Sam Neuman Movies

One of a handful of 1990s Outer Limits episodes based on stories from the series' original run in the 1960s, "The Inheritors" was adapted from a program that first aired as a two-parter in November 1964. Stricken in the head by a bullet-shaped meteorite particle, musician Jacob Hardy (Nicholas Lea) is rushed to the hospital, where he is pronounced dead -- only to suddenly return to life as if nothing happened. But of course, something has happened: Jacob has emerged from his ordeal with a super-advanced intellect, as have two other "victims" of the same meteorite. But for what purpose have Jacob and his fellow "geniuses" been chosen for this honor -- and by whom? This remake of "The Inheritors" was telecast on July 16, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This was the last film by director Stuart Heisler, and in his uneven output it was not one of the most memorable. The evil dictator (Richard Basehart) is shown to be very much involved with his love life, as though impotency and a severe Oedipal complex alone could account for his dominion over Germany and the insanity that led into World War II. Other characters in the top echelons make their way into and out of the story, including Heinrich Himmler (Rick Traeger), Joseph Goebbels (Martin Kosleck), and of course, Eva Braun (Marla Emo). Any viewers looking for an explanation of how the madness within Hitler related to his rise to power and his downfall, will best look elsewhere. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

The Hoodlum is tailor-made for the roughneck talents of actor Lawrence Tierney. The film details the rise and fall of a habitual criminal, and the havoc he wreaks on the lives of his loved ones. Things really go downhill when the "hero" (Tierney) seduces and abandons his brother's sweetheart (Allene Roberts), whereupon the girl commits suicide. Lawrence Tierney's "reel" brother is played by his real brother Edward; presumably, Tierney's more famous sibling Scott Brady was occupied elsewhere. The best performance is delivered by Lisa Golm as the Hoodlum's long-suffering mother. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Former juvenile star William Henry is the all-grown-up hero of Federal Man. Henry is cast as a government agent who dogs the trail of illegal narcotics peddlers. This requires several trips south of the US-Mexico border and back again. Scenes of startlingly vivid violence are counterpointed with prosaic shots of the scientific paraphernalia used by modern-day crime fighters ("modern," of course, by 1950 standards). Though leading lady Pamela Blake is ill-served by her bland dialogue, veteran utility player George Eldredge enjoys one of the largest assignments of his career as the slimy gang leader. Like many crime films of the era, Federal Man adopts a documentary approach to its scripted scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A Hollywood movie company descends on the Ozarks in this pleasant, if low-budget, musical from PRC undoubtedly inspired by the concurrent success of Broadway's Oklahoma! Despairing of the ill-tempered behavior of Shirley, a scientifically raised mule, Dr. Jane Colwell (Martha O'Driscoll) returns to the farm in Missouri's Ozark Mountains. Shirley's indubitable talents, however, are discovered by a movie company, whose producer, Mike Burton (William Wright), sets out to win the affection of both Dr. Colwell and her obstinate animal, a feat accomplished much to the consternation of the company's star, Gloria Baxter (Renee Godfrey). The expected romantic confusion ensues and three professors from the Midland College Deptartment of Agriculture (Will Wright, Chester Clute, and Paul Scardon) descend on the movie location to put a halt to Shirley's promising screen career. But Mike and his flamboyant director (John Carradine) do their best to placate both the prominent faculty and their beast, and soon everyone is enjoying a typical Missouri hayride. Second leads Eddie Dean and Mabel Todd perform "There's a Rose That Grows in the Ozarks" and "Monkey Business"; Renee Godfrey and the Tailor-Maids take care of "Big Town Gal"; leading lady Martha O'Driscoll warbles "Never Knew That I Could Sing" and "I'm So In Love With You"; and the entire company, including John Carradine, performs "There's Nothing Like an Old Missouri Hayride." ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

PRC's Machine Gun Mama is the sort of comedy that tries to get laughs by invoking the name of Brooklyn. Wallace Ford and El Brendel play a couple of American dimwits who find themselves travelling through Latin America with an elephant. Why an elephant? So Wally and El can sell the pachyderm to a broken-down carnival, thereby making the acquaintance of Armida, who is the prettier half of a trick-shooting act. What we have here is essentially a two-reel comedy, inflated to 61 minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Believe it or not, this bizarre wartime "B"-picture was based on a true story. In the early stages of WWII, a prominent American businessman offered one million dollars to anyone who could nab Adolf Hitler and bring him to justice, dead or alive. This real-life character is herein played by Russell Hicks; accepting his offer, no questions asked, are ex-convicts Ward Bond, Warren Hymer and Paul Fix. Joining the Canadian Air Force, the three heroes-by-default strong-arm their way into Nazi Germany, then gain access to Hitler by posing as musicians. Robert Watson, frequent Hitler impersonator during the war years, co-stars as Der Fuhrer, who turns out to be a craven coward once he's shorn of his postage-stamp mustache (we're not making this up.) The quasi-comic tone of the film turns dead serious at the end, as a wild-eyed Ward Bond makes a long patriotic speech while facing a firing squad (previously shown mowing down little children in their bedclothes!). One of the oddest scenes in the picture finds the three former convicts busting out of the Dachau concentration camp -- and this before the world at large was unaware of the horrors going on behind the walls of this infamous death factory. Only one quibble: Why are there shadows of flames playing against Bond's face in the final scene, when there isn't any fire? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi