Miss Polly (1941)

A rather silly little comedy but maybe what you need in trying times.

A small town is terrorised by it's Purity League led by Mrs Snodgrass (Kathleen Howard) who doesn't want any fun in the town and especially young boys and girls doing anything which might be even the slightest bit naughty. 

That even includes Snodgrass's daughter Barbara (Elyse Knox) who is trying to romance Eddie (Richard Clayton). Luckily, Miss Polly (Zasu Pitts) has a plan. She has a spirit which might be able to unlock the romantic feelings kept supressed in the town...

A nice little comedy with some good hands in the key roles. The clash between two people with opposite characters and attitudes is a common comedy trope and is done well here.

The Brain Eaters (1958)

A low budget but high thrills science fiction film.

A strange cone has appeared near a small town, the inhabitants of the town including the mayor begin to disappear and then reappear and act strangely. Senator Powers (Cornelius Keefe) is despatched to see what is going on, or annoy everyone. He pushes the scientists on the site to find out what the cone is all about. It is discovered that parasites are taking control of people and cannot be removed without killing the host...

A standard science-fiction story, especially from the time. A lot of Cold War paranoia can be felt in this tale of invasion and control. Despite the familiar story, low budget and - at times - oddness, this is an enjoyable film to watch.

Leonard Nimoy has a small role though until he speaks he is unrecognisable under a hood and beard!

Istanbul Express (1968)

A tasty late 60s spy movie.

Agent London (Gene Barry) has been despatched to Istanbul to win an auction for some secret documents, which rival powers are also interested in. London will receive the number to the safety deposit box where the cash is from different people along the way as he travels from Paris on a train, which is protected by Cheval (John Saxon). 

However, is the auction all that it seems and can he keep away from the clutches of the Communists led by Darvos (Senta Berger)?

A good plot though a little ridiculous and convoluted to suit the TV movie format. Quite why he needed to be given the safety deposit number in separate digits is a little silly but does make for plenty of exciting scenes and perils. Highly enjoyable film with a good twist.

Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen (1942)

Ellery Queen returns to combat a Nazi gang after diamonds.

Free Dutch agents have smuggled diamonds into the US to keep them away from the Nazis... though a Nazi gang is hot on their heels. Ellery Queen (William Gargan) and Nikki Porter (Margaret Lindsay) are dragged into the case, at first thinking the Dutch agent Gillette (Gilbert Roland) is a criminal but soon they discover the truth. The case is a complicated one with some unexpected twists.

This was the final entry in the Ellery Queen series and the series ends on a high. A lot is packed into the war time plot and it ends with some good rough humour in the final fight scene. Of course, there is a bit of a propaganda edge to the film though this doesn't overbear the story.

Danger Trails (1935)

A nice enough though unspectacular Western.

Bob (Guinn Big Boy Williams) is a successful football star back east who heads back west to see his father and brothers whom he has not seen for years. 

However, to his surprise his family members are outlaws and they rob the stagecoach he is on! He manages to persuade his father to go straight but his father is killed by the sheriff. The brothers kidnap the sheriff's daughter (Marjorie Gordon), forcing Bob to choose between family and the law...

This is a fine enough example of a B-movie Western. It has all the usual tropes including speeded up horse riding and plenty of aimless firing of pistols (seldom hitting anyone of course) plus regular fights. The film is a worthwhile watch though has little you would have not seen before.