John Witty Movies
- 1973
- R
Vault of Horror is the first sequel to 1972's horror hit Tales from the Crypt. It is also known as Tales from the Crypt, Part II. It continues it's predecessor's popular formula of using established stars in five witty short horror episodes. The first, "Midnight Mass," shows that having a vampire for a relative can be upsetting, to say the least. In "The Neat Job" a nagging neat-freak is neatly nullified. In "This Trick'll Kill You," a colonial overlord learns that it's not safe to steal magic tricks from natives. "Bargain in Death" exposes the greed of two insurance swindlers, and "Drawn and Quartered" takes "The Picture of Dorian Grey" one better. Among the stars appearing in these episodes are Terry-Thomas, Glynnis Johns, Curt Jurgens, Denholm Elliott and Tom Baker. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1969
In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Seeds of Death," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) has managed to escape the possibility of a fatal materialization in Deep Space. But he is still stranded on the Moon, still attempting valiantly -- and vainly -- to thwart the destructive schemes of the Martian Ice Warriors. Meanwhile, the Martian seed pods have begun to pop open on the Earth's surface, spreading a fungus that will wipe out all humankind. Originally telecast on February 22, 1969, "The Seeds of Death, Episode 5" was written by Brian Hayles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1969
In the conclusion of the six-part story "The Seeds of Death," the Martian seed pods are poised to begin spreading disease and devastation on Earth. Happily, the Doctor (Patrick Troughton), though stranded on the Moon, is able to stop the Martian fungus in its tracks. Now, the Doctor must figure out a way to smash the final offensive of the dreaded Ice Warriors. Originally telecast on March 1, 1969, "The Seeds of Death, Episode 6" was written by Brian Hayles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1969
In the third episode of the six-part story "The Seeds of Death," the 21st century teleportation system T-Mat has broken down, leaving the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) drifiting helplessly in space. Desperate, the Doctor tries to land on the moon, hoping to use it as a base from which to counterattack the Martian Ice Warriors. Meanwhile, those aforementioned warriors launch phase two of their plan to spread deadly seed pods throughout the Earth. Originally telecast on February 8, 1969, "The Seeds of Death, Episode 3" was written by Brian Hayles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1969
In the fourth episode of the six-part story "The Seeds of Death," the Ice Warriors continue to wreak their havoc on the Earth, as Martian seed pods continue to spread death and devastation. Back on the Moon, the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) tries his best to thwart the Ice Warriors' scheme. But in failing to do so, he is threatened with being rematerialized somewhere in Deep Space -- an inescapable death sentence! Originally telecast on February 15, 1969, "The Seeds of Death, Episode 4" was written by Brian Hayles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frazer Hines, Wendy Padbury, (more)
- 1969
The Ice Warriors introduced during Doctor Who's fifth season are back in the six-episode "The Seeds of Death," which launched its original BBC run on January 25, 1969. The Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his friends materialize in the 21st century, when Earth's transportation system is entirely dependent on a teleportation system called T-Mat. After this system mysteriously breaks down, the Doctor tries to find out why -- and in so doing, crosses paths with some old enemies. "The Seeds of Death, Episode 1" was written by Brian Hayles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1969
In the second episode of the six-part story "The Seeds of Death," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) wants to find out the reason that T-Mat, Earth's principal transportation system of the 21st century, has broken down. He eventually learns that the system has been targeted for takeover by his old nemeses, the Ice Warriors, who intend to use T-Mat to spread deadly seed pods throughout the world. Originally telecast on February 1, 1969, "The Seeds of Death, Episode 2" was written by Brian Hayles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
Sean Connery plays one of his early roughneck types in the British gangster picture Frightened City. The story takes place in a rundown section of London, where the citizens are held in the grip of extortionists. After several months of gang warfare, the six major "protection" rings agree to bury the hatchet and combine their efforts under the leadership of a mob boss (Herbert Lom). One of the gangsters opposes the mobster's rule, and is promptly rubbed out. Paddy Damion (Sean Connery), the dead man's best friend, swears revenge. After a bloody confrontation, Damion agrees to provide information to the police -- after plea-bargaining himself into a light sentence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Herbert Lom, John Gregson, (more)
- 1958
In this thriller, a married woman's unfortunately placed handkerchief leads police to accuse her of murder. Fortunately, her husband stands beside her and goes looking for the killer himself. He succeeds. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1957
A tycoon is conned into believing a homeless man is in actuality the exiled prince of a Balkan nation. The tycoon agrees to bank roll the revolution that is needed to reinstall the prince onto his rightful throne. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1955
