The Lodger (4 stars)

The Lodger, from 1944, is a suspenseful drama/mystery starring Merle Oberon, George Sanders, and Laird Cregar.  Set in London during the time of the Jack the Ripper killings, this film is perfect for stormy day or Halloween night viewing.  Although not a horror film by any stretch of the imagination, it definitely has that "scary movie" element to it.

Just after another young woman is killed by "The Ripper," an elderly couple rents their attic rooms to a man named Slade (Laird Cregar).  A strange man, Slade tells them he is as a pathologist, with erratic, late-night hours; therefore, he requests that they think of him not as a guest, but merely a lodger.  Upon moving in, Slade removes all the portraits from the walls of his bedroom, for, as he tells his landlords, it was as though the women's eyes were following him constantly.

The couple's niece, Kitty (Merle Oberon), lives with them, and in due time, Slade makes her acquaintance.  An aspiring actress, Kitty is beautiful and charming, and she seems to ignite something in Slade.  He is greatly interested in the fact that Kitty is a "theatre girl," which prompts Kitty to offer to get him tickets to one of her shows.

As the police continue to search for "The Ripper," they realize that the black bag-carrying man seems to target the young women of the theatre.  Eventually, everyone comes to believe that the man in the attic is the killer.  Is he though?  And is Kitty---a showgirl---safe from "The Ripper?"  Or will she be the man's next victim?  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.

This movie was entertaining and mildly suspenseful.  As one who absolutely cannot do frightening films, but who does like a small amount of suspense, I thoroughly enjoyed The Lodger.  I can in all honesty say that "we chickens" can watch this film without having to cover our eyes.  Merle Oberon is lovely here...perhaps the loveliest I have ever seen her.  And Laird Cregar...wow!!  He was totally stellar in this role.  Truly, he played his part to absolute perfection.  With his Vincent Price-sounding voice, he was gentle and quiet, yet creepy and menacing all at once.  No one could have played this part better than Mr. Cregar did.  He was Academy Award-worthy here, in my opinion.

This film is out on DVD, so it ought to be fairly easy to track down.  Additionally, it is on the TCM schedule for Tuesday, March 13th at 1:30 a.m.  Try to catch it if you can.

Happy viewing!!

Conflict (3 stars)

Conflict, from 1945, is a psychological crime drama starring Humphrey Bogart, Alexis Smith, and Sydney Greenstreet.  This little-known Bogey film, which I caught on TCM a couple years ago when Mr. Bogart was the star of the month, also has a small bit of mystery and suspense to it.

Celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary are Kathy and Richard/Dick Mason...or perhaps not celebrating is more what they are doing.

Unhappily married, the Masons had been bickering with one another only minutes before the party; also, Kathy confronted Dick (Humphrey Bogart) about her suspicions that he is in love with her sister Evelyn (Alexis Smith), a suspicion he confirmed to be true.  Though Evelyn has in no way encouraged him, Dick is sure they could be together if Kathy was out of the picture; with his passion for Evelyn in mind, he devises an elaborate scheme to get rid of his wife.

Traveling to a mountain resort---where Dick is scheduled to meet up with her later---Kathy finds herself on a lonely, desolate stretch of road, where unbeknownst to her, Dick is lying in wait for her.

After killing Kathy, Dick pushes her car off the road and into a deep ravine, where it gets buried beneath a large pile of logs.  With no remorse whatsoever, Dick goes home, sets up his alibi, and begins playing the part of the worried husband.  To nearly everyone, he appears to be anxious and distraught about his missing wife.

Soon, though, Dick is being bombarded with evidence that Kathy is still alive; in fact, he even sees her walking down the street.  When he tries to catch up with her, however, she vanishes.  Is Kathy really alive?  Or is Dick's conscience bothering him?  How it all plays out is the balance of the movie.

Conflict is an interesting, enjoyable film...and quite the change of pace from Humphrey Bogart's usual self-assured gangster roles.  I think he did a great job portraying a man who is beginning to doubt his own sanity.  He was very believable to me.  Though her character is essential to the plot, Alexis Smith didn't really have much to do here.  Nor did Sydney Greenstreet, who portrays a psychoanalyst.  From beginning to end, the film belongs to Mr. Bogart.

