Blog of the Week: Thrilling Days of Yesteryear

Ivan  G. Shreve, Jr. describes Thrilling Days of Yesteryear as “a blog that revels in the good old days—when black-and-white movies weren't necessarily bad things, when people listened to a radio for entertainment...and when unreality shows (talking horses, witches, genies, monsters and martians) ruled the television airwaves.”

Thrilling Days of Yesteryear can be found at: http://thrillingdaysofyesteryear.blogspot.com/.

Click on the links below to view some of the recent posts at Thrilling Days of Yesteryear:

RIP Ronald Neame

Mayberry Mondays #8: The Church Play

Crime does not pay (as well as it used to) #4

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Blog of the Week: Java's Journey

In Java's world, a Classic Movie is "one that fits somewhere between the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s."  Java also occasionally explores Honorary Classics, which are "those films which do not fit the loosely strict definition." The blog is Java's "journey through classic films. I gush over my favorite bits of vintage cinema (stories from in front of or behind the camera) and I explore the parts of this vast genre of history that I don't yet know."

You can visit Java's Journey at: http://javabeanrush.blogspot.com/

Recent posts at Java's Journey include:

Les Miserables (1935)

Watch Classic Movies for Free This Summer with Screen on the Green

Robert Wagner's Autobio Pieces of My Heart

Bend of the River (1952)

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Blog of the Week: FilmPhiles

FilmPhiles is a place for lovers of film to gather, to share their love of films and film-making, to enjoy each others' company, and to have fun! The members of FilmPhiles review: silent, pre-code, and foreign films; film noir; screwball cinema; television series; and film turkeys. They also profile actors, actresses, directors, and even animal stars!

You can visit FilmPhiles at: http://filmphiles.blogspot.com/

Recent posts at FilmPhiles include:

Frank Capra: That Certain Thing (1928)
John Barrymore--Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920)
Gilby's Favorite TV Actresses--The Top Five!
Bernadette (the dog)

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Blog of the Week: Silent Stanzas

Silent Stanzas is a unique classic movie blog devoted to poetry, photographs, and anecdotes about silent film. Here's a reprint from Avalon76's poem about Douglas Fairbanks:

His Majesty, the American

Oh Douglas Fairbanks! Has there ever been

A name which conjures up such suave finesse?

You were like nothing else they'd ever seen,

Your wit and humor bright and effortless;

Add in your strength and athlete's nimble air

And there was born a modern Musketeer -

So likeable that even an affair

With Mary made the audiences cheer.

As Robin Hood, or Baghdad's swarthy Thief
You made a genre single-handedly,
The "costume picture" to this day is strong -
Just one part of your lasting legacy.
Through ninety years, the public you've delighted...
It wasn't only artists you united!

Silent Stanzas can be found at:  http://silentstanzas.blogspot.com/.

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Blog of the Week: Purviance, Chaplin, cinema e solidão

The CMBA's only foreign language blog is administered by Carla Marino, a self-professed compulsive reader, film buff and writer. Carla's blog is a mixture of classic movie reviews (Gene Kelly's Invitation to the Dance), recent celebrity news (Kate Jackson's financial woes), and interesting lists (the best ten films of Charlie Chaplin).

Purviance, Chaplin, cinema e solidão can be found at: http://purviance13.blogspot.com/.

Click on the links below to view some of the recent reviews at Purviance, Chaplin, cinema e solidão:

Gene Kelly's Invitation to the Dance

Ten Best Films of Charles Chaplin

Julie Andrews Returns to the Stage after 30 years

A New Film Biography of Cantinflas

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Blog of the Week: The Life, Times and Thoughts of a Classic Filmfan

ClassicFilmfan is "the kind of girl that would rather read the National Geographic in the dentist's waiting room than gossip magazines, that likes fruit tea, loves coffee and adores cappuchino, is a parttime insomniac, watches the Golden Girls comedy series religiously and gets up in the middle of the night to watch a classic movie."

At her blog site, she discusses her thoughts on how to get family & friends to love classic films, Disney jazz, Jane Russell in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and a wide array of other movie-related topics.

The Life, Time and Thoughts of Classic Filmfan can be found at: http://writingsofaclassicfilmfan.blogspot.com/

Click on the links below to view some of the recent reviews at The Life, Time and Thoughts of Classic Filmfan:

Rivers and Films do have something in common

"You are an Ingrid!"

