EDWARD HOPPER PAINTINGS COME TO LIFE

One night last week, I was watching a documentary about the Library of Congress and the National Film Registry's effort to preserve American motion pictures and was immediately struck by a short film called "Cologne: From the Diary of Ray and Esther."

This charming piece of Americana, shot by Minnesota residents Ray and Esther Dowidat, documents the people and everyday life in Cologne, Minnesota, circa 1939. Compiled by the National Film Preservation Foundation from 18 American film archives, "Cologne," was one of the 50 films in the four-disc DVD set called "Treasures from American Film Archives."

A stunning portrait of a bygone era, Raymond Dowidat used the narrative tool of his wife writing in her diary as a tool to drive the images in "Cologne." The short film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." More on the film HERE.

Thankfully preserved by the Minnesota Historical Society, a description on it's home on Daily Motion reads as follows: "Cologne: From the Diary of Ray and Esther is a 1939 short documentary film which deals with the German-American community on the eve of World War II. It was directed by Esther Dowidat and Raymond Dowidat."

It's quite simply a snapshot to another time, a portal to the past and, for my money, an Edward Hopper painting come to life.

Enjoy it below...


Cologne: From the Diary of Ray and Esther (1939) by Lost_Shangri_La_Horizon

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WATCH LUCILLE BALL'S 1942 FILM 'THE BIG STREET' ...

... That I've posted in celebration of her 100th birthday.

Here's the scoop: The Big Street is a 1942 American drama film, starring Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball, based on the short story "Little Pinks" by Damon Runyon, who also produced the movie. The film was directed by Irving Reis. The screenplay was written by Leonard Spigelgass from Runyon's story.

The film focuses on busboy Augustus Pinkerton II (Henry Fonda), known as "Little Pinks," and his relationship with heartless singer Gloria Lyons (Lucille Ball), who is crippled in a fall after her boyfriend, New York City nightclub owner Case Ables, pushes her down a flight of stairs in a fit of jealousy. Left penniless by the expenses she incurs during a long convalescence, Gloria is forced to rely on the kindness of Pinks, who invites her to stay with him in his apartment.

Enjoy!



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RIVETING: 'PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES'

Andrew Rossi’s riveting documentary 'Page One: Inside The New York Times' had its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, and was acquired by Magnolia Pictures and Participant Media for theatrical release this June. In the tradition of great fly-on-the-wall documentaries, the film deftly gains unprecedented access to the New York Times newsroom and the inner workings of the Media Desk.

With the Internet surpassing print as our main news source and newspapers all over the country going bankrupt, 'Page One' chronicles the transformation of the media industry at its time of greatest turmoil. Writers like Brian Stelter, Tim Arango and the salty but brilliant David Carr track print journalism’s metamorphosis even as their own paper struggles to stay vital and solvent, while their editors and publishers grapple with up-to-the-minute issues like controversial new sources and the implications of an online pay-wall.

Meanwhile, rigorous journalism is thriving – 'Page One' gives us an up-close look at the vibrant cross-cubicle debates and collaborations, tenacious jockeying for on-record quotes, and skillful page-one pitching that brings the most venerable newspaper in America to fruition each and every day.

Check out the trailer:



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'DEADWOOD' AT THE RACETRACK

Bukowski loved the track so I think this post is more than apropos. A making-of featurette has arrived for the upcoming HBO drama "Luck" and let's just say it looks like "Deadwood" at the racetrack.

A what an ensemble -- creative and otherwise. "Miami Vice" creator Michael Mann directs the pilot and will produce the series along with David Milch of "NYPD Blue" and "Deadwood" fame.

The show follows a number of characters who frequent the same horse racing track and stars Dustin Hoffman as "a man in his late 60s just released from four years in prison who's autodidactic, intelligent, and deeply involved in gambling."

David Milch was quoted in Variety as saying; "The pilot is about a bunch of intersecting lives in the world of horse racing... It's a subject which has engaged and some might say has compelled me for 50 years. I find it as complicated and engaging a special world as any I've ever encountered, not only in what happens in the clubhouse and the grandstand, but also on the backside of the track, where the training is done and where they house the horses."

