Tag Archives: Howard Hawks

“I never made a message picture, and I hope I never do.” — Howard Hawks

Posted on May 30, 2025 by sheila

It’s his birthday today. My favorite director. I’ve written so much about his movies, here and elsewhere, it’d be too much to link to all of it. I’ve seen it all. Only Angels Have Wings is my favorite movie ever … Continue reading →

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“A lot of people try to equate me with guys like Frankie Avalon and Fabian, but in the old days I sold a lot of records over a period of time, and you can’t sustain that by being just another pretty face.” — Ricky Nelson

Posted on May 8, 2025 by sheila

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (Nelson) was a popular radio show in the 1940s, and an even more popular television show in the 1950s. It was a family affair. Their son Ricky was a beautiful child, and he grew … Continue reading →

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February 2025 Viewing Diary

Posted on March 2, 2025 by sheila

Twin Peaks: The Return (2017; d. David Lynch) There’s nothing else like it in all of God’s green earth and I am just so grateful it exists. It’s so pure. Suze (2025; d. Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart) I liked … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday, Dorothy Malone

Posted on January 29, 2025 by sheila

I was so happy to pay tribute to Dorothy Malone for Film Comment. The actress – whose career spanned over 50 years – died in 2018 at the age of 93. She was an Oscar-winning actress who ended up on … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

“I’ve always felt that work – learning from people who know more than I know – is what keeps you going.” — Lauren Bacall

Posted on September 16, 2024 by sheila

It’s her birthday today. This was the magazine cover that started it all. Howard Hawks was looking for a protege, a girl he could mold into his perfect idealized woman – the ideal foil for the men in those fabulous … Continue reading →

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“The trouble with Hollywood is everybody is crazy for money.” — Ann Dvorak

Posted on August 2, 2024 by sheila

Anna McKim chose “Ann Dvorak” as her stage name. She chose a challenging name to pronounce (for American audiences, that is) over her easily-pronounceable real name. Who does that?? Well, she does. It says a lot. It’s mischievous. I love … Continue reading →

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For Liberties: on Carole Lombard

Posted on May 20, 2024 by sheila

My second article for my Liberties column is now live: Lombard: Queen of Screwball. The column has a Lombard-inspired name and logo – Movies Before Breakfast – which we chose before I even knew I’d write about her. And the … Continue reading →

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March 2024 Viewing Diary

Posted on April 17, 2024 by sheila

Conspiracy (2001; d. Frank Pierson) I went down a little Wannsee Conference rabbit hole so figured I’d re-watch this chilling nasty little movie. Lured (1947; d. Douglas Sirk) I had never seen this. I love discovering new Douglas Sirks! This … Continue reading →

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“Personally, I resent being tagged ‘glamour girl’. It’s such an absurd, extravagant label. It implies so much that I’m not.” — Carole Lombard

Posted on October 6, 2023 by sheila

It’s her birthday today! Carole Lombard played ditzy and impulsive, but she didn’t play dumb. One of her greatest gifts as a comedienne is her craftiness, how well she creates cunning and sometimes selfish women, women who are heedless, sometimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

2021 Books Read

Posted on January 1, 2022 by sheila

I lived at three addresses this year. I moved twice. In the middle of a pandemic. It’s been a year of upheaval, transition, as well as endurance. For most of this year, the majority of my stuff was in storage. … Continue reading →

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