Lovely Personified

15 Movie Game

From Facebook... Pick 15 movies off the top of your head. I did without much thinking and came up with this list. Then I tried to sort it out.

1. Flirting With Disaster

2. My Man Godfrey
3. The Awful Truth
4. Rushmore
5. Desperately Seeking Susan
6. The More The Merrier
7. Now, Voyager
8. Laurence of Arabia
9. Something Wild
10. Mildred Pierce
11. Raising Arizona
12. Amelie
13. Please Don't Eat the Daisies
14. Blue Velvet
15. A Room With A View

Movies are like old friends. I enjoy watching movies repeatedly, it's like reminiscing. I collect classic movies and love so many of them. These are the movies that rose to the top in my brain for better or worse. Many are from my youth and formed my future tastes. There are no recent movies on this list- it takes a while for a movie to sink into my brain. So if I just saw it last weekend, even if I thought it was profound, it won't be in my memory bank yet.

1. My desert island movie. I love the comedy, I love Tea Leoni, Mary Tyler Moore, Richard Jenkins. "Is this a musical table?"
2. Profound feelings come from this movie- just a lighthearted romp about the Depression. Carole Lombard + William Powell = Near Perfection.
3. The funniest movie about divorce you'll ever see. Irene Dunne is a revelation- funny and modern in a way you don't often see in classic movies. Cary Grant sparkles.
4. I adore this movie- the music, the pacing, the set design and Max, the lovable delinquent who stages Serpico as his school play. Also highlights the art of calligraphy!
5. This movie shaped my youth. I wanted to be Susan (not Madonna- although were they different?) Actually, I think I wanted to be Roberta (Rosanna Arquette,) who escaped her mundane existence to become a cool NYC hipster. I gained many fashion tips from this movie.
6. My very favorite romantic comedy. This movie caused me to become obsessed with Joel McCrea and Jean Arthur- chemistry like you've never seen before.

7. My first honest viewing of Bette Davis- this movie is amazing. Sure it's a bit hokey, but if you aren't crying at the end, you're made of wood! "Oh Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars".
8. The first time I saw this movie was on the big screen. I will never, ever forget the sight of Peter O' Toole's blue eyes coming over the top of the desert sand. SO beautiful.

9. I saw this when I was 18 years old. I wanted to be Lulu (Melanie Griffith) -without the larceny, sluttiness and alcohol abuse. A free spirit. And I wanted to marry Charlie (Jeff Daniels) -an extremely decent man. Which, I kind of did.
10. If you haven't seen this movie- do yourself a favor and do. This is Joan Crawford at her finest. Forget about Mommie Dearest- this is the real deal.
11. One of the funniest movies of all time. It follows the screwball format and goes even further. "Hi! You better go in there and get me one of those toddlers!"

12. A perfect movie, perfect casting, perfect music, enchanting story. I could watch it every day.
13. This movie sticks in my head as my first real Doris Day encounter. Her voice is the most soothing one in history to me. She is an awesome mom (in the movie) and a real lady (in real life.)
14. This movie got into my bloodstream when I saw it. I became a huge David Lynch fan and saw everything he did. But one day I woke up and thought- why? Degradation, even if done stylishly is not to my liking anymore. I can still appreciate it's qualities, but I don't think I could enjoy it like I used to. Think it's the kids.
15. This is my favorite E.M. Forrester adaptation. So full of beauty, love and light- perfect to watch and escape dreariness. The antidote to David Lynch perhaps?

Classic Movie Sickness Part 2

Been going through my classic movie collection tonight. It has gotten out of hand, perhaps. I have amassed approximately 502 movies. This does include a few purchased DVD's but most of them are movies I recorded from TCM. It all started with the idea that we were going to cancel cable and I needed my classic movie fix. Now it has become, I NEED every movie with Bette Davis, Jean Arthur, etc. etc. This month of the stars has not helped my addiction as I have begun new collections of stars. Marion Davies, Clark Gable, Fredrick March. How can I resist recording them when they are all there calling out to me... Corrie, we aren't on DVD... how are you ever going to watch us again??? Believe me, I haven't even begun to watch all these movies. I've seen the beginnings for sure of all of them, to make sure they recorded I've fast forwarded through them. I think what also fueled my obsession is my DVDpedia database. I can collect them all, download their descriptions from IMDB wherein it will be cross referenced with all the others. I can simply type in "Preston Sturges" and all the movies that he wrote or directed will appear together. Then there are the movie posters. The chance to collect those beauties may be the most fun part of all. Do I need to enroll in a 12-step program? Perhaps.

Leading Ladies

Olivia

Joan

I was doing some updating of my movie collection database when I ran across a picture of Joan Fontaine. I was reminded that she is the sister of Olivia de Havilland. In the Wikipedia article on Joan, it said the sisters were in an ongoing feud and haven't spoke to this day. Goodness, was I surprised to see that they are both still with us- at 91 and 93 years old. And Olivia is putting the finishing touches on her memoir, due this September! It's nice to see that not everyone I watch in my old movies is long gone. They are two of the last surviving movie stars of the 1930's.

Take a break with Marilyn

One of my latest acquisitions (via DVR), is the 1953 movie "Niagara" starring Joseph Cotten and Marilyn Monroe. A film noir in beautiful color. Wow, does this movie sparkle! And not just because of Marilyn, she has some competition in the beautiful landscape and intriguing shot set ups. It involves the weekend two couple's lives intersect at honeymoon cabins at Niagara Falls-the Canada side!

The plot is pretty simple, but the acting and directing are top notch. Although there is the stick-out-like-a-sore-thumb acting of Max Showalter, as the extremely dumb husband of a honeymooning couple. He's always asking silly questions and overlooking the obvious. But it does make his wife, played by Jean Peters, look even more intelligent and she is the one who figures it all out anyway. (Although you do wonder why such a smart cookie married such a dolt.)

This is one of my favorite Monroe movies because she's downright mean and treacherous and she doesn't use her baby voice all the time. I also love Joseph Cotten playing a husband who doesn't quite know how to handle the life he has with this tantalizing, but slippery creature. Watch Joseph Cotten break a record with his bare hands! Ouch! He does much worse later...

Favorite quotes from this scene:

"For a dress like that you gotta start laying plans when your about 13." Smart Cookie Jean

"You kinda like that song, dontcha Mrs. Lewis?" Dufus Husband

"There isn’t any other song." Unbelievably Sultry Marilyn

"You’re husband doesn’t seem to like music." Dufus Husband again!

Fun Fact: Just figured out why Max Showalter (dumb husband) seems so darn familiar! He plays Grandpa Fred in Sixteen Candles! "Why if it isn't Sammy Baker Davis, Jr!"

movies

On the movie front, I brushed up on the last batch of Pre-Code Hollwood movies that I had recorded from TCM. They have been on the DVR for months and I was tempted many times to just erase them. But I finally got around to transferring the to DVD. And, boy, am I glad! These were by far the best of the bunch. The other pre-code movies, have been silly, exploitive little romps. Sure some had serious subjects, but the acting and directing weren't the best. These were all directed by William Wellman, who I now think is a directing master. It turns out, I have enjoyed many of his movies- and not known they were his. The three latest are "Midnight Mary", "Heroes for Sale", "Frisco Jenny" and "Purchase Price" Wellman was known for directing "men's" pictures with titles like "The Story of G.I. Joe" and "The Ox-Bow Incident" but he was a marvel at "women's" pictures- stories where the woman was the main character.

And Pre-Code these movies definitely are. Sex, drugs- and jazz (rock 'n roll hadn't been invented yet) are duly represented along with babies out of wedlock, prostitute rings, and a realistic portrayal of the desperation of the Depression. It's so odd to watch and hear these actors who you've seen as very chaste utter the words "Do you like sex?" or a main character-a war hero no less- addicted to morphine, arguing with his dealer and begging for half of the stash. These are just plain good movies too. The stories are great, they are involving and to the point (each movie is just about and hour and 10 minutes.) The actors are great, women like Barbara Stanwyck, Loretta Young,

Happy Halloween!

This movie has freaked me out since I was a child and somehow saw it. Just recently recorded it, but don't know if I'm up to watching it! Scarier than any gory thing they've been putting out lately. Really scary if you turn off the lights and open the windows- I don't know what it is about opening the windows. All I know is I did it once and completely wigged out while watching this! And you have to watch it loud, because it's the noises that are the scariest part. Boo!

Take a look at Fred and Ginger

This routine is so effortless, these were two extremely cool people. I love how they laugh and make it seem so natural that one could just break out in tap dancing. Fred Astaire is the most confident person I've seen on screen and Ginger Rogers is effervescent.

What a Show!

Just found this on Netflix. How could I have never heard of this extravagance? Dig those wild costumes and hair! Shirley MacLaine! Paul Newman! Gene Kelley! Dick Van Dyke! Robert Mitchum! Dean Martin! A chimp named Frieda and Parisian Beatniks who are real Hepcats! This clip is more than I can handle. Let out a gasp when I saw Shirley on Robert Mitchum's shoulders while waterskiing.

I'm tired, but Betty Hutton isn't

If you stopped by my house in the late 90's, you would know that I was fairly obsessed with this song.  I'm so excited to have found it on Youtube and to present it here for your enjoyment-or maybe just mine.  I think that this week disappeared in some sort of elaborate magic trick, I don't know where it went. I haven't blogged all week and this evening I am very tired. I had lots of ideas for things to write, but they all flew out of my head as soon as I got out of the shower each day.  So, here's Betty, she's a real doll.  If you'd like to see her in full comedic action, check out the movie "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek."

Jane Austen and Joan Crawford

We're getting rid of DVR.  Well, all the cable- to save money and to no longer be slave to the TV.  I swear if it's there I'll watch it.  So, we purchased a DVD recorder and I started stockpiling things to watch when we have no TV reception.  We're going antenna, sweetheart!

I have recorded hundreds of classic movies now.  I've gotten a bit obsessed.  It started out with just favorites, but then I got the completist urge and had to get every movie by some particular star or director available.  I've definitely become fondest of movies from the 30's and 40's. Getting into the 50's the actors start to look a little rough.  Is it because they are getting older, or because the color just seems so garish after watching the beautiful moody tones of Black and White.  I think it's the Black and White.  It's as if it's a major character in the movies.  Watching documentaries about Bette Davis and Joan Crawford and seeing them in living color is so jarring.  They both had freckly faces that I never saw in Black and White.  Also their hair changed colors, and they were both often sort of redheaded, which I totally didn't expect.  

Yes, I've  become obsessed.  I'm even starting to get the topical jokes in the old movies, the ones that refer to the popular culture or other movies.  The ones that only people living in that era might get.  It's a bit sad on my part.  On the flipside I also became obsessed with the whole Jane Austen marathon on PBS.  Of course I taped all of those too- introduction by the icy Gillian Anderson and all.  I swear that woman is made of some stiff material, she's so severe and it always seems as if she's about to kill you with a quick look or cry stoically, one single tear trailing down her perfect cheek. And her red, red hair is so vivid and smooth, I think she can use it as a weapon. Now, she looks good in color.

So my days and my psyche have been filled with the very prim lives of Jane Austen's characters (but always a happy ending!) and the not so prim lives of the 30's and 40's (but no swearing or nudity or red blood!) making watching real TV again very difficult for me.  

Classic Movie Sickness

I am currently in a storm of classic movie viewing. Well, as much as I can in between my other duties and generally busy life. Thank goodness for DVR, I love DVR and I would give up a lot of other things before it.

Currently on TCM, the most beautiful tv station on earth, there is a nightly series of actors, directors and sundry celebrities picking their favorite movies.It has provided some interesting peeks into their tastes and a bunch of exciting movies. Some I've never seen, some old favorites, some real classics. Neil LaBute picked Manhattan and The 400 Blows, James Elroy picked a bunch of unknown film noir movies, Donald Trump picked Gone With the Wind and Citizen Kane, Harvey Firestein picked The Women. Not many surprises there!

Right now I'm watching A Catered Affair (Harvey pick-he has recently turned it into a musical) it has a 50's teleplay quality, the actors very soap opera-ish, but with more realism. Not sure if I'll see it through to the end. Although Bette Davis is quite a pull for me, I can't help but get involved with her. She's always glorious, I can't take my eyes off her. She plays a working class woman who's daughter (played by Debbie Reynolds-who is so pretty!) is getting married, it deals with the issues of what kind of wedding it will be and the social and financial pressures involved.

One of my favorite things to do during a classic movie is look closely at the set decoration. These realistic movies provide a peek into how people really lived. Not like those insane Art Deco sets from the 30's. The rooms in this NY apartment are small and crammed full of furniture and knick knacks, the lighting is harsh, the appliances antiquated. Bette Davis is pulling frozen clothes from the clothesline through the window. Wow, I'm totally sucked in now, Bette is so good at portraying this ordinary woman, I imagine this is how Mark's grandma was in the 50's very practical, no nonsense almost to a fault.

This weekend we watched Manhattan for the first time. How we managed to not watch it all these years I don't know. We love Woody Allen and Manhattan! It was a good movie, a bit disconserting at first- what with Woody dating the teenaged Mariel Hemingway. It was a relief when he started dating Diane Keaton. But she turns out to be a total basket case and not a very good match anyway.  She cracked us up the way she kept proclaiming "I'm from Philadelphia! I'm beautiful, I'm smart I deserve better than this!" Turns out the teenager was the smartest, most grounded person in the movie. Mariel did a wonderous, naturalistic job at her role. She was quite real- I felt as if she could walk off the screen and live down the street.  Then I would have to figure out a way to talk her out of dating a man older than her father.

The part that made me cringe the most was when Woody planted a kiss on Miss Hemingway. But I have to think if it had been George Clooney or Johnny Depp kissing a girl of that age- would it have bothered me? Maybe not so much? Is it all about looks? I tried to think of someone on a scale and age as Woody Allen in the 70's. I came up with William H. Macy. Would it be freaky to see him kissing some pretty young thing, like one of those Disney starlets? Yes, I think so.  So maybe it is looks. Ah, but then I remember Love in the Afternoon with an aging Gary Cooper and a very young Audrey Hepburn. He was still quite good looking in his late 50's, but downright elderly next to the very young looking Audrey, now that was an uncomfortable pair. Looks don't work in that case.

One of my favorite parts in Manhattan took place at an ERA fundraiser, packed with lots of high brow intellectuals, having these inane conversations. Woody breaks in on one regarding a Nazi rally and how it should be responded to. One highbrow notes that the Times published a scathing satirical piece and Allen says "Well, a satirical piece in the Times is one thing, but bricks and baseball bats really gets right to the point." Just plain funny. You realize when you watch Woody Allen from the 70's how much other movies owe to his. Especially Annie Hall, every romantic comedy after seems to use parts of that movie.

Another movie we watched this weekend was Kung Fu Hustle.  It was quite good!  But I'll leave that for another day.