POORGOOD Very Good MASTERPIECE| The Kid (1921) This film was made under trying circumstances : Chaplin's marriage to child bride Mildred Harris was breaking down and he had a creative block, the production stopped and started quite a few times. Charlie caught Jackie Coogan's act with his father and employed the young child. I believe he saw something in Jackie of himself as a child : in the film the child is almost the Tramp's shadow. Coogan became a big child star in the 20s but never made a bigger impact than he does here. The only part of the film that doesn't work for me is the heaven dream sequence. It isn't necessary : ironically the 12 year old Lita Grey the girl that vamps Charlie was to be the comedian's second child bride just four years later. |
66
min, Black & White
Director Charles Chaplin Cast Includes Charlie Chaplin Jack (Jackie) Coogan Edna Purviance Chuck Reisner Lita Grey Links Messageboard Discussion |
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Kid Brother (1927) This film just seems to get better every time I see it. This to me is the best of the Harold Lloyd features because it integrates character, comedy and story perfectly with none of the implausibilities and structural issues a few of his films have. As well as being funny it is also quite suspenseful and exciting when Harold Hickory confronts the villain on the ship and rushes home to prevent his father being lynched. |
83 min, Black & White Director Ted Wilde J.A. Howe Cast Includes Harold Lloyd Jobyna Ralston Walter James Leo Willis Olin Francis Links Messageboard Discussion |
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Lady Eve (1941) Preston Sturges could often get a little uncontrolled as he did in Miracle of Morgan's Creek there were symptons of that here : the poorest joke really was the sequence where Stanwyck kept recalling her discarded boyfriends. That was Sturges and his mastery of language is well in evidence here. I love it when Fonda kept falling down at the sight of the so-called "Lady Eve". Barbara Stanwyck and Charles Coburn are really brilliant in this film. Stanwyck is hilarious putting on a posh accent. Loads of great character actors in this one too, the Sturges stock company are well represented. William Demarest wonderful as ever. |
94 min, Black
& White Director Preston Sturges Cast Includes Barbara Stanwyck Henry Fonda Charles Coburn Eugene Pallette William Demarest Eric Blore Melville Cooper Links Messageboard Discussion |
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| Laura (1944) One of the best film noirs this movie grows on me with each viewing. Great theme song and performances. |
85 min, Black &
White
Director Otto Preminger Cast Includes Gene Tierney Dana Andrews Clifton Webb Vincent Price Judith Anderson |
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| Little Caesar (1930) Its pretty good for an early talkie and paced well enough to be a compelling watch today. I've always though had some problems with Eddie G's performance in this one, it is interesting to compare it with his performances in the 1940s when he really knew how to act in front of a camera. There are some awkward poses here, grunts and the scene near the end where he bates Flaherty to come and get him is overacted. Of course you can argue that adds to the charm and he was still learning that less is more in film. I suppose the bravado is part of the character he is playing in a way it fits the staginess and creakiness though it still to me puts a mark against it. You can't argue though with its historical importance as the movie that really set off the Warner gangster cycle. |
80
min,Black & White
Director Mervyn LeRoy Cast Includes Edward G. Robinson Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Glenda Farrell Stanley Fields Sidney Blackmer Ralph Ince George E. Stone |
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Written content of the Golden Age of Hollywood Website (except where indicated) copyright Derek McLellan, 2007.