boo

Happy Hallowe'en!

First three: Charlie Chan at Treasure Island (1939)
Last: The Cat and the Canary (1927)

black and orange all over

This whole town is over-run with black and orange. It's not only World Series fever, it's also nearly Hallowe'en.



Le Boucher (1970)
aka The Butcher
directed by Claude Chabrol



Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
directed by Don Siegel

I loved both of these films and I noticed similar tendencies on the part of the directors.
More contemporary horror films go in for the close-up - the better to highlight the special effects. Repeatedly in Invasion of the Body Snatchers and at the dramatic end of The Butcher, the principal characters are walking and running away from the camera. It felt really creepy, as though the protagonist didn't reciprocate the affinity I had with them and they were abandoning me to deal with the danger on my own. It was a much more chilling effect than all that blood and gore ever has on me.

Another Hallowe'en / San Francisco connection:
I also watched the 1978 remake of Body Snatchers, which was filmed in this city. It's the only film shot here that actually highlights the Transamerica Pyramid. It was controversial when it was built, yet today it's hardly referenced. It isn't even included in my books on local architectures. The focus in the film is a true slice of it's time.

golly, I've missed you

When I jumped at a short-notice opportunity to move, I had no idea I'd be away so long. I intended to pre-post a few entries before the internet was cut off, but I ran out of time. I figured in the twenty-first century that the web would be reinstated with a flick of the switch at master control. Apparently it's still a lot more complicated than that. It's been an ordeal, let's say.

Anyway, so that this doesn't turn into the excuses blog, let's look at the new place, shall we?

Merrily We Go to Hell 1932

OK, this is the old place. It was a little too ritzy for my taste, plus it looked terrible with the extension cords running all over. These old buildings never have enough three-prong outlets.


Le Grand Jeu 1934

Now, this is a staircase! See the living room:




Le Grand Jeu 1934

Yes, the new place is furnished. Not bad, eh?


Merrily We Go to Hell 1932

The best feature is easily the rec room in the basement:


Quai des Orfèvres 1947


Merrily We Go to Hell 1932

House warming party!
That is not me passed out on the sofa.
I'm taking the photos.


Quai des Orfèvres 1947

The only drawback so far is it's in a hard location to catch a cab. I can't imagine I'll be leaving home very much these days. I've got a lot of posting to do.

Thanks Guy for the films!