Archive for November, 2009
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26
Nov
2009
Thanksgiving With The Stars
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We’d like to imagine what the classic stars would say they’re thankful for if they all gathered around the dinner table together…
Cary Grant – that my pale British skin can be more tan than any Californian’s
Joan Crawford – for the invention of plush, satin-covered hangers
Bette Davis – for my placement at number 2 on AFI’s 100 Years, 100 Stars list while Ms. Crawford barely cracked the top ten
Jean Harlow – that my natural hair color was amazingly, almost supernaturally platinum and I never, ever had to resort to peroxide or bleach. Ever.
Humphrey Bogart – that we’ll always have Paris
Jimmy Stewart - for the leaves on the tree, for the sweet little song of the baby birds in their nests, for corn that grows as high as the sky, the wind when it gently blows across a wheat field, for my beautiful wife Gloria, my faithful dog Beau, my wonderful children who’ve made me as proud as any father could….
Marlon Brando – for the end of Jimmy’s speech
Jimmy Cagney – for rat poison
Deborah Kerr – for Marni Nixon
James Dean – that legends never die
Marilyn Monroe – for the college age girls who choose my posters over Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn – for the college age girls who choose my posters over Marilyn Monroe
Mae West – for the visitors who come up and see me sometimes
Greta Garbo – sends her regrets that she could not attend tonight’s gathering
23
Nov
2009
Unionize!
We love Turner Classic Movies’ new(ish) Classic Film Union – a social media site for fans of classic films to join forces. Become a fan of your favorite film or actor, write a blog post, and tell people what you’re currently watching. In our experience, everyone on the site is extremely welcoming and eager to engage in a discussion or friendly debate.
Sign up and check out our profile, then add us as a friend!
16
Nov
2009
Hollywood Halloween
What better way to spread the classic film love than dress like a character for Halloween? It’s free publicity in front of a bunch of Gen Y’ers with the opportunity to start a dialogue about the films of yesteryear! (Calculating, perhaps, but so much fun too!) This year, I kept waffling between Sam Spade and Holly Golightly. Recognizability won out and Holly it was.
Me as Holly and bff Emily as workout girl
My favorite part was the cigarette holder I fashioned out of construction paper. In fact, after using it on Friday and Saturday, I kind of miss the ability to point at things with it, use it to follow along when I’m reading, flick it into the air, and all sorts of other non-essential purposes. Nothing will get you saying “Dahhling” faster than holding a cigarette holder.
I wanted my friend at work to go as “Cat” but she wasn’t having it. :) Anybody else wear a classic costume?
12
Nov
2009
Happy Birthday Grace Kelly!
Happy birthday to my favorite actress, TCM’s Star of the Month, and winner of Anatomy Of A Classic’s Most Aptly Named Movie Star Award – Grace Kelly! While I’ll admit that there are more talented actresses in classic film, it’s her as a personality that I find so intriguing. In her films she played the cool, aloof, sultry blonde, always in control – captivating but unrelatable. In real life, she was warm and charmingly youthful. The blend of these two personas – let’s call them “sass” and “class” – coupled with her glamourous sense of style is what makes Grace unique.
Recommended viewing: High Society (1956) and To Catch A Thief (1955)
The difference in Grace Kelly the actress and Grace Kelly the person is remarkable, as evidenced in these two clips.
The “sass”:
The “class”:
9
Nov
2009
Defining Soundtracks
Some films are known for terrific acting, groundbreaking cinema, or memorable plots. But sometimes its the soundtrack that comes to define a film. Here are a few such films:
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953): You can’t hardly think of this film without the thought of Marilyn Monroe singing “Diamond’s Are a Girl’s Best Friend” popping into your head. Carol Channing originally sang the song in the Broadway version, but Marilyn’s performance has become iconic. It heavily influenced Madonna’s video for “Material Girl” and was sung by Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge(2001). Here’s a little trivia, too: Marni Nixion, who sang for Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady (1964), Deborah Kerr in The King and I (1956) and An Affair to Remember (1957), and Natalie Wood in West Side Story (1961), was enlisted to help Marilyn out on the high notes of the song.
Blackboard Jungle (1955): My rock history professor a few weeks ago asked the class of 250 students if any of us had ever seen this film and I was the only one who raised my hand. Its unfortunate because this is a great film in addition to having a standout soundtrack. Blackboard Jungle is actually credited with popularizing rock and roll amongst teenagers. It features the song “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and the Comets which went to #1 on the Billboard charts for eight weeks following the popularity of the film. (An interesting side note, the film Dangerous Minds (1995) features a similar plot and is also well known for its soundtrack which features “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio.)
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1952): I’m not a big Doris Day fan, but I do love to hear her sing “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be).” Both the 1934 and 1952 versions of the film use Arthur Benjamin’s cantala “Storm Clouds” during a suspenseful sequence at the Royal Albert Hall, but only the 1952 version uses ”Que Sera, Sera.” The song not only won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, it also became Day’s signature song and the theme song for The Doris Day Show.
Swing Time (1936): Despite some amazing dance numbers, Swing Time, a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers film, was not a big hit with audiences. The original song from the film, “The Way You Look Tonight,” however, became an instant classic. Most everyone knows the song, but not as many can actually identify where it first appeared, demonstrating how sometimes a great song can overshadow the film it was ment to support. The song is still immensely popular after 73 years showing up in films like Chinatown (1974) and My Best Friend’s Wedding(1997). Just about every crooner, from Frank Sinatra to Harry Connick Jr. have recorded versions and it even appeared on the last season of American Idol.
I know there are lots of other examples out there of films that become well known for the use of a particular song - does anybody have a favorite?
5
Nov
2009
Happy Birthday Vivien Leigh!
Happy Birthday to the woman with the best eyebrows in classic film!
Here are some Vivien Leigh films we suggest watching with a few side notes on each film:
Gone With the Wind (1939) – Leigh’s best known film. A virtual unknown at the time, she had to beat out every major star in Hollywood to get the part.
Waterloo Bridge (1940) – Leigh’s favorite film.
That Hamilton Woman (1941) – This was reportedly Sir Winston Churchill’s favorite film.
Anna Karenina (1948) – Interesting to compare performances with Greta Garbo in the 1935 version.
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) – Leigh also starred in the West End production of the play under the direction of husband Laurence Olivier.
