Hooray for Hollywood!

Fred Astaire vs. Gene Kelly

2008-07-16T18:42:06Z

Fred Astaire. Gene Kelly. Compare and contrast. Who is your favorite and why?

I just watched Summer Stock last night to flesh out the Gene Kelly movies I've seen.

I must admit I have a personal preference for Fred Astaire. I really enjoy that he has some restraint in his dancing that really gives him an air of elegance and ease. On the other hand, I appreciate Gene Kelly's athleticism and showmanship, but I just can't connect to him as much as I do Fred.

Anyone care to share your thoughts on these fantastic dancers?

Bonnie and Clyde download

2008-07-09T17:42:18Z

Download link here at my journal.

Can it be?? Metropolis Found!

2008-07-03T15:32:50Z

A German magazine reports that the full length original version of Metropolis has been found in Argentina, where it was sent in 1928 for its original theatrical run there. The Museo del Cine has now returned the film to Germany for restoration.

http://www.zeit.de/online/2008/27/metropolis-vorab-englisch

This seems almost too good to be true!

(This article was also reported at Ain't It Cool News, which is how it got to me:
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/37324 )

Pepe Le Moko (1937) v. Algiers (1938)

2008-07-03T02:04:32Z

Hello everyone! I've been watching this community for a while, and so when I was wondering where to find people who might be able to answer a classic film related question I knew where to go.

I've been taking advantage of the summer down-time to finish up a 50 mystery movie DVD pack I bought years ago, and also to start on my quest to see the famous 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.

Last night I watched, from the 50 movie pack, Algiers (1938) and loved it! I saw on the imdb page that Charles Boyer was nominated for the Oscar for his performance in the film, and I couldn't have agreed more that he deserved it. The cinematography was beautiful and the writing elegant. In fact, I thought it was so good I went to see if it could be on the 1,001 list, only to discover that, even though it wasn't, a 1937 film called Pepe Le Moko was. I haven't seen it yet, but now I want to.

So, here's my question, has anyone seen both films? If so, which do you prefer? Has anyone seen one or the other and loved it or hated it?

Edit: Ooops, forgot to mention, for those that don't know, I'm comparing these two as they have the same plot and characters. In addition, it says its not based off a real person, so does anyone know if there's a book or play that came before the films? Seems a strange (albeit wonderful) story to tell twice...

Oops. Forgot one. Added another.

2008-07-01T22:32:20Z

I forgot one movie in my June review, and I watched one last night. Here are the non-spoilery reviews.

The Band Wagon - I'm a huge Fred and Ginger fan so watching Fred dance with another woman is always a trying experience. Cyd Charisse is such a marvelous dancer that I survived. Very good movie.

Stallion Road (1947) - Ronald Regan isn't the first president I remember, but he's the first one I paid attention to. As a result, it's weird to see him playing a character in a movie. But, he was really rather good as an actor. I remember laughing my ass off when I saw him for the first time on screen. It probably didn't help that he was playing a drunkard (I believe the movie was Dark Victory). As far as Stallion Road goes, it's an enjoyable B movie that's a decent way to wile away 90 minutes. Especially if you like horses.

A day early and a dollar...long?

2008-06-30T22:42:50Z

June was a light movie month, probably due to the fact that I was gone for most of it. Reviews are below. Not long enough for a cut. No spoilers.

Live, Love and Learn (1937) - Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell were a pretty good screen couple. An enjoyable, but not terribly memorable, romantic comedy.

Too Many Husbands (1940) - the biggest disappointment of the month. I expected a much better movie from Jean Arthur, Melvyn Douglas and Fred MacMurray. This concept was executed much better with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne in My Favorite Wife.

The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932) - the only reason I watched this was for Myrna Loy. I wonder how she didn't bust out laughing at the ridiculous dialog she was saddled with.

The 39 Steps (1935) - this was a rewatch during a very long, depressing plane ride. It was a welcome tonic to my mood. It's one of my favorite Hitchcock movies for a reason. Best ending shot in the history of ever.

Easy Virtue (1927) - an early, silent Hitchcock. Good.

