CineFocus Vintage Movies

Jessy (1947) In 17th century England, Jesse is believed to be a witch because she has visions of approaching disasters. When Barney Hatton, an impoverished gent whose gambling father has lost the family home, helps her anyway she will not forget and will try to help him get his property back - but at any price? Director: Bernard Knowles Writers: Dorothy Christie (screenplay), Campbell Christie (screenplay), Geoffrey Kerr (screenplay) Stars: Margaret Lockwood, Patricia Roc, Dennis Price Trivia The first Gainsborough Studios film to be shot in colour (Technicolor). Goofs Although set in the 17th century, 18 minutes into the film, an automobile can be seen through the window. Quotes Jassy: Goodbye Barney. I wish I were a house. Connections Referenced in When the Bough Breaks (1947)

There goes the Bride (1932) A businessman's daughter runs away from an arranged marriage, only to find herself penniless and suspected of theft after she becomes the victim of a bag thief in the train. When she refuses to tell him who she really is, her accuser decides to take her home where he can keep an eye on her until 12 o'clock the next day,. Director: Albert de Courville Writers: Henry Koster (story), Wolfgang Wilhelm (story), W.P. Lipscomb (adaptation) Stars: Jessie Matthews, Owen Nares, Carol Goodner

A tough district attorney has been cleaning up the town, and has already imprisoned twelve dangerous criminals. As he is about to name the target for his next investigation, he is murdered in the midst of a crowd. The police have many suspects and hardly any clues, so two reporters decide to investigate for themselves. Director: William Nigh Writer: John W. Krafft (story) Stars: Weldon Heyburn, Inez Courtney, Selmer Jackson Trivia The first picture released by the reformed Monogram Pictures Corporation, which was temporarily shelved from 1935-37 when its two owners, Trem Carr and W. Ray Johnston, joined with Mascot Pictures' Nat Levine and another independent studio, Liberty Pictures, to form Republic Pictures with Herbert J. Yates (owner of Consolidated Film Industries, a film processing laboratory) at the old Mack Sennett studio. The partnership held for a year until Carr and Johnston, chafing under the autocratic rule of Yates, left the company in 1937 and reformed Monogram. This is the first of a remarkable 20 features the studio would release that year. Monogram would always remain a low-budget outfit, its product geared for rural audiences and second-run theaters. In 1952 it changed its name to Allied Artists, hoping to erase the low-budget "stigma" associated with Monogram. Soundtracks My Topic of Conversation Written by Josef Myrow (as Joseph Myro) and Milton Royce Sung by Eadie Adams

Masque of the Red Death (1964) A European prince terrorizes the local peasantry while using his castle as a refuge against the "Red Death" plague that stalks the land. Director: Roger Corman Writers: Charles Beaumont (screenplay), R. Wright Campbell (screenplay), Edgar Allan Poe (from a story by) Stars: Vincent Price, Hazel Court, Jane Asher Taglines LOOK INTO THIS FACE - SHUDDER... at the blood-stained dance of the Red Death! TREMBLE... to the hideous tortures of the catacombs of Kali! GASP... at the sacrifice of the innocent virgin to the vengeance of Baal! Trivia Jane Asher asked Roger Corman if a friend could visit the set and join them for lunch. She explained that her friend was a musician who was about to do his first gig in London that night. At the end of lunch, Corman wished him good luck with his concert. Roger Corman had never heard of Paul McCartney until he read of the concert's success in the next day's newspapers. Goofs Despite Prospero warning the guests not to wear red to the masque, several people are wearing red: capes, hats etc. Quotes Prospero: Somewhere in the human mind, my dear Francesca, lies the key to our existance. My ancestors tried to find it. And to open the door that separates us from our Creator. Francesca: But you need no doors to find God. If you believe... Prospero: Believe? If you believe, my dear Francesca, you are... gullible. Can you look around this world and believe in the goodness of a god who rules it? Famine, Pestilence, War, Disease and Death! They rule this world. Francesca: There is also love and life and hope. Prospero: Very little hope I assure you. No. If a god of love and life ever did exist... he is long since dead. Someone... something, rules in his place. Crazy credits "And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all."- the final line of the original Poe story. Alternate versions The original UK cinema version was heavily cut by the BBFC to edit lines of implied sexual dialogue, the killing of Juliana by the falcon, and scenes of burning people (including Alfredo in the ape costume), and to completely remove the entire black mass dream sequence. Video and DVD releases fully restore the BBFC cuts though the print used is an edited U.S version which misses some dialogue as well as a shot of Francesca being slapped across the face by one of Prospero's soldiers. Connections Featured in Aweful Movies with Deadly Earnest: The Masque of the Red Death (1971)

