Reviews (2)

Hawaiian fun with legendary characters Ma and Pa kettle
I always find the Ma and Pa Kettle films alot of fun to watch and although they could be dismissed by some people as a "guilty pleasure" I feel there is alot to enjoy in the old fashioned comedy that was their special charm. Alot of their appeal for me results from the wonderful playing of veterans Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride in their immortal roles of the wacky Ma and Pa Kettle. It's obvious that never once in all their films as the Kettles did these two actors ever loose respect for the characters they were playing which I feel explains their enduring popularity with audiences.

"Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki" came late in the hugely successful run of Kettle films and rather sadly marked the last appearance by Percy Kilbride as Pa. He retired due to ill health after this film and died soon after. Certainly this film's story lacks some of the freshness of the earlier installments but it is still very enjoyable with Ma's trademark raw voice and down home outlook combining beautifully with Pa's lazy, dont give a care view on life.

"Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki" finds Ma and Pa along with eldest daughter Rosie (played by beautiful starlet Lori Nelson), answering an urgent call from cousin Rodney kettle to come to Hawaii to help out with the operation of his Pineapple Canning factory while he recovers from a medical condition brought on by stress from his failing business. It seems Pa in his letters has boasted to Rodney about his great business acumen and Rodney feels some of Pa's obvious "genius" might help his ailing business. What develops is a typical Kettle misadventure where Pa through a series of mistakes like causing an explosion and bringing his new fangled music player into the workplace actually improves productivity and business practice in the factory. Ma meanwhile has her hands full trying to cope with the wives of Rodney Kettle's business associates. It is in these scenes that Marjorie Main really comes into her own. A veteran of so many classic films like "Dead End", "Susan and God", "A Woman's Face", and "Meet Me in St. Louis" Main is hilarious adapting herself to the fancy living and refined tastes of the ladies forced to invite her for an afternoon tea. Mabel Albertson, still best known as one of the interfering mother-in-laws on the classic 60's comedy series "Bewitched" excells as the bitchy and snobbish Mrs Andrews who has the misfortune to encounter the Kettle's on the boat to Hawaii (ending up in the swimming pool fully clothed for her troubles!!) and then finds herself having to play host to Ma at one of her afternoon soiree's. The highly unlikely proceedings result in "business wizard" Pa Kettle being kidnapped by Rodney's creditors who are anxious to take over the operation of the factory. It's interesting to see a very young Russell Johnson pre "Gilligan's Island" in the role of a hired thug determined to get rid of Pa. The scenes of Ma's "rescue" of Pa where she does everything from paddle an Hawaiian fishing boat to organising a coconut bombardment of Pa's captors is very funny and carried off in Marjorie Main's unique style. Its very amusing to see the Hawaiian family who help Ma with the rescue are a carbon copy of the Kettles with the Hawaiian Pa exactly like Pa in character and Hawaiian Ma the same as Ma together with 15 children of their own!

"Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki" might not be straight out of the pages of Oscar Wilde but it is a unique opportunity to see two seasoned performers in roles that absolutely suited them to a tee. Alot of the humour might seem very familiar to those of us used to TV sitcoms however one has to remember that the Kettles came first and influenced humour in the decade to come as seen in such hugely successful TV series as "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Green Acres". Marjorie Main in particular is wonderful as Ma and I still feel she never received the recognition she deserved for her acting. Enjoy the laid back charm one last time of the movies most famous country bumkins Ma and Pa kettle when they travel to Hawaii.

If you are a Kettle fan don't miss seeing Waikiki.
Ma and Pa Kettle in Waikiki is a rib tickler of a comedy. You'll laugh and roll as this down to earth family finds themselves in Hawaii. By shere mistake and accident Pa blunders his way to the top of his cousin's pineapple business. His goofs turn out to be incredibly beneficial and helpful to Rodney Kettle. You won't be sorry buying this video. If you don't like it, something is wrong in your humor zone. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Ma enters the Bread & Jam event at the Fair and a horse race
It was the film THE EGG AND I (1947) in which the MA and PA KETTLE first appeared in a film. Someone got a smart idea and decided two years later to give them there own film series. The next film was simply titled, MA AND PA KETTLE (1949), followed by MA AND PA KETTLE GO TO TOWN (1950), MA AND PA KETTLE BACK ON THE FARM (1951), and this MA AND PA KETTLE AT THE FAIR (1952). The video starts out with animated "Preview Pete" giving you a sneak preview trailer of the movie you are about to see. The beginning of the film is the mailman trying to put some mail in the Kettles mailbox, sort of simular to the "BLONDIE " film series. The County Fair is here again and Ma is going to be stiff competition in the Bread & Jam event like she did in THE EGG AND I (1947) (they lived on the poor farm then). I like this film because it really has that small town feeling, back to a simpler time. The way towns should be. That is actor James Best as "Marvin". Wait until you hear Pa speak in the church. The Kettles also try to figure out a way to send Rosie to college. The next film in the series is MA AND PA KETTLE ON VACATION (1953), the following films are: MA AND PA KETTLE AT HOME (1954), MA AND PA KETTLE AT WAIKIKI (1955), THE KETTLES IN THE OZARKS (1956), and the last THE KETTLES ON OLD MACDONALD'S FARM (1957).

ma and pa at their best
Fun family movie. I highly recommend it

A decent Kettle film, but not the best one.
During the course of the Kettle films, there are a few character traits that are written in stone. Pa appears lazy, but has a penchant for winning things....just enough to keep his family ahead. So when big things come up, like a college education, events such as the fair provide opportunity. However, by this time Pa has won a house and a trip for two to New York City. Perhaps this plot is getting thin by the time it is used in this film. Also, to this point, Ma has been hard working, but never rewarded. This film attempts to fix this by bringing these ideas together. Ma wins money to help send a daughter to college through her work and talents making jam and quilting. Unfortunately, this film doesn't flow as well as some of the other Kettle adventures, though there is a wealth of screwball comedy and veiled social commentary to keep one entertained. Pa's "assistance" with Ma's breadmaking is worthwhile, and is an effective use of the "slippery slope" type of humor common to this genre of film. Overall, I'd say worth seeing, collect them all. Better than MacDonalds Farm and In the Ozarks, but probably #7 of the 10. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Besides being a terrific movie in its own right--and the second entry in a remarkable eight-film series teaming director Anthony Mann and star James Stewart--Bend of the River is also fascinating as a variation on one of the greatest Westerns. With or without anyone else's knowledge, screenwriter Borden Chase reworked scenes, character configurations, and much of the structure of Red River, the screenplay of which he had cowritten (from his own novel) for director Howard Hawks six years earlier. Seeing what Hawks and Mann did with some of the same scenes--a spooky night skirmish with Indians, for instance--makes for a compelling lesson in the transformative power of directorial style.

