tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70842890803184194112024-03-13T16:47:19.091-07:00Watching Classic Movies Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1756125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-51760362921237444962024-03-08T10:30:00.000-08:002024-03-08T10:30:00.246-08:00On YouTube: Saucy Pre-Code Moments Part Four There are a lot of familiar patterns and themes in classic pre-Code Hollywood movies (the time period roughly between 1930-34), as can be seen in this collection of clips. Censors found it too racy, but these classic films were also honest, humorous, and adult in a way movies never were again in quite the same way, both in classic movies and on to modern times. I have so much fun Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-81431277194383687842024-02-23T12:30:00.000-08:002024-02-23T12:30:00.252-08:00Watching Classic Movies Podcast: Talking Melodrama with Millie de Chirico
Melodrama, it’s much more than Douglas Sirk-directed mid-century dramas, I had a great talk with writer, film programmer, podcaster, and teacher Millie De Chirico about what melodrama really means, what we love about it, and the surprising places you can find melodrama, from horror to action flicks. Subscribe to Millie’s Substack, Professional Sweetheart
Check out the fantastic book Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-16452985695611817712024-02-16T12:00:00.000-08:002024-02-16T12:00:00.132-08:00Watching Classic Movies Podcast--Robert Dance, Author of Ferocious Ambition: Joan Crawford's March Towards Stardom
There are few stars who have reached the heights that Joan Crawford did. In his book Ferocious Ambition: Joan Crawford’s March to Stardom my guest Robert Dance explores how she rose from childhood poverty to the top of her industry where she maintained a successful career for over four decades. We talked about her drive and talent for business and how she was a surprising feminist presence in Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-50529129342705530962024-02-09T08:30:00.000-08:002024-02-09T10:03:56.846-08:00Watching Classic Movies Podcast--Nat Segaloff, Author of Say Hello to My Little Friend: A Century of Scarface
The two cinematic versions of Scarface were influential films which reflected their times, the thirties and eighties respectively. The prolific Nat Segaloff explores their legacy in Say Hello to My Little Friend: A Century of Scarface, a fascinating book that draws on Nat’s industry experience and considerable research skills. We talked about the effect these movies had, the people who Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-17681808085186082292024-02-02T08:30:00.000-08:002024-02-02T08:32:55.867-08:00Watching Classic Movies Podcast--Odie Henderson, Author of Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras: A History of Blaxploitation Cinema
Film critic Odie Henderson has applied his vast film knowledge and solid storytelling skills to the writing of an excellent new book Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras: A History of Blaxploitation Cinema. We discussed the stars, creators, triumphs, and key films of this rich period in cinematic history. Buy Odie's book here Check out Odie's Blaxploitation playlist on Spotify Keep Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-87628088540798200662024-01-26T10:54:00.000-08:002024-01-26T10:54:53.016-08:00On YouTube--Magnificent Marlene Dietrich Moments: The von Sternberg Years The seven films director Josef von Sternberg made with Marlene Dietrich are a remarkable record of the filmmaker’s obsession with his star. From the cheap cabaret of The Blue Angel to the grandeur of The Scarlet Empress, von Sternberg explored different settings, but coached Dietrich to maintain a familiar array of characteristics in each film. From the way she moved and spoke, to the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-35227849802098279882023-12-20T10:30:00.000-08:002023-12-20T10:33:34.775-08:00Watching Classic Movies Podcast--Authors of Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance Paula Broussard and Lisa Royère
Eleanor Powell was Hollywood’s best female tapper, but she isn’t nearly as well known as screen hoofers like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. With their book Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance my guests Paula Broussard and Lisa Royère are working to fix that cultural oversight. Having been dancers themselves, they offer a fascinating perspective on this one-of-a-kind star’s style. We talked Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-53701527391501767412023-12-18T10:10:00.000-08:002023-12-18T10:10:53.458-08:00On YouTube: Christmas in Classic Movies There are many common themes and characteristics when it comes to Christmas in classic movies (Santa, gifts, trees with SO much tinsel), but there are also several ways vintage Hollywood films play with the idea of what the holiday should look like and how people feel about it. This compilation shows both those familiar patterns and the more rebellious points of view. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-73977550015328202532023-12-06T10:30:00.000-08:002023-12-06T10:31:53.733-08:00Watching Classic Movies Podcast: The Turbulent, Remarkable Life of Veronica Lake with Brian Brown
While the actress Veronica Lake dealt with her share of trauma, her life was not quite the tragedy that it has long been rumored to be. Before she hit her mid-twenties she had appeared in six bonafide classic films, including Sullivan’s Travels, three noirs with Alan Ladd starting with This Gun for Hire, I Married a Witch and So Proudly We Hail. She left Hollywood behind, but never stopped Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-3083809653908584392023-11-29T11:00:00.000-08:002023-11-29T12:17:36.246-08:00Watching Classic Movies Podcast: Talking Toshiro Mifune with Jill Blake Toshiro Mifune was one of the first classic film stars I loved and yet I didn’t know much about him personally. I decided to remedy that by talking to writer and CineJourneys co-founder Jill Blake. Jill has researched and written about Mifune and had a lot to share about his life, career, and remarkable partnership with filmmaker Akira Kurosawa.
