It's been reported today via Roger Ebert's Journal at the Chicago Sun Times that I will be contributing to this Shindig.
No, not this one, though that would be the biggest thrill of my life:
This one -- Roger Ebert's newest incarnation of "At the Movies," called "Roger Ebert Presents: At the Movies" hosted by Christy Lemire of The Associated Press and Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of Mubi.com.
I'll be on hand from time to time to discuss classic films and hopefully, other rarities. I'd love for even more to discover and look for the wonders of Jack Garfein's Something Wild starring Carroll Baker and Ralph Meeker, Alan Arkin's Little Murders starring Elliott Gould and Marcia Rodd (on DVD, thankfully), Fritz Lang's woefully underseen You and Me starring George Raft and Sylvia Sidney (which I'm currently writing about), or Big House U.S.A. with ... Meeker.
I'm a bit obsessed with Ralph Meeker (really?). But Big House U.S.A. also stars Broderick Crawford, Lon Chaney Jr., William Talman and a young Charles Bronson. And Bronson suffers the fate of getting his face blow-torched off. Sorry, "blow-torched off" may be a grievous grammatical error (or not?), and I guess revealing the melting of Bronson's mug is what people in these parts call a "spoiler" but, what the hell. Just make an attempt to watch the movie.
Enough about Meeker (for now) ... here's more about the show:
"Christy Lemire of The Associated Press and Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of Mubi.com will be the co-hosts of "Ebert Presents at the Movies." The two experienced and respected critics will also introduce special segments featuring other contributors and the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Roger Ebert.
"The new weekly program debuts Jan. 21 on public television stations in 48 of the top 50 markets, representing more than 90% national coverage. It will be produced in Chicago at WTTW, where Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert began taping "Sneak Previews" some 35 years ago."
Read more here. Thanks to everyone involved.
Congratulations! They made a wise choice.
Posted by: Joe Howe | January 06, 2011 at 10:05 AM
I love the concept of this blog.
Posted by: Kyle T. Watch | January 07, 2011 at 10:52 PM
I loved Ralph Meeker also; wish he had been in more stuff.
Posted by: Linda Berdeaux | August 19, 2011 at 12:13 PM
Ralph Meeker was a GORGEOUS looking guy, great voice, and a versatile, excellent actor.
Would love to find out more about him , and his real life!
I think all us fans of his wish he had made more movies as the lead actor. Wish he had taken the role as "Hal" in "Picnic", wonder if he ever regretted that decision. Jenny
Posted by: Jenny Doyle | August 30, 2011 at 10:48 PM