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.

Green for Danger (1946)

Alistair Sim stars as one of the original annoying but brilliant detectives, perhaps influencing the later portrayal of Columbo on tv by Peter Falk. Based on the novel of the same name by Christianna Brand, this excellent bw film features strong directing, a varied and dynamic (for English actors) ensemble cast, and practically perfect pacing over its 91 minutes to keep the audience absorbed in this procedural/whodunit. Highly recommended.