2014 Film Finds

A little late as we are already a few months into the new year, but what the heck, why not? Here are my favorite film finds from 2014:

1) Sunday in New York (1963) - Without a doubt, this is my top find in 2014. I discovered this film on a lazy summer night while browsing through TCM's online On Demand movies. I hit play, and it was love at first sight. 

The movie is full of funny lines, excellent observations about double standards of the time (which still exist, IMHO), fabulous style from hair to make-up to outfits, and a couple of hotties (*sigh* Rod Taylor--I'm just sad I discovered Taylor the year of his passing, Cliff Robertson...and for the men, Jane Fonda).  I must have watched the film a dozen times since my first viewing in June or July. Every time it was on TCM, I tuned in or DVR-ed it. By December, I decided I couldn't risk the chance of not having access to Sunday in New York (SiNY) if I was in a SiNY mood, so I broke down a purchased the film. 

Click here to see Classic Reel Girl posts which discuss SiNY.

 2) Lydia (1941) - Another total accident film viewing. The movie sounded somewhat interesting, so I DVR-ed it. I wasn't even sure that I would end up watching the movie. I am so glad I did.

What I discovered was a film that possessed more depth than what the description declared. In fact, the film overview on the TCM site is inaccurate. The site states the movie is about "An unmarried woman [who] stages a reunion with former suitors to recapture the romance of her past" when it is actually one of her suitors that stages the reunion in hopes of discovering the man she has truly desired all these years. What unfolds is a journey that teaches us about the danger of devoting oneself to a memory as it is subjective and therefore often inaccurate. What a find! I truly believe that if the description was corrected, this film would find a larger audience.

Click here to read my original post on Lydia.

A Frosty Random Harvest

~Part of my 10 for 2015 New Year's Resolution List~

Despite its happy ending, Random Harvest (1942) left me feeling oddly melancholy. The main characters, Charles Rainer aka “Smithy” (Ronald Colman) and Paula Ridgeway (Greer Garson) have undergone a long, emotional journey. When they first meet, Rainer is an amnesic WWI vet who can hardly speak. With Paula by his side, he recuperates. They fall in love, marry, and build a happy life together—complete with a little cottage and baby son. He discovers a passion for writing and is on the verge of translating his talents into a profitable career when an accident changes everything. His memory of life prior to the war returns and the years with Paula are erased. He becomes Charles Rainer, heir of Random Hall and prominent businessman.

Enduring Hollywood Romance

George Burns and Gracie Allen

They may not have the onscreen sizzle of Bogie and Bacall, but for my money George Burns and Gracie Allen take the cake for the most romantic, enduring Hollywood couple. I know, I know. Unusual choice, but bear with me. 

George Burns and Gracie Allen first paired in 1922 when both were in need of a new partner for their vaudevillian act. A mutual colleague suggested the partnership. Match made in heaven? Not at first. They weren't a hit until George decided to switch up the act and let Gracie get the laughs. Although it takes two to make a double act work (the straight man and the goof), George always gave Gracie credit for the success that followed--a testament to how much he loved and admired her. Their pairing didn't exactly yield love at first sight though. Burns had a crush on Allen, but she was in a romantic relationship with another performer. Eventually George convinced Gracie to marry him, and on January 7, 1926 they began their greatest partnership to date. As husband and wife, they conquered radio, movies, and television in addition to vaudeville. 

When Gracie could not conceive, George agreed to adopt two children (see my Adoptive Fathers post for more on that). Their marriage lasted 38 years until her death in 1964. However, that was not the end of their romance. Their love endured beyond the grave. Forget poetry, George wrote a book, Gracie: A Love Story (1988), devoted to the love of his life. George never remarried. He visited Gracie's grave at least once a month to discuss the latest news, tell her a joke, or ask for her advice. When at last it was his time to go, he made arrangements to ensure that her name came first on the crypt--he wanted her to have top billing.  

Burns and Allen--Love doesn't get much better than that!

Resources

Cullen, Frank, Florence Hackman, and Donald McNeilly. Vaudeville, Old and New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America. Vol. 1. New York: Routledge, 2004. Google Books. Web.   

"George Burns and Gracie Allen Remembered." Larry King Live. CNN. Los Angeles. 4 July 2003. Web. Transcript.

Dancing Legs Quiz ~ February Edition

Each of these dance routines first graced theatres in February of their release year.  Guess whose legs these are. Then give yourself a bonus if you can name the movie.

1) 

 
2)

Dueling Divas: Crosby and Hope

Or is it Hope and Crosby??? 

When it comes to dueling divas, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope are probably not the first pair that come to mind. However, during their Road movies, the two got into plenty of "duels" - 

over money,

over women--Dorothy Lamour in particular,

and over who delivered the best line.

