steve-broadhurst Reviews

The Desperate Hours (1955)

Class act by Bogie !

[9/10 · 26 February 2006]

Bogie starring in one of his last films plays a heartless villain on the run with his younger brother after breaking out of a local prison. They take a family hostage in their own home while they plan their getaway ....striking terror and fear into their hearts. The acting by all the players is brilliant...Bogie particularly excelling in his role as an ageing con with nothing to lose showing his hatred for all middle class American family values. Fredirc March plays the father who stands up to Bogart to protect his family from the callous murderers trying at every turn to outwit and out-think him as the Desperate hours tick away with nail biting consequences. A gem of a film !

Dead Reckoning (1946)

Great Bogie Flick !!

[9/10 · 26 February 2006]

This is one of my favourite Bogie films. Shot in starkly lit black and white film and co-starring the sexy Lizabeth Scott. Okay Scott isn't quite Becall but there is certainly movie magic between the two stars. Bogie turns detective to try to find his missing pal who turns up burnt to a crisp in the local ice-box. His trail leads to a local gangster and a sexy ex girlfriend played by Scott for whom Bogie quickly gets the hots for. The movie is narrated by Bogie who is retelling his tale to a priest at the beginning of the film. It really is a dark tale full of smokey nightclub scenes and darkly lit streets with bulky 1930's American cars with glaring headlights cutting through the gloomy nighlife evoked in this fantastic film noir !

A Taste of Honey (1961)

Landmark British Classic !

[9/10 · 14 February 2006]

I first watched this film when I was about 14 years old sat at home with my mam and dad and I was absolutely riveted. Ever since then I have kept an eye out for it in the TV listings but never spotted it until now !...they have finally released it on DVD and it was worth the wait. The black and white photography is stunning, painting a grey stark picture of life in the poverty stricken back streets of Salford and Eccles in the late 50's and early 60's. I grew up around most of the locations, many of the streets are now bulldozed and many of the historical landmarks are now set against different backdrops...maybe not as grim, but in my opinion not as interesting or compelling. The theme of the film is warm and loving giving a realistic picture of people in the area at that time..friendly, caring, enjoying life when they can as life could be hard, poor housing, low wages the dirt and grime of living and working in the post war northern inner city.

Barton Swing Bridge and the Manchester Liners Shipping Company, Old Trafford Football Ground - complete with floodlight pylons, the atmosphere of a back street boozer and Blackpools brightly lit amusements are seen in all their grim Majesty.

The acting is tremendous,Dora Bryan superbly cast as the selfish mother...she should have gone on to stronger roles after this performance. Rita Tushingham the gawky teenager full of youthful wonder of her harsh world and Murray Melvin as the young adolescent battling with his sexuality and feelings for the enchanting Tushingham.

It really is a must see for anyone interested in this genre or who lives or has worked around Manchester. It shows the hope and warmth of people who have nothing, who only maybe aspire to a simple life...but who have had a Taste Of Honey.......