Around the Blogosphere This Week

...I just learned that two of Julia Child's shows, THE WAY TO COOK and BAKING WITH JULIA, were released on DVD in the last few weeks. Back in 2005 I wrote about how much I enjoyed learning from Julia's THE FRENCH CHEF series on DVD.

...Sad news: the Pasadena Playhouse, where many actors of the classic film era got their start, is closing in a few days and may declare bankruptcy. My dad once served as a volunteer at the Playhouse.

...I chuckled reading Glenn Erickson's review of THE CROWDED SKY (1960), which was our disaster movie choice last New Year's Eve. Glenn calls it a "hugely enjoyable Bad Movie," which is right on target.

...As a new iTouch owner who has installed the Kindle app, I was interested in this comparison of the Kindle and the newly announced iPad. There is a huge difference in battery life -- 10 hours for the colorful iPad versus a week for the Kindle.

...As I mentioned last week, the Universal Vault recently debuted without much fanfare, providing "burned to order" DVDs exclusively via Amazon. This is the third "burned to order" program to date, joining the Warner Archive and TCM's Universal/Paramount offerings. R. Emmet Sweeney has interesting insights at the TCM Blog.

...Did you know actress Marsha Hunt wrote a book on film fashion a number of years ago? The title is THE WAY WE WORE: STYLES OF THE 1930'S AND '40S AND OUR WORLD SINCE THEN. It has over 500 photos from her personal collection. I'd sure like to get a copy.

...Global warming funny business exposed: it was suppressed for months that the warning that Himalayan glaciers would melt by 2035 was sheer fakery for political purposes, with no basis in science. (More links in last week's roundup.)

...Here's a great-looking recipe for Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken at Apple a Day. I hope to try it soon. Thanks to Raquelle's roundup at Thoughtful Eating for introducing me to the Apple a Day site, which recently celebrated its second anniversary.

...Byron York in the Washington Examiner: "Has Obama Become Bored With Being President?" The Anchoress also has interesting thoughts about our current President's temperament.

...Disneyland's Showboat Jubilee is on hiatus as the Rivers of America have been drained for rehab, but Princess Tiana will be returning soon with a musical show in New Orleans Square.

...The California legislature is nuts, we're sinking into a financial abyss and they're worrying about launching universal healthcare and abolishing statewide free parking. To the social engineers in Sacramento, free parking is an evil which discourages the use of mass transit; forcing people to pay to visit businesses is just what our state economy needs, right?!

...For Southern Californians: a Renoir exhibit is coming to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art beginning in mid February.

...Some of the Jean Simmons tributes I especially enjoyed over the last few days: David Thomson, Moira Finnie, the Self-Styled Siren, Big Hollywood, and Another Old Movie Blog.

...I watched a good-sized section of Simmons' THE BLUE LAGOON (1949) on YouTube a few days ago and found it very interesting, although the ending was disturbing; I hope to watch the entire film at some point. It was directed by Frank Launder.

...Don't forget that Tuesday is Groundhog Day!

Have a great week!