Valentine's Day Movie Meme

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

Valentine's Day Movie Meme ♥

1. What is your favorite romantic comedy?

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

2. What is your favorite romantic drama?

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

3. Worst romance film you've seen?

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

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

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

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

5. Favorite on-screen couple?

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

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

6. Favorite off-screen couple?

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

7. Best kiss in a movie?

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

8. Favorite romantic scene?

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

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

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

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

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

11. Favorite romantic song in a film?

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

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

12. Best score from a romance film?

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

13. Most romantic film quote?

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

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

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

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

***

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

Sunday Movie Review: "The Women" (1939)

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported and participated in my classic film survey! I'm having lots of fun reading all your answers and am discovering tons of new blogs. I'm looking forward to reading more responses (hopefully)! But really though, what a lovely turnout, guys, thanks so much! ♥

Before I get onto the movie review, I thought I'd give you a quick update on my 250 Films in 2012 project. In January, I watched thirteen movies, and though I think I experimented pretty well with the actors and genres I'm trying to watch more of this year, I do wish I'd gotten to see more movies. I did my math, and to reach the goal of 250 films by the end of this year, I'm going to need to watch 20 films per month, and then some. It's hard with schoolwork, though, so we'll see how it goes. I'm updating the list of films I've been seeing frequently, so you can head over to that page if you'd like to take a look. My film watching goals are there, too. All suggestions are welcome!

***

The poster: I like the sketches of Joan, Norma, and Roz - and also the tagline "It's all about men!"

The plot:

George Cukor directs an all-female cast in this catty tale about battling and bonding between friends and enemies that was edgy for its time -- and is considered the ultimate women's movie of the 1930s. Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell and other Hollywood leading ladies are among the array of husband-snatchers, snitches and lovelorn ladies who argue and gossip about each other at astonishing breakneck speed. [from Netflix]

The starring players:

• Norma Shearer as Mary Haines
• Rosalind Russell as Sylvia Fowler
• Joan Crawford as Crystal Allen
• Paulette Goddard as Miriam Aarons
• Joan Fontaine as Peggy Day

The verdict:

★★★★

Well, the first thing you could possibly notice about this movie is it's tremendous, totally female cast! In addition to the five leading ladies mentioned above - though Paulette and Joan F. weren't really above the title stars yet, Norma and Joan were the Queens of MGM and Roz also got before the title billing, albeit in small letters - you'd also spot: Marjorie Main, Ruth Hussey, Hedda Hopper, and for about a minute, Butterfly McQueen! It's extremely rare and utterly exciting to see a cast as sparkling as this.

The plot mostly surrounds Norma Shearer's character, however, which makes sense because Norma was a top box office draw at the time, and as I said, coveted the crown as Queen of MGM. Her character, Mary Haines, is the lovable wife and doting mother who becomes the unfortunate victim of her husband's infidelity. This is the first Norma Shearer movie I have seen, and she was also one of the ten actresses I chose to make a point of watching this year. 

Well, I must admit, she was quite good. This movie is filled to the brim with catty women (who are proud of this fact), but out of all, Mary's character is likely the most decent, the most sweetest, etc., at least until her claws come out towards the end. Olivia de Havilland once said that it's much harder to play good characters than bad ones, which I agree with. With bad characters you pull out all the stops and they're just evil, but good characters require a particular type of emotion that's hard to afflict. Also, oftentimes it's much more fun to play bad characters. ;) This being said, Norma Shearer had this task to play a gentler sort among all these catty women, and I think she did pretty good. While I did like her I don't think she's going to become one of my all time favorite actresses anytime soon, though it's not to say I didn't enjoy her. And I'll look into more of her films for sure - I just think it's going to be more of a slow growth with Norma and I!

Rosalind Russell was just fantastic! I LOVED her character, she was probably one of the more terrible ones but it was all the more fun to watch her. Roz talks at the speed of light in this, just like she would in His Girl Friday. Her character dressed kinda like Hildy Johnson, too, though the personalities aren't really at all alike. Anyways, Rosalind's performance in this might be my favorite in the whole film. She was a lot of fun!

