Hannah Lee: An American Primitive (1953)iMDB Rating: 6.9 Date Released : 1 July 1953 Genre : Western Stars : Macdonald Carey, Joanne Dru, John Ireland, Tom Powers Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Professional killer Bus Crow is hired by cattlemen to eliminate squatters. When Marshal Sam Rochelle is sent to investigate, saloon owner Hallie becomes a reluctant witness.
Review :
A fine Drama: and a good western too!
Despite the post-production problems this fine western drama incurred, it remains one of the best westerns of the 50s. Actually, the ORIGINAL 3D title was "Hannah LEE, an American Primitive." Later in 1954, Realart re-released it as "Outlaw Territory" and most often when shown on TV, it was under the title "Hannah Lee." The story is from Mackinlay Kantor's fine book, "Wicked Water" which was based on the life of Tom Horn. Dru, Ireland, and Carey turn out fine performances in a western tale told via flashback, as an old man feeds pigeons on a park bench. Unfortunately, the 3D process used was poor, and the color image was blurred when released flat. TV cut much of the original picture to fit time slots, and rarely has the entire movie been shown. It features a great title song, that ironicly is still available by Johnny Western on CD. If they ever show this one again, be sure to see it.
Hyena's van het wilde westen (1953)iMDB Rating: 6.0 Date Released : 11 November 1953 Genre : Action, Adventure, Crime, Western Stars : Rock Hudson, Donna Reed, Philip Carey, Roberta Haynes. After a stagecoach holdup, Frank Slayton's notorious gang leave Ben Warren for dead and head off with his fiancée. Warren follows, and although none of the townspeople he comes across are prepared to help, he recruits two others who have sworn revenge on the ruthless Slayton." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
After a stagecoach holdup, Frank Slayton's notorious gang leave Ben Warren for dead and head off with his fiancée. Warren follows, and although none of the townspeople he comes across are prepared to help, he recruits two others who have sworn revenge on the ruthless Slayton.
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Review :
The West Is Growing Up
Gun Fury marked the first loan out film that Rock Hudson did after he became a star at Universal. Rock did this one for Columbia just as his star was rising fast with the movie going public.
The film has the look and feel of a Randolph Scott western, it's just the kind of story that Scott was in fact doing at Columbia with Budd Boetticher. I would not be surprised if this wasn't something Scott might have had in mind for himself. Of course there would have been changes made as Scott was a much older man than the youthful Rock Hudson.
Donna Reed is Hudson's fiancé who is on a stagecoach west to meet her man. On the stage also is notorious outlaw Philip Carey traveling incognito because he plans to meet up with his gang and rob the stage later.
Carey is best known as the boss of those exuberant Texas Rangers in Laredo, but here he's a bad man, rotten through and through. He also decided to take Donna Reed as well because he's tired of the woman he has now, Roberta Haynes.
Carey thinks he's killed Hudson, but Hudson's quite alive and on his trail with a former Carey outlaw member Leo Gordon along with him.
Gun Fury shows how much the western grew up in the Fifties. This kind of story involving kidnapping and sexual abuse was definitely not for the Saturday matinée kiddie trade. Though Hudson and Reed are good, it's Philip Carey who really dominates the film.
He's got quite a collection of noted screen bad guys in his crew. Besides Leo Gordon, Neville Brand and Lee Marvin are also around.
Can't tell you how it ends, but Hudson and Gordon pick up an Indian along the way who proves to be of great assistance.
Zapasnoy igrok (1954)iMDB Rating: 7.2 Date Released : 28 May 2014 Genre : Comedy, Sport Stars : Georgiy Vitsin, Vsevolod Kuznetsov, Pavel Kadochnikov, Tatyana Konyukhova. Comedy about brothers Vesnushkin, Sasha and Vasya, who are playing for one team in a National Soccer Competition. However, Sasha falls in love with a beautiful girl and loses his confidence just before the final game, so his brother has to take the lead on the field in order to save the game." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
Comedy about brothers Vesnushkin, Sasha and Vasya, who are playing for one team in a National Soccer Competition. However, Sasha falls in love with a beautiful girl and loses his confidence just before the final game, so his brother has to take the lead on the field in order to save the game.
Johnny Dark (1954)iMDB Rating: 6.4 Date Released : 16 August 1954 Genre : Action, Comedy, Drama Stars : Tony Curtis, Piper Laurie, Don Taylor, Paul Kelly. Automobile engineer, Johnny Dark, designs a radical new car. When the owner refuses to sponsor the car in a Canada to Mexico Sports-car race, Johnny, with the aid of the owner's granddaughter, steals the car and runs the race against the favored driver, his ex-buddy." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Automobile engineer, Johnny Dark, designs a radical new car. When the owner refuses to sponsor the car in a Canada to Mexico Sports-car race, Johnny, with the aid of the owner's granddaughter, steals the car and runs the race against the favored driver, his ex-buddy.
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Review :
Romance plus exciting car racing for the fans
I just happened to notice this film was on TV tonight and had never seen it before. Usually I'll watch because of the actors who are in it. Although the movie is mainly about car racing I really did enjoy seeing a youngish Tony Curtis (in the lead as Johnny) and Piper Laurie (as Liz). Both are strong willed so romance isn't easygoing at the start.
Johnny is the auto engineer who is determined to drive his new model race car to win the 2200-mile race from Canada to Mexico and Liz, when she realizes her love for him, supports him entirely.
Lots of action throughout from players and race cars. The speeding cars keep you on the edge of your seat - great film shots from the air and the road as they blaze along from stop to stop during the race.
Hänsel und Gretel (1954)iMDB Rating: 5.5 Date Released : 1 November 1965 Genre : Family, Fantasy Stars : Jürgen Micksch, Maren Bielenberg, Barbara Gallauner, Jochen Diestelmann." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Spare but pleasant German telling of the beloved fairy tale avoids the eccentricity of the East German 1970 version and misses the sublime qualities of the 1954 animated classic, but might be called the most balanced telling of the tale. The characters are attractive and sincere (including a strangely alluring witch). The sets are fanciful and pleasing. The film unweaves in record time, less than an hour. The dubbing stinks as usual. Paul Tripp's breathy narration is reduced to one sentence at the start and one at the end. Though this was billed as "a musical fantasy," I only caught two mini-songs (penned by Anne & Milton Delugg) in the whole film, each less than a minute long (best one: "Mr. Moon Above"). A couple of nice touches, though: H & G build a big snowman and it comes to life and has a smoke; the gingerbread house is a great set, like a real-life coloring book; and the faces on the flowers are pretty cool. This one is weird enough to be pyschotronic, yet good enough to be considered a classic of the genre. The soundtrack album to this short feature, released by Golden Records, had virtually the whole movie on it! One of the first releases from Childhood Productions, I saw this in 1966 on a super- cool double bill with the amazing THE BREMENTOWN MUSICIANS! Wow, what a day! Kid Rhino has a real nice video of this available.
I Confess (1953)iMDB Rating: 7.3 Date Released : 22 March 1953 Genre : Crime, Thriller Stars : Montgomery Clift, Anne Baxter, Karl Malden, Brian Aherne Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
Otto Kellar and his wife Alma work as caretaker and housekeeper at a Catholic church in Quebec. Whilst robbing a house where he sometimes works as a gardener, Otto is caught and kills the owner. Racked with guilt he heads back to the church where Father Michael Logan is working late. Otto confesses his crime, but when the police begin to suspect Father Logan he cannot reveal what he has been told in the confession.
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Review :
Hitch Asks Moral Question
An Alfred Hitchcock film with very little action or suspense, this moral issue- drama still maintains interest for the most part. Montgomery Clift is intriguing as "Father William Logan," a Catholic priest from Quebec who hears a murder confession, is charged with the crime himself, and never wavers from his vow to keep confessions private.
The question Hitchcock apparently poses with this is is, "Is that still morally right when it means you leave a killer out on the loose?"
Complicating the matter is an old girlfriend, played by Anne Baxter, who still loves the priest. However, once again the cleric remains true to his vows and doesn't get involved with her.
Karl Malden, meanwhile, plays a gung-ho cop out to solve the crime.
This movie could use a little more suspense and action, plus a bit of the old Hitchcock humor, but still is more than passable.
Capitan Fantasma (1953)iMDB Rating: 5.0 Date Released : 11 November 1953 Genre : Action, Adventure, Drama Stars : Frank Latimore, Anna-Maria Sandri, Maxwell Reed, Katina Ranieri. In the early 1800's the Spanish regiments are celebrating their victory over the French Legions of Bonaparte. In the midst of the celebration, Miguel, Duke of Canabil, is summoned to his commander's quarters and given the news that his father, and Admiral in the Spanish Navy, has betrayed the crown of Spain by turning his fleet over to the enemy. The stunned Migeul, humiliated and scorned by his ..." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
In the early 1800's the Spanish regiments are celebrating their victory over the French Legions of Bonaparte. In the midst of the celebration, Miguel, Duke of Canabil, is summoned to his commander's quarters and given the news that his father, and Admiral in the Spanish Navy, has betrayed the crown of Spain by turning his fleet over to the enemy. The stunned Migeul, humiliated and scorned by his regiment, takes a blood oath to find out the truth about his father. His search leads him to the mystery ship "Asuncion", commanded by Ingio de Costa, an unscrupulous, vicious man with a hand for evil. The latter is also trying to get one of his evil hands on the fair Consuelo, daughter of the governor of Cadiz.
The Stranger Came Home (1954)iMDB Rating: 5.7 Date Released : 9 August 1954 Genre : Drama, Mystery Stars : Paulette Goddard, William Sylvester, Patrick Holt, Paul Carpenter Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Philip Vickers mysteriously reappears to his wife and friends during a party at her upscale country estate after an absence of four years. He had been presumed dead after he disappeared on a fishing trip in Portugal with three friends. He was knocked unconscious and pushed overboard by an unknown assailant. In the interim, he had suffered from amnesia but now has regained his faculties. All the potential suspects, including his wife, are at the party. When one of them is killed, the police are called in, and suspicion for the crime falls on the vengeful Vickers.
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Review :
Not One of Paulette's Most Engaging Performances!
IMDb's contributors are correct. Actor George Sanders actually "wrote" two crime novels: "Crime on My Hands" (1944) was published under his name and is actually written in the first person. He even mentions some of his films. "Stranger at Home" (sic) followed in 1946. In actual fact, of course, the novels merely served to give Sanders added publicity. He wrote neither. The first was ghost written by Craig Rice, and the second by none other than Leigh Brackett. I've read neither but if the DVD of "The Unholy Four" is anything to go by, "Stranger at Home" presented an intriguing premise but little reader involvement. Certainly it's hard to get over-enthused by the film. The script is weighed down with talk, the direction is stolidly routine, and Paulette Goddard will disappoint her fans. She's neither clothed nor photographed to advantage. Admittedly, a couple of good performances saved the day. I always enjoy Russell Napier. I can usually take or leave Paul Carpenter, but in this case he delivers the best acting in the film. All the same, a movie in which Paul Carpenter shines is not exactly my idea of an engrossing film noir.
Onsterfelijke muziek (1954)iMDB Rating: 6.1 Date Released : 1 December 1954 Genre : Biography, Drama, Music, Romance Stars : Roland Alexandre, Myriam Bru, Elisa Cegani, Andrea Checchi. Nel 1807, a Milano, Giovanni Ricordi, dopo aver comprato a Lipsia una nuova stampante, in cambio dell'impegno a lavorare gratis per il Teatro La Scala, ottiene tutti i manoscritti musicali che giacciono negli scantinati del Teatro. Ha inizio così la dinastia musicale della Casa Ricordi che vediamo svolgersi per tutto l'ottocento con Giovanni e Tito e Giulio e con i grandi dell'opera italiana: da ..." /> Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Nel 1807, a Milano, Giovanni Ricordi, dopo aver comprato a Lipsia una nuova stampante, in cambio dell'impegno a lavorare gratis per il Teatro La Scala, ottiene tutti i manoscritti musicali che giacciono negli scantinati del Teatro. Ha inizio così la dinastia musicale della Casa Ricordi che vediamo svolgersi per tutto l'ottocento con Giovanni e Tito e Giulio e con i grandi dell'opera italiana: da Rossini a Bellini con la sua morte precoce, da Donizetti a Verdi e alla sua crisi all'avvento della musica nuova di Wagner, per finire il secolo con Puccini all'ombra della torre Eiffel.
Review :
A WONDERFUL TOUR THROUGH 19TH CENTURY ITALIAN OPERA
Being an "oriundo", that is, of Italian ascendance, I was taken as a boy to watch this movie by my parents who were extremely fond of any kind of music -- and of Italian music most of all. I thought that the movie was beautiful but not so interesting, at least for a child of 9 or 10 as I was then. However, I had the good fortune of watching this movie again as a grown-up at a special showing, and what a revelation it was! What seemed only beautiful back then was now not only quite interesting too but, on top of that, also a very delightful way of being introduced to (or renewing your contact with) the endless magic of the world of opera. The movie tells us in rich detail how in 1807, in Milano, Giovanni Ricordi made a deal with the Teatro La Scala to print all the music sheet for them, in exchange for the handwritten works of whichever composer and musician hired by the Theater.
Lovingly directed by Carmine Gallone, who was originally an opera director, the movie shows us how the musical dynasty of the Casa Ricordi Publishers was born, and the amazing quantity of talent this organization worked with: Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi, Puccini, and so on. The best moment for me is the staging of the "La Calunnia" aria with the great Tito Gobbi as the playback singer, where Gallone combines both operatic and movie effects to convey the idea that "slandering is a little wind that builds up to a terrible storm to destroy lives and reputations".
It is worth mentioning as well that art director Mario Garbuglia and cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno managed to create a real feast for the eyes with their work in this movie. I've been trying to get a copy of it to no avail for decades now. When is it going to be released on DVD? It is imperative that it comes with subtitles in Italian so we opera lovers can best appreciate all the flavor of the original lyrics, please. It's about time someone gives us this neglected gem on DVD...
Fire Maidens of Outer Space (1956)iMDB Rating: 2.1 Date Released : 1 July 1956 Genre : Sci-Fi Stars : Susan Shaw, Anthony Dexter, Paul Carpenter, Jacqueline Curtis Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
After landing on the 13th moon of Jupiter, the men from Earth debark from their ship to find a forested area containing the last remnant of lost Atlantis: an old man named Prossus, a bevy of nubile young women eager for husbands, and -- The Creature. "The beast with the head of a man," laments Prossus. "It must be destroyed -- yet it is indestructible!"
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Review :
Atlantis, outer space, monsters and beauties.
Okay now let me get this straight, the people of Atlantis escaped their sinking continent by blasting off into space where they colonized the 13th moon of Jupiter so 3000 years ago. Now only a dozen or so are left and they are all young, attractive women and just one middle aged man who claims to be the father of all of them. As a certain pointy eared TV character might say, "Fascinating captain." This movie has got to be the culmination of many male fantasies all rolled into one. A bunch of guys from Earth land on the on the planet, which has breathable atmosphere and plenty of sunlight despite being hundreds of millions of miles further from the sun than Earth. They encounter a bunch of miniskirted, barefoot, submissive women (one of whom even exclaims "Men at last!" so you know what has been on their minds!) and get a chance to play hero by defeating a monster called The Creature (a man in a black bodysuit and a monster mask). Unique to say the least. Actually I found myself liking it because of its very ineptness. The photographer never lets us forget the girls sex appeal since the camera is often on ground level giving us a good look at their legs and there is also a long interpretive dance scene. I would say they don't make them like this anymore but the truth is the do, you can find movies similar to this on USA Network every Saturday night at 3 AM.
Captain John Smith and Pocahontas (1953)iMDB Rating: 4.6 Date Released : 20 November 1953 Genre : Drama, History Stars : Anthony Dexter, Jody Lawrance, Alan Hale Jr., Robert Clarke Movie Quality : HDrip Format : MKV Size : 700 MB
Captain John Smith (Anthony Dexter), returned fom the Jamestown colony, is telling his story before the Court of King James I (Anthony Eustral.) He tells of the unrest in the colony and how he set out to make peace with the Indians. He is captured and sentenced to death, but Pocahontas (Jody Lawrence) makes her celebrated intervention and, instead of a slaying, there is a wedding. Back at Jamestown, Smith makes efforts to keep the colony united and the Indians from attacking, in spite of the efforts of some in the colony who stir up trouble for their own gain. He exposes them and returns to England to give his report. He stays because Pocahontas, thinking he is dead, has remarried.
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Review :
Lean treatment of the Pocahontas legend...
ANTHONY DEXTER (he played "Valentino", the silent screen matinée idol), is the nominal star of CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH AND POCAHONTAS but his wooden performance suffers by comparison to the just as attractive ROBERT CLARKE who plays John Rolfe.
JODY LAWRENCE makes a pretty Pocahontas but is somewhat unbelievable as the Indian maiden who saves Smith's life. ALAN HALE, JR. stands out in the supporting cast and DOUGLAS DUMBRILLE is effective as Powhatan
The Pathe color is weaker than Technicolor but the photography is still visually arresting and so are the sets and costumes. All of the familiar ingredients are here--the Indian attacks, the treacherous conspirators, etc.--but there is little character development between a series of Indian skirmishes with relentless attacks on the fort.
