TCM in May: Highlights

April has flown past and May has arrived, whichmeans it's now time for a detailed look at the May schedule on Turner Classic Movies!

The May Star of the Month is Sessue Hayakawa, with his films shown on Monday evenings, beginning May 6th.

In conjunction with the celebration of Hayakawa's career, his films will be followed by late Monday night screenings of movies featuring other Asian actors and themes, with stars including Anna May Wong, Toshiro Mifune, and James Shigeta.

This month's Noir Alley films are DARK PASSAGE (1947) on May 4th and 5th, FOLLOW ME QUIETLY (1949) on the 11th and 12th, and the TCM premiere of TAKE AIM AT THE POLICE VAN (1960) on May 18th and 19th. The last weekend of the month will feature BAD FOR EACH OTHER (1953) on May 25th and 26th.

The TCM Spotlight is called "A Single Name" and features movies with one-name titles, including a relatively rare TCM airing of SHANE (1953) on May 8th. The Spotlight series will air on Wednesdays.

Additional "Special Themes" this month include "The Art of Artifice" on Tuesdays and "Directed By Frank Borzage" on the first three Thursdays of May.

Below are just a few more of the month's notable highlights. Please click any hyperlinked title to read my full-length review.

...The Frank Borzage series begins on Thursday evening, May 2nd, with a lineup that includes STRANDED (1935), starring Kay Francis and George Brent, and DESIRE (1936), starring Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper. I've seen both these films multiple times and enjoy them very much.

...A tribute to Steve Martin on May 3rd includes DEAD MEN DON'T WEAR PLAID (1982). It's rather a one-joke film, but it has some great classic film clips and Rachel Ward has a wonderful Edith Head wardrobe.

...The Musical Matinee on May 4th is one of my all-time favorite films and a movie I think is a really unsung musical: TONIGHT AND EVERY NIGHT (1945). It's set in WWII London during the Blitz. Rita Hayworth stars, along with Lee Bowman, Janet Blair, and Marc Platt.

...A Raoul Walsh double feature on May 5th consists of John Wayne in THE BIG TRAIL (1930), another relatively rare TCM showing, followed by the classic James Cagney crime film WHITE HEAT (1949). I just revisited WHITE HEAT in 35mm at the TCM Classic Film Festival. What a great movie, packed with terrific actors down to the smallest roles.

...The "Art of Artifice" series focuses on production design and special effects. The series kicks off on May 7th with Hitchcock's NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959).

...I mentioned above that SHANE is having a fairly rare TCM airing as part of the "A Single Name" series. Another movie not shown on TCM often, Shirley Temple's HEIDI (1937), will follow SHANE on May 8th. SHANE is from Paramount Pictures and HEIDI from 20th Century-Fox, which cost more for TCM to license than some other studios, hence fewer of their films are shown on the network. (Seen at left: Temple with Marcia Mae Jones in HEIDI.)

...There's an eight-film tribute to Clark Gable on May 9th - FORSAKING ALL OTHERS (1934) costarring Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery is a particular favorite - followed by another fantastic evening of films directed by Frank Borzage. The Borzage films kick off with the superlative HISTORY IS MADE AT NIGHT (1937) starring Jean Arthur and Charles Boyer. It's part romantic comedy, part melodrama, part disaster movie, and all wonderful.

...A birthday tribute to producer David O. Selznick on May 10th includes A STAR IS BORN (1937), starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. This version is my favorite.

...Mother's Day on May 11th includes THREE DARING DAUGHTERS (1948), starring Jeanette MacDonald, and I REMEMBER MAMA (1948) with Irene Dunne.

...A tribute to director Clarence Brown on the 13th includes the very enjoyable WIFE VS. SECRETARY (1936) starring Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow, and James Stewart.

...The Art of Artifice series on May 14th includes RANCHO NOTORIOUS (1952), which I wrote about last year for Classic Movie Hub. Marlene Dietrich and Arthur Kennedy star.

...The lineup of movies featuring one-name titles includes MGM's Leslie Caron musicals GIGI (1958), seen at right, and LILI (1952) on May 15th.

...There's a fantastic '40s film noir lineup on May 16th which includes PITFALL (1948), starring Dick Powell, and LADY IN THE LAKE (1947) with Robert Montgomery. Then stay tuned for more Frank Borzage films that evening!

