Tcm

[Johann]

VIVA LAS VEGAS (1964)


Probably the most dynamic of all the Elvis Presley pictures, with the thinnest of plots.
The King plays "Lucky Jackson", a race car enthusiast who goes to Vegas for a race with a car with no engine.
He earns money waiting tables to buy an engine.
Enter Ann-Margret, sex kitten. She matches Elvis in sex appeal and it was cool to see them together.
They sing, dance, water-ski, fly a helicopter and have a wild romance. (In real-life too!)
Ultimately Lucky gets his number 7 sweet race car into the race, and Wins all, including the girl.
George Sidney directs.
Somewhat cheesy and cornball, overall this flick is highly entertaining. The songs are catchy, the film is light and fun.

[Johann]

CAT PEOPLE (1942)



REVELATIONS 13:2

The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear, and a mouth like that of a lion.



The biblical quote above is referenced in this movie, used to describe an "evil" creature: the black panther.
This is a unique, intriguing and great film, one I'd never seen before.
Simone Simon plays Irina, a woman vexed by her personal demons and "cats".
She's married, but her husband isn't so sure about love. His co-worker in chartography loves him, and wants him to leave Irina for her.
There are caged panthers and leopards in the Central Park zoo, nearby their home, and Irina goes there often.
She's haunted by cats and cat imagery/howls, and she eventually has to see a psychiatrist for it.
She's deemed close to insane, and strange stuff happens in her wake- a creepy scene in a swimming pool is one.
By the end I wasn't truly sure she was dead- the way they treated her was not unlike the persecution of King Kong!
Wild movie by Jacques Tourneur.

[Johann]

HOW THE WEST WAS WON (1962)



Filmed in Cinerama in 5 segments by three directors, this is a pretty good movie.
While not in the top eschelon of westerns, there's enough here to love if you love the genre.
Henry Hathaway directs the first part, John Ford directs the second, and George Marshall directs the third.
Many stars were offered roles in it, and these accepted: Karl Malden, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Lee J. Cobb,
Carrol Baker, Debbie Reynolds, Eli Wallach, George Peppard, Walter Brennan and Harry Morgan.

The film takes us on an old west history lesson, of which I have no frame of reference to validate.
All I know from this film is settlers battled Indians, buffalo, wild white rapids, the civil war,
"likker" merchants, train robbers and Desperadoes...
The cinematography is spectacular, capturing nature in all it's glory.
This was a 3-camera panorama film, and it screams to be seen on the big screen.
I really enjoyed this movie, corny songs and all.
162 minutes with overture, intermission and exit music and narrated by Spencer Tracy.
Recommended.

[Chris Knipp]

Does this mean you are not generally a "Western" person?
I'm not, for sure. One of the popular genres I never took to, including musicals.

[Johann]

No, I'm not really a western fan.
There were 4 John Ford (lesser) westerns on TCM yesterday, and I couldn't summon the strength to see them.
I watched Cheyenne Autumn, and while it looked good I was very bored.

[Chris Knipp]

John Ford of course is one we "should" revere and know. (I don't.) I sympathize. How about Clint's classic Western stuff? I'm weak in that area too, though I've seen all his recent films, some at the NYFF screenings.

[Johann]

How about Clint's classic Western stuff?

The Good, The Bad & the Ugly is probably the best western of all-time.
Clint's westerns are probably the set bar. (Next to John Ford)