Books for Bathtub Gin Drinkers

Two books devoted to that volatile and endlessly fascinating era… Bohemians, Bootleggers, Flappers & Swells Edited by Graydon Carter Drawing from the best of the Vanity Fair archive, this selection of essays, poems, stories and columns from the early days are a looking glass into the era. Beginning with the days of WWI and into the…

REVIEW: THE ENTERTAINER by Margaret Talbot

Anyone who has read my blog knows that I am no stranger to classic film.   What with a Masters degree under my belt and an insatiable desire to fill up my DVR with obscure films playing on TCM, I’ve seen more than is probably healthy.  And I’m certain I’ve seen at least one with…

31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN – Day 26

Many people enjoy watching scary movies to celebrate Halloween.  Some like gory slasher flicks, but I prefer creepy, moody, psychological films. Some of the best are by RKO producer and writer Val Lewton (many of them directed by Jacques Tourneur).  They usually run them on TCM this time of year, so keep an eye out…

REVIEW: THE CHAPERONE by Laura Moriarty

For this one, you have to think back, imagine a time when Victorian mores hadn’t yet lost their grip.  For women, hair was still worn long (as were skirts – no pants), yet they were about to win the right to vote.  There was a constant tug between the past and the future.  It must…