Seven years before starring as Knute Rockne, All American, Pat O’Brien played another gridiron guru in College Coach. Guest writer Laura Grieve tackles the 1933 Warner Bros. pre-Code drama, which also features Dick Powell and Ann Dvorak.
Read more →Monthly Archives: April 2015
Ten Things to Know About Bye Bye Birdie
To mark Ann-Margret’s 74th birthday today, we’re offering this classic look at 10 facts about one of the actress’s earliest and most popular films: the 1963 musical hit Bye Bye Birdie, also starring Dick Van Dyke and Janet Leigh.
Read more →What’s Your Favorite Orson Welles-Directed Feature Film?
He’s nearly as well known for his uncompleted film projects as for his finished ones, but Orson Welles still managed to forge a memorable body of work as a director. This week’s poll wants your vote for which feature film helmed by Welles is your favorite.
Read more →This Week in Film History: 4/26/15
One of the most powerful cinematic depictions of the horrors of war, the Oscar-winning All Quit on the Western Front, debuted 85 years go this week. Click here to read about even more memorable movie moments from days gone by.
Read more →Getting Lost Inside the Labyrinth (1986)
A teenager (Jennifer Connelly) ventures into a magical maze to save her abducted infant brother from the clutches of the Goblin King (David Bowie) in Jim Henson Labyrinth. Guest blogger Barry P. explores the 1986 fantasy film and cult favorite.
Read more →James Cagney: Top of the World
Since this week marks the anniversary of his groundbreaking tough-guy turn in The Public Enemy, James Cagney is the focus of this classic salute to the pugnacious Oscar-winner, who was as quick on his feet (Yankee Doodle Dandy) as he was with a gun (White Heat).
Read more →Chasing the Movie Dragon: Overlooked but Worthwhile Drug Films
Yes, we know today is 4/20. But amid all the joking, it’s also a good day to examine some sobering cinematic depictions of drug use. In this classic post, author Brian Sieck looks at The Panic in Needle Park, Requiem for a Dream and other films.
Read more →What’s Jack Nicholson’s Best ’70s Film Role?
After the success of 1969’s Easy Rider, Jack Nicholson went to “B” film actor to Academy Award-winning star in the 1970s. To mark his 78th birthday this week, we’re asking for your vote for Jack’s top ’70 film role: pick from The Last Detail, Chinatown, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and more.
Read more →This Week in Film History: 4/19/15
James Cagney cemented his status as a gangster film icon with his fourth screen role, in 1931’s The Public Enemy, which debuted 84 years ago this week. No need to take a grapefruit to the face for more key dates in Hollywood’s past; just read inside.
Read more →Karloff vs. Lugosi: Whose Charlie Chan Movie Wins?
We all know the old “Karloff vs. Lugosi” horror film debate. MovieFanFare offers another take on the rivalry by asking who made the better Charlie Chan series appearance, Bela in 1931’s “The Black Camel” or Boris in 1936’s “Charlie Chan at the Opera.”
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