Road to Utopia (1946)

Posted on August 15, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring c0cc6-roadtoutopia_1946 Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour in this fourth Road picture, this film begins in the present with an old marry couple who gets a surprise visitor. Then the story flashes back to the turn of the century where two lowlifes commit murder in order to steal the map to a gold mine. However, the police are on their tails so they duck into a vaudeville show where Duke (Crosby) and Chester (Hope) are performing. Eventually the two con men decide to part ways, but they double cross each other only to end up heading for Alaska on the same ship as the two killers. Through a bit of luck they get the map and take the place of the two killers, but trouble follows close behind them. The daughter of the man who was killed (Lamour) is intent to get the map back and she is unknowingly working with some undesirables. As always happen both hapless adventurers fall head over heels for Sal, who wants to get close to them for the map. However, the map is in two parts and then Sperry and McGurk are on the loose again. Duke and Chester’s real identities are revealed to Sal and now the trio must hightail it, with two killers and a multitude of others looking for them. Miraculously they escape by sled, but only two can get away so Duke heroically holds off the pursuers. This Road film is probably one of the best and all the stars are in fine form in Utopia.

4/5 Stars

A Night at the Opera (1935)

Posted on August 14, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring The Marx Brothers, this vehicle for their comedy has Groucho, Harpo, and Chico trying to help two lovers earn positions at the opera. Along the way Groucho tries to marry a rich patron and Chico and Harpo run from the law as stowaways. This film which could be seen as having a dramatic story, is constantly interrupted by Marxian gags. Some memorable moments include the insanity clause, two hard-boiled eggs, Groucho’s crowded stateroom, and the final scenes in the opera house. Only with the Marx Brothers would you hear Take Me Out to the Ball Game at the opera. Although Duck Soup has critical acclaim, I find this one more entertaining as comedy with a real story line. The MGM years were ushered in by this film and solidified the Marx Brother’s legacy.

4.5/5 Stars

Happy Birthday Sir Hitch!

Posted on August 13, 2013 by 4 Star Films

By the way I wanted to recognize Alfred Hitchcock because he was born this day back in 1899! In the month of October I will be focusing completely on his films. As you might know already he is probably my favorite director and he has some great films so I am going to highlight some of those. Hope you enjoy!

Road to Singapore (1940)

Posted on August 13, 2013 by 4 Star Films

This is the Road film that started all with the brilliant comic pairing of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. The two bozos both skip out on obligations and relationships back home and together they hightail it to Singapore. There they both fall head over heels for the same girl despite having vowed to give up women. Together the trio hide from their respective pasts. However, with barely any money they must muddle through with cons. Everything comes to fruition at a native marriage ceremony where Mallon’s father and fiancee catch up with him. In the end everything works out as it always does and Singapore was only the tip of the iceberg. The film works based on the chemistry of the leading trio and the ad-libbing and various gags such as “Patty-Cake.”

3.5/5 Stars

Road to Zanzibar (1941)

Posted on August 13, 2013 by 4 Star Films

This is the second installment in the Road Series and it follows two con men who must go on the run which leads them to Africa. Crosby is pulled into saving Dorothy Lamour from a life of slaver. Little do the hapless con men know what her true motives are. They travel on a safari together and a midst the song and comedy love creeps up. Both believe Lamour has her eyes on them but then they figure out what is really going on and they head off on their own. However, all too soon they are captured by cannibals and it looks like they will become shish kabobs. That’s when a little game of “Patty Cake” comes in handy and in the end everyone is reunited. There are some choice moments in this Road Film but I think it was one of the weaker ones.

3.5/5 Stars

Duck Soup (1933)

Posted on August 12, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Arguably the greatest movie of The Marx Brothers, Duck Soup takes place in the country of Freedonia where Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho) is appointed the new leader. All too soon he proves to be incompetent and the ambassador from the rival country of Sylvania wishes to start a war with Freedonia so he can take over the country. He enlists the help of a wily woman as well Chico and Harpo who are spies. Chico is caught and his trial ultimately leads to war. However, he is also Firefly’s secretary of War and with the Brothers leading things it is sure to be zany and wild. Beside the ever present puns and quips, some memorable moments include the opening serenade, the street vendor scenes, the famous mirror sequence, and of course the war at the end. This would be the last film with Zeppo but the other brothers would move onto MGM and keep their career going. This film is good but upon seeing more of their films I would say I appreciated A Night at the Opera more.

4.5/5 Stars

Take the Money and Run (1969)

Posted on August 10, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Woody Allen made this mockumentary about an inept bank robber before it was cool or at least before everyone else was doing it. Whether he is trying to escape San Quentin using a bar of soap, playing the cello, having trouble explaining his hold up in a bank, or escaping with members of a chain gang, this film has genuinely funny moments. The narration is an important touch, there are pretend interviews, and of course Woody Allen playing the inept Virgil as he seemingly plays all his roles. Janet Margolin is funny opposite Allen simply for the fact that she is so beautiful, and he is, well, Virgil Starkwell, the world’s most inept, conniving, lying, yet lovable criminal. This is certainly is not Allen’s best film and the editing probably could have been better, but he was just getting started after all. It seemed like this film had some similarities (although more comedic) to Bonnie and Clyde and Cool Hand Luke.

3.5/5 Stars

Horse Feathers (1932)

Posted on August 9, 2013 by 4 Star Films

This comedy starring The Marx Brothers opens with Groucho being made the new president of a college. His son Zeppo implores him to get some players to help them win a big football game. However, after going to the Speakeasy Groucho winds up with Harpo and Chico while the professionals are on the other team. At the same time, first Zeppo and then Groucho fall for a girl with bad intentions. The game day comes and things look bad but the Marx Brothers turn the tide with their shenanigans on the field. Memorable moments include the opening number, the password gag, anatomy class, and of course the crazy football match! There is also a precursor to the stateroom scene from A Night at the Opera. Fewer people but still craziness.

4/5 Stars

Easy Rider (1969)

Posted on August 8, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, this road film follows the two young men traveling across country from L.A. after a drug deal. Along the way they meet a Hippie colony, experimenting with drugs, and simply live life as they please. Much of the movie comprises of the many pit stops they take as they make their way to Mardi Gras. Some people welcome them, and still others are hostile, especially in the South. This film does a wonderful job of portraying the counter culture generation and the experiences they had. In some ways it seems that Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda are not really acting, but partially embodying the existence that they are already used to. One of the highlights in the film would be Jack Nicholson’s odd ball, hick lawyer who crosses paths with the two hippie bikers in a Southern jail. A stellar soundtrack including such 1960s groups like the Byrds and the Band take potentially boring biking sequences and make them some of the best moments of the film. They also often express the mindset of the generation including anthems such as “Born to Be Wild” and “I Wasn’t Born to Follow.” Although it is not the greatest movie, it holds historical importance in order to help us remember this past generation.

4/5 Stars

Nashville (1975)

Posted on August 8, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Directed by Robert Altman, this musical, comedy, drama has an ensemble cast made up of 24 different people. The film’s story takes place over several days in Nashville, Tennessee during the political season. From the beginning we follow the politics, music, and most importantly the folks who inhabit and visit this place. They come from all backgrounds, some are in Nashville for musical careers and others for their own personal reasons. You have shaky relationships, an ill country singer, a British BBC journalist, and many other characters who are all interrelated. All their stories culminate in one tragic moment at a show. However, they all quickly move on with their lives. This film was enjoyable because there were so many different people. Even if it made the story more difficult to follow, that did not really matter. By the end everything seemed relatively cohesive. True, the conclusion is abrupt but I think that is how the story was meant to end.