CDBY presents "STEPHANIE TRICK LIVE" ~ Stephanie Trick LIVE was recorded in St. Louis' acoustically-perfect Sheldon Concert Hall in May 2010, and includes many favorite songs from her concerts which had not previously been recorded. A video version of the Sheldon concert with bonus material was released on DVD in June 2011.

Didn't attend this "Live" performance -- but have witnessed Miss Trick at the Sheldon Concert Hall, when she played during the breaks of the performing St. Louis Ragtimers, who played a dynamic style of ragtime and dixieland jazz, featuring Phil Mason on coronet, Al Striker on banjo, Don Franz on tuba and Trebor Tichenor on the piano ... saw Trebor at their performance and stated he shouldn't have Stephanie playing while they're on break, he looked shocked asked why, my explanation was, "they might not want her to leave the stage, she's unbelievable with her magic on the keys" ... he laughed and stated that Stephanie has a long and successful career ahead of her .... and you know what, he was right!

Stephanie's playing is Ralph Sutton, James P. Johnson, Dick Hyman and Fats Waller, all rolled up into one pretty package.

As one reviewer on this page states - The sound is so close and direct that the listener feels as though one is sitting on the bench next to her -- I concurr that it is so clear and real that you feel as if you're sitting in the first five rows of the Sheldon, which doesn't have a bad seat in the concert hall.

Stephanie Trick Live (Track Listings & Time):

1. Viper's Drag (Waller) - 3:32
2. In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning (Mann/Hilliard) - 3:26
3. Liza (Gershwin/Kahn) - 4:29
4. Mule Walk (Johnson) - 2:43
5. Anitra's Dance (Grieg) - 2:53
6. Blues for Alfie (Trick) - 3:22
7. Handful of Keys (Waller) - 3:26
8. Roberto Clemente (Roberts) - 4:36
9. Shout for Joy (Ammons) - 2:35
10. Everything Happens To Me (Dennis/Adair) - 3:35
11. Bach Up To Me (Waller) - 3:03
12. St. Louis Blues (Handy) - 3:30
13. Les Champs-Élysées (Wilsh/Deighan/Delanoe) - 2:21
14. I Ain't Got Nobody (Williams/Graham) - 2:50
15. Nothin' (Roberts) - 3:20
16. Echoes of Spring (Smith) - 3:24
17. Truckin' (Bloom/Koehler) - 3:28
18. Hallelujah (Youmans/Grey/Robin) - 3:27
19. Harlem Strut (Johnson) - 3:00

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Mixing: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Arrangements & Song Selection]

Special footnote: If you enjoyed this album, check out ... Piano Tricks .. also .. Hear That Rhythm!

Total Time: 63 min on 19 Tracks ~ CDBY ~ (October 26, 2010)

Silva Screen Records LTD presents "TIME TO GROW", featuring Jia Ruhan a Soprano from China in her debut album with the sweet flowing sounds of a songbird. Each track is beautifully arranged from light opera to Broadway sounding shows. Performing two tracks in English and ten tracks in Chinese, with melodic intent on all tracks. Robert Wells (Swedish pianist) has a hand in this release, as well as our favorite engineer for mixing Bernard Lohr.

These performances are similar to Celine Dion, Josh Groban and Il Divo, if this is your cup of tea, then pour a cup and enjoy.

(Track Listings,Time & Ratings):

1 This Is The Time [3:33]
2 Let's Fly Away [4:21]
3 Time To Grow [4:47]
4 Wars Of Love [3:07]
5 If You See Me Now [5:45]
6 World We Leave Behind [4:25]
7 No Me Without You [3:43]
8 Still Missing You [3:30]
9 Nothing I Won't Do [4:26]
10 Dancing On A Rainbow [3:09]
11 Time To Grow [4:47]
12 Dancing On A Rainbow English Lyric [3:09]

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Mixing: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Arrangements & Song Selection]

Total Time: 47 min on 12 Tracks ~ Silva Screen Records LTD ~ (November 21, 2011)

