Radio review – Lux – “The Big Clock” (1950) ***

It lacks the terrific visual of a line of witnesses examining everyone who leaves a building – the main image I have from the film – but this is still a strong story, and it’s given a decent presentation, with Ray Milland and Maureen O’Sullivan returning from the film. Good sweaty paranoia, although it’s hard to believe there was such a thing as a crime magazine whose star editor could solve cases the cops couldn’t.

Book review – “Victor Fleming” by Michael Sragow

Fleming had a minor cult reputation for a while there as a director without a major cult reputation despite a resume that included making Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind during the one year. That looks likely to end with the publication of this well-written by overlong tome from film critic Sragow.

Fleming deserved a bio but I don’t know if he warranted as many pages as he gets here, particularly as Sragow goes on some long tangents (eg background to the actor Lee Bowman who became an unpopular in-law to Fleming… so?). It doesn’t help that at times Fleming becomes a bit boring as the focus of a biography – he’s the sort of character who is more interesting as a support actor: tough, no-nonsense, smart, adored by women, two fisted, etc. 

There were some flaws – country club anti-Semitism, casual sadism, infidelity, what was probably a drinking problem, vicious anti-Communism… attitudes he had in common with many self-made WASPs of his time. Fleming’s career also ended interestingly – a mid-life crisis (which turned out to be a near-end-of-life crisis) which saw him come under thrall of Ingrid Bergman, make one of his few flops in Joan of Arc, and die of a heart attack.

Sragow doesn’t hide Fleming’s flaws, but I think he does over-defend them. Sometimes this leads him to make silly claims – like calling some anti-Commie comments he made the equivalent of John Ford’s defence of Joe Mankiewicz during at the ADG during the McCarthy era. 

And he quotes too many people saying "Fleming was great"; at times the book reads like “How cool was my friend Fleming – he was so popular and had sex with all these hot women, he was so cool.”

It’s well researched, very well researched, and Sragow has great skill as a writer. It’s just too long and a bit too worshipful.

Radio review – Suspense – “Statement of Employee Wilson’ (1943) **

Gene Lockhart as an employee driven to murder. The twist is his visions are a plant by the cops. Not bad; good performance from Lockhart (the announcer seems very proud to have him on the show.)

Movie review – “Bluebeard” (1944) ***

One of Edgar Ulmer’s best known features (probably only exceeded by Detour and The Black Cat), it is also one of John Carradine’s most famous starring roles. He doesn’t play the real Bluebeard, but rather a 19th century puppeteer/artist/murderer. I’m not a massive fan of Carradine the star – he always seemed more effective in supporting roles – but he’s quite dashing and attractive, and he grew on me. Jean Parker is very likeable as the girl who falls for him but the romantic leading man is another PRC 4F type.

This is one of those films you really need to know was shot in 6 days to enjoy – within those confines you appreciate Ulmer’s artistry and attempts to do something decent. Imaginative touches – some interesting murders, the opera puppet show, a sexy scene of Parker’s sister getting changed behind a screen.

Tom Weaver did an excellent piece on this film in his book Poverty Row Horrors, pointing out Bluebeard today is more a film for critics than horror movie fans. But it’s still one of the best movies made by PRC.

Radio review – SGP – “Command Decision” (1958) ***

The announcer acclaims this has featuring the greatest cast in radio history – Clark Gable, John Hodiak, Walter Pigeon… er, that’s ok, it’s not that good. This is however a decent version of MGM’s solid WW2 bombing drama; it was extra poignancy with Gable’s casting since he went on bombing missions in real life. John Ford appears at the end to present an award to Sidney Franklin for best film of the year.

Radio review – SDP – “The Fighting O’Flynn” (1950) **

As Jeffrey Richards pointed out in his history of swashbucklers, filmmakers tended to steer clear of Irish settings for action movies out of fear of offending the British market. This one gets around it by having an Irish hero fighting against Napoleon in Ireland. Douglas Fairbanks Jnr is accomplished in the lead role, even with an Irish accent (surely they wanted Errol Flynn) – he has a beautiful speaking voice. He has a dreadful female co-star.

Movie review – “Babes in Toyland” (1961) **

With a few key exceptions, notably Mary Poppins, Disney’s live action musicals don’t have the highest reputation, but this is colourful stuff for kids, with bright production design and costume and inoffensive songs. It’s definitely only for kids, though - Walt Disney once said that the quickest way to go broke making children’s films was to make them just for children; he may have been thinking of this movie, which wasn’t that popular despite its generous budget.

Tommy Sands and Annette Funicello (billed just as “Annette”) are the leads; Funicello later said this was her favourite Disney film, because she had a chance to dance in it. There are some veterans such as Ray Bolger and Ed Wynn, plus the regular Disney juveniles, Tommy Kirk (funny as in a small role, a bumbling assistant) and Kevin Corcoran. The finale with the toy soldiers and a shrunken Sands is reminiscent of The Incredible Shrinking Man.