The podcast devoted to Old Hollywood
You can always tell a Jean Negulesco picture. His works are usually polished melodramas where the romance is heavily steep in morality, a sermon on celluloid. Some of his works I enjoy … Continue Reading Phone Call From a Stranger (1952)
The July Five continues with the second to last theme week: Bette Davis. And what better way to talk all about Bette than starting with her iconic 1950 drama, All … Continue Reading All About Eve (1950)
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)
Our final tribute to Nick and Nora Charles is a pair of documentaries included with the Complete Thin Man box set. (I assumed the final disc, Alias Nick and Nora, … Continue Reading Alias Nick and Nora (1991/2005)
We aren’t done honoring Nick and Nora yet, but this is the final Thin Man movie for the week. Song of the Thin Man was a financial disappointment upon release, … Continue Reading Song of the Thin Man (1947)
Remember yesterday’s review when I said no matter the individual film’s flaws there’s a consistently high level of quality? We’re starting to see a chink in the armor today. The … Continue Reading The Thin Man Goes Home (1945)
In spite of its flaws, Another Thin Man played off the fun interactions between Nick and Nora Charles without shoving baby Nickie down your throat (and though the literal image is … Continue Reading Shadow of the Thin Man (1941)
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)
Ticklish Business 