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Few of director H.C. Potter’s films seem to have endured the tests of time, at least as far as influence. Despite having directed several notable stars through the 1940s and 50s, many of these light comedies or frivolous biopics, unless one is fans of a matinee idol starring in his work, his name doesn’t conjure the same enthusiasm as several of his peers. Notably, he directed Greer Garson in the sequel to her Oscar winning Mrs. Miniver with 1950’s The Miniver Story, and he has a pair of Cary Grant titles worth recuperating (Mr.…...

Like almost every other movie this summer, “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” is a sequel. However, it bears little resemblance to the onslaught of overgrown lizards, animated families, and Marvel brethren; it cost much less, and will gross much less. But what really sets “Soldado” apart is it was never meant to happen.

Sequels are as old as the movies. Comedy silent shorts often built on a continuing set of characters. Rudolph Valentino followed “The Sheik” with the even-bigger “Son of the Sheik.” Douglas Fairbanks went from “The Mark of Zorro” to “Don Q, Son of Zorro.”

In the early decades of sound, studios nurtured franchises that included The Thin Man (six titles), the Hardy Family (16 titles), Dr. Kildare and Ma and Pa Kettle (10 titles). Rarely, studios struck twice on a major success: 1944 Best Picture winner “Going My Way” immediately spawned the even-better “Bells of St. Mary’s,” and 1942 winner “Mrs. Miniver...

Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant, and Ingrid Bergman: The 'Notorious' British (Hitchcock, Grant) and Swedish (Bergman) talent. British actors and directors in Hollywood; Hollywood actors and directors in Britain: Anthony Slide's 'A Special Relationship.' 'A Special Relationship' Q&A: Britain in Hollywood and Hollywood in Britain First of all, what made you think of a book on “the special relationship” between the American and British film industries – particularly on the British side? I was aware of a couple of books on the British in Hollywood, but I wanted to move beyond that somewhat limited discussion and document the whole British/American relationship as it applied to filmmaking. Growing up in England, I had always been interested in the history of the British cinema, but generally my writing on film history has been concentrated on America. I suppose to a certain extent I wanted to go back into my archives,...

At the height of his career, he packed in acting to sell telephone-sterilisers for a Christian sect. As James Fox finally gets a part worthy of his talent, he relives the louche years with Simon Hattenstone

James Fox is telling me how, at the age of 74, he has finally got his confidence back. Not before time. It's half a lifetime since he walked away from acting, at the height of his fame, to become a door-to-door salesman for an obscure Christian movement.

In his new film, A Long Way from Home, he is desperately moving as Joseph, a man who has retired to France with his wife, only to fall for a young woman travelling with her boyfriend. It's his most dominant role since his incendiary Chas in 1970's Performance, but it couldn't be more different: Chas was a terrifying cockney gangster in a movie about decadence; Joseph is a restrained,...

Zoe’s continues her journey through the turbulent history of one of Hollywood’s most influential studios, as we arrive at MGM's post-war golden era. Plus, a bit of 3D, too...

As the end of World War II approached, a new world dawned for MGM – a world which had changed dramatically. Attitudes and lifestyles had changed, but most importantly audiences had changed. Here was an opportunity: MGM’s chance to start afresh. And so in 1944, MGM embarked on what would become the most successful period in its history. After the war, the slate was wiped clean.

Gone were the tired, tried-and-tested formulas, and gone were the aging names and stars, as a new unit was established at MGM. It was up to this unit, anchored by an experienced producer and made up of bright young talent, to transform MGM’s signature high-production style into something new and modern in order...