The Abdication 1974 PG, 103 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Anthony Harvey Cast: Peter Finch, Liv Ullmann, Cyril Cusack, Michael Dunn, Paul Rogers, Kathleen Byron, Graham Crowden, James Faulkner, Harold Goldblatt, Noel Trevarthen
Set in the 17th century, Sweden's Queen Christina converts to Roman Catholicism and abdicates her throne. Love with a Cardinal follows in this so-so historical drama.
|  | |
Black Narcissus 1947 N/R, 100 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger Cast: Deborah Kerr, Jean Simmons, David Farrar, Flora Robson, Sabu, Kathleen Byron, Esmond Knight, Judith Furse, Jenny Laird, May Hallatt, Shaun Noble, Eddie Whaley Jr., Nancy(2) Roberts
When five nuns, led by Sister Clodagh (Deborah Kerr), set up a mission in the Himalayas, they are beset with the problems of isolation and inclement weather. Hoping to lessen their problems, they enlist the aid of a British agent, Mr. Dean (David Farrar). Photography is excellent. Oscars were received for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration and Cinematography.
|  | |
Emma 1996 PG, 111 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Douglas McGrath Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Northam, Toni Collette, Greta Scacchi, Alan Cumming, Juliet Stevenson, Ewan McGregor, James Cosmo, Denys Hawthorne, Sophie Thompson, Kathleen Byron, Phyllida Law, Edward Woodall, Polly Walker, Rebecca Craig
Based on Jane Austen's novel, this is the story of Emma Woodhouse (Gwyneth Paltrow) who is obsessed with interfering in others' lives. She delights in playing matchmaker for her friends Harriet (Toni Collette) and Reverend Elton (Alan Cumming) and even brings together her governess (Greta Scacchi) and Mr. Weston (James Cosmo). Emma is so obsessed with matchmaking that she is clueless about the fact that she is falling in love with Mr. Knightly (Jeremy Northam). Will she wake up in time to learn some things about herself before it is too late?
|  | |
I'll Never Forget You 1951 N/R, 90 min. Genre: Drama / Fantasy / Romance aka: The House in the Square Man of Two Worlds
Director: Roy Ward Baker Cast: Tyrone Power, Ann Blyth, Michael Rennie, Dennis Price, Beatrice Campbell, Kathleen Byron, Raymond Huntley, Irene Browne, Felix Aylmer, Arthur Denton, Robert Atkins, Peter Drury
American nuclear physicist Peter Standish (Tyrone Power) is working in England and living in an 18th-century mansion he inherited from an ancestor. One rainy evening, Peter is strolling in the neighborhood when he is hit by lightening. He awakens transported back into the 18th century and is now his own ancestor. While "living" in the past, he meets and falls in love with his cousin Helen (Ann Blyth) and uses his scientific knowledge to help improve 18th-century living conditions. Another thunderstorm shoots Peter back to the 20th century, and he learns from old, family documents that Helen had died before ever marrying. Now his friend Roger (Michael Rennie) introduces him to his sister Martha (also played by Ann Blyth) who looks just like Helen, and Peter and Martha instantly fall in love. This film begins in black and white, and then switches to color when Peter awakens in the 18th century.
|  | |
A Matter of Life and Death 1946 PG, 104 min. Genre: Drama / Horror / Fantasy / Thriller aka: Stairway to Heaven
Director: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger Cast: David Niven, Kim Hunter, Robert Coote, Richard Attenborough, Marius Goring, Roger Livesey, Raymond Massey, Kathleen Byron, Bonar Colleano, Abraham Sofaer, Joan Maude, Robert Atkins, Bob Roberts, Edwin Max, Betty Potter
Returning from a World War II bombing run, Squadron Leader Peter Carter (David Niven) realizes his plane will not make it. He talks on his radio to RAF worker June (Kim Hunter) and then jumps, certain that he will die. But a miracle occurs, and Carter awakens in the surf (the angels couldn't find him in the fog, so he didn't die). He and June meet, fall in love, and talk Heaven into waiting.
|  | |
Night of the Eagle 1962 N/R, 90 min. Genre: Horror / Thriller aka: Burn, Witch, Burn!
Director: Sidney Hayers Cast: Janet Blair, Peter Wyngarde, Margaret Johnston, Anthony Nicholls, Colin Gordon, Kathleen Byron, Reginald Beckwith, Norman Bird, Jessica Dunning, Judith Stott
When a professor brings his new bride home, major problems develop that involve the occult and his former love.
|  | |
Tom Brown's Schooldays 1951 N/R, 93 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Gordon Parry Cast: John Howard Davies, Robert Newton, Diana Wynyard, Hermione Baddeley, Kathleen Byron, James Hayter, John Charlesworth, John Forrest, Michael Hordern, Max Bygraves, Francis De Wolff, Amy Veness, Brian Worth, Rachel Gurney, Michael Brennan
In this remake of Thomas Hughes' novel, John Howard Davies takes on the role of Tom Brown, a first-year student at Rugby School. Tom must deal with his new surroundings at boarding school and makes friends with East (John Charlesworth). Unfortunately, Tom and East must deal with bully Flashman (John Forrest) who adds stress to their lives. The new headmaster Dr. Arnold (Robert Newton) tries to deal with the problem but is ineffective–until matters rise to a head, and Dr. Arnold expels Flashman from Rugby.
|  | |
Twins of Evil 1971 R, 87 min. Genre: Horror / Thriller / Drama
Director: John Hough Cast: Peter Cushing, Mary Collinson, Madeleine Collinson, Dennis Price, Kathleen Byron, Isobel Black, Damien Thomas, David Warbeck, Harvey Hall, Katya Wyeth, Alex Scotgt, Judy Matheson, Luan Peters
In this final film of the Hammer Films' trilogy based on Sheridan LeFanu's "Carmilla," the twin Playboy centerfolds Madeleine and Mary Collinson play twin sisters Frieda and Maria who are sent to stay with tough Uncle Gustof (Peter Cushing) who is a witch hunter. Unfortunately, he lives next to a vampire castle, and Frieda must have a look at the castle. Before you know it, she is out sucking blood and involved with satanic rites. The uncle comes to the rescue.
|  | |
| 1. The Abdication (1974)
2. Black Narcissus (1947)
3. Emma (1996)
4. I'll Never Forget You (1951) aka: The House in the Square aka: Man of Two Worlds
5. A Matter of Life and Death (1946) aka: Stairway to Heaven
6. Night of the Eagle (1962) aka: Burn, Witch, Burn!
7. Tom Brown's Schooldays (1951)
8. Twins of Evil (1971)
In The News
|