Reviews (98)

Solid, entertaining classic restored
It's a fun movie. You can argue with the the "science"; you can argue with some of the optical effects (the use of poorly matted lizards vs. stop motion animation is a minor drawback to the film)and you can argue with some of the deviations from Verne's classic novel but none of this off sets the sheer aura of fun that surrounds this 50's classic. Made at the tail end of the science fiction boom that made the cinema profitable again during the threat of television, Journey succeeds through the top flight direction, witty dialog and performances of the cast.

James Mason is perfectly cast as Professor Lidenbrook and Arlene Dahl plays his spirited romantic interest. The plot is fairly well known so I'll stick to the quality of the film, restoration and DVD transfer. Pat Boone's career as an actor was often blighted by his singing career. He wasn't considered a "serious" actor. He gives a energetic performance that counter balances Mason's intense take as Liddenbrook.

The direction by Hollywood vet Henry Levin sparkles with a number of inventive set pieces. Michael Todd's spare no expense production allows this lavish production to continue to shine nearly 45 years later. The art direction is often imaginative and, despite the limitations of the time, manage to convey the wonder of Verne's original novel.

The optical effects are quite good half a century later. The matte paintings and miniatures still allow one to suspend disbelief and sink into the world portrayed here. The use of redressed lizards for the grand finale does undermine the conclusion a bit. Surprisingly, Todd and director Levin opted for using this approach instead of the more time consuming stop motion animation of Ray Harryhausen or Willis O'Brien. Although it would have delayed the film a bit and increased the budget as well, this brief sequence would have been more believable and lively if it had been made using O'Brien or Harryhausen.

All of this would have been to no avail if not for Bernard Herrmann's moody, inventive and idiosyncratic score for the film. Herrmann's best scores (North by Northwest, Psycho, Citizen Kane among many other classic scores)helped elevate the quality of many films. Hitchcock, Welles, Ray Harryhausen, Brian DePalma and Martin Scorese all recognized that Herrmann's scores were important characters in the films they directed.

The transfer is beautiful given the age of the original negative and condition of many of the films from this time frame. While the restoraation isn't as rich as that given to cinematic classics like Vertigo and Spartacus, the film benefits from the restoration efforts. The colors are vibrant and rich and, with few exceptions, the transfer is sharp and not as grainy as one would expect (particulary during the optical effects sequences).

The DVD transfer is quite good as well. Again, grain problems to crop up now and again and the widescreen transfer isn't flawless but these are fairly minor complaints. Fox has, on the whole, done a marvelous job restoring this classic adventure film. Sadly, Mason, director Levin and Todd are all deceased so we don't get any first person observations about the production of the film on a second audio track. Since Pat Boone is still very much with us, it would have been interesting to hear his memories on the production of this fine film.

I have very fond memories of watching this on the 3:30 Afternoon movie on KGO-TV in San Francisco (and, if memory serves, a couple of times on John Stanley's Creature Feature program as well). It's a perfect rainy day Saturday movie. It's enjoyable for the kids and, yes, even for this adult despite the wonderous explosion in visual effects over the years. While you're at it, you might also enjoy Jon Amiel's The Core an update of sorts of this classic film. Amiel's film vividly recaptures the sense of wonder and power of this type of film with his modern day take on the same theme.

