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The Irish make it again!
I read this book years ago.Movies tend to fall short of good novels because they are too limited in what they can cover.But this movie does quite well.In the book there were three generations of Irish.The hero's grandmother is the immigrant who got the family to America.Next Tony (the hero) gets a key block in the getting ahead game when his second generation mother finds a crack in society's door but doesn't quite get in herself.But she keeps her foot in the door in that commitment to the future that our immigrant ancesters had that has done many of us a lot of good.Her commitment put Tony in a position to belong IF he can graduate from the right school and prove himself in a Society level law firm. What I Want for Christmas...
...is a copy of this movie. Cynical and sexy
A steamy "Peyton Place" style sex story, featuring Paul Newman as Tony Lawrence, an ambitous young man whose soul is twisted by his aristocratic family's unwillingness to let him marry for love.Forced to play the power game, he plays it to the hilt, cynically using his sex appeal and ruthlessness to bring ruin to anyone standing in his path.I'm sure they must have toned the film script down quite a bit from what the book was like, but it's still pretty raw.Plus, Newman was one sexy monkey when he was young... if you wanna see him at his shirtless, hunky best, then this is the film for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

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Reviews (14)

Temptation And Tragedy In The Bullring . . . . Gorgeous Feast For The Eyes . . . . A Contender For A DVD
Rouben Mamoulian's remake of the silent classic that made a star of Rudolph Valentino is a visual treat. The techincolor is rich, with all the shades of color (especially the blues and reds)glorious. And the stars don't look too shabby either! Tyrone Power makes a gorgeous Juan Gallardo, the poor boy who rises to fame in the bullring, but who is unable to resist the shallow and deadly beautiful noblewoman Dona Sol (Rita Hayworth, on loan from Columbia, about to be catapulted to stardom), despite his gentle, loving wife, Carmen (Linda Darnell, in her fourth and last teaming with Power).
Blood and Sand
Tyrone Power with boyhood pals runs away from home to become a bullfighter. Comes back successful and marries girl (Linda Darnell) whom he has loved since Childhood. Power becomes most famous bullfighter in all Spain. It goes to his head. Is seduced by temptress sleaze played by Rita Hayworth. Through loose living with this slut, he sinks into the lowly pits of despair and failure. Wife loves him and is true all the while. He comes back for one last round to reclaim what he lost. He is magnificent but is gored and dies with his loving wife at his side, forgiving him for all that he has done. A real bitter sweet tale. Linda Darnell as always is incredibly beautiful and puts Hayworth to shame.

The rags-to-riches tale of a matador
"Blood and Sand," stars Tyrone Power as Juan Gallardo, the son of a matador who died in the arena. Juan vows to be even better than his father, and gradually does become the most honored bullfighter in Sevilla.Along the way he marries his childhood sweetheart, Carmen (Linda Darnell), and falls under the spell of a wealthy and heartless socialite (Rita Hayworth).
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Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Drama    3. Feature Film-drama    4. Movie   

Editorial Review

Claude Rains practically owns his film debut in Read more

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Reviews (45)

There's breathing in my barn!
Claude Rains.The man.The myth.The legend.You cannot talk about this film, whether in conversation or in any review, without placing this actor on the tip of your tongue.He is the epitome of the madness that surrounded the power-hungry Invisible Man.In this day of modern cinematic wonder, most full-fledged actors would want their faces to be in front of the camera, showcasing the entire film.Directors would want this fledgling star to promote their film, get kiddies interested in spending their money, and for financiers to see the profits of their contributions.Let's face it, if Brad Pitt is in a movie, typically most audience members are actually going to "see" Brad Pitt.Thankfully, we have directors like James Whale and his interpretation of H.G.Wells' classic The Invisible Man.Whale took a powerful story, expanded it, breathed life into it, and followed up with quite possibly one of the most sinister villains in movie horror history since Hannibal Lector.He is crude, he is heartless, and he wants nothing more than world domination ... he is Claude Rains ... and yet, until the end of the film, we never see the white's of his eyes.
"There's A Souvenir For You"
Haven't we all fantasized about what it would be like to be invisible? Most of the common perks come to mind: spying, getting into movies and amusement parks free, even the baser peeping tom inclinations come to mind. James Whale would pair his Frankenstein masterpieces with this equally trend-setting film. The film is only loosely based on the popular H.G. Wells novel and is played more for chills. Claude Rains does such a wonderful role when you consider that for most of the film he is denied a physical presence on the screen.
Masterly vintage science fiction movie
I would argue that nowhere in the history of the movies has there been an odder movie debut than that of the great Claude Rains in The Invisible Man .He is seen only briefly in the final scene and the vast majority of his " appearance " in this effective adaptation of Wells is a voice only one .
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Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (53)

