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Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman were so successful in Douglas Sirk's Magnificent Obsession that they reteamed for this, his first melodrama masterpiece. Young hunk Rock is a strapping son of mother nature, a gardener who woos middle-aged, middle class widow Wyman to the snooty disapproval of her conservative social circle and embarrassment of her self-centered children. Wyman discovers a new life with his open-armed friends and back-to-nature lifestyle, but struggles with life-changing decisions in the face of social pressure and vicious gossip. Living the Henry Thoreau dream, Rock inhabits his personal Walden in a rustic country cabin by a bubbling brook, a dream house lit by a giant picture window overlooking an idyllic countryside where deer pose just outside the window. Wyman's elegant but sterile suburban home transforms into a tomb when she sacrifices her love for the "good name" of her children, and the lonely widow sees her future in the pale, colorless reflection of her TV screen. But don't despair just yet: Sirk's heroines are dynamic and resourceful and no Sirk melodrama ends without a heart-tugging, over-the-top twist. German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, who championed Sirk as a master and a mentor, remade the film as Ali: Fear Eats the Soul decades later. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (22)

An elegant, classy sudser from director Douglas Sirk
Reuniting from the previous year's hit, "Magnificent Obsession", Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson play lovers torn apart by small town hypocrisy. Wyman is wealthy widow, Cary Scott. She falls in love with her gardener, Ron Kirby(Hudson),and is chastised by her community and loathed by her two grown children. Great, elegant melodrama from director-extraordinarre Douglas Sirk. The film starts off a bit slow, but the dramatic payoff is highly worth the wait. The cinematography, muisc, and dialogue all come together for a beautiful film event.

the perfect dvd? this could be it
Watching one of Douglas Sirk's 50's melodramas is slightly akin to visiting another planet. Everything about the Sirk reality is a bit askew: the people are basic and sincere, while their surroundings are heightened, beautiful and artificial (we know certain exterior scenes are filmed on sets, but the sets themselves are so big and elaborate they boggle the mind). It's a strange mix -- simple characters in an exaggerated world, almost like a David Lynch movie in which the only violence that occurs is emotional.

But if you give Sirk's movies time and attention and allow yourself to be taken in by the strangeness, they are surprisingly easy to accept on their own terms.

Sirk's 1955 film, "All That Heaven Allows," tells the story of the romance between a well-to-do widow and a young, dreamy, non-conformist gardener. It's the oldest problem in the world: they could be happy and in love if only it weren't for the other people around them.

I think the key to the success of this film is the performance of Jane Wyman as the widow. Her character is so fragile, yet also surprisingly strong. She says no more than she has to, but what she does say speaks on many levels. She's kind, but she's also after something she clearly wants very badly. Wyman is able to communicate these contradictions and complications with a calm, almost effortless stoicism.

The Criterion DVD is a marvel of technology. It has quickly become my favorite disk and there are a lot of disks that I like -- the picture and transfer are unbelievably crisp, the colors are richer than wet paint, the movie is restored to its proper aspect ratio, and you also get Fassbinder's essay on Sirk (he remade this movie in thoroughly different form with a film called "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul"), and there's also a long, fascinating interview with Sirk himself -- I'd never seen or heard any footage of the director until I saw this and the interview alone made it worth buying.

If you're a fan of Sirk, you're going to love this disk. And if you're not familiar with his work, this is the place to start.

............legends .............
..... women still wore tight corsets and just had to conform .... talk about Stepford .......

this one's a brilliant peek into Ike and Mamies USA - post WWII

SIRK, WYMAN .... HUDSON ...... brilliant trio.....

As Wyman's on screen son spats "You're just seeing a good looking bunch of muscles" - referring to Rock ... Yeah so what?

It's brilliantly lensed, costumed and directed by DIETLEF SIERCK [retitled Doug Sirk when he ventured - without English into the American movie-mill]. He certainly saved Universal's bacon back then ...........

The rest? The movie has inspired so many imitators and GOOD imitators - down to the Julianne Moore version recently ...

Rock, or rather Roy? Have to dwell on this one .... he rescued the studio so many times, especially later with the Day/Hudson comedies ... and more or less had the 'Lylah Claire' exit.

[There was even the rumor that all of his existing costumes were to be burnt - for fear of contamination - after his passing ..... sad little town!]

Elizabeth Taylor is currently too tired to hold his torch ...isn't it time for a Hudson retrospect?

Proceed!

[Great support by Agnes Moorehead as the clockwork 'friend' and the brat of a daughter Gloria Talbot .... whatever happened to HER?]

.... as for the rather obsolete Country Clubs .....

African American actors appear - briefly - but Sirk's indelible comment is quite there!

A good drama and New England scenery

Format: Black & White, Color
Studio: Universal Studios
Video Release Date: February 17, 1998

Cast:

Jane Wyman ... Cary Scott
Rock Hudson ... Ron Kirby
Agnes Moorehead ... Sara Warren
Conrad Nagel ... Harvey
Virginia Grey ... Alida Anderson
Gloria Talbott ... Kay Scott
William Reynolds ... Ned Scott
Charles Drake ... Mick Anderson
Hayden Rorke ... Dr. Hennessy
Jacqueline deWit ... Mona Plash
Leigh Snowden ... Jo-Ann
Donald Curtis ... Howard Hoffer
Alex Gerry ... George Warren
Nestor Paiva ... Manuel
Forrest Lewis ... Mr. Weeks
Tol Avery ... Tom Allenby
Merry Anders ... Mary Ann
Alan DeWitt ... Stationmaster
Jim Hayward ... John
David Janssen ... Freddie Norton
Anthony Jochim ... Mr. Adams
Paul Keast ... Mark Plash
Joseph Mell ... Mr. Gow
Vernon Rich ... Bill
Paul Smith ... Tom
Donna Jo Gribble ... Miss Taylor
Helene Heigh ... Ann
Eleanor Audley ... Mrs. Humphrey
Gia Scala ... Manuel's Daughter
Edna Smith ... Miss Edna Pidway
Rosa Turich ... Rozanna
Lillian Culver ... Mrs. Taylor
Helen Andrews ... Myrtle

Widow Cary Scott (Jane Wyman) is in love with Ron Kirby (Rock Hudson) who is 15 years her junior, but her two children and some of her acquaintances 0bject to their marriage. In order to mollify others, she puts off the marriage, until she finds that her friends and children are selfish and really don't care about her.

This is a good film, well acted and with beautiful New England scenery.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

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

a nice film with a great theme
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

This movie follows the story of a widow (Jane Wyman) who falls in love with a much younger man (Rock Hudson) and risks alienating her adult children when she wants to marry him.

The movie has a great theme of family relations and the concern siblings have for a parent. This film was later remade by Rainer Werner Fassbinder as "Ali Fear Eats the Soul" which was also released by the Criterion Collection.

The DVD has numerous special features including a theatrical trailer, a slide show of lobby cards for the film, an illustrated essay about several of Douglas Sirk's films by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, and a rare BBC interview with the director Douglas Sirk. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A woman made of gravy skins
The MST3K episode was great, as we all know, but the movie itself is actually (and I don't say this often) not too bad. It does have some good messages, but doesn't make full use of them.

The idea that society finds middle aged women to be hateful and deserving of death because of their lack of beauty is a good observation, but the movie also seems to support this idea by making the titular Leech Woman a villain, along with Mala, who also attains youth through killing. Old women are evil, as Mike says at the very end.

I thought that Coleen Gray was quite good in her middle-aged role, she brought a real heaviness to her role. Rare in an MST3K movie, I actually enjoy her performance up till the point when she gets young. After that she loses something. She becomes a different character, just as Mala does, somebody less compelling. I didn't like Ms. Gray at all in Phantom Planet, for the same reason. She doesn't make a good temptress. Perhaps she tries too hard. But she seems very natural in her role here as a very lonely and self-loathing middle aged wife whose husband never loved her.

The Wasp Woman
You have to realize that movies like "The Leech Woman" and "The Wasp Woman" were not meant to be taken seriously since they were made mainly for the Drive-in-circuit. The wasp mask Susan Cabot had to wear, in 1959, was tight and fitted to the back of her neck with glue. During the climax she was really hurt when Zinthrop throws the "break-away" acid jar at her face. The acid smoke-effects nearly suffocated her because there was no open mouth area, just two little holes in the nose area. When she fell out the window she had to enlist the men who caught her to help take off the mask and as a result, took off a bit of neck skin as well! So, the mask was not a bad mask since it was so form fitting, like a second skin, and very painful!

Missed Potential
Instead of remaking good movies, Hollywood really needs to take B-movies that are filled with great ideas but fail to live up to their potential because of time and money. There's just a goldmine of movies out there waiting to be tapped, and THE LEECH WOMAN is one such movie. Think about it. With the advent of the usually anorexic supermodels, this movie seems to apply to our society now more than ever. LEECH WOMAN could've made for some dead-on social commentary, and to a certain extent, it does. All of the characters, however, become completely unlikable, taking away from its impact. Instead, the message comes out as "Everyone is a scumbag or psychotic." The relationships between the two couples (doctor and Leech Woman, their layer and his girlfriend) aren't fleshed out enough, so you don't really see how the two women are driven to violence. I mean, it's easy enough when you see how they are treated to sympathize with them, but their reactions are too extreme and absolutely unnecessary, which makes them look psychotic. And of course, all of the men in this movie are scumbags. The movie does hit the right beats on occasion, and it certainly is memorable (e.g., the pineal ring). In short, a great premise turned into a depressing movie due to missed potential and likable characters made so unlikable then given pretty terrible fates.

You saw it on MST3K, now ridicule it in your own home
My theme this week has been to look at horror films where the title really has nothing to do in the movie. Why is this film called "The Leech Woman"? Because if you think that title gives viewers the wrong idea what do you think "The Penal Gland Woman" would have done? Dr. Paul Talbot (Phillip Terry) and his no longer blushing bride June (Coleen Gray) head off to Africa and stumble upon a native version of the fountain of youth. This film could have been a serious look at the vanity of American culture, but then it is also could have been about Napoleon's invasion of Russia, the extermination of the carrier pigeon, or the building of a swimming pool in the White House for FDR. But it is none of those things. What it does do is the take the idea of the high premium placed on feminine beauty and take it to a homicidal extreme. The secret to rejuvenated youth turns out to be poking a hole in the back of the neck to get at that tasty little gland, which would be a twist, I guess, on the vampire modus operandi. After seeing Old Malla (Estelle Hemsley) turn into Young Malla (Kim Hamilton), our heroine is convinced and gets rid of her hubby. Then it is just a question of going back to the U.S. and finding fresh glands to leech on. I think Gray's performance is the strongest part of this 1960 B-movie from director Edward Dein, although rooting for her husband to die a gruesome death was fun except for the fact that it comes at the end of Act I. To be fair to Dein, this is not his script, and when he directed his own script the year before in "Curse of the Undead" he produced one of the best vampires in the Old West movies of all time. Then again, name a better penal gland movie that "The Leech Woman." There is one organ that simply does not make its way into more horror movies. Take home this movie and make fun of it in the comfort of your own home. Just no biting people on the back of their necks, ladies.

Serious Fun
With a title like this, what would you expect? Please don't take it too seriously. It's just a real good "B" melodrama typical of the l950's. A rejuvenation secret prompts a desperate quest into darkest Africa to find a bizarre youth serum and something else...The realities and hurt of a bitter love story and the perils and unfairness of aging are presented in an entertaining few minutes. The old African lady, played to the hilt by Estelle Hemley,declares, "You are the one in my dreams of blood." And she delivers under the most horrendous circumstances. Take it for the fun of it.The star, Colleen Gray, is exceptionally good in a most unattractive and beautiful role, and this fine veteran actress delivers it with sympathy and great energy. No small feat.All women should cheer; there is substance here. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Girls Town
I actually saw this movie for the first time a couple of weeks ago on American Movie Classics. I know it's a B movie, but I really liked it. I thought the acting was surprisingly "tight". I was also surprised to see Mel Torme acting in a film, as I had never seen this before. As with most films portraying teenagers, real teenagers are seldom used, so I can't really bash it for that. I liked the music as well, especially the opening song and Anka's touching rendition of Ave Maria. This is the kind of movie I would have enjoyed watching at a Saturday afternoon matinee.

Girls Town awesome fun flick and Mamie is an ICON
This film has been shown on local television, cable special or late night flicks and still manages to inspire films today.
I saw this movie 5 years ago and managed to let friends and family borrow my vhs copy. The movie is one of a kind with its rock 'n' roll greats on stage such as The Platters, Paul Anka , Mel Torme and the cameo appearance with Ray Anthony . Mamie Van Doren bursts onto the screen as the ultimate bombshell and the Mae West- like candor starring as Silver Morgan . Silver is part of a gang of reckless youths that unfortunately are looked upon as hopeless rebels. An accidental death takes place with a member of the gang and Silver Morgan is blamed instantly because of a lipstick found in the dead teenager's car. Denying that she was ever around the night of this date-gone-wrong and is sent to an all female youth detention center run by Nuns. Silver makes her way into the place and decides to cat fight with anyone that gives her bad time....in the end, she comes out of the whole thing a changed girl that has been mistakenly charged with the crime. I truly loved this film and Mamie Van Doren shatters the Marilyn Monroe comparison showing her comedic talents.

Unintentionally hilarious teen-spoitation flick
Was this bad-girls-in-reform-school flick made in an attempt to cash in on the Academy Award-winning "Boys' Town" or did the studio just happen to have a few dozen nun's habits in their wardrobe department? Tubby, dewlapped crooner Mel Torme frames busty bottle-blonde bombshell bad-girl Silver Morgan (Mamie Van Doren, the poor man's Jane Mansfield) for the over-a-cliff murder of her attempted rapist in this manipulative, cloying 1959 teen-sploitation flick. The cops don't have a thing on Silver but the dead punk's dad commands the usual White Male Reality political pull, sending her to a convent-slash-reform-school "Girls' Town" chock-full-o' tough-as-nails nuns, teen gangs played by 35-year old actors, an "Ave Maria"-singing Paul Anka, a no-hands drag race ending in the usual expected laughably "tragic" result, the Platters, badly-choreographed catfights consistently broken up by beefy security nuns, way too much embarrassingly fake teen slang, and Charlie Chaplin, Jr. (?) Watch out for Silver's creepy reform-school pal Seraphina, a spooky obsessive fan stalking a vaguely stupefied young Paul Anka; look carefully in the drive-in scene to spot the reflections of the director and camera crew in the windows of the cars. "The Sound of Music" this ain't. If you're like me, you saw this given the "Mystery Science Theater 3000" treatment, and were all the better for it...it's even funnier that way, and at least *intentionally* funny.

Girls Town (1959)
Classic howler from the drive-in era of movie making, what was then referred to as a rock n roll movie. Starring B-movie bad girl Mamie Van Doren, pushing 30 at least, playing an underage teen, who is sent to reform school run by Catholic nuns. Elinor Donohue (Princess from tv's Father Knows Best) plays Mamie's look alike kid sister (I swear). Mel Torme, the Velvet Fog himself, plays a sneering leatherjacketed j.d. (even tho he's at least 40 when he made this) who blackmails then kidnaps Donohue, with plans of shipping herdown to Mexico. Anyway, there's drag racing, an attempted rape, a murder, cat fights, tough lesbos,rock n roll songs, mental breakdowns, religious conversions and Paul Anka (with his old nose) singing "Lonely Boy" (which he wrote for this film) and the "Ave Maria" (talk about sacriligious!). Also on hand is I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE's Gloria Talbot ( as a lesbo), Gigi Perreau (as the unhinged girl who stalks Anka, before there even was stalking. I guess the producers couldn't afford to have her stalk Ricky Nelson.) And check out the appearence by The Platters, in which the camera never shows the face of lead singer Tony Williams, just his hand, the back of his head, and the column that covers his face! Forget HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL, this is the CITIZEN KANE of camp classics. Crazy, cool and completely unforgettable.From M-G-M , of all places..

girl's town
sending this in again as i forgot 2 put the name of movie......great movie 4 back in the old days ... Read more

Reviews (3)

MA KICKS PA TO THE CURB
EVEN THOUGH PA IS NOT PERCY I FIGURED IT WOULD STILL BE NICE TO SEE THE GOOD OLD FUNNY FAMILY THAT LOVES EACHOTHER UNCONDITIONALLY ANYHOW. IT RUBBED ME WRONG TO SEE OLD MA GIVE PA THE BOOT. IT WASN'T IN THE NORM FOR THE WELL KNOWN AND LOVED MA ND PA MOVIES. I THINK IT HAD FUNNY PARTS IN IT, BUT ITS A GOOD 45 MINUTES INTO THE MOVIE BEFORE IT GETS FUNNY. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THERE BEST ONES IF YOU WANT THE TRUTH.

One classic and one desperate last gasp
Ma & Pa Kettle was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid and Saturday afternoon TV wasn't ALL sport. Just seeing them in their 'ultra-modern' new home brings back great memories. Pa Kettle is great as the man who wants to do nothing married to the hardest working housewife in the world with too many kids to count. As with all of these movie series from the 40's and 50's this starts on a high and gradually slides downhill, losing the stars as it goes on (so nothing has changed there). The first couple of movies can be watched over and over, but I think the last one could probably be filed after one viewing.

The last Kettle film, and a new Pa...
This is the last of 10 films featuring the Kettle clan, perhaps there should have been 9. The second film without Percy Kilbride, this one introduces Parker Fennelly as the replacement Pa. While he does well in this role, after 8 Kilbride films, casting another actor in his role was a bad idea. Also, the film lacks the touch of Charles Lamont as director, who helped create the truly classic Kettle films. This film is interesting as the final Kettle film, the only one with Pa played by someone other than Percy Kilbride, and Marjorie Main's last film. The story is mildly entertaining, but suffers from simplicity, and a reliance upon the comedic legacy of previous Kettle films. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Classic Bob Hope Comedy!!Happy 100th Birthday Mr. Hope!!
Bob Hope stars as an inept insurance salesman who sells the outlaw Jesse James a 100,000 dollar life insurance policy with hilarious results.This is a classic Bob Hope Comedy along with a great cast.By the way ,Happy 100th Birthday,Mr. Hope and thanks for the memories,we all love you!! ... Read more

Reviews (13)

It Came....and it went!
This movie was loosely based on the Medved brothers' book "The Golden Turkey Awards" which lampooned some of Hollywood's worst movies. Nowadays Michael Medved is best known for being the "family values" movie critic; but in the 1970's he and his brother, Harry, were among the pioneers who ushered in the bad movie lovers phenonmenon with a couple of hysterically funny books ripping some really awful movies to pieces. "It Came from Hollywood" was an attempt to capitalize on the growing cult of bad movie lovers by actually showing clips of some of the worst movies ever put on celluloid and having commentary done by big name comic actors.