Witchfinder General (1968) A young soldier seeks to put an end to the evils caused by a vicious witch-hunter when the latter terrorizes his fiancée and kills her uncle. Director: Michael Reeves Writers: Tom Baker (screenplay), Michael Reeves (screenplay), Louis M. Heyward (additional scenes) Stars: Vincent Pric, eIan Ogilvy, Rupert Davies Trivia The real Matthew Hopkins was only in his mid 20s in 1645 and died before he was 30. Vincent Price's character is well into middle age, like the actor himself. Hopkins and Stearne executed more than 300 people, mainly women, during their two or three years of '"witch hunting". Considering that 500 people in total were executed for witchcraft in England between the late 15th and late 18th centuries, it means that Hopkins was responsible for two-thirds of these executions during a period of three years. Goofs The end titles conclude with the familiar, "All persons depicted... entirely fictional... any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is entirely coincidental" - and yet, not only was the title character a real person, but also the film features an appearance by Oliver Cromwell. Quotes Matthew Hopkins: Men sometimes have strange motives for the things they do. Alternate versions All British versions prior to 1996 were cut by 1 min 26 secs by the UK censor on original release. The Redemption Video release restores this material from a U.S laserdisc. Connections Featured in Nightwatch Presents Edgar Allan Poe: The Conqueror Worm (1973)

As You Like It (1936) A Duke usurps his brother's land and power, banishing him and his entourage into the forest of Arden. The banished Duke's daughter, Rosalind, remains with her cousin Celia. She has fallen in love with Orlando, but he has his own tyrannical brother with whom to contend, so he joins those in the forest. Director: Paul Czinner Writers: J.M. Barrie (treatment), Robert Cullen (scenario)Carl Mayer(adaptation) Stars: Elisabeth Bergner, Laurence Olivier, Sophie Stewart Trivia Elisabeth Bergner played "Rosalind" in Germany, but left in 1933 when Adolf Hitler came to power. She said she would not play the role in English, until she perfected her English accent. However, many reviewers complained that her German accent was still very prominent. Quotes Exiled Duke: Sweet are the uses of adversity. Alternate versions Different prints have conflicting credits. For the 1936 U.S. version, Robert Cullen is credited (as R.J. Cullen) for production manager and scenario, but for the 1949 re-release, he is credited only as production manager, and 'Carl Mayer' is credited with adaptation. Similarly, for the 1936 version, Elisabeth Bergner's name is above the title for the opening credits, but in the 1949 re-release Laurence Olivier's name is above the title (as can be seen from the IMDb poster). Connections Featured in Great Performances: Laurence Olivier: A Life (1983)

Her Secret 1933 Johnny, the son of a rich man, is an idling, good-for-nothing loafer who leads a wild, hectic life, flunks out of college, and is disinherited and made to leave home by his father, who has given up on him in despair. Johnny opens a gas-station in Arizona, where "Waffles," a girl from Georgia, takes him in hand and employs her own methods of reformation with astonishing results. Director: Warren Millais Writer: Helen Mitchell (story "The Girl From Georgia") Stars: Sari Maritza, William Collier Jr., Alan Mowbray Trivia Final film of Grace Valentine. Alternate versions The original film was banned in many locations on public morality grounds, and was re-released under the new title The Girl from Georgia (1936), after a few scenes were deleted.

Mad Holiday Philip Trent is tired of playing film detective Shelby James, thinking that the stories are tripe, and plans a vacation to get away from Hollywood. But on the ship he meets a mysterious young woman, then finds a body--then discovers that the whole affair was staged by Peter Dean, author of the Shelby James novels. Director: George B. Seitz Writers: Florence Ryerson (screen play by), Edgar Allan Woolf (screen play by), Joseph Santley (suggested by the story: "Murder in a Chinese Theatre" by) Stars: Edmund Lowe, Elissa Landi, Zasu Pitts Trivia Although Edgar Kennedy frequently played comically bumbling cops, this was a rare opportunity for him to play a reasonably competent one. Goofs When Trent shoots the mirror before leaving the set, the glass shatters. No responsible director would permit live ammunition on an interior film set. Quotes Philip Trent: [after Mert has taken a photo of Trent and Peter Dean kissing] So you're at it again, huh? Mert Morgan: Can I help it? This is what I do for my bread and buttah! Philip Trent: Yeah, well, what do you do for your meat and potatas?

Princess Charming (Alexandra) 1934 Revolution breaks out in a small European kingdom, and a young princess is forced to flee for her life. She heads for the neighboring country, which just happens to be ruled by the king she is betrothed to. Unfortunately, the new revolutionary government won't let citizens leave, which she actually doesn't mind all that much because she's not particularly jazzed about... Director: Maurice Elvey Writers: Arthur Wimperis (adaptation), Lauri Wylie (adaptation), F. Martos (play "Alexandra") Stars: Evelyn Laye, Henry Wilcoxon, Yvonne Arnaud

The Man In Grey (1943) (from Imbd) After a brutish, hedonistic Marquis marries a pretty young Clarissa to act as a 'brood sow,' he begins an affair with her friend who plots to take her place. Director: Leslie Arliss Writers: Eleanor Smith (novel), Doreen Montgomery (adaptation), Margaret Kennedy (screenplay) Stars: Margaret Lockwood, James Mason, Phyllis Calvert Trivia James Mason was originally cast as Rokeby, but he took over the villain's part of the Marquis of Rohan, replacing Eric Portman. Stewart Granger inherited the role of Rokeby. Goofs Toby does not age. He remains a young boy throughout the film. Quotes Clarissa Marr: [Introducing herself to Hester] I'm Clarissa. [Offering her Hesther piece of candy] Clarissa Marr: would you have a sugar violet? Hesther Shaw: No, thank you. I don't care for sugary things. Connections Featured in James Mason: The Star They Loved to Hate (1984)

White Corridors (1951) Hospital drama set at the Yeoman's Hospital, in the English Midlands, during the early 1950s. Director: Pat Jackson Writers: Jan Read (screenplay), Pat Jackson (screenplay), Helen Ashton (novel "Yeoman's Hospital") Stars: Googie Withers, James Donald, Godfrey Tearle Trivia The last film of Basil Radford. Quotes Retired Civil Servant: Now, suppose I was dying what would you do? Tranter: Ah - you'd be a casualty, an emergency, different category altogether you see sir. You'd get immediate treatment. Retired Civil Servant: I'm very glad to hear it!

A Bill of Divorcement (1932) A man, Hilary Fairfield returns home after fifteen years in a mental asylum. However, he finds things are not the way they were when he left. Director: George Cukor Writers: Howard Estabrook (screen play), Harry Wagstaff Gribble (screen play), Clemence Dane (from the play by) Stars: John Barrymore, Katharine Hepburn, Billie Burke Trivia David O. Selznick and George Cukor disagreed about casting Katharine Hepburn. Cukor had seen Hepburn's screen test and was impressed by the 24-year-old, but Selznick did not like the way she looked and was afraid she would not be well received by audiences. Cukor cast her anyway (beginning what would be a lifelong professional and personal relationship between the two) Goofs 'Katharine Hepburn' is misspelled in the credits as 'Katherine Hepburn'. Quotes Hilary Fairfield: Do you know what the dead do in Heaven? They sit on their golden chairs and sicken for home. Crazy credits Sydney Fairfield is the name of Katharine Hepburn's character in the film, but ner name is spelled Sidney in the credits. Connections Featured in David O. Selznick: 'Your New Producer' (1935) Soundtracks Silent Night, Holy Night (1818) (uncredited) Music by Franz Xaver Gruber Lyrics by Joseph Mohr English lyrics anonymous Sung by carollers on Christmas Eve

Cheers for Miss Bishop (1941) Dedicated Midwestern teacher Ella Bishop is distressed when her fiancé runs off with her vixenish cousin Amy. After Amy dies in childbirth, Ella is left to care for Amy's daughter Hope. Director: Tay Garnett Writers: Bess Streeter Aldrich (novel "Miss Bishop"), Stephen Vincent Benet (screen adaptation), Adelaide Heilbron (screenplay) Stars: Martha Scott, William Gargan, Edmund Gwenn Trivia The failure of the original copyright holder to renew the film's copyright resulted in it falling into public domain, meaning that virtually anyone could duplicate and sell a VHS/DVD copy of the film. Therefore, many of the versions of this film available on the market are either severely (and usually badly) edited and/or of extremely poor quality, having been duped from second- or third-generation (or more) copies of the film. Quotes John Stevens: [Reading from J. M. Barrie's book, The Little Minister] The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another. Ella Bishop: [Interrupting] Would you mind reading that again? Just the last sentence. John Stevens: The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story... and writes another. Ella Bishop: I suppose that's true, isn't it? We dream dreams and... Do go on. Taglines One of the year's most inspired pictures...a warm, glowing story of real American people...their gayety and laughter, the dreams and desires, their problems, their loves...all the poignant romance and exciting drama of living...manifold elements that make up the very fabric of American life...brilliantly combined in a great film.

