ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

Released: 1944 (completed 1941) Production: Frank Capra for Warner Bros. Direction: Frank Capra Screenplay: Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein; based on the play of the
same name by Joseph Kesselring …

Cover of The Westerner

THE WESTERNER
Released: 1940 Production: Samuel Goldwyn for United Artists Direction: William Wyler Screenplay: Jo Swerling and Niven Busch; based on a story by Stuart N. Lake Cinematography: Gregg Toland Editing: Daniel Mandell …

In 1977, Akira Kurosawa was at wit’s end. His script for Ran, written several years earlier, had met with stiff resistance. Producers repeatedly insisted it would be too costly to make. So he’d gone …

Shortly after American Me’s release, something worse than trouble caught up with three people associated with the production: They were murdered-conceivably in retaliation, though the connection is by no means clear cut, for the film’s depiction of gang life. The perceived disrespect shown by scenes of sodomy and betrayal allegedly required La Eme to avenge its honor. Olmos himself, the director, co producer, and star of the movie, reportedly responded by applying for a concealed- weapons permit and surrounding himself with bodyguards. Olmos, some said, was targeted for death.

AT BRIDGET COVE, 30 MILES from downtown Juneau, Alaska, the views are almost absurdly picturesque. Against a backdrop of mistshrouded mountains, an eagle swoops low over a shimmering inlet, as a small seaplane slowly taxis …