Wednesday, May 27, 2020
The Swank Quarterly
Hilary Swank is looking outside and wondering--will I get to go anywhere in June?!
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
'Satan Met a Lady' is ruined by weak script
Satan Met a Lady (1936)
Starring: Warren William, Bette Davis, Marie Wilson, Porter Hall, Arthur Treacher, Maynard Holmes, and Alison Skipworth
Director: William Dieterle
Rating: Five of Ten Stars
A womanizing, crooked private eye (William) re-connects with his ex-partner (Hall) in time to start a new scam. Things quickly turn deadly as a woman as corrupt as he is (Davis) draws him into a murderous struggle over an 8th century artifact that legends hold is full of jewels.
"Satan Met a Lady" is one of three adaptations from Warner Bros. of Dashiell Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon", coming between "The Maltese Falcon" (1931) and "The Maltese Falcon" (1941) and it's both the one that's furthest afield from the source material as well as the weakest. The weaknesses don't arise so much from seemingly arbitrary cosmetic changes (the criminal mastermind is a fat woman instead of a fat man, the treasure-stuff McGuffin is a drinking horn instead of a falcon sculpture, the Sam Spade character is named Ted Shane, and so on), but from the characterizations and even some of the characterizations and the fact that this is either a comedy that's for the most part unfunny, or a mystery that's not terribly engaging..
The biggest problem with "Satan Met a Lady" is its 'hero', Ted Shayne (played by Warren William). Shayne is a man with absolutely no redeeming qualities--he's self-centered, arrogant, lazy, completely untrustworthy, and not half as witty as he thinks he is, and nowhere near as charming and handsome as the script makes all the ladies in the film think he is. Shayne such an unpleasant character that my favorite part of the film is the ending, which I won't comment on, because it'll spoil some of the few truly good minutes of the film.
It's a shame that the script isn't better--with either sharpened comedy or dramatic tension, and with more sensible reactions from most of the female characters, and at least one redeeming quality given to Shayne--because every cast member makes a fine accounting of themselves, given the shoddy material they are working with. William and Bette Davis are especially fun to watch together, since we have two perfectly cast actors, playing two equally vicious characters who recognize each other as the villains they are, and who know that each is just looking for a chance to mess with the other. If the script had been better, I suspect these scenes could have been absolutely brilliant. (William is so good here, in fact, that I am going to add the Perry Mason movies he starred in to my never-dwindling "To Watch" pile. Based on what I see here, he might just be the perfect actor to portray Mason.)
As for "Satan Met a Lady", it's not a terrible film... it's just not very good. It's also not going out of your way for. However, it's included in the three-disc Special Edition of The Maltese Falcon, together with the two good versions. In that case, it's an inoffensive "bonus" feature that you save for that day when you've got nothing else to watch.
Starring: Warren William, Bette Davis, Marie Wilson, Porter Hall, Arthur Treacher, Maynard Holmes, and Alison Skipworth
Director: William Dieterle
Rating: Five of Ten Stars
A womanizing, crooked private eye (William) re-connects with his ex-partner (Hall) in time to start a new scam. Things quickly turn deadly as a woman as corrupt as he is (Davis) draws him into a murderous struggle over an 8th century artifact that legends hold is full of jewels.
"Satan Met a Lady" is one of three adaptations from Warner Bros. of Dashiell Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon", coming between "The Maltese Falcon" (1931) and "The Maltese Falcon" (1941) and it's both the one that's furthest afield from the source material as well as the weakest. The weaknesses don't arise so much from seemingly arbitrary cosmetic changes (the criminal mastermind is a fat woman instead of a fat man, the treasure-stuff McGuffin is a drinking horn instead of a falcon sculpture, the Sam Spade character is named Ted Shane, and so on), but from the characterizations and even some of the characterizations and the fact that this is either a comedy that's for the most part unfunny, or a mystery that's not terribly engaging..
The biggest problem with "Satan Met a Lady" is its 'hero', Ted Shayne (played by Warren William). Shayne is a man with absolutely no redeeming qualities--he's self-centered, arrogant, lazy, completely untrustworthy, and not half as witty as he thinks he is, and nowhere near as charming and handsome as the script makes all the ladies in the film think he is. Shayne such an unpleasant character that my favorite part of the film is the ending, which I won't comment on, because it'll spoil some of the few truly good minutes of the film.
It's a shame that the script isn't better--with either sharpened comedy or dramatic tension, and with more sensible reactions from most of the female characters, and at least one redeeming quality given to Shayne--because every cast member makes a fine accounting of themselves, given the shoddy material they are working with. William and Bette Davis are especially fun to watch together, since we have two perfectly cast actors, playing two equally vicious characters who recognize each other as the villains they are, and who know that each is just looking for a chance to mess with the other. If the script had been better, I suspect these scenes could have been absolutely brilliant. (William is so good here, in fact, that I am going to add the Perry Mason movies he starred in to my never-dwindling "To Watch" pile. Based on what I see here, he might just be the perfect actor to portray Mason.)
As for "Satan Met a Lady", it's not a terrible film... it's just not very good. It's also not going out of your way for. However, it's included in the three-disc Special Edition of The Maltese Falcon, together with the two good versions. In that case, it's an inoffensive "bonus" feature that you save for that day when you've got nothing else to watch.
Monday, May 25, 2020
Musical Monday with Goapele
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Saturday Serial: Jenna of the Jungle
In 2011, Don Hudson posted the "Jenna of the Jungle" tale on his blog, one panel at a time. It's a nice story that goes to unexpected places. Over the next many Saturdays, we're going to re-present Don Hudson's "Jenna of the Jungle" series (with a random bonus jungle girl appearing at the end of each installment). Click on the panels for a larger image.
Jenna of the Jungle: Part One
By Don Hudson
By Don Hudson
Friday, May 22, 2020
Happy International Goth Day!
Is that right? Is it appropriate to say happy International Goth Day (or World Goth Day)? Hm... wow. I don't know! If everyone wasn't under house-arrest and hiding from the Coronavirus, I could have just walked outside my front door and asked one of the goths who are usually hanging out around the corner.
Oh well; one must stay home in order to save lives. I hope any Goths out there takes my well-wishes and this small gallery of photos and art celebrating their ways in the friendly spirit is was intended!
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Tom and Jerry are cookin' with 'Pots and Pans'
Pots and Pans (1932)
Starring: Unknown Singers
Directors: John Foster and George Rufle
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
Another day dawns at Tom and Jerry's Diner. Hash is slung and songs are sung.
"Pots and Pans" debuted in movie theaters on May 15, 1932, and it was the tenth installment in the "Tom and Jerry" series. Our heroes are engaged in yet another business venture in this one--they operate a diner inside a converted railroad car. Subsequently, all the gags and zany action revolve around short-order cooking and the odd characters who are demanding to be fed.
Like most "Tom and Jerry" cartoons, this is essentially an animated music video, with the songs being the main attraction. There is almost no spoken dialogue in the film, and there is one scene where it's disposed of with silent movie-style pantomime. Further, this installment is almost entirely plot-free, with the music and the diner setting serving to string together a series of more-or-less self-contained gags. It's a mostly swift-moving film, and if you have enjoyed other "Tom and Jerry" adventures, you'll enjoy this one as well. The animation is a bit more simplistic than the norm, and the pace falters a bit as the climax is building, but overall it's a solid bit of fun.
But don't just take my word for it... I've embedded "Pots and Pans for your viewing pleasure below!
Starring: Unknown Singers
Directors: John Foster and George Rufle
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
Another day dawns at Tom and Jerry's Diner. Hash is slung and songs are sung.
"Pots and Pans" debuted in movie theaters on May 15, 1932, and it was the tenth installment in the "Tom and Jerry" series. Our heroes are engaged in yet another business venture in this one--they operate a diner inside a converted railroad car. Subsequently, all the gags and zany action revolve around short-order cooking and the odd characters who are demanding to be fed.
Like most "Tom and Jerry" cartoons, this is essentially an animated music video, with the songs being the main attraction. There is almost no spoken dialogue in the film, and there is one scene where it's disposed of with silent movie-style pantomime. Further, this installment is almost entirely plot-free, with the music and the diner setting serving to string together a series of more-or-less self-contained gags. It's a mostly swift-moving film, and if you have enjoyed other "Tom and Jerry" adventures, you'll enjoy this one as well. The animation is a bit more simplistic than the norm, and the pace falters a bit as the climax is building, but overall it's a solid bit of fun.
But don't just take my word for it... I've embedded "Pots and Pans for your viewing pleasure below!
