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I happened to come across this Marcus Welby TV episode, "A Full Life" and at first didn't recognize the actor Richard Basehart who plays a well- seasoned researcher, Professor Kirkcastle, whose health is scarred by past illnesses incurred in Malaysia that can turn serious for him in later life. He proves to be a very difficult patient for Marcus Welby to deal with but is willing to go along with the tests and treatment after some objections. It was easy to recognize the lovely Phyllis Thaxter later in the story as the nurse who tries to keep the professor in line and not overdo himself although he is adamant on going on this latest excursion to explore certain plants in a remote area. For me it was a trip down memory lane to see the old actors once again. At least we can appreciate having these films of them so many years later.

I've just seen "Stingaree" the first time on TCM and enjoyed every bit of it as it takes me back to the excitement of the early movies I saw as a kid paying 25 cents for an all-day stay at the theatre on Saturday. To start was an hour of cartoons, the newsreel, then two feature films and we could stay to see it all over again if we wanted to. Those were the days! It does seem that the subject of Nellie Melba could've had a strong influence on this story, an unknown Australian singer who becomes famous worldwide. Irene Dunne is the servant girl Hilda who has dreams of a career and is given the chance to sing for the impresario Sir Julian. I had visions of Jeannette MacDonald in this role, it's her style, but Irene Dunne gives a more integrated performance and her singing is finer as it has somewhat more volume to project, in my opinion.

There ought to be a special medal created for Mary Boland, she's quite something in all her films, over the top, hilarious, showy, a grand flurry of mannerisms, delightful and absurd. She certainly adds wit to her films. Her amusing reference to protecting "British womanhood's virginity" brought back the quip, "Oh no, my dear, you mean chastity. Britain wouldn't have survived on women's virginity," was quite a funny hint.

Richard Dix has the role of Stingaree, the thief who is being hunted but he does have a good heart and is determined to help Hilda get her chance to be heard by Sir Julian which succeeds and she's off to make her career although Stingaree unfortunately gets captured in the process and must put in his time in jail during her venture into the world.

I'm always charmed by Una O'Connor who plays Annie the maid. She has such a distinctive presence in all her roles, one can only wonder what it'd have been without her in so many great movies such as Robin Hood (Errol Flynn) and Witness For The Prosecution (Ty Power).

Henry Stephenson performs as the man of the house, Mr Clarkson, married to the Mrs., Mary Boland, his is not a very large role but well done.

Andy Devine is quite young in this film and he plays the 'sidekick' of Stingaree for their robbery excursions.

One ought to be fair in judging the old movies, after all, the acting that was done in silent films is not what they did when talkies came along. So too, we should consider the time period and settle into that when viewing the oldies. Each decade brought along its own styles and fashions, and that needs to be taken into account when making a comment.

All in all I enjoyed a first viewing of this adventure/ romance/ comedy film and I believe it's available to buy so that's good news too. Add it to your collection if you are a dedicated collector. Well worth it!

Now that many British films are available on the internet I was pleased to discover this one today. It appears to be a lovely mix of five time periods in England, a glimpse into the past when life was simpler and closer to the land, "rustic" would best describe it.

It's wonderful to see the in-between films of fine actors such as John Clements (of The Four Feathers, 1939), and Roland Culver. Emlyn Williams, who is credited with writing the dialogue, appears as a haunting presence in each story, a reminder of the poorer people who are usually the ones to suffer most. Each tale illustrated how the townspeople rose up to defy injustices as well as dealing with newcomers who were different which unfortunately reflected some of the fears and superstitions of their time especially toward the gypsy girl. The episode of wartime in 1804 made me realize how the state of marriage was often decided on as a ticket to a lifetime of security, much like Jane Austen's constant reference to a good match being based on the person's annual income.

I love the British films, very nostalgic. It also made me realize how in North America we are not tied as much by traditions or ancestral land memories, ours is still a relatively new world here.

"This England" is a treasure of early British films, produced during the war years, and reveals the extent of the Brits' determination and fortitude as they lived through challenging times in centuries past and in the present.