Tag: 1960s

Take 3: The Children’s Hour Review

On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

Audrey Hepburn is no stranger to 18 Cinema Lane. In the eight years I’ve been blogging, I have reviewed The Nun’s Story (which I liked), Funny Face (which I also liked), and Roman Holiday (which was, in my opinion, ok). For Classic Film And TV Corner’s Audrey Hepburn Blogathon, I decided to pick a movie I don’t often hear in the discussion of Audrey’s films. Over the years, I’ve heard 1961’s The Children’s Hour has been considered “controversial”. Though I wasn’t sure if the movie still carried that title today or if it once held that title when the film was originally released. Wanting to find an answer to that question, I selected The Children’s Hour to write about for the event. Another actor who’s no stranger to 18 Cinema Lane is James Garner. Despite only reviewing one of his films, Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Promise, I have seen other projects from his filmography, such as Atlantis: The Lost Empire, The Notebook, and Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Decoration Day. So, I was pleasantly surprised to discover James starred in The Children’s Hour.

The Children’s Hour poster created by The Mirisch Corporation and United Artists

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: As I said in this review’s introduction, I’ve written about three of Audrey Hepburn’s films; The Nun’s Story, Funny Face, and Roman Holiday. Through her roles in these films, Audrey has proven to be a very expressive actress who allows her characters to adapt to any situation. This sentiment holds true in The Children’s Hour, as Audrey portrays a teacher named Karen. One great example of Audrey’s expressiveness takes place during a conversation Karen shares with a doctor named Joe (portrayed by James Garner). Throughout their conversation, Karen shares her desire to get married. As soon as Joe agrees to marry Karen, her face lights up, complete with wide eyes and a big ear-to-ear smile. It also helps how this reaction from Karen appears genuine. Speaking of James Garner, I also want to talk about his portrayal of Joe. During his and Karen’s aforementioned conversation, Joe is frustrated by lack of funds and resources at the hospital where he works. As he takes Karen for a car ride, Joe carries that frustration on his face, from a narrowed stare to his mouth turning in a scowl. The look on Joe’s face is consistent from a previous conversation he shared with Karen’s friend, Martha (portrayed by Shirley MacLaine). In his and Martha’s conversation, Joe expressed his frustration through his facial expressions and tone of voice. This consistency, as well as his versatility, showed just how strong of a performance James gave in The Children’s Hour!

Like I mentioned earlier, Audrey portrays a teacher named Karen. This means throughout The Children’s Hour, Karen’s students appear in the story from time to time. Out of the young actresses who received lines in the movie, two of the strongest performances came from Karen Balkin and Veronica Cartwright! In The Children’s Hour, Karen portrays Mary, a manipulative girl who never takes ‘no’ for an answer. Meanwhile, Veronica portrays Rosalie, a fellow student of Mary’s who is terrified of Mary. Whenever Mary tries to control Rosalie into following a plan of hers, Rosalie’s terror for Mary is visibly displayed through her wide eyes and appearance of fear on the rest of her face. Even when she’s questioned about the rumor about Martha and Karen, Rosalie bursts into tears as Mary’s figurative grip on her is just too powerful. On the other hand, Mary’s mood changes depending on the situation. One moment, as she’s presenting flowers to another teacher named Lily, Mary displays a sweet demeanor with a smile on her face. But when Karen catches Mary in a lie about those flowers, Mary’s attitude immediately changes to being defensive, complete with a sharp tone of voice and an angry look in her eyes. The strong execution of Karen’s and Veronica’s performance made me, as a viewer, effectively empathize with Rosalie and despise Mary.

The dialogue: I brought up earlier in this review how Shirley MacLaine portrayed Karen’s friend, Martha. One of the reasons why I liked her performance was her execution of the dialogue. To add to this, some of the dialogue in The Children’s Hour was cleverly written. A great example takes place during a conversation between Martha and Karen. While bringing up the subject of money, Karen addresses her concern for Martha’s wardrobe. Martha casually and confidently responds to Karen’s concern by saying, “I’m a skirt-and-blouse character. We’re always in style”. Later in The Children’s Hour, Martha and Lily have a disagreement. During this disagreement, Martha suggests Lily leave to pursue her Broadway dreams, even offering to give her money. Lily refuses to accept Martha’s offer and says she’d “rather scrub floors first”. Martha, her voice fueled with sarcasm, replies “You’ll change your mind after the first floor”. The cleverness of the dialogue’s writing, as well as the dialogue’s delivery, was such a pleasant surprise!

The mise-en-scène: While watching The Children’s Hour, I noticed interesting mise-en-scène that was sometimes utilized during the movie. One example shows Mary spying on Karen and Martha as they share a conversation in Martha’s room. The door to Martha’s room is in the background near the left-hand side of the frame. In the foreground near the right-hand side of the frame is Mary’s face hiding behind the door of her room. Shots like the one I described present the illusion of putting the audience in a scene alongside the characters. This creative decision was, for me, an unexpected yet memorable aspect of the movie!

The Audrey Hepburn Blogathon banner created by Maddy from Classic Film And TV Corner

What I didn’t like about the film:

Telling instead of showing: Throughout The Children’s Hour, Martha and Karen recount how Mary’s rumor negatively impacted their lives and careers. They planned on filing a libel and slander lawsuit, but ended up losing that lawsuit. The rumor became national news, as Martha mentions it made the front page. But none of these events are shown in the film. No newspapers are presented with that rumor as headline news. There’s no courtroom scenes either, so the audience is forced to take Karen and Martha’s word for it. Because of the script’s reliance on telling instead of showing, the severity of the situation isn’t fully felt. The closest The Children’s Hour gets to addressing the severity is when the students actively leave the school.

Not addressing Mary’s accountability: Karen, Martha, and even Joe are hated by Mary because they do what Mary’s grandmother failed to do: hold Mary accountable for her bad decisions. This hatred is what caused Mary to start the rumor about Martha and Karen in the first place. But The Children’s Hour spends so much time focusing on the fallout from the rumor, Mary isn’t shown facing any accountability for creating the rumor. Sure, the rumor is debunked and Mary’s grandmother discovers the truth. However, the script never addresses what happened to Mary when the truth came to light. As a viewer who was waiting for Mary to face her comeuppance, I was disappointed.

Drawn-out scenes: There were a few times within The Children’s Hour where scenes were drawn out longer than necessary. One example is when Joe confronts Karen about the rumor. While I understand this scene was intended for Karen to debunk the rumor and re-confirm the status of her and Joe’s relationship, the scene itself felt like it lasted between five to ten minutes. Because there’s only so much story you can tell in an hour and forty-eight minutes, I believe scenes like the one I described should have been trimmed a bit.

Chalkboard image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/mathematical-operation-written-on-blackboard_1357576.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

In the world of cinema, there are three types of movies: those that stand the test of time, those that were ahead of its time, and those that are a product of its time. Personally, I think The Children’s Hour fits in the latter category, primarily due to how the dialogue tries to skirt around the rumor instead of being straightforward about it. However, I don’t believe this makes The Children’s Hour a bad movie. In fact, the 1961 picture has its merits. The acting was solid, from Audrey’s portrayal of Karen and James’ portrayal of Joe to the performances from the younger actresses like Veronica and Karen. I also liked how clever some of the dialogue was and how the mise-en-scène was utilized. But the creative team behind The Children’s Hour didn’t take the opportunity to expand the story beyond the stage it was adapted from. The script relied on telling instead of showing, which prevented the severity of the situation from being fully felt. Some scenes were drawn out longer than necessary and Mary’s accountability for starting the rumor isn’t addressed in the story. Therefore, I like Funny Face and The Nun’s Story over The Children’s Hour.

Overall score: 6.1 out of 10

Have you seen The Children’s Hour? Which movie from Audrey Hepburn’s filmography would you like to see me review next? Let me know in the comment section below!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: The Misfits (1961) Review

On By 18cinemalane8 Comments

Marilyn Monroe is a woman who needs no introduction. One of the most popular actresses of all time, almost everyone knows who Marilyn is, even if they’ve never seen any of her movies. I remember a time when I would go to a store and find memorabilia with Marilyn’s picture or likeness on it, from metal wall signs to Christmas ornaments. I even recall a church named after her in the 1975 movie, Tommy. But when the Marilyn Monroe – 100th Birthday Anniversary Blogathon was announced, I remembered one of her films was recommended to me. That film is 1961’s The Misfits, suggested by Eric Binford (from Diary of a Movie Maniac)! On my blog’s Year-Long Bingo Card, one of the squares is labeled “Review a movie from the Western genre”. This became another reason why I chose to review The Misfits, as the movie is classified as a “contemporary western”. However, I had no idea Marilyn ever starred in a western genre picture until I selected the 1961 title for the blogathon. My aforementioned reasons, including the fact I don’t review western genre movies often, finally gave me an opportunity to write about The Misfits!

The Misfits (1961) poster created by United Artists and Seven Arts Productions

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: Throughout my years of watching and reviewing movies, I’ve heard Marilyn Monroe receive titles like “icon” and “sex symbol”. But as I reflect on her performance in The Misfits, I feel those titles do her acting talents a huge disservice. Toward the beginning of the 1961 film, Marilyn’s character, Roslyn, is questioning what her life will look like after her recent divorce. She’s hunched over her drink and her hands are folded, appearing as if she’s lost in thought. Roslyn’s eyes show how she’s trying to make a thousand decisions in a single moment, but not in a way that makes her look overwhelmed. She’s carefully processing what her new steps will be, coming up with a strategy that will prevent her from repeating her mistakes. As I watched this scene unfold, I was so focused on Roslyn and what decisions she was going to make, I had completely forgotten I was watching an actress portray a character. This is just one example of how Marilyn’s performance was one of the best parts of The Misfits!

