I know you're excited to read what I watched in January, so let's get started.

1. (538.) Susan Slept Here (1954)
This movie takes place at Christmas, and Christmas plays a role in the plot, but I'm not sure I'd call it a Christmas movie. It's similar to GiGi, where a grown man falls for a teenaged girl. I'm no fan of that old story: it creeps me out.

2. (539.) Little Women (1933)
Before this, I'd neither seen nor read Little Women. I decided that I should take the opportunity to correct that oversight. In this movie, Katherine Hepburn plays Jo with quite a bit of stage overacting. I decided that this movie was trying to convince young girls that they couldn't be happy until they found the right man. Was that the moral of the book?

3. (540.) Little Women (1949)
In this version of Little Women, June Allyson plays Jo. Allyson's Jo is more natural but less entertaining. All in all, I liked the Hepburn version better.

4. (541.) Lady in the Lake (1947)
A great noir told in first person. You the viewer are legendary detective Philip Marlowe. The mystery isn't too difficult, and the love interest makes an uncomfortable emotional 180. Otherwise, very enjoyable.

5. (542.) Dragonslayer (1981)
This fell in the category of movies I'd heard about for years but hadn't had the opportunity to watch. Its attempt to marry the mythology of sorcerers and dragons to a more "true" presentation of medieval society isn't very cohesive, but it has its moments.

7. (544.) Mad Love (1935)
Peter Lorre in the role he was born to play: insane murderer. This simple horror story has been told a thousand times, so there wasn't much surprise here, although there were plenty of creepy gothic horror elements. Lorre steals the show. He's everything you want in your mad scientists.

8. (545.) Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957)
Mom asked me what else Tony Randall had done. I said, "The Odd Couple." She said, "Is that all." I said, "7 Faces of Dr. Lao." That was good enough for her. Apparently, she likes Dr. Lao. I like Jayne Mansfield.

9. (546.) Public Enemies (2009)
This "biography" of the final days of John Dillinger doesn't much care for historical accuracy. Fun, but don't expect to ace any history reports with it.

Eight more to come.

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