#eliot makeham

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Her Last Affaire (1936) Michael Powell

March 17th 2024

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Sci-Fi Saturday: Once in a New Moon

Week 14:

Film(s): Once in a New Moon (Dir. Anthony Kimmins, 1935, UK)

Viewing Format: Streaming - Amazon Prime rental

Date Watched: 2021-08-27

Rationale for Inclusion:

For all the influence British authors had in shaping the science fiction literary genre, it's taken 14 weeks of posts to get to a film from the United Kingdom. As with most of the new-to-me films watched thus far, I discovered the existence of Once in a New Moon (Dir. Anthony Kimmins, 1935, UK) via the Wikipedia list of 1930s sci-fi films.

Filmed in black and white and clocking in at an economical 63 minutes, Once in a New Moon was a "quota quickie," or what in the United States would be called a B-movie: a low cost, low quality film that would ideally make more money than it took to produce. In other words, the classification of cinematic works more widely associated with film noir and 1950s sci-fi cinema.

Reactions:

It never occurred to my partner or me that we were watching a "quota quickie" in terms of production quality or effects whilst watching Once in a New Moon. The contrast between its quality versus higher budget sci-fi films of the 1930s is not as apparent as the films of the 1950s.

Narratively, Once in a New Moon is more fantasy than science fiction due to only the loosest of cosmic explanations being put forth to explain why the English village of Shrimpton-on-the-Sea would temporarily break away from the Earth and become a self-contained planetoid. At least Harold Drake (Eliot Makeham) is enough of a man of science to attempt a scientific investigation of the phenomena impacting the village, even if many affluent citizens dismiss his theories, insisting that the surrounding countryside has simply been flooded.

The film, however, is more concerned with being a satire of British class and social structure than a sci-fi or fantasy film, which is fine. As someone who grew up on Twilight Zone reruns, I am a sucker for genre tales as social commentary. The satiric bent took my partner and me by surprise, but it also provided an interesting change of pace from the sci-fi films we had watched thus far, which were more concerned with having a general moral than direct commentary on a specific aspect of humanity.

Although, I doubt that Owen Rutter, the author of the original novel on which it was based, or writer-director Anthony Kimmins expected the satire in Once in a New Moon to age as well as it has. Shrimpton-on-the-Sea eventually reconnects with the Earth, albeit after a civil war nearly breaks out amongst its residents, and normality is restored, with little to no immediate evidence that Drake's theories about the phenomena were correct. One of the last lines of the film is Lady Bravington (Mary Hinton) reiterating to Drake that the phenomena that impacted the town was, "just a flood." The audience knows that the supercilious woman is wrong, and it underscores the refusal to accept facts that are inconvenient to her and her class that had been witnessed throughout the film. The moment is a perfect note to end the satire on.

Watching Lady Bravington needing to get the last word in with her incorrect position stung in 2021 though. Yes, by then most shelter-in-place restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic had been lifted thanks to the first version of the vaccine being available to the general public, but anti-maskers, anti-vaxxers and people who insisted that the deadly and debilitating virus was "just a cold" remained an ever present reality, as additional variants of the disease continued to be a threat to public health. Lady Bravington turned out to be the archetype of every conservative, science denying, self-assured white lady of recent memory.

Maybe I should not be too shocked by this commentary, as both the author and screenwriter had lived through the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918, and anti-maskers existed then too. Still, it adds to the reality of the satire in Once in a New Moon and makes the film one of my favorite discoveries of this survey.

[lifejustgotawkward]

365 Day Movie Challenge (2019) - #25: Night Train to Munich (1940) - dir. Carol Reed

As a kind of wartime companion piece to Alfred Hitchcock’s 1938 thriller The Lady Vanishes, Carol Reed’s Night Train to Munich features a number of overlaps between the two films: star Margaret Lockwood as a young lady attempting to solve a conspiracy (involving Nazis in this case), suspense sequences set on a train and in other forms of transportation, the possibility of romance with a goofy yet exceedingly charming Englishman (Michael Redgrave in Vanishes, Rex Harrison in Munich) and the presence of actors Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne in a reprise of the same roles they played in The Lady Vanishes, comic relief in the form of a pair of bumbling but well-meaning Brits called Charters and Caldicott.

The plot of Munich is rather more absurd than that of the Hitchcock predecessor since the villains, a cluster of Third Reich officials, are often buffoonish and give the main characters the benefit of the doubt far too frequently; it’s hard to be as frightened by Lockwood and Harrison’s foes as one ought to be. The other supporting performances in the film are quite good - Paul Henreid, Felix Aylmer, Eliot Makeham and Raymond Huntley chief among them - and Otto Kanturek contributed fine B&W cinematography (sadly he was killed in a plane crash during WWII), but on the whole Night Train to Munich doesn’t quite live up to the hype. On the plus side, however, the Criterion Collection disc’s featurette with Carol Reed historians Bruce Babington and Peter Evans is excellent, giving well-informed and witty insight into the making of the film.

[byneddiedingo]

Burt Lancaster and Nick Cravat in The Crimson Pirate (Robert Siodmak, 1952) Cast: Burt Lancaster, Nick Cravat, Eva Bartok, Torin Thatcher, James Hayter, Leslie Bradley, Margot Grahame, Noel Purcell, Frederick Lester, Eliot Makeham, Frank Pettingell, Dana Wynter, Christopher Lee. Screenplay: Roland Kibbee. Cinematography: Otto Heller. Art direction: Paul Sheriff. Film editing: Jack Harris. Music: William Alwyn. All flashing blue eyes and white teeth, Burt Lancaster swashbuckles in The Crimson Pirate like no one since the elder Douglas Fairbanks -- some of whose acrobatic gags were borrowed by the movie. It's one of those kids'  movies for all ages, with only just enough mushy stuff between Lancaster and Eva Bartok to hold adult interests. Actually, the real romance here is between Lancaster's Captain Vallo and Nick Cravat's Ojo, the latter a mute lieutenant to the dashing pirate captain. Some of the funniest sequences involve the movements in sync of the six-foot-one Lancaster and the five-foot-four Cravat -- the two once had a circus act together. There's perhaps more plot than the movie absolutely needs, involving the pirates coming to the aid of the anti-monarchical rebels on the mythical Caribbean island of Cobra. There Vallo, aka The Crimson Pirate, meets Consuelo (Bartok), the daughter of the rebel leader El Libre (Frederick Lester). Meanwhile, mutiny brews aboard Vallo's ship, fueled by his first mate, Humble Bellows (Torin Tatcher), disgruntled by the fact that Vallo's involvement in politics has got in the way of their routine piratical pursuits of treasure. Eventually, with the aid of a scientist, Prof. Elihu Prudence (James Hayter), Vallo and Ojo vanquish both the mutineers and the forces of the king, led by Baron Gruda (Leslie Bradley), by using the professor's scientific innovations, such as a hot-air balloon and nitroglycerin, as well as the theory that a capsized boat might hold enough air to be used as a kind of submarine. (That last gag was borrowed for the 2003 movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. It was later proved unfeasible on the Mythbusters TV show.) The Crimson Pirate was the kind of hit it deserved to be.

[milliondollarbaby87]

Night Train to Munich (1940) Review

Night Train to Munich (1940) Review

Not long after Germany takes over Czechoslovakia in March 1939, a scientist Axel Bomasch is working on a new type of armour plating and he must be protected.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

