Zorro's Fighting Legion (Serial) (1939)

Don Del Oro, the god of gold, seeks to become the Emperor of Mexico by stopping the gold shipments of the fledgling republic. Don Diego Vega (Reed Hadley) seeks to prevent this in his masked guise of Zorro. What follows are many cliff hangers and escapades until Don Del Oro is finally unmasked...

Along the way Zorro has to combat intrigues as well as many dangerous traps. The true identity of Don Del Oro is finally unveiled in the final episode (of course).

This is a good serial though the cliff hangers are perhaps a bit over the top. They include one where Zorro looks to be crushed by a moving wall! It is good rollicking adventure fun, packed full of great stunts, as a Zorro serial should be.

The Million Eyes of Sumuru (1967)

Somewhat confusing exploitation spy romp. Sumuru (Shirley Eaton) aims to conquer the world for womenkind and has an army of hot amazons to do her bidding which usually involves killing men. CIA agent Nick West (George Nader) infiltrates her organisation and makes Sumuru think he can finally help her achieve her aim by killing President Boong (Klaus Kinski). Meanwhile Nick brings his old buddy Tommy (Frankie Avalon) along as help though he is somewhat unenthusiastic until the final gunfight.

Sumuru's plot and evil lair is straight out of Fu Manchu territory especially with the Oriental setting for most of the film. Her plans make as much sense too. But a lot of flesh is revealed by most of the actors which is probably the point.

It seems to be a spoof of 60s spy films (and if it isn't it really should have been). The film looks gorgeous and is very campy but leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Such as, why does Boong have a telephone in his drinks cabinet, does it have it's own entry in the telephone directory?

Bubbling Over (1934)

A cute little musical short film. Ethel (Ethel Waters) is a hard working housewife who toils away in her house full of loafers. But all that changes when they are told by a bogus Swami (Frank Wilson) that a rich relative will soon come and be willing to share his wealth, unfortunately it isn't quite true...

Well the story is pretty meaningless though some of the humour is pretty funny though dated. The film is a showcase for some nice music, especially from Ethel Waters and the Southernaires Quartet. Just enjoy it for what it is.

Sally of the Sawdust (1925)

Although the plot seems serious (girl disowned as she marries a circus performer, dies leaving a young girl who grows up to a dancer who gets into trouble with the law) this is a comedy!

Sally (Carol Dempster) is that girl who was bought up by the Professor (W.C. Fields) - actually a trickster and conman than a real prof. When the Professor feels that it is time to restore her to her true family her grandfather (Erville Alderson) really disapproves of her even without knowing who she is. To make matters more complicated she falls in love with Peyton Lennox (Alfred Lunt) the son of her grandfather's friend. Though she ends up jailed for the Professor's crimes...

W.C. Fields is great in this as is Carol Dempster. It is a funny film, though more light hearted than laugh out loud funny, but also with plenty of heart ably directed by the legendary D.W. Griffith.

The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)

Evil Cromwell (Richard Lynch) enlists the help of a demonic sorcerer Xusia (Richard Moll) to help him conquer the world. The young son of one of the kings he slays makes off with a fancy (and massive) triple sword that can shoot blades. Years later the son (Lee Horsley) is back as a mercenary called Talon...

Meanwhile Princess Alana (Kathleen Beller) and her brother Mikah (Simon MacCorkindale) are the last hold outs against Cromwell. Though they end up his prisoner, can Talon save the day and the world?

It is rather goofy sword and sorcery nonsense, laying the blueprint for the likes of Hercules and Xena. Expect well oiled muscles and shiny swords indulging in well choreographed semi-comedic violence. Don't expect much plot line sense though it is a lot of campy fun.