ericbryce2 Reviews

The Catered Affair (1956)

Davis and Borgnine at their best.

[22 January 2015]

Bette Davis perhaps the best actress that Hollywood ever produced pared with one of the best and most under-appreciated actors of all time Ernest Borgnine are man and wife in the wonderful small story about a mother wanting to throw a big wedding for her only daughter that they really can't afford. Borgnine a cab driver who has saved for years to buy his own cab sees his life savings along with his dreams being sunk into the wedding. Debbie Reynolds as the daughter who never wanted a big wedding feels caught in the middle. This movie is a must see for any fans of the cast and of classic Hollywood. Davis, never afraid to play as she later put it "a frump" and is what sets her apart from other Hollywood female actors who once played glamorous parts early in their careers is particularly good in this roll. This paring with Borgnine is what makes this movie a classic.

How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)

Imagine

[10/10 · 12 April 2014]

Imagine a furnished penthouse apartment with terraces on Sutton place for $1000.00 a month. You couldn't rent a closet in New York for that these days. This movie is one of my favorites. It's full of memorable lines which my wife and I use all the time. The cast is first rate. None better than Lauren Bacall when she was at her most beautiful. Also Monroe and Grable also in the prime of their careers. Monroe perhaps more than Grable but she holds her own. Fred Clark, Rory Calhoun, and William Powell round out this stellar cast. Showcasing N.Y.C. when it was considered the coolest place on Earth makes the location one of the stars of the film.

'Til Death (2006–2010)

Getting better every week.

[7/10 · 17 November 2007]

Brad Garret was the funniest actor on Everybody loves Raymond. I believe he's one of the finest comic actors in television. I very much anticipated his new show Till Death. The first few episodes were a disappointment only because the relationship between the couple seemed to caustic to be believable. I suppose it was meant to contrast with the newlyweds next door. Others must have thought the same way because later episodes have toned it down a bit and you can now believe that like most real couples they may not always get along but actually love each other. The actress who plays the wife seems to have been given the go ahead to show a lot more femininity. I believe she's about the only comic actress they could have found that could hold her own with Garrett. She great in the roll. The couple next door are perfectly cast and a great foil for the older couple. They've resisted the temptation (unlike "Back to You")to introduce too many characters into the cast. I'd really like to see Garret again in the movie roll her was born to play, the Jackie Gleason biography from a few years back. I can't help thinking that this show reminds me a lot of THE HONEYMOONERS, a classic worth emulating.

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Not for children

[10/10 · 3 June 2007]

Warning warning warning. This movie is not for children. Not in any way, shape, or form. It's not for some adults either. There are numerous execution style killings. There is even a scene with a leg amputation although it cuts away at the last minute. No pun intended. Plenty of brains being blown out and torture. Despite the fairy tale theme this excellent movie is not even for children who you might think have seen it all. It's also all in Spanish with English subtitles for those of you who might not know. I recommend this movie highly but as I said it is not for every viewer. I read that when this movie came out a few people brought their very young tykes and were shocked by the content. It's rated R and for very good reasons.

Hellfighters (1968)

The Duke's best

[6/10 · 1 June 2007]

I remember reading somewhere that Katherine Ross was so embarrassed to be in this movie that she refused to ever see it. She was riding high at the time just coming off Butch Cassidy. Her star would fade again within a couple of years after she did THE SPEPFORD WIVES.

Although this is a typical John Wayne movie in some respects (they always had a fight scene) but this one is better than most because it's based on a real person and a real company. I watch it whenever it comes on not because I think it's great cinema but it's above all entertaining. Vera Miles gave a very good performance despite the fact that this role was perhaps below her considering her Hollywood credentials. Personally, I'm not into westerns so I think this is John Wayne's best movie. I'm surprised they never tried to make a TV series out of this. It was perfect for TV, with a different fire every week.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964–1968)

Seaview was the star

[7/10 · 1 June 2007]

