Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Frankenstein (1931) and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) on the big screen






Last Wednesday I got the chance to see Frankenstein (1931) and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) on the big screen courtesy of TCM and NCM Fathom Events. I had never seen these films and it was a treat for Halloween that's for sure.

Before the films were screened, there was an intro with Robert Osborne. They also showed footage of Osborne's interview with Bela Lugosi Jr., Boris Karloff's daughter Sara Karloff and renowned film make-up artist Dick Smith. This was my favorite part! I loved to hear what they had to say about Lugosi and Karloff and about the history of horror films. And I find solidarity in the fact that they avoid contemporary horror films too. I avoid them like the plague and much appreciate suggestion and suspense to gore, torture p-rn and jump scares.

The movies were fun to watch but overall I had a difficult time. I didn't appreciate the laughter from the audience. I felt like they were making fun of the movies. This irked me especially since how much these films have influenced movies we watch today. Also, I have avoided the Universal monster movies for a very long time and now I understand why. They are just not my bag. I appreciate the Val Lewton films which do a lot with light, shadow and suggestion. No silly costumes or props. The makeup, hair and clothes were amazing in the Frankenstein films. I loved the sets too. But monster movies are just not for me. I do concede that they are still vastly better than any of the scary movies Hollywood produces today and that I might have enjoyed these films if I had watched them at home instead.

Sorry for what comes out to be one of the most boring posts I've ever done!

Did you go to the double feature screening of Frankenstein (1931) and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)? What did you think?

I hope you all have a Happy Halloween!





Monday, October 29, 2012

Phantom of the Opera (1925) with live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis


It's one thing to watch a silent film but it's quite another to watch it on the big screen with a performer playing live music to go with the film. The movie just comes alive in a way that it doesn't with prerecorded music. Jeff Rapsis is a very talented silent film accompanist and on Sunday October 21st a few friends, my husband and I got to see Jeff perform his live improvised music alongside a screening of The Phantom of the Opera (1925). It was a great way to celebrate Halloween, live music and classic film.



Carlos doesn't know how to smile for the camera.


Lisa, Frank and Diane.


Kevin and I

And I brought Cranberry Pecan Muffins for my friends!



Jeff Rapsis improvises his music. He comes up with some musical material ahead of time but nothing is written down. He reacts to the film, gets energy and inspiration from the audience's reaction and that's how the magic happens.

The Phantom of the Opera (1925) is one of the earliest horror films. The Phantom, Erik, as portrayed by Lon Chaney is truly evil. Whatever sympathy you have for him because of his unfortunately terrifying visage and his status as an outcast from society, is annulled by witnessing his selfish and greedy behavior. He desires Christine (Mary Philbin) and there is nothing that will stop him from obtaining her.

Fun fact about The Phantom of the Opera (1925): Carla Laemmle, niece of Universal Studios mogul Carl Laemmle, appears in a bit part as a prima ballerina in the film. She is still alive today (as of October 2012) and just recently celebrated her 103rd birthday.

The substantial gap in time from the present and when this film was made puts contemporary audiences at a bit of a disadvantage. It's hard for some of us to appreciate the over-the-top theatrics, especially those displayed by Mary Philbin's Christine as she expresses fear of the Phantom and Lon Chaney's hand and arm motions as he expresses terror as the Phantom. However, what I believe keeps modern viewers coming back to the film is it's historical importance, it's striking visuals and the various critical themes in the story including isolation, oppression, jealousy, manipulation, death, revelry, love, greed and mob mentality. The one theme I think is the most interesting is the mob mentality (spoiler ahead). The people of the town and the workers of the opera house are sick and tired of being held in a state of fear by this shadowy figure. They all get together and chase him out of the opera house and physically express their hatred upon his mortal body. Years of oppression and the kidnapping of Christine pushed them all over the edge.

The audience at the Somerville Theater laughed a lot at some of the more overly dramatic theatrics and at some of the title cards but overall I felt they were very respectful of the movie. Many people came up to Jeff Rapsis at the end of the show to thank him and to express their gratitude for the experience. It was a packed house too. I figured at least over a hundred people were in attendance!

