When I chose the theme for this year’s double feature, I wanted to do something different from previous double features I’ve hosted by reviewing four films. With The Golden Girls featuring four main stars (Betty White, Estelle Getty, Bea Arthur, and Rue McClanahan) and with those stars possessing their own filmographies, I found a reason to seek out more of their projects. The movies I selected, Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Lost Valentine, Mask, Mame, and The Little Match Girl, are just as unique as the “golden girls” themselves! I was reminded why I like Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Lost Valentine when I decided to revisit it. Not only did I rediscover forgotten elements like the story’s humor, I, once again, came to appreciate what makes the film good. Mask was such a pleasant surprise because of how solid the movie is! It’s a biopic that brings something different to the genre’s table as well as genuineness. While I found both Mame and The Little Match Girl fine, I enjoyed the films for different reasons. Mame’s choreography and colorful palette helped make the film as entertaining as it was. Meanwhile, the cleverly written dialogue in The Little Match Girl allowed interactions between characters to be memorable. Now, as the sun sets on Miami and all the cheesecake has been eaten, I’d like to say thank you for being a friend of the Golden Double Double Feature!
The Golden Double Double Feature banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original image created by Touchstone Television, Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions, 20th Television, and National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
Thanks for joining me for the third part of my Golden Double Double Feature! My review of 1974’s Mame is spoiler-free. If you’d like to learn more about why I chose this year’s double feature theme, you can check out the introduction in the link below.
Mame(1974) poster created by Warner Bros. and American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
1. Out of the movies from Bea Arthur’s filmography, why did you select Mame?
Similar to what I said about my decision to review Mask, I had no idea Bea starred in Mame until I saw the movie listed on her IMDB filmography. While I have heard of Mame prior to selecting it for the Golden Double Double Feature, I had never seen the film. But as I researched Mame before publishing this review, I learned the movie’s reception was mostly negative. Even though I watch every film I write about with an open mind, including Mame, the aforementioned reception led me to approach Mame with low expectations.
2. In Mame, Bea portrays Vera Charles. How is Vera Charles similar or different from Dorothy?
If I could choose one word to describe Dorothy Zbornak, it would be “honest”. In fact, her brutal honesty helps her achieve distinctiveness on The Golden Girls. I remember one scene on the show when Rose asks Dorothy if she can ask her a question. Dorothy matter-of-factly responded to Rose by saying, “Better than anyone I know”. Bea’s character in Mame, Vera Charles, shares this brutal honesty with Dorothy. The musical number, “Bosom Buddies”, perfectly highlights this characteristic. But there is a major difference between Dorothy and Vera. Because Vera is a stage actress, her personality is more dramatic. Meanwhile, Dorothy carries herself with a “tell it like it is” attitude. Though some viewers could perceive this type of attitude as rude, it has become appreciated not just by the other characters on The Golden Girls, but by the show’s fans as well.
3. According to Wikipedia, Mame was the Easter attraction at Radio City Music Hall. Yet, on The Golden Girls, it doesn’t seem like there was an Easter themed episode. Why do you think The Golden Girls didn’t capitalize on the Easter holiday?
Radio City Music Hall choosing Mame as their Easter attraction is a surprising decision. This is because, according to Wikipedia, Disney’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland (a movie with more family-friendly appeal and a rabbit as one of the main characters) was re-released in March of 1974. To answer question number three, I believe the creative team behind The Golden Girls just never found an Easter themed story that was worth telling on the show. This belief is similar to my answer for the fifth question of my Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Lost Valentine review, where I speculate why The Golden Girls never received a television film.
4. Was there anything about Mame you liked or didn’t like?
As I said in answer number two, Vera was a brutally honest woman with a dramatic personality. These qualities, along with a drier sense of humor, allowed Vera to add some comic relief to Mame. One of the film’s funniest scenes is when Vera wakes up in Mame’s bathtub after Mame throws an extravagant party the previous evening. To help Vera become more awake, Mame turns on the shower. Vera just stands in the middle of the bathtub, providing no reaction to the shower’s water. I found that lack of reaction hilarious because I wasn’t expecting Vera to just stand in the middle of the bathtub and simply appear irritated due to the interruption caused by the shower’s water. In my opinion, Bea’s portrayal of Vera stole the show!
According to IMDB, Mame has a run-time of two hours and twelve minutes. This run-time could be felt, especially after Mame’s nephew, Patrick, grows up. The second half of Mame was drawn-out, which caused the film’s pace to slow down. In fact, the overall pace of Mame was inconsistent because of how drawn-out the second half was. Had the movie been trimmed to about an hour and forty minutes, Mame’s pace could have been a bit faster.
5. Mame is an adaptation of its respective Broadway musical. Several musical moments were featured on The Golden Girls, from the song about Miami I mentioned in my Mask review to “The Sky Is Falling” number from the episode, ‘Henny Penny – Straight, No Chaser’. What Broadway musical do you wish had been referenced on the show?
Like I said in my third answer of my Mask review, the overarching story of The Golden Girls is grounded in reality, meaning the situations depicted on the show seem realistic, more often than not. Though I haven’t seen any performances of Cats, I have heard it’s a musical that prioritizes performance and presentation over the story, forcing the audience to suspend a lot of their disbelief. I’m not sure if Cats was ever referenced on The Golden Girls. But if it wasn’t, I wonder how a show like The Golden Girls would have incorporated a musical like Cats into the story?
6. Did you develop any thoughts and/or questions while watching this film?
If you look at Mame’s poster, you’ll notice the bright colors sprinkled across the plain white background. This poster is such a good representation of the movie because Mame is a colorful film! The set and costume design adopts bold hues that nicely burst on screen. A great example presents itself during the musical number, “Mame”. All the men in that number, including Mame’s love interest, Beau, wear red riding jackets. Meanwhile, all the women, especially Mame, wear black riding jackets. These two colors effectively contrasted against the green foliage of the Burnside family plantation. While we’re still on the subject of the musical number, “Mame”, I want to talk about the choreography. As I just mentioned, the “Mame” number takes place at the Burnside family plantation. This sprawling space provided plenty of opportunities to showcase impressive dance sequences. Multiple groups of three men each leaped over hedges lining a walkway. These leaps felt reminiscent of horses jumping, which makes sense because, prior to the number, the characters participated in a fox hunt. Later in the number, both men and women leaped around a circular fountain. This creative choice was a simple yet visually appealing way of utilizing the landscape Mame’s creative team had at their disposal.
7. Throughout The Golden Girls, cheesecake became an iconic staple of the show. What would you say is the iconic staple of Mame?
Similar to when I reviewed Mask, there are several good answers I could choose for this question. Since I can pick only one “iconic staple” for Mame, though, I’ll select Vera’s telescope. In Mame, Vera portrays an astronomer in one of her plays. During the musical number, “The Man in the Moon”, Vera carries a beautiful telescope prop covered in gold glitter and pearls. Telescopes are typically associated with exploring, especially when it comes to space. This particular tool can help people see places and objects clearer, as well as discovering new possibilities. Mame’s musical number, “Open a New Window”, stresses one of the film’s major themes of opening your heart and mind to new opportunities, possibilities, and experiences in order to make life more fulfilling. What I said about the telescope perfectly correlates with this major theme from Mame!
