Movie: "McLintock!" (1963)

Movie: "McLintock!" (1963)
Director: Andrew V. McLaglen
Writer: James Edward Grant
Country: USA
Release Date: 13 November 1963 (USA)
Runtime: 127 min


- Cast:

John Wayne George Washington "G.W." McLintock
Maureen O'Hara Katherine McLintock
Yvonne De Carlo Louise Warren
Patrick Wayne Devlin Warren
Stefanie Powers Becky McLintock
Jack Kruschen Jake Birnbaum
Chill Wills Drago
Edward Faulkner Young Ben Sage
Jerry Van Dyke Matt Douglas, Jr.
Edgar Buchanan Bunny Dull
Bruce Cabot Ben Sage
Perry Lopez Davey Elk
Michael Pate Puma
Strother Martin Agard
Gordon Jones Matt Douglas
Robert Lowery Gov. Cuthbert H. Humphrey
Leo Gordon Jones
Hank Worden Curly Fletcher
Mari Blanchard Camille
Chuck Roberson Sheriff Jeff Lord
Bob Steele Train Engineer
Aissa Wayne Alice Warren


- Synopsis:

Cattle baron George Washington McLintock (John Wayne) is living the single life on his ranch. He is estranged from his wife Katherine (Maureen O'Hara), who left him two years before, suspecting him of adultery. He holds a record for throwing his hat up onto the longhorn-shaped weather vane at the top of his house every time he comes home drunk. McLintock hires beautiful widow Louise Warren (Yvonne De Carlo) as his cook and welcomes both her and her two children into his home. He also butts heads with Douglas, a sleazy bureaucrat who is looking to discredit McLintock, settle the territory, and remove the local Indians. Sparks begin to fly as an unexpected turn of events results in brawls, gunfire, an Indian attack...and the return of Mrs. McLintock, who wants custody over their daughter Becky (Stefanie Powers) (returning from college) and a divorce from G.W.

Film: "Man in the Attic" (1953)

"Man in the Attic" (1953)
Director: Hugo Fregonese
Writers: Marie Belloc Lowndes & Barré Lyndon
Country: USA
Release Date: 23 December 1953 (USA)
Runtime: 82 min


- Cast:

Jack Palance as Slade
Constance Smith as Lily Bonner
Byron Palmer as Insp. Paul Warwick
Frances Bavier as Helen Harley
Rhys Williams as William Harley


- About The Movie:

Man in the Attic is a 1953 mystery film directed by Hugo Fregonese. It was released in the United States on December 23 by Twentieth Century Fox. The movie, based on the novel The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes, fictionalizes the Jack the Ripper killings which was previously filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1927, by Maurice Elvey in 1932, by John Brahm in 1944, and subsequently by David Ondaatje in 2009.

The story takes place in London, 1888. On the third night of the Jack the Ripper killings, a man rents out an attic from an older couple in need of extra income. The man (Jack Palance), a research pathologist, begins working on his experiments in the rooms. Helen Harley, the landlady (Frances Bavier), becomes suspicious of the man, especially when her niece shows an interest in him.

Movie: "Reefer Madness" (1936)

"Reefer Madness" (1936)
Director: Louis J. Gasnier
Writers: Lawrence Meade & Arthur Hoerl
Country: USA
Release Date: 1936 (USA)
Also Known As: "Dope Addict" & "Tell Your Children"
Runtime: 66 min


- Cast:

Dorothy Short ... Mary
Kenneth Craig ... Bill
Lillian Miles ... Blanche
Dave O'Brien ... Ralph
Thelma White ... Mae
Carleton Young ... Jack
Warren McCollum ... Jimmy (as Warren McCullom)
Patricia Royale ... Agnes (as Pat Royale)
Joseph Forte ... Dr. Carroll (as Josef Forte)


- About The Film:

"Reefer Madness" (originally released as Tell Your Children) is a well-known 1936 American propaganda exploitation film revolving around the melodramatic events that ensue when high school students are lured by pushers to try "marijuana" — from a hit and run accident, to manslaughter, suicide, attempted rape, and descent into madness. The film was directed by Louis Gasnier and starred a cast composed of mostly unknown bit actors.

