Silver Screen Book Club discussion
Welcome! (Introductions)
Welcome Michael! You've joined the best club on GR.
Hi Michael, and welcome. I'm a fan of pre-code, too. Looking forward to your comments.
Hi there I'm Paolo, italian, reader. And old movies lover, of course :-D
Michael wrote: "Hi,from Fostoria Ohio,a huge pre-code movie fan ,and WB movies "ripped from the headlines"Love Norma Shearer,Barbara Stanwyck, Bogart,Cagney,Joan Blondell,Harlow etc."
"Ripped from the headlines" wow, awesome! Could you please tell me the meaning? Does it mean something that happened in true life and cinema builded up a story?
Paolo del ventoso Est wrote: "Michael wrote: "Hi,from Fostoria Ohio,a huge pre-code movie fan ,and WB movies "ripped from the headlines"Love Norma Shearer,Barbara Stanwyck, Bogart,Cagney,Joan Blondell,Harlow etc."
"Ripped from..."
Yeah, it's not "I WAS a fugitive from a chain gang," it's I *AM* a fugitive from a chain gang. Ripped from today's headlines, based on a true story, and stark as hell. Also, I suppose what you'd call "proto-noir," since it's ten years earlier than any other noir.
Scarface, too.
It's funny, because anytime an old movie uses that device of successive headlines superimposed over furiously rolling printing presses, it's always 'corny.'
Greetings; I'm Scott (though for Goodread's sake, listed here as Evan, my pen name.) Upstate New York is home, though originally I'm from Los Angeles, where I frequented both the Silent Movie Theater and the Vagabond Theater (both gone now, I'm afraid.) I'm a big fan of silent, pre-code and many films of the 30's and 40's -- especially those of Warner Brothers, where my grandfather worked as a projectionist in its heyday. (He also has an unbilled but noticeable part in one of Buster Keaton's great films, "Steamboat Bill, Jr.")That background contributed, in part, to my recently published e-book: Downriver: A Tale of Moving Pictures Before Hollywood It didn't start off as a movie-making saga, but the more I learned about what a fascinating, crazy world it was before movies became an industry, the more I was pulled into it. And since my main character moves from theater into directing, I had great fun bringing in some of her contemporaries --Alice Guy Blache, Lois Weber, Nell Shipman -- whose real stories were fascinating enough that I didn't need to embellish!
Hi, I'm Lee from Virginia. I'm a retired US Navy physician turned writer and I'm a big fan of the Golden Era of Hollywood. My newest book that is being released next month may be of interest to members of this group. "Sterling Hayden's Wars" is an authorized bio of the late film star, author, and war hero Sterling Hayden. In addition to a lot of primary source documents from the National Archives and the transcripts of the HUAC hearings, I was honored to get input from Hayden family members, including his widow. He certainly led an incredible life.
I''m Dianne from Connecticut, (USA) I am NOT an author LOL! I love reading more than I enjoy watching TV and I haven't been to a movie in at least 2 decades. However, I do LOVE my DVR's and old movies (and old TV shows).Favorites include:
Mr. Blandings Build His Dream House
All About Eve
Bell Book and Candle
Arsenic and Old Lace
Gone With the Wind
Rear Window
Lifeboat
and oh so many more.
hi, I'm new here. I like watching movies for their cinematography - and that's how I stumbled on movies shot in black and white
I especially like the camera work of Billy Wilder and Lang, but there loads more. And the comedy is subtle, "Detective Story" (Wyler) comes to mind. very clever, the way the camera moves
I don't have favorite stars and like the dramas as much as the screwball comedies, along with crime dramas and westerns.
I'll watch anything where the camera work grabs my attention.
so look forward chatting with you all
Mod
I am reading P Adams Sitney's "Visionary Film" and hoping to watch the films mentioned as I go through. The book covers avant-garde american films 1943-2000. I am not sure if its exactly on topic for this group but this was the closest group I could find for what I am trying to do.
Last night I could not find all the films mentioned in chapter two, so I watched the documentary "In the Mirror of Maya Deren" instead.
If anyone in this group is interested in the book or the films it covers I would be interested in discussing it.
Hello movie buffs. I saw that several of my GR friends are members and decided to jump in. I am a huge fan of films from silent through the noirs of the 1950s and this looks like the group for me. Thanks for having me.
Mod
I hope that the films I watch and study are not older than those enjoyed by the membership. I also am very interested in the "B" film genre. Don't let me bore you to death on those subjects!!!! :>)
Hi all.I am very interested in film.Favourite directors include Hitchcock,Kubrick,David Lean,Eastwood and Woody Allen.Have a sizeable film library at home.
Hi. Been a member for awhile, but never introduced myself. My taste in film, books, and music are wide, but I gravitate to.the weird. Hard-boiled, abstract, psychedelic, occult, etc. You can find my film ratings and reviews at rateyourmusic.com. My username is spencerrich. I also love the Great American Songbook and the swing era. But any jazz up to Bill Evans or classic Coltrane Quartet is fine. Will watch or listen to anything with Sinatra.
