Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...There were new announcements this week regarding the 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival. Actress Coleen Gray, who I was honored to interview at the end of last year, will be appearing at a screening of THE KILLING (1956). Mickey Rooney, Carl Reiner, and Barrie Chase are among those who will be on hand for a 50th anniversary screening of IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD (1963), Polly Bergen will be a guest at CAPE FEAR (1963), and Theodore Bikel will be present at a screening of THE AFRICAN QUEEN (1951). And the amazing Norman Lloyd, who is now 98, is scheduled to discuss Alfred Hitchcock at a screening of THE LADY VANISHES (1938). I saw Lloyd at the Noir City Film Festival last year and he's a wonderful storyteller.

...Thanks to Terry at A Shroud of Thoughts for making me aware of the Margaret Lockwood Society on Facebook. You can visit and enjoy the beautiful photos even if, like me, you're not a member of Facebook.

...Yesterday Lou Lumenick Tweeted the good news that a sixth volume of Forbidden Hollywood pre-Code films is coming from the Warner Archive. The titles are THE WET PARADE (1932) with Neil Hamilton and Dorothy Jordan; DOWNSTAIRS (1932) with John Gilbert and Virginia Bruce; MANDALAY (1934) with Kay Francis and Ricardo Cortez; and MASSACRE (1934) with Richard Barthelmess and Ann Dvorak.

...Jessica of Comet Over Hollywood is appearing as Ado Annie in a little theater production of OKLAHOMA! in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. She looks so cute in her costume! Congrats, Jessica!

...Mark of Where Danger Lives has posted a Mark Stevens profile which was originally published by the Film Noir Foundation. If you haven't already read it, it's a very interesting read. Loved Stevens in THE DARK CORNER (1946) and BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN (1950).

...Some of the latest reviews and discussions at Riding the High Country: WAKE OF THE RED WITCH (1948) with John Wayne and Gail Russell, CATTLE EMPIRE (1958) with Joel McCrea, and Rory Calhoun in POWDER RIVER (1953). As readers may be able to tell from the regularity with which I mention this site, it's one of my favorite stops each week. Colin always has interesting insights and hosts excellent discussions from knowledgeable Westerns fans in the comments.

...There's a brief tribute to RIO GRANDE (1950) today at another favorite site, 50 Westerns From the 50s. One of my all-time favorite movies!

...THE MONUMENTS MEN (2013), due out from writer-director George Clooney this Christmas, has an amazing cast. This fact-based WWII thriller stars Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Hugh Bonneville (DOWNTON ABBEY), John Goodman, and Cate Blanchett. The movie is based on a book by Robert M. Edsel, pictured here. Given the subject matter and Clooney's track record, I think this one has potential to be a very good movie.

...Eddie Muller of the Film Noir Foundation recently told me that his favorite train thriller is THE TRAIN (1965), starring Burt Lancaster. Earlier this month Paula reviewed this title at Paula's Cinema Club. I put it in my ClassicFlix queue! The plot, which partly concerns art and WWII, seems as though it may have a bit in common with THE MONUMENTS MEN.

...TCM recently posted a new promo with thoughts by Robert Osborne.

...Last week Raquel had the wonderful opportunity to see Jane Powell and Leonard Maltin in person when TCM hosted a "Road to Hollywood" screening in Boston. You can read about the evening and see Raquel's photos at Out of the Past.

...I enjoyed this article on Lost Train Depots of Los Angeles. (Via LAasSubject on Twitter.)

...The London Daily Mail has some interesting photos of Bob Hope's "space age" home in Palm Springs.

...Paul's recent reviews at Lasso the Movies include DECISION AT SUNDOWN (1957), MINISTRY OF FEAR (1944), and EAST SIDE, WEST SIDE (1949). Paul keeps up a steady viewing pace and I enjoy reading his takes.

...I was sorry when the Bay Theatre in Seal Beach closed last summer and will be keeping an eye out for news on the new Bay Theater Foundation. Perhaps there's hope of the theater eventually reopening?

...Cliff has profiled wonderful Louise Beavers at Immortal Ephemera. I've always loved her in HOLIDAY INN (1942).

...Notable Passings: Malachi Throne, who appeared on the TV series IT TAKES A THIEF and in countless other TV guest roles, has passed on at the age of 84....Rex Scouten, who had a very interesting career including long service as the Chief Usher at the White House, passed away at the age of 88...Welsh-born Princess Lilian of Sweden died at the age of 97...and Micky Moore started out as a child actor in silent movies and became a highly regarded second unit director on films such as RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981). He passed on at 98.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, and have a great week!