36 Hours (1964)
Films have always revisited eras of the past to question whether hindsight would or would not affect the outcome, and no actor was greater at this specific genre than James … Continue Reading 36 Hours (1964)
Lady Scarface (1941)
The gangster genre is traditionally male-dominated, so imagine my surprise at seeing the arrival of Lady Scarface from Warner Archive. A gangster who’s a woman?! What’s next, mixing French fries … Continue Reading Lady Scarface (1941)
You for Me (1952)
I grouse a lot about the state of classic cinema access and how so much depends on the belief that movies have to make money. But then you look at … Continue Reading You for Me (1952)
The Richest Girl in the World (1934)
The year 1934 is considered the year when the Production Code was actually enforced in movies, with many a feature going under the knife in order to be shown theatrically. … Continue Reading The Richest Girl in the World (1934)
Demon Seed (1977)
It’s funny revisiting technologically-focused science-fiction features because they either unintentionally predict future events or look woefully out-of-date. Demon Seed does both, prophesying a world where everything in our homes is … Continue Reading Demon Seed (1977)
Tender Comrade (1943)
After watching the sweeping war epic Since You Went Away (1944) a few weeks back it’s easy to forget that not every feature churned out during wartime had the same … Continue Reading Tender Comrade (1943)
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)
Mad About Musicals: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
Throughout the next four weeks I’ll be reviewing various musicals in support of TCM’s newest interactive online course, Mad About Musicals. Any classic film lover will tell you mitigation is … Continue Reading Mad About Musicals: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
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)
Les Girls (1957)
Gene Kelly is responsible for crafting two of the most enduring musicals of the 1950s, 1951’s An American in Paris and 1952’s Singin’ in the Rain. But by 1957 Kelly … Continue Reading Les Girls (1957)
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)
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956)
Fritz Lang is a director whose work, even at its silliest, can entertain, and that’s how one must approach Beyond a Reasonable Doubt – now available in a beautiful Blu-ray … Continue Reading Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956)
