ABCs at the Movies: The Doubles Round!

[oilgun]

Two young Americans with special abilities must race to find a girl in Hong Kong before a shadowy government organization called Division does.

Gorgeous Chris Evans who was in The Orphan King plays Nick Gant in this sci-fi thriller.

[southendmd]

IMDb:  An author who returns to his hometown to deliver a commencement address to a class of graduating high school students has to deal with his feelings for an old flame as well as the advances of a student who has the hots for him.

Our own Monroe, Scott Michael Campbell starred in both PUSH and this film.

[Fran]

From IMDb:  Rudy has always been told that he was too small to play college football. But he is determined to overcome the odds and fulfill his dream of playing for Notre Dame.

Sean Astin, who played Big Girl in Stay Cool, played the title role in this film.

[memento]

From IMDB: As the seasons change in a Connecticut town, two men of different age and backgrounds who work together outdoors for the local park system, share thoughts and feelings that gradually deepen into a relationship approaching father and son. Paul is just out of prison for armed robbery, assigned to work with Murph, a middle-aged vet whose grown son Bobby is dying. Paul is trying to control his temper and build a spiritual side based on reading. Murph is a down-to-earth Sancho Panza to Paul's more ethereal ideas. And Murphy seems to need forgiveness for mistakes as a dad. As Murphy's retirement approaches and winter sets in, the men talk and love blossoms.

Ned Beatty played Daniel Ruettiger in Rudy and stars in this film.

[oilgun]

IMDb: An isolated Canadian town (populated by the weirdest group of people this side of Saturn) has seen its share of problems. First the nut factory closed, then the CATV antenna stopped broadcasting, and now something is gruesomely devouring the townsfolk! Can visiting atomic scientist (and expert on "cool fusion") Dr. Karel Lamonte solve the mystery before everyone disappears?

Inexplicably, Campbell Scott who was in Spring Forward (and reads BbM on the audio book),  plays Karel Lamont, Atomic scientist, in this film.

[Fran]

From IMDb:  Dudley Moore plays a composer who suspects his wife of cheating. He plots to kill her and frame it on her lover. The whole movie sort of compares his expectations of a perfect result to reality. In the end nothing turns out as planned.

Bernard Behrens, who played Mayor Claire, Exceptional Vista in Top of the Food Chain, played Bill Lawrence in this film.

[memento]

IMDB: Filming began in 1946, but the production was plagued with problems. At least five directors worked on it, some leaving when they were either fired or quit because of producer Howard Hughes' constant interference, others being hired only to shoot retakes or small bits of new footage. The film was finally released in 1950 after costs had ballooned to more than $4 million - a staggering sum at the time for a picture that wasn't an epic and had no big stars - and was a major critical and box-office disaster.

Preson Sturgis wrote the 1948 screenplay of Unfaithfully Yours - he was credited in the 1984 version -  and was an uncredited writer for this film.

[oilgun]

The sharp, focused performance by Kay Francis carries this film into an impressive arena for its viewer. I've seen in several times and although Francis doesn't go into histrionics in her portrayal like some of the "greats" would -- Francis exemplifies the determination, courage, and humaness of one who "feels a calling". She never wavers in what she is about, frustrated but not discouraged, and Francis' subtlety emphasizes these qualities. The beginning of the film offers Francis a chance to don the elegant gowns of the mid 1800's, but most of the film she's wearing a plain nurse's uniform and often looking quite drawn from the conflicts with male prejudice on the Crimean front and the squalid conditions that she faced in all directions. I don't know how historically accurate the film is, but it gets to the heart of the Nightingale story and what she was up against. Strong support from players like Donald Crisp and Ian Hunter add to the overall success.

Nigel Bruce was both in Vendetta and this film.

[southendmd]

From filmnoir.net:  The story of a woman who uses her social status and ill-gotten wealth to front a bigamy racket where dames marry multiple GIs during WW2 to skim the allotment support paid by the Defense Dept to spouses of men on active duty, is predictable but well-made with a snappy script. Noir regular Paul Kelly as an army investigator is disappointingly wooden and his performance is underwhelming at best. Otto Kruger is fine as the lady boss’ right-hand man.  The climax is brutal with Francis plugging a dame without qualm or remorse, but justice triumphs in the end.  Francis’ flamboyant hats and her hair-do add a juicy camp quality to the goings-on.


Kay Francis, who played Florence Nightingale in The White Angel, played Sheila Seymour in this film.  

(I loved the Allotment in the title!)

[Fran]

From IMDb:  A formula brawling-buddies western where one goes bad and then returns to the fold. Pete Menlo owns some gold claims in Nevada where he is joined by his old friend Andy Martin. Crooked mine-owner Bannon wants to merge their interests so they can create a monopoly but is turned down. Pete is interested in "Nevada" Wray, daughter of mine-owner "Jackpot" Wray, but she has eyes only for Andy. The rejected Pete joins forces with Bannon and they learn that, because of location, "Jackpot" Wray may be the owner of all the gold in the respective veins. Bannon and his men try to get rid of Andy.

Matty Fain, who played Louie Moranto in Allotment Wives, had an uncredited role in this film.