Misbehaviour (2020)
China Girl (1942)
Belle Starr (1941)
The Foxes Of Harrow (1947)
El Cid (1961)
Mr Deeds Goes To Town (1936)
Wild Rose (2018)
The Limehouse Golem (2016)
Your Witness (1950)
Undertow (1949) ///
China Girl (1942) Clipped, self-centered George Montgomery seeks fortune as photographer in wartime China before love for principled Gene Tierney provokes conscience. Lush design frames wit, romance and drama. Expansive scope bookends with Japanese barbarity and blistering action.
Belle Starr (1941) Never quite liberates Southern sweep of archetypal independent belle, and jettisons any semblance of historical truth, as spiky Gene Tierney turns into rebel outlaw. Colorful production, stirring Alfred Newman score, solid Randolph Scott follows, principled Dana Andrews tracks them down.
The Foxes Of Harrow (1947) Ripe prolog and playful opening scenes set up indulgent melodramatic potential that fizzles rather than ignites. Strong-willed Maureen O'Hara and singled-minded Rex Harrison well cast, relishing sexual sparring and enduring family and financial tragedy.
El Cid (1961) Expansive storytelling and production, as honorable Charlton Heston loves strong Sophia Loren and becomes legendary leader in Medieval Spain. Anthony Mann's fluid sense of place, Robert Krasker's luminous visuals and Miklós Rózsa's musical emotion elevate to mythic resonance.
Mr Deeds Goes To Town (1936) Artful, winning blend of social comedy and whimsical drama, with innocent, homespun Gary Cooper bringing insight to jaundiced New York and media after inheritance. Manipulative reporter Jean Arthur sees the light, Frank Capra orchestrates rousing emotion.
Wild Rose (2018) Fiery, fragile, conflicted Jessie Buckley, just out of jail, needs to cope with life, young kids and despairing mum Julie Walters, even as she refuses to dim country music dream. Driven by magnetic lead, astute dramatic and musical blend with convincing resolution.
The Limehouse Golem (2016) Channeling Hammer Gothic and gruesome procedural, dogged detective Bill Nighy trails killer in Victoria London, Olivia Cooke is the music hall performer accused of poisoning suspect husband. Heavy on atmosphere, involving in detail, subdued in thrills.
Your Witness (1950) Minor courtroom drama, murder whodunnit, featuring hotshot New York lawyer Robert Montgomery flying to help accused friend in eccentric English village. With echoes of wartime bonds and transatlantic culture clash, languid storytelling never builds real impetus.
Undertow (1949) Swift and functional, crafted to persecute hero with innocent Scott Brady unable to escape criminal past and framed for murder. Finding only refuge on the run with supportive Peggy Dow, efficient rather than ambitious, urban paranoia feeds quest to uncover the truth.
