Around the Blogosphere This Week

Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the Internet...

...Leonard Maltin gives the new Spencer Tracy biography by James Curtis an unqualified rave review, saying he didn't have "sufficient superlatives" to describe the book, concluding "This is the book Spencer Tracy deserves."

...I really enjoyed Cliff's analysis of ONE WAY PASSAGE (1932), starring William Powell and Kay Francis, here and here.

...Over at the Classic Film and TV Cafe, Caftan Woman wrote a lovely essay about TCM and the power of classic films to bridge gaps of language and age. Be sure to read it, you'll be glad you did.

...Ivan of Thrilling Days of Yesteryear guest blogs at Edward Copeland on Film, celebrating the 75th anniversary of THEODORA GOES WILD (1936).

...I loved Karen's post at Shadows and Satin listing favorite lesser-known film noir titles...fun stuff! I've seen four of them: NORA PRENTISS (1947), DESPERATE (1947), TENSION (1949), and THE LOCKET (1946). Adding her other titles to my "to watch" list!

...Dyan Cannon's book, DEAR CARY, received positive reviews at Classic Movie Moments and Sittin' on a Backyard Fence.

...This is unusual: a 70-minute 1995 interview with Steve Jobs will be playing a special engagement in theaters in 19 cities on November 16th and 17th. It's titled STEVE JOBS: THE LAST INTERVIEW.

...Lou Lumenick discusses the new Jean Harlow Boxed Set from Warner Archive.

...Kristina of Speakeasy is doing something new, linking to blog posts of interests on a Google + page. This is the first time I've taken a look at Google +! The page is regularly updated with lots of great links. (And a big thanks to Kristina for linking to this blog!) Bookmarking for regular visits. :)

...Region 2 DVD trends: I've noticed many Warner Archive titles have come out on Region 2 DVD this year under the banner The Hollywood Studio Collection. I assume they are pressed DVDs rather than DVD-Rs? Examples include EXPERIMENT PERILOUS (1944), BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT (1956), and FIFTH AVENUE GIRL (1939). A number of films released in various Warner boxed sets, particular the film noir collections, are now also out on Region 2; for instance, THE NARROW MARGIN (1952) . And then there's a gem like Robert Mitchum's BLOOD ON THE MOON (1948) which has never had a U.S. DVD release in any format! (2020 Update: It took a while, but BLOOD ON THE MOON is now available from the Warner Archive on Blu-ray.)

...The Girl with the White Parasol has a nice photo-filled post titled "5 Movie Costumes I Love." I particularly enjoyed it as she included Susan's fur coat in SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1957), which I just saw for the first time this weekend.

...When I was little many girls at my school had HERE COME THE BRIDES lunchboxes. For a short period of time, it was the popular show. Season 2 of the series, starring Joan Blondell, David Soul, and Bobby Sherman, comes to DVD next February 28th.

...Plans for next year's Academy Award ceremony were in turmoil last week, with both the producer and host leaving the production. It will be Billy Crystal to the rescue, as he hosts the Oscars for the first time since 2004.

...Last weekend I linked to the Lady Eve's post "A Chill in the Air - Part 1," which focused on REBECCA (1940). Part 2 covers another favorite, THE UNINVITED (1944).

...The New York Times celebrates the release of a new edition of the first four BETSY-TACY books by Maud Hart Lovelace...although I'm still trying to figure out the reference to "the woods of Wisconsin in 1964." Where's a proofreader when you need one?

...Speaking of books, Elswyth Thane's DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT, the first book in a series of seven -- my all-time favorite books ever -- is now available for the Kindle.

...Happy 2nd Bloggiversary to Monty at All Good Things and 8th Bloggiversary to Ivan at Thrilling Days of Yesteryear. Monty and Ivan are great guys who love classic films and have been good friends to this blog. Here's to many more years of blogging!

Have a great week!