25
Jun
2012
TCM’s Summer Under the Stars 2012
Turner Classic Movies has released the schedule of this year’s “Summer Under the Stars” – a programming event that features films from one actor or actress each day in the month of August. Here’s when we suggest waking up with a “massive headache” or “nausea” so you can call in sick to work:
Thursday, August 2 – Myrna Loy
Are you ready for this? Starting at 1pm you can watch, in a row: Libeled Lady, Wife vs. Secretary, The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, The Best Years of Our Lives, The Thin Man, and Cheaper by the Dozen. *achew* I can already feel that cold coming on…
Sunday, August 5 – Claude Rains
Everyone’s favorite English actor with a French name takes center stage with showings of Kings Row; Now, Voyager; The Invisible Man; Mr. Skeffington; and The Adventures of Robin Hood.
Tuesday, August 14 – James Cagney
A diverse schedule from gangster films to Billy Wilder comedies, this lineup includes The Public Enemy; White Heat; and One, Two, Three.
Wednesday, August 29 – Ingrid Bergman
I’ve been waiting forever to see Gaslight. I’m also curious about the Hitchcock-directed Under Capricorn. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde sounds appealing as well.
Check tcm.com for the full schedule – it should be up soon.
17
May
2011
Bringing Up Babies
Life Magazine’s website currently features a slide show of classic film stars as babies. The gallery includes photos of Humphrey Bogart (can you even imagine him being a kid?), Marlon Brando, Katharine Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, and James Cagney, who was practicing his gangster face even in infancy.
This look took years to perfect.
28
Jun
2010
Modern-Day Counterpart Monday: Surfers and Gangstas Edition
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938): James Cagney and Pat O’Brien star as childhood pals who grow up to become a gangster and a priest and manage to maintain a friendship, despite being on opposite sides of the law. Read my review here.
It's alright fellas, we're friends. Really.
Point Break (1991): An FBI agent (Keanu Reeves) infiltrates a gang of surfers suspected of robbing banks. Despite being on opposite sides of the law, he develops a respect for their leader (Patrick Swayze).
Friends who skydive together rob banks together.
Why They’re Related: Though the two films aim for differing degrees of seriousness, the dynamic between the two lead characters is similar enough. The presence of friendship between two natural enemies adds tension and complexity to each story. Each antagonist is not one-dimensionally evil, but rather shows moments of poor judgment and bad behavior with an otherwise pleasant disposition. One main difference: while Cagney’s performance was rewarded with an Oscar nomination, Keanu Reeves’ performance warranted… the concept of Point Break Live!
2
Dec
2009
Review: Angels With Dirty Faces (1938)
Starring: James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, Humphrey Bogart
Co-Starring: Ann Sheridan, George Bancroft, the Dead End Kids
Directed by: Michael Curtiz
Other notable contributors: Max Steiner – music, Orry-Kelly – gowns
Favorite scene: Second to last scene (no spoilers here). Brilliant acting, directing, and cinematography.
Favorite line: “Whaddya hear! Whaddya say!” – Rocky (Cagney)
Raves: Best movie I’ve seen in a long time. Great story – a morality tale that isn’t cheesy. The Dead End Kids are fun to watch and Bogart is, well, Bogart. Curtiz uses the camera actively and with purpose. The main character is compelling and well-developed. Gangster or not, he’d pass the “want to have a beer with” test with flying colors. Cagney received a richly-deserved Oscar nomination for this role. Bottom line – I LOVED THIS MOVIE.
Rants: None. This movie really is that fantastic.
My take: This was my first ever Cagney film and I’m sorry I waited so long to see one. If he’s not magnetic, I don’t know who is. I’ll definitely be adding this one to my personal collection.
Mag. Net. Ic.
Recommended if: Not to be cute, but if you like good movies. Don’t be scared away because you don’t have a penchant for gangster films – this film will appeal to everybody.
Modern-Day Counterpart: I’ve had this post sitting in our drafts folder since AUGUST simply because I couldn’t think of a good enough modern-day counterpart. If you have an idea for one, help me sleep better at night and tell me. Please.