Grand "Cinemascope" family entertainment from the 1950s!
OK, there's been some controversy here about the quality of this release, so let me put it to rest. This DVD is spledid! I think this adaptation of Jules Verne's 1864 French novel is a prime example of 1950's wide-screen motion picture family entertainment -- it's wholesome and has a little something for everyone. This is the best film version of this story, the most recent of which was done for the USA Channel on cable in 1999 and was very campy. They couldn't match the 1959 production values of this 20th Century-Fox film that has excellent color photography and art direction, and Bernard Herrmann's wonderfully atmospheric music score. These elements have continued to make it a favorite with fantasy film fans who can appreciate older movies, though it's true that some of it is silly at times, but I don't think the film's makers were trying for a serious movie. It also contains one of James Mason's best performances (He was always good). It's wonderful "Cinemascope" escapism from the bygone Eisenhower-era of the 1950s. Even though I've been watching it on TV since I was a kid in the sixties, I'd only seen pan&scan versions, and it wasn't until I got it letterboxed on laserdisc that I finally saw what a big-screen entertainment this movie was meant to be. It has splendid scope and a score by Bernard Herrmann that takes you right down into the bowels of the earth. Listen to it and you'll notice what I mean, as the movie progresses the music keeps going into a lower and lower register. Five organs were used, including one meant for a Cathedral. (The complete original recordings of the score are available on CD from Varese Sarabande.) Sure it's long in the telling and takes a while to get you down that extinct volcano in Iceland, but it's fun all the way with great special effects work by L.B. Abbott and matte paintings by Emil Kosa Jr. It's been a long wait for this to come out on DVD but it's now worth it. Although Fox should have known that fans would want more extras, including a production and poster still gallery and audio commentary by Pat Boone and Arlene Dahl perhaps?, or an expert on the production? (Perhaps we'll get it in a future release?), they have thankfully included the original theatrical trailer, whic is a lot of fun. They've also gone to great efforts to restore the color negative, and this 16X9 ANAMORPHIC TRANSFER has been struck from a newly made interpositive print, and has been further enhanced with digital video. The original 4-track MagOptical soundtrack is here offered in Dolby Digital 4.0 surround. Although the directionalized dialogue is often off the mark, the aged soundtrack sounds great and will really rumble your room if you've got a subwoofer. If you are a fan of 1959's JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, you'll be very happy with this DVD. I'd give this DVD five stars but for Fox skimping on the extras. Boy, you people at Fox can be real dummies!

A film for the whole family
Fox Studios was so successful with this film that they immediately made another Verne classic, "The Lost World" with Claude Raines as Professor Challenger. "Lost World" didn't fare as well. The reasons were obvious.

"Journey" was put together by a team of Hollywood professionsls at all levels: script, direction, actors, production deisgners. They were all dedicated to one goal: to entertain the audience while not pandering to them. The actors take their roles seriously, bringing them to vivid life.

This is a long film for a general release, family oriented project. It goes into good, solid character development, rather than settling for action over story, as they did with "The Lost World." The only thing both films have in common appear to be dinosaurs.

The special effects are excellent. Try not to compare them to what can be computer-generated today. Matte painting artists of the old Hollywood studio system could truly be called artists; this film is a prime example of this art.

Bernard Hermann's score is one of the true stars of the picture. It supports the film; it is like a character all its own; it complements the story rather than overpowering it.

This is a movie that can be seen over and over through the years and it still appeals. Once again, the DVD format presents the film in its original CinemaScope aspect ratio, which is the only way to appreciate a truly excellent example of the old Hollywood in its finest form.

all time classic
i remember seeing this movie as a re-release in t he 1960's
these are the type of movies that should never be put to dvd,
instead released to the theatres every so often where
mom's can drop off the kids for saturday afternoon fun.
james mason did a great job
alene dahl was hot to trot
pat boone played a 2nd fiddle good performance
thayer david ( what a wimpy creep..!)

Rated "G" for "Great"
This movie captured my imagination as a child, and I'm pleased to say that it retains all its adventurous charm twenty-five years later.

Based loosely on the Jules Verne novel, the movie tells the story of a group of scientists (and a scientist's widow ... and a hunky Icelander ... and a duck) as they follow the trail of a long-dead explorer into - wait for it - the center of the Earth. The film is partly a vehicle for Pat Boone's singing career, partly an excuse to design one fantastic set after another (partly filmed in Carlsbad Cavern National Park), but it's mostly a decent adventure story with the ever-wonderful James Mason leading the way. Sure, some effects are poorly done with blue screens, matte paintings, and miniatures (not bad by late '50s standards, though), but it doesn't take much suspension of disbelief to get into spirit of the thing (my 4-year-old screamed at the Dimetrodons), and an emotional connection is built between the audience and the characters (Count Saknussem's fate is richly deserved). Be sure to watch for Alfred the Butler (Alan Napier) as a University of Edinburgh dean.

The limited bonus materials are all worthwhile (as opposed to DVDs that cram in the extras, mostly mediocre). Included are movie trailers for nine Fox sci-fi movies (Sean Connery's Zardoz must be seen to be believed) as well as the trailer for Journey. The only other bonus is a before-and-after comparison of how the film was restored. There's no documentary showing the process, but the side-by-side and split-screen comparisons help you realize how close this treasure was to being lost.

