House Of Wax

House of Wax
Released Date: April 25, 1953
Director: Andre De Toth
Actors: Vincent Price, Frank Lovejoy, Phyllis Kirk, Carolyn Jones, Paul Picerni, Roy Roberts, Angela Clarke, Paul Cavanagh, Dabbs Greer, Charles Bronson, and Reggie Rymal

     Halloween is near, which means Vincent Price is here!!! What a great movie to start your Halloween night with, while waiting for kids to arrive, put this movie in your DVD player and eat some of the chocolate you have waiting in your Halloween bowl. I would love to see this movie in 3-D, which is how the director first filmed this amazing movie. Even in 2-D, this movie pops with excitement. I enjoyed the one hour and thirty minute horror film very much, and I think you will too.

     Professor Henry Jarrod (Vincent Price) is the creator of wax art. And is super talented. He makes sculptures that will leave you shocked. He makes a great replica of the night President Lincoln was murdered at Fords Theater. The Professor even threw in John Wilkes Booth, Mrs. Lincoln, and Lincoln's box guests. You will also see Joan of Arc and Marie Antoinette. Prof. Jarrod seems very happy and enjoying his creations, but when his business partner, Matthew Burke (Roy Roberts), decides to set fire to the wax museum, Jarrod loses everything. Including, or so everyone thinks, his life!!! The fire sequence is very cool though, you can see all of the wax figures melt due to the flames.

     Time goes on, Matthew Burke is now a rich man, and dating a young woman, who appears too young. Her name is Cathy Gray (Carolyn Jones). After Burke dies by hanging himself, weird things really start to happen. Cathy then dies too, and she is found dead in bed. And her best friend, Sue Allen (Phyllis Kirk) is the one that finds her. Cathy has obviously been murdered, and while Sue is looking at her friend, she spots the killer behind the drapes, after giving out a loud scream, Sue takes off running. But the scary part about this killer, he has no face!!! More time goes on, and all of a sudden Professor Jarrod is back in business. He somehow lived through the fire, and has now opened up a new museum. The House of Wax!!! Sue and her beau, Scott Andrews (Paul Picerni) attend the opening. Sue notices something very very strange about one of the figures. It strangely looks like Cathy!!! WHAT???? Find out the intense ending, with magic wax and the magic that Vincent Price brings to his films, you'll enjoy this as much as I did!!!

Finishing School

Finishing School
Released Date: May 4, 1934
Director: George Nichols Jr., and Wanda Tuchock
Actors: Frances Dee, Billie Burke, Ginger Rogers, Bruce Cabot, John Halliday, Beulah Bondi, Sara Haden, Helen Freeman, Majorie Lytell, Adalyn Doyle, Anne Shirley, Irene Franklin, Ann Cameron, Rose Coghlan, and Caroline Rankin

     Can you imagine, this movie was condemned by the Catholic Church's? Now for some of you, maybe most of you, you probably have never seen this. But believe me, considering what movies are showing now, this is hardly traumatizing. I enjoyed this movie a lot, however, and I would recommend it to anyone.

     We begin this movie following a young girl. Virginia Radcliff (Frances Dee), and her mother Mrs. Helen Crawford Radcliff (Billie Burke) into an all girls school. They have ridiculous rules and a very difficult woman running the private school. Miss Van Alstyne (Beulah Bondi) asks all students not to smoke, drink, not to wear lipstick, and must conduct yourself like a young lady. But when Miss Alstyne decides to bunk Virginia with Cecilia Ferris (Ginger Rogers), all the trouble begins. Cecilia, or Pony, as her friends call her, loves to get into trouble. Miss Alstyne makes sure that every weekend, all of the girls can either stay at school or go home to their families. But Cecilia has other plans for this weekend. Can you guess what they are? Well, if you guessed going out with her family, you're wrong, if you guessed hanging out with men, then you hit it right on the nose. When you here of young students going to college and finding themselves, then this movie will make you realize this fact. Maybe Virginia is a great girl, with good intentions, or maybe she's curious. You'll find out in time... If you watch this great picture, with some great actresses. :)

Gaslight

Gaslight
Release Date: May 11, 1944
Director: George Cukor
Actors: Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, Dame May Whitty, Angela Lansbury, Barbara Everest, Emil Rameau, Edmund Breon, Halliwell Hobbes, Tom Stevenson, Heather Thatcher, Lawrence Grossmith, and Jakob Gimpel

     Angela Lansbury's birthday was not too long ago, so I thought I would write about her first movie, and one of my favorites! She was only 17, and today, at 88, she is still going strong. Ingrid Bergman is amazing in this as well, and even went to a mental institution for inspiration, pretty neat huh? Ingrid Bergman won Best Actress in a Leading role at the Oscars the following year, in 1945, this movie also won the Oscar the same year for Best Art Direction (Interior Decoration, Black and White). Nominated was Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Angela Lansbury), Best Writing (Screenplay), and Best Cinematography too. They sure did make a great movie!!

