Back on Thursday
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Photo(s) of the Day
For today I'm just showing images of revelry, for the upcoming new years celebration. So happy New Year to all!
PEPLUM stars advertising stuff
Just in time for new year celebrations here are some ads for cigarettes and alcohol featuring PEPLUM stars Hedy Lamarr and Claude Rains.
Hedy selling cigarettes and beer; above is a picture from SAMSON & DELILAH
A sad looking Claude Rains from CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA
Monday, December 30, 2013
Photo of the Day
Lacone (Aroldo Tieri) watches Pomponia (Abbe Lane) dance up a storm in TIBERIUS
Still looking for English subs or English dub for this. Another 'Comedy of the Sexes' set in Ancient Rome.
Movie Poster Mondays
Italian poster for URSUS IN THE VALLEY OF THE LIONS
In the movie, Ursus is friends with the lions and this scene doesn't happen so the artwork is not really accurate but it's colourful and he does look like Ed Fury. Is that supposed to be Moira Orfei?
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Offline
My ISP accidentally canceled my internet service. I've been offline since Thursday night. I'll be back tomorrow.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Photo of the Day
Hercules (Steve Reeves) battles with a tiger in HERCULES UNCHAINED
Tango for two? Ah!
PEPLUM Star spotting
Then and Now : Taina Elg
Taina as Dirce in THE BACCHANTES (1963); Taina photographed in 2012. She's 83.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Photo of the Day
Dirce (Taina Elg) is one of THE BACCHANTES
Love this film. It's so unique in the PEPLUM genre. Everyone gave great performances and the script is original and clever. Taina is one of the few Finnish stars and PEPLUM stars. Perfect viewing for Saturnalia?
Movie Poster Mondays
French poster for URSUS AND THE TARTAR PRINCESS
Colorful pulpy artwork. Yoko Tani in a rare cheesecake pose.
The King Who Sought Immortality
Short film by regular PEPLUM blog reader Richard Svensson. Good job.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Photo of the Day
Now I know some might think this is a spoiler but the history (or myth) of the battle of Masada is pretty well known and as been known for centuries so no it's not a spoiler. I originally saw the mini-series back in 1981 but haven't seen it since. I need to watch it again one day to re-evaluate it and Peter O'Toole's performance in it, certainly since he died last weekend. The mini-series is over 6 hours long.
Back on Monday!
American Gladiators
If I had a real PEPLUM TV channel I would definitely do a Gladiator-type of show with the contestants wearing real looking authentic Gladiatorial gear (but without the actual killing). Aside from football in North America, this is the closest we ever got to the real thing.
The original cast which lasted 8 seasons
The reboot in 2008 which lasted one season.
Actor profile: Elena Zareschi
Continuing with profiling relatively unknown supporting actors of Italian/Euro PEPLUM films. Today it's Elena Zareschi who was, for the most part, mainly a supporting actress in said genre films with one exception: she was the main star in RITA DA CASCIA. I don't have a photo from that film only the poster. In her subsequent film roles she often appeared briefly in an important role with some pivotal information. She was born in Argentina by Italian parents. She had a stellar career on stage and also was in several made-for-tv films and productions including MACBETH. My favourite role is in SAPPHO THE VENUS OF LESBOS. The scene lasts just a minute but her commanding presence really stands out.
Elena played Queen Pasifae in THE MINOTAUR (1960). She divulges a secret as she's dying which sets the story into motion.
Elena had the lead role in RITA DA CASCIA (1943)
Elena is perfectly cast as Cassandra in ULYSSES (1954)
In HEROD THE GREAT (1959)
THE COSSACKS (1960)
Elena played The Sybil in SAPPHO THE VENUS OF LESBOS (1960). Brief but great scene.
She played a Princess in WITH FIRE AND SWORD (1962)
Friday, December 20, 2013
Photo of the Day
Yet another ADAM & EVE film which is just and excuse to showcase young hot things wearing little or no clothes on. This film is a combo of Bo Derek's TARZAN THE APE MAN, BLUE LAGOON and your average Cannibal film. Made by Italians, of course.
Originally posted at PEPLUM X
Lobby Cards Set: DECAMERON NIGHTS
Behind-the-Scenes
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Photo of the Day
This scene would not make it in a family film today certainly when San Martin pulls Carrillo closer towards him. Simply too suggestive. It's amazing some of the stuff PEPLUM films got away with back in the day.
Cinematic Confusion
PEPLUM Fashion : Subligaculum
Popular or common piece of clothing worn in Ancient Rome or Greece. The illustration shows the steps of how to fit a subligaculum around one's waist. The little statue shows a gladiator wearing it. Below is a modern day example of such a garment. Below that is a fresco showing women wearing a female version of a subligaculum. And the last photo shows Steve Reeves wearing one for his HERCULES films.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Photo of the Day
Hypatia (Rachel Weisz) looks up at the stars in AGORA
I started this blog back in October 12, 2010 and one of the reasons I started the blog was because of AGORA: a big ambitious film which got almost no release in the US. The film's pro-science POV was deemed unsellable in the US. I thought : 'Are we in 2010?' for this to be happening. I thought that the whole genre was really underrated and overlooked and the lack of interest to this film was indicative of this general indifference to the genre. So, 4 years later, I'm still doing it.
Is AGORA perfect? No, it has several liabilities going against it, namely a miscast Rachel Weisz, who doesn't have the gravitas to sustain such a big film. Her acting style just doesn't fit the role even though she looks wonderful in it. The 'pro-science - anti-religious' aspects didn't bother me at all. The screenplay was sometimes too obvious (the symbolisms were annoying, including the outer space moments) but overall it's an excellent production. The production values are sometimes stunning (like in this shot; click on image to see the details) and imo it's best looking PEPLUM film since the classic made 50 or 60 years ago. Better than GLADIATOR, TROY and all. It's quite an eye-filling experience, if you're a PEPLUM fan and it's the true star of this film.
Back on Thursday
KATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA - Trailer
Trailer for the last film starring Peter O'Toole, who came out of retirement for this film. it reminds me of AGORA released a few years ago. I didn't upload this trailer.
R.I.P. : Peter O'Toole and Joan Fontaine
Two Hollywood actors died this past weekend: Peter O'Toole, 81, and Joan Fontaine, 96. Of the two Peter made the most PEPLUM productions and costume dramas, for the giant screen or TV such as the epic mini-series MASADA. Peter's last film is the unreleased KATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA. Except for the action packed TROY most of Peter's PEPLUM productions tended to be dramas which showcased his acting chops. Peter's most memorable role will always be LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, his first major role and a breakout performance, and even though the movie is set in the desert and there are sword and army on horseback it's not a PEPLUM film. Peter would garner 8 Oscar® nominations during his career, including one for his performance in LOA, but never won a single statue. Amazing.
As for Joan, the bulk of her films were set in contemporary times but she did appear in a handful of memorable PEPLUM productions including IVANHOE and DECAMERON NIGHTS among others. Like Peter, Joan had one signature role : REBECCA, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. She was sublime in it and was nominated for an Oscar®. She didn't win for that role but won one for Hitchcock's SUSPICION.
Peter O'Toole
As for Joan, the bulk of her films were set in contemporary times but she did appear in a handful of memorable PEPLUM productions including IVANHOE and DECAMERON NIGHTS among others. Like Peter, Joan had one signature role : REBECCA, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. She was sublime in it and was nominated for an Oscar®. She didn't win for that role but won one for Hitchcock's SUSPICION.
Peter O'Toole
Peter in THE LION OF WINTER costarring Timothy Dalton.
Peter was a debauched Tiberius in CALIGULA (1979)
Peter played Priam in TROY (2004) costarring Eric Bana.
Diane Kruger, Peter O'Toole and Saffron Burrows in TROY(2004)
Peter's last performance is in the yet to be released KATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA
Joan Fontaine
Joan as Rowena in IVANHOE. Below, Joan with Robert Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor.
Joan in a publicity photo for DECAMERON NIGHTS
Monday, December 16, 2013
Movie Poster Mondays
Italian poster for HERCULES THE AVENGER
Nice artwork and design but the look on Reg is not very flattering.
MACISTE VS HERCULES IN THE VALE OF WOE - Dance sequence
I uploaded this comedic dance number from MACISTE VS HERCULES IN THE VALE OF WOE starring Liana Orfei, Raimondo Vianello and Mario Carotenuto among others.
Cha-cha-cha!
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Photo of the Day
Great location. I wonder where it is.
Back on Monday
