Friday, Apr. 29 - The Midnight Story

The Midnight Story (1957)

Beloved priest Father Thomasino is murdered in a San Francisco alley, and the police have few clues. But traffic cop Joe Martini becomes obsessed with finding the killer; he suspects Sylvio Malatesta. Ordered off the case, Joe turns in his badge and investigates alone. Soon he is a close friend of the Malatesta family, all delightful people, especially lovely cousin Anna. Uncertain whether Sylvio is guilty or innocent, Joe is now torn between old and new loyalties.

Thursday, Apr. 28 - The Shakedown

The Shakedown (1960)

Augie (Terence Morgan) is released from prison, returning home to find his turf has been taken over by Gollar (Harry H Corbett). With no one and no where to go he befriends a down at heel photographer (Donald Pleasence) and sets up in business with him in a studio and model school to train young women. But he cannot help himself and he soon develops an after hours sideline in 'artistic studies' for amateurs, blackmailing some of them.

*This is a good one!*

Wednesday, April 27 - Man in a Suitcase: Man From the Dead

Man in a Suitcase: Man From the Dead

McGill (known as "Mac") was a former U.S. intelligence agent based in London. After being thrown out of the agency for something he did not do, he finds his "false" reputation has preceded him everywhere he goes. To make ends meet he takes odd and intriguing "private eye" type jobs all over Europe, all the while trying to clear his name.

Season 1, Episode 6: Man from the Dead
Original Air Date—1 November 1967
Rachel Thyssen,McGill's ex-girlfriend, spots her father Harry,who supposedly drowned years ago. Harry was McGill's boss in American intelligence from where McGill was forced to resign,scapegoated when LaFarbe,a scientist under observation,defected to Russia. Harry 'died' before he could clear McGill's name. Now he is undercover,relaying secrets back from LaFarbe, a double agent working for the Americans, back to the West. McGill needs his help but he is not the only one on Harry's trail,as the Russians are also taking an interest in him.

Tuesday, Apr. 26 - The Tattooed Stranger

The Tattooed Stranger (1950)

The body of an unknown woman turns up in a stolen car abandoned in a New York park, and the only clue the detectives on the case have to work from is the tattoo on her arm, and the fact that someone tried to deface the corpse to remove the evidence. From this slender trail, and that of a single stem of grass discovered in the car, they gradually trace back first the victim and then her killer, in a case that's all science and legwork, and no magic inspiration.

Monday, Apr. 25 - Pygmalion

Pygmalion (1938)

The snobbish & intellectual Professor of languages, Henry Higgins makes a bet with his friend that he can take a London flower seller, Eliza Doolittle, from the gutters and pass her off as a society lady. However he discovers that this involves dealing with a human being with ideas of her own.

Sunday, Apr. 24 - H.M. Pulham, Esq.

H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941)

A man who lived his life as he was was told he should, not as he would have chosen to, is brought out of his shell by a beautiful young woman.

Saturday, Apr. 23 - Silver Bears

Silver Bears (1978)

Financial wizard "Doc" Fletcher (Michael Caine) is sent by crime boss Joe Fiore (Martin Balsam) to buy a bank in Switzerland in order to more easily launder their profits. When he arrives, Fletcher finds that the bank, acquired by his associate Prince di Siracusa (Louis Jourdan), consists of some shabby offices above a restaurant. To make up for this, the Prince suggests that Fletcher invests in a silver mine owned by Shireen and Agha Firdausi (Stéphane Audran and David Warner). This solves one problem, but the mine also attracts the attention of some of the most powerful people in the silver business. Fletcher must pull out all his wheeler-dealing skills in order to keep hold of everything he's worked for, in the process romancing a banker's discontented wife (Cybill Shepherd).

