Frank Thompson
@fthomp.bsky.social
Writer and film historian, author of nearly 50 books and hundreds of articles. A TV writer and producer in a former life, a writer/director of documentaries. The voice of many audio commentaries on DVDs and Blu-rays. Two books - so far - coming in '25.
Coming soon. But not soon enough for me.
October 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Coming soon. But not soon enough for me.
In researching my book on the making of "Thunder Road" (1958), I've encountered several seemingly unsolvable mysteries.
But I never thought learning about Betsy Holt was going to be one.
Beyond this film, I can confirm she appeared in one TV episode and one play in New York. Beyond that, nothing.
But I never thought learning about Betsy Holt was going to be one.
Beyond this film, I can confirm she appeared in one TV episode and one play in New York. Beyond that, nothing.
August 17, 2025 at 4:56 PM
In researching my book on the making of "Thunder Road" (1958), I've encountered several seemingly unsolvable mysteries.
But I never thought learning about Betsy Holt was going to be one.
Beyond this film, I can confirm she appeared in one TV episode and one play in New York. Beyond that, nothing.
But I never thought learning about Betsy Holt was going to be one.
Beyond this film, I can confirm she appeared in one TV episode and one play in New York. Beyond that, nothing.
We had originally booked these guys to accompany "Beau Geste" at the TCM Festival but they apparently got a better gig. Which is just as well, because now we get to hear the music of the amazing Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.
April 24, 2025 at 9:28 PM
We had originally booked these guys to accompany "Beau Geste" at the TCM Festival but they apparently got a better gig. Which is just as well, because now we get to hear the music of the amazing Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.
Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood. April 28, 2025. See you there.
April 24, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood. April 28, 2025. See you there.
I'll be at the screening of the new restoration of "Beau Geste" (1926) on the closing night of the TCM Festival. If you see me there, stop and say hello.
April 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM
I'll be at the screening of the new restoration of "Beau Geste" (1926) on the closing night of the TCM Festival. If you see me there, stop and say hello.
The day I met Titanic survivor Eva Hart.
April 11, 2025 at 6:21 PM
The day I met Titanic survivor Eva Hart.
"Thunder Road" publicity shot with (l. to r.) Sandra Knight, Key Grip Jim Kirby, Script Supervisor Gana Jones, Mitchum, and Cinematographer Alan Stensvald.
I believe this was taken, not in Asheville, but on the duplicate interior set built at Hal Roach Studios in Hollywood
I believe this was taken, not in Asheville, but on the duplicate interior set built at Hal Roach Studios in Hollywood
March 15, 2025 at 12:14 PM
"Thunder Road" publicity shot with (l. to r.) Sandra Knight, Key Grip Jim Kirby, Script Supervisor Gana Jones, Mitchum, and Cinematographer Alan Stensvald.
I believe this was taken, not in Asheville, but on the duplicate interior set built at Hal Roach Studios in Hollywood
I believe this was taken, not in Asheville, but on the duplicate interior set built at Hal Roach Studios in Hollywood
Eight years ago, WNC Magazine asked me to list some notable movies made in NC. I didn't know then that I would eventually write a book about "Thunder Road." I had 3 1/2 others to write first.
March 12, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Eight years ago, WNC Magazine asked me to list some notable movies made in NC. I didn't know then that I would eventually write a book about "Thunder Road." I had 3 1/2 others to write first.
In 2011, my pal Craig Covner and I returned to the Imperial Dunes where the Forts Zinderneuf from four iterations of "Beau Geste" were filmed. This time, we brought along Kevin Brownlow, who took this photograph.
March 2, 2025 at 9:48 PM
In 2011, my pal Craig Covner and I returned to the Imperial Dunes where the Forts Zinderneuf from four iterations of "Beau Geste" were filmed. This time, we brought along Kevin Brownlow, who took this photograph.
My first book about the Alamo. Four more would follow. I have no good excuse.
February 23, 2025 at 4:06 PM
My first book about the Alamo. Four more would follow. I have no good excuse.
Director Herbert Brenon and cameraman J. Roy Hunt take a high angle view. "Beau Geste" (1926).
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
February 22, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Director Herbert Brenon and cameraman J. Roy Hunt take a high angle view. "Beau Geste" (1926).
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
Director Douglas Camfield on the set of his dream project, "Beau Geste" (BBC, 1982).
Read all about in MY dream project, "The Compleat Beau Geste."
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
Read all about in MY dream project, "The Compleat Beau Geste."
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
February 22, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Director Douglas Camfield on the set of his dream project, "Beau Geste" (BBC, 1982).
