‘Waltzes from Vienna’ (1934) a light but important Hitchcock film
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): Though hurt by a lack of a vibrant print, this music-driven film has historical and even some romantic value.
Romance
‘Waltzes from Vienna’ (1934) a light but important Hitchcock film
Country life is an unfunny slog in ‘The Farmer’s Wife’ (1928)
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): This comedy is bad in several ways, but the most basic is that it’s twice as long as what the breezy story calls for.
‘My Old Ass’ is low-key one of the year’s best movies
Movie review: Actress Maisy Stella bursts onto the scene in this delicately beautiful piece of filmic poetry that mulls the passing of time.
Nick and Nora are stars in ‘After the Thin Man’ (1936), ‘Another Thin Man’ (1939)
Sleuthing Sunday (Movie reviews): Likewise moving up in the world, Dashiell Hammett delivers the screen stories for the first two sequels.
Raise a glass to Hitchcock’s bubbly ‘Champagne’ (1928)
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): Neither deeply serious nor hilarious, this silent-era entry is easy to watch thanks to Betty Balfour.
‘Sign of Four’ (1890) shows early signs of Holmes’ iconic status
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Doyle’s pacing is engrossing and action-packed as the detective takes up a case that comes to his doorstep.
‘The Two Jakes’ (1990) brings ‘Chinatown’ into the ’40s and ’90s
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): We didn’t get Robert Townes’ full trilogy, but at least we got one more go-around with J.J. Gittes.
‘Stage Fright’ (1950) puts love rectangle at center stage
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): Though intriguing, this Hitchcock film raises the question of what degree of misinformation is fair to the audience.
A fanged swain makes his dad proud in ‘Son of Dracula’ (1943)
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Lon Cheney Jr. stars in this underwatched gem of the “Dracula” film series.
‘Chinatown’ (1974) links two eras of film noir
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Polanski blends an iconic Nicholson turn, a good political mystery and California water-utilities history in this classic.