Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Exciting news from Kino Lorber Studio Classics: This November they'll be releasing DEPORTED (1950) on Blu-ray, starring Jeff Chandler and directed by Robert Siodmak. Can't wait to see it for the first time!

...Scott MacQueen, head of preservation at the UCLA Film & Television Archive, has retired. At the linked article he discusses some of his key projects from over the years.

...Toby has a great list of Western film book references at 50 Westerns From the 50s.

...At Once Upon a Screen Aurora previews Capitolfest, which honors Joan and Constance Bennett from August 13-15 in Rome, New York.

...Here in Hollywood, the Cinecon festival has decided to remain virtual this year, streaming an online event September 3-6. The schedule should be published soon.

...Fandango and Vudu have merged to form a joint streaming service.

...This weekend is the debut of the first film in Hallmark's MURDER, SHE BAKED movie mystery series in four years. SWEET REVENGE: A HANNAH SWENSEN MYSTERY (2021) is the sixth movie in the series. I'm delighted Alison Sweeney and company are back!

...Paramount is releasing a centennial Blu-ray of Rudolph Valentino in THE SHIEK (1921). I reviewed Kino Lorber's Blu-ray edition four years ago.

...91-year-old Clint Eastwood stars in and has directed a new film releasing next month, CRY MACHO (2021). The trailer is here. It will also be streamed on HBO Max.

...This summer I've been enjoying Angela's comparisons of novels adapted to film in the pre-Code era at The Hollywood Revue. Her latest is on THE DIVORCEE (1930), filmed with Norma Shearer. The character of the husband in the novel sounds even more jaw-droppingly awful than the Chester Morris character in the movie.

...Eiza Gonzalez (BABY DRIVER) will star in an upcoming biopic on classic-era Mexican film star Maria Felix.

...Vienna's Classic Hollywood has just reviewed NIGHT AFTER NIGHT (1932), a George Raft-Mae West film reviewed here a few weeks ago...At Watching Classic Movies KC has reviewed the new Warner Archive release of THE YEARLING (1946)...Jeff Arnold's West looks at a favorite Joel McCrea Western, WICHITA (1955), which I reviewed here in 2013...Tynan at Four Star Films reviews THE UNINVITED (1944)...and at Comet Over Hollywood Jessica reviews Esther Williams, Van Johnson, and Lucille Ball in EASY TO WED (1946).

...University Press of Kentucky is having a virtual warehouse sale through August 31st. Eligible film-related titles include ANN DVORAK: HOLLYWOOD'S FORGOTTEN REBEL by Christina Rice.

...There's a new post on Robert Taylor by Gillian Kelly at Classic Movie Hub. Kelly wrote a book on the actor which came out a couple of years ago. August 5th, incidentally, marked 110 years since Taylor's birth. Here's a past tribute to someone who's become a favorite actor.

...Phyllis Loves Classic Movies has a wonderful photo post on recycled costumes. I was particularly interested in Lana Turner's black and white striped gown from MARRIAGE IS A PRIVATE AFFAIR (1944), which I saw in person at the Hollywood Museum. I was fascinated to see it worn by Audrey Totter in a publicity photo.

...F9: THE FAST SAGA (2021), which I reviewed last month, comes to Blu-ray in September.

...Disneyland finally announced a replacement for its longtime Annual Pass program. The good news is the new plan is not nearly as bad as many people guessed it might be. The high-end passes have a somewhat higher price point and all pass levels will now be required to make advance reservations, but other than those attempts to control crowding, Disneyland clearly wants to hang on to its Annual Passholders...er, Keyholders. Passes go on sale on August 25th, and I'll be ordering my Dream Key on that day. Losing my pass when Disneyland shut down the program and refunded everyone's money was one of the difficult things over the last 17 months, as it was psychologically important to be able to look forward to returning to the park, and it will be great to have the pass back again.  My first visit back at the resort is likely to be the Halloween party I already have tickets to attend in Disney California Adventure in mid September.

...Notable Passing: Former Houston Astros pitching great James Rodney Richard has passed away at the age of 71. Richard was one of just a handful of pitchers with back-to-back 300-strikeout seasons, in 1978 and 1979. At six foot eight, he was an impressive presence on the pitching mound. His pitching career came to a premature end after he suffered a stroke in 1980. He survived very difficult times and ultimately became a minister. He was a formidable foe playing against the Dodgers...thanks for the memories.

...For those who didn't catch the post already, a reminder that the winners for my anniversary Blu-ray drawing have now been announced.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my July 31st roundup.

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