Michael-Bay Movie Reviews

One of the most common motifs of the Middle Ages was that of the wheel of fortune. The apex being the best of luck, good fortune and plenty. The low point being misery or that of the dispossessed. The idea that one could at one time or another end up anywhere on the wheel must have been great solace to those who felt they were at the bottom.

In Sydney Pollack's 1969 film, `They Shoot Horses, Don't They?' we are given this idea of life in a microcosm. The film, set during the Great Depression is a perfect representation of the same kind of desperation felt during the Middle Ages (or any age, for that matter). This film looks at the Great Depression, and the gimick of a Dance Marathon as a depiction of times in history when the fear of utter loss is very acute. The people facing this challenge are represented in the film by the marathon dancers. The dancers are an ensemble cast including: Jane Fonda as Gloria Beatty, Michael Sarrazin as Robert Syverton, Susannah York as Alice LeBlanc, Red Buttons as `Sailor,' Bonnie Bedelia as Ruby, Bruce Dern as James, and other minor characters.

Of course, certain people have always seemed to be outside of the desperation of life. There are peoples whose fortunes seem set, and sometimes may even seem to be puppet-masters pulling the strings. This was represented in the film by the characters such as Gig Young as `Rocky,' and his partner Al Lewis (III) as `Turkey.' Even an audience members seemed to be one of the quasi-puppet-masters (the audience were people who paid to come see these grueling marathons as entertainment) most notably represented by Madge Kennedy as Mrs. Laydon. In this respect it reminded me of Greek Tragedy (mainly the Ilyad,) with the non-dancing cast as part of the pantheon of gods. Sometimes they are empathetic to the mortals (the cast on the dance floor). Just as in the Greek stories, the gods are pulling for their own personal favorite.

This film is an example of good acting. The acting is so critical to the enjoyment of an otherwise very depressing story. Each of the actors was completely believable in the part the played. No one's acting was `over the top.' I would note however, that Jane Fonda's character, Gloria, was a bit too void of emotion, other than bitterness, until the very end. Her story-telling scene with her second partner was delivered a little too flatly. On the positive side, it she is also in one of the best scenes in the film, which I will address in a minute.

It was the lesser characters that really brought the most credibility to the story and the film. Each of the folks were merely background and then, we are sucked into the film, just as though we were in the audience of the dance hall, they'd pass near... where we could almost hear their individual stories... just for a moment, and then they'd swirl, sway or stagger away... back into oblivion.

As we watched the film we can feel their desperation. In the scenes of the track, One might get the sense, `that's what I am doing. I am one of them... a hamster on the treadmill, all for the next silver dollar. For someone else's entertainment...'

The female character I liked the most was a difficult decision. The Mrs. Laydon character (fits the Greek Goddess Hera role, to continue my earlier analogy...) sat with her kerchief waving, her eyes full of compassion. Alice LeBlanc, the platinum coifed, her eyes hollow as she finally lost touch with the only thing she had to cling to... her hope for stardom extinguished in the shower, just before she is escorted out, `exit, stage right...' As touching and real as these two women played their parts, I felt that Rocky had it right when he told Gloria, `I may not know a winner when I see one, but I sure know a loser...' and Ruby was certainly not. Ruby was determined to give the baby she was carrying a fighting chance in life... even off screen, you could sense her determination. So, Ruby gets my vote for most convincing female role.

The male character that provided the best acting was tough, but the competition was not as stiff as competition between the women. Rocky played the Zeus role to a `T'. But it was the feisty determination and ultimate collapse of `Sailor' that won me over. His character was perhaps the most human of the men. He really wanted to win it, you could sense that. At the same time he was not above feeling for some of the people he was competing against, encouraging them.

I enjoyed the picture, and I found it relevant to today's marathon. The silicon-valley is full of folks all competing for that somewhat empty promise and the same dollar. One of the wisest scenes of the movie was the dialogue between Rocky and Gloria. She enters his office to ask him to change the rules. He's busy at something else. She asks what he's doing and he points out that he's been keeping tabs on everyone. The prize will be reconciled after the bills are exacted. This is life. Anyone who's had a run of misfortune could relate to that. I was reluctant to watch the film after all these years, especially with my aversion to Jane Fonda. Nevertheless, it was perhaps one of the best films of the late sixties/early seventies.

