Tag: blogathon

Sally Watches…Diagnosis Murder (The Sequel)!

On By 18cinemalane5 Comments

From time to time, I have accepted movie recommendations from my readers. Some of these recommendations were chosen for past reviews, such as when Jillian (from The Classic Film Connection) suggested I check out Fried Green Tomatoes. But on a few occasions, I have taken television show recommendations. After Jillian gave me another suggestion; the Diagnosis Murder episode, “Guardian Angel”, I was waiting for the right time to finally write about it. Remembering the show starred Dick and Barry Van Dyke, I decided to review the episode for Taking Up Room’s We Are Family Blogathon! As the title of this review suggests, this is not the first time I’ve written about an episode of Diagnosis Murder. Back in 2022, I reviewed the 1998 episode, “An Education in Murder”. While I found that episode to be just fine, I was willing to watch more episodes of the show with an open mind. Did I like “Guardian Angel” more than “An Education in Murder”? To solve this mystery, you have to read my review!

Episode Name: Guardian Angel

Season 1, Episode 14

Premiere Date: April 1st, 1994

The title card for “Guardian Angel”. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

What I liked about this episode:

On television shows or in movies, there is sometimes that one performance that is so strong, it carries the entire production. That kind of performance came from Catherine Hicks in “Guardian Angel”! Portraying the murder victim’s wife, Lauren, Catherine brought emotional variety to her role. This versatility allowed Catherine to adapt to any situation her character was experiencing. In a scene showing Dr. Mark Sloan paying Lauren a visit at her house, Lauren shares a personal story with Dr. Sloan. As she tells her story, Lauren’s expressions and emotions fluctuate, helping to make Lauren’s reflection come across as realistic. The aforementioned emotional variety and adaptability made Catherine’s performance captivating to watch! I honestly wish she had been, at least, nominated for her role in this episode.

What I didn’t like about this episode:

Toward the beginning of “Guardian Angel”, it is revealed Lauren knows a man named Strand. She not only calls him in the middle of the night, she also visits his apartment. As I watched “Guardian Angel”, I was waiting for an explanation about Strand and Lauren’s connection. Unfortunately, this explanation never came. Is Strand Lauren’s son from a previous relationship? Perhaps Strand is an undercover journalist working for Lauren’s husband’s political opponent? These unanswered questions left a hole in the episode’s plot. Not relating Lauren and Strand’s connection to the main conflict was also a missed opportunity. As of the publication of this review, the mystery of how Strand and Lauren know each other is still unsolved.

The mystery itself:

The mystery in “Guardian Angel” and “An Education in Murder” share two major similarities. The first is how the audience learns early in the story who the guilty party is. The second is how the audience is forced to just watch Dr. Mark Sloan figure out the mystery’s culprit. This approach to story-telling takes away the interactivity of solving the mystery alongside the protagonist. How Dr. Mark Sloan reached certain conclusions in “Guardian Angel” was a bit far-fetched. For these conclusions, the bridge between point A and B was missing. It also doesn’t help how there were few physical clues.

The We Are Family Blogathon banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room

The other factors from this episode:

