1954
A Star is Born
A Star is Born (1954) starring Judy Garland, James Mason
As a band singer guided to heights of show-business success by an alcoholic ex-matinee idol, Judy Garland performs one superb song after another (most by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin) in a production – also starring James Mason and directed by George Cukor – that exhilarates with its craft and style even as it moves toward a heartbreaking finale. Shortened after its 1954 premiere and reconstructed to near its original length in 1983, A Star Is Born endures as one of Hollywood’s supreme triumphs.
Read More »A Star is BornThe Atomic Kid
The Atomic Kid (1954) starring Mickey Rooney, Robert Strauss, Elaine Devry
The Atomic Kid is a comedy about … surviving an atomic bomb blast? Yes! Surprisingly, it’s very funny!
Read More »The Atomic KidAll of You [song lyrics]
Song lyrics to All of You (1954) written by Cole Porter. It was written for the Broadway musical Silk Stockings and featured in the film version as well.
Read More »All of You [song lyrics]Rodan [monster movie]
Rodan (1954) starring Kenji Sahara, Yumi Shirakawa, Akihiko Hirata
In Rodan, in the Japanese mining village of Kitamatsu, miners are starting to disappear deep inside shaft number 8. Some of the men sent to investigate are killed but one who has managed to escape brings back a tale of a giant insect.
Read More »Rodan [monster movie]Creature from the Black Lagoon [Richard Carlson]
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) starring Richard Carlson, Julia Adams
In Creature from the Black Lagoon, an expedition exploring the Amazon River discover a ‘Gill Man’. A strange, half man and half amphibian. Thought by the team to be the missing link in human evolution, the creature is captured and kept under observation.
While in captivity it falls in love with the chief scientist’s (Richard Carlson) female assistant (Julie Adams). He kidnaps her before making its escape. Followed by two sequels, ‘Revenge of the Creature‘ (1955) and ‘The Creature Walks Among Us‘ (1956).
Read More »Creature from the Black Lagoon [Richard Carlson]Killers From Space
In Killers from Space, an atomic scientist claims he was abducted by aliens after being injured in a plane crash.
Read More »Killers From SpaceDial M for Murder
Dial M for Murder (1954), starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, by Alfred Hitchcock
Synopsis of Dial M for Murder
When playboy tennis pro Tony Wendice discovers his rich wife, Margot is having an affair with handsome American Mark Hallidy, he devises an ingenious plot to murder her. But when his scheme takes an unexpected, deadly twist, Tony improvises–implicating Margot for first degree murder in this classic spellbinder. Dial M for Murder
Read More »Dial M for MurderDemetrius and the Gladiators
Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954) starring Victor Mature, Susan Hayward
Synopsis of Demetrius and the Gladiators
The story of Demetrius and the Gladiators picks up at the point where The Robe ends. After the martyrdom of Diana and Marcellus, Christ’s robe is conveyed to Peter for safe-keeping. But the emperor Caligula wants it back to benefit from its powers. Marcellus’ former slave Demetrius seeks to prevent this, and catches the eye of Messalina, wife to Caligula’s uncle Claudius. Messalina tempts Demetrius, he winds up fighting in the arena, and wavers in his faith.
Read More »Demetrius and the GladiatorsGodzilla, King of the Monsters
Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1954) starring Raymond Burr
Godzilla, King of the Monsters — the ocean’s surface begins to boil white-hot and a Japanese freighter vanishes into the Pacific. Then, the superstitious villagers of Odo Island fear an ancient legend has come true–the legend of Godzilla! Steve Martin, an American reporter in Tokyo, finds himself trapped in the behemoth’s path of destruction.
Read More »Godzilla, King of the Monsters