Also into classic Disney, Warner, etc. animation.
Mod
Hi All! I am Mark from Los Angeles. I became interested in Golden Age Hollywood after moving back here 7 years ago. I am a huge fan of silent films and early talkies and I love to read. My favorite films are too numerous to list, and I can't go for long without getting my fix on TCM or other sources. I never worked in the industry, but as a designer I find I have a lot in common with those in the business. My dream job for semi-retirement would be to work in the creative development side of film making, or work on the Academy Museum of Film.Oh, and my favorite book about Golden Age Hollywood is "Room 1219: The Life of Fatty Arbuckle".
Mod
Hi Samantha! I design trade shows, which in a way is another form of show business like entertainment. Thanks for the welcome, it's great to be here! I'm looking forward to chatting about books and films! I see we all share many of the same books in our libraries.
Hey everyone,I'm new! My name is Dia and I'm so glad I found this group!
I adore Cary Grant, William Powell, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn but also like Gene Kelly, James Stewart, Elisabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Doris Day, Ann Blyth, Marilyn Monroe, Shirley Temple and Charlie Chaplin.
I like screwball comedies, film noir and almost all Alfred Hitchcock films but also silent era films like "The Hands of Orlac". Looking forward to all book/movie discussions! :)
That's a nice list of favourites,you got there.
Mod
Hello Dreamingblackbird. You had my attention from Grant, Powell, Bogart and you held it nicely with screball/noir/Hitch and silents. Welcome!
Hello Ace, that's one ecclectic mix I'd say. Out of that lot, my faves would be William Haines (right at the start) and Rita Moreno (who still with us). Have you see the new documenatry about her?
According to imdb she appeared in over 700 episodes of that. I still don't really know what it is. Something like Sesame Street?
Mod
Alo! I’m Tamara, 21 (but would be 22 this year, sorry for not introduced myself before) is a huge fan of old Hollywood. I liked Tyrone Power just because his extremely handsome face but never his acting and movies. I also liked Cary Grant and Bette Davis for their great acting. Liked Hedy Lamarr, too, for her beauty. I also curious some silent stars like about Rudolph Valentino, Nita Naldi and Marion Davies. I like Buster Keaton’s movies. I do admit myself that I’m a young person with old taste, haha.Can you recommend me some good books about 40s Hollywood, please.
My name is Jon; I live in Los Angeles, one zip code away from Hollywood. In my retirement I've become an urban walker, including one from my home near the Gelson's on Hyperion in Silver Lake (the original site of the Disney studio) to the Hollywood and Highland complex, going past the Larry Edmunds bookstore, of course.I like film noir, early Dustin Hoffman movies, Rocky and Bullwinkle. My favorite films are "Annie Hall," "Midnight Cowboy," "The Haunting" (1963) and "LA Confidential."
Hi I'm Diana from Los Angeles, I joined this group some time ago but realized I've never participated or introduced myself. I have been a classic movie fan for 12 years this summer, it started off as a love for old TV shows and shifted over to movies one day.I like all types of genres but absolutely love the musicals.
Hello all, and thank you for letting me join.I've always loved the older movies, I've seen many movies above listed as favorites that are mine as well. I'll share some more: To Have and Have Not, the Andy Hardy series, but perhaps my favorite (at this point in time) is The Big Sleep.
I am an author, father, son, husband and step-father, trying to follow my faith and seeking out groups and people with similar interests. I live in Firestone Colorado, a smallish suburb for the Gothemesq metropolis of Denver.
I have a website and I've been working on some stories set in the 1920s and 30s - based off the Disney Talespin Cartoons, but with quite a few influences from the Old Time Radio shows from that period as well as my own ideas and concepts.
Again thank you for letting me join.
Mod
Thank you for having me! Out West is a fun one. I haven't watched the series in many years. It might be time to bing them again - hahaha a series made to be binged before binging was a thing.
Hi! I'm Marta from Poland. I don't really use Goodreads (other than checking out book reviews, and now also - talking about them), I mostly use Polish book sites.I love old Hollywood movies. I had grown up watching movies with Cary Grant and James Stewart, I took my first steps with detective stories by watching movies with Bogart, and I fell in love with cinema thanks to Hitchcock's films. Recently, I started watching old musicals, and I am amazed to discover how many there are :)
Thank you for having me!
Marta wrote: "Hi! I'm Marta from Poland. I don't really use Goodreads (other than checking out book reviews, and now also - talking about them), I mostly use Polish book sites.I love old Hollywood movies. I had..."
What Polish movies do you recommend. The main one that comes to mind that I have seen is Popiół i diament by Andrzej Wajda. Also I have seen Ogniem i Mieczem by Jerzy Hoffman, which was probably more meaningful to me as I was familiar with the book.
