665. The Big Red One

The Big Red One
1980
Directed by Samuel Fuller

I have written quite a few reviews today but we are ending on a rather dull note.  The most remarkable feature of this film for me will always be that Mark Hamill is in it, which is the first time I have seen him in something other than Star Wars.  Exciting stuff.

The film follows the movements of the 1st Infantry Division during World War II.  That's about as specific as I can get, as there isn't a linear plot, so to speak.  That's the story I am sticking to anyway.  There probably was a specific story, but I missed it because I was so bored.

If I am going to see a war story, I prefer when the conflict is the backdrop (such as in The Last Metro) than watching the actual fighting.  I also found the ending to be a bit ridiculous, but I don't want to give away spoilers.

Entirely skippable, but there have been really good movies lately, so let's not let this dampen our spirits.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

Director Samuel Fuller served in World War II.

Fuller originally submitted a four hour long cut.  It was rejected by the studio, thank god.

407. Shock Corridor

Shock Corridor
1963
Directed by Samuel Fuller

You would think that during the Thanksgiving holiday break I would have lots of time to watch movies but I have had so much work to do that I almost brought a hot flash on myself (and I am way too young for that).  However, I decided to take a break and watch this fun movie which was a very welcome break after watching so many "serious" movies.

Johnny Barett wants to simultaneously solve a murder at a mental hospital and win a Pulitzer prize.  To do this, he asks his stripper girlfriend to tell the police that she is his sister and that he has tried to rape her.  Lucky for him, they decide to send him to the asylum (he really rolled the dice on that one).   Among the inhabitants of the hospital including an extremely fat guy who sings opera right in your face while you are trying to sleep and a guy who thinks he is a soldier from the Civil War.

I had a lot of fun with this movie but let's start with the bad.  Every once awhile a character's thoughts would be shown.  Although I think this is a bit of a lazy technique, I have no problem with that device. However, the movie would switch to a character's thoughts in the middle of a conversation.  It was a little bit jolting and random.

Still, I love this movie.  I thought the story was extremely intriguing.  It would have been interesting enough watching a sane person go to a mental hospital, but we also get a great murder mystery.  It was also fascinating watching Barett's girlfriend deal with having to tell a police officer that her boyfriend is a sexually aggressive psychopath.

Another gem that I never would have discovered with The Book.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Referenced in The Dreamers and Naked Kiss.

Available on YouTube:

261. Pickup on South Street

Pickup on South Street
1953
Directed by Samuel Fuller

I just watched this movie with my dad.  I have found that it is always more fun to watch a dated movie with someone else.  When you watch it alone, you just kind of roll your eyes and get annoyed.  When you are watching it with someone else, it is quite hilarious.

So basically a woman is transporting a microfilm for communists when her bag is pick pocketed (did I just make up that term?).  Skip McCoy, the thief, discovers what he has and attempts to blackmail the communists.  That is, until a special dame enters his life.

Of course, this is a propaganda film.  This might seem like it would be annoying but it is actually more violent than you would expect, probably because the commies are on the receiving end of the punches.

So you have the annoying woman who gets punched in the face, blackmailed, and yelled at by Skip.  Naturally, she falls in love with him.  What is that??  The feminist in me is having a hard time coping with these early fifties women.  Can't wait for Kill Bill…

There is, however, an outstanding performance by Thelma Ritter as Mo, a snitch for the police that everybody likes.

So overall a fun film, one that is laughable and entertaining at the same time.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Marilyn Monroe read for the part of Candy but was thought to be too sexy for the role.

Betty Grable was originally going to play the part of Candy but demanded a dance number in the film.  Since that would be…ahem…somewhat out of place, Fuller refused.