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A film about POW’S in World War II, would seem to be a mostly depressing movie. The Great Escape has its down moments, but its central theme is teamwork and determination. The officers in the prison have tried escaping several times, and have always been recaptured. Ramsey (James Donald), meets with Bartlett, ‘Big X (Richard […]

Lon Chaney was known as the man of a thousand faces. He was one of the true talents of the silver screen. He is a true star of the silent era. In this movie he plays O’Hara, a tough as nails Marine Corps seargent. In this role, Chaney created the model for all actors who

The first theatrical entry by one of the most famous of all comedy teams, The Marx Brothers, The Cocoanuts, has some zest to it. It doesn’t get to the level of their other movies, but it has its moments. Groucho’s wit is still there, and Harpo has a saxophone solo. Don’t get discouraged, he has

Sam Peckinpah has crafted a western that puts over the hill outlaws in a good light. They are led by William Holden who plays Pike. Holden doesn’t disappoint in his role. He made a career of playing antiheroes, although in this role, he’s a bad guy. Ernest Borgnine is his friend and partner, Dutch. Robert

There was a time when Hollywood produced westerns all the time. The lines were mostly drawn between good and bad. This western doesn’t have clear definitions. That’s because this story from Henry Hill, paints Jesse James and his brother Frank, as anti heroes. It shows the railroad turning them into train robbers. In this film

Most epic films have a great look to them, and the story is long and plodding. Lawrence of Arabia is a film that follows that pattern to a point. It is a beautifully photographed film, with terrific desert scenes. The story of the British officer, T.E. Lawrence, who unites the Arabs in their fight against

This is a straightforward western with John Wayne complemented by Geraldine Page, who plays Angie Lowe. An army scout named Hondo Lane, comes across Angie Lowe and her son, living in the middle of Apache country. Hondo asks her where her husband is and she says he’s out hunting. Before leaving, Wayne tells her to

Cleopatra tells Hollywood’s version of one of history’s great opportunists, Queen Cleopatra, the last ruler of ancient Egypt. The casting of a star of Elizabeth Taylor’s magnitude, would seem to make this film work. It doesn’t. Even with a veteran actor like Rex Harrison, playing Julius Caesar, it doesn’t succeed. Richard Burton tries hard as

John Wayne could lift most films in which he was featured, even flat ones. It’s a testament to his acting and his star power. He helps The Sons of Katie Elder, but its not a flat film. This movie has the elements of a good Duke film. There’s a mandatory fight scene, a few bad

Humphrey Bogart played in more than a few quality films. The African Queen is one of them. He received a well deserved and overdue academy award, for playing Charlie Allnut. He is paired with Katherine Hepburn, who plays Rose Thayer. The film is directed by Walter Huston, and was adapted from the novel of the