  • Earlier in this review, I mentioned how Lauren called Strand in the middle of the night. During this phone call, however, Lauren poses as a newspaper reporter. “Guardian Angel” establishes how Strand is obsessed with Lauren’s family. Not only does Strand have a collage of pictures and newspaper articles on his apartment wall, he also attends events Lauren and her husband were either invited to or hosting. With that said, I find it hard to believe Strand wouldn’t recognize Lauren’s voice during the aforementioned phone call, especially since Lauren wasn’t trying to disguise her voice.
  • I haven’t seen many episodes of Diagnosis Murder. But based on the episodes I have seen, I’ve noticed how Dr. Mark Sloan treats people fairly. In “Guardian Angel”, a man named Lewis was admitted into the hospital due to being hit by a car. Dr. Mark Sloan tells Lewis how he treats patients, not charity cases, at his hospital. After learning Lewis only has about five hundred dollars to his name, Dr. Mark Sloan advocates for Lewis to be registered into a “senior program”.
  • When I reviewed “An Education in Murder”, I wondered how often younger characters appeared on Diagnosis Murder. While I still don’t have the answer to that question, I think it’s an interesting coincidence how I’m reviewing another episode where Dr. Mark Sloan provides guidance to a younger character. Lauren has a teenage daughter named Melissa. When Dr. Mark Sloan discovers Melissa received an eating disorder diagnosis, he pays her a visit at a nearby hospital. During this visit, Dr. Mark Sloan breaks the ice by discussing music with Melissa. He also learns why she was diagnosed with an eating disorder. Dr. Mark Sloan’s willingness to mentor younger characters makes me believe he missed his calling as a teacher.
  • In some of my Murder, She Wrote episode reviews, I marveled over the set design and locations featured on the show. These places were so visually appealing, they became showstoppers in their respective episodes. It looks like “Guardian Angel” took a page from Murder, She Wrote’s playbook when it came to location scouting! I don’t know if Lauren’s house is a set or a real-life structure. However, this house was one of the most photogenic facilities I’ve ever seen on a television show! The exterior of the house boasted brick and deep brown wood. Details such as arched windows and small steepled roofs present a cozy, cottage-like appearance to this building. The interior of Lauren’s house is equally photogenic! Though only two rooms were shown in “Guardian Angel”, they looked like they came straight out of a castle. In the living room, the focal point is an impressive dark wood and marble fireplace, complete with carved designs just under the mantle. Meanwhile, the large dining room displays a cozy elegance. This aesthetic is made possible by combining printed cream curtains, a gold chandelier, and a large brick and wood fireplace.
This is the episode’s only clear shot of the exterior of Lauren’s house. Despite that, Lauren’s house displays an elegant, cottage-like appearance. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
Though it can be difficult to decipher the carvings on the fireplace, the carvings add to the fireplace’s impressiveness. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
Even though Dr. Mark Sloan and Lauren spend only one scene in the dining room, the space itself boasts a sophisticated, yet quaint style. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

My overall thoughts:

Two years ago, when I shared my overall thoughts on “An Education in Murder”, I said the amount of stories in that episode never felt overwhelming. I also said each plot was connected to the mystery. These same claims cannot be made about “Guardian Angel”. In the 1994 episode, there is so much happening in the story, certain parts are either not clearly explained or not explained at all. As I mentioned in this review, the connection between Strand and Lauren was never revealed. What is also not revealed is why Strand was obsessed with Lauren’s family. “Guardian Angel” is another mystery where the audience discovers who the guilty party is early in the episode. It’s also another mystery where the audience simply watches Dr. Mark Sloan solving the case. But for all the faults of this Diagnosis Murder episode, there were aspects of the episode I liked. One of these aspects was Catherine Hicks’ portrayal of Lauren. “Guardian Angel” is not one of the worst episodes reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane. Similar to “An Education in Murder”, though, I was left desiring more.

Rating: A 3.2 out of 5

Have fun in Los Angeles!

Sally Silverscreen

The Cabot Cove-thon Blogathon Has Been Brought to You by Our Sponsor; 18 Cinema Lane

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Hello everyone! Now that Cabot Cove-thon has come to an end, I’d like to thank those who participated in the event! While this year’s blogathon received a smaller turn-out, I was impressed by the diversity of the entries. It elaborated my point about how Murder, She Wrote is a multifaceted program. There will be a new blogathon held in 2025! But, as of early October 2024, the event’s theme and dates are pending. Blogathon news will be announced sometime between early to mid 2025. With all that said, 18 Cinema Lane will get back to its regularly scheduled programming!

Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

Have fun in Cabot Cove!

Sally Silverscreen

The Cabot Cove-thon Blogathon is Here to Commemorate 40 Years of ‘Murder, She Wrote’!

On By 18cinemalane7 Comments

Welcome to my blogathon, Cabot Cove-thon! With Murder, She Wrote‘s first episode premiering on September 30th, 1984, this event is commemorating the show’s 40th anniversary! In Murder, She Wrote‘s twelve season lifespan, viewers watched as Jessica successfully cracked each case, whether in her hometown, Cabot Cove, or beyond her own backyard. The show also proved to its audience how diverse the mystery genre can be; telling stories, expressing ideas, and showcasing talent that make each episode unique. The participants of Cabot Cove-thon created articles that highlight the multifaceted nature of Murder, She Wrote. From observing Angela Lansbury’s film career to discussing the show’s theme park presence, let the Cabot Cove-thon Blogathon begin!

Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

18 Cinema Lane — Why Universal Orlando Resort Should Host ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Weekend, Sally Reads…’Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire’ by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

Taking Up Room — Miss Angela Cruises the Nile

The Very Special Blog — Happy 40th Anniversary to Murder, She Wrote!

