Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Happiest birthday wishes to Piper Laurie, seen here, who turned 89 on Friday, January 22nd, and to Audrey Dalton, who turned 87 on the 21st.

...Here's a rundown on February film noir releases from Andy Wolverton.  The list includes THE SUSPECT (1944) and SO EVIL MY LOVE (1948), both coming to Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

...The release of the next James Bond movie, NO TIME TO DIE (2021), has been delayed from April 2021 to October 8, 2021.

...Coming from Kino Lorber in May: HORIZONS WEST (1952) and QUANTEZ (1957), both with commentary tracks by Toby Roan of 50 Westerns From the 50s.

...Also coming from Kino Lorber in May: TANK (1984), starring James Garner.  I saw it when it came out but confess I recall very little about it.  It will feature a commentary by Bryan Reesman.

...Long Beach's Queen Mary has filed for bankruptcy.

...Pixar's SOUL (2020) has been a big hit for Disney+ in the streaming ratings.

...Coming soon to Disney+: THE MUPPET SHOW (1976-81).

...Speaking of Disney+, I thought the first two episodes of Marvel's WANDAVISION (2021), starring Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, were excellent. They really nailed the takes on '60s classic comedies such as THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW and BEWITCHED. The show merits a close watch, as at least in the early going it's quite a mystery; the episodes are so short that I rewatched them this week and noticed additional things of interest. 

...The Hollywood Reporter ran a story a few days ago on Kimberly Truhler's new book FILM NOIR STYLE: THE KILLER 1940s.  Looking forward to getting it soon!

...Actress-Singer Mary Costa, the voice of Princess Aurora in SLEEPING BEAUTY (1959), was recently honored at the White House with the National Medal of Arts.

..."Coming Soon" from VCI: A remastered print of THE GREEN PROMISE (1949) starring Walter Brennan, Marguerite Chapman, Natalie Wood, and Robert Paige.

...I'm excited about the new Warner Archive Blu-ray of THE PAJAMA GAME 1957) after reading Glenn Erickson's CineSavant review.  Also of interest at Glenn's site, a new review by Charlie Largent of Kino Lorber's release of THE KISS BEFORE THE MIRROR (1933): "Kino has worked a small miracle...to produce one of the most beautiful black and white Blu-ray presentations of the pre-code era."

...Here's a nice New Year's tribute to Eddie Muller at Vienna's Classic Hollywood. Speaking of Eddie, it was fun to hear his "shout-out" a few minutes into his latest installment of "Ask Eddie," available on YouTube.

...Notable Passing: Disney animator Dale Baer has died at the age of 70. Walt Disney Animation issued a statement on his passing.  Baer worked on a great many Disney feature films, beginning with ROBIN HOOD (1973), as well as on outstanding shorts such as GET A HORSE! (2013) and FEAST (2014).

...More Notable Passings: It's been sad to have many baseball greats pass away in recent weeks and months.  Last week saw the passing of one of the Dodgers' all-time great pitchers, Don Sutton, and Friday we learned of the death of the great home run king, Hank Aaron. On Twitter Vin Scully shared his call of Aaron's historic moment.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my January 16th roundup.

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