Radio review – Suspense – “The Barking Death” (1954) **1/2

Doctor William Powell chases after a rabid infested dog - matters are complicated by the fact the dog is let out during a robbery. You wish the dog would go on more of a rampage - the ending is a damp squid (we found the dog and the kid didn't have rabies), but it's not bad. Rabies is a pretty good Macguffin.

Radio review – Suspense – “Zero Hour” (1958) ***1/2

Not the airplane movie but a Ray Bradbury story about little kids who predict an alien invasion. Terrifically scary and exciting. Very strong script.

Movie review – “Single White Female” (1992) ***

A lot of better movies are less well remembered, but when why shouldn’t this? It absolutely succeeds in what it sets out to do: a reasonably budgeted thriller with some good shocks (death of a dog), a few memorable sequences (waking up to a blow job, death by stiletto), star making turns (Bridget Fonda became a name for a few years), small cast, striking fashions (the red haired bob), showy psycho part, creepy atmosphere (the block of flats is a terrific location - deserves co-star billing). Well acted. You could do a gay reading of this - the All About Eve influence, the blow jobs, working in fashion, sex clubs... the one decent bloke in it is gay. Why doesn't Don Roos remake it? Very much of the early 90s (all that hair) but that's unavoidable. So much better than The Roommate it's not funny.

Radio review – Ford Theatre – Ep#1 “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” (1949) ***1/2

The first edition of this show has Henry Ford himself speaking. The story is a lot of fun - the simple yet shrewd Yankee helping King Arthur defeat the baddies and get the girl and introduce democracy. The story is updated to have the technology include aeroplanes. No big star, they keep the satire of medieval life (e.g. chivalry) and it ages very well.

Radio review – Ford Theatre - Ep#16 “Girl Crazy” (1949) ****

Joyous version of the classic Gershwin musical, featuring great songs like "Embraceable You", "But Not for Me" and "I Got Rhythm". The plot has something to do with a New York playboy heading out west to redeem himself and clashing with the locals - it's not much of a book but it's fun and you have a good time. It's great when these old radio drama shows did musicals, they're an often invaluable record of old shows and good fun too.