Film Weekly Magazine

Willis O’Brien’s Legacy of Movie Special Effects

admin — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The legacy of Willis O’Brien is that he remains one of the most important figures in the history of motion picture special effects. He was a true pioneer that forever changed the motion picture industry. Among his greatest contributions was his innovative and amazing work with stop motion animation. This method entailed filming a small model frame by frame as minor movements on the model were made prior to snapping a new frame. When played at full speed, this would present the image of the model moving as if it were a living being.

The 1925 film The Lost World would feature numerous dinosaurs brought to life by O’Brien. Nothing like The Lost World had ever been seen by movie audiences before and the film gave a glimpse into the amazing future that the cinema would have in store for fantasy fans.

Willis O’Brien’s greatest triumph was the 1933 classic King Kong. King Kong was more than just a small model moving mechanically on screen. O’Brien added a great deal of pathos and personality to Kong allowing the giant gorilla to become one of the most memorable fantasy characters in film history.

His other films such as Mighty Joe Young might not have been as successful, but O’Brien’s earlier work would forever change the direction of special effects in the movies.

The Son of Tarzan’s Silver Screen Swing

admin — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Back in the 1920s, films were quite different from what we are used to today. There really weren’t any TV movies, there was no home video and forget about movie channels on sites like TVbyDIRECT.com. If you wanted to see a movie, it was usually in black and white, theatres were the only place you could see them and they were serials.

A serialized film is basically a huge epic told in 15 to 30 minute installments and that’s exactly how it was done with Son of Tarzan.

Based on the legendary novel by the equally legendary author Edgar Rice Burroughs, this swashbuckling adventure followed the story of Jack (the son of Tarzan and Jane). When young Jack feels the call of the wild, he is lured to the continent of Africa and, from there, an epic odyssey of thrills and chills unfurls.

While critics of the film serial enjoyed their experience, there were a few criticisms that would be considered non-issues today. Some thought the serial should have been five episodes longer bringing the total from 15 to 20. Others thought that the film would have been even better with better actors.

Regardless of the minor criticisms, Son of Tarzan remains a classic to this day.

Top Ten Movie Actresses from the 1930s

www.filmweeklymagazine.com — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Movies in the 1930s offered a different style compared to what is shown on screen today. During a time when there was a sense of romanticism, actresses ruled the screen with such class and dignity. There were many great actresses during this time, so roles were sought after and fought for. Genuine talent was a must. When discussing who should be at the top, there are bound to be disagreements, but there are definitely many contenders.

The top ten movie actresses of the 1930s, in my opinion, are as follows, in no particular order. Want more? Click here. Jean Harlow, considered one of the greatest movies stars of all time by the American Film Institute; Myrna Loy, Carole Lombard, Greta Garbo, who is considered one of the greatest female stars in history by the American Film Institute; Marlene Dietrich, Claudette Colbert, who starred in one of best films ever made Imitation of Life; Barbara Stanwyck , Bette Davis (of course), who starred in over 100 films; Joan Crawford, who won an Academy Award for her role in Mildred Place, and Jeanette MacDonald, who is not only a screen legend but also a Broadway star.

The list can go on and on. These women possessed such style and grace and it came through in their work. The 1930s was a wonderful time period where these legendary movie stars were able to shine.Want to know more? Go ahead: Jean Harlow – Style Icon

Top Ten Movie Actors from the 1930s

www.filmweeklymagazine.com — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The 1930s saw several few glamorous actors whose names still resonate today. Some of the most prolific actors from Hollywood’s Golden Era include:

Clark Gable, whose work spans half a century and includes notables like Gone With the Wind, It Happened One Night and Mutiny on the Bounty.

C. Aubrey Smith, whose work includes the breathtakingly beautiful Hitchcock work Rebecca, as well as China Seas and Tarzan the Ape Man.

John Wayne, an old west superstar whose work still remains the biggest box office draw of all time.

Spencer Tracy, winner of the Best Actor Oscar in 1937 and 1938, for his work in Captains Courageous and Boys Town,

Guy Kibbee, who starred in 1939s Babes in Arms, as well as a host of other films in the decade,

Ginger Rogers, an iconic actress, whose body of work included Top Hat, Swing Time, 42nd Street and Bachelor Mother.

Bette Davis, an actress whose extensive body of work spanned from 1931 to 1989.

Lewis Jones, star of China Seas, The Big House and Love Finds Andy Hardy.

Jimmy Stewart, star of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and work spanning several decades.

James Cagney, star of Angels With Dirty Faces.

Top Ten Movie Actresses from the 1920s

www.filmweeklymagazine.com — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The 1920s were a time of magic. Out in Hollywood, movie studios were creating their new style of entertainment which spread across America. The actresses in these films became some of the most famous people in the country.
Mary Pickford, Clara Bow and Lillian Gish were big name draws in the silent movies. Pickford’s golden curls were her signature style. Clara Bow was known as the “It” girl. Norma Talmadge’s films were hugely successful. She was also an accidental trendsetter when she stepped in wet concrete in front of Grauman’s Chinese theater. A Broadway actress during the middle of the decade, a move to Hollywood and a name changes set Joan Crawford on the path to stardom.
Norma Shearer appeared in many popular movies but is probably best remembered as the wife of Irving Thalberg. European actresses Greta Garbo and Gloria Swanson were box office successes. The decade also gave us Myrna Loy and Janet Gaynor. Gaynor’s work in Seventh Heaven gained her the first Best Actress Oscar ever given.

The transition to talking pictures was not easy for everyone. But silent or talking, actresses during the 1920s did work to be proud of.

Top Ten Movie Actors from the 1920s

www.filmweeklymagazine.com — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The era known as the “Roaring 20′s” produced many great actors. The 1920′s era is very well known for having silent films. The following is a list of the top ten actors from the 1920s.

1 – Charlie Chaplin
He is best known for being in silent movies and forming United Artists Corporation.

2 – Al Jolsen
He is best known for his role in the “Jazz Singer”.

3 – Buster Keaton
He was known as a brilliant comedian, especially in silent movies.

4 – Warner Baxter
Starred in the movie “In Old Arizona”.

5 – Douglas Fairbanks
He was famous for starring in silent movies and forming United Artists Corporation.

6 – Lon Chaney Sr
He was known as the man with a thousand faces. He starred in the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

7 – Rudolph Valentino
He was known as the Latin lover. He played characters that women loved to watch.

8 – Charles King
He starred in the first musical / sound movie ever made.

9 – Jackie Coogan
He was discovered by Charlie Chaplin and became famous for being in “The Kid”.

10 – Harold Lloyd
He was one of the two leading comedians of the time, along with Charlie Chaplin. The information doesn’t stop now. Keep looking: Why Sacha Baron Cohen Is a Greater ‘Dictator’ Than Charlie Chaplin

Monster Movies of the 20s and 30s

admin — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The monster movies of the 1920′s and the 1930′s truly were amazing. Many of the films released during this time period are still considered all-time classics this day. Sadly, many silent era horror films have been lost or destroyed such as the Lon Chaney Sr. film LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT. However, we are left with amazing selections from the 1920′s along the lines of NOSFERATU, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Despite their age, these films still elicit frights and scares to this very day and they will continue to do so in the future.

In the 1930′s, sound was introduced in film. The result of this was horror films expanded beyond the mere visual horror component. Universal Pictures became the premiere movie studio which understood how to capitalize on the demand for the fantastic releasing DRACULA, THE MUMMY, FRANKENSTEIN, THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, and other classic horror films. While there were more Universal horror films produced in the 1940′s, they were more escapist fare and did not capture the true horror of the films produced in the 1930′s.

Today, the fan base for the horror films of the 1920′s and 1930′s still exists and for good reason. These films remain perennial classic of gothic cinema.