Raquel Stecher's Blog, page 8

2022 TCM Classic Film Festival: Opening Night Red Carpet Event

 

The 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival kicked off with the opening night red carpet event at the TCL Chinese Theatre leading up to a special presentation for the 40th anniversary of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982). I was on hand to photograph and interview the special guests as they walked the red carpet. I'll have video clips from my interviews available on my YouTube channel and will be sharing them here too. In the meantime, here are some of the special guests who attended the event!



Actor Sean Frye who played Steve on E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)



TCM host Prof. Jacqueline Stewart


TCM host Ben Mankiewicz with actor Mario Cantone

Dee Wallace who played Mary on E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial



Director Steven Spielberg and Dee Wallace 


Sound designer Ben Burtt

Jane Seymour, star of Somewhere in Time (1980)


Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, who played Cochise in Cooley High (1975)


TCM host Dave Karger


TCM host Alicia Malone


Aileen Quinn from Annie (1982)


Disney animator Floyd Norman


Film historian and TCM author Luis I. Reyes


George Stevens Jr.


Maxwell Caulfield


Pam Grier, star of Coffy (1973)


TikToker Jasmine Chiswell






Stay tuned for more coverage from the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival!

All content is property of Out of the Past: A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2022

TCM Classic Film Festival: Opening Night Red Carpet Event

 

The 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival kicked off with the opening night red carpet event at the TCL Chinese Theatre leading up to a special presentation for the 40th anniversary of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982). I was on hand to photograph and interview the special guests as they walked the red carpet. I'll have video clips from my interviews available on my YouTube channel and will be sharing them here too. In the meantime, here are some of the special guests who attended the event!



Actor Sean Frye who played Steve on E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)



TCM host Prof. Jacqueline Stewart


TCM host Ben Mankiewicz with actor Mario Cantone

Dee Wallace who played Mary on E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial



Director Steven Spielberg and Dee Wallace 


Sound designer Ben Burtt

Jane Seymour, star of Somewhere in Time (1980)


Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, who played Cochise in Cooley High (1975)


TCM host Dave Karger


TCM host Alicia Malone


Aileen Quinn from Annie (1982)


Disney animator Floyd Norman


Film historian and TCM author Luis I. Reyes


George Stevens Jr.


Maxwell Caulfield


Pam Grier, star of Coffy (1973)


TikToker Jasmine Chiswell






Stay tuned for more coverage from the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival!

All content is property of Out of the Past: A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2022

2022 TCM Classic Film Festival: My Picks

 

The 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival kicks off in Hollywood in just a few days. I'm thrilled to be going back in person; it'll be my first time back since 2018. After a couple of years of virtual festivals it's exciting to be able to see friends and attend special events in real life. 

I'll be on site covering the opening night red carpet of the 40th anniversary of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), the Lily Tomlin Hand and Footprint Ceremony happening at the TCL Chinese Theater (formerly the Grauman's) and various screenings and events granted I'm able to pass health protocols.

Due to some health issues I won't be sharing my selections or my schedule in advance because I have to be super flexible and be able to change plans at the last moment. However, I will try my best to cover as much as I can on this site as well as my social media (Twitter @RaquelStecher and Instagram @QuelleMovies). 

In the meantime, here are what I think are some highlights from the announced 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival schedule: 

THURSDAY APRIL 21ST

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) 40th Anniversary — E.T. was the first movie I ever saw in a theater and is truly one of the best films ever made. I don't have access to the event but I'm thrilled to cover the red carpet beforehand. Special guests for the premiere include director Steven Spielberg, producer Kathleen Kennedy and stars Drew Barrymore, Henry Thomas, Robert Macnaughton and Dee Wallace and headlining the event is TCM's Ben Mankiewicz.

