Bandolero! (1968)

“Why do you ride with men like these?”, 24 July 2018

The hangman is summoned to take care of a band of bank robbers lead by Dee Bishop (Dean Martin).  But the real hangman never makes it. Instead, Dee’s brother Mace (James Stewart) takes his place.  Just as the robbers are about to have their necks snapped, Dee uses Mace’s gun to make a daring escape.  With a posse hot on their heels, the gang heads for Mexico. Along the way, they pick up a hostage, Maria Stoner (Raquel Welch).  Maria just happens to be the widow of one of the men killed in the bank holdup. They’ve got a good lead on the dogged sheriff, but once they enter Mexico, they’re in bandolero country.  They’ll have to elude,not only the sheriff, but the local bandits if they’re to escape.

As is obvious from the rating I’ve given Bandolero!, I enjoy this movie.  It’s not perfect - far from it in fact - but it’s got a lot going for it that really works on me.  First, the opening 45 minutes with the robbery, hanging, and escape moves at a really nice pace. It’s a nice way to get things kicked off.  

Second, the acting is stellar and a real key to my overall enjoyment.  Stewart gives a surprisingly touching performance that I wasn’t expecting in a movie like Bandolero!  Martin plays it straight and comes off looking like a real actor. Welch isn’t great, but goes a long way to redeeming herself in the film’s finale.  The supporting cast is top notch with Will Geer, Denver Pyle, Andrew Prine, Guy Raymond, and George Kennedy. Kennedy, in particular, is worth mentioning.  He plays against type and imbibes his Sheriff July Johnson with unexpected vulnerability.

Third, i got a real kick out of Jerry Goldsmith’s score.  Seemingly inappropriate at times, it reminded me a bit of something you’d hear from Morricone in an Italian Western - not an American made Western.  

There are other touches here and there, like some really impressive scenery, but I won’t go into detail.  The biggest complaint i have is with the plotting and pacing after the initial escape. Once in Mexico, the film settles into a predictable pattern - ride, camp, attempted rape, Dean Martin saves the day - repeat.  Still, the overall film is entertaining enough for me to rate a 7/10.

7/10

The Case of the Curious Bride (1935)

"Better look in the coffin, Wilbur. We'll finish our coffee at the morgue.", 23 July 2018

There are a lot of different film genres I enjoy, but one I’ve enjoyed as long as I can remember (at least 45 years) is 30s/40s-era detective/murder mysteries.  For reasons I can’t explain, the early Perry Mason movies have, until the other night, remained unknown to me. I love the Thin Man, Falcon, and the Saint - Perry Mason ticks all the same boxes.  Mix a decent little murder mystery with a bit of nice comedy, snappy dialogue, an appealing cast, and a well-shot, nice looking film and you’ll end up with film that will most likely work on me. The Case of the Curious Bride may not be the best of the bunch, but it is a whole lot of fun.

The plot involves a worried woman named Rhoda.  She tracks down Perry with a story of “friend” who has recently remarried, but is worried her first husband may not be dead after all.  What should the “friend” do? It doesn’t take a detective to see that Rhoda’s in trouble. Perry agrees to help, but before he can do much, Rhoda’s first husband turns up dead - for real this time.  With Rhoda the chief suspect and Perry’s reputation on the line, he’s got to find the real killer.

The Case of the Curious Bride has a couple things going for it.  First, Warren William’s Perry Mason is a joy to watch. Similar to Nick Charles, Mason is a worldly sort - capable of everything from cooking a gourmet meal to solving a murder to just about everything in between.  And he does all with style and grace. His barbs, directed at the police or whoever gets in his way, and his overall wit are real treat. He’s quite a character.

The second is Director Michael Curtiz.  His direction, even in a relatively “small” picture like The Case of the Curious Bride, is spot-on.  The direction is snappy, without a single wasted scene. Curtiz deftly gives the film a light, airy feel that works.  The mix of comedy, mystery, and action is handled expertly. He was a real underrated professional.

Overall, a real treat that I easily rate a 7/10.  

7/10