So…I’m going to be on TCM next Saturday 11/29

It doesn’t even really seem real, but just about a week from now, if you tune in to Turner Classic Movies (TCM), you’ll see me chatting with Ben Mankiewicz about the Bob Hope Christmas classic, The Lemon Drop Kid. I’m one of four TCM fans introducing favorite films on the afternoon/evening of Saturday, November 29. I am lucky enough to know the other three, Aurora Bugallo, Joel Williams, and Miguel Rodriguez, who are all friends I met first online via the live tweet I co-founded and organize, TCM Party, and then offline at the TCM Film Festival.

Apt descriptor of both the professional quality mic TCM sent, and, let’s be real, myself

The intros were all recorded in August via Skype, which I think is a cool use of technology. Mine took place at Cinema Detroit, the indie theater I co-own with my husband, Tim. While my programming there is mostly contemporary and decidedly indie, we have shown classics like The Lady from Shanghai, A Hard Day’s Night, and a whole mess of noir for Noir Detroit (during CD’s first full month, November 2013). I definitely think my experiences bringing people and movies together online influenced us to try to do the same offline with Cinema Detroit.

TCM site screen cap, shamelessly stolen from Joel Williams

So here is the schedule for Fan Favorites on Saturday, November 29 (all times Eastern):

12:30 p.m. Meet Me in St. Louis – Aurora
2:30 p.m. The Lemon Drop Kid – Me
4:15 p.m. The Thing From Another World – Miguel
6:00 p.m. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – Joel

In case anyone is curious why the The Lemon Drop Kid…TCM producer Courtney O’Brien asked me to submit a list of 10 mostly family-oriented, somewhat holiday-related, classic movies that I would want to introduce. As it is extremely difficult to limit oneself to 10 films, I actually sent more than 10. This was the list I sent, there’s no particular order:

Christmas in Connecticut

It Happened on 5th Avenue

The Lemon Drop Kid

Remember the Night

Holiday Affair

Stand-In (1937)

Show People

The Rains Came

The Lady Vanishes

The 39 Steps

Rio Bravo

Angel and the Badman

There is nothing on here I don’t really love, but I’m glad they went with Lemon Drop Kid. It has a special place in my heart, because Christmas is a tough time for me. My mother passed away a few days after Thanksgiving in 2002 and during the holiday season, I often need a laugh, which this film provides. It does have some sentimental moments, but it’s mostly Hope one-liners, sight gags, and Runyon-esque characters and situations. Damon Runyon wrote the story it’s based on…think Guys and Dolls, Little Miss Marker…like that.

I cannot say enough good things about the people at TCM, who made the whole process easy for me, a total novice. Noralil, Courtney, Mardy and Ben…thanks for your patience and understanding.

So I hope you will tune in on Saturday afternoon, November 29, and check it out. And in the meantime…what would be on your list of 10?

Third Annual What A Character! Blogathon 2014 Schedule

The 2014 What a Character Blogathon schedule has been set, and the blogathon is underway. There’s still plenty of time to join though. If you want to participate, check out the announcement immediately following, and contact one of us ASAP.

Sunday, November 16 – Hosted by Kellee

Ann Doran and Lurene Tuttle – Theresa on Once Upon a Screen

Billie Burke – Girls Do Film

Burgess Meredith – The Last Drive-In

Charles Durning – Movie Movie Blog Blog

Chris Cooper – Jack Deth on Paula’s Cinema Club

Christopher Lloyd – The Movie Rat

Dame Edith Evans – Margaret Perry

Edna May Oliver – Portraits by Jenni

Elsa Lanchester – Blog of the Damned

Frank McHugh – (This) Girl Friday

Leo Carrillo – Phantom Empires

Richard Widmark – Danny’s Reviews

Thomas Mitchell – Once Upon a Screen

Tony Randall – A Shroud of Thoughts

Monday, November 17 – Hosted by Paula

Agnes Moorehead – Tales of the Easily Distracted

Arthur Housman – Silent-ology

Charles Coburn – Amy’s Rib

Charles Lane & Friz Feld – Vienna’s Classic Hollywood

Chester Clute – Grand Old Movies

Dennis Hoey – Silver Scenes

Esther Dale – Caftan Woman

Harry Dean Stanton – Joel’s Classic Film Passion

John Ridgely – Comet Over Hollywood

Kathleen Howard – Sister Celluloid

Mae Busch – Movies, Silently

Peter Lorre – Second Sight Cinema

Rochelle Hudson – Bunnybun’s Classic Movie Blog

Tuesday, November 18 – Hosted by Aurora

Ann Dvorak – A Person in the Dark

Beulah Bondi – A Thousand Words

C. Aubrey Smith – Critica Retro

Cecil Kellaway – The Lady Eve’s Reel Life

C. Aubrey Smith – Critica Retro

Don Beddoe – Christy’s Inkwells

Edward Everett Horton – Outspoken & Freckled

Eric Blore – The Blonde at the Film

Grant Mitchell – Immortal Ephemera

Henry Travers – Movie Fan Fare

Iris Adrian – Speakeasy

Karl Malden – Oh Rachel Leigh

Melville Cooper – Classic Movie Hub

Ned Sparks – Paula’s Cinema Club

Raymond Burr – Shadows and Satin

Thelma Ritter – Cinephiled

Wallace Shawn – Moon in Gemini

Original announcement:

I was only a leading man for a minute; now I’m a character actor. — Robin Williams

In 2012, we – by that I mean myself, Aurora, and Kellee – borrowed a catchphrase from our beloved Turner Classic Movies (TCM) in order to host a blogathon dedicated to those amazing actors whose faces are familiar but whose names few remember.

The phrase is WHAT A CHARACTER, and the individuals concerned rarely got leading parts, exhibiting instead a versatility and depth many star players wished they had. We never tire of seeing them or paying them tribute, and if the previous two installments of this event are any indication, neither do you.

So, here we are with the Third Annual WHAT A CHARACTER! Blogathon.

To say we’re thrilled is an understatement. We hope you’ll join us in spotlighting the Edward Arnolds, Alan Mowbrays, and Alice Bradys of the world, oft-forgotten names that never appeared above the title.

If this is right up your movie alley, then give us a shoutout…

Me (leave a comment below) — Paula at Paula’s Cinema Club or tweet (@Paula_Guthat)

Kellee at Outspoken & Freckled | (@IrishJayHawk66)

Aurora at Once Upon a Screen | (@CitizenScreen)

We ask that you adhere to the following guidelines:

Let one of the hosts know which character actor is your choice. Since there are so many greats worthy of mention, we won’t take any repeats and we’re not limiting these to “classic” actors. Great character actors have made their mark both before and since the end of the classic era and contemporary talents deserve some attention as well, so the field is wide open.
Please include your twitter and/or FB tag, email address and blog name & URL.
Publish the post for either November 16, 17 or 18. Let us know if you have a date preference, otherwise we’ll split publicizing duties equally among the three days.
Please include one of the blogathon graphics in this post on your blog to help us publicize the event.
Include the graphic and link to the host sites in your WHAT A CHARACTER! post
If possible, please send any of the hosts the direct link to your WHAT A CHARACTER! post by the day before your due date. Otherwise we’ll simply link to your site’s home page.
HAVE FUN and spread the word! There are so many great characters worthy of attention, we would like to honor as many as possible.

Check out some of the 2012 and 2013 posts. Also find out who’s who with this Key to the WHAT A CHARACTER! graphic.

Announcing the Third Annual What A Character! Blogathon (2014)

I was only a leading man for a minute; now I’m a character actor. — Robin Williams

So, here we are with the Third Annual WHAT A CHARACTER! Blogathon.

If this is right up your movie alley, then give us a shoutout…

Me (leave a comment below) — Paula at Paula’s Cinema Club or tweet (@Paula_Guthat)

Kellee at Outspoken & Freckled | (@IrishJayHawk66)

Aurora at Once Upon a Screen | (@CitizenScreen)

We ask that you adhere to the following guidelines:

Let one of the hosts know which character actor is your choice. Since there are so many greats worthy of mention, we won’t take any repeats and we’re not limiting these to “classic” actors. Great character actors have made their mark both before and since the end of the classic era and contemporary talents deserve some attention as well, so the field is wide open.
Please include your twitter and/or FB tag, email address and blog name & URL.
Publish the post for either November 16, 17 or 18. Let us know if you have a date preference, otherwise we’ll split publicizing duties equally among the three days.
Please include one of the blogathon graphics in this post on your blog to help us publicize the event.
Include the graphic and link to the host sites in your WHAT A CHARACTER! post
If possible, please send any of the hosts the direct link to your WHAT A CHARACTER! post by the day before your due date. Otherwise we’ll simply link to your site’s home page.
HAVE FUN and spread the word! There are so many great characters worthy of attention, we would like to honor as many as possible.

