Waitin' On a Sunny Day

Valentine's Movie Survey (in which Greer and Walter is a valid answer for every question)

2012-02-14T19:20:00.000Z

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, I hope to be back posting at least once a week very soon. In the meantime, here's a fun little survey I thought I would participate in. Meredith from Forever Classics is the creator of the survey and the runner of a very wonderful blog (you should go and check it out!). Enjoy!

1. What is your favorite romantic comedy?

I'm going to say My Man Godfrey because, whilst I adore films like An Affair to Remember and Breakfast at Tiffany's, I consider them to be dramedies rather than pure comedies.

2. What is your favorite romantic drama?

Random Harvest

3. Worst romance film you've seen?

The Notebook. I'm not going to lie, I cried at the end but I'm blaming that on James Garner. I hope to never to see the film again because I'll probably weep once more and then I'll hate myself for it because it really is an atrocity.

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

The same way I feel when I tell people I love Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, The Pacific etc. and they say "But they're men's tv series/films!".

5. Favorite on-screen couple?

Greer and Walter, always.

6. Favorite off-screen couple?

The Pidgeons.

Not a valid answer? Nonsense, say I. The Pidgeons were a very well known couple back in the day. They used to go for golfing weekends in the country with the Powells. Needless to say, they spent most of the time in the bar.

But, you know, in all seriousness, I would have to go with Ma and Pa.

7. Best kiss in a movie?

Greer and Walter in Julia Misbehaves.

8. Favorite romantic scene?

Can I say all of An Affair to Remember? Yes? Good.

9. Who are 2 film characters you wished had gotten together, but never did?

Not a day goes by when my heart doesn't ache for the Baroness and Captain von Trapp. NOT A DAY!

The first serious couple that came to mind was Anna and the King. Seriously, they were this close and then he died. He was the most inconsiderate of men.

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

Deborah Kerr and Christopher Plummer. I've never thought of them doing a film together before today but, oooh la la, yes please.. Also, Eleanor Parker and Gregory Peck in one of those Yes-The-Plot-Is-Rubbish-But-Look!-Beautiful-People films. *cough*you'resosuperficialSophie*cough*

11. Favorite romantic song in a film (doesn't have to be from a musical)?

Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific.

12. Best score from a romance film?

Cliché, I know, but Breakfast at Tiffany's has such a beautiful score and the moment I hear the first few notes, I feel all warm and fuzzy.

13. Most romantic film quote?

Smithy: I don't even know who I am.
Paula: Well, I know who you are. You're someone awfully nice.

- Random Harvest

It's more sweet than romantic but d'aww, my heart belongs to Smith and Paula.

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

Random Harvest or Brief Encounter. They've both got substance but one will leave you crying with happiness and the other will leave you in a black pit of despair. Take your pick!

Avanti! (1972)

2012-01-17T11:46:00.000Z

The 1970s is my least favourite decade for film but I will admit that the beginning of the decade had some really great, and some of my favourite, films (The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II, Fiddler on the Roof, Harold and Maude, to name but a few). So when I decided to watch something made in 1972 for my first film of 2012, I had my fingers crossed that it would be one of the better films of the '70s. It didn't let me down.

Avanti!, 1972

The director: Billy Wilder

The stars: Jack Lemmon, Juliet Mills

IMDb says: A successful business man goes to Italy to arrange for the return of his tycoon-father's body only to discover dad had died with his mistress of long standing.

Although the story is ridiculously unbelievable (but if you watched The Miracle of Morgan's Creek immediately before watching Avanti! it wouldn't seem half so crazy), Avanti! is without a doubt one of the most charming comedic films I've seen in a long time.

Wendell Armbruster, Jr. (Jack Lemmon) travels to island of Ischia to take the body of his late father back to America but upon arriving, he is informed by fellow traveller Pamela Piggott (Juliet Mills), a poor English woman, that his father and her mother were lovers and that they both died in the car crash. Pamela wants their parents to be buried together on the island, but Wendell is determined to have his father sent back to America where a huge, nationwide funeral is being planned. Before they can come to an agreement, however, both of the bodies are stolen from the morgue. Whilst all this is going on, Pamela somehow manages to convince Wendell that they must celebrate their parents memories by spending the evening as their parents did when they were staying on Ischia (with the help of the hotel staff who provide them with all the food and drink that their parents were accustomed too.). I'm not sure nude swimming at sunrise was on Wendell's itinerary though. The rest of the film is fairly predictable but, nevertheless, enjoyable.

It's definitely not perfect but Billy Wilder never made a film that wasn't worth watching (*cough*exceptforSabrina*cough*) and his films with Jack Lemmon are all fantastic. With beautiful scenery, terrific acting (I'd never seen Juliet Mills in a film before; the Mills family have far too much talent!), and Billy Wilder in the director's seat, it's a film you should just sit back and enjoy. One of the only flaws about the film is that at 138 minutes, it is rather long for such a fluffy comedy. That being said, it didn't really feel as though it was dragging at any point.

Thanks for reading!

10 of My Favourite Classic Film Tribute Videos

2012-01-15T17:32:00.000Z

This is just a quick post showcasing 10 of my favourite classic film tribute videos. I hope you enjoy watching them and, if you do, please go and comment on the videos on YouTube!

Classic Hollywood - Forever Young (made by my wonderful friend Sara)

Classic Hollywood Stars - Memories Remain (made by my fellow blogger Clara)

Everything - Tribute to Myrna Loy and William Powell (made by my amazingfriend Kari)

Marlene Dietrich - Rolling in the Deep (made by Sara)

Feels Like Home (made by Kari)

Thnks Fr Th Mmrs - From Here To Eternity (made by fantabulany)

Barbara Stanwyck Tribute (made by my fellow blogger, Kate Gabrielle)

Learning to Breathe - The King and I (made by fantabulany)

Dirk Bogarde Tribute (made by Kate Gabrielle)

Greer Garson (made by Sara)

And a bit of shameless self-promotion (because I have no shame) in the form of the video I am most proud of from my own tribute videos.

Classic Film Q&A Time With... My Brother!

2012-01-10T17:19:00.000Z

Hello everyone! It's been several months since I posted the last Classic Film Q&A Time so when my two brothers came home for Christmas I was eager to interview them both. Unfortunately, with all the excitement and exhaustion, I completely forgot until one of them had already left again. My verbose oldest brother was still at home so I took advantage of that fact and interviewed him at 10pm the night before he left..

A little bit about Matthew: I've known him for 18, almost 19 years, and I almost shared my birthday with him. As of last year, he is no longer eligible for the Young Person's Railcard which signifies he is of a great age. He's almost as clever as me. I mean, we drew at a game of chocolate Pictionary this Christmas which is a sure test of who has the highest IQ. He plays the piano and the cello and, although it hurts my pride to say this, he is much better at both those instruments than I am. When he was around the age of two, he sang "Daisy, Daisy" in it's entirety whilst sitting in his pushchair in the butchers. He was in a production of The King and I when I was two weeks old and, because my Mum couldn't go to the actual performances because I would probably scream the whole time, she went to the dress rehearsal and took me with her. It was a moment of utter clarity for me. From that moment on, I knew that I would grow up to become obsessed with the film and consequently Deborah Kerr. Thanks, Matthew! Oh, and he bears a somewhat disturbing resemblance to Matt Smith.

Which genre of film do you most like to watch?

Matthew: Well, I don't know. It depends on my mood really. I wouldn't say I have a favourite. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a mindless blockbuster with explosions and sometimes I'm in the mood for a rather more well-crafted, meditative exploration of life.

Me: That's not a genre! You have to give me a specific genre.

Matthew: I don't have one. I suppose I like anything that is character driven. The films which most satisfy me tend to be dramas, I think.

What's your favourite classic film? Least favourite?

Matthew: Probably Kind Hearts and Coronets which I think is a real masterpiece. The main character is incredible and the twist at the end is remarkable. And of course Alec Guinness. Really, anything with Alec Guinness.

Me: Least favourite?

Matthew: I probably haven't seen it. I'm very difficult to displease. I'm not sure I've seen enough really. All the ones I've seen have been recommended by people and I've enjoyed them. I can't remember what I thought of Casablanca. I don't think I was moved by it as people expect.

Favourite actor and actress?

Matthew: Clearly Alec Guiness all the way. I think he's just perfect in everything he does, really. And actress, well, I don't really know.

Me: Say Deborah Kerr then!

Matthew: I think there's a little too much hype over Marilyn. She's never really done it for me.

Me: How many films have you seen her in?

Matthew: Some Like it Hot and the one where they're on a boat.

Me: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Matthew: I prefer the brunette.

Me: You haven't seen some of her best films!

Matthew: Oh, the lass I saw playing in Vertigo was very good.

Me: Kim Novak.

Matthew: The way she transformed from being a very uninteresting, candy floss character into a remarkably complicated, interesting character...

Are you more like Oscar or Felix?

Matthew: I'm probably more like the Walter Matthau character. (Oscar)

What is the first classic film you remember watching?

Matthew: Fiddler on the Roof. I suppose The Sound of Music and The King and I too. That is probably the first one. I remember very early on knowing that. Maybe even The Wizard of Oz.

What is your favourite musical?

Matthew: Fiddler on the Roof. Although, I did enjoy High Society. Singin' in the Rain is brilliant as well. Fiddler I enjoy because it has real dramatic depth and the songs flow seamlessly; they don't feel so much like set pieces like they do in most other musicals which I kind of dislike. The songs feel important and dramatic, important to the narrative. Whereas in Singin' in the Rain they all feel a little tacked on to me. In terms of songs, my favourite from a classic musical would probably be Well Did You Evah? because I've been in several situations just like that. It's probably the most perfect illustration of what being happily drunk is like.

What is your favourite decade for films?

Matthew: Sometimes I like the '80s best for the great Speilberg's and George Lucas of course. The Empire Strikes Back, the Indiana Jones films, Ghostbusters, a lot of cult classics as well. The '80s does have a lot of great films but then the '70s as well with the Godfathers and Star Wars. And then the '80s has Monsignor Quixote which was Alec Guiness' last feature film and which is one of my favourites.

Joan Crawford or Bette Davis? (To make it easier, you can pick either pepsi or coke)

Matthew: I don't like either, really. I think I'd rather marry someone called Bette. Did you say Joan Rivers.

Me: NO! Joan Crawford!

Favourite Hitch film?

Matthew: Of the ones I've seen, and I haven't seen many, I thought Rear Window was the best. Fantastically well made.

Do you have anything to say about silent film?

Matthew: Well, slightly off topic but I have heard it said that what Jurassic Park did for special effects in the '90s was as revolutionary as what The Jazz Singer did in... 1937 was it?

Me: 1937?! You thought that sound films hadn't been invented by 1937?! Anyway, I can't agree with that statement.

Matthew: Well, in terms of technique and in terms of what it was possible to do. If you look at special effects before CGI it's very clunky and seamy.

Me: But silent films are a work of art.

Matthew: I'm talking about film technology though - what it's possible to do. I wasn't commenting on The Jazz Singer or Jurassic Park as works of art. What really interests me about silent films, naturally I suppose, is the culture of musical improvisation that went with the performance of them. Every showing of the silent film would consequently have different shades of meaning because of the contribution of the musician working with all the stock music that was given him. Also, I don't know much about that culture or if they were given entire scores to play, but I do know that there were general ways of doing scenes of peril and ways of doing love scenes and things like this by the musician. For me, that's the most interesting part, the way that every performance of the film would be different because the musician would be different. It's very interesting.

Who is the king of '60s cool: Paul Newman or Steve McQueen?

Matthew: Steve McQueen. He was in a film called Bullitt where he was called Bullitt, which is pretty cool.

A classic film you think you should probably have seen but haven't?

Matthew: The Jazz Singer, probably. I would say that's the one I should see because it's such a watershed moment in film history.

I've probably made you sit through a lot of classic films over the years, any of these occasions stick out in your mind?

Matthew: I enjoyed the first Nick and Nora film. He's the king of cool. He's much cooler than Paul Newman. They just slouched around in leather and looked moody, but he was a class act.

Me: He was.

Matthew: I'd much rather be like him. Also, didn't he carry a hip flask?

Me: He has alcohol running through his veins.

---

A big thanks to my big brother for answering all these questions and I hope you all enjoy reading his answers as much as I enjoyed hearing them! Speak to you soon!

My Year in Film: December (with a breakdown of my 2011 film watching escapades & some classic film related New Year's resolutions!)

2012-01-02T17:17:00.001Z

Happy New Year, blog readers! I hope the first day of 2012 has been a joyous and happy one so far! After I've done my monthly Year in Film part of the post, I'm going to wind up with checking up on how I did with my classic film related New Year's resolutions and then type out my new ones so that we can meet back here again in 2013!

