Movie of the Week – The Small Black Room

This week’s movie: The Small Black Room (1949)

During WWII, the Germans developed an explosive booby-trap that they began dropping over England. In 1943, the army decides to bring in an expert, Sammy Rice, to help them find one and disarm it. Rice, however, has his own problems as well. He is in a constant struggle with his department’s overseers about the quality of weapons being developed. He also is in a terrific battle against his own worse nature (his internal drive to drink to dull the unrelenting pain caused by his prosthetic foot).

The film is yet another WWII drama from British auteurs the Archers (Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger). They work with their frequent collaborators composer Brian Easdale, cinematographer Christopher Challis and production designer Hein Heckroth.

The film stars David Farrar and Kathleen Byron, and features support from Jack Hawkins, Leslie Banks and Michael Gough.

It is interesting watching The Small Black Room for fans of Powell & Pressburger’s work – seeing David Farr and Kathleen Byron playing two people intimately involved after their interaction in Black Narcissus. The Small Black Room is often regarded as a lesser work of the Archers, probably because it does not have the same following as their Technicolor films; however, it is an excellent character drama/thriller. The Archers build tension in many ways throughout the film. It is almost too much to take, making the film a bit difficult to watch, due to its emotional effectiveness. There is also a great artistic flare to the film, as its black & white photography and production design perfectly capture Sammy Rice’s inner demons at play. Personally, I think this is a must-see for fans of the Archers and good WWII dramas.

Trailer: Here

Available on: DVD

Movie of the Week – Two for the Road

This week’s movie is Two for the Road (1967).

The romance drama is about a couple Joanna and Mark. Structured to cross-cut between multiple periods of time, the story unveils how they fell in love and out of love, the good moments and bad moments of their marriage while taking trips by car through France. Directed by a great Hollywood filmmaker Stanley Donen (known for the musicals Singing in the Rain and Damn Yankees!), it is one of three collaborations between Donen and star Audrey Hepburn (the other two being Funny Face and Charade; it was also one of her last performances before retiring). Donen works with cinematographer Christopher Challis and art director Willy Holt on the film, but it is composer Henry Mancini’s score that stands out the most (here is a piece). The performances from Hepburn and Albert Finney also both very good, each have to play their characters at different times in their lives convincingly. What makes this romance drama special is its unique narrative structure and both leads’ good work. It is at times very lovely and at other times bleak and heartbreaking. It is worth checking out for fans of Hepburn and romance films. Check out the trailer.

Available on DVD and Streaming

Movie of the Week - A Shot in the Dark

This week’s movie is A Shot in the Dark (1964).

The comedy is the second film in the Pink Panther Series, starring Peter Sellers and directed by Blake Edwards, a team that worked so well together making some of the funniest films in cinema history (also see Return of the Pink Panther, The Pink Panther Strikes Again and The Party). The film features a fantastic score from Henry Mancini and very good work from cinematographer Christopher Challis and production designer Michael Stringer. The film is the most aesthetically well done and interesting of the series; the opening sequence alone is wonderful. Sellers has so many hilarious running and bit gags throughout, making the film just pure joy to watch. Sellers is just in top form in the film. It also introduces a number of series regulars including Herbert Lom, Burt Kwouk, Andre Maranne and Graham Stark. The rest of the cast is good as well, featuring Elke Sommer, George Sanders and Tracy Reed. What makes the film great is how well shot and staged it is, while maintaining and even heightening the gags from the first film. Peter Sellers is the star of the film, instead of a supporting character, and the comedy benefits from him getting to be the principal. The film is just hilarious. It is a must for comedy fans. Check out the trailer.

Available on DVD and to rent