By Don Hudson
To Be Continued...
Girls of the Jungle
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| By Frank Cho |
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Saturday Serial: Jenna of the Jungle
Continuing Don Hudson's "Jenna of the Jungle" (and including a random bonus jungle girl afterwards). Click on the panels for a larger image, and come back next Saturday for Part Four.
JENNA OF THE JUNGLE: PART THREE
By Don Hudson
By Don Hudson
Thursday, June 4, 2020
'The Portrait' is a well-done early horror film
The Portrait (1915)
Starring: Andrey Gromov and Ivan Lazarev
Director: Wladyslaw Starewicz
Rating: Six of Ten Stars
A young artist (Gromov) buys a painting to liven up his cramped rooms. He soon comes to regret his choice, as the painting begins to change and come to life...
"The Portrait" is a rare silent horror movie that holds up to modern viewing in almost every respect. Sure, the main character is a bit over the top in his emoting, but he's not as bad as what I've seen in other films of this period. The practical effects are well done, and all the bits of business surrounding the painting coming to life are creepy and well staged. It's almost perfect.
Almost.
Unfortunately, this is one case where I desperately wanted there to be the sort of "shocking" surprise twist-ending" that's usually anything but surprising that I so often complain about in the reviews I post to Terror Titans. This film would actually have benefitted from something--almost anything--else than its actual ending. I understand why it ended the way it did... I just wish it hadn't.
But what don't you judge for yourself. Check out "The Portrait" below, and let me know if you agree with my estimation of the ending.
Starring: Andrey Gromov and Ivan Lazarev
Director: Wladyslaw Starewicz
Rating: Six of Ten Stars
A young artist (Gromov) buys a painting to liven up his cramped rooms. He soon comes to regret his choice, as the painting begins to change and come to life...
"The Portrait" is a rare silent horror movie that holds up to modern viewing in almost every respect. Sure, the main character is a bit over the top in his emoting, but he's not as bad as what I've seen in other films of this period. The practical effects are well done, and all the bits of business surrounding the painting coming to life are creepy and well staged. It's almost perfect.
Almost.
Unfortunately, this is one case where I desperately wanted there to be the sort of "shocking" surprise twist-ending" that's usually anything but surprising that I so often complain about in the reviews I post to Terror Titans. This film would actually have benefitted from something--almost anything--else than its actual ending. I understand why it ended the way it did... I just wish it hadn't.
But what don't you judge for yourself. Check out "The Portrait" below, and let me know if you agree with my estimation of the ending.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Wonder Woman Wednesday
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| By J. George |
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| By Sebastien Dardenne |
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| By Richard Sala |
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| By Dick Giordano |
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| By Kevn Maguire |
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| By Frank Cho |
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
'Peculia' is a swift and entertaining read
Peculia (2002, Fantagraphics)
Story and Art: Richard Sala
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
Peculia wanders the countryside and neighborhood around her mansion and encounters various supernatural menaces, usually after disregarding advice from her faithful servant, Ambrose.
Peculia was one of Richard Sala's signature characters. She's a young woman who usually appears wearing a "little black dress", When she's not being menaced by odd creatures or villains who seem to have stepped out of B-movies or gothic romances, she's being stalked by the mysterious Obscurus and his agent Justine. Exactly what the relationship is between Obscurus, Justine, and Peculia is never revealed, but there are hints that Obscuras and Peculia were once romantically involved, or at least very good friends, and that Justine is jealous of them. What caused the rift between Peculia and Obscurus, why he is isolated in a secret base and always masked is also never revealed--although he seems to be suffering under some of magical curse--but his spying on Peculia through Justine just as often puts Peculia in danger as saves her from it.
"Peculia" collects nine short tales that originally appeared in "Evil Eye" 1-9 during 1998 and 1999. Each is a self-contained story, and each feature a mix of horror and humor for which Sala's whimsical, simple art style is the perfect vehicle. The tone of stories reminds me of Poverty Row 1940s horror flicks with more than a little 1960s/70s Eurotrash horror movies and sex comedies throw in--and I'm invoking those in a positive way, as I find many of those movies quite fun and these comics capture the best of what they have to offer.
