The Silver Screen Oasis

Thanks, Fernando! I knew she was a real person, but didn't remember all that.

Moura, Baroness Budberg

If they put all of her adventures in a movie, who would believe it? There is a recent biography about her, "Moura: The Dangerous Life of Baroness Budberg" by Nina Berberova, found here

Welcome Moira. She looks like a cross between Merle Oberon and Jetta Goudal in that picture. By the way, when I watched it some time ago I enjoyed very much "British Agent" (1934). It is a good film.

I'll second viewing suggestions of "The Prowler" and "Act of Violence." April put me on to "The Prowler" and someone else from here put me on to the other. Ah, it's a great group.

I don't really have anything to add except that GOSH, Act of Violence is even better the second time around.

I was impressed with Mary Astor's cameo in "Act of Violence". Wandering around in that flowered dress, she looked and acted the part very well. Oh well, I'm partial to Miss Astor any way.

You know Mongo, the first time I watched it I thought the same thing. This time, she was even better than I remember. She's absolutely a first class actress, even if she didn't think so herself. In this movie, she absolutely embodies the underworld to me.

Throne of Blood is a film that transposes the plot of Shakespeare's Macbeth to feudal Japan, and is a very moving adaptation. It was shot close to Mt. Fuji. Shakespeare, Kurosawa, Mifune...what could be better?

what could be better?

Nothing, in my book. It's my favorite Kurosawa. He made the trees WALK!

I haven't seen any of those samurai films. Something to look forward to!

POSSIBLE SPOILERS...

I adored Red Beard! I had never seen it before. "If he makes it until dawn, he will live!" And all the women peering and shouting into the well! So poetic as they look into the well and the camera pans down into the reflection of the well, and one drop of water splashes and creates a ripple effect. Lovely!

And the last conversation with the doctor..so poignant. Such a delight. Like a cherry blossom in the cold bleakness of winter.

Someone indicated over at the mothership that TCM is now broadcasting in real HD. According to them the SD signal is now "downconverted" from HD rather than the other way round.

I have noticed that my station id logo that comes on before the channel kicks in shows HD next to TCM but it had not occurred to me that it might be genuine HD.

Anyone else know for sure?

Edge of Darkness (1943) shows early tomorrow.