Rainer Werner Fassbinder 75 -- May 31, 2020

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When I was in my movie-going prime, it was hard to find contemporary West or East German movies, so I read a lot about Rainer Werner Fassbinder's movies before I saw one.  His abundant output reminded me of a filmmaker of the 1910s.  Fassbinder  was born 75 years ago today on 32-May-1945.  He was only 37 when he died of an overdose in 1982, but had made more than 40 feature films. 

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After reading about his movies in magazines, newspapers and books, I think the first one I saw was probably The Marriage of Maria Braun, probably at the Lumiere on Fillmore.  This was also the first movie I saw with Hanna Schygulla.  

World's Greatest Motor Race -- May 31, 2020

Film Daily, 23-May-1920

The Indianapolis 500 is another casualty of the TrumpVirus.  It has been rescheduled to 23-August-2020.

A Saturday Evening Post Story by F Scott Fitzgerald -- May 29, 2020

Motion Picture News, 01-May-1920

I did not know that Metro had made of movie from F Scott Fitzgerald's short story "Head and Shoulders."  Viola Dana starred.  It was released as The Chorus Girl's Romance.

Motion Picture News, 22-May-1920

Irish-American actress Eileen Percy was going to star in a Fox Film adaption of another story, "Myra Meets His Family." The movie was released as The Husband Hunter.

Michel Piccoli, RIP -- May 27, 2020

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I was sad to learn that great actor Michel Piccoli has died. I remember him in some Luis Buñuel movies, and many others. 

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Johnny Got His Gun -- May 25, 2020

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Happy Memorial Day, everyone. 

One summer while I was in high school, I read Dalton Trumbo's book Johnny Got His Gun, the story of a wounded soldier who lost his limbs, his eyes, his ears and his mouth. It scared the heck out of me.   Later, I saw the 1971 movie adaption, starring Timothy Bottoms, on television.  It scared me, too. 

The Amusement Home of the Colored People -- May 23, 2020

Dallas Express, 29-May-1920

I was surprised by the size of this ad for the segregated Mammoth Theater in Dallas. I like the image of Chaplin. 

Charles Chaplin Has Just Finished his Five-Reeler -- May 21, 2020

Topeka State Journal, 08-May-1920

Charlie Chaplin finished the first feature that he produced and directed, The Kid, in 1920.  His releasing company, First National, would have preferred two-reelers.