CMBA Blog Profile: Cary Grant Won't Eat You

The CMBA profiles two classic movie blogs per month, on the 1st and 15th. Today we're featuring Leah from Cary Grant Won’t Eat You.

Cary Grant Won't Eat You has a Mission: To introduce classic movies to "phobics". 

In many ways, it is the perfect site to "convert" newbies to classic film. Leah's site is witty, original and has lots of personality. It makes classic film feel accessible.

"My two sisters, both movie enthusiasts, have yet to give classic films a chance in spite of years of pleading," says Leah. "They consider classic movie stars inadmissible in the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game and resent when I win Scene It? at Christmas. My failure to convert them is a main reason I wanted to blog."

Leah is a big fan of Mae West – and you will be, too, after perusing her website – but she says her favourite film is Ball of Fire. "In trying to get friends to give old movies a chance, I often start with Ball of Fire," writes Leah, "mainly because I know many English majors/graduate students, few of whom predict what delights are waiting for them in this 1941 classic."

You can read Leah's post on Ball of Fire HERE.

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CMBA Blog Profile: Strictly Vintage Hollywood

The CMBA profiles two classic movie blogs per month. Today we're featuring Donna from Strictly Vintage Hollywood.

Strictly Vintage Hollywood is a prime example of what makes the CMBA an exceptional organization.

Donna's lively and well-researched site reviews films and books, details festival experiences and shines a spotlight on classic Hollywood filmmakers.

One classic Hollywood celebrity has a special place in Donna's heart: Rudolph Valentino. (And who doesn't have a special affection for Mr. V.?) She's published one book on Valentino, and is working on a second, tentatively entitled The Films of Rudolph Valentino - A Chronological History.

"I have studied Valentino for decades," says Donna, "and I am still researching, learning, and enjoying the process."

Donna has also researched Valentino's mentor, June Mathis. “It began with a tango – June Mathis and her unique friendship with Rudolph Valentino," she says. "One of my earliest researched pieces is a subject I love, Valentino and June Mathis as well as roping in my favorite silent film The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The collection was represented in my book Rudolph Valentino The Silent Idol: His Life in Photographs."

You can read Donna's post on June Mathis HERE.

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CMBA Blog Profile: Blame Mame

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

Blame Mame celebrates the glamour and beauty of classic Hollywood.

As you may have guessed, "Blame Mame" is taken from the song "Put the Blame on Mame"  famously performed by Rita Hayworth in the 1946 film, Gilda.

Craig, the brains behind Blame Mame, is a personal and friendly host who shares fascinating research on classic Hollywood. He’s written on the influence of costume designers, the early careers of Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield, and some history of Hollywood (the town) itself.

You'll find some surprises on here, too, such as Bette Davis’ singing career.

“Bette is one of my favorite actresses,” says Craig, “and her music is more camp that you can shake a stick at. It is one of my first posts I put together when I started this blog and I still enjoy reading it.”

You can read about Bette Davis, recording artist, HERE.

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CMBA Blog Profile: Shadows and Satin

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.

“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.”

You can read about Ms. Tashman HERE.

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CMBA Blog Profile: DearMrGable.com

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

Every great movie star deserves a website – especially a legend like the great Clark Gable.

Meredith of DearMrGable.com has created the ultimate online tribute to Gable, one that includes his filmography and brief reviews of every film he ever made, along with a listing of his radio show appearances, a photo gallery and biographical information.

Meredith also tackles the gossip that surrounded Gable’s career and personal life, even the rumors about his marriage to Carole Lombard.

“Other than his role in GWTW,” says Meredith, “the most popular subject when it comes to Clark Gable is his relationship with Carole Lombard. Tired of hearing people repeat unsupported rumors, I wrote a piece about their relationship a few years ago that has since become the number one hit on my site.”

You can read Meredith’s findings on Gable and Lombard HERE.

