A Noodle In A Haystack

Favorite Actresses: 1920 - 1960, Part I

2012-02-01T23:35:00.000-06:00

We're almost to the half-way point with my list of favorite classic actors, so I thought this would be a good time to start in on my favorite classic actresses. Maybe I should just finish out one list before I start on another, but after two long posts about the men, I think it's time we showed the girls some love, too. You'll notice that a lot of my favorite actresses are the ones who worked hard to prove that it isn't just a man's world we live in.

1. Debbie Reynolds (born 1932)
Favorite Movie: Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Favorite Role: too many to name
Comments: Debbie!!!!!!! I can't even begin to describe how much I love this woman. I mean, what's not to love? I dare you to criticize her... and after you've done that, you can meet me behind the barn: be prepared for a knock-down-drag-out fight. Debbie is everything that I love in an actress: bright and energetic and fully capable of doing drama as well as comedy. Her movies may not always be the best, but Debbie is always good.

2. Ginger Rogers (1911 - 1995)
Favorite Movie: The Major & The Minor (1942), or, Bachelor Mother (1939)
Favorite Role: Polly Parrish, Bachelor Mother (1939), or, Roxie Hart, Roxie Hart (1942)
Comments: From the early '30s to early '40s, Ginger was at the top of her game, popularity-wise as well as performance-wise. During that period, she mostly appeared in comedies, and even though I think she could handle the heavier stuff, there's no doubt in my mind that she's more appealing when she's being funny. With only a handful of exceptions, I have trouble watching Ginger's films from the mid-'40s onward. A big part of that is due to some unfortunate career choices that led her into the land of B-movies. I thought Barbara Stanwyck and Olivia de Havilland were great in these films, but if I'm only thinking of Ginger Rogers, then I have to cop to my disappointment that she turned down the lead roles in Ball of Fire and To Each His Own. If she'd taken those roles and turned down a few of the ones she'd accepted, such as Tom, Dick & Harry, Lady in the Dark, and Once Upon a Honeymoon, her career would have gone in a completely different direction. According to her autobiography, Ginger was also offered the role of Hildy in His Girl Friday, and if you ask me, turning that role down was probably the biggest mistake she ever made as far as her career was concerned. In 1940, Ginger appeared in two films that showed her in top dramatic form, Kitty Foyle, for which she won an Oscar, and the gritty Primrose Path. Her other film that year was the comedy Lucky Partners with Ronald Colman, and much as I love the two lead actors, the film itself is fairly unexceptional, and His Girl Friday would have been far better for her career. What it all boils down to is that I think Ginger was an excellent comedienne - she was never better than when she was cutting someone down to size - and a capable dramatic player, but once she reached the top, she just wasn't able to keep the momentum going and choose the right projects to keep her there. And yes, I know Huey is probably shoot death-glares at me right now, but I'd like to remind him that just because my love isn't blind doesn't mean it isn't true! [Yeah, there were a lot of negatives in that sentence, but I'm tired, so you sort them out.]

3. Barbara Stanwyck (1907 -1990)
Favorite Movie: Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Favorite Role: Elizabeth Lane, Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Comments: I know there are some people - who will remain unnamed - who have expressed distaste for Stany's acting (Dad, what are you thinking?!), but as for me, when I try to think of ways to describe her, the first word that comes to mind is a long, drawn-out, awe-filled, "Wooooow." Seriously, if you look up the word "actress" in a dictionary, this woman's name should be the definition. In her hands, a femme fatale (Baby Face, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers) was the most facinating of creatures, and a woman who lied to the whole country (Christmas in Connecticut, Meet John Doe) was someone to root for. Furthermore, everything I've read confirms that she was a pro, through and through: she always knew her lines and cues, as well as everyone else's, and she knew how to step back and let another actor have the spotlight when the scene required it. A woman like that is the dream of every cast and crew.

4. Ingrid Bergman (1915 - 1982)
Favorite Movie: Notorious (1946)
Favorite Role: every role she ever played
Comments: Another actress who fills me with awe. I mean, I think about her acting and find myself asking, "how does she do that?" Also, the woman was drop dead gorgeous. *sigh* Why can't we all be tall Swedish goddesses with luminous eyes and perfect bone structure? Why?!

5. Myrna Loy (1905 - 1993)
Favorite Movie: The Thin Man (1934)
Favorite Role: Nora Charles, The Thin Man movies, or, Millie Stephenson, The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Comments: There's not much I can say about Myrna Loy that hasn't already been said, but it all deserves to be said again, anyway. The most important thing to say is this: she's wonderful, she's delightful. One of the things that makes her so great to watch is that she always seems to be enjoying her roles so much. Whether it's comedy or drama, you can see right away that she loves it and gives the performance her all. I've seen some half-baked movies starring Myrna, but I've never seen her give a performance less than her best. And her best is so very good.

6. Ann Miller (1923 - 2004)
Favorite Movie: On the Town (1949)
Favorite Role: Lois Lane/Bianca, Kiss Me Kate (1953)
Comments: I love her so much. No matter what, I'm always excited when she appears onscreen because I know she'll always take the energy and pizzazz of a show up a couple of notches just by showing up. I also love to read about her or watch her in interviews because she seemed so amazing and wacky and fun to be around. She's definitely on my list of people I want to meet once my time machine is up and working. Meeting Ginger Rogers would be neat, but I could totally see myself just hanging out with Ann Miller.

7. Jane Powell (born 1929)
Favorite Movie: Royal Wedding (1952)
Favorite Role: Milly Pontipee, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
Comments: Go on and admit it: Jane Powell is just one of the cutest film actresses ever. In her early movies that works to her advantage, but it came back to bite her as she got older and as musicals went out of style. I certainly don't think she's on the level of someone like Greer Garson or Barbara Stanwyck as far as acting is concerned, but I think she could have done non-musical comedies quite well and lasted maybe another ten years or more in Hollywood. If the Powers That Be had just allowed her screen persona to grow up. In Royal Wedding and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (which probably contains the greatest performance of her career), she showed that she was capable of playing characters who were not only her own age but also more than the simple, cookie-cutter, goody-two-shoes characters she usually played. Given a chance, I think she could have done a fair job in westerns, too. Unfortunately, Hollywood has never been good at allowing child actors to grow up gracefully and take on more mature screen personas. People like Debbie Reynolds and Natalie Wood are exceptions to the rule.

8. Judy Garland (1922 - 1969)
Favorite Movie: For Me & My Gal (1942), or, Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
Favorite Role: Jo Hayden, For Me & My Gal, or, Esther Smith, Meet Me in St. Louis
Comments: There was I time when I didn't really care for Judy, but my appreciation of her has grown over the years and it continues to do so. I'm not one of those crazy fans who has her face plastered all over my wall and only listens to her music - I'm nowhere near that level of fandom, but I do love her very much. There's something very warm about her screen presence that just draws me in and puts me at ease. On a rainy afternoon or after a long day, there's nothing like a Judy film.

9. Vera-Ellen (1921 - 1981)
Favorite Movie: White Christmas (1954)
Favorite Role: Judy Haynes, White Christmas
Comments: Perfection in dancing shoes. Since this post from almost three years ago (eep! I still can't believe I've been blogging long enough to say that) is one of my most popular posts ever, I'm guessing you all already know how crazy I am about her. If you somehow missed out on this fact, go back and read the post. I still mean every word, and considering how my opinions tend to change (or at least shift a little) as time passes, that's really saying something.

10. Deanna Durbin (born 1921)
Favorite Movie: Lady on a Train (1945)
Favorite Role: Nikki Collins, Lady on a Train
Comments: There's no way to adequately describe Deanna Durbin. She is the essence of grace and elegance, but she's also incredibly funny and not at all afraid to look like a huge dork just to get a laugh. She's a warm and confident woman but also a playful and energetic girl. I'll always be sad that she left Hollywood, but more than that I'm actually happy for her. How many stars of her caliber are able to just walk away and lead normal lives? I'd like it if she'd been in more movies, but I recognize that she really was stuck in a stereotype and her full potential would never have been realized even if she'd stayed. Leaving so early also has another perk: she will never fade. My mind tells me that somewhere in France she has lived a happy life and grown old surrounded by her family, but in my heart she will always be the young and vivacious girl she was in her films.

11. Ruth Hussey (1911 - 2005)
Favorite Movie: The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Favorite Role: Elizabeth Imbrie, The Philadelphia Story
Comments: I've seen Ruth Hussey perform well in films like Tender Comrade (1943) and The Uninvited (1944), but she had already made it on my favorites list when I'd only seen her in The Philadelphia Story. She was so perfect as the pragmatic Liz that I just can't wrap my head around the idea of another actress playing the part.

Next up: Greer Garson, Katharine Hepburn, Doris Day, and many, many more.

All images via Dr. Macro's High Quality Movie Scans.

Favorite Actors: 1920 - 1960, Part II

2012-01-13T01:38:00.001-06:00

Here we are with round two of my favorite classic actors! In case you missed yesterday's post, I'm classifying classic actors by those who were at their peak professionally in the years between 1920 and 1960, while modern actors are between 1960 and 2012. Don't expect me to follow those classifications too strictly, though, because there are a bunch of actors who are hard to place. Follow this link to catch up on why I love Glenn Ford, Jack Lemmon, Clark Gable, and seven others.

^ With Gracie Allen.
George is the the one on the right.

11. George Burns (1896 - 1996)
Favorite Movie: The Sunshine Boys (1975)
Favorite Role: Al Lewis, The Sunshine Boys
Comments: Maybe the ultimate straight man, George Burns was the perfect foil for wife Gracie Allen's ditzy characters. Still, I always think of him as the funnier one. There's something about his straight face and dry delivery that hits my funny-bone - which is not as painful as it sounds. In The Sunshine Boys, Walter Matthau is delightfully over-the-top and hilarious, but I like Burns' performance best. He's still the straight man, but I find him incredibly funny. And unlike Matthau's sometimes outrageous character, Burns is very easy to relate to and even easier to love.

12. William Powell (1892 - 1984)
Favorite Movie: The Thin Man (1934)
Favorite Role: Jim Wade, Manhattan Melodrama (1934)
Comments: I love everything about Bill Powell - even the funny way he runs. I don't think you could ever call him handsome, in fact he was pretty funny-looking, but he's one of those actors who is so good that it really doesn't matter that his eyes were droopy and his mouth was weak. If anything, his weird looks helped him immensely. Many of his contemporaries were dismissed as pretty boys and typecast accordingly, but Powell was able to succeed on pure talent and charisma. Not that the others didn't have those things - it's just that a lot of them weren't taken seriously because they looked good too. Lucky for him, Powell didn't have that problem. Like I said, Powell's appeal lies in his acting, which just wouldn't be the same without those fantastic expressions.

13. James Stewart (1908 - 1997)
Favorite Movie: The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Favorite Role: Macaulay Connor, The Philadelphia Story
Comments: It's been speculated that Stewart's Oscar for The Philadelphia Story was sort of a consolation prize for not winning the year before for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). That may or may not be true, but his portrayal of Mike Connor certainly was a high point in his career. I might prefer Grant's performance in the same film to Stewart's, but I can't deny that Stewart deserved the Oscar, too. His Mike Connor is one of my favorite film characters, thanks to all of the little mannerisms and silent expressions that Stewart gave him. I don't really blame the Academy for overlooking Grant in favor of Stewart, either, because it was only after I'd seen The Philadelphia Story about a dozen times that I was able to look away from Stewart's exceptional work and see what Grant was doing in the background.

14. Humphrey Bogart (1899 - 1975)
Favorite Movie: To Have & Have Not (1944)
Favorite Role: Key Largo (1948)
Comments: Of all the actors who died too soon, I think I'm most disappointed that I'll never know what Bogart would have done in his later years. Would he have kept working, appearing in less and less worthy films? Or would he have retired while he was still in demand, like Cary Grant? I'm far from an expert on Bogart or his films, but I know enough to realize that he was one of the best we ever had. Sadly, I can only wonder what would have happened if he'd lived longer.

15. John Wayne (1907 - 1979)
Favorite Movie: Hellfighters (1968)
Favorite Role: George Washington McLintock, McLintock! (1963)
Comments: These days, the Western isn't really my favorite genre, but I was practically raised on them. After science fiction, Westerns were probably what my siblings and I watched the most. And how can you watch Westerns without getting to know John Wayne? He's practically synonymous with the genre! In McLintock!, he was able to do a Western with a comedic twist, which is always my favorite option... unless you go far in the other direction and go for true grit (ha!), that is. More than just playing with the genre, though, McLintock! gave Wayne a chance to show that he really could act. I almost always like Wayne in the roles he played, but I always like him best when he plays fathers. There's a particular scene in McLintock!, when he's talking to his daughter about what he's going to leave her when he dies, that I've always loved. Even when I was a little girl, I thought that was a stand-out scene. It's not just that the scene and his words are well written but also that Wayne delivers the lines and conveys the emotions so well.

16. Errol Flynn (1909 - 1959)
Favorite Movie: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
Favorite Role: Robin Hood, The Adventures of Robin Hood, or Jean Picard/Emil DuPont, Uncertain Glory (1944)
Comments: It's pretty weird to talk about people like Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne and then bring up Errol Flynn because he's about as far away from those two as you can get, both as a person and as an actor. Flynn isn't an actor who is easily likened to others, though. Oh sure, you can mention other swashbuckling heroes, but while the roles they played might be similar, Flynn always had his own way of doing things. Take Tyrone Power: his characters in The Mark of Zorro (1940) and The Black Swan (1942) are just the sort that Flynn would've been perfect for, but if he'd played those parts, we'd have totally different movies. Why? Because the actors are totally different. Flynn is totally different. True, he had a tendency to glare his eyeballs out when he tried too hard, but most often his natural charm and incredible energy gave him an ability to tread that line between laid-back and intense that was necessary to so many of his roles. If there's one actor that I can liken Flynn to, oddly enough, it would be Clark Gable because, like him, Flynn wasn't the best actor, but he was far better than anyone gave him credit for. He's one of those actors I mentioned while discussing William Powell: most of his popularity was attributed to his looks, so his talent was too often dismissed. What's even sadder than the lack of appreciation he received in the past and even now, is that Flynn bought it, too, and he never really had confidence in his own skill, which is why I think he sometimes overcompensated.

17. Kirk Douglas (born 1916)
Favorite Movie: The Man from Snowy River (1982)
Favorite Role: Len Merrick, Along the Great Divide (1951), or Harrison/Spur, The Man from Snowy River
Comments: I readily admit that I've seen way too few Kirk Douglas movies, but I don't have to have seen many to recognize the man's talent. Talk about intensity! Seriously, if there was one man in the world who could kill with one look, it would be Kirk Douglas. Also, that voice! I could listen to him read the phone book. There are voices that I like better, but he can put so much emotion into a few words, it's amazing. If anything could make me love Cat Ballou (1965) more, it would be if Kirk Douglas had played Kid Shelleen. Now that would be perfection on film. Just sayin'.

18. Ray Milland (1905 - 1986)
Favorite Movie: The Major & the Minor (1942)
Favorite Role: Major Phillip Kirby, The Major & the Minor, or, Sir Hugh Marcy, Kitty (1945)
Comments: I like actors who can do the dramatic stuff. Even more, I like actors who can handle comedy. If an actor can do both, he's a winner in my book. So there's no way I could leave Milland off this list. He was equally adept at both comedy and drama, and he was also a master of combining the two elements. He was especially good at playing dashing rogues: all charm and flattery but with an undercurrent of intensity and darkness. In Kitty, his character really is scum, but thanks to Milland's portrayal, it's understandable why the heroine falls for him.

19. Gary Cooper (1901 - 1961)
Favorite Movie: Ball of Fire (1941)
Favorite Role: Jess Birdwell, Friendly Persuasion (1956)
Comments: Although I like Gary Cooper, I rarely find myself wowed by his acting. When he's cute and funny, as in Ball of Fire, I think it's adorable, but I'm not swept up in the moment by him. Even in High Noon (1952), he doesn't really blow me away, even though I think he's solid in the role of Marshal Will Kane. In Friendly Persuasion, though, I have to say: I get it. It's kind of easy for me to imagine other actors in Ball of Fire or High Noon, but not in Friendly Persuasion. Jess Birdwell was a role that I can only see Cooper in because I can't see any other actor displaying the same warmth and humor. There are other actors who could play the role, sure, but not with the quiet strength that Cooper had, not with the same ability to show just how much Jess Birdwell loved his family and longed to protect them. I'm a sucker for an actor who can play a husband and father with complexity and humanity and who can make me believe in the love and sense of responsibility for his family that he carries with him every minute of the day, during good times and bad. Of all the actors who have played this kind of role, Cooper did it best.

20. Walter Pidgeon (1897 - 1984)
Favorite Movie: Week-End at the Waldorf (1945)
Favorite Role: Col. Edward W. Hall, Sr., The Rack (1956)
Comments: I had to think hard to figure out how to explain why I love Walter Pidgeon. Unlike the other actors on my list, there's nothing about him that immediately inspires words of adoration and nothing in his career that provides for an interesting social commentary. I got to his name on the list and actually had to ask myself, "Why do I like him?" And for a few minutes, I honestly couldn't think of one thing that makes him stand out from the crowd and puts him on my list of favorites. I just knew I liked him. So I started thinking about the roles that he played, and there aren't that many movies that I think of as real stand-outs for him, performance-wise. The biggest exception, I think, would be his role as Col. Hall in The Rack. That movie was filled with talented actors - it even has my beloved Paul Newman - but Pidgeon is the standout, as a man devoted to the military who realizes too late how much he lost in his relationship with his son. Pidgeon plays Col. Hall with such humanity that the harsh military man is, well, human. I might not always like him, but I sympathize with him: I see the pain that is hidden underneath that rough exterior, and I recognize that he's as broken and helpless as his son. Thinking about The Rack, I realized that this is what I love about Walter Pidgeon: whether he was the tough-love colonel, the determined reporter, or the dedicated company man, he always brought a humanity to his roles that I could relate to. He's like the anti-Marlon Brando. Someone like Brando can wow you with his technique, but his acting lacks that humanity that is needed for me to connect with an actor. Pidgeon, on the other hand, wasn't always the most impressive actor, but he was always human.

Part III is on its way, along with Robert Montgomery, Henry Fonda, and the always delightful Roland Young. So don't turn that dial!

Favorite Actors: 1920 - 1960, Part I

2012-01-09T19:16:00.002-06:00

Last time I posted this list, I limited myself to naming only 20 actors, and it was pretty difficult. Well, this year, I realized that cutting my list to include only 20 would be downright impossible. So I'm not doing it. The result is a long, long list of around sixty names, so I'm planning to split my favorite classic actors list into several posts - otherwise you'd get really bored and lose brain cells while trying to read through my list, especially since I'm writing up comments on each actor this year.

It's a little weird, but while I tend to notice and love actresses more, my "Favorites" list for actors is way longer. Why is that? Could it be that I'm more discriminating concerning my own sex? Talk about double standards! I'll have to think on that one.

Anyway, here's the general idea of what I'm planning to do with this over the next couple of months: I'll be posting lists of my favorite classic actors and actresses (who I categorize as those whose peak years were between 1920 and 1960), as well as separate lists of my favorite modern actors and actresses (who are categorized as those whose peak years were between 1960 and 2012). Unlike when I did these lists two years, ago, I'm breaking up classic and modern. Turns out, in the past couple of years I've come to love about 50+ more favorite actors and actresses, making condensed lists impossible to make. I'm not even trying because I know I'd just end up with a whopping headache for my troubles.

While looking at this list, please keep in mind that the names aren't in any order (with the exception of the top two), and this list also changes all the time, so it's nothing definite. Click on the links to read my reviews of the films mentioned.

1. Glenn Ford (1916 - 2006)
Favorite Movie: The Mating of Millie (1948), or, The Gazebo (1959)
Favorite Role: Ben Wade, 3:10 to Yuma (1957)
Comments: Glenn Ford is probably the most natural actor I've ever seen. Watching him is always relaxing because he never looks like he's straining himself: every word and movement seems to come so easily and naturally. By the time he made 3:10 to Yuma with Van Heflin, he was well established as "the nice guy," but in his one truly villainous role, Ford showed everyone that he was capable of going far beyond the nice guy persona. As Ben Wade, he's delightfully evil, and you can tell that he's loving every minute of it.

2. Van Heflin (1910 - 1971)
Favorite Movie: Johnny Eager (1941)
Favorite Role: Sam Masterson, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946), or, Mark Dwyer, East Side, West Side (1949)
Comments: Honestly, Van Heflin and Glenn Ford are always battling it out for my favorite actor. They both had very different approaches to acting, so it's hard to compare them, and I'm always switching back and forth between the two. As you might expect, watching them together in 3:10 to Yuma is like a dream for me. Also, I think it's interesting that my favorites of Van Heflin's roles are from the movies where he starred opposite Barbara Stanwyck. Coincidence? Maybe not. Stany always had a way of bringing out the best in the actors around her.

3. Cary Grant (1904 - 1986)
Favorite Movie: The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Favorite Role: C.K. Dexter-Haven, The Philadelphia Story
Comments: Much as I love James Stewart in The Philadelphia Story, if I were in charge of awarding the Oscars that year, you'd better believe I would've given it to Cary Grant. He has a less showy role, that could have been a little on the dull side if casting had been different, but he gave so many layers to C.K. Dexter-Haven that I can't help but think he was cheated when he wasn't even given a nomination.

4. Gregory Peck (1916 - 2003)
Favorite Movie: The Big Country (1958)
Favorite Role: James McKay, The Big Country
Comments: Gregory Peck is one of those actors I'm never going to get over. I'll admit that I have a lot of affection for him because he reminds me so much of my grandfather, but mostly I like him because he's such an amazing actor. The Big Country is full of stellar performances by an impressive cast, but even all together, they can't compare to Peck's pitch-perfect portrayal of the quietly steadfast James McKay.

5. Clark Gable (1901 - 1960)
Favorite Movie: Love on the Run (1936)
Favorite Role: Jeff Williams, Forsaking All Others (1934)
Comments: Gable isn't the best actor, but he deserves more credit than he's usually given. He's mainly remembered for his roles in It Happened One Night (1933) and Gone With the Wind (1939), but I find him most appealing as the loyal man who loves Joan Crawford silently in Forsaking All Others. It's a far cry from his usual, abrasive, fast-talking persona, which is refreshing, and it makes me sorry that he didn't play this sort of character more often. Like Cary Grant in The Philadelphia Story, Gable's role isn't very showy, but he adds "unsuspected depth."

6. Fred Astaire (1899 - 1987)
Favorite Movie: Royal Wedding (1951)
Favorite Role: Ted Hanover, Holiday Inn (1942)
Comments: You might not have noticed yet, but I love it when an actor plays against type successfully. On the surface, his role in Holiday Inn doesn't seem like a far stretch from his usual, charming and well-meaning characters. When you think about it, though, there's no denying that Ted Hanover was a real stinker, and Astaire makes me love to hate him.

7. Gene Kelly (1912 - 1996)
Favorite Movie: Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Favorite Role: Harry Palmer, For Me & My Gal (1942), or Serafin, The Pirate (1948)
Comments: I love Gene Kelly musicals with an almost ridiculous passion, but I'll be the first to admit that he rarely gives especially noteworthy performances in them. In most of his films, his natural charm and powerful dancing carried him, and most of his roles are easily interchangeable: Joe Brady could have been in Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949) just as easily as Anchors Aweigh (1945). If Astaire always played the nice guy who was mistaken for a cad (think Top Hat and The Gay Divorcee), then Kelly always played the guy who really was a cad and then turned into a nice guy. That type of character might as well have been created just for him: he played it more times than I can count. However, in For Me & My Gal and The Pirate, two musicals whose greatest charms are in the scripts and not just the musical numbers, Kelly got to play the two extremes of that same character, and he's at his best as an actor. The Pirate is pure comedy, and Kelly dives in completely: as the outlandish, cowardly Serafin, he's instantly charming and lovable beyond belief. On the other hand, in For Me & My Gal his Harry Palmer is darker and much harder to like, however, as the film goes on, Kelly makes him someone that you love and hate simultaneously. Serafin is a favorite character because he's so entertaining: Harry Palmer is a favorite because Kelly's acting is unusually powerful.

8. Tony Curtis (1925 - 2010)
Favorite Movie: The Great Race (1965)
Favorite Role: Harry Houdini, Houdini (1953)
Comments: I actually think of Tony Curtis as being a lot like Gene Kelly, and it's not just because they had similar onscreen personas. He may not have been an outstanding dancer, but, like Kelly, Curtis was a master of farce who was also capable of much more. Note: Curtis was hard to place because he was at his highest career-wise throughout the '50s and the '60s, so I made a command decision and placed him in this category.

9. William Holden (1918 - 1981)
Favorite Movie: The Moon is Blue (1953)
Favorite Movie: Born Yesterday (1950)
Comments: I may be in love with Holden's voice, but I think his expressive face is what makes me love him so much. He's one of those actors who can say as much with a glance as he can with a long and glorified speech. I like actors like that.

10. Jack Lemmon (1925 - 2001)
Favorite Movie: The Apartment (1960)
Favorite Role: C.C. Baxter, The Apartment
Comments: I can't think of any actor who embraced comedy as joyfully as Jack Lemmon. There are countless actors who can send me into a fit of uncontrollable laughter, but Lemmon is probably my favorite funnyman. He could and did do everything from playing an obsessive neat-freak to dressing drag and dancing with a rose between his teeth - all the while, still managing to keep his characters relatable and human: that not only takes a great comedian, it takes a great actor.

Stay tuned for Part II, which will include John Wayne, William Powell, more thoughts on James Stewart winning an Oscar for The Philadelphia Story, and much, much more!

All images via Dr. Macro's High Quality Movie Scans

Favorite Quotes: Bob Fosse

2012-01-09T09:55:00.000-06:00

"The time to sing is when your emotional level is just too high to speak anymore, and the time to dance is when your emotions are just too strong to only sing about how you feel." - Bob Fosse

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Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

2011-12-22T20:02:00.003-06:00

There are two significant reasons why Christmas in Connecticut is one of my favorite holiday films, as well as being one of my favorite films, period. The first reason is that, while it’s a Christmas movie and it definitely evokes the holiday spirit, it doesn’t veer into overly-sentimental territory (I don't know about you, but when a film does that, my first instinct is to gag). This is largely thanks to the fact that Christmas is really just a plot device to bring the characters together so that the fun can begin. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the best Christmas movies are the ones that don’t rely on Christmas for their appeal and can be watched all year ‘round. The second reason is that this movie has one of the best film heroines you will ever find.

The story follows a classic rom-com formula: heroine tells an innocent lie that turns into something bigger; heroine meets hero, who believes the lie, but she can't tell him the truth for one reason or another; misunderstandings are cleared up in the final act, and everyone lives happily ever after. Not an original storyline, true, but, as always, it's all about execution, and Christmas in Connecticut has enough charm and wit to make the old story seem fresh and original. Another thing it has going for it is one of the best heroines in the history of film.

Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck) is a modern, independent woman. To the world, the column she writes about her Connecticut farm, growing family, and culinary prowess is gospel truth, but to her it's just fiction. The truth is that she lives in a small apartment in the city, and she can't cook to save her life: she gets all her recipes from her good friend Felix (S.Z. Sakall). She has no problem deceiving the public: for her, this is just the way she makes her living.

Problems arises, however, when the magazine’s publisher, Alexander Yardley (Sydney Greenstreet) – who is unaware of her deception and a stickler for the truth, to boot – decides that she should play host to him and war hero Jefferson Jones (Dennis Morgan) over the Christmas holiday. Now Elizabeth needs a farm, a husband and a baby – and fast!

Silliness ensues of course, especially when Elizabeth starts falling for Jeff, who spends all but the final ten minutes of the movie thinking that she’s married. I’m always amazed by just how twisted the humor and romance are every time I watch this movie. On one hand, I’m seeing it from her perspective: she’s single, her heart is unattached – why shouldn’t she flirt with the handsome naval officer? But on the other hand, I’m seeing it from his perspective: this woman is married with a baby but she openly flirts with him and encourages his growing affection. It’s enough to confuse even me.

As for Elizabeth, she’s one of my favorite heroines ever because, at all times, she holds her destiny in her own hands. Sure, she’s lying, but she could tell the truth at any time, and when she finally does, she doesn’t shrink away from the consequences – she embraces them without hesitation. She’s got four men twisted around her little finger, and she knows it. She actually enjoys her little ruse while it lasts, but the minute it stops being harmless and she realizes how hard she’s fallen for Jeff, she puts a stop to it. Unlike the more common kind of “heroine” that I hate with a passion, Elizabeth doesn’t need her hero to rescue her from marriage to her boorish fiancé (Reginald Gardiner): she can do it herself, thank you very much!

I love the way this character is written, and I adore the way Stanwyck portrays her: sure, she’s not perfect, but she’s got brains to spare, and she’s not about to sit back and wait for anyone else to make the first move. It’s satisfying to see a heroine who is so completely free of misguided logic and so completely in control of her own life. Score one for feminism!

Made in an era when women and most movie heroines were still learning to value themselves with or without a man, Christmas in Connecticut is a breath of fresh air because it shows us a woman who doesn’t rely on a man to guide her or to clean up her mess. Sure there’s a love story in there – and I love it – but for me, this movie is all about Elizabeth’s decision to live the way she wants to and never settle for second best. It's only after she's taken responsibility for her deception and become a woman who values herself that Elizabeth is ready and able to start a real relationship with Jeff.

This is what I love about Barbara Stanwyck: she can take a potentially selfish, unrelatable character like Elizabeth Lane and make her into a woman that I not only root for but admire wholeheartedly. There’s no doubt that Elizabeth’s appeal owes something to screenwriters Lionel Houser and Adele Comandini, but it’s Stanwyck who makes her so great. And this isn’t the only time she’s made such a tricky character admirable: remember Ball of Fire, which was made just a few years earlier? Stanwyck, who embodied what it meant to be a woman with power and confidence, was a true woman’s actress if there ever was one.

Christmas in Connecticut’s message about an independent woman is still relevant today, too. You might hear that being a self-sufficient woman is the norm these days, but there will always be women who measure their self-worth by whether or not they have a man. If you try to tell me you don’t know any women like that, someone’s lying and you’re falling for it. The sad thing is, most of these women don’t even know what they’re doing to themselves, and it’s a mindset that can only bring trouble in the future, when they realize that simply having a man is not the magic solution to everything.

There are a lot of movie heroines who have fallen prey to this way of thinking. Like a woman in the real world, she’ll fool herself and you into thinking that she doesn’t need a man to consider herself valuable, but the minute she finds a man and loses him, you realize just how wrapped up she was in that him, to the point that now she no longer cares what happens to her or who she marries. I’m looking at you, Penny Carrol of Swing Time (1936).

Although the end of Swing Time is funny, it always burns me up inside that Penny becomes a doormat in the final act of the film and needs to be “rescued” from her marriage by Lucky. I’m not blaming Ginger Rogers for this – there’s no way an actress can make this plot device a good thing. No, the fault is all on the screenwriters Howard Lindsay and Allan Scott. Way to take away a woman’s agency, guys. Also, points for perpetuating the idea that a woman’s whole happiness depends on having a man. Eat dirt.

All this brings me back to Elizabeth Lane. She has the chance to settle, which she almost takes, but when she meets Jeff, she’s reminded that there are better men out there and that she deserves to be happy. I love that even when she thinks that Jeff is already engaged, and therefore out of her reach, she still breaks it off with her fiancé and prepares to strike out on her own. She may have initially changed her mind because she found a better man, but she was prepared to stick with her decision because she’d realized that settling is never the right choice.

Looking back at all I’ve written, I’m more than a little surprised that a seemingly simple Christmas comedy has gotten over a thousand words out of me. The truth is, I’ve never considered Christmas in Connecticut so critically before. For me, it’s always been a comedy that makes me laugh, and nothing more, but it makes sense that, after giving it serious thought, I’ve found there’s more to it than meets the eye. I’ve always said that the best comedies are the ones that can touch your heart or make you think when you didn’t expect to, so it’s no wonder Christmas in Connecticut was one of my favorites even before I really thought about its message.

Christmas in Connecticut is not a serious film, though, so don’t shy away from it. If you’re in the mood for a sparkling comedy with excellent characters and dialogue: this is the movie. If you want a film to ease you into the Christmas season without hitting you over the head with saccharine sentiment: this is the movie. And if you want to see a capable heroine in place of a shrinking violet: Elizabeth Lane is the heroine, and Christmas in Connecticut is the movie.

This review is part of Sally’s 12 Days of Christmas blogathan. She’ll be posting the full list of reviews on Christmas Eve, so head over to her blog, Flying Down to Hollywood.

This Gun for Hire (1942)

2011-11-29T14:03:00.000-06:00

There's something about this time of year that makes me want to watch more film-noir. It's strange because when it comes to noir, I'm a pretty light-weight viewer, but I've already seen two in the last week and I'm craving more. There's just something about the moody photography and sharp dialogue that fits so perfectly with a cold winter night and a mug of hot chocolate.

My first noir this winter was This Gun for Hire, a film that kind of breaks my heart because it had so much potential. You've got a hard killer (Alan Ladd), who shows tantalizing snatches of humanity in the first half of the picture; a cute and savvy nightclub singer (Veronica Lake); and Lake's fiancé, who also happens to be the cop assigned to bring Ladd to justice.

The first half of the film was easily the best: the story moved along at a brisk pace, the characters and relationships were set up quickly and acted well, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen when everyone started getting mixed up in each other's business. I especially wanted to see the development of the relationships between the leading trio. This is the only time I can remember actually wanting a love triangle in a story. Usually I think a love triangle is just a waste of time, but this one actually had a lot of dramatic potential.

So here's what I wanted to happen: Ladd and Lake's respective missions get mixed up together as they realize a mutual attraction and she starts to thaw his cold personality, but she's conflicted because of her love for Preston; slowly she starts protecting Ladd from Preston, while, at the same time, trying to convince Ladd to turn himself in. Jealousy, betrayal, heartbreak. That's what I wanted. What I got was Ladd turning into a tortured little boy, sapping out all of the dramatic tension that had been built up in the first half of the film.

It would be easy to blame Ladd for the downturn in quality, since he goes from a reasonably good portrayal to an embarrassing display of overacting. I'm heaping all my scorn on screenwriters Albert Maltz and W.R. Burnett, though. It's seems they felt the audience should know why Ladd's character is the way he is, when the truth is that I was only interested in what he could be in the future. I didn't give two hoots about his past, but I ended up sitting through Ladd's overacted exposition anyway. From there, the character of Raven lost all of the intensity that had so fascinated me before. I curse the minute that Ladd and Lake went into that shack! True, that wasn't where the story really started to go wrong, but it's where his character really lost it.

Oh, yeah. I also blame director Frank Tuttle for not reining Ladd in during that final half. The first half of the movie had shown he was capable, but something happened in the middle. That change in the character could never be good, but it would have been better if Ladd hadn't suddenly changed his approach to the character. I think I might have gotten whiplash from that quick turn-around.

And the relationship between the three leads? It went nowhere, and I mean nowhere: not the Sahara, not Iceland - shoot, they didn't even go to Smallville. They just stayed there in the land of the Undeveloped, and by doing so, they started to lose interest for me. The only character that actually grew or changed in any way was Raven, and, although I may take issue with how quickly he changed and what he turned into, I see what the screenwriters were going for. I just think it could've been done so much better.

I don't think Lake was a necessarily good actress, but the times that I've seen her, she's been adequate. She just never seems to put in that extra effort and make me relate to her, and I think she mostly depends on her charisma - which does have a strange attraction - to carry her through her movies. Oddly, I think her character in This Gun for Hire was the only one that wasn't stabbed in the back by Maltz and Burnett. While she didn't get as much conflict or development as I would have liked, she was consistently smart and relatable. Well... okay, I'll admit that I'm ignoring her final line at the very end of the movie. That just seemed to out of place.

If Ladd was given too much development (such as it was), and Lake wasn't given enough, Robert Preston was downright ignored. A potentially compelling character was reduced to a plot device, and a very good actor was wasted. Oh, the thought of what could have been! How much would I have loved to see Preston fight to keep his girl's heart instead of just her life? But, no, he was given nothing to do but play the big, perfect hero - no emotional conflict necessary for that. Grr. The thought that they had Preston and didn't use him properly just burns me up inside. Despite the lack of conflict, Preston probably gave the most reliable performance of the three actors, though. He worked with what he had, which wasn't much, and he didn't change gears halfway through. His performance was solid but mostly unremarkable if not for the fact that I know he could have been amazing, and, no, this is not an instance where an actor could've put in a little more effort to steal the show - he wasn't given enough screen time for that! Grr. I may need to go watch The Music Man (1962) for the five-hundredth time, just to ease my sense of injustice. Hey, any excuse, right?

As I said in the beginning of this (very long) review, This Gun for Hire breaks my heart with all of its untapped potential. A much more compelling story could have been told in the same amount of time. I certainly don't regret watching this film; I actually thought during the first half that it was on its way to being exceptional. Still, that last half was downright painful at times, so I'll try to remember all of the good things and forget the rest.

All images via Doctor Macro.

Something Borrowed (2011)

2011-10-03T21:46:00.000-05:00

This afternoon I sat down to watch this movie with my sister. Knowing the main plot of the story in advance, we really weren't expecting much, but we were hoping for a good time at the least. I think the best thing this movie had going for it was the person I was watching it with. My sister and I laughed at all the same moments, and we cringed and cried out in horror at the same moments too.

Since I came to this one late - it's been out for months now - I'm pretty sure most of you know the plot, but I'll give a quick recap anyway. By the way, if you haven't seen it yet, be aware that this review will contain spoilers. Many, many spoilers.

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The movie begins with Rachel's (Ginnifer Goodwin) 30th birthday party, where it becomes instantly clear to the viewer that her best friend, Darcy (Kate Hudson), is always the center of attention. Oh, yeah, and she's completely full of herself. And she's engaged to Rachel's dream-man, Dex (Colin Egglesfield). By the end of the night, Rachel is feeling generally depressed and dissatisfied with her life, which is far from being the way she wanted it, and she ends up telling Dex about the serious crush she had on him when they were in law school. The next morning, they wake up in bed together, and thus begins the train wreck that is Something Borrowed.

The first five minutes were painful, the next forty-five were amusing and frustrating at the same time, and the last half of the movie was pretty much a disaster. I liked most of the main characters at the beginning, but as time passed, I began to find them tiresome. Darcy didn't have enough depth for me to really care about her, Rachel was too willing to sit and wait for Dex, and Dex [insert exasperated sigh here] - Dex was just spineless. By the time we reached the half-way point in the movie, I was sick of Dex's inability to grow a spine, come clean with Darcy, and make a decision about what he was going to do with his life. That said, I was rather disgusted by the ending because, by that time, I had started rooting for Ethan (John Krasinski), Rachel's friend who was not only in love with her, he was probably the only person in the whole movie who was using his head for more than a hat rack.

Overall, the movie wasn't very well done. The story dragged on, and the climax was pretty disappointing. Although I don't think I could sit through the whole movie again, I will admit that there were a few hilarious moments that made me laugh right out loud, and the scene when Rachel and Darcy dance to Salt'N'Pepa's "Push It" was pretty awesome. Best scene in the whole movie, in my opinion.

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I suppose credit should be given to the cast, who did their best with what they had, but better writing and direction would have made a world of difference. Also, the movie should have been half the length. Pretty much everything in the middle seemed like filler. To sum it all up, I wouldn't recommend this movie, but I can't completely disregard it either. It was worth watching the whole movie to see the few moments that were genuinely funny or touching.

Guest Post at Sophie's Blog!

2011-08-23T14:15:00.001-05:00

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Hello, dear readers! I'm just dropping a few lines to let you know that Sophie, writer of the fabulous blog Waitin' on a Sunny Day, has graciously allowed me to participate in her regular Box Set Monday feature. It shouldn't surprise you that I chose Debbie Reynolds as my subject. : ) To read my post, click here.

They Give Awards for Random Prattle?

2011-08-18T20:40:00.001-05:00

Apparently they do because why else would I get one? "They," specifically, would be Irene, of And Then They Start to Sparkle. Now, just reading the name of her blog, you might assume she's a pretty fun gal - and you'd be right. She's also very kind - and she's given me the Liebster Blog Award to prove it. Thank you, Irene!

In the spirit of sharing, I'd like to pass this award on to four of my favorite blogs. And, frankly, my dear, I don't give a hoot if they've already gotten it - I'm giving it to them again!

Fedoras and High Heels by Audrey - I have to admit that I feel a twinge of envy every time I think about her blog title. Isn't it just the coolest you've ever heard? Envy aside, Audrey really does deserve this award. She's a great girl, and I always enjoy reading her blog.

Classic Film Addict by Kelley - I keep trying to think of adequate words to describe Kelley's blog, but nothing seems quite right. I guess all I can really do is say that it's one of my favorites and you should go check it out right now. Seriously, you won't regret it.

