Post on 21-Jul-2020
THE FILM BIOGRAPHER, August 20, 2018
4 STARS
My AUDIO BOOK review of “MY FRIEND YVETTE VICKERS: IN HER OWN WORDS” as told to John O’Dowd (Bear Manor Media, 2018)……
John O'Dowd, author of the brilliant Bear Manor Media biography KISS TOMORROW GOODBYE - THE BARBARA PAYTON STORY, has compiled an audio documentary of recorded conversations with his dear friend YVETTE VICKERS, as we approach the anniversary of her 90th birthday. What he has given us is a warm and rich remembrance of the sorely missed star.
In “MY FRIEND YVETTE VICKERS: IN HER OWN WORDS” author Dowd invites us listen to YVETTE VICKERS’ story as she recalls her life and career in frank and warm memories. YVETTE VICKERS rose to fame in movies starring in such horror films of the 1950s as ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES and ATTACK OF THE 50-FOOT WOMAN. But she also appeared in such classic pictures as SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950), HUD (1963), and BEACH PARTY (1963). Once a PLAYBOY centerfold, Vickers capitalized on her figure and beauty. Yet she remained a sweet, charming person, warmly remembered by her fans and friends.
Sadly, Vickers died alone in her LA home possibly in 2010, her body discovered a year later, tragically forgotten by the industry she loved. But here, in her own words, are her memories. And so precious they are.
Thank you, John O’Dowd for leaving Yvette Vickers’ legion of fans “MY FRIEND YVETTE VICKERS: IN HER OWN WORDS” published by Bear Manor Media….
THE FILM BIOGRAPHER, April 23, 2018
5 STARS
My DVD review of STAGE STRUCK [Blu-ray] (Kino Lober, 2018)), with a new piano score by
Andrew Simpson…..
In what many cinemagoers and film scholars believe to be her most entertaining silent motion
picture comedy, Gloria Swanson truly shines in Paramount’s 1925 romantic comedy STAGE
STRUCK, now gorgeously transferred from a George Eastman House restoration to DVD in
glorious black and white and early two-tone Technicolor…
It tells a story of the dreams of a small town waitress named Jenny (Swanson), her ambitions to
be a great actress, and her sacrificing for the love of her Orme (Lawrence Gray). STAGE
STRUCK was the last silent picture of Swanson’s to be directed by Allan Dwan (they would late
make for UA and Joseph P. Kennedy WHAT A WIDOW! in 1930). Swanson had just
completed in France for Paramount MADAME SANS-GENE, which marked the high-water
mark of Swanson’s silent career, and it was her modest bid to return to light comedy after a
couple of heavy dramas.
Some critics of the era thought Swanson’s was “slumming it” by appearing in this rural
romantic-comedy, and even Swanson did not like her work in it when it first was released. (Her
opinion changed however by the time she wrote her autobiography.) Yet the film was a
moderate success, and the public lined up for more of their Gloria. Now through the wonders of
restoration and a new film score, we can view STAGE STRUCK as it was originally shown in
theatres. And it is a delight. It moves rapidly and is well acted throughout, though small pieces
of scene-stealing business keep one’s eyes glued to the star. And even though it may be
predictable, STAGE STRUCK is nevertheless fun to watch.
BRAVO too to Kino Lorber for releasing this and Swanson’s 1924 hit MANHANDLED at the
same time. With most of her extant silent films now available on DVD, with the exceptions of
HER HUSBAND’S TRADEMARK (Paramount 1922) and THE HUMMING BIRD (Paramount,
1924), one can hope that Kino Lorber will eventually bring us these Swanson dramas in DVD
format…restored and with new film scores.
And one can also pray that copies of Swanson’s 19 lost feature films, which include (my “wish
list”) THE GREAT MOMENT (1921), HER GILDED CAGE (1922), THE IMPOSSIBLE MRS.
BELLEW (1922), BLUEBEARD’S EIGHTH WIFE (1923), HOLLYWOOD (1923), HER
LOVE STORY (1924), MADAME SANS-GENE (1924), and WHAT A WIDOW! (1930), will
eventually see light again.
The histories of, making of, and backstories of all of Gloria Swanson’s motion pictures are
chronicled in my book Gloria Swanson – The Ultimate Star. Now on DVD through Kino
Lorber, STAGE STRUCK and MANHANDLED at least can thankfully be viewed and studied,
valued and appreciated.
THE FILM BIOGRAPHER, April 23, 2018
5 STARS
My DVD review of MANHANDLED [Blu-ray] (Kino Lober, 2018)), with a new piano score by
Makia Matsumura…..
The long-awaited Kino Lober release of director Allan Dwan’s hilarious MANHANDLED
(1924) affords us perhaps one of legendary actress Gloria Swanson’s BEST silent screen
performances. With a screenplay by Frank Tuttle, the story tells of humble little New York
salesgirl Tessie McGuire (Swanson) and her boyfriend, mechanic inventor Jimmy (Tom Moore)
and their interrupted romance as she climbs her way to notoriety mimicking a Russian society
noblewoman at a fashionable dressmaking house in New York. Trouble ensues as various cads
pursue Tessie while her Jimmy is out of town pitching his automotive invention.
This is Swanson at her most vital, energetic self. Her impersonations of various celebrities of the
day including Pola Negri and Beatrice Lillie are inspired. (At a party she also impersonates
Charlie Chaplin for the first time on film, though this segment is not extant.) The archival
elements used for this release are as complete as possible, and lovingly restored. Filmed at
Astoria’s Paramount Studio, MANHANDLED is mesmerizing with some scenes shot in the New
York subways.
The production is lovely, set designs beautifully detailed. And Swanson is captivating….one can
not take one’s eyes off her. Her silent film acting was perfection. Interesting too are the
appearances of stage dancer Ann Pennington and Lilyan Tashman. And long before his defining
MGM 1939 tour-de-force as “The Wizard of Oz,” is Frank Morgan enacting a leading man role.
The weak link in the casting however is Tom Moore, once the brother-in-law of Mary Pickford
and who, at age 41, was way too long-in-the-tooth to portray an idealistic young leading man.
However, as I wrote in my book Gloria Swanson – The Ultimate Star, Swanson photographed
older than her years. And beginning around this time her leading men were, by necessity,
required to look older than she. Nonetheless, the romance between Tessie and Jimmy is
realistically portrayed, and director Dwan masterfully subdues the energy in the romantic
clinches.
Kudos to Kino Lober for releasing these magnificent silent films starring these wonderful
legends of classic silent cinema. Watching MANHANDLED validates Swanson’s status as a
silent screen great. Her iconic character “Norma Desmond” in SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950)
was no fluke.
Allan Dwan’s MANHANDLED is a MUST in every film library…..
THE FILM BIOGRAPHER, April 23, 2018
3 STARS
My book review of FRANCES LANGFORD – ARMED FORCES SWEETHEART (BearManor
Media, 2017) by Ben Ohmart….
In this loving tribute to lovely singer-actress FRANCES LANGFORD, author Ben Ohmart gives
the reader a beautiful and touching insight to the life and career of one of World War II’s most
dedicated and respected entertainers.
Born and raised in Florida, Langford’s singing career began in radio, moving to Broadway
musicals, eventually landing her in Hollywood. In Langford’s first feature film, EVERY NIGHT
AT EIGHT (Paramount, 1935) with Alice Faye, she introduced her signature song “I’m In the
Mood For Love.” Marrying film actor Jon Hall, star of Samuel Goldwyn’s THE HURRICANE
(1937), Langford continued herself in films throughout the 30s and 40s. During World War II
she was immensely popular on the radio and toured with Bob Hope’s USO tours for decades
after. In her later years, Langford married twice more, and upon her death in 2005 was
remembered for her philanthropic work.
This is the first “biography” of Frances Langford. Told, not necessarily in a “soup-to-nuts”
biographical format, FRANCES LANGFORD – ARMED FORCES SWEETHEART
nonetheless gives the reader her story with heart and affection. Author Ohmart shares his
admiration for the lovely songstress by including numerous photos, career chronologies, and
interviews. This book is a charming account of the life and career about one of America’s true
great entertainers and patriotic legends FRANCES LANGFORD.
