david-340 Reviews

Bud and Lou (1978 TV Movie)

Great story but terrible portrayals.

[4 July 2000]

The movie was obviously lovingly done, and the story line superb. When Hackett and Korman are acting "out of character", that is, living Bud and Lou's private lives, the story holds together well. But when they are trying to recreate Abbot and Costello's great routines, things fall apart, particularly a very poorly timed version of "Who's On First". The recent t.v. pic of the Three Stooges stands head and shoulders above this show.

Some Like It Hot (1939)

Slick Bob Hope performance

[7/10 · 6 January 2000]

Not Hope's best, but he makes a good flim-flam artist going straight. The highlight of the film is Gene Krupa and his band playing "Blue Rhythm Fantasy", a number with Krupa soloing while the band beats out tempo on small drums at their music stands. This is Krupa's first film with his first band after leaving the Benny Goodman Orchestra.

The Gene Krupa Story (1959)

Great Mineo portrayal

[8/10 · 19 November 1999]

Not historially accurate, but a great portrayal by Sal Mineo. He worked with Krupa for about 2 years before filming began. The only real flaw is that the music is a 1950's version of 1930's swing/jazz, and none of Krupa's hits of the 40's were really included. Nonetheless, the music is very good, with Mineo mimicing extremely accurately Krups's off screen drumming.

The Black Bird (1975)

Terrible, terrible movie!

[1/10 · 18 November 1999]

Possibly the worst movie I have ever seen. Very little in this terrible remake of "The Maltese Falcon" even remotely resembles the original. Spade Jr.'s office, supposedly the same as Sr.'s, is different. The statue of the falcon is a decidedly different, sub-par copy of the original, and the plot left a great, great deal to be desired. Pure garbage.