...The "Two For One" series on May 18th will feature Steven Spielberg introducing JAILHOUSE ROCK (1957) and FORTY GUNS (1957). Those are interesting choices for a double feature!

...The Art of Artifice on May 21st will include favorite musicals THE RED SHOES (1948), THE GLASS SLIPPER (1955), and BRIGADOON (1954).

...TCM is honoring MGM musical fave Betty Garrett on her May 23rd birthday. Films include NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER (1949) and ON THE TOWN (1949).

...On Friday evening, May 24th, TCM's annual Memorial Day Weekend war film marathon begins. It continues through Monday evening, the 27th, when it merges with a pair of WWII films starring Star of the Month Sessue Hayakawa, THREE CAME HOME (1950) and THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (1957).

...The one-name movies on May 29th include Greta Garbo in NINOTCHKA (1939).

...A lineup of "international incident" movies on May 30th includes the delightful PRINCESS O'ROURKE (1943) starring Olivia de Havilland. I love to recommend this one, which is reminiscent of the later ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953).

For additional information on TCM in May 2024, please visit my Quick Preview of TCM in May, along with TCM's online schedule.

Tweet

Tonight's Movies: Looney Tunes Collector's Choice Vol. 3 - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

The Looney Tunes Collector's Choice Vol. 3 set was recently released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection.

The set, featuring 25 cartoons on one Blu-ray disc, is a sequel to Volumes 1 and 2; I reviewed Volume 2 in January. I also previously purchased Volume 1.

I've noticed in reviews of the previous sets that some Looney Tunes experts have picked out minor errors with things like title cards, but as a non-expert who simply enjoys the cartoons, all the sets seem perfect to me!

Volume 3 contains cartoons featuring a wide variety of characters spanning three decades. Picture quality is outstanding; one of the pleasures for me is seeing the "wheel" of bright colors in the opening credits of many of the cartoons. I own several Looney Tunes DVD sets which I purchased for my children years ago, but I'm really enjoying revisiting the cartoons in these beautiful prints.

I particularly like the '30s cartoons, such as the bizarre CINDERELLA MEETS FELLA (1938) which features a very unorthodox-looking "Prince Charming." There are a number of funny jokes, some of which will sail right over children's heads, and I liked things like Cinderella heading off to see a Warner Bros. cartoon near the end.

The pre-Code Merrie Melodies cartoon HONEYMOON HOTEL (1934) features characters who are downright lascivious, trying to spy on a newlywed couple; the entire thing is reminiscent of the sequence by the same name in FOOTLIGHT PARADE (1933). As I noted in the Volume 2 review, some of the humor in these cartoons is quite adult.

Of course, the cartoons are also violent, exemplified by A FEUD THERE WAS (1938).  This wasn't one of my favorites, but even a lesser cartoon such as this one is of interest; this cartoon was the first appearance of a character named Elmer Fudd, though he's not the Elmer known from later cartoons, and it also features the Sons of the Pioneers, including Roy Rogers, on the soundtrack.

As was the case with the previous set, I watched the cartoons using the "Play All" feature, which shows them alphabetically. They are listed in that order here: A FEUD THERE WAS (1938), CINDERELLA MEETS FELLA (1938), A HOP, SKIP AND A CHUMP (1942), CHINA JONES (1959), DUMB PATROL (1964), EGGHEAD RIDES AGAIN (1937), ELMER'S PET RABBIT (1941), HOBO BOBO (1947), HONEYMOON HOTEL (1934), I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU (1937), MEXICAN JOYRIDE (1947), THE MOUSE ON 57TH STREET (1961), MR. AND MRS. IS THE NAME (1935), OF RICE AND HEN (1953), PRE-HYSTERICAL HARE (1958), PUNCH TRUNK (1953), QUENTIN QUAIL (1946), RIFF RAFFY DAFFY (1948), SADDLE SILLY (1941), SHEEP AHOY (1954), THE SHEEPISH WOLF (1942), THERE AUTO BE A LAW (1953), TUGBOAT GRANNY (1956), WAR AND PIECES (1964), WET HARE (1962).

Recommended for animation fans.

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray collection. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from Movie Zyng, the Amazon Warner Archive Collection Store, or from any online retailers were Blu-rays are sold.

Tweet

Tonight's Movie: The Looters (1955) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

THE LOOTERS (1955) is one of a number of interesting spring Blu-ray releases from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

To my knowledge, this brand-new release is the first time is the first time this Universal Pictures film has been released for home viewing.

As THE LOOTERS begins, no-good Pete (Ray Danton) shows up at the remote Colorado cabin where his old army buddy Jesse (Rory Calhoun) lives.

Pete has lost everything gambling and Jesse, who owes Pete his life, agrees to let Pete stay while he figures out his next steps.

Shortly after Pete's arrival the men hear a plane crash and set out to find it, with experienced trail guide Jesse leading the way. It takes the men a couple days to reach the crash site in the rugged back country.

Along with the badly injured copilot (Rod Williams), there are three healthy survivors at the crash site: Model Sheryl (Julie Adams); Navy man Stan (Frank Faylen); and Parkinson (Thomas Gomez), who discovers an opportunity to steal money which was being transported on the plane.

Pete quickly throws in with Parkinson to grab the money, but what next? Pete and Parkinson are soon suspicious of each other, and they also debate killing the other survivors -- the problem being that they need Jesse's skills in order to make it off the mountain alive.

Meanwhile, shelling about to take place at a nearby army training camp may make things even more dangerous for everyone involved.

I found this an enjoyable 87 minutes. While not a great film, it's solid entertainment, bolstered by a good story and almost the entire movie being filmed in the great outdoors.

A group of travelers fighting both internal and external forces for survival is an old favorite movie theme, most often seen in Westerns such as DRAGOON WELLS MASSACRE (1957) and ESCORT WEST (1958), to name just two titles among many.

The added threat of the Army, who depending on circumstances could be the group's salvation or death, reminded me a bit of the crime film SPLIT SECOND (1953). Greed influencing the dynamics of a small group of people is another easily recognizable story theme.

Richard Alan Simmons' screenplay, based on a story by Paul Schneider, thus weaves many familiar elements into a story which also has some unique aspects, as the two villains decide what to do with the others in the group. Pete and Parkinson are outnumbered, but they have the guns.

Calhoun and Adams are longtime favorites, and Danton is extremely effective as a man who is both a sleaze and maybe not quite right in the head. Gomez was also an experienced movie villain; he doesn't bring anything to this role we haven't seen from him before, but he's fine in the part.

I particularly liked Faylen as the genial Navy man on the verge of retirement who can't believe he's suddenly in a more dangerous situation than he ever was while serving his country.

Russ Conway plays an army major, and Bess Flowers fans will briefly spot her as one of the plane passengers early in the movie.

The film was briskly directed by Abner Biberman. There's nothing particularly noteworthy about the widescreen black and white cinematography of Lloyd Ahern, but it gets the job done; I did appreciate a couple nicely atmospheric foggy scenes.

The excellent print is from a new HD master from a 2K scan of the 35mm fine grain. Sound quality is very good.

Extras consist of a gallery of half a dozen trailers for other films available from Kino Lorber, along with a commentary track by Toby Roan. Toby's tracks are always well researched, and I'm looking forward to learning more background on the film, including the location shooting.

For more on this movie, my friend Kristina also wrote about it a few years ago at her site Speakeasy.

Fans of the cast and well-done adventure films should enjoy this one, now easily available at long last thanks to Kino Lorber.

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray.

Tweet

Around the Blogosphere This Week

Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the Internet...

...There's lots of interesting information on new releases this week, starting with the Warner Archive Collection's upcoming Blu-ray of THE MAN I LOVE (1947), starring Ida Lupino. I last saw it in 2007 and am excited to see it again in a beautiful print-- especially as the film has had six minutes restored which have been unseen by the public since 1956! It will be out on June 14th.

...Also coming in June from the Warner Archive Collection: THE SHINING HOUR (1938), ACT OF VIOLENCE (1948), and the TV series THE ALASKANS (1959-60) starring Roger Moore.

