Description

O'Brien is the sub commander, who loses the trust of his crew, Garner the naval officer assigned a commando mission-but the real story here is the vintage cast-Richard Bakalyan and Warren Oates are joined by TV's familiar faces: Edd (Kooky) Byrnes, Henry (Otto Schmidlapp from "Life of Riley") Kulka, and Alan (the Skipper from "Gilligan's Island") Hale Jr. The fine performances are punctuated by adequate action scenes that result in a very watchable picture. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

patterned after book.
I bought this video because it appeared to be based on the book UP PERISCOPE writen by Robb White. I bought the book in about 1961 in grade school. I loved the book and read it several times. The movie has the same characters, Kenn Braden, Skipper Stevensen, Pat Malone, Si, etc. It roughly followed the book, except there was a big difference in one outcome. To be honest, I liked the book more, but I really enjoyed the movie. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had not read that book and tried to follow the two plots. It was a good movie, but, like the one goat said to the other goat as they were eating the film from a movie "I liked the book better!" Robb White also wrote a book called SECRET SEA, which I enjoyed almost as much as UP PERISCOPE.

Another Good Submarine Film
It seemed that ever since the release of 1957's THE ENEMY BELOW, World War II submarine movies enjoyed great popularity during the late 50s. This is one of the better ones directed by Gordon Douglas with stalwart James Garner and cautious Edmond O'Brien. The scenes around the Japanese held island are suspenseful and well filmed by Carl Guthrie. Richard Landau's screenplay is pretty faithful to the novel by Robb White. It also features Edd Byrnes, Alan Hale Jr. and one of my favorite actors Warren Oates.

Worth watching over.
Edmond O'Brien has a reputation for being so cautious that some of the crew thinks that equates to chicken. James Garner (Lt. Ken Braden) is about to test that caution with his life. Lt. Braden has a mission that is bordering on endangering the SUB. The bulk of the movie is the stress and interaction between the commander and LT and the crew that thinks the commander is chicken. You may have heard the story before but this is a very good version.

FROM INSIDE THE FISH
PART OF THE ACTION SHOTS FOR THIS MOTION PICTURE WAS FILMED ABOARD THE USS TILEFISH (SS307) IN SAN DIEGO, CA. (1958). I WAS A YOUNG NINETEEN YEAR OLD WHITE HAT SAILOR THAT WAS IN AHA! NOT ONLY WERE THESE PEOPLE GREAT ACTORS - THESE ACTORS WERE GREAT PEOPLE. MAYBE I WAS TO CLOSE TO BE AN OBJECTIVE CRITIC, BUT I LOVED IT.

UP PERISCOPE
UP PERISCOPE IS A TOP NOTCH WORLD WAR II FILM STARRING JAMES GARNER & EDMOND O'BRIEN. WELL WORTH WATCHING. A TRUE FIND IF YOUR A WAR MOVIE BUFF LIKE ME. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Remember Spanky doing "Friends, romans, countrymen..."?
Volume 1 in the Little Rascals collection features four of the Our Gang comedies from the Hal Roach-MGM years, at least one of which is a certified classic while the rest are at least well above-average. Leonard Maltin introduces the two-reelers, although I am not exactly sure why. It is not like the Rascals are performing Shakespeare (just a speech from one play).

Actually the central character in "Fly My Kite" (1931) is Grandma (Mrs. Margaret Mann), who reads the gang pulp stories, gives them friendly advice, and even puts on the boxing gloves to spar with them. But her son-in-law Dan (James Mason; no, not that one) wants to send the old lady to the County Home so he can move into her house with his new bride. But then it turns out Grandma has some gold bonds now worth $100,000. Dan wants to steal the bonds but Grandma has tied them to the tail of Chubby's kite. This one features Farina, Chubby, Mary Ann, Stymie, Wheezer, and Pete the Pup, as well as some fun stunt work by Grandma's double.

In "Honky Donkey" (1934) Wally's mom sends him home with chauffeur Don Barclay, but the lad wants to meet with his friends at a vacant lot, where they have made a merry-go-round powered by Algebra the mule. Chased from the lot the Barclay drives the gang (and their mule) to the mansion where Algebra engages in predictably but hysterical destructive behavior. It seems Algebra will only move if you sneeze, at which point he chases the offender, and only tops if he hears a bell ringing (Remember, this is supposed to make sense to KIDS). One of the nice touches by director Gus Meins is how he uses Spanky and Scotty to react to the antics of Barclay and the mule. This one also features Stymie, Tommy and Buckwheat.

"Beginner's Luck" (1935) is the classic two-reeler where Spanky is entered in a local amateur contest where he will recite Mark Antony's funeral oration from "Julius Caesar." Of course, Spanky knows "all actors are sissies," and gets the gang to promise to heckle him big time. But then he meets Daisy Dimple (Marianne Edwards), who wants to win so she can buy a new dress. When she gets stage fright Spanky decides to win so he can give her the money. This sets the stage for one of the great scenes in "Our Gang" history, as Spanky has to put up with the verbal and spitball assault from his friends and the frantic attempts by his mom to get her little darling off the stage.

A fitting companion piece to that classic is "Reunion in Rhythm" (1937), where the gang stages a musical show for the Adams Street Grammar School class reunion. The entertainment consists of Darla singing "Baby Face" to Porky, Spanky leading a chorus line singing "Broadway Rhythm," Alfalfa singing "I'm Through with Love" after failing to impress Georgia, and Buckwheat trying in vain to recite "Little Jack Horner." There is some introductory footage of an actual Our Gang reunion, which is rather awkward; but we do get to see "Stymie" with hair.

This is a solid first volume and if the idea here is to parcel our one classic along with several above-average Little Rascal comedies, that is certainly going to work. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Gran actuacion de Gregory Peck en excelente western
Only the valiant es un western que cumple con todas las reglas del genero. Sobresalen las actuaciones protagonicas de Peck y de Ward Bond en el papel de soldado borrachin. Es de destacar los valores morales del protagonista que se arriesga a una accion suicida para salvar su honor y el de la caballeria. Es memorable la escena en que el Cap.Lance (Peck) forma a la patrulla para explicarles por que eligio a cada uno para esa mision. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Fabulous movie; why no wide screen?
A non-typical "Elvis Movie" with charming story line, terrific acting by The King, great supporting cast with Authur O'Connell, Joanna Moore (Tatum O'Neil's mom), Simon Oakland and Roland Winters (who Elvis movie fans will remember as Elvis' father in "Blue Hawaii"). This movie could have been the pilot for the Beverly Hillbillies with Elvis as a Jethro Bodean meets Peter Sellers "Chauncy The Gardener" from Being There character. Elvis fans will love his performance, particulary as the family's lawyer in the courtroom scene near the end of the film. Very tourching performance.

Great bit of rock trivia from this movie: Florida native Tom Petty met Elvis on the set of this movie when he was a kid and was inspired to pursue a career in music. Also, Bruce Springsteen often referenced this movie from the stage during his 1985 Born In The USA Tour and performed his own version of the title track, "Follow That Dream".

I've waited several years for this movie to come out on DVD and have seen it before on Turner Classics in wide screen; it was wonderful. Why on earth MGM is releasing the DVD in full screen format is a complete mystery. What a disappointment. Great movie, lousy format.

Elvis delivers a great comedy performance! One of his best !
Elvis is in great form in "Follow That Dream",and this film shows just how wonderful his acting can be when given a good script to work with! The songs: "What A Wonderful Life", "I'm Not The Marrying Kind", "Sound Advice", "Follow That Dream" and "Angel" are among some of Elvis' best movie songs! Another song called "A Whistling Tune" was recorded for this movie, but was dropped before the film's release. It was re-recorded and included in Elvis' next film "Kid Galahad".I was very pleased to see "Follow That Dream" coming out on DVD...however, you guys at Amazon need to correct the technical details above concerning the DVD release! You have it listed as being available in Full-Frame only, when it is actually both Full-Frame AND Widescreen! I was very dissapointed when I first read this information here, and didn't realize that it was ALSO in widescreen until I saw a copy at the store! A great film with wonderful performances by the entire cast, which includes Arthur O'Connell, Ann Helm and Simon Oakland!

Great Fun
There are only three Elvis films that I enjoy: King Creole, Jailhouse Rock, and Follow That Dream. While the first two are great musical dramas from when Elvis still had the air of rebellion about him, Follow That Dream is a piece of comedic fluff like most of his later films, but one which avoids being as formulaic or sickly sweet or filled with terrible music as are most of those later films.

In this one Elvis plays a true innocent who is somehow still ignorant about the ways of the world despite being a vet. He and his family (including some orphans they are looking after) build a homestead on government land which happens to be prime real estate and find themselves in the position to legally obtain ownership of this land. As a result they become the targets of organized crime and feds (who can tell them apart?) who want the land. Elvis also finds himself the target of a crackpot social worker looking into the welfare of the orphans who seeks revenge after he innocently spurns her advances. Elvis gives a really fun performance as a naive character who is so positive in his outlook that when somebody shoots at him he automatically assumes it was an error.

The film pokes great fun at bureaucracy and greed, but it maintains the optimistic outlook that good guys will win in the end. Such an innocent perspective tends to turn off many fans of social satire who find such things too escapist, but what most cynical viewers miss is that much of the innocence is tongue in cheek, and I personally see nothing wrong with optimism so long as it doesn't interfere with realism. If you enjoy, e.g., the film Harvey, then this might be your cup of tea.

Only 2 stars because it's not Anamorphic
There are a lot of complaints from people who thought this DVD would not be widescreen, however,no one has mentioned it is not Enhanced For Widescreen T.V.'s. MGM is releasing a lot of films this way to save money. If this bothers you as it does me then send an email to MGM.
I really like this movie but am very disappointed with the format. When you have a widescreen T.V. in the future you'll curse MGM.

I made a mistake in a early Review of this Release.
This Version of Follow that Dream DOES contain the letterbox transfer as well as the full screen version. I withdraw my earlier review, which was in response to others on this board that insisted the movie was being released in Full Frame only - This is very much incorrect. 5 Stars. Joe has left the building. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Exciting tale of derring-do in olde England
Diverting adventure of intrigue, sword-play, romance and revenge as Sir Richard Shelton reurns home after the War of the Roses to find that his father was murdered and his estate confiscated by the king's agent and his uncle, Sir Daniel Brackley. Richard's search for the truth concerning his father's death puts him and the beautiful Joanna Sedley at great risk, although the crafty Sir Brackley means to have the maiden's hand in marriage. The grand clash between Richard and Sir Brackley on the field of battle closes the film with a flourish. Louis Hayward is perfect as the handsome, dashing Sir Richard and contrasts markedly with George Macready's suave but evil Sir Brackley. Edgar Buchanan does well as a disguised monk and aide-de-camp of Sir John Sedley's outlawed men. The black and white lensing and Paul Sawtell's music rate high marks.

Medieval Drama on a Modest Scale
Louis Hayward returns from the War of the Roses to find his father murdered and his uncle now in charge of his estate.

While this late-medieval drama lacks the budget, the color photography, and the big-name cast needed to give it the "sweep" which it deserves, the resulting effort moves briskly enough to hold one's interest for an efficiently-plotted 76 minutes. While the characters spend a bit too much time explaining the story to each other, or in reading messages which contain still more explanations, there are also enough sword-fights, jousts, cracking whips, and flying arrows to satisfy fans of the genre.

George Macready makes a silky-smooth villain as the treacherous uncle but Louis Hayward, pushing forty at the time, is much too old to play a character who's often referred to "the boy" or "the lad." ... Read more

Reviews (4)

THE SKIN GAME
received the video and am very happy with it -- very fast
moving - james garner is a big favorite of ours - always
gives a great performance. LOVE IT!

Casting Could Not Have Been Better
Garner and Gossit play off each other with the rythm and wit of a fine orchestra. I can't think of any reason to give this 4 stars instead of 5 other than the fact that there have been so many GREAT movies that I'm not sure where the cut off should be. Perhaps slightly above this fine film, or perhaps I'm wrong and it qualifies for the 5 star level. In any case, if you have not seen this movie, do so by all means. It is highly entertaining.

The tittle says it all
Garner and Gossett Jr. have the perfect scheme pre-civil war south and by selling and reselling they make a fair living. Naturally things go wrong.
This movie is a great surprise if you have not seen it. It is like seeing the first of any great movie idea. Remember the first Starwars? Or Support Your Local Sheriff (1969) ASIN: B00004WZR1." Later you are jaded and already used to the type of movie. This is one up on Garner's character in Maverick (1994) ASIN: 6304406061. And Louis Gossett Jr. excels as he did in Enemy Mine (1985) ASIN: 6300248100 wher he is still on the other side of a larger Mason-Dioxin line.

Better tape your ribs before watching this one.

An excellent study of white-black relationships 150 years ag
I was impressed by the willingness of the producers to use the attitudes and language true to the era. Lou Gossett is superb as the "slave" as he switches from groveling chattel to Garner's equal and Edward Asner as the sadistic bully. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Exciting western with impressive cast
Rio Conchos is a very good western with violence that is still a bit startling when you see it today, much less in 1964. A wagon train carrying 2,000 new repeating rifles has been stolen causing the army to worry where they went. Two soldiers team up with a drunken ex-Confederate officer and a bandit to track down the missing guns. While searching, they discover a Confederate officer, Colonel Theron Pardee, who is trying to start the Civil War all over again by giving Apache warriors the new repeating rifles. The small group must try and stop him as they battle Mexican bandits, Apache warriors, and even themselves. Rio Conchos is a grim western with a very realistic tone. The violence seems out of place for the time, but it is still very effective, most notably in the torture scene towards the end. Jerry Goldsmith turns in another excellent score, sometimes reminiscent of Bandolero. For an enjoyable yet dark western, check out Rio Conchos.

Richard Boone gives an excellent performance as Jim Lassiter, the ex-Confederate officer who joins up with the army. At the same time, Lassiter is dealing with the death of his family at the hands of the Apaches. Stuart Whitman is also very good as army Captain Haven, the leader of the small bunch. Anthony Franciosa stars as Rodriguez, the bandit who joins Lassiter and Haven. In his first movie since leaving football, Jim Brown plays Sgt. Franklyn, Haven's right hand man. Edmond O'Brien stars as Colonel Pardee, who hopes to begin the Civil War again. The movie also stars Wende Wagner, Rodolfo Acosta, Vito Scotti, and Kevin Hagen. The VHS is in pan-n-scan so it isn't of the best quality. This movie begs for a DVD widescreen release. For an excellent western with a very good cast, check out Rio Conchos!

