Strange Holiday (1945)

John (Claude Rains) returns home from a fishing holiday to find that fascists have taken over America in this rather strange film. John is arrested by the fascists and thrown in prison. John's America has gone and he reflects on this in jail as he awaits his execution. We slowly (rather too slowly) discover how the fascists managed to conquer America, abolishing the Constitution cheered on by an angry populace.

The message, that freedom and democracy has to be protected and not taken for granted, is laid thick in this atmospheric and moody film. 

The film was originally made as a propaganda film for General Motors and it shows, it was padded out for general release and this does not do much for the film. It isn't a subtle film at all yet is also somewhat tedious and directionless. The film is an interesting rather than an enjoyable watch. Some might say the film has relevance for today and modern politics but I'll leave that for others to discuss!

The Plank (1967)

Eric Sykes and Tommy Cooper are just putting the finishing touches to a new house but unfortunately are one plank short. They head off to the timber yard to get one, nothing could go wrong with that right? Of course everything does in a series of comedy antics. Its all very silly of course in the classic bumbling British tradition which hit it's heights in the 1960s and 1970s.

A short feature which is packed full of stars such as Roy Castle, Jimmy Edwards, Jimmy Tarbuck, Hattie Jacques, Kenny Lynch... basically nearly anyone who was anyone in British comedy at the time. 

However, these cameos work perfectly and not self-indulgently in a series of comedy antics which can be obvious but hilarious.

Severely Rape (1998)

A rather sordid tale of gold digging and softcore pornography. Jacky (Elvis Tsui) and Wu Wing-keung fool around with various sexy bar girls (including Nam Sugawara and Yuko Wada) in Shenzhen. The girl's take advantage of the two virginal dope's longing for love by helping to emptying the guys' bank accounts amid much soaping up of private parts and grunting.

Not a great film by any means though titillating enough if you like a bit of flesh (and there is certainly no shortage of that in this film). 

Quite what the title has to do with the film content is a mystery though (and quite a common mystery with HK movies), everything is consensual although after awhile a bit repetitive. 

The Telephone at Work (1972)

A short instructional film on how to get the best use out of the telephone in a work situation and not, as happens in the opening minute, the phone drive you so mad you end up shooting it (which lets face it, isn't very British!) The film covers basic phone etiquette (which is mostly about just being polite). The film includes a whole host of GPO 746 dial phones though also look out for a cheeky pair of trimphones too. It is a wonderful little slice of the early 1970s British office life. Look out for Leslie Schofield in the workshop.

Zorro's Black Whip (Serial) (1944)

There is no Zorro in this serial despite the title, but there is the Black Whip who does a similar job. Idaho is a largely lawless territory which wants to change that with statehood. Local hoodlum Dan Hammond (Francis McDonald) doesn't want any pesky things like law and order getting in the way of his activities though and is determined to block any attempts. Newspaper owner Randolph Meredith (Jay Kirby) is one of the major proponents of statehood which makes him a target for Hammond, luckily Randolph is secretly the Black Whip.

Randolph / the Black Whip dies after a fight with Hammond's goons but his sister Barbara (Linda Stirling) dons the Black Whip costume and continues the fight against Hammond with the help of agent Vic Gordon (George J Lewis)... 

What follows are a standard series of fights, speeded up horse riding and revolvers which contain an amazingly large number of bullets plus lots of cliffhangers of course. This is a decent if not exceptional serial but what makes it stand out is the female lead which was highly unusual for it's day.

Submarine Command (1951)

A very good war film though has a fairly standard plot. White (William Holden) is a new executive officer on the US Navy submarine USS Tiger Shark in the last days of WW2. White has not yet seen any combat but when he does finally see some on the very last day of the war it does not end well, as his captain is killed. White blames himself, as do some of his crew like Boyer (William Bendix).

White stays in the Navy and settles down to shore life with Carol (Nancy Olsen) but he is still haunted by his actions in the war and this starts to affect his personal relationships, especially with Carol. Then there is a new war, in Korea, and USS Tiger Shark is reactivated and sent across the Pacific with White back in command. Can he finally find redemption during a highly dangerous mission?

So, not a highly original plot line but the film is very well executed and has a number of excellent action set-pieces. The film was one of the first war films to explore post-traumatic stress disorder and it's effects on soldiers long after the guns have gone silent.

Episodes in the Life of a Gin Bottle (1925)

A rather odd little film made to support alcohol prohibition in the USA (which was ongoing at the time, with mixed results). A gin bottle is personified with a little spirit (Rex Lease). Then, as the bottle changes hands each now possessor of the bottle is encouraged by the spirit to take a swig of gin and resulting various misfortunes will befall them. 

The most magical thing about the whole affair though is the fact the gin bottle seems to magically refill itself, now that would be very welcome. A strange film with little to recommend it. However, it does feature some interesting (and early) uses of double-exposure effects.