Christmas In Connecticut

Christmas In Connecticut
Released Date: August 11, 1945
Director: Peter Godfrey
Actors: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet, Reginald Gardiner, S.Z. Sakall, Robert Shayne, Una O'Connor, Frank Jenks, Joyce Compton, Dick Elliott, and Betty Alexander

     I'll tell you why this is a great Christmas movie. First off, as a person, what do we enjoy? Food? Holiday happiness? Love? Military (no matter where you are)? Well this has everything in it. This is a great film, and one that I have enjoyed many times. When I first saw this movie on a shelf at a store, I didn't think it looked that great. But because of the picture on the DVD case, it did look cute at least. And then I bought it, since it was on sale too. I took it home and watched it. And I fell in love. It is cute, for sure, but it is more than that. It is funny, you can almost taste the food they describe. I hope you'll watch it and fall in love too.

     Jefferson Jones (Dennis Morgan) is stuck on a raft for a few weeks, starving and thirsty. Clearly in the military and waiting for their ship to come in, literally. Along with his partner Sinkewicz (Frank Jenks). Finally saved and being taken care of at a hospital, Jeff is hungry and unable to eat a fulfilling breakfast/lunch/dinner because of how long he was without food. He tries to get a better meal by making his nurse believe he is in love with her.
     Meanwhile, Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck) is a very popular author. She writes a column in a magazine, about making a home made meals in the country for her child and husband. However, she lives in an apartment alone, and in the city. Far away from the country.  Alexander Yardley (Sydney Greenstreet) gets a letter from Jeff's nurse. Alexander is the magazine's top man, and is the boss of Miss. Lane. The nurse wanted to marry Jeff, and figured that the reason he did not want to get married was because he didn't know how wonderful a home cooked meal is, and also how wonderful having a family is. She wants him to spend Christmas with Elizabeth Lane, and to be fed everyday with her wonderful cooking. Thankfully, John Sloan (Reginald Gardiner), who is in love with Elizabeth, also owns a farm in Connecticut. So he proposes to her, and she says okay since she wants to keep her job. Even though she does not love John. So there, Elizabeth, in one big swoop, has a farm, and a husband. All she needs is to learn how to cook, and also a baby. Thankfully John's maid watches a baby for a nearby neighbor and Elizabeth has a friend that cooks for her. Felix Bassenak (S.Z. Sakall) is a cute little guy that is an amazing cook and makes everything that Elizabeth writes about. You will be a happy camper watching this film, and will feel like you really are in the country. Will Elizabeth end up marrying a man she does not love? Will Jeff end up marrying a woman he really doesn't love? Or will the two fall in love, and end up together? Watch and find out :}

Love Crazy

Love Crazy
Released Date: May 23, 1941
Director: Jack Conway
Actors: William Powell, Myrna Loy, Gail Patrick, Jack Carson, Florence Bates, Sidney Blackmer, Sig Ruman, Vladimir Sokoloff, Donald MacBride, Sara Haden, Kathleen Lockhart, Fern Emmett, Joseph Crehan, and George Meeker

     Have you ever seen William Powell without a mustache? Well this happens to be one movie you can watch and see Powell without his mustache. He shaves it during a very Creepy scene where he dresses up as a woman. This also happens to be the tenth movie where Powell and Myrna Loy are paired together. This movie was so great, I just watched it for the first time, and I wanted to share it with you. I have not written about a movie in a while, and thought I would start myself off again with my favorite film couple.

     Setting: Mrs. Cooper (Florence Bates) is on her way to visit her daughter.... Steve Ireland (William Powell) is on his way to have dinner with his wife, on their anniversary might I add.... Susan Ireland (Myrna Loy) is getting ready to have a very special dinner with her husband and to go on their annual walk. The same walk they did on their first night as husband and wife, and now their fourth time coming. Martha (Fern Emmett) is cooking for the Ireland's.... Isobel Kimble Grayson (Gail Patrick) and Ward Willoughby (Jack Carson) are doing their own thing, not together.....

