MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (1961)

Giant Crab attack!

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (1961). Director: Cy Endfield. 

Near the end of the Civil War, a group of Union soldiers, one rebel, and a war correspondent wind up in a balloon that gets caught in a major storm and dumps them on a large deserted island. On this mysterious island the men -- including Captain Harding (Michael Craig), young Herbert (Michael Callan), Sgt. Pencroft (Percy Herbert), Cpl. Neb Nugent (Dan Jackson) and Gideon Spilitt (Gary Merrill) -- encounter giant animals such as crabs and bees, and discover an unseen benefactor who turns out to be the infamous Captain Nemo (Herbert Lom). Jules Verne's novel has undergone a great many changes -- including the addition of the outsized monsters -- but it was a partial sequel to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. 

Michael Craig and Michael Callan

The big animals, of course, give FX wizard Ray Harryhausen a chance to exploit his stop-motion expertise, and we have very fluid crabs, bees, a big kind of chicken, and a bad-tempered squid with beady eyes. And then there's that outstanding score by Bernard Herrmann who brings every sequence vividly to life with his exciting music. Along with the aforementioned actors we have two shipwrecked ladies played ably by Beth Rogan and Joan Greenwood. Craig makes a handsome and authoritative captain, Merrill is amusing and adept as the newspaperman, and the others are all generally on target as well. 

Verdict: Very entertaining and colorful action-fantasy film. ***. 

STEVE CANYON

Dean Fredericks as Col Stevenson B. Canyon

STEVE CANYON (1958 ABC television series). 

Steve Canyon was based on the popular comic strip written and drawn by the famous Milton Caniff (Terry and the Pirates). Canyon is an Air Force colonel who in the first few episodes is assigned to various bases as the mission dictates. Eventually he becomes the commanding officer at a base in the town of Big Thunder, California, where the townies initially resent and even hate the military men. Canyon worked at Big Thunder for the remaining episodes, although his assignments still took him to foreign locales. Some of the earlier episodes were a bit on the dull side, but others were quite suspenseful and exciting. Although unconventionally handsome, unlike the character in the comic strips, Dean Fredericks (of Jungle Jim) is perfect as Steve Canyon, displaying strength and compassion in equal measure. 

Dean Fredericks and Julie Adams

One main difference between the strip and the TV series is the female element. At Big Thunder a very sexy and curvaceous secretary (Ingrid Goude) struts through the offices from time and time and gets stared at but hasn't much to do otherwise. A girlfriend for Canyon is introduced and there's some smooching but she isn't around for long. In the comic strip Canyon was consistently involved with a variety of women, including femme fatales, but these don't really show up in the TV series, unfortunately. Julie Adams plays a slightly nefarious character in one episode but there's no hint of romance or sexual tension between her and Canyon. 

James Drury with Fredericks.

Steve Canyon lasted for one season and 32 half-hour episodes. The best episodes include "Operation Nosewheel" in which the front wheel of Steven's plane comes off in flight and there are problems with ejecting the paralyzed-with-fright passenger (played very well by actor and later director Lamont Johnson). "Operation Intercept" shows what happens when a stray bullet fired at a plane by young boys causes a crack in the window that ultimately leads to tragedy. Steve isn't sure that everyone in the crew is dead but as the plane heads into Soviet air force he wrestles with the possibility of having to shoot it down. "The Muller Story" stars a superb George Macready as a Nazi war criminal who claims that an Air Force lieutenant (James Drury) is his son. 

Dean Fredericks

In "The Bomb" some little boys manage to carry off a bomb by wagon and hide it in a shed, unaware that it could go off at any moment and blow the whole neighborhood to smithereens. "Sabotage" presents six Oriental trainees, one of whom is suspected of being a spy responsible for treacherous and deadly actions. In "Room 313" a lady reporter (Amanda Blake of Betrayal) comes afoul of an assassin planning a hit on a visiting Eastern potentate (Ross Martin). Many of the episodes feature some striking aerial photography and examine the latest 1950's style technology. Ted de Corsia appeared in a few episodes as the Big Thunder police chief and Jerry Paris (of Man on the Prowl) had a recurring role as Major Williston. The DVD set for this show is rather expensive considering it only lasted one season, but the episodes have been beautifully digitally remastered and the show looks and sounds great. There are also extras on the DVDs.

