Tonight's Movie: Dangerous Crossing (1953)

After enjoying Michael Rennie in a small role in last night's movie, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU (1951), I was inspired to get out DANGEROUS CROSSING (1953), which has been in my "watch soon" stack for a few weeks now.

DANGEROUS CROSSING is a fast-paced 76-minute thriller in which Jeanne Crain plays Ruth, a bride who embarks on a honeymoon cruise only to "lose" her husband (Carl Betz) -- and his luggage -- minutes into the voyage. There is no record that Ruth's husband boarded the ship, and most of the crew and passengers come to believe Ruth is crazy. However, the ship's doctor, Paul Manning (Michael Rennie), is compassionate and tries to help Ruth.

Rennie is excellent as the calm, kindly doctor who finds himself attracted to the distraught woman he's trying to aid. Crain, one of my favorite actresses, is outstanding as the woman who might -- or might not -- be losing her mind. This is a tightly plotted and well-acted film.

The supporting cast includes Casey Adams (Max Showalter), Marjorie Hoshelle, and Mary Anderson. Anderson, who plays the mysterious stewardess, had the small but notable role of Maybelle Merriwether in GONE WITH THE WIND (1939).

DANGEROUS CROSSING was directed by Joseph M. Newman. The score was composed by Lionel Newman. Longtime Fox photographer Joseph LaShelle shot the movie. LaShelle's credits include LAURA (1944), FALLEN ANGEL (1945), ROAD HOUSE (1948), and COME TO THE STABLE (1949).

DANGEROUS CROSSING was released on DVD as No. 24 in the Fox Film Noir series. (I just purchased ROAD HOUSE, one of the newest Fox Noir releases, and Fox seems to have stopped numbering the series.) Extras include an excellent 9-minute featurette on the making of the movie, which was shot in only 19 days. The documentary includes comparison shots showing how the identical sets were utilized in the same year's TITANIC (1953) and GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953). One of the costumes was even recycled from the wardrobe of ALL ABOUT EVE (1950).

Regarding Jeanne Crain, it's a shame that her classic films MARGIE (1946) and APARTMENT FOR PEGGY (1948) aren't available on DVD. I'd also love the chance to finally see CENTENNIAL SUMMER (1946). She was delightful as the pregnant young wife of returning WWII veteran William Holden in APARTMENT FOR PEGGY. MARGIE is probably the best loved of all Crain's movies other than STATE FAIR (1945), which did receive a beautiful DVD release as part of a tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein. Check out the very high rating, currently 7.4, which MARGIE holds at IMDb. MARGIE deserves to be preserved and available to future generations of viewers.

Fox, are you listening? :)

Update: APARTMENT FOR PEGGY has been released on DVD in the Fox Cinema Archives series.

A Wonderful Story

The father of a little girl with Down's Syndrome called in to the Rush Limbaugh Show today to share his experience meeting Senator McCain and Governor Palin late last week.

McCain and Palin noticed the family waving to their bus at a stop in Pennsylvania and had the Secret Service bring the family over to meet them personally. Governor Palin picked up 5-year-old Chloe and hugged her, and Senator McCain even offered Chloe's brother a look at the bus.

The photos from that day were emailed to Rush, and he has posted them on his website. The story appears to be on the "free," nonsubscription side of his site.

A lovely story about a pair of classy candidates who gave generously of their time.

Lefties Sue to Shut Down Talk Radio

Los Angeles radio station KRLA 870, home to Laura Ingraham, Dennis Prager, Hugh Hewitt, and more, has been sued in an attempt to shut it down.

The lawsuit claims that KRLA exists to further the cause of the Republican Party and as such is misusing the public airwaves.

The lefties don't want to win on the field of ideas, they simply want to clear the decks of the competition -- just like Obama did in Chicago and as he's trying to do now with Governor Palin.

Obama the Classless Whiner, Continued

Senator Obama today: "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig."

Gee, any idea who he's talking about there, borrowing Palin's signature joke?