I was a kid back in the 60s and Voyage was one of my favorites. The plot lines followed the typical pattern of the day like other sci-fi shows back then. Every week a different undersea monster. The star of the show was the Seaview, a sleek nuclear sub with windows in the nose and fins designed after the 58 Cadillac. There were plenty of TV themed toys available back then I had to have my own Seaview. I got it one Christmas, It was yellow, about a foot long but I was disappointed to find a handle sticking out of the front so you could wind the rubber bands that made it go. Kinda ruined the aesthetics of the model. I also had the plastic model that was put together with glue like an airplane model. although it was much smaller. The closest I ever got to run it was in the bathtub and I had to make my own ping noises. My family must have thought I was nuts. The Seaview got a remodel in the last season with new windows in the nose and a docking birth underneath for the Flying Sub. I recently rented some DVDs from the series. As I expected they had not stood the test of time but back then it was all we had. Three channels if you were lucky. I kinda hope they don't try to do a remake because those things never work like that awful remake of Lost in Space.

Dr. Kildare: The Mask Makers (1962) Season 2, Episode 4

Art imitates life

[7/10 · 30 May 2007]

This episode was the first time I remember seeing Carolyn Jones. She played a young girl with a big nose. She gets a nose job and becomes a real beauty. Oddly Carolyn Jones had a very painful nose job done on herself. This was when she was preparing herself for the movie industry. She was known mostly as Mortisha Addams. That show, THE ADAMS FAMILY. Although well remembered that show lasted only two seasons. She received very good reviews for some of her previous work. She played opposite Elvis in KING CREOLE. Hers was the standout role and performance in an otherwise simple rights of youth story. I remember even a a little kid I fell in love with her. Whoever did her procedure did a very good job because her nose although perhaps a little turned up was very feminine. Sorry to go on like this but they make you write at least ten lines.

Halfway Home (2007)

Funny show

[8/10 · 14 May 2007]

I've laughed out loud several times while watching this show. The characters are stereotypical sure, but that's the joke. The Hispanic male prostitute cracks me up. MANgina is what he calls his "undercarriage". On family day his father arrived to say "the men in our family have been male prostitutes for generations and my son is the first one to be arrested" His makeover tips get him a job offer at the local make-up counter. C-BASS is the would be tough guy and black activist that grew up in Bel Air. Serenity is the plus sized inmate who operates on the premise that all white people are afraid of blacks. This is a COMEDY CENTRAL after all and if it is to have a chance at all in the vast wasteland of comedy show it's got to be over the top. That's what we've come to expect from COMEDY CENTRAL. Humor we can't find on the networks.

Tommy (1975)

Stinker

[1/10 · 29 April 2007]

I remember enjoying the TOMMY album when it came out. I also remember hating this movie when it came out. Seeing it again today in 2007 it seems like a silly idea. To try and wrap a movie around a couple of hit songs was dumb. In those days everything got made into a movie. Seeing it today I am surprised it was released at all. It's tedious, overblown, and Ann Margaret can't sing. Daltry looked goofy. A lot of this movie looks like it shares the same production values as an episode of THE MONKEYS. I think a lot of people felt ripped off when they came out of the movie. It's 2007 and I've often wondered why this movie doesn't play much on TV but now I know why. Probably one of the worst movies of all time. I've never seen that Sgt. Pepper's movie but I suspect they are a lot alike.

The Cape (1996–1997)

syndicated oblivion

[7/10 · 31 March 2007]

The Cape was a good show but never given the chance to find an audience or should I say the audience couldn't find the show. In my area it played at 1:30am on Saturday nights. The networks probably would have done it in even faster. Later I saw one of the actors selling real estate on HGTV House Hunters. With a large cast and a lot of location shooting it was probably and expensive show to do. The success of SPACE COWBOYS (AWFUL) tells me that a show about the US space program could have been successful if it had been given a good time slot. I wish the one season was available of DVD. Since it involved NASA the show had a real feeling about it. The theme music was also very good. One of the final shows that involved a Russian capsule with dead Cosmonauts aboard was excellent.

