Mr. Imperium ~ 1951 -BW

QUICKIE: It's like a musical Cinderella with a sad ending.

PLOT: This romantic tale centers on a playboy crown prince (Ezio Pinza) who meets up with a nightclub singer (Lana Turner) while they are both vacationing in Italy. Falling in love, the two embark upon a clandestine romance that they are eventually forced to end due to interference from both of their professions. 12 years later, the two meet up again and realize they still love each other, but now she has become a Hollywood star and he has become King of his country.

SUMMARY: Alternate Title of: You Belong to My Heart. Ezio Pinza is a bass opera singer and makes his film debut in this musical where he sings quite a few songs as well. IMDB states that "this movie turned out to be such a stinker that MGM waited to release it until after Pinza's second film, "Strictly Dishonorable"".

I wouldn't call it a stinker, but it isn't a heavily engrossing film either. It's a sweet musical story of love and how life can complicate things. The humour is light, the songs are nicely done. Lana Turner's song of "My Man and My Mule" is pretty funny. Other than that bit of humour, this is a classy film, meaning there's no down and dirty complicated anything... other than the relationship itself being complicated. The costumes and sets are really superb as well. This is such a simple film that I think it's fine for children to watch it. Although the ending is sad because life forces them to part ways again. Cedric Hardwicke showed everybody up with his sublime evil as the Prime Minister intent on keeping the Prince on track.

The ending is noticeably badly edited as it's said briefly that there's a bomb threat against the King if he returns to the throne, and this is why he chooses to go, to "spare" his son's life. So, I can only conclude that there was a scene edited out in reference to the bomb threat. Too bad that was edited out as it would have added much more emotional depth to the lovers parting again.

As of this posting, I can't find the movie online yet, but try a google search yourself. It's a sweet, simple movie for those times when you want something nice and not too deep.

Three Guys Named Mike ~ 1951 -BW

QUICKIE: Eenie, meanie, miney, MIKE!

PLOT: A stewardess becomes romantically involved with an airline pilot, a college professor, and a successful businessman, all of whom are named Mike. When the three find out about each other, she has to decide which one she loves the most.

SUMMARY: Ah! To be the girl everyone likes. 'Tis the 50s, when airlines were begining their booming business and being a stewardess, ahem, a flight attendant was such a glamorous profession. Marcy (Jane Wyman) gets courted by THREE guys named Mike and she must choose between them. Who wins? Why, the one who says he loves her of course! But everybody's a good sport about it. Reminds me of when I lived in Texas and all the guys I knew had names that began with a "J". My girlfriend & I frequently mixed their names up. I blame the alcohol. The character developement of Marcy is what's most engaging in this film. I wish I knew more people like her. She makes everybody feel good about themselves. Who wouldn't love Marcy? It's got it's funny bits too, so, all in all a cute film.

Cause for Alarm ~ 1951 -BW

QUICKIE: (singsong voice): "You're gonna be accused of murder......" PSYCH! (crying/laughing) Waaaaaaaaahahahahahaha

SUMMARY: (from IMDB): Invalid George Jones is both physically and mentally ill. He mistakenly believes his wife Ellen and his doctor are having an affair and also planning to kill him. He writes a letter to his lawyer detailing their alleged murder plot. After he has Ellen give the letter to their postman, he reveals its contents to her and then threatens her with a gun. The excitement proves to much and George suffers a fatal collapse. Now Ellen must find a way to retrieve the incriminating letter.

PLOT: Wow! Loretta Young is one great actress and here she really proves it as she is in almost every scene. She is also amazingly beautiful. I love the touches in this film that make it so period: the play tv, the kitchen appliances, the cars, the DR who makes housecalls, the quiet neighborhood, the simple times. It almost makes me long for the 50's. I said almost. The majority of this movie could be considered tedious as Ellen spends most of her time running around hysterically trying to retreive "the letter", however Loretta Young's acting keeps one genuinely interested and involved. I'll confess that at the end of the movie I got a bit teary eyed as I, too, felt a big emotional relief, and a let down at the realization of her husbands' death. The movie is a good emotion tugger if you surrender to the story and sympathize with the heroine.