Michael Caine Blogathon Special: The Italian Job (1969)

The Italian Job (1969)

Oakhurst Productions, UK, 1969.

Participating The Marvellous Michael Caine Blogathon event arranged by Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews to celebrate his 85th birthday!

Heist man Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) has just been released from prison. Meanwhile the Italian Mafia has killed his friend who bequeathed an ultimate heist plan to Charlie. The plan is to travel to Turin and rob an armored van using a self-caused traffic jam as a ruse. The funding comes from jailed crime king and patriot Mr. Bridger (Noël Coward) whose love for Queen and Country turns him into a supporter of the plan. After all the heist is a chance to get back at those pesky Italians who have just made an important industrial contract making the British automotive industry suffer!

Charlie Croker

Mr. Bridger

The plan requires a participation of different specialists, one of the most memorable being computer specialist Professor Peach who chases big women (appropriately performed by Benny Hill). The plan culminates into the heist and escape with three Mini Coopers speeding through shopping malls, down the stairs and on the roof of a stadium.

Professor Peach

The Mini Cooper chase is iconic

The Cockney character Michael Caine performs here is a lovable rogue. He's stylish, cool and popular with women. Charlie's girlfriend Lorna (Margaret Blye) is quite liberal in the Swinging Sixties way and even arranges coming out party for Charlie with semi-clad girls. It is hard not to think about showing the character even more virile than James Bond (Caine had turned down the role two years earlier). Charlie even drives Aston Martin that looks similar to Bond's favourite vehicle, being only an older model.

Lorna

Planning the heist

This is a classic heist movie with British tongue-in-cheek style fit in the style of 1960s. Before the iconic final chase the movie is carried by Michael Caine's charm and the comical hijinks of his teammates. The cinematography with Italian cities and mountain roads looks beautiful and there is eye candy for fans of vintage cars. The story is light and comical and even campy, making it never too serious although the Mafia offers a serious threat. Of the actors the most memorable are Caine, Coward and Hill. However many minor characters are left quite underdeveloped and some of the plotlines are never resolved, leaving the story literally hanging in the air. Sequel was planned but it was was never made.

Rating: Very good

Starring: Michael Caine, Noël Coward, Benny Hill, Raf Vallone, Tony Beckley, Rossano Brazzi, Margaret Blye, Irene Handl, John Le Mesurier, Fred Emney, John Clive, Graham Payn, Michael Standing, Stanley Caine, Barry Cox, Harry Baird, George Innes, John Forgeham, Robert Powell, Derek Ware, Frank Jarvis, David Salamone, Richard Essome, Mario Valgoi, Renato Romano, Franco Novelli, Robert Rietty, Timothy Bateson, David Kelly, Arnold Diamond, Simon Dee, Alastair Hunter, Lana Gatto, John Morris, John Louis Mansi
Director: Peter Collinson 

Finnish Independence Day Special 3: Silver from Across the Border (Hopeaa rajan takaa)

Silver from Across the Border (Hopeaa rajan takaa)
Fennada-Filmi, Finland, 1963. 

Based on Esa Anttala's novel about his own adventures during the Interim Peace. 

It is 1941, a time between the Winter War and the Continuation War. Two young Winter War veterans Esa Anttala (Veikko Kerttula) and Esa Wist (Jaakko Pakkasvirta) are trying to sneak across the Finnish-Soviet border to retrieve other Wist's father's silverware that was hidden in the lost Karelian territory. The treasure can't be left to the Soviets! Their first attempt fails and they get temporarily arrested by Finnish guards. After getting free they decide to recruit a third man to help carry the silver, a fun-loving ladies' man named Toivo Paukku (Pertti "Spede" Pasanen). 

Esa Wist and Esa Anttala

Toivo Paukku

They plan to visit their old houses but the Communists have let the buildings go ramshackled. Also the war has destroyed many landmark buildings that they once knew and loved. The trio is always in danger of getting caught. They can not even boil tea without nosy Russians asking why they are not working for the kolkhoz. Digging the treasure up from the ruins is dangerous and informers lurk everywhere. On the return trip they wander in the middle of Red Army war games. Can they ever get back alive?