Verdict: Not quite a classic show, but some of the episodes are winners. **3/4. 

INSIDIOUS CHAPTER 2

Patrick Wilson

INSIDIOUS CHAPTER 2 (2013). Director: James Wan. 

This sequel to Insidious begins with a prologue showing an incident in the boyhood of Josh Lambert, who incurred the interest of a nasty dead spirit early on. Back in the present day we learn from the first that Josh (Patrick Wilson) has been possessed by the consciousness of a serial killer transvestite (of sorts) named Parker Crane. As in the first film, weird things begin to happen in the house owned by Josh's mother, Lorraine (Barbara Hershey), where Josh and his family are currently residing. Josh's wife, Renai (Rose Byrne), is freaking out, but "Josh" tells her to remain calm -- nothing is wrong. Eventually Lorraine seeks help from Carl (Steve Coulter), a psychic who was friends with the late Elise (Lin Shaye). Before long another trip into the hell-like dimension called the Further is in order to finally put this family straight again and return Josh to his body. 

Something's off: Wilson and Rose Byrne

Insidious: Chapter Two begins well enough but about halfway through it sort of falls apart, with clumsy scare tactics, some inconsistencies, and a lot of confusion (not helped by the way time is apparently fluid in the story). The movie becomes too convoluted and tedious and despite its creepiness, it isn't especially scary. There are some good things in the picture, however, such as the art direction for Lorraine's house, with its old-fashioned furniture and an atmosphere that is both cluttered and claustrophobic, perfect for this movie. The acting is sufficient, although Danielle Bisutti has been directed to over-act outrageously as Parker's crazy mother, giving the film a camp veneer that may not have been the intention of the filmmakers.

Verdict: Will have to think about watching chapter three and four of this series. **1/4.    

FICTION: EVERY LAST SECRET

EVERY LAST SECRET. A. R. Torre. 2020; Thomas and Mercer. 

Cat Winthorpe, an entitled woman who married her boss, is nervous about her husband, William's, new employee, Neena Ryder, who also moves in next door with her own husband. Like Cat, Neena also improved her life by marrying up. Neena's plan is to ultimately ditch her loving husband and hook up with handsome William, and she does everything she can to make it happen. Meanwhile, Cat, who suspects what's going on, is equally determined to make sure it doesn't happen. With alternating chapters told from the pov of each lady, the book speeds along and generates some suspense as you wonder which woman will ultimately achieve her goal. However the story's general lack of substance, and the negative nature of virtually all of the characters, may make some readers give up on the novel halfway through. 

Every Last Secret is what I refer to as TVature, "literature" inspired more by television -- such shows as Pretty Little Liars, for instance -- than by real-life, although I have no doubt superficial women like Cat and Neena exist, lord save us (not that William is any better). Ms. Torre's writing is competent (if undistinguished) but it is alarming when she writes in her author's note that she loves (italics hers) these characters, as Cat and Neena are both borderline sociopaths. The mental universe they inhabit is ultimately pathetic. However, Every Last Secret has a very satisfying conclusion and the book will be a page-turner for some. 

Verdict: No great classic by any means but some readers will undoubtedly be entertained by the twists and turns of the plot. ***. 

THE FOURTH VICTIM

Carroll Baker and Michael Craig

THE FOURTH VICTIM (aka La ultima senora Anderson/1971). Director: Eugenio Martin.

After his third wife is found dead in the pool, Arthur Anderson (Michael Craig) is put on trial for murder. His first two wives also died in accidents, and Superintendent Dunphy (Jose Luis Lopez Vazquez) is convinced that Anderson killed all of them. But the jury doesn't agree, and Arthur enters into a new relationship with a woman named Julie (Carroll Baker). But Julie seems to be hiding a number of secrets which concern the owner of the crumbling estate next door. And did Julie herself commit a murder? Dr. Shephard (Manuel Gallardo) at a certain institution may have the answers if he lives long enough to give them ...

