Tommy Krasker
@tommykrasker.bsky.social
Husband to @philipchaffin.bsky.social. 🌈 Daddy to Gregory. 🐶 I run the record label PS Classics, and write about vintage TV and vintage film. https://thatsallsiknow.blogspot.com
Pinned
Tommy Krasker
@tommykrasker.bsky.social
· Jul 26
William Dieterle: A Forgotten Giant (The Hollywood Films: 1931–57)
William Dieterle: A Forgotten Giant (The Hollywood Films: 1931–57) - Kindle edition by Krasker, Tommy. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading William Dieterle: A Forgotten Giant (The Hollywood Films: 1931–57).
www.amazon.com
So I just published my first book. Well, an e-book. My essay about film director William Dieterle – one of the directors who revolutionized #OldHollywood – was so kindly received, I expanded it into a full book. If you love classic film, I hope you’ll take a look. 😊🎥 www.amazon.com/dp/B0FK127P37/
Day 20 #NoirvemberChallenge
Favorite Gambling Scene in a #FilmNoir
The rigged poker game in DARK CITY (1950). Director William Dieterle’s canted angles, telling two-shots and smoke-filled room – revealing some hands but not others – creates a card game as tense as any I’ve seen onscreen.
Favorite Gambling Scene in a #FilmNoir
The rigged poker game in DARK CITY (1950). Director William Dieterle’s canted angles, telling two-shots and smoke-filled room – revealing some hands but not others – creates a card game as tense as any I’ve seen onscreen.
November 20, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Day 20 #NoirvemberChallenge
Favorite Gambling Scene in a #FilmNoir
The rigged poker game in DARK CITY (1950). Director William Dieterle’s canted angles, telling two-shots and smoke-filled room – revealing some hands but not others – creates a card game as tense as any I’ve seen onscreen.
Favorite Gambling Scene in a #FilmNoir
The rigged poker game in DARK CITY (1950). Director William Dieterle’s canted angles, telling two-shots and smoke-filled room – revealing some hands but not others – creates a card game as tense as any I’ve seen onscreen.
Originally, the story goes, Sterling Hayden was supposed to have been chopped into pieces by the propeller when he tried to recover the money. But American Airlines objected, insisting audiences would believe its safety standards were too lax. 😵💫 #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
November 20, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Originally, the story goes, Sterling Hayden was supposed to have been chopped into pieces by the propeller when he tried to recover the money. But American Airlines objected, insisting audiences would believe its safety standards were too lax. 😵💫 #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
I’ve always thought that was a whole lot of carnage for so few gunshots. #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
November 20, 2025 at 2:14 AM
I’ve always thought that was a whole lot of carnage for so few gunshots. #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
Marie Windsor landed the role of Sherry Peatty after Kubrick saw her performance in The Narrow Margin. You have to wonder how much the role was enlarged once she was cast. Some of the lines sound written just for her. #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
November 20, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Marie Windsor landed the role of Sherry Peatty after Kubrick saw her performance in The Narrow Margin. You have to wonder how much the role was enlarged once she was cast. Some of the lines sound written just for her. #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
Reposted by Tommy Krasker
Everyone melted for Ben Casey. My older sister had such a crush on him, she named our family dog Casey. And it was *my dog.* 😅 #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling
November 20, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Everyone melted for Ben Casey. My older sister had such a crush on him, she named our family dog Casey. And it was *my dog.* 😅 #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling
A line you’d hear only in noir. A look you’d see only in noir. #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
November 20, 2025 at 1:28 AM
A line you’d hear only in noir. A look you’d see only in noir. #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
I’m changing my #FavoriteNoirCouple to George and Sherry Peatty. Man, Elisha and Marie are good. So abusive and dysfunctional and mismatched, yet so freaking convincing. #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
November 20, 2025 at 1:14 AM
I’m changing my #FavoriteNoirCouple to George and Sherry Peatty. Man, Elisha and Marie are good. So abusive and dysfunctional and mismatched, yet so freaking convincing. #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
United Artists insisted that Kubrick add the narration (which he hated), to clarify the storytelling. What I myself didn’t notice until my third viewing is how much of the narration is deliberately misleading. Kubrick had the last laugh. #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
November 20, 2025 at 1:08 AM
United Artists insisted that Kubrick add the narration (which he hated), to clarify the storytelling. What I myself didn’t notice until my third viewing is how much of the narration is deliberately misleading. Kubrick had the last laugh. #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
First previews apparently went terribly, with audiences saying the nonlinear storytelling was too hard to follow. UA forced Kubrick to go back & re-edit it chronologically, and it tested even worse. In the end, Kubrick’s original version was used. Thank heavens. #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
November 20, 2025 at 1:06 AM
First previews apparently went terribly, with audiences saying the nonlinear storytelling was too hard to follow. UA forced Kubrick to go back & re-edit it chronologically, and it tested even worse. In the end, Kubrick’s original version was used. Thank heavens. #FilmNoirClub #TheKilling #Noirvember
Reposted by Tommy Krasker
November 20, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Day 18 #NoirvemberChallenge
Favorite #FilmNoir MacGuffin
The STOLEN CHEMICAL FORMULA in ‘This Gun for Hire.’ Just an excuse to bring together one of the greatest pairings in all of noir.
Favorite #FilmNoir MacGuffin
The STOLEN CHEMICAL FORMULA in ‘This Gun for Hire.’ Just an excuse to bring together one of the greatest pairings in all of noir.
November 18, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Day 18 #NoirvemberChallenge
Favorite #FilmNoir MacGuffin
The STOLEN CHEMICAL FORMULA in ‘This Gun for Hire.’ Just an excuse to bring together one of the greatest pairings in all of noir.
Favorite #FilmNoir MacGuffin
The STOLEN CHEMICAL FORMULA in ‘This Gun for Hire.’ Just an excuse to bring together one of the greatest pairings in all of noir.
Reposted by Tommy Krasker
I posted a new #ClassicFilm essay: THE CURIOUS CAREER OF JAMES CRAIG, about an actor both made and broken by the studio system – and in less than five years. I think it’s a fascinating story; if you love classic film, I hope you’ll take a look. thatsallsiknow.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-... #FilmSky 🎥
November 17, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I posted a new #ClassicFilm essay: THE CURIOUS CAREER OF JAMES CRAIG, about an actor both made and broken by the studio system – and in less than five years. I think it’s a fascinating story; if you love classic film, I hope you’ll take a look. thatsallsiknow.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-... #FilmSky 🎥
I posted a new #ClassicFilm essay: THE CURIOUS CAREER OF JAMES CRAIG, about an actor both made and broken by the studio system – and in less than five years. I think it’s a fascinating story; if you love classic film, I hope you’ll take a look. thatsallsiknow.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-... #FilmSky 🎥
November 17, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I posted a new #ClassicFilm essay: THE CURIOUS CAREER OF JAMES CRAIG, about an actor both made and broken by the studio system – and in less than five years. I think it’s a fascinating story; if you love classic film, I hope you’ll take a look. thatsallsiknow.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-... #FilmSky 🎥
Reposted by Tommy Krasker
Day 16 #NoirvemberChallenge
Lesser-Known #FilmNoir Everyone Should See
THE ACCUSED (1949), a feminist response to the misogyny that overran the film industry in the 1940s. Dazzling performance by Loretta Young as a psychology professor who kills the student who rapes her, then covers up her crime.
Lesser-Known #FilmNoir Everyone Should See
THE ACCUSED (1949), a feminist response to the misogyny that overran the film industry in the 1940s. Dazzling performance by Loretta Young as a psychology professor who kills the student who rapes her, then covers up her crime.
November 16, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Day 16 #NoirvemberChallenge
Lesser-Known #FilmNoir Everyone Should See
THE ACCUSED (1949), a feminist response to the misogyny that overran the film industry in the 1940s. Dazzling performance by Loretta Young as a psychology professor who kills the student who rapes her, then covers up her crime.
Lesser-Known #FilmNoir Everyone Should See
THE ACCUSED (1949), a feminist response to the misogyny that overran the film industry in the 1940s. Dazzling performance by Loretta Young as a psychology professor who kills the student who rapes her, then covers up her crime.
Reposted by Tommy Krasker
November 16, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Day 16 #NoirvemberChallenge
Lesser-Known #FilmNoir Everyone Should See
THE ACCUSED (1949), a feminist response to the misogyny that overran the film industry in the 1940s. Dazzling performance by Loretta Young as a psychology professor who kills the student who rapes her, then covers up her crime.
Lesser-Known #FilmNoir Everyone Should See
THE ACCUSED (1949), a feminist response to the misogyny that overran the film industry in the 1940s. Dazzling performance by Loretta Young as a psychology professor who kills the student who rapes her, then covers up her crime.
November 16, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Day 16 #NoirvemberChallenge
Lesser-Known #FilmNoir Everyone Should See
THE ACCUSED (1949), a feminist response to the misogyny that overran the film industry in the 1940s. Dazzling performance by Loretta Young as a psychology professor who kills the student who rapes her, then covers up her crime.
Lesser-Known #FilmNoir Everyone Should See
THE ACCUSED (1949), a feminist response to the misogyny that overran the film industry in the 1940s. Dazzling performance by Loretta Young as a psychology professor who kills the student who rapes her, then covers up her crime.
Reposted by Tommy Krasker
20 years ago today, I produced the New B’way Cast Album of #SweeneyTodd. It nabbed me my 6th Grammy nod (of 12). Ben Magnuson, who played Anthony (plus cello & piano), video’d me speaking to the cast before the sessions. I never allowed camera crews in the studio, but I’m awfully glad to have this.😊
November 15, 2025 at 5:56 PM
20 years ago today, I produced the New B’way Cast Album of #SweeneyTodd. It nabbed me my 6th Grammy nod (of 12). Ben Magnuson, who played Anthony (plus cello & piano), video’d me speaking to the cast before the sessions. I never allowed camera crews in the studio, but I’m awfully glad to have this.😊
20 years ago today, I produced the New B’way Cast Album of #SweeneyTodd. It nabbed me my 6th Grammy nod (of 12). Ben Magnuson, who played Anthony (plus cello & piano), video’d me speaking to the cast before the sessions. I never allowed camera crews in the studio, but I’m awfully glad to have this.😊
November 15, 2025 at 5:56 PM
20 years ago today, I produced the New B’way Cast Album of #SweeneyTodd. It nabbed me my 6th Grammy nod (of 12). Ben Magnuson, who played Anthony (plus cello & piano), video’d me speaking to the cast before the sessions. I never allowed camera crews in the studio, but I’m awfully glad to have this.😊
Reposted by Tommy Krasker
This is me at 15. I’m a child.
I’m a CHILD.
I’m a CHILD.
November 15, 2025 at 2:17 PM
This is me at 15. I’m a child.
I’m a CHILD.
I’m a CHILD.
Day 15 #NoirvemberChallenge
#FilmNoir Character You'd Trust the Least with Your Secrets
That would be psychologist LILITH RITTER (Helen Walker) in Nightmare Alley (1947). Not really someone bound by the rules of doctor-patient confidentiality.
#FilmNoir Character You'd Trust the Least with Your Secrets
That would be psychologist LILITH RITTER (Helen Walker) in Nightmare Alley (1947). Not really someone bound by the rules of doctor-patient confidentiality.
November 15, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Day 15 #NoirvemberChallenge
#FilmNoir Character You'd Trust the Least with Your Secrets
That would be psychologist LILITH RITTER (Helen Walker) in Nightmare Alley (1947). Not really someone bound by the rules of doctor-patient confidentiality.
#FilmNoir Character You'd Trust the Least with Your Secrets
That would be psychologist LILITH RITTER (Helen Walker) in Nightmare Alley (1947). Not really someone bound by the rules of doctor-patient confidentiality.
Reposted by Tommy Krasker
Polls shows Americans approve of the deal to re-open the government by a wide margin
open.substack.com/pub/gelliott...
open.substack.com/pub/gelliott...
One way the shutdown deal might actually help Democrats
A plurality of voters approve of the deal to end the government shutdown. Democrats have an opportunity to claim they saved SNAP & other government programs, which could help repair the party's image
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Polls shows Americans approve of the deal to re-open the government by a wide margin
open.substack.com/pub/gelliott...
open.substack.com/pub/gelliott...
Reposted by Tommy Krasker
Poor Waldo is going to have to pretend he knows nothing about nothing…as usual
Epstein victims 'who have not spoken before' to fly to DC to confront Mike Johnson
Epstein victims 'who have not spoken before' to fly to DC to confront Mike Johnson
Victims of Jeffrey Epstein “who have not spoken [publicly] before” are poised to arrive in Washington, D.C. next week to put pressure on lawmakers amid fears that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) may use his authority to block an effort to force the release of files related to Epstein.The Epstein v...
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Poor Waldo is going to have to pretend he knows nothing about nothing…as usual
#LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched
1. Been looking for this for years. Didn’t disappoint. Tense & surprising.
2. Sophisticated romance. Edward Ellis (the original Thin Man) is a standout.
3. Via #filmnoirclub. A classic.
4. Gives noirs a bad name. I was three step ahead throughout.
#FilmSky 🎥
1. Been looking for this for years. Didn’t disappoint. Tense & surprising.
2. Sophisticated romance. Edward Ellis (the original Thin Man) is a standout.
3. Via #filmnoirclub. A classic.
4. Gives noirs a bad name. I was three step ahead throughout.
#FilmSky 🎥
November 14, 2025 at 3:56 PM
#LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched
1. Been looking for this for years. Didn’t disappoint. Tense & surprising.
2. Sophisticated romance. Edward Ellis (the original Thin Man) is a standout.
3. Via #filmnoirclub. A classic.
4. Gives noirs a bad name. I was three step ahead throughout.
#FilmSky 🎥
1. Been looking for this for years. Didn’t disappoint. Tense & surprising.
2. Sophisticated romance. Edward Ellis (the original Thin Man) is a standout.
3. Via #filmnoirclub. A classic.
4. Gives noirs a bad name. I was three step ahead throughout.
#FilmSky 🎥
They say it never rains in Southern California, but looks like we’re in for some stormy weather. So in that spirit, here’s a clip from #KnotsLanding Season 3, in which Lilimae cautions Val about Gary’s affair with Abby. The relevance will become clear by the end. 😊 @cbsknotslanding.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 3:44 PM
They say it never rains in Southern California, but looks like we’re in for some stormy weather. So in that spirit, here’s a clip from #KnotsLanding Season 3, in which Lilimae cautions Val about Gary’s affair with Abby. The relevance will become clear by the end. 😊 @cbsknotslanding.bsky.social