Here is an early film by David Lean about a chance encounter at a train station that leads to complicated feelings for both parties. It’s “Brief Encounter.” Ceilia Johnson (ever heard of ‘er?) gives a nuanced, emotional performance. And the film is very real and down-to-earth, despite the intensity of the relationships depicted. It’s a love story, if you’re interested in genre things, but there’s plenty for cinephiles to appreciate as well.

Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Alfred Hitchcock. OK, I’m pretty much done. What else shall I say? WWII intrigue, a love story, a well-played villain. These are also things I could say. Also, the length of the kiss between Grant and Bergman put the Production Code office all in a tizzy.

It’s the final edition of Lions, Towers & Trek, wherein we feature someone from Star Trek: The Original Series in a film they made before the show. Here’s DeForest Kelley’s film debut; a rare lead role for him. DK is a man suspected of a crime, who must rely on his disjointed memories and his cop brother-in-law to learn what happened.

If you’ve watched Star Trek, you’ve probably had your share of “I know that person” moments, when it comes to guest stars. So let us consider Ricardo Montalbån, long before he was Khan in Star Trek’s ...

William Shatner made his film debut in this Richard Brooks adaptation of the Dostoevsky novel. Bill is the youngest of the brothers, and he’s fourth-billed, behind Yul Brynner and some other people we...

This summer we celebrate the intersection of classic film and Star Trek. And Lions, Towers & Trek begins with a big one. John Ford’s classic western is an uncomfortable masterpiece. There, that takes ...

Fritz Lang directed a pair of noirs in the mid-40s, starring Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett and Dan Duryea. The other is Woman in the Window. In Scarlet Street Eddie G. Is a mild-mannered cashier wh...

Someone suggested we honor the films of 1926 — 100 years ago — and so we shall. Beau Geste has been remade often, but here is the original, starring Ronald Colman in his matinee idol period. S recent massive restoration of the film has the film looking great, with lots of footage restored. It’s a silent film, if that affects your interest, but it’s quite compelling.

The son of a man convicted of murder faces bullying, then suspicion when he is accused of a crime, too. Directed by Frank Borzage, the film is moody, dark and a bit gothic. Dane Clark and Gail Russell...

Gene Tierney does comedy. John Lund is not bad. And THELMA RITTER IS THE BEST.

Gene Tierney does comedy. John Lund is not bad. And THELMA RITTER IS THE BEST.

Deanna Durbin and Gene Kelly. Gotta be a musical, right? Actually, it’s a film noir, whose connection to Christmas is limited at best. So much misdirection, and I haven’t even told you the plot.

Tracy and Hepburn do “battle of the sexes” and help Judy Holiday launch her film career. There’s a random Cole Porter song, and T & H are adorable. George Cukor directs a great script.

Another tale of evangelicals who use their charisma to con the faithful. Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Shirley Jones and a cast of 50s heavies are all on hand. Based on Sinclair Lewis’ (Dodsworth) sto...

he team behind our previous Spooky Season entry CAT PEOPLE — producer Val Lewton and director Jacques Tourneur — return with the Jane Eyre-inspired tale of a naive nurse summoned to a tropical island ...

Each season has its quota of film noir. So here we go. “A former boxer turned taxi driver earns the scorn of his nagging wife and gets mixed up with jewel thieves.” It’s a B picture with fun performan...

Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy podcast. Bette Davis in her most iconic role, attempts to fend off the usurping Anne Baxter. The drama plays out in the New York theatre. There’s a witt...

A celebration of films from the classic Hollywood era. Shelly Brisbin leads a merry band through recaps and reviews of great old movies from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.

ere is one of the greatest ensembles of the classic era - or any era, for that matter. Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Lucile Ball, Ann Miller, Eve Arden (and cat), Gail Patrick, Andrea Leads. Const...

If you can quote from “Casablanca” or “Gone with the Wind,” you can probably quote from “Now Voyager.” Or you could, with a little reminder. “Don’t let’s ask for the moon, when we have the stars.” An...

This time, Stanwyck is an invalid, who’s having trouble with her phone. I would call it a straight-up female victim tale, but Babs is not what you’d call sympathetic as a character. Even so, should he...

This time, Stanwyck is an invalid, who’s having trouble with her phone. I would call it a straight-up female victim tale, but Babs is not what you’d call sympathetic as a character. Even so, should he...

Stanwyck Summer continues with a “noir tragedy.” She finds herself involved with Kirk Douglas (his film debut), Van Heflin as Lizbeth Scott. Did Missy kill her wealthy aunt, many years ago? Let’s find...

We begin Stanwyck Summer with one of her most iconic films, and greatest performances. Stella Dallas is pure melodrama, so sudsy that the name was taken by a radio soap opera. Stella is a working-clas...

Bette Davis brings the melodrama, right here in the imperial phase of her Warner Brothers career. She’s rich, she’s spoiled. Oopsie. She has a health crisis! Will she become a better person? Will she ...

The first film Fritz Lang made in the US after he fled the Nazis, Fury is the story of a man who is lynched by the residents of a small town. The film is not a groundbreaking 1950s independent product...

If you meet up with Lawrence Tierney in a dark alley - or in a kitchen, for that matter - chances are the encounter won’t end well. Tierney is truly the bad boy of film noir, and no film shows it bett...

Greatest musical of all time, you say? Plenty of people would agree. Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly co-direct Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds through a delightful Comden and Gteen score, no...

This film was a passion project for George Cukor and Katharine Hepburn. RKO let them do it, but the studio was sorry, when the movie confused audiences in 1935, and made no money. It has attained a bi...

Let the show’s 5th year begin! LTS regular Micki Maynard turned me onto this one. Paul Newman and Sidney Pottier star as jazz musicians in Paris. Their love interests are Joanne Woodward and Dihann C...