Michael Craig

A co-Spanish/Italian production, the low-budget Fourth Victim is chiefly of interest for the teaming of the two very attractive leads who both play with veracity despite the rather impossible nature of their roles. None of the characters, including the cop, are sympathetic, and a revelation late in the game, which should add to the film's suspense, seems to do just the opposite. A nominal giallo film, this could have used a few grisly murders but the movie instead tries to keep you guessing as to what is actually going on. The premise of the film is far-fetched but workable (and not that original), but the execution is fairly dismal. A really bad musical score doesn't help at all. Although she was past her Hollywood prime, Baker still looks gorgeous, and Craig remained handsome no matter how old he got. 

Verdict: Potboiler with good-looking leads and a convoluted screenplay. *1/2.   

THE SECRET CODE

The Black Commando

THE SECRET CODE (15 chapter Columbia serial/1942). Director: Spencer Gordon Bennett. 

Lt. Dan Barton (Paul Kelly) is framed for sabotage and goes on the run. He tries to ingratiate himself with a gang of Nazi saboteurs and prove that he is trustworthy. Putting on a mask and dark outfit, he also runs about as the Black Commando, doing things he can't do as Barton. A sticky situation develops when the one man on the force who knows the truth about Barton is killed, but he still has supporters, including Sgt. Pat Flanagan (Clancy Cooper) and reporter Jane Ashley (Anne Nagle), who suspects Barton is the Commando. In both guises, Barton tries to foil the nefarious plots of the saboteurs while remaining close enough to get the information he requires to stop them. 

Anne Nagel and Paul Kelly

A superior Columbia chapterplay, The Secret Code has lots of action and exciting cliffhangers: Dan trapped by a deadly gas which causes an explosion; a fall off a skyscraper; trapped in webbing on a dock and nearly crushed by falling crates; and forced to shoot Flanagan in chapter thirteen. The bad guys employ a desk that lowers into the floor to reveal their secret headquarters, and at one point try to use radio bombs in one of their nasty schemes. Stalwart Paul Kelly and the fruity-voiced Anne Nagel give very good performances, handling this material with just the right touch. Trevor Bardette [Jungle Girl] plays the secret leader of the spies. Spencer Gordon Bennett also (co) directed The Purple Monster Strikes and many other serials.

Verdict: Snappy serial material. ***1/4. 

TELL ME YOUR SECRETS

Lily Rabe and Enrique Murciano

TELL ME YOUR SECRETS (2021). 

"Killer" Miller (Lily Rabe), the girlfriend of a convicted serial killer, has always been suspected of being his accomplice. After serving several years in prison, she is let out and put in witness protection under the name "Emma Hall." Her handler is a shrink named Peter (Enrique Murciano), who lives in the same small bayou town where she is relocated. Meanwhile Mary Barlow (Amy Brenneman) hopes that Miller can tell her what happened to her daughter, one of the psycho's victims, whose body has never been recovered. To this end, figuring that it takes a monster to find a monster, she hires supposedly reformed serial rapist John Tyler (Hamish Linklater) to find Miller. In the town where Miller now resides, girls in an orphanage begin disappearing ... 

Amy Brenneman and Hamish Linklater

Tell Me Your Secrets is an intriguing and initially absorbing ten-part series that examines these characters and others as you wait for it to all fit together and to give up the answers to various characters' questions. The problem is that there simply isn't enough story for ten parts. After a slow opening, the series builds up steam for the next few episodes, but then it simply goes on ... too long. Six episodes would have been more than enough to highlight the often interesting and sometimes unexpected interactions between these people, but after awhile you find yourself growing impatient and losing interest. This is too bad, as some of the revelations in the final episode are certainly compelling. Tell Me Your Secrets is marvelously acted across the board, with each actor credibly reacting to all of the twists and turns of the convoluted plot. I especially admired Hamish Linklater but everyone, down to smaller roles and nice turns by Richard Thomas and others, is excellent. NOTE: This is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. 

Verdict: You may not want to give this story the time it takes to tell, but suspense and mystery fans may want to give it a whirl. **3/4. 

SUICIDE SQUAD: HELL TO PAY

The members of the Suicide Squad

SUICIDE SQUAD: HELL TO PAY (2018 animated feature). Director: Sam Liu. 

