The Haunted Palace - 1963 - USA

The Haunted Palace - 1963 - 6/10 

 
The village of Arkham finally has enough of Curwen, the aristocratic dabbler.
Even dying, he swears vengeance on the Arkham descendants.
100+ years pass and the estate goes to his descendant, Charles Dexter Ward.
A hilltop palace, with two surviving (?) servants and a framed portrait.
Guess whose personality begins to overrule young Ward?
Poe title, Lovecraft setting and characters, Price and Chaney give good performances.

Curse Of The Yellow Snake - 1963 - Germany

Curse Of The Yellow Snake - 1963 - 5/10
AKA - Der Fluch der Gelben Schlange

 
A gang attempts to steal the golden snake, since whoever owns it shall rule the world!
#2 son hightails it to London, spies hot on his heels.
An attractive daughter is offered in marriage, so to access his wealth.
#1 son leads a battalion of Chinese hoodlums, seeking the idol and domination.
Fast-paced Edgar Wallace Krimi smacks of Yellow Peril, outdated by this time.
Lots of plot, subplots, assorted characters, your head will spin.
Nevertheless, empty headed nonsense.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/1427223

Toys In The Attic - 1963 - USA

Toys In The Attic - 1963 - 6/10

 
Julian and child bride Lily return to New Orleans on the sly.
The Chicago venture had been a failure.  Indeed, everything Julian attempted failed.
Well, his sisters would bail him out.  They always bailed him out.
I knew this was based a Lillian Hellman play; otherwise, I would have sworn Tennessee Williams.
Southern Gothic of betrayal, lust, class, race, control.
Award winner on Broadway, but definitely too steamy and provocative for Main Street.
Geraldine Page arresting as the bubbles and sunshine sister, with an agenda.
Dean Martin fine as the luckless, boastful, big-plans Julian.

The Ghost - 1963 - Italy

The Ghost - 1963 - 5/10
AKA - Lo Spettro

 
“Who’s there?”
Stupid man, he tricked me with that will.  After all I did for him.
“What’s that noise?”
I don’t care if the village is talking, if everyone suspects.
Everyone knew he took poison.  Trying to cure his paralysis.
Lavishly furnished Italian Gothic crawls like a snail in the icebox.
Poorly directed or incompetence, take your pick.

Jason And The Argonauts - 1963 - UK

Jason And The Argonauts - 1963 - 7/10

Jason is sent of a bit of a fool’s errand by an unrecognized enemy.
Bring back the Golden Fleece.  A sheepskin?  No matter.
Jason assembles a team including Hercules … and some other guys.

 
Bare bones of this wonderful Saturday adventure classic.
Intrigue, combat, death, gods, goddesses, jaw dropping effects.

 
Stop-motion effects still hold up, and remain startling.
Herrmann and Harryhausen both fabulous.
CGI, what’s that?

The Kiss Of The Vampire - 1963 - UK

The Kiss Of The Vampire - 1963  - 6/10

 
Their motorcar runs dry of petrol in lonely territory.
Fortunately, for honeymooners Gerald and Marianne, the castle belonging to Dr. Ravna is nearby.
Who is hospitable, his castle sumptuously furnished, featuring gourmet meals!
Gerald, who drinks too much, fails to notice the good doktor has taken an interest in his bride.
Story has some interesting points, and one can always wallow in the decor.
For those desiring more Hammer flesh, more erotic steam, this may frustrate.

It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World - 1963 - USA

It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World - 1963 - 6/10

 
Like the title, this one is too long, excessively over the top, and over-indulgent.
A dying criminal tells a motley group of fellow commuters where he had hidden a huge stash of loot.
Start your engines, ready, go, and they’re off!
Share the money?  Please.  This is every man (and woman) for themselves, and then some.
OK, at 31/2 hours, this goes on and on and on.
As a comedy, hit and miss, ranging from farce to gags to puns.
That said, there are a gallery of stars (film, TV, Broadway) throughout.
Starring, supporting, quick cameos.
Film fanatics, you owe it to yourself to view at least once.  Stock up on popcorn, though.

