CMBA Blogger Profile: The Lady Eve's Reel Life

The CMBA profiles two classic movie blogs per month, on the 1st and the 15th. Today we're spotlighting Patty from The Lady Eve's Reel Life.

When you think about it, classic film is an iconic documentation of society. Which makes it utterly cool.

The Lady Eve’s Reel Life captures the zeitgeist of classic film, and shows us why these films are important. Patty's blog is like hanging out with the coolest prof in film school, the one who never talks down to you and is excited to share new discoveries.

"Since movies were a part of my life from the beginning, is it any mystery that I knew who Bette Davis, Clark Gable, Greta Garbo and Tyrone Power were before I knew the names of some of my relatives?" she writes. "I recall noting in my diary when I was about nine that I had watched The Great Lie, 'starring Bette Davis.'"

One film that impacted Patty's love for the classics is the Astaire & Rogers classic, The Gay Divorcee. You can read about her passion for this, and classic films in general, by clicking HERE.

CMBA Blogger Profile: ClassicBecky's Brain Food

The CMBA profiles two classic movie blogs per month, on the 1st and the 15th. Today we're spotlighting ClassicBecky's Brain Food.

Reading ClassicBecky's Brain Food is like spending time with a smart and witty friend. You know such a friend will always give you good advice, and will usually make you laugh while doing so.

She recently celebrated her sixth blogaversary. "It's hard for me to believe I've been around that long," says ClassicBecky. "I started out with a small group of wonderful people, guided by our Fearless Leader of the Classic Movie Blog Association, Rick Armstrong, and eventually branched off to my own blog."

Her site is full of fascinating and amusing posts on films and classic movie stars, along with personal observations that will make you think.

One example of ClassicBecky's savoir faire is the well-researched and detailed Mobsters, Pals and Skirts – The Golden Age of Gangster Movies – The Complete Series – 1930 Through 1949. "I actually won a CMBA award, of which I was very proud," she says. "I love the old gangster movies...Cagney, Bogart, Robinson...they were the best!  These movies are some of the greatest of the classic era. " 

Announcing the Oscars Snubs Blogathon!

Announcing The Oscars Snubs Blogathon!  (Feb 26-28, 2016)

It happens every year.  Until recently 5 nominees vied for such varied categories as Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director, among others.  We as fans are not part of the process of choosing, and sometimes we think our choice was better.  This is a chance to make your case heard.

Think Double Indemnity should have beaten out Going My Way for Best Picture in 1944?  Was Rex Harrison really the Best Actor of the bunch in 1964, or were either Richard Burton or Peter O'Toole more deserving?  And, really, seriously?  WasMarisa Tomei really the Best Supporting Actress of 1992?

The rules are simple here.  You can pick any category.  You can pick any year.  The only stipulation is the picture (or person) must have been one of the other nominees in that category for that year, but didn't win.  Otherwise I'd be getting some quack choices like "Plan 9 from Outer Space should have won Best Picture of 1959..."

Let's not fight over topics!

I'd like to have variety so only one person can do a specific movie or an actor in a movie, but I will stretch a point.  If someone wants to pick, say, The Hustler as Best Picture of 1961, someone else could still pick Paul Newman as Best Actor in The Hustler, and make an entirely different case.

Let's have some fun with it.  The blogathon will be scheduled to go live on Oscar weekend 2016.  (Feb. 26-28)  You can pick any of those three days.  Post your choice in the comments below or stop by either The Midnite Drive-In or Silver Scenes. Then grab one of the banners below to post to your blog. Simple? Then let's get the ball rolling! 

Need some inspiration, first? Check out this list of Oscar nominees by year : http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/oscar_data.php

          

 

          

 

          

 

Note: This blogathon and the hosting blogs are in no way affiliated with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Oscars is a registered trademark of the Academy Awards.

CMBA Blogger Profile: Java's Journey

The CMBA profiles two classic movie blogs per month, one on the 1st and the other on the 15th. Today we're featuring Java's Journey.

Java's Journey is a delightful blog that reviews an array of classic films, whether they are well known or not. Browsing through the site is like browsing through a jewellery store; you never know the gems you'll discover.

The reviews are only part of its charm. The series "Toast of the Town" curates online blog posts and resources, and the site offers helpful tips for those struggling with writer's block, such as this wonderful post: 100 Classic Movie Blog Post Ideas. (Try these ideas. They work!)

