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'What Price Hollywood?' and the Birth of the 'Star Is Born' Films

The A Star is Born films have been born, re-born, and born again for almost a century, making them part of America's cultural fabric. Here's a look at how it all started.

Film

For a Comedy of Manners, 'The Philadelphia Story' Is Awfully Screwball

Often screwball comedies feature sharp contrasts between social classes, with not-so-subtle commentaries on the idle rich, and that's here in triplicate.

Film

"Come Again, Little Girl": 32 Films That Begin With Someone Leaving a Mental Institution (1904-2012)

These 32 films make the case for the recently-escaped-or-released-mental-patient narrative as its own subgenre, replete with a language of recurring themes, plot devices, and character archetypes.

A. Loudermilk

Film

'George Cukor: A Double Life' Is Essential Reading on Queer Cinema and Hollywood History

Everyone in Hollywood knew George Cukor’s secret, but it was never spoken freely until the arrival of Patrick McGilligan’s thoroughly researched book.

Books

100 Essential Directors - George Cukor

100 Essential Directors celebrates directors of distinct vision, who have honed their respective crafts, who have brought something new and exciting to the medium, and who continue to push the boundaries of the form.

Michael Abernethy

Film

The 100 Essential Directors Part 3: George Cukor - John Ford

Spiritual possession, screwball comedy, German kinks, and the quintessential American Western genre are among the disparate characters we shine a light on today as PopMatters counts down the 100 Essential Film Directors. Today we look at George Cukor through John Ford. Who falls in the middle might surprise you...

Film

All the Faith in the World: Holiday

Holiday is the sort of movie that gives those who do know it the satisfyingly superior glow of being in on something really good.

Kerrie Mills

Film

Women Without Men

Diane English’s version of The Women barely nudges from its Martha Stewart interiors, exchanging insights for platitudes. It’s a cup of lukewarm tea, without even a biscuit on the side.

Film

Essential Classics - Romances

This set highlights the existential crisis about the validity and permanence of love, in a time when Americans were reminded of the absolute ephemeral nature of life and stripped of ideals by the War.

Erik Hinton

Reviews

Holiday (1938)

Boasting a script packed full of acerbic gems, Holiday also has a tremendous visual energy.

Emma Simmonds

Reviews

The Marrying Kind (1952)

Hollywood did not allow Holliday to display the full range of her talent and intelligence; most of her roles were variants of the 'dumb blonde'.

David Sanjek

Reviews

Pop Ten

MetalMatters: June 2019 - A Month Full of Long-Awaited Returns

Jackie Chan's 10 Best Films

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 1: 100 - 81

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Mixed Media

Collapse Expand Mixed Media

PM Picks

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'What Price Hollywood?' and the Birth of the 'Star Is Born' Films

The A Star is Born films have been born, re-born, and born again for almost a century, making them part of America's cultural fabric. Here's a look at how it all started.

For a Comedy of Manners, 'The Philadelphia Story' Is Awfully Screwball

Often screwball comedies feature sharp contrasts between social classes, with not-so-subtle commentaries on the idle rich, and that's here in triplicate.

"Come Again, Little Girl": 32 Films That Begin With Someone Leaving a Mental Institution (1904-2012)

These 32 films make the case for the recently-escaped-or-released-mental-patient narrative as its own subgenre, replete with a language of recurring themes, plot devices, and character archetypes.

'George Cukor: A Double Life' Is Essential Reading on Queer Cinema and Hollywood History

Everyone in Hollywood knew George Cukor’s secret, but it was never spoken freely until the arrival of Patrick McGilligan’s thoroughly researched book.

100 Essential Directors - George Cukor

100 Essential Directors celebrates directors of distinct vision, who have honed their respective crafts, who have brought something new and exciting to the medium, and who continue to push the boundaries of the form.

The 100 Essential Directors Part 3: George Cukor - John Ford

All the Faith in the World: Holiday

Holiday is the sort of movie that gives those who do know it the satisfyingly superior glow of being in on something really good.

Women Without Men

Diane English’s version of The Women barely nudges from its Martha Stewart interiors, exchanging insights for platitudes. It’s a cup of lukewarm tea, without even a biscuit on the side.

Essential Classics - Romances

This set highlights the existential crisis about the validity and permanence of love, in a time when Americans were reminded of the absolute ephemeral nature of life and stripped of ideals by the War.

Holiday (1938)

Boasting a script packed full of acerbic gems, Holiday also has a tremendous visual energy.

The Marrying Kind (1952)

Hollywood did not allow Holliday to display the full range of her talent and intelligence; most of her roles were variants of the 'dumb blonde'.

MetalMatters: June 2019 - A Month Full of Long-Awaited Returns

Do Canadians Think They're Morally Superior to Everyone Else?

Black Midi's 'Schlagenheim' Is Technically Proficient But Emotionally Shallow

By the Book: 'Solid State: The Story of Abbey Road and the End of the Beatles'

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 1: 100 - 81

Ana Egge Weaves a Honky-Tonk Romance in "Cocaine Cowboys" (premiere)

Rewards of a Lifetime: An Interview with Dionne Warwick

Sunny War and Edith Crash Head to "The Place" (premiere)

Gomez Share Nearly Forgotten "Someday" from 20th Anniversary Edition of 'Liquid Skin' (premiere)

Joining ANTI-, Boy Scouts Drop New Music Video for "Get Well Soon" (premiere)

Molly Mikhael Says Goodbye to Her Mom on Margy's 'Where Are You Now' (premiere + interview)

Belize's Garifuna Collective Shares Video for "Hamala / Let Him Fly" (premiere)

With "New England Song", Ryan Martin Returns with a Tale of Self-Realization (premiere)

Laura Jean Anderson Drops New One-Take EP, 'Live from Hotel Studio Earth' (album stream) (premiere)

Rising R&B and Reggae Artist Analea Brown Says Not to "Lie to Me" (premiere)

DJ Chillz Pulls You onto the Dancefloor on "1111 Accord" (premiere)

The A Star is Born films have been born, re-born, and born again for almost a century, making them part of America's cultural fabric. Here's a look at how it all started.

Often screwball comedies feature sharp contrasts between social classes, with not-so-subtle commentaries on the idle rich, and that's here in triplicate.

These 32 films make the case for the recently-escaped-or-released-mental-patient narrative as its own subgenre, replete with a language of recurring themes, plot devices, and character archetypes.

With Paramount announcing Roberto Orci's replacement as director of the upcoming Star Trek 3, we look back at ten other times when studios and suits played musical chairs with their filmmakers.

Everyone in Hollywood knew George Cukor’s secret, but it was never spoken freely until the arrival of Patrick McGilligan’s thoroughly researched book.

100 Essential Directors celebrates directors of distinct vision, who have honed their respective crafts, who have brought something new and exciting to the medium, and who continue to push the boundaries of the form.

Holiday is the sort of movie that gives those who do know it the satisfyingly superior glow of being in on something really good.

Diane English’s version of The Women barely nudges from its Martha Stewart interiors, exchanging insights for platitudes. It’s a cup of lukewarm tea, without even a biscuit on the side.

This set highlights the existential crisis about the validity and permanence of love, in a time when Americans were reminded of the absolute ephemeral nature of life and stripped of ideals by the War.

Boasting a script packed full of acerbic gems, Holiday also has a tremendous visual energy.

Hollywood did not allow Holliday to display the full range of her talent and intelligence; most of her roles were variants of the 'dumb blonde'.