Today at Disney's California Adventure

We're having a bit of a heat wave here in Southern California. Saturday the temperature was close to 100! It was at least 10 degrees cooler today so my girls and I decided to spend the afternoon at California Adventure and Disneyland while the boys were busy elsewhere.

Beautiful summery flowers at Sunshine Plaza:


Toy Story Midway Mania (aka Toy Story Mania!) isn't open yet -- the official date is June 17th, with passholder previews starting the first week of June -- but the store next door has opened for business. It has a light, airy feel reminiscent of Disney World's Beach Club decor:


A ride poster featured in the store:


Some much-needed shade has been installed on Paradise Pier adjacent to the new ride -- note the surfing Donald detail on the roof (click any photo to enlarge):


Kevin Yee recently reviewed the Florida version of the ride for MiceAge.

We finished the California Adventure half of our visit with a spin on the charming King Triton's Carousel:


The carousel's unique theming includes depictions of famous Southern California seaside parks of bygone days:


More flowers:


Pictures from the Disneyland half of our visit are posted above.

A Blessed Trinity Sunday

One of my favorite hymns is at the subject link.

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Tonight's Movie: The Young In Heart (1938)

Today seemed to be the day for viewing movies set on the French Riviera. After finishing BLUEBEARD'S EIGHTH WIFE, I watched THE YOUNG IN HEART, which opens in France, although the majority of the film is set in England. THE YOUNG IN HEART is a beautifully acted comedy-drama produced by David O. Selznick.

The movie is about the Carletons, a family of card sharps and con artists who use their trickery to avoid actually working for a living. The senior Carletons are played by Roland Young and Billie Burke (also known as Mr. and Mrs. Topper), while their children Richard and George-Ann are played by Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Janet Gaynor.

When the family meets kindly Miss Ellen Fortune (Minnie Dupree), they find themselves slowly, inexorably changing for the better. The male Carltons even end up...working! Will they go through with their plans to fleece Miss Fortune? And what about Richard and George-Ann's wary romantic interests?

Paulette Goddard and Richard Carlson (his film debut) play Fairbanks and Gaynor's love interests and are particularly charming; Paulette plays Leslie, an American businesswoman working in an engineering firm (a fairly unstereotypical role for its day), and Carlson is delightful as Gaynor's Scottish love, Duncan, who regularly pledges to leave her "once and for all!" due to his disapproval of the family's "lifestyle," yet can't bring himself to stay away. I liked that Leslie and Duncan are "on" to the family from almost the outset, so the story was centered more on whether or not Richard and George-Ann could reform suitably than Leslie and Duncan finding out the Awful Truth.

The performances are uniformly excellent, and the acting and overall elegance of the production prevent it from slipping into being overly sentimental in the scenes with sweet Miss Fortune. Interestingly, the film originally had a somewhat darker conclusion which was changed due to negative reactions at previews.

The development of Gaynor and Carlson's relationship could have used a little more screen time, but apparently the filmmakers didn't agree; above is a still from what appears to be a scene which wasn't in the film. Gaynor wears the same dress in a scene near the end of the movie.

The movie was directed by Richard Wallace. It was filmed in black and white and runs 90 minutes. The supporting cast includes wonderful character actor Henry Stephenson as Miss Fortune's suspicious lawyer.

The film features a remarkable car, the Flying Wombat, which now resides in an auto museum in Reno, Nevada.

THE YOUNG IN HEART has been released on DVD and video.
The video copy I watched had a fairly significant amount of strange marks like "X's" go across the screen every so often, but the picture was otherwise good; while not the optimal viewing experience, the problem was not so bad as to prevent the movie from being enjoyed. An Amazon review indicates the DVD picture quality is excellent.

Update: Here are photos of the Flying Wombat which I took on our visit to the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada during the summer of 2008.

January 2018 Update: THE YOUNG IN HEART has been reissued on DVD and is also available for the first time on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber. My review of the Blu-ray is here.

Indy: The First Review?

The London Times claims to have the first newspaper review of the new INDIANA JONES movie, and although it's brief, it's positive.

One little tidbit they dropped made me happy, as it's something I thought should happen from the very first movie.

Do not read the article if you don't want any spoilers whatsoever before seeing the film!

Sunday Update: From the BBC: "The journey is worth the price of admission."

And from another Times review, addressing Internet rumors that the movie would disappoint: "Make no mistake, there is no danger of this film tanking."

Tuesday Update: Roger Ebert says "I Loved Indy."

Steyn on Saturday: It's All About Obama

Mark Steyn dissects the hypersensitive reaction of Barack Obama and his supporters to President Bush's warning about appeasement in his speech in Israel this past week.

The funny thing is that if Obama and the others hadn't mentioned the speech and claimed the President was criticizing Obama, the President's words probably wouldn't have been particularly noticed. But because of Obama's overreaction, everyone who's paying attention to politics now knows that Obama fears being perceived as an appeaser when it comes to dealing with those who would harm our nation and our allies.

The reaction also reflected a certain amount of arrogance on the part of Senator Obama, insisting that the President was definitely criticizing him when Obama was never mentioned by name.

What more appropriate place could there be than Israel, after all, to discuss history and the danger that can be found by appeasing dictators?

Tonight's Movie: Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (1938)

I was inspired to pull out a video I recently recorded of BLUEBEARD'S EIGHTH WIFE after reading a brief post at Classic Ramblings, and the movie did not disappoint. It was a giddy, amusing film directed by Ernst Lubitsch from a screenplay by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder.

The plot is on the strange side: multimillionaire Michael Brandon (Gary Cooper), who is visiting Europe, wants to marry Nicole Loiselle (Claudette Colbert), but she is disconcerted -- to say the least -- when she learns that Brandon has been married seven (!) times previously. She is reluctant to risk her heart on Michael, but then there is the problem that her father (Edward Everett Horton) is flat broke, and Michael says he will pay her $100,000 a year if he divorces her so...

The idea of Gary Cooper as a much-married millionaire was hard to buy, definitely casting against type, but overall the film is quite entertaining and has many funny moments. One of the best-known scenes is Cooper and Colbert's "cute meet" as they each try to buy half a set of pajamas. David Niven, as Brandon's hapless employee, has some of the best lines and comes close to stealing the movie. And as an added bonus, after viewing the film, you may be able to spell Czechoslavakia backwards!

The cast also includes Elizabeth Patterson, Franklin Pangborn, Herman Bing, and Warren Hymer. Claudette Colbert's beautiful gowns are by Travis Banton. The film runs 85 minutes and was filmed in black and white. Fair warning, there are some pretty awful back projections, particularly in some French Riviera swimming scenes, but as is sometimes the case in older movies, they add to the film's charm in a goofy sort of way.

BLUEBEARD'S EIGHTH WIFE has been released on video. It can also be seen on Turner Classic Movies.

The trailer can be seen here.

November 2009 Update: This movie is part of the new Claudette Colbert DVD Collection.

Update: This movie is now also available as a single-title DVD in the Universal Vault Series.

January 2020 Update: BLUEBEARD'S EIGHTH WIFE will be released on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber on March 31, 2020. My review of the Blu-ray may be read here.

Tonight's Movie: Macao (1952)

This seems to be the week for watching lighthearted Robert Mitchum action movies. Earlier this week it was THE BIG STEAL (1949), and the latest title seen is MACAO, costarring Jane Russell. Russell and Mitchum also appeared together in 1951's memorable HIS KIND OF WOMAN, and they make an equally good team in MACAO.

The plot concerns an undercover policeman (who may or may not be Mitchum's character), stolen jewels, and a singer (Russell). Gloria Grahame also appears, as the girlfriend of a casino owner (Brad Dexter). 

The story's not really all that important -- the script had as many as seven writers, not all of them credited, and Mitchum may have done some rewriting too -- it's really more about the fun the viewer has while along for the ride. There's some sharp dialogue, the ladies look lovely, Mitchum's his usual laconic self, and Jane sings "One For My Baby." 

The movie's in beautiful black and white, with some good atmosphere despite the cast not leaving the back lot. If you're looking for a fun diversion, the film doesn't disappoint.

The supporting cast includes Thomas Gomez, Edward Ashley, and Philip Ahn.

MACAO was directed by Josef von Sternberg and an uncredited Nicholas Ray, whose marriage to MACAO costar Gloria Grahame ended the year this film was released.

MACAO is available on DVD in a single-title release or as part of the Robert Mitchum Signature Collection. Extras include a commentary track by film noir expert Eddie Muller, actress Jane Russell, and one of the credited screenwriters, Stanley Rubin. The PRIVATE SCREENINGS joint interview Robert Osborne conducted with Mitchum and Russell is also part of the set; I've seen that program in the past and it's very enjoyable.

The movie has also had a video release.

MACAO can be seen from time to time on Turner Classic Movies.

2026 Update: MACAO will be released on Blu-ray in August 2026.  My review of the Blu-ray may be read here.

Tonight's Movie: Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941)

MR. AND MRS. SMITH (Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard) have a somewhat tempestuous but loving marriage of three years' duration. One day they separately each learn that due to a very obscure technicality they were not legally married. When Mr. Smith doesn't immediately cart Mrs. Smith off to a justice of the peace to rectify the mistake, she takes offense and spends the rest of the movie making him pay for it.

It's more amusing than it might sound, thanks chiefly to the comedic expertise of the two leads. I have seen this film several times in the past, but it had been a long time since my last viewing and I enjoyed seeing it again very much. This time around I also picked up on a subtle but rather steamy undertone to the movie that went right over my head when I was a teenager.

I'm a longtime Lombard fan -- I shared a bit about my experience discovering some of her childhood photos in this post -- and in the past mainly watched the film for her sake. This time around, though, I found I was particularly focused on the performance of Robert Montgomery. I have come to appreciate Montgomery's talents more recently, and he's wonderful in this film. Lombard's character is really rather unreasonably mean and petulant, but gets away with it because, well, she's Carole Lombard -- simultaneously giddy and gorgeous, in a stunning wardrobe by Irene -- but it struck me on this viewing that Mrs. Smith really didn't deserve such a devoted husband!

The supporting cast includes Gene Raymond, Jack Carson, Lucile Watson, Philip Merivale, Charles Halton, and Esther Dale. Dale, who plays Lombard's mother here, had a great turn as Edward Arnold's unflappable secretary in EASY LIVING (1937).

MR. AND MRS. SMITH was filmed in black and white and runs 95 minutes. The trailer can be seen here.

It was directed by Alfred Hitchcock early in the "American phase" of his career. (It came after FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT and before SUSPICION.) Although it's hardly a typical Hitchcock movie, Lombard does fit in with Hitchcock's pattern of choosing gorgeous blondes as leading ladies.

The script is by Norman Krasna, who wrote many other classics, including WHITE CHRISTMAS, PRINCESS O'ROURKE, and THE DEVIL AND MISS JONES.

MR. AND MRS. SMITH is available on video and DVD, in either a single-title release or as part of the Alfred Hitchcock Signature Collection. (Update: The DVD has been reissued by the Warner Archive.)

It can also be seen periodically on TCM.

Robert Montgomery fans may want to know that TCM is celebrating his birthday on May 21st next week by showing several of his films. I've only seen one, HIDE-OUT, which was charming and has a lot to do with my admiration for Montgomery. I highly recommend it. Most of the films being shown are pre-Codes. I will have my DVR running on overtime next week!

2024 Update: MR. AND MRS. SMITH is now available on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive.  My review is here.

Overstock.com Fights Tax Law, Cuts NY Affiliates

Overstock.com has announced it will cut ties with its 3400 New York "affiliates" rather than collect sales tax for the State of New York.

The new law requires out of state Internet-based companies to collect sales tax for purchases made by New York residents, using the new legal theory that companies which allow a New York vendor to sell via their site have a "physical presence" in New York.

Overstock's Senior V.P. of Finance said, "We have no taxable connection to New York that is recognizable under constitutional principals [sic] laid down by U.S. Supreme Court decisions, and we will keep that status, even if it means having to say goodbye to some long time New York business connections."

This situation will become more and more interesting, as other states are said to be considering following New York's lead.

In California, with Governor Schwarzenegger turning his back on his "no new taxes" pledge and threatening a 1% sales tax hike -- which would raises sales taxes to 8.75% and 9.25% in Orange and Los Angeles Counties -- I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the same play for online taxes is made soon.

Deeply Disturbing CA Court Decision

The California Supreme Court has just legalized gay marriage.

The ruling was 4-3.

So much for Proposition 22.

The will of the People doesn't matter, just the will of judges.

Beautiful: Blues in the Night DVD Art

As mentioned here in March, the 1941 jazz noir BLUES IN THE NIGHT is coming to DVD on July 22nd.

The box art has now been made public, and it's gorgeous.

No word yet on any possible extras.

BLUES IN THE NIGHT was reviewed here. It stars Priscilla Lane, Richard Whorf, Jack Carson, Betty Field, Lloyd Nolan, and Elia Kazan.

James Garner Recovering From Stroke

James Garner, one of my all-time favorite actors, suffered a stroke late last week and underwent surgery Sunday.

Garner's publicist said that the prognosis is "very positive" and Garner should be home from the hospital soon.

I've had the honor of meeting Mr. Garner on a couple of occasions, and in addition to being a wonderful actor, he is a class act as a human being. I'm sure his many fans join me in wishing him a quick and complete recovery.

Coliseum Commission Approves Long-Term USC Deal

The USC Finance Committee will be voting today on the first-ever long-term deal between USC and the Coliseum. If approved, the contract will prevent the Trojans from relocating to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

The deal includes USC having veto power over an NFL team coming to the Coliseum and gives the university a seat on the Coliseum Commission. USC will allow the Coliseum to use the school's name to generate income to pay for improvements.

Next season the Coliseum will be adorned with a new mural honoring the football team's mascot, Traveler, and the team's long tradition of success.

Our Trojan daughter arrived home for the summer earlier in the week. It's hard to believe she's over halfway to her degree!

Previously: Trojans Threaten to Relocate to Rose Bowl; Battle for the L.A. Coliseum Escalates; Coliseum Commission Pledges to Work on Deal.

Update: The deal is now official.

New Book: Footwork: The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire

Thanks to my friend CLM for pointing the way to this children's picture book on the Astaires, which was published last September.

FOOTWORK was written by Roxane Orgill and illustrated by Stephane Jorisch. It's aimed at the 4- to 8-year-old set. An unusual -- but most welcome -- topic for preschoolers and beginning readers.

I'll be looking for this so I can browse through it the next time I'm at a bookstore.

Tonight's Movie: The Big Steal (1949)

THE BIG STEAL is grand fun, a nonstop chase movie partially filmed on location in Mexico. Robert Michum and Jane Greer, reunited from 1947's OUT OF THE PAST, are chasing Patric Knowles, and are in turn being chased by William Bendix. Multiple suitcases are involved in said chase. Along the way the good guys are sorted out from the bad guys and the contents of the suitcases are revealed, with many twists and turns resulting in a satisfying conclusion.

Mitchum and Greer are a good team whose characters develop a lighthearted rapport, especially as Mitchum comes to appreciate Greer's driving and translation skills. As a Mitchum fan, I particularly enjoyed him in this, especially his sense of humor.

There is some interesting background to the making of the movie. THE BIG STEAL was filmed immediately after Mitchum served jail time for his marijuana arrest; he was accompanied to Mexico by a probation officer. And according to THE RKO GALS, Greer was pregnant during the making of the film. Despite these offscreen complications, Mitchum and Greer both look great and seem to be having a lot of fun while onscreen.

Viewers may recognize Patric Knowles from THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938), in which he played Will Scarlett. The supporting cast of THE BIG STEAL includes John Qualen and Ramon Novarro, who is entertaining as Inspector General Ortega, who loves to practice his English.

The movie was directed by Don Siegel, whose best-known work may be INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956). The film was shot in black and white and runs 71 minutes.

THE BIG STEAL is available on DVD as part of the Film Noir Classic Collection, Vol. 4 or on a double feature disc with Edward G. Robinson in ILLEGAL. DVD extras include a commentary by USC professor Richard Jewell and a featurette. (September 2017 Update: THE BIG STEAL has been reissued on DVD by the Warner Archive.)

This movie has also had a video release.

THE BIG STEAL can be seen on cable on TCM.

"She Knows All the Dirt"

It takes more than players and coaches to run a baseball team.

Here's a fun look behind the scenes at the Angels' laundress and seamstress, who is so talented with a needle that other teams wait till they hit Anaheim to have their uniforms repaired.

Oh Please, No....

John McCain wouldn't pick Mike Huckabee as his vice presidential running mate, would he?

Or would he?

Is it any wonder I'd much rather talk about movies than politics these days? Sigh.

I can't imagine a twosome less likely to get me to the polls on election day. The only thing that might motivate me is the scarier prospect of a President Obama, who believes he "appears more worldly" than President Bush, and this wordliness, combined with his middle name Hussein, will magically enable him to successfully conduct Middle East policy.

As an aside, Dukakis campaign manager Susan Estrich asks "Could Obama Be Another Dukakis?" Er, yes.