A Hidden Gem
Christmas in Connecticut (1945) starring Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet, Reginald Gardiner, and S.Z.Sakall is an amusing story of lies, deception, and love. In short all the elements needed for a fluff comedy. Ten minutes into the film an experienced movie watcher will be able to predict almost every element of the plot. Sydney Dances a Reel!
This romantic comedy is a must see if only for the sight of that most cosmopolitan of screen villains, the rotund Sydney Greenstreet, dancing a reel with Barbara Stanwyck. Not only does he dance but he also laughs, smiles, relaxes, and rescues a kidnapped baby. Greenstreet, cast against type as a media mogul and the merriest of gourmands, manages to steal this picture away from its top-billed stars, Stanwyck and the sweet-faced Irish tenor Dennis Morgan. And he does it without appearing as Santa Claus.
Great Romantic Comedy for All Seasons
Despite the holiday setting, this romantic comedy is watchable all year long.Unlike other "Christmas classics", you don't need to be in a sappy or nostalgic holiday mood to enjoy it.Barbara Stanwyck is at her most charming as Elizabeth Lane, the working city girl who pretends to be Martha Stewart-like for a popular column she writes for a woman's magazine.Her need to put on an act for her boss and a navy soldier during Christmas sets the stage for a wonderful screwball comedy.This film is an excellent showcase of Barbara Stanwyck's comedic talents and the supporting cast is equally superb.Even Dennis Morgan, a handsome and serviceable but generally unmemorable actor, manages to make an impression as the navy man.Highly recommended, but not just for Christmas.
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Reviews (21)

Black humor abounds!
Based on Poe's classic, this is a most amusing film about two warring Sorcerers, Dr. Scarabus {Karloff} and Dr. Erasmuc Craven (Vincent Price) who eventually meet up and duel it out one stormy night using their various imaginative Magical talents to out-notch eachother.
"I'm always fascinated by your utter lack of scruples."
Roger Corman directed many films based on works by Edgar Allan Poe. These films include: "Masque of the Red Death", "The Haunted Palace", "Tales of Terror", "The Pit and the Pendulum", "The Conqueror Worm", "The Tomb of Ligeia", & "The Fall of the House of Usher." "The Raven" is based on a poem from Poe. As the film begins, sorcerer, Erasmus Craven (Vincent Price) is amusing himself with magic when he receives a strange visitor--a pesky raven. The raven, it turns out, is fellow magician, Dr. Bedlo (Peter Lorre). Bedlo has been stripped of his magical tools and turned into a raven by the evil Dr Scarabus (Boris Karloff). Craven turns Bedlo back into his human form and then learns that his wife--Lenore--who has supposedly been dead for two years--is alive and well and living with Dr Scarabus. Great Horror Classic Fun!
One of my favorite actors is Vincent Price.This film not only shows off his acting talents but his sense of humor as well.Peter Lorre is a great pain-in-the-side and the dialogue between the two fellows is funny!"Do you prefer dried bats blood or evaporated?"Read more

Subjects:  1. Horror    2. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

This surprisingly absorbing drama, based on Conrad Richter's novel, tells the tale of the re-assimilation of Johnny Butler, kidnapped as a child by Native Americans (in this 1958 film, of course, called Indians), into the "white man's world." Reluctant and unfamiliar with his biological parents (Jessica Tandy and Frank Ferguson), he's befriended by frontiersman Del Hardy (Fess Parker, basically looking handsome and playing his popular image), also raised by the Indians and now an Army man. Johnny also meets and fancies Shenandoe--his aunt and nasty uncle's indentured servant girl,(a positively luminescent Carol Lynley, 16, in her first role), whose family was massacred by another tribe. While this is an action film set in 1764, made in the still politically insensitive 1950s, it manages not to paint stereotypes. But Read more

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Reviews (28)

Aftermath of the French & Indian War
I think that this movie was well done and would be good for children to see to help them to understand F&I and life on the frontier.I would like to see it released on DVD.

