Lost Horizon (1937)

 

When a wise diplomat's plane crashes in the snows of Tibet, he and the other survivors are guided to Shangri-La, where they wrestle with the invitation to stay.

Big budget over-the-top fantasy, still entertaining after all these years despite the naive utopism.

Halliwell****: "Much re-cut romantic adventure which leaves out some of the emphasis of a favorite Utopian novel but stands up pretty well on its own, at least as a supreme example of Hollywood moonshine, with perfect casting, direction and music. If the design has a touch of Ziegfeld, that's Hollywood."

Maltin****: "A rare movie experience, with haunting finale." 

The Dark Mirror (1946)

A man is found murdered, with witnesses convinced about the woman they saw leaving his apartment, but it becomes apparent that the woman has a twin, and finding out which one is the killer seems impossible.

The amateur psychology doesn't hurt this well-staged and effective Noir thriller; and Olivia de Havilland in the double role of good sister/bad sister is a treat.

Halliwell**: "Unconvincing but highly absorbing thrilller with all credits plus; the best brand of Hollywood moonshine."

Silver River (1948)

Unjustly booted out of the cavalry, a young man strikes out for Nevada, and deciding never to be used again.