Betta St. John, who portrayed the lovely island girl Liat in the original Broadway production of South Pacific and starred as a princess alongside Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in the MGM romantic comedy Dream Wife, has died. She was 93.
St. John died June 23 of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Brighton, England, her son, TV producer Roger Grant, told The Hollywood Reporter.
The California native played one of the survivors of an airline crash, who is chased by a crocodile in Tarzan and the Lost Safari (1957) — the first Tarzan film in 15 years and the first one in color — and then returned for Tarzan the Magnificent (1960). Both films starred Gordon Scott as the King of the Jungle.
St. John also starred with Stewart Granger, Ann Blyth and Robert Taylor in All the Brothers Were Valiant (1953); with Victor Mature, Piper Laurie and Vincent Price in the 3-D adventure Dangerous...
St. John died June 23 of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Brighton, England, her son, TV producer Roger Grant, told The Hollywood Reporter.
The California native played one of the survivors of an airline crash, who is chased by a crocodile in Tarzan and the Lost Safari (1957) — the first Tarzan film in 15 years and the first one in color — and then returned for Tarzan the Magnificent (1960). Both films starred Gordon Scott as the King of the Jungle.
St. John also starred with Stewart Granger, Ann Blyth and Robert Taylor in All the Brothers Were Valiant (1953); with Victor Mature, Piper Laurie and Vincent Price in the 3-D adventure Dangerous...
- 7/7/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Sara Shane, who starred opposite Gordon Scott in Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure and appeared alongside Clark Gable in The King and Four Queens, has died. She was 94.
Shane died July 31 on the Gold Coast of Australia, her family announced.
Shane also starred with Kathleen Hughes and Marla English in the melodrama Three Bad Sisters (1956) and had the female lead in Affair in Havana (1957), featuring John Cassavetes and Raymond Burr.
With the Jane character absent in the John Guillermin-directed Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure (1959), Shane stepped in to portray Angie Loring, an American model and pilot who meets up with the King of the Jungle in Africa. The film was Scott’s fourth as Tarzan.
And in The King and Four Queens (1956), helmed by Raoul Walsh, Shane played Oralie McDade, one of four young widows — Eleanor Parker, Jean Willes and Barbara Nichols are the others — who...
Sara Shane, who starred opposite Gordon Scott in Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure and appeared alongside Clark Gable in The King and Four Queens, has died. She was 94.
Shane died July 31 on the Gold Coast of Australia, her family announced.
Shane also starred with Kathleen Hughes and Marla English in the melodrama Three Bad Sisters (1956) and had the female lead in Affair in Havana (1957), featuring John Cassavetes and Raymond Burr.
With the Jane character absent in the John Guillermin-directed Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure (1959), Shane stepped in to portray Angie Loring, an American model and pilot who meets up with the King of the Jungle in Africa. The film was Scott’s fourth as Tarzan.
And in The King and Four Queens (1956), helmed by Raoul Walsh, Shane played Oralie McDade, one of four young widows — Eleanor Parker, Jean Willes and Barbara Nichols are the others — who...
- 9/21/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Pepla! Pepla! Rah Rah Rah! These two remastered Italo muscleman pix could be the start of something big. A pair of relatively early Maciste epics became Samson vehicles in American-International’s Hollywood-ized revisions. Mark Forest & ex-Tarzan Gordon Scott overthrow tyrants in Egypt and Cathay, while hurling boulders and kissing exotic damsels like Chelo Alonso, Yôko Tani and Hélène Chanel. Separate releases from Kino Lorber.
Samson Double Bill
Son of Samson + Samson and the 7 Miracles of the World
Blu-ray Separate Purchases
Kl Studio Classics
1960 + 1961 / Color / 2:35 widescreen /
Starring: Mark Forest, Chelo Alonso; Gordon Scott, Yôko Tani, Hélène Chanel, Valéry Inkijinoff.
