Starring John Agar, Lucille Ball, Patricia Medina, George Tobias, Raymond Burr
Directed by Lew Landers
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
After a Caliph is murdered for his throne, his infant son is saved via use of a flying carpet, and grows up into a doctor who leads a double identity as the Scarlet Falcon, in order to battle the new regime.
As the lead in this colorful Arabian fantasy from Columbia Pictures, Agar stands out a bit as the only Arabian without a beard, but looks good in his red cloak and brandishing a sword. I wouldn't put this film anywhere in the same class with the adaptations of The Thief Of Bagdad, and those expecting magical characters and grand visuals, will have to settle for the carpet, which is the only fantastic element in the film. Nonetheless, it's competently directed, and sports quite a cast of familiar faces, with future TV comedienne Ball, future Perry Mason Burr, familiar Republic serial villain Gregory Gay as the Caliph's usurper, and Patricia Medina in a winning role as the feisty sister of one of Agar's followers, who wants to fight with the men, and cease the romance between Agar and Ball. It's a pleasant enough diversion but not a truly memorable film.
Showing posts with label Lucille Ball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lucille Ball. Show all posts
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
That's Right - You're Wrong (1939)
Starring Kay Kyser, Adolphe Menjou, May Robson, Lucille Ball, Dennis O'Keefe
Directed by David Butler
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
A struggling movie studio tries to reverse their misfortunes by signing Kay Kyser and his popular band to a contract, but have problems creating a story for the comical bandleader.
The first feature film to showcase Kyser and his band oddly doesn't feature more of their better-known standards, and is probably more successful in staging film recreations of their radio show, than launching them in an engaging adventure. Nevertheless it's still charming and Kyser's "screen test" with Lucille Ball, long before her television success, is pretty amusing. Fans of the band will have fun, and others may enjoy spotting some real-life Tinseltown journalists playing themselves.
Directed by David Butler
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
A struggling movie studio tries to reverse their misfortunes by signing Kay Kyser and his popular band to a contract, but have problems creating a story for the comical bandleader.
The first feature film to showcase Kyser and his band oddly doesn't feature more of their better-known standards, and is probably more successful in staging film recreations of their radio show, than launching them in an engaging adventure. Nevertheless it's still charming and Kyser's "screen test" with Lucille Ball, long before her television success, is pretty amusing. Fans of the band will have fun, and others may enjoy spotting some real-life Tinseltown journalists playing themselves.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Lured (1947)
Starring George Sanders, Lucille Ball, Charles Coburn, Boris Karloff, Cedric Hardwicke
Directed by Douglas Sirk
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
A dance hall girl is recruited by the London police to help them trap a serial killer who targets young women through the personal ads of the newspaper.
Considering Lucille Ball's later acclaim as a comedic actress, it's interesting to see her play a dramatic role here, supported by several accomplished actors whose performances are equally fine, including Karloff as a demented fashion designer, Coburn as the determined police inspector, and Sanders, cast in a familiar role as a wealthy entrepreneur and lothario. Familiar screen villain George Zucco has an entertaining change-of-pace role as Ball's protector. Ball, who is given an impressive variety of outfits throughout the film, has never looked lovelier, and the film has strong direction by Sirk and innovative camera work. The mystery itself though takes a rather implausible turn to cap off with a happy ending, but that's no doubt what the audience for pictures like this would have preferred.
Directed by Douglas Sirk
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
A dance hall girl is recruited by the London police to help them trap a serial killer who targets young women through the personal ads of the newspaper.
Considering Lucille Ball's later acclaim as a comedic actress, it's interesting to see her play a dramatic role here, supported by several accomplished actors whose performances are equally fine, including Karloff as a demented fashion designer, Coburn as the determined police inspector, and Sanders, cast in a familiar role as a wealthy entrepreneur and lothario. Familiar screen villain George Zucco has an entertaining change-of-pace role as Ball's protector. Ball, who is given an impressive variety of outfits throughout the film, has never looked lovelier, and the film has strong direction by Sirk and innovative camera work. The mystery itself though takes a rather implausible turn to cap off with a happy ending, but that's no doubt what the audience for pictures like this would have preferred.
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