Joan Crawford. Well, her character is the worst out of the lot and I hated her. Her character, I mean. And since I hated her character, that means that Joan did a pretty good job in the acting department. Here might be a good time to bring up that business about how it's easier to play bad characters than good ones, but I won't because I'm constantly bashing Joan. So I'll conclude my opinion on Joan's performance in this movie by saying: I hated her character completely -- Joan was wonderful!

Paulette Goddard and Joan Fontaine don't get nearly as much screen time as the three I just mentioned. I don't really think they had achieved "star status" yet. I watched another Paulette Goddard film earlier this week, The Crystal Ball (1947), with Ray Milland. I found her charming in that and I liked her in this, too. I decided that I need to see more of her, because she's pretty adorable, and so I swapped Susan Hayward out of my list of actresses to see more of in 2012 for Paulette. Sorry, Susan! 

Joan Fontaine didn't have much screentime, either. But her character was also quite gentle and I liked her a lot. This is the second movie I've seen Joan in, I've seen her in Rebecca as well. I'm still decidely a Livvie fan, but I did enjoy Joan's performance in this, however short it was.

Overall, I really enjoyed the performances of the several leading ladies in this and that's what made me like this movie, even when the plot got out of hand, which it did on several occasions. There were cat fights and there's even a scene where Roz bites Paulette's leg. That for me was a little too much and I began to get slightly weary at this point. Also, this movie was way longer then it actually needed to be, several scenes could have been cut out, I think, especially the Reno part. That part, I felt, dragged.

Above all, though, this movie is forever entertaining and I find it absolutely charming that there's not a male to be seen in this entire film. Perhaps the 1930's was a time when sexism was felt strongly, but the title of this movie's not kidding - it really is about the women.

The bottom line:

Definitely see this one for it's spectacular cast and the performances that they give. The plot can be a little ridiculous at times but like I said, it's always entertaining for sure! And don't miss it for Joan Crawford's sassy, "There's a name for you women - but it's not used in high society, out of the kennel!"

Some photos:

(in case you're wondering, that George Cukor in the middle - who would be better to direct this movie? - there really are NO actors in this)

[via]

Some trivia:

• This is Butterfly McQueen's film debut - in this same year she'd gain notice as Prissy in a little movie called Gone With the Wind.
• Myrna Loy and Greta Garbo were the only leading ladies at MGM not given a role in this movie, though Myrna was considered for the part of Crystal Allen
• The frequented beauty salon in this movie, Sydney's, was named after the MGM's most popular hairdresser, Sydney Guilaroff

A movie tidbit:

***

That's all for today's review, and once again, thank you to anyone who has/or plans to participate in my survey!!! 

I'm Doing a Classic Film Survey!

First I'd like to apologize for missing the movie review on Sunday. It was a really crazy day and I couldn't get around to the computer. To that note, it's been a pretty wild week.

But that's not going to stop me from getting this survey started! I originally thought about doing this back in December, when I reached 50 followers. In the busyness of the holiday season it was hard to do, and so I set the date for mid-January, but, thanks to an overload of schoolwork, I couldn't do it then either. I had the survey written out and the banners and everything, but it just didn't seem like the right time to host my first blog event.

So we're doing it now! Kicking off February with a start! This is the month I was born in, so what better time for me to host a survey?

Lol. I have seen this type of a thing turn out really well for some blogs, so I'm crossing my fingers it'll work out nicely for my blog, too. :) It's 15 questions long and I worked hard to try to be as original as I could with the questions since surveys and movie memes have been done so many times before.

I made a banner for it - with Lucy, of course. If you're interested in doing this survey, please, by all means, answer the questions at your blog! That's the purpose, I really hope you all will participate because I'd love to see your answers! And if you do, be sure and leave me a comment with the link. :) Also, if you don't have a blog, or would rather not post the answers there, feel free to leave me your answers in the comments below.

