THE GHOST BREAKERS An early Bob Hope movie which is still fun and maybe one of his best. Given the storyline (Hope helps a lady friend exorcize a ghost that haunts a castle she’s inherited in Cuba) the movie is done with real style and a minimum of silliness typical of spook comedies of the time. Good film to watch on a dark and stormy night. Stars: Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, Anthony Quinn M.P.A.A. Rating: Not rated. Year Released: 1940 Type of Humor: Situation Comedy Strong Language: None Physical Violence: A couple of killings but neither graphic or realistic Sexual Content: None Irreverence to social mores or religion: Voodoo and ghostly things Crudeness: None Political Incorrectness: Female is actually rather assertive for a film of the period. Depiction of those of color is characteristic of the period, i.e., two dimensional Anyone who might be offended: Unlikely Color/Black and White: Eerie Black and White Released by: Paramount Home Video LOVE HAPPY A little film from the late forties starring the Marx Brothers and introducing Marilyn Monroe (who had maybe 15 seconds of screen time). The focus is on Harpo who steals an imported can of sardines that also contains very valuable smuggled jewelry. The smugglers are determined to get the can back and one thing leads to another. The story provides a platform for some nice routines by Groucho, Harpo, and Chico. Stars:  Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Groucho Marx, Raymond Burr, Marilyn Monroe M.P.A.A. Rating: Not Rated Year Released: 1949 Type of Humor: Screwball and Situational Comedy Strong Language: None Physical Violence: Marx Brothers slapstick Sexual Content: None Irreverence to social mores or religion: No Crudeness: Very, very minor Political Incorrectness: Made in the late 1940's women were far from being liberated. Anyone who might be offended: No one Color/Black and White: Black and White Released by: Republic Pictures Home Video          THE NIGHT THEY RAIDED MINSKY'S Burlesque has a dubious reputation for being low brow and crude. Seeing these old skits and the portrayal of the business, one can see that it was really a lot of fun and the ladies were a lot less risqué than the ads that drew the public into the theater. There is even something kind of innocent about this fable. Stars: Jason Robards, Britt Ekland, Norman Wisdom, Forrest Tucker, Bert Lahr M.P.A.A. Rating: PG Year Released: 1968 Type of Humor: Burlesque Strong Language: A few words Physical Violence: Literally slapstick Sexual Content: One brief moment of accidental upper female nudity. The hero also tries to seduce an innocent girl Irreverence to social mores or religion: Takes some pokes at a strongly religious father who follows after his daughter who runs away to New York City. Crudeness: Really mild. Political Incorrectness: Burlesque did not focus on women’s minds Anyone who might be offended: Those who believe that burlesque is degrading to women. Color/Black and White: Color Released by: MGM/UA Home Video 9 TO 5 Offices are often stressful environments, especially when one has to put up with a manipulative, self-serving superior who, in this case, ignores the laws concerning sexual harassment and discrimination. Dabney Coleman is every woman’s boss from hell who is finally put in his place (so to speak) by three of his females subordinates. Stars: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman M.P.A.A. Rating: PG Year Released: 1980 Type of Humor: Satire, Situation Comedy Strong Language: Some Physical Violence: Slapstick Sexual Content: Some Irreverence to social mores or religion: No Crudeness: Mild, except for caricature of boss’s crude behavior Political Incorrectness: This is a film that speaks to the important issue of women’s rights Anyone who might be offended: Those who do not see woman as being equals. Color/Black and White: Color Released by: Fox Home Video THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN French Inspector Clauseau at his incompetent best. This time his old boss Dreyfus, driven over the edge, threatens to destroy the world with a Doomsday machine unless Clauseau is exterminated. Clauseau is the embodiment of arrogance and incompetence. This film may provide relief for someone who has to routinely deal with someone like Clauseau (to avoid ending up like Dreyfus). Stars:  Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Lesley-Anne Down, Bert Kwouk M.P.A.A. Rating: PG Year Released: 1976 Type of Humor: Slapstick Strong Language: None Physical Violence: Lots of physical humor Sexual Content: A couple of naughty bedroom scenes Irreverence to social mores or religion: No Crudeness: Mild Political Incorrectness: None Anyone who might be offended: Probably no one Color/Black and White: Color Released by: MGM/UA Home Video THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY A comedy by Alfred Hitchcock? Actually there is a lot of humor in a number of Hitchcock’s films, but this one is a comedy first and foremost. Of course it concerns a dead body that has more screen time than any of the living characters. Very dry and sly. Stars: Edmund Gwenn, John Forsythe, Mildred Natwick, Shirley MacLaine M.P.A.A. Rating: Not rated Year Released: 1955 Type of Humor: Witty Situation comedy Strong Language: None Physical Violence: Talked about Sexual Content: Talked about Irreverence to social mores or religion: Not a whole lot of remorse by those who thought they were responsible for Harry’s demise. Crudeness: None Political Incorrectness: 1950's treatment of women. Anyone who might be offended: Anyone who would be bothered by the blasé’ treatment of a dead body Color/Black and White: Color Released by: MCA Home Video