December

330. The Truman Show (1998)

331. The Aviator (2004)

332. Home Alone (1990)

333. Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

334. Frankenstein (1931)

335. The Red Shoes (1948)

336. The Lady is Willing(1942)

337. Kitty Foyle (1940)

338. Easy Virtue (2008)

339. Funny Girl(1968)

340. Rain Man (1988)

341. Dead Poet’s Society (1989)

342. Metropolitan (1990)

343. The Graduate (1967)

344. The Major and the Minor (1942)

345. Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (1988)

346. Elf (2003)

347. Primrose Path (1940)

348. Going My Way (1944)

349. Holiday Inn (1940)

350. Holiday Affair (1949)

351. Nobi (Fires on the Plain) (1959)

352. The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

353. Design For Living (1933)

354. The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1944)

355. Thunder in the East (1952)

356. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)

357. Christmas in July (1940)

358. It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)

359. All Mine to Give (1957)

360. Dear Brigitte (1965)

361. It’s a Wonderful Life (1947)

362. The Young Victoria(2009)

363. The Sword and the Rose (1953)

364. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

365. The Weak and the Wicked (1954)

366. Shake Hands With the Devil (1959)

367. Shall We Dance? (2004)

368. The Cabinet of Caligari (1962)

369. My Fair Lady (1964)

370. Auntie Mame(1958)

371. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

So, my grand total of films was 371. You all know how much I love stats and lists so I broke my year in film down to a couple of handy, little lists.

Breakdown of Decades

1900s - 1

1910s - 1

1920s - 3

1930s - 72

1940s - 85

1950s - 64

1960s - 51

1970s - 13

1980s - 19

1990s - 20

2000s - 30

2010s - 12

Breakdown of Most Watched Actresses and Actors

Carole Lombard - 12	Cary Grant - 11
Claudette Colbert - 10	James Stewart - 11
Glynis Johns - 10	Fred MacMurray - 8
Rosalind Russell - 10	Fred Astaire - 6
Ginger Rogers - 9	Frederic March - 6
Katharine Hepburn - 9	Gregory Peck -6
Marilyn Monroe - 9	Henry Fonda - 6
Barbara Stanwyck - 8	Robert Mitchum - 6
Deborah Kerr - 7	William Powell - 6
Greer Garson - 7	Gary Cooper - 5

All in all, I think that's a rather good year in film. What do you think?

Now, erm, it's the time to check and see how many of my New Year's resolutions from last year I kept.

Watch more silent films
Much as I love them, I really don't watch enough. I often start watching them and then just never finish.

I really didn't keep this one. I watched a pitiful amount of silent films, although I do have a very long list of silents that I need to watch. Maybe 2012 will be the year, eh?

Watch more Hitchcock films
I am sadly lacking in the Hitchcock department - I haven't seen nearly enough of his magnificent films. I want to have seen all of his 1940's films, that I haven't already seen, by the end of 2011.

2011 was definitely Hitch's year. I watched around 20 of his films and, although I haven't still haven't seen all of his 1940s films, I'm almost there. I think I'm allowed to say I did pretty well in regards to this resolution.

Try to complete my Deborah Kerr film collection
I've seen almost all of her films, but only own 30-something.

This didn't happen. I haven't bought any DVDs for myself since my birthday in April and, besides, the Deborah films I need to add to my collection aren't on DVD. Still, I firmly believe 2012 is going to be the year that I finally see ALL of her films. I only have 4 to go (one of which I own, Eye of the Devil, but which I haven't yet watched because it looks really scary). I can do this!

Try to complete my Greer Garson film collection
Again, I've seen almost all of her films but only own about 20.

I'm in the same boat with this as with Deborah's films, except that I only have 2 films to go until I've seen Greer's entire filmography (Strange Lady in Town and Sunrise at Campobello, both of which I own but... I don't want to come to the end of her filmography!).

Hoard more Eleanor Parker films
I doubt I'll be able to complete this collection this year, but I own about half of her films so I will try to add to those.

Hoard more Maureen O'Hara and Barbara Stanwyck films
Again, there's no way I'll be able to complete these collections in 2011 but I can certainly add several titles to them.

Well, this didn't happen. But I did watch more of their films so I think that counts for something.

Pick at least one Old Hollywood actor/actress whom I currently dislike/ignore and try to watch more of their films to give them a chance
I've been meaning to watch more Elizabeth Taylor films because I've only seen 2 or 3, and, whilst I don't dislike her, I've just never really given her a chance and generally bypass her films. This time last year I wasn't a fan of Myrna Loy or Joan Crawford and now I love Myrna and really enjoy watching Joan's films!

I did come to appreciate Elizabeth Taylor this year. I feel a little sad that I wasn't more appreciative of her whilst she was still alive, but at least I enjoy her films now.

Watch more Patricia Neal, Glynis Johns, Anna Magnani, Joan Blondell, Hedy Lamarr, Eva Marie Saint, and Jean Arthur films

Glynis took the cake for this one, closely followed by Jean. I didn't watch any Anna or Hedy films, sadly. Maybe this year...

Try to watch as many of the films as possible on the following lists: IMDB Top 250, Academy Award Best Pictures, BFI 100 (Top British Films), The 100 Most Significant German Films, and AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies.

I'm now almost halfway through the IMDb Top 250 list, Academy Award Best Pictures, and AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies, so I'm quite proud of that. I wish I could say I'm proud of my progress on the other lists but.. I'm not. Ah, well. It's time to make some more New Year's Resolutions. Here goes...

Finish watching all of Deborah and Greer's films.
Finish watching Hitchcock's talkies and progress onto his silents.
Get at least halfway through the BFI 100 film list and complete at least one of the AFI 100 Years lists (probably the 100 movies or 100 passions).
Watch at least 30 silents.
Start reviewing more films. Maybe 1 a week?
Pick at least one Old Hollywood actor/actress whom I currently dislike/ignore and try to watch more of their films to give them a chance.

Well, I suppose that's it. I'll be commencing with more normal (I know, when have I ever written a normal post?!) posts after this (including a Classic Film Q&A Time with my oldest brother). Stay tuned!

Waitin' on a Sunny Day in 2011

2011-12-31T21:00:00.000Z

As 2011 draws to a close, I thought it would be fun to look back on Waitin' on a Sunny Day's 2011. Or, perhaps more fittingly, my 2011. I watched a grand total of 369 films this year, watched 43 seasons of tv series (it seems a lot, but most of them where British shows which means the seasons are a lot shorter ;D), made some amazing friends through classic film, met one of my best classic film buddies in real life, and had a ridiculous amount of fun posting on here about all things classic! So, without further ado, I give you my 2011 in review!

My Favourite Posts of 2011

January: Matador (or how I fell in love with a Danish tv series and one of it's stars)

February: The Thrill of it All (1963) - love love love!

March: Films I Can Watch Over and Over #1

April: My 50 Film Recommendations for the 2011 NFR

May: The Big Country or how Sophie has almost been converted to Westerns

June: Box Set Monday #1: Deborah Kerr

July: Happy birthday to "The Queen"!

August: Box Set Monday #6: Thelma Ritter

September: Darling Deborah Blogathon: Memories of The King and I & If Fictional Characters Could Live in Our World...

October: Happy birthday, Glynis 'Awesome' Johns!

November: I thought that you would rue it; I doubted you'd do it. But now I must admit it that succeed you did!

December: Sophie's 20 Favourite Classic Actresses (Updated)

My Favourite New-To-Me Films of 2011

January: Don't Bother to Knock (1952) & Mad About Men (1954)

February: The Misfits (1961) & Stand By Me (1986)

March: I Remember Mama (1948) & Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)

April: Splendor in the Grass (1961) & The King's Speech (2011)

May: Niagara (1953) & The Virgin Suicides (1999).

June: To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) & Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

July: The Great Dictator (1940) & Johnny Belinda (1948)

August: Possessed (1947) & The Godfather (1972)

September: These Three (1936)

October: Walk the Line (2005)

November: The Princess Comes Across (1936) & A Woman of Distinction (1950)

December: The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944) & The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)

My Favourite TV Series of 2011

I watched so many incredible TV series this year including Matador (1978-1982), The Golden Girls (1985-1992), and House (2004-), but when it came down to it, however much I love those three shows, none of them could surpass the emotional roller coaster that is Band of Brothers. Do yourself a favour and watch it!

I could go on forever listing favourites, but these are the three most important categories pertaining to this blog so I'll stop there. I honestly can't believe the year is almost over; it only seems like yesterday that I was posting my 2011 film-related New Year's resolutions on here (make sure you check back in a day or two to see how many of those I kept ;D). I can't think of anything profound to say so I'm just going to wish you all a very wonderful New Year and I'll see you at the other side!

(check out this lovely New Year's Eve video!)

New Year's Movie Meme

2011-12-30T17:53:00.001Z

The Girl with the White Parasol created a wonderful New Year's movie meme and I can never pass something like this up so here are my answers!

1. What is your all-time favourite Grace Kelly costume?

I talked about my favourite Grace Kelly dress in my Fashion in Film Blogathon post.

2. What classic film would you nominate for a remake?

As a general rule, I'm not fond of remakes. Unless the film is based on a classic book or play (such as Pride and Prejudice. I will not, however, endorse a remake of something like The Thin Man.) or unless the original film was a load of rubbish, then I really don't think there is any need for remakes. That being said, I would probably go and see a remake of Jamaica Inn. I'm really not a fan of the Hitch film (one of his only films I actively dislike) and I think it could make quite a great film if remade by the right person.

3. Name you favourite femme fatale.

Although I absolutely detest her blonde wig and think the overall film is a bit overrated, Phyllis Dietrichson (Double Indemnity, 1944) is the ultimate femme fatale in my books. I'm also a big fan of Virginia Mayo in White Heat (1949) and Jane Greer in Out of the Past (1947).

4. Name the best move with "heaven" in it's title.

Leave Her to Heaven (1945)

5. Describe the worst performance by a child actor that you've ever seen.

Usually the ones that are really bad I block from my memory but, after racking my brains for far too long I came up with:

Dakota Fanning in War of the Worlds (2005). Probably not the worst performance by a child actor, but definitely the most annoying. I have an irrational love of the film and used to watch it all the time but it really put me off Dakota. Seriously, just stop screaming, girl!

6. Who gets your vote for most tragic movie monster?

Probably Frankenstein. I don't watch a huge amount of "monster" films though so it's not the most educated of choices.

7. What is the one Western that you would recommend to anybody?

Either Giant or The Big Country.

8. Who is your ideal movie-viewing partner?

One of my classic film buddies (one of whom is visiting for 5 days in January!).

9. Has a film ever made you want to change your life? If so, what was the film?

As a lot of the people answering this question have said, films in general have changed my life but there isn't one particular film that has made me want to completely change my life. Having said that Anne of Green Gables and The Sound of Music are probably the two films that come closest to making me change things about myself. AOGG (both the books and the film) made me embrace my rather vivid and wild imagination and, perhaps most importantly, made me realise that being "different" (aka, being overly passionate about things and seeing many things in life in a different light to others) isn't a bad thing but something to cherish. "I Have Confidence" because of TSOM. I'm not even joking. When the dog bites (he never does though), when the bee stings (it was a wasp), when I'm feeling sad, stupid, lonely, or inferior to everyone else in the world, I simply remember my favourite things and The Sound of Music, and then I don't feel so bad because Maria von Trapp was a HBIC and I am too! (Please just forget I ever wrote that, k? ;D)

10. Think of one performer that you truly love. Now think of one scene/movie/performance of theirs that is too uncomfortable for you to watch?

You all know how I feel about Deborah Kerr. And, as such, some of you will know how I feel about a particular atrocity that she appeared in...

*whispers* The Gypsy Moths (1969)

11. On the flip side, think of one really good scene/performance/movie from a performer that you truly loathe.

I don't loathe any performer but I do dislike Grace Kelly (something that seems to get stronger with every passing year). However, the scene in High Society (1956) where Tracy Lord (Grace) meets Celeste Holm and Frank Sinatra is such a brilliant scene and I think Grace was really wonderful in it.

"Oh, English history has always fascinated me. Cromwell, and Robin Hood and... JACK THE RIPPER! Where did he teach?"

12. And finally, since it will be New Year's soon, do you have any movie or blogging-related resolutions for 2012?
I'll be making a separate post for my film related New Year's resolutions like I did last January. :)

Bless this highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner and the people who sold it on sale. Amen.

2011-12-24T16:08:00.000Z

What I'm trying to say is...

Merry Christmas!

I had planned on writing an awesome Christmas post but you're going to be stuck with this rubbish one because time is running out and I need to eat and get ready for the Vigil Mass which is at 6:30 (a ridiculous time if you ask me. We usually go to Midnight Mass but my Mum is feeling rather tired and didn't feel like traipsing around in the freezing cold dead of night.). I hope each and everyone of you has the most wonderful Christmas imaginable! Before I go, I'll leave you one of the most magical Christmas scenes from any films. We all know it but it never gets old. Enjoy!

Speak to you soon!

Sophie's 20 Favourite Classic Actresses (Updated)

2011-12-20T19:33:00.000Z

It's been almost 18 months since I posted my first and last list on my Top 15 Favourite actresses and since then I have discovered many new and wonderful actresses who have slyly wormed their way into my affections. Some of them I vaguely knew of before and had maybe seen a couple of their films and others were completely knew to me. You'll notice that next to all to all of the actresses names (except the first two who haven't changed) there is either a (-x), (+x), or (new!) which I suppose is pretty self-explanatory. The +/- numbers indicate how far up or down the particular actress has moved in my "top favourites" list and the (new!) indicates that they weren't on the list before. Well, I think that's everything! Enjoy!

#1 Deborah Kerr

Favourite film(s): From Here To Eternity, The King and I, Tea and Sympathy,

The End of the Affair, & The Sundowners.

#2 Greer Garson

Favourite film(s): Random Harvest, Mrs. Miniver, Julia Misbehaves, & Blossoms in the Dust.

#3 Helle Virkner (new!)

Favourite film(s): Kispus & Matador (tv series).