This is a great film that deserves to be part of anyone's collection. The effects may be dated, but the adventure and characterizations are as powerful today as they were in 1959. If you're looking for a film the whole family can enjoy that isn't so sugary sweet it necessitates a visit to the dentist, Journey to the Center of the Earth fits the bill. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The movie that put the Break into Spring, Where the Boys Are inspired thousands of college kids to seek sun, surf, and even s-e-x on the beaches of Florida. A bevy of co-eds (including foxy Yvette Mimieux and delightful Paula Prentiss, in her film debut) make for Fort Lauderdale, finding fun but also quite a bit of heavy-breathing drama. It's a little like a dressier, glossed-up version of the Problems with Today's Youth movies that were filling up the drive-ins of the era. The movie's actually pretty frank for 1960, although these days the lightweight stuff with Prentiss and Jim Hutton holds up best. There's also Connie Francis, who plays one of the college girls and croons the great title tune (which belongs on anybody's mix tape of classic teen-beach music). The film was remade, with vague Orwellian overtones, as Where the Boys Are 84, a truly dismal effort. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (28)

A Great Old Time Chick Flick!
I admit that I am a fan of old time movies and this one counts as one of my favorites. It takes me back to my younger years and that bittersweet time of finding the right guy with whom to start a relationship with. Four young girls decide to use Spring Break from college to take advantage of the sun and excitment of Fort Lauderdale. Dolores Hart and Paul Prentiss do a fine job as the Beauty/Brains "responsible" girls while Yvette Mimmiuex plays the fresh stars in her eyes, new to the scene girl. She soon learns the hard way that there are decent guys out there and not so decent. Connie Frances plays a athletic-type girl just looking for someone to ask her on a date and charms everyone with her terrific voice and comedic comments. Catching some sun and having the time of their lives, the girls learn many things about themselves and their new found independence. While this movie is not like the movies of today, it still leaves you with a smile and a sigh. Something all us girls can relate too!
The movie sets remind me of times when my friends and I could not wait to get to the beach to catch a tan and check out the guys! Pat on some tanning oil, grab your favorite swimsuit, and round up your girlfriends for some movie fun in the sun.

Good entertainment
I have to admit I liked this movie. Sure, the premise was great, and it looks great too. But that could be said about a lot of movies, and eventually few of them live up to the expectations. This ain't no masterpiece, but it is very funny, has quite a lot of great location shots, especially the last one on the beach (adding a great title tune with great voice, courtesy of Connie), and great scenes like the one where Connie Francis and girlfriend go to the bar and order hot water because they can't afford anything else and slip tea bagas into them, or when all the cast jumps/falls into the saloon acquarium. I was unsure whether Yvette Mimiuex was raped or not because for 1960 I have rarely seen in movies, but after reading some reviews I was right. And the scene where she zombie-walks into traffic is very good (to look at).
All in all, a good movie.

Where the Boys Are" 1960 version
ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES EVER. EXCELLENT CAST, EXCELLENT STORYLINE, EXCELLENT ACTING, EXCELLENT PICTURE, HONEST!!!!!!!!!

Where the Boys Are
"Where the Boys Are" has many things going for it and at the top of that list would be Paula Prentiss who makes her film debut here. In fact, it was her interview in the DVD extras that so enchanted me that it colored the whole film in an even rosier light. She is fun, ebullient, warm, and has nary a bad word for anyone, but she is also so unpretentious and open that it really provided a lot of insight into what it was really like to work on a film, fresh out of college and ironically at a location which she had missed on her own spring break.

The film tells the story of a group of girls on spring break in Ft. Lauderdale and the romances they encounter there, but as one reviewer here pointed out, it's not exactly "Beach Blanket Bingo." There's the fun 60's comic side of the film similar to "Beach Blanket Bingo" and other "madcap" comedies of that era, but there's also a deeper side with some serious issues raised about "date rape." The film is fairly well cast and pleasant to watch. It also has a real jazz score and Connie Francis performing and singing the title tune. Additionally, it's easy on the eye with great, candy-colorful costumes; beautiful on-location scenery including a panoramic shot of Ft. Lauderdale in full swing; a silly climax in a fish tank with the whole cast practically getting wet; and some unusual names for characters.