Trivia note: Has anyone noticed that JAMES SEAY, as a bad colonist who sells guns to the Indians, looks more like Alan Hale than Alan Hale, Jr.?
Action fans should get their money's worth. There's a final attack on the fort that is staged for maximum effect.
Summing up: A lean, sketchy, less inspired treatment of the story than many other versions that followed, including the Disney animated film, but pleasing enough in a simplistic sort of way.
A movie adaptation of Homer's second epic, that talks about Ulysses' efforts to return to his home after the end of ten years of war.
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Review :
Cool Cyclops!
I enjoyed it very much. I assume this was the earliest of the bunch of muscleman films that became increasingly popular with the release of the Hercules with Steve Reeves. It starts out a bit slow, but Ulysses' voyage is done wonderfully. The highlight of course is the cyclops that takes him and his men prisoner. The effects are well done, as is the cyclops make-up. Kirk Douglas makes a good Ulysses and Silvana Mangano is beautiful as his wife Penelope and seductive in the second role of the witch, Circe. If you enjoy these kinds of films, this is one of the good ones.
Carnival Story (1954)iMDB Rating: 5.7 Date Released : 16 April 1954 Genre : Drama Stars : Anne Baxter, Steve Cochran, Lyle Bettger, George Nader Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
In search of better business, a big American carnival opens in Munich, Germany. Joe the barker befriends attractive pickpocket Willie, finds her a job, and beds her. Then high diver Frank recruits Willie as his assistant. When Frank falls for her and proposes marriage, Joe takes the opportunity to brush her off. After the marriage, Joe figures he can still exercise his sexual hold over Willie; but tragedy intervenes.
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Review :
Steve Cochran at his best
As I remember it, this was an exciting movie of the day and it still stands up to the test in my opinion. Steve Cochran was still the right age to look good and so was Anne Baxter. His character has caught up with her again, and they have some history together. She has got a job in a circus with a high diving swimmer. I remember the diver for his unique soft voice. He was the "goody" in the film. Anne Baxters character doesn't want to take up with him again and Steve Cochran sort of become a stalker, hanging around the tent at night and giving a low whistle. The dim witted strong man of the circus is a little in love with her himself and will do anything to protect her. The three main characters are all good looking people which puts this film at it best. There is also the technical and interesting stuff of climbing a high ladder and looking down at a drum of water that looks like you are going to dive into just a teacupful of water for you are seemingly so high. Anne Baxter is also expected to learn how to do this. Steve Cochran is bothering her... And watch out for the Big Wheel. A wonderful film.
The Divided Heart (1954)iMDB Rating: 7.0 Date Released : 21 June 1955 Genre : Drama Stars : Cornell Borchers, Yvonne Mitchell, Armin Dahlen, Alexander Knox. A three-year-old orphan is adopted by a German couple shortly after World War II. On his tenth birthday, he is told that his mother, a Yugoslav refugee, is alive and wants him back. The case must be decided in court, which must decide with whom the boy will be better off." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
A three-year-old orphan is adopted by a German couple shortly after World War II. On his tenth birthday, he is told that his mother, a Yugoslav refugee, is alive and wants him back. The case must be decided in court, which must decide with whom the boy will be better off.
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Review :
The judgement of Solomon is a difficult one to make.
It shows how superficial my expectations are of a black and white film that I only watched this because I was ill, and it was either this, a cooking show or "Take the High Road" (an awful Scottish Soap.
What I found was a film full of believable characterisations that was not afraid to tackle a very difficult subject, where the true mother of a Yugoslavian boy raised by German foster parents during the Second World War returns to reclaim her child ten years later.
What makes the subject matter so difficult is the way in which the boy comes to be made available for adoption through the attrocities of the war. The two flashbacks are very well done, making you care about both of the women and the love they feel for the child - the subdued Yugoslav mother, speaking through an interpreter, refusing to betray her emotions in public having been scarred by her experiences, (I thought the short scene where she is in the church looking at Mary and baby Jesus was very revealing) and the German woman who has raised the child during his formative years.
The three judges from the American Control Commission are called upon to make the impossible decision, and the judgements that each of them decide, though different, ring true.
I was surprised by the abruptness of the ending, wishing to see what Toni would do in later year, but that is my only criticism of this film.