That's about it! You're free to reply to this survey pretty much whenever! If any of the questions seem confusing, I've answered them myself below so you can see how they work. At the bottom I'll post a list of the questions without my answers so they can easily be copied and pasted. I hope you all enjoy this and a bazillion thanks to anyone who may choose to participate :) This is my first blog event, like I said, so I'm nervous and excited and can't believe I'm finally, you know, doing this - all at the same time. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a good turnout!

(I couldn't really think of a fantastic, exciting title for this movie meme so I'm just going with Classic Film Survey for now. :D)

Classic Film Survey

by Frankly, My Dear

1. Favorite Classic Disney?

I'll go with Cinderella (1950). If I ever take "Which Disney Princess are you?" quizzes (lol, don't laugh) I get Cinderella each time, though I definitely don't look all that much like her! I love the movie, and I love the music - A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes and So This is Love. This movie just makes me happy, and I adore it.

[via]

2. Favorite film from the year 1939?

So this pretty much goes without saying - Gone With the Wind (1939). I mean seriously, for what other reason would this blog be called "frankly, my dear"? :)

3. Favorite Carole Lombard screwball role?

I know, terribly mean question. I had to think it over myself for a little bit. But I'm coming up with Irene Bullock from My Man Godfrey (1936). I mean, she says stuff like, "GODFREY LOVES ME - GODFREY PUT ME IN THE SHOWER - GODFREY LOVES ME!" Who could ask for anything more?

4. Favorite off screen couple? (It's ok if it ended in divorce)

LUCY AND DESI DESILU LUCY AND DESI DESILU gee, I'm really going to have to mull this one over for a little bit!! I mean, there's honestly so many, I just don't know, I'm really going to have to think about it -

You saw this coming, didn't you? ;)

5. Favorite pair of best friends? (i.e - Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda, Joan Crawford and Barbara Stanwyck, etc.)

Well, yeah, I hope this makes sense. Basically your favorite pair of classic Hollywood actors that were really good friends in real life - like I said above, Jimmy and Henry, Joan and Barbara, are examples. I choose Olivia de Havilland and Bette Davis. They made a few movies together and Livvie stepped in when Joan bailed out of Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1968). They got along really well in real life, and as much as I love Bette, I can imagine she was probably a personality that wasn't always easy to get along with, but these two did!

6. Favorite actor with a mustache? (i.e: Charlie Chaplin, William Powell)

I basically mean a permanent one. It's okay if they shaved it off for a role or two, but I wasn't really thinking of vice versa. This reminds me of the Mustache Hall of Horror I did for Bette's blogathon back in November! lol. But the actor that truly rocks a mustache, in my opinion, is 

Clark Gable. Though he looked just as handsome without the mustache, perhaps sometimes more so, the mustache is just a part of Clark. What would Rhett Butler ever be without it?

7. Favorite blonde actress?

So the platinum blonde image of Marilyn Monroe is pretty much the posterchild for Classic Hollywood - though Jean Harlow did it first, as I like to remind everyone - but there were several other actresses that rocked blonde locks!

My problem with answering my own question is: was Ingrid Bergman truly blonde? I would think that at least when she was young and doing pictures in the 40's, it was a dark, dirty blonde shade. (Because it photographed kind of dark in black and white). Later on, when you see her in color in movies like Cactus Flower (1968) and Autumn Sonata (1978), it's completely brown however. I know that people with a blonde/brown hair oftentimes find their shade of hair changing over the years, so perhaps is the case with Ingrid.

So I think Ingrid is a blonde. Therefore this would make this question hard. But since's she not completely blonde, and was brunette in the later years, I'll go with  Grace Kelly. She was totally blonde, and it was natural (though, of course, the actress you choose for your response could certainly be bottle blonde, too, however!). And she was blonde until she died in that awful car crash. So Grace. :)

8. Favorite pre-code?

I'm asking this question for my own benefit! Like I said, one of my film goals this year was to watch more pre-codes as I've barely seen any! So I'm hoping you all would be able to mention some great pre-codes for this question! As of, I'll go with It Happened One Night (1934), which isn't startlingly pre-code but, of course, a fantastic movie.