CMBA Blogger Profile: The Thrilling Days of Yesteryear

The CMBA profiles two classic movie blogs per month, one on the 1st and the other on the 15th. Today we're toasting Ivan of Thrilling Days of Yesteryear.

Reading Ivan's blog is like inviting a racconteur to a dinner party. He's witty, has lots of shrewd observations and isn't afraid to tell you what he thinks.

He's also prolific. Along with classic film, Thrilling Days of Yesteryear examines classic television series and television specials. Ivan treats readers to a thorough analysis in his posts, as though he were a long-time friend giving you the inside scoop.

And then there's his love of old time radio. Ivan also blogs at Radio Spirits, which is the Go To site for anyone interested in classic radio.

Occasionally, Ivan combines both of his passions for movie and old-time radio. One example is his review of the "Buck Benny Rides Again" series, a Western spoof from radio's popular The Jack Benny Program. "It would go on to become one of Benny's most popular running segments," writes Ivan. "[Benny's writers'] decided to bring 'Buck Benny' to the silver screen in 1940...with Buck Benny Rides Again, a most enjoyable Paramount musical comedy romp..."

You'll want to read this post – click HERE.

CMBA Blogger Profile: The Skeins

 The CMBA profiles two classic movie blogs per month, on the 1st and the 15th. Today we're featuring Moira of The Skeins.

If you're not familiar with all the projects that Moira of The Skeins has been involved in, then you're really missing out on something.

In addition to writing and researching, Moira co-hosts a classic movie forum at Silver Screen Oasis. Guests on this forum include biographers Scott Nollen and Jeffrey Spivak, and the CMBA's own Jacqueline A. Lynch.

However, one of Moira's articles, published on TCM's Movie Morlocks site, has garnered a lot of attention over the years – a post about the pioneering African American actor, James Edwards.

"James Edwards' complex life and career continue to impress me," says Moira. "The subject for the post was suggested in a roundabout way by a thoughtful friend who is no longer living, Kyle Kersten. Though I wrote this post several years ago, it continues to attract the attention of individuals who knew or admired Mr. Edwards. I like to hope that it might inspire people to seek out James Edwards' films and to pay some attention to those many sterling actors whose presence on the edge of the spotlight makes movies truly classic."

The post can be seen HERE.

It's Time for the CMBA Fall Blogathon - Trains, Planes, and Automobiles!

The Classic Movie Blog Association is proud to present Planes, Trains and Automobiles, running from October 19th to the 24th. Please tune into the blogs below on the dates listed to travel around the world through classic film!

19th

• Classic Film & TV Café - Murder on the Orient Express (both 74 and 10)
• Blonde at the Film - The Major and the Minor
• Speakeasy - Thunder Road 
• Pre-Code.Com - Danger Lights
• Man on the Flying Trapeze - Silver Streak (34) 
• Strictly Vintage Hollywood - The Sheik's Physique
• Second Sight Cinema - I Know Where I'm Going!

20th

• Person in the Dark - Our Hospitality
• Silver Screenings - Strangers on a Train
• Caftan Woman - Sleepers West
• Old Hollywood Films - The Grapes of Wrath
• Lady Eve's Reel Life - Lost Horizon
• Shadows & Satin - Detour 

21st

• 24 Frames - The Narrow Margin (52)
• The Movie Night Group - Star Trek (09)
• Thrilling Days of Yesteryear - The Tall Target
• Movies, Silently - Barney Oldfield's Race for a Life 
• Strictly Vintage Hollywood - Chasing Choo Choos
• Hometowns to Hollywood - Only Angels Have Wings

22nd

• Another Old Movie Blog - Bright Eyes
• Once Upon a Screen - Scenes on trains in Hitchcock films
• Now Voyaging - The Lady Vanishes
• Century Film Project - Great Train Robbery
• Virtual Virago - The Harvey Girls
• Mildred's Fatburgers - Phone Call From a Stranger

23rd

• Strictly Vintage Hollywood - Wings 
• Classic Movie Hub - A Hard Day's Night 
• Cary Grant Won't Eat You - The Spirit of St. Louis 
• Silver Screen Modes - Double Indemnity
• Classic Becky's Brain Food - Airplane 

24th

• Tales of the Easily Distracted - North by Northwest
• FlimFanatic.Org - Night Train to Munich
• Silver Scenes - The Dawn Patrol 
• Silver Scenes - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang  
• Vintage Cameo - Duel in the Sun
• Dear Mr. Gable - Test Pilot
• Outspoken & Freckled - Taxi!