It will also star Nick Nolte, Kevin Dunn, Richard Kind and Dennis Farina.

The series is reportedly aiming for a launch in fall 2011.



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'THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM' (watch it here)

Ain't gonna get much better than this, folks... Most don't know this, but there's a ton of movies on YouTube than can be watched for free. And they're pretty damned good to boot.

"The Man with the Golden Arm" is a gritty 1955 drama based on the novel of the same name by Nelson Algren. It centers on a heroin addict (Frank Sinatra) who gets clean while in prison, but struggles to stay that way in the outside world. It co-stars Eleanor Parker, Kim Novak, Arnold Stang and Darren McGavin.

It was adapted for the screen by Walter Newman, Lewis Meltzer and Ben Hecht (uncredited), and directed by the great Otto Preminger.

The controversial film was nominated for three Academy Awards: Sinatra for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Joseph C. Wright and Darrell Silvera for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White and Elmer Bernstein for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture. Sinatra was also nominated for best actor awards by the BAFTAs and The New York Film Critics.

Great atmosphere. Great score.

Watch it below:



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'DIME WITH A HALO' (TRAILERS FROM HELL)

Featured on 'Trailers From Hell': In the hope of winning a fortune, five Tijuana street urchins pool their meager earnings each week in order to buy a $2 ticket at the Caliente racetrack. Friendly American Mr. Jones places their bets, although he disapproves of their selections.

After losing for 11 consecutive weeks, the boys decide to make Jesus a partner in their venture. They steal a dime from the church poor box, add it to their cash, place their bet, and win $81,513. But they cannot find Mr. Jones, and they refuse to trust any other adult to cash the ticket for them. Juanita, the sister of one of the boys, contacts Jones in Los Angeles, and he promises to drive down the next day. But as he approaches the pay window he suffers a fatal heart attack, and the ticket blows off into a pile of rubbish. After a futile search for the lost ticket, the five boys return to the church and replace the dime they had "borrowed" from the poor box.

An offbeat B-picture that slipped through the cracks, this Tijuana-set saga was the debut feature of prolific TV director Boris Sagal. After several "Dr. Kildare" episodes, MGM assigned him to this as a test run before handing him the bigger budget Richard Chamberlain vehicle "Twilight of Honor."

Enjoy...



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'L.A. NOIRE': AS RETRO AS RETRO GETS

I don't dick around with video games... Thank the Lord because I'd REALLY never get anything done. That said, if I did play them, "L.A. Noire" would be the one that would get my time because it has a great retro vibe. It just screams "L.A. Confidential."

"L.A. Noire" tells the story of World War II hero and aspiring young detective, Cole Phelps as he solves cases and climbs the ranks of the L.A.PD. The game centers on Cole's experiences working the various desks of 'the department' as he attempts to solve a series of potentially linked gruesome murders.

As they would say in the game, "It's a gas..."



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THE WRITER'S ROUNDTABLE (great video)

Being that it's award season, The Hollywood Reporter has begun posting their series of roundtable discussions with possible contenders.

Last month, they posted an one-hour discussion between screenwriters Aaron Sorkin ("The Social Network"), Simon Beaufoy ("127 Hours"), Michael Arndt ("Toy Story 3"), John Wells ("The Company Men"), Todd Phillips ("Due Date") and David Lindsay-Abaire ("Rabbit Hole"). Grab a drink and settle in because this powwow is pretty fantastic for any kind of writer...



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ELMO GETS HIS FIRST ... CHUBBY

This gives new meaning to learning about the letters T & A ...

"Sesame Street" may be a production of the Children's Television Workshop, but a new music video featuring one of its most beloved characters may be deemed too scandalous for children's television.

TMZ reports that after an advance clip was released of a cleavage-baring Katy Perry singing "Hot and Cold" on the show (with Elmo), parents were so scandalized that the number will now be cut from its intended New Year's Eve broadcast.

Hell, I watch Elmo with my kid all the time and would W-E-L-C-O-M-E anything that I could "enjoy" while enduring that often-annoying voice.

So... Watch for yourself and see what all the hubbub was about. Seems harmless to me.

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TV'S JAZZ DETECTIVE ON DVD - FINALLY!

I'm sorta stoked for this one. Years ago, I bought bootleg copies of the TV series "Johnny Staccato" on DVD so when I saw the announcement that it was going to be officially released October 12, I was ecstatic.

It centered on Johnny Staccato, (played by legendary actor and director John Cassavetes) an ex-jazz pianist/private detective who finds himself drawn into cases where his distaste for crime, criminals and injustice is put to test. The setting for many episodes is a Greenwich Village jazz club belonging to his friend, Waldo, played by Eduardo Ciannelli.

The show featured many musicians, such as Barney Kessel, Shelly Manne, Red Mitchell, Red Norvo, and Johnny Williams -- that's John Williams to scores of movie music buff. Ring a bell? Cassavetes also directed some of the series episodes.



Many notable Hollywood guest stars include Michael Landon, Martin Landau, Shirley Knight, Dean Stockwell, Elisha Cook, Susan Oliver, Gena Rowlands (Cassavette's wife), Elizabeth Montgomery, Norman Fell, Cloris Leachman, and Mary Tyler Moore.

The show debuted in 1959, and although it lasted only 27 episodes, the unique mixture of big-city mystery-adventure and jazz left an indelible impression on a generation of TV viewers.

Timeless Media Group is releasing the show in a 3-disc set including all 27 episodes.


The show suffered an identity crisis perhaps because of the similar "Peter Gunn," a series that centered on a private investigator in the classic film noir tradition. See video at right.

Gunn, like Staccato, was a sophisticated hipster, a dapper dresser who loved cool jazz and was the epitome of cool. He operated in a nameless waterfront city, and was a regular patron of Mother's, a wharfside jazz club; his girlfriend, Edie Hart (Lola Albright), was a sultry singer employed there. Herschel Bernardi played Lieutenant Jacoby, a police detective.

The series aired on the NBC and later ABC from 1958 to 1961. The show's creator (and also writer and director on occasion) was Blake Edwards. Also directed by Robert Altman, a total of 114 thirty-minute episodes were produced.

The series is remembered most for its music, especially "The Peter Gunn Theme," which won an Emmy Award and two Grammys for Henry Mancini and has become a jazz-rock standard.

The show is also available on DVD.

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THE TINY TERROR

What a great pic of Capote. What was going through his mind?

Over the weekend, I caught a documentary about Truman Capote on Ovation (a great channel). It was part of Ovation's American Revolutionaries series and will be shown again on Sunday, August 15, 2010 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The infamous American novelist, short story writer and social commentator projected a compelling and often controversial public image right up until his death, from drugs and alcohol abuse in 1984.

Filmed in America, the profile reflects the dark and light of Capote's life and work. It draws on his outspoken often outrageous television appearances and includes recollections from many of his closest friends, as well as a dramatization from his unfinished novel, Answered Prayers.

The "tiny terror" as he was known, Capote could be as flamboyant and acerbic as he was poignant and articulate, crafting fiction and non fiction into masterpieces like "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "In Cold Blood."

Yet, as Capote often wrote about the controversies of his own life, his friends began to distance themselves and Truman turned inward toward a world of prescription drugs and alcohol.

In the clip below, the writer talks briskly about his addiction to tranquilizers and is confronted on air about his alcoholism.

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OLD SCHOOL COOL: CLOONEY CHANNELS McQUEEN

George Clooney puts his best Cary Grant in the back seat for a film that the late Steve McQueen might have played in his earlier days.

"The American," is a drama/thriller directed by Anton Corbijn and an adaptation of the 1990 novel "A Very Private Gentleman" by Martin Booth.

The premise is simple: Jack is a master assassin. When a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected, he vows to his contact, Larry, that his next assignment will be his last.

Jack reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell. The assignment, as specified by a Belgian woman, Mathilde, is in the offing as a weapon is constructed.

Surprising himself, Jack seeks out the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto and pursues romance with local woman Clara. But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate.

It's scheduled for release on September 1, 2010.

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FROM THE CRADLE TO THE BRAVE, WHAT MAKES A HERO?

Heroes.

For most of us scribes, they are the very basis of our work. I want to share an interesting video that I posted on my Facebook page a few weeks back because I think it' effective on many levels.

In it's simplest form, the video is merely a one-minute teaser for the FX drama "Rescue Me." While I've never seen the show (I always have meant to jump on board), I've heard nothing but good things about it.

It centers on the professional and personal lives of a group of New York City firefighters in the fictional Ladder 62 / Engine 99 firehouse. The star of "Rescue Me" is veteran firefighter Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary) and his ever-troublesome family as they deal with real-life issues, be it post 9/11 trauma or domestic problems. Great premise.

The teaser below starts out innocent enough -- as we see our heroes in vintage-looking clips "from the cradle to the brave" As it builds, it wonderfully displays our heroes juxtaposed against a baseball training camp and future Yankee Hall of Famer Derek Jeter. * Be sure not to miss the World Trade Center as the ball players jog through their camp. Oodles of subtext.

While it's easy to see Tommy Gavin and company watching Jeter hit one out of the park in the firehouse, it's Jeter, who, while driving by, thinks these guys are life's real heroes. And justifiably so.

The cherry on top is the incredibly '70s retro Alicia Keys tune "Empire State of Mind."

It all works so please enjoy... It's the product of stupendous editing and a great musical and visual hook.

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KILLER NEW TRAILER FOR HBO'S 'BOARDWALK EMPIRE'

Who said writing blogs have to ALWAYS be about writing?

In any case, this is the one we've been waiting for... Home Box office has released a new trailer for the Terence Winter and Martin Scorsese-created Prohibition-era gangster television series "Boardwalk Empire."

This new trailer focuses on Steve Buscemi's character, the undisputed ruler of Atlantic City and town Treasurer, Enoch “Nucky” Thompson. Thompson was "a political fixer and backroom dealer who is equal parts politician and gangster and equally comfortable in either role."

After watching the new trailer, it's obvious that the cable network is setting up this lavish new drama as its flagship program.

High pedigree here, folks...

Inspired by portions of the non-fiction book "Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City" by Nelson Johnson, the show delves into the goings-on in Atlantic City, circa 1920.

The town itself is a main character. Because of its strategic location on the seaboard (in New Jersey), the bustling seashore city is a hub of activity for rum-runners, minutes from Philadelphia, hours from New York City and less than a day’s drive from Chicago. And Nucky Thompson takes full advantage of it all.

Along with his brother Elias (Shea Whigham), the town’s Sheriff, and a crew of Ward Bosses and local thugs, Nucky carves out a niche for himself as the man to see for any illegal alcohol. he's an equal opportunity gangster, doing business with Arnold Rothstein (Michael Stuhlbarg), Big Jim Colosimo (Frank Crudele), Lucky Luciano, (Vincent Piazza) and Al Capone (Stephen Graham).

Watch the killer new trailer after the jump

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REALITY CHECK...

On this Memorial Day, let's take a moment to cast aside what we thought of the "Lost" finale; stop debating whether Lee should've beat Crystal; and pause searching for those "Diff'rent Strokes" reruns on Hulu.

The holiday today is not about cookouts or barbeques or treks to the Jersey Shore or the Hamptons.

Yes, drop your iPad and for a second, remind yourself why we're able to do all those things to begin with and pay tribute to those fallen soldiers who fought defending our very freedoms.



Thanks for stopping by, everyone. Just a quick note: While I have made many videos/slideshows here on Bukowski's Basement, I didn't make this one. I was so taken with it that I embedded it. I should've clarified above.

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'THE ORDINARY MADNESS OF CHARLES BUKOWSKI' DOCUMENTARY

Discovered a little bit of gold tonight... While most Bukowski enthusiasts either own or have seen the excellent 2003 documentary "Bukowski: Born into This," I just stumbled across what I believe to be a BBC documentary "The Ordinary Madness of Charles Bukowski."

I don't know much about it, nor can I find information on it. In any case, I've embedded them here for everyone to peruse -- after the jump.

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THE NEXT DENNY CRANE JUST MAY BE...

...Cyrus Garza, as played by Emmy winner Jimmy Smits. As 'Upfronts' week continues from networks and announce what they have in store for us on the boob tube next year, I think think I'm instantly stoked for the hour-loung drama "Outlaw."

We here at Bukowski's Basement love hard-drinkin', gamblin' and womaninzin' protagonists and Smits may have found his best role yet... Like I said, maybe the next Denny Crane.

Here's the official scoop from the Peacock network:

Cyrus Garza (Smits) is a U.S. Supreme Court justice who abruptly quits the high-level position. A playboy and a gambler, Garza had always adhered to a strict interpretation of the law until he realized the system he believed in was flawed. Now that he's quit the bench and returned to private practice, he's determined to represent "the little guy" and use his inside knowledge of the justice system to take on today's biggest legal cases - and he's making plenty of powerful people unhappy along the way. Jesse Bradford ("The West Wing"), Carly Pope ("24"), Ellen Woglom ("Californication") and David Ramsey ("Dexter") also star. "Outlaw" is a Universal Media Studios production along with Conaco productions. Eisendrath is executive producer along with Terry George ("Hotel Rwanda," "Reservation Road"), Conan O'Brien, Jeff Ross and David Kissinger ("Andy Barker, P.I."). "Outlaw" is written by Eisendrath and directed by George.

Check out the entertaining trailer (and pretty funny stuff at 3:05)...

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'GEORGE': SOMETIMES IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CONTEXT

Sometimes a story is all about context. Well that, and good editing. In the case of a TV show or movie, the way it's spliced together with music is also just as important.

Take this new film "George" about an average middle-aged man who seems to have it all. He just got engaged to the girl of his dreams and it's right then and there, the plot thickens.

Tragedy strikes.

His finance suddenly dies and George is pulled into a massive depression. He can't sleep, eat or do anything. He needs an epiphany and it's right around the corner. That epiphany is named Joey and it's the little boy he's about to adopt. It opens up his world.

While the film is just the kind of thing you would see in theaters circa late'90s, it's not what you might expect. It also doesn't star Kevin Spacey or Sean Penn or any of the other A-listers that you might find in this schlockfest.

Am I serious or is this a joke? Click after the jump to see what exactly this new film is . You won't be sorry...

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IS GREAT DIALOGUE THE SAME IF DELIVERED BY TYKES?

Until I get my #Fridayflash fiction in order, I'm dropping this hilarious lil' vid on everyone...

Both Bukowski and Marlon Brando were men's men. They both possessed pure genius and defined their generation within their work. Time capsule stuff.

I came across this precious, short video made by the San Francisco Children's Theater that overdubs a dramatic reading of Marlon Brando's famous monologue from "On the Waterfront" performed by kids.

So I ask...

Fresh off the heels of Pre-schoolers doing 'Scarface' from a few weeks ago, check out this new video. Does great dialogue sound the same when delivered by little kids?

Funny stuff, indeed... Enjoy!

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VINTAGE CARTOONS: AMERICANA OR UN-PC??..

Wow ... Growing up I used to LOVE Popeye. LOVE him...

Even though Bukowski had a bitter hatred towards Mickey Mouse, I think it's safe to say that he probably would've dug the one-eyed sailor. He had an undeniable heroic nature. What's more, Popeye was a military man, a loner who talked to himself and was quite the scrapper (like Buk). Check out some Popeye flash I wrote HERE.)

So why do I dig Popeye? Dunno why exactly. Deep down, he seemed like a sweetheart of a guy. I remember many a morn getting up around 6 a.m. to catch him. In fact, I'll go as far as to say I ate green construction paper from time-to-time, pretending it was spinach. (But try to forget I just told you that.)

Anyway, check out this WWII-era B&W short of Popeye doing his thing for Uncle Sam. Whew. How we've come a long way in so many respects...

Caveat: The video is not to most PC stuff to watch - so apologies if it offends anyone.

Check it out after the jump as well as a few other very UN-PC vintage cartoons.

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