Sally Reads… ‘Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire’ by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

On September 30, 2024September 1, 2025 By 18cinemalane3 Comments

*This book review was written before Hurricane Helene*

On this day in 1984, Murder, She Wrote made its television debut. What started as a simple story of a woman solving mysteries in her own backyard grew into a legacy standing strong in the test of time. I mentioned in my Cabot Cove-thon announcement post how Murder, She Wrote is a multifaceted program. One contributor is the Murder, She Wrote book series! Two of these books, Murder, She Wrote: The Highland Fling Murders and Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels, have been reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane. This time, I’ll be writing about Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire! The reason why I selected this book for Cabot Cove-thon, let alone a review, is how the story takes place in Florida. On the first day of my blogathon, I published an editorial about why Universal Orlando Resort should host a fan event called Murder, She Wrote Weekend. Knowing ahead of time I would be discussing the show’s connection to Universal Studios Florida, I thought Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire was an appropriate selection!

*Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire* book cover found on Goodreads

Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire is not only the third Murder, She Wrote book reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane, it’s also the third book where Jessica travels outside of Cabot Cove. In these stories, the destinations are exciting and inviting. What made South Florida such an appealing location in Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire was the combination of descriptive imagery, facts, and tidbits of information sprinkled throughout the story. While taking a road trip to Key West, Jessica searches for the perfect present for Seth’s friend; a key lime pie. During her search, Jessica (as well as readers) learn about the different ingredients used to make this beloved dessert. Other cultural elements are woven into Jessica’s travels, such as a “ceremony” where residents and visitors of Key West applaud the setting sun. These elements help introduce readers to South Florida, as well as educate them about this destination!

Colorful travel suitcase image created by Pikisuperstar at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/beautiful-illustration-of-travel_2686674.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/watercolor”>Watercolor vector created by Pikisuperstar – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

The Murder, She Wrote book series creates original stories instead of rehashing already existing episodes. However, the spirit of the show exists in the books because of the inclusion of characters and locations from Murder, She Wrote. In Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire, the characters felt like they either came directly from the show or should have been on the show. This was achieved because of how the dialogue was written and how characters were described. Sam Lewis is a resident of Foreverglades, Florida. He not only volunteers with the local police department, Sam also drives a pink Cadillac and, at one point, even wears purple sneakers. While he is a quirky individual, he is endearing as he tries to make his neighborhood a better place. Sam was so well integrated into the story, he felt like he belonged in Jessica’s world! Sam also represents a consistent strength of the Murder, She Wrote books; the creation of unique, distinct characters.

Even though Jessica takes a road trip in *Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire*, fans of the show would know she wasn’t the one driving. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

Murder mystery stories typically contain a sense of urgency. Because the murder takes place within the story, there is an urgent race against time to stop the perpetrator from hurting anyone else. For the majority of Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire, however, urgency was lacking. The emphasis on the laid-back, easy-going atmosphere of Florida and the victim being murdered prior to the story are the reasons for this creative flaw. Dialogue is an important component of any story. But Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire was dialogue-heavy, with very few non-verbal clues provided. If readers aren’t actively paying attention to what they’re reading, they may miss key information. It also doesn’t help how some of Jessica’s conclusions seemed a bit far-fetched.

Magnifying fingerprints image created by Balintseby at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/glass”>Glass vector created by Balintseby – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/fingerprint-investigation_789253.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

When I reviewed Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels back in 2022, I claimed that book was my least favorite among the Murder, She Wrote books I read. Two years later, it looks like I found a new least favorite. Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire is not a bad book. But most of the story lacking a sense of urgency decreased the mystery’s intrigue and caused the book to, sometimes, feel meandering. A dialogue-heavy story may frustrate some readers, forcing them to actively pay attention or they’ll miss important information. However, there are strengths found in this book. New characters and even familiar faces were well integrated into the story. The South Florida setting was a delight to read about due to the incorporated creative elements. Similar to the show, the Murder, She Wrote book series boasts creative ideas and interesting topics, which always gives Jessica and company something to do. As far as I know, this book series is still in publication. That allows the stories of Cabot Cove to continue, even after the show itself concluded.

Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

Overall score: 3.1 out of 5 stars

Have fun in Cabot Cove!

Sally Silverscreen

Disclaimer: Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire is a murder mystery story, so the subject of murder will be brought up from time to time. Swearing does occur on a few occasions and there are mentions of violence. Other topics include chronic illness, grief, and the fair treatment of older people/the elderly.

Why Universal Orlando Resort Should Host ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Weekend

On September 27, 2024September 26, 2024 By 18cinemalane6 Comments

*This editorial was written before Hurricane Helene*

For the Cabot Cove-thon, I originally wanted to write an editorial about the Universal Studios Florida attraction, Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre. This show having a presence in any theme park, let alone Universal Studios, was an intriguing concept to discuss during my blogathon. But the more I learned about Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre from the Youtube channel, Poseidon Entertainment, the more I discovered that once guests consumed the information from Jessica and the actors associated with the Mystery Theatre, they had little reason to return. A behind-the-scenes look at how to create an episode of Murder, She Wrote from the post-production stage is both fascinating and educational. However, with the aforementioned details from Poseidon Entertainment in mind, I wondered how I could improve Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre. If Murder, She Wrote were to return to Universal Studios’ theme park, bringing the show back as an event instead of an attraction would give fans and park guests a reason to come back. This is how I created the idea of Universal Orlando Resort hosting a fan event called Murder, She Wrote Weekend! In this editorial, I will explain why Universal Orlando Resort should host Murder, She Wrote Weekend by providing a basic concept of the event’s schedule. My editorial is, simply, proposing an idea, so any decisions related to event creation will be determined by Universal Orlando Resort themselves.

