Tag: adaptation

The Top Ten Best Movies I Saw in 2023

On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

As I mentioned in my list of the top ten worst movies I saw in 2023, I saw enough films to create a best movies of the year list! But because I saw more movies I disliked than liked, there aren’t enough films to create an honorable mentions section. When I look back on the best films I saw this year, I realize the majority of the titles are made-for-TV productions. Looking specifically at the top three best movies of 2023, I noticed a shared theme; all of the movies contain historical fiction stories. Since I reviewed most of the films on this list, I will provide the links to those reviews in this article. So, as the sun sets on 2023, let’s start my list of the top ten best movies I saw this year!

Image by Freepik

10. Curious Caterer: Grilling Season

Out of all the movies in the Curious Caterer trilogy, I’d say Curious Caterer: Grilling Season is the best film! It improves on some of the predecessor’s flaws, like adding more humor into the script. The film also made different creative decisions, such as giving Marla more involvement in the mystery, that proved this series still has many ideas at the creative team’s disposal. One of the strengths of the Curious Caterer series, including the sequel, is the quality of the acting performances! From the main actors to the supporting talent, each on-screen interaction appeared so natural, it allowed the story to feel immersive. As of late 2023/early 2024, there have only been two mystery movies announced by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries; True Justice: Family Ties and Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers. Hopefully, the network will consider continuing the Curious Caterer series.

Take 3: Curious Caterer: Grilling Season Review + 455 Follower Thank You

9. Christmas Princess (2017)

Revisiting this film after seeing it for the first time six years ago, Christmas Princess still holds up! What works in this movie’s favor is how it focuses on Donaly’s journey to the Rose Court. This creative choice not only prevented the 2017 made-for-TV project from adopting several Christmas related tropes and cliches, it also gave the movie a chance to tell a more unique story for a Christmas production. Other good creative decisions include Donaly’s wardrobe and providing a thorough explanation of the Rose Court process. Looking back on Christmas Princess, I’m surprised there hasn’t been more movies made related to the Tournament of Roses. It’ll be interesting to see if a studio or network finds a story inspiring enough to adapt into a film!

Take 3: Christmas Princess (2017) Review

8. Frankenweenie (2012)

As I’ve said in past reviews, I rarely receive an opportunity to write about animated movies. So, it is even rarer for an animated title to appear on my best of the year list. What made 2012’s Frankenweenie so memorable was a collection of good creative choices. Some of them include the creatures within the story, presenting the film in black-and-white imagery, and sprinkling “Easter Eggs” throughout the movie. But another reason why Frankenweenie landed on my best movies of the year list is how much heart this story contained. Sure, I knew this project would be a cute take on Mary Shelley’s book. However, the heart-filled nature of the film’s story was such a pleasant surprise!

Take 3: Frankenweenie (2012) Review + 470 Follower Thank You

7. Mystery on Mistletoe Lane

After the release of Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery, I’ve always wondered why Hallmark Movies & Mysteries didn’t create more Christmas themed mystery films. Mystery on Mistletoe Lane proved that the network should, at least, consider making more mystery stories that take place around Christmastime. With festive clues and well-written riddles, the mystery itself left me on the edge of my seat, curious to see how the mystery would be resolved. I also liked the movie’s subplot, as it was interesting to see the creative ways Christmas activities were incorporated into the story. Another factor that worked in the favor of Mystery on Mistletoe Lane is how the mystery provided lower stakes. This allowed the movie to maintain the cheerful and light-hearted tone most viewers expect from Hallmark’s Christmas offerings.

6. RKO 281

Toward the end of my review of RKO 281, I said good films leave a lasting impression. Not only did the 1999 movie leave a lasting impression, it earned a spot on my best of the year list! There are many aspects of RKO 281 that are so good, you will find yourself saying, “Wait, this is an HBO film”? Every component of this movie goes above and beyond, looking and feeling like it should have received a theatrical premiere. For every “classic” or “iconic” film, there is a journey for how that film came to exist. The journey shown in RKO 281 made me appreciate the efforts taken to bring Citizen Kane to the big screen. Reflecting on both Citizen Kane and RKO 281, it makes me wonder if other well-known movies have an incredible behind-the-scenes story worthy of its own film?

Take 3: RKO 281 (1999) Review

Curious Caterer: Grilling Season poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

5. Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major

When I talked about Jesse Stone: Night Passage in my top ten worst movies I saw in 2023 list, I mentioned how, for me, 2023 was not the year for mysteries. However, there were a few stand-out mystery movies, with Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major being one of them. In the 2020s so far, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries have premiered mystery films that lack the “coziness” viewers have come to expect from the network’s mystery projects. Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major brought that “coziness” back, filling a void Hallmark Movies & Mysteries have been abandoning. Because the story incorporates a ghost, it gives this movie a unique identity and adds more creativity to the realm of Hallmark’s mystery library. As I said earlier in this list, there have, so far, only been two mystery movies announced by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Sometime in 2024, I hope Hallmark turns Haunted Harmony Mysteries into a series, as there is so much potential for this story to lend itself to a multi-chapter title!

4. The Great Muppet Caper

If I could describe The Great Muppet Caper in one word, it would be “joyful”. That’s because, as I said in my review, this movie exudes so much joy! Each Muppet character had a specific purpose within the story, making every Muppet feel important. The jokes were well delivered, thanks to clever writing and solid acting. The Great Muppet Caper contains a simpler story that is easier to follow. But because of how good other aspects of this film are, that simplistic story works in The Great Muppet Caper’s favor. Since I liked the 1981 movie, maybe, in 2024, I’ll check out other productions featuring the Muppets!

Take 3: The Great Muppet Caper Review (The Great Muppet Guest Star Caper Double Feature Part 1)

3. A Biltmore Christmas

Similar to Top Gun: Maverick, I had low expectations for A Biltmore Christmas. Hallmark’s decision to give the 2023 Christmas movie a lot of hype and publicity made me skeptical of the movie’s quality. When I finally checked the film out, I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was! There was so many things Hallmark got right; from the strength of the cast to the attention given to historical accuracy. While this type of story is nothing new for romance films, it does provide Hallmark Channel with a different type of narrative for their Christmas pictures. Within the 2020s so far, I noticed how Hallmark is creating more projects that have historical fiction elements. I’m interested to see what the network’s next big, historical fiction, Christmas movie ends up being in 2024!

2. Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities

When I shared my overall impression of A Tale of Two Cities, I stated how both Oliver! and Nicholas Nickelby found a place in my year-end best movies lists. I also stated how that tradition would continue, as the Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities left such a good impression on me. However, this is the first time a Charles Dickens adaptation has earned a spot in my best list’s top three! Even though this film is longer than most Hallmark productions, it never feels like two hours and thirty-six minutes. Instead, A Tale of Two Cities feels like a well-paced, well-written, and well-acted depiction of Charles Dickens’ work. The creative team’s attention to detail also added to the movie’s great quality. It showed me the people who created this adaptation cared about the project they were working on. I have said before how I wanted to see as many Hallmark Hall of Fame productions as realistically possible. I hope to find more Hallmark Hall of Fame movies that are just as good as A Tale of Two Cities!

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities Review

1. Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Caroline?

I know there’s no such thing as the “perfect” Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. But 1990’s Caroline? is the closest thing to it! The strengths of the project far outweigh the flaws, coming together to create a film that is intriguing, creative, and even thought-provoking. I liked seeing the characters’ interactions, as they made the movie captivating to watch. Similar to Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities, the creative team behind Caroline? gave attention to detail. In the case of the 1990 film, this attention to detail was placed in differentiating between the past and the “present”. In my opinion, Caroline? is one of the more underrated Hallmark productions. I also believe it should have been re-released on DVD.

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Caroline? Review + 460 Follower Thank You

Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Caroline? poster created by Hallmark Hall of Fame productions, CBS, and Republic Pictures Home Video

Have fun in 2024!

Sally Silverscreen

The Top 10 Worst Movies I Saw in 2023

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

I’m going to be honest with my readers; in 2023, I saw more movies I disliked than liked. Luckily, I saw enough films to create a top ten best movies of the year list! When it comes to the movies I disliked, the majority of these titles were disappointing or average. This is different to my list of the worst movies of 2022. What’s also different about this year’s list is how my top three worst films are not all Hallmark projects. Like I have said in past lists, my top ten worst movies I saw in 2023 list is not intended to be mean-spirited, negative, or disrespectful. It’s just a list of my own, honest opinion. Since I reviewed some of the movies on my list, I will provide the links to those reviews in this article.

