- Lost films I long for….
February 20, 2010 - MISSING: HAVE YOU SEEN THIS FILM?
February 17, 2010 - Film Museums part 2
February 12, 2010 - Keeping silents where they belong—-on the big screen
February 1, 2010
Written by 
Lost films I long for….
I was speaking one day to an elderly man who used the phrase, “You can’t miss something you never had.” With all due respect to him, I beg to differ. I miss plenty of things in life I’ve never had. In particular I miss lots of films I’ve never seen. I was combing through an inventory of missing silents and pondering the losses. I wish a miracle would happen and ALL of them could be found and preserved. I zeroed in on the following films that I dearly miss and would give anything to have experienced:
THE ETERNAL CITY (1923)
This WWI silent drama starred Barbara La Marr was filmed on location in Rome and New York City. According to reports, King Victor Emmanuel III and Benito Mussolini appeared in the film leading their troops. Even if this film wasn’t a masterpiece, it would still be interesting to watch for the sake of historical value. Based on the limited footage I have seen, Barbara La Marr was a stunning vamp. She began as a screenwriter until Mary Pickford saw her and encouraged her to pursue acting. La Marr won co-star status with Douglas Fairbanks in THE NUT and THE THREE MUSKETEERS before going on to headline numerous romantic dramas. Sadly, many of her films are either lost, incomplete or very hard to find. Fortunately the film SOULS FOR SALE (1923) was feared lost but has turned up and is now being offered for purchase by the Warner Archive. I wish I could see more of her films. It is very hard to analyze and appreciate the career of an actor when so many of their films are unavailable. With La Marr, there is so much mystery surrounding her life, career and untimely death that I just wish I had more pieces of the puzzle. Actress Sherri Snyder has developed a one woman show about La Marr and is heavily steeped in researching her life. I’m hopeful that as time goes on, this forgotten star will finally be rediscovered.
THE GREAT GATSBY (1926)
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s definitive chronicle of “The Jazz Age” got the big screen treatment for the first time in 1926. Subsequent adaptations in 1949 and 1974 have been disappointing at best. It would have been amazing to see this put on film in the exact same era in which it was set. It was the best possible time to have captured that energy, vivacity, longing and spirit of what the era was all about. A few years back the Valentino and Swanson film BEYOND THE ROCKS (1922) was discovered after being thought lost for almost 80 years. It was news that film lovers live for. When the restoration was complete, the Academy held a screening. Before the film began they showed a trailer for THE GREAT GATSBY and AMERICAN VENUS (with Louise Brooks) both of which remain lost. I was fascinated by the GATSBY trailer, but it was painful to only see so little. I wanted to stand up and shout, “MORE MORE MORE!” The trailer is one of the 50 films in the 3-disk boxed DVD set called More Treasures from American Film Archives, 1894-1931 (2004), compiled by the National Film Preservation Foundation. It was preserved by the Library of Congress and has a running time of one minute.
Below is a video I found on YouTube in which Netherlands Filmmuseum curator Giovanna Fossati explains the process of restoring BEYOND THE ROCKS.
FOUR DEVILS (1928)
Directed by the German great F.W. Murnau, FOUR DEVILS was only his second American film after SUNRISE. Set in the world of the circus, this film reunited him with SUNRISE star Janet Gaynor. In 2003 Janet Bergstrom directed a documentary called “Murnau’s 4 Devils: Traces of a Lost Film” that comes as a bonus feature on the SUNRISE Special Edition DVD. There is also a coffee table book about this film in the “Murnau, Borzage & Fox” DVD box set. I’ve heard rumors that the studio cut the film considerably and inserted sound sequences as this film was coming out during the transition to talkies. Regardless of the quality, I would still be curious to see this. The loss of this film is all the more tragic considering Murnau only made two more films before his life was cut short by a car accident. He only lived to direct 21 films and only 4 of them in America. There should have been many more. He was such an incredible artist.
WAGES OF SIN (1928)
When I was in film school, it seemed the only directors we ever studied were white males. I always found it frustrating that there wasn’t a more diverse pool of filmmaking talent to study. A few years back I attended the San Francisco Silent Film Festival and learned all about Oscar Micheaux. He was a groundbreaking African American filmmaker whose work often tackled social issues. He worked outside the studio system and became a pioneer in the independent film world. While he excelled at drama, he also directed films in a variety of genres including musicals, comedy, westerns and gangster films. His film are so significant because they defy the racist stereotypes of the time and present a unique, more fully developed portrait of African American talent. Numerous Micheaux films have been considered lost.
I can only hope that these films will be found. They are all significant for a variety of reasons and would add so much to the film legacy of their creators.
MISSING: HAVE YOU SEEN THIS FILM?
When I heard about the blogathon, “For the Love of Film: The Film Preservation Blogathon,’’ I had to join in. This is my first post. This blogathon runs now through Sunday and is hosted by Farran Smith Nehme (The Self-Styled Siren) and Marilyn Ferdinand (Ferdy on Film). Their aim is to raise awareness and donations for the The National Film Preservation Foundation. This non-profit organization gives money to film archives who are struggling to preserve films before it is too late. The saying “Nitrate won’t wait” certainly applies here. For complete lists of other participating bloggers, log on to The Self-Styled Siren or Ferdy on Film for more information.
Donate $ to the National Film Preservation Foundation!
I was once discussing film with someone when they told me that a certain B-movie was “not worth saving”. In my mind ALL films are worth saving. They are the modern day equivalent of broken pieces of pottery or hieroglyphics. They chronicle our culture, emotions and are snapshots of eras that are now frozen in time. Films are important to our artistic and historic knowledge as well as our education.
One night many years ago at the UCLA Film & TV Archive I was watching a Clara Bow silent film called EMPTY HEARTS (1924). It contained a small yet powerful performance by Bow early in her career. At the climax of the story, the film began to bubble up on screen and become distorted. It wasn’t the result of faulty projection, but rather a sign of a film that had been rotting before it could be fully saved. A man in the audience screamed, “NOOOOOOOOOO” at the top of his lungs. While others in the audience laughed, I felt like doing the exact same thing.
Clara Bow is one of my favorite stars of the silent era and it saddens me to think how many of her films are no longer with us today. Here is a list of her missing films that I got from www.clarabow.net. What pains me the most is that 4 films from the very peak of her career in 1928 are missing including:
RED HAIR -This film featured a Technicolor segment of her famed red bob! Fortunately a fragment was discovered so we can at least get a tantalizing glimpse of what audiences saw in 1928. RED HAIR was directed by Clarence G. Badger, who directed Bow’s signature film IT.
LADIES OF THE MOB (1928) - This crime drama was directed by William A. Wellman who also directed Bow in WINGS, the first Best Picture Academy Award winner.
THREE WEEKENDS (1928) - This film was based on a story by Elinor Glyn who proclaimed Clara as the “IT” girl. Also directed by Clarence G. Badger
ROUGH HOUSE ROSIE (1928) - This film is about a poor working girl who tries to crash into high society. It also features Clara Bow in a boxing scene. A trailer was recently discovered giving us a glimpse of what we have now lost. A few years ago the San Francisco Silent Film Festival showed the trailer and it was met with screams and cheers from the audience. The collective attitude was that ANY Clara is better than no Clara at all. I agree, but I still hold out hope that the complete film will turn up someday. So far the only bits of information we have on these films has come from posters, stills, fragments, scripts and various documents. Historians have a puzzle with the main piece missing.
Fortunately there have been some gains where Clara Bow films are concerned.
Her early talkie KICK IN (1931) has been newly restored. A saw it at Cinecon a few years ago and it was pristine!!!! The website Clarabow.net reports that several of her films have been newly restored.
You may be wondering what you can do to further the cause of film preservation. Start by making a donation in any amount to the National Film Preservation Foundation. Your donation is tax-deductible. Your money will help libraries, museums and archives to preserve films. This will also allow the films to be made available for screening and research. Click HERE to see a list of films that have been preserved by the NFPF.
Another way you can help is by simply supporting rare or newly restored films when they are screened. Here in Los Angeles we are fortunate to have the UCLA Film & TV Archive, The Academy, LACMA, The American Cinematheque, Cinecon, The Silent Movie Theatre, The New Beverly and many others. In San Francisco the have the Silent Film Festival, The Pacific Film Archive, the Niles Film Museum and the Castro Theatre just to name a few.
Make sure to frequent these places and do what you can to support your local film community.
Film Museums part 2
I had a few people send me emails about some additional movie star museums that I should check out:
Walt Disney Family Museum
This one is located in the Prisidio area of San Francisco. I have several friends up there and have visisted the city a million times. I have no idea how this placed managed to escape my attention for so long! I must pay this museum a visit on my next trip! I love the fact that they even have a screening and lecture series.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Museum
This museum is located in Jamestown, New York. I hear that Lucy’s ashes were originally interred here in Los Angeles, but moved to Jamestown in 2002 by a relative. On their website they mention that they will be having a 99th Anniversary birthday party for Lucy this summer. Looks like fun!
John Wayne Museum
I can’t imagine when my travels would ever take me to Winterset, Iowa but you never know. Based on the website, the John Wayne Museum looks great and the area is also the famed location behind the book and movie THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Plus I bet they have great little historic hotels and antiques stores there.
Jimmy Stewart Museum
Given Jimmy Stewart’s small town American appeal, this museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania (Jimmy’s hometown) looks like a loving tribute to him.
Fairmount Historical Museum (James Dean)
I heard that there used to be a separate museum dedicated entirely to James Dean, but it recently closed its doors. Now his life is featured as part of the Fairmount Indiana Historical Museum along with local hometown hero Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield.
Three Stooges Museum
Located in Ambler, PA, this appears to be the first and only museum of Three Stooges memorabilia with a collection of 100,000 pieces. Wow! Alas they only seem to be opened one day a month, so a trip here would take advance planning.
Bruce Lee Museum
This website appears a bit confusing as it show pictures of a museum, but doesn’t seem to have information about the locations, hours, etc. I found a story about another museum in the NY Times, so hopefully there will be more on this soon.
There more stars from small town America who don’t have museums, but should:
Louise Brooks and Vivian Vance (I Love Lucy) were both born in Cherryvale, Kansas.
Lana Turner was born in Wallace, Idaho.
Carole Lombard was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. While she doesn’t have a museum, she apparently does have a Bed and Breakfast.
Keeping silents where they belong—-on the big screen
I just received the below email about the challenges of keeping silents going at the Silent Movie Theatre aka CineFamily. I am going to put my money where my mouth is and make sure to attend ALL of their upcoming silent screenings. I hope you can join me in this effort. They are showing some really rare films, which is exciting to see!
