Classic Mustaches for Movember || Mustache Hall of Horror

So, Bette of the lovely Bette's Classic Movie Blog is hosting "Classic Mustaches for Movember". What is "Movember?" According to their website:

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.

Bette has decided to promote this worthy cause by holding this blogathon, and the topic of discussion is basically classic movie mustaches. Mustaches were pretty popular back in the 30's and 40's, and you shouldn't be surprised to discover that at least a few of your favorite leading men have sprouted mustaches for a particular movie role! 

Anyway, before I get into the actual post, if you'd like to donate to Movember, you can do so by going here. It's a real worthy cause so give it a thought, would you? :)

Okay, now onto the post. A lot of leading men famously sprouted mustaches throughout their movie career, and they looked pretty good with them. Like William Powell, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, and perhaps most famously, Charlie Chaplin with his "Little Tramp" mustache.  And on occasion, probably Robert Taylor and Ronald Colman too.

However, most every leading man of the Golden Era was required to grow a mustache at some point in their career, usually for a movie role or so. These usually well shaven faces startled us with their new mustaches, and though sometimes it worked, let's be fair: sometimes it was a complete disaster.

And, so I present to you, the Mustache Hall of Horror. Our favorite leading men sprouting upper lip hair that should have been outlawed. Brace yourself!

** YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED **

THE MUSTACHE HALL OF HORROR
(and shame.) 

10. Desi Arnaz

Yes, I know, this was for a costume party. But I actually think I've got a picture of Desi somewhere in my Lucy file completely unshaven, beard, mustache, everything during the war. My Lucy file happens to be really humungus though (surprise, surprise) and for the sake of time, I didn't sort through it to find it. (It was too scary besides.) But anyway, bottom line. Like Lucy in the screencap at the beginning of this post ("The Mustache" episode), I like Desi much better without a mustache!

9. Robert Redford

I know, I know, I know! Robert Redford isn't Classic Hollywood, but I do like him ("Rianna, what modern actors do you like?" "Oh, I like Robert Redford and Barbara Striesand and Jane Fonda...") and I just had to include him in this list because I'm telling you: IT'S SCARY. I think this is for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", which I never got through because I hate Westerns. That's besides the point, anyway. LOOK AT IT. It's thick and yellow. Run for your lives! Thank God he never went for this look permanently. 

8. Rock Hudson

WHY????? NO, SERIOUSLY WHY????!!!! Okay, well, I know why. It was for his tv show. BUT LOOK AT THAT 70'S STACHE! IT'S SCARY! AND IT'S ON ROCK HUDSON! AND IT'S SCARY!             * hyperventilation* I could be just imaging this, but I also think he sported a mustache in one of his movies with Doris Day, but that was because he was trying to trick Dodo into think he was someone he was not. Wait, that's confusing, is it not? Bottom line: GO SHAVE IT OFF, ROCK! GO SHAVE IT OFF!

 7. Fred Astaire

DGIFHGFAIGHFEGHTRYAHNBG!

I honestly can't find words for this. I mean, I love Fred but seriously? I wouldn't want to dance cheek to cheek with him if he had that cookieduster, and I've got a feeling Ginger Rogers wouldn't either. Here he is sporting another one with Audrey, but let's just hope they're fooling around and leave it at that. 

 6. Gary Cooper

No, Gary. No. Just no. :( Gary Cooper, who I have been gaining a greater appreciation for, might look somewhat decent after what we just witnessed with Fred, but when you boil down to it, I'd be shaving that away, Gary. I mean, just stop and think and imagine if it that was his usual look. Sends chills down your spine now, doesn't it?

5. Gregory Peck

OH NO. WHYYYY. WHY. :( NO, SERIOUSLY, WHY. It just work, really it doesn't. And I weep :(  No, I mean it, but seriously. Like the more I stare at this it just doesn't seem right. I really want to virtually rip this mustache off, but you know, thank goodness it was only a temporary thing (which pretty much applies to all mentioned on this list).

