ANN SHERIDAN: THE LIFE AND CAREER OF HOLLYWOOD'S OOMPH GIRL

ANN SHERIDAN: THE LIFE AND CAREER OF HOLLYWOOD'S OOMPH GIRL. Michael D. Rinella. McFarland; 2024. 

Never quite in the front rank along with Davis and Crawford, Ann Sheridan nevertheless had a very successful career and proved herself a snappy and adept actress in both comedies (The Man Who Came to Dinner) and dramas (Nora Prentiss). Sheridan was a beauty contest winner who came to Hollywood and beat the odds by actually getting a long-time career out of it. For a long time she had minor roles in minor films until the studio came up with the idea of billing her as the "Oomph Girl," with "oomph" replacing "It" as a combination of sex appeal and dynamic presence. Sheridan grew to hate the appellation and feared people would assume she wasn't a real actress. Sheridan married three actors -- Edward Norris, George Brent, and Scott McKay -- only the third seemed to work (until her death). She was not above being a homewrecker on more than one occasion, however. When her film career began to dry up, she turned to television and starred in a western sitcom called Pistols 'n' Petticoats, which was fairly successful  -- but Sheridan died of cancer during its run. Some of her more memorable films include The Unfaithful and George Washington Slept Here, which illustrate her abilities as both a dramatic thespian and comedienne. 

Verdict: A workmanlike career study of a most interesting performer. ***. 

OKAY NEW MOVIE: JUROR # 2

Toni Collette and Nicholas Hoult

JUROR # 2 (2024). Director: Clint Eastwood. 

Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult of Dark Places) is chosen for a jury on a murder case. The defendant (Gabriel Basso), who has an unsavory past, is accused of beating his girlfriend to death one rainy evening. But then Justin remembers that he was at that same bar where the two of them were that night, and that he hit something in the road, assuming it was a deer. Could he have actually hit the dead woman? A lawyer friend (Keifer Sutherland) advises him that with his past drunk driving record -- although he claims not to have had anything to drink that night -- he will wind up being charged with vehicular manslaughter. But, hell, maybe he did hit a deer ... 

Simmons and Hoult

Juror # 2 reminds one of twisty, somewhat contrived suspense flicks of the forties and fifties where lots of things about trials were shoved under the rug. For instance, I found it incredible that when an elderly man testifies that he saw the defendant (actually Justin, one assumes) on the road checking out his car and recognized him months later even though it was the proverbial dark and stormy night and he was quite a distance away, the defense lawyer (Chris Messina) doesn't challenge him! It takes someone on the jury to point this out. The actions of a juror named Harold, a retired homicide detective (J. K. Simmons of Whiplash) are also a bit suspect. 

Hoult

Whatever the flaws of the film, it is suspenseful and entertaining and not entirely predictable. The acting is also top-notch, with the conflicted Hoult, Simmons, Toni Collette (of Fright Night) as the prosecutor, and others giving credible performances. It's also admirable that the picture presents a prosecutor who isn't perfect, but who isn't some kind of monster, either. One could argue, however, that Juror # 2 just misses being a really memorable movie. 

Verdict: Interesting plot -- and Hoult gives a charismatic lead performance. ***. 

GOOD NEW MOVIE: CONCLAVE

Lithgow, Rossellini, Fiennes, Tucci

CONCLAVE (2024). Director: Edward Berger. 

After the Pope passes away, the cardinals gather in Rome and are sequestered so as to begin voting for the new Pope -- the first man to attain the prescribed number of votes, 72, will be the new Pontiff. Front runners include Bellini (Stanley Tucci), who is a liberal who wants to affect serious change to the Church; the conservative Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto); the African Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati), whom Bellini fears is even more reactionary than Tedesco; the newcomer Benitez (Carlos Diehz), whom no one was expecting; and Tremblay (John Lithgow of Obsession), who badly wants the job but is suspected of various malfeasances. On this matter Sister Agnes (Isabella Rossellini) may have something to say. Overseeing all of this is Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes of Wrath of the Titans), the Dean of the College of Cardinals, who has no desire to be Pope due to a crisis of faith. But as one scandal after another is unveiled, Lawrence may have no choice. Or does he ...? Meanwhile there are an increasingly serious series of Muslim terrorist attacks. 

Lithgow and Fiennes

Conclave is not without flaws, but it happens to be an altogether admirable picture, with a superb cast, top of the line photography, and tense direction that practically turns the movie into a suspense thriller. That there is all sorts of intrigue going on during the conclave to elect a new pope is certainly not surprising. In fact, those who are expecting a boring picture may be delighted by all the drama and deception. As well, there isn't a performance that doesn't ring true. However, one has to wonder if one simple speech could have so profoundly affected the other cardinals that a certain person is too-easily elected, and making one character intersexual may seem just a trifle precious (but interesting nevertheless). Still, the picture is pretty much a winner all the way.

Verdict: A mostly pleasant surprise. ***1/4. 

SONNY BOY Al Pacino

SONNY BOY: A Memoir. Al Pacino. Penguin; 2024.

In this very well-written (by whom it is not known) memoir, there is a constant shifting from the self-absorbed movie star to the ordinary guy who just wants to remember his roots and be loved. Pacino spends quite a few pages on his childhood in the Bronx, his divorced parents, grandparents, and both begins and ends with portraits of his young buddies, most of whom came to bad ends because of drugs. Pacino doesn't gloss over his own problems with alcohol and drugs nor does he deny occasionally foolish behavior. He is selective about the films he chooses to write about, as well as the colleagues, and no doubt some will be insulted that he doesn't mention certain individuals at all. He is generally kind when it comes to his various girlfriends, but all we learn about actress Beverly D'Angelo (of Hair), with whom he had twins, is her name (Pacino doesn't mention the bitter custody battle they engaged in either). Pacino gives credit to the people who helped him down through the years, including acting coach Charlie (not the famous Charles) Laughton and agent-producer Martin Bregman. Surprisingly Pacino reveals that he went "broke" due to the manipulations of a now-imprisoned accountant, and this is why he took roles in movies that he pretty much knew would be awful. (Righteous Kill anyone?) Along the way Pacino notes some of the films and performances, such as Ray Milland's in The Lost Weekend, that he admires. Whatever his flaws as both actor and man, Pacino is an immensely talented Artist, who kept going back to the theater, took chances on doing Shakespeare (with mixed results), and directed both documentaries and dramas (oddly, he barely mentions Chinese Coffee, in which he directed himself and Jerry Orbach). Pacino's oldest child, Julie, is now in her thirties, but Pacino doesn't tell us much about her. I guess a movie star is a movie star is a movie star -- this is about me, baby! -- regardless of their background. NOTE: For a look at Pacino's life and career, investigate Al Pacino: In Films and On Stage by yours truly. 

Verdict: Excellent, absorbing and very worthwhile autobiography. ***1/2. 

TIME OFF

 GREAT OLD MOVIES will be back with new reviews shortly. Taking some time off to finish a book. 

THE WILLIAM SCHOELL COLLECTION

THE WILLIAM SCHOELL COLLECTION. Encyclopocalypse Publications. 2024. 

All eight of my vintage horror novels have been reissued in spanking new editions with new introductions by yours truly. 

You can order the whole bundle at a special price, or buy them separately (scroll down on the page).