Cocteau's Masterpiece

But first, the weather.  It has finally snowed!  We received 1" on Jan. 1st, and 2" so far today.  More is coming tomorrow.  It's white and very fluffy, so not hard to shovel.  Except what the snowplow leaves behind, which is like neutron star material.  Our longest cold wave of the season continues, and will do so until Feb. 2nd, according to the long term forecast.  That means we don't rise about 32 F.  In fact, we haven't come very close to it lately.  By the time some seriously cold temps arrive on Tuesday and Wednesday, there should be enough snow on the ground to protect our water pipes.  There were many birds around looking for a free meal.  Several even took a bath in the big dish I keep heated outside.

It's a bright white world today, with 2" of fluffy stuff.

Our front cedar tree looks very decorative today.  The bird silhouettes are stuck on our two picture windows to stop birds flying into the glass.

A red-bellied woodpecker has been around the house for a week or so now.

A goldfinch and sparrow on our sunflower seed feeder.

Goldfinch. 

My film choices last week were the first three episodes of Les Vampires, a 1915 French silent serial, and Laura, Preminger's brilliant film of a dead girl who isn't dead.  The Vampires has 10 parts, varying in length from 15' to 40', each one a complete story, and not the cliff hanger type preferred by American studios.  A gallivanting reporter takes on the criminal organization known as The Vampires, including the ever elusive Irma Vep.  So far it is quite enjoyable, and I am looking to more parts next week.

Now showing on Criterion.

Irma Vep relaxes at home, after a long night of criminal activity.

My leaving choice was Laura, from 1944.  Again, it had been far too long since we had seen this noir gem.  Clifton Webb as Waldo Lydecker steals every scene he is in, which is most of them.  Gene Tierney is perfect as the sweet woman who wouldn't hurt a fly, and Dana Andrews is okay as a cop who falls in love with Laura, as he investigates her murder.  There are more quotable lines from this film than almost any other movie, most of them given by Waldo Lydecker.  Many priceless moments, and overall a really good film, worth multiple viewings.  Vincent Price gets a well deserved punch in the stomach.

Leaving Criterion January 31st.

In other movie news, Deb selected Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast, in a restored print that brings it fully to life.  The ultimate fairy tale movie, there is no snow, but an autumnal desolation pervades the film.  Jean Marais' Beast is a legend, and for good reason.  His voice, his make up (up to 5 hours per day!), his eyes, and his manner of moving, are perfect for this part.  There were a number of short extras, too, well worth watching.  We had not seen this film in perhaps 30 years.  Thank you Criterion.

Now showing on the Criterion Channel.

Jean Marais is the Beast. 

Mapman Mike