...Over at 50 Westerns From the 50s, Toby has reviewed the brand-new Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray release of the TV series COLT .45 (1957-60), saying "I've never seen a black & white TV show look this good - ever...The contrast is perfectly dialed in and the grain is just right." This half-hour show has many of the same guest stars who appeared in other WB series of the era such as MAVERICK, CHEYENNE, and THE LAWMAN.

...Glenn Erickson also reviewed COLT .45 at Trailers from Hell, saying the Blu-ray set is "quite an achievement." I anticipate reviewing this set here in a few weeks!

...There's also good news from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. The Dark Side of Cinema XIX Collection has been announced for a June 18th release date. DARK CITY (1950) will have a commentary track by Alan K. Rode; NO MAN OF HER OWN (1950) will have two separate tracks, one by Imogen Sara Smith and the other by Julie Kirgo and Peter Hankoff; and BEWARE, MY LOVELY (1952) will have a track by Jason A. Ney.

...And coming in July is the Dark Side of Cinema XX Collection! It includes the Alan Ladd films CAPTAIN CAREY, USA (1950) and APPOINTMENT WITH DANGER (1951) plus the Stephen McNally-Dorothy McGuire film MAKE HASTE TO LIVE (1954).

...Also coming from Kino Lorber in July: COLUMBO: THE RETURN, with movies released from 1989 to 2003. And in June look for a Kino Lorber set with THE NORTH STAR (1943) and ARMORED ATTACK! (1957), a re-edited, shortened version of THE NORTH STAR.

...In addition to the COLT .45 review mentioned above, Glenn Erickson's latest reviews include the Arrow release of THE TIN STAR (1957) and the Film Masters DVD release of BOMBS OVER BURMA (1942), which I also reviewed earlier this month.

...Coming in September: DIRECTING AT DISNEY: THE ORIGINAL DIRECTOR'S OF WALT DISNEY'S ANIMATED FILMS by Pete Docter and and Don Peri.

...Variety has named Leonard Maltin Educator of the Year. An article on Maltin and his class at USC was published last week. Our daughter was one of many who has attended Maltin's class.

...Speaking of Leonard Maltin, he recently wrote a lovely tribute to the late Ned Comstock, Cari Beauchamp, and his longtime agent Richard Leibner. I recommend reading it...My husband and I are hoping to attend Ned Comstock's memorial service at USC next month. As I've written here previously, Ned was very helpful to both our daughter and my husband over the years, and we also appreciate the important role he played helping so many authors; it's been said by more than one person that Ned might be thanked in more film books than any other person.

...Hallmark Channel has announced a sequel to the popular Christmas film THREE WISE MEN AND A BABY (2022), starring Andrew Walker, Paul Campbell, and Tyler Hines. THREE WISER MEN AND A BOY (2024) will debut on the Hallmark Channel for Christmas 2024. The new film was written by Campbell, his frequent writing partner, actress Kimberley Sustad, and Russell Hainline.

...The Criterion Channel's May streaming lineup includes Columbia's Golden Era, featuring nine highly regarded films of the '50s, and a 16-film tribute to Shirley MacLaine.

...Book reviews: James L. Neibaur reviews: JOAN CRAWFORD IN FILM NOIR: THE ACTRESS AS AUTEUR by David Meuel and Stephen of Classic Movie Man reviews FROM THE MOMENT THEY MET IT WAS MURDER: DOUBLE INDEMNITY AND THE RISE OF FILM NOIR by Alain Silver and James Ursini.

...Turner Classic Movies has a new streaming partnership with Fandango at Home (formerly known as Vudu).

...Attention Southern Californians: Upcoming local events include an Art Deco Society of Los Angeles tour of Grand Central Air Terminal in Glendale, which I have a ticket to see next week, and the Los Angeles Conservancy's annual Last Remaining Seats summer program screening movies in classic Downtown Los Angeles theaters. There's also a current exhibit on Mary Blair and Disney's ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1951) at the Hilbert Museum in Orange.

...The American Cinematheque scheduled three screenings of the new 70mm restoration of THE SEARCHERS (1956) which I saw last weekend at the TCM Classic Film Festival. All screenings sold out, and another has been added. One screening takes place on April 28th at the Egyptian and the others are at the Aero in Santa Monica.

...And keep in mind the 25th Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival is coming next month in Palm Springs! Details in my post here.

