Wednesday, December 28, 2011

CMBA Comedy Classics Blogathon!


The CMBA participating blogs and the scheduled posts (so far) are listed below. Click on a blog's title to go to its web site.


Sunday 22 Jan

Ball of Fire and OscarTales of the Easily Distracted


Sons of the Desert and Way Out West - Caftan Woman


Monday 23 Jan

Miss Tatlock’s MillionsJim Lane’s Cinedrome

The Palm Beach Story - The Movie Projector

More Than a Secretary Another Old Movie Blog

Tuesday 24 Jan

Easy LivingMy Love of Old Hollywood

Gene Tierney and Her Classic Romantic Comedies - Noir and Chick Flicks


The Producers - A Person in the Dark


Wednesday 25 Jan

His Girl FridayAll Good Things

Hips, Hips, Hooray with Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey - Distant Voices and Flickering Shadows

The Great McGinty - True Classics


A Night at the Opera 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die


Thursday 26 Jan

Jean Harlow Tribute – The Scarlett Olive

Some Like It Hot – Twenty Four Frames

Ma and Pa Kettle - Dave's Classic Films

The Three Musketeers (1939) - Kevin's Movie Corner


Friday 27 Jan

BIll and Minnie: The Thin Man Movies and Beyond - Backlots

A Shot in the DarkClassic Film &TV Café

Libeled Lady - Bette's Classic Movie Blog 

The Richest Girl in the World - Via Margutta 51

City Lights - The Great Entertainers Media Archive


Tuesday, December 6, 2011

A Month of Vertigo

The Lady Eve’s ReelLife devotes January 2012 to “A Month of Vertigo.” 11 bloggers--10 guest contributors and the Lady herself--will blog on Alfred Hitchcock’s mysterious masterpiece throughout the first month of 2012. A slew of CMBA members will participate in The Lady Eve’s first real (reel?) blog event: John Greco of TwentyFour Frames, Whistlingypsy of Distant Voices, Flickering Shadows, Christian Esquevin of Silver Screen Modiste, Brandie Ashe of True Classics, Classicfilmboy of Classicfilmboy’s Movie Paradise, Allen Hefner of Bit Part Actors and R.D. Finch of The Movie Projector. They’ll be joined by Steven DeRosa, author of WritingWith Hitchcock, Michael Nazarewycz of ManILoveFilms.com (aka ScribeHard on Twitter) and Brandon K. Goco, age 20, of Brandon Kyle the Cinephile (who guest hosted Turner Classic Movies’ podcast series in October). With input from TheLady Eve, Brandon whipped up this one minute video clip about the event:

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Dueling Divas Blogathon

The idea for this blogathon, hosted by Backlots, came from a very clever movie marathon at the Castro Theatre a number of years ago, entitled the “Dueling Divas” marathon. Each day, the theatre would show a double feature–each film starring one lady of the silver screen who had a rivalry with the lady starring in the other. For example, they had an entire week devoted to Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, where they showed double features of Possessed/The Letter, The Women/All About Eve, Johnny Guitar/In This Our Life, etc.

So, drawing on that very clever idea, I am hosting the Dueling Divas Blogathon, which I have scheduled to take place between December 20-23. It’s a ways off, so as to leave enough time to plan your blogging schedules accordingly.

Participants may blog about any of the following types of Dueling Divas:
- Those who had a rivalry in real life, either over a particular film role or over a personality clash, e.g., Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

- Those who had a rivalry on the screen, ie Mildred and Veda from Mildred Pierce.

- Any dual role (see what I did there? Duel? Dual? Be proud.) played by an actor or actress in a classic film, e.g., Hayley Mills in The Parent Trap.

It’s totally free reign, you can write about the divas themselves, compare and contrast one of each of their films, and if you’re going to write about dual roles, you can talk about the differences in their characters or the actor’s technique in portraying them…you get the idea.

Ok, a select few rules and regulations:

1. You can write your entry whenever you want, but please do submit your entries between December 20 and 23, so I can keep track of them.

2. Drop me a comment on this post to let me know you would like to participate, and I’ll add your blog to the list of contributing blogs. I’ll be making an official post as the event gets closer, and to submit your entry, please comment with a link to your entry on the official post.

