The crime is a complicated one, which would appear to require circus skills to carry out. Chan devises a complicated scheme to draw the real murderer out into the open and there is a genuine surprise when it is completed. Number One Son genuinely proves his worth (even saving his father's life) for a change and not just provides the comic relief. Not quite the best Charlie Chan film but certainly a very good entry in the series.
Monday, December 13, 2021
Charlie Chan at the Circus (1936)
Friday, December 10, 2021
Restless Natives (1985)
However, things start to get complicated when Will falls in love with the tour guide (Teri Lally) of one of the held-up buses. Ronnie meanwhile starts to get ideas above his station and falls in with a bunch of real criminals...
A great comedy drama with a superb Big Country soundtrack. The nostalgic view of mid-1980s Edinburgh is also a delight.
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Monstrosity (1963)
Things do not run smoothly though, one of Dr Frank's earlier experiments where he put a dog's brain in a man's body menaces the grounds. Dr Frank puts a cat's brain in one of the other maid's Maria (Lisa Lang) body, Cat Maria proceeds to attack and mutilate Bea. The last maid, Nina (Erika Peters), is the new chosen one. When the transfer operation takes place there is a rather surprising twist...
A terrible film, shoddy and awkward and shamelessly exploitative. The best acting on show is probably by Maria when she becomes a cat. Worth experiencing once for the sheer inanity. A very aptly named film.
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Super Mario Bros. (1993)
A silly film though the world building is pretty well done, a world of trolley wire powered police cars, rocket boots and guns that can de-evolve creatures.
It is terrible, though has it's moments and can entertain. The film has plenty of comedy packed into it though much of the comedy does backfire. The film goes on a little too long and the plot meanders too much. The characters ham it up like a pantomine, though it makes less sense.
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Terror (1978)
However, this is just a horror film made by director James Garrick (James Nolan) about his ancestors and he has held a private showing to the cast and crew including his cousin Ann (Carolyn Courage).
Things soon going strange, Ann is hypnotised and tries to kill James with a sword! After she runs off, her friend Carol (Gynis Barber) heads off looking for her and is menaced by an unseen threat and then stabbed to death. Ann returns to her shared home with other girls, more deaths follow her including a pervert punter at the club she works at, he winds up impaled on railings! Deaths also start to mount up at James' studio. Really does seem being around the Garrick family is rather unhealthy...
A great horror film, the story is a bit light and is mostly a framework upon which a number of horror scenes are hung. The horror is full of suspense, violent, gruesome and frequently erotic. It is full of weirdness too, its trashy for sure and brilliant.
Monday, December 6, 2021
An Old Man's Love Story (1913)
An unusual love story. Ethel (Norma Talmadge) is in love with Cyril (Frank O'Neil), who has prospects though as yet not much else. Unfortunately for Ethel, her parents are poor despite all appearances and want to marry her off to a rich man. When their friend and retired businessman James (Van Dyke Brooke) turns up they want Ethel to marry him and send Cyril off...
When James discovers who Ethel's feelings are truly for he comes up with an ingenious (though somewhat implausible) plan for Ethel to marry money and Cyril...
A short film that packs a lot of story in though. The film has fairly natural acting though technically is still rather static. The film looks like it will go off in one direction though will surprise you with it's enjoyable twist.
Friday, December 3, 2021
Inseminoid (1981)
Sandy, now under the control of the aliens, begins a violent series of attacks against the other crew including Mark (Robin Clark) and Kate (Stephanie Beacham). Can the crew stop Sandy, who is also now blessed with superhuman strength as well as homicidal aggression and a taste for human flesh?
Low budget maybe, and at times the acting is as creaky as the scenery, but this is a thrilling film full of gore and alien horror. The idea of the film isn't that original but this has a few interesting twists.









