Dawson City: Frozen Time (2016)

It's a cinephile's dream to unearth a trove of silent gems. Films unseen for many decades, written off as lost forever are brought to life again. When this event occurs usually one or two films are found in someone's attic or shed. Sometimes these discoveries happen in lands many miles away from birthplace of the film. We hear about newly discovered silents, sometimes entire films, sometimes just fragments, coming from South America or Australia.

"Dawson had an idle, captive audience ready to be entertained." - Dawson City: Frozen Time

Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada is over three thousand miles away from Hollywood. It's an isolated city in the heart of the gold rush territory of the north. Once a gambling town that suffered from countless fires, it eventually became the home of a small community of just under 1,000 people. In the 1910s and 1920s, Dawson City residents were captivated by the silent films shown at their local athletic center's family theater. Dawson was the end of the line for film distribution. Back in those days, film distributors would send out nitrate prints for rental periods. After the rental period was over, the theaters would send back the prints. Because Dawson was so far away, it would sometimes take 2-3 years to arrive in Dawson. Not only was it cost-prohibitive to pay to get the prints back, by then the distributors were no longer interested in them. The local Dawson bank was in charge of making sure the films were only screened during that rental period before locking them up. As the years passed they ran out of room. Crates of nitrates were set ablaze, dumped in the Yukon river and just over 500 reels were used to fill a pool in the local athletic center.  Over 50 years later, those reels, buried in permafrost and forgotten were unearthed.

A nitrate reel unearthed from the permafrost. Dawson City: Frozen Time. Photo source: Kino Lorber

"The world outside of Yukon flickered through their screens."  - Dawson City: Frozen Time

Director Bill Morrison's new documentary Dawson City: Frozen Time (2016), explores the discovery of those 500 reels but also the history of Dawson City and it's long connection with Hollywood. The documentary has no narration and only a couple of interviews at the beginning and the end of the film. Most of it watches like a silent movie. It's made of photographic images shot in the Ken Burns style as well as a plethora of film clips, many of which are Dawson City film finds. Morrison and his team expertly weave together photographs, film clips, captions and ethereal music. Audiences will learn about the early days of Dawson City, time spent there and in the Yukon by known Hollywood figures such as Sid Grauman, Fatty Arbuckle and William Desmond Taylor. We learn about volatile medium of nitrate film and the neglect of silent film in the talkie era.

When you watch this documentary, you get a sense of how movies made the world seem smaller and more accessible. I'm fascinated by how the filmmakers were able to incorporate so much relevant footage. For example, director Alice Guy-Blache is briefly profiled and not only do we see film footage of the Solax Film Laboratories fire (she was co-founder and director of that laboratory) but also a clip from one of her silent films that was uncovered in the Dawson City find. Some might find this film a bit quirky with its lack of talking heads and narration. The music at times is surreal and ominous. I enjoyed all these elements but for some who are used to traditionally styled documentaries it would be important to know this before diving head first into the film.

Dawson City: Frozen Time is an expertly crafted documentary and a fascinating story of one small town and their extraordinary find. It's well worth the time of any hardcore cinephile.

Dawson City: Frozen Time screened earlier this year at the TCM Classic Film Festival and I unfortunately wasn't able to attend that screening. I put it high on my wish list of new documentaries to watch and it did not disappoint. The film is currently on theater tour across the country with screenings books from now until early September. You can find future screening dates here. Kino Lorber will be releasing Dawson City: Frozen Time on DVD in the near future.

Thank you to Kino Lorber for sending me a screener for this film!

If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast (2017)

"__________ is still alive?!" 

Just fill in the blank with the name of a very elderly actor, actress or entertainer and this is a question I hear on a regular basis. As someone who has an interest in classic movies and 20th century culture and entertainment, I cherish the fact that some of my favorites are living legends. It makes me happy to see so many of them in their 90s and 100s thriving and in many cases still working. It pains me when people relegate the status of old people as useless or simply close to death. People fear growing old and dying so when they see an elderly person their defenses go up and they lash out. It's my belief that we should respect and treasure the elderly. They bear the wisdom of the decades and we have much to learn from them about living life.

