tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88676922035881589192024-03-13T11:49:22.052-05:00Professor Damian's Public Domain Treasure ChestA resource for information on movies and t.v. shows in the public domain. Free to watch, show, or reuse in whatever way you'd like.Professor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-20227416934988214532011-09-11T08:45:00.001-05:002011-09-11T08:45:00.432-05:00Sunday Serials - Riders of Death Valley (1941)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYcZuPu_JJw/TmvYZ7AySLI/AAAAAAAAAak/OkyiQ3XXIg0/s1600/riders1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYcZuPu_JJw/TmvYZ7AySLI/AAAAAAAAAak/OkyiQ3XXIg0/s320/riders1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Well, after last week's trip to Alaska, it seems only fitting that this week we head back out to the heat of the wild west, so why don't we do that riding along with the <i><b>Riders of Death Valley</b></i>?<br />
<br />
This was Universal's 51st serial of the talkie era, and as you might expect, by that point things had gotten rather formulaic. Nonetheless, Universal promoted this one as the first "Million Dollar Serial". Now I'll freely admit I have no idea how that price compares to other serials of the time, but it's hard to see where they could have expended that kind of budget, unless most of it went to the cast to get them to star in this rather standard shoot 'em up.<br />
<br />
Actually, the idea that a large part of the budget went to casting is not all that far-fetched. When you have the likes of Dick Foran, Buck Jones, Charles Bickford, Lon Chaney Jr., Noah Beery Jr. and Leon Carillo all brought together for one serial, you do have the makings of some fine character acting. Unfortunately, those characters are saddled with names like Tombstone, Borax Bill, Butch, Smokey, Tex, and Trigger, along with a script that shows only a little more imagination than those nicknames.<br />
<br />
So, is it a BAD serial? Well, no. The middle chapters do drag quite a bit, but it does pick up towards the end. But compared to last week's entry, it simply doesn't have that "bring 'em back next week" quality that is really requisite for a truly successful series. Especially when one considers the potential that could have been had with that kind of budget and those stars.<br />
<br />
But, hey, how about if I let ya have a look at it and then you can decide for yourself. Below is chapter 11 (don't worry, there's actually a pretty good scrolling summary to get you caught up on the essentials), and if you decide you want to watch the rest, they're available <a href="http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=riders%20of%20death%20valley%20chapter">here</a>. <br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="380" width="480"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'RDV11_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/RidersOfDeathValley1941Chapter11/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming','showCaptions':true},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'},'captions':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.captions-3.2.0.swf','captionTarget':'content'},'content':{'display':'block','url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.content-3.2.0.swf','bottom':26,'left':0,'width':480,'height':40,'backgroundGradient':'none','backgroundColor':'transparent','textDecoration':'outline','border':0,'style':{'body':{'fontSize':'14','fontFamily':'Arial','textAlign':'center','fontWeight':'bold','color':'#ffffff'}}}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="380" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'RDV11_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/RidersOfDeathValley1941Chapter11/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming','showCaptions':true},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'},'captions':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.captions-3.2.0.swf','captionTarget':'content'},'content':{'display':'block','url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.content-3.2.0.swf','bottom':26,'left':0,'width':480,'height':40,'backgroundGradient':'none','backgroundColor':'transparent','textDecoration':'outline','border':0,'style':{'body':{'fontSize':'14','fontFamily':'Arial','textAlign':'center','fontWeight':'bold','color':'#ffffff'}}}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
Riders of Death Valley is also available on DVD from Amazon:<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=professpubli-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B000A6CKXE" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-20796028095794907262011-09-08T14:18:00.001-05:002011-09-08T14:29:25.379-05:00Charade (1963) - What's In a Name?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1RAovq4xnA/Tmj0w0Q-otI/AAAAAAAAAac/itSfmDe660M/s1600/charade1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1RAovq4xnA/Tmj0w0Q-otI/AAAAAAAAAac/itSfmDe660M/s320/charade1.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><i>*** <b>Special Note:</b> It's not often that I really feel a need to put a <b>SPOILER WARNING</b> at the head of one of these write-ups. After all, generally we're talking about films that go back as far as the very earliest days of movie-making Even today's film is nearly 50 years old. So there is a large part of me that says anything in the movie is fair game to talk about. Nonetheless, a huge part of the enjoyment of this movie is the twists and turns that it takes, and there is no real way to discuss it in any meaningful way without revealing at least some of these. Although I've tried to do so without revealing too much, if you are one of those people who truly likes to go into a movie without knowing what's going to happen, you might want to go ahead and watch it (it is available on <a href="http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Charade/21634796?trkid=2361637">Netflix "Watch Instantly"</a>, at the <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/charade1963">Internet Archives</a>, and even on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPEigGUuRAo">YouTube</a>, along with great looking Criterion <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UM8T30/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=professpubli-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B003UM8T30">Blu-Ray</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B003UM8T30&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></i><i> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001J3SVI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=professpubli-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B0001J3SVI">DVD</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0001J3SVI&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> editions) and then come back to read this.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Simply put, though, this movie gets my highest recommendation. If you love thrillers, especially those with a comic twist, I think you'll really enjoy this one. Beyond that, well, if you want to know more, keep reading, but you have been warned.***</i><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Charade is, in many ways, a film all about names. First, and most obvious, there are the name changes that Cary Grant's character goes through.When we first meet him, he is going by the name Peter Joshua. Soon however, we learn that that may or may not be his real name. Along the way, we meet many other characters, most of whom are hiding under either false or assumed names. Even heroine Audrey Hepburn, who we first meet as Regina Lampert learns that because her husband's identity was a fictitious one, (he actually has four passports) should be going by the name "Mrs. Voss" though she quickly rejects that idea, since "Lampert" is the only way that she knew her husband Charles.<br />
<br />
Then there are the names of the stars of the movie. Not just leads Hepburn and Grant, but the supporting players also. When you have a cast list that includes Walter Matthau, George Kennedy, and James Coburn (who absolutely eats up the screen every time he opens his mouth as the flamboyantly-accented "Tex") you know you're in for a good time.<br />
<br />
However, the most surprising name of all is one that is omitted from the crew of this film. The one person who actually had nothing to do with it, but whose spirit seems to have somehow worked its way into every reel. That name is Alfred Hitchcock.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-de6bQlW60DA/TmkFp0R1O1I/AAAAAAAAAag/XGFwm_eEZt0/s1600/charade2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-de6bQlW60DA/TmkFp0R1O1I/AAAAAAAAAag/XGFwm_eEZt0/s320/charade2.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it possible to capture more charm in one shot?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now I am certainly not the first to make this observation - it was actually in a contemporaneous review in the National Catholic Register that the movie seems to have been first called "the best Hitchcock movie Hitchcock never made" - but the sentiment is very true. Now don't get me wrong, I am not in any way trying to suggest that director Stanley Donen, already famous for such movies as <i>Singin' in the Rain</i>, <i>Seven Brides for Seven Brothers</i>, <i>Royal Wedding</i>, <i>Pajama Game</i>, and <i>Indiscreet</i> among many others was trying to ape Hitchcock at all. It's simply that this film, with its almost perfect balance between comedy and suspense, with its masterful location shots, with the way that it uses both setting and timing to effectively keep the viewer on their toes without losing us in the ever-more-convoluted plot, and with the delightful performances he is able to draw out of his two leads (Grant and Hepburn have rarely been as charming as here), has simply created a film that one suspect the "master of suspense" would have been proud to have called his own.<br />
<br />
Of course, there's also one more name that shouldn't be overlooked when praising those who made major contributions to this film - that of screenwriter Peter Stone. Stone, along with Mark Behm, conceived the idea initially as a screenplay called "The Unsuspecting Wife". When they were unable to sell the screenplay to any of the studios, Stone adapted the story into a novel called <i>Charade</i>. When the novel was serialised in Redbook, it was read by Stanley Donen who quickly snatched up the rights and hired Stone to rework it once again into a screenplay tailored for his two stars. Thus Stone, working from his novel which was adapted from his (and Behm's) original screenplay wound up finally seeing his ideas come to life.<br />
<br />
Its a path almost as convoluted as some of the twists in the film. But it's also one that gives us such memorable lines of dialogue as:<br />
<blockquote><b>Reggie Lampert</b>: I already know an awful lot of people and until one of them dies I couldn't possibly meet anyone else. <br />
<b>Peter Joshua</b>: Well, if anyone goes on the critical list, let me know.<br />
and<br />
<b>Alexander Dyle</b>: What do I have to do to satisfy you? Become the next victim? <br />
<b>Reggie Lampert</b>: That's a start anyway.<br />
and<br />
<b>Reggie Lampert</b>: Of course, you won't be able to lie on your back for a while but then you can lie from any position, can't you?<br />
and<br />
<b>Reggie Lampert</b>: Is there a Mrs. Dyle? <br />
<b>Alexander Dyle</b>: Yes... <br />
<b>Alexander Dyle</b>: but we're divorced! <br />
<b>Reggie Lampert</b>: I thought that was Peter Joshua? <br />
<b>Alexander Dyle</b>: I am just as difficult to live with as he was.</blockquote>among many many others. There are times, in fact, when the dialogue becomes almost Hawksian, thanks not only to the fast-paced style of Donen's direction, but the snappy delivery of Grant and Hepburn.<br />
<br />
Ok, I think by now it's obvious that this film comes with my highest recommendation, but just in case you need a little more convincing, here's a look at the trailer. <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NMkeqjacvAU?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
And here's the skinny:<br />
Title: Charade<br />
Release Date: 1963<br />
Running Time: 113 minutes<br />
Color<br />
Stars: Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn<br />
Directed by: Stanley Donen<br />
Produced by: Stanley Donen<br />
Distributed by: Universal Pictures<br />
<br />
One last thing before we close, a special note about the public domain nature of this film from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charade_%281963_film%29">Wikipedia</a>: <br />
<blockquote>Before 1978, U.S. copyright law required works to include the word "Copyright", the abbreviation "Copr." or the "©" symbol. Because Universal Pictures included no proper copyright notice with <i>Charade</i>, the film entered public domain in the USA immediately upon its release. Copies of this movie, made from film prints of varying quality, have been available on VHS and DVD based on its status in the public domain. However, while the film itself is public domain, the original music remains under copyright.</blockquote>Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-51282322248091965772011-09-04T14:52:00.000-05:002011-09-04T14:52:46.035-05:00Sunday Serials - The Great Alaskan Mystery (1944)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-z3rR59rC8/TmOKRpeoUMI/AAAAAAAAAaU/fb-7FZViJdM/s1600/alaskanmystery1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-z3rR59rC8/TmOKRpeoUMI/AAAAAAAAAaU/fb-7FZViJdM/s320/alaskanmystery1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ok, kiddies, we're taking a step away from the superheroes today for a serial that's very simply just a good ol' adventure story.<br />
<br />
Y'know, there are some things you really have to keep in mind when you are watching these old serials. First off, they were not designed to be high art. They were not made to have the highest production values, or to withstand critical analysis or to "stand the test of time" they were simply meant for one purpose - to bring the kids back to the theater the next week. This means they had to have thrills. They had to have a fairly decent mystery that moved along each week, whether or not it was even "internally consistent". And they had to have enough of a cliffhanger to give the kids something to think, talk, and maybe argue about until it was time for next week's show. And <i>The Great Alaskan Mystery</i>, while it may not be The Best Serial Ever, certainly fulfills those criteria. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSI2Mgv0Ku8/TmPWtrjiIbI/AAAAAAAAAaY/rSuP_CD6diE/s1600/alaskanmystery2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSI2Mgv0Ku8/TmPWtrjiIbI/AAAAAAAAAaY/rSuP_CD6diE/s1600/alaskanmystery2.jpg" /></a></div>The story actually begins with a fairly exciting bit of action, as we see pilot-in-training Ruth Miller (the lovely Marjorie Wheeler) trying to pull out of a nose dive and finally managing to land her plane, then wheedling her trainer "Bob" (played by an uncredited Joel Allen) into approving her for her license. Rushing to her scientist father's house to give him the news, she interrupts one of his experiments. In short order we also meet his assistant, Dr. Hause, and her fiancee, Jim Hudson, portrayed by a very young Milburn Stone (whom those of a certain age will remember as Doc Adams from TV's Gunsmoke). We soon find out that Doctor Miller is working on an invention called the Paratron, a weapon which could, as usual in this sort of story, change the face of the war.<br />
<br />
Of course, it turns out that the Paratron requires a particular mineral to work properly - a mineral which can only be found in Alaska! Soon, our intrepid adventurers are off to the snowy state where they must contend with Nazi spies, avalanches, explosions, icebergs, lots of stock footage, and the usual contentious shenanigans. Again, is it High Art? No. But is it a fun little adventure and a good way to pass a couple of hours on, say, a rainy Sunday afternoon? Definitely.<br />
<br />
Let's take a look:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1CFSzIAeRUs?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
<i>The Great Alaskan Mystery</i> can be watched or downloaded in it's entirety for free at the Internet Archives. (Click <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/great_alaskan_mystery_chapter_1">here</a> for chapter one.) It can also be ordered on DVD from Amazon:<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=professpubli-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B000YDKAHQ" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-19108548059578858192011-08-31T16:46:00.000-05:002011-08-31T16:46:08.717-05:00The Street Fighter (1974) - Kung Fu Krazy Fest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0hEkp6yeZc/Tl6Tv4Vqf3I/AAAAAAAAAaM/fYExdztB7Wk/s1600/Streetfighter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0hEkp6yeZc/Tl6Tv4Vqf3I/AAAAAAAAAaM/fYExdztB7Wk/s320/Streetfighter1.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>It's really part of the nature of this blog that most of the time I'm writing about "classic" films - older, black and white, even silent-era movies that have moved into the public domain because of the time that they were created. And since, due to the changes made in copyright law over the years (especially since the late 70's) no new movies (or books or music or anything else for that matter) will enter the public domain until at least 2019, it's likely to be that way for awhile. Still, there are some more recent films that over the years have in various ways "slipped through the cracks" and made their way into the public domain, and some of those movies could even be considered modern-day classics. Such is certainly the case with today's entry, the rousing Sonny Chiba martial-arts flick <i><b>The Street Fighter</b></i>.<br />
<br />
Actually, The Street Fighter is notable for a number of different reasons. Though it was not Chiba's first movie, (he had been making science fiction and crime films and appearing on television in his native Japan for at least a decade before) it wasn't until this film that he became an internationally known superstar. The film also gained notoriety because it was the first movie to garner an X-rating from the MPAA solely because of its violence. It is also noteworthy because of the number of spinoffs and sequels that it spawned.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
1974 was, of course, just the right time for Chiba to make his mark in the US. Bruce Lee had just made a huge splash in the American market with Enter the Dragon, and American cinemas (and moviegoers) were eager for more. This was also a time when the so-called "exploitation" and "grindhouse" films were at their peak, so the atmosphere was ripe for Chiba's brand of two-fisted (and two-footed) action.<br />
<br />
Chiba was not however, merely a Lee clone looking to cash in on the times. No, there was something that definitely set him apart from many of the other martial arts stars of the time. Whereas Lee brought a certain tightly contained elegance to his on-screen fighting style, and fellow fan-favorite Jackie Chan brought a definite sense of comic playfulness to his film persona, Chiba's style showed much more of a barely restrained fury. There is something in his performance as Terry Tsurugi that suggests whenever he cuts loose in the film not only are his enemies in danger, but everyone around him might be as well. As a matter of fact at one point in the film, one of the other characters calls him "an animal", and Chiba, at that moment all snarls and growls does absolutely nothing to contradict her assessment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rSUqkHJ9HK4/Tl6dR5FGoGI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/U8HqqicL0o0/s1600/streetfighter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rSUqkHJ9HK4/Tl6dR5FGoGI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/U8HqqicL0o0/s320/streetfighter2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It is also this animalistic fury that gained the film it's second bit of noteriety. Containing scenes such as one in which Chiba castrates a rapist with his bare hands and another which shows Chiba striking a blow to an opponent's head and then quickly cuts to an x-ray like shot of the opponent's skull being completely shattered before showing the audience the devastating effect of the blow with the man on the floor with blood gushing from his mouth (actually quite an interesting stylistic decision by the filmmakers), the film was, as noted, given an X-rating on its first review by the MPAA. Subsequently, a full 16 minutes were cut from the film in order to finally garner it an R. Fortunately, those scenes has been restored to the film, and it is now available in an uncut "unrated" version, but those scenes are somewhat noticeable in this version as they were dubbed into English at a different time using different actors. Still, that's a small price to pay to see Chiba's full fury unleashed.<br />
<br />
Of course, fans of the genre can (and do, I'm sure) argue over whether the inclusion of those scenes upon its initial release would have made the movie more or less popular with American moviegoers, but one thing that definitely cannot be denied is that the film was a definitive success. As a matter of fact, it was so successful that it not only spawned two direct sequels, <i>Return of the Street Fighter </i>and <i>The Street Fighter's Last Revenge</i>, but a four film mostly in-name-only spin-off <i>Sister Street Fighter</i> series.<br />
<br />
So, let's quit talking about all the action in the film and take a look at some of it, shall we?<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/537MurkV2uU?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
And here's the skinny:<br />
Titile: The Street Fighter<br />
Release Date: 1974<br />
Running Time: 91 minutes<br />
Color<br />
Starring: Sonny Chiba<br />
Directed by: Shigehiro Ozawa<br />
Distributed by: Toei Company (Japan), New Line Cinema (US)<br />
<br />
The Japanese version of <i>The Street Fighter</i> (with English subtitles) is available to watch or download for free <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/TheStreetFighter_428">here</a>. There is also a dubbed version <a href="http://www.youtube.com/movie?v=eBJF6IgvYZw&ob=av1e&feature=mv_sr">here</a>. (Fair warning, the dubbed version does contain some advertisement beaks and is not downloadable.)<br />
It is also available on DVD from Amazon:<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=professpubli-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B00006JMRV" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-25431344121352429042011-08-28T12:05:00.000-05:002011-08-28T12:05:58.046-05:00Sunday Serials - The Heroes Take Over #4 - The Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qoYzbrvvcgQ/TlgDr20JKCI/AAAAAAAAAaA/DQxnZ1nolOY/s1600/cmarv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qoYzbrvvcgQ/TlgDr20JKCI/AAAAAAAAAaA/DQxnZ1nolOY/s320/cmarv1.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>So who was the first superhero to actually make it to the big screen? Batman? No. Superman? Nope. Although both of them would later have their own serials, the first was actually the Fawcett Comics hero Captain Marvel. <br />
<br />
Now I know for some of you, Captain Marvel is gonna be kind of a "whozzat?" hero. Others may remember him from the 1970's Saturday morning TV show "Shazam!". Still others may know him from his current comics incarnation and wonder why I called him a "Fawcett Comics hero" instead of a DC comics hero, since that's who publishes his adventures today. The truth, however, is that the history of this hero, originally created as a rival to Superman, is rather convoluted. Fortunately, it's also not all that relevant to the subject of today's essay, the 1941 Republic serial version of the character, except perhaps as an amusing sidebar in that as William Witney, notes in his book <i>In a Door, Into a Fight, Out a Door, Into a Chase: Moviemaking Remembered by the Guy at the Door</i>, the previous Republic serial, <i>The Mysterious Dr Satan </i>was originally intended to be a vehicle for Superman, in which case he would have beaten his rival to the screen. As it turned out, however, National Comics (as DC was known at the time) pulled out of negotiations, the hero for Dr. Satan was changed to the Copperhead (a non-powered masked man) and the Captain Marvel follow-up became the first official comics-to-film adaptation.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Anyway, <i>The Adventures of Captain Marvel</i> is a 12 chapter serial which follows the adventures of young Billy Batson, an assistant radio operator working for Professor Malcolm who is exploring Siam's "Valley of the Tombs". Unfortunately, Professor Malcolm has a rival, know only as the masked Scorpion. The Scorpion is trying to attain a magical gold scorpion statue, an object of great power. During a trek into the tombs, Billy is separated from the rest of the group, and when there is a cave-in, he finds himself in the chamber of the ancient wizard Shazam. The wizard gives Billy the power to change into Captain Marvel and charges him with protecting the world from the power of the Golden Scorpion figurine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YnTDWeSrzD8/TlgSIqQgAII/AAAAAAAAAaI/cRFg_uADMxg/s1600/cmarv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YnTDWeSrzD8/TlgSIqQgAII/AAAAAAAAAaI/cRFg_uADMxg/s320/cmarv2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The serial was an immediate hit, both with crtics and the public. The special effects (especially the flying effect) created for the series were of the highest caliber, and the fact that since the super-powered Captain would have taken the head off of any normal opponent in a fistfight meant the screenwriters and producers couldn't fall back on too many meaningless brawls, there was instead much more time spent on plot and character development. The plot also takes a number of surprising twists, including one at the end (which is actually set up in the first chapter, showing that the scriptwriters had actually given some forethought to where they were going and not just flying by the seat of their pants as they went along) which would seem to preclude any chance of a sequel, and indeed, despite the serial's acclaim, none was ever made.<br />
<br />
So, shall we take a look at the serial itself? Instead of a full chapter today, I'm actually going to give you a trailer which not only highlights the Captain's powers and the special effects, but gives a glimpse of Billy's meeting with the wizard along with a taste of the plotting of the Scorpion.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kn8PJ4AEhmY?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
If that left ya ready for more, then head on over to the Internet Archives where you can watch or download the entire serial for free (<a href="http://www.archive.org/details/TheAdventuresOfCaptainMarvelSerial1941Chapter01">click here</a> for the first chapter) or to Amazon where you can get the whole thing on DVD:</p><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=professpubli-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B0000JD28S" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>.<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting<br />
<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-80235254209576036342011-08-26T14:44:00.000-05:002011-08-26T14:44:10.567-05:00The Cat and the Canary (1927) - It Was a Dark and Silent Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xsqsIU4ZoM/TkLSST5eXGI/AAAAAAAAAZw/M2Wa9nBsk94/s1600/CatandtheCanaryPoster2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xsqsIU4ZoM/TkLSST5eXGI/AAAAAAAAAZw/M2Wa9nBsk94/s1600/CatandtheCanaryPoster2.jpg" /></a></div>Ok, gang, time to jump into the way-way-back machine and set the dial for 1927, and the American debut of famed German director Paul Leni who has just combined the expressionism movement of his home country with the burgeoning horror-comedy genre of this country to create what may be one of the most influential films of the mid 1920s, <i><b>The Cat and the Canary</b></i>.<br />
<br />
Now I've made no bones before about my love for the so-called "old dark house" genre of films. I've used the analogy before, but in a lot of ways, for me sitting down for one of these movies is like tucking into a favorite meal of... oh, go ahead and pick your own comfort food. It's the kind of thing where it doesn't matter how many times you've eaten it, no matter how well you may know the taste of it, that's a large part of the enjoyment of it. You know what I'm talking about, the kind of thing that may bring back special memories, maybe from your childhood, maybe of a particular time with someone special, maybe of a place that you once visited and want to go back to. It's the kind of thing you maybe keep in the back of your mind when you go to a new restaurant, something that even if you're unsure of the menu, you know that you're going to enjoy this particular dish. That's how I feel about old dark house mysteries - they're my fall back comfort food, because even when they're not that great, there's usually some aspect of them that I can enjoy.<br />
<br />
