The actress who had a sweet way with a sharp line

"Some actresses take us by storm. Some steal quietly into our hearts. Myrna Loy had a sweet way with a sharp line, and she could communicate more with a delicately raised eyebrow than most performances can with a raised voice."

- Anjelica Huston, 1991

***

No, today isn't Myrna Loy's birthday. That was August 4th. And usually I only utilize one particular occasion to write solely about an actor: a birthday. But I'm going to make an exception for Myrna Loy because I have neglected her so much on this blog. And I really really like her. And I want to talk about her!

Myrna and I go back long ways. There are about three or four films I credit to the beginning of my classic film obsession. Technically it would be "The Sound of Music" (1964). For about a year I was obsessed with that movie, and it was my, hands down, favorite film. I watched it over and over and I knew every character, every line, every song (I think I still do). I honestly abused our DVD player with that film. But it wasn't until about year later that I became obsessed with classic film on a whole. I think it was one summer night when I sat around bored in our house, honestly playing with a ball or something, and my dad came up and invited me to watch a film with him in our basement (we have a movie theater there).

Well, I went down to watch it and that film turned out to be "Love Crazy" (1941), with William Powell and Myrna. I guess I was pretty open minded as a little kid, because I don't remember asking, "EW?! This is black and white?!" or "Who the heck are these people?". I just watched it. It was the first screwball comedy I had ever seen and mind you, screwballs don't exist anymore. Humor today tends to fall under the categories of either a) satire, b) raunchy, or c) disgusting.

Well, it was my first experience with a screwball comedy and I couldn't believe how funny it was. I split my sides and laughed out a lung during the whole film. I instantly declared it one of my new favorite films. I was on the verge of classic film, and then "Singin in the Rain" (1952) caught me hook and sinker and I never really went back. I asked my father, "Could you show me some more old movies?" And the rest is history. 

So though looking back there are certainly better screwball comedies, I will always have a sentimental attachment to "Love Crazy" (1941), and the sweet actress with a cute upturned nose that starred in it alongside William Powell.

Myrna Loy was voted "The Queen of Hollywood" (to Clark Gable's King) in 1937. And though she and Clark made a few films, her most famous co-star in the movies was easily William Powell, with whom she made fourteen films, half of which she starred as Nora Charles to Powell's Nick in the stylish "The Thin Man" series.  Nora Charles, the sophisticated female Sherlock, is probably Myrna's most familiar role. (I have not seen all "The Thin Man" films yet, I tend to watch those gradually over time. I think I'm up to "Shadow of the Thin Man" by now.)

The other night I felt like watching something, so I went on pay-per-view and checked out what TCM had (all their movies are actually free. I honestly don't know what I'd do without Turner Classic Movies). One of the films was "Evelyn Prentice" (1934), and the plot sounded promising, and it had Bill and Myrna in it, so I went for it. It had been a while since I'd seen a Myrna Loy film and it reminded me what a wonderful, beautiful actress she was and how terribly I've neglected the actress who had a "sweet way with a sharp line" (in the words of Anjelica Huston). 

Myrna Loy was a personification of refined beauty, sophistication, and style. She had a clever way about her and could portray the strongest emotions in the most subtle of ways. She wasn't the chew the scenery type. And not like there's anything wrong with the latter mentioned actress. You think of Bette Davis, perhaps, when it comes to chewing up scenery - and I love Bette Davis. But still, Myrna was a delicate actress. She didn't even have much of an education in acting, but she knew how to make a character seem real, natural, effortless, even down to the pauses between her lines like we would have in real life.

She was called "the perfect wife," because the characters she played were oftentimes the perfect wife. You think of Nora Charles, a sophisticated mix of sleuth, the perfect hostess, the dependable woman. Despite this, when Myrna started out she was actually oftentimes stereotyped as the "vampy" woman, jungle princesses and the like. But studios began to recast her and soon she was "the perfect wife," though she herself didn't really like the label.

She was a woman before her time. She was quoted as saying, "What about a black person walking up to the steps of a courthouse with a briefcase?". In the 60's she became a big supporter of the Civil Rights Movement, and served as an adviser to the National Committee Against Discrimination in Housing. She called her work in the pre-Civil rights film, "Hams and Eggs at the Front" (1927) "shameful". She was a liberal and a feminist.

