Frank Thompson

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...

YouTube video by Jazz Video Guy Varijashree Venugopal Sings Coltrane’s Giant Steps — Like You’ve Never Heard It Before

Feel free to sing along.

The First Movie Studio in Texas The story of the Star Film Ranch and its pioneering crew, who created the first “authentic” Westerns filmed in Texas. In 1910, the Méliès Star Film Com...

Coming in February.

Me, too. My bet is that he has nothing that isn't already in the Lewis Collection at LoC.

I really need to get around to seeing that one of these days. I hear good things about its director.

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...

YouTube video by Carmina Slovenica Karl Jenkins: ADIEMUS /Carmina Slovenica, Karmina Šilec

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.

I knew that roughly half of SHE'S A SHEIK exists in a private collection in England. Do you know more? I devoted a chapter to that film in my BEAU GESTE book and sure would like to see it.

Hey Mr. Blue Sky, if I may evoke ELO.

Widely acknowledged as the greatest Christmas present ever! At least in my house.

Really hope you enjoy it.

Frank

YouTube video by BruceMartin_500 SCTV Schmenge Brothers "Christmas in Leutonia"

A Christmas essential