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dallen775
Reviews
Edge of Darkness (1943)
Powerful WWII film
This is a pretty powerful film with star performances to match. I usually don't care for flash backs, but don't give up on the film, the beginning does NOT give away the end. This isn't a Can't-Miss-Classic like Casablanca, but it's very well worth the watching. I gave it an 8.
Old Acquaintance (1943)
Even Bette Davis can't save this
I've seen a lot of good reviews of this movie and believed them. Believe me, they were wrong. Every Bette Davis performance is great, but that didn't save this film. It starts fine, humor and intrigue, and you figure a standard Davis classic. But it certainly doesn't last that way and then becomes soap opera sap! And not believable. No wonder Bette supposedly didn't like Miriam Hopkins, who is way overboard from beginning to end. I gave it a 5, simply because Davis is always worth seeing all the time.
Go West, Young Lady (1941)
another example of a good 'B' show
This is yet another movie that is not on video and few have heard of that's well worth the viewing if you can catch it on cable. It's enough of western and musical to hold the interest of fans of both, plus good comedy thrown in. It's not too much of either western or musical to make the other seem out of place. Good numbers, good acting, funny lines all in 70 minutes and a chance for those not familiar with Western Swing to catch what that is. Ironically, the two best fight scenes include women. I gave it a 7, it's well worth the watch, much better than some 7's, well deserving and fun.
Thousands Cheer (1943)
Lots of stars, so-so plot
OK Plot begins to bog down, then gets completely interrupted by a parade of stars, some of them annoying, some great. Highlight of stars is Judy singing, Mickey's impressions and Eleanor Powell seen in color. Highlight of movie is Gene Kelly's only dance number (the famous one with the mop). Really good actress Mary Astor is once again wasted.
Presenting Lily Mars (1943)
Not great; but a pleasant surprise
almost every review of this movie I'd seen was pretty bad. It's not pretty bad, it's actually pretty good, though not great. The Judy Garland character could have gotten annoying, but she didn't allow it to. Somewhere along the line, i've become a fan of brooding, overbearing, overacting Van Heflin, at least in the early 40's. Judy's singing is great, but the film missed a great chance by not showing more of their relationship. I gave it a 7.
Black Friday (1940)
this could have been so much better
I like the fact this film could fall under so many categories: horror, drama, mystery, melodrama, sci-fi. The first 20-30 minutes are great, and it could have turned into a classic, despite its unrealism. But then a few bad turns take it down the road to a 6. One decision for the film alone doomed it out of the classic category. Be prepared: Bela Lugosi has a small part and does not appear with Boris Karloff.