Dancing Legs ~ January Edition

I have been so busy with work that I missed putting up a quiz for last Friday. I don't know about you, but I always find these kinds of things fun. (Some favorite places to go test my classic movie knowledge include Rick's Movie Connections over at Classic Film and TV Cafe--mainly a learning versus knowing experience for me, and getTV which has a bunch of quick quizzes categorized by movie star.) 

So whether you are a regular waiting for the weekly quiz or just stopping by for the first time, let the games begin! All the legs this week appeared in movies that were released in January of their year.

Guess whose legs these are (bonus for naming the movie) in the comment section. 

1) 

2) 

   

Good Luck!

(edited 2/7/15)

Why I never joined The Band Wagon...

When I signed up to write an anti-Band Wagon post, I was a little nervous. Images of angry dancing gods Down to Earth-style popped into my head. How dare I speak badly about the pairing of two dancing greats: Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire.

I have revisited The Band Wagon (1953) many times over the years. In fact, I own two copies of the movie--quite by accident; they were gifts from well-meaning friends. I know I should like love the film, but my heart will not obey my mind. Give me a couple peppy tunes, throw in a few dance numbers, and normally I am a shoo-in for even the flimsiest of plots. Why can I not get on board with this one?

Dancing Legs Quiz 4

It is only right that we should pay homage to the choreographers who helped bring great dance to the silver screen. 

Name the choreographers and their partners. Bonus if you can name the movie in which they are dancing.

1) 

2) 

Note: The above film was actually filmed in Technicolor. The best pic I could find of their legs, however, was this publicity photo.

10 Classic Films for 2015

At the beginning of each year, Laura at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings puts together a list of ten films she plans to see during the new year. I thought this was a grand idea--what a wonderful way to ensure you are exposed to some new movies while checking off others that you have long been wanting to see! 

I searched my new DVD collection sets (my Christmas gifts were Classic Hollywood themed--yay!), the books I am reading/plan to read, AFI lists, and other classic film fans' opinions to help compile my list. After going back and forth a few times, here is the final list I resolve to see by the end of 2015:

1) American Madness (1932) - I received a Frank Capra set a few years ago, and this is the only movie I have yet to see. I typically enjoy "Capra-corn." Bonus: The movie is pre-code. Seems like a winning combo.

2) My Man Godfrey (1936) - I saw the very beginning of this film but got busy and was not able to finish it before it was removed from TCM On Demand. It looked promising. Plus it stars Carole Lombard and William Powell, two favorites.

The next four are inspired by the books I am either currently reading or plan to read before the year is up.

3) The Impatient Years (1944) - Jeanine Basinger wrote about this movie in I Do and I Don't: A History of Marriage in the Movies. It stars Jean Arthur and looks at what happens when a GI returns home to a wife he hardly knows. In a way, the film picks up where many early WWII movies (such as The More the Merrier, also starring Arthur) leave off. Intriguing. I just hope I can find a copy of this on DVD! Any leads would be welcome.

Dancing Legs Quiz 3

These dancers could strike a pose like no other. With beautiful lines, their dancing was art in motion. 

Name these renown dancers. Extra points if you can name the movie in which they are dancing.

1) 

Vacation from Marriage (1945)

***This is an exception to my no play-by-play rule. Warning: spoilers abound.***

Posted prominently on the fabric bulletin board above my desk is the phrase: "Never be afraid to try something new." It serves as a reminder to always seek adventure and new opportunities. In terms of marriage, it evokes images of Nick and Nora Charles as they go wherever the leads take them with cocktails in hand and a quick quip to lighten any misstep. In their eyes, the risk of adventure is worth the humor and affection it brings. And along the way, they catch a crook or two.

 The antithesis of Nick and Nora would be Cathy (Deborah Kerr) and Robert Wilson (Robert Donat) in Vacation from Marriage (1945; known as Perfect Strangers in Britain). The couple's life is an unending dance of drudgery:

Cathy - Opens window. Sneezes. Passes shirt collar through the door. No word spoken. Picks up newspaper from doorstep. Places on table. 

Robert - Comes out of bedroom. Changes date on calendar. Adjusts the time on the mantle clock. 

At breakfast table - Lifelessly stare at each other. No word spoken.

Reality of marriage. No glamor girls or Hollywood hunks here, folks. 

Faboulous Footwork Friday

Quiz 2

Continuing with our celebration of dance in the movies...Can you guess the owners of these famous gams? Bonus - Name the movie in which they are dancing.

1) 

Just for Fun ~ Fabulous Footwork Quiz

Let's dance in the new year and celebrate great choreography in the movies. Can you guess the owners of these famous gams? Bonus - Name the movie in which they are dancing.

1)