It’s no secret I’ve been devouring movies since I was a kid even going so far as to coax my Mother to wake me up for late shows once she’d returned home following her 3 to 11 P.M. shift at a local factory. Inevitably I was introduced to far away places here on Earth that in most cases I’ll never travel to. That didn’t stop the movies from taking me there. Even if they were conveniently filmed on a Hollywood backlot during the studio era in most cases.

So it’s time to travel around the world by featuring movies that have countries, cities or whatever else I feel like showcasing in the title to make my point and in some cases maybe even drift into outer space to visit distant planets.

What’s my goal? To spotlight a whole bunch of movies from the past in hopes it might rekindle a memory or two for all of you who have taken the time to have a look at my latest From A to Z feature.

Either that or intrigue you enough to take a trip to a far off location. Real or imagined.

And our journey begins ….

A is for …. Atlantic City.

1980 gave Burt Lancaster his final Oscar Nominated performance in Louis Malle’s Atlantic City reminding us that he was and remains one of the great leading men of Hollywood history. Susan Sarandon plays opposite him in this performance driven film that has silver-haired Burt as an old time gangster from a by gone era and Susan trying to find her way in this city of sin while married to a low life drug dealer (Robert Joy). Plenty of Canadian connections here for my countrymen including Joy, Kate Reid, Harvey Atkin and even CBC’s King of Kensington, Al Waxman.

B is for …. Bear Island. Once upon a time the name Alistair MacLean promised star studded action on screen and this Canadian Production proved no different at this time of it’s release in 1980. Saw this one at the theater and previously featured it beginning with ….. This strikes me as one of those films that I rarely seem to find anything positive written about and to be honest, I can’t figure out why. Equal parts Alistair MacLean, Nazi gold, an arctic location and a cast that features Donald Sutherland in the lead role surrounded by some high priced talent including Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Widmark, Christopher Lee and Lloyd Bridges had me hooked. For more just follow the link to be transported to a distant location known as Bear Island.

C is for …. Casablanca.

Arguably the greatest film ever made, the most romantic film ever made and countless other accolades. To be honest I wouldn’t argue against a single one. The 1942 classic made against all odds while at the same time transforming Humphrey Bogart from movie actor into a silver screen legend. Directed by Michael Curtiz and casting Ingrid Bergman opposite Bogie the pair continue to live on via screen immortality as Rick and Ilsa. Claude Rains, Paul Henreid, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and on and on with one memorable quote after another. Grab yourself a book on the making of this one, there are a number of them to get the whole back stage story.

D is for …. Denver.

The influence of Tarantino seemed to be everywhere once he became a household name in the 90’s and 1995’s very likable Things To Do in Denver When You’re Dead is a solid example. Underworld figure Andy Garcia is called upon to pay a debt when he and his crew take on a job for mobster Christopher Walken. It’s supposed to be an easy operation but when things go sideways Andy and his crew are marked for death by Walken. Solid cast with Christopher Lloyd, Treat Williams, Bill Nunn and William Forsythe serving as Garcia’s crew. Now toss in Jack Warden, Steve Buscemi and Bill Cobbs and you’ve got a heck of a cast in this gangland tale.

E is for …. Egypt.

Like many sleuths of his era, the famed Oriental Detective, Charlie Chan traveled the world and journeyed to Egypt in 1935. Wherever Chan goes there’s sure to be a body turn up and in Egypt he’ll find more than just the mummified variety. My favorite actor in the series, Warner Oland, takes the lead role but sadly he’s missing his number one son Keye Luke in this series entry. Not only will Oland’s Chan unveil a killer but he’ll also share the screen with a young actress looking to make a name for herself in Hollywood, Rita Cansino. She’ll keep her first name and drop the latter for Hayworth before the decade is over. How about a “Chanism” from the film … “Drop of water on thirsty tongue more precious than gold in purse.”

F is for Firecreek.

