Happy Holidays from Blog THIS, Pal!

 Like many of you, I'll be spending this holiday weekend at Mom's. And like many of you, Monday will be a "day off" because Christmas is on a Sunday.

So just in time for the holiday, here are some holiday-themed videos via YouTube.

(And no, I didn't forget Bogie or Serling Day - but you're going to have to wait until tomorrow)

Public Domain Drive-In: FLYING DEUCES

Right now, health issues with Mom are keeping me from blogging (and don't be surprised if I give up on NaBloPoMo). But until then, I know I need a good laugh - how about some Laurel & Hardy?

Public Domain Drive In: Labor Day Edition

Yes, it's Labor Day - a day in which everyone gets to enjoy some free time, and start gearing up for the Black Friday sales in November.

Just kidding...but in that spirit, I'm offering you a way to kill some time and enjoy yourself.

It's a public domain movie called He Walked By Night, featuring Richard Basehart as a sociopath, a young Mr. Drucker from Green Acres as a thug, and Jack Webb as a police scientist who gets struck by lightning while bathing in chemicals and can now run at super-speed.

(Just kidding about the lightning, but Webb did portray a police scientist).

It's a pretty cool piece of noir, and at the very least....will allow you to enjoy a well-deserved day off.

Your Public Domain Thanksgiving Viewing

For those of you who - like me - are not football fans, here are some great Thanksgiving-themed vintage films for your viewing pleasure - enjoy!

Public Domain Drive-In: THE GREAT ST LOUIS BANK ROBBERY

For the next few days, my life is going to be nothing but Doctor Who, between planning a live view on Saturday and Chicago TARDIS work. So I'm going to take some time to enjoy a cool noir film....

...a movie entitled The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery. It's a good little heist film, featuring a young Steve McQueen, and watching it makes me slightly homesick for St. Louis.
Enjoy!

Public Domain Drive-In: THE STRANGER

Sure, I could tell you this Orson Welles film was the first to integrate footage of the Holocaust....or that it's a great noir example....but let me just say this: it's a pretty good watch. Enjoy!

Public Domain Drive-In: HIS GIRL FRIDAY

Busy with the usual stuff - catching up on job search stuff, proofing, and one or two people who've sent review copies.

So to keep you entertained (and which I'll probably be watching myself later), one of my favorite movies - His Girl Friday, which I know I've blogged about elsewhere.

Enjoy!

Public Domain Drive-In: Jack Benny Goes Christmas Shopping

OK, this kind of lifted me out of my funk...because nothing says Christmas like Jack Benny. Enjoy!

Public Domain Drive-In: THE GENERAL

Between recovering from Mom's move, and a mad dash for work, things have be a bit busy....so until I gather my thoughts (and catch up on my electronically submitted books) for a blog post, enjoy the comedic stylings of Buster Keaton in The General:

Public Domain Drive-In: Superman (Follow-up)

A few years ago, I had written about the Max Fleischer Superman Cartoons being available via public domain. However, recently Cartoon Brew had announced that Warner Brothers posted some remastered, high quality versions via You Tube.

In an effort to create some cool content - and for your viewing pleasure - here's a small sample:

Public Domain Drive-In: THE DORRINGTON DEED BOX

Sometimes, reading a certain strand of fiction can start to feel a little bit similar after awhile; as a reader, I start to almost predict when a certain cliche or storytelling device comes into play. I also begin to stereotype a particular strand of literature. I've been exploring Victorian detective literature as a result of watching The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes on DVD (a British anthology series from the 1970s focusing on other detectives) - partially out of enjoyment, partially for a comic idea that I plan to write - and one character in particular has had a very striking effect on me.

Ladies and gentleman, I bring you Horace Dorrington, featured in The Dorrington Deed-Box, a collection of short stories by Arthur Morrison, for your reading pleasure.

Originally published in 1897, and almost near impossible to find on sale (there's a Kindle version for about a buck), Dorrington Deed-Box is unique in that it completely subverts the reader's expectations of detective fiction. Normally, the tendency is to pit a righteous detective who is neither "tarnished nor afraid" (to quote Raymond Chandler) against a corrupt police force....and an even more corrupt society. Morrison, probably best known for A Child of the Jago and creating Martin Hewitt (aka, "the guy whose stories took over after The Final Problem), gives us a unique twist - a corrupt, almost criminal detective against a corrupt police force in an even more corrupt society.

Unlike Raffles of The Amateur Cracksman, there's no overt contempt for high society or even a sense that the people he is threatening deserve their treatment: for Horace Dorrington, a dishonest profit is still a profit. Although these stories can be a little uneven in quality, what's striking about the collection is how unrepentant Morrison is in showing Dorrington's behavior - it seems matter of fact in describing how, say, Dorrington attempts to outswindle a con artist, or even attempt to drown a client before uneasy truths are discovered.  It's a very intriguing book, and quite honestly, well worth reading for even a casual fan of Victorian literature.

In a strange way, Dorrington Deed-Box has me considering volunteering for Librivox. Oh, sure, I would have to work on a community project, but bringing this audiobook to life? It's worth putting on an already crowded schedule because this is quite an enjoyable tome. And definitely worthy of committing to mp3.

And it's freely available in a variety of formats via the Internet Archive. Download it. Tell your friends. You'll thank me later.

QUATERMASS MONDAYS: Quatermass 2 (Episode 6)

Yes, friends, this is the final episode - enjoy!

QUATERMASS MONDAYS: Quatermass 2 (Episode 5)

QUATERMASS MONDAYS: Quatermass 2 (Episode 4)

Your Post-SOPA Protest Reward

I may have posted this previously, but if I haven't, here's John Wayne in Angel & the Badman.


Because SOPA/PIPA appear to be on the ropes. Plus, Lefty Brown is returning to blogging.

Enjoy!

QUATERMASS MONDAYS: Quatermass 2 (Episode 3)

QUATERMASS MONDAYS: Quatermass 2 (Episode 2)

Happy Serling & Bogey Day!

As everyone else is celebrating Christmas, let's all celebrate a day of inclusion, intelligence, and class. Your Serling & Bogey Day video choices - enjoy!

Patterns available for download via the Internet Archive

Beat the Devil available for download via the Internet Archive

Coming Soon to Blog THIS, Pal!

It's the return of Quatermass Mondays, when the blog will be presenting:

Because the best way to start off the New Year is with an alien invasion.

Watch for it!

Public Domain Drive-In: Santa & the Three Bears

Yes, things have been a little busy - mostly, recovering from Chicago TARDIS, making sure Mom is doing OK, and basically getting work done. (Can't really go into too much detail, but can do so privately). For your viewing pleasure (and to make sure I'm up to date on the blog), here's a little holiday cuteness entitled Santa and the Three Bears

Enjoy!