Raquel Stecher's Blog, page 10

She Damned Near Ran the Studio: The Extraordinary Lives of Ida R. Koverman

She Damned Near Ran the Studio
The Extraordinary Lives of Ida R. Koverman
by Jacqueline R. BraitmanUniversity Press of MississippiHardcover ISBN: 9781496806192352 pagesOctober 2020
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Larry Edmunds Bookshop
"Koverman was a magnetic, centrifugal force; a powerful dark energy that charged the MGM star machine."

Ida Koverman was MGM executive Louis B. Mayer's right-hand woman during the studio's heyday. Serving as his executive assistant and trusted adviser, the movie mogul came to lean on Koverman for her political connections, her ability to keep secrets, her eye for new talent and her business savvy that kept MGM running like a well-oiled machine.

Koverman was no stranger to scandal having endured one of her own. An active member of the New York City social scene, she was thrust further into the public eye with her involvement in an embezzlement scandal pertaining to one of the big railroad companies of the early 1900s. Koverman married for convenience to Oscar Koverman, taking on his surname and essentially giving herself a new identity. Once her transformation was complete, she started a new life in California. She was deeply ensconced in that state's Republican party and became an ally to many conservative bigwigs. Koverman was a force to be reckoned with and helped Herbert Hoover with his two presidential campaigns. It's during this time that she met Mayer. She was the middle man between MGM and the Republican party, something Mayer valued greatly.

When she was eventually hired as Mayer's executive assistant she went right to work helping her new boss with some fairly delicate matters including promoting new stars, minimizing scandals, dealing with the aftermath of celebrity deaths and keeping MGM the prestige studio it was known to be. She became a friend and confidante for some of the biggest stars including Esther Williams, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, George Murphy, Irene Dunne, and Jeannette MacDonald. She also discovered future stars like Jean Parker, Robert Taylor, Judy Garland, Janis Page, Hedda Hopper, etc. Koverman threw parties, groomed talent for stardom, lobbied for legislation that suited the studio's best interest, assuaged male egos, planted media stories, championed musicals, facilitated connections, and much more.

She Damned Near Ran the Studio: The Extraordinary Lives of Ida R. Koverman is a bit of a misleading title. We only get to Koverman's career at MGM about 120 pages in. Prior to that the book focuses primarily on her scandal and her political career. The subtitle is a bit more spot on since Koverman did indeed have several stages in her career and would transform herself with each. 

If you find Louis B. Mayer to be an unlikable character from Hollywood history, you may have the same feelings for Ida Koverman. She did some despicable things that left a bad taste in my mouth. While I recognize that some of her actions were not uncommon for the time that doesn't make them any less awful. 

Koverman's life story as an independent and career minded woman in a conservative space is quite interesting. She was dedicated to her work and was truly unflappable. She wielded a lot of power which the author effectively demonstrates throughout the book. But in the end, Koverman was an enabler of studio system toxicity.

As a biography, this book was thoroughly researched, relatively chronological with thematic chapters and very thorough. The writing is engaging but is inevitably weighed down by its subject matter. The second half of the book I found to be much more interested than the first half. The author offers lots of great observations about the studio system and Mayer and Koverman's functions within it.

This is my fourth review for the 2021 Summer Reading Challenge. 
Thank you to the University Press of Mississippi for sending me a copy for review.All content is property of Out of the Past ~ A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2021

TIFF: Bergman Island (2021)

 

Filmmaking couple Chris (Vicky Krieps) and Tony (Tim Roth) head to Fårö Island, Sweden to take up residency while Chris works on her latest screenplay. Fårö (i.e. Bergman Island) is where Swedish director Ingmar Bergman lived and worked. The house the couple are staying at was used in the making of Scenes from a Marriage (1973). They talk to locals about Bergman, watch Cries and Whispers (1972) on 35 mm and explore the island to find different spots important to Bergman and his work. The hope is that being in this space will inspire Chris to write her screenplay. The movie shifts then to a movie within a movie where Chris is dictating her script to Tony. In that story, Amy (Mia Wasikowska) and her former lover Joseph (Anders Danielsen Lie) reunite on Fårö Island to attend a mutual friends wedding where they rekindle their secret affair.

Directed by Mia Hansen-Løve, Bergman Island is steeped in appreciation for Ingmar Bergman. It is also a tad pretentious. While the film-within-a-film format works quite well, the stories get muddled. There is also a plot point in the screenplay that is never revealed leaving the audience hanging. And it's unclear what truly motivates these characters. Chris and Tony are both supposed to be Bergman fans but don't really demonstrate much knowledge about the filmmaker. However, that actually works in their favor because their curiosity helps deliver a lot of information to the viewer about Fårö and Bergman. Krieps and Roth are terrific in the story and the film boasts plenty of shots of Fårö Island including a peek inside Bergman's home, shots of various filming locations and a visit to Bergman's grave. The quiet, bucolic nature of Fårö really comes through.

A must for Ingmar Bergman fans or anyone who enjoys stories about the creative process. If you don't fit into either category, you may want to skip this one.

Bergman Island is part of the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival Gala Presentation slate. It also screened at the Cannes Film Festival. It's distributed by IFC Films.

