John Carradine’s first horror lead, “Captive Wild Woman” (1943) from Universal has definite roots in one of that company’s staples, the classic “Frankenstein” …
Reflections after The Magic Box – What classic movies inspire you?
The Magic Box is time well spent throughout … In this biopic Robert Donat plays William Friese-Greene, professional photographer turned inventor, who …
Tyrone Power in Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake (1942)
Twentieth Century-Fox’s “Son of Fury” plays as a 98 minute epic tale of redemption which opens with a fight, leads to an escape, turns into a brief tale at sea, then an island romance and adventure, a return for vengeance, even a spectacle of a courtroom trial, before, of course, culminating in yet another big fight with the intervening years leading to a different outcome.
Diamond Jim (1935) starring Edward Arnold as Diamond Jim Brady
Based on the biography “Diamond Jim, The Life and Times of James Buchanan Brady” published a year earlier by Parker Morell this uneven though still enjoyable comedy was brought to the screen by Universal through a Preston Sturges script under the direction of Eddie Sutherland. Starring Edward Arnold as Diamond Jim Brady.
Clive Brook adapts, directs, and stars in On Approval (1944)
Clive Brook does it all in 1944’s On Approval, where Googie Withers and Brook himself tag along when Beatrice Lillie attempts a trial marriage with Roland Culver.
Early Frank Capra on TCM today, we go earlier with The Matinee Idol (1928)
Frank Capra silent feature The Matinee Idol is a great way to introduce yourself to Bessie Love who gives a fantastic performance as a local hick actor brought to Broadway for laughs … and tears.
Edward Arnold as Blind Detective Duncan Maclain in Eyes in the Night (1942)
Edward Arnold stars in the first of two Duncan Maclain films, Eyes in the Night (1942), as the blind detective who claims darkness as his kingdom. With Ann Harding, Donna Reed, Reginald Denny, Allen Jenkins, and Mantan Moreland.
Ronald Colman is The Late George Apley (1947)
In “The Late George Apley” we join the title character, played by Ronald Colman, in the Boston of 1912 … Apley, member of a Bostonian family dating back …
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) starring Errol Flynn
Far from being simply the greatest swashbuckler since Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., and with all apologies to Tyrone Power fans, none to top him since, Flynn played in variety of roles, and played them well.
Merrily We Go to Hell starring Fredric March and Sylvia Sidney
“Merrily We Go to Hell,” a 1932 Paramount production starring Fredric March and Sylvia Sidney, is one of 6 movies featured in the Pre-Code Hollywood Collection released earlier this month by Universal.