What's up, Doc? As the cliche says, "Money makes the mare go." That metaphorical mare is often a picky eater, especially when art and money meet, and not even one of the greatest purveyors of the art we call film, Warner Bros., is immune. Judy Garland's 1954 movie, A Star Is Born is at once one … Continue reading Judy and Sid vs. Warner Bros.
Don’t Go Upstairs
Back in the Hammer-Amicus universe... I'm still a relative newbie to the Hammer-Amicus universe, but anthology movies seem to be a staple of that universe, and in 1972 audiences were treated to the simply-titled Asylum, four tales within a tale that likes its twists and turns. The movie opens with young Dr. Martin (Robert Powell) approaching … Continue reading Don’t Go Upstairs
The Two Jacks Blogathon: Wrapup
We have come to the end of the blogathon, people. This is, of course, the part when I would say the usual bit about sending me late posts, but you all got your entries in on time. Woo hoo, you're awesome! I really want to thank everyone for getting on board with this unusual topic … Continue reading The Two Jacks Blogathon: Wrapup
C.S. Lewis, Poet
It's very common knowledge that C.S. Lewis was a brilliant author and professor, but what isn't often talked about is his poetry, probably because a lot of people over the years haven't really liked it, not to mention Lewis's other works, particularly Narnia, cast big, wide shadows. Another possible reason for the avoidance might be … Continue reading C.S. Lewis, Poet
As It Happened
President Kennedy, I presume... The assassination of John F. Kennedy is one of those events that made such an impact, everyone who was alive and aware during that time remembers exactly where they were and what they were doing when they first heard about it. While there's no way to recreate that time exactly, the … Continue reading As It Happened
The Two Jacks Blogathon Has Arrived
It's happening, all. Time to look at a very momentous period in history and honor two lives that were very different yet in their own way intertwined, as each still reverberates througout culture sixty years after their deaths. Of course, if anyone would like to join the blogathon, there are plenty of topics available, so … Continue reading The Two Jacks Blogathon Has Arrived
Andy Hardy In the Big City
We are family... Few families were as quintessential to the nineteen-thirties and forties as the Hardys, with the focal point, being, of course, Andy Hardy. Between 1937 and 1946, movie audiences could expect to see at least one Andy Hardy film from MGM a year. Since they used mostly existing sets, they were not only … Continue reading Andy Hardy In the Big City
One Week Until the Two Jacks Blogathon
The Two Jacks Blogathon is getting really, really close, guys. Hope you all are getting psyched to talk about Jack Lewis and Jack Kennedy? I know I sure am. Thanks so much to everyone who signed up! And of course, if anyone else is looking to join us, there are plenty of topics to choose … Continue reading One Week Until the Two Jacks Blogathon
Have Dog, Will Road Trip
Woof, moo, meow... It's always interesting to discover those quiet movies that might have played in theaters and pulled in fairly good returns but then faded into the background waiting to resurface again. One such movie seems to be 2022's Dog, starring Channing Tatum as a former Army Ranger who bonds with his former canine … Continue reading Have Dog, Will Road Trip
One Month Until the Two Jacks Blogathon
Thirty days to go, all, until we celebrate the lives and culture of JFK and C.S. Lewis, two men who were at once distinct and connected. I want to thank everyone who's signed up so far; this topic is a little bit unconventional for the blogging world and it's awesome that so many of you … Continue reading One Month Until the Two Jacks Blogathon
Linda’s Paycheck Movie
Here's Miss Linda... I'll be honest: The only Linda Darnell movie I've ever seen up until now was The Song Of Bernadette, a film that was not without scandal. Right before that, however, Darnell made 1943's City Without Men, a movie that seemed to have a lot going for it but didn't make as big of a … Continue reading Linda’s Paycheck Movie
Ma and Pa In Paris, Mais Oui
Wheels up, y'all... One of the fixtures of nineteen fifties cinema was the Ma and Pa Kettle series. My parents grew up on it, they introduced me to it, I grew up on it, and I've introduced it to my son. These movies have their own brand of charm. Marjorie Main plays herself except that … Continue reading Ma and Pa In Paris, Mais Oui
Airing Dirty Laundry
Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters... The Ephron girls were told all their lives that everything is copy. Everything that seemed like a tragedy could be turned into a triumph in which the victim becomes the hero. They were to take notes in case something could be turned into the written word later. … Continue reading Airing Dirty Laundry
Where’s Miss Froy?
Back to Britannia... In 1938 Alfred Hitchcock was really hitting his stride as a filmmaker, and The Lady Vanishes is a great example of his unique talent for presentation coming together. It was his next-to-last British film before moving to America and the next stage of his career. The movie starts in Bandrika, a fictional European country … Continue reading Where’s Miss Froy?
The Everything Is Copy Blogathon Has Arrived
It's here, all! Are you ready to talk about the Ephron family? I sure am. You all know the drill, of course--I will be updating this post throughout the weekend as your articles come in, so feel free to send them to me anytime. And if anyone would like to join us this weekend, here … Continue reading The Everything Is Copy Blogathon Has Arrived
My Tolkien Blog Party Tag Answers: 2023 Edition
A blogathon is never late. It arrives precisely when it means to... The Tolkien Blog Party is back! This is always a fun event, but it got off to a bumpy start for me. I was going to talk about why Tom Bombadil being left out of the Peter Jackson trilogy was actually a good … Continue reading My Tolkien Blog Party Tag Answers: 2023 Edition
Good As Gold
Look who's turning 100? Disney was pretty cool in the 1980s. Well, they started out cool, but as we all know they had a real dry spell after the death of Walt Disney, and during the seventies it was touch and go as to whether the company would last the decade. In my opinion, once Tron came … Continue reading Good As Gold
Taking Up Room 