Last year, I wrote a paper on the unproduced Arthur Freed musicals—that is, the films that the Freed unit had started or planned to make, but, for various reasons, never actually finished or, in many cases, even began to film. Of course, the Freed unit was famous for some of the most iconic movie musicals …
I’ll admit I felt a little cheeky snagging An American in Paris for Serendipitous Anachronism‘s “France on Film” blogathon, despite what might seem like an obvious choice given the title. That’s because, as you may already know, An American in Paris‘ actual depiction of France is, in reality, limited to a few shots of stock footage scattered throughout the film. The majority …
This post is part of the Classic Movie Blog’s Assocation’s fall blogathon: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. Visit CMBA to see all the entries. The wide open expanse and often harsh climate of the western American frontier usually necessitated some mode of external transportation for those seeking to cross it; in film, the cowboy’s trusty horse and the clattering …
World War Two set off a ripple effect that touched nearly every facet of American life, including that highest of cultural traditions: the Hollywood musical. Musicals had developed at an astounding rate throughout the 1930s, with the advent of Fred and Ginger partnership, and series like Gold Diggers and Broadway Melody. But with newfound limitations on both …
Some classic movies sound good in theory, yet tend to wallow on Must See lists and Netflix queues rather than actual screens, as the timing may just never feel quite right to sit down and watch a heady 3 hour epic or a cerebral foreign drama. And then there are movies like It Happened One Night, which …
Ahem. Imagine, if you will, the following scenario: You’re an actress in the early, rough-and-tumble days of silent film, a pioneer on the forefront of a burgeoning industry. You’re already popular enough that you’re used to random visitors demanding attention from you on the set, but you prefer to stay focused on your work. Hell, …