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Demetrius and the Gladiators

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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.

5 Fingers

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5 Fingers (1952) starring James Mason, Danielle Darrieux, Michael Rennie

Synopsis of 5 Fingers

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®.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World

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movie review of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World (1960) starring Michael Rennie, Claude Rains, Jill St. John, Fernando Lamas

This is the Irwin Allen version of the movie, where the “dinosaurs” are plainly lizards with fins and horns attached, making the “frightening” monsters laughable. And that’s a crying shame.   The acting is fine, and the interaction between the various A-list actors (Michael Rennie, Claude Rains, Fernando Lamas, Jill St. John, David Hedison) is one of the best things about the movie. It should also be said that, despite the title, the movie takes large liberties with the basic story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. For example, in the original novel, there were no female characters at all.

Dangerous Crossing

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Dangerous Crossing (1953), starring Jeanne Crain, Carl Betz, Michael Rennie

Synopsis of Dangerous Crossing

 In Dangerous Crossing, a young bride is set to begin her honeymoon aboard a luxury liner. Her happiness does not last when she finds that her husband has disappeared. Trouble is, no one else ever saw him board the ship with her.  And his name has mysteriously dropped from the passenger list.

Desiree

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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.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

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The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) starring Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe

The Day the Earth Stood Still is one of the classic science fiction movies, and with good reason. The acting is excellent, as are the special effects and cinematography – and with a message that still resonates, decades later.

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