Obama and Biden seem to think they're running against Sarah Palin. Interesting.

They seem to be in full-blown panic mode, and unable to run successfully on their platform, they're desperately flailing about and hurling insults. They're just going to keep sinking lower if they keep it up.

Any bets as to whether Obama exercises the "Torricelli option" before the election and throws Biden under the bus with everyone else?

Previously: September 4, 2008.

Wednesday Update: Andy McCarthy on Amateur Hour.

Hydrox Cookies Are Back!

I reported in June that Hydrox cookies would be returning in celebration of the cookie's 100th anniversary.

I was happy today to discover that my store had packages of Limited Edition 100th Anniversary Hydrox Cookies on the shelves. We now have one package in the cookie jar and two in the freezer, since there's no telling how soon they'll disappear again.

(Flaky Flix cookies, which returned earlier this year, have already disappeared from my local Vons, but we've noticed many products disappearing from the shelves at Vons this year, so who knows what the reason is. We've been fighting a losing battle to get unsweetened baking chocolate put back on the shelves, as all the unsweetened chocolate the market is carrying right now is expensive Ghirardelli baking bars! But there are not one, not two, but three rows of Baker's Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate. We have to go to Ralphs for unsweetened. But I digress...)

Of course, I immediately taste-tested two Hydrox cookies, and I am pleased to say they taste as I remember them!

Previously: May 12, 2006.

This Won't Fly Either

Vice Presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden wants to have a contest about which political party cares more about disabled children.

Biden today: "I hear all this talk about how the Republicans are going to work in dealing with parents who have both the joy, because there’s joy to it as well, the joy and the difficulty of raising a child who has a developmental disability, who were born with a birth defect. Well guess what folks? If you care about it, why don’t you support stem cell research?"

Of course, Republicans don't support embryonic stem cell research because we believe in protecting not only disabled children, but the unborn.

Senator Obama, on the other hand, is so far removed from supporting the unborn and newborns that he radically supports infanticide.

Biden's snide comment -- doubtless aimed directly at Governor Palin -- will not sit well with many Americans.

Update: Yuval Levin at the Corner.

This Won't Fly With American Voters

A few weeks ago Senator Barack Obama compared the United States to China, and found the U.S. wanting.

He's at it again: "And we’ll help ensure that more of our kids have access to quality after school and summer school and extended school days for students who need it - because if they can do that in China, we can do that right here in the United States of America."

Does he even realize what he's saying?

(Hat tip: Spunky Homeschool.)

Kirsten Powers: "How Obama Blew It"

Last week on Fox News Channel, liberal pundit Kirsten Powers -- who hails from Alaska -- expressed dismay with Senator Obama and liberal Democrats dissing Governor Palin for having once been the mayor of a small town.

As Powers noted, America is made up of small towns, and the elitism displayed by Senator Obama wasn't attractive.

Powers continues that theme in today's New York Post column. Powers pretty much nails everything that's been wrong with the Democrats' response since Palin was announced.

Powers, like Juan Williams and Pat Caddell, is a liberal who isn't afraid to acknowledge the truth, and her column is must reading.

Tonight's Movie: I'll Never Forget You (1951)

I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU, a 1951 time travel fantasy starring Tyrone Power and Ann Blyth, has been difficult to see for many years due to copyright issues. Happily, the legalities were cleared up so that the film could be included in the newly released Tyrone Power Matinee Idol Collection.

The film, also known as THE HOUSE IN THE SQUARE, is a remake of 1933's BERKELEY SQUARE, which starred Leslie Howard and Heather Angel. The movie also rather foreshadows 1980's romantic fantasy SOMEWHERE IN TIME.

Tyrone Power -- whose shortened hair reflects the fact he had just completed a West End run in MISTER ROBERTS -- plays Peter Standish, an American nuclear physicist living in a London mansion once owned by his ancestors. Peter explains to his baffled colleague Roger (Michael Rennie) that he believes he will soon be going back in time to the 1700s. Almost immediately, Peter is transported back in time, as the screen changes from black and white to Technicolor.