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For just $3.99 Night Train to Munich Released on December 19, 1940: A British spy outwits a German spy on the eve of WWII and helps a scientist and his daughter escape the Nazis. Directed by: Carol Reed Written by: Gordon Wellesley, Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder. The Actors: Margaret Lockwood (Anna Bomasch), Rex Harrison (Gus Bennett), Paul Henreid (Karl Marsen), Basil Radford (Charters), Naunton Wayne (Caldicott), James Harcourt (Axel Bomasch), Felix Aylmer (Doctor Fredericks), Wyndham Goldie (Dryton), Roland Culver (Roberts), Eliot Makeham (Schwab), Raymond Huntley (Kampenfeldt), Austin Trevor (Captain Prada), Kenneth Kent (controller), C.V. France (Admiral Hassinger), Frederick Valk (Gestapo officer), Morland Graham (teleferic attendant), Edward Baxter (unknown), Jane Cobb (unknown), Arthur Denton (deck chair attendant), Ian Fleming (official at the Home Office), Irene Handl (station master), Bryan Herbert (inspector on train), Adolf Hitler (himself, archive footage), David Horne (official at Prague Steel Works), Allan Jeayes (prisoner in concentration camp), Albert Lieven (concentration camp guard), Howard Marion-Crawford (SS Officer checking passes), G.H. Mulcaster (unknown), Charles Oliver (SS Officer at concentration camp), Winifred Oughton (unknown), Wally Patch (fisherman), J.H. Roberts (unknown), Billy Russell (Adolf Hitler), Torin Thatcher (unknown), Wilfred Walter (official at Prague Steel Works), John Wengraf (concentration camp physician), Ben Williams (train steward), Pat Williams (unknown), Pardoe Woodman (unknown). This DVD is in NTSC format and is compatible with any DVD player or home computer (zone free). Runtime: (hh:mm) 01:35 *** This item will be supplied on a quality disc and will be sent in a sleeve that is designed for posting CD's & DVD’s *** This item will be sent by 1st class post for quick delivery. Should you not receive your item within 12 working days of making payment, please contact us as it is unusual for ...

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Vessel of Wrath

Watch Vessel of Wrath

Vessel of Wrath: Ginger Ted, AKA Edward Claude Wilson (Charles Laughton) a drunkard and womanizer, and Miss Jones,(Elsa Lanchester) a missionary, live in the Alas Islands. During a cholera epidemic, Ginger Ted and Miss Jones are sent to an outlying part of the island

Genres:-Drama

Actors:-Charles Laughton,Dolly Mollinger,Eliot Makeham,Elsa Lanchester,Fred Groves,Ley…

[saturdaynightmovie]

Minnie Raynor and Eliot Makeham as Mr and Mrs Wallis 

in I Lived With You (1933)

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Dark Journey (1937) Victor Saville

April 7th 2021

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For just $3.99 Decameron Nights Released on January 13, 1953: Three classic Italian tales of lust and love with Louis Jourdan, Joan Fontaine and Joan Collins. Directed by: Hugo Fregonese Written by: Giovanni Boccaccio with screenplay by George Oppenheimer and Geza Herczeg The Actors: Joan Fontaine Fiametta, Bartolomea, Ginevra and Isabella, Louis Jourdan Giovanni Boccaccio, Paganino, Guilio and Don Bertando , Joan Collins Pampinea and Maria, Godfrey Tearle Ricciardo and Bernabo, Binnie Barnes Contessa de Firenze, The Countess, Nerina the Chambermaid and The Old Witch, Meinhart Maur the Sultan, Gordon Whiting unknown, Gordon Bell merchant, Van Boolen Captain, Melissa Stribling girl in villa, Stella Riley girl in villa, Mara Lane girl in villa, Gerard Tichy unknown, Diaz de Mendoza unknown, Carlos Villarias unknown, Eliot Makeham Governor of Majorca, Marjorie Rhodes Signora Bucca, Noel Purcell Father Francisco, Hugh Morton King, George Bernard messenger, Bert Bernard messenger Runtime: 1h 34m *** This item will be supplied on a quality disc and will be sent in a sleeve that is designed for posting CD's DVDs *** This item will be sent by 1st class post for quick delivery. Should you not receive your item within 12 working days of making payment, please contact us as it is unusual for any item to take this long to be delivered. Note: All my products are either my own work, licensed to me directly or supplied to me under a GPL/GNU License. No Trademarks, copyrights or rules have been violated by this item. This product complies withs rules on compilations, international media and downloadable media. All items are supplied on CD or DVD.

