"And the Oscar goes to..."

Before I start today's posts, two notes: I got some positive feedback on making the Sunday Movie Review a bi-weekly segment, so we're going to give it a try! Therefore, since I posted a review for Keeper of the Flame (1943) last week, the next review will be next Sunday, and so forth, etc. And the second is thank you all so so so much for your birthday wishes on Thursday. You all the are the sweetest! <3

As you all probably know, tonight is the night of the 82nd Academy Awards. 2011 was a great year for classic film fans, I felt. You had a movie about Marilyn Monroe, a silent film, a movie structured around the splendor of silent film, and several other movies that took place in the 20th century. Not to mention that both Meryl Streep and Christopher Plummer are nominated for Oscars; and if The Artist (2011) wins Best Picture, it'll be the first silent movie to win Best Picture since 1929 - and the first black and white since The Apartment (1960).

But on this Oscar Sunday, I'm not going to sit around predicting who's going to win what awards and etc. - though I really hope The Artist (2011) sweeps it all; and The Help (2011) I enjoyed as well - since we all know by now who's going to win what anyway. Plus, of course, this is a classic film blog, and despite the tight ties between the films at this year's Oscars and the Golden Age, they still qualify as 2011 movies.

So I thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of my favorite Oscar moments with Golden Age stars! This is just a fun, rambling list of Oscar memories, mostly with my favorite actors, no particular order or anything. I hope you enjoy, and if you want to discuss this year's Oscars, or 1939's Oscars (which, hey, guess what? - took place on my birthday!), or the Oscars of any other year, feel free to leave a comment and give your input!

Lucy's last public appearance

61st ACADEMY AWARDS | 1989, presenting 

My darling girl had her last public appearance at the 1989 Oscars, about six weeks before she passed away. She and Bob Hope were presenting and they got a big standing ovation. It's bittersweet watching this; and ironic that her last public appearance would be at the Oscars, despite the fact that Lucy was never nominated for one, and is famous as a television star, despite the fact she made more than 100 films. Her sparkling, black sequined dress is definitely a product of the 1980's, but I appreciate the slit that shows off her legs, which were still lovely at 77. She's so perfect. :')

Greer's Best Actress acceptance speech

16th ACADEMY AWARDS | 1943, Mrs. Miniver 

If anyone knows anything about my lovely Greer, they ought to know that she loved to talk. I think if talking was a sport, Greer could win all the Olympic medals. She had a habit of being able to go on and on about nearly any topic (except for herself; she didn't enjoy talking about personal matters, but to the chagrin of Hedda and Lolly) in that gorgeous voice of hers. When she won the Best Actress Oscar in 1943 for Mrs. Miniver (1942), it was about 1 AM in Hollywood when she took the stand. It is said that her speech might have been anywhere from five minutes to twenty; though the latter is likely an exaggeration, being so late into the night it might have felt that way to the other attendees. It is said she thanked everyone from the doctor who brought her into this world in London to all the cast members of Miniver and beyond. This speech is the longest in Oscar history as of; and the year following the Academy Award instilled a new rule that limited the winner to only forty seconds to thank those who needed to be thanked. Greer, alongside Bette Davis, holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations in a row (from 1941 - 1946), but she only won once, despite her amazing performances. I'm a little nervous that it might be because of this 1943 speech? There's no full footage or transcript of it, unfortunately, but Miniver DVDs tend to have a little tidbit of her speech in a newsreel or such.

Ingrid's Best Supporting Actress speech

47th ACADEMY AWARDS | 1975, Murder on the Orient Express

Ingrid won the Oscar three times. The first was in 1945, for Gaslight (1944), and then in 1957 for Anastasia (1956). The latter Oscar was accepted by her good friend and secret husband Cary Grant; that was when Ingrid was in Italy and married to Rossellini, recovering from the waves of scandal her affair with him had caused a few years before. Anastasia was her comeback film and her winning the Oscar for that movie was America's way of forgiving her. But her last Oscar was a Best Supporting Actress for Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and it's this one I chose to share, simply for the reason it starts with, "It's always nice to win an Oscar..." I couldn't post the link, but you can watch it here, and I strongly suggest that you do, because it's adorable.

Grace vs. Judy

28th ACADEMY AWARDS | 1955, The Country Girl & A Star is Born

Ahh, the age old debate of whether or not Judy Garland should have won the Oscar in 1955! Every classic film fan has heard about this controversy; when Grace won Best Actress in 1955 for her fine performance in The Country Girl (1954), but it wasn't the right year to win for everyone had expected Judy to win for her comeback movie, A Star is Born (1954). Even Grace Kelly's father released a statement after the awards ceremony, revealing that even he had expected Judy to win. I can't fairly judge this situation because I haven't seen A Star is Born (1954) - I plan to remedy that soon. And though I love Judy Garland, as we all should, Grace is one of my very favorite actresses which I guess would make me look biased. So I'll just keep my lips shut. But I'll say that I'm quite grateful Grace won in 1955; everyone thinks of her as only a gorgeous fashion plate, when she is so so much more.