Quotes and a Drawing III: Casablanca

Life is a film...sometimes

I think I'm going to start a Grace Kelly library

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Blog of the Week: 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

Kim Wilson's blog 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die was inspired by Steven Jay Schneider's book of the same title. Kim's ambitious goal is to watch each of the 1001 movies and review them on her blog site. She is off to a great start, having reviewed 70 films already. Each review includes a comprehensive plot summary, production details, well-written critical analysis, and a rating from "excellent" to "horrible".

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die can be found at: http://1001moviesblog.blogspot.com/.

Click on the links below to view some of the recent reviews at 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die:

Destry Rides Again (1939)

Scarface: The Shame of a Nation (1932)

Trouble in Paradise (1932)

Carmen Jones (1954)

Shanghai Express (1932)

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Blog of the Week: Warren-William.com

On his blog site Warren-William.com, Cliff Aliperti states in his introduction: "Had you asked me ten years ago who my favorite actor of all time was I would have probably answered either Clark Gable or Humphrey Bogart, perhaps Orson Welles if my mind was running on a slightly higher plane that day. But our digital age has granted us exposure to so many more stars of the past that while I still love all of those actors, plus so many more, not one of them does any more for me today than a far lesser known star of the thirties and forties by the name of Warren William. I have a strong feeling that if you can already picture Warren William just by mention of his name, then you may already agree–this site is for you and for those who are just discovering Warren William for the first time."

Warren-William.com contains film reviews, clippings, collectibles--just about everything you could want to know about the celebrated actor.

Warren-William.com can be found at: http://warren-william.com/blog/.

Click on the links below to visit some of the most recent posts at Warren-William.com:

Warren William as Perry Mason in The Case of the Curious Bride

Published "Strange Wills" Episode Guide with Reviews

That's Warren William Not Williams

My Top 10 Introduction to Warren William Recommendations

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Blog of the Week: The Vintage Vamp

The Vintage Vamp writes: "I'm a child of the 80's, who is also in love with a few decades I grew up nowhere near. I can't seem to get enough of the films, the music, and the classic style of the 20s-40s and started this homage as an outlet for myself and others who feel the same. xoxo!"

Her blog contains reviews of classic films and profiles of classic performers--actors, actresses, and singers. Earlier this year, the Vintage Vamp counted down a list of her top male and female stars. She also participated in For the Love of Film: The Film Preservation Blogathon.

The Vintage Vamp blog can be at: http://thevintagevamp.blogspot.com/.

Click on the links below to visit some of the most recent posts at The Vintage Vamp:

Radio Days (1987)

Kathryn Grayson (1922-2010)

The Musical Joys of I'll See You in My Dreams (1951)

Top 10 Actresses

My New Favorite Voice

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Blog of the Week: Carole & Co.

Carole & Co. is a blog about Carole Lombard and classic Hollywood. Naturally, it includes film reviews and biographical information about one of classic film's most revered actresses. It also profiles actors and actresses who worked with Ms. Lombard--from famous stars (William Powell) to lesser known supporting players (Louise Beavers).

Carole & Co. recently participated in two entertaining and informative blogathons:  For the Love of Film: The Film Preservation Blogathon and the CMBA's own Black History Month Classic Movie Blogathon.

Carole & Co. can be found at http://community.livejournal.com/carole_and_co/.

Click on the links below to view some of recent posts at Carole & Co.

Hello, Nurse (a review of Vigil in the Night)
Remebered at Home
Mr. Gable and Mr. Cohan
"Covering" Carole
Chase-ing Carole?

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Blog of the Week: Skeins of Thought

In her creatively-titled blog Skeins of Thought, Moira Finnie notes that she's "interested in cinema, the arts, and books....and tries to remind herself, and others, that when viewing this mad world, when it is dark enough, you can see the stars."

Skeins of Thought includes classic film reviews, profiles of filmmakers and performers, interviews with authors who write about the cinema, and links to web sites of interest to classic film lovers. It participated in two recent blogathons:  For the Love of Film - The Film Preservation Blogathon and the Black History Month Classic Movie Blogathon.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Skeins of Thought can be found at: 

http://moirasthread.blogspot.com/

Click on the links below to view some of recent posts at Skeins of Thought:

Kathryn Grayson Passes Away

Rex Ingram: We Both Have So Much to Learn

Moonrise (1948)

Pitfall (1948): Good Dreams Are Harder to Keep

The Christmas Album: Fred MacMurray and June Haver

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Blog of the Week: Kevin's Movie Corner

Kevin's Movie Corner provides the blog author's thoughts on recent movies seen in the theaters or watched on DVD. His views are based on a lifetime of movie watching with no prejudices: black and white or color, silent or sound, Hollywood or foreign, old or new.

