I'm telling you, I was quite thrilled when I found out this morning that it was Claudette's birthday! Claudette is another one of my favorites. Well, okay, to be fair there really isn't an Old Hollywood actor I don't like. Anyway, I love Claudette and she has made some of my favorite movies. Like, "It Happened One Night" and "Midnight."
Claudette had such a striking face, did she not? Perhaps she wasn't gorgeous - though she was pretty - but her face really strikes you! "We had faces then," as Norma Desmond put it.
When I was reading "Desilu", I learned of a little meeting between Claudette, Lucy, and Greer Garson. (I find the fact that the three of them were hanging out together is just pretty awesome). It was when Lucy was just divorced from Desi and Claduette was doing "Marriage Go-Round" on Broadway; Greer was doing "Auntie Mame." Lucy went to see the show and went backstage to chat with Claudette; Claudette asked, "What are you doing after the show -- right now?" Lucy replied, "I've got no plans," and just at that moment Greer knocked at the door. Lucy and the other redhead greeted each other and Claudette suggested they go up to her apartment and cook scrambled eggs or something. So they did, three of the biggest stars. Lucy said of it later, "So here we were - Claudette Colbert, Greer Garson, Lucille Ball - three old broads making scrambled eggs at two o'clock in the morning and bored to tears with each other!"
And, even though it isn't Wednesday, here's a little "WML?" for you, starring Claudette:
Before I leave, I read in TIME magazine a few days ago that a movie called "My Week with Marilyn" is coming out this November. I think it has to do with some people spending a week with Marilyn Monroe while she was filming "The Prince and the Showgirl" with Laurence Olivier; there's even going to be a little Vivien Leigh in it (YES!! I'm cat smiling. Like her. Of course), played by a British actress named Julia Ormond. She looks sort of like Vivien but let's be fair; no one can really do Viv justice!
As for Marilyn, the actress Michelle Williams will be playing her. Here's a picture of her as Marilyn -- I think she kind of looks like a blond, less prettier version of Ava Gardner:
I don't know... it may bomb, but I do plan to see it.
Anyway, that's all for today. Happy birthday, Claudette!
The contest results came in yesterday from Film Classics (it's also on my blog roll, - they generously added me into theirs! - please see it; it's a wonderful website, many classic films and "I Love Lucy"s), and shockingly enough, Frankly, My Dear has managed to pick up a few awards in the categories it was entered into!
For the film noir article - yes, yes, the one I was so nervous over - I came in second place. You want some more shocking news? I managed to swing 98 votes. So: A billion and ten thanks to all of you who voted! I appreciate it so much that you took the time to do so... 98 votes??? I could never imagine so much. Thank you! :) Here's the cyber-award I received, which will now hang on my sidebar under the "Awards" portion --
Also, I entered my hundred birthday video for Lucille Ball into the video contest. There were three categories -- "Best Video", "Best Editing," and "Best Music Choice." My video came in second in all of the categories except the first, where I managed to squeak into first place by one point. Once again: Thanks so, so, so, much everyone who voted! :)
Okay, now for the other contestants. The winner of the film noir contest is Kevyn from The Most Beautiful Fraud in the World, who won last season as well. It was actually a neck in neck race; Kevyn came in with 102. Anyhow, I believe he wrote a nice piece on the B film noir "Detour". Congratulations on winning, Kevyn, it's well deserved! And also considering that Kevyn appears to be a professional and I am just starting out in the blogging business (well, I've been writing since I was five but blogging is an entirely different thing of it's own), it was an even greater prestige to place second next to him. I hope to be half the critic you are, Kevyn!
The other two contestants were Natalie from the always fun and well written In The Mood and Meredith from the wonderful Forever Classics blog. Natalie and Meredith have been following my blog from it's earliest days and have always left such encouraging and lovely comments; as all of you readers do! (Really, you don't now how much I appreciate hearing your kind words. It brightens my day!). Anyhow, my friend Natalie wrote about Ministry of Fear; a Ray Milland movie. It was such a lovely piece and so convincing, so much so I went right over to Netflix and added it into my queue! (Despite the ending - I'll have to watch out for that, Natalie!) And Meredith wrote about a film I already have loved and have for while, Sunset Boulevard. It was a wonderful piece and described quite vividly the things we all love about the classic film noir.