     Paula Alquist's (Ingrid Bergman) aunt was murdered in the house she grew up in. Paula never wanted to go back to that house, the memories, she was afraid, would forever haunt her. But when her new husband, Gregory Anton (Charles Boyer) wants to move into the house, Paula caves, and decides to go ahead and move back. Paula's fears proved correct, memories were all around, she was afraid. And to make matters worse, she starts losing her mind!!! Her husband is worried that she is ending up like her mother, who was hospitalized for mental issues many years before. But someone is watching over Paula, and it is not her loved ones that have passed. It is Brian Cameron (Joseph Cotten), who believes that it is not Paula that is mad, but her husband Gregory, that is up to no good. Is Brian correct? Their house maid, Nancy (Angela Lansbury) believes she is nuts as well. It is hard to go on with the story without giving away the ending. But I would highly recommend this classic treasure. :) enjoy!!!

Happy Birthday Angela Lansbury

Happy Birthday to an amazing actress. Who has wowed us with movies and television alike. And who is still going strong. Angela Lansbury was born on October 16th, 1925 and will turning 88 in just two days. But the reason why I have come on here to wish her a Happy Birthday so early is because they are having a Angela Lansbury day on TCM on the 16th as well, and I don't want anyone to miss it ;). You can see the following:

- Gaslight at 7:30 AM (or tape it ;) with Ingrid Bergman)

- The Harvey Girls at 9:30 (with Judy Garland)

- Kind Lady at 1:00 PM (with Ethel Barrymore)

- Mister Buddwing at 2:30 (with James Garner)

- In the Cool of the Day at 4:15 (with Jane Fonda)

and

- The Manchurian Candidate at 5:45 (with Frank Sinatra)

You can also find Murder She Wrote any day as well :)

Hope to see you all there with birthday cake, you don't even need your sleuthing hat on!!! 

The Shopworn Angel

The Shopworn Angel
Released Date: July 15, 1938
Director: H.C. Potter
Actors: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Walter Pidgeon, Hattie McDaniel, Nat Pendleton, Alan Curtis, Sam Levene, Eleanor Lynn, and Charles D. Brown

     This movie is based around WW1, and around Bill Pettigrew (James Stewart). He is training in New York and is almost hit by a car. The woman driving, Daisy Heath (Margaret Sullavan) is a popular actress and is very rude in her behavior towards Bill at first. She is dating Sam Bailey (Walter Pidgeon) who could not be more wrong for her. You can tell this early on in the movie, actually, when you first see them together. Bill wants his army buddies to believe he is dating this actress, so he asks Daisy if she would pretend to be his girlfriend. She agrees, and they pretend away. Meanwhile, sparks fly. But Daisy is already in a pretty big relationship with Sam. What will happen? James Stewart shines again, and this time in military uniform!!! 

Dangerous Mission

Dangerous Mission
Released Date: March 6, 1954
Director: Louis King
Actors: Victor Mature, Piper Laurie, William Bendix, Vincent Price, Betta St. John, Harry Cheshire, Steve Darrell, Walter Reed, Marlo Dwyer, and Dennis Weaver

     As we are well in our way into the month of October, it is high time I bring out Vincent Price. No matter what circumstance, Vincent Price always keeps his cool and one heck of a sexy voice. This movie was made in 3-D. Which makes sense because throughout the movie, you will notice a lot of action that seems a little too much if you get my drift. But at the same time, there is the perfect amount of action, and the perfect amount of Vincent, and the perfect amount of snow. I love snow, always have. And I always love seeing snow, especially in classic movies. This movie is in color, but the snow is just right!

     Where do you go if you witness a mob killing in New York? To a place nobody will find you. Louise Graham (Piper Laurie) finds the perfect place, Montana. A place with a lot of outside activity. She stays at Glacier National Park Hotel, which is now called Glacier Park Lodge. And she cannot be found. At least for a while. Matt Hallett (Victor Mature) finds out that Louise has been recognized by the mobster and is there to help. Glacier National Park is very safe. There is even a park ranger to greet you at the gate to get in. When Chief Ranger Joe Parker (William Bendix, who you may recognize from Hitchcock's Lifeboat) notices that Matt owns a gun, Joe is a little skepticle about Matt staying there. Especially since they are hiding a witness. Matt does meet Louise and likes her, a lot. And becomes friends with Paul Adams (Vincent Price), who is a very friendly man. Who is the mob killer? Are there more than one? Is Matt Hallett to be trusted? Only one way to find out!!! And with the snowy background, and actors like these, you can't go wrong with Dangerous Mission. And you may even feel as though you are on vacation. 

Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock Quote:

"Cartoonist are the best directors, if they don't like a character, they can just erase them"

Bachelor Mother

Bachelor Mother
Released Date: August 4, 1939
Director: Garson Kanin
Actors: Ginger Rogers, David Niven, Charles Coburn, Frank Albertson, E.E. Clive, Elbert Coplen Jr., Ferike Boros, Ernest Truex, Leonard Penn, and Paul Stanton

     David Niven and Ginger Rogers light up the screen with comedy, love and fun. I have always had a huge crush on David Niven. I'm not sure if it is his distinguished mustache or his accent, but I love him. I have also always loved Ginger Rogers. Her dancing, her grace, her beauty and this movie shows her acting range. Perfection, is Ginger Rogers.

     Polly Parrish (Ginger Rogers) has just been fired from Merlin's Department Store. And for a single woman living in the city, that makes things rather difficult. But due to hilarious mishaps, she is mistaken as the mother of a baby that has just been abandoned at a church. David Merlin (David Niven) is the stores manager and owner, and is outraged at this turn of events. He believes that the baby is hers, even though she is constantly telling him that it isn't. This movie is hilarious, and cute. And I enjoyed every minute. With David Merlin and Polly Parrish falling in love, around the holidays, it is a true holiday classic. Even though when we think of "Holiday Classic," we think of It's A Wonderful Life and others along that line. But this is truly a classic too. :) And one I believe you will enjoy too. 

TV Shows

I always talk about movies I love, which is my favorite things to watch. But I also really love classic TV as well. I had a great childhood which was filled with fun and laughter, great movies, and great TV shows. Along with sports, I really love watching great classic TV shows. Dick Van Dyke has always been one of my biggest crushes. And I had a huge crush on Wally from Leave it to Beaver when I was younger. So here is a list of my top favorite TV shows:

Leave It To Beaver:

I Love Lucy:

The Dick Van Dyke Show:

Father Knows Best:

Leave Her To Heaven

Leave Her To Heaven
Released Date: December 20, 1945
Director: John M. Stahl
Actors: Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde, Jeanne Crain, Vincent Price, Mary Philips, Ray Collins, Gene Lockhart, Reed Hadley, Darryl Hickman, and Chill Wills

     I watched this movie for the first time, two days ago. I have often said that when I turn on TCM at the beginning of a movie I have never seen before, I usually end up loving it. I received Now Playing and saw this in the magazine. I am going to try my hardest to watch all of Vincent Price's movies this month, and he is TCM's Star of the Month. Which is not too shocking, as this is October and he is a star of "scary" films. Some of the best!!! And certainly a Star that puts Edgar Allan Poe stories to life. Which is always amazing. This movie's title was taken from a line in William Shakespeare's story, Hamlet. Leave Her To Heaven was also made into a hour long Radio episode on Lux Radio Theater. If you have an IPhone, I would recommend to download three things, first, the TCM app which shows you movies for the week and highlights. Second download, the TCM Hollywood tour guide which shows you stars homes and also filming locations. And third download, the Lux Radio Theater app which has every season, if a radio year is called season, and it is totally worth every penny. I believe each app is 99 cents. But check it out and enjoy the awesomeness that is TCM and the Lux Radio programs are something I listen to every night. Love it!

     Have you ever loved someone so much that you became obsessive? Or how about so much, that the only person you want your loved one to be around is you, and only you! Family, forget about. Friends, forget about. Anyone!!! Even your own mother!!! That is how Ellen Berent Harland (Gene Tierney) fell in love. Hard!!! Tough love. Ellen meets her husband while at the family vacation house. Richard Harland (Cornel Wilde) is a famous author. He is there to write and ends up falling head over heels in love with Ellen. Ellen is there to scatter her late father's ashes, along with her sister Ruth Berent (Jeanne Crain) and their mother, who goes by Mrs. Berent (Mary Philips). All is going great, they spread the father/husband's ashes and enjoy a nice long holiday. You can tell that Ellen is falling for Richard and he is falling for her. But when the politician, Russell Quinton (Vincent Price) arrives, we realize that Ellen and Richard are getting married. Russell was engaged to Ellen and he found out that his marriage is canceled when he receives a telegram stating that she is to marry Richard. Russell is also a lawyer. They end up married rather quickly, as most classic movies do. And they go away to a quiet area to enjoy peace and quiet, so that Richard can continue writing and so that they can be alone. Which is how Ellen wants it. All trouble breaks loose after Richard's invalid brother, Danny Harland (Darryl Hickman) comes to stay. He has back trouble and can't live on his own. Well that, and he is a young boy, which makes it impossible for him to live alone. The rest of the movie will keep you on your toes, and will for sure shock you. I was!!! I don't want to give anything away, but I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves classic film, who loves any of the actors, and to anyone who is like me, and wants to enjoy any movie you can watch that stars Vincent Price. It is a great movie and one I enjoyed every minute of. Vincent Price, Cornel Wilde, Gene Tierney, and Jeanne Crain all give a great performance.