Reel Old Movies

“Dinner at Eight” (1933) was among 25 movies selected Wednesday for the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry for 2023.  Jean Harlow was the breakout performance of the all-star ensemble cast that included Marie Dressler, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Wallace Beery, Billie Burke, Lee Tracy and Edmund Lowe. George Cukor directed the MGM dramedy about a high class dinner party in which secrets are revealed.  The box office hit is full of crackerjack exchanges such as this one: Kitty (Jean Harlow) : I was reading a book the other day. Carlotta (Marie Dressler) : [Nearly trips]  Reading a book? Kitty : Yes. It's all about civilization or something. A nutty kind of a book. Do you know that the guy says that machinery is going to take the place of every profession? Carlotta : [Looking her over]  Oh, my dear, that's something you need never worry about. It’s no surprise that the screenplay has all-star talent behind it, too: Frances Marion and Herman J. Mankiewicz...

Whether it’s Christmas stocking stuffers, hostess gifts or holiday presents for family and friends, below are a few holiday gift ideas for the classic film fans in your life. And perhaps for yourself as well.  Here are ideas for books, puzzles, decor/home and movie streaming and experiences:

Now available! " Beginner’s Guide to Classic Movies: 50 movies to start your discovery of Old Hollywood stars and directors" — order your paperback at Amazon 

On this date in Hollywood history -- November edition: Lon Chaney stars as a tough Marine sergeant, birthdays for Joel McCrea and Mabel Normand, "The Big Parade" premieres and more ... 

No trick, all treats: Horror movies lurk in every corner of classic film. This Halloween, go beyond the usual suspects and sample of few of these frightfully fun movies from the silent era that may not be as well known. 

On this date in Hollywood history -- October edition: "How Green Was My Valley," "The Maltese Falcon," "How Green Was My Valley," "Bullitt," "The Red Shoes" and "All About Eve" premiere, birthday for Carole Lombard and Jean Arthur makes her screen debut a hundred years ago and more ... 

In honor of 2023’s National Silent Movie Day on September 29, check out these silent film classics that are considered must-see favorites by silent film fans. 

Now available! "Visual History of Silent Movies: A reissue of the 1927 pictorial survey 'Masters and Masterpieces of the Screen'"  — order your paperback at Amazon 

On this date in Hollywood history -- September edition:  The Hitchcock classic "Psycho" opens across the U.S., Charlie Chaplin barred from re-entry to the U.S., "The Quiet Man" premieres, birthdays for Raquel Welch, Greta Garbo and Claudette Colbert and more ... 

The Margot Robbie-Ryan Gosling “Barbie” won over audiences at the box office with its fashionable icon’s journey from Barbieland to the human world – and from existential crisis to enlightenment. If you can’t get enough of absurdist comedy, identity crises, colorful scene design or stylish wardrobes, consider a few classic films from the Golden Age of Hollywood that scratch some of the same itches of 2023’s summer all-star “Barbie.” What else would you suggest? Share with @ReelOldMovies on Instagram ‘The Red Shoes’ (1948) Critics and audiences have lauded “Barbie” for its set design and innovative color palette. “The Red Shoes” is the height of a color-saturated screen experience . The plot also echoes some of the same themes of “Barbie.” A ballerina faces a world in which she is forced to choose between her passion for her art and her love for a composer. The 1948 drama has been celebrated since its release for its use of Technicolor, with director Martin Scorsese calling it one of th...