Friday

The beauty of having Universal Orlando Resort host Murder, She Wrote Weekend are the amenities and accommodations at their disposal. One of them are the soon to be ten hotels on their property. Each hotel has its own unique identity, offering their guests a variety of experiences. These unique identities could work in the favor of Murder, She Wrote Weekend, as the chosen hotel could play a role in the event’s theme. Murder, She Wrote has created some episodes related to music. In the season nine episode, “The Sound of Murder”, Jessica witnesses the filming of a rock music video. With the themes of rock n’ roll and music, the Hard Rock Hotel would serve as the perfect venue.

Using the Hard Rock Hotel as this editorial’s example, attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend would check in on Friday. At the front desk, hotel information as well as weekend itinerary, badges, and goodie bags will be presented. There will be a large gap in time between check-in and the first official event. This will give attendants an opportunity to rest, explore Universal Orlando Resort, or create a schedule for the weekend. When it’s time for the first official event, attendants will gather in the theater of either Velvet Sessions or Velvet Unplugged for a trivia contest. Trivia will include a variety of topics connected to Murder, She Wrote’s twelve season history. Attendants who win the trivia contest could receive prizes such as a signed script from the show, a shopping spree at the Tribute Store Plaza (if the store was open at the time of Murder, She Wrote Weekend), or an expenses paid trip to Blair House Inn (the house that portrayed Jessica’s home on Murder, She Wrote).

Since *Murder, She Wrote: The Highland Fling Murders* is about Jessica traveling to Scotland, I figured this photo would be an appropriate choice for my editorial. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

Saturday

The first official day of Murder, She Wrote Weekend will begin with a panel in the morning. This panel could focus on a topic related to the show, the mystery genre, or the event’s theme. According to the synopsis for “The Sound of Murder”, “Jessica records one of her novels for the blind”. So, in this editorial’s example, the panel on Saturday would revolve around the topic of audiobooks. The panel itself would consist of five people: an executive of a publishing firm, an author whose book was transformed into an audiobook, an audiobook’s narrator, the president of an audiobook company, and an employee of a recording studio. This diverse group of people would hold a discussion on what it takes to create an audiobook, exploring this topic from different perspectives. Toward the end of the panel, attendants will receive an opportunity to ask the panelists questions.

Another amenity Universal Orlando Resort has at their disposal are their theme parks. With Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, a water park known as Volcano Bay, and their Epic Universe on the horizon, Universal Orlando Resort provides guests with a bundle of attractions to make their day action-packed and fun-filled. Attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend can take advantage of their time in the parks by participating in a scavenger hunt. Clues related to Murder, She Wrote would be hidden throughout the parks. During this activity, participants will encounter various attractions, giving them a reason to stay in the parks after the scavenger hunt is over. Winners of the scavenger hunt will earn a prize, like a commemorative pin. Murder, She Wrote Weekend attendants also have the option of a Murder, She Wrote themed escape room. Similar to Universal CityWalk’s Universal’s Great Movie Escape, attendants can be transported to the world of Jessica Fletcher as they try to escape locations relevant to the show, such as Jessica’s living room. Winners of the escape room can also earn a commemorative prize like the aforementioned scavenger hunt. To close out Murder, She Wrote Weekend’s first day, a screening of a Murder, She Wrote episode and/or an upcoming movie from the mystery genre will take place at Universal CityWalk’s Universal Cinemark cinema.

In the *Murder, She Wrote* episode, “*Murder Takes the Bus*“, Jessica travels on, you guessed it, a bus. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

Sunday

The schedule for the second and final day of Murder, She Wrote Weekend is similar to Saturday’s schedule, except for two major differences. While Sunday will begin with a panel, this panel, in my editorial’s example, will feature a collection of actors, producers, screenwriters, and directors who worked on Murder, She Wrote. Like the aforementioned panel on Saturday, attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend will be able to ask the panelists questions toward the end of the panel. But this time, the attendants will have the chance to take photographs with the panelists in a meet & greet. The second major difference is the event that will conclude Murder, She Wrote Weekend. This event would either be a costume party (where attendants are invited to dress up as characters from Murder, She Wrote, programs from Universal Studios, or from ‘80s and ‘90s productions) or a mystery dinner theatre presentation. If attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend already participated in the scavenger hunt and escape room I talked about earlier in this editorial, they will have the opportunity to explore Universal Orlando Resort at their leisure.

As I have already mentioned, Universal Orlando Resort has a bundle of attractions in their parks. At Universal CityWalk, a collection of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options are located under Universal Orlando Resort’s umbrella. These attractions and facilities are another amenity Universal Orlando Resort can use to their advantage, especially if they hosted Murder, She Wrote Weekend. When bringing up ideas for trivia contest prizes, I mentioned the Tribute Store Plaza. This store, which operates during limited times, sells merchandise that represent a specific theme. In the case of Murder, She Wrote Weekend, the store could sell products related to Murder, She Wrote; from Cabot Cove postcards to a typewriter that mirrors Jessica’s. “The Sound of Murder” takes place in New York City. Keeping this editorial’s example in mind, Cold Stone Creamery could create a Murder, She Wrote Weekend exclusive flavor based on New York cheesecake. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen could also capitalize on Murder, She Wrote Weekend by crafting a blueberry pie flavored milkshake in honor of Jessica Fletcher’s home in Cabot Cove, Maine.

Since *Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels* is about Jessica traveling on a cruise trip, I figured this photo would be an appropriate choice for my editorial. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

2024 became the year when fan events failed. Two notable examples are the Bluey event in Las Vegas that disappointed families and Glasgow’s unimpressive Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory themed event. But for every fan event that attracts attention for the wrong reasons, there is a desire to see a fan event succeed. With the resources and amenities at their disposal, Universal Orlando Resort has the potential to host a Murder, She Wrote themed event that meets and even exceeds expectations. It also helps how Universal Orlando Resort is familiar with Murder, She Wrote’s IP (intellectual property), as this show has had a presence in Universal Studios Florida. Murder, She Wrote benefits from having a twelve-season lifespan. The abundance of stories, ideas, and famous faces can provide ideas for a Murder, She Wrote themed event. At the beginning of my editorial, I pointed out how bringing the show back as an event instead of an attraction would give fans and park guests a reason to come back to the parks. Hosting a Murder, She Wrote themed event would also create a new tradition and celebrate the legacy of Jessica Fletcher.

Have fun in Cabot Cove!

Sally Silverscreen

Featured references:

Poseidon Entertainment’s video, “A Deep Dive Into Classic Universal Studios Florida (Part 1)

(segment about Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre is featured from 28:12 to 31:46)

http://www.blairhouse.com

orlandoinformer.com/blog/the-tribute-store-plaza-universal-studios-florida/

universalorlando.com

IMDB synopsis for “The Sound of Murder” — http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0653664/?ref_=ttep_ep10

Comparing with the Critics – Worst of 1984 – Harry & Son

On May 16, 2024 By 18cinemalane17 Comments

This review is from my series, Comparing with the Critics. If you’d like to learn more about the series, click on the link below.

Introducing my new series, Comparing with the Critics!

Toward the end of At The Movies’ ‘Stinkers of 1984’ episode, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert share a collection of films they felt were some of the worst movies of 1984. One of the films Roger brought up was Harry & Son. In a brief segment about the movie, Roger refers to the picture as a “sincere, but misguided dream”. Roger also calls Harry & Son “a painfully contrived tear-jerker”. Gene responds before the segment ends that “he and Burt Reynolds are two of the worst in ‘84”, likely referring to Paul Newman. I honestly hadn’t heard of this film until I watched this episode of At The Movies. Therefore, I approached the title with little to no expectations. But now that I have seen Harry & Son, I think calling the picture one of the worst of 1984 is, actually, a bit harsh.

*Harry & Son* poster created by Orion Pictures

While briefly talking about Harry & Son, Roger brings up Robby Benson. But instead of simply referring to Robby by his name, Roger says “Robby “gee Dad, want a diet pop” Benson”, even saying it in a mocking tone. By addressing Robby’s name in this way, Roger gives the impression Robby’s character, Howard “Howie” Keach, is just a stereotypical surfer jock. As I got to know this character while watching Harry & Son, I discovered this assumption was far from the truth. Throughout the story, Howie always has his heart in the right place. More often than not, he brings a burst of positivity, choosing to look at the glass half full. In a scene where Howie and his father, Harry, are on their porch, Harry orders his son to find a job, a bitter tone in his voice due to his frustrations over his declining health. In a positive, yet matter-of-fact way, Howie informs his dad how he already has a job washing cars. Another scene shows Howie coming home, excited to see his dad arrive so early from work. A big smile is spread across his face and his eyes shine bright with joy. But as he learns his dad has just lost his job, Howie’s face changes to display confusion and fear. This change in persona is seamless, never missing an emotional beat. Moments like this one were made possible by Robby’s acting abilities, showcasing a wide range of emotions and expressions. In my opinion, I think Robby should have, at least, been nominated for his performance in Harry & Son.

It’s In The Name Of The Title Blogathon banner created by Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews and Rebecca from Taking Up Room

As I just mentioned in the previous paragraph, Harry is frustrated over his declining health. After an incident at a construction site, Harry is forced to be honest about his poor eyesight. One scene has Harry talking with one of his co-workers about his health issues, raising concerns over how these issues will affect his employment. In the 21^st century, specifically the 2020s, there has been a risen awareness for men to address their medical issues. So, for Harry to talk to a peer about his health in a movie from the ‘80s is kind of ahead of its time. Later in the story, Howie learns his friend doesn’t have health insurance. When he takes his friend to the hospital, Howie is frustrated by the rejection his friend faces due to the hospital’s policies. The importance of health insurance is another medical topic that has gained attention in the 21^st century, including the 2020s. Similar to what I said about Harry’s honesty about his health, I appreciate these brief, yet necessary moments to bring up these serious health subjects, especially in a time when they weren’t found in common societal conversations yet.

Since *Harry & Son* takes place in Florida, I thought this picture of a Florida shaped pool would make sense for this review. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen. Image originally found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiBkULOrf7Y.

In the introduction of my review, I quoted Roger Ebert’s statements about Harry & Son, with Roger saying the film was a “sincere, but misguided dream” and “a painfully contrived tear-jerker”. I will agree with Roger about the movie being sincere. There were some sweet moments that were written, acted, and directed with a strong amount of sincerity. One example is when Howie goes to a high-end clothing store to purchase a suit jacket. When I first saw that scene, I honestly thought Howie had bought the jacket for himself, showing his dad how he can afford nicer attire. So, imagine my shock when Howie gave the jacket to his dad as a birthday present.

Where Roger and I disagree is how the movie is a “misguided dream” and a “painfully contrived tear-jerker”. I will admit Harry & Son has its flaws, such as scenes ending too quickly and emphasizing showing without telling. But I wouldn’t go so far as to say the movie is “misguided” or “painfully contrived”. With scenes ending too quickly, it felt like the characters were expected to say more. When Nina (Harry’s daughter and Howie’s sister) is talking with a client at a hair salon, I thought Nina was going to respond to the client’s story about their estranged father. But the moment is quickly forgotten as the story moves on. As Howie is reconnecting with Katie, an ex-girlfriend, their conversation is one of the most cryptic pieces of dialogue I’ve ever heard in a movie. While I could see these characters still cared for one another, by observing their expressions and displayed emotions, it took me a few minutes to figure out what Katie and Howie were saying to each other. This is just one example of showing without telling.

Comparing with the Critics banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. TV show title cards created by WTTW National Productions, WTTW, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Lifetime Television, Tribune Entertainment, Buena Vista Television, and Disney-ABC Domestic Television

Gene added his thought on Harry & Son, stating “he and Burt Reynolds are two of the worst in ‘84”, as he possibly referred to Paul Newman. Since I haven’t seen many of Paul’s or Burt’s films, I can’t agree or disagree with Gene’s statement. But what I can do is share my overall thoughts on Harry & Son. This is an ok, slice of life story, which, in my opinion, would have worked better as a stage play. My reason is how the cast is smaller and the story seems more condensed. While I liked the acting performances in this film, Robby Benson ended up being the star of the show. If anyone has an interest in watching Harry & Son, I’d recommend the film for Robby’s performance alone. With the flaws I already mentioned, I also felt like there was too much happening in a short amount of time. However, the story itself was easier to understand. Harry & Son will not become one of the best movies I’ve seen this year, so far. But compared to some of the films I’ve, so far, seen, there are far worse titles than Harry & Son.

This review was brought to you by

Sally Silverscreen

Buzzwordathon 2023: Review of ‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ by Zora Neale Hurston

On September 1, 2023 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

For August’s edition of the Buzzwordathon readathon, I chose to read Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston! This is because August’s theme was ‘body parts’, meaning that a body part had to be mentioned somewhere in a book’s title. While sharing Janie’s story, Zora is able to use words artistically and lyrically. However, this approach to storytelling never feels too “flowery”. A great example is when Zora describes a hurricane roaring over Florida’s Everglade region. She refers to the hurricane itself as a “monster”. As the storm is moving closer to the Everglade region, Zora writes, “The people felt uncomfortable but safe because there were the seawalls to chain the senseless monster in his bed”. In this sentence alone, Zora creates an image the reader can visualize. She also makes the hurricane larger than life, an antagonist for the characters to encounter.

*Their Eyes Were Watching God* book cover found on Goodreads

I’ve said before on 18 Cinema Lane that I don’t seek out “slice of life” stories. The reason is I don’t find “slice of life” stories to be as compelling as other types of stories. In the first half of Their Eyes Were Watching God, the story was more “slice of life”. Conflicts within the story don’t arrive until Tea Cake, Janie’s third husband, is introduced in the book. Because he appears in the story’s second half, I found the second half of the book more interesting than the book’s first half. Their Eyes Were Watching God is a fine, well-written novel. I am aware there was a 2005 made-for-tv adaption starring Halle Berry. Now that I have read the movie’s source material, I would be interested in reviewing the film in the future!

Overall score: 3.6 out of 5

Have fun during Buzzwordathon!

Sally Silverscreen

Disclaimer: Their Eyes Were Watching God contains subject matter that some readers may find offensive, including:

— Language reflective of the book’s release, the 1930s. This includes the use of racial slurs.

— References to heavier topics, such as death and abuse

— Swearing on some occasions

— Mrs. Turner’s beliefs, which are filled with prejudice

— The inclusion of a hurricane

Oh, The Places She’ll Go: A Map of Esther Williams’ Travels

On August 7, 2020 By 18cinemalane18 Comments

When I think of Esther Williams, the pool at Michigan’s Grand Hotel always comes to mind! As one of the hotel’s many amenities, the pool is named after one of Hollywood’s most popular stars because the movie, This Time for Keeps, was filmed at the hotel. As I thought about this beloved place in the Great Lakes State, I started to wonder if there were other places across the country or the world where Esther left her legacy. I also thought about the places where Esther visited or frequented. This became the inspiration for my entry in Michaela’s Esther Williams Blogathon! My list consists of nine locations that share a connection with the actress herself. Each listing will feature facts and insight about that specific spot. I wasn’t able to visit any of these places due to the Coronavirus. Because of this, I had to include screenshots from my phone of photos I found on the internet. Most of the information in this list is from Esther’s Wikipedia page.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Williams

The Esther Williams Blogathon banner created by Michaela from Love Letters to Old Hollywood. Image found at http://loveletterstooldhollywood.blogspot.com/2020/06/esther-williams-blogathon-announcement.html.

Manhattan Beach

Location: Los Angeles County, California

Status: Active

If we’re going to talk about the places in Esther’s life, we need to start with the beginning of her story. Born in Inglewood, California, Esther visited Manhattan Beach with her sister, Maurine, according to Wikipedia. While it’s unknown which specific places Esther frequented, it’s safe to assume she would have found a way to partake in the sport that brought her joy. On the Parks and Recreation site for Manhattan Beach, I came across the page for Begg Pool. Offering classes and times for lap and recreational swimming, the Begg Pool provides swimmers with a place to learn new skills and grow as athletes. As I was explored Manhattan Beach’s Park and Recreation site, I discovered the offering of performance arts classes. I also came across the page for the annual Shakespeare by the Sea event. Having these acting opportunities available in Manhattan Beach makes a lot of sense when it comes to discussing Esther Williams. Because she became an actress after she became an established swimmer, the inclusion of acting and swimming in Manhattan Beach serves the best of both worlds.

https://www.citymb.info/departments/parks-and-recreation/aquatics

https://www.citymb.info/departments/parks-and-recreation/special-events/shakespeare-by-the-sea

https://www.citymb.info/departments/parks-and-recreation/cultural-arts/events-camps-and-classes

Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen. Photo originally found at https://www.citymb.info/departments/parks-and-recreation/aquatics.

Los Angeles Athletic Club

Location: Los Angeles, California

Status: Active

On Wikipedia, there is a picture of Esther at the Los Angeles Athletic Club that was taken in 1939. The site also lists her as one of the club’s notable members. When I explored the official website of the Los Angeles Athletic Club, I got the impression the club served as a place for athletes to take their sport seriously. It would make sense for Esther to spend her time at this location, especially since she was an Olympic hopeful. Similar to Manhattan Beach’s Begg Pool, the Aquatics facility at the Los Angeles Athletic Club offers swimming classes. They also provide a conditioning club and a clinic. Looking at the photo of the pool itself, the main takeaway is the simple style this space boasts. The black and white color palette makes the area seem like it is frozen in time, with the design choice of stripes bringing a sense of elegance. These elements create a facility that feels as timeless as the actress who went there!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Athletic_Club (the club’s official website is included in this Wikipedia page)

Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen. Photo originally found at https://laac.com/athletics/aquatics/.

Treasure Island

Location: San Francisco, California

Status: Active

In the year, 1940, Esther starred in a water spectacle called ‘Aquacade’. This show was held during the Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco. The official location of this exposition was Treasure Island, “an artificial island in the San Francisco Bay and a neighborhood in the City and County of San Francisco”, according to Wikipedia. If you’ve never visited this island or had no idea this location existed until you read this article, you might think of the famous ‘Pleasure Island’ from the beloved classic Pinocchio. However, Treasure Island is nothing like the island from Pinocchio’s story. In fact, it serves as a community that could be similar to your own backyard. The island’s official website lists many resources that will sound familiar, such as a bike shop and restaurants. What I find interesting is how an extraordinary event like the Golden Gate International Exposition was held on an island that seems ordinary. It would be fun to travel back in time to see Treasure Island transformed into an elaborate world stage!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Island,_San_Francisco

https://sftreasureisland.org/treasure-island-businesses-attractions-and-recreation

Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen. Photo originally found at https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101854779/massive-redevelopment-underway-for-treasure-island.

The Beverly Hills Hotel

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Status: Active

Wikipedia states that one of the clauses in Esther Williams’ contract with MGM was “that she receive a guest pass to The Beverly Hills Hotel where she could swim in the pool every day”. After watching a video featuring this pool on the hotel’s website, I definitely see the appeal of this location! Similar to the Los Angeles Athletic Club’s Aquatics facility, stripes are a design staple around the pool. They can be found in the seat cushions and the table umbrellas. Pink, green, and white serve as the the pool area’s color palette. Cabanas surrounding the pool showcase this palette beautifully. With the accent wall boasting a green leaf pattern, the two surrounding walls are a solid pink. A crème sofa and chair serve as seating options in this space. Wood furniture completes the overall look, capturing a classic style that has stood the test of time!

https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/the-beverly-hills-hotel/the-pool/

Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen. Image originally found at https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/the-beverly-hills-hotel/the-pool/.

The Esther Williams Pool

Location: Mackinac Island, Michigan

Status: Active

Another hotel pool Esther frequented that joins this list! Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel was the filming location for the 1947 film, The Time for Keeps. Because of Esther’s involvement in the movie, the pool has been officially named the Esther Williams Pool! Tanda Gmiter from MLive writes how Esther Williams and her film benefited the hotel’s longevity. The years when World War II took place were difficult for Mackinac Island’s crown jewel. The article states “during those lean war years, the Grand Hotel faced the same dismal predicament shared by many resorts: A long-term lack of paying guests”. However, a chance encounter would change the course of history for the hotel and those associated with the movie. Tanda says “someone connected to the film had seen a little 10-minute travelogue featuring the island that was done in 1944. When they were scouting sites for the Williams’ film, Mackinac seemed like a natural fit”. Since the release of The Time for Keeps, Grand Hotel has experienced years of success and has become an icon in Michigan.

https://www.mlive.com/travel/2018/07/how_a_hollywood_star_in_a_swim.html

https://www.grandhotel.com/activities/esther-williams-pool/

Cypress Gardens

Location: Winter Haven, Florida

Status: Preserved

The 1953 movie, Easy to Love, was filmed in this particular destination, “where a swimming pool in the shape of the state of Florida had been built specifically for the film”. Wikipedia says “Cypress Gardens was a botanical garden and theme park near Winter Haven, Florida that operated from 1936 to 2009”. It was the Sunshine State’s first theme park, boasting attractions like water skiing, dinner cruises, and garden tours. This location was included in a 2014 list from the National Register of Historic Places. Easy to Love was not the only Florida-filmed project Esther worked on, as she starred in multiple movies and television programs from the ‘50s and ‘60s. While the theme park has been closed and replaced with another one, Legoland Florida, the botanical garden is preserved inside the new park. In fact, it is included as one of their featured attractions!

https://web.archive.org/web/20070713205521/http://www.cypressgardens.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypress_Gardens

https://web.archive.org/web/20140426235832/http://www.nps.gov/nr/listings/20140425.htm

https://www.legoland.com/florida/map-explore/land-views/cypress-gardens/attractions/botanical-gardens/

While the Florida shaped pool still takes residence in Legoland Florida, it’s now used as a fountain. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen. Image originally found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiBkULOrf7Y.

