#Columbia Noir 2

[notesonfilm1]

The Mob (Robert Parrish, 1951)

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#Broderick Crawford #Charles Bronson #Columbia Noir 2 #Ernest Borgnine #Joseph Walker #Richard Kiley #Robert Parrish #The Mob

[m4movies]

Timeless

#federico fellini #8 1/2 #barbra steele #untitled #007 #noir #romanpolanski #pic of the day #coffee #cinema #hitchcockmovies #vinyl #classic #marcello mastroianni #italian #italian cinema #claudia cardinale #sandra milo #rossella falk #columbia pictures #martin scorsese

[simtleman]

PASSENGERS TO THE TRAIN! LAST CALL FOR PASSENGERS TO BRINDLETON BAY!

The latest update completely broke my game, it would launch and then get stuck on the loading screen forever... so I had the pleasurable task of uninstalling and reinstalling everything, which no kidding took about four and a half hours considering all the DLCs I have. However, having to wait and not being able to play gave me an opportunity to really think about what I wanted to build next for this crazy 1920s, '30s & '40s Save File Project I'm determined to finish someday, and suddenly it came to me: a train station, duh!

So here it is, introducing Columbia Station, located in the heart of Del Sol Valley:

One of my favorite books ever is Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. I remember reading it for the first time when I was about 7 years old and going to bed absolutely terrified yet wanting to know what was going to happen next, so naturally it has always been a dream of mine to someday be able to book a ticket for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. You can imagine how much fun I had building this while living my best film noir fantasy! Plus, I thought having a vintage train station in the save file would make for great storytelling.

The train itself (which I decided to call Grand Express, as you can see in the pics) has two functional wagons:

The first one is a Compartment coach, with three identical compartments. For the interiors in both wagons I mostly used @lilis-palace's Intarsia Moderne & Wainscot Wonderland sets. That varnished wood kinda look was absolutely perfect for what I had in mind:

2. The second wagon, on the other hand, couldn't be anything but a bar. Featuring @littledica's Art Deco Lounge bar as the signature piece, I took inspiration yet again from the actual Orient Express bar and decided to go for colder, blue tones:

I'm far from being done with this build, but I simply couldn't hold my excitement and had to show you guys how it's going. Next it'll be the station itself, I've build the exterior but gotta work on the interiors... I wanna set the lot as a Café so we shall see how that turns out!

I'll keep you guys posted and until then, pray for my game to not break again! Lol

#ts4 screenshots #ts4 retro #ts4 vintage #sims4cc #ts4 1920s #1920s aesthetic #ts4 1930s #ts4 1940s #ts4 simblr #ts4 decades challenge #ts4 legacy

[lastchancevillagegreen]

I swore I wouldn't buy anymore of these boxes, but here sits Universal Noir #2 from Indicator. I'm a completest. I have all five of Indicator's Columbia Noir sets as well as Universal Noir #1. Now I'm on the hook for the remaining three volumes...and any subsequent Noir sets from prospective film studios that Indicator delivers. Part of me just wanted this because Fred MacMurray is on the front!

You can see more shots below.

The goal now is to watch this entire set by the end of the month, following the completion of Arrow's Lukas Moodysson box that I should finish by tomorrow, if not tonight!

[project1939]

Day 29- Film: Paula 

Release date: May 15th 

Studio: Columbia 

Genre: Noir 

Director: Rudolph Mate 

Producer: Buddy Adler 

Actors: Loretta Young, Kent Smith, Alexander Knox, Tommy Rettig

Plot Summary: Paula just suffered her second miscarriage, and the doctors say she’ll never get pregnant again. One night while driving, she hits a little boy with her car. Circumstances conspire against her, and she leaves the scene, keeping everything a secret. Wracked with guilt, she seeks the boy out in the hospital- he suffered a brain injury and cannot speak. Paula and her husband take him in to give him full-time speech therapy, eventually adopting him. But what happens if anyone can connect her to the hit and run? Including little Davey? 

My Rating (out of five stars): ***¾ ? 

Until the last 10 minutes or so, this was a solid 4 star movie for me. The very end knocked a little bit off, just because it was kind of unbelievable and a bit unsatisfying. BUT I really really enjoyed this film! It’s one I definitely want to go back and re-watch. 

The Good: 

Loretta Young. She was just very good all around. Her acting was very affecting, and I cared about her character. I also liked that Young was around 40 years old here- I'm always in favor of more roles for older women! 

Focusing on a woman dealing with infertility in the 1950s. The first 15 minutes was solely about the anguish Paula went through having lost a 2nd pregnancy and discovering she’d never have a biological baby. Even in 2023, infertility isn’t portrayed much in film, but in the 1950s? It was almost never talked about in an era where a woman’s entire purpose was seemingly to make babies. I can’t imagine how validating this movie might have been to a woman dealing with the issue in 1952. 

This is a noir with a female protagonist! Those are so rare. Off the top of my head, Mildred Pierce is the only one that comes to mind! (Maybe Rebecca, if that counts?) 

The little boy who played Davey. The film struck gold finding Tommy Rettig. For a child actor, his performance was incredible. He had to portray a kid who was learning to talk, and learning to trust people, and I don’t think anyone could have done it better. His eyes were so expressive, and yes he made me bawl at the end. 

