”Moonraker" 1979 is the fourth film in our James Bond series. Director Lewis Gilbert combines themes in the movie. There is wealthy Hugo Drax whose monstrous plan involves multiple space shuttles and poison to dominate the world, a science fiction space adventure, comedic one liners, super hero exploits from Bond, near death experiences around the globe, and romance. Roger Moore is in his fourth tour as James Bond 007 the MI6 problem solver, Michael Lonsdale as Drax, Holly Goodhead played by...

The sixth James Bond film takes center stage with "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" from 1969. Long time industry veteran Peter R. Hunt makes his Director debut for this film. Mr. Hunt's quick film cutting accentuates the action. This may be the Bond film that most closely follows the novel's themes. In his first film role is George Lazenby as James Bond. Mr. Lazenby appears as Bond in only this film. Countess Tracy di Vicenzo played by Diana Rigg is the independent woman who partners...

Terence Young returns to helm "From Russia with Love" 1963. Mr. Young's direction keeps the swagger in James Bond as it was initially captured in "Dr. No". Istanbul, Turkey, is the scene for much of the spy drama as James Bond and MI6 battle the Soviet Union's SMERSH (an actual counter-intelligence group) and the deadly agents of SPECTRE. Sean Connery as James Bond teams with Ali Kerim Beythe head of MI6 in Istanbul played by Pedro Armendariz (in his last film role). Together they battle...

Arthur Sculco joins us for the podcast discussion of "Dr. No" 1962. Arthur is a Patreon subscriber and an avid watcher of classic movies. Thank you Arthur for joining us! Our visit ranges from a review of "Dr. No" to an overview of the James Bond franchise and thoughts about other films. Terence Young directed three James Bond films, "Dr. No", "From Russia with Love" 1963, and "Thunderball" 1965. Mr. Young was instrumental in setting the stage for almost sixty years of James Bond...

"Jules and Jim" 1962 is the French film of a romantic love triangle set before, during and after World War I. Director Francois Truffaut also co-wrote and produced the film. The basis for the movie is Henri-Pierre Roché's 1953 book about his and another man's love and involvement with a free-spirited woman. Jeanne Moreau is Catherine who resembles the statue of a woman with a splendid smile. Ms. Moreau's performance headlines the film that often has a dreamlike quality. Oskar Werner is Jules...

The George Lukas film was instrumental in launching the era of the movie blockbuster. The musical score by John Williams and the production values perfectly match the film's story. The memorable cast is highlighted by Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Darth Vader (David Prowse - voice by James Earl Jones), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), R2-D2 (Kenny Baker), Chewbacca "Chewie" (Peter Mayhew), evil Grand Moff Tarkin...

"Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" 1977 is our podcast episode 200. We pay tribute to the movie genius of George Lucas who created the magnificent science fiction space adventures of the Star Wars films. His films changed the movie entertainment business. Mr. Lucas spent years building the scope and beauty of these films and always pursued his dream of reaching movie screens throughout the world. The challenges were daunting and he did not waver in his belief that the films must capture...

Happy May the 4th! Head over to Patreon at patreon.com/classicmoviereviews and check out our two-part review of “Star Wars” available early for Patrons. We also have special bonus content and behind the scenes videos available for Patrons. Check it out and help support the show! May the 4th be with you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now back to our regularly scheduled programming… "Elevator to the Gallows" 1958 is a French crime film directed by Louis Malle. The musical score by Miles Davisis...

"The Mark of Zorro" is a 1940 film based on The Curse of Capistrano written in 1919 by Johnston McCulley. This film is the wrap-up in our tribute to Basil Rathbone. The film follows on the success of the 1920 silent movie "The Mark of Zorro" starring Douglas Fairbanks. Rouben Mamoulian directed the 1940 film and it garnered an Academy Award nomination for the musical score by Alfred Newman. Leading this swashbuckler is Tyrone Power as Don Diego Vega/Zorro the hero that brings about the...

We continue our salute to Basil Rathbone with "Son of Frankenstein" from 1939. In this adventure Mr. Rathbone is Baron Wolf von Frankenstein who travels to the family ancestral castle. His mission is to redeem his father's reputation. Joining the Baron is his wife Baroness Elsaplayed by Josephine Hutchinson and their young son Peter played by Donnie Dunagan. Director Rowland V. Lee puts together a film that is among the best of the Universal horror movies. Baron von Frankenstein...

"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" 1939 is the second and last of the Sherlock Holmes films from 20th Century Fox. However, good news for us Holmes fans because Universal Studios produced another twelve Holmes films from 1942 through 1946. In this adventure Holmes played by Basil Rathbone and Professor Moriarty played by George Zucco meet outside the Old Bailey where Moriarty has been acquitted of murder. Holmes located the evidence of guilt, but arrived too late to alter the verdict. ...

The Hound of the Baskervilles" 1939 is the first of two movies made by 20th Century-Fox as part of the fourteen Sherlock Holmes films released from 1939 through 1946. Universal Studios produced the remaining twelve films. Basil Rathbone plays Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce is Dr. Watson in all fourteen movies in the series. For many movie fans Mr. Rathbone and Mr. Bruce are the definitive characters from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle detective mystery novel. We agree with this assessment. ...

"Lady from Chungking" 1942 made at the height of World War II provides a star level role for Anna May Wong as Kwan Mei. Director William Nigh has ample experience putting together small budget movies. The film centers on Kwan Mei the leader of an underground group of farmers and villagers fighting against the Japanese occupation of China. She is also working to rescue two downed Flying Tigers pilots so they can return to action. This is a strong role for Anna May Wong and a good example of a...

"Shanghai Express" 1932 brings us the drama and danger facing several travelers on the train from Peking to Shanghai during the civil war in China. Director Josef von Sternberg builds an engaging film that has solid production values and the look of a more recent adventure movie. Our featured actor Anna May Wong is Hui Fei who plays a pivotal role that involves rebel leader Henry Chang played by Warner Oland. In addition to civil war the film centers on the love story between Marlene...

"The Toll of the Sea" from 1922 is the first lead role for Anna May Wong who was 17 and the second feature movie to use Technicolor film. Director Chester M. Franklin presents the tragic love of Lotus Flower played by Ms. Wong for Allen Carver an American played by Kenneth Harlan. Because of their love for each other they marry "Chinese fashion". Mr. Carver promises to take her to the United States. Lotus Flower's friends warn her that he will never take her to America. As predicted Mr....

Masterfully directed by Ernst Lubitsch, "To Be Or Not To Be" successfully rides a fine line between satire, comedy, drama, romance and action. The script, written by Melchior Lengyel and Edwin Justus Mayer is one of the best in all of film. It stars Carole Lombard, Jack Benny, Robert Stack, Felix Bressart, Lionel Atwill, Stanley Ridges, Sig Ruman, Tom Dugan and many more excellent actors. The movie feels timely while at the same time as presenting scenes that feel almost documentary and...

Jimmy Kustes joins us for our discussion of "Some Like It Hot" 1959. In an earlier podcast Jimmy discussed his 2019 film "Body Swap" available on vimeo.com/on-demand. In "Some Like It Hot" Director Billy Wilder creates a romantic - dramatic comedy involving two men who play in a jazz band and accidentally witness a gangland murder in Chicago. These two escape the gang by disguising themselves as women and joining an all female band the Society Syncopators headed to a musical gig in...

"Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" 1948 is a delightful comedy based on Eric Hodgins's 1946 book of the same name. Cary Grant as James Blandings and Myrna Loy as Muriel Blandings team up following their worktogether in "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer“ 1947. Director H.C. Potter crafts this funny tale as the Blandings decide to leave their Manhattan apartment for the countryside of Connecticut. What follows is a series of miss steps as the Blandings forge ahead in the pursuit of their...

"Holiday Affair" 1949 is an enjoyable film for the holiday season. There is excellent writing by Isobel Lennart, believable characters, solid production values and first-rate direction by Don Hartman. Actually these elements combine to make this a movie worth watching any time of the year. Among the believable characters is Robert Mitchum as Steve Mason the future builder of boats, Janet Leigh as Connie Ennis the loving mother of Timmy Ennis her 6 1/2 year old son played by Gordon Gebert,...

Thank you to Arthur Sculco for his selection of "The War of the Worlds" 1953 as well as three other films we recently reviewed "Soylent Green", "2001 A Space Odyssey" and "The Time Machine". Director Byron Haskin and Producer George Pal adapted the 1898 H.G. Welles novel to create an exciting and timeless science fiction film. Dr. Clayton Forrester played by Gene Barry is a well-known scientist from Pacific Institute of Science and Technology who finds himself in the middle of a...

Based on H.G. Wells' story, "The Time Machine" from 1960 is a first rate science fiction movie. Director George Pal is a master of creating films that nourish the imagination. Arnold Leibovit's documentary The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal captures the innovative talent of the Academy Award winning Mr. Pal. H. George Wells played by Rod Taylor has constructed a beautiful time machine and is prepared to travel into the future. George is tired of the present time and wants to use the...

Director Stanley Kubrick created the masterpiece film "2001: A Space Odyssey" 1968. Among the influences for the film are Arthur C. Clarke's "The Sentinel" 1951, "Universe" 1960 the documentary from the National Film Board of Canada and the 1964 New York World's Fair movie "To the Moon and Beyond". Mr. Kubrick assembled a stellar group of people and took several years to make this exceptional movie. The film has inspired filmmakers and been a significant force as reflected in subsequent...

"Body Swap" is a romantic comedy about a woman and man whose bodies are switched by accident with a defective office paper shredder. Ouch!!! This is a funny and engaging film. Tim Morton is the Director of this professionally produced film featuring excellent performances by Ella Jordan as CJ, Casey played by Jimmy Kustes, Casey's brother Roy played by Gunner Willis, Kayte Giralt as Lisa, Wendy played by Erica Manni and a host of supporting cast members. The film is on Vimeo On Demand...

"Soylent Green" 1973 is an intense film depicting a grim and dangerous world of the future. The movie has multiple levels of drama and intrigue including murder, famine, overpopulation and authoritarian rule over people. Director Richard Fleischer creates a vision of despair as oceans die and the environment deteriorates. Mr. Fleischer has built another excellent film in his long line of movies including "The Narrow Margin" 1952 - Episode 75 and "Fantastic Voyage" 1966 - Episode 13. Charlton...

"El vampiro" (The Vampire) from 1957 is an engrossing version of the vampire story. Director Fernando Mendez had a successful career with more than thirty films in the movie industry of Mexico. Mr. Mendez and Producer Abel Salazar created this entertaining movie. The story centers on Marta played by Ariadne Welter as she travels to her childhood village and encounters vampires that dominate the local scene. German Robles as the vampire Count Karol de Lavud has a strong influence over people...