Dishonorable Mentions

Family History Mysteries: Buried Past, Sea Change, Murder 101: College Can Be Murder, Murder 101: The Locked Room Mystery, She Inherited Danger, My Diary of Lies, Double Nickels, A Zest for Death: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Blackbeard, the Pirate, Christmas at Castle Hart, Shadow Island Mysteries: Wedding for One, and A Hidden Life (I turned this movie off after 42 minutes)

Image by starline on Freepik

10. The Curse of Frankenstein

After I watched and reviewed Frankenweenie, I was hoping the creative team of The Curse of Frankenstein would follow Mary Shelley’s source material closer than the Disney animated film did. Instead of doing that, they relied more on creative liberties. As I said in my review of The Curse of Frankenstein, I found this distracting, especially since I read the book prior to watching the film. Some of these creative liberties were adopted just for the sake of it. One of them was presenting Victor Frankenstein’s creature as a bumbling, destructive machine. This creative decision was a disservice not only to Mary Shelley’s work, but also to Christopher Lee, the actor who portrayed Frankenstein’s creature.

Take 3: The Curse of Frankenstein Review

9. The Last Child

I selected The Last Child for the Futurethon blogathon because of the film’s creative presentation; a futuristic story surrounded in a “contemporary” aesthetic. Unfortunately, the creativity of the 1971 made-for-TV movie didn’t reach beyond the surface. Despite the concern of population control within the story, there was little sense of urgency. That caused the movie to have too many low-stakes. It also didn’t help how the future in The Last Child wasn’t explained. This is another television film from the ‘70s that failed to impress.

Take 3: The Last Child Review

8. A Walk in the Spring Rain

Out of all the movies I saw and reviewed this year, A Walk in the Spring Rain is the most flavorless film. Even though this is a movie where the audience waits for the inevitable to happen, the meandering nature of the script forces viewers to focus on drawn-out subplots, such as the protagonists’ daughter, Ellen, thinking about law school. What adds to the film’s meandering nature are stretched out scenes, making A Walk in the Spring Rain feel longer than necessary. Like I said in my review of the 1970 production, every beloved film star has at least one project on their IMDB filmography that is lesser known. For Ingrid Bergman, A Walk in the Spring Rain is one of her more forgettable films.

Take 3: A Walk in the Spring Rain Review

7. Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

In 2023, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries released two new chapters in the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series: Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery and A Zest for Death: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. While I found both entries disappointing, Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery was the most disappointing movie out of the two. Other than solving a mystery, this story didn’t progress the series forward. Something happens in Mike and Hannah’s relationship that is resolved in A Zest for Death: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. This made Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery an even more pointless chapter in the series. If you’ve never watched the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series, skip this film, as you wouldn’t be missing much.

Take 3: Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery Review

6. Silent Night, Fatal Night

Silent Night, Fatal Night is a Lifetime movie that is basically a gender-swapped, Christmas version of Misery, with a bit of a twist. Unlike the 1990 film, almost every character in Silent Night, Fatal Night makes one dumb decision after another. While the antagonist in the Lifetime film was unsettling, he was more annoying. Plus, I found it difficult to believe the protagonist, a mystery author, wouldn’t have more intuition to save herself. This isn’t the first time Lifetime has told a story similar to Misery. However, I wish the network would create stories that are less reminiscent of other, better movies from the 1990s.

Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery poster created by Lighthouse Pictures, Looking Glass Productions, and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

5. Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter

Chosen for the Fifth So Bad It’s Good Blogathon, Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter was built on a gimmick. Instead of embracing the silliness of that gimmick, the movie’s creative team took their project a little too seriously. Their project was misleading as well, no friendship or romance forming between Jesse and Frankenstein’s granddaughter. Though Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter is classified under the western and horror genre, the western genre is emphasized more, preventing a balance between the two genres. The 1966 film is not my “so bad it’s good” movie. Since I did giggle a few times while watching it, I took a step in the right direction to find my “so bad it’s good” film!

Take 3: Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter Review

4. Jesse Stone: Night Passage

For me, 2023 was not the year for mysteries, as the top four worst movies on my list are mystery films. The main issue with Jesse Stone: Night Passage is how none of the detectives do any detective work. What they do instead is pull assumptions out of their pockets, with those assumptions being conveniently correct. Subplots were prioritized over the mystery itself. This creative decision caused the story to lack any sense of urgency. It was nice to see familiar faces like Saul Rubinek (who portrayed Artie on Warehouse 13) and Liisa Repo-Martell (who portrayed Maida Flynn on Emily of New Moon). Sadly, there wasn’t much the cast could do to save Jesse Stone: Night Passage.

3. Mount Hideaway Mysteries: Heartache and Homecoming

This movie is so bad, it was, at times, unintentionally funny. Parts of the script reminded me of The Cookie Mobster, with the screenwriters not displaying an understanding for how some things worked. One such example is how Game Boy Color video game consoles were incorporated into the story. The film was riddled with other flaws, such as the color of a character’s earrings changing from scene to scene. Another, more consistent, flaw was telling instead of showing, like other characters mentioning how good looking the male protagonist is every time he appears in a scene. Also, just because the protagonist is a veterinarian does not mean she has to hold an animal every time a scene takes place at the veterinary clinic.

2. The Abigail Mysteries

I have never reviewed or talked about a movie from Great American Family on 18 Cinema Lane. So, it’s a shame that when I do talk about one of their movies, it’s because the project is bad. It is possible to create a good mystery story with elements of faith. But because The Abigail Mysteries heavily prioritized the elements of faith, the mystery was overshadowed, causing the overall story to lack a sense of urgency. From no on-screen chemistry to inconsistent audio quality, The Abigail Mysteries was filled with flaws. There were even times when actors would deliver their lines too quickly, making it difficult to understand what they were saying. I know this is the network’s first attempt at making a mystery movie. But if Great American Family is serious about creating more mystery projects, their efforts need to be better than The Abigail Mysteries.

1. Mystery Island

This is the second year in a row where a newly released Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie is the worst film I saw. With Hallmark no longer prioritizing the mystery genre, I can’t say I’m that surprised. The poor writing is the biggest problem of Mystery Island. The mystery’s reveal is so ridiculously written, it makes the entire story feel pointless. Emilia Priestly, the film’s protagonist, has a legitimate reason to get involved in the movie’s mystery, as she is a psychiatrist for Scotland Yard. Instead of using her skills to solve the case, Emilia a) flips through books, b) eavesdrops on other characters’ conversations, and c) follows people into the jungle and runs out of that same jungle in wedge sandals. I’d like to think Hallmark will find the motivation to create better mystery productions. But as of late 2023/early 2024, I’m not getting my hopes up.

Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter poster created by Circle Productions, Embassy Pictures, and Embassy Home Entertainment

Have fun in 2024.

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Review

On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

1983 saw the release of A Christmas Story. In the forty years since that movie’s premiere, it has earned the coveted title of “classic” Christmas cinema. It has even become one of the most merchandized Christmas films of our time. But A Christmas Story was not the only Christmas movie released in 1983. That same year saw the premiere of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! While figuring out which Christmas movies to review this year, I reflected on all the Christmas titles I’d seen in the past. During this reflection, I realized I hadn’t seen The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in a very long time. However, I remember liking the film. So, in this review, I’ll be evaluating whether this movie still holds up forty years later!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever title card created by Comworld Productions, Schaefer/Karpf Productions, and American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: One of my favorite scenes in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is when Grace Bradley, portrayed by Loretta Swit, explains the Nativity story to the Herdman children. Because religion is not prioritized in the Herdman household, the Herdman children become curious about the story behind the play they are starring in. While Grace is reading the Nativity story, the Herdman children ask questions and make assumptions. From Gladys stating to Imogene how the Wise Men were “the welfare” to Leroy asking why King Herod isn’t in the Nativity play, this scene shows how children are trying to grasp the basic understanding of the Nativity story. What makes this scene work is the candid and realistic portrayals of the actors and actresses portraying the Herdman children. With the Herdman children trying to connect the story to aspects of their own lives, the film’s audience can see the children attempting to make sense of what they are being told. The motherly persona and patience Loretta displays throughout the Nativity reading also helps. Grace is recognized as someone who is trying her best to do a good deed because of Loretta’s performance.

The messages and themes: Helen Armstrong, the Sunday School teacher and director of the Christmas pageant, tells Grace how every child participating in the pageant should feel important. Grace takes Helen’s advice to heart when she includes the Herdman children in the Christmas pageant. From telling the Herdman children about the Nativity story to giving the Herdman children major roles in the play, Grace tries her best to make the Herdmans feel important. Because of Grace’s efforts, the Herdman children begin to take the play seriously. They even start to change some of their ways. This part of the story showcases a central message of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: making others in your life feel important and included. While this message can be found in movies from any season, it was nice to see it in a Christmas film.

Christmas from a religious perspective: Most Christmas movies, especially from Hallmark, will prioritize the secular components of the holiday. From Christmas trees to gift giving and even Santa Claus, these elements have become staples in Christmas cinema. While there are Christmas films that acknowledge the religious component of Christmas, few of them prioritize it. This is what sets The Best Christmas Pageant Ever apart! The story itself revolves around the production of a church’s Nativity play. As I previously mentioned, Grace Bradley explains the Nativity story to the Herdman children. While there are Christmas decorations throughout the movie, these decorations are far and few between. There is no mention of Santa Claus and none of the children discuss what they want for Christmas. Because of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’s emphasis on the religious component of Christmas, the film avoided a lot of cliches and tropes typically found in Christmas films.

