The
CMBA profiles two classic movie blogs per month, on the 1st and 15th of the
month. Today we're featuring Karen from Shadows and Satin.
Shadows and Satin is one of those
can’t-wait-to-see-what’s-happening-next blogs.
Karen’s site is dedicated to films
noir and noir filmmakers, as well as pre-Code flicks, and she packs each post with juicy history and
insightful commentary. As editor of The Dark Pages, she has an expert knowledge of
film noir, even the more obscure films and actors in this genre.
As a pre-Code fan, she shares her infectious enthusiasm and considerable research with her readers. One example is her essay on actress Lilyan Tashman.
As a pre-Code fan, she shares her infectious enthusiasm and considerable research with her readers. One example is her essay on actress Lilyan Tashman.
“I discovered Lilyan Tashman by sheer happenstance,”
says Karen. “I was watching an extra on a DVD (she wasn't even in the movie!)
when I saw Tashman and her husband, Edmund Lowe. And there was just
something about her that captivated me. It took me several months to research
and write the post; the more I learned about her, the more fascinated I became.
I was really proud of the outcome – and one of the comments I received was from
the granddaughter of Tashman’s cousin! That was the icing on the cake.”
CMBA: What
sparked your interest in classic film?
Shadows and Satin: I wish I
had a really cool story to tell – like, my great-grandmother's favorite movie
was Miracle on 34th Street, and I
fell in love old movies after she took me to see it one Christmas, or I was at
home sick with the mumps and was totally mesmerized when 42nd Street came
on TV after Bozo's Circus went off. But I don't. I've simply
loved classic movies for as long as I can remember.
CMBA: What makes a
film a "classic" in your opinion?
Shadows and Satin: Generally
speaking, I believe that two characteristics make a movie a classic: passage of
time and continued interest. More specifically, a significant amount of time
has to have passed since the film's release, and it has to continue to foster
interest and appreciation in ensuing generations.
CMBA: What classic
film(s) do you recommend to people who say they hate old movies?
Shadows and Satin: I don't
actually know anyone who's ever said they "hate" old movies, but my
niece's exposure to classic films is woefully lacking, and I recently showed
her Leave Her to Heaven. She was quite taken with it.
CMBA: Why should
people care about classic film?
Shadows and Satin: Classic
films are just like any other part of history – we should care about them
because they are us.
CMBA: What is the
most rewarding thing about blogging?
Shadows and Satin: For me,
the most rewarding thing about blogging is the idea that someone out there
might have derived as much pleasure from reading my words as I do writing them.
CMBA: What
challenges do you face with your blog, and how do you overcome them?
Shadows and Satin: My only
challenge is dealing with the tendency of real life to interfere with my
writing time. I try to overcome this challenge by signing up for blogathons and
the annual month-long "Noirvember" event – these activities help keep
me on my toes and force me to carve out the much-needed time to settle down in
front of my computer.
CMBA: What advice
would you give to a new blogger?
Shadows and Satin: Keep a
small notebook with you and whenever you get an idea, jot it down.
Thank you for joining us, Karen! You can visit Satin
and Shadows by clicking HERE.
https://shadowsandsatin.wordpress.com/
Another interesting interview. Karen's blog is a must read for noir lovers.
ReplyDeleteI love that Karen has loved classic movies as long as she can remember. She is the best at sharing and educating other classic movie fans. We are very lucky.
ReplyDeleteNice to read about your back story Karen. It's always great when it started with a family connection, something to look back on fondly in later years. How did you get hooked on film noir? I don't really know how I did come to think of it. Perhaps something for a blogathon to explore or The Dark Pages. I've always enjoyed Lilyan Tashman too the few times I've seen her. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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