Cinematography: Riccardo Pallottini
Original Music: Carlo Innocenzi
Produced by Luigi Carpentieri, Ermanno Donati
Directed by Carlo Campogalliani, Riccardo Freda
Is it true? Will the neglected Italian costume pictures known as ‘sword ‘n’ sandals, Pepla & muscleman epics finally be released on disc in editions of worthwhile quality? We ‘fifties kids were raised...
Samson Double Bill
Son of Samson + Samson and the 7 Miracles of the World
Blu-ray Separate Purchases
Kl Studio Classics
1960 + 1961 / Color / 2:35 widescreen /
Starring: Mark Forest, Chelo Alonso; Gordon Scott, Yôko Tani, Hélène Chanel, Valéry Inkijinoff.
Cinematography: Riccardo Pallottini
Original Music: Carlo Innocenzi
Produced by Luigi Carpentieri, Ermanno Donati
Directed by Carlo Campogalliani, Riccardo Freda
Is it true? Will the neglected Italian costume pictures known as ‘sword ‘n’ sandals, Pepla & muscleman epics finally be released on disc in editions of worthwhile quality? We ‘fifties kids were raised...
- 8/20/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Cinema Retro's 18th season begins with issue #52, which is now shipping worldwide.
Highlights of this issue include:
"The Sand Pebbles"- James Sherlock explores the trials and tribulations behind the filming of Robert Wise's epic film which gained Steve McQueen his only Oscar nomination. "Dr. Syn: Alias the Scarecrow"- Dave Worrall's in-depth history of the character in film and literature, concentrating on the evolution of the Walt Disney three-part TV episodes starring Patrick McGoohan which would later emerge as a feature film.
"Tarzan's Greatest Adventure"- Nick Anez argues it's the best Tarzan film ever and his analysis might convince you to agree with him. Gordon Scott starred as the King of the Jungle and te gang of villains included young Sean Connery. "The Pink Panther"- John LeMay presents the fascinating history behind the first film to showcase Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau.
"The Golden...
Highlights of this issue include:
"The Sand Pebbles"- James Sherlock explores the trials and tribulations behind the filming of Robert Wise's epic film which gained Steve McQueen his only Oscar nomination. "Dr. Syn: Alias the Scarecrow"- Dave Worrall's in-depth history of the character in film and literature, concentrating on the evolution of the Walt Disney three-part TV episodes starring Patrick McGoohan which would later emerge as a feature film.
"Tarzan's Greatest Adventure"- Nick Anez argues it's the best Tarzan film ever and his analysis might convince you to agree with him. Gordon Scott starred as the King of the Jungle and te gang of villains included young Sean Connery. "The Pink Panther"- John LeMay presents the fascinating history behind the first film to showcase Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau.
"The Golden...
- 2/8/2022
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Hard to believe, but Cinema Retro is entering its 18th season thanks to the consistent support among classic and cult movie lovers worldwide. The new season will begin with issue #52, which will ship in the UK and Europe during December and to all other sections of the globe in January. Throughout the new season, we have an exciting lineup of in-depth analysis from talented film scholars who will be providing highlights such as these:
"The Sand Pebbles"- director Robert Wise's acclaimed 1966 epic that saw Steve McQueen earn his only Oscar nomination Disney's "Dr. Syn: Alias the Scarecrow", the fascinating journey of the adventure TV episodes starring Patrick McGoohan and the subsequent feature film version. "Somewhere in Time", one of the most beloved and haunting romances ever filmed. Exclusive interview with director Jeannot Szwarc. "Lord Jim", director Richard Brooks' ambitious adaptation of Joseph Conrad's classic novel. The film...
"The Sand Pebbles"- director Robert Wise's acclaimed 1966 epic that saw Steve McQueen earn his only Oscar nomination Disney's "Dr. Syn: Alias the Scarecrow", the fascinating journey of the adventure TV episodes starring Patrick McGoohan and the subsequent feature film version. "Somewhere in Time", one of the most beloved and haunting romances ever filmed. Exclusive interview with director Jeannot Szwarc. "Lord Jim", director Richard Brooks' ambitious adaptation of Joseph Conrad's classic novel. The film...
