Author Archive: Retro

Another in a long line of films directed by Phil Tucker that are just various strippers of the era (based in L.A.) doing their acts in front of a stationary camera with 6th-rate comedians trying to do stolen material between the (semi) strips. No plot, no story line and strictly intended for the back-alley grind-house theatres of the larger USA cities, and stayed available for years in the state rights film exchanges.

In this comedy, two elderly coffee shop waitresses finally strike it rich, and attempt to break into high society. They are assisted by a social secretary. Trouble ensues.

A short film which documents the lives of the Sinhalese people.

Documentary about the poorist region of Northern Spain in Las Hurdes Altas; a mountainous region with flinty soil which is impossible to grow on. Focuses on the trials of the people who call this area their home. With English commentary.

The majority of this film, c. 1938, concerns the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), made up primarily of battle footage. While there is some good pictures of war and war devistation, the sound track is a bit odd, filled with “Charge Of The Light Brigade” and Beethoven’s “Pastoral Symphony.” Due to film breaks, the sound of gun fire and music occasionally sputters, stops and starts abruptly. Occasionally, an awkward sounding narrator entones piously about the devistation of war. The film is definately anti-Franco, though he is never named, simply called “the rebels.” The film closes with shots of the Pope in Rome, waving during Mass.

A documentary showing the struggle of the Spanish Republican government against a rebellion by ultra-right-wing forces led by Gen. Francisco Franco and backed by Nazi Germany.

The film opens in the village of Fuentidueña de Tajo (called “Fuentedueña” in the movie), showing the villagers trying to scratch a living from the dry soil and explaining the importance of bringing water to irrigate the fields so more crops can be produced and embattled Madrid can be fed. A map shows the position of the village on the Madrid-Valencia road, which must be kept open at all costs so the capital can be defended. The scene moves to Madrid, with another map showing the front line running west of the city, with a rebel salient in the Ciudad Universitaria, which the loyalists are shown attacking.