I've been hoping McCain would choose a candidate with sterling conservative credentials -- Chris Cox is one suggestion I like -- who might make me feel a little better about voting for an open borders global warming alarmist.

Speaking of McCain and Obama, I'm particularly glad right now that I no longer subscribe to Newsweek, which has a new cover story amazingly biased even for the Mainstream Media.

Update: Rich Lowry on "The Obama Rules."

Never Forget

Irena Sendler, a Roman Catholic social worker, saved 2500 Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto during WWII. She has passed away, aged 98.

A remarkably brave woman who surely is now being rewarded in Heaven for her selfless courage.

Delightful

Loved Michelle Malkin's poetic recitation of a day's worth of talking to her children. A fun Mother's Day column.

Tonight's Movie: Straight is the Way (1934)

In a Depression-era New York tenement, Ma Horowitz (May Robson) is ready to light the Sabbath candles, but delays until her son Benny (Franchot Tone) walks in the door -- home from five long years in prison. Joining in the reunion is Bertha (Karen Morley), a sweet teacher who was taken in by Mrs. Horowitz after Bertha's mother died; Bertha has long loved Benny and harbors secret hopes he might one day return her affection. First, however, Benny has to turn his back on his former mob associates and old girlfriend (Gladys George) and make up his mind that STRAIGHT IS THE WAY.

This was an interesting little movie, which runs a lightning-paced 59 minutes. It's not often that a Jewish family is at the center of a film from Hollywood's Classic Era. (The pre-Code film SYMPHONY OF SIX MILLION, starring Ricardo Cortez and Irene Dunne, is another that comes to mind.) Franchot Tone is somewhat miscast as a tough guy, but seeing the usually elegant Tone in this kind of role is part of what makes the film fun. The movie has plenty of angles to keep it entertaining, including an action-packed finale.

The cast also includes Nat Pendleton, Jack LaRue, C. Henry Gordon, William Bakewell, and John Qualen.

Karen Morley and Franchot Tone also appeared together in 1933's GABRIEL OVER THE WHITE HOUSE, which has been released on video. One of Morley's best-known roles was that of Charlotte Lucas, who marries the Rev. Mr. Collins in the Garson-Olivier PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. A theater class at UCLA was the start of Morley's acting career. She had over 45 film credits between the late '20s and early '50s, then disappeared from the screen during the McCarthy era. She did some episodic TV work in the '70s. Morley passed away in 2003, aged 93.

STRAIGHT IS THE WAY was directed by Paul Sloane. It was based on a play called FOUR WALLS cowritten by the great Broadway writer-director George Abbott.

This film is not available on DVD or video, but can be seen via Turner Classic Movies.

Photos Released of Jenna Bush Wedding

This CNN story has a slideshow with photos from last night's wedding of Jenna Bush and Henry Hager. Looks like it was a beautiful event.

Congratulations to the Bush family, and best wishes for a long and happy marriage to the young couple.

Happy Mother's Day!

Best wishes to all mothers for a very happy day.

And a blessed Pentecost, too!

Tonight's Movie: His Butler's Sister (1943)

Ann Carter (Deanna Durbin) hopes to have a singing career in New York and shows up on the Park Avenue doorstep of her long-lost half brother Martin (Pat O'Brien). When Ann learns that Martin is not a wealthy New Yorker as she had assumed, but the butler to Broadway composer Charles Gerard (Franchot Tone), Ann takes a job working alongside Martin as Gerard's maid. Before long, Gerard is charmed by HIS BUTLER'S SISTER.

The "upstairs, downstairs meets show business" plot is lightweight but fun, and when radiant Deanna smiles or sings, she's as irresistible to viewers as she is to every character in the film. She and Franchot Tone are an appealing romantic couple.

The film's romantic climax, as Deanna sings "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's TURANDOT, is pure movie magic. If you like Deanna Durbin, musicals, classic movies, happy endings, or all of the above, you can't fail to be touched by the power of the music combined with the emotion of the moment. The scene brings a happy tear to the eye.

The deep supporting cast includes Akim Tamiroff, Alan Mowbray, Hans Conreid, Frank Jenks, Evelyn Ankers, and Florence Bates. The movie was shot in black and white and runs 94 minutes.

HIS BUTLER'S SISTER was directed by Frank Borzage, who was the director of a number of films reviewed here in recent months; this post on STRANDED (1935) contains links to reviews of other Borzage films.

HIS BUTLER'S SISTER is available on VHS. It's also available in Europe on Region 2 DVD.

I very much enjoyed this film, as well as FIRST LOVE a few months ago, and am glad I have so many more Deanna Durbin movies to look forward to seeing for the first time.

Tonight's Movie: Midnight (1939)

MIDNIGHT, a sophisticated romantic comedy set in '30s Paris, is simply a brilliantly funny film. I'd never seen it before tonight, and I don't know when I've laughed so much. I can't believe it took me so long to catch up with this four-star classic.

The movie's title is one of several allusions to the Cinderella story which run throughout the film. Eve Peabody (Claudette Colbert) gets off a train in rainy Paris dressed to kill -- the stunning wardrobe is by Irene -- but flat broke. Tibor Czerny, a handsome cab driver (Don Ameche), takes pity on Eve and drives her around town so she can look for a job as a nightclub singer. Tibor and Eve are attracted to one another, but then Eve, like Cinderella, vanishes.

Eve crashes a high-society party and before she knows it is playing bridge with a smitten Jacques (Francis Lederer) and his married lover Helene (Mary Astor). Helene's husband Georges (John Barrymore) sees Eve as someone who can lure Jacques away from Helene, whom Georges still loves, and Eve suddenly finds herself with a Fairy Godfather.

The way these two plot threads merge together is simply wonderful. I was literally hanging on to every word of this witty, highly imaginative film, which is superbly acted and executed in every way with great style. The film has a remarkably high rating of 8.2 at IMDb.

Colbert and Ameche are in peak form here. This is as good as any work they ever did, and they were each in plenty of classics. I didn't care for Barrymore in 1937's TRUE CONFESSION, where I felt he overacted, but he was terrific in this, both funny and touching. I also particularly liked Astor, whom I tend to associate with dramatic parts but who was also in the wildly funny Colbert comedy THE PALM BEACH STORY. Astor could do it all.

The excellent supporting cast includes Hedda Hopper, Monty Woolley, and Rex O'Malley.

MIDNIGHT was directed with great style by Mitchell Leisen. There's one particular scene, about two-thirds of the way into the film, where party guests are doing the Conga; the movement of the actors in and out of the picture, the dialogue, and the camera work are all especially dazzling.

Other Leisen films reviewed here are HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE (1935), EASY LIVING (1937), REMEMBER THE NIGHT (1940), and THE MATING SEASON (1951). Each of these films is well worth seeing.

The film was shot in shimmering black and white and runs 94 minutes.

MIDNIGHT is available on a newly released DVD as well as on video. It's a shame the DVD was released without extras; if it had a commentary track I'd purchase it. I watched a VHS copy tonight and it was an excellent print, which is seconded by this review at Clydefro. The film can also be seen on TCM.

Most highly recommended for a great viewing experience.

2012 Update: I had the opportunity to see this film in 35mm at UCLA's series celebrating director Mitchell Leisen.

2016 Update: I had the wonderful experience of watching this with a packed audience at the 2016 TCM Classic Film Festival, introduced by Bonnie Hunt.

2025 Update: Great news, MIDNIGHT will be released on Blu-ray by the Criterion Collection in June 2025.

Around the Blogosphere This Week

An exceptionally busy week has meant little time for blogging -- or movie viewing! -- over the last few days. Things are now slowing a little and I'm looking forward to a relaxing Mother's Day weekend.

One of the stories which caught my eye over the last few days was Al Gore calling the Myanmar cyclone a "consequence" of global warming. (Rolling eyes.) The man is shameless.

In other news:

McCain Planning Climate Change Tour: I'd like to think that headline's a joke, but I suspect it's not. One of the ways a Republican could win this fall would be campaigning for the U.S. to ramp up all forms of energy production -- drilling for oil in the U.S., building more electric plants, and so on. Democrats and global warming alarmists keep reducing our resources for gas and electricity, and consequently prices are through the roof. Sadly, John McCain is no more likely to advocate drilling for oil in Alaska than a Democrat.

A Farewell to Hillary: Dr. Krauthammer says it's over for Hillary, but with the Clintons, I'm reluctant to say it's over till it's over.

CLINTON IN EXILE: A PRESIDENT OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE: I saw the author, Carol Felsenthal, when catching up with a backlog of HANNITY AND COLMES shows in my DVR earlier today. The book looks like a companion for R. Emmett Tyrrell's THE CLINTON CRACK-UP: THE BOY PRESIDENT'S LIFE AFTER THE WHITE HOUSE.

No Signs of a Slowdown in Disney's Parks: Disneyland and Disney World aren't feeling any economic pinch. Speaking of Disney, Walt Disney Co. chairman Robert Iger is USC's commencement speaker this year. UCLA has Bill Clinton -- I can only imagine how suddenly the Bruin graduates' day will become All About Bill.

Colleges, Schools Deal With Higher Food Costs: Some colleges have taken away trays as a sneaky means of "encouraging" students to pick up less food. There's something rather pathetic about forcing that inconvenience on busy students, given how much students and their parents typically pay for meal plans.

Higher Postage Rates Add to Consumers' Pain: Stamp prices go up Monday. Again. Sigh.

Country Superstar Eddy Arnold Dies at 89: I have nice memories of my Grandpa playing Eddy Arnold music in his car -- on an 8-track player, no less (yes, I'm dating myself a bit!). Arnold's wife of 66 years died a few weeks ago. God bless them both.

Happy Mother's Day for the Duggar Family

I admit it, I love watching the Duggar Family specials on Discovery Health Channel.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar announced this morning on the Today Show that Baby No. 18 is on the way. Video is at the subject link. The baby is due New Year's Day.

You can cast your vote in a poll at Discovery Health for the new baby's name, which will -- of course -- start with the letter "J."

A new Discovery program with the Duggars will be coming this fall.

From all appearances, the Duggars do a beautiful job raising their many blessings. Congratulations to the family on their upcoming arrival.

Coming to DVD: Errol Flynn Westerns

Here's a look at another of the great releases coming out next August 26, Errol Flynn Westerns.

This 4-film set will include SAN ANTONIO, VIRGINIA CITY, MONTANA, and ROCKY MOUNTAIN.

Extras will include commentary tracks on ROCKY MOUNTAIN and VIRGINIA CITY, plus all the films will have the Warner Night at the Movies features with trailers, cartoons, shorts, and newsreels from each film's release year.

Classic film fans have much for which to be grateful in coming months!

News From the Top of the World

The Olympic torch reached the top of Mount Everest today. I'm truthfully not very interested in the Olympics being held in Beijing, but as a longtime reader of Everest lore I enjoyed following this particular story.

The climb has been cloaked in secrecy, and there are concerns that climbers who have been kept off Everest during the torch's journey will not be properly acclimated to the altitude when they attempt the summit. Nepal has kept the South Ridge route closed while the torch ascended the North Ridge route from Tibet. Climbers on the South Ridge often go back and forth from Base Camp to the various camps dotted along the route to the summit, gradually building their endurance, but when the route reopens climbers may be anxious to immediately head for the summit. Due to harsh weather, ascending Everest is typically only attempted in April and May.

My favorite story of this Everest season, however, is about an enterprising Sherpa who has figured out a way to bake at Base Camp -- a very difficult challenge between the effects of extreme altitude and the difficulty of transporting equipment and ingredients to camp.

Co-Founder of Baskin-Robbins Passes Away at 90

Irvine Robbins, who co-founded the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain with his brother-in law Burton Baskin, has passed away at the age of 90.

Among Robbins' flavor creations was the popular Jamoca Almond Fudge.

The chain originated in post-WWII Southern California. According to Wikipedia there are now more than 5800 locations worldwide.

My own favorite flavor? Chocolate Fudge.

Coming to DVD: Tyrone Power Collection, Vol. 2

Tyrone Power fans, this is your lucky summer. :)

The Tyrone Power Matinee Idol Collection, which I first wrote about briefly in March, comes to DVD this July 29, 2008.

This set includes a whopping 10 Power films on 5 discs. The titles are as follows: THE LUCK OF THE IRISH, JOHNNY APOLLO, DAY-TIME WIFE, CAFE METROPOLE, GIRLS' DORMITORY, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU, THAT WONDERFUL URGE, LOVE IS NEWS, THIS ABOVE ALL, and SECOND HONEYMOON.

Some of these titles, like DAY-TIME WIFE, are relatively unknown films I'd never dreamed would come to DVD. What a treat!

The leading ladies in these films include favorite actresses such as Loretta Young (three titles), Gene Tierney, and Linda Darnell.

According to a review at Amazon, extras will include Loretta Young's daughter, Judy Lewis, discussing her mother's friendship with Tyrone Power.

Fox did a beautiful job with the first set of Power movies released a year ago, and this should be another wonderful package for fans of classic films.

Mark Steyn on Barack Obama

As always, another good column from Steyn.

And what's with Michelle Obama's "This conversation doesn't help my kids" in response to a question about Jeremiah Wright, anyway? It's a non sequitur. Is that evasion going to be trotted out when anyone asks an uncomfortable question?

Tuesday Update: The more I read about Michelle Obama, the more I think the woman's got serious issues, including a complete inability to grasp her many blessings.

Jenna Bush to Marry on Saturday

The Associated Press has the details on the wedding, which will be held outdoors this Saturday evening at the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas.

A Fun Story to End the Weekend

The world's longest-burning light bulb is at a firehouse in Livermore, California.

The bulb has been burning since 1901. Yes, that's right, it's been burning for 107 years! That hardly seems possible, but apparently it's qualified for both the Guinness Book of World Records and Ripley's Believe It or Not. :)

It even has its own website!

Coming to DVD: Warner Western Classics

August 26 is shaping up as one of the best days of the year for classic movies being released on DVD.

Along with HOW THE WEST WAS WON, which I posted about yesterday, there is a wonderful 6-film boxed set being released that date, Warner Western Classics.

The set includes three Robert Taylor Westerns, which is cause enough for me to buy it, but the movies also feature Richard Widmark, William Holden, and Gregory Peck. The films' leading ladies include Eleanor Parker (two movies), Julie London, and Eva Marie Saint.

The movies include three films reviewed here in recent months: SADDLE THE WIND, MANY RIVERS TO CROSS, and ESCAPE FROM FORT BRAVO.

The other films are THE LAW AND JAKE WADE, the 1960 remake of CIMARRON, and THE STALKING MOON. I recently taped THE LAW AND JAKE WADE and CIMARRON but haven't watched them yet, so I will probably be recording over those and seeing them on DVD instead.

The set will have no extras other than trailers.

August 26th is also the release date for a set of Errol Flynn Westerns and a second volume of Alice Faye musicals. More on those in the future!

Tonight's Dessert: Grammy's Chocolate Cookies

A couple months ago I picked up MARTHA STEWART'S COOKIES, a beautiful cookbook. Today we made Grammy's Chocolate Cookies:


I'm happy to say the cookies taste as good as they look in the book. These were, in a word, amazing.

We rolled some in coarse sparkling sugar (as called for in the recipe) and some in granulated sugar to compare; I preferred the slightly crunchy sparkling sugar versions, while my children preferred the granulated sugar.

The recipe can be found at the official Martha Stewart website (registration may be required) or at the blog at the subject link.

Enjoy!

Tonight's Movie: Small Town Girl (1936)

SMALL TOWN GIRL (1936) is a lovely, absorbing romance. Dr. Bob Dakin (Robert Taylor) marries Kay, the girl of the title, on a whim after a spat with his fiancee Priscilla (Binnie Barnes). Kay happily goes along with the marriage as the nice young doctor seems like a way out of her dull smalltown life. Come sober reality the next morning, the doctor wants to forget the whole thing, but circumstances dictate that the couple pose as happy newlyweds for a few months. Will Bob ultimately leave Kay and return to Priscilla, or...?

I enjoyed this film immensely. The two lead actors are charming, and as an added benefit there are lovely performances by Lewis Stone as Bob's father and James Stewart as Elmer, the telephone lineman who has a yen for Kay. I think my only quibble about the film is Bob took longer than I'd like to come to his senses. Otherwise, it was a delightful film which does a wonderful job establishing a sense of "place" in the early scenes and later has a warm, romantic vibe. I'm not sure I'd seen a Robert Taylor movie until a couple years ago, but I'm making up for lost time; he's become a favorite actor.

The excellent cast includes Elizabeth Patterson, Isabel Jewell, Frank Craven, Nella Walker, Charley Grapewin, Andy Devine, and Edgar Kennedy. Marvelous Robert Grieg turns up once again as a butler; see this post for more on some of Grieg's other performances in films reviewed here in recent months.

First Lady Pat Nixon has a bit part in the film; she had small roles in three other films during 1935-36, including BECKY SHARP (1935), which was the first full-length Technicolor movie, and THE GREAT ZIEGFELD (1936), which was the Best Picture of 1936. Her film career was short, but the films were quite notable. It's rather interesting that we've had two First Ladies who were movie actresses.

