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Friday, October 2, 2015

Announcing the Universal Pictures Blogathon!

UPDATE : The blogathon has begun and you can view all of the links of the posts down below or head on over to Universal Pictures Blogathon : The Guests Arrive to view the entries day by day. Enjoy!

Universal Pictures turned 100 years old this year, and to celebrate this landmark film studio's centennial we are hosting The Universal Pictures Blogathon beginning Oct. 29th. Carl Laemmle would be proud.


Boys and ghouls, this will be a mad monster bash taking place the week of Halloween so invite your friends, your enemies, your daddy, your mummy, and all the spooks in your life to attend. Any one, any age, is welcome and...children of the night, any topic you vant to write about is fine with us!  

 Universal Pictures distributed some of the most iconic motion pictures in Hollywood's history including a castle-full of delicious monster classics. 


What kind of articles could you write about for this event? You can cover a film, a series of films, a profile of a Universal contract player, a director, behind-the-scenes personnel, or the history of the studio itself. You've got a Universe of topics to choose from, but in case your brain went stiff for the moment, here are some suggestions to spark the flames of inspiration : 

 Stars : Lon Chaney, Deanna Durbin, Laura La Plante, Rock Hudson and Doris Day, Abbott and Costello, Sandra Dee, Lana Turner, Audie Murphy, Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, David Niven, Hoot Gibson, Don Knotts, Mae Murray, Harry Carey, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Basil Rathbone, Marlene Dietrich, W.C. Fields, Mae West, Jon Hall, Maria Montez, Burt Lancaster, Irene Dunne, James Stewart, Tony Curtis. 


Films and Series : The Phantom of the Opera, Show Boat, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, All Quiet on the Western Front, The Mummy, Cohen and Kelly, Sherlock Holmes, The Black Cat, Three Smart Girls, My Man Godfrey, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, Torn Curtain, Tammy and the Bachelor, Destry Rides Again, Spartacus, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Ma & Pa Kettle, The Chalk Garden, Francis the Talking Mule, The Bank Dick, Shadow of a Doubt, The Birds, Marnie, The Killers, Harvey, The Glenn Miller Story, All That Heaven Allows, Imitation of Life,  The Incredible Shrinking Man, Touch of Evil, Back Street, To Kill a Mockingbird,  Munster Go Home. 

 Behind-the-Scenes : Carl Laemmle, Tod Browning, Alfred Hitchcock, Clarence Brown, Erich von Stroheim, Lois Weber, Douglas Sirk, Ross Hunter, Jean Louis, Mervyn LeRoy, Jack Pierce, Walter Seltzer, Frank De Vol, Elmer Bernstein, Delbert Mann, Henry Koster. 


Did you know that thirteen of the classic Hammer Horror films were released through Universal Pictures too? 

    
If you are new to blogathons, let us explain the rules of the party : 

  • All platters are served on a first come, first serve basis. 
  • If you don't post your post within the posting time, we'll miss your post and it won't be posted until our next post. 
  • Please park your carriage in the gate-house behind the castle. 
  • Listen to your host, especially since she has the longest fangs. 
  • The deadline for accepting walk-in invitations is midnight on Halloween - a bewitching time, don't you think? 
We know you vant to bite into this event, so what are you vaiting for? Drop a comment in the comment box below, or use the Contact Us tab at the top of the site to send us an email with your choice, then grab yourself a banner - or two or three - and help us spread the news. 

We hope you can join the party, we're going to have a howling good-time!
                  
 

                  
 

                  
 
