A good All Hallows to the proud pagans and beyond, I have picked some treats from my Projection Patch for your peepers' pleasures. Some tricks for your treat bag today in T.P.R.
And it's Powell,Right in the Kisser : Something Always Happens (1934)
And something was always happening for Michael Powell - did that man ever
sleep? Blimey, he churned twenty-three films in a five year span and this
is some kind of special, a precursory Ealing comedy, that's one of
Powell's fondest moments from these midst of the Depression quickie quota days. Well-oiled
and razor sharp with some delectable location filming. I sez this pre-Pressburger
is priceless and it's a double-keeper.
Now this one was truly decades ahead of its tme - it raised an eyebrow or a million, it helped spread awareness of contemporaneous racial tensions in the vein of Samuel Fuller but as per Kurt Neumann, this is no less essential. Featuring an early appearance of the lovely Rita Moreno. The Ring (1952)
The Girl Who Returned (1969) Troma does counterculture too, and as always enough yarn to kit out all the baby blankets in the universe
Clinton Truman Duffy, had more than two prophetic presidential names, he was the first warden who was vehemently against the death penalty at a time when all else were gung-ho on the procedure and all. This is a woefully unsung picture depicting the life and time of San Quentin's most famous warden, who lived until the year 1982. Walter Doniger, the director, was one busy bee - he penned and produced this number, a Warner Bros wonderment -
Duffy of San Quentin (1954)
Time for some spy versus spy theatre , so get set for another espio drill - the first entry of the German gumshoe Joe Louis Walker series, ya ya the Komissar...X. And this is Kiss, Kiss, Kill, Kill and it went off with a bang in 1965 not long before America hopped on the spy craze bandwagon. And naturally Tony Kendall should star.
And following our salute to Susan Hayward, is a remembrance of Peter Falk. The thematic of this film you may notice, broaches something quite the same. Hidden illnesses. Now this as many of the assorted ABC Circle Films doesn't skimp of the gusto. Jill Clayburgh who knows a thing or three about acting is in a supporting role in this tale of idiosyncratic love - Griffin And Phoenix from 1976.
And it's easy to go haywire for Hayward, though she didn't get any where near the respect she commanded . Her effortless abilities, she was one adroit actress who turned it up to eleven. The gal knew how to emote and possessed some range. Today's feature - 1963's Stolen Hours, directed by Daniel Petrie is a retooling of the Bette Davis vehicle Dark Victory, but Hayward could act circles over the most overrated actress of all time, oh yes she could.
And here is a cinema verite classique , a subsequent brothers Maysles call after their astounding Salesman from 1968, Grey Gardens
The documentary that shocked the bejesus out of many - how
could it be - american aristocracy - living in squalor, the Bouvier-Beales concealed in the house from hunger? You wot?
And Edie truly earned her reputation as a staunch character,and the fashion world at the time had mondo respecto for her.
She wrote the book on industrious fashion - oh my, all the things a scarf can do. To most, it would seem the relationship she had
with Mama Edie was fraught at best, but they truly loved the hell out of one another, honestly! Lois Wright lived with the Beales for over a year and documented her stay and published her diaries
It's a riveting read, I must recommend it. And these two gals amid all their external chaos, are ever such beautiful souls.