Funny Face (1957)

Paris is the leading lady

[6/10 · 4 March 2007]

This is a fun movie and I like FUNNY FACE. We watch it whenever it's on TV. I've read that Audrey Hepburn couldn't do GIGI because she had committed to doing this movie or she passed on it. She had done GIGI on Broadway and the writer Collette hand picked her for the role. I'm sure she was very good but I think that Leslie Caron was the best choice anyway. FUNNY FACE shows Paris just ten years or so after the end of WWII at a time when just being an American could open doors. Although the city was still a bit sooty this is a perfect travelogue for French tourism. Paris is the most beautiful and exciting city in the world and is the real star of this film. Audrey burst on to the scene with a new look, heavy brows and a 98 pound frame. I shudder to think how this hot new look would have translated to GIGI. I believe I've read that Fred Astaire came out of retirement at age 59 to do this movie. I don't mean to be unkind but she was 29, I mean come on, a thirty year difference in their ages? He was never really a singer and neither was Audrey so I suppose they were well matched in this movie. The fashions for the most part were very good except for that blue bedspread the wore to see Flostre the night of the big show. Some of the music and dance numbers are overly long but all in all this is a pleasant movie that I would recommend to anyone.

Ben-Hur (1959)

Ultimate 50s Bibical epic

[10/10 · 22 February 2007]

This is an excellent movie and I've probably seen it fifty times. The music has become the theme by which that whole era of biblical epics is known. Although a work of fiction it has been embraced by generations for it's religious overtones. The story of one man's life and his search for vengeance and justice in the time of the world first fascist society. Ben Hur's number when he was chained to an oar on a Roman galley was forty one. I've often wondered if that was some kind of inside joke on the set. There is one strange scene which I noticed years ago but I'll bet few have noticed it. When Judah goes and collects his mother and sister from the leper colony they make their way to Jerusalem. They get to a place where they stop to watch Jesus go by on his way to the Crucifixion. Judah is carrying his sister. When they get to the place where they stop to watch, Judah kind of chucks his sister off to the side at that point and throws a blanket on her. It's very abrupt and I believe the actress who played the sister was a little startled too. Watch for it the next time you see Ben Hur.

Green Acres (1965–1971)

Classic Television

[10/10 · 14 December 2006]

I've been a fan of GREEN ACRES as long as it's been on the air. When my wife says "how can you watch that? " I'm not worried because she just doesn't get it. This show is not for everyone but for the ones who do "get it" it's a ball to watch.

Eddie Albert was great as the lawyer turned gentleman farmer who seems to be the only one not affected by whatever was in the water in that strange place called Hooterville. A wonderful actor, the veteran of dozens of movies he played the straight man in a company of wacky characters that could have come from the mind of Rod Serling. Probably the only show on American television with this particular kind of absurdist humor, landing in Hooterville was like going through a tunnel and coming out in TOONTOWN where people understand pigs, can leave a written egg order for a hen and predict the weather with a coo coo clock.

The beautiful Eva Gab or was perfect as the Hungarian airhead who for a city girl had no trouble communicating with chickens, cows, pigs and all the off the wall locals. She made a name for herself in movies as the two timing, suicide prone mistress Liane d'Exelmans in the multiple Oscar winning GiGi. She was a good sport about all the humor involving her accent. I remember an interview where the reporter asked her why she still had such a heavy accent after living in the United States for so long and she replied without a seconds thought, "what are you trying to do, blow my act?" She was a class act all the way and although this show took place late in her career she was never more beautiful. Who can forget the situation where Lisa was determined to ruin the Governor's deer hunting party by flying over in a crop dusting plane shouting from a megaphone "RUN FOR YOUR LIVES, THE HUNTERS ARE GOING TO SHOOST YOU!"

For all the other fans out there who "get it" it's good to know we can get our Green Acres every day thanks to cable television. I predict that this show along with THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, and I LOVE LUCY will still be on the air and people will still be laughing in the year 2050.

