Reviews of movies directed by John Sturges.
Grade: C-
Synopsis: A fictionalized biography of Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, beginning with his arrival in Washington D.C. to join the Supreme Court.
The Magnificent Yankee is an enjoyable enough biopic, thanks largely to the charismatic and boisterous performance from Oscar-nominated lead Louis Calhern, a turn that almost makes up for the film’s complete lack of narrative tension and story. Almost. MORE »
Grade: C-
Synopsis: A boxer (Ricardo Montalban) struggles with personal and professional insecurities while rivaling his best friend (Dick Powell) for the daughter (June Allyson) of his aging promoter (Lionel Barrymore).
Right Cross is an interesting little drama notable chiefly as one of the early appearances of Marilyn Monroe, who has a small, but memorable, scene as one of Dick Powell’s character’s would-be love interests. But that’s not to say the film doesn’t stand up on its own. MORE »
Grade: C+
Synopsis: A Harvard professor (Bruce Bennett) helps a lieutenant (Ricardo Montalban) solve the mystery of a skeleton found on a Cape Cod beach.
Mystery Street is an enjoyable enough little crime flick, that benefits from a solid cast, and a script that deviates a bit from the usual formula.
Lead Ricardo Montalban is great as the no-nonsense cop assigned to the case, and Bruce Bennett is ahead of his time, playing a forefather of the forensic analysts that would later become so popular on shows like CSI. Indeed, if the script had beefed up Bennett’s role it could have really set itself apart, but unfortunately, it can’t quite shake the standard crime trappings. Or rather, it can’t maintain the blend. MORE »
Grade: C
Synopsis: An outlaw (Richard Widmark) forces his former partner (Robert Taylor) to lead him and his gang to a stash of buried money.
The Law and Jake Wade is a mostly solid western that’s something of an amalgam of two of director John Sturges’ earlier films, Bad Day at Black Rock (1955) and Escape from Fort Bravo (1953). Unfortunately, it’s not as good as either. MORE »
Grade: C
Synopsis: In the waning days of World War II, a German paratrooper (Michael Caine) leads a team of soldiers and an undercover Irishman (Donald Sutherland) on a mission to kidnap Winston Churchill from the east coast of England.
The Eagle Has Landed is notable chiefly as the final film from director John Sturges, who goes out on a decent, albeit flawed note. MORE »
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