Cinema City
Greetings, from the city that doesn’t sleep, and sometimes forgets to wash.
So far seen two Duviviers, of which the most amazing was ALLO BERLIN, ICI PARIS which I’ll write about once I’ve secured a DVD and some frame-grabs. More Duviviers soon, as well as hopefully a meeting with regular Shadowplayer Guy Budziak, master of the film noir woodcut. This a.m., a meeting was transacted with Cordelia Stephens of Belladonna Productions, a former Edinburgher, and yesterday I hung out with comic book artist and art school buddy Simon Fraser, who has kindly invited me to see STAR TREK, which may upset Fiona who wants to see it back in Scotland. I’ll still go see it with you if you like!
Thanks to Christoph Michel for the image.
The latest edition of my column, The Forgotten, based around the other Duvivier I saw, is now online at the Auteur’s Notebook. Check it out and leave comments there!
shadowplay 
May 7, 2009 at 9:25 am
I’m seeing it with Mary at the weekend !
May 7, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Did you not manage to see La Tête d’un homme? I think it’s a great film.
May 7, 2009 at 4:32 pm
1) Cool, we can compare notes!
2) I saw it, and you’re right, it’s a great film. This post is weirdly time-warped, since it was written before I saw Tete and met Guy, but posted after. Such is the hurdy-gurdy of big city living.
May 8, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Enjoyed your endorsement of the 1925 POIL DE CAROTTE* among ‘The Forgotten’; just HAD to post a tantalising titbit there:
— Et moi, crois-tu que je l’aime ?
What makes this retort so special is that Henry Krauss (Monsieur Lepic) and Charlotte Barbier (Madame Lepic) were actually husband and wife!
* (a copy of this film will be included in your package)
May 8, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Yes, I only realised that afterwards.
Duvivier has crafted quite a gallery of monstrous women — it’s something I hope to explore in future pieces.
May 9, 2009 at 6:11 am
For some reason Charlotte Barbier as Madame Lepic reminded me of Les Dawson.
May 9, 2009 at 7:59 am
Makes sense. Reminded me of someone else but I don’t know who. Maybe the winged monkeys in The Wizard of Oz.
May 9, 2009 at 8:10 am
And Les would have been a better mother.
May 9, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Yes, no malice in Les.