March 10, 1910: D.W. Griffith launches the Hollywood film industry with In Old California, the first film to be made in the new municipality. March 10, 1922: Hollywood hires former postmaster general Will H. Hays to oversee “moral and artistic…
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Anthony Quinn: Hollywood’s Man of the World
The versatility and sheer verve that marked the man informed his craftwork as well, and allowed this Irish-Mexican performer to forge a remarkable 60-plus-year run onscreen as lead and character player. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico in 1915, Antonio Rudolfo Oaxaca…
Read more →The King of Comedy (1982): A Guest Movie Review
Guest blogger Anna Työrinoja writes: Better to be king for a night than schmuck for a lifetime. The Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese collaboration has brought us some of the best films in history. Someone might argue with me…
Read more →Movie Remakes: A Look At Movie Remakes That Should Have Stayed Unmade
Did nobody learn from The Planet of the Apes? Psycho? Charade? Apparently not, because there’s a whole slew of classics remakes brewing in Hollywood. Movie Irv is not pleased…well, except maybe for one or two films that present some fresh…
Read more →Film Fonts
Not relying on just graphics to set their movies apart from all the others, poster artists know that type can also convey meaning or set a tone. Below are movies that are known for their distinctive type styles. But the…
Read more →His Girl Friday: Home Video Review
Guest blogger Ian Simmons writes: My depression over the sad state of romantic comedies worsened ten-fold this morning after I watched His Girl Friday (directed by Howard Hawks) for the first time. The 1940 film is an absolute joy from start…
Read more →Hackman Fever
It’s tough to believe that the 83-year-old Gene Hackman hasn’t made a film for seven (!!) years. His last appearance was in the 2004 Ray Romano comedy Welcome to Mooseport. And, as it seems now, it may be the great…
Read more →Movie Poll: Which John Ford/John Wayne Film Is Your Favorite?
This Week In Film History, 02.27.11
March 2, 1906: Biograph Studios wins appeal of kinetoscope inventor Edison’s patent claims, preventing (temporarily) a potential monopoly on the making of movies. March 5, 1919: Pioneering black producer/director Oscar Micheaux releases his first film, The Homesteader. February 27, 1920:…
Read more →Way Down East (1920): Movie Review
Way Down East (1920) Directed by D.W. Griffith Starring Lillian Gish and Richard Barthelmess Produced by D.W. Griffith Productions Anna Moore lives (Lillian Gish) with her mother in the country. The poor family needs money and Anna heads off to visit…
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