The temperature is high, the air is muggy, and there’s no better place to be than in the shade (or in front of a very powerful fan) with a good book. Summer reading is a requirement for students, but a cherished pastime for those of us who love books — and an even greater delight… Read More TBR: 2020 Classic Film Summer Reading Challenge
“You know how it is early in the morning on the water? Everything’s quiet except for the seagulls a long way off. You feel great. Then you come ashore, and it starts. In no time at all, you’re up to your ears in trouble.” Harry Morgan (John Garfield) is a California boat captain, but his… Read More The Breaking Point (1950)
Back by popular demand, it’s Favorite Things Friday here on TMP! The first Friday of each month, I’ll share my favorite things about one of my favorite films. For July, we celebrate a joyful musical-comedy full of miscommunication… The favorite film: Top Hat, a 1935 musical directed by Mark Sandrich The synopsis: An American dancer… Read More Favorite things about… Top Hat (1935)
When a gang of street kids appears in his court, unwilling to tell on one another after injuring a man, Judge Clinton (Charles Trowbridge) decides to send the whole bunch to reform school. The school’s warden (Cy Kendall) rules through violence and fear — and it doesn’t take long for new resident Frankie (Billy Halop)… Read More Crime School (1938)
On New York’s East River sits the convergence of the “haves” and “have nots.” Luxury apartments with picturesque river views stretch several stories high, while just outside of that view sit the tenements. Drina (Sylvia Sidney) is a tenement-dwelling woman, raising her younger brother Tommy (Billy Halop) and hoping she’ll someday get them out of… Read More Dead End (1937)
“This is the story of a confidence-man — that often unsung but seldom unhung aristocrat of the old west.” Conman Candy Johnson (Clark Gable) is getting tired of running from town to town to escape trouble. He hopes the next city he lands in will be his permanent home. Hope grows when he meets Elizabeth… Read More Honky Tonk (1941)
Michael Cassidy (Melvyn Douglas) is celebrating the 75th anniversary of his newspaper when he gets horrifying news from the paper’s owner, Matt Cooper: the paper is to stop publication immediately. When anger brews over the suddenness of the announcement and combines with Michael’s pride for the paper, he hatches a plan to solve a kidnapping… Read More Tell No Tales (1939)
“A journey into the absurd, with a delightful companion, and no consequences and no regrets!” Jean (Ginger Rogers) and David (Ronald Coleman) are passing each other on the street one day when he wishes her good luck. Soon after, Jean is given an expensive dress for free and becomes convinced the stranger genuinely brought her… Read More Lucky Partners (1940)
The favorite film: Dial M for Murder, a 1954 domestic thriller by Alfred Hitchcock The synopsis: When Tony Wendice’s plan to have his wife killed goes awry, he decides to instead get rid of her by having her locked up for murder. The cast: Ray Milland as Tony Wendice Grace Kelly as Margot Wendice Robert… Read More Favorite things about… Dial M for Murder (1954)
The day we’ve all been dreading has arrived: FilmStruck is officially closing up shop. I didn’t get to spend as much of November as I wanted eating up the rest of my FilmStruck queue, but I’ve found several new favorite films through the service in recent months, and throughout my time as a subscriber. To… Read More Farewell, FilmStruck: My Favorite Discoveries