I’ve been to the fictional frontier town of Firecreek (1968) a number of times thanks to this western playing regularly on TV back in the 70’s and 80’s. Sure it’s a High Noon wannabe starring Jimmy Stewart as a part time Sheriff, full time farmer having to face off against a pack of wild dog outlaws led by Henry Fonda (in training for his iconic role of Frank in OUATITW). Among Fonda’s gang are a who’s who of western heavies. Jack Elam, James Best, Morgan Woodward and Gary Lockwood. The mild mannered Stewart is going to have to face them down minus the help of the townsfolk. Character greats like Dean Jagger, John Qualen and Jay C. Flippen. Adding some romance to the film is the tortured Inger Stevens whom Fonda takes up with. Sure Jimmy and Henry were getting long in the tooth but I for one have always enjoyed this one and it’s a film that’s easy to recommend.

G is for …. Guyana.

“The movie that dares to tell the truth!” That might be but the names may have been changed in 1979’s Guyana: Cult of the Damned. It’s a thinly veiled retelling of the Rev. Jim Jones story that resulted in the deaths of over 900 people caught up in a religious cult. Stuart Whitman plays the lead under the name James Johnson in Rene Cardona Jr.’s exploitative film that brought in a number of aging Hollywood names from both movies and television to partake in this effort meant for the drive-in fans. Among them you’ll see Bradford Dillman, Joseph Cotten, Gene Barry, John Ireland and Canada’s own Yvonne De Carlo. Even a favorite of Tarantino’s is in here, Mr. Hugo Stiglitz.

H is for …. Hawaii.

Thanks to TV stations playing Elvis movies repetitively in my grade school years I was exposed to the majority of his films early on including the popular release, Blue Hawaii, which hit movie screens in 1961. Mirroring real life The King has just gotten out of the army and heading home to Mom and Dad. In this case Angela Lansbury and Roland Winters. Romance and songs are soon to follow. Movies can have long lasting impressions and if you show me a set of maracas and I’ll launch into a line or two of the song Rock-a-Hula-Baby. The movie did offer up an Elvis standard that is still playing weddings to this day, Can’t Help Falling In Love With You. As for Hawaii, maybe I’ll get there someday and if it hadn’t been for watching Elvis in this flick I’d most likely be referencing The Brady Bunch’s Hawaiian vacation where Greg found an evil taboo charm and the whole clan ran right into Vincent Price.

I is for …. Iwo Jima.

1949 saw the release of John Wayne’s gung ho war film Sands of Iwo Jima helmed by long time director, Allan Dwan. The film netted Duke his first Oscar nomination and proved to be a solid hit at the box-office. Duke’s the rugged Sergeant who plays it tough on his platoon in his attempt to keep them all alive. Among the young privates in uniform you’ll spot John Agar, Richard Jaeckel, Martin Milner and Forrest Tucker. Great flick and I’m very thankful I was nowhere near Iwo Jima during the battle which took place in February and March of 1945 that also saw the famed image of soldiers like Ira Hayes raising the American Flag.

J is for …. Japan.

“Back when I was just a lad” the popularity of The Bad News Bears on the big screens in the late 1970’s allowed me to see the pint sized ball club and their shady manager, Tony Curtis, go to Japan for more hijinks and comical escapades in the third and weakest film of the original trilogy. The movie’s little league team had captured the hearts of audiences when the series kicked off starring Walter Matthau going toe to toe with both his star pitcher, Tatum O’Neal and the opposition’s manager, Vic Morrow. This trip to Japan is far from memorable but when you’re just a kid and the Bears are wrestling a giant sized Sumo wrestler you’re bound to enjoy the journey. Now as an adult it’s not such a memorable revisit. Think I’ll just stick to Godzilla films or re-watch The War of The Gargantuas.

K is for …. Kansas City.

1952 saw the release of Kansas City Confidential. One of a series of tough minded Noir entries starring John Payne. Here he’s directed by Phil Karlson who he would team with again on another solid Noir, 99 River Street. In this effort Payne is an ex-con trying to go straight but finds himself a patsy thanks to a perfect tri-fecta of bank robbers. How about Lee Van Cleef, Neville Brand and Jack Elam! Payne’s going all out for revenge in this one before the cops tag him for the heist. This film proved to be the inspiration for Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs borrowing the concept that the gangsters are led by an older “dog” (Preston Foster) and have no idea of the other gang members identities. Shoehorned in to the plot is Miss Coleen Gray.

L is for …. London. Actually I’ve journeyed to London a number of times thanks to the following titles. The Tower of London with Basil, Boris and Vincent back in 1939. That same year brought The Dark Eyes of London with Bela not to mention The Saint in London with George Sanders. Universal’s first take on Lycanthropy, The Werewolf of London (1935). The studio would return to the city in 1946 with She-Wolf of London. Warner Oland would take a turn with Charlie Chan In London (1934). Vincent Price would return to the Tower of London in 1962 taking over the role Basil had played in the ’39 version, Richard the Third. Thanks to the world of movies I’ve made more trips to London then most any other spot on Earth.

M is for …. Macao.

I’m quite sure Robert Mitchum, Jane Russell, Gloria Grahame or William Bendix probably never left the confines of a Hollywood backstage for the 1952 film Macao but what appears on screen via Josef von Sternberg’s direction is good enough for me. Another classic Noir with Mitch donning his trench coat and teaming once again with Miss Russell for some romance, racy dialogue and fisticuffs along the way. Playing along are Brad Dexter, Thomas Gomez and Philip Ahn. And how about that original one sheet. A real work of art.

N is for …. New York.

Sure I’ve been to the state of New York, mainly the Buffalo area but I’ve never actually been to the Big Apple. Thanks to John Carpenter’s vision I have. 1981’s Escape From New York gave us all a window to the future when it became a walled prison/concrete jungle full of crazed criminals. A cult classic that sees Kurt Russell’s Snake Plissken enlisted to find the President of the United States (Donald Pleasence) who’s plane has crashed landed within the confines of the apocalyptic like prison. What a cast!!!! Harry Dean Stanton, Lee Van Cleef, Isaac Hayes, Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins and everyone’s favorite cabbie, Ernest Borgnine. This one never gets old and keeps me revisiting New York City every couple of years or so.

O is for …. O.K. Corral.

The famous gunfight that pitted the Earps against the Clantons has been the focus of numerous movies since the 1930’s but it’s the 1957 version that features the location in it’s title, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. I suppose every generation has it’s favorite in regards to this western tale and no doubt Tombstone (1993) scores plenty of fans but I’ve always leaned towards the ’57 version that starred screen legends Burt Lancaster as Wyatt Earp and Kirk Douglas as Doc Holiday. Director John Sturges puts together a dynamite cast in this one beginning with Rhonda Fleming and Jo Van Fleet as the women in our story accompanied by the likes of Lee Van Cleef, John Ireland, Dennis Hopper, Earl Holliman and Jack Elam. Yeah, it’s a classic.

P is for …. Pier 5 Havana.

Show me a Cameron Mitchell “B” flick and I’m ready to press play on the DVD player. 1959 saw Mitchell star in this Edward L. Cahn title that clocks in at a very tidy 67 minutes. Now add in the one and only Allison Hayes and you’ve got me hooked. Cam is down in Cuba tracking an pal gone missing and runs into an old flame instead. Guess who. While Mitchell turned up in “A” flicks in costarring roles, director Cahn and Miss Hayes were relegated to the “B” side of Hollywood flicks and had recently worked together on 1958’s Hong Kong Confidential.

Q is for …. Quantez. It’s a good thing Fred MacMurray and Dorothy Malone turned up in this 1957 western that allowed me to magically transport myself via the movies to a place that starts with the letter Q. In this case a frontier town called Quantez. It’s more of the same with a grizzled Fred having to tangle with baddie John Larch and somehow ride off at the end with Miss Malone. Love the catchphrase in the film’s advertising campaign…. THEY RODE TO QUANTEZ TOWN…half-way to freedom but all the way to Hell!

R is for …. Rio Conchos.

Superb action western that follows a trail similar to that of The Searchers and especially The Comancheros. A vicious Richard Boone is in fine form coming off his Have Gun Will Travel TV series as a man hell bent on revenge. He teams with Stuart Whitman, Jim Brown in his film debut and in what might be the most enjoyable performance of his career, Anthony Franciosa, to track gun runners selling rifles to the Apaches. That will bring them directly into the sights of Edmond O’Brien running a military outfit that takes no prisoners. Directed by Gordon Douglas and as I mentioned, Rio Conchos is action packed!