Originally financed by a church group under the title Tell Your Children, the film was intended to be shown to parents as a morality tale attempting to teach them about the dangers of cannabis use. However, soon after the film was shot, it was purchased by producer Dwain Esper, who re-cut the film for distribution on the exploitation film circuit. The film was then reissued under several titles in addition to Reefer Madness, including Dope Addict, Doped Youth, Love Madness, and The Burning Question. The film did not gain an audience until it was rediscovered in the 1970s and gained new life as a piece of unintentional comedy among advocates of cannabis policy reform. Today, it is in the public domain in the United States and is considered a cult film. It inspired a musical satire, which premiered off-Broadway in 2001, and a film based on the musical in 2005.

Full Length Movie: "The Message - The Story of Islam" (1977)

The Message (1977)
Director: Moustapha Akkad
Writers: H.A.L. Craig & Tewfik El-Hakim
Language: English - Arabic
Release Date: 8 July 1977 (France)
Runtime: 177 min


- Cast:

Anthony Quinn as Hamza
Irene Papas as Hind
Michael Ansara as Abu Sufyan
Johnny Sekka as Bilal
Michael Forest as Khalid
André Morell as Abu-Talib
Robert Brown as Utba
Garrick Hagon as Ammar
Rosalie Crutchley as Sumayyah
Damien Thomas as Zayd
Bruno Barnabe as Umaya
Martin Benson as Abu Jahl
Neville Jason as Jaafar
John Bennett as ebn Salool
George Camiller as Alwaleed
Donald Burton as Amr
Nicolas Amer as Suhayl
Earl Cameron as al-Najashi
Ronald Chenery as Mus`ab
Michael Godfrey as Barra
Habib Ageli as Hudhayfah
John Humphry as Ubada
Peter Madden as Toothless Man
Ewen Solon as Yasir


- Plot:

"The Message" is a 1976 film directed by Moustapha Akkad, chronicling the life and times of the prophet of Islam, Muhammad. Released in both Arabic and English, Mohammad, Messenger of God serves as an introduction to early Islamic history.

The film follows Muhammad first years as a prophet starting with Islam's beginnings in Mecca in which the Muslims are persecuted, the exodus to Medina, and ending with the Muslims' triumphant return to Mecca. A number of crucial events, such as the Battle of Badr and Battle of Uhud are depicted, and the majority of the story is told from the point-of-view of peripheral individuals such as Hamza ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (Muhammad's uncle), Abu Sufyan (the leader of Mecca) and his wife Hind bint Utbah (enemies of Islam who later become Muslims themselves). (Source: Wikipedia)

Full Length Movie: "Lion Of The Desert" (1981)

Lion of the Desert (1981)
Director: Moustapha Akkad
Writers: David Butler (additional material) & H.A.L. Craig
Language: English
Release Date: 25 September 1981 (Finland) See more »
Also Known As: "Omar Mukhtar: Lion of the Desert"
Runtime: 173 min


- Cast:

Anthony Quinn ... Omar Mukhtar
Oliver Reed ... Gen. Rodolfo Graziani
Irene Papas ... Mabrouka
Raf Vallone ... Colonel Diodiece
Rod Steiger ... Benito Mussolini
John Gielgud ... Sharif El Gariani
Andrew Keir ... Salem
Gastone Moschin ... Major Tomelli
Stefano Patrizi ... Lt. Sandrini
Adolfo Lastretti ... Colonel Sarsani
Sky Dumont ... Prince Amadeo


- Plot:

In 1929, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini (Rod Steiger) is still faced with the 20-year long war waged by patriots in Libya to combat Italian colonization and the establishment of 'The Fourth Shore' - the rebirth of a Roman Empire in Africa. Mussolini appoints General Rodolfo Graziani (Oliver Reed) as his sixth governor to Libya, confident that the eminently accredited soldier can crush the rebellion and restore the dissipated glories of Imperial Rome. Omar Mukhtar (Anthony Quinn) leads the resistance to the fascists. A teacher by profession, guerrilla by obligation, Mukhtar had committed himself to a war that cannot be won in his own lifetime. Graziani controls Libya with the might of the Italian Army. Tanks and aircraft are used in the desert for the first time. The Italians also committed atrocities: killing of prisoners of war, destruction of crops, and hamletting populations behind barbed wire.

