Movie Review: Scarlet Street

Chris tries to hide his embezzlement as he cashes a check for his boss.

Movie Review: Scarlet Street (1945) directed by Fritz Lang It’s 1934, well into the Great Depression, but at least Christopher Cross (Edward G. Robinson) has a job. Indeed, there’s a party tonight celebrating his 25th year as a cashier for the J.J. Hogarth (Russell Hicks) upscale menswear concern. In commemoration, the boss presents him with an… Continue reading Movie Review: Scarlet Street

Movie Review: The Damned Don’t Cry

Ethel is comforted by her mother.

Movie Review: The Damned Don’t Cry (1950) directed by Vincent Sherman Someone may be getting rich off this Oklahoma oilfield, but it’s sure not Ethel Whitehead (Joan Crawford). She, her husband Jim (Morris Ankrum) and son Timmy live in her parents’ house, and they’re still barely getting by. Jim isn’t getting promotions or raises, and the… Continue reading Movie Review: The Damned Don’t Cry

Movie Review: Blade Runner

"All those moments will be lost in time...like tears in rain."

Movie Review: Blade Runner (1982) directed by Ridley Scott It is 2019, and Los Angeles is in rough shape. Thanks to climate change, pollution and other factors, animals are nearly extinct. The city itself is dark and run down, with almost perpetual rain showers. Most of the people who can move to off-world colonies have done… Continue reading Movie Review: Blade Runner

Movie Review: Night and the City

Movie Review: Night and the City (1950) directed by Jules Dassin It is night in the city, and Harry Fabian (Richard Widmark) is returning to the London flat of his girlfriend, Mary Bristol (Gene Tierney). As usual, he owes money to some bad people. But he’s got a great idea for a greyhound race, if he… Continue reading Movie Review: Night and the City

Movie Review: T-Men

O'Brien and Genaro interview for a job.

Movie Review: T-Men (1947) directed by. Anthony Mann When an informant who was supposed to deliver a paper sample to the Treasury Department turns up dead (with no paper) in Los Angeles, the investigation of a major counterfeiting ring is stalled. It’s determined that new agents who won’t be identified so easily will be needed. They’ll… Continue reading Movie Review: T-Men

Movie Review: Raw Deal (1948)

Pat, Ann and Joe share a very uncomfortable front seat.

Movie Review: Raw Deal (1948) directed by Anthony Mann Pat Regan’s (Claire Trevor) man is in jail. Joe Sullivan (Dennis O’Keefe) took a fall for Rick Coyle (Raymond Burr) for robbery. Rick owes Joe $50,000 as his cut for taking the rap. Joe could make parole in two, or more likely three years if he keeps… Continue reading Movie Review: Raw Deal (1948)

Movie Review: Key Largo

Nora and Steve discuss their pre-War lives.

Movie Review: Key Largo (1948) directed by John Huston Frank McCloud (Humphrey Bogart) was a major in the United States Army during World War Two. During the Italian campaign, one of his men (and a friend), George Temple, perished in combat. While initially an idealist, the violence of the war left Frank disillusioned, and the America… Continue reading Movie Review: Key Largo

Movie Review: The Black Book (1949)

Robespierre and Fouche conspire.

Movie Review: The Black Book (1949) directed by Anthony Mann The French Revolution is eating its own. The corrupt monarchy was overthrown, yes, and many of the cruel aristocrats executed or exiled. But the temptations of power have turned the Citizens’ Committee against each other, and control of the mob requires ever-increasing sacrifices of the “enemies… Continue reading Movie Review: The Black Book (1949)