Christmastime 2022 Arrives at Disneyland

The Christmas season arrived at the Disneyland Resort on Veterans Day, and we were there for both celebrations.

Veterans were honored with a special flag ceremony at Town Square next to the Disneyland Christmas tree.

The ceremony was so picked I didn't attempt to get photographs! It was heartwarming to see such enthusiasm for our nation's veterans.

The Christmas season is always beautiful at Disneyland, but particularly since 2020, going "home for Christmas" to Disneyland is more special than ever.

We paused for a few minutes at the Main Street U.S.A. tribute windows for the late Imagineers Marc and Alice Davis. As I mentioned here a few days ago, Alice has recently passed away at the age of 93. Her accomplishments included creating the wardrobes for both the It's a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean rides.

As I've shared here before, Disneyland's Christmas season preparations take so many weeks -- decorations have been appearing here and there a bit at a time -- and so many people want to enjoy the season at the resort that the holiday season runs for a two-month period, from early November through Three Kings' Weekend in early January.

The "golden hour" at the Hub, where Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle has returned.

Partners.

We shared a slice of Christmas cake at the Plaza Inn. It was almost too pretty to eat! Almost.

Looking through the window at the Plaza Inn's Christmas tree.

One of the prettiest sights anywhere.

One of the castle's side passages into Fantasyland.

The It's a Small World Holiday overlay is now in its 25th season.  

After its very late opening last year due to flood damage, it was wonderful to have the ride of up and running without issues this year!

I've periodically shared photos of the ride over the years, but with my camera having improved steadily over time, it's fun to share some brand-new shots!

A quick shot of the parade heading up Main Street from Town Square as we walked through a parade crossing. Last year I shared a few photos of the parade taken at the Merriest Nites party, a wonderful event which did not return this year.

First gingerbread man of the season!

Merry Christmas to all!

We'll be back at the park several times in the coming weeks, including visiting the Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure across the Esplanade.

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Around the Blogosphere This Week...

...is taking this weekend off.

I've had an unusually heavy workweek, hence the "radio silence" on the blog this past week, and I have a busy weekend ahead as well. The column will return next weekend on Saturday, November 26th.

I do anticipate having new posts up later this weekend, as well as next week, so please check back regularly for new content.

In the meantime, November 19th is the birthday of favorite actress Gene Tierney, who was born in 1920. I'd like to encourage readers to visit my 2020 centennial tribute to the actress, which is filled with lovely photos along with many review links for Tierney viewing suggestions.

For recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my November 12th roundup.

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Tonight's Movie: Take One False Step (1949) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

TAKE ONE FALSE STEP (1949) is part of the new Dark Side of Cinema IX Blu-ray collection from Kino Lorber.

The other movies in this three-film set are the recently reviewed TANGIER (1946), starring Maria Montez, and the Deanna Durbin film LADY ON A TRAIN (1945), which I'll be reviewing in the near future.

I first saw TAKE ONE FALSE STEP when it was shown in a brand-new print at the 2016 Noir City Film Festival in Hollywood.

William Powell plays Professor Andrew Gentling, visiting California with colleagues (Art Baker and Felix Bressart) to secure funding for a brand-new university.

Andrew chances to run into Catherine Sykes (Shelley Winters), who he knew during the war; despite the fact they're both married, she makes a play for Andrew, which he politely turns down.

Catherine pressures Andrew to attend a party, but when he reluctantly arrives he discovers the only person at the party besides Catherine is an old friend of his, Martha Weir (Marsha Hunt). He ends up giving Catherine, who's been drinking, a ride home, but it doesn't go well -- she keeps making passes so he removes himself from the situation and gets out of the car.

Next thing Andrew knows, Catherine is missing and presumed dead, with the police (James Gleason and Sheldon Leonard) investigating her husband (Jess Barker) and looking for a mysterious man Catherine had been seen with before she disappeared.

