Movies

Dorothy L. Sayers : Busman’s Honeymoon : Haunted Honeymoon

June 26, 2012

A while back, Andie told us about the Turner Classics Movies magazine called Now Playing. Her comment was so positive about it, that I subscribed. I’m glad I did! I watch a lot of old movies, and this guide has helped me to check out, in advance, all of the movies the TCM channel is going to be playing any given month. I actually use a highlighter when going through the descriptions.

Recently, Andie wrote me to tell me that she thought some of us might enjoy a movie that will be airing early tomorrow morning, Wednesday, June 27, 2012. It’s called Haunted Honeymoon, and stars Robert Montgomery (yes, he’s Bewitched’s Elizabeth Montgomery’s dad) and Constance Cummings. It is based on the Dorothy L. Sayer‘s Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery Series.

This movie has Lord Peter Wimsey (Robert Montgomery) finally marrying Harriet Vane (Constance Cummings). It is based on the Dorothy L. Sayers 1937 mystery book called Busman’s Honeymoon.

I’ve already set up my taping device!

Thank you, Andie!

Jesse Stone’s Benefit of the Doubt – Sunday, May 20, 2012 on CBS

May 16, 2012

I know it’s only Wednesday, but I want to make sure all of you Jesse Stone movie fans get the word: Tom Selleck will be back this Sunday night (on CBS) as Jesse Stone. The newest of the Jesse Stone movies is called Benefit of the Doubt. (The Jesse Stone movies are based on Robert B. Parker‘s Jesse Stone Mystery Series.)

My husband and I are Jesse Stone movie fans, and I have already set up our DVR (equivalent) form of taping. Can you tell we are looking forward to this latest Jesse Stone addition?

This will be the eighth Jesse Stone movie in the series. For those of you who might be “arriving late to the dance” >>> Jesse Stone is the police chief of a town called Paradise. He “left” his big-city job because of his heavy drinking, and has done a great job as the police chief… except in the eyes of a few higher-ups of the town, who have put him on administrative leave (I can’t remember if it was permanent, or not). Benefit of the Doubt has Jesse trying to get his job back.

The even better news is that a lot of the “regulars” will be back, also. Kathy Baker (Rose), Kohl Sudduth (Suitcase), Saul Rubinek (Hasty Hathaway), William Devane (Jesse’s psychologist), William Sadlerd (an underworld-type mobster), and Stephen McHattie (a homicide commander for the state.)

Here are all of the earlier Jesse Stone movies.

Here are some of my previous Jesse Stone entries:

Jesse Stone Entry from May 22, 2011

Entry from April 1, 2010

Robert B. Parker Entry from January 22, 2010

Jesse Stone Entry from February 26, 2009

Jesse Stone Entry from July 10, 2007

Father Brown Television Series…

December 30, 2011

I will start out by admitting that I have not read any of G. K. Chesterton‘s Father Brown mystery books. So I cannot compare between the two media, nor can I tell you how similar the shows are to the mystery books.

The Father Brown television episodes star Kenneth More as the curate sleuth. He reminds me a lot of Joan Hickson’s Miss Marple. He is extremely observant, seems to fade into the background, and also is very inquisitive. Because of this Catholic priest’s ability to be over-looked, he is able to garner a lot of information which would normally not be shared by people – especially the culprits!

The Father Brown series takes place during the 1920s, and I found the production sets to be very believable. (Of course, I don’t know the era personally!) But, I must warn you, if you’re looking for the razzle-dazzle of today’s television productions, you will not be impressed. These shows seem to have been filmed using video tape rather than film. (I could be wrong about this, though.) I, on the other hand, am more interested in the acting and the actual mysteries… and this show does not fall short on either of these things.

Kenneth More makes these Father Brown mysteries a delight to watch. He portrays the curate as a slightly out-of-touch-with-reality individual, which of course makes people underestimate him. Father Brown’s sidekick is Hercule Flambeau (Dennis Burgess). Hercule isn’t involved in every case, but their paths seem to overlap quite a bit. Hercule is the more serious of the two and lacks the mischievousness playfulness and wink-at-the-audience attitude of Father Brown.

My husband and I have enjoyed the Father Brown television episodes… but, again, if you’re looking for today’s film productions, pass on these really good, Cozy Mystery shows.

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Christmas: Favorite Holiday Movies – More Recent, In Color

December 5, 2011

As I started working on this list, I realized that all three of my very favorite recent holiday movies were Jim Henson movies, although The Muppet Christmas Carol was under the helm of Brian Henson, his son. I realize that family memories are wrapped up with family favorites, but I am trying to be objective here – and obviously I am failing miserably! These are movies that I enjoy revisiting during the holidays simply because they bring such joy.

Now that we have worked on the Favorite Holiday Classic Movies: Old, Black & White, and A Few In Color list, let’s move on with the more recent Holiday Movies.

Here are some of my favorite, more recent holiday movies:

The Muppet Christmas Carol—–1992

A Muppet Family Christmas—–1987

Jim Henson’s The Christmas Toy—–1986

I am not sure if this one should be in the Christmas or Halloween movies:

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—–1993

Here are the favorite more recent holiday movies from your suggestions:

An American Christmas Carol—–1979–Henry Winkler

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever—–1983–Loretta Swit

The Christmas Box—–1997–Maureen O’Hara & Richard Thomas

The Christmas Card—–1996–Ed Asner

A Christmas Carol—–1984 –George C. Scott