Kevin's film reviews range from silent films (Harold Lloyd's Girl Shy) to classics from Hollywood's Golden Age (Ruggles of Red Gap) to recent releases (Adventureland). A "weekend of good movie watching" might include Anna and the King of Siam, A History of Violence, and Tokyo Story.

Kevin's Movie Corner can be found at:  http://kevinsmoviecorner.blogspot.com/

Click on the links below to view some of Kevin's recent posts:

Mr. Soft Touch, The Desperadoes, Avatar
Ruggles of Red Gap
Favorite Movies of 2009
I'll Never Forget You
Black Moon

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Blog of the Week: Classic Film and TV Cafe

The Classic Film and TV Cafe is a place for fans to mingle and share their love of great films and television series, ranging from the silent film era to the early 1980s. If you're a fan of classic Hollywood, world cinema, or TV shows like The Fugitive and The Avengers, then come on into the Cafe and have fun!

Monthly features at the Cafe include:

Dial H for Hitchcock (hosted by TheLadyEve) - an online discussion of one of Mr. Hitchcock's classics. Films discussed so far include Rebecca and Saboteur. For January 2010, the spotlight is on Shadow of a Doubt.

Bond is Forever (hosted by Sark) - an online discussion of a different 007 picture each month. This new event makes its debut on January 27, 2010 with Dr. No, the one that started it all.

Cafe Blue Plate Special - The Cafe picks a different theme for film and TV series reviews each month: horror and sci fi for last October, "feel good" movies for November, Christmas for December, and mysteries for January 2010.

Weekly features include:

Underrated Performer of the Week, which pays homage to...well...underrated performers (of course!). Thus far, the Cafe has profiled actors such as S.Z. Sakall, Una O'Connor, Eugene Pallette, Jane Greer, Whit Bissell, Daria Nicolodi, Brett Cullen, Edna May Wonacott, Pam Grier, Pamela Tiffin, Diana Muldaur, Edward Van Sloan, Alice Ghostley, Spring Byington, Franklin Pangborn, and Richard Basehart.

This Week's Poll, which has asked Cafe patrons to vote for their favorite: Hitchcock villain, Ray Harryhausen film, Jerry Goldsmith score, celluloid father, etc. Other polls presented scenarios and asked questions such as which which movie private eye, attorney, or safari guide you'd hire.

Film & TV Trivia by Paul2 appears every Sunday. These are tough questions and there is no prize...only the honor of getting the right answer!

Name the Movie Game starts each Tuesday night and challenges each player to guess a movie by asking five "yes/no" questions daily (it pays to study the answers that others get). The winner hosts the movie game the following week.

The Friday Late Movie, a weekly review devoted to the kinds of films shown on The CBS Late Movie and similar shows. This is where you might find a review for a cult movie like the original D.O.A., a martial arts fave like The Five Deadly Venoms, or a forgotten drive-in pic like My Blood Runs Cold.

And, yes, in addition to the regular stuff, there are reviews of films and TV series, such as the following (click on title to read the review):

Universal's Sherlock Holmes Series with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce--A Top to Bottom Review
On Your Toes (ballet in film)
Letter to Loretta (aka The Loretta Young Show)
Love Is the International Language in Better Off Dead
T.H.E. Cat's Meow

Please check out the Classic Film & TV Cafe at http://classic-film-tv.blogspot.com/.

You can e-mail the Cafe's contributors at classic.film.tv.cafe@gmail.com.

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Blog of the Week: Classicfilmboy's Movie Paradise

Classicfilmboy's Movie Paradise is an oasis for lovers of classic films from the silent era to the 1960s. Classicfilmboy is a former film critic who loves films from Hollywood's past, from the silent years to the golden age to the last years of the studio era. You may also hear about his other loves--tennis, books, the Olympics--on his blog, but mostly it's about movies.

Classicfilmboy just finished counting down his favorite movie actresses of the 1940s. The top five were the following (click on the name to read the article):

5. Judy Garland

4. Ingrid Bergman

3. Teresa Wright

2. Bette Davis

And coming in at #1 is...well, that would be telling. You need to check out the blog site to find that out!

Classicfilmboy's Movie Paradise can found be at:
http://www.classicfilmboy.com/

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Blog of the Week: Noir and Chick Flicks

The subtitle at Noir and Chick Flicks reads: "From fluffy romances to noir to flying airplanes, in the spirit of adventure, these films show us who we are." It's an apt description for an entertaining, eclectic site devoted to celebrating movies ranging from Hitckcock's first The Man Who Knew Too Much to Knock on Any Door to Bell, Book and Candle. There are also tributes to famous stars, such as Doris Day, Gary Cooper, and Marion Davies. Special sections play homage to silent film icons like Mary Pickford, Laura La Plante, Lillian Gish, and Valentino. Plus, there are links galore to other fun movie web sites.

      

Noir and Chick Flicks can be found at:

http://dawnschickflicks.blogspot.com/

Click on the links below to view some of the posts at Noir and Chick Flicks:

Phffft! (1954)

The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926) with Gary Cooper

A Little Christmas Noir: Lady in the Lake (1947)

I Married a Witch (1942)

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Blog of the Week: The Korova Theatre

Alex DeLarge says: "I write short and focused film essays concerning both classic and modern films: no long and boring rants here; only concise poetic insights into great cinema. I wish to bring the esoteric into the mainstream. I write about films to help me express my feelings and understandings regarding this artful medium. This allows me to externalize my abstract gut reactions; it’s sometimes difficult to know why I like/despise a film…but taking the time to actually think about it, to exorcise the ghost in the gray matter, makes the experience all the more pleasurable. I only wish to share feelings with other film aficionados and also gain their knowledge. My tastes are eclectic and run the gamut from Michael Haneke to Robert Bresson, Alfred Hitchcock to Jean-Luc Goddard, or P.T. Anderson to Kim Ki-duk. I write few negative essays mostly because my BS detector is fairly accurate; I just don't waste time on Spielberg or Michael Bay flicks. I hope to interest my readers in films that have been overlooked or shed some new insight into a well-regarded classic. My theatre utilizes the latest in high-tech wizardry and I often review foreign films before they're released in North America...thanks to my region code free blu-ray players. Beginning in 2010, my reviews will include a brief analysis of the disc's quality since my reference calibrated system allows me to view a dvd/bd in its most pristine form. You can check out my technical page for details of the infernal devices that consume my disposable income:) Please enjoy, and if I recommend one pleasurable film that you would have otherwise overlooked, then I'm happy.

The Korova Theatre can be found at:  http://korovatheatrepresents.blogspot.com/
You can e-mail Alex at:  korovatheatre@yahoo.com.

Click on the links below to view some of the posts at The Korova Theatre:
 - There Will Be Blood
- 12 Angry Men
- Contempt
- Inglourious Basterds
- The Red Shoes

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Blog of the Week: Midnite At Sunset and Vine

BMadron says:  "Take a trip back in time by visiting my retro lifestyle blog. I share my views on Classic Movies, Retro Music, Retro Fashions, Retro Beauty tips and Nightlife, particularly from the 1930's-1960's. I am also a collector of vintage hats and gloves for women. I watch TCM at least 12 hours a day. It is always on when I am at home! I have been addicted to it for 15 years."

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Click on the links below to view some of the posts at Midnite At Sunset and Vine:
 
- The Barefoot Contessa (1954): What is the Spanish Word for Cinderella?
- A Place in the Sun (1951)
- Women's Prison (1955)
- Tea Length Retro Bridal Gowns-Dolly Couture
 
You can add http://midniteatsunsetandvine.blogspot.com/ as one of your favorites. For more information, you can e-mail BMadron at midnite.at.sunset.and.vine@gmail.com.

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Blog of the Week: Classic Movie Digest

Rupert Alistair's Classic Movies Digest strives to be a haven for the classic movie lover, covering films and filmmakers from Hollywood's Golden Age.

Rupert says: "I love classic movies and I love to meet and converse with others who have the same interest. Classic movies offer so much and I want to spread the word so more people can discover and appreciate them."

You may want to check out some of Rupert's recent posts (click on the title to read each one):

 Remember the Night (1940): Unsung Christmas Classic

 Wuthering Heights (1939): I Am Heathcliff!

 Scarlet Street (1945): Classic Film Noir

 Meet John Doe (1941): Frank Capra Takes On Facism

 "The Women" Revisited

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