Selected pieces are available in the Planes, Trains & Automobiles eBook, available for free at Smashwords and on Amazon for $0.99, with all profits going towards the National Film Preservation Foundation.

CMBA Blogger Profile: Classic Movies Digest

The CMBA profiles two classic movie blogs each month, on the 1st and the 15th. Today we're celebrating Rupert of Classic Movies Digest. 

If there were any one blog that could single-handedly convert people to classic movie fandom, it would be Classic Movies Digest. Posts combine fun facts about classic movie stars with thoughtful film reviews.

Rupert's site is also a great resource for long-time old movie fans who want to learn more about classic Hollywood. Links to books and movies are handily provided at the end of many posts, which saves the bother of an online search.

This blog isn't afraid to share an opinion. Check out the review of In This Our Life (1942), starring Bette Davis and Olivia deHavilland.  "In this Our Life is a hoot to watch," writes Rupert, "and never disappoints for a melodramatic funfest."

CMBA Blogger Profile: Classic Film and TV Café

The CMBA is excited to start a new series that profiles our member bloggers. Two classic movie blogs will be featured each month, one on the 1st and the other on the 15th. Today we're toasting the blog (and the man) who started it all: Rick from Classic Film and TV Café.

Classic Film and TV Café is a lively blog that always teaches you something new. Topics include classic film and television shows, obscure facts about classic celebrities and the famous Movie-TV Connection Game (click HERE for a sample).

One of the outstanding features of this blog is the impressive amount of interviews the Café conducts. Rick has interviewed a surprising number of classic film and television insiders, including celebrities and biographers.

"I've been fortunate enough to interview several classic film and television stars," says Rick. "One of my favorite interviews was with three-time Oscar nominee Piper Laurie. I sat beside her for almost an hour at a nostalgia convention, and she patiently answered my questions as she autographed photos." (You can read the interview HERE.) 

Coming Soon: Hollywood’s Hispanic Heritage Blogathon 2015

Hispanic Heritage Month, whose roots go back to 1968, begins each year on September 15 and ends on October 15.  In celebration, Once Upon a Screen presents the Hollywood’s Hispanic Heritage Blogathon to commemorate the impact Hispanics have made on Hollywood.

Topics:

Posts celebrating Hispanic Heritage in Hollywood that focus on actors, filmmakers or films that celebrate, depict or examine aspects of Hispanic culture are welcome.  Or, you may also choose to discuss the treatment of a Hispanic Hollywood player or players in general on-screen or behind the scenes.  The possibilities are endless.  While this blogathon’s focus is primarily “classic” Hollywood cinema, Hispanics are making an impact in films today so if you’re burning to write about a contemporary Latin American actor, filmmaker or film, that’s fine, too.

For more details on this blogathon, click HERE.

The Winners of the 2015 CMBA Awards

Congratulations to all of the winners! Also, a special thanks to all of the bloggers who submitted articles, read the articles, and voted. 

Best Film Review

Queen Christina ( 1933 ) - Pre-Code.com

Best Film Review ( Musical/Comedy )

In Defense of Lina Lamont - The Vintage Cameo

Best Film Article

Real-life Society "Honor Slaying" Inspires Two Movies - Immortal Ephemera

Best Classic Movie Series

History Through Hollywood: or, What I Learned from Classic Movies - The Blonde at the Film

Best Profile of a Classic Movie Performer or Filmmaker

CMBA Forgotten Stars Blogathon : Eddie Cantor - Once Upon a Screen

Best Classic Movie Event

The Great Villain Blogathon April 13-17, 2015 Hosted by Speakeasy. Co-hosted by Shadows and Satin • Silver Screenings

Best Classic Movie Blog Design

Silver Scenes 

Shadows and Satin

Now stop hanging about this blog and go out and celebrate! 

The Week of the CMBA Awards!

The official nominees for the 2015 CMBA awards have been decided. Congratulations to all of these fine bloggers! Below you will find the links to all of their posts. If you did not yet make time to read them, now is the time to do so. When you are ready to vote then check your inbox for the email marked "The 2015 CMBA Awards" and you will find a link to the survey. Vote for only one nominee in each category!

The ballot for the CMBA Awards will be open until September 16th.

If you have any questions about the awards, this year's submissions, or the voting process, you can leave a comment in the box below or send us an email here.

Good luck to all of our nominees!

