Around the Blogosphere This Week

Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the Internet...

...Here's two reviews of a new Warner Archive release I really enjoy, FINISHING SCHOOL (1934). The movie stars Frances Dee, Bruce Cabot, and Ginger Rogers. I liked it so much that after I first saw it on TCM in 2007, I bought a used video, released back in 1992.

...Lou Lumenick has all sorts of classic film reviews and DVD news in his latest "DVD Extra" column. I'm particularly interested in the "TCM Exclusive" Warner Archive editions of MacDonald and Eddy's NAUGHTY MARIETTA (1935) and SWEETHEARTS (1938). I received an email notification about the titles at the end of February; they'll be out on April 26th.

...At Dear Old Hollywood, Robby Cress has a fascinating interview with Steve Bingen, author of the new book MGM: HOLLYWOOD'S GREATEST BACKLOT. Since MGM movies were in large part responsible for my becoming a classic film fan, this book is a "must" for me -- it's on order!

...The New York Times' Dave Kehr shares thoughts on the current state of the DVD market.

...Info on some interesting made to order DVDs has been posted at 50 Westerns From the 50s.

...I really enjoyed this analysis of THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010) by Jim Emerson. His takes on the visual messages in various frames of the film are quite interesting. (Via the Self-Styled Siren.)

...A happy sports story, especially for fans of legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden (and who isn't?).

...I was sorry to hear Bruce Boxleitner and Melissa Gilbert split up after 16 years of marriage. "Back in the day" I enjoyed him in EAST OF EDEN (1981) and TV's HOW THE WEST WAS WON (1977), aka THE MACAHANS.

...I really enjoyed the interesting take on CLEOPATRA (1934) at Ferdy on Films. The only area where I substantially disagreed was on the effectiveness of Henry Wilcoxon. My review from last fall is here.

...Last December I wrote about visiting one of my old haunts, Larry Edmunds Bookshop. Yesterday the L.A. Times published a story on Larry Edmunds.

...Royal wedding watch: the British royal family just launched an official website for the April 29th wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

...Here's a preview of Season 2 of DOWNTON ABBEY, passed on by Missy.

...MC has been blogging up a storm at HAPPY THOUGHTS, DARLING, with interesting posts recently on STARS IN MY CROWN (1950), ONE WAY PASSAGE (1932), and THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN (1954).

...An edited PG-13 release of THE KING'S SPEECH (2010) is going to happen.

...Happy bloggiversary to Jacqueline Lynch, who's now been blogging at Another Old Movie Blog for four years. Earlier this week Jacqueline posted a typically interesting analysis of DECEPTION (1946), which stars Bette Davis, Claude Rains, and Paul Henreid.

...The L.A. Times published a wonderful interview with Kathryn Beaumont, who voiced Disney's ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1951) and Wendy in PETER PAN (1953) -- two of my favorite Disney animated films. She later graduated from USC and became a schoolteacher.

...Your feel-good story for the week: "Dozens of People Perform CPR to Save One Heart Attack Victim." This USA Today story about a miracle rescue in a small Minnesota town is lengthy and detailed; it includes some nice photos. It's worth setting aside the time to read it.

Have a great week!