1939: Hollywood’s Greatest Year
1939 turns 80 this year but should you read 1939: Hollywood’s Greatest Year in celebration?
Fay Wray and Robert Riskin: A Hollywood Memoir
He was a successful Hollywood screenwriter whose words shaped several of Frank Capra’s classic features. She was the actress whose beauty (and powerful set of lungs) captured the heart … Continue Reading Fay Wray and Robert Riskin: A Hollywood Memoir
Author David Thomson Discusses Classic Films and ‘Sleeping With Strangers’
Author David Thomson is one of the most prolific writers on classic film and Hollywood history. His past works, including Moments That Made the Movies, The Big Screen, and Beneath … Continue Reading Author David Thomson Discusses Classic Films and ‘Sleeping With Strangers’
Jeremy Arnold Talks TCM, the Holidays, and His Latest Book
Jeremy Arnold is a jack of all trade. Author, classic film expert, awesome guy. When I attended my first TCM Classic Film Festival, Jeremy was a fellow social producer for … Continue Reading Jeremy Arnold Talks TCM, the Holidays, and His Latest Book
Hollywood Heyday: 75 Candid Interviews with Golden Age Legends
It’s amazing how many interviews with classic era stars are finally being given the opportunity to engage with fans. It’s hard not to be jealous upon reading David Fantle and … Continue Reading Hollywood Heyday: 75 Candid Interviews with Golden Age Legends
The Other Side of Ethel Mertz: The Life Story of Vivian Vance
It’s amazing to go to your local library and discover a biography you never knew existed; so it was that I pulled out Frank Castellucio and Alvin Walker’s The Other … Continue Reading The Other Side of Ethel Mertz: The Life Story of Vivian Vance
Book Review: Michael Curtiz – A Life in Film
If you read my extensive interview with Michael Curtiz biographer, Alan K. Rode, then you know Curtiz was a director with a mania for filmmaking. The famed Hungarian helmer of … Continue Reading Book Review: Michael Curtiz – A Life in Film
Michael Curtiz Biographer Alan Rode Talks Everything But Casablanca
It’s always the biographies I don’t think will grip me that affect me the most. When I told Michael Curtiz biographer Alan K. Rode that I compared his book to … Continue Reading Michael Curtiz Biographer Alan Rode Talks Everything But Casablanca
Warner Bros: Hollywood’s Ultimate Backlot
I’ve been fortunate to visit at least two movie studios in my life: Universal (where I’ve been in the theme park, on the backlot, and in a screening room) and … Continue Reading Warner Bros: Hollywood’s Ultimate Backlot
Natalie Wood: Reflections on a Legendary Life
Natalie Wood was like looking at the sun. Just staring at her in photographs the luminosity burns out of her. Her daughter Natasha has described her as tough when necessary, … Continue Reading Natalie Wood: Reflections on a Legendary Life
High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic
Part of the reason I read film books is to have an outsider entice me to check out a movie. Where some of you come here to have me tell … Continue Reading High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic
Did I Mention There’s a Contest….
**This is the last call for the contest. If you’d like to win either of these books now’s the time to get your entries in. Contest closes June 29th** Yes … Continue Reading Did I Mention There’s a Contest….
The Client (1994)
You all voted for a mix of old and new reviews so here’s a more contemporary film for you, the 1994 Joel Schumacher directed adaptation of John Grisham‘s novel The … Continue Reading The Client (1994)
Old Hollywood Book Reviews: Shock Value
I’ve been off the blogging scene for two days and that’s all due to my damn need for higher education. I’m in the home stretch, only three weeks left of … Continue Reading Old Hollywood Book Reviews: Shock Value
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011)
The final Academy Award nominee for Best Picture makes me frustrated. I don’t want to end on a sore note (not counting the wrap-up on Sunday when the award is … Continue Reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011)
Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
I recently saw Kiss Me Deadly on Criterion and contemplated purchasing it, sight unseen because I love anything Criterion. Unfortunately I didn’t have the money for it and decided to … Continue Reading Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
