Reviews (13)

The best Tom Sawyer i ever saw.
This movie was playing at Radio City Music Hall back in the days of the movie/stage show formt. It was also presented in 70mm on that huge Radio City screen. I remember how impressed i was with that opening scene with the steam boat going down the river and you see Tom running thru the field and the music builds more and more. Wow,,,,what a great movie!I've seen many versions of "Tom Sawyer" but this one seems to be the best ever brought to the screen. Maybe because it's a musical. Whatever made this so successful back then you will not be disappointed by it's gradure and scope. A must for ever American kid and adult too. This is as red, white and blue as it gets and now must be the most politically incorrect movie ever made. (hehe) Buy it before some group puts a ban on it. Which should want you to buy this for the kids even more. They don't make them like this anymore.

Energetic, sunny adaptation
Made at a time when the inclusion of songs was all but compulsory for a family film, this musical adaptation nonetheless manages to translate the best aspects of Twain's book to the screen. The movie does an impressive job of creating a dramatic shape out of Twain's material. The book is a collection of episodes which form a composite portrait of Tom's character, and, for adult readers, offer a glimpse into a lost world; but there really is no narrative drive. The murder and Tom's subsequent dilemma about testifying in court are simply two episodes unconnected to the other events. In the book, the boys simply decide one day to form a gang of robbers and go live on the island. In the movie, the retreat to the island arises out of the boys' fear after having witnessed the murder, and it is only the guilt they feel while spying on their own funeral that makes them return home. The songs are not especially memorable, but harmless enough. The performances by the supporting adult cast are strong, particularly that of Celeste Holm as Aunt Polly. A splendid scene at the dinner table is a masterful fleshing-out of Twain's prose. Full of nice photography and beautiful scenery, this movie sparkles with joy and youthful optimism.

A national treasure! Please release on DVD.
I just re-watched this film and wow, what a treasure of a film!

With songs written by the famous Sherman Brothers (the brilliant Disney songwriters who did "Mary Poppins" et al.) and the charm of Johnny Whitaker as Tom Sawyer (1970's tv show"Family Affair") this is the best version of the classic Mark Twain tale I've ever seen on film. You really feel like you're right there in Hannibal, Missouri.

Great casting all the way around and a fantastic musical as well.

I originally saw this when I was about nine and it completely caught my imagination both then and now. I'd never forgotten several catchy songs from the film, such as "Free Bootin.' Great stuff all the way around.

My only complaint is that this film is not currently available on DVD, as I'd love to see and hear this treasure of a film in full visual and audio clarity.

whatever
this movie is like so the not so awesome.we are watching it in school(me go to mater dei academy)and when i go home my ears hurt so much from all the... singing.i wish it only had like no singing and like what is up with the charectors dos man it is like way out there if ya know what i'm sayin.so i would not like refer this to anyone.if yall wanna watch tom sawyer watch the one with jtt.

Jodie Foster is GREAT! The music is terrible.
I fast-forwarded through the really bad songs in this would-be musical. It is a lot of fun. The character of Tom Sawyer is great. He is both a bad kid and a great guy at the same time -- a mix not so common in America's world of truly evil and absolutely saintly characters. Not particularly deep, not particularly inspiring, but fun. ... Read more

Reviews (186)

Love the Movie!!! Newer DVD is acceptable quality ...
I have always liked this movie. Sure, the story never reaches its purported climax, but there's a lot of fun getting there ...

Let me address the DVD issue right off: I have (apparently) a remastered version, widescreen, with chapter selection and promotional trailer included. The quality of this DVD is pretty good. I can't remember the exact cinematography but it seems like this is how the movie always appeared. Not top-notch but acceptable. The trailer is not as well preserved but is OK.

(I noticed this on the Rambo: First Blood Part II DVD I just bought ... on that DVD, the trailer is so-so, however the picture on that movie is crisp and very well preserved).

OK, back to the movie. A freak storm catches the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and transports her and her crew back to December 6, 1941 just off the coast of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The BIG question: Ignore or Intercept the Japanese Navy when it attacks on December 7? ... if you haven't seen the movie, I won't spoil it for you here.

There are top-named actors like Martin Sheen, Kirk Douglas, James Farentino, Katharine Ross and Charles Durning. And there are a few real carrier personnel who weren't professional actors, obviously. But they got to be in the movie and who could blame them? Most people who like this film enjoy the time-travel, naval-combat aspect of it and overlook the occasional potholes in the storyline. Hey, just have fun!

There are some great launch sequences of Naval fighter aircraft, recon birds, tankers and helicopters. And the inflight sequences are pretty good too. You get to see F-14 Tomcats, A-7 Corsairs, A-6 Intruders, EA-6B Prowlers, E-2C Haweyes, SH-53 Sikorsky's and more. Plus the carrier crew equip the aircraft with the Mach 4+ AIM-54A Phoenix missiles, AIM-9 Sidwinders and AIM-7 Sparrows for air combat. Great stuff!

Overall the quality of the DVD movie is fairly decent and played well on my 55" big screen and my 27" small screen TV's. If you haven't seen the film, it's similar to "The Philadelphia Experiment" with Michael Pare and Nancy Allen. Enjoy!!

Love the Movie ... Newer DVD is acceptable quality ...
I have always liked this movie. Sure, the story never reaches its purported climax, but there's a lot of fun getting there ...

Let me address the DVD issue right off: I have (apparently) a remastered version, widescreen, with chapter selection and promotional trailer included. The quality of this DVD is pretty good. I can't remember the exact cinematography but it seems like this is how the movie always appeared. Not top-notch but acceptable. The trailer is not as well preserved but is OK.

(I noticed this on the Rambo: First Blood Part II DVD I just bought ... on that DVD, the trailer is so-so, however the picture on that movie is crisp and very well preserved).

OK, back to the movie. A freak storm catches the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and transports her and her crew back to December 6, 1941 just off the coast of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The BIG question: Ignore or Intercept the Japanese Navy when it attacks on December 7? ... if you haven't seen the movie, I won't spoil it for you here.

There are top-named actors like Martin Sheen, Kirk Douglas, James Farentino, Katharine Ross and Charles Durning. And there are a few real carrier personnel who weren't professional actors, obviously. But they got to be in the movie and who could blame them? Most people who like this film enjoy the time-travel, naval-combat aspect of it and overlook the occasional potholes in the storyline. Hey, just have fun!

There are some great launch sequences of Naval fighter aircraft, recon birds, tankers and helicopters. And the inflight sequences are pretty good too. You get to see F-14 Tomcats, A-7 Corsairs, A-6 Intruders, EA-6B Prowlers, E-2C Hawkeyes, SH-53 Sikorsky's and more. Plus the carrier crew equip the aircraft with the Mach 4+ AIM-54A Phoenix missiles, AIM-9 Sidwinders and AIM-7 Sparrows for air combat. Great stuff!

Overall the quality of the DVD movie is fairly decent and played well on my 55" big screen and my 27" small screen TV's. If you haven't seen the film, it's similar to "The Philadelphia Experiment" with Michael Pare and Nancy Allen. Enjoy!!

No, not the album by "Europe"
I first saw this on ABC as a kid, and loved it. Seeing it again now, at 31, I don't find it nearly as interesting but still think it's a fine film. Check out how much young Martin Sheen looks like Charlie Sheen! Watch James Farentino, the TV version of Roy Scheider! And don't miss the surprise ending!

Cinematic experience that will stand its ground...
The USS Nimitz, a nuclear aircraft carrier, is on a routine assignment when the civilian systems specialist Warren Lasky (Martin Sheen) is flown to the aircraft carrier. Lasky's job is to evaluate the efficiency of the commander and crew as he should make recommendations in regards to what changes can be done to save tax dollars. Soon after Lasky's arrival Captain Matthew Yelland (Kirk Douglas) is put in a difficult position as the USS Nimitz is pulled into an outlandish electrical storm that relocates the warship in time. Captain Yelland is unsure about what truly has happened, but when they discover that they are in between the Japanese Naval Force that is about to strike at Pearl Harbor on December 6, 1941 they realize they might have a chance to undo history. Final Countdown is an interesting science fiction film that offers some room for thinking, yet it is entertaining as it displays the incredible event of time traveling. An appealing idea together with entertainment, Final Countdown offers a decent cinematic experience, which will stand its ground.

Excellent. Aviation fans take note...
Since so many reviews are already posted, I'll keep this brief. It's nice to see this film get such an excellent DVD release. This movie is great and has aged quite well. The premise of the Nimitz being thrown back into time and given the opportunity to change the course of world history is an intriuging one even today. The Final Countdown boasts some ofthe best aircraft footage ever caught on film, hollywood or documentary. The scene between the Jolly Rogers F-14's and the 2 Japanese Zero fighters is a timeless classic.

The sound is excellent, the transfer is quite good, and the 2 disc set includes very special bonuses for fans of the F-14, or aviation in general. And the bonus disc interviews the Jolly Rogers squadron that flew in the film, worth it if you are an avaiation fan. If not, you might still enjoy it anyways, as they certainly have an entertaining story about one of the cast members! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Should've Been Bigger Than Bonanza!
The only reason why I don't buy "Legend Of A General" is because I already have it on tape! If I didn't, you better believe I'd snatch it up in a second! "The Big Valley" is my absolute favortie tv western of all time! ("Dr. Quinn" comes in at a close second.)

For one thing, being from California & living just an hour away from Stockton, I liked the show's locale! Most other westerns take place in Texas, or Arizona, or New Mexico, or Nevada ("Bonanza"), but "The Big Valley" takes place near my home! It was also the first western I ever saw (I first saw it on re-runs when I was nine.) I also found the Barkleys more believable than the Cartwrights. (Ben Cartwright was widowed three times,. for godsakes!) The over-the-top stories with the moral/social lessons are solid (How many times has Lee Majors' "Heath" been falsely arrested by a corrupt sheriff?) & the action-scenes are well-staged. (My favorite was the episode where Nick helps out a boxer. The fight scenes were expertly done!) The characters were also well-defined (except of course, Linda Evans' "Audra", who isn't given much to do, except look pretty.)

If you haven't seen "The Big Valley" & you like westerns, buy this tape! The story concerns the Barkleys helping out an old friend of theirs, an exiled Mexican general, who is being sought after by a corrupt political opponent. (The Barkleys seem to have been involved with every historical figure of the Old West! And like other wealthy tv western families, they care more about what's right than about their vast land & financial holdings! After all, Barbara Stanwyck's "Victoria Barkeley" takes in Lee Major's "Heath" character as a member of the family, even though he is the illigitamate son of her husband & his mistress! If only REAL wealthy ranchers of the Old West were like that!) You may not get an accurate California history lesson by watching "The Big Valley" (the most inaccurate was the episode "Light Foot" with Joe Don Baker as a Modoc Indian, even though the Modocs were nowhere near Stockton!), but you'll get a solid family-drama with great dialogue & fast-paced action!

Like Lee Majors as "Heath" would say, "Boy howdy!"

THE BARKLEY SAGA
Every single episode of this fantastic western series should be available on video! I've met many people who, like myself, are devoted fans of this classic show which originally aired from 1965-1969. There were 112 hour-long episodes of this western filmed and it remains my very favourite show of all-time. As Victoria Barkley, Barbara Stanwyck is nothing less than sensational in her acting technique; as the widow Barkley, she is a curious combination of being both tough and gracious - but above all, Stanwyck was an incredibly NATURAL actress; she won an Emmy for her portrayal in 1966 (she was nominated the remaining three years of the show's run, plus she won other awards such as the Photoplay Medal) and her playing of the proud matriarch has practically made her Victoria Barkley a cult figure. Richard Long is fine as Jarrod, the level-headed eldest lawyer son - while never a great actor by any means, Long had an intensely likeable personna about him. Nick, the tough, egotistical son is played with neccesary verve by Peter Breck and Audra as played by astonishingly beautiful Linda Evans made many a male baby-boomer swoon (I was one of them!). NIGHT OF THE WOLF is a classic episode which lingers in the memory: Nick gets bitten by a rabid wolf and tries to find his lost love, golden-haired Jeannie before he dies; he finds she died from typhoid. Nancy Olson and Ronny Howard play the widowed mother and son who take Nick in and the conclusion is both happy and sad. Stanwyck was such a striking presence in this show (which was envied by many of her peers and was a huge personal triumph) that entire episodes are literally showcases for her acting talent. The youngest son, Eugene (played by the now-forgotton Charles Briles) was mysteriously written out of the show after the first season. The public's very favourite character, however was HEATH (the half-breed b------- from Strawberry) as played by Lee Majors! The rest of the cast was actually peeved and annoyed due to the fact that more stories centered around Heath, and Majors received more fan mail than any other cast member! The guest stars in this terrific western included Julie Harris, Susan Oliver, Colleen Dewhurst (she was terrific), Milton Berle(!), Robert Goulet(!), Pernell Roberts, Cloris Leachman, Buddy Hackett, Adam West, Virginia Christine, among many others. James Gregory worked well with Stanwyck and he was a frequent co-star. The stories were excellently written, the characters were colourful and genuine. The beautifully colourful scenery, the musical score by George Duning (which included the pretty little theme heard at the beginning of many an episode entitled A FUTURE LEFT BEHIND) are all first-rate. If someone doesn't do a book on THE BIG VALLEY..... maybe I WILL!! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

RE: An Unlocked Window
To Beverly Ann Cameron, who wanted to know how to get the episode
called "An Unlocked Window".

I saw it as a child and remembered it vividly after many years. It is indeed scary. I purchased a copy recently from a internet video site called Finders Keepers, http://www.finderskeepersvideos.com

Click on the retro-tv button to find the listing. They have both
DVD and VHS. It's well worth having.

rg125@comcast.net

Great Series....
To Beverly Ann Cameron who requested info. about the Alfred Hitchcock Hour featuring a nurse named Stella and a "nurse murderer" on the loose. I saw this when I was 12 and it scared the pants off me! It's called "The Unlocked Window". I am trying to find out how to get a copy, too. I saw a section of it on a PBS station a couple years ago....it was STILL scary and very intriguing. Anyone else know where they sell the whole anthology of the Alfred H. hour? The episodes contained on this video are all excellent, but the "Unlocked Window"...along with another spooky episode called "The Jar" are gems. Please pass along any info. on where to order the whole Hick TV series. Thank You.

sophia1@mindspring.com

Open Window - Episode
Does anyone have the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode, I think it was titled "Open Window"? The main charter was a nurse named Stella who took care of an invalid. Nurses were being murdered. The episode showed an open window thus the murder was able to gain access to the house. What is the name of that episode? How can I get it?

get now
Alfred Hitchcock{psyco,rear window,the birds}famous hollywood director came in 1955 to host and direct Alfred Hitchcock presents. In truth Hitchcock only directed 20 of the original episodes.The show ran on cbs from 1955 to 1960 and then from 1962 to 1964 and also on nbc from 1960 to 1962 and then from 1964 to 1965 and many future box office stars appeared on the show like Steve Mcqueen, Robert Redford,Judy Canova,Dick Van Dyke,Cloris Leachman,Peter Fonda,Gena Rowlands,Brian Keith and Charles Bronson and also as a director was Robert Altman{M*A*S*H,Nashville} the opening would show Alfred Hitchcocks silhouette would play the funeral march of a marrionette and Hitchcock would say gooooood eeevening. the shows best episodes were in the 50s on nbc in 1964 from a half-hour to an hour was called the Alfred Hitchcock hour and was one of the best shows of the 50s.

Nice Assortment Of Hitchcock Tales
This "GoodTimes Home Video" release contains four fine episodes of Alfred Hitchcock's 1950s television series, "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". .......

"The Horseplayer" (with Claude Rains).

"Man From The South" (featuring Steve McQueen and a subtly ghoulish Peter Lorre, who appears more than willing to use that chopping knife he's holding above the hand of a nervous McQueen).

"Mrs. Bixby And The Colonel's Coat" (with Audrey Meadows starring).

"A Dip In The Pool" (Keenan Wynn).

I enjoyed all of these programs, with the Lorre/McQueen outing being the standout.

This VHS video is a good addition to anyone's Hitchcock Collection. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Entertaining and sad
This film is highly entertaining because it deals with an actor that is kind of a legend, Erroll Flynn. He is at once a success and particularly with women, especially young women, if not teenagers and girls, with his films. He marries a French actress who was also very popular. She more or less forces him into marrying her, but she cannot cope with his success and feels cheated and rejected. So she gets into a decaying approach of her own life. When she gets pregnant she decides to ask for a divorce, bringing together what could be a great joy with what is a great drama. She has never been able to cope with the success of her own husband that she married within this own success. Maybe she was hoping to make him her devotee, her "slave" and that shows she had not understood what the life of a popular actor is. The sad point of the film, and what I have just told is sad enough, is that Erroll Flynn is more or less broken in his career by these events and he loses his art, his talent, and little by little delves into marginal compensations such as alcohol and sex. This leads to a totally unfair accusation of rape. He is acquitted by a court but the stain will remain forever and he will be finished in his career, in his life, in his psyche even. Hollywood is often enough a long and dangerous pilgrimage to hell more often than to heavens.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University of Perpignan

Not so wicked after all
I watched this on the heels of reading Errol Flynn's wildly entertaining yet at times hauntingly poignant "My Wicked, Wicked Ways," the book on which this movie is based. If you watch this alone without much knowledge of the swashbuckling legend--apart from the things that have entered into popular lore, of course--than it is a slickly superficial yet effectively entertaining story but seems more intent upon focusing on Flynn'a partying, bar-room brawls and womanizing ways than on the charming yet surprisingly depthful screen idol who battled his personal demons. For added measure the script throws in a fictitious and lengthy sub-story portraying Flynn and first wife Lili Damita as soulmates with she a grounding and calm influence in his life--it suppose this was meant to showcase Flynn's "sensitive" side. If youi've read the book, however, than this film falls short in focusing for the most part on the prurient aspects of Flynn's life and leaving untouched the more serious areas--his poisonous relationship with his mother, serial sexual appetite, drug and alcohol abuse, insecurities and death wishes. Somewhat-Flynn lookalike Duncan Regehr does the best he can in attempting to portray a legend; Barbara Hershey puts in a solid performance as a loving and comforting Lili Damita; and Lee Purcell makes an astonishing lookalike as Olivia de Havilland. I agree with one of the reviewers--ending with the 31-year old Flynn's rape trial is unfortunate since it left out the rest of his eventful 19 years of living. It would truly be interesting to see a no-holds-barred biopic--perhaps with modern-day lookalike Kevin Kline--although it may already be too late as he is getting along in years--which focused on the fabulous and fascinating yet flawed individual that was Flynn.

Until they release a better version,this one will do
I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and until I see a better rendition, I will watch it again and again .If nothing else,the public gets a glimpse of Mr Flynn as his naughty best. Duncan Regehr did well as Flynn, but nobody could be Flynn but Flynn. This should be released on DVD!

TV Bio of Errol Flynn is Shallow
It has been said about Ken Burns' series on the Civil War that "the less you know about the Civil War, the more you will enjoy this series."

The same holds true for "My Wicked, Wicked Ways," the 1985 television bio of film legend Errol Flynn. Anyone who knows anything about Flynn and his wildly scandalous quarter-century in Hollywood will find this production shallow and unsatisfying. Perhaps that's because the project was the brainchild of one of Flynn's daughters, who reportedly controlled nearly all production and interpretive aspects of the film.

Flynn is portrayed by Duncan Regehr, a capable actor who, unfortunately, lacks the enormous charisma and on-screen magnetism of Errol Flynn. Occasionally he looks a little like Flynn -- but making comparisons here may be unfair. Errol Flynn was perhaps the most beautiful man of his or any other time, and to expect someone to measure up to that is unrealistic. At any rate, Regehr's portrayal is acceptable, but nothing more.

The film hints at Flynn's physical prowess in a fistfight or in bed, and pretty much glosses over the rest -- his epic drinking, his unsavory relationships, his drug abuse and brawls and unrelenting hedonism, all of which killed him when he was only 50 years old.

Another unsatisfying element of "My Wicked, Wicked Ways" is that it ends at the conclusion of Flynn's 1942 rape trial. What about the rest of his life? The slow decline and ultimate demise of one of the screen's most magnificent specimens is, arguably, even more interesting than his heyday.

Watch this is if you must, but once will probably be enough. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

im proud
i love to whathch this every day cause,it makes me not feeel lonely ... Read more

Amazon.com

Back before her two Oscars, before "You like me, you really like me," Sally Field was the young darling of TV sitcoms, first as the beach bunny Gidget, and then, improbably, as the young nun Sister Bertrille whose starched cornette doubled as an aerodynamic apparatus. In the first of the two Christmas episodes included here, Sister Bertrille and the other nuns at the Sisters of Convent San Tanco in Puerto Rico are preparing for their holiday gift exchange. An ailing Norwegian nun, Sister Olaf, allows that her one Christmas wish is for snow like she experienced as a girl, an impossibility in tropical San Juan. Or is it? Sister Bertrille employs her gift of flight to ensure everyone has a memorable Christmas. The second episode involves a young Jewish girl who becomes so enthralled with the nuns that she decides she wants to become one herself; it's up to Sister Bertrille to gently dissuade her from her hasty career decision. As with most 1960s sitcoms, logic and deep character development are not strong suits, but Field's determination and winning chirpiness, as well as a tart supporting cast (especially Marge Redmond as sidekick Sister Jaqueline), make watching these episodes a cozy exercise in nostalgia. --Anne Hurley ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Heartwarming Old Fashioned Christmas Viewing
Here are two episodes from the totally delightful late 1960's comedy series "The Flying Nun" starring Sally Field as the perky and lovable Sister Bertrille. Despite being the target for alot of todays quite hardened critics this terrific little series lives on in people's hearts. I know I grew up watching it and still hold it in great affection.

This tape is the Christmas special and contains two episodes from the first season of the show. The first is the only Christmas themed episode of the series "Walking In A Winter Wonderland" which is a sentimental delight as Sister Bertrille gets into all types of trouble trying to bring to reality a dying wish of a visiting nun from Norway who wants to see one last white christmas. The second episode from later in the first season "The Reconversion Of Sister Shapiro" while not a Christmas episode is almost as good when a young jewish girl stays at the convent and wants to be just like her idol Sister Bertrille , even to the point of her wearing a nun's habit at eight years of age!

"The Flying Nun' had a sweet innocent quality to it but also benefited from a terrific cast of very talented performers. Sally Field of course went on to become a great dramatic actress and double Oscar winner while the supporting cast boasted the talented Broadway actress Madeleine Sherwood in the role of the stern but caring Reverend Mother of the convent and the terrific Marge Redmond as Sister Jacqueline, Sister Bertrille's friend and cohort in many schemes around the convent.

"The Flying Nun" is television from the closing period of the age of innocence but this tape makes for delightful viewing in the festive season. The first episode in particular will be guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye with its simple message of love and hope. Enjoy Sally Field and her nun friends in "The Flying Nun Christmas" ... Read more

Reviews (26)

The Last Great "Planet of the Apes" Movie
This is the last "Planet of the Apes" film to feature characters from the original 1968 classic: Cornelius and Zira. The importance of this movie is clear at the end, as we realize how the Planet of the Apes began. It is good to have Roddy McDowall back, as he was absent from "Beneath the Planet of the Apes".
I always considered that the storyline of the first film ends here, and that the next film is like a slightly different story, in which a new character takes center stage: Cornelius's and Zira's son (named Milo in this film, but inexplicably Caesar in the next one).
Anyway, a must see in the "Planet of the Apes" canon.

Fun movie for children, but not the best apes film
This film was designed more for the children to enjoy. After Beneath director Arthur Jacobs had nowhere to go with the story. So he found a way to move the series having Cornelius and Zeira and another chimpanzee with them inside of the spaceship that goes back in time to the mid 1900's! At this time Humans still can speak and apes can't speak yet. Cornelius and Zeira know about the apes future and it scares the humans. A few humans want the baby ape that Zeira is pregnant with to be destroyed so apes will not rule in the future, little do they know people should not try to alter the future!

The Last Great "Planet of the Apes" Movie
This is the last "Planet of the Apes" film to feature characters from the original 1968 classic: Cornelius and Zira. The importance of this movie is clear at the end, as we realize how the Planet of the Apes began. It is good to have Roddy McDowall back, as he was absent from "Beneath the Planet of the Apes".
I always considered that the storyline of the first film ends here, and that the next film is like a slightly different story, in which a new character takes center stage: Cornelius's and Zira's son (named Milo in this film, but inexplicably Caesar in the next one).
Anyway, a must see in the "Planet of the Apes" canon.

Poor Beginning but a good story nonetheless
Once you get past the preposturous and serious flawed opening of the movie, you have a great story (in the first film we saw the damaged ship sink in the water. This film supposes that Cornelious and Zira somehow retrieved the ship and repaired it and were able to fly it back through time. All this was done in the short time from when Brent left their camp in the second film till he reached the mutant camp, which at most was a day). This was probably the best acting for Roddy McDowell and Kim Hunter in the series. The movie makes us question the scientific use of animals in research.

The budget got smaller and it shows
The third film, "Escape..." was a complete joke. They must have made this on a shoe-string budget because there were no special effects and they probably used the masks from the first two films. The plot was idiotic and I weep at thought of this nonsense. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Island of Doctor Moreau is a remake of 1932's Island of Lost Souls and, of course, an adaptation of H.G. Wells's classic tale of the dangers of playing God. Shipwreck victim Andrew (Michael York) washes up on a tropical island and is taken in by Dr. Moreau (Burt Lancaster), who lords over a compound staffed by some distinctly odd-looking servants. Also along for the ride are the mysteriously beautiful Maria, menacing shadows in the jungle, and lots and lots of cages in the House of Pain.While not as eerily creepy as its predecessor, The Island of Doctor Moreau has some fun makeup tricks and a good tiger fight or two, not to mention a thorough discussion of legal nuance by the island's "natives" ("What is the law?" "Not to walk on all fours!"). Definitely a fine afternoon's entertainment. Remade in 1996 with Marlon Brando. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Back to the Island
This Late 70's update of The Island of Lost Souls ( wisely retaining H.G. Well's original title) offers up two reunions in addition to its tropical horrors. Make-up artist John Chambers reunites with Don Taylor (both having worked on Escape from the Planet of the Apes in 1971) for this tepid but watchable adaption. Post's indifferent directing sabutages numerous potential horror moments, especially in the revelation of the various Humanimals on the island. The make-up seems dated even for its time (The Apes in Planet of the Apes look better) but perhaps that is why MGM had released this under its cheesy Midnite Movies banner.

