Coming Attractions and General Blog Happenings

And now, in the latest edition of “blogging news you can use”:

There are two upcoming blogathons that we will be participating in that we want to bring to your attention (that is, if you haven’t already heard about them/signed up for them).

First, as we mentioned earlier this month, the TCM Summer Under the Stars blogathon is back for a second year. Hosted by our pals Jill (Sittin’ on a Backyard Fence) and Michael (ScribeHard on Film), this event will once again run concurrently with TCM’s annual SUTS celebration next month. You can find this year’s schedule on the TCM site. For more details on how to participate, check out the Fence. And remember, you can follow all of the blogathon news on Twitter.

In September, the blogs Movies, Silently and The Motion Pictures are co-hosting an event dedicated to the Gish sisters. This year marks the 101st anniversary of Lillian and Dorothy’s debuts on the silver screen, and the blogathon will celebrate not only the pair’s work together, but their respective solo films, including both silents and talkies. We are contributing a piece on Lillian’s 1926 film La Boheme, costarring John Gilbert. A solid lineup of bloggers are already signed up for this one–take a look at the roster of participants and the rules for the blogathon here.

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Beyond blogathons, there are a couple of new and exciting developments with some of our affiliated sites:

I had mentioned in February that I had been invited by Ivan (head cowpoke of Rancho Yesteryear) to contribute pieces on animation to ClassicFlix. Then the site went into several months of restructuring and redesign, and that plan was put on hold. Yesterday, the new ClassicFlix debuted in Beta, and it’s definitely worth checking out. My first piece for the site, an overview of early American animation through 1940, is now live, and a number of other interesting articles (from some familiar classic film blogging names) have also been posted.

I am pleased to announce that I will also be contributing regularly to the new site The Moviola. Co-founded by our friends Carley, Drew, and Jill (when does that woman sleep?), The Moviola focuses on providing fresh, insightful views on film, old and new. With reviews of recent theatrical and DVD/Blu releases, examinations of trends in film, and well-conceived opinion pieces, The Moviola is a must-read for movie fans. You can read my first contribution, a look at this year’s upcoming theatrical animation releases, now on the site.

Over the last two years, I have been honored to contribute to two big film countdowns over at Wonders in the Dark. In 2011, I wrote two pieces for the “Musicals” countdown, and last year I completed four articles for the “Comedy” countdown. This year, the focus is on Westerns, a genre I have been devouring quite a bit this past year, and I am pleased to be contributing a couple of pieces to that countdown when it commences next month on the site.

Last but not least, I also have a few recent reviews that have been posted over at Cinema Sentries, including a look at the recent Criterion release of the underrated 1956 Western drama Jubal. [On that note, have you taken advantage of Barnes & Noble’s fantastic 50% off Criterion Collection sale yet? It’s been extended through August 5th!]

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As you can see, things are getting busy ’round these parts. We have a few more reviews/posts on tap for July, and an awesome animated event planned for August that we’ll announce at the beginning of the month.

And keep an eye out for the upcoming announcement of a BIG contest to be held here at True Classics this fall to celebrate our upcoming fourth anniversary. We can’t wait to spring this one on y’all …