8. Christmas plays a role in Mame, as “We Need a Little Christmas” is one of the movie’s musical numbers. Meanwhile, there are two Christmas episodes of The Golden Girls; ‘‘Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas’ and ‘Have Yourself a Very Little Christmas’. When it comes to Christmas stories, do the aforementioned episodes and Mame share any similarities?
Based on the “We Need a Little Christmas” musical number from Mame, as well as the synopsis for both Christmas episodes of The Golden Girls, I’d say a major similarity is how the events of each story affect a small group of characters to varying degrees. Though it’s a week before Thanksgiving, according to Patrick, Mame makes the decision to celebrate Christmas early. Because she, as well as the other characters in Mame, have been impacted by the Great Depression, she attempts to create joy during a time of hopelessness. Meanwhile, the “golden girls” not only discover Stan’s situation while volunteering at a soup kitchen together, they are also held hostage together by “Santa Claus”. Each Christmas episode of The Golden Girls emphasizes the characters working together to deal with the events affecting them.
9. Mame was released in 1974 (11 years before The Golden Girls premiered). Was there any element from the movie you think could have impacted the show?
I already brought up in this review how the musical number, “Bosom Buddies”, perfectly highlights Vera’s brutal honesty. However, this musical number also highlights how Mame can be brutally honest. The purpose of “Bosom Buddies” is to stress how, despite the brutal honesty among Mame and Vera, their friendship remains valued by each woman. As I was watching this musical number, I was reminded of the friendship between Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose on The Golden Girls. There have been times where, at least, one of these women has been so honest, it catches the others off-guard. But, at the end of the day (or by the end of an episode), the friendship among the “golden girls” is cherished, even over a serving of cheesecake. So, to answer this question, I’d say the honest friendship in Mame could have impacted the friendship on The Golden Girls.
10. After watching Mame, is there anything you can take away from your movie-viewing experience?
When I answered question number one in this review, I brought up how I learned Mame’s reception was mostly negative. On IMDB, the film received a score of 5.9. Personally, I think the negativity toward Mame is a bit harsh. Yes, the movie has its flaws, such as its two hour and twelve-minute run-time. But, in my opinion, Mame is fine and entertaining-enough. The set and costume design clearly showed the film’s creative team had a strong vision and consistently stuck with it. The choreography was executed well, especially during the musical number, “Mame”. Bea’s portrayal of Vera was such a highlight, I wish she was featured in the movie more. Vera’s brutal honesty, dramatic personality, and drier sense of humor helped her steal the show! I’m honestly glad I approached Mame with low expectations. Those expectations were surpassed, allowing me to enjoy this film.
The Golden Double Double Feature banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original image created by Touchstone Television, Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions, 20th Television, and National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
I have a confession to make: up until this month’s edition of Genre Grandeur, I had never seen an Elvis Presley movie before. Hence the reason why I put “Check out one of Elvis Presley’s movies” on my Year-Long Bingo Card, to expand my cinematic horizons. The opportunity to finally see one of his films presented itself with February’s Genre Grandeur theme; “Movies Featuring Surfing”. According to the official IMDB page for the 1961 title, Blue Hawaii, there are some pictures of Elvis surfing or on a surfboard. Because of that, I selected Blue Hawaii for Genre Grandeur! Based on what I know about his career, there are three locations associated with Elvis Presley; Graceland, Las Vegas, and Hawaii. Now that I’ve seen Blue Hawaii, it makes me wonder if Elvis’ association with Hawaii was a result of this film or other factors? I admit this question is a discussion for another time. But for now, let’s review Blue Hawaii!
Blue Hawaii poster created by Hal Wallis Productions and Paramount Pictures
Things I liked about the film:
The on-screen chemistry: Elvis Presley stars in Blue Hawaii as Chad Gates. When he returns home from the Army, his girlfriend, Maile Duval (portrayed by Joan Blackman), excitedly waits for him at the airport. From the film’s very first musical number, “Almost Always True”, Elvis and Joan’s on-screen chemistry lit up the screen! Their acting performances helped sell the believability of Chad and Maile’s relationship, his consistently laid-back personality pairing nicely with her genuine sweetness. The delivery of the script’s clever banter felt like a friendly game of beach volleyball, with Maile and Chad’s conversations sounding pleasant to listen to. I honestly wish Joan and Elvis shared more screentime together because Chad and Maile’s relationship added a nice romantic touch to Blue Hawaii!
The musical numbers: Elvis’ forte is music, which is why Blue Hawaii features over ten musical numbers. When I think about these musical numbers, I take note how they are, more often than not, joyful in tone. This reminded me of when Frederick told his daughter, Annette, in Million Dollar Mermaid how music should be a source of joy. But I also took note of how Blue Hawaii’s musical numbers were utilized in the story’s context. In one scene, Chad attends the birthday party of Maile’s grandmother. He gives Maile’s grandmother an Austrian music box as a present, with the tune being “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. This song is one of the most iconic from Elvis’ discography. However, its inclusion in the movie didn’t feel like it was there just because it was a popular Elvis Presley tune. Instead, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” feels like it had an intended, meaningful purpose within the story. Creative decisions like this one helped make Blue Hawaii’s musical numbers one of the strengths of the movie!
The dialogue: Since watching Blue Hawaii was my first time watching any of Elvis Presley’s films, I really didn’t know what to expect. But what I didn’t expect was the dialogue being cleverly written! One of my favorite examples of cleverly written dialogue is when one of Chad’s friends is preparing lunch. During these preparations, he realizes he doesn’t have any ketchup. Chad’s friend then asks Maile if she has any ketchup, with her response being how she only has lipstick, which happens to share a similar shade to the condiment. How this conversation was written and delivered made this one of the funniest moments in Blue Hawaii! Like I mentioned earlier in this review, Chad gives Maile’s grandmother an Austrian music box as a birthday present. As he’s giving Maile’s grandmother the music box, Chad says, “it plays European love songs, but they’re the same in any language”. Through this one quote alone, Chad is acknowledging how love, especially expressing love through music, is a universal and relatable theme. It ended up being a profound statement without trying too hard to be.
A drawn-out story: Blue Hawaii’s story revolves around Chad wanting to create his own career path instead of accepting a position at his family’s fruit company. While this was an interesting conflict, it was too drawn-out. With Blue Hawaii’s run-time set at one hour and forty-two minutes, it feels like the story was drawn-out to satisfy the run-time. For the first thirty minutes of the film, Chad simply talks about wanting to solve his problem instead of actually solving his problem. Even though he and Maile come up with a resolution to the conflict, it took too long, in my opinion, for that resolution to be found. Maybe if Blue Hawaii’s run-time had been trimmed, Chad could have created his career path sooner.
Ellie’s subplot: In Blue Hawaii, Chad becomes a tour guide and leads a group consisting of a female teacher named Abigail Prentice, and her four female teenage students. One of these students is a 17-year-old named Ellie Corbett. I wasn’t a fan of the subplot Ellie received for two reasons. She was a static character for the majority of the movie. Plus, Ellie’s attraction for older men (including Chad) made me uncomfortable, as it was too inappropriate for a character her age. When it comes to Ellie’s part of the story, she was dealing with some serious issues of self-esteem and even self-worth. So, her aforementioned attraction was completely unnecessary because she already had a conflict she could have worked through during the movie. Had the script prioritized Ellie growing as a character by building a healthy sense of self, it would have been a much stronger (and age-appropriate) subplot.
Lack of surfing: As I said in my review’s introduction, the pictures of Elvis surfing or on a surfboard from Blue Hawaii’s official IMDB page are one of the reasons why I reviewed the 1961 movie for February’s Genre Grandeur. A quote on Blue Hawaii’s poster even says, “Elvis Presley rides the crest of the wave in Blue Hawaii”. But throughout the hour and forty-two-minute film, there wasn’t any surfing to be seen. Sure, Chad is on a surfboard in one scene and he teaches Abigail and her students how to surf. But none of the characters actually go surfing. Not only was this creative decision disappointing, it contributed to false advertising.
In the past, I’ve talked about films that emphasized style over substance. While these films have looked beautiful or offered aesthetically pleasing worlds through cinema, the script itself left me desiring more. This is exactly how I felt about Blue Hawaii. But in the case of the 1961 picture, it wasn’t just style over substance; it was also music over substance. I did enjoy the musical numbers, as they were mostly joyful and even had a purpose within the story. However, the story ended up becoming overshadowed by the music. Even though the conflict of Chad trying to create his own career path was interesting, it was too drawn-out, likely due to the film’s run-time. I also wasn’t a fan of Ellie’s subplot because it was too inappropriate for her age and she spent most of the movie being a static character. Despite these flaws in the script, Blue Hawaii does have its strengths. Besides the musical numbers, I liked the on-screen chemistry between Elvis Presley and Joan Blackman. To me, they effectively sold their characters’ relationship as being believably loving. I also found the dialogue cleverly written, which was such a pleasant surprise. But overall, I found Blue Hawaii to be just ok.
Overall score: 6.1 out of 10
Have you seen Blue Hawaii? Which other films from Elvis Presley’s filmography would you like me to review next? Let me know in the comment section below!
As I said in my Comparing with the Critics review of Willow, the fantasy genre is underrepresented on 18 Cinema Lane. This is one of the reasons why I put “Review a movie from the Fantasy genre” on my Year-Long Bingo Card, so I could add more fantasy titles to my collection of movie reviews. Hamlette’s Soliloquy’s We Heart Fairy Tales Week Blogathon provided the perfect opportunity for me to accomplish this goal. It also gave me a reason to finally check out the 1954 movie, Brigadoon! Recommended by a reader named Becky, this is a title I had heard of, but had never seen. In fact, I knew very little about the film, like how the story takes place in Scotland. But now that I think about it, Scottish-related titles are also underrepresented on my blog. Only four movies having something to do with Scotland have been reviewed in the eight years 18 Cinema Lane has existed. These films have ranged in quality from fine, ok, or underwhelming. How will Brigadoon compare to these other movies? Let’s journey through this review to find out!
Brigadoonposter created by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Things I liked about the film:
A colorful picture: According to the film’s poster, the color photography in Brigadoon was provided by a company called Ansco. The creative team behind the 1954 picture certainly took advantage of color photography’s incorporation, as Brigadoon is a very colorful film! Just in the opening number, “Down on MacConnachy Square” alone, the residents of the titular town boast attire in bright shades of orange, yellow, and red. Even the props add bursts of color to the number, from a stand of orange pumpkins to baskets of red flowers. Light colors are also woven into the scene. Some of them include lilac, blue, and green. These bold hues make Brigadoon feel like the perfect movie to watch during Springtime!
Van Johnson’s performance: In Brigadoon, Van Johnson portrays Jeff Douglas, who joins his friend, Tommy Albright (portrayed by Gene Kelly) on a trip to Scotland. Because Jeff is a man who needs to see things to believe them, he possesses a down-to-earth personality. This personality is effectively showcased throughout Van’s performance to the point Van ended up stealing the show! During the musical number, “Almost Like Being in Love”, Tommy expresses his love for Fiona (portrayed by Cyd Charisse). At one point, Jeff looks at his friend with genuine surprise. This combination of slightly dropped jaw, wide eyes, and even a small lean away from Tommy presents a priceless reaction. Van’s line delivery, as well as how the dialogue was written, also contributed to his scene stealing performance. When Tommy and Jeff are discussing Tommy’s upcoming wedding, Jeff tells his friend, “There’s nothing a woman hates more than her fiancée’s best friend. He knows all the secrets she’s going to spend the rest of her life trying to find out”. Jeff stated this in a matter-of-fact way paired with an easy-going flare. Though it’s only February, Van’s performance in Brigadoon is one of the best I’ve seen this year, so far!
The set design: Though Brigadoon takes place in the woodlands of Scotland, the movie was filmed at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in California. Despite this, the set design was a consistent strength in the film! What appears to be painted backgrounds present the illusion Brigadoon is surrounded by tall, rolling hills. A mixture of foliage like trees, grass, and flowers create a peaceful tranquility that makes Brigadoon inviting. From time to time, vines can be seen growing on one of the village’s houses. There are even live animals, such as Highland Cattle and sheep, spotted by the characters. The combination of these creative choices allowed the set design in Brigadoon to give the audience an immersive experience!
A prolonged mystery: One of the reasons why I was interested in checking out Brigadoon was the mystery within the story. The synopsis on IMDB not only reveals the people of Brigadoon “harbor a mysterious secret”, the village itself is “not on the map”. While the truth behind the mystery is eventually discovered, that revelation didn’t come until about the film’s halfway point. For the first half of the movie, it almost seemed like the mystery was an afterthought. I wish the discovery of the mystery was gradually written into the script, to give the audience a chance to solve the mystery for themselves.
An unnecessarily long scene: Toward the end of the movie, Tommy and Jeff return home from Scotland. While at a bar, Tommy crosses paths with his fiancé, Jane. During their conversation, Tommy keeps thinking about Fiona from Brigadoon, especially when Jane says something that reminds Tommy of his Scottish trip. The whole scene was approximately ten minutes long. While I understand the creative team of Brigadoon’s point that Tommy left his heart with Fiona, the scene itself was too drawn out. To reach its intended point sooner, I believe this scene should have been trimmed down.
Harry’s subplot: For this part of my review, I will spoil Brigadoon. If you haven’t seen the movie and are planning on watching it, skip to the part of my review titled “My overall impression”.
One of the villagers of Brigadoon is a man named Harry. Throughout the movie, he’s unhappy because the woman he loves, Jean, is marrying a man named Charlie. Harry is so upset that he not only feels he no longer has a purpose, he also wants to leave Brigadoon. If Harry were to leave the village, it would cause the rest of the villagers to disappear. At one point, all of the men from Brigadoon search for Harry in order to prevent him from leaving. But Harry ends up dying while Jeff was bird hunting. Harry’s subplot was, in my opinion, underutilized, only providing conflict toward the end of the film. I also believe Harry’s subplot could have received a better resolution, especially considering Brigadoon was released at the very end of the Breen Code era. Maybe Harry and Meg, a shepherdess who was attracted to Jeff, could have healed each other’s broken hearts.
Now that I’ve finally seen Brigadoon, I have covered five Scottish-related films on 18 Cinema Lane. Like I said in this review’s introduction, the other four titles ranged in quality from fine, ok, or underwhelming. However, I found Brigadoon to be a fine, pleasant presentation! Though I didn’t talk much about the musical numbers in the 1954 movie, they were definitely one of the film’s strengths. Other strengths of the movie include the set design and the creative team’s use of color. But a major highlight was Van Johnson’s portrayal of Jeff Douglas, stealing the show and giving me one of the best performances I’ve seen this year, so far! Even though Brigadoon had its merits, it had its flaws too. I wish the mystery’s discovery had been gradually written into the script, so the audience could try to solve the mystery for themselves. I also believe Harry’s subplot should been better utilized, as well as received a better resolution. Brigadoon, as I’ve already said, is a pleasant presentation. In my opinion, though, there are musical movies I like more than this one.
Overall score: 7-7.1 out of 10
Have you seen Brigadoon? Are there any Scottish related films you’d like to see me cover on 18 Cinema Lane? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!
When I participated in the 10th Annual Buster Keaton Blogathon last year, I reviewed Buster’s episode of The Twilight Zone; “Once Upon a Time”. In that review, I stated how his episode would be a good place to start if one were introduced to the show, partly due to the story’s light-hearted nature. For this year’s event, hosted by Lea from Silent-ology, I wanted to check out one of Buster’s films. After taking a trip to his IMDB filmography, I selected the 1932 picture, Speak Easily! One of the reasons why I chose this movie for the blogathon was the story itself. According to the Internet Movie Data Base, “a timid professor inherits a large sum of money and decides to fund a terrible musical”. Another reason for choosing Speak Easily is how Buster starred in a “talking picture” (movies with sound). Because he’s known as a silent screen legend, I was curious to see how he’d perform in a film with audible dialogue. So, with all that said, let’s begin this review of the 1932 presentation!
The acting: As I mentioned in the introduction, Buster Keaton is known as a silent screen legend. His forte was “slapstick” comedy, which worked in the format of silent films. With Speak Easily, Buster had to incorporate both physical movement and dialogue in order to help tell the story. Honestly, I think he did a good job with the provided material! In the 1932 production, Buster portrays Professor Post, an intelligent yet isolated man. This allowed Buster to adopt eloquent words, a sense of awkwardness, and responses that are too literal. Add his signature “slapstick” comedy for good measure and you have a character that was charming in his own right! Along the way, Professor Post becomes friends with a theater performer named James Dodge. Portrayed by Jimmy Durante, James had a big personality, brighter than all the lights of Broadway. This vibrancy was consistent throughout the movie, a strength of Jimmy’s performance! Ruth Selwyn and Thelma Todd join the cast as Pansy Peets and Eleanor Espere. Both actresses did a good job making their characters feel distinct from each other. During Speak Easily, Ruth displayed a gentle persona and was more soft spoken. Meanwhile, Eleanor adopted a flirtatious personality.
The dialogue: Prior to reviewing Speak Easily, I have seen a few of Buster’s “talking pictures”. However, his roles in these movies were smaller, meaning he was given fewer lines to work with. Though Buster received more opportunities to incorporate dialogue in Speak Easily, I was more impressed with the dialogue itself. Throughout the film, I caught on to how well-written the dialogue was. One good example can be heard toward the beginning of the film. Professor Post doesn’t go to a local event at his college because he claims he wasn’t invited. His colleague, Jenkins, thinks this is an excuse for Professor Post to stay in his comfort zone. During a visit to Professor Post’s office, Jenkins tells Professor Post, “if you only go out and find life, you’ll enjoy living it”. This line serves as a friendly yet firm reminder how life is too short to miss out on.
The messages and themes: Like I said earlier in this review, Professor Post is an intelligent yet isolated man. After he receives a large sum of money, Professor Post chooses to travel to New York and, eventually, funds a musical. As the story progresses, he tries to form connections with his peers. Eventually, Professor Post successfully finds friends by staying true to himself. The trials and triumphs of forming relationships, whether romantic or platonic, is a relatable subject. What’s also relatable is having a genuine persona/personality and doing the right thing. The incorporation of these messages and themes was one of the things I liked about Speak Easily!
A drawn-out film: Speak Easily has a run-time of an hour and twenty-one minutes. However, the movie’s run-time felt longer. This is because parts of the story were drawn-out. As Professor Post boards a train, there’s a running joke about how he forgot his trunk. The joke then transforms into a couple forgetting their baby. That entire joke lasts for about four minutes. Had the joke just focused on Professor Post forgetting his trunk, maybe some of Speak Easily’s run-time could have trimmed.
An overshadowed musical: I’ve mentioned twice in this review how Professor Post funds a musical after receiving a large sum of money. This concept made me curious how Professor Post’s involvement would influence the musical. While the musical was featured in the movie, you have to wait over fifty minutes into an hour and twenty-one minute story just to see the musical come to life. Preparations for the musical were shown, but only in two scenes. The majority of the story focuses on Professor Post’s relationships with the other characters. That focus causes the musical to be over-shadowed.
Limited amount of “slapstick” comedy: I said earlier in my review how “slapstick” comedy was Buster’s forte. This part of his career has been incorporated into his “talking picture” projects, such as The Twilight Zone episode; “Once Upon a Time” and Speak Easily. But in the 1932 production, Buster’s “slapstick” comedy was used sparingly. That creative decision was the result of the film’s run-time, as Buster’s silent films were, more often than not, shorter. The limited amount of “slapstick” comedy felt like the movie was missing something. I wish Speak Easily’s creative team had capitalized on Buster’s forte a bit more.
In Speak Easily, Professor Post sees working on a musical as trying something new. By moving out of his comfort zone, he was able to make new friends, find success, and travel beyond the walls of his office. By starring in this film, Buster Keaton was, in a way, trying new things. This time, he had to rely on more than just physical movement and “slapstick” comedy to carry the story. Even though I liked Buster’s performance in the 1932 presentation, the project itself was, in my opinion, just ok. I was pleasantly surprised by how well-written the dialogue was! The acting, as well as the messages and themes, were Speak Easily’s other strengths. But there were aspects of the movie I didn’t like, from the drawn-out nature of the film to the musical becoming overshadowed. By reviewing this project, I found an excuse to write about a pre-Breen Code era title. Since the only pre-Breen Code era movies I’ve reviewed this year, so far, were The Garage and 1925’s Phantom of the Opera, Speak Easily will easily fill that void!
Overall score: 6-6.1 out of 10
Have you seen Speak Easily? Which “talking picture” from Buster Keaton’s filmography would you like to see me review? Let me know in the comment section!
Now we’ve come to the end of another double feature, as both chosen titles, Young at Heart and An Old Fashioned Christmas, have been watched and reviewed! In the introduction, I brought up the following question:
Did these two movies deserve a second chance?
For my answer, I’ll say Young at Heart was more deserving of a second chance than An Old Fashioned Christmas. With Young at Heart, I not only received an opportunity to check out more projects from Frank Sinatra’s and Alan Hale Jr.’s filmography, I was also given an official introduction to Doris Day’s movies. I found a good excuse to see more musicals, as well as films from the 1950s. Overall, I enjoyed Young at Heart more than Hallmark’s 2010 presentation. As someone who loves An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving, the sequel left a lot to be desired. Despite being titled An Old Fashioned Christmas, the film didn’t feel like a Christmas film. Instead of prioritizing the messages and themes of the holiday, the script primarily focused on stories that could have taken place any time of year. It also doesn’t help how so much of the story revolves around a love triangle. Looking back on An Old Fashioned Christmas, it makes me wonder if the sequel’s poorer quality, as well as becoming forgotten by time and Hallmark themselves, is the reason why I’ve, more often than not, seen DVD copies of the movie included in Christmas movie box sets?
On this day in 2000, The Road to El Dorado made its official debut. While the movie didn’t meet or exceed DreamWorks’ expectations, it certainly found an audience, which stuck with the film for all these years. I once heard The Road to El Dorado was intended to be the first story in a trilogy. But fate decided it worked better as a stand-alone picture. This caused me to think about the other stand-alone movies I’ve come to love. So, in honor of The Road to El Dorado’s 25th anniversary, I have compiled a list of what I believe are the top ten best stand-alone films! For my list, the criteria for a stand-alone film is not only a title that didn’t receive a sequel, but also isn’t affiliated with a series/franchise. If I covered a film on 18 Cinema Lane, I will provide a link to that article or review in this list. Each title will be presented in order of release year and each choice is based on my opinion.
The Road to El Doradoposter created by Dreamworks Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and DreamWorks Distribution
1. Singin in the Rain (1952)
I start my list with a classic I was introduced to because of my blog. Now that I have finally seen Singin in the Rain, I have an understanding and appreciation for why the movie is so beloved. Gene Kelly’s iconic musical number, “Singin in the Rain”, should provide enough explanation for why you should check the film out! The number itself feels immersive, as it takes place within the story’s context. Gene adds uniqueness to the number by jumping and splashing in puddles. “Singin in the Rain” successfully represents the spirit of the film, while also delivering the message of seeing the good in a not-so-good situation. That number is just one reason why Singin in the Rain is a solid musical!
If you’re going to watch any classics, you have to see 1959’s Ben-Hur! Though the three-hour run-time can seem intimidating, that time flew by for me, as I was so engrossed in the story. The emotional intensity of Charlton Heston’s, Stephen Boyd’s, and Haya Harareet’s performance complimented the scope of the overall film. Ben-Hur contains other likable qualities as well, from the magnificent sets/scenery to the interesting cinematography. How Christianity/faith was incorporated into the story sets the 1959 production apart from other “sword and sandal” pictures. Those who celebrate Easter may find Ben-Hur an appropriate seasonal title.
While the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, received a sequel, the film adaptation did not. The 1963 movie presents one of the few times where, in my opinion, the film was better than its source material. Getting straight to the point a lot sooner was a main focus for the creative team. The film’s visual nature worked in the favor of certain elements from the book. Showing suspenseful moments from the source material makes those moments seem real, as well as intensifies uncertainty. Leaving out scenes that feel like padding helps the movie maintain a steadier pace.
When I first saw The Boy Who Could Fly, it subverted my expectations. That’s because the 1986 picture aged surprisingly well! Through Milly and Eric’s friendship, the script shows how people with Autism can create and maintain meaningful relationships. Helping someone with Autism based on their personal preferences and accommodations may have seemed ahead of its time back in the mid to late ‘80s. Timeless messages and themes make up one of the reasons why I love the 1986 film. Showing compassion for others, dealing with grief, and understanding people’s differences take center stage.
In 2022, I wrote an editorial explaining why The Bodyguard held up thirty years later. Because I love the 1992 film, finding explanations wasn’t difficult. “The kitchen scene” is, in my opinion, the best scene from any action movie. One reason why is how the kitchen’s smaller space is seen by the actors as a challenge instead of a hindrance. What also worked in The Bodyguard’s favor was Whitney Houston’s portrayal of Rachel Marron. Throughout the story, Whitney realistically showcases emotions and expressions. This helped Rachel become a multi-layered character.
Swept from the Sea was one of the earliest hidden gems I discovered in 2019. It’s a movie that’s so great, I just had to include it on this list. There are so many things to like about Swept from the Sea. From Vincent Perez’s captivating performance to the beautiful scenery, the film’s components came together to create an endearing and emotional presentation! The 1998 film is a character-driven story, relying on on-screen chemistry in order to work. Because of Vincent Perez’s and Rachel Weisz’s differing acting styles, the on-screen chemistry between Yanko and Amy was very sweet and genuine.
This is another movie I just had to include on my list. But this time, it’s because Phantom of the Megaplex is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! The Disney Channel picture showed that the movie-going experience can be fun. As I explained in my editorial celebrating the film’s 20th anniversary, the made-for-TV movie also serves as a time capsule of how the cinema operated in the beginning of the millennium. Phantom of the Megaplex even shows how movies can influence our lives. Though I’m not sure if that aspect of the story was intentional, it makes the 2000 title, somewhat, thought-provoking.
I Am David was the biggest pleasant surprise of 2024. It became the year’s best movie in March and stayed number one until the very end! What set I Am David apart was the film’s genuine emotion and sincerity. This was seen and felt through every aspect of the production. The 2004 movie emphasized visual depth. Achieved by exploring light and darkness, as well as showcasing Europe’s natural landscape, the creative team used the visual nature of film to their project’s advantage. Two effective plot twists are another reason why I liked I Am David. Their delivery in the story was well-written.
This 2011 presentation is one of Studio Ghibli’s stronger projects. A reason is one of the overarching themes; honoring the past. The film intelligently and creatively shows its audience how important history is in our lives and our world. Whether referencing the 1964 Olympics or focusing on the characters’ relationships, the theme of honoring the past acts as an umbrella sheltering Poppy Hill and its surrounding areas. Studio Ghibli’s signature colorful palette is consistently on display in the 2011 film. The strong understanding for how and when to use color makes scenes look like priceless pieces of art! Personally, I think movies like From Up on Poppy Hill present an argument why 2-D animation still has its time and place.
