It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.
View MoreThis is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.
View MoreThe plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
View MoreThis is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.
View MoreImagine Agatha Christie's Miss Marple in her prime.She would have married a private,unbeknown to her new husband's superiors.As they did not have time enough for a well-deserved honeymoon,they decide to do it military style,that is to say inside the camp.Of course they have to hide away from the staff.To make the matters worse,very mysterious (and even criminal ) things happen and 'official-secrets" might not be secret anymore.In spite of Boris Karloff's presence,it is not really a horror movie,but rather a whodunit:it is not difficult to guess who the murderer is and anyway we have a lady detective.She came "without warning" and she will be very insightful.
View More(THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE DVD Invisible Menace/Night of Terror)This DVD presents Karloff and Lugosi, each in a film that is not part of their usual fare seen in other collections.THE INVISIBLE MENACE is a Warner Brother's quickie (clocking in at under 60 minutes) that shows that Boris Karloff could do far more than play monsters. Most reviews of this film right it off as a poor example of his talents. I disagree. In it's 54 minute running time it manages to combine murder, red herrings, and an extremely quick paced mystery. The comedic antics of Marie Wilson and Eddie Craven may be a bit trying at times for those looking for pure mystery, but they are far less intrusive than many other mystery films where comedy is injected at random. At least their situation is part of the plot. As to Boris's role being beneath him, I tend to look at as an extension of his abilities to create a character. His gray hair, glasses and quiet manner (except when he is gesturing wildly pleading for justice) are a precursor to his role as Professor Linden in The Linden Tree, which he would play on the New York stage in the late 1940's. Overall it is an enjoyable little film.The second feature, with the generic title NIGHT OF TERROR, comes as a welcome surprise. I had only seen it listed on Bela Lugosi film bibliographies. It is a variation on the old dark house thriller, with moving panels, tunnels, a gathering of heirs for the reading of the will, etc. This film has the advantage of Lugosi's performance. Reading other reviews of the film led me to believe that he was "wasted" in the part of Degar. Once again I tend to disagree. Bela is in almost every scene of the picture. His mysterious delivery of his dialogue is perfectly in line with the film's eerie atmosphere. As for him being "wasted" he turns out to be the most intelligent person of the lot-including the police and a wise cracking newspaper reporter. Being a B picture, and over the years being subject to scrutiny, the plot discrepancies are pretty evident, but overall it is an entertaining film. As to the peculiar ending, it is no more quirky that Edward Van Sloan's prologue to FRANKENSTEIN or his epilogue to Dracula (cut from most prints of the film)
View MoreThis film starts out with Pvt. Eddie Pratt (Eddie Craven),"Down Missouri Way",'46 manages to bring his new bride, Sally(Marie Wilson),"My Friend Irma" TV Series,'52 on to Powder Island Arsenal, a government reservation. He tries to hide her in a vacant building, the military discover a murdered body of an officer. After intense investigations and mysterious attempts are made on the lives of the Army officers in charge, every member on the post falls under suspicion. Colonel Rogers (Cy Kendall),"Call Northside 777",'48 assists in the investigation and recognizes one of the civilians, Jevries(Boris Karloff),"Bedlam"'46, to be an embezzler who was arrested years ago. It is also revealed that the murdered man was his enemy. Found out this picture was based on a 1937 Broadway play,"Without Warning" and actor Eddie Craven repeated his original stage role in this picture. Warner Bros. remade this film five years later as "Murder on the Waterfront". I was amazed to see that Boris Karloff played an entirely different role as a Number One Bogie Man,(Frankenstein) and noticed that his role was a sympathetic one, meek, mild. I believe the audiences felt sorry for him in this picture. As always, Boris gave a great performance. This is a great Classic Film to view.
View MoreWhat in the world was Karloff doing in this B-picture quicky years after his triumph as The Frankenstein Monster??? Karloff tries his best but nothing could save this snoozer. The plot summary pretty much gives you the entire plot. Tries to be a sassy sexy comedy, a thriller and a who dunnit all at once. Fails miserable at all 3! The "comedy" is sophomoric. There are no real "thrills". The "mystery" wouldn't fool a 5 year old. Lots of good character actors wasted (Regis Toomey, the perpetual sergeant/policeman, "Dobie Gillis'" father Frank Faylen, and others). For Karloff completists only!
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