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I was first introduced to Louise Closser Hale via one of my (many) favorite pre-Codes, Dinner at Eight (1933). She had a small part – playing the cousin of Billie Burke’s flighty hostess – but she was an unforgettable presence, making the most of her limited scenes and imbuing her lines with sardoni read more

In the world of film noir, 1947 is commonly touted as a banner year – it’s the year that saw the release of such classics as Out of the Past, Kiss of Death, Nightmare Alley, and Dead Reckoning. For my money, though, there’s another year that deserves just as much acclaim – 1948. Today’s post read more

I have the same problem every October – most of TCM’s schedule is filled with horror films (which I simply cannot abide), and the pre-Code and film noir pickings are generally slim. This year is no different, particularly on the pre-Code side, but I finally managed to identify two non-scary films read more

Phillips Holmes is a name seldom mentioned today in classic film circles, and if you’re not a pre-Code fan, you may have never heard of him at all. He led a fascinatingly tragic life (that I hope to explore in a future post) and during the pre-Code era of 1930 to 1934, he was seen in no fewer read more

It’s about that time, y’all – time to review the books I read for the annual Summer Classic Film Reading Challenge, hosted by Raquel over at the Out of the Past blog. This is my eighth (I think) time participating in this awesome event – I look forward to it every year with uncommon excitement. read more

September is sometimes a bit of a letdown after the glory days of August’s Summer Under the Stars, but TCM always manages to come through with a lovely follow-up selection of pre-Code and film noir features. And this month is no different. Here are my Shadowy and Satiny picks for the month – they’re read more

It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten a DVD where I loved the extras more than the film itself – but that was my experience with Flicker Alley’s double-movie DVD/BluRay set on The Guilty and High Tide, both released in what is arguably film noir’s greatest year, 1947. In addition to their read more

It may be sweltering outside, but I’ve got Christmas on my mind. To be specific, my favorite Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. Sadly, there’s no way I can spin this post into having any kind of durable pre-Code or film noir connection – except maybe read more

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I’m always sad to see August roll around, because it signals the beginning of the end of summer . . . but it’s also my favorite month of the year because it gives us TCM’s Summer Under the Stars! In case you’re not familiar with this month-long read more

Picking this month’s Shadowy and Satiny TCM recommendations was a veritable cakewalk. There are a number of top-notch film noir and pre-Code features on the docket for July, including Dinner at Eight, Red-Headed Woman, Laura, and Gilda, but I didn’t think twice about these once I saw that Act read more

Better late than really, really late, I always say. Well, sometimes I say that. Actually, I never say that – but it’s true in this case. Real life intervened to prevent me from getting June’s Shadowy and Satiny recommendations up at the start of this month; I realized just today, though, that read more

If you’re a fan of TCM, you’re already familiar with Alicia Malone, who has been one of the hosts on the network since 2018. A native of Australia, Malone is the author of three books: Backwards and in Heels: The Past, Present and Future of Women Working in Film (2017); The Female Gaze: Essential read more

Miss a National Classic Movie Day blogathon? Not this girl! I love the annual blogathons hosted by Rick over at the Classic Film and TV Café to celebrate National Classic Movie Day – they always give me the perfect opportunity to identify and discuss a variety of first-rate classic films. When I read more

Like so many bloggers across the Internet, I was stunned and saddened to learn earlier this year of the passing of Patricia “Paddy” Nolan-Hall, author of the Caftan Woman blog. I never met Paddy in person, but she felt like a friend. She wrote for many years for my film noir newsletter, The Dark read more

After waiting for two years for the in-person Turner Classic Movies film festival to return, I was primed and ready for four days of friends, fun, and film at this year’s event, held in Hollywood April 21-24, 2022!! And that’s just what I got – and more! It was so awesome to be back – there’s read more

Now that I’m starting to come down off the high that was the TCM film festival, I’m excited to recommend my Shadowy and Satiny TCM picks for May. They are a pair of don’t-miss gems! SATINY PICK: She Had to Say Yes (1933) I’m going to admit, up front, that my initial Satiny pick was Shanghai read more

I have lots of favorite noir films and lots of favorite performances, but right up there near the top is William Holden’s portrayal of Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard (1950). The plot of this celebrated film centers on Joe, a down-on-his-luck screenwriter, who gets more than he bargains for when he read more

In less than two weeks, I’ll be in Hollywood, California, for the 2022 Turner Classic Movies Film Festival! For the last two years, the fest has been presented virtually, and while they were lovely experiences (especially the 2021 event!), there’s nothing like being in L.A., reuniting with old frien read more

It’s TCM Film Festival month! So watch for lots of goodies about this fabulous event, which returns this year to an in-person fest after back-to-back virtual celebrations in 2020 and 2021. Meanwhile, tune in to TCM for these top notch film noir and pre-Code offerings . . . SHADOWY PICK: Kansas read more

As I mentioned in my previous post, I love the Oscars – even this year, when so many unsavory changes are being implemented, I’ll be watching – I can’t imagine missing it. In addition to dressing up with my daughters every year, and having pizza for dinner, I have one more annual tradition – read more