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In the early 20th century, the rise of Germany and the decline of the Ottoman Empire disturbed the long-standing balance of power in Europe, at the same time that unresolved territorial disputes and shifting alliances created rivalries and an arms race between the great powers. Growing tensions reached a breaking point on June 28, 1914, when the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated by an young Bosnian Serb revolutionary, who intended to free Bosnia and Herzegovina from Austro-Hungarian rule. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia, as the assassination team was helped by a Serbian secret nationalist group, and declared war in the following month. Russia immediately mobilised its troops in Serbia's defense, prompting Germany, who had an alliance with Austria-Hungary, to declare war on both Russia and its ally, France. The United Kingdom subsequently marched against Germany, leading to a widespread conflict.   Although the United States was a major s...

In movieland, the month of February is almost entirely dedicated to the Academy Awards, the industry's oldest and most prestigious awards ceremony. In anticipation to the 89th Oscars on February 26, every «Film Friday» this month will be about a Best Picture winner or nominee. This particular one also serves to honour Ronald Reagan's 116th birthday, which is next Monday. According to most critics, this is the best of his films. Directed by Sam Wood, Kings Row (1942) tells the story of five young people living in the small Midwestern town of Kings Row in the late 19th century. They are: Parris Mitchell (Robert Cummings), a medical student who lives with his grandmother; Cassandra Tower (Betty Field), the misunderstood daughter of Dr. Alexander Tower (Claude Rains); Drake McHugh (Ronald Reagan), a wealthy and fun-loving orphan; Louise Gordon (Nancy Coleman), the daughter of the sadistic town physician, Dr. Henry Gordon (Charles Coburn); and Randy Monaghan (Ann Sheridan), a tombo...

In honour of James Stewart's 108th birthday, which happens to be today, this week on «Film Friday» I thought I would bring one of his most iconic pictures. This was also the second of his films that I saw and remains one of my personal favourites. Directed by Frank Capra, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) begins when the untimely death of Senator Foley disrupts the plans of corrupt political boss Jim Taylor (Edward Arnold), who needed the senator's help to perpetrate a land swindle at Willet Creek. He controls the state's Governor, Hubert «Happy» Hopper (Guy Kibbee) and the state's beloved senior Senator, Joseph Paine (Claude Rains), who suggest a popular citizen and local Boy Ranger leader, Jefferson «Jeff» Smith (James Stewart) to fill the empty position. Smith is humbled and proud to be under the wing of Paine, who had known Smith's late father, a crusading journalist. Jeff and Paine travel to Washington, where the patriotic young senator is overwhelmed by hi...

Directed by Irving Rapper, Now, Voyager (1942) tells the story of Charlotte Vale (Bette Davis), an unattractive, overweight, repressed spinster whose life is brutally dominated by her tyrannical mother (Gladys Cooper), an aristocratic Boston dowager whose verbal and emotional abuse to her daughter has contributed to her lack of self-confidence. Fearing Charlotte is on the verge of a mental breakdown, her sister-in-law, Lisa (Ilka Chase), introduces her to psychiatrist Dr. Jaquith (Claude Rains), who recommends she spend some time in his sanatorium, Cascade. Under Jacquith's care, Charlotte regains some degree of self-confidence, improves her outward appearance, and treats herself to an ocean voyage to Brazil. Onboard the ship, she meets and falls in love with Jerry Durrance (Paul Henreid), an architect who is dutifully committed to an unhappy marriage for the sake of his young troubled daughter, Tina (Janis Wilson). Charlotte and Jerry have several romantic misadventures while ...