Why Universal Orlando Resort Should Host ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Weekend

On By 18cinemalane6 Comments

*This editorial was written before Hurricane Helene*

For the Cabot Cove-thon, I originally wanted to write an editorial about the Universal Studios Florida attraction, Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre. This show having a presence in any theme park, let alone Universal Studios, was an intriguing concept to discuss during my blogathon. But the more I learned about Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre from the Youtube channel, Poseidon Entertainment, the more I discovered that once guests consumed the information from Jessica and the actors associated with the Mystery Theatre, they had little reason to return. A behind-the-scenes look at how to create an episode of Murder, She Wrote from the post-production stage is both fascinating and educational. However, with the aforementioned details from Poseidon Entertainment in mind, I wondered how I could improve Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre. If Murder, She Wrote were to return to Universal Studios’ theme park, bringing the show back as an event instead of an attraction would give fans and park guests a reason to come back. This is how I created the idea of Universal Orlando Resort hosting a fan event called Murder, She Wrote Weekend! In this editorial, I will explain why Universal Orlando Resort should host Murder, She Wrote Weekend by providing a basic concept of the event’s schedule. My editorial is, simply, proposing an idea, so any decisions related to event creation will be determined by Universal Orlando Resort themselves.

Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

Friday

The beauty of having Universal Orlando Resort host Murder, She Wrote Weekend are the amenities and accommodations at their disposal. One of them are the soon to be ten hotels on their property. Each hotel has its own unique identity, offering their guests a variety of experiences. These unique identities could work in the favor of Murder, She Wrote Weekend, as the chosen hotel could play a role in the event’s theme. Murder, She Wrote has created some episodes related to music. In the season nine episode, “The Sound of Murder”, Jessica witnesses the filming of a rock music video. With the themes of rock n’ roll and music, the Hard Rock Hotel would serve as the perfect venue.

Using the Hard Rock Hotel as this editorial’s example, attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend would check in on Friday. At the front desk, hotel information as well as weekend itinerary, badges, and goodie bags will be presented. There will be a large gap in time between check-in and the first official event. This will give attendants an opportunity to rest, explore Universal Orlando Resort, or create a schedule for the weekend. When it’s time for the first official event, attendants will gather in the theater of either Velvet Sessions or Velvet Unplugged for a trivia contest. Trivia will include a variety of topics connected to Murder, She Wrote’s twelve season history. Attendants who win the trivia contest could receive prizes such as a signed script from the show, a shopping spree at the Tribute Store Plaza (if the store was open at the time of Murder, She Wrote Weekend), or an expenses paid trip to Blair House Inn (the house that portrayed Jessica’s home on Murder, She Wrote).

Since Murder, She Wrote: The Highland Fling Murders is about Jessica traveling to Scotland, I figured this photo would be an appropriate choice for my editorial. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

Saturday

The first official day of Murder, She Wrote Weekend will begin with a panel in the morning. This panel could focus on a topic related to the show, the mystery genre, or the event’s theme. According to the synopsis for “The Sound of Murder”, “Jessica records one of her novels for the blind”. So, in this editorial’s example, the panel on Saturday would revolve around the topic of audiobooks. The panel itself would consist of five people: an executive of a publishing firm, an author whose book was transformed into an audiobook, an audiobook’s narrator, the president of an audiobook company, and an employee of a recording studio. This diverse group of people would hold a discussion on what it takes to create an audiobook, exploring this topic from different perspectives. Toward the end of the panel, attendants will receive an opportunity to ask the panelists questions.

Another amenity Universal Orlando Resort has at their disposal are their theme parks. With Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, a water park known as Volcano Bay, and their Epic Universe on the horizon, Universal Orlando Resort provides guests with a bundle of attractions to make their day action-packed and fun-filled. Attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend can take advantage of their time in the parks by participating in a scavenger hunt. Clues related to Murder, She Wrote would be hidden throughout the parks. During this activity, participants will encounter various attractions, giving them a reason to stay in the parks after the scavenger hunt is over. Winners of the scavenger hunt will earn a prize, like a commemorative pin. Murder, She Wrote Weekend attendants also have the option of a Murder, She Wrote themed escape room. Similar to Universal CityWalk’s Universal’s Great Movie Escape, attendants can be transported to the world of Jessica Fletcher as they try to escape locations relevant to the show, such as Jessica’s living room. Winners of the escape room can also earn a commemorative prize like the aforementioned scavenger hunt. To close out Murder, She Wrote Weekend’s first day, a screening of a Murder, She Wrote episode and/or an upcoming movie from the mystery genre will take place at Universal CityWalk’s Universal Cinemark cinema.

