Bits and Pieces

Xavier MelleryThe power went out at approx. 7:30 Monday evening and just came back on this morning at 6 so that wasn't too bad. (Actually it seemed like the power was out forever.) I pretended it was the 1800's as I carried candles from room to room (as well as a flashlight which I pretended was a gas lantern). Perfect night for a murder, I thought, and scared myself silly. Ha! Probably the result of reading one too many murder mysteries. You think?John...

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So far, so good...

Painting by Albert Joseph Moore (1841 - 1893)Waiting for the worst to hit us, but as of this moment, Sandy has declined to do so. While I still have power thought I'd catch you up on my latest reading material. In preparation, I went to the library (as any other bibliophile would do when faced with an emergency) last week and brought home a daunting slew of books.Reading by flashlight (candlelight in a pinch) is about the best way to sit through...

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Tuesday's Forgotten Film on Sunday: HURRICANE (1937) starring John Hall and Dorothy Lamour

Since I may be without power for several days as Hurricane Sandy barrels its way up and into my neck of the woods - New Jersey - I thought I'd post my Forgotten Film Tuesday post today.Apropos of up and coming conditions, my choice for Tuesday is Samuel Goldwyn's HURRICANE (1937). A film directed by John Ford and Stuart Heisler with a screenplay fine tuned by an uncredited Ben Hecht. Talented people. The special effects are also quite good not...

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Foreign Film Poster Friday

Son of Frankenstein in French. Now this I would pay money to see. The poster below is, I believe for the first film in the series, just plain: Frankenstein. I'm posting it because of its wonderful design. Don't know the language. But I see Stockholm at the very bottom. So, Swedish? I thought the Swedes spoke French. Or am I mixing them up with the Swiss? Probably. Someone correct ...

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Forgotten (or Overlooked) Book Friday: RIVER OF DARKNESS (1999) by Rennie Airth

"What passing bells for those who die as cattle?"Wilfred Owen, 'Anthem for Doomed Youth'"I'm back again from hellWith loathsome thoughts to sell;Secrets of death to tell;And horrors from the abyss."Siegfried Sassoon, 'To the Warmongers'Friday is Forgotten Book day, a weekly meme hosted by Patti Abbott at her blog, Pattinase. I simply can't believe I haven't posted about RIVER OF DARKNESS before except in brief bits and pieces as part of another post....

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Ten Fabulous Halloween Movies

Chas. AddamsTen Films to get you in a Halloween mood. Trying NOT to duplicate all the films I talked about last year, but not succeeding.1) The same as last year. My favorite Halloween film: ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (1944) starring Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey and Peter Lorre. A hilarious (and occasionally creepy) film about two very sweet (though murderous) old ladies, which takes place on Halloween in the borough of Brooklyn, N.Y....

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Jackie Robinson Passed Away 40 Years Ago Today.

Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in major league baseball and died on this day forty years ago. He was gone too soon but what he left behind was the story of a life well lived as a human being, a gentleman and a ball player par excellence. (We should all be so fortunate.) The story of Robinson's life and legacy ought to be required teaching at every school in America."A life is not important...

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Forgotten (or Overlooked) Film Tuesday: EVIDENCE OF BLOOD

Tuesday is Forgotten (or Overlooked) Film day - the weekly meme hosted by Todd Mason at his blog, Sweet Freedom. So don't forget to check in at Todd's to see what films, television or other audio/visuals other bloggers are highlighting today. We're an eclectic bunch.David StrathairnMy entry is EVIDENCE OF BLOOD 1998, an above average thriller (made for television) directed by Andrew Mondshein and starring David Strathairn and Mary McDonnell, an actress...

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Forgotten Book Friday: ETHAN FROME by Edith Wharton

Today is Forgotten (or Overlooked) Book day over at Patti Abbott's blog, Pattinsase  Don't forget to check out all the other book mavens talking about forgotten books today. Lots of good recommendations.I know that ETHAN FROME is not the first book you think of when you think of Edith Wharton's work - the woman wrote several classics of early 20th century literature - but it's the only one I remember reading in high school - thanks to Miss...

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A Rant: I'm Sorry But I Can't Take it Anymore!

Victorian Optician Eye BoxOkay, heaven knows I've tried to make it easier for older folks (like me) to post on my blog, I've tried to make it easier for older eyes (like mine) to maneuver the whole commenting process without yanking out whatever hair we've got left.How? Well, by eliminating that 'wordy identification' thing that Google Blogger invented to make everyone insane. I read your complaints and I responded - you've probably noticed that...

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Forgotten (or Overlooked) Film Tuesday: THE SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM starring Lionel Atwill, Gloria Stuart and Edward Arnold

If it's Tuesday, then Forgotten Films (and other assorted Audio/Visuals) are on the menu once again. Don't forget to check in at Todd Mason's blog, Sweet Freedom, to see what other forgotten or overlooked films other movie mavens will be talking about today.Since it's only two weeks until Halloween, I'll be concentrating on mysteries and/or horror films (light on the horror, though - I'm not a huge fan) for the time being. Beginning today with a...

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Think Pink: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Giovanni BoldiniPhoto: Skye FillmoreGiovanni BoldiniAlbert HerterJean Gabriel DomergueMariloes ReekAndrew LattimoreAugusto GiacomettiEgon SchieleGiovanni BoldiniMartin Johnson HeadeJ.J.J. TissotFrank Stanley HerringMarie Felir Hippolyte LucasEdward LearGuy Pene de BoisJean Baptiste PerronneauJohn Humphreys JohnstonOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as some of you may know, I am a breast cancer survivor - going on four years now. So, this...

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