Tonight's Movie: Trail of Robin Hood (1950)

I didn't get the chance to watch many Christmas movies this year, but it's not Epiphany yet and so I'm still trying to squeeze in a title or two! Tonight I watched Roy Rogers in TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD thanks to the kindness of Toby at 50 Westerns From the 50s.

TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD is a charmingly goofy 67-minute Western. The title doesn't really make any sense, nor does it reflect the film's Christmas storyline.

Movie star Jack Holt has retired and started a Christmas tree farm, planning to sell the trees at cost so any family that wants a tree can afford a tree. The bad guys don't like Jack undercutting their prices, so there's Christmas tree rustling and all kinds of action-packed goings-on. You can read more about it over at 50 Westerns From the 50s.

As reviewers at IMDb point out, the film exists in a kind of alternate universe where it's 1950 and people drive cars, yet the characters are even more likely to ride horses or drive wagons to get where they're going. All the cowboys wear guns, and the town in the film looks like something right out of the 1800s.

There's not a minute to spare in the movie, which includes some pleasing musical numbers with Roy backed by the Riders of the Purple Sage; my favorite tune was "Ev'ry Day is Christmas in the West," where Roy and company are also joined by leading lady Penny Edwards.

Even better, a passel of Western movie stars turn up to help Roy and Jack at the finale, include Rex Allen, Monte Hale, Crash Corrigan, and more. There's a really delicious scene demonstrating their fancy gunplay.

The film has lovely shots of the Big Bear Lake area in Southern California. The movie combines lots of fresh air location shooting from the San Bernardino Mountains with inserted process shots which were obviously shot on a soundstage. The movie was filmed in Trucolor; the color on the tape I watched was a bit faded but it gave the film a nice kind of pastel watercolor look.

The film was directed by longtime Roy Rogers director William Witney.

TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD is available on videotape at an affordable price. Toby warns to steer clear of the DVD print, which is significantly edited.

I'll definitely be enjoying this fun little movie as part of my Christmas movie rotation in the years to come.

2018 Update: I wrote more about this film for a Christmas column at Classic Movie Hub.

TCM in December: Christmas Movies

It's time for my annual guide to Christmas movies airing this month on Turner Classic Movies!

TCM will be showcasing Christmas films in prime time on Saturday and Sunday nights this month, with additional holiday films airing each weekend morning. Christmas cartoons will also be part of the Saturday morning lineups.

Jeremy Arnold, author of the new book CHRISTMAS IN THE MOVIES, will be interviewed by Ben Mankiewicz on the evenings of December 1st and 2nd.

(Side note, I received a review copy of the book a few days ago and will have a review up here as soon as possible! Just from paging through the photographs, it looks wonderful.) (Update: Here is my review!)

Additional Christmas movies screen throughout the month, including on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

It's exciting to note there are three Christmas movie premieres on TCM this month. They are the Roy Rogers film TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD (1950), which I just wrote about for Classic Movie Hub; the 1994 version of LITTLE WOMEN, which coincidentally is being shown December 1st at UCLA with Jeremy Arnold in attendance; and the British film THE HOLLY AND THE IVY (1952), seen at right.

Some of the Christmas films listed below are shown as many as three times; reviews are only linked the first time a film is mentioned.

The Christmas season kicks off on Saturday, December 1st, with the MGM cartoon PEACE ON EARTH (1939) and the evergreen MGM musical MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944) showing in the morning.

That evening look for the fantasies BEYOND TOMORROW (1940), starring Richard Carlson and Jean Parker, and THE BISHOP'S WIFE (1947). The latter film, starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven, is one of my very favorite Christmas films.

On December 2nd IT HAPPENED ON 5TH AVENUE (1947) and A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1938) are shown in the morning, with THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940) and HOLIDAY AFFAIR (1949) in the evening. All four films are wonderful and very much deserve an annual look.

December 8th the cartoon THE CAPTAIN'S CHRISTMAS (1938) will be shown in the morning, as well as the films MEET JOHN DOE (1941) and THREE GODFATHERS (1936) with Chester Morris and Lewis Stone.

That night TCM will show Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby in HOLIDAY INN (1942) as well as the classic comedy THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (1942), starring Monty Woolley and a great cast. Bing and Marjorie Reynolds are seen here singing "White Christmas" in HOLIDAY INN.

The 1949 MGM version of LITTLE WOMEN will be shown early on December 9th, followed by Barbara Stanwyck in CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945). That night there's a repeat of IT HAPPENED ON FIFTH AVENUE, followed by the 20th Century-Fox anthology film O. HENRY'S FULL HOUSE (1952), and the silent movie BEN-HUR: A TALE OF THE CHRIST (1925).

