Downhill
These Olympics are not going well. First the fatal Luge accident, the weather which has caused delays in the skiing competition and although the opening ceremony was a nice try and I did enjoy the whales, the opening ceremonies were very underwhelming. This is not Vancouver’s fault though, anyone who had to follow China was doomed to fail.
Those opening ceremonies, as controversial as they may be were spectacular in every way. I cannot imagine how one would ever be able top the sheer display of numbers, organization, discipline and creativity. It was jaw dropping and disturbing, a once in a lifetime experience.
I am in awe of these insane athletes who dedicate themselves to challenging death. These sports are dangerous and thrilling. They are a wonder of athleticism, technique, sheer nerve and artistry. Love ‘em think they are great. These Olympics seem to have a quality about them that captures the spirit of all that were are currently going through in the economy. As the Beijing Olympics were a symbol of the height of a world on economic steroids, these Olympic games seem to be a hang over, a wake up, the reality of where we are all heading. Downhill.
I found a great little Hitchcock film to enjoy in the Olympic Spirit of these games. In the spirit of death on the opening day, in the spirit of an underwhelming amount of participants from India, Pakistan, Japan, Jamaica and other parts of the globe who never see snow and in the spirit of global warming and a global economic meltdown I give you: Downhill (1927).
I hope you enjoy this film about being falsely accused of impregnating a waitress, losing your inheritance, getting kicked out of Oxford and becoming a Gigolo. Good stuff.
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Arbuckle and Polanski
I am always behind on my New Yorkers, I read parts of them put them down and then pick them up again, but I refuse to leave any of the articles behind as they are such resources of information. I used to be a up to date New Yorker reader, but now I am five behind. But I do read them cover to cover. My mother has insisted that my sister and I read the magazine ever since I was a kid.
Anyway, I finished the article on Polanski from December last night. Good lord, what a mess that all is. The New York Times has published a piece on Ghost Writer which is his latest film.
So let’s chat about directors and underage women!
Before you go and see Ghost Writer, take a look at another famous director who spent time in a kind of exile. Fatty Arbuckle.
Here is a wonderful short he made under a nom de plume after he was blacklisted. 
Bridge Wives (1932)
Enjoy and I wonder if you think that the personal struggles these two men went through contributed to their art or if they would have been better off telling their stories without all the hassle and the underage women.
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Whatever it is…I’m against it!
For those of you who are dreading the upcoming Super Bowl Sunday, here is a suggestion.
The Marx Brothers get you into the football spirit without any of the relentless Time Outs watching your television screen get raped by some hopped up graphics department.
Seriously enough with the swishing across the screen!
Horse Feathers (1932)
The climax of the movie, often referenced as one of the greatest football-related scenes in movie history[3], includes the four protagonists winning the football game by taking the ball into the end zone in a horse-drawn garbage wagon that resembles a chariot and which Pinky rides as such.
If you enjoy the Super Bowl or not you can watch this classic film pre or post game to wind down or up.
Hey, you can ever do a shot everytime Harpo honks his horn!
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The first time you buy a house
Personal Quote from Lupe Valez-
The first time you buy a house you think how pretty it is and sign the check. The second time you look to see if the basement has termites. It’s the same with men.
Sex, death and real estate are a lot to think about. You have taxes coming up and I know you can’t take your mind off your mortgage. So why don’t we just think about the sex part.
It’s Friday, enjoy the “Mexican Spitfire”. This is a juicy juicy Pre-Code film.
Hell Harbor (1930)
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Movie Racial Stereotyping In Age Of Obama
Wow. I saw this posting on my favorite site, Deadline Hollywood.
By Nikki Finke | Category: Uncategorized | Thursday January 28, 2010 @ 1:04pm
Comments (0) Email This | Print This | Bookmark and ShareThere’s an interesting article in the Boston Phoenix about Hollywood movie racial stereotyping in the Age Of Obama. Was this a landmark year for films about race? Or in reality the worst?
This article is incredible. I thought I was the only one who was squirming about the tone of “The Blind Side” and how one white woman can change a poor black child’s life.
So in the spirit of examining racial stereotyping in film and the Pre-Code era here’s a doozy. This pre-code film made my jaw drop. This is available for full view at www.archive.org.
Africa Speaks (1930)
Wow. That’s all have to say. Big topic. Hope you enjoy.