Despite their bravery, the Libyan Arabs and Berbers suffered heavy losses, their relatively primitive weaponry was no match for mechanised warfare; despite all this, they continued to fight, and managed to keep the Italians from achieving complete victory for 20 years. Graziani was only able to achieve victory through deceit, deception, violation of the laws of war and human rights, and by the use of tanks and aircraft.

Despite their lack of modern weaponry, Graziani recognised the skill of his adversary in waging guerrilla warfare. In one scene, Mukhtar refuses to kill a defenseless young officer, instead giving him the Italian flag to return with. Mukhtar says that Islam forbids him to kill captured soldiers and demands that he only fight for his homeland, and that Muslims are taught to hate war itself.

In the end, Mukhtar is captured and tried as a rebel. His lawyer states that since Mukhtar had never accepted Italian rule, he cannot be tried as a rebel, and instead must be treated as a prisoner of war (which would save him from being hanged). The judge rejects this, and the film ends with Mukthar being executed by hanging. (Source: Wikipedia)

Inspiring True Story: "The Great Debaters" (Full Length Movie - 2007)

The Great Debaters (2007)
Director: Denzel Washington
Writers: Robert Eisele (screenplay), Robert Eisele (story)
Country: USA
Release Date: 25 December 2007 (USA)
Runtime: 126 min

- Cast:

Denzel Washington ... Melvin B. Tolson
Nate Parker ... Henry Lowe
Jurnee Smollett ... Samantha Booke
Denzel Whitaker ... James Farmer Jr.
Jermaine Williams ... Hamilton Burgess
Forest Whitaker ... Dr. James Farmer Sr.
Gina Ravera ... Ruth Tolson
John Heard ... Sheriff Dozier
Kimberly Elise ... Pearl Farmer
Devyn A. Tyler ... Helen Farmer (as Devyn Tyler)
Trenton McClain Boyd ... Nathaniel Farmer
Ritchie Montgomery ... Deputy
Jackson Walker ... Pig Owner
Tim Parati ... Pig Farmer
Robert X. Golphin ... Dunbar Reed
Justice Leak ... Harland Osbourne
Glen Powell ... Harvard Debater #1 (as Glen Powell Jr.)
Brad Watkins ... Harvard Debater #2
Brian Smiar ... Harvard Dean
Damien Leake ... Wilson
Voltaire Sterling ... Paul Quinn Debater
Stephen Rider ... Paul Quinn Debater #2
Gordon Danniels ... Paul Quinn Debate Judge
Donny Boaz ... Oklahoma City College Debater #1
Samuel Elliott Whisnant ... Oklahoma City College Debater
Bonnie Johnson ... Dr. Jennings

- Plot:

Based on a true story, the plot revolves around the efforts of debate coach Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) at historically black Wiley College to place his team on equal footing with whites in the American South during the 1930s, when Jim Crow laws were common and lynch mobs were a pervasive fear for blacks. In the movie, the Wiley team eventually succeeds to the point where they are able to debate Harvard University.

The movie also explores the social constructs in Texas during the Great Depression including not only the day-to-day insults and slights African Americans endured, but also a lynching. Also depicted is James L. Farmer, Jr. (Denzel Whitaker), who, at 14 years old, was on Wiley's debate team after completing high school (and who later went on to co-found C.O.R.E., the Congress of Racial Equality). According to the Houston Chronicle, another character depicted on the team, Samantha Booke, is based on the real individual Henrietta Bell Wells, the only female member of the 1930 debate team from Wiley College who participated in the first collegiate interracial debate in the United States. Wells also happened to be a minor African American poet whose papers are housed at the Library of Congress.

