happy passover

We at the Shelf would to like to wish all of our friends of the Jewish faith a very peaceful, joyous and reflective Passover week.



It would take more than a man to lead the slaves from bondage. It would take a god.

vintage ad and more

(from the Internet Archive database collection of scanned Photoplay Magazine - August 1930 issue)
Just dropping in on a very busy week for a couple of items (and to share the cool vintage Lifesavers ad from 1930.

Around Ye olde blogging neighborhood:
I am pleased to let you know Ivan at Thrilling Days of Yesteryear is mending and has actually pulled himself away from the nurses long enough to check in at his blog. Drop in and wish him well. We've missed ya, Ivan.

Still a fairly new link at the Shelf Community clubhouse: Golden Age Comic Book Stories, has been a wonderful retreat for me from the dreariness of politics as of late. Mr. Door Tree (as he calls himself) scans and posts the beautiful artwork from children's books of days gone by. You will find yourself enthralled.

John McElwee reviews the new second edition of Richard Barrios’ look at the birth of the sound era, A Song In The Dark at Greenbriar Picture Shows. The book just shot up to the top ten of my read-when-I-get-a-moment-to-breathe list.

Leonard Maltin has had some great articles on his Movie Crazy site lately (Leonard, I love ya, but your old site was much better) : He reviews the long awaited DVD release of The African Queen, discusses Great Movies still not out on DVD, and discusses a man by the name of David Pierce, who is developing an online website project called Media History Digital Library, which aims to be "A major conservation and access project for historical printed materials related to cinema, broadcasting and recorded sound." Very cool and I hope he succeeds.

The alluring Self-Styled Siren has had some great articles as always. Of particular interest: A post on the topic of adultery in classic films- followed by a great discussion thread. Also - I would be remiss if I didn't direct you to a couple of wrap-up/follow-up posts on the results from last month's For the Love of Film Blogathon. Thanks to Ferdy and the Siren, all the participating bloggers (of which I was proud to be one) and all those who donated to the cause, enough money was raised for the National Film Preservation Foundation, to restore a feature comedy and a cartoon. Awesomely done, oh awesome ones. Hopefully, this will be an annual event. We expect to hear the titles of the film and cartoon announced in coming months.


Laura at her self-titled Miscellaneous Musings has been throwing quite a few pre-code films in the DVD player in the last few weeks and has reviewed them, causing me to continue to add even more titles to my already busting-at-the-seams must-see list. Two recent films of interest: 1934's Desirable and 1932's Faithless. Even the titles are all "pre-code-y" goodness.

And sure, if ye be a true classic film fan, ye have watched a wee bit of The Quiet Man this past St. Paddy's day. And what of John Ford's other "Irish" film? What? You didn't know that Ford made another film set in Ireland (well, I guess, aside from The Informant?). Well, until I read Moira Finne fine examination of John Ford's The Rising of the Moon, I really didn't realize it either.

UPDATE:
Shortly after this posting, I saw news about the passing of actor Robert Culp. This was very sad for me especially for having grown up on watching him guest star on everything, but also from starring in one of my all-time favorite shows, The Greatest American Hero as take no prisoners FBI agent Bill Maxwell. And of course he will always be remembered for his role along co-star Bill Cosby in the great I Spy. You can read some excellent tributes at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings, Thrilling Days of Yesteryear and Big Hollywood. Mr. Culp will definitely be missed- and it has been an especially sad first quarter of 2010 for losing so many excellent actors and actresses.

Two mini-reviews of new releases this week:
Speaking of The African Queen- I have picked up my copy and my intial reaction is "WOW" - Paramount has really out done themselves with this release. The Commemorative Box set is the way to go for the classic movie fan, if nothing else, than for the bonus disc of the Lux Radio Theater adaption of the film and the copy of Katharine Hepburn's book on her experience on the making of the film (which has been out of print for a while). A neat little extra is also what they are calling a Collectible Senitype. It has three separate film frames in the three separate Technicolor colors- then one frame bringing them together to see for yourself the basic idea of the Technicolor process. Very, very neat. The film itself is fantastic and the digital and audio restoration is superb. Do not hesitate to pick it up - we give it a very enthusiastic 5 stars!


Also released this week, but perhaps flying under the radar: John Woo's epic film of Chinese History, Red Cliff. You can purchase the US theatrical version, but don't. You want to pick up the Internation version with parts I and II. Woo's filmed version of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms tells the story of end of the Han Dynasty in China and the infamous battle that took place in 208 A.D. which changed the entire course (and scale) of the country. The film is subtitled of course, but, grow up- you can handle it. You don't want to miss the entire performance of the actors. The cast is incredible and the film is wonderful- and a bit of a departure for fans used to John Woo's action films. Oh don't misunderstand- there is action, but there is so much more. US fans of Asian cinema have been looking forward to this, and if all you know of asian films is Jackie Chan (no disrespect, cause I love the Chan-man too), broaden your horizons- treat yourself to this visual feast of an epic film. 5 stars!

That's all for today Shelfers- stay tuned for more Shelf-y goodness.



Truth and illusion are often disguised as each other.

goodbye to the king of the wild frontier

Fans and Disney-philes around the world are saddened to learn that actor Fess Parker has passed away today at the age of 85. First reports say he died of natural causes. Parker was well known to generations of Disney fans and the very first generation of Mouseketeers especially, as Davy Crockett in the episodes first serialized on the early Disneyland television series, then later blended together and released as feature films. Disney has released several DVD versions of the Davy Crockett series.

It is significant the impact the actor and the role had on a generation and in American cultural history. The very "coonskin" cap Parker wore in the series became a phenomenom with children across the United States, and helped to cement one of television history's longest running series: Disneyland He also was a figure on The Mickey Mouse Club series, as Parker appeared in some early episodes as himself and in character. Visitors around the globe are familiar with Frontierland and the Mike Fink's Keelboats which came directly from the Davy Crockett series as well. Parker had a profound influence on his young fans and if he did nothing else would still be considered a legend. In fact, Disney named him a "Disney Legend" in a ceremony in 1991.

Parker appeared in several other shows- most notably in the 1964-1970 series about another American frontier legend, Daniel Boone. The show fan on TVLand not too many years ago, and I remember watching and enjoying it very much and some seasons are available on DVD. Parker also appeared in several feature films including another popular Disney film, Old Yeller. Parker retired from acting in the 70s and invested in several Real Estate ventures and eventually opened a sprawling Doubletree Resort and a successful Winery, both in California.

Fess Parker- you will missed and you will be remembered by a generation- and introduced to growing generations of Disney fans the world over.



Now and then, for no good reason, life will haul off and knock a man flat.

can't hardly wait...one more week

I am literally...literally counting down the days til next week's retail release of The African Queen on DVD (and Blu-Ray if that's your thing). I've saved birthday money, sold pencils on the street corner (yeah, that was me in the dark glasses), dug around in the sofa cushions, dug around in the neighbor's sofa cushions- heck, I've done everything I can to have the ready folding green to be able to pick up the Special edition DVD. Since we first announced it here at The Shelf, I've been looking forward to it. Aside from being a great film, it's also one of the very first Classic films I saw as a kid that lead me into the fully formed Classic Film Buff that stands before you today. Ok...well, sits before you. Ok, not "before you" - but at my computer...never mind, you know what I mean!

While I have been waiting, I've also been on the look out for some early reviews, as I knew the restored print would be screened for some critics, industry peeps, etc before the release. Well, I've seen several reviews of the screening hitting the online sites. So far, Lee Pfeiffer Cinema Retro has a great review:
"Like most classic movie fans, I have have viewed The African Queen countless times. However, I had never truly seen The African Queen until I attended a special digital screening of the restored version"

Also Nicholas Meyer at The Wrap. Follow the links to their sites to read their assessments. Also as a special treat, and via The Digital Bits, I've posted a short video about the restoration that I was able to link to the original PR site via The Digital Bits- so hat tip to them and please check them out (you should already be checking in with the DB guys weekly anyways for the latest DVD news, reviews and cover-art). The video is making the rounds of the web this week, accompanying the many reviews, but I don't believe it is included on the DVD/Blu-Ray releases- please enjoy:



You can pre-order the various editions of The African Queen, at Amazon.com and other online outlets or you can pick it up March 23 at various retail outlets. I'll be there getting my own copy, and no, I won't have my shades and cup of pencils anymore- you'll have to bring your own pencil.




Nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we are put in this world to rise above.

the wearing of the grin...

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!
Some great Irish flicks on TCM during the day today- set your DVRs...



Now, isn't this sight enough to set the heart crossways in ye?

best wishes to our pal...

...Ivan Shreve at Thrilling Days of Yesteryear. We've been concerned since we hadn't seen "hide nor hair" of our pal at the hallowed halls of his blog. Now we've gotten info from Tom at Motion Picture Gems that word comes from several other bloggers in the know, Edward Copland and The Self Styled Siren (is this a grapevine or what?), that Ivan has taken ill and is in the hosptial.
All of us at The Shelf wish Ivan a speedy recovery and a speedy return to the blogosphere.
Stacia at She Blogged By Night has also passed on word that you can also send your very own get well wishes to Ivan via the Athens Regional Medical Center's eGreetings system.
Ivan- get well soon friend!



You have nothing to worry about. The last patient I gave one of those to won the Kentucky Derby.

that's a wrap? really?