Instead of Texas and the Chisholm Trail, Bend of the River is set in the Oregon river country, with a wagon train substituting for an epic cattle drive. Wagonmaster Stewart, a man with a secret past he's determined to redeem, rescues another, not-so-ex-renegade (Arthur Kennedy) from a lynching. Stewart finds Kennedy a powerful ally in a fight but ultimately has to face him as a mortal enemy--and to revert to his old savage ways in order to save his adopted community. Along the trail, they are variously companioned and/or menaced by the likes of slick gambler Rock Hudson (compare the Cherry Valance part in Red River) and hard cases Harry (then Henry) Morgan, Royal Dano, and Jack Lambert. There's knockout scenery, as usual with Mann, and fight-to-the-death action as bracing as a plunge into an icy river. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (15)

NOT "modified to fit your screen." DVD is OAR
The movie is a solid 50s western--decent entertainment but not high art like, say, High Noon. It's true star is Mt. Hood, Oregon, shown sparkling in every other shot.

Despite the disclaimer at the beginning of the DVD, this film was NOT "modified to fit your screen." It was shot in 1952, when most films were "full frame," and well before widescreen became standard. In fact the Technicolor process used here never made the transition to widescreen, and that's why the full-frame presentation is correct. (The same is true for Shane, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and the Wizard of Oz.) You'd think the studios would not insert the bogus disclaimer, since it's a dumb mistake that can cost them sales, but this error is actually pretty common on DVD packaging.

The DVD transfer is from a clean source that looks and sounds great. Unlike many later color films, the color is vivid and unfaded. Some scenes do show registration problems, but that's hard to avoid with Technicolor materials (fixing it is $$$$$).

Summary: a potboiler western with pretty pictures at a budget price.

Pioneers struggle to survive in the great Northwest
This western is a film of great visual beauty that has a great cast headed by James Stewart whose task is to guide a wagon train of pioneers through the Northwest Territory to their new settlement in Oregon. Stewart's Glyn McLyntock has a troubled past but also a conscience and a sense of fair play and justice that saves a gunslinger from a hanging. The ungrateful Emerson Cole repays McLyntock with treachery and gun-play and gets involved in swindling the settlers out of their needed winter supplies that have been seized by an unscrupulous owner of a steamboat and saloon. The rugged terrain of the Oregon countryside and dangerous river rapids lend realism to this story, and there is an interesting sub-plot that has McLyntock and Cole fighting Shoshone warriors at night. Julia Adams is pleasing to the eye as a pioneer girl and old hand Jay C. Flippen is a straight shooter who knows a bad apple when he sees one. The rough and tumble action has shoot-outs between the settlers and gold-crazed miners and hired double-crossers who aim to steal the supplies and sell them at a profit. Rock Hudson is a gambler who's handy with a six-gun.

No complaints from me!

It seems that many are complaining about the DVD version. I saw the VHF, and concentrated on the story rather than screen flaws, and so like other Stewart films, I was delighted and entertained.

This is a 1950s movie, when Stewart was in his hay day, and the story (screenwriter Borden Chase wrote the screenplay from his own novel) was a superlative story of the Oregon country, including scenery around Mt. Hood and the Columbia River.

This is one of the series of eight films directed by Anthony Mann and starring the late Brig. General James Stewart, USAF, in his youth.

Rock Hudson played a youthful gambler from California, and Arthur Kennedy a former Kansas border raider and the leading bad guy, after acting as a Stewart supporter. Stewart was also a former border raider from Missouri who was trying to forget his past. Supporting players included a youthful Harry Morgan and some other rowdies I didn't immediately recognize.

This is one of the old-time "straight" Westerns that I grew up loving, with plenty of gun play, with good and bad guys easily recognized (but not necessarily by their hat color).

If you are a fan of those old-time Westerns, you'll probably love this one, which was filmed in Technicolor.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handuns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

One Of The Best Westerns
Jimmy Stewart is a great actor.This is a great western with plenty of action.i like westerns of the 1950,s and 1960.s

This is a decent western but it's not great.
I would say it's good or about average. There is some good scenery and it isn't slow. It just doesn't have a lot of punch as far as I'm concerned. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

The Creature from the Black Lagoon Strikes Back.
As a typical example of '50s Grade B sci-fi, this sequel meets most expectations. After an exciting start detailing the capture of the violent "gill-man," the plot drags a little during the creature's captivity in "Ocean Harbor," a forerunner of Sea World. As the man-fish languishes on display for gawking spectators, Professor Clete Ferguson (John Agar) moons around the delectable Helen Dobson. Both are academic types studying the creature, and each other. These romantic interludes (not to mention the pointless Flippy the porpoise segment) become tiresome, and one squirms waiting for the script to get back to the sci-fi/horror plot. Thankfully, the gill-man eventually breaks loose and typical monster-movie mayhem prevails. The panicked crowd fleeing Ocean Harbor in their best '50s summer-wear evokes chuckles. Rarely have we seen so many white shirts, crewcuts, and bobby sox in one place. And checkout those Panama hats. As the gill-man makes his way down to the sea through various canals and inlets, he brings dreadful death to clueless victims. They fatuously wander around at night, although there is a well-publicized monster on the loose. Feeling conflicted by freedom lust and other lusts, the gill-man stalks Helen, who lounges around in swimwear, underwear, etc. She obligingly stays by water, and leaves her doors and windows open and unlocked. The veteran Jack Arnold, who directed the classic "Tarantula" directed the movie. For those who enjoy old sci-fi/horror flicks, no matter how unlikely, this is a good one for you. Others beware. ;-)

UNDERWATER THRILLS ABOUND!
John Agar, Lori Nelson, and John Bromfield star in this movie that is an equal sucsessor to the original CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON. A scientific team travles to the black lagoon to capture a very alive gill man. The expedition succeeds and he is brought to a florida aquariam, were it escapes and causes terrible havok all up and down the eastern seabourd. One of the best sequels ever, it ranks right up there with ALIENS, THE GODFATHER PART II, and THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK.

Is anybody awake at Universal?
Universal has released fancy new box sets of Dracula, Wolf Man, and Frankenstein with all the sequels. These excellent boxes are fairly priced and a genuine treat. But what gives with the Creature? Doesn't Univesal understand how much we love these three movies. Creature from the Black Lagoon was out on the last round of DVD releases of these classic horror films from Universal, but is now out of print. Alas, the two sequels, Revenge of the Creature and The Creature Walks Among Us, have never seen DVD, even though you can still find them from various sources on VHS. Better get one of those while they're still out there because Universal seems disinclined from giving them to us any time soon on DVD. Same for The Mummy and its sequels. Aw c'mon Universal. Give 'em up. It's time.

Hello Universal?!
Where's the DVD? Why not put "The Creature Walks Among Us" on it as well, like your other Classic Monsters?

Return to the Black Lagoon
Being the first of two sequels to a famous 1950's horror classic like "Creature From the Black Lagoon" any film would have its work cut out for it. Indeed "Revenge Of The Creature" certainly lacks that sense of confinement and eerie mystery that was so beautifully put across in the first film and which undoubtedly helped it become the great classic that it still is. The best way to view this film is to see it as an independant production and look at it for its own merits as entertainment.

"Revenge Of The Creature" picks up the story roughly one year after the conclusion of the earlier film. It has an entirely different cast with the exception of the River Boat Captain who was responsible for ferrying the expeditions in both films up to the far reaches of the Amazon Basin in search of the mysterious Gill Man. This time around B horror movie veteran John Agar stars as Professor Clete Ferguson who is in charge of research at Ocean Harbour aquatic resort in Florida where the Gill Man is taken after being captured and where he is placed on display in an aquarium for the general public to see. As opposed to the first film the creature in this instance is very much the one who has the audience sympathy. He is subjected to quite horrific experiemts in the name of research at the Aquarium and develops a strange fascination for Helen (Lori Nelson)the assistant to Professor Ferguson who he spies on through the portholes at the aquarium. At the first opportunity he escapes from his captivity and goes on a killing spree in Florida before abducting Helen and attempting to find his way back to safety.

While not a great story and while similiar themes have been explored elsewhere far more effectively "Revenge Of The Creature" does hold the interest. The scenes of the Gill Man underwater at the aquarium have that same stylish cinematography about them as the underwater sequences in the original film and the later sequences where the Gill Man escapes and causes havoc among the general public are quite exciting and well staged. The scene where he attacks two teenage boys by the water really has a very eerie quality to it and his attack does come as a bit of a surprise when it does occur. While John Agar might not be the best actor in the world he is quite believable here and despite the limited demands that the part calls for does a good job. "Revenge Of The Creature" is also famous for boasting the debut performance of later day superstar Clint Eastwood in the small role of a Lab technician in an early sequence of the film. Eastwood cut his teeth in 1950's horror tales and also had a tiny role in that other classic "Tarantula".

The Gill Man will always remain a classic creature and the makeup/suit for this creature is far and away the best of its kind. The more sympathetic slant that this movie takes on the creature is a welcome change and the film is a logical flow from the first film. For an excursion back to wonderfully innocent 1950's Sci Fi "Revenge Of The Creature" is an enjoyable viewing experience and a worthy successor of sorts to its classic parent. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Hawaiian fun with legendary characters Ma and Pa kettle
I always find the Ma and Pa Kettle films alot of fun to watch and although they could be dismissed by some people as a "guilty pleasure" I feel there is alot to enjoy in the old fashioned comedy that was their special charm. Alot of their appeal for me results from the wonderful playing of veterans Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride in their immortal roles of the wacky Ma and Pa Kettle. It's obvious that never once in all their films as the Kettles did these two actors ever loose respect for the characters they were playing which I feel explains their enduring popularity with audiences.

"Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki" came late in the hugely successful run of Kettle films and rather sadly marked the last appearance by Percy Kilbride as Pa. He retired due to ill health after this film and died soon after. Certainly this film's story lacks some of the freshness of the earlier installments but it is still very enjoyable with Ma's trademark raw voice and down home outlook combining beautifully with Pa's lazy, dont give a care view on life.

"Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki" finds Ma and Pa along with eldest daughter Rosie (played by beautiful starlet Lori Nelson), answering an urgent call from cousin Rodney kettle to come to Hawaii to help out with the operation of his Pineapple Canning factory while he recovers from a medical condition brought on by stress from his failing business. It seems Pa in his letters has boasted to Rodney about his great business acumen and Rodney feels some of Pa's obvious "genius" might help his ailing business. What develops is a typical Kettle misadventure where Pa through a series of mistakes like causing an explosion and bringing his new fangled music player into the workplace actually improves productivity and business practice in the factory. Ma meanwhile has her hands full trying to cope with the wives of Rodney Kettle's business associates. It is in these scenes that Marjorie Main really comes into her own. A veteran of so many classic films like "Dead End", "Susan and God", "A Woman's Face", and "Meet Me in St. Louis" Main is hilarious adapting herself to the fancy living and refined tastes of the ladies forced to invite her for an afternoon tea. Mabel Albertson, still best known as one of the interfering mother-in-laws on the classic 60's comedy series "Bewitched" excells as the bitchy and snobbish Mrs Andrews who has the misfortune to encounter the Kettle's on the boat to Hawaii (ending up in the swimming pool fully clothed for her troubles!!) and then finds herself having to play host to Ma at one of her afternoon soiree's. The highly unlikely proceedings result in "business wizard" Pa Kettle being kidnapped by Rodney's creditors who are anxious to take over the operation of the factory. It's interesting to see a very young Russell Johnson pre "Gilligan's Island" in the role of a hired thug determined to get rid of Pa. The scenes of Ma's "rescue" of Pa where she does everything from paddle an Hawaiian fishing boat to organising a coconut bombardment of Pa's captors is very funny and carried off in Marjorie Main's unique style. Its very amusing to see the Hawaiian family who help Ma with the rescue are a carbon copy of the Kettles with the Hawaiian Pa exactly like Pa in character and Hawaiian Ma the same as Ma together with 15 children of their own!

"Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki" might not be straight out of the pages of Oscar Wilde but it is a unique opportunity to see two seasoned performers in roles that absolutely suited them to a tee. Alot of the humour might seem very familiar to those of us used to TV sitcoms however one has to remember that the Kettles came first and influenced humour in the decade to come as seen in such hugely successful TV series as "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Green Acres". Marjorie Main in particular is wonderful as Ma and I still feel she never received the recognition she deserved for her acting. Enjoy the laid back charm one last time of the movies most famous country bumkins Ma and Pa kettle when they travel to Hawaii.

If you are a Kettle fan don't miss seeing Waikiki.
Ma and Pa Kettle in Waikiki is a rib tickler of a comedy. You'll laugh and roll as this down to earth family finds themselves in Hawaii. By shere mistake and accident Pa blunders his way to the top of his cousin's pineapple business. His goofs turn out to be incredibly beneficial and helpful to Rodney Kettle. You won't be sorry buying this video. If you don't like it, something is wrong in your humor zone. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Dean and Jerry on the Range
"Pardners" (1956) was Martin and Lewis' next-to-last film and it remains among their best. A loose remake of Bing Crosby's "Rhythm on the Range" (1936), this breezy western comedy has the duo in good form, with a strong supporting cast featuring Agnes Moorehead and Lon Chaney Jr. Unlike "Hollywood or Bust" (the team's farewell appearance), Dean and Jerry were on speaking terms during the production and their on-screen rapport is evident from beginning to end. One of the film's most memorable (and ironic) scenes has Martin and Lewis taking aim at the final credits, while assuring their fans that they will continue to make beautiful cinema together. It didn't turn out that way, but you have to admire Dean and Jerry for breaking up at the height of their phenomenal success -- rather than face the downhill trajectory that greeted most comedy teams.

