Beatrix Lehmann

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum -- Zero Mostel repeats his stage role as Pseudolus, the cunning Roman slave who'll do anything to win his freedom. The plot hinges on three Roman houses next door to each another. One is the home of Pseudolus' masters: the philandering Senex (Michael Hordern), his domineering wife Domina (Patricia Jessel), and their handsome but empty-headed son Hero (Michael Crawford). The second house is a brothel belonging to unctuous procurer Lycus (Phil Silvers). The third house has long been empty, in that its owner, the senile Erronious (Buster Keaton), has gone on a long journey to find his children, who were kidnapped in infancy by pirates. This all-star cast scam their way through this boisterous romp amidst gorgeous girls, mistaken identities, stunning surprises, cunning disguises and great Sondheim songs.

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold -- Oscar nominee Richard Burton* is the burnt-out British agent who refuses to 'come in from the cold' to take a desk job -- but instead launches into the most dangerous assignment of his career, stalking East German agent (and Golden Globe winner) Oskar Werner.**

Zero Mostel, Buster Keaton, Phil Silvers and an all-star cast scam their way through this boisterous romp amidst gorgeous girls, mistaken identities, stunning surprises, cunning disguises and great Sondheim songs.

Zero Mostel repeats his stage role as Pseudolus, the cunning Roman slave who'll do anything to win his freedom. The plot hinges on three Roman houses next door to each another. One is the home of Pseudolus' masters: the philandering Senex (Michael Hordern), his domineering wife Domina (Patricia Jessel), and their handsome but empty-headed son Hero (Michael Crawford). The second house is a brothel belonging to unctuous procurer Lycus (Phil Silvers). The third house has long been empty, in that its owner, the senile Erronious (Buster Keaton), has gone on a long journey to find his children, who were kidnapped in infancy by pirates. This all-star cast scam their way through this boisterous romp amidst gorgeous girls, mistaken identities, stunning surprises, cunning disguises and great Sondheim songs.

Zero Mostel repeats his stage role as Pseudolus, the cunning Roman slave who'll do anything to win his freedom. The plot hinges on three Roman houses next door to each another. One is the home of Pseudolus' masters: the philandering Senex (Michael Hordern), his domineering wife Domina (Patricia Jessel), and their handsome but empty-headed son Hero (Michael Crawford). The second house is a brothel belonging to unctuous procurer Lycus (Phil Silvers). The third house has long been empty, in that its owner, the senile Erronious (Buster Keaton), has gone on a long journey to find his children, who were kidnapped in infancy by pirates. This all-star cast scam their way through this boisterous romp amidst gorgeous girls, mistaken identities, stunning surprises, cunning disguises and great Sondheim songs.

Forget James Bond... and step into the real, dour and chilling world of spies and counterspies. Oscar®-nominee Richard Burton is the burnt-out British agent who refuses to "come in from the cold" to take a desk job — but instead launches into the most dangerous assignment of his career, stalking East German agent (and Golden Globe-winner) Oskar Werner. John Le Carré's best-selling novel provides the basis for this breathtaking thriller of espionage, intrigue, crosses and double-crosses. First-rate performances from the entire cast are matched by a tension-packed and brilliantly plotted screenplay, with masterful direction from Martin Ritt (Hud, Sounder).

Oscar nominee Richard Burton* is the burnt-out British agent who refuses to "come in from the cold" to take a desk job -- but instead launches into the most dangerous assignment of his career, stalking East German agent (and Golden Globe winner) Oskar Werner.**

Oscar nominee Richard Burton* is the burnt-out British agent who refuses to "come in from the cold" to take a desk job -- but instead launches into the most dangerous assignment of his career, stalking East German agent (and Golden Globe winner) Oskar Werner.**

Forget James Bond for a moment and step into the real, dour and chilling world of spies and counterspies. Richard Burton is the burn-out British agent who refuses to "come in from the cold" to take a desk job - but instead launches into the most dangerous assignment of his career, stalking East German agent Oskar Werner. John Le Carre's best-selling novel provides the basis for this breathtaking thriller of espionage, intrigue, crosses and double crosses.

As the captain of an unarmed tugboat assigned to rescue Allied ships that have been disabled by the German Navy, David Ross (William Holden) is repeatedly placed in grave danger. Before dying in the line of duty, fellow captain Chris Ford (Trevor Howard) gives Ross the key to an apartment occupied by a lovely and caring Swiss-Italian immigrant named Stella (Sophia Loren). Though Ross discovers that he is just the next in a long line of rescue boat captains she has comforted up until the time of their deaths, he cannot help falling in love - even when he begins to suspect that his life will be the next one lost in another daring wartime rescue.

Set during World War II, THE KEY stars William Holden and Trevor Howard as tug boat captains involved with convoy resue operations. Sophia Loren is a landlady extraordinaire whose apartment (and all that goes with it--including herself) she shares willingly with the skipper of the moment, identifying them with her dead would-be husband.

A tad long-winded, but overall this is a fairly enjoyable, sometimes creepy British mystery thriller. Much of the action is centered about a spooky estate where a singer is forced to spend the night in order to claim her inheritance. The film's highlight is Lehman, who turns in one of the best-ever performances as a sinister housekeeper.