Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...It's time for the annual November Barnes & Noble half-price Criterion Collection sale! I stopped by my local B&N yesterday and picked up THE BREAKING POINT (1950) with John Garfield, Patricia Neal, and Phyllis Thaxter. Extras include an interview with the Film Noir Foundation's Alan K. Rode, who has a biography out in a few days on the film's director, Michael Curtiz.

...A very happy birthday to Dianne Foster, who turned 89 on Halloween. Her films included THE BROTHERS RICO (1957), NIGHT PASSAGE (1957), and THE DEEP SIX (1958). My husband happened to chat with her son a few weeks ago (it's a long story) and was told she's doing well and still receives fan mail. Great to hear!

...Kristina at Speakeasy and Ruth of Silver Screenings are hosting the Food in Film Blogathon from November 3rd through 5th. It looks like a lot of fun; better not read the posts while hungry!

...It's the time of year Christmas movies begin appearing on the Hallmark Channels, TCM, and elsewhere; check out the incredibly comprehensive list of upcoming Christmas movies on TV by Net at It's a Wonderful Movie. And check back here at the end of November for my annual post covering all the Christmas movies airing on TCM.

...A trio of very good new movies I've reviewed this year are out on DVD and Blu-ray this month. YOUR NAME. (2016) comes out next week, with WIND RIVER (2017) and IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD (2016) out on the 14th. I recommend all three.

...Leonard Maltin has reviewed the new Scott Eyman book on James Stewart and Henry Fonda...He also writes about several new Disney books; I've bought the first two, INK & PAINT and OSWALD THE LUCKY RABBIT, but haven't read them yet! You can read more about these and other new Disney books in my May post.

...Regular readers know I've had the pleasure of seeing actor Norman Lloyd speak on several occasions. Lloyd, who will be 103 (you read that correctly) next week, recently attended the World Series at Dodger Stadium. He shared his still-vivid memories of attending the World Series as an 11-year-old in 1926.

...Raquel has reviewed a number of documentaries in recent months at her blog, Out of the Past. THE LOST CITY OF CECIL B. DEMILLE (2016) sounds like a very interesting slice of film history.

...Variety reports that Regal Theaters will be testing "demand-based movie ticket pricing."

...New Western DVD releases: A 10-film Durango Kid Collection starring Charles Starrett is due out in January! Thanks to Toby for the good news. Just out this week: George Montgomery and Audrey Long in INDIAN UPRISING (1952) from the Sony Choice Collection. Thanks to reader Ashley for passing on the link.

...A FAST & FURIOUS spinoff starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Jason Statham has been confirmed for release in 2019. That should be a whole lot of fun. Can't wait!

...Diana Rigg will play Mrs. Higgins in a revival of MY FAIR LADY slated to open on Broadway next spring. I'm unfamiliar with the lead actors, but director Bartlett Sher staged what is probably the finest musical production I've ever seen (and I've seen many), SOUTH PACIFIC. When I saw it in October 2010, it was so good I went back the very next week!

...Notable Passings: LOU GRANT costar Jack Bannon, the son of Jim Bannon and Bea Benaderet, has died at 77. Jim Bannon is remembered for a career which included the I LOVE A MYSTERY and RED RYDER movie series, while Benaderet is known for PETTICOAT JUNCTION. Jack Bannon is survived by his wife, Ellen Travolta, brother of John...Cinematographer Harry Stradling Jr. has passed away at 92. His films included a favorite James Garner comedy, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF! (1969) and John Wayne's penultimate swansong ROOSTER COGBURN (1975). His father was the Oscar-winning cinematographer Harry Stradling Sr....Robert Guillaume, fondly remembered by me for SPORTS NIGHT (1998-2000), has died at 89. I saw him on stage in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA roundabout 1990...IRONSIDE actress Elizabeth Baur, who was also the first cousin of actress Sharon Gless, has died at 69...Emmy-winning soap actor Warren Burton (ALL MY CHILDREN) died this month at 72...British actor Roy Dotrice, who was the father of Karen Dotrice (Jane in MARY POPPINS) has died at 94. American audiences knew him as Father on the TV series BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1987-1990)...James Arness's longtime stunt double Ben Bates has passed on at 84.

......For additional recent links on classic movies and more, please visit my September 26th link roundup.

Have a great weekend!