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CMBA Blog Profile: Once Upon a Screen

The CMBA profiles two classic movie blogs per month, on the 1st and 15th of the month. Today we're featuring Aurora from Once Upon a Screen.

The site Once Upon a Screen is like an online film festival, organized and presented by writer and Movies and More co-host Aurora.

Aurora presents a stunning variety of films – plus celebrity bios and classic radio/television shows – with a wealth of knowledge and a delightful sense of humour. Like most people who organize film festivals, she clearly has a passion for movies and the stories behind them.

One example is her recent spotlight on the Billy Wilder and Jack Lemmon collaboration.

“The blog posts that are most memorable to me personally are the ones I had the most fun writing, such as ‘The Wilder-Lemmon Affair’,” says Aurora. “They are one of my favorite directors and one of my favorite actors. I enjoyed reading (again) how two people whose work I admire also admired and appreciated each other. Together these two men encompass what I love about film – when the heart and the intellect coalesce to form the perfect whole.”

You can read her post HERE.

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Hollywood on Hollywood, the CMBA Fall Blogathon!

The Classic Movie Blog Association is proud to present its fall blogathon, Hollywood on Hollywood, running from October 17th to 21st. Please tune into the blogs below on the dates listed to read some writers discussing how the movie capital of the world has turned its lens in on itself!

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The 2016 CMBA Awards - Results

The 2016 CMBA Awards came and went in a flash this year, but, nevertheless, our members submitted a number of great entries, all of which are available to view and read through the links posted below.

Speaking on behalf of the CMBA board, I would like to thank all of the members who took the time to read these entries and vote for their favorites. And a hearty congratulations to all of our winners!!

Best Film Review (Drama)

Charlie Chan at the Opera (1936) - CAFTAN WOMAN


Best Film Review ( Musical )

The Gang's All Here (1943) - SECOND SIGHT CINEMA

Best Classic Movie Article

Hal Roach and the "Lot" of Fun - CAFTAN WOMAN

Best Classic Movie Series

History Through Hollywood - THE BLONDE AT THE FILM

Best Profile of a Classic Movie Performer or Filmmaker
Harry Carey and Harry Carey, Jr. - CAFTAN WOMAN

Best Blog Event

The 2016 TCM Summer Under the Stars Blogathon - JOURNEYS IN CLASSIC FILM

Best Classic Movie Blog Design

Cinema Crossroads

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CMBA Blog Profile: The Man on the Flying Trapeze

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

If you remember the Spike Jones version of the song “The Man on the Flying Trapeze”, you’ll recall the mixture of admiration and humour in the lyrics. The song is kind of a reluctant love letter to a venerated trapeze artist who has stolen the songwriter’s girlfriend.

The blog, The Man on the Flying Trapeze, is an unabashed love letter to classic Hollywood film. David writes with admiration and wit about the films from the Golden Age, especially pre-code films. These he's chronicled in his "Pre-Code vs Post-Code" series.

“I love pre-code movies,” says David, “and I love to dig into how they were ‘cleaned up’ (and usually made worse) to meet a set of silly standards.”

One example compares Grand Hotel to Week-End at the Waldorf. You can read this post HERE.

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CMBA Blog Profile: Spellbound by Movies

The CMBA profiles two classic movie blogs per month, on the 1st and the 15th of the month. Today we're featuring Beth Ann from Spellbound by Movies.

Beth Ann Gallagher knows how to "sell" classic film.

Her blog, Spellbound by Movies, is an eclectic collection of all things classic film – filmmakers, film events, and the films themselves. She's one of those bloggers who make classic Hollywood seem fresh and hip.

Her blog is like a vintage boutique that specializes in unique pieces. One example is a look at Alfred Hitchcock and his terriers.

“It remains my most popular one four years after posting,” says Beth Ann. “I love animals, and I'm a Hitchcock fan, so I had a lot of fun writing the piece, and I'm sure that shines through.”

You can read her post on Hitchcock and his terriers HERE.

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