Gail Patrick: Deco Dame, Part VII

This, Part VII of our monthly tribute to 1930s star Gail Patrick, will be the last entry until more of her films surface on DVD or get aired on Turner Classic Movies, as so few are available, particularly those films in which she was the lead. In the meantime, I'll join her for some of that ale she's got waiting for me. Gail's costar in 1940's The Doctor Takes a Wife, Ray Milland, is every bit as annoyed as I am that this dark-haired beauty is so inadequately represented on disc.

Where's the Love: Ray Milland stews over the paucity of Gail Patrick titles on DVD.

Turner Classic to Add Commercials, Edit Films

From Yahoo! News (Eighteen Minutes Ago)- In the face of crippling competition from rival movie channel AMC and pressure from stockholders, premium cable network channel Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has announced its intent to radically alter its program format and will include commercials and substantially edit its films' content beginning in 2010, says TCM director of programming, Harlan Poole. "It's been disappointing these last several years, watching our numbers drop exponentially as the competition [AMC] knocks the proverbial ball out of the park. AMC's admittedly brilliant programming tactic of airing content-gutted non-classics like Roadhouse, Project X, and the Halloween movies has been the coup de grace that necessitated the change." Poole went on to say that onscreen host Robert "Prima Donna" Osborne would be transferred to a ceremonial post as "Director of Old Stuff" and would retain his windowless, basement-level office in Havre, Montana, where Osborne's introductions are filmed. No word on whether TCM's loyal viewers will accept this as an April Fool's Day prank...which it is!

Movie Blogs I Love, Part I

Professor Henry Hill Says: "Allow me to introduce to you the most fabulous of people and their most amazing blogs!"

I've had the pleasure of following several fine movie blogs in the months since I started Hollywood Dreamland, so I'd like to shamelessly gush over these fellow writers' efforts. They're all excellent writers from whom I've learned much. In no particular order of preference:

Princess Fire & Music- Hard to believe that Caitlin is only twenty. When I was her age, I was a total dope---in my case, some things never change. She, on the other hand, has great insight and appreciation of classic movies, even though she hasn't even been watching all that long. I just wish she'd post more!

Twenty-Four Frames- If I had more patience and analytical skills, Hollywood Dreamland would be more like John Greco's blog. We often have the same interests and coincidentally post them at the same time, like our recent Burt Lancaster entries.

Movie Viewing Girl- Some great discussions in her comments section. Yes, I'm envious...Wendymoon's blog has all-around great presentation and content.

The Movie Projector- I try not to read R.D. Finch's brilliant analyses of film because I feel daunted afterwards. Still, it's excellent reading and thought provoking.

Lolita's Classics- A new blog and it's catching on quickly. She's prolific, enthusiastic, and has a wide range of tastes.

Asleep in New York- Ginger Ingenue is a great writer and her love of Golden Age stalwarts is infectious! Dana Andrews, Cornel Wilde, Gene Tierney, etc. She also takes time to discuss the lesser-known actors of the era.

Classic Hollywood Nerd- Self-depracating title aside, Nicole's blog has made huge improvements, seemingly overnight. Her recent "How Does an Obsession begin?" caught on with many classic movie blogs.

Classic Film Oasis- An oasis, indeed! It's been a pleasure reading Genevieve's work. Classic movies are in good hands there.

Give me the Good old Days- El Brendel? Who's El Brendel? Check out Louie's blog and find out!

All Talking! All Singing! All Dancing!- I've learned more about the pre-Code era from Jonas Nordin's page than from anywhere else. Brilliant stuff.

Cinema Splendor- I like to think that every young person getting interested in classic movies will possess Sarah's love of the era. I know of no greater Natalie Wood fan!

Classic Montgomery- Carrie has a classy site dedicated to this distinguished and dapper 1930s leading man. Bob was overdue for such attention, now he's got it.

Hollywood Heyday- The early days of Hollywood. Day by day. Mesmerizing stuff.

Dear Old Hollywood- Robby Cress is the ghost who haunts old Hollywood's haunts...the lucky guy!

The Dino Lounge- aka Coolness is Timeless. Keith is a pally with a love for all things "Rat Pack", and he covers Dean Martin's movie career with expertise. Go check it out, swingers!

Silents and Talkies- Kate Gabrielle has touched on a novel idea, and is a smashing success! She does drawings of movie stars and they're really good! She's caught on like wildfire!

Dreaming in Black and White- Graciebird is another up and coming blogger with a great style and has a fine new blog, which I recommend without hesitation.

I'll no doubt discover more movie blogs by the time of the next "Movie Blogs I Love" entry, and if I left out anyone, you will be shamelessly plugged in Part II. If I don't, I'll have trouble:

"Trouble, oh we got trouble, Right here in River City! With a capital "T" that rhymes with "P" and that stands for Pool..."

In Memoriam: Maurice Jarre

Film composer Maurice Jarre died today. Best known for his Oscar-winning scores for the films Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965), and a Passage to India (1984). Jarre's compositions from those films became widely covered radio and Easy Listening standards. It's impossible to recall Doctor Zhivago without thinking of Jarre's Lara's Theme. His collaborations with director David Lean remain one of the great composer-director partnerships in movie history. Younger readers may remember his moving score for 1989's Dead Poet's Society, particularly the touching finale, with Keating's students paying tribute to their "fallen Captain", played by Robin Williams. Maurice Jarre was 84. Rest in peace, maestro.

Somewhere My Love: Jarre's 'Lara's Theme' is one of the great musical melodies of the 1960s.