The Bishop's Wife

The Bishop's Wife
Released Date: February 16, 1948
Director: Henry Koster
Actors: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester, Sara Haden, Karolyn Grimes, and Tito Vuolo

     There is something very sophisticated in Cary Grant and David Niven. It could be the way they talk, stand, carry themselves, or just the way they smile. But either way, the both men are very suave and the two of them together is amazing. This would be Mr. Grant's 51st movie credit.Cary Grant plays an angel in this film and David Niven plays the bishop, even though originally it was suppose to be the other way around. The director, William A. Seiter was the first director on this film, till one day he was fired. Teresa Wright was in his version of the movie as the bishop's wife. The part was given to Loretta Young since Teresa Wright was pregnant by the time Henry Koster took over and before filming it. You will also find interesting that a lot of these old movies are done with this radio show called "Lux Radio Theater" which is pretty neat because listening to them are a lot of fun. This movie is with Lux since Lux was very good at taking all of the real well done movies and turning them into a half hour to hour radio program. If you ever have a chance to go on Amazon's website, you should check out buying their CD's. You'll love it, I promise.

     The time of year is Christmas. All through the town are children with their parents, looking at Christmas lights and window shopping. Wishing and pointing towards certain gifts that give them joy. Dudley (Cary Grant), is one of the few adults admiring without a child clung to his side. Instead, he looks around himself with great affection. And seems to have a heavenly way of looking at the world. Which is only right with an angel. He steps upon a woman buying a Christmas Tree for her family. Her name is Julia Brougham (Loretta Young), as she seems to have worries about her husband. Which she confides to her old friend, Professor Wutheridge (Monty Woolley). The trouble seems to be that her husband Henry (David Niven), is more worried about a Cathedral being built then his own families happiness. Both the Mr. and Mrs' are praying for something. But different prayers. The Mr. wants his Cathedral built tall and glorious. The Mrs. just wants her husband back. You can tell that they use to be very happy. Always eating out and having tons and tons of friends. Now they have no visitors and they never spend time together. They even have a daughter, but the Cathedral must be built. Watch as the angel does an amazing job at giving both the Bishop and his Wife the gift they had been praying for.

     

Suspicion

Suspicion
Released Date: November 14, 1941
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Actors: Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Nigel Bruce, and Dame May Whitty

     Joan Fontaine won Best Actress for her performance in this movie, and it happens to be the only Oscar Winning Performance done in a Hitchcock film. Joan is the sister of actress Olivia De Havilland, the two sisters barely get along. Both alive, and both frustrated with each other. Joan won that year for Best Actress and her sister was up for the award too. Olivia was very mad with her sister for winning that year. Another piece of cool trivia, the dog in this movie is Alfred Hitchcock's own dog, a Sealyham Terrier. You can also see this breed in Hitchcock's other movie, The Birds. Hitch was a huge animal lover.

     Quiet and shy Lina McLaidlaw (Joan Fontaine) is on a train and she ends up in the same room as the outgoing playboy, Johnnie Aysgarth (Cary Grant). Johnnie ends up seeing her one day at the horse track and then one day they end up going to Church together, or should I say, that is where they were suppose to go. Instead they head off for a walk. They end up falling in love, which is crazy to everyone since they are both so different. Because Lina's parents don't approve of Johnnie, they end up eloping. Afterwards, Lina finds out that her husband is not at all what he seems. Yes, he is very suave and charming, but he is also broke and is also a pretty big liar. Lina asks her husband to search for a job. He ends up with one, but later gets fired. But then Johnnie and his friend Beaky (Nigel Bruce) decide to go into business together. Lina is still worried since Johnnie is broke and Beaky would end up paying for all of the business before it would make any sort of profit. Will they end up in business together? Does the movie end with everyone happy? This is an Alfred Hitchcock movie, can something go wrong? Find out by watching this unforgettable film by the master. 

Questions...

What do you think of when you think old movies?

