Tonight's Movie: Plane (2023)

Every so often I enjoy a good modern-day action movie as a change of pace from classic film viewing, and I'm happy to say that the new film PLANE (2023) was exactly my kind of movie.

I'd been intrigued when I saw the trailer, as aviation is a favorite movie theme for me, but I was also a bit uncertain when I noted the film was rated R.

My oldest daughter has a very good sense of which movies will push buttons I won't like and which I'll enjoy, so I was delighted when she saw it a few days ago and texted "You will absolutely love it." And I did!

Gerard Butler, in a Liam Neeson-esque performance, plays Scottish airline captain Brodie Torrance. Torrance is a widower who is trying to get to Hawaii for New Year's for a reunion with his college-age daughter (Haleigh Hekking).

Shortly after taking off from Singapore, Torrance and his copilot (Yoson An) run into a horrific storm, and a lightning strike seriously damages the plane, forcing it down. They miraculously land on a small island, but all too soon realize their trouble is just beginning, as they have no way to signal their location for rescue and the natives are not friendly.

The islanders aren't cannibals, but there's a touch of a FIVE CAME BACK (1939) vibe to the story; in addition to deadly natives, one of the passengers, Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter), is a prisoner wanted for murder. Shades of the Joseph Calleia character in FIVE CAME BACK. I love being able to make film connections like that across the decades.

The officer escorting Gaspare having accidentally died during the flight due to the turbulent conditions, Captain Torrance realizes soon after landing that there might be good reasons to set Gaspare free. Little does he know...

Back in New York Trailblazer Airlines has called in their crisis manager Scarsdale (an excellent Tony Goldwyn), who quickly pulls together extensive information on all aspects of the flight; after realizing the plane's location, he arranges to send in a privately contracted special ops team to rescue the pilots and passengers.

I'll leave off with the plot there, as there's much more to go, but that gives a good taste of what it's all about.

Suffice it to say that this film, derivative though it may be, is tightly scripted by Charles Cumming and J.P. Davis, from a story by Cumming. It provides enough character background to be interesting, knows just how much violence to show while not being overly disturbing, and is a very well paced 107 minutes, which almost qualifies as a short film these days.

The film doesn't draw situations out in agonizing fashion, having special ops show up with perfect timing, and the fact that there are not one but two crash landings which bookend the film is completely delightful rather than redundant.

Frankly the fact that some aspects of the movie are familiar is part of the pleasure, along with seeing the new twists and turns introduced in this film.

The R rating is chiefly for language; some characters die but it's pretty clearly telegraphed in advance who it will be (and in my case my daughter filled me in before I went so I could relax and enjoy the movie). There are some occasional special effects blood splatters but nothing I considered particularly graphic or gory.

On the plus side, both pilots are extremely admirable and resourceful, making the protection of their passengers their top priority, and as for Gaspare, he quotes a priest who told him "Redemption can be found in the most unusual places" -- and proceeds to live that out.

Particular kudos go to Daniella Pineda as Bonnie, the brave head of the flight attendant team. Seeing her and her colleagues at work during the frightening storm and the other situations they face was wonderful.

PLANE does exactly what it sets out to do: It's simply a well-made movie which entertains. There are relatively few films I'm interested in seeing this year, and I won't be surprised if PLANE ends up being one of my favorite "new" movies of 2023.

PLANE was directed by Jean-Francois Richet and filmed by Brendan Galvin in Puerto Rico.

Last week it was announced that Mike Colter's character will return in a sequel, SHIP, which will start production later this year. I'm on board (no pun intended...well, maybe it is).

Tweet

A Birthday Tribute to Florence Rice

Lovely actress Florence Rice was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 14, 1907.

Rice's father was well-known sports columnist Grantland Rice. Florence made her way to Broadway in the mid '20s and eventually on to Hollywood.

Rice appeared in films for a decade beginning in 1934. She worked at MGM in the second half of the '30s, costarring regularly with Robert Young and Dennis O'Keefe.

One of her films with Young was NAVY BLUE AND GOLD (1937), which also starred James Stewart.

She was Myrna Loy's sister in DOUBLE WEDDING (1937); another photo of her in this gown appears further down in the post.

Rice appeared most enjoyably opposite Melvyn Douglas as husband and wife sleuths Joel and Garda Sloane in FAST COMPANY (1938). This MGM series was a fun oddity, with three different sets of actors playing the Sloanes; the other pairings were Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell, and Franchot Tone and Ann Sothern.

Starring with Mary Howard, Ann Rutherford, and Una Merkel in the enjoyable "B" film FOUR GIRLS IN WHITE (1939):

With Walter Pidgeon in one of his Nick Carter mysteries, PHANTOM RAIDERS (1940):

I've been able to learn relatively little about Rice's life, although a 2014 post at Obscure Actresses sheds some light. Rice was married four times; the last marriage, to Fred Butler, was a happy union which lasted from 1946 until her passing in 1974.

Florence Rice died in Honolulu on February 23, 1974, at the age of 67. Her ashes were said to have been scattered at Waikiki Beach.

Florence Rice's star shone fairly briefly, but she brightened numerous films of the era, and I'm always happy to see her name in a film's opening credits.

Florence Rice movies reviewed at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings: WOMEN ARE TROUBLE (1936), THE LONGEST NIGHT (1936), MARRIED BEFORE BREAKFAST (1937) (also here), UNDER COVER OF NIGHT (1937), MAN OF THE PEOPLE (1937), NAVY BLUE AND GOLD (1937), DOUBLE WEDDING (1937), SWEETHEARTS (1938) (also here), FAST COMPANY (1938), FOUR GIRLS IN WHITE (1939), THE KID FROM TEXAS (1939), PHANTOM RAIDERS (1940), BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940 (1940), MR. DISTRICT ATTORNEY (1941), STAND BY ALL NETWORKS (1942).

Tweet

Happy Valentine's Day!

Best wishes to all for a very happy Valentine's Day!

Here's beautiful Cyd Charisse from an unusual holiday photo series, posing as the treat in a box of Valentine's candy.

Have a wonderful holiday!

Previous Valentine's Day posts: Anne Gwynne (2014), Dorothy Hart (2015), Lynn Merrick (2016), Debbie Reynolds (2017), Marsha Hunt (2018), Dianne Foster (2019), Ann Rutherford (2020), Piper Laurie (2021), and Arlene Dahl (2022).

More Valentine's Day movie reading: Ten Movies for Valentine's Day and Ten Movie Valentines for Valentine's Day.

Tweet

Tonight's Movie: The Diamond Wizard (1954) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

One of the Kino Lorber releases I've most looked forward to in recent months is THE DIAMOND WIZARD (1954). This restored 3D film was released as a Kino Lorber Studio Classics special edition, complete with cardboard slipcase, and it did not disappoint.

THE DIAMOND WIZARD, known as THE DIAMOND in the UK, was the only feature-length 3D film shot in England. Produced after the 3D craze had peaked, it never had an actual 3D release.

I first saw this film streamed via Amazon Prime in 2014, but I feel confident in saying that this version, restored by Bob Furmanek and the 3D Film Archive, looks worlds better. Indeed, there's a brief "before and after" comparison featurette which shows the stark contrast between the raw elements and the final product released by Kino Lorber. I reviewed the film in the 2D format included in the set.

Dennis O'Keefe stars in THE DIAMOND WIZARD as an FBI agent who visits England on a case, where he works with a Scotland Yard inspector (genial Philip Friend of BUCCANEER'S GIRL). The setup is quite reminiscent of O'Keefe's earlier film WALK A CROOKED MILE (1948) which had O'Keefe as an FBI agent opposite Louis Hayward as a Scotland Yard agent visiting the United States.

The leading lady is Margaret Sheridan of THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951); her father (Paul Hardtmuth) is a scientist mixed up with a ring of crooks planning to put artificial diamonds he's created on the market.

I went into the plot and critiquing the film in considerably more detail in my 2014 review and rather than "reinvent the wheel," I'd like to invite readers to click over to that post for a fuller critical assessment; in short, it may not be a great film, but it's entertaining and definitely my kind of movie!

The 83-minute film was written by John C. Higgins from a story by O'Keefe (under his pen name, Jonathan Rix), based on novel by Maurice Procter. O'Keefe also directed, with black and white filming by Gordon Lang.

A curious side note: While O'Keefe is the sole credited director on the U.S. version, Glenn Erickson says that Montgomery Tully is credited on the UK version.

There are three versions of the film in the Kino Lorber set: A 3D version which can be watched on 3D-equipped players; a second 3D version which can be watched with red and blue glasses, provided in the case; and a flat 2D version.

Extras include the previously mentioned restoration comparison, the trailer, and a brief commentary/featurette. The film is shown under its British title, THE DIAMOND, and the extras include alternate opening credits with the U.S. title.

Anyone interested in this film will find this set well worth checking out.

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray.

Tweet

Around the Blogosphere This Week

Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the internet...

...A particularly exciting Blu-ray announcement from Kino Lorber Studio Classics: SAIGON (1947), starring Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake, is "coming soon." To my knowledge this is the only Ladd-Lake film which has never had a VHS or DVD release. Can't wait to see it!

...Coming from Kino Lorber April 18th: RIO (1939), with Basil Rathbone heading an interesting cast.

...Coming from Bear Manor Media: ONE GIRL'S CONFESSION: THE LIFE AND CAREER OF CLEO MOORE by Richard Koper.

...The latest ClassicFlix newsletter announces the company is restoring OUR TOWN (1940), long available only in muddy public domain prints. They have also started shipping Volume 3 of the O. Henry Playhouse series.

...Disney historian J. B. Kaufman has a new book coming this fall: WORLDS TO CONQUER: THE ART & MAKING OF DISNEY'S FANTASIA. It will be published by Weldon Owen next October 17th. Kaufman's previous books include SOUTH OF THE BORDER WITH DISNEY: WALT DISNEY AND THE GOOD NEIGHBOR PROGRAM, 1941-1948 and WALT DISNEY'S SILLY SYMPHONIES.  (Update: WORLDS TO CONQUER is now scheduled to be published in November 2025.)

...Here's the latest news on the HBO Max and Discovery+ streaming services.

...Glenn Erickson has reviewed the new Warner Archive Blu-ray release of MGM's GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS (1939).

...I enjoyed this article on RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY (1962) by Hannah Long. It also pays tribute to the late critic Terry Teachout who is much missed.

...The Douglas Foundation has just launched an online archive featuring a library of memorabilia from the late Kirk and Anne Douglas. Visit The Douglas Archive.

...I've enjoyed Hallmark films written by and starring Paul Campbell and was interested to learn he has an upcoming movie mystery series for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, "The Cases of Mystery Lane." Aimee Garcia costars. (Thanks to Ashley for the tip.)

...Colin's latest reviews at Riding the High Country are THE SQUARE JUNGLE (1955) starring Tony Curtis and Ernest Borgnine and JOHNNY STOOL PIGEON (1949) starring Howard Duff and Dan Duryea.

...Here's the crazy new trailer for FAST X (2023), coming May 19th. It looks nuts -- not that that's a surprise! -- but they had me at Jason Statham.

...Notable Passing: Charles Kimbrough, who played anchorman Jim Dial on MURPHY BROWN, has died at 86. He had been married to the late actress Beth Howland. I was interested to learn that his aunt was writer Emily Kimbrough (OUR HEARTS WERE YOUNG AND GAY).

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my February 4th roundup.

Tweet

Tonight's Movie: The Black Vampire (1953) - A Flicker Alley Blu-ray Review

THE BLACK VAMPIRE (1953), called EL VAMPIRO NEGRO in the film's native Argentina, was a highlight for me at the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival in the fall of 2021.

It was thus a real thrill when Flicker Alley released the movie on a Blu-ray/DVD combination set a little over a year later.

It's been a pleasure getting to know Argentinian film noir thanks to the Film Noir Foundation and Flicker Alley, which has previously released Blu-ray/DVD sets of THE BEAST MUST DIE (1952), also known as LA BESTIA DEBE MORIR, and THE BITTER STEMS (1956), aka LOS TALLOS AMARGOS.

It's wonderful that with the release of THE BLACK VAMPIRE a third Argentinian film is now available from Flicker Alley. Can we perhaps hope for a future release of HARDLY A CRIMINAL (1949), seen at the 2014 Noir City Film Festival?

THE BLACK VAMPIRE is a spin on the classic story M, which was filmed in three different countries. Fritz Lang made the original film in Germany in 1931; the first remake, directed by Joseph Losey, was filmed in Los Angeles and released in 1951.

As in the prior versions, THE BLACK VAMPIRE concerns a child killer, in this case a shy, awkward professor (Nathan Pinzon).

