After watching several very bad prints of some the 1930s films of this action hero a few years ago, I got interested enough in reading some of the novels. It was time for a visit to John King books in Detroit. Written by "Sapper," who was really H. C. McNeile, I found the books refreshing, witty, suspenseful, and very well written. To my surprise, the Criterion Channel has several of the films in its library. The earliest one they have is called The Return of Bulldog Drummond, and it stars Ralph Richardson as the WW1 veteran turned crime fighter. It is a treat to see Sir Ralph in a non-stop action movie, using his fists as much as his words. When the bad guys try to mess with his wife, Bulldog turns awfully mean.
After just finishing up Rossellini's Medici trilogy of films, I wanted something short and sweet for my next film selection. I'm not certain if the term mis-en-scene was used back in those days of early films, but the incredible amount of characters on the set at any given time is a tribute to Walter Summers' direction, as people walk in, walk out, fight, interact socially, or just pass by in the busy scenes, indoors and out. Like the fast moving American pictures of the 30s and 40s, this one always has something going on: a phone ringing, a message being delivered, a person knocking at the door. It is 73 minutes of barely controlled hysterical mayhem! Good fun!
And now for something completely different: one more Renaissance sculpture from the DIA, again showing a remarkable landscape above the Nativity scene.
Nativity, attrib. to Giovanni Ambrogio de Donati, c. 1490.
Italian, polychromed and gilded poplar.
165 cm x 90 cm
It is an amazing piece of sculpture, and it is huge! Speaking of mise-en-scene, check out the foreground and background. This is a fun work to explore in detail.
This sculpture has more detail in it than most paintings of its size. Look at the Virgin's cloak, and her hand and fingers. In fact, everyone's clothing is remarkable and done with great skill. The little angel is so sweet, and the cows are impressive, too. However, the fun really begins in the upper background scene. Each face is totally different, including that one eye peeking between two of the kings.
This part of the sculpture is so remarkable as to almost defy using words. Just look at it! Sheep eating tufts of grass. Three wise men on the way down. A moon in the night sky. Little pathways, a dozen people, 15 animals, tiered hills. This scene almost makes me giddy! It reminds me a bit of J. R. R. Tolkien's own drawings and paintings. I think he would have loved to see this work.
This is the weekend that my mother turns 90 years old! We are heading up to Sudbury on Friday to wish her a happy birthday! Deb has medical tests to attend on Wed., and Thurs. of this week. More coming next week. She has also been doing a remarkable job of cleaning out the hordes of flotsam and jetsam that make up our basement. 9 or 10 garbage bags out the door last week, and 6 or 7 more this week. Our appointment for basement floor removal is set for June 26th, so everything must be done by then.
Mapman Mike
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