The time has come to draw a curtain on the blog. I know it seems rather sudden and in a way it is. However, I have been thinking about it for some time now but one thing or another finds me back at the computer pounding out something new.
The blog began 12 years ago. I can say that after all this time I am finally running out of things to say. I have covered most all of the movies I've wanted to cover and written pieces on most all of the personalities I wanted to write about. I have never been particularly interested in writing about any time frame other than Hollywood's Golden Age. Writing about today's movies or current actors, actresses, directors or others holds little interest for me. One can read about them anywhere.
In addition to this there are some other things I want to do which I have been unable to do and won't be able to do if the blog continues. It is simply too time-consuming to leave room for anything else beyond the day-to-day routine.
Movies have consumed my life since I was a young child. As some of you know, they originally started as a safe haven from the fighting around my house. When things got really rough, my mother gave me fifty cents and shoved me out the door and told me to head to our neighborhood theater. After awhile I seemed to need movies like I needed food and water and air. After a couple of years of weekend movies (and mainly double features), if my mother said we were going somewhere as a family for a day, I wanted to ask her if she wouldn't rather stay home and fight. I needed my fix.
Writing about them has provided some of that same delirious joy I felt as a child but I also find much of it watching them on television these days with all the resources that are available. How lovely it will be to watch one after another after another and not say oh yeah, what about the blog?
I want to add that much of the joy of writing the blog comes from hearing from so many of you. You've made me think, you've taught me much, you've made me laugh and I have loved how much some of you have loved movies and know so much about them. I will sincerely miss hearing from you.
Thank you so much. It's been one of my favorite things I have ever done.
See you at the movies.
Rob
OMG I 'm so sad :( I really love this blog and i followed with devotion. But i understand you fell that you just wrote all the things you wanted to wrote. I thought to ask you to write about Ziegfeld girl. Well, please don't remove the blog from the internet. There are many posts i didn't read yet and i like to read more than once some of theme. And, after all, your blog has a lot of interesting and even fascinating information about old movies!
ReplyDeleteTake care
Mimi, defeated by my beauty
Mimi, you were indeed a devoted follower and a devoted correspondent as well. I have always appreciated your honesty even when you didn't agree with me. You're quite a character and please don't be defeated by your beauty. Kindest regards...
DeleteThank you for the kind words :) I follow two blogs about movies. the other one is a brazilian blog (a site, not exactly a blog: "+ de 50 anos de filmes") and i am friend of the author on facebook. but i don't have FB, so unfortunately i will lose touch with you :( but, maybe, one day, you will restart the blog
DeleteOh no! I will miss you so much. I looked forward to your blog and, even though I didn’t comment much, I loved every word you wrote. Thank you for so many happy hours over the years! Much love and hugs, Julie
ReplyDeleteJulie, what a sweetheart you are. Thank you for your endearingly kind words.
DeleteRob, I thank you for your wonderful reviews of both movies and their stars. Reading your blog has truly been a joy for me. I also appreciate your nice reply each time I commented. I wish you only good things in the future. John from Mississippi
ReplyDeleteJohn, I knew you'd write and I have always appreciated how much you liked the blog. Ifg it weren't for you and others like you, I probably would have quit sometime back. Thank you so much,
DeleteThank you for so many wonderful years of reading. Your blog is an absolute highlight of my day and you will be missed. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteAw that is so sweet. Thank you very much.
DeleteThank you for your blog. I've learned a lot from your articles. I hope you don't take the blog down! There are still many articles I haven't read and some I would like to re-read in the future. Best regards, Yvette
ReplyDeleteThank you, Yvette. I will leave the blog up for at least the rest of this year.
DeleteWell, well. I remember you hinting about this the last time we visited...and here it is!
ReplyDeleteIt's truly been a pleasure having a bestie publish soooo much good stuff about movies all these years. Especially your penchant for Noirs!
Even knowing you for 50 + years, I learned more as you put yourself behind the scene into the characters and stories for our enrichment.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that time and research to provide us with terrific insight and entertainment.
Love you and looking forward to having another 50.
I know you never missed a posting. I am deeply grateful.
DeleteOMG! This makes me so sad. I truly, deeply enjoyed your blog which kept me on my toes trying to catch up on the films you wrote so beautifully about. I often had a good laugh thinking we must be the same person. I will miss you so much. All the best for your endeavours. Much love from Paris. Christiana
ReplyDeleteI was waiting for your comments. I knew you would write. I was pretty sure you would be sad because I was knowing we'd probably lose touch. That would be just too sad and I would prefer to not do that. Is there any possibility we could email one another? If so, please send me yours. I will not publish it and will email you then with mine. Sometimes one hates to let go.
DeleteI discovered your blog seven or eight years ago. I sent a reply expressing how much I enjoyed reading each and every post, and was midway through the process of reading all them from the beginning (you sent a lovely reply). I tried writing again, but they no longer went through. I’m afraid I’m the last of a dying breed, without account the major platforms (I’m hoping this parting post just might get through). You’ve been a friend through all uncertainty, but especially during COVID. Between posts, I often type in one search word (any word that comes to mind) that invariably pulls up a great selection, settled in a comfy chair and favorite beverage at hand. Your warmth, style, wit and humor are a welcome and sparkling tonic. I’ve connected with all that you’ve shared (the wealth of which also including the photo of the wonderful Redford Theatre – went there often, before we moved in ‘71). I revisit your Brokeback Mountain road trip often. As a gay man, I’ve appreciated your poignant experiences. I don’t remember the nickname I used long ago, but my name is Paul (second to another Paul). Rob, I’m sending deep appreciation for all you’ve written, and with warmest good wishes to you and your partner, I raise my glass. Thank You.
DeletePaul, I got your communique!!! And thank goodness I did because it charmed me more than I can say. It's thrilling to know my ramblings have meant so much to someone. And I will be forever be beholden to you for writing what you have. Let's raise that glass together. Warm hugs to you, Paul.
DeleteThank you for all your postings. I've enjoyed them immensely. When I was really sick, some of your posts provided me a lot of comfort.
ReplyDeleteWill you ever start a new blog with a new focus, such as TV or music?
I am so happy you enjoyed the blog and that it helped get you through your illness. Thank you for letting me know. I will not be doing anything on television or music as I have no particular expertise in either.
DeleteRob, as you can see, we all miss you so much! Are you sure, I mean absolutely sure , you want to stop doing your blog? Hugs, Julie
ReplyDeleteJulie, I didn't mention this to you before but I was going to quit the blog a couple of years back. And then I was so touched by something you wrote that I thought oh, let's trudge on. And now this. Well I am not absolutely sure, perhaps... just pretty sure. I do miss writing them... always loved the research. But the fact still remains that I've more or less run out of things to say. Still, check in once in awhile. Maybe I'll surprise you. Oh, and Julie, this is just between us, ok?
DeleteDear Rob, I will keep checking…and I promise I won’t tell a soul..hugs, Julie
ReplyDeleteSo miss your posts. I hope you can think of other movies and stars to write about. You have a gift. Thanks for all your contributions.
ReplyDeleteYou are so kind.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh - you're ending the blog and I just discovered it today!!!! Oh no!!!! I must thank you for sharing your thoughts, written so beautifully each post. And, you have so many wonderful fans and followers! You've obviously touched the lives and connected with many folks - how lucky they all are! I know I have a lot of enjoyable and fascinating reading to do here and I can't wait to dive in! Thank you so much for all you've shared here. I only wish I'd found you sooner!! I hope you enjoy all the minutes of your days! God bless you always! Most Sincerely, Meggie Ulrich, San Diego, CA
ReplyDeleteOMG, your beautiful comments make me want to restart this blog and write just for you! I am deeply touched and think I'm blushing. I hope you read all you want. In most cases, nothing's changed since I wrote it. Writing about deceased folks is always "current." I will enjoy hearing from you, Meggie. (Did we meet in The Thorn Birds?) Hugs...
Deletei still visit this blog frequently :(
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear, Mimi.
DeleteOh crap! I literally never post comments and I just left one anonymously yesterday in your post about William Eythe and Lon McCallister..sorry to see you go I love old Hollywood
ReplyDeleteAww I just commented for the first time on your write up from m 2 years ago on the relationship between William Eythe and Lon McCallister,. Literally left it yesterday. I love old Hollywood sorry to see you go and I never comment anywhere but was glad someone wrote about Lon a forgotten star who shined very briefly
ReplyDeleteHi Rob, still checking to see if you changed your mind. I don’t see a review of Greer Garson, or my favorite film of hers The Valley of Decision..unless I am going blind in my advancing age..😊 I miss you so much and am trying to peak your interest in coming back to us..hugs, Julie
ReplyDeleteAw, Julie, I miss you, too. And I actually like that you coax me into coming back. Who knows? One day it may work. I confess I miss writing the blog and all my treasured friends who write me. Right now I still love getting my life back and bring able to watch so much tennis. Stay tuned.
DeleteI check back every so often too to see if anything new has been written. I hope you can think of other Hollywood subjects to write about. I adore this site.
ReplyDeleteDear Rob, your answer gave me a little hope so I am just throwing out a few ideas just in case I can peak your interest in coming back to us. Ok, here goes..A Matter of Life and Death (David Niven), Rage in Heaven(George Sanders and Ingrid Bergman) Journey to Italy( Ingrid Bergman and George Sanders) and Silkwood(Meryl Streep,Cher and Kurt Russell) No rush..I am perfectly willing to wait until the tennis is over..ok, I shamelessly miss you..Hope you are having a great summer, hugs, Julie
ReplyDeleteHi Rob, hope you are doing well..I remembered a movie I suggested to you awhile back and wanted to know if you would be interested in reviewing it. Wicked Woman with Richard ‘Hubba Hubba’ Egan and Beverly Michaels. It really is a guilty pleasure if ever there was one 😊 it is on YouTube. I think you will like it..still trying to lure you back. Lol…hugs, Julie
ReplyDeleteOh, sweet Julie the lure may be working. I don't expect it will be tomorrow or the next day but hang in there. If and when it happens, I shall be delighted to review Hubba Hubba's old flick. Keep all this quiet, ok?
DeleteI am so sorry to have found your blog six months after you decided to end it. I’ve been reading all of your movie analysis and find that I just love it. I hope you enjoy the next part of what you’ve decided to do as much as we have enjoyed your insights ….fare thee well.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are enjoying the blog, Annie. But don't give up on it yet. Now there's a lure. LOL.
DeleteI promise I won’t tell a soul..just want to say woohoo!!! 😀 Julie
ReplyDeleteHi Rob! How are you dear? No, I am not writing to scold you or anything..lol. Just wanted to let you know that one of our favorite movies is on TCM next Sunday evening ( November 12 ).. The Proud and the Profane. This hasn’t been shown for years! I can’t wait. Hope to see you writing something soon..big hugs, Julie
ReplyDeleteOh sweet Julie. Yes I saw The Proud and Profane will be on. Already set up to record. I'll be thinking of you. I may be back at this in January.
ReplyDeleteRob, I hope you really do decide to come back to us. Even once a month would be wonderful..something to look forward too. In the meantime, Happy Holidays to you and your family! Will also be thinking of you when one of our favorite films is showing! Lots of hugs, Julie
ReplyDeleteJulie, did you watch it again? I did and wondered how you felt about this or that scene. My favorite is when she slaps him and he pushes her to the ground. Powerfully written and gloriously acted. My second fave was the cemetery scene. Chilling, wasn't it? His character is repugnant, especially by today's standards. A deft portrait of forgiveness. Holden's most unusual role and Kerr's best. So glad we share a love of this one. Happy holidays to you, Julie, and your family.
DeleteI will add my two cents and say that I always enjoyed your writing - it was informed and entertained - and I would like to see you return. I wondered why in the cemetery scene the soldier had no inkling she was related to, or at least knew, the Lt. Holden's character was truly reprehensible. Craig
ReplyDeleteCraig, hello. So nice to hear from you. Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteDefinitely against type for Holden. Truthfully I kind of always thought Burt Lancaster would have been better in the role. Love Burt, but he could have a cruel streak and I never saw that in Bill Holden..but the end where Holden’s character was asking for forgiveness was so sweet. Burt couldn’t have done that scene. I am so happy TCM showed this film. I think they forget about a lot of films and repeat the same films over and over every month. Now..if they would only show The Dark at the Top of the Stairs I would be a happy camper! So nice seeing you back Rob..however briefly..I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season and hope to see you back in the new year. Hugs, Julie. PS..you still have to review Hubba Hubba! He is waiting ☺️
ReplyDeleteI am guessing Lancaster was not considered. It would have felt too much like "From Here to Eternity" with Kerr and WWII. Besides Holden and director George Seaton were old pals. Ah, you mention one of my favorite movies ever with "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs." I watched it about a month ago. Julie, are we the same person? We sure have similar tastes in movies.
DeleteHi Rob, I would say we are definitely kindred spirits when it comes to old movies and we have excellent taste. 😊
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays and don’t forget us in January! It would be an awesome start to 2024 to have you back! Hugs, Julie