Lonesome Dove (1988) - this was my dad's favorite movie and I think it could be legitimately argued as one of the best American mini-series ever made. I'm a fan of westerns but even if you aren't, you should try to watch this. Great characters. Great dialogue. Great story. Highly recommended.

The Man From Laramie (1955) - an Anthony Mann directed Western starring James Stewart. Not as good as Bend of the River or The Naked Spur but a good western, nonetheless.

Rose Marie (1936) - after seeing Jeanette MacDonald be wooed by Maurice Chevalier I wanted to see a MacDonald/Eddy musical. This was a good choice. Highly recommended for fans of musicals without dancing and/or opera.

Wall-E (2008) - Pixar does it again. How they gave non-speaking robots such personality is a sight to behold. Highly recommended.

Audrey and Marilyn Tattoo

2008-06-20T15:45:08Z

As promised, here are pics of my new amazing tattoo of Audrey and Marilyn! I'm very proud of how it came out!

You can see the whole process here: Tattoo

The whole process was a grueling 5 hours. But worth every minute.

All About Joan Crawford giggles

2008-06-20T11:56:45Z

Yay for camera phones, lookie at one of the street signs/names *G* I spotted a few day ago....

Oh, come on!

How could I not?!

I've been passed this road quite a few times for God knows how many years and that was the first time I noticed it and went all super dorky because of my sudden love for classics...and dudes, it was so totally named after Joan Crawford.

I wonder if there's a st named after Grace Kelly *~~swoons~~loves*

not dead yet!

2008-06-20T01:29:25Z

After several recent show business deaths, particularly Cyd Charisse, I started thinking about how unfortunate it is that we rarely see retrospectives of classic stars' careers until after they are dead. Often I hear about someone's death only to think, "I didn't even know she was still alive." So I thought it might be refreshing to talk about our favorite classic movie stars who are still, perhaps unexpectedly, alive today, and just celebrate their longevity.

Some examples:

Luise Rainer (The Good Earth), age 98
Anita Page (Broadway Melody of 1929), age 97
Van Johnson (Brigadoon), age 91
Olivia de Havilland (Gone With the Wind), age 91
Joan Fontaine (Rebecca), age 90
Maureen O'Hara (The Quiet Man), age 87
Ray Harryhausen (special effects genius), age 87
Mickey Rooney (Boys Town), age 87
Esther Williams (Bathing Beauty), age 86
Lauren Bacall (The Big Sleep), age 83

Just for an example, I was happily surprised to find Esther Williams still among the living, especially considering the hazards of her profession--she broke her neck while filming Million Dollar Mermaid over 50 years ago, and nearly drowned a few times. I've always loved her bizarre MGM "aqua musicals." I appreciate the crazy excesses of musicals and there's nothing more excessive than a musical that takes place underwater. She wasn't the greatest actress, but her swimming and diving stunts were impressive and just fun to watch. So I'm happy to hear she's still with us, and in fact still has both a line of women's swimwear and a swimming pool company named after her!

I am also extremely impressed that silent film actress Anita Page, at nearly 100 years old, is still acting, even if it is in movies with names like "The Crawling Brain." Wikipedia also claims "she is the last known person alive who was in attendance at the very first Academy Awards in 1929." What a cool lady!

Age information from IMDB and www.deadoraliveinfo.com

devastated...R.I.P

2008-06-17T22:24:12Z

The pantheon keeps shrinking...

AFI's '10 Top 10'

2008-06-14T04:36:17Z

This year's annual AFI special event is airing this Tuesday on CBS. The countdown? The top 10 movies within 10 separate genres. The following are the genres that are including:

animation
romantic comedy
western
sports
mystery
fantasy
sci-fi
gangster
courtroom drama
epic

Noticeably absent from that list (at least to me) is the movie musical. I can think of a couple of the above genres that don't scream as exciting to me (really, why can't sci-fi and fantasy be considered one genre? I know techically they are sometimes not, but most of the time they are considered on the same plane) and could be replaced with the musical. I'm biased, but movie musicals, while all but obsolete now, are a significant part of American cinematic culture, historically anyway. Why does one think Singin' in the Rain consistently ranks on top 10 lists of films no matter what films from other genres it is compared to? And even if no one has seen one of their films, everyone at least knows Fred & Ginger by name?

