Movie review - "The Fighting Guardsman" (1945) **1/2

 Willard Parker was a third tier leading man who Columbia had under contract for a while. this is a gift for an actor playing a Scarlet Pimpernel type - an aristocrat who robs nobles and gives to the poor This is the time of Louis XVI who appears. There's decent complications - Parker is in love with Anita Louise whose brother George Macready (excellent as always) is an aristocrat, Parker's men don't trust him because he's an aristocrat, ally Janis Carter (hugely fun) becomes a mistress of Louis.

Parker is dull and wooden. There's no difference between the characters. John Loder is a sympathetic Pom. He's also blank. Carter and the support are great; Louise is fine.

A strong story, solid Henry Levin direction. Just let down by its lead. 

 

Movie review - "That Man Bolt" (1973) **

 Fred Williamson as a sort of black James Bond, a courier who gets involved in international shenanigans. This is quite fun, in part because they don't make 'em like it anymore.

Two directors are credited - Henry Levin and David Lowell Rich - I assume one got sick/sacked. (Levin often pinch hit for other directors eg Charles Vidor - doesn't mean that happened here.) 

The film isn't very good but it's so dumb that it's endearing, with Williamson going to Hong Kong and beating people up and sleeping with women, and British character actors give it novelty. 

Movie review - "Sergreant Mike" (1944) **

 Should have been a slam dunk - army story about soldier Larry Parks assigned to train a dog, romacing a widow who has a cute kid. It's alright but there's not nearly enough dog stuff - we want more scenes of their relationship.. The scene with Parks and the kid goes on way too long. There's too much war stuff.

The copy I saw was murky too which didn't help and may have influenced me.  Henry Levin's second film as a director.

Movie review - "Genghis Khan" (1965) ***

 This doesn't have much of a reputation and some things are cringe inducing like James Mason in yellow face and Fu Macchu moustache and Robert Morley as the Emperor of China. But the script by Beverly Cross is literate and strong, and if the Chinese are improperly played by English actors their characters are clever.

 The photography is divine, the production value spectacular. They tried to make a good movie. 

Omar Sharif suits Genghis Khan far better than John Wayne did all those years ago. Stephen Boyd is another mongol - Francois Dorleac is Khan's love interest! Telly Savalas stands out, as usual, as a warrior ally of Sharif.

Has very very little to do with reality. 

 

Movie review - "I Love a Mystery" (1945) ***

 The first of three films based on a popular radio series. This has the two stars of that, neither familiar, investigating a crime. It's an enjoyably lurid crime with George Macready worried his head will be lopped off.

It runs at an hour, the photography is splendid, Macready adds class as does Nina Foch.  Satisfying mystery, stylishly made. I enjoyed this.

Movie review - "The Wonders of Aladdin" (1961) **

So-so Eastern despite the presence of talented people like Donald O'Connor and Mario Bava doing second unit. Henry Levin can make good movies but his output is variable. This isn't one of his better movie.

There is colour (though my copy was murky), lots of dubbing.  Lacks energy. Story confusing. O'Connor tries and dances once or twice. There's some torture, dancing girls, dungeons, flying carpet. But never comes alive.

During filming there were riots where people died. 

Movie review - "Cry of the Werewolf" (1944) **

 Henry Levin's first film as director, or one of the first, is a knock off of Cat People about a Romani wooman who can turn into a wolf at will.

Cast is interesting - Nina Foch, Stephen Crane (who married Lana Turner and fathered her daughter - he's not much of an actor),  Barton Maclane.

This is okay. It gets better in the last third when Osa Massen goes full evil. Crane is fairly dreadful. Moves fast.