4. Henry Fonda

No. Just honestly, no. It's hard to look at really. It makes Henry look like some kind of a lumberjack/ax murderer or something. Natalie at In the Mood said something like it murders the boyish quality of Henry [MURDER is an excellent word], and I have to agree. Then she added "not to mention he looks really stupid"... which he DOES. Just seriously, this is completely unnecessary on several levels. ** shakes head **

3. Humphrey Bogart

FVFUGIHFGHF'GHX'TR8

T

TTH9TJH/\

what???? WHY????? WAS IT REALLY NEEDED? SERIOUSLY?  I moan. I cry. Seriously, when I was looking for these ridiculous mustaches I was getting nervous I may find this, and I did. I have to turn away, I simply cannot look. This is...  words can't explain. Being a writer I rarely ever use that expression but this time, there are just no words. He doesn't even look like the Bogie we all know and love. :( This was just murder here.

2. Jimmy Stewart

.........................

speechless

1. Cary Grant

So. So I stared at this for a long time. I told myself, "You know, maybe it's not that bad, some people might find that attractive, hey he kind of resembles Errol Flynn." A lot of stuff and nonsense. And then: there is no excuse for this. There is no excuse for the people who did this, who deterred Cary's face like this. I honestly do not know what movie this came from. But if I ever happen to turn on a Cary movie and see this, I tell you, I'm switching it off. How was this not against the law?. It could have been prevented. Where was our legislative government when this happened? Hello, Congress? THIS was an injustice, I tell you. A crime. A part of my heart chipped away and died, really. 

***

Well, that's all. I'll spare you now, no more scary pictures, I promise. I think we all need to go and take a big glass of water and go enjoy these leading men in some well shaven roles. At least, that's what I plan on doing.... 

Many, many thanks to Bette for hosting this blogathon. Don't let the scary pictures deter you from the blogathon's point at heart:  it's for a good cause. Don't forget: Movember! Try and make a donation: I'm sure all contributions of different sizes are accepted and will be utilized! ;)

Also, this blogathon will last throughout the rest of the month. Some great bloggers have already written some brilliantly awesome posts, and I'm sure there will be a few more as well, so go check those out, too! :D

I'm going to try and put together a Classic Hollywood Thanksgiving post (I actually do have something in mind) for tomorrow, but if I can't then I'll say it now: HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING! :) 

well, see, she's gorgeous in everything, so she looks fabulous of course! <3

For the Boys || Five Really Manly Films

Okay, so there isn't going to be any Sunday Movie Review today. Not exactly: we are discussing films, not exactly reviewing them, but discussing them. I have committed myself to The Scarlett Olive's "For the Boys" Blogathon, and the topic is basically to discuss "manly classic films." The Scarlett Olive, which is hosting this blogathon, is a podcast run by Hilary and Katie. According to what they said on their site, they decided to host this blogathon because "there's a staggering amount of estrogen in our blogs and podcasts," and I can relate to that too.

I mean, my classic actresses tags are huge, but I find myself not even talking about the actors that much! Which isn't fair because I like them just as well, perhaps being a "easily influenced teenage girl" I pay attention to the actresses somewhat more simply because I can look up to them. I mean, I'm not afraid to admit it because they are my role models. However, I'm trying to shake up my content a little bit, which is one of the reasons I joined in on this blogathon. Hopefully this will help me get off to a good start to discuss men's roles in classic films a little more.

So for my contribution to this blogathon, we're discussing "five really manly classic films." These are a mix of war films and westerns, which are probably the two genres of classic film I watch the least. Yes, I much more compelled to the dramas, the women's pictures, the romantic comedies and the screwballs. So I actually needed my father's help when conjuring up this list. Excuse me because a lot of it's going to be very stereotypical... but but but in my defense, I'm not really much of a manly film watcher.

I think this blogathon should make a point, however, that classic films can be manly! I think that a lot of people assume that whereas men can enjoy classic movies, a lot of it will be more on the mushy side because classic movies just tend to be more romantic and lacking less in the areas of violence, gore, etc. that define a "manly" film. Not true.

Anyway, here's my list. This is all pre-1970 stuff, kind of co-written by my father because I haven't actually seen all of these movies... shh... don't tell!

