Classic Adventure
Remember those moments where the main character finds himself in a difficult or precarious dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation, those thrill-a-minute extravaganzas, those rip-roaring spectacles, swashbuckling and derring-do action, cliff-hanger endings .... that was what Saturday Matinees were made of.
Below is a compilation of the 'essence' of this wonderful genre. See also 'Cliff-Hanger Serials'
The Hurricane (1937)
7.3/10
Director: John Ford
Starring: Dorothy Lamour, Jon Hall, Mary Astor, C Aubrey Smith, Thomas Mitchell, Raymond M...
In the colonial era, island native Terangi (Jon Hall) spends a blissful honeymoon with his bride, Marama (Dorothy Lamour). Soon after, however, their... Read more
Long John Silver (1953)
5.9/10
Director: Byron Haskin
Starring: Robert Newton, Kit Taylor
Robert "Arr - matey!" Newton repeats his Treasure Island role as Long John Silver in this Australian adventure film - and if anything, Newton is even... Read more
The Wild Women of Wongo (1958)
2.1/10
Director: James L Wolcott
Starring: Jean Hawkshaw, Mary Ann Webb, Cande Gerrard, Johnny Walsh
A prehistoric beach blanket classic with leopard skin-clad women and brutish men engaged in the battle of the sexes on the idyllic island of Wongo. A... Read more
Mutiny (1952)
5.1/10
Director: Edward Dmytryk
Starring: Mark Stevens, Angela Lansbury, Gene Evans
Mark Stevens stars as Captain James Marshall of the American ship Concord in the classic period drama, set during the War of 1812. After finding himse... Read more
Captain Scarlett (1953)
4.7/10
Director: Thomas H Carr
Starring: Richard Greene, Leonora Amar
Romance and swashbuckling abound in this classic actioner starring Richard Greene as Captain Carlos Scarlett, a 19th-century Frenchman who returns hom... Read more
Sky Raiders (1941)
7.3/10
Director: Ray Taylor, Ford Beebe
Starring: Robert Armstrong, Donald Woods, Billy Halop
Dastardly spy Felix Lynx attacks our hero Robert Dayton through twelve thrilling chapters of high-flying action! Felix wants to steal Robert's amazing... Read more
Lauren Bacall: Key Largo / Blood Alley / Dark Passage / Designing Woman (1957)
9/10
Director: Delmer Daves, John Huston, Vincente Minnelli, William A Wellman
Starring: Edward G Robinson, Gregory Peck, Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, Lauren Bacall
Lauren Bacall Box Set. 'Dark Passage' (1947) - Humphrey Bogart is a prison escapee framed for murder who emerges from plastic surgery with a new face.... Read more
Against All Flags (1952)
6.7/10
Director: George Sherman
Starring: Anthony Quinn, Errol Flynn, Maureen O'Hara, Mildred Natwick
Feigning disgrace, British naval officer Brian Hawke (Errol Flynn) makes his way to Madagascar, tasked with infiltrating the pirate crew of Roc Brasil... Read more
Son of Samson / Son of Cleopatra (1961)
Director: Carlo Campogalliani
Starring: Mark Forrest, Mark Damon
Heeding an inner voice, the 'Son of Samson,' a loner from an outlying borough scourges the capital, using his high-caliber muscles to break up the Que... Read more
Samson and the Seven Miracles of the World (1963)
Director: Riccardo Freda
Starring: Gordon Scott, Yoko Tani
In the 13th Century, hordes of sadistic Mongol warriors descend upon China, enslaving the people and plotting to defile and assassinate the virgin pri... Read more