      Scene: Steve is on the elevator to his apartment to have dinner with his bride, when the elevator gets stuck. But the elevator operator gets the wheels in motion again, and Steve gets to the apartment in one piece. The Ireland's are discussing their night plans when all of a sudden, Mrs. Ireland's mother comes in. With a hideous rug and a loud mouth. Mrs. Cooper, Susan's mother, is to meet a relative at the train station but decides to crash the night by eating dinner with them. Mrs. Cooper, meanwhile, asked Steve to mail a letter for her, and he leaves the apartment to go do so. On his way back up he runs into his ex girlfriend, Isobel, on the elevator. She too is married. They get stuck and Steve ends up getting hurt with his head hanging out of the elevator door. So Isobel asks him to her apartment so that she can give him some alcohol and so that he can have a little rest before leaving. When Steve finally gets back, the mother in law is on his tail about the fact that he was in this other woman's apartment. After dinner it is time for Mrs. Cooper to leave and grab the relative but she ends up slipping because of the rug. Now she has a hurt ankle and will need to stay for a couple of hours to rest her legs. So Susan ends up leaving to go get the relative. While Steve stays at home with his mother in law. Steve ends up talking to Isobel again outside, because her apartment is right below, and the deck is right there. Guess who heard the conversation between Isobel and Steve? If you guessed the mother in law, you are correct! Which has poor Susan upset when she returns back home. She decides to teach her husband a lesson by going into Ward Willoughby's apartment. Poor guy had no idea what was happening. What do you think ends up happening? A divorce? A break? Or just a fast makeup? Find out by watching this very cute, very fun and very funny film with the cutest on screen couple.

A Thin Man Christmas

It's almost Christmas. And what a great way to spend it watching Nick and Nora movies. Or as we also call it, a Thin Man Christmas.

 After all, the first Thin Man we see the couple spending Christmas morning together. The best gifts are spending time with family, the Christmas feel, the music, the movies, the lights, the food, the cookies... But for Nick and Nora, you best believe you'll be seeing Alcohol and guns, a Christmas tree and a Christmas party. 

With their one and only dog, Asta. 

Whoa Christmas Tree

Did you know that Bette Davis, when a younger lady, had been playing good ol' Santa Claus and caught her face on fire? Well, at least her beard. Because back in the old days, people put candles on their Christmas Tree's and the Tree had caught on fire. You can imagine what would happen to the dried out pine. 
This is the first picture after the accident.... 

My Top Hitchcock Movies

I am a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock, and any time I want to watch a great movie, I pick him. I love all of his films but I wanted to share with you my favorite picks, so without further ado I give to you my top ten Hitchcock Movies:

1. Psycho: 

2. Shadow Of A Doubt: my favorite

3. Dial "M" For Murder:

4. Rear Window:

5. Rope:

6. North By Northwest:

7. The Birds:

8. Strangers On A Train:

9. Lifeboat:

10. Rebecca:

I Love Hitchcock <3

Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn
Released Date: April 4, 1943
Director: Mark Sandrich
Actors: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale, Walter Abel, Louise Beavers, Irving Bacon, Marek Windheim, James Bell, John Gallaudet, Shelby Bacon, Joan Arnold, and Bob Crosby and His Orchestra

     Bing Crosby's beautiful voice and Fred Astaire's beautiful taps are a treat in this holiday classic. "White Christmas" being Bing Crosby's classic Christmas song was an Academy Award winner for Best Song, and also went on to be one of the biggest selling songs in history. Which is not surprising as it is well sung and well written. Crosby sang this song in four of his movies. Did you know that the set, and actor and composer were used twice. The set can be seen in White Christmas, with Bing Crosby as a main actor, with him singing White Christmas and Irving Berlin wrote songs for both films. You can also witness Fred Astaire doing a Drunk Tap in this movie, and guess what! He really was drunk. He had two drinks of bourbon before the first take was done, and then before every take after that he had one glass of bourbon. The take you saw in the movie was take SEVEN. Can you imagine, that would make it nine drinks of bourbon later and that makes it a real drunk dance. What a great day at work, huh? Can you imagine your boss asking you to have a drink before doing a task?