...Notable Passings: Terry Carter, best remembered by me as Colonel Tigh on the original BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1978-79), has passed on at 95. My husband used to see him at San Diego Comic Con and said he seemed to be in great shape for his age and very nice...Emmy-winning soap opera actress Marla Adams of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS has died at 85. Her first screen role was in SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS (1961)...Soap star and writer Meg Bennett, an Emmy winner for writing GENERAL HOSPITAL, has died at 75. She played Julia Newman on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS for many years. Survivors include her husband, Emmy-winning soap writer Robert Guza Jr.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my April 13th column.

Tweet

New Western RoundUp Column at Classic Movie Hub

My new Western RoundUp column has just been posted at Classic Movie Hub.

This month I return to the topic of books on the Western film genre, sharing information on titles old and new.

Please click over to Classic Movie Hub for the column, and thanks, as always, for reading!

Previous Classic Movie Hub Western RoundUp Column Links: June 2018; July 2018; August 2018; September 2018; October 2018; November 2018; December 2018; January 2019; February 2019; April 5, 2019; April 30, 2019; May 2019; June 2019; July 2019; August 2019; September 2019; October 2019; November 2019; December 2019; January 2020; February 2020; March 2020; April 2020; May 2020; June 2020; July 2020; August 2020; September 2020; October 2020; November 2020; December 2020; January 2021; February 2021; March 2021; May 2021; June 2021; June 2021 (No. 2); July 2021; August 2021; September 2021; November 2021; December 2021; December 2021 (No. 2); January 2022; February 2022; March 2022; April 2022; May 2022; June 2022; July 2022; August 2022; September 2022; November 2022; November 2022 (No. 2); January 2023 (No. 1); January 2023 (No. 2); March 2023; April 2023; May 2023 (No. 1); May 2023 (No. 2); June 2023; July 2023; September 2023; September 2023 (No. 2); October 2023; November 2023; December 2023; January 2024; February 2024; March 2024.

Tweet

The 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival in Review

The 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival has now come to an end, and it's possible that this was the best festival yet!

This was the 15th edition of the festival, which was held from Thursday evening, April 18th, through Sunday night, April 21st.

Turner Classic Movies is also celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, and it was wonderful to gather in Hollywood and celebrate! Reuniting with friends from across the country, Canada, and beyond is always the very best part of the festival.

Screenings were spread across five main theater venues this year, plus the Hollywood Roosevelt pool and a special "one-off" screening of ONE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANS (1961) at Disney's El Capitan Theatre.

As is always the case, there are many difficult viewing decisions to make at the festival, and I made more changes to my tentative schedule than is typical for me, including completely changing my opening night plans!

On opening night friends persuaded me that seeing WHITE HEAT (1949) in 35mm was the way to go, which ended up being a great choice, and then I stayed at the Egyptian Theatre to watch the new-to-me GAMBIT (1966), which I found amusing.

Friday there wasn't time to get to the Egyptian for THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! (1974) so I went with my backup plan and saw IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO YOU (1954), which I hadn't seen since I watched it on TV as a child in the '70s.

I followed that with John Ford's THE PRISONER OF SHARK ISLAND (1936) in 35mm, which particularly intrigued me as I recently reviewed a new biography of Warner Baxter. It was incredibly special to have costar John Carradine's son Keith there to discuss his father's work.

I was shut out of a sold-out screening of THE BIG HEAT (1953) on Saturday, but I managed to see it when it was one of the films chosen to replay on Sunday!

On Sunday I finally made my choice between CHINATOWN (1974) and THE SEARCHERS (1956), choosing the world premiere of the restoration of THE SEARCHERS, shown in 70mm; it was one of the best festival decisions I've ever made. That sold-out screening was a majestic, profound experience which left me awed and deeply moved.

Another wonderful experience for me this year was the presentation of the Robert Osborne Award to film historian Jeanine Basinger, who has been one of my favorite writers on film for the majority of my life. That emotional moment, combined with her chosen screening of WESTWARD THE WOMEN (1951), was very special.

I enjoyed everything I saw, with additional highlights being the Ben Burtt and Craig Barron special presentation of THEM! (1954), featuring a surprise appearance by former child actress Sandy Descher; DIRTY HARRY (1971), with Eddie Muller hosting a terrific interview with Andy Robinson; and a partial cast reunion at a 30th anniversary screening of LITTLE WOMEN (1994), which I continue to feel is one of the finer films of the last few decades.

I saw 15 films again this year, the same number as I've seen at the last few festivals. Five films were in 35mm, one in 70mm, and the other nine films were in DCP format. Five of the films were new to me, and four of the repeat films were first-time big screen watches. The short THE GOAT (1921), which preceded a screening of SHERLOCK JR. (1924), was also new to me.

I'll add as an aside that I've gathered a small stack of a few movies I didn't get to see at the festival, including THE SMALL BACK ROOM (1949) along with the previously mentioned THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! and CHINATOWN. I'm hoping to catch up with those in the near future.

As always, I'll be sharing daily recaps in the coming days, offering more thoughts on the movies seen, along with additional photos. I also hope to write at least a couple of full-length film reviews, as time permits. There's lots more about the festival coming soon!

Previously reviewed films seen at the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival, listed in the order viewed at the fest: WHITE HEAT (1949), THE GOOD FAIRY (1935), THEM! (1954), IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934), THE MAD MISS MANTON (1938), WESTWARD THE WOMEN (1951), LITTLE WOMEN (1994), and THE BIG HEAT (1953).

As usual, I'll add future 2024 coverage links to this paragraph, so that all of this year's festival reports may be easily found in one place: [Coming soon!]

Previously: TCM Announces 2024 Festival Dates and Theme; 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements; Latest TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements; TCM Classic Film Festival Update; Latest TCM Classic Film Festival News; TCM Classic Film Festival Returning to the Egyptian Theatre; New Titles Announced for the TCM Classic Film Festival; The 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival Schedule.

Roundups containing all links to coverage of past TCM festivals: The 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival in Review, The 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival in Review, The 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival in Review, The 2016 TCM Classic Film Festival in Review, The 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival in Review, The 2018 TCM Classic Film Festival in Review, The 2019 TCM Classic Film Festival in Review, The 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival in Review, and The 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival in Review.

Tweet

Around the Blogosphere This Week...

...will not appear this weekend due to my attendance at the TCM Classic Film Festival.

My tentative schedule picks for the festival may be perused here.

Around the Blogosphere This Week will return on Saturday, April 27th.

For recent links of interest to classic film fans, please see my April 13th roundup.

Tweet

New Column in The Dark Pages

I'm pleased to share that I have an article appearing in the latest issue of The Dark Pages!

My 2019 review of the Flicker Alley Blu-ray release of TRAPPED (1949) has been adapted for the March/April 2024 edition which is Volume 20, No. 2.

Other articles in this print issue include Andy Wolverton writing on NIGHT EDITOR (1946) and Kristina Dijan on a pair of Robert Douglas crime films, HOMICIDE (1949) and THIS SIDE OF THE LAW (1950).

The Dark Pages may be subscribed to here. Back issues are also available, including issues I've written for in the past; descriptions of those issues are linked below.

Previous Dark Pages posts: January 2011, December 2011, January 2013, June 2013, December 2022, March 2023, and March 2024.

Tweet

Tonight's Movie: Cocktail Hour (1933) - A Sony Blu-ray Review

One of the movies I most enjoyed at the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival was the pre-Code COCKTAIL HOUR (1933).

The movie was introduced by the late Cari Beauchamp, so it seemed fitting that I watched it again this weekend on the day her memorial service took place. At the 2022 screening Cari interviewed Suzanne Lloyd about her grandfather Harold's friendship with the movie's star, Bebe Daniels. A fond memory.

At the time of that screening I expressed the hope that COCKTAIL HOUR would come out on DVD or Blu-ray, so what a delightful surprise to learn that the movie has just had a Blu-ray release from Sony!

This fast-moving 73-minute film tells the story of Cynthia (Daniels), a commercial artist who has many male admirers but loves her freedom. After a childhood on a Kansas farm, she's loving the high life and not having many responsibilities.

Randy (Randolph Scott), a magazine publisher who contracts for her paintings, proposes to Cynthia when she's about to leave for a European vacation. She boards her cruise anyway, where she's pursued by both a young nobleman (Barry Norton) and a cad (Sidney Blackmer) who conceals important information.

This movie is fun from the first seconds, as eagle-eyed classic film fans will spot "Wild Bill" Elliott delivering the first line and Dennis O'Keefe saying the third. Both actors worked frequently as extras and bit players throughout the '30s, very often -- as in this case -- in the same movies.

There's sort of a "taming of the shrew" theme and plenty of dialogue considered chauvinistic from the modern perspective, but honestly the eye-rolling lines just added to my enjoyment. It was a different time! And despite their periodic battles, both Daniels and Scott are appealing leads.

I also loved the Art Deco settings, especially the cruise ship. Movies set on ships and trains are among my favorite things.

The movie was directed by Victor Schertizinger and filmed by Joseph August. The screenplay was by Gertrude Purcell and Richard Schayer, based on a story by James Kevin McGuinness.

The supporting cast includes Muriel Kirkland, Jessie Ralph, George Nardelli, Willie Fung, and Marjorie Gateson.

The Blu-ray print is pristine, which adds to the enjoyment. A censored scene which now exists only via the soundtrack is included, with stills used while the dialogue plays.

There are no extras on the Blu-ray disc. English subtitles are available.

Kudos to Sony for making this rarely seen movie widely available, especially in such a nice print. Recommended for fans of pre-Code fun!

Thanks to Allied Vaughn and Sony for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. COCKTAIL HOUR may be purchased from Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.

Tweet

Book Review: The Mae West Films

Three years ago this summer I began watching Mae West films for the first time, and -- frankly somewhat to my surprise -- I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed them.

As I described at the time, West had been something of a punchline to jokes when I was growing up, and I hadn't been interested in digging deeper. I'm certainly glad I changed my mind, as I found West "a completely unique film persona in both looks and personality...[she] absolutely owns the screen." West's films proved to be a wonderful discovery for me.

I've now seen all but the last couple of West's films of the '30s and '40s, and I was delighted to learn more about her life and career thanks to the new book by James L. Neibaur, THE MAE WEST FILMS. It was recently published by Bear Manor Media.

The book opens with a brief overview of West's life and stage work before the movies, then launches into in-depth looks at her dozen films. (I certainly regret the relative brevity of her movie career!) Additional biographical information is included towards the end of the book.

Each movie chapter contains the film's credits, production history, and contemporaneous critical reception, as well as some more recent assessments.

In the interests of full disclosure, this is a good place to pause and mention that I had the lovely surprise of finding my review of West's first film, NIGHT AFTER NIGHT (1932), quoted in the book. I loved her in it!

West was a unique movie personality; as Neibaur notes in his introduction, due to her pre-film stage fame she was able to have some control over her characters and dialogue, although she faced challenges when Production Code enforcement began in 1934. I appreciated the book's behind-the-scenes descriptions of these issues.

I found the book an informative and enjoyable guide which would also be the perfect companion to read alongside viewing the films; I'll return to it as I watch MY LITTLE CHICKADEE (1940) and THE HEAT'S ON (1943) for the first time, and I'm sure I'll consult it again when I rewatch her earlier movies in the future.

I reviewed a paperback edition of this book, which is also available in hardcover and e-book formats. The paperback measures six by nine inches and is 211 pages including bibliography and index. A nice selection of well-reproduced black and white photographs are printed directly on the pages.

Finally, I loved seeing that the book is dedicated to someone I admire very much, Farran Smith Nehme, aka the "Self-Styled Siren."

Previous reviews of books authored by James L. Neibaur: FRANK SINATRA ON THE BIG SCREEN; THE GEORGE RAFT FILMS; THE FILMS OF JUDY GARLAND; THE JOHN WAYNE B-WESTERNS 1932-1939.

My previous reviews of Mae West films: NIGHT AFTER NIGHT (1932), SHE DONE HIM WRONG (1933), I'M NO ANGEL (1933), BELLE OF THE NINETIES (1934), GOIN' TO TOWN (1935), KLONDIKE ANNIE (1936), GO WEST YOUNG MAN (1936), and EVERY DAY'S A HOLIDAY (1937).

Thanks to James L. Neibaur and Bear Manor Media for providing a review copy of this book.

Tweet