The glass bottom boat of the cultural press
A lady Tarzan and her gorilla have a rough time adapting to high society in Lorraine of the Lions (1925), one of four silent films on Accidentally Preserved: Volume 5, unleashed by Ben Model and Undercrank Productions, with musical scores by Jon C. Mirsalis.
A pair of silent comedies from forgotten “silk hat comedian” Raymond Griffith are now available for rediscovery on Blu-ray. Phil Bailey reviews Paths to Paradise and You’d Be Surprised, from Undercrank Productions and the Library of Congress, with musical scores by Ben Model.
Phil Bailey talks with Ben Model, the Renaissance Man smashing silent film stereotypes through his boutique label, Undercrank Productions.
A pair of century old silent films from multiple Academy Award winning director Frank Borzage hit Blu-ray/DVD with new scores by Andrew Earle Simpson. Phil Bailey reviews the 1922 silent Frank Borzage double feature Back Pay & The Valley of Silent Men.
Phil Bailey reviews the second Undercrank Productions collection of rare silent films from legendary actor Lon Chaney.
A detailed look into Buster Keaton during his glory days of early cinema as told by contemporary reviews.
This thoughtful and well-documented text explores the history of dark comedy in film through the perspective of Charlie Chaplin’s work and his movies about war.
Carl F Gauze puts on a swimming cap, goggles, and sensible swimwear (no exposed ankles!) and immerses himself in the biography of Australian bombshell swimming sensation Annette Kellerman.
A.J. Croce celebrates the 50th anniversary of his father, Jim Croce’s, three ground breaking albums, with a nationwide tour of Croce Plays Croce.
High Above Harlesden 1978 - 2023 from On-U Sound collects 60 dub and reggae tracks from Creation Rebel, an astounding set of musicians.
Gerta O. Egy’s beautifully drawn fungi almost eclipse their fairyland habitats in her Mushroom Daydream Coloring Book.
One of the last of the classic wuxia swordplay films stands as a fitting coda to the grand period of the genre. Phil Bailey reviews a new Blu-ray release of the 1975 film The Valiant Ones.
The Complete Friends of Old-Time Music Concert (Smithsonian Folkways Records). Review by Bob Pomeroy.
Smash Mouth takes us back to The Brady Bunch circa 1973, with “Sunshine Day,” featuring Barry Williams, the original Greg Brady.
Not everyone can be excited by blocks spinning on a screen, but if you are, Ian Koss recommends you pay attention to Best of Five.
The final two films in the bonkers Hong Kong action comedy series The Inspector Wears Skirts hit Blu-ray from 88 Films.
A pair of early “girls with guns” action films from superstars Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock have arrived from 88 Films.