     Jim Hardy (Bing Crosby), Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire), and Lila Dixon (Virginia Dale) are a famous three man group. Jim and Lila are a couple, at least Jim thinks so. And he asks Lila to marry him and move to the country and live a life of lazy. Lila has other plans. To keep on touring and with her other man, Ted. Jim's heart is broken, but he goes ahead and moves to the country by himself. He no longer wants to tour and most importantly, he is done working all the time. But boy is he wrong that living on a farm equals a lazy life. He works and hard! Jim soon realizes that he can turn his old barn into a nightclub, and the catch? Only to be open on Holidays, all Holidays. And he wants to hire a few people to sing and dance with him. So Jim goes to New York to ask Ted and Lila to come see him when it opens, but then also asks his old manager Danny (Walter Abel) to find him some great acts. Danny ends up running into a girl at a flower shop and gives her Jim's card. Her name is Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds) and she ends up being an amazing girl and who happens to be what Jim needed. They quickly fall in love but all goes haywire when Ted the love blocker comes back into Jim's life. Will Linda leave Jim to go with Ted? There is promise with Ted, a life in Hollywood and Jim is just staying in the country. Find out by watching this Holiday classic today!!!

Mr. Bing Crosby

Wanted to say that I'm dreaming of a White Christmas along with the one and only, Bing.

Turn your PJs around and dance everybody.

What's this Snow I hear?

Have You Ever Wondered What the Snow was made of in all of those early classic films?

Well here's the answer.

Classic Cinema first started out using painted white Corn Flakes. 

Then when It's a Wonderful Life was made, due to the loud noise the flakes made, Frank Capra used foamite with soap and water. The effect... Classic. Which also won an award for the new technology. Pretty cool, huh?

December :)

Love This Month, Happy December!!!

Almost Christmas, and what are your plans?

Which Holiday movies are in your DVD player during this holiday season?

Little Woman:

Christmas In Connecticut:

Abbott and Costello: Hit The Ice:

It's a Wonderful Life:

The Bishop's Wife:

Miracle On 34th Street:

Holiday Affair:

Buy Your Christmas Tree, Get Your Lights Out, Get a Fire Going and watch some holiday classics All Month LONG. Man I love this season.

A Place In The Sun

A Place In The Sun
Released Date: October 11, 1951
Director: George Stevens
Actors: Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Shelley Winters, Anne Revere, Keefe Brasselle, Fred Clark, Raymond Burr, Herbert Heyes, Shepperd Strudwick, Frieda Inescort, and Kathryn Givney

     This movie is based on a book by Theodore Dreiser called An American Tragedy. Which the book was based on a real life story about a man by the name of Chester Gillette. Try to not look up Chester Gillette online before watching the movie, it will give away the ending ;)

     When I think of classic beauty, a few names come to mind... Grace Kelly, Lauren Bacall, Bette Grable and.. You got it, Elizabeth Taylor. Classic handsome falls under Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Clark Gable and.. You got it, Montgomery Clift. The two worked together and became lifelong friends, until Clift's death in 1966. You may have heard about the car accident that involved Montgomery Clift, it was Elizabeth Taylor's house that he was leaving when the accident occurred, and it was Taylor that found him.

     Poor George Eastman (Montgomery Clift), is on his way to see his extremely rich uncle, Charles Eastman (Herbert Heyes). George starts working for his uncle in his factory and tries hard to impress him. The one rule that is given to George, is that he cannot date any of the girls he works with. So what does he do? He ends up dating a coworker, Alice Tripp (Shelley Winters). They go out a few times, and fall in love. George ends up going to a party at his uncles house. He starts to talk to a very attractive and popular girl, Angela Vickers (Elizabeth Taylor). And once again, the boy is in love. Which causes a huge fight between George and Alice. When Alice announces that she is pregnant, she believes that this means marriage with George before she starts to show. A big vacation from work is coming up, and Alice wants that time spent getting married and going on a honeymoon. But Angela wants George to go to her lake house. What will he do? He ends up going to the lake house, but telling Alice that he is going with his uncle, NOT Angela. But a newspaper reveals the truth, and Alice sees what he is really up to. She is not happy, and threatens George and wants to get married right away. What does George do? How does he keep Alice from finding out his second life, or is he able to keep that news away? Find out by watching this very shocking film, based on a true story, a true Love Triangle.

Two-Faced Woman

Two-Faced Woman
Released Date: September 30, 1942
Director: George Cukor
Actors: Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, Constance Bennett, Roland Young, Robert Sterling, Ruth Gordon, Frances Carson, and Robert Alton

     Greta Garbo stars in her last movie that will shock you! This movie is not your normal 1940s film. One that was condemned for the crazy situations and also the scenes, dialogue and even the costumes.

     Lawrence "Larry" Blake (Melvyn Douglas) takes a trip to a ski lodge and meets the woman of his dreams. Karin Borg Blake is a ski instructor and teaches Larry how to keep balance down the steep hills. Before you know it, this fast as lightning movie shows the two married. Which you would have never guessed, as Karin does not seem at all interested in poor Larry. After a conversation with his his coworker Oscar (Roland Young), Larry decides to go back to New York. Which is not at all what the newly married couple had agreed upon in the first place. The two split up while Larry goes to New York for work, and Karin stays near the Lodge during the winter months. After waiting too long and only seeing letters that say "I'm sorry dear, but I'll have to stay another week," Karin decides to go to New York herself. After Mrs. Blake sees her husband with another woman, she decides to pretend that she is her own twin sister and then split her husband and this other woman up! The other woman is Griselda Vaughn (Constance Bennett) who happens to scream every time she does not get what she wants... Which is usually a man. And that man is always Larry.

The Little Princess

The Little Princess
Released Date: March 17, 1939
Director: Walter Lang
Actors: Shirley Temple, Richard Greene, Anita Louise, Ian Hunter, Cesar Romero, Arthur Treacher, Mary Nash, Sybil Jason, Miles Mander, Marcia Mae Jones, and Beryl Mercer

     Shirley Temple was a huge star in the 30s. This would mark her first Technicolor film. Mary Nash has been in a few movies with Temple, the dress she wore in Heidi was used in this movie as well. Watching this movie, you will find yourself tap dancing along, singing, laughing, smiling and crying. This is a Cinderella like story with a hopeful ending.

     Sara Crewe (Shirley Temple) is taken to a private school while her father, Captain Crewe (Ian Hunter) goes to the Boer War. Amanda Minchin (Mary Nash) is the head of the school with money on the mind, and a hard heart. Sara is a happy go lucky girl, with a wonderful imagination. She is loved by a lot of the girls. Though she ends up having one little enemy. She becomes friends with her teacher Rose (Anita Louise), and her boyfriend Geoffrey (Richard Greene), who happens to be her horse back riding teacher. When Geoffrey ends up going to the war, he promises Sara that he will find her father. The war ends around Sara's birthday, and she buys everyone a present, with borrowed money, her father's check is to come and that will take care of all of the presents she bought. Bad news strikes poor Sara's birthday, and she is in a desperate attempt to find her father in the hospital. Will he be there? Watch this adorable movie, with the one and only Shirley Temple.

The Night Of The Hunter

The Night Of The Hunter
Released Date: November 24, 1955
Director: Charles Laughton
Actors: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason, Evelyn Varden, Peter Graves, Don Beddoe, Billy Chapin, Sally Jane Bruce, Gloria Castillo, Emmett Lynn, and Corey Allen

     The movie is a hit now, but when it was first released it was not. The director, Charles Laughton, said that he would never direct a movie again. Which was the truth. This was the director's last film. Robert Mitchum was never one to talk about his career, the different movies he was in, but later on in his life, Mitchum said that this was his favorite movie that he acted in, and that Charles Laughton was his favorite director that he worked with. Mitchum wanted to play a preacher, and wanted this part very badly. Good thing!!! He was perfect for the part. This has a great cast, and one that makes the movie even better. It made it even better, knowing that Mitchum really was in jail at one point. He made it that much more convincing.

