The 27th Day (1957)

Aliens take 5 people, give them small capsules which can kill mankind without additional damage, with the understanding they will colonize Earth only if they use the weapons.

Unusually original Cold War sci-fi drama with a quite liberal message is suspenseful and entertaining despite its low budget.

Maltin**1/2: "Imaginative sci-fi study of human nature..."

Reign of Terror (1949)

Robespierrre, a powerful figure in the French revolution, is desperately looking for his black book, a death list of those marked for the guillotine.

Oddly mixing history drama with a (complicated) Noir crime plot the movie actually manages to create atmosphere and suspense.

Halliwell*: "Moderate period melodrama with an attractive though artificial look."

Maltin***: "Vivied costume drama...Moss is particularly good as the elegantly, eloquently evil Foucher. Stunningly photographed by John Alton; every shot is a painting!"