9. Which studio would you have liked to join?

This is kind of like how Harry Potter fans sort themselves into houses. -;) Classic Hollywood is famous, sometimes infamous, for it's studio system, with each studio having its distinctive qualities. You have several choices, like MGM, Warner Brothers, RKO, etc., just don't put yourself into Monogram!!

I'm going to have to go with MGM. I mean, the tagline for the studio was "more stars than there are in the heavens!". Plus, if I worked at MGM, I would be working alongside some of my favorite stars!!! Here's one of my favorite photos, a whole crowd of MGM stars gathered for Louis B. Mayer's birthday, at a time when Lucy, Greer, AND Kate were all working there:

10. Favorite common on screen pairing that SHOULD have gotten married?

Basically a couple that made several pictures together that really need to have gotten married in real life. :) Like, you know, Bill and Myrna, Errol and Olivia, Fred and Ginger, etc. I guess Kate and Spence could count, but since I kind of consider them truly married anyway, I'll go with Walter and Greer. The Pidgeons! One day, someday, I'm going to have a pair of pigeons and name them Walter and Greer. :D

11. Favorite I Love Lucy episode?

It's hard to pick just one, but for me, it'll have to be Lucy is Enceinte, from 1952, the famous episode in which Lucy tells Ricky she's pregnant. Perhaps it's not the funniest out of all the episodes, but it's certainly the sweetest. Knowing that Lucy and Desi's tears in the end were real just kills me. (This is in a teary reference to question 4, how can you not adore these two?)

12. Lucille Ball, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Natalie Wood, Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman, and Greer Garson - which one do you like the best?

Okay, this one was out of my own self-centered curiosity. If you read my blog often you'll probably know that these seven are my very favorite actresses, with Lucy being number one and the rest in no particular order. I was just curious about it, so I decided to throw it in. Don't worry, I won't be offended if Lucy isn't your number one ;)

But, she is, of course, mine.

13. Shadowy film noir from the 1940's or splashy colorful musicals from the 1950's?

I'm just getting into film noir (another film watching goal of this year), but I love it a lot. However, since I'm still wetting my feet in it, I'll go with the latter. Because also Singin in the Rain (1952) was really one of the films that drew me into my classic Hollywood obsession, and will forever be one of my favorites.

14. Actor or actress with the best autograph (photo preferred)?

This is in kind of a slight reference to What's my Line?. Whenever an actor or actress "signs" themselves in on the slate, I'm always entirely inquisitive about their autograph. It's usually pretty amazing. My favorite, of course, will be Lucy's. Our handwriting is actually quite similar, a fact I really revel in.

Her gorgeous signature on the bank card of hers that I own.

15. A baby (or childhood or teenage) photo of either your favorite actress or actor (or both, if you'd like)?

Because, what could be cuter than a series of photos of Classic Hollywood stars when they were tots? ;D

Here's Lucy's (call me biased, but it's my favorite out of all the baby photos I've seen. SHE'S SO ADORABLE. And that bow!) --

And here's Cary's (he's a pretty adorable young boy, too, I think!) --

***

Well, there's my answers to my own survey, and now I want to see YOURS! Don't forget to leave me a comment with the link to your replies if you post it on your blog, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me. :)

Here's the banner I made, and a copy friendly version of the questions:

1. Favorite classic Disney?

2. Favorite film from the year 1939?

3. Favorite Carole Lombard Screwball role?

4. Favorite off screen couple? (It’s ok if it ended in divorce.)

5. Favorite pair of best friends? (i.e: Barbara Stanwyck and Joan Crawford)

6. Favorite actor with a mustache? 

7. Favorite blonde actress?

8. Favorite pre-code?

9. Which studio would you have liked to join?

10. Favorite common on screen pairing that SHOULD have gotten married? 

11. Favorite I Love Lucy episode?

12.  Out of these actresses which one do you like best: Lucille Ball, Ingrid Bergman, Natalie Wood, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Greer Garson, Grace Kelly, or Katharine Hepburn?

