Phone Call From a Stranger - 1952 ***

Actually quite a well structured and formulated plot. A man who survives a plane crash decides to call the relatives of the three friends he made on the fateful flight. Each story is interesting and concise. Bette Davis is great as the paralysed widow towards the end, although the star of the show is really Shelley Winters, as the balsy, doomed aspiring actress.

(NOIR) A Life at Stake - 1954 **

I always find myself feeling bad if I have a negative review to say about a noir, it's like I'm personally taking a swipe at it. I can't help it here however, as this film doesn't deserve much credit at all. One reviewer called the characters 'cardboard-like' and I have to say that I agree. Angela Lansbury doesn't really have the personality to be a 'femme fatale' and Keith Andes is neither charming or exciting to watch as the lead role. Andes starts an affair with Lansbury after she approaches him with a business proposition involving the purchasing of some land. However, before long he starts to panic that both she and her husband are plotting to kill him, but cannot get anyone to believe him.
The acting isn't brilliant, and the plot is diluted far too much. In short, just not a very good film.

The Vicious Circle - 1957 *****

Caught this by chance but blimey what a whopper of a film! John Mills plays a well respected doctor, falsely framed for the murder of a German movie star found in his flat. The beauty of this film is the amount of red herrings (a bit like an Agatha Christie) and the fact you genuinely have no idea who to trust. The ending comes as a proper shock when the culprit is revealed. I really loved this, I loved the direction, the acting and the fast paced story. Tiring at time! What an unexpected treat. This is a proper suspense film.

Behind Office Doors - 1931 **

Despite starting well, this pre-Hays film sadly lagged behind, not to mention the awful sound and picture quality that was intensely distracting.
Mary Astor alone couldn't save this film, although she does look lovely as a post-1920s flapper.

St Martin's Lane - 1938

I didn't like this at all. I didn't like Vivien Leigh's character who cared about no one at all and I didn't like Charles Laughton's character who had an unhealthy interest in her. She was 18 and he must've been in his mid to late 40s.
All set around St Martin's Lane in London and starring Leigh as a professional pickpocket and Laughton as a busker who takes pity on her when he spots her stealing someone's wallet.
I didn't like the over the top acting and even Rex Harrison couldn't save the day.

Standing Room Only - 1944 ***

An enjoyable little rom-com starring the delightful Paulette Goddard who plays the quirky and ditzy Jane.
Lee Stevens takes his secretary to Washington but is annoyed when Jane cancels their hotel bookings without telling him thinking that they aren't adequate.
Finding no other rooms available in the whole city, the pair take posts as maid and butler in a house but soon find the jobs not exactly how they imagined.
A nice movie, nothing special but worth a watch all the same.

(NOIR) Out of the Fog - 1941 ***

John Garfield is an amazing actor but he doesn't half play some unlikeable characters. Here he plays a bootlegger who makes his living beating up people who won't give him money, and stumbles into a situation where he falls for the daughter of one of his latest victims. Ida Lupino plays her usual stupid, dense self who becomes infatuated by Garfield even when she finds out he is blackmailing her father.
Not your usual noir, as its set around the waterfront, but one to watch once.

(NOIR) Loan Shark 1952 **

A rather weak noir with George Raft fronting as an ex-con who is infiltrated into a group of vicious loan sharks in order to put a stop to the attacks and threats made to the people who can't pay up. He of course falls in love with a beautiful woman and has to decide whether his morals are more important than his romantic life. Wouldn't watch again.