Comet Over Hollywood Posted by on April 19, 2018

In 2011, I announced I was trying to see every film released in 1939. This new series chronicles films released in 1939 as I watch them. As we start out this blog feature, this section may become more concrete as I search for a common thread that runs throughout each film...   read more

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on November 3, 2015

My Pre-Code Crazy pick for the month of November is Private Lives (1931), starring the totally awesome Norma Shearer and the always fantastic Robert Montgomery. In the interest of full disclosure, I have already written about this film on my blog, and under normal circumstances, that fact would auto   read more

Flickers in Time Posted by Beatrice on February 21, 2014

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex Directed by Michael Curtiz Written by Norman Reilly Raine and Aeneas MacKenzie based on the play by Maxwell Anderson 1939/USA Warner Bros. First viewing/Netflix rental The quote, picture, and clip probably say more about the quality of this fictionalized cost   read more

Virtual Virago Posted by Jennifer Garlen on November 5, 2012

Directed by Michael Curtiz, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) offers as much Technicolor pomp and spectacle as one could hope for in a lavish Warner Brothers costume drama, as well as the stars to match. Bette Davis rules the screen as Elizabeth I, but her court boasts...   read more

Virtual Virago Posted by Jennifer Garlen on November 5, 2012

Directed by Michael Curtiz, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) offers as much Technicolor pomp and spectacle as one could hope for in a lavish Warner Brothers costume drama, as well as the stars to match. Bette Davis rules the screen as Elizabeth I, but her court boasts...   read more

Virtual Virago Posted by Jennifer Garlen on November 5, 2012

Directed by Michael Curtiz, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) offers as much Technicolor pomp and spectacle as one could hope for in a lavish Warner Brothers costume drama, as well as the stars to match. Bette Davis rules the screen as Elizabeth I, but her court boasts...   read more

Hollywood Revue Posted by Angela on November 21, 2011

The phrase “happily divorced” is one that easily applies to Amanda (Norma Shearer) and Elyot (Robert Montgomery).  Their marriage was extremely volatile, but now that they’re divorced (and thrilled to be rid of each other), they’ve both moved on and remarried; Amanda to Vict   read more

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on July 27, 2011

I love Norma Shearer. Let me be more specific. I love pre-Code Norma Shearer. My first Norma Shearer movie was The Women, made in that great year for film, 1939 – five years after the establishment of the Production Code Administration. The Women is one of my favorite movies –...   read more

Lady Eve's Reel Life Posted by The Lady Eve on May 17, 2011

“In 1939, I secured my career and my stardom forever. I made five pictures in twelve months and every one of them was successful.” Bette Davis was referring to the string of movies she made in rapid succession, beginning with The Sisters in 1938 and followed by four more the...   read more

Lady Eve's Reel Life Posted by The Lady Eve on May 17, 2011

“In 1939, I secured my career and my stardom forever. I made five pictures in twelve months and every one of them was successful.” Bette Davis was referring to the string of movies she made in rapid succession, beginning with The Sisters in 1938 and followed by four more the...   read more

Noir and Chick Flicks Posted by Dawn on May 21, 2010

Private Lives (1931). Comedy. Director: Sidney Franklin. The screenplay by Hanns Kraly and Richard Schayer is based on the 1930 play of the same title by Noel Coward. Cast: Norma Shearer, Robert Montgomery, Reginald Denny and Una Merkel. Elyot Chase and Amanda Prynne, divorced are upset to learn th   read more

Classic Movies Posted by KC on November 30, -0001

This pair of dramas newly on Blu-ray from Warner Archive features two vastly different, but equally wrenching explorations of the complications of love. In both cases the turmoil is set in grand locations with actors in lavish costumes. Green Dolphin Street (1947) Based on the novel by Anya Seto   read more