Windthrop

Watching it tonight - hope it has some frisson of value cos Hare I do rate

Thats the joke that killed the Music Hall !

smudge

Just watched Kenny Everett's BLOODBATH AT THE HOUSE OF DEATH as it was in the post when we got home. Have to say that I found this a quite enjoyable horror spoof, with a fair few 'laugh out loud' moments. Excellent turns from Vincent Price (sending himself up unmercilessly as 'The Sinister Man) and Gareth Hunt and Don Warrington as the gay scientists.

The film loses its way a little midway through, but does recover the ground and the ending is rather Rocky Horror, but in the round I can say that I am glad I sat down and watched it. The accompanying featurette is an interesting look into the tail end of independent feature making in the UK and the print itself is wonderfully clear - congratulations to Marc Morris and Nucleus for saving this small piece of the madcap world of Kenny Everett...

Smudge

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

Keechelus

Thanks, dpgmel for your tip to this movie.

We watched it twice this past weekend. Very good. Based on true life (with some liberties taken), AMEN is a unique look at the inside of the Nazi death regime - especially the horrific SS. It is neither an excuse for German inhumanity nor a simplistic condemnation.

A very thoughtful story that does not flinch from human complexity.

dpgmel

Glad to be of help Keechelus and equally pleased that you enjoyed the film, if you haven't already seen Costa-Gavras' earlier film " Music Box" with Jessica Lange as the daughter of a man accused of being a concentration camp guard/killer that is well worth seeking out too IMHO.

Joe Fraguela

Last night's viewing consisted of Spellbound from 1941 starring Derek Farr, Vera Lindsay, Felix Aymler, Frederick Leister, Gibb McLaughlin, Irene Handl, Marian Spencer, Hay Petrie, Cameron Hall, Diana King, Enid Hewitt, Winifrid Davis and W G Fay.

Derek Farr plays Laurie Baxter whose fiancé dies after contracting a terminal illness. Unable to cope he gets involved with a group of spiritualists in an effort to contact her. Quite a good story actually.

Following on was They Were Sisters from 1945 starring Phyllis Calvert, James Mason, Anne Crawford, Peter Murray-Hill, Hugh Sinclair, Dulcie Gray, Ann Stephens, Barry Livesey, Pamela Kellino, Helen Stephens, Brefni O'Rourke, Amy Veness, John Gilpin, Roland Pertwee and Thorley Walters.

The story concerns three sisters, Lucy played by Phyllis Calvert, Vera played by Anne Crawford and Charlotte played by Dulcie Gray. They each marry men, Lucy is happily married but childless, Vera is unhappily married and trapped in a loveless marriage and Charlotte who for years has been mentually tortured by a domineering husband Geoffrey played by James Mason. A very good drama film with strong acting by James Mason , Phyllis Calvert and Dulcie Gray.

Rounding off last night's viewing was an Edgar Wallace Mystery film entitled The Clue of The Twisted Candle from 1960 starring Bernard Lee, David Knight, Francis De Woolf, Colette Wilde, Richard Vernon, Richard Caldicot, Christine Shaw, Gladys Henson and Stanley Morgan.

Ramon Karadis played by Francis De Woolf is a ruthless wealthy man who has made his fortune via crooked deals, swindles etc. He has many enemies and ultimately is found dead at his home. Superintendent Meredith played by Bernard Lee is leading the investigation. Another exciting and highly enjoyable Edgar Wallace film.

batman

The Return of Ironside - the swansong of both Raymond Burr and his famous character. Above average for a TV movie with all the gang joining in with the fun. Followed by Istanbul with Errol Flynn. Not one of Errol's best efforts but it was entertaining enough to keep this viewer interested. Finally, a 1975 episode of Public Eye (now that my problem disc has been replaced) with Marker involved in dirty dealings at the town hall. Ol' Narcy himself features in this episode. Superb!

Jingle bells Batman smells ... I heard that at school Daddy.

BAT QUIZ 16 HAS JUST BEEN POSTED IN THE COMPETITION THREAD - 06/01/09

dpgmel

Last night watched Peter Glenville's " Becket " starring Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole, found it quite heavy going and IMHO it's reputation has grown because of it's long lack of availability

Having said that the retoration of the film was very good.

Windthrop

It works better as a stage play. Saw it years ago with Derek Jacobi and Robert Lindsay and it was magical.

Thats the joke that killed the Music Hall !

smudge

Have to say that I found BECKET to be an outstanding picture and was enthralled by every minute of it....

Smudge

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

Chevyman

"Dead Mans Shoes" and "The Perfect Vagina" (both recorded)

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all

"Don't tread on Greta Garbo, as you walk down the boulevard?"

HeadPie

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - I forgot how blooming long it is!!

Gazza

The first episode of The Long Firm, a BBC four-parter set in 60s Soho.

Mark Strong plays Harry Starks, a gangster with a penchant for Judy Garland and red-hot pokers. In this episode, Derek Jacobi plays Lord Teddy Thursby, a gay, cash-strapped peer and there's a lovely cameo from the imposing Judy Parfitt as his wife.

batman

If you have not seen it before Gazza, you are in for a treat, it is a terrific series!

Jingle bells Batman smells ... I heard that at school Daddy.

BAT QUIZ 16 HAS JUST BEEN POSTED IN THE COMPETITION THREAD - 06/01/09

Chevyman

Ditto. Lord Teddy Thursby was loosely based on Lord Boothby?

I thought Mark Strong was excellent

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all

"Don't tread on Greta Garbo, as you walk down the boulevard?"

Gazza

I had seen it when originally broadcast and loved it. Saw it on play.com last week at a reasonable £7.99 and snapped it up - so glad I did, it's a class act.