***

05.

The Wild Bunch (1969)

Cast: William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan

Summary: Director Sam Peckinpah's brilliant 1969 Western epic tells the story of a bunch of aging outlaws, led by Pike Bishop (William Holden), whose botched plans to pull off one last job forces them to collude with a crooked Mexican general (Emilio Fernández) -- leading to ugly bloodshed. Ernest Borgnine, Ben Johnson and Jaime Sánchez co-star in this special edition, which includes never-before-seen outtakes and three exclusive documentaries. [from Netflix]

What makes it manly: Well, this obviously starts with the movie's title. With one like "The Wild Bunch", you should know what you're in for. Plus, you have the pretty manly talents of those like William Holden and Robert Ryan: you could easily call them some of the most manly actors from Classic Hollywood. But pretty much as my father told me simply, and the Netflix summary seems to agree, "it's got a lot of blood and gore in it!"

Watch the trailer

04.

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

Cast: Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson

Summary: In this Academy Award-winning World War II action flick from director Robert Aldrich (The Longest Yard), a U.S. Army major (Lee Marvin) is handed a near-impossible assignment: Turn a group of conscripted convicts into a crack fighting unit and then send them on a mission to destroy a villa filled with Nazi brass. The "volunteers" include Archer J. Maggott (Telly Savalas), Victor Franko (John Cassavetes) and Vernon L. Pinkley (Donald Sutherland). [from Netflix]

What makes it manly: IT'S A WAR FILM. And look at that poster and all the bloodshed and the gore, now, if that isn't manly what is? Plus you add that title. A dirty dozen turned lose on "those Nazis." Yes, this is probably one of the best examples of a classic manly film.

Watch the movie

03.

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Cast: William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins

Summary: Director David Lean's sweeping epic -- best known for a whistling work theme that became legendary -- is set in a World War II-era Japanese prison camp where British POWs are forced to construct a railway bridge as a morale-building exercise. Yet the real battle of wills is between a "play by the rules" British colonel (Alec Guinness) who's dedicated to the project and his American rival (William Holden), who vows to destroy it.

What makes it manly: I think William Holden must be the king of manly films. I think he is the one who appears most frequently on this list. Well, Ernest Borgnine too, but he doesn't come across as so... "manly" to me. ANYWAY, back to the film. Another World War 2 movie, with the promise of some more fighting and look, there isn't even a single woman in the cast. Welcome to camp 16 -A manly film for sure.

Watch a clip

02. 

Rio Bravo (1959)

Cast: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson

Summary: Sheriff John Wayne has a problem: He must keep killer Claude Akins from escaping the town lockup (with outside help from his brother and a cadre of hired guns). The only people Wayne can call on for support are an alcoholic Dean Martin, a well-meaning Angie Dickinson, a crippled Walter Brennan and an eager Ricky Nelson.

What makes it manly: Well, this is one my father has been trying to get me to see for a long time and I keep refusing. Shh, I've got another secret: I don't really like Westerns. Anyway, I think Howard Hawks and John Wayne made this movie to counter "High Noon" (one that I actually have seen), because in the latter film Gary Cooper is asking his citizens for help to fight the bad guys. Hawks and Wayne didn't think this was right and so they came up with this, the exact opposite. Wait, that doesn't explain to you why this film is manly. Well, it's got John Wayne, and then Dean Martin trying to be manly, and what seems like the elements of a good Western. (If, I, well, actually liked Westerns...)

01.

The Searchers (1956)

Cast: John Wayne, Natalie Wood, Vera Miles

Summary: After his entire family is viciously wiped out, hardened war veteran Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) embarks on a long journey to find his only surviving niece, Debbie (Natalie Wood), who has been captured by hostile Comanche Indians. Director John Ford's richly scenic -- and controversial -- Western also stars Vera Miles, Hank Worden, Ward Bond and Jeffrey Hunter, as Edwards's riding companion, Martin Pawley.

What makes it manly: Okay, this is probably one of my favorite Westerns because Natalie is in it. I don't actually know how manly it is, but then again you have John Wayne playing this hardened maniac who wants to go and kill a bunch of people. He's kind of eccentric and there's a lot of scalping and you know, Natalie was quite good in it...albeit she was only on screen for fifteen minutes or so but really. Yeah, this is one Western I do like.

Watch a clip

***

Okay, that's it for today. This was probably a weak post, because I really lack in the genre of manly films but also in my defense I'm actually feeling quite sick to my stomach today. I honestly don't know. So I hope this post wasn't that bad and now I'm going to go and crawl into bed. Thanks to Hilary and Katie for hosting this!

Ciao!

Natalie's Drowning Reopened

Well, it's happened: they've reopened the case of Natalie's death.

For those who may not know, Natalie Wood (one of my favorite actresses), drowned off the coast of Santa Catalina Island in November 1981 (the 29th, to be precise). She also had an extreme fear of water her whole life, too. She was "overcoming" this fear by often going boating with her husband, Robert Wagner, on their yacht The Splendour (named after her 1961 movie with Warren Beatty, "Splendor in the Grass"), usually sailing out to her favorite vacation spot: Catalina. That November she was boating with Wagner and Christopher Walken, who she was then making a movie with, and she drowned. There have been a lot of speculations about this suspicious and quite mysterious drowning, but that same year the case was closed and the L.A County Sheriff's department ruled it an "accidental drowning." People assumed she had been drunk that night, had been trying to tie up a dinghy that was noisily banging against the boat, and fell into the water, hitting her head and going on unconscious.

Still: there are a lot of holes in there, etc., and Natalie fans (like me) thought there was more to the story and that justice hadn't been given. I won't get more into the holes because I plan to do a post on the actual 29th, and I'll get more into it then. The only reason I'm doing this post right now is because her death case has been reopened, and the news is HOT. It was on Today, CNN, even my local news and get this: on the sports radio this morning.

The captain of the boat, Dennis Davern, is saying something along the lines of he lied to investigators thirty years ago; he's giving some more details about the nasty Natalie/Wagner/Walken fight that took place the night she died, and he's putting Wagner in responsibility for Natalie's death. I'm really glad he did the latter. I don't actually like Robert Wagner that much (I think I once wrote a rant about it on this blog...) and I have always personally he was responsible for her death. He did some really stupid things that night, stupid things I'll get into when I do a more thorough (and less confusing) post on the 29th. (But here's an example: he waited hours after he noticed his hydrophobic wife was missing from the boat to call the Coast Guard.)

A press conference was held today with the L.A County Sheriff's office, that I watched on CNN. The man did not give much more information though. Only that the case is being reopened (as Natalie fans and classic movie fans, etc., have wanted for a while), and that it is due to the things Dennis Davern was admitting to, as well as some other sources that have thus spoken up. The L.A County Sheriff's office must find these sources credible, because an analyst on CNN was saying that it's very unusual for a case to be reopened a whole three decades afterwards.

And though in the press conference it was said that Wagner is not a suspect, this is not yet. As of yet, it is still an accidental drowning but hopefully by looking into it, they're going to discover new things and bring some justice to Natalie.

The analyst on CNN said that say for example it's discovered that Wagner pushed her off the boat or stuck her head in the water (not that he did, just for example), that he will still be charged with murder and etc.- despite how old this case is and how old he is.

Do I want Robert Wagner to land up in jail? No, because I try not to wish ill will upon people. :/ I just hope this reopening, you know, brings some justice to Natalie and the tragedy of her death. This news story, as I said, is getting a lot of coverage. In a way I'm glad it is, because it's reminding people of Natalie. She is often forgotten; I can't explain it but it seems that people usually forget her. Now people are remembering. But not for the sweet person she was or the good actress, either -- for something quite sour. 

If you want some more information on this delivered to you in a less confusing way, google her name and you ought to find a lot. If you have any questions or something about the way she died (because I know I kind of was vague about it) you can ask me and I'll try to it explain it more. I've read a book about it and I plan on actually reading another once I finish Vivien Leigh's book; it is a book written with the help of the captain, Davern (I do think he is also having a new one coming out). I'm not saying I side with his thoughts or Wagner's or anyone's; because let's be fair, only one person knows what really and truly happened that night, and that's Natalie and she's gone. And you know, it wasn't right for her to die that young. ♥

[this morning on the Today show]

INTERVIEWER -- 

"Was the fight between Natalie Wood and her husband Robert Wagner what ultimately led to her death?"

DENNIS DAVERN -

"Yes."

What do you make of it?

[PS - Speaking of Natalie, this is a little late but thank you to everyone who voted in the poll! I'll be doing a post about it quite soon, only I have a couple other planned posts before it.]

My Lucille Ball Autograph [Genuine]!

THE LUCY AUTOGRAPH CAME!

Actually, it came quite a few days ago and I've been desperately been wanting to blog about it, but I have been bogged down with so much homework and the like I haven't gotten the chance. But here it is, and I'm just so THRILLED!

Here's the little story of how I got it. About a week and a half ago or so, I was checking out one of my favorite Tumblrs when I came across a video featuring Lucie Arnaz explaining how she was planning to auction some of her parents memorabilia on eBay. I was excited but didn't get my hopes up because I presumed everything there was going to be completely out of my price range.

However, I decided to go look and get envious anyway. I was surprised to find that a "Lucille Ball household checking account card", which had her full autograph on it was $200. Reasonably priced for this kind of a thing and I liked the idea of paying for something that is more likely to be genuine (I mean, Lucie Arnaz was raised by Lucy, wasn't she, so let's assume she's not a fraud) then some random person selling a "Lucy autograph."

The thing is, even though I thought it would be in my means to purchase this, I was pretty sure someone else wanted to buy it, too, and with eBay and bidding and all... but you won't believe this; as we sat around waiting by the computer with only fifteen minutes left and finally put in the first bid for $201, NOBODY tried to bid against us. Nobody. We were the only ones, and so we got it for the minimum price of $200. I was... FLABBERGASTED, I tell you.

It is gorgeous, it is my new most prized possession. <3

Some more information:

• her full name: Lucille Ball. After I Love Lucy she signed all her autographs "Love, Lucy" so ones with her full name is rare.
• "Lucille Ball" printed on various places around it, as well as the address for Desilu Studios. 
• It was signed in the 1950s, likely during the run of Lucy
• It just feels seems super kind of awesome because it was something she TOUCHED and was actually something personal to HER and not someone else. I MEAN SHE TOUCHED IT! (Okay, I know I know that sounds pathetic but you know how much I love her).
• It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Lucie Arnaz
• It also comes with a black and white glossy of Lucy and Desi.

Here are the photos I took for you! I'm sorry if there are shadows on some of them. My lense quite long, which is SO annoying because it always casts a large shadow of itself over every photo; so I did the best I could.

It came in a glossy slip and folder. (Plus a lot of yellow tissue...)

Signed "Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill."

The back of the card:
("780 North Gower Street, Hollywood 38 Calif." is the address of Desilu Studios)

And here is the photo that came with it (so you can frame the two together).

I'm sorry the glare of the light is on it! :

Isn't it lovely????

I'm truly over the moon. It even smells old. I mean, you know, like old paper. If that makes any sense... Anyway, my first piece of memorabilia and I will literally cherish this till the day I die.

***

Before I go, two things: 1) In the last moment I thew my hat in the ring for The Scarlett Olive's "For the Boys" Blogathon, which is this weekend. And 2) This is so amazing and funny and awesome (the only thing that's off is number of followers; 200? Try 2 million! lol). Yeah, you don't know what I mean so just go and read it and have a fun time doing it! I simply ADORE it.

That's it for now :) 

[BUT ISN'T IT AWESOME?? :D]

PS: One more thing. They reopened the case of Natalie's death! I have been hoping they would do this, so I'm awful glad... Natalie may have some justice now, you know. I'll probably do a post on this later; there may be more details by then. 

Sunday Movie Review: "Mrs. Parkington" (1944)

Keeping with the theme of my Greer Garson obsession, I have one of her movies for this SMR. Actually, I wasn't sure whether to review this or "My Man Godfrey" (1936), but I decided to go with this one. There isn't much to say about the latter except it's a brilliant, adorable screwball comedy, Carole Lombard and William Powell were magnificent, and you really ought to see it.

***

The poster: Nothing spectacular, but that's a pretty portrait of Miss Greer there. 

The plot:

In this family saga, Mrs. Parkington recounts the story of her life, beginning as a hotel maid in frontier Nevada where she is swept off her feet by mine owner and financier Augustus Parkington. He moves them to New York, tries to remake her into a society woman, and establishes their home among the wealthiest of New York's high society. Family and social life is not always peaceful, however, and she guides us, in flashbacks, through the rises and falls of the Parkington family fortunes. [from IMdb]

The starring players:

• Greer Garson as Susie "Sparrow" Parkington
• Walter Pidgeon as Major Augustus Parkington
• Agnes Moorehead as Baroness Aspasia Conti

The verdict:

3.5 / 5

I have mixed feelings about this film! One of the first things I noticed when I began to watch it was, "Oh, no, Greer's playing an old woman!" And then in succession: "Oh no, Greer's gone brunette!" (Not like there's anything wrong with the latter - I mean, I'm a brunette myself but don't we all love to see Greer with her glorious red hair even if you couldn't really see it anyway because it's in black and white, but that's besides the point.). However, I tried not to let these things bother me and continued into the movie. I must say I liked this movie because it was sweet. It's always fun to see Greer as an American girl for me -;) and I get a one up! She was of course excellent as she usually is, I'm really appreciating her refined style of acting (among the many reasons I now adore her).  Not to mention that her character was really likable. And though at first I thought it was crazy for her to be in the old woman get up, I was watching this on my iPod, on Youtube, in fuzzy black and white so things turned out okay for me there. I'm alright with the idea now because I think it gave depth to her character, the movie being in flashbacks. Oh, and as for the brunette part - she was still gorgeous and I got used to it as the movie moved on (but still glad she returned to red after this). 

As for Walter Pidgeon: he I am also gaining a greater fondness for, though not exactly head over heels like I did with Greer. :D Still, I liked him and he and Greer always have excellent chemistry so no wonder they were paired so often together. As for his character, his character was much bolder and at times slightly harder to like, but at the end of the day you knew he meant well so I accepted it. Agnes Moorehead, who I love of course, I simply adored as the Baroness Aspasia. She bounced off some great lines. There were some other minor actors who played members of the Parkington family, but they were all kind of unlikable so won't get into them. 

Since I really enjoyed the performances of the three main characters, most of the problems I had with this movie fell in it's script and the like. The flashbacks seemed somewhat random and rough at points, and so did the plot line. Keep in mind that this film spawns sixty years or so, and so if you don't like those kind of movies steer clear. Because of that at times the plot seemed a little hard to follow, not to mention you had the contrasting storylines of what was happening in flashback world and what was happening in the present day (some corruption plot involving a Parkington family member due to a niece wanting to run away with her boyfriend?). I wish all of this had been slightly cleaner.

And it is slightly ridiculous when, a certain point in the movie, Greer runs into the jolly old Prince of Wales. Never good when famous people randomly pop up in movies. ;) So for some of those reasons, I cannot give this movie four stars. But it's not to say I didn't enjoy the movie - it was entertaining, to me it was kind of "Giant" except with a New York society setting. Well acted by the main players (of course), so most of the issues fall in the way the plot was conducted. But over all I did like it and I wouldn't discourage you to watch it.

The bottom line:

If you are a fan of the main players you will be able to enjoy and like this movie. If you're just in the mood to watch a movie and give this a try, you'll probably enjoy yourself all the while but the annoyances you'll find in the plot, etc., will become relevant. 

Some photos:

Some trivia:

• The fourth of the eight movies that Greer and Walter did
• Lux Radio Theater did a radio adaption of this in November 1946, with Greer and Walter reprising their roles

A movie tidbit:

You can watch the full movie here.

***

That's all for now, folks! I hope you enjoyed the review and have a good start into the week. :)