Strangers on a Train

  And this week's Friday night movie has been... Strangers on a Train!

Original image located here. Accessed 8th May 2026

Once again, we take a look at the oeuvre of one Alfred Hitchcock. 
It can't be denied that Hitchcock produced a body of work that is both large and impressive. Problem is, some of his lesser-known movies end up lost in the shadow of the more well-known ones. Which brings me to Strangers on a Train. It may not have the name recognition as Psycho or The Birds but it is one that I've been wanting to see for years. Why? Apparently there's a climax which is a chase scene on a Merry-Go-Round - one that The Master himself said was the most dangerous sequence he ever had to shoot. 

Like Hitchcock's other movies, this has the usual building of suspense - which is not surprising given this is from the Master of Suspense - so has this one has something of it's own to say? Yes indeed: There are some impressive sequences involving shadows and night time that look unique. There are some truly stunning examples of dread which stand out decades later. 
Also of note is just how this movie had the balls to have a clearly gay relationship with it's hero and villain - and in the early 1950s no less. Sure The Master did the same thing with the earlier Rope but this is more obvious. Which makes me wonder how they got away with it at the time. 
And as for the promised climax? I was not disappointed. Certainly gripping and staggering considering that this was done in the early 1950s. 

All in all, this may not be well-known when compared to Hitchcock's more well-known movies but this is still capable of standing on it's own two feet. 

An American in Paris

 And this week's Friday night movie has been... An American in Paris!

Original image located here. Accessed 29th March 2024

Best Picture Oscar winner no.: 24 (1951)

One thing that has arisen from partaking in this year long quest to watch more Best Picture Oscar-winning movies is that I will be stepping out of my comfort zone and watching movies and genres I wouldn't otherwise have given the time of the day. I don't have the best connection with musicals - as I believe the greatest musical movie ever made is the South Park movie - but I am willing to give a chance to any movie to see if it surprises me, 

Well I did enjoy the music and I was astonished by the dance chorography - in particular that astonishing fifteen minute one at the end. But this movie has not aged well: Beyond the spectacle there's not a lot else to this movie and the plot of 'guy hitting on friend's girlfriend' will certainly rub more than few people the wrong way. 
And to think that this won Best Picture over A Streetcar Named Desire. Sheesh....

A Streetcar Named Desire

And this week's Friday night movie has been... A Streetcar Named Desire!

Original image located here. Accessed 21st May 2021

It's one of the most famous movies ever made - and yet i only know of it because a) it was parodied in an episode of The Simpsons and b) it apparently made an impression on one Tommy Wiseau.

Once again, it is difficult to assess something like this: It has been referenced and parodied so many times that the orignal comes across as being somewhat devoid of the bite it originally had. Much has been written about how this was a career-defining film for Marlon Brando, with his acting skills ("Stell-AAAHHH!!!!") and the image of him in a t-shirt two sizes too small.
But saying that this movie catapulted Brando into superstardom overshadows the fact that this movie really is about one woman's descent into madness. As such, this movie really is Vivien Leigh's show all the way. Seventy years on and she is still a presence in this movie, giving it her all and still maintaining audience interest. And hey, lest we forget it was Leigh that won the Oscar for this film. not Brando.
So in the end, I always find it a gamble to visit a movie from the Pre-New Hollywood era as they tend to be tarnished by both age and being replicated by its students. But this one? Still has a spark. And that's saying something

Scrooge (A Christmas Carol (1951))

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Scrooge (A Christmas Carol (1951)!

Original image located here. Accessed 22nd December 2017

Last week I saw the adaptation of A Christmas Carol which starred George C Scott. This week, I'm watching the adaptation of A Christmas Carol which starred Alistair Sims. This is largely because these two actors are largely considered the best to have taken on the role. Sims, in particular is often recognized as the one all actors have tried to replicate since.

And you know what? Such a reputation is well-deserved. Okay, so the movie is kinda hurried and, to be honest, is more effective as a horror movie than a Christmas one, but it is ultimately Sims' show. He pretty much embodies Scrooge's contempt and lack of empathy. But the real treat is at the end when Scrooge is happy. It was a delight and one gets the feeling his change was akin to a dam-burst. In fact I do believe that Sims' does the 'Happy Scrooge' better than anyone else.