Bulldog Drummond (1929)

The first talkie of the long-running Bulldog Drummond series. Captain Drummond (Ronald Colman) is a former airman who is bored of civilian life and craves adventure. Along with his toff friend Algy (Claud Allister) and servant Danny (Wilson Benge) he gets involved in a case of a damsel in distress and crime...

The damsel is Phyllis (Joan Bennett) who needs help with her uncle (Charles Sellon) who is being held prisoner by sinister gangsters led by Montague Love, Lawrence Grant (mad doctor) and Lilyan Tashman (femme fatale). What follows is much to-ing and fro-ing as Drummond seeks to foil the gang, though his friends are often a hindrance rather than a help.

A good early talkie, it doesn't have the over wordiness or lack of movement that plague some films of the era. Some of the actors are still to fully transition from silent movie over dramatic movement though the leads generally do a good turn. The film still has some flaws though, plausibility is stretched somewhat. But it is a good old fashioned and straight forward adventure.

The Blue Parrot (1953)

A neat if unexceptional crime drama. Rocks Owen (Victor Lucas) leaves a sleazy Soho club owned by Mr Carson (John Le Mesurier) and is later found dead in his car. The police, which includes visiting American cop Lt. Herrick (Dermot Walsh) for some reason, begin their investigation. This includes placing Sgt. Maguire (Jacqueline Hill) in the club as an undercover hostess.

After a rather basic police investigation the finger points to Carson, even though he tries to frame a hapless waiter for the murder - facilitated by his man Stevens (Ferdy Mayne). A slow-motion but suspense-filled chase begins in the cellars...

Although the film stays in mid-gear and lacks much in the way of surprises it is a fairly satisfying little number, unlike the club band's repertoire. The film is worth seeing alone for John Le Mesurier playing a villain. The weakest part of the film is the "American" who is rather unconvincing.

Rhythm Racketeer (1937)

A wonderful (if slightly strange) film. US gangster Nap Connors (Harry Roy) is trying - but failing - to make his name in London. He discovers by chance that band leader Harry Grant looks so similar to him they could be twins. Nap concocts a plan to steal the jewels of Mrs Nash (Norma Varden) as she travels by liner over to New York and make sure Harry takes the fall...

Things, of course, do not go to plan as Harry falls for Karen (Princess Pearl) who is accompanying Mrs Nash. Now in New York, Nap plans to steal the jewels during a charity night at his night club (Harry singing while Nap is stealing). What could go wrong? Well rival gangsters and Nap's gal Lola (Judith Wood) get involved in the mix...

A truly great little film. Light hearted and fast moving with plenty of charm. The musical set pieces are lavish (the band is great of course) and also fit in perfectly with the plot.

Octaman (1971)

Half-man half-octopus and he is on a killing spree in this fun trash. Octaman is a mutation caused by radiation and he doesn't like scientists like Susan (Pier Angeli) and Dr Torres (Kerwin Matthews) capturing his octopi kin in Mexico. He kills people who get in his way with his large tentacles, usually by hitting them over the head.

The scientists are investigating radioactive pollution in Mexico and the changes it is causing to local fauna. However to fund the expedition the scientists have had to bring along a ranch owner who wants a new attraction for his zoo. Octaman doesn't care, he is an equal opportunity killer.

The plot is barely present but that doesn't really matter because Octaman just has to be seen to be believed. This film takes men pretending to be monsters in silly rubber suits to a new level. It is silly nonsense and hilarious.

Bowery at Midnight (1942)

A fun crime/horror romp. Wagner (Bela Lugosi) runs a soup kitchen for guys down on their luck assisted by Judy (Wanda McKay), a front for his murderous criminal organisation (not that Judy knows about this). He takes escaped criminals to help him commit crimes and then kills them afterwards. The bodies are given to the sinister hunchback Doc (Lew Kelly) who turns them into zombies!

If that's not enough, Wagner lives a double life. By day he is a respected professor of psychology, one of his students (and Judy's beau) Richard (John Archer) falls foul of the prof when he does some research at the soup kitchen...

A fast moving film with plenty of horror and crime movie tropes of the time thrown in. Lots of hidden rooms and passageways of course! Quick firing shoot outs and police chases are also packed in. Lugosi was churning the films out in the 1940s but this is one of the best.