Monday, November 29, 2010

God Speed Leslie Nielsen


Leslie Nielsen (1926-2010)

Oh Leslie, you broke my heart yesterday when you passed away. I don't ever think I got a chance to really express how much I appreciated you. Let me take a moment to thank you for a few things:

1. Thank you for entertaining us. You were devilishly handsome and grew up to be quite a distinguished looking older gentleman. But you were never stuck up. There was always a childish quality about you. You had a silly youthful spirit and you made so many of us laugh until our sides hurt. So thank you.

2. Thank you for being there when I got my first period. I know, it's a very strange thing to thank you for. I remember watching Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994) at home and being surprised by a visit from mother nature. It's a difficult time for a young girl but I had you to entertain me for a couple of hours and you know what, that made things a lot easier for me. So thank you.

3. Thank you for Katie and Orbie. I was a teenager with a strong interest in children's entertainment. Who knew I'd end up working at a children's book publisher later in my life. That early interest of mine helped me with my career path. Kate and Orbie was such an unusual show. Canadian produced, semi-animated and with a heart of gold, you narrated the whole thing. You told the story, you did all the voices, it was all you all the time. And you know what? It was lovely. I will always remember that show. So thank you and God Speed.


Sunday, November 28, 2010

Gentleman Jim (1942) and Opportunities



Merriam-Webster provides the following two definitions for the word "opportunity":
  1. a favorable juncture of circumstances
  2. a good chance for advancement or progress

We talk about opportunities passing us by, grabbing an opportunity when we can, and scolding others for being opportunists. Opportunities are tricky things. Some we are lucky to stumble upon, others we can't take because of extenuating circumstances and other opportunities we create ourselves.

James J. Corbett (Errol Flynn) is an opportunist in the fullest meaning of the term. He finds opportunities but for the most part he makes them. He's not satisfied with a little success, he wants it all. He wants to be a gentleman, he wants the girl and he wants the fame that comes with being the best Victorian prize-fighter in San Francisco. Corbett will take any circumstance and turn it around into an opportunity. Even when the odds are against him.

Again we see Flynn in a based-on-a-true-story film which wildly exaggerates the truth in order to entertain audiences with a hot-shot opportunist character who triumphs through sheer determination. That's a real "American" story is it not? He's an Irishman from humble origins and we want to see him rise to the very top. Why? Because we want the same for ourselves. We want those opportunities. We want to be the best. We want to overcome our circumstances and triumph.

This film lavishes it's attention on the Corbett who starts at the bottom and reaches the top. Because that's the most interesting story. However, we see the downfall of another boxer, John L. Sullivan, and although we may ignore our gut feeling, Corbett's heading for the same fate. No matter how successful we are and how many opportunities we seize, we will all be replaced by someone younger. It's the sad inevitable truth of life. All we can ask for is to be remembered kindly and to hope that our triumphs inspire future ones.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Warner Archive Black Friday Sale


(click the image above to go to the Warner Archive store)

This sale ends 11/29 (Monday) so if there are some Warner Archive DVDs you've been lusting after NOW is the time to get them. This is a really great deal. $10 each for 5 single-disc DVDs and no shipping cost. Plus, plus, plus. 

Are you going to take advantage of this sale? What are you going to get? If you've already made your purchase, what did you buy? This is what I got:


The Bachelor Mother (1939). You guys have Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz but for me the crowning jewel of 1939, the Golden Year of Movies, was The Bachelor Mother (oh and The Women, I can have two jewels right?). It's by far one of my favorite films and easily takes a spot in my top 5. It's a film I love to watch at any time during the year but especially during Christmas and New Year's. I watch it alone or I share it with friends. It's just the most divine movie ever and I curse Warner Bros. for not putting it out earlier. Now I have a proper DVD but I also had it on a burned DVD thanks to a kind friend as well as a VHS version which has gotten lost twice. Now I will have a proper DVD with keepcase and everything!

Keep Your Powder Dry (1945). This is a notable film featuring one of my favorite actresses Susan Peters. I've mentioned it before in my tribute to Susan Peters and while I had a VHS recording of it I was really happy to purchase a DVD copy. I'm starting to develop a strange interest in patriotic films from the 1940s and this is one of the better ones in my opinion. And Lana Turner is not even the least bit annoying in it!




Boy's Night Out (1962). This one is a total wild card. I have a VHS recording of this but it was missing a significant chunk so I have never seen it. I was contemplating getting this because of the cast, the story and the fact that it was remastered. I wasn't fully sold until I got recommendations from Terry from A Shroud of Thoughts, Millie from ClassicForever and Casey from Noir Girl. They sold it to me!


The Easiest Way (1931). A favorite early talkie. I loved it so much I dressed up as Anita Page! I only have a VHS recording of this so I'm very glad to be able to own it on DVD.



Their Own Desire (1929). Another top favorite film which I've written about on here a couple of times. It's Art Deco at it's finest, Shearer & Montgomery's first picture together and it's just a great example of an enjoyable early talkie. I'm so glad to be able to own a proper copy of this with such a beautiful design for the keepcase!


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