'Friendly' Russian offers some tea

Rampaging border guards

This film is unavailable with English subtitles. All of the three main actors would later direct their own films. It is worthwhile to note that this was the rare serious role of Finnish comedy legend Spede Pasanen. Well, serious and serious. His presence in the story brings humour to the story, but he can also perform a dramatic role as Toivo is in bad physical shape and constantly a risk to the mission. He also gets panicky and fears that they will get captured. The excitement gets on their nerves but they still stick together. This is quite light adventure with some thrills, bushwhacking, stealthy sneaking and bawdy songs. From the small elements it manages to build entertainingly thrilling climax. It is considered a minor work by director Mikko Niskanen. The 60s music feels often anachronistic but brings also the feeling of men carrying out an impossible mission.

Rating: Good

Starring: Jaakko Pakkasvirta, Spede Pasanen, Veikko Kerttula, Esko Tuomi, Erkki Ertama, Rauno Lehtinen, Aaro Kurkela, Martti Saarikivi, Anja Ahlström, Marja Mosander, Sirkka Nirvi, Max Rand, Pentti Saaritsa, Juha Virkkunen, Holger Blommila, Matti Lehtelä, Ilkka Liikanen, Paavo Kuoppala, Lennart Lauramaa, Boris Levitsky, Kaija Snellman 

Director: Mikko Niskanen 

Movie Review: White Zombie (1932)

White Zombie (1932)
A Halperin Production, USA, 1932.

From the Mill Creek Horror Classics 50 Movie Pack.

Inspired by the book "The Magic Island" by William B. Seabrook.

Young couple Madeline Short (Madge Bellamy) and Neil Harker (John Harron) visit Haiti and plan to get married. They were invited by plantation owner Charles Beaumont (Robert Frazer) who secretly wants to marry Madeline. On the road to Beaumont's mansion the voodoo master 'Murder' Legendre (Bela Lugosi) nabs Madeline's scarf. The couple were invited to Haiti by plantation owner Charles Beaumont (Robert Frazer) who secretly wants to marry Madeline. Missionary Dr Bruner smells a fish and suggests that Madeline and Neil should leave the place as soon as their wedding is over. 

Neil Harker and Madeline Short

'Murder' Legendre

Dr Bruner

On 'Murder' Legendre's sugar mill the workers look like sleepwalkers. One worker falls into the grinder while the rest just continue working as nothing happened. Beaumont makes a deal with Legendre. Using voodoo powder they will turn Madeline into a zombie. So after the wedding Madeline drinks poisoned wine and dies. Neil goes to drink heavily. Beaumont, Legendre and the zombies dig up Madeline and Neil stumbles into the scene to see that the tomb has been raided. Dr. Bruner has a theory that Madeline may be alive but a victim of voodoo magic. 

Beaumont

Frederick Peters as zombie Chauvin

Madeline wanders in the castle

Although not scary by modern standards, it has quite creepy atmosphere in some scenes and has couple of scenes that seem to have tested the limits of the Hays' code. However the full potential of zombies is quite underused, they mostly go around doing tasks their master orders and manage to kill only one victim. Bela Lugosi's character is properly devilish. Zombie Chauvin (Frederick Peters) is an impressing looking undead henchman. Also some scenes have a nice silent movie style playing with shadows and dim lighting. Although the black zombies are used as slaves for the benefit of a white colonist don't expect much of Romero-style social commentary though.

The story has so many similarities to "Dracula" (1931) and even the character names are similar so it can be considered some kind of a rip-off. The protagonists (Neil Parker/John Harker) are invited to desolate dwelling, there is a young lady (Madeline Short/Mina Seward) who is controlled by evil master (Legendre/Dracula), evil master's ally (Beaumont/Renfield) is slowly destroyed by his master and a priestlike specialist (Dr Bruner/Van Helsing) helps the hero. 

