The Man (1960)

Regular readers of They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To know that I am crazy about Robert Ryan.  He's one of my absolute favorite actors---probably my #1 guy---and a man I deem sensational in nearly every role he ever took on. Well, the other night, I had a real treat---I had an opportunity to see "man of the month" (and one of my top 20 favorite actors!), Audie Murphy, taking on a Robert Ryan role. Yes, I'm serious---Audie Murphy stepped into Robert Ryan's shoes---and you know what, Mr. Murphy was every bit as terrific in the role as Mr. Ryan was.

In 1952, Robert Ryan starred along with Ida Lupino in Beware, My Lovely (reviewed HERE), a suspenseful drama in which a mentally unbalanced man (Ryan) worms his way into the home of widow Lupino, and after getting hired as a handyman, terrorizes her by locking the doors, removing the keys, and basically holding her captive inside her home.  Unstable, he vacillates between anger and kindness, confusion and lucidity.

To my utter surprise, I discovered that Audie Murphy took on that exact role in The Man, a 1960 episode of the live TV drama, Ford Startime.  In the Ida Lupino role is Thelma Ritter, and except for a few minor changes (including the ending), the stories are virtually identical.  While this made-for-TV drama is slightly under an hour in length, and thus not as in-depth as the film, it nevertheless packs quite a punch.

Newly arrived in town, Howard Wilson (Audie Murphy) sets out to find the address of Mrs. Gillis (Thelma Ritter), the mother of a man he knew back in his Army days.  Without telling Mrs. Gillis that he knew her son, Howard attempts to rent a room from her; when he's unsuccessful, he seeks to have her hire him for a few handyman jobs.  Lying that he is doing some post-graduate work at the local university, Howard is eventually successful in convincing the kind widow to give him a few hours of employment. Though the man is obviously troubled in some way, that isn't at first apparent to Mrs. Gillis.

After gaining access to Mrs. Gillis's house, Howard meanders into what used to be her son's room, eventually suggesting that he could move into that room and stay there forever.  Mrs. Gillis is alarmed by Howard's strange request and by the fact that he is often confused, forgetful, and prone to rages.  And when she realizes that Howard has locked her in the house and removed the keys from the locks, she is quite panicked.

Does Howard hurt Mrs. Gillis?  Or is she able to obtain help?  Those are the questions which play out in the remainder of the show.

Audie Murphy is not only very believable in this role, he's actually quite brilliant!  The way he vacillates between anger, gentleness, and lunacy is remarkable.  And those eyes---there is a distinct glint of madness in them!! Mr. Murphy was really a much better actor than people give him credit for being. Thelma Ritter is terrific too---you can definitely see and feel her character's rising panic. Obviously, as a 49-minute TV show, The Man lacks the depth of the 76-minute movie, but it is still very interesting and exciting...and suspenseful without being scary.  I'm giving it the same 4-stars I give the film. If you'd like to check it out, HERE is the link to the YouTube video.

Happy viewing!!

NOTE:  The photo used in this article is from the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website (HERE)

Beware, My Lovely (4 stars)

Beware, My Lovely, from 1952, is a mildly suspenseful drama starring Ida Lupino and Robert Ryan.  This is another of the many roles in which I think Ryan totally excels, as does Ida. 

The film begins with a man (Ryan) discovering a dead body in a closet and then hightailing it away from that house.  Catching a ride on a freight train, the man soon arrives in another town and at the home of widow, Helen Gordon (Lupino).  Introducing himself as Howard Wilton, he offers his handyman services to Mrs. Gordon, and she immediately hires him.

Though Howard is obviously troubled in some way, that isn't at first apparent to Helen.  It isn't until later, after Howard tells her that he has episodes of confusion and forgetfulness and that he sometimes wonders if he has hurt someone, that Helen begins to be alarmed.

Upon discovering that the front door has been locked and the key removed and that she is trapped inside her house with a man she thinks intends to harm her, panic really begins to set in for Helen.  Does he intend to harm her?  Will he do so, or does she get away from him? Those are the questions that play out in this very interesting film.

Beware, My Lovely is definitely an enjoyable viewing experience.  It's suspenseful without being scary.  And the acting of both Robert Ryan and Ida Lupino is terrific (as is typical for both!).  Incidentally, Ryan and Lupino starred together in another film, On Dangerous Ground, which I have reviewed HERE.  That, too, is a very solid 4-star film.

I don't believe this movie is out on DVD; however, I know it is available on VHS.  Plus, TCM airs it fairly regularly.  Hope you get a chance to see it.

Happy viewing!!

NOTE:  This story was recreated as the TV drama, The Man, in 1960, with Audie Murphy and Thelma Ritter in the Ryan/Lupino roles. With only a few minor changes, the stories are identical. Read my review HERE.

