Weekend Fun in L.A.: Philippe's and The Autry

Today was a wonderful series of firsts for me: my first-ever visits to Philippe's and The Autry National Center, followed by my first-ever viewing of SHANE (1953), which I loved.

I've heard a great deal about Philippe's over the years, as various family members have eaten there. Philippe's history goes back over a century, and it's said that the French Dipped Sandwich was created there in 1918. The restaurant has been in its current location since 1951.

The place is always packed. You pick a line and the "carver" quickly makes your sandwich and rings you up. Cash only!

The sandwich buns are actually dipped in the meat juice, which is a unique style of preparation.

I got the classic beef "double dipped" sandwich (bottom right), and it was as tasty as I'd been led to believe. I'll be back!

There's a great California's Gold episode on Philippe's, hosted by Huell Howser.

That's Union Station right across the street, seen in so many classic films. Between Union Station and signs for nearby Bunker Hill, I couldn't help thinking of CRY DANGER (1951), which was filmed in both locations.

From there it was a few minutes' drive to the Autry, located in Griffith Park immediately across from the Los Angeles Zoo:

Incidentally, the gray skies are typical June weather in Southern California, referred to as "June gloom." The sun usually comes out around mid-afternoon.

The screening took place in the Wells Fargo Theater...

...which is right next to the Mary Pickford Education Center:

Our movie tickets included admission to the museum, which had all sorts of wonderful things, such as this clothing worn by John Wayne...

...and Gary Cooper painted by Norman Rockwell:

Memorabilia from Alan Ladd in WHISPERING SMITH (1948):

From a display on museum co-founder Gene Autry:

Charles Starrett memorabilia:

And Johnny Mack Brown's boots:

Actor-artist George Montgomery was one of the museum's benefactors:

A visit is definitely recommended for fans of Western films or those interested in the American West; there are displays on many aspects of Western history in addition to depictions of the Western on film.

For more on Westerns being shown at the Autry in coming months, please visit last weekend's post Classics on the Big Screen in Los Angeles.

Tonight's Movie: El Paso (1949)

Last Christmas a very kind blogging friend assisted me in my quest to eventually see all of Gail Russell's movies by sending me several of her films. I very much enjoy this beautiful, though tragic, actress who made just under two dozen films. I've been spreading her movies out so I can look forward to watching them gradually -- links to reviews of several Russell films conclude this post -- and tonight I caught up with EL PASO, a Cinecolor Western costarring John Payne.

The film is set just after the Civil War, when Clay Fletcher (Payne), a lawyer from Charleston, arrives in El Paso on business. Clay also hopes to reunite with his long-lost love Susan (Russell), who moved to El Paso while he was away fighting for the South.

El Paso is a lawless city run by Bert Donner (Sterling Hayden) and his crony Sheriff La Farge (Dick Foran). They keep Susan's father, an alcoholic judge (Henry Hull), plied with liquor and under their thumb as they scheme to use taxes to take control of local farms. Clay successfully defends a former comrade (Arthur Space) on a murder charge after he kills one of Donner's men in self-defense, but eventually Clay is pushed to deal with the town's criminals with guns rather than law books. The climactic action sequence is a gun battle during a dust storm.

The film has an excellent cast, including a small but colorful appearance by Mary Beth Hughes (SLEEPERS WEST) as a clever thief, "Stagecoach Nellie." Payne and Russell do well in their roles, and their strong performances are the chief reasons for their fans to see the film; I did wish there had been a little more of Russell and that the romance were better developed. There's also an appealing turn by Eduardo Noriega as the friendly Don Nacho Vazquez.

The movie starts out well and has an entertaining first half, which includes Vazquez training Clay in the art of being a quick draw. However, the prolonged second half of the film turns extremely grim, with the murders of multiple cast members. The romantic angle mostly peters out, and the unrelenting darkness of the storyline makes for a rather long hour and 43 minutes. Hayden and Foran, who are both capable of much better, have underwritten roles and are fairly colorless villains.