All of the above mentioned are forever lovely writers and let me say: it was so wonderful competing with you all!!! I think I was in some of the greatest company. And this also reminds me, I just wanted to mention how wonderful it is to be a part of the classic film blogging community. Finally, people who know what I mean when I say "Team Bette or Team Joan?"! But in all seriousness, this is such a kind and gracious community and it's a joy to be a part of. It really is! And for more lovely blogs, be sure and check my blog roll.
Anyway, the topic of today's post is something I have pondered about for quite a while; don't worry, it's not a rant post.
"Gone With the Wind" has always been praised as one of the greatest love stories ever, and etc. Now before I continue I don't think you all need to know how much I love GWTW. Look at my blog title! I just adore this film. It is wonderful on so many levels, the acting and all of that is just amazing, it's true in the meaning of "classic."
However, as much as I love GWTW, I have to admit: it never seemed to me like a great love story, even though it is often praised and labeled as one. Let me explain. And before I continue, IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN GONE WITH THE WIND (though please, I really really really hope you have!), DON'T READ ANY FURTHER. This is just for people who have seen the movie.
Anyway, let's face the facts: from the very beginning, the only person who Scarlett truly wants is Ashley, despite the fact she has about every man in Georgia at her feet. Yes, Ashley. Wimpy, wimpy Ashley.
Yes, I always think of Ashley as a wimp. I also often wonder about what Ashley's true feelings for Scarlett were - did he love her? At all? Then why didn't he marry her? (It would have saved a lot of trouble...) Was it because he felt committed to Melanie?
Ashley is all Scarlett wants, even when she meets the dashing Rhett Butler. For the earlier parts of the film I think Scarlett flirts with Rhett alot - like, for example, dancing with him in her black mourning dress and letting him buy frilly hats for her. She also obviously cares a lot about the way she looks for Rhett, like when she has Mammy make the curtain dress for her. She doesn't restrain asking Rhett for help when she really needs it, like when Melanie is giving birth or when they go broke. Here's a good example; the "you need kissing badly" scene:
Yeah... I'd much rather take Rhett.
The thing is, I think deep down Scarlett knew she loved Rhett but she was never willing to admit it. Because Scarlett always had to have what she wanted, and what she wanted was Ashley. Though she and Ashley never have a real affair, I think they kissed more than once when he was married to Melanie.
Melanie, is, of course, too good to be true. God bless her heart. I actually thought she and Ashley made a pretty good pair. Melanie, so soft spoken and kind all the time, and Ashley... the wimp.
The thing is, those who claim GWTW is a great love story, I ask you: what love story? Despite the fact Scarlett truly does love Rhett and he loves her a lot, she only realizes she loves him once he's gone. Remember? At the end of the film when Melanie dies and Ashley is finally offered to her, she can't take him. Because she realizes it's Rhett she wants, Rhett she needs. Unfortunately for her, Rhett "doesn't give a damn" anymore.
I guess it is the perfect example of you didn't realize you had it so good until it is all gone. What happened to Scarlett, we'll never know. Did she get Rhett back? She was forever scheming and she is at the end of the film - "Tomorrow is another day." Melanie is dead and Bonnie Butler is dead, but Scarlett knows there's another day and she can get Rhett back if she wants to; or if so she believes.
One thing is for sure, I don't think Scarlett would have gone to Ashley, even though she can finally have him. The situation becomes reversed. What a sequel that would have made! If she did get Rhett back, perhaps that would have made a good love story.
I found a little snippet about GWTW in my Social Studies textbook; it said the film "portrayed the Civil War in a romantic light." I do agree with this statement, I think the film has a very romantic air and lots of romantic scenes, like, for example, the famous kiss Rhett and Scarlett share while Atlanta is being burned down --
However, though it appears to be quite a passionate scene, the fact remains that Scarlett was pushing Rhett away!
I think perhaps the only time Scarlett submitted to Rhett showing affection for her - and he was willing to give it, unlike the end of the film after Bonnie dies, was this particular scene when Rhett decides to marry her. It's the "haven't you been kissed enough?" scene; unfortunately, I could not find a clip of it.
He loves you Scarlett, he really does!