The key line of dialogue, used several times, is a famous paraphrase of Augustine of Hippo: "An unjust law is no law at all."

Another major line, repeated in slightly different versions according to context, concerns doing what you "have to do" in order that we "can do" what we "want to do." In all instances, these vital lines are spoken by the James L. Farmer Sr. and James L. Farmer, Jr. characters.

- Historical background:

The film depicts the Wiley Debate team beating Harvard College in the 1930s. This meeting actually never occurred. The debate most likely similar to the one depicted by the movie was the match up between Wiley and the University of Southern California, who at the time were the reigning debating champions. Wiley College did indeed win this matchup. According to Robert Eisele: "In that era, there was much at stake when a black college debated any white school, particularly one with the stature of Harvard. We used Harvard to demonstrate the heights they achieved."

The film omits another reality: even though they beat the reigning champions, the Great Debaters were not allowed to call themselves victors because they were not truly considered to belong to the debate society; blacks were not admitted until after World War II. (Source: Wikipedia)

Inspiring True Story - Donald Woods & Steve Biko: "Cry Freedom Cry" (Full Length Movie - 1987)

- Unforgettable Song: Peter Gabriel - "Biko" (Live 1986)




Movie: "Cry Freedom Cry" (1987)
Director: Richard Attenborough
Writers: John Briley (screenplay), Donald Woods (books)
Country:UK
Language:English
Release Date: 6 November 1987 (USA) See more »
Also Known As: Grito de libertad - Le Cri De La Liberté

- Cast:

Kevin Kline ... Donald Woods
Denzel Washington ... Steve Biko
Josette Simon ... Dr. Ramphele
Wabei Siyolwe ... Tenjy
John Matshikiza ... Mapetla
Juanita Waterman ... Ntsiki Biko
Evelyn Sithole ... Nurse at clinic
Xoliswa Sithole ... Nurse at clinic
James Coine ... Young boy
Kevin McNally ... Ken
Albert Ndinda ... Alec
Andrew Whaley ... Sub-Editor
Shelley Borkum ... Woods' receptionist
Penelope Wilton ... Wendy Woods
Kate Hardie ... Jane Woods


- About:

Cry Freedom is a 1987 British drama film directed by Richard Attenborough, set in the late 1970s, during the apartheid era of South Africa. It was written from a screenplay by John Briley based on a pair of books by journalist Donald Woods. The film centres around the real-life events involving black activist Steve Biko and his friend Donald Woods, who initially finds him destructive, and attempts to understand his way of life. Denzel Washington stars as Biko, while actor Kevin Kline portrays Woods. Cry Freedom delves into the ideas of discrimination, political corruption, and the repercussions of violence.

According to wikipedia, the film was primarily shot on location in Zimbabwe due to political turmoil in South Africa at the time of production. As a film showing mostly in limited cinematic release, it was nominated for multiple awards, including Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song. It also won a number of awards including those from the Berlin International Film Festival and the British Academy Film Awards.

A joint collective effort to commit to the film's production was made by Universal Pictures and Marble Arch Productions. It was commercially distributed by Universal Pictures theatrically, and by MCA Home Video for home media. Cry Freedom premiered in theaters nationwide in the United States on November 6, 1987 grossing $5,899,797 in domestic ticket receipts. The film was at its widest release showing in 479 theaters nationwide. It was generally met with positive critical reviews before its initial screening in cinemas.

Movie: "Men Don't Tell" (1993)

On March 14, 1993, CBS aired "Men Don't Tell," a TV movie about domestic violence starring Peter Strauss and Judith Light. The twist: Strauss's character, construction executive Ed MacAffrey, was abused by his wife Laura, played by Light.