In the Murder, She Wrote episode, “Murder Takes the Bus“, Jessica travels on, you guessed it, a bus. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

Sunday

The schedule for the second and final day of Murder, She Wrote Weekend is similar to Saturday’s schedule, except for two major differences. While Sunday will begin with a panel, this panel, in my editorial’s example, will feature a collection of actors, producers, screenwriters, and directors who worked on Murder, She Wrote. Like the aforementioned panel on Saturday, attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend will be able to ask the panelists questions toward the end of the panel. But this time, the attendants will have the chance to take photographs with the panelists in a meet & greet. The second major difference is the event that will conclude Murder, She Wrote Weekend. This event would either be a costume party (where attendants are invited to dress up as characters from Murder, She Wrote, programs from Universal Studios, or from ‘80s and ‘90s productions) or a mystery dinner theatre presentation. If attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend already participated in the scavenger hunt and escape room I talked about earlier in this editorial, they will have the opportunity to explore Universal Orlando Resort at their leisure.

As I have already mentioned, Universal Orlando Resort has a bundle of attractions in their parks. At Universal CityWalk, a collection of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options are located under Universal Orlando Resort’s umbrella. These attractions and facilities are another amenity Universal Orlando Resort can use to their advantage, especially if they hosted Murder, She Wrote Weekend. When bringing up ideas for trivia contest prizes, I mentioned the Tribute Store Plaza. This store, which operates during limited times, sells merchandise that represent a specific theme. In the case of Murder, She Wrote Weekend, the store could sell products related to Murder, She Wrote; from Cabot Cove postcards to a typewriter that mirrors Jessica’s. “The Sound of Murder” takes place in New York City. Keeping this editorial’s example in mind, Cold Stone Creamery could create a Murder, She Wrote Weekend exclusive flavor based on New York cheesecake. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen could also capitalize on Murder, She Wrote Weekend by crafting a blueberry pie flavored milkshake in honor of Jessica Fletcher’s home in Cabot Cove, Maine.

Since Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels is about Jessica traveling on a cruise trip, I figured this photo would be an appropriate choice for my editorial. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

2024 became the year when fan events failed. Two notable examples are the Bluey event in Las Vegas that disappointed families and Glasgow’s unimpressive Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory themed event. But for every fan event that attracts attention for the wrong reasons, there is a desire to see a fan event succeed. With the resources and amenities at their disposal, Universal Orlando Resort has the potential to host a Murder, She Wrote themed event that meets and even exceeds expectations. It also helps how Universal Orlando Resort is familiar with Murder, She Wrote’s IP (intellectual property), as this show has had a presence in Universal Studios Florida. Murder, She Wrote benefits from having a twelve-season lifespan. The abundance of stories, ideas, and famous faces can provide ideas for a Murder, She Wrote themed event. At the beginning of my editorial, I pointed out how bringing the show back as an event instead of an attraction would give fans and park guests a reason to come back to the parks. Hosting a Murder, She Wrote themed event would also create a new tradition and celebrate the legacy of Jessica Fletcher.

Have fun in Cabot Cove!

Sally Silverscreen

Featured references:

Poseidon Entertainment’s video, “A Deep Dive Into Classic Universal Studios Florida (Part 1)

(segment about Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre is featured from 28:12 to 31:46)

http://www.blairhouse.com

orlandoinformer.com/blog/the-tribute-store-plaza-universal-studios-florida/

universalorlando.com

IMDB synopsis for “The Sound of Murder” — http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0653664/?ref_=ttep_ep10

Comparing with the Critics – Worst of 1988 – Willow

On By 18cinemalane10 Comments

This review is from my series, Comparing with the Critics. If you’d like to learn more about the series, click on the link below.

Introducing my new series, Comparing with the Critics!

Siskel & Ebert and 18 Cinema Lane share one thing in common: the fantasy genre is underrepresented. This is a reason why I not only chose to participate in the Barbarians at the Gates Blogathon, it’s also a reason why I selected Willow for this review of Comparing with the Critics. But another reason why I picked Willow is how the film was featured in Siskel & Ebert’s Worst of 1988 episode. After hearing good things over the years about the movie, even some people giving it the coveted title of “classic”, I was shocked to see Willow included among the worst of 1988. But since I didn’t see the film before the Barbarians at the Gates Blogathon, I couldn’t agree or disagree with Siskel and Ebert. Film is subjective, with this subjectivity being the reason why I created the Comparing with the Critics series. So far, I disagreed with the critics on Network and Harry & Son, yet agreed with them on Amadeus. With that said, I’d have to say I disagree, yet again, with Ebert and Siskel. While Willow has its flaws, its placement in the Worst of 1988 episode is unjustified.

