Hollywood

  • Operation Postmaster: A Daring Special Operations Executive Mission in World War II Introduction Operation Postmaster was a covert military operation conducted during World War II by the British Special Operations Executive (SOE). It was a meticulously planned and highly successful mission that took place in January 1942, targeting enemy-controlled shipping in Spanish-controlled Fernando Po (now…

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  • Lynn Anderson, a celebrated country music star, is best remembered for her iconic rendition of “Rose Garden,” which skyrocketed her to fame in the 1970s. With a golden voice and a vibrant stage presence, Anderson left an indelible mark on the country music genre, earning numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award and multiple Country Music…

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  • Bonanza -The Mothers

    The final episode of Bonanza aired on January 16, 1973, marking the end of a remarkable 14-season run. This blog delves into the unseen yet pivotal characters of the show—the mothers—whose presence shaped the story but who never appeared on screen. The Mothers of the Cartwright Boys in Bonanza The classic Western television series Bonanza…

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  • Ninety-eight years ago today, the classic science fiction movie Metropolis was released. Watching it again recently, I was struck by how fresh and visually striking the film still feels, even after nearly a century. However, Metropolis is more than just a sci-fi masterpiece; it also serves as a fascinating snapshot of the political and social…

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  • Snow White and the 3rd Reich

    I recently finished am reading Animation under the Swastika: A History of Trickfilm in Nazi Germany, 1933–1945. This compelling book delves into the history of how Hitler and Joseph Goebbels sought to rival Hollywood, particularly the works of Walt Disney. It provides a fascinating and often chilling account of how animation was weaponized as a…

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  • In 1978, Rodney Alcala appeared on The Dating Game. In this popular TV show where three eligible bachelors competed for a date with a bachelorette. The show was full of innuendo, and the host introduced Alcala as a “successful photographer who got his start when his father found him in the darkroom at age 13,…

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  • Kris Kristofferson was a legendary American singer-songwriter, actor, and musician, known for his profound impact on country music and his successful crossover into Hollywood. Here’s an overview of his life, career, and legacy: Early Life: Military Service and Change of Course: Early Struggles in Nashville: Breakthrough as a Songwriter: Solo Career: Acting Career: The Highwaymen:…

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  • High Noon is my favourite Western and one of my favourite movies overall. The Western genre has long held a special place in American cinema, representing ideals of heroism, rugged individualism, and the triumph of good over evil. However, not all Westerns adhere to a singular vision of these ideals, and one film that provoked…

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  • This is my interview with Andrew Laszlo, Jr. I spoke to Andrew Laszlo about his father, Andrew Laszlo Sr., about his career as a cinematographer of such movies as First Blood, Star Trek V, The Last Frontier, Streets of Fire, Southern Comfort, The Owl and the Pussy Cat and The Warriors and also the original…

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  • “Duck Soup” at 90

    It is hard to believe that Duck Soup was released 90 years ago today. It is an American pre-code musical black comedy film written by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby, with additional dialogue by Arthur Sheekman and Nat Perrin, and directed by Leo McCarey. Released by Paramount Pictures on November 17, 1933, it stars the Marx Brothers…

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