From History Extra by Nicholas John Cull: There is a moment in the first Star Wars film when the mystic Obi Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) detects across at great distance of space the destruction of a planet and remarks: “I felt a… Read More ›
Film History
Hollywood and Communism: How Did ”The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” Support Marxist Ideology?
“I know what gold does to men’s souls.”[1]These sage words were spoken by Howard; a crusty old prospector who was far wiser than his ragged appearance suggested. This character in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre was speaking the words… Read More ›
Smell-O-Vision, Astrocolor and Other Film Industry Inventions That Proved To Be Flops
From Smithsonian.com IMAX is hugely popular, while virtual reality movies are gaining steam. But what about film inventions that never took off? When will they get their due? Sure, there are the Razzies, which honor the worst acting performances and directing jobs…. Read More ›
How historically accurate is Braveheart?
Braveheart was a popular movie released in 1995 that won 5 Oscars and featured Mel Gibson as William Wallace. Wallace was a Scottish knight who became a hero in the Scottish rebellions against the English in the late 13th and early… Read More ›
The Hays Code, Gangsters, and Prohibition: How did 1934 change Hollywood?
1934 was a pivotal year for the United States. Americans were enduring the fifth year of the Great Depression and the rural population was in an extreme state of suffering that had begun prior to the stock market crash in… Read More ›