The Light in the Forest BY: Jesika K.
The movie "The light in the Forest" And the book are absolutly different. I think the movie was alot better cause of all the action. I think the book was okah but not alot of action. In the book Cuylogo couldn't speak good english neither could True Son.
The Light in the Forest
Here are some ways of telling how the novel and the movie is simular. One way they are simular is because they both have the same settings. Another way they are simular is because they had the same charactors. The last way I think they are simular is because True Son acted the same way in both the novel and the movie. These are some ways the novel and the book are simular.
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Hard To Imagine A Nicer Film
It's true - this is about as nice as it ever got with a movie. There are no villains, no violence (except when animals had to be destroyed in a fire...and that wasn't pictured), and just a nice story of a nice Norwegian family living in rural Wisconsin.
BLACK AND WHITE MOVIE'S
IT MAY BE A BLACK AND WHITE PICTURE,BUT I LOVED THE LITTLE CHILDREN IN THIS MOVIE, ESP. THAT LITTLE BOY, HA. HOPE TO OWN THIS ONE ON A DVD, SOON. PLUS AT A REASONABLE PRICE. THANKS.

Cute, wholesome, and special.
I watched this for the first time just a few days ago.It affected me so much that I watched it again the next day with someone else.I don't know when I have watched a movie that I enjoyed so much--it certainly has been a while.
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Reviews (6)

Love for Charlie Brown
You're in Love, Charlie Brown (1967): The end of the school year is coming and he can't stop noticing that Little Red-Haired Girl. He tries everything to get her attention, but he can't budge. Lucy makes fun of him, while having trouble herself with Schroeder. Peppermint Patty comes along at tries to help. Charlie Brown feels terrible. He has a few days to tell the Little Red-Haired Girl how he feels. What will the Little Red-Haired Girl say to him? (You'll just have to find out!) Love for Charlie Brown
You're in Love, Charlie Brown (1967): The end of the school year is coming and he can't stop noticing that Little Red-Haired Girl. He tries everything to get her attention, but he can't budge. Lucy makes fun of him, while having trouble herself with Schroeder. Peppermint Patty comes along at tries to help. Charlie Brown feels terrible. He has a few days to tell the Little Red-Haired Girl how he feels. What will the Little Red-Haired Girl say to him? (You'll just have to find out!) Love for Charlie Brown
You're in Love, Charlie Brown (1967): The end of the school year is coming and he can't stop noticing that Little Red-Haired Girl. He tries everything to get her attention, but he can't budge. Lucy makes fun of him, while having trouble herself with Schroeder. Peppermint Patty comes along at tries to help. Charlie Brown feels terrible. He has a few days to tell the Little Red-Haired Girl how he feels. What will the Little Red-Haired Girl say to him? (You'll just have to find out!)Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Video    3. Childrens    4. Family    5. Movie    6. TV Shows   

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Reviews (8)

Mitchum and Holden
I knew this movie had possibilities when I saw that both Robert Mitchum and William Holden were starring in it.It is a relatively short movie and doesn't take too long to draw you in.We see an opening scene of a widower in grief at his remote cabin in the wilderness.He has a young adolescent and senses the practical need of another wife to share in the amplified duties of the time and place.He heads off to the nearest established settlement in this post-revolutionary frontier.The only acceptable choice is a bonded slave woman.A non-romantic marriage is carried out for proprieties sake and the "family" returns to the remote farm.The development of relationships is the core of "Rachel and the Stranger".Holden and Mitchum are good in their roles but they are outdone by Loretta Young.The acting of the young, dyslexically-named Gary Gray, is also quite effective.I found myself drawn into this romance in the making.It has a surprisingly subtle style to it that makes it all the more effective.This is another one of those "sleepers" from the past.

Where has this gem been hiding?
I just watched this movie for the first time. The cast is incredible. Too bad it has not been released on DVD. I would
Rachel the Slave
Rachel and the Stranger is like Sarah Plain and Tall, the children's story. It concerns a man (William Holden) and his son (Gary Gray) after his wife Susan dies. He realizes that it is proper for his son to be raised by a woman and sets out to get a new wife (Loretta Young). He frees Rachel from servitude by marrying her, but she is basically treated as a maid in her new home. Her husband's traveling friend (Robert Mitchum) serves to integrate her into the family, but in the process begins a territorial fued between the two men for Rachel's affections.
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Editorial Review

American history and pioneer mythology blur in this collection ofanimated Disney shorts hosted by James Earl Jones. From Disney's Golden Age comethe marvelous Read more

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Reviews (20)

well remembered
This is a wonderful way for children to learn about American historical figures.My 3 year old son was continually entertained by the songs and different animation.It is a must have on our Disney list.

Sparks further conversation and investigation!!
This is a collection of animated Disney shorts hosted by James Earl Jones...Johnny Appleseed is a fanciful, folksy, story-song tale of the real-life planter who seeded the Midwest...The Brave Engineer is a screwball version of "The Ballad of Casey Jones"... Paul Bunyan is a tall tale with the giant lumberjack as a homespun Zeus in flannel and logger boots creating the mountains and valleys of the American West with his big, blue ox, Babe...John Henry is a new take on an old folk tale. Kids of all ages will enjoy this movie which will spark further conversation and investigation.

A Great Way to Introduce Kids to American Tall Tales
Disney's AMERICAN LEGENDS is a compilation of several great legends of America's past, celebrating stories of great men doing great (and not so great) deeds.The selection of stories is interesting, and each has a definitive place in American (and Disney) history.While the stories may be a bit different from what you were told (if you were told them at all, considering most of the heroes are not what one would call politically correct), all in all, it's an enjoyable collection that my family watches about once a month.
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Subjects:  1. Cartoons & Animation    2. Feature Film Family    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Gary Cooper plays Alvin York, the real-life country lad and sharpshooter drafted to fight during World War I but blocked from killing by his pacifist sentiments. Howard Hawks makes a rousing, heroic film out of the tale, and Cooper gives one of his best performances (for which he won an Oscar). The 1941 feature seems as much a valentine to wartime America (and a not-so-subtle piece of propaganda) as anything, with Hawks capturing splendidly shot scenes of life in York's home state of Tennessee, which in turn provide a striking contrast to the battlefield. A key scene in the film, in which York is presented with an argument in favor of killing in war, is still thought provoking. Read more

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Reviews (68)

This movie has a lot of heart
This is one of those movies that never gets old.
WHEN OSCAR MET COOPER....A TIMELESS TRIUMPH!
For those who wonder why it took so long for SERGEANT YORK to make his journey to DVD, all you have to be familiar with is how AWFUL this movie looked when TCM ran it on TV. Like so many older Warner pictures, it needed to be restored, and over and over again, the grand old studio founded by the brothers Warner is restoring is glittering gems for DVD to look and sound terrific.
Took them long enough!!!
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Editorial Review

Maybe it doesn't quite live up to its sterling reputation, and maybe the leading man and director were slightly miscast. But who cares? Read more

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Reviews (130)

Slumming with Audrey
This was Audrey Hepburn's big movie debut and it was a stellar one. She plays the crown princess of an unnamed European monarchy who is visiting Rome or a PR tour. She is tired of it all. She just wants to be a normal girl. She wants a holiday.
Roman Holiday
Recommended to me by students here in China who probably didn't understand any of the word play. Back in the days of black-and-white Hollywood movies, they were masters of romantic comedy. Here's one.
The Romantic Tale of a Disconnected Princess
This is a story of a princess who is young to be performing the official duties of the Royal family but loves to experience the outside world. On the night of her visit to Rome, having disconnected from the real world for long, she slips away from her residence. During this little adventure she meets an American news reporter named Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck.) Audrey Hepburn offers great performance as a naïve young woman who wants to be a common person away from the pageantry she is used to. It is a sheer luck that Hepburn was cast for this role. After she auditioned for the movie, a brief chat with director William Wyler convinced him that she is the best for the job. No one has ever regretted this decision as Hepburn went on to win the Academy award. Hepburn is a natural, and remains at ease in her portrayal as a princess enjoying the real world. No wonder Academy awarded the biggest prize in Hollywood even though she was novice to a Hollywood film and this is her first movie.Originally Cary Grant was offered the lead role but casting Gregory Peck was not the best decision one could have made. Peck has made great movies but he does not shine in this film. Shooting of the film in and around Italy adds depth to the story of movie. The princess taking a ride with Bradley in a Vespa motor scooter is an iconic symbol of American cinema. Anyone who has seen the other movie of Hepburn; Breakfast at Tiffany's could see some similarities in the story of these two films as she play a free spirited woman who doesn't know what she really wants in life. The movie was written by a Hollywood Blacklisted author Dalton Trumbo who did not get credit in the original movie but the DVD released later gives credit he really deserves. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Comedies    3. Comedy    4. Feature Film-comedy    5. Movie   

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Reviews (27)

A Classic of its Kind
I haven't got a lot to say about this film right now, but I just got back from Best Buy where I was surprised to find a Best Buy exclusive release of Incredible Shrinking Man on DVD. It comes in a set that also features the films Tarantula (another favorite of mine), The Mole People, The Monolith Monsters and Monster on Campus. The discs are released by Universal, not some fly-by-night outfit... that is, unless you consider Universal "fly-by-night". The quality is very good. The picture is sharp and clear, fairly standard DVD quality. If you were satisfied with any of the other major DVD releases of the horror and sci-fi classics from the 50's then you'll be satisfied with this one. I'm sure that some people would complain, whining about things like "artifacts" or whatever, but when you consider the alternatives the quality is fantastic. The sound is excellent, I felt, or at least it sounded quite good on my computer speakers. And, the best part is that Incredible Shrinking Man is in WIDESCREEN, which is also true of The Monolith Monsters in this set (not, unfortunately, on Tarantula, which, assuming it WAS shot in widescreen, would have benefitted greatly from widescreen treatment). The price was great, too - a mere 19.95. I don't know if Amazon will allow this review to appear, since it sort of steers customers away from here and toward Best Buy; but, and I'm sure I speak for a lot of people, WHERE THE HECK IS AMAZON'S EXCLUSIVE RELEASE OF THESE FILMS?! So, unless they plan to offer these movies, I hope they let this appear so some people out there might know that you can finally get this fine film on DVD in widescreen. I'm fairly certain that this release indicates a future wide release of each individual film, but I haven't found any info on the web about it yet, so this might be the ONLY way you could ever get these films on DVD. So, check it out!

'so close, the infinite, and the infinitesimal...like the closing of a gigantic circle'
This film almost defines its own genre.First, it might be said that it is a "grade B" film, with an A+ rating.But it is also not really a cult film, either, so...
If I were the studio releasing this movie...
This is a masterpiece. Awsome movie. I've been waiting for it to be released on DVD, and now finally is out. Zone 2. European version. So please guys, do it quick, a special edition , two disc, lots of extras, an inmaculate transfer, hurry up... or I'll just buy the one available. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

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Reviews (3)

More Essential Scooby
These 2 episodes really fall into the more essential Scooby category. The first episode has a normal start with creepy elements. (Good) The disappearance of the professorkeeps us in suspense. We also get to see Scooby and Shaggy's unusual taste in food: 'Liverwurst and ice cream? What will they think of next?' The sassy, but sharp Velmah ofcourse notices the first clue. We are also offered the wonderful chemistry of Velmah, Shaggy, and Scooby. The transition from speculation and wonder to the 'mummy's' first appearance is both funny and spooky. We also get to see Scooby's negotiation methods: SHAGGY "Won't you stop him for a Scooby snack?" SCOOBY "Ok." SHAGGY "The whole box??!!" We get to see Scooby's unusual talent for running off screen and coming back in a uniform suited for the moment. We also are kept in suspense by wondering why the 'mummy' is after a coin. Shaggy also has his killer one liners: "Oh! It's the creepy coin collector again.' There is a hilarious scene with Scooby, Shaggy, and a statue of Scooby. We also get to see how poor Daphne is always causing accidents. Also, we are offered a gradual recognition of events. Even if you find out the secret identity of the mummy early, it is still fun to watch how it all comes together. The 2nd episode is also quite good. We have a creepy but plausible start. The disappearance of the professor keeps us in suspense. Also, Shaggy and Velmah get separated which creates more suspense. Without revealing too much, a victim is a mislead. (Great) Ofcourse, Shaggy and Scooby accidentally find the important clue. Some of Shaggy's one liners are there: "I don't like surprises. Especially spooky ones."Velmah loses her glasses, and poor Daphne causes trouble by accident again. There is also a harsh reality to the ending of this episode. The movie "Scooby Doo On Zombie Island" will probably always be Scooby's best to me, but this tape with these two wonderful episodes is a definite must!