Wembley Arena

Location: London, England

Status: Active

According to Wikipedia, Esther “starred in an aqua-special at Wembley Stadium in London”. A photo from 1956 reveals the event actually took place at Empire Pool, which is located near Wembley Stadium. The website Television Obscurities shares how this event was meant to serve as a part of an on-going tour lasting from 1956 to 1958. Poor reviews for the 1957 show caused this tour to be cut short. While I wasn’t able to find any photos of this event and a recording of the event itself hasn’t resurfaced, the Empire Pool is still part of the English community. Now known as the Wembley Arena, this venue hosts concerts covering a variety of musical genres. The arena is located in Wembley Park, a hub for attractions, entertainment, and leisure activities.

https://www.ssearena.co.uk/your-visit/wembley-park

https://www.alamy.com/jun-06-1956-esther-williams-in-london-film-star-esther-williams-and-image69298954.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=97863ADB-9744-4A40-B313-D93CE1CDBAF9&p=90011&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d2%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dat%2520the%2520empire%2520pool%2520in%2520wembley%26qt_raw%3dat%2520the%2520empire%2520pool%2520in%2520wembley%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d1%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d%26ispremium%3d1%26flip%3d0%26pl%3d

If you want to learn more about the aqua-special, you can visit the website, tvobscurities.com, and type Esther’s name into the search bar located at the bottom of the page.

Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen. Photo originally found at https://wembleypark.com/attractions/the-sse-arena-wembley/.

The Raleigh Hotel

Location: Miami Beach, Florida

Status: Active

2010 saw the introduction of the Raleigh Hotel’s Esther Williams suite. This room “incorporates a beach summer theme”, with a basic color palette of white and beige allowing pops of color to be seen. Bright hues of blue, peach, and teal are found in pillows, towels, and curtains. There are three separate areas within the suite: the bedroom, the bathroom, and the main sitting area. Like the pool at The Beverly Hills Hotel and the Los Angeles Athletic Club’s Aquatics facility, the overall design of the suite captures a moment in time. While the style in this space is simple, it does help carry the consistency of the hotel. Its chic and vintage aesthetic make this location appear photogenic.

https://www.suiteness.com/suites/united-states/florida/miami/the-raleigh-hotel/the-esther-williams-suite

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34439-d85180-Reviews-The_Raleigh_Miami_Beach-Miami_Beach_Florida.html

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercedes-benz-fashion-week-swim-lets-the-sun-in-98595984.html

Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen. Photo originally found at https://www.suiteness.com/suites/united-states/florida/miami/the-raleigh-hotel/the-esther-williams-suite.

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

Location: Los Angeles, California

Status: Active

As we come to an end in our journey through Esther’s travels, we return to the place where we began: California. When Esther attended the first annual Turner Classic Movies Classic Film Festival, there was a screening of her film, Neptune’s Daughter, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s pool. This choice was fitting, since she spent a lot of time around pools during her life. The style around this area is much simpler than The Beverly Hills Hotel’s pool area. However, it works with its respective hotel’s interior designs. The white pool chairs with the hotel’s official monogram promote a more classic flare that is carried throughout the hotel. It lets the pool itself be the focal point, with the light and dark shades of blue complimenting the chairs surrounding it. This space provides a memorable view from the various suites that are offered. With the hotel itself surrounding the pool, it makes this feature as celebrated as Esther Williams herself.

https://www.thehollywoodroosevelt.com/pool/tropicana-pool-cafe

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Sister of the Bride Review

On June 30, 2019July 3, 2019 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Before I saw Sister of the Bride, I was originally going to post my review of Moulin Rouge!, in honor of receiving 110 followers on 18 Cinema Lane. But since I haven’t reviewed a Hallmark movie in about two months, I decided to review the latest film from the “June Weddings” line-up. As for the Moulin Rouge! review, that will come as soon as possible. Over these past two years, I have not been a fan of the last film that has premiered in the “June Weddings” line-up. My Favorite Wedding was less-than-stellar and Yes, I Do became one of the worst Hallmark movies I’ve ever seen. So, when I learned that Sister of the Bride would be the last movie in this line-up, I set my expectations very low. The synopsis and the trailer seemed too ridiculous for my liking. However, I still wanted to give this movie a fair chance and watch it with an open mind. Did I finally find a final “June Weddings” movie that was good? Let’s read this review of Sister of the Bride before anyone “speaks now or forever holds their peace”!

Sister of the Bride poster — *Sister of the Bride* poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel. Image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=142&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Sister+of+the+Bride.

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: The acting in Sister of the Bride was, for the most part, good! I have seen Becca Tobin’s acting performances in A Song for Christmas and Love at First Dance. While I haven’t really been a fan of these Hallmark films, I’ve noticed that Becca always puts in the effort to give the best acting performance she can. In Sister of the Bride, Becca’s acting performance was pleasant to watch! Because of this, it helped her character be as likable as she was. I had also seen Ryan Rottman in Christmas Wonderland before watching Sister of the Bride. His acting performance in both of these films was good! Ryan’s character had the right amount of charm to make him a pleasant individual.

The lessons and messages: As I’ve mentioned in my reviews of other Hallmark films, relatable and interesting lessons and messages can usually be found in Hallmark’s stories. There were some lessons and messages in Sister of the Bride that I was made aware of while watching the film. One in particular was how fruit tarts were the favorite dessert of the Founding Fathers. I’m not sure if this is accurate information. But if it is, I would find this to be a fascinating tidbit. A message that I liked seeing within this movie was about thoughtfulness, specifically in relation to the characters of Ben and Stephanie’s father. I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen this movie yet. But I thought this part of the story was very touching and heart-felt.

