1939: Hollywood’s Greatest Year
1939 turns 80 this year but should you read 1939: Hollywood’s Greatest Year in celebration?
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Ticklish Business Episode #66: Stagecoach (1939) and the Complicated Legacy of John Wayne
In honor of John Wayne’s birthday the Ticklish Trio discuss Wayne’s star introduction in the 1939 John Ford Western, Stagecoach. They also find time to discuss his complicated views in 2019, … Continue Reading Ticklish Business Episode #66: Stagecoach (1939) and the Complicated Legacy of John Wayne
TCMFF Review: Tarzan and His Mate (1934)
Tarzan is an ubiquitous character in film history, becoming a franchise that dominated the 1930s into the ’50s and making Johnny Weissmuller an unconventional star. I say all this having … Continue Reading TCMFF Review: Tarzan and His Mate (1934)
Becky Sharp (1935)
Victorian literature is recognized for its emphasis on repression, social hierarchy, and gender politics. When William Thackery published Vanity Fair in 1848 he couldn’t have assumed that its heroine, Becky … Continue Reading Becky Sharp (1935)
Ticklish Business Episode #61: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1931)
To go along with TCM’s #MarchMadness tribute to Fredric March the Ticklish Trio discuss his Oscar-winning turn in the 1931 adaptation of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. We discuss who could … Continue Reading Ticklish Business Episode #61: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1931)
Merrily We Live (1938)
Though not sponsored content, I was provided a copy of this by the awesome folks at ClassicFlix. All opinions strictly my own. In 1937 MGM released the film Topper starring … Continue Reading Merrily We Live (1938)
Made for Each Other (1939)
Long-time readers of JiCF know I’m a sucker for a domestic melodrama and only Old Hollywood knows how to take a simple story about a couple struggling to make a … Continue Reading Made for Each Other (1939)
25 Days of Christmas: The Thin Man (1934)
Originally published December 4th, 2011 We move on to another diverse Christmas film, one that has a more tenuous connection to Christmas than even Rent could boast, but nonetheless takes … Continue Reading 25 Days of Christmas: The Thin Man (1934)
Little Women (1933)
The last in my series of reviews on the three adaptations of Little Women is the 1933 George Cukor version. This one is widely considered the de facto interpretation of … Continue Reading Little Women (1933)
Kansas City Princess (1934)
There are several reasons to praise Warner Archive, but the main one is that they support all manner of classic film, even small comedic outings like Kansas City Princess. This … Continue Reading Kansas City Princess (1934)
Throwback Thirstday: They Made Me a Criminal (1939)
Another Throwback Thirstday devoted to my number one classic film love, John Garfield. I’ve pretty much decided that ’30s Garfield is my favorite, mainly because his cynicism is just adorable … Continue Reading Throwback Thirstday: They Made Me a Criminal (1939)
The Gay Bride (1934)
The implementation of the Code in 1934 left many films in a state of disarray, having to tweak scripts and direction at the last second to comply. Cinema was left … Continue Reading The Gay Bride (1934)
A Lost Lady (1934)
As cinephiles we’re aware of two truths: actors in biopics won’t look like their respective subjects and movies based on novels don’t often please fans of the book. This latter … Continue Reading A Lost Lady (1934)
Comet Over Broadway (1938)
Actresses were always pigeonholed during the classic era, but Kay Francis always seems especially confined to her particular brand of persona. Watching Comet Over Broadway immediately draws comparisons to another … Continue Reading Comet Over Broadway (1938)
The First Hundred Years (1938)
I’m a sucker for a good marriage plot. Nearly every genre of classic film works better during the golden era but marriage plots are particularly unique. For one, they showcase … Continue Reading The First Hundred Years (1938)
The Old Maid (1939)
Ryan Murphy might have spent an entire season talking about the feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, but the story that’s always enthralled me is about a different feud: … Continue Reading The Old Maid (1939)