The biography Of The Motion Picture Camera Glimpses at the origin of the motion picture, the contribution of Muybridge, Edison, and Lumière, and fragments of the screen's first "epics." The 1947 film The Biography of the Motion Picture Camera is an art documentary produced by Les Films du Compas and Roger Leenhardt, and narrated by Tony Kraber. The film traces the history of the development of motion pictures from the first camera to Edison’s kinetoscope and the Lumiere brothers’ cinematograph. The film begins with a brief recap of photographing still simple subjects. “School of the Successive Pose” (01:51) Karl von Vierordt’s sphygmograph (03:20) galloping horse (05:45) Kodak film (10:15) Thomas Edison (12:09) kinetoscope works (13:37) Louis Lumiere (15:49) short and simple motion pictures (17:50)

Murder by an Aristocrat (1936) Bayard Thatcher is blackmailing the family into which he has married: He demands $25,000 by the next night or else he will tell about shady deals and family skeletons. That is the price the bully Bayard demands for leaving the family alone. At midnight, he is shot and Dr. Carick is called. He has Nurse Sally Keating take care of Bayard's superficial wound. Director: Frank McDonald Writers: Luci Ward (screen play), Roy Chanslor (screen play), Mignon G. Eberhart (story by) Stars: Lyle Talbot, Marguerite Churchill, Claire Dodd Trivia Warner Bros. created the advertising marketing ploy "Clue Club" to increase audiences attending its crime mystery/drama movies. Twelve titles showing the Warner Bros. "Clue Club" promo footage were released from 1935 to 1938. Clue Club #1: The White Cockatoo (1935) Clue Club #2: While the Patient Slept (1935) Clue Club #3: The Florentine Dagger (1935) Clue Club #4: The Case of the Curious Bride (1935) Clue Club #5: The Case of the Lucky Legs (1935) Clue Club #6: The Murder of Dr. Harrigan (1936) Clue Club #7: Murder by an Aristocrat (1936) Clue Club #8: The Case of the Velvet Claws (1936) Clue Club #9: The Case of the Black Cat (1936) Clue Club #10: The Case of the Stuttering Bishop (1937) Clue Club #11: The Patient in Room 18 (1938) Clue Club #12: Mystery House (1938) Goofs They keep referring to the revolver, when in fact it is a semi-automatic. (In fairness, none of the characters are gun experts and may well have been using the term generically.) Connections Followed by The Patient in Room 18 (1938)

Messiah of Evil (1973) | Dead People A young woman goes searching for her missing artist father. Her journey takes her to a strange Californian seaside town governed by a mysterious undead cult. Directors: Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz (uncredited) Writers: Willard Huyck (screenplay), Gloria Katz (screenplay) Stars: Michael Greer, Marianna Hill, Joy Bang Trivia Many of the extras in the film were unemployed NASA workers. Goofs When Arletty is tending to Thom towards the end of the film, Thom is on his back and has some blood on his face from his ear, which she wipes away. In the next shot, the blood is back. Quotes Charlie: I'm as old as the hills. Mama delivered me herself. She took me from between her legs, bloody little mess. She's about to feed me to the chickens. And daddy said, "Maybe we could use a boy lottie." That's how I came into the world. Alternate versions The recent DVD release (under the title Messiah of Evil) contains a version of the film that omits the song "Hold on to Love" that opens and closes some versions of the film. Connections Edited into Cent une tueries de zombies (2012) Soundtracks Hold On To Love Music and Lyrics by Eliane Tortel Sung by Raun MacKinnon

The City of the Dead | Horror Hotel |1960 A young college student arrives in a sleepy Massachusetts town to research witchcraft; during her stay at an eerie inn, she discovers a startling secret about the town and its inhabitants. Director: John Llewellyn Moxey Writers: Milton Subotsky (story by), George Baxt (screenplay by) Stars: Patricia Jessel, Dennis Lotis, Christopher Lee Trivia This movie's US release under the title of "Horror Hotel" omitted the following lines during Elizabeth Selwyn's burning at the stake in the first scene, which are critical to fully understanding the plot, but apparently offended American censors: Elizabeth Selwyn: "I have made my pact with thee O Lucifer! Hear me, hear me! I will do thy bidding for all eternity. For all eternity shall I practice the ritual of Black Mass. For all eternity shall I sacrifice unto thee. I give thee my soul, take me into thy service." Jethro Keane: "O Lucifer, listen to thy servant, grant her this pact for all eternity and I with her, and if we fail thee but once, you may do with our souls what you will." Elizabeth Selwyn: "Make this city an example of thy vengeance. Curse it, curse it for all eternity! Let me be the instrument of thy curse. Hear me O Lucifer, hear me!" Goofs Although it might be more cinematic, witches were never burned at the stake in New England. They were either hanged or pressed (by large rocks being placed upon them by villagers). Burnings of witches happened in England. Quotes Prof. Alan Driscoll: The basis of fairy tale is in reality. The basis of reality is fairy tales Alternate versions The original U.S print (titled "Horror Hotel") is around 2 minutes shorter than the "City Of The Dead" version, and is missing most of the cursing made by Elizabeth Selwyn to the villagers during the opening burning and some of the conversation between Driscoll and Barlow as they discuss belief in the supernatural. Connections Featured in Creature Features: Horror Hotel/The Human Monster (1971)

