King Vidor For A Day

I think it would be a royal mistake if one missed the opportunity to be privy to at least one of the cinematic diamonds from the colossal canon of director King Vidor. 


And if a spaceship landed, and its occupants needed me to recommend one from his finest hours - I would indubitably suggest 1931's Street Scene.





It is exceedingly difficult to acquire it, but if you are a subscriber to satellite television, when the blue moon beckons, you may find it on Turner Classics.


Pre-code in its prime, although not the most lubricious of the days before the code of Hays releases; it certainly has enough spice to be delectable.



Hot town, summer in the city...


This Pulitzer-prize melodrama was based on Elmer Rice's play ( he also scribed the screenplay). Its slick, innovative camera work is to be revered. It is zeitgeist, and it is revolutionary, decades ahead of itself.


If you are a fancier of old New York location shots, there aren't many as authentic at these.