Sometimes, you have a really, really bad day...

If you think things are going wrong for you, this might help put things in perspective. Click on any panel for a larger, more easily read version.

(This tale of extremely bad luck can be read in its entirely in "The Three Lives of Fantomah: Mystery Woman of the Jungle" from NUELOW Games.)

Things You Should Know (from your friends at Shades of Gray)

 Because we care about the safety of our readers, we are beginning a new series of informative posts.

And since this is Monday, here's a music video for a song themed with today's illustrated information. (Don't be frightened by the splashes of color!)

It's a Special Fanny Friday!

Today, marks since six months since Flapper Fanny joined the Shades of Gray family. We hope you enjoy these classic cartoons as much as we do, and we plan on continuing to bring them to you for the foreseeable future.

Randomness Rules

 Sometimes, the random matching of pictures and semi-nonsensical phrases that the InspiroBot comes up with are perfection. Here's one of those times. Someone should write the story based on this. Maybe me.

Picture Perfect Wednesday with Snow White

If I can believe the headlines flashing across my computer screen, the casting of Rachel Zegler as Snow White in the live-action version of the classic animated Disney film (which itself was based on a fairy tale) is still controversial. Why I couldn't tell you.

Zegler likes to go on about the fact that she's Hispanic, but unless this version of Snow White is strutting around throwing gang signs while calling every one "vato" and looking for the nearest bullfighting ring or trying to cross the Rio Grande illegally, who cares? She's a pretty black-haired actress, playing a pretty black-haired character. People should save their faux outrage until they see what the writers give Zegler to do on screen.

And with that said, here are some pictures of Zegler for your viewing pleasure.

If you ask me, any outrage related to this film should be for things that have been confirmed with production stills, such as the hostility towards the differently abled that is clearly on display via the decision to get rid of the Seven Dwarves and replacing them with "normal" actors.

 The dwarves have been present in the "Snow White" story since the Brothers Grimm first recorded the folk tale several centuries ago, even if they weren't named until the 1912 stage play based on it. By erasing these characters, the film's producers, director, and the Walt Disney Company is denying work to actors with dwarfism.

Musical Monday with Depeche Mode

About a month ago, Depeche Mode released a new album. We're fans here at Shades of Gray, but we had no idea that they were still together and still making music! But we're extra-happy to have discovered that they are because "Wagging Tongue" is an excellent song with a cinematic video that's even more excellent.

The lyrics of "Wagging Tongue " seems to be a message from the singer to whoever's listening that the truth will always come to be spoken, no matter how many lies or how much intimidation is used to silence righteous people. Meanwhile, the video, while the action on screen syncs up with the lyrics several times, gives us a look at a strange society where no one speaks unless they submerge their heads in water. It's a dark and strange society, and it contrasts with the upbeat nature of the song. (Heck, the lyrics contrast with the nature of the song... except in the sense that it all ends up carrying something of a hopeful feeling.)

Check out "Wagging Tongue". We're sure you'll agree that Depeche Mode is as great in 2023 as they were in 1983.

Wagging Tongue (2023)

Starring: Tatanya Yolinska, Jacob James Beswick, and Depeche Mode

Directors: Anton Korbijin

Rating: Nine of Ten Stars

 

(Here's a fun idea: The classic Depeche Mode song "Enjoy the Silence" describes the dawn on the dystopian society in "Wagging Tongue". Click here to watch that video and see if you agree or disagree with that notion.)

A single Sunday cartoon...

 

It's Fanny Friday!

 

Looking at Murder ala Mod

 It's some 55 years since Brian De Palma made his first feature film, "Murder ala Mod". On Friday, August 18, we're featuring it in The Screening Room over on YouTube. You'll eventually see a review of the film here, but if you have the time, we encourage you to join other film fans to talk about the picture as it debuts on our channel.

In the meantime, though, here are some stills and publicity photos from "Murder ala Mod", by way of a preview.

An unusual role for Mary Pickford

Suds (1920)
Starring: Mary Pickford, Harold Goodwin, Albert Austin, and Rose Dione
Director: John Francis Dillon
Rating: Six of Ten Stars

A London laundress (Pickford) spins a fantasy that she is a disherited noblewoman who is just waiting to be rescued by her banished lover (Austin). As she tries to make her fantasy a reality, she pushes away and disregards a man who truly loves her (Goodwin).

 

"Suds" is one of those rare films where there's no antagonist whatsoever; the main character is the source of every obstacle to her success and happiness. It's also a film where every cast-member has a degree of presence and likeability that makes the film extremely watchable. Between the talented cast and some excellent photography, the film moves easily from comedy to drama and back to comedy again. Similarly, the subplot involving an aging horse might not have seemed as impactful and relevant as it did. 

The leader of this excellent cast is, in every way, Mary Pickford. In the film's real world, her character is at times comedic, at times uncouth bordering on revolting, at times so pitiful it makes the viewer want to cry for her. On the other hand, in the world of her character's imagination, she is poised, elegant, devoted to her lover beyond concern for even her own life. Where the real character is scattered and clumsy, she imagines herself as focused and graceful. It is in this form that we get to see the Mary Pickford we can recognize from other films. 

Perhaps the most tragic thing about Pickford's character in "Suds" is that she is actually the noble character she imagines herself to be, at least in personality. The aforementioned subplot with the draft horse sees her go above and beyond to save it shows her kind and noble character very clearly. She doesn't have the self-esteem and social grace to apply it properly.

If you have enjoyed Mary Pickford in other films, I think you're going to enjoy her here, too. She gets to play a character very different from what you have seen her do before, but she also provides some examples of her "standard" performance styles.

Click below to watch "Suds" in its entirety. The version featured has a modern score that works in some places and doesn't in others. For all I know, it might be a random piece of instrumental music that is just repeated over and over... and any of the times when it matches perfectly with the action on the screen is purely luck.