All content is property of Out of the Past ~ A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2021

TIFF: Last Night in Soho (2021)

Eloise, or Ellie, (Thomasin McKenzie) is obsessed with the 1960s. Growing up with her granny (Rita Tushingham) meant she was exposed to the era in all sorts of ways, particularly music and fashion. Ellie is particularly good at the latter, crafting all sorts of vintage style pieces. When she gets accepted to a fashion program in London, she's thrilled. Heading off to London, the home of the swinging '60s, is the dream. But there is something unusual about Ellie. She sees ghosts. Particularly her deceased mother who appears in mirrors when something good is about to happen to Ellie. 
Ellie's transition to life as a fashion student is brutal. She encounters sexual harassment and peer bullying. She eventually moves out of the dorm and rents a room in an old London flat run by one Miss Collins (Diana Rigg). And when she sleeps at night in her new space she sees visions of Sandy (Anya Taylor-Joy), a gorgeous blonde entertainer trying to make it in the London nightclub scene. Sandy meets with Jack (Matt Smith) who promises her a career but ends up being her pimp instead. By night, Ellie is transported back to the 1960s and into Sandy's tumultuous life. By day she's struggling to make it as a student in an expensive city. Ellie becomes more invested in Sandy and even changes her own hairstyle and adopts Sandy's fashions to embody her even more. Her makeover catches the eye of the mysterious regular (Terence Stamp) at the pub Ellie works at. Could he be Jack? What ensues is a living nightmare journey for Ellie and Sandy's trauma envelops her into a world where the visions bleed into her reality.



Okay there's much more to that story but if I were to tell you I'd be giving up some delicious spoilers and I don't want to do that to you. Let's just say real life 1960s icons, Terence Stamp and Diana Rigg, have some of the most important roles in the film.
Directed by Edgar Wright, Last Night in Soho is a complex psychological horror film that tries to do a bit too much and often at the expense of its characters. I was particularly horrified by the depiction of John (Michael Ajao), the sole black character and Ellie's love interest. His sole purpose is to assist Ellie and it's a shame because they put him in pretty terrifying circumstances and do not give his character any nuance or agency. (Read Robert Daniels review of the film to find out why this character is problematic.) And overall, the second half is a big mess with Ellie just running around London in a panic.
With that said, I think there is a lot of appeal here for classic movie fans, particularly ones who also enjoy horror and zombie movies. There isn't a lot of gore but there are some spooks. The swinging '60s London scenes are fantastic. It really transports you to another time. And for anyone who loves vintage fashion, especially of this era, you'll love to see what Sandy is wearing, Ellie's shopping trip to a vintage store and Ellie's makeover and fashion show. The film also pays tribute to the music of the 1960s. Taylor-Joy performs "Downtown", Ellie is constantly listening to '60s music and Cilla Black is a character in the story.
In one of the early scenes, Ellie/Sandy walk by a marquis promoting Thunderball (1965). 1960s actresses Margaret Nolan and Rita Tushingham appear in the film. However the biggest throwbacks to that era, besides the setting and the fashion, are two of the film's most important characters played by Terence Stamp and Diana Rigg. Production took place in 2019 and Diana Rigg passed away in 2020. In fact the movie premiered at TIFF on the one year anniversary of Rigg's passing on September 10th, 2021. And what a role for Rigg. It's one of the best swan songs I've ever had the privilege of watching. These kinds of roles are just not available to older actors, with a few exceptions. And while Rigg had been working into her later years but this role just really stands out to me. I found myself tearing up because what a fantastic role for this icon! That's not to diminish Terence Stamp who does a fantastic job as the mysterious pub regular who knows a bit too much about what happened to Sandy. He's terrifying and menacing. I know this movie is really an opportunity for McKenzie and Taylor-Joy to shine, but for me Stamp and Rigg steal the show.



I encourage you to check out the trailer and let me know what you think! As a classic movie fan, would you watch this one?


Last Night in Soho premiered at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival. It hits theaters October 29th.

All content is property of Out of the Past ~ A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2021

2021 Summer Reading Challenge: Second Round-Up

WOW! This is by far the biggest review round-up yet! The Summer Reading Challenge participants have been busy reading some great books and sharing their thoughts about them online. And yes I read every single review. I've been loving the range of books chosen and review styles. I encourage you to do the same and dive into these excellent classic film book reviews. Perhaps you'll discover your next read!
Congrats to Andy, Angela, Breanna and Nathan for finishing the challenge. Woodson also finished the challenge by the first round-up. A few participants are only 1 or 2 books away from completing. Keep up the good work!
If for any reason your review is missing, please make sure you submitted it on the form on the official challenge page. Otherwise it won't count for the challenge! 
Happy Reading!

Andy of Journeys in Darkness and Light
"The differences between Towne’s original script and the filmed ending of Chinatown are legendary for a reason, and the story related in The Big Goodbye might just break your heart."
The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood by Sam Wasson
"Woolrich’s novel depends largely upon unlikely situations, coincidences, and often flat-out hard-to-swallow plot points, yet those elements do not necessarily keep the novel from losing its status as a page-turner."
Phantom Lady by Cornell Woolrich 


Photo Source: Angela of The Hollywood Revue


Angela of The Hollywood Revue 
"Considering how incredibly influential 42nd Street has been both as a movie and a Broadway show, it’s a little surprising that the book has essentially become a footnote in its own history. But now that it’s back in print, I really hope more people will discover it."
42nd Street by Bradford Ropes 
"With The Divorcee being one of the most essential of all pre-Codes, I thought this was going to be a situation where the book was even more scandalous than the movie. And in many ways, it is. But in the end, I feel like this is a rare case where the 1930s Hollywood version of the story actually feels more modern by today's standards."
Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrot
"if you’re A Free Soul superfan and love the characters so much that you want to spend more time with them and get to know them more in depth, then it may be worth tracking down a copy of the book."
A Free Soul by Adela Rogers St. Johns
"The changes in pacing for the movie make the movie version my preferred version of the story, but when the book is at its best, it’s excellent and it’s easy to understand why it remains such an influential story..."
Grand Hote l by Vicki Baum 
"It’s easy to forget that you’re reading something that was first published 90 years ago."
Red-Headed Woman by Katharine Brush'
"If you’re a fan of vintage career girl stories along the lines of The Best of Everything, you’d probably enjoy Wife vs. Secretary."
Wife vs. Secretary by Faith Baldwin

