Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the Internet...
...A
couple weeks ago I posted the news that Jeff Arnold of
Jeff Arnold's West had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer and was
retiring from his blog. I'm very sorry to share the news that Jeff passed away on
June 5th. I have read his blog for many years, and his insights on Westerns will be very greatly missed. I would often discuss Jeff's reviews with my dad, who passed away last year, and it seems very strange they're both now gone. The site will be
maintained going forward by two longtime readers, Bud and RR.
...The Warner Bros. TV series THE ALASKANS (1959-60), originally due out on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection on June 14th, will be
released July16th.
...Following up on a story I shared
last week, the
Academy Museum has pledged
immediate changes to its controversial exhibit on the film industry's founding titans, which was perceived by many to be anti-Semitic, focusing almost exclusively on their negative issues and not on their achievements.
...Coming soon from Kino Lorber: The
Dark Side of Cinema XXII! It will include THE ENFORCER (1951), THE SCARLET HOUR (1956), and PLUNDER ROAD (1956). I saw THE ENFORCER at this year's Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival and absolutely loved it, and I enjoyed THE SCARLET HOUR at a
past Lyons Fest.
...The
July lineup on the Criterion Channel will include a 12-film Columbia Screwball collection and an 18-film Neo-Noir collection.
...Here's a lovely piece by Elisabeth Grace Foley on the music of her favorite Western, RIO GRANDE (1950).
...Coming to Blu-ray and DVD in July from Ignite Films (
INVADERS FROM MARS): William Wellman's
THE STORY OF G.I. JOE (1945). The Blu-ray includes a restoration featurette, a new interview with William Wellman Jr., a reconstruction of the trailer, and a commentary track by Alan K. Rode, who was interviewed by Ignite
here. Visit Ignite's
listing page for links for the trailer and a clip of the Wellman Jr. interview. This sounds like an extra-special release, and I'm hoping to review it in due course.
...I'll also be reviewing the new Sony Blu-ray release of Frank Borzage's MAN'S CASTLE (1933), starring Loretta Young and Spencer Tracy. In the meantime, here's a very interesting review by CineSavant Glenn Erickson, including some details on scenes restored to the print for the first time since the late '30s.
...Films coming to the What is a Western? series at the Autry in Los Angeles this summer include THE COWBOYS (1972) and FOXFIRE (1955). The latter film will be screened in 35mm and introduced by Jane Russell biographer Christina Rice.
...Notable Passings: Former Los Angeles Times sports columnist Mike Downey has
died at 72. His wife Gail was the daughter of the late Dean Martin....
Tony Mordente, who was in both the Broadway and film versions of WEST SIDE STORY,
passed away at 88. He was A-Rab in the stage production and Action in the
1961 movie; he also served as a dance assistant on the film and is seen here rehearsing Natalie Wood...Actor
Armando Silvestre has died at 98. The native-born Californian was a star of Mexican cinema who acted occasionally in U.S. films, including
MYSTERY IN MEXICO (1948), which was filmed in Mexico;
WYOMING MAIL (1950);
APACHE DRUMS (1951); and TWO MULES FOR SISTER SARA (1970)...Actor
Tony Lo Bianco has
died at 87. His films included THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971)...Japanese actress
Yoshiko Kuga has passed away at 93. The Tinseltown Twins have written a lovely
tribute to an actress who worked with many of the great Japanese directors. I enjoyed her work in Yasujiro Ozu's
EQUINOX FLOWER (1958) and
GOOD MORNING (1959)...Leonard Maltin has written a moving
remembrance of composer Richard Sherman.
...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my June 8th column.
Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the Internet...
6 Comments:
I'm so sorry to hear about Jeff. His blog and reviews were always fantastic to read. My condolences to his family and friends.
I am very sorry to hear of the death of Jeff Arnold. His site was one that I visited weekly or whenever I saw a Western and wanted to get his interesting take on it. he certainly had opinions but was always gracious with those who had a different take on the movie.
He also posted interesting pieces on historical events and people.
I'm very glad the site will be maintained - it's a treasure.
I join with others here in my sorrow at the untimely death of Jeff Arnold. His in-depth explorations of historical fact connected to characters and events often portrayed in westerns over the years were exemplary but also highly entertaining. He will be much missed.
I just saw a new DVD Saigon with.Ladd and Lake
Thanks for the mention on your blog of Jeff Arnold's passing. So enjoyed his blog over the years and his witty posts. All fans of Westerns are in his debt.
As one of the individuals now maintaining Jeff Arnold’s West, I am so appreciative of Laura’s thoughtful updates about Jeff and his creation as well as the kind comments from her readers.
Please know that all are invited to read (or re-read @Jerry Entract 🙂), comment upon, or otherwise engage with the site and its 1850 posts!
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