Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...The Warner Archive Collection has announced its April titles. They include ARROWSMITH (1931), 20,000 YEARS IN SING-SING (1932), CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS (1937), CRACK-UP (1946), KING RICHARD AND THE CRUSADERS (1954), and a Monogram Matinee Vol. 2 set containing the Jimmie Davis Western LOUISIANA (1937) and Jimmy Wakely in SONG OF THE RANGE (1944). (There's more on the Monogram set from Toby Roan at 50 Westerns From the 50s.) Meanwhile several of the March Warner Archive discs announced last month are on the way to me for review, so stay tuned!

...Universal also has a great list of Blu-rays ahead for April: MILLION DOLLAR LEGS (1932), INTERNATIONAL HOUSE (1933), HERE COMES COOKIE (1935), MISSISSIPPI (1935), and THE PRIVATE WAR OF MAJOR BENSON (1955). I hope to review at least a couple of these; in the meantime I have Cary Grant's debut film, THIS IS THE NIGHT (1932), on the way to me for review. Anyone who missed the March list of Universal releases may find it here.

...VCI Entertainment has a set of East Side Kids films coming out under its Poverty Row Classics line: EAST SIDE KIDS (1940) and THAT GANG OF MINE (1940).

...Kino Lorber Studio Classics is bringing out an upgraded print of all-time favorite BEND OF THE RIVER (1952) on Blu-ray in May, from a 4K restoration. In addition to the Toby Roan commentary on their 2019 Blu-ray release, this will have a second track, by Julie Kirgo and C. Courtney Joyner. BEND OF THE RIVER was directed by Anthony Mann; James Stewart leads a very deep cast.

...Also coming from Kino Lorber in May: NIGHT WORLD (1932) with Lew Ayres and Boris Karloff; it will have two commentary tracks, by Jeremy Arnold and Tim Lucas. And listed as "coming soon" is WALK A TIGHTROPE (1963) starring Dan Duryea.

...The UCLA Festival of Preservation has announced it will take place from May 29th through 31st at the Billy Wilder Theater in Westwood. The full schedule is not yet out, but it will include LORNA DOONE (1922), MERRILY WE LIVE (1938), and PITFALL (1948). Thanks to reader Christine for making me aware of this great news.

...Christine also shared the news that the Academy Museum is hosting a series of all Akira Kurosawa's films, starting in late March and continuing through May.

...I also want to mention that both the Noir City Hollywood and Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festivals announced their schedules yesterday. For anyone who missed my posts, the schedules may be reviewed here and here.

...The Vista Theater in Hollywood is hosting extremely rare 35mm roadshow showings of PORGY AND BESS (1959) this week.

...The annual Cowboy Cookout fundraiser at McCrea Ranch will take place Saturday, May 16th. Registration is via the Conejo Recreation and Park District. The cookout includes the very rare chance to tour the inside of the home of Joel McCrea and Frances Dee, which is remarkable in its simplicity and homey touches. It's hard to believe it's been nearly 15 years since the ranch first opened to the public; I've been fortunate to return several times over the years, and I'm looking forward to the cookout!

...Last summer I shared the news of the upcoming biography of Ben Johnson by Kathryn Jones, published by the University Press of Mississippi. TALL IN THE SADDLE: THE LIFE OF BEN JOHNSON, HOLLYWOOD'S REAL COWBOY was just published, on March 10th. I'm looking forward to it!

...As I mentioned in my preview of the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival, Kirk Ellis has a new book out BONNIE AND CLYDE, published by the University of New Mexico Press. Kirk is a regular at both the Arthur Lyons and Lone Pine Film Festivals, and I really enjoyed his book on RIDE LONESOME.

...Cole's French Dipped Sandwiches, a Downtown Los Angeles staple since 1908, may be closing for good this summer. I wrote about Cole's here in 2020.

...Coming in June from the University Press of Kentucky: A CENTURY OF HITCHCOCK: THE MAN, THE MYTHS, THE LEGACY by Tony Lee Moral.

...Glenn Erickson has reviewed the new Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray of MOGAMBO (1953), which I'll also be reviewing in the very near future...James L. Neibaur reviewed Kino Lorber's new Jack Benny set, containing ARTISTS AND MODELS (1937) and MAN ABOUT TOWN (1939). Again, I should have a review of MAN ABOUT TOWN up in the next couple days!...At Comet Over Hollywood, Jessica reviewed LET'S MAKE MUSIC! (1940) with Bob Crosby and Jean Rogers. It's available on a Warner Archive DVD.