Willow poster created by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Lucasfilm, and Imagine Entertainment

Before going over his complete list of the worst films from 1988, Gene Siskel introduces the episode’s segment on Willow. He calls the film “a heavy duty and quite dreary production”. I will admit there are darker moments within the story. However, the movie was more humorous than I expected it to be! Most of the humor came from Madmartigan, portrayed by Val Kilmer. Because of the screenwriting and Val’s versatile performance, the comedic timing was effectively executed. One of the funniest scenes in Willow is when Madmartigan and Willow are traveling on a sled down a snowy hill. During this trip, Madmartigan falls off the sled. But instead of being left behind, Madmartigan rolls down the hill, becoming a giant snow ball. When Madmartigan was introduced in Willow as the story’s comic relief, I knew he was going to be a character I would like. His personality, along with the dialogue shared between him and Willow, presented someone who captivated my attention and kept me invested in his story. It also helps that Madmartigan is hilarious, as he is the reason why I burst out laughing several times while watching Willow!

Madmartigan and Sorsha picture created by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Lucasfilm, and Imagine Entertainment

Gene Siskel is not the only critic who disliked Willow. Though he didn’t put the movie on his list of the worst films of 1988, Roger Ebert expressed his disapproval over how the story seemed similar to Star Wars, claiming children who liked the movie “hadn’t seen it a hundred times before”. I can only speak for myself, but Star Wars never crossed my mind as I watched Willow. But some moments did feel reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz. The film clip included in the Worst of 1988 episode shows Cherlindrea, a fairy queen, revealing to Willow the purpose of his journey. She even gives him a wand to help him accomplish his mission. The scene reminded me of when Glinda explained to Dorothy how she could return home. The iconic ruby slippers became a tool to help Dorothy along her way to Emerald City. Story ideas are bound to get repeated over time. Therefore, moments in Willow feeling reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz didn’t bother me. Instead, it showed me how a film’s creative team can take a familiar story idea and add their own unique perspective on it!

The Barbarians at the Gates Blogathon banner created by Quiggy from The Midnite Drive-In and Hamlette from Hamlette’s Soliloquy

Another criticism Gene had about Willow was the film’s setting, stating “I’m tired of seeing epic pictures set in forests with lots of people running around and, uh, hitting each other over the head”. Personally, I was not bothered by this, as I felt the setting fit the story Willow’s creative team was trying to tell. What did bother me was how the build-up of Madmartigan and Sorsha going from enemies to lovers happened too quickly. Incorporating the “enemies to lovers” trope works in a fantasy story like Willow, where there is at least one battle and a major theme is good versus evil. It should be noted how Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley had nice on-screen chemistry, as well as Sorsha and Madmartigan appearing photogenic together. I still wish the aforementioned build-up had been more gradual. As the story progressed, Sorsha evolved from villain to hero. Unfortunately, this evolution was too abrupt. While Sorsha’s change of heart gave her some character development, it left some questions unanswered. Perhaps a scene explaining this transformation didn’t find its way into the movie?

Snowy mountain image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/landscape-background-of-snow-track-and-mountains_968656.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.

In past reviews, I criticized films for containing parts of a story that didn’t make sense. Willow is a film that doesn’t avoid this flaw. Bavmorda is the villain of the story. When the heroes attempt to defeat Bavmorda, she uses a spell to transform the heroes into pigs, with Willow and a sorceress named Fin Raziel being the only exceptions. This spell takes place in a short amount of time, with the afflicted heroes becoming pigs all at once. When Fin Raziel reverses the spell, this proves to be a lengthy process, as she uses her magic on one person at a time. This creative choice left me wondering why Fin Raziel wouldn’t use her magic on all the heroes all at once similar to Bavmorda? To me, it didn’t make sense, especially since the heroes didn’t have the luxury of time.

Comparing with the Critics banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. TV show title cards created by WTTW National Productions, WTTW, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Lifetime Television, Tribune Entertainment, Buena Vista Television, and Disney-ABC Domestic Television

During their discussion of Willow in Siskel & Ebert’s Worst of 1988 episode, Roger reminds Gene how, despite the movie’s bad reviews, it became the top selling video and was successful at the box office. Had I seen Willow sooner, I might have contributed to the movie’s statistics. This is another Comparing with the Critics review where I found myself disagreeing with Siskel and Ebert. That’s because I had a genuinely good time watching Willow! I brought up in this review how the project has its flaws. But the story was simplistic and straight-forward, which made it easier to follow what was happening on screen. Even though Willow was the movie’s protagonist, it was Madmartigan who stole the show! In fact, I’d say he was the MVP of this story, as his personality and comedic timing left a good impression. There were moments in the film that felt reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz. However, I saw those moments as ways for Willow’s creative team to bring their own unique perspective to familiar story ideas. I have to say I’m glad I chose to review Willow for this edition of Comparing with the Critics! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to watch the Siskel & Ebert 1988 Holiday Video Gift Guide episode in the hopes something Willow related can be included in my Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish List.

