Monthly Archives: May 2018

Cheyenne Autumn
Directed by John Ford
Written by James R. Webb, suggested by “Cheyenne Autumn” by Mari Sandoz
1964/USA
Warner Bros./Ford-Smith Productions
First viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Little Wolf: We are asked to remember much. The white man remembers nothing.[/box]

This beautiful movie represents the peak of John Ford’s later career.

It is 1878.  The Cheyenne Indians have been unhappily settled in a desert reservation (here Monument Valley – historically Oklahoma), far away from their Montana Homeland.  The Cheyenne are assisted by Quakers and overseen by the U.S. Army.  Capt. Thomas Archer (Richard Widmark) is in love with Quaker Deborah Wright (Carroll Baker) despite the differences in some of their beliefs.  He is sympathetic to the plight of the Cheyenne but committed to do his duty as well.

The Cheyenne, lead by Little Wolf (Ricardo Montalban) and Dull Knife (Gilbert Rowland), make the fateful decision to make the 1,500 journey back to their ancestral home.  Deborah decides to accompany them.

The long march turns into a kind of hell of starvation and fights with the pursuing calvary headed by Capt. Wright.  The nadir of the journey is the virtual imprisonment of the Cheyenne in the dead of winter at Fort Robinson.  With James Stewart as Wyatt Earp, dArthur Kennedy as Doc Holliday Edward G. Robinson as the Secretary of the Interior, and Karl Malden as Capt. Wessels, commander of Fort Robinson.

The mood is elegaic and the scenery is magnificent.  Richard Widmark gives a good performance in the kind of role John Wayne usually had.  I liked this very much.  Recommended.

Cheyenne Autumn was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Color.

First Men in the Moon
Directed by Nathan Juran
Written by Nigel Kneale and Jan Read from a story by H.G. Wells
1964/UK
Ameran Films
First viewing/Amazon Instant

The Grand Lunar: Men enjoy to make war?
Joseph Cavor: No. No, they detest it!
The Grand Lunar: Then if they make war, they are defective.

Ray Harryhausen goes Georges Melies one better!

At the time of the first UN moon landing, the astronauts discover evidence that the Victorians got there first.  We then segue into a long steampunk flashback of the adventures of those astronauts.  Apparently, in the 1890’s the moon was inhabited by fabulous creatures and had plenty of oxygen to breath underground.  By the end of the movie we will learn the reason all this passed away.

This is fun popcorn viewing.  Not as impressive as some of Harryhausen’s other work but good for what it is.

A Fistful of Dollars (Per un pugno di dollari)
Directed by Sergio Leone
Written by Victoria Andres Catena, Jaime Comas Gil, Sergio Leone et al from Akira Kurosawa’s screenplay for Yojimbo
1964/Italy/Spain/West Germany
Constantin Film/Jolly Film/Ocean Films
First viewing/Amazon

[box] Joe: When a man’s got money in his pocket he begins to appreciate peace.[/box]

The Spaghetti Western is born.

The man with no name (Clint Eastwood) is referred to as “Joe” here so I’ll call him that.  He wanders into a Mexican town that is plagued by the violent feud between two corrupt families, the Baxters and the Rojos.   Strangers are not welcome but Joe earns respect by quickly dispatching four of the Baxters.  He also befriends the local innkeeper and undertaker.

Joe is smart and enjoys playing the two sides against each other for fun and profit.  He rescues a damsel in distress while he’s at it.

The story comes almost straight from Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo and translates well to the Western setting.  I enjoyed the film, especially Eastwood’s iconic performance and the music.  Recommended for Western lovers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ_7br_3y54

Clip

Awesome rendition of Ennio Morricone’s themes for the film

Yearning (Midareru)
Directed by Mikio Naruse
Written by Zenso Matsuyama; story by Mikio Naruse
1964/Japan
Toho Company
Repeat viewing/FilmStruck

[box] “I’m wearying to escape into that glorious world, and to be always there: not seeing it dimly through tears, and yearning for it through the walls of an aching heart: but really with it, and in it.” ― Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights[/box]

Such a tender and sad film.

Reiko (Hideko Hakamine) has run her in-laws’ small grocery store for 18 years – ever since her husband died in WWII.  She is really the heart and soul of the business.  Her husband’s younger brother Koji has grown up to be a sort of aimless.  The store is facing stiff competition from the burgeoning supermarkets who can sell much cheaper than a mom and pop store can.  The store is in a prime location and Reiko’s sister-in-laws are keen on either selling out or opening the store as a supermarket under Koji’s management.  They think Reiko should move on.

Matters are vastly complicated when Koji announces he has fallen in love with Reiko, who is eleven years his senior and not interested in pursuing the relationship.

I haven’t seen enough films by Naruse.  The ones I have seen have all been winners.  This one is flooded through with unspoken emotion and looks just beautiful.  Hakamine is one of the world’s great actresses and well worth seeing in this or anything else.

Trailer – no subtitles

Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold (Zatoichi senryo-kubi)
Directed by Kazuo Ikehiro
Written by Shozaburo Asai and Akikazu Ota; story by Kan Shimozawa
1964/Japan
Daiei Motion Picture Company
First viewing/Film Struck

[box] Zatoichi: The fool! Sees the glint of money and throws all caution to the wind. That’s the problem with men who can see.[/box]

My husband’s eyes always light up when I saw I have a “blind swordsman” movie on tap!

Ichi visits the grave of a man who he didn’t mean to kill on the anniversary of his death. The local villagesr are celebrating because they have finally collected the 1,000 ryo they owe the tax man.  But when the chest of golden coins is en route to the magistrate, it is stolen by armed men.  Ichi is found sitting on the empty packing crate and is blamed for the theft along with a local gang boss to whom Ichi is loyal.  The blind masseur must clear his name and that of his friend.  Plenty of swordfights ensue.

This was pretty darned entertaining.  I wouldn’t rate it has high as some of the others, though, because this particular director’s flashy, arty style kind of distracted from the humor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhsIgm38Zwo

Clip

The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb
Directed by Michael Carreras
Written by Michael Carreras
1964/UK
Hammer Films/Swallow Productions Ltd.
First viewing/Amazon Instant
One of 1000 on They Shoot Zombies Don’t They

[box] Alexander King: I must take you into my confidence and warn you. There is a curse which says that all persons present at the opening of a Pharaoh’s coffin and who gaze at the face of the mummy therein, shall die. You have been WARNED![/box]

This could have used more mummy and less romance and Fred Clark.

It’s the old story.  Egyptians are warning British archeologists against desecrating the tomb of Ra, Prince of Egypt.  Of course, they poo-poo the curse but the deaths start before they have even removed the mummy from the tomb.  The expedition has been financed by crass American Alexander King (Fred Clark) who insists that the mummy and riches of the tomb be displayed in his circus.  The chief archeologist quits in disgust but urges his assistants John and Annette to stay on.

Upon return to England, suave and mysterious Adam starts courting Annette creating the love triangle that will dominate the film.  In the meantime, at the big reveal the mummy’s coffin is found to be empty!  I don’t think I have to tell you what happens next.

This is not terrible but nothing great either.  Quite missable.