Unfortunately, the movie is mixed a bag. It made the HUGE mistake of actually mixing footage of good movies in with the real horrors. Also the comic skits by Ackroyd, Candy, Radner, and, Cheech and Chong are mostly hit and miss. However, the film clips that illustrate such cinematic disasters as "Horror at Party Beach," "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes," and the work of Ed Wood are for the most part hilarious.

"It Came from Hollywood" was a finacial disaster. It disappeared from movie theaters in record time which prompted one writer to quip, "It Came. . .and it went!" The Medved brothers, who worked as consultants for the movie, would continue to write about bad movies. In the ultimate irony they placed "It Came from Hollywood" in their book on the filmdom's greatest flops- "The Hollywood Hall of Shame."

Very funny stuff, total camp!
I saw this film when I was a child on HBO. My siblings and I used to watch it multiple times, we loved it! It isn't high art but the clips are silly and the scenes inbetween them are a blast. The late John Candy, and Gilda Radner are both hysterical. I could see why this movie may not have made it on the big screen, it isn't really suited for that type of venue. But it is a campy video delight. If you like watching bad movies for fun, they you will love watching bad movies spoofed by some of the funniest people in comedy.

Worth renting for sure!
I don't know if I would buy this but it's definitely worth renting if you like the wit of the old SNL cast. Gilda Radner is great as well as John Candy, even Dan Akroyd is good even though he usually bothers me for a reason I still can't figure out. Cheech and Chong are very, very funny and I didn't even like them in the old days so that says something - somebody obviously held them back just a little bit (but not too much) and in this film it really works - there are some very funny parts. As for the clips of the various B movies they are GREAT - not too long but not too short. They give you just enough of each of these horrible movies without you getting bored (ever sat through the entire Killer Tomatoes?, if so you'll know what I mean). In retrospect I really can't complain about this film at all. I think they did a really good job of it and it's definitely worth a watch.

"What were they thinking?!?"
That's what you will ask yourself while you watch the worst collection of films ever made for audiences ever! You'll get a kick out of seeing how cheesy the sets and costumes were, and of course, they give a big HATS OFF! to Ed Wood, "King of the D Movie." Only for those who think today's movies are lousy -- think you have it bad now? Watch what audiences during the 50s-71 had to deal with!!

When I was a boy!
When I Was 8 years old my dad rented this film. I remember all the in-side jokes, SNL cast and of course Cheech& Chong. It became a staple of my pop culture world, I lost track over the years and now 20 years later I now go back the the place in my head. Most kids my age never saw or heard of this film, well I love Star Wars too, but I went beyond that. In 1982 Bill Paxton's Fish Heads video and It Came From Hollywood were my cult favorets at 8 years old, amazing how some things never change. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

The must see Christmas movie after Miracle on 34th Street
There are several Christmas movies with heart: Going My Way, Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life. All of these movies are shown countless times during the season. We're No Angels is a rarely seen, light comedy, with Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and Basil Rathbone. I only wish the copy I loaned someone would come back.

THE funniest Christmas Movie ever made !
Anytime I visit my local Video store around the Christmas Season,I have to remind the Manager,that besides " Miracle on 34 th. Street " and the usual array of "feel good" movies for the holidays,this one is never on the shelf with the others..but it should be ! The combination of Bogart,Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray is perfect.Every cliche,like " poisonous snakes always get the bad guy,the good guy can pick it up with his bare hands "...has been met head on,and they work well.All the characters are endearing and the end is wonderful,I see it every Christmas along with " The Bishophs Wife ".Who would not want to sit and have 90 minutes with Bogie & Co. ? Not me !!!!

RELEASE IN DVD
Really fantastic movie, we need it out in DVD and letterbox.
It is a wonderful funny movie.
Please vote for DVD.

top ten holiday season movies
This is a movie for all. It's a delight to watch again and again, each time hearing more of the softly spoken hilarious asides. Zero Mostel and Aldo Ray are great and Humphrey Bogart is wonderful at comedy.

