Do you love Christmas movies and watch them over and over? I was recently challenged to make a list of my top ten favorite classic films, a task I find close to impossible. But it became clear that Christmas movies are at the top of the list. Every year I watch the same films over…
Lisa's Home Bijou
Cimarron pioneer Oklahoma story: Lisa’s Home Bijou
Film Festival: The West and Southwest Cimarron was the first Western film to receive an Academy Award. It’s an epic saga depicting the changes in pioneer Oklahoma through the eyes of the Cravat family. The film is considered to be an accurate representation of the times, based on Edna Ferber‘s meticulous research. In Cimarron, Ferber…
It Came From Outer Space sci-fi : Lisa’s Home Bijou
Film Festival: Science Fiction in the 1950s It Came From Outer Space (1953) is a classic sci-fi film based on a Ray Bradbury story. It is important to the genre because the outer space aliens that crash on Earth have no interest in invading or harming humans. John Putnam is an amateur astronomer who makes…
Lisa’s Home Bijou: St. Louis Blues
Film Festival: Summertime Blues St. Louis Blues is the 1958 Hollywood version of W. C. Handy’s life, formulated as a vehicle for his music as opposed to an accurate biographical portrayal. However, St. Louis Blues is well worth it because of the music and the fine performances.Although his exact place in the pantheon of blues greats…
Annie Oakley 20th century icon: Lisa’ Home Bijou
Film Festival: The West and Southwest Annie Oakley, whose career extended into the early decades of the 20th century, represented an icon for early 20th century women. As an independent, talented female celebrity, she traveled with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and brought the culture, legends and romanticism of the West to people all over…