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!
...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).
...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.
...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 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!
...As I mentioned in my preview of the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival, Kirk Ellis has a new book out on BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967), 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.
...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.
All prints, both negative and positive of Porgy And Bess (1959) were supposed to have been destroyed. A few years ago there was circulated an almost unwatchable copy, one of which I have. I wonder how good this new print will prove to be, and whether it will be released for purchase by collectors.
ReplyDeleteHope you plan to see and report on the Trucolor restoration of NIGHT TIME IN NEVADA with Roy Rogers. I’ve always admired this one for many reasons. The noir-like opening narrated by Grant Withers and the exciting wrap-up from director William Witney.
ReplyDeleteMel, the Vista is advertising it as a "very rare" showing of an IB Technicolor print with a 4-track mag soundtrack. Like you I'm very curious about the quality! Unfortunately I can't go see it this week but if it's a good print I'm hopeful it will be re-shown in the area in the future - or, as you say, released for home viewing.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I will definitely be at NIGHT TIME IN NEVADA! I've never seen it and it was one of the titles which caused me to buy a ticket for next weekend.
Best wishes,
Laura
Laura,
ReplyDeleteEven though it’s a B western, a complete film Trucolor restoration of Nighttime in Nevada should be getting more attention. When Republic sold a syndicated package of Roy Rogers movies to TV in the 1950’s, Republic cut original negatives down to 54 minutes (this movie was originally 67 minutes), and they also struck B&W masters of the the RR Trucolor films, and trashed the original elements. If there is a chance to ask any questions, it would be interesting to know whether Paramount has recently restored any of the Roy Rogers films that were butchered by Republic, and whether this film might get a streaming or physical media release. (Paramount previously restored Sunset in the West and Trigger Jr., and they were released by Kino on Blu-ray a few years ago, but purportedly did not sell very well.) Best regards, and I hope you enjoy this event.
I don't believe either Roy or Gene should be thought of as B-picture people.
DeleteI've added this article link on the PORGY AND BESS screenings to the article, but am also sharing here in case anyone misses it:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/porgy-and-bess-quentin-tarantino-vista-theatre-1235184430/
The print is now owned by Quentin Tarantino, who also owns the Vista Theater.
Best wishes,
Laura
Laura, thank you so much for the link to the very interesting and elucidating article on PORGY AND BESS.
DeleteTerry, thank you for your comments. Like you, I'm very interested in any work being done on Roy Rogers prints!
ReplyDeleteBarry, for a lot of us Roy and Gene were A stars even if their films were technically B's. :)
Best wishes,
Laura
My pleasure!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Laura