Check out Jill's work: Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-12799824045519993942023-11-24T09:05:00.000-08:002023-11-24T09:05:00.137-08:00The Classic Film Fan USA Travel Guide Now Available in Paperback on Amazon! 99 Cent Black Friday Sale on eBookThank you to everyone who has bough the USA Classic Film Fan USA Travel Guide eBook! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your interest.Ever since I have released the book, I have received requests to release it in paperback. And I listened! The guide is now available as both eBook and paperback on Amazon and will be available from more stores and web retailers soon, including from some of the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-44108609811291743722023-11-20T12:33:00.000-08:002023-11-20T12:33:19.094-08:00New Video: Memorable Film Noir Moments There are a lot of familiar elements in classic film noir: heavy use of voiceover, femme fatales, rain-soaked night streets, wrinkled trench coats, and a deep sense of fatalism. Here I also explore the stylized sex and violence and desire for escape, wealth, and possession found in many films of this singular style of cinema. Films featured: The Big Heat (1953) Kiss of Death Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-52449894303665771562023-11-15T10:30:00.020-08:002023-11-15T12:07:13.690-08:00Watching Classic Movies Podcast--Eve Golden, Author of Strictly Dynamite: The Sensational Life of Lupe Vélez Biographer Eve Golden returns to the show to discuss her latest Strictly Dynamite: The Sensational Life of Lupe Velez. This vivacious star deserves a reputation overall. Lies, rumors, and misperceptions have clouded Velez’ legacy. While she didn’t have the opportunities and regard that her talent and starpower should have brought her, she had a remarkable, decades-long career and was aUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-88462766064342142862023-11-10T10:30:00.028-08:002023-11-10T10:30:00.130-08:00On 4K Ultra HD: Jean-Luc Godard's Le Mépris/Contempt (1963) Le Mépris/ Contempt (1963) operates in sun-soaked, colorful betrayal. Jean-Luc Godard’s rebuke to the film industry, wrapped in a tale of a crumbling marriage is set in a warm climate, but cold to its core. In a new 4K Ultra HD from Lionsgate, that juxtaposition between beauty and despair has never been more vibrant. Godard always presents something for the eyes to feast upon in this Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-20523231801397331112023-11-08T10:30:00.012-08:002023-11-08T11:01:33.596-08:00Watching Classic Movies Podcast--Classic Film Picks from Brian Sauer of Pure Cinema Podcast and Just the Discs
I love the movie suggestions Brian Sauer shares as co-host of the Pure Cinema Podcast and as host of Just the Discs podcast and YouTube show. He always comes up with intriguing films I haven’t seen for my ever expanding to-watch list. In this episode, Brian shares five classic film picks and two spares, that would be his selections if he were scheduling the TCM Classic Film Festival. I loved Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-64838103033449460832023-10-31T10:30:00.010-07:002023-10-31T10:30:00.151-07:00New Video---Japanese Vampires: The Bloodthirsty Trilogy There have been endless variations of vampire movies since the beginning of cinema. One of my favorite interpretations is in a trio of Japanese classic films directed by Michio Yamamoto and co-written by Ei Qgawa. Known as Bloodthirsty or The Bloodthirsty Trio, they were filmed at Toho studios in the early 70s and offered an interesting East meets West take on the eternal bloodsucker. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-56622204036311641892023-10-20T10:00:00.074-07:002023-10-20T10:00:00.144-07:00Book Review--The Accidental Star: The Life and Films of Warner Baxter
The Accidental Star: The Life and Films of Warner Baxter Dan Van Neste BearManor Media, 2023 Before picking up Dan Van Neste’s new biography of the prolific actor Warner Baxter, I didn’t know much about it. My first exposure to him was as the sickly musical director in 42nd Street (1933); the first time he charmed me was opposite Myrna Loy in Penthouse (1933), there were a Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-91011259494125597722023-10-06T10:00:00.045-07:002023-11-01T11:55:29.964-07:00Book Review--Strictly Dynamite: The Sensational Life of Lupe Vélez, by Eve Golden
