ricardo montalbán and patrick mcgoohan

Yes, we managed to fight our way through the tundra and make it back home. However, as soon as we did - we had to jump right back into real life. You know the saying about needing a vacation after the vacation. Totally true.
So things will be back on the ball here in short order...in the meantime:

I would be remiss if we did not mention the passing of a two fine actors Patrick McGoohan (AKA: Number 6, Dr. Syn and Longshanks!) and Ricardo Montalbán . I know everyone remembers him from Star Trek and Fantasy Island, but he was also in several MGM musicals, including On an Island with You and Neptune's Daughter with Esther Williams (oddly enough one of those characters was name O'Rourke) and with Shelf fave Jane Powell in Two Weeks with Love. He was also in some fine Westerns and Noir films including Across the Wide Missouri and Border Incident. And of course he was in many other films and a frequent guest star on many television shows well before Fantasy Island. Did you know he was a very good friend of Don Rickles? Rickles talks about their friendship in Rickles' Book: A Memoir which is well worth the read! You can check out some very nice tributes at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings, Thrilling Days of Yesteryear and John Nolte's (AKA Dirty Harry) post at Big Hollywood.

Stay tuned to the Shelf. We'll be back with more...



Don't touch; this is Corinthian leather.

happy yadda yadda yadda

Yep. It's 2009. Everyone is fully aware. I am still trying to get home- the Loopholes have been visiting family for the past two weeks (sorry about the light posting), and now airlines are doing their typical thing and doing the deed to the best laid plans. We'll be home shortly and back to the regular Shelf madness you all know and love. Just bear with us as we get back home and back into the groove.
Oh.
And Happy New Year.

I'm looking for Happy, the baby New Year. What if I don't find him in time?

Merry Christmas!

All of us here at The Shelf hope you all have a very merry Christmas! Make sure you take the time to watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' or whatever your favorite Christmas classic may be and enjoy your life, your freedom and your loved ones.


Please feel free to comment if the need strikes you.

happy hanukkah!

We would be remiss if we did not wish all of our of our Jewish friends and their familes a very happy Hanukkah.



Chanukah is the special time of year between Christmas and Misgiving when all the bestest holiday shows are on TV.

meme: 20 actresses

One of my favorite film bloggers, the always wonderful Self-Styled Siren, has tagged me with my very first meme. And this is a doozy. I actually told her- tag me next time, I'll do one. She said this one would be hard and it'll teach me what to volunteer for next time. Boy, was she right. The meme: 20 Favorite Actresses. Now, I'm not saying it wasn't great fun, but gee whiz- like the Siren herself said- it's like picking your favorite children. And while others who have done their lists might be chuckling at my woe- t'aint funny, McGee. I know I left someone off, I struggled with some choices more than others, and there were some that I just said to myself- if only it were 25! But I will remain true to the theme and the rules for my first one out.

For this one I just had to think- whose performance or film stuck with me most? Who could I not forget when I think of my film experiences? Who just dug down into my heart, and I can't bear thinking of "filmdom" without them? Who would I most want to be deserted on an uninhabited island...well, you get the picture. I norrowed the list down several times, and in order to really pair it down- I decided to go with "all-time" greats. I mean if you watch them over and over again, they are pretty much at the top of your list, right? And since this is partly a classic film blog- classic film actresses are a must.

The meme originated at Film Experience Blog, and you most definitely want to check out the Siren's list , Flickhead and Ivan's over at Thrilling Days of Yesteryear. And at the end of the post I will tag several other unsuspecting bloggers with this most arduous of memes.
So without further ado- and in no order whatsoever (that would be impossible), and with minimal comment- I give you:
JC Loophole's Twenty Favorite Actresses (with apologies to the many others I love):

Myrna Loy

Norma Shearer

Maureen O’Hara

Maureen O'Sullivan

Grace Kelly

Cyd Charisse

Olivia de Havilland

Jane Powell

Mae Clark

Loretta Young

Barbara Stanwyck

Joan Blondell

Katherine Hepburn

Rosiland Russell

Carole Lombard

Lauren Bacall

Bette Davis

Judy Garland

Gene Tierney

Ingrid Bergman

Now, the other hard part is figuring who to tag. Well, I had to think about who's lists would I love to see- then it became easy! So- sorry in advance, and here's hoping you will take up the task!
I tag:
Laura at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings
Jacqueline at Another Old Movie Blog
John at Greenbriar Picture Shows
Bacall at Cine Classics
and Dirty Harry at Dirty Harry's Place.

Here's hoping you'll carry on- I look forward to seeing the lists!




I'm a tough old broad from Brooklyn. I intend to go on acting until I'm ninety and they won't need to paste my face with make-up.

you betcha virginia

One of my favorite Holiday specials that has never made it to DVD and is very difficult to find on VHS is Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus. It's a charming early 70's holiday animated special from Bill Melendez and narrated by Mr.Magoo/Mr. Howell himself, Jim Backus. One of the things I love about it, besides the animation (fans of Peanuts specials will, of course recognize the style) - is the message and story which really tackles the spirit of hope and goodwill of the season no matter what you believe. It is based on a true story (which you can read more about here) and set in 1890's New York City- and reflects the ethnic melting pot that America was becoming. In fact it's spirit of coming together to me is so much at odds with today's imputus to label and separate ourselves into categories, that I wish it was shown regularly like it was when I was younger.
So without further ado- our first entry, in what we hope will be a series, of Holiday Specials you don't see anymore on TV: Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.

Part 1:



Part 2:



Part 3:



Enjoy!



The older you get, the less there is to believe in.

remember...

Today we remember those who were lost, who fought, and who survived December 7th, 1941. In reality- on a day like this we remember all those who were lost, who fought, and who survived- fighting for us- for me and my family and for you and yours. Thank you- God bless you.




With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

christmas time is here...

It's that time of year again...
Some upcoming items hitting the Shelf-
Our TCM for the Holidays guide
NEW: Classic Film Gift Guide- our picks for some great gifts for the classic film fan
My Favorite Christmas Films - articles from everyone at the Shelf and some guest posters as well!
Shelf Top Pick DVDs- we pick the best DVD releases of 2008
Also more DVD reviews, another contest and more!
Stay Tuned...



Every Christmas it's the same. I always end up playing a shepherd.

happy thanksgiving

From all of us at The Shelf to you and your families. We'll be back this weekend! In the meantime enjoy and be sure to give thanks...



We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land. We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.

happy birthday mickey!

On November 18, 1928, the final sound version of Steamboat Willie was released and debuted at New York's 79th Street Theatre. Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks created this animated parody of Buster Keaton's Steamboat Bill, Jr. using Walt's new character Mickey Mouse, created after losing the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. It was one of the first cartoons (and perhaps the most successful at the time) to incorporate a post-produced soundtrack of music, dialogue, and sound effects. Although several other shorts were made previously, Steamboat Willie was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon to hit wide release. It was a smash and a star, indeed, an American Icon was born. More info here and here.

To celebrate how about a ride on Steamboat Willie? To do so properly, with all it's charm and remastered glory, make sure you pick up Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black and White.




Happy Birthday Mickey!



I hope we'll never lose sight of one thing--that it was all started by a mouse.

passing parade: items of classic film interest

It's been awhile since we've had a Passing Parade segment, and several news items have perked my interest, so buckle up Mr. and Mrs. Internet and let's take a quick trip around the world of Hollywood!

Item 1:
Laura (at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings) has several news posts that should be of interest to Classic Film fans. First of all, she sadly notes the passing this year of Betty Carr. Fans of the classic musical, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, will recognize her as one of the seven "Brides", Sarah.
Also Tyrone Power fans may be interested to know that Power's three children and several former co-stars will be on hand for a Ty tribute this weekend at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. They will screen several films, and possibly talk about the man they knew. Power still has a drawing power, and I think as more of his films hit DVD, his popularity is increasing.
You know - looking over all the DVDs we've reviewed, promoted or saw come out this year, I think the Tyrone Power set that Fox released is still one of the best this year. It's not only a testament to the talent and drawing power of Power, but also a testament to quality and enduring nature of Classic Hollywood's B films and programmers. They didn't churn out a Ben-Hur or Gone With The Wind every year, much less several times a year. Having really dived into Hollywood History this year with my reading I'm convinced more than ever that the studio system, despite it's faults, was in a much better position to market, produce and present so much more quality entertainment than today's multiple iterations of "independant production companies." Today's Hollywood can be easily divided into 4 major concerns:
1. The Oscar flick- increasingly indie, increasingly arty message or political films.
2. The Niche film. Targeted to specific demographics.
3. The Foreign market.
4. The special effects "Blockbuster"- this is how they fund #1-3.

Item 2:
Dirty Harry recently posted one of his TCM Picks o' the Day as Strangers On a Train, and proceeds to offer an excellent appreciation for the film. But it doesn't stop there- he also wrote an excellent appreciation for one of my favorite actors: Dana Andrews. As always, DHP is a great read.

Item 3:
Another actress that I believe is in the process of being "rediscovered" is Norma Shearer. Classic film fans had a great boon in the Forbidden Hollywood Vol. 2 set from earlier this year that included Shearer's The Divorcee and A Free Soul. Go over the Bright Lights Film Journal for a great in depth look at Norma Shearer and proceed immendiately thereafter to the email program of your choice and send word to WB to release more Shearer on DVD!

Item 4:
Cinema Retro writer Tom Santopietro has what looks to be an interesting new book out titled: Sinatra in Hollywood, all about old Blue Eye's film career. Looks like fun to me.
While you are there be sure to check out this link to another article about the death of the Hollywood tough guy.

Item 5:
Jaqueline over at Another Old Movie Blog has a great list every classic film fan will appreciate: Ten Things I Like About Old Movies. If a flick has all 10 in it, it's sure to be some classic entertainment in my book. Swell, indeed.

Item 6:
The wonderful Siren at Self-Styled Siren has responded to a fun, but maybe difficult challenge: Can you name a favorite movie for each letter of the alphabet? Check out The Alphabet Meme.

Item 7:
Lastly, this is my favorite time of the year- when Leonard Maltin and Disney present the current wave of the Walt Disney's Treasures. This year sees three titles: The Mickey Mouse Club presents Annette, The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh: Dr. Syn, and The Chronological Donald Duck, Volume 4. Some long awaited sets, to be sure. And I have been particularly looking forward to finishing the Donald Duck series- one of my all time favorite cartoon characters.


Well that's the Passing Parade for today, Mr. and Mrs. Internet. What are you waiting for? Get to reading! And don't forget to come back to the Shelf for more reviews and Shelf madness!




I admire people who do things.

thank you veterans!

A happy and hearty Happy Veteran's Day to all of our Vets and their families out there- and our deepest thanks for the service and sacrifice you've given and continue to give. We don't and we won't forget.



What we done in France, we had to do. And some as done it, didn't come back, and that kind of thing ain't for buying and selling.

exercise your right...

The Shelf is closed today for election day- and we encourage American citizens everywhere to get out there and exercise your right to vote. And special thanks to all those who came before us who secured that right and special thanks to those men and women who preserve that right today.



You see, boys forget what their country means by just reading The Land of the Free in history books. Then they get to be men they forget even more. Liberty's too precious a thing to be buried in books, Miss Saunders. Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say: I'm free to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn't, I can, and my children will. Boys ought to grow up remembering that.