- 12/1/2021
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
By Fred Blosser
I saw many, many Italian-made sword-and-toga movies as a kid in the early 1960s at the Kayton, my neighborhood movie house, where they usually played on mismatched double-bills with B-Westerns, British “Carry On” comedies, low-budget noir dramas, and fourth-run Elvis movies. Many of these Italian epics were simplistic and formulaic, as if the producers figured that people had come to see spectacle, sex, and sword-fights, and never mind anything else. Regardless, more ambitious productions occasionally surfaced with slightly more dramatic substance and marginally higher production values. One such entry was “The Colossus of Rhodes” (1961), Sergio Leone’s first acknowledged directorial credit preceding his breakthrough success with “A Fistful of Dollars” in 1964. The Warner Archive Collection has released the 1961 movie on Blu-ray with audio commentary by Sir Christopher Frayling, Leone’s biographer and longtime critical champion.
The script co-written by Leone has plenty of plot -- almost too much,...
I saw many, many Italian-made sword-and-toga movies as a kid in the early 1960s at the Kayton, my neighborhood movie house, where they usually played on mismatched double-bills with B-Westerns, British “Carry On” comedies, low-budget noir dramas, and fourth-run Elvis movies. Many of these Italian epics were simplistic and formulaic, as if the producers figured that people had come to see spectacle, sex, and sword-fights, and never mind anything else. Regardless, more ambitious productions occasionally surfaced with slightly more dramatic substance and marginally higher production values. One such entry was “The Colossus of Rhodes” (1961), Sergio Leone’s first acknowledged directorial credit preceding his breakthrough success with “A Fistful of Dollars” in 1964. The Warner Archive Collection has released the 1961 movie on Blu-ray with audio commentary by Sir Christopher Frayling, Leone’s biographer and longtime critical champion.
The script co-written by Leone has plenty of plot -- almost too much,...
- 5/7/2019
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
By John M. Whalen
After making six Tarzan films, the last two,“Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure” (1959) and “Tarzan the Magnificent” (1960), considered among the best ever made, actor Gordon Scott hung up the loin cloth to star in movies in Italy. Producer Sy Weintraub, who had taken Tarzan out of the back lots of Hollywood and filmed on location in Africa, wanted to continue the series and put the ape man in even more exotic locations. He had India in mind for the next Tarzan adventure, but now suddenly he had to find a new Lord of the Jungle. He didn’t have to look very far. “Tarzan the Magnificent” had featured stunt man turned actor, Jock Mahoney as villain Coy Banton, in a performance that was every bit as physically demanding as it was for Scott.
Even at age 41, when “Magnificent” was made, Mahoney was in incredible shape. At six foot four,...
After making six Tarzan films, the last two,“Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure” (1959) and “Tarzan the Magnificent” (1960), considered among the best ever made, actor Gordon Scott hung up the loin cloth to star in movies in Italy. Producer Sy Weintraub, who had taken Tarzan out of the back lots of Hollywood and filmed on location in Africa, wanted to continue the series and put the ape man in even more exotic locations. He had India in mind for the next Tarzan adventure, but now suddenly he had to find a new Lord of the Jungle. He didn’t have to look very far. “Tarzan the Magnificent” had featured stunt man turned actor, Jock Mahoney as villain Coy Banton, in a performance that was every bit as physically demanding as it was for Scott.
Even at age 41, when “Magnificent” was made, Mahoney was in incredible shape. At six foot four,...
