Author Archives:

A promotional peek behind The Librarian

This past weekend, I finally got around to watching the 3rd movie in The Librarian TV movie trilogy, The Librarian:  The Curse of the Judas Chalice (TV, 2008). It was released when I had moved overseas, so I never watched it when it aired on TV. It got me thinking about when a fellow librarian kindly sent me a package of promotional materials back when the 2nd of the series, The Librarian:  Return to King Solomon’s Mines (TV, 2006), was coming out. And I realized I hadn’t yet shared a peek at those materials on this blog.

Behold my personal file box of Reel Librarians ephemera (entitled “Librarian Stuff”):

Reel Librarians box

The folder peeking out behind the packet of saucy librarian postcards is full of those promotional materials for The Librarian. And here’s a closer look:

Reel Librarians: Promotional materials for The Librarian

Included in the packet is an excerpt from a comic book tie-in, write-ups of characters and artifacts “from the vault,” and my favorite item, Flynn Carsen’s passport:

Reel Librarians: Passport for The Librarian

My favorite details on the passport are the stamps — quite realistic-looking, no? — that reflect The Librarian’s past adventures. Plus, the bio that points out that he is “a bit awkward meeting women” but that he’s “a brave, resourceful, and (most importantly) smart hero.”

Have you watched the entire Librarian TV trilogy? Please leave a comment and let me know!

Also, click here for a fun collection of quotes from the trilogy.

Related articles

Reel librarians on the loose

Spring has sprung, which has definitely inspired me to be outside more. And that got me thinking about reel librarians never seen inside their libraries. I also mentioned this sub-category of reel librarian portrayals in a recent post that included a brief list of reel librarians whose professions are merely referred to, separated from their natural work habitats. Librarians in name only? ;)

Here’s to reel librarians on the loose!

Librarians on the loose
Click image for item details and sources

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

This Class II film and classic film noir features ex-convict “Doc” (Sam Jaffe), who plans a big jewelry heist immediately after getting out of prison. We learn in an early scene that he was made assistant librarian in prison, because he caused no trouble to  prison authorities. So library duty = good behavior in prison? Didn’t seem like Doc learned that lesson in real life.

At First Sight (1999)

This Class IV film highlights a brief cameo of a local librarian, played by the film director’s real-life wife. Although we see Nancy the librarian for only a few seconds out on the sidewalk while the main stars (Val Kilmer and Mira Sorvino) go for a quick stroll through town, the librarian’s spunky, chipper personality lasts much longer.

The Golden Child (1986)

In this Class III film, private detective Chandler Jarrell (Eddie Murphy) sets out to find the “Golden Child,” a Buddhist mystic who has been kidnapped by an evil sorcerer. Early on in a scene set in a nondescript building, a mysterious lady named Kala supplies Jarrell with information about the Golden Child and his quest. It is revealed that Kala is a librarian and a half-dragon lady over 300 years old (!). Although not the only not-quite-human reel librarian (see Necronomicon, Book of the Dead, 1993), she is quite memorable, even outside her Sacred Depository library.

Clicking here will take you to an audio clip of her brief scene.

The Handmaid’s Tale (1990)

In this dystopian Class II film, fertility becomes a rare commodity (literally), and fertile young women trained as Handmaids are treated as household slaves. Natasha Richardson plays a Handmaid, and we learn in one scene that she used to be a librarian.

Heart and Souls (1993)

This Class II film features Robert Downey, Jr., and his four guardian angels. Charles Grodin plays Harrison, one of the guardian angels, who we learn was a librarian in his past life. Although never seen in a library, he retains an uptight personality, buttoned-up tweed suit, and bow tie.

High School High? (1996)

This Class IV comedy includes a school librarian cameo as well as a fight scene set in the library — but not the two together! The librarian yells out unflattering insults (“You suck!”) to the main character, played by Jon Lovitz, in a couple of short scenes set in the school auditorium, but is nowhere to be seen when a fight breaks out in the school library. Who sucks now?!