RKO Radio Pictures presents "TIM HOLT WESTERN CLASSICS VOL. TWO" (1943/48/49/50) (601 min/B&W) -- Tim Holt was a popular second generation cowboy star, the son of Jack Holt (silent western star) -- When George O'Brien (RKO's top cowhand) left the studio in 1940, Tim took over his series of low-budget Westerns, gathering a strong following over in the 1940s - in each of these well budgeted entries he was "assisted" by comic Cliff Edwards - then came Richard "Chito" Martin was Holt's saddle pal for the final years of Holt's B-Westerns.

DISC ONE (1):
1.) - SAGEBRUSH LAW (1943) - (56 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Tim Holt, Cliff Edwards, Joan Barclay, Roy Barcroft
(Directed by Sam Nelson) .... Tim Holt arriving in town just as the Doctor announces his father's death a suicide, sees the gun is in the wrong hand.

2.) - THE AVENGING RIDER (1943) - (55 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Tim Holt, Cliff Edwards, Ann Summers, Karl Hackett
(Directed by Sam Nelson) .... On his way to help his ex-partner, miner Sam Trotter, Tim Holt is tricked into helping Trotter's murderers get away with Trotter's gold bullion.

DISC TWO (2):
3.) - GUNS OF HATE (1948) - (61 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Tim Holt, Richard Martin, Nan Leslie, Steve Brodie
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... On their way to Rimrock, Holt and Chito Rafferty (Richard Martin) aid an elderly prospector, Ben Jason, whose wagon has broken down. He gives them a nugget and asks them to meet his niece, Judy, in Rimrock and tell her he is on the way.

4.) - INDIAN AGENT (1948) - (65min/B&W) ~ Starring: Tim Holt, Richard Martin, Noah Beery Jr., Harry Woods, Nan Leslie.
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... Freighter Carter is cheating the Indians out of their food supply. Tim and Chito become involved when Turquoise leaves her baby at their ranch due to lack of food

DISC THREE (3):
5.) - BROTHERS IN THE SADDLE (1949) - (60 min/B&W) ~ Starring Tim Holt, Richard Martin, Steve Brodie, Tom Keene.
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... Bad seed Steve Brodie is pulled out of a saloon by his brother Tim after Steve kills cheating poker player Hoyt Parker in self defense .... ** (This is one of my favorite Tim Holt B-Westerns)

6.) - RUSTLERS (1949) - (61 min/B&W) ~ Starring Tim Holt, Richard Martin, Martha Hyer, Steve Brodie
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... A group of Arizona ranchers, trying to learn the identities of the Salt River Gang and prevent any further rustling, marks the currency that rancher Frank Abbott turns over to the gang to get his cattle back.

DISC FOUR (4):
7.) - STAGECOACH KID (1949) - (60 min/B&W) ~ Starring Tim Holt. Richard Martin, Jeff Donnell, Joe Sawyer, Robert Bray.
(Directed by Lew Landers) .... Wealthy Peter Arnold who has just arrived to retire on his ranch, bringing in tow his daughter, tomboy Jessie, who despises western life and can't wait to run off back to San Francisco.

8.) - MASKED RAIDERS (1949) - (65 min/B&W) ~ Starring Tim Holt, Richard Martin, Marjorie Lord, Gary Gray, Tom Tyler
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... Texas Rangers Tim Holt and Chito are sent to Wilcox, Texas to investigate the raids on Hoyt Corthell (Frank Wilcox) by a band of masked raiders led by the Diablo Kid.

DISC FIVE (5):
9.) - THE MYSTERIOUS DESPERADO (1949) - (61 min/B&W) ~ Starring Tim Holt, Richard Martin, Edward Norris, Frank Wilcox
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... Tim and his sidekick, Chito, arrive in Santo Domingo, California, to investigate Chito's claim to the estate of his late uncle,

10.) - RIDERS OF THE RANGE (1950) - (60 min/B&W) ~ Starring Tim Holt, Richard Martin, Jacqueline White, Reed Hadley.
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... Out-of-work cowboys Tim and Chito are offered jobs at pretty Jacqueline White ranch after saving her from a beating by saloon owner Reed Hadley.

