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Welcome to the weird, irresistible world of Republic Serials, an art form with rules of content and conduct that have no resemblance to other movies, or any reality we know. "The Phantom Ruler" has plans for world conquest, so get ready for a punch-out every five minutes and a terrific Lydecker miniature special effect in almost every episode. Richard Webb and Aline Towne star, but we love the bad guys, because they try so hard and fail so consistently. The Invisible Monster Blu-ray Olive Films 1950 / B&W / 1:37 flat Academy / 167 min. / Street Date September 22, 2015 / available through the Olive Films website / 29.95 Starring Richard Webb, Aline Towne, Lane Bradford, Stanley Price, John Crawford, George Meeker. Cinematography Ellis W. Carter Film Editor Cliff Hanger, Justin Thyme (as Cliff Bell & Sam Star) Original Music Stanley Wilson Written by Ronald Davidson Produced by Franklin Adreon Directed by Fred C. Bannon  

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

Olive Films...

Gary Cooper movies on TCM: Cooper at his best and at his weakest Gary Cooper is Turner Classic Movies' “Summer Under the Stars” star today, Aug. 30, '15. Unfortunately, TCM isn't showing any Cooper movie premiere – despite the fact that most of his Paramount movies of the '20s and '30s remain unavailable. This evening's features are Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Sergeant York (1941), and Love in the Afternoon (1957). Mr. Deeds Goes to Town solidified Gary Cooper's stardom and helped to make Jean Arthur Columbia's top female star. The film is a tad overlong and, like every Frank Capra movie, it's also highly sentimental. What saves it from the Hell of Good Intentions is the acting of the two leads – Cooper and Arthur are both excellent – and of several supporting players. Directed by Howard Hawks, the jingoistic, pro-war Sergeant York was a huge box office hit, eventually earning Academy Award nominations in several categories,...