Holiday Gift Guide for Classic Film Lovers

So, I've been seeing holiday gift guides for classic film lovers popping up at all of my favorite blogs recently, and so I thought I'd join in on the fun! Here are ten items sure to please most any classic film lover. Books and movies particularly. I've picked items that have come out this year, and have tried to vary it with gifts for both sexes. Like I said, there have been several guides already written so I've done my best to be original! And speaking of other guides, the most original by far however must be Clara's: go and read it. Best list of presents I've ever seen. ;)

Holiday Gift Guide for Classic Film Lovers

You can click on the link to be taken to where you can purchase it online. :)

MOVIE:

Cary Grant: The Early Years

I really love the idea of this box set, I honestly think it's so clever! It contains Cary Grant's early films, before he became the suave, debonair movie star we all know. This box set contains three, rare movies from 1935: "Devil and the Deep," "The Eagle and the Hawk," and "The Last Outpost." His co-stars in these movies include Gary Cooper, Charles Laughton, and Tallulah Bankhead. This also has some great special features which include lobbycards, publicity stills, etc. PLUS, to top it off, it's on sale for 14% off at TCM (check the link up there). It's one of their best sellers, and this would make a great gift for any Cary Grant fan. Someday I honestly hope this set is mine. 

BOOK:

Judy: A Legendary Film Career

This is about a 350 book detailing Judy's legendary film career, written by John Fricke. Amazon has got it for good price currently. I myself haven't read this book - I don't think I've ever mentioned this, but I like Judy better as a singer than an actress. In fact, she's one of my favorite singers. I like her and I think any Judy fan will really enjoy this. It's gotten excellent reviews and TCM made it the book of the month in their magazine back in August, when it was first released. [Also, what a lovely cover it has! I think that's a sign of excellent pictures.]

BOOK:

Picture Show: Classic Movie Posters

This is kind of pricey, but I've still been eyeing this! It's filled with eye candy, 150 posters compiled from TCM's archives. If you read my Sunday Movie Reviews, you know that I enjoy movie posters and critiquing them. Posters from the Golden Era are often so nicely and neatly done they nearly seem like pieces of art themselves: paintings of movie stars, like the one on the cover of this book, are my personal favorite. This book has posters from seven decades of films, and from such studios as RKO, MGM, and Warner Brothers!

MOVIE:

Jean Arthur Comedy Collection

This is pretty exciting for us Jean Arthur fans: Jean's first box set! I'm happy she's finally getting one, and it just so happens I haven't seen any of the movies this box set contains. The movies are as follows: "Adventure in Manhattan (1936)", "More than a Secretary (1936)", "The Impatient Years (1944)," and "The Public Menace  (1935)". A four disc set filled with Jean to get you laughing - pretty tempting, isn't it?

  MOVIE:

Greatest Gangster Films Collection: Prohibition Era 

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I really love the Roaring Twenties. I simply adore this era of speakeasies, flappers, gangsters, jazz music, and F Scott Fitzgerald. I once even had a roaring twenties themed birthday party. BUT, anyway, back to the box set - that's why this drew my eye. I haven't seen that many gangster movies, but this looks like a great set of movies all set in the Roaring Twenties. It includes "Little Caesar (1930)", "Smart Money (1931)", "The Roaring Twenties (1939)," and "The Public Enemy (1931)". Actors in these films include James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, and Humphrey Bogart. Sounds exciting, doesn't it??!!

BOOK:

Breakfast at Tiffany's: The Official 50th Anniversary Companion

Among the many anniversaries this year was Breakfast at Tiffany's fiftieth birthday! This book, written by Sarah Gristwood, is big and gorgeously illustrated, and it's that lovely shade of blue! I remember seeing it on a display at the bookstore, and I didn't buy it because it was slightly pricey, but it's really a lovely book. I also recommend this book about the making of the movie. I read it earlier this year and it's beautifully written, engrossing, and perfect for anyone who is a fan of the movie.

MOVIE:

Astaire and Rogers: 10 Film Collection

This is definitely pricey at nearly sixty dollars, but it contains all ten films that Ginger and Fred did together in a gorgeous format (I adore that cover). I think this is the perfect gift for any hardcore Ginger and Fred lover, and honestly, who doesn't love the both of them together? This has got everything from "Flying Down to Rio" to "The Berkleys of Broadway." [This is a much cheaper option, however it's only got four of the ten movies. Still a nice package.]

MOVIE:

Tracy and Hepburn: The Definitive Collection

This is another sparkling set, containing all NINE of Kate and Spence's films. Gee, this one I'm totally also craving. I mean, all NINE movies that's pretty awesome you know! Like with the last one, there are other cheaper options but they don't contain all nine movies and I absolutely love the cover of this set. Also, for Tracy and Hepburn fans: you might want to check this book out, too, a very very very thorough biography of Spence (more than one thousand pages, to be exact. Thorough you think?)

BOOK:

TCM Classic Movie Trivia

This book, compiled by TCM and containing 4,000 questions, has been pretty popular this year! It looks really fun and I'm sure is filled with so much trivia. This is another one I have been contemplating to get - I read TCM's "Leading Ladies" book this year, and it was really nicely put together with beautiful pictures and a lovely format. TCM's books don't disappoint, so I have a feeling that this one will be good.

***

Well, there's my list of ten items!! Which ones have you got your eyes on?

By the way, TCM came out with their memorial video for the stars who died this year. This was another rough year - we lost Peter Falk, Cliff Robertson, Jane Russell... but for me the hardest would have to be Elizabeth Taylor.

It's lovely, I think, though I nearly thought they had somehow forgotten Elizabeth Taylor! They had me worried for a little bit... lol.

Vintage Vocabulary, Darling!

Hi everyone,

Before I begin today's topic (one that proves to be interesting, I hope) quick birthday wishes to three big Classic Hollywood stars: Jean Arthur, Rita Hayworth, and Montgomery Clift! In honor of the two girls, I added "Only Angels Have Wings" into my Netflix queue so you should anticipate a review for that... in the near future. ;) As for Monty, I've been wanting to see "A Place in the Sun" for a REALLY long time, but it's on a "short wait" at Netflix, so I guess I'll just have to wait.. longer... :( [Anyway- look for pictures of them throughout this post! :D]

Something I have noticed in classic films is though the way they speak is pretty much the same way we talk today, a lot of the "slang words" are different which obviously makes sense... I mean, the staples of the English language will forever stay consistent (I hope), but slang words change as trends change and as particular generations get older and new ones begin. (Like in my circle of teenage friends I don't find someone going, "Hey, that's groovy!" all that often, if you know what I mean. :D)

Having watched classic films for quite a while (and yeah, being obsessed with it helps too) I have picked up on my "vintage vocabulary" so much that it often filters into my everyday speak. I love vintage slang, especially from the 30's and 40's, because some of it is just so adorable! And considering a lot of words are dead these days, so to speak, it's even fun to say them to get a reaction out of people.

Here's the list of "vintage vocabulary" I came up with. If you can think of any I haven't included don't forget to leave me a comment with the word (and it's definition, just in case I haven't heard it) so I can add it in.

I present to you, a list of Vintage Vocabulary... (I tried to come up with the best Classic Hollywood related sentences I could; others seemed like lines out a film noir for me and I tried to express that but I think I failed most of the time...)

• darling - [noun]; Used as an affectionate form of address to a beloved person. "Tallulah Bankhead called everyone 'darling'. Except she says it 'dahhling', you know."
• dame - [noun]; An attractive woman. "Walter didn't plan on everything landing up this way, but Phyllis was a dame he could not resist."
• heel - [noun]; a contemptibly dishonorable or irresponsible person. "Everyone thought that Gregory Peck was a total heel in 'Duel in the Sun'."

LOVE this photo - Gregory and Deborah on the beach!

• gay - [adjective]; having or showing a merry, lively mood. "Then Cary Grant was wearing this frilly negligee and he jumped up and shouted at the woman, 'I went gay all of a sudden'!"
• swell - [adjective]; excellent; first-class. "Gee I like to see you looking swell, baby! Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby..."
• golly - [informal adjective]; used as a mild exclamation expressing surprise, wonder,puzzlement, pleasure, or the like. "Good golly, Miss Molly!"

Hedy dining with the birthday girl, Rita

• gee whiz - [informal adjective]; arousing or characterized by surprise, wonder, or triumphant achievement. "Gee whiz, that Lucy is funny."
• square - [noun]; old-fashioned in views, customs, appearance, etc. "Ava Gardner was certainly never a square."
• scram - [verb]; to go away; get out. "Scram, kid, this ain't the place for you," snarled Bogie.

The other birthday girl, the lovely Jean Arthur 

• broad - [noun]; an offensive term for a woman or a girl. "I thought Glenn Ford had a lot to put up with in that movie; Gilda was a real broad."
• babydoll - [noun]; Used as an affectionate form of address to a pretty person. " 'Come with me, babydoll,' Cagney told the flapper."
• slay - [verb];  To amuse somebody very much. "Groucho's sense of humor just slays me!" This was suggested by Martin.

The birthday boy, Monty, and friend Liz out for dinner. 

THE FOLLOWING ARE PHRASES.

• "Get a load of Bette Davis in this picture!"
• "Ricky blew a fuse when he saw what Lucy had done."
• "Frank Sinatra wanted to bust the chops of the reporter who took his picture." 

I couldn't do one of these photo things without a picture of Lucy! <3
I love this one, she's being a real "darling" in it, paining the nails of her stand in! And so carefully, too!

That was all the "vintage vocabulary" I could think of. By the way, I don't mean that these phrases or words aren't used today at all (though some are kind of extinct, like "heel"), just not as commonly, or in different contexts (with "gay", for example). If you can think of any others, drop me a comment and I'll add it in (with all due credit, of course)!

UPDATE: Friend and fellow blogger Natalie (In the Mood) composed her own list of vintage vocabulary as an addition to this post. She came up with some great ones that I missed, so be sure and check it out!! :)

Sunday Movie Review: "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939) // Remember 9-11

Hi everyone,

I watched "Mildred Pierce" on Friday, and I loved it. However, I thought I would do a patriotic film to review this Sunday since it is the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

I was too young on 9/11 to understand what was going on, none the less remember anything. I was lucky to not have personally lost someone close to me in those attacks, but nearly three thousand people died that day, which is awful beyond words. I have no recollection of the day; on Friday in our Social Studies class we discussed the event and I was surprised to see that some of my fellow classmates could produce sketchy memories of the day; some more vivid than the others. I have none.

In honor of those who lost their lives on that unfortunate day, I thought I would do patriotic/American film of sorts to review this Sunday. I Googled "most patriotic films" or something, and the classic film that seemed to consistently show up often on many lists was "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

Everyone knows that 1939 is often deemed the greatest year of film there was - with "Gone With the Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz" among others, one of them being "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." I personally love "Mr. Smith" and decided this would be good opportunity to review it.

The thing is, it's been a little while since I saw "Mr. Smith." The films I usually review for the Sunday Movie Reviews are movies I'd seen a few days ago and so they are still really fresh in my mind. Because of this my review for "Mr. Smith" is going to be short -- in addition to the fact that it's a really brilliant film and I don't have that much to complain about! So excuse the shortness of this Sunday Review.

***

When idealistic junior senator Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) arrives in Washington, D.C., he's full of plans and dazzled by his surroundings -- qualities he retains despite widespread corruption among his cynical colleagues. Jean Arthur puts in a sharp performance as Smith's streetwise secretary, who helps him navigate his way through Congress, in this Academy Award-winning classic from director Frank Capra. [from Netflix]

The cast has:

• Jimmy Stewart as Jefferson Smith (aka "Mr. Smith")
• Jean Arthur as Clarissa Saunders
• Claude Raines as Senator Paine

It is directed by Frank Capra.

This film has the three of my favorites: Jimmy, Jean, and Frank Capra as the director (how many times do you need to hear "Capraesque" to know how wonderful he was?). 

Though it is over seventy years since this film was made, it manages to remain refreshing and new everytime I watch it. It combines drama with the wittiness of a screwball comedy. Jimmy Stewart gives one of his best performances in my opinion as the determined yet frustrated Mr. Smith who represents the everyday good guy that members of Congress are not used to. Jean Arthur keeps the pace moving as smart talking Clarissa.

Jean is one of the reasons I love this movie. She represents a sophisticated woman who knows more about politics than Jimmy does, despite the fact she's a woman - totally splitting a stereotype in two right there. Take this scene, for example, where Clarissa explains to a naive Jeff how to get his bill passed:

Jean is perfection

Of course, this is not to undermine Jimmy's Jefferson. The role is perfectly built for Jimmy Stewart -- a true good guy, a patriot, who proves to the millions of people that doubt him that he can stand his own.

I'm not going to say much more. This review was extremely short, and for that I apologize. But the bottom line is that you should see this movie. You really should. Five stars.

***

Well, there it is, my pathetically short review for a fantastically wonderful movie. I really hope everyone has seen it. Jimmy and Jean are one of my favorite pairings and this is true Capra material; this is not one of those "classics" everyone always hypes about and it turns out to not be that so good. It truly is that good!

That's all for today. Tomorrow I will reveal the faces behind the current Here's Looking At You, Kid. If you haven't already guessed, you can click that link and leave me a comment. :)

Have a good Sunday, and a take a moment to pause and remember the people who lost their lives on this day ten years ago. 

The Big 10 - My Favorite Actresses

You must be wondering, "This girl obviously doesn't have anything to Blog about, because we already know her favorite actresses..." Well, check one more time! ;) I have listed five of my favorite actresses in the "My Favorite Actresses and Actors" tab. But there are a couple more I love, and so I thought I'd publish a list of my ten favorite actresses with my favorite movie roles of theirs, and post some videos too. 


So, here it is. I love most Old Hollywood actresses, but these are the ones I tend to watch the most of and really enjoy.

1. Lucille Ball

Favorite role: Bubbles in "Dance, Girl, Dance" (1940)

(the movie isn't all that great, but Lucy sure is and she has an awful lot of fun dancing away to glory!)

2. Ingrid Bergman

Favorite role: Alicia Huberman in "Notorious" (1946)

3. Natalie Wood

Favorite role: Alva Starr in "This Property is Condemned" (1966)

4. Grace Kelly

Favorite role: Lisa Carol Fermont in "Rear Window" (1954)

(couldn't find a clip of Grace Kelly in this - so had to settle for the trailer. Apologizes!)

5. Audrey Hepburn

Favorite role: Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961)

(this was so hard to pick!)

6. Elizabeth Taylor

Favorite role: Leslie Benedict in "Giant" (1956)

7. Doris Day

Favorite role: Jan Marrow in "Pillow Talk" (1959)

8. Katharine Hepburn

Favorite role: Susan Vance in "Bringing up Baby" (1938)

(once again, I apologize for having to settle for the trailer)

9. Jean Arthur

Favorite role: Clarissa Saunders in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939)

10. Sophia Loren 

Favorite role: Cinzia Zaccardi in "Houseboat" (1958)

Soon, I'll be posting a blog on my top ten actresses that I also enjoy, but haven't seen that many of their films yet and hope to see more. 

Ciao for now!