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Few remember the short-lived 1970s sitcom “The Corner Bar” and fewer still can recall one of its characters. But those who do celebrate both. Because the series, which premiered 50 years ago this week, introduced the first out gay person seen on a regular basis on an American TV show. With the two came the (slow) linking at last of a largely until-then dismissed part of culture with the business of entertainment media.

A tavern-set ensemble sitcom along the lines of “Cheers,” to come a decade later, “The Corner Bar” was one of a pair of summer replacement shows that ABC introduced back-to-back on June 21, 1972. Its premise was as simple as its title, focusing on the nightly life at Grant’s Toomb, a New York City bar run by Harry Grant (Gabriel Dell). Less simple for the time was that one of its barflies was out gay set-designer Peter Panama (played...

Recently, CBS released the new, official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Hawaii Five-o" episode 21 of season 5. The episode is entitled, "Ua Helele'i ka Hoku (Fallen Star)," and it turns out that we're going to see some very interesting and dramatic stuff take place when the Five O team tries to hunt down murderers that are after diamonds that were attached to the victim's costume, and more! In the new, 21st episode press release: When A Performer Is Killed At An Elvis Impersonator Convention And His Body Is Stolen, Five-0 Must Find The Culprits Who Are After The Hidden Diamonds Sewn Into The Victim's Costume. Press release number 2: When a performer is killed at a convention of Elvis impersonators and his body is stolen, Five-0 are going to have to track down the culprits who are after the hidden diamonds sewn into the victim's costume. Also, Gabriel Waincroft will return...

Hattie McDaniel: Oscar winner on TCM tonight One of the best and, despite nearly 100 film appearances, most poorly utilized actresses of the studio era was Hattie McDaniel, Turner Classic Movies’ "Summer Under the Stars" featured player today, August 20, 2013. Right now, TCM is showing Gone with the Wind (1939), the movie that earned McDaniel — as Scarlett O’Hara’s Mammy — the year’s history-making Best Supporting Actress Academy Award. She was the first black performer to take home an Oscar; in her (reportedly) studio-prepared Oscar acceptance speech, McDaniel hoped to “always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry.” And in my view, she remains among the most well-deserved winners, regardless of skin color. (See also: “Hattie McDaniel Oscar Speech.”) (Photo: Hattie McDaniel ca. 1930s.) Hattie McDaniel movies: ‘Show Boat,’ ‘Alice Adams’ Two other movies showcasing Hattie McDaniel’s talents will follow Gone with the Wind: Show Boat and Alice Adams.

Elia Kazan is one of my top five favourite American filmmakers of all time, and so I decided to ask our staff to rank his films. If you are not yet familiar with the filmmakers work, now would be a good time to start. Kazan was one of the most honoured and influential directors in Broadway and Hollywood history and introduced a new generation of unknown young actors to the world, including Marlon Brando, James Dean, Warren Beatty, Carroll Baker, Julie Harris, Andy Griffith, Lee Remick, Rip Torn, Eli Wallach, Eva Marie Saint, Martin Balsam, Fred Gwynne, and Pat Hingle. Noted for drawing out the best dramatic performances from his cast, he directed 21 actors to Oscar nominations, resulting in nine wins. The source for his inspired directing was the revolutionary acting technique known as the Method, and Kazan quickly rose to prominence as the preeminent proponent of the technique. During his career,...

This week at Trailers from Hell, director John Landis takes a look at Vincente Minnelli's musical, "Cabin in the Sky," released in 1943. The hit 1940 Broadway musical version of the Faust legend made it to the screen three years later, with original stars Ethel Waters and Rex Ingram heading an all-star African-American cast and first-time director Vincente Minnelli behind the camera. Jack Benny foil Eddie Anderson replaced Casablanca pianist Dooley Wilson in the lead because "Rochester" was popular enough to allay objections from exhibitors in some of the race-averse Southern states. Released in "glorious Sepiatone."...

After attending the world premire of Shuttle (review) at this month's Sxsw Film Festival in Austin, Texas, B-d writers David Harley and Tex Massacre chatted with Writer/Director Edward Anderson, Actress Peyton List and Actress Cameron Goodman about the horror-thriller, which can be read by clicking here. When Jules (Cameron Goodman) and Mel (Peyton List) return late at night from a ladies-only vacation, they find themselves at the airport on a rainy night that seems darker than usual. Wanting to get home but with limited options, they board an airport shuttle with a driver (Tony Curran), hoping for a safe and short ride.

One of the most anticipated films at this year's Sxsw Film Festival is Edward Anderson's Shuttle, which B-d reviewer Tex Massacre really dug. "In the end, Shuttle delivers one of the most compelling denouements of any genre film Ive seen in the past year. Its tragic and brutal and for eagle-eyed fans it is satisfying in that the film hints and pokes and prods the audience toward the conclusion... I dont think genre fans can ask for more than that when they sit down in a darkened theater, board the Shuttle, and demand to be transported into a terrifying new world." In addition, you can click here to read Twitch Film's review.

Today we were provided with the first official still and synopsis for Edward Anderson's Shuttle, which will have its world premiere at next month's Sxsw Film Festival in Austin, Tx. When Jules (Cameron Goodman) and Mel (Peyton List) return late at night from a ladies-only vacation, they find themselves at the airport on a rainy night that seems darker than usual. Wanting to get home but with limited options, they board an airport shuttle with a driver (Tony Curran), hoping for a safe and short ride. Read on for a look!