- 4/6/2019
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Tarzan Goes to India/Tarzan’s Three Challenges
Blu ray
Warner Archives
1962, 1963 / 2:35:1 / 88 Min., 92 Min. / Street Date – January 29, 2019
Starring Jock Mahoney, Simi Garewal, Woody Strode
Cinematography by Paul Beeson, Edward Scaife
Directed by John Guillermin, Robert Day
Jane Goodall fell for Tarzan at an early age – ‘he married the wrong Jane’ she said, half joking. A confirmed tree-hugger, the King of the Apes would seem to be a perfect match for the nature loving primatologist – even though the greater part of Tarzan’s big screen career played out in backlot jungles rather than the real thing.
Producer Sy Weintraub rectified that situation with Tarzan Goes to India and Tarzan’s Three Challenges – both sleekly made widescreen entertainments that put the jungle lord in his proper element. Made on location in India and Thailand, the films are a non-stop parade of cliffhanging serial thrills that revel in the raw beauty...
Blu ray
Warner Archives
1962, 1963 / 2:35:1 / 88 Min., 92 Min. / Street Date – January 29, 2019
Starring Jock Mahoney, Simi Garewal, Woody Strode
Cinematography by Paul Beeson, Edward Scaife
Directed by John Guillermin, Robert Day
Jane Goodall fell for Tarzan at an early age – ‘he married the wrong Jane’ she said, half joking. A confirmed tree-hugger, the King of the Apes would seem to be a perfect match for the nature loving primatologist – even though the greater part of Tarzan’s big screen career played out in backlot jungles rather than the real thing.
Producer Sy Weintraub rectified that situation with Tarzan Goes to India and Tarzan’s Three Challenges – both sleekly made widescreen entertainments that put the jungle lord in his proper element. Made on location in India and Thailand, the films are a non-stop parade of cliffhanging serial thrills that revel in the raw beauty...
- 2/12/2019
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
Exciting news! Tarzan’S Greatest Adventure (1959) is now available on Blu-ray from Warner Archives! Ordering information can be found Here
After Lex Barker carried the mantle clear of Weissmuller’s long shadow, Gordon Scott was free to claim the crown of King of the Jungle. His Tarzan was keen, intelligent, and literate – much as Tarzan’s creator, Edgar Rice Burroughs, had envisioned – and in the aptly named Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure, Scott’s run as the jungle lord reached a peak in what is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the prodigious series of action adventure classics. Tarzan is on a deadly trail, determined to find the diamond hunters (including Anthony Quayle and Sean Connery) who brought terror and death to a peaceful village. But as much as Tarzan is a tracker and avenger, he’s also a protector. An irresponsible gadfly from the so-called civilized world...
After Lex Barker carried the mantle clear of Weissmuller’s long shadow, Gordon Scott was free to claim the crown of King of the Jungle. His Tarzan was keen, intelligent, and literate – much as Tarzan’s creator, Edgar Rice Burroughs, had envisioned – and in the aptly named Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure, Scott’s run as the jungle lord reached a peak in what is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the prodigious series of action adventure classics. Tarzan is on a deadly trail, determined to find the diamond hunters (including Anthony Quayle and Sean Connery) who brought terror and death to a peaceful village. But as much as Tarzan is a tracker and avenger, he’s also a protector. An irresponsible gadfly from the so-called civilized world...
- 11/19/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Tarzan got a new lease on life when a film company finally went to Africa to pit the excellent ‘Lord of the Jungle’ Gordon Scott against a formidable phalanx of villains. Anthony Quayle, Sean Connery and Niall MacGinnis are perfect Dastards of the Darkest Continent. Also top-flight are the women in this jungle combat, wicked Scilla Gabel and naughty Sara Shane. Fun for adult kids of all ages!
Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1959 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 87 min. / Street Date November 13, 2018 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Gordon Scott, Anthony Quayle, Sara Shane, Niall MacGinnis, Sean Connery, Al Mulock, Scilla Gabel.
