A Man on the Inside 2.04

Spirit Week

Charles and Julie continue their investigation. Charles gets glitter-bombed several times during spirit week for not knowing the answer to the riddle. He eventually figures it out. He starts to wonder if Claire Chung, his research assistant, might be the culprit. Julie questions several professors trying to determine if they are the culprit or know who it is.

Thoughts

I checked IMDb and this is the second of two episodes of this show in which Claire appeared.

Emily appeared briefly in this episode but the rest of her family did not.

This was another fun episode. I'm halfway through the season now.

The Long Goodbye (1973)

The Long Goodbye (1973)

starring Elliott Gould, Nina van Pallandt, Sterling Hayden

written by Leigh Brackett

directed by Robert Altman

112 minutes

Private investigator Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) works more than one investigation as he struggles to avoid bodily injury, figure out what happened to his friend Terry Lennox, and find out what the different cases have to do with one another.

Thoughts

I saw this movie as part of the 2026 Noir City DC film festival at the AFI Silver Theater. I had not seen it before. It is very much noir. 

Round Midnight (1986)

Round Midnight (1986)

starring Dexter Gordon, François Cluzet

written by David Rayfiel, Bertrand Tavernier

directed by Bertrand Tavernier

131 minutes

Jazz saxophonist Dale Turner (Dexter Gordon) moves Paris in 1959 and spends some time playing there with other American jazz musicians in a club called the Blue Note. He is befriended by Francis Borler (François Cluzet), a fan of jazz music who is raising his daughter by himself since his wife up and left.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents 1.32

The Baby Sitter

starring Thema Ritter

written by Sarett Tobias

directed by Robert Stevens

Everyone wants to talk to baby sitter Lottie Slocum (Thelma Ritter). Lottie babysat for Mr. and Mrs. Nash the night before Clara Nash was murdered. Everyone wants to know what Lottie knows but she can't seem to put the pieces together from the night before.

She talks to a police detective, her daughter Janie, her neighbor Blanche, and Clara's boyfriend (Mr. DeMario) but can't seem to remember anything that seems like a clue. She writes Mr. Nash a letter (explaining what she remembers) hoping that it will help. Mr. Nash comes over to see Lottie but it isn't to talk about the murder.

Love Me or Leave me (1955)

Love Me or Leave me (1955)

starring Doris Day, James Cagney, Cameron Mitchell

written by Daniel Fuchs, Isobel Lennart

directed by Charles Vidor

122 minutes

Laundry magnate Martin Snyder (James Cagney) takes an instant shine to singer and dancer Ruth Etting (Doris Day) when he meets her one night. He is interested in her romantically but he does not appeal to her. She is more interested in piano player and composer Johnny Alderman (Cameron Mitchell) but she chooses instead to stay with Martin as he helps to become a professional singer.

Tales of the Unexpected 2.04

The Hitch-Hiker

starring Rod Taylor, Cyril Cusack

written by Robin Chapman

directed by Alastair Reid

American writer Paul Duveen (Rod Taylor) picks up a hitchhiker (Cyril Cusack). Duveen thinks he is doing the man a favor but first the passenger gets insulted by Paul's questions and then Paul discovers the man is a thief, the hard way.

Thoughts

This wasn't bad but it wasn't great. I've definitely seen worse.

Sweet Smell of Success (1957)

Sweet Smell of Success (1957)

starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison

written by Clifford Odets, Earnest Lehman

directed by Alexander Mackendrick

97 minutes

Columnist J.J. Hunsecker (Burt Lancaster) wants publicist Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis) to get his sister Karen Huntsecker (Susan Harrison) to break up with her boyfriend, Steve Dallas, a blues guitarist. J.J. promises to help Falco get ahead in his career and doesn't give Falco much in the way of advice as to how to get the job done.