cat and mouse (1958)

aka The Desperate Men.
The film opens with Ann meeting with a blackmailer, who claims to have worked with her father, a diamond thief. He is after some diamonds that were never recovered following a robbery and thinks she knows where they are. In a struggle Ann knocks out the blackmailer and is startled when American Rod Fenner enters the room at just this point. She faints and when she comes to Rod convinces her that she has killed the blackmailer. The two end up on the run from the police, but is Rod on the level and did Ann really kill the blackmailer?
The atmosphere builds slowly, uping the tension and the claustrophobia. A small scale but entertaining film, with some nice details in the street scenes, giving a real sense of the period.

it conquered the world (1956)

aka It conquered The Earth.

"He wants you on his side. Next to me, he wants you,"
Dr Anderson, (Lee Van Cleef), is a disillusioned scientist who helps an alien in it's attempt to take over the world. Another scientist Dr Nelson, (Peter Graves), finally persuades Anderson that he is wrong, when Anderson's wife goes after the alien, but will they be in time to stop the take over of the world and save Anderson's wife?
Overly talky, bad acting and some cheesy effects, especially the mind control bats, and the alien itself, but these only add to the fun. Not a classic, but still campy good fun.

it came from outer space (1953)

aka Atomic Monster. Strangers from Outer Space. The Meteor.

"Show yourself! Let me see you as you really are!"
A couple see a meteor crash near their desert home, but when the man investigates he finds it's actually a spaceship. They try to inform the authorities, but no one seems to be interested. I mean would you be if someone came up to you and told you they had seen a space craft? But this changes when people start going missing, then return acting strangely.
A great example of 50's sci-fi on all levels, everything from the score (by an uncredited Henry Mancini), to the pervasive sense of cold war paranoia. Recommended especially if you can get to see it in 3-D.

the boys (1962)

A garage night watchman is found murdered and four men are arrested and tried. Events of the day are revisited in flashback from the point of view of the various suspects and witnesses. Will the trial ever get to the truth and reveal what really happened during an evening out for four young men.
An unflashy film, packed with fascinating period detail. This slowly draws you into the lives of the four young men. If you get a chance to see this then take it, if only to watch some excellent acting and an impassioned speech against the death penalty by Robert Morley.

what's good for the goose (1969)

aka Girl Trouble. What's Good for the Gander.
Norman Wisdom is a middle aged, stuck in a rut, banker who falls for Sally Geeson, a free spirited hippie chick, whilst in Southport. It's mostly played straight, but Norman can't help adding a few pratfalls along the way, and the Pretty Things even pop up to perform a couple of numbers.
A curio in so many ways, with some good points, but there's something disturbing about Norman sleeping with a girl who could be his daughter, whilst his wife and kids are oblivious at home.

eyes without a face (1960)

aka Les Yeux Sans Visage.
Christiane has had her face ruined in a car crash and her father, a brilliant surgeon, tries to perfect a face transplant procedure to help her. Unfortunately he needs donor faces. So helped by his assistant, he kidnaps young women, in lue of a decent donor scheme.
A beautifully shot, almost poetic film, especially the dove strewn ending, with a quirky score by Maurice Jarre.

it's alive (1974)

aka Baby Killer
A typical American couple are expecting their second child and happily make their way to the hospital, but there are complications with the birth. The child pops out a mutant, that kills when frightened, and promptly escapes the hospital.
The story is more complex and tasteful than would normally be the case. Worthy of a watch if you come across it, but don't go out of your way. Rick Baker provided the make-up and puppet effects and the score was provided by Bernard Herrmann.

death line (1972)

aka Raw Meat.
Something's inhabiting the London Tube network and when a top civil servant disappears Scotland Yard detective (Donald Pleasence) starts to investigate.
A wonderful low budget gem driven along by a great performance by Pleasence, as the sarcastically cynical Inspector Calhoun, and a wonderful synth score.

blood for dracula (1974)

aka Andy Warhol's Dracula. Andy Warhol's Young Dracula. Blood for Dracula. Dracula. Dracula vuole vivere: cerca sangue di vergine! Du sang pour Dracula. Young Dracula.
A weak and dying Dracula is persuaded to travel to Italy to find some virgin blood to revive him. He ends up staying with the down at heel Marchese di Fiori, who hopes to marry off one of her four daughters to a rich man. Dracula promptly sets about trying to find his virgin, but will the communist gardener (Joe Dallesandro) realise and stop him?
The film, which alongside Flesh For Frankenstein was shot back to back in Italy, has a sumptuous look, and Udo Keir makes a beautifully decedant Dracula. The acting is often quite casual and the pacing uneven, but for all that it's still a fun and campy reimaging of the Dracula story, which ramps up the sex and blood.

ride the wild surf (1964)

Ride The Wild Surf is a fun 60's beach movie featuring teen idols Fabian and Tab Hunter, with James Mitchum, (Robert's boy - looking just like his dad), as the menacing heavy and Barbara Eden & Shelley Fabare among the love interests.
Three friends head to Hawaii to catch the big wave and find love along the way. Some great surfing footage, beach parties and a memorable title tune, Jan & Dean's "Ride, Ride, Ride The Wild Surf".