Monthly Archives: September 2013

Greed

Posted on September 28, 2013 by Movieking

“Greed,” thought of as a significant silent film, stars Zasu Pitts, Gibson Gowland and Jean Hersholt in a story about what happens when Trina (Pitts) wins the lottery but refuses to spend any of her winnings.  She obsessively pinches pennies, … Continue reading →

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The Harder They Fall

Posted on September 25, 2013 by John Grant

It’s remarkable to see Humphrey Bogart in his last film, “The Harder They Fall,” a boxing movie released in 1956.  Bogart plays a down on his luck sportswriter named Eddie Willis who agrees to become a publicist for a mob-controlled … Continue reading →

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Mafioso

Posted on September 22, 2013 by John Grant

A wonderful Italian film called “Mafioso,” which came out in 1962, tells the story of Antonio Badalamente, a Sicilian living in Milan who decides to return home with his family to his hometown in Sicily.  Antonio, played by Alberto Sordi, … Continue reading →

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Jesse James

Posted on September 19, 2013 by John Grant

When Darryl F. Zanuck decided to cast Tyrone Power as Jesse James in the 1939 Technicolor movie of the same name, he reportedly wanted screenwriter Nunnally Johnson and Director Henry King to produce a happy ending.  History records that Bob … Continue reading →

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Dance, Fools, Dance

Posted on September 16, 2013 by John Grant

Joan Crawford plays a spoiled rich girl (Bonnie Jordan) forced to take a job as a cub reporter in a 1931 movie called “Dance, Fools, Dance.”  After enjoying the party life on yachts and galavanting around town with abandon, Bonnie’s … Continue reading →

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Adventure

Posted on September 13, 2013 by John Grant

MGM could put some incredible casts together, but I find it especially odd that they teamed Clark Gable, Greer Garson and Joan Blondell in a screwball comedy.  For one thing, Gable’s brand of swagger and bravado would seem to be … Continue reading →

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The Hurricane

Posted on September 10, 2013 by John Grant

One cannot mention John Ford’s 1937 movie, “The Hurricane,” without expressing admiration for its incredible special effects.  Naturally, the hurricane that comes towards the end of the film takes center stage, but the film also contains a compelling story about … Continue reading →

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The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum

Posted on September 7, 2013 by John Grant

A troubled actor attempts to redeem himself for his famous father in “The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum,” directed by Kenji Mizoguchi and released in 1939.  Mizoguchi, a prolific silent film director who presided over more than 90 films, is … Continue reading →

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Duel in the Sun

Posted on September 4, 2013 by John Grant

The full-color “Duel in the Sun,” released in 1946, offers the unbeatable combination of King Vidor as the Director and David O. Selznick as the producer. Made at the Selznick Studio for a massive $8,000,000, the film does not skimp … Continue reading →

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Wild Boys of the Road

Posted on September 1, 2013 by John Grant

A hard-hitting movie from Warner Brothers came out in 1933 that depicts the ravages of the Great Depression on adolescents.  “Wild Boys of the Road,” directed by William Wellman, tells the story of an honest boy named Eddie (Frankie Darro) … Continue reading →

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