greetings!

One of my tasks from reading The Artist’s Way was to clip out a picture of my ideal environment and display it in my laboratory.

This particular task made me feel very much like Susan (Natalie Wood) in the motion picture, Miracle on 34th Street (1947), showing Kris Kringle her ideal dream home. And much like Susan (at least by the end of the film), I believe that this dream will come true and that the first step in doing so is sharing the dream with others, making it real. By displaying it in the lab, the picture serves as a reminder and to keep this dream top of mind. I am essentially making a real life pin board.

In my mind I already see it: a little snow white cottage with a fireplace. Falling asleep with the windows open while listening to the sea as I enter dreamland. Add in a cozy chair to read a book by the light of an open flame and a sminy (small and tiny) pup curled on my lap, while Benjamin prepares me a gigantic bowl of spaghetti with burrata. This, my dears, is my ultimate, ideal environment. Imagine the ghost stories I could write in a place like this. When I close my eyes I am transported there.

what’s the latest scoop?

When in Rome

Tommy, Benjamin, and I visited Rome, New York last week for the 23rd annual Capitolfest. We had a grand time at this truly special event. I can’t believe it has been going strong for twenty-three years. I hope it never ends. I realized, though, that if I want an event like this to continue I have to do my part to see that this is the case. It reminded me of an idea that I mentioned a while back that ended up on the back burner: The Nun Van. Next year I hope to bring more people with me to Capitolfest. Imagine being able to take a field trip with fellow cinephiles… how splendid! More on this sooner rather than later.

Some of the highlights from the weekend were:

1. I hosted trivia with assistance from my partner in crime, Benjamin in which someone remarked, “Wow, this is only your second year here and you’re already hosting trivia night.” Yep. I am a mover and a juker.

2. Movies: We saw some really rare stuff my friends. Benjamin had to add a couple to letterboxd (the movie diary application) as they were not even in the system! Follow me on letterboxd here. Tommy and I listed our three favorites watches for you below in the Sprinkles section.

3. Dealer’s Room: Boy oh boy! I love Capitolfest’s dealer’s room. They have this wonderful table in which all the items are FREE! I scored a bunch of really great stuff. Most of the items up for grabs consist of books, VHS, and retro film magazines. While the dealers offer rare film books and movie memorabilia (posters, lobby cards) for sale. Here’s a picture of three items that Tommy and I were most excited about procuring, all of which came from our new pal Toni’s collection.

   

   (2) Dracula Lobby Cards, a still from Psycho, and USPS Monster Postcards

   Toni was the absolute coolest cat. She regaled me in the tales of the Turner Classic Movie (TCM) cruise and, well my dear, I am hoping that she and I meet once again on the high seas of the TCM cinematic vessel. I have to admit, seeing Toni was kind of like seeing myself in the FUTURE. I loved her collection. I still can’t fathom how she was parting with it. She seemed to want the items to connect with individuals that would now be responsible for them. She had a concern about the artifacts finding the right person and to have them enjoyed. I appreciate this. There was something magical about it. I will treasure her Dracula lobby cards forever and I could tell that her knowing that gave her a sense of comfort when saying goodbye to them. I obtained her contact information before we departed from Rome and I definitely plan to stay in touch - the old fashioned way of corpse… with pen and paper. 

this week i am proud of…

two things

The Morning Pages
Week seven of the morning pages and still going strong. What are the morning pages? Find out here. I was extremely proud of myself for continuing on with them even while on a trip. The real test is coming next week… stay tuned.

My coverage of Turner Classic Movies’ Summer Under The Stars
I continued my coverage of TCM’s Summer Under The Stars with my final picks for the month-long celebration. Find my picks here

this week i recommend…

Three favorite films I watched at Capitolfest with Tommy Udo

I watched a slew of motion pictures at Capitolfest - a celebration of silent film and early talkies - with Benjamin and Tommy Udo, many of which were on 35mm.

These were the three that really stood out to Tommy and I. Sadly, you may not be able to find them… but add them to your watch list. Who knows when they will turn up. If you really want to check them out… maybe this will be an incentive for you to join Tommy and I at Capitolfest next year.

1. Mama Loves Papa (1933)

   

What’s it about? A wife attempts to improve her marriage/home life with a self-help book which inevitably leads to trouble and hijinks.

Why I recommend: Charlie Ruggles was one of the tribute stars at Capitolfest this year along with Skeets Gallagher. I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to dive deeper into both of their filmographies. Mama Loves Papa is a diamond in the rough. I adored the chemistry between Mary Boland and Charlie Ruggles immensely. There was an entire scene with them when she was making an attempt to be “continental” that had me reeling from the banter.

2. French Fried (1930)

What’s it about? A farmer takes a trip to Paris, France with a flapper and wildness ensues.

Why I recommend: Tommy and I were absolutely howling during this short animated picture. This is the type of thing we refer to as werewolf cinema - due to it being extremely unhinged and down right bananas. There was a dog on stilts and the farmer’s pet was literally calling him Daddy - I believe I said WOW three times during the six minute runtime.

3. The Perfect Clue (1935)

What’s it about? A young socialite storms out of her father’s mansion when she learns that he will be marrying a woman that she despises. In running away, she ends up meeting David Mannering, an ex-convict who she decides to make her valet and eventually falls for.

Why I recommend: I love David Manners and I loved that he had a starring role in this. I am still mystified that his name in this film was “David Mannering” and have to wonder if the writing department fell asleep that day. Witnessing David as a villain left much to be desired, yet! i found him trying to bad so utterly charming. Tommy and I both loved the ending of this film and the way in which David chose to casually exit after the woman professes her love for him. Perfection.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy you are here. xx.
goodbye.