Joe Fraguela

I watched the 1965 film The Pleasure Girls. Starring a young Ian McShane and Francesca Annis. The film also has Suzanna Leigh, Klaus Kinski (his own voice too), Mark Eden and Anneke Wills. The film looks quite dated now, but I still enjoy it.

ChristineCB

Wow, what a surprise. I was expecting a full-out comedy and instead, when I saw Val Guest's name appear, I had no idea what to expect! What a terrific film. We've already bought tix to see it again this evening. Even the radio folks were talking about it this morning. This too may have been the first time shown here, since most of these films didn't make nation-wide releases originally.

Margaret Rutherford. I had no idea!

And unlike most of these films, this one was an almost complete unknown to the audience, yet it got a deserved standing ovation which, perhaps, isn't that uncommon here as I think about it. Applause is common, standing ovations are more rare.

I'd bet this one has enough votes to carry over into the Sat-Sun matinee.

julian_craster

Re: Runaway Bus

What was the image quality like ?
(better than the UK DVD, I hope !)

Did the audience recognize Petula Clark as the BEA air hostess ?

Did it include Frankie's telephone scene ?

ChristineCB

I'm afraid I don't recall a telephone bit - he's on the phone at one point, but there were more laughs at others. Was this a scary point for the film or one of his more humorous moments?

I was amazed by the settings - sometimes true sets, but mostly the imaginative use of dark and shadows, foggy moments, things and people looming out of and disappearing into... just a terrific collection of settings.

I could probably enjoy that alone, but the characters could be on a flat stage and I'd probably enjoy their pantomines if nothing else.

Film quality seemed excellent to me - true black and bright white, no yellowing, no off-colored sides, no more than the expected pits and flickers.

We had a guest commentator intro the film, and even show a small set of clips of Frankie Howard's, Margarets and a small TV clip of Petula singing, to which he said, "Stop stop! No singing! and waved that clip off-screen. Excellent, big laughs.

But "Val Guest" was the name that threw me the most. I couldn't tell if my laughs were going to be for comedic reasons or tension-relief, and then a who-dun-it mystery, too?!! Wow... after thinking about this film for this day afterwards, I'm more anxious to see it again this evening that I KNEW about yesterday.

And we're fielding plenty of complaints about it's lack of Region-1 availability, but this is now a common complaint about many of these.

Joe Fraguela

Fromy my huge collection I watched a british b-movie from 1953 called Operation Diplomat. It's based on a story by Francis Durbridge. It was made by Nettlefold Studios at Walton-on-Thames and distributed by Butchers Films. The film stars Guy Rolfe and Patricia Dainton with Sydney Tafler, Lisa Daniely, Ballard Berkeley and Anton Diffring. A really enjoyable film. So many good UK b-movies or quota quickies from the 1940's to 1960's rarely get shown on TV. It's high time we had a film channel on Sky purely dedicated to british films!!

vaggmk1938

Before you posted this I had found a reference to The Runaway Bus saying how wonderful it was, so I looked it up and managed to find a VHS on Ebay—it arrived today and I watched it tonight. Pretty rotten tape, pirated I suspect, but enjoyed every minute of it, to the extent that I immediately rewound it and played it again.

I really don't enjoy slapstick and never really liked Frankie Howard, but the whole thing was flawless, and yes, your Margaret was superb. Smashing film

smudge

Definitely a humour moment Christine -

There's a short sequence set in a telephone box in the middle of the airfield in the fog. IIRC Reginald Beckwith comes along to empty the coins from the box and (naturally) interacts with Frankie. This scene was chopped from the recent UK DVD print - in error probably, as possibly no-one at the releasing company really knew the film...

SMUDGE

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

ChristineCB

Yes, I realized this was probably what you meant, but I was thinking I'd missed a pub-phone call or some bit over the phone.

Out of the 3800-odd votes this film received for our weekend 'most popular' matinee slot, all of those indicated "Would buy DVD" checkbox, too.

This isn't too scientific, of course - it's easy to checkmark a box on the ticket stub, but that doesn't mean they'd actually spend money for the DVD. But when those films are voted most-popular, their weekend re-showings are also filled - which shows the people are willing to spend money for another ticket.

I was told this film (and the others, this week) are heading to Calif for their festivals next week, so RUNAWAY is making the national circuit.

ChristineCB

For the past two evenings, it's been a double-bill of WHISKY GALORE and PASSPORT TO PIMLICO, and again, this is the first time they've been shown here on the big-screen, and the first time I've seen them in a theatre. While I was amused and enjoyed them on their recently released DVDs, the electricity of the audience made them a lot more fun. Tonight and Friday, we're stuck with LAVENDAR HILL MOB and LADYKILLERS, which have made it here in prior years but I don't think anyone minds seeing them again. I'll force myself...

Joe Fraguela

Last night I watched the 1967 film Smashing Time with Rita Tushingham and Lynn Redgrave and a whole host of other well known actors. Loved the scene, fashion, music, locations i.e St Pancras, Camden Town, Carnaby Street, Warren Street etc. I might just dig out the Smashing Time Soundtrack LP and play that later today.

David Brent

I watched 'The Signalman' (1976) - made for television in the "Ghost Story For Christmas" BBC series. Now available on DVD.
Based on a story written by Charles Dickens the program stars Denholm Elliott as the signalman. A fine performance it is too.
Although the program only runs for 40 minutes it is rather spooky and gripping to the extreme. Thoroughly absorbing and highly recommended.
This is the way ghost stories should be made.

The DVD also includes an audio reading of Dickens's story as an extra.

Dave.

Aaryk Noctivagus

'Blood on Satan's Claw' arrived yesterday and was watched last night. Loved it

smudge

Result !!

Smudge

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

ChristineCB

A few months ago when OCEANS 13 came out, I thought t was an OK addition to that collection but I'm not sure any of those 3 will get any re-watching time for me.

Last night as we came out of LAVENDER HILL MOB, a large group were talking about the comparisons of new ensemble-caper films and LAVENDER, and no one could name a worthy new match to it.

It's a shame that we hear that a remake is underway now. I think I'd prefer OCEANS 14 so I know I could stay away and wouldn't miss a thing but disappointment.

Harbottle

The Intruder (1953)

Excellent use made here of flashbacks, explaining why poor old Michael Medwin went off the rails. Rather enjoyable film starring Jack Hawkins and featuring a host of welcome faces including Dennis Price, George Cole and Edward Chapman. 8/10