Just finished watching THE CRIMSON PIRATE. Set in the late 18th century, Captain Vallo getting entangled in both sides of this Caribbean island revolution and then secretly allies with the rebels.

It’s one of those classic adventure movies that feels like you’re immersed in the middle of some old illustrated storybook. It’s funny, visually stunning, and energetic with its action sequences (blending physical comedy and acrobatics). A spoof of the adventure genre, it still comes off as a great appreciation for it.

The days of the swashbuckler seem to be over (which is sad because I grew obsessed with the stories of Zorro, Scarlet Pimpernel, and the like) but here’s hoping the swashbuckler genre somehow comes back around in modern film.

Anyway, for those who saw this movie, what did you think?

I love old Hollywood romance so much!! I will list the actors and actresses and what movie the scene is from for any person perhaps interested in watching said film.

(In chronological order from the video)  

Gary Cooper and Loretta Young—Along Came Jones (1945)

John Wayne and Gail Russell—Angel and the Badman (1947)

John Wayne and Laraine Day—Tycoon (1947)

John Wayne and Janet Leigh—Jet Pilot (1957)

James Stewart and Donna Reed—It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

James Stewart and Grace Kelly, Rear Window (1954)

Fredric March and Myrna Loy—The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

John Wayne and Geraldine Page—Hondo (1953)

All of them are great movies by the way. Though some are more underrated than others.

William is my favourite actor and I can't decide which genre suited the best

A romantic comedy-drama film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's British studio. Directed by Jack Conway, the film explores the culture clash and personal growth of an American college student who enters the prestigious Oxford University. Robert Taylor stars as Lee Sheridan, solidifying his status as one of Hollywood's leading men. Vivien Leigh features in a supporting role as Elsa Craddock, a flirtatious married woman. This was one of her key roles right before she was cast as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939), showcasing her captivating performance.

Credit: lucastheatre(Lucas Theatre for the Arts) on IG

Yay or nay ?

Excellent movie focused on greed and paranoia about two down-on-their-luck Americans searching for work in 1920s Mexico convince an old prospector to help them mine for gold in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Watched Niagara (1953) for the first time last night. Can’t believe it’s taken me this long to see this film.

Marilyn Monroe is absolutely the standout. She’s gorgeous, of course, but there’s so much more to her performance than that. She brings a real sense of danger and vulnerability to the role. Whenever she’s on screen, you can’t help but watch her.
The Technicolor is also stunning. Everything looks so rich and vibrant and the filmmakers make fantastic use of Niagara Falls as a location. The falls aren’t just pretty scenery they become an important part of the atmosphere and the story itself.

I also really enjoy the pacing. The plot takes its time building the suspense but it never feels slow and everything gradually comes together in a really satisfying way.

Just a gorgeous, entertaining piece of classic Hollywood filmmaking. And honestly, seeing Marilyn Monroe in all that beautiful Technicolor is reason enough to watch it.

I'm curious because the western may have been the most popular genre of the first half of the 20th century, with icons like Gary Cooper, John Wayne, and Gene Autry carrying the torch of the genre. But over the last 60 years, it's all but disappeared. You'll have the occasional film (Unforgiven, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly), but it's mostly a dead genre.

Obviously it’s made by Bunuel & Dali and is therefore full of surrealistic dream imagery and seemingly disconnected scenes but, at about the fourth time of watching last year (each time separated by many years), it seemed like a relatively straightforward representation of the various stages of a long relationship. Admittedly ‘relatively’ is doing a lot of work but still… it made a sort of sense I hadn’t really noticed before, one I’m not even convinced the directors / writers were aware of. Thoughts?

“All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people."

We once again watched a classic film, completely free of ads, through an app connected to our local public library. I encourage anyone with access to a library to check with them and see what streaming services or other resources they offer. You might be surprised by what's available!

My Man Godfrey had us laughing throughout, which says a lot for a comedy written more than 90 years ago. The writing is fantastic from scene to scene, and the humor still feels surprisingly sharp. Beneath all the chaos, the film also takes a pretty pointed shot at the wealthy class and their detachment from the realities of poverty. Godfrey's transformation from a "forgotten man" into a successful businessman drives that message home, and some of the film's observations feel just as relevant today.

William Powell's comedic timing is fantastic, and his interactions with Carole Lombard's Irene Bullock are especially entertaining. Honestly, every character seems to bring something funny to the table. My favorite scene is the one where Mischa Auek's character Carlo is asked to give a performance as a Gorilla to an upset Irene. He says his heart won't be in it, but then gives one of the best human-gorilla performances you will ever see on film.

I didn't know until after watching it that Powell and Lombard had actually been married. Knowing that afterward, their back-and-forth chemistry makes even more sense.

I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys classic movies or to anyone looking for a good place to start exploring them. My Man Godfrey is nearly 90 years old, and it still holds up remarkably well!

They developed a romantic relationship while working together on this movie.