13. Shadowy film noir from the 1940’s or splashy colorful musicals from the 1950’s?

14. Actor or actress with the best autograph (photo preferred).

15. A baby (or childhood, or teenage) photo of either your favorite actress or actor (or both, if you’d like.)

I hope you like it, and thank you to anyone who may participate! I really hope you do - those fingers are still tightly crossed - and yes, I mean YOU. ;)

[via]

My 10 Favorite Kate Hepburn Movies

Before I begin this post: guys, I forgot something REALLY IMPORTANT in my last post. I've been accepted into the Classic Movie Blog Association! Initiation is based on voting by other members, so thank you to any CMBA members that might have voted for me. :) I was really excited to get in - I've been awaiting membership since I got this blog last July! So I was really rather happy and I didn't mean to excuse it so rudely, it just totally slipped me somehow. Thanks again, guys!

It's not really Katharine Hepburn's birthday or anything, but I was just thinking about how so many of her films are my favorites. Not to mention I've seen a lot of her filmography, so I thought it would be fun to make a list like this! Of course, I haven't seen everything of Katharine Hepburn's, and there are still a few really prominent films of hers that I need to see: like On Golden Pond (1982), The Lion in the Winter (1968) and Morning Glory (1937). So this is just a list from my opinion on what I've already seen - a lot of her films albeit not ALL.

(THIS IS IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

10. Little Women (1933)

The book "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott is one of my favorite books and I've seen all the onscreen adaptions. Though I like the other two versions well enough, this is easily my favorite, mostly because of Kate. She makes the perfect Jo. When I read the book as a little girl, I was set on being a tomboy, and therefore Jo became my favorite character. Besides, she liked to write, like me. :) Today I'm far from a tomboy - as you might be able to tell from all the pink and polka dots on this blog - but I think Jo might still be my favorite character. Kate gave her justice better than any actress who ever played her, because to be honest, I think Katharine Hepburn and Jo March are very much alike: strong willed, feminist, tomboyish, etc. This also contains nice supporting cast members like Joan Bennett and is directed by George Cukor, Kate's favorite director.

9. Summertime (1955)

I'm not going to get into this one that much for two reasons. #1: Not many other people like this film so oftentimes I feel kind of stupid when I rave on about it, though I just fell in love with it last week. And #2: I just did this week's Sunday Movie Review about it, you can read all the things I like about this film here. A lot of it has to do with a really delicate performance by Kate that is unlike anything she did before, her romance with Rossano Brazzi, and the beautiful setting of Venice, Italy. Anyway, this movie is kind of the dark horse of this list since no one likes it. I guess everyone's entitled to an opinion, though, and I liked it a lot.

8. Alice Adams (1935)

It's been a few years since I saw this one, so I can't get into intense detail about why I liked it, but I do remember enjoying it! :) In the review I'd written at the time I basically said that this film was really charming, refreshing, and I liked the realistic way it dealt with domestic issues. And though Alice Adams wasn't always a completely likable character, I really loved the way Kate played her. Also, how can you turn down a film which has a cast that includes the likes of Fred MacMurray, Hattie McDaniel, and Hedda Hopper - in addition to Kate. 

7. Stage Door (1937)

I just love this film for so many reasons. I love the characters and I love the plot, and most of all I love the cast. It's very rare to find your favorite actresses in a movie together, because usually a leading actor plays with a leading lady - so, unless your favorite actress is a character actress... But for me this film is one of those rarities. Kate and Lucy. KATE AND LUCY. Oh my gosh. <3 And then of course you have the others like Ginger Rogers and Ann Miller (who I can't believe was only 13!) - but back to Kate and Lucy. Oh, how I would love to go on and on and about some of the backstage stories about the two of them but I properly ought to return to the movie. ;) It's a wonderful film and one of my favorites that I don't talk about all that much. It's fun to see actors, playing, well actors - or better yet, well established actresses playing hopefuls trying to break into the business. "The calla lillies are in bloom again!" And it's funny, because in the Italian movie episode of I Love Lucy - the one in where she famously stomps grapes - she dramatically declares the same line that was such a big deal to Kate Hepburn in this movie.

6. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

I think a movie like this would be a big deal in 1967. Though Sidney Poitier was already helping break the barrier of miscegenation, this film prominently displayed a happy interracial couple, not to mention that Poitier's character was a very successful doctor. That being said I think it's really commendable for both Kate and Spence to take on a project like this in such a tumultuous time as the 1960's. This was their final film together and Kate never watched it, she never could - because Spence died before the film was even released. I believe she had to take some kind of a salary cut to convince the producers to cast him in this, as they weren't even sure he would make it through the filming. But if there was one way to cap off their string of eight films (this being the ninth), this was definitely it. And aside from the plot and what it dared to do, since this is the last Hepburn/Tracy film it's certainly sentimental for the viewer. Watch Kate's eyes during Spencer Tracy's big speech about equality at the end of the film. I think it was more than an acting - I think she knew the end of this great partnership was about to come to a close. 

5. The African Queen (1951)

Kate and Bogie were really good friends in real life. In Bogie's last weeks as he began to succumb to his cancer, Kate and Spence would visit nearly every night, which I think is terribly sweet. It's wonderful to know that these two legendary actors (if you go by the AFI's list of 100 stars, Kate's #1 for women and Bogie for men) were good friends in real life. Though it's a bit peculiar seeing them as lovers in this, their friendship really shines through in a film like this. The characters are a lot of fun to watch, and seeing this is the film that finally got Bogie that long deserved Oscar, it's quite easy to like this movie. Plus, there's a great treasure of memories that are behind the filming of this movie, which Kate wrote about in her book, How I Went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall, and Huston and Almost Lost my Mind. I haven't read it - not yet - but I'm sure it must be a fun read. I like that they were all friends, Kate and Bogie and Bacall and Huston.

4. Woman of the Year (1942)

It's really hard for me to pick a favorite Hepburn/Tracy pairing, but if you boiled down to it, it's either this or Adam's Rib (1949). I love the characters that Kate and Spence play in this. Tess Harding is a symbol of femininity in an era where woman were expected to stay at home and do the cleaning and the cooking. People take her seriously, and she is important, whereas the character Spence plays is simply a sports reporter. Despite the fact that he's a man, Kate's character is of more importance. But to counter this, or make it more equal, Spence's character is oftentimes a lot easier to like. Another thing that balances out this movie really well is the ending, which, instead of asking Tess Harding to become the average housewife like you may expect it to, offers a compromise that the viewer can be satisfied with. This was the first Hepburn/Tracy pairing, the film that they fell in love on the set of, and I think you can really see that on film. I think out of all the couples they played, Tess Harding and Sam Craig are the most romantic, perhaps because it's their attraction to one another that becomes the glue in keeping the two of them together.

3. Adam's Rib (1949)

As I said in the last one, it's hard to pick a favorite Hepburn/Tracy but this film and Woman of the Year (1942) are the strongest contenders. Once more Kate is playing a very successful woman, though this time Spence is right on her par. They are husband and wife lawyers, Amanda and Adam Bonner. This film is one I can watch over and over again because it's so riveting each time around. Though Amanda Bonner definitely twists the jury in her favor in such a way that might not realistically work, she easily has you taking her side. She's persuasive, to say the least. :) Also this has Judy Holiday playing the woman in the hot seat and I just love her in it each time I watch this movie. 

2. The Philadelphia Story (1940)

This film was the turning point in Kate's career. Before this, you know, she was actually box office poison, or at least, that's what the critics said. Which is pretty awful because she made some of the best films of her career before 1940 and won that Oscar for Morning Glory (1937). But anyway, if there was a film to turn around her career this was definitely a good one to do it. Tracy Lord is simply fabulous, perhaps a little crazy to have divorced C. Dexter Haven (or AKA, Cary Grant), but I love her anyway. Needless to say Kate is perfect as her. AND THEN THERE IS CARY GRANT AND JIMMY STEWART. So back in #7, I said how it's hard to find your favorite actresses together in a film and the same goes for actors, but this movie does just that. My number one favorite actor and my number two favorite actor together, it's enough to make a girl weep, it really is. :) Did you hear the story? Which story? The Philadelphia Story. Oh, and Cary pushes Kate down. I love this movie. 

1. Bringing up Baby (1938)

I said this list was in no particular order... but I really mean it when I list this movie as number one. It's one of my all time favorite movies, ever. :) To begin with, I'm sentimentally attached to it because it's, as I mentioned before, one of the first classics I ever watched. I loved it so much I watched it over and over, I had it rented out for a month I think, I was so in love with this movie. I find Kate Hepburn positively adorable in this and I think I might want to be Susan Vance when I grow up. :') And then well, Kate and Cary Grant, I mean I don't really need to go there because if you've seen anything, just anything with the two of them, you know how wonderful they are. And then there's the leopard, Baby - I'm actually tearing up a little bit, I JUST LOVE THIS MOVIE SO MUCH! It's definitely my number one screwball comedy! Oh my gosh, so many wonderful lines, too! Like, "Susan, he's eating your car!" And so many favorite scenes! Like when Kate tricks Cary into coming over by pretending to be "attacked" by her leopard, or even the part when she's trying to catch olives in her mouth. Gahhh, this film is so perfect. :3 I can't believe it wasn't well liked in 1938. I'll leave you with I can't give you anything but love, baby.... Oh my goodness I could go on about this movie for FOREVER, for forever I tell you!

***

So, there you have it, my ten favorite Katharine Hepburn movies. Which of her movies are your favorites???

Again, thank you to all who may have voted me into the CMBA! I can't believe it'd slipped me earlier because I appreciate it so much. I guess my brain was just boggled with all the crazy homework I've had lately, forgive me! :) 

Oh by the way! So every year at school we do this big fundraiser where we put on cultural performances, except this year my class is doing America in the 1940's instead of a country - I know, I was absolutely thrilled! Therefore, we're learning the jitterbug - and it's SO much fun! I pretty much have two left feet but even I'm doing pretty good with this dance, which to me is just further proof that I was totally born in the wrong era. I keep wishing on 11:11 and blowing away eyelashes, but no matter what I do I'm still firmly stuck in 2012. ;) 

P.S: I'm really pleased with the way the Oscar nominations turned out, are you? I noticed a lot of people didn't like it, but then again, I really do not keep up with new movies, I was just pleased so many of the nominations were performances or movies that took place in the 20th century. 

Sunday Movie Review: "Summertime" (1955)

Hello friends!

So for this week's SMR, I'm reviewing Summertime (1955). I'd seen parts of this film like two or three years ago and I hadn't remembered it as being particularly riveting though I love Kate Hepburn more than words can say. Anyways, as I'm now compulsively watching films in my free time (though there tends not to be a lot of it, thanks to school) to complete my 250 films goal, I found it on Youtube the other day and decided to give it a try. I'm really glad I did <3

***

The poster: When I first saw it, I wasn't all that crazy about it. And then I took a second look and realized I actually liked it, especially the sketch of Kate on the right, though I still find it a tad bit too wordy.

The plot:

Dreams of romance for American spinster Jane Hudson (Katharine Hepburn) become a bittersweet reality when she meets a handsome but married antiques dealer (Rossano Brazzi) while vacationing in Venice, Italy. David Lean directed this sensitive portrait of an independent woman who finds that, even in a beautiful European city, her sense of loneliness is unavoidable, and her initial disgust with the idea of an illicit love affair doesn't last. [from Netflix]

The starring players:

• Katharine Hepburn as Jane Hudson
• Rossano Brazzi as Renato de Rossi

The verdict:

★★★★ 1/2

I'm going to tell you right away, I really loved this movie (as you might be able to tell by my star rating). I mean, there are several faults in it, the more I think of it, but whilst watching I was honestly just too charmed and endeared with this film and so I'm going to stick with my original rating of giving it four and a half stars.

So sure, the plot isn't exactly original and it could use some work. But the setting of Venice, Italy is absolutely gorgeous. Italy is one of those places I lust about traveling to one day, and this film would honestly encourage you all the more to visit there. The absolutely gorgeous cinematography really seemed to capture the spirit and the color of the beautiful city. 

Setting the scene with Venice already gets the movie off to a good start, and then there is Katharine Hepburn. Oh my, this film just reminded me why I love Kate as much as I do. I like seeing her in this "spinster" role a lot. We usually associate Kate with the more strong willed, independent woman roles. So seeing her in a role as gentle, demure, and quiet as this is a novelty but definitely a treat. I love Kate in her usual roles but I really liked seeing her in this. Her character is quite fragile but she steals she show playing it. And at forty-eight, she is absolutely beautiful.

I had never seen anything with Rossano Brazzi before and I really liked him in this. I mean, he wasn't exceptional or anything - and he couldn't counter Kate in her spectacular performance - but I still liked him. (I mean, that accent, how can it not win you over?) His character in the beginning was a little awkwardly overbearing but you get to like him. And all the while you really want the two main characters to get together and when they do, it's so rewarding!

And then Kate and Brazzi as a couple were really exceptional I thought. They had some really sweet scenes together. Though they play more middle aged lovers, the spontaneity of their relationship was more of something you'd see in a pair of young lovers. I guess this could be annoying to some people but it didn't bother me all that much. I really liked the two of them as a pair, it was quite believable. Kate was actually eleven years older than Brazzi, which I didn't know until after I finished watching. I think they were really wonderful together.

The film basically centers around the two of them. There's an adorable young Italian boy who tags around Kate's character and the two really begin to bond. I liked his character a lot, he was just so cute!

You have all this, nicely glossed over with the theme of "Summertime in Venice". Now, I do see where the faults in this film are and they're certainly there. The romance is kind of rushed into the last half an hour of  the film I thought (though, to counter that, it was a very sweet thirty minutes). The plot lacks originality perhaps (it kind of reminded me of Now, Voyager, except with older lovers). It was slightly predictable, and you knew from the start that this relationship was bound to be bittersweet - so enjoy it while it lasts. The ending scene certainly broke my heart a little bit.

I was looking at the reviews for this film and a lot of people didn't like it all that much. And others enjoyed it but perhaps weren't raving about it as much as I am. I don't know, I guess it kind of put me under a spell or something. It just seemed so quiet and pretty. Kate was wonderful and it's enjoyable watching her delicate relationship with Brazzi grow.

The bottom line:

I don't really want to focus on the bad things about this movie because I just really liked it a whole lot. It was lovely, and it's Kate Hepburn like you've likely never seen her before. I strongly suggest you give this one a watch. I don't think it's the film that just anyone might really enjoy, maybe you have to be in the mood for it or something, but I definitely liked it a lot and I can't help but recommend it for you to watch. Even if you don't like Katharine Hepburn, give this one a try because she was certainly cast against type. 

Some photos:

[via]

Some trivia:

• In her typical way, Kate didn't want to use a stunt actor for her fall into a Venetian canal in this film. So she did it herself, but the dirty water gave her an eye infection that would last her for the rest of her life. (You can read more about it here.)
• This was David Lean's favorite out of all the films he did.

A movie tidbit:

Oh, I'm just going to post the whole thing. :)

***

That's all for this Sunday. Until later! :)