Famously, Howard Hawks adapted TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT because he thought he could make a great film out of Hemingway’s worst book. (Fortunately for all of us, he was right.)

Have Or

Alt: To Have Or have not Lauren Bacall

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Jeremy Dauber@jeremydauber.bsky.social · 9h ago

Here's a question for the literary-minded among you for a project I'm working on: what is the worst novel written by a great author? I'm thinking of examples of where everyone - particularly at the time - went, "ooh, swing and a miss there." Juvenilia not included; reputation has to be established.

“Trump’s rubber stamp” has been voting against his constituents for almost two years, so I cannot wait to vote against him.

Michigan Democrats@michigandems.bsky.social · yesterday

The path to a Democratic House majority runs through Michigan’s 7th. Let’s send Trump’s rubber stamp, Tom Barrett, packing and elect @wewill2026.bsky.social to fight for us!

Hear me talk NETWORK with @abradschwartz.bsky.social and @joshshepperd.bsky.social, coming soon! But we want to hear YOUR thoughts too! Submit them now (written or recorded) to be included in the episode!

A. Brad Schwartz@abradschwartz.bsky.social · 3d ago

After finally getting to see NETWORK on the big screen (at my favorite movie theater in the entire world), I’m more convinced than ever that it’s *the* great American film. (But seeing Bryan Cranston do it live was even more intense…) cc: @historyonfilm.bsky.social

After finally getting to see NETWORK on the big screen (at my favorite movie theater in the entire world), I’m more convinced than ever that it’s *the* great American film. (But seeing Bryan Cranston do it live was even more intense…) cc: @historyonfilm.bsky.social

Rewatching SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING for the first time in many years, and all I’m thinking during the first scene is that they’ve destroyed Ed Murrow’s old TV studio. (Which tells me I’ve been working on the book too much…)

This is a terrific list with some of my underrated favorites (“The Shelter” and “The Obsolete Man”) and my vote for the all-time greatest: “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street.” (But I might’ve made room for “Nothing in the Dark” and “Night of the Meek”…)

The Twilight Zone with Rod Serling

Alt: The Twilight Zone with Rod Serling

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Chris Yogerst@chrisyogerst.com · 7d ago

I'm also happy to build on my research about Rod Serling's battles with the FCC in support of "mature television" that uses for the format to spark conversations and make people think. movieweb.com/greatest-twi...

The part of Nolan’s ODYSSEY that haunts me (after three watches) is not the Sirens or the Cyclops, but the line about losing a world of language and trade without knowing how beautiful it was.

New York Times Opinion@nytopinion.nytimes.com · 2w ago

“Without saying one word about modern politics, Christopher Nolan has rebuked the spirit of the age. His retelling of ‘The Odyssey’ is an admonition: Moral transgressions always carry a consequence,” our columnist David French writes.

This is a terrific film! (And I have kept the soundtrack on repeat while writing about London during WWII.)

Tommy Krasker@tommykrasker.bsky.social · last wk.

NEXT WED, #TheNoirCollective and #TCMParty – in an unprecedented feat of derring-do – join forces for a MAN HUNT (1941). I’ll be hosting this proto-noir classic – directed by Fritz Lang – which airs on TCM in our usual slot. And for those without TCM, we’ll be posting a link to watch, as always. 😊

Seems worthy of mention that these “lawmakers in Michigan” were Republicans. The same party that refused to put up any money to build the bridge years ago (even though a GOP governor cut the deal) then held up the opening so they could shake down the best neighbor any country ever had for cash.

Nat M. Zorach, aicp@nzorach.bsky.social · 2w ago

I would have loved to attend this. But Americans aren't invited, for obvious reasons. It's a shame, as it's one of the biggest international infrastructure projects in the history of North America. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/w...

“The speed of communication is wondrous to behold. It is also true that the speed can multiply the distribution of information that we know to be untrue. The most sophisticated satellite has no conscience.” —Edward R. Murrow, October 1964 🗃️

Sam Litzinger@samlitzinger.bsky.social · 2w ago

Big day in broadcasting #history. July 23, 1962: Telstar 1, the first communications satellite, begins working. "Americans got a look at Europe, and Europeans got a look at the United States Monday in the first exchange of live television programs…” - AP youtu.be/-JTjB35zUxU

I also appreciate that my local (broadly defined) IMAX theater uses projectors named after the robots from INTERSTELLAR.

A. Brad Schwartz@abradschwartz.bsky.social · 2w ago

Enjoyed THE ODYSSEY even more the second time around, as I usually do with the glorious sensory overload that is IMAX 70mm. But primarily because, rather than comparing it to Homer’s original in my head, I let myself appreciate how brilliantly Nolan builds the theme @ptklein.com identifies here:

Enjoyed THE ODYSSEY even more the second time around, as I usually do with the glorious sensory overload that is IMAX 70mm. But primarily because, rather than comparing it to Homer’s original in my head, I let myself appreciate how brilliantly Nolan builds the theme @ptklein.com identifies here:

PT Klein@ptklein.com · 3w ago

A movie about the illiberal pretenders to the throne of civilization forcibly coming to terms with their culpability in the violent breaking of the social contract—of course the political right is up in arms about this.

This is far more useful information than the ridiculous R rating attached to THE ODYSSEY:

Journey Sloane@journeysloane.bsky.social · 3w ago

If you are sensitive to FLASH/STROBE lights, there is a storm scene in The Odyssey that WILL do bad, bad things to your brain, and there are a few false stops to it. Wait until there are no flashes for at least 30 seconds. 🎥 #Odyssey #Filmsky #Disability #SeizureWarning

Like the Trojan Horse popcorn bucket (yes, I bought one), THE ODYSSEY is a marvel to behold and must be seen to be believed. Never thought I’d see one of my favorite stories brought to the screen this vividly (in 70mm IMAX)!

A. Brad Schwartz@abradschwartz.bsky.social · 3w ago

Seeing THE ODYSSEY in IMAX 70mm at a cinema I haven’t visited since I saw OPPENHEIMER. (Which really brings back memories of leaving the theater in existential despair, while a Jeep drove by blaring “Barbie Girl,” and sitting quietly in my car for 20 minutes until I felt OK to drive home.)

Seeing THE ODYSSEY in IMAX 70mm at a cinema I haven’t visited since I saw OPPENHEIMER. (Which really brings back memories of leaving the theater in existential despair, while a Jeep drove by blaring “Barbie Girl,” and sitting quietly in my car for 20 minutes until I felt OK to drive home.)

Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer: Intense Stare

Alt: Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer: Intense Stare

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Want the backstory on the Trojan Horse before seeing THE ODYSSEY? Some legendary CBS reporters, including one of “Murrow’s Boys,” have the details in their fake (but thrilling) coverage of how Odysseus ended the Trojan War. (From the CBS Radio series YOU ARE THERE, 1950) youtu.be/vQLc0__jMm0 🗃️

The Fall of Troy - You Are There

YouTube video by Chesterton Radio Theatre

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Revisiting one of those extraordinary films that’s not only great, but somehow saw it all coming…

Hello fellow #skystorians. I started a small business that provides all-day tours over the escape route of Abraham Lincoln’s assassin. Come join me for an immersive journey back through time on the search for John Wilkes Booth. Ticket sales are a bit low for the fall, so thanks for any reshares. 🗃️

Lincoln Assassination Tours@assassinationtours.bsky.social · 3w ago

Experience the escape and search for Abraham Lincoln’s assassin. Tickets for our narrated tours through D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, on Sept. 5, 12, and Oct. 17 are on sale now: lincolnassassinationtours.com/register/

Who needs fireworks when you have Orson Welles giving voice to what Independence Day is all about?

Paul Starr on the “revolutionary heritage” we should celebrate this July 4: “Although it fell short of abolishing slavery, the Revolution did far more to advance freedom and equality than just restoring traditional liberties. It set in motion radical changes in both social life and government.”

The American Prospect@prospect.org · last mo.

Donald Trump has so thoroughly appropriated and degraded the celebration of the 250th that liberals and progressives may want to have nothing to do with it. But that’s a mistake.

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. … It ought to be solemnized…from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more." — John Adams, July 3, 1776 Happy (actual) Independence Day! 🇺🇸 www.pbs.org/newshour/edu...

Opinion: Independence Day on July 2? John Adams got it right

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America," wrote John Adams in a letter to his wife Abigail.

pbs.org

Revolutionary War 250@revwar250.bsky.social · last mo.

2 JULY 1776, PHILADELPHIA: The United States declare independence from Great Britain: the Second Continental Congress conducts its formal vote on the resolution. Thanks to the late arrival of Caesar Rodney, the vote is 12-0, with one colony (New York) abstaining.

This—“the slaves’ Declaration, the abolitionists’ Declaration, Lincoln’s Declaration”—is what I’ll be celebrating, this and every July 4. 🇺🇸

New York Times Opinion@nytopinion.nytimes.com · last mo.

“To read the words of Black Americans, free and enslaved, is to see the Declaration in motion — to see it as a living document with meaning far beyond the circumstances of American independence,” our columnist Jamelle Bouie writes.

Chicago was only the first act of Eliot Ness’s story. The events that really tested him, the things he was most proud (and ashamed) of, and the crimes of a monster event worse than Al Capone—all happened in Cleveland.

Vince Guerrieri@vinceguerrieri.com · last mo.

First vacation book completed. I knew the broad strokes of the story (I’ve even written some stuff on it myself), but it was great to get into the details of Eliot Ness’ career in Cleveland. CC: @abradschwartz.bsky.social

No Star Wars. No Star Trek. Name your favourite sci-fi franchise. #HATM

Rod Serling Introduces The Twilight Zone

Alt: Rod Serling Introduces The Twilight Zone

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David, Host of The Cold War@coldwarhost.bsky.social · 2mo ago

No Star Wars. No Star Trek. Name your favourite sci-fi franchise. #HATM

Finally got to see PRESSURE and really enjoyed it. Terrific example of how to write historical drama—and that you can make any conflict feel gripping (even when you know the ending, even about the weather) if the stakes are high enough. Also:

Indiana Jones: I Like Ike Eisenhower

Alt: Indiana Jones: I Like Ike Eisenhower

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Having written & thought (a lot) about WAR OF THE WORLDS, I could argue Spielberg’s is the best adaptation He draws from Orson Welles & George Pal, but includes more horror from the book—replacing H.G. Wells’s satiric delight in the downfall of empire with a humanism that makes it all more horrific

Sam Adams@samadams.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I wrote about War of the Worlds, which is one of Spielberg's biggest hits, and one of his darkest movies.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you (in 2016): www.thedailybeast.com/did-citizen-...

Did ‘Citizen Kane’ Predict Donald Trump?

<p><i>War of the Worlds</i> mastermind Orson Welles was well-prepared to make a movie about a press lord and politician unconcerned with the facts. The film is more relevant than ever.</p>

thedailybeast.com

Frank Conniff@frankconniff.bsky.social · 2mo ago

“Come on, Boomers, stop pushing old back & white movies on us. What possible relevance could an antique like Citizen Kane have on the modern world?”

Chicago Med: Natalie Manning's Pattern Observation

Alt: Chicago Med: Natalie Manning's Pattern Observation

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@scienceartnews.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Yesterday we carefully read @mariaramirez.bsky.social's interview in @eldiario.es with @abradschwartz.bsky.social. Shortly afterwards came the broadcast of @nbcnews.com / @meetthepress.com: An interview @kristenwelker.bsky.social with 'the high majesty'... Coincidence or rhetoric? 1/2

Really enjoyed speaking with @mariaramirez.bsky.social about the past and future of CBS!

María Ramírez@mariaramirez.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Lo que está pasando en CBS y el intento de Trump de controlar los medios son inéditos en EEUU. El historiador gran experto en la cadena @abradschwartz.bsky.social me explica en esta entrevista la importancia de 60 Minutes, Edward Murrow y la crisis actual www.eldiario.es/internaciona...