Over the course of the nine tales, Peculia's strolls brings her into encounters with weird gremlins who are attracted to music; three witches with a strange secret; a crazed widower who would cause many Edgar Allen Poe characters to reexamine their choices in life; a strange mystic sorority and the chutuloid monster that ends up dooming them, a homicidal girl battling a cult devoted to Bast; hoards of zombies and maniacs; a psychopathic psychiatrist conducting unholy research on unwilling subjects; Death himself; and more weird townsfolk than you think could be packed into one book. And all of this while Justine and Obscurus lurk nearby to either cause or solve problems.
While the first five tales in the book get increasingly good, and the remaining four hold steady-qualitywise, I still have to quibble with the fact that we never get an explanation for why Obscurus is seemingly cursed with total anonymity toward anyone but Justine; it's the one thing that I was disappointed over when I got to the end of the book. On the other hand, I was so delighted by the tiny continuity detail that tied the first story and eighth story in the book together that I am almost able to overlook my annoyance and so keep my rating of Seven of Ten Stars for the book.
"Peculia" is a swift and enjoyable read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys crisp, straightforward cartooning and horror stories told with a sense of humor. (As a final note, I should mention that the book also contains a never-before-published color story. It's a fun, wordless little tale, but we don't talk about things that aren't in black-and-white in these parts!)
She left those shoes behind halfway through her second appearance appearance--in "Evil Eye" #2 (1998)--and she went barefoot everywhere from then on (which was 10 more issues of "Evil Eye", various pin-ups., and "Peculia and the Groon Grove Vampires" (2005).
What does this mean? We have no idea, but we further observed that most female characters that appeared in the Peculia stories were barefoot. (The four panels above were excerpted from the first and second stories in the "Peculia" (2002) collection.)
Story and Art: Richard Sala
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
Peculia wanders the countryside and neighborhood around her mansion and encounters various supernatural menaces, usually after disregarding advice from her faithful servant, Ambrose.
Peculia was one of Richard Sala's signature characters. She's a young woman who usually appears wearing a "little black dress", When she's not being menaced by odd creatures or villains who seem to have stepped out of B-movies or gothic romances, she's being stalked by the mysterious Obscurus and his agent Justine. Exactly what the relationship is between Obscurus, Justine, and Peculia is never revealed, but there are hints that Obscuras and Peculia were once romantically involved, or at least very good friends, and that Justine is jealous of them. What caused the rift between Peculia and Obscurus, why he is isolated in a secret base and always masked is also never revealed--although he seems to be suffering under some of magical curse--but his spying on Peculia through Justine just as often puts Peculia in danger as saves her from it.
"Peculia" collects nine short tales that originally appeared in "Evil Eye" 1-9 during 1998 and 1999. Each is a self-contained story, and each feature a mix of horror and humor for which Sala's whimsical, simple art style is the perfect vehicle. The tone of stories reminds me of Poverty Row 1940s horror flicks with more than a little 1960s/70s Eurotrash horror movies and sex comedies throw in--and I'm invoking those in a positive way, as I find many of those movies quite fun and these comics capture the best of what they have to offer.
Over the course of the nine tales, Peculia's strolls brings her into encounters with weird gremlins who are attracted to music; three witches with a strange secret; a crazed widower who would cause many Edgar Allen Poe characters to reexamine their choices in life; a strange mystic sorority and the chutuloid monster that ends up dooming them, a homicidal girl battling a cult devoted to Bast; hoards of zombies and maniacs; a psychopathic psychiatrist conducting unholy research on unwilling subjects; Death himself; and more weird townsfolk than you think could be packed into one book. And all of this while Justine and Obscurus lurk nearby to either cause or solve problems.
While the first five tales in the book get increasingly good, and the remaining four hold steady-qualitywise, I still have to quibble with the fact that we never get an explanation for why Obscurus is seemingly cursed with total anonymity toward anyone but Justine; it's the one thing that I was disappointed over when I got to the end of the book. On the other hand, I was so delighted by the tiny continuity detail that tied the first story and eighth story in the book together that I am almost able to overlook my annoyance and so keep my rating of Seven of Ten Stars for the book.
