A Damsel in Distress

"You know, if it weren't for two things you'd be a terrific dancer."

"What's that?"

"Your feet."

Lady Alyce Marshmorton (Fontaine) must marry soon. Her staff, led by butler Keggs (Gardiner), bet on the most likely candidate, with Keggs rigging it in his favor. With all the likely candidates claimed, footman Albert (Watson) bets on Mr. X and claims that Alyce is in love with an American. 

Meanwhile, American entertainer Jerry Halliday (Astaire), is trying to avoid the press and his adoring fans. While escaping both, he meets Alyce, who is escaping Keggs' watchful eye. Keggs and Albert believe he is Alyce's American. 

The mistaken identity continues, with Jerry's press agent George (Burns), and inept secretary Gracie (Allen), also convinced that Alyce is in love with Jerry. Alyce's aunt wants Jerry out of the way so her stepson Reggie (Noble) can propose, while her father, Lord Marshmorton (Love), endorses Jerry. Can they resolve the confusion and end up with the right people?

Based on the 1919 novel by P.G. Wodehouse (who also co-wrote the screenplay). Turned into a musical with songs by George and Ira Gershwin. 

The Good:

Gracie Allen is the best part of the film. She is hilarious and manages to confuse and one-up all the men around her. Allen and husband George Burns were a well-known comedic team, but did not make many films together, which is a shame.

This film may not be as well-known or iconic as other Fred Astaire films, but the dancing is top notch. 

The Bad:

I like the cast, but the film doesn't work as well as expected. The romance feels forced. Joan Fontaine tries, but her dancing is no match for her co-stars. 

Other Comments:

-Burns and Allen dance alongside Astaire comfortably.  No one stands out, they feel like an even match in both the comedic tap dance "Put Me to the Test" and the funhouse dance "Stiff Upper Lip" sung by Allen.

-This was Astaire's first film after ending his professional partnership with Ginger Rogers.

-The story was also turned into a play, and it feels like that is a better fit for the story, than an Astaire musical. 

-This film was nominated for 2 Academy Awards: Best Art Direction for Carroll Clark and Best Dance Direction for Hermes Pan, the "Fun House" sequence.  It won Best Dance Direction.

-Not bad, but Allen and the dancing are the best parts.

A Damsel in Distress (1937) 98 minutes

Director: George Stevens 

Starring: Fred Astaire as Jerry Halliday 

George Burns as George

Gracie Allen as Gracie

Joan Fontaine as Alyce Marshmorton 

Reginald Gardiner as Keggs

Ray Noble as Reggie

Constance Collier as Lady Caroline

Montagu Love as Lord Marshmorton

Harry Watson as Albert

Charlie Chan on Broadway

"No poison more deadly than ink."

Famed detective Charlie Chan (Oland) and his number one son Lee (Luke) are traveling by ship to New York. On board, they meet Billie Bronson (Henry). Bronson left the US a year prior to avoid testifying in a case. On board the ship, her room is ransacked, so she hides a package in the Chans' luggage, planning to retrieve it later.

After landing in New York, Charlie is invited to a police banquet by Chief Inspector James Nelson (Huber). Billie is hounded by photographer Joan Wendall (Marsh) and reporter Speed Patten (Woods). That evening she is murdered at the Hottentot Club, owned by her boyfriend Johnny Burke (Fowley). When a second dead body is discovered in the Chans' hotel room, Charlie joins Inspector Nelson on the case. Can they find the culprit before more bodies pile up?

The character of Charlie Chan was created by Earl Derr Biggers in a series of novels from 1925-1932. In 1931, Chan was the star of Charlie Chan Carries On, starring Warner Orland. This is Orlan's 15th of 16 appearance as the character. 

The Good:

Like other entries in the Charlie Chan series, the plot moves at a decent pace and juggles multiple potential suspects. It also nicely balances the murder mystery with comedy, mostly at the expense of Keye Luke's Lee. 

The Bad: 

No real complaints. But Joan Woodbury's Marie is annoying,  and her act in the club is just unnecessary filler.

