Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on September 16, 2018

I have a  great affection for ‘B’ pictures of Hollywood since that is where you often find actors and  Directors learning and  taking chance.   Even today the lower budget film often is  more  rewarding in story and  style.  The Lew Landers Directed MAN IN THE  DARK (1953) for  Columbia   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on September 6, 2018

It is not often I post about war pictures as Classic Film, so I thought I would put my boots in on the Otto Preminger directed picture IN HARM’S WAY (1965) with John Wayne and a host of others. Wayne crossed many genres, yet he will be forever remembered as...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on August 27, 2018

Hollywood was and still is filled with types – be they on the screen or not.  In fact, it was often remarked that you can expect anything to happen on Hollywood Blvd.  I remember making an inquiry in a bookshop only to have a person dressed in a red wool...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on August 21, 2018

STARDUST AND SHADOWS is meandering down Pre code street Theater district as  we cruise in with to look at First National film  THEY CALL IT  SIN (1932).  Has to be one of the best lurid titles for a picture along with the Burt Lancaster 1948  Film Noir  KISS THE BLOOD...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on August 14, 2018

It is interesting to look at a  Directors work  when they move out of there comfortable  genre hence we  look at Tod Browning  FAST WORKERS  from 1933. Mr Browning was known for his work with Lon Chaney Sr in the silent cinema. He primarily worked  the  best within the  “circus’...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on August 8, 2018

THE NAUGHTY FLIRT is  a  fun little  diversion a picture  best known for  early role of Myrna Loy who  now  broke out of her roles of  ‘Asians’  and  other exotic folk.  MGM still did not  know how to use Myrna Loy but they would find out  as well all  know...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on July 30, 2018

THE  1940  musical/gangster comedy IT ALL CAME TRUE  featuring Ann Sheridan with Humphrey Bogart just on the cusp of  stardom is eclectic piece of  film making.  The picture also features Jeffrey Lynn is a departure from his regular ‘Good guy” roles. It came from time when musicals   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on July 24, 2018

Frank Borzage  directed  this MGM controversial Joan Crawford final pairing with Clark Gable in 1940. STRANGE CARGO is the  story of  Julia, cafe entertainer  played by Crawford who is fired  for  consorting with prisoner  Verne  who is played  by Gable who breaks into her rooms during an  escape a   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on July 18, 2018

STARDUST AND SHADOWS has a great affection for  Pre-code dramas as most watchers of these style of pictures have. Classic pre-code period being from 1925 to 1934 produced so deliciously seditious works before  the Hays code came into effect.  DR. MONICA made back in 1934 was  at the end of...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on July 9, 2018

THE YOUNG DOCTORS made back in 1964 is a  watershed of dramatic talent and performance. None more so then screen veteran Fredric March as aged Head Pathologist Doctor Joseph Pearson who clashes with new ways and  attitudes personified by Ben Gazzara’s character Doctor David Coleman  The  stor   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on July 3, 2018

The style of Director King Vidor has fascinated in the way he handles story and actors. Vidor had  a long career beginning in 1913 all the way up to 1980 in a  variety of  genres yet always with a way of making actors and story fit well against a large...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on June 27, 2018

This picture Directed by Sam Wood for RKO STUDIOS is an odd film to view.  Not so much because of the  story which is of a Millionaire goes undercover at his own store to find the people responsible for hanging his effigy from a  street light as protest but  because...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on June 20, 2018

STARDUST AND SHADOWS is currently enjoying the MAD  ABOUT MUSICALS free online course presented by Ball State University and  TCM.   In keeping with that theme, my brain went back to  the Bob Fosse Directed  film ALL THE JAZZ which perhaps will get mentioned in this course. ALL THAT JAZZ is...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on June 14, 2018

No these are not screen shots from the latest Neo Noir thriller of today but images  from 1964 Japanese picture  CRUEL GUN STORY.   A stylistic heist film made  in response to the coming “Spy Craze”  ignited by  DR NO (1963)  and the subsequent ending of the  Classic Film Noir cycle ...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on June 5, 2018

Its summer time (IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME made in 1949) and that means  a  song in  some people’s hearts so why not enjoy a Hollywood musical. Take a  spin through the 1937 Raoul Walsh directed GOING HOLLYWOOD.   The one and only Bing Crosby and Marion  Davies are  featured along...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on May 27, 2018

All I can say is  wow  after this one with Burt Lancaster take risks  as a performer  and for story content.    THE SWIMMER (1968)  Directed by Frank Perry  is  a  stylish  journey of  Man: in this case  Ned Merrill (Burt Lancaster) to ‘swim home” in his neighbor’s pools which...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on May 15, 2018

This sequence from PICNIC (1956) Directed by Joshua Logan has  good use of layers on par  with Tennessee Williams Southern use of men, women and  relationships gone  wrong or  embittered. This sequence has been called one of the “sexiest dances”  in the  movies.  Yes it has the look,    read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on May 8, 2018

A good picture will allow  you to understand the story and the  roles  almost without  dialogue.  These moments from Michael Curtiz Directed version of  THE  SEA WOLF (1941) is a  wonderful example of  that technique.  Curtiz was  a story teller on par with John Ford even if  he moved  from...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on May 1, 2018

STARDUST AND SHADOWS suggests  another off  the  path story in TOMORROW THE WORLD (1944) . The picture was Directed by Leslie Fenton who was married  to Anne Dvorak.   Its a story of a  German Boy Emil (Skip Homeier)who is  sent to America to live to live with  his Uncle  Mike...   read more

Stardust and Shadows Posted by Terry on January 6, 2018

STARDUST AND SHADOWS suggests a little Hollywood Glamour both old and new this JANUARY.    Settle back and  enjoy these features BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S – Fri., Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. TO CATCH A THIEF – Fri., Jan. 5, at 10 p.m. with...   read more