The Moon Is Blue (1953)

David Niven at this best

[23 November 2006]

This is one of my favorite old movies. Although William Holden is the leading man here this is one of those movies where one of the side characters is the most memorable. In this case it's David Niven. He's such a stuffed shirt that about as cavalier as he can manage to get is when he tells Peggy's character "I want to kiss you until your lips are somewhat bruised". He relates the story of the failure of his first marriage to a "southern gal" who was always baking pop overs and served them at every meal. After dinner she would always drawl "wasn't them popovers good?". He stood all he could of this airhead until one day when he hit her across the rear end with a hot popover pan. He said " it raised quite a welt, although I was not privileged to see it." When Peggy later says her feet hurt he says "never say your feet hurt. My foot hurts singular is acceptable but to say my feet hurt is a rather sordid admission." The fact that I am writing these lines from memory will tell you how much fun I had watching this movie over and over. William Holden was the king of the movies as far as I'm concerned and he was charming and at his best in this movie. He made more really good memorable movies than Clark Gable could have hoped for. This movie is not well known and as far as I'm able to find out is not available of DVD. I'm hoping is will be eventually because it's a nice funny little movie that shows New York in it's heyday.

Everybody Loves Raymond: Marie's Sculpture (2001) Season 6, Episode 5

Funniest episode

[10/10 · 18 November 2006]

I've seen them all and if I had to choose just one this would be my favorite episode. Debra encourages Marie to take a sculpture class and brings home her first work, an abstract sculpture. When the sculpture is first unveiled Ray is the first one to think he knows what it looks like. Then he asks Debra if it doesn't look a little to "ladylike". Robert thinks it looks familiar too until Ray whispers in his ear his theory. His reaction was the funniest yet. Marie still sees it as a abstract and Frank says "I don't know what the hell this is but I love it". To the surprise of Ray and Debra, the sculpture is a gift to them they don't know what to do with it. When Marie suggests they put it in the their bedroom they say "we don't like art in the bedroom" "Too high fa-lu-tin." When two nuns show up to pick up the sculpture the laughs continue. Without realizing it Marie has created a work of art which greatly resembles female genitalia. When one of the nuns whispers in her ear about the subject matter she is completely shocked. After giving the sculpture a fresh look Marie says "oh my god, I'm a lesbian" The final scene is the best with Frank at a church gallery staring at the sculpture as he has throughout the episode. A janitor walks in and says " if you ask me I think it looks like" and then he whispers the rest into Franks ear. The episode ends with the Frank finally seeing it and saying "holy crap"

Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972)

Dated but worth another look

[7/10 · 25 October 2006]

I originally saw this movie when it came out and after reading about St. Francis I decided to give this movie another look after thirty years. Although it barely scratches the surface of saint's life story, it has some merit. The costumes are bizarre and more than likely have some basis is fact. The high collars he and his family wear look like something from the conclusion of BENEITH THE PLANET OF THE APES. If this movie were to be made today I don't think St. Claire would be wearing so much lipstick. The directors use of young mop top actors and close ups of different facial types throughout the movie gets distracting after a while. I felt like I was watching a movie that was filmed in Italian and overdubbed in English, although this is not the case. There seems to be a lot of scenes with a lot of people shouting as a way of making it all seem more authentic. The cinematography is the main reason I would recommend this movie. It was beautifully filmed on locations that seem almost dream like.

The Longest Day (1962)

All time best movie about WWll

[10/10 · 27 August 2006]

Probably the best movie of all about the second world war. I've seen this movie many times and I think it should be required viewing in all high schools. War is hell they say. That morning when the men of the free world landed on the beaches of Normandy shall never be forgotten. One can only imagine what it was like for those men in the landing craft when the ramps came down and they went forward to begin the liberation of Europe. This movie comes close to the experience. Although quite graphic in it's portrayal of the carnage there is no time to shed a tear for each man as you see him fall because this movie is fast paced. Many died that day and some never left that beach. Thousands are buried on the bluffs above in carefully manicured lawns of the military cemeteries. See this movie with your children so none will ever forget the sacrifice ordinary Americans made to free Europe.

Giant (1956)

Dated and bloated

[4/10 · 21 July 2006]

I've seen this movie enough times to know that I could never sit through it again. Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor were too young or perhaps too good looking to pull off aging despite the makeup and gray streaks.

The main message of the movie is, see how bad the rich white trash folks treats the poor wet backs. James Dean again was too young to act his way through the age makeup. It takes a good actor to pull off a convincing drunk, and Dean was not up to that task either. Carroll Baker played her usual sex kitten roll. Dennis Hopper delivers a convincing and understated performance as the son.

