The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962) starring Laurence Harvey, Karlheinz Böhm, Claire Bloom, Barbara Eden – fictional but fun. The segment with Terry-Thomas and Buddy Hackett is absolutely hilarious!
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Sergeant York is the story of World War I hero who captured German position single-handedly. It begins with his early life, and conversion, and his inner conflict over going to war.
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The FBI Story is a Hollywood biography of the early years of the FBI, told via flashback through the life story of one of its early agents.
As with most Hollywood biographies, The FBI Story needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Having said that, Jimmy Stewart does a wonderful job of portraying the early FBI agent. The story intertwines his personal life story with that of the agency. The story works well, with the various personal moments mingling well with the agency’s growing pains.
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The valet to the British ambassador in Turkey during WWII decides to improve his lot …. By selling his employer’s top-secret documents to the Nazis. This classic spy film stars James Mason. Based on the true story of Elyesa Bazna, one of the most famous spies of World War II. It was nominated for two Academy Awards®.
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Orson Welles‘ performance in Black Magic is absolutely riveting. It’s a must-see performance. He plays the role of the charlatan Cagliostro with gusto, and style. Welles moves the audience from sympathy for the character to disgust for some of his actions, and back to sympathy. The other performers also do an excellent job. But it’s Welles performance that makes Black Magic a must-see movie.
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A historical movie, dealing with the life of Mary of Scotland. With some typical Hollywood liberties with historical fact. But with excellent performances all around.
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Her eyes shine as brightly as the diamonds at her slender throat or as the countless candles that turn the Palace of Versailles into a light-drenched fantasy world. She is Marie Antoinette, Queen of France: beautiful, imperious, headstrong…and doomed. With an opulence exemplifying Hollywood’s Golden Era at its most glamorous, the grandeur and revolutionary fervor of 18th-century France sweeps across the screen in this nominee for 4 Academy Awards?. Elegant Best Actress Oscar? nominee Norma Shearer stars in the decades-spanning title role, Tyrone Power plays her ardent beloved, John Barrymore is crafty Louis XV and debuting Robert Morley portrays timid Louis XVI. From ballroom to boudoir to guillotine, Marie Antoinette is regal romantic adventure.
Desiree (1954) starring Jean Simmons, Marlon Brando, Michael Rennie, Merle Oberon Like all Hollywood biographies, Desiree needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Especially regarding historical accuracy. Having said that, however, it’s a very interesting film. It weaves the lives of four people and two countries together.
Cardinal Richelieu is a 1935 American historical film directed by Rowland V. Lee and starring George Arliss, Maureen O’Sullivan, Edward Arnold and Cesar Romero. It was based on the 1839 play Richelieu by Edward Bulwer-Lytton depicting the life of the great seventeenth century French statesman Cardinal Richelieu and his dealings with Louis XIII.
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movie review of “The Jolson Story”, a fictionalized account of the life story of Al Jolson, played by Larry Parks (with the actual singing done by Al Jolson himself) with loads of music, and a massive success when it was released.