Castwise, Micheal York does a better job then most have done with that role in other film versions but Barbera Carrea's character suffers from underexposure (well, dramatically speaking) and the hints of her origins are never properly addressed in the movie. Burt Lanchaster plays a formidable and active Moreau and his performance is by far the best in the film. Worth noting, the movie reunited him with former circus buddy Nick Cravat; costar of earlier films w/ Lanchaster such as The Crimson Pirate and The Flame and the Arrow.

In comparison to other film versions, this one plays very well, albiet somewhat lackluster. Not as zany as the 1996 film and certainly an improvement on the 1933 film.

The DVD features a solid transfer although there are 2 blue film blemishes that appear very fast. The disc is pretty bare bones with only the trailer as a supplement. But for 9.99 one can not complain.

If you're already a fan of the film, then get it.

Lancaster better than Brando
If you saw the Kilmer/Brando version I urge you to see this version. Burt Lancaster is excelent as Dr. Moreau and York does fine work as Prendick. This movie is more faithful and easier to follow. If you liked the original book by H.G.Wells than skip Brando and see this one instead. Youll be glad you did.

Crocodile
It is the older version of Crocodile. Set in China or Asia.
The picture was boring, because you could not see the movie plainly. It was too dark. Daytime looked like almost night all the way through the movie. If it wasn't such a waste of money I would toss it in the garbage. Just like Day of The animals. My friend has one of these. And you can see it just fine. Wish I could return both of them.

His Is the Hand!
Samuel Z. Arkoff, venerable producer of B sci-fi/horror flicks, presents this straightforward version of the H. G. Wells story. The best thing this flick has going for it is Burt Lancaster as Moreau. Moreau conducts forbidden experiments in vivisection, tampering with the genetics of animals. Moreau soon converts to evil action after shipwrecked Braddock (Michael York) stumbles into Moreau's bizarre island kingdom. The results of Moreau's failed experiments are horrific half-human/half-animal creatures that walk upright as men and howl in the distance. The best scene unfolds when Braddock finds the cave of the animal-men, and is threatened with violence. Moreau shows up tall and god-like on a convenient ledge. He commands the Sayer of the Law (Richard Basehart) to articulate the island code, "What is the Law?" The spitting wolf-man replies, "Not to go on all fours. Not to shed blood. etc." Each part of the jungle litany is answered by the refrain, "Are we not men?" Moreau has found through his work that the savage beast stubbornly reasserts itself. The creatures are on the brink of devolution. Worse yet, shedding blood would evoke the call of the wild on the island. "His is the House of Pain, His the Hand that Hurts," is the spoken warning that keeps the manimals in line. Moreau, it seems, wields the knife to surgically correct backward evolution, but also as punishment. Increasing beastiality leads to inevitable death, violence, and decimation on the island. Delectable eye-candy, Barbara Carrera, is around for romantic interludes. There is some mild nudity. Great fun for B movie sci-fi fans. Sensible viewers beware. ;-)

Philosophical Tale Well Told
This version of the classic H.G. Wells tale is infinitely superior to the '96 remake. It sustains its reputation because, like all enduring films, it is character driven. In no way do the the creature effects, which are adequately effective, take precedence over the actors' abilities.

The scene where Braddock (Michael York), confined to a cage, struggles to assert his willpower in recounting his childhood memories, remains a truly convincing piece of cinematic acting.

The DVD version, however, is supposedly in widescreen. That's W--I--D--E--S--C--R--E--E--N ladies and gentlemen. The peripheral view here has been simply narrowed, with the black bars at the top and bottom serving no other purpose than to further restrict a viewer's access to more of the original picture. Is it to censor out the fleeting exposure of Barbara Carrera's nipple? (Nah, can't be. That'd be ridiculous.)

Perhaps the persons at MGM responsible for this DVD transfer should be sent on a retraining course to better understand the concept of widescreen format. Use of the term "widescreen" with regards to this DVD version is basically misrepresentation. The VHS Full Screen version actually provides more picture acreage.

Regardless, the film itself succeeds well in its conveyance of the dangers of amoral scientific advancement, the subjugation of perceived inferiors, and the inhumane versus the humane, all in an entertaining manner. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Volume Three of a great series
Check out my review of the box set containing Volumes 1 through 4.

Apart from anything else, it includes episode listings for this and the other tapes.

My children love the Rifleman.
Could someone please tell us which episodes are contained in this volume ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nice Western!!
This is a nice western about 5 women convicts shipping arms to 1840 Mexican held Texas,starring Hugh O'Brien and Anne Francis.Check it out!! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Robert Wagner Fan
YES! Please DO make a new movie -- AND PLEASE release the entire series! It Takes a Thief is my all-time favorite TV show and Robert Wagner is STILL my favorite actor! I, too, would buy every single one!

I second that movie idea
Yes there should be a major motion picture based on "It Takes A Thief," but I suggest Rob Lowe as his son. Would also buy a DVD collection of every episode.

RW as Alexander Mundy - It Takes a Thief
And it would take an exceptional talent to one up Wagner in this pilot for the excellent series that followed. I enjoyed Fred Astaire playing Wagners dad in the tv series. The fabulous 60's. It Takes a Thief will go down as one of the best tv series of that golden era. Saw RW on the Larry King show recently. He still looks fantastic at 72! Hey RW, how about a 2002 version of "The return of Alexander Mundy." Is the actor who played Noah Baine still around? Great series. I loved it.

Great series
That was a great series, they have released other series on DVD that were not as popular at the time but so far not this one.
I wonder what they are waiting for.

My favorite TV show of all time
I don't know why I love this series but I do. As with a previous reviewer, I would love to own Magnificent Thief on DVD and I would purchase the entire series on DVD as well. I have all episodes on VHS and watch them over and over. Some of the best episodes are "Takes one to know one" and Turnabout. Love this stuff. Maybe we should write to Universal and start bugging them to get this series out on DVD. Anyway, this "made for TV" movie set the stage for the short lived series (1968-1970) and I want more. Maybe Wagner should do another movie as Alex Mundy only 30 years later with Tom Cruise as his son following in his footsteps. Tom is optional. ... Read more

Reviews (186)

Love the Movie!!! Newer DVD is acceptable quality ...
I have always liked this movie. Sure, the story never reaches its purported climax, but there's a lot of fun getting there ...

