I was apprehensive about watching Vivacious Lady, considering my less than stellar relationship with Jimmy Stewart, even though I have come around to him of late after Call Northside 777. Vivacious Lady … Continue Reading Vivacious Lady (1938)
Warner Brothers became the studio with a social conscience, unafraid to cast a Hollywood veneer on the problems facing society at the time. The film that cemented this reputation was … Continue Reading I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang (1932)
There are several bloggers I know who aren’t fans of pre-Code films since the gimmick of such scandalous content tends to overtake the plot and acting, which I’ve seen happen … Continue Reading Night Nurse (1931)
Frank Capra week concludes with his most famous work of all time, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. A timeless tale of the American political machine at work, Mr. Smith is … Continue Reading Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
I’m a terrible person for just now watching You Can’t Take It With You considering it was voted as the number one film you readers requested I write about. With … Continue Reading You Can’t Take It With You (1938)
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town is the culmination of every Capra ideal, extrapolated on three years later with Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Watching this for the first time was … Continue Reading Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
Transitioning from Shirley Temple to Frank Capra makes sense as both presented highly optimistic views of America. Where Temple was the dimpled angel families could only dream of birthing during … Continue Reading American Madness (1932)
Heidi is one of two book adaptations Temple immortalized, although A Little Princess wins out as my favorite adaptation, both book version and film. My only previous experience with author … Continue Reading Heidi (1937)
After the massive success of Bright Eyes, it’s understandable that the studios saw an easy formula they could copy onto future releases, and we’ve already watched it play out in … Continue Reading Curly Top (1935)
When I spoke to Jane Withers last May she talked quite a bit about filming Bright Eyes and her struggles working with Shirley Temple. I hated to admit to her … Continue Reading Bright Eyes
Frances Hodgson Burnett’s tale of a little girl trapped in an all-girls boarding school after her father dies holds a special place in my heart, but it’s not for this … Continue Reading The Little Princess (1939)
We pay tribute this week to a bright-eyed moppet with sausage curls and a dimpled smile. When Shirley Temple Black passed away earlier this year, I knew I had to honor … Continue Reading Captain January (1936)
The July Five: Five days, five movies, five actors (actually one couple, three actors, and a director if you want to get technical). Kicking the month off is our lovely … Continue Reading Another Thin Man (1939)
Dante’s Inferno isn’t exactly light reading, and a true interpretation of the text for theaters is a long way off. It explains why this Fox feature borrows its name, but … Continue Reading Dante’s Inferno (1935)
Film Class Wednesdays winds down with the last three movies of the semester. This week’s film is 1934’s Imitation of Life, a landmark picture for its friendly(ish) view of African-Americans. … Continue Reading Imitation of Life (1934)
When the TCM Film Festival announced Gone With the Wind as their closing night film I immediately decided to skip it. Yes, I’m of the “I hate Gone With the … Continue Reading Gone With the Wind (1939)
