"Ship of Fools" a movie from 1965

A couple of years ago, the retro channel featured "Ships of fools", a very intense movie from 1965.   It was based on a novel by the same name.   

The story is very complicated about a collection of characters traveling in a German ship from Veracruz, Mexico, to Bremerhaven, Germany, in 1933. 

Let me share a couple of observations.   

First, it is a very long movie, i.e. 149 minutes!    Get ready for a long movie.  This is not your typical 90-100 minute movie.   

Second, you need to be familiar with what happening in Europe or the world in 1933.   Otherwise, you may miss some of the political comments or not appreciate the context of the story.

Overall, a very good movie but I did not read the book.  My experience is that often the book is better.

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1952: "Decision before dawn", a different World War II movie

"Decision before dawn" is a very different World War II movie.    

It's not "The longest day" or "Saving Private Ryan", a couple of wonderful movies about D-Day 1944.    It's not "Casablanca" or a love story either.    

The film is about Germans helping the allies march through Germany with Richard Basehart as the US soldier who recruited Germans.  

The story is intense.   We've grown so accustomed to Germans as the bad guys that we forget many were opposed to Hitler and what he was doing.

It is a good movie.    However, be patient with the story because it takes time to develop.  

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"Nightmare Alley", a movie from 1947

A few weeks, the retro channel featured "Nightmare Alley", a movie from 1947.  

Tyrone Power plays Stanton Carlisle, "....a mentalist whose lies and deceit prove to be his downfall."

The movie is intense.  I will have to watch this movie again to get a better sense of the plot and the characters.  

Nevertheless, I liked it.   Frankly, I love these black and white movies.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1946: "The Razor's edge", a very intense movie

Before I start, let me tell you that "The Razor's edge" from 1946 runs about 145 minutes, or a very long time.    Nevertheless, the plot is very different and will keep you tuned in.

It is the story of Larry Darrell, played by Tyrone Power, a young man who just returned from World War I.    He was deeply affected by the war and needs a little to find the important things of life.

His girl is Isabel Bradley, played by Gene Tirney, a beautiful young woman who has marriage and commitment in mind.

There are other great performances in the movie, such as Clifton Webb and Anne Baxter.   Cecil Humphreys as "The Holy Man" is great.

Larry and Isabel do not get married.   They pursue different paths but circumstances bring them back together much later.

And the rest is up to you to watch.    I think that you will enjoy it.    It is based on a popular book by W. Somerset Maugham.    

The Razor's Edge.......1946 movie.... https://t.co/nT5KJCEwdb via @amazon

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) February 22, 2017

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  

We remember “I love Lucy” 1953-57

Before we were Hispanics, or thought about leaving Cuba, there was “I love Lucy” on TV up here.

On this day in 1957, CBS aired the last “I Love Lucy” episode. It was the 181st episode of one of the most successful TV shows ever.    

Many years ago, our family watched “I love Lucy” episodes in Wisconsin. My mother loved to hear Ricky break out in Spanish. Of course, we all loved Lucy’s antics.

It’s hard to pick a favorite show or segment but Lucy speaking with Ricky’s mother is up there for me

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1937: The Hindenburg disaster

We remember one of the great tragedies of the 20th century.    It happened on this day in 1937 when the Hindenburg burst into flames killing 36 passengers and crew members. 

Herb Morrison's audio commentary is one of the greatest radio calls of the 20th century.

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