A couple of good days this week, Monday and Wednesday, and then a smattering of other things throughout the week.
Tonight (Sunday) at midnight the Silent Sunday feature is Ben-Hur (1925), one of the first successes Thalberg had in coming to MGM. A great film - as great as the remake if not better.
Tomorrow morning, starting at six, begins a string of films directed by W.S. VanDyke II, who I think was one of the better studio directors at MGM during the 1930s. Some of my favorites of his are Tarzan the Ape Man (1932), Manhattan Melodrama (1934), The Thin Man (1934), Forsaking All Others (1934), San Francisco (1936), Love on the Run (1936), and Marie Antionette (1938). As you can see from this list, he directed a number of films for Clark Gable and, in my opinion, constructed some interesting takes on depression era masculinity in these and other films. Manhattan Melodrama and Forsaking All Others remain two of my three favorite Gable films for just that reason: the way they juxtapose Gable against William Powell and Robert Montgomery respectively to highlight his gendered performance.
Tomorrow, TCM will be running some of Van Dyke's lesser known films, which I am grateful for and will be taping. When I get around to watching them I will post more about them.
Then, tomorrow night the Claudette Colbert tribute continues. Among the films being shown is Since You Went Away (1944) which I happened to see last month on TCM. A great tear-jerker and document of the realignment of social roles during World War II.
Wednesday would be Joan Crawford's 101st birthday (most likely), and so there are a number of her films on during the day. Unfortunately, not many of my favorites. But I would recommend Grand Hotel (1932) and Mildred Pierce (1945) (speaking of realigning social roles during World War II).
Nothing leaps out at me right now for the rest of the week - though there certainly are other great films. When I see them I will let you know.
3.20.2005
3.18.2005
'Star Wars' a Titanic Tearjerker
I worry when George Lucas says something like this: I describe it as a 'Titanic' in space.
The last two films had generally been faulty not because they were lacking visual pleasure, but because the characters were just horribly rendered and relationships and emotions were flat and uninteresting.
And now he thinks he has written a tearjerker? I can only hope he didn't write it or else my tears will be of a different kind.
The last two films had generally been faulty not because they were lacking visual pleasure, but because the characters were just horribly rendered and relationships and emotions were flat and uninteresting.
And now he thinks he has written a tearjerker? I can only hope he didn't write it or else my tears will be of a different kind.
3.16.2005
This Our Brent
I truly enjoyed the birthday tribute to George Brent yesterday. As I mentioned on Sunday, I think to audiences today his popularity is quite hard to understand, but his film work is truly wonderful in a certain way.
That was driven home for me when watching This Our Life with him, Bette Davis, and Olivia de Havilland yeterday. He provides such a flat, empty vessel for the two women to work off of that he is quite remarkable. Even de havilland, who is much more subdued than Davis, emotes around Brent in ways that make him seem dead. When she meets him on the park bench, he so well fits the role. But he seems the same way even later when they are supposed to be happy.
I need to run now, but will write more on this later.
That was driven home for me when watching This Our Life with him, Bette Davis, and Olivia de Havilland yeterday. He provides such a flat, empty vessel for the two women to work off of that he is quite remarkable. Even de havilland, who is much more subdued than Davis, emotes around Brent in ways that make him seem dead. When she meets him on the park bench, he so well fits the role. But he seems the same way even later when they are supposed to be happy.
I need to run now, but will write more on this later.
3.13.2005
TCM for the week of 3/13 to 3/19
Here are some of the highlights coming up tonight and for the rest of the week.
Tonight, after midnight, four Paul Robeson features are running. They include Body and Soul (1925), The Emperor Jones (1933), Jericho (1937), and Song of Freedom (1936). I've seen Body and Soul and parts of Emperor and Song. All are excellent if for nothing more than Robeson who has an amazing screen presence even in mediocre films. I will be taping (no TiVo yet) and recommend you do so as well.
Monday night continues the Claudette Colbert feature with Tovarich (1937), It's a Wonderful World (1939), Midnight (1939) and Boom Town (1940). The only one of these I have seen is Boom Town with Gable and Spencer Tracy and again I recommend it. I am less of a fan of later Tracy (1940s and 50s), but can see the energy and excitement of him in his early work. It is on display here with Gable.
