Category Archives: Uncategorized

Howard Hawks Festival

The UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive plans a series of films showcasing the directing of Howard Hawks.  Hawks’ career began in 1926 with “The Road to Glory,” with Carole Lombard in a bit part, and ended in … Continue reading

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War Horse

I found “War Horse,” the new Steven Spielberg movie, well worth seeing.  It successfully puts all of Spielberg’s impressive skills together in one movie, including the family drama, war epic and pet story.  War Horse doesn’t really compare with the … Continue reading

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Miracle on 34th Street

Even though the fans love it and reviewers call it a Christmas classic, I haven’t seen “Miracle on 34th Street” that many times.  But each time I’ve watched the 1947 movie directed by George Seaton, I feel better about the … Continue reading

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Pandora’s Box

Ava Gardner made a film in 1951 called “Pandora and the Flying Dutchman,” a color extravaganza that also starred James Mason and Nigel Patrick.  The story concerns a 500 year-old seaman floating alone on a ghost ship who meets his … Continue reading

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Good Christmas Film

A very charming Christmas film from 1947 called “It Happened on Fifth Avenue” stars Victor Moore as a homeless man (Aloysius T. McKeever) with a brilliant idea.  When millionaires board up their summer mansions in New York City for the … Continue reading

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Things to Come

I watched an enjoyable science fiction film from 1936 called “Things to Come.”  William Cameron Menzies directed the film, which stars Raymond Massey, Ralph Richardson and Margaretta Scott.  Since H. G. Wells wrote the screenplay from his own story, the … Continue reading

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Top Hat

Years ago, one of the local TV stations in Pittsburgh (my home town) screened the 1935 film “Top Hat,” starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers.  During the opening credits, the titles say “A Pandro S. Berman Production” after the credit … Continue reading

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Hugo

It happens every year.  The studios wait until the end to release the best movies.  I find no exception this year, although Terrance Malick’s “The Tree of Life,” released in May, could qualify as the best movie of the year. … Continue reading

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The Old Dark House

“The Old Dark House,” a 1932 film directed by James Whale, tells a story about a couple who must take refuge in a spooky mansion in the Welsh countryside.  A fierce rainstorm washes out the road, leaving them no choice … Continue reading

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The Hunchback of Notre Dame

1939, which is generally considered one of the greatest years for Hollywood films, produced such classics as “The Wizard of Oz,” “Gone With the Wind,” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”  It also gave us a wonderful film called “The … Continue reading

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