TheArchive: Reviewing the Rare, Retro, and Restored

With Spring comes Passover , when Jewish families gather everywhere to remember a journey of freedom. It is a major Jewish holiday and a time to remember and meditate on the story of Exodus.  Known as Pesach in Hebrew, Passover is one of the most widely observed holidays in the Jewish tradition. It marks the biblical story of the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. For many observant Jews, a central part of preparing for Passover involves clearing their homes of all leavened foods, known as chametz , and refraining from eating them for the entire holiday week. In place of bread, they eat matzo , an unleavened flatbread symbolic of the Passover story. Tradition holds that the Israelites had to leave Egypt so quickly that there wasn’t enough time for their dough to rise. Another interpretation suggests matzo was simply more practical for a long journey through the desert, being lighter and easier to transport than typical bread. In 2025, Passover begins at sundown on April 12...

April Fools’ Day is almost here! If you come across news that seems too outrageous to be true, chances are it’s part of the long-standing tradition of pranks and hoaxes. Many well-known brands pour significant resources into elaborate April Fools’ marketing campaigns , rolling out fake products and services just for laughs. But how did this playful holiday begin, and what role does it play in comedy as a genre—especially in film? While its exact beginnings remain unclear, April Fools’ Day has been celebrated in different cultures for centuries. One of the most widely accepted theories traces the holiday back to 16th-century France, when the country switched from the Julian calendar, established by Julius Caesar, to the Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII. Under the Julian system, the new year was observed around April 1. However, some people slowly adapted to the change when the Gregorian calendar moved New Year’s Day to January 1. Those who continued celebrating the o...

The day after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of Christmas and Holiday movie marathons . Holiday films are an integral part of Christmas; they help set the tone for the holidays, foster community, and provide humor, warmth, and comfort during these cold winter months. Over the years, we have seen quite a transformation in holiday films, from the first-holiday film, a silent British film titled Santa Claus (1898) , directed by George Albert Smith, to the action-packed Violent Night (2022) that reimagines Santa Claus as a gritty, action-hero protector, holiday films are ever-evolving. Over the years, Christmas movies have seen significant changes , so let’s take a moment to explore how the genre has evolved. The wholesome, timeless classics like the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol , known as Scrooge , and 1994’s Miracle on 34th Street , reinforced belief in the spirit of Christmas, Santa, and magic, the importance of kindness and community. These films have become cherished traditi...