The Mystery Squadron (Serial) (1933)

One of the better serials. A mystery squadron of fliers led by the Black Ace is attacking a dam that is under construction by Stephen Grey (Lafe McKee) and his daughter Dorothy (Lucile Browne). The foreman Hank Davis (Jack Mulhall) hires his flier friends Fred (Bob Steele) and Jellybean (Guinn Williams) to help protect the mine...

But they soon run into trouble with the fiendish Black Ace and his team of fliers who possess biplanes with flamethrowers! Thanks to hidden panels and rooms seemingly everywhere the Black Ace always seems to be one step ahead and his identity remains a mystery...

It is of course break neck action with plenty of stunts and cliff hangers. The plot may have more holes than the skin of a biplane that has been in combat but the story moves so quickly there isn't time to dwell on it!

The Terrornauts (1967)

Really strange British science fiction. Dr Joe Burke (Simon Oates) is convinced there are intelligence creatures out in space and is searching for them fruitlessly at a radio observatory with the help of Ben (Stanley Meadows) and Sandy (Zena Marshall).

When they finally make contact with aliens in the asteroid belt they are kidnapped along with accountant Mr Yellowlees (Charles Hawtrey) and the tea lady Mrs Jones (Patricia Hayes). Yes Charles Hawtrey in a science fiction film, its a sign the film doesn't really take itself very seriously.

So it is all rather Dr Who in look and the level of special effects. It has an interesting science-fiction plot, especially for it's day. The reason for the alien kidnap in fact turns out to be for the good of mankind...

Waterfront Lady (1935)

Ronny (Frank Albertson) is made a partner by the owner of a gambling boat. However when a gangster is killed during a police raid Ronny is on the run, having been set up by his boss. He pretends to be a mariner waiting for his fisherman friend.

He meets young Joan (Ann Rutherford) while looking after her drunk gambling father (J. Farrell MacDonald) and falls in love. Thus he decides to stay around despite the police still looking for him. Love begins to blossom but you just know what sooner or later Ronny's real identity will be revealed...

So it is quite predictable but an enjoyable film. A mix of crime drama and romance with some good performances including from Ann Rutherford in her first starring role.

Death Promise (1977)

Low budget 70s martial arts antics.

Residents at an apartment block are under pressure from unscrupulous landlords who want to kick them out so they can make millions from selling the land. The landlords happily use every dirty trick they can to try and kick out the residents (like releasing rats in the block and even burning it down) as they are evil.

Louis (Bob O'Connell) is leading the residents against the landlords but when he is killed his son Charley (Charles Bonet) decides to use his knowledge of the martial arts to get revenge amid much awkward violence...

So it is complete nonsense and looks like it had a budget of about $5 but is a lot of (unintentional of course) fun. Most of the fighting looks like kids pretending to be Bruce Lee but that's OK, if you are going to copy someone copy the best!

Won in the Clouds (1928)

A passable action film, with some good aerial stunts, though a bit too much on the exploitative side. It is set in Africa and thus everyone is either in native dress or a leopard!

In deepest darkest Africa is a diamond mine where the manager Woods (Joseph Bennett) is up to no good and aiming to cheat the mine owner. Dr James (George B French) comes up to the mine from the city to check on Woods and also to see why the locals are dying of a mysterious disease. The witch doctor was no help. When James and his daughter Grace (Helen Foster) get into trouble the mine owner sends his stunt flying daredevil son Art (Al Wilson) to sort things out...

There follow a number of cliff hangers and various escapades. The film is more like an edited serial. To modern eyes it is dated tosh but not without charm. Al Wilson was a real stunt flyer who would tragically died in a plane crash while doing stunts a few years later.