I left my Tate out in the snow...

A few more of pics of Sharon Tate can be found over at the The Percy Trout Hour, a constant source for whimsical amusement.

From C to C

Some bloggers go all high falutin' and travel abroad to exotic locales to rub shoulders with the glamourous and perverted, throbbing throngs of celebrity. They squint in the reflection of Angelina's smile and stuff. Others borrow a car and drive the 8 hours to just a little north of Columbus, Ohio for the 39th Cinevent festival and celebration of silent film. There is also a dealer's room which consists of all the paper sellers (and the buyers that they attract) that you'd mostly want to know, if you really wanted to know any. This list includes Dan from L.A. who may be the coolest dealer around. I once heard a rumour that he dated Mary Woronov so you know what level of cool we're on here. We touched base about the trade we did last year that is near to final with the mailing of a nice, big burlesque piece to Canada about to happen any near day and I made a deal to grab a few more of his pieces now that he's closed the gallery and everything is going at 50% off. There could be Japanese two panels for both 'Pretty Poison' and 'I Am Curious Yellow'(psychedelic!) coming my way as well as assorted stuff. Good!

Some bloggers saw Beau Geste from 1926 and Loose Ankles from 1930 which stars the strikingly beautiful and lithe Loretta Young. Actually, all the actresses from back then were lovely in the most wonderful of ways, I find. 1929's 'The River' is rare and it's missing the first and final reel. This is before Grindhouse, folks. But it was still a good exisiting reel and the place was packed! 1926's 'The Winning of Barabara Worth' was the favourie and the W.C. Field's piece, 'Running Wild', from 1927 was easily the most tedious. This one would have been better, I suspect...




And as for bumping up against the famous and monied, who needs that shit?! Directly behind me at the WC screening was none other than Toby Radloff himself. I also stood with him while he picked out a projector bulb for a friend. A film loving friend. A true fan and seemingly real nice guy who didn't stay for the Bulldog Drummond feature (nor did I) and instead went to his room after first discussing options with his pal.

yes, i live in the past. its just better that way

I would be simply camp out at this cinema if it was still around today with this programming... (courtesy of Flickhead - click on image to see them larger)

summer nights are back at last...

What a sight! From a lengthy post on drive-ins over at Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule.

1969

Christploitation

From Heartland Productions...

Questions

This is just too sublime. Almost too good to be true and as fine a trailer as you're likely to find. Someone needs to see the film again and soon.

getting ready for the Riviera...

The countdown is on. On Tuesday I hop on a jet from Amsterdam to Nice and make my way to Cannes...



Robert Mitchum pleads the physical equivalent to the fifth as actress Simone Sylva prays that this publicity play will launch her career. (from Variety)

you know when you are in europe when...

Sitting at a local bar - very local with no drunk Brit toturists for blocks - the young female film maker that you are introduced to starts to tell you about meeting Tinto Brass at a fest in Greece and how lovely he was and describes several of his fims to you in modest detail... (memo to Phanta-Scope board: maybe we should change that Dino membership back to the Tinto Brass...)

Just stumbled across an entry in the blog of the king of UK horror film journalists, Alan Jones, about his recording commentary on CALIGULA with Dame Helen Mirren: "At one point, covered her eyes during the head-severing torture machine scene in the gladiatorial arena."

From "FRIVOLOUS LOLA"- ironically this film was playing in the market the first time I attended Cannes in 1998 and I so wanted to see it, but was turned away for not having the right badge...



And here is an Italian interview with The Maestro...

One Two Three!

I have a soft spot for

a) films that take place in the subway
b) heist pictures
c) seventies films about New York City
d) films where Robert Shaw is up to no good
e) movies with David Shire soundtracks (All The President's Men, The Conversation, Zodiac)
f) movies where Walter Matthau comes to the rescue

Here's the trailer for a film that has it all - The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)!

The Grasshopper

"Today's child sheds no tears, has no regrets, knows no tomorrows. Today's child is Christine."








Last night I finally got a chance to see one of my cinematic Great White Whales; The Grasshopper, from 1970, with Jacqueline Bisset as Christine, a beautiful 19-year-old (from British Columbia!) who heads down to Los Angeles for love but who winds up a burned out Las Vegas prostitute at age 22.

It's like a clueless Hollywood version of Midnight Cowboy (Midnight Cowgirl?), with amazing dialogue written by Jerry (Smile) Belson and the one and only Garry Marshall (which may explain why practically every man in the film talks like Garry Marshall) that tries desperately to be "with-it", documentary footage that almost seems like the filmmakers were denied permits to film their own movie (several Vegas showgirl numbers are covered from afar and at bad angles that must have been deliberately so), and bursts of montage, several of them breathtaking. The storytelling towards the end mirrors the unraveling state of the protagonist's mind, rendered in dissolves and blackouts that increase in intensity with every bad decision she takes. By the end, when she hijacks a biplane and forces the pilot to write obscenities in the sky, you almost have to pinch yourself that you haven't fallen asleep and are now having a nightmare about the movie.

The resemblance to Verhoeven's Showgirls is uncanny, right down to a shocking rape sequence that comes out of nowhere and is guaranteed to bring the most rollicking room to a sickened hush.

So Warner Brothers, how come a movie featuring a young Jacqueline Bisset in various states of undress, written by the director of Pretty Woman, isn't on DVD yet, not even as a curiosity piece? You own the rights.

I'd buy one!

Saturday is David Friedman Day!

At least until I go to Inland Empire at 9:30.


There was never a better adman in the history of film posterdom. Friedman's taglines are legendary and the man himself so interesting that there really should be a holiday given to celebrate somebody who moved so easily through all the 'important' genres while establishing/inventing many and leaving an impression that can never be ignored. He truly is larger than life and our world owes him so much love.


1961


1965


1967



1977.

Friday is David Lynch Day!

At least for Colin it is.


Nate & Matt meet David Lynch (and a cow)



David on Product Placement...



David on Jay Leno for the TV show ON THE AIR...



David Lynch on 9/11...



David's Public Service Announcement...



David's French cigarette ad...



David's car ad...



David's Play Station ads...

Morricone Goes Pop!

This is a clash of the titans! Which of these singers can belt out the best version of what must be an incredibly difficult song to sing: Ennio Morricone's epic 'Se Telefonando'?

I quite like this version by Iva Zanicchi I just stumbled upon in the interwoods. She is bringing it here, but it's a clear challenge for her.


Françoise Hardy does a very nice, more Phil Spector-ish version called 'Je Changerais D'Avis' - it was this version I heard first. Sorry, everyone in love with her - I only have rotting fruit for you this time.


But the best has to be this one - the original, by Mina! I believe Ennio himself orchestrated it.

Commedia 1973

Not Only, But Also

Steve Coogan's "Lesbian Vampire Lovers of Lust"

Just found this on YouTube. Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible????? Got to get this!

"Steve Coogan parody of lesbian vampire movies, with Coogan and Sally Bretton as newlyweds invited to stay at the castle of lustful Countess Kronsteen (Ronni Ancona, having a blast!) From Coogan's comedy-horror tv series, Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible, Episode: "Lesbian Vampire Lovers of Lust"

And the original trailer for THE VAMPIRE LOVERS:

Maggie Thatcher vs THE LEGEND OF THE HELL HOUSE

Not big screen, but rather small screen from the UK...

Hitchin' A Ride

Hitch-Hike, also known as Autoroute Rosso Sangue (1977)!