When Alfred Hitchcock decided to adapt Robert Bloch’s 1959 horror novel Psycho for the big screen, he faced a mountain of objections from the heads of Paramount Studios, who were appalled at the subject matter. Hitchcock’s negotiations included his offer to film on the cheap, in black and white, using the crew from his successful TV series, Alfred … Continue reading THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 3: The Men of Psycho
Films
THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 2: The Biddies
I’m a big fan of screen biddies, those wonderful older women who always steal the scene from the big stars with their sarcastic eye-rolling and witty shenanigans. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were all the better for having had Helen Broderick in two of their films. Broderick became the second biddy to play Miss Hildegarde … Continue reading THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 2: The Biddies
THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 1: Rear Window
My favorite author is Agatha Christie. My favorite director is Alfred Hitchcock. And never the twain shall meet. And why should they? Hitchcock wasn’t much interested in whodunnits, and goodness knows what Christie thought about the movie industry. (Actually, she loved going to the movies . . . as long as they weren’t based on … Continue reading THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 1: Rear Window
“Let’s all go to the lobby . . . ” – My Spring Movie Round-up
Sadly, there hasn’t been much of a reason for me to go to the cinema these past few years, and I say this as someone who was once an inveterate moviegoer. It’s expensive and it’s uncomfortable (I hate those “luxury seats”: they’re too warm, and they make my legs cramp unless I put the seat all the … Continue reading “Let’s all go to the lobby . . . ” – My Spring Movie Round-up
THE “GREATEST FILM SLEUTHS” DRAFT
One of the many things that the Three Amigos – Nick, Sergio and Brad – have in common is that, as much as we love to read mysteries, we adore watching them every bit as much! That’s why we talk about movies nearly every time we get together and why we’ve drafted about The Greatest … Continue reading THE “GREATEST FILM SLEUTHS” DRAFT
MR. THORWALD IN THE GARDEN WITH THE HATBOX: Sergio and Brad Discuss Rear Window
If you are a true "Ah Sweet Mysterian" (yes, we've got our own cult name!), then you know that Rear Window is my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie and maybe my favorite film of all time. I've mentioned it a lot and written about it extensively here. But I've never gotten to talk about it quite … Continue reading MR. THORWALD IN THE GARDEN WITH THE HATBOX: Sergio and Brad Discuss Rear Window
COMING UP! The Greatest Screen Sleuths Draft
“The important thing is the rhythm. Always have rhythm in your shaking. Now a Manhattan you shake to fox-trot time, a Bronx to two-step time, a dry martini you always shake to waltz time.” I love my buddies Sergio Angelini and Nick Cardillo. We are three lifelong mystery fans who are joined at the hip. … Continue reading COMING UP! The Greatest Screen Sleuths Draft
THE “MMM GOOD TRIFECTA”: Meta and Murder in the Movies
The latest class I’m taking at Stanford University is chock full of the stuff I love. In “Hollywood Looks at Itself,” we’re exploring films that turn a mirror on the art of filmmaking. Don’t let the fact that we started with Singin’ in the Rain fool you: most of the twenty films on this list are dark … Continue reading THE “MMM GOOD TRIFECTA”: Meta and Murder in the Movies
FUF-U-NUN-SQUARED-YUM: Home Sweet Homicide
An upcoming project for my Book Club has meant moving around my TBR pile. (I had to rent a forklift!) This is actually good news, for it means I finally get to tackle Home Sweet Homicide by Craig Rice. My buddy JJ has been singing Rice’s praises for a long time over at The Invisible Event. After he … Continue reading FUF-U-NUN-SQUARED-YUM: Home Sweet Homicide
“WE GATHER TOGETHER” . . . Twelve Days of Ensemble Films
Ah, Christmas! A chance to assemble with our loved ones for some spiritual reflection, the trading of presents, a table laden with feasty things round which our beloved family sits. Such joy! Such peace! Such bliss! Unless your table is packed with drunken uncles, sullen teens and a clan that angrily encompasses both ends of … Continue reading “WE GATHER TOGETHER” . . . Twelve Days of Ensemble Films
Ah Sweet Mystery! 