This is why it is so important that everyone watch HBO's new documentary If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast (2017). This doc explores several figures both in and out of the entertainment industry who are living life to the fullest in their 90s or 100s. The documentary follows legendary comedian Carl Reiner, 95, with the help of his nephew George Shapiro, as he seeks out the stories of those who are thriving in their advanced years. The title of the documentary is inspired by this often repeated quote:

"Every morning before having breakfast, I pick up my newspaper, get the obituary section and see if I'm listed. If I'm not, I have my breakfast." - Carl Reiner

Carl Reiner, George Shapiro, Mel Brooks, Norman Lear

Many familiar faces can be found in the documentary. Tony Bennett who recently turned 90 serenades us with a song. Reiner chats with long-time friends producer/comedian Mel Brooks, 90 and TV producer Norman Lear, 93. Their casual chats produce some of the best moments in the film. Reiner has a hilarious conversation with Betty White about age, having purpose in life and sexuality. At 94 she says, "I don't want to be a burden to anybody. Except possibly Robert Redford." Dick Van Dyke, 90 never lost his goofiness or energy over the years. There are numerous scenes with him in the documentary including sit down chat with Reiner but we also see him heading to Capitol Records to record songs with his wife Arlene, at a Barnes & Noble for the launch of his book Keep Moving (I've reviewed it here) and dancing around and being jovial out and about and in his home.

Carl Reiner and Betty White

Comic book creator Stan Lee shares his life's story as well as some insights on what his life his like at the age of 90. All of these figures are healthy and thriving. This gets Reiner thinking about people who are at an advanced age yet are suffering from poor health. He visits Kirk Douglas, 99 at the time of filming, who is still dealing with the aftermath of his stroke. They have a honest chat about death. Reiner shares the story of his wife Estelle's passing and Douglas relates the story of his mother's passing. Douglas' mother told him, "don't be scared. It happens to everyone."

Then there are the discoveries. Those wonderful figures who grace this documentary and charm us with their wit, wisdom and joie de vivre. Moments spent watching them were my favorites. There are a few you might of heard of including fashion icon Iris Apfel, 94 who is the figure of a fantastic documentary Iris (2014) directed by Albert Maysles. Then there is singer/actress Patricia Morison who at the age of 101 still enjoys singing, delights us with her joy and tantalizes us with a scandalous story about Yul Brynner. I fell head over heels for a few of these discoveries. There is Stan Harper, the world's greatest harmonica player. He was Reiner's old army buddy and can be seen at the age of 14 in One-Third a Nation (1939). Fyvush Finkel, 92 a Yiddish comedian and singer who lives to perform. He quipped "as soon as I get on that stage I have all the energy in the world." Lounge pianist and music composer Irving Fields, who wrote Latin infused songs including A Latin from Manhattan, won my heart. I feel head over heels for his passion for music and his drive to keep doing what he loves to do. Unfortunately all three of these have since passed away.

Irving Fields

Others who will inspire you include centenarian athlete Ida Keeling, pianist Harriet Thompson, 93, yogi and tango dancer Tao Porchon-Lynch, 97, portrait artist Ray Olivere, 91 and singer Alan Bergman, 90. I particularly loved the segment with Jim "Pee Wee" Martin, 95, who was in the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment during WWII. We see footage of him sky diving at the age of 94. His interview was one of my favorites because of his frankness. He lived a life where he cherished simplicity and hard work. Martin reflects, "the age part is nothing. I don't feel any different today than when I was 25 years old."

There are lots of great bits of wisdom throughout the documentary. Here are some highlights:

"Life is the main gift that we have. And as long as you're here eat it up." 

Patricia Morrison

"There are two words we don't understand the importance of: over and next. When something is over its over. And then comes next." 

Norman Lear

"I do it my way. I'm not interested in being current."

Iris Apfel

"People are scared to death of age. Don't fear it. Meet it head on."

"New experiences are the only thing that you can collect in life that end up being worth it."

Dick Van Dyke

 "Don't lose your curiosity." 

Ray Olivere

"I go on and on because I love what I do."

Irving Fields 

"Being old is like a whole new adventure. You can't describe it to young people."

Stan Lee

"You gotta be the boss of your body."

Ida Keeling

So what is the secret of longevity? There are many answers that Reiner as well as longevity expert Dan Buettner share in the documentary. These include: Have a social life. Be optimistic about your future. Have a purpose for every day. Be physically fit and enjoy life. Then there are those elements that are genetic or pure luck like being cognitively aware at an advanced age, avoiding fatal accidents and overall good health.

If there's one thing I hope to get across to people, its that they absolutely need to watch If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast (2017). I could review it as a straight documentary and find its flaws. But the importance of its message and wonderful stories of beautiful lives that it shares overshadows everything else. I fell in love with this documentary and the people in it. I hope you do too.

If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast (2017) is currently available on HBO GO and HBO Now. I hope it gets a DVD/Blu-Ray release in the near future. I'll definitely be picking up a copy. And to my TCMFF friends, you'll delight in seeing our bud Jeff from Larry Edmunds Bookshop who makes a cameo in the documentary.

*All ages listed reflect the correct age at the time of filming.

