AIR FORCE (Released to Theaters USA 1943)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Air Force—worth watching—begins as a high quality watch then about 20 to 25 minutes into the film slightly falters with some scenes operating at the soap opera level that seem quite out of sequence with the story itself. There are some poignant scenes as the plane flies over several islands. Overall, the movie is well written and constructed. Some acting seems like the actors know their lines a little too well and that reduces the natural ability to portray their roles realistically. The character development is little to none. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline Several United States Air Corps men fly over islands just as the Japanese are attacking Pearl Harbor during World War II.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Howard Hawks for direction effort. Thank you to Producers Hal B. Wallis and Jack Warner for making the film possible. Cast includes John Garfield, John Ridgely, Gig Young, Arthur Kennedy, and Harry Carey.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Good story, interesting presentation that relies on black and white film footage. The actors show strong maturity. The movie is worth watching. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE FIFTH-COLUMN MOUSE (Released to Theaters USA 1943)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì The Fifth-Column Mouse—slow and not as entertaining as other animated short films—allows coloration to tell its parable.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A cat makes a deal with a mouse that if the cat is provided with all the luxury desires that he has, he will not eat mice.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Friz Freleng for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Voice casting includes: Mel Blanc, Michael Maltese, and The Sportsman Quartet.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. This is a military propaganda short film that has an interesting portrayal.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE WISE QUACKING DUCK (Released to Theaters USA 1943)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì The Wise Quacking Duck—good, animated short film—has good presentation and portrayal.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A man's wife wants duck for dinner, so the man tries get one and targets Daffy Duck.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Robert Clampett for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast Include: Darrell Payne and Mel Blanc. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is a good watch and works from a nicely written story. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SALUDOS AMIGOS (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Saludos Amigos—great family show—shows a sweet side to the Disney animation team’s wartime tour of South America. It’s a nice reminder of the softer animation techniques used with traditional characters of Donald Duck and Goofy and introduces the various countries with an appreciation of their cultural backgrounds. It’s great to see the introduction of a new Disney character, Jose ‘Joe’ Carioca, who was later used in The Three Caballeros movie. Clean, sweet comedy with no unwanted surprises. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Animators travel South America and discover a rich tapestry of human culture and animal culture to interpret on artists’ canvas. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Norman Ferguson, Wilfred Jackson, Jack Kinney, Hamilton Luske, and Bill Roberts for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes: Walt Disney, Norman Ferguson, Frank Graham, Lee Blair, Mary Blair, Pinto Colvig, Clarence Nash, Jose Oliveira, Frank Thomas, and Fred Shields. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good show and worth watching.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

HEAVEN CAN WAIT (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Heaven Can Wait—starts with intrigue—has a story that is slow in presentation. Even though the casting relies on good actors and actresses it quickly loses its momentum and becomes an okay watch.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images                                                                                                      

Storyline 

 A rake believes he will go to hell and presents himself there for entrance. The gatekeeper asks for his story before allowing him admittance. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Ernst Lubitsch for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Ernst Lubitsch for making the film possible. Cast includes: Gene Tierney, Don Ameche, and Charles Coburn. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. There are better films, such as High Society, that have similar storyline but provide higher entertainment value. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

A STRANGER IN TOWN (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

A Stranger in Town gives kudos to honest government, restores faith in leaders, and supports legal structures that rely on honesty rather than bribery. The film is entertaining and has a well-written storyline. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A supreme court justice goes to a small town for a vacation and finds himself entangled in a battle to establish justice within a corrupt legal system. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Roy Rowland and John Burch for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Robert Fisk for making the film possible. Cast includes: Frank Morgan, Richard Carlson, and Jean Rogers. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is suitable, well-written, and entertaining. It has stood the test of time and is an overall good watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers