CD-Charts Position 1
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The Glenn Miller Story [1953]

starring: James Stewart, June Allyson, Harry Morgan, Charles Drake, George Tobias
directed by: Anthony Mann

Release Date July 01, 1999
I first saw this film on TV 20 years ago and am very pleased that it has come out in a crisp DVD version. James Stewart gives a very watchable portrayal of the struggle and triumph of the famous American musician, while June Allyson gives a moving performance that shows that her star on the Walk of Fame is richly merited. The film contains some of Miller's most famous compositions like In the Mood - the climax of this in the film against the background of a German air raid is heartening as well as causing the audience within the film to cheer and applaud. A very enjoyable way to spend the afternoon (or later).
Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 2
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Out On A Limb - Shirley MacLaine [1994]

starring: Shirley MacLaine, Charles Dance, John Heard, Anne Jackson, Jerry Orbach
directed by: Robert Butler

Release Date October 10, 1994
I was very fortunate in being able to view "Out on a Limb" whilst visiting Germany earlier this year, on a spiritual visit to see Mother Meera. I found the story absolutely amazing and it gives an insight into things we don't understand and which a lot of people refus to accept. You need an open mind to view this film.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

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Harvey [1950]

starring: James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Peggy Dow, Charles Drake, Cecil Kellaway
directed by: Henry Koster

Release Date May 10, 2004
Harvey is a beautiful film,so simple,with a look and feel that is long gone but you can believe in it for the course of the film.
Harvey tells the story of a drunk who has one of the happiest outlooks that you may ever see,he is called elwood p dowd and is played by james stewart with a gentle ease.Dowd has a best friend,a 6 foot 1' rabbit called harvey that no one can see bar himself and his belief is so strong that he introduces harvey to everyone much to their shock,his sister and niece live with him and are humilated at his behaviour and try desperately to make him see the errors of his ways.
The film is very lighthearted and is certainly comical,mistakes,frantic scenes of bedlam and a real,organic feel to it,one of the very ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

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Star Trek : The Original Series - Vol. 2.4 - Mirror, Mirror / The Deadly Years

starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Charles Drake, Barbara Luna
directed by: Marc Daniels, Joseph Pevney

Release Date April 07, 1997
In "Mirror, Mirror", Captain Kirk, Doctor McCoy, Lt. Commander Scott, and Lt. Uhura are transported to a parrallel universe, where the crew are savage, and most notably, Commander Spock has a beard.

In "The Deadly Years", Captain Kirk, Commander Spock, Doctor McCoy, and Lt. Commandr Scott, get radiation sickness from Gamma Hydra IV, causing them to age rapidly. Meanwhile, the Enterprise is heading into Romulan space.

In "I, Mudd", Harry Mudd returns (first appearing in "Mudd's Women") this time being discovered on an android-ruled planet. The entire crew gets beamed down to the planet's surface, with Android's in command of the ship.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Without Reservations [1946]

starring: Claudette Colbert, John Wayne, Don DeFore, Anne Triola, Phil Brown
directed by: Mervyn LeRoy

Release Date November 10, 1997
Without Reservations is an overlong road trip comedy that is mainly of interest today as one of the reasons screenwriter Andrew Solt found himself in deep water in the blacklist years. You do hope there were better ones, because the script is pretty trite and rarely convincing, with author Claudette Colbert tagging along with Marine flyer John Wayne because she thinks he'll be the ideal casting for her soon to be filmed novel that many have hailed as a blueprint for the future but he thinks is ridiculous. You can fill in the gaps from there, although one supporting character's bizarre application of socialist principles to hook men and the odd barb about social engineering add unexpected quirks to a tediously conventional movie.

DD's DVD ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Marx Brothers - A Night In Casablanca [1946]

starring: Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Charles Drake, Lois Collier
directed by: Archie Mayo

Release Date October 14, 1996
This was made in 1946 and its the penultimate Marx brothers film as far as I know. Whilst it doesn't stand up to comparison to some of their earlier classics, its still funny and in places a clever film.

Groucho, who was 56 when this was made, plays Ronald Kornblow a replacement manager for the recently murdered previous manager. Actually the plot really doesn't matter very much. What you need to know is that Groucho gets to deliver some classic one-liners:

Ronald Kornblow: You know, I think you're the most beautiful woman in the whole world.
Beatrice Rheiner: [eagerly] Do you really?
Ronald Kornblow: No, but I don't mind lying if it'll get me somewheres.

and perhaps my favourite

Mr. Smythe: ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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To Hell And Back [1955]

starring: Audie Murphy, Marshall Thompson, Charles Drake, Jack Kelly, Gregg Palmer
directed by: Jesse Hibbs

Release Date July 01, 1999
I have always admired Audie Murphy, and once you've read this account of his personal war time experiences I am positive you will too.

This is a blood and guts no holds barred account by a man who is modest to the end when telling of his bravery and loyalty to his comrades. I'm not surprised that he won the Congressional Medal of Honor, and many other bravery decorations.

What I particularly love about this book is that it is about all fighting men and does not criticise any other nation or in the same vain hype up the actions of one particular Army.

I recommend this enthralling and modest account to anyone with an interest in truth. You won't regret or forget it.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Walk the Proud Land [1953]

starring: Audie Murphy, Anne Bancroft, Pat Crowley, Charles Drake, Tommy Rall
directed by: Jesse Hibbs

Release Date July 01, 1999
I have always admired Audie Murphy, and once you've read this account of his personal war time experiences I am positive you will too.

This is a blood and guts no holds barred account by a man who is modest to the end when telling of his bravery and loyalty to his comrades. I'm not surprised that he won the Congressional Medal of Honor, and many other bravery decorations.

What I particularly love about this book is that it is about all fighting men and does not criticise any other nation or in the same vain hype up the actions of one particular Army.

I recommend this enthralling and modest account to anyone with an interest in truth. You won't regret or forget it.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

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The Swimmer [1968]

starring: Burt Lancaster, Janet Landgard, Janice Rule, Tony Bickley, Marge Champion
directed by: Frank Perry, Sydney Pollack

Release Date October 06, 2003
Almost any film Burt Lancaster is in usually gets my attention & The Swimmer is no exception, in fact I think it was one of his more complicated roles, one which was tailor made for Burt. Hard to believe Burt was 55, My God he had the body of an athletic 33 old, great shape almost as good as his acting ability. From what I read he actually could not swim prior to doing this film & never liked getting into the water!
I have watched tis film many times now & each time I see another glimpse of the brilliance that was & is Burt Lancaster. A tormented & lost soul is seen in this most unique of films , where Ned Merrill suffers the illusion of "normality & a secure Family Life" only those around him know better, what attracts me to Lancaster as ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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The Neon Bible [1995]

starring: Jacob Tierney, Drake Bell, Gena Rowlands, Diana Scarwid, Denis Leary
directed by: Terence Davies

Release Date April 01, 1996
I loved this throughout. Beautifully filmed with excellent acting. The unbelievably brilliant child actor in the first part of the film plays his part so movingly it would be hard not to shed a few tears. Bullied by his rather macho father he grows close to his glamorous aunt, a former nightclub singer and becomes aware of his feminine side. The whole film is really a study of close family relationships in a harsh environment touched too by events inlcluding the 2nd world war and mental illness.