-Karie
Cinefamily,
There’s been a lot of wondering and concern about the state of silent films in the Cinefamily program, so I wanted to send a missive both clarifying our past approach, and informing you about the future—a future that does include the continued tradition of showing silent films here. The Cinefamily is a non-profit whose goals are to explore *every* corner of cinema, and perhaps even a little beyond those corners, seeking to discover and share all kinds of film. We really do like it all, and want our program to be a big “tent” with great films from every genre, every place, and every decade. So it was not a conflict for us to continue the tradition of silent films here, a landscape rich with masterpieces and curios. The fact that we were welcomed into the Silent Movie Theatre, a wonderful home with such a rich history, was exciting—but we also knew might lead to confusion.
Though we do many things here, we are keeping the tradition of showing silents at The Silent Movie Theatre alive with its own special time slot. For the past three years (two years since we opened, and one year previous while we were planning everything), we’ve dedicated one day a week to silents. The theatre had been exisiting for some time previously as a private rental house for weddings, parties, and private screenings, so this was actually an increase in silent screenings. Since last October, we did take some time off to assess the best course of action, but have no fear: the plan was to return stronger than ever.
We now have a guest programmer the first Wednesday of every month—The Silent Treatment—who will be showing rare archival prints, most of which are unavailable on DVD. While we may not show silents each and every Wednesday, we will show at least two or three a month, and we also plan on starting a matinee program in the spring, with more family-friendly classics by the big names in silent comedy—Chaplin, Keaton, etc. Our investment is real—we even bought new 18-frames-per-second motors (instead of the usual 24) for our projectors, so that we could show true 35mm restorations like The Flapper this Wednesday.
Keep in min: we don’t show silent films to make money, and in order to show as many as possible, we do need your support. The shows are more, not less, expensive than regular screenings, because we also have a live musician and a short program each time, both of which are above and beyond normal costs. Unlike previous owners, we inherited virtually no in-house library of films; while previous Silent Movie Theatre programmers could keep silents shows affordable by showing only public domain films they owned in-house prints of over and over again, every short and feature we show now costs us both rental and shipping fees. In addition, showing rare archival prints requires higher separate print loan fees (aside from rights clearances), insurance, and other sundry expenses.
If you want to help, in addition to attending the silents shows, you can also make tax-deductible donations to the Cinefamily—and if you want to leave a little note “earmarking” your support for silent films, that does send a message. You can paypal us at donate@cinefamily.org, or mail a donation (with your name and address, so we can get you your receipt) to:
The Cinefamily
611 N. Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, CA, 90036
Oh, and lest I forget! We’re re-opening our silents program with a film I’ve been dying to show. The Flapper is the best flapper movie this side of It, and undeservedly forgotten actress Olive Thomas was the first Hollywood starlet to earn the appellation. Sexy, fun, and a classic example of the kind of rare screening we hope to show more of (a 35mm print from The Eastman House is a really big deal, guys!), you should all come out to the show. To make it more fun, it’s half-off the ticket price if you come in 1920s period costume, and feel free to join us at our “speakeasy” on the back porch (the password is: “swordfish”). So put on the ritz, rope a dope, bring your sugardaddy and come to the Cinefamily petting pantry to catch the latest flick. They’re the cat’s meow!
Best, and thank you for your time,
Hadrian Belove, Executive Director, The Cinefamily
The Laurel & Hardy Museum
Harlem, Georgia is a sleepy little southern town. If you blinked, you’d miss it. On January 18, 1892 Oliver Norvell Hardy was born in this town and his success in Hollywood gave the town an eternal claim to fame. They are clearly very proud of this and it shows. The town seemed full of sincere people and great southern hospitality.
I found information about the Laurel & Hardy Museum online shortly before my Christmas trip home to Georgia to see my parents. I pleaded with them to take me there for a little day trip and they agreed. I really love these little “Mom and Pop” type museums, as they are always run by such devoted, passionate people. When we first arrived in Harlem, I noticed “The Columbia Theatre”. The marquee looked beautiful and there was a large Laurel & Hardy mural on the side of the building. Unfortunately the interior of the theatre was complete gutted and empty. I later found out this is a work in progress. The town is trying to raise money and get grants to re-open the theatre with an eye to showing Laurel & Hardy films along with other silents and talkies from Hollywood’s Golden Age. I wish I was wealthy, as I would have written a check for that on the spot. This would really be a great thing for this town and would provide them with a nice cultural and social hub.
The museum itself was small but filled with all sorts of memorabilia, displays and information. They had all sorts of books, resources, historical documents and photographs. Fans from around the world have generously donated items to the museum throughout the years. The docent was a very nice lady named Linda who volunteers for the museum and has an incredible passion for Laurel & Hardy. She has even been to the Laurel & Hardy museum in England where Stan Laurel was born and also runs the local Harlem Fan club called “BerthMarks”. She guided us around the museum and was very helpful.
In the back of the museum they had a screening room with several of their films on VHS and DVD…but the image was really bad. I have been so fortunate to see all of the Laurel & Hardy films on the big screen at various events. I had no idea that the home video offerings were that scant and that poor in quality. I promised the lady at the museum that I would do my best to locate cleaner copies. If ANY of you out there have nice, clean DVD recordings of any Laurel & Hardy films, please let me know. I want to donate it to the museum. Often times if someone’s first exposure to old movies is a bad one, then they will often assume that all old films looks that way. I’m always trying to dispel that notion. The museum hosts a huge Laurel & Hardy Festival every year and they also do many educational programs that teach children about film and local history. I was so pleased to hear that these films will keep being discovered by younger generations, thus assuring that the boy from Harlem GA will never be forgotten.
I’ve always been a Jean Harlow fan and I was thrilled to see they even had a little display at the museum featuring information about her appearances in Laurel & Hardy films. These films were a great springboard that helped to launch her legendary career.
I had such a great time at the museum and my enthusiasm ran wild . I even posed with several Laurel & Hardy statues. I had to!!!
On the way out of town I walked across the railroad tracks to a vacant lot filled with green grass and a plaque. It is the exact lot where Hardy was born.
The town as also painted their watertower in tribute to him as well.
So if you are a Laurel & Hardy fan, I highly recommend taking a trip to Harlem. I plan to keep tabs on how the theatre is progressing and hopefully I’ll get to come back and watch some films when it has been re-opened.
To see more of my pictures, click HERE for my flickr page.
Martin Scorsese at LACMA
As most of you know, last summer LACMA Michael Govan tried to discontinue the film program that has been a local staple for over 30 years. The entire cinephile community expressed outrage including several high profile directors. Martin Scorsese wrote an open letterto Michael Govan in the pages of the LA Times with the title heading, “I am disturbed.” Indeed. Scorsese is without question the most high profile of film exhibition and preservation advocate that we have. A torrent of outrage came forth from coast to coast and even rated stories in the NY Times and Wall Street Journal. Govan claimed that the film program could continue through June of 2010 after Ovation and the Hollywood Foreign Press coughed up generous donations. That said, the future of the film program at LACMA is still far from certain. Naturally I was very curious to see how the public conversation between Scorsese and Govan would proceed.
In spite of the cold, wind and pouring rain on Wednesday night the Bing Theatre at LACMA was packed. Scorsese received a standing ovation as he walked out on stage. Govan wisely did very little talking and simply asked Scorsese questions about the importance of film preservation and the connection between film and art. To be perfectly honest, the proceedings were far more polite than I had anticipated. I was really hoping for a smack-down where Scorsese would publicly put Govan in his place for neglecting to realize the importance of film. I also felt frustrated that there was no official statement made about how the LACMA film program will proceed in the future. To me it seemed like they were not acknowledging the proverbial elephant in the room.
I would really like to personally grill Govan myself on how much money he THINKS the film program has lost. It can’t possibly be as much as he claims. I’d also like to see an itemized budget and see where and how these donated funds are spent. In my humble opinion, I think Govan is back-peddling to save face due to bad PR and public outrage.
Scorsese emphasized the importance of having a venue to screen films in saying, “film doesn’t exist unless you project it. Of all the art forms, cinema depends on electricity.” He also stated how important it is for film “to be shown properly. And that’s why this room is important.” He talked about his days of living in Los Angeles in the 1970s and how watching films at LACMA was such an important part of his life. Scorsese also brought along several clips that illustrated the difference between the look of a film pre and post restoration. He discussed his work with The Film Foundation and The World Cinema Foundation. He also mentioned that New York and Paris both have very strong film programs in their museums and how that is really lacking here in Los Angeles, which is where the industry was born.
I enjoyed hearing Scorsese speak and always feel inspired by his passion and dedication. By the end of the evening, it was agreed that Scorsese would return for another talk in the future. I hope that by then the future of the film program is a little more secure….and if not I hope that Scorsese acts like Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver and shows Govan the error of his ways.
Film Museums
This past holiday season, I took a little roadtrip with my parents to Harlem, Georgia to visit the Laurel and Hardy Museum. I’ll post my photos in a few days. It was a fun experience and it got me to wondering what other film museums might be out there. After doing numerous google searches, I came up with the results listed below. I notice that stars who came from small towns tend to get museums as opposed to stars born in major hub cities like New York or Los Angeles. There is a sense or pride or “claim to fame” for many of these small towns. I know that the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences is planning to build a film museum, but I hear that project has been slowed down considerably due to the current economic crisis. I really hope it does happen someday. Hollywood has such a rich and fascinating history and we need a large scale museum to showcase that. The good news is that the Academy has really impressive exhibitions that change year round. These exhibitions are always free and open to the public along with the Academy screenings throughout the year. Take a look at the list and let me know if there are any other museums out there that I’m missing!!!!
Star Museums
Clark Gable Museum in Cadiz, Ohio
I’m not sure if I’ll ever find myself being in Ohio, but I’ll put this on my list.
Ava Gardner Museum in Smithville, North Carolina
I literally stumbled across this museum while I was on a roadtrip with my parents to Virginia. It is a small museum, but really packed with fascinating items about Ava Gardner’s life and career. As a vintage fashion collector, I was also thrilled to see several evening gowns on display that were gifts to Ava from Howard Hughes. Ava Gardner and her family are buried at the Sunset Memorial Park cemetery one mile from the museum. They also have an Ava Gardner Film Festival each year to celebrate her life and career.
Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota
I haven’t been, but it is on my list.
Laurel and Hardy Museum in Harlem, Georgia
This museum is in the birthplace of the great Oliver Hardy. More details will be posted soon!
Laurel and Hardy Museum in Cumbria, England
This museum is in the birthplace of Stan Laurel. I must add this to my list for my next trip to England.
Carmen Miranda Museum at Parque do Flamengo, in Rio de Janeiro
I know someone who went to this museum and said is was rather ramshackle and decrepit. That makes me all the more curious to see it.
Marlene Dietrich Collection at the Filmmuseum in Berlin, Germany
I’m dying to see this museum as I love Marlene and the era of German Expressionism. Someday!!
Greta Garbo Museum in Smaland Province, a section of Sweden
I haven’t been, but it is on my list.
Individual Film Museums:
Wizard of Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas
I’m not sure when I’ll ever be in Kansas, but this may warrant a special trip.
Gone with the Wind Museum in Marietta, Georgia
This will be my next road trip when I’m with my parents again in Georgia.
Silent Film Related Museums:
Niles Essenay Silent Film Museum in Fremont, California
This film museum is a short jaunt from San Francicso and well worth the drive. They have docents who are passionate devotees of silent film and give excellent tours. The Niles Museum also has silent film screenings year round as well as a Broncho Billy Film Festival every summer. There are also little antique stores, a cafe, a biker bar and a vintage train in the immediate area as well. What more could you possibly ask for?
Hollywood Heritage Museum in Hollywood
If you are like me and live in Los Angeles, this is right in your backyard. This museum is affordable, has incredible docents and a series of lectures each month on the golden age of Hollywood. These lectures are only $5 for members and $10 for guests. Past lectures have included “Early Hollywood”, “Irving Thalberg and the Rise of MGM” and “Haunted Hollywood”. They also have books, DVDs, cards and numerous items for purchase. This museum/organization is also one of the strongest voices for historic preservation in Los Angeles. I strongly suggest paying a visit to the museum and showing your support.
Larger Film Museums:
National Museum of Cinema in Turin, Italy
I must must must return to Italy and see this!
Cinémathèque française in Paris, France
While the primary mission of the Cinémathèque is to show films, they also have three floors of stunning exhibition space. On my last trip to Paris I saw an exhibit to the great cinema pioneer Georges Melies, an exhibit on Hollywood and the history of Henri Langois and another exhibit about Dennis Hopper and the New Hollywood. There is also a gift shop in the building and three separate theatres to see films in usually seven days a week for most of the year. For any film fan, a visit to the Cinémathèque française is an absolute must!
Museum of Moving Image in Astoria, NY
I took a train to Queens and visited this museum in 2004, but I must admit it was disappointing. Astoria was a huge location for many silent films and where Paramount Pictures kept their East Coast Productions housed. Numerous stars such as Clara Bow, Louise Brooks and Gloria Swanson made films at the studio there. Read the book “Hollywood On the Hudson” by Richard Koszarski for more details on this. The museum’s costume selection consisted of Robert DeNiro costumes all from films after 1991. It mostly consisted of information about how films are made. There wasn’t really any trace of the silent era or of the in depth, detailed history I had hoped to find. Then again that was several years ago now. I might be tempted to visit again the next time I’m in New York to see if they have made any changes.
Hollywood Museum at the Max Factor Building in Hollywood, CA
I’m a bit mixed on this museum. I love the art deco design of the Max Factor building, but this museum tends to include WAY more modern film items for my taste. That said, they are the only large film museum we have at the moment.
BAD GIRLS OF FILM NOIR - VOLUME 1 & VOLUME 2
I got the below press release in my email in box. I can’t WAIT for this!!!!! I love dark city dames!!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Watch Out for These Dames, They’re Dangerous—
Which Makes Them Oh, So Fun to Watch
BAD GIRLS OF FILM NOIR - VOLUME 1 & VOLUME 2
Volume 1 Includes: The Killer That Stalked New York, Two of a Kind, Bad for Each Other, and The Glass Wall with Special Introduction by Terry Moore
Volume 2 Includes: Night Editor, One Girl’s Confession, Women’s Prison, and Over-Exposed
Eight Classic Film Noirs Available for the First Time on DVD February 9th
CULVER CITY, CALIF. (December 7, 2009) - In the ‘40s and ‘50s, the juiciest roles for actresses in Hollywood were often in B-pictures that explored the dark side of life and offered them starring roles as cool, calculating gals who could stick a knife in a man’s back and make him like it. On February 9, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) opens the doors to the Columbia vault to release two newly restored and remastered collections of classic films when Bad Girls of Film Noir: Volume 1 and Bad Girls of Film Noir: Volume 2 debut on DVD. Volume 1 showcases some of the best femme fatales of the period - Gloria Grahame, Evelyn Keyes, and Lizabeth Scott - displaying plenty of their best bad-girl behavior in The Killer That Stalked New York, Two of a Kind, Bad for Each Other, and The Glass Wall. Bonus materials include an all-new interview with Two of a Kind co-star Terry Moore, the vintage television episode “The Payoff” with Janet Blair and Howard Duff, and original theatrical trailers.
Volume 2 highlights more classic noir gals (Ida Lupino, Jan Sterling, Audrey Totter, Janis Carter, and B-movie Bombshell Cleo Moore in a triple-bill) in four films: One Girl’s Confession, Women’s Prison, Night Editor, and Over-Exposed. Bonus Materials include the original theatrical trailers and the vintage television episode “Remember to Live” with Cleo Moore and Dane Clark. Each two-disc volume will be available separately for $24.96 SRP.
Bad Girls of Film Noir: Volume 1 includes:
The Killer That Stalked New York (1953)
After helping to smuggle diamonds into the country and getting burned by her latest flame (and her sister!), Sheila Bennet (Evelyn Keyes, The Jolson Story, Johnny O’Clock) decides to get even. But she unwittingly puts herself and millions of others at risk, requiring an all-out manhunt for a killer. The deep shadows in Joseph F. Biroc’s cinematography heighten the suspense, with excellent support from actors Charles Korvin (Sangaree), Academy Award(r) winner Dorothy Malone (Best Supporting Actress, Written on the Wind, 1957), Lola Albright (The Tender Trap), and William Bishop (Harriet Craig). The Killer That Stalked New York has a running time of approximately 79 minutes and is not rated.
Two of a Kind (1951)
Brandy Kirby (Lizabeth Scott, Dead Reckoning) is on a manhunt to locate a look-a-like for a missing heir imposter in an inheritance scam. She finds a willing participant in Lefty Farrell (Academy Award winner Edmond O’Brien, Best Supporting Actor, The Barefoot Contessa, 1954): raised in an orphanage and trained in small-time rackets. But will Brandy’s partner (Academy Award nominee Alexander Knox, Best Actor, Wilson, 1944) cut in on Lefty’s piece of the action or will the partners double-cross each other before they get their hands on the loot? Photographed by two-time Academy Award winner and veteran Columbia cinematographer Burnett Guffey (Best Cinematography: From Here to Eternity, 1953; Bonnie and Clyde, 1967), the film co-stars Academy Award nominee Terry Moore (Best Supporting Actress, Come Back, Little Sheba, 1953). Two of a Kind has a running time of 75 minutes and is not rated.
Bad for Each Other (1953)
Academy Award winner Charlton Heston (Best Actor, Ben-Hur, 1959) is a Korean War vet and surgeon whose return to his small coal-mining hometown offers him few possibilities, one of which is the intriguing socialite/divorcee Helen Curtis (Lizabeth Scott, The Racket). Helen’s charms prove to be too much to resist, drawing the young doctor into a social circle and lifestyle that raises concern from the others in his life, including his mother and pretty young nurse (Dianne Foster, The Brothers Rico). Bad for Each Other has a running time of approximately 83 minutes and is not rated.
The Glass Wall (1953)
Desperate to immigrate to America, Peter Kuban (Vittorio Gassman, Bitter Rice) stows away on a ship and jumps quarantine to try to find support for his petition for a visa on human rights grounds. Academy Award winner Gloria Grahame (Best Supporting Actress, The Bad and the Beautiful, 1952) is the down-on-her-luck easy mark who, in helping Kuban, finds more trouble for herself. Joseph Biroc’s great location photography makes New York City the menacing femme fatale in this race-against-the-clock suspense story. The Glass Wall has a running time of approximately 82 minutes and is not rated.
Bad Girls of Film Noir: Volume 2 includes:
Night Editor (1946)
Jill Merrill (Janis Carter, Framed) may just be the coldest gal in town. Her extra-marital affair with a cop (Oscar(r) nominee William Gargan, Best Supporting Actor, They Knew What They Wanted, 1940) forces him to forsake his duty when they witness a murder. Even when an innocent man’s life may be at stake, Jill’s biggest concerns are no different than any other ice-blooded society gal in noirdom. This below-the-radar Columbia treat directed by Henry Levin (Jolson Sings Again) with photography by Burnett Guffey really packs the punches. Night Editor has a running time of approximately 68 minutes and is not rated.
One Girl’s Confession (1953)
People think Mary Adams (Cleo Moore, Bait) is a bad girl because she’s just too sexy to be good. So she decides to even the score, even if it means jail time. After stealing $10,000 and serving her time, Mary’s determined to go straight…she just needs someone to help get the buried cash, and a good investment strategy. This efficient story, written, directed and co-starring Hugo Haas (Pickup), takes up his favorite themes of luck and fate. One Girl’s Confession has a running time of approximately 74 minutes and is not rated.
Women’s Prison (1955)
Where do the bad girls go when the law catches up with them? Some of noir’s notorious femme fatales are locked up in prison with the sadistic Ida Lupino (High Sierra, On Dangerous Ground) as their warden. Strong performances from Lupino, Academy Award nominee Jan Sterling (Best Supporting Actress, The High and the Mighty, 1954), Audrey Totter (Tension), Cleo Moore (Strange Fascination), and Howard Duff (The Naked City, Shakedown) turn what otherwise might have been a melodramatic story into an entertaining twist on an age-old tale of institutionalized redemption. Women’s Prison has a running time of approximately 79 minutes and is not rated.
Over-Exposed (1956)
Lewis Seiler (Women’s Prison) directs Cleo Moore (Bait) and Richard Crenna (Wait Until Dark) in this story of an inexperienced, ambitious girl who, after being caught in a raid at a clip joint, has the chance to learn a trade as a photographer. Her new profession brings her closer to respectability and the opportunity to use her talent to extract blackmail. Moore was often the “bait” in movie publicity campaigns; in Over-Exposed, the exploitation was more explicit. Over-Exposed has a running time of approximately 80 minutes and is not rated.
My Top 10 of the Decade 2000 - 2009
My Top 10 of the Decade 2000 - 2009
1. City of God (2002) Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund
This searing look into gang life in slums of Rio de Janiero was one of the most powerful and unforgettable films I’ve seen in a long time. If you missed it in theatres, rent it. This film deserves your attention.
2. The Diving Bell and The Butterfly (2007) Directed by Julian Schnabel
Directed by artist Julian Schnabel, this film about a paralyzed writer was beautiful, painterly, heartbreaking and ultimately triumphant. It also features a complex and brilliant performance by French actor Mathieu Amalric.
3. Mulholland Dr. (2001) Directed by David Lynch
This dark twisted brain teaser from David Lynch satisfies on numerous levels. It takes a head trip to the dark side of the Hollywood dream gone terribly awry. This is Lynch at his best.
4. There Will Be Blood (2007) Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
This towering epic unfolds slowly without relying on the rapid fire editing techniques so often used in films today. The film takes its time and reveals a monumental power pulsing through every frame. As an unflinching examination of greed, evil, power and religion, There Will Be Blood is a cinematic achievement that will hopefully stand the test of time and be appreciated and re-discovered for decades to come.
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) Directed by Michele Gondry
This dizzying maze of love and loss is explored with a deft touch by director Michele Gondry. Jim Carey and Kate Winslet are excellent as mismatched lovers with erased memories. The film leaves you with bittersweet feelings that you can’t quite reconcile… and really don’t want to.
6. Far From Heaven (2002) Directed by Todd Haynes
Borrowing heavily from filmmaker Douglas Sirk, Haynes has crafted a beautiful melodrama that involves issues such as interracial romance and homosexuality that were cinematic taboos in Sirk’s era. The film is lush, beautiful and powerful in a quiet way. The facial expressions and small moments add up to a great deal. There are excellent performances all around from Julianne Moore, Dennis Haysbert and Patricia Clarkson. Dennis Quaid also turns in the best work of his career.
7. Borat (2006) Larry Charles
In an age of ultra political correctness, Borat was a much needed explosion onto the comedy scene. Seeing the film, I had a feeling I was seeing something groundbreaking and entirely unique. Sascha Baron Cohen and Ken Davitian give performances that can only be described as fearless. The naked wrestling scene alone earns this film a singular place in comedy history.
8. Memento (2000) Directed by Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan’s non-linear thriller about a man with short term memory loss hunting his wife’s killer still stands out in my mind as his best work. It is a noirish puzzle that compels you to unfold it. With each new viewing you start to notice pieces of it with increasing clarity while still appreciating the labyrinth you are remain lost in.
9. Moulin Rouge! (2001) Directed by Baz Luhrmann
Set in bohemian Paris in the 1900s, this dazzling, dizzying musical was unlike anything I had ever seen before. The film scaled so many heights with a blend of comedy, tragedy, music, dancing with a touch of exotic Bollywood flavor. It is total sensory overload in the best possible way, resulting in cinematic intoxication.
10. Rize (2005) Directed by David LaChapelle
This powerful documentary chronicles a new dance movement out of South Central Los Angeles. It also delves into the lives and problems these youth face while trying to focus on dance instead of the perils of gang life. The photography is simultaneously gritty and stunning and the same could be said of the dancers themselves. This film is ultimately a story of triumph and hope as these kids learn there is a better and higher path for them to take. This film was little seen upon release, but it is a gem well worth discovering.
AN EDUCATION: A Lesson in Seduction
With alternating emotions, subtle shifts and numerous layers, “An Education” is far more rich and complex and rewarding than one would think. After first viewing the trailer, I assumed it would be a melodrama filled with heartbreak and hand-wringing consequences, but the film is so much more than that…and so much better.
Based on the memoir by British journalist Lynn Barber, “An Education” chronicles her teenage affair with a man nearly 20 years her senior. In the capable hands of Denmark’s Lone Scherfig (“Italian for Beginners”), this film takes flight and becomes a delicate mix of emotions that never feels forced or unreasoned.
The story begins in 1961 with Jenny (Carey Mulligan), a bored teenager growing up in the dull London suburban of Twickenham. Jenny is passionate, curious and eager to burst out of her stilted day to day life. Her parents (Alfred Molina & Cara Seymour) meanwhile have their sights set on her acceptance into Oxford. They drill her constantly about her grades and her future. One day while walking home in the rain with her cello, David (Peter Sarsgaard), an attractive older man in his 30s offers her (or at least her cello) a ride home. He mentions that he is a music lover that she can walk alongside the car if it would make her more comfortable. He has a handsome face and an elegant Bristol sports car. Naturally, she can’t resist and eventually climbs in the car along with her cello. David is smooth, elegant, sophisticated but not in a slimy or creepy way. He is charming and always knows the right thing to say. He strikes up a relationship with Jenny and the seduction eventually becomes a multilayered one on both sides. Jenny’s parents are at first resistant, but David’s sincere way with words, generosity and seductive nature casts a spell on them. Meanwhile Jenny is being seduced not only by David, but his business partner Danny (Dominic Cooper) and Danny’s glamorous, shallow girlfriend Helen (Rosamund Pike).
David takes Jenny to concerts, auctions, drives in the country, shopping, nightclubs, elegant restaurants and even a weekend trip to Paris. Jenny longs for a worldly, sophisticated adult life and her relationship with David provides that and much more. It is an education for sure, just not the one her parents initially had in mind. Unable to keep her juicy affair a secret, she tells her classmates and word eventually reaches the headmistress (Emma Thompson) who gives her several stern lectures.
Carey Mulligan is a revelation in the role of Jenny and is sure to be one of the breakout stories of the year. She only has a few small roles on her resume including Kitty Bennett in the Keira Knightley starring film “Pride & Prejudice”. That will soon change. Her performance shows so many layers and depths and the subtle shifts in between. Her craving, yearning and excitement about life are so strong you can practically feel it radiating off the screen. The ever-reliable indie star Peter Sarsgaard is equally compelling in the role of David. His seemingly effortless charm and allure masks a man who is certainly not all what he seems to be. The script adaptation by Nick Hornby (“High Fidelity”) is also excellent as it navigates the emotional terrain of the story without being at all heavy handed or simplistic.
Ultimately, the heart of the film lies with Carey Mulligan who gives a performance that heralds the arrival of a great new talent. An Education is a well crafted, compelling film and so far one of the year’s best.
Official Website
“Save Film at LACMA” The fight continues….
When I first heard that LACMA was planning to kill their film program a few weeks ago, I was saddened but I can’t say that I was surprised. In the 7 years I’ve been running FilmRadar, I’ve witnessed the film program face numerous setbacks. The museum has curtailed the film department’s advertising budget to practically nothing and for a long time and getting the word out about their films has often been difficult. The film department appeared to me to have no support financial or otherwise from the museum. Ian Bernie, who heads the film department, has struggled for years and has done his best to keep it going. His passion and film knowledge is incredible.
What frustrates me about the whole thing is the contradictory nature of it all. LACMA director Michael Govan says that the program loses up to $100,000 a year, but I would greatly dispute this. For one thing, the entire film department at LACMA consists of only 2 people who are only paid modest salaries and several additional free interns. Secondly, I have seen numerous screenings that are sold out on a routine basis there. The film department only screens films during the time the museum is open so there are no additional operating costs to keep things going after hours. This $100K figure loss seems impossible. Govan has also stated that he wants to re-imagine the program and show films created by artists. So is this his way of saying that Erich Von Stroheim is not an artist? Is he trying to say that the films of Chang-dong Lee are not art? If he thinks the film program is losing money now, I doubt (with all due respect) that films created by Andy Warhol and Matthew Barney will be packing audiences in the theatre.
This entire incident seems to be LACMA saying that they don’t consider films as art and essentially they are not interested in highlighting them. Why is Martin Scorsese the only major filmmaker to come out and protest what is happening? Why don’t more powerful actors, directors, producers and executives get involved? I hope they do.
I have so many great memories of seeing films and speakers at LACMA over the years. I first saw the 4 1/2 hour reconstruction of Erich Von Stroheim’s GREED at LACMA, which played to a surprisingly crowded and enthusiastic audience. I saw the restoration of HEAVEN’S GATE there and got to see a post film Q&A with the legendary cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond. LACMA’s film series marked my introduction to the work of director Chang-dong Lee and his film SECRET SUNSHINE. I could keep going on and on about all of the great films and guests I’ve seen there who have not appeared at other venues around town. LACMA’s film program has been a vital part of the Los Angeles film-going scene and deserves to remain.
Check out all of the below articles about this situation and I would encourage you to sign the petition and join the Facebook page
Click on the link below to follow the saga as it unfolds.
http://savefilmatlacma.blogspot.com/
LACMA slaps film in the face The museum’s decision to put its film program on ‘hiatus’ is an affront to the city.
By Kenneth Turan
LACMA’s cruelest cut
By Richard Schickel
The Lost Weekend?
By Richard Lacayo
Details on Michael Govan’s LACMA contract
Martin Scorsese: An open letter to Michael Govan and LACMA
LACMA Abandons Film
By Cari Beauchamp
Los Angeles County Museum of Art cancels its weekend film program
By John Horn and Susan King
Tony Curtis Tribute at the Million Dollar Theatre
This past Saturday, June 13th the Jules Verne Film Festival hosted a Tribute to Tony Curtis. As part of the event there was a screening of SOME LIKE IT HOT on Saturday night. Since I collect vintage clothing, I was asked along with others in the vintage scene to wear one of my gowns and pose in front of the theatre. They even had a big line of vintage cars there too. I feel SO fortunate that this was my 2nd time in the past month to get to see a movie in this theatre!!
Before the film, Tony Curtis was brought out on stage where he received a standing ovation and answered some questions. I found the Q&A to be rather frustrating, as he never really gave a straight answer to any of the questions asked. He sort of rambled and got off topic constantly, but considering that he recently turned 84 years old, it is understandable. It was neat to see him live and in person. I’ve now seen Tony Curtis, Kirk Douglas, Jane Russell and Gloria Stewart up close and in person. Living in Los Angeles certainly has it’s advantages!
The lights went out and SOME LIKE IT HOT was magnificent. Every time I see a familiar film on the big screen, I always notice little things I hadn’t noticed before. That was certainly the case here. The dialogue in this film is so fast and funny. I first saw SOME LIKE IT HOT on TV when I was in high school and my entire focus was on Marilyn Monroe. I was very fascinated with her and she just took 100% of my attention. Everything else was a blur. The real revelation of the film this time around was Jack Lemmon. I think out of everyone in the cast, he seems to have the most fun and greatest sense of abandon. He also makes a great comic sidekick for Tony Curtis, who is clearly imitating Cary Grant through much of the film. What also struck me was how much more is going on below the surface of the story. There are so many observations about love, acceptance and relationships wrapped up in the comic situations.
Billy Wilder was one of the greatest screenwriters who ever lived and his movies always have such a sparkle and sophistication that modern day film is lacking entirely. He was also such a versatile writer/director who could tackle just about any material from comedy to drama to film noir. I was gushing to a fellow cinephile earlier today about Wilder and he said, “Well, SOME LIKE IT HOT is one of Wilder’s lesser films.” I said, “I disagree but in any case I would gladly take a lesser Wilder film over the greatest work from most other directors.” I’ve gone to the Academy library and read through some of Wilder’s telegrams and personal letters and even those are entertaining. Wilder is buried at the Westwood Cemetery which is also where Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon are buried as well. His graves bears the words, “I was a writer, but then again nobody’s perfect.” While that may be true, to me Wilder is as close to perfection as it gets.
