Diabolique (1955)

Part Hitchcock, part Gothic thriller, Diabolique is one of the most famous suspense films ever made.  That it carries its suspense consistently through to the shaky ending, is a testament to the talent of director and co-writer Henri-Georges Clouzot, and screenwriter Jerome Geronimi.

How is it that two women can hate one another so viciously, yet loathe the man they share more, so much so that they're willing to plot his murder? Paul Meurisse answers that question easily, as Michel, the cruel headmaster of a French boys' school: he's a beast of a man, with a poisonous tongue and swift hand.  His wife, Christina (Vera Clouzot), who actually owns the school and is stuffed with money, has suffered years of abuse, as has his mistress, Nicole (Simone Signoret). Together they plot a murder they believe to be almost perfect, right down to the details of their alibi, which, of course, involves the two women vouching for one another.

Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954)

Rubber monsters unite!

Say what you will about Creature From the Black Lagoon: seeing this drive-in classic again after twenty years, I was startled and impressed by how technically proficient it really is.

You know the story, of course: scientists discover a prehistoric amphibian alive and well in an Amazonian lagoon that is not so very black and attempt to capture it for study.  The "gill-man" becomes enamored with the only female on the expedition (naturally), and tries to steal her away to its remote cave hideaway--surely to talk about things such as the American economy after the end of WWII.

Roman Holiday (1953)

Audrey Hepburn won an Oscar as a princess overcome by royal ennui.  Mildly sedated after a meltdown, Hepburn escapes the confines of the palace and runs into Gregory Peck, a reporter who intends to take advantage of the situation, but ends up falling in love with her instead.  Romances, for the most part, tend to be no match for my cold heart.  But you know what?  Roman Holiday won me over.  It's a sweet, funny movie, loaded with sharp dialogue and gorgeous shots of Rome.  Hepburn is luminous, of course, and Eddie Albert gives a terrific supporting performance as Peck's partner in crime.  The final shot isn't satisfactory (at all), but I think you'll agree with me that it's inevitable--and therefore right.

1953; starring Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck; directed by William Wyler; 118 min; Not Rated; English.

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)

Poor Sir Henry, suffering the family curse, manifested in the form of a spectral dog. A typical Hammer Film horror production: creepy atmosphere, gothic set-designs, a brazen color palette, and all the uptight British accents one could ever want.  I haven't read the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, but understand this adaptation to be rather loose.  Worth a watch for Peter Cushing (as Sherlock Holmes) and Christopher Lee, those genre titans, who, let's face it, could roll around in dog crap for ninety minutes and still be the most interesting thing in the movie.  Makes the rounds on Turner Classic Movies every now and then.

1959; starring Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee; directed by Terence Fisher; 87 min; Not Rated; English.