Old Books and Movies

 Above Suspicion is a very good movie.  Richard Myles (Fred MacMurrray) and Frances Myles (Joan Crawford) are a newly married couple in the year 1939, right before war breaks out in Europe.  On the night of their honeymoon Richard gets a visit from an old school friend of his Peter Galt (Richard Ainley). Peter is a British secret service agent and he wants Richard and Frances to find one of their agents in Germany who has the plans to a new Nazi secret weapon. Peter says that as American tourists they will be above suspicion .   Frances is instructed to wear a hat with a red rose on it for purposes of identification.  With their first clue they are given a password to use use on their mission, the song "My Love is Like a Red Red Rose."  The rest of the movie is about Richard and Frances tracking down clues trying to find the missing agent; and running from the Nazis.   Above Suspicion is a very suspenseful movie and it's a lot of fu...

     The Happiest Millionaire is a very fun musical.  John Lawless (Tommy Steele), a recent immigrant to the United States, sings "Fortuosity" on his way to apply for a position as butler for the wealthy home of the Biddle's.  He is greeted by the housekeeper Mrs. Worth (Hermione Baddeley), who informs him that Mrs. Biddle is out, but he can wait in the kitchen.  While talking to her, while she's making chocolate cake (Mr. Biddle is on a chocolate cake diet), he learns that the last butler quit shortly after working there, and servants don't stay long at the Biddle's.  He quickly sees why, when the eccentric Mr. Biddle (Fred MacMurray) storms into the kitchen shouting that he's been bit by an alligator. Mr. Biddle is upset that his pet alligator George (one of twelve alligators), bit him, and sings that his family should come rushing to his side, in the song "What's Wrong With That?"  In a hilarious scene the Biddle's so...

    Broadway Melody of 1940 is a cute movie.  Fred Astaire and George Murphy play Johnny Brett (Astaire) and King Shaw (Murphy) a couple of small time dancers who want to make it big on Broadway.  Through a case of mistaken identity King gets picked to be Clare Bennett's (Eleanor Powell) dancing partner in a new Broadway show instead of Johnny.   Clare preforms a fun song and dance number to "All Ashore." King and Clare preform a song and dance routine to "Between You and Me."   Johnny and Clare preform a really fun dance number to "Jukebox Dance."   Johnny and Clare preform "Begin the Beguine" the last and best dance number of the film.   Broadway Melody of 1940 is a fun movie. The plot is lacking, but the dance numbers and the ritzy sets and costumes make up for the weak plot.

   Cinderfella is a pretty funny fairy tale.  Fella (Jerry Lewis) slaves away doing all the work and cooking for his Wicked Stepmother (Judith Anderson) and his wicked stepbrothers Maximilian (Henry Silva) and Rupert (Robert Hutton) in their huge mansion.  While cleaning out the pool one day Fella meets his Fairy Godfather (Ed Wynn).  Fella does a fun phatamine act to Count Basie's "Cute" number.  Fella's Wicked Stepmother is sponsoring the Princess Charming (Anna Maria Alberghetti) at her mansion and giving a ball in the Princess's honor.  Princess Charming is coming to America to find a husband, and the Wicked Stepmother is planning on the Princess marrying her son Rupert.  I love the pink convertible the Princess Charming rides in.  Fella makes a grand entrance at the ball... and it's love at first sight for the Princess Charming.  Fella and the Princess Charming preform a fun dance routine at the ball. ...