The Young Lions

The Young Lions

20th Century-Fox

April 2, 1958

War Drama

DVD
C-

Not bad for what it is, but Brando honestly doesn't have much charisma or energy here.  Edward Dmytryk directed, thirteen years after Back to Bataan.  This is based on the novel by Irwin Shaw.

Wild Strawberries AKA Smultronstället

Wild Strawberries AKA Smultronstället

AB Svensk Filmindustri

26 December 1957

Drama

DVD
D+

Yeah, I'm probably never going to like an Ingmar Bergman movie.

White Christmas

White Christmas

Paramount

October 14, 1954

Musical

DVD
C-

The music is good but I didn't care about the story, and Crosby and Kaye have no chemistry.  Michael Curtiz directed, and it's on a level with Life with Father.

Vengeance Valley

Vengeance Valley

MGM

February 6, 1951

Western
DVD
D+

A bit slow-moving, but at least the women had more to do than usual.  This is based on Luke Short's novel and directed by Richard Thorpe.

Up Periscope

Up Periscope

Warner Bros.

March 4, 1959

War Drama, Romance?

DVD
D+

The "romance" in this was both tedious and cringey, so I was actually waiting for them to get back to the war.  Then there was a twist, so D+ rather than D or D-.  This is based on Robb White's novel and directed by Gordon Douglas.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

Disney

December 23, 1954

Historical Drama

DVD
C-

Even with Peter Lorre and a bit of sea life, I wasn't intrigued.  I'm going with "historical drama" as the genre, since I tuned out before anything sci-fi, but this is an adaptation of Jules Verne.  Richard Fleischer directed, so this is his sixth movie I've rejected in this project.

Touch of Evil

Touch of Evil

Universal-International

April 23, 1958

Crime Drama

DVD
C-

I didn't care about the story, but I could see how well made this was.  Welles directed, played the police captain, and co-adapted Whit Masterson's novel Badge of Evil (emphasis mine).

To Catch a Thief

To Catch a Thief

Paramount

August 5, 1955

Mystery?

DVD

C-

I didn't care about the story, but I did like the look of this, especially the aerial shots.  This is based on the novel by David Dodge.  Director Hitchcock's cameo is on the bus, fairly early on.

3:10 to Yuma (1957)

3:10 to Yuma (1957)

Columbia

August 7, 1957

Western

DVD
C-

Better than most Westerns, in that it actually adds a little depth to the (two) female characters.  This is based on an Elmore Leonard short story, and directed by Delmer Daves.

The Three Faces of Eve

The Three Faces of Eve

20th Century Fox

September 18, 1957

Drama

DVD
D+

Even though this is based on a real case, I couldn't help watching it as an unintentional commentary on the stifling life of a '50s housewife.  Director Nunnally Johnson adapted the book by Corbett H. Thigpen and Hervey M. Cleckley.

Three Came Home

Three Came Home

20th-Century Fox

February 20, 1950
War Drama

DVD
D-

Worse than some other World War II movies, because this one has a cheerfully misogynistic obstetrician, and a little boy hurling racist slurs.  This is based on Agnes Newton Keith's memoir, and directed by Jean Negulesco, a couple years after Johnny Belinda.

The Sun Also Rises

The Sun Also Rises

20th Century Fox

August 23, 1957

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Kind of boring, and I have to say that 43-year-old Tyrone Power, the year before he died, looks too old to play a young war veteran.  Of course based on Hemingway, and directed by Henry King.

Summer with Monika AKA Sommaren med Monika

Summer with Monika AKA Sommaren med Monika

Svensk Filmindustri

9 February 1953

Romance?

DVD
D+

An awkward young couple.  This is based on Per Anders Fogelström's novel and directed and co-written by Bergman.

Strangers on a Train

Strangers on a Train

Warner Bros.

June 30, 1951

Mystery

DVD
D+

Contrived, and the "evil wife" is the most interesting character in the first quarter hour.  Raymond Chandler, Ben Hecht, and others adapted the Patricia Highsmith novel.  Hitchcock of course directed.

A Star Is Born (1954)

A Star Is Born (1954)

Warner Bros.

October 16, 1954

Musical, Drama

DVD
D+

I've never actually watched any of the SIBs before.  With this one, I'm just going to pretend that Judy marries the Tommy Noonan character and lives happily ever after.  Cukor directed.

Stalag 17

Stalag 17

Paramount

June 6, 1953

War Comedy

DVD

C

Although this is not really my genre, I did appreciate the dark humor, as well as the interesting cast.  Billy Wilder directed and co-wrote.

South Pacific (1958)

South Pacific (1958)

20th Century-Fox

March 19, 1958

Musical, Historical Comedy
DVD
D+

I'd heard of this movie, and heard some of its songs, for decades, but I don't think I actually tried to watch before today.  And I hadn't missed much.  Joshua Logan directed and co-adapted the stage production--which is in turn based on Michener's Tales of the South Pacific-- three years after Mister Roberts.

The Snows of Kilimanjaro

The Snows of Kilimanjaro

Twentieth Century Fox

September 17, 1952

Drama

DVD
D+

A little bit dull, a little racist.  This is based on Hemingway and co-directed by Henry King and Roy Ward Baker.

Smiles of a Summer Night AKA Sommarnattens leende

Smiles of a Summer Night AKA Sommarnattens leende

Svensk Filmindustri

26 December 1955

Historical Comedy

DVD
C-

I didn't like any of the characters, but the period details were good.  Bergman wrote and directed.

The Smallest Show on Earth AKA Big Time Operators

The Smallest Show on Earth AKA Big Time Operators

British Lion

9 April 1957

Comedy
DVD
B-

A sweet funny little story about old movies and old movie theatres, but with a dark undertone.  I sort of hoped that the young couple would keep the cinema and start showing silents, too, since it's definitely the sort of place I would've liked to go.  (A 99-cent-for-triple-features theater in the '90s is the closest experience I've had.)  One thing I've learned in this project is that my tolerance for Peter Sellers is much lower than when I was young, but he does well playing an old man when he was actually 31.  And Margaret Rutherford is as adorably dotty as ever.  Basil Dearden directed.