I think it’s fitting to close this list with a DreamWorks movie, as a DreamWorks movie is the reason why I created this list in the first place. Though this was a recent watch for me, The Wild Robot is, so far, the best film I’ve seen this year! The animation itself is absolutely gorgeous! Sometimes, scenes look like paintings and other times, they look like priceless photographs. I was not expecting the story to contain as much emotional depth as it did. An abundance of good messages and themes add a sense of timelessness to the production. Though it’s unknown right now if The Wild Robot will gain an audience like The Road to El Dorado has, I can confidently say it was a really good movie!
Thank you for joining me for the first part of my Second Chance Christmas Double Feature! Similar to last year’s review of I Am David, my review of Young at Heart is spoiler-free. If you’re curious about why I chose Young at Heart for this double feature, you can check out the introduction in the link below.
Young at Heartposter created by Arwin Productions and Warner Bros.
1. How were you introduced to Young at Heart and why was it selected for this double feature?
I was introduced to Young at Heart back in January of 2020, through a recommendation from Maddy (of the blog, Maddy Loves Her Classic Films). Several months later, I received another recommendation for Young at Heart. This time, the suggestion came from Moviecriticqueen (of the blog, Movies Meet Their Match). For five years, this movie has stayed on my movie recommendation board on Pinterest. But I have tried to find the right opportunity to write about the film. When I participated in the Sixth Annual Barrymore Trilogy Blogathon, I was originally going to review two movies; Young at Heart and Twentieth Century. Due to technical difficulties, I only had time to write about one film, which I selected the 1934 title. In 2021, I wanted to participate in the Star/Genre Of The Month Blogathon, as January’s featured star was Doris Day. But a busy schedule prevented me from joining the event.
2. You discovered Young at Heart was a Christmas movie after you learned more about the film on IMDB. What else have you discovered about the 1954 picture?
While watching Young at Heart, I discovered Alan Hale Jr. portrayed a character named Bob. Those familiar with their television history would recognize Alan from his starring role (‘Skipper’) on Gilligan’s Island. I will admit the only projects from his filmography I’ve seen are Gilligan’s Island and The North Avenue Irregulars. Even though I’m more familiar with Alan’s appearances on Gilligan’s Island, it was a pleasant surprise to see him star in a different medium!
3. Is the theme of “second chances” incorporated in Young at Heart’s story? If so, how?
Yes, specifically in Barney’s part of the story! When he’s introduced in Young at Heart, Barney (portrayed by Frank Sinatra) is a very pessimistic man. He feels no matter what he does, he will never find success. Throughout the film, one of the few people who believes in Barney is Doris Day’s character, Laurie. During their initial meeting, Laurie tells Barney how anyone can control their own fate. She also encourages him to complete one of his songs. By befriending Barney, Laurie gave him a second chance to prove how valuable he is. Without spoiling the movie, Laurie and Barney’s friendship pays off!
4. Was there anything about Young at Heart you liked or didn’t like?
One of the best aspects of Young at Heart was the dialogue! The writing and delivery were so sharp and witty, it made interactions between the characters interesting! When Barney first arrives at the Tuttle family’s house, he meets Aunt Jessie. During their conversation, Barney nonchalantly asks Aunt Jessie what kind of aunt she is. With a stern tone in her voice, Aunt Jessie promptly tells him her name came first and the curtains came later. This simple exchange between Aunt Jessie and Barney shows some of their character development, as well as the dynamic these characters share.
As I answered for question number three, Barney is a very pessimistic man who believes he can’t find success. I recognize how overcoming insecurities and doubts takes time. But, in Young at Heart, Barney spends most of the movie being pessimistic. He doesn’t change his perspective until the end of the film. This creative choice made Barney a static character. I wish his transformation had gradually taken place over the course of the story.
5. On 18 Cinema Lane, you’ve covered plenty of Christmas films. How is Young at Heart similar to or different from other Christmas pictures written about on your blog?
It is true that Christmas has a place in Young at Heart. However, the story spans over the course of several months. This means only a portion of the movie is set during Christmas. So, if I had to compare Young at Heart to any of the Christmas films I’ve reviewed, it would be Meet Me in St. Louis. The 1944 movie not only takes place over a year, there is one scene set during Christmas.
6. Did you develop any thoughts and/or questions while watching this film?
As I was watching Young at Heart, I found moments of irony when it came to Barney. When Barney first meets Laurie, he talks about serving in the military during World War II. This reminded me of how Frank’s character, Clarence “Brooklyn” Doolittle, was in the Navy in Anchors Aweigh. During his conversation with Laurie, Barney says he’s never created a hit song. Throughout Frank’s career, he had several hit songs to his name. One notable example is “New York, New York”, which has become the unofficial theme song for New Year’s in Times Square. Any time Barney performed at a restaurant, the patrons didn’t pay him any attention. I’d like to think if Frank had shown up at any restaurant, most of the patrons would have stopped what they were doing to focus on Frank.
7. How would the story of Young at Heart change if it revolved around another holiday?
Like I answered for question number five, Young at Heart spans over the course of several months, with Christmas playing a role in only a portion of the movie. Therefore, I don’t think the story would change much had another holiday served as the primary focus.
8. Did Young at Heart deserve a second chance? If so, why?
I do believe Young at Heart deserved a second chance! By finally checking this movie out, it gave me an opportunity to see more projects from Frank Sinatra’s and Alan Hale Jr.’s filmography. Young at Heart also became my introduction to Doris Day’s films, as I had never seen any of her movies before 2025.
9. After watching Young at Heart, is there anything you can take away from your movie viewing experience?
Young at Heart and The Chalk Garden share one thing in common; a character-driven story that works because of the strength of the cast. But a major difference between these films is how Young at Heart’s script is more “slice of life”. There were conflicts woven into the story. However, these conflicts were either abandoned or resolved at the very end of the movie. I wish Young at Heart had put a little more emphasis on problem-solving among the characters. Another thing The Chalk Garden and Young at Heart have in common is the dialogue, as it was well-written and delivered in both films. There was, clearly, thought and effort put into this film-making component, which made interactions between characters interesting. While I found The Chalk Garden good, Young at Heart was, in my opinion, just fine. The 1954 production could be used as an introduction to Doris Day’s filmography.
From Esther Williams’ filmography, I’ve only seen (and reviewed) three of her pictures; Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Bathing Beauty, and Easy to Wed. When it comes to the aqua musical, one of Esther’s claims to fame, that component was far and few between in those movies. Wanting to see an Esther Williams production where the aqua musical was more center stage (no pun intended), I selected Million Dollar Mermaid to review for the We Love Musicals Week Blogathon! The 1952 presentation was recommended by The Classic Movie Muse. Before researching titles to write about for Hamlette’s (from Hamlette’s Soliloquy) event, I had no idea the movie was a biopic. As I made this discovery, I was reminded how much luck I had finding good biopics last year. On my list of the best movies I saw in 2024, three biopics earned a spot on my list, with two of those films ending up in my top five. Could Million Dollar Mermaid find a place on 2025’s best movies list? Read my review to find out!
