planktonrules

"Triangle: Remembering the Fire" is a documentary about the notorious Triangle Shirt Waist Factory fire in 1911...one that killed 146 women. Much of the reason for so many deaths is that the company simply didn't spend any money or effort on safety measures...such as fire drills or emergency exits.

The story is told through various interviews and old photos...along with music. And this is THE problem I have with the film. While it's otherwise a very good documentary, the music is beyond a bit annoying. Much consists of a violin played in a very high pitch and in a very frantic manner...to the point of making me tense. Other times, you hear very deep and pretty awful cello music. Now making the viewer tense could be a good thing because of the type of story...but here I couldn't help but compare it to another documentary on the exact same topic, "Triangle Fire" shown on PBS's "American Experience". This film is about equally good with content BUT does not have such annoying music. My advice...see that one if you can find it. It is an important part of our history and should be remembered...just not with this film score.

"This Side of the Law" is a noirish film with mostly unknown or second-tier actors...but it is quite enjoyable and worth your time. It's just that the plot is REALLY tough to believe...and you must suspend disbelief to get through it.

Kent Smith plays a drifter who is up on vagrancy charges. However, a lawyer plays his fine and offers him a proposition...pretend to be someone else for a few days and earn $5000! The difficult to believe things are that the drifter could look like the long-lost Malcolm AND that he'd ever agree to such a preposterous plan. Plus, it seems pretty clear who the villain is in all this. But, it IS interesting and is well acted. Smith, in particular, was a very good actor and despite being a minor leading man, he's very good here.

Overall, it's a neat film with noir elements (such as the narration, some of the camera work and the bleak nature of the story) and one that is very good but mostly unknown. Well worth seeing...and I found a copy of this on HBO Max.

By the way, Warner Brothers evidently had little confidence in the film, as after they completed it, it sat on a shelf for about 18 months...a sure sign they thought they'd wasted their money on this one.

"Canyon River" is a remake of "The Longhorn", a film I have not yet seen...so I cannot compare the two. However, if it's close to being as good as "Canyon River", it's well worth your time.

Steve (George Montgomery) is a cattleman with vision. Instead of the usual longhorn cattle, he wants to bring in some new breed to improve the quality and value of the meat. However, this means driving the cattle from Oregon to Wyoming...a HUGE distance. But there are two problems he doesn't foresee. First, his foreman and best friend, Bob (Peter Graves), is a jerk down deep and has arranged to betray Steve to a crooked rancher, Maddox. The plan is to steal the cows and divide them between Bob and Maddoc...and Steve has no idea he's going to be betrayed. To make things worse, once they arrive in Oregon, Steven can't find hands willing to make the long drive. In desperation, he hires a tough group of ex-outlaws and troublemakers. So, you assume, one way or another...Steve is screwed. See the film...see what happens.

This film has several things going for it. First, Montgomery is excellent in the lead...more believable and less bulletproof than the usual cowboy hero. His character is also written very well. Second, the supporing characters are really good...with Marcia Henderson and Alan Hale, Jr. Providing great support. The same can be said for Graves...though seeing him in a western sure feels odd! Overall, a surprisingly good and effective film...one I really liked.