Calamity Jane (1953)iMDB Rating: 7.3 Date Released : 4 November 1953 Genre : Comedy, Musical, Western Stars : Doris Day, Howard Keel, Allyn Ann McLerie, Philip Carey Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
Deadwood, Dakota Territory, is largely the abode of men, where Indian scout Calamity Jane is as hard-riding, boastful, and handy with a gun as any; quite an overpowering personality. But the army lieutenant she favors doesn't really appreciate her finer qualities. One of Jane's boasts brings her to Chicago to recruit an actress for the Golden Garter stage. Arrived, the lady in question appears (at first) to be a more feminine rival for the favors of Jane's male friends...including her friendly enemy Wild Bill Hickock.
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Review :
good old Doris ...
... who else could put across the Deadwoodstageis number like Doris Day in the opening sequences of this wonderful movie? Right through to her mushy ballad 'Secret Love' she is perfect for the role of the butch cowgirl who gets a feminine makeover and snares her shooting buddy (the excellent Howard Keel, in fine voice here). Doris was a true star, a great actress and singer, game for a laugh and a pretty blonde who transcended her rather trite public image through her talent. Calamity Jane is possibly her best work, and certainly one of the best musical movies of the 1950s (against some pretty stiff competition). They might be making musicals again, but they won't make them quite like this.
All the Brothers Were Valiant (1953)iMDB Rating: 6.4 Date Released : 13 November 1953 Genre : Adventure, Drama, Romance Stars : Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger, Ann Blyth, Betta St. John. Sea-faring saga of two brothers (Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger) and the woman they both love. Set against South Pacific islands, this love triangle pits the good brother against the bad as they squabble over Ann Blyth and a bag of pearls on the floor of a lagoon; the bad boy redeems himself, however, by helping fend off a mutiny." /> Movie Quality : BRrip Format : MKV Size : 870 MB
Sea-faring saga of two brothers (Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger) and the woman they both love. Set against South Pacific islands, this love triangle pits the good brother against the bad as they squabble over Ann Blyth and a bag of pearls on the floor of a lagoon; the bad boy redeems himself, however, by helping fend off a mutiny.
Watch All the Brothers Were Valiant Trailer :
Review :
All the Brothers were rather Dull
I had waited for many years to see this film, and when it turned up on TCM my wife and I jumped at the opportunity. It's hard to believe that MGM could have turned out such a poor production.
The basic story is interesting, the shots of ships at sea are grand, (albeit too few) George Folsey's nominated Cinematography pleases the eye ~ but it's all let down by a pedestrian screenplay, (Harry Brown was not up to the task) limp direction by Richard Thorpe, and 'by the numbers' acting. Everyone looked as if they knew they were making a dud.
Taylor had turned in many fine performances, both before and after 'All the Brothers': "The Mortal Storm" - a true 1940's Gem (the film that caused Goebbels to ban screenings of MGM pictures in German territories!) "Devil's Doorway" '50 (while perhaps miscast as an Indian, was still very effective) then after: "Saddle the Wind" etc.
As for 'Brothers', he looks as if he were only doing it to honor a contract. It seemed much the same with Granger, who had moments looking like he wished it was all over...not one of his better performances (ie: "Bhowani Junction")
Ann Blyth was worthy of better material, she had very few good moments and even less good lines, and while Betta St John was very appealing playing a native girl, shes wasted as an actress.
"All the Brothers..." quite clearly shows major film making in decline. MGM only a few years on would be heading for receivership.... Strong, story driven scripts, were giving way to more graphic violence and superficial details. My wife gave up half way through. This is one time Leonard Maltin got his review right.
Following the war years, it seemed much of the creative passion had subsided, and fewer people cared all that much. This all pointed toward Television, bringing with it more low brow artificial trends, leading to todays 'comercially stylized' film making.
The terrible print screened by TCM Australia did not help. The vivid Technicolor had been cheaply transfered and reduced to a dull, lifeless shadow of the original. The image focus was soft and fuzzy, the audio was equally poor.
Congratulations though, are due to TCM in the USA, by showing some respect for it's viewing audience. Their watermark (station ID) is supered over the image for 30seconds only every hour or so. This offers the paying customer better appreciation of good composition, with far less overall distraction.
They also seem to have little, or no 'Automatic Volume Leveling' devices on their sound tracks, so there's less unwanted hiss during the quieter moments. When will TCM Australia get it right and offer its paying customers the quality they deserve? Little wonder so many folk I've spoken to, tell me they've cancelled their subscription.
I'm still with it, but if it doesn't improve, don't know for how much longer. As for 'The Valiant Bros" if you're un-demanding, it may help pass or waste some time.
Hannah Lee: An American Primitive (1953)iMDB Rating: 6.9
