THE CARIBOO TRAIL (Released to Theaters USA 1950)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Cariboo Trail—Randolph Scott and George 'Gabby' Hayes—provides a good, easy-on-the-mind afternoon watch for western fans' entire family.  The faster frames per second for the horse chases are almost comical because it is interesting to see what Producers wanted in their movies in the early days of Hollywood, This film has the typical good versus evil in a black and white 'no excuses' format with evil's defeat at the end of story. Comic relief is provided by George 'Gabby' Hayes and his burro as the burro has a penchant for independently disappearing and reappearing throughout the film. The future looks bright for everyone as the movie concludes. It's a simple Americana story about new starts, hard work, overcoming challenges, and a lot of providence thrown in along the way.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Two men and a cook travel to Canada to start a cattle ranch and look for gold.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Edwin Marin for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Nat Holt for making the film possible. Cast includes Randolph Scott, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Bill Williams, Karin Booth, Victor Jory, Douglas Kennedy, Jim Davis, Dale Robertson, Mary Stuart, James Griffith and Lee Tung Foo.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This film is a good afternoon watch and tells a good to suitable story.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

HOW TO RIDE A HORSE (Released to Theaters USA 1950)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

How to Ride a Horse—short film—features on the 1941 Reluctant Dragon biopic. It was re-released as a 1950 stand alone film. This small, unique movie tells a wonderfully funny and loveably instructive story about the beginning moves that must be taken to ride a horse.  WOW! These early years established back to back short animations that show terrific imagination and originality. The link to watch this short film is:  

https://archive.org/details/how-to-ride-a-horse-1941

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

This short film is an informational comedy about how to ride a horse featuring Goofy the Dog. 

Additional Thanks 

 Thank you to Director Jack Kinney and Assistant Director Lou Debney for directing the movie. Cast Includes Pinto Colvig, and John McLeish  

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It is original, comical, and tells a wonderful story. Great work for all involved.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HARVEY (Theatrical Release USA 1950)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Harvey—great classic movie—shows James Stewart at his best. This is a ‘do not miss’ story and should be in the family home video library. Terrific, easy-on-the-mind, gentle comedic entertainment.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This film is about a Pooka and the man who made it his best friend. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Henry Koster for directing effort. Thank you to Producer John Beck for making the film possible. Cast includes: James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Peggy Dow, and Charles Drake. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Great film. Wonderful story. Terrific cast. Fabulous work for all involved in production from stage settings to costuming to directing, casting, camera work, sound, musical scoring, and producing.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TREASURE ISLAND (Theatrical Release USA 1950)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

Treasure Island—stylized, formulative writing and dialogue—sadly presents its story with exceptionally child-like acting. Child actor Bobby Driscoll is perhaps the best actor in the movie but it’s incomprehensible that the adult actors act in the manner this film allows them the latitude to do. Because of the acting, the movie is not likeable, seems disorganized, and pointless.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young boy acquires a treasure map and he, along with two respectable men, board a ship with the purpose of locating the treasure. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Byron Haskin for directing efforts. Thank you to Walt Disney and Perce Pearce for making the film possible. Cast includes: Bobby Driscoll, Robert Newton, Basil Sydney, and Finlay Currie. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. The film has become dated and the stylization stiffens its presentation. The movie may work as an academic study in techniques used to reproduce classic novels but does not warrant a time and money investment. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

BEWARE OF BLONDIE (Theatrical Release USA 1950)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Beware of Blondie—great to see the comic strip, Blondie, come to life—is one of a string of films made during 1938 through 1950 about Blondie and Dagwood. This movie is the last production of the Blondie movies. This is simple, like the comic strip, and has its own special treatment of these long-beloved characters. It is nostalgic and worth watching for friends and fans of Blondie and Dagwood. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Dagwood is left in charge of the office while Mr. Dithers is gone and lands into trouble with no apparent way out. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Edward Bernds for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Milton Feldman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms, and Marjorie Ann Mutchie. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It is a good, simple watch for fans of the comic strip, Blondie and Dagwood. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers