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Julie Andrews is at her peak of adorability in this enjoyable (and surprisingly sarcastic) spoof of the 1920s. It has every trick: occasional silent-movie intertitles, flapper lingo ("Oh, banana oil"), and a laughable plot about women being sold into white slavery by the scheming manageress (splendid Beatrice Lillie) of a Hotel for Ladies, aided by a cabal of wicked Chinese. (The stereotypes are bearable only if you remember this is a spoof of silent movie melodrama.) Even with able support from Mary Tyler Moore and James Fox, this is Julie's show; she plays to the camera with the collusion of director George Roy Hill, who's clearly smitten with her silly streak. The movie has an annoying tendency to spend time on musical numbers--a Jewish wedding, a vaudeville act--that don't serve the plot. A future Broadway musical would create a new score, except for the delightfully catchy title tune. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (50)

A Silly & Lighthearted Musical Comedy Spoof
Several years before George Roy Hill directed "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969), "The Sting" (1973), "The Great Waldo Pepper" (1975) and "The World According to Garp" (1982), he directed a lesser-known, lighthearted musical comedy with an all-star cast in 1967 called "Thoroughly Modern Millie". The film is about a single woman named Millie Dillmount (Julie Andrews) living in NYC in the early 1920's in a hotel for "young single women". The hotel is managed by an older and strange woman named Mrs. Meers (Beatrice Lillie). Millie's goal is to find a secretarial job to work for a single man that she will be able to marry. When Millie's neighbor across the hall in the hotel seemingly moves out unannounced, another young single woman appears to take her place: Miss Dorothy (Mary Tyler Moore). Claiming that she is an orphan, Miss Dorothy quickly gains unwanted notice from Mrs. Meers, who is involved in some unsavory practices with her two Asian assistants (Jack Soo & Paul Marita). Shortly thereafter, Millie and Miss Dorothy meet a single and seemingly happy-go-lucky gentleman named Jimmy (James Fox), who takes a liking to Millie; but Millie has her eye on her new boss, Trevor Graydon (John Gavin). Eventually, Jimmy introduces Millie and Miss Dorothy to a dear friend of his, a wealthy woman who loves to enjoy life named Muzzy (Carol Channing).

Not taking itself too seriously, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" does have several funny moments that include a bit of slapstick humor. The acting is not serious, but enjoyable since the film is intended to be lighthearted and a spoof. As for the songs, my rating (out of 5 stars) for each one in the film is listed below.

* "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (4.5, sung by Julie Andrews). Good opener.
* "Jimmy" (4, sung by Julie Andrews). A fun song.
* "Tapioca" (3.5, sung by Julie Andrews). A silly song.
* "Jazz Baby" (4, sung by Carol Channing). One of Carol Channings two songs.
* "Jewish Wedding Song" (3.5, sung by Julie Andrews). Seemed out of place and doesn't contribute to the plot.
* "Poor Butterfly" (3.5, sung by Julie Andrews). Okay.
* "Baby Face" (3.5, sung by Julie Andrews). A more well-known song.
* "Do It Again" (3.5, sung by Carol Channing). A silly song for Carol Channing.

Overall, I rate "Thoroughly Modern Millie" with 4 out of 5 stars. Fans of Julie Andrews or Carol Channing will more than likely enjoy this film a lot.

A 5 star Musical - really a must see!
I'm giving this 5 stars when compared to other filmed musicals.

Millie is very thoroughly modern in this wacky off beat musical that was an anathma: it was a film musical before it was a stage musical!

The star of the show is supposed to be Julie Andrews, but truth be told, it gets stolen away from her by a very proper and well-to-do Mary Tyler Moore. Add to these two fine actresses, the inimitable Carol Channing (razz-berries!), and an evil Beatrice Lillie and you have a knee-slappingly funny musical.

The plot is silly and the filming keeps up with it. Set in the 1920's, someone is kidnapping young "independent" women and selling them into white slavery. Julie Andrews and MTM are new women in town and looking for office work and husbands. They get caught up in this silly plot and attempt to foil the kidnappers.

Occasionally, the film does the actresses thinking by use of "silent film" dialogue cards. The whole bit with Julie Andrews attempting to flatten out her bust (as was the fashion)is hilarious.

You'll love the title song as well as the others, but my favorite bits are the tap dancing in the elevator and the squeaky wheel on Beatrice Lillie's laundry cart.

Check this out for sure!

My, Oh my
This film is well interesting. Julie Andrews played the role the best she could, however I don't think it is close to her at her best...(Her best was Sound of Music, by far). Yet, she did excellent and as always her voice is lovely.

I thought Mary Tyler Moore did a fine job as Miss Dorothy. The trouble with the movie comes with Carol Channing. She played this role so annoyingly I almost wanted Mrs. Meers to knock her over the head when they were fighting, I mean how did this girl make it? She can't sing, can't dance and can't act...a triple blow.

Also James Fox was a mess. There was absolutely no chemistry between him and Julie. (Don't watch Sound of Music before this movie because after watching Julie and Chris Plummer you won't be able to believe that Millie and Jimmy are in love.)

Another thing that bothered me was there was a lot of mind singing, so the thoughts were sung in the background while things happened. The opening number was great, yet it would have been even better if it was a big number sung by everyone.

I guess the reason I am hard on this movie is because the new stage production is a million times better. The Muzzy we saw was African American and totally right for the role...inspiring not obnoxtious. Millie and Jimmy were convincing and the new and improved songs were not my favorite, but pretty good. There were showstopping numbers and it was never boring. So see the new TMM!

One of my favorite films
When I was very young, I saw this movie on television when it was aired very late at night. It was way past my bedtime and had missed the beginning, but I was drawn in by the campiness of this movie and had to watch the whole thing. The next morning I had to go to school (college) and I was remarking to a classmate of mine about this really funny film that was so sixties about the twenties. He made an audible gasp, this was before the phrase "Drama Queen," which he was and still is, and asked me about certain parts of the film. He hadn't seen it in years and told me the title. Well, at that point I had to find this movie on tape, I'm embarrased to say laser disc hadn't been invented yet. I found a used vhs copy and played the thing to death. I recieved the laser disc copy as a birthday gift, the transfer isn't much to brag about but the introduction and intermission had been restored as it is still. I bought the dvd version not too long ago and the picture is cleaner but like a reviwer stated before me, the picture seems a bit grainy, this is due to the dvd's higher resolution. I think this print is as good as it's gonna get, this movie is 35 plus years old now and for it's age, it's not bad. The slapstick, the silent-movie cards placed at Julie Andrews thoughts, my favorite is her complaining about her full fronts ruining the line of her beads, and the overall sixties interpreting the twenties. Look at the makeup and hairstyles of the extras. Mary Tyler Moore as an airhead and virgin is a delightful step out of character and Carol Channing looking like she had a ball. The great Beatrice Lilly and her henchmen Jack Soo and Pat Morita spewing fake Chinese "Oh, Pook!" Opium Dens and fireworks, it's all here beautifully choreographed and scored, fun!!!

Good Transfer, Bare Bones...
I'm happy to finally see TMM on DVD, but was disappointed at the lack of extras. It would have been nice to include anecdotes from Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore, et. al. Also, a 5.1 remix would have been preferable over the Dolby Digital (2 channel surround) one. Otherwise, no real complaints here; the remastering job is superb. Recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

richly romantic lovely film
This is a very richly romantic and great film, starring jennifer Jones and William Holden. It's amust see for all movie fans, especially of romance. The really have a great chemistry, a beautiful and poignant love story. The theme song is beauitufl as well.

A CAPTIVATINGLY BEAUTIFUL THOUGH TRAGIC LOVE STORY!!!
Jennifer Jones and William Holden are perfectly cast as star-crossed lovers, in this film. The story is poignant and beautifully done. Jennifer Jones portrays her character, Dr. Han Suyin with depth and feeling. She is believable! William Holden, as Mark Elliot, war-correspondent, is charming and determined to win her love. And yet, he respects her wishes and her ancient heritage and culture. The scenery throughout the film is breath-taking.The title song, played throughout the picture only enhances the scenic beauty. My favorite parts are, of course their first meeting at the Palmer-Jones cocktail party, their outing that begins on the beach and their brief but romantic meetings on the hill over-looking Hong Kong. The ending, though most tragic, is beautifully done! A must see movie!!!!!

Love is a Syrupy, Schmaltzy Thing
This film looks great, and that's about where my praise ends.

"Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" came out in the very schizophrenic year of 1955, when candy-coloured nonsense like this co-existed with trail-blazing artistic fair like "Kiss Me Deadly." As a trend toward smaller, socially conscious films like "On the Waterfront" and "Marty" established itself in the mid-50's, other directors felt the need to stick with the unchallenging, pandering melodrama that classifies so many other films from that decade, and "Love" is one of the latter.

This is the kind of 50's movie where the Technicolor is used to its garish utmost and the lighting is invariably high-key; even scenes taking place in a dark room or at night are brighter than the average sunny day. I never want to hear the theme song again, as it's played frequently enough over the course of the film to last anyone a lifetime, and I certainly don't want to hear it sung by the shrill, ear-piercing choir that belts it out over the end titles. Jennifer Jones and William Holden are passable, but really anybody could have played these parts. Jones' role is horribly written--her character is incredibly inconsistent, and it seems as if whenever her character is required to make a decision about something, the screenwriters flipped a coin to decide what that decision would be.

People will undoubtedly tell me I'm taking this film too seriously, that I'm unromantic, etc. But I loved "All That Heaven Allows," released the same year and just as cornball in its own way, except that Douglas Sirk is able to turn melodrama into an art form, whereas Henry King (director of "Love") is not.

I'm usually able to enjoy bad melodrama, but in this case I was just bored.

Grade: D+

ANAMORPHIC TRANSFER - A MANY-SPLENDORED THING!
When 20th Century-Fox initially released this film to DVD the 2:55:1 transfer was not enhanced for widescreen televisions. This new version of "Love Is A Many Splendored-Thing" corrects that oversight and gives us a comprehensive documentary on William Holden besides. The film concerns itself with a real life love story between Eurasian doctor, Han Sue-Yin (Jennifer Jones) and married American reporter, Mark Elliot (William Holden). Set in the unstable political climate of Hong Kong, and featuring some breaktaking cinematography, captured in all its Cinemascope glory, this film is a remarkably effective piece of fiction and, with its Oscar-winning title song, remains a sure fire hit.
Aside from its anamorphic enhancements, this new transfer doesn't make any quantum leaps forward in image quality. The initial print was remarkably smooth looking, save a few instances where film grain is a bit excessive. Edge enhancement, aliasing and shimmering details are kept to a bare minimum. Colors are very rich, vibrant and, for the most part, accurate, only occasionally giving way to orangy flesh tones. Pixelization is a problem from time to time. The audio is the same 4.0 as the previous disc - occasionally strident, but on the whole very well spread across all of the speakers.
As already stated, this disc includes a Biography special on William Holden that is remarkably comprehensive, considering its running time plays at under an hour. Image quality varies, according to the elements of film stock from the various movie clips used. There's also a theatrical trailer - badly dated, and a Movietones news reel of the film's premiere.
BOTTOM LINE: NICELY DONE FROM FOX THIS TIME AROUND. My only concern is this - as with all Fox movies previously issued to DVD, the source elements were cleaned up before their reissue. As in the case of "The Ghost & Mrs. Muir" (last month's studio classic release) the image quality of a first run DVD was bad to awful. I only hope that next month's release "The Song Of Bernadette" comes closer to "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing" than "The Ghost And Mrs. Muir". I'll keep you posted.

Love is a Many Splendered Thing
If I'd been given the option of no stars I'd have taken it. This must be one of the worst films I've ever seen, even considering the period in which it was made. It is suffused with the most patronizing stereotypes and condescending dialogue, including the "how could the poor benighted Chinese do this to themselves" mentality that was so prevalent in the '50s. The dialogue is badly written and even more badly delivered. The crowning moment of absurdity, among many such moments, may be the scene in which Holden and Jones reach the climax of one of their many thoroughly unconvincing love scenes by having Holden light a cigarette, stick a cigarette in Jones' mouth, and stick the lit end of his cigarette dramatically against the end of her cigarette as the overwrought theme music rises in the background. May be worth watching for a good laugh, if you're into that sort of thing. ... Read more

Description

Frank Sinatra told the director to give the newcomer a break. John Sturges (The Great Escape) obliged, providing favorable camera angles for Sinatra's young co-star. In his first big-budget film, Steve McQueen was ready to grab the movie world's attention. McQueen plays Bill Ringa, one of the O.S.S. combatants harassing the enemy in World War II Burma. Sinatra is Capt. Tom Reynolds, leading the guerilla fighters and risking court martial while doing so. Also among Never So Few's many are Charles Bronson, Peter Lawford and in her first Hollywood film, Gina Lollobrigida. About McQueen, the New York Herald Tribune's reviewer wrote: "He possesses that combination of smooth-rough charm that suggests star possibilities." A star is born in Never So Few. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

OSS in Burma
A good shoot-em-up loosely based on the exploits of OSS Detachment 101 who organized the Kachin Tribesmen in Burma to fight the Japanese in WW2. Not an Academy Award winner but a good story and plot with Gina along to provide a distraction. Steve McQueen is good in his role as a young "hot-shot" and Sinatra does OK as the "leader" of the group. Good action/war movie. Worth buying.

And few stars, sorry to say
Frank Sinatra is the salty, macho infantry captain winning the war single-handedly in Burma, but spends most of his time courting Gina Lollibrigida in Rangoon. Main attributes are Gina's curves and seeing Paul Henreid 20 years older than in `40s movies

Excellent war story, not so great love story
Never So Few is an excellent WWII adventure that deals with a part of the war that very few other movies even go near.Captain Tom Reynolds is the leader of a force of Americans and Kachins, Burmese natives, who wreak havoc on Japanese forces in the Burmese jungle in whichever way they can.During an ordered vacation, Reynolds falls in love as well as picking up a doctor, a driver, and much needed medical supplies.This is a very good movie that suffers because of an unneccesary love story.I know this part was inserted to draw people in, but the movie is much better when it deals with Reynolds and his unit.The action scenes are very well done at the beginning and the end while most of the middle portion is occupied by the relationship between Reynolds and Carla.Even with the love story, this is still a very enjoyable film.

Never So Few boasts an impressive cast that works well together.Frank Sinatra in the role of Capt. Tom Reynolds is very good as the leader of the Americans and Kachins harassing the Japanese.Gina Lollobrigida is decent as Carla, but as I said I think the love story was not needed.Reynolds' men include Richard Johnson as right-hand man Lt. Demortimer, Steve McQueen in an excellent supporting role as Cpl. Bill Ringa, Peter Lawford as doctor Captain Travis, Dean Jones as radioman Sergeant Norby, Charles Bronson as Navajo Indian Sergeant Danforth, and Philip Ahn as Nautang, the leader of the Kachins.The film also stars Brian Donlevy in a great supporting role, Paul Henreid, and Robert Bray.I really do hope that Never So Few gets released on DVD.I watched the letterbox version of this movie on TCM so I can't answer for the VHS, but if you like Sinatra and WWII action movies then you'll love Never So Few.

Frank Sinatra and his guerrillas take on a Chinese warlord
Captains Tom Reynolds (Frank Sinatra) and Danny DeMortimer (Richard Johnson) are fighting the Japanese in Burma during World War II.Ordered to take a "holiday" to Calcutta to find a doctor and get medical supplies for their group of guerrillas, they find Dr. Grey Travis (Peter Lawford) and a driver named Bill Ringa (Steve McQueen).But the two officers also meet war profiteer Nikko Regas (Paul Henried) and his mistress, Carla Vesari (Gina Lollobrigida).Although she is not responsive to Reynold's initial overtures, when she warms up to the captain when he is in the hospital after being wounded.When Reynolds returns to the field he has to put up with not only the Japanese, but a Chinese warlord who is stealing American supplies to sell to the Japanese.The main problem with "Never So Few" is the romance between Sinatra and Lollobrigida, which gets in the way of what is a more than decent story of O.S.S. operatives in the Burma theater.I know this is sacrilegious, but every time Gina came on screen, I went to make popcorn or get something to drink.There is really no chemistry between the two.Only when Sinatra is with his troops out in the jungle is "Never So Few" on the right track.This 1959 film, directed by John Sturges (who later directed McQueen in "The Great Escape"), is based on the novel by Tom T. Chamales.

Never so Few: A Visonary War Movie of Things To Come
In 1959,no one heard of Vietnam or the struggles with the Indo-China question,or at least the American public did not know much about the Far East and its complicated politics. The Excellent "Never So Few" really comes out of nowhere to become a topnotch war film and predicts the Vietnam War in some of its implications.The director John Sturges has always been a great action director, for this is the director that gave us the wonderful classic, "The Great Escape," among many very good action films and the action sequences in this movie are vibrant, real, and startling. The cast is excellent. Frank Sinatra has never been better save "The Manchurian Candidate," probably his best role and of course Maggio in "From Here to Eternity," which he won an Academy Award for.He is totally convincing here as the guerilla officer leader of the native forces in Burma with some "advisors" and the similarities are many to Vietnam, when the sides blurr and decisions are made out of necessities over military orders.Other standouts in the cast went on to become superstars. Steve McQueen steals many scenes he is in and gives portents of stardom to come. John Sturges uses him beautifully here and of course again in "The Great Escape." Others include Charles Bronson before he got the Death Wish, Dean Jones, Richard Johnson( One of Kim Novak's husbands for a short time but here and excellent actor), and Gina Lollobrigida, who brings the action to a stop and the romantic scenes don't ring as true as the rest of the film. But overall, "Never So Few" is an action film that holds up fairly well, telegraphs future movie stars, and has an epic stature it really earns. Sturges was one of our best action directors and "Never So Few" is one of his better efforts. Re-dicover it. A great movie of action and substance. ... Read more

Amazon.com

John Wayne and Anthony Quinn star in this touching 1945 drama inspired by real-life heroism in the Philippines following General MacArthur's withdrawal in 1942 and the islands' subsequent conquest by the Japanese army. Wayne plays Colonel Joe Madden, an American who stays behind to organize a ragtag guerrilla army in the forests and hills. At his side is Captain Andres Bonifacio (Quinn), grandson of a legendary revolutionary martyred in the nation's old war against Spanish colonialists. Joe, Andres, and their fearless irregulars (with support from a schoolteacher, played by Beulah Bondi) sap the enemy's resolve through hit-and-run missions, but as time passes the locals wonder, with pronounced disillusionment, why America doesn't return with masses of troops and weapons. Wayne's star power is undeniable, and Quinn is very good as a man uncertain of his role or destiny. Edward Dmytryk (Murder, My Sweet), soon to be imprisoned during Joseph McCarthy's witch hunt of Hollywood communists, directs. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (8)

may we never forget Bataan
Some of the most horrific events of WWII occurred in the Pacific Theater, and this film touches on what happened in Bataan, where tens of thousands of U.S. and Philippine soldiers died in captivity, either on the infamous Death March, the appalling POW camps, or the hell-ships.
At the beginning and ending, this film briefly shows some of the survivors, though it is "sanitized", and the men have some flesh back on their bones.

John Wayne is terrific as Colonel Madden, who organizes the resistance fighters, and does his own stunts, some of which must have left him muddy and bruised.
Anthony Quinn is also excellent as Captain Bonifacio, the leader of the Filipino guerillas. Both Wayne and Quinn are at their most handsome and heroic, and make a fine cinematic pairing.

Though the script is sometimes stilted, it is based on actual events and people, and was written as history was happening, taken from the daily newspapers to the screen.
Edward Dmytryk's direction is well paced, and Max Steiner's "stock music" was used, along with an original score by Roy Webb.

Much in this film can be said to be "propaganda", as it is "good vs. evil", with no subtleties or gray areas, but these were the days when Hollywood and patriotism were compatible, a sentiment that filmmakers seem to have lost, and a time that seems long gone.
May we never forget the souls who bravely fought for freedom and suffered so much in Bataan.

Just a little patriotism involved
Back to Bataan is a flag-waving patriotic movie that was filmed and released as WWII was drawing to a close. The story is about the Filipino people and their fight for freedom from their Japanese oppressors. This is very obvious patriotism with the Japanese portrayed as cowardly murderers and the Americans as noble freedom fighters. John Wayne stars as Colonel Joe Madden, the man selected to help organize the Filipino guerilla movement. His small company wreaks havoc on the Japanese forces in the Phillipines as the war progresses. The young Duke is very good in his role as Madden with Anthony Quinn also excellent as Captain Andres Bonifacio. Also starring are Beulah Bondi, Lawrence Tierney, Vladimir Sokoloff, and Paul Fix. This is a very good movie that shows a part of the war many people do not know about. Check this one out to see an exciting, well-told, adventure story. Classic Duke!