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Wonder Woman Wednesday
Welcome to another Wonder Woman Wednesday... the time when we once again celebrate everyone's favorite Amazon's with some of the best portraits and action shots that have ever been created.
This time around, we're displaying Wonder Woman's expertise in deflecting--bullets that is! So long as she's got her magic bracelets, she doesn't have to be faster than a speeding bullet, and she might just return it to sender!
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| By Jose Luis Garcia Lopez |
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| By Bruce Timm |
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| By Eddy Barrows |
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| By Roy Gomes |
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| By Jose Luis Garcia Lopez |
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
What if...
… Donald Trump decided to do something different with what passes for his hairstyle?
Artist Don Hudson has some suggestions!
For more of Don's art, visit his blog.
Artist Don Hudson has some suggestions!
Monday, May 18, 2020
Musical Monday with Ivy Levan
Ivy Levan is an American singer/songwriter/actress/model. This is the second time we're spotlighting her exuberant, quirky, over-the-top blusey stylings... and this second song is joined with a video that's equal parts thrilling and funny. Just like the last time around.
"Hot Damn" was the second track on Levan's debut EP, "Introducing the Lady" . This video is either a sequel, or perhaps a prequel, to the one for "Money", as it clearly features some of the same characters.
If you enjoyed "Hot Damn", I think you'll find Gin Wigmore's music and videos appealing as well. (And you should keep an eye out here; Levan will almost certainly be returning to these parts on future Musical Mondays.)
Sunday, May 17, 2020
'Just Neighbors' is just a lot of fun
Just Neighbors (aka "Neighbors") (1919)
Starring: Harold Lloyd, Harry Pollard, Bebe Daniels, and Margaret Joslin
Directors: Harold Lloyd and Frank Terry
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
Fighting breaks out between once-friendly neighbor couples (Lloyd & Daniels and Pollard & Joslin) after escalating damage happens to both homes following a failed attempt at one husband to help the other with a backyard construction project.
If one wanted a cinematic illustration of what "that escalated quickly" means, "Just Neighbors" fits that purpose exactly. From the point where the two husbands (Harold Lloyd and Harry Pollard) run into each other on their way home from work in the city through Lloyd's misbegotten attempt to show off his handyman skills, through to the property destruction and literal slap-fight across the backyard fence, this film is a string of small situations that get out of hand--and hilariously so.
While none of the gags in this film are going to surprise anyone--what we have here is sit-com territory that's been well-trod in the past 100 years--but they're economically delivered by a cast with perfect comedic timing, so the action is constantly moving and not a second of screen-time is wasted.
The only complaint I can mount about the film is that I would have liked to see some more situations where the wives fight with each other was well. Any movie where Bebe Daniels has more to do is a better movie! (I think the film might have been more interesting if perhaps it had played up and on the class differences between the two couples... but that would have probably resulted in a different and much longer movie.)
But, thanks to YouTube, you can check out "Just Neighbors" right now and see if you agree or disagree with my take on it.
Starring: Harold Lloyd, Harry Pollard, Bebe Daniels, and Margaret Joslin
Directors: Harold Lloyd and Frank Terry
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
Fighting breaks out between once-friendly neighbor couples (Lloyd & Daniels and Pollard & Joslin) after escalating damage happens to both homes following a failed attempt at one husband to help the other with a backyard construction project.
If one wanted a cinematic illustration of what "that escalated quickly" means, "Just Neighbors" fits that purpose exactly. From the point where the two husbands (Harold Lloyd and Harry Pollard) run into each other on their way home from work in the city through Lloyd's misbegotten attempt to show off his handyman skills, through to the property destruction and literal slap-fight across the backyard fence, this film is a string of small situations that get out of hand--and hilariously so.
While none of the gags in this film are going to surprise anyone--what we have here is sit-com territory that's been well-trod in the past 100 years--but they're economically delivered by a cast with perfect comedic timing, so the action is constantly moving and not a second of screen-time is wasted.
The only complaint I can mount about the film is that I would have liked to see some more situations where the wives fight with each other was well. Any movie where Bebe Daniels has more to do is a better movie! (I think the film might have been more interesting if perhaps it had played up and on the class differences between the two couples... but that would have probably resulted in a different and much longer movie.)
But, thanks to YouTube, you can check out "Just Neighbors" right now and see if you agree or disagree with my take on it.
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