A Connecticut Yankee (1931, David Butler)

A Connecticut Yankee fumbles on pretty much every level, including wasting lead Will Rogers. The big problem is the script, from William M. Conselman. It doesn’t help any director Butler can’t mount an action or comedy sequences, because there’s nothing else in the picture. It doesn’t even w... Read full article

New From Warner Archive: Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) on Blu-ray

When I settled in to watch the new Warner Archive Blu-ray of Yankee Doodle Dandy, I was expecting good, corny fun. Lively dance numbers, old-fashioned tunes--sweet-natured stuff. It had been several years since I'd seen it, and I had forgotten the emotional impact this deeply patriotic film could ha... Read full article

World War II Films: Yankee Doodle Dandy

James Cagney & Joan Leslie If To Be or Not To Be was an example of tragic timing (see previous post), Yankee Doodle Dandy illustrated what can happen when all the pieces fit together perfectly. Yankee Doodle Dandy was to be yet another musical biopic (biography picture), a type of movie that w... Read full article

Yankee Doodle dressed in drag

When you think of transgender individuals what comes to mind? Cher’s daughter, Chasity, becoming Chaz? The teased wigs and lots of eye make-up of Rupal’s contestants on the VH1 show “Rupaul’s Drag Race”? Robin Williams in “Mrs. Doubtfire”? What about a female impersonator in a 1919 sil... Read full article