Sarah Selby Movies
Character actress Sarah Selby came to films by way of radio. In fact, her first screen assignment was a voice-over as one of the gossiping elephants in Disney's animated feature Dumbo (1941). She continued to play minor roles as nurses, housekeepers, and town gossips until her retirement in 1977; one of her last roles was Aunt Polly in a 1975 TV-movie adaptation of Huckleberry Finn. On television, Sarah Selby was seen on a semi-regular basis as storekeeper Ma Smalley on Gunsmoke (1955-1975). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Ronald Colman won an Academy Award for his portrayal of an off-the-beam actor in A Double Life. A beloved stage star, Anthony John (Colman), has problems with his private life due to his unpredictable outbursts of temper. This trait has already cost him his wife, Brita (Signe Hasso), and threatens to sabotage his career. Nonetheless, Anthony makes his peace with Brita, and the two actors star in a new Broadway staging of Othello. The play is a hit, running over 300 performances, but the pressures of portraying a man moved to murder by jealousy takes its toll on Anthony. In a fit of delirium, he strangles his casual mistress, Pat (Shelley Winters), but retains no memory of the awful crime. Press agent Bill Friend (Edmond O'Brien), unaware that Anthony is the killer, uses Pat's murder as publicity for Othello. Anthony becomes enraged at this cheap ploy, and attacks Friend. At this point, Anthony realizes that he has been living "a double life" and is in fact Pat's murderer. A Double Life was written for the screen by Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin, who occasionally digress from the melodramatic plotline to include a few backstage inside jokes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ronald Colman, Whit Bissell, (more)
- 1953
In 1945, James Cagney, through his independent production company, bought the rights to a lurid novel by Adria Locke Langley, concerning the rise of a Southern demagogue, loosely based on the political career of Huey Long. By the time the film finally went into production and was released in 1953, the film became an also-ran, trailing behind Robert Rossen's Oscar-winning production All the King's Men, which concerned the same subject. The film, directed by Raoul Walsh, never escapes from the towering shadows of the Rossen film, so it becomes, in the end, a matter of preference for the lead character -- whether one prefers the looming intimidation of Broderick Crawford or the brisk pugnacity of James Cagney. Cagney plays swamp peddler Hank Martin, who tries to ride into the governor's mansion in a backroad Southern state by making a crusade out of the plight of the poor and impoverished majority of the state. He begins his political assent by leading a sharecropper's revolt against the rip-offs the sharecroppers are receiving at the local cotton mill. But things become more intense and Hank Martin sows the seeds of his own destruction when he makes a deal with a local, crooked political boss in order to get ahead in his political career. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Cagney, Barbara Hale, (more)
- 1974
Officer Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) doesn't get much opportunity to enjoy his new car before another driver smashes into it. This happens just after Pete and his partner Jim Reed (Kent McCord) are forced to abandon the vehicle in order to chase down a purse snatcher. Elsewhere, the two mobile cops find themselves with two crises on their hands as they attempt to simulatenously investigate a holdup at a store and administer emergency first aid to the wounded proprietor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
An Affair to Remember, director Leo McCarey's scene-for-scene remake of his own 1939 film Love Affair, isn't really an improvement on the original, but it's equally as enjoyable. Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, high-profile types both engaged to be married to other people, meet and fall in love during an ocean voyage. To test the depth of their commitment to each other, Grant and Kerr promise that, if they're still in love at the end of six months, they will meet again at the top of the Empire State Building. Clips from An Affair to Remember were used as "reference points" throughout the 1993 romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle, which likewise concluded atop the Empire State Building. Disproving the theory that "Third Time's the Charm," Warren Beatty attempted to remake Affair to Remember, again titled Love Affair, in 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, (more)
- 1953
- NR
In his only MGM film, Humphrey Bogart plays the commanding officer of a M*A*S*H unit during the Korean War. Bogart runs his operation by the book, though he can take time out now and again for compassion. When nurse June Allyson shows up, Bogie is irritated by her foolhardiness and misplaced idealism. Need we tell you that the two "opposites" eventually fall in love? Keenan Wynn steals the show as the camp's wheeler-dealer, a sort of ancestor for such future insouciant M*A*S*H characters as Hawkeye, Trapper John and B.J. Hunnicutt. According to Hollywood scuttlebutt, Humphrey Bogart liked writer/director Richard Brooks because he could walk all over him. Brooks doesn't appear too servile in his disciplined handling of the film, though one can detect a slight lack of enthusiasm on his part. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Humphrey Bogart, June Allyson, (more)
Adapted by Leon Uris from his own novel, the film follows a group of World War II marines, from Basic Training to Battlefield. Major Van Heflin knows that his men are spoiling for a real fight, but must make do with the desultory skirmishes assigned them by the Brass. All this changes with an onslaught of heavy-duty battling in the South Pacific. Aldo Ray plays a tough leatherneck who falls in love with demure Nancy Olson, while James Whitmore, Tab Hunter, Dorothy Malone and Raymond Massey costar. And watch for young Justus McQueen, cast as private L.Q. Jones; McQueen liked his character name so much that he adopted it as his professional cognomen. Composer Max Steiner's musical score earned him an Oscar nomination. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Van Heflin, Aldo Ray, (more)
- 1949
"What a dump!" That's the classic line delivered by Bette Davis at the halfway point of Beyond the Forest, her final Warner Bros. effort of the 1940s. Some Davis devotees feel as though this vituperative utterance is the high point of an otherwise turgid melodrama; others consider the line a succinct assessment of the entire film. Based on a best-selling novel by Stuart Engstrand, the film stars Davis as Rosa Moline, a small-town girl with big-city ambitions. Trapped in a dull marriage to just-getting-by lawyer Lewis Moline (Joseph Cotten), Rosa plots and plans to sexually entrap millionaire industrialist Neil Latimer (David Brian). That Rosa's scheme is doomed from the start is telegraphed at every juncture by Max Steiner's sledgehammer musical score (few will ever want to hear the song "Chicago" again after this). Hampered by the censorship standards of the era, the film is prevented from being as frank as the novel; in one scene, for example, Rosa is obviously visiting an abortionist, but the sign on the door reads "Psychiatrist." A standard entry in most film historians' "Worst Movies" lists (even Davis herself hated it), Beyond the Forest is rather entertaining in its own schlocky fashion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bette Davis, Joseph Cotten, (more)
- 1963
Adam Cartwright falls in love with Rebecca (Aneta Corsaut), the daughter of Orthodox Jewish peddler Aaron Kaufman (Ludwig Donath). But when Adam asks for Rebecca's hand in marriage, the tradition-bound Aaron refuses to give his consent. Things go way beyond cultural differences when Kaufman's wagon is attacked by bandits during the Sabbath. Also appearing are Harry Dean Stanton as Stiles, Jason Wingreen as Hank, and Sarah Selby as Mrs. Cardiff. Originally telecast March 10, 1963, "The Way of Aaron" was written by Raphael D. Blau. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1966
Jose De Vega is cast as Tatu, an embittered Indian youth who hates all white men. Injured and left to die by his tribe, Tatu is rescued by Hoss, who makes it his mission in life to prove to the boy that not all whites are monsters. Before the episode is over, both Tatu and Hoss have their faithful in mankind severely tested. Despite the serious nature of the story, Michael Fisher's teleplay manages to rabbet in a few moments of levity. "To Kill a Buffalo" originally aired on January 9, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1967
British director Alexander MacKendrick helmed this farcical romantic comedy set in Southern California. Carlo Cofield (Tony Curtis) is a footloose tourist who meets Laura Califatti (Claudia Cardinale) when she accidentally edges his car off the highway. Laura invites Carlo to her home; he seems interested in her, but discovers she's already involved with swimming pool magnate Rod Prescott (Robert Webber). The next day, Carlo hits the beach and nearly drowns in the ocean, until he's rescued by comely sky diver Malibu (Sharon Tate). Carlo blackmails Rod into giving him a job so he can stay in California and pursue a romance with Malibu, but he soon finds himself torn between her and Laura. Don't Make Waves also features a theme song by The Byrds. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Curtis, Claudia Cardinale, (more)
- 1952
Friday (Jack Webb) investigates the theft of $10,000 worth of medicinal narcotics from a Catholic Hospital. The trail of clues leads to movie bit player Leonard Castle (Whit Connor)--who, in a typically ironic touch, is currently acting in a B-picture called "Crime Report." Based on a radio episode of Dragnet which originally aired on August 10, 1950, this TV version marks the final appearance of Barton Yarborough as Friday's partner Ben Romero (Yarborough died on December 19, 1951). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1955
Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) investigate when the family of wealthy John Jarrett (Herb Butterfield) reports that the man has disappeared. All evidence points to suicide, but the two detectives suspect that there's more to the case than meets the eye--especially after meeting Jarrett's greedy, grasping relatives. Ultimately, the truth is revealed far outside of Friday and Smith's jurisdiction--and in an uncharacteristic move, Joe Friday decides not to reveal Jarrett's fate, but rather to leave well enough alone. This episode was adapted from the Dragnet radio broadcast of December 28, 1950. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1953
Things get personal for Sgt. Joe Friday (Jack Webb) when he finds out that honor student Gary Field (Ralph Votrian),the son of Joe's good friends Edward and Helen Field (Harry Bartell, Ralph Votrian), has become a heroin addict. At first sullen and uncooperative, the chastened Gary finally agrees to help Friday nab the dealer who got him hooked. Based on a radio play first heard on January 25, 1953, this cautionary episode proved impressive enough for the National Safety Council to commission hundreds of 16-millimeter prints for classroom use, which Jack Webb generously provided free of charge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1953
Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) investigate the reported suicide of wealthy retiree Chester Dillon. Everyone who knew the man--including neighbor Lucille Banner (Susan Selby), who found the body--agrees that Dillon had been despondent over the death of his wife. However, this doesn't explain why, just before his death, Dillon had made a huge bank withdrawal. . .nor why his charge account shows several recent purchases, all signed for by his "deceased" wife. This episode is based on the Dragnet radio broadcast of November 14, 1951 ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The shortest of Disney's major animated features Dumbo involves a baby elephant with unusually large ears. Ostracized from the rest of the circus animals, poor Dumbo is even separated from his mother, who is chained up in a separate cage after trying to defend her child. Only brash-but-lovable Timothy Mouse offers the hand of friendship to Dumbo, encouraging the pouty pachyderm to exploit his "different" qualities for fame and fortune. After trepidatiously indulging in a vat of booze, Dumbo awakens in a tall tree. Goaded by a group of jive-talking crows, Dumbo discovers that his outsized ears have given him the ability to fly. The musical score by Frank Churchill and Oliver Wallace won Oscars for them both. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sterling Holloway, Edward S. Brophy, (more)
- 1966
Miss Bryant (Sarah Selby) and Dr. Morse (Jena Engstrom), respectively the vice-principal and child psychologist of the twins' grade school, are convinced that Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) are spending far too much time together. Acting upon this, Bill (Brian Keith) reluctantly agrees to let the "experts" separate the twins so they can form outside friendships. Though Jody adapts to this new arrangement, Buffy does not--and before long both kids are have developed mysterious (and mysteriously convenient) illnesses that keep them away from school. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Joyce Van Patten is cast as brassy comedienne Gail Spencer, who pays a visit to her friend Bill (Brian Keith) while stopping over in New York. Impressed that Gail is always "on", always ready with a joke for any occasion, Jody is inspired to become a comedian himself--but at all the wrong times, especially during school! For obscure reasons, the original TV Guide synopsis list Patience Cleveland as school principal Miss Harris, a role actually played by Sarah Selby. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Though he has enrolled the twins in public school, Bill (Brian Keith) decides that Cissy (Kathy Garver) would be better served in a high-class boarding school, namely Bryerfield in Connecticut. Misunderstanding Bill's intentions, Cissy concludes that she is not welcome in the Davis household--a conclusion seemingly confirmed when Bill unwittingly breaks his promise to take Cissy to a fancy dinner at "21" over the weekend. Hoping to mend Cissy's broken heart, Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) hitchhike all the way to Connecticut to keep her company. With this episode, John Hubbard assumes the role of Bill's business partner Ted Gaynor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Those eternal do-gooders Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) have taken it upon themselves to "adopt" Kenny, a parentless boy who has run away from an orphanage. Installing Kenny in the Davis apartment, the twins go to elaborate lengths to keep the boy hidden from Bill (Brian Keith) and Mr. French (Sebastian Cabots), with the hiding places running the gamut from the closet to the bathtub. When the adults finally catch on (just moments before the you-saw-it-coming happy ending), they are less angry at the twins than at themselves for being so easily fooled! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
When school rules prohibit Uncle Bill (Brian Keith) from attending a father-and-son event, Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) is upset, regarding Bill as the only dad he has ever had. This sets Bill to worrying that the kids are losing all memory of their real father. To solve this problem, Bill packs the family up for a nostalgic return visit to their home town of Terre Haute, where a number of touching surprises await them. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