Clark Gable is an actor I am definitely familiar with. Not only have I seen Gone with the Wind, I reviewed China Seas back in 2021. His portrayal of Gaylord in The Misfits is quite different from his two previously mentioned roles. That’s because it didn’t feel like Gaylord had something to prove, yet was emotionally versatile. One of the saddest scenes is when Gaylord is trying to find his children. As he drunkenly stumbles throughout and out of the saloon, he calls out his children’s names. A mixture of pain, confusion, and longing can be heard in his voice. Even his eyes were filled to the brim with sadness. In that scene, I, honestly, couldn’t help feeling sorry for Gaylord. Clark’s solid performance certainly contributed to that.

While I’m on the subject of the acting performances in The Misfits, I want to bring up Eli Wallach and Montgomery Clift. As I watched this movie, I was impressed by Eli’s portrayal of Gaylord’s friend, Guido, as well as Montgomery’s portrayal of a rodeo rider named Perce. One stand-out moment was when Guido is talking to Roslyn about his deceased wife. His voice quivers during the conversation and his eyes even appear on the verge of tears. Eli’s performance presents one of those times where a character can say so much as they say very little. In a different conversation with Roslyn, Perce shares his life story with her. Throughout his reflections, his wide eyes look like they’re searching for something. But it’s not because he’s lost, it’s because he’s trying to find something to focus on after a recent head injury. Montgomery’s expressive eyes are one of the reasons why his performance was captivating to watch!

The dialogue: Sometimes, a movie’s dialogue can be so thoughtfully written, it sounds profound without trying too hard to be. That was definitely the case for The Misfits! Honestly, it’s difficult to choose a favorite quote because several quotes were so thought-provoking. But I will provide a few examples to prove my previously stated point. At one moment in the movie, Isabelle, Roslyn’s former landlady and current friend, claims to know Nevada’s slogan. She says it’s “Anything goes, but don’t complain if it went”. Poignant reminders of how unpredictable life is and how some things were or were not meant to be are shared in that one line. During a conversation with Roslyn, Guido tells her, “You have the gift for life, Roslyn. The rest of us, we’re just looking for a place to hide and watch it all go by”. This piece of dialogue simply, yet effectively, differentiates between people who allow life to pass them by and those who fearlessly grab the steering wheel.

Providing creativity to the western genre: When it comes to means of travel within the western genre, horseback riding, horse drawn carriages/wagons, and trains are typically shown on screen. These modes of travel provide a stone in the western genre’s foundation, making the genre itself what it is. But what if I told you there was a plane in The Misfits? In the 1961 movie, Guido says he was a pilot in the war, likely referring to World War II. He uses his piloting skills to not only fly a plane, but to also wrangle a group of wild horses with that same plane. I bring this up because, prior to reviewing The Misfits, I had never seen, let alone heard of, a plane in a western genre film. Incorporating any aircraft into the movie added creativity to the western genre. It also gave The Misfits a unique identity.

Marilyn Monroe – 100th Birthday Anniversary Blogathon banner created by Kristen from Hoofers and Honeys

What I didn’t like about the film:

Guido’s unaddressed jealousy: At Guido’s house, Roslyn and Gaylord share a dance together. When Guido sees Gaylord and Roslyn together, the look on Guido’s face appears to be that of jealousy. But throughout The Misfits, this apparent jealousy wasn’t addressed. I honestly thought it was going to lead to a love triangle or Guido and Gaylord fighting for Roslyn’s love. Looking back on the 1961 movie, I wonder what the purpose was of showing Guido looking jealous if that feeling didn’t play a role in the story? Guido’s apparent jealousy could have led to an interesting conflict within the script had that feeling been acknowledged.

The run-time: IMDB lists The Misfits’ run-time as a little over two hours. Personally, I think that run-time is a bit excessive. Not only is the story pretty straightforward and easier to follow, the cast is smaller, which helps the audience remember who is who. These elements should have led to a tighter script. Plus, some scenes were drawn out too long, such as when Gaylord, Guido, and Perce wrangle the wild horses. If scenes like the one I brought up were trimmed down, the run-time of The Misfits could (and should) have been, at least, an hour and thirty to forty minutes. Important points in the story could have been reached sooner as well.

Perce’s underutilized backstory: In my opinion, Perce was the most interesting character in The Misfits. His backstory, along with his phone conversation with his mother, made him intriguing. I was genuinely curious about where Perce’s part of the story would go. But, unfortunately, his backstory became underutilized. During a conversation with Roslyn, Perce brings up how he was denied inheriting his father’s ranch. This could have provided Perce with a motive to carry his story forward. After his conversation with Roslyn, however, this detail is barely brought up again. In fact, Perce’s backstory becomes an afterthought as the movie progresses.

Joshua Tree National Park in California image created by Welcomia at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/tree”>Tree photo created by welcomia – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Have you ever watched a movie where you didn’t know what the movie’s creative team was trying to say? That was my experience watching The Misfits. I think I know what the film was supposed to tell me. But I don’t know for certain if that’s what The Misfits’ creative team wanted to tell their audience. However, I don’t believe the 1961 movie is bad. In fact, I thought it was just ok. The acting performances, including Marilyn Monroe’s, were certainly worth watching. Not only was the dialogue, at times, thought-provoking, the inclusion of a plane added creativity to the western genre. But there were flaws that held The Misfits back from being a stronger movie. I didn’t like how Perce’s backstory was underutilized and how Guido’s jealousy was unaddressed. Plus, the run-time was, in my opinion, a bit excessive. Despite those flaws, I am thankful to have received an opportunity to finally watch (and review) The Misfits!

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen The Misfits? Which film from Marilyn Monroe’s filmography would you like to see me review next? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Blue Hawaii Review

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

I have a confession to make: up until this month’s edition of Genre Grandeur, I had never seen an Elvis Presley movie before. Hence the reason why I put “Check out one of Elvis Presley’s movies” on my Year-Long Bingo Card, to expand my cinematic horizons. The opportunity to finally see one of his films presented itself with February’s Genre Grandeur theme; “Movies Featuring Surfing”. According to the official IMDB page for the 1961 title, Blue Hawaii, there are some pictures of Elvis surfing or on a surfboard. Because of that, I selected Blue Hawaii for Genre Grandeur! Based on what I know about his career, there are three locations associated with Elvis Presley; Graceland, Las Vegas, and Hawaii. Now that I’ve seen Blue Hawaii, it makes me wonder if Elvis’ association with Hawaii was a result of this film or other factors? I admit this question is a discussion for another time. But for now, let’s review Blue Hawaii!

Blue Hawaii poster created by Hal Wallis Productions and Paramount Pictures

Things I liked about the film:

The on-screen chemistry: Elvis Presley stars in Blue Hawaii as Chad Gates. When he returns home from the Army, his girlfriend, Maile Duval (portrayed by Joan Blackman), excitedly waits for him at the airport. From the film’s very first musical number, “Almost Always True”, Elvis and Joan’s on-screen chemistry lit up the screen! Their acting performances helped sell the believability of Chad and Maile’s relationship, his consistently laid-back personality pairing nicely with her genuine sweetness. The delivery of the script’s clever banter felt like a friendly game of beach volleyball, with Maile and Chad’s conversations sounding pleasant to listen to. I honestly wish Joan and Elvis shared more screentime together because Chad and Maile’s relationship added a nice romantic touch to Blue Hawaii!

The musical numbers: Elvis’ forte is music, which is why Blue Hawaii features over ten musical numbers. When I think about these musical numbers, I take note how they are, more often than not, joyful in tone. This reminded me of when Frederick told his daughter, Annette, in Million Dollar Mermaid how music should be a source of joy. But I also took note of how Blue Hawaii’s musical numbers were utilized in the story’s context. In one scene, Chad attends the birthday party of Maile’s grandmother. He gives Maile’s grandmother an Austrian music box as a present, with the tune being “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. This song is one of the most iconic from Elvis’ discography. However, its inclusion in the movie didn’t feel like it was there just because it was a popular Elvis Presley tune. Instead, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” feels like it had an intended, meaningful purpose within the story. Creative decisions like this one helped make Blue Hawaii’s musical numbers one of the strengths of the movie!

The dialogue: Since watching Blue Hawaii was my first time watching any of Elvis Presley’s films, I really didn’t know what to expect. But what I didn’t expect was the dialogue being cleverly written! One of my favorite examples of cleverly written dialogue is when one of Chad’s friends is preparing lunch. During these preparations, he realizes he doesn’t have any ketchup. Chad’s friend then asks Maile if she has any ketchup, with her response being how she only has lipstick, which happens to share a similar shade to the condiment. How this conversation was written and delivered made this one of the funniest moments in Blue Hawaii! Like I mentioned earlier in this review, Chad gives Maile’s grandmother an Austrian music box as a birthday present. As he’s giving Maile’s grandmother the music box, Chad says, “it plays European love songs, but they’re the same in any language”. Through this one quote alone, Chad is acknowledging how love, especially expressing love through music, is a universal and relatable theme. It ended up being a profound statement without trying too hard to be.