Didn't watch last night's Oscars. Even though some of the awards seemed to be well deserved, and I was interested in how Up would do, it has just gotten too predictable, too long, and too "un-entertaining" in the last few years. This year's change in reverting to expanding the "Best Picture" category to 10 really didn't seem to do much other than to provide a way for people to think something they've actually seen would win and motivate them to watch. Somehow, I think all along voters and Academy members still had a dividing line in the minds as to what the "real nominees" were.

It's almost an exercise in folly to try and read the tea leaves in the weeks leading up to the broadcast, because it seems as if so many are arguing over who "deserves" the award and who the think will get it. The Oscars have always been about peer recognition, and I really don't have a problem with that- it never claimed to be anything else, and anyone who thinks differently is only fooling themselves. Yes, some years it is quite overbearing and overlong, and some years it is overtly and offensively political. But, after all, it is Hollywood voting on what it likes about itself most. I would argue that, in my opinion, in decades past the nominated films were more often than not, of a higher caliber and when members voted- they often voted for some truly outstanding work. Sometimes there was an "upset" or an off year. I believe, more often than not, there was some really excellent work being recognized.

Recent ceremonies seem to be more about the fashion, the infighting and the politics. In fact, millions of dollars go into what the attendees wear, and even more money goes into producing shows and magazines about the attendees and what they are wearing. So, I turn them off. That's right, rather than continue to complain, etc, I have copped to what I don't like, don't worry about it, and turn the channel and have a more relaxing evening. I just realized that a majority of the time- I just don't care and it really doesn't make a huge difference in the overall scheme of things. So why make myself endure something that I don't enjoy watching, just because I am a movie fan? No one is going to take away my "Movie Fan" membership card or anything- so I just skip it and the next check out the parts I am most concerned about.

And there are really only two things I care to watch or know. I am interested in the bottom line: just tell me who won what and be done with it- a list will do just fine thanks. Secondly, I usually like the now famous (or infamous, if you prefer) Oscar "montages". Sometimes they are of the great "100 years at the movies" variety and of course the montage that honors those entertainers who passed away in the last year or so. Most of the times these are fairly dignified affairs, but, if you saw it last night or have been hearing about it on the news, last night's montage was missing several famous people. Not only that, but it was just shoddy, in my opinion. In years past they've done a dignified and elegant sequence. Last night was anything but- a rushed, hodge podge of images that were set to a live musical performance by James Taylor. I like James Taylor- nothing against him or the song- but it just didn't work. For some reason, it didn't mesh. I enjoyed it more with the underling music that allowed more focus on the images, and a more paced sequence itself. These honorees, these performers deserved a little more consideration. A more professionally produced montage.

And this isn't just the Oscars for some reason this year- even TCM's annual "TCM Remembers" didn't really seem to be as good as years past. I think the music detracted too much from the images and the recognition of the stars. What's the disconnect? For me, in both cases, the music didn't work. We lost some famous composers- wouldn't have been a good way to honor one of them to use one of their scores as the soundtrack? It would have been much more effective and poignant, I think, to use something of Maurice Jarre's than the pop-folk guitar songs that both the Academy and TCM went with. I realize that, in the case of TCM, sad songs are often used, but some years the music overpowers the images themselves. It is a delicate balance, I suppose.

I appreciate the fact that the Academy produces these montages, but this years sequence just wasn't up to past production values and missed several notable performers. You can probably see who is missing, even if you haven't seen the news. But in the end, I guess, this is just another movie fan disappointed. In a past year that saw the passing of the likes of Kathryn Grayson, Jennifer Jones and Jody McCrea (Note: I inadvertantly said Joel originally until Tom at Motion Picture Gems reminded me that Joel passed away 20 years ago- it was Joel's son Jody that died last year. I saw Jody mentioned in the TCM clip and he looked so much like his dad, that I didn't even think twice about it. That's what getting long in the tooth as a blogger does to you.) - not to mention more "recent" stars and directors like Natasha Richardson, Patrick Swayze, Farrah Fawcett and John Hughes- I would think the bar needed to be set higher. Here is the montage sequence- judge for yourself.




And here is the TCM Remembers 2009 edition:



What do you think? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the aptly named "comments" section.



I've told you a hundred times. I don't want to win awards. Give me pictures that end with a kiss and black ink on the books.

oh the places we went!

Happy Birthday to my first favorite author, and still tops in my book, Theodor Seuss Geisel, AKA the wonderous Dr. Seuss. He would've been 106 today.

