Donnybrook Farm - ***

More fun than a barrel of nuns!

1964, UK, Colour, 100 minutes

Directed by Clyde Brywry. Written by Man Harrison

Starring Argyle Bartwright, Tom Smith, Georgie O'Hallahan, Sam Dirkens

Before Fight Club made organised fisticuffs a past time suitable only for angsty schizophrenics, Donnybrook Farm showed that a good-natured weekend of setting-to was just what stressed men of all social strata needed. The plot is set in motion through a tensely humorous ten minutes of expositional grudgery, pitting merchants against workers, and workers against waifs. When the police put a stop to what would be the biggest brawl in Edinburgh history, Farmer Clemsly says the immortal words; "Boys, we can fight on my farm!" What follows is 90 minutes of high-spirited brawling which end once everyone has punched their animosities away.

Watch out for – the classic "Dog's Bucket Routine"

Quote – "Aye, Colin. That 'twas a fine haymaker that I didnae see comin'."

Reviewed by R.P. Thunderdunk

Felonious Monk - ***

He's the cat and a dog, dig

1964, USA, Black & White, 79 minutes

Directed by Mitchell T. Wallace. Written by Bek Topa

Starring Billy Ginsley, Lorela Jay, Hank Krebberly

Super hip crime caper about a beatnik monk/cat burglar who liberates the jewels from Upper East Side apartments. He has a small monastery in the caves under Central Park where he uses the jewels to create a set of bongos so powerful, God himself will lay down some beat poetry to explain the meaning of life. Complications include squares, the fuzz, and his parents.

Watch out for – God

Quote – “The answers are out there, daddy-o. In the small town gas stations, between the tired thumbs of some old plumber, in the walls of justice's halls...”

Reviewed by R.P. Thunderdunk