Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...I sure wish I could attend the High Chaparral Reunion being held March 17th-20th in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to HIGH CHAPARRAL cast members Don Collier (Sam Butler, the foreman) and Rudy Ramos (Wind), there will be a number of other celebrities in attendance including Robert Fuller, Roberta Shore, Ed Faulkner, Darby Hinton, and Wyatt McCrea, plus Western historians Boyd Magers and Charlie LeSeuer.

...Lou Lumenick of the New York Post recently interviewed Sonia Darrin, who played Agnes in THE BIG SLEEP (1946). Her son is redheaded former child actor Mason Reese. THE BIG SLEEP, incidentally, comes out on Blu-ray today, thanks to the Warner Archive.

...Coming in May from the Criterion Collection: IN A LONELY PLACE (1950). While there were individual aspects of the film I enjoyed, I wasn't a big fan of this highly regarded Humphrey Bogart film, finding it depressing.

...Here's a tribute I came across to actress Lola Albright, along with a brief review of ARCTIC FLIGHT (1952), also reviewed here a few days ago.

...Toby pays tribute to Albright's ARCTIC FLIGHT costar, Wayne Morris, at 50 Westerns From the 50s.

...I belatedly realized I hadn't linked here to my Valentine's Day article for ClassicFlix, which shares 10 favorite romantic films.

...New on Blu-ray from Twilight Time, all-time favorite James Garner film SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF! (1969) paired with SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTER (1971). It's a limited edition of 3000 units, so those who want this release should not delay.

...Reviews, reviews, and more review: Here's Raquel on CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OLYMPICS (1937) at Out of the Past. I've never watched this detective series and look forward to it...Jessica wrote about a mutual favorite, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (1954), at Comet Over Hollywood...John McElwee of Greenbriar Picture Shows looks at Betty Grable and Don Ameche in DOWN ARGENTINE WAY (1940), mentioning its "best-of-all color process." The Technicolor Fox musicals dazzle like nothing else!...Karen reviews Bebe Daniels in the entertaining pre-Code REGISTERED NURSE (1934) at Shadows and Satin...and Glenn Erickson reviews the Twilight Time Blu-ray of WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS (1950), starring the LAURA (1944) team of Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney.

...Thanks to Toby at 50 Westerns From the 50s for the tip on the six-film Randolph Scott Round-up due out on April 5th. The titles (click hyperlinked titles for reviews): THE DESPERADOES (1943), THE NEVADAN (1950), SANTA FE (1951), MAN IN THE SADDLE (1951), HANGMAN'S KNOT (1952), and THE STRANGER WORE A GUN (1953).

...Notable Passings: Cinematographer Douglas Slocombe has passed away, days after his 103rd birthday. His career lasted half a century, from 1940 to 1989; his three Oscar nominations included RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)...George Gaynes, the husband of Allyn Ann McLerie, has died at 98. He was especially known for TOOTSIE (1998) and the '80s TV series PUNKY BREWSTER; GENERAL HOSPITAL fans from way back will recall him as Luke Spencer's nemesis, mob boss Frank Smith...The Autry museum announced the death of Joanne Hale, the widow of singing cowboy Monte Hale. Mrs. Hale, a close friend of Gene Autry's wife Jackie, was the founding president and CEO of the Autry and a life trustee. Hale's prior career accomplishments, described in the Autry's announcement, were most impressive.

...For many more recent classic film links, please visit last week's roundup.

Have a great week!