#4 Barbara Stanwyck (-1)

Favourite film(s): Ball of Fire, Christmas in Connecticut, No Man of Her Own, Baby Face,

& The Lady Eve.

#5 Eleanor Parker (+1)

Favourite film(s): The Sound of Music, Home From the Hill, The Voice of the Turtle,

Detective Story, & Three Secrets.

#6 Rosalind Russell (-2)

Favourite film(s): Auntie Mame, The Trouble With Angels, & A Woman of Distinction.

#7 Irene Dunne (new!)

Favourite film(s): I Remember Mama, My Favourite Wife, & The Awful Truth.

#8 Carole Lombard (new!)

Favourite film(s): My Man Godfrey & Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

#9 Ava Gardner (+4)

Favourite film(s): On the Beach, & The Night of the Iguana.

#10 Joan Crawford (new!)

Favourite film(s): Mildred Pierce, & Possessed.

#11 Miriam Hopkins (new!)

Favourite film(s): These Three

#12 Glynis Johns (new!)

Favourite film(s): Mary Poppins, Mad About Men, & Encore: Gigolo and Gigolette.

#13 Audrey Hepburn (-6)

Favourite film(s): How To Steal a Million & Breakfast at Tiffany's.

#14 Patricia Neal (new!)

Favourite film(s): Hud.

#15 Marlene Dietrich (new!)

Favourite film(s): The Lady is Willing, A Foreign Affair, Dishonored, & Morocco.

#16 Jean Simmons (-8)

Favourite film(s): The Big Country & The Grass is Greener.

#17 Lucille Ball (new!)

Favourite film(s): Yours, Mine and Ours, Stage Door, The Long Long Trailer, & I Love Lucy (tv series).

#18 Myrna Loy (new!)

Favourite film(s): The Thin Man Series & The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer.

#19 Arlene Francis (new!)

Favourite film(s): The Thrill of it All.

#20 Suzanne Pleshette (new!)

Favourite film(s): The Ugly Dachshund (I can hear you tittering from here so zip it!) and The Birds.

The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944)

2011-12-18T21:15:00.002Z

The director: Preston Sturges

The stars: Betty Hutton, Eddie Bracken, Diana Lynn

The Miracle of Morgan's Creek is the story of a young American girl named Trudy Kockenloker (Betty Hutton) who goes to a crazy party the night before the troops stationed in the area are shipped overseas and the next day finds herself married... and pregnant with absolutely no memory of where she got married and, most importantly, whom she got married to.

How Sturges ever managed to get that story past the Hays Office, I have absolutely no idea. It is one of the most flippantly risqué films of the 1940s and I absolutely love it. I can only imagine that the Office must have been having a day off.

As I'm sure you can tell, the plot is utterly ridiculous but, nevertheless, every inch of the film is filled with comedy - right down to Trudy's family surname, Kockenloker- and, in true Sturges style, it is absolutely wonderful. I'd never seen a Betty Hutton films before and I have to say I was extremely impressed with her performance. It was over the top without being too much. Eddie Bracken gave a great performance as usual, but I think my favourite performance was that of Diana Lynn's. She plays Emily Kockenloker, Trudy's worldly-wise 14 year old sister. I'm not one for laughing out loud when watching something but Emily has some of the most hysterical scenes and one-liners that I've ever heard and I almost split my sides laughing at some points.

One of my favourite scenes with Diana Lynn (starts at 1:34)

In summary, if you're in the mood for a raucous, risqué screwball comedy with stellar performances and some rather sweet, tender moments, The Miracle of Morgan's Creek is for you. And beware, it might possibly become your favourite Sturges film like it has done with me!

It's Christmastime! A Gift Guide For Classic Film Lovers.

2011-12-13T22:28:00.000Z

I've seen a few of gift guides popping up on various blogs and decided that I'd jump on the bandwagon and give it a go. Whether you're buying for someone who is already a huge classics fan or whether you're trying lure someone into the world of classic film, this list is for you!

1. Yul Brynner: A Photographic Journey

I've been eyeing this up ever since it was first published last year. And, although I've not actually seen it in the flesh, I have seen many of the photos people have scanned from it and can vouch for their extreme wonderfulness. The photos are absolutely breathtaking and I guarantee you that the classic film fan in your life will absolutely love this!

2. Myrna Loy and William Powell Collection

Contains: Manhattan Melodrama (1934), Evelyn Prentice (1934), Double Wedding (1937), I Love You Again (1940), Love Crazy (1941).

You can't beat a bit of Loy and Powell and this box set is chock-a-bloc with five of their always wonderful films.

A cheaper alternative: The Thin Man Complete Collection

3. Forbidden Hollywood Collection (Vol.1, Vol.2, & Vol.3)

Vol.1: Baby Face (1933), Red Headed Woman (1932), Waterloo Bridge (1931).

Vol.2: The Divorcee (1930), A Free Soul (1931), Three on a Match (1932), Female (1933), Night Nurse (1931).

Vol.3: Other Men's Women (1931), The Purchase Price (1932), Frisco Jenny (1932), Midnight Mary (1933), Heroes For Sale (1933), Wild Boys of the Road (1933).

You don't get much better that a box set full of Pre-Codes. Oh, but wait, what about THREE box sets full of pre codes? Now you're talking. Someday these beautiful babies will be mine. MINE.

4. That's Entertainment! Deluxe Four Disc Collector's Edition

I think everyone has seen parts of That's Entertainment! on tv around Christmas every year but this four disc set is just fabulous and I know I would love to find it sitting under my tree. Apparently, although Amazon says that the four disc set is Region 1, in actuality it is region free so I would definitely shell out the extra money for this superior (or so I'm told) set as opposed to the Region 2 three disc set.

5. Brief Encounter Blu Ray

I personally don't own a blu ray player yet but for anyone who does, this is a must. Can you imagine how much more depressing and heartbreaking this film must be in HD? I feel tears welling up just thinking about it.

6. The Sound of Music Gift Set

Does this really need to be explained? I thought not.

A cheaper alternative: The Sound of Music 45th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray + DVD)

7. Alfred Hitchcock 14 Disc Box Set

Contains: Saboteur (1942), Shadow of a Doubt (1943), Rope (1948), Rear Window (1954), The Trouble With Harry (1955), The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), Vertigo (1958), Pyscho (1960), The Birds (1963), Torn Curtain (1966), Topaz (1969), Frenzy (1972), Family Plot (1976).

I gave this to my brother for Christmas last year to try and get him into classics. I'm not sure it worked but it's still a really brilliant box set.

8. The Red Shoes Criterion Collection

When I eventually buy my first Criterion DVD, I just know this will be one of my top choices. I saw The Red Shoes for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it was more magnificent than I could have imagined. And come on, just look at the DVD cover! Who wouldn't want to have that in a place of prominence in their house?

A cheaper alternative: The Red Shoes - Restored (Blu Ray)

9. Billy Wilder Collection Vol.1&Vol.2

Vol.1: Some Like it Hot (1959), One, Two, Three (1961), Irma La Douce (1963), Kiss Me, Stupid (1964), Avanti!(1972).

Vol.2: The Seven Year Itch (1955), Witness For the Prosecution (1957), The Apartment (1960), The Fortune Cookie (1966), The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970).

Billy Wilder. That is all. No, but in all honesty, as well as looking pretty snazzy, I think I'm safe in saying that these box sets would go down very well with most classic film fans.

10. Tracy and Hepburn the Definitive Collection

Contains: Woman of the Year (1942), Keeper of the Flame (1942), Without Love (1945), The Sea of Grass (1947), State of the Union (1948), Adam's Rib (1949), Pat and Mike (1952), Desk Set (1957), Guess Who's Coming To Dinner? (1967).

This box set is just exploding with awesome. There have been many Tracy&Hepburn box sets made but this is the only one so far to include all 9 of their films.

A cheaper alternative: The Tracy and Hepburn Signature Collection

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Hope you enjoyed drooling over this list! (It's OK, I did too ;D) Speak to you soon!

Sophie's Top 10 Overrated Classics

2011-12-13T20:06:00.000Z

So, which films do you think are overrated? A few titles, varying from person to person, always come to mind when that perennial question is asked. They might be films that 60 or 70 years on are still known by name at least by most people but that are, in essence, nothing more that exaggerated pieces of fluff (lol, you all know which blustery piece of cinema history I'm talking about.). Or they might be veritable cinematic masterpieces that, whilst the majority of the world fawns over them, you yourself find a little blegh. So please, take this list with a pinch of salt. It's deliberately flippant. There's only one film on this list that I can honestly say I absolutely detest. If you can guess which it is I won't give you a cookie (hint: it's not #1). Also, if you haven't seen some of these films please don't let my opinion of them put you off (not that any of you put such a huge weight on any of my opinions ;D) because I'm not saying these are terrible films (apart from one), I'm saying they're overrated. There's a world of difference. I think. Erm, let's get on with the show...

(Instead of writing long-winded descriptions of why I think they're overrated or why I disliked them, I'm just going to write three words that sum the film up for me. Watch me get less and less witty as the list progresses.)

#10 It's a Wonderful Life, 1946

Overly sentimental mush.

#9 Double Indemnity, 1944

That damn wig.

#8 North by Northwest, 1959

Exciting. Boooooooring. Exciting.

#7 Roman Holiday, 1953

Nauseating chick flick.

#6 The Wizard of Oz, 1939

Utterly, utterly terrifying.

#5 Pyscho, 1960

He killed her (now what?).

#4 West Side Story, 1961

(And the award for the most annoying musical ever goes to): West Side Story.

#3 Casablanca, 1942

Boring, dreary, dull.

#2 Gone With the Wind, 1939

Glorified soap opera.

#1 Citizen Kane, 1941

Everyone adores this?!
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Feel free to despise me from now on :D But AYYYEEEEAYYY WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOUUUU! Bye!

100 Essential Classic Films: Part 3 (80-71)

2011-12-08T22:40:00.000Z

(You can find the other 100 Essential Classic Film posts here)

#80 The Browning Version, 1951

Dir.: Anthony Asquith

Starring: Michael Redgrave, Jean Kent, Nigel Patrick

IMDb says: Forced to retire from an English public school. a disliked professor must confront his utter failures as a teacher, a husband, and a man.

Why I picked it: When I first saw this four years ago I really thought I wouldn't like it at all but from the word go, I was completely drawn in my the story. It's a magnificent. Although certainly not the type of film that one can watch over and over again, it really does deserve two or three watches because there is so much to be gleaned from it.

#79 Cool Hand Luke, 1967

Dir.: Stuart Rosenberg

Starring: Paul Newman, George Kennedy

IMDb says: A free-spirited convict refuses to conform to chain-gang life.

Why I picked it: In this film Paul Newman plays one of cinema's most brilliant and memorable anti-heroes, Luke Jackson. This is a film that makes it impossible for you to glance away from the scene even for a second; a film that necessitates more than one viewing for even minimal understanding of the incredible story. Whilst it may not appeal to everyone, I really can't recommend it enough.

#78 The Big Country, 1958

Dir.: William Wyler

Starring: Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Caroll Baker, Charlton Heston

IMDb says: A New Englander arrives in the Old West, where he becomes embroiled in a feud between two families over a valuable patch of land.

Why I picked it: I'm not a fan of Westerns and I never have been but this breathtakingly stunning film is one of the exceptions. As well as having one the best casts a film ever had, The Big Country has a really intriguing and exciting storyline, beautiful cinematography, and is absolutely epic.

#77 The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, 1943

Dir.: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger

Starring: Roger Livesey, Deborah Kerr, Anton Walbrook

IMDb says: Portrays in warm-hearted detail the life and loves of one extraordinary man.

Why I picked it: The Archers made so many brilliant films but Colonel Blimp has to be one of the greatest of the lot. Besides the amazing work they did of directing, the entire cast all give excellent performances too (a special nod to Deborah for so magnificently pulling of playing three different women in one film). Keep a packet of tissues handy for this one!

#76 Rebel Without a Cause, 1955

Dir.: Nicholas Ray

Starring: James Dean, Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo

IMDb says: A rebellious young man with a troubled past comes to a new town, finding friends and enemies.

Why I picked it: Everyone knows about Rebel whether they've seen it or not and, as such, I'm not going to rave about it here, I'm just going to recommend that you watch it ASAP because this is one of those rare films that actually live up to the "hype".

#75 Whistle Down the Wind, 1961

Dir.: Bryan Forbes

Starring: Hayley Mills, Diane Holgate, Alan Barnes, Alan Bates, Bernard Lee

IMDb says: When an injured wife murderer takes refuge on a remote Lancashire farm, the owners three children mistakenly believe him to be the Second Coming of Christ.

Why I picked it: Whistle Down the Wind is a beautiful film which I would venture to say is one of the greatest British films ever made. It's charm and sense of nostalgia is timeless; it has a innocence about it that is just as touching today as it undoubtedly was when it came out.

#74 I'll Be Seeing You, 1944

Dir.: William Dieterle

Starring: Ginger Rogers, Joseph Cotten, Shirley Temple, Spring Byington

IMDb says: A soldier suffering from battle fatigue meets a young woman on Christmas furlough from prison and their mutual loneliness blossoms into romance.

Why I picked it: I watched this film for the first time after Audrey included it in her Box Set Monday post . She described it as being a film that "has a very quiet and honest feel about" and I can certainly vouch for that. It's a Christmas film with a difference and, as we're in December now, I highly recommend a viewing! ;D

#73 Swing Time, 1936

Dir.: George Stevens

Starring: Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire

IMDb says: A performer and gambler travels to New York City to raise the $25,000 he needs to marry his fiancée, only to become entangled with a beautiful aspiring dancer.