An interesting aspect of the film is its use of Cinecolor, a relatively inexpensive process which is heavy in reds, browns, and blues. In certain films Cinecolor looks rather nifty -- it works quite well in Randolph Scott's THE NEVADAN (1950) -- but it gives EL PASO a somewhat muddy and bland look. Russell's dresses provide welcome splashes of color against the many brown vistas. The color emphasis on browns and reds is probably most effective in the dust storm sequence. The cinematography was by Ellis W. Carter.

Wonderful old character actor H.B. Warner plays Payne's grandfather. Catherine Craig (Mrs. Robert Preston) does nicely in a small role as Arthur Space's wife. The cast also includes George "Gabby" Hayes, Bobby Ellis, Argentina Brunetti, Irving Bacon, Denver Pyle, Lane Chandler, and Peggy McIntyre.

This movie was written and directed by Lewis R. Foster, based on a story by J. Robert Bren and Gladys Atwater.

EL PASO is a Paramount film which is not available on DVD or VHS. (2019 Update: This film has now been released on Blu-ray and DVD by Kino Lorber. My review of the Blu-ray is here.)

Gail Russell has starred in some favorite films, including the spooky THE UNINVITED (1944), the lovely romantic John Wayne Western ANGEL AND THE BADMAN (1947), and the great Randolph Scott-Budd Boetticher film SEVEN MEN FROM NOW (1956). Other Gail Russell films reviewed here, which are all worth seeing, are THE UNSEEN (1945), CALCUTTA (1947), and NIGHT HAS A THOUSAND EYES (1948).

New Book: Dear Cary: A Memoir

As most Cary Grant fans are aware by now, his daughter Jennifer recently published a sweet memoir, GOOD STUFF: A REMINISCENCE OF MY FATHER, CARY GRANT.

Now comes word that Jennifer's mother, Dyan Cannon, has written DEAR CARY: A MEMOIR. It will be published September 20th.

The Amazon description says the book is Cannon's "final love letter to her one true love, Cary Grant."

Warner Archive News

Some various bits of interesting Warner Archive News:

...There's a new TCM Exclusive title from the Warner Archive, THE STUDENT PRINCE (1954). THE STUDENT PRINCE stars Ann Blyth and Edmund Purdom, with Purdom's singing voice dubbed by Mario Lanza. It's a remastered print only available from TCM or the company that runs TCM's DVD store, Movies Unlimited.

...A Lanza title which has been exclusive to Critic's Choice, THE GREAT CARUSO (1951), is now also available directly from the Warner Archive.

...An interesting post at MovieFanFare gives background on extras available on two Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy musicals which are currently exclusive to TCM, SWEETHEARTS (1938) and NAUGHTY MARIETTA (1935). For those who aren't yet familiar with it, MovieFanFare is a blog at the Movies Unlimited site.

...Today's Archive releases include Rod Taylor in DARK OF THE SUN (1968) in a remastered widescreen print. It sounds rather violent, but on the other hand I've read some very intriguing reviews -- there's a link to one in this roundup -- and it was directed by the great cinematographer Jack Cardiff.

...The Archive currently has a Father's Day sale which ends June 13th.

...Coming to the Archive on June 21st: Joan Bennett and Robert Ryan in a remastered print of Jean Renoir's THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH (1947).

...Columbia Classics titles said to be due out today include Margaret Sullavan in NO SAD SONGS FOR ME (1950) and Don Ameche, Dorothy Lamour, and Janis Carter in SLIGHTLY FRENCH (1949). Columbia Classics titles are now sold by Warner Archive as well as the Columbia Classics website (which is currently down for maintenance, so no link at present).

More recent Archive posts: Warner Archive News: The Four Daughters Collection; Warner Archive News: Columbia Classics, Extras.

TCM Star of the Month: Jean Simmons

June's Star of the Month at Turner Classic Movies is Jean Simmons.

TCM will be showing Simmons films every Tuesday evening beginning on June 7th. Simmons appeared in many different types of films, including an impressive number of classics and near-classics.

