Tuesday, February 23, 2021

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

Monday, February 22, 2021

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

Sunday, February 21, 2021

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

Saturday, February 20, 2021

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

Friday, February 19, 2021

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

Thursday, February 18, 2021

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

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

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

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

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

Monday, February 15, 2021

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

Sunday, February 14, 2021

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

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

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

Tuesday, February 09, 2021

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

Monday, February 08, 2021

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

Sunday, February 07, 2021

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1946

 


  1. THE BIG SLEEP
  2. A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
  3. MY DARLING CLEMENTINE
  4. NOTORIOUS
  5. PAISAN
  6. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
  7. THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE
  8. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
  9. NO REGRETS FOR OUR YOUTH
  10. GILDA
  11. THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE
  12. THE STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS
  13. UNDERCURRENT
  14. THE BLUE DAHLIA
  15. THE KILLERS
  16. THE OVERLANDERS
  17. TILL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY
  18. THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES
  19. THE GHOST OF RASHMON HALL
  20. I SEE A DARK STRANGER
  21. EASY TO WED
  22. A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA
  23. THE CHASE
  24. CANYON PASSAGE
  25. SO DARK THE NIGHT
  26. SONG OF THE SOUTH
  27. THE STRANGER
  28. THE VERDICT
  29. DECOY
  30. GREEN FOR DANGER
  31. TERROR BY NIGHT
  32. MAKE MINE MUSIC
  33. STRANGLER OF THE SWAMP
  34. THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS
  35. THREE STRANGERS
  36. DARK ALIBI
  37. DRAGONWYCK
  38. HOUSE OF HORRORS
  39. TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST
  40. BEDLAM
  41. THEY MADE ME A KILLER
  42. LITTLE GIANT
  43. THE FACE OF MARBLE
  44. SHOCK
  45. DUEL IN THE SUN
  46. MYSTERIOUS INTRUDER
  47. DRESSED TO KILL
  48. THE TRAP
  49. DANGEROUS MONEY
  50. BLONDIE KNOWS BEST
  51. BLONDIE'S LUCKY DAY
  52. THE BRUTE MAN
  53. TALL, TAN AND TERRIFIC
  54. MIDNIGHT MENACE
  55. BREAKFAST IN HOLLYWOOD
  56. LONDON TOWN
  57. GENIUS AT WORK
  58. BLACK ANGEL
  59. LADY IN THE LAKE
  60. DICK TRACY VS. CUEBALL
  61. SHE-WOLF OF LONDON

Saturday, February 06, 2021

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1945

 



  1. BRIEF ENCOUNTER
  2. DEAD OF NIGHT
  3. LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN
  4. AND THEN THERE WERE NONE
  5. CHILDREN OF PARADISE
  6. I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING
  7. DETOUR
  8. THE BODY SNATCHER
  9. ROME, OPEN CITY
  10. MILDRED PIERCE
  11. CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT
  12. WITHOUT LOVE
  13. MY NAME IS JULIA ROSS
  14. THRILL OF A ROMANCE
  15. BLITHE SPIRIT
  16. THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
  17. LES DAMES DU BOIS DE BOULOGNE
  18. THEY WERE EXPENDABLE
  19. HOUSE OF DRACULA
  20. FOG ISLAND
  21. THE WICKED LADY
  22. THE LOST WEEKEND
  23. THE HOUSE OF FEAR
  24. CONFLICT
  25. ISLE OF THE DEAD
  26. ZIEGFELD FOLLIES
  27. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO IN HOLLYWOOD
  28. THE WOMAN IN GREEN
  29. CORNERED
  30. A ROYAL SCANDAL
  31. ZOMBIES ON BROADWAY
  32. IT'S IN THE BAG
  33. THE JADE MASK
  34. THE NAUGHTY NINETIES
  35. HERE COME THE CO-EDS
  36. A PLACE OF ONE'S OWN
  37. THE SHANGHAI COBRA
  38. THE SCARLET CLUE
  39. MADONNA OF THE SEVEN MOONS
  40. THE HORN BLOWS AT MIDNIGHT
  41. THE BELLS OF ST. MARY'S
  42. SCARLET STREET
  43. WOMAN WHO CAME BACK
  44. VOICE OF THE WHISTLER
  45. STRANGE ILLUSION
  46. HANGOVER SQUARE
  47. PILLOW OF DEATH
  48. THE FROZEN GHOST
  49. LEAVE IT TO BLONDIE
  50. LIFE WITH BLONDIE
  51. THE VAMPIRE'S GHOST
  52. SPELLBOUND
  53. THE CORN IS GREEN
  54. MIDNIGHT MANHUNT
  55. STRANGE CONFESSION
  56. ROAD TO UTOPIA