 I personally have this in mind:
Black and White
Alfred Hitchcock
Jimmy Stewart
Bette Davis
Old Cars
Dresses and Men's suites
Classical music
Theresa Wright
Joseph Cotton
Abbott and Costello
Love
Laughter
Something to watch while there is a rainstorm, or snow blizzard, a hot day, cold day or spring and fall weather
Words like Gee Wiz, and Golly
Myrna Loy
William Powell
Spencer Tracy
Katherine Hepburn
Cary Grant
Jean Harlow
Marilyn Monroe
Anne Baxter
Montgomery Clift
Henry Fonda
Joan Fontaine
Olivia De'Haveland
Rock Hudson
Doris Day
The Marx Bro's
Humphrey Bogart
Grace Kelly
Anthony Perkins
Lauren Bacall
Ginger Rogers
TCM
Dinner and a Movie
Clark Gable
Gary Cooper

Please Comment on anything else you think of. 

I Confess

I Confess
Released Date: March 22, 1953
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Actors: Montgomery Clift, Anne Baxter, Karl Malden, Brian Aherne, O.E. Hasse, Roger Dann, Dolly Haas, and Charles Andre

     Alfred Hitchcock grew up as a Catholic. This movie is based on a priest and shows a very difficult situation that he cannot control due to the priest law. Montgomery Clift, being a huge star at this point, and also a stud muffin did a great job playing a priest. He even studied how priests walk and copied to perfection. This was a great trait Clift had, and is why a lot of directors loved working with him. However, he did experience a lot of health issues during his adult hood. Was in a huge car crash that changed his face, and was diagnosed with stomach issues most of his adult life. He died at very young age even, and Marilyn Monroe, who was noted as having a lot of problems even quoted, "he's the only man I know with more problems than I have." He did have a drinking issue during this movie, and during a ferry scene in this picture. Alfred Hitchcock hated confrontation and had his assistant director and actor Karl Malden, talk to him about his drinking habits while working.

     In the beginning of this movie, you can spot Alfred Hitchcock walking the top of a staircase during the opening sequence. Father Michael Logan (Montgomery Clift) is the priest at this Catholic church in Quebec, Canada. With Otto Keller (O.E. Hasse) and his wife Alma (Dolly Haas, also the name of Alfred Hitchcock's wife) working as the housekeeper in the said church, Otto is also rather close with Father Logan. He gave the Keller's a place to stay and trusted them as well when nobody else would. Ruth Grandfort (Anne Baxter) use to be the love interest of Logan and because of the war she ended up getting married. So when Logan came home, once he found out of her marriage and also having a change of heart, became a priest. Ruth and Logan had an appointment with a man that happened to be murdered the day before the appointment. Inspector Larrue (Karl Malden) suspected Father Logan. Nobody else suspected the kind man, but due to information, Logan is the only suspect. But due to a confession of the actual murderer himself, Logan is unable to reveal the truth. Will the truth ever surface? Will Father Logan survive the accusations? Find out by watching this amazing film directed by the amazing director himself. 

The Wrong Man

The Wrong Man
Released Date: January 26, 1957
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Actors: Henry Fonda, Vera Miles, Anthony Quayle, Harold J. Stone, Charles Cooper, John Heldabrand, Esther Minciotti, Doreen Lang, Laurinda Barrett, Norma Connolly, Nehemiah Persoff, Lola D'Annunzio, Kippy Campbell, Robert Essen, Peggy Webber, Richard Robbins, and Dayton Lummis

     What is one piece of information that every Hitchcock fan knows? A general knowledge type of trivia? That he was afraid of, above all else, police men. And jail. This movie is the very thing Hitch was afraid of. And any human being would be scared of. Mistaken identity that would cause you being able to live your life normally. This movie is based on a true story. And because it is based on a true story, you will not see a cameo done by Mr. Hitchcock like he usually does in every other picture. But in the very beginning he sort of does a narration of the film. If you buy this film, watch the behind the scenes! Well I would recommend that for any Hitchcock movie because they reveal some awesome information. But in this, they talk about how Hitchcock stayed in his limo during a scene set outside because of how cold it was that day.

     Manny Balestrero (Henry Fonda) is a husband, father, son and musician. Based on a true story set in New York, Balestrero gets up every morning, plays with his two sons, spends time with his wife, goes to work and comes home to go to bed and do it all over again. He is in love with his wife, Rose (Vera Miles), and is, in all honesty, a trusting man. His wife is having trouble with her wisdom teeth and they need to be removed. They might be in luck since she has money they could take out in life insurance. All they would need to do is pay it all back. Rose asks her husband to take the life insurance policy into the insurance office and that is where he is mistaken as a robber that has robbed this office in the past. After Manny is done with work that day, he is picked up by three police officers outside of his home. They question him and everything is pointing to Manny being the robber. He is thrown into jail and gets out because his family comes up with the bail money. But now it is up to Manny to find the right lawyer to help him with his upcoming case in court. Will he be found guilty? Will they find the Right Man? All is revealed in this 1 hour and 45 minute movie.

     And must I say it one more time? Alfred Hitchcock is at it again. Making movie magic and showing the world that any Hitch film is a great one. I am, like I have said many times before, am a huge Hitchcock fan. He is brilliant and wonderful. You truly cannot go wrong with a Hitch film. 

The Women

The Women
Released Date: September 1, 1939
Directed by: George Cukor
Actors: Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Mary Boland, Paulette Goddard, Phyllis Povah, Joan Fontaine, Virginia Weidler, Lucile Watson, Marjorie Main, Virginia Grey, and Ruth Hussey

     The tagline for this film absolutely fits: The Female Of The Species.... When The Men Aren't Watching! This movie is ALL women. Not a single man at all. And the funny fact is, is that there are 130 roles in this movie, and again, all women. You may not know because who can tell, but the animals in this picture are all females as well. And the art work in the background... All women, not a man represented in the paintings. This movie is truely a woman's film!

     Mary (Norma Shearer) and Stephen Haines are happily married with a daughter, Little Mary (Virginia Weidler). Well from Mary's point of view, because the men are not seen at all in this movie. One day, Mary's cousin Sylvia Fowler (Rosalind Russell) is having her nails done by Olga, who happens to know that Stephen is having an affair. With a perfume counter woman named Crystal Allen (Joan Crawford). Due to this piece of information, Sylvia gets her cousin to go visit this manicurist to hear the awful news. After Mary hears the news she is heartbroken. But does she win her husband back? Does she even want to? This movie has been remade by the same title. You may have seen the newer version. I never see the remake, only the original. Except for The Man Who Knew Too Much because it was remade by the same director, Alfred Hitchcock. But other than that, I don't see remakes. But I can assure you, this is most likely the one to watch. Because known facts, the newer version did awful. And this movie did well when it first came out. 

Mr. And Mrs. Smith

Mr. And Mrs. Smith
Released Date: January 31, 1941
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Actors: Carole Lombard, Robert Montgomery, Gene Raymond, Jack Carson, Philip Merivale, Lucile Watson, and William Tracy

     Alfred Hitchcock did a comedy? A comedy done by Alfred Hitchcock? That's a little strange, and also unheard of. But Carole Lombard talked Mr. Hitchcock in making this screwball comedy. As a matter of fact, Carole Lombard directed Mr. Hitchcock's cameo in this film. It is also said that during the filming Carole Lombard, who is a Democrat, would, between takes, go outside and put Franklin D. Roosevelt stickers on Robert Montgomery's car who, as you well know, happens to be a Republican. Carole Lombard was the woman who made Screwball Comedy's a type of movie. She made a movie back in the beginning of her career that was a very popular comedy. The film credits made a commit about how it was a screwball comedy and then that is where the term, Screwball Comedy, came to be. Also during this time, Cary Grant was known for comedies. Alfred Hitchcock wanted his friend and also the actor who is credited for four Hitchcock pictures to play in this film.

     Ann Smith (Carole Lombard) asks her husband David Smith (Robert Montgomery) a question every morning. She asks these questions to keep their marriage up to date on information and also to get to know her husband a little bit better everyday. One morning the question is "if you had to do it all over again, would you want to be married?" His awful answer came to him rather quickly and was not the answer she had wanted. He said no. Not because he didn't love her, but because he would have just liked to be a bachelor a little longer. Travel, spend time alone. But unfortunately they are told that they are not technically married due to the fact that the state they were married in was not legal between certain dates and they married in that time period. So Ann decides to change her last name to her maiden and also get a job. Which back then, she could work at a store but she also had to be single. Which he goes in mad and gets her fired within the first week. Ann also dates around a bit, and the man happens to be a college of David's. Will they get back together? Will they get married again? You will have to watch this movie to find out. :) You will not be disappointed in watching this funny screwball comedy. I promise. And it is Alfred Hitchcock. And you cannot go wrong with a movie done by him, now can you? Alfred Hitchcock can do anything. This movie proves it. You can go from this movie and then right after pop in Psycho. 