As I mentioned last month, I wish TCM would have been able to show THE BLUE LAGOON (1949) as part of the month's Simmons fest, but otherwise it's a terrific lineup of movies.

The first evening, titled "Early British Films" in the TCM guide, will feature five films Simmons made as a teenager, beginning with her appearance as Estella in GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1946).

That's followed by BLACK NARCISSUS (1947), HUNGRY HILL (1947), UNCLE SILAS (1947), and THE WAY TO THE STARS (1947), known in the United States as JOHNNY IN THE CLOUDS.

On the 14th the focus remains on British films. The evening leads off with TRIO (1950), followed by SO LONG AT THE FAIR (1950) and the charming ADAM AND EVELYNE (1949), which costarred her real-life love, Stewart Granger. Simmons and Granger were married in 1950.

The movies continue into the night with the classic Olivier version of HAMLET (1948), in which Simmons played Ophelia, and concludes with CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA (1945), starring Claude Rains and Vivien Leigh in the title roles. Simmons had a bit part in the latter film, while Granger played Apollodorus.

On June 21st the focus changes to "Early Hollywood," beginning with THE ACTRESS (1953), costarring Spencer Tracy and Teresa Wright. Next comes the film noir ANGEL FACE (1952) with Robert Mitchum and then the costume drama YOUNG BESS (1953), again costarring Granger, as well as Deborah Kerr.

There are several more films that evening, including the musical GUYS AND DOLLS (1955), the western A BULLET IS WAITING (1954), the drama AFFAIR WITH A STRANGER (1953) with Victor Mature, and the comedy SHE COULDN'T SAY NO (1954) with Robert Mitchum. The evening wraps up with FOOTSTEPS IN THE FOG (1955), another Simmons-Granger collaboration; and THIS COULD BE THE NIGHT (1957), directed by Robert Wise.

The month concludes on June 28th with HOME BEFORE DARK (1958), ELMER GANTRY (1960), LIFE AT THE TOP (1965), THE HAPPY ENDING (1969), and MISTER BUDDWING (1966).

The final two films are the memorable William Wyler classic THE BIG COUNTRY (1958), costarring Gregory Peck and Charlton Heston, and the moving WWII drama UNTIL THEY SAIL (1957), a homefront story about four sisters in New Zealand. Simmons' sisters are played by Joan Fontaine, Piper Laurie, and Sandra Dee. Paul Newman plays the American soldier who falls for Jean.

For more information on TCM in June, please visit TCM in June: Highlights or see the complete schedule.

Tributes to Disneyland's Wally Boag and Betty Taylor

Tributes have been posted at many Disney sites in honor of Wally Boag and Betty Taylor, the longtime costars of Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Revue who passed away within a day of each other this weekend.

The official Disney Parks blog posted tributes to Wally and Betty today. Both posts include marvelous stills, including a great shot of Wally and his No. 1 fan, Steve Martin.

Over at MiceAge, Al Lutz has posted a very enjoyable story about a reunion show that took place at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles in 1995.

And Progress City U.S.A. has videos of Betty and Wally in action, including Betty singing "Bill Bailey."

For more information on Wally Boag and Betty Taylor, please visit last Saturday's post, In Disney News...

Tuesday Update: The L.A. Times has been on the slow side with its obituaries, but has now published good stories on Boag and Taylor.

Tonight's Movie: Payment on Demand (1951)

PAYMENT ON DEMAND (1951) is a bittersweet and absorbing look at the history of a marriage and what ensues when the husband decides he wants a midlife divorce.

We first meet Joyce (Bette Davis) and David (Barry Sullivan) as a well-off married couple with two lovely daughters, Diana (Peggie Castle) and Martha (Betty Lynn). When David announces he wants a divorce, a shocked Joyce spends a great deal of time reflecting on their many happy years together. Through flashbacks we see David and Joyce as teenagers and then struggling through hard times as young marrieds. The couple go through with a bitter divorce, but time and a series of experiences ultimately causes them to reassess whether they want to live their futures apart.