Friday, Apr. 22 - Requiem for a Heavyweight

Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)

Mountain Rivera is at the end of his boxing career after a knockout by Cassius Clay in the seventh round. His left eye is one punch from permanent trauma, his ears turned to cauliflower, his speech slurred from "being hit a million times," and he slings punches anytime he hears a bell, but his trainer and 'cutman' Army, and Miss Miller, a manipulative social worker, support his illusion that he could be a movie usher, a camp counselor, or a romantic partner for Miller. But his manager Maish Rennick, knowing the truth, can't admit that he's bet everything he had that Rivera wouldn't go four rounds against Clay. Maish will pay with his life when the goon squad comes to collect if he can't persuade Rivera to abandon his pride ("I fought 111 fights and never took a dive") and agree to a wrestling contract of which he's ashamed. When Maish blurts out his secret, Rivera realizes that walking out on the deal is not an option. To save the neck of the man who's betrayed him, he embraces the humiliating role of wrestling as "Big Chief Mountain Rivera," and the illusion of camaraderie among the three men is gone forever.

Thursday, Apr. 21 - The Soul of a Monster

The Soul of a Monster (1944)

As famous surgeon, George Winson, lies on his deathbed, his wife Ann calls on unknown powers to save him. A strange woman (Lilyan) appears from nowhere and takes control. George recovers, but he's mysteriously dominated by Lilyan, and leaves his wife. When the evil woman tempts him into letting his best friend (Roger) die Wilson realizes that Lilyan wants his soul in exchange for the chance to continue living.

Wednesday, Apr. 20 - Juke Girl

Juke Girl (1942)

Danny and Steve are migrant farm workers who wind up in Cat Tail, Florida. Cat Tail is run by Madden Packing and Danny works for Madden while Steve works for the underdog farmer named Nick. After the Tomato crop is destroyed by Madden, Steve takes Nick, Lola and the next crop to Atlanta where they sell it for big money. Danny is going up with Madden and thinks Steve is a sucker for working in the dirt. Lola stays in Atlanta while Nick and Steve go back to Cat Tail and the real trouble begins.

Tuesday, Apr. 19 - The Las Vegas Story

The Las Vegas Story (1952)

Investment broker Lloyd Rollins, insisting to his wife Linda that they stop at Las Vegas on their trip from Boston, begins to gamble heavily. Linda visits the Last Chance, a casino where she used to sing, and where she meets police lieutenant Dave Andrews, with whom she had a brief affair some years earlier. Insurance investigator Tom Hubler soon arrives to keep an eye on Linda's valuable necklace for his company, unaware that Rollins hocked the necklace with Clayton, owner of the Last Chance. Lt. Andrews, rebuffed by Linda, learns that Clayton has been murdered. He deduces the killer's identity and begins a deadly chase when he learns the killer has taken Linda hostage and fled into the desert.

Monday, Apr. 18 - The Enforcer

The Enforcer (1951)

After years of pursuit, Assistant D.A. Martin Ferguson has a good case against Murder, Inc. boss Albert Mendoza. Mendoza is in jail and his lieutenant Joseph Rico is going to testify. But Rico falls to his death and Ferguson must work through the night going over everything to build the case anew.

Sunday, Apr. 17 - Nora Prentiss

Nora Prentiss (1947)

Quiet, organised Dr Talbot meets nightclub singer Nora Prentiss when she is slightly hurt in a street accident. Despite her misgivings they become heavily involved and Talbot finds he is faced with the choice of leaving Nora or divorcing his wife. When a patient expires in his office, a third option seems to present itself.

Saturday, Apr. 16 - Double Feature - The Crimes of the Black Cat

The Crimes of the Black Cat (1972)
(Sette scialli di seta gialla)

A mysterious killer is murdering fashion models by using a black cat whose claws are dipped in curare. A composer, whose girlfriend was the first one to be killed, overhears a conversation by someone he believes may be the killer, but there's one complication--the composer is blind and couldn't see the suspected murderer.

Saturday, Apr. 16 - The Night Digger

The Night Digger (1971)

Effective psychological love story with a macabre twist not found in the original Joy Cowley novel. The dreary existence of middle- aged spinster Maura Prince takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of young handyman Billy Jarvis, but there is more to Billy than meets the eye. This well-crafted film, full of sexual tension and Gothic flavor, was Patricia Neal's second after her return to acting, her real-life stroke worked deftly into the story by then-husband Roald Dahl.

Friday, Apr. 15 - Requiem For a Heavyweight (TV)

Requiem For a Heavyweight (TV)

From Playhouse 90 (TV series 1956–1961)

Thursday, Apr. 14 - World for Ransom

World for Ransom (1954)

Made by the same production set-up on the same lot that was producing the 1953-54 "China Smith/Captain China" TV series that starred Dan Duryea as soldier-of-fortune China Smith, using many of the same players that were regulars on the TV series, including Douglass Dumbrille, as head of the British Intelligence, and the same "Singapore", British Colony colonials and China sets used on the series. In this instance, they had the good grace to actually make a "new" film rather than just paste two of the TV episodes together and sending it out as a "new" movie as many of the TV production companies were doing at the time, i.e., the producers of the "Ramar of the Jungle" and Guy Madison's "Wild Bill Hickok" series. And changed the role names of Duryea and Dumbrille, but the Duryea character is still "China Smith." And hired a good director. This time out China Smith...uh.....Mike Callahan (Dan Duryea), because of his friendship with Julian March (Patric Knowles),becomes involved with a plot to kidnap a nuclear scientist who is one of the three men in the whole wide world who knows how to detonate an H-Bomb and evidently carries most of the makings around with him. March is in league with Alexis Pederas (Gene Lockhart, less lovable than usual)and his henchman Guzik (former boxer Lou Nova and mean as usual), planning to do some blackmailing on a global scale. Lots of killing, kidnappings, crosses and double-crosses, fights and pursuits follow, plus some bit of footsie between March's wife, Frennessy (Marian Carr) and Callahan. Nothing much happens in that area either as she departs Singapore and Callahan both when neither are of further use to her. Better than the TV series because of director Robert Aldrich. And Marian Carr, who Aldrich would use later on.

Wednesday, Apr. 13 - Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?

Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary? (1953)

Based on a 1944 West End stage success with Ralph Lynn, this is a classic bedroom farce for those who like them that way -- its theatrical origins acknowledged in the credits and clearly apparent when most of the action takes place with characters popping in and out of a single-room set -- enlivened by a sex-pot performance by Diana Dors as blackmailing first wife Candy.

Sid James plays the Commander's 'dumb buddy' with enthusiasm, although his accent does wander a little between American, South African and Cockney. David Tomlinson, who was a well-known stage actor at the time (and married to Audrey Freeman, who here plays the pert maid Lucy), produces a classic 'worm that turns' performance as the hapless Frank Betterton; Bonar Colleano is flashy and lively in the Ralph Lynn role of the embarrassed husband on his second honeymoon.

Tuesday, Apr. 12 - The Web

The Web (1947)

Leopold Kroner, formerly of Colby Enterprises, is released after five years in prison for embezzlement. Andrew Colby, claiming that Kroner has threatened him, hires lawyer Bob Regan as a secret bodyguard. Sure enough, Kroner turns up in Colby's room with a gun, and Regan kills him. Then Regan, who sticks around to romance Colby's secretary Noel, begins to suspect he's been used.

Monday, Apr. 11 - Fright

Fright (1956)

A woman believes herself to be the reincarnated spirit of an ancient prince's lover. Meanwhile, a murderer turns out to be the reincarnated spirit of the prince himself.

*Didn't make it all the way through this one*

Sunday, Apr. 10 - Synanon

Synanon (1965)

"Synanon" ... where dope fiends fight their way back! Some make it ... some don't ... this is the story of both kinds!

Saturday, Apr. 9 - The Mind of Mr. Soames

The Mind of Mr. Soames (1970)

Since his birth, 30 years ago, John Soames is in a coma. Now he's operated and brought to life in a neurologic clinic. A tense plan shall make him develop from a 30 years old baby to a man, but there's no time for the love and care a normal baby would receive. He manages to flee...

Friday, Apr. 8 - Chicago Calling!

Chicago Calling! (1952)

Bill Cannon (Dan Duryea) loses everything to alcohol: his job, his family, his self-respect. Soon after his wife and daughter leave him, he receives word his little girl has been injured in a car accident outside Chicago. His wife will call later with news, but Bill’s short the $53 he needs to keep his phone from being disconnected. Filled with anguish, he heads out onto the Los Angeles streets to find some way to come up with the cash.

Thursday, Apr. 7 - The Undercover Man

The Undercover Man (1949)

Treasury Department agent Frank Warren takes on the case of a mob leader who has evaded paying taxes on his ill-gotten gains.

Wednesday, Apr. 6 - The Girl-Getters

The Girl-Getters (1964)
aka The System

In a seaside village, a group of local young men mingle among the seasonal tourists in search of sexual conquests. Near the end of one summer, the leader of the group, Tinker, a strolling photographer, aims to conquer a fashion model from a well-to-do family, but he finds himself unexpectedly falling in love. The tables thus turned, Tinker begins to see that maybe it's not the tourists who are being used in these sexual games.

Tuesday, Apr. 5 - Iron Man

Iron Man (1951)

In Coaltown, Pennsylvania, miner Coke Mason hopes to better himself, buy a radio store, and marry Rose Warren. His gambler brother George thinks Coke can be more successful as a boxer, knowing that when he fights he's consumed with a murderous rage that makes him an "iron man." Seeing dollar signs in Rose's eyes, Coke reluctantly agrees, though he's fearful of the "killer instinct" that makes him a knockout success in the ring...and brings him the booing hatred of the fans. Will Coke throw off his personal demon before he kills someone?

Monday, Apr. 4 - The Playgirls and the Vampire

The Playgirls and the Vampire (1960)
(L'ultima preda del vampiro)

Five beautiful showgirls are trapped by a storm and find refuge in a creepy old castle. The owner of the castle, a strange nobleman, has a secret laboratory in the basement and has his own plans for the girls.

Sunday, Apr. 3 - Double Feature - Conflict

Conflict (1945)

Richard Mason is slightly injured in a car accident but pretends greater hurt so that he cannot accompany his wife Kathryn on a trip to the mountains. He does, however, kill her on a lonely mountain road. Or did he? He smells her perfume, finds her jewelry, sees an envelope addressed with her handwriting. He must go back to the scene of the crime to find ... what?

Sunday, Apr. 3 - Mr. Lucky

Mr. Lucky (1943)

Joe Adams takes on the identity of a dead gangster in order to avoid the draft. Adams plans to use a war relief charity to get his gambling operation up and running, until he falls in love with Dorothy Bryant and has a change of heart.

Saturday, Apr. 2 - Double Feature - The Hills Run Red

The Hills Run Red (1967)
Un fiume di dollari

After the Civil War ends, two soldiers return home with a cache of stolen money. They are caught by Union troops. One escapes, but the other is sent to prison for five years. When he gets out and goes home, he finds that his wife has died in poverty because his partner kept all the money, and is now a major power in the area with an army of deadly gunmen to back him up.

Saturday, Apr. 2 - The Perfume of the Lady in Black

The Perfume of the Lady in Black (1974)
Il profumo della signora in nero

Sylvia, an industrial scientist, is troubled by strange hallucinations related to the tragic suicide of her mother. She sees a mysterious woman in black applying perfume in a mirror, strangers following her everywhere she goes, and a ghostly little girl reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, who may be Sylvia herself as a child. It turns out that Sylvia stabbed her mother's sexually abusive boyfriend to death long ago, and now her visions are driving her to madness and cleaver-murders. The other possibility, however, is that literally all of Sylvia's friends are Satanists conspiring to cause her suicide.

Friday, Apr. 1 - The Case Against Brooklyn

The Case Against Brooklyn (1958)

Fact-based story of a rookie cop who takes on a crime syndicate involved in corrupting government officials in Brooklyn, New York.

Thursday, Mar. 31 - The Fallen Sparrow

The Fallen Sparrow (1943)

A former Spanish Civil War prisoner, John McKittrick arrives in New York to find the truth behind the death of his friend Louie Lepetino. He finds himself being chased by Nazi agents who want an item he has brought back from Spain and cannot give up. When another of his friends is murdered, McKittrick realizes that he cannot trust anyone around him - not anyone.