My first memory of reading Dr. Seuss is, as is with many others, Green Eggs and Ham. I had many, many favorites over the years, from If I Ran the Circus to And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street to characters like Horton, The Grinch, The Cat, Yertle and more. I also love his collaborations with Chuck Jones and the animated specials that resulted including the annual must see How the Grinch Stole Christmas! : a perfect storm where Dr. Seuss, Chuck Jones, Thurl Ravenscroft and Boris Karloff met for one perfect show- it doesn't get any better than that.

I've enjoyed several biographies and collected works over the years, and they still adorn my shelves along with several Seussian tomes. Several excellent works that I would recommend for those interested would be:
The Seuss, the Whole Seuss and Nothing But the Seuss: A Visual Biography of Theodor Seuss Geisel by Charles Cohen. Probably one of my favorites and one of the best recent biographies out there; a visual feast, as a biography of the man should be.

Dr. Seuss Goes to War: World War II Editorial Cartoons of Theodor Seuss Geisel by Richard H. Minear. A different look at Dr. Seuss tackling the War and other political subjects with his traditional wit and satire.

Dr. Seuss And Mr. Geisel by Judith and Neil Morgan. An excellent all purpose biography written by two journalists who knew Geisel well.

Dr. Seuss: American Icon by Philip Nel. This is more for those interested in an examination of Geisel's work and influence in American culture. Very good and highly recommended.

Also here is an interesting website examining the advertising artwork of Geisel - it's an online exhibit from the Dr. Seuss Collection, housed at the Mandeville Special Collections Library at the University of California, San Diego.

And just for funsies- here is the animated version of Green Eggs and Ham:


If you have elementary school-age children, chances are they will be read to from one of Dr. Seuss's many books today for Read Across America Day. You won't catch me linking to much at the NEA, but in this case, I think it's a great thing. I think it's an even better thing if you do the same at home. Children can gain a life-long love of reading from simply having books in the home and parents who are willing to read to them and encourage them to read on their own. You can also guide your child (or inner child) to Random House Publishing's Seussville- a website of Seussian wonder full of information, activities and games- and ways to encourage your little ones to read. Take a page from Dr. Seuss- if you read, oh, the places you will go. Thank you, Mr. Geisel, for taking us on many journeys into imaginative places.



I would not, could not, in a box.

Restoring Film, Preserving Art and Conserving Culture

Shelfers- the time is now. It is the end of a very special week- one that hits a cause near and dear to my heart and many others. It is the week of the For the Love of Film: Film Preservation Blogathon that has been hosted by The Self-Styled Siren and Furdy on Film. Allow me the indulgence of doing something I have never done on The Shelf; I am asking for your help and your donations. You see, this is the point of the blogathon; not merely to discuss and call attention to the need for Film Preservation, but to also ask for your donation to The National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF).

As described by the Self Styled Siren, the role of The National Film Preservation Foundation is thus: “The National Film Preservation Foundation is the independent, nonprofit organization created by the U.S. Congress to help save America’s film heritage. They work directly with archives to rescue endangered films that will not survive without public support.” When you make a donation, The NFPF will enter you in a drawing to give away 4 DVD sets as thank-you gifts. Winners will be chosen in a random drawing, and could receive: Treasures III: Social Issues in American Film, 1900-1934 and Treasures IV: American Avant Garde Film, 1947-1986.

I ask that you take a moment to consider it and to donate- you can do so by clicking the button below. I can wait.

Click Here to Donate

Are you back? If you didn’t click- why I’ll give you the button a second time:

Click Here to Donate

OK- hopefully you have taken full advantage of this time to make a contribution towards the preservation of film. I know that readers of this blog fully appreciate the need for preservation and have appreciated popping in a DVD of your favorite film and have marveled when you discovered a re-mastered print and improved sound over that old VHS copy you had. Or perhaps you have purchased a copy of a DVD with a restored print that restored precious minutes to a film you last saw on TV. Studios and distributors have made the effort to restore these films, and in some cases preserve and rescue them from oblivion. Costs, however, are often prohibitive. And although some studios have gone the route of MOD or digital distribution to lower costs, but meet demand; often restoration is not done because of said costs.

But what about the film that isn’t in good enough condition to release- or to allow a theatrical screening? Often they are languishing in libraries, studio archives and even in private collections- deteriorating slowly, but surely, over time. Some films are in such a state that to take them out and even expose them to air and light would cause them irreparable harm. Further, there are those films that exist only in partial prints. One good example is Fritz Lang’s great silent epic Metropolis. Missing footage in a foreign print has only been recently discovered and a restoration project ensued which has culminated in a complete version of the film which will be shown this year at the TCM Film Festival; the first time the complete film has been seen by an audience in decades.

So why should you be concerned? You, after all, are not a professional film technician. Maybe you don’t write articles about or research movies or film history. Maybe you don’t have a private collection of prints – you, after all, are merely a film fan. You don’t have the resources or the know how to do anything about it. Or do you? Your contribution is a direct way for you to be involved in this process. It is a way for you to make a real difference.

