Author Archive: Retro

Inspired by an actual event during WWII, Josef von Sternberg’s Anatahan, tells the story of a dozen Japanese sailors who are stranded on the remote island of Anatahan during the waning days of the war. The war ends, unbeknownst to the men, but it is then that they engage in their own private war: for dominance of their island domain and possession of the sole woman in their midst, Keiko, the so-called “Queen Bee” of Anatahan (Akemi Negishi).

Formaldehyde-sniffing prisoners are shot during a prison break, but come back to life as flesh-eating zombies to seek revenge on the guards who caused their death. Dir. John Hayes

Townspeople frown upon the alliance of a war veteran and an orphaned girl. English subtitles.

Dramatic biography of the world renowned tenor Enrico Caruso chronicles his rise to fame from his poverty-stricken roots. Written by Giacomo Gentilomo. English dubbed. Dir. Giacomo Gentilomo

Based on D’Abert’s opera about the loves of a gypsy dancer. Made in 1944, unreleased until 1954, this is her last film, to date. English subtitles. Dir. Leni Reifenstahl.

Beautiful photography in gorgeous Vienna locations highlight this story of the charismatic “Waltz King”, Johann Strauss. English Dubbed. Dir. Paul Verhoeven (no relation to the “RoboCop”/”Total Recall” director)

Executive becomes paranoid over his unfaithful wife’s indiscretions, and follows her to Colorado, stalking her lovers. Color.