"THE MALTESE FALCON" (1931) Review

Here is my REVIEW of 1931's "THE MALTESE FALCON", the first adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's murder mystery. Directed by Roy Del Ruth, the movie starred Ricardo Cortez and Bebe Daniels.

The public's interest in Hollywood during the Golden Age was so pervasive that material on the topic could be found just about anywhere -- even the Sunday comics.

For years, many papers ran a feature called "Seein' Stars," which could best be described as a Hollywood version of Ripley's "Believe It Or Not!" The format was similar -- a large panel with several drawings of film personalities, usually stars but sometimes directors, accompanied by an interesting tidbit about them.

The creator of "Seein' Stars" was a man named Frederic "Feg" Murray, who was from the Bay Area, graduated from Stanford and won a bronze medal in the hurdles at the 1920 Olympics. In 1934, he began "Seein' Stars," which initially ran on Sunday entertainment pages, but soon found its way onto the comics section in full color. The feature became so popular that for a time, Murray hosted a "Seein' Stars" variety show on NBC radio.

As you might guess, Carole Lombard was a subject of "Seein' Stars." Here she is, featured on April 5, 1936:



Lombard is lovingly rendered from one of her swimsuit stills, with this below the illustration:

CAROLE LOMBARD
According to Orry-Kelly, style designer at Warner Brothers-First National Studios, has the most perfect figure of any film star. She keeps in shape with tennis twice a week.

What's especially fascinating about that comment is that I'm pretty certain Orry-Kelly never worked with Lombard, so it wasn't as if he was being sycophantic or touting the studio line. (Despite his praise, when Carole made her lone film at Warners, "Fools For Scandal" in 1938, she had her gowns designed by old Paramount pal Travis Banton.)

Note that Ethel Merman, who worked with Lombard in "We're Not Dressing," is also featured. At the time, she was still trying for screen stardom, but after 1938 she would return to Broadway and not make another film for 15 years.

Lombard appeared at least one other time in "Seein' Stars" during her lifetime, on Aug. 20, 1939, although Murray simply reused the 1936 drawing and made it full color:



The 1936 panel (10 3/4" x 15 1/4", designed for a tabloid page, whereas the '39 panel was shaped for a broadsheet) is currently being auctioned at eBay. Bidding begins at $9.99, although as of this writing no one has yet bid, and ends just before 1 a.m. (Eastern) on Tuesday. To bid or learn more about the item, go to http://cgi.ebay.com/1936-CAROLE-LOMBARD-SEEING-STARS-SUNDAY-COMIC-TAB_W0QQitemZ330385610039QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4cec845537..

That's the cover of Julie London's 1959 album "Your Number Please," and thankfully before she passed on in 2000, Julie became recognized as much for her music as for those sensual album covers. (To be honest, London's small, intimate voice always seemed most at home with small combos, not orchestras as on this album.)

However, Julie, a gifted actress as well as a singer, isn't the topic of this entry; numbers are. Specifically, the numbers on Carole Lombard's Paramount stills.

This came up when I discovered this Lombard photo, one I'd never seen before, being auctioned at eBay:



A stunning image of Carole in some sort of negligee, presumably from mid-1934, about the time when the Production Code's stricter enforcement meant you probably wouldn't see her on screen that way...unless the outfit was modest. And there's nothing really daring about this; compare it to this racier image of Lombard from "Twentieth Century" a few months before:



According to the seller -- someone with a track record of being conscientious where identifying vintage photo still numbers are concerned -- this photo is p1202-864. Armed with that information, I copied the photo as "carole lombard p1202-864," only to have my system tell me I already had something with that name. So I instead labeled it "carole lombard p1202-864a."

What was the image I originally had by that name? It was this:



(Both images were originally in sepia; I have converted them to grayscale.)

Which one is the real deal? I doubled, then redoubled, the images' sizes to check the numbers, but was unable to get an answer. A visit to carolelombard.org's excellent Lombard photo archive didn't solve things, either. It listed the image I'd previously had as p1202-864.

It turns out that p1202-863 was likely taken at the same session as the other two:



So for now, I admit to being stumped.

