Hangover Square (1945)

 

A promising classical musician finds his life poisoned by a music hall dancer -- and by the strange gaps in his memory.

Unusual Noir melodrama nicely staged in period London has a quite unconvincing plot, but Laird Gregar is fascinating as the madman musician, and Bernard Herrmann's score is excellent as always.

Halliwell*: "This rather empty melodrama has almost nothing to do with the book from which it is allegedly taken, but the Hollywoodian evocation of gaslit London is richly entertaining and good to look at."

Maltin***: "Cregar (in his final film) is delicious...result is still entertaining, with superb Victorian London sets and evocative Bernard Herrmann score." 

Samson and Delilah (1949)

 

When strongman Samson rejects the love of the beautiful Philistine woman Delilah, she seeks vengeance that brings horrible consequences they both regret. 

Archetypal DeMille biblical spectacle as usual simplifies its source's tale to a child-friendly level, but offers colorful entertainment and some memorable scenes, and there's a subliminal undertone in the love-hate relationship between Samson and Delilah, which is irritating and fascinating; Hedy Lamarr makes it work.

Halliwell (no star): "Absurd biblical hokum, stodgily narrated and directed, monotonously photographed and edited, and notable only for the 30-second destruction of the temple at the end."

Maltin***: "With expected DeMille touches, this remains a tremendously entertaining film. Mature is surprisingly good as Samson, though his famous fight with lion is hopelessly phony; also difficult to swallow idea of Angela Lansbury being Lamarr's older sister. Sanders supplies the biggest surprise by underplaying his role as the Saran." 

Bluebeard's 10 Honeymoons (1960)

A golddigger inspires her older lover to murder wealthy women for the finances to keep her happy.

Quiet Please: Murder (1942)

A book thief and forger sells a fake book to a Nazi through a female agent, and a detective tries to uncover who the forger is and gets in the middle of a three way struggle for rare books and revenge in a public library.

Interesting crime drama with a rather complex plot playing mainly in a library; George Sanders steals the show, though.

Halliwell*: "Unusual, stylish second feature."

Maltin**1/2: "Offbeat, intriguing yarn...Murder and romance expertly woven into story."

Summer Storm (1944)

 

 

In this filmed Chekhov adaptation, Olga is an alluring peasant woman who lures cynical aristocrat Fedor away from his milquetoast fiancée, with tragic consequences. 

 

From memory: Grand Hollywood adaptation of Chekhov's novel with excellent performances by Sanders, Darnell and especially Horton is well staged, but somehow doesn't quite fit the tone of the book.

 

Halliwell*: "One Hollywood's occasional aberrations, an attempt to do something very European in typical west coast style. An interesting failure."

 

Maltin**: "Darnell gives one of her best performances...Dreary adaptation...enlivened by Horton as an amoral Russian count." 

The Last Voyage (1960)

After a boiler explosion aboard an aging ocean liner, a man struggles to free his injured wife from the wreckage of their cabin and ensure the safety of their four-year-old daughter as the ship begins to sink.

Old-fashioned disaster movie istold straightforwardly (the catastrophe begins in the first seconds before the credits) and with a solid cast, but the excitement is somewhat limited.

Halliwell*: "Spectacular if dramatically deficient actioner for which a genuine liner (awaiting scrapping) was sunk."

Maltin***: "Engrossing drama..."

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

In 1900, a young widow finds her seaside cottage is haunted...and forms a unique relationship with the ghost.

Mildly entertaining, but quite sentimental melodrama made in good style and taste.

Halliwell*: "Charming sentimental fable in Hollywood's best style."

Maltin***1/2: "Charming, beautifully made fantasy..."

Rebecca (1940)

A self-conscious bride is tormented by the memory of her husband's dead first wife.

Perfect Hitchcock adaptation of a Gothic melodrama-mystery has excellent settings and atmosphere, a great cast and lots of memorable scenes.

Halliwell****: "The supreme Hollywood entertainment package, set in Monte Carlo and Cornwall, with generous helpings of romance, comedy, suspense, melodrama and mystery, all indulged in by strongly-drawn characters, and directed by the English wizard from a book which sold millions of copies. It really couldn't miss, and it didn't."

Maltin****: "...sumptuous David O. Selznick production...Stunning performances by Fontaine and Anderson..."

The Jungle Book (1967)

Bagheera the Panther and Baloo the Bear have a difficult time trying to convince a boy to leave the jungle for human civilization.

Beloved animated Disney feature may have its flaws, but the jolly flow of the story, the lovingly  portraited animals and the songs make it extremely enjoyable.

Halliwell*: "Cartoon version relying less on action than on songs and voices; patchily successful but no classic."

Maltin***: "Genial Disney animated feature...Hand-picked cast of actors help create some vivid characterizations in this easy-going film."

Rage in Heaven (1941)

Two old friends Ward and Phillip both become smitten with Phillip's mother's attractive young secretary.

Man Hunt (1941)

A British hunter vacationing in Bavaria has Hitler in his gun sight, but he is captured, beaten, left for dead, and escapes back to London where he is hounded by German agents and aided by a young woman.

George Sanders