...It's summer, glorious summer, and Java's Journey recommends a dozen classic summer movies to enjoy, including one of my old favorites, TWO WEEKS WITH LOVE (1950). That's the movie where Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter sing "Aba Daba Honeymoon."
...Summer reading: families with younger readers might enjoy Jeanne Birdsall's PENDERWICKS series, including the latest title, THE PENDERWICKS AT POINT MOUETTE.
...This weekend at Tales of the Easily Distracted Dorian writes about DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944), including comparing the classic original to a remake (?!) with Samantha Eggar and Richard Crenna. The original film is one I'm really looking forward to seeing for the first time. In a way it's kind of neat that, having seen thousands of movies, I still have a number of great classics to enjoy for the very first time, such as my recent first-time viewing of SHANE (1953).
...At Where Danger Lives, Mark has a great follow-up to his outstanding series on the 100 Greatest Film Noir Posters: the 50 Greatest Sci-Fi Posters. I love the way Mark points out the elements of great graphic art....For years I've heard that Marilyn Monroe was not all that thin. According to Virginia Postrel, don't believe it. She got the measurements of some of the costumes recently auctioned off by Debbie Reynolds; the average waist size of Monroe's costumes was 22 inches. Claudette Colbert's CLEOPATRA gown, incidentally, had an 18-inch waist. (Via DorianTB on Twitter.)
...Continuing in a movie costumes vein, here's an interesting post on MGM's wardrobe department at Silver Screen Modiste...and Deep Glamour shows how MGM recycled a set of "chandelier" earrings.
...Some of the latest reviews from Glenn Erickson at DVD Savant: VCI's release of MIRANDA (1948) with Glynis Johns as a man-hungry mermaid; MGM's DVD-R release of THE KILLER IS LOOSE (1956); and James Garner in THE WHEELER DEALERS (1963), which was remastered by Warner Archive....TCM has announced that Eva Marie Saint, Ernest Borgnine, Tippi Hedren, and Norman Jewison will be part of the first-ever TCM Cruise this December.
...Kristina pays tribute to producer Merian C. Cooper (KING KONG) at the Landmark Report.
...At the TCM Movie Morlocks blog, HighHurdler discusses the underappreciated classic LIFE WITH FATHER (1947), starring William Powell and Irene Dunne, not to mention a very young Elizabeth Taylor....THE NIGHT EDITOR writes on Ray Milland and Audrey Totter in ALIAS NICK BEAL (1949), which was also written up at Jim Lane's Cinedrome earlier this year. Someday this film will hopefully come out from behind the Paramount wall and make it to DVD, or at least TCM!
...Over the last few years I've enjoyed becoming familiar with the films of actress Madge Evans. Cliff pays tribute to Evans at Immortal Ephemera.
...At Screen Savers, John DiLeo compares LOST HORIZON (1937), BRIGADOON (1954), and...DESERT LEGION (1953) with Alan Ladd? I have to see that one now! Arlene Dahl costars.
...The son of Grace Kelly, later Princess Grace of Monaco, has married at last. Prince Albert of Monaco married South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock in a beautiful ceremony on Saturday. Lots of great photos plus video were posted by the Daily Mail. As a side note, I love that Albert speaks English with a 100% American accent....Lou Lumenick recently wrote about John Garfield releases from Warner Archive, including the Four Daughters Collection.
...The Pioneer Woman's recipe for Chicken With Tomatoes and Garlic is something I plan to make soon. Yum! I'm going to be making her salsa for Independence Day.
...Notable Passings: Anthony Herrera, a longtime star of AS THE WORLD TURNS, has passed away after a long fight with lymphoma...and actress Shelby Grant, the wife of Chad Everett since 1966, has died at the age of 74....Closing this week with a total "upper," the response of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to being named a "dying city" earlier this year by Newsweek. This 10-minute video, set to "American Pie," is shot in one continuous, jaw-dropping take. What a great affirmation of the creativity and pride of some of our nation's citizens to enjoy on this holiday weekend. Don't miss it!
Happy Independence Day, and have a great week!
Great round-up of weekly happenings! A keeper!
ReplyDeleteI briefly caught a glimpse of the Monaco wedding on TV. Looked nice. I knew it was only a matter of time before movie bloggers reported it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning my blog, by the way.
- JAVA
thanks so much for the mention Laura, Merian Cooper was so fun to write about, I was amazed at his achievements! Love the roundup as always, so glad you do them, I learn so much news & what great things other bloggers are doing!
ReplyDelete--Kristina
I lived and worked in Grand Rapids for three years, back in the early 80s. It was a great city then and it looks like it still is. Thanks for the link to the video. Nice version of American Pie, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura!
ReplyDelete