Pete’s Dragon

Tags

1970's, Adventure, Disney, Don Chaffey, Fantasy, Helen Reddy, Jim Dale, Mickey Rooney, Musical, Pete's Dragon, Red Buttons, Sean Marshall, Shelley Winters

My second entry into the Shelley Winters blogathon is with the Disney fantasy adventure Pete’s Dragon, in which she plays a wicked supporting role. I must say thanks to both Erica and Gill for inviting me to take part

Charming and both bittersweet and funny in parts, Pete’s Dragon is undervalued as a film in my eyes. I think it should be reassessed and while some of it won’t hold up, you’ll definitely get some joy from it.

It’s the turn of the century and in Maine, young orphan Pete(Sean Marshall) runs away from his adoptive guardians. They are the vile Gogan’s, a hillbilly clan headed by the nasty Lena(Shelley Winters). They’ve treated him unfairly and made him a slave, prompting his escape. Aiding him is Elliott; a large, green dragon who can turn invisible and often is only seen by Pete. They venture into the town of Passamaquoddy hoping to start a new life. With Elliott being a clumsy creature, a string of mishaps occur. Eventually, Pete finds shelter with the kind-hearted Nora(Helen Reddy), who lives in a lighthouse with her often well meaning but drunk father Lampie(Mickey Rooney). This bliss is changed by the arrival of showy quack Dr. Terminus( Jim Dale) and his sidekick Hoagy(Red Buttons). Always on the lookout for money, when he gets wind of a dragon, he schemes to capture it. Though while both Pete and Elliott are wanted by nefarious forces, it seems that Nora and Lampie are there for them to face the evil that covers them.

Don Chaffey keeps events ticking over with humour and heart. You’re guaranteed to have a smile when watching a lot of this movie as Pete and experience thrills, adventure and danger. While Pete’s Dragon isn’t held in as high a rank as other Disney films, I think it’s unfairly overlooked. Sure it’s far from faultless and there are various issues with it, such as the length of the film, but the infectious energy and spirited heart can’t be ignored or resisted. Plus, it’s surprising how dark some parts of Pete’s Dragon are, like the singing of ‘The Happiest Home in these Hills”, in which the Gogan’s detail the horrible fate that Pete will meet if they get their hands on him. Though the overall tone is hopeful and cheery, the darkness and occasional bittersweet pang underneath in areas is a welcome addition as it doesn’t allow the film to overdose on sugary sentiment. Speaking of music, Pete’s Dragon has some lovely songs, with ‘Candle on the Water’ sung by Helen Reddy a great highlight and the sweet Boo Bop Bop Bop Bop a real gem. I’ve always liked this movie and may be a tad biased when reviewing it, but it really holds a certain place of nostalgia for me. I adore the blending of animation and live action, with Elliott being a wonderfully funny and endearing vision. Yes it’s not as slick as today’s effects, but damn if it isn’t darn effective at bringing to vivid life. The theme of wanting to belong resonates deeply with the viewer as it’s explored in numerous ways, not of least the eponymous orphan who is on his way to luck, if nothing bad befalls him first.

Sean Marshall takes the role of Pete and gives us a protagonist to root for, due to his honest face and general decency. He could have become annoying, but thankfully, Sean Marshall is a good child actor who doesn’t grate on the nerves. Helen Reddy is winsome and feisty when called for, plus using her gorgeous singing voice wonderfully. Mickey Rooney, all bluster and expressive eyes, is great as the initially terrified Lampie, who eventually comes around and takes Pete under his wing. Jim Dale is a hoot as the nasty but often hilarious showman Dr. Terminus, while Red Buttons is effective as his not above goodness sidekick. And now we come to the woman of the hour and her name is Shelley Winters. Dirtied up, spouting nastiness and generally being one evil villain, Winters is obviously having a blast playing such a vile character. Villains are in good order with the Gogan’s, but it’s Winters who stands out the most as the queen of mean. The villains are over the top and yet that’s what makes them good. They are just so nasty and often cartoonish that we want their plans to fail.

While flawed and a bit over long , Pete’s Dragon is very underrated and deserves a bit more love from people for its magic, music and story.

