THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH (Released to Theaters USA 1970)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Phantom Tollbooth—creative and complicated—seems built more for the older teen and adult viewer due to its storyline which will be understood by an older viewer but leave the younger viewer with animation and no comprehendible story. There is a crossover between live action and animation that is fresh and exceptionally well done in the beginning scenes and ending scenes. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A boy enters a tollbooth and encounters two kings, one who thinks that letters are the most important and the other thinks that numbers are the most important. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Chuck Jones, Abe Levitow, and Dave Monahan for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Chuck Jones for making the film possible. Cast includes Butch Patrick, Mel Blanc, Daws Butler, Candy Candido, Hans Conried, June Foray, Patti Gilbert, Shepard Menken, Cliff Norton, Larry Thor, and Les Tremayne.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, the movie is a creative offering for the older audience and presents concepts that are uniquely handled.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TWO MULES FOR SISTER SARA (Theatrical release USA 1970)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Two Mules for Sister Sara—some suggestive themes and some nudity—serves western movie fans with its solid story and great writing. The movie itself has been skillfully made with some especially good camera work that focuses on the expected and then switches to the unexpected (such as scenes showing a deadly snake slithering on the ground with a horse and rider approaching and then zooming out to show the rider is riding along a ridgetop and the snake is slithering far below the ridge). Clint Eastwood and Shirley MacLaine have surprisingly good onscreen chemistry and give talented performances. Overall, this is a good, adult watch.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Revolutionaries fight the French occupation of Mexico. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Don Siegel for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Martin Rackin and Carroll Case for making the film possible. Cast includes: Clint Eastwood and Shirley MacLaine. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Playful adult western with comedic elements written into dialogue. The movie serves Clint Eastwood fans.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

 

KELLY’S HEROES (Theatrical Release USA 1970)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Kelly’s Heroes—interesting cast of characters—has Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, and Donald Sutherland. WOW! It’s perfect casting as this set of actors offset each other very well. The movie is a war, comedy, and action film that is easy to digest and provides a quality watch if the audience is looking for comedy. Watch for the guest appearance of Carroll O’Connor from All in the Family sitcom television series. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A group of soldiers discover that there is a huge cache of gold bars hidden in a vault behind German lines and the story is on. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Brian Hutton for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gabriel Katzka, Harold Loeb, and Sidney Beckerman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Carroll O'Conner, and Donald Sutherland. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie entertains with a very sweet mix of comedy, action, and war drama. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

THE CHEYENNE SOCIAL CLUB (Theatrical Release USA 1970)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Cheyenne Social Club—loveable and comical—teams two classic actors, James Stewart and Henry Fonda, to create a fresh, original movie that viewers will not soon forget. The wonderful placement of the characters is established early on in the film with much elaboration developed throughout the movie. No character contradictions here. Surprising to see Gene Kelly as the director. The film is based on sexual innuendos but know there are no explicit sex or nudity scenes in the film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A cowboy inherits a hotel and goes to claim his inheritance with his friend. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Gene Kelly for directing effort. Thank you to Producers James Lee Barrett and Gene Kelly for making the film possible. Cast includes: James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Shirley Jones, Sue Ane Langdon, Elaine Devry, Jackie Russell, Jackie Joseph, Sharon DeBord, Robert Middleton, Robert J. Wilke, Dabbs Greer, and John Dehner. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. High comedy and delicate handling of subject matter mark this film as a great watch. More than worth the time and money investment. Buy that ticket! 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers