Big Brother is Watching You

Nineteen Eighty-Four (1954)
Dir - Rudolph Cartier

I had never heard of this version but a friend bought a bootleg of it at a recent comic convention so we gave it a go. Originally made-for-TV by the BBC for their program BBC Sunday-Night Theatre this is a fantastic telling of Orwell's classic tale. Cushing is fantastic and it proves that TV movies can be awesome.

Breathtaking

Seven Samurai (1954)
Dir - Akira Kurosawa
AFFD

Believe it or not, this is the first time I've seen this classic. What a great way for a first viewing - 35mm print on a large screen. This is amazing as everyone has said and it's easy to see how it influenced so many films that would come later.

Great acting, story, cinematography, directing - everything. This is why I love film so much. Three-and-a-half hours and not a single wasted or dull moment in there. Amazing.

Carrot Babies!

The Thing from Another World (1951)
Dir - Christian Nyby & Howard Hawks

I had never seen this whole film but really love John Carpenter's take on the same source story. In fact that is one of my top sci-fi, horror and horror/sci-fi films of all time. This tale definitely has its merits and some really effective moments. The fire scene is creepy and an amazing minute or two of film. Still, I prefer what Carpenter did and find it much more frightening. Of course had I seen this film in its initial run I might feel different. Who knows?

Here Comes the Bride

Father of the Bride (1950)
Dir - Vincente Minnelli

I've seen the remake of this film, with Steve Martin, numerous times but never watched the original. The remake is pretty funny and I figured that I would find a lot of the same humor in the 50s version. Oddly this film is quite a bit "darker" in tone, if that's even the right word. There are laughs, and some direct lines reused, but this film focuses even more on the father who seems to be angrier and not as light as he's portrayed in the remake. It's a good film and touching with great performances but I think I prefer the remake in this case.

Pennsylvania 6-5000

The Glenn Miller Story (1954)
Dir - Anthony Mann
Jimmy Stewart Sundays

Another Jimmy Stewart film, another win. This biopic about the life of Glenn Miller is wonderfully enjoyable, interesting and full of great music. There is some great use of Technicolor, but also some moments seem a tad overboard. One scene in particular centers around a late night visit to a Harlem Jazz club where Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa and other play some toe-tapping tunes. Even though this is my favorite scene the ever changing color wheel on the band gets a bit laughable. Watch this, you won't be disappointed.

Care for a Bite?

Horror of Dracula (1958)
Dir - Terrence Fisher

Classic. Not that it really needs to be said but this shows just how awesome the Hammer films were. Christopher Lee's first (of many) portrayals of Dracula and co-starring with Peter Cushing in the Van Helsing role. Amazing. This was the first time the world saw the Bram Stoker's character, or any other vampire for that matter, in such startling color. I can only imagine the reaction by moviegoers everywhere when they saw those first drops of bright red blood after the opening credits.  Wish I could have been there.

Ol' Charlie Potatoes

The Defiant Ones (1958)
Dir - Stanley Kramer

Great performances, great directing and great script. Not sure how likely it would have been to chain a white man and black man together during those times, but it made for a very interesting story with some twists, turns and surprises along the way. Also a bonus role by Lon Chaney, Jr.

Order in the Court

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Dir - Otto Preminger

Now this is how it's done folks! Compelling, at times humorous, courtroom drama starring Jimmy Stewart and George C. Scott. Quick, intelligent dialog back and forth in, and out, of the courtroom. Can't help but feel this might be a little risque for the time in regards to some of the subject matter. Was a bit confused by the whole "panties" debacle and how an entire courtroom full of adults will erupt into laughter over the word in conjunction with them belonging to a rape victim.