Image of Hawaiian poster created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/poster”>Poster vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

A drawn-out story: Blue Hawaii’s story revolves around Chad wanting to create his own career path instead of accepting a position at his family’s fruit company. While this was an interesting conflict, it was too drawn-out. With Blue Hawaii’s run-time set at one hour and forty-two minutes, it feels like the story was drawn-out to satisfy the run-time. For the first thirty minutes of the film, Chad simply talks about wanting to solve his problem instead of actually solving his problem. Even though he and Maile come up with a resolution to the conflict, it took too long, in my opinion, for that resolution to be found. Maybe if Blue Hawaii’s run-time had been trimmed, Chad could have created his career path sooner.

Ellie’s subplot: In Blue Hawaii, Chad becomes a tour guide and leads a group consisting of a female teacher named Abigail Prentice, and her four female teenage students. One of these students is a 17-year-old named Ellie Corbett. I wasn’t a fan of the subplot Ellie received for two reasons. She was a static character for the majority of the movie. Plus, Ellie’s attraction for older men (including Chad) made me uncomfortable, as it was too inappropriate for a character her age. When it comes to Ellie’s part of the story, she was dealing with some serious issues of self-esteem and even self-worth. So, her aforementioned attraction was completely unnecessary because she already had a conflict she could have worked through during the movie. Had the script prioritized Ellie growing as a character by building a healthy sense of self, it would have been a much stronger (and age-appropriate) subplot.

Lack of surfing: As I said in my review’s introduction, the pictures of Elvis surfing or on a surfboard from Blue Hawaii’s official IMDB page are one of the reasons why I reviewed the 1961 movie for February’s Genre Grandeur. A quote on Blue Hawaii’s poster even says, “Elvis Presley rides the crest of the wave in Blue Hawaii”. But throughout the hour and forty-two-minute film, there wasn’t any surfing to be seen. Sure, Chad is on a surfboard in one scene and he teaches Abigail and her students how to surf. But none of the characters actually go surfing. Not only was this creative decision disappointing, it contributed to false advertising.

String of musical notes image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/pentagram-vector_710290.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com. 

My overall impression:

In the past, I’ve talked about films that emphasized style over substance. While these films have looked beautiful or offered aesthetically pleasing worlds through cinema, the script itself left me desiring more. This is exactly how I felt about Blue Hawaii. But in the case of the 1961 picture, it wasn’t just style over substance; it was also music over substance. I did enjoy the musical numbers, as they were mostly joyful and even had a purpose within the story. However, the story ended up becoming overshadowed by the music. Even though the conflict of Chad trying to create his own career path was interesting, it was too drawn-out, likely due to the film’s run-time. I also wasn’t a fan of Ellie’s subplot because it was too inappropriate for her age and she spent most of the movie being a static character. Despite these flaws in the script, Blue Hawaii does have its strengths. Besides the musical numbers, I liked the on-screen chemistry between Elvis Presley and Joan Blackman. To me, they effectively sold their characters’ relationship as being believably loving. I also found the dialogue cleverly written, which was such a pleasant surprise. But overall, I found Blue Hawaii to be just ok.

Overall score: 6.1 out of 10

Have you seen Blue Hawaii? Which other films from Elvis Presley’s filmography would you like me to review next? Let me know in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hawaii!

Sally Silverscreen

The Best and Worst Movies I Saw in 2025

On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

2025 has been a strange year for 18 Cinema Lane. That’s because most of the movies I’ve seen and/or reviewed this year have been ok or fine. After seeing so few good or bad films in 2025, I wasn’t able to create separate top ten best and worst movies lists like in years past. So, instead, I wrote a combined list where I discuss the movies I saw this year that I liked and didn’t like. What’s also different about this year’s end of year list is how there are no Honorable Mentions, due to how few good movies I saw in 2025. But there are two Dishonorable Mentions; Recipe for Murder and Black Bag. The only reason why these films are considered Dishonorable Mentions is because I DNFed (did not finished) both of them. For this year’s list, I will start talking about 2025’s worst movies then end the list by talking about 2025’s best movies. If I reviewed any of the movies on my list, I will provide a link to those reviews.

Image by Rochak Shukla on Freepik

Worst Movies I Saw in 2025

7. Stalked by My Amish Boyfriend

Lifetime movies, like Hallmark movies, are not created equally. The 2024 film, Stalked by My Amish Boyfriend, is just one example of this statement. While it was interesting to see and hear how information about Amish culture was woven into the story, that part of the script couldn’t overshadow the major flaws of the movie. I was frustrated by how some characters would make dumb decisions simply for the sake of making dumb decisions. Stalked by My Amish Boyfriend was also, in my opinion, a mostly forgettable film. This is the reason why the 2024 picture is at the bottom of my list.

6. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

As I said in my review of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, I expected the 1949 movie to be an action-packed, suspenseful, and even intriguing story. What I got instead was an underwhelming film that prioritized presentation over product. I praised She Wore a Yellow Ribbon for its pretty looking scenery. But a photogenic background was unable to save the film from its weak script. A limited amount of action took away a lot of the story’s suspense and intrigue. It also doesn’t help how I only became familiar with most of the characters instead of truly getting to know them. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is one of two movies I saw this year that almost made me fall asleep.

Take 3: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon Review

5. Kind Hearts and Coronets

Kind Hearts and Coronets is the second film I saw in 2025 that almost made me fall asleep. But the flaws in this movie greatly differ from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon’s emphasis on scenery over substance. Despite Kind Hearts and Coronets being classified as a “comedy”, I didn’t laugh at all while watching the film. I also had no idea what the story’s moral was supposed to be, due to the moral being treated as an afterthought. Like I said in my Kind Hearts and Coronets review, I’m not entirely sure what this movie was trying to say. That lack of clarity not only makes the movie underwhelming, it also makes the movie confusing.

Take 3: Kind Hearts and Coronets Review

4. Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

Having Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery on my worst movies of the year list and finding Pie To Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery slightly better than its predecessor feels like déjà vu. That’s because One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery was placed on my worst of 2024 list, with its follow-up, A Sprinkle of Deceit: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, being slightly better. Though Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery had its own set of flaws. Forced humor felt straight out of a sit-com, especially when Delores was involved in the story. As I said in my review, I wondered why a laugh track was missing. Both of the film’s mysteries contained such a small sense of urgency, the run-time felt a bit drawn-out. The story’s overall intrigue was weaker due to this flaw. If the Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen series continues in 2026, I’d like to see the quality become more consistent.

Take 3: Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery Review

Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery poster created by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

3. Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride

Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride is the most disappointing movie I saw in 2025. There were so many missed creative opportunities in this story, the film itself was under-cooked and uninspired. The movie was sometimes boring because of the lack of urgency. Seeing Perry, Della, and even Kevin meanderingly take their time building a legal case sucked the energy out of the story. I said in my review how any movie series boasting over ten titles was going to have at least one “bad day at the office”. I also said in my review how Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride was one of those days for the fictional detective.

Take 3: Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride Review

2. My Gal Sunday

This 2014 movie is a perfect example of Hallmark putting the cart before the horse. Instead of creating a solid stand-alone film that could have naturally led to more chapters, the network put more effort into trying to build the foundation for a potential series. Parts of this story didn’t make sense. One glaring example is when an itinerary shows the protagonist couple’s plans of going dancing at 11 p.m. on Saturday then going to church at 8 a.m. on Sunday, begging the question of when these characters were supposed to go to sleep. The on-screen chemistry between Cameron Mathison and Rachel Blanchard made their characters, Henry and Sunday, feel less like a married couple and more like a couple who are about to start dating. It’s, honestly, a shame My Gal Sunday wasn’t a stronger picture. Mystery stories about married couples are uncommon from Hallmark, so this 2014 story could have offered something unique to the network’s table.

1. Mystery by the Book

This film actually has two titles; Mystery by the Book and Key to Love. However, I saw the movie on Great American Family under the title, Mystery by the Book. Therefore, I will be referring to that title for the sake of my list. For a movie with the word ‘mystery’ in the title, the story’s mystery is an afterthought, which makes the title itself very misleading. Instead, the characters develop other priorities, like playing dress-up and tapping glasses four times during one dinner date. Parts of the script don’t make sense, like how the protagonists find a treasured antique key. Mystery by the Book is even so bad, it’s, at times, unintentionally funny. A perfect example is when Corey Sevier’s character, Josh, is looking for a set of keys, only to find a set of keys seconds later on a key hook labeled “Keys”. Thank goodness Great American Family’s Ainsley McGregor Mysteries series is growing stronger in quality. But if the network wants to expand their mystery library, they have a long road ahead of them.

Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride poster created by Fred Silverman Company, Viacom Productions, Dean Hargrove Productions, National Broadcasting Company, and Viacom
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Best Movies I Saw in 2025

8. The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

I’m still shocked by how the 1925 version of The Phantom of the Opera was never included on any of American Film Institute’s 100 movies lists, even months after I reviewed the film. Looking at everything the movie has to offer, I believe there is an argument to be made for its inclusion on, at least, one of those lists. Lon Chaney’s performance alone highlights how make-up, body language, and even the eyes can enhance an acting performance. Each area of the Opera House was presented through color coded film, which gave the movie a unique identity. What also helps 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera standout is how the cinematic lens showed the audience the expansive nature of storytelling. This is why, in my opinion, the story of the Phantom and his opera house is better suited for film than the stage.

Take 3: The Phantom of the Opera (1925) Review (Silent Pioneers Double Feature Part 2)

7. Fist of Fury

For an introduction to Bruce Lee’s filmography, I think Fist of Fury is a good one! The martial arts choreography was definitely one of the strengths of this film. But the movie contained other aspects I liked as well. Bruce’s portrayal of Chen is a reason why Fist of Fury was so memorable. Clever writing and higher stakes woven into the script create a story that was clever, suspenseful, and intriguing. Because of how much I enjoyed watching Fist of Fury, I hope to check out more of Bruce’s movies in 2026!

Take 3: Fist of Fury Review

6. The Chalk Garden

Even though I reviewed this film back in February, I still think about what Laurel said about not liking being told “good morning”. How well-written the dialogue was is one of the reasons why I remember Laurel saying, “what is a good morning to someone else is rarely a good morning to me”. Speaking of Laurel, Hayley Mills’ utilization of animated expressions and a variety of emotions helped the audience see how complex her character truly is. But Hayley is not the only actress whose performance was strong. The Chalk Garden is a movie where every actor and actress does a great job with the acting material they were given. The 1964 presentation is part character study, part mystery that works!

Take 3: The Chalk Garden Review + 505 Follower Thank You

5. The Night Before the Night Before Christmas

The Night Before the Night Before Christmas is another movie I saw (and reviewed) this year where it was difficult to choose a favorite acting performance. The strength of the cast’s acting abilities not only made watching the story unfold more enjoyable, it even helped characters become more likable. Emphasizing the theme of giving painted a portrait of Santa I hadn’t really thought of before; someone who has a reputation for giving. It was also a clever way to remind viewers of one of the Christmas season’s important components. How Christmas activities were included in the script was a breath of fresh air as well. As I said in my review, I wish Hallmark went back to creating titles that didn’t rely too much on a formula, tropes, and/or cliches.

Take 3: The Night Before the Night Before Christmas Review + 515 Follower Thank You

The Chalk Garden poster created by Quota Rentals Limited, Ross Hunter Productions, and Universal Pictures

4. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)

It’s amazing how two movies on this year’s best films list not only turned 100 years old, they also utilized color coded film to their advantage! But what sets Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ apart from The Phantom of the Opera is how title cards went above and beyond in Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ due to how well-written they were. Another aspect that distinguishes Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is the cinematography’s capturing of the scope of the film. Long and medium shots effectively showcased a world that looked and felt larger than life. The visual presentation of the movie was certainly impressive. However, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ found a balance between style and substance!

Take 3: Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) Review

3. The Man Who Invented Christmas

Despite being the most recently reviewed movie on my list, The Man Who Invented Christmas is one of the best biopics I’ve ever seen! How the creation of A Christmas Carol lent itself to exploring Charles Dickens’ life story brought a unique element to the biopic genre. Watching Charles’ iconic tale come to live, literally and figuratively, provided the film a creative and memorable identity. The “Easter Eggs” related to A Christmas Carol sprinkled throughout the story was an engaging way to stay invested in the movie. The Man Who Invented Christmas is a solid Christmas title that would make a good double feature with I Heard the Bells.

Take 3: The Man Who Invented Christmas Review

2. The Wild Robot

I first talked about The Wild Robot in my list of The Top Ten Best Stand-Alone Films. Even though I published that list back in March, the 2024 animated movie has still held up as one of the best titles I saw this year! Like I said in The Top Ten Best Stand-Alone Films list, the animation was gorgeous, appearing as a blend of paintings and priceless photographs. A pleasant surprise was how much emotional depth the story contained. What adds a sense of timelessness to the production was the abundance of good messages and themes. While it’s too early to say how The Wild Robot will stand in the test of time, I think it has potential.

1. An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving

I actually revisited this film in preparation for my review of An Old Fashioned Christmas. Watching An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving again after so many years reminded me why I love this movie! Attention to detail and historical accuracy created the illusion of taking the audience to another time and place. How the messages and themes of the Thanksgiving holiday were woven into the story allow An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving to truly embrace the holiday itself. The more I think about the 2008 movie, it makes me surprised it wasn’t a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. My belief is due to An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving containing elements that would likely be found in a Hallmark Hall of Fame project, such as strong acting performances and a historical fiction lens.

The Man Who Invented Christmas poster created by The Mazur Kaplan Company, The Mob Film Company, Ingenious Media, Nelly Films, Parallel Films, Rhombus Media, and Bleecker Street Media

Have fun in 2026!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965) Review

On By 18cinemalane9 Comments

I’d like to thank Gill (from Realweegiemidget Reviews) and Barry (from Cinematic Catharsis). If it wasn’t for the hosts of The Hammer-Amicus Blogathon V, I wouldn’t have been introduced to the cinematic world of Hammer-Amicus. Since my introduction in 2021 (when I participated in my first Hammer-Amicus Blogathon), I’ve covered three Hammer-Amicus movies on 18 Cinema Lane; Vampire Circus, The Curse of Frankenstein, and Let Me In. While Vampire Circus was ok and Let Me In was just fine, I found The Curse of Frankenstein underwhelming. Now, with a recommendation from Barry (from Cinematic Catharsis), I’ve selected 1965’s Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors as the next Hammer-Amicus presentation to review! I knew almost nothing about this movie prior to choosing it for the blogathon. But I was willing to watch the film with an open mind. Since I finally checked out Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors, it’s time to start my review and share my honest opinion!

Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965) poster created by Amicus Productions, Hollywood Classics International, Regal Films International, and Paramount Pictures

Things I liked about the film:

The interior design: Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors is presented like an anthology; five passengers learn their fate from Dr. Terror himself. Throughout the film, the audience takes a peek into each character’s life as well as their living/working space. These spaces featured interesting design choices that gave them their own distinctness. In the segments titled “Werewolf” and “Disembodied Hand”, a fireplace was the focal point in one room. The fireplace in “Werewolf” was covered in a glossy black paint, while the fireplace in “Disembodied Hand” shone in a glossy blue paint. Biff Bailey’s apartment in the segment titled “Voodoo” featured a zebra patterned couch, which actually complimented the black-and-white checkered floor and black-and-white striped walls. The design choices I described stood out due to the film’s creative team utilizing materials, patterns, and colors that were more unique. I can honestly say I’ve never seen a blue fireplace until I saw Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors!

Incorporation of music: In the segment titled “Werewolf”, Jim Dawson learns about a legendary werewolf buried in the basement of the home he’s remodeling. Any time this werewolf is brought up or poses a threat to the characters living and working in the home, drumbeats, the pattering of a xylophone, and other suspenseful musical sounds can be heard. This segment utilized music to emphasis the fear factor the werewolf contributed to the story. Because Biff Bailey is a musician, music plays a large role in the “Voodoo” segment. One of the songs featured in this specific segment is ‘Give Me Love’. Performed by Sammy Coin (portrayed by Kenny Lynch), the instrumentals provided a cheery jazz tune that can put any listener in a good mood. Kenny’s smooth vocals not only complimented the song itself, but also made me wonder what his vocals would sound like in a song with a more serious tone. ‘Give Me Love’ is one of those songs that is so memorable, I’ll listen to it long after the end of the movie!

The creativity of each story: As I mentioned earlier in this review, Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors is presented like an anthology. With the segments chronicling each of the five passengers, the creativity woven into the script highlighted the uniqueness every passenger brought to the train car! The segment, “Disembodied Hand”, revolves around Franklyn Marsh. An art critic who took his job a little too seriously, Franklyn carries guilt for how he mistreated a popular artist, with his guilt represented by the disembodied hand of that artist. Meanwhile, in the segment titled “Vampire”, Dr. Bob Carroll is confronted with the possibility his wife may be a vampire. This concept gave Bob an internal conflict between loving his wife and protecting his patients. In my review of 2010’s Let Me In, I said vampire stories can be as creative as film-makers want it to be. A similar statement can be said about the horror genre, with Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors presenting strong evidence.

The Hammer-Amicus Blogathon V banner created by Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews and Barry from Cinematic Catharsis

What I didn’t like about the film:

No clear explanation for tarot cards: Throughout Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors, Dr. Terror (portrayed by Peter Cushing), predicts each passenger’s fate by selecting tarot cards. While the tarot cards themselves are shown on screen, no clear explanation for how exactly the cards correlate with the fates was given. Before the start of the “Werewolf” segment, Dr. Terror selects two cards called “Enchantress” and “Priestess”. But after watching that segment, I was confused by what werewolves had to do with those aforementioned cards? It seemed as if the creative team behind the movie assumed their audience would already know the meaning of the cards shown in the film.

Limited sense of urgency: Each segment in Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors incorporates a horror element that poses a threat to the passengers in Dr. Terror’s train car. These segments also contain a limited sense of urgency. Most of the time, the “slice of life” parts of the story were emphasized. When a suspenseful or horrifying moment was about to happen, the segment would end and move on to the next one. This flaw was the result of squeezing five separate stories into an hour and thirty-eight-minute film. I honestly think this script would have worked better as an anthology television series.

A frustrating ending: For this part of my review, I will be spoiling Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors. If you have not seen this film and are planning on watching it, skip ahead to the part of my review titled “My overall impression”.

Like I mentioned earlier in my review, Dr. Terror uses tarot cards to predict the fates of the five passengers. After these fates are revealed, he removes the death card from the deck. This implies all the passengers will eventually die. When the passengers get off the train, they learn through a newspaper article five passengers died in a train crash. That detail clarifies the passengers from Dr. Terror’s train car did, indeed, die, with Dr. Terror himself becoming a skeleton. Personally, I found this ending frustrating because it made the previous stories amount to nothing. While I recognize the movie’s creative team was trying to create the ultimate plot twist, with the death tarot card used as foreshadowing, this creative decision almost made me feel like I wasted my time watching Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors.