     Rachel Cooper (Lillian Gish) starts the movie out. By talking to all of the children she takes care of, explaining life, and that you have to be careful who you let into your life. Taking the bible into the explanation and the wolf in sheep's clothing. After her speech, we go to a preacher, Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum). He is on his way down the road in a car. Talking to the Lord with his knuckles showing the words "Good" and "Evil" written on his fingers. He believes that everything that happens is for a reason, but that all of the things he goes through are God taking him in the directions. Willa Harper (Shelley Winters) has just lost her husband. He had been arrested and hung for murder. Her husband gave money he stole to his children. Who is in the same cell as the husband but Harry Powell. Powell overhears his cell mate talking in his sleep about the money. Powell tries to get the man to tell him where the money is, but never gets the actual location, except that his children know. After Powell gets out of jail, we see him in the same town as the widow and her children. If you said "Uh Oh" you're right. Powell marries Willa and brainwashes her. Powell tries desperately to get the children to talk, and to point him in the direction of the cash. It is a wild ride, and a great movie. Very creepy at times but well worth it. This movie is well directed, and well acted. You'll have goosebumps.

     One of my favorite things about this movie, besides the creepiness of it, is that the coloring in it is amazing. The black and white coloring is creepy and well done. The shading is great, all of it.

Dracula

Dracula 
Released Date: February 14, 1931
Director: Tod Browning
Actors: Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, David Manners, Dwight Frye, Edward Van Sloan, Herbert Bunston, Frances Dade, Joan Standing, and Charles K. Gerrard

      You may have heard the rumor that Bela Lugosi could not speak English very well, and had to learn his lines Phonetically. That was not the case, he actually knew English well enough by this point in his life that he learned all of his lines by himself. You can see Bela Lugosi play Dracula again in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Nowadays, you would never put a light in someones eyes, but in Dracula the cinematographer, Karl Freund, put two pencil spot lights into Bela Lugosi's eyes to make his hypnotic stare more intense. Very well played however, his eyes were intense. Another cool effect: the castle's spider webs were made from shooting rubber cement from a gun, a rotary gun. Also, take a hard listen, the peasants you will see in the inn are praying in Hungarian, they are saying The Lord's Prayer.

     We follow Dracula (Bela Lugosi), of course, as he turns a man that is visiting the Vampire's castle, into a psychotic. Poor Renfield (Dwight Frye), he is scared to no end. Renfield is drug into a sea voyage and from there, a intituition where he can be looked after from now on. The sea voyage takes us to London, where Dracula starts sucking the blood from a young woman by the name of Lucy Weston (Frances Dade), she then becomes a Vampire. Afterwards, he turns his attention to Lucy Weston's friend, Mina Seward (Helen Chandler). Mina has friends on her side, they are doctors trying to take the attention away from Mina so she too, will not turn.

Thanksgiving

I Hope Everyone Had a Happy Thanksgiving :) 

Bette Davis made sure that the service men had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank you Bette Davis for making our troops happy!!! Bette Davis started the Hollywood Canteen, and worked the canteen too. 

Robert Young

I was just watching Father Knows Best and I wanted to write about Robert Young. He was born as Robert George Young on February 22, 1907 in Chicago, Illinois. He was very quiet but always wanted to get into acting. He was getting into a Playhouse before movies in 1931. One of the first movies I ever saw him in was a movie called Navy Blue and Gold. And now, thanks to Netflix, Father Knows Best. He was a fantastic actor. In Navy Blue and Gold, which was made in 1937, he played a young man who wanted to get into the navy to get women. Thinking that the uniform was all he needed, he learned fast that it also takes being a man and a brave man at that. My personal favorite actor, James Stewart starred in the movie with him. In Father Knows Best, Young plays a father who takes care of his wife and kids, life is great and it is a happy home. The show came out and teaches us to be good honest people, just like Robert Young teaches us. Robert Young battled Alcoholism and depression in his old age. He was well loved by everyone he worked with. You can tell in the cast of Father Knows Best. Truly a happy cast.

The Ghost And Mrs. Muir

The Ghost And Mrs. Muir
Released Year: 1947
Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Actors: Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison, George Sanders, Edna Best, Vanessa Brown, Anna Lee, Robert Coote, Natalie Wood, Isobel Elsom, Victoria Horne, Helen Freeman, Stuart Holmes, Whitford Kane, Buster Slaven, and Will Stanton

     This movie was done by 20th Century-Fox, who always uses trumpets for their opening numbers. This film and three others do not use the sound of the trumpets. The other films are All About Eve, Sounder, and The Sound of Music. Bernard Herrmann composed the music for this picture, he is also known for his work with Alfred Hitchcock as well. Herrmann has said that this was the best music he ever composed. Another cool piece of information is that this movie is about a seaman, which happens to be funny because the word "Muir" means "The Sea" in the Irish language, Gaelic. You may also recognize Victoria Horne, she was also in Harvey with Jimmy Stewart.

     The year is 1900 and Lucy Muir (Gene Tierney) is tired of living with her late husband's mother Angelica (Isobel Elsom) and sister Eva (Victoria Horne). Which is not surprising as they are two irritating people. So Lucy decides to pack up and leave with her daughter Anna (Natalie Wood). The two end up moving to a beautiful house called Gull Cottage, and it is sitting by the ocean on a coastal village. Lucy soon starts to hear things inside the home. And discovers a ghost! The ghost is Captain Daniel Gregg (Rex Harrison), and the story is that he committed suicide. Which Lucy soon finds out from the source that it just isn't so. The two of them find themselves talking everyday and having a great time. For when Lucy first moved in, the Captain tried to get rid of the Muir's by trying to scare them. Which Lucy was just not afraid enough to move out. Realizing this, the Captain becomes friends with her instead. After a bit of time, Lucy's mother in law, and sister in law come to the house only to tell her that she will be having financial trouble which means losing the house. The Captain and Lucy end up writing a novel together to save the house. The Captain does not want to lose her, and does not want to have to scare away another family! The book is soon finished and Lucy is to take the book and get it published. At first, the publisher is not interested, he says that he gets thousands of women in every year trying to publish a love story. But this book is different, it is about a seaman and all of his travels. It is a book for men! Lucy gets the publisher to read her book, and he falls in love with it. Lucy ends up with the money and keeps the house. During this trip to the publisher's office, she meets Miles Fairley (George Sanders). He is an attractive man and he also tries to woo her. The Captain is pretty jealous of this, but decides to leave so he can stay away and not interfere with Lucy and her new life. But soon Lucy finds out a secret about Miles that may or may not mean wedding bells. He did propose, but does this secret mean no to the marriage? Lucy can't live forever can she? Will this mean that when she dies, she will end up with Captain Daniel Gregg, or will she have married Miles and end up with him as ghosts instead? Find out by watching this must see! I enjoyed it very much, and recommend it to everyone.

The Incredible Mr. Limpet

The Incredible Mr. Limpet 
Released Date: March 28, 1964
Director: Arthur Lubin
Actors: Don Knotts, Carole Cook, Jack Weston, Andrew Duggan, Larry Keating, Oscar Beregi Jr., Charles Meredith, Elizabeth MacRae, Paul Frees, Phil Arnold, Sayre Dearing, and Louie Elias

     Most movie premieres are in New York City or California, but this movie that is set in the ocean had its premiere at a big underwater theater in Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida. That sounds pretty cool, and I totally wish I was there for the premiere. This was a Warner Brothers film, and was also the last animated movie made by Warner's. The animation studio was shut down in 1969. They used real battleships in this movie. And one ship in this picture happened to be a real United States Destroyer that was used in WWII and the Korean War. Don Knotts was in the Army and happened to be in WWII.

