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

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)

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)