Breanna of Bresfilms41
"I was impressed with how this book was both accessible for newcomers to classic film and this particular genre but still entertaining and stimulating for readers more familiar with these movies."
Must-See Musicals: 50 Show-Stopping Movies We Can't Forget  by Richard Barrios
"It has incredible potential for researchers of a particular era or film that falls in that period, providing a rich collection of information and moviegoing trends."
That Was Hollywood: The 1930s by Allen Eyles
 
Brittaney of The Story Enthusiast
"where this book does excel, is in exposing Sanders’ thoughts and life philosophy."
Memoirs of a Professional Cad by George Sanders
"A Twist of Lemmon is exactly the type of book I love to read about a celebrity I respect."
A Twist of Lemmon: A Tribute to My Father by Chris Lemmon
"It’s interesting to learn how much more welcoming early Hollywood was to women in the ranks of production than it seems to be even now. There was a lot more freedom and collaboration as a whole and not just among the women." 
Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Powerful Women of Early Hollywood by Cari Beauchamp

Carl on Instagram
"Garcia’s book is a useful point of entry for those keen to learn more about musicals, and it also dismantles some of the prevailing myths about the genre." 
Quick Takes: The Movie Musical  by Desirée J. Garcia

Chuck on Twitter
"a compelling and thought provoking analysis of the film and its key figures for its success. The book is worth checking out for any fan of film history."

Frankly, My Dear: Gone with the Wind Revisited by Molly Haskell
"Many of the pieces were written when Bogdanovich was one of the hottest directors in Hollywood so it is interesting to read his perspective and the influences on himself as a filmmaker."
Pieces of Time: Peter Bogdanovich on the Movies  by Peter Bogdanovich
"The book is definitely for hard core fans of the film and Hitchcock in general. Being a big fan of "Shadow of a Doubt" myself, I enjoyed taking this deep dive into the psychology of the film."
Shadow of a Doubt by Diane Negra


Photo Source: Jess of Box Office Poisons



Jess of Box Office Poisons
"In reading this biography, it became very apparent that, for as much as he wanted to be a big star, he was also super shy, restrained, and not willing to rock (heh) the boat in his quest to get there."
All That Heaven Allows: A Biography of Rock Hudson by Mark Griffin
"After reading this biography of Natalie Wood, all I have to say is: what a life, and what a tragedy."
Natasha: The Biography of Natalie Wood by Suzanne Finstad


Photo Source: Comet Over Hollywood


Jessica of Comet Over Hollywood
"while the movie is fun and charming, the book is frankly vile."
Where the Boys Are by Glendon Swarthout 

John on Goodreads
"It is by no means a "tell-all" tale, nor does it detail the often bleak and seamy side of a Hollywood family during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Instead it is an almost storybook slice of Americana..."
The Entertainer: Movies, Magic, and My Father's Twentieth Century by Margaret Talbot

Kara on Goodreads
"Eyman does a good job demonstrating that Cary Grant was essentially a bundle of contradictions. He offers countless anecdotes that show the dueling sides of Grant’s personality."
Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise by Scott Eyman
"I LOVED this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves classic Hollywood movies!"
I Lost My Girlish Laughter by Jane Allen
"1930s romantic comedies often feel as light as air; I found Harvey’s writing to be extremely dense."
Romantic Comedy in Hollywood: From Lubitsch to Sturges by James Harvey


Laura of Laura's Miscellaneous Musings
"The first question anyone is likely to ask is: "Do I need the new edition if I own the original?"
The answer is a resounding "Yes!"
Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir  by Eddie Muller

"SUMMER MOVIES strikes a good balance between appealing to newer and established film fans."
Summer Movies: 30 Sun-Drenched Classics  by John Malahy


Molly of Welcome to Classic Mollywood
"I became even more entranced with Judy Holliday the person after reading this book."
Judy Holliday: An Intimate Life Story by Gary Carey
"This book is not only great to read, but also very aesthetically pleasing. I love how some pages are designed to look like classic film fan magazines!"
This Was Hollywood: Forgotten Stars & Stories by Carla Valderrama
"Reading this book you can really tell Isenberg did his research and I commend him for that. The care for each detail is noticed throughout the book and gives the story great credibility."
We’ll Always Have Casablanca - The Life, Legend, and Afterlife of Hollywood’s Most Beloved Movie by Noah Isenberg

Nathan on Twitter
"Each angle showed a perspective of the man and his flaws. It certainly could have explored more, but maybe it's that suspense that has us wanting answers. And that feels very Hitch."
The Twelve Lives of Alfred Hitchcock by Edward White
"The truth is laid out and redefines a legacy, a remembrance of a man who just wanted to be loved and show that to everyone he met."
The Untold Story of the Meteoric Rise and Fall of Legendary Silent Screen Star John Gilbert by John R. Maxim and Leatrice Joy Gilbert

Peter of Let Yourself Go... To Old Hollywood
"As someone fascinated by old Hollywood and familiar with many, if not most, of the names of that era, this was a very enjoyable read."
Hollywood and the Great Fan Magazines edited by Martin Levin
"I still very much enjoyed reading the source material for one of my all-time favorite films."
Ladies in Retirement by Edward Percy and Reginald Denham
"an interesting, well-written, well-researched biography about a previously neglected person in the history of the Golden Age of Hollywood."
Phantom Lady: Hollywood Producer Joan Harrison, The Forgotten Woman Behind Hitchcock by Christina Lane




Raquel of Out of the Past
"Eddie Muller does a fantastic job of immersing the reader into the world of film noir from all the fascinating information, context galore and stylish language that puts you right into the heart of Dark City."
Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir by Eddie Muller
"The author has a way with words that makes this book a delight to read and the design of the book is just absolutely stunning. It's a compact size which makes it the perfect book to pop into your summer tote bag and bring with you to the beach."
Summer Movies: 30 Sun-Drenched Classics by John Malahy


 

Robert of Robert Bellissimo At the Movies
"he writes from a novel point of view and puts himself in like a character."
Conversations With Brando by Lawrence Grobel
"it is, like all of Larry's books, a page-turner."
Robert Evans in Conversation by Lawrence Grobel
"A must read not only for film buffs but also filmmakers..."
Shadows By Ray Carney


Photo Source: Robby on Instagram

Robby on Instagram
"It is a very thorough and detailed biography to a fault... But at a certain point it goes overboard and the subject of Barbara gets lost in the extraneous detail."
Barbara Stanwyck: A Life: Steel-True 1907-1940 by Victoria Wilson
"If you’re looking for a traditional bio on Ray, this is not the book for you. This is his daughter’s story which does provide insight into Ray, but also covers her greater family’s troubled history."
Ray on Ray: A Daughter's Take on the Legend of Nicholas Ray  by Nicca Ray


Sarah on Goodreads
"What I did love: I learned a lot about both Elizabeth and Monty that I didn't previously know- their childhoods, early careers, relationships and more... What I didn't love: The gossipy feel of the book."
Elizabeth and Monty:The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship by Charles Casillo
"I found myself hearing his voice as I read this- it really felt like a sit-down conversation with a friend."
The Garner Files by James Garner and Jon Winokur

Shawn of The Everyday Cinephile
"The most fascinating part of the book was the author’s detailed descriptions of the six major state censorship boards."
Censored: The Private Life of the Movies by Morris Leopold Ernest
"fascinating look at a subject largely forgotten by history is a must-read for silent film fanatics and anyone in love with the films from the 1930s."
The Last Silent Picture Show by William H. Drew 
All content is property of Out of the Past ~ A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2018

TCM: Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir by Eddie Muller

Dark City
The Lost World of Film Noir Revised and Expanded Edition by Eddie MullerTCM and Running PressJuly 2021Hardcover ISBN: 9780762498970272 pages
Amazon — Barnes and Noble —Larry Edmunds Bookshop — Powell's

Published in 1998, Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir put Eddie Muller on the map. What would soon became a best seller and one of the definitive books about the genre, opened many doors for Muller. He programmed noir screenings for film festivals, started the Film Noir Foundation, an organization dedicated to the preservation of film noir, and eventually became the host of Noir Alley on Turner Classic Movies. The book that started it all is now back in print in a beautifully designed, revised and expanded edition.

"Film noirs were distress flares launched into America's movie screens by artists working the night shift at the Dream Factory." — Eddie Muller

In telling the story of film noir, Eddie Muller imagines all of the stories, their literary origins, the subsequent films, the players involved and the era in which they were born, as a single place: Dark City. Muller traces the origins of different film noir tropes and themes, giving each its own Dark City address. Each chapter is a stop at a different address where the reader learns about a particular theme and how it was used in film noir. Sprinkled throughout are mini biographies that provide crucial background information as well as context. Everything flows together with seamless transitions and Muller's special brand of noir infused language.
The addresses in Dark City include:

Sinister Heights — Corruption

The Precinct — Crime and Punishment

Hate Street — Murder

The City Desk — News and Reporters

Shamus Flats — Private Eyes

Vixenville — Femme Fatales

Blind Alley — Mysteries

The Psych Ward — Mental Illness

Knockville Square — Heists

Loser's Lane — Deranged Men

The Big House — Prison Dramas

Thieves' Highway — Criminals on the Run

The Stage Door — The last days of Film Noir

Interspersed throughout the book are inserts with expanded biographies which are mostly about movie stars with a few exceptions. Each appears where it makes most sense in context of the discussion happening at that point in the book. These are fantastic biographies that range from 1-4 pages and offer more than the mini biographies that appear in the body of text.
Subjects include: John Garfield, Gloria Grahame, Joan Crawford, Ben Hecht, Robert Mitchum, Belita, Joan Harrison, Robert Ryan, Sterling Hayden, Barbara Payton, Ida Lupino, Tom Neal, Desert Fury (1947) and Steve Cochran.



This new edition includes additional chapters, restored photographs and a new layout. Kudos to the team who worked on the design of this book. The pages are beautifully laid out. Whenever an insert appears it's at a natural point in the text where you don't have to stop mid paragraph in order to read another section. That's very difficult to do but worth it for a better reading experience.
Eddie Muller does a fantastic job of immersing the reader into the world of film noir from all the fascinating information, context galore and stylish language that puts you right into the heart of Dark City. 

Here are some of my favorite lines from the book: 

"[Orson Welles] changed the grammar of motion picture storytelling and set the cinematic syntax for film noir: the quest for truth in morally ambiguous terrain, the cynical take on the corrupting influence of power, the off-kilter visual style."
"Power-mad women are smart enough not to bloody their own hands. That's what men are for." 
"In Dark City, psychiatrists are as corrupt as gangsters, misusing their power over mind to dominate the hapless and disturbed."
"The blurring of moral distinctions was part and parcel of noir."
"In the wake of the studios' Communist purge, social criticism was out. Films could no longer suggest that people did bad things due to economic pressure."

My only minor quibble is with the use of some words to describe female characters. However, we're dealing with some nefarious characters in many of these stories so the usage is not completely out of context. The book itself is quite large which makes it perfect for flipping through to look at photographs but not as easy for someone, like me, who read the book cover to cover. It made me want to invest in an ergonomic book stand!



Dark City by Eddie Muller is evocative of a long gone era of filmmaking that still captivates film lovers today. It effectively transports readers into the world of film noir with its fine use language, images, context and information. A must have for film noir fans.

Thank you to Running Press for sending me a copy of Dark City for review.