The December 15th cartoon is ALIAS ST. NICK (1935). It's accompanied by the Vitaphone short SEASONED GREETINGS (1933), with a cast including Robert Cummings and Sammy Davis Jr., followed by another showing of Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh in HOLIDAY AFFAIR (1949). Be sure to read Jessica's interview with HOLIDAY AFFAIR child actor Gordon Gebert at her blog Comet Over Hollywood!

The prime time lineup is Roy Rogers in TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD (1950), the John Ford version of 3 GODFATHERS (1948) starring John Wayne, and the short STAR IN THE NIGHT (1945), directed by Don Siegel.

THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940) and its remake IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME (1949) will be shown the morning of December 16th, with MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944) and LITTLE WOMEN (1994) in the evening. This 1994 version of LITTLE WOMEN is one of three different filmings of the Louisa May Alcott classic airing on TCM this month.

On Monday, December 17th there's a great lineup of Christmas crime films: LADY ON A TRAIN (1945) starring Deanna Durbin; LADY IN THE LAKE (1947) starring Robert Montgomery; FITZWILLY (1967) with Dick Van Dyke; COVER UP (1949) starring Dennis O'Keefe; and BACKFIRE (1950) with Gordon MacRae.

LADY ON A TRAIN and COVER UP (seen at right, with Dennis O'Keefe and Barbara Britton) are particular favorites which I highly recommend. I've watched the multiple times! Click the hyperlinked titles for full details.

On Wednesday, December 19th, Errol Flynn runs around in a Santa suit in NEVER SAY GOODBYE (1946), shown during the day.

That night BACHELOR MOTHER (1939) and ALL MINE TO GIVE (1957) are featured in an evening of films about orphans.

Mixed in with the Christmas films, why not watch CHRISTMAS IN JULY (1940)? It stars Star of the Month Dick Powell and will be shown on December 20th.

December 22 starts with SANTA CLAUS (1959) followed by a day of religious-themed films: Joel McCrea plays a pastor in STARS IN MY CROWN (1950), followed by THE MIRACLE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA (1952), BEN-HUR (1959), THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (1965), and KING OF KINGS (1961).

That night's films are the beautiful REMEMBER THE NIGHT (1940) with Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray, followed by Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan in CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945). The Noir Alley title that evening is BEWARE, MY LOVELY (1952), a spooky tale set at Christmastime starring Ida Lupino and Robert Ryan. The evening wraps up with PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT (1962) and A CAROL FOR ANOTHER CHRISTMAS (1964).

On Sunday, December 23rd, the lineup is SCROOGE (1935), A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES: MERRY CHRISTMAS! (2011), BUSH CHRISTMAS (1947), BEWARE, MY LOVELY (1952), and O. HENRY'S FULL HOUSE (1952), followed by SUSAN SLEPT HERE (1954), ALL MINE TO GIVE (1957), and HOLIDAY INN (1942). The TCM premiere of THE HOLLY AND THE IVY (1952) is followed by Alastair Sim in A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1951) and then THE KING OF KINGS (1927) and FANNY AND ALEXANDER (1982).

On Christmas Eve it's all Christmas movies all the time: BEYOND TOMORROW (1940), LITTLE WOMEN (1933), THE GREAT RUPERT (1950), BABES IN TOYLAND (1934), THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940), HOLIDAY AFFAIR (1949), CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945), MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944), THE BISHOP'S WIFE (1947), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1938), IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME (1949), MEET JOHN DOE (1941), and DESK SET (1957).

The Christmas Day films are LOVE FINDS ANDY HARDY (1938), 3 GODFATHERS (1949), BUNDLE OF JOY (1956), BACHELOR MOTHER (1939), FITZWILLY (1967), THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (1942), and IT HAPPENED ON 5TH AVENUE (1947). The stars of the charming IT HAPPENED ON FIFTH AVENUE, Don DeFore and Gale Storm, are seen in the photo to the right.

Additionally, SUSAN SLEPT HERE (1954), with its fabulous "mid Century" Christmas decorating, makes another appearance on December 27th as part of the Dick Powell Star of the Month lineup, and THE THIN MAN (1934), which has a delightful Christmas sequence, will air on New Year's Eve.

An overview of the rest of the schedule for TCM in December will be posted on December 1st (click here), and a look at Dick Powell as Star of the Month will follow next week (click here).

For additional information, please also consult TCM's online schedule.

Merry Christmas!

Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Happiest 90th birthday wishes to Constance Towers, born in Montana May 20, 1933. Her diverse career has included starring in John Ford's THE HORSE SOLDIERS (1959) and SERGEANT RUTLEDGE (1960), Samuel Fuller's SHOCK CORRIDOR (1963) and THE NAKED KISS (1964), TV's GENERAL HOSPITAL (1997-present), and many musical theater productions. As a child in the '70s I was fortunate to see her at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles opposite Yul Brynner in THE KING AND I as well as in RODGERS AND HART at the Westwood Playhouse, costarring with Harve Presnell. Towers also served our country when her husband, actor John Gavin, was the United States Ambassador to Mexico from 1981 to 1986. She engaged in extensive fundraising work following the 1985 Mexico City earthquake.

...Upcoming Blu-ray release dates announced by Kino Lorber Studio Classics: FORCE OF EVIL (1948) with John Garfield will be out on July 11th, with a new commentary track by Imogen Sara Smith, and the Audie Murphy Collection II will be out July 18th. Smith's commentary makes FORCE OF EVIL a "must buy," as she's one of the very best. The Murphy set will contain SIERRA (1950), KANSAS RAIDERS (1950), and DESTRY (1954); to my knowledge the latter film never had a DVD release. (July 17th Update: The release date for FORCE OF EVIL has been pushed back slightly, to August 1, 2023.)

..."Coming soon" from Kino Lorber Studio Classics: A three-film Philo Vance set starring William Powell and a brand-new 4K master of HE WALKED BY NIGHT (1948).

...And coming July 25th from the Cohen Film Collection and Kino Lorber, Douglas Fairbanks (Sr.) in ROBIN HOOD (1922) and THE BLACK PIRATE (1926). ROBIN HOOD is a new 4K restoration. THE BLACK PIRATE has a commentary track by the late historian Rudy Behlmer.

...Thanks to Toby at 50 Westerns From the 50s for making me aware of the upcoming July release of a pair of Tom Mix films, SKY HIGH (1922) and THE BIG DIAMOND ROBBERY (1929). The Blu-ray set of new 2K restorations is coming from Ben Model's Undercrank Productions. Both films were recently shown on Turner Classic Movies.

...And releasing next month from Undercrank, a pair of films starring Raymond Griffith: PATHS TO PARADISE (1925) and YOU'D BE SURPRISED (1926). Both are new 2K restorations of 35mm Library of Congress prints, and each film has a new score by Ben Model.

...Undercrank has also released a pair of silent films directed by Frank Borzage, BACK PAY (1922) and THE VALLEY OF SILENT MEN (1922).

...Brand-new from the University of Illinois Press: THE CINEMA OF BARBARA STANWYCK: TWENTY-SIX SHORT ESSAYS ON A WORKING STAR, by Catherine Russell. The publisher has posted an interview with the author.

...In TCM-Running Press film book news, EDDIE MULLER'S NOIR BAR is publishing this week, on May 23rd. An excerpt has been published by Entertainment Weekly...Eddie's fellow TCM host Dave Karger has announced an upcoming book, 50 OSCAR NIGHTS, to be published in January 2024.

...Good news for fans of the MURDER, SHE BAKED movie series on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel: In addition to the brand-new film airing this weekend, CARROT CAKE MURDER: A HANNAH SWENSEN MYSTERY (2023), another film is on the way.

...Disney+ is removing a significant amount of programming from the streaming service as a cost-cutting move.  So much for Robert Iger's 2019 pledge that "At some point, fairly soon after launch, it will house the entire Disney motion picture library."

...Speaking of Disney, how great is this Loungefly lunchbox-style bag for ROBIN HOOD (1973)?

...Raquel Stecher's annual Summer Classic Film Reading Challenge begins today, May 20th, and continues through September 15th.

...Speaking of Raquel, she has reviewed Jeffrey Spivak's BUZZ: THE LIFE AND ART OF BUSBY BERKELEY, published by the University Press of Kentucky.

...At Poppity Talks Classic Film, Erica discusses the television work of Donna Reed. It's part of the Classic Movie Blog Association's Big Stars on the Small Screen blogathon. There are lots more interesting links at the CMBA site.

...The Warner Archive Collection has announced June titles, including Joan Crawford in THE DAMNED DON'T CRY (1950), Esther Williams in DANGEROUS WHEN WET (1953), and Jean Simmons and Robert Mitchum in ANGEL FACE (1953). For the full list and more details please visit The Extras podcast with Tim Millard and the Warner Archive's George Feltenstein.