     This movie follows Mr. Henry Limpet (Don Knotts), his wife named Bessie (Carole Cook) and his best friend, George Stickel (Jack Weston). Limpet is a bookkeeper and a huge fan of fish. He loves his fish, and he even wishes everyday to be one. He thinks that the life of a fish would be so much better because they don't have any worries, they swim all day and have the perfect life. His wish becomes true one day while he is out with his wife and best friend. Both Bessie and George believe Henry drowned, when in fact, he turned into a fish. Who still needs glasses. WWII is still going on, and Limpet helps out the Navy by revealing where the German Subs are and the precise location. It's a dangerous world for a fish,  but can Limpet survive the crazy fish life?

     This is such a cute movie, and one out of a number of reasons why I love Don Knotts. He has a huge range for acting. He can be cooped up in a Police Station down in Mayberry, or he can play a fish at the bottom of the ocean. You'll love this movie too, and I promise that this is one movie that everyone can enjoy. From the youngest child, to the oldest grandparent :) Prepare to be amazed and happy at the same time!

The Apartment

The Apartment
Released Date: September 16, 1960
Director: Billy Wilder
Actors: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston, Jack Kruschen, David Lewis, Hope Holiday, Joan Shawlee, Naoimi Stevens, Johnny Seven, Joyce Jameson, Willard Waterman, David White, and Edie Adams

     Billy Wilder has directed such stars as Marilyn Monroe. He directed her in The Seven Year Itch, and Some Like It Hot. He was not a huge fan of directing the star because she had such a huge demand as far as treatment goes. But in this film, Wilder chose a Monroe like characters throughout this movie. You can spot them easily during your watch. You will also note that Billy Wilder's trademarks character name is Sheldrake, which he also uses in Sunset Blvd. and Kiss Me, Stupid. The person he chose for Sheldrake was Paul Douglas but he died of a heart attack before filming began. He died while eating breakfast before his flight to the Coast for this movie. He lived in New York at the time. Shirley MacLaine filmed her famous cameo in Ocean's Eleven while on break from this movie. You will also note that the Christmas scene was filmed on December 23, 1959, everyone was in the mood for the holiday and it made the Christmas feel more real. Which is pretty neat.

     We follow a young man, C. C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon). He's lonely as he works for an insurance company in New York City. He's a hard worker who happens to loan his apartment out to four of his executives for a little after date love in the sack. Baxter is unhappy about the way he is used but never confronts his coworkers as unhappy as he is. He is not always able to sleep well, and ends up with a cold. His neighbors believe it is him making all that noise. They also believe that his body is an iron to make all of that noise almost every night, and he also must be the person they hear drinking all the time too. His big boss calls him into his office to talk about his apartment loans. The boss is Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray). It is comical and it almost sounds like he is about to be fired. But all of his managers write great reports about how great Baxter is to Mr. Sheldrake. However he does realize what is going on. Sheldrake gives Baxter two tickets for The Music Man. When all of a sudden, Sheldrake asks for a chance at his apartment too. The elevator operator catches Baxter's eye and he wants to go on a date with her. She is Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine). She just recently cuts her hair short and Baxter notices and makes a comment on how cute the cut is. Hopefully they end up dating because they would sure be a cute couple. At the Christmas party, Baxter realizes that another man is after a relationship with Kubelik, the man is Sheldrake. What is Baxter going to do? He was sworn not to reveal that Sheldrake is also using his apartment but the girl he wants is going to end up to his apartment with his boss. Kubelik does realize that she is the mistress to Sheldrake. By the end of the movie we get to hear the famous final line "Shut up and deal." Who says it? Hopefully Baxter does to Kubelik. This is a very cute movie. And a funny one at that. Of course it is with Jack Lemmon leading the movie along. Shirley MacLaine is a great actress. I hope you enjoy this classic as much as I have.