Why I picked it: When I was figuring out which films to put on this huge list, at one point realised that something was lacking on the list. After much head scratching, I realised I needed a Fred and Ginger film. As Swing Time is my favourite, I immediately chose that one. It's fresh, it's snappy, it has one the most incredible dance scenes ever, and it's FRED AND GINGER! What's not to love?!

#72 Gentlemen's Agreement, 1947

Dir.: Elia Kazan

Starring: Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, Celeste Holm, June Havoc, John Garfield

IMDb says: A reporter pretends to be Jewish in order to cover a story on anti-Semitism, and personally discovers the true depths of bigotry and hatred.

Why I picked it: When I switched on the tv and saw this was playing, I have to admit I wasn't expecting too much of it. After all, Hollywood isn't really the best at handling delicate issues such as this. However, I became immediately engrossed and when the film ended I was pleasantly surprised with how amazing the film actually was. Like any film, it has it's flaws, but when you consider the year in which it was made it really is quite incredible.

#71 Modern Times, 1936

Dir.: Charlie Chaplin

Starring: Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard

IMDb says: The Tramp struggles to live in modern industrial society with the help of a young homeless woman.

Why I picked it: Arguably one of Chaplin's finest films, Modern Times is a beautiful film which, whilst full to the brim with many hilarious comedy scenes that only the great Chaplin could pull off, also has a deeper, more sobering message to tell. The final scene where Chaplin and Goddard walk off, hand in hand, along a long (and winding) road with only themselves and their smiles to keep them going is definitely one of the most moving and most beautiful endings of a film ever.

Thanks for reading!

My Year in Film: October & November

2011-12-06T17:03:00.001Z

October

289. The Out of Towners (1970)
290. Veronica Guerin (2003)
291. The Children's Hour (1961)
292. The Good German (2006)
293. Valkyrie (2008)
294. Flying Down to Rio (1933)
295. Groundhog Day (1993)
296. Walk the Line (2005)
297. Father Goose (1964)
298. Show Boat (1936)

November

299. Together Again (1944)
300. The Guilt of Janet Ames (1947)
301. A Woman of Distinction (1950)
302. Take a Letter, Darling (1948)
303. Fast and Loose (1939)
304. Another Thin Man (1939)
305. Shadow of the Thin Man (1941)
306. Marriage on the Rocks (1965)
307. A Place in the Sun (1951)
308. The Glass Key (1942)
309. Man Hunt (1941)
310. Topper (1937)
311. The Princess Comes Across (1936)
312. Letter From an Unknown Woman (1948)
313. Wuthering Heights (1939)
314. Lifeboat (1944)
315. Love Before Breakfast (1936)
316. Frenzy (1972)
317. Love is News (1937)
318. 'I Know Where I'm Going' (1945)
319. Imitation of Life (1934)
320. The Night of the Hunter (1955)
321. The Miniver Story (1950)
322. Carefree (1938)
323. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)
324. Spellbound (1945)
325. Sylvia Scarlett (1935)
326. L'Atlante (1934)
327. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
328. Thor (2011)

1900s - 0
1910s - 0
1920s - 0
1930s - 14
1940s - 10
1950s - 4
1960s - 3
1970s - 2
1980s - 0
1990s - 1
2000s - 5
2010s - 1

Most Watched Actresses

Rosalind Russell - 4
Carole Lombard - 2
Cate Blanchett - 2
Ginger Rogers - 2
Irene Dunne - 2
Miriam Hopkins - 2
Myrna Loy - 2
Shelley Winters - 2

Most Watched Actors

Cary Grant - 3
Fred Astaire - 2
Fred MacMurray - 2
Walter Pidgeon - 2
William Powell - 2

Favourite films of the month(s)
Walk the Line, Father Goose, Show Boat, A Woman of Distinction, The Princess Comes Across, and Lifeboat.

I thought that you would rue it; I doubted you'd do it. But now I must admit it that succeed you did!

2011-11-30T20:19:00.000Z

*drum roll*

So, hi there everyone! Do you still remember me? I hope so because I have some really exciting news. Remember the last post I wrote on here back on Nov. 7? Well, despite the fact that 5 days ago I was sitting rather nervously on an embarrassing 25k words, I somehow, don't ask me how because I still don't know, managed to pull another 25k out of the bag and at around 5:30pm today, November 30th, 2011, validated my first ever NaNo novel. Granted it isn't finished yet but the point is that I wrote 50k in a month. 30 DAYS FOLKS! You'll forgive me if my modesty is thrown out of the window for a few minutes because I am so proud of myself I could scream/cry/dance etc.! I feel pretty brilliant right now, I can tell you. Until now, I had never written a story any longer than 8k and at the end of October when I signed up to do NaNo, if you had asked me whether I thought I would be able to write 50k in a month I would have probably laughed in your face. Which begs the question of why I signed up in the first place, but I don't have an answer for that so we'll skip over it. As I mentioned in my last post, my novel is about a movie star who came to fame during The Golden Age of Hollywood and as such, the novel spans almost 40 years. As such, I am only half (or possibly a third, we'll have to see) of the way through writing the novel but I've come this far so I have no intention of turning back. I'm not going to lie, there have been moments when I've felt like scrapping the whole thing because it just seemed to ridiculous, but now I'm at 50k and the novel has shape and movement to it, I'm really excited about it especially because I have basically winged the entire plot (not something I would ever recommend. Outlines, however basic, are lifesavers.). Anyway, I'm going to stop rambling now. If you're interested in reading a little bit about my novel you can click here and you will be taken to the "novel info" section of my NaNo profile where there is a short synopsis and an excerpt from the novel itself.

(my NaNo word count graph and stats)

Now, before I go I just want to let everyone know that blogging will be commencing as normal tomorrow (or perhaps in a day or two depending on whether my hands can actually put together a coherent sentence after today). I have many post ideas written down in my Notebook of Brilliant Ideas, so keep your eyes peeled for those. I will also be commencing with my 100 Essential Classic Films posts (8 more to go!) so check those out as well.

Thanks for reading everyone! Hope you've all have a wonderful November and are looking forward to cracking open the Christmas carols tomorrow (I've been desperate to do that all this month but I exercised my self-control and told myself that waiting for Dec. 1 would be my prize if I won NaNo ;D). Speak to you soon! Cheerio!

Here's a song I've been addicted to the last couple of weeks. :)

Just to let you know...

2011-11-07T13:14:00.001Z

That I haven't fallen off the face of the earth or become trapped in a parallel universe a lá Doomsday. I'm participating in the self-afflicted torture known as NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). In case you're not familiar with it, the general idea is to write a 50,000+ words novel in 30 days. This means that you need to be writing about 1667 words per day if you want to finish my November 30. I'm currently lagging 4500 words behind with only 5564 words. Still, it's only 6 days since it started and I haven't had the time to write on two of those days so I'm not doing too badly. I suppose...

Because my novel actually has something to do with classic film, I thought I'd give share with you a (very) vague synopsis. No, really, it is the vaguest synopsis you will ever read. HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS, PEOPLE.

Eve Lynne, an actress who came to fame during the heyday of Hollywood's studio system, looks back on her life after the filming of her final picture has finished. From her beginnings as the daughter of an upper middle class English couple to her international stardom, it's hard to believe how far she's come.

I know, right? It just screams best seller. No, but in all seriousness, I'm pretty much winging it. And my quest to be as historically accurate as possible (how does one find out who supervised the casting process in Gold Diggers of 1933? Craziness.) is driving me insane. I am, however, determined to finish the novel - although it's doubtful that it will ever see the light of day again and November 30.

Anyway, the whole point of this post was to let you all know that there may be a significant lack of posts throughout November. I do have several ideas for posts though, so perhaps I'll find some time to write them. Who am I kidding, I probably won't survive NaNoWriMo. If you don't hear from me again, it's been lovely folks! And now, I'll leave you with a song that I've been playing on repeat since I watched Walk the Line the other week. Enjoy!

100 Essential Classic Films: Part 2 (90-81)

2011-10-23T23:00:00.002+01:00

Here I am with Part 2 of my 100 Essential Classic Films list. I hope you enjoy reading about my choices and once again, don't forget to let me know what you think about them! :)

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#90 It, 1927

Dir.: Clarence G. Badger

Starring: Clara Bow, Antonio Moreno, William Austin

IMDb says: A salesgirl with plenty of "it" pursues a handsome playboy.

Why I picked it: It will forever be one of my favourite silent films and, as such, it's definitely one that I would show to a silent film newbie. Not only is it a wonderful example of the "fluffy" silent film genre, it's also quite snappy and as such is perfect for those used to watching the much more fast paced modern films.

#89 Heaven Can Wait, 1943

Dir.: Ernst Lubitsch

Starring: Don Ameche, Gene Tierney, Charles Coburn

IMDb says: An old roué arrives in Hades to review his life with Satan, who will rule on his eligibility to enter the Underworld.

Why I picked it: Heaven Can Wait is an utterly charming film filled with wonderful actors, beautiful costumes (made even more gorgeous by Technicolor), and an intriguing plot. Don Ameche gives a particularly brilliant performance as the endearing cad, Henry Van Cleve.

#88 The Apartment, 1960

Dir.: Billy Wilder

Starring: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacClaine

IMDb says: A man tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue.

Why I picked it: The Apartment is romantic dramedy with a difference: Billy Wilder's masterful use of the dark twist. The world isn't a place of rainbows, unicorns, and fairytale romances, but maybe eventually everything will work out OK. Lemmon and MacClaine make about the sweetest on-screen couple that you will ever see.

#87 High Society, 1956

Dir.: Charles Walters

Starring: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Celeste Holm, John Lund

TCM says: In this musical version of The Philadelphia Story, tabloid reporters invade a society wedding

Why I picked it: The poor, younger, musical sister of The Philadelphia Story is often been frowned upon by lovers of the original film, but if you try to forget that it's Grace Kelly taking Katharine Hepburn's place as Tracy Lord (I know... what?!!) then you might just find yourself really enjoying it. It has some truly hilarious moments and everything with Frank and Celeste is pure gold.

#86 Sorry, Wrong Number, 1948

Dir.: Anatole Litvak

Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Burt Lancaster

IMDb says: Whilst on the telephone, an invalid woman overhears what she thinks is a plot to murder her.

Why I picked it: Sorry, Wrong Number is a film that will have your nerves in shreds by the end. Although you do start to realise what's going to happen sooner than Leona (Stanywck's character) does, the ending won't fail to send chills up and down your spine. It's a thriller of the highest degree!

#85 City Lights, 1931

Dir.: Charlie Chaplin

Starring: Charlie Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, Florence Lee

IMDb says: The Tramp struggles to help a blind flower girl he has fallen in love with.

Why I picked it: The silent, loving gestures made by Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp towards a blind, young flower girl with whom he has fallen love with in City Lights, hit home with more force than the love scenes in possibly any films since. If you want to watch silent films, here's your starting point.

#84 Mr. and Mrs. Smith, 1941

Dir.: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Carole Lombard, Robert Montgomery, Gene Raymond

IMDb says: Not a typical Hitchcock movie, this is a comedy about a couple who learn that their marriage was not valid.

Why I picked it: There is nothing better than a Hitchcockian comedy. It's not something you expect, almost like when you bite into something that you think will taste one way but ends up tasting so much better! But Hitchcock's films are scattered with (dark) humour much more than most people realise and, not surprisingly since he can do no wrong, he excels at the romcom just as much as he excels at the psychological thriller.

#83 The Grapes of Wrath, 1940

Dir.: John Ford

Starring: Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine, Charley Grapewin

IMDb says: A poor Midwest family is forced off of their land. They travel to California, suffering the misfortunes of the homeless in the Great Depression.

Why I picked it: The Grapes of Wrath deals with the Great Depression in a brutally honest and painful way. It's remains a stringent reminder of the hardships borne by the working class people who lived during the Thirties. Definitely not a film to miss.

#82 Since You Went Away, 1944

Dir.: John Cromwell

Starring: Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten, Shirley Temple

IMDb says: While husband Tim is away during World War II, Anne Hilton copes with problems on the homefront.

Why I picked it: As someone who grew up with war films that were almost all depicted from a British home front perspective, when I first saw Since You Went Away I was a bit sceptical as to whether a film about the vastly different American home front could ever be as brilliant as "our" WWII films. I was pleasantly surprised. Although it has a completely different feel to the British films I'm used too, it's beautiful, poignant film of epic proportions (almost 3 hours long!) that every classic film fanatic should see.

#81 The Innocents, 1961

Dir.: Jack Clayton

Starring: Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins, Michael Redgrave

IMDb says: A young governess for two children becomes convinced that the house and grounds are haunted.

Why I picked it: A more chilling, haunting film you'll never see. The Innocents plays creepy tricks with your mind, something that the incredible cinematography only perpetuates. If you get the chance to see this film, don't pass it up!

An Awful Victory (poll results)

2011-10-23T20:43:00.003+01:00

The Awful Truth won out as the most popular film from my first batch of 100 Essential Classic Films with 9 of the 30 votes.

In second place came Seven Brides For Seven Brothers with 6 votes.

After that came Camille, The Heiress, Ninotchka and Funny Face each with 3 votes. Psycho and Grand Hotel followed with 2 votes and 1 vote respectively. Marked Woman and Oliver! didn't have a look in as neither of them received a vote.

I'll be posting the next instalment of 100 Essential Classic Films shortly, so stay tuned for that and for the poll! :)

New Poll!

2011-10-19T21:36:00.002+01:00

I have a new poll up (it's over there in the sidebar :) ) asking you which of the 10 films I posted for the first part of my 100 Essential Classic Films series is your favourite. I thought it would a fun thing to do alongside each one of the series posts. Anyway, just a heads up so that we can get lots of people voting! :D

Oh, and because this isn't much of a post, here's a photo of shocked!Deborah.

What I watch when I'm not watching oldies (part 1)

2011-10-18T21:58:00.000+01:00

After reading Clara's post this morning about how she hasn't seen a classic film since last month, I was inspired to write about what I'm watching when I'm not watching something made between 1910-1960. It's something I've wanted to write about for a while because there are so many tv series and films that I love to pieces but that definitely don't fall under the "classics" category. So, I hope you enjoy this slightly different post!

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This year I've watched a lot of tv series but my two biggest tv watching endeavours have definitely been watching House and The Golden Girls. They boast 14 series between them and I'd never really seen any of the episodes before so it did take me a while to wade through the series. Well, it took me just over 2 weeks to watch all 180 episodes of TGG, but it took me at least a couple of months to get through House. I highly recommend both series. House is really fascinating and humorous and The Golden Girls is just plain wonderful!

Whilst I do greatly love the two series I mentioned above, the two tv series that really stole my heart this year were Matador (which actually has nothing at all to do with bull fighting. I wrote about it here) and Band of Brothers. I devour anything to do with WWII, so when my Dad bought the BoB box set I just had to watch it. Let me tell you, nothing will ever be the same again. You know something is going to be good when Spielberg and Hanks collaborate on it, but nothing can prepare you for the incredibleness of this mini series. After I watched the last episode (it's a ten part mini series), I cried and cried. I cried not so much because I'd just finished watching an incredible piece of television, but because the story is just so powerful and the ending really knocks the wind out of you. Even the most hard hearted person in the world would get emotional over it. As Orson Welles (I think) said about Make Way For Tomorrow, "It would make a stone cry.". What makes it all the more amazing is that fact that it actually happened. Obviously, there is going to be some tweaking here and there, but nevertheless, these men were real people who were unimaginably courageous and strong. At the beginning of each episode some of the surviving men from Easy Company are shown talking about the events that are being shown to us in the series, and it really makes the realities of the whole experience hit home. I honestly can't recommend Band of Brothers enough. If you don't mind quite a bit of swearing and a blood and guts, then you should go ahead and check it out! I recommend reading the book written by Stephen Ambrose as well. I'm currently reading it and it's really fascinating and gives you a lot more insight into the mini series.

I also watched The Pacific this year, which is sort of (not really) the sister series to Band of Brothers except that, instead of being set mainly in Europe, it's set in, you guessed it, the Pacific. Again, it's a truly incredible piece of television, but it's not quite up there with BoB in my books.

A couple of weeks ago I discovered Downton Abbey. Let me tell you, Elizabeth McGovern is a life ruiner ;D But, in all seriousness, it's a wonderful tv series and, lucky for me, living in Britain I'm able to see the new episodes as they air! Eep! It makes a change from having to wait months for American tv series until they air over here. Something that makes the series all the more wonderful for me is the fact that it's set in the county I live so I know all of the names of the towns that they mention. And also, the actress who plays Anna comes from a little village just outside my home town! :D Oh, and did I mention that they totally rip off (or pay tribute to) the flower contest scene in Mrs. Miniver during one of the first series episodes. Cora Crawley even has a huge Greer Garson-esque hat!

The Countess of Grantham, is better than you. And so is her hat.

Something a little more "random" (omg, your bins are so random!) that I watched this year was the Australian mockumentary, Summer Heights High. If you got the quote above you are awesome. All of the episodes are on YouTube and it's so hilarious and brilliant.

Currently I'm plowing through The X-Files because I finally decided it was time to bite the bullet and watch all the episodes that I haven't seen before (most of them). It's somewhat shocking that I haven't already seen all of the show because Gillian Anderson is my absolute favourite modern actress (she ranks just a teeny tiny bit behind Deborah for all time favourite) and, whilst I've seen a large amount of her films and other tv work (Bleak House is what introduced me to her 6 years ago. I've never looked back.) I've always been too much of a scaredy cat to take much interest in TX-F. My Dad and brother both love it, but I have never seen a true horror film (well, modern horror film at least) because I know I won't sleep for days (I even had a nightmares when I heard Spotify playing the Paranormal Activity 2 trailer in between songs once...). There is at least one episode of TX-F that I know I'll never watch, Die Hand die verletzt. It terrified my father and brother so much that they couldn't watch it, so I'm not even going to try. If there are any big fans of the show reading this, I'd appreciate it if you could let me know of any other episodes similar to the one I just mentioned so I can quietly skip past those too!

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Well, I think that's all for now! I really enjoyed writing this though, so perhaps, if people are interested, I'll make another post about my "old favourites". You know, things I can watch over and over and will most probably force upon any offspring I may have... Just let me know what you all think! Hope you enjoyed reading!

100 Essential Classic Films: Part 1 (100-91)

2011-10-17T18:39:00.000+01:00

Over the next few weeks I'm going to be posting, in groups of 10, the 100 films that I consider to be "essential classics". By that, I mean the films that I think every fan of classic films should see at least once in their life. Many of these I wouldn't include in a list of my 100 Favourite Films, rather they are films that I think are the best examples of classic film that I've seen. I've tried to rank them without letting my personal enjoyment of the film get in the way too much but I warn you, this list is a far cry from anything impartial!

#100 Marked Woman, 1937

Dir.: Lloyd Bacon

Starring: Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart

IMDb says: A crusading DA persuades a clip joint "party girl" to testify against her mobster boss after her innocent sister is accidentally murdered during one of his unsavory "parties."

Why I picked it: Marked Woman is a great example of the film noir/crime melodrama. In fact, in my books it's one of the best. The entire cast gives excellent performances, especially Bette Davis. It afforded her with the chance to play one of her best roles yet, and to this day, it still stands as one of her greatest performances.

#99 The Heiress, 1949

Dir.: William Wyler

Starring: Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift, Miriam Hopkins, Ralph Richardson

IMDb says: A young naive woman falls for a handsome young man who her emotionally abusive father suspects is a fortune hunter.

Why I picked it: The Heiress is excellent film with a strong storyline, fantastic performances from the leads, and some of the most beautiful cinematography in film history.

#98 Funny Face, 1957

Dir. by Stanley Donen

Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson

TCM says: A fashion photographer turns a Greenwich Village unknown into an international supermodel.

Why I picked it: A vibrant, lavish, romantic, albeit a bit clichéd, story set in two of the most loved cities in the world, New York and Paris, Funny Face is a charming film that draws the viewer in and can be watched over and over again.

#97 Pyscho, 1960

Dir. by Alfred Hithchcock

Starring: Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin

IMDb says: A young woman steals $40,000 from her employer's client, and subsequently encounters a young motel proprietor too long under the domination of his mother.

Why I picked it: As one of Hitchcock's most well known films, I really couldn't not include it in this list. It's an incredible film, one which I think every film fanatic should see.

#96 Ninotchka, 1939

Dir. by Ernst Lubitsch

Starring: Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas

IMDb says: A stern Russian woman sent to Paris on official business finds herself attracted to a man who represents everything she is supposed to detest.

Why I picked it: Ninotchka is one of the oddest romantic comedies I've ever seen, and that's what makes it great. Unlike a lot of romantic comedies, it has a quality which will keep it fresh for many years to come. It's rather sad that one of the most wonderful comedies of the 20th century is so overlooked by people outside of the classic film community.

#95 Camille, 1936

Dir. by George Cukor

Starring: Greta Garbo, Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore

IMDb says: A Parisian courtesan must choose between the young man who loves her and the callous baron who wants her, even as her own health begins to fail.

Why I picked it: If ever-so-slightly over the top romantic dramas are your cup of tea, then you will love this film. And even if they're not, you should still see it for the magnificent cinematography, script, and Greta Garbo.

#94 Grand Hotel, 1932

Dir. by Edmund Goulding

Starring: Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Wallace Beery

IMDb says: A group of very different individuals staying at a luxurious hotel in Berlin deal with each of their respective dramas.

Why I picked it: If Grand Hotel's star studded cast isn't enough to draw you in initially, just wait until the terrific performances by each and every one of those stars start to work their magic. It's a perfectly balanced melodrama which won't leave you with the same feeling that you get after eating too many sweet things. To anyone starting out with the classics, I highly recommend this!

#93 Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, 1954

Dir. by Stanley Donen

Starring: Howard Keel, Jane Powell

IMDb says: In 1850 Oregon, when a backwoodsman brings a wife home to his farm, his six brothers decide that they want to get married too.

Why I picked it: An iconic musical with some amazing dance routines and very catchy music that you'll be humming for days afterwards. In terms of the storyline, let's just say that if a similar film came out today there would be uproar - and rightly so - but it's still well worth a watch.

#92 The Awful Truth, 1937

Dir. by Leo McCarey

Starring: Irene Dunne, Cary Grant

IMDb says: Unfounded suspicions lead a married couple to begin divorce proceedings, whereupon they start undermining each other's attempts to find new romance.

Why I picked it: Cary and Irene are arguably one of the most iconic on-screen couples in the history of cinema and in this, their first of three films together, they helped to create one of the finest screwball comedies of the '30s.

#91 Oliver!, 1968

Dir. by Carol Reed

Starring: Mark Lester, Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, Jack Wild, Oliver Reed

IMDb says: Musical version of the Dickens classic about an orphan taken in by a band of boy thieves.

Why I picked it: Oliver! won Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 1969 and I have to say, in my eyes at least, it really did deserve the win. Although the musical nature of the film may not be to everyone's taste it's an accessible and absorbing, and fairly true (for a musical!) adaptation of Dickens' original story.

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Hope you enjoyed reading, please share your thoughts! Stay tuned for the next installment of this series!

Happy birthday, Glynis 'Awesome' Johns!

2011-10-05T16:24:00.001+01:00

Happy birthday, Glynis!

She may not be one of the most well-known actresses from classic films, but I think everyone can name one particular film that this incredibly fantasmagorical lady was in. If you're struggling to think of it, let me give you a hint:

From Kensington to Billingsgate one hears the restless cries. From every corner of the land, WOMANKIND ARISE! Political equality and equal rights with men - take heart for Mrs. Pankhurst has been clapped in irons again!

Got it yet? YES! She was the mother of Jane and Michael Banks in Mary Poppins. Nevermind Miss Poppins being practically perfect in every way, Winifred Banks is practically awesome in every way. She's a singing and dancing suffragette. No one will ever top her coolness.

I thought I'd honour her this year by doing a "6 Reasons" post. I could hardly narrow her magnificence down to 6 reasons though...

Reason #1 - Her Voice

Glynis' voice is one of those that you can't stop listening to. It captivates you with it's unique, beautiful tones. I could listen to her read the phone book quite happily. Whilst so many wonderful actresses have performed the song, Glynis' rendition of Send in the Clowns from Sondheim's A Little Night Music will always be my favourite version, which isn't surprising seeing as it was written for her.

Reason #2 - Her face

Pretty self-explanatory really. She has such a beautiful, interesting face and the weirdest nickname ever regarding her eyes, "The Girl with the Upside-Down Eyes". Yeah.

Reason #3 - Her 1954 film, Mad About Men

(start at about 6:00 if you want to see the most brilliant part of the film!)

She made the prequel to this film back in 1948 (Miranda), but, if I'm honest, it's a bit rubbish. This film, however, is 90 minutes of pure and unadulterated, ridiculous rubbish, and it makes for a very entertaining, albeit somewhat brain-mushing, film. SHE'S A MERMAID. SHE HAS AN IDENTICAL RELATIVE WHO IS NOT HER TWIN. SHE DANCES. AND THERE'S A SEA LION LIKE IN JULIA MISBEHAVES. It's always going to be good when there's a sea lion.

Reason #4 - The two films she made with Deborah Kerr

She made Perfect Strangers (1945) and The Sundowners (1960) with Deborah and they are both cracking films. I wish they'd made more films together because they really seemed to compliment each other well.

Reason #5 - Her talent as an actress

(blatantly the best photo of anyone. ever.)

It pains me how underrated she is! She has huuuuge talent as an actress. She can be so spectacular in films that she almost blows you away. A great example of this is her segment in the 1951 film, Encore. She was in the third part of the film called Gigolo and Gigolette and played a young daredevil who entertains the crowds at a nightclub by diving into a shallow barrel of water from a very great height. It's by far the best part of the film and the way she manages to pull you into the story in such a short time is truly phenomenal. I urge everyone to check out her films!

Reason #6 - Well done, Sister Suffragette!