The Slender Thread (1965) — If you can't make the opening night movie, make sure you catch this excellent drama. I saw it for the first time a while back and it quickly became one of my favorites. It doesn't hurt that it stars three of my favorite actors: Sidney Poitier, Anne Bancroft and Telly Savalas. The screening includes a discussion with film critic Sergio Mims and Bancroft's son, actor Max Brooks.

Jewel Robbery (1932) — Pre-Code films are always a highlight of the TCM Classic Film Festival and in highest demand. This funny Pre-Code starring Kay Francis and William Powell will be presented by historian Cari Beauchamp.

FRIDAY APRIL 22ND

A Little Song, A Little Dance (2022) — This special presentation hosted head of archives at Paramount Andrea Kalas, will screen rarely scene musical numbers from Paramount films. The Vitaphone shorts presentation hosted by Ron Hutchinson (RIP) some years back was a highlight of the fest and I'm excited about to see some rare gems.

Giant (1956) Restoration —George Stevens' family epic Giant has gone a 4k HDR and audio restoration by Warner Bros. in partnership with the Film Foundation. To see this at the TCL Chinese IMAX theatre on that gigantic screen will be nothing short of amazing. The event is hosted by Ben Mankiewicz and features special guests Steven Spielberg, George Stevens Jr. and Margaret Bodde.

Soylent Green (1973) — How fitting that on Earth Day TCMFF will be playing the environmental thriller Soylent Green. The film will be screened poolside at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and actress Leigh Taylor-Young will be on hand to talk about her experience making this science fiction classic.

A Conversation with Bruce Dern —These hour long conversations are always a highlight of the fest. They usually hold two or three of them and it's great if you want to hear more from a star than just their 15 minute interview at a film screening. I can't pass up this opportunity to see Bruce Dern in conversation with TCM host Ben Mankiewicz.

Cooley High (1975) — There are several notable reunions happening at TCMFF including E.T., Diner (1982) and A League of Their Own. But the one I'm most excited about is Cooley High, a wonderful coming-of-age story set in late 1960s Chicago. Director Michael Schultz and actors Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Garrett Morris, Glynn Turman, Steven Williams and Cynthia Davis will all be on hand for the screening which will be hosted by Jacqueline Stewart.

SATURDAY APRIL 23RD

Annie (1982) — TCM host Alicia Malone will be interviewing Aileen Quinn, the star of the classic movie musical Annie (1982). This special 40th anniversary screening will be held at the TCM Chinese IMAX theater and I'd be surprised if the audience didn't burst out in song. Tomorrow! Tomorrow!

The Flame and the Arrow (1950) — You had me at Gordon Gebert! The former child actor (star of one of my top favorite movies Holiday Affair) will be on hand at the Hollywood Legion Theater to discuss this swashbuckling drama. It will include a discussion with Oscar winning sound design and visual effects duo Ben Burtt and Craig Barron.

Three on a Match (1932) — I'd be shocked if this Pre-Code screening isn't sold out. Three on a Match is one of my favorite Pre-Codes (one of the spiciest of the bunch) and to see it for its 90th anniversary would be a treat. I'm not sure if I can make it to this one but a gal can dream.

Drunken Master II (1994) — TCM host Jacqueline Stewart will be presenting the Jackie Chan action film Drunken Master II. It was released in the US as The Legend of Drunken Master in the US and featured bad dubbing and poorly worded translations. The original, uncut Hong Kong version will be shown at TCMFF.

The French Way (1945) — I love Josephine Baker and haven't seen this film of hers. It was shot in occupied France during WWII and the war serves as an important backdrop to this comedy film. TCMFF will be showing Jeff Joseph's restoration of the film for SabuCat Productions.

SUNDAY APRIL 24TH

7th Heaven (1927) — There aren't many silent film screenings at TCMFF but they do make sure to spotlight a great film from the era and present it with live musical accompaniment. This Frank Borzage film starring Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor will have an introduction by Eddie Muller and music by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.

