Around the Blogosphere This Week...

...will not appear this weekend while I'm attending the annual Lone Pine Film Festival.

The column will also not appear on October 19th due to a family wedding.

Around the Blogosphere This Week will return on Saturday, October 26th.

For recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my October 5th column.

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Off to Lone Pine!

We're headed to the annual Lone Pine Film Festival today!

We're taking an extra day this year to head as far north as Bishop on Highway 395 and enjoy some of the fall colors before turning around and heading back south for Bishop Wednesday afternoon.

Last month I shared details on the festival's films and guests. Please click here to check out the info.

After I return from the festival posting may continue to be light here until the week of the 21st, due to a family wedding and relatives visiting from out of town. I'll be back as usual with lots of reviews and much more later this month!

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Quick Preview of TCM in November

It's time for a quick peek ahead at what's in store on Turner Classic Movies this November!

I'm quite excited about the November Star of the Month, Ruth Roman.

Roughly 20 of Roman's films will be shown on Tuesday evenings, including the TCM premiere of BELLE STARR'S DAUGHTER (1948).

Some of the great Roman films on hand next month will include THE WINDOW (1948), STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951), and TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY (1951).

The TCM Spotlight on Wednesdays will feature suspense films, and a Special Theme on the first three Thursday evenings of the month will be the films of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.

The Powell-Pressburger series will include the TCM premiere of the new documentary MADE IN ENGLAND: THE FILMS OF POWELL AND PRESSBURGER (2024).

Noir Alley films this November will be NOBODY LIVES FOREVER (1946), LE DEUXIEME SOUFFLE (1966), TRAPPED (1949), and NAKED ALIBI (1954).

Veterans Day will be marked with a series of military-themed films on November 11th. Thanksgiving Day will be spent with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers during the daytime hours, followed by several family films in prime time. The family film lineup includes the always-welcome 20th Century-Fox film CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN (1950).

Additional programming themes include films based on W. Somerset Maugham and Damon Runyon stories, along with winter, tropical locations, romances, Soviet Communists, San Francisco, and scientists/inventors. There will also be a day of nine MAISIE films starring Ann Sothern.

TCM will feature a memorial tribute to Gena Rowlands on November 4th. Additional filmmakers honored with multifilm tributes will include Gig Young, Esther Williams, Greta Garbo, Hedy Lamarr, Fred M. Wilcox, Dick Powell, and the team of Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo.

There are still a number of blank spots on the schedule, so stay tuned for much more on the complete November schedule here at the end of this month.

In the meantime, Bela Lugosi continues as the October Star of the Month.

Related post: Book Review: Ruth Roman: A Career Portrait.

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Tonight's Movie: Conflict (1945) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

Humphrey Bogart plays a wife murderer in the highly enjoyable CONFLICT (1945), just released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection.

CONFLICT was scripted by Arthur T. Norman and Dwight Taylor from a story by Alfred Neumann and Robert Siodmak. Siodmak, of course, is greatly revered as a director of film noir but he did not direct CONFLICT; that job fell to Curtis Bernhardt.

It's interesting to me that a star as big as Bogart was cast in this type of role, not all that long after CASABLANCA (1942) and other heroic roles. And as a matter of fact, Bogart would again play a wife killer two years later in THE TWO MRS. CARROLLS (1947), and in both films he kills for the love of Alexis Smith.

There's also a bit of irony in that Bogart famously wed Lauren Bacall the very same year CONFLICT was released.

In CONFLICT Smith plays Bogart's young sister-in-law, Evelyn, who's clueless to the fact that Richard (Bogart) is in love with her. She begins to realize it after her sister, Richard's shrewish wife Kathryn (Rose Hobart), disappears. In the wake of Kathryn's absence, Richard is unhappy when Evelyn is courted by a handsome young professor (Charles Drake) and things get awkward very quickly.

Richard and Kathryn's friend Dr. Mark Hamilton (Sydney Greenstreet), a psychologist, becomes suspicious about Kathryn's disappearance...and meanwhile some of Kathryn's possessions begin turning up in unexpected places.

I last saw this 86-minute film way back in 2011 and was delighted to revisit it via this beautiful Blu-ray.

Everything about this film is a pleasure, from the star power of Bogart and Greenstreet to the loveliness of young Smith to the well-constructed story. This is a polished film made by pros in front of and behind the camera at Warner Bros.

As I wrote in 2011, the film is also an interesting example of the mid-'40s fascination with psychology, which was often worked into crime films.

More than that I won't say, so as not to spoil the plot. As it happens I had forgotten how it ended myself so revisiting the movie was extra-enjoyable.

CONFLICT was filmed in black and white by Merritt Gerstad. The score was composed by Frederick Hollander, orchestrated by Jerome Moross (THE BIG COUNTRY). Gown were created by Orry-Kelly.

Supporting roles are played by Grant Mitchell, Patrick O'Moore, Ed Stanley, Ann Shoemaker, and James Flavin.

I was interested to learn that Marjorie Hoshell, who plays a telephone operator in an extended sequence with Bogart, married Jeff Chandler the year after this movie. They were married for nearly eight years.

The Warner Archive Blu-ray print of CONFLICT is from a 1080p HD master from a new 4K scan of the original nitrate camera negative. It looks absolutely terrific and also has excellent sound.

Disc extras consist of the trailer; the cartoons LIFE WITH FEATHERS (Sylvester & Tweety Bird, 1945) and TRAP HAPPY PORKY (Porky Pig, 1945); the shorts PEEKS AT HOLLYWOOD (1946) and ARE ANIMALS ACTORS? (1945); and a short 25-minute Theater of Romance radio production from September 1945.

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.

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Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Coming to Blu-ray from the Warner Archive in November: HUMORESQUE (1946), starring Joan Crawford and John Garfield.

...Also out from the Warner Archive Collection in November: Looney Tunes Collector's Choice Vol. 4, MUST LOVE DOGS (2005) with Diane Lane, and a complete THIN MAN Blu-ray set.

...Fall cookbook time: WHEN SOUTHERN WOMEN COOK is coming from America's Test Kitchen in November.

...Kino Lorber Studio Classics has announced a November 19th release date for the Western THE LONELY MAN (1957) starring Jack Palance and Anthony Perkins. The Blu-ray will include a commentary track by Toby Roan.

...Recent movie reviews: CineSavant Glenn Erickson reviews the MGM musical WORDS AND MUSIC (1948), on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection, at Trailers From Hell...Colin reviews Gary Cooper in MAN OF THE WEST (1958) at Riding the High Country...Toby Roan recently reviewed the new Blu-ray of WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE (1951) at his blog The Hannibal 8...Stephen reviews Jeanne Crain as MARGIE (1946) at Classic Movie Man...and Tim Salmons reviews Kino Lorber's Columbo: The Return (1989-2003) for The Digital Bits.

...Notable Passings: The appealing baseball player turned actor Drake Hogestyn, who starred on DAYS OF OUR LIVES for nearly 40 years, has sadly died of cancer at 70. I also remember him from the one-season series SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (1982-83) which also starred Richard Dean Anderson, Peter Horton, and River Phoenix...GENERAL HOSPITAL star Ron Hale, who played Mike Corbin, has died at 78. Hale also starred on RYAN'S HOPE for 14 years...Barbara Leigh-Hunt, who starred in Hitchcock's FRENZY (1972), has died at 88. She played Lady Catherine in the 1995 BBC production of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with Colin Firth...Singer-songwriter-actor Kris Kristofferson has passed away at 88.

...Please note that Around the Blogosphere This Week will not appear for the next two weekends, when I'll be at the Lone Pine Film Festival and then attending a family wedding. The column will return on Saturday, October 26th.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my September 28th column.

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TCM in October: Highlights

Happy October!

It's hard to believe the spooky season has rolled around once more, but here we are! And it's time for a look at the October schedule on Turner Classic Movies.

Bela Lugosi is the October Star of the Month. Over two dozen of his films will be featured on Wednesday evenings.

The TCM Spotlight will focus on period costume dramas, with a whopping 53 films being shown on Tuesday evenings.

Thursdays will feature Creepy Cinema, guest hosted by Mario Cantone, and on Fridays the two-month series "Making Change: The Most Important Political Films of All Time," which began in September, will continue for a second month. More details on the "Making Change" series were covered in an article at The Hollywood Reporter.

The October Noir Alley films are DETOUR (1945) on October 5th and 6th, THE CROOKED WAY (1949) on October 12th and 13th, TOO LATE FOR TEARS (1949) on October 19th-20th, and I WALK ALONE (1947) the weekend of October 26th and 27th.

I've enjoyed the last three films on the Noir Alley list and especially love TOO LATE FOR TEARS, which I've seen multiple times and find great fun. Lizabeth Scott and Dan Duryea star, ably supported by Don DeFore and Kristine Miller.

