Classic Links

It was a huge bummer that Liz & Dick ended up being so--boring. I was going to write about the movie, but I realized I didn't even feel like talking about it. I mean, eh. I've been consoling myself by watching this clip of Elizabeth Taylor putting on her eye make-up. Glamour.

I love this recent interview with Leslie Caron. She makes a good point about the kinds of film roles older female actors tend to be offered--NPR

The photography of Yul Brynner--Movie Morlocks/TCM

The piano from Casablanca (1942) is going up for auction. I wonder how many legendary props and costumes are left to be sold? It seems like they're being offloaded at an alarming rate these past couple of years--The Guardian

A good question: With 35mm film dead, will classic movies ever look the same again?--The Atlantic

This is a truly original list of holiday gift ideas for the classic film fan. No DVDs, and plenty of great inspiration--Out of the Past

The Siren has also compiled a classic film book gift guide. It somehow manages to be personal and universal at the same time--The Self-Styled Siren

Simon Callow's review of Richard Burton's recently published diaries makes it sound like it has one booze story after another. I wonder what his life would have been like if he didn't drink?--The Guardian

An interview with Kim Morgan about her recent Marilyn Monroe piece in Playboy. She pays tribute to Hugh Hefner's huge contribution to classic film--Sunset Gun

Quote of the Week

I was a little nervous going to see him. . .because he was known as a womanizer. There's a story about him chasing Judy Holliday around his desk until she finally pulled out a falsie and said, "here, feel this!"

-Coleen Gray, About Darryl Zanuck


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Quote of the Week

Good films, like good wine, improve with age

-King Vidor


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Classic Links

How exciting that we can now see the existing reels of The White Shadow (the first film to which Hitchcock made a significant contribution) online for free! This was made possible in part by the movie bloggers who raised funds as a part of the For the Love of Film blogathon. What an amazing achievement-- Self-Styled Siren

Here's a direct link to the film--National Film Preservation Foundation
And Ferdy's review--Ferdy on Films
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This is a touching gallery of movie projectionists at NPR. Am I projecting (sorry, can't think of a better word) or do many of them seem sad? As if they are aware their profession is dying? I loved this description of the job from the comments section. It's long, but well worth the taking the time to read:

The job is in constant motion. Reels and platters spin, film snakes its way up and down and around. Gears turn, film flutters, and the whole booth hums and vibrates. It is alive with noise and motion. The projectionist, too, rarely rests. There is always something to thread, something to start, something to build, teardown or move. Thursday nights especially, a projectionist rarely sits. There is a constant sense of urgency and of racing the clock, as every little task that is accomplished must be squeezed in between show starts. In a modern megaplex, you have five minutes between starts. In an older reel-to-reel setting you have to change reels every 20 minutes or you interrupt the flow of the movie and all those hundreds of people downstairs remember for a moment that you exist because you messed up. A projectionist is always aware of the passage of time and that s/he is at the mercy of time. I would like to see some of these qualities better captured in another series of photographs and preserved as a piece of history as we fade into oblivion. I challenge the photographer to do this...

Oh Barbara Payton, you had it rough--Criminal Element

Quote of the Week

I've worked with many fine actresses.  But in my opinion, the best actress I ever worked with was Grace Kelly. . . . Her mind was razor-keen, but she was relaxed while she was doing it. 

-Cary Grant


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Classic Links

What? Baby Peggy doesn't have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? We've got to do something about this! Check out this indiegogo campaign and pitch in-- Indiegogo: A Star For Baby Peggy

And I know that this is a movie blog, but I can't help posting a pitch for the Red Cross as well. There are still a lot of cold, struggling victims of Sandy on the east coast--Red Cross

This proposed sequel to Casablanca sounds like it has an interesting story and background, but I think they should leave it alone. Can you really make a sequel to perfection?--/Film

I love this pic of shoe designer Ferragamo with Audrey Hepburn. You hardly ever see her look put out like that. It's hilarious! There's also an amazing shot of the designer surrounded by the shoe forms of the famous ladies for whom he designed-- Blame Mame

Great giveaway: comment during the month of November at Film Noir Blonde to be entered in a drawing to win a Sunset Boulevard DVD--Film Noir Blonde

This great new site gives classic film fans information on screenings around the world. It's helpfully arranged by region-- Classic Screenings

A little something about The Red Balloon (1956). I must have seen this movie every year at elementary school--Mental Floss

Quote of the Week

When a man finds himself sliding downhill, he should do everything to reach bottom in a hurry and pass out of the picture.

-Douglas Fairbanks

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Classic Links

I'm going to have to try this recipe for Janet Gaynor's icebox cookies. Will it measure up to the Hepburn brownies?--Let's Misbehave: A Tribute to Pre-code Hollywood

I love the way Kimberly Truhler of GlamAmor has championed vintage style. Check out this Q&A where she talks about the timeless style of her idol, the fabulous Edith Head--Movie Star Makeover

Val Lewton, the man who turned Velveeta titles into brie movies got a mighty fine blogathon tribute this week. Check out these wonderful entries--Speakeasy

The Barnes and Noble 50% off Criterion Collection sale is back!--CriterionCast

Another deal! Stacia gave the heads up on a 30-day free streaming trial at Fandor. It seems like a nicely curated site--She Blogged By Night

This informative post about the quality of the Fathom classic movie presentations has been making the rounds for a week now, but I had to share it yet again. It's a must-read for anyone who is considering attending one of the TCM events the company produces--Cinematically Insane

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