Buddy Adler was just two years into his brief reign as the Head of Production for 20th Century Fox in 1958 when producer Walter Wanger brought him an epic project that could potentially pull the then-struggling studio out of its box office slump. The film wound up soaring so far over budget that Fox would be forced to sell 180 acres of its Los Angeles backlot to Alcoa just to stay financially afloat.
Had Adler made "Cleopatra" on his own terms, the title role would've been a sensibly priced production toplined by one of the studio's affordable contract stars (e.g. Joan Collins or Joanne Woodward). Wanger, however, had outsized dreams. He saw the historical drama as a Hollywood epic for the ages. He believed in its potential to dominate the box office and win scores of Academy Awards. He wanted Elizabeth Taylor, arguably the most popular movie star on the planet,...
Had Adler made "Cleopatra" on his own terms, the title role would've been a sensibly priced production toplined by one of the studio's affordable contract stars (e.g. Joan Collins or Joanne Woodward). Wanger, however, had outsized dreams. He saw the historical drama as a Hollywood epic for the ages. He believed in its potential to dominate the box office and win scores of Academy Awards. He wanted Elizabeth Taylor, arguably the most popular movie star on the planet,...
- 4/14/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
It’s not every day that a filmmaker will rise up during an interview and recite Old Testament tales and sing out their favorite hymn. Well, hallelujah, brother Jeymes Samuel for spreading the gospel’s good news.
The director’s spectacular Jesus in the hood movie, The Book of Clarence, starring a mighty fine Lakeith Stanfield playing a charlatan wannabe Messiah, shakes up the toga and peepy toe genre.
Samuel’s movie has its world premiere Wednesday at the BFI London Film Festival. The Legendary Pictures production is released through Tristar with congregations taking their pews from January 12, 2024.
The movie’s thrilling prologue kicks off with a rip-roaring, wheel-screeching chariot race with Mary Magdalene thrashing the lads.
The moment was of course inspired by the iconic chariot scene between Charlton Heston’s Judah Ben-Hur and Stephen Boyd’s Messala in William Wyler...
The director’s spectacular Jesus in the hood movie, The Book of Clarence, starring a mighty fine Lakeith Stanfield playing a charlatan wannabe Messiah, shakes up the toga and peepy toe genre.
Samuel’s movie has its world premiere Wednesday at the BFI London Film Festival. The Legendary Pictures production is released through Tristar with congregations taking their pews from January 12, 2024.
The movie’s thrilling prologue kicks off with a rip-roaring, wheel-screeching chariot race with Mary Magdalene thrashing the lads.
The moment was of course inspired by the iconic chariot scene between Charlton Heston’s Judah Ben-Hur and Stephen Boyd’s Messala in William Wyler...
- 10/11/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Tony Bennett's first record, "Because of You" was released in 1952 and it instantly codified the entertainer as one of the music world's great crooners. In 1962, his 15th record, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" was certified platinum by the RIAA, but that was after he had already established himself with Count Basie and his Orchestra and as a great fan of songwriter Harold Arlen. All told, he released 61 records in his decades-long career, not including his eight albums of collaborations and duets. He sang with Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Carrie Underwood, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Mariah Carey, Bono, Sting, Paul McCartney, Diana Krall, and many others. Most recently, he released two collaborations with Lady Gaga in 2018 and 2021. Bennett passed away on July 21, 2023 at the age of 96. He will be deeply missed.
Naturally, a talent of Bennett's stature couldn't be ignored by Hollywood, and he would appear...
Naturally, a talent of Bennett's stature couldn't be ignored by Hollywood, and he would appear...
- 7/21/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Joseph L. Mankiewicz’ “Cleopatra,” which opened in New York on June 12, 1963 and in Los Angeles a week later, was not a flop. In fact, the 243-minute film was a box office champ making $26 million at the box office, $6 million more than the Cinerama epic “How the West was Won.” But being the most expensive movie of its time — the budget ended up being around $44 million which would be around $429.5 million in 2023 — it took a long time to recoup its staggering costs. The film was such a drain on Twentieth Century Fox, the studio ended up having to sell nearly 300 acres of its backlot. That acreage was transformed into Century City.
The budgets started to soar when the original production with Elizabeth Taylor, who asked for and received $1 million for her services, Peter Finch as Julius Caesar, Stephen Boyd as Marc Antony and veteran filmmaker Rouben Mamoulian as director, stopped production...
The budgets started to soar when the original production with Elizabeth Taylor, who asked for and received $1 million for her services, Peter Finch as Julius Caesar, Stephen Boyd as Marc Antony and veteran filmmaker Rouben Mamoulian as director, stopped production...
- 6/19/2023
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
The story of miniaturized medicos set adrift inside the body of an ailing Russian scientist, Richard Fleischer’s preposterously entertaining film has something for everybody, including enormous balloon-shaped sets and the balloon-shaped Raquel Welch in form-fitting scuba gear. Starring old guard Edmond O’Brien and chiseled ladies’ man Stephen Boyd, this high-tech Saturday matinee garnered unusually good reviews and plenty of action at the box office.
The post Fantastic Voyage appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
The post Fantastic Voyage appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
- 2/24/2023
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
When 1960s and ‘70s icon Raquel Welch died last week at the age of 82, much of the media focus was on her (well-deserved) status as one of the most memorable and gorgeous sex symbols in movie history. A lot of the coverage, in fact, noted that the Chicago native’s substantial talents as an actress, singer, and dancer, were overshadowed by her status as one of the era’s premiere pinups.
While she may be best remembered for her turn as a skimpily-clad cavewoman in 1966’s One Million Years B.C., her breakout role came earlier that year in the 20th Century Fox sci-fi spectacle Fantastic Voyage. The film was Welch’s fourth, but the first in which she had a lead role. She played Cora Peterson, one of five members of a medical team who are miniaturized, along with a small submarine, and injected into the body of a defecting...
While she may be best remembered for her turn as a skimpily-clad cavewoman in 1966’s One Million Years B.C., her breakout role came earlier that year in the 20th Century Fox sci-fi spectacle Fantastic Voyage. The film was Welch’s fourth, but the first in which she had a lead role. She played Cora Peterson, one of five members of a medical team who are miniaturized, along with a small submarine, and injected into the body of a defecting...
- 2/22/2023
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
Actress and international sex symbol of the ’60s and ’70s Raquel Welch, who died on Feb. 15 at age 82, first gained notice for her stunning physique, but proved her acting chops during her long career. Her films included “Fantastic Voyage,” “100 Rifles,” “Myra Breckinridge,” “Bedazzled,” “Tortilla Soup” and “Legally Blonde.” Her fans included painter Salvador Dali: He painted this abstract portrait of her in 1965.
Raquel turned heads as a scantily clad prehistoric hottie in 1966’s “One Million Years B.C.”
One of her first films was the 1966 sci-fi adventure “Fantastic Voyage” with Stephen Boyd in which they’re shrunk to microscopic size to go inside the body of an injured scientist.
She proved she was more than a just pretty face as a roller derby star in 1972’s “Kansas City Bomber.”...
Raquel turned heads as a scantily clad prehistoric hottie in 1966’s “One Million Years B.C.”
One of her first films was the 1966 sci-fi adventure “Fantastic Voyage” with Stephen Boyd in which they’re shrunk to microscopic size to go inside the body of an injured scientist.
She proved she was more than a just pretty face as a roller derby star in 1972’s “Kansas City Bomber.”...
- 2/16/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Raquel Welch had a 50-plus year career in film and television, starring opposite Marcello Mastroianni, Edward G. Robinson, Robin Williams, Jimmy Stewart, Faye Dunaway, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Farrah Fawcett, Jim Brown, Burt Reynolds, Dyan Cannon, James Coburn and many others.
Her breakout role came as Cora in the wild 1966 sci-fi pic Fantastic Voyage, opposite Stephen Boyd, Edmund O’Brien and Arthur Kennedy. Welch then starred as a cavewoman in the 1966 film One Million Years B.C. Her next major film was with Mae West and John Huston in the title role of Myra Breckinridge. She later starred opposite Richard Chamberlain, Oliver Reed and Michael York in 1973’s The Three Musketeers, for which she won a Golden Globe.
Related: Raquel Welch Dies: ‘Fantastic Voyage’, ‘One Million Years B.C.’, & ‘Myra Breckinridge’ Star Was 82
While often celebrated for her appearance, Welch also essayed more serious roles such as the 1987 television drama Right to Die,...
