Jack E. Leonard Movies

In this animated follow-up to the classic fantasy The Wizard Of Oz, Dorothy (voiced by Liza Minnelli, whose mother Judy Garland played the same role in the 1939 film) decides to return to the land of Oz to pay a visit to her good friend The Scarecrow (voice of Mickey Rooney). However, shortly after her arrival Dorothy discovers all is not well in the land of magic; the evil witch Mombi (voice of Ethel Merman) has arrived to pick up where the Wicked Witch of the West left off, and is using her sinister powers to rob Scarecrow of her powers. Dorothy realizes it's up to her to save Oz from Mombi's machinations, and she teams up with Woodenhead (voice of Herschel Bernardi) and Pumpkinhead (voice of Paul Lynde) to see justice done. Produced in 1964 but not released until 1971, Journey Back To Oz also features the voice talents of Milton Berle, Danny Thomas, Paul Ford and Margaret Hamilton. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Long considered a classic of European film noir, this existential gangster drama from French director Jean-Pierre Melville was released in the United States only in a severely truncated, re-edited, and overdubbed version entitled The Godson. Thirty years after its initial public airing, Le Samourai (1967) finally saw a limited American release in its intended form. Alain Delon stars as Jef Costello, a professional Parisian assassin-for-hire who, by nature of his work's solitary demands, has no friends. Although he is loved by Jane Lagrange (Natalie Delon, the star's real-life wife), Costello knows that Jane already has a lover. After he successfully wipes out a nightclub owner at the behest of his boss, Costello discovers that he was seen by the club's pianist, Valerie (Cathy Rosier). Although he survives a police lineup thanks to a lie offered up by the fearless Valerie, Costello's alibi disintegrates rapidly and his shadowy employer takes out a contract on him. As he seeks revenge on his betrayer, Costello must also stay one step ahead of a wily, determined superintendent (Francois Perier). Melville's film influenced several other filmmakers and projects, most notably director John Woo's The Killer (1989). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

The World of Abbott and Costello is a dismal attempt by Universal Pictures to cash in on the popularity of Robert Youngson's silent-movie compilation films. Random scenes from eighteen of the films of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are yanked out of context, then assembled in a patchy continuity by editorial supervisor Sidney Meyers. The footage is overladen with obnoxious narration by comedian Jack E. Leonard, who sounds angry that someone would dare to ask him to show up at the studio. Many of the excerpts are taken from Abbott and Costello's worst films, among them Comin' Round the Mountain, Lost in Alaska, and the execrable Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (a scene from which opens this compilation). All expense was spared in assembling this half-baked "tribute;" even Joseph Gershenson's musical score is parsimoniously lifted from Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops. The sole saving grace of The World of Abbott and Costello are the few gems culled from such A & C classics as Buck Privates, In the Navy, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, as well as such second-echelon but enjoyable efforts as In Society (featuring the sidesplitting "Susquehanna Hat Company" bit) and The Naughty Nineties (which preserves the immortal "Who's On First"). One final carp: Why exclude the "moving candle" bit from Hold That Ghost? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Confusion and wrong assumptions are the cause of tragedy in this stylish gangster noir by director Jean-Pierre Melville. Maurice (Serge Reggiani) and Silien (Jean-Paul Belmondo) are friends going way back, and both have had a shady past. Silien wants to leave his illegal activities behind him -- but would he actually be in league with the police, as an informer? That is what Maurice suspects after he kills a fence who is responsible for the murder of one of his friends and then takes some jewels as an extra bonus. Doubts assail Maurice as well as others until it is finally decided that something has to be done about Silien. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

A talented small town gal from Tennessee ends up in the big city after she is discovered by a talent scout. Though the scout is genuinely enthused about her latest discovery, her employers ignore the young girl, causing the enterprising scout to quit and team up with another former co-worker to create their own talent agency. With their help, the girl becomes a big hit. Gene Krupa and his band are the featured artists of this low-budget musical. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this romantic musical, a clever young adman decides to create the perfect woman as none of his models quite measure up. To do so, he uses the best parts of several different women's photographs and deftly blends them together. Liking what he sees, he decides he must continue his search in hopes of finding the real McCoy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

A young auto mechanic gets a job with Three Points Airlines, and helps to get them a government mail contract in this action serial. The head of a rival cargo airline, angered that he didn't get the contract, plots the destruction of Three Points in order to take over the contract. ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide