It’s dark. Too dark to see without assistance from a handy flashlight to confirm the time on his watch. Private dick Philip Marlowe is scouting out the meeting place in a densely wooded area, just off the road. He walks cautiously as dense, smoky fog crawls along the ground, in his tipped fedora and buttoned up trench coat. He hears the snap of a twig … Continue reading The Black Pools of Noir in MURDER, MY SWEET 1944
Josef von Sternberg’s SHANGHAI EXPRESS was the top grossing film of 1932 (in US and Canada)- at the apex of the salacious Pre-Code era. With good reason. This exotic film takes us on a journey via rail in Northern China from Peking to Shanghai. There’s a uniquely diverse group of passengers that sometimes clash and sometimes simmer for the ride. Ultimately, each are surprised to … Continue reading The Seduction of SHANGHAI EXPRESS (1932)
Elinor Glyn’s novel “It” may be a different story than the film adaption, but the concept of “It” remains the same. What exactly is “It”? To claim it simply meant sex or sex appeal is selling it short. According to Clarence Badger’s/Josef von Sternberg’s IT (1927), “Self-confidence and indifference as to whether you are pleasing or not – and something in you that gives the … Continue reading Clara Bow is “IT”(1927)
One of the many joys of attending a classic film festival such as the recent TCM Classic Film Festival, sometimes you get a chance to screen a film for the first time. When seeing a decades old film for the very first time, yet on the big screen, it’s like momentarily slipping back in time. I imagined what it may have been for audiences of … Continue reading A PreCode Paralyzed Piranha: Walter Huston in A HOUSE DIVIDED (1931)
May 16th is National Classic Movie Day. Rick of CLASSIC FILM & TV CAFE chose to honor this with the 5 Movies On An Island Blogathon. As Rick states, “the intent is for participants to write about the five classic movies they’d want to have with them if stranded on a deserted island. (Yes, you can assume you have electricity, a projector, big screen, … Continue reading Happy #ClassicMovieDay! My 5 Movies on an Island
Last week I departed from a ten day stay in Hollywood. A grand adventure of exploring the origins of Old Hollywood- both via site-seeing and serving as a Social Producer for the 2016 Turner Classic Movies Film Festival, which took place April 28-may 1. For us classic cinephile fanatics, this year’s schedule of screenings and events tapped deep into a range of emotions, appropriate to … Continue reading TCM Film Fest 2016: Emotions Run High
Who doesn’t love a strong whodunnit murder mystery with twists and turns and a thriller ending? Based on a record-breaking run on Broadway, Ira Levin’s play was brought to life on the big screen with Sidney Lumet’s DEATH TRAP (1982). You don’t know who or what to trust in this film based on a play about a play. Following me so far? Buckle up, … Continue reading Words, Words, Words! CMBA Blogathon: DEATH TRAP (1982)
It’s been a fabulous month of entries in our mega blogging event that celebrates everything Oscar. We’ve paid tribute to extraordinary ACTING, expressed outrage over OSCAR SNUBS, celebrated those talented CRAFTS artisans and now… we’ve come to our final week as we pay homage to Oscar-worthy PICTURES and master DIRECTORS. Just like those last few nail-biting minutes of the Oscars ceremony, let’s honor the very … Continue reading Final Week of 31 Days Of Oscar Blogathon: PICTURES/DIRECTORS
It’s Valentine’s Day weekend. For some, that means honoring friendships by going out with a group of girlfriends, for young ones it’s likely exchanging cards and heart-shaped candy. For the romantic celebrators, perhaps dinner, flowers and those pretty Hallmark cards are in store. (Forgive the shameless plug- we’re a Hallmark family.) As for me, I became engaged on Valentine’s in New York City in front … Continue reading THE MORE THE MERRIER (1943) Kiss- Is it HOT in here??
Hollywood is known for many storied collaborations. Duos that worked together so well that the results are of cinematic legends. Such is the case of director John Ford and actor John Wayne aka Marion Robert Morrison aka ‘the Duke.’ Theirs was a rugged bromance, often contentious and many would say dysfunctional; but hardly like those BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN boys. The two experienced a lifelong partnership that … Continue reading Ford & Duke Bromance: STAGECOACH (1939)
Outspoken & Freckled 