THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1958) **1/2 Lots of tremendous bits, but often a little too much time between them. Ray Harryhausen's monsters, I mean it's just unbelievable, incredible...not just the meticulous effort that goes into them, but their movements are all so natural, and also so distinguishable from each other. You could have a block shadow moving like that, and know whether it's the cyclops or the skeleton, or the dragon. Harryhausen's monsters are as unique and artistic a calling card as Faulkner's uninvited adjectives, or the innate time signature of a Keith Richards riff. Just super, and even more than that, a lot of fun. Torin Thatcher's a deservedly less celebrated talent but he also makes his scenes come alive as the magician, and I'd like to see what a variety of directors could figure out what to do with him. In what role? Well, I don't know, the possibilities seem endless: disgruntled doughnut shoppe employee, constipated used car salesman, evil septic engineer, scandalized Republican spin doctor, he seems like he could do something with about anything. On the other hand, Kathryn Grant's very casual approach to her Thumbelina moments is endearingly silly but you can't escape the suspicion that she's a one trick pony. Which doesn't matter at all, when she's not being asked for anything more. So get ready for historic monsters and hammy thespians and minor league mysticism and swashbuckling, and if you find yourself complaining at the end you probably did it wrong.
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