Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Just published by Lyons Press: GLAMOUR AND STYLE: THE BEAUTY OF HEDY LAMARR by Stephen Michael Shearer. Shearer also wrote the 2010 biography BEAUTIFUL: THE LIFE OF HEDY LAMARR.

...Caftan Woman has a new post up about one of my all-time favorite MAVERICK episodes, "The Savage Hills" (1958), featuring guest star Diane Brewster as Samantha Crawford. (March 7th Update: There is very sad news today, our dear Caftan Woman has passed away. Please see my tribute.)

..."Coming soon" to Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics: SEARCH FOR BEAUTY (1932), from a brand-new 2K master. With this release, all of the films from the wonderful DVD set Pre-Code Hollywood Collection will have been upgraded to Blu-ray.

...Coming from The Film Detective: MONSTER FROM GREEN HELL (1957) starring Jim Davis (DALLAS). It will have a new 4K transfer and include a commentary track and an illustrated booklet with an essay.

...Last month Christian Esquevin wrote a wonderful tribute to MGM costume designer Mary Ann Nyberg at Silver Screen Modes. She was married to film critic, historian, and USC professor Arthur Knight.

...Thanks to Phyllis for letting me know about the recently published book UNEARTHING THE SECRET GARDEN: THE PLANTS AND PLACES THAT INSPIRED FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT. Burnett wrote the classic books THE SECRET GARDEN and A LITTLE PRINCESS, both of which have been filmed many times.

...At 50 Westerns From the 50s, Toby has shared news of a Region 2 release of HELL CANYON OUTLAWS (1957), starring Dale Robertson and Brian Keith.

...Annette Bochenek has a new piece on Lola Lane for her Classic Movie Travels column at Classic Movie Hub.

...Some recent reviews of interest: Glenn Erickson has reviewed the new Criterion Collection release of LOVE AFFAIR (1939)...Tynan of Four Star Films reviews one of my favorite Westerns, RIDE LONESOME (1959)...And at Riding the High Country Colin reviews Humphrey Bogart, Alexis Smith, and Sydney Greenstreet in CONFLICT (1945).

...A weekend of silent films is planned for Catalina Island in May. Titles will include Rudolph Valentino in BLOOD AND SAND (1922)...Also taking place in May: The San Francisco Silent Film Festival.

...The underrated Linda Darnell, who has quite an impressive filmography, is the focus of an absolutely wonderful series this month at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

...Attention Southern Californians: JOHNNY GUITAR (1954) will be screening in 35mm at The Autry on April 2nd. I haven't seen the movie since I visited its Sedona location last year and just might be there.

...Notable Passings: Producer Alan Ladd Jr. has passed away at the age of 84. Ladd had an impressive second-generation Hollywood career, shepherding a remarkable list of movies into theaters...Award-winning production designer Tony Walton has died at 87. His credits included MARY POPPINS (1964); in the '60s he was married to the film's star, Julie Andrews...Mitchell Ryan, a busy working TV and film actor beginning in the late '50s up through the mid 2000s, has died at 88...Former Los Angeles Times film critic Sheila Benson has passed away at 91. She spent a decade at the Times, from 1981 to 1991. I enjoyed reading her work. Benson's mother was screenwriter Mary C. McCall, Jr.

...More Notable Passings: Disney and MY THREE SONS (1960-1965) star Tim Considine has passed on at 81. He starred in Disney TV productions such as THE ADVENTURES OF SPIN AND MARTY (1955-1957), THE HARDY BOYS (1956-1957), and ANNETTE (1958), as well as the film THE SHAGGY DOG (1959). His father was MGM producer John Considine; his brother John was also an actor...Billy Watson, one of the last surviving members of the Watson family of child actors, has passed away at 98. He was also one of the last living people to have performed in silent movies. His films included IN OLD CHICAGO (1938), playing Don Ameche as a boy, as well as a number of other films up through 1940. The Watsons are the only family to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As adults many of the Watsons, including Billy, became photographers. Huell Howser filmed a show interviewing the family which may be watched online. The last surviving Watson sibling is 93-year-old Garry.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my February 26th roundup.

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