2015 CMBA Nominees

BEST FILM REVIEW 

Queen Christina - Pre-Code.com

Captain's Courageous - Immortal Ephemera

The Adventure of Robin Hood - Silver Scenes

The Helen Morgan Story - Another Old Movie Blog

Double Indemnity - The Blonde at the Film

BEST FILM REVIEW ( MUSICAL/COMEDY ) 

Dames - Pre-Code.com

In Defense of Lina Lamont - The Vintage Cameo

The General - Second Sight Cinema

The Rules of the Game - Speakeasy

Ear-way Innay the UNNA-May - Mildred's Fatburgers

BEST CLASSIC MOVIE ARTICLE

Real Life Society Honor Slaying Inspires Two 1932 Films - Immortal Ephemera 

Newsreels of the Early 1930s - Second Sight Cinema

Paramount in Paris - The Blonde at the Film

How I "Met" James Cagney - Hometowns to Hollywood

*Tie*  - Summer Reading Challenge - Shadows and Satin

         - Antonio Moreno and the Story of Spanish-Language Hollywood - Once Upon a Screen

         - Random Harvest of Thoughts - Now Voyaging

MOVIE SERIES 

Film Noir of the Week - Old Hollywood Films

Classic Movie Blog Tips - Java's Journey

History Through Hollywood - The Blonde at the Film

(Note : Biopic Theater was dropped after one day when the blogger asked to have an article added in a different category in its place )

BEST PROFILE 

Helen Twelvetrees - Immortal Ephemera

Robert Montgomery - Caftan Woman

Eddie Cantor - Once Upon a Screen

The Year of Ann Blyth - Another Old Movie Blog

Notes on Peter Lorre - Second Sight Cinema

MOVIE EVENT 

The Beach Party Blogathon - Silver Screenings

The Great Villain Blogathon - Speakeasy

The 2015 TCM Summer Under the Stars Blogathon - Journeys in Classic Film

BLOG DESIGN 

Silver Scenes 

Once Upon a Screen

The Blonde at the Film

Shadows and Satin

The Vintage Cameo

Alas, we won't be holding a banquet after the awards...I just thought this was a cool photo.

Coming Soon - The CMBA Fall Blogathon!

Good news, everyone! The subject has been selected for the 2015 CMBA Fall Blogathon, open to all members: Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Posts about movies and scenes featuring any of these modes of transportation are welcome.

The blogathon will run from October 19th to 24th.

(If you're a member of CMBA and wish to participate, please email classic.movie.blog.assoc@gmail.com with your subject by August 31st.)

Summer Under the Stars Blogathon: Hosted by Journeys in Classic Film

August is TCM's annual Summer Under the Stars "film festival", and this year Journeys in Classic Film is hosting a corresponding blogathon. It all takes place between August 1st and 31st.

The fine folks at Warner Archive will be giving away several DVDs and Blu-rays to blog participants and #TCMParty friends. Journeys in Classic Film will give exact details on July 30th, so make sure you sign up by then!

Join in the fun! Click HERE for more details.

The Classic Movie History Project Blogathon is Back!

Movies, Silently is tickled to announce the second edition of the Classic Movie History Project. Once again this event is co-hosted by Once Upon a Screen and Silver Screenings.

We believe that there is a little bit of the historian in every classic movie fan. After all, we love films that were made before we were born and, in some cases, before our parents or grandparents were born. Here is our chance to combine our love of classic film with our passion for history.

Read all the details at the Movies, Silently blog by clicking HERE.

Announcing the Beach Party Blogathon

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, along comes the Beach Party Blogathon.

Save the dates June 8-12, 2015, because that’s the time to blog about any movie involving the beach or seaside. If it parties on the shore, sets foot on the sand, munches on swimmers, wades into or comes out of the ocean, or makes you love or hate the deep, you can write about it. Endless summer surfing and wild bikinis, sharks and sea monsters, leis and lagoons, juvenile delinquents, musclebound hunks, music stars, tropical climes and treasure hunters, all are welcome. We’re gonna need a bigger boat.

For all the scoop, including the roster and sign-up form, click HERE.

Be there or be square, daddy-o!

Celebrate National Classic Movie Day on May 16th!

This Saturday marks the inaugural National Classic Movie Day, a new "holiday" created by classic film lovers.

To show their support at the Classic Film & TV Cafe, Rick and company are hosting the My Favorite Classic Movie Blogathon. Almost 60 bloggers (and still counting) will write about their favorite classic movies. You can view the complete schedule of participating bloggers and their selected films by clicking the link below:

Classic Film & TV Cafe My Favorite Classic Movie Blogathon

CMBA Spring Blogathon: The Fabulous Films of the 30s!