Tuesday during the day features one of my favorite of the unremembered yet everywhere stars of the 1930s and 40s, George Brent, in celebration of his birthday. I will see as many as I can - some I have yet to tape and see so this is going to be good for me. Among those I have that I recommend are: The Keyhole from 1933 opposite Kay Francis, Front Page Woman (1935) with Bette Davis, and In This Our Life (1942) also with Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland. Brent is, I think, to modern audiences quite the enigma as he seems so bland and emotionless to us today - hard to believe he was initially promoted as Warners' answer to Clark Gable!
Thursday morning at 6:00am King Vidor's Not So Dumb from 1930 with Marion Davies is playing. I will be taping this one to check out as I am interested in the films of the year.
On Saturday, be sure and check out In A Lonely Place (1950) with Humphrey Bogart and he evening on George Cukor including the 2002 documentary on him. All of the films being shown around are recommended.
Enjoy.
Tonight, after midnight, four Paul Robeson features are running. They include Body and Soul (1925), The Emperor Jones (1933), Jericho (1937), and Song of Freedom (1936). I've seen Body and Soul and parts of Emperor and Song. All are excellent if for nothing more than Robeson who has an amazing screen presence even in mediocre films. I will be taping (no TiVo yet) and recommend you do so as well.
Monday night continues the Claudette Colbert feature with Tovarich (1937), It's a Wonderful World (1939), Midnight (1939) and Boom Town (1940). The only one of these I have seen is Boom Town with Gable and Spencer Tracy and again I recommend it. I am less of a fan of later Tracy (1940s and 50s), but can see the energy and excitement of him in his early work. It is on display here with Gable.
Tuesday during the day features one of my favorite of the unremembered yet everywhere stars of the 1930s and 40s, George Brent, in celebration of his birthday. I will see as many as I can - some I have yet to tape and see so this is going to be good for me. Among those I have that I recommend are: The Keyhole from 1933 opposite Kay Francis, Front Page Woman (1935) with Bette Davis, and In This Our Life (1942) also with Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland. Brent is, I think, to modern audiences quite the enigma as he seems so bland and emotionless to us today - hard to believe he was initially promoted as Warners' answer to Clark Gable!
Thursday morning at 6:00am King Vidor's Not So Dumb from 1930 with Marion Davies is playing. I will be taping this one to check out as I am interested in the films of the year.
On Saturday, be sure and check out In A Lonely Place (1950) with Humphrey Bogart and he evening on George Cukor including the 2002 documentary on him. All of the films being shown around are recommended.
Enjoy.
3.10.2005
Sign of the Cross
As mentioned, one of the Claudette Colbert films I wanted to see was The Sign of the Cross as I had heard much about it. It was, on the whole, about what I expected from DeMille and a good film. I was a bit surprised by the relative lack of screen time for Colbert though. She is billed as one of the stars, but is in the film less than several of the other players.
Another side note, I was struck by a scene in which Marcus Superbus (yes, that is his name) has brought the chaste Christain Mercia he is in love with back to his palace for a party (orgy). She resists being one of his playthings and, eventually, he has Ancaria, the "most talented" woman in all of Rome, attempt to seduce her by singing and dancing for here.
The scene that ensues is amazingly like the scene in Blue Velvet at Ben's place when Ben is singing "In Dreams" while Frank sings along and Jeffrey watches. In Sign of the Cross, Ancaria sings a song that has similar lyrics - "In my dreams," "I come to you," "I walk with you," and others that are similar, and the whole feel of the moment is like that of Blue Velvet, with the innocent protagonist being both shocked and somewhat seduced by the intriging decadence he/she finds around him/her.
I could write more, but was wondering if anyone knew if this moment was an influence on this moment. I have looked through some of my stuff on Blue Velvet but can't find any connection.
Another side note, I was struck by a scene in which Marcus Superbus (yes, that is his name) has brought the chaste Christain Mercia he is in love with back to his palace for a party (orgy). She resists being one of his playthings and, eventually, he has Ancaria, the "most talented" woman in all of Rome, attempt to seduce her by singing and dancing for here.
The scene that ensues is amazingly like the scene in Blue Velvet at Ben's place when Ben is singing "In Dreams" while Frank sings along and Jeffrey watches. In Sign of the Cross, Ancaria sings a song that has similar lyrics - "In my dreams," "I come to you," "I walk with you," and others that are similar, and the whole feel of the moment is like that of Blue Velvet, with the innocent protagonist being both shocked and somewhat seduced by the intriging decadence he/she finds around him/her.
I could write more, but was wondering if anyone knew if this moment was an influence on this moment. I have looked through some of my stuff on Blue Velvet but can't find any connection.
3.04.2005
TCM for the week of 3/5 - 3/12
I thought I might try doing this on a weekly basis and just giving my highlights for that time frame rather than trying to keep up daily.
I may do daily updates from time to time, but this way will probably work the best.
So, coming up this week:
Sunday during the day, at noon, be sure and catch Picnic (1955) with William Holden and Kim Novak. Great 50s male melodrama and Bill looks so good without his shirt on.
Sunday evening the theme is William Faulkner, and so The Tarnished Angels (1957) with Robert Stack, Rock Hudson, and Dorothy Malone is running. This is an unusual Sirk melodrama - being black and white foremost - but, as the title of the blog indicates, I can't pass up Sirk.
Lorna Doone (1922) is the silent Sunday night feature at midnight. I haven't seen it, but try and watch these when I can - so give it a look if you are free.
Monday begins the month long salute to Claudette Colbert, an actress I am not too fond of but do like when I sit down and watch her films.
At 8 I will certainly see The Sign of the Cross (1932) a film I have been wanting to see for a long time. I'll let you know how it is.
this is followed by Cleopatra (1934) at 10:15, which I think is a mostly middling picture. I can never get too excited by it, though it does have some delightful scenes to watch.
The 1934 Imitation of Life comes up at midnight and then It Happened One Night at 2 am. No more to say about the latter, if you haven't seen it make it a point to do so. As for Imitation, it lacks the gut wrenching power of Sirk's version (theme!) but is still a powerful film. 1934 was a busy year for Colbert.
Tuesday's theme is "computer problems" and the only film that jumps out for me is War Games (1983) with Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy. I just remember loving this film as a kid and so try to see it when it is on. Unfortunately, that is usually on regular TV with commercials, so seeing it here will be nice.
Wednesday's theme is Lauren Bacall and so, really, all I will say is start watching at 8 and plan on being up all night.
Thursday morning features some films from 31, 32, and 33 all by director Gregory LaCava. I do not know them or really him, but will try and catch some and report back.
On Friday, They Gave Him a Gun (1937) is screening at 7:30. I don't know the film, but it sounds intriguing and I like Tracy, Tone, and director Van Dyke so it should probably at least be interesting in terms of how it deals with masculinity.
I may try and report back during the week on what I see.
Enjoy!!
I may do daily updates from time to time, but this way will probably work the best.
So, coming up this week:
Sunday during the day, at noon, be sure and catch Picnic (1955) with William Holden and Kim Novak. Great 50s male melodrama and Bill looks so good without his shirt on.
Sunday evening the theme is William Faulkner, and so The Tarnished Angels (1957) with Robert Stack, Rock Hudson, and Dorothy Malone is running. This is an unusual Sirk melodrama - being black and white foremost - but, as the title of the blog indicates, I can't pass up Sirk.
Lorna Doone (1922) is the silent Sunday night feature at midnight. I haven't seen it, but try and watch these when I can - so give it a look if you are free.
Monday begins the month long salute to Claudette Colbert, an actress I am not too fond of but do like when I sit down and watch her films.
At 8 I will certainly see The Sign of the Cross (1932) a film I have been wanting to see for a long time. I'll let you know how it is.
this is followed by Cleopatra (1934) at 10:15, which I think is a mostly middling picture. I can never get too excited by it, though it does have some delightful scenes to watch.
The 1934 Imitation of Life comes up at midnight and then It Happened One Night at 2 am. No more to say about the latter, if you haven't seen it make it a point to do so. As for Imitation, it lacks the gut wrenching power of Sirk's version (theme!) but is still a powerful film. 1934 was a busy year for Colbert.
Tuesday's theme is "computer problems" and the only film that jumps out for me is War Games (1983) with Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy. I just remember loving this film as a kid and so try to see it when it is on. Unfortunately, that is usually on regular TV with commercials, so seeing it here will be nice.
Wednesday's theme is Lauren Bacall and so, really, all I will say is start watching at 8 and plan on being up all night.
Thursday morning features some films from 31, 32, and 33 all by director Gregory LaCava. I do not know them or really him, but will try and catch some and report back.
On Friday, They Gave Him a Gun (1937) is screening at 7:30. I don't know the film, but it sounds intriguing and I like Tracy, Tone, and director Van Dyke so it should probably at least be interesting in terms of how it deals with masculinity.
I may try and report back during the week on what I see.
Enjoy!!
3.02.2005
Reevaluation
I'm trying to think of the bext way for me to get back into this once things slow down a bit.
3.01.2005
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