A U.S. military officer is motivated by love and compassion to begin a life of crime in this action adventure story. Sgt. Joe Lawrence (Richard Widmark) is an American Army officer who, while stationed in Berlin shortly after the end of WWII, falls in love with Maria (Mai Zetterling), a refugee trying to raise enough money to move a group of German orphans to South America, where they can start life anew. Joe wants to help her, and with his buddies Sgt. Roger Morris (George Cole) and Brian Hammell (Nigel Patrick), Joe plans a daring robbery. A fortune in gold is being transferred from England to Germany via military transport, and Joe, Roger, and Brian intend to hijack the plane and grab the treasure. While the robbery goes off as planned, the three participants soon have second thoughts about what to do with their ill-gotten gains. Seven years later, leading lady Mai Zetterling would commence a distinguished career as a director with her film Wargame. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Widmark, Mai Zetterling, (more)
- 1954
The life of the founder of modern Methodism is dramatized in John Wesley. Originally intended for church assembly showings, the film stars Leonard Sachs in the title role. The screenplay charts the Methodist Movement from its inception in 18th century England to the present day. Produced by the Radio and Film Commission of the Methodist church, the film was financed by the contributions of some 500 churches. Unfortunately, the budget didn't allow for a professional cast, thus many potentially worthwhile scenes are laid low by amateurish acting. On the other hand, the film is quite slick and accomplished on a technical level, thanks to the first-rate cinematography of Hone Glendenning and the assured direction of Norman Walker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leonard Sachs
- 1954
In this crime drama, an author of crime novels is falsely convicted for the murder of his wife. The real culprit is the one who came to the writer to get advice on how to dispose of a dead body. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1954
Hell Below Zero was one of several 1950s films made in Britain by Hollywood's Alan Ladd. The star plays Duncan Craig, who signs onto a whaling ship to get the facts behind the death of Judy Nordahl's (Joan Tetzel) father. While on a whaling expedition near Antarctica, Craig becomes suspicious of skipper Erik Bland (Stanley Baker). These suspicions are confirmed when Craig and Judy are targetted for an "accidental" demise in the frigid waters of the Antarctic. The plot never interferes with the action highlights, which under the direction of Mark Robson are well worth the price of admission. Based on a novel by Hammond Innes, Hell Below Zero was, like Ladd's British vehicles Paratrooper and The Black Knight, released in the US by Columbia. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Ladd, Joan Tetzel, (more)
Gregory Peck stars as the title character in this swashbuckling saga of the high seas based on C.S. Forester's novel. In 1807, Hornblower is given a special assignment by the British Navy: he is to deliver a supply of weapons to El Supremo (Alec Mango), a Latin American rebel leading an uprising against Spain. However, by the time Hornblower arrives, it is discovered that the political winds have shifted, Spain and England are once again allies, and El Supremo is now the enemy of the British forces. Hornblower and his men are also forced to take on a passenger, Lady Barbara Wellesley (Virginia Mayo), a sister of the Duke of Wellington who is trying to escape an outbreak of yellow fever. When she shows symptoms of the disease, Hornblower tries to nurse her back to health while attempting to organize an attack on the armada he just helped to arm. Upon his return to England, Hornblower parts company with Wellesley (while they were attracted to each other, Hornblower remained loyal to his wife) and is given a new mission to take on Napoleon's naval forces. Captain Horatio Hornblower was originally scheduled to star Errol Flynn, but the role was recast when it was decided he'd grown too old to play the role convincingly (the fact Flynn was in the midst of one of his periodic battles with the brass at Warner Brothers certainly didn't help matters). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gregory Peck, Virginia Mayo, (more)
- 1951
The Soho Conspiracy isn't a movie, it's a crazy quilt. The thin plot strand concerns a group of down and out residents of London's Soho district. Pooling their talents, these worthies put on a Big Show to save a church from falling apart. If the musical numbers seemed familiar to British filmgoers in 1951, it was no surprise. All the musical highlights in Soho Conspiracy were lifted bodily from earlier films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1950
In this crime drama, a doctor follows up on a emergency call and finds himself later accused of murder. Fortunately, a sleuth believes the physician is innocent and begins working to prove it. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1948
Long before he became the Disney Studios' favorite stuffy Brit, David Tomlinson enjoyed top billing in the 1948 comedy Love in Waiting. The main story is carried by Peggy Evans and Elspeth Gray, cast as a pair of cute waitresses. Evans makes the mistake of crossing a fellow employee, and as a result she is set up on a petty theft charge. Her antagonist loses out in the end, and all is well. Originally aimed at the British "home market," Love in Waiting was telecast to death in the early days of American TV. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
