Film Friday Weekly Roundup – The Bat Free Edition

Look, I have an abiding love for the Batman. Really I do. I love all of his comic book iterations, his slightly suspect relationship with Robin, and – c’mon – the B-Man has the most amazing rogues gallery of villains. I even loved the idea of a Christopher Nolan directed Christian Bale Batman. I loved the first one, yes I did. The second one mortified me with his pseduo-political ramblings. (Disclaimer: That was a decidedly US-centric problem, so don’t worry about it Canada.) And now – well, I can muster zero enthusiasm for The Dark Night Rises. None. Zip. All of this is to say, constant readers, that it was quite a chore to wade through the Batman infested interwebs this week to bring you the best and the brightest non-Batman related movie talk. You are most welcome. Happy reading and happy viewing!

First off, some excellent news from Smithsonian Mag about the year ahead in preservation.

24 Frames dares to watch a sweaty, Orson Welles in Touch of Evil.

The Hollywood Revue tells about a Secret Cinema in Michigan. I want this to happen here right now.

Noir & Chick Flicks brings us a little pre-code badness in The House on 56th Street.

Looking for an alphabet soup of cult classics? Classic Film & TV Cafe lists out the Classic Cult Movies A to Z.

Sittin’ on a Backyard Fence reviews the new Kino BluRay edition of The Saphead.

Self Styled Siren weighs in on the eternal “Is the cinephile dead?” question with The Kid With the Citizen Kane Tape.

Mythical Monkey dances along with young Joan Crawford in Our Modern Maidens.

MacGuffin Movies reviews Laura.  I have to admit this movie really confuses me.

Caftan Woman loves to laugh along to a silent comedy.

Parallax View screens MGM’s MOD: Crime Does Not Pay series. I feel an itch in my ordering finger.

Did you know that the UCLA Film & Television Archive has a section featuring 11 animated silent films? Now you do. Click the pic to check it out.

buster keatonCrime Does Not Paycult moviesjoan crawfordLauraMGM MODorson wellesOur Modern MaidensThe House on 56th StreetThe SapheadTouch of EvilUCLA Film and Television Archive