Category Archives: Older Films

The Garden of Allah (1936)

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Mark DuPré

Such a curiosity! The film is visually stunning, stolid, lumpy and howlingly unbelievable. But it’s worth a look for several reasons. The story is so out of our time as to be worthy of archeological study. A young woman who … Continue reading →

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Judgment at Nuremburg and A Man for All Seasons: The Cinema of Conscience

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Mark DuPré

When I teach my students about editing, I make sure to point out that it has a dual power—to both contrast and compare. Classic scenes of violence cut with scenes of a holy rite (The Godfather, Part One) or violence … Continue reading →

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An Open Letter to Christopher Plummer

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Mark DuPré

Dear Mr. Plummer: I am making a presentation soon on The Sound of Music, and chose it partially due to the attention recently given to it on its 50th anniversary. Although you’re making nice right now, we all know you’ve … Continue reading →

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The Red Shoes (1948, British)

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Mark DuPré

The Red Shoes is a 1948 British Technicolor wonder that also happens to be a film about ballet and the constant struggle between being a great artist and having a life (see Whiplash for the most recent cinematic reminder). The … Continue reading →

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Follow the Fleet

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Mark DuPré

Follow the Fleet (1936) is considered one of the lesser Astaire-Rogers musicals. Seeing it again for research, it’s clearer than ever why. If ever there was a musical that should be fast-forwarded through to get to the musical numbers, this … Continue reading →

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Jaws Revisited

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Mark DuPré

It only made sense when doing a large extended-family vacation on Cape Cod, after spending an afternoon on the beach, to take another look at Jaws. The first time around, the film got lost in the phenomenon. It’s heralded as … Continue reading →

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Two Films from 1942

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Mark DuPré

Holiday Inn As part of my general research on musicals, I wanted a complete look at a couple of films of what I’d only seen bits and pieces. Both were released in 1942. Both were packed with star power, and … Continue reading →

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Hallelujah (1929)

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Mark DuPré

Finally filled a gap in my film experience with a viewing of Hallelujah, directed by King Vidor in 1929. It’s another Rorschach test for viewers, who will see any number of things in this second all-black-cast film (and first all-black-cast … Continue reading →

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Diary of a Country Priest (French, 1951)

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Mark DuPré

I tell my film students to give themselves over to whatever film they’re watching; let the film draw you into its world and take you for whatever ride it wants. Perhaps no film is more challenging for a modern audience … Continue reading →

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Blonde Venus (1932) and Applause (1929)

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Sometimes the vagaries of a changing personal schedule can provide opportunities for comparisons that wouldn’t be discernible otherwise. Being a bona fide film nerd, I am always catching up films I haven’t seen at all or in a while. Finishing … Continue reading →

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