A unique location: In most of Hallmark’s movies, the story takes place in a fictional, suburban setting. The location in Sister of the Bride was Palm Springs, Florida. This was a great change in scenery because it’s not often for a Hallmark movie to take plan in this state. From the palm trees to the sunny weather, it looked different from some of the other Hallmark movies within this line-up of films. It shows what each of the states has to offer when including important elements to a given story!

Group of People Waving American Flags in Back Lit — Children holding American flags during a sunset image created by rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/people”>People photo created by rawpixel.com – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

A limited incorporation of Independence Day: In Sister of the Bride, Stephanie wants to get married on Independence Day. While this holiday did play a role in the film, it felt like an underappreciated supporting character. There were Independence Day decorations, as well as a festival. But it didn’t feel like the holiday had as big of a significance as other holidays did in previous Hallmark movies. This seemed like the network made a weak attempt at making up for the lack of new, Independence Day content.

Too many subplots: I said in the introduction that this film’s synopsis and trailer seemed too ridiculous for me. The reason for this is how many stories were incorporated into the overall narrative. When I watched Sister of the Bride, I discovered that there were about six subplots found in this movie. This felt like too much was going on in the film, preventing me from focusing on one specific subplot. If there would have been one or two main plots with an additional subplot, the overall story would have been much more cohesive.

A dose of awkwardness: Throughout Sister of the Bride, there were a few moments that came across as awkward. A perfect example is this is anytime Stephanie’s father made antagonizing comments about Ben. I was confused as to whether it was supposed to be funny or just show that Stephanie’s father didn’t like Ben. Either way, these moments always came across as awkward.

Beautiful wedding dance — First wedding dance image created by Teksomolika at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/newlyweds-dancing-at-their-wedding_983404.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/wedding”>Wedding image created by Teksomolika – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

I’m happy to say that Sister of the Bride is better than My Favorite Wedding and Yes, I Do! But, at the same time, Sister of the Bride could have been a stronger film. This story had some interesting ideas that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing in this movie. However, the overall project was held back by having too many stories to keep track of. I’ve seen almost all of the “June Weddings” movies from this year. Compared to last year’s line-up, the 2019 collection of “June Weddings” movies were much stronger! Out of all the films that I’ve seen in this particular line-up, The Last Bridesmaid is still the best one, in my opinion. It’ll be interesting to see how next year’s “June Weddings” collection compares to the movies that aired this year.

Overall score: 6.1 out of 10

Have you seen the movies from Hallmark’s “June Weddings” line-up? Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Wild Oranges Review + 95 Follower Thank You

On April 25, 2019April 24, 2019 By 18cinemalane4 Comments

18 Cinema Lane received 95 followers last week! To all of my followers, thank you for helping me achieve this milestone! Your interest in this blog means a lot to me. Because I now have 95 followers, I can review a film that was released 95 years ago (in 1924). One day, when I was scrolling through Turner Classic Movies’ (TCM’s) schedule, I discovered a film called Wild Oranges. Before choosing this movie for this post, I had never heard of this title. In fact, the only silent film I’ve seen prior to the aforementioned movie was The Kid, starring Charlie Chaplin. So, I thought this would be a good opportunity to expand my cinematic horizons. According to the pre-movie commentary, Wild Oranges was one of the first movies to be filmed on-location as well as having a smaller cast. These facts interested me into seeing how they would work within the overall context of the film. Before I begin this review, I would just like to share that I actually ate oranges while watching Wild Oranges (I thought it would appropriately fit the occasion).

Wild Oranges poster — *Wild Oranges* poster created by Goldwyn Pictures. Image found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wild_Oranges_(film_poster).jpg

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: Because Wild Oranges is a silent movie, the actors have to rely on body language, facial expressions, and actions/behaviors to portray what their characters are saying and feeling. All of the actors in this cast accomplished their goal of doing just that! The acting performances in this movie played an essential role in telling this story, helping to fill in the blanks when words were not available. These performances were also well-rounded, adding to the intrigue and investment of the film. Looking back, I believe the most memorable performance in this movie came from Charles A. Post as the film’s antagonist, Iscah Nicholas! Despite the unheard dialogue, Charles effectively conveyed the nasty and disturbing nature that his character contained. This performance truly added a sense of suspense and dread whenever he appeared on-screen.

The scenery: As I mentioned in the introduction, Wild Oranges was one of the first movies to be filmed on-location. According to TCM’s pre-movie commentary, this movie was filmed in Georgia and Florida. Filming on-location was the right decision, as it gave a sense of realism to the movie. The natural elements of the scenery, from the forests to the dilapidated home of the Stope family, added a haunting feel to the overall atmosphere. Even the beauty of the beachfront was captured very well within the lighter moments of the film. This element made Wild Oranges a wonderful sight to see!

The use of title cards: While the body language, facial expressions, and actions/behaviors of the actors helped carry the story, there were times when title cards were necessary. In Wild Oranges, title cards were used to not only highlight the dialogue between the characters, but also to transition between scenes. These title cards provided some depth to the narrative, as it explained things that the acting performances couldn’t. Having the title cards be presented on illustrations of oranges trees was very creative. It also fit with the continuity of the film.

wormsloe-plantation-ii-1334468-1278x677 — Forest in Georgia image created by Roger Kirby at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/Roger Kirby.”

What I didn’t like about the film:

A limited amount of title cards: While I liked the use the title cards in Wild Oranges, I thought that the amount of them was fewer than I’d expected. Some scenes were accompanied with very few title cards to support the dialogue or other details within the narrative. This left me guessing as to what was going on in the film. It also debunked my personal stereotypical view of title cards in silent films, where title cards are used to explain everything. Wild Oranges definitely could have benefited from the use of more title cards.

The run-time: At an hour and twenty-eight minutes, I felt that Wild Oranges was a little too long. Sometimes, there were scenes that went on longer than they should have. Two examples of this are a fight sequence between the antagonist and protagonist as well as a boating scene. If these scenes were a little bit shorter, it would have had a big impact on the overall run-time. In my opinion, this movie should have been, at least, an hour.

An unclear connection between Nicholas and the Stope family: While watching this movie, I was really confused about the connection between Nicholas and the Stope family. Sure, Nicholas was in love with Millie. However, Nicholas was allowed on the Stope family property without any issues. Even though Millie revealed more about Nicholas’ character to John Woolfolk, it didn’t explain what his connection was to her family. The only thing I was able to do was guess this connection as I continued watching the film.

oranges-at-tree-1325437-1280x960 — Oranges in tree image created by Jose Luis Navarro at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/Jose Luis Navarro.”

My overall impression:

The silent film genre is one that I don’t watch often. The two reasons for this are 1.) Silent films are not as easily available as other genres and 2.) The on-screen events might be confusing to decipher without dialogue. Despite these concerns, I ended up having an enjoyable experience watching Wild Oranges! Part of this has to do with the fact that I was able to provide my own personal commentary to the film. Besides this, the movie itself stands on its own, thanks to the merits found in the film. The various creative pieces came together to tell a cohesive story. The historic choices that were made, such as filming on-location, ended up working in this film’s favor. It gave the project a special uniqueness that helped make the film so memorable. If you haven’t seen silent films before and would like to give them a chance, I think Wild Oranges is a good introduction to the genre!

Overall score: 7.6 out of 10

Have you seen any silent films? Would you want to give silent films a chance? Put your thoughts in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Hallmark Channel’s “A Gift to Remember” will receive a sequel and other Hallmark-related movie news

On March 25, 2019May 10, 2019 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

When it comes to Hallmark related movie news, most of my topics have been based on things that I found on What’s Filming, a Canadian website that lists the production dates for upcoming movie and television projects. However, I recently found some interesting pieces of movie news on IMDB and a news article from Florida. All of these stories in this Word on the Street post are about projects that are either confirmed or speculated to be Hallmark movies. While two of these movies will likely premiere during the Christmas season, one of them has no known seasonal affiliation. As usual, I will report on the movie news and share my thoughts on each news story. So, let’s begin talking about these exciting movie details!

Rows of red seats in a theater — Empty theater photo created by rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background photo created by rawpixel.com – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

While doing research for a potential Word on the Street topic, I came across an upcoming Hallmark film that was listed on IMDB. It looks like 2017’s A Gift to Remember will receive a sequel! According to the official IMDB page for the film, some of the cast members from the first movie will return for the continuation. At this time, Hallmark has not made any announcements about this film or its potential release date. I am surprised that out of all the Christmas movies that were released on Hallmark in 2017, A Gift to Remember would be the one to receive a sequel. I haven’t seen this film, but based on the synopsis, the story doesn’t seem to lend itself to a second chapter. However, I felt the same way when Christmas in Evergreen received a sequel. The film, Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa, exceeded my expectations. It was not only the best newly released Christmas movie I saw last year, but it was also one of the best movies I saw in 2018!

You can check out the official page for “A Gift to Remember 2” on IMDB.

458653-PFQPMM-331 — Cute Christmas image created by freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Yesterday, I found an article from the website, WFLA 8. In this article, it was reported that a Hallmark movie called “Love in the Sun” would be filming in the Safety Harbor area. According to WFLA 8, the movie is “a G-rated love story and Safety Harbor will be depicted as the female star’s hometown”. No other details have been revealed about the film. Off the top of my head, I can’t recall a Hallmark movie that has been filmed in Florida. So, this change in scenery will be very interesting to see when this movie finally premieres. Because this film will be a “love story”, it is likely that “Love in the Sun” will be a Hallmark Channel production.

If you want to check out the reference from this story, you can visit this link:

https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/safety-harbor-hallmark-movie-shoot-begins-monday/1873164448

125843-OSCVR0-64 — Happy sun image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Earlier this month, I talked about an upcoming Christmas movie called “A Ring for Christmas”. The reason why this movie was speculated to be a Hallmark film was because the network was referenced in several Instagram photos containing the hashtag #aringforchristmas. Recently, I came across the official IMDB page for this film. While it’s still unknown if this project will belong to Hallmark, we now know what the movie will likely be about. Featured below is the film’s synopsis that was found on “A Ring for Christmas’” official IMDB page.

“Spoiled single girl Angie Moore gets cut off 25 days before Christmas. When she discovers the existence of a sizeable trust fund that she will inherit once she gets married, Angie decides to find a man to marry – by Christmas”.

Personally, I would be surprised if this became a Hallmark movie. Based on the synopsis, it sounds like the protagonist is very deceitful and self-centered. This is quite different from the friendly and down-to-earth personalities that are usually seen from Hallmark protagonists. Not only has the official cast been listed on the IMDB page, but also an expected release date. As of late March 2019, “A Ring for Christmas” is scheduled to premiere on December 19^th. Both the release date and synopsis could change as time goes on.

You can check out the official page for “A Ring for Christmas” on IMDB.

Jewels sparkle in the golden wedding rings lying on the leather — Fancy jewelry image created by Freepic.diller at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/wedding”>Wedding photo created by freepic.diller – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What are our thoughts on these movie news stories? Are you excited about any of these movies? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen