Classic and James Bond films unite
Strange Cargo (1940) is not an easy film to describe. It has elements of drama, romance, adventure and tragedy. It is all these things, but it does not fit neatly into any of these genres. It could perhaps be compared to I Was A Fugitive of a Chain Gang, with its frank depiction of prison… Continue reading Into the Wilderness: Clark Gable in “Strange Cargo” (1940)
The Barrymores are entertainment royalty. Their influence in the world of entertainment is almost incalculable. If you are familiar with their work, you will come to realise how many homages have been paid to them, how many performers have affectionately imitated them (like Douglas Fairbanks Jr in Our Modern Maidens (1929), and how their legacy has inspired… Continue reading Announcing the Fifth Annual Barrymore Trilogy Blogathon
It may seem strange to choose a nun as the subject for a post written for The Reel Infatuation Blogathon. But, it is not strange when you think of the tremendous courage of both the character, based on a real woman of this marrow, and the actress who played her, who had these same traits.… Continue reading Obedience, that impossible thing: Audrey Hepburn as Sister Luke in “The Nun’s Story” (1959)
Heathers (1988) is undoubtedly one of the greatest teen films ever made. If you don't think so, stop reading now, honey pie, because that statement is a fact. Like Rebel Without A Cause, Foxes and The Breakfast Club, it shows that being a teenager is much like being in purgatory or limbo. You are no longer a child where you needed constant… Continue reading Que Que Sera Sera: Heathers (1988)
Last year November I took part in Noirvember's delightfully dark shadows and winding back alley plots. And I discovered a myriad of wonderful films that I had never heard of or had the opportunity to see, and one of these was The Big Combo (1955). I knew absolutely nothing about the film except that Cornel… Continue reading A Dark Web: Cornel Wilde as Lt. Leonard Diamond
Joan always adored her fans. They were her life and the reason she carried on acting and producing memorable, touching and brilliant performances for her entire career. For Joan, improving her craft was for her audience, as she knew they would be there long after she had gone, different audiences over different periods. And because… Continue reading The Queen Rests: A Wrap up of the Joan Crawford: Queen of the Silver Screen Blogathon
In a career that spanned almost fifty years, Joan starred in almost every type of Woman's Picture, and played almost every kind of part in the genre, as well as starring in almost every other kind of genre, and playing almost every type of role in those genres, too. But Joan's later films are often… Continue reading What A Dame: Joan’s Four Essential Later Performances
As many of you know, Alan Ladd means a lot to me. He's my favourite classic male film star, and I have spent many happy hours trying to watch as many films of his as possible. I've also started a blog series dedicated to him and have written a number of articles that feature his… Continue reading Announcing The Man Who Would Be Shane: The Alan Ladd Blogathon
Doris Day is an actress who I've always known about but only recently really become aware of. I seem to be saying that a lot lately. Remember John Barrymore? It's rather strange really, because Doris was not only admired by my gran, but also has the distinction of being the biggest box office draw in… Continue reading Calamity Doris
Sharpe, which ran from 1993 to 1997 with fourteen episodes and then had two specials in 2006 and 2008, is one of my absolute favourite British television series. It's right up there with Agatha Christie's Poirot and Morse for me as an example of a series that is not only quintessentially British, but quintessential quality. This is largely to do… Continue reading Viva la Sharpe: Sharpe’s Revenge
Pale Writer 