This review was brought to you by

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

One Month Until the Cabot Cove-thon Blogathon Arrives!

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

Are you a fan of Murder, She Wrote? Do you want to participate in a blogathon that is fun and creative? If you answered yes to these questions, then come join my blogathon, Cabot Cove-thon! The event starts on September 27th, so you still have time to sign up. Plus, there are plenty of topics to choose from! To learn more about Cabot Cove-thon, click on the link below.

Celebrating 40 Years of ‘Murder, She Wrote’ with the Blogathon; Cabot Cove-thon!

Take 3: El Dorado (1966) Review

On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

Whenever I’ve participated in the Legends of Western Cinema Week Blogathon, I, more often than not, review a movie from the Western genre. Since I review Western genre films so infrequently, this blogathon serves as a good opportunity to expand my cinematic horizons. For the 2024 edition, I decided to select a title that has been recommended to me. Suggested by J-Dub from Dubsism, I am reviewing the 1966 film, El Dorado! Years ago, I saw pieces of this movie. At the time, I thought it was boring. But I was willing to give El Dorado a second chance, wondering if my perspective had changed. I also have seen very few films from John Wayne’s filmography. So, reviewing this film gave me a chance to check out more of his movies!

El Dorado (1966) poster created by Paramount Pictures, Laurel Productions, and Polyphony Digital

Things I liked about the film:

The on-screen chemistry: Relationships in movies, whether romantic or platonic, can come across believably on screen if there is a strong sense of chemistry between the actors. This is what happened in El Dorado! Toward the beginning of the movie, J.P., portrayed by Robert Mitchum, meets up with Cole, portrayed by John Wayne, to talk about a potential job opportunity. Cole and J.P. carry no-nonsense demeanors, but their cordialness to each other shows the respect between them. The scene’s mood becomes lighter when Maudie, portrayed by Charlene Holt, shows up. Her friendly, playfulness emphasizes the friendship these characters share. When Maudie talks about her late husband and Cole with J.P., the empathetic reflection indicates how much she cares about both Cole and J.P.. Not only was there strong on-screen chemistry among the actors, this strong on-screen chemistry was consistent throughout the film. The on-screen relationships were interesting to watch because of these factors!

The dialogue: One of the most important components of a movie’s script is the dialogue. Through dialogue, characters can memorably stand-out, important information can be shared, and characters’ problems can be solved. The quality of a script’s dialogue depends on how well written it is. While watching El Dorado, I took note of the cleverness of the dialogue. After a son from the MacDonald family dies, Cole visits the family to share the sad news. The patriarch of the family, Kevin, asks what happened, with Cole telling him how he got “a boy to do a man’s work”. Later, when Cole returns to El Dorado, he reconnects with J.P.. When J.P. asks Cole what he’s doing back in El Dorado, Cole tells his friend, “I’m lookin’ at a tin star with a…drunk pinned on it”. Dialogue like the two examples I provided show how cleverly words were used as well as the eloquent ways intended points were phrased.

Breen Code Era moments: As I’ve explained before on 18 Cinema Lane, the Breen Code was a series of guidelines studios had to follow between 1934 and 1954. El Dorado was released in 1966, a decade after the Breen Code Era ended. However, there were moments sprinkled throughout the movie that felt reminiscent of the Breen Code Era. Before Cole leaves El Dorado, he kisses Maudie. The kiss itself isn’t shown on-screen because Cole’s hat is blocking their faces. When Mississippi, portrayed by James Caan, is first introduced to the audience, he uses a knife in self-defense against a man he claims killed his friend. As Mississippi retrieves his knife, the aforementioned man is hidden behind a table to prevent some of the violence from being shown on screen. The way these moments were written and presented were thoughtful presentations of an era gone by.

Legends of Western Cinema Week Blogathon banner created by Hamlette from Hamlette’s Soliloquy, Heidi from Along the Brandywine, and Olivia from Meanwhile, in Rivendell

What I didn’t like about the film:

A prolonged conflict: Before watching El Dorado, I had seen two of John Wayne’s films: Stagecoach and Allegheny Uprising. In those movies, the story revolves around an overarching conflict some of the characters are consistently trying to resolve. While there was an overarching conflict in El Dorado, it primarily resided in the film’s second half. The first half of the movie consisted of a series of loosely connected vignettes. These vignettes, more often than not, contained low stakes. El Dorado’s first and second halves felt like they belonged in their own separate movies.

Inconsistent sense of urgency: Like I just said when talking about El Dorado’s prolonged conflict, the first half of the movie was a series of loosely connected vignettes, while the film’s overarching conflict resided in the story’s second half. Within the second half of the movie, scenes containing low stakes were woven into the production. One example is Cole addressing a back injury he received earlier in the story. El Dorado’s two halves and the low stakes scenes from the film’s second half are two reasons why this movie’s sense of urgency was inconsistent.

Enabling the Sheriff: J.P., the Sheriff of El Dorado, develops an alcohol addiction due to a romantic relationship gone wrong. When Cole and Mississippi go to El Dorado, they, as well as Bull, try to help J.P. overcome his addiction. Mississippi even creates a liquid concoction to sober J.P. up. But hours after receiving Mississippi’s concoction, J.P. is looking for alcohol. Bull tells J.P. exactly where a bottle of alcohol is located, in the upper left-hand drawer of his desk. Later that evening, Cole allows J.P. to go to the local saloon by himself, where he not only purchases a whole bottle of alcohol, he’s also laughed at by the film’s antagonists. J.P. does eventually become sober in order to help his friends. But toward the end of the movie, J.P. shares a shot of alcohol with Bull. If a screenwriter is going to incorporate a serious topic like addiction into their script, they need to be mindful about how that topic is included in the film. In my opinion, the way addiction was addressed in El Dorado could have been more thoughtful.

Sheriff badge image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/brown-cowboy-label-set_1543252.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/vintage”>Vintage vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

El Dorado is not only the third film of John Wayne’s I’ve seen, it’s the second film of John’s I’ve reviewed. Out of these three films, Stagecoach, Allegheny Uprising, and El Dorado, I haven’t found a title that’s left a strong impression on me. Looking back on Stagecoach, I think the movie is just fine. Allegheny Uprising was ok. Now that I’ve seen El Dorado in its entirety, I feel the 1966 project is also ok. The two halves of this movie and the low stakes scenes woven into the movie’s second half are likely the reason for El Dorado’s inconsistent sense of urgency. The topic of addiction could have been handled in a more thoughtful way. However, the movie does have its strengths. Some of these strengths are the on-screen chemistry among the cast and how well the dialogue was written. Personally, I found El Dorado to be a mixed bag. Hopefully, the next film of John’s I watch and review will be stronger than this one.

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen El Dorado? Which film from John Wayne’s filmography would you like me to review? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: In Country (1989) Review

On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

One of the best parts about participating in blogathons is being introduced to movies that may be new to you. This is my experience with the 1989 film, In Country! For Taking Up Room’s Norman Jewison Blogathon, I wanted to choose a movie that was more underrated. While searching through Norman’s IMDB filmography, I came across the aforementioned ‘80s title. The synopsis reminded me of My Girl 2, where Vada is attempting to learn more about her mother. What sets In Country apart from the 1994 sequel is how the 1989 movie explores the aftermath of the Vietnam War by having the protagonist search for answers about her father. In 2024, I have reviewed four other films from the 1980s, so far. Similar to titles like Amadeus and Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Pack of Lies, In Country incorporates historical elements into the story. But will the 1989 movie be a pleasant surprise like Amadeus or a disappointment like Pack of Lies? Keep reading my review to find out!

In Country (1989) poster created by Warner Bros. and Yorktown Productions

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: In any story, especially one that features a young protagonist, the main character’s likability can determine if the story is worth investing time in. I can only speak for myself, but I liked Samantha “Sam” Hughes’ personality! Though naïve at times, Sam was like a bright ray of sunshine, caring about the people in her life and trying to make her world a better place. What made Sam a likeable character was how genuine her emotions were. After finding a box of her father’s belongings in her mother’s room, Sam leaves a voice message on the phone explaining to her mother how upset she is by her mother’s silence about her father. When she hangs up the phone, the sad look in her eyes and the slight frown perfectly show how hurt Sam feels about her mother’s choices. This is just one example of Emily Lloyd bringing that genuineness to life, allowing her performance to be memorable!