S is for …. Shanghai. Sure my favorite Oriental detective has been to Shanghai on a case but to see Marlene Dietrich ride The Shanghai Express under Josef von Sternberg’s direction is movie magic dating back to 1932. Marlene plays a well kept lady of leisure on board the Shanghai Express with a host of other characters including an ex lover, Clive Brooks, competition perhaps in Anna May Wong and as we’ll soon see a warlord portrayed by Warner Oland looking very much like that detective I mentioned. It’s a tale of love and sacrifice with plenty of intrigue thrown in for the sake of entertainment. A must see and I know I’ve said this before but damn! Doesn’t the camera just love Miss Dietrich?

T is for …. Trinidad.

In 1952 Rita Hayworth was reunited with her Gilda costar, Glenn Ford, for more screen romance and feisty arguments all for the benefit of the movie going audience. Distributed by Columbia, Affair In Trinidad is set against a backdrop of espionage and intrigue. Glenn arrives in Trinidad looking to see why his brother has died mysteriously and discovers just who his sister-in-law is. For more on this one follow the link to a featured spotlight on the film.

U is for …. Union Station.

I’m sure there are plenty of cities that have a “Union Station” but in the case of 1950’s gritty noir titled Union Station, it’s the city of Chicago (if I recall) that finds William Holden and Barry Fitzgerald trying to bring a kidnapping ring to justice. A harrowing genre entry from director Rudolph Mate’ with Lyle Bettger, Jan Sterling and Nancy Olson costarring. This makes two films released in 1950 that Olson costarred with Holden. The other being the unforgettable Sunset Boulevard.

V is for …. Vera Cruz.

1954 brought one of the most action packed westerns of the era with established stars and soon to be legends of cinema headlining. Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster starred in Robert Aldrich’s Vera Cruz that plays like an earlier rendition of Peckinpah’s Wild Bunch. Coop and Burt head south of the border chasing women and gold along with a gang of outlaws including Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson and Jack Elam. Also starring Cesar Romero this one’s a definite crowd pleaser and not to be missed. Bring the popcorn.

W is for …. West Point.

As in the famed Military Academy. I’ve never been there but Francis The Talking Mule has and I’ve seen the movie. Yes Francis Goes to West Point came out in 1952 which once again starred the unmistakable voice of Chill Wills as Francis alongside leading man and animal caretaker Donald O’Connor. It was the third film of the popular comedy series and costarred some upcoming talent from the “stable” of Universal Studios contract players like David Janssen, Lori Nelson and James Best.

X is for …. Planet X. As in The Man From Planet X and while we don’t get a look at his homeland who can forget the alien life force in this 1951 low budget gem from director Edgar G. Ulmer. Robert Clarke and William Schallert star and apparently it’s an unbilled Pat Goldin under the makeup of our memorable alien.

Y is for …. Yuma. 3:10 To Yuma (1957). Absolute western classic that sees outlaw Glenn Ford captured by the law. While awaiting the train to Yuma he’s held at gunpoint by small time rancher Van Heflin. The tension only creases with each passing minute as does Glenn’s respect for his captor who is clearly feeling the pressure when the outlaw’s gang led by Richard Jaeckel are circling in the steam coming from the locomotive. So do we really see Yuma? Who cares one way or the other. This film is not to be missed. For more on this classic from director Delmer Daves click the link.

Z is for …. Zanzibar. The Road to Zanzibar (1941). Thankfully Bob Hope and Bing Crosby travelled to far off places looking for adventure and more importantly, Dorothy Lamour, even if they never actually left the Paramount backlot. It was the second of the trios seven road pictures that started with 1940’s Road to Singapore and ended in 1962 on The Road to Hong Kong.

Well, add them up and let me know how many of these movies you’ve seen and more importantly how many places you’ve visited.

And don’t try to tell me you’ve been to Planet X!

Till next time, travel safe and drop me a line if you journey to my slice of Canada .