The Mayberry Grand: Watches during the Ice Storm!

While staying shut-in last weekend during the ice storm, I managed to knock off a few films.

Topper (1937)
Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
Topper Returns (1941)

I've always wanted to watch this trilogy of films. It was not really as I expected it to be. I sorta always pictured this as a comedic house haunting but his is not the case. All three films feature mostly the same cast of characters, with some coming in or going away. The constants are Roland Young as Topper and his wife played by Billie Burke. I classify these as "light' comedy or mildly entertaining. Enjoyable, yes, just not spectacular. I probably enjoyed the third film slightly the best as it has some murder mystery to it. George Zucco is in this one, although he is little used. The comedy antics of Roland Young was the highlight of the films. I enjoyed his character.

I recall the old TOPPER Tv series also and may check that out at some point.

The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)

Charlton Heston & Jimmy Stewart. An "epic" movie. Long. 2 hours and 35 minutes. Whew! It was a good watch and I'll watch anything with Jimmy Stewart. Some fun sequences. I didn't care much for Betty Hutton, the lead actress. I was much more struck with Gloria Grahame as Angel. I thought she was GREAT! It was good to see her in another film, after seeing her once a year as "Violet" in "It's a Wonderful Life." Good watch but a bit over blown.

After this one, I was in a circus mood, so I watched...

Carney (1980)

Starring Gary Busey & Jodie Foster. Very interesting movie. Little depth but it is a pretty good drama of the carnival life. Busey is a hoot, as always. Interesting supporting role by Elisha Cook Jr. This film is slightly seedy or grindhouse.