The lush opening title sequence from 'Imitation of Life'.

Susan Kohner as Sarah Jane and Lana Turner as Lora Meredith.

Gusti Kreissl as Mother, in the opening pre-title scene.

Hans Hirschmuller as Hans in Handler Der Vier Jahreszeiten (The Merchant of Four Seasons).

Film and stage beauties # 6: Diana Gibson`

Reverse reads:

A series of 54, No. 15. Diana Gibson.

A series of real photographs now being issued with Black Cat Medium Cigarettes.Carreras Ltd (ESTD 1788) Arcadia Works, London, England.

Seems like Diana was for the most part uncredited according to IMDB, link.

DVD review: Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid

‘Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid’, was for me one of those films that was always on TV whilst I was growing up, perhaps because it was such a huge hit the BBC seemed to play it on heavy rotation. It seemed to always be on. Later, as I watched more and more films I never really felt the urge to go back to ‘Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid’ and I don’t really know why, other than perhaps I felt a little over exposed to it.

I’ve just seen ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – The Ultimate Collectors Edition’, which is one of those rare occasions when a studio in this case 20th Century Fox puts out something that feels this definitive and is worthy of taking another look.

The extras include a nice documentary which is entirely on-set footage of the film making process ‘The Making of Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid’ and narrated by George Roy-Hill that he donated to Yale University (he was in the class of 1943). He discusses lenses used, shooting locations, stunts and almost all aspects of his process in a very straightforward style.

There is also a scene that was cut where Butch, Sundance and Etta whilst in Bolivia visit a cinema and see a short film essentially about themselves called ‘The Hole in the Wall Gang’ Butch and Sundance are unhappy to see their portrayal and angry when the film depicts events as they did not happen. What I also liked as an extra were the interviews with historians who compared the film with what they know about the real Butch, Sundance and Etta.

There are several interviews with William Goldman, he has several comments that interested me and helped me to see the film in a new light.
One such comment he makes is to tell us that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, were in the late 1950’s largely unknown and the element that interested him the most was that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ran away and became legends for a second time. To those who haven’t seen this film in a while, this DVD really provides enough reasons in terms of content to give the film another look, if you were like me and hadn’t seen it in a while you can add an extra depth of appreciation through these great extras.

‘Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid’ IMDB entry, link.
More information on the 20th Century Fox site, link.

Coming attraction: Volver

According to this programme 'Volver' has been described as 'Mildred Pierce' meets 'Arsenic and Old Lace'. UK release is sadly not until 25th August.

IMDB entry for 'Volver', link.

Medea

Truth and fiction: Sergeant York

My friend Colin was always telling me how much he enjoyed 'Sergeant York' to this day and despite being on heavy rotation on TCM here in the UK I've still never seen it.
The article below about Sergeant York caught my eye whilst I was away.

Article: 'Revisiting the legend of an American War Hero' by Craig S. Smith, link.

Anna Magnani

A still from 'The Golden Coach' from an old NFT film programme (Renoir season).

For more Magnani check out Movie Masterworks post on 'Mamma Roma', link.

DVD review: Free Cinema

Stroll on over to Flickhead where there is a review of 'Free Cinema' a new British Film Institute DVD, I haven't seen the DVD yet but would like to after reading this piece, link.

Film and stage beauties # 5: Laurie Lane

Reverse reads:

A series of 54, No. 14. Laurie Lane.

A series of real photographs now being issued with Black Cat Medium Cigarettes.Carreras Ltd (ESTD 1788) Arcadia Works, London, England.

Seems like Laurie was mostly an extra according to IMDB, link.

Coming attraction: A Prairie Home Companion

I'm not sure of the UK release of this yet but saw a sneak preview on Talking Movies (BBC). I think I recall that because of Altman's age they had to have Paul Thomas Anderson as the stand by Director.
IMDB entry for 'A Prairie Home Companion', link.

The curtain comes down...

But only for a short while, back soon.

Some people say bowling alleys got big lanes...

Coming attraction: The Wind That Shakes The Barley

According to yesterday's Daily Telegraph when this film opens in Britain next Friday it will open on 40 screens, in France it will open on 300 screens.

'Useable Past' article from today's Guardian, link. According to this The Times labelled Loach worse than Leni Riefenstahl, it seems the British press have given Loach a bit of a bashing over the subject matter of his latest film. Interview with Ken Loach in yesterday's Guardian, with overview of the quotes used in newspapers such as The Sun and The Daily Mail, link. According to The Daily Telegraph yesterday when he was interviewed in Cannes he said "I don't think there's going to be any controversy over this film", link.
Loach always takles subjects that frankly our other film makers won't go near, this is why for those that enjoy his work think that he is a vibrant and interesting film maker, regardless of his political views and amongst the best of those film makers still working here.

Finally, coming attraction: The Passenger arrives

NFT, link. Note the link on the advertisement doesn't work.

Coming attraction: Princess Raccoon, Seijun Suzuki comes to London

Very exciting news, later this month Seijun Suzuki will come to the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) and attend a screening of his new film.

A season of films will follow in July and the new issue of Sight and Sound magazine includes an article on Suzuki.

Princess Raccoon and Seijun Suzuki in Conversation, link.