All content is property of Out of the Past ~ A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2018

The New Deal for Artists (1981)

"One of the horrors of a society... is the break with the past, a lack of continuity. Young people know nothing of the past. For that matter even people who lived in the past have forgotten it... the New Deal, The Arts Project, is a good case in point. It's as though it never existed." — Studs Turkel

Time threatened to erase the history of the WPA (Work Progress Administration) and the impact its artists had on the culture of 1930s America and beyond. Part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, the WPA helped create jobs for many Americans during the throes of the Great Depression. This included unemployed artists who were paid $23.86 a week to create art. Jobs were created for actors, directors, musicians, painters, dancers and photographers. Through their different art forms, these creators told the story of an America that was enduring great strife. Theatrical productions played out social dilemmas for audiences, photographers captured the devastation of the Dust Bowl, painters made an impact by creating murals in public spaces, writers documented American life for present and future generations. Black and indigenous communities as well as other minority groups were encouraged to participate. The work of WPA artists stirred up political sentiment that went on to the scrutinized by communist fear mongers who took action to erase their work. 
Photo courtesy of Corinth Films


Image courtesy of Corinth Films


Photo courtesy of Corinth Films

Photo courtesy of Corinth Films


Just in time for the 40th anniversary, Corinth Films has released director Wieland Schulz-Keil's The New Deal for Artists (1981). In the late 1970s, Schulz-Keil had made a 4 hour film for German television about the United States during the Great Depression. A 90 minute section of this longer film, focusing just on WPA artists, was released for American audiences with narration by Orson Welles. The New Deal for Artists examines a time when artists were documenting and disseminating a pivotal moment in our nation's history. We take social documentary for granted these days but back then it was a new concept. The documentary interviews artists, historians and politicians including John Houseman, Studs Turkel, John Randolph, Nelson Algren, Will Geer, Howard Da Silva and even our beloved Norman Lloyd. Film history buffs will appreciate the fact that this documentary offers extensive background on the Federal Theater Project which Houseman, Welles and Lloyd were involved with.

The film has been remastered for DVD and digital. The DVD release includes a 12-page booklet with original essays by Armond White and Ed Rampell.
The New Deal for Artists (1981) is a remarkable documentary, a veritable time capsule of an era when the US government paid artists to capture American life. It fights against obscurity simply by existing. A must watch for anyone interested in cultural history.



The New Deal for Artists (1981)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Deep Discount — TCM Shop — Vimeo

All content is property of Out of the Past ~ A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2018

TCM: Summer Movies: 30 Sun-Drenched Classics by John Malahy

Summer Movies
30 Sun-Drenched Classics  by John MalahyForeword by Leonard MaltinTCM and Running PressHardcover ISBN: 9780762499298June 2021208 pages
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Powells — TCM Shop
Summer Movies: "an underappreciated category of movies — those that depict the experiences, traditions and delights of the summer season." — John Malahy
Summer is my favorite season and there is just something really special about movies set during this time of year. Whether they depict the joy (or stress) of vacation and travel, different rites of passage, reconnecting with nature, transitions in life or the imminent danger that sometimes comes with hot weather, there is something unique about these films that make them highly watchable all year round. 
In Summer Movies: 30 Sun-Drenched Classics, author John Malahy spotlights 30 summer themed classics from Lonesome (1928) to Call Me By Your Name (2017) (which just happened to be two of my top favorite movies). Each film is selected not only for its summer setting but also for its cultural impact. Each film is presented with 6 pages including an article, photos, stats, Vacation Inspiration which offers advice on how to turn the film experience into a real life vacation, and a companion film. Movie plots are summarized for the main titles which can be either a nice refresher if you've seen the film or give a bit too much away if you haven't. The Make It a Double Feature section was the highlight for me as Malahy perfectly pairs an often lesser known film that ties in beautifully with the featured one. There are lots of gems to discover there. 



Some of the films featured include: Moon Over Miami, State Fair, Key Largo, Rear Window, The Seven Year Itch, Picnic, Gidget, Parent Trap, The Endless Summer, The Graduate, Jaws, On Golden Pond and much more.
The author has a way with words that makes this book a delight to read and the design of the book is just absolutely stunning. It's a compact size which makes it the perfect book to pop into your summer tote bag and bring with you to the beach.
Summer Movies features an introduction by Leonard Maltin. The lack of diversity in the book is addressed in the opening chapter (I really appreciate that this was addressed!). The book offers a light dose of both trivia and context with some wonderful images and quality design. This is another winner from the TCM and Running Press line of books!




This is my second review for the 2021 Summer Reading Challenge.

Thank you to Running Press for a copy of the book for review.

All content is property of Out of the Past ~ A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2018

They Won't Believe Me (1947)

 

"I can't walk out Harry. You'll have to do the walking."
This is the story of one man and three women. The man in question, stockbroker Larry Ballentine (Robert Young), is on trial for the murder of one of those three. A flashback takes us to when it all started. Larry was having an affair Janice Bell (Jane Greer), a delicate rose, who is falling in love with Larry but conflicted by the fact that he's still married. The wife in question, Greta (Rita Johnson), has no plans on letting Larry go. Their marriage was more of a financial arrangement for Larry. But when Greta hears that Larry is about to travel to Montreal with his new flame, she tags along to shake off Janice. At work, Larry falls for an employee at the brokerage, Verna (Susan Hayward). Verna is very different from both Janice and Greta, something that excited Larry greatly. When Verna and Larry plot an escape, a way for Larry to finally get a divorce without sacrificing his financial situation, things take a turn for the worst.
Directed by Irving Pichel, They Won't Believe Me (1947) is a captivating film noir and a must see for anyone who loves this style of filmmaking. Produced by Joan Harrison for RKO, this was her first sole producer credit (learn more about Harrison here.) It flips the femme fatale trope on its head presenting us with what TCM's Eddie Muller calls an "homme fatale." Robert Young as Larry has all the traits you would expect from a femme fatale but in a male role. And a credit to Harrison's handling of the project, the female characters are fleshed out and just plain interesting. They Won't Believe Me is based on a story by Gordon McDonnell and adapted to the screen by Jonathan Latimer. The ending is abrupt and a little ambiguous, a way to get around strict Hays Code guidelines of the time.
RKO re-released They Won't Believe Me in 1957 to play as a double bill in theaters. They cut 15 minutes from the film creating a new 60 minute version. The complete movie was elusive for years. Prints languished in archives but the public only ever saw the cut version. Thanks to the Warner Archive's George Feltenstein who championed the restoration, this film noir is now available in its entirety. The Warner Archive collection has released a new Blu-ray restored in 1080p HD from a 4K scan of the original nitrate print. This restoration premiered at the 2021 virtual TCM Classic Film Festival back in May.
If you haven't seen They Won't Believe Me yet, you're in for a real treat. I found myself really engrossed with this one. It hits all the marks I expect a good film noir should. There are a few twists and turns but nothing is over the top. For me, I really enjoyed the different elements like the court room trial, the escape to the countryside, the backdrop of the stock market, the Caribbean cruise, etc. There's a lot going on but it's so streamlined and seamless that it just flows. I'll definitely be watching this one again and again.

Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Deep Discount

Warner Archive Wednesday - On (random) Wednesdays, I feature titles from the Warner Archive Collection. Thank you to Warner Archive for sending me copy of They Won't Believe Me (1947).

All content is property of Out of the Past ~ A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2018

Mae West Blu-rays from Kino Lorber

Source: Kino Lorber

Mae West was a force of nature. Born into a showbiz family, West seemed destined to take the industry by storm at an early age. After a successful career in vaudeville and theater, West made her film debut at the age of 40 with Night After Night (1932). West wasn't conventionally beautiful, she was older than most actresses playing romantic leads and she broke the mold of how a movie star should look and act. The fact that she became such a huge movie star seems to defy logic. But West just had this presence that drew people to her. She was confident, in tune with her sexuality and could deliver a sexual innuendo like nobody else. West was a self-made woman and when she told you she was hot stuff, you believed her. 

West wrote much of her own material and many of her movies are based on her plays, original stories and featured her special brand playful dialogue. West was such a huge star, especially in the 1930s, that she helped her home studio Paramount avoid bankruptcy. Over the years, she battled with censors and many of her films faced heavy editing. The Pre-Code era was her time to shine but she was able to carry on her special brand of sexuality into an era of increased censorship. 

Mae West starred in 12 films and 9 of them are available on Blu-Ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. Below are my reviews of 7 of them (I forgot to ask for two of them hence there only being 7). Each Blu-ray features brand new audio commentary as well as English subtitles. She Done Him Wrong has undergone a 4k restoration for the Blu-ray release.

Night After Night (1932)
directed by Archie Mayo
Starring: Mae West, George Raft, Constance Cummings, Wynne Gibson, Louis Calhern
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Deep Discount — Kino Lorber — TCM Shop

When Night After Night (1932) came out, star George Raft joked that Mae West stole everything but the camera. West had a small role as a party gal who crashes Raft's club and while she only has a few scenes boy does she make them count. Raft plays a boxer turned club owner during Prohibition. He turns a mansion, formerly owned by Jerry (Constance Cummings) and her family, into said club. Joe is determined to obtain the one thing he doesn't have: class. West was unhappy with the scenes she was given and insisted on writing her own dialogue. This gave her the opportunity to deliver one of the best opening lines for any character ever made: "Goodness, what beautiful diamonds.... Goodness had nothing to do with it, Dearie." This is a subdued little Pre-Code until West arrives and livens up the joint. She's fourth billed but she might as well have been the star. I recommend this curio for its fun little story and West's epic debut.



She Done Him Wrong (1933)
directed by Lowell Sherman
Starring: Mae West, Cary Grant, Gilbert Roland, Noah Beery  Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Deep Discount — Kino Lorber — TCM Shop

She Done Him Wrong sees Mae West in her first starring role and boy does it suit her. West is perfect for a tale set in the Gay Nineties (1890s). Hollywood loved this time period because it was a great way to show revelry in the time frame that's both recent and distant. West plays Lady Lou, a lounge club singer who has caught the eye of many men including an ex-con and a Salvation Army missionary. The latter is really Captain Cummings, an undercover Federal agent, played by Cary Grant. The two films West starred in with Grant are Pre-Code gems. Grant is at the very beginning of his career and just achingly beautiful. 



I'm No Angel (1933)
directed by Wesley Ruggles
Starring: Mae West, Cary Grant, Gregory Ratoff, Edward Arnold
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Deep Discount — Kino Lorber — TCM Shop
In their second film together, Mae West has an even better opportunity to be seen the handsome and debonair Cary Grant. West stars as Tira, a circus performer who, of course, has caught the eye of many a suitor. Perhaps too many. When she becomes smitten with an otherwise engaged man about town, Kirk (Kent Taylor), she gets in over her head. Kirk's cousin Jack (Cary Grant) comes to the rescue only to discover he's falling in love with the glamorous Tira. It's with this film that you start seeing POC (people of color) characters pop up. They become more and more prominent in subsequent films and unfortunately that means more stereotyping. Libby Taylor plays Tira's personal maid and Hattie McDaniel has a very small role as a maid/manicurist. I'm No Angel and She Done Him Wrong pair well together and if you had to watch any Mae West films, I recommend trying these two.





Belle of the Nineties (1934)
directed by Leo McCarey
Starring: Mae West, Johnny Mack Brown, Duke Ellington, Katherine DeMille, Roger Pryor
 Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Deep Discount — Kino Lorber — TCM Shop
It's back to the Gay Nineties for Mae West! She stars as Ruby Carter, a nightclub performer who flees to New Orleans to escape her prizefighter boyfriend Tiger Kid (Roger Pryor). Supporting players include Johnny Mack Brown as one of Ruby's handsome admirers and Katherine DeMille a jealous society girl. This film has a little bit of everything, musical numbers, a jewelry heist, murder, and a lot of Mae West. Belle of the Nineties was based on West's original story It Ain't No Sin, which due to censorship had to change to something more "respectable." West looks her best adorned in period clothing and dripping in jewels. The film lacks in viable leading men and from what I read George Raft turned down the role of Tiger Kid. Duke Ellington performs in one of the musical numbers.





Goin' to Town (1935)
directed by Alexander Hall
Starring: Mae West, Paul Cavanagh, Gilbert Emery, Marjorie Gateson, Tito Coral Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Deep Discount — Kino Lorber — TCM Shop
Saloon performer Cleo Borden (Mae West) is preparing to marry a wealthy rancher when he's tragically killed in a robbery. Even though they hadn't married yet, she still inherits his estate. It doesn't matter how much money she has, Cleo can't buy status among the snobby elite. This is another example of a West film exploring the intersection between monetary wealth and social status. The story features West traveling down to Buenos Aires and agreeing to marry a degenerate gambler in order to inherit his status. She gets involved in horse racing which is where Taho, an indigenous character played by Venezuelan actor Tito Coral, comes in. I found this one to be quite enjoyable even when the storyline got a bit convoluted.





Go West Young Man (1936)
directed by Henry Hathaway 
Starring: Mae West, Randolph Scott, Warren William, Alice Brady, Lyle Talbot
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Deep Discount — Kino Lorber — TCM Shop
Go West Young Man has the best line-up of supporting male players of all the Mae West films I've seen thus far. West plays Mavis Arden, a much beloved movie star, is bound by her employer, A.K of Superfine Pictures, to not marry. At least until her 5 year movie contract expires. This proves to be too much for Mavis when she falls for both mayoral candidate Francis X. Harrigan (Lyle Talbot) and small town engineer Bud Norton (Randolph Scott). Warren William plays her press agent and caretaker who is constantly trying to prevent her from marrying one of her beaus. There is a fun fish-out-of-water element to this story where we see the glamorous movie star residing at a quaint boarding house in rural Pennsylvania. This is by far my favorite from the batch specifically because of the leading men. Unfortunately, it does feature Stepin Fetchit type character performed by Nick Stewart.





Klondike Annie (1936)
directed by Raoul WalshStarring: Mae West, Victor McLaglen, Phillip Reed, Helen Jerome Eddy, Harold Huber
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Deep Discount — Kino Lorber — TCM Shop
Groan! Klondike Annie is one of the most cringe-inducing films I've seen from this era. It's a hot mess with how it depicts Asian stereotypes, miscegenation, religion and female purity standards. West plays Rose Carlton, a nightclub singer in San Francisco's Chinatown who is being held captive by her beau Chan Lo (depicted in yellow face by Harold Huber). In scenes cut due to censorship, Chan Lo is murdered and Rose flees to Alaska via shipping vessel to avoid criminal prosecution. Along the way she falls for the ship's captain (Victor McLaglen) and tends to dying religious missionary Sister Annie (Helen Jerome Eddy) whose identity she takes over. West essentially plays a woman of the world pretending to be a religious figure and it just doesn't work. There's a lot of "othering" here which makes it painful to watch through a contemporary vantage point. 


Also available from Kino Lorber


Every Day's a Holiday (1937)
directed by A. Edward Sutherland
Starring: Mae West, Edmund Lowe, Charles Butterworth, Charles Winninger, Lloyd Nolan, Louis Armstrong
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Deep Discount — Kino Lorber — TCM Shop



My Little Chickadee (1940)
directed by Edward F. Cline
Starring: Mae West, W. C. Fields, Joseph Calleia, Dick Foran, Margaret Hamilton, Ruth Donnelly
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Deep Discount — Kino Lorber — TCM Shop


Thank you to Kino Lorber Studio Classics for sending me these titles for review. Using the buy links helps support this site. 

All content is property of Out of the Past ~ A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2018

2021 Summer Reading Challenge: First Round-Up

 

I've never been more impressed with the summer reading challenge participants as I have been this year. They have been killing it with some awesome reads and even more awesome reviews. Keep up the good work! Seeing their social media mentions and the #classicfilmreading hashtag pop up and reading/watching/listening to their reviews brings a smile to my face every single time.

Congrats to Woodson for being the first to complete the challenge!

Here is the first batch of reviews!*

Andy of Journeys in Darkness and Light

""a great book for any classic film lover, and perhaps an even better book to read with another classic movie fan, leading to many opportunities for discussion, agreement, or maybe even knock-down-drag-out arguments"

The Art of American Screen Acting, 1912-1960 by Dan Callahan

"Holding has crafted not only a suspenseful tale, but also an examination of relationships, race issues, moral dilemmas, gender roles, and much more."

The Blank Wall by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding

"provides a good overview of the actor’s life and work and will no doubt make fans want to check out as much of his performances as possible."

Edmond O’Brien: Everyman of Film Noir by Derek Sculthorpe

"Although time and budget were constant woes, the stories of how these creators overcame such constraints are remarkable, compelling, and often jubilant."

Interviews with B Science Fiction and Horror Movie Makers: Writers, Producers, Directors, Actors, Moguls and Makeup by Tom Weaver

"The characters of the kidnappers are less well-developed and their motivations somewhat standard, yet taken as a whole, the novel is a tightly knit page-turner that’s quite satisfying."

