Kick-Back Friday: November 2008 Archives

For a lighthearted family break from disheartening news:
The Court Jester (1955) with Danny Kaye.

If for nothing else, to be (re)watched for the famous brew-that-is-true bit between Kaye and Mildred Natwick.

Seven Men From Now (1956): The stalwart Randolph Scott is an ex-sheriff who pursues the men (yup, 7 of 'em) who killed his wife. To watch this rediscovered western is to recognize that some actors, specifically Lee Marvin, have the ability to charm the camera while doing very little.

The Naked Spur

: Jimmy Stewart's intent on bringing in a murdering outlaw (Robert Ryan) for a big cash-money ree-ward. Trouble is he may have to share it with two wayward characters along the trail: a crusty prospector and a crafty lieutenant. The outlaw's girlfriend (Janet Leigh) further complicates the situation.

There are no real good guys in this over-the-top western from director Anthony Mann—just one guy who's not as bad as the others.

More love for UK actors—especially those whose work is as good in non-US projects as it is wince inducing on American TV.

The recent high-profile gigs of hot Scotsman Kevin McKidd (Rome) in TV's "Grey's Anatomy," "Journeyman," and the straight-to-airplane Made of Honor do him no credit, but he is a one hell of a Count Vronsky in this "Masterpiece" version of Anna Karenina (2000).

Yeah, I'd throw myself in front of a train, too, if I thought he was cheating on me.

P.S. Brit Helen McCrory, who plays Anna, is hooked up with another UK redhead, Damian Lewis, star of TV's "Life."