A Hole in the Head (4 stars)

A Hole in the Head, directed by the fabulous Frank Capra, is a delightful little film starring Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Parker, Edward G. Robinson, Thelma Ritter, and a sweet little boy named Eddie Hodges.  Part comedy, part drama, it also has a few sentimental moments.

Tony Manetti (Frank Sinatra), a widower with a young son, owns and operates a run-down hotel in Miami.  Since business isn't all that good, Tony is constantly having to worry about the mortgage and an assortment of other bills.  A gambler, Tony is always sure that his big moment is just around the corner, that very soon, he will hit the jackpot and his financial worries will be over.  All he needs is a short-term loan, just to tide him over until his riches come in. 

Tony's brother, Mario (Edward G. Robinson), and his sister-in-law, Sophie (Thelma Ritter), are quite comfortable financially, and since they've helped him out in the past, Tony is sure they'll be willing to help him out again...especially because of their love and concern for Tony's son, Ally.  Mario, though, doesn't want to enable Tony to continue gambling and living on dreams.  He wants him to settle down, to get a real job and a wife.  He wants a real home, not a hotel, for his nephew, so he tells Tony he won't give him a dime.  Unless Tony is willing to marry and settle down, there will be no money from Mario and Sophie.

Tony agrees to meet Eloise Rogers (Eleanor Parker), a kind-hearted widow his sister-in-law knows, but he's really not sure he wants to give up his carefree existence to marry her...even if it means that Mario and Sophie take Ally back home to live with them.  So, he tries once more to get the big payoff, this time asking an old friend to finance him, but when that doesn't work out, Tony is forced to make some tough decisions.

There are some very tender moments in this film...I even get lightly misty-eyed a couple of times.  There are many lighthearted moments, though, and even some hearty laughs.  I am so used to Eddie G. as a gangster, so I was unprepared for just how funny he could be.  And the way he and Thelma Ritter played off of one another was great.  She is always fabulous, and she certainly doesn't disappoint here.  Also, the chemistry between Frank Sinatra and little Eddie Hodges was amazing.  I loved watching the two of them together.  Yes, their characters had a strong bond, but I believe that bond was off-screen as well.  They just connected in a wonderful way.

Also in this movie, Frank has a chance to show his musical abilities with the delightful "High Hopes."  It's always a treat to hear Ol Blue Eyes sing.

Anyhow, this sweet movie is out on DVD and should be quite easy to track down.  I hope y'all get a chance to see it.  Happy viewing!!

Pillow Talk (5 stars)

Pillow Talk, from 1959, is a fabulous romantic comedy starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson.  Paired together in three movies (Pillow Talk, Lover Come Back, and Send Me No Flowers), Day and Hudson had amazing chemistry together.  Though all three movies are wonderful, Pillow Talk, without question, is my favorite.

Doris, who is her usual perky, lovely, delightful self, plays interior designer Jan Morrow; Rock, who is beyond gorgeous in this movie, is womanizing songwriter Brad Allen.  Jan and Brad happen to share a party line, which is a matter of great consternation to Jan, because Brad monopolizes the phone as he sings love songs to a multitude of different women, making it nearly impossible for Jan to use the line herself.  Irritated, Jan chews Brad out while he's in the middle of serenading one of his women, and then she proceeds to report his behavior to the phone company.  However, when the phone company sends one of their workers out to investigate, Brad charms her, and, therefore, Jan's complaints aren't taken seriously.

Though Brad and Jan have never met face to face, they both believe they know the other.  To Jan, Brad is nothing more than a playboy, and she detests him.  And to Brad, Jan is just a frustrated old maid who is jealous because a man isn't serenading her.  When by chance, they both happen to be at a night club one evening, and Brad discovers that Jan is a beautiful woman, he is instantly attracted to her.  Plus, he wants to prove to her that even she can fall victim to his charms.

So, introducing himself to Jan as Texas ranch man, Rex Stetson, Brad begins romancing her, and before long, Jan has fallen in love with him.  But how will she feel about him when she finds out he is none other than her playboy party line man, Brad Allen? 

Pillow Talk is an absolute scream.  There are several really hysterical moments in this movie, especially once Rex Stetson appears on the scene.  From the faked Texas accent, to asking for a dip recipe, to the times he goes back into Brad Allen mode and calls Jan on the phone to "warn" her about her Texas boyfriend, the laughs are plenty.  Oh, and the visit to the OB/GYN office is also hysterical.

The delightful Thelma Ritter, who is one of my favorite supporting actresses, is great here, as Doris's housekeeper.  Thelma adds so much life to ANY movie in which she appears.  She's loads of fun here, as she happens to enjoy listening to Brad serenade his many women and, therefore, isn't much on Jan's side about him.

Anyhow, Pillow Talk is one of the best romantic comedies I've ever seen, and as I said, Rock's totally gorgeous, and the chemistry between him and Doris is fabulous.  Definitely be sure to see this one.  It's out on DVD and should be very easy to track down.

Happy viewing!!