Penthouse marked an important turning point in the career of Myrna Loy. Not only did the 1933 film, a deft mix of romance, comedy and mystery, allow Loy to display her considerable charm and sophistication onscreen in a major role, it was also her first teaming with director W.S. Van Dyke, who just a year [...]

(This is also at the DVD Times site. Same content both places. I just wanted to have it here too.)
When Warner Home Video opted last year to drastically change its business model in terms of classic film releases in R1, the impact was most felt by those who had loyally been purchasing the studio’s box [...]

The Beast of the City plays out as an above-average crime picture made for MGM where the good guys and the heroes are, finally, one and the same. It’s also Pre-Code, allowing for just a touch of insinuation into illegal urges among the protagonist law enforcers. Released in 1932 (and carrying an opening decree by [...]

Film Forum in New York City is having another of its wonderful series of classic Hollywood movies, most of which are being shown in double features and many of the films haven’t been released on DVD. The title this time is “Breadlines and Champagne,” with a theme focusing on movies released around the time of [...]

Since we last met I’ve found myself binging on all the previously unseen Carole Lombard films I could find. This isn’t as easy a task as one might think since too many of her films are unavailable on DVD (thanks Universal and Sony). The first option this past week should have been Film Forum, which [...]

The centennial of Carole Lombard has been celebrated quietly, but nonetheless in many of the best places (though unfortunately not on DVD). Turner Classic Movies made her Star of the Month in October, Lombard’s birth month, and Film Forum in NYC has recently begun a nice tribute of 23 films, several not on DVD. Seeing [...]