You didn't really think I was going to leave it out, did you? ;D

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Hope both my readers and the lovely Glynis have a wonderful day! ♥

My Year in Film: August & September

2011-10-03T20:53:00.001+01:00

251. Die Büchse der Pandora (1929)

252. Twentieth Century (1934)

253. Birdman of Alcatraz (1963)

254. Sex and the Single Girl (1964)

255. What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? (1962)

256. Possessed (1947)

257. Now and Then (1995)

258. Pretty in Pink (1986)

259. The Godfather (1972)

260. I Confess (1953)

261. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

262. Harriet Craig (1950)

263. The Godfather: Part II (1974)

264. I See a Dark Stranger (1946)

265. If You Could Only Cook (1935)

266. Magnificent Obsession (1935)

267. Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (1938)

268. I'll Be Seeing You (1944)

269. I Married a Witch (1942)

270. Portrait of Jennie (1948)

271. These Three (1936)

272. Roxie Hart (1942)

273. On the Waterfront (1954)

274. The Duchess (2008)

275. Tell the Judge (1949)

276. St. Elmo's Fire (1985)

277. The Outsiders (1983)

278. Class (1983)

279. Banjo on My Knee (1936)

280. If a Man Answers (1962)

281. Scoop (2006)

282. Manhattan (1979)

283. The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

284. The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)

285. Calendar Girls (2003)

286. Europa, Europa (1990)

287. Stalag 17 (1953)

288. The Apartment (1960)

1900s - 0
1910s - 0
1920s - 1
1930s - 6
1940s - 7
1950s - 4
1960s - 5
1970s - 4
1980s - 5
1990s - 3
2000s - 3
2010s - 0

Most Watched Actresses

Diane Keaton - 3
Joan Crawford - 3
Demi Moore -2
Meryl Streep - 2

Most Watched Actors

Rob Lowe - 3
Al Pacino - 2
Emilio Estevez - 2
James Caan - 2
Joseph Cotten - 2
Robert Duvall - 2
Woody Allen - 2

Favourite Films of the Month(s)

Possessed, Now and Then, The Godfather, These Three, Manhattan, The Bridges of Madison County, The Purple Rose of Cairo, and Calendar Girls.

Darling Deborah Blogathon: Memories of The King and I

2011-09-30T13:28:00.001+01:00

It's been about 14 years since I first saw The King and I (1956), and, in the years since then, I've watched it innumerable times through both the good and the bad. If it hadn't been for The King and I you wouldn't be reading this blog now because without it, I wouldn't have fallen in love with Deborah Kerr, and consequently fallen in love with classic film.

The first time I remember seeing it was when I was 4 or 5. It was a lazy Sunday afternoon and my Grandma, Mum, and I were sitting in the living room after dinner not doing much, just happy to be in each others company. At some point, my Mum must have switched on the tv because she told me that The King and I was on. Whilst my Mum went off to do something else, my Grandma and I watched the film; I lying on my stomach in my special "film-watching" place, just in front of the tv and squeezed between the coffee table and the hearth, and Grandma on the settee. It was love at first sight. From then on, my early childhood years were taken up with the challenge of deciding whether to be Anna Leonowens or Maria von Trapp when I grew up. I have vivid memories of dancing around the piece of grass in the front of our row of houses whilst singing, rather loudly, "Shall We Dance" and clutching a tracksuit top (aka, the King of Siam). Then, when I was 6 or 7, I spent what seemed like the entire summer sitting in my parents room replaying the "March of the Siamese Children" over and over on my Dad's cassette player whilst "playing along" with an old xylophone I'd been given. Playing that track (now on a CD ;D) still gives me the same thrill that it used to. I'll never tire of it.

Everyone, even those in my extended family, knew how much I loved (read: obsessed over) The King and I. My Aunty gave me the VHS of it for Christmas, which I still have and will never get rid of because of all the memories attached to it. I'm surprised I didn't wear out the tape, I watched it so many times. Whenever I was allowed to watch a film or asked if I could watch a film (I spent the majority of my first 13 years playing outside at every possible moment, so films weren't a huge part of my life) it was a certainty that I would watch The King and I or The Sound of Music. I was in love with the music, the gorgeous sets, the story, and, most of all, Anna Leonowens. When I was young, Deborah Kerr to me was Anna Leonowens, just like Julie Andrews was Maria von Trapp and Audrey Hepburn, Eliza Doolittle. It was only a few years later that I realised I didn't just love Anna, I loved the actress playing her. That's when I started to discover Deborah's other films and the rest, as they say, is history.

As I said before, if I hadn't loved The King and I so much, I would never have become so engaged in my obsession with classic film. I suppose the root of it all is Deborah. Although I'm sure I would have loved the story just as much had another actress played the role of Anna, it would never have drawn me in to the extent that it did with Deborah in it. Something about her face and her voice was so comforting and extraordinarily beautiful to me. I turned to her whenever I was feeling down or sick and she was there with her red hair and hoop skirts. When I turned 13, I started clinging to my slowly slipping away childhood by watching The King and I. It relieved me of the troubles of adolescence for a couple of hours. However, whilst in my formative years one film was enough to love Deborah in, as I grew older I needed more. I watched as many of her films as I could lay my hands on and it was was whilst working my way through her filmography, I began to realise that Deborah had become somewhat of a muse to me in a way that no one else had ever been. I started to realise that I was growing up (or being "dragged up", kicking and screaming) and I desperately wished that, if I had to grow up, I could grow up to be like her, the seemingly unattainable epitome of beauty, elegance, wit, and compassion. And I did try to be like her when I was 13/14, but I think I've probably turned out almost polar opposite to her (I like to think I'm a modern day Eve Arden, and several people have been good enough to bolster my belief that I'm half as awesome ;D). It doesn't bother me that I didn't turn into a miniature Deborah though. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but, in all honesty, it's a bit creepy.

Despite having seen over almost half of her films by this time, and having many new, exciting, favourites, on the night of October 19th, 2007, the night my Dad told me, rather bluntly, that Deborah Kerr had died, I turned to the old favourite, The King and I. It's the film that I watched three times one night (and bawled my eyes out each time) on a semi-dead laptop I'd been given by my brother. It's the film I've made friends watch and a film that, when talking about Deborah, I always ask if they've seen. It's the first film I remember seeing. It's my film.

The King and I instilled in me a love for musicals that, though it waxes and wanes, I will never be able to get over. Something sets of fireworks inside me whenever I hear the overture to a well-loved show, or even one that I don't know that well. And, in my opinion, there's no musical like a 1950's musical. The majestic, boldly coloured sets, the glorious music, and the marvellous, larger than life actors, all made the 1950s the decade for lush, aesthetically pleasing musicals.

Although The King and I may not be my No.1 favourite of Deborah's films any more, it remains among my top five because apart from it being a wonderful film, I owe it (more correctly, I suppose, I owe Rodgers and Hammerstein) so much. It introduced me to musicals, to Deborah, and, through her, one of my biggest passions, classic film. So, thanks Rodgers and Hammerstein. And thanks a million and one times over, Deborah, for being my refuge throughout my childhood, my teenage years, and, I hope, throughout the rest of my life! ♥

The Darling Deborah Blogathon Posts

2011-09-30T12:54:00.000+01:00

Today's the day! It's the Darling Deborah Blogathon in honour of what would be Deborah Kerr's 90th birthday. I'll keep updating this post with all of the participants posts so that you'll get a chance to read them all. Unfortunately, I'm going away for the weekend in, well, less than an hour, so I may not get a chance to read all the posts today. I'm sure I'll be able to get on the internet, but, just in case I seem like I'm ignoring contributions, I'M NOT! I appreciate all the posts that have already been submitted and all of those to come! Hope you enjoy reading!

Mr. Mythical Monkey talks about 1957 film Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison in his insightful and very interesting post.

The Most Beautiful Fraud in the World writes about the 1944 Deborah made with Powell and Pressburger, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp.

The Lady Eve's Reel Life writes about Deborah's 1961 intensely terrifying and creepy film, The Innocents.

Forever Classics sings the praises of The Innocents in her blog post.

Via Margutta 51 talks about the underrated gem of film that is The Naked Edge.

Blame Mame writes about the ultimate romantic comedy, An Affair To Remember.

True Classics reviews one of Deborah's first Hollywood films, which gave her one of her most challenging roles, Edward, My Son.

Frankly, My Dear talks about 5 things she has in common with Deborah.

All Good Things writes about the films in which Deborah played a governess.

Thrilling Days of Yesteryear reviews and talks about the suspenseful 1946 film I See a Dark Stranger, in which Deborah plays a young Irish girl who loathes Britain and everything British.

Defiant Success writes about 5 of Deborah's films: The Night of the Iguana, An Affair To Remember, From Here To Eternity, Separate Tables, and The Grass is Greener.

Thanks so much everyone!

Happy birthday, my bonny daisy! ;D

2011-09-29T14:08:00.001+01:00

107 years ago on this very day (although the lady in question would like to have you believe it was 104 years ago ;D) a rather beautiful, red headed, baby was born in England. Her name was Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson and she grew up to be the earth-shatteringly gorgeous and talented actress we know as, well, Greer Garson.

Happy birthday, Greer!

You all know that I love this woman more than I can possibly say and that I would watch her anything and everything, and listen to her OTR broadcasts all day every day if I could. She was a beautiful, kind, hilarious, and intelligent woman whom I would have given anything to have meet in real life. I'm going to leave you with one of my favourite scenes from the wonderful 1947 film, Julia Misbehaves. It's so sweet and perfect and proves the fact that no one will ever wear a tablecloth quite like Greer. ;D

P.S. Don't forget it's the Darling Deborah Blogathon tomorrow! It's not too late to participate, everyone is welcome! :D I'm not actually going to be here most of tomorrow as I'm leaving for the weekend (something I didn't know when I planned the blogathon), but I have a couple of posts queued up and hopefully I'll be able to get online to compile a list of all the participators posts. I look forward to reading all the wonderful Deborah-ness! :D

10 Favourite Directors

2011-09-27T18:25:00.000+01:00

It has come to my attention that I've never really paid much homage to the great directors of classic film on my blog previously, so I thought I would remedy that with a list, in no particular order, of my 10 favourite classic directors. Enjoy!

Sir Alfred Hitchcock

Favourite film(s): The 39 Steps (1935), Shadow of a Doubt (1944), Rear Window (1954), The Birds (1963)

Billy Wilder

Favourite film(s): The Lost Weekend (1945), The Apartment (1960)

Preston Sturges

Favourite film(s): The Lady Eve (1941), Sullivan's Travels (1941)

William Wyler

Favourite film(s): These Three (1936), Mrs. Miniver (1942), Detective Story (1951), The Big Country (1958), How To Steal a Million (1966)

Howard Hawks

Favourite Film(s): His Girl Friday (1940), Ball of Fire (1941), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Elia Kazan

Favourite films: Gentlemen's Agreement (1947), Splendor in the Grass (1961)

Leo McCarey

Favourite film(s): Make Way For Tomorrow (1937), The Awful Truth (1937), Love Affair (1939), An Affair to Remember (1957)

George Cukor

Favourite film(s): The Women (1939), The Philadelphia Story (1940), I'll Be Seeing You (1944), My Fair Lady (1964)

George Stevens

Favourite film(s): Swing Time (1936), The More the Merrier (1943), I Remember Mama (1948), Giant (1956)

Frank Capra

Favourite film(s): It Happened One Night (1934), Meet John Doe (1941)

Who are your favourite directors? I had to leave several whom I really love of this list, but it had to be done! *sobs*

If fictional characters could live in our world...

2011-09-26T19:51:00.000+01:00

I recently watched The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985, dir. Woody Allen) and afterwards got to thinking about the concept of the film: a character steps out of a cinema screen and becomes part of the real world. It's certainly a very intriguing, thought-provoking idea and there are so many possibilities to be expanded upon. I thought I would share my thoughts on the whole, crazy idea with my readers because it fascinates me and I'm sure some of you might be equally fascinated.

From The Purple Rose of Cairo we know that the character entering our world is capable of leaving more than one screen, which begs the question, what would happen if there were several dozen identical people walking around in the world? At the least, it could make for some awkward, paradoxical situations (or not, because, if the characters aren't actually real then there can't be any contradiction!). And nowadays, when there are so many screens both large and small for the characters to emerge from, I'm sure within the matter of a few weeks the world would be ridiculously overcrowded. Unless there is a way to stop them from passing through the screen. Maybe they would have to go through customs first!

Another thought I had was, would the characters coming into our world bring with them troubles/problems peculiar to them? If so, I can only imagine the madness that would ensue. Imagine dozens of Melanie Daniels wreaking havoc in every town that she (they?) appears in. And, if they do bring their own problems, they would be introducing fantastical creatures, aliens, demons etc. onto the world. In essence, we would be unleashing our own nightmares upon ourselves. Madness!

And then there's the question of whether or not only fictional characters could "come alive", so to speak. If any character on the screen could be introduced to our world, then we could very well be welcoming, among others, infamous dictators back onto earth. The fact that, as revealed in TPROC, these characters can't actually be injured presumably means they can't die (either of natural or unnatural causes) which, in turn, means that they would just stay as they are... forever. I think that's a pretty terrifying thought.

Of course, as well as contemporary film characters coming into our world, there would also be characters from things like period dramas wandering around. How would an 18th century lady-in-waiting, for example, cope in our modern, technologically advanced world? In TPROC, the fictional character Tom Baxter kept mentioning how he didn't know about this or that because it wasn't written into his character, but at least he was a contemporary in the world which he stepped out of the screen into. I'm sure it would send the 18th century lady into a state of shock.

All in all, I think it's probably a good thing that film characters can't come to life because it would probably cause quite a disturbance. I always thought that it would be wonderful if some on-screen characters could come to life so I could be friends with them (or marry them.. *cough*) but now I'm not too sure. Well, as long as it was just one character who was very well-developed by his creator, I think it might be OK!

I could talk about this topic all day as it's taken over my mind a bit, but I'll finish now and I urge you to share your thoughts because I want to discuss this with you all!

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I thought, as final, fun thing to do with this post, I would make an only partially serious list of 10 film characters I would love to meet in real life.

Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)

After seeing the film and reading the book both for the first time this year, I can honestly say that Atticus is one of my favourite fictional characters of all time. The gentle way that he fights for what he believes in reduces me to a gooey mess.

Mame Dennis (Auntie Mame)

OK, technically the character of Auntie Mame is based on a real person but... no one in real life could possibly be so fantasmagorical as she is. I want to be her!

Nick and Nora Charles (The Thin Man series)

There's no party like a Nick and Nora party!

Winifred Banks (Mary Poppins)

The real question here is, why wouldn't you want to meet her? The woman is marvellous!

Mother Superior (The Trouble With Angels)

There's something about Roz Russell's Mother Superior in this film that reminds me of a nun I know, so I instantly loved her. I greatly admire both the fictional and real nun.

Golde (Fiddler on the Roof)

Golde's resilience in the face of poverty and the fear of being Jews in Tsarist Russia is remarkable. She's such a strong woman and she's been one of my favourite characters since I was little.

Maxine Faulk (The Night of the Iguana)

Oh, Maxine! Lost, lonely Maxine. I want to give her a hug.

Margo Channing (All About Eve)

Who doesn't want to meet Margo Channing? I would constantly be trying to make her mention seatbelts.

Baroness Elsa "Fabulous" Schraeder (The Sound of Music)

Because there was actually no Baroness Schraeder in the real Maria von Trapp's story (although there was another woman, but she wasn't a baroness and she wasn't called Elsa Schrader), I think she counts as fictitious. When I met her, I would first tell her that I was too old to be shipped off the boarding school, then I would creepily touch her hair because it's gorgeous, then I would steal all of her clothes... and Captain von Trapp.

Mama (I Remember Mama)

I love Mama! I think all mothers should aspire to be as caring and sacrificing as she is.

Which characters would you like to meet?

Oh, and just before you go, some shameless self promotion: Waitin' On a Sunny Day is now on facebook! I'd really appreciate it if you could all click the little 'like' button if you're on Facebook.

Fashion in Film Blogathon: 10 Outfits I Would Love To Find in my Wardrobe

2011-09-24T22:08:00.001+01:00

... and then find that they looked as good on me as on the original wearers.

I'm not the most fashion conscious person you will ever meet. In fact, I don't follow, or know the slightest bit about, fashion at all. I wear what I like and what I'm comfortable in. So, don't be expecting all of the following outfits to be haute couture. I see a dress, it looks nice, that's that.

Deborah Kerr's "Shall We Dance" dress from The King and I

I've loved this dress ever since I was a little girl and secretly I'm hoping that one day I'll be able to own it myself (provided the person who bought in the auction last year lets me have it ;D). In the past I've said that if I ever get married I want my wedding dress to be a replica of this but I'm not sure I'd get down the aisle.

Eleanor Parker's ball gown from The Sound of Music

Again, this is another dress I've loved since I was a little girl. The way it looks on Eleanor just takes my breath away - I want to sit and look at her forever.

Debbie Reynold's "Good Morning" dress from Singin' in the Rain

This has to be the cutest film costume ever! I love everything about it, and, out of all the dresses on the list, I think it's the only one that would look OK on me. I subconsciously drift towards anything that resembles this little number when clothes shopping, and one day I'm sure I'll find my perfect "Good Morning" dress.

Deborah Kerr's white floaty dress from An Affair to Remember

I love the way Deborah's gorgeous red hair looks with this dress and the way the dress glides along with her. It's so simple yet so absolutely beautiful at the same time, much like Deborah herself.

Audrey Hepburn's black lace dress (and mask) from How To Steal a Million

I have no words for this stunning dress (and mask ;D). It makes me want to cry.*

Marilyn Monroe's black dress from The Misfits

The first time I saw Marilyn in this it took my breath away, and still does, as a matter of fact. The simplicity of it coupled with the perfect fit, the hair, and that beautiful face, just makes me gasp.

Joan Crawford's decorating outfit from Mildred Pierce

Now THIS is what I call an outfit. I'm pretty sure that she could have made the whole decorating job a bit easier if she'd worn a pair of trousers (how do you even get up a stepladder in a pencil skirt?!) but this outfit won my heart from the first moment I saw it. I've been searching for a button front skirt like Joan's for months and the nearest I've got is this. Someday, I am going to decorate a house Joan Crawford style (minus the flawless face and legs.... which brings me to another point, WHO CLIMBS A LADDER TO DECORATE WHILST WEARING HEELS?!).

Audrey Hepburn's little black dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's.

I have never been too fussed with Audrey's long, black dress from the beginning of the film, but this one is pure love. I have a dress that I call my "Holly Golightly" dress because it sort of (not really) resembles this one. I know it's a bit of a cliché but no one does the LBD like Audrey Hepburn.

Eleanor Parker's barbecue dress from Home From the Hill

You know how Anne of Green Gables is always moaning about how it's her lifelong sorrow that she can't wear pink because she's a carrot top? Well, Eleanor Parker is living proof that you can be a redhead and wear pink, and what's more, look absolutely ravishing in it. '50s dresses with full skirts are my weakness, I absolute love them (it's the way they whooosh and rustle).

Grace Kelly's evening dress from High Society

I may not be a fan of Grace Kelly, but there's not denying she wore some really beautiful dresses in her 11 films. Her dresses in Rear Window are all really gorgeous but this stunning dress from High Society takes the cake.

Special Wardrobe Mentions To:

Deborah Kerr's entire wardrobe from Dream Wife

and

Greer Garson's entire wardrobe from Mrs. Miniver

*Disclaimer: I don't actually weep over dresses. Or over any items of clothing. Well, I haven't for a long time at least...

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This is an entry for the Fashion in Film Blogathon hosted by The Hollywood Revue

CMBA Guilty Pleasures Movie Blogathon: Count Your Blessings (1959)

2011-09-20T23:05:00.000+01:00

I'll be the first to admit that when it comes to my favourite actresses' films I usually spend most of the film peeping over the top of my wannabe film critic's glasses because I just can't find it in me to judge their films, especially if they're stinkers. Deborah Kerr's 1959 film Count Your Blessings is no exception.

I first saw it 4 or 5 years ago when a very kind soul uploaded it to YouTube, along with many other rare Deborah films. Despite it's terrible and often utterly ridiculous script, it was love at first sight. I watched it over and over again and even transferred parts of it to my tiny mp4 player so I could watch it whenever I wanted.

Rated 4.4 on IMDb, I certainly wasn't drawn to it for it's rank among the great classics (although 4 years ago I probably wasn't as discerning as I am now in regards to film. Wait, who am I kidding? I still feel no sense of shame in admitting that I like live action Disney films more than most of the films I've ever seen...). What I was drawn to, however, was Grace (Deborah) and Charles' (Rossano Brazzi) whirlwind romance and everything that ensued: English girl meets dashing Frenchman during WWII, they get married, he goes off to serve his country, she has a baby, he doesn't come back for 9 years, she then finds out he's been having affairs all over the globe, she gets mad, he gets mad, they get a divorce, their son decides that he likes the amount of affection he gets through the divorce so purposefully keeps them apart, but everything works out all fine and dandy in the end because rubbish films can't afford to be Debbie Downers (no pun intended).

All of that is beside the point though, the most important part of this brain-fryingly awfully wonderful film is the astonishing beauty of Deborah Kerr. Although Deborah looking disgustingly gorgeous is nothing knew, I think you tend to notice and appreciate it even more when it's the only thing, other than the cute, French guy's (You know who I mean! The one who pops up in every film set in France. Thank 'eavens for leetle girls!) accent, keeping you sane (even if you don't realise that you're going insane because you're actually revelling in this rotten mess of a film). Usually Brazzi would be a keeper of the sane too, but in CYB he is more detestable than that woman who stole Captain von Trapp away from the Baroness. I want to bite him.

Looking beautiful, as always.

So, yes, this is definitely one of my favourite guilty pleasure films. I can't write that much about a film which only has a vague outline of a plot and no interesting, flamboyant characters (à la Auntie Mame or Winifred Banks) but if you're a massive fan of Deborah, you really should check it out and maybe you'll end up loving it as much as I do! If you're not a fan, you should probably avoid it - unless you're a masochist.

With the nice, French guy.

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Written as part of the CMBA Guilty Pleasures Movie Blogathon

Classic Film Q&A With... My Grandparents!

2011-09-16T20:38:00.001+01:00

For the second instalment in my "Classic Film Q&A With..." series, I interviewed my Grandma (my Dad's Mum) and my step-Granddad, both of who have been mentioned on my blog in the past when I've had interesting classic film conversations with them. Once again I'll be using the pseudonym "Gordon" for my step-Granddad. Hope you enjoy!

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Which genre of film do you most like to watch?

Grandma: Oh, I like a thriller!
Gordon: I like things like Knights of the Round Table...
Me: Like swashbucklers?
Gordon: Yes.

What is your favourite classic film?

Grandma: My favourite is Gone With the Wind.
Me: That wasn't obvious at all! (she's always talking about it ;D)
Gordon: I like a lot of films. The Count of Monte Cristo and Moby Dick.
Grandma: I like Mutiny on the Bounty with Marlon Brando. And On the Seafront too.
Me: On the Waterfront...
*everyone starts laughing*
Gordon: A Tale of Two Cities was good too.

Your favourite actor and your favourite actress?

Grandma: James Dean...
Gordon: Who was him who played in those swashbuckling films?
Grandma: Errol Flynn?
Gordon: No, there was another one.
Me: Tyrone Power?
Gordon: Yeah! I liked him.
Me: What about your favourite actresses?
Grandma: Bette Davis!
Gordon: Marilyn Monroe.
Grandma: But she couldn't act much. Bette Davis was the best actress I think. And Vivien Leigh and Lauren Bacall.
Gordon: Her with the red hair...
Grandma: Maureen O'Hara! And there was... Rachel Roberts. She was a really good actress.

What is the first classic film you remember watching?

Grandma: Gone With the Wind.
Gordon: (The Adventures of) Robin Hood was the first I think I saw.
Grandma: We were all crying when we went to see Gone With the Wind.

Your favourite musical?

Grandma: Oh, that one where he sings... *starts singing* some enchanted evening!
Me: South Pacific!
Grandma: That's it. What about you, Gordon?
Gordon: I like Oklahoma!.
Grandma: Oh, and Seven Brides For Seven Brothers! I love Howard Keel singing in that.
*we all start singing Bless Your Beautiful Hide*

Your favourite decade for films?

Grandma: Oh, definitely the 1950s.
Gordon: Yes, the 1950s.

~Musical Interlude during which we sing George Formby songs~

Joan Crawford or Bette Davis?

Grandma: Bette Davis. Joan was a very bad woman. She used to kill (she didn't mean she used to murder them rather, abuse them) her adopted children!
Me: She didn't! There is plenty of evidence of old Hollywood actresses who were friends saying that they never saw the side to her* that her daughter said about... *long winded rant about the subject*
Grandma: Eee, she must have made it all up... and she wrote that book about her!

Favourite Hitch film?

Grandma: Pyscho and The Birds.
Gordon: The Birds yeah.

Do you have anything to say about silent film?

Grandma: I don't know, I never went to one. I can't remember them.
Gordon: They were just a bit before us.

Who is the King of '60s cool: Paul Newman or Steve McQueen?

Grandma and Gordon: Paul Newman.

Trivia question time! Who said "The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder."?

Grandma: Alfred Hitchcock. (She got this straight away. Needless to say, I was very impressed!)

* I know there are other actors and actresses who said they did apparently witness abuse, but... I will always be very dubious. That being said, Mommie Dearest is a highly enjoyable film as long as you don't take it too seriously. THIS AIN'T MY FIRST TIME AT THE RODEO!

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Thanks for reading! I had such fun with this interview and there were so many little anecdotes that I didn't include just because I couldn't do them justice when I typed them out. You may have noticed I missed out a lot of the questions about how well they knew my love of classic film. This was because, whilst everyone in my family knows I love the classics, pretty much only my immediate family could answer those questions.

Sorry I haven't posted in over week. My laptop fan decided to die over the weekend and then come back to life so I couldn't really write any posts. Hopefully I'll be back to posting more regularly again soon. Also, thank you to all the people who volunteered to write Box Set Monday posts, I'll be sending you emails soon to work it all out! :)

She's Expecting You (14 year old Sophie strikes again)

2011-09-06T15:25:00.004+01:00

About a month ago I posted an essay on Deborah Kerr that I had written when I was 14 and today I have another treat (*cough*) in store for you also about Deborah and also written when I was 14. This time it's a composition and rather fanciful but I used to hope with all my heart that one day the story would come true! I've left all the spelling and grammatical errors intact so you can read it in it's fully glory! ;D

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She's Expecting You

As I stepped off the train and walked through London, my heart was beating wildly. I eventually reached my destination and walked past the door two or three times before plucking up the courage to knock. A lady in her mid-fifties opened the door, and, as we were walking up the hallway, said to me, "She's been expecting you all morning and thought you weren't coming." I replied that my train was an hour behind time. We came to a white door that was slightly ajar and through which I could hear Vera Lynn singing "The White Cliffs of Dover" on a record. as I walked into the room the lady said, "Mother, this is Miss W---," and left the room. It was a light, airy, and pretty room, and there were lots of cushions on the window seat and comfortable looking chairs were placed around the fire. In one of these chairs sat the lady whom I had come to see, Deborah Kerr. She smiled at me and said, "I'm so pleased you could come. I would get up if I could but unfortunately I can't. I hope you didn't get to wet in the rain. Please s it down." The morning and afternoon passed very quickly and when it was time to leave Miss Kerr asked me to come and I promised her I would. I got on the train a very happy person, and went home.