THE FILM BIOGRAPHER, April 23, 2018
4 STARS
My book review of MY MAGIC CARPET OF FILMS -A PERSONAL JOURNEY IN THE
MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY 1916-2000 (BearManor Media, 2009) by Micky Moore….
Although Micky Moore never achieved major success as an actor or even a director during his
long and varied career, he nevertheless made contribution to the film industry throughout his
long life. Beginning in silent films in 1916 as a child actor and continuing almost up until his
death in 2013 as a behind the camera first and second unit director of major films, Moore records
in his memoirs MY MAGIC CARPET OF FILMS his recollections and observances, his work
and his history, and leaves us with a wealth of knowledge of the art and craft of motion pictures
making.
With forwards by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, MY MAGIC CARPET OF FILMS offers
up a loving history motion picture unit production detailed in the last two-thirds of book. From
his second assistant director work in 1947, to his assistant director period assisting legendary
director Cecil B. DeMille on THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956), up through 2000 and his
second director work for Disney in 102 DALMATIONS, Moore relates an important
commentary of behind the scenes work which merits a read. His anecdotes and stories are
valuable references for motion picture research and history, seldom straying from fact.
For this film historian, biographer, and movie connoisseur, the first third of the book of Moore’s
earliest recollections, when he was a child actor, intrigue me the most. He starred with Gloria
Swanson three times, as well as supporting Mary Pickford, Mae Murray, and Mary Miles Minter
among many others. And the male stars he appeared with include John Gilbert, Wallace Reid
and Buck Jones.
This is a book which every film buff and film historian should have. Rich in details told from a
personal perspective, Micky Moore’s MY MAGIC CARPET OF FILMS is a pleasant,
fascinating read of a career that lasted over 80 years. Bravo to BearManor Media for publishing
this invaluable treasure of motion picture history.
THE FILM BIOGRAPHER, November 27, 2017
5 STARS
My DVD review of WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN FLOWER (Undercrank Productions,
2017), with a new musical score by Ben Model…..
Rarely do I get excited over the release of silent motion picture DVD simply because oftentimes
the results are less than hoped for. Many films have been restored however, elements long ago
clipped or discarded over the decades replaced properly back into context as to how the original
production was supposed to be presented. WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN FLOWER, “an
epic costume picture,” is not really an overwhelmingly fascinating story. Not now, nor even back
in 1922 when it was first presented in theatres. But the production values were and are truly
memorable. And the beauty and aptitude of actress Marion Davies in the lead role gives the
picture a special appeal which we all must appreciate.
Preserved by the Library of Congress, for Greenbriar Picture Shows, wonderfully produced and
scored by Ben Model on the organ for Undercrank Productions, WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS
IN FLOWER was originally produced by William Randolph Hearst for his Cosmopolitan
Pictures (it was released by Paramount). Hearst lavished attention, money and detail on this film
for his Marion, and it shows. Many of the rare artifacts used as set design were actual,
invaluable objects of art owned by Hearst himself. Viewing the opulence of the productions is
worth the price of the DVD alone.
But what gives credence to the film, lovingly presented in DVD and Blu-Ray packaging by
Undercrank, is the performance of the young Marion Davies. Hearst usually insisted his talented
paramour be presented in these types of lavish extravaganzas. Drama was not Davies’ forte
however, though in her youth and this silent film she performs quite admirably. Her true gift of
comedy was later exploited in her two blockbuster 1928 MGM hits SHOW PEOPLE and THE
PATSY. However, in WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN FLOWER she is generously in control,
and her work shines through the somewhat maudlin story. Also in the film is a young William
Powell, who is always interesting to watch.
If you only purchase one silent motion picture DVD this Holiday Season, let it be WHEN
KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN FLOWER. It is a stunner, a minor classic, and a deeply rewarding
experience for any film buff or historian.