Strictly Dynamite: The Sensational Life of Lupe Vélez Eve Golden University Press of Kentucky, 2023 As a biographer, Eve Golden has a knack for clearing the fog around her subjects. In previous books about Jayne Mansfield, Jean Harlow, and John Gilbert, she dug for the truth behind the scandals that overshadowed these stars while also revealing the real person beyond the marquee.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-17120602414176754492023-10-04T00:00:00.001-07:002023-10-04T00:00:00.148-07:00On YouTube: 100 Years of Movie Vampires While there are many commonly known characteristics of vampires, from blood and crucifixes to sunlight and garlic, there has always been a lot of variety in the way these blood drinkers are portrayed in movies across time, genre, style, and world culture. This collection shows the similarities and differences across a century of cinema. I thought it was the perfect way to celebrate the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-37212503705247489612023-09-27T10:00:00.008-07:002023-09-27T10:00:00.145-07:00On YouTube: James Cagney Gets Physical James Cagney became famous for his slick way with street-smart wisecracks, but he was also a remarkably physical actor, from dancing and action sequences to little bits of business with his expressive hands and face. This compilation explores the many ways this energetic star expressed his physicality in his roles. It was such a fun video to make. I love watching Cagney at work!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-80775236645095026342023-09-07T09:00:00.006-07:002023-09-07T09:00:00.138-07:00On YouTube: The Worst of Classic Juvenile Delinquent Films I had a blast putting together this video about 1950s juvenile delinquent flicks. Full of stick-ups, fights, leather, drugs, and “teens” who look like they’re in their 20s or even 30s, there’s nothing quite like them. These are classic movies because their awkward mix of stern, moralistic warnings and bold exploitation are endlessly entertaining.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-26414061098831659362023-08-30T09:03:00.054-07:002023-08-30T09:03:00.138-07:00Podcasts for Classic Film Fans: August Round-up
A lot of my podcast listening this month featured classic actresses, whether as sole focus of an episode or discussed at length. I loved all of these great tributes to some of the most talented and influential women in studio age Hollywood. All episode titles link to the show: Hollywood Obsessed Getting Personal with Hollywood Hunk and TV Action Hero Lorenzo Lamas—Part 1 August Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-39150000695555852402023-08-23T10:00:00.004-07:002023-08-23T10:00:00.157-07:00On YouTube: Bette Davis Completely Loses it My latest on YouTube: a tribute to the fiery power of Bette Davis, the actress who inspired my lifelong passion for classic movies.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-24217854805770143392023-08-16T09:00:00.003-07:002023-08-16T09:00:00.142-07:00On YouTube: 50 MORE Saucy Pre-Code Moments I had so much fun making my 50 Saucy Pre-Code Moments video that I had to do a part two. There are a lot more clips I want to share, so it is likely that I will eventually make a part three! This period of Hollywood film history is endlessly amusing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084289080318419411.post-76361221735830626142023-08-09T08:00:00.010-07:002023-08-09T08:00:00.133-07:00On YouTube: Barbara Stanwyck Completely Loses it for Four Minutes and Cary Grant Gets Physical I have been having a blast making YouTube videos lately. My two most recent uploads are tributes to a pair of my favorite actors: Barbara Stanwyck and Cary Grant. I'm going to be posting more frequently on the channel, as I have a lot of things to explore, so if you haven't already, follow me over there to keep in the loop!
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0