Beaubourg, centre d'art et de culture Georges Pompidou [Beaubourg] (Roberto Rossellini, 1977)
Jan
31
1977
Rossellini on site. DPs: Néstor Almendros, Jean Chiabaut & Emmanuel Machuel.
“What a lucky clown you are! You don't have to wipe off your laugh.”
The Man Who Laughs (Paul Leni, 1928)
Jan
29
1690
A hand-painted carnival banner reading “URSUS ye Philosopher presents THE LAUGHING MAN. Don't fail to see GWYNPLAINE who was deserted at ye age of ten on ye night of ye 29th of January 1690 by ye Villainous Comprachicos on ye coast of Cornwall. This little boy has grown up and is now known as THE LAUGHING MAN”. DP: Gilbert Warrenton.
“Play straight, baby.”
Shaft (Gordon Parks, 1971)
Jan
27
John Shaft (Richard Roundtree). Can you dig it, baby? DP: Urs Furrer.
– John Shaft
– Is there anything I can do for you? – You could make a film about my suffering.
کلوزآپ ، نمای نزدیک [Klūzāp, nemā-ye nazdīk / Close-Up] (Abbas Kiarostami, 1990)
Jan
19
Hossain Sabzian on the back of a motorcycle on a busy tree-lined, four lane street. He's holding a large potted rose-red dahlia. DP: Ali Reza Zarrindast.
“If the halo fits, put it on. And don't pretend you don't love winding people up like little toys.”
The Sleeping Tiger (Joseph Losey, 1954)
Jan
14
spoiler warning: click to toggle image
A cheque dated January 14. DP: Harry Waxman .
– Glenda Esmond
“I'm right here to stay,
When I'm old and gray,
I'll be right in my prime,
Living in the sunlight,
Loving in the moonlight,
Having a wonderful time!”
Street of Dreams – Musical Mirror Maze [Tiny Tim's Street of Dreams] (Martin Sharp, 1988)
Jan
12
1979
.png)
Tiny dressed up as Mickey Mouse. See the complete setup as shot by photographer Robert McFarlane here. DPs: Russell Boyd, Geoff Burton, Tom Cowan, Michael Edols, David Sanderson & Simon Smith.
Oz artist and Tiny Tim aficionado Martin Sharp explores Tiny's 1979 world record singing attempt at Sydney Luna Park and the devastating Ghost Train Fire a few months later on June 9. Sadly, Sharp never managed to complete his vision. The sole reason Street of Dreams is out there as a rough VHS bootleg is thanks to Tiny's custodian spirit. “I know Mr Sharp believes in me so much — and I praise the Lord for that — and maybe he's made a cult movie which at the very least will survive as a museum piece.”, he said, insisting that Sharp would release a rough cut for the Brighton Festival.
– Tiny Tim, Livin' In The Sunlight, Lovin' In The Moonlight (God Bless Tiny Tim, 1968)
Very much like Mr Tim and a carnival ride ablaze, Street of Dreams is its own beast. Growling, off, unpolished, a blaze – ablaze – out of control. Satanic panic that for once feels truthful, cheery almost. Hallelujah, and God bless Tiny Tim!
“Right now, I don't know if it's me or the dynamite that doin' all that sweatin'.”
The Professionals (Richard Brooks, 1966)
Jan
12
1812
The sheriff jolts something down next to a wall calendar that reads January 12, 1812. Just visible through a window, Jake (Woody Strode) approaches. DP: Conrad L. Hall.
– Jake Sharp
“It has been a good day for everyone, even for God. No sign of rain. No evidence of disease or blood.”
El año de la peste [The Year of the Plague] (Felipe Cazals, 1979)
Jan
12
Armed police wearing gas masks in front of the Palacio Nacional, Mexico City. DP: Xavier Cruz.
“Twenty-three years of living with nothing but gutter hypes and junkies!”
The Trip Back (Ralph Weisinger, 1970)
Jan
11
Florrie Fisher telling the kids about her highs and lows in the gutter. DPs: Donald Shapiro & Ralph Weisinger.
– Florrie Fisher
“Yes, it's story time on WJAD in the heart of Times Square, New York, New York. The city so nice, they named it twice.”
Times Square (Allan Moyle, 1980)
Jan
10
1967
A bus on Times Square with a large (expensive) ad asking people to be on the lookout for a Pamela Pearl, born January 10, 1967. DP: James A. Contner.
– Johnny LaGuardia, on the air