Kill Baby Kill (1966) A Carpathian village is haunted by the ghost of a murderous little girl, prompting a coroner and a medical student to uncover her secrets while a witch attempts to protect the villagers. Director: Mario Bava Writers: Romano Migliorini(story), Roberto Natale (story), Mario Bava (screenplay) Stars: Giacomo Rossi Stuart, Erika Blanc, Fabienne Dali Trivia Melissa Graps, the ghost girl, is played by a boy, billed as 'Valerio Valeri.' Goofs Nadine is put to bed nude, but after the doctor visits and she is left sleeping, somehow she appears dressed in a nightgown in the next shot. Alternate versions In the United States, an edited version of this film was released as "Curse of the Living Dead" as part of "Living Dead" triple feature aimed at drive-ins. Other releases, including home video, under the title "Kill Baby, Kill" are the more complete version. Connections Featured in Fangs of the Living Dead (1969)

Basil Rathbone reads Poe The Facts in the Case of M Valdemar

The Devil Plays (1931) (info from Imdb) A murder mystery evolves during a weekend at an exclusive mansion. Director: Richard Thorpe Writer: Arthur Hoerl (story and scenario) Stars: Jameson Thomas, Florence Britton, Thomas E. Jackson Trivia While considered lost by many, the film is actually available as of Halloween 2017 on Amazon Prime in a superlative digital print. It is not available in any home video format. Quotes Inspector Brown: Ain't this rich? A writer of detective stories involved in solving a real life murder!

Maniac (1934) A former vaudevillian gifted at impersonation assists a mad scientist in reanimating corpses and soon goes mad himself. Director: Dwain Esper Writer: Hildegarde Stadie (story by) Stars: Bill Woods, Horace B. Carpenter, Ted Edwards Trivia Several key cast members in the film are uncredited and their identities remain unknown, most notably the cat-farming neighbor, "Goof", as well as the detective, the skinny morgue attendant, and Maria Altura, the woman who Dr. Meirschultz brings back to life. The identity of the actress who doubles for Altura for scenes that require nudity has also not been identified. Goofs When the wall is broken down, the actor playing "immured dead body" on the other side can be seen pushing the bricks apart. Quotes Buckley: Oh! Stealing through my body! Creeping though my veins! Pouring in my blood! Oh, DARTS OF FIRE IN MY BRAIN! STABBING ME! I CAN'T STAND IT! I WON'T! Connections Featured in It Came from Hollywood (1982) Soundtracks La Cucaracha (uncredited) Traditional Sung by Thea Ramsey

Audio Book: The Fall of House of Usher | Edgar Allan Poe, read by Christopher Lee

Audio Book: The Pit and the Pendulum, Christopher Lee reads Edgar Allan Poe

The Bat (1959) (info from Imdb) Mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder has rented a country house called "The Oaks", which not long ago had been the scene of some murders committed by a strange and violent criminal known as "The Bat". Director: Crane Wilbur Writers: Crane Wilbur (screen story), Mary Roberts Rinehart (play), Avery Hopwood (play) Stars: Vincent Price, Agnes Moorehead, Gavin Gordon Trivia In a 1987 interview on Sinister Image (1987), Vincent Price revealed that the stage version had terrified him as a child. He accepted the film role in because he thought the filmmakers "would revive it and bring it up to date", but he was disappointed with the final result because "It wasn't a good script." Goofs When Cornelia is trapped in the hidden room, she runs out of oxygen far too quickly. The room is large enough to have plenty of air, especially with the others searching the house for her. Quotes Dr. Malcolm Wells: In my report I shall state that death was caused by a stunning blow followed by severe laceration and hemorrhage. Lt. Andy Anderson: In plain English, he didn't know what hit him. Dr. Malcolm Wells: Oh he knew, but he didn't have time to think about it. Connections Edited into The Our Gang Story (1994)