Her breakout role came as Cora in the wild 1966 sci-fi pic Fantastic Voyage, opposite Stephen Boyd, Edmund O’Brien and Arthur Kennedy. Welch then starred as a cavewoman in the 1966 film One Million Years B.C. Her next major film was with Mae West and John Huston in the title role of Myra Breckinridge. She later starred opposite Richard Chamberlain, Oliver Reed and Michael York in 1973’s The Three Musketeers, for which she won a Golden Globe.
Related: Raquel Welch Dies: ‘Fantastic Voyage’, ‘One Million Years B.C.’, & ‘Myra Breckinridge’ Star Was 82
While often celebrated for her appearance, Welch also essayed more serious roles such as the 1987 television drama Right to Die,...
- 2/15/2023
- by Robert Lang
- Deadline Film + TV
Raquel Welch, the big-screen star of the 1960s and ’70s who gained fame in movies including Fantastic Voyage, One Million Years B.C., Myra Breckinridge and many others, died today after a brief illness. She was 82.
Her death was confirmed by her reps at Media 4 Management.
Related: Raquel Welch: A Career In Photos
Welch’s career spanned more than 50 years, 30 films and scores of TV series and appearances, including about a dozen visits to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson spanning two decades. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Imagen Foundation in 2001.
From left: Stephen Boyd, Raquel Welch and Donald Pleasence in ‘Fantastic Voyage’ (Everett Collection)
Born Jo Raquel Tejada on September 5, 1940, in Chicago, Welch’s family moved to San Diego when she was a toddler. She attended San Diego State on a theater arts scholarship and got her start as a local TV weathercaster before starting to...
Her death was confirmed by her reps at Media 4 Management.
Related: Raquel Welch: A Career In Photos
Welch’s career spanned more than 50 years, 30 films and scores of TV series and appearances, including about a dozen visits to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson spanning two decades. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Imagen Foundation in 2001.
From left: Stephen Boyd, Raquel Welch and Donald Pleasence in ‘Fantastic Voyage’ (Everett Collection)
Born Jo Raquel Tejada on September 5, 1940, in Chicago, Welch’s family moved to San Diego when she was a toddler. She attended San Diego State on a theater arts scholarship and got her start as a local TV weathercaster before starting to...
- 2/15/2023
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Where the industry now embraces the trend of "too big to fail" superhero blockbusters, there was a point in Hollywood history where sprawling religious epics were the big ticket item, with "Ben-Hur" enduring as one of the most successful of its kind. It would be over 38 years until "Titanic," followed by "The Return of the King," would break the unprecedented Oscar streak set by William Wyler's 1959 epic, which took home 11 Academy Awards in one night.
Based on General Lew Wallace's 1880 novel of the same name, "Ben-Hur" stars former Hollywood megastar Charlton Heston as the affluent Jewish prince who is thrust on an epic journey of faith, friendship, and betrayal after his best friend Messala (Stephen Boyd) imprisons him for speaking ill against the Roman Empire.
Clocking in at over three and a half hours, "Ben-Hur" is as much an acting showcase as it is a spectacular display of scope.
Based on General Lew Wallace's 1880 novel of the same name, "Ben-Hur" stars former Hollywood megastar Charlton Heston as the affluent Jewish prince who is thrust on an epic journey of faith, friendship, and betrayal after his best friend Messala (Stephen Boyd) imprisons him for speaking ill against the Roman Empire.
Clocking in at over three and a half hours, "Ben-Hur" is as much an acting showcase as it is a spectacular display of scope.
- 9/19/2022
- by Matthew Bilodeau
- Slash Film
One of the first scenes in William Wyler's Best Picture winning film "Ben-Hur" is a reunion between the titular Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) and Messala (Stephen Boyd). During the scene, the two engage in a spear-throwing contest, and the spears end up just inches apart on this wooden cross beam. Messala says, "After all these years, still close," to which Ben-Hur responds, "In every way." Much of the scene is them embracing, locking arms, giggling at one another, and the capper to it all is them twisting their arms together to drink some wine. To plenty of people, this will just come off...
The post Why Ben-Hur Sparked a Public Feud Between Charlton Heston and Gore Vidal appeared first on /Film.
The post Why Ben-Hur Sparked a Public Feud Between Charlton Heston and Gore Vidal appeared first on /Film.
- 3/10/2022
- by Mike Shutt
- Slash Film
There are many who champion the idea of the Best Supporting Actor Oscar category honoring traditionally secondary roles and lament the fact that it has fallen out of fashion. Still, plenty of performances short on screen time have prevailed in the category’s 84-year history. Here is a look at the 10 shortest of all time, including the record holder:
10. James Coburn (“Affliction”)
17 minutes, 10 seconds (15.03% of the film)
After a prolific acting career, James Coburn was finally rewarded in 1999 with his first Oscar nomination and win. At 70 years old, he was the oldest acting nominee of the year, as well as the only first time nominee in his lineup. His overdue narrative certainly helped him win, but so did the skillful quality of his performance. After four decades of portraying characters with limited screen time, Coburn made abusive father Glen Whitehouse the role of a lifetime.
9. Hugh Griffith (“Ben-Hur”)
16 minutes, 51 seconds...
10. James Coburn (“Affliction”)
17 minutes, 10 seconds (15.03% of the film)
After a prolific acting career, James Coburn was finally rewarded in 1999 with his first Oscar nomination and win. At 70 years old, he was the oldest acting nominee of the year, as well as the only first time nominee in his lineup. His overdue narrative certainly helped him win, but so did the skillful quality of his performance. After four decades of portraying characters with limited screen time, Coburn made abusive father Glen Whitehouse the role of a lifetime.
9. Hugh Griffith (“Ben-Hur”)
16 minutes, 51 seconds...
- 12/21/2020
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
One of Andrew Birkin’s lasting memories of Sean Connery is of the actor, who died over the weekend at the age of 90, digging a splinter out of Birkin’s foot.
It was the late ’60s. Birkin was working as a location manager in Spain on a Michael Caine World War II movie, Play Dirty. Down the road, they were shooting Shalko, a Western starring Connery, Brigitte Bardot and Stephen Boyd. Birkin knew Boyd and the two crews used to hang out together in the evenings.
“One night, I don’t know how it happened, I got a huge splinter ...
It was the late ’60s. Birkin was working as a location manager in Spain on a Michael Caine World War II movie, Play Dirty. Down the road, they were shooting Shalko, a Western starring Connery, Brigitte Bardot and Stephen Boyd. Birkin knew Boyd and the two crews used to hang out together in the evenings.
“One night, I don’t know how it happened, I got a huge splinter ...
- 11/2/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
One of Andrew Birkin’s lasting memories of Sean Connery is of the actor, who died over the weekend at the age of 90, digging a splinter out of Birkin’s foot.
It was the late ’60s. Birkin was working as a location manager in Spain on a Michael Caine World War II movie, Play Dirty. Down the road, they were shooting Shalko, a Western starring Connery, Brigitte Bardot and Stephen Boyd. Birkin knew Boyd and the two crews used to hang out together in the evenings.
“One night, I don’t know how it happened, I got a huge splinter ...
It was the late ’60s. Birkin was working as a location manager in Spain on a Michael Caine World War II movie, Play Dirty. Down the road, they were shooting Shalko, a Western starring Connery, Brigitte Bardot and Stephen Boyd. Birkin knew Boyd and the two crews used to hang out together in the evenings.
“One night, I don’t know how it happened, I got a huge splinter ...
- 11/2/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The director of Over The Edge and The Accused takes us on a journey through some of his favorite movies.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
The Student Teachers (1973)
Night Call Nurses (1972)
White Line Fever (1975)
Truck Turner (1974)
Heart Like A Wheel (1983)
The Accused (1988)
Over The Edge (1979)
Modern Times (1936)
City Lights (1931)
Manhattan (1979)
Some Like It Hot (1959)
The Apartment (1960)
North By Northwest (1959)
Moon Pilot (1962)
Mr. Billion (1977)
White Heat (1949)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Three Musketeers (1973)
The Four Musketeers (1974)
Superman (1978)
Superman II (1980)
The Three Musketeers (1948)
Shane (1953)
The 400 Blows (1959)
8 ½ (1963)
Fellini Satyricon (1969)
Richard (1972)
Millhouse (1971)
The Projectionist (1970)
El Dorado (1966)
The Shootist (1976)
Woodstock (1970)
Payback (1999)
A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
Billy Liar (1963)
Ford Vs Ferrari (2019)
The Wild Bunch (1969)
The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970)
Bad Girls (1994)
Masters of the Universe (1987)
Giant (1956)
The More The Merrier (1943)
The Graduate (1967)
The Victors (1963)
…And Justice For All (1979)
Citizen Kane (1941)
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
The Student Teachers (1973)
Night Call Nurses (1972)
White Line Fever (1975)
Truck Turner (1974)
Heart Like A Wheel (1983)
The Accused (1988)
Over The Edge (1979)
Modern Times (1936)
City Lights (1931)
Manhattan (1979)
Some Like It Hot (1959)
The Apartment (1960)
North By Northwest (1959)
Moon Pilot (1962)
Mr. Billion (1977)
White Heat (1949)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Three Musketeers (1973)
The Four Musketeers (1974)
Superman (1978)
Superman II (1980)
The Three Musketeers (1948)
Shane (1953)
The 400 Blows (1959)
8 ½ (1963)
Fellini Satyricon (1969)
Richard (1972)
Millhouse (1971)
The Projectionist (1970)
El Dorado (1966)
The Shootist (1976)
Woodstock (1970)
Payback (1999)
A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
Billy Liar (1963)
Ford Vs Ferrari (2019)
The Wild Bunch (1969)
The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970)
Bad Girls (1994)
Masters of the Universe (1987)
Giant (1956)
The More The Merrier (1943)
The Graduate (1967)
The Victors (1963)
…And Justice For All (1979)
Citizen Kane (1941)
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn...
- 7/7/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
From the people that brought you Pandemic Parade chapters 1-8, comes yet another thrilling episode featuring Jesse V. Johnson, Casper Kelly, Fred Dekker, Don Coscarelli, Daniel Noah, Elijah Wood and Blaire Bercy.
Please support the Hollywood Food Coalition. Text “Give” to 323.402.5704 or visit https://hofoco.org/donate!
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
The Wondrous Story of Birth a.k.a. The Birth of Triplets (1950)
Contagion (2011)
The Omega Man (1971)
Panic In The Streets (1950)
The Last Man On Earth (1964)
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Fantastic Voyage (1966)
Innerspace (1987)
The Howling (1981)
The Invisible Man (2020)
The Sand Pebbles (1966)
Where Eagles Dare (1969)
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Goldfinger (1964)
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (1965)
Murder On The Orient Express (1974)
Dr. No (1962)
From Russia With Love (1963)
Bellman and True (1987)
Brimstone and Treacle (1982)
Richard III (1995)
Titanic (1997)
Catch 22 (1970)
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966)
The Graduate (1967)
1941 (1979)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Jaws (1975)
The Fortune (1975)
Carnal Knowledge (1970)
Manhattan...
Please support the Hollywood Food Coalition. Text “Give” to 323.402.5704 or visit https://hofoco.org/donate!
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
The Wondrous Story of Birth a.k.a. The Birth of Triplets (1950)
Contagion (2011)
The Omega Man (1971)
Panic In The Streets (1950)
The Last Man On Earth (1964)
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Fantastic Voyage (1966)
Innerspace (1987)
The Howling (1981)
The Invisible Man (2020)
The Sand Pebbles (1966)
Where Eagles Dare (1969)
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Goldfinger (1964)
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (1965)
Murder On The Orient Express (1974)
Dr. No (1962)
From Russia With Love (1963)
Bellman and True (1987)
Brimstone and Treacle (1982)
Richard III (1995)
Titanic (1997)
Catch 22 (1970)
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966)
The Graduate (1967)
1941 (1979)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Jaws (1975)
The Fortune (1975)
Carnal Knowledge (1970)
Manhattan...
- 5/29/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
The taglines for the 1966 overstuffed turkey “The Oscar give viewers a preview of the machinations of this camp delight- “The Dreams and the Schemers… the Hustlers and the Hopefuls…All Fight for the Highest Award!”
And you thought there was a lot of campaigning now for the Academy Award!
Kino Lorber has unleashed “The Oscar” just in time for the Academy Awards Sunday on Blu-ray with a brand new 4K restoration and two audio commentaries- one with film historians Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson and a much more funny and caustic one with comic/actor Patton Oswalt, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson (“A History of Violence”) and producer/writer/director Erik Nelson.
“The Oscar” was penned by Harlan Ellison, yes Harlan Ellison of “A Boy and His Dog,” “The Outer Limits” and “The Twilight Zone” fame and the team of Russell Rouse and Clarence Greene, who penned the 1949 classic noir “D.O.A.,...
And you thought there was a lot of campaigning now for the Academy Award!
Kino Lorber has unleashed “The Oscar” just in time for the Academy Awards Sunday on Blu-ray with a brand new 4K restoration and two audio commentaries- one with film historians Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson and a much more funny and caustic one with comic/actor Patton Oswalt, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson (“A History of Violence”) and producer/writer/director Erik Nelson.
“The Oscar” was penned by Harlan Ellison, yes Harlan Ellison of “A Boy and His Dog,” “The Outer Limits” and “The Twilight Zone” fame and the team of Russell Rouse and Clarence Greene, who penned the 1949 classic noir “D.O.A.,...
- 2/6/2020
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
The Oscar
Blu ray
Kino Lorber
1966/ 1:66:1 / 120 min.
Starring Stephen Boyd, Tony Bennett, Elke Sommer
Written by Harlan Ellison
Directed by Russell Rouse
Alexander Mackendrick’s Sweet Smell of Success is a great movie with two career-best performances from Burt Lancaster as a malignant gossip columnist named J. J. Hunsecker and Tony Curtis as press agent Sidney Falco – “a real louse.” The third star of the show is surely the screenplay by Ernest Lehman and Clifford Odets – a lyrical pastiche of streetwise slang that sizzles like “a pocketful of firecrackers.”
Hunsecker – What’s this boy got that Susie likes?
Falco – Integrity – acute, like indigestion.
Hunsecker – I’d hate to take a bite outta you. You’re a cookie full of arsenic.
And so on. Mackendrick’s Broadway melodrama is a tale of bright lights and the big city so some hyperbole is expected. But Lehman and Odets were performing...
Blu ray
Kino Lorber
1966/ 1:66:1 / 120 min.
Starring Stephen Boyd, Tony Bennett, Elke Sommer
Written by Harlan Ellison
Directed by Russell Rouse
Alexander Mackendrick’s Sweet Smell of Success is a great movie with two career-best performances from Burt Lancaster as a malignant gossip columnist named J. J. Hunsecker and Tony Curtis as press agent Sidney Falco – “a real louse.” The third star of the show is surely the screenplay by Ernest Lehman and Clifford Odets – a lyrical pastiche of streetwise slang that sizzles like “a pocketful of firecrackers.”
Hunsecker – What’s this boy got that Susie likes?
Falco – Integrity – acute, like indigestion.
Hunsecker – I’d hate to take a bite outta you. You’re a cookie full of arsenic.
And so on. Mackendrick’s Broadway melodrama is a tale of bright lights and the big city so some hyperbole is expected. But Lehman and Odets were performing...
- 1/25/2020
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies and Warner Bros. are bringing one of the most visually spectacular motion-picture epics of all time back to the big screen: Ben-hur, which celebrates its 60th anniversary with this two-day-only presentation. This is a must-see if you’ve never seen it in the theaters – especially for the heart-pounding chariot race.
Sunday, April 14, 2019 – 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (local time)
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 – 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (local time)
Director William Wyler’s classic received 11 Academy Awards, more than any other film to that point (and still tied with Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King).
The production encompassed 300 sets, nine sound stages and consumed 1.1 million feet of film, yet never loses sight of its compelling story of Jewish prince (Charlton Heston) who vows revenge when he is enslaved by his Roman childhood friend (Stephen Boyd). Jack Hawkins,...
Sunday, April 14, 2019 – 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (local time)
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 – 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (local time)
Director William Wyler’s classic received 11 Academy Awards, more than any other film to that point (and still tied with Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King).
The production encompassed 300 sets, nine sound stages and consumed 1.1 million feet of film, yet never loses sight of its compelling story of Jewish prince (Charlton Heston) who vows revenge when he is enslaved by his Roman childhood friend (Stephen Boyd). Jack Hawkins,...
- 3/7/2019
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
This moody, unsettling whodunnit benefits from sensitive cinematography, fine direction and a perfectly-cast group of players. Stephen Boyd gets a worthwhile starring role, backed by some good names and a nice debut from Judi Dench. What I don’t understand is why Pamela Franklin, possibly the most talented and versatile young English player ever, didn’t become a major star. She’s more than half the picture here.