Andrew wants to go straight to the police but Martha thinks they might be better off looking for Catherine themselves first...meanwhile Andrew's wife Helen (gorgeous Dorothy Hart) is on her way to L.A., a spontaneous trip which Andrew had encouraged.

As I noted after my first viewing, it's a flawed film with some odd plot holes and dead ends, not to mention underused actresses...but at the same time I quite enjoyed revisiting it. It's a pleasant 94 minutes thanks to the cast, and on this revisit I particularly got a kick out of Gleason and Leonard as the cops on the case. They're great fun.

Winters is extremely whiny and annoying, but Hunt and Hart make up for her, though they're underused. Powell is his usual debonair self, trying to understand the fix he's gotten into and make it right.

All in all, it could have been a better movie, but if a viewer doesn't expect too much it's a nice watch which has some worthwhile bits and manages to avoid some cliched expectations. I especially liked Martha and Helen working together to help Andrew and the fact that Helen's faith in him never wavers.

The movie was directed by Chester Erskine, who cowrote the script with Irwin Shaw; the script was based on a novel by Irwin and David Shaw. The movie was filmed in black and white by Franz Planer.

The supporting cast also includes Howard Freeman, Houseley Stevenson, Tommy Ivo, Paul Harvey, Francis Pierlot, Marjorie Bennett, Frank Cady, and Sandra Gould. I have yet to spot Tony Curtis. though he's said to be in the movie.

The very nice-looking Blu-ray disc is from a 4K restoration by Universal Pictures. Disc extras consist of a commentary track by Eddy Von Mueller and a three-film trailer gallery.

Kudos to Kino Lorber for plucking this film out of relative obscurity and making it available for home viewing. Even a relatively lesser film like this has its merits and deserves to be seen.

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray.

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Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Coming in March from the University of New Mexico Press: BLOOD ON THE MOON by Alan K. Rode of the Film Noir Foundation. The book is part of the Reel West series edited by Andrew Patrick Nelson. Also expected from this series in March: RIDE LONESOME by Kirk Ellis. I'll definitely be getting both books!

...Donna Reed's beautiful Palm Springs home is now on the market for $4.2 million. The Hollywood Reporter has photos.

...One of my favorite movies of recent years was WIND RIVER (2017) starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen. A sequel has been announced, although it does not appear it will have the original lead actors. Martin Sensmeier will reprise his role as a tracker.

...Coming to Blu-ray in February from Kino Lorber Studio Classics: IF I WERE KING (1938) starring Ronald Colman, Frances Dee, and Ellen Drew, and SORROWFUL JONES (1949) starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball. "Coming soon" from Kino Lorber is NO MAN IS AN ISLAND (1962) starring Jeffrey Hunter and Marshall Thompson...The Kino Lorber release date for RAW WIND IN EDEN (1958), starring Esther Williams and Jeff Chandler, has been pushed back from this month to February. Kino Lorber's other new Esther Williams release, THE UNGUARDED MOMENT (1956), remains on track for release at the end of November; my screener is now on hand for review.

...I enjoyed Annette Bochenek's photo-filled biographical tribute to memorable Warner Bros. '30s chorus girl Toby Wing at Hometowns to Hollywood.

...I enjoyed Jessica's Comet Over Hollywood review of SALUTE FOR THREE (1943), starring Macdonald Carey, Betty Rhodes, and Dona Drake. A lesser-known movie I need to see!

...The Film Noir Foundation's Noir City Christmas will take place December 13th at the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland, California, featuring a screening of I, THE JURY (1953).

...Notable Passings: The great Disney Imagineer Alice Davis, the widow of Imagineer Marc Davis -- one of Disney's legendary "Nine Old Men" -- has died at 93. Alice designed the costumes for both It's a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean. She and her husband share side-by-side tribute windows on Disneyland's Main Street U.S.A., seen here. There's more on Davis at MiceChat...Actress Susan Tolsky has died at 79. She was best known as Biddie on TV's HERE COME THE BRIDES (1968-70). HERE COME THE BRIDES star Robert Brown just passed away in September, and costar Bridget Hanley passed away less than a year ago.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my November 5th roundup.