Live Read: I Married a Monster From Outerspace (1958) — TCMFF has hosted a handful of live reads and unfortunately I've never attended any. But I'd really love to see because they sound like a ton of fun. Performing the dialogue for this science fiction B-movie are comedians Charlene Deguzman, Dana Gould, David Koechner, Laraine Newman, Jonah Ray, Janet Varney and Baron Vaughn and music and sound effects performed by Eban Schletter.

Waterloo Bridge (1940) — One of my favorite authors, Sloan De Forest, will be presenting this film so this is an absolute can't-miss. I've only ever seen the 1931 version of Waterloo Bridge so this will be a first time viewing for me.

A Conversation with Piper Laurie — As I mentioned before, these one-hour long chats at Club TCM are a real highlight. I'm thrilled that Piper Laurie will be at the festival. She'll be at screenings of The Hustler (1961) and Has Anybody Seen My Gal (1952) and I hope I can catch this conversation she'll be having with TCM host Dave Karger.

Coffy (1973) — What a way to close out the festival! The last screening of TCMFF will be the blaxploitation classic Coffy and star Pam Grier will be on hand to talk about the film. Epic!

CLASSIC FILM BOOKS!

This year's festival has more book signing events than ever before! This is a great line-up and book sales are handled by Larry Edmunds Bookshop (a great way to support an amazing indie bookshop!). Larry Edmunds will also be hosting some Sunday morning book events so make sure you visit their site for details.

Doris Day Animal Foundation's Jim Pierson and Lea Price— Doris Day: Images of a Hollywood Icon: Photographs from Her Private CollectionBarbara Hall & Rocky Lang — Letters from Hollywood: Inside the Private World of Classic American MoviemakingJohn Malahy — Summer Movies: 30 Sun-Drenched ClassicsAlicia Malone — Girls on Film: Lessons from a Life of Watching Women in MoviesLeonard Maltin — Starstruck: My Unlikely Road to HollywoodScott McGee — Danger on the Silver Screen: 50 Films Celebrating Cinema's Greatest Stunts
Eddie Muller — Dark City: The Lost World of Film NoirGeorge Stevens Jr. — My Place in the Sun: Life in the Golden Age of Hollywood and WashingtonCarla Valderrama — This Was Hollywood: Forgotten Stars & Stories
All content is property of Out of the Past: A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2022

Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen (2022)

Director Daniel Raim continues his quest to champion the art of filmmaking with his latest documentary Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen (2022). Narrated by Jeff Goldblum, this documentary takes a deep dive into the making of Fiddler on the Roof (1971), director Norman Jewison's personal and professional journey and all of the key players who came to together to make one of the greatest musical films of all time.

Fiddler on the Roof was the brainchild of composer Jerry Bock, lyricist Sheldon Harnick and writer Joseph Stein. The inspiration came from a selection of short stories by Yiddish writer Sholem Aleichem called Teyve and his Daughters as well as artist Marc Chagall's 1912 painting The Fiddler. The play opened on Broadway in 1964 and there was some concern that the story would only appeal to a small Jewish audience. However, Fiddler's tale of a Jewish dairy farmer who attempts to marry off his five daughters in pre-revolutionary Russia, is a story of family, tradition and the inevitability of change. This gave the story a universal appeal and along with the excellent story and top-notch musical numbers, Fiddler was an international success. And naturally it was destined to become a film. 

Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen explores the history behind the Broadway show, how Norman Jewison came to be involved, the casting, musical direction, art direction, location scouting, choreography, cinematography and many other elements that came to make the film as well as Fiddler's legacy. There is so much here to take in but it never feels overwhelming. 

The documentary includes interviews with director Norman Jewison, lyricist Sheldon Harnick, musical director John Williams, actresses Rosalind Harris (Tzeitel), Michele Marsh (Hodel) and Neva Small (Chava) and film critic Kenneth Turan. There are also archival interviews of Jewison back in 2000 as well as actor Topol and art director Robert F. Boyle. The interviews add so much to this documentary. There is nothing quite like first hand accounts of an important moment in film history. And much like Daniel Raim's other documentaries, there are illustrations from artist Patrick Mate as well as plenty of archival footage and behind-the-scenes photographs. The documentary is also is chock full of interesting facts even beyond just the making of Fiddler on the Roof. Watching it felt like I was getting two documentaries for the price of one: the making of a film and the biography of its director. 