The Third Secret
Region B Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator
1964 / B&W / 2:35 / 103 min. / / Street Date February 25, 2019 / available from Powerhouse Films UK / £17.77
Starring: Stephen Boyd, Pamela Franklin, Diane Cilento, Richard Attenborough, Jack Hawkins, Paul Rogers, Alan Webb, Rachel Kempson, Freda Jackson, Judi Dench, Peter Copley, Nigel Davenport, Charles Lloyd Pack, Barbara Hicks.
Cinematography: Douglas Slocombe
Film Editor: Frederick Wilson
Original Music: Richard Arnell
Written and Produced by Robert L. Joseph
Directed by Charles Crichton
Trying to keep up a production schedule during the cash-flow crisis of Cleopatra,...
The Third Secret
Region B Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator
1964 / B&W / 2:35 / 103 min. / / Street Date February 25, 2019 / available from Powerhouse Films UK / £17.77
Starring: Stephen Boyd, Pamela Franklin, Diane Cilento, Richard Attenborough, Jack Hawkins, Paul Rogers, Alan Webb, Rachel Kempson, Freda Jackson, Judi Dench, Peter Copley, Nigel Davenport, Charles Lloyd Pack, Barbara Hicks.
Cinematography: Douglas Slocombe
Film Editor: Frederick Wilson
Original Music: Richard Arnell
Written and Produced by Robert L. Joseph
Directed by Charles Crichton
Trying to keep up a production schedule during the cash-flow crisis of Cleopatra,...
- 3/2/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Gregory Peck slips into vengeance mode full-tilt, riding down a quartet of blackhearted knaves: rapist Stephen Boyd, ambusher Albert Salmi, sneaky Lee Van Cleef and inscrutable Henry Silva. The action direction and scenery in this late ‘fifties Big Sky western are excellent; Joan Collins and Kathleen Gallant put in good performances as well.
The Bravados
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1958 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 97 min. / Street Date September 18, 2018 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95
Starring: Gregory Peck, Joan Collins, Stephen Boyd, Albert Salmi, Henry Silva, Kathleen Gallant, Barry Coe, George Voskovec, Herbert Rudley, Lee Van Cleef, Joe DeRita, Andrew Duggan, Ken Scott, Gene Evans, Beulah Archuletta, Robert Adler.
Cinematography: Leon Shamroy
Film Editor: William Mace
Original Music: Lionel Newman
Written by Philip Yordan from a novel by Frank O’Rourke
Produced by Herbert B. Swope Jr.
Directed by Henry King
The Bravados is just the kind of western America liked in the late 1950s,...
The Bravados
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1958 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 97 min. / Street Date September 18, 2018 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95
Starring: Gregory Peck, Joan Collins, Stephen Boyd, Albert Salmi, Henry Silva, Kathleen Gallant, Barry Coe, George Voskovec, Herbert Rudley, Lee Van Cleef, Joe DeRita, Andrew Duggan, Ken Scott, Gene Evans, Beulah Archuletta, Robert Adler.
Cinematography: Leon Shamroy
Film Editor: William Mace
Original Music: Lionel Newman
Written by Philip Yordan from a novel by Frank O’Rourke
Produced by Herbert B. Swope Jr.
Directed by Henry King
The Bravados is just the kind of western America liked in the late 1950s,...
- 10/2/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Harlan Ellison, one of the world’s foremost science fiction writers, has died at 84. His death was announced by family friend Christine Valada via twitter. Though Ellison was a longtime resident of Los Angeles, the location of death was not disclosed.
Tweeted Valada, the widow of Wolverine creator Len Wein: “Susan Ellison has asked me to announce the passing of writer Harlan Ellison, in his sleep, earlier today. “For a brief time I was here, and for a brief time, I matter.’ – He, 1934-2018. Arrangements for a celebration are pending.”
Among Ellison’s highly influential and very popular novels and novellas are 1969’s post-apocalyptic A Boy and His Dog (made into a 1975 cult film starring a young Don Johnson) and, among the very many short story collections, 1980’s Shatterday, which included the remarkable title story that became the basis for the very first episode of the rebooted 1985 Twilight Zone.
Tweeted Valada, the widow of Wolverine creator Len Wein: “Susan Ellison has asked me to announce the passing of writer Harlan Ellison, in his sleep, earlier today. “For a brief time I was here, and for a brief time, I matter.’ – He, 1934-2018. Arrangements for a celebration are pending.”
Among Ellison’s highly influential and very popular novels and novellas are 1969’s post-apocalyptic A Boy and His Dog (made into a 1975 cult film starring a young Don Johnson) and, among the very many short story collections, 1980’s Shatterday, which included the remarkable title story that became the basis for the very first episode of the rebooted 1985 Twilight Zone.
- 6/28/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Variety recently announced that Kevin Spacey is to bring Gore Vidal to our screens in a Netflix original film. Directed by Michael Hoffman (dir. The Last Station), Spacey might be the most perfect casting, and judging by some coded, jovial remarks at the Tony Awards this year, may relish a role like this.
Vidal's life has previously been on screen in documentaries: Gore Vidal: United States of Amnesia and Best of Enemies, about his combative relationship with William F. Buckley.
Vidal: Writer, bon vivant, public intellectual and unapologetic homosexual has a rich, albeit chequered history in cinema. Screenwriter for the frenzied Suddenly, Last Summer, debauched bloodbath Caligula and his own notorious novel Myra Breckinridge was adapted into X-rated 1970 film.
And as uncredited writer of Ben-Hur, he was responsible for those lingering glances between Stephen Boyd and Charlton Heston - not that Heston ever knew that...
Vidal's life has previously been on screen in documentaries: Gore Vidal: United States of Amnesia and Best of Enemies, about his combative relationship with William F. Buckley.
Vidal: Writer, bon vivant, public intellectual and unapologetic homosexual has a rich, albeit chequered history in cinema. Screenwriter for the frenzied Suddenly, Last Summer, debauched bloodbath Caligula and his own notorious novel Myra Breckinridge was adapted into X-rated 1970 film.
And as uncredited writer of Ben-Hur, he was responsible for those lingering glances between Stephen Boyd and Charlton Heston - not that Heston ever knew that...
- 7/26/2017
- by Seán McGovern
- FilmExperience
It’s 007 in the saddle! Sean Connery didn’t become a career cowboy but his one stint as a Louis L’Amour hero is a diverting change of pace. And we couldn’t resist the pairing of two of moviedom’s most attractive actors — Connery and Brigitte Bardot.
Shalako
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1968 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 113 min. / Street Date July 11, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Sean Connery, Brigitte Bardot, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Peter van Eyck, Honor Blackman, Woody Strode, Eric Sykes, Alexander Knox, Valerie French, Julián Mateos, Don ‘Red’ Barry.
Cinematography: Ted Moore
Film Editor: Bill Blunden
Original Music: Robert Farnon
Written by J.J. Griffith, Hal Hopper, Scot Finch, Clarke Reynolds from the novel by Louis L’Amour
Produced by Euan Lloyd
Directed by Edward Dmytryk
It’s true, after five consecutive James Bond movies, we weren’t exactly ready to see Sean Connery as an American cowboy hero.
Shalako
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1968 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 113 min. / Street Date July 11, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Sean Connery, Brigitte Bardot, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Peter van Eyck, Honor Blackman, Woody Strode, Eric Sykes, Alexander Knox, Valerie French, Julián Mateos, Don ‘Red’ Barry.
Cinematography: Ted Moore
Film Editor: Bill Blunden
Original Music: Robert Farnon
Written by J.J. Griffith, Hal Hopper, Scot Finch, Clarke Reynolds from the novel by Louis L’Amour
Produced by Euan Lloyd
Directed by Edward Dmytryk
It’s true, after five consecutive James Bond movies, we weren’t exactly ready to see Sean Connery as an American cowboy hero.
- 7/18/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
On this day in history as it relates to showbiz...
Stephen Boyd, Sophia Loren, and Alec Guinness in The Fall Of The Roman Empire (1964)
190 BC Marucs Arelius, the Emperor of Rome, dies. Was he assassinated? That's the suspicion in most Hollywood accounts. He's been played by Alec Guiness (The Fall of the Roman Empire) and Richard Harris (Gladiator)
1906 Character actor of big and small screen Michael O'Shea, who later married Virginia Mayo, is born...
Stephen Boyd, Sophia Loren, and Alec Guinness in The Fall Of The Roman Empire (1964)
190 BC Marucs Arelius, the Emperor of Rome, dies. Was he assassinated? That's the suspicion in most Hollywood accounts. He's been played by Alec Guiness (The Fall of the Roman Empire) and Richard Harris (Gladiator)
1906 Character actor of big and small screen Michael O'Shea, who later married Virginia Mayo, is born...
- 3/17/2017
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
"The Furniture" is our weekly series on Production Design. Here's Daniel Walber...