...Notable Passing: British actress Jane Lapotaire has passed on. A 1981 Tony winner for PIAF, I particularly remember her for her role as Princess Dagmar of Denmark (later Empress of Russia) in TV's EDWARD THE KING (1975).

...Note: Around the Blogosphere This Week will not appear next weekend, when I'll be attending the 2nd Annual Cinecon "Pop-Up" Fundraiser in El Segundo, California.  The column will return on March 28th.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my March 7th column.

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The 2026 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival Schedule

The Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival returns to Palm Springs in May!

This year's festival opens on Thursday evening, May 7th, and runs through Friday afternoon, May 10th.

The festival takes place at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, formerly known as the Camelot Theatres, located at 2300 E. Baristo Road.

Passes are now on sale for the festival, which will feature a dozen movies.

The festival is programmed and hosted by Alan K. Rode. It will feature a mix of 35mm prints and digital screenings; some of the digital films shown will be world premiere restorations.

Rode's guests this year will be authors Scott Eyman and Kirk Ellis, along with Wyatt McCrea, the grandson of Joel McCrea and Frances Dee.

Here's the 2026 lineup:

Opening night on May 7th will feature a world premiere digital restoration of SLIGHTLY SCARLET (1956) starring John Payne, Arlene Dahl, and Rhonda Fleming. I haven't seen this since a "California Noir" series at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art many years ago and I'm excited to see it again, and in a great print.

Friday starts with an all-star cast in the British film HELL DRIVERS (1957), a great roller coaster ride of a movie.

That's followed by the world premiere digital restoration of Craig Stevens in GUNN (1967), a big-screen spinoff of Stevens' PETER GUNN (1958-61) TV series,

Next is a 35mm print of CITY GIRL (1938), a "B" film which I enjoyed seeing at Cinecon last fall. It stars Phyllis Brooks and Ricardo Cortez.

Friday wraps up with BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967). At the screening Kirk Ellis will be signing his new book THEY KILL PEOPLE: BONNIE AND CLYDE, A HOLLYWOOD REVOLUTION, AND AMERICA'S OBSESSION WITH GUNS AND OUTLAWS, published by the University of New Mexico Press.

I'm excited to see the world premiere digital restoration of MANHANDLED (1949) Saturday morning, May 9th. I've never seen it, and it stars Sterling Hayden, Dan Duryea, and Dorothy Lamour.

Next I'm looking forward to seeing Val Lewton's I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE (1943) theatrically for the first time. Guest Wyatt McCrea will talk about his grandmother, Frances Dee, who stars. She's seen in this still with costar Tom Conway.

I've never seen THE MOB (1951), which stars Broderick Crawford and Richard Kiley; Kiley's a favorite of mine so this is yet another title I'm excited to see. It will be shown in 35mm.

Saturday concludes with one of Joan Crawford's very best films, THE DAMNED DON'T CRY (1950), which like SLIGHTLY SCARLET I saw many years ago at the L.A. County Museum of Art. Crawford biographer Scott Eyman will be on hand signing his new book JOAN CRAWFORD: A WOMAN'S FACE from Simon & Schuster.

Sunday, May 10th, will start with Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Sullivan in a 35mm print of LET US LIVE (1939), which I recall from a Noir City Hollywood screening over a decade ago.

The day continues with John McCallum and Googie Withers in the British "kitchen sink noir" IT ALWAYS RAINS ON SUNDAY (1947).

The final film of the day, and the festival, is the hard-hitting NO WAY OUT (1950) with Richard Widmark, Sidney Poitier, Stephen McNally, and Linda Darnell.

It promises to be another great series! For more information on the movies, tickets, and more, please visit the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival website and ticketing page.

For a look at past Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival coverage, please visit these links: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

I hope to see some of my readers in Palm Springs in May!

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Quick Preview of TCM in April

Here's a brief preview for TCM's April schedule!

The April Star of the Month will be Sophia Loren. She was last Star of the Month in June 2008.

