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Natswanson
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These Wilder Years (1956)
Exceptional Performances all Around
This movie could actually be considered a Christmas Holiday movie, since the timeline occurs during the "Season to be Giving" and it does promotes some solid holiday values. I saw this film 20 years ago and admired it. I like it even better now. The performances are what make the film--especially the teaming of Stanwyck and Cagney, their only time together. Both play their normal strong willed characters. It's like a boxing match, and unfortunately, one doesn't take their gloves off to Stanwyck. In this case, if you want to see a subtle, authentic actress at her best, watch her expression in the court scene when the Judge makes his ruling. Wow, she just says it all in a matter of a split second. Nothing showy, just so real. There are many touching moments in this film. It's very well written, and there's certain patterns that happen along the way to give it some degree of enjoyment and premomination of what is to come. For example, the conversation between the policeman and Cagney when he jay walks. My favorite line is the optimism: Stanwyck's character says "There's always a kind of hope in everything. And isn't it refreshing when her character says "I don't know." (Because sometimes you don't). Walter Pidgeon accepted below the title billing perhaps to conclude his contract with the studio. He started to do theatre after this film was completed. That's Tom Laughlin (Later Billy Jack) as the football player that dropped the ball, and Michael Landon can be seen in the pool hall as an extra, and Dean Jones has an important early role.
Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? (1968)
Nothing was Brighter than Doris Day
There was a time when you could send $25 to Doris Day's animal foundation, and she'd send you an autographed picture. Well, my dog was a cute shelter terrier that I named Griffin, and since this was one of my favorite films, I asked and she agreed to sign her picture "Where Were You and Griffin When the Lights Went Out?"
I like this movie. I even found the movie poster for this film at an antique shop in Myrtle Beach. It's rather cool with Ms. Day posing as if she is the Statue of Liberty.
I paid only $8 for it. It's the only thing I remember from that specific beach trip. I also own the video. I don't think the film can air right now due to legal stuff.
I have watched it a dozen times. It's a feel good movie. It has a lot of nice, fun people in it, even in the minor roles. This includes Steve Allen, Pat Paulson, Jim Backus, Ben Blue, Robert Emhardt and Morgan Freeman in an uncredited role.
About Doris Day.....she was gifted, versatile, and very underrated. Groucho Marx once said he knew Doris before she was a virgin. He was referring to her sunny, innocent girl next door image--which gets the one-two punch in this film, to great effect. Day plays a Broadway actress starring in the Constant Virgin, and most of the film discusses whether she sullied her marriage and herself by sleeping with Robert Morse during the NYC blackout from 1965.
This movie isn't Shakespeare. Just relax and enjoy the goings on. Turn back your mental clock to 1968. It's a well remembered time when people drove big Chrysler convertibles. Plus, Lola Albright wears a dark wig and seduces Patrick O Neal with the line "I like big buildings." The Letterman sing the catchy title tune, I wish they would have put it on their LPs from that period. Terry-Thomas and Robert Morse comment on the space between their teeth. Discussing failed dental work between these two actors was entirely unexpected.
Some of the reviews in this group suggest the movie is terrible and Day's star was in decline. They are not being fair. I believe people stay away from terrible movies and terrible movies lose money. This movie was actually a big earner in 1968. Yes, It's true that this is Day's next to last film before she went to TV. However, her last film "With Six You Get Eggroll" was released later in the same year AND was more profitable than this one.
In defense of Ms. Day's star power, the business did not leave Day. She left the business. All good things eventually end. The world is now less bright without Day.
Unhinged (2020)
What a fun movie to watch!
I didn't care if the plotting wasn't realistic, this film is a fun ride. The pacing, tension, dialogue, acting, and cars all keep it interesting, and your at the edge of the seat waiting for a bad driver with no manners his comeuppance. This is a different type of role for Crowe, and he makes the most of the situations. I wouldn't want to tangle with him. The last line was designed to be very memorable (and to let off some of the tension).