So yes. I think GWTW is filled with beautiful scenes and a romantic air, but there's not really a love story. Scarlett and Rhett never love each other at the same time.
Anyway, I am not criticizing GWTW the wind at all. I think it showed the Civil War from the point of the South quite perfectly, without glamorizing it either (I mean, for how long was Scarlett in that purple dress?). The characters - with the exception of Melanie, who we all can't help but love anyway, probably because of how beautifully Livvie played her - are very alive and very human. I adore this film. It's not just the world's greatest love story, is all!
What do you think? Do I make sense? Well, this time around I think I do. I do, after all, know my GWTW!
Speaking of GWTW, I was able to talk my teacher into letting us watch GWTW at school! I take an enrichment class each week which is just to enrich us with a deeper look into information we may gloss over in other classes, and since we are currently looking at the Civil War in Social Studies class, my teacher agreed into letting us watch GWTW. I think it'll take a month for us to watch it, but I can hardly wait! The teacher and I got into a big discussion about the film, and she gave off several spoilers but I don't think anyone understood. In fact, everyone thought Ashley was a girl, obviously... so they'll have to wait and see. But yes. I am THRILLED. I love watching the classics at school!
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.
Way back about a month and a half ago, when I first started this blog, was totally naive to this funny blogging game (it's strange how much you can learn in just a little bit) and I had like, zilch, followers, I made a list of my favorite actresses as well as my favorite roles they played.
Well, I guess blogging did it because over that short period of time my taste in actresses has changed slightly. I stepped out of my comfort zone and watched more movies from the actresses mentioned in this list, a list of ten actresses I loved but I swore I needed to see more of. I kind of stuck to that list and as a result, I moved around my list a little. Some things will always stay the same, like my Top Five, for example, which are featured in "My Favorite Actresses and Actors" tab. But I did alter the rest of my list.
I was forced to remove a few favorites from the original list; I still love these actresses, only an adventure farther into this world of classic film has set them back, just a little. If I did a top 20 list (hey, maybe I should do that someday!) they'd most certainly be right behind my top ten.
But anyway, you see, that's how the ball bounces. Here is my REVISED and currently withstanding list of my ten favorite actresses and my favorite movie roles they played - I made some revisions on that, too.
After Lucille Ball, it is in no particular order.
1: Lucille Ball
Look, this will never change. Ever :)
However, I did make a revision to my favorite role of hers. In the original I listed it as Bubbles from "Dance, Girl, Dance." Now I have changed it to Gloria from "The Big Street." This is not a good movie, either. Gloria is not a likable character at all. She is mean and has a cold heart. But I think it was such a change of character from anything we have EVER seen Lucy in, and she does so wonderful, and it's fun to see her glamorous.
2: Ingrid Bergman
My favorite role of hers is still Alicia Huberman from "Notorious."
3 : Natalie Wood
Not much change with Natalie, either; it's still Alva Starr from "This Property is Condemned."
4: Audrey Hepburn
Yesss... it's still going to have to be Holly Golightly from "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
5: Grace Kelly
I have decidedly changed this to her role as Frances from "To Catch a Thief." Now, I didn't love this movie as much as I hoped it would, despite the triple threat combination of Grace, Cary, and Hitchcock. However, I liked her character and her ambitions and her chicness and all of that.
6: Elizabeth Taylor
I decided to go for Maggie the Cat from "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Yeah, I did find this character annoying but I liked the way Elizabeth played her. And, as much as I love Liz, I kind of have to remedy the films of hers I've seen. I've seen plenty, but not the substantial ones that won her an Oscar.
7: Katharine Hepburn
Mhm... this won't change, either! :)
8: Vivien Leigh
Yes, yes, yes, I landed up adding Viv into the top 10! She was on my list of actresses I wanted to see more of and I have an I have really been enjoying her. So, welcome to the top ten, Vivien. And - of course, my favorite role will be Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone With the Wind."
9: Olivia de Havilland
Yes, it would seem that Viv's co-star and pal, Olivia de Havilland, would make it into my top ten as well! I am strictly Team Olivia and I really have been loving her films. My favorite role as of now will have to be Virginia from "The Snake Pit," a really great movie, but that may change as I have lots of more Olivia flicks waiting in my Netflix queue for me.
10: Bette Davis
YES, BETTE HAS MADE IT INTO THE TOP 10! :) I'm Team Bette, I have decided. However, I really don't hate Joan Crawford or anything. I saw her in "Mildred Pierce" last night, by the way, and I loved it and her performance and everything. Joan would probably be in my top 20. But, alas, it is Bette who would make it into my top 10. My favorite role is of course Charlotte Vale from "Now, Voyager" -- I'm sorry there was no proper clip, you'll have to settle for the trailer!
So, there it is, my current top 10 with all the revisions in place and all of that. I'm happy with it, I think. I was forced to remove the lovely Doris Day, Jean Arthur, and Sophia Loren! It's not that I don't love them anymore because I still do.... just... oh well. I may continue onto a top 20 list so you all will know where the latter mentioned actresses still stand with me, because I still really like them.
Okay, that's all. I'll be back tomorrow with the Sunday Movie Review, as usual, and a little rememberance of 9-11 thing.
I'm all chirpy and happy today for a few reasons - 1) It's FRIDAY! I love Friday, it's my favorite day of the week (Rebecca Black did not ruin it for me). Not because I have great classes today, either (I don't). But I just love reaching the end of the week and taking a big sigh, like, "Few, that's over. Until Monday!" And I can finally watch a movie, too. Tonight it will be "Mildred Pierce" - a movie I have been dying to see since, like, forever.
However, I don't think I'll do a review for it this particular Sunday because I thought I'd pick a patriotic movie to review this week since Sunday is the tenth anniversary of September 11th... that, of course, deflates my happy mood a bit. But more on that on Sunday.
And 2) The sun is finally shining!!!! The whole week it was gray and rainy and awful, but now the sun is just shining and it's beautiful outside, even if there are still puddles on the ground. Also, school went pretty well today - among other things, I was given a big compliment by one of my teachers on my writing skills in front of the whole class; embarrassing, but I get happy like a little kid whenever someone sincerely compliments my writing. As Lina Lamount says: "Our hard work ain't been in vain!" And, guess what else????? We have a songbook for our music class and in it today I found this big picture of Lucy and the song "Hey, Look Me Over!" from her Broadway musical, Wildcat. I know. INSANE HAPPINESS. Vivien Leigh cat smiling. I'm so going to request for us to learn that song!! :)
Okay, babbling is over. :) Today I'm going to list my top ten female characters. I'm doing television and film, because if I limited myself to movies alone I'd be forced to exclude Lucy Ricardo. ;)
This is pretty much in no particular order. Enjoy!
1 : Scarlett O'Hara
played by Vivien Leigh, Gone With the Wind
Well, yes, I LOVE Scarlett. I know that Melanie was a lot nicer and very sweet and who doesn't love Melanie? But it's just so much fun watching Scarlett be... Scarlett. No to mention Viv played her to an exact point of perfection! Yes, it is often argued that Scarlett was a b*tch, and I guess she was. But in her defense, Scarlett is probably one of the most exciting characters to grace the screen. She could be hardworking when she wanted to, and she retched out that carrot without flinching. So yes, love her or hate her (though I do love her), Scarlett is one of the most awesome characters, female or male, EVER. Here's to you, Scarlett O'Hara!
2 : Lucy Ricardo
played by Lucille Ball, I Love Lucy
My darling Lucy! I have heard people also call Lucy Ricardo annoying and conniving and things like that, but the fact remains is that there was a special quality about Lucy that make us love her, flaws and all - in fact, that was the premise of the show. And... she was also smart, clever, resourceful, and beautiful in ways people don't give her much credit for - not to mention hilarious and zany! That's why we love Lucy :)
3 : Holly Golightly
played by Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's
In which Scarlett can be called a b*tch, Lucy obnoxious, Holly can be called a gold digger. But like the latter characters, there is a special quality about her - not to mention the brilliance of the actress who played her! - which makes Holly a character to love and remember. Despite her faults, I think Holly is the girl all women sort of want to be: glamorous and sophisticated and very fashionable; not to mention she lived life as if it was all a big gulp of fresh air. And she had a pretty cute cat, too!
4 : Alicia Huberman
played by Ingrid Bergman, Notorious
Yes, yes, one of my favorite Ingrid roles ever! I love Ingrid in the Alicia role, she just comes across as this ultra sophisticated spy to me, and it does help that her character is madly in love with Cary Grant. ;) She wears some really chic gowns and puts her life on the line for her country. Yeah, I just really found her character quite marvelous!
5 : Hildy Johnson
played by Rosalind Russell, His Girl Friday
As an inspiring girl writer, Hildy Johnson is really one of my favorite inspirations! I like her because she kept her femininity but proved she could write or report as good as the next guy in that busy newsroom. Plus, okay, okay, yes: I really love the way her name sounds. "Hildy". It really does roll off your tongue, doesn't it?
6 : Maria played by Natalie Wood, West Side Story
I guess I have no particular reason for liking Maria. Maybe it has a lot do with the way Natalie played her; because everytime I watch West Side Story I always feel for Maria's character and even relate to her. "I Feel Pretty" is one of my favorite dance sequences and even though Maria does some stupid things in the movie (I would blurt them out here but there must be some of you who have not seen WSS - well, what are you waiting for?? Go watch it. NOW. :D), I still really like her character. The Puetro Rican Juliet.
7 : Charlotte Vale (II, anyway)
played by Bette Davis, Now, Voyager
I say "Charlotte Vale II" because... because... well, I didn't hate the shaky Aunt Charlotte from the beginning of the movie, but I love her progression into the confident, sophsticated woman of the world she becomes. I explained a bit of that in my Now, Voyager movie review. Bette Davis portrayed her perfectly, I thought!
8 : Alva Starr
played by Natalie Wood, This Property is Condemned
"This Property is Condemned", a Tennessee Williams movie, did not really do so well at the box office at the time, but truth be told I really enjoyed it when I watched it. Maybe it was the pairing of Natalie and Robert Redford together for the second time (they'd teamed up before for "Inside Daisy Clover", a not so good movie...), but I did enjoy it. I also loved Natalie's Alva Starr character. Most of all because I enjoyed seeing life through the fabricated eyes of Alva; the whole world to her is literally a box of chocolates - one of my favorite scenes from the film is when Alva insists to Robert Redford's character that the sky is white, not blue. She wants to go to New Orleans because she believes people are buried above the ground there, where they can breathe forever. I simply love the way the character looks at life as if it's a dream.
9 : Susan Vance
played by Katharine Hepburn, Bringing Up Baby
It's screwball time! "Bringing Up Baby" was one of the first classics I ever watched and I think it's really what pulled me into classic films. My God, I LOVE the Susan character. This is my favorite Kate performance ever. Susan is just adorable and hilarious and Kate's special Bryn Mawer accent somehow makes the character even funnier. And she has a pet leopard. Named Baby. Susan makes me smile! Look, I just love this movie and I love this character and if you haven't seen it then where the heck have you been?
10 : Gilda
played by Rita Hayworth, Gilda
I have to have a femme fatale on this list, and Gilda will be it! "Gilda" was some of the first film noir I saw and I was really enthralled by Rita's Gilda character: it was one of my first exposures to femme fatale and it's riveting how she pulls Glenn Ford into her trap and "putting the blame on Mame" and all of that.
Well, there it is for you! I had a hard time narrowing it down towards the end and I had to leave out a few other favorites, like Ingrid Bergman's Ilsa Lund (Casablanca) and Sister Benedict (The Bells of St. Mary's) as well as Vivien Leigh's Blanche DuBois (A Streetcar Named Desire), and, of course, Bette Davis's Baby Jane Hudson(Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?). I'll try to get together a list of my ten favorite male characters, though that may be a little while before I get around to it.
The film noir contest at Film Classics will close tomorrow. So just one tiny little last reminder if you haven't voted yet or anything. I think I'm currently tied for first place which is a shocker times a thousand - especially considering the zero confidence I had in my post. Another big thanks to Film Classics for sponsoring this contest; it was great fun to participate and the possibility I may actually win first place like, fills me with an abundance of joy (<<< hey, I like that phrase! I think I'll say it more often), though I'd better not jinx it. ;)
I'll leave you with yet another awesome picture of Old Hollywood folks hanging out together --
Viv and Lauren. Yes, yes, yes. I love this picture.
Ta-ta for now, dahhhlings!!
^^ All Tallulah Bankhead esque, of course. :) This is, indeed, a happy Friday!