Check out some of the 2012 and 2013 posts. Also find out who’s who with this Key to the WHAT A CHARACTER! graphic.

Character actors and participating blogs:

Agnes Moorehead – Tales of the Easily Distracted

Ann Doran and Lurene Tuttle – Theresa on Once Upon a Screen

Ann Dvorak – A Person in the Dark

Arthur Housman – Silent-ology

Beulah Bondi – A Thousand Words

Billie Burke – Girls Do Film

Burgess Meredith – The Last Drive-In

C. Aubrey Smith – Critica Retro

Cecil Kellaway – The Lady Eve’s Reel Life

Charles Coburn – Amy’s Rib

Charles Durning – Movie Movie Blog Blog

Charles Lane & Friz Feld – Vienna’s Classic Hollywood

Chris Cooper – Jack Deth on Paula’s Cinema Club

Christopher Lloyd – The Movie Rat

Dennis Hoey – Silver Scenes

Don Beddoe – Christy’s Inkwells

Dame Edith Evans – Margaret Perry

Edna May Oliver – Portraits by Jenni

Edward Everett Horton – Outspoken & Freckled

Elsa Lanchester – Blog of the Damned

Eric Blore – The Blonde at the Film

Esther Dale – Caftan Woman

Frank McHugh – (This) Girl Friday

Grant Mitchell – Immortal Ephemera

Harry Dean Stanton – Joel’s Classic Film Passion

Henry Travers – Movie Fan Fare

Iris Adrian – Speakeasy

John Ridgely – Comet Over Hollywood

Karl Malden – Oh Rachel Leigh

Kathleen Howard – Sister Celluloid

Leo Carrillo – Phantom Empires

Melville Cooper – Classic Movie Hub

Peter Lorre – Second Sight Cinema

Richard Widmark – Danny’s Reviews

Rochelle Hudson – Bunnybun’s Classic Movie Blog

Thelma Ritter – Cinephiled

Thomas Mitchell – Once Upon a Screen

Tony Randall – A Shroud of Thoughts

Wallace Shawn – Moon in Gemini

Dear Turner Broadcasting… #DontTouchTCM #TCMParty @TCM

Yesterday, Will at Cinematically Insane posted about layoffs at Turner Broadcasting. Around ten percent of the workforce across the corporation’s channels will be cut, including at CNN, TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network…and my beloved Turner Classic Movies (TCM). TCM is basically the only channel I watch on a regular basis and certainly the only one to which I’ve devoted hours and hours of time for more than three years now.

To those who don’t have the classic movie addiction, it may seem crazy that a TV channel showing old movies can make friendships, get people through unemployment and illness, and generally become a way of life. But it can and it does…and that’s why any possible changes make TCM fans a little nervous and a lot protective.

So what are we going to do? How about write a letter to the CEO of Turner Broadcasting, asking him to leave TCM alone, so that it can continue to be the soul-nurturing entity that it is? If you feel the same way about “the channel,” I urge you to do the same.

Yes, write (or copy-paste the letter below, make it look nice and print it), put it in an envelope, put a stamp on it, and mail it. We want this to look like the letters being delivered to the courthouse in Miracle on 34th Street.

We are being advised to direct letters to:
John Martin, CEO
Turner Broadcasting
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019-8016

Please also post to your blog or Facebook if you have one, using the tag #DontTouchTCM

Here is Elise Crane Derby’s letter, I can’t say it any better, and we have her permission to copy it:

To Whom It May Concern,

As a long-time TCM viewer, I am extremely concerned about the recently reported layoffs. TCM has an unheard-of audience of loyal viewers, with the possible exception of PBS. Similarly TCM’s programming is both entertaining and educational, to the point they won a Peabody award last year. Also like PBS, TCM is good for the whole family. Finally, like PBS, it fills a need in television that is not filled elsewhere and must be protected.

Host Ben Mankiewicz has stated that TCM has a fan base like no other. It’s not just one show we love it is the entire channel. What makes us this loyal is the commercial free films, the educational documentaries, the beautiful memorials and mini bio short, the intros telling us about the films,their social media interactions, and the amazing face to face events, including Road To Hollywood, the film festival and the cruise. All of these are executed so masterfully.