But if the old dark house mysteries are comfort food, then watching <i>The Cat and the Canary</i> was, for me, like going back to the place where it all started, finding that little English pub or off the byway place where your favorite dish was created. Or maybe talking to the great grandparent that first came up with the secret family recipe and realising that all along there had been something missing. Like taking that first bite and realising that no matter how many times you' had the dish, how many variations you've tried, there really is nothing quite like the original.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5jpijOjmBs/TkL1r1aymmI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/SbjgktI__2o/s1600/The_Cat_and_the_Canary.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5jpijOjmBs/TkL1r1aymmI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/SbjgktI__2o/s320/The_Cat_and_the_Canary.JPG" width="244" /></a></div>Like I said at the first, the year is 1927. Carl Laemmle, one of the founders of Universal Studios, was reaching back to his home country of Germany to bring in new talent. One of those he invited to come direct movies for him was Paul Leni, who was already beginning to make a name for himself as he explored the boundaries of what was becoming known as the "expressionist" movement in film. Now, expressionism can and has been defined in many different ways, but basically it seeks to combine certain stylized visuals with the narrative structure of the film in a way that tends to affect the viewer not only mentally but emotionally. Sometimes this involves shooting a sequence with an odd camera angle. Sometimes it involves odd, often stylized and overpowering architecture. Sometimes it involves the superimposition of seemingly unrelated objects into the frame. Whatever form it takes, however, the effect is generally one of keeping the audience off-balance, and of trying to bring a more visceral feel to the proceedings. This is the influence that Leni was able to bring with him to Universal and to the beginning of what would be a long line of horror and horror-comedy films, and this influence can be felt from the very opening sequence of the movie.<br />
<br />
The film opens with what could have been a fairly standard sequence, as we are given the history of one Cyrus West, a millionaire who is approaching death. West lives alone in a huge mansion with only his caretaker, the ironically-named, ever-frowning Mammy Pleasant for company. However, as news of his impending death spreads, we are told that he is descended upon "like cats around a canary" by his greedy family who attempt to drive him insane. Interspersed with this narrative are scenes of West, flailing about the screen, but instead of being shown how his family is treating him or perhaps seeing him lying on his death bed, he is instead superimposed upon a model of his towering mansion, which instead of providing space and refuge seems instead to imprison and confine the old man. Then as the narrative goes on to tell of the medicines and potions he is taking, the towers of his mansion are slowly echoed and replaced by the bottles containing those potions. And still the old man is trapped, and his growing despair and desperation is made evident. Meanwhile, behind the bottles, we have another superimposition of menacing black cats, towering over both the bottles/mansion and the man. Yes, it is, perhaps a bit too spot-on literal, but there is a power to it, nonetheless.<br />
<br />
Finally the old man passes, slumping into his chair, and we see, coming slowly into focus, an envelope, and written on the outside of it is "Last Will and Testament of Cyrus West. To be opened twenty years after my death". This scene then fades back to show us just the mansion and then a furred, long-clawed hand enters the frame and picks up another envelope reading "<u>This</u> envelope is <u>never</u> to be opened if the terms of my will are carried out." The clawed hand replaces the envelope, the scene fades, and a card tells us "and for twenty years, it was said, the tormented ghost of Cyrus West wandered nightly through the deserted corridors", at which point, we the viewers become the ghost himself, wandering the hallways of the mansion, ever vigilant. Another card appears: "But on the night when the will was to be read, there was something more tangible than a ghost in the house", and though we go back to the same first person perspective, wandering through the hallways, this time our way is illuminated by the beam of a flashlight. It falls upon a safe which is opened by a gloved hand, and we see one of the envelopes being replaced in the safe. It is only after this opening mood setting five minutes that we see the first of the participants in our drama-to-come, and the mayhem, murder, and accusations begin.<br />
<br />
Ok, enough of me telling you about it, instead, here's a very short scene which shows not only the exterior of the mansion and the creepy clawed hand I mentioned above menacing our sleeping heroine, but also the sometimes innovative use of even the intertitles. I do think in this version the atmosphere is somewhat undercut by the score, but it was, unfortunately, the best that I could find.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wxFJDuPxGLE?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
Ok, let's take a look at the skinny for this flick, shall we?<br />
<br />
Title: The Cat and the Canary<br />
Release Date: 1927<br />
Running Time: 82 min<br />
Silent<br />
Tinted Black and White<br />
Stars: Laura La Plante, Forrest Stanley, Creighton Hale<br />
Directed by: Paul Leni<br />
Produced by: Paul Kohner<br />
Distributed by: Universal Pictures<br />
Adapted from the 1922 play by John Willard<br />
<br />
The Cat and the Canary is available to watch for free or as a free legal download <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/The_Cat_and_the_Canary">here</a>.<br />
It's also available on DVD from Amazon: <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=professpubli-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B0006L0LMA" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor Damian<br />
<br />
Professor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-18862398375687641192011-08-15T09:01:00.000-05:002011-08-15T09:01:32.313-05:00A Sunday Serials Bonus - The Avengers (1952)Ok, to make up for the long time between posts (and the fact that the "Sunday Serial" isn't actually hitting until Monday morning), here's a little bonus for you. Youtuber whoiseyevan has made a series of trailers for what he calls "premakes". The basic concept is sort of what if certain movies like <i>Raiders of the Lost Ark</i> or <i>The Empire Strikes Back</i> were made in a different era? Then through the strategic editing of classic clips and new narration he has made trailers for these unfortunately never-to-be-seen classics.<br />
<br />
Well, since all of the Marvel movies such as <i>Iron Man</i>, <i>Thor</i>, and <i>Captain America</i> have been leading up to a certain blockbuster that actually will be in theaters next summer, and since we took a look at the actual Captain America serial this week, it seemed only appropriate to share this premake trailer with you:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-fCTokuOU_E?rel=0" width="425"></iframe><br />
Yeah, now that's a flick I'd love to see.Let's just hope next year's big-budget version shows half the imagination and excitement of this short.<br />
<br />
And be sure to check out whoiseyevan's other premakes on his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/whoiseyevan">youtube page</a>.<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor Damian<br />
<br />
Professor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-54512077593286295182011-08-15T08:33:00.000-05:002011-08-15T08:33:20.203-05:00Sunday Serials - The Heroes Take Over #3 - Captain America (1944)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mstYZXLHuCo/TkfUwaR_VqI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/-4kQ5WL5iEA/s1600/capserial.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mstYZXLHuCo/TkfUwaR_VqI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/-4kQ5WL5iEA/s320/capserial.JPG" width="209" /></a></div>So pretty much anybody that's been to a theater this summer or watched any kind of television has at least an idea of who Captain America is. The trailer for the new flick lays it out pretty well, and if you've actually seen the movie, well, then you're steps ahead of the game here. Steve Rogers, a scrawny 78 pound weakling who has a big heart but is too stupid to know when to give up in a fight wants desperately to join the army so that he can join his bestest ever friend James "Bucky" Barnes in getting his face shot off in World War II. Repeatedly rejected by the military despite continuously trying and lying about who he is on his enlistment papers, this sad sack is finally spotted by an ex-nazi scientist who wants to continue his experiments in creating the master race of soldiers over here (experiments that the government and military apparently have no problem not only approving but financing, which should really come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the phrase "The Tuskegee Experiment") and is taken back to a secret laboratory where he is shot chock full of super-steroids and irradiated until he finally becomes enough of a beefcake that the army decides he will, if not win the war single-handedly, at least be useful for some great propaganda films and USO tours.<br />
<br />
Yeah, well, forget all of that, at least for today, because that's not Captain America. At least not in this 1944 Republic serial.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Nope, instead Captain America is in reality crusading district Attorney Grant Gardner. Is he the subject of a secret super soldier program? Well, if so, it's never mentioned, nor is any connection to the military. (And since poor Dick Purcell who plays Gardner/Cap passed away of a heart attack not long after the filming of the serial, it seems a bit disrespectful to point out that he looks rather more Adam West than Chris Evans, but there you go.) Does Cap spend his time fighting Nazis in Europe and rescuing P.O.W.s? Nope. How about fighting his arch-nemesis the Red Skull? Umm... no, but there is some guy called the Scarab (whose "secret identity" we actually find out in the first chapter, though it takes Cap a little longer). He at least has mind controlling powers. Well, ok, not powers exactly, but he's got a mind controlling gas that he's using to make people commit suicide. Bucky? Surely his sidekick Bucky is here in some form, either as a kid sidekick like in the comics or a contemporary and inspiration for Steve, oh, I mean Grant, to keep fighting the good fight? Not unless Grant's secretary Gail Richards has a nickname that we're not made privvy to. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IjzTZ4PimUc/TkkS-TsBviI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/Hj87eWp0EhU/s1600/capserial2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IjzTZ4PimUc/TkkS-TsBviI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/Hj87eWp0EhU/s320/capserial2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>"Oh, well", I hear you say, "at least he's still got the shield. After all, no matter what other changes they might make to the character, as long as he's got that shield to throw around and bounce off of bad guys, there's no doubt he's the real Captain America, no matter what civilian guise he may be under."<br />
<br />
Yeah, kids, sorry. No shield here. Just a regular old revolver.<br />
<br />
So what happened? How did Republic wind up making a Captain America serial that really doesn't appear to have anything at all in common with the comic book character (or any other portrayal of the character) except for a fairly decent version of the costume? (And even it's missing those little wings on the sides of his mask.)<br />
<br />
Well, that appears to be a good question. There is internal paperwork that suggests that Republic began work on the serial going on only a few sketches that the Timely/Marvel Comics company sent over, none of which showed any kind of a military setting or a shield, and by the time protests were made they were simply too far along to change things about. The most common theory, however is that the studio simply took a a script which they already had on hand, but was written for another character (perhaps The Copperhead from 1940's <i>The Mysterious Doctor Satan</i> or Fawcett comics Mr. Scarlet, whose secret identity actually was "crusading district attorney" Brian Butler) and made enough changes in it to turn it into a Captain America script instead.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, whatever the behind-the-scenes reasons, this is what audiences in 1944 got, and the truth is, once you get past all the changes and simply let the serial unfurl, it's not a bad piece of work. There's plenty of action, the villian is nicely played by no less than Lionel Atwill, and the cliffhangers do leave you looking forward to the next chapter.<br />
<br />
And it's certainly more entertaining than the two Reb Brown starring TV movies made in the 70s, and they <i>did</i> have a character named Steve Rogers and super-steroids and a shield. So there is that.<br />
<br />
Ok, let's go ahead and take a look at the serial itself, shall we? Instead of the first chapter, though, here's one from the middle of the serial to give you a bit more action and less set-up. Don't worry, though, there's a recap at the first to get you caught up.<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="380" width="480"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'CaptainAmerica09of15_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/CaptainAmerica1944Chapter09of15/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming','showCaptions':true},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'},'captions':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.captions-3.2.0.swf','captionTarget':'content'},'content':{'display':'block','url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.content-3.2.0.swf','bottom':26,'left':0,'width':480,'height':38,'backgroundGradient':'none','backgroundColor':'transparent','textDecoration':'outline','border':0,'style':{'body':{'fontSize':'14','fontFamily':'Arial','textAlign':'center','fontWeight':'bold','color':'#ffffff'}}}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="380" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'CaptainAmerica09of15_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/CaptainAmerica1944Chapter09of15/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming','showCaptions':true},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'},'captions':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.captions-3.2.0.swf','captionTarget':'content'},'content':{'display':'block','url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.content-3.2.0.swf','bottom':26,'left':0,'width':480,'height':38,'backgroundGradient':'none','backgroundColor':'transparent','textDecoration':'outline','border':0,'style':{'body':{'fontSize':'14','fontFamily':'Arial','textAlign':'center','fontWeight':'bold','color':'#ffffff'}}}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