A Kiss From Beyond The Grave - 1963 - Mexico

A Kiss From Beyond The Grave - 1963 - 5/10
AKA - El Beso de Ultratumba

 
Wannabe writer Emilio has been sponging off friends for years.
Someday, he may actually write a sentence.
Visiting his doctor, to borrow money from him, he notices the pretty new receptionist.
He asks her out – then – “You’re the daughter of the rich industrialist?” / “Yes.” / “Will you marry me?” / “Sure, I guess.”
Yes, it really does go that fast.  Just as fast, the potential wealth vanishes.
Except new bride Laura has an immense insurance policy.
If only she would die.
Dark thriller has scary moments, but naïve and gullible Laura defies belief.

Captain Sindbad - 1963 - Germany

Captain Sindbad - 1963 - 5/10

 
When I watched during its theatrical run, I remember enjoying the sword fights and exoticness.
Guy Madison was, after all, Zorro, and knew how to wield a blade!
I also remember, even as a kid I found much of this pretty corny.
Sindbad returns home to find an evil usurper on the throne, with designs on the princess.
Our hero and his hearties set forth to restore the kingdom!
Very dated now, with poor special effects – although the heart and giant hand are memorable.
Matinee fare all the way; for those who still tend their garden of childhood.

Please Don’t Touch Me - 1963 - USA

Please Don’t Touch Me - 1963 - 5/10

 
“Oh, honey, I just love this special outfit!”
“Yeah, I was going to make the car payment, but saw this in the window and bought it instead.”
“Just so long as you don’t try – No, please don’t touch me!”
The story of the young wife, raped at 15, now frigid, entering regressive hypnosis therapy.
Wildly uneven claptrap is crazier, and more fun, in the initial scenes.
Once Lash La Rue starts hypnotizing, blathering talk dominates.
Of course, for many, Viki Caron as the overripe, milk fed Vicky, will be the main attraction.

Day Of The Triffids - 1963 - UK

Day Of The Triffids - 1963 - 6/10

 
I dunno.  Most folks use weed killer or a whacker, but I suppose a flamethrower works.
A spectacular meteor shower leaves over 90% of humanity blind.
There were also spores, which grow into huge carnivorous plants.
That can move!  That fine dine on people!

 
A sliver of humankind were spared, undergoing eye surgery, caving, bored by astronomy.
Between masses of desperate folks and pesky sunflowers on steroids, they got their own problems.
The story zeroes in on the survivors, my preferred being the bristling, alcoholic lighthouse keeper.
I have always found the black and white version more sinister, eerier.

Come Blow Your Horn - 1963 - USA

Come Blow Your Horn - 1963 - 6/10

 
Fun artifact of the Rat Pack, of the Chairman, Sinatra.
Sinatra (who was pushing 50 at this time) welcomes his young brother (Bill, 22) into his swinging pad.
The older brother, a ladies man, decides to expose the younger one to soft temptations.
Fast-paced romantic comedy has beautiful women, a Sinatra song, boisterous innuendo.
Has the feel of a play (script by Neil Simon and Norman Lear), along with the winking sensibility of Playboy.
Shallow fun, more for my father’s generation, still entertaining.

Blind Corner - 1963 - UK

Blind Corner - 1963 - 6/10

 
Hit composer Paul, his loyal secretary and manager, watch as a new tune swings up the charts.
Missing is Paul’s wife, she of hot skirts and a painter boyfriend.
Paul is blind and in the way, and, well, accidents could be arranged.
Interesting Brit Noir (very late in the Noir run) is loaded with sex and a few twists.
Musical / dance numbers catch one offguard, yet seem typical and fitting.