All in all this movie is too long, too preachy and every segment of society is portrayed stereotypically. The movie could have ended when Jett Rink strikes oil. The last part with Rock and Liz trying to act like they were old is painful to watch.

The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971)

The Mansion

[1 June 2006]

I'm a long time fan of The Beverly Hillbillies. I recently did some research on the internet to find out more about the mansion used in the series. "The Kirkeby Mansion" built in 1938 is actually in Bel Air. the 1938 French neoclassical-style mansion at 750 Bel Air Road, built by Lynn Atkinson (and later sold to hotelier Arnold Kirkeby after Atkinson's wife refused to move into a house she thought too ostentatious.) Kirkeby agreed with the production company to let them use his estate on the condition that the actual address was not given out to the general public. The address (750 Bel Air Rd.)leaked out and before long tourists became a problem. I've found a satellite view of the property recently and found out that the front gate was completely taken out and the house can no longer be seen from the street. The new entrance is down the road. Too bad really because the estate with it's still meticulously manicured spectacular seventeenth century style formal french garden is among the most beautiful in California.

The Dick Van Dyke Show: Honeymoons Are for the Lucky (1964) Season 3, Episode 23

The late great Kathleen Freeman

[9/10 · 30 May 2006]

I remember this episode. It stood out because of the wonderful performance of the late great Kathleen Freeman. She practically stole the show as the wife of the motel owner where Rob and Laura spend their honeymoon. She repeatedly refers to her husband as "stupid fool". The line that really brought down the house was when she says "all I ever hear from him is you're beautiful, you're beautiful. She was never beautiful but talented and had real comic timing. Kathleen Freeman had a long career on stage, screen, and television. She is remembered for small parts that stood out. From the mother superior on Golden Girls, another nun "the Penguin" in Blues Bros, to an unforgettable part in Dragnet "'Bout time you pencil-dicks showed up. Why couldn't you have gotten here before that big bad stupid-looking piece of sewage breath stole my white wedding dress?"

The Amos 'n Andy Show (1951–1953)

Funny is funny

[12 May 2006]

I grew up watching this show and my family is still amazed that I can quote some of the dialog. The show was funny no matter what color the actors were. The format for the show changed when it went from radio to TV. Amos was hardly in the TV show, and The Kingfish was really the main character. The Kingfish was a schemer and not employed. This was the main reason I think that the NAACP had a problem with the show. His wife was the breadwinner and was actually pretty kind to the Kingfish despite this. Andy was the dumb shmuck that was always the target of the Kingfish's underhanded tricks to relieve him of money. He once sold Andy a Hollywood set house that only had a front and took him on a cross country tour without leaving central park.

The Kingfish's mother in law was a hoot. She was on the Danny Thomas show later on. This show had a lot of real talent, and it's sad that it's not on TV today.

Cafe Americain (1993–1994)

Never had a chance

[27 April 2006]

I remember when this show premiered. The TV guide for that same week already had an article in it which said it would probably be canceled. I liked the characters, especially Fabiana and her boyfriend "pants". The Madam Yubara character was a hoot. "Back in my country, any woman who looks better than me I have her kilt. You'd be surprised how fast the rest of the women let themselves go."

There were a lot of funny touches making fun of the french. In one episode Fabiana passes out at a fashion show. They take her to the hospital and nuns were walking down the halls smoking.

The actor who played her boyfriend Marcel was very good. I really thought he was french.

Heartland (1989)

Good comedy writing

[25 April 2006]

I remember this show and if I'm not mistaken it was one of those summer shows that last only a few weeks. It was the first time I saw Richard Guilliam on TV. He went on tho the memorable role of J.D. Shacelford on Designing women. He met and married his wife Jean Smart on that show. I believe the premise of the show was a widowed son in law and his grandson moving in with Brian Keith on his farm. I also remember one funny line from the show that my wife and I still use.

Brian Keith sitting on the porch swing relates how his son came for a visit and wanted to borrow $1000.00 to join an ashram. The other person in the scene says "and what did you tell him." He replied "I told him that if he didn't clean up his act and get a job, I was gonna kick his ashram up and down my bean field"