Costello

     A huge thank you goes to Chris Costello. Who happens to be Lou Costello's daughter. She wrote a book on her father called Lou's On First. I'm currently reading the book and find it well written and a great read. But what I wanted to say thank you for, is that the other day on Facebook, Chris Costello wrote me and said that she really enjoyed reading my blog and was impressed :) I was very excited for the comment and had me smiling!!! It is really cool to have such an awesome critic. But also someone who I have been a fan of, well her father. Although, I am a huge fan of her book :) Thank you again Chris. That was a great start to my week :)

     If you are a huge fan of Abbott and Costello, I would recommend Chris Costello's book. It is all about her father and his journey through life. And although tough, he made it through like a champ and was a very strong man. He went from New York, and hitch-hiked all the way to California. When he hit it big, he came back to New York and met Abbott. Together they rode the fame train till they ended up separating  But always a huge fan, I will always enjoy watching their movies. I enjoy them still like I did as a kid. :) Laughing till I cry.

The Postman Always Rings Twice

The Postman Always Rings Twice
Released Date: May 2, 1946
Director: Tay Garnett
Actors: Lana Turner, John Garfield, Cecil Kellaway, Hume Cronyn, Leon Ames, Audrey Totter, Alan Reed, and Jeff York

     This is a MGM movie and a Film Noir. This movie was considered a shock because most movies in that time only did closed mouth kissing. Usually the kisses lasted a few seconds. In this movie, it wasn't a normal Hollywood kiss. They french kissed! Which is not that surprising as the novel for this film was considered explicit. This movie was a lot like the Little Women book, as it was turned into a movie, a lot. This was actually the third movie made from the book. And then The Screen Guild Theater made a 30 minute radio version on June 16, 1947. Along with the Lana Turner and John Garfield redoing their roles. This was Lana Turner's favorite role. Another neat note, you will notice that Lana Turner only wears white in this movie. Make note of that while you are watching. Pretty cool huh? It is said that because of how dark this picture is, they wanted to make her wear a light color throughout. You will notice two men in this movie, from two very hit classics. One is Cecil Kellaway, who played a Doctor in the Jimmy Stewart classic Harvey. The other man is not by his face, but by his voice, Alan Reed. Who's voice happens to be Fred Flinstone's from the cartoon, The Flinstones. There is also another favorite of mine, Hume Cronyn, who was in Alfred Hitchcock movies, Shadow Of A Doubt, Lifeboat, and he was seen in Alfred Hitchcock Presents. He also wrote for Hitchcock's Rope and Under Capricorn. 

     Nick Smith (Cecil Kellaway) hires a free as a bird hitch-hiker, Frank Chambers (John Garfield). Frank begins to help around the house and restaurant  In the middle of all of the helping, Frank falls for Nick's wife, Cora Smith (Lana Turner). They kiss, dance, go to the beach, and discuss why Cora ending up marrying Nick in the first place. He's older, and not very good looking. Which raises questions, since Cora is so beautiful.  But when Cora realizes that she feels the same for Frank, the two decide to run away together. But since Frank's money is coming from Cora's husband, they go back. It almost seems insane that they do, since both seem so unhappy. Even Frank goes as far as to say that he hopes that Nick gets into some freak accident and dies. When later on the two realize that death is an option for them. Murder is a great option in fact. The plan? To electrocute. When Nick ends up in the hospital, Cora ends up riddled with guilt. Which is understandable, she's the one that threw a iron into Nick's bath water with him in it. Ending up electrocuting Nick, burning all the lights out in the house, and killing a cat. Nick thankfully survived. I guess Frank and Cora were not ready for murder. Both excited he lived, but will this movie end with Nick dead? I mean, even though they ended up wanting him alive, they still wanted him dead before. I don't want to give away the ending, but I'll tell you one thing!!! They do "try" again. I mean they always say "If at first you don't suceed, try, try again." I'll also say this, it involves a car, a shoe, alcohol, a mountain side and trees, and a great lawyer, Arthur Keats (Hume Cronyn). Enjoy!!!!