“The Black Book” (1949)

The Black Book 

Also known as: Reign of Terror

Brief Description:

A powerful figure in the French Revolution desperately seeks his book listing those marked for death, thereby guaranteeing his rise to dictatorship.

Date: 1949

Genre: American historical adventure thriller film noir

Running time: 1 hour 29 minutes 

Cast: 

Robert Cummings as Charles d’Aubigny

Richard Basehart as Maximilien Robespierre

Richard Hart as François Barras

Arlene Dahl as Madelon

Arnold Moss as Fouché

Norman Lloyd as Tallien

Charles McGraw as Sergeant

Beulah Bondi as Grandma Blanchard

Jess Barker as Louis Antoine de Saint-Just

Wade Crosby as Danton

Wilton Graff as the Marquis de Lafayette

Mary Currier as Mme Duval

John Doucette as Pierre Blanchard

Russ Tamblyn as the Blanchards’ oldest son

Ellen Lowe as Marie Blanchard

Anthony Sydes as the Blanchards’ youngest son

Georgette Windsor as Cecile

Shepperd Strudwick as Napoleon Bonaparte (voice) 

Director: Anthony Mann

Production company: Eagle-Lion Films

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

(watched on Tubi)

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 3/5

Honestly, when I started this, I was emphatically not a fan. It's so extremely American. Everyone has the strongest American accents and pronounces all the French names in English. It's excessively jarring. It felt like a play about France, not a movie set in France. 

Characters: 3.5/5

I like d'Aubigny and Madelon... sort of. At least I didn't actively dislike them. I hated Robespierre, of course, and Fouché; and St. Juste, who completely baffled me because I kept thinking he was Armand St. Juste from The Scarlet Pimpernel. (Since Louis Antoine de St. Juste actually existed, I wonder why Baroness Orczy named her heroine's family the St. Justes???) The Blanchards were all nice people, and everyone else I was heartily indifferent towards.  

Plot: 3.5/5

So, first off, the film is so dark I had the hardest time figuring out what was happening 50% of the time. The dialogue, though I had captions, didn't help much. The basic premise, though—the loyal d'Aubigny taking the place of a famous executioner Robespierre called in from Stratsbourg, and trying to help stop him from being dictator by finding the little black book for Barras—was interesting, and by the mid-point I was invested. There were four specific points in the film that made me go from "meh" to "hm": the whole part about Madelon in Robespierre's power, which I felt had great potential as a storyline (I feel like it was underused in the film, though); the scene where St. Juste tries to convince the littlest Blanchard boy to spill the beans but kicks the cat and gets scorned for his pains; the scene where Robespierre almost talks himself out of trouble (reminded me of Mark Antony in Julius Caesar); and the ending with the Napoleon cameo. Also, the scene at the bridge did worry me, so I guess I was more invested than I thought. 

Romance: 3/5

The most passionate kisses I've seen in a black and white movie, lol. I didn't particularly care for d'Aubigny & Madelon's romance, especially since it's never explained why they quarrelled and broke up in the first place. 

Content: 2/5 (low)

Possibly language; drinking; low-necked dresses.

Violence: 3/5 (medium)

2 scenes of torture (a bare-chested man hung by his arms in Robespierre's room & screaming when he's hurt; Madelon hung in the same place & also screaming when hurt); someone is shot in the face; someone is choked out on screen; lots of fighting. 

Overall: 3.5/5

Though emphatically not the best—I'd call it "fluff" entertainment, but it's too grim to be fluff, so maybe just "shallow"?—it has potential and reminded me of some elements of the The Scarlet Pimpernel. I'm not sorry I watched it and I may even rewatch it sometime. 

“Treasure Island” (1972)

Treasure Island 

Brief Description:

Young Jim Hawkins has an unforgettable encounter with pirate Captain Long John Silver and his murderous mates.

Date: 1972

Genre: historical adventure film

Running time: 1 hour 34 minutes 

Cast: 

Orson Welles as Long John Silver

Kim Burfield as Jim Hawkins

Lionel Stander as Billy Bones

Walter Slezak as Squire Trelawney

Ángel del Pozo as Doctor Livesey

Rik Battaglia as Captain Smollett

Jean Lefebvre as Ben Gunn

Maria Rohm as Mrs. Hawkins

Paul Muller as Blind Pew

Michel Garland as George Merry

Aldo Sambrell as Israel Hands

Director: John Hough

Production company: National General Pictures

Based on: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Wikipedia page

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5

Having loved the book, I was eager to try this film and see what I thought of it. The aesthetic and setting was on point—I really enjoyed the island and the ship! 

