...Here's Leonard Maltin's latest list of "New and Notable Film Books." I'm particularly intrigued by HOLLYWOOD'S TRAINS & TROLLEYS.
...A Bad Idea: Universal is working on a contemporary remake of the classic THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955). The original was directed by Charles Laughton, filmed by Stanley Cortez, and starred Robert Mitchum and Lillian Gish.
...Enjoy nine of Disney's Broadway musical stars performing Alan Menken's "Go the Distance" from HERCULES (1997) while "socially isolating." Then on Monday watch 25 MAGICAL YEARS OF DISNEY ON BROADWAY.
...Growing up, my love for classic films was cultivated at the Vagabond Theater on Wilshire and at the Leo S. Bing Theater at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. I had countless memorable 35mm film experiences in those theaters, and I remember the programming and introductions of the late Ron Haver at LACMA especially fondly. So it was really sad to see that a few days ago the Bing was demolished as part of LACMA's (terribly misguided) rebuilding. The theater, built in 1965, was designed by famed architect William L. Pereira. Classic film programming there in recent years hasn't been what it once was, but I enjoyed an evening of Audrey Hepburn films there a decade ago, and in 2012 there was a marvelous series of "Mid-Century California Noir."...Mike Clark reviews Kino Lorber's new release of MURDER, HE SAYS (1945) for Media Play News. This film is actually one I saw at the Bing Theater as a kid.
...Here's a fun behind-the-scenes peek at the "home studios" currently in use by Fox News anchors.
...The Hallmark Dreambook with 2020 Christmas ornaments is now available online.
...The Warner Archive/WB Shop, which was temporarily closed due to the pandemic, has reopened with a "4 for $44" sale.
...A new series on Disney+, PROP CULTURE (2020), delves into the Walt Disney Archives for a close-up look at various items used in Disney films. Unlike previous Disney+ series, all eight episodes will be available simultaneously when the series debuts on May 1st....Half a decade ago I saw WITNESS TO MURDER (1954) at the Noir City Hollywood Film Festival. A new post by Caftan Woman makes me want to pull it out for a rewatch. Barbara Stanwyck, George Sanders, and Gary Merrill star.
...Over at Riding the High Country, Colin has lots of interesting reviews in recent weeks. I'd love to see Alexis Smith and Scott Brady in UNDERCOVER GIRL (1950), which was a guest review by Gordon Gates, and I really enjoyed Colin's look at THE SIGN OF THE RAM (1948), yet another film I was able to see thanks to Noir City Hollywood.
...Notable Passings: As a big fan of TV's THE VIRGINIAN (1962-71) I was especially sorry to hear of the passing of James Drury, who played the title character. He was 85. Tane McClure, the daughter of Drury's late VIRGINIAN costar Doug McClure, Tweeted a sweet tribute. Drury also appeared in a number of classic films including POLLYANNA (1960) and RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY (1962)....More Notable Passings: Honor Blackman, best known for both TV's THE AVENGERS (1962-64) and the James Bond film GOLDFINGER (1964), has died at 94...Actress Shirley Douglas, the mother of Kiefer Sutherland, passed away at 86...Football player-actor Timothy Brown has passed on at 82.
...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please check out my April 4th roundup.
...I leave you this Easter weekend with a gorgeous "socially distanced" performance of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" by the Royal Choral Society.
Happy Easter, and have a great week!
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