Happy TCMFF 2021! Virtual again this year thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, TCM is showcasing a great number of films with new introductions and bonus features, not just on their channel but also on streaming service HBO Max.
Two highlights for pre-Code fanatics (hi, welcome to the site) are 1930’s Her Man, showing in a new restoration on Sunday morning, and 1932’s two-strip technicolor horror extravaganza, Doctor X. Starring Fay Wray, Lee Tracy and Lionel Atwill, the film involves spooky murders and Wray screaming for her life.
To commemorate this screening, I was given the opportunity to talk with Alan Rode, who stars in a featurette about the film for the network and is famously the author of Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film. Alan chats with me about Curtiz’s career at the time, how he came to be working at Warner Bros., and his relationship (or lack thereof) with star Fay Wray. Give it a listen here:
Thank you to Alan for chatting with me. You can follow him on Twitter and check out his website.
If you’ve missed the showing on TCM or haven’t caught it on DVR, Warner Bros. has just released Doctor X on blu-ray, which includes a rarely-seen black and white version of the film that uses different angles and takes.
I have one other interview related to the festival dropping this weekend, so stay tuned!
3 Comments
Caren's Classic Cinema · May 7, 2021 at 6:58 am
Just finishing listening to your interview with writer Alan Rode. Like many people, I’m always interested in watching a Curtiz film, incidentally rewatching MANDALAY just two weeks ago. I’ve had the opportunity to see his THE MOON OF ISRAEL last year and read in Cari Beauchamp’s book on Joseph Kennedy that Kennedy owned the rights for a good period, making quite a bit of coin booking it in Europe, if I’m remembering correctly. I had the opportunity of meeting Victoria Riskin at a film festival. Conversely to you, I have read her book on her parents but still have to read Fay’s memoir which I have on my shelf. Thanks for the interview. It was a nice way to begin the morning.
Caren's Classic Cinema · May 7, 2021 at 7:18 am
Listened to your interview. Like many people, I’m always interested in a Curtiz film. I happened to recently rewatch MANDALAY with a friend who had never seen it. I watched THE MOON OF ISRAEL this past year and, if I’m remembering correctly, read in Cari Beauchamp’s book on Joseph Kennedy that Kennedy owned the rights to the popular film at one point, making quite a bit of coin exhibiting it in Europe. I had the opportunity to meet Victoria Riskin at a film festival. She was lovely. Conversely, I read her book on her parents but have yet to read Fay’s memoir which I do have on my shelf. Thank you. It was a nice way to start the morning.
Veebs · May 12, 2021 at 6:11 am
I’m going to listen to your interview with Alan later today on my lunch break. I’m quite excited! I didn’t catch the TCM screening live, but I’m happy to report that I did PVR it. I’m hoping to get to it sometime this coming weekend. I’ve heard from so many people that the new restoration looks incredible.
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