Back to Bataan: The Last of the
With the end of the Second World War close at hand, Hollywood was taking no chances as it continued to churn out patriotic, flag-waving war movies, most of which featured John Wayne. In BACK TO BATAAN, director Edward Dmytryk does showcase Wayne along with Anthony Quinn as both pay homage to the inspired loyalty of the Philipino men and women who risked their lives to aid the Americans against the Japanese. BACK TO BATAAN is an old-fashioned war film, of the kind that has not been filmed since then. In addition to the heroics of the American leads, it features a sterling cast of slanty-eyed Japanese villains to boo and hiss and stalwart Filipinos to cheer. Phillip Ahn and Richard Loo (both ethnic Chinese) play moustache-twirling Japanese officers who speak fluent if not accented English as they spin out their lines of threats and entreaties backed by more threats. Vladimir Sokoloff, a veteran of scores of films, here plays an unassuming school principal who refuses to haul down the American flag when ordered to do so. He is hanged for that, but his body, cleverly draped by the Stars & Stripes, is an unabashed symbol of solidarity between American and Philipino. Ducky Louie, as the schoolboy Maximo, is equally heroic as one who could not spell 'liberty' correctly but whose death proved that he full well understood its meaning. What BACK TO BATAAN shows is Hollywood's contemporary paen to America that the patriotism that is nowadays derided as colonialistic and left-wing jingoistic was then seen as a necessary adjunct to a war that had the bad guys on one side and us on the other.

A so-so Hollywood war film...
A hearty, but hamfisted, formulaic WWII propaganda film about the liberation of the Phillipine Islands from the Japanese occupation, loosely based on contemporary history. Future McCarthy snitch Edward Dymytrk directs; a handsome young John Wayne is the white guy who organizes the guerilla resistence, and Anthony Quinn is cast in one of his many "ethnic" roles, as the grandson of a legendary Filipino political figure, who is now called upon to lead their people to freedom. Although there's plenty of "good neighbor policy" talk about the nobility and can-do spirit of the Filipino people, this jingoistic, bluntly-scripted film is mostly pretty patronizing... And of course, the "Japs" are just pure, conniving evil. The script is pretty action-packed, though... if you like shoot-em-ups, this is OK, if you don't think too much about it. Really nice B&W cinematography.

Realistic and Innovative Filmmaking
This is an excellent film about Filipino guerillas fighting the Japanese during W.W.II. A highlight of this film is the black and white photography of realistic combat scenes filmed by cinematographer Nicholas Musuraca and directed by Edward Dmytryk. These were exciting and ahead of their time. John Wayne as Colonel Joe Madden and Anthony Quinn as Captain Andres Bonifacio give inspirational performances. The cast also included Beulah Bondi, Richard Loo, Lawrence Tierney, Paul Fix and Vladimir Sokoloff. This is one of my favorite war films of the period. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Elvis and Hawaii go together like one of Graceland's peanut-butter-and-banana sandwiches. To be honest, though, Paradise, Hawaiian Style finds the King looking puffier and sleepier than he did in the salad days of Blue Hawaii. Making matters worse is the song selection and the prominence of an allegedly adorable child actor--always a bad thing in an Elvis picture. Despite all that, there's something casually likable about the film: costar James Shigeta is a welcome performer (he plays the island pilot who goes into business with flyboy Elvis), leading lady Susanna Leigh is an above-average companion, and the location shooting is a big upgrade over the cardboard backdrops of many late-career Presley vehicles. Extended musical sequences take place at the Polynesian Cultural Center--nothing wrong with that, but rock & roll has been left pretty far behind. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Return To the Island State.
In this movie, Elvis plays a laid off airline pilot who returns to his home state of Hawaii (he's the descendant of missionaries) and starts a helicopter transportation business with his best friend. The scenery in the movie isn't as breathtaking as in BLUE HAWAII. Nevertheless, the plot of the movie is much more believable and well written than BLUE HAWAII. However, the improvement in the script is dragged down by Elvis' apparent lack of enthusiasm; during the singing sequences he just goes through the motions with no emotion whatsoever. Yet, there is some excitement in the movie found in an unlikely source: the King is stood up in this film by 10 year old Donna Butterworth who steals practically every scene she is a part. Overall, pretty much, just your average Elvis flick.

With Elvis, Hawaii IS paradise!
A sort of repeat of "Blue Hawaii", but "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" shows more exotic locations. Only this time around Elvis takes you by air. He stars as a handsome unemployed helicopter pilot who decides to open his own helicopter tourist service with his partner. Along the way, Elvis can't keep several beautiful wahinis out of his hair. "Is this any way to run an airline?" You bet! With one look at this movie, you'll see it's not called "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" for nothing. The young child costar Donna Butterworth was a huge Elvis fan before she starred in this picture with Elvis. Why not? A little girl who loved Elvis to death and now she's doing a motion picture with him in person. You could call it a dream come true. Elvis fans, don't delay.

Dude, where's my career?
What on earth is this stupid film about? It's complete garbage. Elvis plays a pilot (what a shocker) who goes to Hawaii and, well, that's it. No story, rubbish songs, singing brats, creepy semi naked women. It's terrible. Elvis looks terrible, bloated and bored. If this is as good as it got, no wonder he was spaced out. How could anyone, thinking they are a professional in the movie game, come up with this mess. The other actors in it are nobodies or hasbeens and that says it all. No laughs, no good tunes and definitely no good acting. No star rating please.

Pure, unadulterated nonsense.

Dog Days
The dogs in this movie seem to have more fun than Elvis.
10 year old Donna Butterworth steals her scenes and it is no wonder as she is a fan living a dream. Making a movie with Elvis would have been great for any fan. Nice songs and good story for the whole family.

Not The Nadir
I've always been an Elvis fan, but most of his movies have been pretty hard to take. In the second half of his movies, he looks sullen and angry--unless he's singing.
What makes PARADISE HAWAIIAN STYLE stand out?
I believe this is the one Elvis movie where the king looks thoroughly bored for the ENTIRE film. In every scene, he looks like he's just seconds from stomping off the set and going back to Memphis to figure out just where his movie career went wrong.

In fact, here's a game for you: who looks more bored and disgusted for the entire length of a movie?
Elvis in PARADISE or Sean Connery in YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.
It's not as easy to pick as you think. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Maverick film director Samuel Fuller was doing some of his best work in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and in the years since its release in 1963, Shock Corridor has become a B-movie classic and a prime example of Fuller's gritty tabloid style. Never hesitant to explore the darkened corners of contemporary life, Fuller depicts the chambers of an insane asylum as a microcosm of American society, telling the story of a cynical, ambitious journalist (Peter Breck) whose obsessive quest for a Pulitzer Prize leads him into the depths of madness. To investigate a murder, the reporter goes undercover in a mental hospital, having convinced a psychiatrist that he needs treatment. Once inside the asylum, he pieces together clues to the murder, but his own mind begins to deteriorate until he's trapped in a downward spiral towards insanity. Fuller heightens the melodrama with his aggressive style of filmmaking (his next film, The Naked Kiss, proved even more effective), and his imaginative use of black-and-white cinematography (by noted cameraman Stanley Cortez) fills the movie with raw, emotional power. It's the kind of film one would expect from a rebellious director on the Hollywood fringe, and that's why Shock Corridor remains an enduring low-budget examination of the "rat race" and the consequences of pursuing success at any cost. The Criterion Collection DVD presents the film in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, and a rarely seen color dream sequence has been fully restored. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (8)

go buy it have it now!!!
i own both seasons 1 and 2 of kung fu and it was my favorite show when it came and it still is!now only do you get action with this show but it teaches you about life!have any younger folks out there? i highly recommended this show for all ages it is pure entertainment both physically and spiritually!go buy it now you will not be disappointed!!

It NEVER ceases to amaze me
This series, and something as innocent as the "Our Gang/Little Rascals" series are American popular cultural TREASURES!It never ceases to amaze me how some people "go out of their way" to look for racism.These people keep agitating & will never let things die down, and put things behind us.

In this case, and the Little Rascals series, somereviewers are looking for a platform & an audience to preach to.

Buy this series (and the Little Rascals for your elementary schoold kids)YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

I'm inspired to do a kung fu website
As the title of this says, I am inspired to create a Kung Fu website dedicated to the show (I've already started the design). There are some available, but none cover it from the perspective I have. There are many episodes where Caine shows his displeasure of eating meat, and in the first season he even converted two different characters to being vegetarian. And in the third season, Caine finally rides a horse in the very final episode, but only after he apologises to it. Thirty years later, the show still holds up and does not look dated.

Still A Great Show, Even After 30 Years
I remember watching this show religiously when I was a kid and thinking it was the best thing on TV. The philosophy of life exemplified by the character Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine) had a real and lasting impact on me. Watching the same episodes all over again 30 years down the road, I find that they have not lost their original power. I would recommend watching this show with your children. If everyone learned to behave more like Kwai Chang Caine, the world would be a better place indeed.

bruce lee myths
It is a common myth that Bruce Lee was involved in the creation of the kung fu TV series. The myth that it was stolen from him is just a fabrication popularized by the seldom factual movie "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story". He did however audition for the role and was turned down and rightfully so. Bruce was too big for the role of a humble monk. Why would anyone complain about him NOT getting this role, if he did he wouldn't have made any movies and would not have become a cult hero. He would just be another used and abused series character actor of the 70's.... With that said, this series as worth anyones time and money and amazons prices can't be beat! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

one of the best films of all time
There is no doubt, this is one of the best films ever made. It is based on a true story, based during the Korean War. You better have plenty of Kleenex available--it's a tear-jerker. Don't miss this one.

Finding God Amidst The War
Rock Hudson stars as a minister who feels he has lost his calling and returns to the Air Force (he had fought in WWII) to train Korean soldiers during the Korean War. He and his men become involved with a group of Korean orphans and a young Korean/Indian woman that cares for them. While the war rages on, Hudson begins to find his way back to God, while also trying to protect the orphans. I initially believed that this was a war-action film, only to be surprised that, although there are several good fighting sequences, this was a more personal story of finding faith. Surprisingly, it meshes together well with the action. Hudson is earnest in his portrayal of the real life colonel, and he is well supported by Dan Duryea as one of his men/sidekick. There are some great lines about faith, and some of them made me think, especially the belief that God allows things to happen for reasons that may not be clear to us now, however bad they may seem at the time. In light of what has gone on in the world lately, this is a comforting thought. Battle Hymn is a well crafted, inspiring movie that never seems to preach, yet it certainly makes its points.

A HYMN TO HIM AND HER - MORE LOVE THAN WAR!
"Battle Hymn" is the story of a minister (Rock Hudson) who returns to train Korean soldiers to fight after he feels he has lost his calling. Of course he finds redemption and his true faith when he becomes involved with a group of Korean orphans and a young Korean/Indian woman that cares for them. Despite several brilliantly staged action sequences this film is not so much a war saga as it is a tale of introspection and finding courage in religion to carry on. The reason is simple; the film's director is Douglas Sirk - known for his soppy, sloppy and gushy melodramas that ooz treacle over substance, like "Imitation of Life" and "Written on the Wind". The blend of both adventure and drama is seamless. "Battle Hymn" is an intelligently-crafted and inspiring without being stoic or preachy.
THE TRANSFER: Overall the picture quality is nicely rendered but the ravages of time have not been kind in a few spots. Age related artifacts are present throughout - sometimes glaringly so. Black levels are often weak and fine detail is lost in the darkest scenes. Digital anomalies are not an issue for a generally smooth visual presentation. The audio is nicely presented - if somewhat dated.
EXTRAS: None.
BOTTOM LINE: "Battle Hymn" is finely wrought melodrama tinged with the prerequisite of combat that all war films have in common. The DVD is admirably realized but is not reference quality. Still, it's definitely worth a look.

this is the film to watch over the next few weeks.
A tribute to the essential benevolence of the US Army, and a justification of necessary warfare, 'Battle Hymn' was made with the full co-operation of the army (which allows for some spectacular airfights and picturesque bombings). It is introduced by an endearingly stolid miltary mandarin, General Earle Partridge of the US Fifth Air Force, posing against the eloquent priapic might of a grounded bomber. This is a propaganda film that shows the army as decent saviours of the world, protectors of the innocent; it displays the urgent need for heavy armaments and the engagement in warfare with totalitarian threats to that innocence.

The film is directed by Douglas Sirk, who has been for the last three decades the test case for the possibility within the monolithic global Hollywood industry of inserting a critical voice, of working within the system but producing films that go against the grain. Sirk's major legacy is a series of Universal melodramas from the 1950s, in which he took a despised, 'female', corny, conservative genre, and created the most devastating critiques of 50s America we have, with its mindless and mind-destroying conformism, its patriarchal repressions, its racism.

the films, being 'women's pictures', naturally focus on the domestic, on the interior lives of socially imprisoned characters. 'Battle Hymn', on the other hand, is a war film, male-dominated and set in the wide-open desert spaces of Korea. Nevertheless, Sirk finds a way to 'domesticate' this macho genre, with his feminised, camp soldiers; with his preponderance of cramped, interior shots.

there is a conscious opposition in this film that goes to the heart of the American 'problem' that would explode so traumatically in Vietnam. In the 1950s, when this film was made, America was led by a grounded military man, fetishised the family, and encouraged socially adhesive religious values. And yet Dean Hess, a vicar, a man of god, a family man, cannot live in this America. America is no longer fit for American men, primed by the Second World War, to live in. His marriage is sterile - only when he leaves does his wife become pregnant, and does he find the possibility of family in the shape of the teacher and Chu.

In an America so brightly optimistic and confident as Eisenhower's, any trauma cannot be spoken publicly. Any 'illness' must be taken outside and dealt with there. Hence the profusion of US military activity in the 20th century, a doomed attempt to atone for guilt and failure, which only results in the mass murder of foreigners.

'Battle Hymn' is quite a provocative film, with a hero and his sidekick called Herrmann and Hess, with two graphic bombings by the army of an orphanage and of fleeing refugees. The film is called 'Battle Hymn', and is an attempt to unite the conflicting US ideals of religion and militarism - Hess flails around wildly for the assurance that his murderous actions are not his fault, but part of God's will, sanctioning further brutalities. He is often ironically compared to Christ, when he is actually a mixture of the antiChrist and Midas, killing everything he touches. The only way he can save lives is to 'sacrifice' others.

'Battle Hymn' does not equate war with religion (a deus ex machina is epically ironic), but exposes the pathology of the army: the predominantly dull mise-en-scene matching the grey uniforms. American military imperialism is mirrored in the attempts to Americanise the Korean children, teaching them to eat 'candy', swallow Christianity and sing English. Any native rituals don't exist as examples of an alternative or older culture, but as theatrical expressions of Hess' moral progress.

the film also points to Sirk's great 'race' masterpiece of three years later, 'Imitation of life': in real America, segregation would have prevented Hess and Maples befriending one another. Here, they are made equal in the army, united by baby-killing and its justification by God.