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Forbidden
So I was watching the Today show this morning and they had on Ted Haggard’s wife in one of the most painful interviews I’ve seen in a while. Gayle Haggard has a new book out and she is revealing that “My husband Ted Haggard is free from homosexual compulsions – for real this time”.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Hey, if your up for it, here’s her book: Why I Stayed: The Choices I Made in My Darkest Hour.
I thought I was going to hurl in my oatmeal bowl. What is WRONG with these women! I mean maybe it’s just the whole week has been like this. Elin has called off the divorce with Tiger (19 women Elin…19!!),
Elizabeth Edwards finally separates from John after the release of the sex tape, and the affair, and the kid.
I just want to ask all you women out there one thing. When was the last time you saw a man degrade himself at the side of a woman? So if Elin was gang banging twenty men while Tiger was away on Golf Outings do you think he would have stood by her? If Gayle Haggard were hiring female prostitutes and doing meth with them, do you thing Ted would have stuck around and let her raise his family? If John Edwards were dying of cancer and Elizabeth Edwards were running for president and she had a kid with her staff members and then released a sex tape to playboy would you see him weeping over how much he loves and supports her? I mean WTF!!!
I’m seriously done with all this female martyrdom. Your husband is an asshole. Divorce him and move on.
This is just insanity.
Here’s a good Pre-Code Film which I think really gets to the heart of this mess, Forbidden (1932) with Barbara Stanwyck. Women today need to watch more Stanwyck.
Here’s an excerpt from a description of the film that I think describes this situation beautifully:
So it seems that Bob and Lulu’s affair will be ignored by the missus just as long as he keeps it under wraps. So we have a mistress who’d rather not know about the wife, and a wife who’d rather not know about the mistress. And what of Bob? He has his proverbial cake and eats it too. At one point, Bob rather lamely tells Lulu: “why I’ve taken your life almost as though I’d been a murderer,” and in another scene, he whines (rather unconvincingly, I thought) about how difficult his life is.
Then there’s the question of Holland. He’s every bit as ambitious as Bob, but his goal as newspaper editor is to ruin Bob’s career, and so Holland digs hard and deep for a scandal. Lulu uses Holland, and yet Holland uses Lulu too. So basically we see these four adults in twisted relationships that are a bizarre combination of selfishness and selflessness, and by the time the film ends the results of these relationships are disastrous and destructive
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Sweet Marijuana
A little song to comfort Los Angeles today after the loss of the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries.
“Sweet Marijuana” from “Murder at the Vanities” (1934)
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance on Tuesday that shutters roughly 80 percent of the nearly 1,000 medical marijuana dispensaries in the city and makes the use of marijuana in the remaining outlets illegal.
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Rain
I don’t know where you are, but where I am it is raining like crazy. Not just heavy rain, we’re talking “Rain” rain.
Yesterday I wrote about an article on MTV where they were taking suggestions of films to remake since a “Footloose” remake apparently fell through. Many of you were not very happy with the whole manipulative culture of the Hollywood remake or the “Franchise”.The general consensus was that why do a remake when there is so much material out there that has not been produced yet. I’m sure you know at least two people with a screenplay they are trying to get produced. Screenplays, treatments, novels, there are endless story opportunities out there for new material.
But sometimes we need a break from the constant change of life, technology and our evolving global village. Sometimes we just want something that is familiar. I’m not justifying Pirates of the Caribbean 10 or Star Wars-In the Womb, yes, sometimes a story just needs to stop being told. But if you have ever seen “The Nutcracker” on an annual basis at the ballet, or if you watch and compare the ten million different remakes of “A Christmas Carol” or if you go to the theater or opera and see your fourth version of “King Lear” or “La Traviata” because they always make you cry no matter who is producing it you may know what I mean. Sometimes we like a little tradition and something we know will make us feel good or sad in the end. Sometimes we enjoy a new interpretation by a new director or actor. Sometimes the story never really did it for you until you saw Bill Murray as Scrooge. Sometimes it is different and makes you appreciate the common story that you and several generations have shared. Can you imagine if “Scarface” hadn’t been remade? Maybe there wouldn’t be such a huge appreciation for the original film with Paul Muni. I can’t imagine growing up without Basil Rathbone in his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. There are missteps and abuses more often than not, but who are we to say that one story’s interpretation must be the definitive one.
Anyway, blah, blah, blah. All that to say, someone suggested a remake of “Rain” (1932) which was a remake of a 1928 silent film version called Sadie Thompson with Gloria Swanson and was made again in 1953 with Rita Hayworth titled Miss Sadie Thompson. My personal favorite is the Pre-Code remake with Joan Crawford.
This 1932 version is just devine, and yes, I would love to see a modern actress try to pull this one off. I would love to see someone try and kick Crawford’s ass. I don’t think it’s possible, but I think Halle Berry could put up a good fight.
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If you could suggest a remake what would it be?
I saw this article on MTV’s website. It really bothered me because I could not stop thinking of great Pre-Code films that could be remade. I mean, could you remake “Baby Face” now? I don’t think it would fly, but I would love to see someone try and pull it off.
Here’s a section from the article:
‘Footloose’ Remake Not Happening, So We Suggest Other Movie Musicals To Take Its Place
Posted 1/20/10 12:47 pm ET by Terri Schwartz in Movie News, Movies
Slipped into their announcement of the Coen’s newest feature film release date, Paramount took “Footloose” off their release schedule, Variety reported. In light of Kenny Ortega and Zac Efron both leaving the project, this announcement seemed a bit inevitable.
While we mourn this loss of a chance to see Chace Crawford (he signed on to the movie after Zac bowed out) shaking his booty in true Kevin Bacon style, we would like to propose some other potential musical films for Paramount’s consideration (and for Chace to also star in, of course!). Check out our pitches after the jump!
FLASHDANCE
Same generation, different dance movie. Sure it’s not a musical per se, but the story of a woman down on her luck and struggling to make a living would be especially potent in today’s harsh economic climate. And wouldn’t it be great to give Jenna Dewan a chance to dance on screen again in Jennifer Beals’ classic role?
Broadway Bad is something I think would make a nice spicy remake. Encapsulates the whole Britney, Lindsey ,Paris and Heidi careers. Careers made on publicity rather than ability. I love this line from the film “Broadway Bad”:
Man #1 “Can she sing?”
Man #2 “Who cares?”
Here’s a description:
Broadway Bad
“BROADWAY BAD” (1933)
This 1933 showbiz drama stars Joan Blondell as a wisecracking but goodhearted chorus girl whose husband (Ricardo Cortez) is an abusive lout. Blondell’s plight makes the headlines, which results in an upswing in her career. Rather than wallow in self-pity, she trades on the publicity to become a star, while hubby mutters dark promises of revenge. This film was based on the real-life relationship between Broadway star Hal Skelly and a promiscuous young actress who assumed several professional names.
After Broadway angel Ricardo Cortez’s “dividend checks” break up dancer Joan Blondell’s marriage to a jealous Yalie, she rides the publicity to stardom at The Follies of 1929 — with sidekick Ginger Rogers along for the ride — but down the line there’s a custody fight over…whose son? The Hays Office flatly vetoed a 1935 reissue.
“Starts off with a pre-Code bang, with a long sequence of lingerie, legs and lechery, and much snappy dialogue.”
- William K. Everson
Categories: Baby Face Tags: Baby Face, Britney Sprears, Broadway Bad, Lindsey Lohan, MTV, Paris Hilton, Pre-Code Film
The original “Situation”
My husband HATES The Jersey Shore. We never watch it, but from the clips we see on television he finds the whole thing so offensive. I find it amusing, which does make me a terrible human being, let’s be clear. Let’s just say, I’m not a native New Yorker and leave it at that. I suppose that the barrage of television depicting people from middle America as simple, slow and chubby only to be healed by the hand of Oprah or some swapping of spouses gives me a small bit of vindication. I understand stereotypes are harmful and offensive. I’m a woman, I get it. But it is easier to laugh at when it’s not you. The fact that juiced up guys are the butt of the joke doesn’t really bother me that much. Call it revenge.
People from the Mid West are smart, funny and hard working. Just because they may have a few extra pounds on them and that their jobs are not primarily in the entertainment or financial industry does not mean that there is no place for them in modern society. Can you imagine what would happen if there was no middle America? We would have no Al Capone. We would have no ER, no GM, no Second City, no Dorothy Gail. Jesus, NO OPRAH!
So if The Jersey Shore offends you, which it should, don’t get me wrong…here’s a great, great Pre-Code Gangster Movie. Let me know, but I’m pretty sure this was the original gangster movie. Let’s take a look at one of the most famous stereotypes in film. The little tough guy. The original“Situation”.
Little Caesar (1931)
Caesar Enrico Bandello: Did you ever stop to think what you’d look like with a lily in your hand?
So skip Jersey Shore and watch Little Caesar see…
Categories: GM, Little Caesar, Pre-Code Film Tags: Gangster Films, Jersey Shore, Little Caesar, Oprah, Pre-Code Film