All in all, I'd say this one is a keeper and a classic in its own right. It may not be quite an "A" picture, so I didn't give it 4 stars, but it is a really fine film of its kind, mixing breezy, silly, 60's comedy with issues that were going to explode in the coming decade. And the stars are just great. I thoroughly enjoyed all the extras -- not only the wonderful, refreshing Paula Prentiss commentaries, but also a documentary that highlighted both Prentiss and Francis interviews. The film manages to address its heavier issues without having the shift in tone sink the picture in any way, so it's done rather seamlessly.

Again, I highly recommend this film and feel it's probably one of the best of the beach flicks.

The sixties begin.
Suntans, first love, jazz, date rape. And all in one film. "Where the Boys Are" ushered in the 60's, perhaps unwittingly, with its portrayal of half a dozen teens on Spring Break and their new attitudes about sex, life, and sex. Dolores Hart (now a Mother Superior in real life) plays a privileged Midwestern girl with very progressive ideas about interpersonal relations, while Yvette Mimieux's tragic character learns the hard way the lessons of promiscuity, at least according to Hollywood at the time. A very enjoyable film, and a nostalgic final glance back at the fading 1950's, as a new generation was about to make its mark on the social mores of Spring Break and the new world of the 60's. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Planning to show to my daughter and friends!!!
I;ve been talking about this movie for years and everyone though I was nuts. I'm so glad to see that it's available, I've pre-ordered this one. I've got a date set for my daughter and her girlfriends to come watch this movie when it arrives. I know they'll get the best kick out it. It's such a sweet movie, and many good tips are very useful. I've used many thruoughout the years!!!!!!!!

Finally!
I saw this movie when it first came out and I loved it then. The story centers around a woman who marries the love of her life but is concerned about keeping him interested. Her mother, a French woman, instructs her on the art of "keeping your man happy" by giving her a book on dog training. All this works very well until he finds out that he's being trained!
The main stars of the film are Sandra Dee, Bobby Darin, and Stephanie Powers. I definitely would recommend this film and That Funny Feeling - both with Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee.
These films are great examples of the comedies of the sixties.

Great movie for all ages!
I loved watching this movie when it used to play on the Family Channel and I was tweener. I have been on the lookout for it since! Everyone at the stores thought I was crazy, especially when I gave them the premise. I am so excited If a Man Answers is finally being released, I have been waiting ten years for this!

If A Man Answers
I grew up with Sandra Dee films airing on television in 1970s and IF A MAN ANSWERS is one of my all time favorites. Sandra Dee plays a newly married woman to a photographer who feels taken for granted by her husband. Her mother has the perfect self help book for her titled HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DOG. When the husband learns of this it's time for step two. An imaginary lover to call you. If a man answers..hang up. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Myrna Loy charms as the Gilbreth family matriarch in this enjoyable 1952 sequel to Walter Lang's comedy Cheaper by the Dozen, based on the autobiographical novel by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. Picking up from the somber ending of Cheaper, in which Frank Sr. (Clifton Webb) dies, leaving behind his wife, Lillian (Loy), and 12 children, Belles focuses on the family's slow recovery and aspirations for a future. Lillian's qualifications as an engineer are dismissed--sometimes humiliatingly--by sexist men, though she finally receives a training position with the plain-speaking Sam Harper (Edward Arnold) and the respect of a major university. Meanwhile, eldest daughter Ann (Jeanne Crain) is wooed by a young doctor (Jeffrey Hunter), and the other Gilbreth kids weed out unsuitable suitors for their dating-age sisters. Several pleasant musical numbers punctuate the comically unpredictable action, including a few by Hoagy Carmichael as the Gilbreth's wry cook. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Family Fun
Delightful sequel to Cheaper By The Dozen, Belles on Their Toes, follows the adventures of the Gilbreth family following the death of father Frank (Clifton Webb). Struggling to keep the family together, mother Lillian (Myrna Loy) continues the pioneering work in industrial engineering she started with her husband. Eldest daughter Ann (Jeanne Crain) has struggles of her own. Does she go off to college and pursue a life of her own, or stay home to help her mother with domestic matters, no small task since Ann is one of twelve children! The cast is very appealing and although they seem too good to be true at times, it's hard not to be drawn into this heartwarming comedy. Most of the cast from Cheaper repeats their roles in Belles, with the addition of a young Jeffrey Hunter and veteran character actor Edward Arnold. Also in the cast, a young Debra Paget (as third daugher Martha), and an unbilled Martin Milner as an "unsuitable" boyfriend for Ernestine (Barbara Bates). The Technicolor print for this film is superior to Cheaper By The Dozen, which is a plus. The color looks new and vibrant and it will add to the overall positive experience of viewing this film. As sequels go, Belles is pleasant and enjoyable family entertainment.

