Classic Reel:rare and classic from Tony Rome to the Matt Helm film series to Saturday Morning fare to travel logs and docs showcasing lifestyles from previous decades…
Welcome to another edition of Who’s Streaming what, where, when…
Welcome to another edition of Who’s Streaming what, where, when and there is a load of new programming and channels out there and the platforms …Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, PC, Apple TV…etc and it’s good for you the fans of all that we love; Blaxploitation, Euro Cult- Horror, Peplum, Spaghetti, Giallo and Spies, German Krimis, Anime, Animation, TV & Film. Why do you ask? Well I’ll tell you, every week it seems that there is more of what we love becoming available. And if your like me I can never get enough.
This week we explore Classic Reel on Roku- Here’s a recipe for Hollywood on tap with a slice of Cinema-ala-mode. You have to make sure it is the one place where all of this on the menu- a place where you can find cartoons both theatrical & and the small screen…
including Mr Magoo, Woody Woodpecker, Casper the Ghost and Betty Boop. Classic films spanning decades from the ’30s thru the ’70s . But you have to blend it with as many genres as possible. Then add a sprinkle of golden age Television. Well I give you Classic Reel on Roku.
***presenting films as they should be in their original technical format from widescreen to Cinemascope to Techincolor and Westrex sound…
This week we focus on Tony Rome(Frank Sinatra) and Matt Helm (Dean Martin) film series and new additions to Classic Reels line up. Both hailing from the mid to late ’60s.
Coming soon-
and in the weeks to come -
Now on with the show…
Tony Rome -
just added Tony Rome(1967) in HD . This movie kicked off the short lived Tony Rome film series that should have produced more than 2 entries… Frank Sinatra really nailed the private eye character based on a few novels by Marvin H. Albert in the 1960’s …and features a killer title song written by Lee Halzelwood performed by Frank’s golden voiced daughter Nancy. Plus an original score by legend Billy May (Green Hornet). A who’s who supporting cast including Simon Oakland, Jill St. John and Richard Conte.
Above : rare insert poster for Tony Rome
Frank plays Rome cool as a cucumber. What is refreshing about this flick is that Rome isn’t some billionaire playboy detective..who doesn’t really have to put the time …Tony works for every dollar and sometimes he’s not even sure where the next one is coming from ..he likes the horses, loves to gamble, lives on a houseboat and loves the single life , but when you need something investigated, researched and found out he’s the guy to go to. He does not give up -quitting is not an option no matter how tough it gets and Rome has a bloodhound nose and is tough as nails.
***Lady In Cement — starring along with Frank, Raquel Welch and a funny, brilliant performance by Dan Blocker(Hoss on Bonanza) who has also joined the line-up as of this edition. Featuring a looser and breezier story line. Fast paste action and again a jazzy score by by legendary movie and Television composer Hugo Montenegro(The Wrecking Crew & The Man From UNCLE) . Now streaming.
Also making it’s debut on Classic Reel is The Ambushers(1967) based on the novel by Don Hamilton. and the 3rd in the Matt Helm film series starring one of my top favorite entertainers-actors…Dean Martin as spy turned pin-up calendar photographer..who just happens to be on the active reserve list for I.C.E. I wish I could this guy’s job…
Below: confirmation that I’m in the wrong line of business…
Above: Janice Rule -publicity pic for The Ambushers
Aside from the action on screen, let your ears soak in this hip, bouncy soundtrack all set to the tune of a 60’s lounge score by one of my favs maestro-composer/arranger -Hugo Montenegro(The Man From Uncle-TV series).
Below: trailer for The Ambushers-see if can identify the crooner who is singing the title song within the trailer …
not the same artist for the films theatrical release..hint: a long running joke within the Matt Helm-Dean Martin series…see answer at end of article…at this time all of the Matt Helm films are available to stream including The Wrecking Crew with stunt and fight choreography by Bruce Lee-which was the last in the franchise and the last one to be added for streaming. Look for more to come on this particular film and the Matt Helm franchise in a future Secret Agent Sunday edition.
A neat observation before we part-all the programming here on Classic Reel has a clickable image of either a theatrical poster if a film and a still or art work for Television series or special and Documentaries.
Rating *****
Monthly 1.99
Platform- Roku
*** one last important note- and I may not have pointed this out in the past editions but each app behaves differently based on the platform/device example PC vs Tablet or Amazon Fire TV vs Roku vs Apple TV and can be even something as simple as how the menus function to different content choice not all titles may not be available. So far though none have been drastic. All the services try to have the apps operate as closely as possible to each other. That may change in the future as in the delivery of the content and how it is applied: for example as in Hulu on Amazon Fire compared to Hulu on Roku- Roku may offer DVR for live broadcasts — reminder again this is just an example not a reality ( Fubo TV offers DVR for live sporting events )
As they say parting is such sweet sorrow.. but you need to go watch some of these movies and after an exhaustive run at the type writer has a well deserved double cheeseburger and a coffee fair shake or a root beer float calling me along with some sweet potato fries…that’s it til next time so keep the home fires burning and a space next to your bed for your favorite interactive Mag-Reviews on the Edge on Facebook and here on Medium via my URL (See below)…this is Doc saying adios and like Bruce Lee said “Be water my friend”…
Answers for trivia questions-
The Ambushers- answer Frank Sinatra-thru out the Matt Helm films Franks’ songs would pop up in some scene on the audio track and Dean would always make some sarcastic remark ..all in fun… Frank and Dean were the best of friends …
Links for related apps,sites,reading...etc