The Master List of Guests

The Delicious Little Devil ( 1919 ) - Movies Silently
Blind Husbands ( 1919 ) - Nitrate Glow
The Phantom of the Opera ( 1925 ) - Silentology
Oh, Doctor! ( 1925 ) - Now Voyaging
All Quiet on the Western Front ( 1930 ) - Back to Golden Days
The Cat Creeps ( 1930 ) - Immortal Ephemera
Dracula ( 1931 ) - Classic Movie Hub Blog
                                   Correspondence from Carl Laemmle - Stars and Letters
The Mummy ( 1932 ) - Old Hollywood Films
The Invisible Man ( 1933 ) - Reel Distracted
The Black Cat ( 1934 ) - Mike's Take on the Movies
Werewolf of London ( 1935 ) - Caftan Woman
Bride of Frankenstein ( 1935 ) - A Shroud of Thoughts
Dracula's Daughter ( 1936 ) - The Midnite Drive-In
Love Before Breakfast ( 1936 ) - Carole and Company
Tower of London ( 1939 ) - Speakeasy
Destry Rides Again ( 1939 ) - Critica Retro
Son of Frankenstein ( 1939 ) - Once Upon a Screen
The Sherlock Holmes Series - The Thrilling Days of Yesteryear
Hold That Ghost! ( 1941 ) - LA Explorer
Never Give a Sucker an Even Break ( 1941 ) - Mildred's Fat Burgers
The Spoilers ( 1942 ) - Movie Classics
Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man ( 1943 ) - Cinemaven's Essays from the Couch
His Butler's Sister ( 1943 ) - Pop Culture Reverie
Shadow of a Doubt ( 1943 ) - A Person in the Dark 
Son of Dracula ( 1943 ) - The Midnite Drive-In
The Mad Ghoul ( 1943 ) - The David Bruce Appreciation Society
Here Come the Co-Eds ( 1945 ) - The Hitless Wonder Movie Blog
Lady on a Train ( 1945 ) - Love Letters to Old Hollywood
The Mummy Films of the 1940s - Classic Film and TV Cafe
                 Bud and Lou Take on the Universal Monsters - Outspoken and Freckled
Brute Force ( 1947 ) - Twenty Four Frames
So Goes My Love ( 1948 ) - Phyllis Loves Classic Movies
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein ( 1948 ) - Another Old Movie Blog
The Lady Gambles ( 1949 ) - In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood
Harvey ( 1950 ) - The Wonderful World of Cinema
All I Desire ( 1953 ) - In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood
Creature from the Black Lagoon ( 1954 ) - Wide Screen World 
Cult of the Cobra ( 1955 ) - Cinemaven's Essays from the Couch
This Island Earth ( 1955 ) - MovieFanFare
The Incredible Shrinking Man ( 1957 ) - Sometimes They Go to Eleven
The Monolith Monsters ( 1957 ) - Speakeasy
Touch of Evil ( 1958 ) - The Stop Button
Midnight Lace ( 1960 ) - Silver Scenes 
The Birds ( 1963 ) - Le Mot du Cinephiliaque
Boris Karloff in Thriller ( 1960-62 ) - The Last Drive-In
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken ( 1966 ) - Silver Scenes

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81 comments:

  1. Terence Towles CanoteOctober 2, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    Okay, I'm calling dibs on Bride of Frankenstein! The blog is A Shroud of Thoughts http://mercurie.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 2, 2015 at 2:51 PM

      The Bride is all yours, Terence. Thanks for joining!

      Delete
  2. Caftan WomanOctober 2, 2015 at 1:36 PM

    October birthday boys Henry Hull and Warner Oland star in my choice, "Werewolf of London".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 2, 2015 at 2:52 PM

      Birthday boys...how sweet of you to celebrate them. And a great choice too!

      Delete
  3. CátiaOctober 2, 2015 at 2:18 PM

    May I please take "All Quiet on the Western Front" (1930)?
    My blog: Back to Golden Days (http://back-to-golden-days.blogspot.pt/)

    -Cátia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 2, 2015 at 2:53 PM

      One of Universal's best films.....thanks for joining!

      Delete
  4. RichOctober 2, 2015 at 3:24 PM

    "Creature From the Black Lagoon," please.
    http://widescreenworld.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 2, 2015 at 4:33 PM

      I was hoping someone would pick the swamp man, and I'm so glad it was you, Rich!

