Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Coming to Blu-ray later this year from ClassicFlix: Hopalong Cassidy - The Legacy Collection, Volume 2. The set will contain CALL OF THE PRAIRIE (1936), THREE ON A TRAIL (1936), and HEART OF THE WEST (1936), plus bonus features. There's more info on the movies in this collection from Toby Roan at 50 Westerns From the 50s.

...King Vidor's THE TEXAS RANGERS (1936) will be out on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics in June. It will feature not one but two commentary tracks, one by Toby Roan and the other by Heath Holland and Max Allan Collins.

...As a newly minted Lino Ventura fan, thanks to films such as THE BEAST IS LOOSE (1959), I'm especially interested in BIRDS OF PREY (1968), also coming from Kino Lorber in June. Additional June Blu-ray releases from Kino Lorber include the Brit Noir Collection II, with three films starring Jack Hawkins, and Hell's Highway: The True Story of Highway Safety Films.

...For my fellow fans of TV's GILMORE GIRLS: Hallmark has a new 1000-piece Stars Hollow jigsaw puzzle.

...HUD (1963), starring Paul Newman and Melvyn Douglas, is due out from the Criterion Collection this July.

...Over at Riding the High Country, Colin reviews a favorite film of mine, ARMORED CAR ROBBERY (1950). It was directed by Richard Fleischer, who as I mentioned last week is the subject of an upcoming biography.

...Former child actor Ike Eisenmann (ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN) has written a memoir, YOU'LL NEVER BE A STAR! MY FANTASTIC, CHALLENGING JOURNEY TO DISNEY, STAR TREK AND BEYOND. It was published by Bear Manor Media.

...The Studio Ghibli Fest will take place in theaters nationwide again this year, from June through October. Over the years I've seen some great animated films thanks to this annual series. I've enjoyed four of the seven films scheduled for this year's festival and especially recommend PONYO (2008) and MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (1988).

...A few days ago I shared my picks for this year's TCM Classic Film Festival. Here are additional schedule reviews by my friends Aurora (Once Upon a Screen), Karen (Shadows and Satin), Kim (I See a Dark Theater), and Chris (Blog of the Darned). Anyone who's written a similar post is welcome to share the link in the comments.

...Some of the latest Blu-ray reviews by CineSavant Glenn Erickson: THE GAY DIVORCEE (1934) from the Warner Archive Collection, GAMBLING SHIP (1933) and INTERNATIONAL HOUSE (1933) from Universal, and THE MAN WHO RECLAIMED HIS HEAD (1934) from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

...Laura Jerrolds, author of LAURA LA PLANTE: SILENT CINDERELLA, has an upcoming book on actress Marian Nixon. The full title is MARIAN NIXON: THE NICEST GIRL IN HOLLYWOOD. Nixon was long married to director William Seiter and after his passing married actor Ben Lyon, who had recently lost his wife, Bebe Daniels. I've enjoyed Nixon in films such as WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES? (1926) and TOO BUSY TO WORK (1932)

...At The Hannibal 8 Toby reports that a VCI Poverty Row Classics set of two East Side Kids has had one of the titles swapped out. As I shared here last month, the films were expected to be EAST SIDE KIDS (1940) and THAT GANG OF MINE (1940). Toby has learned that it seems THAT GANG OF MINE will be replaced by LET'S GET TOUGH (1942).

...This October I'm looking forward to THE UNOFFICIAL DISNEY PARKS RETRO COOKBOOK by Julie Tremaine and Carly Caramanna, published by Harper. (Via Keith Buczak.)

...For Classic Movie Hub's Noir Nook, Karen Burroughs Hannsberry has a great analysis of whether or not Mildred was responsible for her daughter's Veda's defective character in MILDRED PIERCE (1945).

...HERSHEY (2026), due out in November, is a biography of chocolate magnate Milton Hershey and his wife. A few days ago a trailer was released.

...Actress Virginia Huston, best known as Ann in OUT OF THE PAST (1947), was born 101 years ago, on April 24, 1925. Here are some interesting LIFE magazine photos of Huston as a "starlet in training" at RKO. Other familiar faces in the photos include Jane Greer, Martha Hyer, and Nan Leslie.

...April 25th is the birthday of the great Ella Fitzgerald, born in 1917. I'll use this anniversary to recommend (again!) my all-time favorite album, Ella's The Rodgers and Hart Songbook. (Her other "Songbooks" are great also!) In 2022 I was moved to visit her final resting place in Inglewood.