FUN ENTERTAINMENT
This was a very pleasant and enjoyable movie and the picture quality was sharp and bright but the people and objects seemed to have a blue shadow around them and the sound was lousy. It was like listening through a tin can.
I wish the studios would release more of Jeffery Hunter's films such as "Man Trap" with Stella Stevens if it even still exists somewhere or "Brainstorm" with Anne Francis.

Love this movie!
This movie, and its predecessor, Cheaper by the Dozen, are wonderful movies. I was so excited to find out they are coming out on DVD! Wonderful movies the whole family can enjoy. No worrying about what kind of things your children will see in this movie! It is a charming tale. Funny and sweet. A definate must have!!!!

Looking forward
It's been a long time waiting to see this film. Glad it's coming. Hope more of Jeffrey Hunter's films such as Lure of the Wilderness, The Frogmen, Red Skies of Montana, Seven Cities of Gold, White Feather could become available on DVD. That would be a delight. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

"Jolson Story II": script only OK but Parks better than ever
"Jolson Sings Again" picks up where "The Jolson Story" left off and takes the singing star into the 1940s, when he finds himself in professional decline until his movie biography comes out. Because this sequel covers far less territory than the original, "Jolson Sings Again" lacks the stature and story values of the earlier picture. But in many ways it's even more fun to watch.

By this time Larry Parks, already impressive in "The Jolson Story," was in full command of the role. Parks is often very amusing and inventive here, adding little bits of business to his performance. As for his song scenes, this writer submits "Sonny Boy" for special praise. Parks is letter-perfect, so much so that the film editor doesn't cut away from Parks's face as he delivers one long, flawless take. Barbara Hale is excellent as the romantic interest, and Ludwig Donath and Myron McCormick are fine in support. (Look quickly for "Gong Show" bandleader Milton Delugg as a young accordionist.)

Fans of Al Jolson will enjoy hearing many popular hits, and movie buffs will especially enjoy the scenes showing the preparation and filming of "The Jolson Story." You don't have to know the original to enjoy "Jolson Sings Again."

JOLIE SINGS AGAIN
My favorite of the two Jolson Movies. Watch this wonderful DVD and be brought back to a time of Inocents. When movies really were Spectacular....Get the popcorn ready..Put your feet up and get ready for a wonderful Experience...........Enjoy !!

Never get tired of this one!
Larry Parks is incredible once again as Al Jolson. Sure, its kind of predictable, and some of the more popular scenes from "The Jolson Story" are redone here, but I could watch this movie every day and not get tired of the music, story, and especially Larry Parks! Would LOVE to have it in DVD if/when that happens!

Big Shock! Jolson's voice was not used on all songs!
Columbia Pictures was not happy with at least three of the tracks Jolson sang. He was older and not well so they brought in Jolson "sound-a-like" singer Norman Brooks to sing them. If you ever heard Mr Brooks you would be amazed! He HAD AL Jolson's voice!!
Once source told me that Jolie never knew the difference.

