Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Tyrone Power was born 99 years ago today. My 2011 tribute has been updated with links to reviews of more Power films seen in the past couple of years.

...May 5th is also the birthday of the wonderful Alice Faye, born in 1915.

...Monday, May 6th, is the centennial of Stewart Granger. Favorite Granger films include KING SOLOMON'S MINES (1950), SCARAMOUCHE (1952), and GUN GLORY (1957).

...The Self-Styled Siren has posted a lovely "Cinco de Virginia Mayo" tribute to Virginia Mayo. I like the Siren's description of Mayo in a comment, "a remarkably consistent bit of happiness in every film."

...DVD Beaver reviews the Glenn Ford - Undercover Crimes DVD collection: "a wonderful set for any Glenn Ford or film noir fan." I picked this set up at the TCM Shop boutique at the TCM Classic Film Festival last week!

...Sadly, the new Fox Cinema Archives release of Jeanne Crain's APARTMENT FOR PEGGY (1948) seems to be pretty bad, with Brandie of Cinema Sentries headlining "Good Film, Atrocious Presentation." I love this film and am disappointed Fox put so little effort into its release.

...I'm very happy about the new Warner Archive triple feature of Joel and Garda Sloan mysteries, FAST COMPANY (1938), FAST AND FURIOUS (1939), and FAST AND LOOSE (1939). The films are unique in that three different sets of actors played the lead characters in a 15-month period; they're all great. Franchot Tone was teamed with Ann Sothern, Melvyn Douglas with Florence Rice, and my favorite Sloans were Robert Montgomery paired with Rosalind Russell.

...For those of us of a certain age, Christopher Reeve will always be SUPERMAN, and Superman has to have John Williams theme music!  That said, this trailer for a new version looks kinda interesting, with Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Pa and Ma Kent, and Amy Adams as Lois Lane.

...Fascinating trivia: My dad passed on the news that the daughter of actors George O'Brien and Marguerite Churchill, Orin O'Brien, has been a bassist with the New York Philharmonic since 1966. She also teaches at Juilliard. Her brother, the late Darcy O'Brien, was a crime writer.

...A remake of GUYS AND DOLLS (1955)?

...After reading him for years, I had the pleasure of meeting the New York Post's Lou Lumenick at the TCM Classic Film Festival. He interviewed George Stevens Jr. about the SHANE (1955) aspect ratio controversy. There's more info on that linked in my last roundup.

...Toby reviews an inexpensive four-film Western set which sounds appealing at 50 Westerns From the 50s.

...Frank Lovejoy and Richard Carlson in the same movie? I'll definitely be buying the new Olive release, RETREAT, HELL! (1952) when it comes out in June. Russ Tamblyn spoke about being cast in the film when I saw him at UCLA last March.  It was directed by Joseph H. Lewis of GUN CRAZY (1950) fame.

...Two new memoirs of interest: THE EAR OF THE HEART by Dolores Hart, released this coming week, and a memoir by Shirley Jones due out in July.

...Royal Watch: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicated last week in favor of her son, who is now King Willem-Alexander. Beatrix is 75 and had reigned for 33 years.

...I'll be taking a short trip to Arizona this week, including a stop in Monument Valley. Appropriately enough, I'll be taking along a review copy of the new book THREE BAD MEN: JOHN FORD, JOHN WAYNE, WARD BOND by Scott Allen Nolen. It was reviewed last week by Colin at Riding the High Country.

...Speaking of which, congratulations to Colin for his 250th post, on a favorite '50s Western, BEND OF THE RIVER (1952).

...Over at Cinematically Insane, Will McKinley has an entertaining report on a pre-Code festival. Will is another fellow classic film fan I was able to enjoy spending time with at the TCM Festival! I'd love to have a pre-Code festival play locally.

...And here's another great-looking new book: THE SEARCHERS: THE MAKING OF AN AMERICAN LEGEND by Glenn Frankel.

...Last week the L.A. Times published an article on Lone Pine, where scores of Westerns were filmed. I've written about Lone Pine many times; for new readers, you can start with this photo post.

...Notable Passing: Allan Arbus, who had a recurring role as Sidney, the psychiatrist, on M*A*S*H, has passed on at the age of 95.

...My posts recapping the TCM Classic Film Festival will continue later this week upon my return from Arizona! I'm looking forward to sharing more of my experiences and reviewing additional films.

Have a great week!