Frank Thompson
Writer and film historian, author of nearly 50 books and hundreds of articles. A TV writer and producer in a former life, a writer/director of documentaries. The voice of many audio commentaries on DVDs and Blu-rays. Two books - so far - coming in '25.
- Coming soon. But not soon enough for me.
- In researching my book on the making of "Thunder Road" (1958), I've encountered several seemingly unsolvable mysteries. But I never thought learning about Betsy Holt was going to be one. Beyond this film, I can confirm she appeared in one TV episode and one play in New York. Beyond that, nothing.
- You still have a couple of weeks to nominate worthy films to the National Film Register. May I recommend "Beau Geste" and "The Bat" both from 1926? www.research.net/r/national-f...
- Feel free to sing along.
- Coming in February.
- We had originally booked these guys to accompany "Beau Geste" at the TCM Festival but they apparently got a better gig. Which is just as well, because now we get to hear the music of the amazing Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.
- Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood. April 28, 2025. See you there.
- I'll be at the screening of the new restoration of "Beau Geste" (1926) on the closing night of the TCM Festival. If you see me there, stop and say hello.
- The day I met Titanic survivor Eva Hart.
- "Thunder Road" publicity shot with (l. to r.) Sandra Knight, Key Grip Jim Kirby, Script Supervisor Gana Jones, Mitchum, and Cinematographer Alan Stensvald. I believe this was taken, not in Asheville, but on the duplicate interior set built at Hal Roach Studios in Hollywood
- Eight years ago, WNC Magazine asked me to list some notable movies made in NC. I didn't know then that I would eventually write a book about "Thunder Road." I had 3 1/2 others to write first.
- In 2011, my pal Craig Covner and I returned to the Imperial Dunes where the Forts Zinderneuf from four iterations of "Beau Geste" were filmed. This time, we brought along Kevin Brownlow, who took this photograph.
- My first book about the Alamo. Four more would follow. I have no good excuse.
- Director Herbert Brenon and cameraman J. Roy Hunt take a high angle view. "Beau Geste" (1926). www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
- Director Douglas Camfield on the set of his dream project, "Beau Geste" (BBC, 1982). Read all about in MY dream project, "The Compleat Beau Geste." www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
- The music in this remarkable performance has been my earworm for the past week. No end in sight.
- A sad farewell to the most beautiful woman in Puppetland. R.IP. Lynne Stewart.
- This was where it all began. February 8, 1965. If I hadn't seen the Wellman version on TV the day before and then read this book, my life would have turned out completely differently. Every aspect of it.
- Wild BIll Wellman cooling off between scenes of "Dangerous Paradise" (1930).
- As I was gathering images for my magnum opus "The Compleat Beau Geste," few things gave me greater joy than finding photos of models of the various Forts Zinderneuf. 1982 BBC serial (courtesy Paul Joel) www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
- As I was gathering images for my magnum opus "The Compleat Beau Geste," few things gave me greater joy than finding photos of models of the various Forts Zinderneuf. 1966 version. www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
- As I was gathering images for my magnum opus "The Compleat Beau Geste," few things gave me greater joy than to find photos of the models of the various Forts Zinderneuf. 1939 version. www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
- Five years ago today, Feb 6 2020, William Wellman Jr and I recorded the audio commentary for Kino Lorber's Blu-ray of William A. Wellman's "Beau Geste" (1939). If you don't know how big a deal this was for me, we absolutely don't know each other. We did it Wellman-style, too - one take.
- A Christmas essential
- My Christmas books from long, long ago.
- A Christmas essential.
- "Winter Was Warm" is the leitmotif of the Broadway-caliber score of "Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol" yet only half of the song as recorded was used in the show. Here's the full version.
- Has any actor in cinema history ever had as much of an emotional impact on a film in less screen time than Teresa Derrington's sweet-faced little maid in "Scrooge" (1951)?
- Reposted by Frank Thompson22 analog recordings of Charles Ives works from RCA and Columbia. So far I’ve only had time to listen to The Circus Band. There’s a lot here that is new to me.
