Literature in the 18th and 19th centuries was overwhelmed by Gothic and romantic tales of the strange; but even the most unusual proprietors can be hard to find in today’s market. Penguin Classics continually surprises with its releases of old, weird fiction, and its Tales of Hoffman collection presents a fascinating array of narratives and tones. Hoffmann's work ranges from melodramatic and fantastical to psychologically horrifying, but all of it exposes the reader to a strange, sometimes wondrous, always dangerous world.
Like the genre implies, most of Hoffman’s stories center around romances, either forbidden by law or impeded by an unjust villain. In “Mademoiselle de Scudery,” a woman must prove that a jeweler’s apprentice has been framed for murder so he can reunite with his love. “Doge and Dogaressa” is named for a cradle-robbing man and his bride, the latter of whom really adores an impoverished youth.
Like the genre implies, most of Hoffman’s stories center around romances, either forbidden by law or impeded by an unjust villain. In “Mademoiselle de Scudery,” a woman must prove that a jeweler’s apprentice has been framed for murder so he can reunite with his love. “Doge and Dogaressa” is named for a cradle-robbing man and his bride, the latter of whom really adores an impoverished youth.
- 11/10/2017
- by Ben Larned
- DailyDead
'The Doll' with Ossi Oswalda and Hermann Thimig: Early Ernst Lubitsch satirical fantasy starring 'the German Mary Pickford' has similar premise to that of the 1925 Buster Keaton comedy 'Seven Chances.' 'The Doll': San Francisco Silent Film Festival presented fast-paced Ernst Lubitsch comedy starring the German Mary Pickford – Ossi Oswalda Directed by Ernst Lubitsch (So This Is Paris, The Wedding March), the 2017 San Francisco Silent Film Festival presentation The Doll / Die Puppe (1919) has one of the most amusing mise-en-scènes ever recorded. The set is created by cut-out figures that gradually come to life; then even more cleverly, they commence the fast-paced action. It all begins when a shy, confirmed bachelor, Lancelot (Hermann Thimig), is ordered by his rich uncle (Max Kronert), the Baron von Chanterelle, to marry for a large sum of money. As to be expected, mayhem ensues. Lancelot is forced to flee from the hordes of eligible maidens, eventually...
- 6/28/2017
- by Danny Fortune
- Alt Film Guide
Chomping at the bit as you wait for Tim Burton's animated feature-film adaptation of Frankenweenie? Why not kill some time by checking out some of the other great spooky stop-motion animation that's out there? The good ol' interwebs are a gold mine of macabre modern classics -- If you know where to look. Check out five of the best after the jump. Chainsaw Maid Sex and violence has never looked so sweet and innocent as it is in this offbeat homage to Romero... The Sandman I first stumbled upon this creeper from director Paul Berry years ago when it was part of one of those annual animation festival compilation films, which were the only way to...
- 6/14/2011
- FEARnet
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