Every Sunday (1936) | Film
Every Sunday This 1936 short film is fascinating because MGM was showcasing their two incredible young singers, Judy Garland and Deanna Durbin. Judy and Deanna both had amazing voices, but very different styles, as can be seen in this film. Deanna Durbin MGM let pretty Deanna’s contract lapse, and she was snapped up by Universal Studios. She had talent and great charm, and success came quickly. Deanna had a huge success with Three Smart Girls (1936), a sequel to that film, and several other films musical films. Deanna Durbin was credited with saving Universal Studios from bankruptcy as it was struggling during the Depression. Most of her films are delightful.…
World Press Freedom Day 2018
It Is World Press Freedom Day 2018 In this troubled time in history, where journalists are attacked and even killed by politicians and terrorists from around the world, we celebrate World Press Freedom Day 2018. We live in very dangerous times when autocratic rulers want to destroy anyone who opposes them. There are some fascinating videos in this blog post from NFB: Mark World Press Freedom Day Around the world, politicians like Vladimir Putin are having journalists who oppose him killed: Here are 10 critics of Vladimir Putin who died violently or in suspicious ways This does not just happen in other countries. We currently have a President of the…
Cherry Blossoms in Branch Brook Park!
The Cherry Blossoms Are Back In Bloom Branch Brook Park is a beautiful 360-acre county park that is located in both Newark and Belleville, New Jersey. Branch Brook Park has the LARGEST collection of cherry trees in the United States. That’s right, larger than Washington, DC.! There are over 5000 trees in the park. The park was designed by the Olmsted brothers, as was New York’s Central Park. Check out Verona Park! If you love nature, please check out my post on Environmental Mindfulness! Thank you for reading The Literary Lioness!
Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life by Ruth Franklin (2016) | Book Review
Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life by Ruth Franklin Genres: Biography, Non-Fiction Original Publication Date: 2016 Source: I purchased this book Goodreads Find the Author: Website, Goodreads, Amazon Still known to millions primarily as the author of “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson (1916–1965) has been curiously absent from the mainstream American literary canon. A genius of literary suspense and psychological horror, Jackson plumbed the cultural anxiety of postwar America more deeply than anyone. Now, biographer Ruth Franklin reveals the tumultuous life and inner darkness of the author of such classics as The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle. I am honoring Shirley Jackson’s 100th birthday…
Ann Harding: Cinema’s Gallant Lady by Scott O’Brien | Book Review
Ann Harding - Cinema's Gallant Lady by Scott O'Brien Genres: Biography Original Publication Date: 2010 Source: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Goodreads Find the Author: Website, Goodreads, Amazon Laurence Oliver referred to her as an “angel.” Director Henry Hathaway claimed she was a “bitch.” Critics hailed Ann Harding as the finest actress to venture from Broadway to Hollywood. Her unique, natural screen presence in Holiday (1930) earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. From 1929 to 1936, Harding reigned as cinema’s “Gallant Lady.” Several years ago I read Scott O’Brien’s excellent biography of Kay Francis, so I couldn’t wait to read…