Loren's films will be shown on Monday evenings. We don't yet know how many of her films will be shown, as only part of the schedule is currently available, but the first evening will feature four films and SOPHIA LOREN: LIVE FROM THE TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL (2016).

The April Noir Alley films will be T-MEN (1948), BAD BLONDE (1953), HIS KIND OF WOMAN (1951), and 711 OCEAN DRIVE (1950).

BAD BLONDE, starring Barbara Payton, is a TCM premiere.

The TCM Spotlight will focus on Texas. The weekend Musical Matinee series will include KISMET (1955) and ZIEGFELD GIRL (1941).

April themes will include WWII spies, CinemaScope, and the Andy Hardy series. There will also be an evening celebrating Leonard and Jessie Maltin's new book FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT MENUS. 

And as always, EASTER PARADE (1948) will air on Easter Sunday!

Filmmakers receiving multifilm tributes in April include James Garner, Roger Corman, Doris Day, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon.

There's no further information available yet on the April schedule, but I'll have much more news here during the last week of March. 

In the meantime, George Brent is coming up as Star of the Month for the second half of March.  Brent's films will begin airing on March 17th.

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2026 Noir City Hollywood Festival Schedule Announced

The Noir City Hollywood Festival, presented by the Film Noir Foundation and the American Cinematheque, returns to the Egyptian Theatre in April 2026.

This year's festival opens Friday, April 3rd, and runs through Sunday, April 12th. Movies will be screened Friday through Sunday evenings, with weekend matinees along with the evening screenings.

The theme is "Face the Music!" All of the films shown this year have a musical theme, and there will be live music performances at each screening.

As usual, Noir City Hollywood will be hosted by the Film Noir Foundation's Eddie Muller and Alan K. Rode. The festival also features a pair of very special guests, actors Pat Boone and Elliott Gould, as well as author Steven C. Smith.

I plan to attend a significant number of screenings. I'm especially excited that it will be my first chance to see ANATOMY OF A MURDER (1959) and SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1957) theatrically.

The complete schedule is listed below, including screening format. Please click on any hyperlinked title to read my full review.

Please check the American Cinematheque website for times and additional information.

April 3rd: BLACK ANGEL (1946) (35mm) and BLUES IN THE NIGHT (1941) (35mm)

April 4th: HANGOVER SQUARE (1945) (DCP); Bernard Herrmann biographer Steven C. Smith will sign copies of his book HITCHCOCK AND HERRMANN before the film and then join Eddie Muller for the introduction

ANATOMY OF A MURDER (1959) (DCP)

THE YELLOW CANARY (1963) (DCP) and THE CRIMSON CANARY (1945) (35mm); an interview with Pat Boone will follow THE YELLOW CANARY

April 5th: TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT (1944) (35mm)

LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME (1955) (DCP)

A MAN CALLED ADAM (1966) (DCP) and ALL NIGHT LONG (1962) (DCP)

April 10th: THE MAN I LOVE (1946) (35mm) and NORA PRENTISS (1947) (DCP)

April 11th: THE LONG GOODBYE (1973) (DCP) with Elliott Gould interviewed after the film

SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1957) (DCP)

KING CREOLE (1958) (DCP) and YOUNG MAN WITH A HORN (1950) (DCP)

April 12th: THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (1955) (35mm)

ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW (1959) (DCP)

KANSAS CITY (1996) (DCP) and PETE KELLY'S BLUES (1955) (DCP)

To purchase tickets, please visit the American Cinematheque website.

Key posts on past Noir City Hollywood Festivals: A Visit to the Noir City Film Festival (2010); A Visit to the 13th Noir City Film Festival (2011); First Preview of 14th Annual Noir City Film Festival; Schedule Announced for Noir City 14 in Hollywood; Final Week of Noir City 14 Schedule Announced; A Visit to the 14th Annual Noir City Film Festival (2012); Schedule Announced for Noir City 15 in Hollywood; A Visit to the 15th Annual Noir City Film Festival (2013); Schedule Preview of Noir City 16 in Hollywood; A Visit to the 16th Annual Noir City Film Festival (2014); 17th Annual Noir City Film Festival Opens in Hollywood This Friday; A Visit to the 17th Annual Noir City Film Festival (2015); 18th Annual Noir City Film Festival Opens in Hollywood This Friday; A Visit to the 18th Annual Noir City Film Festival (2016); 19th Annual Noir City Film Festival Opens in Hollywood March 24th; A Visit to the 19th Annual Noir City Film Festival (2017); 20th Annual Noir City Festival Opens in Hollywood April 13th; A Visit to the 20th Annual Noir City Film Festival (2018); 21st Annual Noir City Hollywood Festival Opens March 29th; A Visit to the 21st Annual Noir City Film Festival (2019); 22nd Annual Noir City Hollywood Festival Opens March 6th; A Visit to the 22nd Annual Noir City Film Festival (2020); Noir City Hollywood Festival Returns April 15-17, 2022; A Visit to the Noir City Film Festival (2022); Noir City Hollywood Festival Returns in August (2023); Last Week at the Noir City Hollywood Festival (2023); Noir City Hollywood Festival Returns to the Egyptian Theatre (2024); A Look Back at the Noir City Hollywood Festival (2024); 2025 Noir City Hollywood Festival Schedule Announced (2025).

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Tonight's Movie: For the First Time (1959) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

I've loved MGM musicals most of my life, but there have been a small handful of gaps in my MGM viewing.

One of the MGM films I'd never caught up with until now was Mario Lanza's final film, FOR THE FIRST TIME (1959), which was just released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection.

I'm happy to say I found FOR THE FIRST TIME quite enjoyable, a winning combination of music, glorious Capri locations, and a Cinderella romance.

Lanza plays Toni, a famous singer going through a "bad boy" phase. After turning up late for a concert, forcing audience refunds, Toni's loyal yet exasperated manager (Kurt Kasznar) ships him off to Capri to lay low for a while.

Soon after arriving in Capri Toni meets Christa (Johanna von Koczian) and falls head over heels for her. Christa reciprocates his feelings, but there's just one catch: Christa is deaf.

Toni doesn't care, but Christa is concerned about marrying a famed singer she can't hear and worries her deafness could impact their relationship over the long term.

Toni sets up a series of concerts in European cities where prominent hearing specialists are located, and he takes Christa and her uncle (Hans Sohnker) with him on the tour. A doctor agrees to try to restore Christa's hearing with an operation...

The idea that Christa's hearing could potentially be restored with an operation struck me as fanciful, but I was willing to suspend disbelief, especially as the overall film, from a story and screenplay by Andrew Solt, has a certain fairy tale quality. The promise of a "magical operation" fits, even if it's not especially realistic.

In essence Christa meets a world-famous Prince Charming who has resources to find a way to help her, and in return Christa helps Toni grow up and become a more responsible performer and man. As Christa says, "No more cancellations for you!"

The film is additionally buoyed by a lovely, colorful performance by Zsa Zsa Gabor as Gloria, who loves Toni but isn't resentful when he falls for someone else. Gloria is always ready to help ("one helpless woman against a thousand beastly music lovers"), with very amusing lines, and she's dressed to the nines while doing so.

The film was a reunion for Gabor and Kasznar, who had each appeared in LILI (1953) half a dozen years before. They have little screen time together in this, but each actor brings quite a bit of verve to the film.

Johanna von Koczian was a German-born actress who had made some prior films, including VIKTOR UND VIKTORIA (1957), but was billed as "Introducing..." in this, her first English-language film. She's not conventially beautiful, but she has a sweet appearance and a winning personality.

As for Lanza, he's great as the irresponsible performer matured by love. He's quite likeable, and he has the chance to sing a great many songs.

The movie was filmed from June to September of 1958 and released in the U.S. nearly a year after completing filming, in late August 1959. Lanza sadly died just a few weeks later, on October 7th, 1959, and the world lost a great voice and performer.

Lanza was interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. I've been honored to visit his final resting place.

FOR THE FIRST TIME was directed by Rudolph Mate and runs 92 minutes. It was filmed by Aldo Tonti in Technicolor.

The Blu-ray print is from a new 1080p HD master from a 6K scan of the original Technirama negative. It's in excellent condition, very sharp and colorful, with a strong soundtrack. Anyone who watches this disc should be pleased.

Blu-ray extras consist of the trailer; the cartoon LONG-HAIRED HARE (1949); and a very appreciated song selection menu.

FOR THE FIRST TIME is admittedly not a "great" movie, but it's a very likeable film which I quite enjoyed and will return to in the future. Recommended.

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

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TCM Classic Film Festival Announces Additional Titles

The TCM Classic Film Festival has now announced its opening night movie.

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (1967) will be shown on April 30, 2026, in the Chinese Theatre.

Jane Fonda will be on hand and will pay tribute to her late costar, Robert Redford, who died last September.

TCM made several other festival announcements. The annual Robert Osborne Award will be awarded to Bruce Goldstein of Rialto Pictures and New York's Film Forum.

Goldstein is a longtime presenter at the TCM Classic Film Festival whose detailed introductions to pre-Codes always draw a crowd.

Goldstein follows in the steps of Leonard Maltin, Martin Scorsese, Kevin Brownlow, Jeanine Basinger, George Stevens Jr., and Donald Bogle.

The festival will also pay tribute to actress Barbara Hershey and composer Paul Williams.

Newly announced films for the festival include:

*NIGHTS OF CABIRIA (1957) which will be shown when Goldstein is honored

*THE MUPPET MOVIE (1979) with Williams in attendance

*HANNAH AND HER SISTERS (1986) with Hershey interviewed

*ISHTAR (1987) with Williams in attendance

*A WORLD APART (1988) with Hershey in attendance

So far three dozen films have been announced for the festival, which typically screens roughly 80 movies each year.

The festival will take place in Hollywood from April 30 through May 3, 2026.

For more on the latest announcements, stories have been published by The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

Previously: TCM Announces 2026 Festival Dates and Theme; TCM Classic Film Festival Passes on Sale December 9th; New Titles Announced for 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival; The Latest 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival Titles; More Titles Announced for the 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival.

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Tonight's Movie: By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

Half a decade ago the Warner Archive Collection released a charming lifelong musical favorite, ON MOONLIGHT BAY (1951), on Blu-ray.

I'm delighted that after several years of waiting, that movie's sequel, BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON (1953), is now out on a Warner Archive Blu-ray as well.

The disc, from a new 1080p HD master from a 4K scan of the original Technicolor negatives, looks absolutely smashing, and sound quality is also outstanding.

BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON picks up shortly after ON MOONLIGHT BAY left off. William Sherman (Gordon MacRae) is just arriving home from serving in World War I. His fiancee Marjorie Winfield (Doris Day) is expecting a speedy wedding, but William is concerned about getting a job and starting a nest egg first.

That conflict is minor compared to Marjorie and her little brother Wesley (Billy Gray) becoming convinced their father (Leon Ames) may be romancing an actress (Maria Palmer). That plotline is reminiscent of A DATE WITH JUDY (1948), another film which coincidentally costarred Leon Ames.

Any viewer knows Mr. Winfield wouldn't step out on his lovely, understanding wife (Rosemary DeCamp)...the family kerfuffles are really simply an excuse to spend an enjoyable 101 minutes reunited with the Winfield family.

My only significant criticism of the movie is the same as it was in the first film: A little bit of Wesley's mischievous antics go a long way. I suppose it's natural these scenes are included, given that the screenplay by Robert O'Brien and Irving Elinson was very loosely inspired by Booth Tarkington's PENROD stories, but he becomes tiresome.

The movie also leaves me with the question: Where is William's family? Mrs. Winfield mentions having spoken to William's mother, but otherwise they're completely absent from the story; William even spends Thanksgiving with the Winfields.

Otherwise this film is a lovely time with charming actors seen in gorgeous Technicolor, directed by David Butler and filmed by Wilfrid M. Cline.

Day is delightful as always, and other than a couple short-lived scenes where he's being annoying for the sake of movie conflict, MacRae is also a handsome charmer. I especially love their "Ain't We Got Fun" duet, but all of Day and MacRae's songs, together and separately, are wonderful. They were a terrific team.

I also love the attractive pairing of Ames and DeCamp. The cast is rounded out by Mary Wickes as the family housekeeper and Russell Arms as Marjorie's would-be beau, perpetually hoping she'll dump William and choose him instead.

Blu-ray extras consist of the trailer; a pair of Joe McDoakes shorts, SO YOU WANT A TELEVISION SET (1953) and SO YOU WANT TO LEARN TO DANCE (1953); the cartoon FROM A TO ZZZZ (1953); and best of all, a Song Selection Menu for easy replay of the musical numbers.

I very much recommend both this disc and the previous Blu-ray release of ON MOONLIGHT BAY. I've watched both films many times over the course of my life, but they have never looked better than they do on these Warner Archive releases. These charming family musicals on beautiful Blu-rays are winners.

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

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Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Coming next January from David Meuel and McFarland: JAMES MASON IN FILM NOIR: MASTER OF CINEMA'S DARK ART. I've enjoyed other books by Meuel, most recently JOAN CRAWFORD IN FILM NOIR: THE ACTRESS AS AUTEUR; Meuel's new book on William Wellman is in my reading stack.

...Glenn Erickson has just reviewed the Film Masters Blu-ray release of THE SECOND WOMAN (1950). It was a nice surprise to find a link to my own recent review when I got to the end of his column!

...Kino Lorber Studio Classics has confirmed a May 26th release date for the Brit Noir collection I mentioned in a column last month.

...Coming from Film Masters in March: THE NORTH STAR (1943) starring Dana Andrews and Anne Baxter.

...Thanks to Keith Buczak for making me aware of an upcoming book on one of my favorite Disney films, ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1951). The book, DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: COLLECTING ALICE IN WONDERLAND by Matt Crandall, contains over 3000 images and is due out in June.

...Actor Bruce Campbell, who I've enjoyed on TV's BURN NOTICE and in Hallmark films such as MY SOUTHERN FAMILY CHRISTMAS (2002), has announced he is fighting cancer. Wishing him all the best!

...Netflix has rebooted LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, which will debut July 9th. A second season has been ordered.

...Silent-ology is hosting the 12th annual Buster Keaton Blogathon next month!

...Coming in May from ClassicFlix: Fleischer Cartoons: Greatest Hits, Vol. 1.

...Publishing in time for summer grilling season: THE COMPLETE GRILLING AND BARBECUE COOKBOOK is due out in March from America's Test Kitchen.

...At 50 Westerns From the 50s Toby Roan has news on an upcoming Kino Lorber release of DEATH OF A GUNFIGHTER (1969), starring Richard Widmark.

...Notable Passings: Actress and acting coach Maria O'Brien, the daughter of Edmond O'Brien and Olga San Juan, has passed away at the age of 75. She worked steadily in episodic television for decades, then served as an acting coach on DAYS OF OUR LIVES for 15 years. She was married for a few years to actor Michael Anderson Jr.; her brother was the late actor Brendan O'Brien...Producer Andrew Gunn has died at 56. He had a number of Disney credits including FREAKY FRIDAY (2003), RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (2009), and CRUELLA (2021).

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

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Tonight's Movies: Ma and Pa Kettle Complete Comedy Collection - A Universal Blu-ray Review

Universal has just released a fun 10-film Blu-ray set, the Ma and Pa Kettle Complete Comedy Collection.

It's a five-disc set containing two films per disc. While the film which introduced the Kettles, THE EGG AND I (1947), had a previous Blu-ray release in 2018, this is the first time for the rest of the movies to be out on Blu-ray.

With the exception of THE EGG AND I, all of the Ma and Pa Kettle films run 76 to 81 minutes. THE EGG AND I runs 108 minutes.

I first reviewed THE EGG AND I (1947) here in 2009 and saw it again at the TCM Classic Film Festival in 2017, introduced by Kate MacMurray.

MacMurray's father Fred costarred with Claudette Colbert in this amusing tale of Bob and Betty MacDonald, city slickers trying to make a living after moving to a farm.

The MacDonalds are unflappably accepting of their neighbors the Kettles (Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride), who live with a dozen or so children in a ramshackle house.

The Kettles provide comic relief, as the strains of farm living and an attractive "other woman" (Louise Allbritton) cause problems for Betty and Bob's marriage; other than the marital struggles, which go on too long, THE EGG AND I is quite a fun film. And Marjorie Main was Oscar nominated as Best Supporting Actress!

For more information on THE EGG AND I, please visit my previous review.

THE EGG AND I spawned a series of nine sequels from Universal Pictures, with a Ma and Pa Kettle film released in the U.S. every year from 1949 through 1957.

Those titles, all of which are included in this set along with THE EGG AND I, are listed further down in this post, including release years, main supporting casts, directors, and running times. All of the films are presented here in 1080p prints.

Somehow I've never seen a single Kettle film, so I'm looking forward to seeing them for the first time, especially as they have the kind of fun casts I appreciate, filled with both up-and-coming young faces and recognizable character actors.

Clearly it's going to take a lot of hours to watch my way through the entire series, so for purposes of this review I've revisited THE EGG AND I, which is a beautiful Blu-ray print, and I've also watched MA AND PA KETTLE (1949) for the first time.

As MA AND PA KETTLE opens, the town council is about to condemn the Kettle home. As luck would have it, Pa wins a brand-new home in a contest, and the Kettles move in with their children, who currently number 15.

Oldest son Tom Kettle (Richard Long) meets magazine writer Kim (Meg Randall) on the train home from college. They fall for one another, although her theories about good hygiene rather clash with Tom's acceptance of his family's, er, unorthodox standard of living.

The rest of the movie covers the Kettles attempting to get to used to living in a clean, modern home, while Tom romances Kim and tries to sell his plans for a chicken incubator.

Is it a good film? Not especially...but at the same time, I liked it. I'm a fan of "B" movies, and it was a fun hour and 16 minutes to relax with on a weekend afternoon. Making the experience even better was that it was a nice crisp print with good sound.

Marjorie Main tickles me, and I enjoyed chuckling over some of the film's absurdities. I also like handsome young Richard Long, who appeared in a couple more of the films before leaving the series. I'm looking forward to watching the rest of the Kettle films.

Familiar players in this one include Emory Parnell, Ida Moore, Esther Dale, Harry Antrim, Chief Yowlachie, and O.Z. Whitehead.

MA AND PA KETTLE is the name on the movie's credits, but it's also sometimes known as THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF MA AND PA KETTLE; those words appear on posters for the film.

The movie was directed by Charles Lamont. It was written by Al Lewis, Herbert Margolis, and Louis Morheim. The black and white cinematography was by Maury Gertsman.

Below is information on the additional eight Kettle films included in this set along with THE EGG AND I and MA AND PA KETTLE. I anticipate sharing additional reviews here in the future as I watch my way through this series.

MA AND PA KETTLE GO TO TOWN (1950) - Richard Long, Meg Randall, Charles McGraw, Jim Backus, 79 minutes, directed by Charles Lamont

MA AND PA KETTLE BACK ON THE FARM (1951) - Richard Long, Meg Randall, Ray Collins, 80 minutes, directed by Edward Sedgwick

MA AND PA KETTLE AT THE FAIR (1952) - James Best, Lori Nelson, 78 minutes, directed by Charles Barton

MA AND PA KETTLE ON VACATION (1953) - Ray Collins, 76 minutes, directed by Charles Lamont

MA AND PA KETTLE AT HOME (1954) - Alan Mowbray, Mary Wickes, 80 minutes, directed by Charles Lamont

MA AND PA KETTLE AT WAIKIKI (1955) - Lori Nelson, Byron Palmer, Russell Johnson, 79 minutes, directed by Lee Sholem

THE KETTLES IN THE OZARKS (1956) - Una Merkel, Ted de Corsia, 81 minutes, directed by Charles Lamont

THE KETTLES ON OLD MACDONALD'S FARM (1957) - Gloria Talbott, John Smith, Claude Akins, 81 minutes, directed by Virgil W. Vogel

The Ma and Pa Kettle Complete Comedy Collection comes in a plastic case sheathed in a cardboard slipcase. The first disc in the set includes a 10-minute featurette, CLAUDETTE COLBERT: QUEEN OF THE SILVER SCREEN (2008). This older featurette previously appeared in Universal DVD releases THE EGG AND I (1947) and CLEOPATRA (1934).

Optional English subtitles are included as well.

Thanks to Allied Vaughn and Universal for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray collection. It may be purchased from Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.

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More Titles Announced for the 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival

Late last week the latest titles were announced for the 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival.

Newly announced titles include:

*THE MOUTHPIECE (1932), a pre-Code starring Warren William

*MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939), the Frank Capra classic starring James Stewart and Jean Arthur, which was last shown at the 2018 festival.

