There are many bad things about the 21st century so far, but one great thing is that all kinds of interesting stuff from the 20th century can no be seen on DVD and Blu-ray - and formerly lost films (and books about them) seem to be turning up all the time.
First, in videos, there's Sid Caesar. . .Yes, indeed, this blogger has already ordered the comprehensive collection, Sid Caesar -The Works, which represents quite the compendium of incredibly funny sketches from The Admiral Broadway Review, Your Show Of Shows and Caesar's Hour. Interviews and extras include the 2014 Paley Center For Media Tribute with Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Billy Crystal, the feature film Ten From Your Show Of Shows and the 1967 Reunion Special.
Much of this set's content I laughed loudly at during a wonderful Sid Caesar tribute program I saw in 1984, when the Museum Of Broadcasting, during a stay in Los Angeles, presented a Sid Caesar tribute. It will be FANTASTIC to see these classic shows again! Arguably only the cast of SCTV equals the blazing ensemble brilliance of Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Howard Morris, Carl Reiner and Nanette Fabray!
The set includes:
• Excerpts From Caesar's Writers
• The Chevy Show, Featuring Sid Caesar
• Mel Brooks: In The Beginning – The Caesar Years
• The Paley Center For Media 2014 Tribute, Featuring Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner And Billy Crystal
• The 1983 Episode Of Nightcap, With Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks And Carl Reiner
The first 1,500 who order Sid Caesar -The Works from ShoutFactory.com will receive an exclusive bonus disc, Sid Caesar: Extra Portion, which contains 13 more sketches from Your Show Of Shows and Caesar's Hour:
Shifting gears from the Golden Age of Live TV to early cinema, we ask the question, when was the first sound film? This writer is not sure of when the first was produced - pioneering filmmaker Alice Guy Blache experimented with sound technology very early - but the earliest ones to be released on DVD are the Thomas Edison films made using his invention, the Kinetophone, back in 1913. And they're on DVD, thanks to the incredible and painstaking work done by the Library of Congress, spearheaded by Geo. Willeman and working with Jerry Fabris of the Thomas Edison National Historical Park as well as technicians in the Library of Congress - Audio Visual Conservation's video and audio labs.
This includes eight complete Edison talking films from 1913, one for which the sound element does not survive, and a 25 minute documentary about their production, hosted by Geo. Willeman. Ben Model produced this with Greenbriar Picture Shows and has released it on Undercrank Productions. We hear the first run of copies sold out at this weekend's Cinefest at the Rome Theatre in NY, but The Kinetophone: A Fact! A Reality! can be ordered via the Undercrank Productions page, as well as Amazon and/or other online vendors. By all means, get a copy of The Kinetophone: A Fact! A Reality!, quite the eye-opener and of great interest to anyone fascinated by the histories of filmmaking, technology and audio recording.
There are so many books out on aspects of classic movies it's tough to know where to start. A flurry of 'em, quite a few available on TCM's web page, are out or soon to be out.
The Laurel & Hardy Movie Scripts, annotated by Hal Roach Studios and Laurel & Hardy expert Randy Skredvedt is an outstanding collection of screenplays from the great comedy team's short films. They are hilarious on film and also very funny on the printed page.
And, speaking of Laurel & Hardy, there's a new book all about the character actor who, at the age of 21, under lots of makeup, portrayed the uber-evil and dastardly Barnaby with undeniable relish in The Hal Roach Studio's 1934 feature film version of Babes In Toyland, starring Stan & Babe.
Henry Brandon, King Of The Bogeymen is penned by Bill Cassara and Richard S. Greene, two friends of the chameleonic actor, who was nothing if not prolific and frequently totally unrecognizable from one part to the next. Henry Brandon, King Of The Bogeymen is another labor of love which has paid off.
Two fun new books represent opposite poles in showbiz. . . the raucous comedy team of Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis and the Philadelphia socialite turned movie star turned Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly.
Michael Hayde, co-author with Chuck Harter of a superb book on comedian Harry Langdon, has done it again with his latest, Side By Side, on the phenomenon that was Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis. As a fan of Martin & Lewis' hilarious appearances on The Colgate Comedy Hour, I am delighted that this book focuses on their television work, as well as their appearances on radio. Martin & Lewis were toned down for feature films!
The latest from Mary Mallory of LA Daily Mirror and the Hollywood Heritage Museum, Living with Grace: Life Lessons from America's Princess, gives the ever-upbeat Grace Kelly her due. The press release elaborates, "Poised, cultured, and unforgettable, Grace Kelly had the aura of a princess, even before she was crowned. She exuded grace, polish, flair, and serenity as a fashion icon, actor, and humanitarian. Living with Grace is a captivating look at this elegant woman who has been an inspiration for many and whose legacy enlightens a new generation of fans. Seldom seen photos and outtakes are complemented by inspiring quotes from and about Grace and the famous roles she played. These words and images highlight what made her so iconic on film and in life."
Rare photos are illustrated by quotes from interviews with Princess Grace and remembrances from her friends and colleagues, in Monaco and movies.
One of our favorites on this blog, Leonard Maltin has a new book, Hooked on Hollywood: Discoveries from a Lifetime of Film Fandom. Some of the first film history books read cover-to-cover by many of us were penned by Leonard, so we, big fans of his Classic Movie Guide, are always happy to hear from him.
Wrapping up today's post, shall note the splendid book we're deeply in the midst of at this writing - not a new release but most noteworthy - Tracey Goessel's 2015 biography, The First King Of Hollywood The Life Of Douglas Fairbanks.
Thus far, find this nothing short of a fantastic read about the restless, ambitious, charismatic and athletic young man who started on stage and then made his name in a series of wildly popular light comedies for Triangle before starring as the swashbuckler of swashbucklers, in such action pictures as Robin Hood, The Thief Of Bagdad and The Black Pirate. . . Highly recommended!
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