The story continually kept me interested, and I was fully invested in it.  

I liked the character of Paula’s husband John. He was a good guy- very supportive to his wife. At first he didn’t want to adopt a little boy who couldn’t talk, fearing the stigmatization, but it did not take him long to totally fall in love with Davey. 

The Bad: 

The final 10 minutes or so. There were 2 abrupt shifts that I just didn’t buy- even though I cried my eyes out! 

Weird doctors telling Paula to have a drink! One doctor, in his office, handed her a shot glass and told her it would make her feel better. The other one saw her at a party, said, “You look like you need a drink!” and handed her a big one. At least none of them told her to calm down by smoking a cigarette, which I have actually seen in at least one movie! 

Yes, some of the coincidences of the film stretch believability- a woman who thinks she can’t have children hits an adorable little orphan boy with her car?- but... it is a movie, folks. 

#project1952 #1952 #project1952 day 29 #100 films of 1952

[kevinjmann]

UKI - Episode 313

UKI: Episode 313 is now here on Mixcloud

This episode is featuring:

1. Estella Dawn music - Funny Bones

2. Cherub Tree - Not Yours, Never Was

3. Vimaara - Haruka

4. The Stray Pursuit - Mama

5. Reternity - I Love The Night

6. Nick Hyde Music - Our Love

7. Caroline Phillips - Everything Dies

8. Fatal Vision Music- Thick As Thieves

9. Whoiskramer - Perseverance

10. John Shermenti - Ready To Run

11. Stereoids - Won't You Let Me Go

12. Kiria Noir - From NERVOUS

13. Kings Elliot - It's My Birthday

14. Copperhead Jones - Rodeo Reds

15. Milo Music - Menace

16. Thomas Tempest - Moonlight

Broadcast on

Sword Radio UK - www.swordradiouk.com - Thursday 9pm

KrystalRadio Station - www.krystalradio.net - Friday 7pm

Pop Radio UK - www.popradiouk.co.uk - Monday 8pm , Tuesday 8pm and Wednesday 8pm

Bunka Radio (Columbia) - https://www.bunkaradio.com/ - Monday 1am

Charlie Mason Radio (USA) - www.charliemasonradio.com - Tuesday 10pm

YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT AND UNSIGNED MUSICIANS - PLEASE BUY THEIR MUSIC - KEEP THE SCENE ALIVE!

#radio #uk #independentmusic #independentartist #ukindependent #indieartists #unsigned #ukindie #spotify #independent

[winehistory]

Exploring the Magic of Oregon Wine Country: An Unforgettable Wine Tour Experience

Introduction

Oregon's wine valley is a hidden jewel for oenophiles and explorers, set among the Pacific Northwest's gorgeous surroundings. The region's long tradition of winemaking and wide variety of vineyards have made it a hotspot for oenophiles looking for something out of the ordinary. Wine History Tours is an Oregon-based firm that has mastered the art of wine tours and provides an exciting exploration of the state's vibrant wine culture. Come along as we explore the magnificent Great Oregon wine tours with Wine History Tours, and make experiences that will last a lifetime.

Oregon Wine Country, Part 1: A Guided Tour

To fully appreciate the beauty and significance of Oregon's wine country, we should pause before beginning our wine tour with Wine History Tours. Oregon's optimum circumstances for winemaking are provided by the state's mild temperature, wide variety of soils, and unique topography. The state's vineyards produce award-winning varietals including pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot gris. In particular, the Willamette Valley has received widespread acclaim for its premium pinot noir, which has been compared favorably to the wines of Burgundy, France. In addition to the nearby Rogue Valley and the Columbia Gorge, this valley is the epicenter of Oregon's wine country.

Part 2: Oregon Wine Exploration Led by Wine Historians

When it comes to Oregon wine tours, Wine History Tours is your best bet for a memorable and educational journey. Their excursions are conducted by experts in the wine and history fields and provide a unique combination of the two, along with stunning scenery. Their dedication to their work and enthusiasm for the industry make each trip an unforgettable experience for oenophiles of all experience levels.

Uncovering the Personalized Wine Tasting Itineraries

Wine History Tours provides a variety of well planned itineraries to suit a wide range of tastes and interests. There's a tour that'll be perfect for you whether you're a seasoned wine connoisseur or this is your first time trying wine. The top Oregon vineyards and wineries are included in carefully designed itineraries that range from a half-day to several days in length.

Willamette Valley Wine Tasting (Chapter 4)

The "Taste of the Willamette Valley" wine tour is a popular option with Wine History Tours. The beautiful Willamette Valley, home to some of the world's most acclaimed pinot noir growers, is the setting for our daylong excursion. The trip will take you to small, family-run wineries as well as large, well-known vineyards. Visitors get an insider's look at the winemaking process and the history behind each bottle thanks to the special access they have to the vineyard owners and winemakers.

