Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Oldies.Com, the best source for the Alpha Video line of public domain films, is having a sale through January 31st: half a dozen films for $25, plus free shipping. Some of Alpha's interesting recent releases: THAT BRENNAN GIRL (1946) with Mona Freeman, DOUBLE EXPOSURE (1944) with Nancy Kelly and Chester Morris, NO HANDS ON THE CLOCK (1941) with Chester Morris, Jean Parker, and Rod Cameron, FOLLIES GIRL (1943) with Wendy Barrie, double billed with CAREER GIRL (1944) with Frances Langford, and THE ADVENTURES OF DANTE, which consists of episodes of FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE with Dick Powell as the recurring title character, scripted by Blake Edwards; directors include Robert Aldrich.

...A few days ago I watched Ray Milland in the excellent CIRCLE OF DANGER (1951), which was based on a book by Philip MacDonald. Over at Riding the High Country, Colin has just reviewed another film based on a MacDonald novel: 23 PACES TO BAKER STREET (1956) starring Van Johnson and Vera Miles. It sounds quite interesting.

...Have a Kindle? Elswyth Thane's YANKEE STRANGER, the second in the series of Williamsburg Novels which are my all-time favorite books, has been released in a Kindle version. I immediately loaded it into my Fire. DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT was previously released in a Kindle version. Hopefully the rest will be coming soon. Thanks to Michele for the tip!

...I've been very impressed by this month's series on VERTIGO (1958) at The Lady Eve's Reel Life. In one of most recent entries, John Greco interviews Hitchcock biographer Patrick McGilligan about the movie.

...A few days after enjoying Steve Cochran and Ruth Roman in TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY (1951), I happened across a 2009 review posted by Mark at Where Danger Lives. I really enjoyed his thoughtful take on the film and its characters. I was also interested to read the strong endorsement by the "Czar of Noir," Eddie Muller, in the comments. The movie is available from the Warner Archive and is very much recommended.

...Page recently posted a lovely piece on Alice Faye at My Love of Old Hollywood, filled with some terrific photos. Alice Faye fans will want to be sure to check it out, and it's a great introduction for those new to the lovely and talented Alice.

...Mail Alert: Stamp prices went up by one cent today. It will now cost 45 cents to mail that birthday card or bill.

...Deb's posted a number of interesting reviews lately at Sidewalk Crossings. I especially enjoyed her thoughts on Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, and Kirk Douglas in THE VIKINGS (1958) and a comparison of the 1937 and 1952 versions of THE PRISONER OF ZENDA.

...Mike Clark has reviewed the Warner Archive release of THE CONSTANT NYMPH (1943) at Home Media Magazine.

...At The Crowd Roars, Anna chooses her three favorite Loretta Young pre-Codes.

...I love PORTRAIT OF JENNIE (1948), the Joseph Cotten-Jennifer Jones fantasy featured in a new post at Classic Movies Digest.

...Jessica of Comet Over Hollywood had her post on one of my favorite films, STATE FAIR (1945), reposted at MovieFanFare. Judging by the number of comments, it's a popular film!

...Notable Passing: Actress Jenny Tomasin, who played Ruby, the lowly and not-quite-bright scullery maid Ruby on UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS, has passed away at the age of 75.

Have a great week!