MISFITS Video Pick for February 6, 2000

The Adventures of Robin Hood(1938) pick by Erin Lorenz

Starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Claude Rains, Basil Rathbone and Alan Hale Jr.(among others).

I'm an Old Classic Movies nut and so I chose to rent and review a video from the Old Classics section of the local Video store. One thing that I like about the Old Classics is that they simply were there to entertain. Movies back then were filmed as a primary means of escape from reality - there was either a war or a depression going on in the real world, and the way to get it off of your mind was to go to see a film. The Adventures of Robin Hood won 3 Academy awards in 1938, Interior decoration, Editing and Original Music score. I feel it richly deserved all three if not more.

The movie is a classic good against evil swashbuckler, with Eroll Flynn as our hero, Robin of Loksley. Claude Rains and Basil Rathbone are his foes, Prince John and Sir Guy of Gisbourne. It's funny to watch a red haired Claude Rains portray Prince John, but he does it in style. Rathbone is his Pre Sherlock Holmes's best. The costumes were colorful and elegant, though I'm sure that the Society for Creative Anachronism would have roundly denounced them for not being "period". But when has Hollywood ever cared about accuracy?

Eroll Flynn struts and smirks and taunts both his friends and enemies with apparent glee and then takes on all comers with his "aren't I a naughty boy" grin and his wicked sword play. Robin's merry men, starting with Will Scarlet, Little John, and then to Friar Tuck, abound in charm, wit and honor. From the initial disgusted and angry glances that she throws at Sir Robin, to the later romantic and loving visual caresses that the two exchange, Olivia de Havilland gives a beguiling performance as Maid Marion.

This is a film to enjoy for the sheer escapism it provides. It sweeps you into a world of heroes who fight with both charm and wit for what is honorable and good. A world where good and evil are clearly defined and dealt with in a straightforward way. Anyone who loves swashbuckling adventure and the classic good against evil theme will find this video great family entertainment.

Lake Placid pick by Windy Merrill

Starring Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt, Bill Pullman, Betty White and a Giant Crocodile!!

Yes, it looked bad. And it is. But it's not. First you have to enjoy horror movies. Then you have to enjoy rather clever movies. Finally, you have to enjoy having cliches tweaked and parodied. And you have to see Betty White cussing. Completely steals the show.

This movie is quality. The production values are quite good. The special effects are right up there. And the b-grade actors fit perfectly in context. The story is realistic, once you accept the premise of a giant crocodile.

The crocodile doesn't become anything more than an animal - it doesn't suddenly become the focus of pure evil, or develop an unusually intense and intelligent focus on killing THESE people. And most importantly, it doesn't return from the dead for one final JUMP shot.

This movie didn't scare me a whole lot, but it did make me smile, grin and laugh a lot. Mostly in appreciation for someone finally making a GOOD b-movie. A genre that has been sadly misunderstood and misrepresented.

Rent it. Trust me.