TCM's exclusive coverage of the first TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Death of a Scoundrel & The Falcon's Brother feature Sanders Brothers
Death of a Scoundrel and The Falcon's Brother are the only two films to feature real-life brothers George Sanders and Tom Conway. They play brothers in both films. George Sanders was the lead in The Falcon film series. In 1942 Sanders handed off the Falcon role to his brother Tom, in the The Falcon's Brother. Conway was born as Thomas Charles Sanders. The brothers tossed a coin to decide which would change his surname to avoid any confusion with each other.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Origin & History of the Maltese Falcon Prop
The "Maltese Falcon," itself is reportedly based on the "Kniphausen Hawk," a ceremonial pouring vessel made in 1697 for George William von Kniphausen, Count of the Holy Roman Empire. It is modeled after a hawk perched on a rock and is encrusted with red garnets, amethysts, emeralds and blue sapphires. The vessel is currently owned by the Duke of Devonshire and is an integral piece of the Chatsworth House collection.
There were several 11-1/2 inch tall falcon props made for use in the film due to the fact that Humphrey Bogart dropped the original during shooting. The original is on display to this day in Warner Brothers' movie museum, its tail feathers visibly dented from Bogart's accident. Some of the copies of the falcon were cast of plastic resin, and some of lead. Only two 45 lb. lead falcons and two 5 lb., 5.4 oz resin falcons are verified to exist today. One lead falcon has been displayed for years at various venues. The second, which was marred at the end of the movie by Sydney Greenstreet, was given to William Conrad by studio chief Jack L. Warner. It was auctioned off in December 1994, nine months after Conrad's death, for $398,500 to Ronald Winston of Harry Winston, Inc. At that time, it was the highest price paid for a movie prop. It was used to model a 10 lb. gold replica displayed at the 69th Academy Awards. The replica has Burmese ruby eyes, interchangeable claws (one set of gold, one set of coral) and has a platinum chain in its beak with a 42.98 flawless diamond at the end. Its value is estimated at well over $8 million. The lead and resin falcons are valued in excess of $2 million. Adam Savage, co-host of Mythbusters, has gone to great lengths to create an accurate replica.
There were several 11-1/2 inch tall falcon props made for use in the film due to the fact that Humphrey Bogart dropped the original during shooting. The original is on display to this day in Warner Brothers' movie museum, its tail feathers visibly dented from Bogart's accident. Some of the copies of the falcon were cast of plastic resin, and some of lead. Only two 45 lb. lead falcons and two 5 lb., 5.4 oz resin falcons are verified to exist today. One lead falcon has been displayed for years at various venues. The second, which was marred at the end of the movie by Sydney Greenstreet, was given to William Conrad by studio chief Jack L. Warner. It was auctioned off in December 1994, nine months after Conrad's death, for $398,500 to Ronald Winston of Harry Winston, Inc. At that time, it was the highest price paid for a movie prop. It was used to model a 10 lb. gold replica displayed at the 69th Academy Awards. The replica has Burmese ruby eyes, interchangeable claws (one set of gold, one set of coral) and has a platinum chain in its beak with a 42.98 flawless diamond at the end. Its value is estimated at well over $8 million. The lead and resin falcons are valued in excess of $2 million. Adam Savage, co-host of Mythbusters, has gone to great lengths to create an accurate replica.
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Graduate | Mrs. Robinson's Animal Skin
The Graduate uses an animal motif symbolic of the sexually predatory middle aged woman. Mrs. Robinson played by Anne Bancroft is shown wearing leopard coat for their first rendezvous and again at wedding as she looks up ready to attack Ben for interrupting the ceremony from the balcony. Haven't found photos for other scenes: A second rendezvous at the hotel Mrs. Robinson wears a short brown and white giraffe print skirt; Another at her home having cocktails in a metallic snakeskin textured dress; Ben's mom joins the herd with a black and white zebra dress in the kitchen scene with Ben announcing his intentions to marry Elaine.
Monday, February 01, 2010
2010 TCM 31 Days of Oscar | See My 10 Best and Pick Your Own
This year for 31 Days of Oscar I will be tweeting my Best Oscar Pick from each days schedule and sharing a blogpost for my Pick. You can pick your own 10 Best and share them on top social networking venues, such as Facebook and My Space. As usual the TCM web designers have created a slick interface to choose from a list of Oscar movies and then drag and drop them in the order you wish. You just have to check it out for yourself. Although the visuals are awesome, it doesn't beat the TCM University theme from last year. I just don't think they can come up with much to compete with 2009.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Nostalgic Ad | More Doctors Smoke Camels Than Any Other Cigarette!
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