Author Archives: Jim Groom

I think it’s very interesting to examine just how much of an impact a simple hairstyle can have on a nation.  From Veronica Lake’s “hair over the eye” technique in the 1940’s, to what was so creatively dubbed “The Rachel” … Continue reading →

In class when we talked about the Hays Code, it reminded me of something I learned last year in a theatre class. I thought it was pretty interesting so I figured I’d mention it here!  Hooray!(?) There was a similar … Continue reading →

After today’s class, my view  of the book “The Glass Key” has changed completely.  I have never been able to analyze a book the way we did in class today, and it was interesting to break down the true meaning … Continue reading →

The beauty of Hammett´s The Glass Key is in the multiple possible readings of the details. While I was reading this book after discussing the homosexual hints in the movie I was hard-pressed not to think of José Donoso´s El … Continue reading →

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you my Magnum Opus: After Thoughts on the Hays Code. Now, some readers might be temped to ask: “Wait a minute, didn’t you just add some stupid youtube clip to a post you stole … Continue reading →

So this is my first time blogging ever, hence the title and Madonna reference. Madonna is appropriate, let’s talk about femme fatales, shall we?I get the appeal, I really do. Sexy, smart, alluring, dangerous, volatile, a smattering of all-American and … Continue reading →

We didn’t have time to delve too deeply into it in class, so I wanted to write my thoughts on The Glass Key’s ending here.  Given its open-ended nature, there are numerous plausible interpretations. Here’s what I came away with: It seems to me that the “open door” … Continue reading →

I confess I have never “blogged” before nor have I ever considered doing so.  I know I’m a greenie, but I figure that with everything I’ve learned to accomplish in my life (which in reality isn’t much) this should be … Continue reading →

The Glass Key features Ned Beaumont, who is tall, lean, mustachioed, tubercular, and a gambler – like his creator. He is not a detective, but a political fixer for construction magnate Paul Madvig, probably in Baltimore. The toughest of Hammett’s … Continue reading →

Ok, so after class I thought I’d investigate more into the “Hays” or “Production Code” set by the MPAA back in 1930. Anyway, incase this interests anyone else, I’ll just post the principles and my thoughts on some of them. … Continue reading →