King's Ransom by Ed McBain 

Breanna of Bresfilms41

"As a movie trivia lover, this was a treasure trove of information, and I loved every bit of it." 

52 Must-See Movies and Why They Matter by Jeremy Arnold

"The discussion between the two directors is relentlessly fascinating, sometimes funny, and occasionally poignant."

Hitchcock/Truffaut

"[Vieira's] research is incredibly thorough, and he crafts such a compelling, living image not only of Thalberg but of every other character in his story..."

Irving Thalberg: Boy Wonder to Producer Prince by Mark A. Vieira 

"McGilligan manages to pull back the curtain and create an incredibly compelling narrative study."

Young Orson: The Years of Luck and Genius on the Path to Citizen Kane by Patrick McGilligan

Brittaney of The Story Enthusiast

"Having now read about Cukor’s life, I can appreciate his pictures even more."

George Cukor: A Double Life by Patrick McGilligan

Carl of The Movie Palace Podcast 

"will prove most satisfying to those who already actively admire the film, because Tarantino uses the novel to expand on various aspects from the movie."

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino

"this book is highly readable, concise and persuasive, therefore I recommend it to all cinephiles who admire Rebecca."

Rebecca by Patricia White

Chuck on Twitter

"The book is a quick read at a slim 144 pages and I was informed and entertained reading it.  It's a irreverent look at this classic film, kind of like the brothers themselves."

Hail, Hail, Euphoria!: Presenting the Marx Brothers in Duck Soup, the Greatest War Movie Ever Made by Roy Blount Jr.
"the book is informative without being overly academic in its analysis."
A History of the French New Wave Cinema by Richard Neupert


Source: Jess of Box Office Poisons

Jess of Box Office Poisons

"It's light and refreshing, just like Ann-Margret!"

My Story by Ann-Margaret

Kara on Goodreads

"I came away from this book feeling that I know Audrey Hepburn better and that our world is a poorer place without her in it."

Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II by Robert Matzen

Lee of Lee Mac on YouTube

"It was fantastic. 5 stars. Amazing. Love hearts raining everywhere." 

Captain Blood: His Odyssey by Rafael Sabatini

Miriam of Cine Gratia Cinema on YouTube

"one of the most magnificent books and cookbooks that I've ever come across... quote me on that."

A Treasury of Great Recipes by Mary and Vincent Price 

Molly of Classic Mollywood

"As a TCM lover, every time I saw quotes from Robert Osborne I felt enormous joy. It was like hearing Robert talk about these films all over again."

The Essentials Vol. 2 More Must-See Movies and Why They Matter by Jeremy Arnold

Nathan on Twitter and YouTube

"Through various anecdotes, he reveals tragedy, humor, and transparency within that fractured world."

Kieślowski on Kieślowski 

"Thomson shines a light with sensibility, wit, and with a love of cinema."

A Light in the Dark: A History of Movie Directors by David Thomson

"an excellent insight from a genuine filmmaker about the process of filmmaking."

Making Movies by Sidney Lumet

"It's not a pretty story, but there's a strength in telling it and I'd implore you to give it a good read."

What Falls Away: A Memoir by Mia Farrow

Raquel of Out of the Past

"paints the portrait of a complicated woman who stumbled upon fame and soon found her calling as an internationally renowned entertainer."

Mean... Moody... Magnificent!: Jane Russell and the Marketing of a Hollywood Legend by Christina Rice

(Plus an author interview for TCM!)

Robert of Robert Bellissimo At The Movies on YouTube

"some of these stories are dramatic, engaging and brutal"

Conversations with Ava Gardner by Lawrence Grobol

"a real page turner"

The Marlon Brando Western - The Making of One Eye Jacks by Toby Roan

Sarah on Goodreads

"Reading about her time in Hollywood and her experiences in silent and early film-making were interesting and fun- she was definitely a '20s spirit!"

Lulu in Hollywood by Louise Brooks

"such a fun summer read! This book has a little of everything- animals, starlets, dancers, child stars and more."

This Was Hollywood: Forgotten Stars and Stories by Carla Valderrama

Steve on Goodreads

"This book serves as a testament to how the film was made but also why it will be eternal. It’s a fascinating read for a legendary film. Read it twice."

Singin' in the Rain: The Making of an American Masterpiece by Earl J. Hess, Pratibha A. Dabholkar

Woodson on LibraryThing

"Spoto is quite adept at pointing out the many interesting motifs which run throughout the film maker's works..."

The Art of Alfred Hitchcock: Fifty Years of His Motion Pictures by Donald Spoto

"This book is a finely crafted balancing act: serious without being grindingly academic, honest without being salacious, adoring the art without basking in the rosy glow of nostalgia..."

Buzz: The Life and Art of Busby Berkeley by Jeffrey Spivak 

"Sadly, the author has only written one other book concerning that film world... That he hasn't continued writing about film is the cinematic world's loss" 

The Great Movies by William Bayer

"Though all of the essays would make sense to the layman, this is really more of a work for the hard core cultists. As such, it is wonderful."

Film Noir Prototypes: Origins of the Movement edited by Alain Silver and James Ursini

"Some books tell us a lot. Some books delight us a lot. Quite often the two types don't intersect. By the happiest of circumstances, a book concerning the subject of films which delight is at once informative and as delightful as its subject."

Romantic Comedy in Hollywood: From Lubitsch to Sturges by James Harvey

"In some sense this book is a bit of a parlor game with smart cinephiles identifying films, roles, actors. However, Thomson is also making a big point about that and the very fact of watching as opposed to doing."

Suspects by David Thomson 

*If for any reason you don't see your review here, it's because it's missing from the link submission form. Make sure you submit and it'll be included in the next round-up.

All content is property of Out of the Past ~ A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2018