Adaptation is a tricky business. Not every great book makes for a great film and wonderful films have been made from mediocre novels. I recently read Grand Hotel for the first time then revisited the 1932 film. What struck me was not just how well they’ve both stood the test of time, but also how […]
100 Years of the MGM Lion
A roaring lion ensconced in scrolls of celluloid bearing the Latin motto ‘Ars Gratia Artis’. Below it, a comedy mask framed by laurel leaves. And arcing above it all, the words Metro Goldwyn Mayer. One of the most famous in American cinema, the MGM logo, featuring the studio’s mascot […]
Strike a Pose: Women’s Fashion at the Movies
Fashion Week recently descended on New York, which got me thinking about women’s clothes in film. The best costumes reveal a character’s tastes and temperament, the way she sees herself and the world sees her, before a single word is spoken. In The Blue Angel, cabaret singer Lola Lola’s top hat and tights embody Weimar […]
Through the (Feminist) Looking-glass
And now for something completely different: a review of one of my favourite film books. Enjoy! “A woman’s intelligence was the equivalent of a man’s penis: something to be kept out of sight.” So writes Molly Haskell in From Reverence to Rape: The Treatment of Women in the Movies: a fusillade of feminist film criticism that’s […]
Love, Laughter and Lubitsch: ‘Trouble in Paradise’ (1932), ‘Design for Living’ (1933) and ‘Ninotchka’ (1939)
Red roses, paper hearts and pink, pudgy teddy bears. Valentine’s Day may have come and gone, but fear not. For those of you still in a romantic mood, might I suggest the work of legendary writer-director Ernst Lubitsch? Sly and sophisticated, the German émigré’s films offer an irresistible concoction of wit and intelligence- all delivered […]
Why Classic Films Matter
“You like old films? Why?” The tone varies- anything from mild incredulity to genuine pity, or just plain old curiosity- but the sentiment is the same. What’s the point of watching an old movie? The special effects are outdated, the performances likely cheesy and the stars are actors only your parents might recognize. If you […]