Based on a true story, it dramatizes the story of a loving husband, who is terrorized by the violent behavior of his wife. He had long endured the physical and emotional abuse heaped upon him by his neurotic wife. He tolerates this not only because he loves her and is concerned over the welfare of his daughter, but also because men are traditionally regarded as weaklings if they allow themselves to be battered by their wives. After one of Laura's destructive tantrums brings the attention of the police, Ed is suspected of being the aggressor! Finally, Laura goes too far and Ed tries to defend himself--whereupon Laura crashes through the front window of her home and is rendered comatose. Ed is arrested for Domestic Violence and Attempted Murder. As he is interrogated, he tells his story of years of abuse, and how he even once sought help by calling a domestic violence hotline, only to get scorned and hung up on. This interrogation takes all night, by highly skeptical police.

While this is going on, his children have been taken to their paternal grandfather, himself a retired police officer, to spend the night. In the morning, young daughter, who chose to remain silent through the years of abuse due to the humiliation and shame, asked the grandfather is her mother was in trouble. This surprised the grandfather, who then asked her why she thought her mother, whom he thought was the victim of his abusive son, would be in trouble? To this she said, "Because mommy hits daddy". "The most sobering point about 'Men Don't Tell' is that we go into the story conditioned to make jokes about wives hurling rolling pins at their husbands and then starkly witness how unfunny and terrifying it really is," the Los Angeles Times' Ray Loynd wrote. He continued: "Light's vicious, insecure wife is a harrowing portrait, although ultimately, to the actress's credit, touched with sympathy. Her bleak image in the movie's last scene is shattering under the fine direction of Harry Winer. And Strauss' pummeled husband - whose wife flails him with sudden, sharp fists that are so realistic they make you flinch - is a study of a warmly masculine man who is no wimp, AND NO WIFE HITTER, either."

USA Today's Matt Roush called the film "violent, unsettling and sympathetically acted," while the New York Times' John J. O'Connor praised the leads for their "searing" performances. The Washington Post's Tom Shales liked "Men Don't Tell," too, praising Light as "superb at bringing out the pathos as well as the hostility in this character." Although the ending of the story could be considered positive and upbeat, it is painfully clear that there are many issues that will never be resolved. First telecast by CBS on May 14, 1993, according to a New York Times Story, "Men Don't Tell" was never rebroadcast on over-the-air television, reportedly because it incurred the wrath of several women's groups. "Men Don't Tell" was seen in 18.3 million homes, ranking third among the week's prime time broadcast, behind ABC's "Home Improvement" and CBS's "60 Minutes."

People may think Ed MacAffrey's experience was an isolated case, but according to the "Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women", 39% of the victims are men. That's nearly four of ten cases, yet nearly 100% of the shelters where domestic violence victims can go with their children take only women. Men can experience this type of abuse for years, not wishing to leave his children behind, in the hands of the abuser, and to become the next target.

Movie: "Frequent Flyer" (1996)

"Frequent Flyer" (1996)
Director: Alan Metzger
Writers: D. Victor Hawkins, Tom Nelson
Runtime: 92 minutes

* Cast:

Jack Wagner ... Nick Rawlings
Shelley Hack ... JoBeth Rawlings
Nicole Eggert ... Miriam Rawlings
Joan Severance ... Alison Rawlings
Elizabeth Ruscio ... Pat Kelsey
Kalen Mills ... Eric
Mark Nutter ... Mitch Burns
Garrett Schenck ... Bill Wells
J.B. Edwards ... Harmon Jacobson


In accordance with wikipedia, "Frequent Flyer" is a 1996 made-for-TV movie starring Jack Wagner, Shelley Hack, Nicole Eggert, and Joan Severance based on a true story about a commercial airline pilot and his attempt to be married to three different women at the same time.


* Storyline:


According to Imdb.Com, the drama is about an airline pilot who is married to two separate women in separate towns and who eventually takes on a third wife.

Much to his dismay, the separate worlds he lives in begin to collide, and the truth of his womanizing and bigamy begin to come to light.