Historic Blasts From The Past!

At times I will be asking random friends and acquaintances for lists of movies to see what other people like and hopefully they will recall memories attached to the movies listed. As requested, my friend Bob made up a list of his favorite movies to be listed on the blog. Here they are in his own words:

#1 Bunny Lake is Missing
(1965)
My dad took the whole family to the Missouri Theatre on a cold winter night in 1965 to see this black and white mystery thriller, directed by Otto Preminger (Anatomy of a murder with Jimmy Stewart). It stars Laurence Olivier as Inspector Newhouse of Scotland Yard and Keir
Dullea (2001 Space Odessey) and Carol Lynley (Poseidon Adventure) as the two looking for Bunny. Instructions were displayed in the lobby that no one would be permitted to leave the theatre during the last five minutes! How do I remember the night was so cold? My dad locked his keys in the car and I stood watching him break in with a coat hanger while the bright lights of the theatre marquee played over us. 4 stars

#2 Alice Sweet Alice
(1976)
I first saw this film at the Hall Theatre on the corner of 9th St. and Cherry in 1976. Although the theatre in now sadly gone, I still have the film in DVD and VHS. Brooke Shields first screen appearance (10 years old) gets murdered early in the film, and her 12 year old sister Alice is the prime suspect. As family members and residents of their apartment building become victims, the police want to find out: is Alice the Blame? 5 stars

#3 Terror Train
(1980)
I also viewed this gem at the Hall Theatre in 1980. It stars Jamie Lee Curtis in her first headliner role. Ben Johnson and David Copperfield intense the plot. A group of college kids charter a train for the New Year's Eve to celebrate graduation and they all wear costumes. Right off the bat, someone is killed, and the murderer switches costumes with the victim. The viewer of the movie knows who is the killer by their costume, but not who it is! 4 stars

#4 Fright Night
(1985)
This shocker has everything! Stars abound in a great plot. A high school boy living with his mother, begins to suspect that the two men who moved into the house next door are vampires! He inspires the help of "Midnight Movie" star Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowell) to help him fight the vampires. Great special effects and makeup! 5 stars

#5 Mr. Sardonicus
(1961)
In this black and white William Castle classic, we find out what happens when you dig up a dead relative to retrieve a winning lottery ticket that they were buried with. When Sardonicus takes off his mask you'll wish he didn't! 4 stars

#6 Night of the Demons
(1988)
Long respected, and rightfully so, as the best "kids spending Halloween night in an abandoned house" movie. These kids choose and old funeral house as their party site and demons are everywhere! This movie will stand out in your memory! 4 stars

#7 Tourist Trap
(1979)
When teenagers (including young Tanya Roberts, future Charlie Angel) have car trouble they end up at Slausen's (a roadside retreat owned by Chuck Conners, "The Rifleman"). The kids find nothing but trouble! Lots of special effects and creepiness! 4 stars

#8 When a Stranger Calls Back
(1993)
This television movie (but it doesn't look like a TV movie) a sequel to "When a Stranger Calls", is given top honors by all critics. Just watch it in the dark! 4 stars

#9 And Then There Were None
(1945)
This black and white Agatha Christie mystery portrays ten people who are invited to an island mansion for various reasons. When the boat drops them off for the weekend, they introduce themselves and realize that none of them know the host! They find a ring of ten ceramic Indians on the dining room table and a sheet music of "Ten Little Indians" on the piano. As the guests begin to drop, an Indian statue is found broken for each death! Intriguing mystery!! 4 stars

#10 Dr. Cyclops
(1940)
A group of scientists are summoned to a faraway country to aid Dr. Cyclops in his experiments.
Upon arriving, the visitors serve the Dr.'s needs and then become part of his experiments! Great special effects! 4 stars