Classic Film Bloggers: Some of my Favorites Part I

I like to think that 9 months into this blogging venture, that I am now part of the classic film blogger community. We all offer something different but we are the same in that we provide new and fresh perspectives on classic movies. In this way, we are keeping film history alive.

Here are some of my favorites classic film bloggers, what I like about them and what they have posted recently that is of particular interest to me. Enjoy!

Allure ~ http://operator_99.blogspot.com/index.html

What I like: A biographical sketch and beautiful vintage photographs on starlets from the 20s and 30s. Not only beautiful to look at, but its great to be introduced to lesser-known actresses and maybe get a good film recommendation while you are at it.

Recent post I enjoyed: A sketch and pictures of the tragic Peggy Shannon. http://operator_99.blogspot.com/2008/02/peggy-shannon.html

Classic Montgomery ~ http://classicmontgomery.blogspot.com/

What I like: Not only do I love the idea of being a "fangirl", but I also love this chic blog whose focus is primarily the great film actor, Robert Montgomery. Photos, articles, video clips, TCM schedules and general posts about related actors.

Recent post I enjoyed: Picture post of images from Montgomery's film The Big House (1930), which I have never heard of but now am dying to see. http://classicmontgomery.blogspot.com/2008/01/big-house-1930.html#links

Greenbriar Picture Shows ~ http://greenbriarpictureshows.blogspot.com/

What I like: Lots of photos and film posters accompany an in-depth article which focuses on one particular film. Never boring, the language is jazzy and the content is genuinely interesting.

Recent post I enjoyed: Post on D.O.A. one of my favorite film noirs. Did you know that stomach abuse was popular is postwar noir? Right in the belly! http://greenbriarpictureshows.blogspot.com/2008/03/another-1949-crime-scene-if-high.html

Relative Esoterica ~ http://relativeesoterica.blogspot.com/

What I like: The writing is absolutely supberb. I feel more intelligent just after reading one post. A mix of film as well as music, this blog is something I can really sink my teeth into.

Recent post I enjoyed: An exploration of dog stories in film and literature, with a focus on Jack London. http://relativeesoterica.blogspot.com/2008/02/call-of-dog-story.html


These are only a few of many. I'll post about my other favorites in another installment.

Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol 2 on TCM Monday night

Madly preoccupied with homework, it completely slipped my mind that the Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Volume 2 is out on DVD this week Yay! It features 2 Norma Shearer classics, a Blonde Bette Davis film as well as an early Stanwyck. Pretty much everything to make a Pre-code fan like me jump with glee.

If you simply cannot wait for the DVD to be out on the 4th, TCM is featuring all the films including the added documentary Monday night!

The Divorcee (1930) ~ 8:00 pm (EST)

Thou Shall Not - Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood (2008) ~ 9:30 pm (EST)

Night Nurse (1931) ~10:45 pm (EST)

Three on a Match (1932) ~ 12:00 am (EST

A Free Soul (1931) ~ 3:45 am (EST)

Another reason to like Vanity Fair right now...

VanityFair.com is featuring a web exclusive slideshow of Leonard Schrader's collection of lobby cards. (Frank - You'll definitely get a kick out of these!)

Plus an article on them called Hollywood's Buried Treasures.

Check it out now! There is also a Leonard Schrader Collection website.

My particular favorite from the slideshow is the Norma Shearer/Devil's Circus card. Of course!

Oscar Night

I went out to an Oscar party at the Brattle Theatre with my good friend Kevin on Sunday night. It was great to dress up and watch the Academy Awards in a real theatre. Lot of talk is going around about this year's Oscars being disappointing. Here are my thoughts, reactions and fun quips on the show (or at least the 2-1/2 hours I watched!)

1. Presentation/Acceptance Montage and Theme - I liked this! But I get really emotional when they show images of classic film stars who have since passed on accepting or presenting awards. Especially when Celine Dion belts the Titanic song in the background. Do they want to make me cry?
2. Memorial Montage - I'm actually glad I missed this in the theatre. I didn't bring any tissues with me and I would have been a complete mess. Best to watch these kind of things at home when I have some kleenex nearby.
3. Marion Cotillard - I seriously have a girl-crush on her. I think she's amazing and I can't wait to watch La Vie En Rose!!!
4. Jon Stewart - Funny without being offensive. That's really the way it should be.
5. Mickey Rooney - The Oscars are not the Oscars without Mickey Rooney! I love that guy!
6. Amy Adams - She sings?! Wow! Talk about a double-threat. And I was slightly embarassed that I confused her with Isla Fischer. Oops.
7. Atonement didn't win Best Costume - I'm glad. I'm very particular about Best Costume, since I have a personal interest in period costume design. The only thing I didn't like about Atonement is how they sacrificed historical accuracy, for beauty in the clothes. The clothes seemed more '20s than '40s.
8. Cate Blanchett played Bob Dylan in a movie - Where have I been?
9. Sarah Polley wrote and directed Away From Her - Where the heck have I been? Oh yeah that's right, in graduate school! I'm so out of the loop.
10. In conclusion - I need to watch more movies!