Some movies have it all. They really do. 1980's The Apple does. *Insert sheepish chortle here* We're just going to jump in, folks. The movie opens in 1994 with a battle of the bands, where literally everyone is wearing lamé, spangles, and garish makeup and surrounded by cardboard triangles covered in tinfoil. It's like Tron had a head-on … Continue reading Where’s Your Bim Mark?
Leslie and Ingrid’s Bargaining Chips
Intermezzo is famous for a couple of reasons. Leslie Howard agreed to play Ashley Wilkes if David O. Selznik would agree to greenlight Intermezzo, plus the film marks Ingrid Bergman's Hollywood debut. As it turned out, the 1939 film was advantageous for everyone, although the movie itself is a quiet one. It opens at the … Continue reading Leslie and Ingrid’s Bargaining Chips
Walk This Way
TIme travel's been done, of course. It's been done to death, Heck, the poor and proverbial dead horse hasn't taken the beating time travel has in terms of how often it's been done in films. The 1964 American International Pictures movie, The Time Travelers did it. Or, more precisely, walked through it. Again and again and … Continue reading Walk This Way
An Embarrassment of Superhero Movies
The Pick My Movie Tag is back, guys, and it won't be the last time this year. This go-round, J-Dub of Dubsism nominated me (thank you, J-Dub!) because backsies are not only acceptable but encouraged. The challenge, should I choose to accept it, is to review a movie everyone likes but I can't stand. While … Continue reading An Embarrassment of Superhero Movies
Announcing the Everything Is Copy Blogathon
Another blogathon! This time we're going to be honoring the Ephron family, who have been involved in various forms of American entertainment for decades. The late Nora Ephron is the one people immediately ask about due to her body of work, which, of course, includes numerous books and essays, not to mention such classic films … Continue reading Announcing the Everything Is Copy Blogathon
During World War Two: Frank Capra
Frank Capra often stood alone. He was an underdog. He had no choice. He was, however, also a teacher of high ideals and human worth, and connected with his audience in ways the more cynical were always surprised at and maybe a little jealous. Born in 1897 in the Sicilian town of Palermo, Italy, Capra … Continue reading During World War Two: Frank Capra
One Month Until the Sixth Broadway Bound Blogathon
It's one month until we go back to Broadway, and I'm so glad people are enthusiastic about our second go-round in less than a year. So far we've got a little bit of everything--musicals, comedies, dramas, a little Ziegfeld, not to mention the 1930s are really popular this year. It's going to be fun, and … Continue reading One Month Until the Sixth Broadway Bound Blogathon
Carmen At MGM
Olá... Like many contract players of the studio era, Carmen Miranda started freelancing once her contract with Fox ended, and after making Copacabana for United Artists, Miranda made two films for MGM, the first of which was 1948's A Date With Judy. The film was a departure for her in some ways and in other ways it was more … Continue reading Carmen At MGM
Stage To Screen: Much Ado About Nothing
One of Shakespeare's most popular plays (and one of my favorites, too), is Much Ado About Nothing. Written in either 1598 or 1599, it's full of biting wit, passionate romance, and manipulation of both the shameful and shameless varieties. While it has a long production history, it has a short filmography. For those who might not be … Continue reading Stage To Screen: Much Ado About Nothing
Shamedown #4: Streamline Express
Our fourth Shamedown, all. I can't believe May first is TOMORROW. Anywhoo, if anyone would like to find out what a Shamedown is, Cinema Shame's 2023 announcement post can be found here. Past 2023 Shamedowns can be found here. All righty, here we go... Ever heard of Victor Jory? He's probably best known as the … Continue reading Shamedown #4: Streamline Express
Hitch Films A Play
Good evening... Ever heard of Juno and the Paycock? Any Irish people reading this probably have, but the rest of us, not so much. I hadn't, either, although I've owned the movie for a couple of decades or so. That's what I get for buying a Hitchcock collection sight unseen from the bargain bin at Wal-Mart, … Continue reading Hitch Films A Play
When MTV Does Sci-fi
Cue the ghosts of future past... MTV has turned out some pretty memorable movies but they're not always memorable for the same reasons. There's 2001's Save the Last Dance, with all its ballet-meets-hiphop coolness. There's 2004's Napoleon Dynamite with its endlessly quotable kitsch. There's the unbelievably low-key 2006 movie, Broken Bridges starring Toby Keith, Burt Reynolds, Kelly Preston … Continue reading When MTV Does Sci-fi
Van and Judy
We are now entering the Shane universe... The one and only time Van Heflin worked with Judy Garland in any significant capacity was on the 1943 film, Presenting Lily Mars, a light fun comedy that showed both actors to their best advantages and sometimes unexpected ones. Lily Mars (Judy Garland) is a native of Midhaven, Indiana … Continue reading Van and Judy
Announcing the Betty Grable Blogathon!
The Second World War saw tons of pinup girls, and I mean tons (we'll talk about this more on another day), but no one topped Betty Grable. Well, Rita Hayworth came very close, but even she didn't get past Betty. Grable was born on December 18, 1916 in St. Louis and was thrust into show business by … Continue reading Announcing the Betty Grable Blogathon!
During World War Two: William Wyler
William Wyler was born Willi Wyler on July 1, 1902 in Mülhausen in the Alsace-Lorraine region of what used to be Germany and is now France. He was initially not supposed to work in movies, as his apparent destiny was to inherit his father's haberdashery business. His training included college in Paris and a job … Continue reading During World War Two: William Wyler
The Seen On the Screen Blogathon: Wrapup
Hi, all! We have come to the end of our blogathon scrapbook of all of your familiar locales, and all of you have risen to the challenge in interesting and fun ways. I'm still working through your posts, of course, but look forward to reading the rest of them. Thank you, thank you, thank you … Continue reading The Seen On the Screen Blogathon: Wrapup
Hollywood Comes To Auburn
Off we go... Placer County is no stranger to the film business. Not to brag, but Hollywood has loved our scenery since the silent era. Charlie Chaplin, of course, filmed The Gold Rush in Truckee. Nike, when much wiser and more daring heads prevailed in the PR department, used Foresthill Bridge for the bungee-jumping scene … Continue reading Hollywood Comes To Auburn
Taking Up Room 