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.

What I didn’t like about the film:

Breaking the fourth wall: At certain points of the story, Beth Bradley breaks the fourth wall, talking directly to the audience about the Herdman children. While I recognize Beth is explaining things that came from the book, I found the broken fourth wall inconsistent. Even toward the end of the movie, Beth explains the Herdman’s actions through a voice-over. I wish parts of the story, such as the Herdman’s home life, had been brought up through dialogue. If there had to be a narrator, I wish the book’s author and film’s screenwriter, Barbara Robinson, had narrated the story.

Parts of the story that don’t lead anywhere: There were parts of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever that didn’t lead anywhere. One example is Alice’s role in the overall story. During rehearsals for the Christmas pageant, Alice records all of the Herdman children’s mischief in a notebook. She shows this notebook to Beth, explaining how she will show the notebook to the grown-ups in the parish if the Christmas pageant turns out to be a disaster. As the story progresses, nothing becomes of this notebook. After she shows it to Beth, Alice doesn’t bring up the notebook again. Instead of this unresolved subplot, Alice’s part of the story should have focused on Alice learning to stand up for herself and dealing with bullies.

Not addressing bullying: As I just mentioned in my previous point, Alice’s part of the story should have focused on Alice learning to stand up for herself and dealing with bullies. Had this idea been included in the script, the story would have showed younger audience members how to resolve the issue of bullying. In The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the Herdman children bully their peers. The children affected by the Herdmans don’t stand up against them. Even when someone did speak up, such as Charlie telling his father about Leroy Herdman stealing his lunch, the grown-ups in the children’s lives don’t deal with the conflict. Because bullying was not addressed in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, some younger audience members could walk away from this movie thinking they shouldn’t bother talking about bullying.

Necessary Christmas items image created by Moonstarer at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/christmas-elements-collection_994916.htm’>Designed by Moonstarer</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/christmas”>Christmas vector created by Moonstarer – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

In television shows of yesteryear, a show’s creative team would create a “very special episode”. These episodes would either bring up a serious, real-world topic or would take place around a major holiday. When this type of episode premiered, it would sometimes feel like an event, with a show’s creative team inviting guest stars to add excitement or relevance to the episode’s story. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever felt more like a “very special episode” of a television show than a movie. As someone who watches and reviews movies, I found myself expecting more from the 1983 film. The adaptation does have merit, which can be seen in the acting performances and heard in the messages and themes. But there are parts of the story where the film falls short. Instead of having Alice record the Herdman children’s mischief in a notebook but not do anything about the notebook, Alice should have learned how to stand up for herself against bullies. The book’s author and film’s screenwriter, Barbara Robinson, should have narrated the story instead of having the fourth wall inconsistently broken. Looking back on the Christmas movies I’ve seen, it seems like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever has been forgotten by time. Then again, I don’t know how many people would purchase merchandise associated with this movie.

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen or read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever? Are there any Christmas movies from the 1980s you enjoy watching? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: The Curse of Frankenstein Review

On By 18cinemalane15 Comments

When I was first introduced to the world of Hammer-Amicus films, it was through the Third Hammer-Amicus Blogathon, hosted by Gill and Barry, from Realweegiemidget Reviews and Cinematic Catharsis. For that event, I reviewed the 1972 movie, Vampire Circus, which I thought was just ok. With the return of the aforementioned blogathon, I’ve decided to choose a Hammer-Amicus production that was recommended to me. Back when I wrote about Vampire Circus, Barry, from Cinematic Catharsis, suggested I check out several films, with 1957’s The Curse of Frankenstein being one of them. In my review of Frankenweenie, I mentioned how I haven’t seen many adaptations of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. To make up for lost time, I selected The Curse of Frankenstein for the blogging event!

The Curse of Frankenstein poster created by Hammer Films and Warner Bros.

Things I liked about the film:

The use of WarnerColor: When discussing “classic” cinema, there has been a debate over whether a film should remain with black-and-white imagery or if it should receive the Technicolor treatment. In my opinion, I’m glad The Curse of Frankenstein was released in WarnerColor, which I believe was the studio’s version of Technicolor. This creative decision allowed certain elements within scenes to appear vibrant! In Victor’s laboratory, various jars and bottles were scattered throughout the room. Liquid filled these bottles and jars, boasting bright colors like red, blue, even purple. These hues provided a nice contrast to the gray walls of the laboratory. The incorporation of color worked in the favor of the film’s wardrobe department! While working on his experiment, Victor wore a beige three-piece suit. He also wore a maroon neck scarf, which gave his outfit a pop of color. Another character who wore a mostly beige outfit is Elizabeth, whose gown was covered in a silky beige material. Her dress featured a light blue bow and sash, providing the gown with a nice color combination!

Historical accuracy: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was published in 1818. Reflecting on The Curse of Frankenstein, it seems like the movie’s creative team kept this fact in mind as the project looked and felt historically accurate! Remember when I mentioned Victor wore a three-piece suit with a maroon neck tie? His friend, Paul, also wore a three-piece suit. Victor even wore a pocket watch, an accessory that he occasionally used. The attire of both Paul and Victor highlighted how men dressed in the 1800s. Home décor is also reflective of when a story takes place. In the upstairs hallway and in the sitting room of Victor’s house, the walls were covered in intricate wallpaper. The wallpaper, which featured elegant patterns, showcases the artistic details that homeowners in the 1800s favored.

The acting: From what I remember of Mary Shelley’s story, Elizabeth’s presence was very limited. Her appearances in the book were so small, readers only became familiar with her. In The Curse of Frankenstein, Elizabeth was given more appearances in the story. This allowed Hazel Court, the actress who portrayed Elizabeth, to present her character as a friendly woman with a likable personality! One scene I liked was when Elizabeth is having a debate with Victor and Professor Bernstein. Professor Bernstein warns Victor about being consumed by science, also reminding Victor of how he should use science for good. Elizabeth adds to the debate by stating it would be better for Victor to go outside and get some fresh air. The way she suggests this to Victor is of kind encourage. A pleasant smile is shown on her face and she is comfortably sitting in an armchair.

In order to bring his experiment to life, Victor recruits the help of his friend, Paul. Because of how often Paul interacts with Victor, Peter Cushing and Robert Urquhart share several scenes together. What Robert’s and Peter’s performance have in common is how effective they utilized emotion! As Victor is conducting his first experiment, bringing a puppy to life, Victor’s face is filled with curiosity. Realizing his experiment was a success, his face slowly transforms into happiness. Victor is so happy, even his eyebrows move. Anytime Paul is upset over Victor’s obsession with his experiment, Robert consistently presents his face with a stern look. His voice also sounds stern, with a hint of anger detected. Based on their performance in The Curse of Frankenstein, I was impressed by Peter and Robert’s acting talents!

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

What I didn’t like about the film:

A prolonged appearance of Frankenstein’s creature: Within Mary Shelley’s novel, a key character is Frankenstein’s creature himself. Through interactions between the creature and Victor Frankenstein, readers are reminded of how some good intentions can lead to bad results, a message that overarches Mary’s story. In The Curse of Frankenstein, however, so much time is spent showing Victor creating the creature to the point where the creature doesn’t become alive until almost fifty minutes into this hour and twenty-three-minute movie. Even when the creature, portrayed by Christopher Lee, appears in the film, he is only on screen for a handful of scenes. He also doesn’t have many interactions with Victor.

Changed context: After watching Oliver! from 1968, I read Charles Dickens’ novel. Comparing the book to the film, I discovered how the creative liberties made to the adaptation changed the context of certain parts of the story. Since I have read Mary Shelley’s novel before seeing The Curse of Frankenstein, I took notice of how the 1957 movie changed the context of certain narrative parts. A great example is Victor’s motivation for creating the creature. Mary Shelley’s book explains how the inspiration for Victor’s experiment came to him at college. Victor was curious about whether he could, from a scientific perspective, create a human being out of nothing. The adaptation shows Victor being encouraged by his tutor to bring people back from the dead, after Victor and his tutor bring a puppy back to life. Looking back on The Curse of Frankenstein, it seems like some of these creative liberties were made just for the sake of it.

Some inconsistent parts of the story: There were some parts of The Curse of Frankenstein that were inconsistent. One example is Victor’s quest to create the creature. When his tutor encourages him to bring people back to life, Victor declares he will set out to create “the perfect man”, using the “hands of an artist” and the “brain of a genius”. Several scenes later, when Victor shows his friend, Paul, his progress, Paul is disgusted by what he sees. Victor states how the looks don’t matter, but how he brought the creature to life at all. But when Paul criticizes Victor for the creature’s lack of intelligence, Victor blames Paul for destroying the creature’s brain. If Victor’s goal was to bring the creature to life at all, why would he be so upset over the creature’s brain? Victor’s motivation for creating the creature should have been consistent like it was in the book.