Friday, February 05, 2021

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1944

 


  1. MURDER, MY SWEET
  2. A CANTERBURY TALE
  3. DOUBLE INDEMNITY
  4. LAURA
  5. THE UNINVITED
  6. THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW
  7. LIFEBOAT
  8. CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE
  9. TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT
  10. ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
  11. THE WAY AHEAD
  12. MINISTRY OF FEAR
  13. PHANTOM LADY
  14. THE SCARLET CLAW
  15. MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS
  16. WILSON
  17. THE THREE CABALLEROS
  18. THIS HAPPY BREED
  19. PASSAGE TO MARSEILLES
  20. THE HALFWAY HOUSE
  21. THE MASK OF DIMITRIOS
  22. BATHING BEAUTY
  23. HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN
  24. THE PEARL OF DEATH
  25. BLACK MAGIC
  26. WEIRD WOMAN
  27. IVAN THE TERRIBLE PT. 1
  28. THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER
  29. THE LODGER
  30. THE SUSPECT
  31. THE CANTERVILLE GHOST
  32. IN SOCIETY
  33. LOST IN A HAREM
  34. GOING MY WAY
  35. DRAGON SEED
  36. THE CHINESE CAT
  37. THE INVISIBLE MAN'S REVENGE
  38. THE LADY AND THE MONSTER
  39. HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN
  40. THE WHISTLER
  41. BLUEBEARD
  42. TAMPICO
  43. THE MUMMY'S GHOST
  44. SENSATIONS OF 1945
  45. MR. SKEFFINGTON
  46. THE MUMMY'S CURSE
  47. DEAD MAN'S EYES
  48. RETURN OF THE APE MAN
  49. TOGETHER AGAIN
  50. THE MONSTER MAKER
  51. CRY OF THE WEREWOLF
  52. THE MARK OF THE WHISTLER
  53. CHARLIE CHAN IN THE SECRET SERVICE
  54. IT HAPPENED TOMORROW
  55. DETECTIVE KITTY O'DAY
  56. THE THIN MAN GOES HOME
  57. VOODOO MAN
  58. THE PRINCESS AND THE PIRATE
  59. NONE BUT THE LONELY HEART
  60. ONE BODY TOO MANY
  61. THE GHOST THAT WALKS ALONE
  62. I ACCUSE MY PARENTS
  63. THE CLIMAX

Thursday, February 04, 2021

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1943

 


  1. THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP
  2. DAY OF WRATH
  3. SHADOW OF A DOUBT
  4. THE 7TH VICTIM
  5. I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE
  6. THE LEOPARD MAN
  7. RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE
  8. OSSESSIONE
  9. AIR FORCE
  10. JANE EYRE
  11. CABIN IN THE SKY
  12. MESHES OF THE AFTERNOON
  13. THE MORE THE MERRIER
  14. SON OF DRACULA
  15. FIRES WERE STARTED
  16. HIT THE ICE
  17. FLESH AND FANTASY
  18. ACTION IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC
  19. STORMY WEATHER
  20. THE BLACK RAVEN
  21. BATMAN
  22. MUNCHAUSEN
  23. HEAVEN CAN WAIT
  24. SAN DEMETRIO LONDON
  25. THE MAD GHOUL
  26. FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN
  27. THE GHOST SHIP
  28. THE MAN IN GREY
  29. THE DESPERADOES
  30. CALLING DR. DEATH
  31. IT AIN'T HAY
  32. THE GANG'S ALL HERE
  33. WHISTLING IN BROOKLYN
  34. A GUY NAMED JOE
  35. GHOSTS ON THE LOOSE
  36. DRUMS OF FU MANCHU
  37. HITLER'S MADMAN
  38. REVENGE OF THE ZOMBIES
  39. KLONDIKE KATE
  40. THE GHOST AND THE GUEST
  41. FIND THE BLACKMAILER
  42. OLD ACQUAINTANCE
  43. DEAD MEN WALK
  44. THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS
  45. THE OUTLAW
  46. THE SPIDER WOMAN
  47. I DOOD IT
  48. THEY GOT ME COVERED
  49. IT'S A GREAT LIFE
  50. FOOTLIGHT GLAMOUR
  51. THE APE MAN
  52. STAGE DOOR CANTEEN
  53. HAUNTED RANCH
  54. CAPTIVE WILD WOMAN
  55. COSMO JONES, CRIME SMASHER
  56. THIS IS THE ARMY
  57. FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
  58. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Wednesday, February 03, 2021

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1942

 


  1. CASABLANCA
  2. LISTEN TO BRITAIN
  3. CAT PEOPLE
  4. WENT THE DAY WELL
  5. WOMAN OF THE YEAR
  6. IN WHICH WE SERVE
  7. NOW, VOYAGER
  8. I MARRIED A WITCH
  9. THE OX-BOW INCIDENT
  10. MRS. MINIVER
  11. THE TALK OF THE TOWN
  12. HOLIDAY INN
  13. THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER
  14. WHO DONE IT?
  15. KEEPER OF THE FLAME
  16. TALES OF MANHATTAN
  17. THE BLACK SWAN
  18. TO BE OR NOT TO BE
  19. THE PALM BEACH STORY
  20. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY
  21. MOONTIDE
  22. THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN
  23. ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT
  24. THE MUMMY'S TOMB
  25. A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
  26. SALUDOS AMIGOS
  27. INVISIBLE AGENT
  28. EYES IN THE NIGHT
  29. THE UNDYING MONSTER
  30. THE NIGHT HAS EYES
  31. SHIP AHOY
  32. RIDE 'EM COWBOY
  33. THIS GUN FOR HIRE
  34. BAMBI
  35. ROAD TO MOROCCO
  36. THE LIVING GHOST
  37. LUCKY GHOST
  38. NIGHT MONSTER
  39. WHISTLING IN DIXIE
  40. THE MAD DOCTOR OF MARKET STREET
  41. TARZAN'S NEW YORK ADVENTURE
  42. THE CORPSE VANISHES
  43. SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SECRET WEAPON
  44. THE STRANGE CASE OF DOCTOR RX
  45. ORCHESTRA WIVES
  46. A-HAUNTING WE WILL GO
  47. LADY FROM CHUNGKING
  48. ACROSS THE PACIFIC
  49. THE MAD MONSTER
  50. THUNDER ROCK
  51. THE BOOGIE MAN WILL GET YOU
  52. THE HIDDEN HAND
  53. PARDON MY SARONG
  54. DR. RENAULT'S SECRET
  55. RIO RITA
  56. GEORGE WASHINGTON SLEPT HERE
  57. BLONDIE FOR VICTORY
  58. HERE WE GO AGAIN
  59. THE GLASS KEY
  60. BLONDIE'S BLESSED EVENT
  61. BLONDIE GOES TO COLLEGE
  62. THE MYSTERY OF MARIE ROGET
  63. LAW OF THE JUNGLE
  64. WHISPERING GHOSTS
  65. BOWERY AT MIDNIGHT
  66. PHANTOM KILLER
  67. FRECKLES COMES HOME
  68. MY FAVORITE BLONDE
  69. THE GREAT GILDERSLEEVE
  70. BLACK DRAGONS

Tuesday, February 02, 2021

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1941

 


  1. THE MALTESE FALCON
  2. CITIZEN KANE
  3. THE WOLF MAN
  4. HELLZAPOPPIN'
  5. THE SEA WOLF
  6. THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON
  7. 49TH PARALLEL
  8. SUSPICION
  9. HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY
  10. HIGH SIERRA
  11. THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER
  12. SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS
  13. THE LADY EVE
  14. MEET JOHN DOE
  15. THE SHANGHAI GESTURE
  16. DANGEROUS MOONLIGHT
  17. BALL OF FIRE
  18. WHISTLING IN THE DARK
  19. HOLD THAT GHOST
  20. THE DEVIL COMMANDS
  21. TOPPER RETURNS
  22. MURDER BY INVITATION
  23. KING OF THE ZOMBIES
  24. BUCK PRIVATES
  25. IN THE NAVY
  26. THREE GIRLS ABOUT TOWN
  27. YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK
  28. DEAD MEN TELL
  29. NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK
  30. THE BIG STORE
  31. LOVE CRAZY
  32. HERE COMES MR. JORDAN
  33. THE LITTLE FOXES
  34. OUT OF THE FOG
  35. KEEP 'EM FLYING
  36. THE BLACK CAT
  37. SPOOKS RUN WILD
  38. INVISIBLE GHOST
  39. CHARLIE CHAN IN RIO
  40. THE GHOST TRAIN
  41. SUN VALLEY SERENADE
  42. CHARLEY'S AUNT
  43. THE GHOST OF ST. MICHAEL'S
  44. LOOK WHO'S LAUGHING
  45. SHADOWS ON THE STAIRS
  46. INSPECTOR HORNLEIGH GOES TO IT
  47. MAN-MADE MONSTER
  48. LADY BE GOOD
  49. HORROR ISLAND
  50. ROAD TO ZANZIBAR
  51. THE SMILING GHOST
  52. AMONG THE LIVING
  53. BLONDIE IN SOCIETY
  54. THE BLOOD OF JESUS
  55. YOU'LL NEVER GET RICH
  56. PENNY SERENADE
  57. SADDLE MOUNTAIN ROUNDUP
  58. TARZAN'S SECRET TREASURE
  59. MOON OVER MIAMI
  60. ADAM HAD FOUR SONS
  61. BLONDIE GOES LATIN
  62. PASSING CLOUDS aka THE SPELL OF AMY NUGENT
  63. LET'S GO COLLEGIATE
  64. THE GANG'S ALL HERE
  65. MR. AND MRS. SMITH
  66. DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE

Monday, February 01, 2021

YEAR-BY-YEAR RANKING: 1940

 


  1. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
  2. HIS GIRL FRIDAY
  3. THE GRAPES OF WRATH
  4. THE THIEF OF BAGDAD
  5. STRANGER ON THE THIRD FLOOR
  6. PINOCCHIO
  7. REBECCA
  8. THE BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940
  9. FANTASIA
  10. THE GREAT DICTATOR
  11. MY FAVORITE WIFE
  12. THE BANK DICK
  13. THE SEA HAWK
  14. THE LETTER
  15. THE GHOST BREAKERS
  16. DANCE, GIRL, DANCE
  17. MY LITTLE CHICKADEE
  18. NIGHT TRAIN TO MUNICH
  19. GASLIGHT
  20. THE RETURN OF FRANK JAMES
  21. CHARLIE CHAN'S MURDER CRUISE
  22. CHRISTMAS IN JULY
  23. UP IN THE AIR
  24. THE MAN WITH NINE LIVES
  25. THE MUMMY'S HAND
  26. THE DEVIL BAT
  27. CONTRABAND
  28. BEFORE I HANG
  29. CHARLIE CHAN AT THE WAX MUSEUM
  30. TOO MANY HUSBANDS
  31. THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER
  32. CRIMES AT THE DARK HOUSE
  33. ON THE SPOT
  34. DRUMS OF FU MANCHU
  35. FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE
  36. THE GREEN ARCHER
  37. ONE NIGHT IN THE TROPICS
  38. GO WEST
  39. THE SHADOW
  40. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT
  41. CHASING TROUBLE
  42. THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES
  43. BOYS OF THE CITY
  44. ANGELS OVER BROADWAY
  45. SKY MURDER
  46. PHANTOM RAIDERS
  47. YOU'LL FIND OUT
  48. THE APE
  49. A WINDOW IN LONDON
  50. PHANTOM RANCHER
  51. BRITISH INTELLIGENCE
  52. ROAD TO SINGAPORE
  53. BLONDIE ON A BUDGET
  54. BLONDIE HAS SERVANT TROUBLE
  55. BLONDIE PLAYS CUPID
  56. HAUNTED HOUSE
  57. THE SAINT'S DOUBLE TROUBLE
  58. CROOK'S TOUR
  59. MUSIC IN MY HEART
  60. THE INVISIBLE MAN RETURNS
  61. BUCK BENNY RIDES AGAIN
  62. DR. CYCLOPS
  63. MURDER OVER NEW YORK
  64. THE INVISIBLE WOMAN
  65. THE CASE OF THE FRIGHTENED LADY
  66. THE DOOR WITH SEVEN LOCKS
  67. DARK STREETS OF CAIRO
  68. BLACK FRIDAY
  69. THE FATAL HOUR
  70. THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT