Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...December releases from the Warner Archive Collection will include ANNA CHRISTIE (1930), TARZAN THE APE MAN (1932), THE GREAT ZIEGFELD (1936), GENTLEMAN JIM (1942), and MADAME BOVARY (1949). All are due out December 12th. As mentioned last week, the Looney Tunes Collector's Choice Vol. 2 set is also on the way that date.

...Variety ran a neat article earlier this month on classic-era Hollywood studio commissaries.

...Coming to Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics: Fred Astaire and Betty Hutton in LET'S DANCE (1950). Kino Lorber also recently announced a Blu-ray restoration of a longtime public domain film, SCARLET STREET (1945).

...Apple TV+ has raised the monthly price of its streaming service from $6.99 to $9.99.

...Film historian and author Chris Yogerst has reviewed Scott Eyman's new book, CHARLIE CHAPLIN VS. AMERICA: WHEN SEX, ART, AND POLITICS COLLIDED, for the Los Angeles Review of Books. For Southern Californians, Eyman will be signing books at Larry Edmunds Bookshop in Hollywood on November 8th.

...Also signing books at Larry Edmunds in November is Illeana Douglas. Alan K. Rode will interview her about her new book, CONNECTICUT IN THE MOVIES: FROM DREAM HOUSES TO DARK SUBURBIA.

...I was disappointed by the news that the next MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE movie will be delayed from 2024 to 2025. It's also expected to have a name change from MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING - PART TWO. I loved PART ONE (2023), which is out on Blu-ray this coming week.

...Also delayed till 2025 is Disney's live-action SNOW WHITE movie, which looks like an utter train wreck, and Pixar's ELIO. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if SNOW WHITE is permanently removed from the schedule.

...The Criterion Channel streaming service has another great lineup coming in November. Themes include "Women of the West," "Pre-Code Divas," and "November Noir."

...Soap Opera Digest, which began publication in 1975, has announced it will no longer publish a print edition. It's not surprising, given how few soap operas remain on TV.

...At Riding the High Country, Colin has reviewed the gothic noir SO EVIL MY LOVE (1948), which stars Ray Milland. Ann Todd, and Geraldine Fitzgerald.

...KC has reviewed Bear Manor Media's THE ACCIDENTAL STAR: THE LIFE AND FILMS OF WARNER BAXTER at her blog Watching Classic Movies. The author is Dan Van Neste.

...Martin Scorsese has put together an interesting Letterboxd list of "companion films" by other filmmakers to watch alongside his movies. For example, he recommends watching BLOOD ON THE MOON (1948) and THE HEIRESS (1949) along with his new KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON (2023).

...CineSavant Glenn Erickson's latest reviews at Trailers From Hell include the new Kino Lorber Blu-ray release of Michael Powell's THE EDGE OF THE WORLD (1937).

...I revisited two films this past week, THAT WONDERFUL URGE (1948) and LA LA LAND (2016). THAT WONDERFUL URGE is absolutely delightful escapism starring the gorgeous team of Tyrone Power and Gene Tierney. LA LA LAND has numerous issues -- and I found leading lady Emma Stone considerably more annoying on this viewing -- but the color design, Los Angeles area locations, and nods to musicals past continue to make it worth seeing.

...Ordered last week: Foster Hirsch's brand-new book HOLLYWOOD AND THE MOVIES OF THE FIFTIES.

...Notable Passings: Joan Evans, whose films included OUR VERY OWN (1950) and NO NAME ON THE BULLET (1959) (seen here), has died at 89. Evans' interesting life included spontaneously getting married at the home of her godmother, Joan Crawford, the week after she turned 18. Happily, it proved to be a lifelong marriage...Richard Moll, best known as Bull the bailiff on NIGHT COURT (1984-92), has died at 80...Richard Roundtree of SHAFT (1971) fame has passed away at 81...Character actress Elizabeth Hoffman, best known as the mother on SISTERS (1991-96), has passed on at 97.  She played Eleanor Roosevelt in THE WINDS OF WAR (1983) and WAR AND REMEMBRANCE (1988-89). I also remember her from the "volcano movie" DANTE'S PEAK (1997)...I was saddened to learn of the August passing of Rusty Richards of the Sons of the Pioneers at the age of 89. Rusty was a local, from here in Orange County, CA.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my October 21st roundup.

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