Charade - 1963 - USA

Charade - 1963 - 7/10

 
Reggie (female) plans to divorce her husband, until he is found murdered.
Their Parisian apartment ransacked, money gone.
She tries to investigate, in spite of a ferocious adversary (George Kennedy), a facilitating CIA op (Walter Matthew), and a shady friend / nemesis (Cary Grant).
Near flawless mix of suspense and romance, intrigue and comedy.
A perfect Hitchcock movie, except it’s not.
Audrey Hepburn and Grant are wonderful together, terrific Mancini score.
Real throwback to Hollywood’s Golden Age, and an ideal date flick.

The Scarecrow Of Romney Marsh - 1963 - UK

The Scarecrow Of Romney Marsh - 1963 - 6/10

 
The right Reverend Syn, minister by day, rebel leader by night.
Pre-Colonial Revolution, the English needs recruits.  If none volunteer, they are impressed.
Meaning, forcibly enlisted.
Opposing them are the masked Scarecrow and his renegade team.
What ensues is high adventure, plenty of action (no bloodshed), and a series of cat n mouse chases.
Patrick McGoohan dominates throughout and is unforgettable, both as the enlightened minister to his village, and as the rather frightening Scarecrow.
Warning:  The official DVD / BluRay is ridiculously overpriced!

The Raven - 1963 - USA

The Raven - 1963 - 6/10

 
Splendid cast, silly movie.
Rival magicians need no prodding to start bickering, arguing, finally dueling in a preposterous battle.
Richard Matheson, tasked with penning a script based on Poe’s poem, rewrote it as a comedy.
One watches for the stars:  Karloff, Price, Lorre.  Also for Lorre’s ad-libs and one-liners, which upset Karloff.
If you are in the mood, this nonsense may tickle.

Mothra - 1963 - Japan

Mothra - 1963 - 5/10
AKA - Mosura

 
Pint sized twins telepathically summon giant caterpillar to rescue them from greedy tycoons.
After what seems like ten hours later, said insect metamorphosizes into a gigantic moth (reference title).
Then proceeds to devastate Tokyo.  Before that, talk-talk-talk-talk-talk-talk.
Big pile of whiffle.  This put me to sleep decades earlier.  So why rewatch?  I need a brain transplant.
Watch any Godzilla instead.  Shoot, watch Gamera.

Donovan’s Reef - 1963 - USA

Donovan’s Reef - 1963 - 6/10

 
Brawny John Wayne comedy set in the South Pacific.
After WWII, a handful of Americans stay on a small island.
One is a Boston doctor, with a trust that he uses to care for islanders.
A female scion arrives, purposely to disinherit the doctor.
Film is a cascade of hijinks, fights, monsoons, romance, songs.
The tone is light and breezy throughout; Wayne  apparently did most of the directing after John Ford fell ill.
Island scenery and Pacific waves probably made this a hit with nostalgic veterans.

The Great Escape - 1963 - USA

The Great Escape - 1963 - 7/10

 
The plan was innovative – and true!
A mass breakout of hundreds of Allied POWs from an escape-proof German camp.
Who scatter in endless directions like a disturbed ant mound, forcing the Germans to waste time and resources chasing them across the Reich.
Very long build up, overlong perhaps, relying too much on shenanigans and comic touches.
That said, there are numerous characters and this works to help ID them alter on.
Because once the plan unfolds, this movie rolls!
Powerhouse cast, memorable score, solid action and stunts.
Classic film, if a little dodgy, history wise.

Any Number Can Win - 1963 - France

Any Number Can Win - 1963 - 6/10
AKA - Mélodie en Sous-sol

 
Charles returns home from five years in the slammer, his second stint now.
His wife wants him to settle down, move to the southern coast.
Only no, he’s had five years to work out the big heist – the last score!
Charles has the smarts, but he’s old and needs a young partner.
One who turns out to be a little too full of himself.
Outstanding caper film, methodical, assured, expertly shot.
The pairing of Jean Gabin and Alain Delon is classic.