Davis is excellent in this film, which was made before ALL ABOUT EVE (1950), then had its release held back to cash in on EVE's expected success. I really liked her performance; she's subtly different as the energetic, can-do young woman of the flashbacks and the steely matron of the modern-day scenes. We receive a clear picture of how Joyce evolves from ambitious and helpful newlywed to the somewhat domineering wife and mother a couple decades later. The scene where Joyce finally breaks down near the end of the film is quite touching, and I was fascinated that Davis chose to play most of the moment with her back to the camera.

The flashback sequences are staged in a very interesting way, with the sets looking somewhat surreal, perhaps suggesting the haziness of old memories. These scenes made me think a little of Thornton Wilder's OUR TOWN; the flashbacks utilize more sets than the Wilder play, but some of the scenes have the same feelings of sweetness. I was particularly struck by the starry skies in the sequence where Joyce goes to the hospital to have her second child.

Sullivan is adequate as the unhappy husband, though I didn't find his morose performance particularly interesting. Of greater interest to me was the supporting cast, filled with wonderful faces who in some cases only have a scene or two.

Frances Dee is superb as the other woman in David's life, and she has but a single scene. It's a memorable performance by a lovely actress.

This was the last film appearance by Broadway actress and playwright Jane Cowl, who plays a society matron whose life falls apart when her marriage ends. Cowl appears in just two sequences, the first bitingly funny and the second pathetic. She's effective, but I preferred her warmer performances as Robert Montgomery's mother in ONCE MORE, MY DARLING (1949) and as Barbara Stanwyck's sympathetic mother-in-law in NO MAN OF HER OWN (1950).

Peggie Castle (LAWMAN) and Betty Lynn (THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW) are appealing as Joyce's very different daughters. Diana (Castle) is elegant, with the perfect fiance (Richard Anderson), while Martha (Lynn) is a somewhat less predictable girl with a sensitive heart.

Martha falls in love with a chemistry student (Brett King) her mother finds socially unacceptable; one of the more moving aspects of the film is Joyce's complete acceptance of the couple's marriage late in the film, when she seems to realize that life is too short for some of the things she's spent time worrying over.

The cast also includes Kent Taylor, John Sutton, Otto Kruger, Natalie Schafer, Walter Sande, and Lisa Golm. Davis's own little girl, Barbara ("B.D."), plays Diana as a child.

The film was directed by Curtis Bernhardt, who also cowrote the script with Bruce Manning. Bernhardt had previously directed Davis in A STOLEN LIFE (1947).

The film was beautifully shot in black and white by Leo Tover. Over the course of his 40-year career Tover was twice Oscar nominated, for two of Olivia de Havilland's best films, HOLD BACK THE DAWN (1941) and THE HEIRESS (1949).

Davis's gowns were created by Edith Head. The film runs 90 minutes.

PAYMENT ON DEMAND is available on DVD-R from the Warner Archive.

It can also be seen on Turner Classic Movies, which has the trailer available here.

PAYMENT ON DEMAND is a thoughtful and interesting drama which is worth the investment of time.

Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...I'm very interested in a new book coming out this summer: JENNIFER JONES: THE LIFE AND FILMS by Paul Green. According to the author's website, the current estimate of the publication date is sometime in July or August. It's from McFarland & Co. Green previously wrote a history of the classic TV Western THE VIRGINIAN which is on my wish list, and he's currently at work on a biography of Jeffrey Hunter.

...Have you preordered your copy of NIGHT FLIGHT (1933)? This film, long out of circulation, comes out on Tuesday. Since Warner Bros. rarely releases classic films in any format other than manufactured-on-demand these days, I hope the film does well. Glenn Erickson says the print looks great, although he was disappointed that members of the all-star cast rarely interact with one another. The film stars Clark Gable, Robert Montgomery, Myrna Loy, Helen Hayes, John Barrymore, and Lionel Barrymore. (June 6th Update: Here's a review of the movie by Leonard Maltin.)

...To the right is a peek at the cover for James Garner's autobiography, due out this fall. I think it's fabulous!

...Leonard Maltin points the way to the Academy's online War Film Collection, which includes full-length shorts available to watch via streaming, as well as photo galleries and other interesting things. I've just begun exploring this site and look forward to spending more time there.

...Today Kristina picks up on a fun thread from a couple years ago and shares photos of her film collection and organizational plan. If you're like me and enjoy taking a peek at other film fans' collections, be sure to visit her blog. You can find some links to older posts by other bloggers here.

...Coming this fall from TCM: TCM Classic Movie Trivia, with 4000 questions.

...Sharing Netflix passwords is now a crime in Tennessee. New technology brings new problems, I guess.

...I was surprised to read at Home Media Magazine that Netflix intends to re-emphasize their disc rentals along with their booming streaming business. Home Media says "This includes increased marketing efforts in regions of the country with low broadband penetration that would be better served with a stronger disc rental option."

...There's a new documentary out, CAMERAMAN: THE LIFE AND WORK OF JACK CARDIFF. Susan King and Leonard Maltin have more information on this film about the man who shot movies such as BLACK NARCISSUS (1947) and THE RED SHOES (1948).

....Hallmark's 2011 Dreambook can now be read online. Ornament Premiere Weekend is July 16th-17th, with the fall ornament releases due the weekend of October 8th-9th.

...Reviews, reviews, and more reviews: Dorian posts on the classic LAURA (1944) at Tales of the Easily Distracted...David L. Vineyard recently reviewed THE BRIBE (1949) at Mystery File...James Lileks takes a fun look at Claude Rains in THE UNSUSPECTED (1947), available from Warner Archive...and Judy reviewed a film I loved, COUNSELLOR AT LAW (1933), at Movie Classics.

...This release from last year looks like fun: 20TH CENTURY TRAVEL: 100 YEARS OF GLOBE-TROTTING ADS. It's from Taschen, which produced a great series of books featuring ALL-AMERICAN ADS.

...I was delighted to read Glenn Erickson's opinion at DVD Savant that the new Warner Archive print of YOLANDA AND THE THIEF (1945) is "really quite beautiful." This underrated Vincente Minnelli film stars Fred Astaire and Lucille Bremer. It would be worth watching if only for the visuals and the sublime "Coffee Time" dance.

...Greenbriar Picture Shows muses on one of my favorite places, Lone Pine, California.

...Last week Classic Movies Digest marked Paulette Goddard's birthday with a post titled "Paulette Goddard: 5 Things You (May or) May Not Know." I've become quite a Goddard fan in recent months, and sure enough I learned something quite interesting from Rupert's post: she left $20 million to New York University, where Goddard Residential College was named in her honor.

...Did you know the Film Noir Foundation has a handy page listing film noir titles airing this month on Turner Classic Movies and Fox Movie Channel?

...The Marilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg Center for Animation recently opened at USC's School of Cinematic Arts.

...Reviews, reviews, and more reviews, Take 2: Kevin's Movie Corner reviews another film I liked a great deal, A LADY TAKES A CHANCE (1943), starring John Wayne and Jean Arthur...Miguel of Black and White: Cinema and Chocolate shares my appreciation for Disney's SLEEPING BEAUTY (1959)...Orson De Welles of Classic Film Freak shared thoughts on Robert Mitchum and Ava Gardner in MY FORBIDDEN PAST (1951), a movie I found quite entertaining...and at Hollywood Dreamland, C.K. Dexter Haven reviews Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell in FAST AND LOOSE (1939). Let's hope a series of the three Sloan films comes out soon from Warner Archive! (2013 Update: The Warner Archive has released the Sloan films in a set!)

...Welcome back to KC of Classic Movies, who's been on a limited posting schedule as she enjoys time with her new baby. KC resumed posting her "Classic Links" last week.

...Sincere congratulations and happiest wishes to Raquelle, who announced her engagement last week at her blog, Out of the Past.

Have a great week!

Tonight's Movie: Sleepers West (1941)

I love train movies, so I found the title of this followup to MICHAEL SHAYNE, PRIVATE DETECTIVE (1940) particularly appealing. SLEEPERS WEST is an unusual and memorable title for the solid second entry in this seven-film series of films with Lloyd Nolan in the lead role. (Hugh Beaumont later took over the role at a different studio.)

Brett Halliday's creation, Michael Shayne (Nolan), returns to the screen in SLEEPERS WEST. However, rather than using a Halliday novel, the movie was inspired by a novel titled SLEEPERS EAST by Frederick Nebel. Screenwriters Lou Breslow and Stanley Rauh inserted Shayne into the plot and changed the train's direction!

Shayne is protecting a key witness, Helen Carlson (Mary Beth Hughes), as she travels from Denver to San Francisco to testify at a murder trial. (I couldn't help wondering if the screenwriters of 1952's THE NARROW MARGIN had seen this film.) Shayne's old flame Kay Bentley (Lynn Bari), a newspaper reporter, is also on the train and senses Shayne's sitting on top of a big story. And, as might be expected, there are some people on the train who are very anxious to keep Helen from getting to San Francisco.

This is a well-made little film which perhaps could have had stronger pacing for its 74-minute story, but on the whole is entertaining and pleasant to watch. All but the last few minutes of the film take place in the train station and on the train, and the setting is most enjoyable. Watching Lynn Bari in the dining car, relaxing with dinner and a newspaper brought on board at the previous station, I couldn't help thinking it looked like a pretty wonderful way to travel!

The film is in secure hands with the talented Nolan and Bari in the leads, and they have some nice chemistry. There's a sequence where their characters are each trying to trick the other which is quite amusing, especially when Kay gets stuck to a closed upper bunk.

Hughes is a blonde looker, at least for those who like her type, and she's believable as a showgirl who found herself in a bad situation. Hughes, like Marjorie Weaver of the first film, was in three separate entries of the Shayne series, and like Weaver she plays three completely different characters in each film!

The supporting cast includes faces like Edward Brophy, George Chandler, Louis Jean Heydt, Don Costello, Ferike Boros, Harry Hayden, and Donald Douglas. The train porters are played by Sam McDaniel, Ben Carter, Charles R. Moore, and Mantan Moreland.

The movie was directed by Eugene Forde, who also directed the first film; he would later direct another film in the series, DRESSED TO KILL (1941).

The movie is part of the Michael Shayne Mysteries Vol. 1 DVD collection.

Classics on the Big Screen in Los Angeles

There are a number of interesting places to see classic films this summer in Los Angeles.

Here are a few highlights:

...The Autry in Griffith Park has an ongoing series, What is a Western?, and my husband and I have tickets to see SHANE (1953) in 35 millimeter on Saturday, June 11th.

What makes it even better is that this will be the first time I've ever seen SHANE; it's one of those classics I've somehow never caught up with.

Upcoming titles at the Autry this summer are ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (1968) in July and THE GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL (1957) in August. Check the schedule for details, including more titles listed for this fall.

...Continuing the Western theme, in July Robert Mitchum fans can enjoy the series Tracking the Cat: Robert Mitchum in the West at UCLA's Billy Wilder Theater.

The series begins on Friday, July 8th, with two favorite Mitchum films, Raoul Walsh's PURSUED (1947) and BLOOD ON THE MOON (1948), directed by the endlessly versatile Robert Wise.

Marilyn Ann Moss, author of the new Raoul Walsh biography, is scheduled to attend, along with historian Alan K. Rode. (I'm scheduled to be in the Sierras that week, but if our plans change for any reason, I'll be there!)

Other Mitchum Westerns screening at the Wilder Theater in July: THE LUSTY MEN (1952), directed by Nicholas Ray; Fred Zinnemann's THE SUNDOWNERS (1960), which I reviewed in 2007; William Wellman's TRACK OF THE CAT (1954); RIVER OF NO RETURN (1954), directed by Otto Preminger; THE WONDERFUL COUNTRY (1959), directed by Robert Parrish; the "B" movie WEST OF THE PECOS (1945), directed by Edward Killy, teamed with the excellent RACHEL AND THE STRANGER (1948), directed by Norman Foster; and finally Howard Hawks' EL DORADO (1966).

...The Los Angeles Conservancy's series, Last Remaining Seats, takes place at historic theaters.

Most of this month's titles are already sold out, but tickets are still available for CAPTAIN BLOOD (1935) on June 8th at the Million Dollar Theatre. CAPTAIN BLOOD was directed by Michael Curtiz and stars one of Hollywood's great romantic duos, Errol Flynn and Olivia deHavilland, along with Basil Rathbone.

...As always, great things are going on at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. A Hitchcock series will be screening half a dozen films between today and Thursday, June 9th.

June 10th through 12th there's a marvelous weekend of Raoul Walsh films, with Walsh biographer Marilyn Ann Moss attending each screening. Actor Richard Erdman (who I was fortunate to see at CRY DANGER in March) will be attending the double bill of WHITE HEAT (1949) and THE STRAWBERRY BLONDE (1941).

The other films being shown are HIGH SIERRA (1941) teamed with THE ROARING TWENTIES (1939); and THE THIEF OF BAGDAD (1924), starring Douglas Fairbanks Sr., with live musical accompaniment.

I hope other Southern Californians will be able to take advantage of some of these wonderful opportunities to see classic films on the big screen this summer!

As a postscript, classic film fans in the Boston area should be sure to check out Raquelle's roundup of classic films showing there this month at her blog Out of the Past.

In Disney News...

...Disney Legend Wally Boag has passed away at the age of 90.

D23 has an excellent remembrance of the man Steve Martin remembers as "My hero, the first comedian I ever saw live, my influence."

Boag starred in Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Revue for nearly 27 years. He also provided the voice for Jose, a parrot in the park's Enchanted Tiki Room.

In 2009 Boag published a memoir, cowritten with Gene Sands, Wally Boag: The Clown Prince of Disneyland.

Update: News is breaking via Twitter that Boag's longtime costar, Disney Legend Betty Taylor, has passed away.

Taylor played Slue-Foot Sue in the Golden Horseshoe for over 31 years. It's rather amazing that Boag and Taylor have died within a day of each other.

I also knew Taylor from recordings of Sons of the Pioneers radio shows my family listened to when I was growing up. I hope to post links to obituaries in the near future.

Update: D23 remembers Betty Taylor.

Sunday Update: Here's a brief remembrance posted at the Orange County Register's "Around Disney" page. Jim Hill Media has an excellent article on Boag and Taylor, including mention of some of their most famous fans. Daveland also has a very nice photo-filled tribute.

...For those who may have missed the news earlier this week, special effects wizard Harry Redmond Jr. has passed away at the age of 101.

Redmond, who worked on many classic films, was the husband of Disney Imagineer Dorothea Holt Redmond, who died in 2009, aged 98.

...This summer's D23 Expo has a website, complete with countdown clock. The schedule still hasn't been announced, but some of the exhibits have been listed, including Treasures of the Archives, which will have twice as much space as the exhibit at the 2009 Expo.

I've got my Expo ticket and look forward to reporting on it this summer.

...Some surprising news over the past week was the closure of the Mission Tortilla Factory in Disney's California Adventure. Over the years the tortilla factory gained appreciation from annual passholders as the source of a free quick snack. :)

The news isn't all bad, though...rumor has it a Ghirardelli Factory is coming to DCA, complete with soda fountain and chocolate shop. Ghirardelli would definitely fit in with the Bay Area theming in that part of the park.

...The new Soundsational Parade has had its debut in Disneyland, and the Little Mermaid and Star Tours rides had their grand opening ceremonies last week. Goofy's Sky School due to open around Independence Day.

The lines were crazy on Opening Day yesterday -- at one point the Star Tours line was so long that someone joked would be faster to fly to Orlando and ride it there! -- so I'm very glad we got to ride them for the first time during the preview period last week.

...Star Wars and Disney fans, be sure not to miss the Disney-produced video "Darth Vader Goes to Disneyland."

