James Cagney’s foot-stomping song and dance man in the rousing slice of Americana “Yankee Doodle Dandy” is one of the greatest performances of all-time.
by Sam Juliano
July 1st. The signal that high temperatures are here to stay, and vacations for most are upcoming. Lucille and I and the entire family will be embarking on that long elusive “trip of a lifetime” in just under 40 days, with a Virgin Atlantic flight set to leave Newark late on Wednesday August 7th, a day that is the official end of the summer program that I am currently teaching. We will be spending six days in London and seven at the home of Allan Fish in Kendal, a breathtakingly scenic enclave 50 miles south of the Scottish border. Our plans include a one day train trip from Kendal to Edinburgh, Scotland, another one to Liverpool (my kids are huge Beatles fans, as Lucille and I are) and a shorter hike from London to Stratford-upon-Avon, where I will realize the aspirations I’ve maintained for decades to visit the Bard’s final resting place. Many other stops in London to the most popular destinations are on the itinerary, all covered by the “London pass” that will be secured for all of us. Allan will be meeting us in London upon our arrival at the hotel, and will stay with us for the period of time in the big city, and then guiding back on the train ride to his Kendal home. There are two very close friends and WitD associates that we are very excited to see as well. But I’ll wait until the trip report to discuss this rare event, surely a major highlight in everyone’s lives.
Speaking of “life” highlights, this past Monday night our 14 year-old son Danny graduated the eighth grade at a spirited ceremony at La Fortuna Restaurant in Fairview. Danny, a talented artist, with begin Cliffside Park High School in September. He is now the third of our five kids to reach that level, with only Jillian (entering grade 7) and Jeremy (starting grade 6) still to reach that threshold.
The western countdown draws nearer still, though we still have a full month for Top 60 ballots to be submitted. As stated previously the deadline is August 1st. This past week the number of ballots turned in by e mail to Voting Tabulator Extraordinaire Angelo A. D’Arminio Jr. rose to eight after terrific submissions were made by Sachin Gandhi and John Greco. It is anticipated that assignments will be filled before we leave for the U.K., with a September 1st start-up for the countdown. We will be doing 60 for this one in the usual reverse order, leading up to the number 1 sometime late in November. As with the previous two countdowns (musical and comedy) the essays will appear Monday through Friday.
This past week represented a substantial scale back from the previous one, though we still managed a few films, including two in ongoing festivals.
We saw:
20 Feet From Stardom **** (Friday night) Montclair Claridge
Yankee Doodle Dandy -1942- ***** (Sunday) Film Forum Jr.
That Night’s Wife -1930- *** (Wednesday) Ozu at Film Forum
I’ve seen the irresistible YANKEE DOODLE DANDY many times in my life, but Sunday morning’s viewing (the first for my three boys) may well have been the most enjoyable of them all. Offered as the last entry in the Film Forum Jr. series until it resumes in September, the timing of course was to coincide with the Fourth of July holiday coming up on Thursday, and this rousing, foot-stomping slice of Americana always revitalizes those dormant patriotic genes! It is very difficult to contest our good friend Judy Geater, who recently in a post at Movie Classics named the ever-versatile James Cagney as the greatest actor of all-time. It’s always a close call for me between the charismatic Cagney and Marlon Brando, but after Sunday morning and yet another viewing of this festive celebration of a man’s incomparable talent I am ready to go back to Cagney. The print at the Film Forum was absolutely gorgeous, and all my boys (and Lucille of course) loved this classic flag-waver. I was humming Cohen’s songs all over again in the car on the way home, especially since we all got stuck in some serious Manhattan gridlock traffic because of the Gay Pride parade. Richard R.D. Finch, of course hosted a highly-successful Cagney blogothon a few months back, and gave away a two-disc DVD set of the film. Brian (Classic Film Boy) covered the film with a wonderful essay for the blogothon.
The often inspiring and always pulsating music documentary 20 FEET FROM STARDOM includes vital contributions from Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Mick Jagger, and it offers a telling look at ego, disappointment and how elusive fame is for backup artists who are talented enough to deserve far better, and though it’s redundant at times, it’s wholly irresistible, and a moving homage to a time capsule and people who worked their hearts out.
Ozu’s silent THAT NIGHT’S WIFE is a minor work in the towering’s director’s canon, but it’s still intriguing, and an about face for Ozu, who takes an intriguing look at the thriller genre. Steve Sterner provided spirited piano accompaniment for the silent film that David Bordwell contends “rewrites Lang and Von Sternberg.”
Danny at La Fortuna 8th grade graduation
Links carried over from last week with a good many updates:
Judy Geater has written a superlative review for the ‘Margaret Rutherford blogothon’ at Movie Classics on David Lean’s “Blithe Spirit”: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2013/06/28/margaret-rutherford-in-blithe-spirit-david-lean-1945/
Sachin Gandhi is leading at Scribbles and Ramblings with a fantastic discussion of the WitD western countdown, one that includes a brief talk about spaghetti westerns and his exceptional Top 60 ballot: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2013/06/essential-western-films.html
Tony d’Ambra’s latest review at FilmsNoir.net is imbued with insight, scholarly heft and a deep appreciation of Christopher Nolan’s 2000 “Memento”: http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/memento-2000-the-days-of-future-past.html
Jon Warner has written a fabulous piece on a D.W. Griffith rare western “The Massacre” at Films Worth Watching: http://filmsworthwatching.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-massacre-1912-directed-by-dw.html
Samuel Wilson has penned a terrific review on the 1970 ultra-violent western “Soldier Blue” at Mondo 70: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2013/06/soldier-blue-1970.html
Laurie Buchanan’s leading post at Speaking From The Heart is a thought-provoking one on “Critique vs. Criticism”: http://tuesdayswithlaurie.com/2013/06/25/criticism-versus-critique/
Weeping Sam’s “June director” is Kon Ichikawa, and his list and discussion at The Listening Ear are revelations: http://listeningear.blogspot.com/2013/06/june-director-kon-ichikawa.html
Joel Bocko offers up a link to his already-published, sensational essay on Lawrence of Arabia (which may be his favorite film of all-time) at The Dancing Image: http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2009/08/lawrence-of-arabia.html
John Greco has written a fabulous essay on Rouben Mamoulian’s “City Streets” at Twenty Four Frames: http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/city-streets-1931-rouben-mamoulian/
Shubhajit Lahiri has posted a superlative review of 1959’s “Warlock) at Cinemascope: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2013/06/warlock-1959.html
Roderick Heath has authored an extraordinary review of Peter Strickland’s “Berberian Sound Studio” at Ferdy-on-Films: http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/2013/berberian-sound-studios-2013/18869/
Dee Dee’s ‘Ning’ is currently featuring a lead post on the 1947 noir classic “Nightmare Alley”: http://filmnoire.ning.com/video/nightmare-alley-1947-parte-1
Murderous Ink at Vermillion and One Nights leads up with a fabulous new post on “Conversion to Talkies: Japanese Studios”: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2013/06/conversion-to-talkies-japanese-studios.html
David Schleicher has penned a classic take down of “World War Z” at The Schleicher Spin: http://theschleicherspin.com/2013/06/25/im-sick-of-these-zombies-in-world-war-z/
Jaimie Grijalba has written an excellent essay on the 2012 Chilean film “Carne de Perro” at Overlook’s Corridor: http://overlookhotelfilm.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/chilean-cinema-2013-14-carne-de-perro-2012/
At the ever-ravishing Creativepotager’s blog Terrill Welch manages to capture the “emotion of the Canadian landscape”: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2013/06/23/capturing-the-emotion-of-the-canadian-landscape-is-no-easy-task/
Jeffrey Goodman celebrates the Talking Heads’ “Remain in Light” is a terrific musical post at The Last Lullaby: http://cahierspositif.blogspot.com/2013/06/remain-in-light-talking-heads-1980.html
David Schleicher has penned an excellent essay on the new Superman movie at The Schleicher Spin: http://theschleicherspin.com/2013/06/15/tea-party-wish-fulfillment-messianic-fetishism-and-the-american-way-in-man-of-steel/
The best in Indian film, politics and culture is on display at Kaleem Hasan’s incomparable Satyamshot: http://satyamshot.wordpress.com/
Patricia Hamilton’s latest post at Patricia’s Wisdom is a fabulous review of the novel “The Beautiful Heist”: http://patriciaswisdom.com/2013/06/the-beautiful-heist-agency-of-burglary-and-theft-by-kim-foster/
Drew McIntosh presents a fascinating point of contact between two films at The Blue Vial: http://thebluevial.blogspot.com/2013/06/points-of-contact-61313_13.html
Felix Gonzalez Jr. has written a terrific capsule assessment of the underrated “Return to Oz” at Film Fantomes: http://filmfantomes.wordpress.com/
Dean Treadway has a fantastic display of 70 double-feature movie posters up at Filmicability: http://filmicability.blogspot.com/2013/05/i-love-double-feature-movie-posters.html
Michael Harford’s latest post at the revived Coffee Messiah blogsite is another poetic collaboration with Paul Hawkins: http://coffeemessiah.blogspot.com/2013/06/week-6-38.html
J.D. LaFrance at Radiator Heaven has penned a typically great and comprehensive review on Josh Wheadon’s “Serenity” at Radiator Heaven: http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2013/06/serenity.html
Craig Kennedy has posted a terrific (and favorable) review of Berberian Sound Studio at Living in Cinema: http://livingincinema.com/2013/06/14/berberian-sound-studio-2013/
The exceptional writer Andrew Katsis has a terrific essay on “Casablanca””’ up at Dee Dee’s place Darkness Into Light: http://noirishcity.blogspot.com/2013/04/heres-looking-at-you-kidas-my-writer.html
One of the best writers out there, the incomparable Ed Howard is still working at an impressive pace at Only The Cinema, with his latest post on the silent classic “Golem”: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-golem-1920.html
Jason Bellamy tackles Malick’s To the Wonder in typically spectacular form at The Cooler: http://coolercinema.blogspot.com/2013/04/penrose-stairs-to-wonder.html
Paddy Mullholland has penned an outstanding capsule review on “The East” at Screen on Screen: http://screenonscreen.blogspot.com/2013/06/review-before-midnight.html
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Sam, congrats to Danny and great photo. It must have been a lot of fun seeing ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ on the big screen! Thanks for the kind double mention… I was really only listing my personal favourites in that posting you mentioned, rather than saying which actors were the greatest of all time, but, having said that, I do think Cagney is a contender for any such accolades. I’ve only seen a couple of films in the past week, the James Stewart Western ‘Broken Arrow’, which I mainly liked – Stewart is great in it – although the romance element doesn’t work all that well, and the Disney Pixar animation ‘Brave’ which I also enjoyed. Wishing you and everyone a good week.
My daughter and I also watched Yankee Doodle Dandy yesterday. I would have loved seeing it on the big screen but would not have been able to go Sunday.
Judy, thanks so much for the very kind words! Yes we all had a great time watching that gorgeous print of YANKEE DOODLE DANDY on the big screen. I stand corrected on that post at MOVIE CLASSICS. There is definitely a distinct difference between “best” and “favorite” as we have wrestled with at WitD over the years. Still I know you value Cagney as among the greatest of screen performers. I also like both BROKEN ARROW and BRAVE. Stewart was indeed exceptional in the former. Thanks as always my friend. Have a great week!
Angelo, great to hear you were also reveling in George M. Cohan’s songs this weekend!
Brando had the biggest influence on screen acting, but when push comes to shove you’re judging him on half a dozen or less performances (Streetcar, Waterfront, Caesar, Wild One, Godfather, Last Tango). Cagney had literally dozens. Undoubtedly the greatest movie personality in history, he did everything (musicals, gangsters, dramas, melodramas, Shakespeare, comedies). Brando was a hollow cymbal in comparison. In terms of greatest screen actors, only Gabin and Laughton were on his level.
This is a fair enough analysis, I must say. I do stand by Brando, however, even with the lesser great performances. But yes, Cagney is in his own class.
Sam,
Wow that’s great news about your upcoming trip to England and Scotland! I can tell you from my own personal experience that I’m sure you all will have a blast! I remember my visits there very fondly and will remember those trips forever. There’s so much to see and of course one can’t see EVERYTHING but it will be just fine no matter what you do. Having a guide will be a plus! I’m very excited to hear how this goes and look forward to updates.
Thanks for the kind mention Sam and for stopping by to read my blog. There are some really interesting western 2-reelers and I aim to include a few of them on my list, even though I know they won’t make the final cut. I tend to put emphasis on historical/cinematic relevance and influence perhaps above some other criteria and I think you’ll see this play out in my final list.
Well my wife and I drove up to Grand Rapids (1 hour away) on Saturday night to see Before Midnight and it did not disappoint. It’s a perfect accompaniment to the other 2 films….and in my mind, starts pulling everything together, so that all three films really feel like different parts of the same whole. I can’t imagine the series with one of them missing. The most recent entry seems to comment so much on the characters and other films as a whole that it begins to reimagine the whole series. Now the fact that you didn’t like the other two may not bode well for you. I for one, just really enjoy listening to these two characters talk and getting to know them. There are some really nice long takes, the script might be the best of the year….sharp, witty, biting and sarcastic, and loaded with details throughout that help us piece together the last 9 years. I’m a huge fan of it, but I really like these films and especially Julie Delpy. Not sure why exactly, but these films are starting to recall Rohmer and the fickle nature of love and the passing of the years and seasons.
Lots more westerns were watched….
The Ballad of Little Jo (very interesting movie despite the penchant for “tv movie” theatrics), Heartland, Monte Walsh, Tall in the Saddle, El Dorado (such a fun movie), The Far Country (not quite as good as I remembered but still solid), Pursued, I Will Fight No More Forever (not as good as I remembered from when I was a kid, but a moving story nonetheless).
This week is Day of Anger, Dodge City, Salomy Jane, Rio Bravo……and I just picked up the new criterion of Medium Cool so will re-watch that. Have a great week Sam!
Jon—
With your travel experience over the years there isn’t another person who can provide us with recommendations like you can! And I will be looking ahead to comparing notes. As it is the itinerary is changing all the time. I know there is only so much you can do, but we do intend on making the most of it. You’ve devised a terrific game plan as to how you will ultimately vote in the western polling, and you have really been closing all the gaps in your viewings. It’s remarkable what you’d done, and will do, and your blog has performed quite a service for those who who hanker for significant rarities. You’ve has some fantastic posts up as of late Jon, though overall you’ve really been on a sustained roll. That’s quite a spectacular favorable analysis on BEFORE MIDNIGHT. Despite my less-than-enthused feelings about the first two films in the series, I do have to see it as soon as possible. Great work again on the westerns seen this past week and on the ones lined up for the coming days. I can’t wait to see your ballot, as it’s been in the making for so long and with so many recent viewings to inform it! Have a great week my friend! Many thanks!
Sam I’m sure with Allan as your guide you will be in good hands. Regarding visiting Scotland I had an amazing day driving through the Loch region, which is between Glencoe and Inverness. I thought that drive was absolutely breathtaking. Not sure if you can fit that side of Scotland in your itinerary, but Allan could probably tell you what kind of time investment that would be. There’s wonderful castles over there too.
Of course there’s the lovely Lake District in England too. I spent 1.5 days in Keswick enjoying the views of the mountains and the sheep and lakes. There’s an awesome beer on tap in Keswick called the Snecklifter.
In Edinburgh you must go to the Edinburgh castle. The whole family will love that and the views from up there……wow.
And I just checked where Kendal is on the map….great spot. Right near the lake district. Beautiful.
Sam –
Many congratulations to Danny on that milestone of eigth-grade graduation and much luck to him as he starts high school!
Your upcoming trip sounds absolutely wonderul and I know you will all have a terrific time. Looking forward to hearing all about it.
I am in ‘catch-up’ mode here – finally seeing Richard Linklater’s BEFORE SUNRISE and BEFORE SUNSET this weekend, so that I am finally ready to catch BEFORE MIDNIGHT in the theater. Charming films, charming performances and I can’t wait to see where Jesse and Celine are in the new films. I also watched the disappointing THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE – a few mild laughs, at best. Given the cast, I expected so much more.
Almodovar’s I’M SO EXCITED opens here at the end of the week, and I’m hoping to see it over the upcoming holiday weekend.
Pat I hope you like Before Midnight. My wife and I just saw it this weekend and we both enjoyed it immensely. So much to think about with those movies.
Thanks so much for that Pat! It’s hard to believe we’ll have three kids attending high school at the same time in September, though this will be Melanie’s senior year. Yes the trip seemed so far in the future, but here it is now practically upon us. I will look forward to comparing notes with you, and I remember you were there and at several other European locations. I haven’t seen BURT WONDERSTONE yet, but I do know that the late James Gandolfini was one of the stars. That reason alone to check it out, though your summary judgement is hardly surprising. I am one of the only people on the planet who wasn’t blown away by Linklater’s previous BEFORE films, and this had me dragging my feet to see the new one. I passed on the chance at Tribeca, opting as I did to see something else. But I’ll see it soon, and try and understand how clueless I have been! I came within a hair of seeing I’M SO EXCITED on Saturday, but we realized we had a college graduation party for Lucille’s nephew that we needed to attend. Perhaps this coming week. Divided reviews I see (one critic claims it’s a rare Almodovar dud) but I’m always game and looking forward to sharing opinions. Thanks as always my friend! Have a great week!
Congratulations to Danny and a great photo –
BTW, what kind of art is he making?
Not sure if you received my reply to the email you sent awhile back, but a big congratulations on your upcoming trip with the family – The closest to a visit in the UK was my 6 hr stay at Heathrow both times coming back from a month long trip both times to Berlin, ’89 before the Wall came down and ’90 after – There’s no doubt it will open your children to a broader knowledge of the differences of folks in the World and a comparison to the USA is sure to come –
=Cheers! Michael
Thanks so much for that Michael. Danny draws exceedingly well. Considering his age he is always drawing musical celebrities, superheros and fictional characters, but he has quite a talent which we are always nurturing. Thanks very much on the congrats for the upcoming trip. I know this is a hugely expensive venture, but it’s the kind of experience you need to make good on when the opportunity is there. Once the kids begin going to college one by one there wouldn’t be this chance. I completely agree that the discussion-comparisons-broader knowledge etc. will be invaluable. Well, I’m sure you have quite a bit to relate on that Berlin trip! This is actually our first European trip of any kind. Thanks again my friend! have a great week!
Congrats to your son, Sam. This may amuse you: I bought the Criterion disc of Marketa Lazarovna over the weekend and hope to watch the film this week. I usually go right for the booklet, though, and in this good-sized pamphlet the translator of a forthcoming English edition of the source novel cites the opinion of an English critic, purportedly the only specialist on the author in our language, who describes the story as a “Czech western.”
So what isn’t a western? I think a few of the films I saw last weekend are immune to the label. Those were Felix Feist’s The Threat, a modest cop-held-hostage drama with a reliably brutal turn by Charles McGraw as the villain; Fred Sears’s Miami Expose, a 1956 crime picture that benefits from decent location work yet dismays by the casting of Alan (Alfred the Faithful Butler) Napier as the most powerful gangster in Florida; Robert Gist’s An American Dream, a misguidedly mundane adaptation of the Norman Mailer novel from a maker of TV episodes, noteworthy only for Eleanor Parker’s over-the-top and ultimately over-the-side turn as the protagonist’s terror of a spouse; Alexander Volkov’s Kean, a French silent on an English subject by Russian emigres that starts slow with a digest of Romeo & Juliet but grows on you thanks to Ivan Mosjoukine’s earnest, energetic star turn; and Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows, worse, finally, than I expected — conceptually lazy and contemptuous toward the source material and the audience.
On the 4th I hope to see Ronald F. Maxwell’s Copperhead, which ought to be interesting for its transgressive stance toward the Civil War if not necessarily a good movie. I’m not sure how widely this film is playing so I may get to give the early warning for once. Otherwise, enjoy the holiday!
Samuel—-
Thanks for the very kind words about Danny’s personal milestone! Yes I am very delighted to hear you have purchased the Criterion disc (or blu-ray?) of MARKETA LAZAROVA, the greatest Czech film of all-time. It’s tough to make definitive statements like that, but both Allan and I are completely in agreement on this burst of hyperbole. And I have a sneaking suspicion you are going to come in with a hugely favorable response. I could be wrong, but this is what I am thinking. The ‘Czech western’ is admittedly more than a curious statement, but Tom Gunning is a formidable film scholar, and his contention here supports my own position on the upcoming western polling, which all comes down to how the individual voter frames what a western is. About three-quarters of the voters have declared they would prefer to stick with a more constrictive, traditional interpretation, but I have left the box to join an opinionated minority who favor opening up the boundaries. More than a few normally reliable on-line writers have declared THE LAST PICTURE SHOW a western or at least a “quasi Western” and I am fully on board with that interpretation. I did not however vote for ML, which is still one of the greatest of film masterpieces.
Yes Tim Burton’s DARK SHADOWS is one of the worst films I have seen in years, so bad that at least a few on-line friend/affiliates have tried to apply that quality as a booster for it’s entertainment quotient. I have not seen those other westerns, but am extremely grateful you have reported on them back here! I’d be very interested in hearing what you make of COPPERHEAD, as I am a long-time Civil War buff. But the reviews it received are universally awful. I mean to the tune of like 10 to 15% that had anything good to say about it. But we’ll see. Have a great week my friend. Many thanks as always!
Yeah, Copperhead isn’t looking good on RT, though it’s still a small sample. The consensus seems to be just as bad as for The Lone Ranger, though the stakes are far smaller.
Congrats to your graduate – oh those good children keep growing and moving forward. Good for parents to see them moving on.
Your trip to London sounds fabulous and it is about the same time as I went to the UK to celebrate my 60th birthday. I am so very happy I went.
Yankee Doodle Dandy is going to be a movie in the park this week, I think Wednesday followed by an Orchestra Concert on the 4th. I am excited to attend and also go to a picnic with my partner’s bicycle buddies.
We are caught in the grip of the Sequester and our State’s legislatures inability to pass a budget???? The retirement/buy out process has stopped at our house and we finally had to let some folks go at our architectural firm. We are working hard to try and turn this around The KOCH brothers are spending millions of dollars to control this Independent state and the people are furious. I am hoping that folks can rally and boot them out the door. They are also attempting to purchase our PBS affiliate here. But they have certainly created huge problems in our state – especially for the successful Green Energy Folks here in the state. This is taking up the majority of our time these days and keeping the work stopped. I am extremely happy I purchased a CSA (Community supported agriculture) which includes chicken back in January –
Why do these folks want to despoil this beautiful state and ruin so many lives?
AARGH
No movies right now – especially with this record setting heat wave!
Patricia—-
Thank you kindly for the very nice words about Danny and the family! Wow, great that you also went over to the U.K. for your birthday. I’m sure you have a wonderful time. I will be keeping you abreast of some of the priceless places we visit and moments we all share. It will be two weeks forever etched in our minds. As to the coming week, I do realize YANKEE DOODLE DANDY will be showing in a lot of places. I’m also figuring on 1776 as well. The picnic and holiday concert sound fantastic my friend! I’m sure you’ll have a great time, providing you don’t have too much humidity to deal with. That’s a very sad state of affairs in the government and political circles, and it stands to reason that so many people will be adversely affected. Everywhere there are various problems, but yours is unique. You’ve done what you can and can only hope that some people come to their senses. The “Koch brothers” seem like some of our worst movie villains. Ugh. And right at the end you also note the heat wave, and you are on the opposite end of the country! I hope the situation will improve my friend. Have a great holiday week and thanks as always!
Sam –
Your up-and-coming jaunt across “the pond” is going to be beyond amazing! I’m so excited for you and yours. Pay close attention…there will be a brief window of time on the train ride to Edinburgh where the scenery will lead you to believe that you’re on your way to Harry Potter’s alma mater, Hogwarts.
Danny looks great in the graduation photograph, and I’m sure he appreciated the “spirited” ceremony to celebrate junior high being in the rearview mirror, with high school looming in the windshield.
I LOVE YANKEE DOODLE DANDY – and I’ll probably have the tunes in my head until the fireworks are well behind us!
Ha Laurie! Yes that 14 day jaunt across the pond will be the subject of discussion well into the future, and no doubt for my kids too long after we’re gone. I will be maintaining an intense gaze on that train, as will my Harry Potter loving kids! I can well imagine the pictorial beauty we’ll be treated to. And as I well remember you and your family were in Scotland we’ll be sharing notes afterward. Thanks so much for the kind words about Danny. yep his smile underlined his delight at the event. I love that mirror metaphor for the movement from one scholastic level to another!! And I figured you’d be a big fan of YANKEE DOODLE DANDY too! I also loved the film, but never knew how much until yesterday at the Film Forum. Have a great week my friend. Many thanks as always!
Sam,
Congratulations to your son Danny and he ventures into the next phase of his life. Continued success! YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, despite its corn is an excellent entertaining musical and Cagney is brilliant. A real treat to catch it on the big screen. On the home front here I recently signed up with a new website for my photographs and have spent the past few days loading pictures and well as a bit of design. For anyone who is interested here is a link.
http://1-john-greco.artistwebsites.com/
On the movie front I caught just three films this past week…
The Outfit (***1/2) Underrated crime film from the early 1970’s. The acting, led by Robert Duvall is good, but the direction is rather flat.
Horizons West (***) Minor western directed by Budd Boetticher. Decent enough but not in the same league as some of his other works. Good cast.
Rock and Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen (***1/2) Bob Gruen shot some of the most iconic photographs of many music icons including the legendary photograph of John Lennon flashing a peace sign as he stands in front of the Statue of Liberty. Gruen has captured in his lens other greats like The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Debbie Harry, Patti Smith and Johnny Rotten among many others. The film does get a bit repetitive and could have used some editing but the photos are memorable.
.
John—
Thanks so very much! And congrats on your new photographic ventures. Many of your pictures are stunning. So much so in fact that I had to have some of them, and acquired them via the greeting card option. And a few more have caught our eyes, so we’ll put in another order next week. I urge everyone to be ravished by these visual treasures. Of course I completely agree with you on YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, and remember the great review you penned on it a while back. And can’t agree with you more on the weaker Boetticher and THE OUTFIT. I still need to see ROCK AND ROLL EXPOSED. Have a great week my friend, and best of luck with the new photography site!!
Congrats to Danny on the pivotal milestone! I still recall my 8th grade graduation and the summer that followed very fondly.
Thanks very much David! I remember mine too but alas just faintly now, as the years continue to pass by. Ugh.
And holy crap! Have fun on the vacation to the British Isles! Truly great that you are able to do that with the kids before they hit adulthood. Is this the first time to Europe? I’ll be taking my first (of hopefully many) skip(s) across the pond later in the year. Very exciting!
Yes this is the entire family’s first trip to Europe. I’ve been to Aruba (honeymoon), Florida twice (once with family to Disney World) and to other destinations in the US including last summer’s short trek to Chicago and Cleveland. So yes this will be monumental. I look forward to sharing notes with you my friend.
Many thanks for the recent exposure Sam, and to DeeDee for the sidebar link.
Have a great trip and hoping the weather is good for you. Shades of the The Thirty-Nine Steps in your planned rail journey to Edinburgh. In fact, quite a few of John Buchan’s novels feature rail journeys and pursuits. For a thriller writer his depictions of the British country-side are quite lyrical.
I have been watching some b-noirs, which sadly didn’t amount to much. But there was a highlight in my film viewing last week – Abel Gance’s Blind Venus (1941) “Vénus aveugle” (original title) English sub-titles only very recently becoming available. A truly magnificent movie that has masterpiece status for me – melodrama with epic emotional sweep and a heroine to die for played with true pathos by the luminescent Viviane Romance. Set in a French port town, the moods of the sea in calm and in storm are harnessed through sublime montage and expressionist abstraction to enthrall your senses and seduce your sensibilities. Vive la Romance!
Tony—-
Thanks for the kind words about the trip! Allan always mentions how much rain they get, but I would have to think early to mid August would yield a far brighter scenario. That’s a wonderful embellishment of John Buchan’s depiction of the British countryside, and I’ll be thinking of that during that three-hour train ride from Kendal. We will also be visiting Carnford Station, which is closer to Allan’s home. It was of course where David Lean filmed BRIEF ENCOUNTER back in 1945, and according to Allan it has changed very little:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnforth_railway_station
I think the longest train ride will be the one to Kendal from London and back upon departure. But as I think of this upcoming trip I would say traveling will occupy a great part of the time. We need to focus then on what you advise! I love Abel Gance of course, as no less that three of his silent works are among the cinema’s great masterpieces, but I have not seen BLIND VENUS, and am very excited by this stellar assessment! Wow, you pose some beautiful descriptive prose that seems to make it essential. I will definitely be watching it in the near future.
Thanks as always my friend! Have a great week!
Hello Sam and everyone!
Nice to hear about the trip preparations and all that stuff, looking forward to the pictures and the final report, as always, an essential read!
I attended the Festival of Documentary of Santiago, and this is what I managed to see last week:
– …A Valparaiso (1965, Joris Ivens) **** Playing at the Chris Marker retrospective, this particular short was written by him but directed by Joris Ivens. It’s an acurate depiction of Valparaiso that surprises today because of how much it still works to how the city looks and works nowadays. The explosion of colour near the end is beautiful and a nice touch that makes the short a must see for everyone.
– The Battle of Chile – Part 3 (1979, Patricio Guzmán) ****1/2 What a powerful and telling documentary at this particular time, this should be seen by every one who doesn’t believe in the power of the people when they become organized to better the society in which they live in. The power to the people, and the people to the power is a need today more than in any other era, it is now when we are seeing, thanks to the internet, that people are having more more more power than ever. I hope that in a near future Chile can truly be the ideal place for the people that live in it, not a paradise for free commerce or capitalism or people who just want to abuse of the workers and our materials. Maybe I can live to see that day, and I’m sure that I’ll make most of it to make it possible.
– Le Bonheur.. terre promisé (2011, Laurent Hasse) ***1/2 An experiment birthed out of pain and an accident, a near-death experience that starts up an experience that puts him at the edge of what really means to be alive and to be happy. The director and protagonist of this documentary decides to walk France, following a road and recording every day and every connection he has with people from all the towns and roads of France. At the same time as certain people are truly interesting and at times funny, there are other times where the questions regarding happiness and where it is aren’t that different from one or another. Still, as a film about a long walk and talking to people it’s pretty damn watchable, it’s a shame that it wasn’t a bit more than what it was at the end.
– The Case of the Grinning Cat (2004, Chris Marker) ****1/2 Really one of the strongest political documentaries out there, and how it tells its way about politics through the cultural elements of life is just impressive. The grinning cat is an image that must be a world patrimony, it’s just that important to acknowledge its strength. I like how when Marker says that he will go find the original source of the cat, he doesn’t go to the creator of the image, but to his own memories (and the memories of films) to the first time he actually saw the picture in the public. Incredible with its play of voiceovers and images, still images, transformations, Marker was an innovator and a master of filmmaking.
– Evil Dead (2013, Fede Alvarez) **** Not even near the most terrifying film I’ve ever experienced (The Exorcist would be that), but it sure competes to the bloodiest (between this and Dead Alive, it’s… hard to tell really), and I think that the whole spectacle, while well filmed and acted, still lacks something that the charm of the first one still has in its veins and can be seen every time that’s being rewatched. It’s not a grueling film, it’s not supposed to be a gross out enduring test, it’s supposed to be a fun little film that a bunch of friends put their soul, blood and tears into. This film had it much more easy, and maybe that’s why it’s so underwhelming and unmemorable when it’s finished, which is not to say that it’s bad, it’s really good, but you just can’t compare masterpieces with their remakes, they always come out loosing, and since “The Evil Dead” is my 4th favorite film of all time… this didn’t have much chance.
– We Need Happiness (2011, Alexei Jankowski, Aleksandr Sokurov) **1/2 A documentary about a russian guy that finds himself in a deep midorient country talking to a russian old woman who happens to live there. It’s boring and endless even if it barely crosses the hour mark, this isn’t what documentary was made for, the story picks up when it tries to look at the general picture and not the individual stories about the russian woman. Lacking in many many aspects.
– La Maison de la radio (2013, Nicolas Philibert) **** Reviewed it for Twitch here http://twitchfilm.com/2013/06/fidocs-2013-review-la-maison-de-la-radio-is-audiovisual-fun.html
– Mejunje (2012, Juan Manuel Gamazo) ***1/2 Cuban documentary about an entertainment/cultural place in a small town, used for many things, music, circus and other activities, it also follows some people walking around the town. It’s observational and at times it tries to be like a city symphony, but when its grounded to the events that happen culturally is much more interesting.
– Museum Hours (2012, Jem Cohen) ****1/2 Maybe the best film that I’ll see this festival, and maybe one of those films that not many will appreciate immediatly, but for me it works exactly as its supposed to be, it’s a personal film in terms of how it tells about an obsession with museums and art in general, how art lives and intervenes with the presence of life and death of human beings, and how art is inherently the presence of life and death of all humanity put in certain moment of infinitude. The film is also funny and insanely entertaining, and for a film called Museum Hours that is a complete surprise. I didn’t expect to love it, I expected static shots for hour and a half of art, but instead I was given a class on history of art, a funny look at two truly great characters and at the same time an emotional story. Who could expect that the best film of a documentary festival isn’t strictly a documentary?
– Olympus Has Fallen (2013, Antoine Fuqua) **1/2 Yeah, no. I mean, why would you risk the lives of everyone in South Korea just to have the illusion of a promise from a goddamn terrorist that your president won’t be killed? Why even consider or carry out that option? And why does this movie doesn’t take charge of the actual situation and difficulty of addressing the issues between koreans of north and south, something that is much much more complicated than stated here, though I guess it’s an action film, I also guessed that Fuqua was a smarter person. Still, the action is thrilling and the special effects are goddamn awful… and for some reason the acting is compelling from every non-asian actor, Freeman is good and so is Butler, who is really believable in this particular film after a flock of disasters and comedies and whatever movies. The film is still bad though, but not… you know, terrible.
– Pena de muerte (2012, Tevo Díaz) ****1/2 Chilean film documentary on competition at FIDOCS, I’ll write more about this one at Twitch and shall be published soon enough!
– Quiero morirme dentro de un tiburón (2012, Sofía Paloma Gómez) **** A documentary under an hour about a psychological clinic for kids, where they have activities and interactions with other kids as well as professionals working for their betterment. There’s a framing decission here and there that elevates the material to much much more to what originally could’ve acomplished.
– La rencontre (1996, Alain Cavalier) **1/2 A french documentary on the director himself and his wife, his life with her, the gifts they’ve made to each other, and why the hell do I care about all this stuff? There’s some early experimentation, and the whole thing is commendable in the sense that he had the balls to release it, but beyond that, I never had any feelings for the couple.
– Remembrance of Things to Come (2003, Yannick Bellon, Chris Marker) **** A short that makes a case for the historical power of photographies, the capability of an artist to accurately describe the lives and the times of the people that are contemporanean to her. While this is a joint venture, it keeps the Chris Marker elements that makes us love his ability to combine and give life and motion to still images. One of his late works and a truly strong one.
– La última estación (2012, Cristián Soto, Catalina Vergara) *** Chilean documentary about an eldery house and how the incommunication and silence is slowly killing them. The fact that this is 90 minutes long kills the whole purpose of the film itself, it’s boring and repeats itself too many times on an issue that it’s hard to have any other opinion than a negative one.
– Forget Me Not (2012, David Sieveking) ****1/2 Come here ladies and gentlemen, here we have a new voice of personal documentaries, someone whose style is distinct and at the same time deep in its analysis of its own personal experience and at the same time with a visual eye towards emotional storytelling, I present to you: David Sieveking. After this and ‘David Wants to Fly’ (2010), this german director has managed to make a name for himself in terms of how his documentaries are made with him in the middle yet at the same time managing to be universal and himself maintaining a likeable attitude, that at times it’s lovable, not something that most directors of documentaries can say about themselves most of the time. This work is emotional and riveting, funny and poignant, a great work from a mature artist.
Have a nice week Sam!
Jaimie—
Thanks as always my friend! I am calling this the trip of a lifetime in large measure because all seven of us are going on it. Funding for such a venture with that kind of complete participation is not something that will offer very often, and as it’s the first trek to Europe it’s very special. I will of course have a full roundup, probably the Monday after the return home on August 21st. Your comprehensive report on the Santiago documentary venue is a real stunner! You have had an astonishing week, and have come back here with a remarkable report! I have only seen the Marker (GRINNING CAT), though it ties for you with MUSEUM HOURS as the most astounding title in the festival. I do obviously need to see the latter film, and much appreciate your fantastic capsule analysis. THE BATTLE OF CHILE though is another! Geez, what a bleak picture it paints. And I have always known of your high regard with EVIL DEAD (and it’s sequel for that matter) and do strongly concur with you on that position. I am not surprised one iota this remake is far less, though your rate still puts it in the “strongly recommended” category. I would love to see “A Valparaiso” as well. And congratulations on the splendid review of LA MAISON for Twitch!! Great work! Oh, and then there is FORGET ME NOT, which is also essential. Again, a spectacular report and many thanks as always. You need a rest this week. Ha!
Sam, congrats on Danny’s graduation. I forgot abour your trip. It sounds incredible and hope all of you have a great time.
Also, thanks so much for the mention and your wonderful comments. I have certainly enjoyed viewing all these Westerns so far and am now catching up on many films that I had put on hold for the last few months while I took in all those amazing Westerns. But I am finding it hard to watch other genres now 🙂
Thanks so much Sachin for the nice words about Danny’s graduation. With college coming up soon for Melanie and Sammy, and some pressing home repairs on the top level of a priority list I must admit the decision to pull the trigger on the U.K. trip at this time is one to seriously second-guess in view of the exorbitant sum it is setting us back. We will feel this for a few years I’m sure. But if we didn’t go now I wonder when we would have gone. The trip has been on the horizon for a very long time, and in another sense this was the window to go through. Your work on the western poll has been astounding, and I did read at your site that this was a genre that you originally relished. I hear you too on the difficulty to me away once you are there. The genre offers many captivating films for sure! Have a great week my friend. Many thanks as always.
Sam,
Nice picture of Danny! Great smile ever. Conglatulations!
As for my Life highlights, I left my job a few weeks ago. It’s one of those “early retirement” plans with huge incentives, so I took it. I have no regret. It was a pathetic environment to work for, anyway. I would rather go jobless than stay and whine all day at work. In any case, I started to look around for a job and I keep my spirit high!
So I have extra free time at hand, I saw quite a few movies lately. THE GREAT GATSBY was even more disappointing than I had expected. I don’t know, but it seems like the ghost of Fitzgerald throwing a curse on anyone trying visualization of his imagination. OBLIVION was a standard SF distopia story, and it wasn’t as bad. Digital screening of Victor Seastrom’s PHANTOM CARRIAGE at Shibuya was fantastic. Brooding and gloomy, it’s one of those films I need to see more than once. (I was surprised to see the inspiration for “Here’s Johnny” scene in Kubrick’s SHINING. Was Andrei Tarkovsky also inspired by it?)
Sadly, THE THIRD MAN at the same theater was the battered 16mm dupe of many generations, and the cloudy images were disservice to otherwise brilliant cinematography.
Thanks for the mention!
MI
MI—-
Thanks so much for the nice words about Danny! I am very surprised to hear this monumental news from you in regards to the retirement. But if you have no regrets and have grown to tire of the working conditions I can’t say I blame you one bit, especially with the package and the option to gain other employment. I hope you come back with some very good news on that front, and I wish you the very best. Many people who retire stateside invariable find another position so they can collect the pension and the salary from the new job. But the silver lining is indeed that you will find much more time. Your view of THE GREAT GATSBY is alas shared by the majority. I am pretty much in agreement with you on OBLIVION, and am just as celebratory when discussing Seastrom’s great silent masterpiece! That was obviously the big highlight of your week, seeing it on the big screen and with the pristine print! Excellent reference points there, and I’d have to think Tarkovsky was greatly inspired by it. The film is very well-served on the Criterion blu-ray of course, but there is nothing to match the way you saw it. Too bad about THE THIRD MAN though. Robert Krasker’s stunning cinematography deserved far better than that. Thanks as always my friend–the best of luck to you, and have a great week!
Thanks a lot Sam for the mention. I sure can understand your looking forward to your trip to UK. I hope you have a great time there with your family & catching up with Alan Fish (though of course there’s still time before the trip begins).
Here’s what I managed to watch in the past week:
– Boetticher’s taut & muscular Western, The Tall T
– The absolutely marvelous Spanish drama, Death of A Cyclist
– Oshima’s renowned breakthrough film, Cruel Story of the Youth (aka Naked Youth)
– The fine John Wayne-vehicle, Hondo
Indeed Shubhajit. We have five weeks to go yet. Because I am teaching summer school I have no doubt it will move slowly. But heck I don’t want to wish our lives away, so I’m content to let it happen when it will happen. Ha! THE TALL T is a stone cold western masterpiece! And so is DEATH OF A CYCLIST in my opinion! The Oshima is very good, even if it falls short of his greatest films, but I’d love to read your take on it at CINEMASCOPE! HONDO is certainly entertaining, though as I’m sure you’ll agree nothing special. Have a great week my friend. many thanks as always. You are really covering the western genre in a big way.
I would have loved to be there for Yankee Doodle Dandy Sam! But I would not have appreciated being caught on the Gay Pride Parade traffic.
Your upcoming trip is practically to die for.
Ah Frank, I wish you were there as well. The gridlock though that followed was no frolic in the park. Drivers were losing patience. I am not sure the trip is to die for (ha!) but I like that analogy. Have a great week my friend!
Hope you, Lucille and the kids are enjoying the Fourth, Sam. I trust you have some plans with family. You know I am catching up with some paperwork, but hope to be done with it by lunchtime. Sue and I saw ‘World War Z.’ It was undeniably entertaining, the the human story was pretty lame. Congratulations to Dan the Man!
Peter, I brought the entire family up to my friend Tony Lucibello’s Montvale, New Jersey home for an outdoor barbeque. The kids has a ball playing badminton for much of the time. My daughter Melanie saw WORLD WAR Z with her friends, but I have thus far resisted it. I may give it a whirl this weekend if possible, though there are a few other films I would like to see. I’ll keep in mind what you said. Thanks for the kind words about Danny, and enjoy the extended weekend!
Hi ! Sam Juliano, Allan, WitD writers and readers…
I’m just stopping by to wish and hope that you, your family, and friends are enjoying this long holiday week-end… too !
First Of all, Congratulation ! are in order for your son Danny Juliano, here wishing him Good-luck ! as he soon will enter H.S…
Secondly, Congratulation ! are also in order as you and your family, are about to embark on a journey across the pond in order to see the sights and most importantly, to visit your very good friend, Allan Fish.
Thirdly, Congratulation ! on your upcoming western count-down…too ! [Unfortunately, I’m not a big fan Of western, but I have watched a few…Especially, films that are considered western-noir…]
…and Finally, I hope that you and your family, enjoyed Cagney, in the classic musical Yankee Doodle Dandy [-1942-]”I also noticed there is not a “weak” link in the bunch…too ! “20 Feet From Stardom,” and “That Night’s Wife [-1930]” with both Of the latter films receiving 3 or 4 stars… too !
Sam Juliano, Thanks, for sharing all the links and I hope that you have a great week-end… as usual.
[Note: I also like WP new interface…Which makes it simpler for me to add widgets… too ! ]
[Cont…]
deedee 🙂
Thanks so very much my great friend for the kind words for Danny and for the effervescent well wishes for the extended weekend. We all visited a lifelong friend and his wife and adult daughter and boyfriend, who live on a scenic cul-de-sac near the New York State border. We wound up staying there until late, but everybody had a great time, engaging in outdoor games, conversing and enjoying good food. We even got to hear and see some traditional fireworks from a short distance away! Yes the August trip is a major event in all our lives and I’ll be reporting on it with a bevy of reports, photos and references. Again, thanks for the very kind words! I completely understand that the western genre isn’t a particular favorite of yours, but there are indeed several western-noirs that would apply in this survey. Yes it was great to see YANKEE DOODLE DANDY and the foot-stomping James Cagney on the big screen as the most “appropriate” time of the year! Ha! Yes the other films seen this week were obviously worthwhile as well, especially that very fine music documentary. And this is the first I have heard about the new WP interface, and an the ensuing advantage of navigation! Excellent news. Thanks as ever my friend. I trust you have had a very good week as well!
What I have been watching and reading lately…
In my mail-box…
2 film noir books have arrived…Film Noir:FAQ:all that left to know about Hollywood golden age Of Dames, Detectives, and Danger by David J.Hogan…[with one Of my favorite actor gracing the cover actor Glenn Ford.]
and Film Noir Graphics: Where Danger Lives by Alain Silver and James Ursini…[another one Of my favorite actor is on the book cover actor Robert Mitchum.]
[Note: The former book seems as if it’s going to be an interesting read and the latter book looks nice too [with very informative tidbits [and information about each posters and film from The Golden Age Of Hollywood.]…
Now, with that said, if asked what book that I would recommend to a fan Of film noir who was interested in purchasing a book on film noir poster…
…I would still recommend author Eddie Muller’s “The Art Of Noir:Posters and Graphics From The Classic Film Noir Era…” By Eddie Muller]
Please keep in mind, I’m not comparing Muller’s book to Silver and Ursini’s book…I just think that Muller’s book set the “gold standard” for what all Noir poster books should be all about…Just saying ! ]
What I plan to watch and what I’m watching…
I will soon be receiving the following film noir from my dvd-sellers: Muller on TCM, a film noir called “The Fake,” starring Dennis O’Keeffe and Coleen Gray…“The Case Of the Black Parrot,” starring William Lundigan,
I also plan to watch “The Canterbury Tale,” “The Small Back-room,” and Between Midnight and Dawn,” over there on my FYI website…
…If I like the films I will purchase the films.
[Note: This will be my first-time watching all Of these films…If I like the films after viewing them on you-tube I may purchase or add them to my cart.] and the 1948…“Sign Of The Ram…” I have watched this film, but when it aired on TCM recently, I asked my dvd-seller to capture a upgraded copy.
Once again, Sam Juliano, Allan Fish, Tony D’Ambra and WitD readers, I hope that you have a great week… too !
deedee 🙂
Dee Dee—-
Thanks so very much for the spirited re-cap of the reading and viewing itinerary which contains some terrific choices! I would have to agree that the Muller collection does set the standard in noirish bravado, and what better way to introduce the genre than with visual reference points. I do like Silver and Ursini quite a bit, and well remember that it was you my friend, who sent on that essential Film Noir encyclopedia that is invaluable to me up to the present day. The Muller DVD sounds most interesting and I do know THE FAKE and THE CASE OF THE BLACK PARROT. As far as Powell & Pressberger’s A CANTERBURY TALE and THE SMALL BACK-ROOM, these are minor (or for some major) classics. I think you will be very impressed! As far as BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN, that’s a great titles and Diskant and Duning do great work with the cinematography and score. SIGN OF THE RAM sounds interesting too! Thanks again my cherished friend, and once again your painstaking work on the side-bar for the holiday and for recent film events has brought the place alive!!! Thanks a hundred times over. And much appreciate the spirited report!
“We’re all forgotten sooner or later. But not films. That’s all the memorial we should need or hope for.”
~Burt Lancaster~
[I’m not sure when he exactly, he [Lancaster] said, this and in what context…[?]
By the way, I find it funny that actor Burt Lancaster, would say that about films…
…Because this most definitely, is no longer true…I feel that there would be no need for the Film Noir Foundation or other Foundations that work hard at preserving films.
Therefore, I plan to have a Noir Writer Contest this month.
[In honour Of author Eddie Muller, recent stint over there on TCM] in order to not benefit the winners Of my contest, but to benefit the
Film Noir Foundation too!
Christmas in July ! ]
Thanks,
deedee 🙂
Dee Dee–
The esteemed Mr. Lancaster, one of our greatest actors ever did make some rather curious statements, and the one you point out above is an excellent example. We do indeed have the Film Noir Foundation and others that will keep the candle burning with passion and vigor “Christmas in July” indeed, that is yet another great venture being planned with the noir writer contest and I would love to kept up to date on it’s progression if that’s possible! Thanks again!.
Hi ! Sam Juliano, Allan, Tony, WitD writers and readers…
…Here goes a list Of all the films that the Film Noir Foundation have:played a part in the Restorations, Preservation, [Paid for by the FNF] and the rescue Of…the 1950 film noir…
“Woman on the Run “ (1950) (digital copy from 35mm before only print was destroyed in a fire a couple Of years ago.)
[By the way, The copy Of “Woman on the Run” is author Eddie Muller’s copy and there is a great story behind the saving Of “Woman on the Run” which will probably, be released here in the United States too on DVD…Because it’s available in France.]
[I think that this information is only Of interests to truly “die-heart” film noir fans, but I [also] hope people who like films in general would find it Of interests too !]
merci,
deedee 🙂
Absolutely fantastic Dee Dee!!!!!
The restoration scroll really has me overcome with enthusiasm:
Preservations
Fostered and screened by the FNF; paid for by
film studios
I Love Trouble (1948)
Night Has 1000 Eyes (1948)
Alias Nick Beal (1949)
Strangers In the Night (1944)
Naked Alibi (1954)
Slaughter on 10th Avenue (1957)
The Great Gatsby (1949)
I have been wwaiting for such an announcement on ALIAS NICK BEAL for quite some time! And great to hear that Eddie Muller has singlehandedly saved WOMAN ON THE RUN for posterity! Awesome!
Sam, I apologize for the very late response.
First off, congratulations on Danny’s graduation. That is an absolute life highlight!
It’s been way too quiet for me on the movie-watching front. Just one of those periods. But you have piqued my interest in 20 FEET FROM STARDOM and believe it or not, I still need to see YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, which I will make a point to do sooner than later.
Hope you’re having a great week. Thanks, Sam, for all you do!
Jeffrey, there is never a late response here, much less from you whose friendship and loyalty is beyond anything I could have ever expected at this site. That you always find time to say hello and appraise me of the latest is an eternal joy, and one I can never thank you enough for! Thanks for the great words about Danny, which of course I agree with you completely on. I am certain that 20 FEET FROM STARDOM is your cup of tea! And YANKEE DOODLE DANDY will have you smiling. Thanks again my friend. You are the best! Have a great week!