Keep ‘Em Flying (1941) – Arthur Lubin and Ralph Ceder

The next title in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies features that great comedic duo, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. They make an appearance in the chapter on Monstrous Apes, as Abbott encounters a gorilla (a man in a suit) partway through this rather patriotic picture. The pair serve as ground crew to Jinx Roberts…

TAD 2018: I’ll Take Your Dead (2018) – Chad Archibald

The second feature of Toronto After Dark’s opening night is the Toronto premiere of the Canadian film, I’ll Take Your Dead. The film stars Ava Preston, Aidan Devine, Jess Salgueiro, Brandon McKnight and Ari Millen. A crime thriller with supernatural overtones, the film has some gorgeous production, and features a fantastic turn by the film’s…

The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones (1993) – The Scandal of 1920

Young Indy’s (Sean Patrick Flanery) adventures are coming to a close in this the penultimate story. Jonathan Hales wrote this television movie that first aired on 3 April, 1993. Indy has left Chicago and is heading to New York for the summer. He’s going to be working as a stage hand in George White’s (Christopher…

Acceptance (2014) – Jeff VanderMeer

The final book in Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach Trilogy is on the book shelf this week, and like its predecessors is immensely enjoyable with its ominous overtones even as it hints at something stunning, amazing and beyond human comprehension. We are taken back into Area X, and the government institution investigating the geographical anomaly, the…

Quantum Leap (1989) – What Price, Gloria? and Blind Faith

  Deborah Pratt writes her first episode of the series, What Price, Gloria? and becomes one of the strongest voices of the show, so much so that when the new introduction is put in place, it’s her voice selling the show. Airing on 25 October, 1989, the episode finds Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) leaping into…

Magnum, p.i. (1984) – Tran Quoc Jones and Luther Gillis: File #001

  It’s back to Paradise for the Thursday visit with Thomas and company… Up first is Tran Quoc Jones. This episode was penned by Chris Abbott and had an airdate of 29 November, 1984. The titular character, Tran Quoc Jones (Roland Harrah III), is an illegal Amerasian boy, who sells knick knacks on the streets…

Magnum, p.i. (1984) Echoes of the Mind Part 1 & 2

  It’s time for milk, fig newtons and beautiful sunsets as Season 5 (!) gets underway with this two-parter that aired on 27 September and 4 October, 1984. The season opener was penned by Bellisario himself, and sees both Thomas (Tom Selleck) and Higgins (John Hillerman) dealing with love in their own way.  It also uses the New American…

Magnum, p.i. (1984) – Rembrandt’s Girl and Paradise Blues 

  Comedy legend Carol Burnett shows up in Hawaii this week in the first of the two episodes up for review this week. Rembrandt’s Girl was written by Chris Abbott, and aired on 2 February, 1984. Higgins (John Hillerman), with Agatha (Gillian Dobb) helping out is planning a meditation retreat weekend at the estate, and…

Road to Singapore (1940) – Victor Schertzinger

  The first musical recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of The Jazz Singer, is this highly enjoyable romp starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. Hope and Crosby play Ace and Josh respectively, a couple of sailors, and chums who love to crack-wise, drink, chase…