*MAN HUNT (1941), a Fritz Lang thriller starring Walter Pidgeon, Joan Bennett, and George Sanders which I'm especially hoping to see

*CABIN IN THE SKY (1943) in 35mm

*ROPE (1948) directed by Alfred Hitchcock; I saw it last year in 35mm nitrate and am wondering if that print will be shown

*ON THE TOWN (1949), a nice MGM musical follow-up to last year's screening of TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME (1949)

*SHANE (1953) in a world premiere restoration; I love this film and hope to see it

*PAL JOEY (1957), starring Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, and Kim Novak, another world premiere restoration

*AUNTIE MAME (1958) starring Rosalind Russell, in a world premiere restoration

So far 30 titles have been announced; roughly 80 are shown at each year's fest, give or take a few titles one way or the other.

The TCM Classic Film Festival takes place in Hollywood from April 30th through May 3rd, 2026.

Additional information on the festival, including details on passes and previously announced titles, may be found at the links below.

Previously: TCM Announces 2026 Festival Dates and Theme; TCM Classic Film Festival Passes on Sale December 9th; New Titles Announced for 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival; The Latest 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival Titles; TCM Classic Film Festival Announces Additional Titles.

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Tonight's Movie: Red Dust (1932) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

The pre-Code classic RED DUST (1932) has recently been released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection.

RED DUST is set on a rubber plantation in rainy tropical Indochina.

Denny Carson (Clark Gable) is the head man, supervising production and employees, providing first aid, and generally holding things together.

Viewers should anticipate that Denny's attitudes toward his native-born employees are not always "politically correct" by modern standards, but it's a rough, dangerous job -- threats include tigers and disease -- and he's the man who gets things done.

A stranded young prostitute, Vantine (Jean Harlow), ends up on the plantation after hightailing it out of Saigon due to problems with the law. She and Denny have a brief affair but it's expected she'll soon move on.

Things get quite interesting when a young engineer, Gary (Gene Raymond), and his beautiful wife Barbara (Mary Astor) arrive at the plantation, right around the same time Vantine's transportation off the plantation breaks down and she's stuck in place. Both women are swooning over Denny, while loyal Gary is oblivious...

This terrific 83-minute film is about as "pre-Code" as a movie can get. It pulls no punches about things such as Vantine's background or Denny's relations with both women. It's quite steamy, in terms of both visuals and story. In sum, it's grand fun.

John Lee Mahin's screenplay was based on a play by Wilson Collison, and at times the film shows its theatrical origins with "stagy" dialogue exchanges confined to a couple indoor sets.

That said, the movie also does a great job opening up the story at various points, throwing its characters repeatedly into massive rainstorms which are well staged, with excellent special effects.

Director Victor Fleming keeps things moving briskly; it's fascinating to note that the remake, MOGAMBO (1953), directed by John Ford, runs roughly half an hour longer.

The lead actors are all top notch; Gable is exciting, Harlow funny, and the elegant Astor does a nice job with a brittle character who loosens up thanks to Gable, only for them each to ultimately regret their association.

It's also a nice role for Raymond, who is likeable as the go-getter who adores his wife and wants to do well in his new job. It's a pleasure watching all of these actors, particularly the sizzling Gable and Harlow.

The supporting cast is rounded out by Donald Crisp, Tully Marshall, Forrester Harvey, and Willie Fung.

The movie was filmed by Harold Rosson and uncredited Arthur Edeson. The Warner Archive Blu-ray looks incredibly good, especially for a film of this vintage, with rich, inky blacks and a beautiful overall picture. The print is from a new 1080p HD master from a 4K scan of the "best preservation elements."

For a deeper dive on this film, please also visit my 2013 review of the remastered Warner Archive DVD.

Extras consist of the trailer (in English with the onscreen words in Spanish), and a pair of shorts in two-strip Technicolor: OVER THE COUNTER (1932) with Betty Grable and WILD PEOPLE (1933). I found the trailer fascinating as it has angles of the climactic gun scene which aren't in the final film.

To clear up any potential confusion, a 1940 Gulf Screen Guild Theater radio production of the story mentioned in an early press release did not make it to the final disc, unless it's hiding under a menu somewhere and I didn't find it!

The Warner Archive Collection has also just released the above-mentioned MOGAMBO (1953), also starring Clark Gable, to Blu-ray. I'll be reviewing it in the near future.

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

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