ClassicFlix - Only the Classics

Joan Bennett: Striking and Intelligent

Joan Bennett's film career, which spanned decades, is interesting in that it was divided into several distinct chapters, marked by changes in her appearance and the types of roles she played. What never changed, however, was the keen intelligence she brought to each part, along with her striking beauty.Joan was born February 27, 1910, into an acting family which included her father, theatrical star Richard Bennett, and her older sister, Constance; Constance Bennett was, of course,...

Ten Valentines for Your Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and below are ten suggestions of favorite romantic films that have just the thing to chase away the winter doldrums.The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926) - Ronald Colman and Gary Cooper both love Vilma Banky in this well-told Western romance. This silent movie is a visual masterpiece, with scenes tinted in amber, blue, and red, and there's an exciting flood sequence as well. This is a great film for those uncertain about wat...

The 2015 Palm Springs Classic Sci-Fi Festival

I was fortunate to enjoy a wonderful weekend at the first-ever Palm Springs Classic Science Fiction Film Festival this year. This inaugural sci-fi event was held at the Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs, where six months previously I had attended the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival.Both festivals were expertly produced and hosted by Alan K. Rode, and it's safe to say that, thanks to Alan's great work, I'm a convert to the Palm Springs festival experience! It's a relaxed and congeni...

The 2015 Lone Pine Film Festival: A Trip Report

Last year I attended the 2014 Lone Pine Film Festival. It was my first visit, and I had such a terrific time that I immediately made plans to return this year. I'm glad I did, as I might have had an even better time this year!The 2015 Lone Pine Film Festival was held in early October, giving film fans a wonderful experience enjoying many movies right where they were made.As was the case last year, the Lone Pine Film Festival provides film fans with a multifaceted exper...

Uncovered Classics, Vol. 2: Musicals

Here's another collection of movies which may not be especially well known but provide a great deal of viewing enjoyment.This time around my list is focused on musicals. You won't find Singin' in the Rain (1952), The Band Wagon (1953), or other beloved top-shelf classics on this list, but instead a collection of titles which are either not as well known or are deserving of reappraisal.These may not be perfect films, but they all deliver tremendous ent...

Uncovered Classics, Vol. 1: Westerns and Noirs

Everyone loves familiar classic movies starring beloved stars whether it's Bogart, Stanwyck, Gable, or Davis.That said, one of the great pleasures of being a classic film fan is coming across an unfamiliar film which leaves the viewer exclaiming 'Good movie!' as it draws to a close.Such movies may not be perfect, but they deliver a great deal of entertainment value with memorable moments. What follows is a list of a dozen lesser-known film noir and Western ...

Traveling to the 2015 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival

I recently had the pleasure of attending the 2015 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival, held annually at the Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs, California.The Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival is an intimate, relaxed setting providing an opportunity to chat with festival guests as well as fellow attendees. The movies were typically 75-95 minutes in length and spaced every three hours, beginning at 10:00 a.m., so unlike some other festivals, there was ample time to eat meals in between mov...

Honoring the Heroes: 12 Memorial Day Movies

As Memorial Day approaches and thoughts turn to those who sacrificed so much on behalf of our nation, it's an opportune time to take a look at some of Hollywood's best war movies. These fictionalized stories fill a valuable purpose, reminding audiences of those who gave their all for our freedom.With the recent commemoration of the 70th-anniversary of VE Day, it seems particularly appropriate for this list to focus on films about World War II. There are countless cinematic depicti...

A Trip Through the 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival

The 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival took place over four wonderful days in March where, once again, classic film fans from around the country, not to mention places like Canada, Scotland, and Japan, came together to celebrate wonderful movies.Though Robert Osborne was greatly missed this year, the festival carried on in fine style without him, with pros like Leonard Maltin, Eddie Muller, and Illeana Douglas introducing many of the movies.Again this year the schedule was...

Robert Ryan: The Man With Two Personas

While he was especially known for playing troubled, tortured characters, off the screen there was a far different Robert Ryan. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 11, 1909, and a Dartmouth graduate, Ryan was a quiet, introspective man was committed to his family and community. He married Jessica Cadwalader in 1939, a union which would last until her death from cancer in 1972. Beginning in 1946 the Ryans had three children in a span of five years, Tim, Cheyney, and Lisa.One of t...

Author: Laura Grieve