Jeff Rapsis did a wonderful job accompanying his style of improvised music to the screening of The Phantom of the Opera. This time he used the theater's speakers rather than his own so it was pretty loud but not too loud for us not to be able to enjoy it. I kept tapping my foot and my hands to various beats of the music. It's hard to put into words just how special an experience like this is especially when it's orchestrated by someone as talented as Jeff Rapsis.

The version of the film showed was a 35mm print with color plates that Jeff borrowed from a collector in California. The color is amazing especially in the big party scene where the Phantom makes appearance dressed as the "Red Death". Jeff Rapsis plays on a digital synthesizer which reproduces the sounds of a full orchestra. He makes a point of never letting the music overpower the movie.

It has been quite a while since I've seen a classic movie at the Somerville Theater. Jeff Rapsis explained to me that the theater had been upgrading to a digital screening method in order to be able to show more first run movies. Their 35mm projector had to be put aside for the time being. However, recently they finished their upgrade and restored their projector so they can show both digital and 35mm film. For the future, this means more classic movies and more appearances by Jeff Rapsis including a Valentine's Day themed one in February for Harold Lloyd's silent comedy Girl Shy (1924).




Thanks again Jeff Rapsis for a wonderful experience!

Posts about Jeff Rapsis and his performances:


Sunday, October 28, 2012

Catching Up with Quelle (5)

Oops! I forgot to do one of these last week.

Business Cards - New design, new domain and now I have new business cards! The design is by the talented Julianna Rose and they were made using Moo.com.



Poll - Please consider filling out the Poll below. I'd love to know what you would like to see more of on Out of the Past. There are a few things I just don't do well. I am terrible at keeping up with news and new DVD/Blu-Ray releases, I'm horrible at remembering birthdays and holidays and obituaries make me want to cry (that's why I do the quick ones). I like to think that I'm decent at everything else.

I'll leave the poll up until the end of November.






I believe in picture books - I did this video for a picture book campaign (read more about it here). I talk about how picture books help children develop empathy. In fact, the same can be said about classic movies. Please take a moment to watch the video.


Friday, October 26, 2012

Lightning Flash Giveaway ~ To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) Book and Screening Tickets



It's time for another lightning flash giveaway and this time it's hosted by publisher Harper Perennial (a division of HarperCollins). I'm giving away one prize package which includes pair of tickets to the Thursday November 15th screening To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) and a 50th anniversary edition of the book from Harper Perennial. Check out the NCM Fathom Events page for the screening for more information including which theaters are showing the film.

Note from Harper Perennial:

You’ve read the book…now see it come to life on movie screens nationwide!  
For one day only on Thursday, November 15th, select movie theaters nationwide will show the award-winning film version of Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, in an event in honor of its 50th anniversary. In partnership with Fathom Events, Harper Perennial is offering YOU a chance to win 2 tickets for this event, plus a copy of the book!
Even though I have a Bachelor's in English (summa cum laude!) and a Master's degree in Writing, Literature and Publishing, I was never taught To Kill a Mockingbird in school! It's a book I've been meaning to read and a movie I've been meaning to watch so I'm very grateful for this opportunity and to be able to share a nice prize package like this with one lucky reader.

You can enter to win a chance to see this here! It's a lightning flash giveaway so please be prepared to respond ASAP to my email if you are contacted.


Rules and Regulations:
1) US participants only.
2) Enter by Sunday October 28th at 11:59 PM EST.
3) Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email.
4) There is only ONE SHOWING. If you are not available to see this on the evening of Thursday November 15th, please do not enter this contest.
5) If you win, you must reply to my announcement email by 8 am EST on Tuesday October 30th so NCM Fathom can get you the tickets in time.
6) If I don't hear from you by the deadline, I'll award the prize to another person.

Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW OVER

Congrats to the winner Andy!


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Warner Archive Wednesday ~ The Bride Walks Out (1936)

Screen cap of the intro title

The Bride Walks Out (1936) stars Barbara Stanwyck as Carolyn, a model who makes decent money and enjoys her independence. She's got her own apartment, a steady job and even a maid.

Barbara Stanwyck models an evening gown in the film.


Her beau Michael (Gene Raymond) is an engineer who is down on his luck. It's the Depression and there aren't enough well-paying engineering jobs to go around so Michael makes do while he waits for an opportunity to come along. All Michael can offer Carolyn is a $35-a-week lifestyle. And a happy marriage. But Carolyn isn't so sure that's what she wants.

