Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Cinecon has just announced that Cinecon 59 will be held in El Segundo this Labor Day weekend, at the Old Town Music Hall, rather than in Hollywood. The venue is quite small so only 150 passes will be sold for the entire festival, which runs August 31st through September 4th. Some of the silent films will be accompanied by a 1925 Wurlitzer organ! The titles to be shown will be announced at a future date.

...There's more great classic film news for Southern Californians, as the Academy Museum will be hosting a "Silent Sundays" series beginning July 23rd. The series is a nod to Academy Museum Director/President Jacqueline Stewart, who also hosts Silent Sunday Nights on Turner Classic Movies. There are a number of appealing titles, including a Mary Pickford double bill of FANCHON THE CRICKET (1915) and Ernst Lubitsch's ROSITA (1923); Greta Garbo and John Gilbert in FLESH AND THE DEVIL (1926); Yasujiro Ozu's TOKYO CHORUS (1931); and a centennial screening of Harold Lloyd in SAFETY LAST! (1923). Please visit this link for the full schedule and ticket information.

...The Guardian reports on a unique project undertaking a "restoration" of sorts of Orson Welle's THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS (1942).

...It's not a surprise as their output had dwindled to nothing, but I'm sad to say that Olive Films has confirmed they are no longer in business. Toby mentions some of their best releases at 50 Westerns From the 50s. I have many wonderful films in my collection thanks to Olive Films. The company will be missed.

...Disney has shared information on some of their 2023 Christmas ornaments. There's an 80th anniversary SALUDOS AMIGOS (1943) ornament with my name on it!

...Here's the trailer for Liam Neeson's upcoming film RETRIBUTION (2023). It looks like the typical wild Neeson ride...literally in this one. Looking forward to it.

...Glenn Erickson's latest CineSavant reviews at Trailers From Hell include ANGEL FACE (1952), THE DAMNED DON'T CRY (1950), and JUGGERNAUT (1974). I reviewed the latter film here last month and just received screeners of the first two a few days ago; reviews coming soon!

...More classic film reviews of interest: Colin has reviewed Tony Curtis in MISTER CORY (1957) at Riding the High Country. I knew nothing about this film before reading his review...Classic Movie Ramblings looks at one of my favorite films, THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938)...and at Comet Over Hollywood Jessica reviewed Ernest Tubb in HOLLYWOOD BARN (1947).

...I always enjoy checking out the latest list of movies watched at Phyllis Loves Classic Movies. They're a great resource for viewing ideas, too! Here's her list for June.

...Two weeks ago I shared news here about severe corporate cuts at Turner Classic Movies. As I wrote in last week's TCM in July post, the firing of head programmer Charlie Tabesh was thankfully rescinded. For some of the latest reporting and reactions please check out these articles at Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The New Yorker, and The Wrap. Needless to say, despite somewhat improved news in recent days, the future of Turner Classic Movies remains a question mark.

...Related: Mental Floss has an article on Ted Turner colorizing movies. Thank goodness that petered out and he turned his attention instead to showing movies in their original forms via Turner Classic Movies.

...Kimberly Truhler's next Film Noir Style presentation at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica will be THE KILLERS (1946) on July 29th. We attended last month's lecture, accompanied by a screening of LAURA (1944), and had a great time.

...Notable Passing: I'm sorry to report that actress and former Miss California Margia Dean has passed away at the age of 101. Last year I paid tribute to the actress on her centennial, and I also reviewed one of the Westerns she appeared in, CIMARRON PASS (1958), for Classic Movie Hub. Mike Barnes has written an excellent obituary for The Hollywood Reporter.

...More Notable Passings: Actress and Broadway musical star Betta St. John, who originated the role of Liat in SOUTH PACIFIC on stage in 1949, has died at 93. Her films included DREAM WIFE (1953), ALL THE BROTHERS WERE VALIANT (1953), THE STUDENT PRINCE (1954), and DANGEROUS MISSION (1954). She was also in two of Gordon Scott's Tarzan films. After recreating her role as Liat in the original London production of SOUTH PACIFIC in 1951, she married her "Lt. Cable" from that production, Peter Grant, a union which lasted until his passing four decades later. They had three children. For more on St. John please visit a tribute by The Tinseltown Twins...Longtime soap opera actor Nicolas Coster has passed on at the age of 89. Coster was a busy working actor who also had roles in numerous films and in episodic television.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my June 24th roundup.

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