17
Sep
2010
Favorite Fridays: Classic Feuds Editon
Lindsay picks: Jack Warner vs. everyone
According to almost all accounts, Warner Bros. studio production head Jack Warner was not a nice man. Warner didn’t believe in having a collaborative relationship with the stars he managed – he knew best and his word was law. He had major with some of his biggest stars at one time or another including Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, and Olivia de Havilland. This quote from director Gottfried Reinhardt says it best – “Harry Cohn was a sonofabitch, but he did it for business; he was not a sadist. [Louis B.] Mayer could be a monster, but he was not mean for the sake of meanness. Jack was.”
Alix picks: Bette Davis vs. Joan Crawford
The feelings Bette Davis and Joan Crawford had towards each other can be eloquently summed up by Ms. Davis, “The best time I ever had with Joan was when I pushed her down some stairs in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” The feud supposedly started over their mutual admiration for actor Franchot Tone (who eventually married and divorced Joan) and continued over competition for roles. The two never missed a chance to annoy each other, especially while working together on Baby Jane. Bette had a Coca Cola machine installed in her dressing room because Joan was married to the CEO of Pepsi at the time. When Bette was nominated for an Academy Award for Baby Jane (but did not win), Joan arranged to accept all the other nominated actresses awards, in case they won, in order to upstage Bette. I highly suggest checking out Bette Davis’ quotes on Joan Crawford for laughs.
Joan Crawford and Bette Davis with Jack Warner
6
May
2010
Texts From Last Night
Lindsay: Why are hangers so expensive???
Alix: Ha, I have a ton of free ones at home if you want them real bad.
Lindsay: Wire or plastic?
Alix: NO WIRE HANGERS, EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
15
Apr
2010
Leading Ladies at Home
Architectural Digest’s website currently has a slide show featuring photographs of classic film actresses in homes they once owned. Among those featured are Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn, Joan Crawford and Ava Gardner. Don’t miss Lana Turner’s monstrosity of a headboard!
Hedy Lamarr
8
Feb
2010
Modern-Day Counterpart Monday: Frenemy Edition
The Women (1939) A star-studded, entirely female cast weaves a comedic tale about female friends and enemies in high society.
"There's a name for you ladies... but it isn't used in high society outside of a kennel"
Mean Girls (2004) A cleverly-scripted look at one of high school’s longest running institutions: the clique.
"I'm sorry if people are jealous of me... but I can't help it that I'm so popular"
Why They’re Related: And the claws come out! Both female-centric comedies feature snappy dialogue, frienemies, and a look at the potential cattiness of female relationships. Though the age groups featured are a generation or two apart, the conflicts and issues are the same. The witty humor keeps these films lighthearted and fun to watch. If you’re still trying to make ‘fetch’ happen, give The Women a try.