"Peculia" is a swift and enjoyable read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys crisp, straightforward cartooning and horror stories told with a sense of humor. (As a final note, I should mention that the book also contains a never-before-published color story. It's a fun, wordless little tale, but we don't talk about things that aren't in black-and-white in these parts!)
Post-Script From the Department of Odd Observations
In her first appearance--originally in "Evil Eye" #1 (1998)--she wore a pair of black shoes, perfectly matched to her little black dress. |
| There was a time where Peculia wore shoes... |
She left those shoes behind halfway through her second appearance appearance--in "Evil Eye" #2 (1998)--and she went barefoot everywhere from then on (which was 10 more issues of "Evil Eye", various pin-ups., and "Peculia and the Groon Grove Vampires" (2005).
 |
| ... but, once she left them behind, she never wore shoes again. |
What does this mean? We have no idea, but we further observed that most female characters that appeared in the Peculia stories were barefoot. (The four panels above were excerpted from the first and second stories in the "Peculia" (2002) collection.)
Monday, June 1, 2020
Musical Monday with Shane Filan
Shane Filan is a singer from Ireland who currently holds the distinction of being the Irishman with the most number-one hits on the UK Singles Charts--16 times in total. He comes to Shades of Gray with "Beautiful in White", a very pretty song with an equally pretty video... a celebration of love and weddings, and a very appropriate entry with which to get June started!
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Magic Tricks with Georges
The Vanishing Lady (aka "The Conjuring of a Woman at the House of Robert Houdin") (1896)
Starring: Georges Méliès
Director: Georges Méliès
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
A magician gives a private performance where he makes a lady vanish and then reappear gradually.
Usually, I find the Georges Méliès films where he's just doing standard magician's tricks but using camera trickery to accomplish the illusion to be the most uninteresting of his works. However, "The Vanishing Lady" is one of the most impressive entries in that category, because the film stops are nearly undetectable, and the way he is takes steps to "prove" the magic is real almost appear like they are mistakes and are very well done.
For a bit of film that's some 125 years old is very impressive... and I suggest you take a minute (literally) to check it out right now.
Starring: Georges Méliès
Director: Georges Méliès
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
A magician gives a private performance where he makes a lady vanish and then reappear gradually.
Usually, I find the Georges Méliès films where he's just doing standard magician's tricks but using camera trickery to accomplish the illusion to be the most uninteresting of his works. However, "The Vanishing Lady" is one of the most impressive entries in that category, because the film stops are nearly undetectable, and the way he is takes steps to "prove" the magic is real almost appear like they are mistakes and are very well done.
For a bit of film that's some 125 years old is very impressive... and I suggest you take a minute (literally) to check it out right now.
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Saturday Serial: Jenna of the Jungle
Continuing Don Hudson's "Jenna of the Jungle" (and including a random bonus jungle girl afterwards). Click on the panels for a larger image, and come back next Saturday for Part Three.
Jenna of the Jungle: Part Two
By Don Hudson
By Don Hudson
To Be Continued...
Girls of the Jungle
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| By Mike Hoffman |
Friday, May 29, 2020
Doing a little recycling...
The art is by Richard Sala. The re-purposing of said art was done by yours truly, Steve Miller.
(The drawing originally appeared in "Peculia" (2002, Fantagrahics). Review coming soon!)
(The drawing originally appeared in "Peculia" (2002, Fantagrahics). Review coming soon!)
Firearms Friday with Grace McDonald
Born in 1918, Grace McDonald began her show-business career in vaudeville, but transitioned to film as world war was looming in 1940. She was a rising Hollywood star during the World War ii years, with an energetic and cheerful screen presence, as well as talent both as a dancer and an actress, that saw her fit equally well into musicals, comedies, and even dramas.
McDonald had grown to be a B-level star and mainstay at Universal--she received top billing in the 1944 remake of "Secret of the Blue Room", "Murder in the Blue Room"-- when she abruptly traded acting for married life. In 1945, McDonald married Ralph Green. They raised three sons together and remained married until her death in 1999.
(I really hope someone cleaned that gun after McDonald was done posing with it...)