<br />
Slam! Bang! BOOM!!!<br />
<br />
Want to see the rest? Ok, it's available to watch or download for free at the Internet Archive. Just click <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/captain_america_ep1">here</a> for chapter one. Or, if you prefer to get it on DVD, it's available from Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RKTMN8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=professpubli-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B001RKTMN8">Captain America</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B001RKTMN8&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
<br />
Either way, enjoy, and until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor Damian<br />
Professor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-23031121498289199952011-08-05T09:38:00.000-05:002011-08-05T09:38:06.814-05:00The White Shadow (1924) Half of a Lost Hitchcock Film, or...?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFaKERgQt_0/Tjrnbuf6omI/AAAAAAAAAZo/DBnH7ClZVG4/s1600/hitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFaKERgQt_0/Tjrnbuf6omI/AAAAAAAAAZo/DBnH7ClZVG4/s320/hitch.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hitch auditions for the lead in <i>Home Alone</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It's being hailed as one of the greatest finds of the century (so far, anyway) - the first three of the six reels of "Alfred Hitchcock's first film", <i><b>The White Shadow</b></i>. The reels were found among a number of unidentified American nitrate prints that were donated to the New Zealand Film Archive in 1989 after the death of projectionist and collector Jack Murtagh. The Archive has been slowly going through these prints and has already identified and begun restoration of a number of significant films, many of them, like <i>The White Shadow</i>, thought to have been lost forever. (For more on this discovery/restoration project, please check out <a href="http://publicdomaintreasurechest.blogspot.com/2010/06/news-75-lost-american-silent-films.html">my previous article on the subject</a> and the website of the <a href="http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=491&Itemid=65">film archive itself</a>.)<br />
<br />
So what exactly is <i>The White Shadow</i> about? Well, according to an article released by the <a href="http://www.filmpreservation.org/">National Film Preservation Foundation</a>, <br />
<blockquote>The film is... <i></i>an atmospheric melodrama starring Betty Compson, in a dual role as twin sisters—one angelic and the other “without a soul.” With mysterious disappearances, mistaken identity, steamy cabarets, romance, chance meetings, madness, and even the transmigration of souls, the wild plot crams a lot into six reels. Critics faulted the improbable story but praised the acting and “cleverness of the production.”</blockquote><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Now, this is, without a doubt, a very significant discovery. The <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14384626">BBC News website</a>, for instance, quotes David Sterritt, the chairman of the National Society of Film Critics as saying it's "one of the most significant developments in memory", and going on to state that "These first three reels offer a priceless opportunity to study his visual and narrative ideas when they were first taking shape." And while this may be true, it also understates a very important fact, and even worse, completely ignores the possibly more major contributions of another person involved in the production - the actual director of the film. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lgeuS9wodQw/Tjrng5-nusI/AAAAAAAAAZs/_XGJiPKXhTo/s1600/Cutts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lgeuS9wodQw/Tjrng5-nusI/AAAAAAAAAZs/_XGJiPKXhTo/s320/Cutts.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graham Cutts - cut from history?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Graham Cutts was born in 1885, and according to <a href="http://britmovie.co.uk/">britmovie.co.uk</a>, was "Britain’s most prestigious director of the mid-1920s". He helped to found the Gainsborough studio, and was "associated with some of the most prominent figures in the industry at the time, notably Victor Saville, Alfred Hitchcock, Herbert Wilcox, Adrian Brunel and Michael Balcon. His work with the photogenic and delicately talented American actress, Mae Marsh, in three films, <i>Flames of Passion</i> (1922), <i>Paddy – the Next Best Thing</i> (1923) and <i>The Rat </i>(1925), led to a revival of her popularity in Britain, where she stayed for some years." Cutts also directed such popular features as 1922s <i>Cocaine</i>, and the 1932 version of the Sherlock Holmes story <i>The Sign of Four</i> starring Arthur Wotner as the great detective. (The Sign of Four is actually available for viewing or download <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/The_Sign_OF_Four">here</a> courtesy of the good folk at the Internet Archive, and you can read my own take of Wotner's interpretation of Holmes <a href="http://publicdomaintreasurechest.blogspot.com/search/label/arthur%20wotner">here</a>.) Obviously, then, Cutts was not a man without not only some considerable skill as a director, nor some prestige within the industry. So why, then, is <i>The White Shadow</i> being touted as a Hitchcock film?<br />
<br />
Well, there can be no doubt that Hitch's fingerprints are all over this film. He is credited as having written the scenario (though, again, this is the same plot described as "improbable" by critics of the time), along with being an assistant director, art director, and editor, so certainly he had considerable input into the production. However, do those jobs outweigh that of the film's actual director? And if so, then how do we judge some of Hitch's own films such as <i>Suspicion</i> on which he only served as director? Is it truly a Hitckcock film, or should credit also be shared by those under him such as editor William Hamilton? And if he does get full credit, then why is that not the case for Cutts and <i>White Shadow</i>?<br />
<br />
Perhaps it would be at least somewhat enlightening to look at the source of the statement quoted above (and the statement that seems to be the most quoted in articles about the discovery) concerning the significance of the film and it being "a priceless opportunity to study his visual and narrative ideas when they were first taking shape." While it's true that David Sterritt is the chairman of the National Society of Film Critic, he is also the author of the book <i>The Films of Alfred Hitchcock, </i>a credit often left out of most reportage of his statement. Also, often left out of the articles on the find is the statement made by Sterritt right before that in which he says “At just 24 years old, Alfred Hitchcock wrote the film’s scenario, designed the sets, edited the footage, and served as assistant director to Graham Cutts, whose professional jealousy toward the gifted upstart made the job all the more challenging. Hitchcock’s own directorial debut came only two years later."<br />
<br />
Cutts professional jealousy made Hitch's job more challenging? Perhaps. Or is it possible that "the gifted upstart" made his director's job more difficult? In either case, it's obvious that whatever behind the scenes friction may have existed on the set of <i>The White Shadow</i>, it was not enough to keep the two from continuing to work together, as those two years between the films and Hitchcock's "own directorial debut" (on 1925's <i>The Pleasure Garden</i>) saw the Cutts-as-director / Hitchcock-as-assistant relationship continue on three more films. Moreover, Hitchcock's first two feature film releases as the credited director were considered failures, and it wasn't until 1927's <i>The Lodger</i> that Hitchcock had his first real hit. So perhaps rather than seeing in <i>The White Shadow</i> a master's first faltering footsteps, what we're seeing is more of a mentor/student relationship, and not only should it be called a lost Graham Cutts film instead of a lost Hitchcock film, but should be considered an opportunity to study "the visual and narrative ideas" of someone who would be a strong early influence on the burgeoning filmmaker.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, the truth behind the reporting of this discovery is fairly simple, actually. History is written by the winners, and whatever the breakdown of creative influence on this particular film, it is Hitchcock who learned, if nothing else, how to market not only his films but himself, and has gone on to have the greater reputation, whereas Cutts, as a Hollywood "name" has fallen by the wayside, meaning it's sexier and more attention grabbing for the headlines to say (as does the BBC) "Rare Alfred Hitchcock film footage found" than "Rare Graham Cutts film footage found", whether or not it furthers one man's reputation at the expense of another's. And there's no doubt that when the eventual DVD release undoubtedly comes, the same imbalance will be reflected not only in the reporting, but the packaging and advertising of the disk.<br />
<br />
After all, which is really more important in the end: the truth, or selling more product?<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-61060520013144879682011-03-13T13:25:00.000-05:002011-03-13T13:25:38.700-05:00Sunday Serials - The Heroes Take Over #2 - The Green Hornet Strikes Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZcM12_-xU38/TX0AAWJ6lgI/AAAAAAAAAZg/zyPD_n02Yng/s1600/ghsa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZcM12_-xU38/TX0AAWJ6lgI/AAAAAAAAAZg/zyPD_n02Yng/s320/ghsa1.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>Okay, kiddies, it's sequel time! Last time out for Serial Sunday, we looked at the first Green Hornet serial, and this time we're gonna take a peek at the 1941 follow-up, The Green Hornet Strikes Again!<br />
<br />
First off, it's worth noting that Universal and series creator George Trendle obviously considered the first serial a success, since this time out we get fifteen episodes instead of the first series' twelve. Also, this serial follows the same pattern as the first, with the Hornet investigating and taking down what seem to be an unrelated series of crimes and racketeers with the only real connection being the presence of "big bad" Boss Crogan. This serial also seems to have had something of a larger production budget, allowing for more elaborate set-pieces, such as the fiery explosion of the ship our hero is traveling on in chapter one.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, there are also some changes from the first serial that don't work as well. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The first, and most obvious change, is that Gordon Jones, who brought both the Hornet and his alter-ego Britt Reid to life in the first serial, has been replaced by the rather less-engaging Warren Hull. Though Hull was something of a mainstay in Universal serials and B-pictures, it's easy to see why he never really made the leap to bigger stardom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0WasIp_Nva4/TX0FBGf0PgI/AAAAAAAAAZk/inbLveQ0QL8/s1600/ghsa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0WasIp_Nva4/TX0FBGf0PgI/AAAAAAAAAZk/inbLveQ0QL8/s320/ghsa2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Also, unlike the first serial, where Al Hodge, who had potrayed the Hornet on the radio was brought in to provide the voice work once Reid donned his mask, this too fell to Hull, who, though he does have a good-enough voice provides neither the continuity nor the dynamism that Hodge was able to deliver.<br />
<br />
Another unfortunate choice for this serial is that while Keye Luke does return for a second outing as Kato, he was apparently told to play up a fake oriental accent in order to provide some comic relief. Instead of the hoped-for effect, however, it simply makes the character seem more artificial than his original portrayal.<br />
<br />
Finally, and perhaps most egregiously, however, the biggest let-down of the serial comes in the writing. Though it does get off to a rousing start with the above-mentioned ship-board fire, the action quickly devolves into what is basically a series of fist fights with the Hornet constantly being distracted just as he is getting the drop on the bad guy, then getting slugged, which is fine if it happens once or twice over the course of a 15-chapter play, but here seems to be taking place so often one begins to wonder if Reid might not need a good course of anti ADHD drugs.<br />
<br />
In the end, however, while this may not be the best serial Universal made, it is far from the worst, also, providing enough action and entertainment to help pass a series of saturday afternoons in the cinema.<br />
<br />
Ok, so let's quit talking about it and get to the action. Here's a look at the first chapter of The Green Hornet Strikes Again!<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="378" width="480"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'TheGreenHornetStrikesAgainChapter1-FlamingHavoc1941_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/TheGreenHornetStrikesAgainChapter1-FlamingHavoc/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="378" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'TheGreenHornetStrikesAgainChapter1-FlamingHavoc1941_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/TheGreenHornetStrikesAgainChapter1-FlamingHavoc/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
As usual, you can find the rest of the serial for free streaming or download at the <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreenHornetStrikesAgainChapter1-FlamingHavoc">Internet Archive</a>, and it's also available on DVD from Amazon.<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=professpubli-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B004ES6TAY" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
