“Stand by, there's trouble coming soon.”
The Man Who Knew Too Much (Alfred Hitchcock, 1934)
Mar
21
Abbott (Peter Lorre). DP: Curt Courant.
– Bob Lawrence
Even: As You and I (Roger Barlow, Harry Hay + LeRoy Robbins, 1937)
Feb
27
A film editor struggling with a long strip of celluloid. DP: Hy Hirsh.
“You don't think I sat there all evening with an eight-foot mamba in my pocket?”
Murders in the Zoo (A. Edward Sutherland, 1933)
Feb
20
A couple walks into a room, only to discover a lifeless man and a headless snake. DP: Ernest Haller.
– Eric Gorman
大佛廻國 [Daibutsu kaikoku / The Great Buddha Arrival] (Yoshirō Edamasa, 1934)
Dec
22
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Buddha takes a holiday. A gigantic Buddha statue rests his hand on a multi-story building in possibly Kyoto. In front and sprawling out are multiple small wooden establishments with people in kimono and several bicycles in front of them. A tram, the only thing that suggests the 20th century, can be seen almost off-screen. (via). DPs: Haruzo Ando & Harumi Machii.
Something tall*
In this very early kaiju moving picture, Buddha returns and goes on a sightseeing trip through Japan.
* the Bales 2025 Film Challenge for December has a few dateless themes. This is one of them.
“Shadow boxes become poetic theaters or settings wherein are metamorphosed the element of a childhood pastime.”
Children's Party (Joseph Cornell, c. 1938/1969)
Dec
18
Las Posadas
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Exuberant dancers at the children's party.
A festive child for Las Posadas
– Joseph Cornell
Children of all ages are entertained by a menagerie of dancers, acrobats, talented fauna and bobbing apples in this exhilarating found-footage party. Part of The Children's Trilogy, together with Cotillion (c. 1938/1969) and The Midnight Party (c. 1938/1969).
Jean: Are you bored?
Juliette: Oh, no.
Jean: Don't worry. There'll be places to see.
Juliette: Riverbanks.
L'Atalante (Jean Vigo, 1934)
Dec
16
on a river
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Juliette (Dita Parlo) in her bridal dress walks the cover of her husband's river barge L'Atalante. A steam barge putputs by (via). DP: Boris Kaufman.
Set on a river*
* the Bales 2025 Film Challenge for December has a few dateless themes. This is one of them.
“Fascism is not to be debated, it is to be destroyed.”
20 de noviembre de 1936 ¿Te acuerdas de esta fecha, compañero? [20th of November] (1937)
Nov
20
1936
Soldiers in silhouette. Disclaimer: I am not 100% sure this still is from the correct film. DP: anonymous.
A documentary made by the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo in honour of anarchist Buenaventura Durruti, who was murdered on November 20, 1936.
– Buenaventura Durruti
“You take away my life and offer me a favor in return. That's what I call a 'bargain'.”
The Walking Dead (Michael Curtiz, 1936)
Nov
16
John Ellman (Karloff), dead man walking. DP: Hal Mohr.
– John Ellman
“No, I never left the wheel; not for a moment.”
The Mystery of the Mary Celeste [Phantom Ship] (Denison Clift, 1935)
Nov
11
Anton Lorenzen (Bela Lugosi). DPs: Eric Cross & Geoffrey Faithfull.
– Anton Lorenzen
“Arigatō! [Thank you!]”
有りがたうさん [Arigatō-san / Mr. Thank You] (Hiroshi Shimizu, 1936)
Nov
6
Arigatō-san (Ken Uehara) courteously thanks someone who shares the road for giving way. DP: Isamu Aoki.
A movie that makes you want to travel*
– Mr Thank You to everyone – poultry included – he passes on his bus
Friendly and helpful, Arigatō-san (Ken Uehara) is there for his passengers and non-bus travellers alike. A sweet roadmovie from a Japan now lost to time.
* the Bales 2025 Film Challenge for November is, again, not date-based, but follows a sloppy schmaltzy all-American Thanksgiving-y narrative. Trying to make it work my way.