Curiously, Kay's small town is named Carvel, which is also the name of the town in the Andy Hardy series in which Stone played Judge Hardy.

SMALL TOWN GIRL was directed by William A. Wellman and an uncredited Robert Z. Leonard. It was filmed in black and white and runs 106 minutes.

This movie is not out on DVD or VHS, but is part of the library at Turner Classic Movies.

Coming to DVD: How the West Was Won (1962)

The mammoth Cinerama Western HOW THE WEST WAS WON comes to DVD on August 26, 2008.

The film will be available in both a 2-Disc Special Edition and Ultimate Collector's Edition.

Extras include a commentary track, vintage featurette, Cinerama documentary, and more. The Ultimate Collector's addition also includes a reproduction press book, photo cards, and postcards.

From DVD Times: "The technicians at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging perfected a technology that could finally eliminate the ‘join lines,’ and unify the images into a superb viewing experience that captures the essence of the production’s initial road show exhibitions, with an aspect ratio of 2.89:1."

It sounds like a truly impressive DVD. The film's large all-star cast includes Gregory Peck, Debbie Reynolds, James Stewart, Carroll Baker, John Wayne, Richard Widmark, and Robert Preston, with narration by Spencer Tracy.

Some additional notes on this film: My favorite thing about HOW THE WEST WAS WON is Alfred Newman's music, which surely ranks as one of his best among many great film scores. Ken Darby worked with Newman as a composer and choral arranger, with impressive results. The main title theme and the choral rendition of "I'm Bound for the Promised Land" never fail to elicit goosebumps, no matter how many times I've heard them.

Rhino has issued the music on a 2-CD set. The tracks are much more extensive than are available on the LP I've owned since the '70s. You can read more about the music and CD here.

There's a nice tie-in between this score and Disney -- Newman's theme music is one of the great Western themes played in an endless loop in the lobby of Disney's Wilderness Lodge in Florida. The music and the grandeur of the stories-high lobby combine for an awe-inspiring setting. Some of the other music heard in the lobby includes Elmer Bernstein's theme for THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, Bruce Broughton's theme from SILVERADO, and Jerome Moross's masterpiece, THE BIG COUNTRY.

Tonight's Movie: Men Are Such Fools (1938)

As regular readers know, I'm a fan of Priscilla Lane, so I was hoping MEN ARE SUCH FOOLS would prove to be a fun diversion. Unfortunately, I found it to be more tedious and frustrating than entertaining.

When watching a movie, I tend to focus the most on whatever elements I find to like, and consequently very poor reviews are not the norm for me, even for so-so movies. So it's rather ironic that I've posted three fairly negative reviews in a single week! There are usually at least a few things that make a film interesting -- for instance, I loved Ginger Rogers' wardrobe in IT HAD TO BE YOU -- but some of this past week's movies really tried my patience (grin).

In MEN ARE SUCH FOOLS Priscilla Lane plays Linda, a girl on her way up the corporate ladder, who is being relentlessly pursued by Jimmy (Wayne Morris). Will Linda continue with her successful career in advertising, or leave it all behind to marry Jimmy and be a suburban housewife?

One of the film's biggest flaws is there aren't any characters to root for. It's pretty difficult to make Priscilla Lane unappealing, but the filmmakers almost succeeded here. Linda is a self-centered, rude conniver who is thoughtless of others, while Jimmy is a domineering, juvenile bully. Humphrey Bogart has a supporting role as a man who chases Linda after she's married, and what did Hollywood ever see in Hugh Hubert, whose "comedic" mannerisms are incredibly annoying?

Supporting actresses Mona Barrie (playing an advertising executive), Marcia Ralston (as Bogart's ex-fiancee), and Penny Singleton (as Linda's friend) provide the most interest, and the film picks up considerably whenever one of these ladies is on the screen. Gene and Kathleen Lockhart are also in the film.

The film has some eye-catching sets, particularly Jimmy and Linda's house and a sequence shot poolside at a party.

Wayne Morris would later leave the screen for most of WWII; he became a pilot and received numerous medals, including four Distinguished Flying Crosses. He reached the rank of Lt. Commander.

MEN ARE SUCH FOOLS was one of a handful of non-musical films directed by Busby Berkeley. Some fun trivia is that the background music during the pool party scene is the song "I'm a Fish Out of Water," which was featured in the previous year's Berkeley film, HOLLYWOOD HOTEL -- which starred Priscilla Lane's sisters, Rosemary and Lola. In fact, Johnnie Davis, who sang "Hooray for Hollywood" in HOLLYWOOD HOTEL, plays Penny Singleton's husband in this film.

MEN ARE SUCH FOOLS was filmed in black and white and runs 69 minutes. It's not out on DVD or video, but can be seen on Turner Classic Movies. The trailer can be seen here.

Priscilla Lane movies previously reviewed at this blog: FOUR DAUGHTERS (1938), DAUGHTERS COURAGEOUS (1939), YES, MY DARLING DAUGHTER (1939), FOUR WIVES (1939), THREE CHEERS FOR THE IRISH (1940), FOUR MOTHERS (1941), BLUES IN THE NIGHT (1941), and SABOTEUR (1942).

Amazon Sues to Overturn NY Tax Law

On Wednesday I wrote about a new New York state law requiring out of state companies to collect sales tax for purchases made by New York residents. I questioned the legality of the law and said, "I wouldn't be surprised if it's tested in court."

Sure enough, Amazon has filed suit.

The New York Sun article at the subject link has interesting information on the positions held in the case by both New York and Amazon.

The paper notes "Two legal experts said they expected Amazon.com to win."

UCLA Screens "Unburied Treasures"

For those of you in driving distance of Los Angeles, UCLA is showing some relatively obscure titles in May.

One of their most interesting double bills is ONE TOUCH OF VENUS, with Ava Gardner and Robert Walker, and HIGH, WIDE, AND HANDSOME with Irene Dunne and Randolph Scott.

