Movie-A-Day #149: The Blue Angel (1930).
Director Josef von Sternberg was born on this day in 1894. He is best known for his many collaborations with Marlene Dietrich, and it was their German produced film “Der Blaue Engel” (“The Blue Angel”) that first introduced them both to American audiences and brought them both to Hollywood. It’s still one of their best films, either together or individually.
Movie-A-Day #148: Dr. No (1962).
Happy birthday to novelist Ian Fleming, whose creation James Bond is one of the defining characters of the 20th century. That status is due mostly to the hugely successful movie franchise that began with “Dr. No” nearly 50 years ago. But that wasn’t the first Bond movie. Fleming’s first Bond novel, “Casino Royale” was first adapted for the TV movie anthology series “Climax!” in 1954. But because Fleming didn’t own the copyright to “Casino Royale,” it got another non-canonical production in 1966 before finally returning as a part of the main franchise series in 2006. But that’s all trivia – for most of the world, their first sight of James Bond was in “Dr. No,” which also provided us with the iconic vision of Ursula Andress in her bikini.
Movie-A-Day #147: Wigstock: The Movie (1995).
Dust off your copy of “Wigstock,” fabulous babies, because it’s National Wig Out Day! And in this documentary on New York’s annual drag queen extravaganza, there’s plenty of outrageous wiggery on display. Hell, break out your gowns and platform heels too and make an event of it.
Movie-A-Day #146: Rio Bravo (1959).
Happy birthday, John Wayne. He may be an American icon, but I’ve never been much of a fan of The Duke. But I do thoroughly enjoy Howard Hawks’ magnificent “Rio Bravo,” in which Wayne costars with Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson and Walter Brennan. It’s one of the absolute classic westerns.
Movie-A-Day #145: Trekkies (1997).
It’s Geek Pride Day, when geeks and nerds of all stripes can feel free to fly their freak flags of obsessive fandom proudly. May 25 is the traditional date for the day because it’s the anniversary of the release of the first “Star Wars” movie in 1977. But for our movie today, let’s look at the other major subset of geek fandom with the fun documentary “Trekkies,” which profiles several very hardcore “Star Trek” fans. Live long and prosper, my friends – and freak out with your geek out today.
Desuko Movie Spot. 