Who Was Ma Rainey, and How Did She Inspire Bessie Smith?
Ma Rainey was one of the first commercially-successful female singers of the blues in American music. She became a friend and mentor to Bessie Smith because of her powerful performance style and…
How Did “North by Northwest” Achieve the Look of Filming on the Face of Mt. Rushmore?
The only authentic shots of Mt. Rushmore in "North by Northwest" are the ones looking at the monument from a distance. The shooting and subsequent ambulance scenes were filmed in the…
Was Vandamm’s “North by Northwest” House on Mt. Rushmore Real?
The house is not real. It was a combination of matte paintings and interiors constructed on sound stages at MGM. It is impossible to build something like a house on top of Mt. Rushmore, even…
In “North by Northwest,” Why is Thornhill Mistaken for Kaplan?
Thornhill accidentally answers to a bellhop calling out for a Mr. George Kaplan, which the antagonists overhear.
How Did “North by Northwest” Pave the Way for Future Action Films, Particularly the Bond Series?
North by Northwest introduced a multitude of cinematic concepts that have become staples in action films over the past few decades.
What is a Maguffin, and How Does “North by Northwest” Utilize One?
A maguffin is a common cinematic plot device in the form of some object or goal the characters pursue in order to move the plot forward.
What Does the Title “North by Northwest” Mean?
"North by Northwest" is a title that technically doesn't mean anything, but vaguely reflects the direction of the film's storyline.
In “Orphan Black,” Why is Alison’s Story Arc Largely Kept Separate From the Other Clones’ Intrigue?
Out of all the Leda clones on "Orphan Black," Alison Hendrix (Tatiana Maslany) makes a most unexpected and unusual impression. She’s someone who can be easily underestimated, often…
In “Orphan Black,” Will the Relationship Between Castor and Leda Clones Change Since They’re Related?
The male Castor clones (Ari Millen) have been a pain in the Leda clones’ (Tatiana Maslany) sides for much of "Orphan Black’s" new Season 3. For the most part, the Castor clones’…
In “Orphan Black,” Are Project Castor’s Male Clones Stealing the Limelight?
The last episode of "Orphan Black’s" second season made it very clear that the male Project Castor clones (Ari Millen) were going to be a bigger part of the show’s third season. As a…
Do the Project Names “Leda” and “Castor” Provide any Clues to the Clones’ Origins in “Orphan Black”?
At this point in "Orphan Black’s" third season, we still have more questions than answers (as expected). Despite the dark secrets and the increasingly complicated conspiracy, one thing…
In “Teen Beach Movie,” How Did They Achieve Style Differences Between the Two Time Periods?
The filmmakers captured the silliness of the 1960s on film to separate it aesthetically from shots during modern day.