Announcing The CMBA Fall Blogathon: Cinema Couture | The Art of Illusion

Crafting a film is a lot like sewing a vast tapestry or a new item of clothing; each separate thread and stitch is essential in order to complete the desired result: storyboards, costume, music, editing, direction, cinematography, locations, effects, actors, lighting, matte paintings, props and so on.

The focus of this Blogathon is on the artisanal element of film, where the only A.I. is not artificial intelligence but actual intelligence: knowledge, skill, emotion, human endeavour and effort.

The board invites members to explore the detailed crafting of films with both big and small budgets. How did directors and studios with limited resources and crews achieve spectacular and impressive results on screen? How many staff did a director with unlimited finances employ to design costumes for a particular costume epic? What steps to overcome racial or gender barriers did some directors take in order to achieve their screen vision? How did the Silent pioneers literally invent the very language and imagery of cinema to begin with?

This is your chance to dive deep into the history of a particular film, studio, designer, element of filmmaking etc, in order to share the stories of how the magic happened. The films and topics that you could write about for this are endless.

The Cinema Couture & The Art of Illusion Blogathon (which is only open to CMBA members) will take place between the 9th and 13th of November, 2026. Due to the vast array of possible topics, we will not be accepting duplicates, but members may submit up to two reviews/articles each, so please let us know your desired film or topic as soon as possible by completing the sign-up form below. If you have any questions, please contact us at the CMBA email.

How to participate: 

Please check this list first to make sure your topic hasn't already been chosen  

Then, use this form to sign up. 
You will be asked for your blog name, URL, topic choice and preferred posting date (if you have one)  

 

Choose one of the beautiful banners below and insert it in your blogathon entry. You can also use them on social media.

Post on the day you've been scheduled.

See you November 9-13!

The roster will be updated here: 

Monday November 9
Classic Film And TV Corner: The Epic of Everest and The Great White Silence (1948)
Crítica Retrô: German Expressionism 

Realweegiemidget Reviews: Jacques Demy and composer Michel LeGrand 

Tuesday November 10
SIlver Screen Classics & Nostalgia: Letty Lynton (1932)

Silent Cinema School: A Trip to the Moon (1902)

Let Yourself Go... To Old Hollywood: Ladies in Retirement (1941)

Wednesday November 11
The Midnite Drive-In: Gone With the Wind

Speakeasy; Morgiana (1972) 
Cary Grant Won't Eat You: The Miracle Woman (1931) 

Thursday November 12

Classic Film And TV Corner: La Belle et la Bête (1946)
Silver Screen Classics & Nostalgia: The Ice Pirates (1984)

Silver Screenings: Jewellery in 1930s Hollywood Movies 

Friday November 13
Dominique Revue: Race Films 
Dominique Revue: Marie Antoinette (1938)
Lost and Found Films: The Lonely Villa (1909)
The Last Drive In: Bernard Hermann: The Sound of Suspense 

 

CMBA Member Profile: Mark Throop of Movies Ala Mark

Meet new CMBA member Mark Throop, who has been flim-struck since youth and channels his deep knowledge and love of film into numerous reviews at his site Movies Ala Mark. Read on to learn more about Mark.

1. Tell us more about your site, Movies Ala Mark, and what led you to begin blogging?

The site is basically a relaxed compendium that I hope to eventually turn into a book, possibly a Volume 1 situation, the follow-up likely taking me most of the rest of my life, considering how outnumbered an individual is by the sheer number of movies that 'should' be part of a viable representative overview. The potpourri (or scattershot?) look of the All Reviews page shows that I hop between genres, time periods and homegrown/international selections based on my mood and the availability of material. I have my own collection to draw from, borrow from friends, use retail video outlets if available, and while on the move (as I have been of late) pick up strays on YouTube. Classics & indies, domestic & foreign, 'musts' & duds, a democratic selection, if you will. I started keeping lists when in grade school, stopped & restarted a few times as years went by (once I ceremoniously burned up 300 reviews) and finally got into serious mode about 11 years ago on the heels of a heartbreak, actually---I think the first entry was "The Naked And The Dead", which seems fitting. I guess my style is sort of Leonard Maltin with extra salt. I don't in any way think of myself as a critic, and try to keep the writeups not just fair to the film but conversational as if I was talking to a friend. 

