Movies

The Midnight Story (1957) Crime drama set in San Francisco's North Beach Italian community. Tony Curtis must leave the police force to find the murderer of a universally beloved priest. The outstanding performance is by Gilbert Roland, and I always enjoy seeing Marisa Pavan, but it's all very well done. If you need a good normal movie to watch this will do fine. 8/10

The Canary Murder Case (1929) William Powell stars as Philo Vance in this startlingly primitive film, seemingly a transitional form between silents and talkies. Iconic Louise Brooks makes a brief appearance but her lines are crudely dubbed by someone else, and great pains are taken to avoid having her speak on camera - most of her lines are delivered out of shot or seen from behind, but at one point she actually backs behind a screen before speaking. Dubya Tee Eff as the young folk say. The acting is all flat and poor, with even skilled actors like Powell and Eugene Pallette delivering their lines as if they'd just been read to them for the first time moments before the camera started rolling. A learning experience, not fully watchable. 2/10