      Delete
  5. A Vintage NerdOctober 2, 2015 at 4:19 PM

    This is so awesome!! xox

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dan Day, Jr.October 2, 2015 at 5:58 PM

    Hi, this is Dan from The Hitless Wonder Movie Blog. I'd like to write a post on "Here Come the Co-Eds" with Abbott & Costello and Lon Chaney Jr.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Silver ScreeningsOctober 2, 2015 at 7:32 PM

    Is "Francis the Talking Mule" taken? If not, I'd love to snap it up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 2, 2015 at 8:26 PM

      The Mule is yours for the taking, Ruth! Do you plan on covering the series or just the first film? ( so few bloggers want to tackle Mickey Rooney's outing in Francis in the Haunted House ).

      Delete
    2. Silver ScreeningsOctober 2, 2015 at 9:03 PM

      Just the first film. Francis is so fab, he can be shared by lots of folks. :)

      Delete
  8. PhylOctober 3, 2015 at 10:56 AM

    I'd like to do "So Goes My Love" (1946) starring Myrna Loy & Don Ameche.

    Phyl - http://phyllislovesclassicmovies.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. LêOctober 3, 2015 at 8:25 PM

    Count on me! And give this blogger Destry Rides Again, please!
    Kisses!
    Le

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownOctober 4, 2015 at 7:05 AM

    I just sent you an email but I was wondering if I could cover Oh! Doctor! ? My schedule changed for this month and I would love to join you if you will still have me!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Citizen ScreenOctober 4, 2015 at 12:11 PM

    Hi! I have a friend who's a huge Universal Monsters fan and would love to do a guest post on my blog. BUT his choice is The Wolf Man, which is already spoken for by the fabulous Becky. Before I tell him no - are you accepting repeats?

    Aurora

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 4, 2015 at 1:28 PM

      Aurora, since there were so many Universal films, we're not accepting duplicates, but if he can put a different spin on the topic we will ( eg. Lon Chaney as The Wolf Man, or The Universal Wolf Man Series, Behind-the-Scenes with The Wolf Man, etc ). Anything like that would be fine. :-)

      Delete
  12. Mike's Take on the MoviesOctober 4, 2015 at 6:37 PM

    Hi..
    I'd love to contribute a post on The Black Cat. the 1934 film.

    Mike of Mike's Take on the Movies.

    ReplyDelete
  13. CineMavenOctober 4, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    Hi there Silver Screens - I'd like to tackle two Universal films with your permission. One is schlock...but the other is a bonafide classic. If it's okay with you, I'd like to write about "Cult of the Cobra" starring the fabulous Faith Domergue. ( That covers the schlock. ) For the classic, may I please write about "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man"? Even your rules were a hoot to read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 4, 2015 at 8:02 PM

      Cult of the Cobra - it wouldn't have been a truly Universal blogathon without that film included. We're glad to have you join the event, and two titles are always better than one!

      Delete
    2. CineMavenOctober 5, 2015 at 5:16 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. CineMavenOctober 5, 2015 at 6:11 PM

      Thanks for including me. And my deep apologies for mis-naming you. You are SILVER SCENES ( not Screens! ) I'm so sorry about that.

      Delete
    4. The Metzinger SistersOctober 6, 2015 at 6:09 PM

      No problem....we forget the name of our blog ourselves sometimes!

      Delete
  14. AnonymousOctober 5, 2015 at 9:33 AM

    Hi. I knew this blogathon was happening a few days after mine because you told me over email.

    I would love to do: Imitation Of Life ( 1934 ), My favorite of the two versions. Let me know if that's ok?

    My blog is: In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 6, 2015 at 6:10 PM

      Great choice, Crystal! I'm hoping someone might cover the remake version as well....Ross Hunter just can't be overlooked in Universal's history.

      Delete
  15. Andrew WickliffeOctober 6, 2015 at 3:21 PM

    How about... Touch of Evil for The Stop Button?

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 6, 2015 at 6:10 PM

      Thanks for joining! We got you down for Touch of Evil.

      Delete
  16. AnonymousOctober 6, 2015 at 5:41 PM

    Can't believe I only just discovered this blogathon! Please could I take The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 6, 2015 at 6:15 PM

      Vicki, we're glad you discovered this event, unfortunately, that version of The Phantom of the Opera is being covered already, but the Claude Rains remake is up for grabs...or if you want to cover Lon Chaney silents in general that's okay too. ( On a side note, the 1950s is being neglected, if you have a favorite in that decade that would be swell...otherwise any secondary choice will be welcome! )

      Delete
  17. AnonymousOctober 11, 2015 at 12:42 AM

    May I claim Blind Husbands (1919)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 11, 2015 at 11:03 AM

      Thanks for joining, Nitrateglow! You picked a rarity, and we're always glad to have rarities.

      Delete
  18. AnonymousOctober 11, 2015 at 10:08 AM

    Hey. I'm wondering if I could change my pick from "The Imitation Of Life". I've noticed that there are not many 50s movies being chosen, which is a shame, so if I could I would like to claim two titles: Could I do: "There's Always Tomorrow" ( 1956 ) and "All I Desire" ( 1953 ) both with Barbara Stanwyck?

    My blog: In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 11, 2015 at 11:03 AM

      No problem, and thanks for adding to the 1950s decade!

      Delete
  19. Virginie PronovostOctober 11, 2015 at 6:40 PM

    Oh that's nice! :) I'd like to write about Harvey please :)
    My blog is The Wonderful World of Cinema
    https://thewonderfulworldofcinema.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 12, 2015 at 10:41 PM

      A fabulous choice, we were hoping someone would pick Harvey! "Oh good, nobody here but people!" Love that film.

      Delete
  20. The Last Drive InOctober 12, 2015 at 9:42 AM

    Hey Sisters! Joey here at The Last Drive In... I'm in for The Universal Blogathon with Universal Television's groundbreaking anthology series starring that screen legend Boris Karloff! Yes, I'm talking about THRILLER, one of THE best tv shows that incorporated elements of classical horror, suspense and even film noir.. Thanks for the invite, See you soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 12, 2015 at 10:42 PM

      How Thrilling! And we couldn't agree with you more, it was indeed one of the best horror tv shows made. Thanks for digging into your archives, Jo!

      Delete
  21. MPOctober 13, 2015 at 9:48 AM

    Hello! Michaël from Le Mot du Cinephiliaque (cinephiliaque.blogspot.com) and I would like to write about The Birds. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 13, 2015 at 10:49 AM

      Hurrah! It wouldn't be a Universal Blogathon without The Birds being covered. Thanks for joining!

      Delete
  22. FlickChickOctober 14, 2015 at 7:47 PM

    Am I too late? If not, may I have Shadow of a Doubt?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 16, 2015 at 11:18 AM

      You're not late at all, Marsha and thanks for picking such a great film to cover.

      Delete
  23. MelanieOctober 15, 2015 at 1:05 AM

    I'd like to do Hold That Ghost for LA Explorer (www.la-explorer.com)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 16, 2015 at 11:25 AM

      The best entry! We love that film. Thank you for joining!

      Delete
  24. gogilesgoOctober 16, 2015 at 6:35 AM

    Hi guys,

    Can I bag The Incredible Shrinking Man?

    Giles

    Sometimes They Go To Eleven
    http://www.gogilesgo.com/eleven/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 16, 2015 at 11:32 AM

      Start Shrink-wrapping your post....the film is all yours to cover!

      Delete
  25. Robin Franson PruterOctober 19, 2015 at 3:58 AM

    I'd like to do His Butler's Sister, if that's okay.

    https://popculturereverie.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 19, 2015 at 11:04 AM

      Universal would have folded up if it were not for Deanna Durbin, thanks for putting one of her films in the blogathon!

      Delete
  26. Robin Franson PruterOctober 19, 2015 at 3:59 AM

    I'd like to do His Butler's Sister, if that's okay.

    https://popculturereverie.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  27. MichaelaOctober 19, 2015 at 10:35 PM

    How did I miss this announcement?! The funny thing is I was planning on writing about Lady on a Train for October 26th, and now this blogathon pops up! I would love to cover the Deanna Durbin flick for this! My blog is Love Letters to Old Hollywood.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 20, 2015 at 10:34 AM

      Fantastic! Two Deanna Durbin submissions in one day. We're lucky people. Thanks for joining Michaela, Lady on a Train is all yours.

      Delete
    2. MichaelaOctober 28, 2015 at 1:43 AM

      My post is up! Here's the link:
      http://loveletterstooldhollywood.blogspot.com/2015/10/deanna-durbin-juggles-murder-and.html

      Thanks for hosting this!

      Delete
  28. BethOctober 23, 2015 at 3:12 PM

    I know it's not horror or anything, but may I do NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK (1941)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 24, 2015 at 11:14 AM

      Thank you for joining! We're accepting all Universal films...I just need to know the name of your blog...I'm not sure which Beth you are! ( Mildred's Fat Burgers or Spellbound by Movies? )

      Delete
    2. BethOctober 24, 2015 at 11:58 AM

      Oops! I'm sorry. I'm Mildred's Fatburgers, and thank you!

      Delete
  29. JudyOctober 23, 2015 at 4:37 PM

    Hi,

    Would it be OK if I did The Spoilers (1942), starring Marlene Dietrich and John Wayne?

    ReplyDelete
  30. QuiggyOctober 25, 2015 at 4:35 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  31. QuiggyOctober 25, 2015 at 4:40 PM

    If it's not too late (and a newbie on the block is OK: I just recently re-inaugurated mine), I'd like to get in. My blog, The Midnite Drive-In, is going to have a format of two movies each post (just like the drive-ins of old), so I'd like to lay claim to Son of Dracula and Dracula's Daughter, if I may. The link is:

    http://midnitedrive-in.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 25, 2015 at 5:09 PM

      Two great choices! We got you down now. And congratulations on starting your own film blog. Once three months has passed, and you are still happily writing, then you may want to check out joining the Classic Movie Blog Association ( clamba.blogspot.com ).

      Delete
    2. QuiggyOctober 30, 2015 at 4:30 AM

      Am I supposed to let you know I published it? I just did. Thanks for the blog-a-thon.

      Delete
    3. The Metzinger SistersOctober 30, 2015 at 11:27 AM

      Thanks Quiggy! And thank you for participating in the Universal Pictures Blogathon!

      Delete
  32. WayneMorganfanOctober 27, 2015 at 12:30 AM

    In the spirit of the season, I'd like to take "The Mad Ghoul". Your beautiful David Bruce-- Deanna Durbin banner is awesome, by the way! My blog is "David Bruce Appreciation Society" at https://waynemorganfan.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 27, 2015 at 9:51 AM

      A David Bruce apprecation society, how fascinating! Glad to have you join the event!

      Delete
  33. Caftan WomanOctober 29, 2015 at 7:58 AM

    Say hello to my furry friend: http://www.caftanwoman.com/2015/10/the-universal-blogathon-werewolf-of.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Metzinger SistersOctober 29, 2015 at 11:19 AM

      Thanks CW! We'll have the link up tomorrow. Friday is Monster Night.

      Delete
  34. Jacqueline T. LynchOctober 29, 2015 at 8:55 AM

    Post on ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (1948) up at Another Old Movie Blog here: http://anotheroldmovieblog.blogspot.com/2015/10/abbot-and-costello-meet-frankenstein.html

    Thanks for the opportunity to participate.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Amanda GarrettOctober 29, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    My post on the The Mummy for Old Hollywood Films is wrapped up and ready to go: http://www.oldhollywoodfilms.com/2015/10/the-mummy.html

    Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  36. WayneMorganfanOctober 29, 2015 at 9:24 PM

    The Mad Ghoul is staggering at https://waynemorganfan.wordpress.com.

    ReplyDelete
  37. MelanieOctober 31, 2015 at 3:43 PM

    Here's my post on Hold That Ghost - http://la-explorer.com/abbott-and-costellos-hold-that-ghost/

    ReplyDelete
  38. Rick29October 31, 2015 at 10:55 PM

    This was an awesome blogathon. Thanks so much for hosting it! I'm still making my way through the terrific reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  39. BethNovember 2, 2015 at 10:02 AM

    I am so sorry Mildred's Fatburgers flaked out on you. Everyone in my house got sick this weekend! Next time I'll write it in advance. My apologies for missing the train. Great entries though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
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