The Rogue Valley Odyssey, Part 5

The "Rogue Valley Adventure" is Wine History Tours' option for the more daring wine tourist. This trip takes visitors through the breathtaking scenery of Oregon's Rogue Valley to highlight the state's many distinct wine districts. Tempranillo, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Viognier are just few of the interesting varieties that flourish in this region's mild environment. The tour features unique activities including vineyard strolls, wine blending lessons, and wine tastings while floating down the Rogue River.

Sustainable Sips: An Eco-Friendly Wine Journey is Described in Chapter 6

The "Sustainable Sips" tour is an example of Wine History Tours' dedication to eco-friendly methods. This eco-friendly excursion explores the region's widespread adoption of biodynamic and organic winemaking practices. Visitors will learn how sustainable farming techniques affect the final wine product and how seriously the region takes environmental protection. Not only will you learn a lot, but you'll also be helping to create a more sustainable future by patronizing eco-friendly wineries on your trip.

Private, Tailor-Made Tours, Section 7

Wine History Tours offers exclusive, tailor-made excursions for people who value privacy and exclusivity. These customized trips give visitors the freedom to see the wine region as they see fit. Wine History Tours will make any event, from a family reunion to a company outing, one that people will talk about for years to come.

Conclusion

A trip to Oregon's wine region with Wine History Tours is more than simply a sensory adventure. This article delves into the deep heritage, intense emotion, and unwavering commitment that characterize every bottle of Oregon wine. Everything about the tour, from the gorgeous vineyards to the experienced instructors, is top-notch and adds to the overall quality of the experience. No matter your interests, take a tour of Oregon wine country  with Wine History Tours will give you a deeper understanding of the art of winemaking and the breathtaking scenery of the state's wine regions. Get ready to experience the wonder of Oregon wine country firsthand. Cheers!

[zoeydeutchcloset]

@zoeydeutch / Instagram post / May 26, 2023.

Wearing:

@shopdoen Amora Top - Noir Columbia Street Floral ($128)

@shopdoen Amalfi Skirt - Noir Columbia Street Floral ($298)

@hm Cat Eye Sunglasses - Black ($12.99)

@destree Sonia Whirpool Earrings - White (€270) Not Available!

@tiffanyandco Lock Bangle ($6,900) wearing 2!

#beauty #celebrities #actress #notokeymovie #romance #zd #something from tiffany's #movie #zoey #deutch #zoey deutch

[miragestation]

Mirage Station playlist for December 7th, 2022

1. The Mighty Moog (Andrew Kazdin & Thomas Z. Shepard) “Ravel: Bolero” Everything You Always Wanted to Hear on the Moog* (*but were afraid to ask for) (Columbia 1972) 2. Dogliotti “Baile De Los Morenos” Candombe For Export (Sondor 1979) 3. Bruno Spoerri “Plane to Peru - Parvati Smaragd” Der Würger vom Tower (Finders Keepers 2022) 4. Jimi Tenor “Bass Kalimba Dance” Multiversum (Bureau B 2022) 5. Halfby “Beach Baby Be Mine (Remix by Roger Bong)” from Beach Baby Be Mine (Aloha Got Soul 2022) 6. Ant Orange - Tolouse Low Trax “Cracker Bo Bo Zy Remix” from You're Super In Diagonal - Remixed (Karaoke Kalk 2022) 7. Montparnasse Musique “Chibinda Ilunga” Archeology (Real Worlds Records 2022) 8. NICOL “Roulé Boulé” from Analogue Vertigo (Lumière Noire 2022) 9. Secret Cinema “Turquoise” from Minerals (Gem Records 2011)

#playlist

[junesprout]

🌊mid year reading report🌊 hey y’all, we’re at the half way point in the year, which means it’s time for a book roundup! I’ve read 63 books so far (?!) and I’m embarrassed to say almost none of them were one of the hundreds of books I already have on my many, many book shelves. but what can I say - I love the library :’) anyway, here we go!! book read: 63 pages read: 14,417 five stars awarded: 23 three fav books: in the dream house (carmen maria machado), diary (chuck palahniuk), song for the unraveling of the world (brian evenson) three least fav books: the book tour (andi watson), the sanatorium (sarah pearse), grimoire noir (vera greentea) longest book: take the long way home (john claytor) shortest book: backyard fairies (phoebe wahl) most read genre: literary fiction + mystery average star rating: 4.1 if you’re reading this, I’m tagging you to do the challenge as well. make sure to tag me in your post so I can see your roundup 💕✨+ also tag anyone whose roundup you want to see!! 💌 and, a question: how many books do you think you’ll read in the second half of the year? p.s. swipe for #hotpoetsummer poem #2 . . . . . #reading #readinglist #igreads #readersofig #bibliophile #booksbooksbooks #bookblogger #readerlife #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookaesthetic #readingcorner #explorepage #instaread #instareading #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #poetsofig #poetryisnotdead #poetrycommunityofig #poetrylovers #writingcommunity #writingchallenge #readingtag (at Abbotsford, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfjsLhGpVet/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#hotpoetsummer #2 #reading #readinglist #igreads #readersofig #bibliophile #booksbooksbooks #bookblogger #readerlife #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookaesthetic #readingcorner #explorepage #instaread #instareading #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #poetsofig #poetryisnotdead #poetrycommunityofig #poetrylovers #writingcommunity #writingchallenge #readingtag #personal

[notesonfilm1]

Ad for Eavesdropping on Rita Hayworth and An Affair in Trinidad

Ad for Eavesdropping on Rita Hayworth and An Affair in Trinidad

Having fun playing around with an ad for Eavesdropping’s Episode on An Affair in Trinidad. This is the long version: https://vimeo.com/538834855   and this is the short: José Arroyo

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#An Affair in Trinidad #Columbia Noir 2 #Eavesdropping at the Movies 47 #Rita Hayworth #Vincent Sherman

[double-aa-batteries]

Fic Rec Fridays - Week 3 - KevAaron

If you want to check out any of the other 3 fic recs you can find the master post here

Fluff

Don’t matter (what people say) by @psychomidget (cominupforair) on AO3  here (7k, 1 chapter)

Aaron knew he was bi.

He had long come to terms with it, but he believed that he could pretend he was straight as long as he kept dating girls.

But then Kevin happened. That’s where Aaron’s carefully constructed world really started crumbling. With him and Kevin kissing on his bed, legs tangled and hands roaming each other’s bodies.

a fuckin classic. my first favorite kavaaron fic. I keep coming back to it. TW for past drug and alcohol addictions, internalized homophobia and ableist language

Us by conniptionns / @foxss-evermore on AO3 here (6k, 1 chapter)

commissions prompt: Kevin and Aaron falling in love

set post canon, years later when Aaron is a doctor and Kevin has gone pro. they reconnect.

no TWs, only fluff and romance

sharing beds and then sharing hearts by love_in_the_city/ @delightfulfiresoulweasel on AO3 here (4k, 1 chapter)

and there was only one bed. robin comes to Columbia with the monsters. only, there aren't enough beds.

no TWs. only fluff.

Angst

heaven can't help me now by history11huh / @unholy-goddess on AO3 here (30k, 13 chapters)

a well written enemies to fuck buddies to lovers fic with the addressing of trauma as a side dish

TW: panic attacks, trauma, addiction, alcoholism, mentions of dug addiction, the moriyamas, depression and anxiety

crying zeros hearing one one's by love_in_the_city/ @delightfulfiresoulweasel on AO3 here (5k, 1 chapter)

Aaron doesn't take care of himself and a perfect, unlikely string of events causes him to face the ultimate price

all aboard the angst train. just. pure angst (with a happy ending)

TW: temporary character death, heart attack

the reason by love_in_the_city/ @delightfulfiresoulweasel on AO3 here (11k, 1 chapter)

Aaron thought he would get his happy ever after with Katelyn, but after she refused his proposal, Aaron ends up with the same feelings of worthlessness when his mother was alive. He relapses.

Someone unexpected becomes the reason he holds on.

angst. so much angst. Aaron's mental health. is in the garbage.

TW: depression, suicidal thoughts, drugs, relapse,  trauma and unspecified eating disorder

Vide Noir by love_in_the_city/ @delightfulfiresoulweasel (because, yes, I am obsessed with their writing) on AO3 here (15k, 1 chapter)

As the exam week took a toll on Aaron, he felt alone, he wanted someone, he want this to be over, he wanted to stop feeling so sick, he wanted the thoughts in his head to stop, he wanted to stop feeling like a pure black void.

you want some more angst? here, have some. TW for eating disorders, mental health (the bad kind), anxiety, depression, self harm, throwing up, anxiety attacks

Fluffy Angst

picture perfect by officialstarsandgutters description linked here

r u mine? by alex_wh0 descriptions linked here

the home we built by MakeBreakfastNotWar on AO3 here (31k, 13 chapters and worth every single word)

Aaron and Katelyn decide they want to have kids, and ask Kevin to be their sperm donor. When Aaron finds himself faced with raising the twins alone, Kevin steps in to help.

a classic must read of the kevaaron fics

it's easier to remain heterosexual by All_for_the_andreil on AO3 here (3k, 4 chapters)

Kevin and Aaron have been hiding their relationship for a while and when Andrew accidentally finds out, it doesn’t go well...

TW for knives and affection mistaken for non-con by outside viewers

i can't make you love me SpookyMiscreant on AO3 here (4k, 2 chapters)

Four times Kevin and Aaron slept together and the first time Kevin and Aaron /sleep/ together.

a lovely song fic. TW: anxiety attacks, nightmare

coming loose by djhedy on AO3 here (26k, 13 chapters)

it's hot, and the twins are disgruntled, and aaron can't stop hoping for things he can't have.

TW: internalized homophobia and “a smidgen of angst”

labels are only as good as me by permanentchaos on AO3 here (5k, 1 chapter)

He's not sure when Aaron became, well Aaron for him. Kevin's not even sure he's allowed to be anything but Aaron. Kevin wants what he wants, if only he could get his brain to cooperate with his heart.

gold. honestly, just gold.