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Carry On Spying

Tags

1960's, Barbara Windsor, Bernard Cribbins, Carry On Movies, Carry On Spying, Charles Hawtrey, Comedy, Dilys Laye, Eric Barker, Gerald Thomas, Jim Dale, Kenneth Williams

Film Title

Carry On Spying

Director

Gerald Thomas

Starring

• Kenneth Williams as Desmond Simpkins
• Barbara Windsor as Daphne Honeybutt
• Bernard Cribbins as Harold Crump
• Charles Hawtrey as Charlie Bind
• Jim Dale as Carstairs
• Eric Barker as The Chief
• Dilys Laye as Lila

A frequently hilarious send up of the Bond movies and Film Noir in parts, Carry On Spying is an enjoyable and fun ninth entry into the long-running movies that is also the last to be filmed in black and white. Be prepared for a riot of laughs here.

A top-secret chemical formula is stolen by an agent who plans to deliver it to an evil organisation known as STENCH. The British Secret Service are panicking at the impending doom that could grow if STENCH gets their hands on the formula. Due to budget cuts and lack of resources, the Chief has to rely on trainee agents to take part in the mission. They are headed by the snide and deluded Desmond Simpkins, and the rest consist of goofy Harold Crump, chirpy Daphne Honeybutt and clumsy Charlie Bind. They are hardly the most effective crew to retrieve something so crucial, but are aided by the fact that Daphne has an excellent photographic memory. They journey to Vienna to meet with another agent( the very Bond like Carstairs) but attempts of a rendezvous are thwarted by the incompetence of the crew and a delirious series of mix-ups that also sends them to the Algiers in search for the formula is what hilariously follows. Who ever said the spying game was just for geniuses?

Gerald Thomas is once more director and clearly on the ball with this offering of jokes and funny goings on. His sense of fun and spoofing of the spy genre is put into great effect, making the laughs flow like a nice wine. Spying is the last black and white entry of the series and it signs off from monochrome with some style and rollicking action. The long shadows of Noir, in particular The Third Man, as well as the James Bond movies, are sent up in hilarious fashion as a whole host of comedic mix-ups have the agents in all sorts of bother with the enemy. While spoofing spy movies and thrillers, Carry On Spying does have the right atmosphere for a movie of that kind, though one with a hell of a lot more zany antics. The pace is lightning quick, benefiting the often outrageous and farcical ventures the bumbling group get themselves into. It’s this efficiency and riotous laughs that are the biggest points of praise in Carry On Spying. From outrageous opening to hilarious headquarters mayhem, there’s no shortage of giggles to be had with Carry On Spying. The innuendo is there and often extremely funny, but never overtly in your face. This makes it an innocent but no less fun outing for the usual assembled gang and more in keeping with some of the earlier entries in the series. Matching the slapstick and crazy occurrences is a very lively score that is the definition of cartoonish.

Kenneth Williams is the main man here, delivering a scene-stealing turn playing the overblown nitwit who thinks he’s a lot better than he actually is. Employing a snide voice and dispensing on liners like there’s no tomorrow, Williams is on fine form from start to finish. Barbara Windsor( who’d later become something of a staple in the Carry On’s) makes her debut here with a light, funny and very cheeky performance. Often later cast as a bimbo or lusted after girl, it’s quite nice to see Windsor as sexy but somewhat more innocent than her latter outings show. It’s a nice, fizzy and wide-eyed performance as the most reliable and resourceful member of a rag-tag team and one that cements Barbara Windsor as something special in these movies. Bernard Cribbins is back following the last movie Carry On Jack, and his goofiness and timing are on point as one part of the inept agents trying to retrieve the formula in rib-tickling style. The last part of the foursome is the delightfully impish Charles Hawtrey; who is customarily camp and energetic in his manner. The main quartet work very well together and the smashing fun depicted transfers directly to the audience through their enthusiasm and brightness. Many of Spying’s laugh come from Jim Dale as a man of disguise whose always thwarted and troubled by the bumbling agents. The fact that he’s on their side and they constantly hinder his chances of glory are the stuff that chuckles are made from. Eric Barker is on familiar but humorous form playing the figure of annoyed and aggravated authority that he knows so well. Dilys Laye( her last appearance being in Carry On Cruising) nicely returns with a devilishly seductive part of a go-between agent who constantly switches sides with aplomb.

Carry On Spying is damn good fun that moves along at a scintillating pace that never lets up, making the enjoyment that much more wonderful. Definitely a high point of the Carry On Movies at least in my book that is. You’ve got a good afternoon film to watch with Carry On Spying that’s for sure and certain.

 

Carry On Jack

Tags

1960's, Bernard Cribbins, Carry On Jack, Carry On Movies, Charles Hawtrey, Comedy, Donald Houston, Gerald Thomas, Jim Dale, Juliet Mills, Kenneth Williams, Percy Herbert

Film Title

Carry On Jack

Director

Gerald Thomas

Starring

• Bernard Cribbins as Midshipman Albert Poop-Decker
• Juliet Mills as Sally
• Kenneth Williams as Captain Fearless
• Charles Hawtrey as Walter Sweetly
• Donald Houston as First Officer Howett
• Percy Herbert as Mr Angel
• Jim Dale as Carrier

The first hysterical historical from the Carry On team, Jack doesn’t exactly rank as one of its finest hours. Most of the main team are missing and the humour could be better in many stretches, but it’s not a complete disaster. It’s just a good Carry On rather than a great one.

After Nelson dies, the English realise they need more men fighting. With the shortage, one Albert Poop-Decker , who has spent eight and a half years training becomes a midshipman. It is what follows to Albert that puts the main plot into gear. He is to report to the frigate Venus as soon as possible. Yet after going to a local tavern to have a good time, he is knocked out by the beautiful Sally. She commandeers his clothes and identity to get aboard the Venus. Around the same time, Albert and a cess pit cleaner named Walter are press ganged by members of the ship and taken aboard in an ironic situation for Albert. The boat is captained by Captain Fearless, who is quite the opposite of what his name says and is very inept at his job. Despite his protests, Albert is reduced to seaman and also discovers Sally on board disguised as him. Meanwhile, bullying First Officer Howett and bosun Mr Angel, have become fed up with the Captain’s lack of expertise and with Howett wanting to experience some action, they begin plotting something devious against him. Rather than a mutiny, they stage it so it looks as if the boat has been invaded, causing Albert, Captain Fearless, Sally and Walter to flee. The quartet drift in the sea before reaching what they think is France, they actually wash up in Spain. As the two sets of crew continue on, Albert finds himself in hot water constantly as much misunderstanding, subterfuge and bad luck mark his eventful days of outrageous adventure at sea.

Gerald Thomas is once more behind the camera and though it’s far from his best work, he manages to make Carry On Jack whiz along. He also gets the staple of aping a particular film style right with the spoofing of cinematic swashbucklers and Napoleonic War stories. The main problem with Carry On Jack is that it just doesn’t quite have that snap that really makes a Carry On. Now the Carry On Movies are hardly what you’d call respected or high art and neither do they try to be, but there are certain things that the movies must have for them to be successful. First and most important, the humour has to be the biggest concern for entertaining the audience. That’s not to say that Jack doesn’t have its comedic moments, it just could have been funnier than it actually was. With most of the humour here, it just doesn’t hit the target as well as other entries in the eventful series of the comedies. Far more laughs could have been generated if some thought has gone into things. The innuendo is strong and often good, but the regression in humour fails to back it up. The lack of the main Carry On team are missing, which in turn plays into some of the flaws because we miss certain members of the usual gang. But it’s not all bad in Carry On Jack, there are some moments of treasure to glean. When the humour does hit, it can be rather good and make the journey quite fun. Most of it centres on the misadventures of Albert and how unlucky he is. If the humour had been more consistent, this could have benefited Jack and made it a great movie. The film is shot in colour and despite the movies being notoriously low budget, everything looks full of life and bathed in brightness. With the last movie, Carry On Cabby, being in black and white( and effectively so), seeing some colour here is welcome. The musical score is agreeable and cleverly pokes fun at the grand ones used in big historical epics.

Though most of the usual gang aren’t present, the cast still delivers. Bernard Cribbins is a good lead, playing the unlucky Albert with great skill and humour. He employs this look of bewilderment at his unfortunate circumstances that really is quite amusing.  Juliet Mills, in her only Carry On outing, clearly has a lot of fun being sneaky, romantic and capable. Plus, she is so lovely in manner and appearance that it’s a shame she wasn’t in more Carry On Movies. Stalwarts Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey are here doing what they do best, especially in the case of Williams and his gift for comedy. Donald Houston, with a menacing bull-dog like approach, plays the angry and plotting First Officer extremely well and is supported admirably by Percy Herbert. We get an amusing cameo from Jim Dale at the beginning of the picture and he gets the best line of the entire movie.

So while it does possess some charm and fun factor, Carry On Jack just winds up being a less than memorable entry into the canon due to the lack of cast regulars and a dive in the humour.

Carry On Cabby

Tags

1960's, Amanda Barrie, Bill Owen, Carry On Cabby, Carry On Movies, Charles Hawtrey, Comedy, Drama, Esma Cannon, Gerald Thomas, Hattie Jacques, Jim Dale, Kenneth Connor, Liz Fraser, Sid James

Film Title

Carry On Cabby

Director

Gerald Thomas

Starring

• Sid James as Charlie Hawkins
• Hattie Jacques as Peggy Hawkins
• Charles Hawtrey as Terry ‘Pintpot’ Tankard
• Kenneth Connor as Ted Watson
• Esma Cannon as Flo
• Liz Fraser as Sally
• Amanda Barrie as Anthea
• Bill Owen as Smiley
• Jim Dale as Expectant Father

The seventh Carry On movie, Cabby marks itself out as something a tad different from the norm, yet still boasting all the fun and good time a movie like this is expected too. Combining a keen eye for life at the time and the usual naughty comedy, Carry On Cabby is a resounding and pardon the pun, driving success.

Charlie Hawkins is a cheeky owner of a London taxi company named Speedee Cabs. Although a charmer to a fault, he’s also something of a workaholic to say the very least. His kind wife Peggy has grown tired of her husband’s devotion to his job, that has put a wedge between them that only she can see. She hopes that one day he will show her some appreciation, even though he doesn’t mean to be as inattentive as he seems. Also occupying the taxi company is loyal second in command Ted, whose often bickering with his tea lady girlfriend Sally and new driver nicknamed Pintpot who is prone to all sorts of mischief. Charlie’s dedication to his job finally comes to a head when he misses his wedding anniversary. This proves the last straw for Peggy, who decides that she must teach her husband a lesson. Using her initiative, she decides to secretly set up a rival taxi cab firm. It is named Glam Cabs, which she populates with gorgeous ladies to draw in customers. Staying in the background but pulling the strings, Peggy sets her girls out for a taste of success. The game is on as competition and all bets are off as Glam Cabs begins to succeed and Charlie’s company flounders, all with Peg motivating events to her advantage and giving Charlie a taste of his own medicine.

Gerald Thomas directs with his customary flair for comedy, while expanding on some drama in the piece. It’s clear that this a Carry On that wants to be more than funny and it actually accomplishes it winningly. After the colour of Carry On Cruising, the choice to go back to black and white pays dividends here. While primarily a comedy, Cabby has a certain serious undertone to it which surprises but finds something to say. With the film being made in the early 60’s and with more expression for women, Cabby reflects this change and how there was still a very big divide on what women were thought as and how they should be. Cabby gets in the laughs, but the social consciousness of it is what really makes it stand out in my eyes. Bucket loads of innuendo and sexiness abound in much the way you’d expect from a Carry On, but added in among Carry on Cabby’s virtues is a take on women striking out in a man’s world. Granted this includes using sex appeal and physical advantages, the feeling of fun mixed with the script that tackles what was going on at the time, any worries of overt sexism are cooled as its so well written. A serious topic is displayed with a tongue in cheek approach that still gets the message across; a success in my book. And talking of well written, Carry On Cabby is really the first of the film’s to really focus on character. You really get to know the people here, especially and the battle of the sexes their differences stoke. Combined with various incidents of great slapstick, this depth and character is what really counts in this hilarious outing for most of the team. Many moments stand out here, not least of all the ongoing battle between both companies and the various, sly methods employed to get business. Plus, we get the first appearance of Jim Dale, in a humorous interlude as an expectant father whose mind is rattled and whose constant journeys that he employs Charlie for land the latter in extremely hot water. The music is typically and amusingly jaunty, which is just what you want.

Sid James takes centre stage, perfecting his Cockney charmer and rogue routine that is great to watch. Acting alongside Hattie Jacques, James makes his character a blinded man who is good deep down. Hattie Jacques is beautifully moving and later on mischievous as the aggrieved wife, who takes control and fights fire with fire. Although she was remembered for playing the battle-axe or stern woman of authority, Jacques displays a real sensitivity and strength here that is a fine example of her talents. Charles Hawtrey returns to the fold with his fine brand of hapless pratfalls and slapstick, that is also complimented by the always excellent Kenneth Connor. Esma Cannon, in her last Carry On film, lights up the scream as the mischievous second in command for Glam Cabs. Liz Fraser once again provides the glamour and lusciousness of womanhood. Amanda Barrie has fun as the flirty Glam Cab girl who gets the most attention, while Bill Owen has his last Carry On outing in a funny interlude at the start of the film. The previously mentioned Jim Dale is a real hoot in his debut outing, which would lead to countless more.

A great entry into the ongoing franchise, Carry On Cabby mixes a certain social undercurrent to compliment its laughs and bring that something different to the table.