First Men in the Moon (1964)

It pleases me when filmmakers use a feature's opening titles as a first port of call to the ensuing drama and not just as another bland detailing of relevant names. FMitM has the former, and what follows is pretty good too, but then there's a dramatic tonal shift into comedic territory, like a British comedy movie of the era (at times even bordering on becoming Carry On Scientist). It's fair to say that it's not what one might expect from screenwriter Nigel Kneale. The pseudo-science is forgivable but I feel the diving suits were a mistake.
Incidentally, the same H.G. Well's story that was the basis for the adaptation is believed to have been a direct influence on Georges Méliès' famous Le Voyage dans la Lune (1902). Not everyone enjoys silent films from 100+ years ago, but Méliès' film has an enchanting nature that FMitM lacks.

2 liberated geese out of 5

Jack the Giant Killer (1962)

It's not as polished as Columbia's renowned Sinbad films, but JtGK will likely appeal to fans of the sailor, regardless. The works not only share a common aesthetic, but the hero and villain of The 7th Voyage... (1958) is the hero and villain here, too, and director Nathan Juran shot both films.
Set (initially) in Cornwall, it's a fantasy film in which farmer Jack (Kerwin Mathews) aids a Princess (Judi Meredith) who's targeted by a butt-hurt evil sorcerer (Torin Thatcher), a man who controls a host of fantastical creatures, some of which are stop-motion animated. The cheapo Hallowe'en masks and costumes will be off-putting to some, but for fans of this type of thing I doubt that even Jack's unmistakably plastic sword will dampen the enjoyment.

3 glowing witches out of 5

20 Million Miles to Earth (1957)

A successful but straightforward blend of 50s sci-fi movie and creature feature that's almost as familiar as it is fun. Film-lovers versed in the language of such things will even be able to predict the timing of zooms and cutaways. What helps distinguish it from a hundred others is that it's set in a small fishing village in Southern Sicily, not in America, and, best of all, the creature FX are amazing! Also to its credit it takes cues from the more sophisticated entries in the genres, which means we're given an opportunity to develop a sympathetic bond with the creature, one that ties in with the obligatory philosophically poignant line of closing dialogue. If the script hadn't been cookie cutter elsewhere the film could've been great for more than just visual reasons.
A colourised version exists if you're allergic to B+W; I've not watched it.

3 frightened sheep out of 5

Gunsmoke (1953)

Gun for hire Reb Kittredge (Audie Murphy) receives a mostly cold reception when he arrives in town; it's a reaction that turns out to be somewhat warranted when we find out why he's actually there. But Reb is used to such responses. His no nonsense approach to life extends in all directions. Never faltering, he remains calm even in heated situations. The script gives him ample opportunity to prove it, both with bullets and with loaded dialogues.
A lot of 1950s westerns were formulaic, repeating what worked before because it was easy and accepted. Gunsmoke shares a lot of the same ingredients as that type, but it keeps pace with the pack leaders.
The short running time means everything has to move at a hurried pace, including the characterisation, but it's well-played, with even the most overly-used stock types feeling purposeful during their brief appearances.

4 non-welchings out of 5

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)

Don’t waste time looking for the previous 6 voyages, because 7th was the first in what became a trilogy of Sinbad adventures made by Columbia Pictures.
It’s unrealistically theatrical and exotic, the fight scenes are laughable and the plot is thinner than the puffs of green smoke that seem to be everywhere, but it’s Ray Harryhausen’s animated creatures that we all want to see and in that he doesn't disappoint.
Bernard Herrmann adds his talents, too. His romance themes are as you'd expect, but the rousing adventure music is perfectly suited.
Despite being the dashing hero, it’s hard not to see Sinbad as the invader given that he goes uninvited and takes something that isn't his.

3½ anchors dropped out of 5