TCM premieres in October will include DELIGHTFULLY DANGEROUS (1945) with Jane Powell on October 14th; the sci-fi classic INVADERS FROM MARS (1953) on the 3rd; THE FAN (1981) with James Garner and Lauren Bacall on the 17th; and MYSTIC PIZZA (1988) with Julia Roberts on October 19th.

Below are a few more highlights from TCM's October schedule. Please click on any hyperlinked title to read a full-length review.

...The daytime theme on Wednesday, October 2nd, is twins. Titles include TWICE BLESSED (1945), a forerunner of THE PARENT TRAP (1961) starring twins Lyn and Lee Wilde, with Preston Foster and Gail Patrick as their estranged parents.

...A day of '50s sci-fi and horror films on October 3rd includes a big favorite of mine, THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS (1953). Lee Van Cleef as an army sharpshooter trying to take down the fearsome beast at an amusement park is unforgettable.

...October 4th features lesser-known '50s MGM musicals, including TEN THOUSAND BEDROOMS (1956) and RICH, YOUNG AND PRETTY (1951). My favorite of the day is LOVELY TO LOOK AT (1952), which among other things has a couple of amazing dances by Marge and Gower Champion.

...October is a great month for Jane Powell fans. In addition to DELIGHTFULLY DANGEROUS and RICH, YOUNG AND PRETTY, NANCY GOES TO RIO (1950) will be shown on October 6th.

...There's more from MGM on October 7th, when TCM celebrates the birthday of studio director Robert Z. Leonard. The titles that day include a couple Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson Eddy films, MAYTIME (1937) and THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST (1938).

...There's a fantastic day of period films on October 8th; along with older films the schedule includes one of my favorite films of more recent decades, THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS (1992). One of these days I need to give it a full-length review here! Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe star.

...Agnes Moorehead is celebrated on the 10th with a very interesting lineup which includes a lesser-known favorite, SCANDAL AT SCOURIE (1953). Moorehead plays a small but key role alongside Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, and Donna Corcoran. I especially recommend this film to anyone who's fond of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES.

...I really enjoyed Barry Sullivan in NO QUESTIONS ASKED (1951), opposite Arlene Dahl and Jean Hagen. It's showing on October 11th.

...The Musical Matinee on October 12th is TOO MANY GIRLS (1940), which features a great cast: Richard Carlson, Lucille Ball, Ann Miller, Desi Arnaz, Harry James, and Frances Langford, to name a few. Van Johnson can even be spotted in the chorus!

...TCM celebrates Ricardo Montalban in prime time on October 14th with a lineup including favorites such as BATTLEGROUND (1949), MYSTERY STREET (1950), and NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER (1949). And don't miss his hot dance with Cyd Charisse in ON AN ISLAND WITH YOU (1948)! They were an underrated dance team at MGM in the '40s.

...October 15th will feature William Wyler's WUTHERING HEIGHTS, starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon, as part of the day of period films. That evening will include the premiere of a brand-new documentary on Merchant Ivory films.

...The spooky movies on October 20th include the ghostly comedy BLITHE SPIRIT (1945), starring Rex Harrison and Constance Cummings.

...October 21st features a day of romances including SYLVIA AND THE PHANTOM (1946), also known as SYLVIE ET LE FANTOME, which I've been wanting to see. I've heard good things. Then, that evening, Bill Murray cohosts!

...There's even more Jane Powell on October 23rd with a screening of LUXURY LINER (1948), costarring George Brent. (Interesting trivia: A couple years later Brent is said to have named his daughter Suzanne after Powell; Suzanne was Powell's birth name.)

...There's an entire day of Dennis Morgan films on October 24th. The schedule includes two of my favorite discoveries, THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU (1944) and THE DESERT SONG (1944). Highly recommended!

...The entertaining airline disaster film THE CROWDED SKY (1960) is part of a day of disaster films on October 25th. Dana Andrews stars.

...A pair of seasonally appropriate Val Lewton classics will be shown on October 27th, CAT PEOPLE (1952) and I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE (1943).

...Choreographer Jack Cole is honored on October 28th with several films including KISMET (1955), starring Howard Keel and Ann Blyth.

...On October 29th the lineup of period films includes a rare TCM showing of the 20th Century-Fox costumer FOREVER AMBER (1947) starring Linda Darnell (seen here).

...The month closes with a "Halloween Terror-Thon" on October 30th and 31st. Details are here.

For more on TCM in October 2024, please visit my Quick Preview of TCM in October along with TCM's online schedule.

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