Audrey's Best Actress speech

27th ACADEMY AWARDS | 1954, Roman Holiday

Audrey's win for Roman Holiday (1953) in 1954 is another subject of controversy, but Roman Holiday (1953) is one of my favorite movies; it's the movie that made Audrey a star and I just love it to pieces. I'll never have a problem with her having won that year, or any year, for that matter. Plus I think it's totally adorable how when she gets on stage, she goes in the wrong direction (I totally would have done that too) and her dress is gorgeous!

The double Best Actress of 1969

42nd ACADEMY AWARDS | 1969, Funny Girl and Lion In the Winter

The only time there was a tie for an Oscar was in 1969, for Best Actress. Both Katharine Hepburn, for Lion In the Winter (1968) and Barbra Striesand, for Funny Girl (1968) won the Oscar. Katie never showed up to accept her Oscars, but Barbra was there to collect her award in a very interesting outfit; handed over to her by none other than Ingrid - who was back in popularity thanks to Cactus Flower (1969). I LOVE the surprise on Ingrid's face when she realizes that it's a tie! Plus, as we all know, I consider Katharine Hepburn to be flawless and I really like Barbra Striesand too, she's adorable. Funny Girl (1968) isn't really my favorite film of hers, but I did like her performance in it; I mean, it made her a star, didn't it? And I know, it's terrible, but I've yet to see Lion in the Winter (1968); don't worry, I will really soon. You can watch it here.

No Natalie Wood unfortunately, because she never won an Oscar, despite being nominated four times. How stupid is that? I like to think that had she not drowned in 1981 she would've either made a comeback and been one of those winners who gets an Oscars in her late 40's or 50's; or later on she would have been awarded an Honorary Oscar.

Humphrey's Best Actor speech

25th ACADEMY AWARDS | 1952, The African Queen

Why it took as long as 1952 for Humphrey Bogart to win an Oscar, I'll never understand, but thankfully he finally did and The African Queen (1951) was a good movie for him to win it for. I love Greer's little intro and reference to her long, 1943 speech - "I have ten minutes left over from a highly emotional speech I gave a few years ago; I'll be happy to let you use it!" as well as reminding everyone of those "anticipatory noise reduction devices". And then the look of glee on her face when she realizes Bogie won; and Bogie's short and simple acceptance. I mean, I know he wasn't into that whole Hollywood scene, but from what I read in Betty Bacall's autobiography, everyone was thrilled to have him win. You get that impression from the cheer that comes up from the audience, too. You can watch it here.

Cary's Honorary Oscar speech

43rd ACADEMY AWARDS | 1970, Honorary Oscar

All I'm going to say is that this was a long time coming. A long, long, time coming. #WHYYY?

I think this might have been with Ingrid's Oscar, because he was much older when he won his Honorary one.

Sidney Poitier's Best Actor speech

37th ACADEMY AWARDS | 1964, Lilies of the Field

I don't think I've mentioned it before, but I love Sidney Poitier! He's one of my favorites. He's so sophisticated and distinguished, and really helped smash those racial barriers; I mean, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), anyone? The film that he won the Best Actor Oscar for, in 1964, was Lilies of the Field (1963), which I have yet to see. But I love this footage of him accepting the Oscar from Anne Bancroft, another person I adore and don't talk enough about. I mean, it was 1964 and racial tension was high, but Anne just throws her arms around Sidney and you can tell how excited she is for him. Therefore, this all results in one of my favorite Oscar moments. You can watch it here.

To prevent this list from becoming forever endless, I'll stop here. But there are sooo many Golden Age Oscar moments I love. So I'll also add the links to these: Vivien Leigh's 1940 Best Actress speech / Hattie McDaniel's 1940 Best Supporting Actress speech / Myrna Loy's 1991 Honorary Oscar speech / Greer Garson's 1962 acceptance for Sophia Loren's Best Actress and I hope you check them out because they're just as wonderful <3

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Alright, that's it for this Sunday. I had a lot of fun writing this post! Do you have any favorite classic Oscar moments? Let me know in the comments!

Despite being hardcore classic film, I'll certainly be watching the Oscars tonight, how about you all? If so, Happy Oscar watching and if not, well, I hope you have a good evening anyway, my dears!

On My Birthday

Yes, dear readers, today happens to be yours truly's birthday. For the sake of the fact that there are creepy old stalkers out there, I'm not going to outright tell you what I turned today, but I assure you I'm still in my teens. :)

Since today is my birthday, I thought I'd share a personal story. It's the story about how I fell in love with classic movies. Every classic movie lover has a story about how they first became a Classic Hollywood fan. Most people don't wake up one morning and decide to be one. When someone's a fan of something current or modern it's usually something popular that they might have tried out for themselves and enjoyed. But most people don't say, "I want to try out classic films!" You stumble upon - it happens - you're hooked.

I've told you bits and pieces of this story before, but here is a full reflection. I mean, I've been meaning to do this for a while, and I guess a birthday's a pretty swell day to share something personal, right?

{You'll be surprised by how many details I remember.}

how i fell in love with classic films

As a little kid, my parents used to take me to the Blockbuster up the street. I’d wander excitedly down the aisles, carefully choosing out the DVD that I wanted. When I was little, I wanted to watch “The Powerpuff Girls” (much to my mother’s chagrin – she was never really a fan of Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles). As I got older, I rented out each season of “The Lizzie McGuire Show” (I know, it’s corny – but out of all those Disney Channel shows, I still say Lizzie is the best).