This is an interesting question. That depends on what kind of cinema you like. Polish cinema - especially the old one - is dominated by films that are either very monumental and full of pathos, or comedies. Well, and we have a lot of adaptations of our books, so it's easy to find something you've read before :)If you liked Ogniem i mieczem then I recommend the second film of the trilogy - Potop (probably one of our most famous films).
Munk's Eroica and Hoffman's Prawo i pięść are similar to Popiół i diament .
Without checking a specific title, you can watch the films of Kawalerowicz ( Matka Joanna od Aniołów , Pociąg , Faraon ), Kieślowski ( Dekalog ) or these films of Polański, which he made in Poland.
If you like comedies, Bareja's films are good ( Miś , Co mi zrobisz, jak mnie złapiesz or Rozmowy kontrolowane ). I don't know if the humor and jokes will be understandable
for Americans (I know they are quite understandable for Europeans), but the reality of communist Poland (1970s and 1980s) is shown there in really cool way. It's worth a try - Bareja is a cult director for us. (From older comedies, Zezowate szczęście is also great).
From contemporary films, I highly recommend Ida and Zimna wojna . Both were made in the style of old movies.
I think all movies are available online with English subtitles (like on Netflix or Youtube).
Marta wrote: "This is an interesting question. That depends on what kind of cinema you like. Polish cinema - especially the old one - is dominated by films that are either very monumental and full of pathos, or ..."This a great list. I really appreciate it. I am going to have to dig into these. I had no idea that there were further films in that Sienkiewicz series. Thats exciting. Thank you Marta!
Hello everyone!Coming from Australia here. I am an Old Hollywood lover and adore all vintage "things". Favorite films are mainly from the 30s and 40s though I like quite a lot of films from the 50s and 60s too. I very often find little to talk to with my peers (in high school) as I am not the "trendy" type. Reading classical books, watching old movies, and listening to swing, traditional pop, and jazz are my refuge in a way.
Favorite starlets:
Hedy Lamarr, Carole Lombard, Deborah Kerr, Jean Arthur, Greta Garbo, Doris Day, Maureen O'Hara, Grace Kelly, Arlene Dahl, Rhonda Fleming, Ella Raines, Ann Sheridan, and 50+ more.
Favorite stars:
Tyrone Power, Errol Flynn, David Niven, Ray Milland, Gary Cooper, Fernando Lamas, and 38+ more.
Favorite movies:
A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)
Dishonored Lady (1947)
Pillow Talk (1959)
Random Harvest (1942)
The Grass Is Greener (1960)
Easy Living (1937)
Princess O'Rourke (1943)
Bedside Manner (1945)
+ 105 more
Favorite TV shows:
I Love Lucy
The Lucy Show
The Golden Girls
Favorite singers:
Helen Forrest
Jo Stafford
Perry Como
Patti Page
+ 65 more
Favorite singing groups:
The Andrew Sisters
The Chordettes
Favorite songs:
Please, that'll make me list 1000+ of them here
Favorite jazz/swing musicians:
Harry James
Glenn Miller
Artie Shaw
I mean, the list can go on and on you know…
I was partially devastated that Angela Lansbury left us this year, rest in peace!
Sorry I know this is a very intensively long list lmao. Glad I found this amazing group!
Mod
Samantha wrote: "Welcome welcome! You'll fit in very nicely here. We have several of the same favorites. Doris Day movies always make me feel lighter and happier and Jean Arthur is a reliably excellent actress (eve..."Ah yes! I like to watch Doris Day films when I need some cheering up. She's so hilarious and witty! Oh and I also forgot to include Myrna Low, she too was a screwball with William Powell.
Hello! My name is Georgia Scott and I write, read and review books, and chill with good movies every chance I have. Bette Davis in Now Voyager is a favorite with Joan Fontaine in Rebecca and Deborah Kerr in Black Narcissus. I'll watch Claude Rains and James Mason in just about anything. And Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole could read a phone book and I'd listen.
Mod
Hi, I'm Paula and am a fan of books on Classic Hollywood. I am co-author (with Lisa Royere) of "Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance" coming out from University Press of Kentucky this August. I am looking forward to "Captain of Her Soul" as well. Glad to be here!PaulaEleanor Powell: Born to Dance
Hi! I'm Lisa Royere, co-author of "Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance" (with Paula Broussard). I love classic films and have a particular weakness for musicals! Obviously, I love Eleanor Powell, but I also am a fan of Deanna Durbin and Irene Dunne, among (so many) others. Looking forward to reading "Marion Davies: Captain of Her Soul" with this group.
Silver Screen Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance (other topics)Downriver: A Tale of Moving Pictures Before Hollywood (other topics)
Kate Remembered (other topics)
Kate Remembered (other topics)
Kate Remembered (other topics)
More...
Love Norma Shearer,Barbara Stanwyck, Bogart,Cagney,Joan Blondell,Harlow etc.