1950s movies marathon – part 24

When Worlds Collide (1951, USA)

The Earth is dying, and only a select few will be chosen to escape for a better world on a rocket ship.  This isn’t the apocalyptic masterpiece Five is, but it’s interesting to see how they try to deal seriously with the idea of building a modern-day Noah’s Ark.  Watched it all.

Alice in Wonderland (1951, USA)

Alice began experimenting with drugs at an early age, possibly to escape the attention of that dubious mr Dobson.  (And her adventures in old age were no less remarkable, but that’s another story).  Watched: 15 minutes.  This feels like one of those half-hearted movie adaptations that is just faithful enough to the book to remind you why you love it, but adds nothing of its own.

Fixed Bayonets! (1951, USA)

I’ve been trying to figure out what it is that bugs me about some of these post-war war movies. Now I know: It’s the cheerfulness.  You didn’t see it during World War II.  But now it’s here in a movie about Korea.  Watched: 14 minutes.  Oh well, these guys are about to walk straight into half a million Chinese communists.  That’ll take care of the cheerfulness.  (What, too soon?)