Read all about in MY dream project, "The Compleat Beau Geste."
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
Read all about in MY dream project, "The Compleat Beau Geste."
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
A sad farewell to the most beautiful woman in Puppetland.
R.IP. Lynne Stewart.
R.IP. Lynne Stewart.
February 22, 2025 at 3:13 PM
A sad farewell to the most beautiful woman in Puppetland.
R.IP. Lynne Stewart.
R.IP. Lynne Stewart.
This was where it all began. February 8, 1965.
If I hadn't seen the Wellman version on TV the day before and then read this book, my life would have turned out completely differently. Every aspect of it.
If I hadn't seen the Wellman version on TV the day before and then read this book, my life would have turned out completely differently. Every aspect of it.
February 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
This was where it all began. February 8, 1965.
If I hadn't seen the Wellman version on TV the day before and then read this book, my life would have turned out completely differently. Every aspect of it.
If I hadn't seen the Wellman version on TV the day before and then read this book, my life would have turned out completely differently. Every aspect of it.
Wild BIll Wellman cooling off between scenes of "Dangerous Paradise" (1930).
February 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Wild BIll Wellman cooling off between scenes of "Dangerous Paradise" (1930).
As I was gathering images for my magnum opus "The Compleat Beau Geste," few things gave me greater joy than finding photos of models of the various Forts Zinderneuf.
1982 BBC serial (courtesy Paul Joel)
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
1982 BBC serial (courtesy Paul Joel)
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
February 6, 2025 at 8:29 PM
As I was gathering images for my magnum opus "The Compleat Beau Geste," few things gave me greater joy than finding photos of models of the various Forts Zinderneuf.
1982 BBC serial (courtesy Paul Joel)
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
1982 BBC serial (courtesy Paul Joel)
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
As I was gathering images for my magnum opus "The Compleat Beau Geste," few things gave me greater joy than finding photos of models of the various Forts Zinderneuf.
1966 version.
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
1966 version.
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
February 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
As I was gathering images for my magnum opus "The Compleat Beau Geste," few things gave me greater joy than finding photos of models of the various Forts Zinderneuf.
1966 version.
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
1966 version.
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
As I was gathering images for my magnum opus "The Compleat Beau Geste," few things gave me greater joy than to find photos of the models of the various Forts Zinderneuf.
1939 version.
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
1939 version.
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
February 6, 2025 at 8:26 PM
As I was gathering images for my magnum opus "The Compleat Beau Geste," few things gave me greater joy than to find photos of the models of the various Forts Zinderneuf.
1939 version.
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
1939 version.
www.amazon.com/Compleat-Bea...
Five years ago today, Feb 6 2020, William Wellman Jr and I recorded the audio commentary for Kino Lorber's Blu-ray of William A. Wellman's "Beau Geste" (1939).
If you don't know how big a deal this was for me, we absolutely don't know each other.
We did it Wellman-style, too - one take.
If you don't know how big a deal this was for me, we absolutely don't know each other.
We did it Wellman-style, too - one take.
February 6, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Five years ago today, Feb 6 2020, William Wellman Jr and I recorded the audio commentary for Kino Lorber's Blu-ray of William A. Wellman's "Beau Geste" (1939).
If you don't know how big a deal this was for me, we absolutely don't know each other.
We did it Wellman-style, too - one take.
If you don't know how big a deal this was for me, we absolutely don't know each other.
We did it Wellman-style, too - one take.
My Christmas books from long, long ago.
December 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
My Christmas books from long, long ago.
I've been looking forward to this Blu-ray for months and now it's here. I'm a heppy, heppy ket.
November 24, 2024 at 4:48 PM
I've been looking forward to this Blu-ray for months and now it's here. I'm a heppy, heppy ket.
Coming in early 2025, "The Filming of Thunder Road" (tentative title).
An in-depth account of the filming of this iconic classic illustrated with more than 100 photos, most of which have never been published anywhere.
I may be biased, but this one is gonna be cool.
An in-depth account of the filming of this iconic classic illustrated with more than 100 photos, most of which have never been published anywhere.
I may be biased, but this one is gonna be cool.
November 16, 2024 at 3:14 PM
Coming in early 2025, "The Filming of Thunder Road" (tentative title).
An in-depth account of the filming of this iconic classic illustrated with more than 100 photos, most of which have never been published anywhere.
I may be biased, but this one is gonna be cool.
An in-depth account of the filming of this iconic classic illustrated with more than 100 photos, most of which have never been published anywhere.
I may be biased, but this one is gonna be cool.