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2023 TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements

Last month Turner Classic Movies announced the 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival, which is scheduled to take place in Hollywood next April 13th through 16th.

Yesterday TCM announced that festival passes will go on sale December 8th. A presale for Citi charge card holders will take place December 6th.

Complete information on pass levels and pricing may be found on the festival website.

The first eight titles were announced for the festival as well. I'm particularly thrilled by the inclusion of one of my all-time favorite Westerns, RIO BRAVO (1959); I haven't seen it in a theater since I attended a late '70s screening at the Leo S. Bing Theater at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

I'm hoping Angie Dickinson will be able to be there; it was great fun to hear her stories at a TCMFF screening of THE KILLERS (1964) in 2019.

I'm also hoping to see SHADOW OF A DOUBT (1943), at the festival; it's the only one of my handful of top favorite Hitchcock films I've never seen in a theater.

The other films announced were a 50th anniversary screening of AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973); THE BATWOMAN (1968); CASABLANCA (1942); DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1931); EAST OF EDEN (1955); and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1923).

Keep an eye on the festival's films page for future announcements, and of course I'll be covering festival news here as it develops!

March 15, 2023 Update: Today it was announced that RIO BRAVO will be the festival's opening night film, with costar Angie Dickinson in attendance.

Previous post: TCM Announces 2023 Festival Dates and Theme.

Updates: Around the Blogosphere This Week (re Russ Tamblyn); Latest 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements; New TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements; Latest TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements; TCM Classic Film Festival Announces Opening Night Movie; The 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival Schedule.

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Tonight's Movie: Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

Raymond Massey stars as ABE LINCOLN IN ILLNOIS (1940), recently released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive.

Over the years I've seen Henry Fonda in John Ford's YOUNG MR. LINCOLN (1939) countless times and I also saw the Daniel Day-Lewis LINCOLN (2012), but somehow I had never caught up with ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS, so I was glad to have this opportunity to see it.

Robert E. Sherwood's screenplay is based on an adaptation of his own Pulitzer Prize winning 1938 play, which also starred Massey. (A fun note: John Payne played Abe's oldest son Robert on stage.) The story covers Lincoln's life from the time he was a young man to his election to the Presidency.

The expected story points are all there, though told in a rather different manner than the other films: Abe's romance with doomed Ann Rutledge (Mary Howard) and later marriage to Mary Todd (Ruth Gordon); his quest to educate himself; his somewhat reluctant progression up the political ladder; and his debate with Stephen Douglas (a very good Gene Lockhart). As the movie ends, Abe has boarded a train to Washington after being elected President.

The movie is absorbing enough, with Massey very good as Lincoln, portraying him as simultaneously folksy yet with great stature. That said, I found the movie surprisingly downbeat. To be sure, Lincoln had a challenging life, including the death of his mother when he was young and the early deaths of two of his four sons (a third would die young after his father's passing); and of course we all know the challenges of being President during the Civil War as well as how his life was ended.

It was still a bit of a surprise to me that he's portrayed through most of the movie as a depressed man; for instance, yes, he was elected President at a difficult time in our history, but he doesn't seem to have a glimmer of satisfaction at the public entrusting the role to him. When he makes one of his folksy jokes it's almost a surprise that such a melancholy man has a sense of humor.

And as for Mary, she's an out-and-out shrew who becomes more unbearable the longer the movie goes. Perhaps these portrayals were close to the real people and their problems -- Mary is known to have had poor health and mental issues -- but it gets a bit tiresome watching them for 110 minutes. Gordon was quite fearless playing unlikeable Mary; I would have liked to see the character in a more fully rounded and, yes, sympathetic presentation, but Gordon's take is nothing if not memorable.

The fact the film is as watchable as it is despite two very problematic lead characters is a tribute to the movie's overall craftsmanship, including direction by John Cromwell and cinematography by James Wong Howe. The score was by Roy Webb.

The supporting cast includes Louis Jean Heydt, Howard Da Silva, Elisabeth Risdon, Minor Watson, Alan Baxter, Charles Middleton, Clem Bevans, and many more.

The Warner Archive Blu-ray is a very good print; I didn't think it was as sharp and impressive as the typical Warner Archive Blu-ray, but it's still a fine print with excellent sound.

The sole extra is a Lux Radio Theater presentation from April 22, 1940, starring Raymond Massey, Fay Bainter, and Otto Kruger.

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from the Warner Archive Collection Amazon Store or from any online retailers where Blu-rays are sold.

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Tonight's Movie: Greyhound (2020)

I enjoyed the World War II film GREYHOUND (2020) as much as anything I've seen this year.

It's 1942, and Captain Krause (Tom Hanks) has his first navy command shepherding a convoy of ships from North America across the Atlantic. His destroyer, call sign "Greyhound," leads several other escort ships protecting troop ships, tankers, and supply ships.

The story particularly focuses on the perilous few days when the convoy is in the "pit" in the mid-Atlantic, too far from either the U.S. or England for air cover to protect them from German submarines.

Hanks also wrote the screenplay, based on C.S. Forester's novel THE GOOD SHEPHERD, and he did an outstanding job. It's not your typical war film, in that it's a "procedural" focusing on one man's point of view. Most of the film depicts the captain giving commands; I note that at least a couple of reviewers wanted to see a different movie, but I found the drama of making life and death decisions under duress, often based on limited information or guesswork, fascinating.

The theme of the loneliness of command called to mind one of my favorite World War II films, THE GALLANT HOURS (1960), a profile of Admiral Halsey, played by James Cagney. While THE GALLANT HOURS differs in its lack of battle scenes, in other respects the films are very much alike. Both movies have a "you are there" intimacy seeing events through the eyes of the commander, with little insight into surrounding characters.

GREYHOUND also called to mind bits and pieces of other favorites. The most obvious comparison is probably ACTION IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC (1943), a film about the heroism of the Merchant Marine and perilous convoys which was released during the heart of the war. THE ENEMY BELOW (1957), focused on a destroyer battling a U-boat in the Atlantic, also crossed my mind, as did COMMAND DECISION (1948), about the stress of leadership.

The technical aspects of fighting the war made me think of SINK THE BISMARCK! (1960), in which naval commanders in London moved markers around on a huge map as they received intelligence and plotted out plans. I learned after the movie ended that it just so happens that SINK THE BISMARCK! was based on a book by the same author, so the comparison turned out not to be accidental.

The final film I thought of while watching this was a favorite comedy, YOU'RE IN THE NAVY NOW (1951), depicting Gary Cooper in his first naval command. Although the films are very different in tone, the themes of the stresses of wartime promotion are quite similar.

One aspect of GREYHOUND I especially liked is the film's respectful depiction of the captain as a man of faith. He starts and ends the day kneeling in prayer, and the way he lives his faith is revealed in moments large and small, whether it's saying grace -- I loved the mess man (Rob Johnson) echoing his captain's "amen" -- or the way he clearly struggles with knowing his ship's survival means others must die.

I also very much appreciated the patience he showed with his crew despite his personal stress. A pair of men who've been brawling are simply instructed to make up, with the warning that hell will rain down on them if a fight happens again.

When a nervous young man blurts out incomplete information at a key moment, the captain could have yelled or cursed with impatience, but instead the captain steadily tells him "Remember your training" and what he needs to know, and from there on, the young sailor regroups and performs perfectly. That's true leadership. It made me think of yet one more WWII film, THE LONGEST DAY (1962), and the great scene where Robert Mitchum encourages a young soldier to retrieve his rifle, later saying "Good for you, son!"

Speaking of the fact he could have cursed, another consequence of the captain's faith is that the men actually try not to swear in his presence, and when they do, they apologize. I loved that that was not depicted as any sort of ironic joke, but in a serious and respectful way.

The film is rated PG-13, mostly for stressful battle scenes in which boats and submarines are sunk and lives are lost. In that regard it's not for young children.

Otherwise the film is relatively family-friendly compared to the typical release these days; in addition to very limited cursing, the film is not graphic, with only the very briefest glimpses of injured sailors. The story of men performing heroically while their lives are on the line is inspiring.

The movie is also unusual these days in that it's only 91 minutes -- and several minutes of that is the end credits. The dramatic action is closer to 80 minutes.

GREYHOUND was directed by Aaron Schneider and filmed by Shelly Johnson. The supporting cast includes Stephen Graham, Matt Helm, Craig Tate, Travis Quentin, and Jeff Burkes. Elisabeth Shue has a brief flashback scene as the captain's sweetheart.

GREYHOUND is currently available for streaming on Apple TV+. It does not appear to be available on Blu-ray or DVD at this writing. I very much hope it will be available on physical media in the future.

With the many callbacks to other war films, one might think GREYHOUND could be written off as derivative, but that aspect actually delighted me, as the film emulates some of the best things about other favorites. 

I'd also particularly note that out of the countless World War II films made during the war and since, relatively few focus with this level of depth on the experience of leadership, and GREYHOUND is a unique and valuable entry in the genre. Recommended.

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Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Barnes & Noble's annual November half-price Criterion Collection sale is now underway! The sale runs through November 28th.

...Amazon also has some Criterion Collection titles 50% off. I ordered ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (1944) from Amazon yesterday.

...New reviews from CineSavant Glenn Erickson at Trailers From Hell: I, THE JURY (1953), now on 3D Blu-ray from ClassicFlix; THE DIAMOND WIZARD (1954), a 3D Blu-ray from Kino Lorber; and the Powerhouse Indicator Universal Noir #1 Collection.

...Jim Korkis wrote a nice article for MousePlanet on the production of my favorite animated Disney film, SLEEPING BEAUTY (1959).

...I just ordered the new book from the Hyperion Historical Alliance, THE ORIGINS OF WALT DISNEY'S TRUE-LIFE ADVENTURES by Disney historian Didier Ghez. The previous Hyperion book, THE MAKING OF WALT DISNEY'S FUN AND FANCY FREE, was excellent.

...The Peacock streaming service has made a deal with Hallmark to stream Hallmark films. I'm wondering if the end of the Hallmark Movies Now streaming service may be in sight.

...At Jeff Arnold's West there's a review of a Rod Cameron Western I haven't seen, OH! SUSANNA (1951)...and check out Vienna's Classic Hollywood for photos and info on what looks like a fun movie, ANGEL ON THE AMAZON (1948), starring George Brent, Vera Ralston, Constance Bennett, and Brian Aherne.

...I'm excited that Kino Lorber will be releasing Cecil B. DeMille's THE CRUSADES (1935) on Blu-ray in 2023. I found that film, starring Loretta Young and Henry Wilcoxon, extremely memorable when I saw it in 35mm at UCLA over a decade ago.

...Coming from Kino Lorber in January 2023: THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI (1948) with two commentary tracks, including one by the always-interesting Imogen Sara Smith, and the original version of THE ITALIAN JOB (1969) starring Michael Caine.

...Notable Passings: Andrew Prine, a busy working actor in films and television for six decades, has passed on at 86. His movies included CHISUM (1970) with John Wayne and Disney's ONE LITTLE INDIAN (1973) with James Garner...Screenwriter Douglas McGrath has died at 64. McGrath wrote the screenplay for one of my favorite films of the last few decades, EMMA (1996) starring Gwyneth Paltrow.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my October 29th roundup.

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