...Some classic film reviews I've recently enjoyed reading: At Comet Over Hollywood, Jessica has reviewed Ronald Reagan in the programmer SMASHING THE MONEY RING (1939)...Danilo Castro reviewed SORRY, WRONG NUMBER (1948) for Classic Movie Hub. I enjoyed seeing it for the first time recently at the TCM Classic Film Festival...Colin's latest reviews at Riding the High Country include HIGH WALL (1947) and THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT (1940)...CineSavant Glenn Erickson had a very thoughtful and interesting post on the early widescreen John Wayne film THE BIG TRAIL (1930). I wrote about the film after seeing it at the Lone Pine Film Festival in 2018.

...Many thanks to Terry at A Shroud of Thoughts for including me in his roundup of TCM Classic Film Festival coverage. Be sure to check out the coverage from the other bloggers he's linked.

...Notable Passings: Jacklyn Zeman, who played Barbara Jean "Bobbie" Spencer on GENERAL HOSPITAL for over 45 years, has died at the age of 70. Her character was front and center during the 15 years or so I watched the show, and I was very sorry to learn of her too-early passing...Football player turned actor Jim Brown has passed away at the age of 87. His films included RIO CONCHOS (1964), THE DIRTY DOZEN (1967), and ICE STATION ZEBRA (1968)...Austrian actor Helmut Berger has died at 78.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my May 6th roundup.

Tweet

Tonight's Movie in 2024: The Year in Review

Happy New Year!!

It's hard to believe it's already time for another annual look back at the movie viewing year that was! As is the case every year, 2024 was filled with terrific viewing, encompassing a wide variety of films and a significant number of "big screen" experiences.

I saw 151 films in 2024. That number is quite a bit lower than my norm, but that total comes with a significant asterisk: While the number is my lowest in many years, it does not include the whopping 27 COLUMBO mysteries I watched in 2024, which encompass most of Seasons 1 through 4. These movie-length episodes typically run anywhere from 75 to 100 minutes; adding them to my total would bring the number of films seen up to 178, which is more in line with recent years' viewing.

Review links to my 2023 COLUMBO viewing may be found at the bottom of this review of the first episode, which was viewed in December 2023. As I write this, a couple more COLUMBO reviews are pending. Getting to know that series for the first time this past year has been very enjoyable.

For comparison, I saw 194 movies in 2023, 179 films in 2022, 190 films in 2021, 198 films in 2020, 238 films in 2019, 282 films in 2018, 284 films in 2017, 275 in 2016, 310 movies in 2015 (my record to date!), 286 movies in 2014, 277 films in 2013, 220 in both 2012 and 2009, 226 in 2011, and 211 movies in 2010.

I saw 51 films in a theater last year. That compares with 56 theatrical films in 2023, 42 in 2022, 28 big screen films in 2021, 9 big screen films in 2020, 91 big screen films in 2019, 116 theatrical films in 2018, 102 in 2017, 75 in 2016, 115 in 2015, 78 in 2014, 50 in 2013, and 55 in 2012.

Four theatrical viewings were brand-new recently released films. More information on the new titles seen follows below.

Almost exactly half of this year's 151 films were repeat watches, with 75 films having been previously seen; this is in line with 74 rewatches for the past couple of years. 33 of those repeat viewings came on a big screen. Oftentimes my repeat watches occur at film festivals or other special theatrical screenings, which are documented below.

For comparison, in 2023 there were 74 repeat watches and in 2022 there were 60 repeats. In 2021 there were 74 repeat watches, in 2020 there were 64 repeats, and in 2019 there were 81 repeat watches. In 2018 there were a whopping 92 repeat watches, while in 2017 there were 68 repeat films, 62 in 2016, 76 in 2015, 68 in 2014, 41 in 2013, 36 in 2012 and 2009, 15 in 2011, and only 13 in 2010.

As usual, each hyperlinked title in this post links to my past review. It's my hope that the linked reviews will provide resources for further exploration and inspiration for future viewing. Each review includes information on how to view the films via physical media.

The next section of this post looks at some additional stats, including films seen at festivals and lists of most-seen actors. The concluding section of the post is an overview of numerous additional titles not already mentioned.

Here's a look back at the great movie viewing year which was 2024!

...I attended four film festivals this year, beginning with the Noir City Film Festival in Hollywood, closely followed by the TCM Classic Film Festival and the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival. In the fall I attended the Lone Pine Film Festival.

I'll also mention here I also attended the three-day Disney D23 Expo in August; while I didn't see any films there, I was completely immersed in all things Disney, including their film history.

...The Noir City Film Festival returned to the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for the first time since the truncated festival in 2020. I saw eight films at this year's festival, with the new-to-me watches being the Argentinian film NEVER OPEN THAT DOOR (1952) and the Egyptian movie CAIRO STATION (1958). More on the latter film below.

...I also saw half a dozen previously reviewed films at this year's Noir City Film Festival, listed in the order viewed: THE WINDOW (1949), KISS OF DEATH (1947), UNION STATION (1950), DESERT FURY (1947), THE NARROW MARGIN (1952), and RIFIFI (1955). All are extremely worthwhile, with KISS OF DEATH and THE NARROW MARGIN being among my all-time favorite films.

...At this year's TCM Classic Film Festival I saw 15 films, five of which were new to me: GAMBIT (1966), THE PRISONER OF SHARK ISLAND (1934), DIRTY HARRY (1971), LAW AND ORDER (1932), and SHERLOCK JR. (1924). I also saw a new-to-me short, THE GOAT (1921).  I especially enjoyed DIRTY HARRY and went on to watch the next film in the series, MAGNUM FORCE (1973), at home later in the year.

...Previously reviewed films seen at the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival, listed in the order viewed at the fest: WHITE HEAT (1949), IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO YOU (1954), THE GOOD FAIRY (1935), THEM! (1954), IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934), THE MAD MISS MANTON (1938), WESTWARD THE WOMEN (1951), LITTLE WOMEN (1994), THE SEARCHERS (1956), and THE BIG HEAT (1953).

...I wrote about my experience seeing three Westerns at the TCM Classic Film Festival -- WESTWARD THE WOMEN, LAW AND ORDER, and THE SEARCHERS -- in my Classic Movie Hub Western RoundUp column.

...At the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival, held in May in Palm Springs, I saw 11 films, five for the first time. New to me were BODY AND SOUL (1947), THE SCARLET CLAW (1944), THE ENFORCER (1951), BORDER INCIDENT (1949), and ACROSS THE BRIDGE (1957). BODY AND SOUL and THE ENFORCER, which were both excellent, have recently come out on Blu-ray and I'll be reviewing them soon.

...Previously reviewed movies seen at the Arthur Lyons Fest were NO MAN OF HER OWN (1950), CRIME WAVE (1954) DEAD RECKONING (1946), WOMAN IN HIDING (1950), DAY OF THE OUTLAW (1959), and ESCAPE IN THE FOG (1945).  NO MAN OF HER OWN and CRIME WAVE are particular favorites which I was very happy to see theatrically.

...As I have for the last several years, I traveled to Lone Pine in October for the Lone Pine Film Festival, and I wrote about it at length in my Classic Movie Hub Western RoundUp column. This year I saw five films at the festival, plus a 28-minute short and two episodes of HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL. One of the films, RIP ROARIN' BUCKAROO (1936), was a first-time watch; the other titles, which were repeat watches, were SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON (1949), THE ARIZONA RANGER (1948), CATTLE EMPIRE (1958), and TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD (1950).

...Other special theatrical screenings this year included WAR OF THE WORLDS (1953) at the Fox Village Theatre in Westwood, accompanied by a lengthy slate of Puppetoons animated shorts; a 35mm nitrate screening of WINCHESTER '73 (1950) at the Egyptian Theatre, followed later in the year by a 35mm print of THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938) and a 70mm restoration of NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959) at the same theater; STAGECOACH (1939) in DCP format at the Academy Museum's David Geffen Theater; PERSONS IN HIDING (1939) in 35mm at the American Cinematheque's Los Feliz 3 Theatre; and a 70th anniversary Fathom Events screening of WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954) at my local Cinemark Theatre.

...New movies seen in theaters in 2024 were: FERRARI (2023), THE BOYS IN THE BOAT (2023), ORDINARY ANGELS (2024), and THE FALL GUY (2024), which I include, having watched it on the Lido Deck of the Carnival Luminosa cruise ship! Theatrical viewings were down partly due to the "pipeline" of titles available in 2024 having been reduced due to the 2023 writers' strike.

...I also went to a screening of SOUL (2020) which was originally intended as a theatrical film but ended up debuting on Disney+ due to lockdowns. I enjoyed it and am glad my first viewing was on a big screen!

...The only feature-length documentary I saw in 2024 was MADE IN ENGLAND: THE FILMS OF POWELL AND PRESSBURGER (2024). I'll be watching another, MERCHANT IVORY: THE DOCUMENTARY (2024), in January.

...My Hallmark viewing was down significantly this year, consisting of LOVE AT SEA (2018) and SEALED WITH A LIST (2023). I anticipate my Hallmark viewing will pick up in 2025, starting with a couple of Blu-ray screeners currently in my "watch" stack!

...This was a strong movie year and I was hard-pressed to name a "worst" picture seen in 2024. I guess the only one I really didn't enjoy was CAIRO STATION (1958), seen at the Noir City Hollywood Festival. (My husband actually left and sat in the lobby midway through, but I did stick it out till the end!) Past "winners" in this category: HULLABALOO (1940) from my 2009 list, FORT BOWIE (1958) in 2011, INHERIT THE WIND (1960) in 2012, a tie between DAVY CROCKETT, INDIAN SCOUT (1950) and FLYING BLIND (1941) in 2013, FORT YUMA (1955) in 2014, THE ROBIN HOOD OF EL DORADO (1936) in 2015, MAKE MINE LAUGHS (1949) in 2016, DEJA VU (1985) in 2017, GOLDIE GETS ALONG (1933) in 2018, MADAME X (1966) in 2019, THE MOONLIGHTER (1953) in 2020, THE ART OF LOVE (1965) in 2021, AMERICAN FLYERS (1985) in 2022, and THE ANDERSON TAPES (1971) in 2023. Fortunately it's extremely rare when I don't find at least some things in a film to enjoy!

...This year I was happy to continue my monthly Westerns column for the Classic Movie Hub site, where I've now been writing for the past six and a half years. The index for all of my Western RoundUp columns may be found here. In addition to articles on a variety of topics, including the TCM and Lone Pine Film Festivals, I wrote longer reviews of JOE KIDD (1972) and HIGH NOON (1952).

...For Classic Movie Hub I also wrote what's become an annual survey of a few "B" Westerns; featured this year were DEPUTY MARSHAL (1949) with Jon Hall and Frances Langford, COLORADO RANGER (1950) with Jimmy Ellison and Julie Adams, THREE DESPERATE MEN (1951) with Preston Foster, Jim Davis, and Virginia Grey, and OUTLAW WOMEN (1952) with Marie Windsor.

...Alan Ladd was my most-seen actor in 2024, with half a dozen films. Just after Ladd, with five films apiece, were Humphrey Bogart and Clint Eastwood.

...Seen regularly in 2024, in three films apiece: James Cagney, John Carradine, Arthur Kennedy, John Litel, Charles McGraw, Stephen McNally, William Powell, Basil Rathbone, Edward G. Robinson, James Stewart, Marshall Thompson, Tom Tyler, and John Wayne.

...It's unusual that I didn't see any actresses in more than three films last year. The actresses seen in three films each were Jean Arthur, Veronica Lake, Ida Lupino, Paula Raymond, Lizabeth Scott, and Barbara Stanwyck.

...Below is an overview of some additional titles not already listed above which I found especially memorable viewing in 2024. I'll add that in the interest of time this is not a comprehensive list of all my viewing, just hitting some of the highlights!

...January began with a rewatch of CRISIS (1950) for the first time in a dozen years; it's an unusual Cary Grant film I like a lot...I enjoyed the Gothic crime melodrama MOSS ROSE (1947) starring Victor Mature and Peggy Cummins...STATE SECRET (1950) was an enjoyable suspense thriller starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Glynis Johns...MYSTERY OF MARIE ROGET (1942) was a fun 61-minute "B" movie with Maria Montez...I can never see the comedy EASY LIVING (1937) with Jean Arthur and Ray Milland too many times...I saw RUN SILENT RUN DEEP (1958) with Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster for the first time in years...I revisited a pair of good George Clooney films, THE IDES OF MARCH (2011) and GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK (2005)...and I closed out the first month of the year with a rewatch of the Alan Ladd film CHICAGO DEADLINE (1949).

...February started watching a lovely new Blu-ray of TARZAN THE APE MAN (1932)...I enjoyed revisiting Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson in SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE (2003) and Liam Neeson in the very good "plane thriller" NON-STOP (2014)...I hadn't seen the MGM musical CABIN IN THE SKY (1943) in years and enjoyed it on another gorgeous new Blu-ray...SWEETWATER (2023) told the story of Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, a Harlem Globetrotter who was one of the first black players to break into the NBA...and I can never see the L.A.-set crime film HE WALKED BY NIGHT (1948) too many times, it's one of my favorite movies!

...March and April home viewing was light due to multiple film festivals. I really enjoyed Edward G. Robinson and Paulette Goddard in VICE SQUAD (1953)...BOMBS OVER BURMA (1942) with Anna May Wong was an interesting WWII "B" film...FINGERMAN (1955) with Frank Lovejoy and Peggie Castle was a good watch...I love THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT (1941) with George Raft, Ann Sheridan, Humphrey Bogart, and Ida Lupino...LET'S DANCE (1950) was the only Fred Astaire musical I'd never seen, and I found it more engaging than its reputation would suggest...THE GAUNTLET (1977) with Clint Eastwood was a lot of fun; I watched it in conjunction with reading a book on the film...and I enjoyed revisiting Bebe Daniels and Randolph Scott in the pre-Code COCKTAIL HOUR (1932), which I'd first seen at the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival.

...May was also light on home viewing due to another film festival. My viewing in May and June included revisiting the delightful Dick Powell fantasy YOU NEVER CAN TELL (1951)...I enjoyed Douglas Fairbanks Sr. in the silent adventure THE BLACK PIRATE (1926)...I very much enjoyed Humphrey Bogart in TOKYO JOE (1949), a first-time watch inspired by my liking of his film THE ENFORCER at a film fest...I'm very fond of the under-appreciated Fritz Lang film SECRET BEYOND THE DOOR (1947) starring Joan Bennett and enjoyed seeing it again thanks to a new Blu-ray...I saw John Carradine and Jean Parker in BLUEBEARD (1944) for the first time in a decade...I like SUBMARINE COMMAND (1952) with William Holden and Nancy Olson despite Holden's character being overly surly...THUNDER IN THE EAST (1952) with Alan Ladd and Deborah Kerr was an interesting first-time watch, one of a few new-to-me Alan Ladd films seen this year...One of my favorite discoveries this year was the Japanese crime film TAKE AIM AT THE POLICE VAN (1960)...SAIGON (1947) was a long-awaited viewing of an Alan Ladd-Veronica Lake film available in the U.S. for the first time; not a perfect film, but solid...I also enjoyed my first viewing of Lake and Franchot Tone in THE HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN (1944)...BLACK TUESDAY (1954) with Edward G. Robinson escaping prison was riveting...The restored Frank Borzage film MAN'S CASTLE (1933), returning the film to its original theatrical edit, was an important release this year starring my favorite actress, Loretta Young...and I returned to a favorite Deanna Durbin film, SOMETHING IN THE WIND (1947).

...July and August saw me watching a bunch of new-to-me crime films, including CITY OF SHADOWS (1955), CRASHOUT (1955), NIGHTMARE (1956), and the Japanese film RUSTY KNIFE (1958), after which I revisited Hitchcock's ROPE (1948) for the first time in a dozen years...I revisited Roy Rogers in UNDER WESTERN STARS (1938) thanks to a nice new Film Masters Blu-ray...I finally caught up with STARTING OVER (1979) for the first time...THE MAN I LOVE (1947) is a favorite Ida Lupino film with a great cast, and even better, the new Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray restored a few missing minutes...Disaster movie meets police procedural in ROLLERCOASTER (1977), which I enjoyed...I watched another procedural, PARKLAND (2014), for the first time in a decade; it's an interesting film about the medical staff and law enforcement who dealt with the JFK assassination...NO WAY OUT (1987) is a favorite Kevin Costner thriller...ACT OF VIOLENCE (1947) also came out on a new Blu-ray. My summer viewing was definitely heavy on crime movies!

...September and October viewing included the enjoyable ONCE TO EVERY WOMAN (1934) with Fay Wray and Ralph Bellamy...I liked MARIE: A TRUE STORY (1985) with Sissy Spacek; future U.S. senator Fred Thompson played himself at the start of an excellent career as a character actor (he was also in NO WAY OUT, which I watched shortly before MARIE)...SHACK OUT ON 101 (1955) is a bit nutty but also completely enjoyable, and I highly recommend it...I also love CONFLICT (1945) with Humphrey Bogart and Sydney Greenstreet...Fritz Lang's underrated CLOAK AND DAGGER (1946) was one of my favorite discoveries of the year, and leading lady Lilli Palmer, who I also saw in BODY AND SOUL (1947), was another favorite discovery of 2024.

...After so many crime films in previous months, November proved to be a month for revisiting MGM musicals, including THREE LITTLE WORDS (1950), BATHING BEAUTY (1944), and WORDS AND MUSIC (1948)...I also revisited favorite Alan Ladd films APPOINTMENT WITH DANGER (1950) and CAPTAIN CAREY, U.S.A. (1950)...Crime films seen in November included DARK CITY (1950) and MAKE HASTE TO LIVE (1954)...and I saw a different version of Orson Welles' JOURNEY INTO FEAR (1943) than I'd seen in 2011!

...December was a good month for revisiting old favorites such as Billy Wilder's ONE, TWO, THREE (1961) and Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy in SWEETHEARTS (1938)...I saw THE PREACHER'S WIFE (1996), a loose remake of THE BISHOP'S WIFE (1947), for the first time...My Christmas viewing this year included CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945)...The "train thriller" THE TALL TARGET (1951) with Dick Powell is a big favorite...And I saw another new-to-me Alan Ladd film, BOTANY BAY (1953).

This post comes, as always, with my deep thanks to everyone who reads and comments.  (As was the case in 2023, 2024 brought some challenges which made it difficult to always respond to comments, but every single one is read and enjoyed.)  Your readership, friendship, and support are all greatly appreciated.

