Photo of the Day

This is basically a belated "Happy Birthday" post for the divine Arlene Francis. I adore everything about her, and I feel like a horrible person for not making a birthday post for her on the 20th. However, I did make several birthday posts on Tumblr, so I hope that will placate her! ;D

Happy belated birthday, Arlene!

45 Years On, The Sound of Music Cast Reunite...

Photo from dailymail.co.uk

I'm sure that you've all seen, or at least heard about, the reunion of The Sound of Music cast for the 45th anniversary of the iconic film. They did infact reunited 5 years ago for the 40th anniversary, but Christopher Plummer was not present. So, it was with great excitement that I watched the videos of the reunion, which some wonderful person had uploaded onto You Tube. The only thing which could have made the whole thing a little bit more perfect would have been if Eleanor Parker had been included (and if Oprah had thought of some interesting questions to ask, rather than ones which have been asked a million and one times before...). I knew a few months ago that Eleanor wasn't going to be there, but she had been asked so I'm just glad they didn't forget about her. I completely understand her not wanting to appear at the reunion because she has distanced herself from that world for several years now... but a part of me will always wish she had attended, bringing some of that sorely missed Golden Age glamour and elegance to our t.v. screens.

I've seen The Sound of Music well over 500 times (I guesstimated that number a couple of months ago ;D ) and it's been a huge part of my life since I first saw it aged 4. I have so many happy memories attached to it, and one of my dreams is to go to Austria someday, find an alp, to the top of it and then skip around singing "The hills are alive with the sound of music... with songs they have sung for a thousand years..."!! :') This film always cheers me up - even if just for a few minutes whilst watching Do-Re-Mi or My Favourite Things. I can't imagine a life were I don't have a few lines from I Have Confidence to sing when I'm nervous about something, or where I Climb Ev'ry Mountain doesn't make tears stream down my face. I desperately love The Sound of Music.

During the show, it was mentioned that a book is going to be published next year full of the memories of the cast (I think mainly the children) of the film, and also some rare, or never seen, photographs etc. etc. I can hardly wait to get my hands on it!! The blu ray box set that has been released for the the anniversary also looks stunning, but I don't have a blu ray player so I feel it's rather a huge amount of money to spend on it.

Photo from theblurayblog.com

Here are the videos of the reunion - you might want to watch them as soon as you can because who knows when they'll be taking down from You Tube! I warn you, you will most probably need tissues ;)

It's Survey Time!!

Hello there! I feel like it's been an age since I last posted on here. I've written a few posts, but I just don't seem to be able to articulate what I want to say - so they're stuck in drafts! Anyway, I'm here to do Amanda of A Noodle in a Haystack's fabulous cinema survey! As well as being fun to answer, I'm hoping it might be the key that will gently ease me back into blogging regularly! :D

1. What is your favorite movie starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, excluding all of The Thin Man films?

Libeled Lady

2. Name a screen team that appeared in only one film together but are still noteworthy for how well they complimented each other.

Greer Garson and Ronald Colman in Random Harvest?

3. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' best film together?

Hm, I love ALL of Fred and Ginger's films (YES, that includes The Barkleys of Broadway), but I consider their best film to be Swing Time (1936)

4. Your favorite actor named "Robert"?

Hmm, it's a close call between Robert Taylor and Robert Mitchum.

5. An actor/actress who, when you see one of their movies, you always wish that someone else was in his/her role?

I love both of these actresses in their films, but I sometimes think I'd like to see Deborah Kerr take on some of Greer Garson's films (Random Harvest, Mrs. Miniver, Blossoms in the Dust, Madame Curie) and vice versa. I'd love to see how different, or similar, their performances would be.

6. An actor/actress that someone close to you really loves that you can't stand or vice versa?

I LOVE Barbara Stanwyck, but my Mum finds her really annoying. (I'm trying to convert her... no luck yet, though!)

7. An actor/actress that you both agree on completely?

Errol Flynn :D

8. Complete this sentence: Virginia O'Brien is to Ethel Merman as...

...I have no idea? LOL, I'm so unimaginative...

9. What is your favorite film starring Ray Milland?

Hm, Dial M For Murder and Arise, My Love.

10. You had to have seen this one coming: what is your favorite movie of the 1960s?

Probably...

11. An actor/actress that you would take out of one film and put into a different movie that was released the same year?

I'd take Maureen O'Hara out of Everything But the Truth and put her in The King and I. I adore Deborah in the role of Anna Leonowens as you all know, but I think it would be really interesting to see how Maureen would play the role. She was, after all, at one point considered for the part, but Rogers and Hammerstein weren't at all fond of the idea!

12. Who was your favorite of Robert Montgomery's leading ladies?

Carole Lombard in Mr. and Mrs. Smith

13. You think it would have been a disaster if what movie starred the actor/actress who was originally asked to star in it?

I'm not sure it would have been a disaster, but I think if Joan Crawford had played Karen Holmes in From Here To Eternity it wouldn't have been as big a success as it was. I love Joan, but I think she would have been too much for the role.

14. An actor/actress who you will watch in any or almost any movie?

Deborah Kerr and Greer Garson.

15. Your favorite Leslie Howard film and role?

I'm not really a Leslie Howard fan... probably Henry Higgins in Pygmalion - even though I hated the film!

16. You have been asked to host a marathon of four Barbara Stanwyck films. Which ones do you choose?

Baby Face, Christmas in Connecticut, Lady of Burlesque and No Man of Her Own. I WANT TO PICK MORE!

17. What is, in your mind, the nearest to perfect comedy you have ever seen? Why?

It really depends on how you define perfect. If, by perfect, you mean everyone loves it... I might go with The Odd Couple. Comedy is always difficult to watch in my house as we all find different types of comedy funny, but when we watched The Odd Couple we were all in stitches, and we had to re-watch some scenes because we loved them so much!

18. You will brook no criticism of what film?

MANY FILMS. The ones that, if criticised, would get me most annoyed are: Mrs. Miniver, Gone With the Wind, An Affair to Remember, The Sound of Music, The Quiet Man, and Breakfast at Tiffany's.

19. Who is your favorite Irish actress?

MAUREEN O'HARA!!

20. Your favorite 1940s movie starring Ginger Rogers?

Kitty Foyle

21. Do you enjoy silent movies?

I REALLY enjoy silent movies! ;D

22. What is your favorite Bette Davis film?

All About Eve, The Star and Marked Woman. I can't pick between them!

23. Your favorite onscreen Hollywood couple?

Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon, without a doubt. I utterly adore them.

24. This one is for the girls, but, of course, the guys are welcome to answer, too: who is your favorite Hollywood costume designer?

Edith Head

25. To even things out a bit, here's something the boys will enjoy: what is your favorite tough action film?

Can I get away with saying North By Northwest?

26. You are currently gaining a greater appreciation for which actor(s)/actress(es)?

Irene Dunne, Norma Shearer, Lillian Gish, Marion Davies, Greta Garbo, Jean Arthur.

27. Franchot Tone: yes or no?

can I say "eh". ;D

28. Which actors and/or actresses do you think are underrated?

Eleanor Parker, Marlene Dietrich, Joan Fontaine, Joan Blondell, Agnes Moorehead, Lucille Ball, Deborah Kerr, Rosalind Russell.

29. Which actors and/or actresses do you think are overrated?

Elizabeth Taylor, Lana Turner, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe.

30. Favorite actor?

Cary Grant

31. Favorite actress?

Deborah Kerr (with Greer Garson, Barbara Stanwyck and Eleanor Parker following closely at her heels)

32. Of those listed, who is the coolest: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Steve McQueen, or Patrick Stewart?

Steve McQueen

33. What is your favorite movie from each of these genres:

UGH, these change ALL the time!

Comedy: The Women

Swashbuckler: Scaramouche

Film noir: Mildred Pierce

Musical: The Sound of Music or The King and I

Holiday: White Christmas

Hitchcock: Suspicion

Thanks for the fun survey, Amanda! :)

Apologies and An Affair To Remember

I feel terrible about not updating my blog more regularly, but I've just had no inspiration whatsoever - I'm so sorry! However, I'm getting more ideas for posts, so hopefully soon I'll start blogging more regularly again. :)

Anyway, this is my An Affair To Remember tribute. I've wanted to make the video for 3 years - ever since I first heard the song and though "This is perfect!"! I'm really pleased I finally got around to making it, and, as today is the 3rd anniversary of Deborah's passing, let's think of it as sort of a memorial to her, yes? ♥

Photo of the Day

Greer relaxing beside the pool.

Summer's over now in England - it's getting colder every day. I do love Autumn and Winter and the cosiness that comes with the cold, the rain, and the snow, but I much prefer Spring and Summer!

Photo of the Day

Ava and Lana looking absolutely stunning! :)

Photo of the Day

Ahhh, that smile!! Rita seems to be having a lot of fun in the snow!! :)

Photo of the Day

Marlene looking thoughtful in a...recording studio, I presume.