Flying Down to Hollywood by Sally - I don't mind telling you that I go to Sally's blog every single day in the hopes that she's posted something new, and when she has, it always makes me feel better. Even if it's just a picture accompanied by a movie quote, my spirits are lifted. This is one of the most cheerful blogs you will find.

Waitin' on a Sunny Day by Sophie - This is another happy place on the web. Sophie's posts are always worth the read, and I especially enjoy her Box Set Monday feature - what a great way to introduce people to an actor they might not be too familiar with.

Cynicism & Realism: One Leads to the Other

2011-07-31T20:05:00.000-05:00

It's time once again for the wild card post of the month - when I ramble on and on about something totally off-topic. Or partially. Meredith, of Movie Montage, has already posted hers. If you, too, feel like flexing those writing muscles and trying something new, feel free to join us!

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Lillian Hellman wrote that "Cynicism is an unpleasant way of saying the truth." Maybe she's right. Maybe being cynical is just being realistic... and being grumpy about it, too. On the other hand, you could agree with Billy Wilder: "Anyone who doesn't believe in miracles isn't a realist." I'm fascinated by - and inclined to agree with - both statements.

Cynicism is always unpleasant, but there's usually a grain of truth that comes with it. According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, a cynic is a "person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honorable or unselfish reasons." Well, humans are motivated by self-interest. Even when we do something honorable, we usually gain something by it: whether it be the personal satisfaction that we have done something good, or the knowledge that someone we care about is taken care of because of our actions. And Hellman was right: cynicism is an unpleasant was of saying the truth. Sometimes that's because the truth is unpleasant, but sometimes it's just a matter of saying something true in an unpleasant way.

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The New Oxford American Dictionary also describes reality as "the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistc or notional idea of them," and realism as, "the attitude of accepting a situation as it is and being prepared to deal with it accordingly." So Wilder was right, too: the reality is that miracles happen every day. Just think about it for a few minutes. Somewhere in the world, as you're reading this, a baby is being born; the sun is shining on little children at play; a tiny seed is growing into a mighty oak; you're alive. That's the situation as it is, and I'm prepared to deal with it accordingly.

So, "cynicism is an unpleasant way of saying the truth," and "anyone who doesn't believe in miracles isn't a realist." On the surface, the two statements seem to contradict each other, but according to the definitions and reasoning above, they actually fit together very nicely. Cynicism is truth - specifically the truth that humans are flawed, and realism is accepting and dealing with truth. To the rational mind, one leads to the other. I'm not sure about you, but I describe myself as a cynical realist.

A Celebration is in Order

2011-07-15T18:23:00.001-05:00

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As true fans know, tomorrow will mark the 100th anniversary of Ginger Roger's birth. Woo-hoo!

I know I'm not the only one who feels that TCM should be airing a selection of her films tomorrow as a tribute. Unfortunately, for reasons only The Powers That Be know, no such tribute is in the works. Actually, a tribute to Clark Gable is set to be aired. On this particular date, I have no earthly idea why. As for unearthly ideas, I can only suspect that the Goa'uld have something to do with this.

Thankfully, their plan to oppress our spirits to the point of submission has been thwarted by Maggie of Silver Screen Dream and other loyal fans like her. How, you ask? Well, Maggie and her followers have put together their own scheduled tribute to the late screen beauty. Visit her post here to read more, and don't forget to dig out your collection of Ginger films. Even if you don't follow the schedule that Maggie's come up with, you should be sure to watch your favorite Ginger film. After all, any day - 100th birthday or not - is a good day for a Ginger Rogers movie.

- Amanda

Amanda Goes to the Movies: The Audrey Hepburn Edition

2011-06-27T17:07:00.000-05:00

You may remember that I headed to Austin last summer to see The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) at the Paramount Theater, and I dragged my mom along with me. Well, yesterday we made the trip again, this time with my sister in tow. Our goal was a Breakfast at Tiffany's and Charade double feature.

Once again, I fell in love with the Paramount, and with the streets of Austin, and with the grounds of the State Capitol. If I lived in Austin, I could see myself walking down to the Capitol and just sitting on one of the benches, or under a tree, with a good book. I challenge anyone to show me a more beautiful capitol - for a state, a nation, or anything - than the Texas Capitol building and its grounds.

Breakfast at Tiffany's was first on the agenda after we found the parking garage and walked to the theater. I didn't see how many people were downstairs, but the balcony was packed. As you might imagine, most of the audience was comprised of women. I spoke briefly with one of the ushers, and she said that there were maybe thirteen men in the audience for Breakfast. I figure it must be true love if a man sits through that movie with his girl.

The main attraction for my group was seeing Charade, a movie that is well-loved in this family. We came early enough for Breakfast because, well, we had three passes so it was free, and also my mom had never seen it. As for myself, I had only seen it once, and I was curious to see what I would think of it after a second viewing.

I'm loathe to say that Breakfast at Tiffany's is overrated because I don't get it. And I don't think that anyone has a right to proclaim a movie overrated unless they do "get it." Also, I find the word "overrated" to be very overrated. Despite the fact that I don't really "get" the movie, it fascinates me. I'm fascinated by the fact that other people are fascinated by it, and I'm fascinated by the hairstyles. When I first saw the movie last year, most of my attention was on Audrey Hepburn, but yesterday I found myself watching George Peppard. Holly Golightly may be Audrey's most famous role, but I preferred George's character and performance. I think my main problem with Breakfast is that it draws so much attention away from Audrey's other movies.

There was a break between movies so that the members of the audience could head to the snack bar, wash hands, or, in the case of about half the audience, exit the theater completely. While I was slightly outraged by the hypocrisy of those who left (everyone claims to love Audrey but they only watch Breakfast at Tiffany's and don't bother themselves to stay and see Charade, which not only pairs her with Cary Grant (!!), but is also, in my opinion, the better movie of the two), my main sensation was relief. You see, it was the better half of the audience that stayed for Charade. These were the people who laughed at all of the right moments, were silent at the right moments and also refrained from takings three or four trips to the snack bar in the middle of the film.

As you've probably guessed by now, I love Charade. In fact, it's my second favorite Audrey film, right after How to Steal a Million. After all Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn together can't be anything but perfection, right? Add in Walter Mathau, James Coburn, the delightful Jacques Marin (who was also in How to Steal a Million), and director Stanley Donen, and what more could you want? I mean, besides having them all over for a cocktail party, of course.

During Charade we were joined by a friend (the same friend who generously gave us the passes), and afterword we all walked down the street to a local pizza place. I wish I could remember the name of the place - it was so good. It was family owned, and the man who owned the place, as well as the employees, were all very nice. And the prices were reasonable - $15 for a large pepperoni pizza. Oh, well, I guess I'll just have to go back some time so that I can remember the name of the place. I'd hate for all this free advertising to go to waste.

After pizza we walked around the grounds of the Capitol, and then we headed home. We didn't get home until about 11:00 pm, so it was actually a twelve-hour trip, and it was worth every glorious minute. There's a chance that we might even go back again this summer for another movie, which almost seems like too much to hope for, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Going to the Paramount is something that I look forward to all year long, and going twice in the same year would be like dancing with Fred Astaire. Simply the tops!

I Fall Asleep With the Radio On....

2011-06-21T10:33:00.007-05:00

If you've paid attention to my blog playlist over the years, you've probably noticed that I enjoy a wide variety of musical styles. I haven't written much about music here, though, so I thought, for my monthly off-topic post, I'd share a little more about my tastes.

Most relaxing voices
Frank Sinatra and Erin Bode always relax me. I can (and do) listen to them all day. Sinatra, of course, is my favorite singer of all time, and I really think that the beginning of my love affair with jazz started when I heard Erin Bode singing on A Prairie Home Companion.

Most relaxing song
You won't laugh will you? Well, I guess it's okay if you do - after all, it's a pretty odd choice, but after a long day, when I'm tired and tense, nothing relaxes me better than when I turn up Queen's "Hammer to Fall."

Favorites from the pre-teen years
There is a lot of music in my house - and I mean A LOT. We have multiple drawers and shelves that are overflowing with CDs and old tapes, and then there's the music that we've downloaded onto the computers. You never have to worry about finding music to listen to in this house, and there are some albums and artists that have been favorites of mine since my brother and I went rummaging through our parents' collection - which is extensive.

Lyle Lovett - He's essential in this household. He's easily my favorite Texan celebrity. Yes, he even trumps Ginger Rogers.
Buddy Holly - I don't know what to say about Buddy Holly - he's just wonderful, and I love his music so much.
Aretha Franklin - We have a two-disc album of Aretha's called "Jazz to Soul," and I've been hooked since I first popped it in the CD player.
Hank Williams - I know, I know - most of his songs sound exactly alike, but, hey, it's a good sound and he makes it work for him.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - You're not southern if you don't like Lynyrd Skynyrd. Period.
Creedence Clearwater Revival - You're probably not southern if you don't like CCR, either.
The Carpenters - I've listened to the Carpenters more times than I can count. The songs are so beautiful, and Karen Carpenter had one of the most beautiful voices ever heard.

Favorite soundtracks
The 1980s through the early 2000s were great years for the movie soundtracks. As far as original soundtracks, I'm in love with While You Were Sleeping, Sabrina, and (my favorite) Somewhere in Time, but most of my favorite soundtracks are the ones that use a lot of classic rock. The Big Chill soundtrack has been playing in this house for years, and I'm in love with it. Other good movie soundtracks are from Runaway Bride and Return to Me, which is the soundtrack that made me fall in love with Dean Martin. "Good Morning Life" is still my favorite Dino song.

Current obsession
Lately I've been listening to Jenna von Oy's "Coffee and Men" quite a lot (read: almost every day). The lyrics and music are fun and interesting, and I love her voice. Waylon Jennings has also been getting played a lot lately.

Listening with my parents
I'm really lucky to have parents with such great taste in music, and a lot of my taste is owed to them. Although my mom loves jazz, too, I think I definitely got that gene from my dad. His CD collection includes Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and, in the genre of blues, B.B. King. Raiding his stash started me off on my own and led me to singers like Nancy Wilson, Helen Forrest, and Ella Mae Morse. Most of the southern rock in our house is because of him, too.

On the other side of spectrum, my mom has helped shape my taste in the classic rock and folk music. I owe my love for Billy Joel, Elton John, The Mamas and the Papas, Loggins and Messina, and Peter, Paul and Mary to her. We both love the Doobie Brothers, too. Oh, and I can't forget James Taylor. My mom and I both love him, and she used to sing his songs to me as lullabies when I was a baby.

Other highlights from my collection
Scanning my CD collection, you'll see couple of Martina McBride albums (yeah, I know - but I went through a phase a few years ago and these are leftovers), some Michael Bublé, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole (R&B and jazz), Doris Day, Jaimee Paul, Sara Bareilles, Bobby Darin, Julie London, and other assorted artists and soundtracks. Needless to say, Sinatra dominates my collection.

I hope you found this interesting to read - I know I had fun writing it. This is just a sample of the music and artists I love - I actually left out a lot because this post is just supposed to give a good idea about the kind of music I like, not a comprehensive list. Anyway, thanks for reading, and have a great day!

Jane Austen's Heroes

2011-05-15T20:03:00.002-05:00

I think it's safe to assume that we've all heard of Jane Austen. Pride & Prejudice is one of the most popular and highly regarded works of fiction, and if you didn't know that, you at least know that it's been adapted for big screen and small screen dozens of times. The characters are among the most memorable and popular, too.

Take Mr. Darcy. Not only do female readers love him, he's actually an interesting character. Unlike the heroes of many romantic novels, he is well-rounded and far from bland. He can be pleasant and noble, but he also has a darker, less approachable side. He isn't the constantly perfect sort of fellow that can get boring halfway through the book. One of the things that I like about him is how he changes throughout the book as the reader's understanding of him deepens. By the end of the book he's no longer the cold, arrogant man that he was at the beginning. His faults have been tempered and his virtues, by comparison, are greater.

I like Mr. Darcy very much, and I understand why he seems to be the most popular of Jane Austen's heroes. Hey, he's one of my favorites, too! However, I do think it's unfair that the heroes of her other books are continually in his shadow. So, in an attempt to level the playing field a little, I want to take a little time to examine some of Miss Austen's other masculine characters.

Sense & Sensibility

Colonel Brandon - I've always had a soft spot for Colonel Brandon. He's brave, noble, and incredibly wonderful. His love is constant and tender, and he's a true gentleman. Somehow, in spite of all his merits, I don't think he's boring at all, and, unlike Mr. Darcy, he is proud without being arrogant.

Edward Ferrars - No competition for Darcy in this character. Edward F. really is fairly boring, so we'll just move on past him.

Pride & Prejudice

Mr. Bingley - Another who isn't much competition, but I think that's mostly due to the fact that his character isn't give much time to be developed. He's very much a supporting character, but judging from what the reader is told about him, he seems like he "could'a been a contender," if only given a chance. He's open and friendly, and his love is true. I wish more time had been spent on developing him. Before we move one, I just have one question: why is he always portrayed onscreen as an idiot? Austen and her characters describe him as a charming, intelligent man, yet every time I've seen an actor play him, he's goofy and annoying. What's with that?

Mansfield Park

Edmund Bertram - Likable enough - even if he is a little too willing to delude himself. It's obvious though, why Fanny loves him. He's considerate and gentlemanly, and he's intelligent, for the most part. Just keep him away from scheming, self-centered women and he'll be fine.

Emma

Mr. Knightley - Another favorite of mine. One of the things that I love most about Mr. Knightley (besides him being so thoughtful, intelligent, and all-round wonderful) is that he's always saddened when Emma behaves badly, but that never changes how he feels about her, and he never stops believing that she will learn from her mistakes and become a better woman. Isn't that just so sweet?

Northanger Abbey

Henry Tilney - Another character who isn't very well developed, but he's a good character in spite of that. He has a sense of humor; he's kind and sensitive; he has discretion; he's well read, and he follows his own conscience and heart instead of letting himself be swayed by the opinions of others.

Persuasion

Captain Wentworth - Now we come to my personal favorite of all Jane Austen's heroes. Like Darcy, he's proud, but, unlike Darcy, he isn't brooding and aloof - not even in the beginning. Also like Darcy, Wentworth struggled against his feelings for the woman he loved, but his reasons had less to do with prejudice and rank and more to do with a justified resentment and fear of being rejected again. Oh, and Wentworth wasn't arrogant and unpleasant when he admitted his love.

So there you have them. Some are uninteresting; some are fascinating. Of all Austen's heroes, Wentworth and Darcy are definitely my favorites. They're the best developed of her male characters, and each has his merits and his weaknesses that make him not only interesting but human.

_________________________

If you're wondering why I'm writing about Jane Austen's characters when this is a movie blog and I've barely mentioned the movies based on her books: that's the whole point! Meredith of Or Maybe Eisenstein Should Just Relax (read her post here) and I have made an agreement to post once a month about something totally off-topic. Our mission is to have fun with these posts and keeps our writing skills sharp by talking about something other than our usual topics. If you feel like shaking things up a bit, too, feel free to join us! All you have to do is sit down at your computer and have fun.

The Thirteenth Guest (1932)

2011-05-13T21:03:00.000-05:00

Remember when I wrote this two years ago? Well, late last night I finally revisited The Thirteenth Guest, something I'd been meaning to do for a long time, but I've been distracted by other movies. Since I've already written out the plot in the previous review, I won't dwell on that. I'll just move on to what I thought of the film.

image source

I liked it. I mean, it isn't a favorite, but it's certainly enjoyable under the proper circumstances. For one thing, I've found that if you've got a headache and the DVD player is connected to surround sound, you'll get an even worse headache. Last night, though, I was watching it on the little TV with built-in speakers that's taken up residence in my room, and the fuzzy sound didn't bother me as much.

I also think the movie is more interesting late at night than in the middle of the day. The Thirteenth Guest isn't really scary, but it is more interesting at night. It takes something much more frightening to really scare me. I'm talking about tough stuff, here. Like The Martha Stewart Show and Bridezillas. Now there's horror for you. *shudder*

Anyway, I think my headache really messed with my opinion of this one when I first saw it. Not that I consider it high art now, but it's not as terrible as I thought or wrote at the time. I can definitely see myself watching it again in another year or so. It's not perfect, but somehow that adds to its charm, and the actors are fun to watch. Lyle Talbot, Ginger Rogers, and J. Farrell McDonald are entertaining, even if they don't give Oscar-worthy performances.

I'll leave you with a couple of cute Ginger screen-caps - both stolen from this post at VKMfan's blog, Gingerology . All Ginger! All the Time! Thanks, Huey. And, everyone else, please remember to keep him and his town in your prayers (read more here).

Diary of a Demented Blogger

2011-05-09T18:13:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I have this weird feeling that I'm a slacker if a week goes by and I haven't posted anything on this blog (needless to say, I get this feeling a lot). I also start to wonder if my creative well is drying up and I have nothing left to say (that second part only lasts a few seconds). Even worse, I start to worry that I'm letting all my readers down by not posting very often. This last sensation, I'll admit is very conceited, and it only lasts for a few seconds. I know (and hope) that you all have better things to do than sit at your computer day after day praying that I'll post something. *snort* We all have our egos to deal with, and mine can be pretty outrageous at times. Besides, deep in my heart I know you're all really praying that the cancellation of Firefly was just a bad dream. I'm afraid you're in for a big shock come Friday night.

Anyway, I'm going to make (yet another) resolution to blog more. Because while that last point was really ridiculous, I am a little concerned about the first two. For years all I did in my free time was read, read, read, and write, write write - every chance I got. Then I went through a rough patch and slowed down, and then I became interested in movies. Since then I've only been writing a little - mostly just when I have to, but I have been reading more. The point is, I want to get back to the kind of writing that I love, and I'm not talking essays for school (although, I do admit, those aren't horrible in my eyes). I want to start writing fiction again, and I have a feeling that the only way I can really get back into that is to write as much as I can - fiction and nonfiction. I just need to keep the words going from my head to my fingers.

That's why I'm determined to do more blogging. So that I can keep in practice. Writing of any kind is good, and blogging is great. Just knowing how to express my thoughts in a way that is clear and in a tone that is my own is very important, and blogging is great for that. Especially since I can get feedback.

On another note, I really want to thank everybody who reads my blog - especially the people who've been following me for a long time. You guys have put up with a lot (read: a lot of stupid posts and a few okay ones), and you're awesome for that. If you continue reading my blog, you're also very brave because I might never be a better blogger than I am now. More's the pity. Anyway, you're all great, and thanks again.

How to Steal a Million: 10 Reasons Why It's So Marvelous

2011-04-20T13:47:00.003-05:00

via Doctor Macro

Today I want to talk to you about something very near and dear to my heart: one of the few completely perfect movies that was ever made. We all know that there's a short supply of perfectly perfect movies in the world - even some of the greatest masterpieces fall short. The Philadelphia Story (1940), for instance, indulges in nonsense while trying to explain away a husband's infidelity, and Vertigo (1958)... okay, I'm willing to consider that I just don't get that one, and it's simply a matter of opinion. More to the point, though: I believe that How to Steal a Million (1966) is a perfect movie, and today I'm giving you ten - count 'em, ten - good reasons why you should believe me.

via Doctor Macro

1. Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole. To see these two together - to even hear their names mentioned in the same sentence - is perfection. Their comedic timing and their styles of acting are delightfully in sync. Watching them together makes me alternately melt like butter and giggle like a school girl. Of course, they're both brilliant actors on their own, so putting them together is like brilliance x 10.

via Global Architects Guide

2. William Wyler. You probably [read: might possibly/hopefully/likely don't] remember that Wyler is one of my very favorite directors. His films are so diverse, and there's no distinct way of recognizing his style, except that there is no way of recognizing style. Unlike Capra, his films don't rely heavily on glorifying the American dream. No, Wyler is one of those directors that can direct any film, any actor in any genre.

3. The supporting cast. Hugh Griffith as Audrey's father; Eli Wallach as the art-obsessed American millionaire; Charles Boyer as the put-upon art dealer. One of my favorite scenes (and they're all favorites) is the one between Wallach and Boyer. It's absolutely hilarious. "I'VE NEVER BEEN SO RELAXED IN MY LIFE!!"

4. The script. Harry Kurnitz's adaption of George Bradshaw's story for the big screen is witty, sparkling, and, well - you guessed it - perfect. Filled with hilarious one-liners, exchanges, and clever nods to film noir.

5. Music by John Williams. This is seriously one of my favorite scores ever. And this point is also connected to William Wyler. One thing that is always present in Wyler's films is that the music is never intrusive, it only adds to the story, and never so well as this score by Williams. And yes, I do think this soundtrack is better than his work on Star Wars and Harry Potter, and that's saying quite a lot coming from me.

6. Cinematography by Charles Lang. How to Steal a Million is filled to the brim with eye-popping colors and visual delights. One of my favorite examples of this is the scene when Audrey and Peter are on their long walk, talking over the proposed heist. This is also one of my favorite examples of the brilliance of Kurnitz's script.

via DVD Beaver

via Doctor Macro

7. Miss Hepburn's costumes by Givenchy. Usually I can take or leave Givenchy's designs - he's good, but not one of my particular favorites. In this movie, however, he really outdoes himself. Audrey's dresses and suits aren't overdone and flashy, but simple and smart, without losing any bit of her usual flair.

via Doctor Macro

8. The use of art to enhance the film's mood. Behind the opening credits, pieces of art are displayed; during the heist, dark, ominous paintings are used to enhance suspense; and (who could forget it?) there is also the ingenious way that Peter's character explains his plan to Audrey, under the guise of commenting on the art displayed in the museum they're about to knock over.

via ImageShack

9. Location filming in Paris. Need I say more? The outdoor sequences are breathtaking, especially as photographed by Lang and accompanied by Williams' score. Whether it's a park on a sunny day or the Paris streets by lamplight, How to Steal a Million is the movie that gives me the greatest desire to see Paris.

via Mischief and Madness

10. It's good, clean fun that the whole family can enjoy. I first saw this movie when I was about seven, and I thoroughly enjoyed it - so much that I remembered it for years afterward. When I finally bought it, I was several years older, but I enjoyed it just as much - even more. The story, colors, and dialogue are delightful to children and adults alike, and any innuendo will go straight over a child's head. Several paintings of nude women are shown, and the Cellini Venus (a major part of the plot) is a statue of a naked woman, but it's all done tastefully, so I don't see any reason why parent's should worry about showing How to Steal a Million to their younger children. While it is a movie that is mainly directed at adults, children see more vulgarity in modern films that are actually meant for them.

Once all of these separately brilliant factors are put together, they blend into the perfection that is How to Steal a Million. The actors, with the help of their own natural talent and Wyler's always expert direction, do more than justice to the script, and the music and cinematography, in turn, add even more depth and delight to the characters and story. It's criminal not to have seen How to Steal a Million - so listen to me, and go find a copy right away!

via Beyond the Valley of the Cinephiles

Sophistication & Spunk? It Must be Debbie Reynolds!

2011-04-01T20:50:00.000-05:00

It's no secret that I love Debbie Reynolds. Throughout her career she has come to each role with boundless energy and talent. She's been in the entertainment world for over fifty years now, and even though her personal life hasn't been the easiest, she still has the same bright personality that she had when she first started. In her films and in her life, Ms. Reynolds is one of my greatest inspirations.

One year ago today (I can't believe I've been blogging long enough to say that!), I lamented the fact that I only had four Debbie films in my collection. As of this moment, I can truthfully say that I have nineteen, and I have yet to find a movie in which she isn't great. Here are five of my personal favorites (I had to limit myself, or we'd be here all night), and each one is highly recommended.

Singin' in the Rain (1952)
This is without a doubt one of the best movies ever made. I don't think you can really say that you love musicals (or old movies, for that matter) if you don't love this movie. Of course, this is the movie that made Debbie a star, and from the moment she opens her mouth it's obvious why. Who can forget that hilarious car ride to Sunset and Camden?

Give a Girl a Break (1953)
One of the best lesser-known musicals that MGM ever made. It's the story of three actresses (Debbie, Marge Champion, and Helen Wood) competing for the same Broadway role - and of the three men (Bob Fosse, Gower Champion, and Kurt Kasznar) in charge of casting the role. You can see where it goes - each fellah falls for one of the girls, and no one can agree. Debbie plays the rising young talent, and her numbers with Bob Fosse are not to be missed.

The Tender Trap (1955)
Sinatra! Reynolds! Action! Seriously, what more could you want? A catchy title tune, a witty script, and Celeste Holm? You got it! Debbie is perfect as the marriage-minded Julie Gillis, who has her whole life planned to the smallest detail - she just needs the right man, who turns out to be swinging bachelor Charlie Reader (Sinatra).

Tammy & the Bachelor (1957)
Although it's not a musical, this movie does feature Debbie's rendition of the hit song "Tammy," not to mention her comical and touching performance as the down-to-earth Tammy Tyree. It's no wonder Leslie Nielsen falls for her!

The Gazebo (1959)
True, Glenn Ford is the real star of the movie, but Debbie is fantastic in one of her more mature roles. She plays a woman who balances her rising career and her marriage admirably: she's sophisticated, funny, and completely human. I really do think this is one of Debbie's best performances.

All of the movies I just mentioned are from the '50s, so I feel I should point out that Debbie is just as good throughout every decade. Also, if you're wondering why The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964) isn't on the list, it's because (gasp!) I haven't seen it yet. I've got a plan to watch it tonight, though, so don't worry. I'm super excited to see Debbie in her favorite role. I'm also amazed that she's only been nominated for that one Academy Award.

Not only is Debbie Reynolds an accomplished actress, she is also a sparkling individual and a loving mother and grandmother. [I love this tribute that her daughter, Carrie Fisher, did for Turner Classic Movies.] She is more than just a Hollywood legend: she's an amazing woman, who has never grown old and never will. She's been in over fifty films, through three marriages and divorces, and one true Hollywood-style scandal, raised two kids on her own, and, after everything, she still has an optimistic outlook and a great sense of humor, which she doesn't mind directing at herself. She's the Unsinkable Debbie Reynolds.

Happy birthday, Debbie! Here's hoping you celebrate many more!

Friday Night TV: I Dream of Jeannie

2011-03-25T18:26:00.000-05:00

More Sammy Davis, Jr.! This episode of I Dream of Jeannie (Season Two: "The Greatest Entertainer in the World") is one of my favorite episodes from the series - and it's also the reason I love Sammy Davis, Jr. Before I saw this episode, I had heard of him and even seen him in a couple of movies, but his performance of this song (and in this episode) is what really won me over.

Here he is singing "The Girl from Ipanema." Just try not to enjoy this. Go ahead. Try.

Farewell to Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-23T20:46:00.000-05:00

1932 - 2011

Dame Elizabeth Taylor passed away this morning, leaving behind a legacy, both on film and in headlines, that will last. My prayers tonight are with her family and friends.

My interest in her films starts decreasing after the early '50s, but I have enjoyed her performances in her early films like National Velvet, Julia Misbehaves, and, one of my favorites when I was little, Father's Little Dividend.

She was not only a great star but a great humanitarian.

Goodbye, Liz.

Kate Celebrates One Year at Scathingly Brilliant

2011-03-21T10:57:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite blogs, Scathingly Brilliant, is one year old today, and to celebrate, Kate is hosting a giveaway. The winner will receive a $50 gift card to ModCloth. Kate is being very generous and paying for the gift card out of her own pocket. To see her post and learn how to enter, click here.

Friday Night TV: Sammy Davis, Jr., Julie Andrews & Rich Little Do Their Impressions of Other Stars

2011-03-18T18:15:00.000-05:00

I love to watch clips like this from old TV specials. I wish that today's television had more variety shows and specials like this.

This week, A Noodle in a Haystack is proud to present Sammy Davis, Jr., Julie Andrews and Rich Little singing and dancing in grand style and doing their impressions of other stars. Sammy and Rich really go to town doing impressions, and Julie is her marvelous self, egging them on every step of the way. It's impossible to doubt that these three are having a ball.

Watch and enjoy!

Favorite Screen Couples: O'Connor & Gaynor

2011-03-17T19:14:00.002-05:00

The Golden Age was the heyday of the Hollywood musical. It was a popular genre among moviegoers, and the studios had in their employ hundreds of technical specialists and performers who knew how to light up the screen. Sometimes, however, the casting was a little less than inspired - sure, Gene Kelly and Kathryn Grayson are cute together, but when it comes time for a number, what does a dancer do with a soprano? On the other hand, there were times when two performers who, at first glance, seem completely different, are cast together and prove to be surprisingly compatible. Such is the case with Donald O'Connor and Mitzi Gaynor.

Donald
Although Donald is best known today for his role as Cosmo Brown in Singin' in the Rain, his career didn't begin or end with that film. Growing up in a Vaudeville family, he began performing on stage when he was just a toddler, and he made his first film when he was about 12 years old. Among the underrated jewels of his career are films like Something in the Wind (with Deanna Durbin, no less!), Call Me Madam (memorable mainly for his numbers with Vera-Ellen), and, of course, the two films that he made with Mitzi. Donald, one of the era's great entertainers, loved to make audiences laugh, and he used his singing, dancing, and comedic abilities to do just that throughout his career. In the mid-'50s he summed up his attitude toward his career: "I was born and raised to entertain other people. I've heard laughter and applause and known a lot of sorrow. Everything about me is based on show business. I think it will bring me happiness. I hope so."

Mitzi
She was only 19 years old when she appeared in her first feature film, My Blue Heaven, and by her third film (The Golden Girl) she was a leading lady, charming audiences with her fresh face and bright eyes, comedic talents and her ability to dance up a storm. Career highlights include working with Gene Kelly in the little known and less appreciated Les Girls and starring in Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific. Mitzi is still going strong, and she will be touring the United States (for the third year in a row) this year in her one-woman show, Razzle Dazzle: My Life Behind the Sequins.

Together
Donald and Mitzi may seem an unlikely pair: he made a career out of wisecracking, tap-dancing, and performing acrobats, and she was a cheerful ingenue whose strengths leaned toward ballet and jazz. Nevertheless, both had very athletic dancing styles that blended nicely, and, as it turns out, their screen personas weren't too hard to blend either.

They first worked together in 1954's There's No Business Like Show Business, playing a brother/sister vaudeville act, and two years later they were reunited in Anything Goes as a pair of lovers who get caught up in a string of misunderstandings. They are the best part of each movie. Whether playing a scene or performing a routine, Donald and Mitzi's screen personas were compatible in every way: both were full of life and took a great joy in their craft.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T09:20:00.000-05:00

Here's Gene Kelly, singing and dancing to "The Hat My Father Wore" in Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1948).

In Honor of Cyd Charisse (1921 - 2008)

2011-03-08T11:08:00.001-06:00

Cyd was among the most blessed and graceful of the dancers under contract to MGM in the '40s and '50s. She may not have had a great singing voice (her movie songs were usually dubbed), but, when you consider everything else that she did, who really cares? She was a good actress, a great dancer, and, from everything I've read and heard, a true lady.

Her first speaking part was as Deborah Andrews in the Judy Garland musical The Harvey Girls (1946), in which she performs some truly beautiful dances. For the next six years, she earned her living by appearing in supporting roles (or as a specialty dancer) in high budget musicals, and occasionally in dramas (she was the best part of East Side, West Side), and then she was cast as Gene Kelly's partner in the "Broadway Melody Ballet," which was the musical climax of the 1952 hit Singin' in the Rain. From that time until the end of Hollywood's Golden Age, Cyd was a leading lady, though she was never really acknowledged as a major star.

Fortunately, Cyd is remembered fondly by film buffs, and even in her own time, she was held in high regard by her peers. Fred Astaire once said, "When you dance with her, you stay danced." Similarly, when you've seen Cyd dance, you've seen about the greatest dancing you'll ever witness. It's hard to find someone better than Cyd.

All images courtesy of Dr. Macro's High Quality Movie Scans

Spring Break!

2011-03-07T22:05:00.000-06:00

Ah, freedom! At least for a little while. ; ) So far, spring break has been really great: I spent Saturday and Sunday watching some of the movies that have been piling up on my hard drive and DVD shelf, as well as re-watching a couple of favorites. Just for fun, let me tell you what movies I've seen so far:

image source

Julia (1977)
Robin & Marian (1976)
Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer: Murder Me, Murder You (1983)
John Loves Mary (1949) - (re-watch)
Hope Floats (1998)
Catch & Release (2006) - (re-watch)
A Damsel in Distress (1937)
True Lies (1994)

I've also watched a few more episodes of The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955 - 1960). : ) Good grief, I love that show!

I have two major goals for this glorious week off: watch movies and clean up the blacksmith shop that we use for storage. And have fun. So that's three goals, actually.

Right now my feet are aching, and I know the rest of me will follow soon. I spent all afternoon working in aforementioned shop. I pulled out all of the boxes into the yard and used a broom to clean them up. There must have been enough dirt and dust on those boxes to make a small hill! I didn't count them, but I'm sure we have at least twenty Rubbermaid totes out there, and I lifted almost every one of them today - I dragged a few that were too heavy to lift.

Thinking about it, I must have looked pretty funny out there: wearing a pair of my oldest denim jeans, my 4-H T-shirt, and a blue bandana on my head that stuck straight up when I walked out into the wind, and wielding a stubby old broom in the direction of a sea of Rubbermaid totes!

image source

But back to movies: since this year marks the 100th anniversary of Ginger Rogers' birth, I've set up a few Ginger-themed posts toward the bottom of the sidebar. The first Ginger-poll asks you to choose your favorite era for her films. It's a poll I've done before, but it will be up for much longer this time. Underneath that are several polls, asking you to pick out which Ginger Rogers films you've seen. I thought it would be pretty neat to know which of Ginger's films are seen the most.

And up toward the top of the sidebar are two other polls that are unrelated to Ginger. The first is "What is your favorite film era?" The choices, as I've grouped them, are:

1910s - 1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990 - 2000s

The second poll asks, "What do you look for in a film?" I thought it would be fun to see what the majority likes more, realism or entertainment. I thought about adding the choice of "both," but I decided against it. Basically, the question is, does the movie have to be completely realistic for you to enjoy it, or do you just want to be entertained, regardless of the fact that a radioactive spider can't really give you the ability to build webs and climb walls (sorry to break it to you so bluntly, but you had to hear the truth sometime)?

I'll leave you with a few more pictures of Ginger.

image source

Friday Night TV: I Dream of Jeannie

2011-03-04T18:27:00.000-06:00

How can you not laugh at the way Jeannie and Tony mess with poor Dr. Bellows? And, of course, Barton MacLane's General Peterson was the perfect foil for Hayden Rorke. I have to say that I really miss MacLane in season 5, no matter how good Vinton Hayworth was as General Schaeffer. I'm curious, does anyone know why MacLane left the show?

Friday Night TV: The Danny Kaye Show

2011-02-25T19:02:00.000-06:00

Wow - three posts in one day! You're going to start thinking something's wrong!

I've said it before, and I'll say it many times again: I love Danny Kaye. White Christmas and The Inspector General are among my very favorite movies, and I've been listening to his silly songs ever since I was five years old. (His recordings of "The Fox" and "Tubby the Tuba" are favorites, by the way.) My tape is almost worn out!

Amazingly, I didn't know until about a week ago that he had a TV show! How did this escape notice? Sadly, that's how!

Anyway, to start off my new Friday Night TV series, here's one of my favorite clips from The Danny Kaye Show. Just try not to laugh your head off!

Happy Birthday, Zeppo!

2011-02-25T18:05:00.000-06:00

Zeppo is my favorite of the Marx Brothers. I think I might be the only person who feels this way, and I don't know if that makes me crazy or just exceptionally weird. What's more, I'm not exactly sure why he's my favorite, but I do have some theories. It might have something to do with my perpetual love for the unloved, or maybe it's just that I find it so refreshing to see someone who is fairly normal among all of those zanies.

Say what you will, but I still think Zeppo, as the straight man, held his own among his brothers pretty well, and he certainly held his own much, much better than the actors who followed him (for instance, Allan Jones in A Night at the Opera and A Day at the Races; Kenny Baker in At the Circus). Unlike those who came after him, Zeppo did not annoy and detract from the fun of the Marx Brothers movies [Frank Albertson in Room Service, actually managed to surpass Zeppo in non-annoying-ness (yes, I know that's not technically a word), significantly adding to the comedy and holding his own superbly]. Zeppo came across as likable and comfortable onscreen, making me even more saddened by how little he had to do in the Brothers' movies, and also by his departure from the act after Duck Soup (1933).

Groucho and Chico make me laugh, of course, as does Harpo, but I still like Zeppo best. He doesn't pretend to be anything too unusual - he's just Zeppo. I've always thought that, given a chance, he could have been just as important in the act as Groucho, Chico, and Harpo. Maybe that's wishful thinking, I don't know, but maybe (and this is the "maybe" I'm inclined to believe) he was full of talent that was never fully utilized onscreen.

Here's to you, Zeppo!

Amanda and Her 6 Confessions

2011-02-25T16:40:00.002-06:00

I saw that Kate had done this meme at Scathing Brilliant, and it looked like fun, so I've decided to give it a shot. The title really says it all - six confessions - or, in my case, six confessions and things you might care to know about me. Be warned, none of these are going to be earth-shattering revelations to anyone.

1. I love boxing. Ever since I first saw Rocky (1976), I've loved to watch boxing matches and especially boxing movies. I also love tough action films - especially ones with Sylvester Stallone. I think he's a much better actor than most people want to admit.

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2. Ever since I finished watching Gilmore Girls (2000 - 2007), I've had trouble enjoying twisted up love stories in TV shows. For instance, this new twist with Jo and Zane in Eureka (2006 - present): a few years ago I would have really liked it. Now, it just irritates me. Ooh, and Fringe (2008 - present). Good grief. I still really like the shows, but, after the Lorelei-Luke mix-ups, the convoluted love stories aren't as enjoyable as they used to be. True, the Lorelei-Luke-Christopher triangle is less painful the second time through, but right now I'm really enjoying the less messed up and more straight-forward love stories in shows like Castle (2009 - present). Hey, even Chuck (2007 - present) isn't painful, despite the writers' efforts! I still like the romantic mix-ups in Farscape (1993 - 2003), though. : )

3. I was disappointed when I first saw To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). The actors, script, and cinematography, and, well, everything - it's all great, but none of it can compare to the book. So much was left out, and I especially missed being privy to Scout's reasoning, and why she did the things that she did. I guess that's something that couldn't really be conveyed in a film, but I still miss it. All things considered, though, this movie does come as close to the book as any film could, I suppose.

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4. I love Grease (1978). It's really cheesy and over-the-top, which is exactly why I love it. After all, there's nothing quite like a little mindless entertainment every now and then, right? Plus, I think it's both awesome and hilarious to see Jeff Conaway in something so different from Babylon 5 (1994 - 1998).

5. A lot of my favorite TV shows are from the '80s: Charlie's Angels, Remington Steele, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, The Cosby Show, Full House....

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6. Zeppo is my favorite Marx brother. Didn't see that one coming did you? I'll bet you figured me for a Harpo girl, right? I'll be posting more on this subject later today.

Favorite Screen Couples: Hagman & Eden

2011-02-15T18:03:00.000-06:00

If, for the rest of my life, I could only have one TV show to watch, I would choose I Dream of Jeannie. Not only is it clever and easy on the eyes (love the colors), it also features my favorite acting team: Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman. Words can't describe just how wonderful they are together.

Larry
A native Texan and son of actress Mary Martin, Hagman did some stage work before he was drafted by the U.S. Air Force in the early '50s. He returned to New York in 1956 with his wife Maj, where he spent several years in Off-Broadway and Broadway productions. His film debut was in the 1964 sequel to Mister Roberts, Ensign Pulver.

Barbara
Eden began her performance career by singing in nightclubs, however she soon decided to switch to acting and landed the lead in the '50s sitcom How to Marry a Millionaire, taking over the role played by Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 film. After the end of the show, Eden made several films, including the mindless but entertaining All Hands on Deck in 1961.

Together
Quite frankly, these two are adorable beyond belief. Their comedic timing and chemistry are truly magical (ahem).

Great Romantic Films

2011-02-14T19:44:00.124-06:00

It's Valentine's Day! And in celebration, I've compiled a list of some of my favorite romantic films, ranging from silly to serious.

Notting Hill (1999)
Starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant
Following bookstore owner William Thacker this movie tells the story of his unlikely on-again-off-again romance with Hollywood actress Anna Scott. Truly this is one of the funniest and most touching romantic comedies ever. Go ahead and forget how adorable Grant is, or how gorgeous Roberts is. The supporting characters alone make it worth watching. Notting Hill is full of memorable moments and classic lines that you can (and will!) use every day.

Runaway Bride (1999)
Starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere
When a big city reporter arrives in a small town to write a story about their local runaway bride, he finds himself falling in love with the three-time almost-bride. Another exceptional comedy, filled with great lines. Roberts and Gere head a fantastic cast.

I wrote a full review of this film almost a year ago. Read it here.

Sabrina (1995)
Starring Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond
The chauffeur's daughter left for Paris gawky and shy, but when she comes home elegant and mature, she finally attracts the attention of the man she loved silently for years... and of his older, crustier brother, who may be her true love. I know its not the original, but I actually like this one better than the 1954 version with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. The music, the scenery, the cast! It's hard to sum up just how wonderful this movie is.

What's Up, Doc? (1972)
Starring Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal
When a music professor, a wealthy widow, a government snitch, and a wacky college dropout (actually, she was kicked out - several times) arrive in a posh hotel, all with the same plaid overnight bag, confusion is the least of their problems. This is my favorite movie of all time! Not only is it laugh-out-loud funny, it's incredibly romantic. This movie is in a league all its own, taking wackiness to a whole new level.

The Princess Bride (1987)
Starring Robin Wright and Cary Elwes
"Have fun storming the castle!" Giants; miracle men; princes; thieves and pirates; torture; swordplay; true love. This movie (based on a book by William Goldman) has everything, including Peter Falk. Seriously, this is one of the best movies ever. It doesn't get much wackier than this.

Barefoot in the Park (1967)
Starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda
Newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter are complete opposites and completely in love, but when they move into a miniscule New York apartment, it seems that the honeymoon is over as their differences come between them, magnified by the small space and their eccentric neighbor. Gotta love this one. Mildred Natwick and Charles Boyer lend great support to the leads.

Somewhere in Time (1980)
Starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour
Years after a strange meeting with and old woman, a young man becomes obsessed with traveling back in time to meet her in the past. Once there, however, he has to convince her that they belong together. As I've said before, this is one of the most beautiful romances ever filmed. And it has time travel!

How to Steal a Million (1966)
Starring Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole
Determined to keep her eccentric father out of prison, an heiress enlists the help of a society thief to steal a priceless statue (actually a fake and a family heirloom) from a Parisian museum. Funny and utterly charming, this caper film is always a good idea (and no wonder, it's set in Paris!). O'Toole and Hepburn have unbelievable chemistry.

Read my review here.

The More the Merrier (1943)
Starring Charles Coburn, Jean Arthur, and Joel McCrea
What happens when wartime crowding brings two unlikely lovers and a determined matchmaker together in one tiny apartment? Hilarity, that's what. This is one of the most celebrated comedies of the 1940's, and rightly so. You'll find yourself laughing right out loud and falling in love with this witty love story.

Walk, Don't Run (1966)
Starring Cary Grant, Jim Hutton and Samantha Eggar
A remake of The More the Merrier - this time set during the Tokyo Olympics, with Grant completely taking over the role originated by Charles Coburn. Hutton and Eggar are charming in the Jean Arthur and Joel McCrea roles. It may not be the original, but it's just as good, for so many reasons.

Read my review here.

Love With the Proper Stranger (1963)
Starring Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen
An unexpected pregnancy causes a shopgirl to seek out the father of her child, an irresponsible ladies' man. One of my very favorites, this film is romantic, serious, and laugh-out loud funny. It's wonderful to watch the relationship between Wood and McQueen develop.

Read my review here.

It Had to Be You (1947)
Starring Ginger Rogers and Cornel Wilde
Runaway Bride's predecessor is grounded firmly in fantasy. Just as runaway bride Victoria is about to try to tie the knot for the fourth time, a handsome man appears in an Indian costume and claims to be her true love... and also a figment of her imagination. The catch? Everyone else can see him too! Now Victoria has to get rid of him before he causes more trouble, and the only way is to find his real-life counterpart. This movie is essential if you love wacky romantic comedies. Rogers and Wilde are hilarious, whether they're bickering or falling in love.

Read my review here.

I really wanted to include more titles, but I felt I should keep it fairly short and sweet after my super-long post earlier today. However, looking back, I can see that I failed miserably in that area. Oh, well. So many movies, so little time! : ) Thanks for your patience.

Care to share some of your favorite romantic films? Leave me a comment!

As Time Goes By

2011-02-14T11:26:00.019-06:00

It seems to me that film buffs are an unusually romantic and sentimental lot. We're captivated by Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler, and we always secretly hope that Ilsa will stay with Rick. Tracy and Hepburn, Bogie and Bacall, Gable and Lombard... who doesn't love to hear about the great romances of the past? I do. Nevertheless, they are tragic romances.

Spencer Tracy was already married and a father of two children. From all reports his marriage was loveless years before he met Katharine Hepburn, but he was still married. She was a divorcée. Bogart, also, was married, to his third wife, in fact, when he met Lauren Bacall. While he actually did get a divorce and marry the woman he loved, it still doesn't erase the sadness of the fact that he gave up on three marriages. As for Gable and Lombard, both had been married (Gable, twice, Lombard, once) before they found each other. He, too, divorced to be with her.

As someone who believes in the sanctity of marriage (and also, true love), I usually find myself a little depressed after thinking about these Hollywood couples. I don't deny that I find their stories fascinating and romantic... until I remember that these things really happened and the situations were far from ideal. It feels like every time I look up an actor, I find that he was married several times. Did you know that Henry Fonda and Ginger Rogers were both married five times? I find that remarkable - and not in a pleasant way. Divorce, no matter what the reason, is always a sad thing because it means that sacred vows have been broken.

So do all Hollywood actors marry a dozen times? Or are the ones who do the only actors we remember? If you're anything like me, you're probably feeling pretty depressed now, too, and that's probably my fault. However, there is a point to all this gloomy reflection. Today is St. Valentine's Day, and instead of simply posting a few pictures of Bogie and Bacall and wishing you all a nice day, I want to share something special with you. This is it: love is real, and there are people who spend their whole lives together, for better and for worse. On this Valentine's Day, let's take some time to remember the people (actors and actresses, in particular) who said "I do," and, "till death do us part," and lived by those words.

Dame May Whitty & Ben Webster
1892 -2003

Robert Benchley & Gertrude Darling
1914 - 1945

Alan Hale, Sr. & Gretchen Hartman
1914 - 1950
(submitted by Audrey)

George "Gabby" Hayes & Olive Ireland
1914 - 1957
(submitted by Elisabeth)

Joe E. Brown & Kathryn Francis McGraw
1915 - 1975

Leslie Howard & Ruth Evelyn Martin
1916 - 1943

Walter Brennan & Ruth Wells
1921 - 1973
(submitted by Audrey)

Nigel Bruce & Violet Campbell
1921 - 1953
(submitted by Audrey)

James Cagney & Francis Cagney
1922 - 1936

Charles Lockhart & Kathleen Lockhart
1924 - 1957
(submitted by Audrey)

Irene Dunne & Francis Dennis Griffin
1928 - 1965
(submitted by Audrey)

Charles Laughton & Elsa Lanchester

1929 - 1962

Pat O'Brien & Eloise Taylor
1931 - 1994
(submitted by Audrey)

Charles Lane & Ruth Covell
1931 - 2002
(submitted by Audrey)

Don Ameche & Honore Prendergast
1932 - 1986
(submitted by Audrey)

Frank McCugh & Dorothy Spencer
1933 - 1981
(submitted by Audrey)

Joel McCrea & Frances Dee
1933 - 1990
(submitted by DKoren)

Dennis Morgan & Lillian Vedder
1933 - 1994

Perry Como & Roselle Beline
1933 - 1998

Bruce Bennett & Jeanette Braddock
1933 - 2000
(submitted by Elisabeth)

Charles Boyer & Pat Paterson
1934 - 1978
(submitted by Kelley)

Jane Wyatt & Edgar Bethune Ward
1935 - 2000
(submitted by Audrey)

Alec Guinness & Merula Salaman
1938 - 2000
(submitted by Audrey)

Karl Malden & Mona Greenburg
1938 - 2009
(submitted by Audrey)

Eddie Bracken & Connie Nickerson
1939 - 2002

Maris Wrixon & Rudi Fehr
1940 - 1999
(submitted by Elisabeth)

Rosalind Russell & Frederick Brisson
1941 - 1976

Ben Johnson & Carol Jones
1941 - 1994
(submitted by Elisabeth)

Rosemary DeCamp & John Ashton Shidler
1941 - 1998
(submitted by Audrey)

Ray Milland & Muriel Webster
1942 - 2002

Ruth Hussey & Charles Longenecker
1942 - 2002

David Bruce & Cynthia Sory

1943 - 1962

Dorothy McGuire & John Swope

1943 - 1979

(submitted by Elisabeth)

Charleton Heston & Lydia Clarke
1944 - 2008
(submitted by Audrey)

Barbara Hale & Bill Williams
1946 - 1992
(submitted by Audrey)

Jeanne Crain &; Paul Brinkman (a.k.a. Paul Brooks)
1945 - 2003

Joan Leslie & William G. Caldwell

1950 - 2000

(submitted by Audrey)

Ann Blyth & James McNulty
1953 - 2007
(submitted by Audrey)

Mitzi Gaynor & Jack Bean
1954 - 2006

Robert Stack & Rosemarie Bowe
1956 - 2003

Richard Egan & Patricia Hardy
1958 - 1987
(submitted by Audrey)

Alan Hale, Jr. & Naomi Hale
1964 - 1990
(submitted by Audrey)

And let's not forget the people who are still alive and enjoying good marriages:

Harry Carey, Jr. & Marilyn Fix

married 1944

(submitted by Elisabeth)

Eva Marie Saint & Jeffrey Hayden
married 1952

Larry Hagman & Maj Axelsson
married 1954

Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme
married 1957
(submitted by Audrey)

Richard Carpenter & Mary Rudolph
married 1984

Mira Furlan & Goran Gajic
(year of marriage unknown)

... or those who were married twice - both times until parted by death:

Walter Pidgeon & Edna Muriel Pickles
1922 - 1926
   & Ruth Walker
1938 - 1984

Norma Shearer & Irving Thalberg
1927 - 1936
   & Martin Arrouge
1942 - 1983

Dana Andrews & Janet Murray
1932 - 1935
   & Mary Todd
1939 - 1992

Fred Astaire & Phyllis Livingston Potter
1933 - 1954
   & Robyn Smith
1980 - 1987

David Niven & Primula Rollo
1940 - 1946
   & Hjordis Genburg
1948 - 1983

Gale Storm & Lee Bonnell
1941 - 1986
   & Paul Masterson
1988 - 1996
(submitted by Audrey)

Richard Widmark & Jean Hazlewood
1942 - 1997
   & Susan Blanchard
1999 - 2008
(submitted by DKoren)

Whenever I start to feel discouraged about the lack of longevity in celebrity marriages, I just look at this list and feel better, especially when I remember that these are only a small sampling of the unions that have stood the test of time.

Did I forget anyone? Please leave a comment and let me know!

Happy Valentine's Day!

- Amanda C.

"As Time Goes By"
by Herman Hupfeld

[This day and age we're living in
Gives cause for apprehension
With speed and new invention
And things like fourth dimension.

Yet we get a trifle weary
With Mr. Einstein's theory.
So we must get down to earth at times
Relax relieve the tension

And no matter what the progress
Or what may yet be proved
The simple facts of life are such
They cannot be removed.]

You must remember this
A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by.

And when two lovers woo
They still say, "I love you."
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by.

Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date.
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate.
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny.

It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die.
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.

Oh yes, the world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.

All images via Doctor Macro

Eve's Art Studio

2011-02-04T17:09:00.001-06:00

Occasionally I like to post a link to a blog that I especially enjoy and think more people should take a look at. Today I want to point you to the relatively new blog, Eve's Art Studio, where Eve Smith posts photos of her artwork, usually with a few cheerful remarks. Her paintings are filled with vibrant colors that are sure to brighten your day.

Although she does beautiful still life paintings, I especially enjoy her portraits. Classic film lovers should definitely take a look at her paintings of Myrna Loy, Audrey Hepburn, and Carole Lombard.

John Barry, Nov. 1933 - Jan. 2011

2011-02-01T14:20:00.004-06:00

Composer John Barry, who won five Academy Awards for Born Free (for which he won two), The Lion in Winter, Out of Africa, and Dances With Wolves, passed away on Sunday at age 77.

The Los Angeles Times as written an excellent obituary.

Barry composed the score from the 1980 film Somewhere in Time, which is, in my opinion, one of the greatest romantic films ever made, largely due to Barry's hauntingly beautiful score. I've listened to the Somewhere in Time soundtrack literally hundreds of times, and his is music that never grows old.

Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour in Somewhere in Time

Fox Movie Channel Programming Alert: Say One For Me (1959)

2011-01-17T13:44:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone's new year is shaping up well!

I'm here today to make sure you all know that Fox Movie Channel will be airing Say One for Me (1959) tomorrow. Say One for Me is a little-known, hard to find gem starring Bing Crosby, Debbie Reynolds, and Robert Wagner. It's not really comparable to such classics as White Christmas or Singin' in the Rain, but there are some funny and sweet moments to be enjoyed, including Crosby and Reynolds' singing the title song (this is one of my favorite movie duets). So set your recording devices to catch it, and if you miss tomorrow's airing, I've got great news for you: Fox will be airing it again on February 17th and 26th.

Note: While Say One for Me was originally shot in CinemaScope, the version that Fox is airing is Full Screen. It's a crime, I agree, but it's better than not seeing the movie at all.

Happy MLK Day!

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T19:28:00.000-06:00

Image via DoctorMacro

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T10:08:00.002-06:00

I think this speaks for itself.

Favorite Screen Couples: O'Neal & Streisand

2010-12-19T18:41:00.000-06:00

About a month ago, I checked out What's Up, Doc? on a whim, and after the first viewing, I knew it was a favorite. Roughly six viewings later, and I was completely in love with the combination of Ryan O'Neal and Barbra Streisand. They made two films together, What's Up, Doc? in 1972 and The Main Event in 1979, and both films are delightful throwbacks to the screwball comedies of the 1930s, as is the chemistry between O'Neal and Streisand.

Ryan
He had a recurring role in the 1960's soap opera Peyton Place before becoming an overnight success in the 1970 film Love Story. "Love means never having to say you're sorry," was one of the lines from that milestone (for him) film. It was repeated by Streisand in What's Up Doc?, and do you know O'Neal's response? "That's the dumbest thing I ever heard."

Barbra
After spending most of the '60s as a singer and a Broadway star, Streisand made her first film in 1968, reprising the role of Ziegfeld comedienne Fanny Brice that she had performed on Broadway. Streisand won an Academy Award for Funny Girl. She received her second nomination for her performance in 1973's The Way We Were.

Together
As a comedic duo, O'Neal and Streisand compliment each other superbly, playing off each other with truly hilarious results. In both of their films together, they were supported by good casts, but there's a reason why Streisand and O'Neal were the stars. Madeline Kahn couldn't completely overpower their chemistry in What's Up, Doc?, and even Streisand's crazy hair couldn't steal the show in The Main Event. There aren't many real "screen couples" in Hollywood, today. Whether that's a result of the quality of talent, material, or casting these days, I couldn't say, but one thing is sure: Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal deserve to be ranked with the best.

Favorite Screen Couples: Montalban & Charisse

2010-12-18T20:51:00.005-06:00

I watched Fiesta recently for the first time and really enjoyed it. The main reasons for this were Cyd Charisse and Ricardo Montalban, both in their separate scenes and the scenes they shared. They were both incredible dancers and highly enjoyable actors, and their onscreen relationship is so much fun to watch. Fiesta made me want to see On an Island With You again, and I found I liked that movie better than I did the first time. Again, the main reasons were these two gorgeous and talented people.

Of the five that they appeared in together, I've only seen the two films mentioned above, but I certainly intend to seek out more. I especially want to see The Mark of the Renegade (1951), which is apparently the only film in which they play the leading couple. It also looks as though it has an interesting plot, so that's a definite bonus.

Ricardo
Versatile and Handsome, Montalban still doesn't get as much recognition for his talent as he deserves. He was charming and likable when the role called for it, but he was also capable of being quite threatening and scary in darker roles, such as Kahn in the Star Trek episode "Space Seed" and the later film Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn (well, I thought he was scary).

Cyd
After appearing as a specialty dancer or supporting actress in several films, Cyd's first really big break was as Gene Kelly's partner for the "Broadway Melody Ballet" in Singin' in the Rain. Cyd starred in two more films with Kelly (Brigadoon and It's Always Fair Weather), as well two with Fred Astaire (The Band Wagon and Silk Stockings). Despite her impressive onscreen credits, Charisse is also sadly forgotten by the general public.

Together
Onscreen, Montalban and Charisse are tender and sweet, but never to the point of being boring. It's more like they share some special secret known only to them. When they dance, they almost reveal the secret. Almost.

Definition of a Christmas Movie

2010-12-02T14:06:00.000-06:00

Holiday films from all eras have always been favorites of mine. I still wish I could be Judy Haynes and dance with Danny Kaye while wearing that fabulous dress; I still get excited at the thought of getting out all those familiar friends as the Holidays come in; Natalie Wood pulling on Santa's beard still fills me with delight; and I wish that I had a basement full of rocking chairs. Christmas movies give me that warm, cuddly feeling and leave me with a smile as I wiggle my toes under a toasty warm blanket.

But what is a Christmas movie? Does a film have to be specifically about the characters preparing for or surviving the busy holiday to be considered a Christmas movie? Or does the film simply have to be set during the Holiday season and leave the audience with a cheerful and comforted feeling? There are many ways to define the genre. Yes, I do maintain that the Christmas film belongs to its own special genre - although it does overlap with other genres at times.

There are three ways that I decide if a movie is a "Christmas movie," other than the obvious "it has the word 'Christmas' in the title" or "it's all about Christmas and the season of giving." I consider a film a Christmas movie if: a) there is snow, b) there is a Christmas party (or similar event) depicted, c) Santa makes a personal appearance. If a film fulfills any of those three requirements, I call it a Christmas movie, mainly because I'll take any excuse to watch a movie I like.

So if you define the Christmas movie genre the way that I do, there are a lot more movies in the genre than the average person might think. While looking over a list of my favorite Christmas movies, you'd be likely to find a few titles that cause you to raise your eyebrows, tilt your head to one side, and mutter, "What kind of a nut whipped this up?" Below are some examples of unconventional Christmas movies.

Die Hard (1988) is probably the most surprising, and there are probably some of you that don't agree with me. However, I think it counts as a Christmas film. After all, there's a Christmas party, right? And people sing/hum/whistle/whatever "Winter Wonderland," right? Right? Yes? You concede those two points? Okay, then. It's a Christmas movie!

Sleepless in Seattle (1993) and You've Got Mail (1998) aren't usually listed as Christmas films, but I see a lot of Christmas in both of them. Horses, horses, horses....

Ball of Fire (1941) *sheepish smile* Okay, I don't have much of an excuse for this one. In fact, I think the film is actually set in the springtime (forgive me, but I don't remember). But Babs said she was cold, and that's enough for me. Don't look at me like that. You know you'll use any excuse to watch Barbara and the professors conga through the library, just the same as me. Seriously, don't look at me like that. You're creeping me out.

Swing Time (1936) Don't tell me this isn't a Christmas movie! Look! It has SNOW!

What about you? Any unconventional Christmas movies that you enjoy?

The 12 Days of Christmas Movies

2010-12-01T14:27:00.000-06:00

Sally of Flying Down To Hollywood is hosting a blogging event, inviting eleven bloggers to join her in blogging about favorite Christmas movies. Only a few people have joined up so far, so if you head on over, you can still leave her a comment to let her know you want to participate.

As I'm sure I've stated before, it's impossible for me to pin down one definitive favorite as far as Christmas movies are concerned. So my choice for this event is only one of my favorite Christmas films.

This shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anyone who knows about my obsession with 1960s films or my love for Jane Fonda, but I absolutely adore Period of Adjustment (1962). The movie teams Fonda with Jim Hutton (another favorite - remember how much I love Hellfighters and Walk, Don't Run?) and Tony Franciosa.

On Christmas Eve, bickering newlyweds George and Isabel Haverstick arrive on the doorstep of the groom's war buddy, Ralph Baitz, who tries to help them reconcile even as he struggles with his own marital problems. Lois Nettleton plays Ralph's wife, Dorothea, and steals the show.

Period of Adjustment is an unusual Christmas movie (as well as an unusual romantic comedy) that has laugh-out-loud funny moments offset by touching honesty. The characters are entertaining and sympathetic, the overall atmosphere of the film is cozy (perfect for late night viewings), and the dialogue is as quotable as you're favorite Christmas movie.

Holiday Cheer: 6/10

Although it does take place on Christmas Eve and has some very good Holiday moments, this is a movie that can be watched on the hottest day of the year and still be just as enjoyable, but then, all of the best Christmas movies are like that, too.

Feel-Good Factor: 10/10

Even as the characters fight and yell at each other, it's still hilarious, and the tender ending will leave you smiling.

Overall: 10/10

How could you go wrong with such a great cast and script? Not to mention the fact that everyone talks with thick Southern accents, making lines that are already good seem even better. I recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a good '60s comedy.

Parental warning: Period of Adjustment does have frank dialogue concerning the physical side of male/female relationships. Consider it a PG-13 film.

