Off we go... I don't know why I thought 1936's Dodsworth was based on a Charles Dickens novel. Maybe it's because the name sounds very British. But no, the novel was written by Sinclair Lewis, published in 1929, and includes Lewis's favorite recurring character, the ever-dependable, ever-surprising midwestern town of Zenith (Some English BA I … Continue reading Little Edith Cortright
Three Gunmen And A Baby
Who's been to Bodie? We've talked about this infamous ghost town before, and it's only natural that such a picturesque place would be fodder for film crews. The 1929 movie, Hell's Heroes was not only one of the first, but the only known feature film to show Bodie prior to the 1932 fire that left only … Continue reading Three Gunmen And A Baby
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
With the Crew of the “Memphis Belle”
As we all know, a big part of the Second World War was each side bombing the other for various purposes. Britain and the United States tagteamed their bombing of German war production sites; the Brits went at night, but the Americans chose to drop their bombs during the daytime. Both actions were risky, but … Continue reading With the Crew of the “Memphis Belle”
Smile Politely And Stab Cleanly
We all know how much Bette Davis loved heavy, meaty, dramatic roles, and her turn as Regina Giddens in 1941's The Little Foxes sure gave her something to sink her teeth into. I tried watching this movie on the plane to South Dakota last summer, but there was no sound and the remote was in the … Continue reading Smile Politely And Stab Cleanly
Greer Meets Oscar
Why hello, Miss Greer... Greer Garson didn't set out to be an actress, although she wanted to. She trained to be a teacher at the University of London, but then started working in advertising in London, with a brief stint at Encyclopedia Britannica. On the side she appeared in community theater, and her talent was … Continue reading Greer Meets Oscar
Shamedown #7: Thunderbolt
It's time for another Shamedown, and another invitation to pay the Cinema Shame folks a visit if anyone's curious about this whole Shame thing. And now, onward... Last year's Shamedown #7 was my review of the William Wyler documentary, The Memphis Belle, in which he flew several missions with a bomber crew, documenting their reactions and the … Continue reading Shamedown #7: Thunderbolt
A Woman Scorned
Welcome back, Miss de Havilland! One of the nicest things about blogging is that it invites people to branch out, and among the stars I'm enjoying learning more about is Olivia de Havilland. Prior to starting Taking Up Room, the only movies of hers I had seen were Gone With the Wind, Thank Your Lucky … Continue reading A Woman Scorned
My Five Favorite 50s Films
Happy National Classic Movie Day! Every year, Rick of Rick's Film and TV Cafe poses a question to the blogging world, and it's always a good surprise. Usually, but not exclusively, the number five figures into things somewhere, and this is one of those times. This year, Rick wants to know which films of the … Continue reading My Five Favorite 50s Films
Taking Up Room 