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:

When a book or pre-existing story is being adapted into a form of visual media, there are bound to be creative liberties included in the final product. Sometimes, these creative liberties can improve upon the source material, making the piece of visual media more entertaining. But there are times when creative liberties are incorporated just for the sake of it. When I chose to review The Curse of Frankenstein, I was hoping the creative team behind the 1957 film would display a stronger understanding for Mary Shelley’s story, especially after seeing Frankenweenie. Instead, the film’s creative team relied so much on creative liberties, I found it distracting. What also didn’t help was prolonging the appearance of Frankenstein’s creature. Based on the movie’s appearance, it looks like the creative team cared about how their project was presented. I not only liked the acting performances, I also appreciate the project’s historical accuracy and the use of WarnerColor. But, unfortunately, The Curse of Frankenstein is another movie that emphasizes style over substance.

Overall score: 5.1 out of 10

Have you seen The Curse of Frankenstein? Would you like to see me review more films from Peter Cushing’s or Christopher Lee’s filmography? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Frankenweenie (2012) Review + 470 Follower Thank You

On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

Before I start this review, I would like to say thank you to each and every follower of 18 Cinema Lane! This blog would not be the success it is today without you, so I appreciate your support! For this Blog Follower Dedication Review, I wanted to choose a film that was Halloween themed, as the holiday is just around the corner. I also recognize how animated films are rarely covered on my blog. Combining the two concepts, I selected the 2012 Disney movie, Frankenweenie! While I have read Mary Shelley’s classic novel, I haven’t seen many adaptations of Frankenstein. Yes, I did review Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter. But there were very few traces of Mary’s source material woven into that film. When it comes to Halloween fare, vampires, including Dracula himself, have made their home on 18 Cinema Lane. So, Frankenweenie serves as a nice change! Put on your costumes and grab your Trick-or-Treat buckets, it’s time for this Blog Follower Dedication Review!

Frankenweenie (2012) poster created by Walt Disney Pictures, Tim Burton Productions, and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Things I liked about the film:

The animation: When it comes to animation, Tim Burton has a very distinct style. While this style shines in Frankenweenie, I want to talk about how the characters express emotion. Throughout the story, emotions are expressed through the mouth and eyelids. This prevented the characters from appearing static. One example is when Victor is working on his science experiment for the first time. After performing the experiment, Victor is curious about its effectiveness. When he thinks the experiment didn’t work, Victor’s mouth is turned in a frown and his eyelids are lowered. That combination created a facial expression that showcased Victor’s sadness and disappointment.

Creative ideas are typically found in Tim Burton’s animated films. In Frankenweenie, this creativity is found in the creatures who appear in the story! When Victor’s peers try to recreate his experiment, they receive unexpected results. A turtle comes back to life as a hybrid between a turtle and a dinosaur. Due to a mix-up, one girl’s cat turns into a combination of cat, werewolf, and bat. These creatures were so unique, as I have never heard or seen them in media before. Frankenweenie serves as an example of how imaginative the animation genre can be!

The “Easter Eggs”: “Easter Eggs” are references that are subtly woven into a piece of entertainment media. Disney and Tim Burton related “Easter Eggs” can be found in Frankenweenie! During Victor’s science experiment, he flies two kites in an attempt to capture lightening. One of these kites is shaped like a bat, a nod to when Tim directed Batman from 1989. In Victor’s room, there is a poster of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. This is a reference to when Disney adapted that story in 1954. I love when a film scatters “Easter Eggs” throughout the story, as it keeps the audience engaged in what they’re watching!

The messages and themes: Frankenweenie included several good messages and themes into the story! One of them appeared when Victor is interacting with his science teacher, Mr. Rzykruski. During this conversation, Victor explains how his science experiment worked the first time, but not the second time. Mr. Rzykruski helps Victor understand his dilemma by stressing how he should do science experiments for the right reasons. This message becomes an overarching theme in Frankenweenie, as characters’ intentions determine an outcome.

Group of puppies image created by Rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background photo created by rawpixel.com – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

No pops of color: Frankenweenie is presented in black-and-white imagery. This creative choice allowed the movie to boast a distinctive aesthetic. But what would have made the visuals even more interesting is if pops of color were included. Whenever lightening appears, a bright yellow flash could have graced the screen. If a character were holding a Sea Monkey packet, that packet could have delivered vibrant hues of blue and purple. Adding color to certain elements or objects would have emphasized important parts of the story. Those pops of color would have also stood out nicely against the black-and-white background.

An underutilized antagonist: In stories created for children/families, there will sometimes be a grown-up character as the main antagonist. A perfect example is Miss Trunchbull from Matilda. There is a grown-up antagonistic character in Frankenweenie, Mr. Burgermeister, the mayor of New Holland. But unlike Miss Trunchbull, Mr. Burgermeister was underutilized in the story. Victor faced more conflicts with his peers than with Mr. Burgermeister. Plus, the mayor’s appearances in the movie were far and few between. This makes me wish Victor’s peers had been the only antagonists in the film.

Parts of the story that are unexplained: For this part of my review, I will include a spoiler for Frankenweenie. If you have not seen this film and are interested in watching it, please skip this part and continue where it says “My overall impression”.

As I mentioned earlier, Victor’s peers receive unexpected results after they try to recreate his experiment. When these creatures cause chaos throughout the town, Victor helps his peers reverse the effects of their experiments. With the use of electricity, Victor is able to reverse the effects of the turtle/dinosaur hybrid, with the turtle becoming dead again. Yet, when Victor uses electricity on his dog, Sparky, the dog stays alive. Because the science wasn’t explained, this part of the story felt inconsistent.

Cute Halloween border created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/halloween-background-with-fun-style_1310632.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:

Disney has a history of re-telling pre-established stories. When re-telling these stories, whether it’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame or Oliver Twist, the delivery of these projects has adopted distinct identities and aesthetics, making the movie feel unique and creative. With Frankenweenie, it is a cute, unique take on Frankenstein! The combination of stop-motion animation and black-and-white imagery allow the movie to stand out among other versions of Mary Shelley’s story. “Easter Eggs” related to Tim Burton and Disney keep viewers engaged in the film they are watching. Yes, there are flaws within Frankenweenie, like unexplained parts of the story and an underutilized antagonist. However, this is a good choice for Halloween entertainment!

Overall score: 7.8 out of 10

Have you seen Frankenweenie? Are there any animated films you like watching during the Halloween season? Let me know in the comment section below!

Have fun during Halloween!

Sally Silverscreen

Revisiting my Hallmark Hall of Fame Tier Rank List!

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Three years ago, I created a tier rank list of every Hallmark Hall of Fame movie I’d seen. These films were categorized by my overall impression of each presentation. In honor of 18 Cinema Lane turning five, I promised my readers I would revisit one of my past articles. I’ve seen more Hallmark Hall of Fame movies since I published my original tier rank list, so that’s the article I’ve selected! Along with adding more Hallmark Hall of Fame productions, I changed the names of each tier category. This decision was made to better reflect whether a film is worth its retail price of twenty dollars a DVD compared to its quality. The new tier category names are the following:

Bottom of the Barrel – Not Even Worth a Dime

Ok – Catch it on TV/Youtube

Decent/Fine – Bought It at a Garage Sale for a Dollar

Good – Get It On Sale for Half Off

Great – Where Do I Pay Full Price?

For each movie I added or moved to a different tier, I will share my thoughts on them. If I wrote about a movie on my blog, I will add the link to this article.

Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen

Bottom of the Barrel – Not Even Worth a Dime

Durango

Reviewed for the Legends of Western Cinema Week Blogathon, I stated Durango should have been a David and Goliath story. That’s because a David and Goliath reference was placed within the last nineteen minutes of the movie, the creative team’s attempt to include a higher stake into the story. But this attempt didn’t work because the majority of the film had lower stakes. The protagonist and his plan to transport cattle worked out perfectly, too perfectly for the standards of the western genre. This takes away any room for concern the audience could have for the characters and their well-being.

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Durango Review

Journey

As I explained in my list of the top ten worst movies I saw in 2022, the audience was not given a reason to care about the characters and their story in Journey. This flaw was achieved because the film’s creative team didn’t provide explanations for the characters’ choices. It also did not help how annoying Grandpa Marcus was, his photography hobby becoming an obsession. A major theme of Journey is memories being irreplaceable. That theme was poorly delivered in Journey, as Marcus’ hobby creates a plot hole within the story. Also, I’ve seen Hallmark Hall of Fame movies express this theme better, such as The Lost Valentine.

A Place for Annie

When it comes to movies that are products of their time, they can fit into one of two categories: movies that serve as visual time capsules and those that are dated on arrival. A Place for Annie, sadly, falls into the latter category. The majority of the story focuses on the medical information of HIV/AIDS that was known during the late ‘80s to mid ‘90s. That focus causes the film to show its age more obviously. The way foster care/adoption is discussed in this story is so oversimplified, I couldn’t take that part of the movie seriously. Similar to what I said about Journey, the theme of adoption is expressed better in other Hallmark Hall of Fame stories, like Redwood Curtain.

The Corsican Brothers

Alexandre Dumas’ stories are, more often than not, filled with adventure, intrigue, and suspense. But in the case of The Corsican Brothers, these elements were lacking. Granted, I still haven’t read the book this movie is based on. Though I do wonder how similar the 1985 adaptation is to the source material? If the original story primarily revolves around Louis attending fancy events in Paris, that would explain why the adaptation is so underwhelming. However, the original story could explain some of the confusing parts of the movie, such as the woman giving some of the characters fates.

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Corsican Brothers Review

Ok – Catch it on TV/Youtube

The Summer of Ben Tyler

The 1996 movie, The Summer of Ben Tyler, feels like Hallmark Hall of Fame wanted to create their own version of To Kill a Mockingbird. Upon reflection of this film, it doesn’t seem like the creative team displayed a strong understanding for what made Harper Lee’s story work. If anything, it feels like ideas are copied from Harper’s novel and pasted into the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, making The Summer of Ben Tyler a little too similar to To Kill a Mockingbird. This is a case of if you’ve seen one movie, you’ve basically seen the other. So, if you’ve seen the adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, you’ve already seen The Summer of Ben Tyler.

Decoration Day

The way I feel about Decoration Day is similar to Promise; the majority of the story is very “slice-of-life”. To me, this makes both films less memorable than other Hallmark Hall of Fame titles. However, I did find Gee Pennywell’s dilemma over receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor the most interesting part of the movie. In fact, I wish Decoration Day had solely revolved around that dilemma.

Foxfire

Hallmark Hall of Fame has a history of adapting plays into films. Sometimes, a movie’s creative team will take advantage of the expansive nature of cinema, allowing the story to move beyond the boundaries of the stage. For Foxfire, though, the story was confined to the four walls of Annie’s house. A smaller cast and a condensed story also caused the 1987 Hallmark Hall of Fame project will feel more like a televised play. If I choose to watch Hallmark Hall of Fame film, I expect to watch a film. Foxfire subverted my expectations, but in a disappointing way.

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Foxfire Review

Calm at Sunset

Calm at Sunset is one of those movies where better, more interesting ideas were woven into the fabric of this story. One example is when the protagonist spots a cruise ship and imagines the types of people aboard that ship. Honestly, I wish Calm at Sunset was about that cruise ship instead. Similar to what I said about The Corsican Brothers, I haven’t read the book this movie is based on, so I don’t know which parts of the production came straight from the source material. If the book is pretty close to the film, it would explain why the adaptation was lackluster.

Witness for the Prosecution

Based on the adaptations of Agatha Christie’s books I’ve seen, the protagonist will play an active role in solving the mystery. Witness for the Prosecution is the exception to this statement, as Wilfred focuses more on the legal case he’s working to resolve. In a story where the protagonist doesn’t actively solve the story’s mystery, it can be difficult to get the audience invested in the story itself. Because Wilfred’s case is the primary focus of the story, the film is more dialogue heavy, putting emphasis on telling instead of showing. Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Witness for the Prosecution is a mystery that is light on the mystery.

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Witness for the Prosecution (1982) Review

The Flamingo Rising

In my editorial about the adaptation of The Flamingo Rising, I explained how the story should have been adapted into a television show or a multi-part mini-series. This is because the story itself is drawn out over the course of the protagonist’s life. Reflecting on the adaption, it felt like Hallmark Hall of Fame tried to fit The Flamingo Rising into their brand of storytelling. In this attempt, several parts of the source material were omitted or changed due to them not being “Hallmark appropriate”. As I did in the aforementioned editorial, I questioned why Hallmark Hall of Fame would choose to adapt Larry Baker’s story over a story that was more “Hallmark appropriate”?

Four Reasons Why ‘The Flamingo Rising’s Adaptation is Different from its Book

O Pioneers!

Having read the source material and seen the adaptation of O Pioneers!, I can say the movie is respectful toward the book. With that said, if you’ve seen the film, you’ve already read the novel. Speaking of the adaptation, I said in my review how the story should have been adapted into a mini-series or a television show. With so many characters and so many parts of the story, maybe O Pioneers! would have benefitted from receiving more time. The 1992 Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation is a western that didn’t leave a memorable impression on me.

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s O Pioneers! Review

Harvey

I’ve stated before on 18 Cinema Lane how the 1972 adaptation of Harvey is better than the original from 1950. While this statement is still true, the 1972 and 1950 versions of this story felt like a copy of one another. It makes me wonder why Hallmark Hall of Fame would choose to adapt Harvey if they knew they were going to make a lot of the same creative decisions as the original film? Despite the similarities, I did like the changes in the 1972 adaptation. One example is how the made-for-tv movie chose a dramatic tone for their version of the story instead of being both a drama and comedy.

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Harvey (1972) Review

Decent/Fine – Bought It at a Garage Sale for a Dollar

The Locket

For a movie titled The Locket, the locket itself is treated as an afterthought. What the story focuses on instead is the protagonist and his hardships. But from what I remember, the 2002 project addressed the importance of elder care. Since that topic is rarely brought up in Hallmark’s programming, I appreciate that creative decision. Marguerite Moreau is one of the reasons why I chose to watch The Locket. Her performance was so good, she ended up outshining the other actors in the movie! Unfortunately, Marguerite was kind of under-utilized in this film, as her on-screen appearances were not as consistent as I expected.

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Locket Review + 225 & 230 Follower Thank You

Saint Maybe

I said in my review of Saint Maybe how the adaptation is faithful to the source material. However, there are changes the film made from the book. One notable example is how religion/faith is downplayed in the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. Meanwhile, religion/faith played a significant role in the novel. For years, Saint Maybe was included in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ ‘Miracles of Christmas’ marathon. Now that I have seen the adaptation, I understand why the network would make this decision. Personally, I wouldn’t call Saint Maybe a Christmas story/movie, as the story itself takes place over several years.

Take 3: Anne Tyler’s Saint Maybe Review (National Read a Book Day Double Feature Part 1)

The Lost Child

The Lost Child serves as a good introduction to Native American culture, specifically the Navajo culture. Through dialogue and character interactions, the audience receives a glimpse into life on a Navajo reservation. For the story itself, The Lost Child didn’t leave a strong impression on me. The most interesting part of the film, Rebecca’s search of her family, wasn’t emphasized as much as her adjustment to reservation life. Also, Rebecca’s search for her twin brother was abandoned after she meets her biological family.

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Lost Child Review + 395 Follower Thank You

Loving Leah

I’ve finally seen Loving Leah in its entirety! The way I feel about the 2009 movie is similar to The Lost Child; it’s a good introduction to Jewish religion and culture. Throughout the story, the audience receives a glimpse into the many aspects of Jewish life. Like The Lost Child, Loving Leah didn’t leave as strong of an impression as other Hallmark Hall of Fame titles. From what I remember, the story was a little too drawn out. But from what I also remember, it was nice to see the protagonists’ relationship unfold. With all that said, the movie was pleasant!

Good – Get It On Sale for Half Off

An American Story/After the Glory

Since publishing my review of An American Story/After the Glory, it has become one of my most popular reviews, garnering 1,838 views and counting! The innovative and compelling nature of the project is likely the reason why this particular title is so well-received on 18 Cinema Lane! Like I said in my review, An American Story/After the Glory felt kind of ahead of its time. This feeling is achieved by incorporating the discussion of veterans’ mental health into the script. The way veteran related topics are included in the story is reverent and respectful. An American Story/After the Glory is definitely one of Hallmark’s better military themed productions!

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s After the Glory Review + 195 Follower Thank You

The Love Letter

The Love Letter is one of Hallmark Hall of Fame’s more unique titles, as fantastical elements are rarely found in this collection of films. Yet this part of the story worked in the 1998 movie, helping to create a love story that was simple yet intriguing! The characters were not only well written, but also well-acted! Since the protagonists were multi-dimensional, their connection throughout the film was interesting to watch. I also liked the historical accuracy in The Love Letter, as the attention to detail was handled with care!

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Love Letter Review

Redwood Curtain

In my five years of movie blogging, I have discovered very few films that were better than their respective source material. Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Redwood Curtain is one of those films, as I found myself liking it over the play! The movie’s creative team took advantage of the expansive nature of cinema, broadening the horizons in Geri’s life. More characters were added to the story, giving them characterization that the play didn’t provide. Geri’s personality was more likable in the movie, which made me like her as a character. Redwood Curtain is a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation I wish was re-released on DVD.

‘Redwood Curtain’: From Stage to Screen

Great – Where Do I Pay Full Price?

Caroline?

