Classic and James Bond films unite
Mrs Miniver (1942) was one of the many films my grandmother took my mother and her brother to see when they were children. In those days, little independent theatres still showed classic films regularly. I wonder how my grandmother felt watching the film in that little darkened cinema, her two small children beside her. She had… Continue reading This Too Shall Pass: Mrs Miniver (1942)
When I was a teenager, I watched the 1999 adaptation of Graham Greene's novel, and fell in love with it. It had such a wonderful balance of romance, tragedy and theological inquiry. Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore had such incredible chemistry and intensity as the doomed wartime and post war lovers. And so I felt… Continue reading God, can you hear me? Van Johnson in “The End of the Affair” (1955)
Audrey Hepburn is pretty much the epitome of a pop culture phenomenon. Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley are probably only really up there with Audrey in regards to how iconic their outward appearance was, how much this defined their resonance with the masses. From tote bags to purses to fridge magnets, Audrey's face, in all… Continue reading The Queen of “The Look”: Miss Audrey Hepburn
This post contains spoilers and graphic content. Please be advised that you may turn into a fly humanoid after reading this. You've been warned. Man's tendency to act like a god and try to control and obliterate nature's tenets has been explored many times, most famously in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. What Shelley explored and taught… Continue reading The Madness of Miracles: Jeff Goldblum in “The Fly” (1986)
I am absolutely thrilled that the day my lovely co-host, Crystal, and I have been waiting for, has arrived! For the next two days we will be celebrating one of the greatest acting trios and most famous siblings to ever grace the sawdust stage and silver screen! So without further ado (yes, John, that includes… Continue reading Introducing Acting Royalty: The Fifth Annual Trilogy Barrymore Blogathon has cometh!
My grandfather's parents were Cornish immigrants. They worked hard, but they were considered very "working class". My grandfather decided that he would be cultured, he would ball dance like a dream, he would sing beautifully and be dashingly handsome. He would be a matinee idol of sorts. When I think of my grandfather I think… Continue reading Sweet Prince: A Tribute to John Barrymore
As many of you know, horror is my thang. But Gothic horror is what really gets me going. Nothing like reading about aristocrats who have secretly been feasting of peasants for a hundred years or watching films where the shadows are so deep, they hide a myriad of monsters. There are so many classics in this genre,… Continue reading Dark and Deep: The Gothic Horror Blogathon
Jane Austen is one of the most famous British authors to ever live. Her books, which centre on young women living during the Georgian era, are filled with wit, love, realism and the question of whether marriage can ever be conceived through love in a society obsessed with social position and money. Her novel, published… Continue reading The Importance of First Impressions: Pride and Prejudice (2005)
As Classic Film Fans we often talk about the stars of classic cinema being great in the singular, as in Joan Crawford was spectacular or Myrna Loy's capacity for shade was untouchable. But what we often don't talk about is how fantastic it was when two classic film stars came together and made the perfect… Continue reading Lake and Ladd: The Perfect Pair
When I first watched Dead Reckoning (1947), I hadn't the faintest idea what it was about or who was in it. When I saw Bogie's name appear on the screen I thought "Well now we're in for a treat". I had no idea who Lizabeth Scott was either. I'm glad that I know now. As… Continue reading Either it’s real or it isn’t: Dead Reckoning (1947)
Pale Writer 