Okay, so I hope you all don't mind me talking about Lucy just a little bit more this week.... Yesterday, August 6th, was Lucytenniel and it was so amazing and literally one of the best days ever, so I felt the need to just reflect back on it a little!
The first thing was I participated in my first blogathon. "The Loving Lucy Blogathon," hosted by True Classics, was so fun to be a part of! My blog was only one of so many that honored Lucy... and I got to read so many different, interesting posts about the most intriguing aspects of Lucy's life, career, even her radio show! Also, I got to read touching personal tributes with people expressing their love for Lucy... It was just so great.
Besides that, I finally got some traffic to my blog! I got a couple comments and, according to my newly installed hit counter (see the sidebar), I got a few visitors. That's totally great! Thanks for commenting/visiting, and I hope you'll subscribe or come back and visit Frankly again.
I was so happy with the way the media turned out for Lucytenniel. Especially television, because it totally owes her! One of my personal favorites was the Google homepage. If you didn't catch it, here's a screenshot:
You could move the little dial for six different clips of Lucy - from "We're Having a Baby, My Baby and Me" to the famous candy scene in "Job Switching."
Needless to say, I adored it! I seriously wish it was like that all the time. Maybe they'll make a webpage for it, like some past animated Google Doodles.
"Lucille Ball" was top searched on both Yahoo and Google (her keyword was "on fire", accordingly!), which filled me with childish pride - on Google, it was quickly followed with "I Love Lucy." I heard about Lucytenniel on all the major news stations, and there were dozens of articles from news services everyplace - not to forget TCM's 24 hour long block of movies devoted to her (I tuned in for most of them), and Hallmark's marathon for her, which is all weekend long.
I'm glad she's remembered. Isn't it kind of amazing? She died 22 years ago, but everyone still loves her and thinks of her... on her 100th. <3
Another highlight of this most awesome day was the success of my Youtube video. I posted it a little bit before 1 AM on August 6th. It had 25 views by then. When I checked in the morning, it had reached 225 - and as I refreshed the page, it had hit 250. Last night, when 24 hours were completed, it was raging at 572 (I think), and now, as I check, is nearly at 800 with 792 views and 25 likes (and 0 dislikes). You're amazing, Lucy! I also discovered, after curiously searching the title of my video, that it's been shared by just random people who happened to come across it on Youtube on Facebook... 29 times, I think. So awesome! Wonderful to be a part of the spreading of the Lucy love.
How did I celebrate Lucytenniel? I kept up with the TCM marathon through, and through - and on my laptop enjoyed other Lucy tributes... then I talked my dad into watching "The Facts of Life" with me... no, not the TV show (though I do enjoy a visit to Peekskill), but the 1960 movie with Lucy and Bob Hope. I also tuned in for "I Love Lucy" on several occasions, of course, and on my DVR I have "Panama Lady" (too early in the morning for me!), "Miss Grant Takes Richmond" (I came in just for the ending), and "The Affairs of Annabel" (too late at night... 3 AM.)
I was just dizzy with all the Lucy love!
Last night on ABC news, the anchor said, "Today is a big day for anyone who loves Lucy." And it sure was.
Before I leave you, I found this totally awesome video on Youtube, starring Joan Crawford and Barbara Stanwyck (best friends, if you didn't know), set to Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (TGIF)." It's always cool to see old movies set to modern songs (I plan on doing one pretty soon... stay tuned!), and this one is just perfect and amazing, lyric to lyric.
And finally, some classic movie humor for you that I picked up when rewatching the "The Long, Long Trailer." Towards the end of the movie, when Lucy and Desi are taking that perilous flight up the mountain, they're trying to make some (very nervous) short talk about a book Lucy was reading. Apparently, she stopped reading it because they had seen the movie.
LUCY: It had what's-his-name in it... You know, he was married to the beautiful brunette girl who likes squirrels?
DESI: Michael Wilding?
LUCY: Yeah, him.
I really lol'ed at this. And if you're puzzled, Michael Wilding was married to Elizabeth Taylor - AKA, the beautiful brunette girl who likes squirrels.
Well, I think I'll go and catch the rest of that Hallmark marathon, so I'll say goodbye for now. But Lucytenniel was amazing, wasn't it? Happy birthday, Lucy!
I'm sorry for my rant yesterday. Well, actually, I'm not sorry... but anyway, I'll just inform you all that I'm feeling better. It took a few weeping sessions to get through, but I'm okay. I think.
Anyway, I'll just busy myself in my Blog, a good use of technology. So, before I get into today's topic, I'd like to give the final results of the "1939 Golden Year of Film" poll. Your options were -
"Goodbye, Mr. Chips"
"Wuthering Heights"
"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"
"The Wizard of Oz"
"Stagecoach"
"Ninotchka"
"Dark Victory"
"Of Mice and Men"
"Love Affair"
"Gone with the Wind"
9 votes came in. "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" is the winner with four, "Gone with the Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz" tie at two each, and "Dark Victory" comes in third place with one. The rest didn't receive any votes at all! :(
I'm telling you the results because the poll will be going down in a little bit and replaced with a poll about Natalie Wood in honor of her upcoming birthday. Be sure and vote, vote, vote!
Okay, now, down to business. A few days ago I posted a Blog about my ten favorite actresses of all time. I closed the blog with a promise to post about ten actresses I like, but haven't seen enough of their movies and hope to.
Well, here is the blog as promised! (: (This is an no particular order):
1. Greta Garbo
"My Favorite Swede", as I like to refer to her, will always be Ingrid (:
But Garbo is classic, and therefore I vow to watch more of her. (Btw - don't you adore her hair in that photo? I want it!)
2. Barbara Stanwyck
Maybe it's just me, but I've realized a lot of appeal for Barbara, or "Stany", and that's encouraged me to see more of her. Unfortunately, I have only seen her in "The Lady Eve," "Double Indemnity," and "Christmas in Connecticut."
3. Rita Hayworth
If you've visited my "Favorite Movies and TV Shows" tab, you're well aware that I've listed "Gilda" as one of my favorite films. That's a Rita film, but it's among the few I have seen! I need to see more of the "Love Goddess" - did you know one of my aunts was named after her?
4. Ava Gardner
I like Ava, but haven't seen enough of her either. I hope to watch "Mogambo" - I hear it is not a terrific film, but apparently Ava is hilarious in it and that I'm looking forward to! (So says Via Margutta 51, another Blog)
5. Lana Turner
Yep, that's right. I haven't seen enough of the "The Sweater Girl," either!
6. Lauren Bacall
Yes, Lauren, too! How embarrassing.. :) Actually, I recently saw her in "Sex and the Single Girl," with Natalie Wood, Tony Curtis, and Henry Fonda. Not the best movie, but she's hilarious.
7. Judy Garland
Judy, Judy, Judy! I've seen some of her essential films, and that I am proud of - "The Wizard of Oz" and "Meet Me in St. Louis," is what I mean, of course. I've also seen "In the Good Old Summertime", and her spot in "Ziegfield Follies" (which I watched because of Lucy). However, she's so talented, and I can always see more of her.
8. Bette Davis and Joan Crawford
^^ Oh my God, what an interesting photo! Anyway, I have seen both Bette and Joan's films. I am reading Joan's biography currently - as the sidebar will tell you - and hope to jump into Bette's afterwards. This is in all in impending research for a "Bette vs. Joan" Blog I hope to do soon!! What side am I on? I still need to figure out!
9. Vivien Leigh
Yes, Scarlett O'Hara herself! And this Blog is called Frankly My Dear!
10. Carole Lombard
She and Lucy were great friends and Lucy always insisted that Carole was the real Queen of Comedy. There is also a rumor that Carole appeared in Lucy's dreams while Lucy was contemplating on whether or not to do "I Love Lucy," and Carole encouraged her (in the dream) to "give it a whirl." (Thank you, Carole!) I've seen her in "Nothing Sacred" and "To Be or Not To Be," and quite enjoyed her, so I hope to see more of her in the future. It's sad how she died so young (in a plane crash) and her marriage to Clark Gable sounds interesting!
Well, there it is! Of course, I haven't not seen any of their movies - that would be shameful! - I just want to see more, I guess. So I'll add tons of movies featuring these ladies into my Netflix queue, I guess!
What about you? Which actresses do love - but want to see more of? (If that makes any sense. :D)
For starters, I'd like to say I have been proudly inducted into the "Loving Lucy Blogathon" (hosted by True Classics at trueclassics.wordpress.com), a la the banner on my sidebar which proudly declares it! This is my very first Blogothan and I'm terribly excited ;) If you Blog, you must join! And don't forget to click the banner and see the links of the other brilliant Blogs who have joined in on the Lucy loving fun!
Now that that's been said, let's get down to business... today's blog will be my first "contrasting" or "vs." blog. If you've visited my "Favorite Movies and Tv Shows" page, you've likely noticed #7 on my Movie List: "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" I simply adore that black comedy. I watched it earlier this summer and I couldn't get enough of it, so I rented a supposedly similar film, "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte."
Since the movies are quiet similar in many ways, I thought it would make a fun Blog to contrast the two, all the while giving you my "review" of them. Sort of. I'm going to try to avoid spoilers, but if I feel one coming on, don't worry - I'll capitalize it and have it in some big, blaring letters.
Films:
"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" (1962)
"Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte" (1964)
Stars:
"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"
Bette Davis as "Baby Jane" or "Jane Hudson"
Joan Crawford as "Blanche Hudson"
Victor Buono as "Edward Flag"
Maidie Norman as "Elvia Stitt"
"Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte"
Bette Davis as "Sweet Charlotte" or "Charlotte Hollis"
Olivia de Havilland as "Miriam Deering"
Joseph Cotton as "Dr. Drew Bayliss"
Agnes Moorehead as "Velma Cruther"
Mary Astor as "Jewel Mayhew"
Victor Buono as "Sam Hollis"
US Release Dates:
"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" :
October 31st, 1962
"Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte":
December 24th, 1964
(how's that for interesting release dates???!!!!)
Plots
"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" (1962)
Baby Jane Hudson - once a child vaudeville star, she is now washed up and alcoholic. Her sister, Blanche Hudson (Crawford) was a big time movie star in the 1930's, but became crippled in a car accident that many blame on her sister. Now, the two share a rotting LA mansion in which Blanche is dependent upon her crazy sister, who is not very happy with the way things turned out - and plans to settle this jealous score.
"Hush, Hush... Sweet Charlotte" (1964)
Sweet Charlotte Hollis is an aging Southern belle who lost her lover years ago in an chopping incident forty years ago that many blame on her. However, there wasn't enough evidence, so she walked. When State of Louisiana threatens to run her rotting Southern mansion over, Charlotte calls upon her only "living kin", cousin Miriam to help her... but Miriam, along with old flame Dr. Drew, having something else in mind.
Posters
Watch a Clip
"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"
"Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte"
(be forewarned: the chopping scenes towards the end are a little gruesome. Nothing like today's stuff, but still, if you are squeamish, skip the ending!)
Baby Jane Hudson (Bette Davis) vs. Sweet Charlotte Hollis (Bette Davis)
So, in "WTHBJ?" we have Baby Jane Hudson - a washed up vaudeville star who is now forced to take care of her crippled sister, Blanche (a former 1930's movie queen). Let's take a look:
And on the other hand, there's Sweet Charlotte Hollis. Driven crazy by the rumor that she murdered her lover after her called the affair off, she is now a weary and worn Southern belle who lives with her gangly maid, Velma. Let's take a look at her:
For starters, I was disappointed at the lack of character depth in Sweet Charlotte. In many ways, she is a (less hostile) version of Baby Jane, except with longer hair, less makeup, and a Southern accent. You'll feel sorry for Charlotte, too, especially as the opening credits run through, but her character is just not as likeable (er! Did I call Baby Jane likeable?) as Baby Jane. I also think Bette Davis had a better performance as the latter. Even though she had tons of opportunities to ham it up as Sweet Charlotte (and you know that's what Bette loves to do!), Baby Jane was just a better role for her. Baby Jane is simply funnier and more awesome. So, for this round, Bette Davis as Baby Jane wins. Sorry, Sweet Charlotte... hush, hush!
Blanche Hudson (Joan Crawford) vs. Miriam Deering (Olivia de Havilland)
From "WTHBJ?" there is Miss Joan Crawford as Blanche Hudson, who was a big movie star in the 1930's but after becoming crippled in an accident that most blame on her sister, Jane, is dependent upon the latter and living in a rotting LA mansion. Shall we take a look?
Next in the ring we have a Ms. Miriam Deering, played by Olivia de Havilland, the scheming cousin of the supposedly crazy Charlotte Hollis. Let's get a look here!
Oh, yes, there she is! Now, at first glance, you would think that Blanche and Miriam are in the same boat in both movies - being terrorized by a physco Bette Davis. There are some tables being turned, so I won't give anything away... but keep that in mind as I contrast Blanche and Miriam. Both of these girls try to be dainty and delicate to set themselves apart greatly from the crazy Bette character. Blanche will pull at you, but she seems very defenseless and weak in times where she could have helped herself escape from her ordeal. Miriam's character doesn't get the depth we so crave for it until the end, but when it does, you'll be satisfied. I'll leave it at here because I don't want to give too much away! For this round, HHSC gets a point: the winner is Olivia de Havilland as Miriam.
Elvira Stitt (Maidie Norman) vs. Velma Cruther (Agnes Moorehead)
In "WHTBJ?" we've got Maidie Norman as Elvira Stitt, the faithful companion of Blanche Hudson.
There she is, at Blanche's bedside! Now, from "HHSC" we've got the darling Agnes Moorehead (AKA - Endora from "Bewitched"!) playing a role far from Endora as the Southern maid to Charlotte, Velma Cutler.
There we go! Now, Elvira and Velma are both very supportive of their distressed employers. They both ** SPOILER ** ** SPOILER ** DON'T GO ANY FARTHER IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN BOTH FILMS ** INSTEAD SCROLL DOWN TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH ** save their employer's lives at a certain point, get fired by the malicious torturer, all while suffering from the same fate: death, after trying to save their employer.
Okay, sorry, I just had to throw that Spoiler in there for those of us who have seen it! Now, continuing on while comparing the two - both are pretty similar in many ways. I adore Agnes Moorehead, but I have to give this one to Maidie for her role as Elvira. The actual character of Elvira was more heroic than Velma, and the whole situation with Baby Jane and Elvira funnier. So, this one was cut close, but I'll have to mark up another point for "WHTBJ?" - Maidie Norman as Elvira Stitt wins this round.
The "creepy songs":
"I've Written a Letter To Daddy" vs. "Chop, Chop Sweet Charlotte"
Here is "I've Written a Letter to Daddy":
And "Chop, Chop, Sweet Charlotte":
The winner for this one is easy. It's got to be "I've Written a Letter to Daddy" from WHTBJ?. "Chop, Chop Sweet Charlotte" is awesome, too - but after we hear it run through in the opening credits, it mostly dissapears from the movie, whereas the ever-catchy "I"ve Written a Letter to Daddy" strings itself through all the way of WHTBJ?
The title songs:
"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" vs. "Hush...Hush Sweet Charlotte"
There is the 60's style pop song, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"...
And the country song "Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte" for HHSC:
This one is also easier for me. besides the fact that I'm not the biggest fan of country music, the title song from WHTBJ? is more fun and exciting, not to mention kind of hilarious! The winner is "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" (song).
Now, it's time for the final round: "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" (movie) vs. "Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte" (movie)
So, in the past rounds, WHTBJ? chalked up four points for: Baby Jane Hudson by Bette Davis, Elvira by Maidie Norman, I've Written a Letter to Daddy, and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (song). In the next ring, there is HHSC, which earned one for: Miriam Deering by Olivia de Havilland. As you can see, HHSC didn't do that well. In my opinion, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" is the winner and easily the better movie. I give it 5 stars and only give HHSC 3. It's true, that HHSC does have more star power - you have Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, and Mary Astor (in her final film role) all in one film! But still, WHTBJ? is just the better movie. If you had to watch one or the other, easily pick WHTBJ?. However, it may be fun to rent both of the movies and contrast them yourself.
I'd like to end this very long post (I'm sorry it was so lengthy, lol!) with this awesome publicity shot. This was when Joan Crawford was supposed to be playing Miriam (I love Olivia - but it may have been interesting to see Joan in the role, so she can finally get her revenge! haha... Joan was dropped after checking into a hospital and delaying filming. Rumor has it she left because she couldn't stand working with Bette anymore). Aren't they sweet?
:) Thanks for reading! (And, of course - I don't own any of these clips or photos, and many thanks to the uploaders)
