Happy Halloween!

How are YOU celebrating?

Miss Marple Marathon

Cover via Amazon

Over the past two days I went on a Miss Marple marathon as I made and prepared decorations for my Halloween party and accomplished other household tasks.  I watched Murder at the Gallop, Murder Most Foul, and Murder Ahoy.  My copy of Murder She Said is in another box somewhere and I haven't dug it out yet.  But that's ok: SuperFan Tori is on that one.  


I have watched these films so many times that I know the staging without even looking at the screen, which is great because if I'm listening to the dialog and looking at what I'm busy with, I can still see the action in my mind's eye. And I promise you these never get old. The reasons are simple:


1. Margaret Rutherford's performance. One of the most appropriate, brilliant, and thoroughly enjoyable conversions of a character from book to screen that ever occurred in classic film. 


2. Music. The Miss Marple theme song is incomparable.  If you have your speakers turned on you've already been treated to it. It is so good, I almost wish the intro would never end.


3. Mr. Stringer.  Played by Stringer Davis (Rutherford's real life husband I have only just learned, this character is one of the cutest and sweetest old men to ever grace the silver screen.  He makes a perfect side-kick to the plucky Marple.


With varying, interesting plots and superb supporting casts throughout the series, this is one that I can heartily recommend in its entirety, and I am confident in saying that it would make a fine gift for any lover of mystery, Christie, or old movies.


Amazon sells the set, but single movies are more economical. Murder Ahoy comes in at just over $5. 


However and whenever you enjoy these films, I do hope you will send a comment my way so I can know about it!


-Incidentally, this is a fascinating read if you are interested in Rutherford and Davis personally.

Vanishing Act

I just want to let everyone know that my invisibility lasted a little longer than intended.  That potion was stronger than I thought.  But I will be back in force next week, so expect some howl-ful posts.  

Image via Wikipedia

Many thanks to superfan Tori, who has continued to give feedback and share her movie-watching experiences.  

I love it!

This post is invisible

This is not a clip from City in Darkness, but if you are unfamiliar with the Charlie Chan movies, this will give you a little taste of how fun they are.  


City in Darkness is particularly fun, and particularly dark.  Anybody watch it?

It's PHANTOM DAY!

Murder Ahoy

Murder Ahoy stars Margaret Rutherford. 





'Nuff said.


Anybody watch it today?

Ministry of Fear

What would you do if you had just been released from an insane asylum, 
and one of the first people you run into is a fortune teller, who furtively whispers strange messages to you...

and you are suspicious that this character may be after your life...

but you don't know who to trust...

Your life is in certain danger...

It must be Ministry of Fear...

Ghosts on the Loose

Ghosts on the Loose, starring Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bela Lugosi, and Ava Gardner in her first credited role, is a fun and flippant way to start our month of scare-mare. There is nothing serious at all about this film. Not in the least. It is just some simple, ridiculous fun, and what is more ridiculous than hearing Leo Gorcey stumble over those big words and pretend to understand the notations on a music score? And Bela Lugosi (AKA Dracula) asking why he is always surrounded by idiots? Priceless. What about the East Side Kids getting "German measles" after a close call with that gang of Nazis? Corny. 


But hey, it's the first of the month. We want to ease into this fest - no point in scaring ourselves silly on the first day.  


Here's the trailer.

And the stars of the show dressed up in Octoberfest finery:

Bela Lugosi, immortalized by his performance as Dracula, here a Nazi.

Ava Gardner, here in a crystal ball.

Leo Gorcey, tough-talking leader of the East Side Kids.

Huntz Hall, Leo's simple-minded side-kick.

If you watched, be sure to comment on this post and let me know what you thought.


Coming up tomorrow:  Ministry of Fear...