HOLLYWOOD ICONS- BETTIE PAGE

     One of the most legendary pin-up queens in history, Bettie Page has become immortal.  The unforgettable Page remains an icon in the leagues of Marilyn, Elvis, and James Dean.  Here's a stunning collection of Bettie Page in all her glory...

Cat-Women Of The Moon

     The gloriously bad "Cat-Women Of The Moon" is one of those movies best viewed in a theater chock full of people having an absolute blast with it.  One of the best of the so bad they're great B-flicks of the fabulous 50's, "Cat-Women Of The Moon" is hilariously amateur yet just so entertaining.  Cinema schlock and pure, honest camp at its finest!

     The plot concerns a group of space explorers landing on the Moon and battling not only a giant spider but a horde of beautiful and telepathic women.  The women you see, plan on overtaking planet Earth and haven't seen men in years.  The hilarious special effects alone make the movie, not to mention the dialogue.  If you're looking for something more along the lines of "The Day The Earth Stood Still", look elsewhere.  "Cat-Women Of The Moon" is an absolute hoot from start to finish, but like I mentioned earlier, much more fun with a large group of people.  I mean, I would watch this movie simply because of the title alone.  And it more than lives up to the title. This is a bona-fide B classic, and a nifty addition to any 50's collection.  Sometimes you're just in the mood for a cheesy, black and white, sci-fi flick from the 1950's.  This is definitely one of those movies.

Double Indemnity

     "Double Indemnity" is hand down one of the greatest mysteries ever filmed, and a shining example of film noir.   Billy Wilder is simply one of the best directors to ever come out of Hollywood, and definitely proves it with this immortal classic.  The man could film anything and make it entertaining, and "Double Indemnity" is pure movie magic.

     Fred MacMurray plays Walter Neff, an insurance agent.  He meets Phyllis Dietrichson, the murderous femme fatale, deliciously and diabolically played with icy perfection by Barbara Stanwyck.  Seems she's a gal who wants to off her husband and seductively pulls Walter into a dangerous web of murder and greed.  Rounding out the cast is the always welcome Edward G. Robinson, who plays Neff's friend and co-worker, Keys.  Keys investigates insurance claims, and the that's where the brilliance of "Double Indemnity" lies.  Keys is an excellent claim investigator, but is Walter smart enough to outwit him?  The plot thickens magnificently until the final, mesmerizing climax.

     "Double Indemnity" is another perfect, rainy-day kind of movie.  It never fails to entertain, no matter how many times you've seen it.  This, along with "Mildred Pierce" or "Sunset Boulevard" (another Wilder classic, by the way...)  are three of my all-time favorites.  It's earned every bit of its reputation as a Hollywood classic, and looks even better than ever today.  It's sly, it's cynical, and it's dark.  It's everything film noir is supposed to be, and regarded by many as the ultimate of its genre.

Charade

     A woman, Regina Lampert, plans to divorce her husband, until she learns that he's been murdered.  Upon meeting a mysterious man at a ski resort, she's suddenly thrust into a thoroughly engaging spy plot.

     Take the delightful Audrey Hepburn, pair her with the suave Cary Grant, throw in a delicious Henry Mancini score, and presto!  you've got the wonderfully entertaining comedy/thriller "Charade" from 1963.  It's almost impossible not to have a goofy smile plastered across your face while watching "Charade".  Apart from the heavenly pairing of the two lead actors, who have impeccable chemistry, by the way- we also get Walter Matthau, George Kennedy, and James Coburn in fabulous supporting roles.  Almost at times coming off like an Alfred Hitchcock film, "Charade" echoes not only Hitchcock but Blake Edwards as well.  To describe "Charade" best, think "Breakfast At Tiffany's" meets "North By Northwest", and you get the picture.  Full of running jokes and colorful characters, "Charade" is an oddly underrated classic- I'm not sure why, because it has all the ingredients of a great movie.  Director Stanley Donen, as mentioned above, directs as if he actually is Hitchcock, and Hepburn and Grant spout off sparkling dialogue throughout the film.  To make matters worse, this was Hepburn and Grant's only screen pairing together, which is a shame.  They both shine here, and seem to fully enjoy working together.
     So if you're in the mood for a clever and witty mixture of suspense, intrigue, romance, and humor, complete with some fantastic location shots, "Charade" is the perfect cocktail for you.  A lovely time capsule of the 1960's, "Charade" is a thoroughly enjoyable and funny "whodunit" that will keep you guessing right up to the climax.  And it's damn near impossible to get Henry Mancini's sensational score out of your head, especially the title tune!

Flamingo Road

         Joan Crawford plays Lane Bellamy, a gal from the wrong side of the tracks.  A carnival dancer/cooch wiggler who finds herself stuck in a small, southern, politically corrupt town, she soon develops a relationship with the sheriff of the small town,  and decides she likes the small-town life.  There's only one problem, though.  The slimy head sheriff, deliciously played by Sydney Greenstreet, wants her out of town.  This is the kind of role Crawford was born to play, and besides the fact that Joan is a bit too old for her part, "Flamingo Road" is still ridiculously entertaining.
     Wonderfully film-noir with crackling dialoge, "Flamingo Road" was made during Joan's peak years.  Hot off "Mildred Pierce" and "The Damned Don't Cry", this is a worthy follow-up effort.  With Joan taking on political corruption in a small, Southern town- it's impossible not to enjoy this.  Besides Crawford in her peak years, the always welcome Sydney Greenstreet plays a memorably corpulent and evil villain.  Amazing that at 45, Crawford could still pull off a role like this, and probably do it in her sleep if asked.  Always riveting, she commands attention, dominating every scene she's in.  But that's just business as usual for Joan.   "Flamingo Road" would even inspire the short-lived but infamous 80's series, starring Stella Stevens and Morgan Fairchild.  Even if you're not a fan of Joan Crawford, it's hard not to get sucked into a film like "Flamingo Road".