Thursday, January 20, 2011

Dead End (1937)

I've heard a few film-loving folks on Twitter proclaim that sleep is overrated. Hmph! It is indeed NOT overrated. In fact, I would go so far as to say it is highly underrated. A good night's sleep does wonders for ones well-being. And as film enthusiasts, being awake and alert and not drowsy (or the opposite, jittery from the excess caffeine) is the only way to watch a film. Sure you can cram a few more films in if you sleep fewer hours but are you really enjoying them?

I watched Dead End at home, on my sofa, wrapped in a warm blanket. I was instantly hooked, especially because I had enjoyed Crime School (1938) (another Dead End Kids-Bogie film) so much. 40 minutes into this 93 minute movie and I started to doze off. I kept trying to stay awake but no matter how good the story I just couldn't. After a long week with not enough sleep, I was mentally and physically fatigued. I drifted in an out of consciousness during the last 30 minutes, Bogie's face popping up intermittently along with that of Sylvia Sidney, Joel McCrea and the delightfully rambunctious Dead End kids. However, I couldn't keep awake. I saw enough to understand the plot and know what was going on but Carlos had to fill me in at certain points.

Before I return Dead End to Netflix, I'll give it a proper viewing, rested and awake and ready to full absorb the film. One thing that is notable about Dead End is that Bogie has a considerable role in the film, which was not all that common in his film career during the 1930s. He plays Baby Face Martin, a gangster just come out of some reconstructive surgery on his face and heading back to his old 'hood to find a dame he once knew as well as to reconnect with his mother. He takes some time to cause some mischief as well. Bogie's idleness in the film (he hangs around a lot, watching and threatening but not doing much until towards the end) is what keeps the various plot points together. After each section ends, it keeps coming back to Bogie's character and his growing ire and itch to do something really bad. The Dead End kids as well as the physical location do this as well. They are all anchors for the film and keep us grounded.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Dead Reckoning (1947)


I have a special talent for looking at a movie and placing the year in which it was filmed/released. If I'm off, it's usually only by a single year. So when Carlos asked me what year Dead Reckoning was from, all I had to do was look at Bogie's worn face, the hair and clothing style, the cinematography and the noirish voice over of the film to land it around 1947 or 1948.

Dead Reckoning (1947) reminded me of a few films. The self-destructive love affair between Bogie's Rip Murdock (::snickers::) and Lizbeth Scott's Carol Chandler was very much like the one between Mitchum and Greer in Out of the Past (1947). Many noirish elements, like the voice over and the flashback motif reminded me of Double Indemnity (1944). The druggings and POV sequences that followed reminded me of The Maltese Falcon (1941). Even though so many elements of the film were familiar and I felt deja vu on more than one occasion, this film still seemed very fresh and new to me.

::spoiler alert::

I was particularly struck with one of the final scenes of the movie. Bogie's Rip provides death advice to a character about to cross over to the other side. The dying character is scared and Rip asks the character to just let go. I found it quite remarkable in its straight-forwardness. It provided no false hopes yet comforted nonetheless. I wish someone would say something like this to me when my time comes.

It's like going out the jump door. Hold your breath and just let go Mike. Don't fight it. Remember all the guys that have done it before you. You've got plenty of company Mike. High class company. 

Friday, December 31, 2010

Thursday, December 30, 2010

2010 Year In Review


January

I advise classic film fans how to make the most of their non-TCM resources. I watched Chinatown (1974) on the big screen and lived to talk about it. And I waged a full-on war against the Pakistani blog thief who dared to steal my content. He messed with the wrong person.



February

Jean Simmons passed away and Jonas of All Talking! All Singing! All Dancing! gave birth. I ask folks if Classic Films make us Anti-Social and I get a lot of great responses. We watched Born to Kill (1947) at my friend Kevin's fabulously decorated condo. I posted some great screen caps from the Art Deco/Pre-Code film, The Big House (1930).



March

I review a strange mix of films including America (1924), Les Girls (1957) and The Glass Wall (1953). I also talk about my reaction to violence on screen such as that in Strangers on a Train and Brubaker (1980). And I wish my Fast Eddie Felson (Carlos) boyfriend a happy birthday.



April

I reposted my Silents and Talkies guest post on Norma Shearer on my blog. I fall in love with Tony Rome (1967) and go crazy for all the details. I start a crazy series entitled "It's a Veritable Robert Mitchum Explosion" followed by numerous crazy posts. I basically go crazy this month. The above picture is also posted by Roger Ebert on Twitter which increases traffic to my blog. Thanks Ebert! This blog became available for viewing on Kindle this month as well.


May

Robert Mitchum craziness continues with more posts including one explaining that crazy picture from April. I start the Heck Yeah Robert Mitchum Tumblr and Mitchum's oldest son writes to me. Out of the Past gets nominated for Best Classic Film Blog in the LAMMYs. I review the TCM iPhone app as well as the new Doctor Zhivago (1965) DVD.




June

I got to see the most complete version of Metropolis (1927) on the big screen at the Coolidge Corner Theater as well as Vertigo (1958) at the Capitol Theater. Charlie Chan gives us a lesson in classic film distribution.


July

I review the worst boxed set known to man. My big screen adventures continue with The Lusty Men (1952) at the Harvard Film Archive and the 50th Anniversary restoration of Breathless (1960) shown at the Kendall Square Cinema.


August

I have a cocktail named after The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938) at Noir Bar in Cambridge, MA. Patricia Neal passes away. TCM devotes a whole day to Norma Shearer during their Summer Under the Stars series.


September

I discover a young Ella Fitzgerald through a picture book and the Abbott and Costello flick Ride Em Cowboy (1942). I cry (A LOT) through Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) and a lot of people sympathize. Tony Curtis passes away.



October

I made a dinner out of the Errol Flynn movie They Died With Their Boots On (1941). I see Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928) on the big screen with live musical accompaniment. I contest a Twitter "fact" with a list of Leading Men shorter than Richard Widmark. I yell at another blogger, reveal myself as @ClassicFilmRead and post a whole bunch of pictures of Actors with Puppies. I follow it up with pictures of Actresses with Kittens. I review the new Errolivia book and the Humphrey Bogart boxed set (complete with vlog!).



November 

My busiest month ever! I write a post every day! Mostly reviews of Humphrey Bogart movies in my 24 Bogie Movie Marathon. I warn other bloggers about Full Disclosure. I fall in love with Brother Orchid (1940).  I post a rare Doris Day interview. Wrote my most popular post this year: Actors Who Remind Me of My Father. Did another vlog review, this time of the Elia Kazan boxed set. Leslie Nielsen passes away. I get people interested in Gentleman Jim (1942).


December

I continue the 24 Bogie Movie Marathon and don't quite finish. Watch for the rest in the new year! I write about Janet Leigh's tight sweater in Holiday Affair (1949) and most of you don't believe me. I witnessed the most amazing screening of Sunrise (1927) with live musical accompaniment courtesy of Berklee College of Music. They got a standing ovation. Carlos and I see It's a Wonderful Life (1946) at the Brattle. I watch and review King of Kings (1961) just in time for Christmas.


I would like to thank all of you who have read this blog in 2010. This blog would be nothing without my lovely readers. Thank you!

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