Daily Archives: January 4, 2017

Let No Man Write My Epitaph
Directed by Philip Leacock
Written by Robert Presnell Jr. from a novel by Willard Motley
1960/USA
Columbia Pictures Corporation
First viewing/YouTube

[box] Let no man write my epitaph… When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then shall my character be vindicated, then may my epitaph be written. Robert Emmet[/box]

It’s official – I love Burl Ives.   I have mixed feelings about some elements of this solid juvenile delinquent drama.

The story begins in 1950.  Nellie Romano (Shelley Winters) is raising her son Nick in the roughest part of Chicago.  She works as a waitress and has not yet informed her son that his father died in the electric chair or that they were unwed.  She has made a family from a group of friends all of which are suffering from addictions or living lives of petty crime or both.  Chief among them is dipsomaniac “Judge” Bruce Mallory Sullivan (Ives).  At a Christmas celebration, Nellie’s friends vow to protect Nick so that he avoids the fate of his father.

Segue to nine years later.  Nick has grown up to be James Darren.  Nellie encourages him to practice for hours a day to become a concert pianist.  Nick is constantly getting into fights in defense of his mother’s honor.  She now works chatting men up for drinks in a clip joint.  Nellie’s friends all continue to look out for him.

Nick’s explosive temper eventually gets him in trouble with the law.  On the bright side, the Judge introduces him to the lawyer who defended his father and his pretty daughter Barbara (Jean Seberg).  Nick finds love and finally gets an audition for the Conservatory of Music.  Nellie’s life takes a turn for the worse when she meets drug pusher Louie Ramponi (Ricardo Montalban).  Her troubles threaten to drag Nick down with her.  With Ella Fitzgerald as a junkie.

Many moments, particularly the drug parts, feel very cliched but basically this is heartfelt and well-acted.  It has the feel of a TV “problem” drama of the period.  I had not seen Fitzgerald act before and I thought she was convincing.  She also sings a couple of songs which is a plus.

The World of Suzie Wong
Directed by Richard Quine
Written by John Patrick; Adapted by Paul Osborn from a novel by Richard Mason
1960/UK/USA
World Enterprises
First viewing/Amazon Instant

[box] Robert Lomax: If I were a prizefighter, and I kept getting my brains knocked out, I’d be foolish if I didn’t quit.[/box]

Gorgeous color footage of Hong Kong graces a tale of interracial love.

Architect Robert Lomax (William Holden) has always dreamed of being a painter.  At 40, he decides to take a year of his life and see if he can make his dream come true.  His chosen location is Hong Kong.  On one of his first days there, he spots a beautiful Chinese (Nancy Kwan) on the Kowloon ferry.  He sketches her and wants her for his model.  When he strikes up a conversation, she gives him the brush off claiming to come from a rich, proper family.

As soon as Robert checks into his low-rent hotel in Hong Kong’s red light district, he discovers that the woman is actually Suzie Wong, a “bar girl”.  She gives him plenty of sass until the inevitable day when they fall in love.  Drama ensues.

The two main reasons to watch this are the gorgeous footage of Hong Kong and its denizens and the very appealing performance of Nancy Kwan as the heroine.  Holden, of course, is solid and the story, while on the melodramatic side, is interesting.  I would have liked the film even better if it had been at least 20 minutes shorter.

Trailer (color is much more vivid on Amazon)

The Leech Woman
Directed by Edward Dein
Written by David Duncan; Story by Ben Pivar and Francis Rosenwald
1960/USA
Universal International Pictures
First viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Dr. Paul Talbot: Old women always give me the creeps![/box]

Not to be confused with The Wasp Woman …

June Talbot (Colleen Gray) is ten years older than her husband, endocrinologist Dr. Paul Talbot.  The cad’s contemptuous treatment of her has driven June to drink.  When an ancient woman appears claiming to have the secret to long life and rejuvenation, Paul becomes all lovey dovey.  He wants June as a human guinea pig.

The Talbots travel to deepest Africa where they discover the old woman’s secrets.  Unfortunately, the process requires the death of a man.  Or not so unfortunately in June’s case ….

The premise is intriguing and has a nice feminist edge.  No leeches here!  There are some good scenes but in general the movie drags.  There has not been so much use of stock footage of animals since the original Tarzan films.  Worth seeing for aficionados.

Trailer