Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954)
Seventeen years prior to unleashing the violence of Dirty Harry upon 1970’s filmgoers, director Don Siegel gave the 1950’s crowd this explosive prison drama that cast a long list of […]
Sabata (1969)
With the arrival of Leone’s A Fistful of Dollars, the so called spaghetti western genre was born and would continue to evolve and bend the accepted way westerns were filmed, […]
The Secret Invasion (1964)
Actor Stewart Granger is once again the focus here at Mike’s Take thanks to the time taken by Maddy Who Loves Her Classic Films. She’s put together a blogathon to […]
The Purple Gang (1959)
Serving as both the narrator and lead investigator in out story, Barry Sullivan takes top billing for this prohibition tale of the notorious Purple Gang that terrorized Detroit back when […]
Francis The Talking Mule (1949)
Brando’s Pick of the Month This Universal International production from house director Arthur Lubin launched the unlikely comedy of duo of Donald O’Connor and a Mule who just happened to […]
The Atomic Kid (1954)
Blake Edwards. That name was synonymous with The Pink Panther series in my house growing up laughing till I cried while watching the antics of Inspector Clouseau as enacted by the comedic […]
The Lemon Drop Kid (1951)
Brainey Baxter, Oxford Charlie, Sam the Surgeon, Straight Flush Tony, Moose Moran and The Lemon Drop Kid. Names like these are music to my ears when watching a Damon Runyon […]
Pretty Boy Floyd (1960)
I’ve always liked that nickname, “Pretty Boy.” Maybe it’s because I saw the Martin Sheen version of the Pretty Boy Floyd story as a youngster on TV ages ago. Wouldn’t […]
Sing, You Sinners (1938)
Not only does this engaging Paramount production give us an opportunity to see Bing Crosby croon a few songs alongside Fred MacMurray but it serves as a reminder that Donald […]
How Do You Spell Holiday?
For the next week or so I’m spelling it beginning with an R for road trip as I head to the province of Nova Scotia to visit family. Yes Mike’s […]
The Domino Principle (1977)
Generally regarded as a weak film in the careers of all those involved, let’s look at the fact that this Stanley Kramer film allows some heavyweight talent to share the […]
Bad Boy (1949)
With reliable stalwarts Lloyd Noland and James Gleason at his back, America’s baby faced war hero Audie Murphy played his first major role in this Kurt Neumann film released through […]
The Life and Times of Mickey Rooney
Authored by Richard A. Lertzman and William J. Birnes. Released by Gallery Books. Having finally put down this recent release encompassing much of Mickey’s private and professional life I’m tempted […]
Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry (1937)
This time filler from MGM may not be the greatest release of the year from the studio with more stars then there are in the heavens but it is more […]
Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)
For the fourth on screen adventure of Andy Hardy and his family, Mickey Rooney in the title role finds himself in hot water with a trio of “dizzy dames.” The […]
Chained (1934)
While not every film from the early days of Hollywood can be considered classics, some are totally watchable thanks to the undeniable star power of Clark Gable and Joan Crawford. […]