Unlike the previous versions, the Argentinian film gives a large role to Amalia (Olga Zubarry), the mother of one of the potential victims; Amalia is a nightclub singer known professionally as Rita. One evening she sees a disturbing image of a man throwing a child into the sewers.

Despite that horror, Amalia is afraid to cooperate with the authorities, as she's a single mother; being associated with scandal or having her profession revealed publicly could cause her to have problems regarding her little girl (Gogo). Amalia's worries are compounded when the case's prosecutor (Roberto Escalada). a seemingly upright man with an invalid wife (Gloria Castilla), makes a pass at Amalia.

And then Amalia's own little girl disappears...

Zubarry is riveting in the lead role, and I loved the way it's her character who ultimately saves her child. It plays out very differently from the previous versions; in the 1951 version I especially enjoy the bunch of mobsters banding together to find the killer, but this version is the most moving.

It's a dark storyline, to be sure, yet so well-acted and compelling that it's very much worth watching. This was my second time to see the film in about 15 months' time, and I was just as absorbed on this viewing as I was when I first saw it in 2021.

THE BLACK VAMPIRE, which runs 90 minutes, was directed by Roman Vinoly Barreto, who also directed THE BEAST MUST DIE. The fine black and white photography was by Anibal Gonzalez Paz.

I watched Flicker Alley's Blu-ray; the picture and sound were excellent.

As is always the case with Flicker Alley releases, the physical set itself is handsomely produced, with reversible cover art, discs in striking contrasting colors, and a glossy 24-page illustrated booklet containing an essay by the always-incisive Imogen Sara Smith.

The extras are impressive. They include an introduction by Eddie Muller; a commentary track by Fernando Martin Pena; an interview with Daniel Vinoly, son of the film's director; and a detailed 44-minute featurette, "The Three Faces of M," comparing the three versions of the story, featuring Eddie Muller, Alan K. Rode, Imogen Sara Smith, Beth Accomando, and more. There are references in the comments of both Rode and Accomando to screenings of the 1951 version and this 1953 version in Palm Springs, and as it happens, I was at both screenings.

Both THE BLACK VAMPIRE and Flicker Alley's release are highly recommended.

Thanks to Flicker Alley for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray/DVD set.

The set may be purchased through the Flicker Alley website as well as through retailers such as Amazon.

Tweet

Around the Blogosphere This Week

Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the internet...

...Kino Lorber Studio Classics has announced the release date for THE MISSISSIPPI GAMBLER (1953) Blu-ray will be April 11th. Even better, it will have a commentary track by Toby Roan of 50 Westerns From the 50s. Tyrone Power, Piper Laurie, and Julie Adams star, directed by Rudolph Mate.

...Also coming to Blu-ray from Kino Lorber: Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth, and Van Heflin in THEY CAME TO CORDURA (1959) on April 11th and THE BIG EASY (1987) with Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin on April 4th; the latter will have a commentary by the film's director, Jim McBride.

...Coming to DVD from the ClassicFlix Silver Series on April 25th: LIFE WITH FATHER (1947).

...I really enjoyed Jessica's Comet Over Hollywood review of the MGM musical TILL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY (1946). I have fond memories of seeing it at the late, lamented Leo S. Bing Theater at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art as a child, and many times since, but I've not seen it lately. I'll have to rectify that!

...Here's an interesting story about Arlene Dahl in her early years in Hollywood and how Joan Fontaine came to her rescue at a dinner party.

...Glenn Erickson reviews Fritz Lang's RANCHO NOTORIOUS (1952), starring Marlene Dietrich, just out on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

...My friend Jandy has written a wonderful piece reviewing films in the Criterion Channel's recent Joan Bennett series.

...This month's lineup at the Criterion Channel includes four films apiece from Robert Siodmak and Douglas Sirk, plus three comedies starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson.

...Over at The Federalist, Josh Shepherd wrote an interesting article about five films not recognized by this year's Oscar nominations. I'm really interested in seeing the documentary GOOD NIGHT OPPY (2022).

...With Valentine's Day on the way I'd like to point readers toward my two past columns recommending movie romances, "Ten Movies for Valentine's Day" and "Ten Movie Valentines for Valentine's Day." There are some really special films discussed in these posts.

...Last week I revisited Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, and Don Ameche in LOVE IS NEWS (1937) for the first time in many years. What fun! I think I liked it even better this time around. A 77-minute running time makes in the perfect short film to watch at the end of a long day.

...Mill Creek has announced they've made a deal with Disney to release between 100-200 films in the Disney library. It will be interesting to learn more going forward.

...I enjoyed Gary Wells' review of William Holden and Kay Lenz in BREEZY (1973) at Vintage Leisure; he wrote more here. I saw it a couple years ago and his enthusiasm made me feel like it would be worth a second look.

...Notable Passings: Melinda Dillon, whose films included CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977), ABSENCE OF MALICE (1981), and A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983), has passed away at the age of 83...Lisa Loring, who was Wednesday on the original THE ADDAMS FAMILY TV series (1964-66), has died at 64. She also played Cricket Montgomery on the soap AS THE WORLD TURNS...Cindy Williams of AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973) and LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY (1976-82) has passed on at 75. She's seen here with Ron Howard in AMERICAN GRAFFITI.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my January 28th roundup.

Tweet

A Centennial Tribute to Bonita Granville

Actress-TV producer-entrepreneur Bonita Granville was born in Chicago February 2, 1923.

Bonita, born in a show business family, began her film career as a child actress in 1932. By 1936, she received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for William Wyler's THESE THREE (1936), in which she played a malevolent student. She's seen here with Merle Oberon.

I particularly love her in the screwball comedy MERRILY WE LIVE (1938), where she has a pair of dogs named "Get Off the Rug" and "You, Too!" She's seen here with Billie Burke as her mother and Constance Bennett as her older sister.

Bonita was particularly known for the four-film NANCY DREW movie series (1938-39).

As she became a young woman, Bonita's memorable supporting roles included playing Bette Davis's initially unpleasant niece in NOW, VOYAGER (1942), seen here with Ilka Chase:

One of her last feature film roles was a wonderful opportunity, playing good and bad identical twins in THE GUILTY (1947), seen here with Don Castle.

Bonita married Jack Wrather, the producer of THE GUILTY, the same year the movie was released. It was a happy marriage which would last until his passing in 1984.

Jack Wrather, originally an oilman, was an entrepreneur with a variety of interests. In 1955, a few weeks after the July 17th opening of Disneyland, the Wrathers opened the Disneyland Hotel, seen here on the cover of one of a couple marvelous books on the hotel's history:

A couple decades after opening, the Wrathers built a new wing called the Bonita Tower. The hotel also had a steakhouse known as Granville's. While those tributes to Bonita are now gone and the Wrather Corp., including the hotel, was sold to Disney in 1988, this tribute to the Wrathers remains in a Disneyland Hotel corridor:

Bonita was posthumously accorded Disney's highest honor and named a Disney Legend in 2011, along with her late husband Jack.

Like movie actresses Loretta Young, Lucille Ball, and Gail Patrick before her, Bonita would find television to provide a new career opportunity, as coproducer of the long-running LASSIE (1960-72) along with her husband.

The Wrathers also operated the Queen Mary tourist attraction and hotel in Long Beach for years. Bonita's many civic contributions included serving on the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees and at one point she was the chairman of the American Film Institute.

Bonita Granville Wrather had a busy, multifaceted life which also had at its center raising two children and two stepchildren, seen here with their parents at the Disneyland Hotel:

The Flicker Alley Blu-ray/DVD release of THE GUILTY (1947) and HIGH TIDE (1947) has a wonderful documentary on Jack Wrather, which naturally also sheds additional light on Bonita's interesting life.

Bonita Granville Wrather died in Santa Monica October 11, 1988. She is buried next to her husband at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.

Bonita Granville films reviewed at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings: BEAUTY FOR SALE (1933), LITTLE WOMEN (1933), MAID OF SALEM (1937), CALL IT A DAY (1937), MERRILY WE LIVE (1938) (also here), HARD TO GET (1938) (also here), THE MORTAL STORM (1940), GALLANT SONS (1940), THE PEOPLE VS. DR. KILDARE (1941), THE GLASS KEY (1942) (also here), NOW, VOYAGER (1942), SEVEN MILES FROM ALCATRAZ (1942), HITLER'S CHILDREN (1943), SUSPENSE (1946), THE GUILTY (1947) (also here).

Tweet