Originally published October 22nd, 2013 It’s exasperating to watch a great movie crippled by a subplot meant to provide romance or levity only to enhance annoyance in the audience. Dracula’s … Continue Reading Dracula’s Daughter (1936)
On first blush, George Cukor’s Gaslight isn’t a horror film. But it is if you’re a woman. The term commonly pops up today but most don’t know the movie it’s … Continue Reading Gaslight (1944)
My mom has really fond memories of watching Darren McGavin as Kolchak, “The Night Stalker.” So when I told her Kino was releasing the two television movies starring McGavin’s character … Continue Reading The Night Strangler (1973)
The horror genre turned Universal Studios into a flourishing business, but in just a decade it was already falling from grace. The rapid release of titles fatigued audiences, putting the … Continue Reading Son of Frankenstein (1939)
Director John Brahms was best known for his sumptuously decorated murder mysteries, 1944’s The Lodger and 1945’s Hangover Square. Before he was getting A-list talent to go alongside his beautifully … Continue Reading The Undying Monster (1942)
For some reason, it’s always easier to spot cinematic trends in classic film. Every studio wants to capitalize on the last big success (or successes) which can lead to a … Continue Reading Whirlpool (1949)
Historical fiction and Old Hollywood have always gone together and now is a great time for the two. Earlier this year author Heather Terrell penned Only Woman in the Room, … Continue Reading The Chaperone (2018)
This is reposted as part of the Summer Under the Stars blogathon I found…that Kay Francis is an acquired taste. Predominately known as a pre-Code clotheshorse my experience prior to … Continue Reading I Found Stella Parish (1935)
This is reposted as part of the Summer Under the Stars blogathon I’m not a fan of Clark Gable (I know…gasp!) but damn was he awesome in this movie. The … Continue Reading The Films of Jean Harlow: Red Dust (1932)
Marathon Man is a mixture of several types of genres with no one genre dominating the others. At times it’s a horror films, at others a drama and/or a psychological … Continue Reading Marathon Man (1976)
I struggled to figure out the best way to convey my disdain for this film. A Summer Place desperately wants to be a Douglas Sirk film (and for a while … Continue Reading A Summer Place (1959)
This is reposted as part of the Summer Under the Stars blogathon You know the type of films Hollywood holds up as examples of the cheesy filmmaking of the classic … Continue Reading A Cry in the Night (1956)
This post is in conjunction with Film Forum’s Burt Lancaster tribute. Find out more and purchase tickets here. If this is your first time taking in Elmer Gantry, expect the … Continue Reading Elmer Gantry (1960)
You always notice the fingerprints of a Tennessee Williams production: An exotic locale within the US, unrepentant sexual longing bound up within questions of femininity and masculinity. The Rose Tattoo … Continue Reading The Rose Tattoo (1955)
This post is in conjunction with Film Forum’s Burt Lancaster tribute. Find out more and purchase tickets here. There are certain real-world events Hollywood is quick to capitalize on and … Continue Reading Judgment at Nuremberg (1963)
This is reposted as part of the Summer Under the Stars blogathon Elia Kazan’s adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire is an important film in my life. I first saw … Continue Reading A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