One of the best of Martin & Lewis
This video is hard to find, except through Amazon. Worth the price. Soundtrack is one of the better ones, if you can find it, as well. Dean Martin, for western fans, was a very good gun handler (as well as a fine singer) and you get a glimpse of his skill in this flick. I agree with the previous reviewer, the end credits are fun to watch. As always, the plot of M & L movies are far-reaching, but if you are watching a M & L movie for the plot, go back to reading Webster's Dictionary. If you half-way like M & L, half-way like comedies or half-way like westerns, you'll enjoy this movie. Buy it before it's so far out-of-print that you'll never find it. Enjoy.

You And Me Were Gonna Be Partners
M&L's next to last film is one of their funniest and shows how much better their movies got into the mid 50s. The prolouge even has M&L playing it totally straight. Some great gags and appearances by some familiar Western character actors give this a fine satiric bite. And don't miss the last shot after Dean & Jerry shoot away the THE END title where they talk directly to the audience and imply that they won't break up. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A modest but intense turn-of-the-20th-century melodrama starring Barbara Stanwyck as a wayward mother who returns home to a hostile town, All I Desire looks ahead to the soapy melodramas that would make Douglas Sirk's reputation. Stanwyck is marvelous as the struggling actress who yearns for her old life, all but overpowering her wooden costar Richard Carlson. This is the first of a long string of films Sirk made with producer Ross Hunter, and it's a marriage made in Hollywood. Hunter provides the pulpy material, the stars, and the increasingly larger budgets, and Sirk cranks up the emotions with an operatic sweep, twisting the clichés into fun-house-mirror reflections of American society. Though this is set in the past, the evocation of rural small-town life--a seeming idyllic little world poisoned with gossip, social prejudice, and double standards--isn't all that far from the modern suburbia of All That Heaven Allows. The picture stretches for an unconvincingly pat happy ending, but as Stanwyck fights her reputation, the attentions of an old lover, and the wagging tongues of a judgmental town, Sirk suggests that the final fade-out is only the beginning of her struggle. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Good Movie with Lori Nelson
If you like soap operas you would like this movie.It is a little like the soap opera Santa Barbara when Sophia (Judith McConnell) came back to the family.Lori Nelson who co starred in the syndicated 1950's "How To Marry A Millionaire" with Barbara Eden and Merry Anders plays the daughter in the movie who wants to be an actress.Marcia Henderson who co starred in the movie "The Wayward Girl" with Barbara Eden plays Lori Nelson's character's sister in the movie.

Sterling Stanwyck performance in fine emotional drama
What we get in "All I Desire" is fine later day Barbara Stanwyck in a role perfectly suited to her seasoned talents. Indeed I personally judge this film as one of her better roles from this 1950's period of her career when great female parts for more mature actresses were becoming scarse.

"All I Desire" is the phrase upon which the premise of this story is based in that there exists a desire by the lead character to be excepted back into a family where a serious mistake was made many years previous and where the wounds caused by that error have not entirely healed. Stanwyck plays Naomi Murdoch a small town Wisconsin mother who in an earlier time sacrificed her family life for a stage career that in the years ahead never went nowhere. Naomi realises the mistakes she made and what she gave up and finds in an unexpected invitation to attend her daughters performance in a play the perfect excuse to return home and try to rebuild her life with some purpose and meaning. Upon her arrival home she finds unfortunately herself the object of curiosity and ridicule in a town riddled with double standards. She also finds her family situation no easy thing to deal with whereby one daughter worships her while the other is hostile to her because of her abandonment of them all those years ago. Naomi also finds that her husband who formerly worshiped her has moved on in life and has developed a satifying relationship with the local school teacher. When after her arrival further scandal erupts in the small town she finds that possibly any chance for a new beginning could be dashed forever.

Out of such vintage melodrama often comes great acting and in her performance Stanwyck brings a sound conviction to her playing of a woman who wanted more out of her ordinary life but having gone through the school of hard knocks then realises that what she got was not that desirable after all. She brings her usual power house performing to the role whether she is perfroming in her cheap review show, trying to reconnect with her children she abandoned so many years ago, taking on the malicious gossips in the town or handling the unwelcome advances of a past lover who could ruin everthing for her. Produced by Ross Hunter and ably directed by Douglas Sirk who was expert at maximising the effect of potentially syrupy stories as this, it is a good marriage of Director and lead Actress.

"All I Desire" is Stanwyck's show all the way and Richard Carlson as her husband Henry Murdoch really is window dressing for the lead's performance. Maureen O'Sullivan makes a welcome return to a major role as Sara Harper the local school teacher who with the sudden arrival of Naomi in town finds her whole world and future life with Henry suddenly threatened. Marcia Henderson is also very effective in the role of the older resentful daughter who cannot forgive the injury she and her family sustained by Naomi's walking out on them all those years ago. It's also interesting to see the performance of Richard Long as Naomi's daughters suitor. Destined for a short sad life Long would work again with Barbara Stanwyck in the 1960's where he played her son on the long running highly successful western series "The Big Valley".

"All I Desire" has a polished turn of the century look about it and the costumes and settings are very lavish and effective as per usual for a Ross Hunter production where great care was always taken with the look and feel of a production. For those that enjoy high melodrama delivered with convincing performances "All I Desire" is an enjoyable viewing experience and despite its tacked on and quite unsatisfactory happy ending, really pulls no punches in exposing the holes in small town mentality and lifestyles. Barbara Stanwyck is of course the overwhelming reason to watch this film and even in her more mature roles later in her career she is a joy to watch. Her performance here is earnest and heartfelt and really makes this film a worthwhile viewing experience.

Barbara Stanwyck is terrific!!!
This is definitely one of the best Stanwyck's films, in which she steals the show and is truly remarkable. She plays an actress, Naomi, who has become a vaudeville performer and is no longer very successful, when she suddenly receives a letter from her daughter who also wants to be an actress. So Naomi decides to go back to the town, which she left long ago and, as expected, she isn't warmly received by most of the people that she used to know. Pesonally, my favorite scene in the film is the "Bunny Hug" dance that Barbara Stanwyck shares with Richard Long (who later played her eldest son, Jarrod Barkley, in "The Big Valley" TV show). Being a huge of Stanwyck and BV show, I thought this old dance that they did was heart-warming and funny; and both of them obviously enjoyed dancing together. One great film!!!

JARROD AND VICTORIA BARKLEY
A great fan of Stanwyck's work I was quite entertained by this film; but only because she was in it - most of the other players are dull and mealy in contrast to the realistically alive Stanwyck. She's Naomi who's come back to the family she left for the stage ten years before. Needless to say that she ISN'T warmly received (except by the cook). Her daughter wants to be an actress as well (she has two; the other won't have anything to do with her)

In a great scene Stanwyck chides "You have a mother with questionable morals and I've got a daughter with no GUTS" Director Douglas Sirk was in awe of Stanwyck. Said he about the actress: "She impresses me as someone who has been touched deeply by life in some way; she has great depth as a person and that's exactly what the audience sees on the screen; for that reason, she is a great star. Notice that Richard Long appears in this little flick which was made a dozen years before he and Stanwyck would star in the great western series THE BIG VALLEY! ... Read more

Description

A film remake of Humphrey Bogart's "High Sierra" involving a mad killer who takes pity on a disabled girl. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Pretty good flick
Great camera work always featuring subtle shots of the snow capped mountains that play a part in this good ole flick with Jack Palance.It's definetly worth poppin some popcorn and watching.

A good 1950's gangster movie
Jack Palance plays one of his typecast movie roles as the quiet loner. The only difference here is that instead of being a cowboy he plays a gangster who despite being a stone cold killer has a soft spot for a naive disabled girl. Shelly Winters plays a trampy gangster chick who falls for Jack and despite his rejections manages to change his heart and feelings for her. A great movie for the gangster movie buff with all the old style clothes and cars this movie is one of my favorites. A modern ganster movie with a similar theme is Harvey Kietel's role in Industry City. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

STCOK SHOTS ALONG THE MOHAWK
As Ron Wood mentionned in it's review, most action sequences in MOHAWK comme from John Ford's DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK. This 1939 film provided stock shots for many other movies. In 1944, one shot of Mohawk warriors setting Fonda's place afire in DRUMS was used in BUFFALO BILL. Battle scenes around the fort were then used in MOHAWK. Almost the same scenes were used again in the pilot episode of the DANIEL BOONE TV series starring Fess Parker in the mid-60s.

As far as stock shots are concerned, BUFFALO BILL seems to be the absolute winner, at least in the western genre. Stock shots of the battle scene (War Bonnet Creek) were used by Fox in numerous productions. PONY SOLDIER with Tyrone Power (begining of the movie). SIEGE AT FEATHER RIVER (end of the movie, which was produced by Panoramic which provided FOX with B pictures). THE TIME TUNNEL TV series (Episode : Little Big Horn) also used the battle to pass as Custer's famous last stand.
Another depiction of that battle, from THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON starring Errol Flynn, was used in BUGLES IN THE AFTERNOON starring Ray Milland. Though THEY DIED was black and white, and BUGLES Technicolor, the stock shot did fit because it was being watch through binoculars by Ray Milland and modified from black and white to sepia.

If anyone knows of other stock shots in westerns, I'd be glad to read about that.

Mohawk
This is a rather interesting movie in that it uses a lot of distant scenic and action shots from John Ford's Drums Along The Mohawk. This is most noticeable, because all of a sudden while viewing the film, the production values are suddenly increased and the cinematography becomes almost ravishing instead of run of the mill that the "new" portions of the film just can't match.
As an aside, I remember seeing Drums Along The Mohawk twice when I was a kid in the 1940s in a small town where I grew up and it was in black and white; only when I saw it on VHS in the 1980s did I see the true Technicolor format. And then I was knocked out again when I saw portions of it appear in Mohawk, a film I missed at the theatres and only caught on DVD about a year ago.

Does anyone know of any other films that utilized parts of older films as part of their format to save on production costs? I'd like to hear from anyone on this. I know this happens, especially in World War II films with documentary battle footage, but haven't noticed the use of regular production footage in newer movies, unless they referred to the earlier film as a link in a series.

Early American artist finds romance trying to keep peace.
Scott Brady and Rita Gam are not especially believable as a colonial era artist and his native American love interest, but the unusual time period, and energy of the production make "Mowhawk" fun. Evil white men try to incite the Indians to war, while the high-integrity artist works to maintain peace as he does portraits of various characters. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wonderful Childhood Memories.
To any baby boomer who grew up in the 1950's, there must be a special place for THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN. It was one of the first made for TV movies and one of the first in color even though very few people had color sets back in 1957. It also helped to introduce classical music to a much wider audience as it makes extensive use of the music of Edvard Grieg. The film is loosely based on the Robert Browning version of the Pied Piper story. The dialogue is even in rhyme though not from the poem. This is the only movie that I remember Van Johnson for. He's a good leading man as Trueson but he makes a great Pied Piper. Claude Rains, late in his career, is ideal as the devious Mayor and shows us with that magnificent voice of his how to deliver even the weakest lines of dialogue with conviction. It's also a rare opportunity to view Doodles Weaver (Sigourney Weaver's uncle) who was a mainstay with Spike Jones. Jim Backus gives us an early glimpse of Thurston Howell III as the King's emissary while 50's torch singer Kay Starr gets to mourn the loss of her child to ASA'S DEATH from PEER GYNT. It is not a great movie but it evokes wonderful memories of childhood even if you didn't see it as a child. The strong cast and the music of Grieg especially the ridding of the rats done to IN THE HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN KING help to make up for the film's shortcomings. The rich old style Technicolor and the obvious studio sets give it the feel of an old HALLMARK HALL OF FAME presentation which adds to the charm. Old fashioned it may be but it still has the power to cast a spell and that makes it a welcome addition to any household with young ones or those who are young at heart. Be advised that this film is in the public domain (that's why there are so many different videos) and the prints are a little rough in places but overall the quality is very good.

A very enchanting film!
I highly recommend this film, and would give it more stars if I could. Van Johnson is great as the Pied Piper. This movie is for people of all ages. It's well worth seeing! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

STCOK SHOTS ALONG THE MOHAWK
As Ron Wood mentionned in it's review, most action sequences in MOHAWK comme from John Ford's DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK. This 1939 film provided stock shots for many other movies. In 1944, one shot of Mohawk warriors setting Fonda's place afire in DRUMS was used in BUFFALO BILL. Battle scenes around the fort were then used in MOHAWK. Almost the same scenes were used again in the pilot episode of the DANIEL BOONE TV series starring Fess Parker in the mid-60s.

As far as stock shots are concerned, BUFFALO BILL seems to be the absolute winner, at least in the western genre. Stock shots of the battle scene (War Bonnet Creek) were used by Fox in numerous productions. PONY SOLDIER with Tyrone Power (begining of the movie). SIEGE AT FEATHER RIVER (end of the movie, which was produced by Panoramic which provided FOX with B pictures). THE TIME TUNNEL TV series (Episode : Little Big Horn) also used the battle to pass as Custer's famous last stand.
Another depiction of that battle, from THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON starring Errol Flynn, was used in BUGLES IN THE AFTERNOON starring Ray Milland. Though THEY DIED was black and white, and BUGLES Technicolor, the stock shot did fit because it was being watch through binoculars by Ray Milland and modified from black and white to sepia.

If anyone knows of other stock shots in westerns, I'd be glad to read about that.

Mohawk
This is a rather interesting movie in that it uses a lot of distant scenic and action shots from John Ford's Drums Along The Mohawk. This is most noticeable, because all of a sudden while viewing the film, the production values are suddenly increased and the cinematography becomes almost ravishing instead of run of the mill that the "new" portions of the film just can't match.
As an aside, I remember seeing Drums Along The Mohawk twice when I was a kid in the 1940s in a small town where I grew up and it was in black and white; only when I saw it on VHS in the 1980s did I see the true Technicolor format. And then I was knocked out again when I saw portions of it appear in Mohawk, a film I missed at the theatres and only caught on DVD about a year ago.

Does anyone know of any other films that utilized parts of older films as part of their format to save on production costs? I'd like to hear from anyone on this. I know this happens, especially in World War II films with documentary battle footage, but haven't noticed the use of regular production footage in newer movies, unless they referred to the earlier film as a link in a series.

Early American artist finds romance trying to keep peace.
Scott Brady and Rita Gam are not especially believable as a colonial era artist and his native American love interest, but the unusual time period, and energy of the production make "Mowhawk" fun. Evil white men try to incite the Indians to war, while the high-integrity artist works to maintain peace as he does portraits of various characters. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best Francis Movie in the Series
I have to admit, Peter Stirling is such a great character and Donald O'Connor plays him so well, that seeing Peter get a crack at West Point made this my favorite in the series. Peter cuts quite a dashing figure in his cadet uniform, even if he can't quite make the grade until Francis shows up to tutor him through his classes and drilling. The viewer roots for Peter to succeed from the start of the film to the finish. Won't give away the ending, but Peter's attempts to protect another cadet from being expelled from the Academy are just plain noble! Oh, and there's something having to do with football, and I'm still trying to figure out why they stuck that plot dragger in to an otherwise wonderful film, but that's Hollywood for ya. Enjoy! O'Connor (and Francis!) are wonderful! Favorite scenes? Francis trying to teach Peter French and Peter defending Francis's dignity at a dance where the other cadets are trying to make Francis look like...well, like an ass! Way to go, Pete!

It is just 1 of the great classic Francies movies.
There are 7 movies in the Francies the talking mule set, this is number 6 for us. They are all very good movies, we can't wait to get the last one. It is funny and good for the whole family, from age 5 to 105! Our little ones just love the old classics, we all do. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND all of the Francies movies, as well as Amazon. +++++ ... Read more

Reviews (17)

The Creature from the Black Lagoon Strikes Back.
As a typical example of '50s Grade B sci-fi, this sequel meets most expectations. After an exciting start detailing the capture of the violent "gill-man," the plot drags a little during the creature's captivity in "Ocean Harbor," a forerunner of Sea World. As the man-fish languishes on display for gawking spectators, Professor Clete Ferguson (John Agar) moons around the delectable Helen Dobson. Both are academic types studying the creature, and each other. These romantic interludes (not to mention the pointless Flippy the porpoise segment) become tiresome, and one squirms waiting for the script to get back to the sci-fi/horror plot. Thankfully, the gill-man eventually breaks loose and typical monster-movie mayhem prevails. The panicked crowd fleeing Ocean Harbor in their best '50s summer-wear evokes chuckles. Rarely have we seen so many white shirts, crewcuts, and bobby sox in one place. And checkout those Panama hats. As the gill-man makes his way down to the sea through various canals and inlets, he brings dreadful death to clueless victims. They fatuously wander around at night, although there is a well-publicized monster on the loose. Feeling conflicted by freedom lust and other lusts, the gill-man stalks Helen, who lounges around in swimwear, underwear, etc. She obligingly stays by water, and leaves her doors and windows open and unlocked. The veteran Jack Arnold, who directed the classic "Tarantula" directed the movie. For those who enjoy old sci-fi/horror flicks, no matter how unlikely, this is a good one for you. Others beware. ;-)

UNDERWATER THRILLS ABOUND!
John Agar, Lori Nelson, and John Bromfield star in this movie that is an equal sucsessor to the original CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON. A scientific team travles to the black lagoon to capture a very alive gill man. The expedition succeeds and he is brought to a florida aquariam, were it escapes and causes terrible havok all up and down the eastern seabourd. One of the best sequels ever, it ranks right up there with ALIENS, THE GODFATHER PART II, and THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK.

Is anybody awake at Universal?
Universal has released fancy new box sets of Dracula, Wolf Man, and Frankenstein with all the sequels. These excellent boxes are fairly priced and a genuine treat. But what gives with the Creature? Doesn't Univesal understand how much we love these three movies. Creature from the Black Lagoon was out on the last round of DVD releases of these classic horror films from Universal, but is now out of print. Alas, the two sequels, Revenge of the Creature and The Creature Walks Among Us, have never seen DVD, even though you can still find them from various sources on VHS. Better get one of those while they're still out there because Universal seems disinclined from giving them to us any time soon on DVD. Same for The Mummy and its sequels. Aw c'mon Universal. Give 'em up. It's time.

Hello Universal?!
Where's the DVD? Why not put "The Creature Walks Among Us" on it as well, like your other Classic Monsters?

Return to the Black Lagoon
Being the first of two sequels to a famous 1950's horror classic like "Creature From the Black Lagoon" any film would have its work cut out for it. Indeed "Revenge Of The Creature" certainly lacks that sense of confinement and eerie mystery that was so beautifully put across in the first film and which undoubtedly helped it become the great classic that it still is. The best way to view this film is to see it as an independant production and look at it for its own merits as entertainment.

"Revenge Of The Creature" picks up the story roughly one year after the conclusion of the earlier film. It has an entirely different cast with the exception of the River Boat Captain who was responsible for ferrying the expeditions in both films up to the far reaches of the Amazon Basin in search of the mysterious Gill Man. This time around B horror movie veteran John Agar stars as Professor Clete Ferguson who is in charge of research at Ocean Harbour aquatic resort in Florida where the Gill Man is taken after being captured and where he is placed on display in an aquarium for the general public to see. As opposed to the first film the creature in this instance is very much the one who has the audience sympathy. He is subjected to quite horrific experiemts in the name of research at the Aquarium and develops a strange fascination for Helen (Lori Nelson)the assistant to Professor Ferguson who he spies on through the portholes at the aquarium. At the first opportunity he escapes from his captivity and goes on a killing spree in Florida before abducting Helen and attempting to find his way back to safety.

While not a great story and while similiar themes have been explored elsewhere far more effectively "Revenge Of The Creature" does hold the interest. The scenes of the Gill Man underwater at the aquarium have that same stylish cinematography about them as the underwater sequences in the original film and the later sequences where the Gill Man escapes and causes havoc among the general public are quite exciting and well staged. The scene where he attacks two teenage boys by the water really has a very eerie quality to it and his attack does come as a bit of a surprise when it does occur. While John Agar might not be the best actor in the world he is quite believable here and despite the limited demands that the part calls for does a good job. "Revenge Of The Creature" is also famous for boasting the debut performance of later day superstar Clint Eastwood in the small role of a Lab technician in an early sequence of the film. Eastwood cut his teeth in 1950's horror tales and also had a tiny role in that other classic "Tarantula".

The Gill Man will always remain a classic creature and the makeup/suit for this creature is far and away the best of its kind. The more sympathetic slant that this movie takes on the creature is a welcome change and the film is a logical flow from the first film. For an excursion back to wonderfully innocent 1950's Sci Fi "Revenge Of The Creature" is an enjoyable viewing experience and a worthy successor of sorts to its classic parent. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

STCOK SHOTS ALONG THE MOHAWK
As Ron Wood mentionned in it's review, most action sequences in MOHAWK comme from John Ford's DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK. This 1939 film provided stock shots for many other movies. In 1944, one shot of Mohawk warriors setting Fonda's place afire in DRUMS was used in BUFFALO BILL. Battle scenes around the fort were then used in MOHAWK. Almost the same scenes were used again in the pilot episode of the DANIEL BOONE TV series starring Fess Parker in the mid-60s.

As far as stock shots are concerned, BUFFALO BILL seems to be the absolute winner, at least in the western genre. Stock shots of the battle scene (War Bonnet Creek) were used by Fox in numerous productions. PONY SOLDIER with Tyrone Power (begining of the movie). SIEGE AT FEATHER RIVER (end of the movie, which was produced by Panoramic which provided FOX with B pictures). THE TIME TUNNEL TV series (Episode : Little Big Horn) also used the battle to pass as Custer's famous last stand.
Another depiction of that battle, from THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON starring Errol Flynn, was used in BUGLES IN THE AFTERNOON starring Ray Milland. Though THEY DIED was black and white, and BUGLES Technicolor, the stock shot did fit because it was being watch through binoculars by Ray Milland and modified from black and white to sepia.

If anyone knows of other stock shots in westerns, I'd be glad to read about that.

Mohawk
This is a rather interesting movie in that it uses a lot of distant scenic and action shots from John Ford's Drums Along The Mohawk. This is most noticeable, because all of a sudden while viewing the film, the production values are suddenly increased and the cinematography becomes almost ravishing instead of run of the mill that the "new" portions of the film just can't match.
As an aside, I remember seeing Drums Along The Mohawk twice when I was a kid in the 1940s in a small town where I grew up and it was in black and white; only when I saw it on VHS in the 1980s did I see the true Technicolor format. And then I was knocked out again when I saw portions of it appear in Mohawk, a film I missed at the theatres and only caught on DVD about a year ago.

Does anyone know of any other films that utilized parts of older films as part of their format to save on production costs? I'd like to hear from anyone on this. I know this happens, especially in World War II films with documentary battle footage, but haven't noticed the use of regular production footage in newer movies, unless they referred to the earlier film as a link in a series.

Early American artist finds romance trying to keep peace.
Scott Brady and Rita Gam are not especially believable as a colonial era artist and his native American love interest, but the unusual time period, and energy of the production make "Mowhawk" fun. Evil white men try to incite the Indians to war, while the high-integrity artist works to maintain peace as he does portraits of various characters. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wonderful Childhood Memories.
To any baby boomer who grew up in the 1950's, there must be a special place for THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN. It was one of the first made for TV movies and one of the first in color even though very few people had color sets back in 1957. It also helped to introduce classical music to a much wider audience as it makes extensive use of the music of Edvard Grieg. The film is loosely based on the Robert Browning version of the Pied Piper story. The dialogue is even in rhyme though not from the poem. This is the only movie that I remember Van Johnson for. He's a good leading man as Trueson but he makes a great Pied Piper. Claude Rains, late in his career, is ideal as the devious Mayor and shows us with that magnificent voice of his how to deliver even the weakest lines of dialogue with conviction. It's also a rare opportunity to view Doodles Weaver (Sigourney Weaver's uncle) who was a mainstay with Spike Jones. Jim Backus gives us an early glimpse of Thurston Howell III as the King's emissary while 50's torch singer Kay Starr gets to mourn the loss of her child to ASA'S DEATH from PEER GYNT. It is not a great movie but it evokes wonderful memories of childhood even if you didn't see it as a child. The strong cast and the music of Grieg especially the ridding of the rats done to IN THE HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN KING help to make up for the film's shortcomings. The rich old style Technicolor and the obvious studio sets give it the feel of an old HALLMARK HALL OF FAME presentation which adds to the charm. Old fashioned it may be but it still has the power to cast a spell and that makes it a welcome addition to any household with young ones or those who are young at heart. Be advised that this film is in the public domain (that's why there are so many different videos) and the prints are a little rough in places but overall the quality is very good.

A very enchanting film!
I highly recommend this film, and would give it more stars if I could. Van Johnson is great as the Pied Piper. This movie is for people of all ages. It's well worth seeing! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

One star is too kind for this tripe!
The basic premise behind this drivel is simple. Kid's Mom has died, has new Step-mom, makes friends with gorilla, gorilla gets shot, gorilla gets better, everything works out just fine.
Except that is, for the film itself. Fan's of this genre of film would do better to avoid this and go for the far superior "Born to be Wild".
Even Malcolm in the Middle's Justin Berfield (Reece), who is usually pretty good, can't hold this dreadful film together.
He manages to pull off a couple of nice emotive scenes, but that's about it.
The gorilla is about as convincing as a trash can in a dress, the music is lousy, the direction is tired and dull, and the less said about the script the better. Not even worth catching on TV.

Innocent Humor What the world needs!
What ever happened to good movies like this? Justin Berfield age 12 is followed home by a 500lb gorilla, So what does any 12 year old do? Mom Can I Keep Her? You will Love this and Remember that time passes too fast not to spend more Quality Time with your Children!

A Masterpiece
No words can describe this film! I laughed, I cried, I farted. OH! That poor boy who has to take care of gorilla. Then it dies! It makes me cry now, because I know that that boy will never be the same again! I only wish it had lived and he had it until he got old and his bones were so weak so when it jumped on him his guts flew out of his stomach.

LMAO/AWWW
friend bought this movie cuz of justin. we watched it, it was incredibly sad/cute/lame. whenever we saw justin crying or whatever it was like awwwww but then they showed the gorilla and we laughed cuz it looks soooo fake! AT THE END THE GORILLAS ON A STRETCHER! ITS SO FUNNY! but its so sad justin cries a lot cuz his moms dead and he has to move on...and ya :( but overall, i liked this movie

Justin Berfield is da bomb!
Justin Berfield is so Hott! This is about a boy who just wants a pet, mom, let him keep her! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wonderful Childhood Memories.
To any baby boomer who grew up in the 1950's, there must be a special place for THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN. It was one of the first made for TV movies and one of the first in color even though very few people had color sets back in 1957. It also helped to introduce classical music to a much wider audience as it makes extensive use of the music of Edvard Grieg. The film is loosely based on the Robert Browning version of the Pied Piper story. The dialogue is even in rhyme though not from the poem. This is the only movie that I remember Van Johnson for. He's a good leading man as Trueson but he makes a great Pied Piper. Claude Rains, late in his career, is ideal as the devious Mayor and shows us with that magnificent voice of his how to deliver even the weakest lines of dialogue with conviction. It's also a rare opportunity to view Doodles Weaver (Sigourney Weaver's uncle) who was a mainstay with Spike Jones. Jim Backus gives us an early glimpse of Thurston Howell III as the King's emissary while 50's torch singer Kay Starr gets to mourn the loss of her child to ASA'S DEATH from PEER GYNT. It is not a great movie but it evokes wonderful memories of childhood even if you didn't see it as a child. The strong cast and the music of Grieg especially the ridding of the rats done to IN THE HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN KING help to make up for the film's shortcomings. The rich old style Technicolor and the obvious studio sets give it the feel of an old HALLMARK HALL OF FAME presentation which adds to the charm. Old fashioned it may be but it still has the power to cast a spell and that makes it a welcome addition to any household with young ones or those who are young at heart. Be advised that this film is in the public domain (that's why there are so many different videos) and the prints are a little rough in places but overall the quality is very good.

A very enchanting film!
I highly recommend this film, and would give it more stars if I could. Van Johnson is great as the Pied Piper. This movie is for people of all ages. It's well worth seeing! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

STCOK SHOTS ALONG THE MOHAWK
As Ron Wood mentionned in it's review, most action sequences in MOHAWK comme from John Ford's DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK. This 1939 film provided stock shots for many other movies. In 1944, one shot of Mohawk warriors setting Fonda's place afire in DRUMS was used in BUFFALO BILL. Battle scenes around the fort were then used in MOHAWK. Almost the same scenes were used again in the pilot episode of the DANIEL BOONE TV series starring Fess Parker in the mid-60s.

As far as stock shots are concerned, BUFFALO BILL seems to be the absolute winner, at least in the western genre. Stock shots of the battle scene (War Bonnet Creek) were used by Fox in numerous productions. PONY SOLDIER with Tyrone Power (begining of the movie). SIEGE AT FEATHER RIVER (end of the movie, which was produced by Panoramic which provided FOX with B pictures). THE TIME TUNNEL TV series (Episode : Little Big Horn) also used the battle to pass as Custer's famous last stand.
Another depiction of that battle, from THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON starring Errol Flynn, was used in BUGLES IN THE AFTERNOON starring Ray Milland. Though THEY DIED was black and white, and BUGLES Technicolor, the stock shot did fit because it was being watch through binoculars by Ray Milland and modified from black and white to sepia.

If anyone knows of other stock shots in westerns, I'd be glad to read about that.

Mohawk
This is a rather interesting movie in that it uses a lot of distant scenic and action shots from John Ford's Drums Along The Mohawk. This is most noticeable, because all of a sudden while viewing the film, the production values are suddenly increased and the cinematography becomes almost ravishing instead of run of the mill that the "new" portions of the film just can't match.
As an aside, I remember seeing Drums Along The Mohawk twice when I was a kid in the 1940s in a small town where I grew up and it was in black and white; only when I saw it on VHS in the 1980s did I see the true Technicolor format. And then I was knocked out again when I saw portions of it appear in Mohawk, a film I missed at the theatres and only caught on DVD about a year ago.

Does anyone know of any other films that utilized parts of older films as part of their format to save on production costs? I'd like to hear from anyone on this. I know this happens, especially in World War II films with documentary battle footage, but haven't noticed the use of regular production footage in newer movies, unless they referred to the earlier film as a link in a series.

Early American artist finds romance trying to keep peace.
Scott Brady and Rita Gam are not especially believable as a colonial era artist and his native American love interest, but the unusual time period, and energy of the production make "Mowhawk" fun. Evil white men try to incite the Indians to war, while the high-integrity artist works to maintain peace as he does portraits of various characters. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

STCOK SHOTS ALONG THE MOHAWK
As Ron Wood mentionned in it's review, most action sequences in MOHAWK comme from John Ford's DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK. This 1939 film provided stock shots for many other movies. In 1944, one shot of Mohawk warriors setting Fonda's place afire in DRUMS was used in BUFFALO BILL. Battle scenes around the fort were then used in MOHAWK. Almost the same scenes were used again in the pilot episode of the DANIEL BOONE TV series starring Fess Parker in the mid-60s.

As far as stock shots are concerned, BUFFALO BILL seems to be the absolute winner, at least in the western genre. Stock shots of the battle scene (War Bonnet Creek) were used by Fox in numerous productions. PONY SOLDIER with Tyrone Power (begining of the movie). SIEGE AT FEATHER RIVER (end of the movie, which was produced by Panoramic which provided FOX with B pictures). THE TIME TUNNEL TV series (Episode : Little Big Horn) also used the battle to pass as Custer's famous last stand.
Another depiction of that battle, from THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON starring Errol Flynn, was used in BUGLES IN THE AFTERNOON starring Ray Milland. Though THEY DIED was black and white, and BUGLES Technicolor, the stock shot did fit because it was being watch through binoculars by Ray Milland and modified from black and white to sepia.

If anyone knows of other stock shots in westerns, I'd be glad to read about that.

Mohawk
This is a rather interesting movie in that it uses a lot of distant scenic and action shots from John Ford's Drums Along The Mohawk. This is most noticeable, because all of a sudden while viewing the film, the production values are suddenly increased and the cinematography becomes almost ravishing instead of run of the mill that the "new" portions of the film just can't match.
As an aside, I remember seeing Drums Along The Mohawk twice when I was a kid in the 1940s in a small town where I grew up and it was in black and white; only when I saw it on VHS in the 1980s did I see the true Technicolor format. And then I was knocked out again when I saw portions of it appear in Mohawk, a film I missed at the theatres and only caught on DVD about a year ago.

Does anyone know of any other films that utilized parts of older films as part of their format to save on production costs? I'd like to hear from anyone on this. I know this happens, especially in World War II films with documentary battle footage, but haven't noticed the use of regular production footage in newer movies, unless they referred to the earlier film as a link in a series.

Early American artist finds romance trying to keep peace.
Scott Brady and Rita Gam are not especially believable as a colonial era artist and his native American love interest, but the unusual time period, and energy of the production make "Mowhawk" fun. Evil white men try to incite the Indians to war, while the high-integrity artist works to maintain peace as he does portraits of various characters. ... Read more