Characters: 4/5

Jim Hawkins was adorable (I hadn't realized what a little kid he was!). I loved Dr. Livesay in the book, and I loved him here. I liked the Squire most of the time, though he also drove me crazy; but I was surprised by how much I loved the captain! As for Silver, I struggled a lot. Though Tubi has captions, they weren't very good, and I only got about 1 in 10 words he said thanks to his mumbling, so I missed out on a good deal since he's the main character. Ben Gumm was well done though, and so were the other sailors. 

Plot: 4/5

I honestly don't remember the book's plot very well, but what little I did meshed well with the film's plot. I really enjoyed the adventure/swashbuckling aspect and it certainly had my adrenaline and my heart going. I had to take a few breaks towards the end!! 

Content: 3/5 (medium)

Some language; drinking.

Violence: 3/5 (medium)

On-screen murder; habitual violence. 

Overall: 4/5

While probably okay for older kids, it's not quite as family friendly as I expected. But I enjoyed it; it made me want to reread the book; and I'm sure I will rewatch this! 

“Bulldog Drummond’s Peril” (1938)

Bulldog Drummond’s Peril

Brief Description:

Captain Bulldog Drummond finds himself searching for a serial killer who has chosen his targets based on a priceless diamond in high demand.

Date: 1938

Genre: American adventure crime mystery film

Running time: 1 hour 6 minutes

Cast: 

John Barrymore (Colonel Neilson)

John Howard (Captain Hugh 'Bulldog' Drummond)

Louise Campbell (Phyllis Clavering)

Reginald Denny (Algy Longworth)

E.E. Clive (Tenny)

Porter Hall (Dr. Max Botulian)

Elizabeth Patterson (Aunt Blanche Clavering)

Nydia Westman (Gwen Longworth)

Michael Brooke (Anthony Greer)

Halliwell Hobbes (Professor Bernard Goodman)

Matthew Boulton (Sir Raymond Blantyre)

Zeffie Tilbury (Mrs. Weevens)

David Clyde (Constable McThane)

Clyde Cook (Constable Sacker)

Austin Fairman (Roberts)

Director: James P. Hogan

Production company: Paramount Pictures

Based on: The Third Round by Herman C. McNeile

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 3/5

Very 1930s in feel, with an interesting change from a Swiss hotel to busy London to a quiet neighbourhood. 

Characters: 3/5

A new fiancée for Hugh, with Phyllis Clavering the (lucky or unlucky?) lady. Bulldog was all right; Algy was the right amount of stupid; and Gwen was sweet, while the villains were nicely scary. I was annoyed by the colonel, but he wasn't so bad. 

Plot: 3/5

I felt like the story switched directions in the middle, when the synthetic diamonds storyline was taken over by a rival academic storyline. Then again, I had a hard time following this plot in general, and it didn't interest it me much. 

Romance: 3/5

It was fine; kinda cute, nothing more. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

Mild violence. 

Overall: 3/5

It was okay, and I'm not sorry I watched it, but I doubt I will again. Just kinda blah... 

“North & South” (2004)

North & South

Brief Description:

The love story of Margaret Hale, a middle-class southerner who is forced to move to the northern town of Milton.

Date: 2004

Genre: British television serial historical drama book adaptation

Running time: 3 hours 52 minutes

Cast: 

Daniela Denby-Ashe (Margaret Hale)

Richard Armitage (John Thornton)

Sinéad Cusack (Hannah Thornton)

Brendan Coyle (Nicholas Higgins)

Tim Pigott-Smith (Richard Hale)

Pauline Quirke (Dixon)

Jo Joyner (Fanny Thornton)

Kay Lyon (Mary Higgins)

Tom Charnock (Williams)

William Houston (John Boucher)

Emma Owen (Edith Lennox)

Lesley Manville (Maria Hale)

Anna Maxwell Martin (Bessy Higgins)

Brian Protheroe (Mr. Bell)

Jane Booker (Mrs Shaw)

John Light (Henry Lennox)

Will Tacey (Mr. Latimer)

Lucy Brown (Ann Latimer)

Tim Faraday (Watson)

Rupert Evans (Frederick Hale)

Caroline Pegg (Mrs Boucher)

Travis Oliver (Captain Lennox)

David Crellin (Slickson)

Spencer Wild (Tom Boucher)

Director: Brian Percival

Production company: BBC

Based on: North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Wikipedia page

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

I have heard about this show from several friends in the most glowing terms, and I am so happy I finally watched it, because it's amazing! I loved the book so much and this show complements it so well. I absolutely love the setting and gorgeous outfits; I could watch this over and over to enjoy the background. 💙 

Characters: 5/5

Daniela Denby-Ashe is a perfect Margaret Hale. She's so beautiful and innocent and sweet, and yet so fiery! I never thought of John Thornton as broody, but Richard Armitage plays him so well. Sinéad Cusack makes a most striking Mrs. Thornton; Brendan Coyle is the most charismatic and loveable Nicholas Higgins despite the character's flaws; and Mr. + Mrs. Hale are better than in the book, while Dixon is so sweet. I hated Fanny SO MUCH but the Higgins girls were sweet and so is Mr. Bell!

Plot: 5/5

I honestly don't really remember the plot of North & South but I think this changes the story just a tiny bit. I really don't care, though. It captures the reality of Victorian England well and mixed grief, humour, and sweetness so well. 

Romance: 5/5

While I HATED the misunderstandings and pride that kept them apart so long, the last few minutes of the last episode made up for everything. I never understood why everyone talks about The Hand Flex™️; but the Offering a Hedge Rose when she was grieving the fact that they were missing is The Sweetest Thing Ever and I grinned like a fool over it 💙 this story reminds me of Pride & Prejudice, kind of like a sort of retelling! Also, either this book or Jane Eyre has a very mouthy kiss. I forget which. 

Theme/Message/Topics: 5/5

Just like the book, there's a lot of great thoughts about the mills and strikes. 

Content: 5/5 (low)

I think there's a few instances of swearing. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

Mild violence when a mob tries to attack Thornton; a man is found suicided by drowning; mention of children starving.  

Overall: 5/5

This was such a beautiful experience and I love it so, so much 💙 

“Jane Eyre” (1983)

Jane Eyre 

Brief Description:

A young governess falls in love with her mysterious employer, but a terrible secret puts their happiness at risk.

Date: 1983

Genre: British television serial adaptation

Running time: 5 hours 11 minutes

Cast: 

Zelah Clarke (Jane Eyre)

Timothy Dalton (Mr. Rochester)

Carol Gillies (Grace Poole)

James Marcus (John)

Shady (Pilot)

Jean Harvey (Mrs. Fairfax)

Colin Jeavons (Briggs)

Damien Thomas (Mason)

Joolia Cappleman (Bertha)

Eve Matheson (Leah)

Morag Hood (Mary Rivers)

Blanche Youinou (Adèle)

Elaine Donnelly (Diana Rivers)

Kate David (Bessie)

Sian Pattenden (Young Jane)

Judy Cornwell (Mrs. Reed)

Andrew Bicknell (St. John Rivers)

Robert James (Brocklehurst)

Lockwood West (Wood)

Mary Tamm (Blanche Ingram)

Anne Dyson (Hannah)

Director: Julian Amyes

Production company: BBC 

Based on: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë  

Wikipedia page

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

This was my first time watching a Jane Eyre adaptation, and I was a bit anxious because JE is one of my top favourite books in the world. But within the very first episode I knew I'd absolutely love this. It was so detailed (11 episodes of ~30 minutes each) and captured the surroundings and atmosphere of the book SO well—especially the clothes and hair! 

Characters: 5/5

Jane is perfect. While not strictly pretty, she's little and fairylike and strong and passionate (and speaks french well enough to understand!). Rochester is a little bit too handsome, but he's brusque and impassioned and is big enough to emphasize Jane's smallness. Adèle (and her nurse!) is a french girl with a perfect accent, of course; and Mrs. Fairfax is so sweet. The other characters all play their parts well (St. John is perfect, but his sisters aren't pretty enough in my opinion) and overall I have no complaints for a single character here. 

Plot: 5/5

It follows the plot of Jane Eyre almost perfectly, and made me want to reread the book SO MUCH because of how accurate it is! 

Romance: 4/5

I would have preferred fewer kisses between Rochester & Jane, but otherwise it's good. (Either this show or North & South have a very mouthy kiss that made me uncomfortable. I forget which, unfortunately.)

Theme/Message/Topics: 5/5

Less God than in JE, but still a lot more than I expected! 

Content: 3/5 (medium)

Several instances of swearing; Mason's shirtless following his attack for several minutes.

Violence: 3/5 (medium)

The scene after Mason is attacked is pretty gory. 

Overall: 5/5

I lost my heart to this adaptation and I already want to rewatch it 💙 

“Dick Tracy vs. Cueball” (1946)

Dick Tracy vs. Cueball

Brief Description:

When bad guy Cueball realizes he's been betrayed by his crew of criminals, he starts hunting them down, along with his arch nemesis Dick Tracy. 

Date: 1946

Genre: American action film

Running time: 1 hour 3 minutes 

Cast: 

 Morgan Conway (Dick Tracy)

Anne Jeffreys (Tess Trueheart)

Lyle Latell (Pat Patton)

Rita Corday (Mona Clyde)

Ian Keith (Vitamin Flintheart)

Dick Wessel (Harry "Cueball" Lake)

Douglas Walton (Percival Priceless)

Esther Howard (Filthy Flora)

Joseph Crehan (Chief Brandon)

Byron Foulger (Simon Little)

Jimmy Crane (Junior)

Milton Parsons (Higby)

Skelton Knaggs (Rudolph)

Ralph Dunn (Policeman)

Director: Gordon M. Douglas & James Anderson

Production company: RKO Radio Pictures

Based on: the comic strip about Dick Tracy by Chester Gould

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

(watched on Tubi)

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5

I watched this years ago but didn't remember any of it, so I just rewatched it. Once I got past the atrocious comics in the opening (I don’t know why they bother me so much, but they just feel violent??? idk) and realized that the ridiculous names (Filthy Flora? Percival Priceless? Mr. Sparkles, the jeweller?) are probably from the comic strip, I still didn't enjoy it much 😆 The setting is okay, though. Feels like NYC or something. The train part vaguely reminds me of another period film I watched (must hunt it down) and I enjoyed seeing the neon lights of the Dripping Dagger, and all the hidden rooms—and the scenes in Tracy's house. 

Characters: 3/5

I hated Cueball. He's terrifying, not because he's smart, but because he's so terribly ruthless and powerful. However, there wasn't much of anyone else to like except Tess, Junior, and the other kid—oh, and Vitamin, who's hilarious. Tracy's okay, but I didn't particularly care for him; and Patton is the stereotypical dumb sidekick but not funny enough to actually be interesting 😆 

Plot: 3.5/5

Archive's very succinct description for this film is "A police detective uses his girlfriend to track down a homicidal maniac," and while there's a lot more that happens, I do think that's kind of the sticking point, because what idiot lets his girlfriend fill in the place of a policewoman when the guy you're hunting has already killed at least three people, if not four?? Apart from Cueball's murder spree, the whole diamond saga was interesting, but there wasn't enough humour to balance out the violence in my opinion. 

Romance: 4/5

Vitamin jokingly tries to make Tess jealous when they find a queue of policewomen going into Dick's office. When only one girl is left with him Tess does get jealous and barges in. 

Content: 3.5/5 (medium)

Lots of drinking in the Dripping Dagger. 

Violence: 3/5 (medium)

Cueball strangles four people onscreen; someone gets run over by a train. 

Overall: 3.5/5

Not the worst film ever, but Cueball ruined it for me. I just couldn't stomach him. 

“The Mystery of the Thirteenth Guest” (1943)

The Mystery of the Thirteenth Guest

Brief Description:

Thirteen years after a dinner party in which the thirteenth guest failed to arrive, the remaining guests are being murdered one by one, and their bodies being placed at the same dinner table in the appropriate seats they occupied thirteen years prior.

(from Archive)

Date: 1943

Genre: American crime/mystery comedy thriller

Running time: 1 hour 1 minute

Cast: 

Helen Parrish (Marie Morgan)

Dick Purcell (Johnny Smith)

Tim Ryan (Lt. Burke)

Frank Faylen (Speed DuGan aka McGinis)

Jacqueline Dalya (Marjory Morgan)

Paul McVey (Adam Morgan)

John Duncan (Harold Morgan)

John Dawson (Tom Jackson)

Cyril Ring (John Barksdale)

Addison Richards (D.A.)

Lloyd Ingraham (Grandfather Morgan)

Robert J. Anderson (young Harold)

Shirley Jean Anderson (young Marie)

Mike Donovan (Desk Sergeant)

Lester Dorr (Carter)

Dick Gordon (Uncle John)

Herbert Heyes (Dr. Sherwood)

Donald Kerr (Photographer)

Wilbur Mack (Coroner)

Richard Neill (Uncle Wayne)

Dick Rush (Cop)

Fred Toones (Valet)

Director: William Beaudine

Production company: Monogram Pictures

Based on: The Thirteenth Guest by Armitage Trail

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

(watched on Tubi)

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

I watched this years ago and remembered really liking it, so when I watched it again I allowed my little sisters to watch over my shoulder. 😉 The setting is creepy and dusty and reminds me of Great Expectations, which is fun. 

Characters: 4/5

The only really likeable characters in this whole thing are Marie, Johnny, and Harold, who's an adorable little brother. Burke, though the typical 1930s/1940s American cop in his loudness and rudeness, isn't over the top (especially in comparison to Bill Street) and I enjoyed his banter with Johnny, as well as Speed's comedic relief. Everyone else is pretty nasty, as Grandfather Morgan stated... 

Plot: 4.5/5

Honestly I feel like this should be creepy, but it's got too much comedy to be very creepy. Mostly it's just baffling. I enjoy the whole hidden room aspect, and the murder system itself is very interesting. 

Romance: 4/5

Tiny but cute thread of romance between Johnny & Marie. 

Content: 4/5 (low)

1 kiss. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

A masked killer; attempted strangling; people die onscreen (very staged).  

Overall: 4.5/5

Overall, I'm still a fan. It's fun! Apparently there's a 1930s version, so I want to watch that too at some point.

“The Woman in Green” (1945)

The Woman in Green 

Brief Description:

When several young women turn up dead, each with a missing finger, the trail leads Holmes to a society of hypnotists and a mysterious temptress.

Date: 1945

Genre: American horror mystery film

Running time: 1 hour 8 minutes 

Cast: 

Basil Rathbone (Sherlock Holmes)

Nigel Bruce (Dr. Watson)

Hillary Brooke (Lydia Marlowe)

Henry Daniell (Prof. Moriarty)

Paul Cavanagh (Sir George Fenwick)

Matthew Boulton (Insp. Gregson)

Eve Amber (Maude Fenwick)

Frederick Worlock (Dr. Onslow)

Tom Bryson (Cpl. Williams)

Sally Shepherd (Crandon)

Mary Gordon (Mrs. Hudson)

Percival Vivian (Dr. Simnell)

Fred Aldrich (detective)

Leslie Denison (barman)

Olaf Hytten (butler)

Boyd Irwin  (detective)

Harold De Becker (shoelace seller)

Alec Harford (Commissioner of the CID)

Director: Roy William Neill

Production company: Universal Pictures

Inspired by: The Final Problem & The Adventure of the Cardboard Box by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

(watched on Tubi)

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5

I believe this is a pattern with the Basil Rathbone SH films, though I've only seen four; but anyways, these are set in the then-contemporary world of the 1940s—an interesting and enjoyable change. It actually reminded me somewhat of “Lured” (1947) in the setting. 

Characters: 4/5

Basil Rathbone does the cool, efficient, somewhat brusque side of Holmes so well. I'm not a fan of Nigel Bruce as Watson—the doctor isn't stupid, fat, or old. And Henry Daniell is a most un-frightening Moriarty. The Fenwicks, and Lydia Marlowe, are interesting characters, however. I would have liked to see Crandon have a storyline; it almost seemed to me at times as if the dialogue was building up to that. 

Plot: 4/5

It's an intense beginning (once again reminding me of “Lured”) as random girls are found murdered throughout London, minus a digit. The hypnotism angle honestly feels a bit cliché, and I don't like Nigel Bruce's humiliation at the Mesmer Club, but the ending is pretty dramatic, there was some good humour, and I enjoyed the elements from The Final Problem.  Holmes has a spectacular quote at the end, too... 

Holmes: I'm thinking of all the women who can come and go in safety in the streets of London tonight. Stars keep watch in their heavens, and in our own little way, we too, old friend, are privileged to watch over our city. 

Content: 4/5 (low)

Smoking, drinking. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

Off-screen murder & death. 

Overall: 4/5

Overall, it's not the best SH film I ever saw, but it's entertaining.