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Reviews
Columbo: Suitable for Framing (1971)
Not a classic, but watchable
Not really a classic Columbo-Ross Martin isn't a suitable heavy. He's better as a likable sort-as in his Wild Wild West role. And the comments they've written for him to spew as an art critic are laughingly banal, since the man is supposed to be a world-renowned critic. This is yet another Columbo episode in which a high culture type is the killer. (That would be a spoiler on any show but Columbo, where you know pretty much from the outset who did the killing.) There is some fun stuff here. I enjoyed seeing Joan Shawlee, who has a nice turn as an art gallery owner (and who was in Some Like it Hot and The Apartment), in this episode. And the scene between Falk and veteran character actress Mary Wickes is wonderful-so much chemistry between these long time Hollywood pros. And of course it's neat to see another Hollywood legend, Don Ameche, in this one, though his role is fairly small.
The story is thin, and doesn't make much sense-why was the art student, for example, willing to participate in a killing? We're told it would further her career, but how? And Falk seems to be looking for his footing as Columbo, this early in the show's run. Still, if you're a big fan of the series, as am I, you'll enjoy this one.
To Catch a Thief (1955)
Weak effort from Hitchcock, Kelly
I watched this movie again recently, and I must say, it's one of Hitchcock's weaker efforts.
First, there is essentially no chemistry between Grant and Kelly. If this is supposed to be a love story between the two, it falls flat. Kelly simply isn't a good enough actress to carry her role, matched against a pro like Grant. The two other actresses in the movie, Jesse Landis playing Kelly's Mother, and Brigitte Auber, playing Kelly's "younger" rival for Grant's affections, make Kelly look like an amateur.
The script, aside from a few amusing double-entendres (Kelly: "I thought you'd be longer with that French girl"; "Would like a leg or a breast?") and some good lines for Landis, is weak. The plot is consomme' thin. The cinematography lacks the usual Hitchcock touches; the pretty French countryside is portrayed in nothing better than postcard form. And even the music is undistinguished-where was Bernard Hermann? Yes, Kelly is beautiful-though to me less sexy than Brigitte Auber, who proves personality and wit can trump icy beauty. And Grace's gowns are lovely. Not that I'm a connoisseur of woman's clothes, but if you're into that sort of thing the clothes Doris Day wears in Pillow Talk, or those sported by Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, certainly match the ones seen here, and in better movies.
All in all, if you want to see Hitch's best '50's work, get Raer Window or Vertigo.
Mary Tyler Moore (1970)
The MTM Show-a solid comedy, but hardly a classic
The MTM Show was a damn good comedy, but some of the comments here comparing it with the superior Dick Van Dyke Show are a little silly.
First of all, on the Van Dyke show Moore actually had a larger role, and got to do more comedy, than on the MTM show. On MTM she mostly played straight woman, and while the show more or less revolved around her, Valerie Harper or Ed Asner or another actor were the larger sources of humor. On DVD, while Rose Marie was originally planned to be the comedic center of the show, Moore took over more and more of that focus as the show developed. She wasn't just saying "Oh Rob!" and playing the dutiful wife, as someone (who never saw the DVD show?) has said.
Also, on the DVD Show Moore got to sing, dance, and use far more of her considerable talents.
Now, in comparing the shows-someone here wrote that MTM was the first great ensemble comedy. Really? In no way is the MTM ensemble superior to the DVD ensemble. It's a smaller cast, no doubt, but the characters are much more human. There are no cardboard people like the Ted Baxter character on Van Dyke.
Again, I like the MTM show. It was a well-written and well-acted program. But it's hardly the equal of several comedies from the 70's, especially the early years of MASH, or Bob Newhart, let alone classic earlier shows like Van Dyke or Andy Griffith.
Uncle Joe Shannon (1978)
A movie worth listening to
The score of UJS features the trumpet trumpet playing of the legendary Maynard Ferguson. Ferguson, often described as one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century, is simply astounding, so much so that you can easily overlook the movie's flaws.
JFK (1991)
Oswald did it!
Oliver Stone may honestly believe Jim Garrison was a great man, but his film (ironically enough) makes him (Garrison) come off as the nut he was.
Conspiracy theories, as we know, rely on belief rather than evidence. People who want to believe the CIA, or Castro, or Lyndon Johnson, or the military, or whoever killed Kennedy will continue to believe, facts be damned.
And the last thing Oliver Stone is interested in is facts.
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
The best movie of our lives
I first saw this film as a teenager (I'm now in my 40's), and have long considered it to be my favorite movie. The story is enormously moving, without being sentimental. The acting, especially by March and Loy, is dead-on. And the fact that Dana Andrews is too old for his role doesn't take away from the believability of his romance with Theresa Wright (whom I believe is the only major character in the film still living). This could have turned out to be another post-war melodrama, but the script and cast are simply too good for that to happen.
Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964)
Bing steals it!
Take the Rat Pack (an expression Sinatra hated, by the way), add some great songs, a decent story, AND Bing Crosby, and what do you get?
Well, less than you might expect-I've rated this a "7", because despite the above, Sinatra much of the time looks like he'd rather be someplace else, and Peter Falk's performance is cliche'-ridden.
The reason to see this one is Bing Crosby. He has several great songs, delivered in his inimitable style, such as "Mr. Booze". And his comedy bits, especially as a preacher to a Salvation Army-like meeting, are hilarious.
In Harm's Way (1965)
Good acting, awful special effects
This is a hard movie to get a handle on. The plot is melodramatic, the special effects are cartoonish, and the whole affair displays Hollywood's typically casual approach to historical fidelity.
Still...this is a very watchable movie. Almost all of the acting is quite good, with the exception of Tom Tryon (who later gave up acting for writing-a wise choice). Patricia Neal and Paula Prentiss are especially strong. And John Wayne may well lay some doubts to rest about his abilities.
The high point of the movie may be the chemistry between Wayne and Neal, who seem fated to find romance. It's a shame they never (as far as this writer knows) worked together again.