Director Richard Lester was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but he made some of the best British films of the 1960s. Inspired by Buster Keaton and Jacques Tati, he developed an acute funny bone and an appreciation of the absurd that allowed him to work side-by-side with bastions of British comedy such as Spike Milligan … Continue reading ONE FOR ALL, AND ALL FOR ONE!
October & November at the Movie Morlocks
Links to my posts at the TCM's Movie Morlocks October - November. Ghost Stories: THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES (1946) Excerpt: "THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES is often referred to as an “Abbott and Costello movie for people who don’t like Abbott and Costello” but as a fan of the comic duo I find that … Continue reading October & November at the Movie Morlocks
Spy Games: Frank Tashlin & Doris Day Go Undercover
From my latest installment of Spy Games at the Movie Morlocks:
Goodnight Phyllis, We Love You
I was disappointed to learn that Phyliss Diller had passed away last week so I devoted my recent Movie Morlocks post to her titled, Goodnight Phyllis, We Love You. Here's a brief excerpt from my post: The wife, mother and career woman who started life as Phyllis Ada Driver on July 17, 1917 didn’t share … Continue reading Goodnight Phyllis, We Love You
The King of Comedy: Jerry Lewis at 86
My latest post at TCM's Movie Morlocks focuses on the controversial comedian Jerry Lewis who is celebrating his birthday tomorrow. From my post: "On Friday, March 16th, Jerry Lewis will be celebrating his 86th birthday. Jerry’s been on my mind a lot lately so I didn’t want to let the occasion pass without making note … Continue reading The King of Comedy: Jerry Lewis at 86
Winter A Go-Go (1965)
Linda Rogers in a promo shot from WINTER A GO-GO (1965) It's cold outside and like a lot of people I've got a case of the post holiday blues but I also have a cure. Make your way over to the TCM Movie Morlocks blog where you can find my latest post titled “Ski Buffs … Continue reading Winter A Go-Go (1965)
Blake Edwards and THE PARTY (1968)
Peter Sellers and Claudine Longet in The Party (1968) I recently wrote a piece about The Party (1968) for the newest issue of Screening the Past that you can read online. Issue #30 of Screening the Past is a tribute to the late director Blake Edwards and The Party is my favorite Edwards' film. I … Continue reading Blake Edwards and THE PARTY (1968)
In Praise of Peter Sellers
TCM's "Star of the Month" for January is the one and only Peter Sellers. Sellers is one of favorite performers but I haven't written much about him so I took the opportunity to discuss the actor and some of his best films at the Movie Morlocks today. Many of Sellers' greatest movies such as I’m … Continue reading In Praise of Peter Sellers
Chase Away the Winter Blues with Ski Party
Frankie Avalon and Deborah Walley in Ski Party (1965) Happy New Year! Last week I took a much needed net break but I did manage to post my weekly Movie Morlocks update about a fun-filled '60s teen musical comedy called Ski Party (1965). If you're looking for a silly '60s movie to watch during the … Continue reading Chase Away the Winter Blues with Ski Party
I Married A Witch
Just a quick note to let readers know that TCM will be airing the great classic comedy I Married A Witch (René Clair; 1942) tonight starring the lovely & funny Veronica Lake in one of her best roles. I Married A Witch isn't available on DVD in the US yet so if you haven't had … Continue reading I Married A Witch
Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush (1967)
I recently watched Clive Donner's teenage sex farce Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush (1967) for the first time. Soon afterward I learned that the director had died at age 84 so in tribute to Donner I decided to write about the film for TCM this week. I really enjoyed Here We Go Round … Continue reading Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush (1967)
Monsieur Hulot vs. The Modern World
Images from Jacques Tati's Mon Oncle (1958) I recently caught up with Jacques Tati's delightful French comedy Mon Oncle (aka My Uncle; 1958). I had previously only seen one Tati film, Les Vacances de M. Hulot (aka Mr. Hulot's Holiday; 1953) and frankly it didn't engage me as much as I wished it had so … Continue reading Monsieur Hulot vs. The Modern World
Talking With Trina
Trina Parks in Diamonds Are Forever (1971) I recently had the opportunity to interview the actress Trina Parks who appeared in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and the fascinating blaxploitation movie Darktown Strutters (1975). Trina was really fun to talk to and I learned a lot about her during our exchange. You … Continue reading Talking With Trina
Bachelor in Paradise (1961)
Bob Hope & Lana Turner in Bachelor in Paradise (1961) Recently I've been re-watching some older films that feature great mid-century design to inspire my home renovation efforts. In my latest post for the Movie Morlocks I talk about the Bob Hope comedy Bachelor in Paradise (1961) that features lots of wonderful exterior shots of … Continue reading Bachelor in Paradise (1961)
Modern Mondays: OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006)
If you've been reading Cinebeats for awhile you're probably well aware of my fascination and fondness for spies. From the smart and exceptional Prisoner to the ridiculously silly Last of the Secret Agents?, I never seem to get tired of watching spy movies or television shows as long as they have a good soundtrack accompanying … Continue reading Modern Mondays: OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006)
