"TAZA, SON OF COCHISE"
When you think of Rock Hudson, what springs to mind? What's that you say? Native American warrior? Correct! Donning dark makeup, a shoulder-length wig and stylish bandana, baring his muscular chest so his fans can coo and sigh, El Rocko stars as the titular character in 1954's "Taza, Son of Cochise." (He had previously played an Indian brave in "Winchester '73," starring James Stewart.)
It's now available in Blu-ray format from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. The disc serves up both the 3D and 2D versions. If you like to see spears, arrows and torches coming at you, you can opt for the extra dimension.
When his father, Cochise, dies in the opening sequence, Taza becomes the peace-loving chief of the Chiricahua Apache. His impetuous, war-hungry younger brother (Bart Roberts) creates conflict within the tribe and battles trespassing settlers, as well as the bluecoats stationed at the local fort.
The movie teams Hudson with director Douglas Sirk. They teamed for a number of memorable melodramas, "Magnificent Obsession" and "All That Heaven Allows" among them. They manage to magnify the melodramatic aspects of this western adventure.
Hudson brings out the macho and nobility of Taza. Bart Roberts (better known by his real name, which he later used in screen credits -- Rex Reason) stirs up intensity as his rival sibling. And Barbara Rush is both demure and alluring as the one woman whom both men crave. Gregg Palmer provides stalwart support as a well-meaning army officer. Jeff Chandler appears briefly, in the beginning, as Cochise, a role he had played twice previously.
The Technicolor film is visually striking, thanks to well chosen locations, including Utah's Arches National Park. It all looks fantastic in the new 2K restoration of Kino's Blu-ray edition. Extras include a new audio commentary and a fun, kitschy trailer.
"JUNGLE QUEEN"
Get ready for campy fun, when you leap into this 13-chapter serial. Hitting theaters in 1945, the story is set in 1939. There's action galore. The adventure revolves around Nazis trying to wrest control of a strategic region of Africa. They plot to fire up local tribes to attack the British. Lothel, Queen of the Jungle, pits her powers against the evil Nazis. Neither wild animals nor a raging inferno can make her halt her mission.
A newly remastered, 2K, Blu-ray edition of the Universal serial has been released by MVD/VCI. Both sound and picture are greatly improved over previously available versions.
Faces familiar to B-movie fans include those of Edward Norris, Lois Collier, Douglas Dumbrille and Eddie Quillan. The mysterious Queen of the Jungle is played by a young Ruth Roman, who was later featured in such major films as "Champion" (with Kirk Douglas) and Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train."
Like the cast, viewers can set logic aside, ignore inane dialogue and narrative confusion, and just enjoy the simple excitement in each episode.
CDs
PHIL OCHS - "THE BEST OF THE REST: RARE AND UNRELEASED RECORDINGS"
Phil Ochs had it all, the best elements of the folk scene that emerged from Greenwich Village in the 60s. He could match or surpass the relevance and urgency of Dylan, the poetic beauty of Eric Andersen, the bluesy, jazzy passion of Tim Hardin. He melded those qualities into his own unique style. And his gloriously expressive, instantly recognizable voice movingly conveyed the meaning of his brilliant lyrics.
Tragically Ochs died by suicide at age 35. But he left behind a wealth of great songs and unforgettable performances. This new collection of rarities is a treasure that expands his legacy. Some of the songs, never formally recorded, were previously unknown. Others appear on his albums, but it's fascinating to her them raw, unadorned in demo form. His vocals and an acoustic guitar are all that's needed to make powerful political, social or emotional statements.
His song writing is graced with intelligence, sensitivity, humor and uncompromising honesty. Ochs delivers his material with a compelling fervor, a fierce fieriness. Singing of loneliness and sorrow, he is profoundly affecting on "I'm Tired." He finds the aching melancholy of roaming in "I Wish I Could Have Been Along,"
A dedicated activist, he worked tirelessly for the anti-war and civil rights movements. In these days of BLM, Ochs' classic "Here's to the State of Mississippi" could not be more timely. He rails against the injustice and bigotry institutionalized by the courts, the jails and the schools. He sings, "And here's to the cops of Mississippi. They're chewing their tobacco, as they lock the prison door. Their bellies bounce inside them when they knock you to the floor. No, they don't like taking prisoners in their private little war. Behind their broken badges they are murderers and more."
In "Song of the Soldier," in the midst of the Vietnam conflict, Ochs laments that "the flag-draped coffins are a-sailin' home." "The Men Behind The Guns" makes its point with high drama. The previously unreleased "War Is Over" and "All Quiet on the Western Front" will thrill Ochs fans.
Other standout tracks include "In The Heat of the Summer," "Days of Decision," "I'm Gonna Say It Now," and one of the well known Ochs songs, "Love Me, I'm a Liberal."
The set closes appropriately with a rehearsal take of "No More Songs," a lovely piece, left unfinished here, like his sadly unfinished life. The collection will make listeners grateful for what Ochs left behind, while leaving us wishing he had stayed longer, penning many more impactful songs.
VARIOUS ARTISTS - "THANK YOU, MISTER ROGERS: MUSIC & MEMORIES"
This delightful collection came out last fall. But if you haven't discovered it yet, this is the perfect time. As the world seems to be careening into madness, mayhem and malevolence, what we need, more than ever, is the sincere, reassuring, heartwarming magic of Fred Rogers. Let's forget about pandemic worries for a few moments and enter Mister Rogers' neighborhood, courtesy of this loving tribute album.
Jaci Velasquez brings an infectious Latin beat and an element of humor to "You Can Never Go Down The Drain." Jon Secada also finds a rhythmic groove on "Podemos Ser Amigos?" The sweet sibling harmonizing of The Cowsills is perfectly suited to "Won't You Be My Neighbor." Vanessa Williams serves up the gorgeous Rogers ballad, "Many Ways to Say I Love You." Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. raise the energy level with their soulful rendition of "Let's Be Together Today." There's a pleasing pop arrangement and a winning Micky Dolenz vocal on "Perfectly Beautiful Day."
Two of the prettiest renditions come from Rita Wilson on a tender "Sometimes People Are Good" and Kelli Pickler on the uplifting "It's Such a Good Feeling."
Others on the album include Tom Bergeron, Jim Brickman and Lee Greenwood. The entire cast of singers joins together for the closing number, "Thank You for Being You."
These appealing performances, enhancing Fred Rogers' exceptional songwriting skills, make this an endearing musical experience for all ages. The whole household will be all smiles as the music wafts through the air, with its gentle sounds and inspiring messages.
DION - "BLUES WITH FRIENDS"
The legend continues. With his latest album, "Blues With Friends," Dion shows that his vocal and songwriting skills haven't ebbed one iota. At 80, he's still one of the most soulful and powerful artists around. The album instantly soared to the top of the charts.
Dion takes a traditional blues path with the sizzling "I Got Nothin'," which features Van Morrison and Joe Louis Walker, as well as "Told You Once in August," with John Hammond Jr. blowing up a storm on harmonica and some amazing slide from Rory Block.
Brian Setzer adds some rockabilly zest to "Uptown Number 7." Paul Simon harmonizes on "Song for Sam Cooke (Here in America)." Dion delivers sizzling electric blues on "What If I Told You" and "I Got The Cure." The latter gets some guitar heat from Sonny Landreth.
Steve Van Zandt jumps into the dynamic and defiant "Way Down (I Won't Cry No More)." The extraordinary album closes with "Hymn to Him," on which the devout Dion teams with Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen.
The glittering guest list here also includes Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, brothers Jimmy and Jerry Vivino, Joe Menza, Billy Gibbons and Samantha Fish. Though the friends appearing on the album can't help but impress, they never steal the spotlight from Dion.
Mr. DiMucci has been making great records since 1957. The miraculous, moving music on "Blues with Friends" adds another milestone to Dion's epic journey.
Be sure to read our vintage interview with Dion: http://popcultureclassics.com/dion_dimucci.html
APROPOS OF NOTHING
By Woody Allen [Arcade]
Still neurotic. Still self-deprecating. Still hilarious.
Certainly Woody Allen has been one of the most fascinating figures in the pop culture landscape of the 20th and 21st centuries. Now we have an opportunity to hear him tell the story of his remarkable life in his own words.
His new, thoroughly engaging autobiography, "Apropos of Nothing," is written in a candid, casual, conversational tone. The appealing, though often biting wit is reminiscent of Allen's 60s fiction, which was influenced by humorist S.J. Perelman.
At the outset, Allen sets the record straight about his persona. He grew up the antithesis of the intellectual. Not at all scholarly, he hated school, even Hebrew school. Contrary to his image, he was not a nebbishy nerd, but a healthy, popular, athletic lad. Early ambitions included becoming a cowboy, G-man, private eye or gambler.
He had loving, if ever squabbling parents. Nonetheless, he was somehow riddled with neuroses, plagued by an obsession with mortality. He found escape in movies (particularly sophisticated Manhattan-set, sophisticated comedies and detective thrillers). He was also consumed by vaudeville, radio programs... and the opposite sex.
Allen identified with Blanche DuBois, the tragic heroine of "Streetcar Named Desire," who said, "I don't want reality... I want magic." Of his own characters, the one to whom he most closely relates is Cecilia of "The Purple Rose of Cairo," who prefers to immerse herself in Hollywood happy endings, rather than having to deal with her own bleak existence.
By his teens, his gift for comedy writing was already clearly evident. He started sending jokes to famous columnists and dreamed of peddling quips to his hero, Bob Hope. From earning ink and attention in the columns, he progressed to paying gigs. The mentorship of the successful writer Danny Simon (Neil's older brother) helped Allen along.
Allen's second manager, Jack Rollins, nudged him towards performing his own material. Acclaim as a stand-up followed. Trying his hand as a playwright, he stumbled with "Don't Drink The Water," but delighted audiences and critics with "Play It Again, Sam." The latter teamed him with his perfect comic partner, Diane Hall, who took the surname Keaton to satisfy union requirements.
The book delves into all of Allen's film work, beginning with his disappointing experience on "What's New Pussycat?" Soon he was protecting his writing, by directing his projects. For cinema buffs, the memoir offers tons of interesting insights into his works. He sees faults in even his most lauded creations. He also offers an honest assessment of why he felt the urge to try dramatic films.
Throughout the book, there are tasty tidbits about countless greats Allen encountered in his travels, among them, Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, Larry Gelbart, Dick Cavett, Johnny Carson, Peter O'Toole, Scarlett Johanssen, Naomi Watts, Dianne Wiest and Elaine Stritch.
And naturally, Allen discusses the women who played major roles in his life. He married too young, when he was 20. His wife, Harlene, was 17 at the time. He takes the blame for the relationship faltering and has only complimentary things to say about her. His second wife, bipolar actress Louise Lasser ("Bananas," "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman"), proved to be an extremely challenging mate, but wound up being a lifelong friend. He describes her as gorgeous, charming... and a little nuts.
He speaks of former lover and co-star Diane Keaton -- who has also remained a close friend -- with great affection. "She takes great photos, can act, sings beautifully, dances, writes well... She’s her own person. I have always shown her my work, and she’s one of the only people whose opinion I really care about." He calls her "magical."
And Allen writes glowingly of his enduring marriage to Soon-Yi and the two adopted daughters they have raised. His past was carefully scrutinized by judges prior to the couple being allowed to adopt. They found no improprieties which would preclude healthy parenting.
Allen presents a confession -- he is scared of dogs and doesn't like pets of any kind. Through all of these pages, he shows his willingness to open up about all his weaknesses and flaws. But he is very clear about his complete innocence in that other matter, the accusation of child molestation. He goes into great detail, finally having a forum to present his case. And it's entirely convincing. As he delves into this subject, his frustration, mournfulness and righteous anger peek through. He reserves the book's one scathing indictment for Mia Farrow.
But Allen also tosses in bits of gallows humor, stating, "Despite all the smears and terrible PR, there are a few actual upsides to being a pariah. For one thing, you’re not always asked to sit on some dais, blurb a book, save any whales, or give a commencement speech—not that a guy whose knowledge of the Constitution is limited to the Twenty-First Amendment is a good choice to inspire students."
People whom he held in high regard turned on him in an instant, condemning him without any evidence. Allen sings the praises of actors who gave fine performances in his films, then denounced him. Those include Ellen Page and Greta Gerwig ("To Rome With Love"), as well as Timothée Chalamet (of "A Rainy Day in New York," Allen's latest, which lost its U.S. distribution, because of Allen's unfairly tarnished reputation). Allen offers thanks to other stars who went against the grain and bravely spoke out on his behalf.
Is it creepy when Allen mentions his predilection for girls in their late teens (Stacey Nelkin and Mariel Hemingway are among the young actresses he mentions)? Of course. Does that make him a pedophile? When you read the book (or watch Rick Worley's documentary, "By the Way, Woody Allen is Innocent," on YouTube), you'll probably conclude that the allegation is absurd.
However you feel about the accusation leveled against him, there's no denying his gifts as a writer-director. Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd established the zenith for comedy in the silent era, as Lubitsch, Sturges and Wilder did when talkies took hold. Allen was equally impressive and influential in the modern era. His insights into filmmaking, the creative process and show business make his memoir a must-read.
The tragic, lurid, Farrow-fueled soap opera that derailed him, personally and professionally, comprises another impossible-to-put-down portion of his story.
But the main reason to pick up Allen's memoir is that the book is immensely entertaining. "Apropos of Nothing" is something special.
Grand Central Publishing, a Hatchette imprint, fearfully decided, at the last minute, not to risk putting out an Allen book. They bowed to pressure. Arcade (part of Skyhorse Publishing) allowed Allen's voice to be heard. We're grateful for this small company's courage in making the memoir available.
At 84, Allen shrugs away the daggers that are hurled in his direction and lives quietly, still pursuing his art, still finding truth and revealing it on screen, still giving us much to chuckle about... and much to ponder.
FASTER: HOW A JEWISH DRIVER, AN AMERICAN HEIRESS, AND A LEGENDARY CAR BEAT HITLER'S BEST
By Neal Bascomb [Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]
Award-winning, best-selling author Neal Bascomb's books include "Hunting Eichmann" and "The Nazi Hunters." His latest, "Faster," tells a remarkable, inspiring true story that takes place as Europe stands on the brink of World War, as the clouds of fascism and anti-semitism are darkening the horizon.
With "Faster," Bascomb wastes no time revving up the action. This non-fiction work is set in the auto racing world. The focal point is the dedicated, determined driver René Dreyfus. He has lost friends in crashes and was nearly killed on the track, as well. But that doesn't shake his belief that driving cars at record-breaking speeds is his mission in life.
Once he has established that he ranks among the best drivers of his era, he runs into a huge roadblock. Because he is Jewish, he is excluded from the top teams and state-of-the-art engines of Mercedes, Maserati and Alfa Romeo.
Enter Lucy Schell. The daughter of an American industrialist and a skilled driver herself, she also battles prejudice -- against women in sport. She becomes Dreyfus' backer. They can't match the money and power behind the Mercedes Silver Arrow race car, loudly touted by Hitler. But Dreyfus and Schell can muster the fervor and fire, the unshakeable willpower to vanquish that dynamic machine and its renowned driver, Third Reich idol Rudi Caracciola.
If Dreyfus could manage such an upset, it would provide a huge morale boost to the anti-fascist forces... and give a stinging slap to the Fuhrer, much as Joe Louis had done by outboxing Max Schmeling and Jesse Owens by snaring four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. These great athletes made the "master race" look far from superior.
With this new book, Bascomb brings Dreyfus' noble and heroic journey back into the spotlight. His research has been so detailed, the racing passages in the book strap the reader right into the driver's seat. You can see, hear, touch, smell and feel everything that Dreyfus experiences. The author explores the thoughts that go through the driver's mind, on and off the track.
As sports collides with politics, can right defeat might? Bascomb provides the answer in stirring fashion.
THE FIVE: THE UNTOLD LIVES OF THE WOMEN KILLED BY JACK THE RIPPER
By Hallie Rubenhold [Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]
Jack the Ripper represents more than simply one of the most unnerving horror tales and confounding unsolved mysteries of all time. It also should be remembered as five individual tragedies. Too often, the victims are forgotten, while the monster who slayed them lives on in eternal infamy.
In her enthralling, exhaustively researched, award-winning book, now available in paperback, author/historian Hallie Rubenhold remedies a wrong that has been continuously perpetrated since the late 19th century. She tells, in astonishing detail, the life stories of the five women brutally murdered by the Ripper in 1888. And no, they were not, as depicted countless times in novels and films, prostitutes. Only one was working at that trade. The others had been wives and mothers and found themselves down on their luck, poverty-stricken, sometimes having to sleep rough or spend time in the soul-crushing workhouses of London slums.
The Ripper wasn't the only one to victimize them. Society had already torn out their hearts and their hopes. They are the victims of their class and their gender. In the Victorian era, the poor, the lower middle-class, and women in particular, faced terrible odds of improving their lots. When a woman's marriage failed, she faced financial, social and emotional ruin. The dangers, obstacles and miseries were myriad. Homelessness and misogyny were villains nearly as terrifying as Whitechapel's bloodthirsty Jack.
Rubenhold paints an incredibly vivid, deeply disturbing picture of the challenges and afflictions these weary women faced. The author doesn't waste time on sensationalism or on speculation about the Ripper's identity. She doesn't linger on the gore of the victims' demises. Rubenhold places her focus on the events and circumstances that led to these women becoming helpless prey.
In the process of exploring the complicated lives of these pathetic people and those around them, Rubenhold gives us a striking portrait of London's underbelly at that point in history. She brings the dark side of the city to life.
The author (whose previous works include "The Covent Garden Ladies," upon which Hulu's "Harlots" series was based) shatters the myths that have surrounded the case for well over a century. She digs doggedly for the long buried truths. As told by Rubenhold, the women's fascinating stories will haunt you.