Other Comments:

-The series continued with Sidney Toler for 22 films and Roland Winters for 6 films.

-Luke also appeared in the Mr. Wong film series, taking over the role from Boris Karloff. He also appeared as Lee Chan in the Mr. Moto series.

-Another enjoyable Chan adventure.

Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937) 68 minutes

Director: Eugene Forde

Starring: Warner Oland as Charlie Chan

Keye Luke as Lee Chan

Joan Marsh as Joan Wendall

J. Edward Bromberg as Murdock

Douglas Fowley as Johnny Burke

Harold Huber as Chief Inspector James Nelson

Donald Woods as Speed Patten

Louise Henry as Billie Bronson

Joan Woodbury as Marie Collins

Leon Ames as Buzz Moran

Aladdin & the King of Thieves

"Once again, this whole broadcast has been brought to you by Sand. It's everywhere, get used to it!"

Aladdin (Weinger and Kane) and Jasmine (Larkin and Callaway) are getting married. It is a huge event and draws the attention of the 40 thieves. The 40 thieves crash the wedding, looking for a specific item, but are thwarted by Aladdin and his friends.

Aladdin finds an Oracle (CCH Pounder) among the wedding gifts. The Oracle says his father, Cassim (Rhys-Davies and Foard), is alive and with the 40 thieves. With Jasmine's blessing, Aladdin, Iago (Gottfried), Abu (Welker), and Carpet set out to find Cassim. Jasmine and Genie (Williams) remain in Agrabah.

Can they rescue Cassim, keep Agrabah safe, and finally have the wedding?

The film entry in the Aladdin series, following the 1992 film Aladdin and 1994 sequel The Return of Jafar.

The Good:

Robin Williams returns to voice the Genie in thus final entry in the series. It is a welcome return. 

The animation is better in this film than it's predecessor. 

Jerry Orbach, who previously voiced Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, voices villain Sa'Luk.

The Bad:

Feels like there is too much packed in the film, but it still doesn't feel like enough. Jasmine has minimal purpose or personality in this film (you could argue the same thing in the 2nd film).

Other Comments:

-The new songs, by Randy Peterson and Kevin Quinn, and David Friedman, are ok. Some are more memorable than others.

-Once again the song "Arabian Nights", by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, is featured.

-Better than the 2nd movie, but not as good as the 1st.

Aladdin & the King of Thieves (1996) 81 minutes

Director: Tad Stones 

Starring: Scott Weinger as Aladdin

Brad Kane as Aladdin (singing)

John Rhys-Davies as Cassim

Merwin Foard as Cassim (singing)

Jerry Orbach as Sa'Luk

Linda Larkin as Princess Jasmine

Liz Callaway as Princess Jasmine (singing)

Gilbert Gottfried as Iago

Frank Welker as Abu, Fazal, Rajah

Robin Williams as Genie

Val Bettin as The Sultan

Aladdin: The Return of Jafar

Iago (Gottfried) is sick of being Jafar's (Freeman) lackey. After digging out od the sandy prison they were sent, he ditches Jafar's lamp and starts a new scheme. He decides to befriend Aladdin (Weinger and Kane).

Aladdin is adjusting to life in the palace. He is overjoyed when Genie (Castellaneta) returns after his journey around the world. When Iago saves his life, Aladdin begrudgingly brings him back to the palace. No one else is happy to see Iago and causes tension in Aladdin's relationships with Jasmine (Larkin and Callaway), the Sultan (Bettin), Carpet, and Abu (Welker).

Meanwhile, Jafar is frustrated by his limitations as a genie. His lamp is discovered by criminal Abis Mal (Alexander). He forces Mal to join his plans for revenge against Aladdin. With a vengeful genie and devious criminal after them, can Aladdin and his friends put aside their differences and save Agrabah?

A sequel to the 1992 Disney film Aladdin. This was Disney's first direct to video sequel.

The Good:

Iago is an interesting character and it's fun to see him in a larger role. Gilbert Gottfried imbues the character with lots of snark and some heart. Most of the cast from the original film reprised their roles here. Val Bettin took over voicing the Sultan for the rest of the series and Liz Callaway took over Jasmine's singing.