** Please note - Screen Aspect: 4 X 3 FULL FRAME

* Special footnote: -- Picture and sound quality is very sharp and clear, about time we have these great B-Westerns on DVD -- Good supporting cast, and location cinematography is a plus -- Highly recommend for all fans of Tim Holt and B-Western fans.

1.Tim Holt
Date of Birth: 5 February 1919 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California
Date of Death: 15 February 1973 - Shawnee, Oklahoma

2. Richard Martin
Date of Birth: 12 December 1917 - Spokane, Washington
Date of Death: 4 September 1994 - Newport Beach, California

3. Cliff Edwards (aka: Ukulele Ike]
Date of Birth: 14 June 1895 - Hannibal, Missouri
Date of Death: 17 July 1971 - Los Angeles, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 601 min on DVD ~ RKO Radio Pictures ~ (September 15, 2011)

RKO Radio Pictures presents "TIM HOLT WESTERN CLASSICS VOL. THREE" (1950/51/52) (605 min/B&W) -- Tim Holt was a popular second generation cowboy star, the son of Jack Holt (silent western star) -- When George O'Brien (RKO's top cowhand) left the studio in 1940, Tim took over his series of low-budget Westerns, gathering a strong following over in the 1940s - in each of these well budgeted entries he was "assisted" by comic Cliff Edwards - then came Richard "Chito Jose Gonzalez Bustamante Rafferty" Martin was Holt's saddle pal for the final years of Holt's B-Westerns.

I've been a big fan of the B-Western, have watched everything I could get my hands and eyes on --- Tim Holt is right at the top of my all time favorite oaters -- Feel Tim was probably one of the most under-appreciated heroes of the genre.

The Western Classics Collection includes:

1.) - STORM OVER WYOMING (1950) - (61 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Tim Holt, Richard Martin, Noreen Nash, Tom Keene
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... Tim and his sidekick Chito, cowhands looking for work, arrive in Sundown Valley, Wyoming just in time to stop sheep ranch foreman Bill Kennedy from lynching cattleman Tom Keene.

2.) - RIDER FROM TUCSON (1950) - (60 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Holt, Martin, Elaine Riley, Douglas Fowley
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... Tim and Chito, friends of Tug's, over a gold claim find Jane and take her to safety from villains.

3.) - BORDER TREASURE (1950) - (60 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Holt, Martin, John Doucette, Jane Nigh, House Peters Jr.
(Directed by George Archainbaud) .... Inez Cooperf is raising money for Mexican earthquake victims. Transporting valuables across the border, she is attacked by Doucette and his gang. When Tim and Chito drive them off, they plan another attack.

4.) - RIO GRANDE PATROL (1950) - (60 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Holt, Martin, Douglas Fowley, Tom Tyler, Jane Nigh
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... Tim and Chito are trying to nab gun smugglers across the borders.

5.) - LAW OF THE BADLANDS (1951) - (59 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Holt, Martin, Robert Livingston, Harry Woods, Joan Dixon
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... The Texas Rangers send Tim and Chito into the badlands to see if they can locate a counterfeiting operation. They arrive posing as wanted outlaws and this gets them into the gang.

6.) - SADDLE LEGION (1951) - (60 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Holt, Martin, Dorothy Malone, Robert Livingston, George J. Lewis
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... Tim is suspicious of the phony Cattle Inspector and rides off to check with the Chief Inspector in case of cattle rustling.

7.) - Gunplay (1951) - (61 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Holt, Martin, Joan Dixon, Harper Carter, Mauritz Hugo
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... Landry has Sam Martin killed. When Tim and Chito find Martin and his son, Chip says Matt Potter was responsible. But when Tim and Chito start their search, no ones knows a Matt Potter.

8.) - Hot Lead (1951) - (60 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Holt, Martin, Joan Dixon, Ross Elliott, John Dehner, Robert J. Wilke
(Directed by Stuart Gilmore) ... Thorne is after the gold shipments that go by train. His plan is to put Collins in the telegraph office to alert him. Holt sees through his plan and sets a trap.

9.) - Road Agent (1952) - (60 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Holt, Martin, Noreen Nash, Mauritz Hugo, Robert J. Wilke, Tom Tyler
(Directed by Lesley Selander) .... When Tim and Chito rob Brand to recover only their overcharge, they accidently end up with all of Brand's money -- what happens next is exciting and action packed.

10.) - Target (1952) - (61 min/B&W) ~ Starring: Holt, Martin, Mary Jo Tarola, Walter Reed, Harry Harvey, Lane Bradford
(Directed by Stuart Gilmore) .... To aid ranchers against a crooked land agent, Tim and Chito recruit a famed El Paso marshal...who turns out to be female --- * please take note this is my least favorite Holt Western, but still watchable.*

* Please note - Screen Aspect: 4 X 3 FULL FRAME

** Special footnote: -- Picture and sound quality is very sharp and clear, about time we have these great B-Westerns on DVD -- Good supporting cast, and location cinematography is a plus -- Highly recommend for all fans of Tim Holt and B-Western fans.

*** Agree with fellow reviewer Martin Grams Jr.:
Warner Archive came out with three sets and all of them are just as gorgeous as this volume -- also Warner Brothers has been releasing these DVDs in DVD-R format -- some may think this a bootleg, that could be a problem.

1.Tim Holt
Date of Birth: 5 February 1919 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California
Date of Death: 15 February 1973 - Shawnee, Oklahoma

2. Richard Martin
Date of Birth: 12 December 1917 - Spokane, Washington
Date of Death: 4 September 1994 - Newport Beach, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 605 min on DVD ~ RKO Radio Pictures ~ (November 11, 2011)

Victoria Records presents "SOMETHING MORE" ~ Stephanie Trick's fifth album, "Something More", recorded on the Victoria Records label in March 2011, features her work with a trio with Danny Coots (drums) and Jay Hungerford (bass) .... And this is one of her BEST!

One of the nicest gifts to arrive on the jazz piano scene in recent times is named Stephanie Trick, it's not enough to refer to her as a fine jazz pianist, there are many these days, thank goodness.

Stephanie, however is something more in addition to presenting her own increasingly creative improvs, she is a preserver of older pieces and early styles-like many of us, a sort of performing archivist.

In this recording, she presents a program studded with links to that tradition including Louis Mazetier's witty ode to Willie "The Lion" Smith. "Look Out, Lion, I've Got you!", as well as my own arrangement of an early Duke Ellington piece, "Jubliee Stomp". There are many others - Fats Waller's "Valentine Stomp", Meade Lux Lewis "Honky Tonk Train Blues." standards such as "You Took advantage of Me" and "Taking a Chance On Love" -- Stephanie trick herself has now become a strong link inn our tradition, and we couldn't be more delighted to welcome her. (so states Dick Hyman-pianist)

Something More (Track Listings & Time):

1. Rosetta (Hines) - 4:32 *
2. Jubilee Stomp (Ellington, arr. Hyman) - 2:37
3. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter (Ahlert, Young) - 4:06 *
4. Look Out, Lion, I've Got You! (Mazetier) - 3:46 **
5. You Took Advantage of Me (Rogers, Hart)/Takin' a Chance on Love (Duke, Latouche, Fetter) - 7:11 *
6. Honky Tonk Train Blues (Lewis) - 3:26 *
7. In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree (Van Alstyne, Williams) - 5:10
8. The Minor Drag (Waller, arr. Hyman) - 2:57 *
9. These Foolish Things (Strachey, Maschwitz) - 5:44 *
10. Valentine Stomp (Waller) - 3:36
11. Tango Seville (Mazetier) - 3:32 **
12. Passionette (Smith) - 2:54
13. Two Sleepy People (Carmichael, Loesser) - 3:51 *
14. Black Beauty (Ellington) - 3:22 *
15. Keep Your Temper (Smith, arr. Lambert and Mazetier) - 4:04

* Trio with Danny Coots (drums) and Jay Hungerford (bass)
** Duo with Danny Coots

Hats off to our music man William Becker (executive producer), as we enjoy another winner from his stable of jazz artists at Victoria Records.

