More than likely, if you are a Cary Grant fan, your first introduction came via films like NORTH BY NORTHWEST or another Hitchcock classic, or perhaps one of his earlier films co-starring Kate Hepburn. Less likely, you probably didn’t receive your first glimpse of Old Hollywood’s legendary leading man via his first feature length film, THIS IS THE NIGHT. As we mentioned in our overview … Continue reading A Cary Grant Pre-Code-THIS IS THE NIGHT
Recently, as I was tuning into TCM, I stumbled across THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE. Even though I’ve watched it countless times, I rarely pass up the opportunity to indulge in this cinematic pleasure. As I was enjoying the incredible performances of Lana Turner and John Garfield, I pondered Garfield’s impressive cinematic career. Like a star that shines brightly and burns out too soon, his … Continue reading John Garfield- The Final Bow
In the Golden age of Hollywood, few names are as infamous as Cary Grant. He was the very definition of dapper sophistication on the big screen. He could do drama, comedy, and was the most desired of romantic leads. Fans either wanted to be him or be with him. But the truth was far from the popular image on the screen. Cary Grant was born … Continue reading CARY GRANT, a Film Study of the Man and the Myth
(The following was included as part of my John Ford Film Study course which I taught in the winter/early spring semester of 2023. This is the last film featured in this Ford series. Please enjoy…) For our last film of this John Ford study, it seems rather fitting to end with the film that many consider to be Ford’s last great film, THE MAN WHO … Continue reading Ford’s Cinematic Send Off: THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE
For classic film fans, the holiday season represents a time to wax nostalgic over those classic films that pop up this time of year. Everyone has his or her own must-see favorites. Perhaps you prefer a mainstream flavor like WHITE CHRISTMAS or IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, or perhaps you go for something a bit under the mainstream radar like HOLIDAY AFFAIR or IT HAPPENED ON … Continue reading Christmas in Connecticut – Holiday Classic or Feminist Screwball?
Dan (Ralph Bellamy): “I certainly learned about women from you.”Aunt Patsy (Cecil Cunningham): “Here’s your diploma.” (As she hands him Lucy’s break-up letter) In The Awful Truth (1937), Ralph Bellamy as wealthy cowpoke Dan does indeed learn a great deal about the risks and foibles of falling for a glamorous socialite (Irene Dunne), still in love with her soon-to-be-ex husband (Cary Grant). In the 1930s and 40s, the Screwball Comedy … Continue reading Surviving Holiday MayhemWith These Ladies of Screwball Comedy
Many a cinephile enjoy debating what films merit the definition for a holiday movie. Ever since Preston Sturges directed THE MIRACLE of MORGAN’S CREEK (1944), the controversy surrounding the film was less focused on whether it’s a Christmas movie, but more on the shock that it ever passed the production code under Breen’s watchful eyes. Written and directed by the king of screwball comedies, Preston Sturges, The Miracle … Continue reading A Christmas Miracle Comes for Trudy Kockenlocker
With this Ford film, we’ll continue the themes from rugged wilderness and racism as discussed in my coverage of THE SEARCHERS, into similar territory in SERGEANT RUTLEDGE. We will take a closer look at the ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ of the U.S. Cavalry history, but with the suspense of a courtroom drama. For discussion of this film’s story, it’s important to note the historical relevance of Black … Continue reading A Western Rarity: SERGEANT RUTLEDGE (1960)
We’ve reached the end of our cinematic journey of Universal Classic Monsters. As we focused on Universal Pictures’ transition into sound production films and their successes in the genre of horror, we finish appropriately enough at the end of the Laemmle empire. Even with the financial and critical success of SHOW BOAT (1936), the too many flops and debts from over-spending added up. Carl Laemmle … Continue reading WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935)
There’s something engrossing in the character study of a beautiful psychopath. In Otto Preminger’s ANGEL FACE (1953), we get up close with an alluring monster. Don’t be too disappointed that only few spoilers and not much plot details are coming your way. This film is not a whodunnit murder mystery. Oh sure there will be murder. But there’s no mystery of this particular killer… and … Continue reading Falling For a Psychopath: ANGEL FACE (1953)
Outspoken & Freckled 