The Sin of Nora Moran is an extremely forward thinking film, story-wise and visually, for a pre-code from 1933. And at just a smidge over an hour in length, everything moves at a brisk speed and I wasn't bored. I can't say that for many movies made in the 30s. There are plot holes galore and one has to take quite a few leaps for plausibility's sake, but in terms of pure entertainment power, it's a real winner. Recommended!
I love B-level noir as much as the next aficionado, but this one stretches credulity so far that it snaps. It’s impossible for me to buy Charles McGraw as a milquetoast, and Joan Dixon can’t act her way out of a wet paper bag. I’d really love to like Roadblock, but it’s difficult to see beyond its faults.
Bava’s most frustrating, yet baroque and painterly composed film, in my opinion. As ponderous as it can be, good luck taking yours eyes off of it. Lisa and the Devil continues to haunt and enchant. And then there’s Elke Sommer, who never looked more beautiful.
I swear, there are times when the cheapie Poverty Row movies are so much more fun to watch. No, not all of the time, but some days these little gems are exactly what I require to lift my mood. This PRC film is absolute gold, featuring Hugh Beaumont and Mary Beth Hughes. It’s a pretty standard murder mystery, but it moves fast, occasionally defies logic, and exists in the same universe, if not the same orbit, as film noir. I…