TW: internalized homophobia

anywhere he goes by allfourthefoxes on AO3 here (6k, 2 chapters)

“Yes, Kevin is Aaron’s best friend. Aaron is falling in love with his best friend, if he hasn’t already.

trans skater boy Aaron and Kevin try to find a way to spend the day, cue some fluff, some angst, and then being adorable.” (+ trans Aaron Minyard and Friends to lovers)

Look. this just. cleared my skin. i just. it’s the definition of slipping into love like a dream in written fic format. I- Yeah. mostly fluff with a smidgen of angst and hurt/comfort. TW: scar worship, mention of scars, crying, mentions of self harm, descriptions of dysphoria, mentions of Tilda and her shit

@intangibel

#fic rec fridays #fic rec fridays in april #kevaaron #kevaaron fic rec #aftg fic rec #all for the game #aftg #aaron minyard #kevin day

[1962dude420-blog]

Today we remember the passing of Marilyn Monroe who Died: August 4, 1962 in Los Angeles, California.

Marilyn Monroe; born Norma Jeane Mortenson; June 1, 1926 – August 4, 1962) was an American actress, model, and singer. Famous for playing comedic "blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s and was emblematic of the era's sexual revolution. She was a top-billed actress for only a decade, but her films grossed $200 million (equivalent to $2 billion in 2019) by the time of her death in 1962. Long after her death, she continues to be a major icon of pop culture. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Monroe sixth on its list of the greatest female screen legends from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Monroe spent most of her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage and married at age 16. She was working in a factory during World War II when she met a photographer from the First Motion Picture Unit and began a successful pin-up modeling career, which led to short-lived film contracts with 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures. After a series of minor film roles, she signed a new contract with Fox in late 1950. Over the next two years, she became a popular actress with roles in several comedies, including As Young as You Feel and Monkey Business, and in the dramas Clash by Night and Don't Bother to Knock. She faced a scandal when it was revealed that she had posed for nude photos before she became a star, but the story did not damage her career and instead resulted in increased interest in her films.

By 1953, Monroe was one of the most marketable Hollywood stars; she had leading roles in the film noir Niagara, which focused on her sex appeal, and the comedies Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire, which established her star image as a "dumb blonde". The same year, her nude images were used as the centerfold and on the cover of the first issue of Playboy. She played a significant role in the creation and management of her public image throughout her career, but she was disappointed when she was typecast and underpaid by the studio. She was briefly suspended in early 1954 for refusing a film project but returned to star in The Seven Year Itch (1955), one of the biggest box office successes of her career.

When the studio was still reluctant to change Monroe's contract, she founded her own film production company in 1954. She dedicated 1955 to building the company and began studying method acting under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio. Later that year, Fox awarded her a new contract, which gave her more control and a larger salary. Her subsequent roles included a critically acclaimed performance in Bus Stop (1956) and her first independent production in The Prince and the Showgirl (1957). She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her work in Some Like It Hot (1959), a critical and commercial success. Her last completed film was the drama The Misfits (1961).

Monroe's troubled private life received much attention. She struggled with addiction and mood disorders. Her marriages to retired baseball star Joe DiMaggio and to playwright Arthur Miller were highly publicized, and both ended in divorce. On August 4, 1962, she died at age 36 from an overdose of barbiturates at her home in Los Angeles. Her death was ruled a probable suicide, although several conspiracy theories have been proposed in the decades following her death.

#August 4 #1962 #R.I.P. #Marilyn Monroe #Norma Jeane

[oldhollywoodfilms]

Here's our top five TCM picks for the week of Jan. 4, 2021:

1. Gilda (1946) at 10:45 am ET/7:45 am PT Tuesday, Jan. 5: Every Tuesday in January TCM's lineup will feature films from each of the old Hollywood studios (for more on how the studio system operated, read Martin Scorsese's monthly column for TCM: https://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/020898?source=nav). This week's daytime lineup features films from Columbia Pictures, including Gilda, the quintessential Columbia noir with the studio's quintessential star, Rita Hayworth. FYI: The primetime and late night lineup are dedicated to Warner Bros. studio.

2. Death on the Nile (1978) at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT Wednesday, Jan. 6: The Wednesday night lineup of whodunnits begins with this Agatha Christie adaptation starring Peter Ustinov as Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The all-star lineup includes Bette Davis, Maggie Smith, and David Niven, but Angela Lansbury steals the show as a flamboyant romance novelist.

3. Trouble in Paradise (1932) at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT Thursday, Jan. 7: This sophisticated pre-code comedy about love among jewel thieves is one of several films star-of-the-month Miriam Hopkins made with director Ernst Lubitsch. Hopkins plays a beautiful pickpocket who teams up with a suave jewel thief (Herbert Marshall).

 4. North by Northwest (1959) at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT Saturday, Jan. 9: This thriller about a handsome advertising executive (Cary Grant) who gets mixed up in international espionage is perhaps the perfect Hitchcock film. We'll be tweeting along on Saturday night at  https://twitter.com/oldhollywood21

5. Remains of the Day (1993) at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT Sunday, Jan. 10: This drama about the inner workings of a great English estate just before the start of World War II is a beautifully wrought period piece with a brilliant Anthony Hopkins as a repressed butler who sacrifices his family and personal happiness for duty.

#TCM #TCM party #Let's movie #TCM picks #the old hollywood studio system #Columbia pictures #film noir #noir #whodunnits #Agatha Christie #star of the month #Miriam Hopkins #pre-code #TCM Essentials #Hitchcock #classic movies #classic movie stars #old hollywood

[jazzviewswithcj]

A deeper look at Merci Miles: (Warner Records, 2021)

Miles Davis: trumpet; Kenny Garrett: saxophone; Deron Johnson: keyboard; Richard Patterson: bass; Ricky Wellman: drums

By July, 1991 Miles Davis was music royalty.  The previous decade saw him reach a level of popularity and stardom seldom seen in jazz.  By the early 80’s the trumpeter had changed music multiple times, 4 to be exact, with his foray into hip hop, the first recording to be issued after his death Doo Bop (Warner Bros, 1992) , marking the fifth groundbreaking turn in his career.  Prior to his passing from stroke complications in 1991, he maintained a vigorous touring schedule, and the performances of his sextet of the period, the finest late career band he ever led (and arguably one of the best bands of his entire career) were supercharged.  The music captured on the newly released Merci Miles: Live at Vienne (Rhino, 2021) marks the first time anywhere save two YouTube videos the concert has been available in full, and is significant and historically important for two reasons:  it is one of Miles’ final performances in France available legally, and it features two compositions by Prince, the cheeky entendre laden titles “Penetration” and “Jailbait” that the late icon wrote specifically for Davis.  

The picture of the late singer/composer/multi instrumentalist’s involvement with Davis is much clearer through the release of Prince’s own Sign O’ The Times multi disc mega box set and the official release of “Can I Play With U?” a track originally written by The Purple One during the legendary Rubberband (Rhino, 2018) sessions.   Prince’s track was going to be included on what eventually turned out to be Davis’ first album with his new label, Warner Bros. Tutu (1986) but was eventually shelved.  The track was then slated to be issued in the original, much more substantial The Last Word: The Complete Warner Brothers Recordings box set from the early 2000’s (of which promo copies existed) but was fazed out due to rights issues.

The trumpeter always regarded France warmly, from the time he first set foot on French soil as a 22 year old in 1949.  The country was also where in the late 1950’s he recorded the innovative soundtrack to Elevator To The Gallows or Ascenseur pour l’echafaud director Louis Malle’s smoky noir film of which the trumpeter’s soundtrack, completely improvised featuring a top French rhythm section crystallized some of the ideas the trumpeter later would apply on Kind of Blue (Columbia, 1959).  France was also the setting for the infamous romance with the late French starlet Juliette Greco.  More importantly, France, being the first country to wholeheartedly embrace jazz and recognize creative improvised Black music to be on par with European art music, was ready for whatever Davis brought to the table, instead of the misdirected pining that many fans and critics demonstrated in the U.S. for his past, acoustic centered work.  

Merci Miles was captured on July 1, 1991 at the Jazz a Vienne festival, at a picturesque Roman amphitheater filled to capacity.  7 days later on July 8, Miles would revisit the material from Porgy and Bess, Miles Ahead and Sketches of Spain at the Montreux Jazz Festival  with a double orchestra conducted by Quincy Jones and featuring the late trumpeter Wallace Roney as a second voice alongside occasional spots for alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett.    The appearance featuring this music was followed by an appearance with former band mates in Paris on July 10 (a concert that unfortunately of this writing is  being thieved by bootleggers for album release), and the European swing wrapped up in Nice, France on July 16th.

Miles’ band that July 1st evening, featuring Deron Johnson (who grew up with Miles’ nephew and former drummer Vince Wilburn, Jr) on keyboards; Kenny Garrett on alto saxophone and flute) lead bassist and Parliament alumnus Foley, bassist Richard Patterson, and the late Ricky Wellman on drums were inspired and smoking.

“Hannibal” written by Marcus Miller, which appeared on the group’s latest studio album Amandla (1989) is the high energy set opener, with the rhythm section of Johnson, Patterson and Wellman in perfect sync.  Miles flies free with some solo lines before the head appears, and Kenny Garrett makes his first appearance with a lengthy solo.  Garrett (who has a new Mack Avenue studio album in August) is like a heat seeking missile, the rhythm section responding and creating inner dialogues with him in response to his impassioned, pulpit stirring cries.  Deron Johnson, often alongside with Garrett in taking some of the best solos of the evening, briefly dialogues with Miles before spinning off into his own, substantial solo turn.  Johnson is a complete history of the keyboardist’s who played with the trumpeter and distills everything in his sparkling, distinctive soloing voice, swinging slightly behind the beat against the mightily funky bass and drums underneath.

“Human Nature”, the classic ballad   from Michael Jackson’s Thriller (Epic, 1982) Davis first debuted on You’re Under Arrest (Columbia, 1985).  The sensuous existential track became a blank canvas for the Davis band to paint on nightly.  The trumpeter renders the melody with longing, then gradually shifts into a resourceful solo with a double time sprint.  Within Davis’ solo and the use of Spanish tinged scales, and the colorful keyboard backing, the intense drama of the beautiful arrangements that Gil Evans crafted for Sketches of Spain (Columbia, 1959) which Marcus Miller expanded upon in a sense for the film soundtrack Siesta (Warner Bros, 1989) are clearly felt.  Davis quotes “Nature Boy” and a few other asides before passing the baton to Garrett, who used the tune as a nightly feature for intense late period Coltrane trance like meditation.  Garrett fits in a quote of the old spiritual “Joshua Fit De Battle of Jericho” before rocketing into space; Wellman in particular follows him wherever he goes.  Every now and then Miles jabs some mood setting chords with his Oberheim OBX synth as cues, while Garrett continues to combust.  The saxophonist bursting at the seams as a fragment from the bridge to “Milestones” is used as an ostinato, Davis signals a quick blast with his trumpet and the tune ends.  Garrett brought the audience and listeners at home on a thrill ride.

“Time After Time” , the Cyndi Lauper classic is ushered in as volcanic applause erupts from the audience, nearly drowning  out the music.  For 9 and a half minutes, the show belongs to Davis, as he gently finds all the melodic contours he can in the tune.  Like “Round Midnight” and “My Funny Valentine” of decades past, “Time After Time” became one of Davis’ signature ballads.  He drives his improvisation the same way  as Aretha Franklin, Pavarotti, Bocelli or Carreras would, with a marked sense of passion and timeless beauty.

Disc 1 closes with one of the Prince tunes, “Penetration” where everyone gets off on the raunchy funk.  Davis and Garrett are one during the track, and it truly shows the admiration and border less musicality that both icons would have shared, Davis struts with swagger between melody statements and Johnson rips into his solo with passion, Garrett’s searing alto ups the ante further.  As a contrast, “Jailbait” on disc 2, is a gut bucket blues where both Johnson and Garrett take scintillating solos..

The show closes with “Wrinkle” a wondrous maze of a melody that is awe inspiring when played a top speed, and “Finale” a drum solo feature for Wellman that showcases his patented bass drum triplets while keeping rock solid time on the snare, a sort of shuffle where the bass and snare switch roles, and some lightning samba as well as his signature Go-Go groove.

Sound:

Merci Miles is taken directly from the original tapes recorded and mixed by Patrick Savey and Mastered by John Webber at Air Studios in London.  Similar to Sony/Legacy’s Bootleg Series releases for Davis, the tape is from the official broadcast, in this case captured by the small Zycopolis studios.  Curiously for 1991, the sound is mono which could be due to whatever technical limitations of the tape, but it is very good strong mono.  The Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC manages to wring out very nice separation for the band in the mono soundstage: In particular, Davis trumpet is vibrant, brassy, golden and present.  Richard Patterson’s bass is commanding and takes the center of the sound stage, deep and rich.  Ricky Wellman’s drums are full of gusto, there is a reason his nickname was “Sugarfoot” and you hear that in all it’s glory.  Kenny Garrett’s passion radiates past the speakers, Deron Johnson’s keyboards float above the proceedings and Foley’s lead bass provides a wonderful textural contrast to everything else.

Concluding Thoughts:

The 80’s and early 90’s Miles cannon  has seen relatively scant archival releases versus everything from the 50’s-70’s.  Merci Miles is a welcome document of a band that truly was at the top of it’s game and at the peak of its powers.  Miles Davis, judging from this concert was showing little sign of slowing down in his playing, there is a vitality and joy here that  easily places this alongside his Montreux concerts of the period and the excellent Live Around The World (Warner Brothers, 1996).  A wonderful present honoring the great musical icon thirty years on from his passing.  The CD (reviewed here) and LP packages contain some particularly touching photos in a triple gatefold in the French Flag colors of Miles memorabilia from that final tour provided by Vince Wilburn, Jr and a superb liner essay from noted scholar Ashley Kahn contextualizing the history of the trumpeter’s French sojourns and the event itself, alongside some great photos.  The cover also features some nice embossing of the album title text and Davis’ name.  If there is any doubt about physical media, this album is a compelling case for why it’s so good to OWN a physical copy of an album.

Music: 10/10

Sound: 8.5/10

Equipment used for this review

Audiolab 6000 CDT  transport

Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC

Marantz NR 1200 stereo receiver (as pre amp)

Marantz MM 7025 stereo power amplifier

Focal Chora 826 speakers

Audioquest Forest and Golden Gate cables

#miles davis #jazz #trumpet #prince #funk

[wjbs-aus]

Ok so I have ~12 hours until the Direct and I'm still not tired yet, anyway here's some information about most of the characters from that Smash post I did.

Gordon Freeman

Stage: Citadel Top

Costumes: Orange with Lambda; Blue with Sigma; Red with Omega; Purple with Alpha; Grey with Beta; White with Aperture Logo; Rusted with spray-painted Lambda; Dark Blue with Combine symbol

Associated Mii costume(s): Alyx (Gunner)

Final Smash: Gluon Gun

Playa

Stage: Saints Penthouse (stage hazards include Paul's hands and STAG VTOLs attacking the building)

Costumes: IV character presets, with different voices.

Associated Mii costume(s): Johnny Gat (Swordfighter)

Final Smash: Power Armour Robot Mech-Suit

Doom Slayer

*cough*

JC Denton

Stage: Liberty Island

Costumes: Black Coat; White Coat; Red Coat; Green Coat; Blue Coat; Purple Coat; Paul Denton; Adam Jensen

Associated Mii costume(s): Adam Jensen (all), UNATCO Soldier (Gunner)

Final Smash: "Blowing up the internet" - Ross Scott, 2016

The Grox

Stage: Adventure Town (has random Maxis-made Galactic Adventures NPCs and creatures in the background)

Costumes: Red fur/eye; Blue fur and yellow eye; Gold fur/cybernetics and cyan eye; White fur with black stripes and a purple eye; Green Fur/eye; Purple Fur and white eye; Greyscale; Red fur with no cybernetics

Associated Mii costume(s): Galactic Adventures Captain gear (all)

Final Smash: Planet Buster

Scout

*splutter*

Booker and Elizabeth

Stage: Columbia/Rapture

Costumes: Main Timeline (Waistcoat/Dress); Burial at Sea (Detective outfit/Noir); ???/???; ???/???; ???/???; ???/???; ???/???; ???/???

Associated Mii costume(s): Big Daddy (Gunner), Little Sister (Swordfighter)

Final Smash: Songbird

Human

Stage: Skyscraper

Costumes: Default/Grey; Frozen/light-Blue; Zombie/Greyish-green; Skeleton; Android; ???; ???; ???

Associated Mii costume(s): Gorse (Brawler)

Final Smash: Atom Bomb

The Detective

Stage: Whirling Plaza

Costumes: Disco-Ass Outfit; RCM Uniform; Dick Mullen costume; ???; ???; ???; ???; ???

Associated Mii costume(s): Kim (Gunner)

Final Smash: ???

TABS

*wheeze*

Kerbals

Stage: KSP Launchpad (stage hazards include failed spacecraft flying around)

Costumes: Male (white spacesuit); Female (white spacesuit); Male (orange spacesuit); Female (orange spacesuit); Male (alternate spacesuit 1); Female (alternate spacesuit 2); Male (alternate spacesuit 3); Female Ground Control (casual clothes)

Associated Mii costume(s): KSP Spacesuit (Brawler)

Final Smash: Rocket Crash

Note: as the title implies, there are several Kerbals, with the leader being either Jebediah or Valentina depending on the skin.

Trebhum

Stage: ???

Costumes: Orange; Purple; Green; Dark Grey; Blue; Pink; Yellow; Brown

Associated Mii costume(s): Ghat from Zeno Clash (Brawler)

Final Smash: The Eternal Cylinder

Octodad

Stage: The Aquarium

Costumes: Dadliest Catch; Wedding Outfit; First Date; Naked; Hammerhead Mascot; Doctor; Original Game; ???

Final Smash: Shark

The Goose

Stage: The Model Village

Costumes: Player 1, Player 2, Canada Goose, Mallard, Flamingo, Kazooie-inspired, Swan, Black Swan

Final Smash: Villager Stampede

Note: The Goose's model stays mostly the same for all costumes, with some changes to their beak-shape

The Courier

Stage: The Lucky 38

Costumes: ???; ???; ???; ???; ???; ???; ???; ???

Associated Mii costume(s): NCR Trooper (Gunner)

Final Smash: Euclid's C-Finder

Maxwell

Stage: Dot the Island

Costumes: Maxwell, Lily and 6 of the Brothers from Unlimited

Associated Mii costume(s): Scribblenaut (Brawler)

Final Smash: Cthulhu

Chell

Stage: Central Core Chamber (with GLaDOS in the background)

Costumes (colour refers to jumpsuit parts): Portal 2 (Orange, treated as White due to her top); Portal 1 (Orange); Portal 2 (Blue, treated as Black due to her top); Portal 1 (Blue); Portal 2 (Purple, treated as Yellow due to her top) ; Portal 1 (Pink); Portal 2 (Red, treated as Grey due to her top, which also has a Mann Co. logo); Portal 1 (White)

Associated Mii costume(s): P-Body (Gunner)

Final Smash: Moon-Portal

BABA

Stage: ???

Costumes: White; Red; Orange; Pink; Green; Purple; Yellow; BADBAD

Associated Mii costumes: ROBOT

Final Smash: [FIGHTER] is [DONE]

Agent 47

Stage: ???

Costumes: Signature Suit; Tuxedo; Summer Suit; Terminus Suit; Red Plumber Disguise; VIP Patient; Casual Suit; Clown Suit

Final Smash: ???

Waluigi

Stage: Waluigi Pinball

Costumes: Uh, look! A cool bird! *Runs*

Final Smash: ???

Boyfriend

Stage: Week 1

Costumes: Default; Week 5; Week 6; ???; ???; ???; ???; ???

Associated Mii costumes: Pico (Gunner)

Final Smash: ???

Pyro

Stage: Pyroland

Costumes: RED; BLU; RED Gas Jockey's Gear; BLU Infernal Imp; RED Grordbort; BLU Pyrosaur; RED Biker; BLY Frycook

Associated Mii costumes: Scout (All)

Final Smash: Armageddon

Rillaboom

Stage: Rose Tower

Costumes: Normal; Shiny; Inverted; Pink, White and Purple; Orange, Grey and White; ???; ???, ???

Associated Mii costumes: Inteleon (Gunner)

Final Smash: G-Max Drum Solo

#super smash bros #super smash bros character ideas #long post