The John Frankenheimer classic tells you all you need to know about Angela Lansbury’s talent. And it’s a crackerjack political thriller, too.

The Manchurian Candidate

Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

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Stan Freberg “History of the United States of America, Part One”

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The Clock is Judy Garland’s first dramatic role. She’s teamed with Robert Walker, who’s a soldier on leave when they meet in New York City. It’s a little bit Affair to Remember, and a little bit On the Town. Really sweet, well-acted romantic film. Directed by Garland’s soon-to-be husband Vincente Minnelli.

The Clock

Shelly Brisbin with Randy Dotinga, Nathan Alderman and Micheline Maynard

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

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Keeper of the Flame is a drama about the dangers of fascism, set early in WWII and directed by George Cukor, the man who made Gaslight, but was better known for comedies and “women’s” films. Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn star in the far better of their two dramatic pairings. Be warned, we talk about politics, both old and new. And, um, Texas history?

Keeper of the Flame

Shelly Brisbin with Brandon Rottinghaus and Judy Samelson

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

The Self-Referential LTS

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Britain’s Ealing Studios is best known for its comedies, including The Ladykillers, The Lavender Hill Mob, and Kind Hearts And Coronets. But this 1945 precursor to those famously funny films deals more with chills than chuckles. Four directors tag-team to adapt a mix of original and classic tales, including one based on a story by H.G. Wells. It’s the rare horror anthology whose framing story is as creepily compelling as its individual tales of terror, building to a memorably hair-raising climax that’ll stick with you through the closing credits and beyond. Come for the golf-induced suicide, stay for the ventriloquist’s dummy.

Dead of Night

Nathan Alderman with Shelly Brisbin and Randy Dotinga

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

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We celebrate the life of Marsha Hunt, who passed away at age 104, last month. She appeared in “Raw Deal” with Dennis O’Keefe and Claire Trevor. It’s a late 40s film noir with wonderful cinematography by John Alton.

Raw Deal

Shelly Brisbin with Randy Dotinga and Nathan Alderman

Get in touch with the show at [email protected] or [on Twitter](https://twitter.com/liontowershield].

The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

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Dead of Night (1945) trailer

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A pair of radio broadcasts by members of the Committee for the First Amendment. This link includes a clip of Marsha Hunt reading a portion of the committee’s statement.

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Director William Wyler’s film tells the stories of three men returning home from World War II and the impact on their lives, their families and their careers. Great performances from Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Myrna Loy and acting newcomer Harold Russell. Lesser-known faves of mine, Gladys George and Cathy O’Donnell are also great to see. Released a year after war’s end, this is the winner of many awards. Wyler served in the war, and I think it shows in the way he made this film.**

The Best Years of Our Lives

Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, Erika Ensign and Randy Dotinga

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

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The first Alan Ladd/Veronica Lake pairing is a film noir/thriller about a hit man doing his job and getting even. Alan Ladd’s cat is unbilled. Please also enjoy Laird Cregar, about whom there’s so much to say!

This Gun for Hire

Shelly Brisbin with Philip Michaels, Randy Dotinga and David J. Loehr

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

The Self-Referential LTS

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The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

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The film version of Cole Porter’s show, which is based on Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” (got that?) landed in the middle of MGM’s big technicolor musical era, the 1950s. Howard Keel, Kathryn Grayson and Ann Miller are your stars, and a very young Bob Fosse is among the standouts in the cast. Movie censors got to Porter’s lyrics, which gives us some fun topics to cover. It’s also your host’s birthday show. Because it’s too darn hot to cover anything else.

Kiss Me Kate

Shelly Brisbin with David Almeida, Annette Wierstra and David J. Loehr

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

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This Gun for Hire (1942)

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Burt Lancaster plays a newspaper columnist who is based on Walter Winchell. Winchell was a powerful, vindictive dude, and Lancaster is deliciously evil here, going after the man his sister loves, because he can. Tony Curtis co-stars as a man doing Lancaster’s bidding to advance his own career. The film is based on Ernest Lehman’s novel, and the screenplay was co-written by Clifford Odets. The script is a strong point, as are Lancaster and Curtis’s performances. Enjoy the great jazz score, and get lost in the sleazy world of press agents and corrupt columnists.

Sweet Smell of Success

Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr, Randy Dotinga, Nathan Alderman and Philip Michaels

Get in touch with the show at [email protected] or [on Twitter](https://twitter.com/liontowershield].

The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

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Kiss Me Kate (1953)

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Barbara Stanwyck is back, and we’ve got her. Here’s a noir melodrama with its share of flaws that I like, regardless. And man, IMDB gives a LOT more plot than I would have. “A pregnant woman adopts the identity of a railroad crash victim and starts a new life with the woman’s wealthy in-laws, but is soon blackmailed by her devious ex.” It’s stylishly directed by Mitchell Leisen, and features lots of familiar character actors. And John Lund is also in it.

No Man of Her Own

Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga

Get in touch with the show at [email protected] or [on Twitter](https://twitter.com/liontowershield].

The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

Next time, we’ll watch

Sweet Smell of Success (1957), trailer

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