Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...I'm back from a fantastic one-week cruise where I achieved my longtime dream of visiting Alaska. It was everything I'd hoped and more! Seen here, sunset after a day cruising the Tracy Arm Fjord. I can't recommend an Alaskan trip enough.

...The October streaming lineup on the Criterion Channel is filled with spooky seasonal offerings.

...Coming to Blu-ray from VCI: A restoration of Mary Pickford in THE LOVE LIGHT (1921).

...Jennifer Lee has stepped down from being the Chief Creative Officer at Disney Animation. She will focus her work on the next two (!) FROZEN sequels.

...Coming for fall cookbook season from America's Test Kitchen: THE SKILLET.

...This weekend Leonard Maltin is hosting rarely screened Universal Pictures films at the New Beverly Cinema. I previously shared a column by Maltin on these films; here's more in a new article from Jim Hemphill at IndieWire.

...Glenn Erickson's latest CineSavant Blu-ray reviews at Trailers from Hell include THREE LITTLE WORDS (1950) from the Warner Archive Collection and Kino Lorber's Dark Side of Cinema XXII which features CLOAK AND DAGGER (1946), SHACK OUT ON 101 (1955), and SHORT CUT TO HELL (1957).

...Hallmark has unveiled its 2024 Christmas film schedule, featuring 47 films spread across its two cable channels and newly rebooted streaming service, now called Hallmark+. Vulture recently interviewed Hallmark execs about changes at the streaming service, including plans to eventually show some of the original streaming programming on their "linear" channels.

...Jessica's latest obscure musical review at Comet Over Hollywood is LOVE AND KISSES (1965), starring Rick and Kristin Nelson.

...September 21, 2024, is the centennial of the birth of ethereal actress Gail Russell.  Please visit my 2012 tribute to Russell in her honor.

...Attention Southern Californians: This October 26th The Autry will feature RAMROD (1947) in its ongoing "What is a Western?" series, introduced by Alan K. Rode. RAMROD stars Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake, directed by Andre de Toth. It will be screened in 35mm. Recommended!

...Notable Passings: Actor Chad McQueen, son of Steve McQueen, has died at 63. He was especially known for THE KARATE KID (1984) and THE KARATE KID PART II (1986). He was also a racecar driver and founder of McQueen Racing...British actress Cleo Sylvestre, the first black actress to be cast in a lead role at Britain's National Theatre, has passed away at 79. In recent years she played Anne in a few episodes of TV's ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL (2020-2023).

...Another Notable Passing: Actress Kathryn Grant Crosby, the widow of Bing Crosby, has passed on at 90. Her film roles included THE GUNS OF FORT PETTICOAT (1957) (seen here with Audie Murphy), THE NIGHT THE WORLD EXPLODED (1957), THE BROTHERS RICO (1957), GUNMAN'S WALK (1958), THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1958), THE BIG CIRCUS (1959), and ANATOMY OF A MURDER (1959). Those of us of a certain age grew up watching her on Crosby Family TV Christmas specials which included the Crosbys' children, Harry, Mary Frances, and Nathaniel. Mary is well-remembered for her role as Kristin, who shot J.R. on TV's DALLAS in 1980.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my September 7th column.

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