Cinematography: Edward Scaife
Film Editor: Bert Rule
Original Music: Douglas Gamley
Written by Les Crutchfield, Berne Giler, John Guillermin from the character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Produced by Harvey Hayutin, Sy Weintraub
Directed by John Guillermin
Of all the big-screen Tarzans — Johnny Weissmuller, Lex Barker, Jock Mahoney,...
Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1959 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 87 min. / Street Date November 13, 2018 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Gordon Scott, Anthony Quayle, Sara Shane, Niall MacGinnis, Sean Connery, Al Mulock, Scilla Gabel.
Cinematography: Edward Scaife
Film Editor: Bert Rule
Original Music: Douglas Gamley
Written by Les Crutchfield, Berne Giler, John Guillermin from the character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Produced by Harvey Hayutin, Sy Weintraub
Directed by John Guillermin
Of all the big-screen Tarzans — Johnny Weissmuller, Lex Barker, Jock Mahoney,...
- 11/10/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
10 random things that happened on this day in showbiz history...
1904 Dolores del Rio born in Mexico. By 1925 she's a star in silent films, Hollywood's first Mexican movie star, but her time in Hollywood is short. She reinvents herself back home in Mexico becoming a huge movie star all over again and ushering in Mexican cinema's Golden Era.
1926 Gordon Scott, future Tarzan beefcake born in Portland. He stars in one of the most interesting Tarzan films, Tarzan's Greatest Adventure (1959) which also features Sean Connery!
1934 The Girl from Missouri opens in movie theaters, a vehicle for Jean Harlow who was actually from Missouri...
1904 Dolores del Rio born in Mexico. By 1925 she's a star in silent films, Hollywood's first Mexican movie star, but her time in Hollywood is short. She reinvents herself back home in Mexico becoming a huge movie star all over again and ushering in Mexican cinema's Golden Era.
1926 Gordon Scott, future Tarzan beefcake born in Portland. He stars in one of the most interesting Tarzan films, Tarzan's Greatest Adventure (1959) which also features Sean Connery!
1934 The Girl from Missouri opens in movie theaters, a vehicle for Jean Harlow who was actually from Missouri...
- 8/3/2018
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Highlights of this issue include:
"The Sand Pebbles"- James Sherlock explores the trials and tribulations behind the filming of Robert Wise's epic film which gained Steve McQueen his only Oscar nomination. "Dr. Syn: Alias the Scarecrow"- Dave Worrall's in-depth history of the character in film and literature, concentrating on the evolution of the Walt Disney three-part TV episodes starring Patrick McGoohan which would later emerge as a feature film.
"Tarzan's Greatest Adventure"- Nick Anez argues it's the best Tarzan film ever and his analysis might convince you to agree with him. Gordon Scott starred as the King of the Jungle and the gang of villains included young Sean Connery. "The Pink Panther"- John LeMay presents the fascinating history behind the first film to showcase Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau.
"The Golden Lady"- Tim Greaves shines the spotlight on the little-seen and little-remembered spy...
"The Sand Pebbles"- James Sherlock explores the trials and tribulations behind the filming of Robert Wise's epic film which gained Steve McQueen his only Oscar nomination. "Dr. Syn: Alias the Scarecrow"- Dave Worrall's in-depth history of the character in film and literature, concentrating on the evolution of the Walt Disney three-part TV episodes starring Patrick McGoohan which would later emerge as a feature film.
"Tarzan's Greatest Adventure"- Nick Anez argues it's the best Tarzan film ever and his analysis might convince you to agree with him. Gordon Scott starred as the King of the Jungle and the gang of villains included young Sean Connery. "The Pink Panther"- John LeMay presents the fascinating history behind the first film to showcase Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau.
"The Golden Lady"- Tim Greaves shines the spotlight on the little-seen and little-remembered spy...
- 5/23/2018
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
on this day in history as it relates to the movies...
