THE HILLS HAVE EYES (1977)

(Monster Chiller Horror Month film 2 of 14)

The Hills Have Eyes

Previous viewings: None

This was a late seventies midnight movie that I never got around to seeing during the days when I went to see midnight movies.

Wes Craven’s low-budget story of a white bread family traveling out West that gets terrorized by a family of cannibals is not for all tastes, but it certainly is not without its charms (for lack of a better word).

Torn poster: There is a scene after the initial altercation between the two groups in which we see a torn poster of Jaws on the wall, which is later echoed in the film The Evil Dead, which has a scene with a torn poster of The Hills Have Eyes. I hoped to get to the meaning of the torn poster of Jaws from Wes Craven’s audio commentary. Wes’s comment on the scene was, “There’s the torn poster of Jaws.” Hmmm. I guess the meaning will have to be deciphered by future scholars.

It’s not as graphic as The Evil Dead (few films are) but it does have its share of gruesomeness, so those that aren’t satisfied until a certain level of gore is obtained should probably get their fill.

The CB factor: Ah, the days before cell phones-when drama could unfold without the crutch of texting. Yes, this family in need used a CB radio in its time of crisis. I could almost hear the C. W. McCall song Convoy playing in the background. The cannibal family also had to make use of walkie talkies! Walkie Talkies! How cool is that?

But overall, would I recommend The Hills Have Eyes? Would it be in my book?

I’m not so sure, though any movie whose cast includes the unique look of Michael Berryman (above) certainly has at least that going for it.

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KING KONG (1933)

(Monster Chiller Horror* Month film 1 of 14)

King Kong

Previous viewings: about 4

There is only one King Kong.

I’m not talking about the recent (definition of recent: last ten years) Peter Jackson version. And I’m not talking about the infamous Dino De Laurentis version from the Seventies (When the monkey die, people gonna cry!). Nor am I talking about the Japanese King Kong vs. Godzilla, which I saw as kid (I don’t remember who won). Nor any King Kong cartoon like the 60's The King Kong Show, that I admit I use to love. No there is really only one. That, of course, is the 1933 RKO original.

I know the special effects reminds me a lot of the special effects from some of the Rankin Bass Christmas specials (King Kong vs. the Abominable Snow monster?) but I still find them effective. And there are some lapses in logic. I mean there are living dinosaurs on the island of King Kong! Living prehistoric dinosaurs! Yes, Kong is amazing, but why doesn’t anyone seem interested in getting hold of some of those dinosaurs in addition to Kong?

And the character of Carl Denham, the movie director, whose team brings Kong back to the states. It is his greed in trying to capture Kong that leads to the death of most of his ship’s crew, many natives on Kong’s Island as well as many in New York after Kong escapes there. Why doesn’t anyone want to punish this guy? He even gets the films famous last line, “Twas Beauty killed the beast.” The last line of the movie should have been, “Karl Denhman you’re under arrest!”

But these are small quibbles. It’s still great to see Kong fighting the dinosaurs, attacking a trolley or just being obsessed with that beautiful angel, Fay Wray.
And is there a more iconic scene in movies than Kong battling the airplanes from the top of the Empire State Building?

Certainly any movie fan should visit Kong at least once in their lifetime.

*Phrase courtesy of my favorite ficitional late night horror host from SCTV, Count Floyd.

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CARMEN JONES (1954)

Musicals Month (Film 12 of 12)

I really didn’t know what to expect from Carmen Jones. A more modern retelling of Bizet’s Carmen done with an all-black cast? But after viewing, I can see why the movie was included on the 1001 list. It has the music, or at least traces of the original operatic music, integrated nicely into updated songs by Oscar Hammerstein. And the cast is very good, especially Dorothy Dandridge as Carmen. It also made me want to listen to the music of the original Carmen, which I suppose is as good an endorsement as any.

Two things I learned from watching eleven musicals in a row
1. I appreciate them more having watched so many in a row, however…
2. Don’t watch them in a row. You may end up suffering from musicals overload. Spread them out next time.

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SONG OF THE SOUTH (1946)

Musicals Month (Film 11 of 12)

I saw this movie in re-relaease at the Fox Theater in Atlanta in the early 70’s. I thought it was wonderful at the time. The main character was this whiny kid, so it was definitely someone I could relate to! The best part of the film is of course, the imaginative stories of Uncle Remus about Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox (whose voice sounds just like Eddie Murphy to me). It was quite a wonder to see the cartoon characters and live action actors interact.

Seeing it today, the story is a bit thin. Eh, so what? The wonder is still there for me, because the Uncle Remus stories are still imaginative and fun. Too bad the film isn’t in wider distribution.

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GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953)

Musicals Month (Film 9 of 11)

Marilyn Monroe’s other entries on the 1001 list (Her small but memorable role in The Asphalt Jungle and the classic Some Like it Hot) are both films I like more than this one . But Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is probably the film that shows Marilyn (as Lorelei Lee) at her most Monroeviest. I'm talking about the ditz who is a bit of a golddigger, but still comes equipped with a healthy supply of gold already in her heart. And we also get to see her perform “Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend,” probably her most famous screen moment. My favorite line in the movie comes from veteran character actor Charles Coburn, who replies to Lorelei’s line that she was expecting someone older when she meets him with, “Older than what?”

P. S. Jane Russell isn’t exactly chopped liver either, and does a pretty good Marilyn impersonation during the courtroom scene.

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SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (1954)

Musicals month (Film 8 of 11)

The best way to find a wife, as we all know, is to throw a sack over their head and abduct them, especially when seven brothers desperately need wives. Well, there is a suspension of disbelief when it comes to musicals that you have to accept, because it is usually more about the songs and how they fit into the plot. Of course, this one may be more memorable for its dance numbers. And it also takes an even greater suspension of disbelief to accept these rustic mountain folk dancing so gracefully and so damn well. I do think the dance numbers are the highlight of the picture. My favorite is the number where the brothers are chopping wood, dancing, twirling with axes and pining about how they’d rather be sleeping with women than with sheep.

Wunderkind: Stanley Donen directed (or co-directed) three entries on the 1001 list: On the Town, Singin’ in the Rain and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, all well before his thirtieth birthday!

The seven brothers include future Jet from West Side Story, Russ Tamblyn.

The seven brides include: Future Catwoman Julie Newmar (Newmeyer) and future dice roller from the 70’s Alex Trebek game show High Rollers, Ms. Ruta Lee.

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GUYS AND DOLLS (1953)

Musicals month (Film 7 of 11)

I’ll be brief since all these musicals are beginning to wear me out-Engaging story, some pretty good songs, but some of the scenes with Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons are a bit long. When I see Brando and Sinatra together I can’t help but think of Brando in The Godfather in his scenes with the Sinatra stand-in Johnny Fontaine. Is that just me?

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