Alive and Kicking (2016)

What do classic movie fans do when they want to pursue their passion in other avenues? They wear vintage clothes and shoes. They style their hair in mid-century up-dos or slicked back styles. They collect big band albums and jazz records. They frequent estate sales and thrift shops. They attend historical revivals. And... they swing dance. Did you know that the resurgence of interest in classic movies of the home video era was instrumental in revitalizing swing dancing?

"Once they see those films, they really want to do it."

Let's start from the beginning. Swing dancing originated in Harlem during the Great Depression. It was a street dance with roots in the Charleston dance style of the 1920s. This dance was influenced greatly by the music of Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. The African-American community brought swing dancing to the ballroom. Herbert Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, made up of dancers including Norma Miller, Frankie Manning and others, brought it to Hollywood in films like Hellzapoppin' (1940), the Marx Bros.' A Day at the Races (1937) and shorts like Groovie Movie (1944). Swing dancing transcended its Harlem roots to become a nation-wide phenomenon. While the Lindy Hop is the most popular, many styles found their niches including West Coast and East Coast swing, Boogie-Woogie, Collegiate Shag, Jive, Rock n Roll, Blues dancing and countless others.

"It was the one relief you had from the bad times." - Norma Miller on dancing during the Great Depression

Swing dancing went out of fashion in post-WWII America. New dances came into fashion and swing dancing was soon forgotten. Movies came to the rescue in the home video era starting in the 1980s and escalating into the 1990s. People watched swing dancing on screen and felt the urge to do it themselves. The craze caught on again and legends like Frankie Manning, who had retired from dancing and became a postal worker to make ends meet, were in demand again. According to dance historian Rusty Frank, the movies Swing Kids (1993) and Swingers (1996) and the widespread appeal of Gap's 1998 Khaki Swing commercial  firmly established swing dancing as part of American culture again. However this time around it wouldn't become a mainstream fad. Instead it would find a home in a community of enthusiasts who put their heart and soul into this rediscovered dance style.

"Nobody does social dancing than Lindy Hop." - Norma Miller

Susan Glatzer's new documentary Alive and Kicking (2016) explores the culture that grew from the resurgence of swing dancing. In today's technology age, everyone is constantly connected yet disconnected. Dancing forces you to be out of your head and into your body and to connect with someone face to face. It's the ultimate rebellion against the isolation of modern life because it forces you to me intimate with strangers. This documentary explores swing dancing as a community, a spiritual experience, as therapy, as a secret conversation between two people and as a way to bridge the generations. Swing dancers come in all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, genders and ages. They travel the world to compete against and to connect with other dancers. While there's some money to be made by winning competitions, most dancers work full-time jobs and swing dance on the side or they make a living through teaching their art.

 "Swing dancing is the pursuit of happiness." - Evita

Alive and Kicking isn't a historical documentary. Nor is it instructional or specifically about swing dancing competitions. It truly is about the culture of the dancers. Interview subjects include swing dancing legends Frankie Manning, Norma Miller and Dawn Hampton as well as young up-and-comers Evita, Emilie and Rebecka and Steve and Chanzie. We learn about what motivates them, why they love dance and how they approach the lifestyle and prepare for competition. The film mainly focuses on these rising stars but it also includes interviews with many other dancers and experts. I enjoyed learning about these young dancers as much as I did about the legends. Manning and Hampton have since passed away and Norma Miller is still with us at the swingin' age of 97. Fun fact: you can watch all three of these dancers in the Lindy Hop scene of Malcolm X (1992).

"Happiness is just a few steps away."

This documentary includes many dance numbers with a focus on the Lindy Hop style, an improvised dance which is also highly technical. I appreciated this documentary for what it taught me about the culture and the dancers. I would have loved to learn more about the technical aspects of the dance but that was not the intention of the film. It did make me want to take a swing dancing lesson or two!

Alive and Kicking is a contemporary documentary but I think it'll appeal highly to the vintage community as well as to classic movie fans. It revitalized my interest in the vintage life and awakened my curiosity about swing dancing.

Alive and Kicking (2016) will be in theatres and available online April 7th. Visit the official website for more information. Thank you to Magnolia Pictures for the opportunity to review this film. Stay tuned as I'll be sharing my interview with writer, director and producer Susan Glatzer as well as swing dancing legend Norma Miller soon.

I Am Not Your Negro (2016)

“The story of the Negro in America is the story of America. It is not a pretty story.” – James Baldwin

In 1979, author James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent with an idea for a book. He was going to tell the story of America through the lives of three important and tragic figures of the Civil Rights movement: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. When Baldwin died in 1987 he had left behind only 30 pages of his manuscript that was to be called Remember This House. Director Raoul Peck’s documentary I Am Not Your Negro (2016) helps complete the narrative by using Baldwin’s own words from those 30 pages, other essays, his televised interviews, debates and more.