To my knowledge, Conflict is not out on DVD; it is, however, available on VHS.   At one point, it was on YouTube, but I think it may have been taken down, as I cannot find it there anymore.  I do hope you are able to track it down, though, as it is a very solid 3-star film, which Humphrey Bogart fans are sure to enjoy.

Happy viewing!!

I'll Never Forget You (4 stars)

I'll Never Forget You, from 1951, is a romantic drama starring Tyrone Power and Ann Blyth, with Michael Rennie taking on a supporting role.  This beautiful movie, which features a love not bound by time, is completely perfect for Valentine's Day viewing.

Firmly in the 20th century, American physicist Peter Standish (Tyrone Power) has been doing atomic research at a laboratory in England.  Rather a recluse who doesn't do much socially, Dr. Standish lives in an 18th-century home which had been left to him by a distant relative.  With the exception of electricity and plumbing, the house is virtually as it had been in 1784, and Peter likes it that way.

Through the diary of his long-dead ancestor---also Peter Standish---Dr. Standish discovers that his namesake claimed to be from the future and maintained he could foretell history.  A few days after making that insane-sounding declaration, the man was normal again and went on to marry and have a family.  Dr. Standish comes to believe that he was the man from the future, that he and the 18th-century Peter exchanged places for a time, and he tells his friend Roger (Michael Rennie) that he is going to go back to the 18th century.  Of course, Roger thinks Peter is being fanciful and even suggests that the house isn't good for him. 

Peter does go back in time, though, after being hit by a bolt of lightning.  On the very day the 18th-century Peter Standish arrived in England, current-day Peter is transported there.  From the beginning, everyone thinks he is odd, since he knows things which haven't happened yet, and when he begins to speak of people as though they were dead, everyone begins to fear him.  Eventually, he makes the claim which was in the diary---that he is from the future---a claim which finds Peter sentenced to an asylum.

Though he knows from the diaries Peter will marry Kate, current day Peter falls in love with Helen (Ann Blyth).  Though Helen is engaged to another man, she loves Peter as well and completely believes that he is from the future.

The lovers know they are destined to part, as Peter will be returning to the future, but Helen assures him that their love will be for always...not in her time or his time...but in God's time

(HERE is a link to a 6-minute scene ---the video won't upload properly here on my page.)

I'll Never Forget You is a totally gorgeous movie...everything about it.  The storyline is fascinating.  (I have long been in love with the idea of time travel.)  The love of Helen and Peter is a beautiful, timeless love.  Ann Blyth is stunning, and Ty Power is incredibly handsome; the acting of both is quite good.  The filming is lovely as well---all of the scenes in the past are in color, while the present day events are black and white. All these things combine for a lovely Valentine's Day movie with your sweetheart.

The film is out on DVD, as part of the Tyrone Power Matinee Idol Collection, so you should be able to track it down.  Also, it is available in its entirety on YouTube (HERE).  Do catch it if you can...especially if you are a fan of beautiful time-travel romances.

Happy viewing!!

Let's Make It Legal (3 stars)

Let's Make It Legal, from 1951, is a romantic comedy starring Claudette Colbert, MacDonald Carey, and Zachary Scott, with Robert Wagner and Barbara Bates taking on supporting roles.  Marilyn Monroe makes a few cameo appearances, for a total of about 3 minutes screen time.

While gambling may not bother some people, it definitely bothers Miriam Halsworth (Claudette Colbert); in fact, it bothers her so much that she is ending her 20-year marriage to Hugh (MacDonald Carey), since he has a penchant for gambling.  As the film begins, Hugh and Miriam's divorce is only hours away from becoming final.

Although Hugh is no longer living in the house with her, Miriam is not alone.  Their daughter, Barbara (Barbara Bates), son-in-law Jerry (Robert Wagner), and baby granddaughter Annabelle reside in the Halsworth home as well.  Though Jerry loves his mother-in-law, he doesn't want to live with her and is constantly trying to convince Barbara that they need a place of their own; however, convinced that her mother needs her and couldn't stand being alone, Barbara refuses to even consider moving out.  Hugh, who never wanted the divorce, would like to get back together with Miriam.  Jerry, too, would like for Miriam to have someone in her life...otherwise, how will his wife ever leave her mother's side?

At this point, millionaire Vic MacFarland (Zachary Scott) arrives in town; a former beau of Miriam's, Vic wants very much to get back into this now-available woman's life, and he begins wining and dining her.  Jerry, of course, is all for any relationship which will get his mother-in-law a husband and, therefore, his wife out of her house.  Hugh, though, who still loves Miriam and is hoping to reconcile with her, isn't going to give up without a fight.  How it all plays out and which man Miriam chooses is the bulk of this fun little film.

Let's Make It Legal is not a spectacular film, and the acting is mediocre at best.  Still, though, it's cute and enjoyable.  Claudette Colbert fans will love seeing her here in 1951.  Always a class act, she is completely lovely and elegant here (as a grandma).   She is 48 in this film, and in my opinion, she looks nearly the same as she did 17 years earlier in Imitation of Life.

Let's Make It Legal is one of Miss Colbert's last films, as after this, she would make only six more. While she would go on to be active in TV, her film career was nearly at an end.

Robert Wagner fans will LOVE seeing him in this, his third credited film.  He's very young here (just 21) and SO incredibly good-looking.

            

Finally, if any of you are Days of Our Lives fans (which I was from 1976 to about 1997), you will probably have a dejavu moment when you see MacDonald Carey.  You will look at him and think "Oh, that's Dr. Tom Horton."  You might even hear those words "Like sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives" playing in your mind.  I think he looks exactly the same here in 1951 as he did in the years I watched Days.

For all those reasons, plus the opportunity to see Marilyn Monroe prior to the rise of her star, I recommend Let's Make It Legal.  As I said, it's nothing spectacular, and it is definitely predictable, but I did find it loads of fun.  The film is out on DVD so it should be fairly easy to track down.  Also, it's available in its entirety on YouTube (HERE).

Happy viewing!!

Kitty Foyle (4 stars)

Kitty Foyle, from 1940, is a romantic drama starring Ginger Rogers, with Dennis Morgan and James Craig taking on supporting roles.  One of many films which prove Ginger was far more than just a dancer, Kitty Foyle found Ginger taking home the Best Actress Academy Award for her role.

As the film begins, working-girl Kitty (Ginger), is on the receiving end of a marriage proposal from a man named Mark (James Craig).  When she says "yes," Mark asks her if things are all over with the guy in Philadelphia.  Assuring him that they are, Kitty makes plans to meet Mark at midnight, at which time they will get married.

When Kitty returns to her apartment to pack, however, Wyn Strafford (Dennis Morgan)---the man from Philadelphia---is waiting for her. Telling Kitty there is no life for him without her, he asks her to go to South America with him. Though he will not be getting a divorce and, thus, cannot offer her marriage, Wyn, nevertheless, asks Kitty to accompany him...something she agrees to do. With Kitty's promise to meet him at the ship at midnight, Wyn sets off to make final arrangements.

With two men loving her and expecting her to meet them at midnight, Kitty reflects back on her relationships with them.  Originally a secretary to the socially prominent Wyn, she soon became his wife, a fact which was met with extreme disapproval by his blue blood Philadelphia family.  Eventually, their differing worlds and his family's lack of acceptance drove them apart, and their marriage was annulled.  Needing a fresh start, Kitty relocated to New York, where she met Mark, a kind and humble doctor who loves her and can offer her a future.  Kitty's continuing love for Wyn, though, threatens to ruin her chance for happiness with Mark.  She desperately needs to decide what she wants out of life...and which man can give it to her.

Does Kitty choose to marry Mark?  Or does she choose to sail to South America with Wyn?  The answer will be discovered in the final scene of the film.

Kitty Foyle is an interesting, well-acted film.  The first time I watched it, I really had no idea which man she would choose.  Though, in reality, I ought to have known---after all, this film was made in 1940...a time when standards were different than what they are today.  Keeping that in mind, it is probably no surprise what Kitty's choice winds up being.  Still, though, it is enjoyable to watch it all play out.  Ginger was her usual lovely, delightful self.  Her performance is super---though I'm not entirely convinced it beat that of Joan Fontaine, whose brilliant work in Rebecca landed her an Oscar nomination that year as well.   Dennis Morgan is always fun to watch---he has the most adorable lopsided smile.  He and Ginger had fantastic chemistry together here.  James Craig I'm not familiar with---this is the only film I've seen him in.

Out on DVD, Kitty Foyle should be quite easy to track down.  I think it's a delightful movie and a definite must-see for all Ginger fans.  Try to catch it if you can.

Happy viewing!!