The Bad:

Due to an issue with Disney, Robin Williams did not return for this sequel. Dan Castellaneta voiced the Genie for this film and the TV show. He does ok, but I missed Williams.

The animation is not as good as the original. It's not bad, but it isn't the same quality.

Other Comments:

-This film was created to redeem Iago and setup the Aladdin TV show. A second sequel, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, was made after the TV show ended.

-Features new songs. Not quite as catchy as the original, but still entertaining. It also features a part of the song "Arabian Nights" written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, from the original film.

The Return of Jafar (1994) 69 minutes

Director: Toby Shelton, Tad Stones, & Alan Zaslove

Starring: Gilbert Gottfried as Iago

Jason Alexander as Abis Mal

Jonathan Freeman as Jafar

Scott Weinger as Aladdin

Brad Kane as Aladdin (singing voice)

Linda Larkin as Princess Jasmine

Liz Callaway as Princess Jasmine (singing voice)

Dan Castellaneta as Genie, Omar, and Thief

Frank Welker as Abu, Rajah, Fazal, Egg Vendor, and Thief

Val Bettin as the Sultan

Oscars 2025

 I have been predicting the Oscars since 2007. Last year I saw 6 of the nominated films and correctly predicted 7 of 9 categories (I don't predict them all). This year I saw 2 of the films.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl 

Wicked

These are my last minute pics... I did not see as many films as I planned, and due to sickness didn't have a chance to put more thought into my selections.

Best Supporting Actor

Yura Borisov, Anora

Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown 

Guy Pearce, The Brutalist 

Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice 

My pick: Kieran Culkin or Jeremy Strong

Winner: Kieran Culkin 

Best Supporting Actress 

Monica Barbaro, A Complete Unknown 

Ariana Grande-Butera, Wicked

Felicity Jones, The Brutalist 

Isabella Rossellini, Conclave 

Zoe Saldana, Emilia Perez 

My pick: Zoe Saldana

I enjoyed Ariana Grande-Butera in Wicked, but Zoe Saldana has the buzz.

Winner: Zoe Saldana 

Best Actor

Adrien Brody, The Brutalist 

Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown 

Colman Domingo, Sing Sing

Ralph Fiennes, Conclave 

Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice 

My pick: Timothee Chalamet 

Playing a well-known performer is s a risk, but it is also the kind of risk that Oscars likes to award. Sebastian Stan is also playing a well-known figure, but at this time, I don't think it will be rewarded. 

Winner: Adrien Brody 

Best Actress

Cynthia Erivo, Wicked 

Karla Sofia Gascon, Emilia Perez 

Mikey Madison, Anora

Demi Moore, The Substance 

Fernanda Torres, I'm Still Here 

My pick: Demi Moore

Cynthia Erivo gave a great performance, but it seems like it is Demi Moore's to lose, especially with the controversy surrounding Karla Sofia Gascon.

Winner: Mikey Madison 

Best Director 

Sean Baker, Anora

Brady Corbet, The Brutalist 

James Mangold, A Complete Unknown 

Jacques Audiard, Emilia Perez 

Coralie Fargeat, The Substance 

My pick: Brady Corbet

I have absolutely no interest in the film, but this seems like the category where it is most like to win.

Winner: Sean Baker

Best Animated Film 

Flow

Inside Out 2

Memoir of a Snail

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl 

The Wild Robot

My pick: Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl 

Fun story, fun animation, and well-made. But never count out Disney/Pixar, Inside Out 2 had good buzz and it's predecessor won in this category, so it has a good chance.

Winner: Flow

Best Picture

Anora

The Brutalist 

A Complete Unknown 

Conclave

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Perez 

I'm Still Here

Nickel Boys

The Substance 

Wicked

My pick: Wicked

I don't know if it will win, but it was the film that I was most excited to see and felt the film lived up to the hype. I do plan to see Dune: Part Two and possibly another, but there doesn't seem to be an obvious front-runner. 

Winner: Anora

Updated: 2/7, not great