Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...This November Le of Critica Retro and Summer of Serendipitous Anachronisms are cohosting the "At the Circus" Blogathon. It's due to take place November 12th and 13th. I plan to contribute a post on THE BIG CIRCUS (1959), which has a terrific cast including Victor Mature, Rhonda Fleming, Vincent Price, Kathryn Grant, Gilbert Roland, Peter Lorre, David Nelson, Red Buttons, and Adele Mara.

...Coming even sooner is the "Things I Learned From the Movies" blogathon, hosted by Kristina of Speakeasy and Ruth of Silver Screenings. It's scheduled for October 14th through 17th.

...The Blonde at the Film has an interesting look at Esther Williams' pre-movie years as a swimmer.

...For those who aren't yet familiar with the blog Sweet Freedom, Todd does some terrific link roundups, and I'm most appreciative of being included. Here are his roundups for August 18th and 25th.

...Here's Leonard Maltin on encouraging efforts to keep 35mm screenings alive into the future.

...Fans of Joel McCrea and Frances Dee will want to bookmark the McCrea Ranch Facebook Page.

...Robert Taylor's 105th birthday was celebrated on August 19th and 20th in his hometown of Beatrice, Nebraska. Taylor biographers Linda Alexander and Charles Tranberg gave talks at the event.

...It's fall cookbook season, with upcoming new titles including Ina Garten's COOKING FOR JEFFREY: A BAREFOOT CONTESSA COOKBOOK, FRENCH COUNTRY COOKING: MEALS AND MOMENTS FROM A VILLAGE IN THE VINEYARDS by Mimi Thorisson, author of the gorgeous A KITCHEN IN FRANCE, and DORIE'S COOKIES by baking expert Dorie Greenspan.

...At Out of the Past, Raquel has posted a thorough review of her experience at Capitolfest.

...A musical based on the movie GROUNDHOG DAY (1993) is playing in London's West End, where it's received strong reviews.

...My friend Joel Williams wrote a wonderful tribute to Jean Arthur as a guest post at Once Upon a Screen.

...Toby has reviewed a new Region 2 Blu-ray of the wonderful Western CANYON PASSAGE (1946) at 50 Westerns From the 50s, and there's more info at DVD Beaver. CANYON PASSAGE has a deep cast which includes Dana Andrews, Susan Hayward, Brian Donlevy, Hoagy Carmichael, Patricia Roc, Andy Devine, and Ward Bond; it was directed by Jacques Tourneur. My 2013 review of the film is here.

...Congratulations to John Greco on the eighth anniversary of his blog Twenty Four Frames.

...Here's an interesting article on the life and career of Marta Kristen of the TV series LOST IN SPACE. She was also in the Disney film SAVAGE SAM (1963).

...LA LA LAND (2016) is a musical starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone which will be released on December 16th. Some of the artwork I've seen looks neat. Here's a trailer.

...Attention Southern Californians: The Montalban Theatre in Hollywood has a Rooftop Cinema Club. A series of films which inspired Broadway musicals starts on September 15th.

...Notable Passings: In my last roundup I noted the death of Dean Martin's son, Ricci. Ricci's mother, Jeanne, has now passed on as well, at the age of 89. The Martins had two other children together, Dean Paul (who died in a 1987 plane crash) and Gina. Jeanne also helped parent Martin's four children from a previous marriage, including Deana, who announced the death of her "sweet mommy" on her Twitter account...Director Arthur Hiller has died, age 92.

Have a great week!