1950s

  • Fred F. Sears – The 49th Man (1953)

    1951-1960CrimeFred F. SearsThrillerUSA

    Quote:
    U.S. security agent John Ireland suspects that someone is smuggling atomic devices into America. When he makes his report, Ireland is assured by his superiors that nothing untoward is going on. In fact, the higher-ups have had the wool pulled over their eyes by a clever Communist saboteur, who is assembling a super-bomb, with plans to detonate the doomsday weapon somewhere in the States. If we had to have cold-war thrillers, replete with Commie bad guys wearing baggy suits and calling everyone “Comrade”, it’s too bad that all of these films weren’t as entertaining as Columbia’s The 49th Man. The original story was written by Ivan Tors, later the producer of such classic TV series as Science Fiction Theater and Sea Hunt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie GuideRead More »

  • Jack Garfein – The Strange One (1957)

    1951-1960DramaFilm NoirJack GarfeinQueer Cinema(s)USA

    Quote:
    Legendary actor Ben Gazzara made his feature film debut in The Strange One, recreating his Broadway role in Calder Willingham’s gripping “End as a Man”. Gazzara stars as Cadet Sgt. Jocko De Paris, a sadomasochistic bully in a Southern military academy who uses his magnetism and the school’s own military code to manipulate his fellow cadets and officers. When he engineers the expulsion of a hated rival, his reign of terror begins to unravel.Read More »

  • Kyôtarô Namiki – Kenpei to barabara shibijin AKA The Military Policeman and the Dismembered Beauty (1957)

    Japan1951-1960Kyôtarô NamikiMysteryThriller

    synopsis
    Set in 1937, the body of a pregnant woman without head and arms is found in a well. The investigation centres on a military unit, but there are frictions between the civilian police and the military police.Read More »

  • Ida Lupino – Outrage (1950)

    1941-1950CrimeDramaIda LupinoUSA

    A young woman who has just become engaged has her life completely shattered when she is raped while on her way home from work.Read More »

  • Jean Rouch – Moro Naba (1958)

    1951-1960DocumentaryFranceJean Rouch

    Funeral rituals for the traditional leader Moro Naba of the Mossi at Ougadougou, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso). Election ceremonies for his successor. Preparing the feast for the end of mourning. Ceremony in the palace, the people of Ougadougou, the warriors in traditional dress. Presentation of the new leader.Read More »

  • Dino Risi – Poveri ma belli AKA Poor but Beautiful (1957)

    Comedy1951-1960Dino RisiItalyRomance

    Salvatore and Romolo are two young and poor young men that are neighbours and friends. They live with their parents in Piazza Navona, Rome. They are poor but handsome, and both fall in love with Giovanna.Read More »

  • Shôhei Imamura – Nusumareta yokujô AKA Stolen Desire (1958)

    1951-1960ClassicsComedyJapanShohei Imamura

    PLOT:
    Shohei Imamaura’s debut film follows a man who joins a troupe of traveling actors, and becomes involved with one of the married actresses and her younger sister.Read More »

  • Karel Zeman – Poklad Ptacího ostrova AKA The Treasure of Bird Island (1952)

    1951-1960AnimationCzech RepublicFantasyKarel Zeman

    THE TREASURE OF BIRD ISLAND (POKLAD PTACIHO OSTROVA) – 1952, 77 min. Dir. Karel Zeman. Inspired by a Persian fairy-tale, and told in the ornate style of illustrated Persian manuscripts, Zeman’s first feature is set on a remote island, where the inhabitants discover a legendary treasure that brings them both joy and grief. For the first time in BIRD ISLAND, Zeman combined stop-motion puppetry and traditional animation to create a timeless, glittering world of wonders.Read More »

  • Mervyn LeRoy & Anthony Mann – Quo Vadis (1951)

    1951-1960Anthony MannDramaEpicMervyn LeRoyUSA

    America’s mid-20th century love affair with the Biblical epic began with Mervyn LeRoy’s Quo Vadis (1951). And a new Blu-ray by Warner Home Video goes a long way to proving why that’s the case. The saturated colors and epic setpieces that dominate the film’s mise-en-scène are reason enough to sit back and enjoy the spectacle. But Peter Ustinov’s scenery-chewing performance as the last Roman Caesar, Nero, is another great justification. This film was the template for future movies of its ilk, and should be seen for that if for no other reason. Like The Robe (1953), or Ben-Hur (1959), Quo Vadis is based on a historical novel that examines the nascent religion of Christianity through the eyes of an outsider. Here it is loyal Roman commander Marcus Vinicius (Robert Taylor), who falls in love with a Christian slave, the beautiful Lygia (Deborah Kerr), while struggling to remain loyal to the increasingly mad Emperor Nero. Lygia’s entreaties for Vinicius to join her in following Christ’s teachings are initially dismissed.Read More »

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