* Special footnote: - Bill Becker dedicates this recording to the memory of Dorothy Gleason ... Dorothy and her husband (Roy) founded Webster Records in Webster Groves, Missouri. This company has always offered the very best in Classical and Jazz recordings for the St. Louis community ... Dorothy wiill be greatly missed but her legacy lives on.

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Mixing: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Arrangements & Song Selection]

Special footnote: If you enjoyed this album, check out ... Piano Tricks .. also .. Hear That Rhythm!

Total Time: 61 min on 15 Tracks ~ Victoria Records ~ (November 8, 2011)

Silva Screen Records LTD presents "TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY" [Soundtrack], the score is by the celebrated composer Alberto Iglesias ... Oscar Nominated for Original Score The Constant Gardener (2005) and Original Score The Kite Runner (2007) -- and the list could go on, very accomplished film score composer.

Mesmerizing undertones of jazz, with light piano fingering gives this an almost dreamlike film sequence. One reviewer mentions central elements of Jerry Goldsmith (The Russia House), which is one of my favorite scores from Maestro Goldsmith. But, listen to the strings and counter melodies that extrude into the bleak air of the night.

Iglesias is right on with each track ... one can only hope this will receive some recognition for a mention in the award department.

This is one of those soundtracks/scores that you can play and listen with your conscious or subconscious, while reading a book or just under winding after a hard day.

(Track Listings & Time):

1. George Smiley [5:15]
2. Treasure [1:50]
3. Witchcraft [1:34]
4. Islay Hotel [1:01]
5. Control [2:11]
6. Polyakov [1:51]
7. Alleline And Bland On The Roof [2:36]
8. Safe House [1:44]
9. Tarr And Irina [5:18]
10.Anything Else? [3:38]
11.Jim Prideaux [2:16]
12.Thursgood [1:21]
13.Karla [2:58]
14.Esterhase [5:02]
15.Guillam [1:33]
16.Control And Westerby 4:02]
17.Circus [5:29]
18.One's Gone [3:38]
19.Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy [5:59]

BIOS:
Alberto Iglesias [aka: Alberto Iglesias Fernández-Berridi]
Date of Birth: 1955 - Donostia-San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, País Vasco, Spain
Date of Death: Still Living

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Mixing: 5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Arrangements & Song Selection]

Total Time: 60 min on 19 Tracks ~ Silva Screen Records LTD ~ (November 21, 2011)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) presents "THEY MET IN BOMBAY" (1941) ~ (92 min/B&W) -- Starring: Clark Gable, Rosalind Russell, Peter Lorre, Jessie Ralph, Reginald Owen, Matthew Boulton & Eduardo Ciannelli

Directed by Clarence Brown

Clark Gable and Rosalind Russell play Gerald Meldrick and Anya Von Duren, a pair of rival jewel thieves at large in India. Both parties are after the same prize, a priceless diamond owned by the Duchess of Beltravers (Jessie Ralph). To inveigle their way into the Duchess' confidence, Gerald poses as a Scotland Yard detective, while Anya pretends to be an aristocrat. After a series of cross-purposes, Gerald and Anya decide to team up, keeping one step ahead of a diligent police inspector (Matthew Boulton) and mercenary freighter captain Chang (Peter Lorre).

This film is fast paced and very funny and still holds up remarkably well today, even though it was made in the early 40s.

Gable & Russell work well together, too bad there wasn't more of them during their careers.

