Around the Blogosphere This Week
Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the internet......Amazing Blu-ray news (via Glenn Erickson): The Alan Ladd version of THE GREAT GATSBY (1949), which I saw in 2012 but which has never been available for authorized home viewing, will be released on Blu-ray in May by Australia's Viavision Imprint. It will include a commentary track by Jason A. Ney and a 1999 documentary on Alan Ladd. (Is it possible a U.S. release will follow, perhaps from Kino Lorber Studio Classics?)
...Coming to Blu-ray next week from ClassicFlix: OBSESSED (1951), starring Geraldine Fitzgerald and David Farrar.
...As mentioned here in December, Turner Classic Movies laid off TCM Underground programmer Millie De Chirico. Last week TCM announced the end of the Friday night TCM Underground series. Beth Accomando of KPBS in San Diego interviewed Millie last week about her book TCM UNDERGROUND. The layoff coming just as Millie was promoting her TCM book was certainly odd, and one has to wonder a bit if more corporate cutbacks are on the way for the network, although the channel has sought to reassure fans (see the link in the top news item from my January 28th roundup).
...A great-looking new book from George Geary: L.A.'S LANDMARK RESTAURANTS, which features favorites I've written about here, including El Cholo, the Pantry, Tail O' the Pup, Cole's, and Philippe's. I own and recommend the author's previous books on California restaurant history, L.A.'S LEGENDARY RESTAURANTS and MADE IN CALIFORNIA. I'll definitely be getting this new title.
...Last week I mentioned my memory of purchasing THE FILMS OF JAMES STEWART (1970) at Pickwick Books on Hollywood Boulevard. By coincidence, just a couple days later I learned from Toby at 50 Westerns From the 50s that two of that book's three authors, Arthur F. McClure and Ken D. Jones, wrote a book for the same publisher on Westerns: HEROES, HEAVIES, AND SAGEBRUSH: A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE "B" WESTERN PLAYERS (A.S. Barnes, 1972). A copy is now on its way to me!
...I'm happy to announce that I will be covering the TCM Classic Film Festival again this year as a member of the credentialed media. The festival takes place in Hollywood April 13th through 16th, 2023.
...Kino Lorber Studio Classics has announced that a Blu-ray of YOU NEVER CAN TELL (1951), starring Dick Powell and Peggy Dow, is "coming soon."
...For those looking for podcasts with George Feltenstein of the Warner Archive Collection, he's been interviewed several times recently by The Extras.
...Last week I was intrigued by the trailer for SWEETWATER (2023), about Harlem Globetrotter turned New York Knicks player Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton. It will be out in April.
...Danilo Castro has reviewed UNFAITHFULLY YOURS (1948) for Classic Movie Hub. This Preston Sturges film stars Rex Harrison, Linda Darnell, Rudy Vallee, and Barbara Lawrence, whose birth date was February 24th.
...The Decades channel is changing its name to Catchy Comedy next month, with a lineup consisting of TV sitcoms.
...Here's an interesting Decider interview with Hallmark Channel Executive VP Lisa Hamilton Daly regarding the network's future.
...Vienna's Classic Hollywood has reviewed THE WHISTLE AT EATON FALLS (1951), a rare Robert Siodmak film available from Flicker Alley. I agree with her that it's a very worthwhile film.
...Good news from Cartoon Brew regarding the restoration of Walt Disney's Laugh-O-Gram studio in Kansas City, Missouri.
...The 2023 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival will take place in Palm Springs from May 11th to 14th, 2023.
...Notable Passings: Prolific -- and sometimes controversial -- biographer Donald Spoto has died at 81...Actress Barbara Bosson of HILL STREET BLUES (1981-86) has passed away at 83...Gabrielle Upton, who wrote for both films and TV, has died at the age of 101. Her film work included GIDGET (1959) and ESCAPE FROM EAST BERLIN (1962); she also wrote for episodic television and multiple soap operas...Director Hugh Hudson (CHARIOTS OF FIRE) has passed on at 86.
...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my February 18th roundup.
posted by Laura @ 3:05 PM
2 Comments:
Another excellent Blogosphere column this week, Laura. Thanks again for all your work!
Considering the volume of movies they release, Kino doesn't hit my strike zone as often as they should, but they're killing it with Peggy Dow. Hopefully, they (or someone else) will release "Reunion in Reno" (the only Dow film I've never seen) or "I Want You" (a nice little movie of which I only have an "unofficial" DVD). Neither of these has had a proper DVD or Blu-ray.
Kinda bummed that with Decades switching to a sitcom format (a good many of which are pretty dopey IMHO), I'll be losing the only place to see the 1950s half-hour drama, "The Millionaire", which has had no physical-media release.
Thank you so much, John.
I really appreciated I WANT YOU when I saw it on TCM. It had a VHS release but, as you note, has never been on DVD or Blu-ray. That seems odd for a Dana Andrews film, and it certainly deserves a Blu-ray release.
I have a "gray market" copy of REUNION IN RENO but would really love a proper DVD. Peggy Dow is wonderful!
Best wishes,
Laura
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