3. Write on something you love and are interested in! Make funny posts! Make overly dramatic posts! This theme can elicit lots of crazy awesome entries, and it would be so much fun to see a diverse range of posts with many different tones and topics. One of the fun things about blogathons is that we get to experience the different tones of each individual blog, so make it your own! I’m so excited to read all the entries!

I’m leaving a a banner for you to use. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Nagging annoyances? Friendly reminders? Emotional outbursts? Drop me a comment! I look forward to reading all your entries come December!

Lara at Backlots

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

"The Great Citizen Kane Debate" Hosted by True Classics

Greetings, fellow CMBA members!

November marks the two-year anniversary of blogging efforts for the crew at True Classics, and to celebrate, we're hosting "The Great Citizen Kane Debate." The question at hand ... does venerable critical darling Kane deserve its vaunted reputation as "THE" best American film ever made? Or is its value overstated/inflated by modern critics? And if Kane is not "THE" best film, which one is?

We're offering some amazing prizes for the three best entries into the debate, so we hope you'll join in what promises to be a spirited (and respectful!) discussion!

You can find the rules and sign up to participate here: http://trueclassics.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/were-in-anniversary-mode/.

Thanks!

Brandie, Carrie, and Nikki
True Classics

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

And the 2011 CiMBAs go to...

After two rounds of voting--and reading lots of terrific classic movie posts--the Classic Movie Blog Association is pleased to announce the winners in this year's CiMBA Awards. All the nominees should be proud of what they accomplished. The competition was fierce and it will be hard for next year to top 2011. Congratulations to all the winners!

Best Film Review (Drama)
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, The Lady Eve's Reel Life, http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2011/05/cmba-movies-of-1939-blogathon-private.html

Best Classic Movie Article
Mobsters, Pals and Skirts -- The Golden Age Of Gangster Movies -- 1930-1949 (The Complete Series), ClassicBecky’s Brain Food, http://www.classicbeckybrainfood.blogspot.com/2011/04/mobsters-pals-and-skirts-golden-age-of.html

Best Classic Movie Blog Event

Best Film Review (Musical or Comedy)

Best Profile of a Classic Movie Performer or Filmmaker
Celebrating Women in Film: The Silent Directors, True Classics, http://trueclassics.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/celebrating-women-female-directors/

Best Classic Movie Discussion (Tie)
3 on 3 Panel Discussions: Disney's Animated Films, Gangster Films, Film Noir, and Hammer Films, Classic Film & TV Café, http://classic-film-tv.blogspot.com/search/label/three%20on%20three%20panels

Best Classic Movie Blog Design
Via Margutta 51, www.via-51.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The 2011 CiMBA Nominations Have Been Announced!

The Classic Movie Blog Association (CMBA) is proud to announce its 2011 CiMBA nominations. The CiMBA is the CMBA's award for excellence in classic movie blogging. It's a prestigious award because it's given by one's peers in the CMBA.

Online ballots will be mailed to CMBA members this week. The CiMBA winners will be announced on October 17th. Without further ado, here are the nominations for the seven CiMBA categories:

Best Film Review (Drama)
Double Indemnity: The Secret Life of Walter Neff, Tales of the Easily Distracted, http://doriantb.blogspot.com/2011/07/double-indemnity-secret-life-of-walter.html
The Heiress (1949): Her Mother's Presence, Java's Journey, http://javabeanrush.blogspot.com/2011/04/heiress-1949-her-mothers-presence.html
"I'm an advertising man, not a red herring." True Classics, http://trueclassics.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/im-an-advertising-man-not-a-red-herring
John Huston, Montgomery Clift and "Freud", ClassicBecky’s Brain Food, http://www.classicbeckybrainfood.blogspot.com/2011/08/john-huston-montgomery-clift-and-freud.html
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, The Lady Eve's Reel Life, http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2011/05/cmba-movies-of-1939-blogathon-private.html

Best Film Review (Musical or Comedy)
The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950), Caftan Woman, http://caftanwoman.blogspot.com/2011/06/favourite-movies-happiest-days-of-your.html

The Penultimate French Tearjerker: Les Parapluies De Cherbourg, Classic Film & TV CafĂ©, http://classic-film-tv.blogspot.com/2010/11/penultimate-french-tearjerker-les.html 

Return of the Firebird -- Blazing with Beauty, ClassicBecky’s Brain Food, http://www.classicbeckybrainfood.blogspot.com/2011/02/return-of-firebird-blazing-with-beauty.html

Best Classic Movie Article
Mobsters, Pals and Skirts -- The Golden Age Of Gangster Movies -- 1930-1949 (The Complete Series), ClassicBecky’s Brain Food, http://www.classicbeckybrainfood.blogspot.com/2011/04/mobsters-pals-and-skirts-golden-age-of.html

Three Classic Hitchcock Killers, The Lady Eve's Reel Life, http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2011/01/cmba-hitchcock-blogathon-three-classic.html
Warren William Magnificent Scoundrel of Pre-Code Hollywood by John Stangeland, Warren-William.com, http://warren-william.com/2010/11/09/review-warren-william-magnificent-scoundrel-of-pre-code-hollywood-by-john-stangeland/

Best Profile of a Classic Movie Performer or Filmmaker
Celebrating Women in Film: The Silent Directors, True Classics, http://trueclassics.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/celebrating-women-female-directors/
Father and Mother Were Movie Stars, The Lady Eve's Reel Life, http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2011/08/father-and-mother-were-movie-stars.html
Joan Crawford: I Will Prevail, A Person in the Dark, http://flickchick1953.blogspot.com/2011/02/joan-crawford-i-will-prevail.html
John Dall is the CafĂ©’s Underrated Performer of the Month, Classic Film & TV CafĂ©, http://classic-film-tv.blogspot.com/2011/02/john-dall-is-cafes-underrated-performer.html
Lou Costello and His Tragedy, The Great Entertainers Archive, http://greatentertainersarchives.blogspot.com/2011/05/lou-costello-and-his-tragedy.html

Best Classic Movie Blog Event
Bond Is Forever (Sept 2010 – Aug 2011), Classic Film & TV CafĂ©, http://classic-film-tv.blogspot.com/search/label/bond%20is%20forever
Blogathon: The Oscars -- Best Actress 1963, Classicfilmboy, http://www.classicfilmboy.com/2011/02/blogathon-oscars-best-actress-1963.html
A Weekend with the Oliviers (Days 1 through 4), Vivien Leigh & Laurence Olivier, http://www.vivandlarry.com/tag/a-weekend-with-the-oliviers/

 Best Classic Movie Discussion

Have You Ever Slept With the Lights On, My Love Of Old Hollywood, http://myloveofoldhollywood.blogspot.com/2011/06/have-you-ever-slept-with-lights-on.html
She Wasn't Wearing That A Minute Ago, Was She? ClassicBecky’s Brain Food, http://www.classicbeckybrainfood.blogspot.com/2011/07/she-wasnt-wearing-that-minute-ago-was.html
3 on 3 Panel Discussions: Disney's Animated Films, Gangster Films, Film Noir, and Hammer Films, Classic Film & TV Café, http://classic-film-tv.blogspot.com/search/label/three%20on%20three%20panels


Best Classic Movie Blog Design
A Person in the Dark, http://flickchick1953.blogspot.com/
The Scarlett Olive, http://www.thescarlettolive.com/
Via Margutta 51, www.via-51.blogspot.com/
Vivien Leigh & Laurence Olivier, http://www.vivandlarry.com

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

CMBA Gulity Pleasures Movie Blogathon - September 2011

You watched a movie. You knew it wasn't very good. But you loved it anyway!

From September 18-20, the Classic Movie Blog Association paid tribute those guilty pleasures with a movie blogathon.

The lineup is (click on blog title to to visit the blog site):

September 18
Can’t Stop the Music and The Apple Tales of the Easily Distracted
Jailhouse RockTwenty Four Frames
MameBacklots
Three on a MatchA Person in the Dark
The Devil Bat Kevin’s Movie Corner
How to Murder Your Wife – Java’s Journey
The Shanghai GestureNoir and Chick Flicks

September 19
An Ache in Every StakeAnother Old Movie Blog

Count Your Blessings Waitin' on a Sunny Day

Flight to MarsThe Movie Projector

Gone With the Wind - The Scarlett Olive
The Greatest Show on Earth - Caftan Woman
King Kong(colorized) – My Love of Old Hollywood
Lover Come BackBette’s Classic Movie Blog
What’s Up, Doc?Classicfilmboy’s Movie Paradise
No Down Payment – The Lady Eve’s Reel Life

September 20
Voodoo ManGrand Old Movies
The Most Dangerous GameDave’s Classic Films
The OscarSilver Screen Modiste
Paris When It Sizzles - Via Margutta 51
Brenda Starr, Reporter Thrilling Days of Yesteryear
A Summer Place Comet Over Hollywood

Friday, July 1, 2011

"Loving Lucy" Blogathon Coming this August!

August 6, 2011 marks legendary comedienne Lucille Ball's 100th birthday, and the bloggin' crew at True Classics: The ABCs of Classic Film is celebrating by hosting a "Loving Lucy" Blogathon!

Some wonderful bloggers have already signed up to participate, and we welcome you to join us that day as we commemorate Lucy's memorable life and career. The rules are simple: sometime prior to or on August 6th, post an entry on your blog discussing something Lucy-related. That’s it! Obviously, as we're all a bunch of classic movie-loving nuts here in the CMBA, we would love to see a lot of entries discussing Lucy's many wide-ranging film roles (she wasn't called "the queen of the Bs" for nothing!). But you can write about anything in the "Lucy" category that piques your interest—her television shows, her radio career, fashion, aspects of her personal life, her behind-the-scenes role as the first woman to head a major production studio … anything about Lucy that you find particularly fascinating. You can do a photo post, a podcast, an interview—let your imagination (and your ambition!) run wild.

You can find more information and promotional banners here: http://trueclassics.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/blogging-for-lucy/. And if you're interested in participating, leave a comment or shoot us an email and we'll add your blog to our growing list of contributors!

(Please note that although True Classics is a CMBA member, this is not a CMBA-sponsored blogathon.)

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Vivien Leigh & Laurence Olivier Appreciation Blog-a-thon

Announcing the Vivien Leigh & Laurence Olivier Appreciation Blog-a-thon! The goal is to celebrate Vivien Leigh’s and Laurence Olivier’s films and their lasting impact on popular culture. The chosen dates correspond with the anniversaries of both their deaths (July 7 and July 11th, respectively). This will be a great way to show some love for the Oliviers, as well as to become more familiar with the film blogging community at large.

When: July 9-10, 2011

Where: The internet! Hosted by vivadlarry.com

Rules: This blog-a-thon is open to all film bloggers (and readers) around the internet. You can write about their films, theatrical contributions, your love of their beauty, fashion, etc., any aspect of Vivien Leigh’s and/or Laurence Olivier’s careers or lives. As per the usual blog-a-thon protocol, posts should be made to your own blog on the dates listed above, and a running list of links will be posted here at vivandlarry.com. Note: You do not have to write about a film that starred both Larry and Vivien. If you just want to write about Vivien, or just Larry, that’s totally fine.

One other thing: Although participants are welcome to write about any film or aspect of Vivien and Larry’s lives, it would be great if we can get posts about a variety of films rather than just the ones that are the most popular today such as Gone with the Wind.

Also find it on: Facebook

Not sure which films Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier starred in? Check out their imdb profiles below:
Vivien Leigh
Laurence Olivier

More info can be found at: http://www.vivandlarry.com/events/announcing-the-vivien-leigh-laurence-olivier-appreciation-blog-a-thon/

(Please note that although vivandlarry.com is a CMBA member, this is not a CMBA-sponsored blogathon.)

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Queer Film Blogathon Hosted by Garbo Laughs

The CMBA blog Garbo Laughs will host the Queer Film Blogathon on June 27, 2011. The focus is on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or otherwise non-heterosexual, non-gender-binary depictions or personages in film. Garbo Laughs would love it if fellow classic film bloggers participated, but the blogathon is open to all film bloggers regardless of area of focus. The blogathon will include not only reviews of films, but also biographies of queer performers and filmmakers, reviews of nonfiction books on the subject of LGBTs in Hollywood, or even photo pictorials! Anything that you can imagine and interpret as applicable to this topic is welcome – and if you’re not sure if what you want to do will fit, just ask Garbo Talks.

More info: http://garbolaughs.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/queer-film-blogathon
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122255794520510

(Please note that although Garbo Talks is a CMBA member, this is not a CMBA-sponsored blogathon.)

