Calaboss

World War II had just ended the year prior to this movie. Americans were tired of four years of war and were ready for some silliness. This movie excels at silliness, teen slang of the era (the word "swell" was apparently very popular with the kids), and boys wearing suits and bow ties to high school.

None of the actors playing the teenagers in this were actual teens when this movie was made. In fact, Frankie Darro, who plays Roy Donne here, was pushing 30. Everything that happens in the movie is about as spicy as white bread soaked in milk. The Hays Code was still in effect in Hollywood, so no curse words, nudity, or evils such as interracial relationships were allowed onscreen. Edgy movies were simply forbidden, so fans of Pulp Fiction or Night of the Living Dead probably won't find much of interest here.

This isn't really a bad movie, but it is extremely dated, so just know going in what you are in for. I've certainly seen worse movies, (Monster a Go-Go comes to mind). So let's all head down to the Teen Canteen and watch the kids cultivate their bald spots and creaky joints.

This little 13 minute piece of meandering nonsense was put out by the U. S. Public Health Service in 1966. They seem mighty worried that stagnant water in the neighborhood is going to result in Yellow Fever breaking out. Of course, Yellow Fever hasn't been seen in the U. S. since 1905, but you know, details. Keep your yards clear of things that can hold water and breed mosquitoes. That way you can ignore this ridiculous short and be free to live a life of spiritual fulfillment.

Team a cop with a clergyman to look into some gang trouble and let this comedy, and action-filled buddy movie begin. Unfortunately, there isn't much in the way of comic hijinks here, and the action is hard to come by too. As far as I could see, the action consisted of one placid car chase, with nary an accident or rollover, and one foot chase. Both seemed intended more as padding for a movie that still only comes in at 88 minutes. Neither seemed very exciting.

Perhaps I'm looking for the wrong thing here, but I've seen so many cop & (fill in the blank) buddy movies that my expectations are more in line with Men in Black, Turner & Hooch, Rush Hour, Bad Boys, Lethal Weapon, and 48 Hours. This adventure was a tad out of my comfort range for such movies.

I've never heard or seen anything by the director or writers of this film before, and I didn't recognize any of the actors. It also seemed a bit preachy for me, but I guess that goes with the territory when one of the "buddies" is a man of the cloth.

Movies with such low budgets can only offer so much. This isn't really a bad movie, it's just not very exciting, so anyone looking for more than dire prose will probably be disappointed. At least I was.