Let me address the DVD issue right off: I have (apparently) a remastered version, widescreen, with chapter selection and promotional trailer included. The quality of this DVD is pretty good. I can't remember the exact cinematography but it seems like this is how the movie always appeared. Not top-notch but acceptable. The trailer is not as well preserved but is OK.

(I noticed this on the Rambo: First Blood Part II DVD I just bought ... on that DVD, the trailer is so-so, however the picture on that movie is crisp and very well preserved).

OK, back to the movie. A freak storm catches the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and transports her and her crew back to December 6, 1941 just off the coast of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The BIG question: Ignore or Intercept the Japanese Navy when it attacks on December 7? ... if you haven't seen the movie, I won't spoil it for you here.

There are top-named actors like Martin Sheen, Kirk Douglas, James Farentino, Katharine Ross and Charles Durning. And there are a few real carrier personnel who weren't professional actors, obviously. But they got to be in the movie and who could blame them? Most people who like this film enjoy the time-travel, naval-combat aspect of it and overlook the occasional potholes in the storyline. Hey, just have fun!

There are some great launch sequences of Naval fighter aircraft, recon birds, tankers and helicopters. And the inflight sequences are pretty good too. You get to see F-14 Tomcats, A-7 Corsairs, A-6 Intruders, EA-6B Prowlers, E-2C Haweyes, SH-53 Sikorsky's and more. Plus the carrier crew equip the aircraft with the Mach 4+ AIM-54A Phoenix missiles, AIM-9 Sidwinders and AIM-7 Sparrows for air combat. Great stuff!

Overall the quality of the DVD movie is fairly decent and played well on my 55" big screen and my 27" small screen TV's. If you haven't seen the film, it's similar to "The Philadelphia Experiment" with Michael Pare and Nancy Allen. Enjoy!!

Love the Movie ... Newer DVD is acceptable quality ...
I have always liked this movie. Sure, the story never reaches its purported climax, but there's a lot of fun getting there ...

Let me address the DVD issue right off: I have (apparently) a remastered version, widescreen, with chapter selection and promotional trailer included. The quality of this DVD is pretty good. I can't remember the exact cinematography but it seems like this is how the movie always appeared. Not top-notch but acceptable. The trailer is not as well preserved but is OK.

(I noticed this on the Rambo: First Blood Part II DVD I just bought ... on that DVD, the trailer is so-so, however the picture on that movie is crisp and very well preserved).

OK, back to the movie. A freak storm catches the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and transports her and her crew back to December 6, 1941 just off the coast of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The BIG question: Ignore or Intercept the Japanese Navy when it attacks on December 7? ... if you haven't seen the movie, I won't spoil it for you here.

There are top-named actors like Martin Sheen, Kirk Douglas, James Farentino, Katharine Ross and Charles Durning. And there are a few real carrier personnel who weren't professional actors, obviously. But they got to be in the movie and who could blame them? Most people who like this film enjoy the time-travel, naval-combat aspect of it and overlook the occasional potholes in the storyline. Hey, just have fun!

There are some great launch sequences of Naval fighter aircraft, recon birds, tankers and helicopters. And the inflight sequences are pretty good too. You get to see F-14 Tomcats, A-7 Corsairs, A-6 Intruders, EA-6B Prowlers, E-2C Hawkeyes, SH-53 Sikorsky's and more. Plus the carrier crew equip the aircraft with the Mach 4+ AIM-54A Phoenix missiles, AIM-9 Sidwinders and AIM-7 Sparrows for air combat. Great stuff!

Overall the quality of the DVD movie is fairly decent and played well on my 55" big screen and my 27" small screen TV's. If you haven't seen the film, it's similar to "The Philadelphia Experiment" with Michael Pare and Nancy Allen. Enjoy!!

No, not the album by "Europe"
I first saw this on ABC as a kid, and loved it. Seeing it again now, at 31, I don't find it nearly as interesting but still think it's a fine film. Check out how much young Martin Sheen looks like Charlie Sheen! Watch James Farentino, the TV version of Roy Scheider! And don't miss the surprise ending!

Cinematic experience that will stand its ground...
The USS Nimitz, a nuclear aircraft carrier, is on a routine assignment when the civilian systems specialist Warren Lasky (Martin Sheen) is flown to the aircraft carrier. Lasky's job is to evaluate the efficiency of the commander and crew as he should make recommendations in regards to what changes can be done to save tax dollars. Soon after Lasky's arrival Captain Matthew Yelland (Kirk Douglas) is put in a difficult position as the USS Nimitz is pulled into an outlandish electrical storm that relocates the warship in time. Captain Yelland is unsure about what truly has happened, but when they discover that they are in between the Japanese Naval Force that is about to strike at Pearl Harbor on December 6, 1941 they realize they might have a chance to undo history. Final Countdown is an interesting science fiction film that offers some room for thinking, yet it is entertaining as it displays the incredible event of time traveling. An appealing idea together with entertainment, Final Countdown offers a decent cinematic experience, which will stand its ground.

Excellent. Aviation fans take note...
Since so many reviews are already posted, I'll keep this brief. It's nice to see this film get such an excellent DVD release. This movie is great and has aged quite well. The premise of the Nimitz being thrown back into time and given the opportunity to change the course of world history is an intriuging one even today. The Final Countdown boasts some ofthe best aircraft footage ever caught on film, hollywood or documentary. The scene between the Jolly Rogers F-14's and the 2 Japanese Zero fighters is a timeless classic.

The sound is excellent, the transfer is quite good, and the 2 disc set includes very special bonuses for fans of the F-14, or aviation in general. And the bonus disc interviews the Jolly Rogers squadron that flew in the film, worth it if you are an avaiation fan. If not, you might still enjoy it anyways, as they certainly have an entertaining story about one of the cast members! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

THE RIFLEMAN VOLUME 4
VIDEO ANNOTATION The video includes five episodes: "Man From Salinas" starring Robert Culp, "The Vaqueros" starring Sammy Davis Jr., "The Deadly Image" and "Waste Parts One and Two" starring Vito Scotti and Enid Jaynes. Total Running time 140 minutes

The Rifle Man
There is no description on the volume? What are the episodes ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Volume One of a great series
Check out my review of the box set containing Volumes 1 through 4 of this series.

Apart from anything else, it lists the episodes included on this and the other tapes.

My children love the Rifleman.
Could someone please tell us which episodes are contained in this volume ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A FLYING CLASSIC
This is one of my favorite shows. I love Sally, she's a delight in "The Flying Nun", and "Gidget". This is the episode that flew her into our homes. I remember running down the stairs screaming for my sister to come and watch. This is the pilot show which aired on Thursday the 7th, 1967 at 7:30 to 8:30, {an hour long}on ABC. You don't see this show in it's full length on TV for after it was aired the first time it was cut down to a half-hour for sendication. This is a must for anybody who likes old TV pilot shows.

Ultra-Cool Retro Viewing!
I love Sally Field as the spunky Sister Elsie Bertrille! The theme song,'Don't Need Wings To Fly',is lovely and the supporting cast,including Marge Redmond as Sister Jacqueline,and Shelley Morrison as Sister Sisto are great. Sally Field was in sitcoms continously from the late 60s to the early 70s,firstly in the short-lived 'Gidget',and then as 'The Flying Nun'. Check out the video packaging,designed to resemble a retro TV dinner!

This is the Pilot Episode of "The Flying Nun"!
A VERY young Sister Bertrille (Sally Field) travels to San Juan to become a kindergarten teacher at the San Tanco Convent. Her Nun's outfit includes a hat shaped like wings (yes, you read that right) and it's pretty windy in San Juan. Well, anyway, she only weighs 90 pounds and the wind picks her right up and she flys away! This is to say the least very troubling to everyone who sees her!

If you like TV Pilots, there are more than 70 of them at Amazon.com! Simply type the name of your favorite series into the Search Video Box or email me and I'll send you a list. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Several years after the mysterious events that claimed the life of the U.S. Ambassador and his wife, the now teenaged and militarily enrolled Damien Thorne is slowly being made aware of his unholy heritage and horrific destiny.Woe is he (including anyone in Damien's adoptive family and his classmates) who suspects the truth or gets in his way.While not as unrelentingly frightening as its blockbuster predecessor, this more-than-competent sequel to The Omen raises some interesting questions about the nature of free will (can the antichrist deny his birthright?) before falling into a gory series of increasingly outlandish deaths, the best of which is a terrifyingly protracted scene beneath the ice of a frozen lake. Jerry Goldsmith (who won an Oscar for his work on the first film in the series) contributes another marvelously foreboding score. --Andrew Wright ... Read more

Reviews (52)

The O-Man Book II
As I get older I realize how right the great Mad Magazine
was to skewer The Omen and its even more preposterous
sequel, Damien: Omen II, in its hilarious pages. These
films might have scared an old horror buff like me
when I was 10 years old but the more I watch the two
films now, the creakier and more totally ridiculous they
seem. I will grant that the first film is a horror classic
despite the absurdities once must swallow in suspending
disbelief witnessing the accelerated catastrophes and
mysterious murders that befall all who stand in Damien's
way to power. This sequel is well-made but more of the same,
Bill Holden is great as usual but yes he does seem out of
sorts in the "Gregory Peck" role, and Lee Grant is near-comatose as his unbelieving (but secretly Damien-worshipping) wife.
One thing I will say about these films is anyone that knows the final biblical Book of Revelations (which Damien quotes out loud in this sequel) knows the passage: "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads." Well, this
might be quibbling but Damien's "mark of the beast" is square on
the back of his head (or the top, looking like it was done with
a produce ink marker! Aisle 5, antichrist price-check please) and NOT anywhere near his forehead or his hand. And if this is the case then shouldn't there eventually be thousands if not millions of fellow anti-Christs roaming the
earth with the mark on them? I'm pretty sure the 7 Daggers
of Meggido are totally fictitious as well, and nobody ever gets
near enough to Damien to actually use them anyway, so we'll
never know if they really are effective, like Raid, of
finally offing the Antichrist.
But hey aren't we supposed to take Revelations that literally/seriously? I think not, and neither should we take this film, fascinating trash though it might be. And Lance
Henriksen was destined for much better films (ALIENS), God bless him!

THE SCARIEST OMEN OF THEM ALL!
OMEN II TELLS THE STORY OF DAMIEN AFTER THE HORRIFIC TRAGEDY OF HIS PARENTS' DEATH. DAMIEN NOW 12 AND LIVING WITH HIS RICH UNCLE AND AUNT. THIS FILM HAS THE MOST SHOCKING MOMENTS AND MOST CREATIVE DEATH SCENES IN MY OPINION. THE DROWNING BENEATH AN ICY LAKE, DEATH FROM AN ELEVATOR, BURIED ALIVE BY SANDS IN A CAVE, ETC. THE FIRST OMEN HAS A DOG AS THE HELPER OF THE ANTICHRIST, THIS ONE HAS A BLACK RAVEN. THE RAVEN IS A LOT MORE TERRIFYING THEN THE DOG IN THE FIRST FILM AND IT ADDS TO THE HORROR OF THIS FILM. THE MOVIE HOWEVER IS SORT OF RETELLING THE SAME THING AS THE FIRST OMEN, PEOPLE WARNING DAMIEN'S GUARDIAN OF HIS SECRET, THEY REFUSE TO BELIEVE, PEOPLE GETTING KILLED FOR TELLING THE SECRET, THE FAMILY REALIZED THE TRUTH AFTER MANY DEATHS AND DECIDE TO KILL DAMIEN... THIS MOVIE HAS A SURPRISE ENDING (AT LEAST IT SURPRISED ME). ANYWAY OMEN II IS A MUST SEE FOR HORROR FANS AND PEOPLE WHO LOVED THE FIRST OMEN. THE MUSIC ALONE MAKES THE FILM PRETTY SCARY, PLUS THE DEATHS SCENES. BUT ONE THING THAT MIGHT DISAPPOINT THE MODERN HORROR FANS IS THAT THERE ARE NO SEX AND NUDITY IN THIS FILM. BUT IT'S STILL A CLASSIC HORROR AND HORROR FANS SHOULD LIKE THIS MOVIE.

Worth a look for fans, but first OMEN is still the best
In William Holden's biography, GOLDEN BOY, he was just coming off the classic film NETWORK when he was offered the lead in the first THE OMEN. He threw the script aside and said it was ridiculous: no one would believe a story where a kid is born from a dog!
THE OMEN would end up being the biggest hit in Gregory Peck's career, not William Holden's.
But he did end up in the watchable sequel.

Jerry Goldsmith delivers another great score but the crow is a poor substitute for a demonic creature like the Rotweiler in the original (in OMEN's original script, it was a German Sheperd).
I wish there were more moments of self-discovery for Damien but the kids end up sounding phony spouting lines like, "You're the son of the devil!"
I liked the idea of the excavated wall.
The sequential deaths kept things moving but chopping that guy from DESIGNING WOMEN in half in the elevator was too over-the-top to revive the creepiness of David Warner's demise in the first film.
And William Holden's character's abrupt realization of how things have gone wrong isn't nearly as developed as Gregory Peck's superb dread and grief from the original.
The ending feels rushed no matter how you look at it.

I know, I know, it's a sequel. But it's the sequel to a very powerful story and, considering the leads in this film, I ended up wanting much more.
Worth watching though.

"THE FIRST TIME WAS ONLY A WARNING..."
WOW! This movie far surpasses the 1976 blockbuster, with better characters, music, & a plot that's much, MUCH easier to understand compared to that of the original. Damien Thorne is now one of my favorite horror icons of all time next to Leatherface and Pinhead! Continuing from where the first left off, Damine is 13-years-old living at his uncle's mansion in Chicago where he attends a Military Academy. This time, Damien shall discover the truth about himself as the supernatural terror continues for anyone who stands in his way! Very chilling and graphic horror film that will appeal to almost any horror fan! Followed by "The Final Conflict", the last chapter in the 'Omen' trilogy.

Not scary at all....but I don't like crows anymore!
Don't believe the hype, this movie is not scary at all, it may be abit freaky but it isn't something to scare the living daylights out of you. DO NOT WATCH THIS FILM IF YOU DON'T INTENT ON WATCHING THE REST OF THE SERIES!!! There is absolutely no point in doing that because the ending isn't really an ending, it's more of a break for the next movie in the series. The movie is about a boy named Damien who is 13 years old, learning that he is the antichrist, and the people that threaten him and his secret must die in mysterious ways. The death scenes were very well done and creative and the history in the movie is also very accurate. But don't believe the hype, this movie isn't scary, I honestly thought it would be when I started watching it, but I didn't find it to be scary, maybe more shocking than scary. It's more interesting I would say, the movie keeps you wanting more and you just want to know what happens next, it does a great job of keeping the viewer entertained and curious. But if you want a scare, watch something else like The Exorcist. This movie is alot like Final Destination, in the sense that you can't escape from death, whether you expect it or not, this was of course made before Final Destination but just to give you an example of what you can expect. The soundtrack for this film is very, very good and sounds very morbid, which was really good because it sets that mood for the movie. But remember, only watch this if you plan on watching part 3 which is called The Final Conflict. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The most beloved television series from the 1960's
The Big Valley is the most beloved television series from the 1960's based on a close-knit wealthy, and powerful family dominating the heartland of Stockton, California in the 1870's. Explosion is one of the series' most popular episodes. In this particular episode, a raging forest fire threatens to destroy the beloved valley. After several men are killed transporting nitro-glycerin to put out the fire, the Barkley men, Jarrod (Richard Long), Nick (Peter Breck), and Heath (Lee Majors) volunteer for the dangerous mission. Because of the extreme danger, they don't tell their mother, Victoria (Barbara Stanwyck) and their sister, Audra (Linda Evans) of their decision to transport the nitro. Inadvertently, Victoria learns of their plans. Her first instinct is to stop them, but then she realizes that she must allow them to be the brave, strong men that she had raised them to be. What follows for the men is the difficult task of getting the nitro to the scene of the fire. Their lives are risked many times and in many ways. Join the Barkleys as they ignite the screen with their bravery and their charisma. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Where's Frankie And Annette When You Really Need Them?
I thought this would be a lighthearted comedy, in the tradition of the "Beach Blanket Bingo" movies, but I was wrong. This film is heavy on melodrama and light on comic relief. Three California surfing buddies travel to Hawaii to catch the ultimate waves at Waimea Bay. Naturally, the veteran surfers there resent them, but to such a degree that it borders on hatred. A wipeout causes damage to Fabian's surfboard, which later causes him to crash into another surfer, who is carried on to the beach with a bloody, broken nose. Another surfer gets drunk on New Year's Eve and dives off a steep waterfall, and ends up cracking some ribs. Frankie Avalon and his gang sometimes wiped out, but they never emerged from the ocean bloodied and battered. The final surfing showdown is an endurance test to determine who is the best surfer in the world. The competition goes on and on and on, becoming an endurance test for the viewer. I can sum up my feelings for this movie in two words - wipe out!

Ride, ride, ride... the wild cliche!
Dudes, babes, and fabulous footage of the north shore of Hawaii, plus the classic theme song co-written by Brian Wilson and sung by Jan & Dean. This is about as good as '60s beach movies get, partly a good impersonation, part pure Hollywood fantasy, of my own childhood backdrop of surfing action in southern California and Hawaii. Dig the scenes in which the "surfers" are waiting for their waves on perfectly calm blue water on what is probably a giant studio backlot wading pool! Thrill as their doubles paddle out to attack the scary gray curls of Waimea Bay "and conquer those waves 'most thirty feet high"! Shelley Fabares and Barbara Eden are among the girls on the beach.

It's cool, buddy boy.

Guaranteed to get sand in your shorts!
A group of handsome, well-built, "young" board heads take a Hawaiian vacation to ride the wild surf of Hawaii. The boys fall in love within ten minutes of meeting their bikini-clad, beautiful female groupies who reluctantly watch as surf bum beaus risk life and limb in the unpredictable waves. Never a swear word is uttered and everything has a happy ending. Barbara Eden plays the spunky "Augie Poole," the original party girl who brings lots of laughs to the show.

There is no doubt that this is that rare film that is fun for the whole family to watch. The scenic footage of the Hawaiian islands is beautiful. The scripts are corny and the acting enthusiastic, but overall a fun film to watch. Although the actors played the parts well, they seemed a little bit too old (thirty-something) to play the proverbial beach-boy-in-college scene. But ten minutes into the show, we're too caught up in the undertow to care about trivial things like time and age!

Ride, ride, ride, the wild surf...
Campy, campy, campy, campy, campy ! Great nostalgic film . Sometimes when I watch it I think, "man, this movie didn't age well " and then other times I think, "who cares! This is a fun movie !" Far better than most of the stuff that Hollywood has been trying to pawn off on us for years .

Ride The Wild Surf
In 1964 three friends went to the show to see a surf movie for the first time. We returned to see this movie over and over again, (7 times to be exact). Being young and impressionable we wanted to be like Fabian, Tab Hunter, and Peter Brown riding Big Waves in Hawaii and falling in "Love" with girls like Susan Hart, Shelley Fabares and Barbara Eden. This movie made our summer of '64 a fantasy summer, we went to the beach, tried to surf, listened to Jan & Dean, The Beach Boys and dreamt of the girls in "Ride the Wild Surf". By todays standards this movie seems "Hokie", but for three fourteen year old boy's in 1964 it was a movie and Summer to remember. ... Read more