The Flying Scotsman (1929)

An enjoyable early talkie, so early in fact that it starts off as a silent movie but the dialogue is turned on about half way through!

Bob White, the driver (Moore Marriott) of the Flying Scotsman (the actual LNER 4472) is about to retire after making one more run along the East Coast Main Line (the actual train is called the Flying Scotsman too as well as the locomotive!) His former fireman Crow (Alec Hurley) is resentful as he was sacked after White saw him drinking and reported him. He vows revenge. Meanwhile, the driver's daughter Joan (Pauline Johnson) falls for a cocky young railway worker called Jim (Ray Milland). White doesn't want him around his daughter though hasn't seen him, which is just as well as Jim is his new fireman!

Joan overhears Crow's plan to cause an accident and follows him onto the train. What follows are some death defying stunts (by the actors themselves) hanging onto the side of the moving train. Can disaster be averted?

The film begins as a silent movie but about half way through it changes to a sound one (one of the earlieest British ones). It is quite a strange effect, film technology was moving fast in 1929 but there obviously wasn't the time and/or money to reshoot the first half of the film as sound. This is an enjoyable adventure with some exciting scenes and humour. The true star is Flying Scotsman of course, which to this day draws a huge crowd. Its also Ray Milland's first credited role.

Phantom Killer (1943)

A superb crime mystery with plenty of suspense.

When an industrialist is murdered, there is a prime suspect seen and heard at the crime scene by the janitor (Mantan Moreland). However, the fingering of philanthropist Harrison (John Hamilton) has a snag: he is deaf and dumb and was also seen at a society event at the same time. Assistant DA Clark (Dick Purcell) is convinced Harrison is the man though, especially when other murders occur. But how does he do it? Finding out could spell danger for Clark's reporter girlfriend Barbara (Joan Woodbury)... 

Well if you have seen enough crime stories you'll have a good idea how someone can appear in be in two places at once. This is an excellent crime film with plenty of suspense and danger. Low budget doesn't have to been low thrills after all.

The story is largely a remake of the 1930s film The Sphinx.

Stranger from Venus (1954)

A fairly dreary though not uninteresting science-fiction film.

After flying saucers are spotted, a mysterious stranger (Helmut Dantine) appears in a small town. He speaks rather strangely, has no pulse and has the power to health illnesses and injuries including those of Susan (Patricia Neal) who is in a car crash. The stranger says he is from Venus and warns the Earthlings that their nuclear weapons threatens everyone in the solar system...

The film is very heavily based on The Day the Earth Stood Still (which also starred Patricia Neal!) The film has an interesting plot though plods along without much energy though it does have some other worldly menace. The location of the film is rather confusing, although British made it appears to be set somewhere else. Where that somewhere else is unknown, it's probably not Venus though!

Sunset Strip (1985)

A rather generic 1980s action film, for 80s nostalgia though this can't be beat.

Mark (Tom Eplin) is a photographer (taking photos of breakdancers) and who pays his land lady with sex. He helps his friend Roger (John Mayall) against the mob led by Moran (Danny Williams) who are targeting his LA rock club where Mark's ex Carol (Cheri Cameron Newell) sings. Moran wants to use it as a front for his prostitution racket. When the mob kill Roger, Mark is framed for the murder and the police are after him as well. Mark discovers that the mob has a link in the police too...

There isn't much to recommend on this film as a piece of work. It is rather poorly made and acted, the story is basic and padded out with filler including Mark riding his motorbike a lot. As with most bad movies though Sunset Strip is hugely enjoyable for the wrong reasons. The film also has lots of gratuitous female nudity (of course).

The film is incredibly 80s. If you grew up in those times you will certainly feel nostalgic.

Confessions of a Driving Instructor (1976)

The third of the Confessions films, this time Tim and Sid open a driving school, much female nudity follows...

Tim (Robin Askwith) passes his test to become a driving instructor (by bonking his female examiner of course). He and Sid (Anthony Booth) open a driving school next door to a rival led by the rather deranged Truscott (Windsor Davis). Naturally most of the pupils appear to be sex starved women whom Tim has to instruct (in various ways!)

There isn't really much plot to this, its more a series of saucy sexcapades with gratuitous nudity, nonsensical comedy situations and crude innuendo. Its brilliant of course!

A very funny film and maybe the best in the series, its not high art for sure but has its own special kind of genius. Some very good comedy turns including by Irene Handl make this highly enjoyable if you are broad minded enough.