I beg you not to remove one of these talented people who have created classic film programming, documentaries, and events that keep these films alive. TCM’s level of excellence promotes, not only film education but film preservation. It is everyone one of TCM’s employees who have earned its viewers fierce loyalty and created a channel that is unparalleled.

Thank you for your consideration,

Elise Crane Derby
Proud TCM devotee

This post is shamelessly inspired by the work of Elise at The LA Rambler and Aurora at Once Upon A Screen.

Captain America Blogathon

Wow…this is such an awesome blogathon idea. The trouble is limiting it to just 10 movies. It looks like the deadline for the lists is March 31. Poor Cap…that’s a lot of movies.

Fandango Groovers Movie Blog

This isn’t the first blogathon I have organised, however it has been thrown together very quickly. I have just see an extended trailer for Captain America: The Winter Soldier. In it we see Steve Rogers make a note in a pocket note book. A list of things he missed out on in the time he was frozen that people have recommended he should catch up on. Towards the bottom of the list there are two movies Rocky and Rocky II. This got me thinking, what ten movies would you recommend a person who had been frozen between 1943 and 2011.

Captain America Blogathon

The make-up of the list is up to you. It could be an historical record of what he missed, something to cheer him up/take his mind of things or just your favourite movies from the period.

The movie is released at the end of the month in the…

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10 Pop Culture Sex Addicts

I was wondering when someone was going to get around to listing these…happy to see James Bond in his rightful place at #1. No judgement, just a fact.

Liebster’d! courtesy of Thoughts from the Booth

I so appreciate this award from Joe at Thoughts From the Booth! Owning a movie theater is awesome, but being the only full-time employee means I don’t really blog all that often anymore. I do try to make the few posts as good as they possibly can be though. So I am very encouraged that my name appeared on his Liebster list. For those that don’t know, I’ve been a projectionist since October 2013 when we started Cinema Detroit, but Joe was one for three and a half years. As he notes on his About page, projecting movies does change the way you look at them. There’s a blog post in there somewhere, but that’s another story.

Let’s review the rules real quick…

The bloggers who have been nominated must link back to the person who nominated them.
Nominees must answer the eleven questions given to them by the person who nominated them.
Those nominated must choose eleven of their favorite bloggers who have less than 200 followers to answer their own set of questions. Don’t forget to notify them, leave a comment somewhere on their blog.
When you are nominated, you cannot nominate the person who nominated you.

First my answers to Joe’s questions:

What is your favorite movie that makes you feel like crap? What an interesting question! There are a lot of life-ruiners out there, but right at the moment it is Show People, because I’m not Marion Davies, nor am I anything like her.
If you could have lunch with one person, alive or dead, who would it be? James Dyson, yes, the vacuum cleaner guy. He is a genius and he just wouldn’t give up.
What is your ideal band line up? You have to have a singer, bassist, two guitarists, and a drummer. Oh, wow. Do I pick my favorites? Together they might not be a great lineup, because so much that is great about a band is the chemistry. I plead the 5th.
Where is your home away from home? Cinema Detroit.
What was your high school experience like? Or how is it going so far? Part of it was good, but mostly it wasn’t all that great.
Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Optimist.
What is your rainy day film? To Catch A Thief.
Which film have you seen the most in your entire life? Casablanca. Gone With the Wind. Les felins. And honestly, Super Troopers.
What is your ideal job? Other than what I’m doing, talk show host.
Are you afraid of the future like I am? Less than I used to be. Every day a little less.
Do you read? What is your favorite book? Unfortunately, not as much as I’d like to. I tend toward non-fiction because, for some reason, it’s less upsetting to me. My favorite novel is either The Beautiful Ruins, Pride and Prejudice, or The Big Sleep.

And now, in alpha order by blog name, my nominees…Some, like myself, have less than 200 followers. Others are blogs I only recently discovered. There are fewer than 11 listed though. This is an example of how well I follow rules, I guess. Please don’t freak out if you’re too busy or you’re just not into this…I love blog awards, but you don’t have to 🙂

Vienna’s Classic Hollywood

Vitaphone Dreamer

And now my questions:

St. Patrick’s Day was this week. What is your favorite film set in Ireland?
What movie job would you like to try? Director, screenwriter, stuntperson, costumer….?
Under what circumstances, if any, would you appear on a reality TV show?
There’s a lot of mediocre sequels around, but are there any films that should have a sequel but don’t?
Have you had any brushes with fame…where and who was the famous person?
What is your favorite time of day?
Who should play you in your biopic?
Is there a book that has not been made into a movie that you think would be good?
Sleepless night…do you get up and do something, stay still and try to relax, or….?
Do you have a recurring dream?
Fill in the blank: People would be surprised that I really like __________________.

Reckless Review: Pauline détective

Sometimes I find a fun, quirky movie and I just can’t keep it to myself. This is definitely the case with PAULINE DETECTIVE.

Cinema Detroit

True-crime magazine editor Pauline Astruc (Sandrine Kiberlain) seems like a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Not only did her boyfriend break up with her, but her sister Jeanne (Audrey Lamy) dragged her into going on vacation at a crowded resort — it’s so crowded that Pauline has a roommate. A very nosy roommate, Mademoiselle Blanchot (Michèle Moretti), who will interrogate Pauline about her love life, drive her literally to drink, and suddenly, suspiciously, disappear.

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Call for posts – 31 Days of Oscar

I accept this very gratefully for keeping my mouth shut for once, I think I’ll do it again.
—Jane Wyman

There’s been a lot of criticism over the years over this award, and some of that criticism has been warranted. But whether it’s warranted or not, I think it’s one hell of an honor, and I thank you.
—Jack Lemmon

I’ll tell you this about the Oscars – they’re real.
—William H. Macy

And so is this blogathon!

For the second year in a row Kellee (@IrishJayHawk66) of Outspoken and Freckled, Paula (@Paula_Guthat) of Paula’s Cinema Club and Aurora (@CitizenScreen) of Once Upon a Screen bring you a mammoth blogathon event which just happens to coincide with Turner Classic Movies’ 31 Days of Oscar.

This promises to be another February filled with fabulous tales and screen wonders – many of the stories, players and films featured on TCM all month long. In fact, the network is kicking things off this year in spectacular style on February 1st by featuring all of the Best Picture nominees from Hollywood’s “Golden Year” 1939, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary! In addition, that night, TCM premieres a new original documentary, And the Oscar Goes To….

So, in short, if you can’t take the entire month of February off work, or send your kids to your relatives, then be sure to clear your DVRs, and join the blogathon.

We are not limiting this event to classic film fare though — posts on more recent Oscar-winning or Oscar-worthy filmmaking are very welcome. We want to see and hear it all from the golden man’s more than eighty-five year history, including the 2014 nominees. Share stories about the films and players, tell us which and who deserved the nod and were ignored, or rhapsodize about which films inspire you with their music or lighting.

We are doing things a little different this year by focusing on a different Oscars topic each week.
For your consideration:

WEEK 1 – the weekend of February 1-2 – Oscar Snubs! Let the venting kick things off!

WEEK 2 – the weekend of February 8-9 – Music, Costumes, Cinematography, Writing, etc. You name it. If it’s not Best Acting, Direction, or Picture, it’s in!

WEEK 3 – the weekend of February 15-16 – Actors! Lead or supporting, take center stage.

Week 4 – the weekend of February 22-23 – The Directors!

Week 5 – the weekend of February 28-March 1 – THE MOVIES!

We are taking turns hosting, but you can submit topics by leaving comments on any of our blogs, via twitter, or by email. We ask that you please include the following:

Title and link to your blog
Your email address (use [at] instead of @ if leaving a blog comment)
Topic

It would also be great if you can include any of the event banners included above or below in this post on your blog to help us promote the event.

SO – write to your heart’s desire! Write one post or several on each topic. But write! And join us, won’t you? Hollywood’s big night is only once a year.

Showtimes — Jan. 10-16

This is what we’re doing at Cinema Detroit this week.

Cinema Detroit

STARTS FRIDAY, JAN. 10

The End of Time (2013)
NR – 109 min. – Tickets $5
Partially filmed in Detroit and featuring a cameo by Richie Hawtin, The End of Time combines elements of documentary, essay, and experimental cinema to challenge our conception of time and space.

With stunning cinematography and a knack for capturing astonishing moments, the film travels the planet, exploring the links between renewal and destruction, between mysticism and modern science, giving the viewer a transcendent cinematic experience. ~~Director Peter Mettler will be at Cinema Detroit for the 7:30 show on Saturday, January 11 only to introduce the film and answer questions afterwards.~~ Due to dangerous driving conditions in the Toronto area, END OF TIME director Peter Mettler will not be joining usat Cinema Detroit tonight. We will be rescheduling his Q & A. Anyone attending the screening tonight will receive a rain check for the…

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