Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...In April 2021 I shared the news here that the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood would not be reopening after its extended government-mandated shutdown during the pandemic. Good news is that there are now plans for a reopening under new ownership in 2022. Here is coverage from the Los Angeles Times, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety. (Photo courtesy of Turner Classic Movies.)

...My friend Toby Roan of 50 Westerns From the 50s has announced the 50 Westerns which he plans to include in his forthcoming book, also named 50 WESTERNS FROM THE 50S. Can't wait to read it!

...Coming in May from the University Press of Kentucky: MY PLACE IN THE SUN: LIFE IN THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD AND WASHINGTON by George Stevens Jr.

...Here are two interesting reviews of the new version of WEST SIDE STORY (2021) by my friends Jessica Pickens of Comet Over Hollywood and Annette Bochenek at Hometowns to Hollywood. I do plan to see it although I'm not sure if I'll catch it in a theater or wait for it to be available for home viewing. The original film is one of my favorites, so if nothing else I'm curious to see how this "revival" compares.

...Although WEST SIDE STORY has had disappointing box office returns to date, SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (2021) is racking up amazing numbers, the most successful film since theaters have reopened post COVID-related shutdowns. It will ultimately be either the third or fourth biggest opening weekend of all time. I have tickets to see it next week! (Update: It made $260 million over the weekend and had the No. 2 box office opening of all time, just after AVENGERS: ENDGAME, released in 2019.)

...I'm hoping ETERNALS (2021) might still be playing locally when I have time to see it the last week of the year, but if not it will be available on Disney+ as of January 11th and on Blu-ray and DVD February 15th. I've seen every Marvel film in a theater since ANT-MAN (2015), but it's been a very busy few weeks!

...The Noir City Film Festival returns to the Bay Area in January, moving from San Francisco's Castro Theatre to a new location, the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland. The 2022 festival will be a four-day event. The theme: "They Tried to Warn Us!" Titles include THE KILLER THAT STALKED NEW YORK (1950), about the race to stop a pandemic in New York City.

...New titles added to the National Film Registry include STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951) and RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983).

...The Beverly Hills home owned by Kirk Douglas has gone on the market listed at $7.495 million. A unique feature: A backyard "walk of fame."

...Speaking of homes, Benjamin McVey has another interesting photo spread on celebrity homes at Cinema Scholars. The latest is "The Vintage Celebrity Homes of Rodeo Drive." I especially enjoyed photos of Gene Kelly's home.

...Coming in March from the Criterion Collection: THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX (1965) starring James Stewart, Ernest Borgnine, and Dan Duryea, among others. It's an aviation disaster film about men marooned in the Sahara which was directed by Robert Aldrich.

...At The Hollywood Revue, Angela takes a look at the similar-yet-different sets for BRINGING UP BABY (1938) and CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945).

...Coming from Kino Lorber in February: A three-disc set for TOUCH OF EVIL (1958), available on either 4KUHD or Blu-ray.

...Karolyn Grimes and Jimmy Hawkins, two of the Bailey children in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946), share their memories.

...A few weeks ago Karen Burroughs Hannsberry reviewed HIGHWAY DRAGNET (1954) for Classic Movie Hub. That's a movie I really enjoy, starring Joan Bennett, Richard Conte, and Wanda Hendrix, plus some great locations.

...Colin has reviewed RED CANYON (1949) at Riding the High Country. It was directed by George Sherman and based on a Zane Grey story, starring Ann Blyth, Howard Duff, and George Brent.

...Some of Glenn Erickson's latest CineSavant reviews: IVANHOE (1952) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection; THE ABBOTT AND COSTELLO SHOW - SEASON 1 on Blu-ray from ClassicFlix; and THE RED SHOES (1947) on 4KUHD and Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection.

...Notable Passings: Actress Cara Williams has passed away at 96. Known for TV's PETE AND GLADYS (1960-62), she had small roles in a number of interesting films of the '40s and larger supporting roles in '50s musicals such as THE GIRL NEXT DOOR (1953), seen here with Dennis Day, and MEET ME IN LAS VEGAS (1956). Williams was married at one point to John Drew Barrymore; survivors include her son, John Blyth Barrymore. A nice tribute to Williams was published by The Tinseltown Twins...Bridget Hanley, who played Candy on TV's HERE COME THE BRIDES (1968-70), has died at the age of 80. Hanley's hometown paper, the Edmonds Beacon in Washington State, has interesting insight into her family history.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my December 4th roundup.

...Around the Blogosphere This Week will not appear on Christmas Day or New Year's Day. It will return on Saturday, January 8th. Be watching for Tonight's Movie in 2021: The Year in Review on New Year's Day!

Tweet