The Vampire's Ghost (1945)

Featuring: John Abbott, Charles Gordon, Peggy Stewart. Director: Lesley Selander

The Vampire's Ghost is a b-horror movie from the 1940's. It's a simple vampire flick set in Africa. One of the colonists happens to be a vampire. The natives of course know he's a vampire because natives are in touch with ancient evils and what not. A lot of it is pretty racist which I kind of expected. The natives were all painted up, dressed in loin cloths and talked exactly like Tarzan. Although you can tell from their tone of voice that they were really just some dudes from Brooklyn trying to make a buck.

There is nothing really that special about this movie but it wasn't overly corny or anything either (except for the natives). The acting was decent, the story was OK, and they didn't try to do too much with special effects. It was entertaining enough but definitely not anything you need to watch.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 7/15/13. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I thought the chic on the cover was hot.

Is it artsy? No.

What stood out the most to you? The silly way the natives talked.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking for an average b-horror movie from the 40's.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 2 Stars. 


Sorry, couldn't find a trailer for this one.

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His Girl Friday (1940)

I've got a strange nostalgia for the romance of the old newspaper business. I have no idea why considering I've never worked at a paper, known anyone that works at a paper, and I don't really know anything about journalism. It's probably because of movies like this brilliant film that I feel that way.

His Girl Friday stars Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell as hard as nails reporters with very questionable morals. Russell play's Grant's ex-wife and a love triangle is formed when Russell attempts to move on by promising to marry her doting fiance as soon as they leave for Albany. She of course gets wrapped up in one last big story before she can leave and Grant uses every dirty trick in the book to keep her on it.

This Howard Hawks directed film was really a joy to watch. The dialogue was so lively, fast paced and fluid that it held me in rapt attention throughout. It made me want to talk faster, be more manipulative and start my own paper. If you've never seen this movie you really should. From the wonderful performances of Grant and Russell to the incredible and hilarious dialogue there is really nothing you won't love about this movie.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue. 

This movie is available for streaming on Netflix until 3/1/11.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? It's supposed to be one of the great movies of all time, it is.

Is it artsy? Nope.

Best thing about the movie? The fast-paced back and forth of the dialogue.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking to be entertained and have a few laughs.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 5 Stars!

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Fort Apache (1948)

I've only just recently started watching old westerns so the expectations I had going in is that they'd be about a bunch of cowboys killing a bunch of Indians wearing feathers. I wasn't really expecting much depth or attention to social issues. I was more expecting overtly racist films just churned out for profits. While I'm sure that is out there I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised so far.

In John Ford's classic Fort Apache the Native Americans aren't treated as blood-thirsty savages but as a nation trying to take care of it's people. The movie stars Henry Fonda as a military officer who has fallen out of favor with the army brass so gets transferred to the sleepy western outpost Fort Apache. His hubris and desire to be restored to a better post lead him to underestimate the Apaches and as a result the soldiers under his command and members of the Apache nation needlessly pay the price. John Wayne plays the counter to Fonda's arrogance. Wayne's character has been stationed at Fort Apache for a number of years and as a result respects the cunning of the Apache people and instead of wishing to attack them would much prefer a peace treaty.

The more I watch his movies the more I am beginning to realize that John Ford is one of those rare directors that can handle the complexity of controversial historical and social issues and still make an entertaining movie out of it. John Wayne and Henry Fond were both very good in their respective roles and if you're looking for a good western this would be a great place to start.

Click here to add this movie to your queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I've been meaning to watch more westerns and I think it's required to start out with John Wayne and John Ford.

Is it artsy? No.

Best thing about the movie? The way they portrayed the folly of a commanding officer who underestimates his opponents.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? For some westerny goodness.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 Stars.

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The Big Sleep (1946)

Humphrey Bogart is just so damned cool. Seriously, I wish I could talk like that for just a day. Rapid, intense, witty and with an air of superiority because damn the world it hasn't done anything for him. If you've ever seen a Bogart film then you know what you're getting from him in The Big Sleep (click here to add to your queue). He's the best at playing private detectives ever (sorry Jake Geddis). In fact, when I think of the words 'private detective' I think of Bogart running around and taking on the world. It's really film noir at it's best.

He's teamed up in this one with his wife, the lovely Lauren Bacall and he solves another twisting and turning mystery. While it isn't on par with Casablanca or The Maltese Falcon this is still a very good movie and if you like film noir, or Bogie, you should give this a look.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Bogart and Bacall, says it right there on the cover.

Is it artsy? No, Bogart doesn't do "artsy".

Best thing about the movie? Humphrey Bogart being Humphrey Bogart.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Feeling cool.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 stars.

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Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Featuring: Bud Abbott,  Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr, Bela Lugosi. Director: Charles Barton.

I'll always have a soft-spot for Abbott & Costello. When I was a kid I'd always watch their movies with my parents. Before you start wondering "damn how old is this guy?" and feeling sorry for my poor grandson that must maintain not just one, but two, blogs for this old fart that probably thinks googling is something he does in his depends, I'll tell you I'm still only 28. My parents used to rent these movies when I was a kid, probably because they were feeling nostalgic. Now that I'm too old for trick-or-treating I'm feeling nostalgic, too. So I was happy to see this classic gem, Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, was streaming on Netflix.

Not only do you get a great horror/comedy with the classic duo of Abbott & Costello, you get Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney, Jr. reprising their classic roles as Dracula and The Wolf Man respectively. The plot is cheesy, the special effects are corny and the plot is silly. But, the brilliant chemistry and comedic back and forth between Abbott & Costello make me cherish this movie as much as I did when I was a kid.

Click here to add this movie to  your Netflix queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Nostalgia.

Is it artsy? Nope, just funny.

Best thing about the movie? The great one-liners and the way Costello acts when he is scared.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? A silly Halloween nostalgia kinda mood..

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 stars.  

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