Inspiring but Not Always factual
Once again, Hollywood has taken a true story, changed or omitted facts and passed it off as the real thing. Despite that, this is an inspiring and poignant movie and as another reviewer here said, this is the type of movie they don't make any more.

The stoic Rock Hudson plays Colonel Dean E. Hess, a real life WW II fighter pilot who comes to Korea to train the first ROKAF pilots in American aircraft and tactics. However, there are some glaring inconsistencies in this movie and what happened in real life to Dean Hess.

For one thing, Hess already had a degree in theology and was in graduate school when he became an aviation cadet in the Air Corps during WW II. He received his ordination and elected to return to the Air Force and make it his career postwar. It was not as the result of Korea itself or any deep spiritual problem. From what I read, when he bombed the orphanage or hospital in Germany during WW II, he did not have the problems portrayed in the movie.

The Anna Kashfi character, En Soon Whang was an older women in her 50s and not a beautiful, half-Korean - half Indian teacher. She was Korean and had lost two sons in WW II and in Korea. She had already helped start and maintain an orphanage. Then Major Hess helped out, along with many other Americans and the kiddy lift did happen. But not like in the movie.

This movie is inspiring because it does show the power of faith as well as Hess's value to a fellow pilot and long-term friend who he helps at the hour of his death. That was perhaps one of the most powerful parts of the movie, because his friend, a typical fighter pilot, has no foundation on which to stand. As he says to Hess, "I realize I was afraid to live and now, I don't know how to die." The minister in Hess the pilot finds his real calling, and pastors to his dying friend. He makes the transition from this life to the next easier for his friend and the other pilot is able to die peacefully. It is at that point that Dean Hess finds himself, by stepping outside himself.

I saw this movie for the first time more than 25 years ago on television and was very taken with it. It was at a time before I renewed my own faith. Dean Hess's pastoral counseling to his dying friend had a big impact on me because I had an inordinate fear of death and dying. His words had the effect of helping me conquer that fear and later, led me back to my own relationship with God. Perhaps that is the real (but hidden value) of this movie.

There is also another dimension to this movie that should be mentioned. The aerial sequences are extremely well done. Viewers who are fans of the North American P-51 Mustang will benefit from several scenes of combat flying that show the plane in its best light. In this part of the movie, Hudson manages to convey the competence of Hess as a leader and pilot. He is an excellent manager and teacher and his success training the ROKAF pilots is evident in later scenes.

Finally, one of the things the movie doesn't point out is that Colonel Dean E. Hess remained in the Air Force after the Korean War and not as a chaplain. He retired from active duty in 1971 as a full colonel and he spent the better part of his career as a fighter pilot. He was a man of God to be sure, but he was also a pilot and that is where he made his largest contributions to the service.

Paul Connors ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Memorable Henry Brandon performance distinguishes the serial
Henry Brandon -- a master character actor who usually played villains -- got his only leading role in this 1940 Republic serial, "suggested by" Sax Rohmer's Fu Manchu stories. Brandon steals the film from the supporting players and the squadron of athletic henchmen (who do not speak -- eerie!).

The serial is about par for Republic. The plot concerns an archaeological search for the artifacts of Genghis Khan, but you won't care much. The story characters are sketchily written and competently if not brilliantly acted (although one must admire hero Robert Kellard's enthusiasm). There are the usual chases, fistfights, and narrow escapes for cliffhanger fans, and a good musical score.

As the treacherous warlord Fu Manchu, Henry Brandon's careful, eloquent performance is a masterpiece of economy. He speaks volumes with a swift extension of the forearm, a slight smirk, a raised eyebrow, a dramatic pause, a sly drawl. He even plays an effective bereavement scene. when he discovers one of his coterie has died. Brandon is far better than his material in this one.

The original negative of this serial was presumably unavailable, so the DVD producers had to make do with a copy. What survives looks like a good to excellent third-generation print in excellent physical condition. The image has more contrast and less detail than other DVDs, but it's certainly watchable and enjoyable.

All in all, a decent show made better by the leading actor.

Fu Do Something to Me
Well put-together serial, made wonderful by Brandon's believable performance as the villain. We have a host of usual types for this kind of film supporting Brandon: the dauntless young hero, the relentless older law enforcement official, the courageous sweet young thing, her sneaky female counterpart working with the villain, the requisite professors and experts and others, all lining up in a titanic struggle of good and evil to determine who rules India. The cliffhanger endings involve a variety of fiendish plots by Fu Manchu to get rid of one or another of the heroes, so that the good guys are not just saved every episode by jumping out of a car at the last moment before it goes over the edge of a cliff or blows up . The writers actually put together a scenario that goes in one direction from beginning to end. It all comes down to Brandon as Fu Manchu though. His is the only character with any depth and he creates a believable performance. I also own the VHS of this serial and the DVD has been restored to far, far superior quality. I recommend it if you are into this kind of entertainment.

Enjoyable Series - Disappointing Print.
I admit that if you are a fan of these delightful old series adventures, you'll thoroughly enjoy "Drums of Fu Manchu". The DVD set includes an informative 12 page booklet entitled, "The History of Fu Manchu", written by Eric Hoffman, and also, among other things, a short documentary about the cinematic history of this grand, evil character. It's clear that VCI Entertainment put a lot of effort into this "digitally remastered" video, and I find no fault with that effort.

With that said, I must admit that I was rather disappointed with the quality of the print that VCI Entertainment used, after they had put so much effort into the DVD's "extras". Although this print of "Drums" is clean and well preserved (no scratches or artifacts), it is generally dark, indistinct, and murky with only a very limited gray-scale range. It reminds me of the prints that used to be used for the late, late, late TV movies, before there was cable, that used third and fouth generation prints because they felt no one was watching anyway.

The DVD format has certainly raised the bar for what is acceptable, and not acceptable, when watching films in the comfort of our own homes. I, for one, now demand a crisp, clear, clean print that does full justice to the original. With all sorts of "restorations" now being offered that, in many cases, are better than the original release print of a film, I've become spoiled and quite critical. And a film's age has nothing to do with it. The DVD print of the Republic Serial, "Jungle Girl" (1941), is absolutely pristine! It was made from a 35mm Master Positive Print that is as clear and clean as any I've seen. The serial, "Jungle Jim" (1936), is also clean and clear, although not as sharp and crisp as "Jungle Girl". Both of these serials were issued by VCI, so I suspect that what they used for "Drums of Fu Manchu" was the best they could find. Still, it was disappointing to be expecting another "Jungle Girl", and receive such a mediocre print. By the way, the absolutely worst print of a serial that I've purchased was "The Three Musketeers" produced by the Roan Group, a company that usually does pretty good work. If these companies can't find a good print to work with, why do they even bother to reissue these movies? I, for one, would be willing to wait until the negative was found, a fine grained, master print was discovered (and I "know" they're out there), or the film was properly "restored" (emphasis on "properly").

Not One of the Best
I enjoy watching serials from this era and I can definitely say that this one rates below average compared to others I have watched.

A FU-TASTIC SERIAL!!!
I have two words to all potential buyers of this DVD: BUY IT! It is fantastic! This is probably one of the best movie serials ever made! Fifteen exciting chapters of trains wrecks, chases, car crashes, fights, fights and more fights, featuring one of the best villians in all of fiction, Dr. Fu Manchu. Brillantly played by Henry Brandon, whom most sf/ fantasy fans may know from John Carpenter's "ASSAULT ON PRECEINT 13". He is perhaps the best Fu in movie history, even better than Boris Karloff and Christopher Lee! He is that good, I kid you not! The serial is not based on the Sax Rohmer novel of the same name, but uses some of the plot of an earlier Fu novel and the Karloff film "THE MASK OF FU MANCHU". Normally this would make me an unhappy camper, but this serial is such a joy to watch and is so exciting, that I can forgive the producers for ignoring Rohmer's great book ("DRUMS" is one of my favorite Fu novels). All of the cast is pretty good. I liked Gloria Franklin as Fu's daughter Fah Loo Suee although she mysteriously disappears from the proceedings after about 12 chapters. And fans of Universal horror films will be happy to see the familiar face of the fly-eating maniac Renfield from the Lugosi Dracula, Dwight Frye in a small role in the 5th chapter. And wait until you see Loki, the lead Dacoit, one of "Fu Manchu's men-of-murder". He's a hoot! The picture and sound on the DVD are very nice and the extra's give a nice history of both Fu Manchu and the serial. There is a nice booklet included with the "HISTORY OF FU MANCHU" by Eric Hoffman and a photo gallery on the dvd and star and director bios and filmographies. Let me close by saying: this is one great DVD. BUY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT!!! - George Bauch. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Low-budget movie
I love this movie! I have waited a long time for it to come to DVD. Here it is 2004 - watching a movie made in the 1970's, that takes place in 1873. I just love the philosophy of this film - avoid conflict when possible. This is in stark contrast to every action movie in the last 30 years, where the hero is just looking for an excuse to beat up / kill someone. With the above praise out of the way, the reason I didn't give it a 5 is that the production values are terrible. This was a tv show pilot, not a Hollywood blockbuster. While there is an explosion, that is the only "special effect". Bottom line, Get this movie, just be prepared for a very "low tech" experience. ... Read more

Reviews (49)

A True Masterpiece
This is true spellbinding stuff. A Great story, depicting the sad tale of "Rio" (Marlon Brando) and his quest to get even with the evil Dad Longworth (Karl Maldon) for the betrayal of some stolen lute, friendship and trust. The one an only film directed by Marlon Brando, is a film of epic proportions, that twists and turns until you feel eventual sympathy with the "Rio" character, after all the nastiness of the ill fated outlaw he once was. Excellently shot using panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, a stirring film score, taught direction, A moody and magnificent Marlon Brando, The sultry Pina Pellicer, (who sadly died shortly after the film) A rousing story...and I just love the script, This film has it all. A follow up would have been super, but alas it wasn't to be. So sit back and enjoy "One Eyed Jacks", and don't let the critic books put you off. So go on! Make that saturday night special watch this movie now!

HORRENDOUS DVD QUALITY
I bought this 2003 Westlake Entertainment Group release of One-Eyed Jacks thinking that because of the price, it was the best version of the movie available on DVD. If it is, I'm disgusted. It is not in widescreen and the image is not sharp, much less crisp. I paid about $14.95 for this disc. To my great disappointment it's a horrible transfer. And I don't think I'm being picky. Granted, it is only my opinion, but I was not satisfied with the quality at all. I'm going to wait for the studio that made the film to eventually (hopefully) release a more acceptable version. I give this DVD version one star because zero stars is not an option.

terrific directorial debut
Brando fine as director. He does excellent turn as the Rio
character in the film. Malden, as usual, top notch as menacing heavy. Beautifully photographed. It's too bad Brando didn't direct a few more films.

A Great Movie - Really A Greek Tragedy Set in the West
Based on Charles Neider's Novel,"The Authentic Life of Hendrick Jones", this is truly the finest Western you will ever see. It even surpasses "Shane" and that is a true compliment,indeed. Beautiful scenery, an absolutely intrigueing story with many unexpected turns that will hold you to your seat. As for Brando and a marvelous supporting cast,Karden Malden,Pina Pellicer,Ben Johnson,a fabulous performance by Katy Jurado, and others,see it, you will love it. Not often mentioned in reviews is the wonderful theme song by Hugo Friedhoffer as background music.Absolutely a MUST SEE-to be chewed and digested.

Don't buy the Madacy DVD
As many reviewers have noted, the video quality is terrible in many editions. I have only experienced the Madacy edition -- that's the one where the cover has the original poster, surrounded by a white outline and the actors' names below -- and it's terrible. I will be sticking with my laser disk until (or if) Paramount releases a studio version. My two star rating is therefore an average of a "zero" for the technical quality of the Madacy DVD and a "four" for the movie itself (which features some of the most memorable dialog ever in a western, which I understand was in no small part due to Ben Johnson -- Brando would ask him, "Ben, what's a better way to say that?" and Johnson would come up with some wonderfully colorful expression like "I hear there's dirt between ya" or "Don't be doin' her like that"). So pray for a studio edition, as this movie certainly deserves first class treatement. ... Read more

Description

They're one kiss away from MURDER! Millionaire industrialist Walter Williams is marked for murder by his sexy young wife and her seedy lover. When the insidious plot ends in a fiery disaster, Williams is thought dead. In reality, he finds himself without a clue as to who he is or what happened. But as his memory starts to return, his shattered life becomes a runaway roller coaster ride of suspense and excitement! Beautifully photographed on location in San Francisco, this hard-boiled drama snaps with smart dialogue, a hell-frosted broad and more twists than a rusty corkscrew. "Impact" is truly a forgotten film noir masterpiece. ... Read more

Description

Hollywood favorites James Cagney (Yankee Doodle Dandy), William Frawley (I Love Lucy), and Gene Lockhart (Miracle on 34th Street) star in this delightful musical comedy about a New York bandleader and hoofer, Terry Rooney, whose wife joins him for a trip to Hollywood where the star system gets turned upside down in a series of hilarious complications. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Musical fun for those who still believe love conquers all
Dance, dance, dance! Sing, sing, sing! Throw in a few costume and set changes and you have the winning formula for a musical. To make it charming, though, you need a decent story and charismatic actors -- both of which are in ample supply in the classic musical Something to Sing About.

Jimmy Cagney boisterously portrays a "hoofer, not an actor" in this cheesy but still undeniably loveable musical. Having just gotten his big break in Hollywood, Cagney must leave behind the loves of his life -- his beautiful songbird fiancee and his job as the orchestra leader at a hoppin' New York club -- to pursue his dream of singing and dancing his way to stardom in a major motion picture. The plotline is more or less predictable but Cagney fans won't be disappointed by the smile-inducing fancy footwork and surprisingly lovely songs that make up for any bits of story telling that could use refinement.

QUICK TAKE: $$$$$ Fair price
Considering this movie was made in the 30s, the quality is pretty darn good. But compared to modern films, this dvd doesn't have all the usual bells and whistles which is why I gave it only four stars. Had the studio gone to the trouble of adding at least a smattering of goodies, I certainly would have been tempted to raise it five stars.