Myrna was never awarded the Oscar, but in 1991 she was given an Honorary Award, which is where the quote from Angelica Huston comes from. Myrna accepted the award from her New York apartment and said very simply, but genuinely with the elegance she'd exhibited all her life, "Thank you. You've made me very happy." 

She had a quiet way about her, but she was a beautiful actress who also happened to be a very incredible human being. I think people tend to overlook her, I was overlooking her, but Myrna deserves more than that. So a new vow: talk more about Myrna this year. Because I like her quite an awful lot.

[via]

"Life, is not a having and a getting, but a being and a becoming."

- MYRNA LOY (1905 - 1993)

Merry Xmas! [Part 1]: A Classic Hollywood Christmas

Okay, if you read my post for the Bogie blogathon earlier today, you'll know how I screwed up the blogging schedule I've quite carefully figured out for this week (with two blogathons, several birthdays, and CHRISTMAS). I really wanted to follow up with the post I'd planned for today, Christmas Eve, so I'm going to go ahead and write it anyway, despite the fact I'll be showing up twice in your feed today (at least, in my time zone). Apologies once more (I don't like to overhaul people with posts, lol).

All December I have been spotlighting my favorite Christmas films as a part of my Sunday Movie Review. Tomorrow is a Sunday, and is also happens to be Christmas Day, and therefore I'll be following up with my little Christmas blogathon by reviewing my favorite Christmas movie of all time.

However, in pledging myself to do this I realized I'd be missing out on some of the other Classic Hollywood/Christmas stuff there is to talk about, and so I decided to do a two part post. This is the first part, and the second part will be tomorrow, which will consist of my movie review.

For this first part I present to you all a list of ten random, Classic Hollywood Christmas things I felt compelled to share with you all.

10 Things That are Classic Hollywood and Christmas

1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AVA

Ava and one of her pet corgis wishing you a merry Christmas! Ava is one of my favorite actresses and I like her despite her faults because over all, she was still an awesome person. And she had good values about particular things, like she was ahead of her time when it came to racism: she didn't believe in it. But anyway, the point is that today, Christmas Eve, is her birthday! I read in her biography that it was a ritual on the 24th for two cakes to be baked: one chocolate and one coconut. One was supposed to be for the baby Jesus and the other for her but she always thought of them both for her. Anyway, any person born on Christmas Eve must be awesome, and Ava was. Happy birthday, Ava!

2. I LOVE LUCY: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

I'm sorry, I could only find the colorized version (yuck!) on Youtube. However, this is a flashback episode and the flashbacks are still in B&W, I believe. Anyhow, try to ignore the colorization and enjoy this. It's a "walk down memory lane" episode for the Ricardos and Mertzes, and it takes place on Christmas Eve so I guess it's particularly appropriate for today. This episode isn't run in syndication with all the others, so if you watch Lucy on TV (versus online or on DVD) you might haven't gotten the chance to see this yet.

3. THE DONNA REED SHOW: A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

I just watched this the other day, I'd never seen an episode of the Donna Reed Show before. I liked and it so I'm sharing it! It was a little mushy but mush never hurts anyone in the holiday season [expect perhaps the Grinch and Scrooge]. Plus, this show's got Donna Reed, who should be the queen of holiday mush as she starred in The Best Christmas Movie of All Time (can you just guess what movie I'll be talking about tomorrow). I like her a lot, I think she's an underrated actress. (Donna Reed, I mean.)

4. GREER AND AN ADORABLE LITTLE BOY WISH YOU HAPPY HOLIDAYS

[via]

I would SO much rather get this in my mailbox instead of the usual tacky Christmas cards (just saying). The GIF (which isn't mine, you know where to click, yep, that's right, the "via" link, because that Tumblr is pretty awesome) is from "Blossoms in the Dust". (A Greer and Walter movie, I saw it but never did a review of it. It's good, though, so watch it! Albeit, not a Christmas film, it only has a Christmas scene in it, just so you know.)

