Frankie Machine is a skilled card dealer and one-time heroin addict. Read More »
Author Archives: rarefilm
The Fire Raisers (1934) Michael Powell, Leslie Banks, Anne Grey, Carol Goodner
Jim Bronton is an insurance investigator, but he’s unhappy with his work Read More »
I, Anna (2012) Barnaby Southcombe, Charlotte Rampling, Gabriel Byrne, Eddie Marsan
A noir thriller told from the point of view of a femme fatale Read More »
Beyond AKA Svinalängorna (2010) Pernilla August, Noomi Rapace, Ola Rapace, Outi Mäenpää
A drama set in 1970s Sweden and centered on a young woman’s experiences growing up in a home riddled with abuse and alcoholism. Read More »
Deadly Love (1987) Michael S. O’Rourke, Jim Alves, Cassie Brown, Eileen Hart
Two love-sick teenagers named Buddy and Ann decide to elope, but Buddy is murdered. Read More »
The Spiral Staircase (1946) Robert Siodmak, Dorothy McGuire, George Brent, Ethel Barrymore
In 1916, beautiful young mute Helen is a domestic worker for elderly, ailing Mrs. Warren. Read More »
Marie (1985) Roger Donaldson, Sissy Spacek, Jeff Daniels, Keith Szarabajka
A woman is determined to reveal the truth about an insidious political corruption. Read More »
Gallant Sons (1940) George B. Seitz, Jackie Cooper, Bonita Granville, Gene Reynolds
Two childhood friends have a falling out because of their fathers’ occupations, which lands one father in jail. Read More »
The Bartered Bride AKA Die verkaufte Braut (1932) Max Ophüls, Max Nadler, Jarmila Novotna, Otto Wernicke
Bohemia in the 19th century, stage-coach driver Hans, loves the mayor’s daughter Marie Read More »
The White Horse Inn AKA Im weißen Rößl (1935) Carl Lamac, Christl Mardayn, Hermann Thimig, Willi Schaeffers
Screen adaptation of the Ralph-Benatzky operetta: love, humor Read More »
Young Bess (1953) George Sidney, Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr
The mother died under the executioner’s axe; the daughter rose to become England’s greatest monarch Read More »
Beauty and the Beast AKA La belle et la bête (1946) Jean Cocteau, René Clément, Jean Marais, Josette Day, Mila Parély
Adélaïde, Belle, Félicie and Ludovic are young adult siblings who once lived in grandeur Read More »
Roads to the South AKA Les routes du sud (1978) Joseph Losey, Yves Montand, Miou-Miou, Laurent Malet
Fathers and sons, and political exile. In the fall of 1975, Franco is dying but repression continues. Read More »
Counsellor-at-Law (1933) William Wyler, John Barrymore, Bebe Daniels, Doris Kenyon
Crackerjack lawyer George Simon is a workaholic, and a successful one, at that. Read More »
Mister Kingstreet’s War (1971) Percival Rubens, John Saxon, Tippi Hedren, Rossano Brazzi
Set in 1939 immediately prior to the onset of World War II, an American couple Read More »