STEPTOE AND SON 1962 B/W TV Comedy Season 4 - Episode 4 The Siege of Steptoe Street

Steptoe and Son is a British comedy sitcom written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson about a father-and-son rag-and-bone business in 24 Oil Drum Lane, a fictional street in Shepherd's Bush, London. The lead roles were played by Wilfrid Brambell (Albert Steptoe), and Harry H. Corbett (Harold Steptoe). The series focused on the inter-generational conflict of father and son. Albert Steptoe, a "dirty old man", is an elderly rag-and-bone man, set in his grimy and grasping ways. By contrast, his son Harold is filled with social aspirations and pretensions. The show contained elements of drama and tragedy, as Harold was continually prevented from achieving his ambitions. Both of the main actors used voices considerably different from their own. Brambell, despite being Irish, spoke with a received pronunciation English accent, as did the Manchester-raised Corbett. Brambell was aged 49 when he accepted the role of Albert, only 13 years older than Corbett. For his portrayal, he acquired a second set of "rotten" dentures to accentuate his character's poor attitude to hygiene. In this episode The Siege of Steptoe Street, the Steptoes have to defend their home from numerous businessmen with court orders after they run up one too many bills. This was a excellent programme, the two main characters worked so well off each other considering away from the cameras, as stated many times the two actors hardly ever socialised and seldom spoke.

THE WATER MARGIN 1976 Season 1 - Episode 1 Nine Dozen Heroes and One Wicked Man

The Water Margin is a Japanese television series based on the 14th-century book Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Made in two seasons of 13 episodes each by Nippon Television it was shown in Japan in 1973 and 1974 as Suikoden. For an English-language version, it was adapted by David Weir without translations, using only brief plot synopses. The dubbed version, narrated by Burt Kwouk, was shown by the BBC from 1976 to 1978. Water Margin tells the story of the 108 Heroes who stood up against a corrupt government. Each hero has his own unique fighting skill, but they are all willing to die to uphold justice.

The Emperor dispatches his favourite, wicked Kao Chiu, to the sacred mountain to exorcise the evil behind the terrible plague that grips China. Kao Chiu discovers an ancient temple, its doors sealed shut on the orders of a previous emperor. Within is a pit believed to contain the souls of nine dozen rebellious knights. The souls are scattered over China, now reborn as heroes who will take a stand against the corruption that has gripped the empire. One such hero might be Lin Chung, an honourable officer in the imperial army. However, Kao Chiu hatches a plot to have Lin Chung discharged from the army in disgrace. 'One wrong can move a people, and a wronged people can move the world.' I watched this when it first came out and have been searching for years to find and rewatch finally I got my chance. My favourite character has to be Wu Sung "The Tiger Hunter" who often flattens his foes with his bare hands. Finally remember this "Do not despise the snake for having no horns, for who is to say it will not become a dragon?"

CHILDHOOD'S END 2015 Sci-Fi TV Mini Series Part 1 - The Overlords

Milo Rodericks, claiming to be the last living human, records a message from the ruin of a post-apocalyptic Earth. In 2016, a fleet of massive alien space ships appear in the skies of Earth. Dubbed 'the Overlords', the alien 'Supervisor for Earth' Karellen speaks to humanity claiming they have come to usher in an age of utopia. Karellen speaks to a farmer named Ricky Stormgren in the form of his deceased wife Annabelle, and chooses Ricky to serve as humanity's representative. Despite initial resistance and distrust from governments, the Overlords systematically eliminate disease, war, hunger, and pollution, setting the stage for the 'Golden Age of Humanity'. Media mogul Hugo Wainwright secretly organizes a counter-group dubbed the Freedom League, which uses social media to spread distrust about the Overlords. When their years-long campaign fails to slow the aliens' changes, the Freedom League kidnaps Ricky to force Karellen's hand. Karellen intervenes, saving Ricky's life while simultaneously projecting Wainwright's entire conspiracy to the world. Shortly afterwards, Wainwright is found hanged and Karellen dismisses Ricky, saying his work is now finished. Ricky asks Karellen to show his true self to humanity, but the alien retorts that humans are not yet ready to 'accept' his true form. Never seen this before really enjoying it so far the storyline reminds me of V (1983), and I loved it when Karellen finally showed his true form to the world right at the end definitely was not expecting that lol. I could have posted some great pictures but that would have spoiled the surprise. It was nearly as big a surprise when I realised Colm Meaney from The Commitments (1991), was acting in it as well.