The Last Supper (1995)

This Class III black comedy features a group of grad student roommates who kill off right-wing thinkers over dinner. A young librarian makes for a memorable victim. Her character is listed as “The Illiterate Librarian”… maybe she needed to spend more time in the library? ;)

Pride and Prejudice (1940)

This Class III film adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel changes Mr. Collins’s occupation from a clergyman to personal librarian to Lady Catherine de Burgh. Alas, no sight of the library of his esteemed patroness.

Rome Adventure (1962)

This Class I film starts out with an intense scene, in which librarian Prudence Bell (Pleshette) quits her job at Briarcroft College for Women after being reprimanded for recommending a “too adult” book to a student. After setting sail for Itality, Prudence does start working in a bookstore, but we never see her in an actual library.

That Touch of Mink (1962)

In this Class III comedy, Cary Grant and his friend, played by Gig Young, break into a motel room in order to find Doris Day and end up interrupting a romantic tryst between a librarian and her would-be lover. (What a strange line to write — but it does make sense in the context of the film!) One of the rare occasions a reel librarian is seen in states of undress.

This Happy Breed (1944)

This Class III drama follows one British family from the end of WWI through the start of WWII. Aunt Sylvia, a tiresome maiden aunt and whiny hypochondriac, lives with her brother’s family. Although declaring herself too ill to work time and again, we learn late in the film that Sylvia has been working at the library. This job is mentioned only in passing and is not a major plot point or scene setting.

The War of the Worlds (1953)

The main female lead in this Class II film is Sylvia Van Buren (Ann Robinson), who we learn teaches library science courses at a local university. But there’s no time for library science when Martians are invading Earth! So Sylvia teams up with the hero-scientist (Gene Barry) in order to defeat the aliens.

Related articles:

Naughty librarians vs. prison librarians: Who wins?

I think the answer to that question is:  We all do! This is a round-up of the most popular — and least popular — posts here on Reel Librarians. Out of 1.75 years and 189 posts so far (umm, wow), I recently took another look at my stats to see who’s ranking at the top… and the bottom. Who wins in this cage match-up?

Most Popular

First up, the all-stars:

Reel Librarians: Naughty Librarians (ladies, take it away)

This comes at no surprise, especially as variations on that phrase, naughty librarians, have raked in over 3,000 keyword hits and related views. This post, originally published a little over a year ago in March 2012, has itself garnered over 2,000 hits!

But be warned — if their romantic or sexual desires go unfulfilled, these Naughty Librarians often to turn to violent, or otherwise criminal or manipulative, means to get what they want. But that’s probably all part of the fantasy, right?

Reel Librarians: What's in a name screenshot

This post, published back in December 2011 and the second most popular post with over 500 hits, highlights my favorite reel librarian monikers. Is your favorite on the list? Bunny Watson for the win! ;)

Reel Librarians: Naughty librarians (boys' night out) screenshot

And not to be left out, the male Naughty Librarians had their say! Although not as popular as the ladies (see above), the boys are still quite popular, with almost 400 hits so far. Have you checked out the “men of the stacks” yet?

Reel Librarians: Beautiful libraries guest post screenshot

Last summer, my first-ever guest posts debuted on the blog. And this guest post by Beth from the Beautiful Libraries site, is still garnering its fair share of admirers, with over 340 hits. Drooling over lovely pictures of beautiful libraries is always time well spent.

Reel Librarians: Best librarian films by decade, part I, screenshot

And coming in with just over 300 hits, my first post outlining the best librarian films of the first half of the 20th century, published at the end of 2011, rounds out the top 5 most popular posts. Interesting that its counterpart, the best librarian films from the 1960s – 2000s, is not as popular, landing just outside the top 10.

Least Popular

There are still a fair number of posts with single-digit number of views. :( Here are the last — but not least! — of my posts, according to number of hits.

Reel Librarians: Soul and inspiration screenshot

Published way back in November 2011, I revealed the inspiration behind the whole shebang… which, apparently, only 6 people besides myself still know about. If you’ve become a regular reader recently, I guarantee you’ll find my long-term inspiration a little surprising.

Reel Librarians: Mistaken identity screenshot

Ingrid Bergman gets mistaken for a Spinster Librarian, and all she got was 6 views for her troubles?! Oh, and a Best Actress award from the New York Film Critics Circle. So, you know, keep it in perspective. ;)

Reel Librarians: Missed opportunities screenshot

Coming in with 5 views (so far), and third least popular post, is the (aptly) titled Missed Opportunities post, published in June 2012. I bet Angelina Jolie isn’t used to being so unnoticed.

Reel Librarians: In this reel librarian's life screenshot

This short post from last August highlights a reel librarian from the 2009 Filipino flick In My Life. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways… all the way to 5 hits.

Reel Librarians: Within the law screenshot

And the least popular post, mustering less than 5 hits so far, features the first-ever female prison librarian. This post’s still quite recent, published only this past March, so I’m hoping it will rise in the rankings. Will you show this (uncredited) prison librarian some hard-knocks love?

Related articles:

In the Bloomington stacks

I have a confession to make. I often watch films set on college campuses in hopes of spying a library and/or librarian. Academia = research = libraries, right? ;) Sometimes it works out (2002′s Abandon), and sometimes it doesn’t (see 1952′s She’s Working Her Way Through College). And the gamble did indeed pay off while watching the award-winning indie film Bloomington (2010) recently through Hulu.

*SPOILER ALERT*

The film, ostensibly set at the University of Indiana in the city of Bloomington, is a coming-of-age drama about a young woman, a former child actress on a hit TV show, who attends college in order to have a normal life. In her first semester, Jackie (Sarah Stouffer) falls in love with a female psychology professor, Catherine (Allison McAtee) – but also gets a chance to return to Hollywood. What will she choose?

BloomingtonLibraryStacks

The two central characters, Jackie (left) and Catherine (right), having a quiet (!) moment in the library

There are two scenes set in the college library, the first clocking in a little over a half-hour into the movie. There are several examples on my Master List of films that include sexy scenes set in libraries (see 1994′s Threesome, for example) — the same juxtaposition of sexy and serious underlies the Naughty Librarian character type, as well. And this is definitely a sexy scene,  albeit a short one rooted in the psychological “reversal of self-denial” theory. When Jackie comes across Catherine working on a scholarly article in a quiet space in the library, Catherine tries out her theory. The library as a place known for keeping quiet is the key to this scene.

Catherine:  So I figure if you’re so darn quiet when you don’t have to be [while making love in the privacy of Catherine's home], let’s see how quiet you can be when you absolutely have to. [leaning in to kiss Jackie]

Jackie:  Are you nuts? Stop.

Catherine:  Hold on to the desk. Trust me, you’re going to need it. Shhh, quiet.

They both stop short when they hear a sound (a pen dropping in surprise?), and Catherine flashes a mischievous grin.

Cured.

But things take a turn for the melodramatic when Hollywood beckons Jackie back, and Catherine’s and Jackie’s love affair is discovered. Turns out, professors aren’t supposed to sleep with their students, no matter their sexuality.

Side note:  Pay attention to those student and faculty manuals, y’all.

BloomingtonLibraryAttendantCloseup

At this point, I was thinking this would end up a Class V film — a library, but no sight of a librarian — but almost at the end of the film, there’s another library scene! As Jackie is preparing to leave Bloomington at the end of the spring semester, she brings in a huge stack of books into the library and up to the front counter.

The library attendant — most likely a student library worker — is quite young, with long blonde hair and a stylish white jacket. She is played by Megan Martz, seen at right.

Library Attendant:  Check out?

Jackie:  No, returning actually. I just want to make sure I’m not missing any.

And while this friendly library attendant is busy checking — and my heart sang at this small scene highlighting that yes, one must return one’s library books at the end of a semester! — Catherine enters the frame. She leans over the library counter to ask the clerk a question.

Catherine:  Hi, is the May edition of the journal in yet?

Library Attendant:  Give me one sec.

Catherine and Jackie catch up, as they are both leaving at the end of the term. The stack of books served as a framing device to separate the two ex-lovers, with the tall stack literally creating a barrier between the two. But as the clerk dismantles the stack, as seen below, the distance between them ceases.

What goes up must come down...

What goes up must come down…

Down come the walls of Jericho...

Down come the walls of Jericho…

Finally, the library attendant comes back with Catherine’s article. (By the way, don’t you love how this article links back to the earlier scene in the library, in which Catherine is writing said article?! :) )

Library Attendant:  Stark? One May edition of the Journal of Applied Psychology.

[Yes, that's a real journal. It's published by the American Psychological Association. I didn't even have to look that up! I work with psychology journals all the time.]

BloomingtonFrontCounter

And with a big, bright smile, the library attendant walks away, out of the frame and out of the picture, leaving behind a Class IV portrayal of a young, helpful Information Provider.

Related articles

Blackmail and the British Museum

My Irish counterpart, Colin @ Libraries at the Movies, posted some thoughts on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1929 film Blackmail a little over a year ago — and I’m just now getting around to rewatching this early Hitchcock film. Admittedly not his best film, it was a big commercial hit and was the first British sound film as well as the first example of sound dubbing. Blackmail also includes quite a few experimental touches and echoes of what would become Hitchcock trademarks, and the film features the Round Reading Room of the British Museum. The Round Reading Room — which, alas, was relocated in 1997 — was also the model for the Library of Congress Reading Room.

*SPOILER ALERT*

The final chase scene takes place in the British Museum, culminating in the Round Reading Room.

BlackmailBritishMuseumSign

Although no librarian is featured, landing this film in the Class V category, there are several shots of the library. These shots include a birds-eye view overlooking the famous vista, as well as some behind-the-bookcase chase scenes.

BlackmailBritishLibrary

BlackmailLibraryChase1

The finale is atop the library dome, and Hitchcock gets to show off his amazing visual style, silhouetting the blackmailer and the policemen scurrying across the dome. Finally, in his panic, the blackmailer falls through the dome. The policemen rush up and look over the shattered glass, where one can make out shapes of the round bookshelves far below.

BlackmailLibraryChase2

As a librarian, I did gasp out loud and shout at the screen, “No! He’s ruined the library!” Perhaps only a librarian would be so horrified at the thought of a body crashing through a library ceiling. I mean, imagine the gore and mess below with the library resources and furniture!

But that’s the genius of a good director. At his best, Hitchcock created suspense and horror by what he didn’t show.

BlackmailLibraryChase3

So why did Hitchcock feature the British Museum and the Round Reading Room? Colin makes a good case that:

“The library is significant because of where it is — the only way out is up, and up is where Hitchcock characters go to fall or jump off things. The director cares nothing for the library qua library.”

I agree, Hitchcock chose the library because of its visual impact — but what an impact! It’s a pretty powerful statement that the British audience watching this film would have felt immediately connected to the Round Reading Room — and even those American audience members who would have recognized the design behind the Library of Congress. It’s also a study in contrasts; the library’s history of tradition and conservatism is emphasized even more by being tainted by the blackmailer and the indignity of a police chase.

Although based on a play of the same title by Charles Bennett — who also penned some of Hitchcock’s best British films, including 1934′s The Man Who Knew Too Much, 1935′s The 39 Steps, and 1936′s Secret Agent — I have not been able to locate a full-text version of the original play to doublecheck the setting of the final act. The play, which according to Bennett himself was based on real life events, was a commercial flop in 1928 and starred Tallulah Bankhead. If you’re able to locate a copy of the original play, please let me know!

Related articles