Scared audience image created by Katemangostar at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/terrified-friends-watching-horror-movie-in-cinema_1027311.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/people”>People image created by Katemangostar – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Whenever I review a movie on 18 Cinema Lane, I present my opinion as honestly as possible. In my most honest opinion, Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors was such a mixed bag. On the one hand, I appreciate the creativity woven into each of the five segments. This creativity brought distinctness to the stories, interesting interior design choices, and good incorporation of music. But, on the other hand, the ending was too frustrating for my liking. I wish the script provided clear explanations for how the tarot cards correlated with each character’s fate. I also wish there was a stronger sense of urgency throughout the film. At best, Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors was just ok. But, at worst, it left me confused and frustrated. Though I’ve only seen (and reviewed) a few Hammer-Amicus films, I’m starting to wonder if I’ll find a title that is my cup of tea?

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors? Which Hammer-Amicus film would you like to check out? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: The Innocents (1961) Review

On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

Film recommendations from my readers are welcomed here at 18 Cinema Lane. These suggestions are then placed on a Pinterest board, which I use as a reference for upcoming reviews. Some movies have been on the board for so long, they’re at the very bottom. One of these titles is 1961’s The Innocents. Recommended by Maddy (from Maddy Loves Her Classic Films), this is a Deborah Kerr starring production that is quite different from the other projects of hers I’ve reviewed on my blog. That’s because The Innocents is classified as a horror film. Because of this distinct, I’ve been trying to find the right opportunity to talk about the movie. Hoofers and Honeys’ 4th Annual Spooky Classic Movie Blogathon became that opportunity! Deborah’s films covered on 18 Cinema Lane have fluctuated in quality. While I liked titles like The Chalk Garden and The King and I, I wasn’t a fan of Marriage on the Rocks. What will my opinion be of The Innocents? Keep reading my review to find out!

The Innocents (1961) poster created by Achilles, Flair Communications, Twentieth Century Fox, and Twentieth Century Fox Film Company

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: A large portion of The Innocents prominently features two young characters: Miles and Flora, as Deborah’s character, Miss Giddens, believes they are in danger. In stories like this, where younger characters play a significant role, it’s important to cast actors and actresses that can, acting wise, carry some of the film. Flora reminded me somewhat of Eloise (from the 2003 adaptations, Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmastime), marching to the beat of her own drum with a bit of a mischievous spirit. Meanwhile, Miles possessed the precociousness of Cedric from Little Lord Fauntleroy and the sweetness of Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol. These concepts were displayed well through Pamela Franklin’s and Martin Stephens’ performance! Vocal inflections, facial expressions, and even body language worked in their favor, making Miles and Flora captivating characters. Because of Martin’s and Pamela’s acting talents, their convincing portrayals kept me invested in their characters’ story!

As I mentioned before, Deborah Kerr portrays Miss Giddens, who becomes Flora and Miles’ new governess. Looking back on her films, including The Innocents, I’ve noticed how expressive Deborah’s performances have been. Specifically speaking about the 1961 film, Deborah uses her eyes to display thoughts and feelings instead of just relying on dialogue. In one scene, Miss Giddens learns the truth about Miss Jessel and Peter Quint, the governess and valet who worked at the estate before Miss Giddens’ arrival. While she discovers this information from a housekeeper named Mrs. Grose, Miss Giddens’ eyes show concern, sadness, and even fear. She also raises her eyebrows from time to time, emphasizing how shocking the information about Peter Quint and Miss Jessel is. This example of Deborah’s expressiveness elaborates Miss Giddens adapting to the strange things she’s been seeing and hearing during her time at the estate. Similar to Martin’s and Pamela’s performance, Deborah’s portrayal of Miss Giddens was convincing!

The set design: The Innocents mostly takes place at the Bly estate, which belongs to Flora and Miles’ uncle. Though this story was character-driven, the set design was an underrated yet impressive component of the movie. The fireplace in the main sitting room appeared marble with a carved design. Each room features tall windows, implying the large scope of the rooms themselves. Though shown during brief moments, a detailed tapestry hung on a wall near the main stairway. Elaborate tapestry even covered a long seat in one of the rooms. Details like the ones I described emphasized how financially well-off Miles and Flora’s family is. They also helped make Bly estate visually appealing!

Mise-en-scène: In my recent review of 2010’s Let Me In, I talked about how the movie’s mise-en- scène (the way a film’s scene is presented to the audience) was one of the strengths of the movie. This was also a strength in The Innocents, as some scenes’ presentation added intrigue to the story! One evening, Miles confesses to Miss Giddens how his uncle doesn’t have time for him and his sister. At first, the conversation is shown in a medium shot. The very next shot is a close-up of Miles’ face, with light shining on his cheek to reveal a tear rolling down. Through this visual presentation, the audience is told how his uncle’s lack of acknowledgement deeply troubles Miles. It also provides possible motivation for Miles’ actions later in the film.

The 4th Annual Spooky Classic Movie Blogathon banner created by Kristen from Hoofers and Honeys

What I didn’t like about the film:

Limited horror elements: I mentioned in my review’s introduction how The Innocents is classified as a horror film. Because of this classification, I expected the script to emphasize the horror elements within the story. But these elements, like potential ghost sightings and unexplained noises, had such a limited presence in the film, they were featured in “don’t blink or you’ll miss it” moments. In fact, the script placed more emphasis on the “slice-of-life” parts of the story. As a movie blogger who doesn’t review horror movies often, I found this creative decision disappointing. Some of my interest in The Innocents waned because I don’t really find “slice-of-life” stories compelling.

Scenes that feel like padding: One evening at Bly estate, Miss Giddens stays up in the middle of the night in order to discover the cause of the strange happenings throughout the home. The majority of the scene takes place in the upstairs hallway. But the overall scene lasts over five minutes. Moments when Miss Giddens attempts to open doors and walks through the hall seem repetitive due the how long the scene is. With The Innocents having a run-time of an hour and thirty-nine minutes, some of those five minutes could have been trimmed to make the movie about an hour and thirty-four minutes. This is just one example of scenes feeling like padding.

Conclusion with little to no evidence: For this part of my review, I will spoil The Innocents. If you haven’t seen this movie and are planning on watching it, skip ahead to the part of my review titled “My overall impression”.

After witnessing what she believes is the ghost of Miss Jessel, Miss Giddens comes to the conclusion Flora and Miles are possessed by the spirits of Miss Jessel and Peter Quint. She even comes up with a plan to make the children admit this is true. But up until that point, the film doesn’t show how Miss Giddens reaches her conclusion. Little to no evidence is presented, denying the audience an opportunity to see Miss Giddens putting the pieces together. I, personally, couldn’t take her conclusion too seriously because of the lack of evidence. Miss Giddens’ weaker conclusion also added confusion to the overall story, leaving me wondering what I had just watched.

Image of ghost reading created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/book”>Book photo created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

I’m going to be brutally honest, The Innocents is one of the most confusing movies I’ve ever covered on 18 Cinema Lane. When the film ended, I audibly said, “What the heck did I just watch”? Without spoiling The Innocents, all I’ll say is I recognize how the movie’s creative team tried to give their project an ambiguous ending. But when the 1961 picture is also classified as a mystery film, that type of ending doesn’t work due to the genre being known for reaching definitive resolutions. Another flaw that contributes to The Innocents’ confusion is a conclusion with little to no evidence. That lack of evidence prevented me from taking the conclusion too seriously. Despite this confusion, the movie was intriguing enough to keep me invested in the story. The strength of the acting performances and the mise-en-scène are two factors that worked in the film’s favor. Out of Deborah’s films reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane, The Innocents was just ok. While there are things about the movie I liked, the overall execution could have (and should have) been stronger.

Overall score: 6.5 out of 10

Have you seen 1961’s The Innocents? What “classic” horror movies do you like watching? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

The Top Ten Best Stand-Alone Films

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

On this day in 2000, The Road to El Dorado made its official debut. While the movie didn’t meet or exceed DreamWorks’ expectations, it certainly found an audience, which stuck with the film for all these years. I once heard The Road to El Dorado was intended to be the first story in a trilogy. But fate decided it worked better as a stand-alone picture. This caused me to think about the other stand-alone movies I’ve come to love. So, in honor of The Road to El Dorado’s 25th anniversary, I have compiled a list of what I believe are the top ten best stand-alone films! For my list, the criteria for a stand-alone film is not only a title that didn’t receive a sequel, but also isn’t affiliated with a series/franchise. If I covered a film on 18 Cinema Lane, I will provide a link to that article or review in this list. Each title will be presented in order of release year and each choice is based on my opinion.

The Road to El Dorado poster created by Dreamworks Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and DreamWorks Distribution

1. Singin in the Rain (1952)

    I start my list with a classic I was introduced to because of my blog. Now that I have finally seen Singin in the Rain, I have an understanding and appreciation for why the movie is so beloved. Gene Kelly’s iconic musical number, “Singin in the Rain”, should provide enough explanation for why you should check the film out! The number itself feels immersive, as it takes place within the story’s context. Gene adds uniqueness to the number by jumping and splashing in puddles. “Singin in the Rain” successfully represents the spirit of the film, while also delivering the message of seeing the good in a not-so-good situation. That number is just one reason why Singin in the Rain is a solid musical!

