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"Stray"

Nena Eskridge's riveting story of an abused woman desperate odyssey to find normality in a chaotic world is yet another echo of the dark side of past film noir classics. It is through Nena Eskridge's bold direction that this film defines itself as a "dark film" a.k.a. "film noir" through the films use of light and shadow and it's criminally inclined malevolent characters. While the film was obviously produced on a small budget, it reminds one of past classics like "Psycho" and "Identity". Nena Eskridge artistic rendering is painted with a broad brush filled with a Hitchcock cinematic type of magic that causes the viewer to wonder "What is going to happen next?" Actresses Gabrielle Stone provides a stellar performance as a confused and tormented young woman who is running from a dark past and is willing to do anything and everything to find a new life. This film is a timely reminder that "what we want, is not always what we want" and "what we get, is not always what we get". Arita Trahan turns in an amazing performance as an older woman that provides a much needed comparison as well as contrast to Gabrielle Stone's character. The cinematography provided by David Landau was excellent, and while the film was shot in color it still fulfills the necessary ingredients to be "film noir". Kudos to Nena Eskridge for the creation of her wonderful story of a woman with a mirror cracked personality who struggles to find a new life while trying to run away from a dark and disturbing past. This time around with Nena Eskridge's capable direction, the old adage "You Can't Go Home Again" takes on a whole new meaning.

"Demetrius and the Gladiators" succeeds as a worthy sequel to "The Robe". Both films are historically flawed but provide ample cinematic excitement in their religious story telling. Victor Mature, who plays the lead role in this film, appeared in three box office champion films in the 1950's; #1 "Samson and Delilah"(1950), #1 "The Robe" (1953), and #6 The Egyptian" (1954). "Demetrius and the Gladiators" was made in the same year that "The Egyptian" was made and it did not make the top ten Box Office Champion listing. The battle in the arena between Glycon (William Marshall) and Demetrius (Victor Mature) is reminiscent of the battle between Kirk Douglas and Woody Strode as gladiators in "Spartacus" six years later. The most exciting scene in the film is Demetrius battling four tigers in the arena. One can only wonder how the stunt man pulled this scene off considering the setting and the time that this film was shot as computer graphics were not available. Susan Hayward is a welcomed addition to the magnificent sets and costumes. It is my understanding that there was some film left over from "The Robe" and that is why this film was made. One scene I thought was particularly awkward when Saint Peter (Michael Rennie) has a cup of wine thrown on him by Messalina (Hayward) when he tries to convince Mature to return as a Christian. Mature then offers him some wine.... and Rennie awkwardly replies that he "already has had some." The ending when St. Peter (Rennie), Demetrius (Mature) and Glycon (Marshall) march away after Caligula's (Robinson) demise is hysterically funny. I thought the emperor according to religious history had St. Peter crucified upside down. Anyway if your not looking for historical accuracy, and are looking for some exciting entertainment .... you may find this film of some interest.

Universal pictures "The Ghost of Frankenstein" was but another link in a long chain of successful sequels that helped movie audiences forget the "horrors of the present" such as WWII. Often times these films had a stock of actors like the John Ford acting troupe playing different characters in different films. In this one veteran actor Lionel Atwell portrays the jealous Dr. Theodore Bohmer who seeks to upstage Cedric Hardwicke (Ludwig Frankenstein) and bring the Frankenstein monster back to full strength. It all seems to be one big family affair as Hardwicke plays Basil Rathbone (Wolf Frankenstein) aka the son of Frankenstein's brother. To make matters worse Atwell dies in this one but re-appears as another character (the mayor) in the sequel "House of Frankenstein". Bela Lugosi (Ygor) of "Son of Frankenstein" re-appears as Ygor and this time wants a new body for his devious brain. Evelyn Ankers who played Lon Chaney Jr. (The Wolfman) girl friend portrays Elsa Frankenstein (Hardwicke's wife). Lon Chaney Jr. sheds his Wolfman garb and appears as the Frankenstein Monster. It's all very confusing.... but somehow the cast and the writers make it all work ... and we can all kick back and forget all the horrible things that are really going on in the real world.