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Storm in a Teacup (1937) Victor Saville and Ian Dalrymple

April 11th 2021

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For just $3.99 A Window in London Released on May 15, 1940: A man on his way to work in downtown London sees a man stabbing a girl in an apartment window, and is the beginning of the wildest day in his life. Directed by: Herbert Mason Written by: Brigid Cooper and Ian Dalrympler The Actors: Michael Redgrave Peter Thompson, Sally Gray Vivian Zoltan, Paul Lukas Louie Zoltan, The Great Zoltini, Hartley Power Max Preston, Patricia Roc Pat Thompson, Glen Alyn Andrea, Gertrude Musgrove telephonist, George Carney night watchman Bill, Bryan Coleman Constable, Alf Goddard Tiny, Wilfred Walter foreman Mr. Grant, George Merritt stage manager, John Salew reporter, Pamela Randall unknown, Howard Douglas hotel manager, Cameron Hall hotel doorman, Allan Jeayes Sir Edward, David Keir man stuffing cushions, Eliot Makeham stage doorman Runtime: 1h 17m *** This item will be supplied on a quality disc and will be sent in a sleeve that is designed for posting CD's DVD’s *** This item will be sent by 1st class post for quick delivery. Should you not receive your item within 12 working days of making payment, please contact us as it is unusual for any item to take this long to be delivered. Bonanza Note: All my products are either my own work, licensed to me directly or supplied to me under a GPL/GNU License. No Trademarks, copyrights or Bonanza rules have been violated by this item This product complies with Bonanza rules on compilations, international media, and downloadable media. All items are supplied on CD or DVD.

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For just $3.99 Friday the Thirteenth Released November 15, 1933: This drama opens with a bus crash on a thundery night in London. After the crash, Big Ben moves backwards, as we go back three hours and meet all of the passengers of the bus. Directed by: Victor Saville Written by: Sidney Gilliat, G.H. Moresby-White and Emlyn Williams. The Actors: Jessie Matthews Millie the non-stop variety girl, Sonnie Hale Alf, the conductor, Muriel Aked Miss Twigg, Cyril Smith Fred the Driver, Richard Hulton Johnny, Max Miller Joe, Alfred Drayton the detective, Hartley Power an American tourist, Ursula Jeans Eileen Jackson, Eliot Makeham Henry Jackson, D. A. Clarke-Smith Max, Gibb McLaughlin the florist, Edmund Gwenn Mr. Wakefield, Mary Jerrold Flora Wakefield. Runtime: 1h 46m *** This item will be supplied on a quality disc and will be sent in a sleeve that is designed for posting CD's DVDs *** This item will be sent by 1st class post for quick delivery. Should you not receive your item within 12 working days of making payment, please contact us as it is unusual for any item to take this long to be delivered. Note: All my products are either my own work, licensed to me directly or supplied to me under a GPL/GNU License. No Trademarks, copyrights or rules have been violated by this item. This product complies withs rules on compilations, international media and downloadable media. All items are supplied on CD or DVD.

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For just $3.99 Candles at Nine Released on January 1, 1944: Directed by: John Harlow Written by: Anthony Gilbert with screenplay by Basil Mason and John Harlow The Actors: Eliot Makeham Everard Hope, Beatrix Lehmann Julia Carberry, Everard's housekeeper, John Salew Griggs, Everard's butler, Joss Ambler Garth Hope, Vera Bogetti Lucille Hope, Garth's wife, Andre Van Gyseghem Cecil Tempest, Winifred Shotter Brenda Tempest, Cecil's wife, Reginald Purdell Charles Lacey, Hugh Dempster Hugh Lacey, Jessie Matthews Dorothea Capper, the heiress, John Stuart William Gordon, Turf Commission, Ernest Butcher Everard's gardener, C. Denier Warren Middleton the executor, Patricia Hayes Gwendolyn the maid, Gerry Wilmot Mr. Jarvis, master of ceremonies, Guy Fielding Maurice, Capper's dance partner, James Knight air raid warden, Charles Paton stage door keeper, Julian Vedey Tony the barman Runtime: 1h 15m *** This item will be supplied on a quality disc and will be sent in a sleeve that is designed for posting CD's DVDs *** This item will be sent by 1st class post for quick delivery. Should you not receive your item within 12 working days of making payment, please contact us as it is unusual for any item to take this long to be delivered. Note: All my products are either my own work, licensed to me directly or supplied to me under a GPL/GNU License. No Trademarks, copyrights or rules have been violated by this item. This product complies withs rules on compilations, international media and downloadable media. All items are supplied on CD or DVD.

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For just $3.99 Released in July 2, 1937: During WWI, a British spy and a German spy meet and fall in love. Genre: Adventure Duration: 1h 17min Director: Victor Saville Actors: Conrad Veidt (Baron Karl Von Marwitz), Vivien Leigh (Madeleine Goddard), Joan Gardner (Lupita), Anthony Bushell (Bob Carter), Ursula Jeans (Gertrude), Margery Pickard (Colette), Eliot Makeham (Anatole Bergen), Austin Trevor (Dr. Muller), Sam Livesey (Major Schaeffer), Edmund Willard (General Berlin of German Intelligence), Charles Carson (Head of Fifth Bureau), Philip Ray (Faber), Henry Oscar (Swedish Magistrate), Lawrence Hanray (Cottin), Cecil Parker (Captain of the Q-Boat), Reginald Tate (Mate of the Q-Boat), Percy Walsh (Captain of the Swedish Packet), Robert Newton (Officer of the U-Boat), William Dewhurst (the killer), Laidman Browne (Rugge), M. Martin Harvey (Bohlan), Anthony Holles (the Dutchman), John Clifford (bit part), Cyril Smith (valet). *** This item will be supplied on a quality disc and will be sent in a sleeve that is designed for posting CD's DVDs *** This item will be sent by 1st class post for quick delivery. Should you not receive your item within 12 working days of making payment, please contact me so we can solve this or any other questions. Note: All my products are either my own work, licensed to me directly or supplied to me under a GPL/GNU License. No Trademarks, copyrights or rules have been violated by this item. This product complies with rules on compilations, international media, and downloadable media. All items are supplied on CD or DVD.

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For just $3.99 The Beachcomber Released on December 25, 1938: Love blooms for a drunken beach bum and a frumpy, proper missionary lady when they are stranded together on a deserted South Seas island. Directed by: Erich Pommer Written by: W. Somerset Maugham, Bartlett Cormack and B. Van Thal. The Actors: Charles Laughton Ginger Ted' Wilson, Elsa Lanchester Martha Jones, Robert Newton Mr. Crighton the Controleur, Tyrone Guthrie Dr. Owen Jones, Eliot Makeham the native head clerk, Dolly Mollinger Lia, D.A. Ward Albert, J. Solomon Sergeant Henrik, S. Alley mechanic, Mah Foo Ho, Rosita Garcia Kati, Fred Groves Dutch sea captain, Ley On Ah King Runtime: 1h 32m *** This item will be supplied on a quality disc and will be sent in a sleeve that is designed for posting CD's DVDs *** This item will be sent by 1st class post for quick delivery. Should you not receive your item within 12 working days of making payment, please contact us as it is unusual for any item to take this long to be delivered. Note: All my products are either my own work, licensed to me directly or supplied to me under a GPL/GNU License. No Trademarks, copyrights or rules have been violated by this item. This product complies withs rules on compilations, international media and downloadable media. All items are supplied on CD or DVD.