5 Mini Reviews of Brilliant Films

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!

Box Set Monday #4: Ginger Rogers (Special Guest Post)

For the fourth "Box Set Monday" post, I am super duper excited to introduce to the first guest poster this blog has ever had, the marvellous Audrey of Fedoras and High Heels! 

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Hello, readers-of-Sophie’s-wonderful-blog! I am honored to be doing a guest post on here this week for the “Box Set Monday” feature! The subject of my imaginary box set will be six of my favorite films starring the multi-talented Ginger Rogers.

As you can probably imagine, it is difficult to select six essential films from an actress who appeared in over seventy films (or was it eighty?). I tried to pick a variety of roles that showcase Ginger’s many talents and give viewers a good introduction to her filmography.

Ginger Rogers’ Box Set

Contains:

Carefree, 1938

Bachelor Mother, 1939

Primrose Path, 1940

Stage Door, 1937

The Major and the Minor, 1942

I'll Be Seeing You, 1944

Although Ginger is best known today as being the dancing partner of Fred Astaire, you’ll notice that Carefree is the only one of their collaborations to make this list. While I do (by all means, do!) recommend viewing the other nine films they made together, I chose this one because the plot largely showcases Ginger—especially her comedic talents. Of course, there are also some wonderful dances between her and Fred, so you get a sampling of what made their iconic pairing so great.

In Bachelor Mother, when Ginger’s character gets stuck with a newborn baby, her boss at work assumes that she is an unwed mother. Basically, this film is just a great deal of fun. The plot is ridiculously delightful and David Niven has wonderful chemistry with Ginger.

You’ll notice that while Ginger’s Oscar-winning role of Kitty Foyle did not make the list, her other 1940 film—Primrose Path—did. That’s because I actually like this one better, and I think Ginger gives a finer performance. (I realize that may be an unpopular opinion, so feel free to disagree!). Considering that the Production Code was in effect, this film deals with some taboo subjects. But it manages to do so without resorting to a lot of stereotypes. Ginger gives a really natural, subtle performance that I consider one of the finest of her career. As an interesting side note, she dyed her hair brunette to de-glamorize (is that even a word?) for the role.

Stage Door is a marvelous drama (with some comedy thrown in) about a boarding house of aspiring actresses. I especially love Ginger in this because she gets some great lines and goes toe-to-toe with Katharine Hepburn without blinking an eye. The dynamic between the actresses in this is is snappy, sometimes catty, but always entertaining. How could it not be with a cast that, in addition to Ginger and Kate, includes a young Ann Miller, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden, and Gail Patrick?

Okay, so Ginger really doesn’t look twelve here, but The Major and the Minor is such laugh-out-loud funny comedy that it’s okay (plus, it’s all kind of explained in the story). I especially love how Ginger has to bounce between her real age and pretending to be a twelve-year-old (as you can see in the photos). Oh, and there’s even a scene where she pretends to be her grandmother!

I'll Be Seeing You is a tender and unlikely love story of a shell-shocked WWII veteran and a wrongly accused convict. I love this film because it has a very quiet and honest feel to it. Some people may call it sentimental, but I think the the strength of the performances brings a depth to the characters and keeps it from being too sappy. I’m not really sure how else to describe this film...except that you need to see it! Though it takes place during Christmas, don’t expect a typical holiday movie. :)

So that's it for my imaginary box set. Be sure to chime in with your favorite Ginger films in the comments! 

That was a lot of fun! Thanks for having me, Sophie. I love reading your blog and especially enjoy your contagious enthusiasm for classic films! :D

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Thank you so much for such a great post, Audrey :) I loved reading your summaries and, being shamefully lacking in knowledge of Ginger films, I'm looking forward to watching those that I haven't seen - especially Bachelor Mother and Primrose Path! It's been a real pleasure having you, Audrey! :D

Like always, if any of you would like to write a "Box Set Monday" post, just leave me a comment, send me an email, tweet me, send a carrier pigeon etc. and we'll see what we can do! ;D 

Thanks for reading and please check out my 5 mini film reviews post from yesterday!

My Favourite Dance Numbers (well, some of them...)

I love dancing. I love participating in it, and I love watching it - I get so caught up in it that I have been known to join in the barn dancing in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, and MANY of the scenes in Singin' In the Rain. Therefore, I thought it high time I shared with you some of my favourite dance numbers. Prepare to be blown away!

Pick Yourself Up (Instrumental) - Swing Time (Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers)

This is my absolute favourite Fred and Ginger number. The energy, the grace, the music, the way Ginger glides over that fence...perfection.

The Barn Dance - Seven Brides For Seven Brothers

This is just EPIC....and I wasn't kidding when I said that I've been known to get up and dance to this ;D Can you imagine this scene in a modern film? *laughs*

Make Way For Tomorrow - Cover Girl (Rita Hayworth, Gene Kelly, Phil Silvers)

I'd actually completely forgotten about this scene (I haven't seen Cover Girl for quite a few years...the DVD arrived today though, so I'll be remedying that ;D ) but Sara, whom I'm sure some of you know, asked me if I was going to put this in...so, thank you, Sara, for making sure this amazing dance number got onto the list! :D

All of You - Silk Stockings (Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse)

UGH. A huge chunk of perfection right there. *drools*

Moses Supposes - Singin' In the Rain (Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFxWkUkUsQA

(None of the Singin' in the Rain videos will embed, so, if you want to watch them you'll have to click ;) )

HAVE YOU SEEN THEIR FEET MOVING? Tap dancing mesmerises me...probably because I'm rubbish at it. Kudos to Donald for keeping up with Gene!

Rich Man's Frug - Sweet Charity

Fosse. Fosse. Fosse. That is all.

The Red Blues - Silk Stockings (Cyd Charisse)

I've said this before, and I'll say it again, Cyd Charisse is my favourite dancer. She is AMAZING. This is one of my favourite "Cyd Scenes" because she makes it so utterly FABULOUS without any flashy costumes/scenery. Also, her skirt mesmerises me...

Abraham - White Christmas (Vera Ellen and John Brascia)

I still WOW at this scene, even though I've seen it many, many times. They make dancing so terrifyingly fast look so easy!

Let Yourself Go - Follow the Fleet (Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers)

Do I really need to say more? It's Fred and Ginger, Ginger and Fred, Amazing and Brilliant, Brilliant and Amazing. Don't you agree? :D

Audrey Hepburn's Interpretive Dance - Funny Face

This is such an ageless number. It's always going to feel as complete as it does now, I'm sure. Audrey is fabulous, both in her dancing and her costume. I just adore this!

Broadway Melody - Singin' In the Rain (Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YWBOfsXsDA

This was the first film I ever saw Cyd in, and I've adored her ever since. I love the whole dance sequence, but it's 15 minutes long and there aren't any videos of it all on youtube, unfortunately. Oh, and then there are the intriguing missing frames around 2:40 - 2:45 - I'd love to see the dance with those few frames intact!

Puttin' On the Ritz - Blue Skies (Fred Astaire)

Only Fred can pick up a stick without bending down. Fred doesn't go to the stick, the stick goes to Fred. Fred is a god. This is why his dance numbers need no reason to be A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

Dancing In the Dark - The Band Wagon (Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse)

The elegance, grace and beauty this dance number conjures up is astonishing. I have no words to describe it...just a huge amount of love! :)

Dem Bones Cafe Scene - The Band Wagon (Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse)

This dance number is from the same film as the previous one and it couldn't be more different. It's snappy, it's colourful...and it's utterly fantastic! :) Cyd is astonishing...

Good Morning - Singin' In the Rain (Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU2zoQ8gV-s

A couple of years ago I used to listen to this song every morning to get me ready for the day ahead! It mostly did the trick!! It's so sunny, cheerful, and optimistic that you can't help but feel a little brighter when you hear/see it! :)

Waltz In Swing Time - Swing Time (Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers)

I know this is supposed to be on of the greatest Fred and Ginger routines, and, well, I don't know about that as I'm no dancer/choreographer, but I do know that it gives me chills watching this. All those days spent perfecting the number certainly paid off...it's absolutely magnificent!

THE END

;D So, that took up quite a large amount of my time, but I think it was worth it. There you have 17 of my favourite dance numbers. Why 17? I'm not entirely sure, they're just the first ones that came to mind. There are MANY more dance numbers that I love, so perhaps I'll make another list about them sometime :D

Photo of the Day

Ginger and Kate in Stage Door. I absolutely LOVE this film -I mean, come on, Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden...what's not to love!?

Photo of the Day

Ginger, how I love you! This is one of my favourite photos of Ginger, and one of my favourite photos of all time. It's just perfect in so many ways. She looks lovely and relaxed and...just wonderful! :')

Happy Birthday, Ginger! (and no, I haven't forgotten about Barbara!)

Happy 99th birthday, Ginger!! ♥ I may not be your biggest fan, but I still think you're fabulous! And just to prove it, you can have a birthday post and a Photo of the Day all in one!

Let's PARTY!

I'm hoping that I'm not the only person who gets far too excited for film star's birthdays!! Well, I only get excited for classic film star's birthdays - except David Tennant's, with whom I share my birthday...so, that doesn't really count!

Anyway, as I'm sure most of you know, tomorrow is the AMAZING Barbara Stanwyck's birthday! She would have been 103, can you believe it!?

I'll be making a special birthday post for her, and I'll also be watching a couple of her films! I have a feeling that my Babswyck ( ;D ) box set will be delivered tomorrow as it was despatched on Monday (over two weeks since I ordered it!!), so, how amazing is that!?

Today, my "rare" films came, and, as I told you yesterday, two of them are Babs' films. So, tomorrow I hope to watch...

...and I may slip in a Ginger film, because it's only fair that I remember her on her birthday too!

Later on this month it's Clara Bow's 105th birthday, so I'm excited for that as well! :) Haha, I honestly don't know why it makes me so happy to celebrate their birthdays, but never mind...

Please tell me it's not just me...