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!!!!

Grace Kelly

Happy Birthday Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco

Born: November 12, 1929, Died: September 14, 1982

Favorite Food: Hamburgers

Favorite Drink: Black and White Chocolate Milkshake

Favorite Actor: Joseph Cotton 

Favorite Actress: Ingrid Bergman

Movies Include:

High Society

The Swan

To Catch a Thief

The Bridges at Toko-Ri

Green Fire

The Country Girl

Rear Window

Dial M for Murder

Mogambo

High Noon

One Night In The Tropics

One Night In The Tropics
Released Date: November 15, 1940
Director: A. Edward Sutherland
Actors: Allan Jones, Nancy Kelly, Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Robert Cummings, Mary Boland, William Frawley, Peggy Moran, Leo Carrillo, and Don Alvarado

     By this time, Abbott and Costello had hit it big on the radio. Both Abbott and Costello were in vaudeville in the beginning of their careers. They decided to become a team, and the rest they say is history. This is the first movie they made together, and it was memorable. Just check out that cast. Most movie premieres are held in New York or California, but this movie was held in Paterson, New Jersey, which is the hometown of Lou Costello.

     We follow Jim "Lucky" Moore (Allan Jones) as he decides to help out his best friend Steve Harper (Robert Cummings). Steve is about to get married and needs to file for "Love Insurance." He is about to marry the beautiful Cynthia Merrick (Nancy Kelly) which is fast known for Steve says "Oh Cynthia" a lot in the beginning due to the happiness of his getting engaged. What does this Love Insurance entail? Well for starters Lucky's firm will lose a lot of money if Steve and Cynthia don't get married. And also that the finance man is a Night Club owner by the name of Roscoe (William Frawley). Lucky soon realizes that the money is not very important when he falls head over heels for Cynthia. Now we have a triangle? Wrong, there is a forth person in the mix. A girl that has been in love with Steve for a long time, Mickey (Peggy Moran). She's going to make it rather tricky for Steve. What will end up happening? I can tell you one thing!! You get to watch a fast version of "Who's on First."

An Affair To Remember

An Affair To Remember
Released Date: July 11, 1957
Director: Leo McCarey
Actors: Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Richard Denning, Neva Patterson, Cathleen Nesbitt, Robert Q. Lewis, Charles Watts, Fortunio Bonanova, Dorothy Adams, and Richard Allen

     This happens to be one of the most romantic movies ever made. And I'm not sure if it is because of Cary Grant, or New York. This is a very lovely movie. And was also voted at #5 of the most romantic movies of all time by American Film Institute. This happens to be the second movie that paired Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant, and Deborah Kerr was not the first choice for the part. Ingrid Bergman, and Doris Day were thought of before Kerr. The movie couple also made a third movie together after this one.

The tagline for this movie: On the Riviera, Across the ocean, and all over New York!

     We follow Nicky Ferrante (Cary Grant) and Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr) as they enjoy a romantic cruise together from Europe to New York. And they spend more and more time together. They have a lot in common too, but more importantly, they are both engaged to other people. The romance they had was amazing, and one Nicky and Terry cannot forget about. But they decide to meet in six months at the top of the Empire State Building. But something happens that keeps Terry from joining the man she fell in love with. Was it that she ended up getting married to the other man? Or has she died suddenly? Will this keep them from ending up together? Find out, by watching a movie that has been remade to be as classic, and like all old movies, the comparison is not even close. Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr have us watching every minute, in love with the story as much as they are together. 

Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Released Date: August 1, 1953
Director: Charles Lamont
Actors: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Boris Karloff, Craig Stevens, Helen Westcott, Reginald Denny, John Dierkes, Jimmy Aubrey, Wilson Benge, and Marjorie Bennett

      I have heard before that Boris Karloff did not want to work with Abbott and Costello because their movies were comedy and he was a more serious actor. Usually playing killers, Karloff told them no for many of their other "meet" movies. But because they were so popular, Karloff said okay and decided to work with the duo. This is the first time, however, that Dr. Jekyll was okay to turn into Mr. Hyde. The other Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde movies had made the Doctor out to be a good guy who happens to turn evil after using his own medicine. In this movie, you can see Dr. Jekyll actually taking the medicine so he can murder. Pretty evil huh? And enough scary to make you wonder if this is suppose to be a comedy. Well no worries, it is. You will also take note at the fact that after Boris Karloff turns into Mr. Hyde and the transformation sequence is over, with hair mind you, another person is playing Boris Karloff's character. The man is Eddie Parker, a stuntman.

