DVdC: "ARTIST JAMES BIDGOOD ON PINK NARCISSUS" (DOCUMENTARY)

DVdC: "THE FACE IS FAMILIAR -- SKELTON KNAGGS" 2013 (DOCUMENTARY)

This is the third in a series of brief biographies of character actors active in horror and science fiction films of the classic, pre-1960 period. Skelton was a very talented character actor, often compared to Dwight Frye in that he appeared in similar roles in horror and gangster pictures. His skill with make up and odd characterizations has often been compared to that of Lon Chaney Sr. This series not made commercially available. (Color, Sound, 20:24)

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DVdC: "THE ACTOR...OFF STAGE" ELI WALLACH 1993 (DOCUMENTARY)

In-depth interview with the noted actor. (Color, Sound, 28:45)
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DVdC: "THE HITCHHIKER" IDA LUPINO 1953 (FEATURE FILM)

Sixth Lupino feature and first "Film noir" made by a woman ever. Hardly sentimental and sharp edged thriller with very modern filming. The paralysed "eyelid" thing is very clever too. (Black and White, Sound, 1:10:48)

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DVdC: "HAXAN" 1922 (SILENT FEATURE FILM)

One strange film.  Every cinema-phile should see this artsy, bizarre tale. (Black and White and Tinted, Sound, 1:44:53)
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DVdC: "LA CIOCIARA (TWO WOMEN)" SOPHIA LOREN 1960 (FEATURE FILM)

The raw and sometimes-hard-to-watch film tells the tragic story of a woman trying to protect her teenaged daughter from the horrors of war. The film won the Academy Award for Best Actress (Sophia Loren).  It was the first time an actress won an acting award for a non-English speaking role. (Black and White, Sound, 1:39:29)

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DVdC: "HOW TO LIGHT FOR NOIR FILMS" (EDUCATIONAL)

DVdC: "EEGAH" 1962 (FEATURE FILM)

While driving through the desert, a teenage girl is frightened by a seven-foot giant who appears in her path. After escaping, she returns to the site with her boyfriend and her father in an attempt to find the giant. They do find him and it proceeds to terrorize them and the rest of Palm Springs, California.

Stars: Arch Hall Jr., Marilyn Manning, Richard Kiel, and Arch Hall Sr. (Color, Sound, 1:30:08)

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DVdC: "GRACE JONES PERFORMS 'PRIVATE LIFE'" 1980 (MUSIC VIDEO)

DVdC: "SALOME" 1923 (FEATURE FILM)

Avant-garde adaptation of the Oscar Wilde play. Rumors at the time of its production that the cast was all gay doomed its success with the mainstream public. However, the film is now perceived as a landmark of artistic cinema with its spectacle of striking visual images. A work of art!

With English intertitles and German subtitles. (Black and White, Music Track, 1:12:13)

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DVdC: "THE FACE IS FAMILIAR: GALE SONDERGAARD" 2012 (DOCUMENTARY)

This is the second in a series of brief biographies of character actors active in horror and science fiction films of the classic pre-1960 period. Gale was a classically-trained actress who found herself closely identified with the character of the Spider Woman after she appeared as Basil Rathbones's nemesis in the 1944 Sherlock Holmes film. Both she and her husband, director Herbert Biberman, fell pray to the post-war blacklisting frenzy of the House Unamerican Activities Committee. This film has never been available to the public. (Color, Sound, 16:23)

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DVdC: "THE RUSH OF THE RIVER" BROTHER ANDY 2010 (WESTERN SHORT FILM)

Uber-artist Brother Andy wrote, directed, edited, and stars in (plus did costumes, makeup and props) a Western about a lonely preacher who is illiterate -- and naive -- who tries to help a man in need. Warning: Some scenes contain nudity.  (Color, Sound, 31:25)

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DVdC: "FANCESCO" 1989 (FEATURE FILM)

Told in flashback, the film relates Francis of Assisi's evolution from rich man's son to religious humanitarian and eventually to full-fledged saint.

Francesco was based on Hermann Hesse's Francis of Assisi, which director Liliana Cavani had previously filmed in 1966.

The Saint and founder of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor is played by Mickey Rourke, and his inspiration, the woman who later became Saint Clare, is played by Helena Bonham Carter.

Raised as the pampered son of a merchant, Francis goes off to war only to return with a profound horror for the society which generated such suffering.

In one scene, as an act of renunciation, he strips himself of his fine clothing in front of his father and leaves the house naked and barefoot, joining the lepers and beggars in the poor section of town.

The film follows with a series of episodes from the saint's life rather than a coherent narrative, following up until his final days when he receives the stigmata, or wounds similar to those on the body of Jesus at the crucifixion. -- allmovieguide

Cast: Mickey Rourke, Helena Bonham Carter, Andra Ferrol, Nikolaus Dutsch, Peter Berling, Hanns Zischler, Mario Adorf, Paolo Bonacelli, Fabio Bussotti
The film won three awards and was nominated for a fourth. Danilo Donati won the 1989 David di Donatello Award for Best Production Design, and the 1989 Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists Silver Ribbon also for Best Production Design.

Fabio Bussotti won the Syndicate's Best Supporting Actor Award. Director Liliana Cavani was nominated for the Golden Palm at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. (Color, Sound, 1:58:38)

 

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DVdC: "THE PRIVATE LIFE OF HENRY VIII" CHARLES LAUGHTON 1933 (FEATURE FILM)

DVdC: "MAKEUP GENIUS RICK BAKERS TALKS" 2013 (DOCUMENTARY)