Vanity Fair, by William Makepeace Thackeray, follows the lives of two friends Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley as they move through British high society. First published as a 19-volume monthly serial from 1847 to 1848, its popularity led to the publishing of a single volume in 1848. Today the book is regarded as a classic…
Category Archives: Classic Film Stars
Judy: Must-See Judy Garland Biopic
Saw Judy yesterday, the biopic about the last performances of Judy Garland in 1969 at The Talk of the Town in London. The film covers a heartbreaking time in Judy’s life as she tries to revive her waning career all the while battling her lifelong struggle with substance abuse. Renee Zellweger gives a tour de force…
Raleigh/Cary Backlot Chapter Live-Tweeting TCM Summer Under the Stars Programming
The Raleigh/Cary TCM Backlot Chapter is having a banner month in August! Several chapter members are live-tweeting during TCM’s Summer Under the Stars programming from our Chapter Twitter account: @TCMBacklotRDU. Just last night, Chapter member Lora, live-tweeted during The Killers as part of TCM’s programming in tribute to Ava Gardner. Many TCM fans and TMC…
Roaring Twenties Sex Symbol Clara Bow: My Lady of Whims (1925)
Clara Bow ruled the box-office in the 1920s, with 1925 the year she appeared in the most films—15 in all. Almost half of her 1925 films are lost, but My Lady of Whims survives. Originally seven reels, the surviving shortened version offers a powerful glimpse of Bow’s star power at the age of 20. My…
The “Unseen” Three Stooges
Generations of Americans know the comedy of The Three Stooges from the regular airing of their escapades on television since 1958. A slapstick team, they were beloved for their physicality and the distinct characters of the three active stooges appearing in the skit. A working comedy team from 1922 until 1970, six stooges performed over…
Tribute to America’s Sweetheart: Doris Day
In the history of entertainment there are some who are the one and only. Today we lost America’s Sweetheart Doris Day. Labeled the girl next door well into her forties, she appeared in nearly 40 films and recorded over 600 songs. At the height of her legendary career she topped both the billboard and the…
April 16 – Happy Birthday Charlie Chaplin
130 years ago today on April 16, 1889 Charlie Chaplin was born in Walworth, London. In a 75-year career he showed us what it means to be a comic genius and a true storyteller. My favorite quote attributed to him is, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” I could not agree more…
Glorious Gloria Swanson in Indiscreet (1931)
Indiscreet (1931) is described as a comedy, a drama and a musical. Indeed, it is all those things. A pre-Code morality tale, Indiscreet stars Gloria Swanson giving one of her most captivating performances of the 1930s. Available in April from The Film Detective, Indiscreet is a must-watch for those whose knowledge of Swanson is limited…
Early Duke – The Desert Trail (1935)
John Wayne is a favorite actor of mine, especially in Westerns. Until I watched The Desert Trail (1935), available in March from The Film Detective, my knowledge of Wayne in Westerns began with his appearance in Stagecoach (1939). Working with director John Ford, Wayne got his big break portraying the Ringo Kid in the film,…
The Wizardry of Frank Morgan
When TCM features the 80th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz (1939) later this month, Frank Morgan will take the spotlight as the title character of the beloved movie. Indeed he will always be remembered as Professor Marvel/The Wizard in one of the most famous films ever made. But my favorite performance of Frank Morgan’s,…