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 →Monthly Archives: February 2011
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…
Read more →Long-Vanished Night Flight And Much More Landing

Air Born: The MGM feature Night Flight (1933) has not been seen in any parts since 1942, but all that will change when Warner Home Video puts it on DVD this summer. Known in some circles as “Grand Hotel of…
Read more →Michelle Pfeiffer’s Most Heartbreaking Film Moments

Guest blogger Chelsea from Passion for Film writes: An actress’ true essence is in her expression of emotion. The way she portrays the feelings of a character by a movement or a facial expression. The art of letting the audience feel…
Read more →Footsteps In The Dark

You know the drill. Below is a classic movie photo with Jason’s caption. You’re encouraged to leave your own suggestion in the comment section below! Flynn was usually brimming with charm & confidence; but a faulty clip-on tie put the kibosh on…
Read more →Who’s Your Favorite Non-Winning Multiple Best Actress Nominee?
Filling Out an Oscar Pool: My Thoughts on the 2011 Academy Awards

Just thought I would check in real quick before the big (albeit overindulgent and garrulous) ceremony on the 27th to do a rudimentary survey of good old Oscar’s nominations for the best of 2010. Yes, we here at MovieFanFare do…
Read more →Joan Crawford: I Will Prevail

Guest blogger Marsha Collock writes: Joan Crawford is one actress that it has taken me almost a lifetime to appreciate. My first brush with Joan came in her later days, all eyebrows and scary visage. My immediate reaction: I don’t…
Read more →Mantan Moreland: Funny Man in an Unfunny System

Despite being trapped in stereotypical roles in ’30s and ’40s Hollywood, his comic gifts managed to shine through. Our latest Scene Stealer is actor Mantan Moreland, who also made a name for himself in the world of vintage all-black cinema.
Read more →I Was a Communist for the FBI (1951)

In 1945 John E. Rankin, the long serving, bombastic, and racist congressman from Mississippi stated “one of the most dangerous plots ever instigated for the overthrow of this government has its headquarters in Hollywood … the greatest hotbed of subversive…
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