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Hope you enjoyed my wishful, little story and I'll try and dig out some of my old classic film related essays and compositions for future posts :D

P.S. You may have noticed that I've changed the commenting system from blogger's own to disquis because a few people have mentioned over the last few months that they've had trouble commenting through blogger. I hope this will make things a bit easier!

Box Set Monday #9: Maureen O'Hara

2011-09-05T23:30:00.001+01:00

The rules for "Box Set Monday" are that the box sets can only be created for the actors and actresses who don't already have them, so people like Bette Davis, Cary Grant etc. are immediately out, but seeing as it's my series, I'm going to make an exception for someone who does already have a box set, albeit an absolutely rubbish one. The lucky star (*cough*), who joins Deborah and Greer for "box setted" red heads, is Maureen O'Hara! I own the only box set manufactured for the great Irish lady and I can honestly say it is one of the worst you could ever buy. It contains The Quiet Man, Our Man in Havana, Lady Godiva, Against All Flags, Rio Grande, and The Rare Breed. The first two films I absolutely love, but the other four... well, let's just say I don't know what the manufacturers were thinking when they chose them! So, yes, today I'm going against the Box Set Monday rules and making a box set for an actress who already has one.

Contains:

Sentimental Journey, 1946

Miracle on 34th Street, 1947

The Quiet Man, 1952

Our Man in Havana, 1959

The Parent Trap, 1961

Only the Lonely, 1991

Sentimental Journey is a sentimental (no, really?), tear-jerking melodrama about a young actress who, after finding out she has a terminal heart condition, decides to adopt a little girl so that her husband will not be alone when she herself inevitably dies. It's sickly sweet and probably not to everyone's taste but I think it's a necessary film for all Maureen fans to see, especially since it's one of the great lady herself's personal favourites.

I have to admit that the first version of Miracle on 34th Street I saw was the 1994 remake which I still absolutely love (Elizabeth Perkins + Richard Attenborough = fantasmagoricalness), but you can hardly make a Maureen O'Hara box set (even if it isn't actually real) without mentioning the wonderful, magical 1947 original. So don't wait until December to watch the sweetest Christmas film in the world about a determined young lawyer who proves to the cynical young woman he is in love with that Santa Clause is real (who really doubted that though? Not me...)!

In my opinion, you have a bit of nerve to call yourself a classic film fan if you haven't seen The Quiet Man ;D It's one of my favourite films of all time; everything about it is absolutely perfect, from the gorgeous scenery (luscious, green Irish countryside) to Maureen's fantastic performance as the young, fiery Mary Kate Danaher and John Wayne's equally fantastic Sean Thornton. Impetuous! Homeric!

Our Man in Havana is a brilliant film about an English expat, Jim Wormold (Alec Guiness) living in Havana with his daughter Milly, who accepts an offer to recruit a network of agents for the British Secret Service. Although the film is not primarily about Maureen's character, she does do a really wonderful job playing Jim's assistant/secretary.

There's nothing I can say about The Parent Trap that I haven't said before. I'm sure most of my readers know that it is one of my very favourite films and that I can watch it over and over again without getting tired of it. It's a really sweet, almost poignant at times, film about a pair of twins (both played by the always amazing Hayley Mills) who were separated not long after birth and meet by chance at a summer camp where they discover their connection and plot to get their divorced parents back together.

Yep, you're right, I included a film made later than 1970 in the box set. If you've seen Only the Lonely, then you'll know why I just had to include it. Maureen is unfathomably fabulous as John Candy's fierce Irish mother who disapproves rather strongly to her son's new girlfriend (Ally Sheedy), a Sicilian. It mixes comedy with a bit of melodrama, so keep the tissues handy! Oh, and did I mention that Maureen does a bit of Karate on an plane? (I really don't know if it's Karate but it's pretty nifty anyway! ;D)

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Thanks for reading, everyone! Unfortunately, I can only do so many box sets myself because there isn't an inexhaustible list of actresses whose films I've seen enough of to create well rounded box sets, so I'm going to have to end the series (or put it on the shelf for a few months) in a couple weeks unless there are any more people who would like to participate. If you would like to write a "Box Set Monday" post, leave a comment, drop me an email, tweet me etc. and we'll take it from there :D

5 Mini Reviews of Brilliant Films

2011-09-04T21:14:00.001+01:00

Rating System
★★★★★ = watch it immediately because you need this film in your life
★★★★ = watch it soon
★★★ = watch it sometime
★★ = watch it if you must
★ = watch it if you want to waste a couple of hours of your life

Sadie Thompson, 1928 (Raoul Walsh)

The stars: Gloria Swanson, Lionel Barrymore, Raoul Walsh
The story: Sadie Thompson, a "fallen woman", arrives at Pago Pago just after Alfred Davidson, an extremist missionary, has also arrived. In an attempt to convert her, Davidson confronts Sadie and offers her salvation if she will renounce her evil ways.
The verdict: Although her praises are most often sung for Sunset Boulevard, I believe Swanson's performance as the young yet weary prostitute Sadie Thompson is much greater. She played the character with such intensity and such capability that I was quite blown away. Lionel Barrymore gives a wonderful performance, but I think Walter Huston made a better Davidson in the 1932 remake, Rain. I would definitely recommend this film to someone as a silent film "starter".
The rating: ★★★★★

If You Could Only Cook, 1935 (William A. Seiter)

The stars: Jean Arthur, Herbert Marshall
The story: Can you buttle? The executive of a hugely successful car company meets a young, unemployed woman whilst sitting on a park bench brooding over his impending marriage. The young woman, thinking that he is also unemployed, convinces him to apply for a job with her and so they become butler and cook for the eccentric mobster, Mike Rossini.
The verdict: I really didn't expect to love this film as much as I did, but the whole premise and the warmth of Jean and Herbert's acting just captivated me from the start. Eep, Jean is just too adorable - as always! It's such a sweet little film, I highly recommend it!
The rating: ★★★★

These Three, 1936 (William Wyler)

The stars: Miriam Hopkins, Merle Oberon, Joel McCrea
The story: When a pupil tells a vindictive lie to her grandmother, schoolteachers Martha and Karen's lives are disrupted and completely upturned.
The verdict: A brilliant film that really makes you think about how seemingly small things can completely alter people's lives, this is without a doubt one of the best I've seen this year. It was my first Merle Oberon film and I'm definitely going to be checking her filmography out because I loved her in it. All of the actors (including the child actors) gave spectacular performances.
The rating: ★★★★★

I'll Be Seeing You, 1944 (William Dieterle

The stars: Ginger Rogers, Joseph Cotten, Shirley Temple, Spring Byington
The story: A soldier suffering from shell shock and a young woman on a ten-day leave from prison meet on a train during the Christmas holidays. They strike up a friendship which very swiftly turns into romance.
The verdict: I finally got around to watching this after Audrey recommended it in her Box Set Monday post, and I can safely say that I was not at all disappointed. It's a beautiful, sweet story and I know I'll be watching it over the Christmas holidays. Ginger and Joseph compliment each other so well, which is definitely not something I expected!
The rating: ★★★★

Possessed, 1947 (Curtis Bernhardt)

The stars: Joan Crawford, Van Heflin, Raymond Massey
The story: Louise wanders the streets of LA asking if anyone has seen a man called David, before eventually collapsing from exhaustion. She is taken to a nearby hospital and, while under the care and supervision of a psychiatrist, reveals the story of how she came to be in such a tragic state.
The verdict: I knew about half an hour into the film that this was going to take Mildred Pierce's place for my favourite Joan film. This woman can do no wrong! Her portrayal of Louise is absolutely spot on, she expresses so many emotions throughout the film and does so in such a quiet, beautiful way. Joan was nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award for the picture and she really should have won. Go and watch it right now!
The rating: ★★★★★

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Thanks for reading!

Classic Film Q&A With... My Mum!

2011-09-02T13:39:00.000+01:00

"Classic Film Q&A Time With..." is a new series on my blog in which I will "interview" members of my family and my non-classic film nerd friends to hear their opinions of classic film. I'll probably change the questions slightly for each person, but at the end of each interview there will be an unchangeable section of questions to see how well they know me and my classic film loving ways. The first person to be interviewed is my wonderful mother who is responsible for my love of classic musicals which my love of classic film in general sprung from. Hope you enjoy!

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Mum's answers are in red and my comments in italicised black.

Which genre of film do you most like to watch?

Well, I like light films...

That's not a genre.

I don't like films that I have to really work at, my brain needs a rest it works so much the rest of the time!

You like romantic comedies, don't you?

I like comedies, not particularly romantic ones. I like clean comedies. Good old-fashioned humour. No swearing,

What is your favourite classic film? Least favourite?

"The Adventures of Robin Hood". I like war films too: "Reach For the Sky", "The Dam Busters", "Dunkirk". I can't remember any of the films I don't like, if I don't like them I won't watch them again.

What about films that we've watched together?

Oh, you mean like "Julia Misbehaves"?

Yeah, you didn't like that.

I didn't really like "The African Queen" either.

Favourite classic actors and actresses?

I like Errol Flynn, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Kenneth More, Dirk Bogarde, Cary Grant, Jack Hawkins, Walter Matthau, David Niven, Peter Ustinov. I quite like Paul Newman. I like Robert Redford but it's his moustache that I don't like!

OK, I think we've got enough actors. Favourite actresses?

I don't mind Olivia de Havilland, Doris Day... I don't mind Deborah Kerr *I swear I didn't make her say that ;D*. Debbie Reynolds. Greer Garson was good in "Mrs. Miniver". Oh, Googie Withers!

Are you more like Oscar or Felix? (the perennial "The Odd Couple" question!)

I'm probably more like Felix.

What is the first classic film you remember watching?

It would probably be a Buster Keaton film. I remember watching Buster Keaton films and Westerns. I can't remember any specific ones though.

Your favourite musical?

"Fiddler on the Roof" and then, there's so many! I like "The King and I" and I like "The Sound of Music"... "Singin' in the Rain".

Seven...

Oh yes! "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers"! How could I forget that one?!

Your favourite decade for classic film?

Probably the '50s... or the '40s.

Joan Crawford or Bette Davis? To make it easier, you can pick either pepsi or coke.

Pepsi.

Ok, that's Joan Crawford. She was the Pepsi Queen!

Favourite Hitch film?

I can't pick one because I haven't seen that many and I don't like them. They all leave me feeling "ugh" at the end. I can't say I've got a favourite because I haven't liked any that I've watched.

Do you have anything to say about silent film?

*seals lips*

Ok, nothing.

The music's always the same.

...

Who is the King of '60s Cool: Paul Newman or Steve McQueen?

Paul Newman.

A classic film you think you should have seen but haven't yet?

Like I said before, there's "Casablanca" and I'm sure there are others.

I've probably made you sit through a lot of classic films over the years, do any of these occasions stick out in your mind?

No.

Mum! There must be!

Do you mean a particular film? Oh, "The King and I" that you used to watch over and over again. And "The Sound of Music".

Now let's see how well you know me.

After Deborah Kerr, who are my next three favourite actresses?

Greer Garson.

Yep.

Joan Crawford? Oh, Barbara Stanwyck! Maureen O'Hara? No, I didn't think so. Is it Claudette... Clara? Debbie Reynolds? Which side of the Atlantic? The American side. Not Joan Fontaine? Is she still alive? Zsa Zsa? Doris Day?

You're really scraping the barrel now!

I'm just thinking of any! I've got two already!

I'll give you a hint: we were just talking about a film that she was in back in the "classic films I've made you sit through" question.

Julie Andrews?

Close, but no.

Ohh! Katharine Hepburn?

No...

Eleanor... Baroness Schraeder!

Yes, finally!

What is one of my top five Deborah Kerr films?

Well...

You can't say "The King and I"!

"An Affair To Remember"?

No.

"Tea and Sympathy"? "Heavens! Mr. Allison", "Good Gracious, Mr. Allison" or whatever you call it!!

*we both dissolve into laughter*

"The Sundowners"?

Yes!

Can you name four of my absolute favourite classic films?

"The Sound of Music"! "The Dam Busters"?

Yes and no.

"The Great Escape"?

Yep.

"From Here To Eternity"? "Mrs. Miniver"?

Yes!

What is my favourite classic war film?

"The Dam Busters"... "The Great Escape"?

Yes.

Disney live action films are my not-so-guilty pleasure, but which to are my favourites?

"The Parent Trap" and... "The Ugly Dachshund"!!

At the beginning of the year I watched the Danish tv series "Matador" and discovered a Danish actress who is now one of my favourite classic actresses of all time. What is her name?
I might not get it exactly right, is it... Helena Virkner?

Almost! It's Helle Virkner.

Finally, how many classic films do you think I've seen so far this year?

I dread to think! Hmm... 200?

217, very close!

Trivia question! Who said "The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder."?

You.

No, but yes, it could very well have been something I'd have said.

Was it a man or a woman?

A man. You have three clues and you've used one of them.

Go on, give me another.

He's not an actor.

He's a director? Hitchcock? Well, the only other director I know is Spielberg and it wouldn't be him!

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it and don't forget to check back for the next interview soon!