Movie Review - Oh, Mr Porter!

Oh, Mr Porter!

1937

The Cast

William Porter (Hay) is a man with ambition.  It's just a shame that his luck runs bad and because of such, he's been moved from position to position and from station to station on the railroad.  However, his luck may just be turning as the position of Stationmaster at remote Buggleskelly has just become available and, with thanks to his sister, he's given the chance of putting it on the map...  Though not all is as it seems at Buggleskelly Station...

This is the Will Hay that I know and love... and remember from my youth; sat in my Nan's on a Saturday afternoon watching telly while the winter rain pelted the window.  I have to admit, I'm not too keen when Hay decides to "go alone".  His funniest films are definitely the ones where he teams up with the "Old Man" Moore Marriott, who plays Jeremiah Harbottle,  and the "Youth" Graham Moffat, playing Albert.  When these guys are together they come close to rivalling the great Laurel and Hardy.  Like that duo, they are superb at playing off each other and have the impression that they've known each other forever.

The screenwriters, the brilliant Val Guest,  J O C Orton, and Marriott Edgar, use this partnership to it's fullest advantage by giving the trio lots of wonderfully funny and witty lines and sight gags.  The director then adds to the power of the story by keeping the pace at full steam - just like in the runaway engine sequence. 

All of this is interwoven with a good story from Frank Launder, who adds excitement, mystery, and intrigue in the guise of the gun runners.

The only thing which ruffled my feathers a little was the runaway engine scene.  Though this is superbly directed by Marcel Varnel, with some interesting camera shots and angles, and quick snap changes, to create excitement.  There are times when the speeded up frames are comical.  Though I don't think this was meant to be the case, as it was meant to create the illusion of dangerous break-neck speed.  Though, even in the 70's when I first watched this film, we are well past this style of special effect... and it's effect isn't so special anymore.  But the rest of the movie is great and this is just a small niggle it won't stop your enjoyment of the film... it may even add to it, a little.

This is, as it was in my youth, a great way to spend a wet Saturday afternoon.  When it's raining outside you'll be laughing inside... win!  As such, I would recommend this to everyone out there.

I give this a Chug-Chug-Chug-Woo-Hoo of 6.75 out of 10. 

The Film Clip

Movie Review - The Princess And The Pirate

The Princess And The Pirate

1944

The Cast

Now, this is how comedies should be made.  If you want to make me laugh then this is a great place to start.  One:  A witty and well-written script (even though the concept might be a bit ridiculous).  One-liners, sharp comebacks, and great punchlines.  Situation comedy.  Slapstick.  Even facial ticks, playing to the camera and the audience - this is great as it breaks that fourth wall and brings the audience into the film and story more.  Bob Hope is a master at making people feel comfortable, happy, and like one of his friends.  Most people relate to him, if not to the character he's playing.

This is the story of Sylvester The Great (Hope).  An actor who is about to pursue his greatest role to date... that of a hero... though an unwilling - and sometimes cowardly - one at that.  Princess Margaret (Mayo) is eloping to marry her one true love and not the arranged one her father has in mind.  Though her father doesn't know of her plans, Captain Barrett "The Hook" (McLaglen) does.  Along with his band of pirates, he plans to kidnap the Princess for a King's ransom... except, he's not planned for Sylvester...

Bob Hope is brilliant, as usual, in the role of Sylvester and gives his customary top-notch performance.  Though quite a few may say that his characters vary very little in his career, I would have to agree with them.  However, he also gives a hundred percent in those roles.  If you look at some comedians today, they do the same, but because their repertoire doesn't have as much scope they can become boring and tired pretty quickly.  Whereas, Hope's joyful exuberance appears fresh with every film.

It also helps that the rest of the cast is also top-notch.  Virginia Mayo is as sprite and bubbly as Hope in her role and helps to make them into a lovable duo.  Though it's both McLaglen and Walter Slezak, who plays La Roche, that add the "Straight" roles for Hope and Mayo to play off of.  Both of these actors are brilliant as the bad guy's.  McLaglen has both the physique and the face to pull off the fearful Pirate, he's also not too bad at humour; the fake mirror sequence is brilliantly pulled off.  Slezak, as usual, has the air of a cunning fox about him; a man you just wouldn't trust.  These two characters add the depth to the story and make the shade to the light of Hope and Mayo.

Another great thing is the direction.  Though there's nothing too original in differing camera shots, there are a couple of interesting angles.  It's the pace of the movie which helps to keep the viewer's attention and build on their interest.  The pace is as fast as the gags in the script.  There was only one hiccup and that was in the Bucket of Blood Inn.  The scene where Sylvester and the Princess do their routine is a little ineffective.  I can understand why it's in the story, though in the context of the film this is the slowest section and feels awkward.  Though I can forgive this because of the excellent beer swilling scene (who says we have a drinking problem today...).  And even though the end punchline of a sight gag is telegraphed right at the start of the movie it's still funny... the secret of great comedy is...

I would recommend this film to everybody who wants a good laugh and is sick and tired of the puerile and immature comedy around today.  This should brighten your day quite well.

I give this a Rip-Roaring Belly-Busting Swash And Buckle of 8 out of 10.

...Timing!!!

The Trailer

Movie Review - Inn For Trouble

Inn For Trouble

1960

The Cast

Twenty-five years working for Belcher's brewery has seen Pa Larkin work his way up to manager of the labelling department.  Though, due to tradition, he is about to be offered the chance to run a Public House of his own.  However, there's only one pub available at this time... and nobody drinks in it.  Resolving to make it a success, Pa packs up his family and moves out to the countryside.

This is one clever little film, filled with great characters and a decent storyline, which unfolds at a steady pace to the climax.  You find out the reason for the villager's disinterest in the pub and why a rival brewery is so keen to purchase the money pit of an inn.

Though it's Peggy Mount as the irascible Ma Larkin who steals the show, the rest of the cast do well with their portrayals.  Ronan O'Casey as the Canadian Jeff Rodgers does a brilliant drunk in the drinking game.  Leslie Phillips adds a touch of class and poshness as Brewery owner John Belcher.  And Gerald Campion as the stoic and straight-faced George, who doesn't even break into a smile when he's happy.  It's these little things and more which makes this an enjoyable movie to watch.

If you have a Sunday afternoon free, after enjoying a hearty dinner, you couldn't do much better than putting your feet up and giving this flick a watch.  It's a nice lighthearted way to let your food settle - especially if you have a pint of the old amber nectar to hand.

I give this a Delightfully Inebriated Pint... or Three of 6.5 out of 10.

The Film Clip

Movie Review - Bad Grandmas

Bad Grandmas

2017

The Cast

 There's something strange about this little comedy...  

It's not a great story, though there are a couple of twists.  When Bobbi (Wall) finds out that she is about to lose her house to her ex-son-in-law, after the death of her daughter, she turns to her friends for help...  Unfortunately for him, this quadruple of octogenarians don't mind getting their hands dirty.  When Mimi (Henderson) goes to visit him, things get out of control when she pulls a gun...  From here on in, events start to spiral out of control.  You have a loan shark wanting his money back and is willing to kill for it.  A detective who is smarter than he looks and is hot on the heels of the missing ex-son-in-law and the mystery surrounding the disappearance.

The acting isn't too great.  Even Henderson and Grier have problems with getting a grip on their characters and at times seem out of odds with the story and the film.  It's Wall, Reinhold, and Parrish's characters that shine the most and they are brilliant in their portrayals.  It's Parrish's portrayal of the flirtatious Ava that added the most light to this film.  As for Eaton who played Virginia, I have to wonder what the point of her character was... it just feels like she was there to make up the numbers.  Oh and then there's Batinkoff as Detective Mclemore.  I really feel for him as he appears to be a decent actor, but at times his comedic movements are way over the top and unfunny in this type of situation and this style of comedy.

The direction isn't great and even draws on other films for its scenes... take the "Pass The Spliff" scene where we get comedic close-ups of the actresses and actor all partaking in a tote or two.  This has been done so many times before that I cannot actually name where I saw it first.  There were plenty of times that both tension and suspense could have been added to the film but were totally overlooked.  The scene where the Detective knows in his gut that something is fishy with the old galls so decides to check out the house.  Instead of adding atmosphere the director decides to play it for laughs... and as I said Batinkoff's comedy walks are not up to the Monty Python excellence.  This gives the whole movie a steady pace, which, at times, makes it feel boring.  It needed a kick up the arse.

All that said...  I found it to be a very enjoyable movie.  It's genuinely more enjoyable than the sum of its parts actually appear.  On paper, you shouldn't like this film... but it is a nice Sunday Morning easy flick... with murder and dark humour.  I laughed out loud and that is the job of this movie... I even felt good at the end... and I may even watch it again...

So I would recommend this to the lovers of gallows humour and good "Bad B-Movies".  For some weird reason this worked for me, it may work for you too.  Though I will warn you the worst part of this film is the opening titles - they are truly horrendous...and not in a good way.

I give this a Darkly Mischievous Murder of 5.5 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Spy

Spy

2015

The Cast

So here we have another very unfunny comedy film.  Why is it people think swearing out of context is funny.  Swearing can be much more comedic when handled as part of a witty dialogue.  Then, of course, there are the standard poo jokes.  The even more used machismo parodies.  Based on the over-utilised underdog that learns to bite back and roar like a lion storyline.  With a twist that's so obvious, it's actually not a twist.  This is just a mash-up of the usual elements, however, writer and director Paul Feig does give us something new with them, he actually makes them boring.  Throughout the entire film, there were three places that made me smile and only one that made me laugh... and that was towards the end - a long time to wait.

Though I will say this for Feig, he really can direct a film.  The only thing which keeps this movie interesting is the direction.  There are quite a few decent camera shots and angles, well lighted and composed.  He's also pretty good at action.  The fight scenes are spot on and the chase sequences are excitingly filmed.  If it weren't for this and the cast the film would be a real dud.

As for the acting, this was below par for most of the cast.  And it was the lead role of  Susan Cooper (McCarthy) which spoils the film, instead of strengthening it.  This is mainly because McCarthy plays McCarthy:  Most of the characters she's played to date can be easily interchanged between their films, as there are very few differences.  It would be nice to see her stretch her acting wings in her next role.  Maybe if she actually had a good script and an original character to work with...

I watched this for Miranda; I wondered how good she would be in a movie.  She wasn't too bad; it was her scene that made me laugh, but there wasn't much to stretch her skills here.  And, for Jason Statham, as I've been a fan since I saw him in The One.  He has grown as an actor throughout his career, though, this feels like a few steps backwards.

If you're a McCarthy fan you should like this though it'll feel all too familiar, at times.  As for everybody else, it's an okay way to waste some time if you've got nothing better to do.

I give this a Stone-Faced Unsmirking but Action Packed 5 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Home And Away

Home And Away

1956

The Cast

A Long Time Ago... there used to be the football pools.  Before the National Lottery, Health Lottery, and the Postcode Lottery... even before GambleAware; everybody had a chance to put a bet on the UK's football teams.  You didn't even have to leave the house as the "Pools Man" would come to you and knock upon your door.

This is the story of the Knowles family and their luck, or lack of it, with winning the pools.  Things start to go awry pretty much as soon as George Knowles (Warner) starts looking for his pools sheet, which he usually keeps in his wallet.  From this moment on, there are some pretty decent twists and turns.  This adds both elements of comedy and drama.

There are some very witty moments in the film as the dialogue is brilliant, at times, as is the characterisations.  The writers have given the audience a well structured and highly believable and realistic tale. Though this is an old film, there are situations and relationships that the viewer will still find pertinent today.

The Director, Sewell, who also had a hand in writing the film, does a good job with the camera work, though there's nothing outstanding... except for the ending.  For the time, this is a nice simple special effect, which works well.  It's the pace of the movie where Sewell excels.  In most comedies the laughs start to wind down around the midway mark, only to build up for the climax.  In this film though, the comedy is constant.  Both in dialogue and in sight gags.  I think this works because there are so many different characters in the film.

For example, Jack Warner and Lana Morris played father and daughter, George and Mary Knowles;  These are the "Straight Men" to the rest of the cast.  Harrison, who portrays Elsie Knowles, does a good job of overselling her anxiety over money and the changes it can bring.  Though, at times, her screeching had my thumb hovering over the off button - luckily enough it hit the volume down instead.  Thora Hird is brilliant as the neighbour and friend, Margie Groves... who likes a tipple and loves a fag.  The scene where she's all dolled up for the party and is placing cakes onto plates while a fag hangs loosely between her lips is an image I won't forget too soon.  It made me laugh as I used to have an aunty very similar to her.  Her husband, Ted (marvellously played by Charles Victor) is a working-class tinkerer come scientist; he's trying to create a gas-powered television.  He also speaks his mind, which creates a great scene when he goes head to head with Aunt Jean at the party... much to her cuckolded husband's, Uncle Tom's, humour.

Everybody in this cast is superb in their roles.  Even a young Kate O'Mara does a brilliant job as Annie Knowles; the youngest daughter, who loves to revel in how sick she was, the night before, and is all too happy to tell everyone the explicit details... a real teenager.

All of this makes for great entertainment and at just one hour and twenty minutes you can't go wrong.

If you've not watched this one yet then go find a copy, or if you're in the UK it's playing on Talking Pictures on Freeview at the moment.  Well worth a watch.

I give this a humorous slice of life 7 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Mr Peabody And The Mermaid

Mr Peabody And The Mermaid

1948

The Cast

While taking a vacation in the Caribbean, Mr Peabody (Powell) hears a strange and hauntingly beautiful singing.  To his best judgement, he believes it to be coming from the quay opposite the villa.  On his investigation, he hears splashing water and finds a bejewelled hair slide so he returns home.  The next day, the slide has gone and the singing has stopped.  Upset at not finding the owner of the beautiful voice he contents himself with fishing... and what a catch he reels in.  A beautiful mute mermaid who he decides to take home.  This is when the comedy excels.

Powell is brilliant as Mr Peabody and is adept at delivering the comedic lines deadpan, which adds more to their power.  It also helps that the whole thing is brilliantly written especially the narrative.  Add to this, the excellent chemistry between Powell and Irene Hervey, who plays his wife Polly.  Clinton Sundberg has the best character in the film; Mike Fitzgerald is a man going through changes after seeing his quack of a doctor.  On the Doc's advice, he's given up smoking.  His reaction to anybody who lights up is great.  I really loved the beach scene.  It had me laughing out loud.  He even has his own style of speech which adds a more comedic aspect to the mix.

Even though Ann Blyth has no lines in the film, she still has a presence.  Besides, who needs a voice when your face can speak volumes(?)  And the swimming sections are well choreographed and filmed.  She works well in the water.

When I watch this film it makes the majority of today's comedy flicks appear even more infantile than they are.  This is a comedy film with class, wit, and good writing.  I wish there were more like this being made today.  Therefore, I recommend this to anybody who wants a good laugh.

I give this finny funny a 6.75 out of 10.

The Film Clip