Alibi for Murder (1936)

A 1930s B-movie about a private detective and reporter who is (yes you guessed it) sassy and wise-cracking!

Perry (William Gargan) is trying to interview a reclusive scientist, while he is at the scientist's home trying to get to see him a shot is heard and the scientist is found dead. The murdered man's secretary Lois (Marguerite Churchill) helps Perry try and unravel a complicated case involving business rivals, military secrets and anti-war sentiment...

This is a typically fast moving crime drama with plenty of suspects and red herrings before we get to the final act and a fairly ingenious murder method. The plot is a bit hard to follow at times though but it doesn't really spoil the enjoyment that much. 

One interesting part of the film is early on when we see the scientist Stava (Egon Brecher) arrive back in the USA from Europe on the Hindenburg zeppelin!

Million Dollar Weekend (1948)

A neat little crime drama with some good twists.

Nick (Gene Raymond) has run off with a million dollars worth of bonds, he is joined on his flight by Cynthia (Osa Massen) who is on the run after killing her husband (accidentally but the slimy Alan (Francis Lederer) is blackmailing her). Once they get to Honolulu, Nick is forced to join up with Cynthia after Alan discovers Nick's secret and decides those bonds are a more lucrative prize and heads off back to the mainland with them. Now Nick and Cynthia desperately try and hunt Alan down in San Francisco...

An enjoyable film that has a bit of a Noir touch but only just enough to give the film a little extra bite. The story is involving and the leads give some good performances. A modest film maybe but certainly more than the sum of it's parts. A film that is well worth checking out.

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The second film in the original Star Wars trilogy, many regard this the best film of the lot, and it quite possibly is.

After the loss of the Death Star battle station to the rebels in the first film, the Empire's forces led by Darth Vader (David Prowse / James Earl Jones) are fighting back and are hot on the rebels' trail. After a close call on the ice planet Hoth, the rebels manage to escape but Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) breaks off to meet with the legendary Yoda to begin his Jedi training. 

On the planet Bespin, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and our other heroes are captured by Vader. Luke comes to the rescue but discovers a horrific fact about his past...

A darker film than Star Wars with new layers added to the main returning characters, greatly adding to the richness of the leads established in the first film. All the joy and wonder of Star Wars is enhanced by thoughtful additions to the universe, these additions all makes sense (something later sequels often forgot). A fantastic film. The best Star Wars film? Maybe, it is certainly in the top two.

The Case Against Brooklyn (1958)

A tough crime drama with a definite Noir feel.

With unlicensed bookmakers operating in the city, the feeling is that the police are on the take. The DA sends a rookie cop in to investigate. Pete (Darren McGavin) is unknown and keen, but hurled into a very dangerous situation with ultimately deadly consequences. 

Pete thinks recently widowed Lil Polumbo (Margaret Hayes) is the key to getting the evidence that the local police are in the bookies' pocket but he really needs to be wary of her friend Franklin (Warren Stevens)...

A great example of a late Noir. The villains are ruthless and deadly, willing to resort to anything to keep their racket going. The plot is fast moving and the film is well performed. A great watch.

Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood (1942)

Part of the long-running Boston Blackie series, the usual frantic goings on but this time in Tinsel town.

Blackie (Chester Morris) and the Runt (George E Stone) are about to head off to Florida when Blackie receives a call for help from a fellow ex-criminal (or is he?) Arthur (Lloyd Corrigan) asks Blackie to take $60K from his safe in New York and take it over to California. 

Somehow this is mixed up with the theft of a valuable diamond, Inspector Farraday (Richard Lane) of course thinks Blackie has stolen the diamond and so follows Blackie to California and gets mixed up in a complicated tale of blackmail and stolen goods...

Still early in the series but the series is now hitting high gear. A fast-paced story with plenty of swerves and action packed into a short running time. Good humour and performances add to make this an excellent film.