I saw HIGH, WIDE, AND HANDSOME in a revival theater when I was in my teens, and it made quite an impression on me. Jerome Kern's "The Folks Who Live on the Hill" debuted in this movie.

Another double bill is comprised of Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake in RAMROD, along with BULLFIGHTER AND THE LADY, reviewed here last month.

UCLA's movie calendar is here.

Disney Reacquires Disney Store Chain

Walt Disney Co. has bought back its Disney Store chain from Children's Place, a deal I first posted about when it was proposed last March.

Disney will close approximately 100 low-performing stores in the U.S. and Canada.

It's expected that Disney will move away from the overwhelming supply of plush animals which has dominated the store's shelves in recent years. We can only hope!

Vin Scully Addresses Retiring...or Not!

Encouraging news for Dodgers fans: in a conversation with the L.A. Times' Bill Plaschke, Vinnie strongly hinted he will be continuing to broadcast Dodger games beyond this year, when his current contract ends.

Scully, who is 80, is in his 59th season with the club. That's right: 59 years!

Plaschke puts it beautifully: "So we can relax now, he says he's staying. But make no mistake, he's also leaving. His recent comments remind us that the voice of the dawning of baseball in Los Angeles has become a deep, glowing, wondrous sunset.

"We need to sit still for a while and stare at it, embrace it, cling to it in hopes of keeping it there forever."

Schwarzenegger Considering Massive Tax Hikes

So much for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger holding the line against tax increases. While he still publicly opposes taxes, privately he's exploring a wide range of brand-new California taxes:

"Schwarzenegger's staff is exploring a range of options, including sales taxes on lawyer and accountant services, on high-end services such as golf lessons and personal-trainer sessions, and on takeout coffee and other prepared foods that are not taxed now."

More:

"A broader levy that might affect all entertainment purchases -- including movie, theater and sporting event tickets, amusement park admissions, ski lift passes and greens fees -- could raise about $1 billion, according to state tax officials. Taxing the services of lawyers, accountants, mechanics, landscapers, hairstylists and every other service professional in the state could generate more than $8 billion, they say.

"Other possibilities the administration is studying are a tax on certain prepared foods, such as a cup of coffee to go, and on Internet software purchases. Also on the table are limits on the deductions that businesses can claim on losses."

Does the Governor have any idea how it could devastate my "service" business as a proofreader if I'm expected to charge my clients sales taxes along with my fees?

And that would be good for the economy how?

Update: The L.A. Times quotes economics professors from those bastions of liberalism, UC Berkeley and UC Davis, to support Arnold's tax plans.

The paper couldn't come up with a single economics professor to present an alternative point of view regarding the negative impact of higher taxes?

Riiiggggght.

Krauthammer: "The 'Race' Speech Revisited"

A terrific column by Charles Krauthammer.

And don't miss Scott Johnson at Power Line.

The interesting thing, as both these men point out, is that Jeremiah Wright said absolutely nothing new this week. It was the fact Wright repeated his beliefs so publicly, annoying and insulting Obama in the process, which seems to have tipped Obama over the edge, rather than Wright's beliefs. If the content had been a problem for Obama, he would have renounced Wright long ago.

It's certainly interesting that a "post-racial" candidate who claims to want to practice a new style of politics is surrounded by so many angry people -- Wright, William Ayers, and his own wife.

Tonight's Movie: Wedding Present (1936)

Cary Grant and Joan Bennett costarred in two romantic comedies in 1936: BIG BROWN EYES (1936) and tonight's movie, WEDDING PRESENT.

WEDDING PRESENT foreshadow's Grant's HIS GIRL FRIDAY (1940): he and Bennett play Charlie and Rusty, two fast-talking reporters who go their separate ways after romantic and workplace spats. Rusty becomes engaged to a stuffed shirt, played by Conrad Nagel, in a standard thankless Ralph Bellamy type role. Will Rusty come to her senses before the wedding?

In some ways WEDDING PRESENT is a strange film, with a couple supporting characters -- such as Gene Lockhart's Archduke -- dropping into the story and then disappearing, never to be seen again. However, Grant and Bennett are a good team, and the film has a hilarious performance by William Demarest as Smiles Benson, a gangster who is determined to do Charlie a favor after Charlie saves his life. The film builds to a laugh-out-loud climax which calls to mind the conclusion of the 1941 film BEDTIME STORY, as Grant orchestrates utter chaos at the site of Rusty's wedding.

The supporting cast includes George Bancroft, Inez Courtney, Edward Brophy, and Lois Wilson.

A fun bit of trivia is that the year after WEDDING PRESENT and BIG BROWN EYES, Joan Bennett's older sister, Constance, was Cary Grant's leading lady in the classic fantasy TOPPER.

WEDDING PRESENT was directed by Richard Wallace. It was filmed in black and white and runs 81 minutes.

WEDDING PRESENT is available on DVD as part of the 5-movie Cary Grant Screen Legend Collection. BIG BROWN EYES is also part of the collection. The other films in the set are THIRTY DAY PRINCESS, WINGS IN THE DARK, and KISS AND MAKE UP. (Update: The movie is now also available as a single title DVD in the Universal Vault Series.)

July 2020 Update: This film will be released on Blu-ray in September 2020 as part of the Cary Grant Collection from Kino Lorber.

November 2020 Update: My review of the new Blu-ray is here.

Rockin' and Rollin' in Reno

They've been having a very unusual "swarm" of earthquakes in the Reno, Nevada area for the last couple months. Over 1,000 quakes have been recorded, and the quakes are not occurring in patterns which would be considered typical.

This L.A. Times article quotes one of my daughter's USC geology professors at some length.

Hopefully we won't experience any "events" when we visit the High Sierras near the Nevada border this summer!