Classic Film

VERTIGO: A Mid Century Modernist View on Symbols, Sounds, Colors… and Obsession

Hitchcock was in the business of making movies. “The master of suspense” was at the height of his game during his years at Paramount while making VERTIGO, a film that would later become a classic, and many have claimed it as the greatest film of all time.    For Hitchcock, his storytelling goes above and beyond a solid murder mystery or a fun whodunnit. With … Continue reading VERTIGO: A Mid Century Modernist View on Symbols, Sounds, Colors… and Obsession

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Classic Film, Comedy

A Study Guide of a Classic Comedy, NINOTCHKA (1939)

As we discovered through my class, 1939: The Greatest Year in Cinema History, this timeline was an extremely busy year- on screen, in the Hollywood studios, and in the world. Following the discussions of films like CONFESSIONS of a NAZI SPY (1939) and THE MORTAL STORM (1940) which highlighted the rise of Germany’s Nazi party, we transitioned to the Russian side of political arena in … Continue reading A Study Guide of a Classic Comedy, NINOTCHKA (1939)

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Biography, Film Festivals, Horror Classics

My Interview with Vincent Price’s Daughter, Victoria Price

On October 4, 2025 I had pleasure of meeting the daughter of Vincent Price, the celebrated author Victoria Price. At the Slash and Bash Film Festival in Topeka, Kansas, where all things spooky from classic to contemporary, convened in fandom. She is the author of a biography on her father, “Vincent Price: A Daughter’s Biography,” (1999), and inspirational memoirs, “The Way of Being Lost: A … Continue reading My Interview with Vincent Price’s Daughter, Victoria Price

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Classic Film, Politics in Hollywood

A Fitting Tale for Our Times… THE MORTAL STORM (1940)

For our 2nd film to explore in our journey into “the Greatest Year in Cinema History: 1939,” we’re taking a liberty with the primary goal of our course by discussing a film from 1940. Initially, I had scheduled Anatole Litvak’s CONFESSIONS of a NAZI SPY (1939), starring dynamic Edward G. Robinson. I do highly recommend CONFESSIONS, but I think there is a more finessed approach … Continue reading A Fitting Tale for Our Times… THE MORTAL STORM (1940)

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Classic Film, Westerns

The Unexpected Delights of DESTRY RIDES AGAIN (1939)

In the Autumn of 2021, we were attempting how to navigate through a major pandemic. My goal was to continue teaching classic film courses; with masks on and social distance spacing, we somehow managed our best to stay safe while enjoying some old movies. That semester, I chose the topic of 1939: The Greatest Year in Cinema History. My intention was to highlight some magnificent … Continue reading The Unexpected Delights of DESTRY RIDES AGAIN (1939)

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Classic Film, Film Noir, Politics in Hollywood

THE BREAKING POINT (1950)

While Michael Curtiz would go on to make more films (22 more) in the decade following 1950, it is with good reason that I have chosen THE BREAKING POINT as the film to finish out our Curtiz journey. “Noir Czar” Eddie Muller while being interviewed on TCM by Robert Osborn once described this film as” brilliant,” and his favorite Michael Curtiz film; and yes, he … Continue reading THE BREAKING POINT (1950)

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Classic Film, Biography, Drama, Musical

To jazz up your day… YOUNG MAN with a HORN (1950)

As we cruise farther along our Michael Curtiz journey, today we’re pulling over to a little jazz club to discuss, YOUNG MAN with a HORN (1950). At this point, we have explored a variety of film genres that Curtiz not only explored but excelled in directing. Now let’s look at a film that is not only a biopic, but a musical biopic. American novelist Dorothy … Continue reading To jazz up your day… YOUNG MAN with a HORN (1950)

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Classic Film, Film Noir

A Little Noir Gem, THE UNSUSPECTED (1947)

THE UNSUSPECTED (1947) was the very first film Michael Curtiz made under his new production company, Michael Curtiz Productions. As such, it’s an important pit stop in our Curtiz journey. In the end, it was a mix of hits and misses; but overall, an important lesson in his life as a filmmaker. With Hal Wallis’s post-CASABLANCA disgruntled exit at Warner Brothers and with Curtiz’s maiden … Continue reading A Little Noir Gem, THE UNSUSPECTED (1947)

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Classic Film, classic film review, Politics in Hollywood

A Film Study: CASABLANCA (1942)

I’m shocked, shocked to find any evidence of a cinematic soul that isn’t in love with the film we’re discussing today, CASABLANCA. It’s not only a film that many a classic film fan would describe as their favorite, but it’s easily a film that could be described as an essentially perfect film. In many ways, with the experience of working within a wide variety of … Continue reading A Film Study: CASABLANCA (1942)

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Classic Film, Crime Drama

A Gangster Morality: ANGELS with DIRTY FACES (1938)

Warner Brothers’ house style during the 1930s embraced gangster films, along with the occasional big production musicals. During the Pre-Code years of the early 1930s, those gangster films were gritty and violent and made James Cagney (THE PUBLIC ENEMY, 1931) and Edward G Robinson (LITTLE CEASAR, 1931) big stars. But once the production code became enforced during the second half of the 1930s, the studio … Continue reading A Gangster Morality: ANGELS with DIRTY FACES (1938)

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