Now, many bloggers have been contributing their time and considerable talents to this blogathon. Everyone from Film critics like Roger Ebert to hall of fame film writers and bloggers like the Self Styled Siren to little old amateurs such as myself, have been writing to tell you why this effort is so important. I want to take just a moment and perhaps demonstrate the importance of your donation from another angle.

Your old Uncle Loophole teaches history and humanities at a local campus of a large University. I went to school and majored in History and minored in Anthropological Archaeology. My graduate work was in American History with another degree in Museum Administration specializing in Material Culture studies. I don’t tell you this to scare you away (“Oh noooo- academia! Run!”) or to brag on myself. No, I tell you this so you can appreciate where I am coming from, and so you can understand the full impact of what I am going to say. Film Preservation is nothing short than the preservation of our culture and our history. Our Federal Government, National museums, public committees and local governments around our nation spend millions annually to preserve historic sites, battlefields, buildings and many material objects. Conserving areas of land considered vitally important to our culture and to our future is considered of major importance. And these things should be preserved. In fact, I would venture to say there is much more out there that needs preservation and they can’t, or won’t, preserve them all. It is a daunting task, but it is one that is well worth the effort. A historian once said that a people that forgets their past is like a scary, lost person – lost without any guide to their future path. I would also add that a nation that loses the connection with its past, also loses its connection to the present; like a rudderless ship that has had no embarking point and has no destination, and can’t fix its present location. With nothing to guide it or give the ship information- the stars, sea charts, knowledge of its course- that ship will aimlessly travel on and perhaps never reach its intended destination.

I greatly value our history and our material culture. When I look at things that the people of the past created I can often see reflected therein their values, concerns, fears and hopes. And nowhere is that more the case than in the art and expressive materials that a culture creates: sculptures, novels, paintings, music and even in the case of the 20th century and on- films. I use film in my classes to teach and to illustrate because I find that few material objects can reach a person with such immediacy as film. When I teach my 20th Century American Experience class- film plays a vital part. In past classes I have used The Grapes of Wrath and I Was a Fugitive from a Chain Gang when discussing how the Great Depression affected the American People. I have screen clips from The Wild One, Blackboard Jungle and Attack of the 50 Foot Woman when discussing American culture in the 1950s and its concern with Atomic power, racism and its perception of youth rebellion. My class has viewed In the Heat of the Night and watched interviews with the makers and stars of the film when discussing changes in the culture in the 1960s. I have used film footage of the moon landing, Civil Rights marches, World War II fighting to vividly demonstrate where we have been as a nation. In other words I use film as context- and to help students make a personal connection to the past. There is a difference between using film in class to demonstrate context and then using a film in class (such as a historical epic) and say “This is what happened.” I do not do the later- but using it as context is as valuable as discussing the nation’s literature, music or art. I can’t recall a class on The Civil War that didn’t mention Uncle Tom’s Cabin, or a class on the Renaissance that didn’t discuss the art of the period. In short- a culture creates- and what it creates also contains elements of what it values and believes. Its material culture is nothing short of a mirror held up to capture the image and light of the person holding it to admire.

There are many, many films that are pure escapism- and pure entertainment- but even they are important as a part of our common heritage. Before the radio and moving picture- there was still so much to divide us culturally. The 20th century is nothing, if not the story of a nation that found a common language in radio, film, and television and created a common culture- and a nation that became less and less isolated from itself and from the world. The images we have of our nation, of our entertainment, of our highs and lows, and of how we interpret those highs and lows are as important as the self-same written documents and government papers that we spend so much time and effort to preserve. My assertion is thus- when you aid in preserving our film heritage, you are doing nothing short of preserving and conserving our culture.

I know that not all films necessarily share equal importance in terms of what they contain or even their entertainment value. But there are many films in University holdings, studio archives, private collections and in libraries that have important historical documentary footage- or are films that hold a special place in out entertainment culture. Your donation can go to help find and preserve those films before they are lost forever. We have already lost some- let’s make the move to try and preserve what we can for future generations. Your love of film and your favorite cartoons, shorts, documentaries, comedies, romances and on and on can be passed on to your children and their children and provide the rich cultural heritage and common language of film that we all share.

Again, please donate to the Film Preservation cause. You effort and contribution can do much to help and we can united in a common cause that makes a mark, makes a difference towards our history and our culture. Again here is the link to donate:
Click here to Donate

Thank you for your enthusiasm and thank you for your support. And please go to the Siren’s post with the blogathon’s master list for links to many, many great articles and posts. (By the way- you know this is important to Uncle Loophole when he breaks with 5 years of Shelf tradition and include capitalization in the post title!)



We've seen growing awareness of film preservation, yet the deterioration and eventual disappearance of films have not come to an end. There's still a race against the clock to save what we can at some point.

kathryn grayson passes away...

I apologize for the derth of posts lately, but I have been working on my post for the For the Love of Film: Film Preservation Blogathon (coming up later tomorrow) and teaching - but this piece of sad news caught my eye as reported over at Laura's Miscellaneous Musing and I felt like I needed to pass it along. Please read Laura's tribute as well as this AP article.

The delightful star of many a MGM musical, Kathryn Grayson, has passed away at the age of 88. The star of several key MGM releases of the 40s and 50s including Show Boat and one of my favorites, Kiss Me Kate, costaring with the great Howard Keel. She originally wanted to be an Operatic singer, but Louis B Meyer placed her under contract with MGM, along with a host of young musical talents. Her role in the Gene Kelly/Frank Sinatra starrer Anchors Away that truly sealed her star in the MGM firmament. She worked with some of MGM's best talent at the time, in addition to Keel and Kelly she worked with Gordon MacRae, Mickey Rooney, Van Johnson and Mario Lanza. My favorite Grayson performance is her turn as Lilli Vanessi ("Kate") in Kiss Me Kate- by far, probably one of her best. She will be missed.



You'd make a perfect shrew!

jam packed february

That about describes it- a jam-packed February for film lovers and especially classic film fans. First off, if you are a TCM fan you know that January was a great month with the Shadows of Russia TCM Spotlight, put together by film critic Lou Lumenick and Farran Smith Nehme, otherwise known as one of our favorite film bloggers, The Self-Styled Siren. One of the highlights for me was being able to catch Comrade X with Hedy Lamar and Clark Gable.

This month is busy, busy, busy also, and we will be trying to add to the festivities as best we can. A few things to be on the lookout for:

At TCM it is the annual celebration known as 31 Days of Oscar- usually many of the films are ones that see regular rotation on TCM during the year, but this year sees several unusual entries that in years past. Check out the schedule at the 31 Days of Oscar site. Jack Benny superfans, such as myself, will be tickled to see his 1937 Artists and Models with Ida Lupino (thanks to Laura at her Miscellaneous Musings for that tip! Check out her site for even more hot tips!)

The Academy Awards kicked off the month with their announced nominees. Not much too add, as in years past there wasn't much to get excited about. However, this year sees the second animated film nominated for Best Picture in Academy history: Up. Needless to say, we are rooting for Pixar's delightful film.

DVD releases of note for this month will include two great sets from Sony coming Feb. 9th: Bad Girls of Film Noir 1 & 2. Vol. 1 includes The Killer that Stalked New York, Two of a Kind, Bad for Each Other and The Glass Wall. The line-up for Vol. 2 includes Night Editor, One Girl’s Confession, Over-Exposed, and Women’s Prison. A nice entry for a year that is already seeing a derth of traditional DVD releases. And let us not neglect to mention the Criterion release of Leo McCarey's film Make Way for Tomorrow due Feb. 23rd.

Lastly, and in some ways more importantly, this month there is a blog-a-thon being hosted by The Self-Styled Siren and Ferdy on Films from February 14th through the 21st: For the Love of Film. It's blog-a-thon with a purpose near and dear to old Uncle Loophole's heart: Film Preservation. The stated mission: "Creating awareness about the need for film preservation and raising funds for the National Film Preservation Foundation." Needed monies will be raised and many bloggers, some of whom are very familiar to Shelfers, will be participating- we hope to do so as well. Check out the website at For the Love of Film. Also check out this short commercial and do your part: spread the word.



As we said- things are pretty busy this month, so be sure to check back in and around The Shelf nation!



Well, there's some good news and some bad news. Last week all the towels were stolen. But on the other hand the water wasn't running so nobody needed the towels. Everything balances.

an open letter to barbara boxer

Senator Boxer, ma’am.

I am a recent emigrant to the State of California. I have been frustrated, knowing that even though I am now one of your constituents, my views were not likely to be represented. I have written you in the past about my concerns over the current federal legislative agenda, including cap and trade, the socialized approach to fixing health care, and the assaults on DOMA. Each time I have written, I have received a response that seemed to politely say “Thanks for the input, but I’m not interested.” I have been frustrated that my concerns seemed to mean so little to either of my Senators. But I wanted to tell you this:

I saw what happened in Massachusetts with Scott Brown, and I’ve seen your poll numbers for the upcoming election. It used to seem that you were guaranteed to keep your seat in perpetuity. I now know that this is no longer the case.

I urge you to start taking the concerns of your constituents seriously, or in the fall, you may no longer have constituents that you can ignore.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

aw, shucks...

I received word today that this humble little blog has received the Kreativ Blogger Award our pal (don't hold that against him) over at Thrilling Days of Yesteryear, Ivan G. (the "G" stands for goin' places) Shreve, Jr. Ivan, erstwhile curmudgeonly classic culture commentator that he is, bestowed upon us this nice award- the first in Shelf history. We were further honored when we saw the august company we kept- as Ivan bestowed it upon several other blogs that we admire and love. On behalf of the trained professional staff here at The Shelf- oh, and the authors too- I thank you Ivan for being so kind.

Now it says here in the official handbook that there are several duties to which we must attend. Here they are in order:
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award. - Again, thanks Ivan!

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog. Already proudly displayed above.

3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award. Here ya go.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
Well, I'll speak for myself- Matt, Wolfie and Mrs. Baravelli can chime in on their own.

a. I had been known, on occasion, to enjoy a jar of Gerber Plum baby food when I was feeding my own brood. I was pretty sure they didn't mind. The banana suited them better.

b. Outside of family, I have considered Groucho Marx, Moe, Larry, Curly and Shemp and Humphrey Bogart to be my personal heroes since the age of 8.

c. My favorite comedian and star of all time is Jack Benny. It is my lifework to listen to all of his radio shows. It doesn't pay well, but it's a living.

d. If forced at gunpoint, I believe I would choose Dino over old Blue Eyes to play on the vitrolla.

e. I am working on a book. Seriously. On the long term plan. Just don't ask me what the title is, because I haven't decided.

f. I have an unusual affinity for television theme songs. I have Sanford and Son, Night Court, Barney Miller, Friends, Newhart and Cheers on what passes for my mp3 player. (By the way-You can hear the full version of Sanford and Son here.)

g. When in High School I formed a comedy club that actually spread to two other schools, and we were known for two things: 1. A prank advertising the High School Building for sell in our local newspaper (they got a few calls) and 2. Having our own Monty Python "cover" troup. Once we performed the Lumberjack song at a community fundraiser held at a friend's Unitarian Church. Believe it or not, Unitarians have a wicked sense of humor.

5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers and post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
Well, Ivan has nominated several that we would as well, but we have more that we think are well worth a daily read, and are quite keen to boot.

A. Jacqueline at Another Old Movie Blog.

B. Moira at Skeins of Thought.

C. C.K. Dexter Haven at Hollywood Dreamland

D. Livius at Riding the High Country.

E. Bacall at Classic Movie Gab.

F. Raquelle at Out of the Past.

G. Operator_99 at Allure

6. There is no number 6- it says here.

7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

Well, we have fulfilled our award winning duties and again, we would like to thank Ivan for this honor. And we encourage you to go visit the nominated blogs we've listed. We do think they are the bee's knees.

Let joy be unconfined. Let there be dancing in the streets, drinking in the saloons, and necking in the parlor.

her majesty arrives...

It is sad, but true. I had the info in my inbox, but not having checked it for a couple of days, I completely missed it. Thanks to my friends Laura, David at Classicflix and the all knowing Glenn Erickson, AKA: the DVD Savant who kept us all abreast of this great news while old Uncle Loophole was napping. Yes, the shame is palpable, but we are in mighty fine hands with ace reporters like these. What am I talking about? Shelfers, it's news that stills my beating heart: Paramount has heard our endless pleas and announced an official street date and artwork for The African Queen DVD/Blu-Ray release. Not only that, but David at Classicflix also reports that Warners has set a release date for that other elusive entry on our DVD wish list, No Time for Sergeants. (a tip of the Shelf Top Hat to David, Laura, Glenn and Warners and Paramount for the information!)

The African Queen: Release date: MARCH 23, 2010
Paramount will release 4 different sets of the Oscar winning 1951 Bogart/Hepburn classic film, The African Queen. There will be a standard DVD and Blu Ray release, and also a Commemorative Edition for both Blu-Ray and DVD. All editions are single disc and come with special features, but the Commemorative Edition will be packed with more extras, making this the edition to get!

The film has been restored- which the VHS print I had clear demonstrates the necessity. From Paramount's press release:
"Meticulously restored using state-of-the-art 4K digital technology, THE AFRICAN QUEEN will now be available for a new generation to appreciate and for long-time fans to see again, as if for the first time. Legendary director John Huston’s treasured romantic adventure stars the incomparable Humphrey Bogart as hard-drinking boat captain Charlie Allnut—a role that won him his only Academy Award® (Best Actor, 1951)—and renowned actress Katharine Hepburn as missionary Rose Sayer in a tale of two disparate people thrown together by fate and drawn together by love.

A six-year journey filled with challenges nearly as difficult as those faced by Rose and Charlie, the restoration process began at the source: Romulus Films—one of the film’s original production companies—provided access to the original three-strip negative at a London facility where the film was carefully scanned and digitized. The separate elements were then transferred to Los Angeles and painstakingly recombined and inspected frame by frame to ensure that every detail aligned and that any dirt and scratches were removed.

To ensure that the restored picture matched the filmmakers’ original vision, Paramount arranged a screening of an MPAA archive print for the film’s original cinematographer, Academy Award® winner Jack Cardiff*, whose comments were recorded live during the screening. That same archival print was later screened alongside the newly restored version so that the restoration team could ensure that all of Cardiff’s notes had been addressed. The result is a vibrant, warm picture that reverentially recreates the film as it was originally meant to be seen."
Thankfully, Paramount went above and beyond it's usual release MO with this film and took special care to make sure it would be the release for which fans have been waiting.
Special features in both the standard and Commemorative Edition include:
A making of documentary entitled: Embracing Chaos: Making The African Queen.

The Commemorative Edition will be packed with great extras, in addition to the Embracing Chaos documentary, including:
An audio disc with a recording of the Radio broadcast of the Lux Radio Theater Presents: The African Queen.
A Senitype film frame collectible reproduction.
Collectible postcards featuring reproductions of images related to the film.
And a reproduction of a great book of film history that is now out of print: Katharine Hepburn: The Making of The African Queen or How I Went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall and Huston and Almost Lost My Mind.

(Side note: Hepburn's book was one of the first books of Film History I owned, having received it one Christmas as a teenager. I have that hardback edition of this book packed away somewhere and wish I could find it. It's a great first hand account of the making of the film, but also the relationships between Hepburn, Bogie, Bacall and Huston. Boffo stuff, indeed.)

A great film, and one of the first "classic films" that I ever saw which set me on the course of a lifelong love of classic films. It is definitely one to add to your collection.

No Time for Sergeants: Release Date: MAY 4, 2010
Warners is doing the right thing by this wonderfully funny film and issuing a standard release of the 1958 classic starring Andy Griffith. No Time for Sergeants is the story of an earnest young man from the country, Will Stockdale who is drafted into the Air Force, and quickly turns the AF upside down with chaos and laughter. Also in the film, Don Knotts (in their first on-screen pairing) as the aptitude tester, Myron McCormick as Will's gruff Sergeant Orville King who tries to get Will out of his hair and Nick Adams as Will's new best friend, Ben. At this time, no extras are listed on the Warner's website.

Just this past month, my grandfather had me search for a copy of this movie, one of his favorites. I had to tell him that I had heard there would be a DVD release, but I didn't no when and if they really would. He wanted me to look into finding a used VHS copy, which is not going for cheap on eBay. I told him to wait and see, as typically the studios release a lot of their upcoming plans for the year in January/February.

This just in: Also for release on May 4 by Warner Brothers:
Dr. Zhivago The 45th Anniversary edition on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Special features will include:
New to this edition: Doctor Zhivago: A Celebration (all-new production)
Commentary by Omar Sharif, Rod Steiger and Lady Sandra Lean (wife of David Lean)Introduction by Omar Sharif
Doctor Zhivago: The Making of a Russian Epic
Zhivago: Behind the Camera with David Lean featurette
David Lean's Film of Doctor Zhivago featurette
Moscow in Madrid featurette
Pasternak featurette
New York Press Interviews Omar Sharif featurette
New York Press Interviews Julie Christie featurette
Geraldine Chaplin Screen Test featurette
This is Omar Sharif, This is Julie Christie, and This is Geraldine Chaplin featurettes
Chaplin in New York featurette and the Original Trailer

Well Shelfers, it's a nice start to the new year. We still have some uncertainty in regards to standard releases of Classic films on DVD/Blu-Ray, but Warners Archive, The TCM/Universal on Demand and now MGM on Demand programs give hope for the future. And certainly Disney and Fox are looking into Downloads and On-Demand programs as well. Hopefully we will be able to continue to report some great releases this year and bring you more reviews.

Let's see - now I can cross off two on my wish list- now on to my next big "hoped for" item: more Jack Benny films, including George Washington Slept Here, The Horn Blows at Midnight, Love Thy Neighbor and The Meanest Man in the World. And while the studio's are at it, it wouldn't kill you to release The Jack Benny Show seasons on DVD, would it? And while we are on the subject of neglect TV releases, the rest of the seasons of Newhart? Well, I can hope, can't I?



I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!

happy new year!

Everyone here at The Shelf (the above is not an accurate likeness- well, for the most part) would like to wish all of you a very Happy New Year and prosperous and healthy 2010!



Stop with the don't thoughts. Start with the do thoughts.