Author of such classics as Notes of a Native Son and Giovanni’s Room, James Baldwin was an outspoken figure during the Civil Rights movement. He knew Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and MLK personally and while none of them ultimately agreed with each other on approach Baldwin appreciated what each brought to the table. Baldwin had a difficult relationship with the United States. He fled for Paris when Truman became president and lived in France, Switzerland and Turkey coming back to the states for stretches of time. He spent many of his final years in Saint-Paul-de-Vance France where he wrote his unfinished manuscript and other works.

I Am Not Your Negro is a scathing look at black representation in the media and the civil rights movement with a look towards what’s happening today. It’s timely and relevant, harrowing and shocking. It serves as a wake up call for everyone. Told through Baldwin's words, this documentary has no talking heads and no other voices. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, the documentary is full of archival footage interjected with some contemporary scenes including those related to the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the events that led to it. Baldwin’s words guide us on the journey.

I Am Not Your Negro. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Having recently read The Devil Finds Work, Baldwin’s book-length essay of film criticism and race, I recognized several passages in the documentary. In fact when the film is not delving into the life and death of the three Civil Rights leaders and Baldwin’s thoughts on treatment of black people in America, he discusses representation of blacks and whites in classic film. Many clips from a wide variety of classic movies are included. Some are directly related to Baldwin’s writings and others are used to prove a point or complement the narrative.

Classic film enthusiasts will find this documentary a tough pill to swallow. I know many of you want to remain in your bubble, I know I do sometimes, but I believe this is worth your time. The documentary takes a harsh look at classic movies. I was particularly taken aback by one scene in which we see a clip of Doris Day humming to herself in a kitchen in Lover Come Back (1961) and then cuts immediately to graphic photographs of lynched black men. This is one of many elements of shock and awe director Raoul Peck adds to the narrative. Here is the representation of a white woman living a luxurious life followed by the brutal reality of black oppression. Does it make me enjoy classic movies any less? No. Does it make me think about representation in film history? Yes. Baldwin had a complicated relationship with movies one that’s examined at length in The Devil Finds Work which I recommend everyone read. In this documentary we hear Baldwin discuss Hollywood figures both black and white including Joan Crawford, Sidney Poitier, Clinton Rosemond, John Wayne and others.

I wrote down some of the classic films that were included in this documentary. They include:

Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1927)
Dance Fools Dance (1931)
The Monster Walks (1932)
King Kong (1933)
Imitation of Life (1934)
They Won’t Forget (1937)
Stagecoach (1939)
No Way Out (1950)
Lullaby of Broadway (1951)
Love in the Afternoon (1957)
The Pajama Game (1957)
The Defiant Ones (1958)
Lover Come Back (1961)
A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
Custer of the West (1967)
Don’t Look Back (1967)
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? (1967)
In the Heat of the Night (1967)

Pressure (1976)

I Am Not Your Negro is an engrossing and powerful documentary. It’s hard-hitting with a serious and timely message to deliver. It puts up its fists for a fight and doesn’t back down. Watching it I couldn’t peel myself away nor could I prevent my thoughts from racing. I love how the film is divided into themed chapters as though it was itself a book. It made for a very cohesive style even when the narrative wandered from one topic to another and back again. It’s also a visually stunning film and I loved all of the archival footage even when some of it was difficult to watch.

This documentary is out in theaters today. I hope you’ll give it a try. It’s great viewing for Black History Month. Bring a friend and sit down for a meal and long discussion afterwards.

Thank you to Magnolia Pictures for sending me a screener of this film to review.

Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2016)

Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher were two peas in a pod. They were also as different as a mother and daughter could possibly be. In December 2016, the world suffered a tragic loss when Fisher died at the age of 60 and her mother Reynolds died one day later at the age of 84. Their fates were inextricably linked not only as family but also as entertainment legends.

I can name a handful of amazing documentaries that benefit from being in the right place at the right time. Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2016) is one of those documentaries. Filmed from April 2014 to January 2015, directors Alexis Bloom and Fisher Stevens started this project as a look into the twilight years of star Debbie Reynolds. However, Fisher was such a powerful force both in and out of Reynolds' orbit that it naturally progressed to include her. With the help of producer, brother and son Todd Fisher, the filmmakers dive head first into the lives of these two Hollywood heavyweights.