     Alfred Hitchcock's granddaughter was talking on the movies special features, and told a story that her grandma, Mrs. Hitchcock, use to tell. It was about how the Hitchcocks went on vacation after Carole Lombard died. While on the train, they were told that Clark Gable, who was married to Carole Lombard when she died, was also on the train. They went up and down the train till they found him to say how sorry they were of her passing. When they finally found him, he was so distraught and not the same man that he use to be. He was very depressed by her passing. She died in a plane crash just two years after this movie was made. She died with her mother. 

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins
Released Date: September 11, 1964
Director: Robert Stevenson
Actors: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, Hermione Baddeley, Reta Shaw, Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber, Elsa Lanchester, and Arthur Treacher

     According to this movies trivia, Walt Disney thought that Mary Martin, Bette Davis or Angela Lansbury had been great for the part of Mary Poppins. But after a phone interview with Julie Andrews, the author P.L. Travers had approved of Julie Andrews. This was also the first DVD released movie from Walt Disney.

     Mrs. Banks (Glynis Johns) had come home to find that the nanny of her children has packed up to leave her job after losing the children. The kids (Karen Dotrice, and Matthew Garber) had run away while they had taken their kite out. But the kite had torn up while in the air which made the children run away. So Mr.(David Tomlinson) and Mrs. Banks had decided to get a new nanny ASAP. The children wrote a poem-like letter to send to the papers. Mr. Banks tore the letter up and threw it in the fire place. The next day, all of the nannies were lined up outside of their house for an interview. They were all blown away. When all of a sudden, Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) came flying in. She gave a great interview to Mr. Banks and she had the job. The children and her got a long beautifully. With great songs, that are not hard to remember. After not seeing the movie for years and years, I watched it recently and remembered all of the words to all of the songs. Mary Poppins took the children for a walk and ran into Bert (Dick Van Dyke), a very cool man of the streets. He was a music man and also a Chimney sweeper. He draws a picture on the sidewalk which the children, Mary, and Bert all jumped into and had a jolly time. Watch as Mr. Banks learns the value of family time. And how the children want father time and have missed it all of their lives.

     This movie is very sweet and cute. I use to think that this movie and The Sound Of Music were the same. Because of Julie Andrews being a nanny and the fact that this movie is a musical. I love Dick Van Dyke and the fact that he is so neat and seems to be able to do anything. Julie Andrews is a favorite as well. A great singer and seems like a very nice woman. This is a great Disney film, and if you have never seen it, I recommend it highly. 

To Catch A Thief

To Catch A Thief 
Released Year: 1955
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Actors: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis, John Williams, Charles Vanel, Brigitte Auber, Jean Marinelli, and Georgette Anys

     This movie is very much a personal film on a lot of levels. Cary Grant had to spend a lot of his growing up  working because his father left him and his mother was in a psych ward. So Mr. Grant was working as a trapeze artist in the circus. The picture showed a lot of Grant's talents by making his walk in straight lines and walking very cat like as well. Also, Grace Kelly has a scene in this movie where she is driving on a windy road on a mountain. When Grace Kelly died, she was princess of Monaco and was driving with her daughter on the very road that she drives in this film. Kelly had a stroke and died while driving that day. This movie also has one of Alfred Hitchcock's regulars, John Williams. Whom you can spot in a lot of his movies as well as his hit TV show.

     John Robie (Cary Grant), the cat thief, is an ex jewel thief, who retired from the crime scene some time ago. Now he lives in the South of France and is happily crime free. But sadly there becomes a line of jewels gone missing exactly how John Robie stole and the same type of jewels from different homes around the South of France, where John Robie lives and is of course suspected. He knows he is innocent and needs to show everyone else that he is too. So he hires this insurance man H. H. Hughson (John Williams) to give him a list of the most expensive jewel owners on the Riviera. John Robie's plan, is to catch this thief red handed. Francie Stevens (Grace Kelly) becomes Robie's interest who also happens to be one of the rich owners of expensive jewels. She teases him by dangling her jewels in his face, but he does not seem interested in her jewels, only her. Does John Robie ever catch this thief? Does he get in trouble for a crime he no longer commits? Watch and see if John Robie only catches the girl and not be the one to get caught by the police.