See The Very First Episode of Scooby Doo, and own it too!
Starting with "What A Night For A Knight" which is what would today be called the pilot episode of Scooby Doo Where Are You?Scooby and the gang encounter a seemingly haunted suit of armor in a museum.It's fun to watch this episode (especially when Freddy says "It looks likewe've got another mystery on our hands" or something close to that,even though this is the First Mystery they stumble onto!)Scooby andShaggy reveal their penchant for snacks, Velma loses her glasses, and allthe fun begins with this episode. "Scooby Doo and a Mummy Too"also involves a museum, although this time the creepy undead happens to bea Mummy in search of a coin.And he lets everybody know it too!For fansof Scooby Doo and cartoons in general or if you have kids and can't standthat purple dinosaur this and every other tape in this collection is agreat and cheap investment.(.....)

Two Classic Episodes
Contains the first ever Scooby Doo "What a Knight for a Knight".It is very humorous.Also contains "Scooby Doo and a Mummy Too".The mummy is after a valuable coin.This one is also humorous. ... Read more

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Reviews (3)

Really sophisticated for 1953
This movie was Michener at his best--sympathetic with humanity as if he were amazed that beings capable of such evil were capable of such love.I saw this as a child, and it was the only movie that has has ever stuck in my consciousness with such persistence.No piece of art has ever come so close to being a life-changing experience.Some other reviewer mentioned that the last quarter of the movie ruined it from being a classic.Hell.The first quarter alone made it a classic. You don't even have to watch the last quarter, and you will be changed. And yet it is the last quarter that has moved me the most since becoming an adult.There is one scene there that was symbolic in a way that was incomprehensible to a child.Morgan, the no-good drifter, had abandoned his infant daughter to the natives and went bumming around the south Pacific.When he returns during WWII, he meets his daughter for the first time in fifteen years.The natives who raised her have spoiled her, letting her do whatever she wants, because she is the daughter of Morgan, who to them is a great hero and liberator.Of course the daughter, Tarea, is spoiled in another way: She can love no boy who doesn't match her heroic image of her father.One day, a U.S. Army pilot crash lands in the lagoon and soon lusts after the beautiful fifteen-year-old Tarea. Tarea, of course, sees an acceptable father substitute in the heroic but cynical young officer--someone who has come to rescue her people from the marauding Japanese. In one scene, Tarea does a little hula for the cocky unscrupulous pilot, expertly moving her tidy little body in an effort to seduce him.She is simultaneously totally lascivious and totally innocent.If I'm any judge of an audience, everybody was saying "No! Do not debase her.Do not ruin paradise!"Of course that is exactly what Michener was agonizing over in all his stories about Polynesian culture.

Three-Quarters of a Great Movie
For three quarters of the way, Return To Paradise is an engrossing fable of a man's search for meaning in a world which seems to have spun out of control. Until Gary Cooper returns to the island and reunites with his 16year-old daughter, this film is a warm and moving interracial love story.While the last 20 minutes don't sink the film, they undercut what couldhave been a genuine classic. Still very worth watching, especially on acold, snowy night in January! Luscious photography, filmed entirely in theSouth Pacific. And it goes without saying, Cooper is aces.

simple way of life...at a time when the world was at war
Great pic...a master piece. A man of the worldcomes to grips of a new simple way of life .....one he never knew until he landed in Paradise....and found the woman who love himand changed his out look onlife....... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Here's a model for adapting a novel into a movie. The bestseller by James Jones, a frank and hard-hitting look at military life, could not possibly be made into a film in 1953 without considerably altering its length and bold subject matter. Yet screenwriter Daniel Taradash and director Fred Zinnemann (both of whom won Oscars for their work) pared it down and cleaned it up, without losing the essential texture of Jones's tapestry. The setting is an army base in Hawaii in 1941. Montgomery Clift, in a superb performance, plays a bugler who refuses to fight for the company boxing team; he has reasons for giving up the sport. His refusal results in harsh treatment from the company commander, whose bored wife (Deborah Kerr) is having an affair with the tough-but-fair sergeant (Burt Lancaster). You remember--the scene with the two of them embracing on the beach, as the surf crashes in. The supporting players are as good as the leads: Frank Sinatra and Donna Reed won Oscars (and Sinatra revitalized his entire career), and Ernest Borgnine entered the gallery of all-time movie villains, as the stockade sergeant who makes Sinatra miserable. Zinnemann's work is efficient but also evocative, capturing the time and place beautifully, the tropical breezes as well as the lazy prewar indulgence. This one is deservedly a classic. Read more

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Reviews (71)