THE FILM BIOGRAPHER, August 20, 2018

4 STARS

My AUDIO BOOK review of “MY FRIEND YVETTE VICKERS: IN HER OWN WORDS” as told to John O’Dowd (Bear Manor Media, 2018)……

John O'Dowd, author of the brilliant Bear Manor Media biography KISS TOMORROW GOODBYE - THE BARBARA PAYTON STORY, has compiled an audio documentary of recorded conversations with his dear friend YVETTE VICKERS, as we approach the anniversary of her 90th birthday. What he has given us is a warm and rich remembrance of the sorely missed star.

In “MY FRIEND YVETTE VICKERS: IN HER OWN WORDS” author Dowd invites us listen to YVETTE VICKERS’ story as she recalls her life and career in frank and warm memories. YVETTE VICKERS rose to fame in movies starring in such horror films of the 1950s as ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES and ATTACK OF THE 50-FOOT WOMAN. But she also appeared in such classic pictures as SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950), HUD (1963), and BEACH PARTY (1963). Once a PLAYBOY centerfold, Vickers capitalized on her figure and beauty. Yet she remained a sweet, charming person, warmly remembered by her fans and friends.

Sadly, Vickers died alone in her LA home possibly in 2010, her body discovered a year later, tragically forgotten by the industry she loved. But here, in her own words, are her memories. And so precious they are.

Thank you, John O’Dowd for leaving Yvette Vickers’ legion of fans “MY FRIEND YVETTE VICKERS: IN HER OWN WORDS” published by Bear Manor Media….

THE FILM BIOGRAPHER, April 23, 2018

5 STARS

My DVD review of STAGE STRUCK [Blu-ray] (Kino Lober, 2018)), with a new piano score by

Andrew Simpson…..

In what many cinemagoers and film scholars believe to be her most entertaining silent motion

picture comedy, Gloria Swanson truly shines in Paramount’s 1925 romantic comedy STAGE

STRUCK, now gorgeously transferred from a George Eastman House restoration to DVD in

glorious black and white and early two-tone Technicolor…

It tells a story of the dreams of a small town waitress named Jenny (Swanson), her ambitions to

be a great actress, and her sacrificing for the love of her Orme (Lawrence Gray). STAGE

STRUCK was the last silent picture of Swanson’s to be directed by Allan Dwan (they would late

make for UA and Joseph P. Kennedy WHAT A WIDOW! in 1930). Swanson had just

completed in France for Paramount MADAME SANS-GENE, which marked the high-water

mark of Swanson’s silent career, and it was her modest bid to return to light comedy after a

couple of heavy dramas.

Some critics of the era thought Swanson’s was “slumming it” by appearing in this rural

romantic-comedy, and even Swanson did not like her work in it when it first was released. (Her

opinion changed however by the time she wrote her autobiography.) Yet the film was a

moderate success, and the public lined up for more of their Gloria. Now through the wonders of

restoration and a new film score, we can view STAGE STRUCK as it was originally shown in

theatres. And it is a delight. It moves rapidly and is well acted throughout, though small pieces

of scene-stealing business keep one’s eyes glued to the star. And even though it may be

predictable, STAGE STRUCK is nevertheless fun to watch.

BRAVO too to Kino Lorber for releasing this and Swanson’s 1924 hit MANHANDLED at the

same time. With most of her extant silent films now available on DVD, with the exceptions of

HER HUSBAND’S TRADEMARK (Paramount 1922) and THE HUMMING BIRD (Paramount,

1924), one can hope that Kino Lorber will eventually bring us these Swanson dramas in DVD

format…restored and with new film scores.

And one can also pray that copies of Swanson’s 19 lost feature films, which include (my “wish

list”) THE GREAT MOMENT (1921), HER GILDED CAGE (1922), THE IMPOSSIBLE MRS.

BELLEW (1922), BLUEBEARD’S EIGHTH WIFE (1923), HOLLYWOOD (1923), HER

LOVE STORY (1924), MADAME SANS-GENE (1924), and WHAT A WIDOW! (1930), will

eventually see light again.

The histories of, making of, and backstories of all of Gloria Swanson’s motion pictures are

chronicled in my book Gloria Swanson – The Ultimate Star. Now on DVD through Kino

Lorber, STAGE STRUCK and MANHANDLED at least can thankfully be viewed and studied,

valued and appreciated.

THE FILM BIOGRAPHER, April 23, 2018

5 STARS

My DVD review of MANHANDLED [Blu-ray] (Kino Lober, 2018)), with a new piano score by

Makia Matsumura…..

The long-awaited Kino Lober release of director Allan Dwan’s hilarious MANHANDLED

(1924) affords us perhaps one of legendary actress Gloria Swanson’s BEST silent screen

performances. With a screenplay by Frank Tuttle, the story tells of humble little New York

salesgirl Tessie McGuire (Swanson) and her boyfriend, mechanic inventor Jimmy (Tom Moore)

and their interrupted romance as she climbs her way to notoriety mimicking a Russian society

noblewoman at a fashionable dressmaking house in New York. Trouble ensues as various cads

pursue Tessie while her Jimmy is out of town pitching his automotive invention.

This is Swanson at her most vital, energetic self. Her impersonations of various celebrities of the

day including Pola Negri and Beatrice Lillie are inspired. (At a party she also impersonates

Charlie Chaplin for the first time on film, though this segment is not extant.) The archival

elements used for this release are as complete as possible, and lovingly restored. Filmed at

Astoria’s Paramount Studio, MANHANDLED is mesmerizing with some scenes shot in the New

York subways.

The production is lovely, set designs beautifully detailed. And Swanson is captivating….one can

not take one’s eyes off her. Her silent film acting was perfection. Interesting too are the

appearances of stage dancer Ann Pennington and Lilyan Tashman. And long before his defining

MGM 1939 tour-de-force as “The Wizard of Oz,” is Frank Morgan enacting a leading man role.

The weak link in the casting however is Tom Moore, once the brother-in-law of Mary Pickford

and who, at age 41, was way too long-in-the-tooth to portray an idealistic young leading man.

However, as I wrote in my book Gloria Swanson – The Ultimate Star, Swanson photographed

older than her years. And beginning around this time her leading men were, by necessity,

required to look older than she. Nonetheless, the romance between Tessie and Jimmy is

realistically portrayed, and director Dwan masterfully subdues the energy in the romantic

clinches.

Kudos to Kino Lober for releasing these magnificent silent films starring these wonderful

legends of classic silent cinema. Watching MANHANDLED validates Swanson’s status as a

silent screen great. Her iconic character “Norma Desmond” in SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950)

was no fluke.

Allan Dwan’s MANHANDLED is a MUST in every film library…..

THE FILM BIOGRAPHER, April 23, 2018

3 STARS

My book review of FRANCES LANGFORD – ARMED FORCES SWEETHEART (BearManor

Media, 2017) by Ben Ohmart….

In this loving tribute to lovely singer-actress FRANCES LANGFORD, author Ben Ohmart gives

the reader a beautiful and touching insight to the life and career of one of World War II’s most

dedicated and respected entertainers.

Born and raised in Florida, Langford’s singing career began in radio, moving to Broadway

musicals, eventually landing her in Hollywood. In Langford’s first feature film, EVERY NIGHT

AT EIGHT (Paramount, 1935) with Alice Faye, she introduced her signature song “I’m In the

Mood For Love.” Marrying film actor Jon Hall, star of Samuel Goldwyn’s THE HURRICANE

(1937), Langford continued herself in films throughout the 30s and 40s. During World War II

she was immensely popular on the radio and toured with Bob Hope’s USO tours for decades

after. In her later years, Langford married twice more, and upon her death in 2005 was

remembered for her philanthropic work.

This is the first “biography” of Frances Langford. Told, not necessarily in a “soup-to-nuts”

biographical format, FRANCES LANGFORD – ARMED FORCES SWEETHEART

nonetheless gives the reader her story with heart and affection. Author Ohmart shares his

admiration for the lovely songstress by including numerous photos, career chronologies, and

interviews. This book is a charming account of the life and career about one of America’s true

great entertainers and patriotic legends FRANCES LANGFORD.

THE FILM BIOGRAPHER, April 23, 2018

4 STARS

My book review of MY MAGIC CARPET OF FILMS -A PERSONAL JOURNEY IN THE

MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY 1916-2000 (BearManor Media, 2009) by Micky Moore….

Although Micky Moore never achieved major success as an actor or even a director during his

long and varied career, he nevertheless made contribution to the film industry throughout his

long life. Beginning in silent films in 1916 as a child actor and continuing almost up until his

death in 2013 as a behind the camera first and second unit director of major films, Moore records

in his memoirs MY MAGIC CARPET OF FILMS his recollections and observances, his work

and his history, and leaves us with a wealth of knowledge of the art and craft of motion pictures

making.

With forwards by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, MY MAGIC CARPET OF FILMS offers

up a loving history motion picture unit production detailed in the last two-thirds of book. From

his second assistant director work in 1947, to his assistant director period assisting legendary

director Cecil B. DeMille on THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956), up through 2000 and his

second director work for Disney in 102 DALMATIONS, Moore relates an important

commentary of behind the scenes work which merits a read. His anecdotes and stories are

valuable references for motion picture research and history, seldom straying from fact.

For this film historian, biographer, and movie connoisseur, the first third of the book of Moore’s

earliest recollections, when he was a child actor, intrigue me the most. He starred with Gloria

Swanson three times, as well as supporting Mary Pickford, Mae Murray, and Mary Miles Minter

among many others. And the male stars he appeared with include John Gilbert, Wallace Reid

and Buck Jones.

This is a book which every film buff and film historian should have. Rich in details told from a

personal perspective, Micky Moore’s MY MAGIC CARPET OF FILMS is a pleasant,

fascinating read of a career that lasted over 80 years. Bravo to BearManor Media for publishing

this invaluable treasure of motion picture history.

THE FILM BIOGRAPHER, November 27, 2017

5 STARS

My DVD review of WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN FLOWER (Undercrank Productions,

2017), with a new musical score by Ben Model…..

Rarely do I get excited over the release of silent motion picture DVD simply because oftentimes

the results are less than hoped for. Many films have been restored however, elements long ago

clipped or discarded over the decades replaced properly back into context as to how the original

production was supposed to be presented. WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN FLOWER, “an

epic costume picture,” is not really an overwhelmingly fascinating story. Not now, nor even back

in 1922 when it was first presented in theatres. But the production values were and are truly

memorable. And the beauty and aptitude of actress Marion Davies in the lead role gives the

picture a special appeal which we all must appreciate.

Preserved by the Library of Congress, for Greenbriar Picture Shows, wonderfully produced and

scored by Ben Model on the organ for Undercrank Productions, WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS

IN FLOWER was originally produced by William Randolph Hearst for his Cosmopolitan

Pictures (it was released by Paramount). Hearst lavished attention, money and detail on this film

for his Marion, and it shows. Many of the rare artifacts used as set design were actual,

invaluable objects of art owned by Hearst himself. Viewing the opulence of the productions is

worth the price of the DVD alone.

But what gives credence to the film, lovingly presented in DVD and Blu-Ray packaging by

Undercrank, is the performance of the young Marion Davies. Hearst usually insisted his talented

paramour be presented in these types of lavish extravaganzas. Drama was not Davies’ forte

however, though in her youth and this silent film she performs quite admirably. Her true gift of

comedy was later exploited in her two blockbuster 1928 MGM hits SHOW PEOPLE and THE

PATSY. However, in WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN FLOWER she is generously in control,

and her work shines through the somewhat maudlin story. Also in the film is a young William

Powell, who is always interesting to watch.

If you only purchase one silent motion picture DVD this Holiday Season, let it be WHEN

KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN FLOWER. It is a stunner, a minor classic, and a deeply rewarding

experience for any film buff or historian.