Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)

Gang violence is spiralling out of control in LA, after the police gun down members of one gang, it's leaders make a blood vow for revenge. Meanwhile Lt. Bishop (Austin Stoker) has gained a new assignment, look after Precinct 13's old police building on the last night before moving to a new building. His new "command" consists of a sergeant (Henry Brandon) and two secretaries (Laurie Zimmer and Nancy Kytes). But it will be a quiet night won't it?

Not quite, first of all a prison bus containing Napoleon (Darwin Joston) and Wells (Tony Burton) turns up requiring use of the cells. Then Lawson (Martin West) staggers in, on the run from the gang. He killed one of their members in revenge after they gunned down his daughter (Kim Richards) and now the gang are out for revenge themselves at any price. Bishop's police station is under siege but he lacks manpower. Can he trust those guys in the cells?

The siege is a thrilling battle for survival, the gang members are portrayed as a faceless and relentless army. The film is basically an old school Western or war film set in the modern city with a wave of "savages" mowed down by a small group of heroes. The film is violent and frequently dark, the senseless gunning down of a little girl buying ice cream for example. The gang's motivations are never explored, they just want to kill and no reason is given but that is one of the things which makes the film all the more scary.

Doctor in Distress (1963)

A typical early 1960s British comedy romp which were churned out by the dozen and one of the long-running Doctor series. The theme of the film is love with both Dr Sparrow (Dirk Bogarde) and Sir Lancelot Spratt (James Robertson Justice) both falling in love. Sir Lancelot needs the help from Dr Sparrow though in these matters of the heart.

As for Dr Sparrow he has fallen for one of his patients, an aspiring actress Delia (Samantha Eggar). Things take a turn for the worse when she heads off to Rome after getting a part in a film. Sir Lancelot is in love, for the first time, with Iris (Barbara Murray) the physiotherapist. To try and woo her he tries to lose his belly with the help of a corset and even enrols in a health farm!

Every situation of course ends up in predictable chaos and mild nonsense. Most of the jokes and situations are rather familiar but enjoyable enough. The likes of Leo McKern, Richard Briers and Ronnie Barker appear in minor roles, and spotting them is great - maybe the best part of the film. Its not earth shattering but plenty of fun.

Putting Pants on Philip (1927)

Although they had appeared together in a number of films beforehand (the first being 1921's The Lucky Dog), this was the first official Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy film. Ollie is at the docks waiting for his nephew (Stan) from Scotland. To his surprise, shock and the hilarity of everyone in town his nephew is wearing a kilt. That basically is the premise of the film, everyone finds a man in a kilt so funny, obviously they must be hard up for entertainment.

Fed up by all the attention, Ollie tries to get Stan some trousers. Stan isn't very keen on wearing them though, he is very keen on a flapper (Dorothy Coburn) though she doesn't exactly share the attraction.

So, a bit of a one joke film, which is fine if the joke is good but this one is a bit average. The film is watchable and quite funny but mostly of interest for historic value. The Laurel and Hardy double act was still a work in progress, soon it would conquer the world of comedy but not quite in this film.

Young and Innocent (1937)

An enjoyable Alfred Hitchcock crime drama that has the feel of a young person's adventure, thanks to its teenage lead. Robert (Derrick de Marney) is accused of killing an actress whom he finds on a beach. He protests his innocence but the police think they have their man. He manages to escape court and goes on the run with Erica (Nova Pilbeam), the young daughter of the police chief (Percy Marmont). At first Erica is reluctant and thinks Robert should give himself up (though could easily have given him up) then she begins to feel he is innocent and helps him find the proof...

They find a tramp called Old Will (Edward Rigby) who could recognise the real murderer (George Curzon). However, the police are hot on their heels, can they find the murderer before it's too late?

The film is fast moving, filled with wholesome thrills and amusing asides. It really is like a Famous Five adventure with Erica the wide eyed and naive but determined heroine against the grown-up world.

The Night Visitor (1971)

A wonderfully dark psychological horror. Salem (Max von Sydow) is in a Scandinavian lunatic asylum, a forbidding castle in the Northern wastes. However, he is accused of the murder of two women, Doctor Jenks (Per Oscarrson) even claims to have seen Salem. The Inspector (Trevor Howard) doesn't know what to think, he certainly finds Salem suspicious but how could he have escaped the asylum and get back in to his cell? In fact why would he go back? It seems to be impossible.

However, Salem has made it very possible with his ingenious escape methods using various hand-made tools and some impressive physicality. We know it is Salem in fact who has committed the crimes as we saw it at the start, but how does the Inspector sort it all out? In the end it all comes down to a witness in a most unfamiliar form...

A superbly dark film (except for the actual night scenes which are obviously filmed in daylight!) A twisted tale of betrayal and revenge. Although the plot might stretch credibility at times, the menacing air, bleakness of the settings and darkness of the soul that pervades makes this one of the better psychological horrors you will ever see.