Tuesday, June 24, 2008

NETFLIX QUICK PIX!!!


TYRONE POWER!

Yes, kids. Craig's been on a kick again! This time over DREAMY Tyrone Power. This fetching actor caught my eye YEARS ago, but I've never had a Tyrone-a-thon! Here are a few nifty Power flix:

ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND: Power stars with Don Ameche and Alice Faye in this Irving Berlin tune-filled schmaltz. Faye starts out as a brassy broad with a set of pipes, and is groomed to the hilt by Power. Ameche (also pretty darned fetching) croons. The band gets popular, and Faye leaves for Broadway. But ETHEL MERMAN steps in as the new singer! You can imagine what the ending is, but this is all about TyPo's HAIR!

IN OLD CHICAGO: Another teaming of Power, Faye and Ameche. Power and Ameche are the O' Leary Brothers (guess what heiffer THEY'RE related to...no not FAYE!), and they spend a lot of time vying for Alice's affection. Who wins? Mother O' Leary's COW of course! She knocks over a lantern and BURNS THE CITY TO THE GROUND! This is a 20th Century Fox disaster flick, and the special effects are swell, considering the era.

Speaking of Fox Disasters: THE RAINS CAME. Power, Myrna Loy, George Brent, Laura Hope Crews, Jane Darwell and a bunch of other familiar faces star in Fox's Backlot Ranchipur, India. The days of Colonization by the English are coming to an end. The Brits are on the way OUT. But not before the Scandalous Lady Eskwith (LOY) puts the moves on Raja Power. Then the rains come, and keep-a coming. An Earthquake, a dam busts, Ranchipur is in a complete plague infested wreck. He the effects are even more spectacular than before. Pretty amazing for 1939.

One of Power's lesser known flix, NIGHTMARE ALLEY is a dilly of a film noir featuring Joan Blondell as ZENA SOOTHSAYER, who teaches Power the ropes of the carny life. Studio Chief Darryl F. Zanuck resisted Power's starring in this vehicle, fearing it would spoil his matinee idol status, but Power fought for the role, got George Jessel to produce, and shows what acting chops he had. Needless to say, this is one of his best roles, and yes, he is shirtless quite a few times. The supporting cast is perfect. I was IMPRESSED. Five Stars for this one!

On another note. One hell of a sappy movie, LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING, is only worth revisiting for the UNBELIEVABLE restoration! The Cinemascope is WIIIIIIDE as ever, The Technicolor dazzles, the Stereophonic Sound is booming. Filmed partially on location in Shanghai, this tear jerker stars Jennifer Jones (I knew her grand daughter---take THAT Hilary!) as a Eurasian Doctor and DELICIOUS William Holden as a bathing suit wearing American journalist star in this star-crossed love story. Worth the watch for the spectacle.

Speaking spectacular disasters: 16 YEARS OF ALCOHOL. Based on some Scots memoirs about a life of drink (how trite), this first time director's crack at his own memoir is blatantly arty (read: I'm just so full of myself now that I'm sober-r-r-r) and oh, so Scottish. I have better drinking stories than this clown....and more years quaffing!



2 comments:

Mrs. R said...

Don't you think Power is to die for in The Rains Came? That monologue he has with his turban off - I nearly fell off my bed.

Craig Curtis said...

mrs. r!

I must tell you that you are SO right on that one. I think I swooned!

Thanks!

Craig