When I was about eight, my father excitedly found a copy of “The Sound of Music” for me. Every time he searched for the DVD, he found it had already been rented out – and made jokes that Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer were always renting it out to force upon their grandchildren. (To this, I gave him puzzled looks… Julie who? I was shocked later to find out it was the Grandmother from “The Princess Diaries.”)

Anyhow, that day he found it. I was thinking, “It looks boring,” but my eight year old self considered myself quite open minded so I okayed my dad renting it out, and went to find some Disney movie. We stopped by Giant, I picked up some sort of a granola bar, and returned home – yes, I always remember the granola bars. It’s what I went upstairs to get in the intermission.

We returned home, and my parents took me downstairs to the movie theater (yes, the movie theater – when you have movie buffs like my dad and me in the house, you kind of need one) and we settled in to watch. From the first scene, I was taken by how beautiful the mountains were. But I was still not sure if the film would be interesting.

And then, it captured my attention.

“It’s not boring.” It wasn’t. I laughed, I smiled, I tried to determine which Von Trap Child was my favorite. I thought Captain Von Trapp was mean – but we all know what a big marshmallow he turns out to be. I knew barely anything about the 1940’s or World War 2, but I loved it.

When the intermission came, I went upstairs to grab that granola bar and remarked to my father how much I loved it and how nice it was. We went back downstairs and finished the film, and I quickly decided it was my favorite movie.

Though after the film I had a really severe case of “Sound of Music-itis” (that’s the name I gave to the period of obsession one finds with the film after first experiencing how awesome it is – my friend watched it in the 5^th grade from my encouragement, and the same thing happened to her)…. I watched it all the time, over and over again, had it rented out for months (I think I was singing the song in my sleep), I didn’t become immediately hooked on classic movies. 

It took another year for the full breakthrough, even though I loved an “old movie” with all of my heart… and I never forgot the first day I watched the movie.

That came in the summer when I was nine. I was on a real “Disney Channel” high that summer, as a lot of nine years old could be. I think I idolized it. And then, towards the very end of the summer and as I entered fourth grade, it all changed.

One night I was bored and my father invited me to watch a movie, if I’d like to. So I went downstairs and we watched “Love Crazy” with William Powell and Myrna Loy. On occasion, my father had showed me black and white movies – and even a silent film – as a young child, so it didn’t bother me.

I laughed my head off. It wasn’t the best film, thinking back and watching it over, but it was screwball and I enjoyed it. I decided it was a new favorite film of mine. And when I went upstairs, my mother was watching “The Philadelphia Story” on TV. I obviously didn’t realize any of the actors, but I was getting a good dose of black and white movies in lots of parallels.

Then we rented out “Singin’ in the Rain” from my new Netflix queue – the queue was all my own, but my father added this in for me. It was September by then, and though I told myself I still liked my silly Disney Channel shows, I didn’t find myself watching it as often. “Singin’ in the Rain” was an instant hit – and a new favorite movie. I watched it over and over.

I asked my dad to add more old movies into my queue, because I liked them. Next came “Bringing Up Baby” and I was done for. Now my nine year old self talked nonstop of classic movies and I declared Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, the stars of yet another new favorite movie, my favorite actors. After that, I looked forward excitedly to each Friday night – not only because it marked the end of a grueling school week (lol) but because at eight, we’d start a new classic film. There was “Some Like It Hot,” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” – “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World” and “Sullivan’s Travels”… and, of course, “The Philadelphia Story” that Thanksgiving, which I excitedly looked forward to – now that Katharine Hepburn was my favorite actress, of course.

I let my love of these films be very open. At family dinners, I’d babble about how Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant were my favorites… and how each new classic movie I watched because my “favorite”.

In October of that year – I think it was Christopher Columbus Day – I had no school and stayed in bed all day reading Nancy Drews. Then I flipped through the TV channels and stumbled upon “I Love Lucy” – the show my mother enjoyed and the show I’d heard of so often, but had never stopped to watch. And it was an old show, and supposed to be great, so I watched.

The episode was “Return Home From Europe” – the one where Lucy pretends a cheese is a baby. I split my sides laughing and from then on, the rest, as they say, is history. Lucy quickly became my favorite actress, and  all I want to think or talk about was old movies and I Love Lucy. I ate, breathed, and slept classic film from then on.

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Well, that's how it happened. I'm grateful. Very. What would I do without the classics? ;)

Ok, I'm going to blow out some birthday candles -

And that's all for now!

xoxo

Sunday Movie Review: "Keeper of the Flame" (1942)

So, dear readers, I'm thinking of making a change to my blogging schedule. Since last August, which is pretty much most of my blogging life, I've made the Sunday Movie Review a weekly series. Then it was different because I had plenty of time to blog throughout the week. But now, thanks to school, I don't get as often to blog about other things that are non reviews. Believe it or not, when I started this blog, the intention wasn't really to do reviews at all. I did that on my Netflix account and I was pleased with that. But then certain situations provoked me to start the SMR.

Now I'm thinking of slightly altering the Sunday Movie Review. Instead of doing it weekly, I'd do it bi-weekly; basically skipping every other week. What do you think of this, guys? Then I'd get more opportunities to write other posts of different varieties, catch up more on my Here's Looking At You Kid game (I did the first edition back in September or October; I want to get a second one up soon) as well as my What's My Line Wednesdays.

Sometimes I'm really in the mood to review a film, and other times, not so much. That's why I think this bi-weekly format would be better. 

I would really really appreciate it if you could leave me your comments below because I really want reader input! I'm leaning towards this now, I think it'll be easier on me and there will be more "fun stuff" for you all to read, and hey, there's no harm in giving it a try, right? Let me know. 

As for now, however, I do have a review for you!

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The poster: I have to admit, I kinda like this modernized version better.

The plot:

While investigating the accidental death of revered war hero Robert Forrest, intrepid reporter Stevie O'Malley (Spencer Tracy) meets the man's wife (Katharine Hepburn) and learns a surprising truth about his subject's supposedly "patriotic" past. George Cukor directs this politically charged wartime thriller that marks Tracy and Hepburn's second onscreen partnership, just a year after their first pairing in the romantic comedy Woman of the Year. [from Netflix]

The starring players:

• Katharine Hepburn as Christine Forest
• Spencer Tracy as Stephen O'Malley

The verdict:

★★★

You might remember that for Christmas I got the wonderful Hepburn/Tracy Definitive Collection set, which contains all nine of their films and an additional tribute video to Spence by Kate. (It's a gorgeous collection, I really encourage you to get it.). There were two movies in this set that I hadn't seen, one was this and one was  The Sea of Grass (1947). The little pamphlet that came with the collection described this film as a politically driven drama, reminiscent of Citizen Kane. 

Well, that description made me a little nervous. I'll admit, I thought it would be a little boring, but I decided that I'd been watching it sooner or later, so why not?

Well... this film wasn't boring. A little talky at points, perhaps, but not really boring and it's entertaining enough to hold your attention, alas, it does waver at times. Honestly, I don't know what to make of this movie. It was all kind of peculiar, really, and then it became all together so predictable at once. Then, to top it off, it had a rather abrupt ending - quite a dramatic one - and it came to a close with a sharp message about anti-Fascist values.

This was the second Hepburn/Tracy pairing. As usual, I thought both Kate and Spence were very good; the things I didn't like about this movie wasn't them at all (I could never have anything against Kate and Spence, you know) - the plot was hard to follow, for one. It wasn't confuzzling yet somethings could use more of an explanation. One of the central characters is a Mr. Robert Forrest, a man we never meet, yet a very important character indeed. He is a "national hero" for unknown reasons, but appears to have been the greatest human being known to man, though we don't know WHY. This bugged me to no end.

The ending was so sudden and abrupt. Several things happened in just a few minutes, and this was strange for a movie that,  up until that point, had moved quietly slowly. By the end, you got the feeling that the Hepburn and Tracy characters were on the verge of becoming romantically involved, but a real romance never gets the opportunity to bloom. I think had there been a romance between their two characters, it would have made the film better, because honestly, who doesn't love seeing Tracy and Hepburn as a couple together?

The bottom line:

It's not one of the better Tracy/Hepburn films, but that's comparing it to movies like Adam's Rib (1949) and Woman of the Year (1942) - that being said, it's not a waste of time. Neither will it be one I'll be visiting over and over again. Over all, I'm neutral about this one!

Some photos:

Some trivia:

• Van Johnson was driving to a special screening of this film when he got into a car accident that left him with a metal plate in his forehead. He later starred alongside Kate and Spence in State of the Union (1951).
• Kate had to convince Louis B. Mayer into letting her make this film with Spence; he didn't think it would be a good follow up to Woman of the Year, which had been made earlier that year.

A movie tidbit:

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So long for now! :)

Happy Valentine's Day | 6 Favorite Couples

Happy Valentine's Day, readers!

Since February 14th is officially the sappiest day of the year, I thought I'd talk about my six favorite Classic Hollywood couples! {Legit couples, not the ones that only exist in my head... like the Pidgeons... and the
Powells... and Errolivia... and Ingrid and Cary...}

Well, yeah, here we go. Hope this'll get you all in a sappy mood! :D Oh, and guess what, this is actually for once in order, though I wouldn't put too much weight into the order of these couples, until you get to my number one. I'm going to completely dumbfound you all when you see who I've chosen for that spot. COMPLETELY, guys. ;)

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  6.                                               

Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner | November 1951 - July 1957


I knew their relationship was tumultuous, and then I read Lee Server's biography about Ava and I learned so much more about these two! Frava definitely did have a stormy relationship. The book I read went into detail about some of their fights, when plates went flying and it didn't matter who was around. But they also loved each other a lot, and this combination makes me think of Lucy and Desi, who admittedly would "love and fight furiously." Any any couple that reminds me of Desilu, well, I'm bound to like. :)

Albeit the fact they couldn't say together, and there were all those terrible fights, I think Frank and Ava in general would make a good pair. I think of Ava as the barefooted free spirit ought of a poor town in North Carolina, who liked to party and dance and have a good time. Frank's liveliness is a good match, I think.

 D I D  Y O U  K N O W? {My Favorite Facts}

• Frank gave Ava her first Corgi, which she named Rags. This hooked Ava on a sort of a Corgi obsession, she would keep Corgis until she died. After Rags, she had Cara, and after that, Morgan, who was with her when she died and was then taken in (along with her housekeeper) by good friend Gregory Peck.
• The statue of her from The Barefoot Contessa (1954) was gifted to Frank, who kept it in his backyard garden long after the divorce. Finally, upon marrying Barbara Marx, she forced him to get rid of it.
• Frank's nickname for Ava was "Angel."

