As we all know, 1939 was certainly jammed with classic hit movies, and one of the quieter ones in my opinion is Only Angels Have Wings. I first became aware of this film via the Lux Radio Theater version, but the movie itself is well-worth a watch, has a great cast, and is full of some … Continue reading Calling Barranca
When Tropes Feel New-ish
Here we go... We all know tropes can be really tiresome and that every genre has them. There are times, however, when tropes don't feel like tropes, even in B-movies, and 1963's The Haunted Palace is one of those times. Directed by Roger Corman, it's at once a typical American International Pictures low-budget horror movie and … Continue reading When Tropes Feel New-ish
In the Navy
Esther Williams always said that MGM had to keep coming up with excuses to get her out of her clothes and into the water. Some excuses were definitely better than others, though, and 1952's Skirts Ahoy! isn't one of them. It did, however, result in a far-reaching benefit for the WAVES, who ended up owing Esther … Continue reading In the Navy
During World War Two: 1942 Movie Recs
1942 was quite the year for obvious reasons. America had entered the war, and while we were raring to go, morale was very low and the news was worse. Bataan fell to the Japanese in April of that year, followed a month later by Corregidor, and many Americans were wracked with guilt that we had … Continue reading During World War Two: 1942 Movie Recs
Five Movies That Get Nature Calling (In More Ways Than One)
We all know that movies can do funny things to us. And some say that the test of a good movie, or a good performance in general, is how much it keeps a person in their seat, even when nature calls. Sometimes nature calls in a different way, of course, but either way, it calls. … Continue reading Five Movies That Get Nature Calling (In More Ways Than One)
Cooking With the French Chef: Bouillabaise a la Marsellaise
Welcome back to Cooking With the French Chef, in which I review episodes of Julia Child’s original show, cook out of the new edition of the French Chef Cookbook and share the results with you. Past posts can be found here. Bouillabaisse is almost as intimidating as paella. I don't know why. Maybe it's because so much of … Continue reading Cooking With the French Chef: Bouillabaise a la Marsellaise
Talking To Moonyeen
Absolute silence... The title, "Smilin' Through" seems to have a lengthy history. The song, "Smilin' Through," was written by Arthur A. Penn and published in 1919. The song is vaguely connected to a play of the same name from the same year by Jane Cowl and Jane Murfin. The play was adapted into a feature … Continue reading Talking To Moonyeen
It Thinks It’s January
February has come and gone...hard to believe, isn't it? Things are going too fast, and I don't really want them to. My son is graduating from high school in May, and right now it's all about applying to college and going for scholarships and all that type of stuff. I'm not ready for this. In … Continue reading It Thinks It’s January
Lucy and Desi Hit the Road
Who hasn't heard the buzz about tiny homes, glamping, van life, and so on? It seems like those videos are everywhere on YouTube, and some are better than others, to be honest. That's why it's always interesting to see that trailer life isn't a new phenomenon, and one of the best movies about that in … Continue reading Lucy and Desi Hit the Road
Taking Up Room 