BIOS:
1. Clarence Brown (Director)
Date of Birth: 10 May 1890 - Clinton, Massachusetts
Date of Death: 17 August 1987 - Santa Monica, California

2. Clark Gable
Date of birth: 1 February 1901 - Cadiz, Ohio,
Date of death: 16 November 1960 - Los Angeles, California

3. Rosalind Russell
Date of Birth: 4 June 1907 - Waterbury, Connecticut
Date of Death: 28 November 1976 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California

4. Peter Lorre (aka: László Löwenstein)
Date of birth: 26 June 1904 - Rózsahegy, Austria-Hungary [now Ruzomberok, Slovakia]
Date of death: 23 March 1964 - Los Angeles, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 92 min on DVD ~ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) ~ (May 28, 2010)

BearManor Media presents "LOVE IS THE REASON FOR IT ALL:THE SHIRLEY BOOTH STORY" (Paperback) ~ by Jim Manago (Author), Ted Key (foreword)

Author Manago states, Shirley Booth once said, "I feel sorry for people that don't have the pleasure of acting because I think it's a great release. Nothing has ever come easy for me anyway. From the very beginning my parents were set against my going on the stage and what coaching I got had to be kept from their ears."

If Booth gets any mention in theater literature, it is primarily for playing the "slovenly" wife Lola in her tour de force of acting, 'COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA'. Her other great achievement playing the title character on the television show 'HAZEL', draws the rest of the attention. But the endearing Shirley Booth accomplished so much more. She appeared in over thirty Broadway shows creating distinctive and vastly different characters, toured the country performing thousands of times in over 600 stock theater productions.

At her peak, Booth earned acclaimed, winning every major acting award, including an Oscar, three Tonys, two Emmys and numerous other awards -- all of this accomplished without ever receiving any formal dramatic training or schooling.

Very reasonable and a good value for the price --- For product description and editorial review check this out on the Amazon site above my review.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: (Chapter, Title and Page Numbers)

Foreword by Ted Key --- 5
Introduction --- 11
Stage-Struck Kid --- 17
The 1900s - early 1920s
Broadway Thespian,, Next A Star! --- 31
The Mid-1920s - 1930s
Hello, Miss Duffy --- 53
The 1940s
Glowing With Success! --- 83
The 1950s
Everyone's Favorite Maid --- 167
The 1960s
Mrs. Claus' Spirit Till The End --- 221
The 1970s - 1990s
References --- 245
Credits --- 247
Index --- 269

BIOS:
Shirley Booth
Date of Birth: 30 August 1898 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 16 October 1992 - North Chatham, Massachusetts

Thank our lucky stars for Ben Ohmart and his staff, BearManor Media, a small press that publishes BIG books. They pride themselves on publishing quality entertainment biographies, so they often put out the first book on unique subjects -- plus specializing in books with nostalgic themes and keeping classic Hollywood alive not only thru his publishing house, but thru his own books.

In closing, author Jim Manago has dug deep with quotes from Booth, as an "actor's actor", she once said, "Actors should be overheard, not listened to, and the audience is 50 percent of the performance." -- Everyone today due to re-runs on television knows her better from "Hazel" TV Series, not her films. But thanks to this book, we now know better!

Quite and impressive book -- A must read ~ Highly recommend!

Total Page: 276 Pages ~ BearManor Media #ISBN-13: 978-1593931469 ~ (April 5, 2008)

VCI Entertainment and The Rank Collection presents "THE SILVER FLEET" (1943) (88 min/B&W) -- Starring: Ralph Richardson, Googie Withers, Esmond Knight, Beresford Egan, Frederick Burtwell, Kathleen Byron, Willem Akkerman, Dorothy Gordon, Charles Victor, John Longden

Directed by: Vernon Campbell Sewell & Gordon Wellesley

(VCI's slant on the synopsis)
Set during the occupation of Holland during World War II, Ralph Richardson, in a very charismatic role, stars as the owner of a Dutch shipyard who pretends to collaborate with the Nazis in order to protect his wife and fellow workers. Inspired by the memory of the Dutch historical hero Piet Hein, he forms a complicated plan to double cross the Nazis and to sabotage the two submarines he's been ordered to build for them.

