Harold Nebenzal Movies
- 1991
This documentary explores the mystery of an inexplicable episode in the life of the otherwise highly esteemed Austrian film director G.W. Pabst (1885-1967). He was well known as a supporter of worker's causes and leftist movements up until 1939 and had directed any number of socially responsible films such as the 1931 Kameradschaft about the hard lot of mine workers. In 1933, at the beginning of the Nazi era in Germany, he left Germany and Austria and spent the next six years in France, the U.S., and Switzerland. In 1939, after announcing that he was on the verge of seeking American citizenship, he returned to Austria and made films under the Nazi regime for reasons which are unclear even to this day. The confusion prompted by this move was amplified by his 1948 film The Trial, which denounced anti-Semitism and won that year's Venice Film Festival "Best Director" honors. Among those interviewed in this attempt to unravel this mystery are film scholars, the director's son Michael, and various wartime actors and directors. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Starring:
- Harold Nebenzal
Once again, Charles Bronson plays a renegade cop out for vigilante justice in the darkest heart of the urban jungle. This time, he is targeting an especially ruthless pimp who has been leading innocent young girls into prostitution. When the pimp kidnaps the beautiful daughter of a Japanese businessman, rapes her and forces her to begin streetwalking, the cop decides to let nothing, not even the law, stop him from bringing the slimeball to graphically violent justice. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Charles Bronson, Perry Lopez, (more)
- 1983
Gabriela was based on Jorge Armado's novel Gabriela, Clove and Cinammon, which also served as the source of a typically steamy Brazilian TV soap opera. Set in 1925 (when the novel was first published), the film stars Marcello Mastrioanni as Nacib, a bartender in the Bahian village of Parati. When a drought descends upon the surrounding countryside, slovenly-but-sexy Gabriela (Sonja Braga) wanders into Parati with some friends and relatives. Immediately entranced by Gabriela's earthy sensuality, Nacib hires her as a cook and potential lover. Jealous of the attentions paid to Gabriela by the local menfolk, Nacib decides to marry her, then orders her to dress and behave in a more prudish fashion. But Gabriela can't help straying sexually, and as consequence it is Nacib who is forced to undergo the film's major character transformation. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sonia Braga, Marcello Mastroianni, (more)
The Wilby Conspiracy is set in South Africa, at a time when Apartheid was the order of the day. Political activist Shack Twala (Sidney Poitier) finds an unlikely -- and reluctant -- ally in the form of the British Keogh (Michael Caine). Both Twala and Keogh are scrutinized by racist police official Horn (Nicol Williamson), who hopes that they'll lead him to the hideout of chief activist Wilby (Joe De Graft). Based on the novel by Peter Driscoll, The Wilby Conspiracy abandons its sociological overtones early on in favor of an extended chase. The film reteams Poitier and director Ralph Nelson, who, 12 years earlier, had collaborated on Lilies of the Field. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sidney Poitier, Michael Caine, (more)
- 1969
A young wife and her insurance-salesman husband arrive at a suburban party thrown by the man's boss. The poolside party quickly turns into a wife swapping free-for-all, but the woman is reluctant. Her husband urges her to join in, saying it will be good for business and his career advancement. The once-reluctant wife joins in to become the life of the party as the revelers do the horizontal bop and other erotic dances. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Barbara Blake, Lynn Cartwright, (more)
- 1954
Producer/director Eugene Frenke, of whom it was said his taste was entirely in his mouth, was responsible for the tickle-and-tease farce Miss Robin Crusoe. Amanda Blake, one year shy of Gunsmoke, plays a shipwrecked lass who sets up housekeeping on a desert island. Amanda rescues female native Rosalind Hayes from certain doom, thereby winning herself a Girl Friday. The fun begins when handsome George Nader, likewise shipwrecked, shows up on the island. Played surprisingly straight, Miss Robin Crusoe will appeal most to aficionados of 1950s "leg art". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
