Something slightly different this week. Covering an interesting and much mentioned piece of cinema history. We often talk about an actor or film being Box Office Poison, but what does this mean and where did this start? Watch below to find out. And while you're there, like and subscribe. https://youtu.be/fpCRqsiNCJw
Starring: Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell, Gloria Grahame Director: Vincente Minnelli Johnathan Sheilds (Douglas) is a movie producer who has no scruples about using people to make it big. But his behaviour has alienated three people who he now needs to make a career making film. An actress, a writer and a… Continue reading Classic Movie Of The Week: The Bad And The Beautiful (1952)
Starring: Judy Garland, James Mason, Jack Carson Director: George Cukor There have been several versions of A Star Is Born, and there's set to be another one out this year. There's something about the story of the meteoric rise of the starlet while her famous love and mentor takes a massive fall that's so dark… Continue reading Classic Movie Of The Week: A Star Is Born (1954)
Last night was the 90th Academy Awards, a ceremony that usually inspires some controversy, joys, disappointments and emotional tears, for the attendees at least. Whether you love or hate the films that won or were nominated, it's always an interesting night. In case you missed it, here is the full list of nominees and winners.… Continue reading And The Winner Is…. Oscars 2018
Starring: Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid Director: Frank Perry Joan Crawford was a huge star, starting in the 1930's and managing to have a respected career for decades, garnering Oscars and huge salaries. She was the queen of Hollywood. But in 1978, her adopted daughter Christina published a book called Mommie Dearest, which exposed the horror… Continue reading Classic Movie Of The Week: Mommie Dearest (1981)
Jane Ellen Wayne's book, Lana: The Lives and Loves of Lana Turner is a slim volume. It's amazing that a woman whose life was lived so large and so passionately, and whose life was also so fascinating, should be given only a small book. There is a biography written by her daughter Cheryl, but I… Continue reading Biography Of The Month- Lana: The Lives and Loves Of Lana Turner by Jane Ellen Wayne
Mystery Science Theatre 3000 aired from 1988 - 1999 and became a cult phenomenon. In 2015, a record breaking crowd funding Kickstarter campaign raised funds for a new season, which aired this year. I don't normally talk about TV, but I'm bending this rules here, because if you're a film buff or if you love… Continue reading Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (1988 – 1999)
The story of Louise B Mayer is the story of Old Hollywood and it’s Golden Age. He and the other players of his era shaped the industry from it’s inception and used the studio system to control and create stars. It was a very different time both socially and culturally. Under Mayer’s days as head… Continue reading Biography Of The Month: Louis B Mayer
Lauren Bacall is one of my favourite actresses from Hollywood's so called Golden Age. A beautiful actress, she starred as a knowing femme fatale in films like The Big Sleep and Key Largo, and went on to do more comedic roles in films like How To Marry A Millionaire. Her relationship with husband Humphrey Bogart… Continue reading Biography Of The Month: Lauren Bacall
Loosely plotted along a cell of Communist writers kidnapping a movie star for ransom money and a studio fixers attempts to get him returned, this film is a series of vignettes playing with classic Hollywood figures and movie tropes, a homage to a bygone era of cinema as well as a lampooning of that time.… Continue reading Hail, Caesar!
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