     When the movie begins, we can see a murder happen, and then to a group of ladies that are fighting for rights. To be able to vote, which seems history but in actuality, it was not that long ago. Vicky Edwards (Helen Westcott) is the main speaker and is very excited to be the head of women's suffrage. After a huge fight, we then see our favorite comedians as they are police officers trying to stop this huge fight. Slim (Bud Abbott) and Tubby (Lou Costello) are getting hit on the head and slapped around by woman. And who is to say that woman can't vote? While everyone is in jail, even Slim and Tubby, Vicky is very talkative with a newspaper man, Bruce Adams (Craig Stevens). Dr. Henry Jekyll (Boris Karloff) is not happy when he sees his goddaughter talking with another man. Even though he is much older, you can tell he has jealousy on his face. That is when we see Mr. Hyde come alive. Can you imagine the jealousy when Bruce asks Vicky to marry him? BIG trouble. Also, Tubby and Slim get to see Dr. Jekyll's secret lab and nobody believes them. Which can be both hilarious and upsetting as we the audience know the truth. We do get to see Lou Costello as a mouse, wanting cheese very badly. And a lot of great jokes are in store for you. This is my favorite Abbott and Costello "meet" somebodies. As this is a true classic. 

Kiss Me, Stupid

Kiss Me, Stupid 
Released Date: December 25, 1964
Director: Billy Wilder
Actors: Dean Martin, Kim Novak, Ray Walston, Felicia Farr, Cliff Osmond, Barbara Pepper, Doro Merande, Howard McNear, Tommy Nolan, Alice Pearce, John Fiedler, and Cliff Norton

     This was a great laugh, a fun movie and one I can say I will watch over and over. Fun trivia facts to know is that Ray Walston's roll was going to be given to actors such as: Peter Sellers (who had a heart attack, so was not able to make the movie), Bob Hope, Tony Randall, Danny Kaye, and Tom Ewell. Also, a few cool facts about Kim Novak, one day after a hard day at work, Novak made everyone (cast and director included) sandwiches and also cookies. She was also to wear naval stones, she usually wore rhinestones, but on St. Patrick's Day, she decided to wear an emerald instead, and made the whole cast laugh. The part of Kim Novak was to be given to Marilyn Monroe, she died shortly before the filming began, so Novak took the lead in this movie instead. I loved Novak in the roll myself.

     Singer Dino (Dean Martin) is on his way to Hollywood, and as he stops for gas in Nevada, he meets the gas attendant and the house owner that lives across the street from the station. The house owner is Orville (Ray Walston), who happens to be a very unsteady husband. Thinking that even the milkman, his best friend (the gas attendant) and even his piano student is trying to steal his wife. Orville happens to be a great musician and plays the piano beautifully. While the gas attendant, Barney (Cliff Osmond) writes the words, the pair make a great duo. Barney realizes who he has in front of him and he needs to get his best friend over to meet the great Dino. What's the plan? To get Dino to hear their music and get them started on a career. But first, the gas attendant decides to break down his car so he can't leave to go to Hollywood. At least, not yet. Orville, being the unsteady husband, decides to kick his wife Zelda (Felicia Farr) out of the house for a few days because she happens to love Dino's music. Then Barney decides to bring over a woman from the bellybutton dance restaurant to Orville's to meet Dino and play Orville's wife. Who is it other than the beautiful Polly the Pistol (Kim Novak). The whole thing gets turned around, and Orville's wife becomes rather confused. But watch as the whole thing unravels. And see if Orville and his best friend become the stars they dreamed of.