5.  CHRISTMAS PIN-UPS

So many awesome Classic Hollywood Christmas related pin-ups! This is a handful of so many. From left to right: Paulette Goddard opening presents, Elizabeth Taylor showing off her kitten and wishing us a happy holiday, Mary Pickford changing the street sign from "Hollywood" to "Santa Claus Lane", Ginger Rogers fooling around with the Christmas tree, Doris Day boasting the presents she's got, Carole Lombard admiring her presents, Natalie Wood smiling through her adorned wreath, Audrey Hepburn hugging Santa Claus, and Lucy and Desi bashfully exchanging gifts with one another. :) 

6. CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST


"The Little Drummer Boy" by Bing Crosby

"Silent Night" by Lena Horne 

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Doris Day

"We Three Kings (of Orient are)" by Ella Fitzgerald

Some Christmas carols I love. I know I've been adding a Christmas carol with each movie review, but these are a few that I like that I didn't get the chance to share!

7. SUSPENSE RADIO: TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

"Twas the night before Christmas..." Christmas Eve with a mysterious twist! Greer Garson stars in this Suspense Radio Theater production that was broadcast on December 21st, 1953. A suspenseful take

on one of the most cheerful holidays of the year! 

8.  I ♥ ASTA ORNAMENT

I made this myself. Honestly, who WOULDN'T want this ornament. Seriously,  if this were a real item it would totally have been in my holiday gift guide. Because who DOESN'T love Asta, I tell you. [Lassie?? Pfffhtttt].

9. LUCY: SANTA LUCIA

"I squinted up into the blazing sun and saw a figure hovering over me dressed all in black with a Santa mask and beard and rolled up orange hair. "Santa Lucia!" I cried out."

- I LOVED LUCY by Lee Tannen

* did you ever see a more beautiful Santa? *

10.  THE MOVIES I MISSED

I decided to share with you my favorite Christmas films this December, and I only had four Sundays, which meant only four movies. I had to leave out a few that I love. Here are clips from them --

THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940)

Jimmy Stewart, Margaret Sullivan 

THE THIN MAN (1934)

Myrna Loy, William Powell

HOLIDAY (1938) [New Years]

Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant 

***

The second part of this post will be up tomorrow [the movie review]. Now, I'm off to enjoy "It's a Wonderful Life" (I always watch it on Christmas Eve! ;D).

But in advance: Merry Merry Christmas, my readers - or whatever holiday you're celebrating this time of year!

Hollywood and the Day that Lived in Infamy

Today is the seventieth anniversary of the day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, which therefore drew the United States into World War II. (It's also happens to be parents' wedding anniversary - but we're talking about Pearl Harbor today. ;D)

There is a reason that this era we are speaking of is often referred to as "The Greatest Generation." It makes me proud to see the way these people scrimped and pinched and put all of their heart into the war effort. This included Hollywood, too. I got into a discussion with one of my teachers a few weeks back, and I insisted to her that Hollywood was so much different than it was today and they really did make a difference in World War Two. Movie stars were much more accessible and caring (not to mention there wasn't a single one of them that wasn't awesome and don't touch my heart in someway), and they were effected by the War as much as anyone.

Here's just a few things that Classic Hollywood contributed to the war:

• Huge stars like Jimmy Stewart and Clark Gable went off to fight.
• Cary Grant donated much of the salary he made to the war effort.
• Others, from Desi Arnaz to Ingrid Bergman, entertained troops.
• Pretty much every star you can think of sold war bonds. One tour of MGM stars alone included Lucy, Greer, Judy Garland, and Mickey Rooney. Here is footage of a war bond rally. Just by watching it, you can tell the impact the stars had. 
• Carole Lombard was the first female causality of the war, when she was killed in a plane crash on her way back from selling war bonds - she'd sold an outstanding amount. 
• Many, like Bette Davis, served the troops as a member of the Hollywood Canteen.
• Patriotic or wartime films hit an all time high - "Mrs. Miniver" itself was made to encourage Americans to help out the Brits in the war, though by the time it was released in 1942 the States were already immersed in the war.

And this is just a small selection of Hollywood's contributions - really, you could just go on forever. (I think I will do a separate series of posts about that in the near future. Sooo many photos and stories.) And this is all in addition to the fact that going to the the cinema helped Americans get their minds off the war, even for just an hour or two. The movies were an escape for many, just as it had been throughout the Great Depression. 

On this 70th anniversary, I'd like to reflect on Hollywood and the actual bombing of Pearl Harbor itself. This generation of Americans often have a common bond of "where were you when the towers fell?", in reference to the 9/11 bombings. For the past generation, it was very much "where were you when you heard about Pearl Harbor?" So here are passages from classic stars autobiographies or biographies, discussing the day that lived in infamy, accompanied by wartime Classic Hollywood photos (war bond rallies, pinups, wartime movie stills etc.)

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz:

"December 7th,  1941. Lucy and I were in New York City staying a lovely penthouse apartment which a friend of mine had loaned us. It was there that we heard the word about the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor.  We made arrangments to fly to Los Angeles immediately and be with our famalies."

Ginger Rogers:

" I was working on Roxie Hart when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, and the United States entered World War II. With our country now at war, whether we wanted to be or not, the sound stages were filled with radios giving out fresh information. The sound booth had to block out the squeaking from midget radios in the middle of a take, and much film was wasted during the time because we were so eager to hear the news... I remember what a shock it was, and my heart went out to anyone who had to be involved in any way, anywhere, in a war, and in particular to our American troops."
- "Ginger: My Story,"
by Ginger Rogers

Robert Mitchum:

"On December 7th the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and America found itself at war. Many of the young men at the plant went into the service. 'Bob didn't get in,' said Jim Dougherty. ' He said they wouldn't take him in the military because he had false teeth. That's what he told me'."

- "Robert Mitchum: Baby, I Don't Care"

by Lee Server

Myrna Loy:

"On December 7th, 1941, Japan invaded Pearl Harbor, and FDR subsequently declared war. Myrna happened to be in New York with her close friend Natalie Visart... She learned about the Japanese invasion via a phone conversation with Arthur's [her husband] first wife, Juliette. Juliette, who was living on the East Coast, told Myrna, "We've been attacked!" 

-"Myrna Loy: The Only Good Girl in Hollywood,"

by Emily W. Lieder 

Clark Gable:

"Clark Gable heard on the radio. Japanese planes had attacked and bombed the U.S Navy Base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. The Gables returned to the house and stuck close to the radio to follow the breaking story. For reasons of security and public morale, the broadcasts were censored and the details were sketchy, but it became plain that the death toll and loss of American ships and planes were catastrophic."

-"Clark Gable: a Biography"

***

That's all for today. Try and take a moment and remember the brave souls of World War II.

Day Two of Lucy's Birthday Bash: My Lucille Ball Book Collection

Hello everyone, and welcome to day two of blogging for the birthday girl: Lucille Ball!

Of course, our favorite redhead won't turn 100 until Saturday, but that's not going to stop me. We're already celebrating here at Frankly, My Dear. Yesterday, we discussed Lucy's 100th in the news and special televised tributes (click Here to view the post.)

Today, I thought I'd go over my extensive Lucille Ball book collection by showing you what I've got and reviewing them for you... Below is a short clip of my entire collection, with the exception of the "Lucille Ball Trivia Book" by Michael Karol, which i own but could not find for some reason. (If the music sounds familiar, it's me with that "Love Story" theme again - the same one I used for the intro of my "No Sad Songs For Me" video. :P)

Yeah, I know that's not exactly the work of Hitchcock there. But anyway, I hope you got the gist of it.

So, now, I'll review each of the books. I'm not going to make these reviews very detailed because my collection is somewhat large (though it can always get huger, and I have a feeling it will), and I know you don't have all day to read posts by little old me. :)

***

"Love, Lucy" by Lucille Ball

So, if you're a classic movie fan (which you probably are if you're reading this), you ought to have known by now, either through the grapevine or other bloggers or book reviews, how wonderful Lucy's autobiography truly is! This book was published posthumously by Lucy's children when they found the manuscript among her papers in the late 90's. It was originally written at some point in the 1960's (circa "Yours, Mine and Ours" if I am to set a timeline for you), with the help of a ghost writer. Lucy never published it though, likely because she didn't want to hurt people that were still alive that she spoke of - mostly, Desi, who'd she just divorced. However, Lucy needn't have worried. She speaks with such class and talks of everyone fondly. Even when it comes time to write about the divorce with Desi, she doesn't dish the dirt... And I think that was very classy of her. It's the best celebrity autobiography I have ever read, and I don't care if it sounds biased. 5/5.

"Desilu: The Story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz" by Coyne S. Sanders and Tim Gilbert

I'm not finished with this yet. So far it looks okay, but I'm seeing a lot of focus on "Desilu Studios" instead of Lucy and Desi. But I'm not even halfway through, so we'll see how it goes. And because of that, I can't give it a rating yet.

"Laughing with Lucy" by Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll Jr.

Any good Lucy fan knows that Madelyn and Bob were the two consecutive writers of "I Love Lucy," as well as several episodes of Lucy's other shows and her 1968 box office hit "Yours, Mine and Ours." And though Bob gets credit for writing this, this is all Madelyn's book - written in first person - with little input from Bob. I have always had great interest in the brilliant writers, and this is a nice, short read featuring bits and pieces o Madelyn's and Bob's lives, and their relationship with Lucy - and Desi too. Madelyn clarifies all the stereotypes about the backstage atmosphere of the show... Lucy was the perfectionist, Desi was the charmer, etc. etc. Though most of the information isn't new, we do get to learn a few, rare and charming backstage stories - like the time Tallulah Bankhead visited the set as a guest star. According to Madelyn, Tallulah was always late, messing up her lines, and tipsy. It drove Lucy, who had a high standard, nuts. The cast decided to hold a private meeting about what to do about her. Just before they began, Tallulah wandered in and bellowed something about them forgetting to invite her. To try and break the awkwardness, Lucy complimented Tallulah on a sweater she was wearing - to which Tallulah replied, "You like, it dahhlling? You can have it," and pulled it off on the spot. Vivian cracked, "Good thing you didn't compliment her on her slacks," but then Tallulah said, "You want those too?" And the pants came down. 3.5/5

"Lucy A to Z: The Lucille Ball Encyclopedia" by Michael Karol

Any Lucy fan will really enjoy this. Michael Karol is the writer of several Lucy books and founder of www.sitcomboy.com. Though he misses a few entries that he could have added, for the most part, Karol gets it all. The newest edition also comes with photographs. Over all, very nicely comprised. The presentation could have been better - Karol self publishes, which ought to explain it - so with that in mind I give it 4/5.

"The Lucy Book of Lists: Celebrating Lucy's Centennial and the 60th Anniversary of I Love Lucy" by Michael Karol 

Once again, not too crazy about the presentation. ALSO, since this is supposed to be a celebration of Lucytenniel and ILL's 60th anniversary, we could have gone for something thicker... however, the written work is of great quality. Kaye Ballard also makes a "guest appearance," and my favorite segment is "Ethel Mertz A-Twitter."... (Yes, Ethel Mertz Twittering). So, still great fun. 4/5

"Lucy at the Movies" by Cindy de la Hoz

This was the first Lucy book I ever got. I found it in the bookstore on a routine shopping trip a few years ago... I was extremely excited but was disappointed to learn it was thirty-five dollars. I didn't get it, but read it everytime I visited and hid it behind other books to make sure no one would buy it. I was very excited when my friend bought it for me as a Christmas present that year, and thus my collection of Lucy books was started. This is a wonderful book, big with lots of glossy pictures and movie posters... Lucy made over 100 films and this documents each and everyone of them. It includes a mini-bio of Lucy, as well as summaries of her movies, cast and production information, and critic reviews. It also has a gorgeous photo of Lucy on the cover. An excellent job. 4.5/5

"The Lucille Ball Book of Treasures" by Cindy de la Hoz

I got this as a Bargain Book from Barnes & Noble about a year. I was sooo excited to find it and very pleased with the information. It is a biography of Lucy with a lot of pictures and pull out "treasures" - just so awesome. Just great, great memorabilia. Every Lucy fan needs to own it. 4.5/5

"Lucy & Desi: The Real Life Scrapbook of America's Favorite Television Couple" by Elisabeth Edwards

This is another excellent, excellent Lucy book. Taken straight out from the estates of Lucy and Desi, this features bits from both of their real life scrapbooks (they were avid keepers of them), as well as more "pull-outs," like the "telegram" sent to Lucy and Desi by Desi's father in Florida the day they eloped, the marriage certificate of the two (with both of them lying about their ages!), and a Valentine's Day card to Lucy written by Desi ("To my favorite wife...")... just to name a few. It is just the greatest, best thing any Lucy fan could every stumble across! 5/5

"The I Love Lucy Scrapbook" by Elisabeth Edwards

A follow up to the latter book, this is just as wonderful! This features more excerpts of their scrapbooks, except all of the written bits are about "I Love Lucy." Also, you get a chance to take a peek into "The Mockingbird Murder Mystery" (the notorious novel Lucy was reading when she thinks Ricky is going to murder her - second episode, season one), pull out Little Ricky's "birth certificate", and much, much more! It is also a little bit of an episode guide to the series. Just lovely! 5/5

"I Love Lucy: Celebrating 50 Years of Love and Laughter" by Elisabeth Edwards

If there ever was a collective episode guide to every since "Lucy" episode, this is it! Includes plot summary and lots of photos. 4/5

"Lucille Ball" by Nick Yapp

Found by me the same day I found "Lucille Ball Treasures." With a couple lengthy captions, this is a great picture book of Lucy - in black and white, sepia, color... a lot of wonderful photos. I believe I noticed some typos and misprints, but otherwise it was very well put together. Buy it for the photos alone, if not anything else... 4/5

"Lucy: A Life in Pictures" by Tim Frew

I got this for a very good price - a new copy for $6. Another picture book of Lucy... I would say the latter book has more pictures, of rarer quality, but this is a good book, too. 3.5/5

***

So, there it is. That's my collection, and that's day two of partying for Lucy! The big day gets closer... and closer...!

Before signing off, I'd like to wish a quick happy birthday to Myrna Loy, who would have turned 106 if she were still alive today. I really enjoy Myrna's movies, and I think she doesn't get enough credit. In fact, one of the first classic movies I ever saw starred Myrna (and William Powell) - a slapstick comedy called "Love Crazy." It made me laugh my head off and contributed to my following obsession with old movies.

Happy birthday, Myrna!

Well, that's all for today. We'll back tomorrow with more Lucy related fun... have a great day!

Ciao!

PS: I believe you can buy all of the mentioned books at Amazon.com 

Reviews By a 10 Year Old Kid (AKA: Rianna embarrasses herself)

Taking a note from a few other bloggers, I have decided to embarrass myself greatly and share with you five little reviews I wrote as a nine or ten year old kid. Please remember that I was nine. I hope you get a good laugh out of it, my lovely little blog readers. I was in a bit of a writer's block today - but tomorrow I can probably produce something more worthy of your time. For now... have a good giggle.

***

Well will start off with Rianna's incredibly embarrassing ten year old child review for "Forever Darling" (1956), with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

"FOREVER DARLING (1956)"

Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz

Ten year old Rianna says -

Even though this movie litrally would've been titled, "Four More Years, Darling", since the love duo of Ball and Arnaz lasted until 1960 only, "Forever, Darling" is sweet and charming. It's a lot like the amazing TV series and "The Long, Long Trailer", but I liked this better than the Long, Long Trailer. Ball and Arnaz play similar characters to their TV show, but slightly different. Arnaz is a scientist this time and Ball is not always botching things up. Susan Vega (Ball) and Larry Vega (Arnaz) were the perfect couple when they were married. But five years later, they are drifting a part. Susan is turning into a clone of her cousin Millie Opdike, and no matter how hard she tries, she can't stop swooning over James Mason at the movies! Larry is almost never at home for dinner nad is constantly eating, breathing, and thinking all about his new pesticide. (Except for that one time when he has a dream about Ava Gardner.....). Then Larry announces that he and Susan will be taking a 2 year field trip to test the pesticide! Susan is furious. After having a fight with Larry, her guardian angel, James Mason, shows up. She has mixed emotions about Mason-first she's scared of him, then angry at him, and then in love with him! But Mason, in his charming voice and attitude, is able to coax Susan into learning more about Larry's work. Susan suddenly, with a burst of inspiration, agrees. She finds the perfect oppertunity to do so when Larry announces he's going on a camping trip for a day to test the pesticide before the 2 year field trip. Nothing can go wrong, can it? But, of course, in it's usual Lucy way, it does! This movie, of course, is perdictible. But Ball and Arnaz's acting, of course, is superb. So what, it's not an Oscar-y movie, but it's still great for Lucy fans. Four stars for pure Desiluness! ~~~~~~~~

What Makes Teenage Rianna Cringe the Most - 

• My usage of the phrase "love duo". UGH! What the bloody L is that supposed to mean? (Yes, I'm  American - but I have habit of using British phrases. Long story... you'll get used to it) This makes me cringe so much I was contemplating not even mentioning it ;)
• The fact that I give away nearly the entire plot, making this review about a thousand pages long. 
• My insane obsession with "~". I guess i thought it looked cool. (?)
• Last but not least, my equally obnoxious use of "Desiluness." Only a true Lucy fan could use a word like THAT. Plus, as much as I love Lucy and Desi, too, it isn't really a four star movie. And "The Long Long Trailer" is much better. But I guess, in my little ten year old brain...

Next to suffer my ten year old wrath is "The Lady Eve" (1941). * shivers *

"THE LADY EVE (1941)"

Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda

Ten year old Rianna says - 

'The Lady Eve' is a fun movie, good for kids ages ten and up. (They will understand the idea more.) The beginning is a little rocky, but soon you will be propelled into the plot as Stanwyck, playing a young daughter of a con-artist tries to ploy into Fonda, a 'geeky' but handsome young man who has just come back from an Amazon tour and "isn't used to seeing women still.” As expected, he is loaded with cash. Stanwyck and her father try to con money out of him by playing casino games, and Stanwyck begins a planned romantic relationship with Fonda. Fonda, easily fooled, plays along and soon Stanwyck finds herself actually in love with the young man! The rest, I will leave to everyone else to find out, but you’ll find a lot of inner-joy and pleasure to watch this movie, and will be very ‘pleased as pink’, as they say, at the nice turnout. I’d give it a 4 and a half stars if I could, but I can’t, so it’s displayed as 4 stars above, but really, I’d give it 4 and a half. Rent this movie as soon as you can! (And try to ignore Stanwyck’s fur coat, please).

What Makes Teenage Rianna Cringe the Most -

• My trying to determine the perfect age group for watchers of "The Lady Eve." Because a 10 year old kid would totally know that, right?
• My use of "inner-joy" and "pleased as pink." 'Nuff said.
• My great indecision and babbling about the film's rating.... that would just make any person annoyed, wouldn't it?
• The "trying to ignore Stanwyck's fur coat, please." I am still totally against fur - I have a chinchilla, after all! - but still... it's just... I don't know. annoying sounding. To me, anyway ;)

Okay, I'll give you just one more. This is for "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer" (1947).

"THE BACHELOR AND THE BOBBY SOXER (1947)"

Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Shirley Temple

Ten year old Rianna says - 

I wasn't surprised that I enjoyed Cary Grant (a la Archibald Leach.....funny) and Myrna Loy's preformances in this movie, but I was surprised that I enjoyed Shirley Temple. I was very much afraid this would be another showcase of her dripping sweet cuteness and silly songs, but thank goodness, I guess growing up helped. Surprisingly, she really DID deserve to be in this movie with these two Hollywood stars and made the best out of it. Temple plays a love-struck teenager who is in love with a man, Grant, that comes to speak at her school. Loy, who plays Temple's older sister, however, finds the man horribly annoying. It's a really cute movie if you're trying to introduce a teenager to classic movies and show that classic movies CAN be cool (and in many situations, cooler than today's movies). It's sweet and what I would call a classic chic flick (You don't need Kate Hudson or designer Prada labels in a movie for it to be a chic flick, or made in the last few years). I enjoyed it; it was really cute, for sure. It will bring you back to the era.....of bobby-soxers! ~ rent this movie!!!!!

What Makes Teenage Rianna Cringe the Most -

• My use of "dripping sweet cuteness and silly songs" - it just doesn't make sense. I mean, as much as I am not a big Shirley fan, she was a teenager by now, so really, what was I expecting?
• The whole business about me blabbering away about using this movie to introduce classics to teenagers - in spite of the fact I wasn't yet a teenager myself. I mean, yeah, it's a good movie. But still, I'm just blabbering too much.
• My spelling of chick flick as "chic flick." Good God! 
• "back to the era.........of bobby soxers!" follow by yet another "~" and more !!!!!!

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Well, I don't know about you, but I've finished embarrassing myself at the present moment. Oh, who knows? I may embarrass myself like this some more another day. But for today, I'm finished.

Before I leave you, yesterday I went to the bookstore and got two books - "Diana at 50" by Life magazine (it's got tons of great pictures... more on that later) and "Desilu", which i am not sure why I didn't get it earlier! It's got some great pictures of Lucy and Desi inside, and the following is one of my favorite. I scanned it for you. It's so awesome/and lovely. I love the pictures of them as children on the wall with the plaques underneath that read "Our President" and "Our Vice President." (They mean President and Vice-President of Desilu, of course).