Entertaining sequel to "The Jolson Story" with Larry Parks
"Jolson Sings Again" is a worthy sequel to "The Jolson Story" with Larry Parks repeating his amazing portrayal of the sensational Broadway entertainer Al Jolson. The film takes up where the original ended with Jolson singing in a night club then he goes home to find that his wife Julie (Evelyn Keyes) has left him. William Demarest is back once again as Steve Martin (Jolson's friend and manager) with Ludwig Donath and Tamara Shayne repeating their roles as Jolson's parents. Jolson is only happy when singing on stage to a live audience but finds that he is now no longer in demand and it is difficult to get work. Steve Martin tries hard to discover some Broadway producer who will put Jolson into a show but no one is interested. Jolson then volunteers to entertain the troops abroad and is one of the first of the big stars to do this. While on one of these Tours he meets Col. Bryant (Myron McCormick) who is a big Jolson fan. On another Tour Jolson contracts an illness and is taken to hospital. Ellen Clark (Barbara Hale) is a nurse at the hospital where he is recovering and they fall in love and get married. Jolson still pines to be singing again and Steve Martin manages to get him a spot in an all star benefit show. The show is extremely long and Jolson doesn't appear until the finale by which time many people have left. However, Col. Bryant is in the audience that night and he stays to the end specially to hear Jolson sing. Bryant is now a Hollywood film producer and phones Jolson after the show with an offer to make a film of Jolson's life story. Much of "Jolson Sings Again" shows the background to the making of the earlier film which is fascinating - particularly when Larry Parks (as Jolson) is introduced to Larry Parks (as himself)!! "The Jolson Story" became a smash hit putting Jolson back on top and he went on to even greater success than before with another biographical film a few years later continuing his story in "Jolson Sings Again".

Some favourite lines from the film:

William Demarest (to Robert Emmett Keane): "I'm not going back to that guy with some lame excuse that adds up to only one thing - he's not wanted. I can't do it Charlie, and you're not going to make me do it".

Myron McCormick (to soldiers at Jolson troop concert): "I don't know what the name means to you. When I was your age it meant the world's greatest entertainer - Al Jolson".

McCormick (to Parks as Jolson): "Meet a young fellow named Larry Parks".

Barbara Hale (to Parks): "It's your right to hear those bobby soxers squeal".

It is interesting to note that the storyline in both films was not entirely accurate and took a few liberties with the facts. Jolson's mother died when he was eight years old yet in the films she lives on to see him become a big success on Broadway and in talking pictures. Many people who played active parts in Jolson's real life story did not even get a mention in the film versions. His long time manager Louis Epstein, his dresser valet Frank Holmes and his brother Harry Jolson were all eliminated!! The character of Steve Martin excellently played by William Demarest did not actually exist and it has been suggested that this role was probably a composite of the three men referred to above plus several other people. Jolson's first two wives were not even mentioned in "The Jolson Story" and Ruby Keeler (Jolson's third wife) would not allow her name to be used in the picture so attractive Evelyn Keyes had to play the fictitious Julie Benson instead.

Harry Cohn (the notorious head of Columbia Pictures) is to be congratulated for going ahead with Jolson's life story when all the other major Hollywood studios had turned it down. Even Warner Bros. (for whom Jolson had starred in several films) were not interested. Filming was started on a small budget and in black and white. When Harry Cohn saw the early rushes he decided to film in colour and make "The Jolson Story" a major prestigious production. This certainly paid off in a big way for him as the film became one of Columbia Pictures top money earners and led to this sequel "Jolson Sings Again". James Cagney and Danny Thomas were both offered the part of Jolson and surprisingly both of them turned it down! Jolson desperately wanted to play the leading role himself and was opposed to another actor portraying his life. Unfortunately for him the studio decided that Jolson was too old (he was 60 at the time of the first film) but Columbia could not have found anyone better than the young Larry Parks (31) who perfectly captured the Jolson style and threw himself into the part with relish. However, Jolson did manage to play himself in one scene of "The Jolson Story" singing "Swanee" on the Winter Garden runway (all filmed in longshot with no close-ups). A clip from this scene was also shown in "Jolson Sings Again" so he did manage to appear in both films after all. Following the completion of "Jolson Sings Again" Larry Parks only made another four films due to the McCarthy communist "witch hunt" which was a shame as he was a very talented performer. He died in 1975 but will always be remembered for these two magnificent Jolson films. It is remarkable that over 50 years after Jolson's death there is an active "International Jolson Society" still in existence which has hundreds of members worldwide and publishes regular illustrated journals. "The Jolson Story" and "Jolson Sings Again" are two of my favourite musicals and I can watch them over and over again. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Glenn Ford as a killer judge in a psychological Western
Glenn Ford and William Holden team-up again in another off-beat Western. Ford plays Colonel Owen Deveraux, a sadistic ex-Civl War colonel who kills for the love of killing. Somehow after the war is over he gets an appointment as a federal judge in Colorado, where he finds new ways to satiate his bloodlust by sentencing everyone to death. Holden plays Captain Del Stewart, Deveraux's former adjutant who tries to help as the judge's marshal. Eventually Stewart quits and joins the ex-soldiers forced to become outlaws because the Judge has taken away their gold-mining claims. Even Devereaux's wife Caroline (Ellen Drew), leaves the judge for Stewart. In the end there is a violent confrontation between the two parties. This 1949 film, directed by Henry Levin, represents one extreme of the adult/psychological Western best represented by "Shane" and "High Noon." The problems with this film owe as much to the script as Ford's performance. It is just hard to buy Glenn Ford as psychopath lets alone the fact that his character gets appointed a judge, no matter how corrupt the Republicans were during Reconstruction. Holden, of course, is perfectly cast as the decent but tough good guy. Not a classic Western, but certainly an interesting one overall. Certainly a lot different from "Texas," the film the two made in 1941.

Good, but...
Being particularly partial to both Holden and Ford since the early 1940's I might have been influenced by that background in giving this 4 stars. There was nothing wrong with the acting, but I really had a problem with Ford's make-up! He began with a slightly grayish color which became increasingly grayer and darker before the film ended. I assume that it was to exaggerate the whites of his eyes when he opened them widely to portray the extent of his mental illness by the film's end. They should have left that to his usual sensitive acting. Also, I think that the main theme (what happens to some men who fight wars) was short-changed in order to bring in too many other story lines. I would have thought that, being so soon after World War II (1949), the director would have been more sensitive to that aspect of the story. Otherwise, a good, unusual western worth seeing for anyone attuned to that genre and either or both of those excellent actors. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Apart from the inherent clarity and richness of its black-and-whiteVistaVision--a wonderful format--The Lonely Man could be mistaken for amediocre "adult Western" episode from '50s TV. The sets look like sets, notliving spaces, and people trade ponderous, pause-laden dialogue instead oftalking. Jack Palance plays an ex-gunslinger--a papier-mâché death'shead--trying to reconnect with son Anthony Perkins, who's grown up (or not grown up)hating him. Meanwhile, gambler Neville Brand, once shot by Palance, waits forhenchman Elisha Cook to pick up Palance's trail so other henchman Lee Van Cleefcan kill him (got that?). The backstory is so weakly imagined, and the scenes sowanly directed, we have no idea how many years of history the characters haveshared, or how many miles separate them as they move toward showdown. ElaineAiken, a curiously hard-faced blonde "introduced" here, was scarcely seen onscreen again. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Jack Palance at his best!
In this western, the only real format to aficianados, Jack Palance displays every ability expected of the finest actors. He is gracious, honest, even having been one of the bad guys. He is courageous to a fault, facing down a number of bad people at once at terrible odds. He even rates a traitors loyalty.

This movie is a must-see if you liked "SHANE", and are tired of "RIO BRAVO" reruns, but like the genre.

Someone in those days actually knew all the classic elements of a good story, and it's obvious when you see this flick. Todays special effects, with bullets whizzing by, would be the only possible improvement for this film. Don't miss it if you like westerns!!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The highest flyin', slickest, meanest dude you'll ever face
In case you're unaware, blaxploitation is defined as `a genre of American film of the 1970s featuring African-American actors in lead roles and often having antiestablishment plots, frequently criticized for stereotypical characterization and glorification of violence. While African-American filmmakers were substantially involved in making early movies in this genre, their participation in subsequent productions was minimal.'MGM releases their films of this genre under the guise of `Soul Cinema'.Universal, who released this DVD, did so under the header `Soul Showcase'...both seem a little pretentious, as it's all blaxploitation to me (and everyone else), regardless how much they try to fancy it up.That Man Bolt (1973) features two directors in Henry Levin (Journey to the Center of the Earth) and David Lowell Rich (The Concorde: Airport '79) and stars a relative staple of the genre in former Oakland Raiders / Kansas City Chiefs football star Fred `The Hammer' Williamson (Black Caesar, Hell Up in Harlem, Three the Hard Way) as the title character, Jefferson Bolt.Also appearing is the portly Byron Webster (The Poseidon Adventure, The Nude Bomb), Miko Mayama (The Hawaiians), and Teresa Graves (Vampira).

