YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1959

 

1. BALLAD OF A SOLDIER
2. FLOATING WEEDS
3. JAZZ ON A SUMMER'S DAY
4. GOOD MORNING
5. NORTH BY NORTHWEST
6. ANATOMY OF A MURDER
7. I'M ALL RIGHT, JACK
8. RIO BRAVO
9. SOME LIKE IT HOT
10. PICKPOCKET
11. THE MUMMY
12. HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL
13. SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER
14. THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
15. THE INDIAN TOMB
16. THE TIGER OF ESCHNAPUR
17. SAPPHIRE
18. RIDE LONESOME
19. SLEEPING BEAUTY
20. HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
21. THE 400 BLOWS
22. THE TINGLER
23. IMITATION OF LIFE
24. A BUCKET OF BLOOD
25. OUR MAN IN HAVANA
26. THE BAT
27. THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE FROG
28. THE MONSTER OF PIEDRAS BLANCAS
29. THE GHOST OF DRAGSTRIP HOLLOW
30. TERROR IS A MAN
31. BEN-HUR
32. SHADOWS
33. MAIGRET AND THE ST. FIACRE CASE
34. TOO MANY CROOKS
35. SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL
36. THE TRAP
37. 4D MAN
38. THE FIVE PENNIES
39. JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
40. TARZAN'S GREATEST ADVENTURE
41. NO NAME ON THE BULLET
42. THE ALLIGATOR PEOPLE
43. THE ANGRY RED PLANET
44. HIDDEN HOMICIDE
45. SANTA CLAUS
46. THE BLACK CHAPEL
47. HAVE ROCKET WILL TRAVEL
48. TERROR IN THE MIDNIGHT SUN
49. THE HANGING TREE
50. HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM
51. CURSE OF THE UNDEAD
52. PILLOW TALK
53. THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE
54. EYES IN OUTER SPACE
55. THE WRECK OF THE MARY DEARE
56. INVISIBLE INVADERS
57. THE LIVING COFFIN
58. DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE
59. JACK THE RIPPER
60. THE STRANGLERS OF BOMBAY
61. THE HEAD
62. CALTIKI THE IMMORTAL MONSTER
63. THE ATOMIC SUBMARINE
64. THE GIANT GILA MONSTER
65. TEN SECONDS TO HELL
66. THE MANSTER
67. GIRLS TOWN
68. THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH
69. FIRST MAN IN SPACE
70. BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE
71. CARRY ON NURSE
72. PRINCE OF SPACE
73. THE COSMIC MAN
74. THE WASP WOMAN
75. THE DAY THE EARTH FROZE
76. THE SHAGGY DOG
77. THE 30 FOOT BRIDE OF CANDY ROCK
78. CARLTON-BROWN OF THE F.O.
79. TEENAGERS FROM OUTER SPACE
80. ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES
81. NIGHT OF THE GHOULS
82. THE BEAST FROM HAUNTED CAVE
83. THE FOUR SKULLS OF JONATHAN DRAKE
84. THE KILLER SHREWS
85. RETURN OF THE FLY
86. THE HEADLESS GHOST

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1958

 

1. MON ONCLE
2. VERTIGO
3. HORROR OF DRACULA
4. CARVE HER NAME WITH PRIDE
5. THE HIDDEN FORTRESS
6. I BURY THE LIVING
7. HIGH SCHOOL HELLCATS
8. A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
9. THE MAGICIAN
10. ELEVATOR TO THE GALLOWS
11. ASHES AND DIAMONDS
12. IVAN THE TERRIBLE PART II
13. TOUCH OF EVIL
14. THE CRAWLING EYE
15. THE BLOB
16. THE FLY
17. THE UNCHAINED GODDESS
18. THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN
19. THE H-MAN
20. THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD
21. BUCHANAN RIDES ALONE
22. BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE
23. MAN OF THE WEST
24. THE HORSE'S MOUTH
25. FIEND WITHOUT A FACE
26. IT! THE TERROR FROM BEYOND SPACE
27. MAIGRET SETS A TRAP
28. TERROR IN A TEXAS TOWN
29. KING CREOLE
30. THE GUN RUNNERS
31. THE JUGGLER OF OUR LADY
32. SEPARATE TABLES
33. THE INN OF THE SIXTH HAPPINESS
34. I WAS MONTY'S DOUBLE
35. RETURN OF DRACULA
36. I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE
37. I WANT TO LIVE!
38. THE SNORKEL
39. HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER
40. GIDEON OF SCOTLAND YARD
41. GATEWAYS TO THE MIND
42. GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN
43. THE LEFT-HANDED GUN
44. BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE
45. CARRY ON SERGEANT
46. COWBOY
47. THE SPACE CHILDREN
48. THE VAMPIRE'S COFFIN
49. FRANKENSTEIN 1970
50. FRANKENSTEIN'S DAUGHTER
51. WAR OF THE SATELLITES
52. RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP
53. MISSILE TO THE MOON
54. SHE GODS OF SHARK REEF
55. WAR OF THE COLOSSAL BEAST
56. THE HIDEOUS SUN DEMON
57. MONSTER ON THE CAMPUS
58. ATTACK OF THE PUPPET PEOPLE
59. THE VIKINGS
60. THE STRANGE WORLD OF PLANET X
61. THE SPIDER
62. THE THING THAT COULDN'T DIE
63. NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST
64. THE SHERIFF OF FRACTURED JAW
65. CORRIDORS OF BLOOD
66. THE COLOSSUS OF NEW YORK
67. THE SCREAMING SKULL
68. THE HAUNTED STRANGLER
69. ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WOMAN
70. THE LAST HURRAH
71. INVISIBLE AVENGER
72. FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON
73. SOUTH PACIFIC
74. THE ROBOT VS. THE AZTEC MUMMY
75. THE NEW INVISIBLE MAN
76. TWO MEN AND A WARDROBE
77. CURSE OF THE FACELESS MAN
78. THE WILD WOMEN OF WONGO
79. QUEEN OF OUTER SPACE

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1957

 

1. DESK SET
2. HEMO THE MAGNIFICENT
3. WILD STRAWBERRIES
4. THE SEVENTH SEAL
5. SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS
6. QUATERMASS II
7. NIGHT OF THE DEMON
8. 12 ANGRY MEN
9. THRONE OF BLOOD
10. THE TALL T
11. HELL DRIVERS
12. THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL
13. THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN
14. MARS AND BEYOND
15. THE GOLDEN AGE OF COMEDY
16. PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE
17. PATHS OF GLORY
18. WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION
19. 3:10 TO YUMA
20. FORTY GUNS
21. THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN
22. DECISION AT SUNDOWN
23. 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH
24. ILL MET BY MOONLIGHT
25. THE THREE FACES OF EVE
26. I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF
27. THE MONOLITH MONSTERS
28. THE ADMIRABLE CRICHTON
29. THE NAKED TRUTH
30. THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI
31. THE TIN STAR
32. EL VAMPIRO
33. THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH
34. INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN
35. THE VICIOUS CIRCLE
36. THE DEERSLAYER
37. ZERO HOUR
38. THE IRON PETTICOAT
39. CAT GIRL
40. THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS
41. THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN OF THE HIMALAYAS
42. ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS
43. THE HALLIDAY BRAND
44. THE STRANGE CASE OF THE COSMIS RAYS
45. THE MONSTER THAT CHALLENGED THE WORLD
46. THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN
47. KRONOS
48. WILL SUCCESS SPOIL ROCK HUNTER?
49. GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL
50. NIGHT PASSAGE
51. I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN
52. THE STORY OF MANKIND
53. DAUGHTER OF DR. JEKYLL
54. THE MYSTERIANS
55. DESIGNING WOMAN
56. JAILHOUSE ROCK
57. CARRY ON ADMIRAL
58. NOT OF THIS EARTH
59. THE GIANT CLAW
60. FROM HELL IT CAME
61. BEGINNING OF THE END
62. THE BLACK SCORPION
63. I VAMPIRI aka LUST FOR THE VAMPIRE
64. AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER
65. THE 27TH DAY
66. THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS
67. A KING IN NEW YORK
68. MONSTER FROM GREEN HELL
69. VOODOO ISLAND
70. FUNNY FACE
71. REFORM SCHOOL GIRL
72. OPERATION MAD BALL
73. BLOOD OF DRACULA
74. ZOMBIES OF MORA TAU
75. THE VAMPIRE
76. THE UNEARTHLY
77. THE DISEMBODIED
78. THE UNDEAD
79. VOODOO WOMAN
80. THE DEADLY MANTIS
81. THE CYCLOPS
82. THE KETTLES ON OLD MACDONALD'S FARM
83. THE PHARAOH'S CURSE
84. THE MAN WHO TURNED TO STONE
85. THE ASTOUNDING SHE-MONSTER
86. THE NIGHT THE WORLD EXPLODED

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1956

 

1. THE SEARCHERS
2. THE KILLING
3. ATTACK!
4. INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS
5. A MAN ESCAPED
6. SEVEN MEN FROM NOW
7. WRITTEN ON THE WIND
8. FORBIDDEN PLANET
9. X THE UNKNOWN
10. THE MOLE PEOPLE
11. TOUTE LA MEMOIRE DU MONDE
12. OUR MR. SUN
13. GIANT
14. WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS
15. BIGGER THAN LIFE
16. MOBY DICK
17. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
18. EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS
19. THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS
20. BOB LE FLAMBEUR
21. IT CONQUERED THE WORLD
22. THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
23. THE SOLID GOLD CADILLAC
24. THE BAD SEED
25. THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE
26. HIGH SOCIETY
27. RODAN
28. THE MAN IN THE ROAD
29. THE WEREWOLF
30. FIVE STEPS TO DANGER
31. GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS
32. CRIME OF PASSION
33. SATELLITE IN THE SKY
34. THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US
35. THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT
36. LUST FOR LIFE
37. THE BLACK SLEEP
38. CRIME IN THE STREETS
39. LOST
40. THE RAINMAKER
41. AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
42. WHO DONE IT?
43. 23 PACES TO BAKER STREET
44. ALEXANDER THE GREAT
45. THE WRONG MAN
46. THE SHE CREATURE
47. ANASTASIA
48. WORLD WITHOUT END
49. WAR AND PEACE
50. OUR MISS BROOKS
51. DANCE WITH ME, HENRY
52. SERENADE
53. THE INDESTRUCTIBLE MAN
54. WARNING FROM SPACE
55. THE BEAST OF HOLLOW MOUNTAIN
56. THE CONQUEROR
57. BUS STOP

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1955

 

1. KISS ME DEADLY
2. NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
3. THE SEVEN-YEAR ITCH
4. BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK
5. ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS
6. THE DAM BUSTERS
7. THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY
8. RIFIFI
9. RICHARD III
10. LADY AND THE TRAMP
11. SUMMERTIME
12. LOLA MONTES
13. THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT
14. THIS ISLAND EARTH
15. ORDET
16. MISTER ROBERTS
17. THE BIG KNIFE
18. DIABOLIQUE
19. WE'RE NO ANGELS
20. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE
21. SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT
22. THREE CASES OF MURDER
23. LE AMICHE
24. THE ROSE TATTOO
25. THE PRISONER
26. THE BLACKBOARD JUNGLE
27. THE BESPOKE OVERCOAT
28. THE BIG COMBO
29. STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND
30. THE LADYKILLERS
31. MR. ARKADIN
32. THE PHENIX CITY STORY
33. TARANTULA
34. THE LAST COMMAND
35. MAN AND THE MOON
36. EAST OF EDEN
37. MOONFLEET
38. UNDERWATER
39. GUYS AND DOLLS
40. TO CATCH A THIEF
41. THE MAN FROM LARAMIE
42. HOUSE OF BAMBOO
43. IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA
44. IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER
45. THE PHANTOM FROM 10,000 LEAGUES
46. MAN IN SPACE
47. THE LONG GRAY LINE
48. THE COURT JESTER
49. FEMALE ON THE BEACH
50. THE SCARLET COAT
51. ONE GOOD TURN
52. MAN OF THE MOMENT
53. QUEEN BEE
54. KILLER'S KISS
55. REVENGE OF THE CREATURE
56. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE KEYSTONE KOPS
57. PICNIC
58. I LIVE IN FEAR
59. BRIDE OF THE MONSTER
60. POLICE DOG
61. 5 AGAINST THE HOUSE
62. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE MUMMY
63. CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN
64. STORM FEAR
65. PEARL OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC
66. NEW ORLEANS UNCENSORED
67. GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN
68. FRANCIS IN THE NAVY
69. THE BEAST WITH A MILLION EYES
70. CULT OF THE COBRA
71. KISMET
72. ARTISTS AND MODELS
73. FLYING SAUCERS OVER ISTANBUL
74. THE SEVEN LITTLE FOYS
75. DEMENTIA aka DAUGHTER OF HORROR
76. DAY THE WORLD ENDED

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1954

 

1. REAR WINDOW
2. JOURNEY TO ITALY
3. TOUCHEZ PAS AU GRISBI
4. EXECUTIVE SUITE
5. SEVEN SAMURAI
6. JOHNNY GUITAR
7. THEM!
8. THE CAINE MUTINY
9. SENSO
10. SABRINA
11. 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA
12. CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON
13. DIAL M FOR MURDER
14. GODZILLA
15. SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS
16. RIOT IN CELL BLOCK 11
17. BROKEN LANCE
18. ANIMAL FARM
19. THE GOOD DIE YOUNG
20. WHITE CHRISTMAS
21. THE NAKED JUNGLE
22. THE FAR COUNTRY
23. HELL AND HIGH WATER
24. MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION
25. A STAR IS BORN
26. SILVER LODE
27. HIGHWAY DRAGNET
28. IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO YOU
29. PHFFFT
30. DEVIL-GIRL FROM MARS
31. RIVER OF NO RETURN
32. GARDEN OF EVIL
33. DOWN THREE DARK STREETS
34. SECRET OF THE INCAS
35. PRINCE VALIANT
36. RIDERS TO THE STARS
37. MA AND PA KETTLE AT HOME
38. THE BOWERY BOYS MEET THE MONSTERS
39. JESSE JAMES VS. THE DALTONS
40. DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE
41. TRACK OF THE CAT
42. THE RUNAWAY BUS
43. THE MAD MAGICIAN
44. THE BELLES OF ST. TRINIAN'S
45. KING RICHARD AND THE CRUSADERS
46. THE LONG LONG TRAILER
47. NAKED ALIBI
48. STRANGER FROM VENUS
49. JAIL BAIT
50. KILLERS FROM SPACE
51. NIGHT PEOPLE
52. FRANCIS JOINS THE WACS
53. THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA
54. NEW FACES
55. THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS
56. ORDERS ARE ORDERS

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1953

 

1. TOKYO STORY
2. WAR OF THE WORLDS
3. RETURN TO GLENNASCAUL
4. THE EARRINGS OF MADAME DE. . .
5. MONSIEUR HULOT'S HOLIDAY
6. PICKUP ON SOUTH STREET
7. I VITELLONI
8. UGETSU
9. SUMMER WITH MONIKA
10. THE BAND WAGON
11. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY
12. THE NAKED SPUR
13. INVADERS FROM MARS
14. IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE
15. THE BIG HEAT
16. THE HITCH-HIKER
17. CRIME WAVE
18. ROMAN HOLIDAY
19. SAWDUST AND TINSEL
20. PETER PAN
21. THE CAPTAIN'S PARADISE
22. THE FOUR-SIDED TRIANGLE
23. MALTA STORY
24. SHANE
25. GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES
26. THE TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT
27. 99 RIVER STREET
28. NIAGARA
29. ROUGH SHOOT
30. HOUSE OF WAX
31. THIS MAN IS DANGEROUS
32. THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS
33. DONOVAN'S BRAIN
34. I CONFESS
35. THE WILD ONE
36. EASY TO LOVE
37. THE BLUE GARDENIA
38. JULIUS CAESAR
39. ANGEL FACE
40. MAN IN THE ATTIC
41. THE 5,000 FINGERS OF DR. T
42. HOUSE OF BLACKMAIL
43. ARROWHEAD
44. GLEN OR GLENDA
45. THE NEANDERTHAL MAN
46. TROUBLE IN STORE
47. COSH BOY
48. THE REVIVED MONSTER aka THE MONSTROUS DR. CRIMEN
49. A BLUEPRINT FOR MURDER
50. THE ROBE
51. MURDER AT 3 AM
52. TITANIC
53. BATTLE CIRCUS
54. JENNIFER
55. HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE
56. BEAT THE DEVIL
57. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO GO TO MARS
58. SPACEWAYS
59. SCARED STIFF
60. THE MAZE
61. KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE
62. BOTANY BAY
63. MESA OF LOST WOMEN
64. ROBOT MONSTER
65. CAT-WOMEN ON THE MOON
66. MA AND PA KETTLE ON VACATION
67. DANGEROUS WHEN WET
68. DRAKULA ISTANBUL'DA
69. ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE
70. PRIVATE EYES
71. FRANCIS COVERS THE BIG TOWN

BE A MEMBER OF THE SCORSESE/WRIGHT/TARANTINO QUARANTINE MOVIE CLUB

 SO HAVE YOU LISTENED TO THE THREE-HOUR EPISODE OF "THE EMPIRE FILM PODCAST" WHERE EDGAR WRIGHT AND QUENTIN TARANTINO TALK ABOUT THE QUARANTINE MOVIE CLUB THEY'VE BEEN DOING WITH MARTIN SCORSESE??? 

I mean, for a movie nut like me, this is something like finding the Holy Grail and discovering that it's filled with puddin'!!!!!  Long story short:  Edgar Wright sent a nice letter to Martin Scorsese asking him for recommendations for British films to watch during the COVID-19 lockdown and Scorsese sent nearly 50 movie titles.  Wright shared these titles with Quentin Tarantino and a movie club was born. 

The best part is, now we all can join the movie club since Wright and Tarantino have now shared the list with us.  I mean, there's nothing better than movie recommendations from Martin Scorsese!  There just isn't.  Here's a link to the article on Indie Wire describing this whole story and here are the films Scorsese recommended:

• STATION SIX-SAHARA, Dir. Seth Holt
• NOWHERE TO GO, Dir. Seth Holt
• THE NANNY, Dir. Seth Holt
• BRIEF ECSTASY, Dir. Edmond T. Greville
• HALFWAY HOUSE, Dir. Basil Dearden
• WENT THE DAY WELL?, Dir. Alberto Cavalcanti
• MADONNA OF THE SEVEN MOONS, Dir. Arthur Crabtree
• THE MAN IN GREY, Dir. Leslie Arliss
• SO LONG AT THE FAIR, Dir. Terence Fisher
• STOLEN FACE, Dir. Terence Fisher
• FOUR-SIDED TRIANGLE, Dir. Terence Fisher
• SOUND BARRIER, Dir. David Lean
• THIS HAPPY BREED, Dir. David Lean
• GUNS AT BATASI, Dir. John Guillermin
• GREEN FOR DANGER, Dir. Sidney Gilliat
• THE MIND BENDERS, Dir. Basil Dearden
• TO THE PUBLIC DANGER, Dir. Terence Fisher
• IT ALWAYS RAINS ON SUNDAY, Dir. Robert Hamer
• A HIGH WIND IN JAMAICA, Dir. Alexander Mackendrick
• THE QUEEN OF SPADES, Dir. Thorold Dickinson
• HUE AND CRY, Dir. Charles Crichton
• PINK STRING AND SEALING WAX, Dir. Robert Hamer
• THE BLUE LAMP, Dir. Basil Dearden
• THE GOOD DIE YOUNG, Dir. Lewis Gilbert
• MANDY, Dir. Alexander Mackendrick
• VAMPYRES, Dir. Jose Ramon Larraz
• UNCLE SILAS, Dir. Charles Frank
• LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE, Dir. John Hough
• BURN WITCH BURN, Dir. Sidney Hayers
• THE FLESH AND THE FIENDS, Dir. John Gilling
• THE SNORKEL, Dir. Guy Green
• SCREAM OF FEAR, Dir. Seth Holt
• THESE ARE THE DAMNED, Dir. Joseph Losey
• PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES, Dir. John Gilling
• QUATERMASS AND THE PIT, Dir. Roy Ward Baker
• DR. JEKYLL AND SISTER HYDE, Dir. Roy Ward Baker
• THE DEVIL RIDES OUT, Dir. Terence Fisher
• THE ASPHYX, Dir. Peter Newbrook
• UNDERGROUND, Dir. Anthony Asquith
• SHOOTING STARS, Dir. Anthony Asquith
• SAPPHIRE, Dir. Basil Dearden
• WHISTLE AND I'LL COME TO YOU, Dir. Jonathan Miller
• DEAD OF NIGHT, Dir. Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden, Robert Hamer
• THE LONELY PASSION OF JUDITH HEARNE, Dir. Jack Clayton
• THE INNOCENTS, Dir. Jack Clayton
• THE PUMPKIN EATER, Dir. Jack Clayton
• THE SEVENTH VEIL, Dir. Compton Bennett
• YIELD TO THE NIGHT, Dir. J. Lee Thompson

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1952

 

1. IKIRU
2. UMBERTO D
3. THE FLAVOR OF GREEN TEA OVER RICE
4. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
5. EUROPA '51
6. THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
7. THE QUIET MAN
8. HIGH NOON
9. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
10. SUDDEN FEAR
11. LE PLAISIR
12. PAT AND MIKE
13. KANSAS CITY CONFIDENTIAL
14. THE NARROW MARGIN
15. MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID
16. WE'RE NOT MARRIED
17. BEND OF THE RIVER
18. THE GOLDEN COACH
19. DON'T BOTHER TO KNOCK
20. THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING
21. THE MARRYING KIND
22. THE STAR
23. MONKEY BUSINESS
24. O. HENRY'S FULL HOUSE
25. DEADLINE U.S.A.
26. THE BLACK LASH
27. THE FRONTIER PHANTOM
28. LOST IN ALASKA
29. MA AND PA KETTLE AT THE FAIR
30. HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
31. GHOST SHIP
32. CURTAIN UP
33. BLACKBEARD THE PIRATE
34. MACAO
35. THE GREEN GLOVE
36. RETURN OF THE WITCH
37. BELA LUGOSI MEETS A BROOKLYN GORILLA
38. CLASH BY NIGHT
39. RED PLANET MARS
40. THE BLACK CASTLE
41. JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
42. ROAD TO BALI
43. AGAINST ALL FLAGS
44. DOWN AMONG THE Z MEN
45. THE CRIMSON PIRATE
46. VAMPIRE OVER LONDON aka MOTHER RILEY MEETS THE VAMPIRE
47. FRANCIS GOES TO WEST POINT
48. JUMPING JACKS
49. THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1951

 

1. THE STEEL HELMET
2. THE BROWNING VERSION
3. THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD
4. THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
5. A CHRISTMAS CAROL
6. THE IDIOT
7. THE RIVER
8. THE AFRICAN QUEEN
9. ACE IN THE HOLE
10. SUMMER INTERLUDE
11. STRANGERS ON A TRAIN
12. A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
13. THE LAVENDER HILL MOB
14. THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT
15. POOL OF LONDON
16. RAWHIDE
17. THE MAN FROM PLANET X
18. WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE
19. ALONG THE GREAT DIVIDE
20. 14 HOURS
21. HIS KIND OF WOMAN
22. ALICE IN WONDERLAND
23. THE HOODLUM
24. HE RAN ALL THE WAY
25. LOVE NEST
26. HOLLYWOOD STORY
27. ON DANGEROUS GROUND
28. AS YOUNG AS YOU FEEL
29. PANDORA AND THE FLYING DUTCHMAN
30. ANOTHER MAN'S POISON
31. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
32. FIVE
33. BRIDE OF THE GORILLA
34. THE MAN WITH A CLOAK
35. CALLING BULLDOG DRUMMOND
36. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE INVISIBLE MAN
37. THE LONG DARK HALL
38. HOUSE ON TELEGRAPH HILL
39. BEHAVE YOURSELF
40. THE FAT MAN
41. THE RACKET
42. LET'S MAKE IT LEGAL
43. MA AND PA KETTLE BACK ON THE FARM
44. QUO VADIS?
45. THE STRANGE DOOR
46. FLIGHT TO MARS
47. COMIN' 'ROUND THE MOUNTAIN
48. THE THUNDERING TRAIL
49. THE SON OF DR. JEKYLL
50. PENNY POINTS TO PARADISE
51. LET'S GO CRAZY
52. WILD WOMEN

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1950

 

1. THE FLOWERS OF ST. FRANCIS
2. THREE LITTLE WORDS
3. ALL ABOUT EVE
4. BORN YESTERDAY
5. SUNSET BLVD.
6. LA RONDE
7. GUN CRAZY
8. IN A LONELY PLACE
9. STROMBOLI
10. SUMMER STOCK
11. THE BREAKING POINT
12. RASHOMON
13. ORPHEUS
14. NIGHT AND THE CITY
15. THE FURIES
16. THE WOODEN HORSE
17. THE GUNFIGHTER
18. THE BLUE LAMP
19. TREASURE ISLAND
20. WINCHESTER '73
21. GONE TO EARTH
22. THE ASPHALT JUNGLE
23. HOUSE BY THE RIVER
24. DESTINATION MOON
25. DARK CITY
26. NO WAY OUT
27. THE KILLER THAT STALKED NEW YORK
28. KING OF THE BULLWHIP
29. WAGON MASTER
30. WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS
31. DIAL 1119
32. MYSTERY STREET
33. RIO GRANDE
34. WOMAN ON THE RUN
35. THE BARON OF ARIZONA
36. SEVEN DAYS TO NOON
37. BROKEN ARROW
38. YOUNG MAN WITH A HORN
39. STAGE FRIGHT
40. PAGAN LOVE SONG
41. CHAMPAGNE FOR CAESAR
42. THE SECOND WOMAN
43. FATHER OF THE BRIDE
44. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO IN THE FOREIGN LEGION
45. THE 20 QUESTIONS MURDER MYSTERY
46. ROCKETSHIP X-M
47. MA AND PA KETTLE GO TO TOWN
48. DALTON'S WOMEN
49. THE NEVADAN
50. THE GREAT RUPERT
51. THE MAN IN BLACK
52. HARVEY
53. KON-TIKI
54. FRANCIS THE TALKING MULE
55. BEWARE OF BLONDIE
56. BLONDIE'S HERO
57. FANCY PANTS

MAIGRET (2016 - 2017)

 THE RECENT 'NOTHER-GO-ROUND FOR THE GREAT FRENCH DETECTIVE. 

 After such notables as Jean Gabin and Michael Gambon, Rowan Atkinson plows his non-comedy furrow with this recent ITV series of MAIGRET.  I've never read Georges Simenon's mysery novels featuring the pipe-smoking French detective Jules Maigret, nor have I seen the Gambon TV series; yet I have seen a couple of the Gabin movies.  Therefore, I'm not completely ignorant of the character and would like to read a novel or two someday.  The recent ITV series takes place in Paris of the 1950's and, though shot in Budapest instead of France, has top drawer scenery and production values.  Rowan Atkinson is perfectly OK as the low-key Chief Inspector who is not a human computer like, say, Sherlock Holmes but instead is just a intelligent guy who is great at reading people and their psychological quirks.  As I say, Atkinson is perfectly fine if a little one note in his buttoned-down performance and heads a superb cast of regulars and guest stars in the 4 episodes of the two series ; ITV apparently cancelled the programme in 2018 so it looks like there will be no more. And this is a pity because, while the series didn't break any new ground, it was a very enjoyable mystery programme.

Each of the two series of MAIGRET consists of two episodes of approximately an hour and a half in length; so they're really 4 movies.  Episode 1 is MAIGRET SETS A TRAP in which our Chief Inspector is saddled with trying to stop a serial killer of women with apparently nothing in common other than their hair colour.  Episode 2 is MAIGRET'S DEAD MAN in which a frantic fella calls Maigret saying that someone is trying to kill him and each attempt to see the Chief Inspector is being thwarted by the thugs.  I don't think it's a spoiler (owing to the title of the episode) that the frantic man ends up dead.  The first episode of Series 2 is entitled MAIGRET AT THE CROSSROADS involving stolen jewels and murder.  The final episode is MAIGRET IN MONTMARTRE in which Maigret attempts to solve the murders of a showgirl and a countess.  

The cast headed by Atkinson's solid performance is fantastic.  Mrs. Maigret is marvelously played (if under utilized a bit) by Lucy Cohu (TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH, POIROT).  Then there are Maigret's faithful sidekicks Inspectors Janvier and Lapointe played by Shaun Dingwall (best known around these parts for playing Rose Tyler's Dad in DOCTOR WHO) and Leo Staar (CALL THE MIDWIFE) respectively.  Mark Heap (from British comedies BIG TRAIN, SPACED and GREEN WING) is wonderfully wicked as basically the police pathologist Dr. Moers.  I wouldn't say we have a classic here but, for fans of murder mysteries and British detective shows, MAIGRET gets my recommendation as a solidly enjoyable, above-average programme.

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1949

 

1. LATE SPRING
2. THE HEIRESS
3. KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS
4. ADAM'S RIB
5. THE BRIBE
6. THE QUEEN OF SPADES
7. THE ROCKING HORSE WINNER
8. THE THIRD MAN
9. THE WINDOW
10. SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON
11. WHITE HEAT
12. THE SMALL BACK ROOM
13. THE FILE ON THELMA JORDAN
14. TRAPPED
15. WHISKY GALORE
16. NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER
17. PASSPORT TO PIMLICO
18. THE RECKLESS MOMENT
19. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE KILLER, BORIS KARLOFF
20. D.O.A.
21. ONCE A JOLLY SWAGMAN
22. THE SECRET GARDEN
23. ACT OF VIOLENCE
24. COLORADO TERRITORY
25. THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD
26. MIGHTY JOE YOUNG
27. REIGN OF TERROR
28. CAUGHT
29. THE FOUNTAINHEAD
30. TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH
31. JOUR DE FETE
32. THE INTERRUPTED JOURNEY
33. ALICE IN WONDERLAND
34. STRANGE TALES
35. I SHOT JESSE JAMES
36. THE EMPEROR'S NIGHTINGALE
37. MA AND PA KETTLE
38. THE PHANTOM CREEPS
39. LOVE HAPPY
40. WHIRLPOOL
41. IMPACT
42. AFRICA SCREAMS
43. A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT
44. OUTLAW COUNTRY
45. I WAS A MALE WAR BRIDE
46. CRISS CROSS
47. BLONDIE'S BIG DEAL
48. BLONDIE HITS THE JACKPOT
49. TOKYO JOE
50. THE MAN ON THE EIFFEL TOWER
51. BORDER INCIDENT
52. WE WERE STRANGERS

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1948

 

1. THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE
2. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN
3. BICYCLE THIEVES
4. THE RED SHOES
5. KEY LARGO
6. PORTRAIT OF JENNIE
7. LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN
8. HAMLET
9. THE BIG CLOCK
10. RED RIVER
11. RAW DEAL
12. GERMANY YEAR ZERO
13. LA TERRA TREMA
14. DRUNKEN ANGEL
15. FORCE OF EVIL
16. FORT APACHE
17. ROPE
18. MACBETH
19. ROAD HOUSE
20. STATE OF THE UNION
21. PITFALL
22. BRIGHTON ROCK
23. ON AN ISLAND WITH YOU
24. HE WALKED BY NIGHT
25. EASTER PARADE
26. THE FALLEN IDOL
27. UNFAITHFULLY YOURS
28. SARABAND FOR DEAD LOVERS
29. THE NIGHT HAS A THOUSAND EYES
30. SNOWBOUND
31. MARK OF THE LASH
32. LONDON BELONGS TO ME
33. MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE
34. BOARDING HOUSE BLUES
35. DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS
36. HOLLOW TRIUMPH
37. THE THREE WEIRD SISTERS
38. MEXICAN HAYRIDE
39. THE NOOSE HANGS HIGH
40. WAKE OF THE RED WITCH
41. KILLER DILLER
42. DEAD MAN'S GOLD
43. FRONTIER REVENGE
44. THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER
45. MELODY TIME
46. YELLOW SKY
47. CORONER CREEK
48. CALL NORTHSIDE 777
49. THE AMAZING MR. X
50. LADIES OF THE CHORUS
51. WORDS AND MUSIC
52. THE WOMAN IN WHITE
53. STREET CORNER
54. BECAUSE OF EVE
55. IF YOU KNEW SUSIE
56. BLONDIE'S SECRET
57. BLONDIE'S REWARD
58. SORRY, WRONG NUMBER
59. ONE TOUCH OF VENUS
60. INNER SANCTUM
61. THE NAKED CITY
62. THE CREEPER
63. THE PALEFACE
64. CASTLE SINISTER

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1947

 

1. GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT
2. OUT OF THE PAST
3. THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR
4. BLACK NARCISSUS
5. IT ALWAYS RAINS ON SUNDAY
6. T-MEN
7. MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
8. THE BISHOP'S WIFE
9. ONE WONDERFUL SUNDAY
10. BRUTE FORCE
11. THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI
12. POSSESSED
13. I WALK ALONE
14. THIS TIME FOR KEEPS
15. ODD MAN OUT
16. THE SIN OF HAROLD DIDDLEBOCK
17. NIGHTMARE ALLEY
18. DESPERATE
19. THE OCTOBER MAN
20. THE TWO MRS. CARROLLS
21. UNCLE SILAS
22. BORN TO KILL
23. MONSIEUR VERDOUX
24. THINGS HAPPEN AT NIGHT
25. THE RED HOUSE
26. THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY
27. ANGEL AND THE BADMAN
28. THE WISTFUL WIDOW OF WAGON GAP
29. THE UPTURNED GLASS
30. DICK TRACY MEETS GRUESOME
31. DEAR MURDERER
32. REET, PETITE AND GONE
33. FUN AND FANCY FREE
34. JUKE JOINT
35. THE BACHELOR AND THE BOBBY-SOXER
36. DARK PASSAGE
37. THE EGG AND I
38. BUCK PRIVATES COME HOME
39. THE BRASHER DOUBLOON
40. KISS OF DEATH
41. BOOMERANG
42. NIGHT BEAT
43. BURY ME DEAD
44. DOWN TO EARTH
45. SCARED TO DEATH
46. LURED
47. THE LONG NIGHT
48. COPACABANA
49. SONG OF LOVE
50. ROAD TO RIO
51. BLONDIE'S BIG MOMENT
52. BLONDIE IN THE DOUGH
53. BLONDIE'S HOLIDAY
54. BLONDIE'S ANNIVERSARY
55. THE PARADINE CASE
56. OUT OF THE BLUE
57. MY FAVORITE BRUNETTE
58. IT'S A JOKE, SON
59. THE CHINESE RING
60. SEA OF GRASS
61. SINBAD THE SAILOR
62. MOTHER WORE TIGHTS
63. SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE
64. FIESTA