What Classics Did You See Last Week (March 15–March 21)
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spiderwort — 1 week ago(March 22, 2026 08:51 PM)
Back in the old days of the studio system, it was common practice for writers to do work on films for which they didn't get credit. They got paid, but didn't get credit. This quote from wikipedia pretty much sums up the way it worked and in particular the contributions that Hecht made in his long career:
"Film historian Richard Corliss writes, 'Ben Hecht was the Hollywood screenwriter … [and] it can be said without too much exaggeration that Hecht personifies Hollywood itself.' Movie columnist Pauline Kael says, 'between them, Hecht and Jules Furthman wrote most of the best American talkies.'[24] Eddie Muller stated that 'Ben Hecht's fingerprints are all over some of Hollywood's greatest movies, including early prototypes of what would become film noir.'[25] His movie career can be defined by about twenty credited screenplays he wrote for Hawks, Hitchcock, Hathaway, Lubitsch, Wellman, Sternberg, and himself. He wrote many of those with his two regular collaborators, Charles MacArthur and Charles Lederer."
But Hecht did get credit for a lot of really good films, especially NOTORIOUS, SPELLBOUND, KISS OF DEATH, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, and UNDERWORLD.
And he received a total of six Oscar nominations, winning two. -
StevenHC — 1 week ago(March 22, 2026 09:50 PM)
Thanks very much for that information. I need to take more interest in writers.
I had a look through the reviews on IMDb for SPECTER OF THE ROSE and three reviewers actually praise Ben Hecht for his conception of the movie and his writing and direction of it. One called it an interesting failure for him. One mentions that Hecht conceived the idea for the film from the life of the Russian ballet dancer Nijinsky. I was perhaps being unfair when I mentioned laughing at some of the dialogue. But I do find some dialogue in old movies, especially noir, a bit strange anyway. -
spiderwort — 1 week ago(March 22, 2026 10:39 PM)
You're very welcome. And, yes, the writers are so important.
Interesting about Hecht's conception of the film coming from Nijinksy' life. Makes sense though. And I understand what you mean about how dialogue in old movies can be a bit strange, at times anyway. But not always, thankfully. -
spiderwort — 1 week ago(March 22, 2026 04:55 PM)
I saw this when it was first released and don't remember it very well, except that I believe it was scary. But I do remember that it was Eastwood's debut as a director, and what a career he's made out of that! Probably not a film I would watch again, but it's historical significance does interest me. I remember Eastwood all the way back to his days in 1950s and 60s television when he was starring in RAWHIDE.
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spiderwort — 1 week ago(March 22, 2026 04:34 PM)
First viewings:
Before Sunrise / Richard Linklater
(1995). An American (Ethan Hawke) and a Frenchwoman (Julie Delphy) meet on a train and end up spending a romantic day and night together in Vienna. I wasn’t sure I’d get through this at first, given that it’s one scene after another of non-stop talking between the characters, but in the end I found that to be really captivating, and I couldn’t pull myself away. A very special film in so many ways, with wonderful performances by Hawke and Delphy, it’s the first of what is known as Linklater’s “Before” trilogy, the others being
Before Sunset
(2014) and
Before Midnight
(2013). I hope to see both of those, too, one of these days. (On TCM through March 27)
Blondie Johnson / Ray Enright
(1933). The death of her mother at the beginning of the film and Depression era poverty drives a woman into a life of crime. A pre-Code gangster drama, this was Joan Blondell’s first starring role, a definitely non-comedic one, and she performs it beautifully, with great support from Chester Morris. It also has an interesting feminist slant to the story, because Blondell aspires to become a crime boss, but refuses to use sex to get ahead in the mob world. That’s one of the things that what kept me watching. I also think it may be Enright’s best directorial effort. Other cast members include Sterling Holloway, Allen Jenkins, and Claire Dodd. Strongly recommended for those interested in an unusual pre-code drama and for fans of the cast, especially Blondell, who finally had a chance to shine in a starring role. (On TCM through April 4th.)
Click on the Youtube link in this to watch the trailer on YouTube.
Re-watches:
Willa Cather: The Road Is All / Joel Geyer
(2005). This is a very beautiful PBS “American Masters” documentary about the great writer, narrated by David Strathairn with Marcia Gaye Harden as the voice of Cather. Highly recommended, especially for those who love Cather, which I very much do.
Here it is on YouTube: -
Rufus-T — 1 week ago(March 22, 2026 05:01 PM)
Song Sung Blue (2025)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30343021/
This is not a biopic about Neil Diamond. Instead, it tells the story of a couple who perform his songs under the stage names “Lightning” and “Thunder.” Written and directed by Craig Brewer, the film is based on the 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs. Hugh Jackman plays Mike Sardina, aka “Lightning,” a performer in a concert circuit where artists impersonate famous singers. Naturally, he channels Neil Diamond. He meets Claire Cartwright (Kate Hudson), who performs as Patsy Cline. Both are single parents, and their shared passion for music brings them together. They fall in love and form the duo “Lightning” and “Thunder.” The film captures a warm, old-fashioned slice-of-life story about struggle, connection, and second chances. The soundtrack is filled with beautiful songs, and both Jackman and Hudson deliver excellent performances that carry the emotional core of the film. I really enjoyed this and will definitely try to track down the original documentary.
Ghosts of Mississippi (1996)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116410/
This film tells the true story of the long-delayed trial for the assassination of civil rights activist Medgar Evers in the early 1960s. After multiple mistrials plagued by bias and foul play, the case was not reopened until the 1990s, led by prosecutor Bobby DeLaughter, played by Alec Baldwin. Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Lewis Colick, the film presents an inspiring story of justice pursued decades later. Although the racial climate had improved since the 1960s, DeLaughter—still a white man in the Deep South—faces threats, community backlash, and personal strain. He must also earn the trust of Evers’ widow, portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg. Goldberg is a reminder of how powerful an actress she is, even if she hasn’t appeared in many films recently. Meanwhile, DeLaughter’s pursuit of the case begins to fracture his family life, adding another layer of personal conflict and moral dilemma. While the story itself is compelling, I found the execution uneven. The film occasionally slips into a campy tone, with a lackluster climax and a musical score that doesn’t quite land. The performances, however, are a highlight. James Woods is especially striking as the accused assassin, delivering a flamboyant and unsettling portrayal that borders on cartoonish but remains engaging. Overall, it may not be the most finely crafted film, but it’s still worth watching for its story and several strong performances.
Cliffhanger (1993)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106582/
Gabe Walker, played by Sylvester Stallone, is an elite mountain climber working with a high-altitude rescue team. After a tragic accident shakes his confidence, he’s drawn back into action when a group of criminals crash-lands in the mountains and loses their stolen money across the terrain. I actually saw the opening sequence about 20 years ago at someone’s house but never got to finish it—so it was satisfying to finally watch the whole film. It turns out to be a classic Die Hard-style action movie, with the villains tricking rescuers into helping them recover the loot. Of course, Stallone’s character ends up taking them on. Directed by Renny Harlin and co-written by Stallone and Michael France, the film has its share of flaws, as many action movies do. You definitely have to suspend disbelief at times, and some of the visual effects feel dated—even though they earned an Oscar nomination. That said, the action sequences improve as the film goes on. It’s no Die Hard, but it’s put together well enough to be a suspenseful, popcorn-style ride. The cast is solid. Stallone fits the role perfectly, Michael Rooker is always a welcome presence, and Janine Turner adds both warmth and tension as a colleague and love interest. John Lithgow also makes for a memorable villain—just the right mix of menace and theatricality. Overall, a flawed but entertaining action film that delivers exactly what you’d expect. -
spiderwort — 1 week ago(March 22, 2026 10:32 PM)
Rufus, I haven't seen SONG SUNG BLUE yet, though I'm planning to, and I loved your review. Haven't seen CLIFFHANGER either, and I probably won't, though it sounds interesting.
But I did see GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI when it was first released and remember being impressed by it. Thanks for your excellent review of that, too. -
CoriSCapnSkip — 1 week ago(March 23, 2026 02:19 AM)
The Story of a Writer
(1963), documentary about Ray Bradbury, on March 16.
Fahrenheit 451
(1966) on March 19.
Fahrenheit 451
(1966) on March 21, with the Blu-ray commentary on.
In addition I watched all of Ray Bradbury's and all of Billy Mumy's
Alfred Hitchcock
and
Twilight Zone
episodes, and continued with
The Dick Van Dyke Show
, Season 3. -
PygmyLion — 1 week ago(March 23, 2026 03:18 AM)
George Brent month on TCM, so I caught a few of his movies:
Housewife
1934 - George Brent, Ann Dvorak, Bette Davis, John Halliday - The housewife, Nan Reynolds (Dvorak), gives her husband (Brent) ideas which helps him succeed, but then he starts to fall for another woman (Davis) - **1/2
Desirable
1934 - George Brent, Jean Muir, Verree Teasdale, John Halliday - Stuart McAllister (Brent) has been the lover of older stage star Helen Wallbridge (Tealsdale). One night he finds her 18 year old daughter Lois (Muir), who had been kept hidden away, in her mother's apartment - and he takes a liking to her - **1/2
They Call It Sin
1932 George Brent, Loretta Young, Una Merkel, David Manners, Louis Calhern. Marien Cullen (Young) is the organist in a small country town. Jimmy Decker (Manners) stops there on business and takes a liking to her. On finding out that her repressive parents aren't her real parents, she decides to head to New York and look him up - only to find that he is engaged. She has to go out on her own and joins up with Dixie Dare (Una Merkel), who is fairly amusing. ***1/2
Week-End Marriage
1932 Loretta Young, Norman Foster, Aline MacMahon, George Brent - I think this movie gets a low 5.8 ranking, because a doctor gives his view of marriage which might have been PC in 1932, but isn't PC now and offends a lot of viewers. It is actually a decent movie. Loretta Young is quite beautiful and they catch some great shots of her, and MacMahon is quite good as her sister. ***
The Last Hurrah
1958 Spencer Tracy, Jeffrey Hunter, Pat O'Brien, Basil Rathbone, Donald Crisp. Dir John Ford. An aging Mayor (Tracy) runs for one more election. One of the impressive things about this movie is all the old actors from the 1930's that Ford brings together. ***
Dark City
1950 Charlton Heston, Lisabeth Scott, Jack Webb. Dan Dafore, Harry Morgan. Film Noir. 3 gamblers fleece a guy at poker (Dafore) causing him to wager a check that wasn't his. He hangs himself. The gamblers soon find that the guy's psychopathic brother is after them. ***
The Philadelphia Story
1940 Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart. Dir George Cukor. **** -
spiderwort — 1 week ago(March 24, 2026 12:37 PM)
Oh, so many I haven't seen, PL! Of those,
They Call It Sin
sounds very interesting, and I love Loretta Young. Maybe I'll be able to watch it one of these days.
And I agree with your ratings of those I have seen,
The Last Hurrah
and
The Philadelphia Story
. The latter is one of my all-time favorites.