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 5.    

                                                                                                      Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall | May 1945 - his death

I didn't really know much about Bogie and Bacall until I read Lauren's fantastic autobiography, By Myself and Then Some, last fall. I don't really know all the nitty gritty details about their relationship, and I've heard rumors that things got bad for them towards the end, but I don't know if it's true or not. All I know is the picture Lauren painted in her book, and that picture of this couple was sweet and wonderful to read about, and that's the way I'd like to think of them. :) If you'll remember, in my review of her book, I said that upon reading about Bogie's death I just burst into tears. It really got to me, and I could feel Lauren's suffering at the time. Also, in her book, she described several occasions where Bogie would call her in the middle of the night and tell her to please come, because he genuinely needed her, and that's just asdfghjkl. 

I really find these two adorable and am endeared by the fact that, despite their great age difference, they truly were a couple that could stick. After all, they never divorced - it was Bogie's death that broke them apart.

D I D  Y O U  K N O W? {My Favorite Facts}

• Bogie and Bacall were married on May 21st, 1945 at the farm home of a Pulitzer Prize winning author in Ohio.
• Lauren placed a small, gold whistle in his coffin, a symbol of the famous line she tells him in To Have and Have Not (1944) - the movie that on the set of they fell in love - "You know how to whistle, don't you? Just put your lips together and blow."
• Bogie's nickname for Lauren was "Baby."

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4. 

                                                                                                      Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier | August 1940 - January 1961

Viv and Larry, these two! I learned a lot about them by watching this documentary, The Oliviers in Love. These two is just another couple that you could really tell truly loved each other, and you can feel that love when you watch them together on screen or, better yet, see personal photos, telegrams, etc. You all probably knew it anyway, but the premiere website for these two is vivandlarry.com. It has a lot of wonderful photos and etc.

Viv and Larry are really just a perfect pair, though! Besides them both being British and beautiful, they're just lovely together. Too bad they couldn't last, Vivien's struggles with her bipolar disorder really put strains on their marriage.

D I D  Y O U  K N O W? {My Favorite Facts}

• Viv and Larry were married at a ranch in Santa Barbara, with Katharine Hepburn as her maid of honor. They later honeymooned on Ronald Colman's yacht.
• Vivien had an affair with Peter Finch and was ready to leave Larry for the other actor. Just as Vivien was about to board the plane with her lover, Larry wooed her into staying back. This was the basis for the 1963 film The V.I.Ps, with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
• Viv called Larry "Baba", and he always referred to her as "Pussycat."

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3. 

     Clark Gable and Carole Lombard | March 1939 - her death

Clark and Carole are just plain amazingness. I don't know how could you not love the two of them together because they are just perfection. I mean, they used to go duck hunting early in the morning in red thermal underwear. They were just best friends and they did all these things together. Lucy and Desi were good friends with these two, and Lucy in her autobiography recounted how she kept hoping her marriage with Desi could be like Clark and Carole's. Because they were just that awesome. 

And then, the tragedy that was Carole's death in that awful plane crash. Lucy also wrote that after Carole's death, Clark used to tear around the San Fernando Valley on his motorcycle and she was convinced he was trying to kill himself. So she'd invite Clark over to the Desilu Ranch and they'd talk about Carole and watch her films. Such a tragic ending to a couple that was just so perfect together.

D I D  Y O U  K N O W? {My Favorite Facts}

• Carole had a little dachshund named Commissioner who would completely ignore Clark during their marriage. After her death, the dog never left Clark's side.
• After Carole read Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, Carole sent Clark a copy of the book with a note saying, "Let's do it!" Clark took this as a sexual advance and called up Carole. When he learned she wanted to play Scarlett to his Rhett in a movie version, he scoffed and said he'd never do such a mushy movie. When he actually did do the film in 1939, he only agreed to it on account of the salary, so he could divorce his current wife and marry Carole.
• Carole called Clark "Pa" and he called her "Ma".

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2. 

     Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy | 1942 - his death

This is the only couple on this list that was never really married. But it doesn't matter, because in my head, you know, they're married anyway. :) They made some of the most amazing movies together, these two. My favorites would probably have to be Woman of the Year (1942) and Adam's Rib (1949). I just love seeing these two on screen, because they have perfect chemistry. It's sad that they couldn't get married in real life, but I guess Kate wasn't really one to be gung ho over marriage anyway. What's important is how well they suited each other. 

I'll wrap this up by saying that they are just you know, excellent. They are Kate and Spence. I mean, really, what more can I say?? If you've ever seen a movie with the two of them you'll just know all the feelings that I'm referring to. <3

D I D  Y O U  K N O W? {My Favorite Facts}

• The night Spence died, he got up to get a drink of milk. Kate followed him, but before she got there she heard a thud and the sound of glass shattering. She found Spence lying dead on the floor, having been a victim of a heart attack. The year was 1967 - Kate would die thirty six years later.
• Kate never watched Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), their last film together, because the memories were too painful. Nor did she attend Spence's funeral, out of respect for his family. She did, however, call his wife, offering her condolences and wanting to patch up any hard feelings between them. To this, Louise Tracy replied, "I thought you were a rumor."
• They were first introduced by Joseph Mankiewicz on the set of Woman of the Year (1942), to which Kate sized Spence up and said, "I'm afraid I may be too tall for you, Mr. Tracy." To this, Joe replied, "Don't worry - he'll cut you down to size."

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1. 

     Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz | November 1940 - May 1960 

Ohhh, guys, excuse me, I must get my Kleenax out. I must. :) Okay, I've got my box. Okay, I can go on now. I swear, these two always tear me up. Their story is just amazing, and I have yet to see one like it. ♥ I could really go on for hours, but don't worry, I won't. 
I love how when

Lucy first saw Desi, it really was a love at sight (though she would 
claim it took a "full five minutes"!). As everybody knows, their marriage was far

from perfect, and I'm not saying it was. But then, what marriage is perfect 
(save the Minivers)? Of course, the

problems in their marriage were tough and it's what ultimately let to the divorce of course. But the 

fact is they

always loved and cared for each other, even after the divorce. There are so many things to prove that. 

I just love so many things about these two.

This is my official favorite couple, and I just love reading all the sweet amazing things. Their story really 

was amazing. Marcella Rabwin, one of their close friends, once said, "Their relationship was so deep in

 it scared me." As well as, "They loved each other more than any other famous lovers in history."

I guess so.

D I D  Y O U  K N O W? {My Favorite Facts}

• Lucy and Desi’s original wedding band was a cheap ring from Woolworth’s. They eloped in Greenwich, Connecticut, on a Saturday, and all the jewelry stores in town were closed. So this was their only option. Lucy loved it, and always kept it, no matter how green and skinny it got, and even when Desi replaced it with a bejeweled ring.
• Desi died from lung cancer on December 2^nd, 1986. Two days before, Lucy called Desi up. Lucie was nursing Desi and she heard her parents conversation, for she had to hold the phone to her father’s ear – he was too weak to hold it himself. What Lucy told Desi was, “I love you, I love you Desi, I love you.” To this replied, “I love you too, honey.” Lucy was one of the last people to speak to Desi, for he died forty eight hours later. This conversation had taken place on November 30^th, which would have been their forty-sixth wedding anniversary.
• Lucy made an attempt to divorce Desi in 1944. The day before she was schedule to appear in court, Desi called her up and asked her what he was doing that evening. She said, “You know I’m divorcing you tomorrow,” to which he replied, “Yes, I know, but I’d like to take you out to dinner.” She gave in and he did. They spent the night together. The next morning Desi woke up to Lucy getting herself dolled up for court. “You’re not going to go through with it now, are you?” he asked her. She said, “I’ve got to, the press is expecting me.” She went, got the divorce, satisfied the press, and returned home and instantly annulled the divorce. The law in California at the time was it took a year for a divorce to become final, and if the parties had an affair in that time, it was annulled. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

***

Well, that's it for this Valentine's Day. I love Old Hollywood couples. Celebrity marriages don't have a

habit of sticking, but at least back then it was geninue love and not, you know, lust - and marriages lasted

more than two minutes.

Hope you have a swell Valentine's Day, or, if February 14th isn't really your thing, that you had a good
day anyway :)

xoxo 

Sunday Movie Review: "This Property is Condemned" (1966)

Hi everyone,

Today's SMR is going to be one of my short reviews, which is basically when I take one of the reviews I wrote for Netflix before and use it for this. :) Lazy and I try to avoid doing it, but this is going to be one of those Sundays - this compensates, however, for the huge review of The Women (1939) I wrote last week, so I guess it all evens out. :D

I chose This Property is Condemned (1966), which I watched last spring. It's a Tennessee Williams tragic romance, and Valentine's Day being this week, I guess it's, you know, appropriate and all. Anyways, be warned, this is another one of those cases where just about nobody like the movie but me. Maybe we should call it "the Summertime (1956) condition." ;)

***

The poster: Interesting... nice sketches, though!

The plot:

When railroad official Owen Legate visits a small Depression-era town to shut down its rail yard, he begins a passionate affair with a local girl. The romance angers her domineering mother and ignites the town's economic resentments. [from Netflix]

The starring players:

• Natalie Wood as Alva Starr
• Robert Redford as Owen Legate
• Charles Broson as J.J Nichols
• Mary Badham as Willie Starr

The verdict:

★★★★

One of the first things that attracted me to this film is the two leads - Natalie Wood, obviously, and Robert Redford. It's a little hard to remember that Redford's career had just begun at the time, and he wasn't exactly a star yet (you'll notice in the opening that Natalie's name is above the title, but his is right below it); this is difficult to take not only because of the acclaimed actor he is today but because he carries the film right up there with the likes of Natalie, who had been in the movies since she was a little girl. The two play off great chemistry. 

The second reason to watch this is Mary Badham. She played Gregory Peck's daughter in the critic's favorite "To Kill a Mockingbird." She is absolutely PERFECT as Willie. You'll just fall in love with her character. It's disappointing to learn she was only a child actress and her career in films was limited. Too bad; she was a wonderful actress. 

And the storyline of this film is absolutely fascinating. It's great fun to see the world through the fabricated eyes of Alva Starr, who always has her head up in the clouds despite the crucial period in American history (the Great Depression) this movie takes place in. For example: in Alva's world, the sky is white, not blue. Wouldn't you want to see things this way? For 110 minutes, you can. Just watch this film. Yes, like many, I was disappointed with the ending. But don't let that stop you from viewing a great film. As you all know, Natalie is one of my favorites and I always list this movie and this character as favorites out of all her filmography. Starring in this Tennessee Williams creation was her way of following in the footsteps of her idol, Vivien Leigh, whom she idolized upon seeing her in 1951's A Streetcar Named Desire. 

Critics didn't like this movie in 1966 and people generally don't like this movie, but to me this is a great, underrated classic with two big Hollywood stars, and I strongly suggest you watch it!

The bottom line:

This movie is one of my favorites and a total underrated classic. I really think you ought to watch it!

Some photos:

Some trivia:

• There is a scene in the film in which Natalie Wood's character gets drunk; Natalie had trouble getting the scene right so she got drunk for real.
• In one of the swimming scenes, Natalie was so afraid of the dark water she had to swim in, one of her co-stars had to dive underwater and hold her legs.

A movie tidbit:

The whole movie is on Youtube, this is the first part.

***

That's it, and I'm sorry the review was so short, but it really is a fantastic movie and there's not much to complain about it! (For me and Natalie Wood, anyway - this was her favorite out of all the movies she made - the critics and Tennessee Williams really weren't a fan of this one...)

Valentine's Day Movie Meme

So many surveys around the blogosphere lately! As you probably know, I put one of my own out last week, and one of my favorite bloggers, Meredith of Forever Classics, is doing one too in honor of Valentine's Day! I'm a romantic at heart so this will be a lot of fun to answer.

Valentine's Day Movie Meme ♥

1. What is your favorite romantic comedy?

It's hard for me to pick just one! A lot of classic films to me are romantic comedies. And of course, there are a lot of new romantic comedies, and though I have seen my share of them they're more entertaining then something I would feel sentimental about. So I don't think I can pick just one :/ But some towards the top of the list would have to be The Philadelphia Story (1940), It Happened One Night (1934), all the Audrey Hepburns - Roman Holiday (1953), Sabrina (1954), and Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), all the Doris Day/ Rock Hudson, like Pillow Talk (1959)... do His Girl Friday (1940) and Bringing up Baby (1938) count??? Several of the Fred and Gingers, too. Oh, and if you're interested in a more modern romantic comedy I like, I did enjoy While You Were Sleeping (1995) - Sandra Bullock is a modern actress I must admit I do like, at least a little. ;) There's my very very complicated answer for you.

2. What is your favorite romantic drama?

These questions are so mean!! -;) If I'm to pick one, I'll likely go with An Affair to Remember (1957). This one makes me tear up everytime. Cary and Deborah are just so perfect. <3 But there are plenty of others I like too. Now, Voyager (1942),  Casablanca (1942), Random Harvest (1941), Woman of the Year (1942), This Property is Condemned (1966), West Side Story (1961) - just to mention a few. Old movies are so romantic! But I would probably have to choose Affair as my favorite.

3. Worst romance film you've seen?

I don't know if this really counts, but I've got to go with Lucy and Desi: Before the Laughter (1992), a TERRIBLE, tacky, awful, TV movie about Lucy and Desi's marriage, covering their meeting and marriage in 1940 up to the start of I Love Lucy in 1951. {Thank goodness it ended there and did not cover Lucy and the divorce, I'm picturing what this would have been like and am dying a little inside} Frances Fisher plays Lucy very unconvincingly. If she holds her head really still and stares profoundly into space, she does resemble Lucy a tiny bit, but I'm just going to be blunt and say she wasn't beautiful enough to play Lucy. Plus she had all these wrinkles and craw's feet on her face, she just looked way too old. Then some nonsense soap opera actor named Maurice Bernard or something like that played Desi, and he was even WORSE. He had the most terrible Cuban "accent" I've heard in my life, and an annoying habit of saying "Joo" instead of "you" {My friend and I have a joke about this, "Joo want to marry me?"}. This movie takes Lucy and Desi's love story and tears it apart and turns it into a parody. This is by far the worst movie on Lucy I've ever seen. It's on the Tube that was you, but I would say to avoid it like the plague. Lucie called it tabloid fodder and countered it with the amazing documentary about her parents that included their home movies. Thank God for Lucie Arnaz.

One critic said something like, "If joo gonna do something this tacky, at least make it funny!"

4. How do you feel about the majority of romantic films being labeled "chick flicks"?

My understanding about this question is, what's my opinion on romance films being labeled as a fluffy genre for females to weep over? I could be wrong, that's the way I interpreted it, however, and that's the way I'm going to answer it, lol. Anyways, to that note, I'm not sure how I feel about it exactly. I guess females do lean to romantic films more than men do, but to that, there's no reason why guys shouldn't be able to enjoy or get teary over romantic films the way girls do. It shouldn't make them any less 'manly'. Also, a majority of romantic films {especially, you know, the classic ones ;D} are excellent movies that shouldn't be labeled as fluffy, and "chick flick" usually suggests "fluffy" or "mindless". So maybe "chick flick" isn't a nice term after all.

5. Favorite on-screen couple?

Another mean question! Lol. I can't just pick one pair. {I'm sorry that I have no ability to be decisive!} I'm really not sure. Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler, certainly, though you know that I feel that "Gone With the Wind" isn't a great love story. Ronald Colman and Greer Garson's characters were adorable together in Random Harvest (1941), and so were the Bette Davis and Paul Henried couple in Now, Voyager (1941). I also have to give a nod to Nick and Nora and the Minivers - both of which had perfect marriages! Also, David and Susan in Bringing up Baby (1938), just because that movie is perfection. And Alicia and Delvin in Notorious (1946), because Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant are perfect together and they should have gotten married and had a bunch of gorgeous children together - you know, like, Isabella Grant. {CRUEL QUESTIONS.}

One day I'm just going to have to do one whole post on the two of them and, you know, let all the feelings out ;-)

6. Favorite off-screen couple?

Like you guys are really there scratching your heads, wondering what my answer could possibly be to this, and like I'm sitting here on my side of the computer screen contemplating hard between oh, Bogie and Betty and Carole and Clark and Kate and Spence and - LUCY AND DESI. There's probably no need to get into this because everybody knows how I feel about the two of then, but I'll get into it anyway! Yes, Lucy is my favorite actress, but it's not like I assume by default that Desilu is my favorite. If there is one question on this list I'm decisive about, it's them. I know as well, and likely much much more, as the next person that their marriage was riddled with problems. And that it ended in divorce. But their love for each other inside, despite everything else, was so strong, and that's how they managed to stay together for 20 years. And that love never died, despite the divorce. I mean, Lucy called Desi two days before his death and told him she loved him. It would have been their forty-sixth wedding anniversary. If that doesn't kill your heart, what does??? Plus - lest we forget - this is the union that forged I Love Lucy!

7. Best kiss in a movie?

This may sound prudish, but the kisses in classic films are so much more romantic. I don't care that they were limited to 3 seconds, they were always more meaningful than the kisses in today's movies, despite the fact that today they can go on forever - and usually do! I'll probably go with the famous scene from Notorious (1946). Ingrid and Cary's little kisses while they chatted about the chicken in her icebox was Hitchcock's way around the Hays Code rule, which might just contradict what I said, but Cary and Ingrid are perfect so I don't really care :)

8. Favorite romantic scene?

asdfghjkl This is hard ;) I guess my response to the latter question could qualify as a romantic scene, since it's really a string of kisses and dialogue that lasted for a few minutes. Maybe the the phone scene from It's a Wonderful Life (1946)? Though several scenes from An Affair to Remember (1957) are tugging at me...

9. Who are two film characters you wished had gotten together, but never did?

I thought that Greer Garson's character and Robert Taylor's character in When Ladies Meet (1940) would have been a good pair but they never did get together. But I guess in reference to something better known, I'll opt for Scarlett and Rhett in Gone With the Wind (1939). Yes, I know they SPOILER did get married in the movie, but if you check out the link above to the post about GWTW not being a love story, you'll understand my reasoning behind that. Besides, Rhett did leave Scarlett in the end of the movie. Bonnie Butler was dead. Melanie Hamilton was dead. All Scarlett had left was Tara and wimpy Ashley. So in my opinion, Rhett and Scarlett never truly "got together" in ultimate joy and happiness. And besides, Real Gone With the Wind never came out, so we'll never know if Rhett ever did give a damn about Scarlett again!

10. Two actors you think would have great chemistry, but never done a film together?

Easy. Cary Grant and Greer Garson. These two would have been a match made in heaven, don't you think??? But all they did together was an OTR broadcast of Bedtime Story. This breaks my heart. WHY? Why did it never happen? Them both being British - and Greer being the top box office draw during WII - I mean, seriously? I weep. Buckets and buckets of tears.

11. Favorite romantic song in a film?

I don't know if it's my all time favorite, but it definitely one I like and it's the first song that popped into my head when I heard this question. 

I guess the lyrics aren't obviously romantic - I mean, they could mean a lot of things -but considering what's happening while they sing it, I think it qualifies!

12. Best score from a romance film?

The theme from Now, Voyager (1942). I think it's called, "It Can't Be Wrong". It was used in Mildred Pierce (1945) too, which makes me giggle - a score from Bette's movie used again in a Joan Crawford film! But this music is so beautiful it should be used in every movie, lol. So gorgeous!

13. Most romantic film quote?

"Oh, it's nobody's fault but my own! I was looking up... it was the nearest thing to heaven! You were there..." said by Deborah Kerr's Terry McKay in An Affair to Remember (1957). There are a lot of romantic quotes, though. This is the first one I thought of. I just love this movie though! ♥

14. A film you'd recommend to watch on Valentine's Day?

Well, you'd probably watch a romantic film on Valentine's Day. I can't pick just one perfect romantic movie! There are SO many! But if I am to suggest just one, I'll follow up on the latter question and go with An Affair to Remember (1957). 

I know I already answered one of the questions with this movie, but I just love it so much! Deborah and Cary are just asdfghjkl. I need to talk about Deborah more. I LOVE HER {this reminds me, you see}

***

Well yeah, that's it! Thank you, Meredith, I had a lot of fun with this meme. It's not Valentine's Day yet, but I'll say it anyway: Happy Valentine's Day, readers!