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Reviews
Destry Rides Again (1939)
Bottleneck is Now the Bottom of the Bottle
Ho Hum. Ever stop to think about Bottleneck, post-deputy Destry's cleanup? The old saloon is a shambles. The girls, gamblers, barkeeps, croupiers, waiters, etc., that earned a living serving their clientele have been put out of a job along with Brian Donleavy's delicious crew of ruffians and one corrupt judge. All have left for better pickings. Even on-the-up-and-up Mischa Auer has packed up and moved on (to satisfy his gambling habit, you know). Honest cowpokes no longer heads for Bottleneck on Saturday nights to carouse and let off steam, instead they head fo nearbr Nitpick or Horsetail to have their fun. Bottleneck now has become a prudish, sanitized, town that pulls in the sidewalks on Saturday nights; this fitting right in with Destry's humorless personality. His town evenings now are exemplified at the end of the film where he is invited to one of the town mother's home's for dinner. And what do the younger male residents of Bottleneck now do to occupy themselves? Perhaps there will be a revival meeting on Saturday --certainly they will be expected to fill the church pews on Sunday and there is always that church social on Sunday evening. Perhaps they will spend other leisure hours whittling pieces of wood and gabbing. No more Frenchie, no more gal fights, no more "See What the Boys in the Back Room Will Have!" I have to admit, were I there, I would likely follow that crew of questionables on to their new destination.
As far as Destry Rides Again as a film, it is one of the great ones. In fact, one of the top three westerns of all time, along with My Darling Clementine and Shane -- watching it recently makes me think it may even be Number One!
Zandy's Bride (1974)
Good One for the Gals
Competent acting. Swedish Steamroller rolls over roughneck hubby over length of film, the four of them (newly-born twins) finally settling down to rustic love nest in early California. One does have to shed a tear or two over Zandy's transformation however. Warts and all -- this killer of bears was a MAN'S MAN.
Last of the Summer Wine (1973)
This Wine Is Corked
Let me first say that I have noted the many favorable comments here but as far as I'm concerned, to quote Fawlty Towers' outboard motor salesman: "This Wine Is Corked". Most definitely.
Last of the Summer Wine recently made it's appearance in my local TV viewing area. Accordingly, I have been watching episodes for some weeks, all the while entertaining high hopes that the humor would commence. Not a chance. Not one laugh to date.
I have asked myself: Can this be due to a generation gap? No. I am of the same age as the actors. Well then, can it be that it is a certain kind of fare that appeals strictly to the British alone? Well, I cannot say for certain. What I do know is that I find Keeping Up Appearances, Ab Fab, Fawlty Towers, Waiting For God and Are You Being Served? absolutely hilarious (superior, in fact, to anything produced here in the U.S). I have viewed the same episodes of these shows repeatedly and never tire of them. In fact, I doubt that this day will ever come.
Now having spoken my piece I think it only fair to end on a positive note. The Holmfirth countryside is absolutely enchanting.