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Reviews
Whistlin' Dan (1932)
Inferior Remake
Len Maynard's Whistlin Dan is an inferior remake of Buck Jones's Border Law. In fact, The Fighting Ranger was better remake of Border Law this time with Jones once again. The biggest problem with the remake was not Maynard, but Joyzelle Joyner ( the Director's wife) the leading lady. She was hyperactive and aggravating ( unlike Lupita Tovar in Border Law and Dorothy Revier in The Fighting Ranger). Another problem ( spoilers ahead) was the ending. In Border Law and The Fighting Ranger Jones ends up with the leading lady. Here it is the sidekick. For most of the film it was a more serious then either of the Jones pair, but here they switch things up in an unpleasant way by having Joyzelle call the woman hating sidekick "My hero." Do yourself a favor and see Border Law ( it's on YouTube) or even the rare The Fighting Ranger ( a better film then this): I give it 3/10 stars. A fair film ruined by Joyzelle.
Midnight Club (1933)
Fair Crime Film
The Midnight Club is a fair crime film, which I saw on ok.ru. The best thing about the movie is Nick Mason ( George Raft) an American FBI agent sent to London to stop jewel thieves headed by Collin Grant ( Clive Brook). Now Grant is a very sophisticated crook like Raffles who has been outwitting Commissioner Hope of Scotland Yard for three years. Of course, Grant does have one weakness: Partner In Crime Iris Whitney ( Helen Vinson). The problem is Iris does not love him, and although she does not want to admit it, she loves Nick ( even after she finds out he is the law). Spoilers ahead: Of course, Nick does end up with Iris. But the way it happens simply ruins the film. Why? Because it is far fetched. Watch Whipsaw and see how FBI Agent Spencer Tracy ends up with Jewel Thief Myrna Loy and see how it is done. Of course Myrna > Helen ( and not close) and Tracy > Raft, but it was done in a more realistic way: Anyway I give it 6/10 stars mostly for Raft and his scenes with Helen Vinson ( especially the beginning).
Lies We Tell (2017)
Pointless and Predictable
Lies We Tell is a pointless and predictable film. It starts out with the funeral of a billionaire, and you see his family ( who you never see again) and his driver Donald ( Gabriel Byrne ( the only one decent in the film acting and character)). Donald is given the task of cleaning up the messes of the billionaire's life. What is the purpose of this, if you are not going to see more of the family? It is a plot device to get Donald involved with the billionaires Muslim mistress Amber) Sibylia Deen). What you think is a mystery, turns out bizarre with an boring majority Pakistani cast ( Ms. Deen included) with an overdone wedding ceremony and an spoilers ahead: An honor killing of Amber which you could figure out early ( which is why I fast forwarded through the movie). Of course Donald kills the perp by running him over with his car ( surprise surprise surprise), The film ends with Donald growling at a bad dog with no kind of actual conclusions ( A pet peeve of mine). I did not hate the film, so I did not give it zero or one star, but it was pointless and predictable so I give itv2/10 stars.
The Hollow (2016)
Fair Thriller
The Hollow is a fair thriller with a decent cast especially William Forsythe ( "Big" John Dawson), who is a nasty businessman who is basically a puppet master ruling a small Mississippi town. One thing interesting are the reviews here. Some people give it a 10, like it is Chinatown or Laura while others give it a 1 like it is Paradise Hills or Madam Web. The truth is it is neither extreme. The biggest problem with this film, is with the exception of children, there are no good guys ( or gals), it is just dishonest ( at best), bad and evil characters. Which means no one to root for. Even the protagonist FBI Agent Vaughn Killinger ( James Callis) is an alcoholic who spoilers ahead: Ends up murdering Dawson in cold blood (although Dawson deserved it), and believe it or not gets away with it and ends up with his partner Sarah Desoto ( Christiane Seidel). By the way, she ( like him) quits the FBI and she becomes a Sheriff in Tennessee. Since she saw Killinger murder Dawson, and let him get away with it, she is the dishonest one (as opposed to bad and evil) Anyway, it's a fair thriller. I give it 5/10 stars:
Fast and Loose (1930)
Carole or Miriam
I just saw Fast And Loose on YouTube, and to be honest I did not like it. Why? To start with Miriam Hopkins, who was awful. In my mind, there is no doubt who was a better actress: Hopkins or Carole Lombard ( Alice O'Neill). It is easily Carole and she has a body of work such as I Take This Woman and Twentieth Century to prove it. This goes to the heart of the problem with this film: Too little Carole ( she was supporting) and too much Hopkins ( in her first film). Basically Miriam Hopkins is an actress who can ruin a film for me ( see Barbary Coast as just one example). Here Miriam plays a spoiled rotten rich girl who simply gets on my nerve. She is also nothing to look at, and the worst is her hair. I don't pay attention to hair unless it stands out as being awful. Here it certainly it is. This is a movie I would have liked much better if it was Carole in the lead, ( Clara Bow who was at Paramount at the time was a better option (as was one other woman who was not at Paramount, but would have been perfect: Myrna Loy). One other person was good:, Frank Morgan as Miriam's father ( although the mother was cringe worthy (even worse then Hopkins)). Anyway I give the movie 3/10 stars. 2 for Carole. 1 for Frank Morgan.
Rider on a Dead Horse (1962)
Surprising
Rider On A Dead Horse is a surprising little western I saw on ok.ru. Now are we talking Shane or The Big Country? Absolutely not. In fact, it is a low budget 1962 Western that was filmed in black and white ( unusual for that year). But what makes the movie work, is the fact that it involves a relationship between American Hayden ( John Vivyan) and Chinese Ming Kwai ( Lisa Lu). Americans with Mexicans or Native Americans in a western in that era? Yes. Chinese? Absolutely not. In fact, in the film they even slept together ( although not shown on screen). Another thing interesting is a big part of the film involved greed, and everyone in the movie was greedy ( yes Ming Kwai included ( she was no innocent)). Spoilers ahead: I got tricked by the ending ( In a good way). I expected one of several possible scenarios. But one was not Hayden and Ming Kwai to end up together which is what happened. He asked her "Do you want to go Mexico ( where he wanted to go) or San Francisco" ( where she wanted to go). She said "Wherever you go I go." Again a surprising movie and it deserves 8/10 stars. Well above average.
The Dark Past (1948)
Cat & Mouse Thriller
The Dark Past is a brilliant cat and mouse thriller ) far more then a Film Noir) pitting escaped convict/psychopath killer Al Walker ( William Holden) versus Dr. Andrew Collins ( Lee J. Cobb). Holden is very interesting because he reminds one of Duke Mantee ( Humphrey Bogart) in The Petrified Forest. In fact the white shirt and short tie are exactly what Bogart had. However, Cobb is a much better then Leslie Howard in The Petrified Forest. Why? Not only is he a stronger character, but he is able to gain the respect of Holden. You see that when Holden is throwing darts and misses the target, while Cobb hit the target and could have killed Holden. When Holden notes "You could have killed me, why didn't you?" As Cobb says "I don't kill I cure." Spoilers ahead: Unlike the Petrified Forest, Both Cobb and surprisingly Holden survive. How, Holden is haunted by a nightmare for years, and as it turned out he killed his father, and Cobb was able to cure him from that suppressed hurt, and he was able to be captured with no one being killed. So even though Holden will end up back in prison, at least he has as happy an ending as possible, because he will be able to sleep nights without the nightmare. Again a brilliant cat and mouse game. Easy 10/10 stars.
Coyote County Loser (2009)
One Of The Best Of It's Kind
Coyote County Loser is on of the best of its kind. You know, "Boy Meets Girl. Boy Loses Girl. Boy Gets Girl Back." What makes it work is the character growth in both protagonists Jack and Lauren ( mostly him because of he story is primarily from his point of view). A poster had a great comparison which is Doc Hollywood. There Michael J Fox had to give up being a plastic surgeon in LA to be the doctor in a small town ( and getting the girl he loves), and here Jack had to give up being a radio talk show host in LA for Lauren (?who is also a radio talk show host but on a much smaller level) Why? Because not only does he love her, but he respects her. He even said on the air "She will not put up with his crap.". Major spoilers ahead; The film has Easter Eggs in the credits showing Jack and Lauren married and hosting a family show and she is pregnant. Easy 10/10 stars and a great date movie.
It Takes Two (1995)
Wedding Scene
It Takes Two is a funny movie. I do not get the hate here for it. One thing about effective comedies is when you have a villain you make them pay: Think Animal House and Trading Places. What Alyssa Callaway (Ashley Olsen) does to Clarice Kensington ( Jane Sabbett), after her attempt to marry her father Roger ( Steve Gutenberg) for his money fails, makes the film work. "I've never been so humiliated in all my life" then Alyssa says "Wanna Bet?" Then steps on her dress and she runs out screaming and the reactions by everyone in the chapel is priceless. Spoilers ahead: Of course you know that he will end up with the better Diane Barrows ( Kirstie Alley) and the little girl she loves Amanda ( Mary Kate Olsen). But that is to be expected. Now is it the classic Animal House or Trading Places is? No but you can't watch those films with the kids either. I give it 8/10. Ordinarily it would be slightly above average or 6/10 stars ( mostly for Ashley's scenes and Kirstie Alley), but the wedding scene is so funny, it has me give it an extra two stars for 8/10 stars.
Yankee Buccaneer (1952)
Fun Film
Yankee Buccaneer is not a film to be taken seriously. It is about a spy mission where American Naval Officers Captain David Porter ( Jeff Chandler) and Lieutenant Davey Ferragut ( Scott Brady) have to pretend they are pirates in order to find out who is behind pirate attacks. It goes without saying that it's like the Mission Impossible saying "If you are caught or killed the secretary will disavow any.knowledge of your actions." Then there is Countess Margarita ( Suzan Ball) who gets involved with Ferragut. Basically Porter and company break every rule possible ( including making head villain Del Castro walk the plank to get the information they need). Porter even says they will be facing a Court Martial and "There goes a fine naval career." Spoilers ahead:,At least Ferragut gets Margarita as compensation for the loss of his Naval career. Anyway 8/10 stars for being a fun movie.
Rev (2020)
Not Bad
Rev is really not a bad movie, in fact it is above average. It is about car thief Mikey caught between the policewoman Reid ( Vivica A Fox ( collecting another paycheck living off Independence Day)). And even worse car thieves. Of course there is a very hot woman Ava ( Hannah Gordon), who is the girlfriend of gang leader Charlie, and very nice cars to look at. One other point. It was filmed in Toronto and it is known to be Toronto and not pretending to be Chicago or worse New York. Spoilers Ahead: What actually makes the film work is the ending where Mikey ends up with Ava, and Charlie let him have her. Why? Because he knows that without Mikey saving him ( and Ava) he would have ended up in jail. Most other films would have had Charlie or in a twist Mikey dead. So this was a nice way to end the film. Anyway above average. 7/10 stars:
Vote One for Love (2023)
Unrealistic
Vote One For Love is one of the most unrealistic films I have ever seen. Obviously I am not talking about Superheroes or Sci-Fi, but outside those genres this is right up there. Where to start? At the beginning: It is about Candace ( Natasha Wilson) a political consultant who works for a group that helps people get elected and they see Derek ( Jesse Hutch) running for Mayor in a small town in Wyoming ( filmed in Canada) as a future US Senator. Computers being able to do such forecasts (about a frightening concept). The problem is Derek is Candace's old flame. Problems ( quite a few but I will mention just two): 1: It never establishes what Derek does for a living and the problems facing his town that causes him to want to run for Mayor, beyond worrying about his daughter. 2: He mentions he made a mistake letting Candace go years ago. However, if he did not, he might not have ended up with a daughter who is devoted to him ( the woman he knocked up abandoned her to him). Spoilers ahead: Do Candace and Derek end up together? Of course they do. However, you have no idea if he won the election or not? Not saying everything is bad: Natasha Wilson is pretty and showed character growth by quitting her company ( they actually wanted to go with his competitor because Derek only wanted to be Mayor instead of a future Senator). But that is about it. For being unrealistic and making me skip through large parts of the film, I give it 3/10 stars.
Rancher 101 (2022)
Predictable
I am tough on The Movie Star and The Cowboy or Rancher 101, because I know it is a reworking ( not quite a remake) of the 1998 film titled: The Cowboy and The Movie Star. The earlier film is a "Modern Classic" with Perry King ( Clint Brannan) and Sean Young ( Sean Livingston). Here it is Mackenzie Porter ( Isabella) and Toby Levins ( Hunter)., and this film does not measure up. One thing both films have in common is the Cowboy will be losing his ranch due to economic hardships, and spoilers ahead: The Movie Star saves it( although in different ways). However in The Cowboy and The Movie Star, Sean Young and Perry King are in a life threatening situation, while Mackenzie Porter and Toby Levins are not. Also in the original, you learn why Perry King is in trouble ( his gold digging wife who wants a divorce), and you don't with Toby Hunter. Last but certainly not least, The original's ending is so much better as well, because Sean Young is going to make ranching her life ( Major Spoilers ahead) She buys half of his ranch which he did not know, and says "You have two choices, you will have to to take me to town ( they met on an accident) or teach me to ranch." MacKenzie Porter gets the film studio to film on the ranch. So while they ride off together, it is a much more ambiguous ending. Again a very predictable film 5/10 stars compared to the 10/10 original.
Lady of the Pavements (1929)
Lupe
I saw Lady of The Pavements on YouTube ( thank you YouTube). That said There is only one reason to watch this movie, if you like Lupe Velez ( Nanon). The two top billed stars William Boyd ( of Hopalong Cassidy fame) and Jetta Goudal ( Countess Diane des Granges) cannot remotely come close to Lupe. Lupe gives an excellent performance as well "The Lady of The Pavements" singer who is used to humiliate Boyd who rejects Jetta Goudal because he said he would rather marry a "Lady of The Pavements" then her. Why? They were engaged to be married but she cheated on him. He ends up marrying Nanon without knowing what she really is. One thing is for sure, I never saw Jetta Goudal before, but it goes without saying she cannot come close to Lupe in the looks department. You get everything from Lupe including two scenes that remind you of the "Mexican Spitfire" character she plays a decade later. One is a comedic scene and one is a confrontational scene with Jetta Goudal where she makes the Countess look pathetic. Spoilers ahead: Does Lupe end up with Boyd? Of course she does. In a scene that reminds me of River of No Return she ( like Marilyn Monroe) sings a sad song in a bar, but Boyd ( like Robert Mitchum in River of No Return) goes to get her and bring her home. Anyway, I am not a fan of costume pictures, and I did not care for anyone not named Lupe Velez. I gave it 6/10 stars. Half for Lupe and 1 for the film surviving.
A Time for Dying (1969)
The Worst
I Hated A Time For Dying. This is a film I have long wanted to see because of the finale of Audie Murphy and Director Budd Boetticher, and finally got to see it on Tubi, and it goes without saying I was disappointed. There were only two Westerns I despised The Desperados and White Comanche, and this film I can add to the list. Who did I like? No one. The worst: Victor Jory as Judge Roy Bean. It might be the worst portrayal of a real life person I ever saw. It is one of these films that makes you angry you saw it. It is depressing ( like The Desperados), but worse. Why? Spoilers ahead: The good guy gets murdered and the bad guy gets away and the wife ends up in a house of ill repute. Almost a prelude to McCabe & Mrs. Miller a film I also did not like. I had to give one star because that is the minimum allowed by IMDB. But it is another film that deserves ZERO stars. It is the worst western I ever saw and in the bottom 10 films of all time.
The F.B.I.: The Conspirators (1967)
More Then A Procedural
The Conspirators was a different episode of the FBI because it was more of a family drama then the usual procedural episode of The FBI, which made it work. There is a family of Communist spies with the mother Viv Caldwell ( really Milton) who was played by Phillis Thaxter and is the worst. Her husband John ( Arthur Franz), who is not as bad, but still someone who was going to blow up a ship and kill 45 sailors, then there is their 20 year old daughter Betty ( Julie Sommers) who is in love with the ship's doctor. There is also their leader Letterman ( Michael Rennie), who is almost as evil as Viv. Spoilers ahead: Betty turns out to be the heroine of the story who tells Erskine ( Efram Zimbalist Jr) that her father was going to blow up the ship ( even after Erskine tells her boyfriend is safe). It is interesting that her mother calls her a "Traitor" while her father was more understanding ( especially when she said " I will tell them ( The FBI) everything I remember." ) A really good episode. 9/10 stars.
Showdown at Williams Creek (1991)
Bad Western
I did not like Showdown at Williams Creek, in fact it is one of the worst westerns I ever saw. Where should I start. Let's begin with ignoring little details about the life of Kootenai Brown ( Tom Burlinson) who the film was the story of. One example was showing the American Flag instead of the Canadian flag because everything about the movie was clearly Canadian including mentioning Edmonton and Vancouver. The only thing I liked was Olivia ( Michelle Thrush) who was beautiful to look at and did the best acting. The problem was not enough of Olivia. I suspect a lot of Olivia's scenes were left on the cutting room floor. It is simply a bad western and I give it 1/10 stars. The one star for Michelle Thrush.
The Hired Gun (1957)
A Rarity
The Hired Gun is a rarity ( the fact only 12 people commented on it is proof of that). I had never heard of it until someone mentioned it on Famous People /Westerns, so I went to look for it and found it on ok.ru. It is actually a good film, with a good cast. Anne Francis ( Ellen Beldon), Chuck Connors ( Judd Farrow), Vince Edwards ( Kell Beldon) and Star/Producer Rory Calhoun ( Gil McCord). The biggest plus is the action, there is plenty of that with Hired Gun/Deputy McCord having to bring convicted murderer Ellen back from New Mexico to Texas. Of course, the problems are ( spoilers ahead). She is actually innocent and he falls in love with her. Does Calhoun prove her innocence and end up with her? Of course he does. There are two major problems. 1: It is supposed to be a whodunnit, but the killer is obvious right from the start. 2: The film is too short, it needed about 15 minutes more for character development for Gil & Ellen. Anyway this rarity gets 7/10 stars from me. A good movie and worth looking for.
Parole Girl (1933)
Far Fetched
I watched Parole Girl on Retro Reels and let me tell you it is far fetched. Where to start? Let's begin with the heroine Sylvia ( Mae Clarke). The people involved with making this film, found a way to give her the most ugly boyish haircut possible. At the same time dressing her in fancy clothes. Was Mae Clarke a beauty like Myrna Loy, Clara Bow or Fay Wray ( to name three contemporaries of hers)? No but she was pretty. What was the purpose of the haircut? They also made her very unlikable ( just like her eventual love interest Joe Smith) ( Ralph Bellamy)). The only reasons to watch the film are a fire scene and Jeanie ( Marie Provost). Spoilers ahead: Do Sylvia and Joe end up together? Of course they do. But it involves Joe being divorced from Jeanie without him knowing it. I thought papers have to be signed for a LEGAL divorce? I did say Parole Girl was far fetched. Anyway 1 star for the fire and 2 for Marie Provost who not only steals but saves Parole Girl from being bad. 3/10 stars.
Savate (1995)
Underrated
I really liked Savate and consider it underrated. Is it Shane or The Big Country? No but it is one of the better post 1970's westerns out there. It really helps to know westerns to get the movie. The Ennio Morricone music immediately makes you think of spaghetti westerns of the 1960'd & 1970's, There is the theme of Cain Parker ( Ian Zierling) and his wife Mary ( the sultry Ashley Laurence) taking in French Martial Artist Joseph Charlegrand ( Olivier Gruner), and he fights the greedy landowners to protect them, is straight out of Shane. Spoilers ahead: The one difference is Cain is a weak man ( and the
Parker's relationship is closer to brother and sister then husband and wife), and gets knocked off so unlike Shane, Joseph can not only defeat the bad guys but end up with Ashley Laurence ( lucky guy). Anyway it is underrated and I liked it 9/10 stars.
French Girl (2024)
Not That Good
Let's be honest, I did not care for French Girl. Why? It was too long. In fact over two hours which is why I had to fast forward through it. What else? It really would have helped if they would give translations to the French used throughout the film. Finally the lead actor Zach Braff ( Gordon) is basically a man-child and not the least bit funny. What did I like? The ladies: Both are hot. Evelyne Brochu ( who reminds me of Julie Delpy an actress I always loved), and Vanessa Hudgens. Plus the shots of Quebec City a beautiful City to say the least. The craziest thing are the opinion of the reviewers here. 10/10 by a couple of them. That should be reserved for classic comedies like Liabled Lady, Animal House, Trading Places and The Whole Nine Yards ( a great comedy filmed in Canada). The only funny scene is when Evenyle punches Vanessa in the nose. But guess what? The 3 Stooges did it better. 3/10 stars. 1 for each lady 1 for Quebec City.
Undercover Christmas (2003)
Better The Second Time
I watched Undercover Christmas for the first time in years, under its new title Undercover Lover ( no idea why the change) on Tubi and it was much better the second time around. Why? It is a movie that requires a second time around viewing. On the surface it is about Brandi O'Neil ( The beautiful Jami Gertz) who is from the South Side of Chicago ( the wrong side of the tracks to say the least) who has to testify against her b/f and his family the aptly named Shift ( like shifty) who ripped off a lot of people, and the FBI agent Joe Cunningham who has to pretend she is his g/f to his family after his mom Ann tricks him into coming home for Christmas. But there is a lot more to it. The main problem is the the family ( despite being very successful) is very disfuncional and there is a major communication problem ( especially between Jake and his dad Joe because Joe felt Jake was a waste because he did not go to law school and became an FBI Agent). Another problem is Joe's older sister Stephanie ( who is a lawyer) as well as his brother in law (who is a child psychologist) ignore their 13 year old daughter, Ashley. She and Ann are the ones who understand Brandi best. She tells "Uncle Jake you are stupid, I see how you are always looking at her." Then. "She is the only one around here who is not afraid to say what she thinks, and talks to me, I want her as my Aunt." Ann by getting to know Brandi, went from someone who called her a "Predator" to Stephanie to someone who not only realized Jake loves Brandi, but he needs her. Spoilers ahead: The key part is when Brandi has to testify and Ann and Joe show up in Court to encourage her ( Joe also apologized to Jake). She was undecided but when she saw them it gave her the strength to do so. At the end of the movie, she asks Jake to "Take me home, to meet my family." It was her mother that she tried to ignore on the phone throughout the film ( similar to Jake). Why? Her mom was very much like Joe Cunningham. Basically Ignored her for years. She also had four husbands. Brandi realized if Jake and Joe can patch things up, so can she and her mom. They went to her mom's and her mom was happy and said "Thank God" then she introduces Jake as her b/f as the film ends. It goes without saying Brandi & Jake will be married soon enough, but even more then that, there is a scene, where Ann was preparing a Christmas Party all alone, and Brandi asks Ann "How do you become the person, everyone depends on?" An is taken aback, but says "Very few people notice that, I'm glad you do." Ann realized Brandi is the one she will be able to mold into a dependable person and make her life easier. Again better the second time and an easy 10/10 stars.
Holiday in the Vineyards (2023)
Good For Guys
Usually any film that says Romantic Comedy is toxic for us guys, unless there is a beautiful woman and ( or) it is from the guy's point. Holiday In The Vineyards is an exception because it offers both of these things. Sol Rodriguez who plays Valentina Espinoza certainly qualifies as beautiful and the movie is from the perspective of Carter Baldwyn ( Josh Swickard). Carter is what you call an "Idle Rich" playboy who is sent by his mother to buy a wine vineyard, but ends up falling for Vanessa and becomes a surrogate father for her two boys ( teaching them to snowboard). One thing that hits home for Carter, is one of them telling him their father died ( and he too had his dad die when he was young). Will Carter end up with Vanessa and the boys? Spoilers ahead; Of course he will. He will also gain the respect of his mother. But it required character growth ( which is always a good thing in a movie). Anyway I really liked it. Easy 10/10 stars.
Husband for Hire (2008)
Predictable
Husband For Hire is a very predictable movie. Spoilers ahead: Of course Latina Lola ( the smoking HOT Nadine Velásquez) and white Mark Consuelos will end up together, but they have to go through a lot in order to do so. What happens is she hires him to pretend to be her fiancé so she can inherit $25m so she can get away from her family and not marry someone she hates. He needs the money so he can get away from his family as well. He wants to be successful, but like Lola's family they ( and a gold digging blonde girlfriend) are holding him back. Here is a MAJOR problem: Every single character except Bo and to a lesser extent Lola are every stereotypical examples of poor white and wealthy Hispanic characters. In the end they break away from their families ( he gets a job as a bartender), and she walks away from the money, and basically meet in the middle. I give it 2/10 stars. One for character growth in Lola and the other for looking at Nadine Velasquez.
Highway Dragnet (1954)
Not A Noir But Very Good
Highway Dragnet is listed as a noir but it really isn't. Why? Most of it was filmed in the daytime. That said it had the usual noir elements: The femme fatale ( Joan Bennett), the good girl ( Wanda Hendrix), and the returning Veteran hero accused of a murder he did not commit, and in a seemingly impossible situation. This was Richard Conte as a good guy for a change. While there are some highly improbable elements to Highway Dragnet, it is loads of fun including Conte ( Jim), Hendrix ( Susan), and Bennett ( Cummings) in the desert and in his flooded home. Spoilers ahead: Will Conte defeat Bennett and end up with Hendrix? Of course he will. But how he does it is and what he goes through is why you watch. I give it 9/10 stars.