Ace in the Hole-1951 (aka
The Big Carnival)
Chuck Tatum (Kirk Douglas) as an opportunist newspaperman. He sees the chance to take advantage of a man trapped in a cave-in in New Mexico and sensationalizes the story. This brings huge interest including reporters and many people to the site, like when a crowd forms to watch a blaze only this will go on for days. The trapped man's wife (Jan Sterling) sees her own opportunity to escape her life in a remote location. It was inspired by a couple of real-life stories, including William Floyd Collins who was trapped in a cave in Kentucky in 1925. It's an uncompromising, tragic, dark film from Billy Wilder.
Funeral in Berlin-1966
Michael Caine as Harry Palmer, who became a spy to avoid prison. He's been sent to West Berlin to help a would-be defector escape to the West. From there, it gets complicated as who can be trusted? There are a couple of nice twists to the story. Some fine location shooting around Berlin and the Wall, especially the opening escape scene. Directed by Guy Hamilton (
Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, The Colditz Story...). Pretty good thriller, more laid back then a Bond film, there are pretty girls though (i.e. Eva Renzi).
Changeling-2008
A true story from late 1920's Los Angeles. A mother's young son disappears without a trace. Months later in Illinois a boy is found claiming to be Walter, Christine Collins' (Angelina Jolie) missing son. Mother and son are re-united. Or are they? A mother's nightmare is compounded by a corrupt police department focused on their image. Somewhat surprising this story isn't more well known, the eventual scope caused a town to change its name from Wineville to Mira Loma, California. Angelina Jolie is very good as a mother who just wants her son back while having to deal with opposition who wants her to go away and takes measures to make that happen. I like how Clint Eastwood dealt with a very painful story in a sensitive manner. Good score and great attention to period detail down to the streetcars. Well done.
The Detective Story-1951
'Do you have a two-way wristwatch like Dick Tracy?'
A day in the life of the 21st precinct squad room in New York. The various folks who end up there include a shoplifter, a man who took money from his employer, a pair of burglars and a doctor who Detective McLeod (Kirk Douglas) believes is responsible for the death of a woman. McLeod is a kind of 1950's Dirty Harry, with his own set of rules when confronting the accused. He is also dealing with his own demons which are affecting his judgement as a law officer. Douglas is convincing and is supported by a strong cast, a number of whom were in the successful play. The film got a list of Academy Award nominations, although no one won. Tough year to be up against films like
A Streetcar Named Desire and
The African Queen. Very well done and influential.
For fans of
Barney Miller, the 1970's sitcom, this film was the inspiration for the show, although the film is pure drama.
