

186. LAURA, 1944
A haunting portrait of obsession and murder "Laura" Hypnotic and unforgettable, “Laura” , stands among the most mesmerizing movie mysteries ever made. Brimming with surprise twists, sharp wit, offbeat romance, sumptuous visuals, haunting music, and electric performances, it’s pure cinematic magic. Nominated for five Academy Awards (and winner of one), it launched many giant film careers both in front and behind the camera, and the American Film Institute (AFI) named it the 4t
Jan 618 min read


185. DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY, 1934
A sumptuously poetic and spellbinding supernatural fantasy "Death Takes a Holiday" With the holidays upon us, I’m spotlighting a film I’ve long loved — not a seasonal one, but a story about a most unusual holiday. It’s the mesmerizing Pre-Code fantasy, “Death Takes a Holiday” . A major hit upon its release but now largely forgotten, this soulful treasure explores love, death, and what it truly means to live — perfect inspiration for starting a new year with a fresh perspectiv
Dec 16, 202516 min read


184. BREATHLESS, 1960
The electrifying trailblazer that revolutionized cinema "Breathless" Only a handful of films have reshaped the course of cinema, and “Breathless” is one of them. Exploding onto screens like cinematic dynamite, it shattered countless filmmaking conventions with an impact so profound, it transformed movies — inspiring directors around the world to see and make films in entirely new ways. Dripping with style and energy, it remains modern and timeless after more than sixty-five
Nov 25, 202519 min read


183. BABY FACE, 1933
A shockwave in Pre-Code cinema that still packs a punch "Baby Face" Sex, adultery, exploitation, suicide, murder — nothing's off-limits in “Baby Face" . This unflinching drama helped trigger the strict enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code (a censoring of Hollywood movies), and nearly a century later, remains as bold, shocking, and riveting as ever. Prepare yourself for a fearlessly unforgettable ride through one of cinema’s most uncompromising classics. "Baby Fac
Nov 4, 202516 min read


Actress June Lockhart has died at the age of 100
June Lockhart TV and film star June Lockhart passed away yesterday at the age of 100. The Emmy nominated, Tony Award winning actress became a household name playing two of television’s most beloved mothers — “Ruth Martin” on “Lassie” from 1958 to 1964, and “Maureen Robinson” on all three seasons of the 1960s sci-fi classic “Lost in Space” . The daughter of movie stars Gene and Kathleen Lockhart , she made her screen debut at the age of twelve in 1938’s “A Christmas Carol”
Oct 26, 20251 min read


182. THE BAD SEED, 1956
An unforgettably chilling and intensely fun study of evil "The Bad Seed" Pretty eight year old “Rhoda” has blonde pigtails, wears tutu-type dresses, can do a perfect curtsy, and happily skips about in tap shoes. But there’s something off about her, and it’s enough to give her mother a nervous breakdown in this week’s electrifying emotional thriller, “The Bad Seed” . Nominated for four Academy Awards, it was Warner Brothers' second highest grossing film of 1957, and watching i
Oct 14, 202518 min read


181. THE MORE THE MERRIER, 1943
Hollywood magic at its sweetest "The More the Merrier" When the world feels heavy, a movie can be a comforting and inexpensive way to...
Sep 23, 202518 min read


Cinema icon Robert Redford died today at the age of 89
Robert Redford Very sad news to report, Robert Redford has died today at the age of 89. The major heartthrob of the 1970s (even my...
Sep 16, 20252 min read


180. THE TRAIN, 1964
A mesmerizing masterpiece of courage and cunning "The Train" This week brings edge-of-your-seat, full-throttle entertainment in the form...
Sep 2, 202518 min read


Technical Difficulties - Please Read
Charles Chaplin in "Modern Times" Please dismiss the last two post notifications, which were emailed incorrectly due to technical...
Aug 25, 20251 min read


179. REAR WINDOW, 1954
Looking out your window was never so tantalizingly dangerous "Rear Window" Prepare to be glued to your seat for 111 minutes, for “Rear...
Aug 12, 202519 min read


178. IN A LONELY PLACE, 1950
A hauntingly romantic noir about fear, doubt, and self-destruction "In a Lonely Place" Surprising in many ways, “In a Lonely Place” is...
Jul 22, 202517 min read


177. THEM!, 1954
The suspense-filled queen of all creature features "Them!" A dazed little girl in pajamas, clutches a doll and wanders aimlessly through...
Jul 1, 202517 min read


176. WUTHERING HEIGHTS, 1939
Timeless love. Unforgettable cinema. "Wuthering Heights" The movies that stay with us are those that strike a chord deep within, and...
Jun 10, 202517 min read


175. CAPTAIN BLOOD, 1935
The classic adventure that launched a thousand swashbucklers "Captain Blood" Few films embody the spirit of classic Hollywood like...
May 20, 202516 min read


174. TROUBLE IN PARADISE, 1932
Two thieves, one heiress, and a whole lot of trouble in paradise "Trouble in Paradise" While there are scores of classic movies everyone...
Apr 29, 202517 min read


173. JAWS, 1975
The movie that redefined Hollywood and made millions fear the ocean "Jaws" Since cinema began, many movies have entertained, fewer have...
Apr 8, 202520 min read


172. THE BIGAMIST, 1953
A remarkable psychological drama that’s as tender as it is tragic "The Bigamist" The supremely engrossing “The Bigamist” may be...
Mar 18, 202516 min read


Legendary actor Gene Hackman has died at the age of 95
Gene Hackman So sad to report that the body of actor Gene Hackman was discovered yesterday He, along with his wife and dog, were found...
Feb 27, 20252 min read


171. HAROLD AND MAUDE, 1971
A love story that's anything but ordinary "Harold and Maude" Witnessing one's innermost thoughts and emotions in a film is a truly...
Feb 25, 202519 min read


170. ON THE TOWN, 1949
Three sailors, three girls, and one exhilarating landmark "On the Town" A shimmering, high-voltage mix of reality and fantasy, “On the...
Feb 4, 202520 min read


169. THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, 1952
A sublime film about the dark side of moviemaking "The Bad and the Beautiful" "The Bad and the Beautiful" is a double treat. Not only is...
Jan 14, 202518 min read


New Schedule and Blog Information
Joan Crawford publicity still for "Letty Lynton" (1932) First let me wish all of you a very Happy New Year! I'm immensely grateful to...
Jan 7, 20252 min read


168. HOLIDAY, 1938
A heartwarming journey to find the true riches of life "Holiday" Movies can offer hope and inspiration as well as entertain, and the...
Dec 24, 202417 min read


167. THE BIG PARADE, 1925
A simple, yet powerful trailblazer of epic proportions "The Big Parade" The timeless masterpiece “The Big Parade” is one of the few...
Dec 10, 202419 min read


"The Wizard of Oz's" ruby slippers set historical new auction record
Thought I don't normally write posts other than movie recommendations and the occasional nod to someone I've written about who's passed...
Dec 7, 20241 min read


Actor Earl Holliman has died at the age of 96
I'm sorry to announce the recent passing of Earl Holliman , a likeable, rugged, talented actor of stage and screen. He appeared in nearly...
Nov 27, 20241 min read


166. DUCK SOUP, 1933
Comedy and cinema share a glorious bond, as the two virtually grew up together. Starting in the silent days, a handful of comical geniuses e
Nov 26, 202420 min read


165. THE BIG SLEEP, 1946
A super-fun noir puzzle, bristling with sex, suspense, and crackerjack banter If a case ever needed to be made that great movies can...
Nov 12, 202416 min read


Quincy Jones died yesterday at the age of 91
Quincy Jones, o ne of music's greatest and most influential legends, arrangers, composers, and music producers, died yesterday at the age...
Nov 4, 20241 min read


Teri Garr died today at the age of 79
One of the actresses I loved as a kid (and still love) was Teri Garr. It was always a treat when Garr appeared on the screen. She was...
Oct 29, 20241 min read


164. DRACULA, 1931
A spellbinding film that’s the grandaddy of cinematic horror In honor of upcoming Halloween, I can’t think of a better film to watch than...
Oct 29, 202418 min read


163. MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON, 1939
An unforgettable film about courage, freedom, and democracy Only one director in the history of movies consistently made powerful,...
Oct 15, 202419 min read


162. SHANGHAI EXPRESS, 1932
A hypnotic tale of intrigue and romance starring a Hollywood icon "Shanghai Express" An astonishing visual experience, “Shanghai Express”...
Oct 1, 202420 min read


161. HOLD BACK THE DAWN, 1941
An unusual, exceptional tale of love and redemption When I became fascinated by “old movies” as a young boy, I’d try to see every film I...
Sep 17, 202417 min read


Actor James Earl Jones died today at the age of 93
Legendary actor James Earl Jones died today at the age of 93. Over the course of approximately seventy years, Jones enjoyed success on...
Sep 9, 20241 min read


160. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S, 1961
An iconic romantic movie about love and identity “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” stands as a beloved classic for many reasons. It captured the...
Sep 3, 202419 min read


159. CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, 1954
A beloved, enduring, and iconic monster movie What do you get when you blend a bevy of primal fear, groundbreaking underwater...
Aug 20, 202416 min read


158. THE PALM BEACH STORY, 1942
A wild and witty madcap comedy satirizing marriage “The Palm Beach Story” is a hilariously joyous movie by Preston Sturges, the greatest...
Aug 6, 202415 min read


157. SHANE, 1953
An intensely moving, intricately layered, and timeless classic Classic movies are unforgettable, and “Shane” is a stellar example....
Jul 23, 202420 min read


156. PATHER PANCHALI, 1955
A spellbinding landmark and emotional powerhouse Many great movies have been made over the past 100+ years, but relatively few have such...
Jul 9, 202419 min read


155. SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, 1954
An exuberant and touching dance-filled romance One of the most beloved movie musicals ever made is MGM’s “Seven Brides for Seven...
Jun 25, 202419 min read


154. BRUTE FORCE, 1947
An explosive film noir that is one of filmdom’s best prison dramas Powerful. Uncompromising. Gripping. Human. These are just some of the...
Jun 11, 202418 min read


153. WILL SUCCESS SPOIL ROCK HUNTER?, 1957
An irreverent satire about success, masked in an outlandish comedy One exciting aspect of art is when there’s more there than meets the...
May 28, 202420 min read


Richard Sherman, songwriter of "Mary Poppins", died today at the age of 95
Songwriter and Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman died today at the age of 95. Part of a songwriting team with his brother Robert (referred...
May 25, 20241 min read


Actor Darryl Hickman died today at the age of 92
Sadly, successful child actor Darryl Hickman died today at the age of 92. He was one of the few remaining film actors from the 1930s and...
May 24, 20241 min read


152. THE LION IN WINTER, 1968
A wickedly funny, highly moving historical drama about power, deceit, and love It’s been said many times that a great movie starts with a...
May 14, 202418 min read


151. THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, 1945
An unforgettable and thought provoking supernatural thriller Like a gourmet meal, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” blends the finest...
Apr 30, 202416 min read


150. IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO YOU, 1954
An outstanding comedy about the desire for fame Devoid of earthshaking drama, spellbinding action, or belly laughs, some films remain...
Apr 16, 202417 min read


PODCAST: Tennessee Williams' "CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF"
I was asked back to appear as guest speaker on Christian Garcia's podcast,"That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema", in which he looks at gay...
Apr 13, 20241 min read