...Notable Passing: I was very much saddened to learn of the sudden passing this week of David Fantle, a Marquette University professor and the co-author of several film books with Tom Johnson, including C'MON, GET HAPPY: THE MAKING OF SUMMER STOCK. Although I didn't know him well, we followed each other on Twitter and I enjoyed our interactions. He will be very much missed.

...More Notable Passings: French actress Nathalie Baye, who appeared in DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA (2022) has passed away at 77...DAYS OF OUR LIVES actor Patrick Muldoon has died at 57. He was in nearly 500 episodes of the long-running soap opera...Actor Richard Donat, the nephew of Robert Donat and brother of Peter Donat, has passed on at 84...Mario Adorf, who memorably played the killer in Robert Siodmak's THE DEVIL STRIKES AT NIGHT (1957), has died at 95...Famed orchestra conductor Michael Tilson Thomas has died at 81...Oscar-winning production designer Dean Tavoularis has passed away at 93. His Oscar was for art direction and set decoration of THE GODFATHER: PART II (1974)...Valerie Lee, who as a child was a Munchkin in THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939), has died at 94. It is believed two cast members who worked on THE WIZARD OF OZ are still with us: Priscilla Montgomery Clark, who was another child Munchkin, and Caren Marsh Doll, who was Judy Garland's stand-in and whose feet are said to be seen tapping the heels together in the ruby slippers. Doll, the sister of the late actress Dorothy Morris, remarkably turned 107 on April 6th.

...Please note that Around the Blogosphere This Week will not appear the next two weekends, May 2nd and 9th, while I attend the back-to-back TCM Classic Film Festival and Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival. I anticipate that the column will return on May 16th, although my attendance at the annual McCrea Ranch Cowboy Cookout that afternoon may make it a bit of a challenge; I'll do my best! Anyone who's dreamed of visiting the home of Joel McCrea and Frances Dee and would also like to support the ranch at this annual fundraiser can sign up here.

...It's going to be a busy spring! On May 17th I'll be competing in MouseAdventure at Disney California Adventure. (Last year my team placed 2nd in the Basic division, and we won in 2023; what will this year bring?) Other items on my agenda in May and June include a Dodgers game, a day at the UCLA Festival of Preservation, and the annual Concert in the Rocks concert in Lone Pine, which benefits the Museum of Western Film History.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my April 11th column.

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Schedule Announced for the 2026 UCLA Festival of Preservation

In March I shared that the UCLA Festival of Preservation has been scheduled to take place from May 29th through 31st at the Billy Wilder Theater in Westwood.

The schedule for the entire weekend is now available at the UCLA Film & Television Archive website.

The schedule opens Friday evening, the 29th, with a film and TV special celebrating black performers such as Ossie Davis and Redd Foxx.

I intend to see four films on Saturday the 30th:

*ADVENTURES OF CASANOVA (1948) which I saw in a 16mm print at UCLA a dozen years ago. This is the world premiere of a new DCP restoration from a variety of elements including the original 35mm nitrate negative and a 16mm print. It stars Arturo de Cordova and Lucille Bremer.

*A new DCP restoration of the silent film LORNA DOONE (1922). It was directed by Maurice Tourneur (father of Jacques) and stars Madge Bellamy.

*The premiere of a DCP restoration of one of my favorite '30s comedies, MERRILY WE LIVE (1938), with Constance Bennett and Brian Aherne leading a top cast of players.

*The new-to-me THE MAGNIFICENT MATADOR (1955), directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Anthony Quinn and Maureen O'Hara.

As is common for this festival, on one night it runs quite late into the evening, with the last film Saturday night starting just before 11:00 p.m.

I don't anticipate being able to attend on Sunday, when the options I find especially interesting are TRAILIN' (1921) with Tom Mix; the film noir PITFALL (1948), which I reviewed in 2012; and the Barbara Stanwyck film THE OTHER LOVE (1947).

The festival is free, on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information please visit the website.

Looking back: The 2011 UCLA Festival of Preservation, The 2013 UCLA Festival of Preservation, The 2015 UCLA Festival of Preservation, The 2017 UCLA Festival of Preservation, The 2019 UCLA Festival of Preservation, The 2022 UCLA Festival of Preservation. (I did not cover the 2024 festival.)