Next week, we get patriotic, as Captain America brings his shield (and a gun!) to the silver screen for the first time.<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-53732998447125863532011-02-24T21:14:00.000-06:002011-02-24T21:14:54.696-06:00Holy Ghost People - This Spirit Does More Than Just Walk<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AWjp_uJ5xjo/TWcO5RNzDBI/AAAAAAAAAZc/QRPrHtrqLA8/s1600/ghostpeople.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AWjp_uJ5xjo/TWcO5RNzDBI/AAAAAAAAAZc/QRPrHtrqLA8/s320/ghostpeople.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Hiya kiddies! So this week we move from the fun of the old dark house mystery <i>The Ghost Walks</i> to a completely different kind of spirit with a completely different effect on people, and also a completely different kind of film.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Holy Ghost People</b></i> is a documentary film released in 1967 which not only chronicles a Pentacostal Christian service taking place in Scrabble Creek, West Virginia, but also includes interviews with many of the participants within the service. Throughout the film we see the participants engaged not only in prayers, preaching, and singing, but also in activities such as speaking in tongues, healing through the laying of hands, and snake handling.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Beginning with a descriptive narration as we drive into town, which serves as set-up to what we are about to see, director Peter Adair soon steps back and lets his subject begin to speak for themselves. We never see the director himself on film, nor do we hear him directly ask his subjects any questions, as he seems satisfied simply to let them tell their own stories. Even when we move to the service, Adair seems content to simply let his cameras roll, never interrupting the service nor adding any additional narration. This is not to suggest that the presence of the cameras and the film makers is completely unobtrusive. Mention is made at various times of their presence, especially as the service begins, and there are certainly moments when the subjects cannot help but be aware that they are being filmed, and there are certainly timesxand shots that make the viewer question whether certain actions and reactions are not being done because the participants know that the cameras have turned to them. For the most part, however, especially as the service continues into its more outre moments and the congregation seems to become more and more swept up in the fervor of the moment, Adair seems willing to trust not only his subjects, but his audience, allowing any judgments on his part to be made only through scene selection and editing and leaving the final verdict on what actually is or is not happening to the viewer.<br />
<br />
Fortunately for us, this rather fascinating documentary has fallen into the public domain, and I have embedded the first part of it for you below. The other parts can also be found on YouTube or the entire film can be see as a whole or downloaded for free at the Internet Archive (click here for the link). As far as I can tell, the film has yet to receive a proper release on DVD. <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_nX0irC4Bgs?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br />
Ok, so here we go with the skinny: <br />
Title: Holy Ghost People<br />
Release Date: 1967<br />
Running Time: 53 min.<br />
Black and White <br />
Directed by: Peter Adair<br />
Produced by: Blair Boyd<br />
Released by: Thistle Films<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-15508660587200080282011-02-20T16:52:00.000-06:002011-02-20T16:52:19.617-06:00Serial Sunday - The Heroes Take Over #1 - The Green Hornet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9WbJ8EkLIs/TWGIKnlqdlI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/K5aJxDpf3tg/s1600/greenhornet01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9WbJ8EkLIs/TWGIKnlqdlI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/K5aJxDpf3tg/s320/greenhornet01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Hiya, Kiddies! So here we are, back again for another look at the weekly serials that were a staple of the cinemas for quite a few decades, from at least the 1920's until the early part of the 1950's but this time we're going to take little different tack. Instead of taking an in-depth look at a particular serial and following it through to it's end, we're going to look at different genres and see how they were handled over the years by the differing serials. That way, you can not only get an over-view of the many different samples through the different genres' but of course, if you want to follow up and watch the complete serial on your own, you'll always have that option.<br />
<br />
Fair warning, however. Because many of these serials are based on trademarked characters, their public domain status may not be as clear as with most of the movies we discuss. That's one of the unfortunate issues when we begin to discuss the public domain and underlying rights (and I'm not going to go into that whole discussion now, since it's sure to come up as part of the Public Domain 101 series resuming soon). I will, however, do my best to note which of these are still under copyright or in the public domain where it is clear.<br />
<br />
So, where shall we begin? Well, with the release of last year's Green Hornet movie and films based on The Green Lantern, Thor, Captain America, and The X-Men all coming out in the first half of this year, it seems like 2011 is at least going to start out as the year of the superhero in the cinema. (At least as far as the big blockbusters go.) So, since superheroes were also a long-standing staple of the Saturday matinees, that seems like as good a place to begin as any. <br />
<a name='more'></a>The Green Hornet first began his career as a crime fighter on the radio in January of 1936. Britt Reid, playboy son of newspaper publisher James Reid (and great-nephew of John Reid, aka The Lone Ranger, though little has ever made of that connection within the various stories of the character) inherits his father's newspaper, <i>The Daily Sentinel</i> upon the older man's death, and soon becomes troubled by the rampant criminality and corruption he sees spreading throughout the city. Deciding that simply writing about it is not enough, Reid decides to actually do something to try to actively combat it. Taking on the mantle of the Green Hornet, and accompanied by his faithful sidekick Kato, Reid infiltrates the underworld in an attempt to take down the racketeers from the inside. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnP4b4PI93E/TWGPqHre48I/AAAAAAAAAZU/5x13nZtStkU/s1600/greenhornet03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnP4b4PI93E/TWGPqHre48I/AAAAAAAAAZU/5x13nZtStkU/s320/greenhornet03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Green Hornet and Kato on Patrol.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In 1940, George W. Trendle, the Hornet's creator, took his hero to Universal Pictures for a 13 part serial entitled, appropriately enough, <i>The Green Hornet</i>. Trendle had already seen his other creation, the aforementioned Lone Ranger adapted for two serials by Republic, and was reportedly unhappy with the results, thus the move to Universal. This time, the studio hewed relatively close to the original source material and the results are quite satisfying.<br />
<br />
In the serial, the Hornet is portrayed by character actor Gordon Jones who does a fine job of portraying both the indolence of playboy Reid and the physicality of the Hornet. One note of interest, however, is that whenever the Hornet actually puts on his trademark mask, the voice that emanates from it is not that of Jones, but that of Al Hodge, the man who also provided the radio voice of the Hornet, thus providing some continuity for those who were fans of the character's previous exploits. Also in the serial cast are Keye Luke, who plays Kato, Anne Nagel as Lenore "Casey" Case, Reid's secretary, and Wade Boteler as Michael Axford, a reporter for the Daily Sentinel and Reid's bodyguard.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RO3Y5bYPvF8/TWGWx20gPTI/AAAAAAAAAZY/lfjE17wxpUY/s1600/greenhornet02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RO3Y5bYPvF8/TWGWx20gPTI/AAAAAAAAAZY/lfjE17wxpUY/s320/greenhornet02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oddly enough, the one with the gun and mask is the good guy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The plot of this first 13 chapter serial is actually pretty standard. The first chapter gives us the basic set-up and background for the character as he begins his infiltration of the local rackets. Subsequent chapters follow the Hornet's take down of individual plots as he slowly becomes aware of the existence of a mysterious felon called simply "The Leader" who is actually the mastermind coordinating much of the crime throughout the city. The final chapter, of course, features the inevitable face-off between the Hornet and the Leader.<br />
<br />
The Green Hornet actually proves to be quite a smart choice for a serial of this type, as his adventures were always much more grounded in real-world problems and criminals of the gangster type than, say, someone like Superman who might be expected to be fighting giant robots or other-worldly aliens or Batman, whose colorful cast of villains would require much more extensive make-up work in order to hew closely to ther four-color counterparts.<br />
<br />
Ok, so, enough talk from me on the subject. Let's take a look at the first chapter of The Green Hornet, shall we?<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EH73nAKogXM?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br />
Hmm.... Looks like those tunnels are going to fill up pretty quickly, don't they? Well, luckily, unlike audiences of the day, we don't have to wait until next week to see how the Hornet survives. The entire serial is available to view or download for free at the <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/green_hornet_ep1">Internet Archives</a>, or it can be purchased on DVD from Amazon (just click on the link below). <br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=professpubli-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=B002AQBV96" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
And be sure to check back here next week for a look at the second Green Hornet serial, the <i>Green Hornet Strikes Again!</i><br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-54926707738679923982011-02-17T22:55:00.000-06:002011-02-17T22:55:12.593-06:00The Ghost Walks - And Shows Us Once Again That "The Play's the Thing"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrnT1udCPsY/TV3f5eRnKjI/AAAAAAAAAZI/z_1ko8kIN_c/s1600/Ghost+Walks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrnT1udCPsY/TV3f5eRnKjI/AAAAAAAAAZI/z_1ko8kIN_c/s320/Ghost+Walks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Hiya, kiddies! So, the "old dark house". It's a mystery/horror sub-genre that we've discussed before, and honestly, it's one of my favorites. I suppose one of the main reasons is because it's like ordering a favorite meal at a restaurant. Even if you've never been to that particular eatery before, you still pretty well know what the ingredients are going to be and how it's going to taste before you get it. Oh, sure, one cook may include a bit more or less of this ingredient or may put them together in a way that tries to impart a bit of his or her own personal style, but nine times out of ten you're going to get something pretty much the same as that dish that you've enjoyed time and again.<br />
<br />
Then, of course, there's also that tenth time, when the cook actually does something somewhat unique and surprising with those familiar ingredients.<br />
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Now don't get me wrong here, I'm certainly not suggesting that director Frank Strayer has invented anything truly new with <i><b>The Ghost Walks</b></i>. No, for the most part it consists of all of the familiar elements that make up an old dark house mystery. 1) A group of disparate people are, for one reason or another gathered together in a creepy old mansion - in this particular case a fallen tree and a washed out road prove effective enough to thrust our protagonist and his traveling companions into a seemingly already quite awkward family gathering, thereby allowing this particular phase to move along quite quickly. 2) There is some reason for everyone to be suspicious of everyone else - often the cause of the gathering is the reading of a will which leaves one or more parties dissatisfied with the results. In this particular case the Mcguffin is the anniversary of the murder of the husband of one of the characters.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R86qzrRrmGs/TV3tZ6M-dzI/AAAAAAAAAZM/qQCP_DPSxAQ/s1600/ghost+walks+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R86qzrRrmGs/TV3tZ6M-dzI/AAAAAAAAAZM/qQCP_DPSxAQ/s320/ghost+walks+2.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope, nothing odd going on with this creepy sister.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>3) There should be at least one "coincidental" connection between some of the characters - ofttimes one or more will know another character from a different setting. 4) Quite often there is also a random element thrown into the mix - for instance here we are informed of an inmate recently escaped from an insane asylum. 5) Eventually all of the lights in the house will inexplicably go out, and when they come back on, someone will have been killed leaving the survivors to try to figure out who among them could possibly be the killer. 6) Soon, even more mysterious things begin to happen - a strange hand will reach out from around a corner, the eyes of a picture will move in a way that tells us someone unknown is watching the proceedings, more people will die or disappear, secret passages will be found and more. Yep, kiddies, all of these elements are present in The Ghost Walks, just as they are in pretty much all old dark house mysteries.<br />
<br />
What sets this particular film apart from most of its brethren of the genre, however, is the twist that occurs just after the victim of the first murder is revealed. Now, I'm not going to say that it turns this little quickie into a great movie, but it does serve not only to explain some of the "coincidences" that we're asked to swallow during the first act, and also provides the film with a sense of humor that it would otherwise be lacking, which helps to keep the whole piece from becoming too familiar and dreary. In other words, just as with that one time in ten that that favorite meal is transformed into something above and beyond just "the usual", <i>The Ghost Walks</i> manages also to take the usual ingredients and transform them into a unique taste sensation.<br />
<br />
Ok, I couldn't find a suitable trailer for this one, but since the whole movie is embedable in one piece from YouTube, here ya go:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FuFoyJvZHfQ?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br />
And here's the Skinny:<br />
Title: The Ghost Walks<br />
Release Date: 1934<br />
Running Time: 63mins<br />
Black and White<br />
Stars: John Miljan, June Collier<br />
Directed by: Frank R. Strayer<br />
Produced by: Maury M. Cohen<br />
Distributed by: Chesterfield Motion Pictures Corporation<br />
<br />
<i>The Ghost Walks</i> is also available on DVD from Amazon as part of a Double Feature disk: <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=professpubli-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=B0009HLCM4" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-37876482044803701762011-02-14T20:32:00.000-06:002011-02-14T20:32:12.296-06:00Valentine's Day Special - Romance in the Public Domain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUj7Tr_xr00/TVmxVekxejI/AAAAAAAAAY4/p0ZUxyhf1oo/s1600/The_Sheik_Poster_1921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUj7Tr_xr00/TVmxVekxejI/AAAAAAAAAY4/p0ZUxyhf1oo/s320/The_Sheik_Poster_1921.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>Hey there, kiddies! Yep, Yer Ol' Professor is back after an all-too long hiatus, and I thought we'd do something different today. In celebration of Valentine's Day, instead of simply looking at one movie, I thought I'd give ya a round-up of some of the varied romances that can be found in the Public Domain. Now, I'm not gonna claim that this is some kind of "Top Five" list or anything like that, since really those are completely subjective depending upon the taste of the viewer. Nor am I going to go into a lot of detail about each film. (Some of these I've already blogged about at length, and you can find those essays by checking the archives over to your right.) Instead, I'm just going to give ya some of the basic info about them, a clip or a trailer so you can get a taste, and in most cases a link to where you can either watch or download the whole movie online legally and for free. After all, that's part of what makes the Public Domain so great: the fact that all of these movies are now available for anyone to have access to.<br />
<br />
So snuggle up with your special sweetheart, get cozy, and let's enjoy some Hollywood love, shall we?<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4YgQHhaY2o/TVmyoWrYrpI/AAAAAAAAAY8/JPfcWYLLicc/s1600/Sheikvs.Funk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4YgQHhaY2o/TVmyoWrYrpI/AAAAAAAAAY8/JPfcWYLLicc/s320/Sheikvs.Funk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ok, so first off we've got the classic 1921 Rudolph Valentino silent film <i><b>The Sheik</b>. </i>No, I'm not talking about a biography of the pro wrestler (real name Ed Farhat) who ya see at the left putting his famed camel clutch on Terry Funk, fun though that might be to watch. Instead, this sheik is as much a lover as a fighter. <br />
<br />
Directed by George Melford and co-starring Agnes Ayers and Adolphe Menjou, <i>The Sheik</i> tells the story of Lady Diana Mayo, who, to prove her independence, decides to leave the Algerian colony where she has been living and go off into the desert on her own. After a series of adventures during which she meets Valentino's Sheik Ahmed Ben Hasan, Diana is captured by the evil Sheik Omair. After a long fight, Hasan not only defeats his rival, but wins the love of his lady.<br />
<br />
Here's a look at the first part of the film, and the entire movie can be viewed on YouTube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0dCBBOfjfo">here</a>.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iqGZNcYr9mU?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
Next up is the 1939 Jimmy Stewart / Carole Lombard feature <i><b>Made for Each Other</b></i>. Not unlike his character in <i>It's a Wonderful Life</i>, Stewart portrays a man pushed to his limits by the vicissitudes of life and the depression. In this case he is a lawyer who marries the lovely Miss Lombard after meeting her on a business trip. Melodrama quickly ensues, including an unapproving mother-in-law and an ill-to-near-death baby, but of course, everything works out in the end.<br />
<br />
Again, here's a short clip from the film, which can be found in its entirety <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AKN5b8hhIs">here</a>.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zoBmju-_9rE?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQ5GsOJbzUc/TVnKIM8hWXI/AAAAAAAAAZA/jJ0FNhZOj9M/s1600/pygm.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQ5GsOJbzUc/TVnKIM8hWXI/AAAAAAAAAZA/jJ0FNhZOj9M/s1600/pygm.gif" /></a></div>"The snobbish & intellectual Professor of languages, Henry Higgins (Leslie Howard) makes a bet with his friend (Scott Sunderland) that he can take a London flower seller, Eliza Doolittle (Wendy Hiller), from the gutters and pass her off as a society lady. <br />
However he discovers that this involves dealing with a human being with ideas of her own."<br />
<br />
Sound like a description of the musical <i>My Fair Lady</i>? Well, it certainly could be, but in this case it's actually taken from a posting at the Internet Archives about 1938's <i><b>Pygmalion</b></i>. Yep, this is the version of the film for those who want all the professor's pomposity (courtesy of star Leslie Howard) without the delightful songs getting in the way. <br />
<br />
A clip? Why certainly. The entire flick? Just click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmdPj_XbF30">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/D4l3idZqpbI?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
For those, on the other hand, who might want a little song and dance with their romance, I give you 1945's <i><b>The Stork Club</b></i> with Betty Hutton and Barry Fitzgerald. Now while Hutton certainly qualifies as a long-legged bird, the title actually reflects the name of the New York nightclub where she works as a hat-check girl. Light in tone, this little romance is full of mistaken identities and mistaken assumptions. It's also full of fun little songs like this version of Hoagy Carmichael's "Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief": (oh,and the full movie is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJNt064uNnE">here</a>.)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/b_ZQ_ZMFvKI?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bFY0S-G0xg/TVndB9VKmKI/AAAAAAAAAZE/zaZZ0xpohAI/s1600/Love_Affair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bFY0S-G0xg/TVndB9VKmKI/AAAAAAAAAZE/zaZZ0xpohAI/s1600/Love_Affair.jpg" /></a></div>Finally today we have the original version of another oft-remade classic. Cary Grant and Debora Kerr did it in 1957, calling it <i>An Affair to Remember</i>. Warren Beatty and Annette Benning did it twice, once in 1974 and again in 1994. But the original, and in my opinion best version of the story is the 1939 Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer version simply entitled <i><b>Love Affair</b></i>. <br />
<br />
A couple meets aboard a cruise liner. They fall in love. Unfortunately, they are both already engaged to other people. What to do, what to do? How about making a pact to take six months to decide and ten, if they're both still feeling the passion of their illicit shipboard romance, they'll meet at the top of the Empire State Building? Ah, but of course, fate might have its own idea, in the form of a car which just happens to hit and cripple poor Irene even as she is on her way to the rendezvous! Now Michel (Boyer) will never really know that she truly loves him. Of course, since the film is billed as a romance and not a tragedy, you can rest assured that this is really only a temporary setback.<br />
<br />
A clip? It's just below, of course. And the entire movie is right <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/LoveAffair">here</a>.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BlshkRQWfr8?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
Ok, I hope you've enjoyed this little romance round-up. And be sure to check back later in the week for more all-new content.<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting!<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-13024437043155410462010-09-27T21:58:00.000-05:002010-09-27T21:58:07.891-05:00Public Domain 101 - Part 1 - An Introduction<blockquote>Our markets, our democracy, our science, our traditions of free speech, and our art all depend more heavily on a Public Domain of freely available material than they do on the informational material that is covered by property rights. The Public Domain is not some gummy residue left behind when all the good stuff has been covered by property law. The Public Domain is the place we quarry the building blocks of our culture. It is, in fact, the majority of our culture. <br />
- James Boyle, The Public Domain</blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/TKFEzp3tNKI/AAAAAAAAAYo/ENW606tWnHI/s1600/pd1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/TKFEzp3tNKI/AAAAAAAAAYo/ENW606tWnHI/s320/pd1.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="307" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public Domain Day is celebrated on Jan 1st of each year.</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">However, because of the CTEA, there won't be any real</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">celebrations until 2019.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hiya, Kiddies! It's yer Ol' Professor here with a bit of a change of pace. Back when I first started this blog, the intent was not just to do reviews and commentaries about movies in the public domain, but also to provide information about just exactly what the public domain is, why it's important, how to take advantage of this incredible resource that is available to and owned by every one of us, and the threats, challenges and changes to both copyright and the public domain in this new digital age. So, in order to get back to that original purpose, this is the first in a series of posts I'm calling simply "Public Domain 101". Now for the most part I'm going to be talking about films here, since that's my own particular area of interest, but in general what I'll be saying will apply to any creative endeavor, whether it's a film, a book, a piece of music, a work of art, or even this blog post itself. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Now, one thing I want to make clear right from the start is that just because I am pro-public domain that does not mean that I am anti-copyright. Far from it. When it is used to serve the purpose for which it was intended, i.e. "To encourage a dynamic creative culture, while returning value to creators so that they can lead a dignified economic existence, and to provide widespread, affordable access to content for the public."<sup>[1]</sup>, I very much support copyright and think it is a very important thing. It's only when it's abused and continually expanded to protect corporate interests over those of actual creators and to limit or curtail concepts such as fair use and the entry of new works into the public domain (under current U.S. law, as a result of 1998's Copyright Term Extension Act, <i><b>no</b></i> new works will enter the public domain until at least 2019<sup>[2]</sup>) that I find myself calling for copyright reform. (And don't worry if you're unfamiliar with or unclear on some of the terms that I'm using here such as "fair use" - I'll do my best to clear things up as we go along.)<br />
<br />
Also I should note that for the most part I will only be discussing copyright and the public domain in the U.S. Since the laws vary from country to country, if you live elsewhere I urge you to check the laws in your own country.<br />
<br />
Of course, before we can really talk about where we are today, we really need to take a trip to the past and see just exactly where these two concepts, Copyright and the Public Domain, come from - and that's what we'll do in Part Two as we travel from Ogg to Ugh!<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting<br />
-Professor Damian<br />
<br />
------------<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Notes:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1) This statement is taken from the document </span><span class="citation web" style="font-size: small;"><a class="external text" href="http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/" rel="nofollow">"Copyright and Related Rights"</a> created by the World Intellectual Property Organisation<span class="printonly"> or WIPO. </span>More specific to the U.S., Article 1 Section 8 Clause 8 of the <a href="http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html">U. S. Constitution</a> not only grants congress the power to establish copyright law, but also states the reason for doing so - to wit: </span><span style="font-size: small;">"To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries." More on that next time.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="citation web" style="font-size: small;">2) For a basic outline of the effects of this latest term extension and the duration of current copyright terms in the U.S. (and a glimpse at how complex it has become), see <a href="http://copyright.cornell.edu/resources/publicdomain.cfm">this chart</a> at the Cornell University website. For an interesting glimpse at the effect of this most recent change in the law and what could have been entering the public domain under the previous rules, check out <a href="http://www.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/pre1976">this article</a> from the Center for the Study of the Public Domain at the Duke Law School. </span>Professor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-65374636625769619292010-09-27T09:53:00.000-05:002010-09-27T09:53:30.907-05:00Sunday Serial - Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe - Chapter Twelve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/TKCvhgYV-UI/AAAAAAAAAYk/QdXhbV522hw/s1600/flashgordonuniverse5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/TKCvhgYV-UI/AAAAAAAAAYk/QdXhbV522hw/s200/flashgordonuniverse5.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>And so we reach the end. Finally we get to to just how Flash and his Space Soldier compatriots conquer the universe. What exactly does it means? What will be the cost? And what exactly will happen to Ming and his evil minions? Well, there's only one way to find out:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="506" width="640"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'chapter12_512kb.mp4'},'flash_gordon_ep12_512kb.mp4'],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon12/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':true,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="506" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'chapter12_512kb.mp4'},'flash_gordon_ep12_512kb.mp4'],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon12/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':true,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
<br />
And there you have it. So what's next? Well, for Flash, this was the end of his run in serials. The next time he would appear on the big screen would be the 1980 Queen scored movie starring Sam Jones as Flash and Melody Anderson as Dale and produced by Dino De Laurentiis, a definite "guilty pleasure" film if ever there were one.<br />
<br />
Ah, what the heck, just for the fun of it, here's the official theme song video:<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MS4_Z84-rRE?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MS4_Z84-rRE?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
And as for this blog and the Sunday Serials, well, there'll be a short break in the serials while I decide exactly which one will be next, but in the meantime, we'll finally begin Public Domain 101. And maybe I'll even throw in a new review or two. To be sure not to miss out on the latest, why not "like" us on Facebook? You can use the link to the right or just go <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Professor-Damians-Public-Domain-Treasure-Chest/335101284661">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-50181380788997743642010-09-20T10:55:00.000-05:002010-09-20T10:55:43.365-05:00Sunday Serial - Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe - Chapters Ten and Eleven<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/TJeDvt8-tNI/AAAAAAAAAYc/lB3OEHMxOgs/s1600/flash_gordon5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/TJeDvt8-tNI/AAAAAAAAAYc/lB3OEHMxOgs/s320/flash_gordon5.jpg" /></a>Ok, sorry, Kiddies that I've had to be away for a couple of weeks, but let's get caught up with Flash, shall we?<br />
<br />
So as chapter 10 opens, we find Flash, Barin and the others on their way (finally!) to actually confront Ming and rescue his daughter, the Princess Aura who is in love with Barin. Unfortunately, Ming has detected their presence and ordered the floodgates opened. The onrushing waters threaten not only to drown our heroes but also to sweep them into a bottomless pit. That can't be good!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="506" width="640"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'flash_gordon_ep10_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon10/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="506" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'flash_gordon_ep10_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon10/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
<br />
So Flash has finally made it to the palace, but of course that doesn't mean his troubles are over... far from it!<br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="506" width="640"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'chapter11_512kb.mp4'},'flash_gordon_ep11_512kb.mp4'],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon11/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':true,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="506" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'chapter11_512kb.mp4'},'flash_gordon_ep11_512kb.mp4'],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon11/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':true,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
<br />
Ok, so next week we wrap everything up. Flash and Dale reunited! Barin and Aura together again, fighting side by side! And the final showdown with Ming!<br />
<br />
Don't miss it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-67581670911084906282010-09-05T16:35:00.000-05:002010-09-05T16:35:31.740-05:00Sunday Serial - Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe - Chapter NineChapter Nine already? Wow, only three to go, and Flash hasn't even managed to conquer the planet Mongo yet. Or even free it from Ming the dictator. How's he ever going to conquer the entire universe? Well, he's certainly not going to do it with us dawdling around here, so let's get on with it, shall we?<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="506" width="640"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'FlashGordonConquersTheUniverse-Chapter9_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/FlashGordonConquersTheUniverse-Chapter9/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="506" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'FlashGordonConquersTheUniverse-Chapter9_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/FlashGordonConquersTheUniverse-Chapter9/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
<br />
Well, that certainly can't be good.<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-24529778890420541252010-08-29T16:49:00.000-05:002010-08-29T16:49:05.583-05:00Sunday Serial - Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe - Chapter Eight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/THrTtSjDAGI/AAAAAAAAAYM/D0fiUfu30kQ/s1600/rockmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/THrTtSjDAGI/AAAAAAAAAYM/D0fiUfu30kQ/s320/rockmen.jpg" /></a></div>So with the end of chapter eight we reach the 3/4 point in our serial and we begin to get some interesting answers - sometimes to things we didn't even know were questions. For instance, we learn that despite the fact that they have quite a distinctive language (ya gotta love the backward looped dialogue) the rock men aren't actually made of rock, but are simply dressed that way to hide from the giant lizards that inhabit the "land of the dead". Oh, and we also learn why (at least according to Zarkov) the region got that name.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Of course, none of this new knowledge may really matter considering it appeared our heroes were blown to smithereens at the end of the last chapter. Perhaps we'd better get back to them and see if there's anything left.<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="385" width="480"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'chapter8_512kb.mp4'},'flash_gordon_ep08_512kb.mp4'],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon8/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':true,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="385" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'chapter8_512kb.mp4'},'flash_gordon_ep08_512kb.mp4'],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon8/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':true,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
<br />
Oh, no! Is Dale the next for the flaming pit?! Come back next week to find out!<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-25700475807568051132010-08-25T16:31:00.000-05:002010-08-25T16:31:17.557-05:00Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973) - Bee Girls in a Z-Movie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/THWFzP9yTMI/AAAAAAAAAYE/VcaVPP30z0Y/s1600/Invasionofthebeegirls1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/THWFzP9yTMI/AAAAAAAAAYE/VcaVPP30z0Y/s320/Invasionofthebeegirls1.jpg" /></a></div>Ok, really, once you've seen the poster for this flick over there on the right, do I really have to waste a lot of words talking about it? This is, simply put, 70's exploitation fare at its most typical. You've got a mad scientist (played, for a change by a woman, Vicoria Vetri), you've got quite a few chicks getting nekkid (I will point out that most of the supposed "Bee" girls are actually C's or D's), you've got some pretty cheap special effects, you've got a whole bunch of white goo, and you've got... well, yeah, that's pretty much what you've got.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
One quick note that I will make, the movie was actually written by Nicholas Meyer, who would go on to acclaim for writing one of the best Sherlock Holmes pastiches, <i>The Seven Per Cent Solution</i>, for adapting and directing the film <i>Time After Time</i>, and for having a hand in the writing of and/or directing three of the first six Star Trek movies (including <i>The Wrath of Khan</i>). Hey, everybody's gotta start somewhere, right?<br />
<br />
Here's a trailer: <object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A5IV845FI9k?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A5IV845FI9k?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
And the Skinny:<br />
Title: Invasion of the Bee Girls<br />
Release Date: 1973<br />
Running Time: 85min<br />
Color<br />
Starring: William Smith, Victoria Vetri<br />
Directed by: Denis Saunders<br />
Distributed by: Centaur Pictures<br />
<br />
Invasion of the Bee Girls is available to watch or download for free here.<br />
It'a also available for purchase on DVD from Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007R4T1M?ie=UTF8&tag=professpubli-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0007R4T1M">Invasion of the Star Creatures/Invasion of the Bee Girls</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=professpubli-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0007R4T1M" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-34253183410116883792010-08-25T11:00:00.000-05:002010-08-25T11:00:24.192-05:00Panic in the Streets (1950) - Noir For the Public Good<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">First, a quick note of housekeeping: I'm hoping to get quite a few reviews up this week, sort of a deck clearing effort, before starting in with next week's Public Domain 101 where we'll take a bit of a step back and take more of a look at what exactly the Public Domain is, what it isn't, and why you should care.</span></i></b> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/THUyB3Pw0UI/AAAAAAAAAX8/KE7up7xubEg/s1600/panicinthestreets1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/THUyB3Pw0UI/AAAAAAAAAX8/KE7up7xubEg/s320/panicinthestreets1.jpg" /></a></div>Generally, the term <i>film noir</i> is associated with movies where the only real theme is the downward spiral of the protagonist. Occasionally, as in the noirs that came out during World War II, we'll see these films delve into something larger like the "growing Nazi menace", but for the most part that's simply overlay for the general development of mood or atmosphere that the director is trying to bring to the screen. Rarely do we find a director really trying to confront anything larger than one man's personal downfall.<br />
<br />
Perhaps that's part of what makes the films of Elia Kazan, and this film in particular, stand out from the typical <i>noir</i> fare, and why it would go on to win two Academy Awards. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Kazan, who would, at the same time he was becoming renowned not only for his body of film work which included <i>A Streetcar Named Desire</i>, <i>On the Waterfront</i> and <i>East of Eden</i> as well as for developing and promoting the "method" style of acting and founding (along with Lee Strasburg and others) the famed Actor's Studio, become somewhat infamous for his testimony as a "friendly witness" before the House Unamerican Activities Committee in which he named eight of his fellow former Group Theater members as having been Communists, was never one to shy away from including and introducing issues that he was interested in in any of his films. In this particular one, the main issues that stand out are illegal immigration and the public's ''need to know" about an impending health threat.<br />
<br />
The plot starts out fairly simply. Somewhere in New Orleans, a man named Kochak is killed during a brawl over a poker game. However, when his body is examined by Dr. Clinton Reed (Richard Widmark) it becomes obvious that the man was dying anyway - of the "pnuemonic plague". In an attempt to keep word from getting out and causing the titular panic, and yet at the same time stop the spread of the virulent plague, Reed and the police soon find themselves enmeshed in an underworld of lies and deceit where no one can be trusted, not only because of possible criminal activities, but because they want to protect their fellow immigrants. Soon the film becomes as much about how much information one should be willing to give up in the name of the public good, as well as how much information the public really needs, as it is about actually finding the killers.<br />
<br />
The parallels between the conflicts of the immigrants and Kazan's own decisions only a few years later are, of course, blatantly obvious.<br />
<br />
Besides Widmark, the film stars Zero Mostel (himself a victim of the HUAC blacklist, though not one of those given up by Kazan), a debuting Jack Palance, and the always lovely Barbara Bel Geddes.<br />
<br />
Here's a short clip showing the death that sets everything in motion:<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t606t8yXUN8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t606t8yXUN8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
And the Skinny:<br />
Title: Panic in the Streets<br />
Release Date: 1950<br />
Running Time: 96 min<br />
Black and White<br />
Starring: Richard Widmark<br />
Directed by: Elia Kazan<br />
Produced by: Sol C. Siegel<br />
Distributed by 20th Century Fox<br />
<br />
<i>Panic in the Streets</i> is available to download or watch for free here.<br />
It's also available for purchase on DVD from Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006UEVVS?ie=UTF8&tag=professpubli-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0006UEVVS">Panic in the Streets (Fox Film Noir)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=professpubli-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0006UEVVS" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-2777199808330965322010-08-25T09:38:00.000-05:002010-08-25T09:38:12.433-05:00Sunday Serial - Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe - Chapters Six and SevenOk, kiddies, time to get caught up on the intergalactic adventures of Flash, Dale, Zarkov and the rest. When we last left them our heroes had escaped from Ming's clutches in one of his own ships. Unfortunately, they soon found themselves being fired upon by their own ally, Prince Barin:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="385" width="480"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'chapter6_512kb.mp4'},'flash_gordon_ep06_512kb.mp4'],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon6/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':true,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="385" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'chapter6_512kb.mp4'},'flash_gordon_ep06_512kb.mp4'],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon6/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':true,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
<br />
Wow! Things are really heating up for Flash now! Literally! Plus, we see once again that there are times when it's truly dangerous to take Flash's side against a despot like Ming. Let's go ahead and see what happens next, shall we?<br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="385" width="480"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'chapter7_512kb.mp4'},'flash_gordon_ep07_512kb.mp4'],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon_7/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':true,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="385" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'chapter7_512kb.mp4'},'flash_gordon_ep07_512kb.mp4'],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon_7/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':true,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
<br />
Well, that was definitely an explosive explosive ending! Let's hope Flash's visit to the "Land of the Dead" doesn't wind up being a permanent one!<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-23938492804799395282010-08-09T14:11:00.000-05:002010-08-09T14:11:05.419-05:00The Rogues' Tavern (1936) - The Ghouls Take a Holiday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/TGBNH8d3dWI/AAAAAAAAAX0/HoRfwHDknPw/s1600/roguestavern1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/TGBNH8d3dWI/AAAAAAAAAX0/HoRfwHDknPw/s320/roguestavern1.jpg" /></a></div>We've discussed before the ever-popular "old dark house" type mystery. You know the ones: strangers gathered for some reason - perhaps they were driven there by a storm, perhaps they are gathered for the reading of a will, perhaps they are simply being paid - in a creepy old house, trapped with no way out until morning, and soon they are being picked off one by one. sometimes the murderer turns out to be one of them. Sometimes it's their host. Sometimes it's some previously unseen or unknown third party. Usually there are secret passages or unseen traps. Sometimes, as in <i>House on Haunted Hill</i>, there's a pit of acid in the basement. Every once in awhile, there are even actual ghosts.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The Rogues' Tavern is definitely a variaion on the old dark house theme, the twist this time being that the role of the house is being played by the Red Rock Tavern. That's right, kiddies, today we've got an old dark hotel. The other twist on the usual pattern for this type of movie is that in this case the murderer may not even be a who, but a what, as it appears that the victims have been savaged by a wild animal. Is it possible that the killer is perhaps some kind of wild dog or wolf? Or maybe even something more bizarre?<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, in the end this is a mystery that doesn't play completely fair with the audience, and the "howdunnits"seem at times a bit implausible, but it is entertaining a long as one is willing to simply go along with and accept certain elements. There is enough humor (both of the intentional and unintentional kind) to keep the proceedings light, and the characters are engrossing enough that, while you might not wind up completely invested in them, you don't wind up rooting for the murderer just to kill them all and get it over with.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the only clip I could find to embed is from near the end of the film, and is something of a spoiler, so if you plan to watch it, proceed with caution.<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GVXdgiLWDnE&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GVXdgiLWDnE&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
And here's the Skinny:<br />
Title: The Rogues' Tavern<br />
Release Date: 1936<br />
Running Time: 70min<br />
Black and White<br />
Starring: Wallace Ford, Barbara Pepper<br />
Directed by: Robert F. Hill<br />
Produced by: Sam Katzman<br />
<br />
The Rogues Tavern is available to watch or download for free <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/rogues_tavern">here</a>.<br />
It's also available to purchase on DVD from Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012Z70KK?ie=UTF8&tag=professpubli-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0012Z70KK">Rogues Tavern (1936) [DVD] </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=professpubli-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0012Z70KK" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-59145732208027783602010-08-09T11:35:00.000-05:002010-08-09T11:35:28.149-05:00Sunday Serial - Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe - Chapters Four and Five<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/TFbT5aKI5WI/AAAAAAAAAXk/h_myaxpmFKU/s1600/minguniverse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/TFbT5aKI5WI/AAAAAAAAAXk/h_myaxpmFKU/s320/minguniverse.jpg" /></a></div>Apparently it's true: war changes everyone, even merciless emperors! <br />
<br />
Along with watching the progressing chapters of this serial, for the first few weeks now we've also been talking about some of the changes that were made between the first two series and this one. This week we come to one that may at first seem merely a matter of semantics, but actually, I think, reflects the changes going on not only in Flash's world, but in the real world beyond the screen.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
For the first two serials, Ming the Merciless, the arch-villain of the Flash Gordon universe, was referred to almost exclusively as an "emperor". In this serial, however, he is more often called a "dictator". (The last chapter of the serial is even titled "Doom of the Dictator".) Now, the thing to remember is that at this point, though the United States had yet to enter the second World War, much of the world was already embroiled in conflict, and even in the US there were those saying that America's involvement was inevitable, and who were the enemies of the Allies during the war? A collection of dictators: Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, and more. And it was into this dictator role, rather than the simple "yellow peril" role that Ming was recast for this serial. Even Ming's enemies are recast to fit this new role, being portrayed more like the war's famed resistance fighters than the rebels of the first two serials.<br />
<br />
Anyway, enough talk, let's get on to the action, shall we? In order to catch up a bit, I'm going to give you both chapters four and five today. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="385" width="480"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'flash_gordon_ep04_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon4/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="385" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'flash_gordon_ep04_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon4/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="385" width="480"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'chapter5_512kb.mp4'},'flash_gordon_ep05_512kb.mp4'],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon5/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':true,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="385" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'chapter5_512kb.mp4'},'flash_gordon_ep05_512kb.mp4'],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/flash_gordon5/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':true,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object>Professor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8867692203588158919.post-1248810066034866562010-08-09T11:15:00.001-05:002010-08-09T11:20:11.491-05:00Saturday TV - Dollar a Second and Quick as a Flash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/TGAas6HCrgI/AAAAAAAAAXs/QlJwTozVGTk/s1600/quickasaflash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0OumPX0pGRA/TGAas6HCrgI/AAAAAAAAAXs/QlJwTozVGTk/s320/quickasaflash.jpg" /></a></div>Hiya Kiddies! Sorry for the paucity of posts lately, but yer ol' professor has been more than a bit under the weather recently. Still, I'm back today and ready to make up for it with a whole batch of posts. First we'll start with a TV double feature, then the next installment of our Sunday serial, then with a little luck a double posting of new movie features this afternoon. So just kick back and enjoy some vintage programming.<br />
<br />
First up today, as I mentioned, is a double feature from the TV archives, and today we're looking at game shows. There was a time when game shows were as ubiquitous and important a part of television programming as "reality" shows are today. Generally quick and cheap to produce compared to scripted programming, they were an easy way for a TV station or network to fill a time slot. They were also, in a time before every second-rate comedian had a late-night talk show a great promotional tool for other shows or for movies, as a star could make a quick appearance as a panelist or contestant on one of these shows and in return they would get a plug for whatever their latest project was. Of course, that also meant that a lot of ideas were tried as programmers often grasped at straws trying to come up with new and varied ideas that would catch on with the audience at home. sometimes these ideas were good, sometimes, well...<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Today's shows, while not exactly bad, were not huge successes, either, and I think if you take a look at each episode, it's fairly easy to see why.<br />
<br />
First up is <i><b>Dollar a Second</b></i>, a game show first produced by the Dumont network, which starred Jan Murray who would also host the first version of <i>Treasure Hunt</i>. Here's Wikipedia's description of the concept of the show: <br />
<blockquote><br />
One pair of contestants (or a solo player) were selected to perform a certain task, which could be anything. They earn one dollar for every second they were on the stage, and, unless they are paying the penalty, may quit out at any time. If at any time one or both players make a mistake, they have to pay a penalty. For example, one player is placed on a slide that goes down towards a small above-ground swimming pool, and the partner has to pick one of five telephone numbers on the list, one of which nobody on the other side will be available to answer. Should someone be there on the other end of the line, the person who dialed the number would say "I've got somebody!" and the penalty is beaten, and they would then resume the previous activity before they were interrupted. If they fail to beat a penalty, the game ends, but they keep whatever money they won at that point, and sometimes also win additional money based on the number of correct answers.<br />
However, while all this is going on, there is something else in the background that can also affect the final outcome of the game. The "outside event" is something that when it has occurred, the game ends and the couple loses all the money they made while playing. (For example, the couple has to pick an envelope that contains the number of round trips a model train can take until it has reached a certain number, but they won't know how many trips that train will have made until that mystery number has been attained.) In such a case, the couple may instead receive a consolation prize based on the number of correct answers they had put together.</blockquote>Sound complicated? Yeah, it kind of comes across that way on the screen, too. It's obvious that Murray is trying to keep things moving along, but really, he comes across as trying to hard and just seems very hyper. Also, as events and complications keep piling up, it becomes as difficult for the viewer at home to keep up with the proceedings as for the contestant on stage. The show actually bounced around from network to network for a couple of years before finally disappearing from the airwaves. It appears that only two episodes now survive. let's take a look at one of them, shall we?<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="385" width="480"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'Dollar_A_Second_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/Dollar_A_Second_1/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="385" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'Dollar_A_Second_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/Dollar_A_Second_1/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
<p>Our second game show is more along the lines of what was known in the day as a "panel game". <i><b>Quick as a Flash</b></i> actually began it's life as a radio show, where it was quite popular, running from 1944 to 1951. When the show finally left the radio airwaves, the producers tried bringing it to television with mixed results. The radio version of the show brought out six contestants from the studio audience. These contestants would then listen to a short skit which somehow dramatized or related to a recent event in the news or pop culture. If one of the contestants thought they knew what the event was, they could buzz in, stop the action, and take a guess. If they were correct, they would win that round. If not, then the action would go on.<br />
<br />
For the television version, a couple of changes were made. First off, the panel consisted of two celebrities, each paired with an audience member. More importantly, the sketches now had to be fully dramatised for the television audience. Most likely, it's this dramatisation with its need for costumes and sets which caused the show's downfall. Remember, these shows were supposed to be quick and cheap to produce. Plus, more money having to be spent on the production meant less that could be given away as prizes. Whatever the reason, though, the show lasted less than a year.<br />
<br />
What follows is the pilot, which was hosted by game show stalwart Bill Cullen. Cullen only appeared in the pilot, however, and was replaced when the show was picked up by Bobby Sherwood. Later episodes were hosted by radio's Superman, Bud Collyer. The pilot also features Boris Karloff as one of the panelists.<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="385" width="480"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="high" name="quality"/><param value="true" name="cachebusting"/><param value="#000000" name="bgcolor"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" /><param value="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'QuickasAflash_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/Quick-as-a-flash/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}" name="flashvars"/><embed src="http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="385" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" cachebusting="true" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" flashvars="config={'key':'#$aa4baff94a9bdcafce8','playlist':['format=Thumbnail?.jpg',{'autoPlay':false,'url':'QuickasAflash_512kb.mp4'}],'clip':{'autoPlay':true,'baseUrl':'http://www.archive.org/download/Quick-as-a-flash/','scaling':'fit','provider':'h264streaming'},'canvas':{'backgroundColor':'#000000','backgroundGradient':'none'},'plugins':{'controls':{'playlist':false,'fullscreen':true,'height':26,'backgroundColor':'#000000','autoHide':{'fullscreenOnly':true}},'h264streaming':{'url':'http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.pseudostreaming-3.2.1.swf'}},'contextMenu':[{},'-','Flowplayer v3.2.1']}"> </embed></object><br />
<br />
<p>So, there you go, kiddies. Two game shows you've likely never seen before, but which can easily be seen as predecessors for many of the shows that would follow in their footsteps.<br />
<br />
Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting,<br />
-Professor DamianProfessor Damianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477627595867290356noreply@blogger.com0