GREAT MOVIE
All you really have to say about this movie is that it is a must see film. The movie is not meant to be historical about Devils Island, it just takes place there. It is just meant to be a fun movie and it does that extremely well. A MUST SEE FOR ALL AGE GROUPS. Good watching!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

"Criminal Masterpiece"
They just dont make them like this anymore! I would love to see Alpha Video put this masterpiece out on DVD. Very tough crime flick from the 50's, one of the greatest!

Reworking the Familiar
A curiously compelling little movie, Crashout is a throwback to the tough prison-escape movies of the 30's. Fortunately, the producers had the good sense to hire an expert cast of B-movie veterans to enliven an otherwise shopworn plot. Writer-producer Hal Chester and director-writer Lewis Foster provide each convict with a distinct personality that holds viewer interest as tensions mount, while the audience anticipates how each character will be brought to justice. Standouts in the cast are the always subtle Arthur Kennedy, an engagingly ambivalent Marshall Thompson, and William Tallman doing his scary psycho bit, this time as a knife-throwing religious fanatic. And in a poignant bit part, cult favorite Gloria Talbott as the prospect of a normal life for the ill-fated Thompson. Though you've seen it all before, there are many nice touches that lift this otherwise generous slice of thick-ear beyond the merely routine.

Crashout: top notch prison breakout film!
Sure, we've seen the escaped convicts formula before, but this one hits home. Here is a real diversity of the six characters; each one as convincing as the next. William Bendix is his usual great gruff self, playing the heartless, cold-blooded mastermind. My personal favorite, film veteran Arthur Kennedy, excels as the counterpoint to Bendix: he excels as the white collar criminal with a brain, and ultimately, a heart. Fine dialogue, plenty of action, and even a little romance thrown in. A winner! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Western!!
This is a great western about two bounty hunters one blinded and the other crippled from a man who doublecrossed them which they are seeking their revenge.Starring Robert Lansing and Slim Pickens,it's a must see movie!! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

I'm glad Marilyn is Hardly in This
I am probably one of the very few people who actually does not like Marilyn Monroe. She can not act, and thankfully she is hardly even in this movie. Fans of hers, who are more than likely only watching this movie for her appearance, might find themselves a little dissapointed. But if those (many) fans, can accept that fact, and just watch it because it is a good movie, will hopefully find themselves enjoying it. Fans of the brilliant, and beautiful Ginger Rogers will be more than pleased though, since she has a great part in this movie.

Melvin Bush (Victor Moore) has been marrying couples, before his time has actually come, as to when he has the authority to do so. The five couples later find out, through a letter, that they are not legally married. Its mixed into different sections, one for each couple, and none of the stars really get a huge amount of screen-time. The couples are played by Fred Allen and Ginger Rogers; David Wayne and Marilyn Monroe; Paul Douglas and Eve Arden; Louis Calhern and Zsa Zsa Gabor; Eddie Bracken and Mitzi Gaynor.

All of the five sections are mostly amusing. Especially Ginger Rogers and Fred Allen, playing a couple of Radio hosts, who were married really just to get the job (and now completely hate each other). The radio show is made up, almost completely, of stupid sponsors, where they have to say the most scripted, and funny things you could come across in a scene such as this. This film is worthy to watch for their scene alone.

This DVD release from 20th Century Fox, as part of the Marilyn Monroe Diamond Collection, has a brilliant transfer, and the sound is very clear, too. The fact that Marilyn Monroe is on the cover, is quite misleading, and Ginger Rogers, Fred Allen, or maybe one of the other stars, would have been more realistic to have on the cover. I can accept the fact though, that she is on the cover, because it is part of Fox's Diamond Collection series. The extras is a dissapointment. That's one thing Fox never seem to bother too much with. I wish they would, since some deleted scenes would have been good to add, which I know they could have, aswell. But overall, its a good release.

We're not Married?
Marilyn is of course the highlight of this movie as a young mother who enters a beauty pageant. I like particularly the part with Zsa Zsa Gabor and Luis Calhern. Other stars include: Ginger Rogers, David wayne, Eve Arden, Mitzi Gaynor, Fred Allen, Paul Douglas, Eddie Braken, and Victor Moore, who unknowingly marries a number of couples before his appoinment is official and the reults are hilarious.

anull & void
What a waste of a powerhouse cast! Dated, unfunny & plodding--for Monroe completists only.

Why no deleted sequence?
This is a funny movie, especially the Fred Allen and Ginger Rogers section, with a great cast but why didn't Fox include the deleted sequence with Walter Brennan and Hope Emerson as an extra? It's included on the Hidden Hollywood Fox DVD and it's been shown on AMC. It should've been included on this disc.

Marilyn Monroe and Zsa Zsa Gabor in the same film!!!
.
Basic rule of cinema #1: Never is a moment of Marilyn Monroe on film not worth seeing.

MARILYN MONROE is very charming and well worth seeing in this early film appearance in which she co-stars with an actor who appeared in several more Fox films with her, David Wayne. Marilyn appears as the winner of not one, but two different beauty contests. This of course gives reason for her to display her ample physical assets as she models the requisite swimsuits, which illustrate a large part of her allure as a pin-up queen of the early 1950's before becoming better-known for her singing and acting talents.

Although early in her career, Monroe proves that her screen-time is always mesmerizing. When she's on screen, you simply can't take your eyes off her.

This is a really entertaining episodic film, with a great ensemble cast. An episode starring Zsa Zsa Gabor is quite amusing, as is the very funny chapter starring Ginger Rogers.

Definitely worth adding the DVD version of this to your Marilyn Monroe collection! This is a funny movie! ... Read more

Description

I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE tells the story of a race of monster-like aliens from another planet who try to conquer Earth by taking over a small town, inhabiting the bodies of prominent citizens and trying to impregnate the women.After one newlywed woman (Talbott) becomes suspicious of her husband when she sees him turn into a monster, the entire town begins to rise to the threat of conquest by the aliens. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Chilling Little Sci Fi Thriller With Very Eerie feel
Hampered with one of the most sensationalistic titles in all movie history this little gem of a thriller has been unfairly dumped in the "Shlock Cinema" bin for too long. Under the terrible title lurks a taut and quite eerie story in the same vein as the classic "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers". I only saw this film for the first time recently and I was very impressed by the good acting,exciting story and eerie feel that was in every frame of the film. It really is one of the finer efforts of the Sci Fi 1950's period and deserves better press than it generally gets.

"I Married A Monster From Outer Space", tells the disturbing story of a young man Bill Farrell (Tom Tryon) who on the eve of his wedding is captured by sinister aliens from a dead world beyond our Solar System . Their purpose is to take over the bodies of a number of earth men so that they can procreate with earth women in the hope of repopulating their dying world. In true bodysnatcher style the men once taken over, are only outwardly as they were but within are actually the aliens who's features are revealed again during things like electrical storms etc. The new bride Marge (Gloria Talbot) begins to realise that something is very wrong with Bill who no longer has any of the old emotions about him. Highly suspicious Marge follows him through the woods one evening only to discover the terrible truth as she witnesses a glowing alien emerging from the outer body of her husband. What in fact is her supposedly loving husband is in reality a fiendish alien with evil intent. The race is then on for Marge to try and alert the townspeople of the terror in their midst. However that proves more difficult as time goes on as more of the men are taken over by the aliens and it becomes difficult for Marge to know who to trust. Eventually the remaining males who have not been taken over rally together and realising the danger in their midst set out to destroy the alien presense. The fiery finale sees the police penetrating the alien space ship where they release the seemingly lifeless bodies of the captured males after which their alien duplicates die a quick death. Marge is then reunited with her "reborn" real husband.

Directed by former editor Gene Fowler who was responsible for that other fine effort with a terrible title "I Was A Teenage Werewolf", the eerie atmosphere and sense of fear never lets up for a minute. From the first sinister appearance of the aliens on the side of the road when Bill stops the car for a supposedly dead body lying on the road, through to the various "captures' of the male townsfolk and their transformation into hideous aliens it makes for an exciting story and a quite vivid snapshot of 1950's paranoia. In the leads Tom Tryon, with his stern goodlooks is ideally cast as the sinister alien masquerading as the young husband. He gives a fine performance filled with both menace and a sense of mystery that keeps the viewer alert to what he might do next. Gloria Talbott as Marge has the larger amount of emoting to do here as her situation grows more and more serious and she realises what is going on and that she is actually living with an alien. The presence of the aliens in their own real forms is kept to an effective minimum and their brief appearances during the storms and when they capture the men are quite startling and vividly done. The murder of the young women after she leaves the bar and sees an alien in its real form is one of the scary highlights of the story as well.

"I Married A Monster From Outer Space", is an exciting little film that all sci fi buffs should include in their collection. Despite its obvious low budget the film has much to offer. The musical score, earnest low key performances and eerily staged proceedings make for enjoyable viewing. The aliens depicted are quite original in their construction and the sinister white glow that they appear in is marvellous and creates a quite startling impression. Being a classic of the 1950's paranoia period, many other meanings can be written into alien creatures taking over the bodies of innocent citizens of a small town however I enjoy it as taut, exciting storytelling from the old school of Hollywood filmmaking . Sit back and enjoy Tom Tryon and Gloria Talbott battle the aliens in the cult classic "I Married A Monster From Outer Space".

3 1/2 Stars.Above Average.
This movie is in the same vein as Invasion Of The Body Snatchers but manages to set itself apart by giving you the aliens perspective.
Gloria Talbott,as the lead,isnt very engaging but does an acceptable job.Tom Tryon,on the other hand,does an admirable job,deftly walking a thin line between sympathetic alien and evil fiend.
The story itself moves at a casual pace.This isnt an action packed film but it never slows down to the point where you find yourself getting bored.In fact,there are two scenes of alien/human confrontation between the 30 minute and 50 minute mark that seemed to be thrown in at the last minute in order to keep the viewer from losing interest.
The final battle between the humans and aliens is exciting and features outstanding spfx.I also really dug the look of the creatures.
I would definetly recommend this movie but you have to be interested in the story to make it to the end.If you liked Invasion Of The Body Snatchers then you'll find a lot to like about this film.But if the idea of aliens taking over human bodies doesnt interest you then stay away.

I Married A Monster From Outer Space
This little gem from 1958 has always been one of my favorites along with The Monster That Challenged The World and Them! The special effects are typical 50's but still great fun. Maltin gives it 2 1/2 stars and I give it 3 simply because I can salivate an extra half a star just in anticipation of it's release. Oh, by the way my next salivation will come when they release The Incredible Shrinking Man, can't wait.

FUN SCI-FI SHOCKER...
One of the most memorable titles of the 50's sci-fi/horror era is really a good little shocker in it's own right. Gloria Talbott marries Tom Tryon expecting marital bliss. Wrong. He won't make love to her, his behavior is weird, the dog is afraid of him, he disappears at night, etc., and spooky stuff is going on in the woods. It's a small town and some of his friends notice these things too. But then THEY start acting weird, there's a monster zapping people to death and pretty soon no one believes Gloria's concerns. Talbott made some campy films in the 50's but this is one of the better ones. And of course everyone knows that Tryon wrote the classic "The Other" that was made into a wonderful film. So "Monster" is a welcome addition to DVD for fans for many reasons. The monsters are pretty cool for the era and there's a great scene of Tryon standing on a balcony and lightening flashes revealing his true appearance. This is the kind of 50's fun that I wish was more available on DVD. Watch for this one.

Great, creepy, body-snatcher type film.
Like Invaders from Mars, IOTBS, and a few others, about people suddenly starting to act weird for some goddam reason. Turns out to be pods or something else taking over their bodies. Also, in this case, about how, metaphorically, your spouse becomes a stranger after the wedding.

WHY ISN'T THIS MOVIE ON DVD!?!?!?!?!?!?! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Western!!
This is a great western about two bounty hunters one blinded and the other crippled from a man who doublecrossed them which they are seeking their revenge.Starring Robert Lansing and Slim Pickens,it's a must see movie!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

MA KICKS PA TO THE CURB
EVEN THOUGH PA IS NOT PERCY I FIGURED IT WOULD STILL BE NICE TO SEE THE GOOD OLD FUNNY FAMILY THAT LOVES EACHOTHER UNCONDITIONALLY ANYHOW. IT RUBBED ME WRONG TO SEE OLD MA GIVE PA THE BOOT. IT WASN'T IN THE NORM FOR THE WELL KNOWN AND LOVED MA ND PA MOVIES. I THINK IT HAD FUNNY PARTS IN IT, BUT ITS A GOOD 45 MINUTES INTO THE MOVIE BEFORE IT GETS FUNNY. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THERE BEST ONES IF YOU WANT THE TRUTH.

One classic and one desperate last gasp
Ma & Pa Kettle was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid and Saturday afternoon TV wasn't ALL sport. Just seeing them in their 'ultra-modern' new home brings back great memories. Pa Kettle is great as the man who wants to do nothing married to the hardest working housewife in the world with too many kids to count. As with all of these movie series from the 40's and 50's this starts on a high and gradually slides downhill, losing the stars as it goes on (so nothing has changed there). The first couple of movies can be watched over and over, but I think the last one could probably be filed after one viewing.

The last Kettle film, and a new Pa...
This is the last of 10 films featuring the Kettle clan, perhaps there should have been 9. The second film without Percy Kilbride, this one introduces Parker Fennelly as the replacement Pa. While he does well in this role, after 8 Kilbride films, casting another actor in his role was a bad idea. Also, the film lacks the touch of Charles Lamont as director, who helped create the truly classic Kettle films. This film is interesting as the final Kettle film, the only one with Pa played by someone other than Percy Kilbride, and Marjorie Main's last film. The story is mildly entertaining, but suffers from simplicity, and a reliance upon the comedic legacy of previous Kettle films. ... Read more