From 1960 to 2001, Rankin/Bass Productions company made 66 film productions. Animated features and series for television, the Rankin/Bass productions ranged in themes from King Kong to Jackson Five but they are most famous for their Christmas specials. Originally named Videocraft International, the television production company was founded by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass in the early-1960s. Starting with their first series on Pinocchio, … Continue reading Classic Christmas Memories… Rankin/Bass Specials

Originally posted on cinematically insane:
LAST UPDATE 12/17/13 5 PM (ET) – most recent updates at end of post Classic movie fans are in mourning today, as five unique performers, each much loved for their contributions to the diverse art of film, have died in the last week. Joan Fontaine, an Oscar winner for Alfred Hitchcock’s SUSPICION (1941) and a nominee for REBECCA (1940) and… Continue reading A Sad Week for Classic Film Fans

Growing up as a kid, classic comedies were a shaping influence in my life. My earliest memories of classic film derives from the comedies I watched with my family. I recall my grandmother and my uncle Patrick introducing me to comedy classics like Marx Brothers films, the Pink Panther films, Blake Edwards’ THE GREAT RACE (1965), George Cukor’s THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940) and countless screwball … Continue reading CMBA Film Passion Blogathon: IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD

December is month-long family fun! Continue reading #ChristmasMovieBlogathon TV Schedule: titles on the air or online

Originally posted on Once upon a screen…:
Following is the announcement for the Classic Movie History Project Blogathon as written by Fritzi of Movies, Silently.  Why re-invent the announcement wheel when this one came from the source and is perfect?  It was Fritzi’s idea to create an event that celebrates the history of film in a manner that I think is unique.  I am both thrilled… Continue reading Classic Movie History Project Blogathon

Originally posted on cinematically insane:
Charles Durning was unforgettable as Jessica Lange’s rough-hewn father in Sydney Pollack’s TOOTSIE (1982), falling for Dustin Hoffman’s faux female leading lady in a performance both hilarious and heartfelt. He received Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nominations as the governor in Colin Higgins’ THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (1982) and Col. Ehrhardt in Mel Brooks’ TO BE OR NOT… Continue reading Charles Durning: War Hero

“We all respect sincerity in our friends and acquaintances, but Hollywood is willing to pay for it.”                                                               … Hattie McDaniel  Hattie McDaniel was a character actor whose presence on the silver screen is one we shall never forget. In addition to her memorable performances on screen, her impact beyond the celluloid made this actress into a cinematic legend and a true pioneer in the … Continue reading HATTIE McDANIEL: Pioneer Character

Originally posted on Paula's Cinema Club:
Frank McHugh was perhaps the epitome of a reliable supporting player. You know this guy — you might not know his name, but you know his face. As a Warner Brothers contract player in the ‘30s and ‘40s, no one backstopped stars like Bing Crosby, William Powell, and James Cagney better than McHugh. He was an expert at… Continue reading Frank McHugh’s Most Important Role

Hello classic film fans!  Today we kick-off the 2nd annual WHAT A CHARACTER! Blogathon. Created by the classic-film-jonesing, blogging trio of  Aurora @citizenscreen of Once Upon A Screen, Paula @Paula_Guthat of Paula’s Cinema Club and myself, Kellee @Irishjayhawk66 of Outspoken & Freckled and inspired by Turner Classic Movie channel, we celebrate our favorite scene-stealing, quirky character actors. Time and time again, we find ourselves looking … Continue reading Day 1: WHAT A CHARACTER! Blogathon 2013 is HERE!

Continue reading Kenji Sahara – What a Character!