Classic and Horror films unite
Strange Cargo (1940) is not an easy film to describe. It has elements of drama, romance, adventure and tragedy. It is all these things, but it does not fit neatly into any of these genres. It could perhaps be compared to I Was A Fugitive of a Chain Gang, with its frank depiction of prison… Continue reading Into the Wilderness: Clark Gable in “Strange Cargo” (1940)
Jeanne Craine has always been a classic film actress who I knew of, but who always flew under the radar for me. I've always mostly associated her with the part of evil Gene Tierney's sweet cousin in Leave Her To Heaven. I remember liking her in that, and thinking how lovely she was, which is… Continue reading Always integrity: Jeanne Craine In People Will Talk (1951)
In a career that spanned almost fifty years, Joan starred in almost every type of Woman's Picture, and played almost every kind of part in the genre, as well as starring in almost every other kind of genre, and playing almost every type of role in those genres, too. But Joan's later films are often… Continue reading What A Dame: Joan’s Four Essential Later Performances
Although choosing an Audrey Hepburn film is like choosing a favourite child, How To Steal A Million is right up there. It's the perfect vehicle for Audrey. While she's wonderful in everything, this film shows how brilliant her comedic timing was and also how sophisticated her image became in the late 1960s. With Breakfast… Continue reading Close Quarters: Audrey Hepburn in “How To Steal A Million” (1966)
Audrey Hepburn had never set out to be Audrey Hepburn. The girl with the perfect smile, the mellifluous voice that spellbound millions. She had never wanted to be an actress. She had wanted to be a ballerina. Her love for ballet was one that was all consuming, she became a courier during WWII for the Dutch Resistance… Continue reading The Girl with the Ethereal Air: The Early Career of Audrey Hepburn
William Holden was born to play David Larrabee, with his perfectly combed golden hair and that little smile that always bordered on a smirk. He has that whole likeable cad thing, like George Sanders, Basil Rathbone and Richard Widmark down to a tee. He looks louche and sunkissed (even though the film's in black and… Continue reading The Privileged Playboy: William Holden in ‘Sabrina’ (1954)
I came across Love Story by chance when I purchased the ITV boxset of Margaret Lockwood's films. I bought it because I wanted to see The Wicked Lady, as I had been very unimpressed by the Michael Winner remake, but had been told the original was wonderful. And then, also quite by coincidence, I listened to a bonus episode… Continue reading Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May: Stewart Granger in ‘Love Story’ (1944)
