Tag Archives: Claude Rains

Happy Birthday, Claude Rains

For Claude Rains’ birthday: a conversation some years back, where Mitchell and I discuss the superb actor. I asked Mitchell to describe him in one word, and we took it from there. We both love Rains so much, it was … Continue reading

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November 2022 Viewing Diary

Something in the Dirt (2022; d. Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson) I really liked this. If you like losing yourself in conspiracy theories – without being, like, a QAnon-type ready to shoot up a pizza parlor – then this is super … Continue reading

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March 2020 Viewing Diary: A Before and After List

I began this viewing diary in a time of innocence (and naivete) before social distancing became compulsory (or at least strongly suggested). We here were months behind schedule, due to the disgraceful anti-science buffoonery of the current administration, who do … Continue reading

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February 2017 Viewing Diary

Silence (2016; d. Martin Scorsese) I was completely flattened by this gorgeous and overwhelming movie. Most of the Oscar winners pale in comparison to what was going on in this film, directed by an absolute master. Passionate, reflective, powerful. 50 … Continue reading

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December 2016 Viewing Diary

Supernatural, Season 7, Episode 22, “There Will Be Blood” (2012; d. Guy Norman Bee) I had started a re-watch of Season 7 in November, so I finished it out this month. Season 7 was one of my least favorites, when … Continue reading

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October 2015 Viewing Diary

Moontide (1942; d. Archie Mayo – and an uncredited Fritz Lang) And John O’Hara wrote the screenplay. How I love this film. Ida Lupino plays a suicidal girl, rescued from the waves by Bobo (a to-die-for Jean Gabin). Bobo is … Continue reading

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Year in Review: Shooting My Mouth Off in 2014

I may write some magnum opus in the next two days, you never know, but here are links to some of the things I’ve written in 2014, here and elsewhere. I have worked hard to keep my site an eclectic … Continue reading

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A Master at Work: Claude Rains Orders Dinner in Deception

A couple months ago, a conversation ensued amongst a couple of film people on Facebook about Deception (1946). I’d seen it but the conversation was so fascinating I pulled it out to watch again. (Check out Glenn Kenny’s analysis of … Continue reading

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Mitchell Fain Presents: Part 2

Mitchell and me, yet again in the photo booth at Lounge Ax, a music club on Fullerton in Chicago which is, sadly, no longer there. I am pleased to present to you the second part of the marathon conversation Mitchell … Continue reading

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The Books: The Making of Casablanca: Bogart, Bergman, and World War II, by Aljean Harmetz

Next book on the Hollywood shelf: The Making of Casablanca: Bogart, Bergman, and World War II, by Aljean Harmetz The book was first published under the title Round Up the Usual Suspects, which I like better, but that’s neither here … Continue reading

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