Period of Adjustment is scheduled to air on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) on December 21st. Set your recorders!

And don't forget to join Sally in The 12 Days of Christmas Movies!

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T16:02:00.000-06:00

So I'm pretty much convinced that I'm a terrible blog-person. I promised to have the survey results posted the week after the survey ended, then I said it would be the next week, and so on. And now? Now the holidays have arrived. *ominous music - heavy on the drums* Folks, all bets are off. Life is beyond nuts right now, but I still hope to have the results posted... before February. This is me apologizing a thousand times over for being such a slacker: Sorry x 1,000.

Please don't be too mad, and please do take pity on me. *holds up bandaged hand* I burned myself while I was baking, and on top of that I lost the peach cobbler (it flipped). : (

Anyway, I hope that you all have a good Thanksgiving week. Be sure to keep your favorite movies close at hand so that you can wind down and relax properly after it's all over - I've gathered together all of my movies from the 1960s (as well as the first four seasons of I Dream of Jeannie) so I'm well taken care of in that area.

See you around!

In Brief: Mini Reviews #2

2010-11-15T22:44:00.001-06:00

The Prize (1963)

Directed by Mark Robson

Starring Paul Newman, Elke Sommers

A film from one of my favorite movie years! Newman and Sommer are a Nobel Prize-winning novelist and the Swedish official assigned to keep him out of trouble during his stay in Stockholm. She has her work cut out for her but keeps up nicely, and Sommer and Newman have exceptional chemistry. The love scenes are some of the best of the ‘60s, and the story itself is a nice tribute to the early Thin Man movies of the ‘30s, with a dash of North by Northwest, too – I don’t know if this was intentional, but it works out quite well. I usually find Edward G. Robinson a little too much, but in The Prize he scales back his energy level several notches, giving a very fine performance indeed as another Prize-winner and that same character’s double. I would like to see him in more roles like this. Any suggestions? Also, as a side note, The Prize actually shares a connection with North by Northwest. Leo G. Carroll, who played the Professor in Hitchcock's film, appears here as Count Bertil Jacobsson.

East Side, West Side (1949)

Directed by Peter Weir

Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin

An interesting story with good production values (even if the music is too much at times) and a first rate cast. Think about it: the five main actors are gold. We have Barbara Stanwyck, James Mason, Van Heflin, Cyd Charisse, and there’s no way you could forget Ava Gardner. The story is obviously all about Stanwyck and Mason, but, ironically, it’s everyone else who provides interesting characterizations and who actually have roles worth playing. It isn’t anyone’s fault but the writers. Stanwyck and Mason’s characters simply aren’t interesting: Stanwyck’s is too sweet and perfect, and Mason’s is too weak, being the typical cad in charmer’s clothing. Gardner adds some spark to the movie as the homewrecking vixen causing Mason to stray. Heflin and Charisse, on the other hand, provide the heart of the movie. However, it seems idiotic that Heflin’s character wants Stanwyck when a girl like Charisse’s character, who is alive with humor and spirit, is even in the same country. Anyway, it was definitely worth watching, especially because of Charisse, Gardner, and Heflin, especially – who is always worth watching.

(DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE ENDING.)

Rose Marie (1954)

Directed by Mervyn LeRoy

Starring Ann Blyth, Howard Keel

Ann Blyth is cute, Howard Keel is splendid, as always, and Fernando Lamas is… well, Fernando Lamas (as always). I found the story appealing and humorous until it shifted off of Blyth’s relationship with Keel and transformance into a lady and onto the development of a love story between Blyth and Lamas. Although the first half is exceptionally good, I can’t recommend this movie with a clear conscience knowing as I do that Howard Keel doesn’t get the girl. Now there’s just something WRONG with that, on so many levels. And who does she leave him for? Fernando Lamas! I mean, what on earth were they thinking? What girl in her right mind would…? Grrr. So, yeah. The first half is very good, but the second is mostly just aggravating. Keel gives a very good performance.

(IT'S SAFE. YOU CAN COME OUT NOW.)

Lady With a Past (1932)

Directed by Edward H. Griffith

Starring Constance Bennett, Ben Lyons

Bennett is surprising sweet as a rich wallflower who, under Lyons' instruction, blossoms into a spunky and attractive woman. Was it obvious to anyone else that she ended up with the wrong guy? After all, Lyons' was the only one who paid any attention to her before she "transformed," and David Manners didn't give a hoot about her before. A guy worth having would have noticed and appreciated her without her having to be surrounded by scandal, wouldn't you agree? Overall, an amusing film that doesn't waste any time.

Kid Glove Killer (1942)

Directed by Fred Zinneman

Starring Van Heflin, Lee Bowman

Another Heflin movie. It’s a short movie, but anything else would just drag it down. It already has everything it needs: an intriguing story, less about the mystery than how it is solved, sympathetic characters who throw around some very good dialogue, and an outstanding cast. I’ll admit it was nice to see Lee Bowman do something other than be the charming but average lead of a romantic comedy, and Marsha Hunt is delightful as the savvy but still very funny and human woman who is torn between her (seemingly) hopeless love for one man and the security that another man’s love represents to her. It shouldn’t come as any surprise, though, that Van Heflin provides my favorite of the performances and characters. I can’t stress enough how much I love this guy and his work. Kid Glove Killer is a tightly packed crime story.

Make Your Own Bed (1944)

Directed by Peter Godfrey

Starring Jack Carson, Jane Wyman

Carson, Wyman, and a clever mystery/comedy script: what more could you want? The stars are in fine form and the material is perfectly suited to them. This is one that I can recommend with a clear and happy conscience.

Quick Update

2010-11-15T15:10:00.000-06:00

Sorry the survey results haven't been posted yet. I've been pretty busy, but I'm still working steadily to compile everybody's answers. Now I realize that I probably should've been working on that from the very first.... Oh, well. Anyway, I hope to have the results all ready and posted sometime this week. Thanks for your patience!

Hello All!

2010-11-02T16:38:00.000-05:00

I hope you're having a good week, and if you're doing NaNoWriMo this year, I hope you survive! I hope I survive, too. ; )

Anyway, I just wanted to remind you all that the Cinema Survey ends this Friday (Nov. 5th), so if you haven't participated yet, you might want to get a move on.

I'm headed off to the symphony this evening. It should be a lot of fun (I love going to concerts, recitals, plays, etc.), but I'm hesitant just the same because it's cold outside. This is the coldest day we've had yet as winter crowds in (we don't have fall in Texas: only summer and winter - sometimes a few days of spring, but no autumn), and it's rainy, too. Cold + wet isn't quite enough to get me excited about leaving the house and coming home after dark, but I'll give it the ol' college try.

See you around!

- AC

Notes on a Survey After One Week....

2010-10-29T18:42:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all the fabulous bloggers who have participated so far! I've loved reading all your answers. We've had some interesting answers, either because they're unusual or because the blogger included an interesting comment.

I've noticed some of you had difficulty answering question #8, so here's a brief explanation: Virginia O'Brien and Ethel Merman were both singers. Merman was very energetic and over-the-top, whereas O'Brien was much more laid-back. (Also, O'Brien was a much better singer - but that's just my opinion.) Hopefully that helps. If it does and you want to go back and change your answer to #8, it's allowed.

Since there's been such a good response, I've decided to bring survey to a close on November 5th. Weird logic, I know, but let me explain. If the survey goes on for more than one more week, compiling the answers at the end will probably take yet another week. Since I don't have that much time to spend on the project, the survey will close on the 5th, after enjoying a run of two full weeks.

So if anyone hasn't taken the survey yet but would like to, the deadline is in one week, and I'll look forward to reading your answers!

In the meantime, I've whipped up a few more event logos. Enjoy!

In Brief: Mini Reviews

2010-10-28T15:25:00.000-05:00

My posting over the past few months may have been down, but that doesn't mean I wasn't watching anything. In fact several movies have been on my screen, and I have thoughts about them I'd like to share. Unfortunately, I don't think quite enough to be able write full reviews of each movie, so I'll just give you what I can.

Wise Girl (1937)
Director: Leigh Jason
Starring: Miriam Hopkins, Ray Milland
Milland and Hopkins make an interesting pair, and their verbal sparring is hilarious. I always love it when he cuts loose and goes crazy. For the better part of the movie, I found myself wondering what on earth was wrong with Hopkins character that she couldn't see what was right before her eyes, but that's only minor complaint. The two girls who play Milland and Hopkins' nieces are adorable and funny, and the ever-enjoyable Walter Abel has some very good moments as Milland's drunkard best friend. Overall a delightful little movie with plenty of laughs.

It Had to be You (1947)
Director: Donald Hartman, Rudolph Mate
Starring: Ginger Rogers, Cornel Wilde
I realize that I've reviewed this one before, but I have a few new comments to add. For one thing, I think I should announce that Ginger's "ingenue" voice doesn't drive me quite as nuts as it used to. And for another, while her performance is delightful and does improve with each viewing, Cornel's performance (the more subtle of the two) is the one that really improves. Each time I see It Had to be You, I'm more and more impressed with his talent for farce. The next time you see this movie, be sure to watch his face, even when another character is talking. Have you ever seen anyone having so much fun with a role? This being one of my very favorite movies, of course I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good comedy for what it is: comedy.

Uncertain Glory (1944)
Director: Raoul Walsh
Starring: Errol Flynn, Paul Lukas
An interesting story with good direction by Walsh and an outstanding performance by Flynn. I always like to see actor's play their character's with intelligence, and Flynn did a fine job. For anyone who says that he couldn't act, just take a look at this film and get back to me, okay?

The Dark Corner (1946)
Director: Henry Hathaway
Starring: Lucille Ball, Mark Stevens
Good-ol'-fashioned film noir, right down to the private eye who is framed for murder. My favorite part was when Ball opened the door to get the milk from the milkman. She has her back to the camera, and the audience sees past her, through the door, and watches the milkman. He hands her the paper that was lying outside her door, she tucks it under her arm, we see Stevens' hand take it away, and the milkman, who also saw his hand, gives her a sly look. No words; just a really good moment that I can't describe adequately. I do have one question for those of you who have seen several Clifton Webb films: does he always play the same character? I've only seen him in this and in Laura, and the roles are, for all intensive purposes, the very same.

From Here to Eternity (1953)
Director: Fred Zinneman
Starring: Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift
I should point out that I recognize this was probably a very good film when it was made, however, I don't think it's stood the test of time very well, nor has it aged gracefully. With the exception of Frank Sinatra and a handful of Donna Reed's moments, the performances seem to have gone stale, and the boxing storyline (if it can be called such a thing) was just plain silliness. I realize that there are such people as are depicted in this movie, but that doesn't mean that grown men making such a big deal over a boxing tournament isn't ridiculous. While Clift is busy making sure we know that a Barrymore he ain't, Lancaster gives a barely convincing impression of an actor. Just the same, while many elements have, as I said, gone stale over time, there are a few things that remain fresh and enjoyable: Sinatra's performance for instance, really is as good as I'd heard, and he deserved the Oscar he won. As for Reed's performance, I wouldn't call it stellar: in fact there are times when it seems quite flat. She does have her moments, though. The short scene when Lancaster and Clift are sitting in the middle of the road completely wasted has aged well and is still quite funny, and the song "Re-Enlistment Blues," which was sung frequently throughout the film, is a welcome relief from the heavy-handed drama.

What a Woman (1943)
Director: Irving Cummings
Starring: Rosalind Russell, Brian Aherne
When his promoter sets out to make an author more like the dashing he-man in his bestselling novel, she succeeds a little too well and winds up with an amorous client on her hands. Russell once again brings out the comedic flair that served her so well in His Girl Friday and gives a hilarious performance: she has a particularly funny scene with Willard Parker as they are dancing to the sweet sounds of swing... at four o'clock in the morning! My favorite performance from this movie, however, is undoubtedly that of Brian Aherne. Sophisticated and charming as usual, Aherne is delightfully indolent and wry: most of his lines are delivered from a comfortable lounging position, as though he hasn't a care in the world. Of course, his characterization does take a slightly more serious turn at the end, but he still retains that same indolent charm.

Ambush (1949)
Director: Sam Wood
Starring: Robert Taylor, John Hodiak
This is the sort a western I like: a good story that isn't too complicated, a capable cast led by Robert Taylor (also, watch for Jean Hagen, who does a great job in a supporting role), and admirable direction. Nothing fussy about this movie: just a good, solid western.

All images via Dr. Macro

Cinema Survey: My Answers

2010-10-23T19:44:00.001-05:00

1. What is your favorite movie starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, excluding all of The Thin Man films? The first question and I'm already tied in a knot! This one's really hard to answer since I love Myrna and Bill so much, but if I have to choose, I think I have to say Evelyn Prentice... or Double Wedding. It's really close.

2. Name a screen team that appeared in only one film together but are still noteworthy for how well they complimented each other. I've always enjoyed the pairing of Ginger Rogers and Walter Pidgeon in Weekend at the Waldorf. They were both pros with a good sense of humor, and, much as I love the other parts of the movie, the scenes with them are the ones that I wait to see. I wish they'd done other movies together.

3. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' best film together? Although Shall We Dance is my favorite, I think Top Hat was probably their best.

4. Your favorite actor named "Robert"? Robert Montgomery. With Taylor and Redford very close behind, of course.

5. An actor/actress who, when you see one of their movies, you always wish that someone else was in his/her role? Jeannette MacDonald, without fail. I think there are some of her movies that I could have really enjoyed... if only she hadn't been in them. Apologies to her fans, but she really gets on my nerves.

6. An actor/actress that someone close to you really loves that you can't stand or vice versa? My sister doesn't care for William Powell at all, whereas I think he was one of the finest actors of his time.

7. An actor/actress that you both agree on completely? Robert Redford and Paul Newman.

8. Complete this sentence: Virginia O'Brien is to Ethel Merman as... William Powell is to James Cagney.

9. What is your favorite film starring Ray Milland? The Major and the Minor (no surprise there).

10. You had to have seen this one coming: what is your favorite movie of the 1960s? Sunday in New York. Jane Fonda; Montgomery Clift; Rod Taylor; 1960s comedy; what's not to love?

11. An actor/actress that you would take out of one film and put into a different movie that was released the same year? (People who were not in any pictures that year are allowed, too.) I would have Marge Champion play Kay in The Opposite Sex instead of June Allyson. It's not really anything against Allyson, it's just that I felt she wasn't quite right for the role and Marge would've been a better choice. She also wouldn't have been ten years older than Leslie Nielson, the character's husband.

12. Who was your favorite of Robert Montgomery's leading ladies? I like Bob no matter who he's acting opposite, but there are times when he seems to overwhelm some of his leading ladies. This hardly ever happened with Joan Crawford.

13. You think it would have been a disaster (or, at least, not as good) if what movie starred the actor/actress who was originally asked to star in it? Much as I love Ginger, I honestly don't think that Ball as Fire would be as good with her as Sugarpuss.

14. An actor/actress who you will watch in any or almost any movie? Van Heflin!

15. Your favorite Leslie Howard film and role? The Scarlet Pimpernel will always be my favorite, but It's Love I'm After is a close second.

16. You have been asked to host a marathon of four Barbara Stanwyck films. Which ones do you choose? My Reputation and The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, followed by The Lady Eve and Christmas in Connecticut to lighten the mood.

17. What is, in your mind, the nearest to perfect comedy you have ever seen? Why? The Philadelphia Story is a perfect blend of comedy and romance, with a little dash of drama to keep things interesting. It also has as perfect a cast as any movie.

18. You will brook no criticism of what film? I hate to hear anyone criticizing Singin' in the Rain and The Thin Man, among others.

19. Who is your favorite Irish actress? Maureen O'Sullivan. I haven't seen her display a great range in acting, but I find her very pleasant to watch. Need a sweet but spunky damsel in distress? Get that O'Sullivan girl!

20. Your favorite 1940s movie starring Ginger Rogers? The Major and the Minor. It's one of my favorite movies of all time, in case you hadn't guessed.

21. Do you enjoy silent movies? I haven't seen very many, but I've yet to watch one I didn't enjoy.

22. What is your favorite Bette Davis film? It's Love I'm After.

23. Your favorite onscreen Hollywood couple? Myrna Loy and William Powell.

24. This one is for the girls, but, of course, the guys are welcome to answer, too: who is your favorite Hollywood costume designer? I've always been partial to Irene's gowns.

25. To even things out a bit, here's something the boys will enjoy: what is your favorite tough action film? Rambo III!

26. You are currently gaining a greater appreciation for which actor(s)/actress(es)? Robert Montgomery and Ray Milland.

27. Franchot Tone: yes or no? Yes! He does have that creepy-eyed-expression going for him sometimes, but I think he was a marvelous actor. Unfortunately, he was wasted in several B movies during the '30s. He was much too good to be stuck in movies like Love is a Headache.

28. Which actors and/or actresses do you think are underrated? Franchot Tone, since we're already on the subject, and Jane Powell, to name only two. Van Heflin, to name three.

29. Which actors and/or actresses do you think are overrated? Maurice Chevalier drives me nuts.

30. Favorite actor? Van Heflin or Robert Montgomery.

31. Favorite actress? Ginger Rogers or Barbara Stanwyck.

32. Of those listed, who is the coolest: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Steve McQueen, or Patrick Stewart? I know I can't answer this one. I just put it in so that I could see what other people think.

33. What is your favorite movie from each of these genres:

Comedy: The Philadelphia Story

Swashbuckler: The Adventures of Robin Hood

Film noir: Laura

Musical: Royal Wedding

Holiday: Impossible to choose!

Hitchcock: North by Northwest

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to take the survey yourself. I can't wait to read your answers!

Amanda's Cinema Survey

2010-10-23T19:03:00.001-05:00

As promised, I bring you this year's survey questions, and I hope you enjoy answering them.

First, I want to thank Matthew of Movietone News because it was his survey last year that first made me want to do one, and it was great fun. So blame him for making me survey-crazy.

The rules: it's pretty simple, really. To participate just answer the questions in the comments of this post or on your own blog. If you post the answers on your blog, please leave a comment here to let me know. When the survey has ended, I'll compile all the answers and post the results. I'm not sure yet when the survey will end, but I'll be sure to give at least a week's notice. Also, it is understood that opinions can change at any time, just try to answer as well as you can according to your present mood.

Let the games begin!

1. What is your favorite movie starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, excluding all of The Thin Man films?

2. Name a screen team that appeared in only one film together but are still noteworthy for how well they complimented each other.

3. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' best film together?

4. Your favorite actor named "Robert"?

5. An actor/actress who, when you see one of their movies, you always wish that someone else was in his/her role?

6. An actor/actress that someone close to you really loves that you can't stand or vice versa?

7. An actor/actress that you both agree on completely?

8. Complete this sentence: Virginia O'Brien is to Ethel Merman as...

9. What is your favorite film starring Ray Milland?

10. You had to have seen this one coming: what is your favorite movie of the 1960s?

11. An actor/actress that you would take out of one film and put into a different movie that was released the same year?

12. Who was your favorite of Robert Montgomery's leading ladies?

13. You think it would have been a disaster if what movie starred the actor/actress who was originally asked to star in it?

14. An actor/actress who you will watch in any or almost any movie?

15. Your favorite Leslie Howard film and role?

16. You have been asked to host a marathon of four Barbara Stanwyck films. Which ones do you choose?

17. What is, in your mind, the nearest to perfect comedy you have ever seen? Why?

18. You will brook no criticism of what film?

19. Who is your favorite Irish actress?

20. Your favorite 1940s movie starring Ginger Rogers?

21. Do you enjoy silent movies?

22. What is your favorite Bette Davis film?

23. Your favorite onscreen Hollywood couple?

24. This one is for the girls, but, of course, the guys are welcome to answer, too: who is your favorite Hollywood costume designer?

25. To even things out a bit, here's something the boys will enjoy: what is your favorite tough action film?

26. You are currently gaining a greater appreciation for which actor(s)/actress(es)?

27. Franchot Tone: yes or no?

28. Which actors and/or actresses do you think are underrated?

29. Which actors and/or actresses do you think are overrated?

30. Favorite actor?

31. Favorite actress?

32. Of those listed, who is the coolest: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Steve McQueen, or Patrick Stewart?

33. What is your favorite movie from each of these genres:

Comedy:

Swashbuckler:

Film noir:

Musical:

Holiday:

Hitchcock:

Matthew and Angela

2010-10-23T11:12:00.000-05:00

Since I was out of the loop for so long, I didn't know that Matthew Coniam of Movietone News and Angela Levin of Golden Strands are getting married tomorrow, but it's never too late to wish them well. Congratulations Matthew and Angela! Honestly, eloquent words fail me right now, so I'll keep it simple: I'm so happy that you've found each other, I wish you the very best, and pray that your love and respect for each other will grow even greater as the years pass.

Just Flew in from Another World, And My Arms are Tired!

2010-10-22T21:02:00.000-05:00

I'm ba-aack! And hopefully cooler than ever, but I'll let you be the judges of that.

I realize, of course, that I've only been away from the blog for a little under two months, but it's seemed so much longer. I really missed you guys! And I'm glad to be back in the ol' neighborhood. Miss me? Be warned, if you didn't, don't say so, or I'll start singing "Stranger in Town" in the most melancholy way you can imagine, write out the words in a post, and maybe even post a recording of myself. This, frankly, would be a disaster, so if you're glad that I was gone if even for a little while, keep it to yourself or suffer my pathetic and off-key wrath! : )

Just like the new sheriff in countless old westerns, I, yours truly refreshed and renewed from my break from the keyboard, must warn you that there are gonna be some changes made 'round here.

For the time being, the Sunday in the '60s feature is still on break, but I'll be bringing it back soon, so don't worry. It won't be too long before we're once again basking in the joy of those ridiculously enjoyable '60s films! But that isn't the big news.

I'm proud (and unbelievably excited) to announce that Amanda's Classic Cinema Survey is returning! I had so much fun with it last year that I've been dying to do it again ever since, but I thought that making it anything more frequent than an annual feature would get boring and extremely time-consuming. It's been a little over a year, though, since it's first introduction, so I think it's about time to do it again. Anybody else excited about this? I'll be posting the questions and my own answers sometime during the next few days. Until then, you might want to do a little self-inventory of your tastes concerning movies because I intend to ask some tough questions this year.

I hope you're all doing well and look forward to seeing what happens with the Survey!

- A.C.

P.S. While you're waiting for the Survey to be posted, feel free to snag one of these event logos for your own blog.

Sunday in the '60s: Walk, Don't Run (1966)

2010-08-29T23:56:00.000-05:00

I have to admit that I've been putting off the writing of this review. The reason being that I've been afraid of receiving scornful glances when I confess that, much as I love The More the Merrier, I love the remake, Walk, Don't Run, even more. Now, though, I'm thinking, why should I be ashamed of it? After all, it's a great movie! Just think about it: Cary Grant, Jim Hutton, and Samantha Eggar in a classic story. Hard to beat that, right?

I love Cary Grant in the role of Sir William Rutland. His performance is just so laid back but also brilliant and scene-stealing. If you ask me, this was the best way that he could end his feature film career. It's a good movie, with a strong script and cast, but it isn't another The Philadelphia Story, so it's not like he's leaving after a brilliant smash-hit, making him more "in demand" than ever. And most importantly, it's not a bummer of a movie, and he's certainly not a bummer in it, so it's not like he's leaving the business after a really bad flop. This is what I call going out on a sweet note. Don't get me wrong, if it were up to me, he'd still be making movies today (we all know the man only got better as time went by). It would make things a bit easier if her were still alive, of course, but who's complaining? We'll take what we can get.

I've thought about it a lot, and when I started thinking, it seemed that the two movies were on equal footing in my estimation. Then I thought about it more and started doubting. Were the scales really tipping toward Walk, Don't Run, a remake?! This just couldn't be. So I made lists (I love lists) of what I like about each of the versions. It soon became apparent that the scales weren't tipping: the scales had fallen over due to the extreme weight of one scale and the extreme lightness of the other. How did this happen to me? A few months ago I was enjoying a blissful live filled with joyful scorn for remakes and sequels! My feelings for sequels are still the same, thankfully (a girl needs a little stability in her life, you know), but I found my sentiments regarding remakes to be... altering slightly.

Anyway, I know that this hasn't been a real "movie review" but more of collection of (just a few of) my thoughts on one movie, but it's all I've got at the moment. I truly and honestly have trouble expressing how much I love Walk, Don't Run, and you'll probably be hearing more about it in the future as I am better able to put my love for it on paper (and then translate it to screen, for your reading pleasure or displeasure, as the case may be). For the moment, though, I can only say that if you like funny '60s comedies, you'll enjoy this movie.

So, posting this just a few minutes before midnight, so that it actually will count as a part of my Sunday in the '60s series, I remain,

Amanda

Image Source

The Other Side of the Rainbow: With Judy Garland on the Dawn Patrol - by Mel Tormé

2010-08-24T18:38:00.000-05:00

When reading a biography or memoir of any sort, I usually take the words with a grain of salt. Everyone wants to be remembered or called to mind in a certain light. There are certain characteristics that are stressed, others underplayed, and many events omitted or slightly altered, whether due to faulty memory or calculated agendas. It is never possible to completely understand another human being, even through the medium of ink on paper. If you were to single out one human being in the whole world and spend all of your time with them, reading about them, and talking to other people about them, I doubt that you would completely understand them. You might be a lot closer to it than the rest of us, but does being ahead in the race automatically make you the winner? It's very easy for a writer to think that they understand their subject perfectly (writers have a tendency to be enormously arrogant and self-critical by turns), to think that they are shedding new light on the hidden depths of the human psyché. It's rare to find a biographer who doesn't seem pretentious in their probing, or a memoirist (yes, that is a word) who doesn't try to present themselves in a certain, usually more flattering way. In The Other Side of the Rainbow: With Judy Garland on the Dawn Patrol, Mel Tormé impressed me greatly with the fact that he doesn't seem to be doing either of these things as he writes about his experiences with perhaps the greatest and most famous superstar of all time.

Published in 1970, only one year after Judy Garland's death, The Other Side of the Rainbow doesn't attempt to give a complete and clear understanding of her character, only to tell the part of her story that involved singer/songwriter Mel Tormé with truth and humanity. Undoubtedly, Tormé is a gifted writer, making his story read like an inspired novel, but while pouring over the pages, I never once found myself doubting that he was speaking truth. Maybe he's just that good a writer, to convince me, or maybe, and this is the "maybe" that I find myself believing, he had no agenda, other than to write the true story, with respect and sympathy for her and with the unsoftened, but never cruel, truth.

The book is mainly spent covering his time writing special material for Garland on her CBS program, "The Judy Garland Show." He had a run-of-the-show contract, staying with the project until a few shows before the series folded. He was the only writer to stay with the show for so long, and he was the last of the "first regime" to leave. Although not without some reluctance, he was drawn closely to her during his time on the show, and he seemed to be one of the few people involved in the project who genuinely cared about her.

Throughout the course of "The Judy Garland Show," Garland and Tormé spent many hours together. Aside from the work that they did together, in which she leaned on him heavily for musical direction, he was called on several times to run down to her trailer or house and listen to her, her insecurities and doubts revealing themselves, sometimes unintentionally. Like the others who worked with her on the show, he had to put up with the delays and excitements that she caused. He knew her during good times, when she was happy and confident, and he knew her during terrible times, when she was depressed and once again filled with self-doubt and pain. Sometimes in spite of himself, he stuck around for as long as he could, and probably a little longer.

After she died of a drug overdose at age 47, he wrote a full and honest account of his time working with her. He didn't leave out the bad times, when she was drunk, unreliable, and a genuine mess, but he also didn't omit the good things about her: her love for her children, her sense of humor, her kindness, and, of course, her immeasurable talent. There is no bitterness evident in his book, even when writing about the less savory moments that they shared. If Tormé did have an agenda when writing The Other Side of the Rainbow, it was to provide a little insight into her life and remind people that she was a great lady who has left a great legacy to the men and women who still love her and, as long as there is still even the smallest amount of goodness in the world, always will.

I Dream of Jeannie

2010-08-23T22:09:00.001-05:00

Seriously! I had a dream (please no singing, Gypsy fans, this isn't the time) that was like an episode of my favorite sitcom. One of the best dreams I've ever had: watching Tony and Jeannie outwit her brunette sister was wonderful - and funny, too, of course (that should go without saying). I remember something about trapping sister Jeannie in a drawer....

As I said, I Dream of Jeannie is my favorite sitcom, and Barbara Eden is my favorite sitcom heroine. She's funny, she's beautiful, she's smart, and I hope that she's had a really great birthday today. She deserves it.

Happy birthday, Miss Eden, from one of your devoted fans! May you have many, many more, and may your grace and humor never be forgotten.

Image Source

Steven Seagal is Awesome!

2010-08-22T19:41:00.002-05:00

Just thought you should know. : )

Captain Newman, M.D. (1963)

2010-08-22T10:40:00.000-05:00

This is one of those movies that combines out-and-out comedy with drama. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me want to watch it again.

Gregory Peck, as you've heard me say many times before (and doubtless will hear me say many times again) is one of my very favorite of favorite actors. The man can do no wrong. I have never seen him in a film where he wasn't brilliant. This is a guy who could steal a scene - a whole movie even - from Ingrid Bergman. How many actors, I ask you, could do a thing like that? And so early in his career! Obviously, he could hold his own with the best of them. Hey, he was among the best of them!

He plays the title character, a World War II Army psychiatrist who is charged with "curing" his patients and sending them back to action as soon as possible, regardless of the fact that they are still unfit for duty, but Captain Joe Newman is more concerned about the mental health of the men than getting them back to the front. He runs into resistance from higher officials but continues to do what he feels is right for his patients. Newman does whatever he has to do to help them: whether that be stealing the orderly who's just arrived and was supposed to report to a different ward or treating the patients in the way that he sees fit - even if it goes against his orders.

As always, Peck brings a great deal of integrity to the role. There are times when the film's focus shifts for a little while from his character to the patients (including Bobby Darin, who was nominated for an Academy Award) or the orderlies (including a funny-as-ever Tony Curtis, who, for once, isn't busy chasing girls). Peck, however, remains at the heart of the film. It always comes back to him.

After some thought, I've decided that the best way to give a truly good idea of what Captain Newman, M.D. is like is to say that if you like M*A*S*H, you'll like this. Just imagine what it would be like if the M*A*S*H gang were in a WWII psychiatric ward and you'll have a pretty good picture of what this film is like. There are a lot of similarities. Only there aren't any stills or cross-dressers (that we know of).

Angie Dickinson is a nurse who falls in love with Newman. The love story is very sweet, by the way: very understated and more of a subplot than anything else.

Also in the cast is Larry Storch, as a comical orderly who clashes with Curtis over salami. Storch impresses me more and more each time I see him in something new: he's a very funny man! He was a monkey-turned-human in a season 3 episode of I Dream of Jeannie, a very funny spy in Who Was That Lady? (reviewed here two weeks ago), and now this! I'm looking forward to seeing more of his work.

It should also be noted that Dick Sargent, of Bewitched fame, and Eddie Albert, who supported Peck in Roman Holiday, are present in the film, too.

So, with a marvelous cast and story, this is one equally marvelous movie that comes highly recommended by yours truly. If you get a chance to see it, don't pass it by!

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Oh My... This is Scary

2010-08-20T15:42:00.000-05:00

So... um... I watched a movie last night. Not that unusual, when you think about it. I watch a movie almost every night (there's no question about it: I'm an fiend!!). But this is different. This is... so different. There are some movies that just "click," you know? You watch it and immediately you love it, and you can watch it a million times and it's just as wonderful as it was the first time through. And then... there are those movies that you watch and know that something it bizarrely wrong. You finish the movie and think, "What the...?" or, "How could they possibly...?" Words just aren't enough to express how disturbed you are, even if you're amused at the same time.

Last night I was up late studying, and I really, honestly needed to watch something to settle down. It was after one o'clock and I was super tired, so I figured I should watch a short movie. So what did I choose? Anne of Green Gables (1934). Yes, you read me right. This isn't a joke. I'll pause here and let what I've just said sink in. This would be a good time for the screams of horror, by the way.

It's an appalling movie, really, not only when compared to the book but also when compared to the 1985 miniseries with Megan Follows. Maybe it's unfair to compare an hour and a half movie to a full miniseries, but, hey, I think the real story could have been told in an hour and a half. And, honestly, I'm okay with changing a few things around to save time, but - but - okay, I'm just gonna say it: screenwriter Sam Mintz REALLY SCREWED IT UP!!!! I mean, I can see how he got the story that he wrote out of what L.M. Montgomery wrote in the book (it takes a lot of twisted twisting, but you can get there), but I can't see why. Why, why, why?? Please excuse me for a moment while I sob uncontrollably and bang my head on my desk.

Montgomery wrote a perfectly wonderful, beautiful, dramatic and funny story with a perfect love story. Why did Mintz feel the need to butcher it like he did? Not only did he speed up the romance part - he changed it completely! To make matters worse, I know that Mintz was capable of better work. He was a writer for three other movies that I love: Three Smart Girls, Roberta, and Rafter Romance. I'm very disappointed in this fellow.

Also, why was Diana a blonde? And so annoying, too....

Okay, I'm really not as mad as I sound. Well - yes, I am, but I also see the humor in this. I can't really deny the hilarity, considering that I laughed all through the movie. Don't get me wrong: it was hideous. But it was so funny to see such bad acting. I mean - Mrs. Lynde? Oh, sorry, I forgot: Mrs. Barry. You're kidding right? Mrs. Lynde as Diana's mother?! Whahahaha!! As for Anne Shirley (the actress, I mean), she was pretty funny, too. Bad, bad, bad.

And let's not forget Tom Brown: his portrayal makes me understand why Anne (the character) found him so annoying for all those years! But seriously, where did Gilbert go? The real Gilbert, who stole my heart when I was nine years old? In the books, he's smart and charming... in the movie, he's neither. Brown makes him seem like an immature idiot. (Come to think of it, when are idiots mature?) Oh, spare me.

It's just wrong for a movie to be this laughable. This makes Gunslinger (1956) look good by comparison. (That's not a good thing, by the way.) Unfortunately there's no funny lady in Anne of Green Gables to go to a funeral and tell the pastor to hurry it up because she's got a roast in the oven and needs to get back to it soon. (!!)

It's not all funny, though. There are some parts that are downright creepy. For instance, when Anne goes off to school, she gives Marilla a goodbye kiss - smack on the mouth while being held incredibly tight. Ahem. Cough. Cough. Are we interrupting something? Maybe... yeah, we should just go.... Her two kisses with Gilbert don't come anywhere close to being that wild. Oh, yeah, and Matthew just gets a quick peck on the cheek? That goodbye scene really disturbs me.

Another scene that wasn't very funny (although for far less creepy reasons) is Anne's first day in the Avonlea schoolhouse. I've always thought it was hilarious when she hit Gilbert over the head with her slate, but last night, as I was watching the old version that was new to me, I realized when my laughter died down that I had only laughed because I thought it should be funny. Seriously, it's a great scene in the book and in the miniseries, but apparently the makers of this version didn't see the humor: it's overly dramatic.

While this movie is intensely funny most of the time, it's funny because it's so bad, but there are a few good parts. O.P. Heggie would never have been my first choice for Matthew, but he does a fairly good job. Hey, he does better with his character than any of the other actors did with theirs. He's pretty funny, too. I've always loved Matthew.

Wrapping things up, I definitely don't recommend this movie. Unless you really love laughing at bad films, in which case this is right up your alley. Just be ready to pull out the book or the Megan Follows version to cleanse your palette.

Robert Redford!

2010-08-18T11:23:00.001-05:00

Okay, everybody, let's all shout it out together - and with feeling: Happy birthday, Robert Redford!!

The great man turns 74 today, and I think that calls for a celebration! After all, he's only one of the coollest people to ever live. It should be a crime to think otherwise. I hear you laughing, but I'm dead serious. And this is one instance where I think my sister would back me up. There are three actors that we completely agree about: Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, and Robert Redford. You don't want to mess with us.

The man is amazing. Just think about all of the great movies that he's been in, and ask yourself: would they have been as good if it weren't for him? Well, I don't know what answer you give yourself, but I have to say "NO!" The Sting and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid just wouldn't have been the same, or as good, if it weren't for Redford. You know why? Because he and Newman are one of the best screen teams you'll ever see. And, really, how can you beat a movie that has both of them?

I won't get into The Great Gatsby right now - we'd be here all day and into next week, but suffice it to say that Redford absolutely owns it. And The Electic Horseman! Oh, I could go on forever about that one, but I'll try to keep it short. Few other actors could portray the character of Sonny Steele so wonderfully, making him admirable, endearing, comical, and so much more, all at the same time.

Robert Redford could act opposite a brick wall and still knock your socks off, but it's more fun to see him interacting with his costars. To say that he's one of my favorite actors is a gross understatement.

Happy birthday, Mr. Redford!

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Sunday in the '60s: Who Was That Lady? (1960)

2010-08-08T10:58:00.000-05:00

First off: Apologies for not posting last Sunday, but, hey, it's been five weeks since I announced this new series and I've only missed once? I call that a pretty good record (for me anyway). Besides, I have a good excuse. Moving on to the review.

There are so many things I want to say about Who Was That Lady? Where oh where to begin? Well, I guess I should start with the most obvious: the cast.

Dean Martin is awesome. I seriously need to see more of his movies (I always say that don't I?). He's a brilliant comedian, and he steals a bunch of scenes right out from under Tony Curtis' feet. That's quite an accomplishment, you know. So let's just get it out there and all agree that Dino is one cool specimen of the star species. Granted, his character seems to know only one song (the title tune), but who's complaining? It doesn't get old, it's catchy (it was running through my head all of yesterday), and Martin is too cool to give anyone a chance to get tired of it.

As you should know by now (and if you don't, it's about time you found out), Tony Curtis is one of my favorite actors. I think I like him even better than Gary Cooper. Curtis and Martin make a great comedy duo: they seem to feed off each other's energy. The scene when they're trying to sink the Empire State Building is too hilarious to describe. You really have to see it to believe it.

Janet Leigh: another favorite I need to see more of. Her character: how could anyone possibly be that dumb? Oh well, it makes for good comedy. By the way, I'm truly envious of one of her dresses in this film: the black one that she's wearing when Curtis gives her the pearl necklace is gorgeous. G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S. Gorgeous. That dress is really something else.

Okay, maybe I should say something about the story because, after all, this is supposed to be a movie review, not a fashion show. The movie starts out when Ann Wilson (Leigh) walks in on her husband, David (Curtis), as he's being kissed by a foreign exchange student. (He's a professor at Columbia University.) Next thing you know, she's packing for Reno. And really, who can blame her? Well, David panics (again, who can blame him?) and calls his best friend, Mike Haney (Martin), looking for help. After some pleading and not-so-subtle flattery by David, Mike (who is a screenwriter for CBS) helps him work up a story meant to keep Ann from learning the truth: David is an FBI agent. Mike supplies the gun and FBI ID card via the prop department. From there, the film keeps a steady pace of excitement and comedy as the boys get mixed up with real spies and FBI agents.

Final note: the photography. Oh my. I can't begin to tell you how much I adore the '60s in black and white. It's so very... '60s gorgeous. Beyond cool. I think the first time I really noticed it (and started to fall in love) is when I saw part of Goodbye Again (1961) on TV. Since then, other movies have just fed the obsession. Love With the Proper Stranger takes it to a whole new level. Mmh. Yup. Gorgeous. Like the dress!

Who Was That Lady? is a good movie that I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes '60s comedies, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, and, of course, Dean Martin.

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Sunday in the '60s: Do Not Disturb (1965)

2010-07-25T23:22:00.000-05:00

I admit that I'm not the greatest authority on Doris Day. I've only seen a handful - okay, more like two handfuls - of her movies. However, out of the movies that I have seen, I think I can honestly say that my favorite of her leading men (in the context of being her leading man) is Rod Taylor. In the two movies that they made together, they not only had chemistry but they were in perfect sync with each other as far as timing was concerned. Line after line, right on the mark, and with an ease that is a credit to them both. Their images - he as the sophisticated, witty and affable (say, how many adjectives can I think of, anyway?) man of the world, and she as the slightly naive girl next door - blended together perfectly. They are easily my favorite onscreen couple of the '60s.

In their first screen pairing, Do Not Disturb, they portray Mike and Janet Harper, a couple approaching their fifth (? - can't remember if I got the number right or not, but it's close enough) wedding anniversary, but they're not sure if they'll be spending it together. They've just moved to England, where Mike is the new general manager of Baird Woolens, and because of his new job and the long commute from London to their new home in Kent, he's not home very often. Left alone, Janet becomes jealous of his secretary. When she goes to Paris with an antique dealer to find a Georgian dining set, Mike begins to think that she's the one having an affair.

Doris is charming and funny, as usual, although, in her some of her scenes apart from Taylor, she gets a little too cutesy. Speaking of Taylor, she may bring in some laughs, but he's the one who gets all the best lines. He gets to say things like, "I'm going to shower, shave, and plan my lecherous pursuits for the day!" and, "Look, be fair! Three o'clock in the morning is no time to be telling your husband you're drifting apart!" Maybe that last one doesn't sound like much to you if you've never seen the movie, but the loud note of desperation in his voice really makes it one of the best lines in the film.

All in all, it's a good movie, except for a few scenes with Day that are too long. The story is a lot of fun, but it's really the characters and the compatibility of Taylor and Day that makes it so enjoyable. Do Not Disturb and The Glass Bottom Boat (their only onscreen pairings) make me wish that they had made more movies together.

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Because of Him (1946)

2010-07-22T19:18:00.000-05:00

It's hard to put into words how much fun this movie is, but, really, I never can explain just how wonderful Deanna Durbin and her movies are. She's one of the most likable stars ever: she can connive and scheme, but then she smiles and you can't help loving her. She's pretty, she can act, and she has a voice like an angel.

She often played aspiring singers or actresses (I guess the writers felt a need to explain her voice), but usually that storyline is secondary in a movie that's more about her romance than her career. In Because of Him - and this is something I really love about the movie because it sets it apart from the rest - it's the other way around. Deanna plays Kim Walker, a waitress who dreams of becoming an actress and who is clever enough to bring it about. She writes a letter of introduction for herself and gets a famous stage actor, John Sheridan (Charles Laughton), who thinks he's just giving an autograph to a fan, to sign is name at the bottom of it. She then uses the letter to get into the office of producer Charles Gilbert (Stanley Ridges), who knows that John wants a fresh face for the leading lady in his new play "Strange Laughter." Without even waiting to see her act, he decides that she's perfect for the part. This, of course, means that Kim must face Sheridan, the only who can see right through her and figure out what she's up to. Then, there's also Paul Taylor (Franchot Tone), the writer and director, who, although he's falling in love with her, doesn't want an inexperienced actress in his play.

Durbin and Tone may not be the most believable romantic coupling, but they're really magnificent in the comedic scenes. My favorite of their scenes together is when Kim, trying to make up with Paul, chases him through a hotel lobby, singing "Goodbye." Tone's half-annoyed, half-scared expressions are hilarious - particularly in the elevator. Laughton is also memorable (to say the least), as Sheridan, who is, if the truth be told, a ham - but with a heart of gold. Laughton's performance is marvelous, and he and Deanna are a great pair. I think, of their scenes, my favorite is the one in which he instructs her in the fine art of fainting. In supporting roles, Helen Broderick, as Kim's roommate, and Donald Meek, as John's butler, are fun to watch. Now that's what I call a good cast, and they certainly don't disappoint.

Tom has written a great review at his blog, The Amazing Deanna Durbin. Click here to read it.

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Doctor, You've Got to be Kidding! (1967)

2010-07-18T15:07:00.002-05:00

This is one of those movies that I had been longing to see for months before I ever got the chance to view it. The title grabbed my attention immediately, and that, along with the premise and the fact that it stars Sandra Dee made me almost certain that it would be amazing. Usually when a movie has so much going for it, the expectations are lived up to. Unfortunately, as you'll remember from last Sunday, this isn't always the case, but Doctor, You've Got to be Kidding! doesn't disappoint.

The movie starts when Miss Heather Halloran (Dee) is being wheeled to the delivery room, with her mother and four lovelorn suitors swarming around her. The boys are each trying to get her to choose one of them for a husband - baby needs a father, after all! As Heather is surrounded by all this confusion, she finds herself wondering how she got into this position. With her narration to ease the transition, we go back to where it all began.

All Heather's life, her mother (Celeste Holm) has wanted her to be a great singing star, and after Heather's college graduation, things finally start falling into place. Then, trouble. You see, while she's been getting ready for her big debut, Heather has been working as a secretary for Harlan Wycliff (George Hamilton). He's a young, rich, "reasonably attractive" genius. He has an IQ of 195 and an ego to match. Nevertheless, for reasons that are never fully explained, he and Heather fall in love, get carried away, fight, and break up - mostly within 24 hours. A few weeks later, Heather discovers that she's having his baby.

With the exception of Hamilton, I absolutely love the cast. Sandra is beyond cute, and not only is she funny, she's also very believable. As for Celeste Holm... well, I can't think of a single movie that I don't like her in. However, Hamilton, while pulling off some very funny scenes successfully (his "sessions" with the psychiatrist are some high points), still doesn't impress me. His portrayal didn't make it easy to see why Heather fell for Wycliff. Bill Bixby, Dick Kallman, and Dwayne Hickman, on the other hand, steal the show as Heather's neighbor, voice teacher/arranger, and actor buddy, respectively. Each one is in love with her, and they're all hilarious. During one especially good scene, they provide some welcome relief by having quite a violent fight in Heather's backyard. While Sandra and Celeste are having a serious mother-daughter talk, the boys can be heard and seen through the door behind them: shouting and rolling all over one another.

After I saw this movie the first time, I wasn't quite sure that it was as good as I thought it would be, but after the second viewing, I realized that it was. Doctor You've Got to be Kidding! is one of those movies that is better the second time around. The characters and story are already familiar, and you've already gotten over the shock at the occasional cheesiness (after all, it's a '60s movie: you can depend on the fact that there's gonna be some cheese!), and you're free to enjoy the rest of the movie, which is delightful.

Bit of trivia: Nichelle Nichols, who played the Ahura on Star Trek, has a small part as another secretary. It always makes me smile when she appears because scifi has been a big part of my growing-up (I was watching the original Star Trek series by the time I was three years old), and Ahura was a favorite of mine when I was little. Sadly, she doesn't have nearly enough screen time.

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B.F.'s Daughter (1948)

2010-07-17T12:08:00.000-05:00

This movie is a serious drama that follows the marriage of Polly Fulton (Barbara Stanwyck) and Tom Brett (Van Heflin) from their first meeting in 1932 to the days of World War II. They start out completely in love and, for the most part, happy, but as Tom begins to realize more and more how little his wife needs him because of her father's (Charles Coburn) money, their relationship falls apart. She fell in love with him mostly because he needed her, and years pass before she realizes that she needs him just as much.

A solid performance by Stanwyck, though not especially noteworthy compared to some of her other films, such as The Lady Eve or Baby Face. Just the same, I'm glad that I watched it. She and Coburn (who had worked with her earlier in The Lady Eve) work nicely together onscreen, and there are times when they seem more like pals than father and daughter. It was also interesting to see her with Van Heflin. They're an interesting combination - one that I would probably never have thought of, but they worked well together.

Heflin is one of those actors who is so natural that he never seems to really be acting. He was also very versatile, appearing in light musical comedies like Presenting Lily Mars and in dramatic crime movies like Johnny Eager. However, though I respect and admire his ability (and he really does give a fine performance in B.F.'s Daughter), it's obvious that the movie truly belongs to Stanwyck. It's hard to steal a show from a talent like hers.

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Swing Time (1936)

2010-07-16T18:10:00.001-05:00

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made ten movies together: their two most successful and enduring pictures are Top Hat (1935) and Swing Time. I've never been able to decide which one I think is the better of the two. Maybe it's just me. Rogers, however, had no such problem. In her autobiography, she said that Swing Time was her favorite of all the films that she made with Astaire. Although, my personal favorite happens to be Shall We Dance, it's easy for me to see why she felt that way.

Astaire is at his most charming, and Rogers is simply adorable (in my opinion, this is one of her best performances). Together they are the ideal screen couple for a romantic comedy (which also happens to be an excellent musical). What other screen team could better convey the shyness, frustration and delight that come with blossoming love? I can't think of any.

In addition to featuring delightful performances by not only Astaire and Rogers, but also the likes of Helen Broderick and Victor Moore, Swing Time has some of Astaire and Rogers' best duets. On of the wonderful things about these two is that they don't stop acting even when they're dancing. Or maybe I should say, especially when they're dancing. Every step and every movement is filled with emotion. But I guess I'm just going over old news, aren't I? Still, it's all true, and if you haven't seen Swing Time, you should. It's one of Astaire and Rogers' three absolutely essential musicals.*

This review has also been posted at Astaire & Kelly.

*The other two are The Gay Divorcee (1934) and Top Hat. While I wouldn't want to be without any of their ten films, these three are the ones that I consider most essential.

Birthday Girls: Ginger Rogers & Barbara Stanwyck

2010-07-16T17:40:00.001-05:00

Today is the birthday of not one, but two talented ladies from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Both were determined, and they both left a distinctive mark on the film world. Ginger is best known to the world today as one half of the Astaire-Rogers partnership, a team that reinvented the movie musical and has yet to be surpassed, but to her fans, who also acknowledge the importance of her work with Astaire, she is also remembered as a spunky actress who not only excelled in comedy but in dramatic roles, too, winning an Academy Award for her efforts in Kitty Foyle (1941). Barbara, on the other hand, is sometimes called "the greatest actress who never won an Oscar." How true. She might have missed out when the Oscars were being handed around (it should be noted that she was nominated several times), but she made up for it by delivering many Oscar-worthy performances. It will never cease to boggle my mind that she wasn't even nominated for Baby Face (1933). I guess the powers that be considered it to be a little too brazen. Nevertheless, it's still a great movie.

In memory of Ginger and Barbara, two of my very favorite actresses, I'll be posting a couple of reviews of their films. My review of Swing Time (1936) will be posted very soon, but I still haven't decided which Stanwyck movie I'll be reviewing, yet. That one probably won't be posted till late tonight or sometime tomorrow, depending on how much time I have.

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This is So Shiny! - Summer Under the Stars on TCM

2010-07-12T23:56:00.002-05:00

Yes, my friends, it's time for more TCM-fan-raving. Ready? Wait for it... I LOVE TCM! Honestly, it's my favorite channel. If I had any doubts that I liked it, the whole idea of Summer Under the Stars erases that doubt. I mean, what a great concept! A twenty-four hour salute to a single actor/actress every day for a month???!! Shiny! See? Even Kaylee is excited!

Okay, true it doesn't take much to get her excited, but that's beside the point.*

Anyway, back to TCM's Summer Under the Stars event, I love this thing. Unfortunately, last year I was just discovering the channel, and I didn't take full advantage of the event. On the good side, though, I was able to snag some Clark Gable flicks, including my two favorites (which I wouldn't have found so soon if it weren't for Summer Under the Stars): Forsaking All Others and Love on the Run.

This year is different, though. This year, I'm ready. Armed with my copy of the Now Playing magazine, I'm going to be setting the DVR for plenty of films: including a few that I've been really wanting to see, and/or own a copy of, for some time. I thought it might be fun to share this list with you, so here goes.

Movies I've been longing to see:

Lovely to Look At (1952) - Of course, I realize that a remake of Roberta could never be as good, if only for the obvious reason that it doesn't have Fred and Ginger. But it has Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, and Ann Miller. (Hey, it worked in Kiss Me Kate, didn't it?) Three good reasons to give it a try. Plus, I'm a sucker for musicals.

A Date With Judy (1948) - Yup. I'm an unashamed fan of Jane Powell, and I've been longing to see this movie for quite awhile.

Julia Misbehaves (1948) - Let's see... Walter Pidgeon and Greer Garson, plus Peter Lawford... oh, yeah, and a great title. Very excited that they're showing this. Garson and Pidgeon alone are enough to get me to watch an Elizabeth Taylor movie. I'd watch all of her movies gladly if they all had these two. (For those of you that don't know, this is saying quite a lot.)

Movies I've seen and have wanted to own:

Leave Her to Heaven (1945) - I've been waiting for TCM to show this one for quite awhile. I saw it on the Fox Move Channel one day, and I've wanted to see it again ever since. Love it. Absolutely. Love. It. After I saw it, I couldn't stop thinking about it for days.

Libel (1959) - I think this is probably highest on my list of movies that I want to record in August. It's brilliant. Really. Dirk Bogarde is beyond fantastic, and Olivia de Havilland is no loser, either. Great acting, great story.

There are a bunch of other great titles (including Woman of the Year, The Sting, and Swiss Family Robinson - an old favorite) being shown in August, but these are the ones that I'm most excited about. Which movies are you looking forward to seeing?

*What? I never mentioned that I'm a huge fan of Firefly? Huh. That's odd. Remind me to do some fan-raving about it sometime. I love doing that. In the meantime, I just want to say that Joss Whedon is awesome.

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Sunday in the '60s: A New Kind of Love (1963)

2010-07-11T18:56:00.001-05:00

Sam (Joanne Woodward) is a New York fashion buyer on her way to Paris. On the plane, she encounters Steve (Paul Newman), a columnist who has been banished to Paris because he got way too friendly with the boss's wife. Steve gets off on the wrong foot with the rather mannish Sam but doesn't think any more of her. Sam, on the other hand, has trouble getting him out of her mind. When they meet again, she's had a full makeover, and he doesn't recognize her. You've just heard everything worth hearing about this movie.

A New Kind of Love had potential, but it never followed through. Despite the fact that the mistaken identity storyline is usually a safe bet in the world of romantic comedies, this time it gets really screwed up. Why? Because Steve mistakes Sam for a prostitute and decides to do a story on her. Insanity follows. Brain bleach is hoped for.

There were a few moments of Newman magic, but certainly not enough to redeem the movie. Thelma Ritter and Eva Gabor had a few fun bits, too, but Maurice Chevalier and his singing were, oddly enough, my favorite parts of the movie. That's bad. That's very bad, when I like him better than the other parts of a movie (especially one that involves Newman) because Maurice Chevalier annoys the daylights out of me! I'll take Pepé Le Pew over him any day, thank you very much. As for Joanne Woodward... from what I've seen of her (which isn't much), she seems to be a very limited actress, and while Paul Newman hasn't lost any points because he was in this movie, she's falling even further down on my list of non-favorite actresses. People like her should only be in good movies because the bad one's can't carry them.

All things considered, you should think thrice before watching A New Kind of Love. If you want to see a worthwhile Newman/Woodward film, I'd suggest you check out Paris Blues or The Long Hot Summer.

Happy (late) 4th of July!

2010-07-06T23:11:00.001-05:00

I hope everybody had a good holiday weekend (and if it wasn't a holiday where you are, I hope you had a good weekend)!

It didn't feel especially 4th of July-sey where I was (I was in a rehab hospital, visiting my grandmother, who just had hip surgery), but I did enjoy seeing everyone's flags out. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be Independence Day for us to be grateful for our liberty and thankful to the men and women who have fought and died for our country and to protect that liberty. I pray that God will bless our troops, veterans, and their families.

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Sunday in the '60s: Love With the Proper Stranger (1963)

2010-07-04T07:16:00.002-05:00

I think it's time to make this official: I hereby declare, before you, my blog-reading witnesses, that I am a fan of Natalie Wood. Although I've seen her and liked her in other movies before, Love With the Proper Stranger clinched the deal. I'd heard good things, of course, but the movie was even better than I expected. What a truly beautiful movie! Honestly, I have trouble imagining someone not loving it.

When Angie Rossini (Wood) tells womanizing musician Rocky Papasano (Steve McQueen) that their one-night stand has resulted in pregnancy, she promises that she won't cause any trouble for him: all she wants him to do is find her a doctor so that she can have an abortion. He's stunned, of course, but he finds the doctor and, when she learns that the cost is more than she can afford, agrees to pay half of the fee. As they spend more time together, however, they both start to have second thoughts.

The movie has a very well-written story, and I was impressed with Robert Mulligan's direction. Of course, the word "abortion" is never actually spoken out loud, which isn't surprising considering the times, but it's dealt with very realistically, I think. No happy "this is the answer to all our problems" sort of thing going on here. (SPOILER: Angie doesn't go through with the abortion. That was a great relief to me. SPOILER OVER.) Also, McQueen and Wood have great chemistry together, and the love story doesn't just hit you over the head like in some movies: it arrives quietly and grows.

The drama is balanced by some well-placed humor, and then there's Steve McQueen and Natalie Wood, so who could get too unhappy? All in all a very good, thoughtful and sweet movie. They don't make them like this very often, which makes Love With the Proper Stranger even more special. Not that it needs any outside help.

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New Series: Sunday in the '60s

2010-07-03T23:21:00.000-05:00

Hi, everybody! For the past week or so I've been thinking about doing something here on the blog (other than the obvious new look that you're seeing), and I've been storing up posts. I'm very excited about this for reasons that I'm not even sure of. Maybe because it's different?

As you know I usually talk about movies from the '30s and '40s, with an occasional sidestep into the '50s. In just a few weeks, this blog will be one year old (hard to believe, isn't it?), and I've written reviews of only two movies from the '60s: How to Steal a Million and Bells are Ringing (click the links for the posts). Well, I'm going to start adding to the pile: starting tomorrow, I'm going to try to post a review of a '60s movie every Sunday. The reviews are written in advance, and I've already got a small stash, so I should be set for awhile as far as that is concerned.

Did I mention I was excited about this? Because I really am. I'd never really thought about it before, but there are a lot of '60s movies that I really love. And I'm going to write about them. I'm not just going to write about the good, though, I'll also review some of the bad and the very ugly. Let's face it, kids, when a '60s movie is good it's very good, but when it's bad, it's truly ugly. This is true for movies of every era, really, but the '60s always stand out in my mind as particularly risky.

Some of the movies to be reviewed include some of my old favorites and some new ones. Tomorrow, I'm going to start things off with a new favorite, Love With the Proper Stranger. Hope you all enjoy this new "series" as much as I do! Unfortunately, I couldn't think of any cool name for it, so I'm just going to call it my "Sunday in the '60s" series. Lame, huh? Well, anyway, that's all I wanted to say. Thanks for reading.

Amanda Goes to the Movies

2010-06-28T00:53:00.000-05:00

Seeing The Adventures of Robin Hood in a theater was even better than I imagined it would be (and, as Han Solo would say, I can imagine a lot). It really is true that a movie isn't the same on the big screen as it is on the small screen. Some movies are better, some are worse. Honestly, I don't think I could take Blade Runner in a theater (sorry, for all the Harrison Ford stuff tonight, but I just saw the aforementioned movie this afternoon) - way too much gore. Robin Hood, on the other hand... wow. I think I've gained a whole new appreciation for it and all of its aspects. The action sequences were spectacular, I was once again made to envy some of Olivia de Havilland's great outfits, and the colors! Again, wow. Plus, seeing Olivia and Errol Flynn on the big screen wasn't too hard to endure. ; ) Oh, yes, my friends, there should be no doubt in your mind that I am blessing the day that Errol Flynn was cast as Robin Hood instead of James Cagney.

For those of you who don't know it, I'm a huge fan of Robin Hood. I don't mean just this movie, I mean all of the Robin Hood films (I've seen the animated Disney version about a million times), legends, cartoons, everything. Seriously. As an aspiring actress, there are two roles that I would love to play more than any others: Clio Dulaine (from Saratoga Trunk) and Maid Marian. If I were a man, Robin Hood would be my dream role, but, as things are, I'd take Marian in a heartbeat just to be a part of the legend in some small way. I know, I'm completely nuts, but you're still reading... right?

Anyway, Mom and I went to see Robin Hood at the Paramount Theater in Austin. The theater is located on Congress Avenue. If you're standing on the steps of the State Capitol, you can see straight down Congress: the Paramount theater is on the left. The theater was built in 1915 (!!), and has obviously been restored at some point (sorry I don't have more details - I was a little busy trying not to hyperventilate) because it's not only very clean (the floors! the seats! oh, the not popcorny smell of the balcony!) but it also seems to be in pretty good condition. The ceilings, the lobby, the woodwork... oh, it was beautiful. And there were ushers! I've never seen ushers in a movie theater before - I mean, actually in the theater, where the movie was being shown, telling people about the theater and what movies are playing, and helping people finds seats. *sigh* Yeah, I'm from a small town. How did you guess?

And, speaking of cartoons (yeah, I know that was a little while ago, but please bear with me), one was actually shown before the feature! Like in the old days! And can you guess which cartoon? Rabbit Hood! Yes! It's one of my favorite Bugs Bunny cartoons (hey, I told you I was a fan!), and it has a couple of clips from the Warner Bros. film, adding even more hilarity (not to say that Bugs ever needed any help!). I had no idea that this cartoon (or any, for that matter) would be shown, and it was a great (way to understate things!) surprise.

This was the first time I've ever seen an old movie in a theater, and I understand now why people say that the audience is more fun than at modern movies. It was a pretty small crowd - about twenty people in all, but it was a fun crowd. (And no one was talking during the movie! Yes!!) There were a bunch of kids a couple of rows behind my mom and me, and it was so much fun to hear them reacting to the movie: they laughed in all the right places.

Thanks for reading all my fan-ravings and oohings and ahings about the theater. I was (and still am) just really excited about this, and I wanted to share with you guys.

I hope everybody else had as good a Saturday as I did!

Image Source I, Image Source II