As the film begins, we see Bolt in a Macao prison, practicing what appears to be some form of martial arts (in real life Williamson does possess black belts in Kenpo, Shotokan Karate, and Tae-Kwon-Do) sans his shirt so we can all get a good look at his sweaty, naked torso.Turns out he was falsely imprisoned by charges trumped up by a mysterious Englishman, and now said Englishman has afforded his release on the stipulation that Bolt, who makes a living as a highly paid professional courier, take on a job involving the transportation of $1,000,000 to Mexico City, which he does, begrudgingly.Arriving in Los Angeles (I guess there were no direct flights to Mexico City from Hong Kong), he gets attacked in the men's room by three assailants, but given he has a black belt in karate, he makes short work of these guys.A clue leads him to Las Vegas, and there he learns the money is fake, along with getting his love interest, who sings in a lounge, killed as more people try to retrieve the dough.It's personal now as Bolt is determined to get revenge on those responsible, with the trail leading back to where he started, in Hong Kong (watch for the scene in the Hong Kong fireworks factory...is there a film out there that includes a fireworks factory that doesn't have it blowing up at some point?).He does eventually learn the truth, but that may cost him as his dogged determination has lead to someone putting a contract out on his life, a contract to be fulfilled by a deadly assassin named Spider.Survival seems slim, given the power behind the machinations to which Bolt is but a pawn, but they messed with the wrong brother, and Bolt's about to bring their world down around their ears.

While watching this film, I couldn't help feel the filmmakers were trying to emulate the popular Bond films with the character of Bolt (Heck, they even have the same initials Jefferson Bolt - James Bond).Bolt is passed off as a former captain of U.S. Special forces, graduate of Cal Tech and M.I.T. with a master's degree in physics (?), and a black belt in martial arts.He's a worldly traveler, and you know all the women want him (mainly because it's written that way).The main difference is the character of Bolt works outside the system, rather than for some government agency.While you're watching this film, think about all the Bond films you've seen, and pick out the similarities, especially in terms of the main villain and his remote island base.I don't know, maybe the hope was to create a franchise similar to the Bond series (or just cash in on it with a one shot), and they might have been successful if not for one thing (okay, maybe a few things), Williamson can't act.Oh, he can say his lines, but don't expect much else.The man's performance is about as wooden as they come, and he's not helped by the lame script.And what is up with the plot?Here we've got a relatively simple story, and they've gone and jumbled it up to the point the audience has little idea what's going on in terms of specifics until nearly the end, when a huge steaming load of exposition is required to straighten everything out, causing the film to run way too long.The film has a few positives, though.There's plenty of hand-to-hand combat, gunplay, car chases (is it possible to have a car chase in LA without it going into the LA aqueduct system?I guess not), explosions, sexy women (no nudity, though, which is strange as that's usually a given in these types of films, but then the Bond film also didn't have nudity, either), and a few really good bloodless kill sequences (hence the R rating) featuring various people getting their necks punctured various accoutrements including a jagged piece of mirror, an ice pick, and an acupuncture needle.Another missing element that's common in many films of the genre are the hyper bigoted Caucasian characters slinging all kinds of racial slurs aimed at the African American characters, so that when The Man bites it at the end, there's definite justification for his demise, usually in particularly brutal fashion.I didn't mind the lack of this, and it seems to go in line with my initial theory of creating a Bond-like franchise in that they probably wanted wider appeal, so they eased up on a number of aspects blaxploitation films are generally know for...one thing I really enjoyed was the scenes shot on location.There's a great deal of footage featuring Hong Kong, its' countryside, and its' harbors.

The anamorphic widescreen (1:85.1) picture is clear and crisp, with decent Dolby Digital 2.0 mono with no extras.

Cookieman108

what the deal is
I thought this movie was preety good. Fred did a great job with his charater Jefferson Bolt,and the story board was as good as his former 70's movies' like hell up in harlem, and black Ceaser. If your a Fred Willaimson fan, then this is difinitely one of his movie's you should add to your collection. ... Read more