"Age is horrible for all of us. But she falls from a greater height." - Carrie Fisher

Bright Lights explores the close bond between the two stars and the fraught years that led up to that point. The filmmakers are not afraid to explore the scandals that plagued the family for years. Reynolds' acrimonious divorce from Eddie Fisher, who left her for actress Elizabeth Taylor, is examined at length. On a visit to Todd Fisher's Nevada home, we view his collection of film posters. On one wall is a series of posters that depict the progress of Reynolds' relationship with his father Eddie Fisher.  It starts with Singin' in the Rain (1952) and Tammy and the Bachelor (1957), two films emblematic of Reynolds' stardom. Then it continues to The Tender Trap (1955) where it's said that Frank Sinatra warned Reynolds to never marry a singer. Then there is Bundle of Joy (1956), a remake of Bachelor Mother (1939) that stars both Reynolds and Fisher. It continues with Butterfield 8 (1960) and Cleopatra (1963), two films that hammered the nails into the coffin of the Reynolds-Fisher marriage.

The documentary spends a lot of time in the present day with the pair but is also chock full of clips from home movies showing both Fisher and Reynolds in their prime and at their worst. I was particularly taken with the clip of a 15 year old Fisher being cajoled onto the stage of Reynolds' nightclub act. She sings and her voice is incredible; a gift she inherited from her father. It really blew me away. Fisher reveals that she rebelled against her mother's efforts to direct into a career as a nightclub singer. A tearful Reynolds chokes up at the thought of what could have been.

Bright Lights has a very melancholy feel. Life has been tough for Reynolds and Fisher. The audience gets an insight into the struggles of being an aging entertainer and the complications of growing up in a showbiz family. Then there is the elephant in the room: Eddie Fisher. He abandoned the family years ago and we see some heartbreaking footage of Carrie having a loving conversation with the ailing Eddie a mere three months before he died in 2010. This moment and others are difficult to watch. But life can be difficult and although Reynolds and Fisher come from unique circumstances there is still much the audience, including myself, can relate to.

Then there is the lowest point in Debbie Reynolds' career: the failure to start the museum that would house the Hollywood costumes she collected over the years and the subsequent auctions. We see the third and final auction and how Reynolds struggles to part with many gems including the iconic suits the members of the Rat Pack wear in Ocean's 11 (1960). As a hopelessly devoted fan of that film it broke my heart to see her go through this. The auctions have been a point of controversy in the industry.

Whether you're a fan of Carrie Fisher or Debbie Reynolds or both, there is much to take in about both of their lives. I wasn't as familiar with Fisher's life story but was interested to learn about her Star Wars legacy, her personal problems but also her many strengths. It was tough to watch Debbie Reynolds struggle in her old age and I kicked myself for not knowing she had performed in the neighboring state of Connecticut just a few years ago. I could have attended! In the performance Reynolds' voice cracks and her body threatens to give out on her but she persists. Carrie and Todd jump on stage to give her a reprieve. It's evident that Reynolds's greatest loves were her children and being an entertainer.

Bright Lights (2016) ends with Reynolds accepting the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award in January of 2015. Reynolds was very sick leading up to this moment and we see both Fisher and Reynolds struggling. Knowing what happened almost two years later I finished the documentary with an overwhelming sense of sadness but also of joy that I got to live in a world where Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds lived, loved, laughed and shared their pain and joy with us.

Bright Lights is currently available on HBO.

The First Film: The Greatest Mystery in Cinema History

Who created the first film? It may not be who you think.

During the late 19th century, several inventors were working furiously on the technology that would produce moving pictures. Some of these figures are well-known including the Lumiere Brothers, Thomas Edison and others not so much. But have you heard of French inventor Louis Le Prince? Chances are you haven’t and this film seeks to rectify that.


Film-maker David Nicholas Wilkinson sets out on a quest to prove Le Prince produced the first ever films in October 1888. What’s odd about Le Prince’s story is that two years later, after he had been working on the technology to project the films he had made, he got on a train from Dijon to Paris and was never seen again. No one knows what happened to him. What adds to this mystery is the fact that Le Prince’s final trip was supposed to be one leg of a much longer journey to New York where he was going to showcase his invention and his films. Was he murdered? Would he have been recognized as the first inventor of motion pictures if he had been able to complete his journey?

Image from The First Film (2016)

A plaque above the Leeds Bridge in Leeds, England reads "Louis Aime Augustine Le Prince came to Leeds in 1866 where he experimented in cinematography. In 1888 he patented a one-lens camera with which he filmed Leeds Bridge fro this British Waterway building. These were probably the world's first successful moving pictures." 

Wilkinson spent 30 years looking for answers to all of these questions. Seven of those years were spent researching and working on this documentary including 14 months of filming. Along with writer and researcher Ifran Shah, Wilkinson sets out on a journey of discovery with lots of surprises and setbacks along the way. Wilkinson has 40 years of experience working in the British Film Industry as a film-maker, distributor, actor and author. He’s originally from Leeds, where it is said that Le Prince filmed the very first motion picture. As a young man, a teacher once told him about Le Prince. He was skeptical at first but then became fascinated with the mystery and made it his passion project to seek out answers.

Most of The First Film (2016) is comprised of on-location shooting in Leeds as well as countless interviews with film historians, critics, curators, researchers, screenwriters and other expert. Wilkinson traveled across the pond to Cleveland, Ohio, Memphis, Tennessee, Washington Heights, NY and Fire Island, NY to do research. We see in-depth discussions with Le Prince’s great-great granddaughter, the leading expert on Le Prince and many others.

There are three surviving clips of Le Prince’s films, all of which pre-date the work of Edison, the Lumiere Brothers and other inventors at the time. This documentary examines the Rhounday Garden Scene. Wilkinson and Shah find the original filming location and the crew recreate this short with Le Prince's camera. As did many other inventors, Le Prince tinkered with the technology over many years. He and his wife Lizzie started a technical school of arts which lead him to many other opportunities. Le Prince worked on Civil War panoramas. These were meant for public consumption and meant to go beyond a single photograph. This might have been the seed that developed the idea for moving pictures. In The First Film, we learn about Le Prince’s progression as an inventor, about his 16 lens and single lens cameras and also about the other 10 inventors who were working on the same technology at the time.

Louis Le Prince

Wilkinson makes the bold claim that Le Prince was the world’s first cameraman, director and producer. Is he right? You'll have to watch the documentary to find out. I’ve always been drawn to stories of underdogs, especially ones whose life and work have been overshadowed by others. In this case, Le Prince’s achievements were forgotten and his mysterious disappearance possibly deprived him of the title of the maker of the first film.

The First Film (2016) is a quirky documentary that shows much passion for its subject and a determination to seek out the truth of an old but very important mystery. It’s a film for anyone who has a love of history, is curious about the early technology of film or loves a good research project. This documentary premieres online September 12th from Guerilla Films.

Many thanks to Erskine PR for the opportunity to view this film.

Watch the trailer here:

Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story (2015)

HaroldandLillian.com - #HaroldandLillian

“They were the heart of Hollywood.” – Bill Krohn, film critic

Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story (2015) will have its US premiere today at DOC NYC. From director Daniel Raim and executive producer Danny DeVito comes a touching and informative documentary that tells the story of Harold Michelson, a storyboard artist and production designer, and Lillian Michelson, a film researcher. This dynamic duo worked in Hollywood for over half a century helping to create the films that we know and love today. This documentary is about their extraordinary work, their collaborations with each other over the years and their long and fruitful marriage.

Never heard of Harold or Lillian Michelson? That’s a wrong that this documentary is trying to right. Even though Harold and Lillian worked on countless films with studios such as Columbia, Paramount, Zoetrope, MGM and DreamWorks and were responsible for some of the most iconic images in movie history, their work often went uncredited. But people in the film industry knew Harold and Lillian well and relied upon their extraordinary talents. This documentary is not only about the love Harold and Lillian had for each other but the love Hollywood had for them.

Lillian and Harold Michelson (Source)

“It starts with Harold and Lillian being a loving couple. They truly were people who together created art.” – Rick Carter

Harold and Lillian met in 1945 when Lillian was just 17 years old. Harold’s artistic skill was discovered while he was in the Air Force during WWII. Lillian grew up in an orphanage and read books to escape. Both developed their unique talents at a young age and brought them to Hollywood when they moved there in 1947. It started when Harold became a storyboard artist at Columbia completely by chance. An executive at the studio asked him if he was the artist who drew a particular piece. Harold said yes, even though it wasn’t really his. He was desperate for the job the executive was offering him and this got his foot in the door. The rest is history. In an interview the good-natured Harold reflected on the incident and hoped the real artist didn't wind up selling insurance. During this time, Lillian supported Harold as a housewife and mother to their three sons. However she wasn’t content with that role and pursued her own career in the industry as a film researcher; a job well-suited to a woman with a big imagination and a love for books. And so began two long and productive careers in Hollywood.

“Harold’s brain was the best computer there was.” – Tom Walsh

To create his storyboards, Harold drew with a combination of charcoal and ink. He had an extraordinary talent to make the unreal look real. He knew how to put a scene together in such a way that it would convey a certain message on screen. Harold could see what the camera saw and directors, including Alfred Hitchcock, acknowledged Harold’s talent for perspective. Even though Harold was nominated for two Oscars, a lot of his work has gone unrecognized. Storyboards were often destroyed because they were not deemed important or directors didn't want it known how much they depended on these artists for their work. In Harold's case, some of his storyboards survived and are showcased in the documentary.

A film researcher’s job is to “stimulate the filmmaker’s imagination and creativity.”

Lillian's pride and joy was her research library which she lovingly referred to as her fourth child. She started her career as an apprentice to Lelia Alexander who then sold her library to Lillian. The research library grew over the years and moved from studio to studio. It lived at Paramount, Francis Ford Coppola gave it a home at Zoetrope and it finally moved to DreamWorks. Lillian would work with art directors, production designers and writers and her visual research would guide filmmakers in picking the right props, costumes, furniture, automobiles, etc. for the movie. Lillian was feisty, curious and very well-connected.

Alfred Hitchcock, Harold Michelson and The Birds. Original sketch featured in Harold & Lillian. (Source)

Harold and Lillian often collaborated together and Lillian's research would guide Harold in developing his storyboards. They also worked on projects independently. The documentary looks closely at a number of the films they worked including The Ten Commandments (1956), Ben-Hur (1959), Spartacus (1960), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf? (1966), The Graduate (1967), Rosemary’s Baby (1968), Johnny Got His Gun (1970), Fiddler on the Roof (1971) and Scarface (1983). I loved the story of how they worked on The Birds (1963) with Alfred Hitchcock and in the documentary you can see Harold's storyboard juxtaposed with actual shots from Marine (1964). You know that iconic shot from The Graduate (1967) where Dustin Hoffman is framed by Anne Bancroft's leg? That was Harold's idea! And you can thank Lillian for the period accurate underwear in Fiddler on the Roof and for putting her life at risk interviewing drug lords for Scarface.

Harold and Lillian in bed with The Graduate (Source)

“They were like two peas in a pod.” – Danny DeVito

Raim's documentary also explores the Michelson's marriage with all of their ups and downs. We learn about their autistic son Alan, the dark period in Harold's life after an accident put him out of commission and the sweet hand-written and hand-drawn cards Harold would create for Lillian for every birthday, anniversary and holiday. Harold passed away in 2007 and Lillian is still with us. In the documentary we see archival footage from past interviews with Harold, lots of home videos and extensive interviews with Lillian Michelson who was very much a part of the project.

We also hear from a variety of industry folks. Talking heads include Mel Brooks, Danny DeVito, Francis Ford Coppola as well as a variety of production designers, art directors, film historians and storyboard artists. During their careers Harold and Lillian nurtured new talent and developed bonds with other artists. It's clear how much love Hollywood had for them.

Lillian and Harold Michelson (Source)

Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story is a charming tale that will move you to tears. This fine documentary shows a deep love for its subjects with a bit of whimsy added in. I loved all of the moments we get with Lillian as she tells us their story and it breaks my heart that Harold is not by her side. The use of original storyboard like illustrations by Patrick Mate to depict moments in the lives of the Michelsons is an inspired and entertaining touch. I'm a sucker for well done documentaries about interesting people and this film fits the bill. I'm not going to lie, I was a sobbing mess by the end. This is a documentary with a lot of heart and I was really moved by the story.

This is a must see for any film buff. Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story premieres tonight at DOC NYC fest. I hope it will screen in other cities, especially Boston! For more details, check out the Harold and Lillian Facebook page or follow the #HaroldandLillian hashtag on Twitter.

A special thanks to Emma Griffiths PR for giving me an opportunity to review this documentary.

Update: Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story has been acquired by Zeitgeist Films and is scheduled for a theatrical release in early 2017!

Further Update: Kino Lorber will be releasing the film on DVD and Blu-Ray in October 2017.

Documentary Review: Best of Enemies (2015)

Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Several months ago I watched the documentary Gore Vidal: United States of Amnesia (2013). Then I watched it again. And again. And again. I was mesmerized by this brilliant documentary as well its fascinating subject. It was timely, filmed shortly before Vidal’s death in 2012, powerful and illuminating with almost unfettered access to Vidal himself as well as his friends and colleagues. In that documentary we see some footage of the infamous William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal debates. I was fascinated and wanted to learn more about their debates as well as their vitriolic hatred for each other. That’s when Best of Enemies (2015) stepped in.

Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley Jr in BEST OF ENEMIES, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Directed by Robert Gordon and Morgan Neville and released by Magnolia Pictures, Best of Enemies tells the story of Buckley and Vidal’s debates during the 1968 Republican and Democratic national conventions and broadcast by ABC News. William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal were on the opposite ends of the political spectrum. Buckley was a staunch conservative and Vidal an unapologetic liberal. Both men were highly intelligent and well-spoken commentators. They both had failed at getting into public office, Buckley ran for Mayor in 1965 and Vidal for Congress in 1960. They recognized television as a powerful platform to deliver their political ideologies and both accepted ABC News’ invitation to debate with each other on live television. What resulted was explosive and would forever change TV news and the lives of both men.

William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal in BEST OF ENEMIES, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Buckley and Vidal hated each other. A lot. In the opening scene of the documentary we see archival footage from the 1970s of Gore Vidal. He’s giving the cameras a tour of his stunning home, nestled on a cliff in Ravello, Italy. Vidal takes the camera crew into the bathroom where a framed collection of photographs from the infamous debates hangs above his bathtub. Vidal snidely says of Buckley “he’s a well-known right-wing commentator whose name seldom passes my lips.” Buckley didn’t like to talk about Vidal either. ABC News approached him first about doing a debate with a liberal commentator during the conventions. He said he would not want to debate with a communist or Gore Vidal. They gave him Vidal.

When Buckley lost his cool. BEST OF ENEMIES, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Best of Enemies stitches together footage from the ten debates, ABC news coverage, some of it unedited, interviews with a wide variety of talking heads as well as archival footage of both Buckley and Vidal. Both sides are represented as equally as possible however things don’t turn out as well for Buckley who lost his cool in one of the last debates. It’s one of the most infamous moments in TV news history. Vidal calls Buckley a Crypto-Nazi and Buckley calls Vidal a queer and threatens to sock him in the face. That moment is pivotal in the documentary as well as the lives of both men.

Gore Vidal and Paul Newman in BEST OF ENEMIES, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Classic film fans, especially ones interested in the culture of the 1960s, will be fascinated with this documentary. It provides a lot of context of what was going at the time politically and culturally. Gore Vidal was no stranger to Hollywood. He was a screenwriter and novelist and his films include The Catered Affair (1956), Ben-Hur (1959), Suddenly, Last Summer (1959), The Best Man (1964), Myra Breckenridge (1970) and Caligula (1979). In 1968, his novel Myra Breckenridge had just been published and was hot topic. Clips from the film adaptation can be seen in the documentary as well as clips from Ben-Hur, Caligula and The Best Man. There is an extended reference to Sunset Blvd. (1950) too. Classic film enthusiasts will spot familiar faces such as Raquel Welch and Henry Fonda and there is also archival footage of Paul Newman and Arthur Miller at the Democratic national convention. Newman was good friends with Vidal and was often in the studio during the debates.


The filmmakers chose some excellent interviewees for the documentary. My favorites include Dick Cavett (talk show host), Richard Wald (former president of NBC News), George Merlis (ABC publicist), Christopher Hitchens (political essayist who passed in 2011), James Wolcott (Vanity Fair), Sam Tanenhaus (biographer of Buckley) and Reid Buckley (Buckley’s brother). I also really loved the commentary from Brooke Gladstone of NPR who put the debates in the context of the history of TV news and John McWhorter of Columbia University who analyzed the language and the importance of the discourse. Fun fact: at one point Buckley exclaims “this is balderdash now!” It was also neat to listen to actors John Lithgow and Kelsey Grammer narrate written pieces from Buckley and Vidal.

Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley Jr in BEST OF ENEMIES, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

 Here are some of my favorite quotes from the documentary:

“Networks, did they deal in controversy? No. Did they invite controversy? No. They were in the center. They were cementers of idea not disruptors of idea.” – Richard Wald, NBC News

“Bill Buckley was the first modern conservative intellectual to see that ideological debates were cultural debates. And what he did was to put conservativism on the march and that’s the creation of the movement we have today.” Sam Tanenhaus

“ABC was the Budget Car Rental of TV news” – Frank Rich, New York Magazine

“This has always been an anti-intellectual country. These days anybody who spoke like those two men in public would be seen to be heartless.” – John McWhorter, Columbia University

“The network nearly shat.” – Dick Cavett on the Buckley-Vidal incident

“Argument is sugar and the rest of us are flies.” – Richard Wald, NBC News

“More and more we are divided into communities of concern. Each side can ignore the other side and live in its own world. It makes us less of a nation because what binds us together is the pictures in our heads. But if those people are not sharing those ideas they’re not living in the same place.” – Uncredited

The reason I was most drawn to this documentary is my fascination with Gore Vidal. He is arguably one of the most interesting public figures of the 20th century. This documentary satiated my interested and piqued a new one about his rival Buckley.

William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal in BEST OF ENEMIES, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

I could go on for a long time about this documentary but I don’t want to spoil it for you. Instead I want to give you a plan of action. First, watch Gore Vidal: United States of Amnesia on Netflix Instant. Second, do a little research on William F. Buckley Jr. to keep things balanced. Third, find out which theater near you is showing Best of Enemies and go see it! This documentary premiered at Sundance to much critical acclaim. It was the opening film for the recent AFI Docs festival. You can watch at select theatres starting tomorrow. Visit the official site for the schedule.

Summary: Best of Enemies (2015) is a powerful documentary depicting a tumultuous time in political history, a turning point in TV news and highly contentious relationship between two intellectual equals William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal. This film entertains as much as it provides history and context. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Magnolia Pictures for sending me a screener to review!