Courtesy of Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber
Courtesy of Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber

"My documentaries preserve film history and depict the art, craft, and soul of the movies through intimate portraits of cinema artists." — Daniel Raim

I was already a fan of Daniel Raim's other work, especially Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story which continues to be my favorite documentary. I also really loved Image Makers: The Adventures of America’s Pioneer Cinematographers and In Search of Ozu (available on the Criterion Channel). He scores another win with Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen.

An engrossing documentary from start to finish, Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen is a must watch for fans of the musical and for anyone interested in the art of filmmaking.

Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen is distributed by Zeitgeist Films in association with Kino Lorber (I'm hoping a blu-ray/dvd release is in the near future!). It opens at the Angelika Film Center in NYC on April 29th and the Laemmle Royal and Town Center in LA on May 6th which many more screenings to follow. Visit the official page for more details.

All content is property of Out of the Past: A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2022

SXSW: The Last Movie Stars

Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward are the subjects of a new documentary streaming later this year on CNN+ and HBO Max. Told in six chapters, The Last Movie Stars chronicles Newman and Woodward's acting careers, including the sixteen films they made together, and their enduring love story. I had the privilege of attending the world premiere of the first chapter at this year's SXSW Film Festival and am thrilled to share a bit about this documentary with you.

The Last Movie Stars is the brainchild of producer Emily Wachtel who was close friends with the Newman-Woodward family and was able to get access to recordings, photos and home videos used in the film. Ethan Hawke directed the film and gave the project an "actors on actors" perspective.

The project began just as the pandemic put us all in isolation. The film embraces the constraints of the pandemic and is primarily composed of archival footage, movie clips, narration and Zoom interviews. This works quite well in the first chapter and I'm curious to see if continues to work or if it will bog down the rest of the film.

To offer some background, some years ago Paul Newman started working on a memoir. He invited friends and family to tell their stories about their relationships with him including his wife Joanne Woodward, his ex-wife Jackie Witte, his friends and fellow collaborators Gore Vidal, Karl Malden, Sidney Lumet, Elia Kazan and more. He also recorded himself discussing different aspects of his life and career. It's uncertain why but Newman eventually destroyed all of these recordings. Lucky for us, they were all transcribed and those transcriptions survived. 

In The Last Movie Stars, Ethan Hawke invites his actor friends to read the transcriptions in the voices of the various subjects. George Clooney plays Paul Newman, Laura Linney plays Joanne Woodward, Zoe Kazan plays Jackie Witte, Vincent D'Onofrio plays Gore Vidal, etc. Other actors include Mark Ruffalo, Billy Crudup, Sam Rockwell, Oscar Isaac and Steve Zahn. Along with their narrations, there are Zoom interviews with all of the actors. They share their mutual admiration for Newman and Woodward with Hawke who guides the story. There are also of other interviews with figures like Sally Field and Martin Scorsese who don't narrate but offer their perspectives and stories. It's a very meta approach. The audience follows along with the creation of the documentary as they learn more about these two fascinating subjects from film history.

The documentary's core purpose which is to tell the story of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Chapter one focuses on how they became actors, their affair which lead to the break-up of Newman's first marriage and the beginning of their lifelong adventure together. One takeaway from the first chapter is that Woodward very much came into her own at the beginning of her career while it took Newman to really discover himself as an actor. Newman eventually overshadowed Woodward as his fame skyrocketed. However, the two had a mutual respect for each other and Woodward was able to find a deeper meaning to her life and career. With The Last Movie Stars, producer Emily Wachtel and director Ethan Hawke are reintroducing Newman and Woodward to a new generation with the hope that telling their story will help reinforce their legacy as the great actors they were. 

Watching The Last Movie Stars reinvigorated me. My purpose has always been to keep film history alive and share the joys of classic movies with others. This documentary does just that. Having seen the first chapter, I am anxious to see the next five. At the world premiere, Hawke shared that the first three chapters are completed but the last three are still in the editing process. He estimated that they'll be done by June. A streaming date has yet to be announced.

Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas
Ethan Hawke introducing The Last Movie Stars at SXSW
Q&A after the world premiere. Left to Right: Richard Linklater, Emily Wachtel, Ethan Hawke

I hope to do a full review once all six chapters of the documentary are available.

Note to add: While Joanne Woodward is still with us, she suffers from alzheimer's disease and was not able to be interviewed for this project. 

All content is property of Out of the Past: A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2022

SXSW: Still Working 9 to 5

Directed by Camille Hardman and Gary Lane, Still Working 9 to 5 (2022) chronicles the making of 9 to 5 (1980), its impact on our culture and its legacy while also examining the continued struggle women face in the workplace.

In the late 1970s, a movement was gaining steam. With every passing year women were becoming a bigger and bigger part of the workforce. However, they were paid less than their male counterparts, had to endure sexual harassment and were shut out of potentially lucrative positions. 9to5, the National Association of Working Women, became an integral part of the women's movement, advocating for equality in the workplace. And it was out of this rallying cry for change that the dark comedy 9 to 5 (1980) was born.

9 to 5 stars Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as a trio of office workers who seek revenge on their manipulative boss, played by Dabney Coleman. 

The film was the brainchild of Jane Fonda and producer Bruce Gilbert. Originally it was meant to be more of a drama. It was a decided that a comedy would be more palatable to audiences and would be a more effective way of delivering the movie's social message. Many of the dramatic elements remain and this comedy has plenty of dark and disturbing moments along with the humor. The story was written by Patricia Resick and Colin Higgins was hired as both director and co-screenwriter. 20th Century Fox picked up the project for production and distribution. The intention was to have five female leads but that was pared down to just the three. The roles of Judy, Violet and Doralee were written with Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton in mind. Fonda was known for her activism, Tomlin had a hit Broadway show and Parton was a rising country music star. The three were at the top of their game and ready to launch this film into the stratosphere.

9 to 5 (1980) was an amazing success thanks to the film's message, the three dynamic leads, Coleman's excellent villain role and Dolly Parton's theme song 9 to 5 which she wrote and performed for the film.

Still Working 9 to 5 (2022) features interviews with star trio Fonda, Tomlin and Parton as well as Dabney Coleman, writer Patricia Resick and producer Bruce Gilbert. Having access to so many key players adds a wealth of insight that makes this documentary so valuable. Other interviewees include Rita Moreno, who starred in the TV spinoff, Allison Janney, who starred in the Broadway production, and activists, particularly those involved with the 9to5 organization. 

9 to 5 was both a product of its era but also timeless and the documentary expertly weaves behind-the-scenes information with context to demonstrate this. Along with the interviews are archival footage of the movement, TV clips from the film's media tour, clips from 9 to 5 and a new rendition of the theme song performed by Dolly Parton and Kelly Clarkson. Just like the original film, the documentary has a clear social message: while we've made strides towards equality, we still have a long way to go.

Still Working 9 to 5 (2022) had its world premiere at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival. Release dates and streaming details are yet to be determined.

Visit the official website to find out more about the film!All content is property of Out of the Past: A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2022

Sundance: Lucy and Desi

 

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are having a moment. They were recently been the subject of Aaron Sorkin's new movie Becoming the Ricardos, which stars Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem as the famous duo. And TCM's season three of their excellent podcast The Plot Thickens devotes an entire 10 episodes (plus a bonus one) to Lucille's story. Now there is a new documentary, directed by Amy Poehler and premiering on Amazon Prime March 4th, that takes viewers into the world of these two 20th Century icons. 
Lucy and Desi follows the story of the two entertainers from their early days in New York and Cuba, to their start in Hollywood, the success of the I Love Lucy show and Desilu Studios and beyond. The documentary includes archival footage, home video, family photographs, clips from I Love Lucy and audio recordings of Ball and Arnaz talking about their lives. Poehler wanted to tell the story of Lucy and Desi through their own words which she does effectively in this film. There are plenty of interviews too including with family members, experts, and celebrities like Carol Burnett, Bette Midler and Charo. 
The documentary demonstrates just how influential Lucy and Desi really were. A powerhouse couple in the entertainment industry, the resounding success of I Love Lucy and the birth of Desilu Studios revolutionized television production. Lucille Ball was a brilliant comedian and a free spirit. Desi Arnaz was a master at the business and a talented producer. The film also explores their marriage, including stories from their children, and even goes into some detail about their second marriages, which are often overlooked despite lasting longer than the Ball-Arnaz union. There is a really moving story, as told by their daughter, about Lucy and Desi's final meeting and their final phone call. 
There were a couple of claims made in the film which were a bit off. I'd have to revisit the doc to see what exactly was said because I only got one chance to see it. It was suggested that Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance were the first on screen female comedy duo. While that was a rarity, they were not the first and such a claim ignores the fact that comedic talents like Thelma Todd, ZaSu Pitts and Patsy Kelly (who all worked with each other in duos) existed before the advent of television. Also there was a claim that Lucy and Desi were the original lifestyle brand which also ignores how many famous actors were employed to market household products on radio shows and in magazine ads.
Lucy and Desi is a good primer for anyone wanting to learn about these two entertainment icons. However, I would steer people more towards TCM's podcast The Plot Thickens which is very well-researched, offers more information, includes plenty of audio so you get that feeling like you heard Lucille Ball tell her own story, but also has the added benefit of Ben Mankiewicz as host.


Lucy and Desi had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and will be available on Amazon Prime in March.

All content is property of Out of the Past: A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2022

Sundance: Living

 

It's been a long time since I've had a strong emotional reaction to a film like I had with this one. It really spoke to my soul in such a way that I was a wreck afterwards. It's brilliant, heartbreaking and soul-reviving. It breathed new life into me.
Written by acclaimed author Kazuo Ishiguro and directed by Oliver Hermanus, Living is a remake of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's classic drama Ikiru (1952). Set in early 1950s London, the film stars Bill Nighy as Mr. Williams, a civil servant in charge of a government office that oversees projects. Mr. Williams is a widower living with his son Michael and daughter-in-law. Every day he takes the train into London to work and his routine is very set in stone. So much so that his coworkers know his routine and his quirks down pat and respect him enough to not to disturb his daily flow. His coworkers are a serious bunch with the exception of newcomer Peter Wakeling (Alex Sharp), who brings with him the enthusiasm of energy of a young man embarking on a new chapter, and Margaret Harris (Aimee Lou Wood), the sprightly young woman brings a bit of joy to the otherwise dullness of office work. Mr. Williams gets the devastating news that he has terminal cancer and little time left. He stops going to work, looking for a way to spend his final days actually living. After a few jaunts he realizes exactly what will give him a sense of purpose and a bit of happiness before his time runs out.

"I withdrew this cash and came down here to enjoy myself or live a little... but I realize I don't know how." — Mr. Williams

This film is breathtaking. Besides the poignant story, there are the wonderful performances, the stunning cinematography and the period authentic set design and costuming. Bill Nighy delivers an award worthy performance as Mr. Williams. He portrays his character as gentle, kind but ultimately lost. Mr. Williams reminds us that life is short and there is no time like the present to start living. At one point I felt the film would become too sappy, but the story steers us back to reality. We are human. We self-sabotage. We don't really grasp what living truly is. And we let a job eat away at our years, robbing us of a chance of really taking in the world around us. 
Living is a pretty faithful adaptation of Kurosawa's Ikiru in terms of story. The opening credits are laid over archival footage of 1950s London and for a moment it feels like we're watching the beginning of an old movie. 

Living recently had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. I implore you all to see it when you can. It's really just a fine piece of filmmaking. It's a movie with a lot of heart. There isn't any information about future film festival spots or a public release but when there is I will add it here. In the meantime, if you haven't seen Kurosawa's Ikiru or want to revisit it, the film is currently available on the Criterion Channel.

All content is property of Out of the Past: A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2022

Charles Boyer: The French Lover by John Baxter

Charles Boyer The French Lover by John BaxterHardcover ISBN: 9780813155524University Press of Kentucky 298 pagesNovember 2021 Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Powell's
“For generations of film and theater audiences, Boyer was the archetypal Frenchman — cultivated, courteous, and seductive, yet never quite at home in a culture not his own. The sense of loss conveyed in his murmuring baritone voice was the very essence of romance. Women longed to comfort him; men wanted to become his friend.” — John Baxter
Charles Boyer charmed audiences for decades playing suave and debonair leading men in countless classic films. Audiences swooned at films like The Garden of Allah (1936), Algiers (1938), Love Affair (1939), Madame de... (1953). Boyer terrified us with his intensity in films like the psychological drama Gaslight (1944). His life began and ended with great tragedy but in the middle he found many ways to thrive doing what he loved best: acting.
Charles Boyer: The French Lover by John Baxter offers everything a reader would want out of movie star biography. It's compact, chronological, and concise. It's well-written and thoroughly researched. It offers just the right balance of personal and professional. It never crosses over to sensationalism yet delivers plenty of insights. The reader will come away feeling like they really got to know Charles Boyer as a person and as an actor and will immediately look for movies to watch to extend the experience. 
More books like this please!

Boyer in 1939 rehearsing for his appearance on the
radio drama series Hollywood Playhouse.
Credit: NBC. Source: University Press of Kentucky

Some takeaways from the book:
Boyer came from a place of privilege and the author describes his journey to Hollywood as a progression rather than a struggle. Boyer loved reading and amassed a large collection of books (including over 3,000 first editions). He also had a penchant for gambling and smoking.He was highly competitive and had a knack for memorizing dialogue. So much so that he would memorize all the parts of a script.He was intensely private and turned down interviews whenever he could. Baxter writes “Boyer lived in relative simplicity, with only one other permanent staff member: his double and stand-in Irving “Fig” Newton, whom he kept on retainer. A part-time secretary handled business correspondence and fan mail—which, as an independent, Boyer had to respond to himself, rather than leaving it to a studio press office. He subscribed to no clippings service and did not employ a press agent. Requests for interviews were politely declined.”Despite developing a reputation as "the French lover", Boyer was quite the misogynist and was open about his disdain for women. This changed when he met the love of his life Pat Paterson. Baxter writes “Marriage had softened Boyer’s hostility toward women. His new manner was gentler, amused, provocative.”He started his career in Hollywood in bit parts or starring in the French productions of American films like The Trial of Mary Dugan and The Big House (my review of the three versions of that film can be found here)Boyer insisted on leading roles because he valued his talent and knew that top billing meant top pay and top treatment. After WWII and with the rise of television, he began to take on more character roles in Europe.Boyer's father died at a young age. He was met with tragedy later on in life when his son died by suicide and his beloved wife died of cancer. Boyer ended his life two days after Pat's death.

The author goes into detail about Boyer's working relationship with his leading ladies including Irene Dunne, Ingrid Bergman, Jean Arthur and Rita Hayworth. Mia Farrow, who grew up next door to the Boyers, was interviewed for the book and is quoted several times. Not every film is discussed the majority are. I found this a welcome relief as some biographies do try to tackle each and every film and if the subject's filmography is quite extensive this in turn can become quite exhausting. Some notable films discussed include: Red-Headed Woman (1932), Caravan (1934) Liliom (1934), The Garden of Allah (1936), Conquest (1937), Tovarich (1937), Algiers (1938), Love Affair (1939), All This, and Heaven Too (1940), Hold Back the Dawn (1941), The Constant Nymph (1943), Gaslight (1944), Cluny Brown (1944) and many more. There are some light spoilers but I didn't feel like it was necessary to be well-versed in Boyer's filmography to be able to enjoy the book. 
If you're a Charles Boyer fan or even mildly interested in him, don't miss out on this excellent biography.


A big thank you to University Press of Kentucky for sending me a copy of the book for review.All content is property of Out of the Past: A Classic Film Blog. Copyright © 2007-2022

Hollywood Victory by Christian Blauvelt

Hollywood Victory The Movies, Stars, and Stories of World War II by Christian BlauveltForeword by Dr. Robert M. CitinoHardcover ISBN: 978076249992TCM and Running Press240 pagesNovember 2021
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Powell's

“By the end of the war, motion pictures, having become the voice of the nation, would end up as the definitive American art form– America’s greatest cultural export to the world.” — Christian Blauvelt

During WWII, movies reached the peak of their cultural influence over the American public. Hollywood rallied to support the war effort in many ways. Actors served overseas or entertained the troops. Directors documented battles on film to keep the American public back home apprised of what was happening during the war. Hollywood stars traveled all over the country selling war bonds. The Hollywood Canteen, started by John Garfield and Bette Davis, entertained the troops giving them a morale boost before they went off to battle. And it was movies like Confessions of a Nazi Spy that rang the alarm bells that something truly sinister was happening abroad. And when the United States officially entered the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor, movies offered the public a unique form of encouragement to help get through the struggles ahead.
Hollywood Victory: The Movies, Stars, and Stories of World War II by Christian Blauvelt takes a look at the many ways Hollywood participated in the war effort and bolstered the American public. This book featured themed essays that tackle many aspects of WWII Hollywood in a way that is both informative and visually appealing. It includes a wide breadth of stories; some classic film fans will be familiar with and others that will be quite enlightening. The behind-the-scenes or lesser known stories alongside the ones we come to expect to be told about the war enriches the reading experience.






Key figures discussed in the book include: Lena Horne, Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, Jimmy StewartHenry Fonda, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Leslie Howard, Veronica Lake, Hedy Lamarr, Conrad Veidt, Peter Lorre, Otto Preminger, Anna May Wong, Orson Welles, Bob Hope, Carmen Miranda, John Huston, Hattie McDaniel, James Cagney, John Ford, Edward G. Robinson, Billy Wilder, Paul Robeson, Marlene Dietrich and many more.

“Entertainment is always a national asset… Invaluable in time of peace, it is indispensable in  wartime.” — President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Movies discussed at length include: Confessions of a Nazi Spy, The Great Director, Casablanca, Mrs. Miniver, The Human Comedy and many more.
Much attention is given to the history of minorities during WWII. There are several essays about how Hollywood's involvement with Latin American talent as part of America's Good Neighbor Policy, how Chinese American actors were used to depict Japanese characters, how black soldiers were treated during the war and about black talent including Lena Horne and Hattie McDaniel who were very active on the homefront.
The essays are presented in a rough chronological order so you follow the story of Hollywood during WWII from right before Pearl Harbor to the end of the war in 1945.  I particularly enjoyed reading about how the studios approached telling war stories, about the Hollywood Canteen and the Hollywood Victory Caravan, how individual films made an impact on both audiences but also key power players and how each star approached their involvement in the war effort. I wasn't particularly interested in the pieces on Disney however animation enthusiasts will be eager to read more about that. 
Hollywood Victory is a must have for classic movie enthusiasts who have a particular interest in WWII history.
Thank you to TCM and Running Press for sending me a copy of Hollywood Victory for review. 
Check out the video below to see what else I've been reading.

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