The Classic Movie Blog Association is proud to present The Fabulous Films of the 30s, running from April 27th to May 1st. Please tune into the blogs below on the dates listed to get the lowdown on many of the greatest movies of one of classic Hollywood's most glamorous decades!

April 27th

• Once Upon a Screen whistles up a review of M (1930).
• Shadows & Satin assure us that Men Call It Love (1931).
• Twenty Four Frames checks in with Sabotage (1936).
• Classic Film & TV Café sinks its teeth into Dracula's Daughter (1936).
• Old Hollywood Films belts out a tune with Maytime (1937).
• Silver Screen Modes is off to see The Wizard of Oz (1939). 

April 28th

• Movies Silently hunts The White Devil (1930).
• ClassicBecky's Brain Food observes Freaks (1932).
• Second Sight Cinema reanimates The Bride of Frankenstein (1935).
• FilmFanatic.Org dances to both versions of Intermezzo (1936 and 1939).
• Backlots serves up My Man Godfrey (1937).
• The Blonde at the Film chases Bringing Up Baby (1938).
• Java Bean Rush elocutes upon Pygmalion (1938).
• Now Voyaging cops to The Awful Truth (1938).
• Speakeasy is on the trail of The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939).

April 29th

• A Person in the Dark swoons to Love Me Tonight (1932).
• Margaret Perry gets the story on Morning Glory (1933).
• Immortal Ephemera takes aim at Manhattan Melodrama (1934).
• Tales of the Easily Distracted enjoys A Night at the Opera (1935).
• Classic Movie Hub decides to Follow the Fleet (1936).
• Silver Scenes speaks treason with The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).
• Caftan Woman saddles up with Destry Rides Again (1939).

April 30th

• The Thrilling Days of Yesteryear joins up with the Sons of the Desert (1933).
• Journeys in Classic Film has a new Design for Living (1933).
• Another Old Movie Blog talks Jolson saying Hallelujah, I'm A Bum (1933).
• The Vintage Cameo hitches a ride with It Happens One Night (1934).
• Cary Grant Won't Eat You encourages you to Go West Young Man (1936).
• Silver Screenings visits The Roaring Twenties (1939).

May 1st

• GlamAmor takes a trip with Shanghai Express (1932).
• Virtual Virago seeks out The Invisible Man (1933).
• The Man on the Flying Trapeze goes legit with G-Men (1935).
• Hometowns to Hollywood declares they were Born to Dance (1936).
• Stardust is a bit more reserved and asks Shall We Dance? (1937). 
• Pre-Code.Com joins in with Idiot's Delight (1939).
• Stars and Letters caps things off with Gone With the Wind (1939).

 
Thanks to all our participants for joining in! And if you want to jump the gun on reading some of the entries, we're proud to present The Fabulous Films of the 30s in eBook form, containing 19 of the above essays and available now! 

 

Here's what's inside: 

• Manhattan Melodrama by Cliff Aliperti of Immortal Ephemera
• Freaks by Becky Barnes of ClassicBecky’s Brain Food
• Born to Dance by Annette Bochenek of Hometowns to Hollywood
• Love Me Tonight by Marsha Collock of A Person in the Dark
• The Hound of the Baskervilles by Kristina Dijan of Speakeasy
• Maytime by Amanda Garrett of Old Hollywood Films
• The Bride of Frankenstein by Lesley Gaspar of Second Sight Cinema
• Follow the Fleet by Annmarie Gatti of Classic Movie Hub
• Sabotage by John Greco of Twenty Four Frames
• Men Call It Love by Karen Burroughs Hannsberry of Shadows and Satin
• Bringing Up Baby by Cameron Howard of The Blonde At The Film.com
• Boys Town by R.A. Kerr of Silver Screenings
• The Adventures of Robin Hood by Diana & Constance Metzinger of Silver Scenes
• Destry Rides Again by Patricia Nolan-Hall of Caftan Woman
• Morning Glory by Margaret Perry of MargaretPerry.Org
• Idiot’s Delight by Danny Reid of Pre-Code.Com
• Sons of the Desert by Ivan G. Shreve - Thrilling Days of Yesteryear
• Pygmalion by Deborah M. Thomas of Java Bean Rush
• Go West Young Man by Leah Williams of Cary Grant Won’t Eat You

It's available for free at Smashwords and for $0.99 at Amazon! All proceeds are donated to film preservation.