Meanwhile, some more on that picture being auctioned at eBay: It's an 8" x 10" original, and according to the seller, "There are two faint diagonal emulsion crack creases that run through her neck area on the photo. These for the most part can only be seen when you tilt the photo in the light."

Bidding starts at $74.95, probably due to its comparative rarity; as of this writing, no bids have been made. Bidding will close at 9:45 p.m. (Eastern) next Wednesday. If you're interested in bidding, or would like to learn more, visit http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Carole-Lombard-30s-NEGLIGEE-BEAUTY-Portrait_W0QQitemZ170403356321QQcategoryZ18824QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D10%26ps%3D63.

Now if we could only solve the riddle of the numbers...

doorwindowwall
A stunning collection of images sure to delight anyone with a penchant for architectural elements, this talented community, largely from New York, is hoping to attract new members from around the world. Featuring an eclectic variety of photos depicting doors, windows, and walls, there's an interesting balance of interior and exterior shots, many from urban streets, some from ramshackle rural farmhouses. Wonderful!

Carole Lombard never considered herself much of a singer; above is sheet music from her only genuine foray into song, "Swing High, Swing Low" (if you wonder what I mean by "genuine," go to http://community.livejournal.com/carole_and_co/11870.html). But that doesn't mean she didn't like music. After all, one of Lombard's most passionate romances was with crooner-bandleader Russ Columbo, and Carole not only made a film with Bing Crosby, but adored his music. I don't know what kind of record collection she had, but I'm certain she appreciated the great performers and composers of the day. (And in her day, there were many.)

One of the tangents we occasionally go into at "Carole & Co." is the music of the 1920s and '30s. First of all, it provides a feel for life in Lombard's time. Secondly, it has genuine artistic merit.

These days, it's difficult to find current performers who not only understand and appreciate this music, but interpret it as well. And that's something the subject of today's entry does magnificently. She's a woman from Ohio named Barbara Rosene.



Rosene's special passion is for songs from the 1920s and '30s, honoring the likes of Annette Hanshaw and Ruth Etting. But she's smart enough to make their songs her own; her music is neither a slavish imitation nor a mere nostalgia trip. Rosene brings the songs to life on their own merits, not as artifacts.

Rosene's been performing for about a decade now. Originally, her forte was swing-era music from the late '30s and '40s, music she still has great fondness for. (She has toured with the Harry James Orchestra, whose leader, Fred Radke, played with James in the '60s and '70s.) But as the years went on, her interest grew in the pop music that preceded swing.

Over the past decade, she has made several CDs, all of which can be purchased at her Web site, http://www.barbararosene.com.

I'd like to tell you more about Rosene, but for the next few days, at least, I don't have to. That's because last week, Barbara appeared on the wonderful public radio program, "Hot Jazz Saturday Night," where she discussed her music and influences with host Rob Bamberger. (His show is three hours long; she appears in the final two hours.) You'll hear some of her records, and in many cases compare them directly to the originals. To check it out, go to http://wamu.org/programs/hjsn/ -- but don't delay, as it will probably be replaced by the next week's show by Monday.

Fortunately, there are also several video samples of Rosene available on YouTube, and I've embedded a couple for your listening pleasure. The first few were done earlier this year at Manhattan's famed Iridium Jazz Club with her band, the New Yorkers -- some excellent musicians who beautifully complement her sound. We'll start off with "Am I Blue":



Here's her version of Irving Berlin's standard, "Say It Isn't So":



Rosene interprets a Hanshaw favorite, "My Blackbirds Are Bluebirds Now":



Barbara breaks out her ukelele (somewhere, Cliff Edwards is smiling) to perform "Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now":



And finally, the swingin' side of Rosene, as she does "I Cried For You" and "I've Heard That Song Before" with the Harry James Orchestra:



I think you'll enjoy her music as much as I do.

Carole Lombard had an array of marvelous physical attributes; her glorious face, sleek figure and shapely legs are frequently cited as proof. But what about...her hands?

Thankfully, at least one Lombard portrait emphasized this expressive (and lovely) part of her. And here it is:



On the back is this snipe:

"EXPRESSIVE BEAUTY - The long, slim, graceful hands of Carole Lombard, Paramount player, enchances her blonde beauty. 2/23/33."

