Whistling in the Dark

Whistling in the Dark
Released Date: August 8, 1941
Director: S. Sylvan Simon
Actors: Red Skelton, Conrad Veidt, Ann Rutherford, Virginia Grey, Rags Ragland, Henry O'Neill, Eve Arden, Paul Stanton, Donald Douglas, Don Costello and William Tannen

     I saw this movie and fell in love with Red Skelton. The fact that Eve Arden is in this movie is what caught my eye, but I loved every second of this film. I also enjoyed it because of the two things this movie is based on. First off it is a black and white movie (that always gets my attention), and second it is about something I have always loved listening to, which is the radio. I have always loved listening to Lux Radio, Lights Out, the Abbott and Costello Radio Show, and The 2000 Year Old Man. But this movie is about a man who performs a crime radio show every week. The man is Wally Benton (Red Skelton), and he is successful. He tunes in every week as the host for the crime show called "The Fox" and along with his fiancee and ex-girlfriend are kidnapped by a killer. The killer is Joseph Jones (Conrad Veidt), and the only reason why he kidnapped this radio show host is because he wants to be written the perfect murder! Does he get what he wants? Watch Red Skelton light up the screen :)

Double Indemnity

Double Indemnity
Released Date: April 24, 1944
Director: Billy Wilder
Actors: Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Byron Barr, Porter Hall, Jean Heather, Tom Powers, Richard Gaines, Fortunio Bonanova, and John Philliber

     I have been watching a lot of newer movies, and when I say "new" I mean I just found them. I was watching this movie today and realized that because Barbara Stanwyck is in it, it must be great. And it is. This movie is very fast, but a thriller till the end. One thing that did bother me was Barbara Stanwyck's hair. So I was pleased to read that the director wasn't happy with it either. She wears a wig in this movie and it looks insane, but nobody can deny her great acting ability.

     Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) is married and unhappy. You can tell every time you see her around her husband. When Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) shows up to Mr. and Mrs. Dietrchson's house to sell Mr. Dietrichson a life insurance policy, Phyllis and Walter fall in love. Now what to do? Half of them is already married. Does this mean murder? It does!!! Walter and Phyllis plan out the perfect crime. But like real life, murder is never perfect, and the bad guys always get caught!!! This movie was number 29 of the greatest movies of all time, and you can see why. I have always enjoyed Miss Stanwyck and this is one of my favorites of her's now.