Tomorrow is twice blessed. You’re probably already excited for the first reason, the Oscar nominations announcement. It’s also the centennial of Ernest Borgnine, an actor I have never particularly liked. But this coincidence makes today a perfect opportunity to talk about one of the worst movies ever produced by a Hollywood studio: 1966’s The Oscar.
The film begins and ends at the Academy Awards, where fictional Frankie Fane (Stephen Boyd) is as Best Actor nominee for Breakthrough, perhaps the most on-the-nose fictional title of all time. His newly estranged best friend Hymie Kelly (Tony Bennett, in his film debut), glares at him from the next row. Bennett would retire from acting immediately after The Oscar, for reasons that are obvious from the moment he starts talking...
Tomorrow is twice blessed. You’re probably already excited for the first reason, the Oscar nominations announcement. It’s also the centennial of Ernest Borgnine, an actor I have never particularly liked. But this coincidence makes today a perfect opportunity to talk about one of the worst movies ever produced by a Hollywood studio: 1966’s The Oscar.
The film begins and ends at the Academy Awards, where fictional Frankie Fane (Stephen Boyd) is as Best Actor nominee for Breakthrough, perhaps the most on-the-nose fictional title of all time. His newly estranged best friend Hymie Kelly (Tony Bennett, in his film debut), glares at him from the next row. Bennett would retire from acting immediately after The Oscar, for reasons that are obvious from the moment he starts talking...
- 1/23/2017
- by Daniel Walber
- FilmExperience
“When the Romans were marching me to the galleys, thirst had almost killed me. A man gave me water to drink, and I went on living. I should have done better if I’d poured it into the sand!”
Ben-hur (1959) screens Wednesday September 7th at The Tivoli Theater (6350 Delmar in ‘The Loop’) as the inaugural feature in their new ‘Classics in the Loop’ film series. The movie starts at 7pm and admission is $7. It will be on The Tivoli’s big screen.
The recent Ben-hur cost over 100 million dollars to make and is already being called the bomb of the summer. That’s too bad, because I think it’s actually quite good. It was made for a modern audience and runs 132 minutes. The 1959 version of Ben-hur costs 16 million to make and lasts 100 minutes more than the new remake. I wonder if today’s attention-challenged audiences would have flocked to...
Ben-hur (1959) screens Wednesday September 7th at The Tivoli Theater (6350 Delmar in ‘The Loop’) as the inaugural feature in their new ‘Classics in the Loop’ film series. The movie starts at 7pm and admission is $7. It will be on The Tivoli’s big screen.
The recent Ben-hur cost over 100 million dollars to make and is already being called the bomb of the summer. That’s too bad, because I think it’s actually quite good. It was made for a modern audience and runs 132 minutes. The 1959 version of Ben-hur costs 16 million to make and lasts 100 minutes more than the new remake. I wonder if today’s attention-challenged audiences would have flocked to...
- 8/31/2016
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The last of the summer's movie epics is a digitalized eyesore hobbled in every department by staggering incompetence. I'm talking about Ben-Hur, a remake of William Wyler's 1959 milestone (there was also a 1925 silent version) that won Charlton Heston an Oscar in the title role and put the climactic chariot race in the action-movie canon. No time capsule inclusion or little gold men for this pisspoor reboot, however. Executive producers Mark Burnett and his wife Roma Downey have been pushing projects — The Bible on TV, Son of God in theaters...
- 8/19/2016
- Rollingstone.com
Cinema Retro issue #35 has now shipped to our subscribers worldwide. No other magazine centers specifically on the great Golden Age of film making: the 1960s and 1970s. Every issue is packed with exclusive interviews, rare photos and insightful columns about classic and cult movies that virtually no one else covers in this kind of detail. Please support classic cinema in the print format by subscribing or renewing today!
Highlights of this issue include:
Mike Siegel's 12 page in-depth report on the tragedy and triumph in the making of Bruce Lee's last film, Enter the Dragon Mark Mawston's exclusive interview with Ian Ogilvy, who talks about filming She Beast, Witchfinder General and his close call with playing James Bond Extensive report from Tim Greaves on the underrated Alistair MacLean spy thriller When Eight Bells Toll, which afforded young Anthony Hopkins an early starring role. Peter Cook pays tribute to "The...
Highlights of this issue include:
Mike Siegel's 12 page in-depth report on the tragedy and triumph in the making of Bruce Lee's last film, Enter the Dragon Mark Mawston's exclusive interview with Ian Ogilvy, who talks about filming She Beast, Witchfinder General and his close call with playing James Bond Extensive report from Tim Greaves on the underrated Alistair MacLean spy thriller When Eight Bells Toll, which afforded young Anthony Hopkins an early starring role. Peter Cook pays tribute to "The...
- 5/23/2016
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
By Todd Garbarini
The Ahrya Fine Arts Theater in Los Angeles will be presenting a fun-filled weekend of six science fiction classics from Friday, April 15th to Sunday, April 17th. Several cast members from the films are scheduled to appear in person at respective screenings, so read on for more information:
From the press release:
Anniversary Classics Sci-Fi Weekend
Part of our Anniversary Classics series. For details, visit: www.laemmle.com/ac.
Re-visit the Golden Age of the Science Fiction Film as Laemmle Theatres and the Anniversary Classics Series presents Sci-fi Weekend, a festival of six classic films April 15-17 at the Ahrya Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills.
It was dawn of the Atomic Age and the Cold War, as Communist and nuclear war paranoia swept onto the nation’s movie screens to both terrify and entertain the American public. All the favorite icons are here: Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet,...
The Ahrya Fine Arts Theater in Los Angeles will be presenting a fun-filled weekend of six science fiction classics from Friday, April 15th to Sunday, April 17th. Several cast members from the films are scheduled to appear in person at respective screenings, so read on for more information:
From the press release:
Anniversary Classics Sci-Fi Weekend
Part of our Anniversary Classics series. For details, visit: www.laemmle.com/ac.
Re-visit the Golden Age of the Science Fiction Film as Laemmle Theatres and the Anniversary Classics Series presents Sci-fi Weekend, a festival of six classic films April 15-17 at the Ahrya Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills.
It was dawn of the Atomic Age and the Cold War, as Communist and nuclear war paranoia swept onto the nation’s movie screens to both terrify and entertain the American public. All the favorite icons are here: Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet,...
- 4/7/2016
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
'Ben-Hur' 2016 with Jack Huston: Chariot race to the death. 'Ben-Hur' 2016 trailer: 'Gladiator' meets 'Fast Seven' meets 'Star Wars' meets… Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer have released the trailer for their 2016 Ben-Hur remake (or reboot or readaptation) – a.k.a. Fast and Furious A.D., as one wag called it in an online comment. Instead of grandiose spectacle featuring at its core a “human” story with Christian overtones, this chariot-and-sandals epic is being sold as Gladiator meets Fast Seven meets Spartacus: Blood and Sand meets Star Wars – with Morgan Freeman's Sheik Ilderim as the Roman Empire's dreadlocked version of Alec Guinness' Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi. Say what you will, the trailer-makers sure know their target audience. And that's not the same crowd that would go check out what's usually referred to in the U.S. media as “faith” (i.e., Christian) movies. One assumes that particular audience segment will be getting...
- 3/18/2016
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Jack Huston plays Judah Ben-Hur and Morgan Freeman plays Ilderim in Ben-Hur from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Paramount Pictures.
Check out the trailer, along with the first poster, for the timeless epic, Ben Hur, based on the best-selling novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of Christ.
Paramount Pictures’ newest version of the timeless classic is one of the most-anticipated movies of 2016.
Will be interesting to see how this film compares to the 1959 classic, directed by William Wyler, produced by Sam Zimbalist for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Hugh Griffith and Haya Harareet. The nine-minute chariot race has become one of cinema’s most famous sequences, and the film score, composed and conducted by Miklós Rózsa, is the longest ever composed for a film and was highly influential on cinema for more than 15 years.
The 2016 version’s score is from composer Marco Beltrami.
Ben-hur is the epic story of...
Check out the trailer, along with the first poster, for the timeless epic, Ben Hur, based on the best-selling novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of Christ.
Paramount Pictures’ newest version of the timeless classic is one of the most-anticipated movies of 2016.
Will be interesting to see how this film compares to the 1959 classic, directed by William Wyler, produced by Sam Zimbalist for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Hugh Griffith and Haya Harareet. The nine-minute chariot race has become one of cinema’s most famous sequences, and the film score, composed and conducted by Miklós Rózsa, is the longest ever composed for a film and was highly influential on cinema for more than 15 years.
The 2016 version’s score is from composer Marco Beltrami.
Ben-hur is the epic story of...
- 3/17/2016
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
'Ben-Hur' 1959 with Stephen Boyd and Charlton Heston: TCM's '31 Days of Oscar.' '31 Days of Oscar': 'Lawrence of Arabia' and 'Ben-Hur' are in, Paramount stars are out Today, Feb. 1, '16, Turner Classic Movies is kicking off the 21st edition of its “31 Days of Oscar.” While the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is being vociferously reviled for its “lack of diversity” – more on that appallingly myopic, self-serving, and double-standard-embracing furore in an upcoming post – TCM is celebrating nearly nine decades of the Academy Awards. That's the good news. The disappointing news is that if you're expecting to find rare Paramount, Universal, or Fox/20th Century Fox entries in the mix, you're out of luck. So, missing from the TCM schedule are, among others: Best Actress nominees Ruth Chatterton in Sarah and Son, Nancy Carroll in The Devil's Holiday, Claudette Colbert in Private Worlds. Unofficial Best Actor...
- 2/2/2016
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Ramon Novarro: 'Ben-Hur' 1925 star. 'Ben-Hur' on TCM: Ramon Novarro in most satisfying version of the semi-biblical epic Christmas 2015 is just around the corner. That's surely the reason Turner Classic Movies presented Fred Niblo's Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ last night, Dec. 20, '15, featuring Carl Davis' magnificent score. Starring Ramon Novarro, the 1925 version of Ben-Hur became not only the most expensive movie production,[1] but also the biggest worldwide box office hit up to that time.[2] Equally important, that was probably the first instance when the international market came to the rescue of a Hollywood mega-production,[3] saving not only Ben-Hur from a fate worse than getting trampled by a runaway chariot, but also the newly formed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which could have been financially strangled at birth had the epic based on Gen. Lew Wallace's bestseller been a commercial bomb. The convoluted making of 'Ben-Hur,' as described...
- 12/21/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Highlights of this issue include:
Mike Siegel's 12 page in-depth report on the tragedy and triumph in the making of Bruce Lee's last film, Enter the Dragon Mark Mawston's exclusive interview with Ian Ogilvy, who talks about filming She Beast, Witchfinder Generaland his close call with playing James Bond Extensive report from Tim Greaves on the underrated Alistair MacLean spy thriller When Eight Bells Toll,which afforded young Anthony Hopkins an early starring role. Peter Cook pays tribute to "The Art of Deception"- a look at the use of matte paintings in famous films. Michael Commes takes a fun filled visit to The House of Bare Mountain, the infamous nudie monster flick Esteemed photographer Keith Hamshere shares his memories and photos from The Living Daylights, Murphy's War and Death on the Nile. Raymond Benson's Ten Best Films of 1954 Patrick Cooper pays tribute to Robert Mitchum and The Friends of Eddie Coyle Lee Pfeiffer's "Take Two" column examines Assignment K starring Stephen Boyd and Camilla Sparv Brian Hannan looks at what was hot at the boxoffice in 1966 Sheldon Hall reviews a video release of Jacques Rivette's films Daniel D'Arpe celebrates the cult sci-fi flick Starcrash starring Caroline Munro and David Hasselhoff. Adrian Smith joyfully uncovers the 007 sexploitation spoof Bonditis Plus Darren Allison's latest soundtrack news and reviews, Gareth Owen's "Pinewood Past" column and the latest movie book and DVD reviews.
USA/ Canada : Cinema Retro Issue #35 USA/ Canada : Cinema Retro Issue #35 $15.00 Usd UK : Cinema Retro Issue #35 UK : Cinema Retro Issue #35 £8.50 Gbp Europe : Cinema Retro Issue #35 Europe : Cinema Retro Issue #35 £10.50 Gbp Rest Of The World : Cinema Retro Issue #35 Rest Of The World : Cinema Retro Issue #35 £12.00 Gbp...
Mike Siegel's 12 page in-depth report on the tragedy and triumph in the making of Bruce Lee's last film, Enter the Dragon Mark Mawston's exclusive interview with Ian Ogilvy, who talks about filming She Beast, Witchfinder Generaland his close call with playing James Bond Extensive report from Tim Greaves on the underrated Alistair MacLean spy thriller When Eight Bells Toll,which afforded young Anthony Hopkins an early starring role. Peter Cook pays tribute to "The Art of Deception"- a look at the use of matte paintings in famous films. Michael Commes takes a fun filled visit to The House of Bare Mountain, the infamous nudie monster flick Esteemed photographer Keith Hamshere shares his memories and photos from The Living Daylights, Murphy's War and Death on the Nile. Raymond Benson's Ten Best Films of 1954 Patrick Cooper pays tribute to Robert Mitchum and The Friends of Eddie Coyle Lee Pfeiffer's "Take Two" column examines Assignment K starring Stephen Boyd and Camilla Sparv Brian Hannan looks at what was hot at the boxoffice in 1966 Sheldon Hall reviews a video release of Jacques Rivette's films Daniel D'Arpe celebrates the cult sci-fi flick Starcrash starring Caroline Munro and David Hasselhoff. Adrian Smith joyfully uncovers the 007 sexploitation spoof Bonditis Plus Darren Allison's latest soundtrack news and reviews, Gareth Owen's "Pinewood Past" column and the latest movie book and DVD reviews.
USA/ Canada : Cinema Retro Issue #35 USA/ Canada : Cinema Retro Issue #35 $15.00 Usd UK : Cinema Retro Issue #35 UK : Cinema Retro Issue #35 £8.50 Gbp Europe : Cinema Retro Issue #35 Europe : Cinema Retro Issue #35 £10.50 Gbp Rest Of The World : Cinema Retro Issue #35 Rest Of The World : Cinema Retro Issue #35 £12.00 Gbp...
- 10/19/2015
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
This week marks the 10th anniversary of the release of "Crash" (on May 6, 2005), an all-star movie whose controversy came not from its provocative treatment of racial issues but from its Best Picture Oscar victory a few months later, against what many critics felt was a much more deserving movie, "Brokeback Mountain."
The "Crash" vs. "Brokeback" battle is one of those lingering disputes that makes the Academy Awards so fascinating, year after year. Moviegoers and critics who revisit older movies are constantly judging the Academy's judgment. Even decades of hindsight may not always be enough to tell whether the Oscar voters of a particular year got it right or wrong. Whether it's "Birdman" vs. "Boyhood," "The King's Speech" vs. "The Social Network," "Saving Private Ryan" vs. "Shakespeare in Love" or even "An American in Paris" vs. "A Streetcar Named Desire," we're still confirming the Academy's taste or dismissing it as hopelessly off-base years later.
The "Crash" vs. "Brokeback" battle is one of those lingering disputes that makes the Academy Awards so fascinating, year after year. Moviegoers and critics who revisit older movies are constantly judging the Academy's judgment. Even decades of hindsight may not always be enough to tell whether the Oscar voters of a particular year got it right or wrong. Whether it's "Birdman" vs. "Boyhood," "The King's Speech" vs. "The Social Network," "Saving Private Ryan" vs. "Shakespeare in Love" or even "An American in Paris" vs. "A Streetcar Named Desire," we're still confirming the Academy's taste or dismissing it as hopelessly off-base years later.
- 5/6/2015
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
Ben-hur is returning to the big screen!
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Paramount Pictures announced today that principal photography has begun on Ben-hur starring Jack Huston (“American Hustle”) as Judah Ben-Hur, Morgan Freeman (“The Shawshank Redemption”) as Ilderim, Toby Kebbell (“Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes”) as Messala and Nazanin Boniadi (“Homeland”) as Esther.
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov (“Wanted”) and written by Keith Clarke (“The Way Back”) and John Ridley (“12 Years A Slave”), the film is based on Lew Wallace’s epic novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of The Christ.
The epic 1959 film was directed by William Wyler and starred Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet, Sam Jaffe and Hugh Griffith. It won 11 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. The magnificent score is by composer Miklós Rózsa.
Watch the trailer Here.
The producers are Sean Daniel (“The Mummy” franchise), Mark Burnett (“Son Of God”), Joni Levin (“The Way Back...
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Paramount Pictures announced today that principal photography has begun on Ben-hur starring Jack Huston (“American Hustle”) as Judah Ben-Hur, Morgan Freeman (“The Shawshank Redemption”) as Ilderim, Toby Kebbell (“Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes”) as Messala and Nazanin Boniadi (“Homeland”) as Esther.
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov (“Wanted”) and written by Keith Clarke (“The Way Back”) and John Ridley (“12 Years A Slave”), the film is based on Lew Wallace’s epic novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of The Christ.
The epic 1959 film was directed by William Wyler and starred Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet, Sam Jaffe and Hugh Griffith. It won 11 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. The magnificent score is by composer Miklós Rózsa.
Watch the trailer Here.
The producers are Sean Daniel (“The Mummy” franchise), Mark Burnett (“Son Of God”), Joni Levin (“The Way Back...
- 2/2/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
By Lee Pfeiffer
I have seen virtually every James Bond clone released by major studios during the 1960s but "Assignment K" had eluded me until it was released as a burn-to-order title by the Sony Choice Collection. I was expecting another low-brow effort done on a small budget and perhaps affording some guilty pleasures throughout. However, "Assignment K" was a pleasant surprise. It's an intelligently written, well-acted espionage yarn that goes to some lengths to avoid Bondisms in favor of a realistic scenario populated by realistic characters. The film was directed by the woefully under-rated Val Guest, whose talents were generally dismissed at the time as workmanlike competence but which today seem much more impressive. (Guest had some spy movie experience, having previously directed key segments of the multi-director farce "Casino Royale".)
Stephen Boyd stars as Philip Scott, a high-powered executive of a London-based toy company. When we first meet him,...
I have seen virtually every James Bond clone released by major studios during the 1960s but "Assignment K" had eluded me until it was released as a burn-to-order title by the Sony Choice Collection. I was expecting another low-brow effort done on a small budget and perhaps affording some guilty pleasures throughout. However, "Assignment K" was a pleasant surprise. It's an intelligently written, well-acted espionage yarn that goes to some lengths to avoid Bondisms in favor of a realistic scenario populated by realistic characters. The film was directed by the woefully under-rated Val Guest, whose talents were generally dismissed at the time as workmanlike competence but which today seem much more impressive. (Guest had some spy movie experience, having previously directed key segments of the multi-director farce "Casino Royale".)
Stephen Boyd stars as Philip Scott, a high-powered executive of a London-based toy company. When we first meet him,...
- 2/1/2015
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
On December 7 there will be a rare big screen showing of producer Samuel Bronston's 1964 epic "The Fall of the Roman Empire" starring Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd, Alec Guinness and Christopher Plummer. The film's failure ended Bronston's career but it remains an impressive, thinking-man's spectacle. The movie will be shown at Concordia University and will be presented in Ib Tech! For details click here
(Thanks to reader King-Wei Chu for the head's up!) ...
- 11/29/2014
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Gritty Western starring Gregory Peck as a rancher on the hunt for the four vicious outlaws he believes raped and murdered his wife. Henry King was one of Hollywood's top Western directors, and his actors and scriptwriters remain true to his high standards throughout. Stephen Boyd and Lee Van Cleef are on villain duty while Joan Collins is surprisingly convincing as Peck's Latina ex-flame.
- 10/1/2014
- Sky Movies
Catching up with some stories we've missed of late.
Ben-hur
Morgan Freeman was the first cast member announced for the remake of Best Picture winning Ben-Hur (1959) which was itself a remake of the silent epic of the same name in 1925. Freeman will play the role of a wise old man who gives advice like a Pez Dispenser with Morgan Freeman's face on it. Can Morgan Freeman do anything else? Shame that a once very gifted actor now plays Exactly the same role in everything. Maybe he doesn't care to stretch? Jack Huston of Boardwalk Empire fame (who seems to be in the running for everything these days -even if he hasn't booked the high profile stuff until now) will play the lead Charlton Heston role. But good luck trying to best William Wyler's Oscar winning classic (one of 'em rather). I shudder to think how they'll handle Messala,...
Ben-hur
Morgan Freeman was the first cast member announced for the remake of Best Picture winning Ben-Hur (1959) which was itself a remake of the silent epic of the same name in 1925. Freeman will play the role of a wise old man who gives advice like a Pez Dispenser with Morgan Freeman's face on it. Can Morgan Freeman do anything else? Shame that a once very gifted actor now plays Exactly the same role in everything. Maybe he doesn't care to stretch? Jack Huston of Boardwalk Empire fame (who seems to be in the running for everything these days -even if he hasn't booked the high profile stuff until now) will play the lead Charlton Heston role. But good luck trying to best William Wyler's Oscar winning classic (one of 'em rather). I shudder to think how they'll handle Messala,...
- 9/19/2014
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
British actor Toby Kebbell is on a roll as he’s now in talks to play the villainous Messala in MGM and Paramount’s upcoming remake of the award winning 1959 classic which won Charlton Heston an Oscar.
Kebbell delivered a fantastic performance in an episode of Channel 4’s critically acclaimed Black Mirror and found fame in Hollywood after landing roles in Wrath of the Titans and The Counselor. However, he proved that British actors are always the best choice to play villains as motion-capture creation Koba in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. He’ll also suit up next year as the evil Doctor Doom in Josh Trank’s The Fantastic Four.
In Ben-Hur, Kebbell will play Messala, the man that the title character (who will be played by Jack Huston) hopes to take vengeance on after surviving years of slavery because his best friend betrayed him.
Stephen Boyd...
Kebbell delivered a fantastic performance in an episode of Channel 4’s critically acclaimed Black Mirror and found fame in Hollywood after landing roles in Wrath of the Titans and The Counselor. However, he proved that British actors are always the best choice to play villains as motion-capture creation Koba in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. He’ll also suit up next year as the evil Doctor Doom in Josh Trank’s The Fantastic Four.
In Ben-Hur, Kebbell will play Messala, the man that the title character (who will be played by Jack Huston) hopes to take vengeance on after surviving years of slavery because his best friend betrayed him.
Stephen Boyd...
- 9/18/2014
- by Josh Wilding
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Jack Huston cast in 'Ben-Hur' remake? 'Boardwalk Empire' actor to follow in the footsteps of Ramon Novarro and Charlton Heston Jack Huston, best known for playing World War I veteran-turned-bootlegger-cum-assassin Richard Harrow in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, may star in the latest Ben-Hur "remake," to be jointly produced by Paramount and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. I have "remake" between quotes because officially this fourth big-screen version of the semi-biblical epic (more on that below) isn't an actual remake of either the multiple Oscar-winning 1959 Ben-Hur or its 1925 predecessor, but a direct adaptation of former Civil War general Lew Wallace's 1880 bestselling novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, which happens to be conveniently in the public domain. Timur Bekmambetov, whose credits include the Angelina Jolie-James McAvoy thriller Wanted and the supernatural cult classic Night Watch, has been attached as director of what is in fact A Tale...
- 9/17/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Washington, April 26: Mark Burnett and Roma Downey are set to produce a new version of the historical epic 'Ben-Hur.'
Paramount Pictures and MGM announced on Friday that they would be co-producing 'Ben-Hur' with Burnett and Downey, who also made the miniseries 'The Bible,' CBS News reported.
Lewis Wallace's 1880 novel has been previously adapted many times, most notably the 1959 film starring Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins and Hugh Griffith.
Burnett and Downey previously also produced the recently released film 'Son of God,' which used the footage from 'The Bible.' (Ani)...
Paramount Pictures and MGM announced on Friday that they would be co-producing 'Ben-Hur' with Burnett and Downey, who also made the miniseries 'The Bible,' CBS News reported.
Lewis Wallace's 1880 novel has been previously adapted many times, most notably the 1959 film starring Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins and Hugh Griffith.
Burnett and Downey previously also produced the recently released film 'Son of God,' which used the footage from 'The Bible.' (Ani)...
- 4/26/2014
- by Meeta Kabra
- RealBollywood.com
Versatile actor best known for her roles in The Sound of Music and Of Human Bondage
In the Hollywood of the 1940s and 50s, when typecasting was an essential constituent of stardom, Eleanor Parker, who has died aged 91, never gained the recognition she deserved, because she refused to be pigeonholed. "It means I've been successful in creating the characters that I've portrayed – that I'm not just a personality who is seen in a variety of roles." Dana Andrews, her co-star in Madison Avenue (1962), called her "the least heralded great actress".
The 1957 film Lizzie is almost a reflection of her career. Parker plays three separate and distinct characters harboured inside one woman – the shy, self-effacing Elizabeth; the wanton, raunchy Lizzie; and the "normal" Beth – and switches brilliantly from one to the other. Parker was always able to be convincing in these three sorts of characters. She was naive as the girl...
In the Hollywood of the 1940s and 50s, when typecasting was an essential constituent of stardom, Eleanor Parker, who has died aged 91, never gained the recognition she deserved, because she refused to be pigeonholed. "It means I've been successful in creating the characters that I've portrayed – that I'm not just a personality who is seen in a variety of roles." Dana Andrews, her co-star in Madison Avenue (1962), called her "the least heralded great actress".
The 1957 film Lizzie is almost a reflection of her career. Parker plays three separate and distinct characters harboured inside one woman – the shy, self-effacing Elizabeth; the wanton, raunchy Lizzie; and the "normal" Beth – and switches brilliantly from one to the other. Parker was always able to be convincing in these three sorts of characters. She was naive as the girl...
- 12/11/2013
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Handsome star of spaghetti westerns including A Pistol for Ringo
When the spaghetti western was born in the early 1960s, some of the Italian lead actors disguised their names under American-sounding ones (though nobody was fooled). Among those competing successfully with bona fide Yanks such as Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef were Terence Hill (born Mario Girotti), Bud Spencer (Carlo Pedersoli) and Montgomery Wood, a temporary pseudonym taken by Giuliano Gemma, who has died in a car accident aged 75.
The strikingly handsome Gemma was one of the brightest stars of the once deprecated, now revered, genre. After five years in sword-and-sandal epics (also known as peplum films), usually supporting muscle men, Gemma made a name for himself (even if, initially, it wasn't his own) in two westerns directed by Duccio Tessari: A Pistol for Ringo (1965) and The Return of Ringo (1965). Their big box-office success granted Gemma stardom and...
When the spaghetti western was born in the early 1960s, some of the Italian lead actors disguised their names under American-sounding ones (though nobody was fooled). Among those competing successfully with bona fide Yanks such as Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef were Terence Hill (born Mario Girotti), Bud Spencer (Carlo Pedersoli) and Montgomery Wood, a temporary pseudonym taken by Giuliano Gemma, who has died in a car accident aged 75.
The strikingly handsome Gemma was one of the brightest stars of the once deprecated, now revered, genre. After five years in sword-and-sandal epics (also known as peplum films), usually supporting muscle men, Gemma made a name for himself (even if, initially, it wasn't his own) in two westerns directed by Duccio Tessari: A Pistol for Ringo (1965) and The Return of Ringo (1965). Their big box-office success granted Gemma stardom and...
- 10/22/2013
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
The prolific scribe wrote and/or scripted episodes for dozens of network series. Mann Rubin died during the weekend in West Hills, CA, after a long illness. He was 86. After a stint in the Army, the Brooklyn native started his career writing for comic books and penned several short stories for Alfred Hitchcock Magazine. His first TV writing gig was for Studio One in Hollywood, and he went on to such 1950s shows as Tales Of Tomorrow, Justice and Climax! During the next three decades he penned episodes of such popular series as Perry Mason, The Fugitive, The F.B.I., Mission: Impossible, The Mod Squad, The Six Million Dollar Man, Starsky and Hutch, Quincy, M.E., Barnaby Jones, The Rockford Files Dynasty, Knots Landing and The Paper Chase. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1959 Hope Lange-Stephen Boyd drama The Best Of Everything. More recently, Rubin taught screenwriting at...
- 10/14/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
After a decade of low-budget cheesy special effects science fiction films, the early 1960s was particularly quiet, ceding to television series such as Star Trek and The Time Tunnel. But, also released in 1966 was an eye-opening spectacular that had a plausible premise, strong cast, and the next generation in film special effects. Fantastic Voyage may be remembered today for Raquel Welch in a tight outfit, it is also a step forward in cinematic Sf. Thankfully, it preceded 2001: A Space Odyssey by two years.
At a time when miniaturization was making home technology smaller and more sophisticated, the idea of inserting a tiny sub full of humans into the body of an ill scientist seemed the next logical step. The body in question was the victim of an assassination attempt and his knowledge and life had to be saved so a daring experiment was to be undertaken. Forget that the...
At a time when miniaturization was making home technology smaller and more sophisticated, the idea of inserting a tiny sub full of humans into the body of an ill scientist seemed the next logical step. The body in question was the victim of an assassination attempt and his knowledge and life had to be saved so a daring experiment was to be undertaken. Forget that the...
- 10/9/2013
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
Roadside Attractions
Moviefone's Top DVD of the Week:
"Much Ado About Nothing"
What's It About? Joss Whedon's ("The Avengers") modern retelling of the Shakespeare classic follows two couples with different takes on romance. Benedick (Alexis Denisof) and Beatrice (Amy Acker) are older and disdainful of their love, while the sweet young Claudio (Fran Kranz) and Hero (Jillian Morgese) are deeply absorbed by their love.
Why We're In: Whedon's "Much Ado About Nothing" is a refreshing and charming take on the classic comedy for its unique blending of the Shakespearian dialogue with a contemporary setting and aesthetic. While it sticks to the original content and doesn't add anything wholly revolutionary, it's nonetheless an entertaining addition to the canon of Shakespeare film adaptations.
Rt & Follow to win @JossWhedon's #MuchAdo About Nothing on Blu-ray! @MuchAdoFilm arrives in stores on 10/8! Rules: http://t.co/QjgiJGpzN5
- moviefone (@moviefone) October 7, 2013 Moviefone's Top Blu-ray of...
Moviefone's Top DVD of the Week:
"Much Ado About Nothing"
What's It About? Joss Whedon's ("The Avengers") modern retelling of the Shakespeare classic follows two couples with different takes on romance. Benedick (Alexis Denisof) and Beatrice (Amy Acker) are older and disdainful of their love, while the sweet young Claudio (Fran Kranz) and Hero (Jillian Morgese) are deeply absorbed by their love.
Why We're In: Whedon's "Much Ado About Nothing" is a refreshing and charming take on the classic comedy for its unique blending of the Shakespearian dialogue with a contemporary setting and aesthetic. While it sticks to the original content and doesn't add anything wholly revolutionary, it's nonetheless an entertaining addition to the canon of Shakespeare film adaptations.
Rt & Follow to win @JossWhedon's #MuchAdo About Nothing on Blu-ray! @MuchAdoFilm arrives in stores on 10/8! Rules: http://t.co/QjgiJGpzN5
- moviefone (@moviefone) October 7, 2013 Moviefone's Top Blu-ray of...
- 10/8/2013
- by Erin Whitney
- Moviefone
I’m always looking for some new sci-fi goodness to check out, and usually that means checking out something just released. But I’m always more than thrilled to stumble upon something beautifully classic like the 1966 Fantastic Voyage, which I’ve never seen before but am really looking forward to checking out on Blu-ray when it’s released in October. Check out the details below.
Synopsis:
Prepare to journey into the deepest reaches of space…inner space! Stephen Boyd, Donald Pleasence, and Raquel Welch in her feature-film debut, star in “one of the most ingenious, inventive, imaginative, science fiction films Hollywood has ever produced” (Citizen-News).
Special Features:
● Commentary by Film & Music Historian Jeff Bond
● Isolated Score Track with Commentary by Film & Music Historians Jeff Bond, Jon Burlingame and Nick Redman
● Lava Lamps & Celluloid: A Tribute to the Visual Effects of Fantastic Voyage
● Storyboard-to-Scene Comparison: Whirlpool Scene
● Original Theatrical Trailer...
Synopsis:
Prepare to journey into the deepest reaches of space…inner space! Stephen Boyd, Donald Pleasence, and Raquel Welch in her feature-film debut, star in “one of the most ingenious, inventive, imaginative, science fiction films Hollywood has ever produced” (Citizen-News).
Special Features:
● Commentary by Film & Music Historian Jeff Bond
● Isolated Score Track with Commentary by Film & Music Historians Jeff Bond, Jon Burlingame and Nick Redman
● Lava Lamps & Celluloid: A Tribute to the Visual Effects of Fantastic Voyage
● Storyboard-to-Scene Comparison: Whirlpool Scene
● Original Theatrical Trailer...
- 8/14/2013
- by Jess Orso
- ScifiMafia
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