Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Greenbriar Picture Shows reviewed FIREBALL: CAROLE LOMBARD AND THE MYSTERY OF FLIGHT 3 by Robert Matzen and says it's a "must read." It was published last month by Paladin Communications. The author will be signing the book this Thursday night, January 16th, at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica; he'll also be signing at the fabled Larry Edmunds Bookshop on Hollywood Boulevard next Saturday, the 18th. Work permitting, I may try to go to the Museum event; I have a longstanding interest in Lombard. (Update: Here's a report on the Museum of Flying event!)

...The Classic Movie History Project Blogathon started today and runs through Tuesday! Visit the link for a complete list of posts.

...Big congrats to Robby who just celebrated his fifth anniversary blogging at Dear Old Hollywood! Robby's posts on movie locations are always "must reads."

...The Noir City Festival taking place in San Francisco later this month has an international theme. There's a nice trailer for the festival. The schedule is at the Noir City page.

...From the BBC: "The Allure of Abandoned Tube Stations."

...Want to know what's coming out in 2015? That's right, 2015. First Showing has a calendar.

...A heart-warmer: "Ice Storm Solves Lost Wedding Ring Case."

...Jacqueline introduces "The Year of Ann Blyth" at Another Old Movie Blog. Then stick around for her next post, a look at MR. PEABODY AND THE MERMAID (1948).

...Thinking about William Powell, Ann's costar in MR. PEABODY, reminds me of this neat photo Jessica of Comet Over Hollywood posted of Powell and his wife Diana Lewis at home.

...Reviews, reviews, and more reviews: Here's Will on "3 Things I Love about THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946)" at Cinematically Insane...Glenn Erickson on Robert Wagner and Terry Moore in BENEATH THE 12-MILE REEF (1953) and Ginger Rogers and James Stewart in VIVACIOUS LADY (1938) at DVD Savant...Colin writes on NIGHT HAS A THOUSAND EYES (1948) at Riding the High Country. NIGHT HAS A THOUSAND EYES stars Edward G. Robinson, Gail Russell and John Lund; I reviewed it here...Caftan Woman on Rosalind Russell in THE VELVET TOUCH (1948), which airs on TCM January 27th...I recently came across this appreciative review of RIDE CLEAR OF DIABLO (1954) by Jeremy L. Roberts for The Examiner. That movie was one of my Favorite Film Discoveries of 2013.

...Kristina's started keeping a Film Diary at Speakeasy. I'm enjoying peeking in regularly to see what she's been watching!

...I'd like to welcome a new classic film blogger, Kristina's pal Mike who recently started up Mike's Take on the Movies.

...Cliff always has interesting posts at Immortal Ephemera. Among those I've recently enjoyed: his TCM Tally breaking down the movies TCM is showing this month by decade; a review of Helen Twelvetrees in MILLIE (1931); and "The Centenarians," about filmmakers who have lived to 100 and beyond. Speaking of which, Oscar-winning actress Luise Rainer turned 104 today!

...Relating to Cliff's TCM Tally, here's musings on TCM and the definition of "classic film" from Lara at Backlots.

...Coming from VCI: DRUMS IN THE DEEP SOUTH (1951) with Guy Madison, James Craig, and Barbara Payton.

...And here's a December post from 50 Westerns from the 50s about Olive's Western releases slated for 2014.

...I enjoyed this look back at 2013 from Jeff at The Stalking Moon.

...Netflix is testing the possibility of offering different streaming plans rather than the current $7.99 plan, which includes HD streaming and up to two devices at a time. Future plans may include $6.99 for standard-only streaming on one device at a time, and $9.99 for HD streaming and simultaneous devices.

...A good point about Netflix and how the shift in focus from DVDs to streaming -- and the cost of desirable products for streaming -- has changed the company's core mission: "As a result, Netflix can’t, any longer, aspire to be the service which allows you to watch the movies you want to watch." Instead of a wide selection of pretty much every new movie that's out there, viewers have to take what they can get.

...At Movie Star Makeover Kay takes a close look at Esther Williams' amazing Helen Rose wardrobe in EASY TO LOVE (1953). I reviewed EASY TO LOVE last summer.

...Notable Passings: Actress Carmen Zapata has passed on at the age of 86...Character actor Larry D. Mann, the voice of Yukon Cornelius in RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (1964), has died at 91.

...For recent links on Disney films, books, music, and screenings, please visit In Disney News...

Have a great week!