     One other piece of juicy gossip, the actress in this movie Brigitte Auber had lost her father before the filming of the movie. So her and Alfred Hitchcock, who had lost his daughter due to her marriage some years beforehand, grew a father and daughter like relationship. But one day, years after the movie was made and released, Brigitte and Hitchcock had dinner one night. He drove her home, to where she lived with her boyfriend at the time. Outside of the house, Alfred Hitchcock leaned in for a kiss. Auber said she was very upset, she thought of him as a father figure and had no idea he had a crush on her. She never got over that, and they never had the same relationship again. 

Suspense of Disbelief

The Essential Alfred Hitchcock Collection

I recently bought this CD online at amazon.com. And I must say that this CD brings back a thousand memories. His movies already bring back memories. Summer, Winter and my grandparents. But the music is a great listen. And every song that comes up is a memory. And fun to listen to in this summer heat. I know that sounds silly, but certain music is for different feelings and for some reason classical music is for summer. Well Alfred Hitchcock's at least. Although, this music will be playing in winter too. Every song can be recognized from every Hitchcock movie. Every song that starts playing, I say "oh that's from...." :) A very Alfred Hitchcock fan type of response. The songs are as follows:

1. Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Main Theme - Jeff Alexander
2. Music To Be Murdered By - Jeff Alexander
3. Vertigo - Prelude and Rooftop - Muir Mathieson (Hermann)
4. North By Northwest - Kidnapped - Bernard Hermann
5. I Confess - Main Theme - Dimitri Tiomkin
6. After You've Gone - Jeff Alexander
7. The Man Who Knew Too Much - Que Sera, Sera - Doris Day
8. Dial M For Murder - Main Theme - Dimitri Tiomkin
9. Rope - Mouvements Perpetuels - Francis Poulene
10. The Trouble With Harry - Main Theme - Bernard Hermann
11. Spellbound - Dream - Miklos Rozsa
12. North By Northwest - Fashion Show- Bernard Hermann
13.  Rear Window - Juke Box #6 - Franz Waxman
14. Alfred Hitchcock's Leading Ladies
15. Vertigo - Scene D' Amour - Muir Mathieson (Hermann)
16. Strangers On A Train - Prologue/Duet For Four Feet - Dimitri Tiomkin
17. Alfred Hitchcock, Master Manipulator
18. Psycho - Prelude - Bernard Hermann
19. North By Northwest - Overture - Bernard Hermann
20. Spellbound - Main Theme - Miklos Rozsa
21. To Catch A Thief - Main Theme - Lyn Murray
22. Vertigo - The Necklace, The Return and Finale - Muir Mathieson (Hermann)
23. The Hour Of Parting - Jeff Alexander

You notice how Alfred Hitchcock uses the same composers a lot? He loved Bernard Hermann's work a lot. And used him in a few movies of his. His taste was splendid and beautiful. 

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Thoroughly Modern Millie
Released Date: March 21, 1967
Director: George Roy Hill
Actors: Julie Andrews, James Fox, Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Channing, John Gavin, Jack Soo, Pat Morita, Philip Ahn, and Beatrice Lillie

     This movie is an absolute ten. The film is fun, fast and fancy. Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore tap dance and sing. This is Beatrice Lillie's last film. It is said that Julie Andrews stood off camera to read her lines to her because she was already developing Alzheimer's and she could not remember her lines. I'm also a huge fan of Carol Channing in this movie because she is so funny and outgoing. I have always been a huge Mary Tyler Moore fan and I loved Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins and also The Sound of Music. The two were amazing and fun in this movie. They were a great pair. James Fox is cute as a button and John Gavin is a sexy man. The only other movie I have seen John Gavin in was Psycho.

     Miss Dorothy Brown (Mary Tyler Moore) moves into a hotel room across the hall from Millie Dillmount (Julie Andrews). They become best friends, while dancing and going to parties together. When Dorothy firsts moves in, she has Millie carry all her bags to her new room. The elevator in the hotel is rather old and needs the rider to tap dance all the way to the top of the building. On a side note, Mary Tyler Moore said that every time she saw an elevator, after this movie, she always thought of the tap dancing scenes. Millie's intentions is to marry her boss, and while she has Jimmy Smith (James Fox) falling in love with her, she becomes attracted to her very sexy boss, Trevor Graydon (John Gavin). But when Trevor meets Dorothy, the two become lovers and Millie realizes that Jimmy is the one. One days Dorothy goes missing, and while Trevor believes she left him and is no longer his, the rest of the gang believes she has been kidnapped. What is true? And does she come back? You will have to watch this movie to see what happens. You will be pleased and it is for sure, a must see.