Prior to watching and reviewing In Country, I had seen some of Bruce Willis’ films. His portrayal of Emmett Smith is different from some of his other roles, as he had to rely on emotion instead of action to carry his character through the story. A thunderstorm is causing chaos outside Emmett’s home one evening. Because of his time serving in the Vietnam War, he flinches whenever thunder strikes due to the flashbacks he is experiencing. At the same time, Emmett carries irritation in his voice because he wants the storm to stop and he wants to avoid Sam’s questions. Similar to what I said about Emily Lloyd’s performance, Bruce’s performance felt genuine. Beneath the tough exterior Emmett consistently displayed, he was a man who was trying to live a civilian life as best as he knew how.

Honesty about war and its impact on veterans: Like I just mentioned in this review, Emmett experiences flashbacks one stormy evening due to his time serving in the Vietnam War. These flashbacks not only cause Emmett to flinch every time thunder strikes, they also cause him to go outside, climb up a tree, and yell for someone to show their face. Throughout this scene, Sam asks Emmett questions about what is happening. Unfortunately for Sam, these questions are left unanswered. When Emmett goes outside, Sam calls for Emmett to come back in the house. As Emmett’s mind and heart are beyond the borders of his Kentucky home, Sam feels powerless, unsure of how to help Emmett. The scene I just wrote about is one example of the film’s honesty when discussing war and its impact on veterans. The candid way these subjects were talked about in the movie shows how the movie’s creative team understood the subjects’ significance.

The mise-en-scène: I’ve explained before that mise-en-scène is how a scene is presented in a movie. Mise-en-scène was utilized in several scenes’ favor in In Country. Toward the beginning of the film, a group of U.S. soldiers are wading through the swamps of Vietnam. This moment is presented as a long shot with the view appearing as if the camera is hiding behind the swamp’s foliage. How this scene is showcased to the audience emphasizes the soldiers’ need to stay unseen. Sam, Emmett, and Mamaw travel to Washington D.C. to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. While walking past the monument, a close-up shot captured Mamaw as the names on the monument were gliding past her face. The visuals symbolized how the Vietnam veterans have touched the lives of not just their loved ones, but those in their communities as well.

The Norman Jewison Blogathon created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room

What I didn’t like about the film:

Sam’s attraction for Tom: While trying to learn more about her father, Sam turns to a veteran named Tom. At the Vietnam veterans’ dance, Sam invites Tom to share a slow-dance with her, where they get a little too close for comfort. After the dance, Sam spends the night at Tom’s house and has sex with him. Up until the slow-dance at the veterans’ dance, Sam never expressed any romantic interest in Tom. Plus, she just graduated from high school and Tom appears old enough to be her father. Not only was this part of the story random, its inclusion in the film was unnecessary, especially since it has no impact on the plot.

The “slice of life” parts of the story: As I’ve been saying in this review, Sam wants to learn more about her father who served and died in the Vietnam War. This part of the story, as well as the parts exploring the veterans’ perspective, was interesting. But those parts made up half the movie. The other half revolved around subplots that were more “slice of life”. When the story turned to the “slice of life” events, I found myself wishing the movie would go back to Sam learning more about her father or Emmett interacting with the other veterans. In fact, I think the movie should have primarily focused on those aforementioned parts of the story.

On-the-nose songs: The inclusion of songs in a movie can make or break a given scene. Sometimes, a song can be so on-the-nose, it doesn’t leave the intended emotional impact. This happened on more than one occasion in In Country. The opening lines of the Bruce Springsteen song, “I’m On Fire” are “Hey, little girl, is your daddy home? Did he go away and leave you all alone?”. This song can be heard on two occasions after Sam decides to learn more about her father, pointing out what the audience already knows. Earlier in this review, I brought up how Sam invites Tom to share a slow-dance with her, where they get a little too close for comfort. The song they dance to is Hank Williams Jr.’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’”, which narrates what’s happening on screen and foreshadows what’s about to come. That song paired with the events that unfold created a scene that left me uncomfortable.

Children holding American flags during a sunset image created by rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/people”>People photo created by rawpixel.com – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

When I watch a movie, I sometimes imagine how the story would turn out if it was presented in a different way. One recent example is how Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Brush with Fate would have, in my opinion, benefitted by being presented as a multi-part mini-series. I feel similarly about 1989’s In Country. For the most part, the creative team behind the movie appeared to have their hearts in the right place. The honesty about war and its impact on veterans was included in the story in such a candid way, it showed the movie’s creative team understanding the significance of the subjects woven into the script. But this aforementioned honesty, as well as Sam’s search for answers about her father, should have been the film’s primary focus. Therefore, I wish this story had been a road-trip movie, where Sam, Emmett, and Mamaw go to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., with Sam learning about her father and important life lessons along the way.

Overall score: 6.1 out of 10

Have you seen 1989’s In Country? What’s your favorite film from 1989? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen