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Intimate little details of an industry that was new, young, and excitingly innocent of its mighty potential for scandal!

HOLLYWOOD: A CELEBRATION OF THE AMERICAN SILENT FILM (1980)

“The art of arousing the audience without arousing the censor, Hollywood’s self-censorship would last over 40 years.”
—— James Mason, narrator.

“Censorship makes you think…well, all it does is make you guard your language, makes you express yourself in a wee bit different way, makes you smart enough to bypass this and let the audience see *it* without actually seeing *it*…”
—- Henry King, silent film director.

[quotes from episode 3—-Single Beds & Double Standards]

I don’t know about you, folks, but I think this 13 episode mini-series should be required viewing for all those getting an education in film-studies!

I have just been getting into this, and I have 10 more episodes to go! Each episode focuses on a different aspect of the film industry in that era—-from star-treatment, to directing, to lighting, acting, etc. 5 out of 5 stars for it’s epic depth rarely seen in a television production. This is a treasure-trove of rare interviews with the people who were actually there at the time—-from big stars like Gloria Swanson, to lessor-known, like Colleen Moore, to big directors, like Henry King, all offering their personal memories and intimate little details of the industry that was new, young, wild, and lovely as a stallion. An industry that was excitingly innocent of it’s mighty potential for trouble—- as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It was a time of jovial bravery, as in that time perhaps more than in any other, Hollywood was playing by its own rules.

Highly recommended, WONDERFUL documentary!

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

Star Trivia

BETTE DAVIS’ WITCHY FAMILY TREE

Did you know that Bette Davis was a direct descendant of the women of the Salem Witch Trials? That’s right! She sure was! 

According to a fascinating documentary on Bette Davis called Stardust: The Bette Davis Story, she was related through her mother to the SWT. 

So, the next time you think about those bewitching “Bette Davis eyes” or the next time you find yourself enjoying one of her haunting chiller classics, just remember—- you may just be under her spell!

Great Performances: Season 25, Episode 6 Musicals Great Musicals: The Arthur Freed Unit at MGM (2 Dec. 1996)

                                      

Tonight on TCM, I saw a positively fabulous documentary on a wonderful film-maker, Mr. Arthur Freed. With such films as “Meet Me In St. Louis” (1944), “Singin’ In The Rain” (1952) and “An American in Paris” (1951), it’s no wonder then, that Joe Pasternak, admiringly referred to his unit as the “royalty” of MGM.

The one part of the documentary that probably summed Freed up the best was this (paraphrased):

“Almost the entire production-team of the Arthur Freed film, Gigi was together in one room, including star, Leslie Caron and director, Vincent Minnelli, and many others. And this lady named Hermione said, “You know, I’ve heard quite a lot about Mr. Freed, but I’m not exactly sure what his talent is. Could you tell me what some of his pluses are?” And, a fella at the table replied, “We’re all here. He brings us together.”

Clinton (TV documentary, 2012)

Oh my gosh! The first half of the  Clinton (TV 2012) documentary on PBS was freaking AMAZING! And MOVING! And INSPIRING!! Say what you want, but I like the fella! “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
—-♥ Bill Clinton and his rock, Hilary Clinton!” Verdict on the 2nd and final part of the Clinton (TV 2012) documentary: Fan-freakin’tastic! Just as moving as the first (albeit with a tragic tinge to it). Yes, he’s highly sexed, yes, he denied it, yes, he’s flawed. But, there’s another thing he is too, and that’s a man who deeply loves this country and it’s people. And I love him for it!

He was a romantic, who took the statement “Make love, not war” a little too literally, but if I have to chose between leaving his private affairs between he and the women in his his life—-EVEN IF IT MEANS HE’S IN THE WRONG, I’d choose that over a venomous, gridlocking, vengeful scandal, any day! The man spent 2 years just trying to survive hateful attacks! Who knows what he could have accomplished, if he didn’t have to keep answering to his heartless enemies, every step of the way! And, he still left office with the gov. in better shape than it had been—-in 4 decades!! So, is Clinton a great husband? Maybe not. But, was he a great (not perfect) president? Heck yeah! So, the whole scandle was stupid, no matter how you feel about adultery. If is so-called more vertuous enemies really gave a darn about the country, they would have backed off…for the greater good. But, no, they had to spew hate all over the place! And, it only succeeded in shaking up the country and hurting our image in the word. But, I ask his enemies this: what harm would it have done just to leave it a private matter? NONE! At least then, the world could have gone on smiling just a little longer. I mean, if you want to call it a fairy-tale, then, okay. But, if it makes a better world to glamorize the president, then, why not?

William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton and Hilary Clinton, you’ve got a friend in me. And, Linda Tripp, Newt Gingrich, Ken Starr, etc., you all may have been right about a lot of things, but I WILL NEVER forgive you, for being back-stabbers. Trouble makers have no place in a peaceful, good world. Scandal should only be exposed for the greater good, not at the expense of it!!

Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History (2008) (V)

Good attempt at covering an entire genre…in only 108 minutes!, 18 May 2011

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

This is perfect for a documentary, as far as being the right blend of entertaining and educational! And, another huge highlight of this particular DVD is the fact that it is a high-quality production; visually and audio-ably pristine. Good selection of clips, great selection of interviews, tip-top sights and sounds—-a real treat for the senses! I do have one big gripe with it though, and that it seemed to ignore some valid points in favor of some exaggerated points. For example, at one point, it said that Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) was really the first movie-musical in which the songs were part of the story/incorporated into the plot-line (it was said that before that movie, musicals were just a compilation of song and dance numbers on stage). And, Vincent Minnelli is credited with the change. However, accepts that claim as fact obviously knows very little about 1930s musicals! Examples of 1930s musicals in which the songs are incorporated as part of the plot-line development include: Showboat (the original), Love Me Tonight (1932) and That Girl From Paris (1937), just to name a few. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big Minnelli fan! Its just that I’m also a big fan of said films, and I think it is a sad injustice for them not to be recognized and given the credit they deserve! Because obviously, they were a bit ahead of their time. Other than that though, this is a five-star documentary, that I would recommend to any classic-film lover!