Peter finds life in the 1700s isn't at all what he expected...and he especially wasn't expecting to meet sweet Helen (Ann Blyth), whose name wasn't in his ancestor's diaries or letters. Peter and Helen fall in love, but it's apparent early on that Peter won't be able to remain in the 1700s. Will Peter and Helen's love be able to bridge the span of two centuries?

This unusual, haunting film is quite engrossing and builds to a moving ending, although I felt the story needed to go one step further than it did to provide a completely satisfying resolution. That said, the last 15 or 20 minutes are quite powerful, and I don't mind sharing that it caused me to tear up a bit.

Tyrone Power has always been one of my favorite actors, and this film proves no exception. Ann Blyth is lovely and quite touching as Helen, confident that some way, some time, she and Peter will be together forever.

The supporting cast includes Beatrice Campbell, Kathleen Byron, Dennis Price and Irene Browne.

I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU was directed by Roy Baker. The score was composed by William Alwyn. The film runs 90 minutes.

A card at the start of the DVD copy notes that the film was brought to DVD using the best elements possible. The Technicolor in the DVD print is washed out, yet still very effective. In fact, in a strange way the pale colors "work," helping to convey the look of a very different time and place. It's interesting, in fact, to note that the original New York Times review by Bosley Crowther refers to the film's "under-lighted Technicolor."

A review of the DVD by Jeremy Arnold has been published at the TCM website.

If you enjoy films such as PORTRAIT OF JENNIE, BRIGADOON, or SOMEWHERE IN TIME, I recommend I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU. It's a memorably different and moving film which I'll definitely be watching again in the future.

Top 10 Ways Sarah Palin Has Shaken Up the Race

A good summary by Jennifer Rubin for Pajamas Media.

Also worth reading: Game Changer by Jessica Gavora (Mrs. Jonah Goldberg) for the Weekly Standard.

The polls are looking good for the Republican ticket right now; meanwhile the Obama campaign keeps playing the race card and making silly, whiny remarks.

We've got two months to go, but I suspect that Senator Obama has to a certain extent worn out his welcome, and the results on Election Day will bear that out.

Actress Anita Page Dies at 98

Anita Page, who starred in THE BROADWAY MELODY (1929), the first-ever winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, has passed away at the age of 98.

Tributes can be found at Classic Montgomery, Self-Styled Siren, Out of the Past, and The Shelf.

I don't think I've seen any of Page's films yet, but a few months ago I taped the series of films she did with Joan Crawford, OUR DANCING DAUGHTERS, OUR MODERN MAIDENS, and OUR BLUSHING BRIDES. I'm looking forward to watching them for the first time.

Great News for Dodger Fans

Vin Scully has signed to remain on the job in 2009, when he will be celebrating his 60th season with the team.

It's kind of mind-boggling to think how much history -- baseball and otherwise -- has taken place while Vinnie's been calling games for the Dodgers.

Tonight's Movie: Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

I have long wanted to see Alfred Hitchcock's SHADOW OF A DOUBT, but it wasn't until today that I finally caught up with it. Needless to say, Hitchcock's favorite film did not disappoint!

Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten) arrives in quiet little Santa Rosa, California, intending to enjoy an extended stay with his sister Emma (Patricia Collinge) and her family, including his namesake niece, Charlie (Teresa Wright). Everyone's thrilled to see Uncle Charlie, whose unexpected arrival shakes up the family's quiet existence; however, the viewing audience knows something the family doesn't: Charlie is on the run from the law (Macdonald Carey and Wallace Ford). As time goes on, young Charlie begins to suspect there is something very, very wrong with her uncle.

Cotten and Wright are exellent, as always. Wright and Collinge had previously appeared together in THE LITTLE FOXES (1941). I found Collinge's performance as Uncle Charlie's doting older sister particularly touching.

I also especially enjoyed handsome Macdonald Carey as Jack, one of the detectives on Charlie's trail. I hadn't realized there was a love story in the film and found the development of the relationship between Jack and young Charlie most enjoyable. According to a DVD documentary, Patricia Collinge rewrote Jack and Charlie's love scene to make it more believable.

The excellent cast also includes Henry Travers as Wright's father and Hume Cronyn (his film debut) as a neighbor who is obsessed with crime stories.

Edna May Wonacott and Charles Bates play Wright's younger siblings, Ann and Roger. Wonacott was discovered by Hitchcock when he was scouting locations in Santa Rosa, and her natural performance as bookworm Ann is part of what gives the film its realistic feel. A nice tribute to Wonacott was recently posted at TCM's Movie Blog. Be sure to scroll through the comments to see notes from Edna May and her son.

Charles Bates was the uncle of my next-door neighbor when I was young; I never met him but remember my friend telling me about her uncle who had been a child actor.

In some ways SHADOW OF A DOUBT has the same sort of magical small-town Americana feel as Deanna Durbin's NICE GIRL? (1941), recently reviewed here. In fact, Thornton Wilder and Sally Benson, who worked on the screenplay, each individually wrote two of the ultimate examples of Americana: Wilder wrote the play OUR TOWN and Benson authored the stories which inspired 1944's MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS.

The presence of someone who may have done something horrific in this nice, normal small town is one of the film's most interesting -- and powerful -- elements. Indeed, this theme is said to be one reason Hitchcock was particularly fond of the film.

Incidentally, the Santa Rosa home featured in the film still exists -- a photo can be seen here.

The movie was filmed in black and white and runs 108 minutes. At one point I had a feeling that something might have been edited out; when the detectives meet up with young Charlie, Ann, and Catherine (Estelle Jewell) outside church their familiarity was such that I had the feeling I'd skipped a step in the plot development. It would be interesting to know if something was cut that would explain my confusion at how well, for example, Jack's partner Fred knew Charlie's friend Catherine, when only Jack had met her onscreen previously.

SHADOW OF A DOUBT has been released on video.

It was released on DVD as part of the Masterpiece Collection; it can also be obtained as a single-title DVD release. Extras include an excellent 35-minute documentary about the making of the film, including interviews with Teresa Wright and Hume Cronyn.

Tonight's Movie: Trouble for Two (1936)

TROUBLE FOR TWO was a marvelous surprise, a completely unique romantic adventure film. I'm hard-pressed to think of another film MGM made like it in this time period; the only comparison which comes to mind is the 1937 version of THE PRISONER OF ZENDA, which I haven't seen for many years.

TROUBLE FOR TWO is based on a Robert Louis Stevenson story, "The Suicide Club." Like ZENDA, the story concerns European royals, hidden identities, an arranged marriage, and a power play against a monarchy. A perceptive comment at IMDb notes that the film also has Shakespearean overtones.

Robert Montgomery plays Crown Prince Florizel, who is vacationing in Victorian London prior to a much-dreaded arranged marriage to a princess. (Montgomery is made up to look rather like Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, and carries it off with style.) He becomes enamored with a mysterious woman (Rosalind Russell) and soon finds himself investigating the creepy goings-on behind closed doors at the Suicide Club.

To say much more would spoil a wonderful film which blends comedy, swashbuckling adventure, romance, and a tinge of horror. The dialogue is razor sharp; the film seems to combine several genres, including just a dash of period screwball comedy, if there is such a thing -- but it all works.

Over the past year or so I've seen roughly a dozen and a half Robert Montgomery films, and this ranks as one of my top favorites. He's terrific as the young prince whose dismay with his lot in life leads him to be somewhat impetuous and foolhardy, yet he is also ultimately revealed to be resourceful, loyal, and brave. Montgomery and Russell are a charming romantic couple, and his delight in her unexpected entrance into his life is a joy to watch.

The supporting cast includes Frank Morgan as Florizel's loyal aide and Reginald Owen as the president of the Suicide Club. E.E. Clive plays Florizel's father, and Louis Hayward has the unusual billing "Man With Cream Tarts." You'll understand when you see it!

TROUBLE FOR TWO was directed by J. Walter Ruben. It runs a fast-paced 75 minutes. The movie is akin to a page-turning good book; you won't want to be distracted until it ends.

From the original 1936 New York Times review by Frank S. Nugent (warning, the full review at the link contains significant plot spoilers): "...a thoroughly entertaining adventure film, romantic, suspenseful and capitally played.... The work of the entire cast is commendable...frequently achieves results with a finesse which we have come to consider a stylistic trade-mark of England's master melodramatist, Alfred Hitchcock...superior craftsmanship."

TROUBLE FOR TWO has not been released on VHS or DVD, but can be seen on TCM.

The trailer can be viewed here. It's rather goofy as trailers go, as the beginning seems to convey that it's a modern movie rather than a period adventure. The trailer includes billing for Virginia Weidler and David Holt, who played Russell and Montgomery as children but whose parts were, at some point early in the film's release history, cut from the movie.

I suspect this film is too obscure for there to ever be a DVD release, but it would really be something if the film could be reconstructed with those edited scenes. Of course, I never expected movies like DAY-TIME WIFE or BLUES IN THE NIGHT to come out on DVD and was pleasantly surprised this year, so perhaps one day we'll be lucky enough to see the release of a boxed set of Montgomery-Russell films.

Montgomery-Russell movies previously reviewed here: FORSAKING ALL OTHERS (1934), LIVE, LOVE AND LEARN (1937), and FAST AND LOOSE (1939). Montgomery and Russell costarred in a fifth film, NIGHT MUST FALL (1937), for which Montgomery received a Best Actor nomination.

Tonight's Movie: Crime By Night (1944)

CRIME BY NIGHT is an entertaining Warner Bros. "B" mystery, one of those little movies many people have never heard of which provides 72 minutes of enjoyable entertainment.

Detective Sam Campbell (Jerome Cowan) and his spunky Gal Friday Robbie (Jane Wyman) arrive in a small town to work on a divorce case, but almost instantly they're drawn into solving a murder instead...if Sam isn't murdered himself first.

Sam is a unique character, a congenial, low-key type whose concern about being paid before he goes to work calls to mind a gumshoe of a few decades later, Jim Rockford. Sam has his vices; he's almost always seen with a cigarette or bourbon in his hand, and though devoted to Robbie (whom he incessantly calls "Candy Lamb"), he also romances talent agent Ann (Faye Emerson) and flirts with a pretty hotel switchboard operator (Juanita Stark). Despite these distractions, he's also a sharp and observant detective. It's enjoyable having the opportunity to see Cowan (perhaps best-known as Miles Archer in THE MALTESE FALCON) playing a lead role.

Jane Wyman plays Robbie with verve; she accepts Sam as he is and embarks on solving the mystery with gusto. It's a shame she and Cowan didn't make a series of detective movies, as Sam and Robbie's interplay is fun. It would have been nice to have the chance to see their relationship further developed.

The young Eleanor Parker appears as the murder victim's daughter. Shortly thereafter Parker would have two fine roles in THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU (1944), which costarred Faye Emerson, and PRIDE OF THE MARINES (1945).

This black and white film was directed by William Clemens.

Another review of this film can be found at The Stop Button.

CRIME BY NIGHT is not available on DVD or video, but it can be viewed on cable as part of the library at Turner Classic Movies. (It should be noted that the TCM synopsis is in error saying the lead characters are married.) The trailer can be seen at TCM's site here.

Sad News for Peanuts Fans

Bill Melendez, coproducer/creator of classic PEANUTS TV specials including A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS and IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN, has passed away at the age of 91.

Melendez worked on the PEANUTS series as producer, director, animator and even voiceover artist; he provided the sounds for Snoopy.