I am excited for the animation and courtroom drama lists, though. I expect Disney to dominate (as I think it should) although AFI sometimes throws out surprises. Any predictions for what will top the lists? Which genres are you most excited about?

Ingrid Bergman - På Solsidan (excerpt 1).

2008-06-14T01:16:41Z

Swedish Film

Ingrid Bergman - På Solsidan (opening titles).

2008-06-14T01:07:20Z

Swedish Film

James Dean

2008-06-12T23:05:26Z

I can't decide which James Dean poster

Help?

Edit: I had to add another, sorry! Haha!

"doing nicely"

2008-06-11T15:33:25Z

Paul Newman responds

wishing Paul good health

2008-06-09T21:06:01Z

According to perezhilton.com (yes, I frequent the site...I'm a Northwestern undergrad who is not afraid to admit this), Paul Newman is reportedly dying of lung cancer. Paul Newman is one of my favorite actors who I have admired for both his long career and the good he's done through his charities. Here's hoping that he gets through this okay, although I think this should also be a message to young people in Hollywood and the public in general that smoking is indeed harmful in the long-run. Yes, he's 83, but who wants to live that long only to spend your last years going through chemotherapy?

Sorry. Didn't mean to turn this into a PSA. Things like this just get me slightly worked up. I don't pray, but I do wish him good health. Paul is among the last of the "Golden Age" and it's kind of sad.

May Movie Reviews

2008-06-03T14:16:40Z

Union Depot (1932) - pre-code Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. movie co-starring a very young Joan Blondell. Very good.

Detour (1946) - I can't decide if I like film noir or not. While I did enjoy this movie the main male character struck me as a whimp.

Chance at Heaven (1933) - the main reason I watched this was for Joel Macrae. He didn't disappoint. Ginger Rogers was understated as the girlfriend next door.

Blackmail (1929) - my only Hitchcock for May! I'm never going to watch them all by the end of 2008 at this rate! This was Hitch's first talkie. I have to admit that I was distracted during much of it. But, it's good early Hitchcock.

Pennies from Heaven (1936) - loved this movie. Bing Crosby as an ex-con hobo. Very, very good with excellent music.

I Know Where I'm Going (1945) - Favorite movie of the month. Wendy Hiller and Roger Livesly, two British stage actors, in a story about how what you think you want out of life and what you need are two different things.

Cranford (2008) - confession time: I missed the final episode of this mini-series so it doesn't really count.

To Please a Lady (1950) - middle aged Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck falling in love, set in the sport of open wheeled racing. The movie is better than that sounds mainly because Stanwyck can sell anything. Gable is very appealing, too.

Iron Man (2008) - best movie of the summer.

Law of the Tropics (1941) - not sure why I watched this. Decent but nothing I'd watch again.

Only Angels Have Wings (1939) - this is one of those movies that I'm compelled to watch whenever it's on television. Probably in my top five classic movies.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) - eh.

The Merry Widow (1934) - loved it, although I think Maurice Chevalier might be the most unappealing leading man I've ever seen.

Seven Men From Now (1956) - before I started watching classic movies religiously a couple of years ago, the name Randolph Scott would have made me think of Westerns, although I don't remember ever seeing a Randolph Scott western. When I started watching TCM, I saw Scott in screwball comedies as the romantic rival of the main star. That's the role I now associate with him. So, I was very interested in seeing him in a western. The verdict: awesome. This is a great movie and he gives a very understated, rugged performance. He's a man that got even more handsome the older he got. Highly recommended if you like Anthony Mann type Westerns.

In a Lonley Place (1950) - wow, Bogie knocked this one out of the park. Gloria Grahame, better known to most as Violet in It's a Wonderful Life, gives an outstanding performance as his trusting then suspicious girlfriend. Highly recommended.

Their Own Desire (1929) - if you didn't know the year this movie was made you would guess rather quickly by the overly dramatic and emotive acting of Norma Shearer. She hadn't quite gotten used to the subtlety of sound. Robert Montgomery supports, a very handsome, young Robert Montgomery.

Vantage Point (2008) - not nearly as good as I expected although there was a nice twist about half-way through. A bit of explanation and/or character development to explain the twist would have been nice, though.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) - eh, part deux. Nothing compares to Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) - I thought it would be funnier.

Merrily We Live (1938) - a knock off of the previous year's hit, My Man Godfrey, this movie works just as well. Maybe a bit better because Constance Bennett's character isn't as spacy as Carole Lombard's.

On the Town (1948) - deserves to be called a classic.

classic_film @ 2008-06-01T19:07:00

2008-06-01T23:07:34Z

Wikipedia says: Some of Hepburn's original vocal performances for the film were released in the 1990s, affording her fans an opportunity to judge whether the dubbing was necessary.

About My Fair Lady. Does anyone have these? I'd love to hear what she sounds like singing!

Please and thank you!

Please help!

2008-06-01T19:22:36Z

In about three weeks, I am going to be getting a new tattoo. It will be of Audrey Hepburn as an angel on one shoulder, and Marilyn Monroe as a devil on the other. I have both images, but the one I have of Marilyn is from the last sitting, and it is crossed out, and I need a higher res photo so it can be edited by my tattoo artist.

Does anyone have a high res version of this pic? Or where I can find one?

classic_film @ 2008-06-01T09:15:00

2008-06-01T14:15:46Z

This may be outside of the rules, but I felt it could be of interest...

Huge fire burns at back lot at Universal Studios

MSNBC has just reported that at least one film vault is on fire along with the New York, New York area.

Greta Garbo in

2008-05-30T05:20:37Z

Greta Garbo

Sydney Pollack July 1, 1934-May 26, 2008

2008-05-27T03:13:44Z

LOS ANGELES - Academy Award-winning director Sydney Pollack, a Hollywood mainstay who achieved commercial success and critical acclaim with the gender-bending comedy "Tootsie" and the period drama "Out of Africa, has died. He was 73.

Pollack died of cancer Monday afternoon at his home in Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, surrounded by family, said his publicist, Leslee Dart. He had been diagnosed with cancer about nine months ago, Dart said.

Pollack, who occasionally appeared on the screen himself, worked with and gained the respect of Hollywood's best actors in a long career that reached prominence in the 1970s and 1980s.

"Sydney made the world a little better, movies a little better and even dinner a little better. A tip of the hat to a class act," actor George Clooney said in a statement issued by his publicist.

"He'll be missed terribly," Clooney said.

Last fall, Pollack played Marty Bach opposite Clooney in "Michael Clayton," a drama that examines the life of fixer for lawyers. The film, which Pollack co-produced, received seven Oscar nominations, including best picture and a best actor nod for Clooney. Tilda Swinton won the Oscar for supporting actress.

Pollack was no stranger to the Academy Awards. In 1986, "Out of Africa" a romantic epic of a woman's passion set against the landscape of colonial Kenya, captured seven Oscars, including best director.

Over the years, several of his other films, including "Tootsie" and "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" got several nominations, including best director nods.

Pollack's movies frequently had some of Hollywood's best actors: "Absence of Malice" with Sally Field and Paul Newman, "The Yakuza" with Robert Mitchum, "Three Days of the Condor" with Robert Redford, and "The Firm" with Tom Cruise, among others.

In later years, he devoted increasing time to acting, appearing in Woody Allen's "Husbands and Wives," Robert Altman's "The Player," Robert Zemeckis' "Death Becomes Her," and Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut."

Pollack's recent producing credits include "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Cold Mountain." His last screen appearance was in "Made of Honor," a romantic comedy currently in theaters, where he played the oft-married father of star Patrick Dempsey's character.

In recent years, Pollack produced many independent films with filmmaker Anthony Minghella and a production company Mirage Enterprises.

The Lafayette, Ind. native was born to first-generation Russian-Americans.

In high school, he fell in love with theater, a passion that prompted him forego college and move to New York and enroll in the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater.

"We started together in New York and he always excelled at everything he set out to do, his friendships and his humanity as much as his talents," Martin Landau, a longtime close friend of Pollack's and an associate from the Actor's Studio, said through spokesman Dick Guttman.

Studying under Sanford Meisner, Pollack spent several years cutting his teeth in various areas of theater, eventually becoming Meisner's assistant.

After appearing in a handful of Broadway productions in the 1950s, Pollack turned his eye to directing, where he would ultimately leave his biggest mark. But Pollack, who stood over six feet tall and had a striking presence on the screen, never totally gave up acting.

At the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival, Pollack said "Tootsie" star Dustin Hoffman pushed him into playing the actor's exasperated agent.

Pollack said Hoffman repeatedly sent him roses with a note reading, "Please be my agent. Love, Dorothy," — a reference to the lead character's female persona, Dorothy Michaels. At that point, Pollack hadn't acted in 20 years.

"Most of the great directors that I know of were not actors, so I can't tell you it's a requirement," he said. "On the other hand, it's an enormous help."

In the 1982 movie, Hoffman plays an out-of-work actor who pretends to be a woman to land a role on a soap opera.

"I didn't think anyone would believe him as a woman," Pollack said. "But the world did, they went crazy."

Pollack is survived by his wife, Claire; two daughters, Rebecca and Rachel; his brother Bernie; and six grandchildren.

-credit to AP via Yahoo! News

Richard Dix & Ben Lyon Autographs

2008-05-21T21:31:59Z

I bought a 1930's scrapbook and to my surprise there were autographed photos in it. At first I didn't know who they were of until I did a little research and found out what films these guys were in. Ben Lyon was in Hell's Angels with Jean Harlow, Indiscreet with Gloria Swanson, and Night Nurse with Barbara Stanwyck and Richard Dix was Cimarron with Irene Dunne, etc. So, just thought I'd share, I thought it was pretty neat.

classic_film @ 2008-05-21T11:48:00

2008-05-21T17:01:18Z

Today is Robert Montgomery's 104th birthday. TCM is celebrating with a marathon of movies during the day, focusing mainly on his work in the early/mid 30's. I would love to post a list of my favorite Robert Montgomery movies but there is a problem with that. To wit, I always get the Four Roberts confused.

Maybe this only happens to me, but when I see a movie description, especially a 1930's movie, that has either Robert Montgomery, Robert Young and Robert Taylor's name in it, I have to stop and think of which actor it is. It doesn't help that they are all dark haired and fair skinned. It really confuses things because they all played opposite Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer...and just about every other female star of the 30's. They were also usually second billed to the more popular actress, their popularity relying more on their romantic support of the more charismatic lead actress.

Robert Taylor is the easiest for me to recognize. He was argubly the most handsome and had the most sex appeal. He was also married to Barbara Stanwyck. Robert Ryan really looks nothing like the other three, besides the aforementioned dark hair and fair complexion. His contenence was more rugged and he made his name in the 40's film noir instead of slick 30's romantic comedies and dramas. But, by virtue of their first names, I always have to pause when I read their name.

Photographic evidence of three of the four Roberts - finding a young picture of Robert Ryan is very difficult.

The first two are the ones I get confused most often.

The Birthday Boy, Robert Montgomery

Robert Young, who will always be Marcus Welby, MD to me.

Finally, Robert Taylor. Not the best picture of him, to be sure.

Top 10 Jimmy Stewart Movies

2008-05-20T15:19:15Z

Today is Jimmy Stewart Day on TCM, in honor of his 100th birthday. Below, is my list of 10 favorite Jimmy Stewart movies.

1. The Shop Around the Corner - I just love this movie. I can watch it over and over and over again.
2. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington - Jimmy at his finest and supported by Jean Arthur, Thomas Mitchell and Claude Rains.
3. It's a Wonderful Life - "I want to live again! I want to live again!"
4. Rear Window - he spends the entire movie in a chair and you really never notice.
5. Vertigo - the only movie that he creeps me out just a little bit. He plays obsessed very well.
6. Anatomy of a Murder - Jimmy as a piano playing, jazz loving attorney who is completely discombobulated by the alluring wife of his client.
7. The Philadelphia Story - I would be remiss to include the movie he won an Oscar for.
8. You Can't Take it With You - a comedy co-starring again with Jean Arthur. I wish they'd made more movies together.
9. The Naked Spur - really any Stewart western directed by Anthony Mann. I love Stewart as a tortured anti-hero.
10. Thunder Bay - an obscure, mediocre movie that is improved merely by having Stewart in it.

What are your favorite James Stewart movies?