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Reviews
New Orleans (1947)
If it weren't for Billie and Louis it would be forgettable.
This is a corny movie lets get that straight right off the bat. It is redeemed when Billie opens her mouth. If you never heard Billie Talk then this is the movie for you. She looks as if shes bored to death but what a job she does on, "Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans, The Blues Are Brewing and my favorite, Goodbye to storyville" Pops is pops and hes good as gold. But how this movie drags on! You will find yourself waiting for the scenes with Billie or Louis or the other jazz folk. The actress, Dorthy Patrick, I swear she never made another movie after this. At least i hope so! If you get this on DVD you luck up you get Billie and dukes symphony in black 1935 and a short with Louis. I guess that makes up for the awful film!
Imitation of Life (1934)
There isn't a black person who hasn't seen this movie and cried
This film is a part of growing up black in America. I saw it as a kid and I don't know anyone who hasn't cried. But, it is what it is, a true testament to the times. There is not much you can say. Lana turner did a great job on the remake but to me this is a bit earthier and I prefer to see the original and then see the 57 version. However, the pancake recipe bit is a bit ludicrous i mean how many secret ingredients can you put into pancakes. geesh Louise! Wonderful, keep it in your library at home and show it to your kids. I haven't seen a teenager yet that isn't fasinated and somewhat appalled by this movie. Its like listening to Billie Holidays Strange fruit. You are shocked but find yourself listening over and over again. To assure you have not missed anything.
Cabin in the Sky (1943)
Why they all got something from Ethel
Ethel Waters, you hear her singing style in almost all early singers from the late 20's and 30's. Mildred Bailey, Billie Holiday. She had the clearest voice and such enunciation. She was a miserable woman tho and thats why you never hear other singers give her praise. In this film her singing is as tear jerking today as it was on those old 78's. She sings and you understand every word and in this movie you even can see her do a little shimmy for which she was renowned for early in her career. A great cast. Lena is superb as always and Bubbles from the vaudevillian team "buck and bubbles" along with earl snake hip tucker. These are Harlem legends that ruled 133rd street (the real swing street) in their day. My mother never tires of this movie as she was a devout Ethel fan all her life (she was born in 1923) so she grew up listening to this legend. Get this bit of American history
The Love of Sunya (1927)
Queen Of The Costume Dramas
At this point in her career Gloria was trying to shake off the reputation of being a costume drama actress. This movie has a thin plot but as usual Gloria is well coiffed and gowned as was what the public of '27 was buying into. This is a OK film but I prefer her soap operas with Cecil B. DeMille much more. The film is one of her first efforts under UA and that may explain the drastic change from the "Don't change your husband" days. Its worth watching if you are a true lover of silents and feel you must add this to your "have seen" list. She looks good though :) As with most of Glorias work you must ask why were the plots so trite?
Ziegfeld Follies (1945)
A great musical revue for those who have never seen one
If you have never seen a musical revue in the old style this is a great start. Part vaudevillian, part burlesque. It is vintage NY. Its in gorgeous color for 1946 and its wonderful. Revues were made to appeal to a wide range of viewers. Fanny Brice is excellent as a slapstick comedienne and she hearkens back to the old tent show days of the 20's, the skits are funny for the time period and quite risqué. The movie glorifies the beauty of women which was Ziegfelds trademark. Remember actresses like Billie Dove, Bilie Burke, Mae west got their start in the Ziegfeld and will rogers revues of a day gone by. this IS GREAT even the great Lena Horne, The first black star of the MGM lot is on hand to do her jungle skit (ala the old cotton club revue style production)
Paris Is Burning (1990)
It's Ball Time in NYC
An excellent documentry. I personally remember this growing up in NYC in the early 80's. This movie is for anyone that wasn't around during that time period.This shows the one thing the African American Gay Underclass felt was solely theirs and the love and camadrie you see is real. The people are real and sadly few are still alive as this is being written. The balls are still held but not to the extent that they were in the the nineteen eighties. That time is gone forever. This is a good pre "homo thug" movie. When Queens were really proud to be extroverts. Goodbye to Storyville this is another era gone but greatly documented all hail film!
Amanti d'oltretomba (1965)
OH MY GOd
This movie I saw as a little kid on television and it scared me so bad I was afarid to use the toilet, move or do anything. It is so creepy! A good movie. It wasn't until adulthood that I learned it was a "B" flick but it still ranks tops with me. Poor acting, horrible lighting and a gory, creepy theme is what gives this movie its charm and a place in the B horror hall of fame
The Affairs of Anatol (1921)
A Twenties Soap Opera
This is a soap opera.Very silly and shallow. But it just goes to show shallow entertainment will never go out of style. Gloria Swanson is Gloria Swanson, Chic, sophisticated. Somehow looking at her she doesn't come off as naive at all. This is a very worldy film and the sr=ets are teriffic! A must see for any Gloria Swanson fans out there.
Shifting Sands (1918)
Interesting melodrama
I admit this is a slow movie but it is extremly interesting to people that enjoy Gloria Swanson movies. It's interesting to see her "Pre-DeMille" and see her acting techinigue varies little from her latter work. i.e. Queen Kelly, Affaiirs of Anatol, Sunset Blvd. Also, it's intersting to note that people enjoyed Gloria Swansons appeal in this movie it's innnocence . Sort of Mary pickford-ish without the little girl get ups that rocketed her contempory to fame. Admittedly I agree with other reviewers, this is a film for die hard Swanson fans.