Michael (Gene Raymond) offers Carolyn (Barbara Stanwyck) a small modest bouquet of flowers.

Michael offers Carolyn a small modest bouquet of flowers.

While Michael is in court for a serious traffic violation, after trying (successfully) to get fired from his taxi driver job, Carolyn meets wealthy and permanently drunk Hugh McKenzie (Robert Young). Hugh is the opposite of Michael. He's carefree and reckless. But they have one thing in common. They are both in love with Carolyn.

And Hugh (Robert Young) offers Carolyn (Barbara Stanwyck) huge fancy bouquets.

And Hugh offers Carolyn huge fancy bouquets.

Carolyn marries Michael but life is hard as a stay-at-home wife on $35 a week. Bills start adding up, payments missed and repossessors are knocking on their door. Carolyn tries to keep this from Michael but she can't much longer. She needs to work to help support the family. But Michael is old fashioned and wants to be the only bread winner. And then rich boy Hugh steps in to save the day but what about their marriage?

You can't really afford a $49.50 gown on a $35-a-week budget

You can't really afford a $49.50 gown on a $35-a-week budget

The Bride Walks Out (1936) is a light drama with some comedic elements. I love watching films about people during Depression era 1930s trying to make something of their lives with very little opportunity. In many of these films there is a strong tension between love and money. Barbara Stanwyck is quite lovely as Carolyn. I enjoyed Gene Raymond's and Robert Young's performances as well. To add some humor to the story there is Ned Sparks as Paul Dodson as Michael's sidekick. You may remember Ned Sparks as the disgruntled show producer in Gold Diggers of 1933. Also, Helen Broderick plays Paul's wife Mattie and she brings a wonderful element of comedy to the story. Paul and Mattie are a sour couple whose bickering overshadows their deep down devotion for each other.

Screen cap of Ned Sparks and Helen Broderick looking like a disgruntled married couple.


Also of note is Billy Gilbert who plays Mr. Donovan, a collector for the Acme Furniture Company. There is a hilarious scene in which he comes to collect Carolyn's furniture and he, Carolyn, Mattie and the movers all get drunk over champagne that Hugh (Robert Young) brought over. Hilarious!

Drunk as skunks. A picture of a bunch of characters in the movie drunk and singing to some piano music.


Also the delightful Hattie McDaniel has a small role as Carolyn's maid.

Screen cap of the lovely Hattie McDaniel


This movie really hit home for me. Times have been a bit tough financially with house expenses and some surprise medical and car bills. We want to buy a home and start a family but not having the funds to do that keeps us from moving forward with our lives. It comforts me in a way to see another couple going through something similar.


The Bride Walks Out (1936) is available on DVD via Warner Archive.


Warner Archive Wednesday - On (random) Wednesdays, I review one title from the Warner Archive Collection. Movies selected are rented from Classicflix, watched on TCM or purchased from Warner Archive, Classicflix or TCM. This series is not sponsored by Warner Archive.

Friday, October 19, 2012

It (1927) with Clara Bow


Clara Bow's Betty Lou flirts with her boss Waltham played by Antonio Moreno
Image Source

Clara Bow was one of those mega-watt stars whose light burned bright in the silent film era. What makes an actress like Clara Bow a star? The x-factor and she had “it”. Now the x-factor isn’t one solitary thing. It’s a combination of things including personality, looks, appeal, approachability, charisma and talent. Not everyone has the x-factor. There is no way to manufacture it or manipulate it. You either have “it” or you don’t. And Clara Bow had “it”.

The film It (1927) explores another kind of x-factor: sex appeal.  This is how a quote from the film explains “it”.

 “’IT’ is that peculiar quality which some persons possess, which attracts others of the opposite sex. The possessor of ‘IT’ must be absolutely un-self-conscious, and must have that magnetic ‘sex appeal’ which is irresistible.”

Clara Bow plays Betty Lou, a poor shop girl with good looks and an eye out for the boss Waltham (Antonio Moreno). While Waltham doesn’t know she exists, his employee Monty (William Austin) has eyes for Betty. But Betty wants Waltham and she’s desperate to get his attention. She has “it” and he needs to know “it”. However, when she stands up for her sick friend Molly (Priscilla Bonner) whose baby is about to be taken away from her, Betty Lou’s two suitors, her boss and his employee, are turned off by her appearance of single motherhood. Just one bit of miscommunication and the it factor is snuffed out. What’s a girl to do?

One of the sad things about the x-factor or having “it” is that you are almost guaranteed to lose it. Some stars keep it forever, like Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart, but that’s very rare. Most of those who have “it” lose “it”. And how depressing that must be to be on top of the world only to be knocked off. It’s something I’m sure Clara Bow and many other stars struggled with.

I think a lot of folks today purposefully ignore the “it” factor. Some of us think too highly of ourselves to come to the realization that we’ll never have “it”.  It is something that I struggle with too.

I had never seen a Clara Bow film before so watching this was a real treat. My friend Paulie from Art, Wood, Movies and Whatnot   is a huge Clara Bow fan and has done several very fine illustrations of her.  I had hoped that I would see this film on the big screen with live musical accompaniment but the opportunity escaped me. Maybe I will someday in the future. It’s a nice film and most interesting for its lead star and its focus on that elusive “it” factor.

Note: Author Elinor Glyn meant "it" to be more about the overall x-factor than specifically sex appeal. But Hollywood had other ideas.

It (1927) used to be available on DVD but that DVD is now out of print. You can watch it on Netflix Instant or rent it through Classicflix.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Warner Archive Wednesday ~ Young Ideas (1943)

A screen cap of the title page of the film Young Ideas 1943


Young Ideas (1943) is a fun collegiate/family movie directed by Jules Dassin. Josephine Evans (Mary Astor) is a wildly popular author of novels. Her latest book, As I Knew Paris, is on its 10th edition and she's very in demand.

3 girls engrossed in Josephine Evans' latest novel.


Mary Astor plays Josephine Evans and this portrait hangs in her agent's office.

The trouble is, no one seems to know where she is. She's completely disappeared! And she won't tell anyone where she's hiding. Jo has been booked for many lectures and appearances but she has skipped them all. Her agent is at his wits end. 

Agent is frustrated as his prize author Josephine Evans (Mary Astor) has disappeared.


In comes Jo's kids Susan Evans (Susan Peters) and Jeff Evans (Elliott Reid). They've grown accustom to the lifestyle that their mother's very successful writing career. They have all the luxuries they need and get to socialize with the best authors and poets. And they don't want to give that up!

Elliot Reed and Susan Peters play the children of Mary Astor's Josephine Evans in Young Ideas 1943

They go to find their mother who has fallen in love with some mystery man. When they track her down to the last college town where she delivered a lecture. They find her there but things are a bit more complicated than they expected. Their mother Jo has secretly gotten married to Chemistry Professor Michael Kingsley (Herbert Marshall). And Michael's got it in his mind that he'll take care of Jo and she can give up her writing career.

Elliott Reed and Susan Peters in Young Ideas 1943

Jo: "For the past 10 tens I have been living with Michael as a respectable married woman."
Susan: "Mother! You ought to be ashamed of yourself."

Susan and Jeff hatch a plan. They'll become students at Michael's college. That will buy them time to work on splitting up their mom from Michael. And of course hilarity ensues.

Mary Astor and Herbert Marshall in Young Ideas 1943

Mary Astor, Herbert Marshall, Elliott Reed and Susan Peters in Young Ideas 1943.

This is a very fun movie. I adore early films with a collegiate theme. And because I'm such a book nerd that the literary theme was a plus for me as well. The cast works well together and you feel bad for Jo who is trapped in the middle of this drama. She loves her new husband but still wants to make her kids happy. While Susan and Jeff could come off as spoiled brats, their characters develop through the movie which helps immensely when it comes to connecting with their characters. I also enjoyed Herbert Marshall's portrayal of the uptight yet loving professor. Fans of Richard Carlson will be amused to see him here as Tom Farrell, a young poetry professor who is charmed by Susan's literary smarts.

Richard Carlson plays a poetry professor in Young Ideas 1943


As many of you know, I'm a devoted fan of actress Susan Peters. I just think she was simply wonderful and she's the reason I chose to rent this film to watch. It's interesting to note that she receives top billing in the movie over both Mary Astor and Herbert Marshall.

Susan Peters gets top billing next to Herbert Marshall and Mary Astor

MGM must have been really trying to build her up as an up and coming star. 


Susan Peters, Mary Astor and Elliott Reed at college.

They also made a lot of effort grooming her. Susan Peters has the best wardrobe, makeup and hair of the entire cast. 

Susan Peters wears a collegiate sweater with writing all over it.
One of the oddest things about the movie is the password siblings Jeff and Susan come up with in case Susan gets too emotional during their plan to break up their mother's new marriage. Of course Susan would be the weak emotional one being the female (ugh). Their choice for a password is strange.

Elliott Reed and Susan Peters in Young Ideas 1943


Jeff: "They scrape a ton of rust a year from a iron bridge over the Yukon."
Susan: "No doubt you're right."

Umm, why that line? Why not something more simple? Like "don't be silly" or something?




Young Ideas (1943) is available on DVD via Warner Archive.


Warner Archive Wednesday - On (random) Wednesdays, I review one title from the Warner Archive Collection. Movies selected are rented from Classicflix, watched on TCM or purchased from Warner Archive, Classicflix or TCM. This series is not sponsored by Warner Archive.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Lightning Flash Giveaway ~ Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein on the Big Screen



It's time for yet another lightning flash giveaway hosted by TCM and NCM Fathom Events. I'm giving away three pairs of tickets to the Wednesday October 24th double-feature screening of Frankenstein (1931) and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Check out the NCM Fathom Events page for the screening for more information including which theaters are showing the double feature.

I hope you guys like these giveaways! I think it's wonderful that more people will be able to watch classic films on the big screen and this double feature is perfect for Halloween.






 You can enter to win a chance to see this here! It's a lightning flash giveaway so please be prepared to respond ASAP to my email if you are contacted.

Rules and Regulations:
1) US participants only.
2) Enter by Thursday October 18 at Noon EST.
3) Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email.
4) There is only ONE SHOWING. If you are not available to see this on Wednesday October 24th, please do not enter this contest.
5) If you win, you must reply to my announcement email by 8 am EST on Friday October 19th so NCM Fathom can get you the tickets in time.
6) If I don't hear from you by the deadline, I'll award the prize to another person.

CONTEST IS NOW OVER. Thank you to everyone who entered.

Congratulations to the winners: Diane, Monique and Kate Gabrielle.




Sunday, October 14, 2012

Catching Up with Quelle (4)


Mae West and the Power of Suggestion - Noir Girl retweeted the following from @SonyVine on  " Did You Know?: Mae West never spoke a "dirty" word on screen nor did she ever kiss a leading man. http://via.me/-5w8o66c " Wow! Really? That is simply quite amazing. Goes to show you the power of suggestion. Mae West suggested raunchiness and sex but never really did either on screen.


New Blog - My husband has his very own blog! It's called Live Fast, Look Good. It's a gentleman's blog all about cars, fashion, books, movies and lots of other things. He's very excited for this new venture so I very much encourage you to head on over to the blog and check it out.



New Domain and Design - I am so excited to announce that  Out of the Past is now www.outofthepastblog.com . If you still link to my old address, no worries it will still work!

Also, my good friend and super talented illustrator Julianna Rose did some new designs for my blog. My site really needed an update and it was time to retire Bette Davis. Julianna designs are slick and super cool. They are very Saul Bass and she put a lot of time and effort into them.

Please make sure you check out Julianna's Etsy Store Friends with Pets. She does custom pet illustration which makes for a really great thought gift for a loved one who adores their pet.


Carla Laemmle turns 103 - I received an email from two folks who are trying raise funds to through Carla Laemmle a really nice 103rd birthday party. For those of you unfamiliar with Carla, she's an actress who worked during the silent film area. She had a bit part in The Phantom of the Opera (1925) as a ballet dancer.

Watch the special video message below. If you want to make a donation to help make the birthday celebration happen, visit the project's fundraising page on Indiegogo.



Friday, October 12, 2012

North by Northwest (1959) at the Brattle Theatre

Shot of Cambridge Common in Cambridge, MA

On Columbus Day, I had the day off from work so I decided to make my way to Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA to go to the Brattle Theatre to watch the Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest (1959) on the big screen. I was going to go with my good friend Kevin but he wasn't feeling well (I hope he's feeling better! Hi Kevin!). Carlos convinced me to go out on my own and I'm really glad I did.

I decided to drive to and park in Harvard Square which is no easy task. Even at 1pm on a Monday, it was still technically a holiday which means people come out to Harvard Square in droves. After circling the square several times I finally found a single parking spot.

Just a fun bit of information, the park in the picture above is the Cambridge Common. When Carlos and I were dating, before we became engaged and got married, I would be terrified of walking through this park with him. The reason for my fear was because every time we would go to this park he would always scream out at the top of his lungs "I LOVE MY GIRLFRIEND" in front of a bunch of confused strangers and a very embarrassed girlfriend. He hasn't done it in a long time and I hope he won't again!

The interior of L.A. Burdick - Homemade Chocolate in Harvard Square Cambrdige, MA

It was a chilly day, so I stopped by L.A. Burdick for a hot drink and a pastry. L.A. Burdick is known for their homemade chocolates, hot chocolates, delicious pastries and coffee and tea drinks. If you are in Harvard Square on a cold day, it's imperative that you stop by L.A. Burdick for a sweet treat and a hot beverage.

Interior shot of L.A. Burdick - Homemade Chocolates in Harvard Square Cambridge, MA



I got one of their Melange Tea Lattes and a Chocolate Madeleine Cookie and headed over to the Brattle Theatre which was only about a block away. (Sorry for the out-of-focus photo! Never drink, walk and photograph).

Exterior shot of The Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square Cambridge, MA

As you see, the Brattle is tucked away and is off of the main street. Downstairs there used to be a restaurant called Casablanca but after over half of a century of being in business the owners decided to close it down. It's all very sad. Carlos, my friends and I had a wonderful experience watching Casablanca (1942) at the Brattle then having dinner and drinks at Casablanca restaurant later that same evening. A happy memory indeed.


Schedule of films for The Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square Cambridge, MA

The North by Northwest (1959) screening was part of The Brattle's Cloak & Dagger: Spies on Screen series. It was a double bill with the Fritz Lang film Ministry of Fear (1944). Unfortunately, I only had time to stay for the North by Northwest screening. Two films for $7.75 matinee is a pretty good deal.

A "please silence your cellphones" poster featuring Alfred Hitchcock from the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square.

Alfred Hitchcock says SHHHH.

The managing director of the Lucas Theatre in Savannah, GA tells me she has this same poster in her theater too!



North by Northwest 1959 showing on the big screen at The Brattle Theatre.

I love to sit in the balcony of the Brattle. You don't have the best view and the screen seems pretty small at that distance but it's the coziest. The balcony feels tucked away and private and it stays pretty warm too. Most theaters are cold but the Brattle is (almost) always at a good temperature. Another interesting note about the Brattle is that they do rear projection rather than the traditional front projection. So the projection comes from behind the stage rather than behind the audience.

There were about 50 people in the audience for the screening of North by Northwest. It's not the first time I had seen this film on the big screen but it had been a couple years since I had seen it so this was definitely a treat. It's amazing how many things I had forgotten about the film and what I had remembered. I forgot almost the entire beginning up until the assassination of Mr. Townsend.

A few observations on this viewing: I noticed that the film does a really good job blending humor and drama. And Cary Grant is good at both so he's the perfect actor to deliver this suspenseful and entertaining film. Also, I now really appreciate how much chemistry there is between Cary Grant's Roger Thornhill and Eva Marie Saint's Eve Kendall. When they meet on the train for the first time, their flirtation is electric. The dialogue is sharp, witty and downright sexy. And their prolonged kissing scene with lots of pecks and caresses is a Hitchcock trademark to get around the Code's limit on the length of time a kiss lasts on screen. It's a long scene that feels like one continuous kiss but is in fact a lot of little kisses (Hitchcock does the same thing in To Catch a Thief). The romantic connection between Thornhill and Kendall is important to the plot. It adds more tension as Thornhill cares more about Kendall as the spy who is putting herself in a lot of danger. His affection for her determines his actions as he goes on a wild north by northwest chase. The film was very satisfying to watch and a lot of fun. I'm glad I made the trek out to the Brattle to see it.

I feel very privileged to have access to repertory theaters which show amazing classic films!

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