As of the publication of this list, Caroline? is, so far, the best movie I’ve all year! That’s because the 1990 production is a close to perfect example of what a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation can and should be. From the younger actors’ performances to the differentiation of time, I could tell there was a lot of effort and care put into this project! Even though the story of a long-lost family member’s return is nothing new, the way Caroline? was written was creative, allowing this story to have its own identity. This movie is one I wish more Hallmark fans acknowledged!

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Caroline? Review + 460 Follower Thank You

A Tale of Two Cities

During my blogging years, I have seen Charles Dickens adaptations I have liked. The 1980 version of A Tale of Two Cities is definitely one of those films! Despite the movie being two hours and thirty-six minutes, the story never felt too long. The immersive nature of the story helped the pacing, as I was invested in what was happening on screen. This Hallmark Hall of Fame production was so good, it makes me want to read the source material! It’s also another film from this collection that deserves more recognition!

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities Review

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Why Kili is the MVP of Tolkien’s Middle-Earth

On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

MVP, an abbreviation of “most valuable player” or “most valuable person”, is typically used in the world of sports. When a team member goes above and beyond for their respective team, they usually earn this title. Last year, when I was introduced to The Hobbit trilogy, the Company reminded me of a football team. With Gandalf in the role of coach and Thorin in the quarterback position, Kili is the one who, in my opinion, would be the Company’s MVP. In my “Flaming Hot…5 Reasons Why” tag post I published earlier this year, I stated Kili is my favorite character from The Hobbit trilogy. I even mentioned in that post how I felt Kili was the MVP of Middle-Earth. But claiming Kili is the MVP of Tolkien’s Middle-Earth is not purely based on personal bias. In fact, I will use examples from the trilogy to prove that Kili has, in my eyes, earned the title of MVP!

Image of Kili created by New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, WingNut Films, and Warner Bros. Pictures

Humbleness

When I watched The Hobbit trilogy for the first time, I did not know Kili was a prince. I didn’t even know he and Thorin were related. So, imagine my shock when Thorin told Kili and Fili they were his “sister’s sons” in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies! Kili’s humbleness is the reason for my shock. Up until that aforementioned moment between Thorin and his nephews, Kili never brought up his royal lineage. Even in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, when he was interacting with Tauriel in Rivendell’s dungeon, Kili didn’t use his royal connections to impress her. Yes, he did bring up his mom in his and Tauriel’s conversation. But Kili never stated how he and his mom were related to Thorin.

Kili’s humbleness goes beyond his royal heritage. In The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, after his leg became injured, Kili didn’t want any help from the Company. Anytime his health was questioned, Kili would say “I’m fine”. When Thorin instructed Kili to stay in Lake Town because of his injury, Kili was frustrated he couldn’t continue on the journey. Even when he was forced to flee from Lake Town in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Kili wanted to walk by himself, not wanting to rely on anyone for support. This sequence of events shows how Kili didn’t want to be treated differently from the other members of the Company. He also didn’t want his injury to hold the Company back. Kili, simply, wanted to do his part and help his uncle and the Company in any way he could.

Image of Kili created by New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), WingNut Films, and Warner Bros.

Having More Than One Skill

Throughout The Hobbit trilogy, each member of the Company had a skill to share, which allowed the Company to get closer to their ultimate goal. For Kili, he ended up having more than one skill to offer. Not only was he a swordsman, he was also an archer. In order to master just one of these skills, it requires many hours of training and a large amount of dedication. To master both sets of skills, Kili had to double his training hours and work twice as hard. The Hobbit trilogy consistently presents Kili’s talents, giving him opportunities to prove his worth as a competent swordsman and archer. One example is when Kili faced Orcs, as using his archery skills allowed him to showcase his mastery of hand eye coordination.

Image of Kili created by New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, WingNut Films, and Warner Bros. Pictures
Image of Kili and Fili created New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, WingNut Films, and Warner Bros. Pictures

Becoming the Voice of Reason

Kili was not known as “the voice of reason” in The Hobbit trilogy. He did not often make statements that would make others think “he has a point”. But in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Kili found the courage to become “the voice of reason”, being one of the few people to stand up to Thorin during his “dragon sickness” period. While in Erebor, Thorin ordered the Company to build a fortress, in order to prevent Erebor from being taken again. Kili points out how Thorin is not the only one who has lost his home, stating “The people of Lake Town have nothing. They came to us in need, they have lost everything”. Despite Thorin failing to acknowledge Kili’s point by reminding his nephew how he lost Erebor, Kili wasn’t dissuaded by his uncle’s stubbornness. After Thorin snapped out of his “dragon sickness”, Kili stands up to his uncle again, saying “I will not hide behind a wall of stone while others fight OUR BATTLES FOR US! It is not in my blood, Thorin”. This time, Thorin agreed with his nephew, leading the Company into battle. When he became “the voice of reason”, Kili was honest and told Thorin what he needed to hear. Even though he was “the voice of reason” for a short period of time, Kili’s statements provided a glimpse into the kind of leader he could have been.

Image of The Company created by New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), WingNut Films, 3Foot7, and Warner Bros.

Taking One for the Team

When attempting to escape the Rivendell dungeon in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, the Company needed to open an underwater gate. Kili volunteered to open the gate, climbing out of the water and onto the top of the gate, where the gate’s lever was located. During this process, an Orc shot Kili in the leg, causing Kili to be the only member of the Company to become seriously injured. After the Company’s escape, Tauriel and the audience learn the arrow that shot Kili contained fatal poisons. As the story of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continued, Kili’s health deteriorated, bringing him on the verge of death. Yet, when a group of Orcs invaded Lake Town, Kili and Tauriel worked together to defeat an Orc. These two scenarios show how Kili took one for the team, risking his health and safety by putting the well-being of others before himself.

A Tolkien Blog Party banner created by Hamlette from The Edge of the Precipice

In the 1971 biopic, Evel Knievel, Evel Knievel states “heroes know who they are”. He made this statement to make a point how true heroes don’t need to show off their hero status. The more I think about Evel’s quote, the more the quote fits who Kili is. Kili never flaunted his royal title because he didn’t think doing so would be necessary. What Kili did instead was let his actions and choices speak for themselves. As I said in the introduction, the Company in The Hobbit trilogy reminded me of a football team. With Kili as the MVP, that means he’d be the one to not only receive a brand-new truck at the end of the game, but also proclaim his team was going to a theme park at the end of the season. But anyone who knows Kili’s story would know Kili didn’t get to do any of these things. As I conclude this editorial, I would like to say that whenever I think of the abbreviation, MVP, I will think of Kili carrying the title of “most valuable prince”.

Have fun in Middle-Earth!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: The Grapes of Wrath Review

On By 18cinemalane11 Comments

Back in May, I published a late review of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, my choice for the Buzzwordathon readathon. In that review, I stated how I wouldn’t plan on reading the book again, as I found the book mundane. For this year’s Classic Literature on Film Blogathon, hosted by Silver Screen Classics, I figured it would be a good idea to revisit the 1940 adaptation! Years ago, I saw The Grapes of Wrath movie. Because I only had vague recollections of the film, I wasn’t able to give an honest opinion on it. Besides that reason, I was curious to see how different or similar the adaptation was from its source material. Adaptations can be hit or miss, ranging from being unrecognizable from the book to being better than the book. Where does The Grapes of Wrath rank among these adaptations? Turn the page on this review in order to find out!

The Grapes of Wrath poster created by Twentieth Century Fox

Things I like about the film:

The acting: Toward the beginning of the movie, Tom Joad, portrayed by Henry Fonda, is being driven home by a truck-driver. Suspicious of the truck-driver’s possible prejudice against him, Tom is uneasy and irritated. Just as he’s leaving the truck, Tom tells the truck-driver why he went to prison. While Tom is revealing the answer, his eyes are set in a serious stare and his mouth is presented crookedly. Speaking his answer with a loud, serious, even a bit agitated tone, the impression Tom left on the truck-driver and me, as a viewer, was chilling. However, this impression was a strong one, as it allows Tom to stand out and be remembered among the film’s large cast of characters!

A common strength I saw among the movie’s cast was how expressive the actors and actresses were. John Carradine’s portrayal of Casy serves as a great example! When he was telling Tom about his past sermons, Casy’s eyes went wide and his voice sounded animated. He even demonstrated gestures from his former services, such as jumping over a fence after a baptism. While John’s portrayal of Casy was expressive, it never felt over-the-top. This gives the audience a reason to take this character seriously. The audience can also take Ruthie and Winfield, the only children in the Joad family, seriously because their expressions seem genuine. At a fancier camp, Winfield and Ruthie are overwhelmed by the luxurious nature of the communal bathroom. When they flush a toilet for the first time, Ruthie and Winfield run out of the bathroom and hide behind the door frame, a mixture of shock and fear on their faces. The genuineness of these two characters was made possible through the screenwriting, as well as the performances of Shirley Mills and Darryl Hickman!

Similarities to the book: When it comes to film adaptations, there are some that share more similarities than differences with its respective source material. As someone who has read the book, I felt this way about the 1940 adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath! When Tom returns home, he and Casy come across Muley, one of the Joad family’s neighbors. Muley explains how several neighboring families were forced off their land by the bank. Through flashbacks, Muley’s recollection of events shows the heartlessness of land developers and the desperate nature of one tractor-driver. Readers would remember this part of the story as a separate chapter from the main narrative, not relating to any particular character. Adapting this chapter through a secondary character’s perspective was an interesting way for the movie’s creative team to respect their project’s source material!

The music: The story of The Grapes of Wrath takes place during the Great Depression, with the setting being rural. Music that can sometimes be heard in a scene’s background is reflective of the story’s time and setting. String instruments, such as guitars and banjos, make up the film’s soundtrack. These instruments helped elevate the tone of a given scene. As a member of the Joad family passes away, an acoustic guitar melody is softly playing as the Joad family is mourning their loved one. This simple tune emphasized the somberness surrounding the event itself. With the way the music fit so well in the movie, it shows how the film’s creative team cared about the presentation of their film!

The 2023 Classic Literature on Film Blogathon banner created by Paul from Silver Screen Classics

What I didn’t like about the film:

A broken illusion: Because The Grapes of Wrath was released during the Breen Code era, several parts of the story had to be changed from page to screen. Rosasharn’s pregnancy was one of them. Through a variety of medium and close-up camera angles, the cinematographer, Gregg Toland, carried the illusion Rosasharn was pregnant. But audience members can tell Rosasharn wasn’t visibly pregnant due to a handful of medium and long shots. These shots broke the aforementioned illusion, taking away the authenticity of characters’ comments about Rosasharn’s pregnancy.

Things left unexplained: Within the story, and even the dialogue, there were things left unexplained. At the beginning of the movie, the audience is introduced to Tom’s brother, Noah. Halfway through the movie, Noah disappears, with no other character questioning his whereabouts or concerned about his disappearance. For those who have read the book, they would know where Noah went; abandoning his family to live near the river, as he fell in love with that location. Viewers who didn’t read the book would assume Noah’s absence was a result of poor screenwriting.

The run-time: The Grapes of Wrath has a run-time of a little over two hours. Since the story is a “slice-of-life” tale, I, personally, felt this movie didn’t need to be that length of time. There were parts of the film that consisted of shots of the Joad family’s vehicle driving down the road. Some of these shots could have been cut from the movie, as they sometimes seemed like padding. Had that creative decision been made, The Grapes of Wrath might have been about an hour and forty-five to fifty minutes.

The Grapes of Wrath book cover found on Goodreads.

My overall impression:

There are some adaptations where if you’ve seen the movie, you’ve already read the book. This is due to the adaptations’ shared similarities with their source material. After reading The Grapes of Wrath and seeing the 1940 film, I can honestly say my aforementioned statement rings true for the movie. While I appreciate the creative team’s attempts to respect the source material, as well as adapt it during the Breen Code era, it felt like I was consuming the same story again. I also think the movie was a bit drawn out, receiving an unnecessary run-time of a little over two hours. However, the music, set design, and costume design were good visual reflections of the story’s time and place. It did feel immersive, like the audience could be transported to that world. I’m glad to have received the opportunity to re-visit this film! Now, I can form an honest opinion about The Grapes of Wrath.

Overall score: 6-6.1 out of 10

Have you seen or read The Grapes of Wrath? If so, what are your thoughts on the story? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Top 10 Christmas Movies I’d Love to Review

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

Last June, I published a list of the top ten movies I’d love to review someday. Since publishing that list, I have written about some of the films I talked about! Now that it is “Christmas in July”, it seemed like the perfect time to write about the top ten Christmas movies I’d love to review in the future! The films on my list were distributed through various studios and movie companies, varying in accessibility. But this time, I’ll be listing the movies based on the year they were released. While there are plenty of Hallmark productions I either have never seen or haven’t seen in years, I tried not to include too many Hallmark titles on this list. That’s because I could create a top ten list entirely comprised of Hallmark films. So, while Santa is checking which films are worthy of his nice list, let’s look at the top ten Christmas movies I’d love to review!

Santa stationary image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/creative-christmas-letter-and-envelope-template_3281562.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/christmas”>Christmas vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com. 

10. Holiday Inn (1942)

There are few very Christmas movies I’ve been recommended by my readers. 1942’s Holiday Inn is one of those films. I will admit I have heard of this movie over the years, but never checked it out. Now that I think of it, I’ve reviewed only a handful of Christmas movie musicals. Holiday Inn would definitely make up for that. Plus, it would give me an excuse to seek out more of Fred Astaire’s projects from his filmography. There is a part of the story that takes place during Thanksgiving, from what I’ve heard. So, I might review Holiday Inn around Thanksgiving!

9. Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (1977)

I brought up Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas in a past Word on the Street story. But while creating this list, I realized how I still haven’t seen this movie. I have written about some animated films on my blog. However, few of those films were animated through puppetry. This would make the 1977 film a more unique picture to write about. Back in January, I saw and reviewed The Great Muppet Caper, a film I genuinely enjoyed. Since Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas is a Jim Henson production, it makes me wonder if I’ll like this movie as much as The Great Muppet Caper?

8. Bush Christmas (1983) and Miracle Down Under (1987)

I stumbled upon Miracle Down Under (also known as Bushfire Moon or The Christmas Visitor) while searching for movies to review. When looking for more information on the 1987 film, I discovered the 1983 movie, Bush Christmas. Thinking about the Christmas productions I’ve seen, I tend to think of these stories taking place somewhere in the United States. If a Christmas film is set outside the United States, the location is typically Canada or Europe. Australia is a country rarely included in the Christmas movie landscape. Therefore, Miracle Down Under and Bush Christmas offers a yuletide perspective that is unique from other Christmas titles! This shared connection makes these movies perfect choices for a double feature!

7. Mrs. Santa Claus (1996)

As I was writing this list, I remembered how I’ve seen few of Angela Lansbury’s live-action projects from her filmography. Yes, I’ve seen my fair share of Murder, She Wrote episodes. But I’m talking about Angela’s live-action films. I have come across the poster for Mrs. Santa Claus on multiple occasions. Yet, I have never seen this movie. Because of this, I didn’t know that a) the 1996 film is a musical and b) it is a historical fiction story. When I talked about Holiday Inn, I mentioned reviewing only a handful of Christmas movie musicals on my blog. Not only would Mrs. Santa Claus make up for that, but it would also give me an opportunity to talk about a movie that seems underrated in the world of Christmas cinema.

6. Little Men (1998)

For years, I knew there was a continuation to Louisa May Alcott’s classic story, Little Women. I also knew this continuation was given a film adaptation. But the aforementioned continuation, Little Men, is one I haven’t seen or read. With that said, I was unaware the 1998 movie was a Christmas production. While creating my list, I noticed how a lot of the movies were made-for-TV or straight-to-video/streaming presentations. As Little Men was theatrically released, I thought it would add some variety to my list. Maybe I’ll write a double feature review for Little Men and Little Women. Question is, which version of Louisa’s story would pair well with the 1998 movie?

Holly berry Christmas wish-list image created by Freepik from freepik.com. Christmas vector created by freepik – www.freepik.com

5. Three Days (2001)

Three Days is similar to the 1999 film, If You Believe; these are Christmas movies that don’t rely on the tropes and cliches found in typical Christmas projects. In the 2001 story, a workaholic man is taking his life and wife for granted. After his wife dies, the man is given a second chance to re-live the previous three days of his life, in order to save his wife and turn his life around. I haven’t seen this movie in years, but I do remember liking it. As of the publication of this list, though, the only place Three Days is available is through the streaming service, Disney+. I hope Freeform (formerly known as ABC Family) airs this film again during their annual ‘25 Days of Christmas’ line-up. That way, I could talk about a film that is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated in Christmas movie history.

4. The Night Before The Night Before Christmas (2010)

The Night Before The Night Before Christmas is one of the first movies I was ever recommended by one of my readers. Since then, I have been trying to find the perfect opportunity to review the film. But as far as I know, the 2010 presentation isn’t airing on any of Hallmark’s networks during their ‘Christmas in July’ line-ups. So, I hope the film airs sometime during the Christmas season. I have found DVD copies of The Night Before The Night Before Christmas. Therefore, if Hallmark doesn’t air the movie again, I still have a chance to write about this production.

3. An Old Fashioned Christmas (2010)

I included this movie in my list of the top ten movies I’d love to review. In that list, I mentioned how I have come across a few DVD copies of An Old Fashioned Christmas. But these DVDs were included in Christmas movie box sets, which tend to be expensive. While this statement is still true, the movie has been uploaded on Youtube, as of mid-July, 2023. Now I might be able to review the film sooner than I expected! Similar to The Night Before The Night Before Christmas, An Old Fashioned Christmas isn’t airing during Hallmark’s ‘Christmas in July’ line-ups. So, I hope the 2010 movie makes an appearance during this year’s Christmas season.

