Meet John Doe

Meet John Doe
Released Date: May 3, 1941
Director: Frank Capra
Actors: Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward Arnold, Walter Brennan, Spring Byington, James Gleason, Gene Lockhart, Rod La Rocque, Irving Bacon, Regis Toomey, J. Farrell MacDonald, and Warren Hymer

     I would like to start this post by saying that after long searching, there is no longer version of this picture. A lot of film historians went through files and could not find a longer version. What actually happened, and the reason so many believed there was a longer version, was that when this movie was first released, it was said that the movie was 132 minutes long. It wasn't, the movie is 123 minutes long. Which just simply means that the last two numbers were switched. This movie is so well made though, that you don't feel like it is too long. Despite there being a nine minute difference in time, the movie is still a little over two hours long. It was neat to find out that the director didn't want anyone to play John Doe, except Gary Cooper. Cooper said yes to playing the part because he loved working with Capra (which he already worked with in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town) and he also always wanted to work with Miss Barbara Stanwyck. All made a deal in this movie, didn't they. Miss Stanwyck always said that Frank Capra told her to act, not just with words, but with her eyes as well. Something that she always believed to be the best advice she was given.

     Ann Mitchell (Barbara Stanwyck) has just been fired from her newspaper job. And to give her boss a piece of her mind, and a great parting gift, she writes a letter. The letter states that this man, a one John Doe, is jobless and wants to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. Ann makes sure her boss gets the letter, and not only that, but has it published for the newspaper. Ann goes into her bosses office a few days later and tells him the truth. But because the story is so big, what will they do to tell the public? Ann recommends that they look for a regular American who won't give their secret away. Her boss enjoys this idea, not at first, but after some heavy thinking (smoke coming outta his ears and everything) he decides to do it. There is a huge line of men outside of his office, all claiming to have written the letter. Ann says that they should interview them all and pick out the right John Doe. They decline the first bunch when the perfect man walks through the door. Their John Doe (Gary Cooper). Not only is he tall and handsome, also in need of money, but he use to play baseball. What could be more American than that? He agrees to be Doe. He also needs his arm fixed, he stopped playing baseball after a major arm injury. His arm can be fixed and better yet, he can play baseball again. Everything looks great, but what about one small detail, once it is finally out that he lied, he probably won't be playing baseball after that. Will he go through with it? Find out, by watching Meet John Doe!!!

     This movie is super cute and also has a warm Christmas feel at the end of the movie. With a black and white Christmas, you can never go wrong.

Wife Vs. Secretary

Wife Vs. Secretary
Released Date: February 28, 1936
Director: Clarence Brown
Actors: Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Myrna Loy, May Robson, George Barbier, James Stewart, Hobart Cavanaugh, Tom Dugan, Gilbert Emery, Majorie Gateson, and Gloria Holden

     Could you imagine seeing James Stewart's name after the title? Me too! I was shocked. This movie may not have him in every scene, but he plays a very important part. I still loved every minute of this movie! This picture is one of many Clark Gable and Jean Harlow films, but they do not play each others significant other. That's Myrna Loy and James Stewart's roles.

     Van (Clark Gable) is a laid back, fun guy. With a great job, and even greater title. The movie starts off with Van at home and having breakfast with his wife, Linda (Myrna Loy). It is their third wedding anniversary and Linda is planning a great dinner for the two of them. With friends as well, a party if you will. Van goes to work and we see that he has a great relationship with his secretary, Whitey (Jean Harlow). Linda does not seem jealous or mad that her husband is so needy with his secretary, and Linda doesn't seem to need any reason to be jealous. Until Linda goes to his work with her mother in law. Mimi (May Robson) is Van's mother, and Linda's mother in law, she tells Linda after they leave, that she should tell Van to get rid of his secretary. But Linda is against it. But you can tell that Linda is starting to think and worry. Van loves his wife very much and Whitey has a boyfriend that she wants to marry. But when Linda wants to away with Van, he declines taking her, and when Linda finds out later that Whitey meets him there for business, all hell breaks loose. Will that break up Van and Linda's perfect marriage? Will Whitey and Dave (James Stewart) break up? I would highly recommend this gem. It is a great movie with a great cast.

Jean Harlow

Check out these amazing photos I found of the late and beautiful Jean Harlow....

Barbara Stanwyck

     Have you ever watched a Barbara Stanwyck movie? She was incredible. I have been watching a lot of her movies lately. Titanic; Christmas in Connecticut; Sorry, Wrong Number; Remember the Night; The Lady Eve; and Night Nurse. I have always said that classic films, black and white movies are the best, and she is a huge reason for me saying that. Stanwyck, Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis always give 100%. Stanwyck also had a very cute husband, you know, Robert Taylor? Even though their relationship ended on horrible terms, they were a very cute couple while it lasted. 

  

     Barbara Stanwyck born as Ruby Stevens on July 16, 1907 in New York.  When Ruby was six years old, her mother, while pregnant, was on a bus with Ruby mind you, and a drunk kicked Ruby's mother in the stomach. After having a miscarriage and after tons of blood loss, Ruby lost her mother to infection. Ruby then turned to many homes for a family. As sad as this sounds, Ruby became Barbara Stanwyck and lived happily in California with amazing work and beauty. 

Whistling in the Dark

Whistling in the Dark
Released Date: August 8, 1941
Director: S. Sylvan Simon
Actors: Red Skelton, Conrad Veidt, Ann Rutherford, Virginia Grey, Rags Ragland, Henry O'Neill, Eve Arden, Paul Stanton, Donald Douglas, Don Costello and William Tannen

     I saw this movie and fell in love with Red Skelton. The fact that Eve Arden is in this movie is what caught my eye, but I loved every second of this film. I also enjoyed it because of the two things this movie is based on. First off it is a black and white movie (that always gets my attention), and second it is about something I have always loved listening to, which is the radio. I have always loved listening to Lux Radio, Lights Out, the Abbott and Costello Radio Show, and The 2000 Year Old Man. But this movie is about a man who performs a crime radio show every week. The man is Wally Benton (Red Skelton), and he is successful. He tunes in every week as the host for the crime show called "The Fox" and along with his fiancee and ex-girlfriend are kidnapped by a killer. The killer is Joseph Jones (Conrad Veidt), and the only reason why he kidnapped this radio show host is because he wants to be written the perfect murder! Does he get what he wants? Watch Red Skelton light up the screen :)

Double Indemnity

Double Indemnity
Released Date: April 24, 1944
Director: Billy Wilder
Actors: Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Byron Barr, Porter Hall, Jean Heather, Tom Powers, Richard Gaines, Fortunio Bonanova, and John Philliber

     I have been watching a lot of newer movies, and when I say "new" I mean I just found them. I was watching this movie today and realized that because Barbara Stanwyck is in it, it must be great. And it is. This movie is very fast, but a thriller till the end. One thing that did bother me was Barbara Stanwyck's hair. So I was pleased to read that the director wasn't happy with it either. She wears a wig in this movie and it looks insane, but nobody can deny her great acting ability.

     Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) is married and unhappy. You can tell every time you see her around her husband. When Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) shows up to Mr. and Mrs. Dietrchson's house to sell Mr. Dietrichson a life insurance policy, Phyllis and Walter fall in love. Now what to do? Half of them is already married. Does this mean murder? It does!!! Walter and Phyllis plan out the perfect crime. But like real life, murder is never perfect, and the bad guys always get caught!!! This movie was number 29 of the greatest movies of all time, and you can see why. I have always enjoyed Miss Stanwyck and this is one of my favorites of her's now. 

Undercurrent

Undercurrent
Released Date: November 28, 1946
Director: Vincent Minnelli
Actors: Katharine Hepburn, Robert Taylor, Robert Mitchum, Edmund Gwenn, Majorie Main, Jayne Meadows, Clinton Sundberg, Dan Tobin, Kathryn Card, Leigh Whipper, Charles Trowbridge, James Westerfield and Billy McClain

     Post war movies are always fun to watch. For this reason alone, the actors that came back from the war to go on with their acting career. James Stewart was one of them, and so is Robert Taylor. He was in the military service in World War II. And after returning, this was his first picture. Robert Mitchum plays Robert Taylor's brother in this movie, and Katharine Hepburn plays Taylor's wife. Although still young, Katharine Hepburn plays a spinster, well almost spinster, she is saved from that single old age by her husband. Did you know that Katharine Hepburn and Robert Mitchum did not get along while filming? You may never see it, that is the beauty of acting. But Hepburn apparently told Mitchum this: "You know you can't act, and if you hadn't been good looking you would never have got a picture at all. I'm tired of working with people like you who have nothing to offer!" Harsh words, huh? I have always enjoyed Mitchum movies and am sad by that remark. I have always been and will be a Katharine Hepburn fan, though strong headed, she was not too far from the truth. Mitchum did in fact have better looks than acting range, but he always made fun pictures. But so did Katharine Hepburn!

     Ann Hamilton (Katharine Hepburn) grew up with a loving family in the country. The picture is beautiful, with the country feel, snow up to your knees, snow covering the old time cars and a fireplace. A scene I have dreamed about all my life. The good looking Alan Garroway (Robert Taylor) comes to her house and they end up falling in love. Hamilton's father, Professor Hamilton (Edmund Gwenn (a great actor)) tells her that she will end up marrying Garroway. The Professor can see his daughter falling in love. After a whirlwind wedding, Mr and Mrs. Garroway head to Alan's home, in my hometown, of Washington D.C. Ann is a country girl at heart, always will be. Her clothes spell country, and she feels different from all of the D.C. women she meets. Alan throws a few parties, and Ann feels like the loan sheep. Alan seems perfect, tons of money, very good looking, friendly and all around happy. But he has a demon, his brother. Michael Garroway (Robert Mitchum) seems to have hurt his brother pretty badly. But while all stories unravel, Ann has doubts about her new husband. And so do we, the audience. I said this before, but Katharine Hepburn makes masterpieces, and this is a great movie. Found on accident, I taped it on TCM, and enjoyed every minute. I taped because of Katharine Hepburn!!! You will love this new find of mine just as much as I have :)