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Tonight's Movie: Crack-Up (1946) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

CRACK-UP (1946), a somewhat confusing yet also very enjoyable RKO film noir, will be released on Blu-ray next week by the Warner Archive Collection.

I first saw this film via the Warner Archive DVD a decade ago. Both then and now I found the film not completely successful, yet despite that I still like it very much. It has a great cast, wonderful atmosphere, and some snappy dialogue to offset a sometimes murky plot.

As the movie begins, art expert George Steele (Pat O'Brien) staggers into a museum, seemingly drunk, having a breakdown, or both. He claims he's been in a horrific train wreck, but Detective Cochrane (Wallace Ford) says no train wrecks have been reported...

Despite his violent arrival at the museum, George is allowed to go home thanks to Traybin (Herbert Marshall), a British art expert who happens to be present; Traybin convinces the police that letting George go home would be the best thing for all involved.

George quickly begins piecing together what actually happened to him, aided by his girlfriend Terry (Claire Trevor). He takes another train ride...and eventually realizes something strange is going on which may involve forgeries of famous paintings.

As alluded to above, CRACK-UP has a great deal going for it, starting with the cast. Some critics have felt O'Brien is miscast as a man of the arts, but the entire point of his character -- who had saved art stolen by the Nazis, a la THE MONUMENTS MEN (2014) -- is that he's a rebel who doesn't quite fit in the art world. His lectures stir controversy among the museum experts and board members.

Steele is also a skilled technician when it comes to using x-rays to help identify forgeries, which also fits in with O'Brien's "everyman among the arts" character.

Trevor as the supportive girlfriend is on screen a great deal, though she doesn't have a great deal to actually do other than sling some great lines of dialogue. Despite her character's lack of "action," her screen presence is a valuable asset to the movie.

As for the urbane Marshall, I couldn't remember from my last viewing whether he was a good guy or a villain; the way his character is played, he could go either direction, and I was satisfied with the ultimate reveal.

Among the supporting cast I particularly liked Mary Ware as a seemingly timid "good girl" museum employee who turns out to be more than expected. Ware had a brief career; I plan to seek out the Hopalong Cassidy Western HOPPY'S HOLIDAY (1947) in which she had a role.

Ray Collins, Erskine Sanford, Damian O'Flynn, Dean Harens, and Edward Gargan round out the cast.

Beyond the cast and the dialogue by a trio of writers, the movie also has trains and the mid-'40s obsession with psychology going for it. Although at times it's a bit challenging to follow -- including not knowing for sure if the train crash was real or imagined -- I find it a quite enjoyable way to spend 93 minutes.

The movie was directed by Irving Reis and filmed in black and white by Robert De Grasse.

The Warner Archive's Blu-ray is from a 4K restoration of the original camera negative. It looks and sounds terrific.

Disc extras include the "Crime Does Not Pay" short PURITY SQUAD (1947), featuring a host of familiar character actors, and the trailer.

My fellow film noir and crime film fans should enjoy spending time with this one too. 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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The 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival Schedule

The 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival is now just a little over a week away!

The festival will take place from April 30th through May 3rd, 2026. This year's theme is "The World Comes to Hollywood."

I'm very happy to say I'll again be covering this year's festival as a member of the credentialed media. This is my twelfth year covering the festival; it's always an honor and a privilege to do so.

During the festival please follow me on Twitter ("X") for "as it happens" news and photos. The Twitter hashtag #TCMFF is also always a great way to stay up to date on current festival news.

After the festival I'll have lots more to share here, as always, including a festival overview and photos.

This year's venues will be the same as the past couple years, the Egyptian Theatre, the Chinese Theatre and multiplex, and a single screening at the El Capitan Theatre.

There will also be the usual poolside screenings at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

The festival schedule was posted earlier this month, as I shared here, and while I was recently traveling I carefully studied it.

Longtime readers are familiar with the criteria which goes into TCM Festival viewing selections. Of course, interest in a film is key, but beyond that there are several other factors, including whether or not I've seen a film previously; how long ago I last saw a film I'd be revisiting, and whether or not I've seen it theatrically in the past; the format (35mm, 35mm nitrate, or DCP); special guests; and how the times and locations fit together.

Sometimes it proves logistically impossible to get from one movie to another in time, even if it initially looks like the times might work out on paper!

Over the years I've also tended to stay away from the "big" Chinese Theatre, finding the sound in the cavernous building to be a poorer experience than other theaters. Last year every film I saw was in the Egyptian Theatre or the Multiplex, including nine films in my favorite Theater 4, which only seats 148.

Here's a rough outline of how I'm tentatively planning to spend my time at the festival!

Thursday, April 30th

Like most film noir fans, I love OUT OF THE PAST (1947), which will be introduced in a restored digital print by actress Dana Delany at the Egyptian. That said, I just saw OUT OF THE PAST in a 35mm print at least year's Noir City Hollywood Festival, so instead I'm planning to kick off this year's festival with THE OZU DIARIES (2025), a new documentary about my favorite Japanese director, Yasujiro Ozu.

THE OZU DIARIES will be introduced in Theater 6 at the Chinese Multiplex by the film's director, Daniel Raim; I've previously reviewed several of his documentaries, including IN SEARCH OF OZU (2018) and IMAGE MAKERS: THE ADVENTURES OF AMERICA'S PIONEER CINEMATOGRAPHERS (2019).

After THE OZU DIARIES my plan is to get back in line for Theater 6 and see Fritz Lang's MAN HUNT (1941), a new-to-me film which will be introduced by Keith Carradine. It stars favorites Walter Pidgeon, Joan Bennett, and George Sanders, so I really need to see it!

Friday, May 1st

Friday morning I'd especially love to be at the 75th anniversary restoration of one of my favorite Disney films, ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1951), but unfortunately ALICE gets out only 15 minutes before the film of the festival, LETTY LYNTON (1932), starts at the Egyptian. Indeed, I'm sure Letty will be in such demand that I'm not even sure if I dare see a film in the first time slot of the day; if I do, it will be the Warren William pre-Code THE MOUTHPIECE (1932) at the Egyptian, purely for logistical reasons. (ON MOONLIGHT BAY is another appealing option, but the theater is too far away!) I may just get in line early for LETTY...

After LETTY LYNTON I will probably spend the rest of the day at the Egyptian. Next up will be STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951), which I've never seen theatrically, and it's been about 15 years since I saw it on DVD.

I've also never seen HANNAH AND HER SISTERS (1986) theatrically, so I expect to see it next, especially as nothing much else in that time slot appeals to me, which is rare!

I'll probably close out the night at the Egyptian with George Stevens Jr. introducing SHANE (1953); I'd love to see Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray in THE PRINCESS COMES ACROSS (1936) theatrically, but with HANNAH getting out at 8:15 there's no way I'd make it into little House 4 at the Multiplex just half an hour later. If I hurried I might make it into House 6 in time for PAL JOEY (1957), but why race down the street toward uncertain plans when I could be watching Alan Ladd?

Saturday, May 2nd

Saturday morning will find me back at the Egyptian for a favorite romantic comedy, THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER (1947), in a 35mm nitrate print. I love the chance to see Loretta Young on a big screen; I have fond memories of seeing this particular film as a teenager at a FilmEx tribute to Loretta where she was there in person. The rest of the cast is also great, including Joseph Cotten, Charles Bickford, and Ethel Barrymore.

I next plan to be at, you guessed it, the Egyptian to see Leonard Maltin and Luis Reyes introduce Maria Montez and Jon Hall in COBRA WOMAN (1944). I'm excited about seeing a Montez-Hall film theatrically for the first time! Although I often see a Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers movie at the TCM Fest, I'm choosing COBRA WOMAN over SWING TIME (1936), which is in the big Chinese Theatre. I've seen SWING TIME theatrically a couple of times, although not for many years.

Unfortunately a 15-minute gap between films will probably preclude me seeing this year's "B" film introduced by Jeremy Arnold, THE BAMBOO BLONDE (1946), directed by Anthony Mann. I always enjoy Jeremy's intros and would love to see it.

Instead I will probably head for Theater 6 and Edward G. Robinson in CONFESSIONS OF A NAZI SPY (1939). My backup for that slot is Sirk's THERE'S ALWAYS TOMORROW (1956) in House 4, introduced by the always-enjoyable Dana Delany, but despite a cast of favorites, THERE'S ALWAYS TOMORROW is a film which makes me impatient, as I wrote about here; I have zero sympathy for Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck's characters, who are dumb (him) and manipulative (her). Hmmm, sounds like another movie they made, doesn't it? And that earlier film ironically costarred Edward G. Robinson.

For my final film of the day I plan to see one of the films I look forward to most, Jean Arthur in THE DEVIL AND MISS JONES (1941). I'm glad it's being shown in the largest Multiplex theater, House 1, which seats 350. As a side note, this film was scheduled for the cancelled 2020 festival, so I'm very glad it's finally made its way into the lineup.

Sunday, May 3rd

On Sunday morning I'm excited to see THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946), which I've never seen theatrically. It will be introduced by Alison Macor, who wrote an impressive "making of" book on the film which I reviewed here in 2023.

Although BEST YEARS gets out only 45 minutes before the world premiere of a restoration of Lubitsch's TROUBLE IN PARADISE (1932), I'm hopeful of making it in, since it's also in the good-sized House 1. In my opinion one can never see TROUBLE IN PARADISE too many times!

Sunday always has a great deal of uncertainty due to five "TBA" slots, where some of the most-attended films from earlier in the festival are reshown; I'm already anticipating one of those slots will be a second showing of LETTY LYNTON. However, there's no TBA film in the third slot of the day, so I'll probably choose CABIN IN THE SKY (1943). If I can't get into it, given it's in little House 4, I expect I'll take another look at Hitchcock's ROPE (1948), despite just having seen it on nitrate last year.

There are fewer options in the fourth slot of the day due to a couple overlapping films, so I'm hoping for a good "TBA" title. Otherwise I may see ARABESQUE (1966), but given that I wasn't a huge fan of it, it may also be a good time for dinner!

It seems like most years I end the festival either at a silent film with a live orchestra or at an MGM musical, such as last year's showing of TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME (1949). This year's silent film on closing night is LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN (1925), which I saw at UCLA a few years ago, so -- barring choosing a TBA film -- I will probably finish out the festival with ON THE TOWN (1949). I saw ON THE TOWN theatrically several times as a teenager, but it's been literally decades since I saw it in a theater and it sounds like a great way to wrap things up.

And that completes this year's plans! I should have an overview posted here soon after the festival ends.

I saw 11 films in 2013, 14 in 2014, 16 in 2015, 15 in 2016, 17 (including a block of cartoons) in 2017 and 2018, and 15 films plus a clip show in 2019 and 2011. I also saw 15 films in 2023 and 2024 and 16 movies in 2025. What does 2026 have in store?!

For reference, my posts on the schedules for previous festivals are linked here in reverse chronological order: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013.

I hope to see many readers at the festival! As always, I welcome comments with festival picks, both from attendees and those who can't be there but might want to follow along at home.

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; TCM Classic Film Festival Announces Additional Titles.

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Tonight's Movie: House Calls (1978) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

HOUSE CALLS (1978), a mid-life romantic comedy featuring the unexpected pairing of Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson, is being released this week on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

This was my first time to see this film, in which Matthau plays Dr. Charley Nichols, a recently widowed doctor who is now determined to "play the field" for the first time in his life.

Charley briefly does just that, dating a variety of younger women, yet time and again he finds himself drawn to Ann (Glenda Jackson), a smart divorcee closer to his own age. Ann's teenage son, incidentally, is played by Matthau's real-life son, Charlie.

Charley initially thinks of Ann as a friend with whom he has common reference points -- and she makes amazing cheesecakes! -- but the relationship quickly, if tentatively, progresses towards romance. Charley must decide if he's ready for commitment again, while Ann, burned by an unfaithful ex-husband, must consider whether she's ready to trust Charley.

I found this movie a very nice discovery; it's a well-done, entertaining 98 minutes. While I could have done without a few bits of crass humor -- the film is rated PG -- on the whole the movie was sharply written and played.

The script was by Charles Shyer (BABY BOOM), Alan Mandel, Julius J. Epstein (CASABLANCA), and Max Shulman from a story by Shulman and Epstein. Happily too many cooks didn't spoil the proverbial broth; the screenplay is quite funny, sustaining the humor from start to finish.

The prospect of a senile hospital chief of staff (Art Carney) should be alarming, but here it's the cause of numerous (somewhat guilty) chuckles; that man should have been nowhere near a hospital!

I especially loved the deadpan reactions of Richard Benjamin as Charley's doctor friend; their repartee is delightful, and Benjamin is also quite funny dealing with the aforementioned chief of staff.

Matthau and Jackson are likeable, real, and relatable; in fact, Jackson strongly reminded me of an old family friend. Their teaming was so successful that a couple years later they costarred again, in the suspense film HOPSCOTCH (1980); HOPSCOTCH is available from the Criterion Collection, and I hope to watch it soon.

The film could have gained a bit more depth by exploring Charley and Ann's backgrounds, especially his feelings about his wife's (very) recent passing; that said, as with the chief of staff storyline, the decision was made not to take things seriously, and what did make it onscreen is very enjoyable.

There are many familiar faces in the cast, including Brad Dexter, Lloyd Gough, Candice Azzara, Gordon Jump, Thayer David, Dick O'Neill, and Taurean Blacque.

The movie was directed by Howard Zieff and filmed by David M. Walsh, with a score by Henry Mancini.

The Blu-ray print is quite good, with the color tones and style reminding me of other films of the era such as THE GOODBYE GIRL (1977). Sound quality is excellent.

Extras consist of the trailer; a gallery of seven additional trailers; and a commentary track by Bryan Reesman and Max Evry.

I liked this one a lot and will happily revisit it in the future.

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray.

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Around the Blogosphere This Week...

...is taking the weekend off while I travel.

The column will return next week, on Saturday, April 25th.

For recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my April 11th column.

Additionally, those interested in news on the upcoming TCM Classic Film Festival can visit the latest updates and festival schedule here.

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Tonight's Movie: This is the Night (1932) - A Universal Blu-ray Review

THIS IS THE NIGHT (1932), an unexpected comedic delight, has just been released on Blu-ray by Universal.

I had never before seen this film, which has the selling point of being Cary Grant's very first movie. I was also induced to try it by the presence of the always-reliable Roland Young and Charlie Ruggles.

I was delighted to discover THIS IS THE NIGHT to be an amusing, creative Lubitschian pre-Code comedy. It's 80 minutes of fun -- and it even comes with the option to watch a color-tinted version rather than black and white.

THIS IS THE NIGHT is also interesting in that it veers surprisingly close to being a musical at times, with cleverly staged sequences such as the orchestral opening credits, followed by a scene in which Claire (Thelma Todd) loses her dress after the chauffeur (Irving Bacon) slams the car door on it.

That scene sets the tone for the movie, in which Claire is attempting to have an affair with Gerald (Young) while her husband Stephen (Grant) is competing at the 1932 Olympics.

Yes, it defies credulity that Claire would rather carry on with Roland Young than Cary Grant, whose character is an Olympic javelin thrower, but at the same time the nutty premise is part of the fun.

Stephen comes home early, and Bunny West (Ruggles) accidentally almost gives the whole game about Claire and Gerald away to Stephen. This leads to Gerald hiring a pretend "wife," Germaine (Lili Damita), thinking Germaine is an actress.

But no, Germaine is actually a respectable woman who is starving and needs a job. As they try to convince Stephen and Claire that they're lovingly married, Gerald and Germaine find themselves falling for one another for real.

THIS IS THE NIGHT is a very good time, especially a neatly choreographed sequence when the two couples are boarding a train bound for Venice. There are also some funny pre-Code double entendres - jokes about things like javelins will make adults chuckle while sailing over the heads of younger viewers.

I've never been a fan of Damita (see my review of GOLDIE GETS ALONG), but while an actress with more charm would have boosted the picture, she's adequate here.

The attractive Grant is almost a placeholder character; the movie really belongs to Young, Ruggles, and Bacon, who are all entertaining and hilarious. This might have been the best role of character actor Bacon's career.

I really enjoyed it all, including the unique staging by Frank Tuttle and the blue-tinted nighttime sequences filmed by Victor Milner.

The screenplay was based on a trio of plays by varied writers, but it all comes together and works to provide frothy entertainment with a satisfying conclusion.

The print isn't perfect but is quite nice for a film of this vintage, and I really appreciated the option to watch the film with the color tinting. The soundtrack is also fine.

The disc has no extras, other than the option of the two different prints. It does include English subtitles.

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

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Quick Preview of TCM in May

Here's a brief look at what's coming to Turner Classic Movies next month!

Gregory Peck will be the May Star of the Month. Peck's films, including many of his best-known titles, will be shown on Friday evenings.

Peck was previously Star of the Month in October 1999 and July 2010.

I love the May "Special Theme" which celebrates the films of Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu on Tuesdays. The lineup includes the TCM premiere of the recent documentary THE OZU DIARIES (2025), which will also screen at the upcoming TCM Classic Film Festival.

Ozu's THE ONLY SON (1936) will also have a TCM premiere in May.

The May Noir Alley films will be DRUNKEN ANGEL (1948), THE STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS (1946), STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951), and HOUSE OF NUMBERS (1957).

Filmmakers receiving multifilm tributes in May will include Glenn Ford and Edmund Goulding.

May programming themes will include '50s sci-fi, high school, biographies, tap dancing, and board games being played in movies.

As usual, Mother's Day will be celebrated on May 12th which a lineup which includes MILDRED PIERCE (1945).

The annual Memorial Day Weekend war film marathon will take place from Friday, May 22nd, through Monday, May 25th.

I may be updating this preview as additional information becomes available, and I'll have much more detailed information on TCM's May schedule posted here around May 1st!

In the meantime, enjoy Sophia Loren as she continues as the April Star of the Month.

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Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...The May Warner Archive Collection has announced its May Blu-ray lineup. Titles will include POSSESSED (1931), FOLLOW ME QUIETLY (1949), and a Monogram Matinee Volume 3 set featuring two films starring Johnny Mack Brown. Another May Warner Archive title of great interest is the release of IT'S A WISE CHILD (1931), starring Marion Davies, which I was unable to see last fall when it was shown at Cinecon.

...A 75th anniversary restoration of Disney's ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1951) will be out on May 5th, shortly after premiering at the TCM Classic Film Festival; unfortunately for those of us not collecting 4K high-definition releases, it is only being sold on 4K, packaged with a Blu-ray. The Digital Bits site says "The Blu-ray in the package appears to be the exact same disc released in 2011 for the 60th anniversary." Since I already own that disc, it appears this release won't be for me, but perhaps this information will benefit 4K collectors.

...Here's a Los Angeles Magazine article by Chris Nichols on Leonard and Jessie Maltin and their new book, FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT MENUS: RECIPES AND FILMS FOR UNFORGETTABLE TIMES TOGETHER.

...Coming next month from the University Press of Kentucky: RICHARD FLEISCHER: JOURNEYMAN by Jason A. Ney, with a foreword by Eddie Muller. This should be a very interesting read for many reasons, including Fleischer's family history in animation and his work in film noir and for Disney.

...The three surviving members of the CHARLIE'S ANGELS (1976-81) TV series, Jaclyn Smith, Kate Jackson, and Cheryl Ladd, were recently reunited and interviewed.

...Recent reviews by Jessica Pickens at Comet Over Hollywood include THAT POWERS GIRL (1943) with George Murphy, Anne Shirley, and Carole Landis, and UP IN CENTRAL PARK (1948) with Deanna Durbin and Dick Haymes. I completely agree with Jessica's comment that Deanna is "great in every film."

...Speaking of Deanna Durbin, her terrific film THREE SMART GIRLS (1936) is coming to Blu-ray in May. Thanks to Adam for the info.

...And thanks also to Keith Buczak for alerting me to the upcoming book THE WONDERFUL WORLDS OF DISNEY: THE SCENIC ART OF WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS by Didier Ghez. It will be published by Chronicle Books in late September.

...I'm a fan of Jason Statham action films, most recently SHELTER (2026); here's the trailer for his next film, MUTINY (2026), due out in August. It's directed by Jean-Francois Richet, who also directed the very good PLANE (2023), which starred Gerard Butler.

...I always enjoy perusing the latest films viewed at Phyllis Loves Classic Movies. She's watched some favorites of mine recently!

...Coming to Blu-ray soon from Kino Lorber Studio Classics: THE ATOMIC MAN (1955), also known as TIMESLIP, starring Gene Nelson and Faith Domergue.

...Attention Southern Californians: THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951) will screen at the Frida Cinema in Santa Ana on April 18th...There's a remarkable series of rare films directed by William Beaudine currently ongoing at the New Beverly...and SINGIN' IN THE RAIN will be shown in 35mm at UCLA's Billy Wilder Theater on Sunday, April 12th.

...Please note that Around the Blogosphere This Week will not appear next weekend, on April 18th, when I'll be traveling. The column will return on April 25th and then will be off two additional weekends while I attend back-to-back film festivals.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my April 4th column.

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