MY FAVOURITE ACTRESSES & ACTORS OF ALL TIME

Everyone has their own favourite actors & actresses listed below in alphabetical order are my own. If they are in a film or tv show I would probably watch it for no other reason.

01 - Sean Bean - Sharpe's Rifles (1993) was the start of my adventures with Sean Bean and the adventures just keep coming.

02 - Michael Berryman - I first saw Michael in The Hills Have Eyes (1977), as you can imagine he made a lasting impression with his striking appearance.

03 - Nicholas Cage - Wild At Heart (1990), was my first run in with Nicholas. This man has had a varied career with many ups and downs but that is life and I enjoy watching his movies.

04 - Michael Caine - The Man Who Would Be King (1975), a classic plus Zulu (1964), still going strong as Going in Style (2017), and King of Thieves (2018) prove.

05 - Peter Cushing - This man as far as acting goes will always be a legend in my eyes. The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), first brought him to my attention and it has been a pleasure to watch him ever since.

06 - Mel Gibson - The original Mad Max (1979), if you have an imagination Mel will feed that need.

07 - Sid Haig - House of 1000 Corpses (2003), as Captain Spaulding if you didn't have a fear of clowns before then this would do it.

08 - Rutger Hauer - Ladyhawke (1985), and Salute of the Jugger (1989), he just has a presence in his roles that stands out for me.

09 - Klaus Kinski - Vampire in Venice (1988), if ever anyone was perfect to play a vampire then this was it. I later found out that this film was a sequel in name only to Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979).

10 - Christopher Lambert - Highlander (1986), I am Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. I was born in 1518 in the village of Glenfinnan on the shores of Loch Shiel. And I am immortal. You can't say fairer than that.

11 - Vincent Price - House of Usher (1960), not sure if this was the first time or one of the first I saw Vincent in action but he does leave a lasting impression.

12 - Lin Shayne - 2001 Maniacs (2005), as Granny Boon now isn't granny just a sweet old thing. Lin's career has gone from strength to strength.

13 - Sheridan Smith - Been following her career since Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (2001), the way she has progressed through the years shows her versatility as seen in The Teacher (2022).

14 - Jason Statham - Ghosts of Mars (2001), love this film and any other with Jason in it. You want action movies this is the man for the job.

15 - Barbara Steele - The Queen of Gothic Horror for many years. Black Sunday (1960), it was a delight to see this and Barbara for the first time.

16 - Ken Stott - Messiah (2001), loved Ken in this but nothing beats his portrayal as Rebus (2006).

17 - David Tennant - Doctor Who (2005), in my opinion one of the best doctors which was great to see also Broadchurch (2013), worthy of a mention.

18 - Danny Trejo - From Dusk till Dawn (1996), my first time seeing Danny as a barman in the Titty Twister. Have watched many of his films since and enjoyed them all. Recommend Bad Ass (2012), and Machete Kills (2013).

19 - Christopher Walken - The Prophecy (1995), a perfect match for this role as the Archangel Gabriel I have always liked his acting style.

KING SOLOMON'S MINES 1986 Animated Version

An animated version of H. Rider Haggard's famous novel from 1886 about African adventurer Allan Quatermain. They say the great Hebrew ruler, King Solomon, fell in love with the Queen of Sheba when she traveled across countries to visit him. Alas, she had to return to her own kingdom so it was a love that could not exist. So in her honor, he has hidden a treasure - a treasure that was far beyond anybody's wildest dreams - somewhere in the mines he used to own in Africa. Quatermain's brother went missing after he tried to find this lost legendary treasure. He was last seen somewhere beyond the great desert of a then unexplored mysterious Africa. Quatermain and his friends meet in England and decide to go on a quest to find his missing brother. On the way they will meet a strange man that may help them out, a lost tribe and a very wicked witch who desires the treasure for herself - at any cost.

At around 55 minutes long this piece of animation remains the most faithful adaptation of H. Rider Haggard's original work.

DEVIL'S DIARY 2007 Horror Television Film

Two teenage friends Dominique and Ursula, enter a graveyard and when lightning strikes a tombstone they discover a mysterious book lying on the grave. The book has a message inside, granting power to those who write into it wishes in exchange for the person's soul. Ursula keeps it, believing fate led her to find it, and decides to take revenge on those that have bullied and made her life hell at school. Have seen similar storylines in a few other films which in itself is no bad thing. Do not take this film too seriously and you will find yourself having a good time.

MINDER 1979 British Comedy-Drama Series Season 1 - Episode 1 Gunfight at the OK Laundrette.

The earliest episodes focus on Terry McCann (Dennis Waterman), a former professional boxer who has served time in jail and is determined not to return there. He finds himself in the employ of Arthur Daley (George Cole), a middle-aged car salesman and self-described entrepreneur working on the edge of (and often beyond) the law in pursuit of a quick profit. Terry works for Arthur as an assistant/bodyguard (known as a 'minder'), and is often loaned out by Arthur to work for others in a similar capacity.

Terry is caught up in an armed robbery at a laundrette owned by gangster-turned-successful businessman Alfie Cavallo. The robbery goes wrong, and all present are held at gunpoint. Alfie is shot and wounded. As police try to talk them into releasing the hostages, Terry tries to persuade the gunman to give himself up while he has a chance. Meanwhile, Arthur is trying to generate publicity for Terry's actions. (The episode title spoofs the 1957 film Gunfight at the OK Corral.)

THE LONE RANGER AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD 1958 American Western Film

The second of two theatrical features specifically based on and continuing the TV show The Lone Ranger (1949) it stars Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels, reprising their roles from the TV series. The first feature film was 1956's The Lone Ranger. Three Indians were brutally murdered by a gang of hooded outlaws. Each one possessed a silver medallion, which were sections cut off from a large silver plaque which served as a treasure map to a secret location where a large amount of gold is reputedly stashed. Two more medallions are unaccounted for, and The Lone Ranger and his friend Tonto must use all their resources to intercept the gang, prevent further carnage and save the owners of the medallions.

Just a few notes, this film looked very fresh for 1958. The horses so well trained and Jay Silverheels performance as Tonto was impressive. That just leaves one last thing to say Hi-ho, Silver! Away!

THE HAUNTED CASTLE 1896 B/W French short silent film 3 mins.

A short film with many names Le Manoir du diable or The House of the Devil, released in the United States as The Haunted Castle and in Britain as The Devil's Castle. Directed by Georges Méliès. The film, which depicts a brief pantomimed sketch in the style of a theatrical comic fantasy, tells the story of an encounter with the Devil and various attendant phantoms. It is intended to evoke amusement and wonder from its audiences, rather than fear. However, because of its themes and characters, the film has been considered to technically be the first horror film. Such a classification can also be attributed to the film's depiction of a human transforming into a bat. The film is also innovative in length; its running time of over three minutes was ambitious for its era. The film was presumed lost until 1988, when a copy was found in the New Zealand Film Archive.

Director Georges Méliès (above). Considering the time frame this short film was made in and for 3 mins in length the action is non stop. I have also read up a bit about the directors life story a man ahead of his time. Hats off too Georges Méliès.

LAUREL & HARDY - UNACCUSTOMED AS WE ARE 1929 B/W Comedy Film

This is the first sound film comedy starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, released on May 4, 1929. The title, Unaccustomed As We Are..., was a spoofing reference to the fact that its two stars had never before spoken in their films. In case the Talkies did not prove popular, and in order to be released in theatres which had not yet been converted for sound, Hal Roach hedged his bets by releasing it in both the new All-Talking format and in Silent format. As with the Laurel and Hardy silent films, visual gags remained the heart and soul of the picture: the characters were certainly talking, but the comedy was not yet in the dialogue, the film still relied entirely on sight-gags for its laughs.

Ollie brings Stan home for dinner and promises a big juicy steak, mushroom sauce, strawberries, whipped cream, a cup of coffee and a big black cigar. Despite the offer of such a delicious temptation, Stan still feels the need to ask if the meal includes any nuts. These two are pure comedy genius from their appearance to their online delivery of the gags really a pleasure to watch and it did make me laugh. Found it hard to believe the date of this their first talkie as they already had a substantial catalogue of silent films before this dating back to 1921.

ONE EIGHT SEVEN 1997 American Crime Thriller

This was the first top-billed starring role for Samuel L. Jackson, who plays a Los Angeles teacher caught up with gang trouble in an urban high school. The film's name comes from the California Penal Code Section 187, which defines murder. The original screenplay was written in 1995 by Scott Yagemann, a Los Angeles area high school substitute teacher for seven years. He wrote the screenplay after an incident when a violent transfer student had threatened to kill him and his family. Yagemann reported the threat to the authorities and the student was arrested. About a week later, he was called by the district attorney to testify against the student in a court of law, where the student was being prosecuted for stabbing a teacher's aide a year before. This annoyed Yagemann, who had not been told about it beforehand, and led to him writing the screenplay. He claimed that 90% of the film's material is based on incidents that had happened to him and other teachers in real life.

Trevor Garfield (Samuel L Jackson) is a high school science teacher at Roosevelt Whitney High School, a high school in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. Dennis Broadway, a gangster student to whom he had given a failing grade threatens to murder him, writing the number 187 on every page in a textbook. Garfield knows that this is a warning and tries to report his concerns to the administration with little affect. Definitely the highlight of my viewing this week. You can tell that Samuel L. Jackson has that something about him and commands his role perfectly. The closing narration of the film cites a 1994 MetLife-Louis Harris Survey stating one in nine teachers has been attacked in school and 95 percent of those attacks were committed by students. The film's soundtrack was released under the title Music from the Motion Picture 187 on July 29, 1997 and the music also blends well with the film.

VAMPIRE WAR/MONTRAK 2017 Horror Fantasy

The number of people disappearing in Germany is increasing due to vampire attacks; with their origins in the Middle Ages and transformed by Lucifer, their leader Montrak is hunted down and killed, but his subjects create a new vampire master. Their intention to stay hidden build an army throughout the ages and when the time is right unleash a war like no other, a bloodthristy vampire war.

I liked the storyline it showed promise and the visuals of the film are of a good standard, although some of the dialogue seemed a little slow paced (I think this was due to English dubbing).

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY 1945 B/W Horror/Drama

Based on Oscar Wilde's 1890 novel of the same name. Shot primarily in black-and-white, the film features four colour inserts in three-strip Technicolor of Dorian's portrait; these are a special effect. While posing for a painting by his friend Basil Hallward, handsome young aristocrat Dorian Gray meets Hallward's friend Lord Henry Wotton. Wotton persuades Gray the only worthwhile life is dedicated to pleasure, because "what the gods give they quickly take away." Contemplating this, Gray wishes his portrait could age instead of him. He makes this wish in the presence of an Egyptian cat statue with supposed mystical powers.

Love these old black and white movies from the music score to the imagery and atmosphere. I know the story of Dorian Gray and have seen him portrayed in at least two other films. First time watching this version though.

THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES 1959 British Gothic-Mystery Film

Film directed by Terence Fisher and produced by Hammer Film Productions. It is based on the 1902 novel of the same title by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It stars Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes, Sir Christopher Lee as Sir Henry Baskerville and André Morell as Doctor Watson. It is the first film adaptation of the novel to be filmed in colour. Returning to his family's manor house on the lonely moors after his father dies under mysterious circumstances, Sir Henry Baskerville is confronted with the mystery of the supernatural hound that supposedly takes revenge upon the Baskerville family. The famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson are brought in to investigate.

Was alway's a big fan of the Hammer Films although I had never watched this one. Previously I had seen a version of the film with Martin Shaw (The Professionals), as Sir Henry so I knew the basic storyline. Peter Cushing is outstanding as Sherlock Holmes and is very ably backed up throughout by André Morell as Dr. Watson.

A.J. WENTWORTH B.A. 1982 British Sitcom Season 1 - Episodes 1 & 2 A Day in the Life of... and Mud Larks

This programme was shown posthumously following the death of its lead actor Arthur Lowe, who died on 15 April 1982. Based on the writings of H. F. Ellis. Set in the 1940s at Burgrove, a boys' preparatory school in Wilminister, in rural England. A.J. Wentworth is the mathematics master. He is very fond of the school but inefficient at disciplining his pupils who take advantage of his kind nature. The headmaster, the Rev Saunders, who is nicknamed 'Squid' by the boys, is a snob and the Matron is Wentworth's constant enemy. Episode 1 A Day in the Life of... - The basket in the boot-room, the disagreement with IIIA over Pythagoras, the interruptions, the upset to Miss Coombes, and a light scolding from the headmaster: all in a day's work for A.J. Wentworth. Episode 2 Mud Larks - It's difficult to keep boys out of mud if they are left to their own devices and, with Wentworth in charge of the botany ramble, they revert to type. The headmaster is appalled at the condition of Form IIIA on their return.

Flicking through the tv channels the other night I caught an old episode of Dad's Army 1968 and I thought Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring had fantastic comedy timing. I decided to check out his other work which turned out to be less than I thought partly due to his and his wife's health issues. Not really sure what angle they were going for with A.J. Wentworth easy enough to watch though not much happening on the comedy front.

ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 1976 Action Thriller Film 18+

Written, directed, scored, and edited by the excellent John Carpenter. In South-Central Los Angeles, a local gang, steals a cache of assault rifles and pistols. At 3:00 am on a Saturday in Anderson, a crime-infested ghetto, a team of heavily-armed LAPD officers ambush and kill six members of the gang. Later, the gang's four warlords swear a blood oath of revenge against the police and the citizens of Los Angeles. As things escalate in a bloody series of events an unlikely partnership is forged between a Highway Patrol Officer, two criminals and a station secretary to defend an almost defunct Los Angeles precinct office against a siege by the bloodthirsty street gang intent on revenge. For it's time some scenes are of a brutal and violent nature definitely placing it in the 18+ category.

WHAT A CARVE UP 1961 B/W British Comedy-Horror Film

Starring Sid James as Syd Butler, a bookmaker who acts as Ernest's legal advisor, Kenneth Connor as Ernest Broughton, a proofreader and nephew of the deceased, and Donald Pleasence as Everett Sloane, a solicitor. It was released in the United States in 1962 as No Place Like Homicide. The film was loosely based on the 1928 novel The Ghoul by Frank King. A previous version, titled The Ghoul, was filmed in 1933 by Gaumont-British Pictures. The relatives of Gabriel Broughton are summoned to Blackshaw Towers, an old, isolated country house in the middle of moorlands in Yorkshire, to hear the reading of his will. Gabriel's nervous nephew Ernest Broughton brings along his flatmate Syd Butler for support. At the large, gloomy mansion, they meet Guy Broughton, Ernest's cousin; Malcolm Broughton, a piano player who claims everyone is "quite mad"; Janet Broughton and Dr Edward Broughton, Guy's sister and father, respectively; Emily Broughton, a dotty old woman who believes the First World War is still on; and Linda Dixon, Gabriel's nurse.