The Silver Fleet a lesser known World War II film, but very well done with an excellent cast, great direction and a screenplay that has non-stop scenes loaded with tension. Ralph Richardson gives one of his best performances of his career.

A truly rousing and patriotic WWII film, with an ending that is quite moving. This film has long been under appreciated.

Special footnote: ~ Esmond Knight, who had lost an eye during the war, had not yet regained the use of his remaining eye when he played the role of Von Schiffer. Playing his part completely blind, there is only one scene when the audience can guess Knight's disability. It occurs quite briefly when Knight, about to go through a doorway, is gently steered through the door by a fellow actor.

BIOS:
1. Ralph Richardson
Date of Birth: 19 December 1902 - Tivoli Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Date of Death: 10 October 1983 - Marylebone, London, England, UK

2. Googie Withers
Date of Birth: 12 March 1917 - Karachi, British India. [now in Pakistan]
Date of Death: 15 July 2011 - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

3. Esmond Knight
Date of Birth: 4 May 1906 - East Sheen, Surrey, England, UK
Date of Death: 23 February 1987 - London, England, UK

4. Vernon Sewell (Director)
Date of Birth: 4 July 1903 - London, England, UK
Date of Death: 21 June 2001 - Durban, South Africa

5. Gordon Wellesley (Director)
Date of Birth: 8 December 1906 - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Date of Death: October 1980 - London, England, UK

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 88 min on DVD ~ VCI Entertainment ~ (November 15, 2011)

BearManor Media presents "NO RETAKES!" (Actors & Actresses Remember The Era Of Live Television) (Paperback), by Sandra Grabman & Wright King.

This book reads "like being there" when all of this was happening. Very well laid out, each chapter gives us an insight of what it was like to have only one chance to get it right --- because it was live and that was that.

What a nostalgic look at the 'Pioneers of Television', through the eyes of fellow actors, producers and directors who gave us live entertainment that was taken for granted. Am a big fan of Sandra Grabman, have read her biography books, she nails each chapter with colorful exuberance --- this time she shares her memories with the assistance of the wonderful character actor Wright King.

Another plus, is all of the photographs personal and studio stills. Many faces you haven't seen for years, now you recollect with the good memories you have tucked away in your subconscious. I was lucky enough to be around when all of this was coming from New York and other cities into our living rooms --- on the new invention we now know as 'TELEVISION'.

Special footnote: ~ To distinguish Wright King's words from those of Sandra Grabman, his memoires are set in 'BOLD TYPE'.

Very reasonable and a good value for the price --- For product description and editorial review check this out on the Amazon site above my review.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Acknowledgments --- 5
Introduction by Sanda Grabman --- 7
Introduction by Wright King --- 9
The Development of Television --- 17
Getting The Job --- 35
Air Time! --- 45
For All You Kiddies Out There --- 69
Stay Tuned For News --- 77
It's Game Time! --- 81
And Now A Word From Our Sponsor --- 87
Bloopers --- 91
The Audience --- 109
Memorable People Of The Live TV Era ---115
Good-Bye To The Golden Age --- 123
Bibliography --- 129
Index --- 131

Another good book published by Ben Ohmart and his staff, BearManor Media, a small press that publishes BIG books. They pride themselves on publishing quality entertainment biographies, so they often put out the first book on unique subjects -- plus specializing in books with nostalgic themes and keeping classic Hollywood alive not only thru his publishing house, but thru his own books --- a Big Thank You!

A must read ~ Highly recommend as your new 'coffee table book'.

If you enjoyed this book by Sandra Grabman check this out -- Pat Buttram ... also ... Lloyd Nolan: An Actors Life with Meaning

Total Page: 140 Pages ~ BearManor Media #ISBN-13: 978-1593931476 ~ (April 30, 2008)