McDonald had grown to be a B-level star and mainstay at Universal--she received top billing in the 1944 remake of "Secret of the Blue Room", "Murder in the Blue Room"-- when she abruptly traded acting for married life. In 1945, McDonald married Ralph Green. They raised three sons together and remained married until her death in 1999.
(I really hope someone cleaned that gun after McDonald was done posing with it...)
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.
Friday, May 15, 2020
Firearms Friday with Stefanie Powers
Born in 1942. Stefanie Powers is an American actress who is best known for her role as the ever-cheerful and strongheaded Jennifer Hart across five seasons and eight made-for-television movies of "Hart to Hart", over a span of fifteen years. (The series ran from 1979 to 1984, and the movies were aired in 1993 and 1994. Powers was co-producer on the films.)
In addition to the two aforementioned series, Powers had leading roles in 20 other television series and mini-series, and made guest appearances in more than 200 individual episodes of other shows, including a recurring role in "The Six Million Dollar Man" during the 1970s and 1980s.
A mainstay of American television during the 1970s, 1980s, and into the 1990s, Powers stopped acting on a regular basis after completing the final "Hart to Hart" film in 1994. While she continues to take the occasional role, most of her energy has been spent on conversation efforts and business ventures related to the William Holden Wildlife Foundation.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
'A Crazy Composer' will brighten your day
The Crazy Composer (1906)
Starring: Georges Méliès
Director: Georges Méliès
Rating: Ten of Ten Stars
A composer suffering from a creative block is visited by Muses and other magical creatures that rekindle his creativity... or is he?
It may be over 100 years old, but I suspect more than a few of those of you out there who work in creative fields can relate to the "crazy composer" in this film. Heck, these days, we can probably all relate to this film's title character, in the sense that we're all going a little stir-crazy with the global pandemic keeping many of us housebound. It's even worse now that the weather is turning good in many places.
Another thing that makes me strongly recommend watching "A Crazy Composer" is that it's the best Méliès film that I've watched so far. The large cast of energetic dancers and musicians perform their bits with flawless precision, and the special effects trickery is so precisely executed that it's clear why Méliès is more than deserving of being called "The Father of SFX". As this film unfolds, the cast on screen keeps growing and the dance numbers keep getting more elaborate and funnier... and the execution remains flawless.
As good as the film itself is, the modern musical score that is featured in the version I've embedded below makes the viewing experience eve better. It's PERFECT and absolutely hilarious, and it proves that these films are so much better served when someone takes the time to actually score them instead of just using some random muzak trck.
I can't recommend "A Crazy Composer" strongly enough. Whether you're homebound, stuck working more than you'd like, or not working at all, due to the current global crisis, I think the four or so minutes you'll devote to this film will brighten the rest of your day tremendously.
Starring: Georges Méliès
Director: Georges Méliès
Rating: Ten of Ten Stars
A composer suffering from a creative block is visited by Muses and other magical creatures that rekindle his creativity... or is he?
It may be over 100 years old, but I suspect more than a few of those of you out there who work in creative fields can relate to the "crazy composer" in this film. Heck, these days, we can probably all relate to this film's title character, in the sense that we're all going a little stir-crazy with the global pandemic keeping many of us housebound. It's even worse now that the weather is turning good in many places.
Another thing that makes me strongly recommend watching "A Crazy Composer" is that it's the best Méliès film that I've watched so far. The large cast of energetic dancers and musicians perform their bits with flawless precision, and the special effects trickery is so precisely executed that it's clear why Méliès is more than deserving of being called "The Father of SFX". As this film unfolds, the cast on screen keeps growing and the dance numbers keep getting more elaborate and funnier... and the execution remains flawless.
As good as the film itself is, the modern musical score that is featured in the version I've embedded below makes the viewing experience eve better. It's PERFECT and absolutely hilarious, and it proves that these films are so much better served when someone takes the time to actually score them instead of just using some random muzak trck.
I can't recommend "A Crazy Composer" strongly enough. Whether you're homebound, stuck working more than you'd like, or not working at all, due to the current global crisis, I think the four or so minutes you'll devote to this film will brighten the rest of your day tremendously.
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