Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Coming to Blu-ray and 4K from Kino Lorber Studio Classics in late October: THE CAT AND THE CANARY (1927). It's a 4K restoration from original nitrate prints and will include two separate commentary tracks.

...The November releases from the Criterion Collection will include HELL'S ANGELS (1930).

...Stephen Reginald has reviewed DASHING TO THE END: THE RAY MILLAND STORY at his site Classic Movie Man. It was written by Eric Monder for the University Press of Mississippi Hollywood Legends series.

...A new book from the University of Nebraska Press which caught me eye: 1978: BASEBALL & AMERICA IN THE DISCO ERA by David Krell. I first became an avid Dodgers fan as a teen in the mid to late '70s and have put this book on my wish list.

...The September streaming lineup at the Criterion Channel will include '70s Thrillers and a collection of Robert Altman films.

...I enjoyed this interview with Mel Harris of THIRTYSOMETHING (1987-1991), which, as the author says, I found very relatable as a young mother in the '90s. (I also enjoyed Harris in a stage production of LOVE LETTERS around that era.) A reboot/sequel to the series is a possibility.

...Glenn Erickson's latest reviews at Trailers From Hell include Vincente Minnelli's THE COBWEB (1955), just out on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection, and the Sylvia Sidney "Pre-Code Classics" Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. The Sidney set consists of two films, CONFESSIONS OF A CO-ED (1931) and LADIES OF THE BIG HOUSE (1931); look for a review of that Kino Lorber set here soon.

...Over at Riding the High Country, Colin's latest review is of THE HOUSE ON TELEGRAPH HILL (1951), starring Valentina Cortese, Richard Basehart, and William Lundigan...at Speakeasy Kristina has reviewed SUDDENLY (1954) with Frank Sinatra and Sterling Hayden...and Jessica's latest musical review at Comet Over Hollywood is CAROUSEL (1956)...a film which almost starred Frank Sinatra! In the end, he was replaced by Gordon MacRae.

...For those who live near a theater which features the annual Studio Ghibli Fest, this week's movie, showing through August 27th, is PONYO (2008). I'm hoping to see it in a few days, in the original Japanese language version.

...Coming soon from Angel City Press: ELEMENTS OF LOS ANGELES: EARTH, WATER, AIR, FIRE by D. J. Waldie. The description says it will explore "topics as diverse and resonant as the unlikely history of the Hass avocado, the St. Francis Dam disaster...and the sound of Vin Scully's voice carried across the summer air."

...Happiest birthday wishes to Vera Miles, who turns 95 on August 23rd. She had a fascinating career including working with Ford, Hitchcock, and Disney. She is one of three surviving cast members, along with Patrick Wayne and Lana Wood, from the film which gets my vote as the greatest Western ever made, THE SEARCHERS (1955). Here's an interview with Christopher McKittrick, whose book on Miles was published earlier this year by the University Press of Kentucky. (Thanks to Farran Smith Nehme for the interview link.)

...The American Cinematheque will be screening the terrific crime procedural MYSTERY STREET (1950), starring Ricardo Montalban and Bruce Bennett, on Sunday, August 31st, at the Los Feliz 3 Theatre. Earlier this year I reviewed the film's Blu-ray release.

...Notable Passings: Terence Stamp has passed away at 87. Although I've seen relatively little of his work, I will of course always remember him as General Zod in SUPERMAN (1978)...Joe Caroff, who designed the James Bond 007 logo, has died, one day before turning 104. He also designed the well-remembered poster for WEST SIDE STORY (1961). Caroff was the subject of the documentary BY DESIGN: THE JOE CAROFF STORY (2022).

...Please note that Around the Blogosphere This Week will not appear on August 30th, when I'll be attending the Cinecon Classic Film Festival. The column will return on Saturday, September 6th.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my August 16th column.

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