Melendez began his career with Walt Disney, where he worked on FANTASIA and DUMBO, among other productions. He later worked at UPA where his work included GERALD MCBOING-BOING. (A side note: THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, reviewed last weekend, featured UPA animation sequences.)

J.C. Loophole at The Shelf has posted a tribute.

Barack the Classless Whiner

Sarah Palin refused to play the victim card last night, but Barack Obama did so today, whining about Governor Palin's jabs at his job as community organizer, professing not to understand why she used it for a joke or why she ignored his other jobs: "They’re talking about the three years of work that I did right out of college, as if I’m making the leap from 2 or 3 years out of college into the presidency."

Well, Senator Obama, do you suppose the joke was on you because when she was nominated, you chose to refer to her past job as mayor and act as though she were jumping into the Presidency without having been elected Governor?

He tried to compare her role as Mayor with his role as a campaigner. (The notion that merely campaigning for President is a qualification is bizarre in and of itself.)

Honestly. Either he's clueless, or he believes the American people are. Or both.

Even today Senator Biden was trying to play down Palin's resume, referring to her as "Lieutenant Governor."

...Moving on, compare and contrast: The day Senator Obama gave his acceptance speech, Senator McCain issued a congratulatory TV ad.

On the day Senator McCain gives his acceptance speech, Senator Obama tries to steal the limelight with an interview with Bill O'Reilly, not to mention by giving his whining press conference.

...And when you see the stats comparing Palin's TV audience with Obama's, remember that she did it with only 6 networks, compared to Obama's 10.

...And despite teleprompter problems, Governor Palin's speech was devoid of the "ums" and "uhs" which characterize Senator Obama's manner of speaking when he doesn't have the crutch of the teleprompter. Palin's legend grows.

Update: Michael Barone was interviewed by Ed Morrissey today. He doesn't think much of the Democrats' whining responses.

Barone was extremely impressed by Governor Palin. He thinks she may have a GOTV impact to rival Senator Obama.

The Day After

I woke up this morning feeling rather like my supposedly underdog team won the World Series last night. I couldn't help but mentally comparing my reaction to last night to how I felt in October of '88 and '02!

Sarah Palin's speech last night was the stuff of legend. As Cathy said in the comments for last night's post, I can't stop smiling.

I think her line about getting rid of the Governor's private plane -- "I sold it on eBay" -- was likely worth a couple points in the polls in and of itself.

One of the biggest impressions Sarah Palin made on me, after the trial by fire she's experienced over the last few days: She absolutely refused to be a victim. What a huge change from what we heard at the Democratic convention, where even the members of our military were cast as helpless victims.

The other thing, which is on the bizarre side, is members of the media -- grasping for any possible criticism or way to weaken Palin -- reminding us that she didn't write the speech. Mort Kondracke, who has been the essence of Beltway snobbery for the last few days, had to concede the speech was "brilliant," but then he and Nina Easton rushed to mention that someone else had written it. Well, duh, as Brit Hume pointed out a bit more eloquently. Do they think we don't realize most politicians have speechwriters? And if they mentioned that point after Obama's speech, I sure don't remember it.

An added bonus to Governor Palin's speech was the tender moment of Piper caring for her baby brother. Can you say adorable?

Much more later, but for the moment, homeschooling and business call. My 8th grader is starting Spanish 1 today, and the 5th grader is curled up with THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES.

It's a good day all the way around.

Update: Andy McCarthy on the Happy Warrior.

Walk-Off Grand Slam

Governor Sarah Palin had a tough act to follow after Rudy Giuliani's barnburner of a speech, and, as one pundit I read said, she hit a five-run home run.

Brilliant, simply brilliant.

Geraghty Line Makes Palin Speech?

According to excerpts released to the media, Governor Sarah Palin will incorporate into her speech a great line suggested by the man Hugh Hewitt calls "Geraghty the Indispensable."

She either used Geraghty's line or great minds think alike. Either way, pretty neat!