that most of it was as truthful as the White Man's treaty dealings with the Lakota. The intent all along was to force the Lakota onto reservations so gold miners could exploit the Black Hills, all in violation of the 1868 Treaty. Led by Custer, the miners had trespassed into the Black Hills to discover the gold. There was no such character as Major Parrish. Custer's troops attacked the Lakota village on the Bighorn River. Custer's Last Stand took place in the hills above the river. The Lakota didn't ride around them in a big circle -- they used the gullies as cover while they picked off the troops. The Lakota were pursued by two armies, General Terry from the east and General Crook from the south. Grant never came out west to take part in the events. Sitting Bull knew how to get to Canada on his own. He only returned some time later because his people were starving. I could go on and on. At least this film provided a more sympathetic view of the Lakota side, in contrast with Errol Flynn valiantly fighting to his last breath. Custer's men were armed, so it wasn't a massacre, they were annihilated.
Magnum, P.I. (1980)
They should have quit while they were still ahead
The series was for years entertaining, with scripts that didn't take themselves too seriously and developed an interesting cast of characters. But, as with the great majority of series, the writing began to decline, whether it was due to turnover in the writing staff or loss of inspiration, to the point that it was a relief to see the final season come to a close. The series began taking itself too seriously, with plots involving trips to Vietnam to fight the bad guys, Magnum's love life in Vietnam that resulted in the birth of a child, and culminating with the absolutely ridiculous finale where Magnum --who had been out of the Navy for eight years/seasons-- rejoins the Navy. It was a terrible conclusion for a series that had been so much fun at one time.
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958)
A very good film despite the Hollywood embellishments
The real Gladys Aylward was a small woman with dark hair who bore no resemblance to the blond 5'9" Ingrid Bergman. She had never kissed a man and felt her reputation was damaged by the concocted romance in the film. She never left the orphans to rejoin the Colonel, and cared for orphans until she was 60 years old. These were just some of the liberties Hollywood took with the true story. Although she found herself a figure of international interest because of the film's popularity, Aylward was mortified by her depiction in the film and the liberties it took. But Ingrid Bergman was a truly great actress, and she gave her character the same compassion that Aylward had. Filmed entirely in Wales, the outstanding cinematography makes you think it's China. Malcolm Arnold's fine score perfectly compliments the story. Robert Donat's final performance is memorable. Despite its deviations from the truth, it's still an inspiring story, one that I still enjoy watching. Gladys Aylward died in January 1970, a month and a half short of her 68th birthday. She was buried in a small cemetery on the campus of Christ's College in Taipei, Taiwan.
NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service (2003)
A good series that should have quit when Mark Harmon did
For many seasons NCIS was good entertainment. Some of the episodes were better quality than you'd ever expect to see in a TV Series, and "Call of Silence" was the very best of all of them. For years NCIS managed to make cast changes while maintaining the high quality. But the anchors were always Jethro Gibbs and Tony DiNozzo. When Michael Weatherly left after Season 13, the Series appeal declined. It also seemed like Mark Harmon had one foot out the door several years before he finally left in Season 19. The Abby character Became more and more irritating as time passed, and I wish she had exited the series long before she actually did. But the key to a long lasting series is the scripts. The episodes increasingly showed that the writers lacked the inspiration they kept for many seasons. My 8 rating is for those good years.
It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955)
It's not really very good, but it's still fun to watch!
This was an earlier Ray Harryhausen effort, and not in the same class as many of his later efforts. The romantic plot between veteran of many B Movies Kenneth Tobey and Howard Hughes former Jailbait girlfriend Faith Domergue is really laughable and totally unnecessary. My guess is that the producers deemed it necessary to make the film long enough, and cheaper than trying to create more scenes with the sextuple Cephalopoda. Nevertheless, it's one of those 1950's Disaster Flicks where radioactivity was responsible for creating all kinds of monsters that is still fun to watch, although not as good as others like "The Thing From Another World" and "Them!".
M*A*S*H: Yessir, That's Our Baby (1979)
Maybe the best of all the later episodes
By Season 8, the quality of the scripts had noticeably declined. This episode was an exception, and ranks among the best in the history of the series. It took a very serious subject and treated it with the respect that it deserved. The subject is one of which I imagine that most viewers were not even aware of. It was a disgrace that Americans should be ashamed that it was ever allowed to occur. Americans too frequently refuse to take responsibility for their actions, and this is a prime example. At the same time, other U. N. nations who participated in the "Police Action" acknowledged that they had a responsibility when a similar situation arose with their personnel.
The Far Horizons (1955)
Probably The Worst Historical Film Ever Made
The major element missing from this abomination of history is any semblance of truth. When I saw this film as a kid, I knew even then it was laughable. MacMurray's role as Meriwether Lewis, the true Expedition leader, is relegated to a supporting role where he seems somehow detached from what is going on around him. The love story between Clark and Sacajawea is a total fabrication, and Donna Reed looks nothing like a Native American. Perhaps most ludicrous of all, and there's is so much to make a choice from, is when Clark supposedly takes Sacajawea back to Washington D. C. Heston gives one of his worst screen performances ever. I don't think I've ever seen the film offered on television, and that should tell you how bad it is.
Love with the Proper Stranger (1963)
Still a fine film 60 years after its release
This is what was known as a "Little Film". In 1963, there were still B&W films being released. Paramount had pioneered the best of the wide screen processes with Vista Vision, but it had been discontinued as too costly after 1961 and replaced it with a less expensive technicolor . However, "Love With The Proper Stranger" is much more appropriate as a small-screen B&W film. What makes this film stand out from the usual Romance story is the character development and fine ensemble performances. Natalie Wood had many Big Pictures roles in her career, but this was arguably her best performance in any of her films., and she made her character very appealing and believable. This was Steve McQueen's third film in 1963. "The Great Escape" had been one of the biggest hits of that year, but McQueen played Virgil Hilts, a character very much like his own personality. In "Soldier In The Rain", his performance as Eustis Clay was unconvincing, and the film didn't quite "come off". His character in this film, Rocky Papassano, was different from either Hilts or Clay, and the more the film progressed, the more Rocky became "real". The smaller roles were equally important for the film's success, and Rocky's parents, Mama Rossini, and Mrs. Colombo are the most memorable.
The FBI Story (1959)
Frequently Corny even by 1959 standards
The primary reason that this film isn't better is the overbearing influence of J. Edgar Hoover and the kowtowing of Warner Bros to his every whim -- perhaps he threatened to investigate Jack Warner if he didn't get his way, and there was much to investigate from a sleaze standpoint in Warner's background. The most blatant fabrication is the portrayal of Hoover "arresting" Alvin Karpis. I was also disappointed that Hoover and Clyde Tolson's cameo doesn't show them modeling a couple of their new party frocks. The F. B. I. Is still the best investigative agency in the world, and Hoover deserves the lion's share of the credit for molding the agency. The stories highlighted are among their many accomplishments of the agency in service of the nation, but too much time is spent with the story of fictional agent Hardesty, and at times the result is as bad as Leave It To Beaver or Ozzie and Harriet.