Friday, May 20, 2011

Forgotten Classics of Yesteryear hosting a Roger Corman Blogathon on June 17-19

Today, Forgotten Classics of Yesteryear announced its very first blogathon. The topic is none other than the king of B-movies himself, Roger Corman!

Recipient of an Honorary Academy Award for his work, Roger Corman has been a tireless producer and director of films for over 50 years! Known for directing exploitation and B-movies, Corman pioneered techniques of shooting on a shoe-string budget and completing films in record times (his film Little Shop of Horrors was completely filmed over two days and one night). His most famous films were a cycle of films that he made with Vincent Price based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe in the early 60s, including the cult classic The Masque of the Red Death.

But more important than his own films was his role as teacher in the lives of many of the greatest filmmakers who ever worked in Hollywood. His students and apprentices include Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme, Nicolas Roeg, Ron Howard, and James Cameron. He would also go on to produce many of their very first films, giving them a foot in the industry to become some of the most influential directors who ever lived.

So this blogathon, lasting from June 17-19, will be a celebration of the man who transformed Hollywood with the power of highly stylized B-movies.

Although Forgotten Classics of Yesteryear is a CMBA member, this is not a CMBA-sponsored blogathon. Anyone can participate. Being a CMBA member is not a prerequisite for entry.

Forgotten Classics of Yesteryear will give out four awards:

1) First Place Prize for Best Review/Article
2) Second Place Prize for Best Review/Article
3) Third Place Prize for Best Review/Article
4) Blogger's Choice Award for Best Article

The first three awards will be handed out by the blog's editor, Nathanael Hood, based on the inherent quality of the submitted articles. The fourth award will be decided based on votes from the participant bloggers. Each participating blogger will get one vote to be cast at the conclusion of the blogathon once every article has been posted. The articles and/or reviews can be in any form, be of any length, and be on any topic as long as it pertains to Roger Corman, his work, or work that he influenced.

Please note that Nathanael is only allowing one person to write for each film directed by Corman. Please contact him at nahood@ursinus.edu or nch257@nyu.edu to claim your film. Films will be assigned based on a strict first-come, first serve basis. So hurry up and claim your film fast before they're all gone! For updates, please check out Forgotten Classics of Yesteryear.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

"The End" (Jim Morrison, The Doors)


What a resounding success the CMBA Movies of 1939 Blogathon has been!  Page and I are both really amazed at the incredible quality of every contribution.  It is clear that the CMBA bloggers really put their all into their articles.  There was a great amount of reading and commenting to do, and it was well worth it.  Part of the blogathon's success is the choices of lesser known movies, all of which are going on the list of must-see films. Those who did the well-known greats did so in their own unique styles, discussing those films by spotlighting aspects rarely discussed.  Many thanks to everybody.  The CMBA is lucky to have so many classic film lovers who are not only educated in the field, but are such good writers too.  Congratulations!

Friday, April 22, 2011

CLASSIC MOVIES OF 1939 BLOGATHON - MAY 15-17, 2011

THE BLOGATHON IS HERE - Beginning Sunday morning, follow the links listed below for each of the next three days.  Read about your favorites from Hollywood's golden year of movies, learn about new ones, leave a comment and enjoy!













Produced by CMBA Members Page and Becky
http://www.classicbeckybrainfood.blogspot.com/

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Sunday, May 15

It’s A Wonderful World                    
The Women                                       
The Wizard of Oz                              
Another Thin Man                            
The Cat and the Canary                                           
Charlie Chan at Treasure Island     
Dark Victory                                     
Destry Rides Again                          
Dodge City                                        
Five Came Back                               
Gone With the Wind                         
The Return of Dr. X


Monday, May 16, 2011


On Your Toes                                    
    http://www.classicbeckybrainfood.blogspot.com/ 
The Gorilla                                        
Q Planes                                            
Stagecoach                                        
Gulliver’s Travels                             
Hunchback of Notre Dame              
Idiot’s Delight                                               
Golden Boy                                       
Intermezzo                                         
The Light That Failed                                   
Love Affair                                        
Made for Each Other                                   
The Starmaker                                              
Only Angels Have Wings                 

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt                  
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington       
Never Say Die                                              
Of Mice and Men                             
The Old Maid                                    
Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex          
The Rules of the Game                    
The Rains Came                               
We are Not Alone                             
Watching A Year – All the Films Of 1939