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The Book of Life (Hal Hartley, 1998)
Dec
31
1999
The “New York News” of December 31, 1999. The headline reads LAST DAY OF CENTURY BELIEVERS PRAY FOR END. DP: Jim Denault.
“It was the morning of December 31, 1999 when I returned, at last, to judge the living and the dead. Though still, and perhaps always, I had my doubts.”
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La noche de los Inocentes [Night of the Innocents] (Arturo Sotto Díaz, 2007)
Dec
28
The cast in the hospital. Lighting and stances appear theatre-like. DP: Ernesto Granado.
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The Automatic Motorist (Walter R. Booth, 1911)
Dec
17
Saturnalia
While on the ringed planet, they pick up a cop to save him from spear-wielding rascals, but he elopes with the planet's fairy. Look at those lovebirds on the rings of Saturn!
A planet with rings for Saturnalia
Two lovely newlyweds and their robot chauffeur take a trip to Saturn for their honeymoon, followed by a jolly ride under the sea. A remake of Booth's own The '?' Motorist from 1906.
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L'Atalante (Jean Vigo, 1934)
Dec
16
on a river
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*
Jean: Are you bored?
Juliette: Oh, no.
Jean: Don't worry. There'll be places to see.
Juliette: Riverbanks.
* the Bales 2025 Film Challenge for December has a few dateless themes. This is one of them.
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Careful, Soft Shoulders [Lady in a Quandry] (Oliver H.P. Garrett, 1942)
Dec
7
1941
Thomas Aldrich (James Ellison) and Connie Mathers (Virginia Bruce). DP: Charles G. Clarke.
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Polyester (John Waters, 1981)
Nov
10
“Purr Francine! Purr, purr Francine!”
– Cuddles Kovinsky
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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*
“Arigatō! [Thank you!]”
– 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.
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Tajemství hradu v Karpatech [The Mysterious Castle in the Carpathians] (Oldřich Lipský, 1981)
Oct
27
1897
– You surely know that my financial support is unlimited.
– Yes. Long live your false cheque factories!
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Au secours ! [Help!] (Abel Gance, 1924)
Oct
18
Au secours !
A rather tall ghost struts along a nonplussed Max. DPs: Émile Pierre, André-Wladimir Reybas & Georges Specht.
A [favourite] horror comedy*. This post goes out to Max Linder, who – together with his wife Hélène “Ninette” Peters – took his own life 100 years ago, on October 31, 1925.
Max (Max Linder) bets that he can spend one whole hour in a haunted castle without calling for help. In face of all the (in camera!) terrors, Max faces his fears with ease. Until, just minutes before the clock strikes midnight, the phone rings.
“Strange things are happening today.”
– title card
And there was this other bet. One between Linder and director Abel Gance. Linder bet that Gance would not be able to shoot a movie in only three days. With ghosts, skeletons, and wildlife galore, the result is a delightful Grand Guignol à la Max.
* the Bales 2025 Film Challenge for October is horror-themed as opposed to date-based, and is all about favourites. Expect non-horror and films I believe to be relevant instead.
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Your Safety First (George Gordon, 1956)
Oct
5
2000
The protagonist, voiced by George O'Hanlon, reading an ad for tomorrow's car in the October 5, 2000 newspaper.
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