2. Christmas with Tucker (2013)

Christmas with Tucker is a prequel to the 2009 Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, A Dog Named Christmas. I have seen the latter film, which I remember liking. However, it’s been several years since I’ve seen the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. Since I also haven’t seen Christmas with Tucker, I don’t know how the 2013 movie and the 2009 movie connect with each other. I might review these films in a future double feature in order to solve that mystery.

1. An American Girl Story: Maryellen 1955 – Extraordinary Christmas (2016)

Years ago, I wrote an editorial about how Jiggy Nye was not an effective villain in Felicity: An American Girl Adventure. Since publishing that editorial, I have not reviewed any of American Girl’s films. I did see some of their films, but An American Girl Story: Maryellen 1955 – Extraordinary Christmas was not one of them. When this film was released, it was only available on Amazon Prime. But American Girl’s Amazon Prime exclusive movies, including An American Girl Story: Maryellen 1955 – Extraordinary Christmas, were recently removed from the streaming service for reasons unknown. For the time being, this film is considered “lost media”. But I hope it either is re-released on DVD or available on another streaming service.

Group of Christmas figures image created by Pikisuperstar at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/christmas”>Christmas vector created by Pikisuperstar – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-cute-christmas-character_3188970.htm’>Designed by Pikisuperstar</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Susannah of the Mounties Review + 465 Follower Thank You

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

When it comes time for movie reviews, I try to select titles that will either encourage my readers to check them out for the first time or give my readers a reason to re-visit them. I also select titles in the hopes they are good films. While looking for a movie for this Blog Follower Dedication Review, I realized I hadn’t written about a Shirley Temple film since 2019. Because of that and with When Calls the Heart’s tenth season on the horizon, I felt Susannah of the Mounties was a suitable choice for this review! Anytime I think of Shirley’s movies, her musicals typically come to mind. Susannah of the Mounties is a different production from her filmography, as the 1939 film is a western. On 18 Cinema Lane, the western genre is underappreciated. Though I do try to review a western movie every now and then, I haven’t written about a western film since February, when I reviewed The White Buffalo. As I write this Blog Follower Dedication Review, I want to thank every follower of 18 Cinema Lane! Your enthusiasm for these movie reviews is always appreciated!

Susannah of the Mounties poster created by Twentieth Century Fox

Things I like about the film:

The acting: Out of Shirley’s movies I’ve seen, including Susannah of the Mounties, I recall her performances containing a certain amount of genuine sincerity. This aspect makes Shirley’s characters worthy of support from the audience. At the beginning of the movie, the Mounties discover Susannah is the only survivor of an attack on a wagon camp. She is understandably terrified, shrinking away from the Mounties in order to get away from them. Susannah is tearfully telling the Mounties to leave her alone, as her grandfather died during the attack. Through this portrayal, the heartbreak and fear Susannah experiences can be seen and heard. Her reaction to the Mounties’ encounter visually represents how a child might respond to a traumatic situation. With everything said, the audience is given a reason to feel sympathetic toward the film’s protagonist.

Randolph Scott portrays Inspector Angus “Monty” Montague, one of the Mounties who rescues Susannah. Throughout the story, he serves as Susannah’s father figure, teaching her good values and trying to protect her from danger. In one of the film’s funniest scenes, Monty and Susannah are eating breakfast. During breakfast, Susannah doesn’t hesitate to ask if he’ll marry Vicky, a woman who is temporarily staying at Monty’s Mountie camp. Snapping to attention, Monty gives Susannah a startled expression, his reaction to Susannah’s question on point for the situation. This scene serves as a good example of how Randolph’s performance never missed a beat!

Another performance that didn’t miss a beat was Martin Good Rider’s! Portraying Little Chief, son of Chief Big Eagle, Martin’s performance was consistent throughout the movie. During his time in the Mountie camp, Little Chief carries himself with a serious demeanor. Any time he explained an aspect of his culture to Susannah, his tone of voice and facial expression are stern. However, Little Chief does express happiness from time to time. When he is calling Susannah a baby in his language, he is smiling and even giggling at Susannah’s frustrations over not knowing how to ride a pony. One of the reasons why I liked seeing Little Chief and Susannah’s friendship progress in this story is because of Martin’s and Shirley’s performance!

The cinematography: In Susannah of the Mounties, there were three shots I thought were captured very well through a cinematic lens. One morning, as the British flag is raised over the Mountie camp, a Mountie is shown, through a medium shot, standing on the balcony of a nearby log cabin. As the flag rises in the air, its shadow is reflected off the cabin and even the Mountie himself. Another scene shows Susannah smoking a pipe for the first time. When she is looking out on the Mountie camp, the shot of the camp is captured through a fuzzy, uneven lens. This creative decision was made to show this location from Susannah’s perspective, as she is light-headed after smoking the pipe. Later in the movie, some members of the Blackfoot tribe are horseback riding near a body of water. While riding during dusk, a blue-purple sky and a large, white-gray mountain are in the scene’s background. In a sweeping long shot, the riders are reflected against the mirror stillness of the water. These details allowed this scene to be the most beautiful one in the movie!

Messages of fairness and learning from one another: After meeting Little Chief for the first time, Susannah becomes frustrated by the way he treats her. She doesn’t think she and Little Chief could be friends. But during a heart-to-heart conversation, Monty explains to Susannah how the Mounties try to learn from Little Chief’s Blackfoot tribe in order to work with them. Before Little Chief stays at the Mountie camp, the Mounties and his Blackfoot tribe attempt to find a solution to the film’s overarching conflict. During this meeting, the Mountie’s Superintendent, Andrew Standing, makes it clear that the Mounties are not blaming Chief Big Eagle’s tribe for the crimes committed near the Mountie camp. Andrew explains how the Mounties are turning to Chief Big Eagle’s tribe for help catching the perpetrator. Susannah of the Mounties was released in the late 1930’s, with a story taking place in the 1880s. Therefore, I was not expecting the inclusion of timeless messages such as fairness and learning from one another.

Mountie face image created by Bakar015 at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/a-set-of-canada-icons_1050671.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/food”>Food vector created by Bakar015 – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

Susannah’s dislike for Vicky: Vicky Standing is a woman who visits her father at his Mountie camp. Portrayed by Margaret Lockwood, she ends up capturing Monty’s heart. Susannah does not like the idea of Monty and Vicky falling in love. In fact, Susannah dislikes Vicky so much, she wants Vicky to go back home to Toronto. Susannah’s negativity toward Vicky felt out of character for a Shirley Temple film. When a male and female parental figure are romantically interested in each other, Shirley’s character will typically find a way for those characters to fall in love. Her character does this in an attempt to gain a family for her to belong to. Because Susannah is an orphan, it would have made more sense for her to want Monty and Vicky to become a couple, in the hopes they will get married and adopt Susannah.

A disjointed story: An overarching story in Susannah of the Mounties is the Mounties figuring out who is murdering and looting near their camp. They work with a local Blackfoot tribe in their efforts to catch the perpetrator. This part of the story is serious, complicated, and even violent. With Susannah being one of the few children in the story, the film’s protagonist isn’t able to provide much assistance to the Mounties. Instead, Susannah spends her time befriending Little Chief, Chief Big Eagle’s son. Susannah’s story and the Mountie’s story felt like two separate stories that belonged in their own movies. The contrasting tones of these stories kind of made the film feel tonally inconsistent.

A misleading title: As I just mentioned in this review, Susannah isn’t able to provide much assistance to the Mounties as they attempt to stop crime. This is because a) Susannah is a child and b) the Mountie’s story is serious and even violent at times. Yet this movie is titled Susannah of the Mounties, implying the protagonist and the Mounties would work together to save the day. I know the film is based on a novel of the same name by Muriel Denison. However, I still feel the title is misleading.

Canada postage stamp image created by Ibrandify at freepik.com <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/canadian-flag-stamp-template_836872.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/template”>Template vector created by Ibrandify – Freepik.com</a> Image found at freepik.com

My overall impression:

In the western genre, a component that is typically present is higher stakes. This is when a conflict is large enough in scope to affect the well-being of the characters. Susannah of the Mounties is a story with higher stakes, as the lives and careers of the characters are in danger. Because of this, it doesn’t give the movie’s protagonist, Susannah, much to do. In fact, Susannah’s story and the Mountie’s story feel like separate tales from their own films. When I look back on Shirley’s movies I liked, such as Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and Heidi, I think about what made those titles work. Then I remember how those stories had lower stakes, which allowed Shirley’s character to play a larger role in the story. I also reflect on other aspects of Susannah of the Mounties I didn’t like, such as the misleading title and Susannah’s dislike for Vicky. With everything I said in this review, I think this is one of Shirley’s weakest movies I’ve seen.

Overall score: 6.6 out of 10

Have you seen Susannah of the Mounties? Are there any western films you’d like to see me review? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen