CLASSIC MOVIE GUIDE

POOR

GOOD

Very Good

MASTERPIECE

For Me and My Gal (1942) This film somehow stands out among all the putting on a show, variety era lets get to the Palace type sub genre of musical film. Garland and Kelly really deliver fine, believable performances and their numbers together are indeed worthy of encores. The flag-waving isn't over powering either like I think it is a little in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) : it is really restricted to the last few reels and then becomes a neat background to the love story, Kelly's bravery rectifies his previous selfishness. I agree about Martha Eggerth who appears to tempt Kelly : that is the weakest part of the film because it really goes nowhere and it is difficult to believe anyone would reject Judy for her.	104 min, Black & White Director Busby Berkeley Cast Includes Judy Garland George Murphy Gene Kelly Marta Eggerth Ben Blue Horace McNally Keenan Wynn Richard Quine Links Messageboard Discussion
42nd Street (1933) This film is wonderful, the only criticism is some bad acting from Bebe when she breaks her ankle. The musical numbers are great but it has that Warner hard edge too, still probably the best of the Berkeley backstagers, Warner Baxter is excellent and of course he utters that immortal line with such conviction : "you are going out there a nobody , but you've got to come back a star."	89 min, Black & White Director Lloyd Bacon Cast Includes Warner Baxter Ruby Keeler George Brent Bebe Daniels Dick Powell Guy Kibbee Una Merkel Ginger Rogers Ned Sparks George E. Stone Links Messageboard Discussion
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921) One of the finest epic romances of the silent era. Rex Ingram was a fine director who is sadly little known today : he was a great visual stylist but combined that with a compelling story for The Four Horsemen. I was particularly surprised with the war scenes in this one, they are very strong for so soon after the Armistice. Valentino's tango is a highlight but here he is more just one of an ensemble cast, there is a lot more to enjoy in this film than Rudy. It is the best performance I've seen from Valentino, more restrained and believable than in his later films. If the movie has a major flaw to me it is the biblical symbolism of the Four Horsemen : there is a character who continually refers to this, there is some cleverness in the comparison with the slaughter of the Great War but it gets a little overbearing and preachy. Also the Germans are stereotypes with Harold Lloyd glasses though that isn't a huge fault considering the time the movie was made.	114 min, Black & White Director Rex Ingram Cast Includes Rudolph Valentino Alice Terry Alan Hale Jean Hersholt Nigel de Brulier Wallace Beery Links Messageboard Discussion
Frankenstein (1931) Probably the greatest horror film ever made and the definitive monster movie with a wonderful performance by Boris Karloff.	70 min, Black & White Director James Whale Cast Includes Colin Clive Mae Clarke Boris Karloff John Boles Edward Van Sloan Dwight Frye Frederick Kerr Lionel Belmore Links Messageboard Discussion
From Here To Eternity (1953) Moving if shortened drama based on a bestseller gave good acting opportunities to Sinatra, Clift, Kerr and Lancaster.	118 min, Black & White Director Fred Zinnemann Cast Includes Burt Lancaster Montgomery Clift Deborah Kerr Donna Reed Frank Sinatra Philip Ober Ernest Borgnine Mickey Shaughnessy Jack Warden Claude Akins George Reeves Links Messageboard Discussion

Don't forget our sister site the Golden Age of Hollywood Messageboard

The Golden Age of Hollywood Banners by Ktrek.

Written content of the Golden Age of Hollywood Website (except where indicated) copyright Derek McLellan, 2007.