Task Force X is a division of the Suicide Squad, a group of super-powered convicts who agree to work for one Amanda Waller in exchange for considerations. To keep the members from simply running off, Waller has bombs implanted in the members' necks that will literally blow their heads off if they try anything un-kosher. The normally obese Waller, now skinny due to cancer, wants the team to get a certain mystical object that will give the possessor a sort of "get out of Hell" free card, supposedly affecting their after-lives. But there are others who want this object, including the immortal Vandal Savage (who was once a caveman), the Banshee, and Professor Zoom, AKA the Reverse-Flash.

Once a caveman: Vandal Savage

The members of the Task Force include the psychotic Harlequin (who has for inexplicable reasons become prominent in the DC Comics universe), Killer Frost, the lovable Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Copperhead, and the less-malevolent-than-the-others Ben Turner, AKA the Bronze Tiger. Other characters include Vandal's daughter Scandal Savage, and her female lover, Knockout, not to mention a male stripper who turns out to have once been the magical Dr. Fate. 

male stripper attempts to channel Dr. Fate

Just as many comic books today are definitely not for children, the same goes for comic book movies. Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay is full of often gruesome and sadistic violence, especially during the prologue when Waller sets the fifth-string villains Punch and Jewelee against gang leader Tobias Whale on a speeding train. Then there is the sexual content, although none of it could be described as pornographic. What really makes the movie cook is the fluid animation, many exciting sequences, and the suspense over which group or person will wind up winning the prize -- or losing their lives. The actors who do the voices for this feature include Christian Slater (Deadshot), Vanessa Williams (Amanda Waller), and C. Thomas Howell (Zoom).

Verdict: Not your grandpop's super-villains. ***. 

INSIDIOUS

Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson

INSIDIOUS (2010). Director: James Wan. 

Josh (Patrick Wilson) and Renai Lambert (Rose Byrne) seem to have perfect lives when one of their children, Dalton (Ty Simpkins), falls unconscious and doesn't wake up. It is not a normal coma, but medial science is at a loss to explain it. The couple are resigned to keeping Dalton safe in bed at home, but strange things and unearthly visitors further disturb their serenity. Even moving into a different house doesn't help, so Renai's mother, Lorraine (Barbara Hershey), brings them a psychic named Elise (Lin Shaye). Elise tells them that Dalton's astral body is lost in a dangerous dimension called "The Further" and that Josh has to go in and get the boy out before his body is inhabited by something ... horrible. 

Barbara Hershey

Insidious is an effective horror film that is perhaps more creepy than scary, but it is absorbing and builds up suspense nicely. The film has been overpraised in certain quarters, as the Poltergeist-inspired picture is not exactly strikingly original in either plot or images, but as an imitation it is more than okay. Screenwriter Leigh Whannell plays one of the psychic investigators. The film was popular enough to engender three sequels. Patrick Wilson appeared in Phantom of the Opera as well as in Wan's Aquaman. Wan also directed Dead Silence.

Verdict: Achieves the dubious distinction of adding menace to Tiny Tim's rendition of Tiptoe Through the Tulips! ***.   

DEATH AT LOVE HOUSE

Robert Wagner and Kate Jackson

DEATH AT LOVE HOUSE (1976 telefilm). Director: E. W. Swackhamer.  

Joel Gregory Jr. (Robert Wagner) is the son of a man who was once the lover of the late movie star Lorna Love (Marianna Hill). Joel and his pregnant wife, Donna (Kate Jackson), move into the Love estate to work on a book about the great romance between Lorna and his father. Mysterious people run about the estate at night, and there is an attempt on Donna's life. Conan Carroll (John Carradine), who worked with Lorna and loathed her, is attacked and killed on the grounds, not far from a vault where Lorna's perfectly preserved corpse (!) is on display. Then Joel starts acting all weird ... 

Dorothy Lamour

Death at Love House sets up an intriguing situation but it's one of those movies where characterization and common sense are sacrificed so there can be inexplicable and unlikely plot twists. If anything, the denouement raises more questions than it answers. However, Wagner and Jackson give good performances, and along with Carradine we have appearances by Sylvia Sidney as a housekeeper, Joan Blondell as an obsessive aging fan, and Dorothy Lamour as Lorna's old rival in pictures. Marianna Hill proves no great actress in her brief scenes as Lorna Love. Wagner plays his father in sepia flashbacks. Laurence Rosenthal's score helps a bit. 

Verdict: You won't love this love house. **1/4.