    Watching ‘Singin in the Rain’ for the First Time

    2. Ben-Hur (1959)

    If you’re going to watch any classics, you have to see 1959’s Ben-Hur! Though the three-hour run-time can seem intimidating, that time flew by for me, as I was so engrossed in the story. The emotional intensity of Charlton Heston’s, Stephen Boyd’s, and Haya Harareet’s performance complimented the scope of the overall film. Ben-Hur contains other likable qualities as well, from the magnificent sets/scenery to the interesting cinematography. How Christianity/faith was incorporated into the story sets the 1959 production apart from other “sword and sandal” pictures. Those who celebrate Easter may find Ben-Hur an appropriate seasonal title.

    Take 3: Ben-Hur (1959) Review + 60 Follower Thank You

    3. To Kill a Mockingbird (1963)

    While the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, received a sequel, the film adaptation did not. The 1963 movie presents one of the few times where, in my opinion, the film was better than its source material. Getting straight to the point a lot sooner was a main focus for the creative team. The film’s visual nature worked in the favor of certain elements from the book. Showing suspenseful moments from the source material makes those moments seem real, as well as intensifies uncertainty. Leaving out scenes that feel like padding helps the movie maintain a steadier pace.

    Take 3: To Kill a Mockingbird Review

    4. The Boy Who Could Fly (1986)

    When I first saw The Boy Who Could Fly, it subverted my expectations. That’s because the 1986 picture aged surprisingly well! Through Milly and Eric’s friendship, the script shows how people with Autism can create and maintain meaningful relationships. Helping someone with Autism based on their personal preferences and accommodations may have seemed ahead of its time back in the mid to late ‘80s. Timeless messages and themes make up one of the reasons why I love the 1986 film. Showing compassion for others, dealing with grief, and understanding people’s differences take center stage.

    Take 3: The Boy Who Could Fly Review (PB & J Double Feature Part 2)

    5. The Bodyguard (1992)

    In 2022, I wrote an editorial explaining why The Bodyguard held up thirty years later. Because I love the 1992 film, finding explanations wasn’t difficult. “The kitchen scene” is, in my opinion, the best scene from any action movie. One reason why is how the kitchen’s smaller space is seen by the actors as a challenge instead of a hindrance. What also worked in The Bodyguard’s favor was Whitney Houston’s portrayal of Rachel Marron. Throughout the story, Whitney realistically showcases emotions and expressions. This helped Rachel become a multi-layered character.

    I Will Always Love You: ‘The Bodyguard’ at 30

    The Boy Who Could Fly poster created by Lorimar Motion Pictures and 20th Century Fox. Image found at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090768/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0.

    6. Swept from the Sea (1998)

    Swept from the Sea was one of the earliest hidden gems I discovered in 2019. It’s a movie that’s so great, I just had to include it on this list. There are so many things to like about Swept from the Sea. From Vincent Perez’s captivating performance to the beautiful scenery, the film’s components came together to create an endearing and emotional presentation! The 1998 film is a character-driven story, relying on on-screen chemistry in order to work. Because of Vincent Perez’s and Rachel Weisz’s differing acting styles, the on-screen chemistry between Yanko and Amy was very sweet and genuine.

    Take 3: Swept from the Sea Review (A Month Without the Code — #8)

    7. Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)

    This is another movie I just had to include on my list. But this time, it’s because Phantom of the Megaplex is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! The Disney Channel picture showed that the movie-going experience can be fun. As I explained in my editorial celebrating the film’s 20th anniversary, the made-for-TV movie also serves as a time capsule of how the cinema operated in the beginning of the millennium. Phantom of the Megaplex even shows how movies can influence our lives. Though I’m not sure if that aspect of the story was intentional, it makes the 2000 title, somewhat, thought-provoking.

    ‘Phantom of the Megaplex’ at 20: A Reflection on the Movie-Going Experience

    8. I Am David (2004)

    I Am David was the biggest pleasant surprise of 2024. It became the year’s best movie in March and stayed number one until the very end! What set I Am David apart was the film’s genuine emotion and sincerity. This was seen and felt through every aspect of the production. The 2004 movie emphasized visual depth. Achieved by exploring light and darkness, as well as showcasing Europe’s natural landscape, the creative team used the visual nature of film to their project’s advantage. Two effective plot twists are another reason why I liked I Am David. Their delivery in the story was well-written.

    Take 3: I Am David Review (Double Feature: 2004 Edition Part 1)

    9. From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

    This 2011 presentation is one of Studio Ghibli’s stronger projects. A reason is one of the overarching themes; honoring the past. The film intelligently and creatively shows its audience how important history is in our lives and our world. Whether referencing the 1964 Olympics or focusing on the characters’ relationships, the theme of honoring the past acts as an umbrella sheltering Poppy Hill and its surrounding areas. Studio Ghibli’s signature colorful palette is consistently on display in the 2011 film. The strong understanding for how and when to use color makes scenes look like priceless pieces of art! Personally, I think movies like From Up on Poppy Hill present an argument why 2-D animation still has its time and place.

    Take 3: From Up on Poppy Hill Review + 200 Follower Thank You

    10. The Wild Robot (2024)

      I think it’s fitting to close this list with a DreamWorks movie, as a DreamWorks movie is the reason why I created this list in the first place. Though this was a recent watch for me, The Wild Robot is, so far, the best film I’ve seen this year! The animation itself is absolutely gorgeous! Sometimes, scenes look like paintings and other times, they look like priceless photographs. I was not expecting the story to contain as much emotional depth as it did. An abundance of good messages and themes add a sense of timelessness to the production. Though it’s unknown right now if The Wild Robot will gain an audience like The Road to El Dorado has, I can confidently say it was a really good movie!

      Phantom of the Megaplex poster created by the Walt Disney Company and Disney Channel. © Disney•Pixar. All rights reserved. Disney XD© Disney Enterprises, Inc.

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen

      Take 3: The Chalk Garden Review + 505 Follower Thank You

      On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

      For last year’s We Are Family Blogathon, my original plan was to write about both the Diagnosis Murder episode, “Guardian Angel” and 1964’s The Chalk Garden. But as I explained in my review of hoops&yoyo’s Haunted Halloween, my plan to discuss the movie fell through. Despite this setback, I had always wanted to feature The Chalk Garden on my blog. Recently, I received a second chance to review the film! So for the first Blog Follower Dedication Review of 2025, I thought the 1964 production was the perfect title for this occasion! The Chalk Garden was recommended by Maddy (from Maddy Loves Her Classic Films) when I reviewed Marriage on the Rocks five years ago. In total, I have written about seven of Deborah Kerr’s films, with her best picture being The King and I. How will this eighth movie compare to those seven? Keep reading to find out!

      The Chalk Garden poster created by Quota Rentals Limited, Ross Hunter Productions, and Universal Pictures

      Things I liked about the film:

      The acting: The Chalk Garden is a character-driven story where part of the script serves as a character study. For these types of movies, it’s important to recruit a cast whose talents are strong enough to help make the characters interesting. While watching the 1964 film, I was invested in the story from beginning to end. One reason why is the quality of the acting performances! This is a movie where it’s difficult to choose a favorite performance, as each one was good for different reasons. Hayley Mills’ portrayal of Laurel incorporates a variety of emotions and animated expressions. These aspects of her performance showcase just how complex Laurel is. Meanwhile, Deborah Kerr’s character, Miss Madrigal, was a no-nonsense woman who subtly expressed emotion. Through her acting talents, Deborah found a way to present her character as nurturing and a promoter of “tough love”. As for John Mills’ portrayal of Maitland, his character’s consistently welcoming persona put the other characters at ease. Maitland’s laid-back personality and calm way of approaching situations reminded me of Mr. Rogers from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

      Mrs. St. Maugham’s residence: The story of The Chalk Garden takes place at Mrs. St. Maugham’s house. Since Mrs. St. Maugham was a woman with a financially comfortable life, her house perfectly reflected this. The sunroom was introduced in the movie’s first five minutes. Wrap-around windows looked out to a view of a large grassy hill. Plants filled the inside of the sunroom. In the center of the area, four white metal chairs were set around a smaller table. The furniture looked like it came straight out of an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor. On Mrs. St. Maugham’s property was her backyard shed. Though this space was not frequently shown in The Chalk Garden, I really liked its interior design! Underneath a window was a white wicker desk housing some potted plants. A wicker table was surrounded by wicker chairs of varying sizes. The white stone walls and differently shaped windows helped make the backyard shed a quaint and classy space! These finer details successfully captured Mrs. St. Maugham’s sophisticated taste!

      The dialogue: Toward the beginning of The Chalk Garden, Miss Madrigal arrives at Mrs. St. Maugham’s house to be interviewed for the available governess job. When Maitland greets her at the door, he asks Miss Madrigal if she’s worked as a governess before. She cleverly replies with a question of her own, asking “do you usually interview applicants in the doorway”? This was the funniest moment in The Chalk Garden because of how well-written and delivered this exchange was! After Miss Madrigal accepts the governess job, she moves in to Mrs. St. Maugham’s house. While Miss Madrigal unpacks her belongings, Laurel explains how she doesn’t like to be told “good morning”. Her reasoning is “what is a good morning to someone else is rarely a good morning to me”. When people tell each other “good morning”, they are typically saying that in the hopes the other person has a good morning. But unless we consider things from the other person’s point of view (yes, that To Kill a Mockingbird reference was intentional), we don’t know if that person has, indeed, had a good morning. So, I found Laurel’s quote to be thought-provoking. The examples of dialogue I provided display the quality screenwriting within The Chalk Garden! How memorable the dialogue was is a result of that quality!

      Good sailing day image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/summer-landscape-with-a-houselight-and-a-boat_866882.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/design”>Design vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      What I didn’t like about the film:

      A quickly resolved conflict: Throughout The Chalk Garden, Mrs. St. Maugham is at odds with her daughter, Olivia. Their relationship is so strained, Mrs. St. Maugham wants to obtain sole custody of her granddaughter, Laurel. This conflict lasts the entire movie. While I will not spoil The Chalk Garden, I will say the conflict was resolved within the film’s last ten minutes. The way it was resolved was too abrupt. As a result of this abrupt resolution, Laurel’s change in attitude and behavior happened too quickly. The reason for these flaws is how the second half of the story focuses on unearthing secrets.

      Unanswered questions: There were times in The Chalk Garden when characters would make a claim, only for that claim to not be met with confirmation or denial. One example shows Laurel telling Miss Madrigal about the aftermath of when she was attacked in the park. Laurel says even though the police never got involved, it was an “open and shut case”. Before this conversation, however, Maitland warns Miss Madrigal how Laurel has a penchant for lying and fabricating the truth. Did the incident in the park actually take place or was Laurel bending the truth to get a reaction? This is one of the claims in The Chalk Garden that should have been clarified.

      An unresolved metaphor: Along with being Laurel’s governess, Miss Madrigal is the resident gardener. This is because Mrs. St. Maugham lacks a “green thumb”. Miss Madrigal uses Mrs. St. Maugham’s garden as a metaphor for Laurel, even referring to it as “a chalk garden”. In order for the metaphor to work, the garden’s growth should have paralleled Laurel’s personal journey. Unfortunately, the garden itself makes infrequent appearances in the film. It also doesn’t help how Mrs. St. Maugham never puts Miss Madrigal’s words into practice, making the metaphor seem unresolved.

      Paint palette image created by Freepik at freepik.com <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-artsy-tools_836777.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/hand”>Hand vector created by Freepik</a> Image found at freepik.com

      My overall impression:

      Before I share my overall impression on The Chalk Garden, I want to take the time to thank the followers of 18 Cinema Lane. The support my blog receives still amazes me, even seven years after 18 Cinema Lane began! While I appreciate 18 Cinema Lane’s followers, I also appreciate when my blog’s readers provide film recommendations. This is why I try to write about these recommendations whenever possible. As I mentioned in this review’s introduction, The Chalk Garden was suggested by Maddy (from Maddy Loves Her Classic Films). I’m thankful to have not only been recommended the movie, but to also have finally checked it out! The 1964 production is part character study, part mystery. Because of the strength of the acting performances and screenwriting, this story worked! Liked I said in my review, I was invested in the story from beginning to end. The characters were interesting and the mysterious elements were intriguing. Though I wish some questions had been answered and a major conflict hadn’t been resolved so quickly, The Chalk Garden did more things right when it came to film-making. I can, honestly, say I would recommend this movie for those looking for a good cinematic story!

      Overall score: 7.8 out of 10

      Have you seen The Chalk Garden? What is the best movie you’ve been recommended? Let me know in the comment section!

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen

      Take 3: The Comedy of Terrors (1963) Review

      On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

      In my review of the Diagnosis Murder episode, “Guardian Angel”, I mentioned how I’ve accepted movie recommendations from my readers. These recommendations have, sometimes, made great selections for blogathons. Four years ago, when I reviewed House of the Long Shadows, Patricia (from Caftan Woman) suggested several films starring Vincent Price. One of those titles was 1963’s The Comedy of Terrors. Since then, I have been waiting for the right time to create a review for this movie. With The Comedy of Terrors fitting the criteria for the 3rd Annual Spooky Classic Movie Blogathon, I knew I had found a perfect entry for the event!It’s become an unofficial tradition on 18 Cinema Lane to review at least one of Vincent’s movies every year. Since 2019, when I wrote about The Whales of August, eleven of Vincent’s films have received a review on my blog. While some of his movies have been more enjoyable than others, I can honestly say I haven’t seen a movie of his that I would consider “bad”. So, how does Comedy of Terrors compare to Vincent’s other films? Find out by reading my review!

      The Comedy of Terrors (1963) poster created by Alta Vista Productions and American International Pictures (AIP)

      Things I liked about the film:

      The acting: When you see Vincent Price’s name attached to a given film, there’s a chance you’re going to see Vincent give a solid acting performance. That was certainly the case in The Comedy of Terrors! What makes Vincent such a strong actor is his adaptability. Portraying an undertaker named Trumbull, Vincent successfully transformed his expressions and emotions based on his character’s situation. One evening, Trumbull was counting a large collection of coins. He displays a big smile on his face and also appears in a relaxed sitting position. When his wife, Amaryllis, comes into the room and asks him a question, Trumbull’s demeanor quickly changes. His sharp tone suggests deep irritation, with a disapproving frown to match. This change in attitude is consistent with Trumbull’s dislike for Amaryllis.

      Prior to reviewing The Comedy of Terrors, I had seen two of Basil Rathbone’s movies; The Great Mouse Detective and Bathing Beauty. Because only one of these movies was a live-action production, I didn’t know what to expect from his portrayal of Mr. Black. However, I was impressed with Basil’s performance in The Comedy of Terrors! Some scenes show Mr. Black reciting one of Shakespeare’s plays. The first time the audience sees Mr. Black reciting Shakespeare’s work is when Felix (portrayed by Peter Lorre) breaks into Mr. Black’s home. In this particular scene, Mr. Black displays an animated demeanor throughout his reenactment. The way he confidently recited Shakespeare’s words gave this reenactment a sense of grandeur. Reflecting on Basil’s performance in The Comedy of Terrors and looking at his IMDB filmography, I wish he has starred in an adaptation of Shakespeare’s work.

      An immersive world: A make-or-break factor of any movie is how that picture is presented. For period/historical fiction films, the accuracy and attention to detail can help that movie’s world feel immersive. Because The Comedy of Terrors takes place during the Victorian era, everything in the film has to appear accordingly. This was achieved in the 1963 film, as the aforementioned elements of attention to detail and accuracy were applied! When I talked about Vincent’s performance, I mentioned Trumbull was an undertaker. An ornate coffin was presented any time Trumbull hosted a funeral. The shiny, black coffin was constructed by sharp angles and was decorated with gold designs. This prop was a simple, yet visually appealing way of addressing the wealth of Trumbull’s clientele. One scene shows Trumbull and Felix breaking into someone’s home. Without meeting the homeowner, the audience can tell how this character lives a comfortable life. Decorative lamps and wall sconces are included in characters’ bedrooms. A series of statues make a strong appearance when Felix and Trumbull first walk into the house. There is even gold trim on one of the doors. From the set design to the costume design, the world within The Comedy of Terrors was immersive!

      Peter Lorre and Joyce Jameson’s on-screen chemistry: Earlier in my review, I said Felix was portrayed by Peter Lorre. I also stated how Trumbull doesn’t like Amaryllis (portrayed by Joyce Jameson). Amaryllis is hurt by Trumbull’s negativity toward her. Meanwhile, Felix is upset by how Amaryllis is treated by Trumbull. The shared dislike Felix and Amaryllis have toward Trumbull create an affection for one another. Though they shared only a few scenes together, I was pleasantly surprised by Joyce and Peter’s on-screen chemistry! The warm, caring demeanor between Felix and Amaryllis came across as believable. This was made possible by the strength of Joyce’s and Peter’s performance. With that said, I think Peter and Joyce not receiving more scenes together was a missed opportunity.

      The 3rd Annual Spooky Classic Movie Blogathon banner created by Kristen from Hoofers and Honeys

      What I didn’t like about the film:

      Jokes that are too long: Comedy, like film, is subjective. One aspect to this subjectivity is the length of the jokes. In my opinion, the jokes in The Comedy of Terrors were too long. It seems like the screenwriters had difficulty finding their intended punchline or realizing they reached their punchline long ago. A running joke in The Comedy of Terrors is how Amaryllis is a terrible singer, despite her claims of a possible opera career. Had she sung a portion of a song once or twice, it would have been enough to get the intended point across. But the fact Amaryllis almost sang whole songs three or four times caused the joke to last too long and quickly become old.

      Parts of the story that don’t make sense: I mentioned earlier in this review how Felix broke into Mr. Black’s home. To get into Mr. Black’s house, Felix had to climb onto the roof and into an upstairs window. But during this excursion, a cat named Cleopatra joins Felix and Trumbull, watching Felix trespass into Mr. Black’s property. It’s explained in the film why Felix needed to find an alternative entrance. What isn’t explained is why Cleopatra didn’t enter the house. I’m not sure how Cleopatra could have assisted Trumbull and Felix. However, it would have been easier for a cat to climb on a roof and enter through a window. This is just one part of the story that, to me, didn’t make sense.

      An underutilized cat: In past reviews, I have been critical when an actor or actress was underutilized. But in the case of The Comedy of Terrors, the creative team underutilized a cat. As I mentioned in my point about parts of the story that don’t make sense, a cat named Cleopatra joined Trumbull and Felix on their excursion. Even though Cleopatra was adorable, the cat was not a significant part of the overall story. There were even times when I wondered why a cat was included in the movie at all. Had Cleopatra been written out of The Comedy of Terrors, the story itself would not change much.

      Orange cat image created by Freestockcenter at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/ginger-cat_883376.htm’>Designed by Freestockcenter</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/gold”>Gold image created by Freestockcenter – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      My overall impression:

      In this review’s introduction, I said I haven’t seen a movie of Vincent Price’s that I would consider “bad”. While this statement is still true, The Comedy of Terrors is one of his weaker pictures. The flaws of the 1963 production include jokes that are too long and parts of the story that don’t make sense. But there are aspects of the movie I liked. The Comedy of Terrors is an immersive film, making viewers feel transported to the Victorian era. Attention to detail and historical accuracy helped the creative team achieve that illusion. Vincent’s performance was one of the strongest parts of this film! His adaptability made his portrayal of Trumbull captivating to watch. Now that I’ve finally seen The Comedy of Terrors, I can, honestly, say this picture emphasizes style more than substance. Out of Vincent’s eleven movies I’ve seen, this one is just ok.

      Overall score: 6.1 out of 10

      Have you seen The Comedy of Terrors? Which film of Vincent Price’s should I review next? Please tell me in the comment section below!

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen

      Take 3: Cricket on the Hearth (1967) Review

      On By 18cinemalane5 Comments

      You probably think it’s strange how, after a week and a half long hiatus, my first review back on my blog would be for a Christmas film (in the middle of August). However, I have a very good explanation for this choice. The first reason is how the 1967 animated movie, Cricket on the Hearth, is what I selected for Realweegiemidget Reviews’ (Aaron) Spellingverse Blogathon, as Aaron Spelling was one of the film’s executive producers. The second reason is how animated movies are reviewed so infrequently on my blog. In fact, Cricket on the Hearth is the first animated film to be reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane in 2024. When I chose to participate in the (Aaron) Spellingverse Blogathon, I knew I wanted to write about a made-for-tv movie. So, when I discovered the 1967 film on Aaron’s IMDB filmography, I felt I found the perfect movie for the blogathon, especially for the previously mentioned reasons! But did Cricket on the Hearth end up being the perfect choice to write about? Keep reading my review to find out!

      Cricket on the Hearth (1967) title card created by Rankin/Bass Productions, Thomas/Spelling Productions, and National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

      Things I liked about the film:

      The animation: Some of the best animated movies boast bright, colorful hues. These hues can be utilized in various ways, from creating imaginative worlds to providing interesting visual contrasts. Cricket on the Hearth was a very kaleidoscopic production! Scenes either burst with a bundle of color or at least one bold color sparkled against a darker background. Presenting Cricket Crocket in a mustard yellow suit jacket and shoes, paired with an orange vest and a red bowtie, was a smart creative decision. It forces the audience to focus on Cricket Crocket, especially when he’s standing on a dark wood table or a deep green top hat. The toys in Caleb’s toy shop come to life during the song, ‘Smiles Go With Tears’. Despite the title’s contraction, the song’s tone is joyful because the song is about someone shedding tears due to being happy. The joyful nature of ‘Smiles Go With Tears’ is wonderfully depicted in the presentation of the toys. From a doll’s bubble-gum pink dress and bonnet to a pair of bright yellow and blue elephants, this scene was great to look at!

      While looking for a place to live, Caleb considers moving into a poor house. Because Cricket Crocket is perched on Caleb’s top hat, Cricket Crocket hangs upside down in order to face Caleb. While looking upside down, Cricket Crocket sees a nearby toy factory. As he is readjusting himself, the image of the toy factory flips from appearing upside down to becoming right-side up. Animated films from the 1960s, especially those that were made-for-tv productions, were created with limited resources compared to animated pictures from the twenty-first century. Therefore, scenes like the one I just described seem ahead of its time.

      The songs: Before reviewing Cricket on the Hearth, I had never seen the 1967 movie. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered the movie was a musical! The songs featured in this film sounded like relics of the late ‘60s, the time when Cricket on the Hearth was released. But these sounds, from emotional ballads to cheery tunes, felt nostalgic. Danny Thomas, who voices Caleb, sings a ballad titled ‘Through My Eyes’. Throughout this song, Caleb expresses his desire for his daughter, Bertha, to see the world how he wishes he could present it to her. The combination of Danny’s vocals and the orchestral music felt reminiscent of Judy Garland’s ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’, songs that exude a sense of hope and contain timeless elements. Another song of Danny’s I liked was ‘The First Christmas’! Before this song, Caleb wonders how he will provide the kind of Christmas Bertha hopes for. He learns how to resolve his conflict as the song carries on. The lyrics of ‘The First Christmas’ illustrate how Christmas doesn’t have to look the same for those who celebrate the holiday. The inclusion of the Norman Luboff Chorus added gravitas to this song!

      The religious aspects of Christmas: Based on what I know about Charles Dickens and his stories, A Christmas Carol, one of his most well-known pieces of literature, is typically not known for addressing the religious aspects of Christmas. Though it was briefly incorporated in Cricket on the Hearth, I was pleasantly surprised by the recognition of Christmas’ religious aspects! As I previously said while talking about ‘The First Christmas’, the lyrics of the song illustrate how Christmas doesn’t have to look the same for those who celebrate the holiday. This point is emphasized by reminding the audience how Jesus had very little in terms of decorations and presents during the First Christmas. By the end of the song, the message is made clear; it’s not about what you have, but who you spend Christmas with that’s important. Before closing out the movie, Danny quotes a poem by Edmund Cooke. The quote itself goes “Tis not the weight of jewel or plate, or the fondle of silk or fur, ‘tis the spirit in which the gift is rich, as the gifts of the Wise Men were. And we are not told whose gift was gold or whose was the gift of myrrh”. Edmund’s poem brings up an excellent point, as the Nativity story does not specify which gift came from which Wise Man. This quote also highlights the point made earlier about Christmas being about who you spend the holiday with.

      The (Aaron) Spellingverse Blogathon banner created by Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews

      What I didn’t like about the film:

      Scenes that serve as padding: In order to satisfy a film’s run-time, a film’s creative team will, sometimes, choose to pad the story out by incorporating additional scenes or establishing shots. This creative decision was utilized in Cricket on the Hearth, mostly in between songs. During the song, ‘Through My Eyes’, a scene of Bertha dancing in a ballgown lasts for almost thirty seconds. The song itself takes up two minutes and twenty-three seconds of the movie’s run-time. I don’t think Cricket on the Hearth needed padding, especially since it lasted a little over forty-nine minutes.

      The randomness of the ‘Fish and Chips’ song: I liked the featured songs in Cricket on the Hearth. However, there is one song that, in the context of the story, felt random. A cat named Moll, voiced by Abbe Lane, sings a song about the finer things in life called ‘Fish and Chips’. This song is sung to a jazzy, ragtime tune. During the performance, Moll dances in a red, low-cut, sleeveless dress and even attempts to flirt with the male characters in her audience. The animation in this scene didn’t look bad. Abbe Lane also did a good job with the material given to her. But the story appearing to take place somewhere in the 1800s and with the movie’s tone being mostly heartwarmingly gentle, Moll’s ‘Fish and Chips’ song feels out of place in Cricket on the Hearth.

      Parts of the story that don’t make sense: For this part of my review, I will spoil Cricket on the Hearth. If you have not seen the 1967 film and are interested in watching it, please skip ahead to the part of my review titled ‘My overall impression’.

      Cricket on the Hearth’s antagonist, Tackleton, has a pet bird named Uriah. More often than not, Tackleton and Uriah are inseparable. After Tackleton orders Uriah to get rid of Cricket Crocket, Uriah and two of his friends kidnap Cricket Crocket and try to sell him to a sea captain. During the scene of Uriah’s attempted business transaction, it is heavily implied Uriah and his friends died. Fast forward toward the end of the movie, Tackleton is upset by Bertha’s rejection of his marriage proposal. In fact, he’s more upset about Bertha’s rejection than the absence of his bird. If Tackleton and Uriah were as inseparable as they appeared to be earlier in the movie, wouldn’t Tackleton wonder what happened to Uriah? Wouldn’t Tackleton ask the other characters if they know where Uriah is? This is just one part of Cricket on the Hearth that, to me, didn’t make sense.

      Three Wise Men themed wish list paper image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/christmas”>Christmas vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      My overall impression:

      As I watched Cricket on the Hearth, I was reminded of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the 1983 Christmas movie I reviewed last December. Both films are not only made-for-tv productions, they both feel more like television specials than movies. It’s expected to suspend some disbelief in stories from animated films. But Cricket on the Hearth tried to suspend disbelief to the point parts of the story didn’t make sense. Despite the movie being under an hour long, some scenes, including those in between songs, served as unnecessary padding. Throughout Cricket on the Hearth, however, I could tell the movie’s creative team tried their best to make their project as special as possible. The songs were not only well performed, the music and visuals provided a good combination for the song itself. Though briefly incorporated, I also liked the recognition of Christmas’ religious aspects. I have not read Cricket on the Hearth’s source material. But based on what I know about Charles Dickens’ work, this story seems different from his other adaptations, as Cricket on the Hearth relies more on elements of fantasy and magical realism.

      Overall score: 6.5 out of 10

      Have you seen or read Cricket on the Hearth? Which adaptation of Charles Dickens’ stories would you like to see me review? Please tell me in the comment section!

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen