Monday, November 11, 2024

CMBA presents: A Haunting Blogathon: In the Afterlife


Welcome to this Fall's CMBA Blogathon with the captivating theme of the afterlife in film. A realm where past and present are woven together and the echoes of lost souls connect us. But this exploration can also extend well beyond the supernatural. It invites us to reflect on the haunting nature of being tormented by the memories of trauma, abandonment, or unattainable love, the relentless pursuit of a dream just out of reach, or the depths of obsessions that linger like a shadow. Films dealing with the afterlife and hauntings are not all gloom and darkness. Some are quite funny and charming or have a unique beauty or performances that are haunting in themselves. These interwoven tropes reveal how we’re often haunted by people and events that shape our lives. In this coming season, which pays tribute to these inextricable experiences, let us celebrate! From phantoms to preoccupations… from the ethereal to the deeply personal.

November 11 Monday 
November 12 Tuesday
November 13 Wednesday 
  • Poppity Talks Classic Film: Fantasy in the Highlands: Brigadoon (1954)
  • Once upon a screen...: Topper (1937) 
  • The Last Drive In: The Uninvited (1944)
  • Watching Forever: Somewhere in Time 1980
November 14 Thursday
  • Crítica Retrô: Blithe Spirit (1945)
  • Taking Up Room: Heaven Can Wait (1943)
  • Another Old Movie Blog: Possessed (1947)
  • Silver Screenings: The Canterville Ghost (1944)
  • Classic Film Observations & Obsessions: Two cinematic tellings of the Orpheus myth from Jean Cocteau
November 15 Friday
  • In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
  • Nitrate Glow: Kuroneko (1968)
  • Hamlette's Soliloquy: Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)
  • Box Office Poisons: All That Jazz 1979
  • Hometowns to Hollywood: The Cat and the Canary (1939)
  • A Vintage Nerd: Classic Cinema Spotlight: Between Two Worlds (1944)
  • Silver Screen Classics: Here Comes Mr. Jordan1941

Sunday, November 3, 2024

CMBA Profile: Watching Forever

 


Each month, the CMBA profiles a classic movie blog written by one of our members. This month, we are featuring Toni Ruberto who writes at Watching Forever.



1. Why do you blog?

I love writing and I love classic movies, so it was natural to combine them. Blogging allows me to share my passion with others who are equally enthusiastic about classic movies and that, in turn, makes us part of a community. I also love blogging because of how much I learn doing it. When I write, I can’t help but get lost in researching my topics and that's fun. There’s always more to learn so the films feel new again, no matter when they were made.


 

2. Besides classic movie blogging, what are some of your other passions?

Hanging out with my extended family - especially my nieces and nephews - is at the top of my list. It’s fun to go to movies and the occasional pop-culture convention with them and see things through their eyes.  I  love reading and watching classic films - especially horror, B-movies of the 1950s and romantic melodramas(!). For years, I’ve collected movie stills and books and those have become very helpful in my blogging. I volunteer with an animal rescue group called ABC Basset Rescue and also with the local SPCA.

 


3. If you could program a perfect day of classic movies for TCM, what would be the seven films on your schedule?

I know most of us have a hard time answering this question because we have so many films we would like to suggest. I cut my very long initial list down to my favorite genre: horror. The is a motley list of films that doesn't include the big horror movies you might expect like our beloved Universal monsters. But I wanted to show some love to films that don’t get much attention when it comes to programming. And remember, horror films can be watched all year, not just in October.

 

Black Sunday (1960)

Be warned: Once you watch, you won’t forget the mask of Satan (the film’s original title). The image of that spiked mask being hammered into the face of a young witch (Barbara Steele) remains seared in my brain. She may have to wait two centuries for revenge, but she’ll be back (and good for her). This is Italian horror master Mario Bava’s directorial debut.

 

Ghost of Sierra de Cobre (1964)

The call is coming from inside the mausoleum! A woman terrified of being buried alive has a phone installed by her casket; a year later, her blind son receives calls from her. (Who doesn’t want to see how this plays out!) Diane Baker is fantastic as his wife who hires an architect/paranormal investigator (played by Martin Landau) to figure out what's going on. Oh look, it's creepy Dame Judith Anderson coming out from the shadows. It's a great idea told with a hip flair.

 

The Giant Claw (1957)

I can’t get enough of big-bug/creature films, even when the monster is as goofy looking as the title creature here. This oversized bird can take down planes, yet looks like it could be sold as a cuddly plush animal, too. This is one of Mara Corday’s three horror films where she plays a very smart researcher-type who helps save the world.

 

The Hands of Orlock (1924)

I knew the title, but only saw this silent film recently and am mesmerized by star Conrad Veidt’s performance. He puts his entire body – expressive face, those long hands and fingers – into his role as a pianist going mad thinking that a killer’s hands have been grafted on him after an accident. This is a horror movie, yes, but it’s full of anguish, tragedy and love wrapped around a really good mystery. Veidt is reunited with his Cabinet of Dr. Caligari director Robert Wiene.

 

The Mole People (1956)

I know, I know. It has a bad reputation and has been skewered by MST3K. But it’s a bit better than its publicity photos would lead you to believe and how can you resist a film about a lost civilization? Three scientists find one such society of albinos living in the “hollow earth.” Their pitiful slaves have become mole people due to the lack of sunlight. Don’t be surprised to be troubled by the treatment of the slaves -  this is a B-movie with a message. John Agar and Hugh Beaumont star.

 

Tarantula (1955)

One of the best classic horror films, Tarantula is special to me because it was part of my monster movie education from my dad. We watched it over and over again and never grew tired of it. Mara Corday is here again, this time helping a well-meaning scientist who wants to stop world hunger but instead creates a killer tarantula that grows to the size of a house. John Agar co-stars in Jack Arnold’s film.

 

The Undying Monster  (1942)

This film has everything I need: A family curse, an old house on a seaside cliff, a hidden room, a deadly creature and a bunch of characters who could be the next victim – or the killer. (Wait ‘till you meet spunky Helga). Gorgeous cinematography by Lucien Ballard greatly expands the film’s otherwise obvious low budget. A fun monster yarn.

 


4. What is a classic movie that you love, but most people don't know about -- and what do you love about it?

I adore The Best of Everything, a 1959 Cinemascope melodrama about three young secretaries in a New York publishing firm (Diane Baker, Hope Lange and Suzy Parker), their bitter boss (Joan Crawford) and the men in their lives (Stephen Boyd, Louis Jourdan, Robert Evans) who may not have the best of intentions. It’s a glossy, soap opera world of pretty people, youthful dreams and broken hearts - and I can’t stop watching!

 

 

5. What is something that most people don't know about you?

I was the inaugural winner of the TCM Backlot contest, “TCM in Your Hometown” in October of 2017. Entrants wrote a 1,000-word essay on why TCM should visit our hometown. My story focused on the six grand old movie houses built in the 1920s and still operating in the Buffalo area, plus some of the movies that were made here. No one was more surprised than I was that I won. TCM chose the Buffalo-made Robert Redford film “The Natural” to screen here in one of the movie palaces I wrote about. There wasn’t a seat available  when director Barry Levinson and TCM host Ben Mankiewicz introduced the film. Nearly the entire TCM staff was here for the weekend and I met TCM fans from around the country who came to the event. The city still talks about.


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We thank Toni for participating in our Q&A profile and encourage you to visit Watching Forever.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

CMBA Profile: Silver Screen Classics and Nostalgia

 



Each month, the CMBA profiles a classic movie blog written by one of our members. This Month, we are featuring Seleus Blelis who writes at Silver Screen Classics and Nostalgia.


1. Why do you blog?


Ever since my introduction to classic cinema starting with the iconic "Frankenstein" (1931), I've wanted to share my thoughts and opinions about these brilliant glimpses into film culture - and this was in 1978, when I was five years old!  After creating various websites and Facebook groups as well as other "classic cinema" opportunities since then, blogging of course was the next obvious vehicle to spread my passion for classic film by transporting you out of the cinema and into a "different", more fun, personal and insightful way to experience these beloved pieces of film artistry.  You won't be just learning about the film, but getting a chance to live it as well by linking cinema of the past with film curiosities of the present (and even future). So "...fasten your seatbelts - it's going to be a bumpy ride"!


2. Besides classic movie blogging, what are some of your other passions?


When I'm not indulging my love for cinema at the movies or local drive-In theaters, you can find me always on the road looking for amazing adventures, museums, roadside curiosities, experiences and people.  I love collecting classic movie memorabilia, classic cinema era vintage makeup compacts, bygone classic foreign film posters, as well as movie replica props including my latest acquisition - Guy's lighter from Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train".  You can find me doing all these things in my 1930's and 40's vintage fashions channeling my innermost Barbara Stanwyck. Also the holidays and decorating for them is something I relish so I can bring out the Cedric Gibbons styling in me. ☺️


3. If you could program a perfect day of classic movies for TCM, what would be the seven films on your schedule?


All About Eve (1950)


I mean, what can I say about this movie that hasn't already been gushed over?  From backstage to backstabbing - it's got everything! The casting is spot-on, the script is fire, and it all comes together to create movie magic. The clever banter alone is worth the price of admission. I was fortunate enough to see it in theaters, and let me tell you, watching it with a crowd adds a whole new layer of enjoyment. Finally, the standouts for me are the smart and observant George Sanders as Addison de Witt and Thelma Ritter as Birdy. 


The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)


When it comes to classic films, this one is my all time favorite. It's the epitome of classic cinema, showing the struggles of WWII soldiers returning home with a heartbreaking yet realistic touch that never fails to surprise me viewing after viewing.  The actors completely shine with their raw emotion due to the flawless directing of the Master and personal favorite director - William Wyler.  The stellar cast, especially Dana Andrews' outstanding performance, always manages to tug at my heartstrings, and let's not forget real-life vet Harold Russell, whose portrayal remains as timeless and fresh as ever. The  film is a masterpiece that feels fresh and relevant today. 


Swingtime (1936)


Oh, Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers! Their movies truly ignited my passion for classic films. The romance and happiness they exude are unmatched, with "SwingTime" standing out as a timeless classic. The way they effortlessly weave music into the plot is pure magic, always leaving me in a great mood. And let's not forget their phenomenal dance routine in "Pick Yourself Up" - it's my all time favorite dance on film. Sigh... if I could just crawl into a film...


Mildred Pierce (1946)


I absolutely adore Joan Crawford and this film is definitely one of her finest works, exhibiting one of my favorite performances from her, It's the perfect blend of film-noir and melodrama that hooks you in from the start. The script is incredibly well-crafted and the cast is impeccable. I especially enjoy Jack Carson and Eve Arden, who add levity to the story with their strong performances and witty lines.


Footlight Parade (1933) 


Before watching Yankee Doodle Dandy, I only knew James Cagney from gangster movies, so I had no idea he could sing and dance so well. He's fantastic in this movie, and does both with flair and charisma! It's such a fun and sassy film, with the amazing kaleidoscope of Busby Berkeley musical numbers that are just mind-blowing. And let's not forget the delightful fire of Joan Blondell. An all around visual delight for sure - I absolutely love this pre-code musical comedy! 


It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) 


I first watched this classic during a PBS tribute to Frank Capra in 1991, on a sweltering hot summer day with no AC in a tiny NYC apartment, where I was so completely captivated by it, that I didn't even notice the high temperature. It wasn't until later that I realized it was that Christmas movie. The story always fills my heart and soul, and I find myself in tears every time I see James Stewart's powerful performance.  Much like the rest of the world, it's become a holiday tradition for me and my family to watch year after year..


The Tingler (1959)


William Castle’s The Tingler!! It's a fun and gimmicky film, and anyone who knows me, knows I have a soft spot for 1950s B-Movies - especially this one!  To give you an idea of how much I consider this my absolute favorite B-Movie - I even have a replica prop of the TINGLER that lives on your spine sitting proudly on my shelf!  How can you not love the cheesy special effects, crazy plots, and exaggerated acting?!  Speaking of acting - I love when actors keep a straight face while delivering a serious performance in the face of all the craziness of bad B-Movies, just like Vincent Price does masterfully here. 


4. What is a classic movie that you love, but most people don't know about -- and what do you love about it?


Sudden Fear  (1952)


I was totally caught off guard by this hidden gem.  Joan Crawford delivers yet another Oscar-nominated performance in my second favorite role of hers.  The film kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time, with its brilliant showcase of on-screen emotion, which she really pulls together, as well as showcasing all the skills she picked up during her silent film days to create a beautifully tormented woman.  Watch when her character plays a recording and hears her fiancé’s plan to kill her.  You can see every bit of fear and horror in her expressive eyes!  Perfection!  Then there's a moment with our heroine hiding in a closet that's just as amazing, and she doesn’t have any dialogue in either scene!  She simply listens and reacts, showing us why she's a classic cinema favorite!  The lighting combined with her incredibly expressive eyes is something else to see.  I also appreciated the careful planning she does to thwart the plot, with close-ups of her hands organizing everything and her imagining how it will all unfold.  I absolutely love this film and I make sure to wear my Sudden Fear t-shirt (featured on my Blogger profile) with every viewing.



5. What is something that most people don't know about you?


I’m also artist and sell my graphite caricatures of classic film actresses. Currently, I'm trying my hand at "sky" photography - it's a new palette every second, and in true Cineaste fashion, I'm always inspecting the heavens with a cinematographer's eye like my favorite Master Gregg Toland. 


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We thank Seleus for participating in our Q&A profile and encourage you to visit Silver Screen Classics and Nostalgia

Sunday, September 29, 2024

CMBA presents: A Haunting Blogathon: In the Afterlife

CMBA presents: A Haunting Blogathon: In the Afterlife

The blogathon will run from November 11-15, 2024.


This event, for CMBA members only, allows you to explore the captivating theme of the afterlife in film. A realm where past and present are woven together and the echoes of lost souls connect us. But this exploration can also extend well beyond the supernatural. It invites us to reflect on the haunting nature of being tormented by the memories of trauma, abandonment, or unattainable love, the relentless pursuit of a dream just out of reach, or the depths of obsessions that linger like a shadow. Films dealing with the afterlife and hauntings are not all gloom and darkness. Some are quite funny and charming or have a unique beauty or performances that are haunting in themselves. These interwoven tropes reveal how we’re often haunted by people and events that shape our lives. In this coming season, which pays tribute to these inextricable experiences, let us celebrate! From phantoms to preoccupations… from the ethereal to the deeply personal.



Because there is such a variety of topics to choose from, we won't be accepting duplicates. Topic selections will be accepted in order of receipt.

To promote the blogathon on your blog, take your pick from any of the banners at the bottom of this post. 

We’re really looking forward to another great blogathon! 

November 11 Monday 
  • Cinematic Scribblings: Cría cuervos...
  • Realweegiemidget Reviews Films, TV, Books and more: Fantasma d'amore (Ghost of Love) (1981)
  • A Person in the Dark: The Time of Their Lives (1946)
  • Shadows and SatinL Death Takes a Holiday (1934)
  • The Classic Movie Muse: Rebecca 1940
November 12 Tuesday
  • Whimsically Classic: Random Harvest (1942)
  • Speakeasy: A Place of One's Own (1945)
  • Outspoken & Freckled: Carnival of Souls (1962)
  • Cary Grant Won't Eat You: Laura 1944
  • Forever Watching: Somewhere in Time 1980
November 13 Wednesday 
  • Poppity Talks Classic Film: Fantasy in the Highlands: Brigadoon (1954)
  • Once upon a screen...: Topper (1937) 
  • The Last Drive In: The Uninvited (1944)
November 14 Thursday
  • Crítica Retrô: Blithe Spirit (1945)
  • Taking Up Room: Heaven Can Wait (1943)
  • Another Old Movie Blog: Possessed (1947)
  • Silver Screenings: The Canterville Ghost (1944)
  • Classic Film Observations & Obsessions: Two cinematic tellings of the Orpheus myth from Jean Cocteau
November 15 Friday
  • In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
  • Nitrate Glow: Kuroneko (1968)
  • Hamlette's Soliloquy: Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)
  • Box Office Poisons: All That Jazz 1979
  • Hometowns to Hollywood: The Cat and the Canary (1939)
  • A Vintage Nerd: Classic Cinema Spotlight: Between Two Worlds (1944)
  • Silver Screen Classics: Here Comes Mr. Jordan1941





















Sunday, September 1, 2024

CMBA Profile: Those obscure objects of desire


Each month, the CMBA profiles a classic movie blog written by one of our members. This Month, we are featuring Stela Zoric, who writes at Those obscure objects of desire. 

1. Why do you blog? 
We live in a world of abundant data, data that has never been easier to access. But real information? Something worthwhile? That has always been, and will always be, more difficult to obtain. Since I started exploring the vast spaces of the internet (it was in 2000 and I was in elementary school), I have developed a deep appreciation for all bloggers who put their time, effort, and energy into creating concrete, wonderful observations from a mass of data.

I read a lot of everything back then but got hooked on Old Hollywood. It was a logical turn of events that I would veer more and more in that direction. And, after years of consuming so much content, I decided to create a blog. Thus, my blog is a combination of Hollywood (my interest) and a form of creativity. An inner creativity, deeply embedded in all of us. If I can help someone even a little bit, it’s enough for me. Not to mention that satisfying one's creative urges is a delight all in itself. Thus, I blog to provide people with creative, and hopefully quality, content, the same I receive from their valiant efforts. It's always a game of give and take, and we should rejoice in both swings of the pendulum—savor what others have written, and write for others yourself.

2. Besides classic movie blogging, what are some of your other passions? 

Lots and lots! Always learning! I am a huge lover of all arts, but literature and paintings are my favorites! I am a voracious reader and very much enjoy Victorian literature and early 20th-century literature. I am also a big fan of 90s games, am learning Chinese, take courses at a school of philosophy, and practice pole dance. There is so much more, but I prefer not to overwhelm you too intensely...

3. If you could program a perfect day of classic movies for TCM, what would be the seven films on your schedule?

1. Deception - Just for Claude Rains. I love him to bits in this otherwise lukewarm movie. The restaurant scene is a masterclass in acting! And the gorgeous music.
  1. Gone to Earth - I mostly like Jennifer Jones and find her filmography intriguing. This movie is a special favorite of mine—it's simply pure magic! And I mean it both as something remarkable and occult.

  2. Deep Red - I am a HUGE giallo fan, so let's select one of the best giallos ever made. Argento at his absolute peak. A must-watch. Perhaps the movie with the most incredible atmosphere I have ever watched. And the locations are stunning. The twist at the end left my jaw on the floor. Pure genius!

  3. Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence - David Bowie perfection! And Ryuichi Sakamoto was an absolute revelation! The music, the story, the mise-en-scène, the subtext—it’s all wrapped up and tied to perfection by a master director (Nagisa Oshima). And the music! So phenomenal!

  4. The Big Combo - Jean Wallace plus Richard Conte make this movie for me. Jean's scenes, especially the one with the famous innuendo (won't write it outright, take a peek yourselves), delighted me so much! And Conte's brand of menace is other-worldly and so excessively masculine I was almost hypnotized. While it's too low-budget to be a must-watch classic, and Cornel Wilde is a wood-adjacent actor, these two make it an enduring minor classic.

  5. The Thomas Crown Affair - This is pure, top-class elegance made with a sleek hand into a deceptively simple movie. Or is it? I find this one of the best psychological movies of the 60s, and every serious student of Jung should watch it.

  6. Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney! Love love love! I adore her in this movie. And Vincent Price kills it from scene one to the last scene. The gothic sensibility doesn't distract from the dark, smoky quality this movie nails down so perfectly. I am generally unhappy with how few quality gothic horrors were made in this period, but gems like this one keep me afloat.

4. What is a classic movie that you love, but most people don't know about—and what do you love about it? 

Definitely the not-so-elegantly named The Journey, from 1959. I have never met anyone who watched or even heard of this movie, despite its stellar cast (Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner, Jason Robards, Robert Morley). And this makes me a bit melancholic! It's such a fine movie, with many layers, and it contains wildly opposing sensibilities—one dainty, delicate, not unlike the brush of butterfly wings, the other blunt, savage ruthlessness—so well drawn out in its two clashing main characters. While the movie's most prominent layer, that of political critique, may be strong, well-written, and very much relevant even today, it's the dark side of the mirror that has caught my fancy. Yes, I mean the forbidden fruit/love! Deborah Kerr is my favorite actress, and this is my personal favorite out of her whole filmography. In terms of Deborah "power," what a movie! Deborah and Yul are aflame and radiate such passion I can't help but watch them again and again! Just for the two of them, this is more than worth the effort.

5. What is something that most people don't know about you? 

Since Spain just won the Euro Cup, I remembered this funny story—in 2010, I was in Madrid when Spain was playing in the FIFA World Cup finals. There was pandemonium in the streets, and everybody was talking about football incessantly, and seemingly everyone was going to watch the game somewhere. As I am completely blasé about football, I just chucked it aside and went to the Prado Museum. I was there when they won and the streets literally erupted. I, deep inside the museum, watching Baroque art, was completely oblivious and living in my own art-history wonderland. I only found out hours later when I exited the museum and saw the overcrowded streets. When I told this story to my friend, she told me not to tell anyone, since it's semi-shameful to have been in Madrid at that time and completely ignoring the happenings. So almost nobody knows this!
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We thank Stela for participating in our Q&A profile and encourage you to visit Those obscure objects of desire

Thursday, August 1, 2024

CMBA Profile: Nitrate Glow

Each month, the CMBA profiles a classic movie blog written by one of our members. This month, we are featuring Emma Stefanzick, who writes at NITRATE GLOW. 

1. Why do you blog?

The most basic answer is because I enjoy writing and classic films, so why not combine them?

I used to say my blog had no centering focus. Some people focus on the 1930s-1950s period, others on silent movies or older cult films. I tend to jump all over the place, from the nickelodeon era to the 1970s. Genre-wise, I veer towards the macabre, the melodramatic, and the satirical much of the time. I tend to prefer my films—be they comedies or dramas—more on the dark side, so you won’t often see fluffy rom-coms or super-lighthearted fare on the Nitrate Glow blog.

Lately, I’ve noticed a pattern in the subject matter I pick, however. I enjoy writing about films that I feel have been overlooked or unfairly dismissed. I like looking at less-celebrated works of prominent filmmakers and creatives. I like asking if a reviled film is really as bad as its legacy makes it out to be. And when I write about more popular titles, I try examining them from a fresh perspective.

Blogging about classic films also often inspires me to go beyond my comfort zone as a creator. I recorded my first audio commentary in 2022 after years of wanting to do so but being too timid to try. I really enjoyed the process and am currently planning another commentary, hopefully to be released this autumn. I also posted my first video essay in June. That was even more difficult, but I enjoyed learning new skills to create the video. Going beyond just the written word prevents me from getting stuck in a rut and losing my enthusiasm.

2. Besides classic movie blogging, what are some of your other passions?

I’m an avid reader. Shakespeare is a great love of mine—I’m currently re-reading all the plays yet again (my favorite is Richard III—not historically accurate, but great wicked fun). My favorite novels are Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Deerskin by Robin McKinley, A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, and A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. I’ve recently gotten into the John Carter of Marsbooks too. I also read a lot of non-fiction, mostly about history, spirituality, the arts, and different cultures around the world.

I enjoy creative writing and am currently working on a long-gestating fantasy novel. As a child, I used to write stories all the time, but as I got older, I became more self-conscious about my work. I felt as though I weren’t good or original enough. However, I’ve recently been fighting this self-doubt. As with my blogging, I believe in pushing beyond my comfort zone. I work on my story at least a little bit every day, be it by shaping the fictional setting I’ve created or outlining the plot.

I’m a casual anime fan. I’ve long loved Studio Ghibli, which was a major part of my childhood and adolescence. I adore the Lupin III franchise, which has been ongoing since 1967. Other anime series I enjoy are Princess Tutu and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.

I enjoy baking. Few things give me as much pleasure as trying out new recipes to share with family and friends.

Beyond movies on physical media, I have a small collection of vinyl records (mainly movie soundtracks and jazz) and vintage books (the gems of my library are a nearly pristine edition of Mary Pickford’s novel The Demi-Widow, a few movie novelizations from the ‘60s and ‘70s, and a 121-year old edition of Thackeray’s The Luck ofBarry Lyndon, the basis for one of my favorite Stanley Kubrick films).

3. If you could program a perfect day of classic movies for TCM, what would be the seven films on your schedule?

Oh God, that’s a difficult question! I’m tempted to pull out very obscure titles, but instead I’ve decided to select some classic films that are very personal to me.

The General (1926)

During the Civil War, a southern engineer pursues the northern spies who hijacked his locomotive. Buster Keaton was so multi-talented and inventive that it's not hard to see why his movies are often recommended as gateways into the pleasures of the silent era. It's hard to pick a favorite Keaton movie, but if you twisted my arm, I must go with The General. It's an elegantly constructed action-comedy and visually one of Keaton's most striking features.

The Most Dangerous Game (1932)

Shipwrecked on a mysterious island, a big game hunter finds himself the quarry of a nobleman who likes to thrill-kill human beings. The 1930s is my favorite decade for horror and The Most Dangerous Game, a taut adaptation of Richard Connell's legendary short story, is my favorite of that cycle. While the early sound period is often lambasted as static and talky, The Most Dangerous Game breaks that mold with its dynamic camera work and thrillingly edited climax.

Wait Until Dark (1967)

A recently blinded housewife fights back against dangerous criminals searching her apartment for misplaced heroin. Few films are as skillful as Wait Until Dark in ratcheting up the suspense until the viewer's nerves are completely shredded. Laced with dramatic irony and dark humor, it deserves the Hitchcockian label. Beyond the strong writing and direction, the three elements that really elevate the movie to greatness are Audrey Hepburn and Alan Akin's stunning performances, and Henry Mancini's sinister music.

Ball of Fire (1941)

When the cops want to interrogate her about her gangster boyfriend, a nightclub singer hides out with a group of eccentric academics, only to fall in love with one of them. I'm not the biggest screwball comedy person in the world, but I love me some Barbara Stanwyck and she is a delight in this. The plot is a clever riff on the Snow White story, turning the princess into a fast-talking gangster's moll and the dwarfs (and the prince!) into professors. The scene where Stanwyck teaches Gary Cooper about "yum-yum" is just perfection.

Duck Soup (1933)

It's a Marx Brothers film, so summarizing the "plot" is difficult-- in essence, Duck Soup is the tale of a corrupt politician whose shenanigans escalate tensions with a foreign country. In high school, my sister and I would quote this movie all the time, particularly, "Gentlemen, Chicolini here may talk like an idiot, and look like an idiot, but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot." Despite my familiarity with it, none of the edge has ever been taken off the humor and I still belly laugh when I watch it.

He Who Gets Slapped (1924)

An embittered circus clown endeavors to rescue an innocent bareback rider from the lecherous aristocrat that ruined his life-- and get some revenge along the way. This film features yet another brilliant Lon Chaney performance. It’s morbid, melancholy, and even a bit kinky in a pre-code way, but it's also a compassionate work, throwing light upon the ways people casually dehumanize one another. The ending never fails to make me cry.

The Heiress (1949)

An affection-starved heiress believes she's found love with a young charmer, but her father believes her new suitor to be a mere fortune hunter. Don't let the Victorian drawing room vibes fool you. The Heiress is emotionally brutal, aided greatly by a trifecta of great performances from Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift, and Ralph Richardson as well as William Wyler’s brilliant direction. If ever a movie rewarded multiple viewings, it’s this one.

4. What is a classic movie that you love, but most people don't know about -- and what do you love about it?

After Death (1915). It’s a Russian silent film by Yevgeni Bauer, one of the most distinctive filmmakers of the 1910s. The plot involves a morbid young man who becomes obsessed with an actress after she mysteriously dies. A lot of people write off silent films as simplistic and unsophisticated, but this is an excellent psychological ghost story with a lot of layers to it. The visuals and atmosphere are astonishing. Obviously, being over a century old and a slow-burn tale to begin with, this is the sort of film that asks patience of the viewer, but it’s worth the effort.

5. What is something that most people don't know about you?

I’m not so interesting, but my great-grandmother got to meet Maureen O’Hara sometime in the 1940s. She always raved about how nice O’Hara was. One of my great regrets is that my great-maw-maw died before I got into old movies, so I never really grilled her for more details on the encounter.

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