The acting: As I said in this review’s introduction, I’ve seen (and reviewed) three of Esther Williams’ films; Easy to Wed, Take Me Out to the Ball Game, and Bathing Beauty. What these titles have in common is how Esther’s on-screen personality has been consistently friendly and warm. Her performance in Million Dollar Mermaid maintains that consistency in personality! Esther portrays Annette Kellerman, an Australian swimmer who defied the odds and created a successful career. Through the ups and downs of Annette’s life, Esther’s on-screen personality highlighted how Annette saw the glass half full. However, there were times when Annette became frustrated. In one scene, she is understandably upset because she was falsely accused of indecent exposure (due to the style of her swimsuit). At first, Annette tearfully refuses to speak with any newspaper reporter. But after receiving advice from her father and James Sullivan, courage rises in Annette’s voice as she not only agrees to be interviewed, she decides to be interviewed while wearing her swimsuit. With Esther adopting a variety of emotions and expressions throughout her performance, she brought humanity back to Annette’s name!
Speaking of Annette’s father, let’s talk about Walter Pidgeon’s character, Frederick Kellerman! Frederick was one of Annette’s biggest cheerleaders. Though he had his reasons for wanting to protect his daughter, Frederick led by example when it came to following dreams. But Annette’s father had his fair share of struggles. While waiting for Annette and James’ meeting to end, Frederick becomes exhausted. His eyelids continuously rise and fall as he sometimes slumps toward the ground. Visibly concerned, James’ associate, Doc (portrayed by Jesse White) suggests they return home. Scenes like this one showed how Walter brought believability to his role! Similar to Esther’s on-screen personality, Walter made the likability of his character consistent. This was achieved through a strong acting performance!
Victor Mature portrays James Sullivan in Million Dollar Mermaid. When he is first introduced on a boat ride to London, James’ showmanship is on full display. Quick witted and having a way with words, James knew an opportunity when he saw one. Though he had the charisma of a circus ring leader, James also had a caring side to him. In order to promote a new show, Annette agrees to swim through the Thames River. During the swim, James and Doc row alongside Annette. Toward the end of the swim, James notices how tired Annette appears. He’s also aware of an incoming current, which could push Annette back. A sharp tone in his voice, furrowed eyebrows, and an intense look in his eyes perfectly show how concerned James is for Annette’s wellbeing. These emotional elements emphasize James’ sense of urgency for protecting Annette as well. This scene is just one example of how Victor’s acting talents helped create a memorable portrayal of James Sullivan!
The dialogue: One of the challenges Annette had to overcome was polio. As a child, Annette wished she could dance with her peers inside of staying at home practicing the piano. To cheer his daughter up, Frederick says how music should be a source of joy. The way this line was written and spoken seemed so profound, it made me wonder if Frederick’s belief is the reason why some musicals are joyful in nature? Years later, Frederick accepts a job at a music conservatory. But once he and Annette move to London, they discover the conservatory is actually closed. Looking at the glass half full, Annette reminds her father how the conservatory’s gate is only one closed gate. While she was talking about the literal gate, she was also speaking figuratively, seeing it as yet another puzzle to solve. These are just two examples of how well-written the dialogue was in Million Dollar Mermaid!
The aqua musical numbers: I stated in the introduction of my Million Dollar Mermaid review how one of Esther’s claims to fame is the aqua musical. This type of unique musical presentation is another reason why I chose this film for the We Love Musicals Week Blogathon, as I wanted to bring something different to the event’s table. The aqua musical numbers in Million Dollar Mermaid were captivating! The blend of pyrotechnics, color, and aquatic choreography created musical spectacles that were close to perfection. In one number, Esther emerges from the water on a giant pillar covered with sparks. Another number shows Esther performing a ballet routine under water. My favorite number boasted a color scheme of red and yellow. A memorable part of that number was when swimmers jumped into the water from various swings. The aqua musical numbers were certainly one of the strengths of Million Dollar Mermaid!
Limited presence of aqua musicals: Like I mentioned in my review’s introduction, I wanted to watch an Esther Williams movie where the aqua musical was more center stage (again, no pun intended). This component received more inclusion in Million Dollar Mermaid than in Esther’s other three movies I’ve seen (and reviewed). However, the overall presence of aqua musicals seemed limited. In the 1952 film, there were three aqua musical numbers. Only one of them was shown in its entirety. It also doesn’t help how the first aqua musical number appears a little over an hour into an hour and fifty-five-minute movie. I recognize the film’s creative team tried their best to find a balance between providing musical spectacle and telling Annette’s story. But as someone who came to Million Dollar Mermaid for the aqua musical, I was, kind of, disappointed.
An open-ended finish: The intended purpose of a biopic is to tell the story of a historical or public figure. In the case of Million Dollar Mermaid, that figure is Annette Kellerman. Toward the end of a typical biopic, that story will either reach the conclusion of that figure’s life or explain what happened to the people involved in the story, through a voice-over or on-screen text. But Million Dollar Mermaid didn’t adopt any of these examples. Within the last ten minutes of the movie, a major conflict takes place. Because there’s not enough time to reach a resolution to this conflict, a resolution is not provided on screen. An explanation if a resolution was reached at all is not provided as well. These creative choices left some questions unanswered.
A confusing interaction: For this part of my review, I will spoil Million Dollar Mermaid. If you have not seen this movie and are planning on watching it, please skip ahead to the part of this review titled “my overall impression”.
James Sullivan becomes Annette’s manager in Million Dollar Mermaid. Over time, Annette and James develop romantic feelings for each other. But their relationship doesn’t last, as Annette ends up marrying a man named Alfred. Toward the end of the film, James visits Annette in the hospital after she experiences an accident on a movie set. He gives her the engagement ring he intended to give her years prior. Annette not only accepts the ring, she and James share a kiss. I was confused by this romantic exchange because Annette and Alfred already got married. I was also surprised Million Dollar Mermaid would include this romantic interaction, as it was released during the Breen Code era, where the reverence toward martial vows is upheld. But, like I said when talking about the film’s open-ended finish, some questions were left unanswered.
Biopics are not created equally. Some of them are solid productions, like 1984’s Amadeus. But there have been biopics that left me underwhelmed, such as I Dream of Jeanie from 1952. With Million Dollar Mermaid, I thought it was just fine. The aqua musical numbers were a highlight of this presentation! As I said in my review, the blend of pyrotechnics, color, and aquatic choreography created musical spectacles that were close to perfection. However, I didn’t like how these aqua musical numbers had such a limited presence in the movie. I will admit I had no idea who Annette Kellerman was before watching Million Dollar Mermaid. Through the acting performances, screenwriting, and the story itself, I was introduced to this incredible woman and the world according to her. I do wish the ending hadn’t been so open-ended. Though I guess that’s what Wikipedia is for, finding answers that weren’t provided in the film. Prior to participating in the We Love Musicals Week Blogathon, the last time I reviewed one of Esther Williams’ films was back in 2022. So, re-visiting her filmography was long overdue.
