Golden Oldies

They don't make films like this any more nor is the acting nowadays anything like the two stars in this film. It's camp, grotesque, dark, ironic, chilling, sad and funny. Watching Crawford & Davis, knowing that they despised each other only adds to the potency of this classic tale. If you've heard of, but never seen Baby Jane, the chances are the experience of witnessing it will far outweigh what you've heard. Studio Head Jack Warner said he wouldn't pay two cents to see those 2 washed-up old broads in a movie was soon eating his words. Timeless.

Every element of this film is testament to Hitchcock's genius. Watching films of this calibre made in 1948 can make you completely baffled by the bigger/better 'blockbuster' mentality which occurs in so much film making today.

Whodunnit is revealed in the first scene. The 'just-for-the-hell-of-it' pair of homosexual, playboy murderers throw a dinner party for the victim's friends and relations, and for the teacher who inspired them to carry out the crime. A gripping watch, especially once Jimmie Stewart is on-set. Not only is the film shot in real time and on one set, but it is also uses only one camera shot without cuts! This means one take for the entire film, and yet Hitchcock still crafts an excellent film around this technical trick. Highly recommended to anyone interested in people as well as anyone intersted in film technique, this film really makes a change from todays rapid fire cutting. A masterpiece and a gem.

This film is, without a doubt, an absolute classic cinema piece! Banned for over 30 years in the UK, cut to shreds of which most of the original footage is lost, but it still delivers.



This is a wonderful film about freaks, sideshow oddities... but although we too may feel at times uneasy being 'voyeurs' of said freaks, such feelings are short-lived. If anything, and as spelt out from the beginning of the film, Browning wanted to point out how they are normal people with normal feelings (sadly, half the crew refused to work with the deformed actors and actresses and the initial 'normal' leading lady screamed and left the set and had to be replaced) and he certainly gets this across.



The use of real 'freaks' adds an eerie quality which could never have worked as well with actors portraying the disabilities. The sound quality is not great, but this is a problem with the film itself. Films like this would never be made today. A real oddity and a treat. So ahead of its time, absolutely brilliant take on human nature and how cruel we can be.

This is a more thoughful Hitchcock film based on a short story by Daphne de Maurier. The storyline supposes that our feathered friends in a Californian coastal area suddenly take a dislike to the human race (and who can blame them). It isn't a fast paced film, but then few of Hitchcock's are. It's a film that does draw you in though and the end is positively haunting. A brilliant film that's well worth watching.

(USA Title: Young Scarface)



This black and white film has the reputation for giving David Attenborough his first big break. He turns in a fantastic performance as Pinkie, the 17 year old gang leader. He manages to capture the naivety and paranoia of the character perfectly, as well as the cruelty and sense of disconnection that he has. Excellent cinematography and camera work create Brighton's shadowy side and tattered interiors of 'seen better days' boarding houses and pubs add to the 'dead end,' oppressive atmosphere.



Yes it's dated but it's a quality period piece which has clearly improved with age. Like fine wine... savour it because films like this are rare, and have paved the way for more recent classics such as The Godfather and Goodfellas. Best of all though... it's 100% British. Kudos to the filmmakers for keeping the dark sinister tone that underlies the story. All in all Brighton Rock is a fantastic adaptation, and compelling viewing!