2. Your late brother-in-law was the American actor, and baseball player, Larry Pennell. What are your memories of him? Any particular series or films of his that you would recommend people watch?

Larry--"Bud" to family and friends, was a fascinating, complex, difficult, wonderful guy. Smart, flawed, generous, hilarious, tragic. To a little boy, he was larger than life---a "movie star", although in reality, like many professional actors, the sort of career he hoped to have didn't pan out, for a number of reasons and he ultimately ended up as a bit player, a trivia subject. He started in films in 1955, after serving as an officer in the O.S.S. and a decent career as a ball player. Over his years in Hollywood (with a few traipses abroad) he met, worked with, knew, or knew something about a genuine galaxy of personalities---too many to easily list. If any of you wish to know some examples let me know and I'll name-drop. He starred in a TV series in 1961-63 called "Ripcord", and has some quasi-fame from playing a movie star named 'Dash Riprock' on "The Beverly Hillbillies". He had credits in many TV series and film roles included 'The FBI Story' and 'The Great White Hope'. I'd recommend a great episode from "Thriller", a series hosted by Boris Karloff, entitled "Late Date" and a good one from "The Big Valley" called The Price Of Victory"--they're currently available on YouTube.

3. Actor Stewart Granger was a family friend. What are your memories of him?

Well, actually I have no personal memory, but Bud and my sister Patti (Larry's wife) got to know Granger in 1964 when Bud went to Yugoslavia to co-star (as the bad guy) in a German-made western (they were quite popular in Europe) called "Flaming Frontier" (I've never seen it). Oddly, Bud got fan mail from Europe for decades after that: go figure. Anyway, he and Patti said Granger, 51 at the time, was just a terrific guy, a raconteur. Many years later, Patti was grocery shopping in Pacific Palisades, California (she and my niece recently lost everything in the fire that destroyed Palisades in January of 2025) and she saw him. She didn't want to bother him, figuring he wouldn't remember the wife of some guy he'd worked with on a goofy Euro-western and so she didn't approach him. He walked over and said, sort of mock-hurt--"What are you, stuck up or something!?"  and they proceeded had a nice, brief conversation. So, my knowledge of Mr. Granger is fun but second-hand. I was lucky enough to meet a number of other familiar actors: for the sake of brevity, those are tidbits for another time.

4. How did you become a classic film fan?

Simple enough: my early movie-going saw me, like millions of lucky audience members, overawed by 70mm and stereo sound in "Lawrence Of Arabia", "Mutiny On The Bounty", "The Longest Day", "How The West Was Won" and It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", followed up with the uber-cool of "Goldfinger"----I was captured alive. Along with entertaining my socks off, the epics of the 60s (and those from earlier years released on TV at the time) also pushed my interest in history and unleashed a desire to "go see"---much adventure travel has followed, and continues: in the past few years I've been blogging from Africa, South America and Asia as well as the States.

5. Which five films would you choose to show to someone who has never watched a classic era film before?

Now, one thing that I get asked over & over is "What is your favorite movie?" and I've gotten to the point of just saying "Oh, there's just too many to pick from", partially because all too often the person asking is so much younger than I am that there's a very good chance they won't know the films I might pick. But I'll wing it here---assuming we're talking 1930 to 1965-70?  Hmmm...just five?  "The Wizard Of Oz", "Gone With The Wind", "For Whom The Bell Tolls", "Ben-Hur", "Lawrence Of Arabia".  See, now I could easily replace those with.................

6. Which of the Old Hollywood Studios is your favourite, and why?

It's tempting to go with Warner Brothers, since they had such a gallery of indelible personalities---Bogart, Flynn, Davis, Curtiz, on & on---and got into pictures with social issues as well as action and pep. I do/did like Fox (as in 20th Century, NOT the state regime media TV swill) and also Paramount. Which is not to knock Columbia, MGM, United Artists, RKO or Universal. 

CMBA Member Profile: Kristen Winiarski of Hoofers and Honeys

 

Meet new CMBA member Kristen Winiarski of Hoofers and Honeys. As an introduction to our group, Kristen answered a few questions from board member Maddy Langham so we could learn more about her. Read on and check out her blog to read her insights on classic movies.

Tell us more about your site, Hoofers And Honeys, and what led you to begin blogging?

The name Hoofers and Honeys was inspired by my introduction into classic film, which was through musicals. I also love alliteration, so I loved how it sounded together. I've been writing since I was a kid, so that piece of blogging is something I've always loved and came naturally to me. I wanted to write about classic film because I'm a huge fan of finding out the background trivia of every single movie I watch, and the blogging gave me an outlet to share that with others. The craziest trivia is my favorite.

The blog went through some evolution before I got to the name Hoofers and Honeys. Before that was official, I also did some posts about being a writer and then being a mom as well. After that, I focused on the classic movie piece because that was what I wanted to write about the most. 

How did you become a classic film fan?

I have a very strong memory for this. I was home sick once as a kid, and my dad borrowed some VHS movies from his coworker for me as entertainment. One of them was Singin' in the Rain, and I was hooked. That film is stunning in so many ways from the dancing to the costumes. Plus, it's funny. From there, I branched out into more films with Gene Kelly, which led me to more of Judy Garland and also Frank Sinatra. It all snowballed from there!

You also host a classic film podcast called Frankly, My Dear, Classic Hollywood Was Bananas, tell us a bit more about it and what led you to set it up?

I had wanted to start a podcast for years. I thought it would be really fun to have an additional outlet to talk about classic movies, so I finally jumped into this in February. I had the room in my schedule and just went for it, so the timing couldn't have been better. My topics focus mostly on pre-1970s films, much like my site, but there are occasionally theme episodes as well, such as Mermaids throughout Cinema History that included 1980s films. I also am planning an upcoming one about vampires in cinema that I'm really looking forward to. 

Most of the episodes have a guest co-host. I find this really fun because then I have someone to talk to who can share additional insight or who maybe came across some information about the film that I didn't know. I do occasionally have episodes where it's me solo, but I enjoy the guest episodes a lot. I'm having a lot of fun networking with other authors and classic movie fans!

Why should people care about old films today?

There are plenty of things to appreciate in older films. They give us such a rich history and look into the past, either giving us a glimpse into what life was like then or taking us into a complete fantasy. People have always loved being told stories. We find lessons in them, learn from them, escape into them, are comforted by them, and are entertained by them. They paved the way for so much that we see today, building on the skills and techniques that people learned back then. The progression of technology alone is fascinating. I love learning about how things were done in these films that couldn't rely on computers. These films show how creativity had to be forefront to get the effects they wanted.

Also, many movie stars from the Classic Movie Era had a spark. There are plenty of talented people out there today, but these people often had to be successful in multiple mediums, especially when we're talking about musicals. So many had to sing and dance as well as act. Judy Garland is a prime example of this supreme talent. She is someone that even people now can study and learn from to improve their craft. She is also a cautionary tale about how this system treated people back then, which is important to recognize to avoid making the same mistakes. 

Finally, they're just fun to watch. Sometimes you want a light and fun musical, sometimes you want a film noir, and sometimes you want to be freaked out by Vincent Price or Alfred Hitchcock. There are options in this era no matter what types of films you enjoy most, but I find myself watching them all.

Is there a classic film hidden gem that you love and think more people should see?

I have to say, The Man with the Golden Arm from 1955, starring Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, and Eleanor Parker, doesn't get enough attention. This Otto Preminger film is so well done. I am a huge Frank Sinatra fan, but I'd started with his musicals. Those are great, but I also love seeing an actor go against type or breaking from being typecast. He doesn't sing in this one, but he is still absolutely brilliant. This shows his versatility as an actor and that he can perform dramatic roles. It is hands down one of his best roles. I think that people now just view him as a singer, but he was a great actor too. I would love for people to remember that piece.

CMBA Profile: Rachel Martinez of Vintage Stardust

Meet new CMBA member Rachel Martinez who a blog called Vintage Stardust that focuses on design in classic movies. She took time to answer some questions from board member Maddy Langham so we could get to know her a bit more. Read on and be sure to check out Vintage Stardust.

Your site, Vintage Stardust, focuses on the design of classic era films. Tell us a bit about how you began blogging, and why you are so drawn to film design in particular. 

I’ve always loved writing. When I was a senior in high school, I wanted a blog, so I created Vintage Stardust to write about classic movies. At that time, I had been taking filmmaking classes as my electives. My blog was short-lived. Later, when I was a senior in college, I returned to Vintage Stardust and changed the focus to art direction.My intrigue in film design started while earning my degree in cinematography. I had the opportunity to focus on art direction, which inspired me to write about the costume design, set design, and makeup/hair of classic movies.

Who are some of your favourite designers who worked during the classic film era?

I have a few in the different departments of art direction:

Art Directors: Van Nest Polglase and Jack Okey
Costume Designers: Travis Banton and Gwen Wakeling
Makeup: Wally Westmore and William Tuttle
Hair: Helen Hunt and Sydney Guilaroff

How did you become a classic film fan?

When I was 9 years old, I was given an American Girl doll from the brand’s historical line named Kit Kittredge, and the book series that went with her was set in the 1930s. One of the books was called “Welcome to Kit’s World,” which talked about the history of that era. The entertainment section had a large photo of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire as well as Shirley Temple. Watching their movies led me to become a classic film fan.

Why should people care about old films today?

I believe that people can appreciate movies deeper when they know where movies have been. In my opinion, old movies show why film matters and how storytelling transcends time. Since old movies are from another era, people can learn more about history as well as humanity.

You can travel back in time to attend any film premiere, which one do you choose and why?

I’d love to travel back in time to the fall of 1933 to attend the premiere of “I’m No Angel” starring Mae West at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Mae West is one of my favorite actresses, and she inspires me a lot in my artistic projects because she was a writer and overcame a lot of challenges during her time. I hope that maybe I could see her after the movie and she’d let me have my picture taken with her for my scrapbook! (If I were allowed to take 1 item back to current times!)

Welcome to the CMBA Spring Blogathon: "Make 'em Laugh"

 

The moment has arrive! Get ready to grin, giggle and guffaw as The Classic Movie Blog Association rolls out our Spring 2026 Blogathon, “Make ‘Em Laugh,” running Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 8.

CMBA members are celebrating the joy of laughter in all its classic forms, from the glitz of musical comedies to the pratfalls of slapstick and vaudeville, to sparkling screwball repartee banter and beloved romantic comedies. Silents, international films, cartoons and comic shorts. If it tickles your funny bone, then it's fair game. We will spotlight the films and performers who remind us that laughter is timeless and wonderfully universal.

Monday, May 4:

• Realweegiemidget Reviews Films, TV, Books and More: Day for Night / La Nuit Américaine (1973) 
• Crítica Retrô: The Bullfighters (1945) 
• The Everyday Cinephile: The Unexpected Comedy of Raymond Griffith 
• Box Office Poisons: Robert Young as a comedic leading man 
• silverscreenmodes: MGM's Early Cartoon Studio 

Tuesday, May 5:

• Classic Film And TV Corner: Holiday (1938) 
• Classic Film And TV Corner: Trouble in Paradise (1932)
• Hamlette's Soliloquy: Blackbeard's Ghost (1968) 
• Cary Grant Won't Eat You: Midnight (1939)

Wednesday, May 6:

• Silver Screenings: A Bride for Henry (1937) 
• Watching Forever: Houseboat (1958) 
• Cinematic Scribblings: Good Morning (1959)

Thursday, May 7

• Another Old Movie Blog: Sons of the Desert (1933)
• The Midnite Drive-In: Young Frankenstein (1974)
• The Wonderful World of Cinema: The Gazebo (1959) 
• I Found it at the Movies: The Cheap Detective 1978
• Classic Film Observations and Obsessions: La Poison (1951)

Friday, May 8: 

• Speakeasy: Victor and Victoria (1933)
• Whimsically Classic: The More the Merrier (1943) 
• The Last Drive In: The Time of Their Lives (1946) 
• Silver Screen Classics: Laughter as a Weapon: How Comedy Was Used In The Fight Against Fascism 
• Dominique Revue: Pigmeat Markham
• Hoofers and Honeys: My Man Godfrey (1936) 

 

Announcing the CMBA Spring Blogathon: "Make 'em Laugh"

Get ready to grin, giggle and guffaw as The Classic Movie Blog Association rolls out our Spring 2026 Blogathon, “Make ‘Em Laugh,” running Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 8.

We hope CMBA members will join us in celebrating the joy of laughter in all its classic forms, from the glitz of musical comedies to the pratfalls of slapstick and vaudeville, to sparkling screwball repartee banter and beloved romantic comedies. Silents, international films, cartoons and comic shorts are all welcome, too. If it tickles your funny bone, then it's fair game.

CMBA members will spotlight the films and performers who remind us that laughter is timeless and wonderfully universal. We can’t wait to read your tribute so polish those punchlines and get ready to make ‘em laugh!

Our blogathon is an exclusive activity for CMBA members. If you are interested in joining the CMBA, find more information on our website under "Apply for Membership."

Here's how to participate.

Choose your topic. Topic choices will be accepted in the order we receive them. Since there are so many films and people to write about, we won't accept duplicate topics, so feel free to include a second choice.

Submit your choice(s) and preferred date for posting (if you have one) by using this form. Deadline is April 29. We will confirm your topic/publication date with you and publish info on all participants on our website.

Add a banner. Choose one of the banners below and insert it in your blogathon entry. You can also use them on social media.

Post your story on the day it is scheduled to run and let us know by emailing the CMBA at classic.movie.blog.assoc@gmail.com or Jo Gabriel at ephemera.jo@gmail.com. We will add your link to our running list, then share your post via social media and our website. If anything comes up or you are delayed in filing, just let us know.

Two important things to remember:

** This blogathon is for CMBA members only.

** Do not use AI for writing or photos. AI has its place but not here. Writing is personal to the individual. You are all so talented and we want to hear your unique voice.

If you have any questions on the blogathon at any time, please let us know.

Looking forward to reading your stories. Have fun.

The CMBA Board

 

Monday May 4:

• Realweegiemidget Reviews Films, TV, Books and More: Day for Night / La Nuit Américaine (1973) 
• Crítica Retrô: The Bullfighters (1945) 
• The Everyday Cinephile: The Unexpected Comedy of Raymond Griffith 
• Box Office Poisons: Robert Young as a comedic leading man 
• silverscreenmodes: MGM's Early Cartoon Studio 

Tuesday May 5:

• Classic Film And TV Corner: Holiday (1938) & Trouble in Paradise (1932)
• Hamlette's Soliloquy: Blackbeard's Ghost (1968) 
• Cary Grant Won't Eat You: Midnight (1939) 
• The Silver Screen Affair: Bringing Up Baby 1938

Wednesday May 6:

• Cinematic Scribblings: Good Morning (1959)
• In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood: Lucille Ball 
• Silver Screenings: A Bride for Henry (1937) 
• Watching Forever: Houseboat (1958) 

Thursday May 7

• Another Old Movie Blog: Sons of the Desert (1933)
• The Midnite Drive-In: Young Frankenstein 1974 
• The Wonderful World of Cinema: The Gazebo (1959) 
• I Found it at the Movies: The Cheap Detective 1978

Friday May 8: 

• Speakeasy: Victor and Victoria (1933)
• Whimsically Classic: The More the Merrier (1943) 
• The Last Drive In: The Time of Their Lives (1946) 
• Silent Cinema School: Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) 
• Silver Screen Classics: Laughter as a Weapon: How Comedy Was Used In The Fight Against Fascism 
• Dominique Revue: Pigmeat Markham
• Hoofers and Honeys: My Man Godfrey (1936) 

 

 

CMBA Watchlist: Irene Dunne, Melvyn Douglas

 "The Awful Truth"

Looking for new movies to watch? Here are two watchlists courtesy of movie recommendations from CMBA members who participated in our initial Movie Club in February for "Theodora Goes Wild" starring Irene Dunne and Melvyn Douglas. Members shared some of their favorite films - comedy and drama - by the two actors. Enjoy!
 

Irene Dunne: “Consolation Marriage” (1931), “Back Street” (1932), “Thirteen Women” (1932), “Ann Vickers” (1933), “No Other Woman” (1933), “Secret of Madame Blanche” (1933), “Age of Innocence” (1934), “Awful Truth” (1937), “Love Affair” (1939), “Penny Serenade” (1941),"Unfinished Business" (1941), “A Guy Named Joe” (1943), “Together Again” (1944), "Over 21" (1945), “Life With Father” (1947) and “The Mudlark” (1950).
 

"Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" 

Melvyn Douglas: “The Old Dark House” (1932), “Ninotchka” (1939), “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” (1948), “Hud” (1963), “Being There” (1979) and “Ghost Story” (1981).