Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Today was the 101st anniversary of the birth of actress-inventory Hedy Lamarr, to whom I paid tribute on her centennial in 2014. Google honored Hedy with a Google Doodle today, and it was announced by PBS that Lamarr will be the subject of a future documentary in the AMERICAN MASTERS series.

...For more on Hedy Lamarr, check out last year's look at Hedy in Edgar G. Ulmer's THE STRANGE WOMAN (1946) by The Nitrate Diva.

...Barnes & Noble's fall half-price Criterion sale starts this week.

...Speaking of Criterion, the lineup for next week's Criterion Blogathon is mind-blowing, with dozens of contributors lined up. (You'll find me under "Japan" on the 19th!) The blogathon will run from November 16th through 21st.

...In an interesting move, Amazon has opened a "bricks and mortar" store in Seattle.

...Susan King of the Los Angeles Times interviews actress and TCM guest host Illeana Douglas about her new book, I BLAME DENNIS HOPPER.

...The new film BROOKLYN (2015), set in the '50s, sounds as though it would particularly appeal to classic film fans. Here are reviews by Leonard Maltin and Kenneth Turan.

...Someone please make the remake mania stop: THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO is the latest series being targeted for a remake. The original show, which I enjoyed a lot, starred William Katt, Connie Sellecca, and Robert Culp. It also had one of the best TV theme songs ever. Do any shows even have theme songs anymore?

...I'm unfamiliar with the Edmond O'Brien legal series SAM BENEDICT (1962), currently showing on Warner Archive Instant, but it sounds like something I'd enjoy!

...ClassicFlix has the scoop on the latest releases in the Universal Vault Series, including Yvonne DeCarlo and Rock Hudson in THE SCARLET ANGEL (1952), Joel McCrea and Frances Dee in WELLS FARGO (1937), which I reviewed in 2011, and Deanna Durbin in ONE HUNDRED MEN AND A GIRL (1937), which I also reviewed in 2011.

...The irreplaceable IMDb recently celebrated its silver anniversary. For many film fans there's a definite dividing line of life "before" and "after" the existence of IMDb. I used to comb through books and do library research trying to find information that's now available with a few clicks on the keyboard.

...Check out the Robert Ryan posters Mark's gathered at Where Danger Lives.

...Exciting news from the Film Noir Foundation: The FNF has teamed with Flicker Alley to bring out DVD and Blu-ray editions of the restored prints of WOMAN ON THE RUN (1950) and TOO LATE FOR TEARS (1949), complete with extras. The FNF website says if they sell well there is then hope for releases of films like HIGH TIDE (1947), THE GUILTY (1947), and REPEAT PERFORMANCE (1947); the latter film is a special favorite and having it out on DVD with extras would be a dream come true, so hopefully everyone will order WOMAN ON THE RUN and TOO LATE FOR TEARS as soon as they're out! They're both wonderful movies.

...Raquel recently saw Murnau's horror film NOSFERATU (1922) at Boston's Symphony Hall, with Keith Lockhart conducting the Boston Pops in a live performance of a new score. What a great way to see a silent movie! Her report is at Out of the Past.

...Reviews, reviews, and more reviews: Here's Caftan Woman on KISS OF DEATH (1947), her "One for November" pick of the month...Jacqueline focuses on the aviation angles in Shirley Temple's BRIGHT EYES (1934) at Another Old Movie Blog...Colin's latest review at Riding the High Country is of Lewton and Tourneur's I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE (1943)...Over at Greenbriar Picture Shows John McElwee recently took a detailed look at Tyrone Power and Kim Novak in THE EDDY DUCHIN STORY (1956), including lots of great photos and publicity materials...Aurora writes about a great favorite of mine, THE MARK OF ZORRO (1940), at Once Upon a Screen...Kristina's been reviewing up a storm at Speakeasy where her recent reviews include the spooky fave THE UNINVITED (1944), starring Ray Milland and Gail Russell, and the Gainsborough melodrama THE WICKED LADY (1945) with Margaret Lockwood and James Mason...Kim's latest review at I See a Dark Theater is of Irene Dunne and Pat O'Brien in CONSOLATION MARRIAGE (1931), which I'll be reviewing here soon...and KC's recent reviews at A Classic Movie Blog include Zachary Scott and Ann Sothern in SHADOW ON THE WALL (1950).

...There are also lots of great reviews up at ClassicFlix by familiar names including Karen Burroughs Hannsberry, Kendahl (KC) Cruver, Ivan Shreve, Rick Brooks, and Cameron Howard (aka The Blonde at the Film). Be sure to drop in and check out the latest from time to time!

...The latest series at Rupert Pupkin Speaks is on Underrated Films of 1945. It recently kicked off with an introductory post from Brian, and my friend John Knight had a list posted today. I'll be sharing my list at a future date!

...Anyone wanting to learn about movie serials should stop by the informative site The Files of Jerry Blake, recently added to my blogroll.

...My pal Chris Yogerst has taken up blogging and is also new on my blogroll. Chris has an upcoming book, FROM HEADLINES TO HOLLYWOOD: THE BIRTH AND BOOM OF WARNER BROS.

...Kate Gabrielle has wonderful coverage of the just-completed TCM Classic Film Cruise at her blog Silents and Talkies. Start with Day 1, and additional links are on the right side of the page.

...Notable Passings: Former child actor Charles Herbert has passed on at the age of 66. I knew Herbert best as one of Cary Grant's children in HOUSEBOAT (1958), a childhood favorite; he's at the left in this still. He was also in THE FLY (1958), PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES (1960), 13 GHOSTS (1960), and more...Prolific actor Gregg Palmer, who had over 160 movie and TV credits, has died at 88. Early in his career, when he acted under the name Palmer Lee, the actor was Ann Blyth's boyfriend in an old favorite of mine, SALLY AND SAINT ANNE (1952). He appeared in many other Universal films of the '50s, especially Westerns, and as his career continued he appeared in supporting roles in several of John Wayne's later films, including BIG JAKE (1971), RIO LOBO (1970), and THE SHOOTIST (1976). Palmer appeared on GUNSMOKE an amazing 21 times!...French actress Daniele Delorme, who starred in the original dramatic version of GIGI (1949), has passed away at 89.

...More Notable Passings: Former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson, an attorney who also developed into a very successful character actor, has died of lymphoma at 73. Thompson's first film role was playing himself in MARIE (1985); he went on to appear in films such as NO WAY OUT (1988), THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (1990), and IN THE LINE OF FIRE (1993), as well as a long run on TV's LAW & ORDER. Many well-known politicians spoke at Thompson's funeral, where Lee Greenwood sang "God Bless the U.S.A."...Cinematographer Charles Rosher Jr. has died at 80. Rosher's father Charles was a two-time Oscar winner for SUNRISE (1927) and THE YEARLING (1946). Charles Jr.'s credits included A WEDDING (1978), MOVIE MOVIE (1978), and THE ONION FIELD (1979)...Melissa Mathison, screenwriter of THE BLACK STALLION (1979) and E.T. (1981), has died at 65.

...For even more recent classic film links on books, DVDs, screenings and more, please check out last week's roundup.

Have a great week!