The Eagle Has Landed (1976)

Probably not the best choice of movie for Christmas Day, but there it is. 

A stacked cast of beloved British, Canadian, and American actors play German military and Nazis at the end of WW II. I guess making a movie about WW II thirty years after the end of the war seemed okay at the time. Watching it today felt pretty raw. It was very long and intense. Had to watch it in two segments with a walk in between for a breather.

The Dark Mirror (1946)

Olivia de Havilland captivates in this bw flick, her only foray into the noir genre. She plays twins, one a lover, the other a killer.

The murder happens at the beginning and the rest of the movie presents an extended character study and a master course in gaslighting. I get super-uncomfortable during intense gaslighting scenes, so I have to admit I fast forwarded one scene. The obsessed detective and the unethical psychologist try to figure out which twin dunnit. Overall I'll give this movie a thumbs up rating, despite the egregious use of myth and fallacy instead of science for almost every "factoid" mentioned about twins.

The Return of Bulldog Drummond (1934)

Ralph Richardson romps across the screen playing the most incompetent spy in the world, Capt. Hugh (Bulldog) Drummond. Too violent, too nonsensical, too little plot. Kind of like Taken with Johnny English as the lead, but not as funny. Thumbs down. (Although Claud Allister as Algy is always a treat.)

Seventh Heaven (1937)

This bw melodrama was Jimmy Stewart's first starring part (credited as James Stewart). In early scenes, he reminds me a little too much of young Nick Cage struggling with his acting chops. Simone Simon is rather infantilized in this part of "the girl who needs rescuing." The violence against women and the way they talk about women-as-wives makes me give this movie a thumbs down. It was kind of fun seeing Jimmy Stewart in a very early role.

Separate Tables (1958)

This ensemble romance drama stars Rita Hayworth, Deborah Kerr, David Niven, Burt Lancaster, and Wendy Hiller. The Hotel Beauregard in England hosts various long-term and summer residents who join each other for meals but at separate tables. They all have problems, and the plot deals with a short period where some things come to a head. Dealing with fear and forgiveness, this film based on a duo of stage plays is thought-provoking and stirring. All the actors are excellent, with Niven and Hiller winning Oscars for their performances. Violence against a woman trigger warning. 

The Man in the White Suit (1951)

This postwar satire is light on comedy and heavy on the scathing indictment of capitalism. While Alec Guinness is sweet in this flick, the ensemble cast shines. The sci fi touches are almost negligible, but some of the special effects were likely fun for audiences to see in this b&w movie.

Recommended.

Things to Come (1936)

Raymond Massey's stirring speech at the very end wins my vote as the best part of this sci fi movie.

Cabal [Massey]: " ... all the universe or nothing? Which shall it be, Passworthy? Which shall it be?" [the eternal question: progress or stagnation?]

Raymond Massey ties the whole 100-year plot together, playing different characters in the same family line. This film was made with much involvement of H.G. Wells and is based on his story.

The first part showing the war is terribly prescient and was hard to watch knowing what happened in Europe only a few years later.

I enjoy spotting imagined inventions in old sci fi that eventually became realized gadgets: see the dudes on the Segue-like transportation devices in the pics below.

Topper Takes a Trip (1938)

Roland Young plays the put-upon Mr. Topper in an endearing way. I also enjoyed his athletic physical acting in the dancing and fighting scenes. The plot is very thin, since this movie and the first Topper flick rely heavily on the fantastic special effects to keep the audience engaged. I actually prefer #3 in this series, Topper Returns, to #1 or #2. #3 adds a murder mystery and a spooky mansion, so if you want to watch Topper, I recommend that one. P.S. Constance Bennett's sparkle gown is almost worth watching this movie for.

A year later, Billie Burke aka Mrs. Topper, played Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz. 😊😊😊

23 Paces to Baker Street (1956)

This mystery featuring an amateur detective obsessed with preventing a kidnapping caught my attention from the first moments and held it throughout. And I didn't figure out whodunit. Van Johnson gives an excellent performance as a man tormenting himself because he is now blind after a terrible accident. His loyal ex-fiancee follows him to London and helps him work through some of his angst while they put themselves in terribly dangerous situations. Highly recommended.

I Married a Witch (1942)

I said I wanted to watch more comedies from the 1940s, and this was a fun one. I think that was my first Veronica Lake movie: what a voice! So sultry. I could listen to her talk all day. Fredric March as the confused groom/love interest was good, as always. Her scenes with the broom were pretty funny. Cecil Kellaway as her evil father was a bright spot in this light fantasy fare. Was this the inspiration for the tv show Bewitched? 

Angels in the Outfield (1951)

Paul Douglas is excellent as an irascible baseball coach in this bw family film. You have to REALLY like baseball to sit through this one. It missed quite a few opportunities for whimsy and fun, taking itself way too seriously. Not really recommended (my husband fell asleep almost right sway).

The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)

Sink me!

What a treat this ensemble cast provides. It's impossible to make a complete mess of that timeless tale by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. Jane Seymour's bosoms and hairdos are entertaining on their own, but she also does a pretty good job acting. Anthony Andrews shines as Sir Percy. And "baby" Ian McKellen is a treat as the agent of The Terror during the French Revolution. It's a little too long at 142 minutes, but the amazingly choreographed saber duel at the end is almost worth the lengthy running time. Recommended, especially for the exquisite costumes.