VERDICT: ***** Buy it!
If you're a Cagney fan -- or simply a fan of old school musicals -- it's definitely worth every penny to add it to your collection.

Forget Maltin's review
If you appreciate James Cagney for the quality and spunk of his dancing, this film is for you!

Sure, the plot is nothing to sing about, but this film is to be watched for Cagney alone.

He has several hilarious episodes as he enters Hollywood as a small time bandleader from NY. He is measured, analyzed and critiqued by a voice coach, hair dresser and tailor, and his reactions to all the poking and prodding show him as one of the underrated but awesome comedic actors. (Anyone who doesn't recognize Cagney as a great comedic actor hasn't seen enough of his films.)

Another great scene is when he does some great Vaudevillian slapstick facial pantomimes of "the take, the double take, and the double take with the fade-away."

Now the dancing! Cagney, who always billed himself as a song and dance man, never danced enough in his movies. But this has four great scenes of him him at his best -- a combination of down-to-earth hoofing and ballet. He does one scene with Johnny Boyle and Harland Dixon, the former who danced for George M. Cohan and helped Cag choreograph dancing sequences for "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Much of Cagney's dancing style is taken from Boyle.

No one could say that Cagney is the greatest dancer, but he injected a street attitude into his dancing along with exquisite grace that made him incomparable.

A must see! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good war espionage thriller
Smilin' Jack was a leading comic strip hero during the 40's and 50's, and Tom Brown does a very good job in bringing him to life. The time frame is the year 1941, beginning before the U. S. officially entered the war, and including the attack on Pearl Harbor. There is quite a bit of stock war movie footage here, which is not detriment. It helps tell the story.

This serial could be offensive to those of Japanese or German heritage, because being made during World War II, both races are depicted as inherently evil. That's unfortunate, but it is part of war. Although there are lots of Japanese characters portrayed, there were of course no Japanese actors...they were all in camps (euphanism for prison) at the time.

Among the grand old names of B movies in this serial are Sidney Toler giving a Charley Chan characterization to a Chinese general, Turhan Bey as one of the two principal villains, Keye Luke, Phillip Ahn, and Jay Novello.

One distinguishing element in this serial is the preface to each chapter, quite different from the standard synopsis.

All in all, this is a fast moving and quite enjoyable serial which, once you have the major serials in your collection, will be a welcome adition.

Surprisingly good Universal serial from the forties
This is that rarity of rarities--a good Universal serial from the forties. Along with Gang Busters (also 1942) this is Universal's best serial effort from the 1940-46 years. Minimal use of stock footage, an inventive screenplay, a music background that relates to the action going on are some of the assets. An interesting cast also helps particularly Rose Hobart as an icy cold ruthless German agent and the ultra suave Turhan Bey as her Japanese counterpart.

A good Universal serial from the forties.
Adventures of Smilin' Jack is that rarity of rarities--a good forties Universal serial. Along with Gang Busters (also 1942) this represents Universal's best serial effort for the 1940-46 time period. A thoughtful script that helps convey a good action-adventure romp; minimal use of stock shots; good musical background that relates to the action going on; and good casting bolster this serial considerably. Rose Hobart is very good as a coldly efficient and ruthless Axis agent. Also very good is the ultra suave, Turhan Bey as her Japanese counterpart. And Tom Brown is well cast as the hero. Oh sure, it's Rover Boy stuff but its well done and very entertaining. If you collect serials this will be a very nice addition.

Espionage in Pre World War II China
One of the better Universal serials. Ranks high with Flash Gordon (1936) and Tim Tyler's Luck(c.1938) for the best serials made at Universal. Selection of Tom Brown to play Zach Moseley's Smilin' Jack was great casting. Brown plays Jack to perfection. As one who read the comic strip during the 40's and 50's I pictured Jack as closely as possible to Brown's portrayal. Jack is in China trying to prevent an Axis agent Fraulein Von Teufel from taking over the island of Mandon. With the help of two friends, Janet and Tommy, Jack is able to destroy the Axis plans. The highlight of this serial is the ending to Chapter 12. To prove that he is an honorable person, Jack has to walk barefoot over a bed of hot coals. He is taught by a Chinese friend how to do this without harm. This serial is full of action and adventure. There is also a mystery as Jack tries to find out who Frauline Von Teufel is. Look for Sidney Tolar (Charlie Chan) playing a Chinese general. ... Read more

Reviews (49)

A True Masterpiece
This is true spellbinding stuff. A Great story, depicting the sad tale of "Rio" (Marlon Brando) and his quest to get even with the evil Dad Longworth (Karl Maldon) for the betrayal of some stolen lute, friendship and trust. The one an only film directed by Marlon Brando, is a film of epic proportions, that twists and turns until you feel eventual sympathy with the "Rio" character, after all the nastiness of the ill fated outlaw he once was. Excellently shot using panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, a stirring film score, taught direction, A moody and magnificent Marlon Brando, The sultry Pina Pellicer, (who sadly died shortly after the film) A rousing story...and I just love the script, This film has it all. A follow up would have been super, but alas it wasn't to be. So sit back and enjoy "One Eyed Jacks", and don't let the critic books put you off. So go on! Make that saturday night special watch this movie now!

HORRENDOUS DVD QUALITY
I bought this 2003 Westlake Entertainment Group release of One-Eyed Jacks thinking that because of the price, it was the best version of the movie available on DVD. If it is, I'm disgusted. It is not in widescreen and the image is not sharp, much less crisp. I paid about $14.95 for this disc. To my great disappointment it's a horrible transfer. And I don't think I'm being picky. Granted, it is only my opinion, but I was not satisfied with the quality at all. I'm going to wait for the studio that made the film to eventually (hopefully) release a more acceptable version. I give this DVD version one star because zero stars is not an option.

terrific directorial debut
Brando fine as director. He does excellent turn as the Rio
character in the film. Malden, as usual, top notch as menacing heavy. Beautifully photographed. It's too bad Brando didn't direct a few more films.

A Great Movie - Really A Greek Tragedy Set in the West
Based on Charles Neider's Novel,"The Authentic Life of Hendrick Jones", this is truly the finest Western you will ever see. It even surpasses "Shane" and that is a true compliment,indeed. Beautiful scenery, an absolutely intrigueing story with many unexpected turns that will hold you to your seat. As for Brando and a marvelous supporting cast,Karden Malden,Pina Pellicer,Ben Johnson,a fabulous performance by Katy Jurado, and others,see it, you will love it. Not often mentioned in reviews is the wonderful theme song by Hugo Friedhoffer as background music.Absolutely a MUST SEE-to be chewed and digested.

Don't buy the Madacy DVD
As many reviewers have noted, the video quality is terrible in many editions. I have only experienced the Madacy edition -- that's the one where the cover has the original poster, surrounded by a white outline and the actors' names below -- and it's terrible. I will be sticking with my laser disk until (or if) Paramount releases a studio version. My two star rating is therefore an average of a "zero" for the technical quality of the Madacy DVD and a "four" for the movie itself (which features some of the most memorable dialog ever in a western, which I understand was in no small part due to Ben Johnson -- Brando would ask him, "Ben, what's a better way to say that?" and Johnson would come up with some wonderfully colorful expression like "I hear there's dirt between ya" or "Don't be doin' her like that"). So pray for a studio edition, as this movie certainly de