1950s

  • Montgomery Tully – Five Days (1954)

    1951-1960CrimeFilm NoirHammer FilmsMontgomery TullyUSA

    Quote:
    A failed business deal forces James Nevill to blackmail his weak-willed friend into murdering him so that his wife can collect his insurance, but circumstances suddenly change.Read More »

  • Tadeusz Makarczynski – Do redakcji nadszedl list AKA A Letter at the Editorial Office (1950)

    Tadeusz Makarczynski1941-1950DocumentaryPolandShort Film

    Quote:
    The documentary shows the work of journalists and the importance of the press in building socialism. It is an exemplary implementation of the socialist-realist convention imposed on Polish cinema in 1949, in which all elements of the film structure were subordinated to the persuasive function.

    In accordance with the convention of a propaganda documentary, the image in “Do redakcja nadszedł list” / “A letter has arrived to the editor” is exclusively an illustration of the propaganda commentary on which the construction of the entire film is based. As in many works of the 1950s, the authors combine in it few observational elements with staging, the documentary element with the fictional one. Read More »

  • Joachim Kunert – Tatort Berlin AKA Crime Scene: Berlin (1958)

    1951-1960CrimeGermanyJoachim Kunert

    Quote:
    Rudi Prange intends to have a fresh beginning once he is released from prison, and he’s off to a good start with a new job at a transportation company. Yet, despite his good intentions, Rudi is pulled into a smuggling incident by a colleague. Even though he has decided to remain silent on the issue to protect his new position, another unrelated crime—the murder of two police officers—leaves behind evidence that leads to Rudi. He finds himself defending his innocence until a new piece of evidence finally leads the police to the real perpetrator.Read More »

  • Nicholas Ray – Hot Blood (1956)

    Nicholas Ray1951-1960DramaMusicalUSA

    Stephen Torino (Wilde), who is tricked by his brother Marco (Adler) into an arranged marriage with tempestuous Annie Caldash (Russell). Annie is willing to give the union a go, but Torino wants none of it.Read More »

  • Jack Arnold – Man in the Shadow (1957)

    Jack Arnold1951-1960CrimeUSAWestern

    The town of Spurline is basically run at the beck and call of local cattle rancher Virgil Renchler (Orson Welles), who owns many acres of grazing land in the area. But with that kind of power comes a recklessness, and a lack of control over the worst instincts of his men, who he supports unconditionally no matter what. The breaking point may have arrived, however, when two of his employees march into the living quarters of the Mexican labourers Renchler employs and drag out one of the younger members, into a tool shed where he is beaten to death, it would seem these men believe they can get away with anything. But what they didn’t reckon on is a witness…Read More »

  • Herbert L. Strock – Battle Taxi (1955)

    1951-1960DramaHerbert L. StrockUSAWar

    In the Korean war, the commander of an Air Rescue helicopter team must show a hot-shot former jet pilot how important helicopter rescue work is and turn him into a team player.Read More »

  • Robert Siodmak – Katia AKA Adorable Sinner (1959)

    Robert Siodmak1951-1960DramaFranceRomance

    The Tsar Alexandre II meets a young student, Katia. He understands that he loves her and try to send her away but they end up seeing each other again and becomes his mistress. With the help of Katia, Alexandre prepares a liberal constitution, but these reforms make him hostile to the more privileged subjects without satirising the revolutionaries against the regime.Read More »

  • Joseph L. Mankiewicz – Julius Caesar (1953)

    Joseph L. Mankiewicz1951-1960ClassicsPoliticsUSAWilliam Shakespeare

    Synopsis:
    Brutus is convinced by a scheming band of Roman senators, led by Caius Cassius, that his dear friend Julius Caesar intends to dissolve the republic and install himself as monarch, and he joins a conspiracy to assassinate him. Brutus stirringly defends his actions, but when Mark Antony responds with a speech that plays upon the crowd’s love for their fallen leader, a battle between the two factions is assured.Read More »

  • Howard W. Koch – The Last Mile (1959)

    Howard W. Koch1951-1960DramaFilm NoirUSA

    Plot Synopsis:
    A late ’50s upgrade of the 1931 film by the same title, this version of trouble on death row by Howard Koch is more violent than its predecessor — a hint of the trend toward shock for its own sake that would one day dominate action films and thrillers. The setting is a cell block of nine inmates scheduled for execution and the first half of the drama focuses on the horror of that last walk. A grim death in the electric chair is in no way glossed over. All nine prisoners are more appealing than any single guard, giving rise to the question of whether or not the men should exchange places. Then “Killer” John Mears (Mickey Rooney) comes along. His vicious attitude infects the environment and his plans to break out of prison are the catalyst for tragedy. by Eleanor MannikkaRead More »

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