Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...The best news of the week was probably the renewal of ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL for not one but two more seasons. Even better news is that Callum Woodhouse returns to his role as Tristan Farnon for Season 5. As mentioned here earlier this month, Season 4 will be out on DVD and Blu-ray in the U.S. on March 12th.

...More good news this week: A consortium of 35 filmmakers has purchased the historic Village Theater in Westwood, which first opened in 1931. The new owners include Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Guillermo del Toro, Christopher McQuarrie, and Jason Reitman, to name just a few. Future screenings will include personal film prints from some of the directors who are among the new owners. This was wonderful news, as the property could easily have been sold to a developer and razed. I was amused by director Rian Johnson's Tweet: "WE BOUGHT A ZOO." My 2017 photo of the theater marquee is seen here.

...I saw a trailer recently for ORDINARY ANGELS (2024) and was intrigued. Leonard Maltin gives it a thumbs up. Hilary Swank stars.

...Recent movie reviews: Glenn Erickson's latest CineSavant reviews at Trailers from Hell include THE ROARING TWENTIES (1939), just out from the Criterion Collection, and BLOOD ON THE SUN (1945) from Kino Lorber Studio Classics...At The Digital Bits Stuart Galbraith IV has reviewed Kino Lorber's HAS ANYBODY SEEN MY GAL (1952)...Stephen Bjork's review of THE MARVELS (2024) for The Digital Bits has me considering seeing it...I loved Karen's review of SHED NO TEARS (1948) at her blog Shadows and Satin. She's got me very curious about it, especially as it stars June Vincent of a '40s favorite, BLACK ANGEL (1946). I've got to try this one!...Another minor film I'm interested in seeing is CALENDAR GIRL (1947), which was reviewed by Jessica at Comet Over Hollywood. Anything with Gail Patrick is worth checking out!

...Viavision Imprint in Australia continues to have interesting Blu-ray release news. The most exciting for me is their release of a set consisting of the never-on-DVD THE UNSEEN (1945), paired with THE UNINVITED (1944). Both films star Gail Russell and were directed by Lewis Allen. Both films will have commentary tracks by Alan K. Rode. Additional extras include an interview with Imogen Sara Smith regarding Gail Russell's career.

...THE PROUD AND THE PROFANE (1956), starring William Holden and Deborah Kerr, is "coming soon" to Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. Kino Lorber's recent announcements also include STARTING OVER (1979) with Burt Reynolds, Jill Clayburgh, and Candice Bergen, and THE LADYKILLERS (1955) with Alec Guinness.

...Last week Adweek reported that Amazon will be getting rid of its Freevee streaming service, which carries commercials and is free to watch. Later in the day Deadline reported on Amazon denying that story, saying "There are no changes to Freevee." We'll have to wait and find out.

...Unexpected news last week: Sony is taking over Disney's DVD and Blu-ray business, handling manufacturing, distribution and marketing. Almost simultaneously came the news that several Barnes & Noble locations will be adding a section for Disney DVDs and Blu-rays. I'm hoping this might mean greater access not only to Disney films but to vintage 20th Century-Fox titles. Disney scooped up the 20th Century-Fox library yet has done very little with it in terms of viewer access.

...Attention Southern Californians: UCLA will present an evening of THE ROCKFORD FILES on March 23rd. The "Gandy and Rockfish Trilogy" (1976-77) consists of three episodes guest-starring Isaac Hayes. It falls during the upcoming Noir City Hollywood Festival (March 22nd-31st) but depending on what's playing at Noir City that evening, I hope to be there!

...And the Festival of Preservation returns to UCLA April 5th-7th. The festival will include Eddie Muller introducing the Argentinian film NEVER OPEN THAT DOOR (1952), aka NO ABRAS NUNCA ESA PUERTA. I believe that film will also screen at Noir City Hollywood; I'll have complete details on Noir City here as soon as they're available.

...Notable Passings: French actress Micheline Presle, also known in the U.S. as Micheline Prelle, has died at 101. Her English-language films included AN AMERICAN GUERRILLA IN THE PHILIPPINES (1950) opposite Tyrone Power (seen here). She was also in IF A MAN ANSWERS (1962) with Sandra Dee and John Lund...Pamela Salem, who played Moneypenny in NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN (1983), has passed on at 80...Cynthia Strother of the Bell Sisters has died at 88. The sisters appeared in THOSE REDHEADS FROM SEATTLE (1953) with Rhonda Fleming...Film editor Tom Priestley has passed away at 91. His work included DELIVERANCE (1972).

...Please note that Around the Blogosphere This Week will not appear next weekend, March 2nd. The column will return on March 9th.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my February 17th column.

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