What makes this movie interesting is its historical value and later impact and the introduction of a new monster type. For cultural impact it was more important film than it was initially acknowledged. This was quite possibly the first movie with zombies and voodoo. The zombies here represent the ones from the Haitian folklore being drugged slaves without cannibalistic tendencies. It was inspirational for later film makers (at least Tobe Hooper and Tim Burton, and also Angus Scrimm of "Phantasm" movies was a fan) and it has become a cult film. Rob Zombie took the name of this movie for his band. Who knows if Roger Corman's surprisingly similar shot of the castle in "The Terror" took some inspiration from this and both films have also ominous bird of prey flying around. 

The castles in "White Zombie" and "The Terror"

Rating: Good 

Starring: Bela Lugosi, Madge Bellamy, Joseph Cawthorn, Robert Frazer, John Harron, Brandon Hurst, George Burr Macannan, Frederick Peters, Annette Stone, John Printz, Dan Crimmins, Claude Morgan, John Fergusson, Velma Gresham, Clarence Muse 

Director: Victor Halperin

Movie Review: Bullitt

Bullitt
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts, Solar Productions, USA, 1968.

Based on the novel "Mute Witness" by Robert L. Fish.

Let's finish the unofficial car movie marathon with a cop movie classic containing one of the iconic car chases filmed.

Lt. Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen) is a tough San Francisco cop. Ambitious and crooked politician Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn) assigns him to protect witness Johnny Ross (Pat Renella) before a trial against mobsters. Using the  testimony from a vicious gangster would advance Chalmers' career. While Bullitt is off duty spending time with his designer girlfriend Cathy (Jacqueline Bisset) two hitmen wound Ross and Inspector Stanton (Carl Reindel).

Frank Bullitt

Cathy

Walter Chalmers

The assassin (John Aprea) tries to finish the job and Bullitt tries in vain to prevent it. However Bullitt finds out that the case is more complicated than it seems. Despite pressure coming from Chalmers, Chief Bennett (Simon Oakland) allows Bulllitt to continue his investigations. Luckily Bullitt has a fast Ford Mustang that is useful for catching the crooks. However Cathy witnesses a crime scene and is horrified by the ugly things Bullitt sees and violence that he commits in his work. But for Bullitt serving justice without moral integrity is the driving force. As George Orwell put it: "Those who abjure violence can only do so because others are committing violence on their behalf."

Chief Bennett

Don Gordon as Sgt. Delgetti

The famous chase

The film has a cool later 1960s look and also realistic looking hospital scenes. The film has quite little action and it feels more like a modern hard-boiled detective story Chandler style but with less dialogue. It is better to avoid watching it waiting for fast-paced action, this is more a crime mystery film. As for the action scenes, the car chase is the highlight, featuring Russian Hill in San Francisco that is used in later films by everyone and his dog. The laconic style seems to have influenced 1970s cop movies, "French Connection," films of Charles Bronson and Eastwood's "Dirty Harry." There is also a jazzy soundtrack by Lalo Schifrin. Robert Duvall appears as cab driver.

The special edition DVD includes some interesting documentaries "Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool" and "The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing."

Rating: Very good

Starring: Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset, Don Gordon, Simon Oakland, Norman Fell, Robert Duvall, Georg Stanford Brown, Justin Tarr, Carl Reindel, Felice Orlandi, Vic Tayback, Robert Lipton, Ed Peck, Pat Renella, Paul Genge, John Aprea, Al Checco, Bill Hickman
Director: Peter Yates

Movie Review: Thunder Road

Thunder Road
D.R.M. Productions, USA, 1958.

Lucas Doolin (Robert Mitchum) is a Korean War veteran who makes his living smuggling whisky with his cousin Jed (Mitchell Ryan). It is a family business as his Papa (Trevor Bardette) distills the moonshine. Luke's little brother Robin (Robert's real life son James Mitchum) is a mechanic and wants to become a moonshine runner also. The cops are always after Luke but there are also worse problems. Gangster Carl Kogan (Jacques Aubuchon) wants to recruit the free moonshiners to his gang killing everyone who opposes. Lucas declares war on them. Treasury agent Barrett (Gene Barry) tries to turn Lucas into a snitch against Kogan - unsuccessfully. The world is changing and Luke does not like the Yankees meddling with the Southern way of life.

Lucas Doolin

Papa

Robin

Luke has a romance with singer Francie (Keely Smith) but also local girl Roxy (Sandra Knight) adores him. When the cops start a campaign to destroy the distilleries, Luke decides to make one final run. But Kogan has set a trap for him. Either Kogan or the cops will get Luke. Luke's friends try to stop Luke but for him it is freedom or death!

Carl Kogan

Francie

Roxy and Jed

This is the prototype for the moonshine smuggling chase movies and it gained cult reputation in drive-in theatres. Robert Mitchum wrote the story and also produced it with director Arthur Ripley. Mitchum also wrote and sung the theme song. Originally the role of Robin was written for Elvis Presley, but his manager demanded too much money. This is notably different from the 1970s moonshine films, as this is a serious and noirish crime story. The 1970s moonshining films were more or less comical with jestful smugglers playing tricks on stupid cops. The disappearance of old American way of life has almost "Easy Rider" style tone. Robert Mitchum is very cool in this, and the chase scenes look good for their age."The X-Files" actor Jerry Hardin has a small role in this as unlucky smuggler Niles Penland.

Jerry Hardin as Niles Penland

Rating: Very good

Starring: Robert Mitchum, Gene Barry, Jacques Aubuchon, Keely Smith, Trevor Bardette, Sandra Knight, James Mitchum, Peter Breck, Charles Elledge, Jerry Hardin , Charles Hendrix, Betsy Holt, Peter Hornsby, Francis Koon, Christopher Mitchum, Jack Perry, Robert Porterfield, Mitchell Ryan, Randy Sparks, Dale Van Sickel 

Director: Arthur Ripley

Movie Review: Genevieve

Genevieve

J. Arthur Rank Organisation, La Société des Films Sirius, United Kingdom, 1953.

Alan McKim (John Gregson) wants to participate in London to Brington veteran car run using his car Darracq 1904 'Genevieve.' His wife Wendy (Dinah Sheridan) is not very interested. Their friend Ambrose Claverhouse (Kenneth More) and participates with his new girlfriend Rosalind Peters (Kay Kendall). Despite a great deal of hours spent on repairs the cars barely hold together without breaking so all kind of comical mishaps happen along the way.

Alan

Genevieve

Wendy

Alan's and Ambrose's initially jovial chit chat evolves into humiliation contest and they plan to race to London to see who's the boss. The ladies must put up with their bragging men. Alan becomes jealous about Wendy and a slight marriage crisis looms when Alan places a bet worth all of their savings. Let the best driver win!

Ambrose and Rosalind

The car is stuck

Hawling like brooligans?

Henry Cornelius had only a brief career as a director and his most famous comedies must be "Passport to Pimlico" and "Genevieve." "Genevieve" is a classic 1950s British comedy from the bygone era with jovial British characters speaking in classic British manner (jolly good, old sport!) and slow cars driving through England's countryside. The actors make nice performances with the men obsessed with their cars and the ladies trying to cope with it. Some of the highlights are the McKim's spending a night in a terrible hotel and Rosalind showing her trumpet playing skills in a bar. The carefree world and gently mischievous comedy of "Genevieve" remind of "Last of the Summer Wine" series and not only because of the harmonica soundtrack. This must be one of the few movie with street racing 1904 model cars.  

Street racing 1904 style!

Rating: Very good

Starring: Dinah Sheridan, John Gregson, Kay Kendall, Kenneth More, Geoffrey Keen, Reginald Beckwith, Arthur Wontner, Joyce Grenfell, Leslie Mitchell, Michael Balfour, Joe E. Carr, Lesley Dudley, Stanley Escane, Fred Griffiths, Charles Lamb, Aileen Lewis, Arthur Lovegrove, Edward Malin, Edie Martin, Michael Medwin, Harold Siddons, Christopher Warbey, Patrick Westwood

Director: Henry Cornelius