Around the Blogosphere This Week
Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the internet......A couple weeks ago I mentioned Jon Burlingame's new book, MUSIC FOR PRIME TIME: A HISTORY OF AMERICAN TELEVISION THEMES AND SCORING. Last Thursday we had a wonderful evening, beginning with eating at Musso & Frank Grill for the first time since California's lockdowns, then attending a presentation and book signing at Larry Edmunds Bookshop. Steven C. Smith (seen at left), author of biographies on Bernard Herrmann and Max Steiner, chatted with Burlingame (center) about the book prior to the signing. That's Jeffrey Mantor of Larry Edmunds taking a photo of the crowd, which included Alan K. Rode and Tim Millard of The Extras podcast; it was great to meet Tim for the first time!
...Chris Yogerst has written a wonderful article for The Hollywood Reporter concisely distilling the history of the Western and how frequently it's been declared "dead" only to rise again.
...Upcoming Kino Lorber Studio Classics releases will include June Allyson and David Niven in the remake of MY MAN GODFREY (1937) on May 23rd and the Dark Side of Cinema XIV collection on May 30th. That set consists of UNDERCOVER GIRL (1950), ONE WAY STREET (1950), and APPOINTMENT WITH A SHADOW (1957). All three films have commentary tracks. I'm especially excited about seeing Scott Brady and Alexis Smith in UNDERCOVER GIRL.
...The Criterion Channel's April lineup will include an extensive Harold Lloyd collection. Also available in April: The fairly rarely shown GOOD MORNING, MISS DOVE (1955) starring Jennifer Jones.
...Today I went to a well-attended 35th Anniversary screening of MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (1988). I've now seen it multiple times since my first viewing a few years ago, including twice theatrically; the movie speaks to me in profound ways. I love the way the adults and fantastical creatures join together to reassure and provide a beautiful life for two little girls going through trauma, with their mother hospitalized long term. The Cat Bus showing up to help Satsuki find Mei always makes me mist up. It's hard to express how much this film touches my heart. Very highly recommended.
...Glenn Erickson's CineSavant reviews at Trailers From Hell this week include the Criterion Collection's 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray release of MILDRED PIERCE (1945) and the Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray release of THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL (1957).
...Over at Riding the High Country, Colin has reviewed THREE VIOLENT PEOPLE (1957) starring Charlton Heston, Anne Baxter, and Gilbert Roland.
...I always enjoy perusing the monthly viewing tallies at Phyllis Loves Classic Movies. Lots of good ideas for things to watch!
...Every film on Turner Classic Movies next month will be from Warner Bros., in celebration of the studio's centennial. Some of the films will also appear on the HBO Max streaming service. Here's a preview from The Hollywood Reporter. Look for schedule highlights posting here around March 31st!
...In other TCM news, as mentioned here in my May preview, the complete TCM Classic Film Festival schedule is now available. I'll share my thoughts and picks here in the fairly near future...as soon as I finish work on my tentative itinerary, which is as hard as ever to choose.
...Notable Passings: Director Peter Werner has passed on at 76. He directed a number of episodes of MOONLIGHTING including the classic "The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice" (1985) with Orson Welles guesting; series stars Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis are seen here in that episode...Writer-Producer Gordon T. Dawson has died at 84. His credits included writing several episodes of THE ROCKFORD FILES between 1975 and 1979 and later producing and writing another James Garner series, BRET MAVERICK (1981-82). He was long associated with WALKER, TEXAS RANGER (1993-2001)...Screenwriter Ann Green de Toth, widow of director Andre de Toth, has died at 82.
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...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my March 18th roundup.
posted by Laura @ 7:30 PM
4 Comments:
Sad about Gordon Dawson. Familiar with his work and interviews about Sam Peckinpah. He features in an excellent commentary track with the late Nick Redman on the 'Alfredo Garcia' Blu disc.
Thank you for adding that background on Gordon Dawson, Chris. (Miss Nick Redman's disc work...was sad about his passing.)
Best wishes,
Laura
I really enjoyed seeing Totoro in the theater last month too. I also teared up in multiple places -- I haven't seen it since college, and it is very different to watch as a parent than as a singleton! And yet, it works well for both. And the five kids I took to see it all enjoyed it too -- and the chance to eat movie theater popcorn :-D
I'm so glad you got to see it and were moved by it as well. It really does "speak" to people at different stages of life, doesn't it? So glad the kids liked it!! I hope it will be a treasured memory for each of them.
Best wishes,
Laura
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