Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...I'm very excited about the new, revised version of JOEL MCCREA: A FILM HISTORY. This book by Tony Thomas, originally published over two decades ago, has a new forward by Joel McCrea's grandson Wyatt, who has also added many new photos. The book looks to be excellent, based on a preview via Amazon's "Look Inside" feature. This is a "must" purchase for fans of Joel McCrea and Westerns.

...Speaking of film books, Raquel is celebrating her 6th Bloggiversary by hosting a "Summer Reading Classic Film Book Challenge" at Out of the Past. The challenge is to read and post reviews of six film-related books by mid-September. I hope to participate and read and review more film books this summer, even if I don't end up making it to six! We'll see how I do. :) Visit Raquel's blog for details. And heartiest congratulations to someone who is not only a wonderful classic film blogger but a lovely person inside and out.

...Aubyn of The Girl With the White Parasol is hosting a Barbara Stanwyck Blogathon next month. She already has a very impressive list of contributors signed up! Visit her blog for all the details. I've had such a busy spring, I regret not being able to be as active with blogathons so far this year, but hopefully in the months to come!

...Java's Journey suggested 13 films suitable for watching on Father's Day. A good list to bookmark and save for next year -- or watch them anytime!

...Earlier today Ben Mankiewicz teamed with his father Frank to host a Father's Day lineup on Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta Magazine published an enjoyable interview with the two men about the event.

...Paul reviews the new Superman movie MAN OF STEEL (2013) at Lasso the Movies. Some of my family members saw this today and liked it, though their reaction seemed fairly muted. I'm intrigued by the cast, including Amy Adams, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, and Russell Crowe; I'll probably Netflix it down the road.

...Here's the latest Watch List at Greenbriar Picture Shows. I loved this review of the Rock Hudson-Julie Adams-Anne Baxter Universal film ONE DESIRE (1955): "You near-expect to see commissary-bound Jeff Chandler or Mara Corday pass Rock and Julie emoting on the backlot, or maybe John Agar in adjacent pursuit of oversize Tarantula."

...Toby's started a new occasional series, "Character Actor of the Day," at 50 Westerns From the 50s. First up: the great Frank Ferguson.

...Royalty Watch: The Daily Mail has marvelous photographs of yesterday's Trooping the Color ceremony, which officially celebrates the Queen's birthday. There are some wonderful shots of London.

...Amazon is expanding its grocery delivery service in the Los Angeles area. (Does anyone else miss Home Grocer? That was a great online delivery service which was sadly short-lived.)

...The recent Warner Archive release THE BOY FROM OKLAHOMA (1954) sounds like my kind of movie. Matt Hinrichs has reviewed it at DVD Talk. It's a Western starring Will Rogers Jr. and the always-delightful Nancy Olson, directed by Michael Curtiz.

...Great photos of a different sort: There are some delightful shots of Esther Williams and furry friends over the years posted at Noir and Chick Flicks.

...At Movie Star Makeover, Kay muses on using Esther Williams as a role model for living a more active life. Her post is illustrated with more wonderful photos of Esther.

...And John DiLeo pays tribute to Esther at Screen Savers. He refers to one of my favorite Esther Williams movies, DUCHESS OF IDAHO (1950), as "a quintessential Esther Williams picture."

...This new book might be interesting: THE ASTRONAUT WIVES CLUB by Lily Koppel. Yahoo posted a story on the book last week.

...Vienna recently had the chance to see REPEAT PERFORMANCE (1947), a film I very much enjoyed this spring thanks to screenings at UCLA and the Noir City Festival. The movie has a marvelous cast and a well-constructed, atmospheric story. Like Vienna, I'd love to see it come out on DVD!

...Kevin recounted his experience seeing Maureen O'Hara at last month's John Wayne Birthday Celebration in Winterset, Iowa. Head over to Kevin's Movie Corner for his report.

...Jessica celebrated Father's Day with a tribute to her dad at Comet Over Hollywood.

Have a great week!