What classics did you see last week ? (29 Dec - 4 Jan 2020)
Jan 5, 2020 10:42:55 GMT
spiderwort, teleadm, and 2 more like this
Post by claudius on Jan 5, 2020 10:42:55 GMT
PETER PAN (1924) 95TH ANNIVERSARY. The first film version of James M. Barrie’s Play, with Betty Bronson (chosen by Barrie himself) and Ernest Torrance as the traditional dual role of Captain Hook and Mr. Darling. Also the first humanized depiction of Tinker Bell. I first learned of this on a trivia book on Tiger Lily being played by Anna May Wong (in a rather nothing role, her kidnapping scene is omitted from this version). I saw clips of the film from a Disney documentary on its own production. I didn’t see the full film until I got the Kino VHS for Christmas 1999. Kino DVD.
SCOOBY DOO AND SCRAPPY DOO (1979) “Lock the Door, It’s the Minotaur!” 40TH ANNIVERSARY. And we come to the end of an era of sorts. This is the last episode to deal with the ‘Monster Mystery’ formula that had been the franchise’s staple from the beginning, as well as the last one where Fred, Daphne, and Velma play any significant role in the story (and Velma's last speaking role. She won't speak again- with a new voice until 1984). It won’t be until the 1983 season of the SCOOBY AND SCRAPPY series that the formula (and Daphne) will be restored. Warner DVD.
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF FLASH GORDON (1979) “Revolt of the Power Men” 40TH ANNIVERSARY. BCI Eclipse DVD.
THE TRANSFORMERS (1984) “A Plague of Insecticons” 35TH ANNIVERSARY. The Insecticons make their debut, and this is the last episode broadcast in its first season, ending my anniversary viewing. Shout DVD.
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1939) 80TH ANNIVERSARY. The first sound version of Victor Hugo’s Tragedy, starring Charles Laughton, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Harry Davenport, and Maureen O’Hara in her American debut. Like the 1923 version it downplays the religious hypocrisy with Claude Frollo the good guy with his wastrel brother Jehan being the Hunchback caretaker/seducer/villain, although this film does promote him to a judge and gives him Claude’s religious fanaticism and obsession (this aspect, as well as Esmeralda’s selfless prayer in the cathedral, will be adapted to the Disney version). Shot in 1939, there is also some modern overtones: Jehan has some Nazi overtones with his desire to smash the presses and annihilate the Gypsy race, and Clopin’s unemployed soldier resembles a Great Depression-frustrated WW1 soldier. I first saw this back on American Movie Classics in 1990. Interestingly, the release date of December 29 is one day later from the actual day the Day of Fools is celebrated. Warner DVD.
SALLY (1929) 90TH ANNIVERSARY this month. Film adaptation of the Broadway Musical, keeping star Marilyn Miller and including Joe E. Brown. I first learned of Marilyn Miller from my THE PETER PAN CHRONICLES in 1993. My first view of the film was during American Movie Classics’ FILM PRESERVATION FESTIVAL, with vignettes about film deterioration/preservation/restoration, in this case a scene of an archivist restoring the film’s “Wild Rose” Number to its original 2-strip Technicolor glory. I then saw the complete film itself on Turner Classic Movies during the first months of its programming on my family’s cable in 1997 (it was part of a marathon of early Musicals, coming after a broadcast of 95% of GOOD NEWS (1930) missing the ending). Warner Archive DVD.
BABAR (1989) “Babar’s First Steps” & “City Ways” 30TH ANNIVERSARY this year. The first two episodes of the Nelvana Animated Series adaptation of the series with Gordon Pinset as the voice of Babar. The first episode sets up the plot narrative of the first season, when Babar tells about his past to the children (the latter seasons will be strictly the present). Sunday Morning in 1989 to 1991 were a highlight in my childhood, as I would tune in on HBO to watch this series as well as Anime THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ.
KARLOFF AND LUGOSI: A GOOD GAME (2019) “The Black Cat” “The Raven” “The Invisible Ray” “Black Friday” Gary Rhodes and Gregory Mank discuss the relationship between the two horror actors in four films in this 4-part featurette. Shout/Scream Factory BluRay.
THE SECRET OF NIMH (1982) UNITED ARTISTS 100TH ANNIVERSARY. Yes, Don Bluth’s Animated feature was made after the merging of United Artists with MGM, so I really shouldn’t count it as part of my UA Centennial viewing. But this film introduced me to UA. The opening scene, with the line in a black background changing into a UA with piano notes turning to a orchestra score, has never left me. And in my childhood, I would see that beginning and think “Is THE SECRET OF NIMH coming on?” just as I would recognize the 20th Century Fox in Cinemascope Fanfare as STAR WARS. MGM/UA Bluray.
THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE AND FRIENDS (1959) 60TH ANNIVERSARY. “Jet Rocket Formula 13 & 14” Sony Wonder DVD.
THE APARTMENT (1960) 60TH ANNIVERSARY this year. Billy Wilder’s Best Picture winner has been a New Years perennial for me. MGM/UA DVD.
THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII (1970) “Catherine of Aragon” 50TH ANNIVERSARY. This 6-part BBC-TV Serial, with each episode written by a different author (in this case Rosemary Anne Sisson) has been a very influential production. It was among the first attempt to portray Henry away from the Charles Laughton slob stereotype. It is the grandfather of Tudor TV dramas (like the next year sequel ELIZABETH R). It was one of the first British TV shows to appear on Network television (CBS broadcast it a year later, with narration by Anthony Quayle). I first learned of this production via catalog. In my freshman year at college, I read the script from my campus library (both this and ELIZABETH R’s script were published in book form). In my final months at college I rented the series on VHS from the public library. BBC DVD.
IT’S FLASHBEAGLE, CHARLIE BROWN (1984) Oh, the 80’s…Evidently, Charles M. Schultz liked FLASHDANCE and decided to make this musical. Yes, it was a short in my childhood (We had a bunch of recorded Peanuts specials: A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING, IT’S AMERICA, CHARLIE BROWN and the infamous IT’S YOUR FIRST KISS CHARLIE BROWN, etc.) recorded on New Years Day 1985. This recording also includes the intro of the CBS MOVIE SPECIAL of VICTOR/VICTORIA (1982).
THE WINDSORS (1994) “Brothers at War” VHS recording.
STAR WARS EPISODE IX: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (2019) The final chapter of the Nine part series. Tinseltown.
DAVID COPPERFIELD (1970) 50TH ANNIVERSARY & DC 170TH ANNIVERSARY. The first color adaptation of Dicken’s novel is set up as sad sack David thinks about his past while in mourning self-exile. Whereas the 1935 Selznick production boasted a cast of Hollywood regulars like WC Fields, Basil Rathbone, Edna Mae Oliver, Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone, and Roland Young, this production has a cast of the Theatre: Laurence Olivier, Richard Attenborough, Michael Redgrave (his son Corin plays Steerforth), Edith Evans, Ralph Richardson, Ron Moody, Wendy Hiller, and Emlyn Williams. I’ve seen parts of this one here and there, probably seeing it whole in the summer of 2009. AFA Entertainment DVD.
IVANHOE (1970) “Clash of Arms” 50TH ANNIVERSARY & IVANHOE 200TH ANNIVERSARY 2020 marks the 200th Anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s novel about ‘the Russian Farmer and his tool’ (qtd. Bart Simpson). Actually, it’s about the Norman-Saxon conflict in England in the late 12th century. First in my Anniversary viewing is this 1970 BBC Serial. Simply Media PAL DVD.
GANKUTUOSU: THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (2005) “Encore” 15TH ANNIVERSARY & CMC 175th ANNIVERSARY. The adaptation sets up a romance between Albert and Eugenie, while giving Franz a homosexual interest in Albert. Not that Dumas was a prude. In the novel, there seems to be a rapport between Eugenie and her piano tutor (It appears Gonzo had an early interest in this as well, as an early trailer for this series has a scene of said character making a pass at with Eugenie). Geneon DVD.
MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS (1970) “The Naked Ant” 50TH ANNIVERSARY Today’s episode introduces the Upper Class Twit of the Year Sketch. Paramount VHS.
Earliest film this month: FROM HAND TO MOUTH (1919)
In Between: MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS, THE FIRST CHURCHILLS, SCOOBY DOO, WHERE ARE YOU?, FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE, ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS (all 1969)
Latest film this month: KARLOFF & LUGOSI: A GOOD GAME Pts 1-3 (2019)
SCOOBY DOO AND SCRAPPY DOO (1979) “Lock the Door, It’s the Minotaur!” 40TH ANNIVERSARY. And we come to the end of an era of sorts. This is the last episode to deal with the ‘Monster Mystery’ formula that had been the franchise’s staple from the beginning, as well as the last one where Fred, Daphne, and Velma play any significant role in the story (and Velma's last speaking role. She won't speak again- with a new voice until 1984). It won’t be until the 1983 season of the SCOOBY AND SCRAPPY series that the formula (and Daphne) will be restored. Warner DVD.
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF FLASH GORDON (1979) “Revolt of the Power Men” 40TH ANNIVERSARY. BCI Eclipse DVD.
THE TRANSFORMERS (1984) “A Plague of Insecticons” 35TH ANNIVERSARY. The Insecticons make their debut, and this is the last episode broadcast in its first season, ending my anniversary viewing. Shout DVD.
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1939) 80TH ANNIVERSARY. The first sound version of Victor Hugo’s Tragedy, starring Charles Laughton, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Harry Davenport, and Maureen O’Hara in her American debut. Like the 1923 version it downplays the religious hypocrisy with Claude Frollo the good guy with his wastrel brother Jehan being the Hunchback caretaker/seducer/villain, although this film does promote him to a judge and gives him Claude’s religious fanaticism and obsession (this aspect, as well as Esmeralda’s selfless prayer in the cathedral, will be adapted to the Disney version). Shot in 1939, there is also some modern overtones: Jehan has some Nazi overtones with his desire to smash the presses and annihilate the Gypsy race, and Clopin’s unemployed soldier resembles a Great Depression-frustrated WW1 soldier. I first saw this back on American Movie Classics in 1990. Interestingly, the release date of December 29 is one day later from the actual day the Day of Fools is celebrated. Warner DVD.
SALLY (1929) 90TH ANNIVERSARY this month. Film adaptation of the Broadway Musical, keeping star Marilyn Miller and including Joe E. Brown. I first learned of Marilyn Miller from my THE PETER PAN CHRONICLES in 1993. My first view of the film was during American Movie Classics’ FILM PRESERVATION FESTIVAL, with vignettes about film deterioration/preservation/restoration, in this case a scene of an archivist restoring the film’s “Wild Rose” Number to its original 2-strip Technicolor glory. I then saw the complete film itself on Turner Classic Movies during the first months of its programming on my family’s cable in 1997 (it was part of a marathon of early Musicals, coming after a broadcast of 95% of GOOD NEWS (1930) missing the ending). Warner Archive DVD.
BABAR (1989) “Babar’s First Steps” & “City Ways” 30TH ANNIVERSARY this year. The first two episodes of the Nelvana Animated Series adaptation of the series with Gordon Pinset as the voice of Babar. The first episode sets up the plot narrative of the first season, when Babar tells about his past to the children (the latter seasons will be strictly the present). Sunday Morning in 1989 to 1991 were a highlight in my childhood, as I would tune in on HBO to watch this series as well as Anime THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ.
KARLOFF AND LUGOSI: A GOOD GAME (2019) “The Black Cat” “The Raven” “The Invisible Ray” “Black Friday” Gary Rhodes and Gregory Mank discuss the relationship between the two horror actors in four films in this 4-part featurette. Shout/Scream Factory BluRay.
THE SECRET OF NIMH (1982) UNITED ARTISTS 100TH ANNIVERSARY. Yes, Don Bluth’s Animated feature was made after the merging of United Artists with MGM, so I really shouldn’t count it as part of my UA Centennial viewing. But this film introduced me to UA. The opening scene, with the line in a black background changing into a UA with piano notes turning to a orchestra score, has never left me. And in my childhood, I would see that beginning and think “Is THE SECRET OF NIMH coming on?” just as I would recognize the 20th Century Fox in Cinemascope Fanfare as STAR WARS. MGM/UA Bluray.
THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE AND FRIENDS (1959) 60TH ANNIVERSARY. “Jet Rocket Formula 13 & 14” Sony Wonder DVD.
THE APARTMENT (1960) 60TH ANNIVERSARY this year. Billy Wilder’s Best Picture winner has been a New Years perennial for me. MGM/UA DVD.
THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII (1970) “Catherine of Aragon” 50TH ANNIVERSARY. This 6-part BBC-TV Serial, with each episode written by a different author (in this case Rosemary Anne Sisson) has been a very influential production. It was among the first attempt to portray Henry away from the Charles Laughton slob stereotype. It is the grandfather of Tudor TV dramas (like the next year sequel ELIZABETH R). It was one of the first British TV shows to appear on Network television (CBS broadcast it a year later, with narration by Anthony Quayle). I first learned of this production via catalog. In my freshman year at college, I read the script from my campus library (both this and ELIZABETH R’s script were published in book form). In my final months at college I rented the series on VHS from the public library. BBC DVD.
IT’S FLASHBEAGLE, CHARLIE BROWN (1984) Oh, the 80’s…Evidently, Charles M. Schultz liked FLASHDANCE and decided to make this musical. Yes, it was a short in my childhood (We had a bunch of recorded Peanuts specials: A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING, IT’S AMERICA, CHARLIE BROWN and the infamous IT’S YOUR FIRST KISS CHARLIE BROWN, etc.) recorded on New Years Day 1985. This recording also includes the intro of the CBS MOVIE SPECIAL of VICTOR/VICTORIA (1982).
THE WINDSORS (1994) “Brothers at War” VHS recording.
STAR WARS EPISODE IX: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (2019) The final chapter of the Nine part series. Tinseltown.
DAVID COPPERFIELD (1970) 50TH ANNIVERSARY & DC 170TH ANNIVERSARY. The first color adaptation of Dicken’s novel is set up as sad sack David thinks about his past while in mourning self-exile. Whereas the 1935 Selznick production boasted a cast of Hollywood regulars like WC Fields, Basil Rathbone, Edna Mae Oliver, Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone, and Roland Young, this production has a cast of the Theatre: Laurence Olivier, Richard Attenborough, Michael Redgrave (his son Corin plays Steerforth), Edith Evans, Ralph Richardson, Ron Moody, Wendy Hiller, and Emlyn Williams. I’ve seen parts of this one here and there, probably seeing it whole in the summer of 2009. AFA Entertainment DVD.
IVANHOE (1970) “Clash of Arms” 50TH ANNIVERSARY & IVANHOE 200TH ANNIVERSARY 2020 marks the 200th Anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s novel about ‘the Russian Farmer and his tool’ (qtd. Bart Simpson). Actually, it’s about the Norman-Saxon conflict in England in the late 12th century. First in my Anniversary viewing is this 1970 BBC Serial. Simply Media PAL DVD.
GANKUTUOSU: THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (2005) “Encore” 15TH ANNIVERSARY & CMC 175th ANNIVERSARY. The adaptation sets up a romance between Albert and Eugenie, while giving Franz a homosexual interest in Albert. Not that Dumas was a prude. In the novel, there seems to be a rapport between Eugenie and her piano tutor (It appears Gonzo had an early interest in this as well, as an early trailer for this series has a scene of said character making a pass at with Eugenie). Geneon DVD.
MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS (1970) “The Naked Ant” 50TH ANNIVERSARY Today’s episode introduces the Upper Class Twit of the Year Sketch. Paramount VHS.
Earliest film this month: FROM HAND TO MOUTH (1919)
In Between: MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS, THE FIRST CHURCHILLS, SCOOBY DOO, WHERE ARE YOU?, FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE, ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS (all 1969)
Latest film this month: KARLOFF & LUGOSI: A GOOD GAME Pts 1-3 (2019)