Dolores Del Río auditioning for Catwoman. No wait that's not right. Dolores Del Rio in Journey Into Fear (1943)1885 Carlo Montuori, famed cinematographer of Italian neorealism is born. He went on to lens the essential Bicycle Thief (1948)
1904 Dolores del Río, one of the first three Mexican actors to become movie stars in Hollywood (the others being her cousin Ramon Novarro and Lupe Vélez - they all started in silent films and moved into talkies), after which she used her fame and beauty as part of Mexican cinema's Golden Age with the occasional Hollywood film thrown in. Credits include: Bird of Paradise (1932), Flying Down To Rio (1933), Journey Into Fear (1943), Cheyenne Autumn (1964) and multiple Best Actress winning films in Mexico: Las Abandonadas (1944), El Niño y la Niebla (1953), and Doña Perfecta (1951).
1906 Alexandre Trauner, Oscar winning production designer. His credits include The Nun's Story...
Dolores Del Río auditioning for Catwoman. No wait that's not right. Dolores Del Rio in Journey Into Fear (1943)1885 Carlo Montuori, famed cinematographer of Italian neorealism is born. He went on to lens the essential Bicycle Thief (1948)
1904 Dolores del Río, one of the first three Mexican actors to become movie stars in Hollywood (the others being her cousin Ramon Novarro and Lupe Vélez - they all started in silent films and moved into talkies), after which she used her fame and beauty as part of Mexican cinema's Golden Age with the occasional Hollywood film thrown in. Credits include: Bird of Paradise (1932), Flying Down To Rio (1933), Journey Into Fear (1943), Cheyenne Autumn (1964) and multiple Best Actress winning films in Mexico: Las Abandonadas (1944), El Niño y la Niebla (1953), and Doña Perfecta (1951).
1906 Alexandre Trauner, Oscar winning production designer. His credits include The Nun's Story...
- 8/3/2016
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
As we approach the release of The Legend of Tarzan (2016) we're ogling past screen incarnations of the Lord of the Apes...
Though old franchises like Tarzan are sometimes less visually sophisticated within their eras than our current franchises (probably because the new ones are no longer cheaply produced "B" pictures but Hollywood's main attraction) in one significant way they're vastly superior: they assume the audience doesn't need a perpetual origin story and will remember who the character is from film to film.
Consider this: With Gordon Scott, we are three actors into the Lord of the Apes (within the "official" series) and with his fourth feature film go at the character Tarzan's Greatest Adventure (1959), we're twenty-one films into the franchise and they have not once felt the need to retell (or even really tell at all) Tarzan's origin story. After twenty-one films! Imagine it. Origin stories are a waste of time.
Though old franchises like Tarzan are sometimes less visually sophisticated within their eras than our current franchises (probably because the new ones are no longer cheaply produced "B" pictures but Hollywood's main attraction) in one significant way they're vastly superior: they assume the audience doesn't need a perpetual origin story and will remember who the character is from film to film.
Consider this: With Gordon Scott, we are three actors into the Lord of the Apes (within the "official" series) and with his fourth feature film go at the character Tarzan's Greatest Adventure (1959), we're twenty-one films into the franchise and they have not once felt the need to retell (or even really tell at all) Tarzan's origin story. After twenty-one films! Imagine it. Origin stories are a waste of time.
- 6/4/2016
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Clark Gable is still sufficiently frisky in this late career western to attract four well-chosen frontier women -- who in this case happen to be a quartet of robbers' wives, sitting on a rumored mountain of ill-gotten gains. Raoul Walsh abets the comedy-drama, as Gable's fox-in-a-henhouse tries to determine which hen can lead him to the promised golden eggs. The King and Four Queens Blu-ray Olive Films 1956 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 86 min. / Street Date May 24, 2016 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95 Starring Clark Gable, Eleanor Parker, Jo Van Fleet, Jean Willes, Barbara Nichols, Sara Shane, Roy Roberts, Arthur Shields, Jay C. Flippen. Cinematography Lucien Ballard Production Design Wiard Ihnen Film Editor Howard Bretherton Original Music Alex North Written by Richard Alan Simmons, Margaret Fitts from her story Produced by David Hempstead Directed by Raoul Walsh
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Olive's latest dip into MGM's United Artists holdings brings up the cheerful, not particularly...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Olive's latest dip into MGM's United Artists holdings brings up the cheerful, not particularly...
- 5/24/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Rex Ingram in 'The Thief of Bagdad' 1940 with tiny Sabu. Actor Rex Ingram movies on TCM: Early black film performer in 'Cabin in the Sky,' 'Anna Lucasta' It's somewhat unusual for two well-known film celebrities, whether past or present, to share the same name.* One such rarity is – or rather, are – the two movie people known as Rex Ingram;† one an Irish-born white director, the other an Illinois-born black actor. Turner Classic Movies' “Summer Under the Stars” continues today, Aug. 11, '15, with a day dedicated to the latter. Right now, TCM is showing Cabin in the Sky (1943), an all-black musical adaptation of the Faust tale that is notable as the first full-fledged feature film directed by another Illinois-born movie person, Vincente Minnelli. Also worth mentioning, the movie marked Lena Horne's first important appearance in a mainstream motion picture.§ A financial disappointment on the...
- 8/12/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Steve Reeves and Sylva Koscina in "Hercules Unchained", as featured in the latest issue of Cinema Retro (#30).
The latest issue of "Cinema Retro" is out and what do I see, but an article about films that are dear to my heart. As a child of the Sixties, the sword and sandal movies (aka peplum) meant a lot to me. Specifically the films of Hercules, himself; none other than Steve Reeves. Interestingly enough, while these movies were made to get people out of their houses and into the theatres, here in the Us in the early Sixties they made a bigger splash when they were released to television. I was a little too young to see Steve Reeves’ "Hercules" when it was released in theatres, but when it was released to TV; that's when the avalanche began. For those of us watching the boob tube in the early Sixties, Hercules and his brethren were our heroes.
The latest issue of "Cinema Retro" is out and what do I see, but an article about films that are dear to my heart. As a child of the Sixties, the sword and sandal movies (aka peplum) meant a lot to me. Specifically the films of Hercules, himself; none other than Steve Reeves. Interestingly enough, while these movies were made to get people out of their houses and into the theatres, here in the Us in the early Sixties they made a bigger splash when they were released to television. I was a little too young to see Steve Reeves’ "Hercules" when it was released in theatres, but when it was released to TV; that's when the avalanche began. For those of us watching the boob tube in the early Sixties, Hercules and his brethren were our heroes.
- 10/23/2014
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Kellan Lutz (photo), best known for playing Emmett Cullen in the Twilight movies, and Resident Evil actress Spencer Locke, will star in the performance-capture 3D movie Tarzan, adapted from Edgar Rice Burroughs’ classic tale, and to be directed by Animals United’s producers / directors Reinhard Klooss and Holger Tappe. Needless to say, Lutz will bring Tarzan back to life, while Locke will play Jane. The screenplay was written by Klooss, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs‘ Yoni Brenner and Jessica Postigo, whose sole listed credit on the IMDb is Harald Zwart’s The Mortal Instruments, currently in pre-production. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it updates Burroughs’ story by having Tarzan’s parents killed in a plane crash, the CEO of Greystoke Energies as the film’s chief villain, and Jane as an environmentally conscious heroine. Come to think of it, the first "update" isn’t something really new: Boy’s...
- 5/5/2012
- by Anna Robinson
- Alt Film Guide
Eve Brent, best remembered for playing Jane twice opposite Gordon Scott's Tarzan, died August 27 of "natural causes" at Pacifica Hospital of the Valley in Sun Valley, Calif. She was either 81 or 82. Initially billed as either Jean Lewis or Jean Ann Lewis, Eve Brent's show business career in films and on television lasted nearly six decades. The Houston-born actress appeared in about three dozen movies, ranging from a small part in Bruno VeSota's crime drama Female Jungle (1955), featuring Lawrence Tierney and Jayne Mansfield, to playing Cate Blanchett's grandmother in David Fincher's Oscar nominated The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). Almost invariably in small supporting roles or bit parts, Brent could also be seen in the Jean Simmons vehicle The Happy Ending (1969), George Seaton's all-star blockbuster Airport (1970), the Charles Bronson Western The White Buffalo (1976), Frank Darabont's 1999 Best Picture Oscar nominee The Green Mile ("a lovely experience,...
- 9/6/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
As noted in the roundup on A Dangerous Method, Amy Taubin's cover story on David Cronenberg's new film opens a New York Film Festival preview package in the new Film Comment … Erich Kuersten introduces "The Nordics," the new Acidemic issue with contributions from Steven Shaviro, Kim Morgan and more … The Harvard Film Archive's series American Punk runs through September 15 and, as Victoria Large, tells us, Not Coming to a Theater Near You will be all over it … Mark Cousins's "ten films that changed the world" … Studio Ghibli co-founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata are both working on new projects … Noah Baumbach may adapt Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections for HBO … Jean Lewis played Jane to Gordon Scott's Tarzan twice before Samuel Fuller changed her name to Eve Brent; she was 82.
For news and tips throughout the day every day, follow @thedailyMUBI on Twitter and/or the RSS feed.
For news and tips throughout the day every day, follow @thedailyMUBI on Twitter and/or the RSS feed.
- 9/3/2011
- MUBI
Conan. James Bond. Tarzan. Terence looks at these, and other literary characters who were changed by movie-makers on their way to the big screen...
Adapting literary heroes to the screen is a tough dilemma for filmmakers. With the possible exception of the Harry Potter phenomenon, the vast majority of a potential movie audience often has little or no familiarity with any given character's literary exploits. The end result can often be frustrating for fans of the original stories, especially when movies make too many arbitrary changes, or even do away with the spirit and intentions of the books entirely.
Conan The Barbarian, the latest rendering of Robert E Howard's pulp fantasy hero, swung its way into cinemas last week. While critics and fans are divided over its merits, most agree that it's at least more faithful and better made than such Howard adaptations as Conan The Destroyer or Kull The Conqueror.
Adapting literary heroes to the screen is a tough dilemma for filmmakers. With the possible exception of the Harry Potter phenomenon, the vast majority of a potential movie audience often has little or no familiarity with any given character's literary exploits. The end result can often be frustrating for fans of the original stories, especially when movies make too many arbitrary changes, or even do away with the spirit and intentions of the books entirely.
Conan The Barbarian, the latest rendering of Robert E Howard's pulp fantasy hero, swung its way into cinemas last week. While critics and fans are divided over its merits, most agree that it's at least more faithful and better made than such Howard adaptations as Conan The Destroyer or Kull The Conqueror.
- 8/22/2011
- Den of Geek
From the sublime to the ridiculous, the Italian genre films from the 1960s through the 1970s still remain the gold standard, the Golden Age, the yardstick to measure bigger-than-life greatness in low budget international cult cinema. Rivaled only by the Japanese in the same time period for sheer jaw-dropping wildness, the Italian moviemakers toiled in the salt mines of debased genres - giallo (sexy suspense) thrillers, sword and sandal adventures, spaghetti sagebrush sagas, gothic horror, nunsploitation and, last but not least, polizioteschi or the action-packed crime film. That said, before delving further back in time, the American Cinematheque in L.A. is kicking off a "Grindhouse" film series with a double bill from the 1980s-'90s - Dario Argento's "Opera" and Michele Soavi's "Cemetery Man" July 9. Also screening are two sexy jet-set, giallo mindbenders with Carroll Baker (Paranoia and A Quiet Place To Kill); a peplum double bill...
- 7/7/2009
- ESplatter.com
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