Jane Fonda left her fluff pieces behind her and became a REAL actress after her Oscar-nominated performance here as Gloria, the bitter and hopeless woman who joins a grueling dance marathon (a craze of the Depression '30s) with Michael Sarrazin as her partner. She leaves nothing behind and throws herself into this bleak role taking huge risks that 'STAR' actresses don't do anymore. The film also put Sydney Pollack on the map as a director to be reckoned with. Finding an audience for this film may be tough because of its unrelenting gloom, but if you watch it and don't find yourself thinking about it for weeks after you have seen it, you don't know what movies are about. The message here is that there are no winners in life....only survivors. These are the kinds of films I favor (bleak and depressing) as that is what real life is about....it's a struggle. If you're looking for a diversion from real life, don't come here. The film also contains an Oscar-winning turn by Gig Young as the dance marathon's promoter and emcee and an Oscar-nominated performance by Susannah York as a Garboesque wannabe actress looking for a break. Horses is more a disaster film than anything else. No ship hits an iceberg and no building catches fire, but everyone involved experiences disaster. Don't pass this up.

As I watched American Idol recently I kept thinking of this movie. It stands as one of my all-time favourites. Seems like the wheel's going round again.

One of the most common motifs of the Middle Ages was that of the wheel of fortune. The apex being the best of luck, good fortune and plenty. The low point being misery or that of the dispossessed. The idea that one could at one time or another end up anywhere on the wheel must have been great solace to those who felt they were at the bottom.

In Sydney Pollack's 1969 film, `They Shoot Horses, Don't They?' we are given this idea of life in a microcosm. The film, set during the Great Depression is a perfect representation of the same kind of desperation felt during the Middle Ages (or any age, for that matter). This film looks at the Great Depression, and the gimick of a Dance Marathon as a depiction of times in history when the fear of utter loss is very acute. The people facing this challenge are represented in the film by the marathon dancers. The dancers are an ensemble cast including: Jane Fonda as Gloria Beatty, Michael Sarrazin as Robert Syverton, Susannah York as Alice LeBlanc, Red Buttons as `Sailor,' Bonnie Bedelia as Ruby, Bruce Dern as James, and other minor characters.

Of course, certain people have always seemed to be outside of the desperation of life. There are peoples whose fortunes seem set, and sometimes may even seem to be puppet-masters pulling the strings. This was represented in the film by the characters such as Gig Young as `Rocky,' and his partner Al Lewis (III) as `Turkey.' Even an audience members seemed to be one of the quasi-puppet-masters (the audience were people who paid to come see these grueling marathons as entertainment) most notably represented by Madge Kennedy as Mrs. Laydon. In this respect it reminded me of Greek Tragedy (mainly the Ilyad,) with the non-dancing cast as part of the pantheon of gods. Sometimes they are empathetic to the mortals (the cast on the dance floor). Just as in the Greek stories, the gods are pulling for their own personal favorite.

This film is an example of good acting. The acting is so critical to the enjoyment of an otherwise very depressing story. Each of the actors was completely believable in the part the played. No one's acting was `over the top.' I would note however, that Jane Fonda's character, Gloria, was a bit too void of emotion, other than bitterness, until the very end. Her story-telling scene with her second partner was delivered a little too flatly. On the positive side, it she is also in one of the best scenes in the film, which I will address in a minute.

It was the lesser characters that really brought the most credibility to the story and the film. Each of the folks were merely background and then, we are sucked into the film, just as though we were in the audience of the dance hall, they'd pass near... where we could almost hear their individual stories... just for a moment, and then they'd swirl, sway or stagger away... back into oblivion.

As we watched the film we can feel their desperation. In the scenes of the track, One might get the sense, `that's what I am doing. I am one of them... a hamster on the treadmill, all for the next silver dollar. For someone else's entertainment...'

The female character I liked the most was a difficult decision. The Mrs. Laydon character (fits the Greek Goddess Hera role, to continue my earlier analogy...) sat with her kerchief waving, her eyes full of compassion. Alice LeBlanc, the platinum coifed, her eyes hollow as she finally lost touch with the only thing she had to cling to... her hope for stardom extinguished in the shower, just before she is escorted out, `exit, stage right...' As touching and real as these two women played their parts, I felt that Rocky had it right when he told Gloria, `I may not know a winner when I see one, but I sure know a loser...' and Ruby was certainly not. Ruby was determined to give the baby she was carrying a fighting chance in life... even off screen, you could sense her determination. So, Ruby gets my vote for most convincing female role.

The male character that provided the best acting was tough, but the competition was not as stiff as competition between the women. Rocky played the Zeus role to a `T'. But it was the feisty determination and ultimate collapse of `Sailor' that won me over. His character was perhaps the most human of the men. He really wanted to win it, you could sense that. At the same time he was not above feeling for some of the people he was competing against, encouraging them.

I enjoyed the picture, and I found it relevant to today's marathon. The silicon-valley is full of folks all competing for that somewhat empty promise and the same dollar. One of the wisest scenes of the movie was the dialogue between Rocky and Gloria. She enters his office to ask him to change the rules. He's busy at something else. She asks what he's doing and he points out that he's been keeping tabs on everyone. The prize will be reconciled after the bills are exacted. This is life. Anyone who's had a run of misfortune could relate to that. I was reluctant to watch the film after all these years, especially with my aversion to Jane Fonda. Nevertheless, it was perhaps one of the best films of the late sixties/early seventies.

Jane Fonda left her fluff pieces behind her and became a REAL actress after her Oscar-nominated performance here as Gloria, the bitter and hopeless woman who joins a grueling dance marathon (a craze of the Depression '30s) with Michael Sarrazin as her partner. She leaves nothing behind and throws herself into this bleak role taking huge risks that 'STAR' actresses don't do anymore. The film also put Sydney Pollack on the map as a director to be reckoned with. Finding an audience for this film may be tough because of its unrelenting gloom, but if you watch it and don't find yourself thinking about it for weeks after you have seen it, you don't know what movies are about. The message here is that there are no winners in life....only survivors. These are the kinds of films I favor (bleak and depressing) as that is what real life is about....it's a struggle. If you're looking for a diversion from real life, don't come here. The film also contains an Oscar-winning turn by Gig Young as the dance marathon's promoter and emcee and an Oscar-nominated performance by Susannah York as a Garboesque wannabe actress looking for a break. Horses is more a disaster film than anything else. No ship hits an iceberg and no building catches fire, but everyone involved experiences disaster. Don't pass this up.

As I watched American Idol recently I kept thinking of this movie. It stands as one of my all-time favourites. Seems like the wheel's going round again.

Adapted for the screen by Anthony Schaffer, the author of the play, and directed by one of the legends of Hollywood, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, SLEUTH is the perfect movie for you if you like excellent actors, Laurence Olivier and Michaël Caine for instance, a subtle plot with unexpected twists and a superior cinematography.

I was amazed by the admirable production design of the movie. Laurence Olivier's mansion is a dream come true, every objects appearing on the screen seem to have a priceless value and the rooms, including the cellar, are little museums. Joseph L. Mankiewicz had to nail the audience in some way because SLEUTH is not a play with a lot of characters and could have discouraged the viewer if the director hadn't been such a talent. Another (innocent) trick of Mankiewicz is to film the puppets or the masks as if they were alive, you always have the feeling that the characters are not alone in the mansion.

One can regret that the Anchor Bay DVD presents only a scene access and no english subtitles. The image quality was, in my opinion, rather good, without black or white spots. Sound, on the contrary, could have been better.

A DVD for the smart ones.

1972's Sleuth is literally a two-man show, with Olivier and Caine matching each other scene for scene in this lengthy 2-hour, 18-minute story revolving around some rather unusual parlor games.

It's a pleasure to watch these two actors at work (or is it "play"?). I've never enjoyed Mr. Caine more.

It's quite unusual to see a movie with the entire cast comprising just two people! And each of them does a bloody good job of holding our interest till the end.

I would certainly recommend this top-notch tongue-in-cheek murder mystery.

Simply put, Sleuth leaves me in awe after every viewing. To watch Olivier and Michael Caine, who reportedly was a little nervous squaring off agaist the master, is like watching an excerise in Acting 101.

The plot is convoluted, in a good way, and uses dialogue to push the story. Very much like a play, the joy in watching the movie is the two actors squaring off, always trying to one up each other, both in character and most likely as themselves. Michael Caine might have been reported being nervous, but it doesn't show. This might be one of his greatest performances, and this was before his indy boom of the late nineties. This was Caine in his prime, and Olivier winding down his career in a performance only Marlon Brando could have beaten, a la "The Godfather" released the same year.

Joseph L. Mankiewicz's certainly surprises as a director. The legendary director of "All About Eve" shows a bit of flash and art to go with the solid substance of his profession. The segues using the many prop pieces in the main setting is ingenious, and quite honestly, a little unsettling. Watching a horde of puppets seemingly moving on their own, banging and laughing, certainly adds a uniqueness to the picture that stands up with the two major performances.

DVD-wise, it's not Criterion, but the sound is average and the picture is better than it's probably ever been on home video. Not that that has any influence over my decision to purchase this DVD. Nope, this is simply one of my favorite films, a gem that a lot of people don't even know exists. Well, if you like twist and turns, great actors, and a stylish presentation, then this movie is for you.

Highly recommended.

in episode Percy's Chocolate Crunch percy complains abot the water shortage for washdowns and grumbbles about the docks with the silly trucks who make him dirty by pulling him under the coal chute covering him in dirty dust. Later he goes to callent station to rest until harold the helicopter blows sinders and ashes over him so his driver decides to make him happy by taking the sugar trucks but percy doesn't know about the oil on the rails and accidentally crashes into the chocolate factory and destroyes all the machinery before coming out coverd in sticky chocolate and the other engines think it is very funny.

plus brand new characters like salty harvey elizabeth plus the sodor construction company meets jack the digger who meets more new characters like:

Byron the bulldozer
kelly the crane lorry
isabella the sentinal truck
max the 40 ton dump truck
oliver the excavator
and alfie the green excavator

This was a tape for Percy mainly but he lacked a good episode for awhile. In Percy's Chocolate Crunch Percy learns that usefullness does come before cleanliness. In Thomas, Percy, and the Sqeak Percy gets to take singer Alicia Botti to a concert. In Gordon takes a Tumble Gordon triesto show Salty that he can pull freight cars. In Buffer Bother Bill is jealous of Ben's new buffers.In Middle Engine Percy tries to stop getting tricked by Arry and Bert. In Faulty Whistle Duncan has to deliver freight cars by using an organ as a whistle. Then there is the music video Little Engines. This tape is good and I recommend it.

I enjoy this video. I am sure your children will as much as I do. The stories on this video are: Percy's Chocolate Crunch, Thomas, Percy, and the Squeak, Gordon Takes a Tumble, Buffer Brother, Middle Engine, Faulty Whistles, and Little Engines (the music video). My favorite story is Gordon Takes a Tumble. 'Arry and Bert talk with Austrailian accents. On Stepney Gets Lost in Spills and Chills, they talk gruffly. Little Engines is a very catchy song (I can't stop humming it!). After watching this video, your children will probably want chocolate!

in episode Percy's Chocolate Crunch percy complains abot the water shortage for washdowns and grumbbles about the docks with the silly trucks who make him dirty by pulling him under the coal chute covering him in dirty dust. Later he goes to callent station to rest until harold the helicopter blows sinders and ashes over him so his driver decides to make him happy by taking the sugar trucks but percy doesn't know about the oil on the rails and accidentally crashes into the chocolate factory and destroyes all the machinery before coming out coverd in sticky chocolate and the other engines think it is very funny.

plus brand new characters like salty harvey elizabeth plus the sodor construction company meets jack the digger who meets more new characters like:

Byron the bulldozer
kelly the crane lorry
isabella the sentinal truck
max the 40 ton dump truck
oliver the excavator
and alfie the green excavator

This was a tape for Percy mainly but he lacked a good episode for awhile. In Percy's Chocolate Crunch Percy learns that usefullness does come before cleanliness. In Thomas, Percy, and the Sqeak Percy gets to take singer Alicia Botti to a concert. In Gordon takes a Tumble Gordon triesto show Salty that he can pull freight cars. In Buffer Bother Bill is jealous of Ben's new buffers.In Middle Engine Percy tries to stop getting tricked by Arry and Bert. In Faulty Whistle Duncan has to deliver freight cars by using an organ as a whistle. Then there is the music video Little Engines. This tape is good and I recommend it.

I enjoy this video. I am sure your children will as much as I do. The stories on this video are: Percy's Chocolate Crunch, Thomas, Percy, and the Squeak, Gordon Takes a Tumble, Buffer Brother, Middle Engine, Faulty Whistles, and Little Engines (the music video). My favorite story is Gordon Takes a Tumble. 'Arry and Bert talk with Austrailian accents. On Stepney Gets Lost in Spills and Chills, they talk gruffly. Little Engines is a very catchy song (I can't stop humming it!). After watching this video, your children will probably want chocolate!

To me, this is the best movie to come out of Disney's dry spell of the '70's (when it released such stinkers as "Million Dollar Duck" and "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo") . . terrific fun for the whole family. Edward Herrmann (who I normally find an unbearably annoying actor) is quite good as a pastor who finds himself fighting organized crime when one of his church members gambles away church money. (True, he should be angry at the church member, but our reverend believes in tackling the ROOT of the problem). After Herrmann speaks out against organized crime publicly, two FBI agents come to him and ask him for his help in going undercover to expose these gangsters. He asks for help from his congregation, and the only ones who will aid him are 6 indomitable females (Patsy Kelly, Virginia Capers, Barbara Harris, Cloris Leachman, Karen Valentine, and - later - Susan Clark). You'll relish every second that you see all of the ladies on the screen, especially the scatterbrained soccer mom Harris (her funniest scene takes place in a grocery store, as she spies on one of the pickup men); the constantly-primping Leachman; and tough-as-nails Capers. Features a cute cameo by Ruth Buzzi as part of a church committee out to remove Herrmann (she ends up joining the ladies to fight the criminals). Unfortunately, I find that the film suffers when nervous Fed Michael Constantine leaves the project in the Reverend's hands; his exasperated scenes with the ladies are among the most enjoyable in the film. Another small drawback is the cutesy way in which the movie treats organized crime . .you'll never believe for a second the gangsters are really out to hurt these ladies. The film's final moments, a "demolition derby" of sorts, will delight kids. I can remember absolutely loving this film as a kid . . I'm positive one day Disney will remake it (hopefully they do it justice).

This film is very entertaining and definitely for all audiences. A group of elderly ladies forms a "neighborhood watch", or better a "neighborhood clean-up crew". They join forces to rid their formerly "nice neighborhood" of the trash that gives it a bad name.

Fearless and determined, the "North Avenue Irregulars" (played by many familiar comediennes) show the bad guys who's boss and reclaim their "turf". Many laughs, and a timely message: Don't let the scum take over your neighborhood!****

I am not ashamed to say I love this film. It is good, clean fun, and absolutely hilarious. It is one of the few films that me and my mom both like. The cast is outstanding, especially Barbara Harris, Karen Valentine, Ruth Buzzi, and Cloris Leachman. I never tire of watching this movie. I call this a guilty pleasure because while most serious film lovers would never even consider this film for a Top Films List, I would. Few films make me laugh like this one.

To me, this is the best movie to come out of Disney's dry spell of the '70's (when it released such stinkers as "Million Dollar Duck" and "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo") . . terrific fun for the whole family. Edward Herrmann (who I normally find an unbearably annoying actor) is quite good as a pastor who finds himself fighting organized crime when one of his church members gambles away church money. (True, he should be angry at the church member, but our reverend believes in tackling the ROOT of the problem). After Herrmann speaks out against organized crime publicly, two FBI agents come to him and ask him for his help in going undercover to expose these gangsters. He asks for help from his congregation, and the only ones who will aid him are 6 indomitable females (Patsy Kelly, Virginia Capers, Barbara Harris, Cloris Leachman, Karen Valentine, and - later - Susan Clark). You'll relish every second that you see all of the ladies on the screen, especially the scatterbrained soccer mom Harris (her funniest scene takes place in a grocery store, as she spies on one of the pickup men); the constantly-primping Leachman; and tough-as-nails Capers. Features a cute cameo by Ruth Buzzi as part of a church committee out to remove Herrmann (she ends up joining the ladies to fight the criminals). Unfortunately, I find that the film suffers when nervous Fed Michael Constantine leaves the project in the Reverend's hands; his exasperated scenes with the ladies are among the most enjoyable in the film. Another small drawback is the cutesy way in which the movie treats organized crime . .you'll never believe for a second the gangsters are really out to hurt these ladies. The film's final moments, a "demolition derby" of sorts, will delight kids. I can remember absolutely loving this film as a kid . . I'm positive one day Disney will remake it (hopefully they do it justice).

This film is very entertaining and definitely for all audiences. A group of elderly ladies forms a "neighborhood watch", or better a "neighborhood clean-up crew". They join forces to rid their formerly "nice neighborhood" of the trash that gives it a bad name.

Fearless and determined, the "North Avenue Irregulars" (played by many familiar comediennes) show the bad guys who's boss and reclaim their "turf". Many laughs, and a timely message: Don't let the scum take over your neighborhood!****

I am not ashamed to say I love this film. It is good, clean fun, and absolutely hilarious. It is one of the few films that me and my mom both like. The cast is outstanding, especially Barbara Harris, Karen Valentine, Ruth Buzzi, and Cloris Leachman. I never tire of watching this movie. I call this a guilty pleasure because while most serious film lovers would never even consider this film for a Top Films List, I would. Few films make me laugh like this one.

There is something really refreshing about The Abomitable Snowman, made in 1957. It's not a low budget cheesy horror film that Hammer Films would regretfully only come out with later. This movie benefits from creative direction from director Val Guest, a good screenplay, and a cast of fine actors led by Peter Cushing and Forest Tucker. It was actually filmed in the Swiss Alps, but it still passes for the Himalayes quite effectively. The movie maintains a mysterious atomosphere throughout the story as the final climax between the scientist and the Yeti shows us that the creatures are really quite gentle after all. This movie belongs more in the genre of science fiction.

"The Abominable Snowman of the Himalayas" finds botanist John Rollason (Peter Cushing) encounters American Tom Friend (Forrest Tucker) at a monastery and joins a sortie led by Friend to find the legendary Yeti. The crass American wants to bring the Abominable Snowman back as a carnival exhibit. However accidents, Friend's recklessness and the Yeti methodically reduce the membership of the expedition. Finally, only Friend and Rollason are left to face the Yeti. This 1957 film was one of the earliest Hammer pictures, made just before "The Curse of Frankenstein" put the studio on the map and created its signature style. The script by Nigel Kneale is actually adapted from "The Creature," a one-act teleplay broadcast in 1955 that also starred Cushing. As the creator of the Quartermass series, Kneale's scripts for "The Quartermass Experiment" (a.k.a. "The Creeping Unknown") and "The Enemy from Space" (a.k.a "Quartermass II") had laid the foundation for Hammer's future success. Again director Val Guest was brought in to work behind the camera. Kneale's script is first rate and suffers only at the end when the confrontation with the Yeti fails to meet our heightened expectations. Guest's direction is limited because the set for the Himalayan mountainside was on the studio's back lot, intercut with stock footage of mountaineering that fails to convey any sense of reality. Cushing's performance is solid, as you would expect, and he works well off the blustery Tucker, who gets to ham it up as the high-handed American. This DVD includes audio commentary by Guest and Kneale, the original theatrical trailer, and the Peter Cushing segment from "World of Hammer."

Kneale's script, Guest's direction and the talents of the key players combine to create a sense of wonder and mystery that is often attempted, but rarely brought to the screen as successfully and as forcefully as this. We don't know till the end what "may lie in the high valleys", but we are artfully exposed to every philosophy concerning the desire of man to see, as head porter Qusang says, "What man must not see". The head Lhama (Arnold Marle) feels this knowledge should be left alone to run its own course, Rolleson (Cushing
) wishes to study it for the advancement of mankind, the American adventurers (Forrest Tucker and Robert Brown) want to exploit it for personal gain, Rolleson's wife advocates a healthy fear of it and the impressionable McNee is driven to madness in an attempt to understand it; something for everyone. Add an evocative score and this one amounts to nothing less than cinamatic genious. Don't miss it!!

Does anyone who hasn't read the Thomas books ever wonder who some of the charachters on the wooden railway are. Well Salty and Harvey frankly were not necessary. Salty had one minor part in Percy's Chocolate Crunch and Harvey was never mentioned again. I mean Harveys kind of cool but we could do without him. Hit entertainment should stick to what the real books are about and Bear who none of you know because he's only in the books is awesome.

In this video, I saw in Salty's Secret that Salty is a new engine at the Island Of Sodor and Bill and Ben ask him to work in a quarry and Salty loves telling tales about the docks and when he pushes cars, he sings with a beat. And in Harvey to the rescue Percy has a trouble with freight cars and Harvey is on the way to rescue Percy. Oh, and speaking of new Thomas videos, me and my friend Brian have been inventing some new engines and we sent them to Totally Thomas depot.And then Totally Thomas passed them onto the people who make the trains. And I made a new video that will be probably released on July 5, 2003. It's called "Johnny's Crazy Talks." It has all the characters we invented. It also has some old characters that have been made but their in the video now. The characters are Johnny the fluroscent green colored engine, Joe the breakdown train, and some characters that haven't been on any thomas video but I'm putting them in the video. Like Sixteen, and Lord Harry. And when I'm done with my video, I'll review a little more about it.

This video is great! It features three new characters, all new stories, and one new music video! Salty is an old diesel who tells tales of the sea. Harvey is a unique looking steam engine who has a big crane placed on his boiler, which he is often teased about. Elizabeth is a steam powered quarry truck who was Sir Topham Hatt's first truck and she is quite concited, which often annoys Thomas!

Salty's Secret: Salty, a dock yard diesel, comes to help Mavis, Bill and Ben complete a very important job for Sir Topham Hatt. Salty is upset that the work is in the quarry because he can't be at the docks. Still, he helps get the job done succesfuly. Meanwhile, Bill and Ben are jealous of Salty because the trucks only behave for him. They are still trying to figure out his secret. In the end, Salty is moved to Brendam docks because of his hard work.

Harvey To The Rescue: Sir Topham Hatt introduces Harvey, the crane engine, to the other engines. He explains that the Railway Board will let Harvey join the railway after a demonstration. Thomas is pleased to meet Harvey, but Percy, Gordon, Edward, James, and Henry tease him about his giant crane. Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt assure Harvey that his different looks make him "Special". Later, some trucks push Percy off the tracks at Bulgy's Bridge, blocking the road below. This makes Bertie late getting the gentlemen of the Railway Board to Harvey's demonstration. So Sir Topham Hatt goes to get Harvey to rescue Percy. Harvey does his demonstration at the bridge. Harvey not only saves Percy and the trucks, but he also gets to join the railway! Later that night, the engines decide Harvey is realy useful.

No Sleep For Cranky: Cranky never gets any sleep, which is why he's always rude. While holding some pipes, Salty, Bill and Ben start to get on his nerves. Cranky accidentally drops the pipes which role into the shed, trapping Salty and the twins. Cranky winds up listening to Salty's stories all night. Finally the next day, Harvey comes to rescue Salty, Bill and Ben. Cranky is now grateful Harvey works on the railway. For a little while, Cranky is nicer to Thomas, Percy, Salty, Harvey, Bill and Ben. But it doesn't last long!

The Fogman: Cyril is the Sodor fogman of Misty Valley. All the engines love him. He puts out detanators to warn them when there is fog ahead. It makes their axles tingle. But Sir Topham Hatt decides to replace their trusted fogman with a very loud fog horn. When it goes of for Percy, it causes a rock slide. The fog horn is crushed and is unable to warn Thomas, who crashes into the rockslide. With Toby coming and no foghorn, Toby could have an even worse accident! So Cyril comes to the rescue with a fog detanator to warn Toby. Toby is stopped and Thomas is later rescued by Toby and Percy. Sir Topham Hatt agrees with them that Cyril is much more reliable, so he puts him back on the job.

A Bad Day For Harold: Percy is upset when Harold has to take his place in the mail route. Ignoring his pilot's advice, Harold takes all of the mail bags at once. But their weight causes damage to his engine and Harold crashes upside down in a haystack. As quickly as possible, Percy proves to Harold that he is just fast as goes for help.

Elizabeth the Vintage Quarry Truck: While taking a special to the docks, Thomas breaks his coupling rods. After finding Elizabeth, an old and very rude steam truck, his driver and fireman set out to the fitters yards. Thomas is gald to be rid of her for while when he is given his new side rods. After reaching the docks, Elizabeth arrives to find Thomas talking to Sir Topham Hatt. They recognize each other right away. Thomas can't believe they're old friends! After some repairs, Elizabeth comes out looking as good as new and more concieted than ever! Thomas still doesn't like her company, too.

Music Video: James the Really Useful Engine:

"He's the really useful engine everybody knows,
But he does go on and on and on, always letting us know!
He really is a splendid fellow, but he really is quite vain.
Who do we need? Ya got it. James!

Take a look, who's comin' down the tracks!
Make way for James! Hooray for James!
Shiny, shiny paint with a checked black stack!
Make way for James! Hooray for James!
A tacky feelin', you really should not,
He's really beautiful, but let's take a vote.
He's the really splendid engine with the bright, red coat!

Heeeeeerrrrre he cooooommmmesss!
He could brag all day 'bout how fast he goes,
How good he looks, he's such a pose.
But whatta 'bout the time that he was covered in mud.
Oh, what a joke! What a duze!
But up and down the line, you'll here the others say,
despite his vanity, he really is okay.
Dependable, reliable and seldom late!
We all think James is great!

Speedin' down the line as we're rushing last!
Make way for James! Hooray for James!
Hang on to ya hat as he whooshes past!
Make way for James! Hooray for Jmaes

He really knows how to stay at the show.
You gotta stand back and watch him go!
He's the really splendid engine with the bright red coat!

He's makin' his way on down the tracks.
Make way for James! Hooray for James!
He never looks up. He never looks back!
Make way for James! Hooray for James!
A tacky, beaten and really quite vain,
He knows we love 'em just the same!

Look who's comin' on down the tracks!
Make way for James! Hooray for James!
Shiny, shiny paint with a checked black stack!
Make way for James! Hooray for James!

He's the really splendid engine!
Shiny, shiny engine!
He's the really splendid engine! Yep, that's are James!

That's James!

Does anyone who hasn't read the Thomas books ever wonder who some of the charachters on the wooden railway are. Well Salty and Harvey frankly were not necessary. Salty had one minor part in Percy's Chocolate Crunch and Harvey was never mentioned again. I mean Harveys kind of cool but we could do without him. Hit entertainment should stick to what the real books are about and Bear who none of you know because he's only in the books is awesome.

In this video, I saw in Salty's Secret that Salty is a new engine at the Island Of Sodor and Bill and Ben ask him to work in a quarry and Salty loves telling tales about the docks and when he pushes cars, he sings with a beat. And in Harvey to the rescue Percy has a trouble with freight cars and Harvey is on the way to rescue Percy. Oh, and speaking of new Thomas videos, me and my friend Brian have been inventing some new engines and we sent them to Totally Thomas depot.And then Totally Thomas passed them onto the people who make the trains. And I made a new video that will be probably released on July 5, 2003. It's called "Johnny's Crazy Talks." It has all the characters we invented. It also has some old characters that have been made but their in the video now. The characters are Johnny the fluroscent green colored engine, Joe the breakdown train, and some characters that haven't been on any thomas video but I'm putting them in the video. Like Sixteen, and Lord Harry. And when I'm done with my video, I'll review a little more about it.

This video is great! It features three new characters, all new stories, and one new music video! Salty is an old diesel who tells tales of the sea. Harvey is a unique looking steam engine who has a big crane placed on his boiler, which he is often teased about. Elizabeth is a steam powered quarry truck who was Sir Topham Hatt's first truck and she is quite concited, which often annoys Thomas!

Salty's Secret: Salty, a dock yard diesel, comes to help Mavis, Bill and Ben complete a very important job for Sir Topham Hatt. Salty is upset that the work is in the quarry because he can't be at the docks. Still, he helps get the job done succesfuly. Meanwhile, Bill and Ben are jealous of Salty because the trucks only behave for him. They are still trying to figure out his secret. In the end, Salty is moved to Brendam docks because of his hard work.

Harvey To The Rescue: Sir Topham Hatt introduces Harvey, the crane engine, to the other engines. He explains that the Railway Board will let Harvey join the railway after a demonstration. Thomas is pleased to meet Harvey, but Percy, Gordon, Edward, James, and Henry tease him about his giant crane. Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt assure Harvey that his different looks make him "Special". Later, some trucks push Percy off the tracks at Bulgy's Bridge, blocking the road below. This makes Bertie late getting the gentlemen of the Railway Board to Harvey's demonstration. So Sir Topham Hatt goes to get Harvey to rescue Percy. Harvey does his demonstration at the bridge. Harvey not only saves Percy and the trucks, but he also gets to join the railway! Later that night, the engines decide Harvey is realy useful.

No Sleep For Cranky: Cranky never gets any sleep, which is why he's always rude. While holding some pipes, Salty, Bill and Ben start to get on his nerves. Cranky accidentally drops the pipes which role into the shed, trapping Salty and the twins. Cranky winds up listening to Salty's stories all night. Finally the next day, Harvey comes to rescue Salty, Bill and Ben. Cranky is now grateful Harvey works on the railway. For a little while, Cranky is nicer to Thomas, Percy, Salty, Harvey, Bill and Ben. But it doesn't last long!

The Fogman: Cyril is the Sodor fogman of Misty Valley. All the engines love him. He puts out detanators to warn them when there is fog ahead. It makes their axles tingle. But Sir Topham Hatt decides to replace their trusted fogman with a very loud fog horn. When it goes of for Percy, it causes a rock slide. The fog horn is crushed and is unable to warn Thomas, who crashes into the rockslide. With Toby coming and no foghorn, Toby could have an even worse accident! So Cyril comes to the rescue with a fog detanator to warn Toby. Toby is stopped and Thomas is later rescued by Toby and Percy. Sir Topham Hatt agrees with them that Cyril is much more reliable, so he puts him back on the job.

A Bad Day For Harold: Percy is upset when Harold has to take his place in the mail route. Ignoring his pilot's advice, Harold takes all of the mail bags at once. But their weight causes damage to his engine and Harold crashes upside down in a haystack. As quickly as possible, Percy proves to Harold that he is just fast as goes for help.

Elizabeth the Vintage Quarry Truck: While taking a special to the docks, Thomas breaks his coupling rods. After finding Elizabeth, an old and very rude steam truck, his driver and fireman set out to the fitters yards. Thomas is gald to be rid of her for while when he is given his new side rods. After reaching the docks, Elizabeth arrives to find Thomas talking to Sir Topham Hatt. They recognize each other right away. Thomas can't believe they're old friends! After some repairs, Elizabeth comes out looking as good as new and more concieted than ever! Thomas still doesn't like her company, too.

Music Video: James the Really Useful Engine:

"He's the really useful engine everybody knows,
But he does go on and on and on, always letting us know!
He really is a splendid fellow, but he really is quite vain.
Who do we need? Ya got it. James!

Take a look, who's comin' down the tracks!
Make way for James! Hooray for James!
Shiny, shiny paint with a checked black stack!
Make way for James! Hooray for James!
A tacky feelin', you really should not,
He's really beautiful, but let's take a vote.
He's the really splendid engine with the bright, red coat!

Heeeeeerrrrre he cooooommmmesss!
He could brag all day 'bout how fast he goes,
How good he looks, he's such a pose.
But whatta 'bout the time that he was covered in mud.
Oh, what a joke! What a duze!
But up and down the line, you'll here the others say,
despite his vanity, he really is okay.
Dependable, reliable and seldom late!
We all think James is great!

Speedin' down the line as we're rushing last!
Make way for James! Hooray for James!
Hang on to ya hat as he whooshes past!
Make way for James! Hooray for Jmaes

He really knows how to stay at the show.
You gotta stand back and watch him go!
He's the really splendid engine with the bright red coat!

He's makin' his way on down the tracks.
Make way for James! Hooray for James!
He never looks up. He never looks back!
Make way for James! Hooray for James!
A tacky, beaten and really quite vain,
He knows we love 'em just the same!

Look who's comin' on down the tracks!
Make way for James! Hooray for James!
Shiny, shiny paint with a checked black stack!
Make way for James! Hooray for James!

He's the really splendid engine!
Shiny, shiny engine!
He's the really splendid engine! Yep, that's are James!

That's James!