Perhaps this photo was taken for Paramount, but it may not have been issued by the studio. For one thing, it's 6" x 8", somewhat smaller than the usual Paramount pic. Second, there's no visible P1202 number. Third, it's stamped "ACME NEWSPICTURES," a syndicate that specialized in photographs for newspapers and magazines. (This was some years before the word "Acme" became synonymous with Warners animation, most notably in the Road Runner-Wile E. Coyote cartoons.)

No matter, it is indeed an expressive, beauiful photo...not just the hands, but the face.

This photo, in excellent condition, is being auctioned at eBay. Bidding starts at $74.95; no one has bid as of this writing. Bidding will close at 11:30 p.m. (Eastern) on Wednesday. To check it out, or perhaps to bid, go to http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-Carole-Lombard-33-GRACEFUL-HANDS-Portrait_W0QQitemZ380175382846QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item588437f93e.

**FINAL EDIT Thu Dec 10 02:15:47 UTC 2009**

So there is the final update... Over the past day we have processed around 11 million jobs out of the 12 million that were in queue at that time. Please bear in mind that over this past day, more jobs for notifications are also created. So while the queue has been dropping, we are still not fully caught up at this point, due to backlog and new jobs. We have roughly 3 million jobs still pending that involve the notification system in some manner. We had hoped we could have fully cleared the queue in a day, but unfortunately we can't clear it too quickly, since we need the rest of the site to operate normally. From our current perspective on the amount of jobs that are left in queue, and how many it has processed thus far, we believe it will take around another 8 - 12 hours to process everything.

And finally some answers to some questions:

( Read More and Get Some Answers... )

Here is a video clip from the opening musical sequence from the 1941 musical called "THAT NIGHT IN RIO". It features Carmen Miranda and Don Ameche: ( Read more... )

freeskiers
While some of us long to escape the cold, dark stretch of winter for hot tropical beaches, for others, there's nothing quite like whoooooshing down those shimmering sugar alps. If you're fond of freestyle skiing, get ready to slide down the slippery slopes in good company. This passionate, international community shares travel/gear tips, anecdotes, photos, and videos for those who can't get enough of the sweet stuff.

seasonal_icons
Need some extra twinkle to decorate your place? Check out these dazzling holiday-themed icons. If you're an artist, you can post your own creations, provided you abide by the simple rules (which is to say, all cheer and no politicking). Be sure to comment and give credit if you wish to borrow a little spirit (no direct links, please). If you're feeling a touch of humbug this season, this is an instant shot of festivity.

handmade_gifts
High on creativity, but low on cash? You'll find tons of brilliant suggestions for do-it-yourself crafts sure to please everyone on your holiday gift list. Offering detailed instructions, photos, budgets, timelines, and active support, you'll soon turn spare remnants of fabric and time into cherished keepsakes. Be sure to search entries and read user guidelines before you post for help!

Lobby cards have played a significant part in Carole Lombard memorabilia collecting for some time now, so it's always fascinating when something "new" comes on the scene. And we've got just that:



It's from Lombard's first RKO film, "In Name Only," and shows her and co-stars Cary Grant and Kay Francis. According to the seller, it's 11" x 14", in near-mint condition, and it's a design I haven't come across before, so it understandably is considered valuable.

But $650?

That's what the seller is looking for, under eBay's "buy it now" option. I'm not a professional collector, so I honestly can't gauge whether this is the price the market will bear, but this doesn't appear to be an item for the casual buyer.

To learn more about it, go to http://cgi.ebay.com/IN-NAME-ONLY-39-CAROLE-LOMBARD-CARY-GRANT-LOBBY-CARD-TC_W0QQitemZ160372467272QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2556f1a648.

Some time ago, I noted that in the late 1980s, Teri Garr -- who has often cited Carole Lombard as one of her role models -- said in a magazine interview that she wanted to remake one of Carole's comedies (the precise one wasn't mentioned). Obviously, it didn't happen, but it does lead to an interesting topic: Which one of Lombard's films would be easiest to remake today...assuming you retained a contemporary setting?

Aye, there's the rub. It would be simple to remake a Lombard film and set it in the 1930s -- but placing one in 2010 (where we'll be in less than a month) creates plenty of challenges. It would rule out all of Carole's so-called "big four": "To Be Or Not To Be" is impossible to remove from a World War II context, "Twentieth Century" is as out of date as its title (stage stars and trains as a primary transportation mode are both obsolete), "My Man Godfrey" is invariably tied in with the Depression (a truth learned from the pointless 1957 remake) and while "Nothing Sacred" is still acerbic, it'd be hard for a newspaper to build up a Hazel Flagg today. (Would she work as the heroine of a reality TV show? Perhaps, but I'm really not sold on the concept.)

But as I see it, at least two Lombard films might be reworked with relatively little difficulty:



"Hands Across The Table" -- As in "Godfrey," there is a Depression theme, but it's far more subtle and could be effectively translated into the economic downturn of the past year or two. After all, there are still manicurists searching for wealthy husbands, and men trying to put up a front of affluence after being wiped out (or downsized from Wall Street). I doubt the modern-day Regi Allen would live in upper Manhattan, though; perhaps some flat in Bensonhurst or Bayonne.



"Mr. & Mrs. Smith" -- Okay, the remake might have to be retitled, so as to avoid confusion with the unrelated Brangelina film of the same name (its title came from a novel that had nothing to do with the 1941 movie), but marital farce still works. It'd have to be updated a bit, mind you; there'd have to be some reason (financial, perhaps) why Ann couldn't live with David once their marriage was dissolved, since the stigma of an unmarried couple living together isn't anywhere what it was in 1941 (or, more importantly, during the era of the Production Code). And unlike then, Ann could find steady employment regardless of her marital status.

Those are the two that come to mind. Another might be "In Name Only," as love triangles never go out of date, but I was primarily looking for comedies. And I'd still dearly love to learn what Lombard film Garr sought to remake. (For a splendid, extended interview with Teri, go to http://www.avclub.com/articles/teri-garr,2390/)

Nominate a film of Carole's you think could be shifted to modern times with minimal difficulty...and tell us why. This might make for some good give and take.

"THE MALTESE FALCON" (1931) Photo Gallery

Here is a GALLERY featuring photos from the 1931 adaptation of "THE MALTESE FALCON". Directed by Roy Del Ruth, the movie starred Ricardo Cortez and Bebe Daniels.

We've previously noted that while Carole Lombard has yet to be featured on a U.S. postage stamp, she has received that honor from the obscure nation of Karakalpakia (http://community.livejournal.com/carole_and_co/53110.html). Now add another country to that list.

Here's a stamp of Lombard, issued by the African nation of Sierra Leone:



An attractive image of Carole, like the Karakalpakia stamp based on one of her many famed portraits.

I'm not sure when this was issued, but do know that like many small countries, Sierra Leone produces an array of stamps geared to collectors rather than the pure postal trade as a way to produce revenue. A number of them have been Hollywood-themed, such as this set featuring Marilyn Monroe (whose image has been issued on stamps in scores of countries):



Here's a set featuring scenes from Alfred Hitchcock films (what, no "Mr. & Mrs. Smith"?):



Charlie Chaplin (and Paulette Goddard) were featured on a stamp honoring Chaplin's 1940 film "The Great Dictator":



That last stamp is sadly ironic. While Karakalpakia is obscure in an almost comic, "Borat"-like way, we know all too well about Sierra Leone. It's one of Africa's most impoverished countries, plagued by a civil war that has killed or injured tens of thousands. Barbarism has also been connected with that country's diamond industry.

With that in mind, perhaps the Lombard stamp understandably holds less appeal for you. But if you are a collector, and are interested, a mint, unused stamp is being auctioned at eBay. No one has bid on it as of this writing; bidding opens at $2.75 and ends at 5:25 p.m. (Eastern) on Wednesday. To learn more, go to http://cgi.ebay.com/Carole-Lombard-Single-Stamp-MNH_W0QQitemZ320457300447QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9cbe59df.

Meanwhile, we retain hope that one of these days, Lombard's home country will commemorate her with a stamp.

Hi, I'm new and such. :)

I'd really like to subscribe to an astronomy/space exploration magazine, but I'm not sure which one I should choose. I'm leaning toward Sky & Telescope but I'm also considering Astronomy magazine. Can anyone make any personal recommendations?

Thanks!