Apocalypse Now south of the border
Rio Conchos is a very action filled outing very similar to 2 other films but good in its own right. It stars Richard Boone and Tony Franciosa as 2 renegades who team with 2 soldiers played by Stuart Whitman and Jim Brown in his debut to track down an ex-Rebel Colonel played by Edmond O'brien. He is trying to reestablish the confederacy in Mexico using stolen rifles and Apaches as his new troops. The Jerry Goldsmith score is superb and the action is constant. The film is much like Whitman's earlier effort The Comancheros with John Wayne, and has some noticeable parallels to 1979 Vietnam movie Apocalypse Now. The journey upriver, the renegade Colonel using native troops,etc. all predate Coppola's effort. After a recent viewing I speculated if screenwriter John Milius may have been influenced by this film. A definite favorite of mine and one of the most rugged westerns of the 1960's.

One of the best Western's ever - fast paced, tight and tense
Ranks with 'True Grit' as one of my favorite Westerns. Richard Bonne at his grizzled, onery best. Tony Franciosa is also memorable as Major Lassiter's (Boone) cutthroat Mexican sidekick. This movie has it all, cavalry, apaches, banditos, confederate renegades, stolen repeating rifles - hard core all the way. Jim Brown's movie debut as the loyal, strong, silent, US Cavalry Sergeant. Quite violent and ruthless for a 1964 movie. Jerry Goldsmith's accompanying musical score is also excellent.

Great western entertainment.
Stuart Whitman, Richard Boone, Jim Brown and Anthony Franciosa are well cast in this tough western tale. Edmund O'Brien is also a stand out. Don't miss it. ... Read more

Reviews (100)

Best of the Big Bad Bugs!
Yes, the special effects are very much of the 1950s, but those effects are fun to watch--and unlike most other 1950s sci-fi/horror films, THEM! has a lot more going for it than special effects alone: sharp and aggressive performances, a cast of truly memorable supporting actors, a witty and intelligent script, and best of all (unlike many other films of its era) a story that can still generate plenty of suspense.

The grand-daddy of all mutant-monster movies, THEM! concerns a colony of A-Bomb-created giant ants that have lurked in the desert unnoticed until the colony begins to divide. When newborn queen ants take flight, the world is in danger--particularly Los Angeles, where a nest establishes itself in the city's largely forgotten storm drains. Edmund Gwynne and Joan Weldon give strong performances as the father-daughter scientific team sent from Washington to investigate, and James Whitmore and James Arness give able support as the action-heros of the piece. Fess Parker is also very effective in a small supporting role.

The real winner in the film, however, are the clever cinematography and sound effects that build tremendous suspense, particularly when investigators must enter the desert ant nest and later track the ants to their Los Angeles lair. These scenes possess a claustrophobic feel not seen again in any sci-fi/horror flick until ALIEN. Without graphic gore but more than a few serious thrills, THEM! is a film the whole family can enjoy.

Finally this 1954 scifi landmark Classic comes to DVD!!
In the 1950's the world was testing A-bombs, Hydrogen Bombs, strange results were beginning to appear & Hollywoods imagination was added to the theories. The results a series of movies about radioactive mutated creatures. The first was "THEM".

"THEM" (1954) is a landmark movie about giant radiation-mutated ants that gets better with age and boasts remarkable, Academy Award-nominated special effects.

Summary: Our story begins in a New Mexico desert with a shocked wandering child, destroyed general store & battered corpse full of enough formic acid to kill 20 men. The search begins to find & destroy these menacing insects. The giant mutated ants are on the move and the climatic battle is in over 700 miles of Los Angeles sewers.

An ALL-STAR cast led by James Whitmore, James Arness and Edmund Gwenn.

Special Features include; Behind the Scenes Archive footage, Montage & Operation on the Giant Ants, & film trailer.

This was the first and probably the best movie featuring the worlds & Hollywoods take on the possible results of radioactive mutation.

"THEM" in a great Black & White Standard version (Original theatrical exhibition) digitally restored presenting a very exceptional picture & sound. This sci-fi classic is worth the price of addmission so get out the popcorn and ENJOY!!

You Can't Stop "Them"!
In the late 1940's and 1950's the USA and the Soviet Union repeatedly tested nuclear bombs. In the USA the early tests were done in the desert southwest, and the mushroom clouds could be seen for dozens of miles (and the noise could be heard for hundreds of miles). As scientists measured the increased levels of radiation in milk served to schoolchildren and their parents built bomb shelters in their backyards, Hollywood decided to take the cold war paranoia which made the fifties so unique and create a new type of sci-fi/horror movie - the "mutant monster" film. Along with the original "Godzilla", 1954's "Them" is one of the best of the lot. It starts out in the New Mexico desert, where two state troopers discover a mobile home that's been ripped apart by some unknown animal. The adults are missing, but they do find a terrified little girl (a creepy Sandy Descher) who's so shocked that she can't talk and simply stares wide-eyed and zombie-like at the policemen. A fierce sandstorm blows up, and the troopers then arrive at a local general store that's been ripped apart like the trailer. Curiously no money or valuables were stolen, but sugar has been spread everywhere, and the owner's corpse is found. He had emptied his shotgun at his attacker before being killed with a massive injection of acid. The troopers also find some tracks from an "unknown" large animal. Baffled by this turn of events, one trooper takes the mute little girl to a hospital. The other trooper stays behind to guard the store, but he is attacked and killed by an unknown assailant. The next day Robert Graham (a pre-Gunsmoke James Arness), an FBI agent, arrives to help with the investigation. Soon they are joined by two scientists from the Agriculture Dept. in Washington - the eccentric but brilliant Dr. Harold Medford (a scene-stealing Edmund Gwenn) and his lovely daughter and assistant, Dr. Pat Medford (Joan Weldon). The scientists have a hunch that the "unknown" animal that killed the storeowner and destroyed the buildings was - a giant ant! The ants had been at the site of the first atomic bomb test in New Mexico in 1945, and the radiation has caused them to mutate to an enormous, man-eating size. Soon our heroic quartet is involved in a race against time to find and destroy the ant's colony before they can reproduce and spread across the world. When the queen ant and some male escorts escape the search becomes even more frantic, and leads to a final showdown in the vast sewers of Los Angeles. This film features fine performances by all three of the male leads - James Whitmore as the gruff-but-warm-hearted New Mexico cop, Arness as the quintessentially stern and macho 1950's movie hero, and Gwenn as the quirky ant expert. Although the special effects are obviously primitive by today's standards, "Them" actually had a larger budget than most fifties sci-fi movies, and the ants themselves were an impressive creation for their time. This film also features an impressive number of cameos by future celebrities, including Fess Parker of "Davy Crockett" fame in a hilarious role as a hillbilly pilot who sees three "ant-shaped" UFOs buzzing his airplane. When he tells his story he is declared "crazy" and locked in a mental hospital. Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek's "Mr. Spock") also has a tiny cameo. "Them" was so successful that it was followed by a string of imitators, but it remains superior to all of them. This DVD offers a neat featurette on how they made the giant ant puppets work, but it has few other "extras". However, the film itself is more than worth the relatively cheap sticker price, IMO. Recommended!

A great 1950s horror classic
This adventure was perhaps the best of the mutant-insect monster films that were so popular in the 1950s. In this story, huge, fearsome eight-foot ants were spawned as a result of nuclear testing in the New Mexico desert, and they wreak havoc in the White Sands area, where several people are missing or found dead under mysterious circumstances. The FBI enters the case and they enlist the expertise of two entomologists to help uncover the disappearance of missing persons and the awful realization of what has been taking place in the desert. A nest of the mutant ants is found and destroyed but the queen has already taken flight and must be found before she can hatch another batch of monsters. Eventually, the nest is discovered in a system of storm drains below the streets of Los Angeles, and sets the stage for a tense finish. The black and white cinematography is moody, and the good music score has an eerie, haunting quality that suggests a terrifying, unknown evil.

