Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Supporters of the Film Noir Foundation have just received the latest e-magazine, Noir City, which is chock full of great stuff, including a profile of Frank Lovejoy by Jake Hinkson of The Night Editor, and articles on singer-actress Julie London and director Richard Fleischer. To subscribe, visit the Film Noir Foundation and donate a minimum of $20.

...Here's a fun article by Richard Harland Smith of TCM's Movie Morlocks on the current Noir City Festival in Hollywood. Worth noting that CRY OF THE CITY (1950) is another title in the series which isn't on DVD.

...New books: RITA MORENO: A MEMOIR just came out in March. MARY WICKES: I KNOW I'VE SEEN THAT FACE BEFORE by Steve Taravella is due out from the University Press of Mississippi this June.

...Warner Archive's The Falcon Mystery Movie Collection, Volume 2, receives a strong recommendation from John Sinnott at DVD Talk.

...Having enjoyed shopping at Selfridges in London on past visits, I'm recording the new series MR. SELFRIDGE. It was interesting to learn that the creator of the famous British store was an American. Virginia Postrel has written an interesting article, "How Mr. Selfridge Created the Modern Economy."

...Speaking of British TV series, I was intrigued by a preview of THE BLETCHLEY CIRCLE, due to air in the U.S. later this month. It's about four women who transfer their success as WWII codebreakers to solving a serial killing in 1950s London.

...This is my first year having no homeschoolers, after a decade educating my three youngest children at home; one by one they have all "graduated" to high school and then college. I really enjoyed "18 Reasons Why Doctors and Lawyers Homeschool Their Children," written by a doctor at Children's Hospital of St. Louis. I liked the whole thing, but this sentence especially resonated for me: "We were giving away our kids during their best hours, when they were rested and happy, and getting them back when they were tired, grumpy and hungry."

...Lou Lumenick has a new column in the New York Post, "Exclusively on YouTube," about films available online, including the Alan Ladd version of THE GREAT GATSBY (1949), and, at least as of today, Disney's SONG OF THE SOUTH (1946).

...At Out of the Past, Raquel reviews the collegiate-themed CAMPUS RHYTHM (1943). I share Raquel's enjoyment of college films and have made a note to catch up with this one, which stars Gale Storm. It's out as an "MOD" disc from MGM, and it's also available for free streaming for members of Amazon Prime.

...Leonard Maltin writes on THE SUN SHINES BRIGHT (1953), a John Ford film I've not yet caught up with. I'm especially intrigued by the presence of John Russell of the TV Western LAWMAN, an actor I really enjoy.

...Colin wrote about STREETS OF LAREDO (1948), starring William Holden, Macdonald Carey, and Mona Freeman, at Riding the High Country. I have this film thanks to the kindness of a friend and need to catch up with it soon! I've been wanting to see it for some time now. While you're at Colin's blog you can also check out his post on favorite movie series sleuths.

...Doris Day turned 89 last week, and Jessica paid tribute at Comet Over Hollywood by sharing her love for the musicals Doris made with Gordon MacRae. I love the same titles; ON MOONLIGHT BAY (1951) and BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON (1953) are real favorites of mine.

...James Garner, who costarred with Doris Day in two films, turns 85 today. Here's a look back at my post on Garner's birthday in 2010, which has been updated with links to Seasons 1 and 2 of MAVERICK; Season 2's release on DVD is scheduled for April 23rd.

...And speaking of MAVERICK, I've got to get FBI CODE 98 (1963), an upcoming release from the Warner Archive starring MAVERICK's Jack Kelly. It also stars a typical Warner Bros. cast of the era including Ray Danton, Andrew Duggan, William Reynolds, Phil Carey, Merry Anders, Kathleen Crowley, Peggy McCay, and Jack Cassidy; in fact, I think all these actors excepting Phil Carey appeared in at least one episode of MAVERICK!

...Walter Pidgeon starring in a trio of Nick Carter Mysteries looks like another great Archive release.

...There's lots of interesting info about the correct aspect ratio of SHANE (1953) at Greenbriar Picture Shows (with more to come next week; update: here it is) and 50 Westerns From the 50s. An upcoming Blu-ray release has prompted the current discussion. Update: Here's even more, with input from film historian Joseph McBride.

...The Hollywood Reporter recently ran an interesting article on MGM's great costume designer Irene. There's also a website on Irene, and Carole & Co. has info on the comeback of Irene's fashion line.

...Cliff recently discovered Jessie Matthews in EVERGREEN (1934) and wrote about it at Immortal Ephemera. I've only seen one of her films, need to rectify that!

...Notable Passings: Dancer John Brascia, who partnered Vera-Ellen in WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954), seen at the right, and later Cyd Charisse in MEET ME IN LAS VEGAS (1956), died in February at the age of 80...Screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, who won Oscars for A ROOM WITH A VIEW (1985) and HOWARDS END (1992), has passed on at the age of 85...Irish actor Milo O'Shea has passed away at 86.

Have a great week!