Now and Forever (1934)

 

On the set: Shirley Temple, Gary Cooper, and crew on location at Lake Arrowhead

Meet John Doe (1941)

 

The Naked Edge (1961)

 

Five years after George Radcliffe was the chief witness in a high profile murder case, his wife receives a blackmailing letter accusing him of the crime. 

Psychological thriller has some good Noir cinematography, but its narrative is full of loopholes and unnecessary twists so that its suspense is limited.

Halliwell (no star): "Dreary thriller which piles up red herrings in shoals, then abandons them all for a razor-and-bathroom finale."

 

Maltin**1/2: "Uneven suspenser..."

Gary Cooper

Gary Cooper

Design for Living (1933)

A woman cannot decide between two men who love her, and the trio agree to try living together in a platonic friendly relationship.

Despite censorship and unusual casting the is still an amazingly open-minded  and entertaining ménage à trois comedy, made with Ernst Lubitsch's sure hand for such material.


Halliwell**: "Elegant but miscast version of a scintillating play, with all the sex and the sting removed (at the insistence of the Legion of Decency, then coming into power). Ben Hecht claimed to have removed all but one line of Coward's dialogue: 'For the good of our immortal souls!'"

Maltin***: "Most of the witty innuendos are left intact (even if the pacing isn't quite right)."

The Texan (1930)

Gary Cooper

Gary Cooper

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Cooper

Gary Cooper and Billy Wilder

Gary Cooper

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Cooper

Sergeant York (1941)

On the set: Howard Hawks and Gary Cooper

The General Died at Dawn (1936)

Amid the anarchy of China, an American mercenary tangles with a ruthless warlord.

Exotic adventure drama has good atmosphere, excellent production value and a good cast, but is a bit slow-going, and the finale outstays its welcome.

Halliwell**: "Heavy-going but very decorative studio-bound intrigue which seems to take place on the old Shanghai Express sets with an extra fusion of dry ice. An intellectual's picture of its day."

Maltin***1/2: "Fine, atmospheric drama of Oriental intrigue..."

Friendly Persuasion (1956)

The pacifist attitude of a Quaker family is tested as a result of the American Civil War.

Lovingly produced an excellently cast Hollywood period piece that also manages to say something about pacifism. 

Halliwell**: "Sentimental, homespun Western fare, well done without being especially engrossing."

Maltin****: "Charming account...Warm, winning performances in this beautifully made film."

The Last Outlaw (1927)