One-Eyed Jacks (1961)

 

After robbing a Mexican bank, Dad Longworth takes the loot and leaves his partner Rio to be captured but Rio escapes and searches for Dad in California. 

Superior Western offers a psychologically complex revenge story with great performances and beautiful cinematography,  but is not always coherent in its characterizations, and the romance is not quite convincing.

Halliwell  (no star): "Grossly self-indulgent Western controlled (unwisely) by its star, full of solemn pauses and bouts of violence." 

Maltin***: "Fascinating but flawed psychological Western...Visually striking, and a rich character study, but overlong."

Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)

A motorcycle gang led kidnaps a singing star

The Killing (1956)

Crooks plan and execute a daring race-track robbery.

Tough noir-style heist drama, meticulously directed with an unusual time structure and a first-rate cast.

On rewatching: perfect noir thriller, every view you find new details.

Halliwell**: "Incisive, entertaining, downbeat caper movie clearly influenced by The Asphalt Jungle and Rififi."

Maltin***1/2: "The film that really put Kubrick on the map - a case study of a racetrack heist, with a colorful cast of characters...Major flaw: the Dragnet-style narration."

The Killing (1956)

Crooks plan and execute a daring race-track robbery.

Tough noir-style heist drama, meticulously directed with an unusual time structure and a first-rate cast.

Halliwell**: "Incisive, entertaining, downbeat caper movie clearly influenced by The Asphalt Jungle and Rififi."

Maltin***1/2: "The film that really put Kubrick on the map - a case study of a racetrack heist, with a colorful cast of characters...Major flaw: the Dragnet-style narration."

House of Numbers (1957)

An inmate at San Quentin prison serving a life sentence for murder, devises a daring plan with his wife and his brother to help him escape.

Francis in the Haunted House (1956)

The talking mule helps a friend who's trapped in a haunted house with art thieves in this last entry in the series.

The Killing (1956)

On the set: Sterling Hayden and Timothy Carey