Overall score: 7.1-7.2 out of 10
Have you seen Million Dollar Mermaid? What are your thoughts on aqua musicals? Let me know in the comment section!
For me, 2024 was a better year for movies. That’s because I saw more movies I liked, compared to 2023! Another difference from 2023 is how, on 2024’s list, more movies are theatrical pictures. However, there are still some made-for-TV productions that found a spot on my list. With more likable movies comes the return of the honorable mentions section! In that part of my list, most of the films are television projects. Since I reviewed almost all the movies on this year’s list, I will provide links to those reviews in this post. So, with 2025 on the horizon, let’s begin my list of the top ten best movies I saw in 2024!
Honorable Mentions
Legend of the Lost Locket, My Baby Is Missing, My Mother’s Split Personalities, Christmas on Division Street, and Interstellar
I Heard the Bells achieved so much in a short amount of time. The 2022 movie was chosen for my 500 Blog Follower Dedication Review. Then, I Heard the Bells became my 400th published movie review, as I recently revealed in my list of the ten movie trends I don’t understand. Now, the film is the only Christmas picture to earn a place on 2024’s best movies of the year list! When I wrote about I Heard the Bells, I compared it to It’s a Wonderful Life. Both titles are not only about more than just the Christmas holiday, they also cared about their overall presentation. I Heard the Bells was a visually immersive movie because of the attention to detail placed on historical accuracy. The strength of the acting performances allowed the story to be engaging. While it’s too early to say right now, I think I Heard the Bells could be a Christmas classic!
If I could choose one word to describe Easter Parade, it would be “colorful”. With the movie’s creative team taking advantage of Technicolor, costumes and décor boasted vibrant hues that complimented the story’s spring season! The musical numbers provide another strength in Easter Parade. From Fred’s festive and creative solo, “Drum Crazy”, to Ann’s energetic and fast-paced solo, “Shakin’ the Blues Away”, the movie’s musical numbers were enjoyable because of their choreography and delivery. The reason the 1948 film is placed lower on my list is due to the premise-driven story and the limited inclusion of Easter. However, Easter Parade’s positives outweigh the negatives!
In my review of For Me and My Gal, I mentioned how Breen Code era movie musicals contain simpler stories. These simpler stories will typically feature lower stakes. But in For Me and My Gal, the story of Harry and Jo included stakes that were higher. The story wasn’t afraid to show Jo and Harry making difficult decisions when it came to their dreams. Along their journey, the duo even deals with regret and heartbreak. The way World War I was incorporated into For Me and My Gal gave the script a sense of realism. Creative decisions like that one gave the 1942 picture emotional depth!
When I started my Comparing with the Critics series, I knew there were some movies I would disagree with the critics on. What I didn’t know was how much I would like Willow. Now that I’ve seen the 1988 film, I can understand why some people have given it the coveted title of “classic”. Likable elements, such as humor and unique perspectives on familiar story ideas, provide arguments for the aforementioned claim. The simplistic and straight-forward nature of the story made it easier to follow what was happening on screen. For me, Madmartigan stole the show! Movies like Willow make me thankful for my Comparing with the Critics series.
2024 saw the premiere of two Curious Caterer films; Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans and Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit. Though I liked Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans more than Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit, Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit was still a good movie. The fifth chapter in the series consistently carried the strong components of the Curious Caterer story, like the acting, humor, and prioritizing the mystery. A peek behind the music industry’s curtain and the incorporation of serious, real-world topics helped make the identity of Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit unique. As of the publication of this list, Hallmark has not provided any 2025 dates to the Curious Caterer series. If there are going to be more Curious Caterer films, I hope at least one of them is a seasonal picture.
Hallmark’s Frankensteinposter created by Hallmark Entertainment, Hallmark Channel, Silverstar Ltd., Larry Levinson Productions, and RTL
5. Hallmark’s Frankenstein (2004)
Back in March, I called Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein a “hidden gem”. This claim was based on my observation of how a good movie was not only forgotten by time, but also overshadowed by other titles released in 2004. What makes this version of Frankenstein a good movie, in my opinion, is how respectful it was toward Mary Shelley’s novel. One great example is Luke Goss’ portrayal of The Creature, as the way emotion was utilized throughout Luke’s performance highlighted how complicated The Creature is. Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein is another movie where the visual presentation created an immersive experience. Combining set design, costume design, and attention to historical accuracy, the movie made me feel like I was transported to another time and place.
If you’re going to create a sports movie involving a team sport, it’s important to make the camaraderie among the team believable. An on-screen team with believable camaraderie helps the audience stay invested in the story, as well as the team’s journey. Because the acting performances were strong in The Boys in the Boat, the camaraderie within the team dynamic felt genuine. The 2023 film also makes rowing look exciting! This was accomplished through cinematography, editing, and music selection. The Boys in the Boat is a “based on a true story” film that, in my opinion, is worth the time! This is yet another production where historical accuracy was a top priority.
3. Amadeus
Out of all the movies I reviewed for my Comparing with the Critics series, Amadeus is, so far, the only movie I agreed with the critics on. While the biopic is a glamourous spectacle, it also contains substance. Thought-provoking material can be found in the script, such as how fame can negatively impact the human soul. The story is an immersive, detail-oriented character study that explores the good and bad sides of the music industry. The creative team’s focus on detail made Amadeus look and feel historically accurate, as can be seen in the costume and set design. F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce each gave a strong performance. I can, honestly, say the 1984 movie is one of the best biopics I’ve ever seen!
Remember when I said I liked Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans more than Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit? One reason why I said this is Goldy’s consistent involvement in Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans’ case. Other reasons why I liked the fourth chapter in the series are the creativity of the mystery, the quality of the acting performances, and how humor was written into the story. Looking back on Hallmark’s mystery films I saw in 2024, this Curious Caterer movie is pretty unique. That’s because, as I mentioned in my review, it’s a locked room mystery revolving around a costume party. In 2023’s best movies of the year list, I claimed Curious Caterer: Grilling Season was the best film in the series. I certainly changed my mind after I saw Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans!
It’s amazing how I Am David became 2024’s best movie in March and clung on to the number one spot all these months later! This impressive film allowed the story of David and his journey to be told with genuine emotion and sincerity. This was achieved through every aspect of the production, like the acting performances and the screenwriting. Exploring light and darkness, as well as showcasing Europe’s natural landscape, gave the production visual depth. Timeless, universal messages were also woven into the script. As I said in my review, I wish more people knew about this movie. Hopefully, my review or maybe this list can encourage someone to check out I Am David!
18 Cinema Lane 