Here’s looking at you, kid. CASABLANCA 1942

OK today we’re (when we’re looking at my pictures) at the Tintagel Methodist Church on Fore St. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tintagel

Of course we’ll have a happy OUTLANDER ENDING

As I set here watching Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade–AGAIN I got to thinking about movies. I mean most of us watch them…whether it’s new at the movies–or same day release on Pay for View…or reruns on the various TV, and Movie channels or on Net Flix and other internet sites…and there’s that rapidly outdating (like so much of our lives) DVD and watching your own personal collection. It’s unbelievable the options–so I decided this week I’d wander thru the land of movies…probably into next week too.

You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.

ON THE WATERFRONT 1954

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Between 1890 – 1927 was the era of the silent movie.

According to Wikipedia the first multi-reel feature film in the world was a 1906 Australian number:

THE STORY OF THE KELLY GANG which gave us the story of Ned Kelly (think down under’s Jessie James), an infamous character in the down under land, a part that was later played (1970); in the 17th movie about that same outlaw; by Mick Jagger, I don’t know how well the first 16 did but Jagger’s performance was a great reinforcement that Mick should stay on stage and avoid the screen—and the movie which is suppose to have great photography was otherwise a total flop.

A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS 1991

The first big American movie production was

Birth of a nation which was produced by D.W. Griffith but unfortunately this major American effort has more recently been condemned for it’s views on the Klan, and the institution of slavery. I have never seen it, I totally do not like silent movies and given this one’s themes I think I can live without it.

Before 1905—when the first commercial movie theater opened in Pittsburgh, I guess they watched movies in non-movie theaters and town halls and like that? But obviously movies were here to stay given the fact that they got permanent viewing space.

You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?

DIRTY HARRY 1971

A major name in silent movies was Charlie Chaplin, who while being in mostly American movies was actually English—(in fact there’s a statue of him in his tramp alter ego in London in Leister Square). His movies ranged from the 1921 “The Kid” to a 1967 “A Countess in Hong Kong” which was a British production which Chaplin both wrote and directed and which stared Marlon Brando, Sophia Loren, Tippi Hendren and Chaplin’s 3rd son Sydney Earle Chaplin.

While the Little Tramp is his most remembered role I think the 1940 production “The Great Dictator” ; in which he does a bit that is more Hitler than the horrible man himself; was totally amazing.

Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.

CASABLANCA 1942

Brand and Angelina were not the first power couple. In March of 1920 Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and Mary Pickford were married–after divorcing their respective spouses of course. They went on to buy a lodge which they named Pickford which became the center of the Roaring 20’s Hollywood social scene.

Fairbanks was your classic action star and played in the original Zorro production (Which was played best—in my opinion by Tyrone Powers in “Mark of Zorro”—grief it was even made into a TV show with Guy Williams—not nearly as good as Tyrone).

His United Artist (formed by Fairbanks, Chaplin, DW Griffith and Pickford of course) would produce many more of his swashbuckling adventures from the “3 Musketeers” (1921), “Robin Hood” (1922), “The Thief of Bagdad” and “The Black Pirate” both in 1926.

Pickford on the other hand was “America’s Sweetheart” and played in a softer but no less of fantasies production films like in 1917 alone: “The Poor Little Rich Girl”, Rebecca of Sunny Brooke Farm” and Romance of the Redwoods.”

Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make.

DRACULA 1931

1923 brought us Warner Brothers and by 1925 their first picture–a Rin Tin Tin epic–another character (kinda) that went on to spawn many more movies as well a another of those pesky TV shows.

But it was in 1927 that Warners brought us something really memorial. “The Jazz Singer” which in case you hadn’t heard—was the first movie with sound.

Warners would go on to give us gangster films in the 30’s, and from Bugs Malone to Bugs Bunny in the 1940s along with other cartoons of note.

Listen to me, mister. You’re my knight in shining armor. Don’t you forget it. You’re going to get back on that horse, and I’m going to be right behind you, holding on tight, and away we’re gonna go, go, go!

ON GOLDEN POND 1981

RKO also developed in the 20’s (1928) and though small and once owned by Howard Hughes (later played by Leonardo Dicaprio(2004) among many others actors some times as actually named Huges to thinly veiled characters in other productions) it make a mark with Fred Astaire (one of the most amazing dancers of all time) and Ginger Roger’s (who did everything that Astaire did only backwards and in heels) movies in the 30’s along with non-musical but equally famous (and still appearing on the small screen near you) “King Kong” (1933) as well as another famous man–Orson Wells playing an equally quirky “Citizen Kane” (1941)—it is said that this thinly veiled character didn’t appreciate the “Rosebud” version of his life and make Welles life and ambitions go along a tortured path–or maybe Orson just peeked early and the rest was written in the stars.

I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!

The Wizard of Oz 1939

In the 1920’s MGM was also formed with the combination of some earlier studios. Oh and that roaring lion was first recorded and put on their film opening in 1928. Their movies of note included “Grand Hotel” (1932), “Mutiny on the Bounty (1936 this one had Clark Gable who I still adore rather than Marlon Brando–in a later version– who irritates me), Night at the Opera (1935 w/Marx Brother) and my sister’s favorite and still a major seller of memorabilia and continual showings–“The Wizard of Oz” and one of my all time favorites “Gone With The Wind” (1939)–the epic love story of all time..Frankly my dear we all did give a dam!!!

A martini. Shaken, not stirred.

Goldfinger 1964

and as for the smaller studios:

20th Century fox (1935) was famous for Shirley Temple (mid 30’s) and Betty Grable (1930’s and 40s).

Oh by the way Universal was founded in 1912 and became famous thru W.C. Fields & Abbot & Costello, not to mention Woody Woodpecker.

and finally Columbia (1924) which scored a big hit with “It Happened One Night” (again with Gable) and the walls came tumblin’ down scene.(1937) and continued on with not as talented but more modern Batman.

So that’s a quick review and kinda background for my views on the movies that will continue on next time I make it get back to the ole blog.

Say “hello” to my little friend!

Scarface 1983

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CHECK out the real lovers and love story behind Outlander and it’s not Cait and Sam: http://www.scpr.org/programs/the-frame/2016/05/18/48967/outlander-starz-ronald-d-moore-terry-dresbach/

check this on out…it has a different version of the wedding night—pre-sex sorry—but it’s contains some scenes you haven’t seen before and Jamie telling stories you only got bits of before: Be sure to scroll down it’s about mid way thru article and begins with Ron’s explination: http://people.com/tv/outlander-sam-heughan-is-lucky-to-have-caitriona-balfe-in-his-life/

Plan your vacation to Scotland on this site: https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/attractions/tv-film/outlander/