Great Film For Fans Of The Genre!
Them! has always been one of my favorite 50's American monster flicks. The story and the human drama are very well done and do not overdo themselves.
Really the only sour part about this film is the ants' screen time is very limited, but sweet when they are on screen!
A must have for those who are fans of the genre! ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Fabulous movie; why no wide screen?
A non-typical "Elvis Movie" with charming story line, terrific acting by The King, great supporting cast with Authur O'Connell, Joanna Moore (Tatum O'Neil's mom), Simon Oakland and Roland Winters (who Elvis movie fans will remember as Elvis' father in "Blue Hawaii"). This movie could have been the pilot for the Beverly Hillbillies with Elvis as a Jethro Bodean meets Peter Sellers "Chauncy The Gardener" from Being There character. Elvis fans will love his performance, particulary as the family's lawyer in the courtroom scene near the end of the film. Very tourching performance.

Great bit of rock trivia from this movie: Florida native Tom Petty met Elvis on the set of this movie when he was a kid and was inspired to pursue a career in music. Also, Bruce Springsteen often referenced this movie from the stage during his 1985 Born In The USA Tour and performed his own version of the title track, "Follow That Dream".

I've waited several years for this movie to come out on DVD and have seen it before on Turner Classics in wide screen; it was wonderful. Why on earth MGM is releasing the DVD in full screen format is a complete mystery. What a disappointment. Great movie, lousy format.

Elvis delivers a great comedy performance! One of his best !
Elvis is in great form in "Follow That Dream",and this film shows just how wonderful his acting can be when given a good script to work with! The songs: "What A Wonderful Life", "I'm Not The Marrying Kind", "Sound Advice", "Follow That Dream" and "Angel" are among some of Elvis' best movie songs! Another song called "A Whistling Tune" was recorded for this movie, but was dropped before the film's release. It was re-recorded and included in Elvis' next film "Kid Galahad".I was very pleased to see "Follow That Dream" coming out on DVD...however, you guys at Amazon need to correct the technical details above concerning the DVD release! You have it listed as being available in Full-Frame only, when it is actually both Full-Frame AND Widescreen! I was very dissapointed when I first read this information here, and didn't realize that it was ALSO in widescreen until I saw a copy at the store! A great film with wonderful performances by the entire cast, which includes Arthur O'Connell, Ann Helm and Simon Oakland!

Great Fun
There are only three Elvis films that I enjoy: King Creole, Jailhouse Rock, and Follow That Dream. While the first two are great musical dramas from when Elvis still had the air of rebellion about him, Follow That Dream is a piece of comedic fluff like most of his later films, but one which avoids being as formulaic or sickly sweet or filled with terrible music as are most of those later films.

In this one Elvis plays a true innocent who is somehow still ignorant about the ways of the world despite being a vet. He and his family (including some orphans they are looking after) build a homestead on government land which happens to be prime real estate and find themselves in the position to legally obtain ownership of this land. As a result they become the targets of organized crime and feds (who can tell them apart?) who want the land. Elvis also finds himself the target of a crackpot social worker looking into the welfare of the orphans who seeks revenge after he innocently spurns her advances. Elvis gives a really fun performance as a naive character who is so positive in his outlook that when somebody shoots at him he automatically assumes it was an error.

The film pokes great fun at bureaucracy and greed, but it maintains the optimistic outlook that good guys will win in the end. Such an innocent perspective tends to turn off many fans of social satire who find such things too escapist, but what most cynical viewers miss is that much of the innocence is tongue in cheek, and I personally see nothing wrong with optimism so long as it doesn't interfere with realism. If you enjoy, e.g., the film Harvey, then this might be your cup of tea.

Only 2 stars because it's not Anamorphic
There are a lot of complaints from people who thought this DVD would not be widescreen, however,no one has mentioned it is not Enhanced For Widescreen T.V.'s. MGM is releasing a lot of films this way to save money. If this bothers you as it does me then send an email to MGM.
I really like this movie but am very disappointed with the format. When you have a widescreen T.V. in the future you'll curse MGM.

I made a mistake in a early Review of this Release.
This Version of Follow that Dream DOES contain the letterbox transfer as well as the full screen version. I withdraw my earlier review, which was in response to others on this board that insisted the movie was being released in Full Frame only - This is very much incorrect. 5 Stars. Joe has left the building. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Surprised me!
I wasn't sure what to expect when I finally got around to watching this movie, I really liked it. It has great shots of
B-47's and B-52's in action, the story line was good (although not probable, a squadron CO would be canned immediately for what the movie character was doing), and I thought it portrayed the life of a military aviation mechanic fairly accurately (I was one in the Navy). If you enjoyed Jimmy Stewart's "Strategic Air Command" you'll enjoy this movie.

I gave it four stars because the story line is stretching it a bit but overall I enjoyed this display of Cold War Era SAC equipment.

Bombers B-52; SAC The Way It Was
If you served in the Strategic Air Command as I did, you'll appreciate the movie footage of our Cold War Warriors in action and their tangled lives behind the scenes. A great retrospective about SAC and the way it was, versus the way it is now.

good flying scenes
worth buying for the flying scenes alone, soundtrack should be very good on home theatre.Still a popular movie in australia, a regular on free to air TV here.

Fair storyline, good basic facts, excellent airplane photos
Ephrim Zimbalist Jr and Karl Malden portray a wing commander Colonel and Master Sergeant crew chief respectively with the Colonel chasing the crew chiefs daughter as a love interest. This would never be tolerated, (fraternization), in the real Air Force, but it makes for conflict in the story line. Excellent footage of B-52's on the ground and in the air. Reasonably accurate portrayal of the stress and strain of life in the late 50's Air Force. I was a "SAC weeney" from 1963 until 1979 and it brought back a lot of memories. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Jackie has a big crush on the new teacher, Miss Crabtree
Volume 3 in the "Little Rascals" collection is quite different from the first two because the first three episodes focus on Jackie Cooper's infatuation with his new teacher, Miss Crabtree. "Teachers's Pet" (1930) finds the gang upset on the first day of school that their beloved Miss McGillicuddy has been replaced by a new teacher which the horrible name of Miss Crabtree. Of course she is a beautiful young blonde (June Marlowe) who happens to pick up Jack and Wheezer on the way to school. They proudly reveal some of the stunts they have for their new teacher: sneezing powder, red ants and a mouse. Fortunately, Miss Crabtree is not only good looking, she is pretty smart too. "Teachers' Pet" is a different type of "Our Gang" comedy, in that there it relies on the story rather than gadgets and action. This one has Jackie, Farina, Chubby, Wheezer, Echo, and Hercules. A fitting companion piece, "School's Out" (1930) is the next "Our Gang" comedy made but now it is the end of the school year and Jackie is passing around a "partition" for school to stay open all summer. Seems he likes Miss Crabtree a lot, which is why Jackie's crush makes him chase off the stranger who is asking after her. Jackie is not going to let this team get married and run away (but it is only her brother). There is a nice bit here involving a Miss Crabtree trying to give the kids a quiz. jackie, Farina, Chubby and Mary Ann have most of the action in this one.

Jackie's love for Miss Crabtree continues to get the better of him in "Love Business" (1931). But now he has some serious competition. Miss Crabtree is now a border at Jackie's house and when Chubby shows up to propose marriage the insanely jealous Jackie sabotages his friends every romantic effort (Chubby had been practicing on a cutout of Greta Garbo). What is interesting here is that Miss Crabtree plays along, actually kissing him when he tells she is pretty; I sure do not remember my teachers being like this. But the fun here is between the romantic rivals, Jackie and Chubby.

The final episode, "Spooky Hooky" (1936) offers up an entirely different set of Little Rascals: Buckwheat, Porky, Spanky, Alfalfa, and Von the Dog. However, school is still the common denominator, because the circus is coming to town and Spanky has a plan to get them out of class. Irony abounds, not only in that the plan almost backfires big time, but in that fiction comes true in the end. This is only a one-reeler from Roach Studios and the gang's teacher, Miss Jones (Rosina Lawrence) is not as cute as Miss Crabtree, but it does teach the lesson that honesty is the best policy. So, overall, Volume 3 is another first rate collection of Little Rascal comedies, even if they do try to convince young kids that school is an okay place to be during the day. ... Read more

Description

Fictional biography of a Korean war hero returned home who becomes a jet test pilot despite his wife's reservations. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

spectacular flying sequences
This bio-pic has action and romance. Alan Ladd is a bit aloof as Joe McConnell, but June Allyson counterbalances this nicely with her usual exuberant enthusiasm. The plot is standard fare for the era, though the twist of transport pilots dreaming of glory as fighter aces is novel. Allyson's role as the loving wife who wants Ladd to stop flying and settle down is familiar, as she basically plays the same part with Jimmy Stewart as the pilot hubby in Strategic Air Command. What really sets the The McConnell Story apart from other cold war military dramas of the 1950s are the spectacular flying sequences. It is unclear whether Major Stephen Bittinger or Captain Pete Fernandez flew the F-86 that was supposed to be McConnell's plane during the filming; both were ace pilots in Korea, and Fernandez was also McConnell's best friend, going back to the transport pilot days. (Fernandez is the only airman listed in the film's credits, as technical advisor.)
So sail off into the clouds with the aces of Korea in this technicolor delight.

True story of America's triple-jet ace
Alan Ladd is Joe "Mac" McConnell, who became a triple-jet ace in the Korean war and later died during a critical test flight. At the outset, Mac is a man who feels he's born to fly - while in army training, he sneaks off base for flying lessons. (The movie begins before the end of WWII, when the Air Force was just another branch of the US Army.) Unfortunately, Mac washes out of flight training, and spends the war over Europe as a bombardier-navigator - watching impotently as his plane is menaced by German fighters. Even though he survives the war and snags "Butch" Brown (June Allyson) as his bride, Mac returns home feeling painfully unfulfilled. With the help of "Dad" Whitman (James Whitmore), Mac gets a second chance to break into pilot training. Unfortunately, the advent of jets raises the stakes. Nevertheless, Mac manages to ace his check flight (in a single-seat Lockheed F-80). From there, Mac proceeds to the F-86, a jet fighter like the F-80, but in just about every other respect, an airplane completely unlike the F-80. Shipped off to Korea, Mac wipes the skies clean of MiG fighters, becoming an ace, then a triple ace. Returning home again, where Butch hopes he'll settle down, Mac continues flying. Only now, his skills are put to work in high-risk flight-test.

I don't know enough about the real McConnell to comment on this flick's accuracy. Though the story is great, it's better early on - before Mac achieves his dream of becoming a pilot. Like most movies about pilots, it's heard to get excited about guys who spend most of their time sitting down while a matte-sky "flies" past, and stock footage of enemy jets erupt into geysers of burning jet fuel. The cockpit sequences seem unnecessarily static - as if the producers were unwilling to put in the slightest imaginative effort to convince us that Alan Ladd was actually strapped to a real airplane. (In contrast, note how in "Firefox" the effects simulated movement by changing the apparent direction of sunlight playing off Clint Eastwood's face). Then there's McConnell himself - he's a much more appealing character and pilot when it's not clear that he'll be allowed to become a pilot. Once he gets his wings, he's more aloof, senseless to how much Butch and Dad fear for his life. (The script seems to follow the example - after emerging victorious from an early dogfight, Mac leads his triumphant wingmen in a smoothly flying formation while they all relax to a Waltz. Are we supposed to believe that the real McConnell felt no fear or self-doubt once he made his first kill?) Also, the script makes McConnel a virtual one-man air force, though air combat is mostly about team work (even "Top Gun" stressed that). The script has Dad Whitman leading the way for McConnel to become a combat pilot, but then has him do little more than warn McConnell not to work to hard once he's in combat (the script also gives Whitmore's character the unpleasant task of begging McConnell to fly a crucial yet extremely hazardous test flight). On the plus side - it's still a flick worth catching. For aviation fans, the film happily stages dogfights (as opposed to using stock footage), with Republic F-84's as convincing stand-ins for the infamous MiG-15 (F-84's flew in Korea, but only early models designed with primitive, un-swept wings; those that appear in this movie are a more advanced design using swept-wings, and had not begun entering USAF service until the armistice halted combat in Korea). For those mystified by military aviation, the flick uncannily manages to touch on the human element of hazardous test-flights so that even Butch can appreciate the sacrifices of her husband.

Such a great movie
This movie tells the tragic story of America's first jet ace, and it does a pretty good job of it. I just thought it was easy to sit through and watch and I think everyone will enjoy watching it.

Interesting story of the top USAF ace in the Korean War
Joe McConnell was a man driven to become a top fighter pilot. This movie tells the story of Joe as he gets selected to become a navigator in a B-17 bomber in WWII. Unsatisfied in this role, he fights hard to become a pilot and even harder to get in to combat in the skies over Korea. He became the top scoring ace before he was done. The movie ends with the tragedy of his death while test flying new fighter jets.

The McConnell story showcases a period of time in America when the Cold War first turned bloody. It also shows the determination and courage of the American fighter pilots during the Korean War.

The flying scenes are exceptionally good, and very authentic in the aircraft, the lingo and the procedures. Any flying or military history buff would like the movie.

(Side note: I may be biased--my father,then Major Stephen Bettinger, piloted the aircraft "Joe" was flying in the F-86 scenes for the movie and was a jet ace in Korea himself...) ... Read more

Amazon.com

"My kind of town, Chicago is...." The last film venture by the Rat Pack finds Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. in an update of the Robin Hood legend, set in Chi-town in 1928. The boys play gangsters who become Jazz Age Merry Men; Bing Crosby is their eloquent spokesman. As usual, women are in short supply within the featured cast, but the film is colorful enough anyway with its period trappings. By the time this movie was released in 1964, the Zeitgeist was already shifting toward the Beatles, and Frank, Dean, and Sammy looked like your father's entertainment. But while this film is no knockout, director Gordon Douglas (Young at Heart) makes it a pleasant enough way to say good-bye to the Rat Pack's life together on film. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Robin and the Seven Hoods a Classic
Robin and the Seven Hoods is a great story, with Bing Crosby upstaging both Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. Frank's singing of "Chicago My Kind of Town" at the movie's end is a tribute to mob boss Sam Giancanna, and the entire movie shows that crime CAN pay if you share the proceeds with the less fortunate. It's campy, but good viewing and the music brings back feelings of the good old days.

Off to a very slow start... but improves
Not long before this started shooting, there was a major rift in the rat pack, and because of that, only three members (Martin, Davis, and Sinatra, of course) show up here. The other two roles were filled in, and quite ably, by Peter Falk and Bing Crosby. And if you like rat pack-style music, having ensemble numbers with Frank, Dean, and Bing is something you're gonna love.

The last half of this movie is good. It ain't Oceans Eleven, but it's good. Too bad the first half moves slower than a snail on ludes. Crosby doesn't show up until an hour into the film, and the action starts right there; before that, what the movie needs most is an editor who isn't afraid of Sinatra. It does, however, have some fine music (Sinatra debuted "My Kind of Town" here), and once it picks up, it's a lot of fun. Watch it when it comes on AMC, but spend the first half hour or so going to the store to get munchies.

Marvelous
This was a fabulous movie, and deserves much more credit than it is usually given. It's hilarious and smart, and besides the given that the Rat Pack was great in it, Peter Falk was also very funny. The movie is full of great one-liners ("Anybody got beef with that, I got a special complaint box 6 feet long, 3 feet wide."), as well as great songs, sung by the greatest singers who ever lived. Isn't that in itself reason enough to buy this?

An underrated classic.
Why this musical isn't more popular is beyond me. It features the essential core of the Rat Pack, Frank, Dean and Sam, in a great plot, unlike the fun but unfocused "Ocean's Eleven" with the whole gang. It has fabulous songs by that legendary duo Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen, including the classic "My Kind of Town." The music is arranged by Nelson Riddle and all the numbers grow out of the plot very naturally, unlike "Guys and Dolls" (plus these guys can sing, unlike Brando). And how about throwing in Bing Crosby and Barbara Rush and Peter Falk for good measure? This is a tough-guy musical with a lot of funny parodies of Chicago gangsters and crooked cops. We've got Prohibition-era gambling joints with bootleggers and booze and Sammy serenading the sound of a machine gun. Dean sings how he loves his mother as he hustles Frank in pool. One hood has a weakness for "knittin'" and another is always making a motion that somebody open a "windah." This is funny stuff, and fast-paced. It has more edge than most musicals, thanks in large part to the world of Sinatra & Co. in the mid-1960s. It may not be the best, but I find it to be the most entertaining musical I've ever seen. There's Bing doing a kind of "Swinging on a Star" thing in "Don't Be a Do-Badder," but-- look out-- there's a lot more to this guy who ain't got style than you think. And there's Edward G. Robinson-- the original gangster-- standing up and making a smiling toast at the beginning, like he did in "Little Caesar," right before . . . well, you'll get the picture if you get this picture, so to speak. Maybe I'm nuts, but I say it doesn't get any better than these guys and these songs in this hip, sly, hard-hitting but fun-as-Christmas beauty of a movie.

My Kind of Movie
Dismissed by many as overly-long, poorly-scripted Rat Pack self-indulgence with inferior musical material, "Robin and the 7 Hoods" is a wacky mafia musical in the fun-loving style of pre-Hammerstein Broadway variety shows, and with a pretty snappy collection of Cahn-Van Heusen tunes. Remember, it's this musical, not "Chicago," that gave the Windy City its proudest anthem. But as solid as the Chairman's performance is, it can't match Crosby's, in the venerable crooner's next-to-last film appearance.

Once Bing appears mid-way through the film, the rest of the picture--with the exception of the"My Kind of Town" gala number--belongs to Crosby. His acting, singing, and dancing not only outshine his on-screen companions but in many respects make the Rat Pack appear like a coherent musical comedy team. At five foot seven inches, Bing was usually the shortest member on the set, but in both this film and "High Society" his crisp, economical body movements and quick, graceful feet make him "play" taller than his actual height.

The dubbing is, as others have observed, pretty unconvincing. On the other hand, most of the dance and music scenes are shot continuously in a single take or two, like an Astaire film. Others may prefer the frenetic and manipulative MTV editing style of films like "Chicago," which permit the filmmaker to "construct" a reality while transforming bozos into Baryshnikovs. I'll take these bozos just as they are. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

"A unique murder mystery".
I learned about "Lady In Cement" during my childhood. At least the song, for I saw it as one of the tracks on Paul Desmond's "Summertime" record album, which my late father owned. When I listened to it, it had the rhythm of a suspenseful crime drama. As I got older and read the information inside the Paul Desmond album, I discovered "Lady In Cement" was a motion picture crime drama, starring Frank Sinatra.

I liked "Tony Rome" (1967). But I find "Lady In Cement" (1968) a more suspenseful mystery. Rome (Sinatra) makes a shocking discovery while scuba diving in a Florida bay: the nude body of a beautiful blonde is found with her feet encased in a block of cement. Hence, the "Lady In Cement".

Frank Sinatra again comes off well in the role of the tough-talking cool private detective Tony Rome. Dan Blocker, well-known for playing "Hoss" on the "Bonanza" tv series, is quite impressive and believable as the crude, statuesque Gronsky, who takes a liking to Tony Rome, and hires him to investigate the murder of his former girlfriend, Sondra Lomaxx, who is the 'Lady In Cement'. His crude behavior and gruffness, however, does not make him a bad guy. He's actually on Tony Rome's side!

Richard Conte again reprises his role as Lieutenant Santini. There is a humorous part later in the film where Rome gets Santini in a bit of trouble with the law! It is during this 'car chase' sequence the familiar "Lady In Cement" theme is played.

Raquel Welch turns in a good perfomance as the wealthy heiress Kit, who suffers alcoholic blackouts where she (conveniently) is unable, under Rome's interrogation, to recall specific details concerning her dealings with the "Lady In Cement" before she died. Although it seems there isn't much for Welch to do in the film but look voluptuous and pretty, she manages to bring sensitivity to her character.

"Lady In Cement", like "Tony Rome", shows the underground, sleazy side of Miami life, replete with late 1960's strip clubs and 'Go-Go' dancers. There is a lot of mature, smart talk in the dialogue. Particularly between Sinatra, Dan ("Hoss") Blocker, Richard Conte and, of course, the villains. Then, again, isn't smart talk usually a part of a crime drama??

There is the musical score by Hugo Montenegro in the film. When I first watched "Lady In Cement", I enjoyed the music so much that I didn't pay close attention to the movie's plot. I soon ended up ordering the movie soundtrack cd.

Finally, I think credit should be given to the "Lady In Cement", herself: the bit actress playing Sondra Lomaxx, Christine Todd. The film's highlight, where Rome discovers Todd in her cement anchor beneath the sea, is worth repeated viewings. It is surreal and hauntingly beautiful with the background score "The Shark" being played.

First, Rome vaguely makes out in the distance what appears to be a blonde topless 'statue', with arms splayed overhead, gently rocking in place in a patch of seaweed (which strategically covers Todd's nude lower half). Upon closer inspection, Rome discovers that it is not a statue, but an actual woman who is naked before him. And dead. There is a close-up of Rome's shocked expression seen behind his mask and scuba regulator. To make sure his eyes are not deceiving him, Rome next proceeds to swim around the upright corpse, eyeing the nude form up and down. One can imagine what's going through Rome's mind: That he's encountered corpses before. But nothing like this! A shocking, yet hauntingly beautiful scene.

This surreal underwater scene abruptly ends when two sharks turn up unannounced, and go in pursuit of Rome. (Note: If you look at that scene closely, one can see Christine Todd's eyes, which were formerly lowered, are now clearly opened! Worse with the sharks swimming about her and Sinatra/Sinatra's stunt double.)

Christine Todd's brief stint as the "Lady In Cement" is unforgettable and convincing. My only question is how did she manage not to release air bubbles, or choke on water as her mouth was slightly opened underwater as she played dead?? I've viewed the 'Undersea Discovery' sequence many times, trying to ponder how was that effect achieved. It isn't a special effect, for everything was clearly done underwater. And I'm quite sure scuba divers were nearby off-camera supplying air to Todd when she needed it. Despite I can swim, I am unable to hold my mouth open underwater prolonged, without me sputtering!

Anyway, "Lady In Cement" is my favorite film, next to "The Amphibian Man" (1962). It is unique and well-done.

Not SoTough Guy
This is the best and most delightful of the Tony Rome films. Frank Sinatra is on top of his game as the not so tough P.I in seedy pre-drug Florida. Raquel Welch is nice to look at and Dan Blocker is marvelous as the unstopable Gronsky. For a thirty year old film this one stays fresh and bright. Crisp dialogue and ham without the rye makes for a fun evening.

The Chairman of the Board does Bogart
In "Lady in Cement," Frank Sinatra, apparently hoping to duplicate Dean Martin's success with the Matt Helm series, reprises the role of the private detective he originated in "Tony Rome" a year earlier. The first film found Frankie in pretty good form, though certainly no match for Bogart (whose portrayals of private eyes in "The Maltese Falcon" and "The Big Sleep" established a template of sorts for every actor who followed him as a private eye). Sinatra fares less well in this sequel due to a less than invigorating script and a overly generous helping of sleaze. But Frankie has a more alluring than ever Raquel Welch, as well as a heavier than usual heavy in the form of Dan (Hoss Cartwright) Blocker to keep things moving along at an entertaining clip. And since Tony Rome lives on a houseboat, one is tempted to wonder if he was the inspiration for the heroes of TV's "Miami Vice" almost two decades later. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

This 1954 musical remake of Four Daughters stars Doris Day as a well-bred New England woman who marries a chip-on-his-shoulder musician (Frank Sinatra). Lots of tears, yes, but this version of Fannie Hurst's novel is considerably cheered up from the 1938 tearjerker. Dorothy Malone and Elizabeth Fraser play Day's sisters (a fourth sister present in Four Daughters was written out), Robert Keith is the paterfamilias to a bunch of musical prodigies, and Gig Young is entertaining as the composer-boarder who tries deflecting the sisters' interest in him by bringing Sinatra home one day. Both Day and Sinatra really shine in this, and the songs include the Johnny Richards-Caroline Leigh title tune, which became part of Sinatra's standard repertoire. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (22)

EXCELLENT Film / DVD Good (Better than Video)
This is an outstanding movie for many reasons. For cinema fans only familiar with the "rat pack", this Frankie may be an eye opener. YOUNG AT HEART (1954) is a showcase for Frank Sinatra's excellent acting. He is intense, focused & nuanced, becoming one with "Barney Sloan," a gifted musician suffering through multiple "bad breaks" since birth & sorely lacking confidence.

Doris Day also brings much to this classic with a very moving performance. She is warm, lovely & upbeat as the woman of Sinatra's dreams, & so expressive in her eyes! The chemistry between these two actors grows with their characters' relationship; they share a number of memorable scenes together. They are surrounded by a very good supporting cast, especially Gig Young & Ethel Barrymore.

This is a romantic drama with superb singing. Doris & Frank's duet together is "You, My Love", which is a personal favorite. Ms. Day delivers several 50's pop songs beautifully. Frank makes his impact here as the saloon singer, with brilliant, moving renditions of "Someone to Watch Over Me," "One for My Baby," & "Just One of Those Things."

Initially, this film is light-hearted & glossy - until Barney Sloan arrives. There are multiple issues that his character brings to the surface such as: "destiny" & the strength of the human will, the pain of loneliness, the power of hope, life-changing experiences, & recognizing "love".

It's worth noting that the forty-eight year old YOUNG AT HEART was actually a re-make of a 1938 mega-hit "Four Daughters", & carries over some of its plot contrivances. . Don't let this bog you down. This little gem rises above it.

In my opinion, the DVD is a visual improvement over the fuzzy video. Having both the Video / 40th anniversary edition & now the DVD, I've watched each, sometimes scene by scene, to compare, both on the same television. This video has the same small scratches, circles / spots that can be viewed on the DVD; note the gingerbread scene in the kitchen. The DVD's Major Plus: visual details, such as skin & facial features, are improved: Doris' cute freckles are back; thankfully, the character "Amy" no longer has a blackened tooth when she is tying Gig Young' s tie (as seen in Video); and Frank's face shows some scars in close ups, a realistic touch for his character. Actually, the DVD's visuals, preceeding the film, are quite beautiful! The DVD is reasonably priced, although I would have been willing to pay a little more for some extras, such as behind the scenes photos... Now if the film preservationists could help restore the original negative of this classic movie, that would be wonderful. YOUNG AT HEART deserves it -- How about it , AMC? .

TOTALLY ROMANTIC AND GREAT MUSIC
Sinatra's portrayal of Barney Sloane (who is one of my all-time favorite characters in movies) is what really MAKES this film great. It's gritty, his acting is seamless - this film has some of his best acting ever. In fact, there IS no Frank Sinatra in this film, only Barney Sloane - I was totally engrossed in the character and he made me forget he was Frank Sinatra - now THAT's acting! Also, Doris Day is at her absolute best in this film. The chemistry between her and Frank is so much more exciting to watch than her work with Rock Hudson, who is like cardboard compared to Doris and Frank together. Great songs from Doris, and an absolutely PERFECT selection of songs by Frank. This film is sad, joyful, but most of all, ROMANTIC. Highly recommended if you want to feel your Heart!

Great Tear Jerker
This movie features Frank Sinatra in a rare very moral dramatic role. He is a sad low person who meets the ever beautiful Doris Day. Well she falls in love with his boss the ever impressive Gig Young. But then one day she finds out that her older sister has a crush on Gig. So she marries Frank. Well their married live is full of hardships and depression. And poverty. But when they have a baby at the end of the movie Franks outlook on life changes and he becomes cheerful once again. Great tearjerker. Catch Frank singing the title song Young At Heart!

Doris Day must choose Gig Young or Frank Sinatra.
Doris Day plays "Laurie", one of three daughters who live with Pop (Robert Keith) and his sister, Aunt Jessie (Ethel Barrymore) who keep the young ladies in line. Fran (Dorothy malone) just got engaged to Alan Hale Jr. (Gilligan's Island). Laurie and Amy (Elizabeth Fraser) make a deal to have a double wedding when they finally find the right guys or end up as old maids. Laurie has a new beau, Gig Young. Then Gig Young hires Frank Sinatra, a traveling piano player, to write music for him. Doris meets Frank in the family house and is sweet to him. One day, Gig Young professes his love to Laurie and they decide to get married. However, Amy secretly had feelings for Gig Young and Frank Sinatra had some feelings for Laurie. Frank tells Laurie, "Sometimes when you're on the outside looking in, you see some things other people can't". Things are about to change and not to as orginally planned. If you have not seen this one before, it's a real soap opeara doozy! Great set of a neighborhood and family house.

Never too Young!!
YOUNG AT HEART is a decent melodrama intersped with a couple of musical numbers featuring the musical talents of Doris Day and Frank Sinatra. Doris Day's numbers are light and upbeat and Frank Sinatra plays meloncholy blues (as a 'piano man' at bar dives, i.e "One For my Baby-One More for the Road"). The only time they actually sing together is a duet near the end of the picture but its worth the wait because its a great song and a great performance. However, the dramatic scenes they share are just as good as Day and Sinatra have good onscreen chemistry. Its a shame they only made this one film together because they were good friends professionally off screen as well. Day/Laurie Tuttle is one of three musical prodigy daughters to Gregory Tuttle (Robert Keith -Lt. Brannigan in GUYS AND DOLLS). A songwiter, Alex Burke (Gig Young-THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY?)charms his way into the family home becoming a border to get inspiration to writing a musical. He becomes the object of affection to the three daughters, but is smitten with Laura immediately. However, when he brings in a piano player, Barney Sloan (Sinatra) to help out, Laura falls for his low self-esteemed but talented musician personality. Sinatra gives a very low-key understated performance as the angry (thinks-he-has-no-talent) piano player and Day is as good as always. The rest of the film is a little predictable, but entertaining and engrossing nontheless as love triangle(s) and misunderstandings arise as part of the drama. Gig Young's character and performance as the charming good guy and lovable songwriter is a bright spot in the film but it is slightly overshadowed by magnitude and presence of the two lead performers. All together, a film with a palusible melodrama plot, great songs, and most notable for the one time pairing of Day and Sinatra who have great on screen presence together. Lastly an overlooked performance by Gig Young. Note: Look for Alan Hale, Jr. (The Skipper of Gilligan's Island)in a supporting role and also,the great Ethel Barrymore (Grand aunt of Drew) as Aunt Jessie. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

That ol' cinematic devil the A-bomb has spawned a colony of giantmurderous ants bent on destroying humanity in this, the seminal big bug movie (an obvious and oft-credited influence for Alien among countless others). The special effects may be dated, but this brilliantly rational-sounding film has held up wonderfully in all other regards, including some starkly effective location work in the high Arizona desert, a genuinely inspired sound design guaranteed to bring on the creepy-crawlies, and an unexpectedly dry sense of humor (mainly personified by Grade-A egghead scientist Edmund Gwenn). This is essential viewing for all those who consider themselves science fiction or horror fans. Heroic hardcase James Arness previously played for the other team as the titular character in The Thing from Another World. --Andrew Wright ... Read more

Reviews (100)

Best of the Big Bad Bugs!
Yes, the special effects are very much of the 1950s, but those effects are fun to watch--and unlike most other 1950s sci-fi/horror films, THEM! has a lot more going for it than special effects alone: sharp and aggressive performances, a cast of truly memorable supporting actors, a witty and intelligent script, and best of all (unlike many other films of its era) a story that can still generate plenty of suspense.

The grand-daddy of all mutant-monster movies, THEM! concerns a colony of A-Bomb-created giant ants that have lurked in the desert unnoticed until the colony begins to divide. When newborn queen ants take flight, the world is in danger--particularly Los Angeles, where a nest establishes itself in the city's largely forgotten storm drains. Edmund Gwynne and Joan Weldon give strong performances as the father-daughter scientific team sent from Washington to investigate, and James Whitmore and James Arness give able support as the action-heros of the piece. Fess Parker is also very effective in a small supporting role.

The real winner in the film, however, are the clever cinematography and sound effects that build tremendous suspense, particularly when investigators must enter the desert ant nest and later track the ants to their Los Angeles lair. These scenes possess a claustrophobic feel not seen again in any sci-fi/horror flick until ALIEN. Without graphic gore but more than a few serious thrills, THEM! is a film the whole family can enjoy.

Finally this 1954 scifi landmark Classic comes to DVD!!
In the 1950's the world was testing A-bombs, Hydrogen Bombs, strange results were beginning to appear & Hollywoods imagination was added to the theories. The results a series of movies about radioactive mutated creatures. The first was "THEM".

"THEM" (1954) is a landmark movie about giant radiation-mutated ants that gets better with age and boasts remarkable, Academy Award-nominated special effects.

Summary: Our story begins in a New Mexico desert with a shocked wandering child, destroyed general store & battered corpse full of enough formic acid to kill 20 men. The search begins to find & destroy these menacing insects. The giant mutated ants are on the move and the climatic battle is in over 700 miles of Los Angeles sewers.

An ALL-STAR cast led by James Whitmore, James Arness and Edmund Gwenn.

Special Features include; Behind the Scenes Archive footage, Montage & Operation on the Giant Ants, & film trailer.

This was the first and probably the best movie featuring the worlds & Hollywoods take on the possible results of radioactive mutation.

"THEM" in a great Black & White Standard version (Original theatrical exhibition) digitally restored presenting a very exceptional picture & sound. This sci-fi classic is worth the price of addmission so get out the popcorn and ENJOY!!

You Can't Stop "Them"!
In the late 1940's and 1950's the USA and the Soviet Union repeatedly tested nuclear bombs. In the USA the early tests were done in the desert southwest, and the mushroom clouds could be seen for dozens of miles (and the noise could be heard for hundreds of miles). As scientists measured the increased levels of radiation in milk served to schoolchildren and their parents built bomb shelters in their backyards, Hollywood decided to take the cold war paranoia which made the fifties so unique and create a new type of sci-fi/horror movie - the "mutant monster" film. Along with the original "Godzilla", 1954's "Them" is one of the best of the lot. It starts out in the New Mexico desert, where two state troopers discover a mobile home that's been ripped apart by some unknown animal. The adults are missing, but they do find a terrified little girl (a creepy Sandy Descher) who's so shocked that she can't talk and simply stares wide-eyed and zombie-like at the policemen. A fierce sandstorm blows up, and the troopers then arrive at a local general store that's been ripped apart like the trailer. Curiously no money or valuables were stolen, but sugar has been spread everywhere, and the owner's corpse is found. He had emptied his shotgun at his attacker before being killed with a massive injection of acid. The troopers also find some tracks from an "unknown" large animal. Baffled by this turn of events, one trooper takes the mute little girl to a hospital. The other trooper stays behind to guard the store, but he is attacked and killed by an unknown assailant. The next day Robert Graham (a pre-Gunsmoke James Arness), an FBI agent, arrives to help with the investigation. Soon they are joined by two scientists from the Agriculture Dept. in Washington - the eccentric but brilliant Dr. Harold Medford (a scene-stealing Edmund Gwenn) and his lovely daughter and assistant, Dr. Pat Medford (Joan Weldon). The scientists have a hunch that the "unknown" animal that killed the storeowner and destroyed the buildings was - a giant ant! The ants had been at the site of the first atomic bomb test in New Mexico in 1945, and the radiation has caused them to mutate to an enormous, man-eating size. Soon our heroic quartet is involved in a race against time to find and destroy the ant's colony before they can reproduce and spread across the world. When the queen ant and some male escorts escape the search becomes even more frantic, and leads to a final showdown in the vast sewers of Los Angeles. This film features fine performances by all three of the male leads - James Whitmore as the gruff-but-warm-hearted New Mexico cop, Arness as the quintessentially stern and macho 1950's movie hero, and Gwenn as the quirky ant expert. Although the special effects are obviously primitive by today's standards, "Them" actually had a larger budget than most fifties sci-fi movies, and the ants themselves were an impressive creation for their time. This film also features an impressive number of cameos by future celebrities, including Fess Parker of "Davy Crockett" fame in a hilarious role as a hillbilly pilot who sees three "ant-shaped" UFOs buzzing his airplane. When he tells his story he is declared "crazy" and locked in a mental hospital. Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek's "Mr. Spock") also has a tiny cameo. "Them" was so successful that it was followed by a string of imitators, but it remains superior to all of them. This DVD offers a neat featurette on how they made the giant ant puppets work, but it has few other "extras". However, the film itself is more than worth the relatively cheap sticker price, IMO. Recommended!