Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Here's an early Christmas present from Shout! Factory: Half a dozen years after 20th Century-Fox released the first season of NEWHART on DVD, we have the good news that Season 2 will be released on DVD at long last. NEWHART is one of my favorite comedies, a real "feel good" show, and I'm glad to see more of it will finally be available to own.

...The things one stumbles over on the internet: lovely home movies of Richard Egan and his wife Patricia Hardy Egan, whose passing was noted here in 2011.

...And if you're the last person on earth who hasn't seen the WestJet Miracle video, it's lovely, celebrating the sheer joy of giving a bunch of airline passengers the surprise of their lives. (And yes, it's great viral marketing, too.)

...Still looking for Christmas ideas for a classic film fan? The new book HOLLYWOOD IN KODACHROME looks gorgeous. It was written by Davis Wills and published by It Books.

...Leonard Maltin rounds up recent "New and Notable Film Books" in three separate posts: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. (Side note, there's one error in Part 3: Actually, there was a previous book on the films of 1939, HOLLYWOOD'S GOLDEN YEAR by Ted Sennett.)

...Coming soon here at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings: a review of the impressive new biography of Barbara Stanwyck by Victoria Wilson. In the meantime, here's a review by KC at Classic Movies.

...Over at DVD Savant, Glenn Erickson has posted "The Most Impressive Discs of 2013."

...The Film Noir Foundation has announced its schedule for the 12th Annual Noir City Festival to be held in San Francisco next month. We'll have to wait a while to learn the schedule for Hollywood's 16th Annual Noir City Festival, to be held next March and April, but it sounds like Hollywood will also get the new restoration of Lizabeth Scott and Dan Duryea in TOO LATE FOR TEARS (1949). Hopefully we'll also get the restoration of THE HITCH-HIKER (1953), with Frank Lovejoy and Edmond O'Brien, directed by Ida Lupino.

...The "Year of Ann Blyth" starts at Another Old Movie Blog on January 2, 2014. In the meantime, drop by Jacqueline's blog for video of Ann dueting "Winter Wonderland" with Perry Como for a 1958 TV show.

...A few days ago Warner Archive Instant announced the launch of an iPad app.

...From Robby at Dear Old Hollywood: The locations for COLLEGE COACH (1933) starring Pat O'Brien and Dick Powell, with John Wayne in a bit part. Love the then-and-now shots of the Coliseum and Rose Bowl.

...I recently caught up with a review of Robert Taylor in QUENTIN DURWARD (1955) at Kevin's Movie Corner. It's a Taylor film I've not yet seen, and Kevin certainly makes it sound appealing.

...The new National Film Registry list was announced. MIDNIGHT (1939) and MARY POPPINS (1964) are just two of the films which will be preserved by the Library of Congress.

...Coming from Criterion on March 25th: Harold Lloyd in THE FRESHMAN (1925). In keeping with Criterion's new policy, the movie will only be sold in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack; it cannot be purchased in one of those formats individually.

...Also coming from Criterion in March: Kurosawa's THE HIDDEN FORTRESS (1958), which apparently was a significant inspiration for STAR WARS (1977).

...Kay loves Sonja Henie in SUN VALLEY SERENADE (1941); visit her fun post at Movie Star Makeover. My review of last Christmas is here.

...As someone new this year to the films of Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu, I loved this photo, seen on Twitter, of teapots from Ozu's films. Click on it to enlarge.

...Short bits: Colin muses on "The Color Noir" at Riding the High Country...I'm looking forward to seeing Robert Ryan in DAY OF THE OUTLAW (1959) which Greenbriar Picture Shows calls "a snowbound comfort Western"..."Seven Enduring Lessons From IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE"...Westerns coming from Olive Films in 2014 listed by Toby at 50 Westerns From the 50s...Yvonne DeCarlo loves her Proctor toaster! Kristina's got wonderful vintage celebrity ads at Speakeasy...Busy Kristina's also got gorgeous photos of Brian Aherne and lots more fun stuff to check out...And here's Lou Lumenick's holiday gift guide for classic film fans.

...I've read Jon Weisman's Dodger Thoughts blog for years, following it to various URL's as he migrated around the web. The blog is finally coming to an end, but for the best of reasons: Jon is going to work for the Dodgers! I've removed Dodger Thoughts from my blogroll and thank Jon for years of great reading and insights.

...Attention Southern Californians: Two new film series have been announced by UCLA for the first quarter of 2014, Columbia in the 1930s: Recent Restorations and Dark City, Open Country: The Films of Anthony Mann. Plus, on January 11th, there's Joan Fontaine in FRENCHMAN'S CREEK (1944), directed by Mitchell Leisen. Needless to say, I expect I'll be spending a lot of time in Westwood in early 2014! I'll be posting more details on each series here in the coming weeks.

...Just a reminder to be sure to visit the Christmas Movie Blogathon at Family Friendly Reviews. There are lots of posts on some wonderful movies, not to mention classic Christmas TV shows.

Have a great week, and Merry Christmas!