I wish everyone health, happiness, and many wonderful movies in 2025!

Previously: Tonight's Movie in 2009: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2010: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2011: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2012: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2013: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2014: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2015: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2016: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2017: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2018: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2019: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2020: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2021: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2022: The Year in Review; Tonight's Movie in 2023: The Year in Review.

Tweet

Tonight's Movie: Gold Is Where You Find It (1938) - A Warner Archive DVD Review

GOLD IS WHERE YOU FIND IT (1938), one of the earliest feature films shot in three-strip Technicolor, has been released on DVD by the Warner Archive.

The first Technicolor film was BECKY SHARP (1935), released by RKO, followed by titles such as Paramount's TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE (1936) and GOD'S COUNTRY AND THE WOMAN (1937), a Warner Bros. release.

GOLD IS WHERE YOU FIND IT was shot in 1937 and released by Warner Bros. early in 1938; a few months later the studio also released the spectacular Technicolor adventure THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938).

GOLD IS WHERE YOU FIND IT focuses on the battle between hydraulic miners and farmers in 1870s Northern California. The story is so-so -- Californians will probably find it more interesting than most -- but the film is elevated by its deep cast and strong production values.

George Brent, who had also starred in the 1937 Technicolor movie GOD'S COUNTRY AND THE WOMAN, plays Jared Whitney, an engineer working for gold miners whose hydraulic mining methods are flooding out local farmers.

Jared falls in love with young Serena (Olivia de Havilland, who was about 20 when this was filmed), the daughter of a gentleman farmer (Claude Rains); Serena's father breaks up Jared and Serena's romance since he views Jared as the enemy.

Jared, of course, is a reasonable fellow and when the farmers win a court case he joins with them in a battle against the miners at the mining site.

There's a lot I like about this film, starting with Jared and Serena's charming relationship as they bond over her love for her apple orchard and he shows her a new way to irrigate her trees. Her anxious desire to impress him and his constant "Isn't she adorable?" expression are both quite sweet. I especially like their lighter early scenes together; later in the movie de Havilland has the tendency to handle melodrama by clutching her hands to her chest. That said, she's a lot of fun to watch, and the genial Brent is someone I'm always glad to see onscreen.

It's also very enjoyable watching a film with so many good actors, including Claude Rains, Margaret Lindsay, Tim Holt, Harry Davenport, and Barton MacLane. There are many more notable character faces in the film including Sidney Toler, Clarence Kolb, Willie Best, Russell Simpson, Henry O'Neill, and Gabby Hayes.

Since I first saw this film over five years ago, I've become quite a fan of Tim Holt, who plays Serena's initially immature brother, Lance. It was fun to circle back to this, having seen Holt in many films in the intervening time. Lance is a substantial role, and Holt does quite well in it. I was also impressed that in a scene where Lance jumps his horse over a low fence it is clearly Holt on the horse.

One of the film's biggest drawbacks is the way the plot tends to jump around, leaving threads trailing off into nowhere, whether it's the abrupt introduction of Lindsay as de Havilland's aunt -- the viewer must piece together in a dinner scene that she's married to Rains' brother, played by John Litel -- and what's with the married Lindsay's jealousy of de Havilland's relationship with Brent? One has the feeling there was originally more to Lindsay's character than ended up in the final film.

Likewise, the development of the Brent-de Havilland relationship is somewhat truncated; de Havilland has dialogue which seems to indicate a scene was cut and, indeed, there is a de Havilland-Brent scene in the trailer which is not in the final movie, as well as at least one still of yet another scene not in the film.

GOLD IS WHERE YOU FIND IT was directed by Michael Curtiz and filmed by Sol Polito. Location shooting took place near Weaverville, California. The film runs 94 minutes.

A side note, I wonder if any other actress was in as many color films in the first half decade of the Technicolor process as de Havilland? In addition to GOLD IS WHERE YOU FIND IT and ROBIN HOOD, she appeared in DODGE CITY (1939), THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX (1939), and of course GONE WITH THE WIND (1939).

While many scenes in GOLD IS WHERE YOU FIND IT look lovely, some of the scenes in this DVD print are noticeably soft. The film would benefit from restoration; perhaps that will happen at some point, given the film's significance as a fairly early Technicolor movie.

The DVD includes the trailer.

Other recent de Havilland Warner Archive releases which have been reviewed here are WINGS OF THE NAVY (1939) and GOVERNMENT GIRL (1943).

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this DVD. Warner Archive releases are MOD (manufactured on demand) and may be ordered from Amazon and other online retailers.