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Reviews
Beyond Grief: The 'Moors Murders' Remembered (1995)
Moors Murder Victim's Mothers Harrowing Story.
There is only so much you can condense into 48 minutes of onscreen time, however 'Beyond Grief' is a penetrating television docu-drama of very real events that occurred in the fall of 1965 and following year(s).
Britain was stunned in the year of '65 when disturbing reports were coming through about the arrests of a young couple involved in the deaths of several children-soon to become known as 'The Moors Murders'-the killers were Ian Brady & Myra Hindley.
The story is centered on the distress of Mrs Downey and her partner Mr Alan West upon finding their 10 year old daughter Lesley, who vanished from a Boxing Day fairground in the early, but already dark evening of 1964.
I won't go into details here of the case, most of which is well enough known already. Actress Kathryn Aponowicz plays her part here as Mrs Downey with distressing realism, in the frantic search for her missing daughter, there are moments too when the brutal insensitivity of the police are shown, with her home almost ransacked by searching officers.
It was to be another ten months before Ann Downey & her partner were to learn the awful truth about what happened to their 10 year old daughter-who suffered terribly at the hands of Brady & Myra. Mrs Ann Downey had the awful task of identifying her daughters body at Uppermill Mortuary, which is sensitively shown, but awfully chilling, it was necessary for the prosecution to have the girl positively identified by her mother.
Unfortunately for all concerned, Ann Downey had also the terrible ordeal of identifying photographs taken of Lesley as well as hearing her voice & distress on a spool of audio tape found at her murderer's house.
I remember the original SKY screening and it was very distressing.
A very good production shot in black & white which conveys that time frame of 1965-later in the film it changes to colour as the years advance to 1971. Very good too, the period clothing of mid 60s Britain.
All in all a very good production.
Lie to Me: React to Contact (2010)
Very Gripping!
A most excellent episode from start to finish, the war scenes were beautifully filmed and the storyline superb. Eight stars from me.
Happy Ever After: The Hut Sut Song (1978)
Happy ever After: One Of The Best Episodes!
A Hilarious and thoroughly enjoyable episode, especially scenes between Miss Sneed & Terry! No spoilers for those yet to see!! It is a MUST watch episode!!
Damaris Hayman is excellent as the record shop sales assistant, aided by stalwart of then television Julian Orchard as the manager!
What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? (1969)
"...to order toothpaste and STOCKings!!"
I hadn't seen this at all, until very recently on YouTube, and boy was I hooked! I found it a delicious black comedy in every sense of the word. Geraldine Page (a fine actress) very clearly enjoying herself here camping it up as the snooty and obnoxious Mrs Marrible. Geraldine was in good company with Ruth Gordon playing Mrs Dimmock. A very entertaining film, despite its dubious production values. I'd even go as far as to say that I was surprised to find out that this little gem was the supporting feature to the MAIN film, when theatrically released! See it, you will enjoy it!
The Twilight Zone: Night Call (1964)
"Night Call" Supremely Engrossing T Z episode!
I have seen almost ALL of the original TZ episodes, and this one "Night Call" is always the one I recommend.
Beautifully photographed: Embittered and lonely Elva Keane endures unending telephone night calls from her telephone; The phone becomes an instrument of terror-when Elva is trying to get some sleep you can actually SEE the shadow's of the branches on her face from the trees outside-a beautiful touch! Miss Finch: (The telephonist) "About those call's you say you've been receiving Miss Keane.." Elva: "SAY I've been?"... NO spoilers for those yet to see-the pace and suspense never let up until it's heartbreaking conclusion.
Paranoiac (1963)
Creepy macabre chiller from 1963.
Oliver Reed in an early suspensor from 1963 superbly shot in black and white has all the ingredients to keep you riveted for a good hour and a half; Deception/Fraud/Greed/Lust/Murder/Incest/Alcoholism and the Macabre... There are enough reviews already so no spoilers here, though credit to Sheila Burrell as 'Aunt Harriet' for a penetrating and solid performance in a supporting role, I thought she could have done more film, cast perhaps as the archetypal sinister housekeeper. First class cinematography from Arthur Grant. The Macabre chapel sequence has boy soprano chorister singing: 'Hear My Prayer' it stuck in my memory for a long time after I first watched this film.
The Night Caller (1965)
British Sci-Fi Opening Score different to USA release!
There are already quite a few good comments on this unusual film already. However a major difference is the utterly splendid opening instrumental score over the opening credits!The USA release has lounge type of male vocalist singing the films title!- it is dire indeed.Not so the British release, It is very memorable, and have only recently tracked it down though spent decades trying!A superb piece by Alan Haven called "Image" It seems to encompass everything; it is a mixture of spooky organ music set to a mod (ish) and moderate jazzy tone.Quite unnerving it seems to warn the viewers what lies ahead. The opening scenes have a tracking shot showing London by night, and perfectly fits the mid-sixties feel and period of the time. Medra was scary!!
George and the Dragon: Life Insurance (1968)
Hilarious with the Superb Sheila Keith!
Here is Sheila Keith in one of her best cameo appearances, superb comic timing as ever and delivers her lines very convincingly, if only casting agents had used her more often! A very gifted actress-Sheila had an almost unique ability to get inside the minds of viewers, so good was she at the craft of acting. Unfortunately Ms. Keith was always remembered for her part as Dorothy Yates in Pete Walker's "Frightmare" from 1974. Although a terrifying film, and superbly acted by Sheila, so many of her other roles were overlooked. Sheila had as well as serious drama, a gift for comedy par-excellence! There are other feature films that showcase the ability of Sheila Keith: "House Of Mortal Sin" "House Of Whipcord and "The House Of Long Shadows" they are all well worth having a look.
Happy Ever After (1974)
Does anyone remember Damaris Hayman in this great show?
The superb and gifted Damaris Hayman was in at least two of these episodes. One particular show had her as a fifties 'teddy girl' complete with huge swirling skirt and pony tail! It was fabulously funny! If only the Beeb would release these great shows.. Damaris a great character actress who had a affinity for upper middle class parts like prim neighbours/lady magistrate type parts, but her comical delivery was priceless. She was in countless cameo roles in 60's/70's UK comedy television shows. One very memorable TV part was as Miss Hawthorne in 'Doctor Who' (1971) during Jon Pertwee's era, "The Daemons". I would be happy to hear from fans who think likewise.
The Killing of Sister George (1968)
Very amusing with vitriolic dialogue!
A supremely entertaining film I thought, WAY ahead of it's time for the content and theme. The 'showdown' scene between 'Sister George' (Reid) and 'Mercy Croft'(Browne) was excruciatingly funny! a two way band of vitriolic hatred-the dialogue was bitchy and vitriolic in the extreme, overall an excellent movie that contains pathos/paranoia/jealousy/mind-games/spite and vast amounts of HUMOUR!! The fashions and locations are very 'period' of the time-Late sixties. A very good script that never let's you down-you almost can't wait for the next injurious insult/put-down to be heard-I truly believe the way those sentences were constructed were very over the top, but somehow very real and true to life - even now.
Them! (1954)
eerie and still unsettling..
I was 13 around 1971 when I first saw this masterpiece on TV, it unsettled me then and did again on the DVD I bought! The face and close-up of the petrified little girl really is a superb piece of film. A very 'cimematic' film one might say, the eerie desert scenes and unseen malevolent force, you can almost smell. Still very unsettling especially in the early part of the film.The sinister sound effects are superb and special effects are excellent for what is, in effect, a post-war 'Sci-Fi' film. I remember well feeling scared in 'advance' at seeing the distress of the spooked child,wondering with apprehension as to what 'THEM' were. Also of note were the tunnel scenes as the approaching menace were nearly upon the Army of fighters, exciting but scarily so! Thoroughly recommended viewing!
Frightmare (1974)
Genuinely disturbing bone-chiller!
It was with a friend when I first saw 'Frightmare' in the mid-70s in the cinema of my local town, I never forgot the disturbing impact it had for it's time, one of the very few films with a terrible downbeat ending!. Released now on DVD the print I must say is fantastic! it is very clean bright and crisp, despite being an overall 'in the shadows' movie. Ms Sheila Keiths performance as the deranged Dorothy Yates is the only real reason I bought the DVD. In an unforgettable role as the manipulative demonic Mother, Ms Keith delivers terror in every line of her role as Mrs. Yates/Mother.It proves to a point that what is implied and inferred is far more bone chilling than actions, as viewers will see if they choose to watch 'Frightmare', with several sinister tarot card readings. I had the good fortune to meet Sheila Keith many years later, after a theatre production, and what a pleasant and gracious lady she was!- light years away from the character she played, one who lived and breathed in the community of the dead...Recommended viewing for the stout hearted!.
Fanatic (1965)
Memorable suspense!!
Die Die My Darling! IS fun! while meant to be (deadly) serious. Gloriously overacted by Tallulah and quite a hoot most of the time, although upon first viewing, one could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. The boringly overlong prologue, and wooden acting from Ms. Powers, are the only drawbacks I think to the production, although this is very quickly made up for (or UNMADE up for) once, Tallulah Bankhead gets into top-gear!. The close-ups where 'Mrs. Trefoile' assaults her captor are quite frightening and it is well worth having a look; a GOOD film.
Cash on Demand (1961)
Suspense never came better than this!
This film is unbelievably riveting from start to finish. I first saw this film in the late sixties and never forgot this compelling tale of sheer suspense.It is rare indeed for a film with just two principal characters to sustain a film with sheer psychological terror. I'd say don't miss! (albeit, sadly, a little seen movie).
The Tingler (1959)
Superior 50's horror comic.
I was recently fortunate enough to acquire a DVD print of 'The Tingler' complete with colourised dream sequence. I watched this initially as a young teenager and was quite unnerved by it, now 30-odd years later, I can only describe it as a minor masterpiece from Mr. Castle!. The above segment with Judith Evelyn has everything; shameless over-acting, exaggerated camera angles, 'sinister' organ music, scary shadows and other visual references of 'terror'.A must for all die hard fans of hi-camp 50's kitsch and 'horror'...
Voting: 9 out of 10
Nightmare (1964)
Eerie and memorable chiller!
I first saw this little seen and somehow very memorable film, when I was around thirteen or so. The opening asylum and subsequent 'corridor' scenes quite petrified me at the time. Viewing it now, it still sends a chill down the spine! it is a superbly photographed film, the crisp black and white images and contrast augment the 'in the shadows' feel of the film. The stunning outdoor scenes were shot over the freezing British winter of 1962-63. The scenes where Janet is trapped with her Mother are truly chilling and the suspense rarely lets up from there. The outstanding cinematography of this film deserves it to be watched in a darkened room... Do not miss.