An Uncommonplace Book

My good friend Patrick Ciccone alerts me to his new An Uncommonplace Book weblog, where he posts assorted quotations on various subjects. A representative example:

Obsolete Morality #1
This new form of entertainment has gone far to blast maidenhood… Depraved adults with candies and pennies beguile children with the inevitable result. The Society has prosecuted many for leading girls astray through picture shows, but GOD alone knows how many are leading dissolute lives begun at the “moving pictures.”

The Annual Report of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Children, 1909

Review of Wanda by Barbara Loden

Somehow, I never seem to get writing assignments until I leave town. Started writing for Cineaste when I moved to DC and The Brooklyn Rail when I moved to Olympia. So, appropriately, a week before moving to Alaska, The Stranger asked me to review the DVD release of Barbara Loden's Wanda. A largely-forgotten verite-style feature made in 1970, Wanda looked promising... but didn't deliver. In any case, you can read the review here.

Magic Lantern Masterpieces

Attention! My good friend Ben Russell of Providence, Rhode Island's Magic Lantern Cinema informs me posters from past programs are now available for sale. One (or more!) of these lovely, limited edition, hand-silkscreened compositions by assorted artists can be yours for a mere $15. Just click here to purchase. And I can personally attest to their fine craftsmanship and charm. Pictured is the poster for The Magic Show, which I was particularly sorry to miss. I urge you to place your order as soon as possible. They cannot last long.