The Dirty Dozen (1967)

On the set: Jim Brown & Lee Marvin

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

 

A former child star torments her paraplegic sister in their decaying Hollywood mansion.

Delightfully over-the-top psychological horror thriller gives Davis and Crawford the opportunity to go into full throttle competition with their performances; full of memorable moments - and some shock along the way.

Halliwell*: "Famous for marking the first time Hollywood's ageing first ladies stooped to horror, and followed by Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte and the other Whatevers, this dreary looking melodrama only occasionally grabs the attention and has enough plot for about half its length. The performances, however, are striking."

Maltin***1/2: "Far-fetched, thoroughly engaging black comedy...Bette has a field day in her macabre characterization, with Buono a perfect match." 

 

New acquisitions: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

 

Ulzana's Raid (1972)

 

After fierce war chief Ulzana and a small war party jump the reservation bent on murder and terror, an inexperienced young lieutenant is assigned to track him down. 

Relentlessly tough and violent Western shows no sympathy for any side of the conflict, which may seem dubious, but rather emanates a quite nihilistic viewpoint.

Halliwell (no star): "Bloodthirsty, reactionary Western with unpleasant shock moments." 

 

Maltin***1/2: "Gritty Western tale...with jarring bursts of violence."

The Last Sunset (1961)

At a Mexican ranch, fugitive and pursuing sheriff agree to help rancher drive his herd into Texas where the sheriff could legally arrest the fugitive but the rancher's wife complicates things.

Unusual larger-than-life Western melodrama compels with a complex plot and psychological depth.

Halliwell (no star): "Slow psycho-Western with pretensions to tragedy."

Maltin***: "Strange on the range, courtesy of Aldrich and scriptwriter Dalton Trumbo."

Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

The Big Knife (1955)

A big-time movie star refuses to sign a binding contract with a Louis B. Mayer-like mogul, but is blackmailed to do so.

Sharp and acrid satire on Hollywood, but also stagebound and talkative; and despite Jack Palance giving all his effort, it's awkward to see him as an oversensitive and tormented artist.

Halliwell*: "Overheated argument between Art and Mammon, with rather disagreeable people shouting at each other, for too long a time. Limited interest is provided by the acring."

Maltin***: "...involving (albeit overheated) drama...Fine performances almost overcome stereotypes; Steiger chews the scenery as a despotic studio head."

New acquisition: The Big Knife