I’m back with my thoughts on three more films from the big 1955 film noir list that Sergio Angelini, Nick Cardillo and I are watching in order to create our Top 13 Best Film Noirs of 1955. (Remember: I’m watching these films in alphabetical order. You can join me or simply sample the films that sound good … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 2
Hard-boiled Crime
THE “GREATEST MYSTERY FILMS OF ALL TIME” DRAFT!!!
On Sunday, I met with my buddies Sergio Angelini and Nick Cardillo for our latest game of list-drafting. After tackling Christie, Hitchcock, Sherlock Holmes and Charlie Chan, we decided to broaden our focus on a more general look at the mystery genre in film. Each of us did our research and came together armed with … Continue reading THE “GREATEST MYSTERY FILMS OF ALL TIME” DRAFT!!!
“. . . OF COURSE, OF COURSE”: The Deadly Percheron
My Book Club’s recent discussion about our favorite 1940’s mysteries is the gift that keeps on giving. That our lists displayed such marvelous variety, with very few crossover titles, is a testament to our voracious reading habits and differing tastes; it may also explain why we have such trouble agreeing on what to read each … Continue reading “. . . OF COURSE, OF COURSE”: The Deadly Percheron
MORE FUN AND GAMES WITH BOOK CLUB: Five Great Mystery Debuts
My Book Club is full of fun and fascinating people, but our collective book selections have been a decidedly mixed bag. And so last month, we took a break from these doldrums (perhaps mystery lovers should call them “humdrums”), and did something a little different: each of us shared their ten favorite mysteries from the … Continue reading MORE FUN AND GAMES WITH BOOK CLUB: Five Great Mystery Debuts
“I’ve got a little list . . . ” Part II: Ten Favorite Mysteries of the 1930’s
Back in May, my buddies Sergio and Nick and I pooled our heads together and came up with our own three lists of the best mysteries from the Golden Age of Detection. Our method of selection was very structured: we came up with thirteen general categories (i.e., “Best wartime” “best locked room” and “best twist ending”) and … Continue reading “I’ve got a little list . . . ” Part II: Ten Favorite Mysteries of the 1930’s
NOIR ’44 – The Draft Is Coming!
I have a couple of new projects coming up on the blog - – one for viewing and the other for reading - with which I hope you’ll all get involved. Today’s all about movies – we’ll talk about the reading in two days. Fresh off our Distaff Columbo Draft, the Three Amigos – Sergio Angelini, Nick … Continue reading NOIR ’44 – The Draft Is Coming!
DEATH AND THE HYPNOTIC EYE: The Darker the Night
My pal JJ has been extolling the talents of Herbert Brean over at The Invisible Event since 2017 . . . but I didn’t listen. Two years after that, our buddy Ben at The Green Capsule joined in the chorus . . . and I didn't take up the tune. And then in 2020 our … Continue reading DEATH AND THE HYPNOTIC EYE: The Darker the Night
POLITICS AS USUAL: The Hollywood Blacklist (1947-1958)
I talk to my mother every night on the phone, and invariably, we get around to the news of the day. It wears my mother down, and she moans, “What a world, what a world we live in today!” That’s when I have to remind her, ever so gently, that the world isn’t so very … Continue reading POLITICS AS USUAL: The Hollywood Blacklist (1947-1958)
PAT ON THE BACK: Meeting (Some of) My 2022 Goals
“There is no Frigate like a Book to take us Lands away . . . “ These words by Emily Dickenson were emblazoned on the bookplates my grandparents gave me when, at an early age, I declared my love for reading. I pasted them into every volume I owned and used up my stock long ago. … Continue reading PAT ON THE BACK: Meeting (Some of) My 2022 Goals
THE 2022 ROY AWARDS: All in Love is (A.A.) Fair
“’Call a cab,’ she said. “’I have one waiting downstairs.’ “’Are you sporting taxi cabs for your private transportation?’ she asked. ‘Or did you think you were on an expense account?’ “I flared up and said, ‘I thought I was on an expense account.’ “She was silent for several seconds. I sat there wondering whether … Continue reading THE 2022 ROY AWARDS: All in Love is (A.A.) Fair
Ah Sweet Mystery! 