Book review - "Fan Mail" by Nick Hornby

 Entertaining collection of non Fever Pitch soccer writings by Hornby. As with that book sometimes I didn't follow what was going on but always worth reading.

Book review - "Hell Hath No Fury Like Her - Story of Christine" by Lee Gambin

 Solid book, slightly odd structure, excellent interviews (John Carpenter, Bill Phillips, Keith Gordon, Alex Paul though weirdly no John Stockwell or Steven King). No big behind the scenes dramas, just professionals doing a good job.

Movie review - "The Seekers" (1954) ***

 Few seem to have kind words for this melodrama but I liked it. Robust Ken Annakin direction, colour, location shooting in New Zealand, silly storyline but full of action, Jack Hawkins not entirely well cast as a tormented man but still authorotative, ditto Glynis Johns as his wife. Noel Purcell solid as Hawkins sidekick Kenneth Williams as another Britisher - I think Anthony Steel should have played this role, maybe even Hawkins' role... who wants to see Hawkins commit adultery? Laya Raki is the Tondeleyo part.

Not great, but always something going on. I had fun.

Movie review - "A Day to Remember" (1953) **

 Harmless Betty Box-Ralph Thomas comedy made just before Doctor in the House which has some location filming in France but isn't in colour and doesn't quite have the stars. Rank was giving Donald Sinden a big push here he's the romantic lead of a team of men from a London pub who go to paris.

Sinden is a war vet visiting a grave and falling in love with once young now nubile Odile Versois, both of whom who are fine and can act but neither are as captivating as say Dirk and Brigitte in Doctor at Sea. Sinden has a girlfriend Joan Rice but fortunately she goes on a date and falls in love with a visiting Yank on the same day. Phew. No stakes though.

I liked Bill Owen wanting to join to foreign legion because he's embarrassed his girlfriend is too tall. There's a not bad one about a guy trying to smuggle watches.

The cast and charm isn't quite right. It's not bad, mind. Just not quite there. Sinden loved it but that's not surprising - he gets the girl, gets to be charming and moody and all that.

Movie review - "The Million Pound Note" (1954) **

 Mark Twain's story had enough potential to be a decent film but it's not a good adaptation - no sense of character for the lead, no wish fulfilment, lack of subplots (needed a femme fetale, needed a villain, needed hero to do more cool stuff). Feels written for Alec Guinness. Gregory Peck isn't very good. No one is good, really, Sidekick valet doesn't even talk.

Colour is wasted. As are character actors. Dull female lead who seems greedy. Were there no others available?

Misfire.

Movie review - "The Kidnappers" (1953) ****

 Charming account of two little brothers whose father has died going to live in Canada (shot in Scotland) with their grumpy grandad (Duncan Macrae) his nicer wife (Jean Anderson in make up) and single daughter (Adrienne Corri, beloved for her 70s efforts).

The stars are the kids, Jon Whitely and Vincent Winter, who are sensational. I loved the atmosphere. It's a little hairy they're looking after a baby - the baby is cute too.

I loved the Boer War stuff - Macrae is annoyed at all this Boers who've moved to Canada, which I assume is based on a real thing.

It feels like Nova Scotia to me even though I've never been there and it was shot in Scotland. Worked for me though! 

J Arthur Rank loved this movie. I think the great northern nepo baby related to all those tactiurn gruff characters (grumpy grandad who wants the kids to go to work at age eight, the Afrikaaner farmer) melting just slightly because of the kids. (Though the farmer makes a point of blaming his daughter.) This is the northern methodist equivalent of a guy cry movie.

Sidebar: Vincent Winter made a bunch of other films then moved into behind the scenes, production managing and assistant directing. Like Kevin Corcoran. Had a good career, but died of a heart attack aged only 50. Smoker, I assume.

Movie review - "Top of the Form" (1953) **

 Ronald Shiner was once a huge comedy star - he had been plugging away for years then had some monster hits on stage and screen. This was at his peak. If you like him, great. I found it dull and unfunny despute a funny set up - bookie winds up as headmaster, chaotic school.

Fun to see Ronnie Corbett and Anthony Newley as school kids.

Audiences at the time liked it.