The Panther's Claw (1942)

An excellent crime drama that makes heavy use of red herrings.

Wig maker Digberry (Byron Foulger) is arrested acting suspiciously by a graveyard. He claims he is the victim not the crime and he was paying a blackmailer called the Panther. However, the police in the form of Commissioner Colt (Sidney Blackmer) soon unravel the blackmail plot and find it was fake, set up by Digberry himself to cover the use of money for another reason...

Then opera singer Nina (Gerta Rozan) is found dead and the evidence points to Digberry. The DA (Herbert Rawlinson) wants Digberry arrested by Colt, but the Commissioner isn't so sure...

A great crime drama with some solid police detective work, including typewriter forensic analysis which i particularly enjoyed. Everything points to Digberry but it is fairly obvious that that would be too easy, the question is just who is the real culprit and this film very cleverly shows us. Not many films have the creator and owner of a wig as a vital plot point.

The 27th Day (1957)

Usually, science-fiction films with low budgets means bad (though often very watchable) films, however it isn't always the case such as with this one...

Five strangers are plucked seemingly from the world at random by an alien (Arnold Moss). Onboard his flying saucer, they are each given a capsule containing a terrible weapon (which only they can use) that can wipe out millions. The alien tells them that they have twenty seven days (once they are returned to the world) to decide what to do with the weapon before it becomes useless.

The five strangers including reporter Jonathan (Gene Barry) are in shock and not sure what to do, though their terrible secret is soon out. Jonathan goes into hiding with Englishwoman Eve (Valerie French). German scientist Professor Bechner (George Voskovec) lies ill in hospital. In the Soviet Union, poor unfortunate soldier Ivan (Azemat Janti) is encouraged to give up his secret by the various robust methods of the KGB. As the deadline approaches can Bechner, Jonathan and Eve find a way to stop the weapon being used by the Soviets?

When you have a low budget and want to make a science-fiction film you can blow your budget on terrible special effects and various genre nonsense. Alternatively you can invest in a very good story and plot, happily this film takes this second option. A very interesting and thoughtful film, it probably did not score too well with people who did want cheesy monsters in rubber suits but you can't win them all.

Mind Ripper (1995)

Attempts to create a genetically engineered super soldier go wrong (what a surprise!)

At a secret government laboratory in the desert, scientists attempt to bring a corpse back to life. Finally their attempts work, unfortunately Thor (Dan Blom) has become an uncontrollable crazed beast augmented by genetic mutations. Alex (John Diehl) calls the project leader Stockton (Lance Henriksen) back to the lab. Naturally Stockton brings his young family with him to a remote desert laboratory where human experiments are carried out...

Meanwhile Alex, Joanne (Claire Stansfield) and Rob (Gregory Sporleder) are desperately trying to stay alive. Joanne discovers that Thor needs a certain chemical to stay alive, unfortunately Thor gets this chemical by growing a phallic appendage out of his mouth and then stabbing it into his victim's brain! 

This film has a lot of claustrophobic mayhem and running about into a barely lit underground bunker. The gore content is pretty high and the film does have the odd bright spot in it's plot though these are unfortunately largely lost in the gloom of stilted dialogue and repetitive nonsense. Not that a great film though fun to watch.

Meet Nero Wolfe (1936)

The first adaptation of the highly popular detective novels. 

Nero Wolfe (Edward Arnold), a housebound detective who likes his beer, is employed to investigate a couple of deaths which have been declared natural causes by the authorities. However, Wolfe suspects foul play and sends his assistant Archie (Lionel Stander) to find clues, who is eager to get married to his gal Mazie (Dennie Moore) but the case must be solved first. 

The case is complicated however and involves events which took place in the past in South America. Wolfe eventually assembles all the suspects, after an attempted shooting, a gas bomb and even an attack by a deadly snake...

Wolfe is a rather strange detective character, preferring to sit and drink beer rather than do anything else. Despite that the film's complicated plot moves apace, maybe too fast moving at times. Wolfe is an interesting character though maybe he didn't translate too well into the screen. Despite plenty of stories available to adapt we would only see one more film in this series in a couple of years.

Beyond the Time Barrier (1960)

A 1960s astronaut is sent into the far future... 2024 to be exact.

Allison (Robert Clarke) is testing the X-80, a new research craft. However, when he lands at his airbase he finds it derelict and everyone has vanished. He is soon captured by a strange group of people in matching outfits. Allison discovers that he is not in 1960 anymore, somehow he has been sent to 2024. 

The land has been devastated by cosmic rays and the remains of mankind live underground in rival factions. Allison is captured by one faction who are powerful but the radiation has made them largely sterile. Allison wants to return home though The Supreme (Vladimir Sokoloff) has other plans for him, he wants Allison to mate with his daughter Trirene (Darlene Tompkins)...

A slightly strange but enjoyable film. The budget is low but well used. The plot is a little more meaty than other examples of the genre. Of course their idea of the 2020s hasn't quite matched reality though the triangular doors really would be wonderful.