I also enjoyed a video of Jodi Benson and Pat Carroll, the voices of Ariel and Ursula, going on the new Little Mermaid ride together.

TV Giant James Arness, 1923-2011

Beloved TV Western star James Arness has died today at the age of 88.

I chose the above headline without first considering the pun, insofar as Arness stood a very tall six foot, seven inches. But of course it truly must be said that Arness was a giant of the TV industry for his long-running role as Marshal Matt Dillon on TV's GUNSMOKE, a role which lasted two decades -- and even longer, when later TV-movies are added to the total.

His other TV roles included starring in the TV miniseries and series HOW THE WEST WAS WON, also known as THE MACAHANS.

Arness served in World War II, including the landing at Anzio. After the war his film career began as one of Loretta Young's very tall brothers in THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER (1947).

As his film career grew, his roles included playing a villain in John Ford's WAGON MASTER (1950) and appearing with mentor John Wayne in films such as BIG JIM MCLAIN (1952), ISLAND IN THE SKY (1953), and HONDO (1953).

Arness also famously appeared in the monster movies THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951) and THEM! (1954). He had small roles in a number of classic films, including BATTLEGROUND (1949), STARS IN MY CROWN (1950), and CARBINE WILLIAMS (1952).

Other Arness films previously reviewed here: HORIZONS WEST (1952), THE LONE HAND (1953), and MANY RIVERS TO CROSS (1955).

Arness's brother, actor Peter Graves, passed away in March 2010.

Arness had the class and kindness to leave behind a letter to his fans, to be posted on his website after his passing. (Via Caftan Woman.) He shares some beautiful sentiments about his family, his career, his country, and all those who have enjoyed his work.

In his typically humble way, Arness writes, in part, "I wanted to take this time to thank all of you for the many years of being a fan of Gunsmoke, The Thing, How the West Was Won and all the other fun projects I was lucky enough to have been allowed to be a part of."

Thank you, Mr. Arness.

Deep Discount Summer Sale Starts Today

Here's a tip for DVD collectors: The Deep Discount summer sale begins today. It runs through June 19th.

All items marked with the sale tag are 25% off of Deep Discount's usual price when you use a coupon code at checkout.

Coupon codes known at this point: SUMMER11, SUMMERSAVINGS, and 25MORE.

Update: Amazon has also launched an excellent sale on select titles.

A few sample prices in the Amazon sale: the Cary Grant Screen Legend Collection, which was recently selling for $23.99, is $14.49; Fox Horror Classics went from $25.49 to $12.49; and the Preston Sturges Collection went from $45.99 to $30.99. The 5-film Cecil B. DeMille Collection is only $18.69!

Notable Passings

...Singer-actor Giorgio Tozzi, who sang "Some Enchanted Evening" on the soundtrack of the film SOUTH PACIFIC (1958), has passed away at the age of 88.

Tozzi dubbed Rossano Brazzi's singing voice for the role of Emile de Becque and can also be heard on the excellent soundtrack album.

Tozzi played the role on stage himself many times, including in a revival opposite original Broadway star Mary Martin, and he can also be heard on the 1967 Lincoln Center cast album with Florence Henderson.

Tozzi spent two decades with the Metropolitan Opera. There's much more about his long career in the New York Times and Playbill.

...Actress Clarice Taylor, who played the mother of Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby) on the beloved sitcom THE COSBY SHOW, has passed away at the age of 93.

Taylor received an Emmy nomination as Guest Performer for the memorable Season 2 episode "Happy Anniversary." The episode is available on Amazon Instant Video, and there's a YouTube clip of the delightful lip-synched musical number which ends the show here.

Update: ...Special effects artist and producer Harry Redmond Jr. has passed on at the age of 101.

Redmond had a long, fascinating career, working on special effects for many classics including KING KONG (1933), LOST HORIZON (1937), and THE BISHOP'S WIFE (1947). He later worked as associate producer on a number of animal-themed films and TV shows, including DAKTARI (1966).

Redmond's wife, production designer and Disney Imagineer Dorothea Holt Redmond, passed away in March 2009.