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Bye Bye Birdie, starring Dick van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Ann Margaret, Maureen Stapleton, Paul Lynde

Bye Bye Birdie

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Bye Bye Birdie (1963) starring Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Ann-Margret, Maureen Stapleton, Paul Lynde, Bobby Rydell

Bye Bye Birdie, starring Dick van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Ann Margaret, Maureen Stapleton, Paul Lynde

Bye Bye Birdie is a musical, with the songs held together by a fairly funny story. Actually, there are two or three stories interwoven together. It stars Dick Van Dyke as Albert, an unsuccessful songwriter who wants to be a successful chemist. But his controlling mother (Maureen Stapleton) pressures him into staying in the job. Much to the chagrin of his girlfriend Rosie (Janet Leigh). Rosie gets the idea of saving the song business by having them write a song. A song that’s guaranteed to be a hit.

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Spawn DVD cover

Spawn

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Spawn is a superhero movie dark, edgy, etc. that is better known for its special effects than its acting or storytelling — never a good sign.

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, starring Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Benny Hill

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), starring Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Benny Hill

Buy from Amazon I’m very conflicted writing this review of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  I loved it as a child, but I have trouble enjoying it as an adult.  Time Magazine began its review saying the film is a “picture for the ages — the ages between five and twelve” and that’s probably accurate. Even as an adult, I truly enjoy the various musical numbers (especially with Dick Van Dyke at the fair, performing Me Ol’ Bamboo, and several others). As well as the first half of the movie, up until the fantasy dream sequence.

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Thirteen Ghosts, starring Tony Shalhoub

Thir13en Ghosts

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Thir13en Ghosts (2001) starring Tony Shalhoub, Shannon Elizabeth, F. Murray Abraham

The 2001 film, Thirteen Ghosts, is a remake of the 1960 William Castle film, 13 Ghosts. The two films have the following in common:

  • A penniless family inherits a mansion from a deceased, eccentric relative
  • The mansion contains over a dozen ghosts
  • The ghosts can only be seen with special glasses

That’s pretty much it.

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She’s Working Her Way Through College (1952) starring Virginia Mayo, Ronald Reagan

She’s Working Her Way Through College

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She’s Working Her Way Through College (1952) starring Virginia Mayo, Ronald Reagan

She’s Working Her Way Through College is an interesting musical. The basic plot has former burlesque dancer Hot-Garters Gertie (Virginia Mayo) having saved up enough money to attend college. So after talking to her former high school teacher (Ronald Reagan) who’s now a college professor. Who just happens to be in the audience for a  totally innocent reason … And getting hit on by a sleazy man who offers her an oversize fur coat (an important plot point later). She leaves to attend the college where Reagan is teaching, in hopes of writing a successful play.

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Avanti! (1972) starring Jack Lemmon, Juliet Mills, directed by Billy Wilder

Avanti!

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Avanti! (1972) starring Jack Lemmon, Juliet Mills, directed by Billy Wilder

In short, Avanti! is Hollywood excusing adultery. Seriously. The synopsis is as follows:

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