In the middle of my viewing week since my last entry, were the two big nights of awards. Since I had not seen any of the best picture nominees, I had no opinion except none were interesting enough for me to get out in our cold Heartland winter to visit a theater. Maybe I'll rent some of them; maybe I'll just wait for them on TV. At least The Independent Spirit Awards were entertaining and irreverant.
So my films for last week were:
New Moon (1940) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032840/ Beautiful music by the sweethearts of films, Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. Rombergs score for this operetta was wonderful and the leads were in top form.
Nelson & Jeanette (PBS ) (1992) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104980/ Clips from all 8 of their films together. With comments by those who knew them and/or worked with them.
The Swan - LTX (1956) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049815/ Another tape of this film off of TCM at the right ratio shows the beauty of the locations.
Dear Heart (1964) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057999/ Glenn Ford and Geraldine Page show how grown-ups can make a wonderful romantic movie about mature people. About a greeting card salesman and a small town postmistress at a convention, who meet and fall in love. Lovely title song.
The 2007 Independent Spirit Awards (2/23/08) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1063328/ Love the laid back atmosphere and the naughty attitude. Fun.
The 80th Academy Awards (2/29/08) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1063328/ Really not the best, but at least it got done.
Charlotte Gray (2001) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245046/ Cate Blanchett as a secret agent in WWII who gets sent to vichy France. Good up until she is set to be returned to England and the script goes off. Seemed so false for the character that I did not enjoy the last scenes at all. Beautiful locations, and the costumes and props, like cars, etc., were spot on.
The Story Of Three Loves (1953) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046374/ Three stories of romance. James Mason and Moira Shearer lead off with a story about an ill ballet dancer. Leslie Caron in the middle story is the silliest. 12 year old Ricky Nelson and Farley Granger are involved. Final story stars Kirk Douglas and Pier Angeli as a girl who tries suicide and her rescuer who is looking for a new partner for his high trapeze act. Their story is interesting, but it is the first one, with it's gorgeous score that I enjoyed the most, in 1953 and last week.
Ripleys Game (2002) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0265651/ John Malkovich as Ripley is, as usual, terrific and interesting. Dougrey Scott is his foil. Lena Headey of 300 fame plays Scotts wife. Twists and turns and double dealing. Keeps us on our toes.
I was browsing film sites and on BoxOfficeMOJO found this about revenue from films:
"Home Market
The Home Market refers to revenue derived from people viewing movies at home. It is broken down into three sections: rentals, sales and TV rights. Combined these bring in more than *double the domestic box office* and can turn a film that was a mid-level hit to a monster hit, or lift a film that struggled at the box office to one that shows a considerable profit. And to think, just a couple of decades ago studios were suing VCR manufacturers and Video Rental stores claiming they would kill the industry! Of course now DVD is king, representing more than 80% of rentals and nearly all of the sales. "
What will the next few years hold for the movie box office? Will there still be theater complexes? The times they are a changin'. Me thinks.
February 29, 2008
February 21, 2008
February films and my birthday
Comedies and musicals chase away the cold and frosty days. Sitting by the fire watching a film on my 55 inch HDTV is good way to forget and hibernate. On my birthday I went out for brunch with my sister and came back and watched films from my library. These are what I watched this week:
"The Rainmaker" (1956) Katharine Hepburn and Burt Lancaster in the film version of a play about a drifter and a spinster. He comes to the farm selling his services as a rainmaker and Kate, her two brothers and their father are locked in a struggle to get her a beau. Interesting period piece. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049653/
"Tootsie" (1982) One of Dustin Hoffmans funniest films. An out of work actor goes to a casting call for a part on a soap opera - as a woman. And gets the part. Jessica Lang won an Oscar for her supporting role as another cast member. Also in the great cast, Bill Murray, Dabney Coleman, Teri Garr and Charles Durning. Director Sydney Pollock plays the agent in a very funny scene with Hoffman where they go round and round and he ends up saying he doesn't know what they are saying. Great timing. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084805/
"Bachelor Mother" (1939) Ginger Rogers works in a department store during the holiday season and gets her pink slip at the end of Christmas eve. On the way home, she sees a woman putting a baby on the steps of a foundling home. She tries to stop the woman, but can't and she leaves. She picks up the baby to comfort it and the door opens and a staff member has her come in. Of course, they think the baby is hers. The mistake makes for funny mixups with store owner Charles Laughten and his playboy son David Niven. Funny and sweet. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031067/
"Murder At 1600" (1997) Murder in the White House, and an evil staff member is the villian and a D.C. cop tries to uncover who done it. Pretty good mystery with Wesley Snipes. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119731/
"Always In My Heart" (1942) Kay Francis is Mom about to marry a rich architech. Walter Houston is Dad who has just been pardoned from prison. Gloria Warren is the daughter with a beautiful voice. Dad is a great musician and composer. The title song is lovely and the story doesn't get in the way of the songs. Harmonica Rascals provide some of the music. First class fluff. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034454/
"100 Men & A Girl" (1937 ) Deanna Durbin's third film has her with an out-of-work musician father (Adolph Menjou) who forms a symphony orchestra of out of workers like himself. Busy-body Deanna is challenged to get them on the radio. To do that she has to get Leopold Stokowski to lead the orchestra one time for the coverage it would get in the news. Great scene of the great man leading the men on the steps and in the foyer of his home. Deanna sings La Traviata and two more solos with the orchestra. What a voice! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029347/
"Trapped" (2002 ) Kevin Bacan in a kidnapper; Dakota Fanning the little girl he takes; Charlize Theron the mother. Pretty good yarn that gets out of control during the last 20 minutes. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280380/
"A Foreign Affair" (1948) Billy Wilder's film of post war Germany show the bombed out city of Berlin with the four sectors, and the black market way of life that prevailed immediately after the bullets stopped flying. Jean Arthur is the Congresslady from Iowa; John Lund a soldier,and her constituant; Marlene Dietrich a cabaret singer,and his mistress. Very good and fun film with Dietrich singing two great songs; Black Market (who will buy my souvenirs?) and Among The Ruins Of Berlin. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040367/
"The Ghost & Mrs Muir" (1947) One of my all time favorite romances. Beautiful Gene Tierney is the widow who leases a seaside house built by a sea captain. The real estate man tells her the cottage is haunted by a ghost, but she rents it anyway. The first night the Captain (Rex Harrison) appears to her and they agree that he will let them stay if she will see that the cottage is left for elderly seaman. Thus begins their relationship, which eventually has them writing a book about his adventures. The great George Sanders is the new man she meets at the publishers and how it all turn out is a great love story, with no physical contact between the two stars. But their chemistry is palpable and the great score by Bernard Herrman is so romantic, I'm a puddle of mush as the door closes on this one. A 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039420/
"The Swan" (1956) A Prince (Alex Guinness), visits a beautiful Princess (Grace Kelly), at a gorgeous country palace. Her Mama is determined they will marry. Complications, in the form of Louis Jourdan, as the tutor to the young brothers in the family, and who is madly in love with the princess, makes for a sparkling comedy of manners. Guinness is at his droll best and the supporting cast is first rate. A lovely film. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049815/
Only another month until the calendar says it is the first day of spring. I'm ready for it as we are still in the deep freeze. And just had some more freezing rain and snow. Tiresome!
"The Rainmaker" (1956) Katharine Hepburn and Burt Lancaster in the film version of a play about a drifter and a spinster. He comes to the farm selling his services as a rainmaker and Kate, her two brothers and their father are locked in a struggle to get her a beau. Interesting period piece. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049653/
"Tootsie" (1982) One of Dustin Hoffmans funniest films. An out of work actor goes to a casting call for a part on a soap opera - as a woman. And gets the part. Jessica Lang won an Oscar for her supporting role as another cast member. Also in the great cast, Bill Murray, Dabney Coleman, Teri Garr and Charles Durning. Director Sydney Pollock plays the agent in a very funny scene with Hoffman where they go round and round and he ends up saying he doesn't know what they are saying. Great timing. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084805/
"Bachelor Mother" (1939) Ginger Rogers works in a department store during the holiday season and gets her pink slip at the end of Christmas eve. On the way home, she sees a woman putting a baby on the steps of a foundling home. She tries to stop the woman, but can't and she leaves. She picks up the baby to comfort it and the door opens and a staff member has her come in. Of course, they think the baby is hers. The mistake makes for funny mixups with store owner Charles Laughten and his playboy son David Niven. Funny and sweet. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031067/
"Murder At 1600" (1997) Murder in the White House, and an evil staff member is the villian and a D.C. cop tries to uncover who done it. Pretty good mystery with Wesley Snipes. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119731/
"Always In My Heart" (1942) Kay Francis is Mom about to marry a rich architech. Walter Houston is Dad who has just been pardoned from prison. Gloria Warren is the daughter with a beautiful voice. Dad is a great musician and composer. The title song is lovely and the story doesn't get in the way of the songs. Harmonica Rascals provide some of the music. First class fluff. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034454/
"100 Men & A Girl" (1937 ) Deanna Durbin's third film has her with an out-of-work musician father (Adolph Menjou) who forms a symphony orchestra of out of workers like himself. Busy-body Deanna is challenged to get them on the radio. To do that she has to get Leopold Stokowski to lead the orchestra one time for the coverage it would get in the news. Great scene of the great man leading the men on the steps and in the foyer of his home. Deanna sings La Traviata and two more solos with the orchestra. What a voice! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029347/
"Trapped" (2002 ) Kevin Bacan in a kidnapper; Dakota Fanning the little girl he takes; Charlize Theron the mother. Pretty good yarn that gets out of control during the last 20 minutes. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280380/
"A Foreign Affair" (1948) Billy Wilder's film of post war Germany show the bombed out city of Berlin with the four sectors, and the black market way of life that prevailed immediately after the bullets stopped flying. Jean Arthur is the Congresslady from Iowa; John Lund a soldier,and her constituant; Marlene Dietrich a cabaret singer,and his mistress. Very good and fun film with Dietrich singing two great songs; Black Market (who will buy my souvenirs?) and Among The Ruins Of Berlin. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040367/
"The Ghost & Mrs Muir" (1947) One of my all time favorite romances. Beautiful Gene Tierney is the widow who leases a seaside house built by a sea captain. The real estate man tells her the cottage is haunted by a ghost, but she rents it anyway. The first night the Captain (Rex Harrison) appears to her and they agree that he will let them stay if she will see that the cottage is left for elderly seaman. Thus begins their relationship, which eventually has them writing a book about his adventures. The great George Sanders is the new man she meets at the publishers and how it all turn out is a great love story, with no physical contact between the two stars. But their chemistry is palpable and the great score by Bernard Herrman is so romantic, I'm a puddle of mush as the door closes on this one. A 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039420/
"The Swan" (1956) A Prince (Alex Guinness), visits a beautiful Princess (Grace Kelly), at a gorgeous country palace. Her Mama is determined they will marry. Complications, in the form of Louis Jourdan, as the tutor to the young brothers in the family, and who is madly in love with the princess, makes for a sparkling comedy of manners. Guinness is at his droll best and the supporting cast is first rate. A lovely film. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049815/
Only another month until the calendar says it is the first day of spring. I'm ready for it as we are still in the deep freeze. And just had some more freezing rain and snow. Tiresome!
February 15, 2008
Eleven films in 6 Days-----
This week has had such bad weather, cold, sleet, wind like a knife, I don't want to think about it, although I did venture out to have a haircut and buy groceries.
So my primary activity was still watching films. Some from my collection, some rentals, some off my satellite channels.
"Crash" (2005) Directors commentary. I had to watch this again with the commentary. Interesting from the director, Cheadle and a producer.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375679/
"Picture Perfect" (1997) Okay rom/com until the last 15 minutes, when it becomes rediculous. Lame ending. Jennifer Anniston deserved better. Too bad.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119896/ratings
"The Bodyguard" (1992) Kevin Costner in the title role is hired to protect super star, Whitney Houston, playing a spoiled bitch who turns into a frightened lady. I always enjoy getting this one out and watching 2 pros at the top of their game. The scene of Whitney singing "I will run to you" as she runs toward the camera in a flowing white dress, is perfect. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103855/
"Elizabeth, The Golden Age" (2007) Well, I finally saw this and wish I had gone to the theater - it is beautiful. Cate Blanchett is good as always. I enjoyed myself and a visit the court of Elizabeth and to the "Golden Age."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414055/
"The Apartment" (1960) Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLean make this a very good romance. Fred MacMurray is the "boss" on the make and a real sleaze bag. The supporting cast is great and make the laughs come and the way of life in the "office" has changed somewhat since 1960. But guys on the make have not, nor have gals who let them make out. "The more things change, the more they stay the same." http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053604/
"Caesar & Cleopatra (1945) Beautiful Vivien Leigh is the great queen as a kitten in George Bernard Shaws marvelous play. Claude Rains is terrific as the bemused Caesar. Lavish sets, costumes, some of Britains great actors in small parts, a wonderful score, make this a joy from beginning to end. But you have to listen. This one is not for anyone who can't pay attention to the great dialog. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038390/
"The Red Shoes" (1948) One of the greatest films about ballet. During the last half of the film, there is the full 15 minute title ballet. Some of the most beautiful color photography ever for a film. This played at road shows across the US for over a year. Two shows a day. We went all dressed up like we were going to a play. I don't remember how many times I went to see it in the year it was in my town, but a lot. The music, the dance, the actors all made it a magical experience. Thanks to TCM for showing it during their 31 Days Of Oscar. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040725/
3:10 To Yuma (2007) I love Westerns. I liked this remake of the 1957 film, but it is 30 minutes too long. The original was a tight, 1:32 minutes. This is 2:01 minutes. It is filled up with huge fires, explosions, fights that go on too long, etc. More is not better when you lose the tension. Some details of the story have been changed for what purpose I don't know.. Shoulda stuck to the original and let the new sets, cast and color photography made the difference. It's a great story and should have been a great film with this cast. But it isn't. Still, I'll take a new western when I can get it. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381849/
"16 Blocks" Bruce Willis a corrupt cop trying to get a petty criminal to a grand jury hearing against a bunch of worse cops trying to stop them. Didja get that? I was kept awake for the whole film. So it's not bad, cause a lot of 'um put me right to sleep. LOL
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450232/
"Batman Begins" (2005) This is one that I snoozed in more than once. I can't stand Bale. His mouth is too full of teeth. And his expressions are all the same. A really bad remake of the Michael Keaton Batman film. And Tomcats wife is no Kim Bassinger. 2/10 Bad!!! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372784/
"The Poseidon Adventure" (2006) Another remake that shouldn't have been greenlit. Awful. Not one character is the least bit interesting. Put me to sleep more than once, as I dozed the running time away. 2/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409182/
So I have been sleeping a lot. During films. What does that tell you. They are bad!
So sorry about the latest shootings at a college. Will we ever be able to find the reason and how to stop it? Maybe go back to the days when some people were deemed so dangerous that we had them locked in hospitals. Don't know the answer but hope the families of the victims can find solace in the many people who sympathize.
So my primary activity was still watching films. Some from my collection, some rentals, some off my satellite channels.
"Crash" (2005) Directors commentary. I had to watch this again with the commentary. Interesting from the director, Cheadle and a producer.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375679/
"Picture Perfect" (1997) Okay rom/com until the last 15 minutes, when it becomes rediculous. Lame ending. Jennifer Anniston deserved better. Too bad.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119896/ratings
"The Bodyguard" (1992) Kevin Costner in the title role is hired to protect super star, Whitney Houston, playing a spoiled bitch who turns into a frightened lady. I always enjoy getting this one out and watching 2 pros at the top of their game. The scene of Whitney singing "I will run to you" as she runs toward the camera in a flowing white dress, is perfect. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103855/
"Elizabeth, The Golden Age" (2007) Well, I finally saw this and wish I had gone to the theater - it is beautiful. Cate Blanchett is good as always. I enjoyed myself and a visit the court of Elizabeth and to the "Golden Age."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414055/
"The Apartment" (1960) Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLean make this a very good romance. Fred MacMurray is the "boss" on the make and a real sleaze bag. The supporting cast is great and make the laughs come and the way of life in the "office" has changed somewhat since 1960. But guys on the make have not, nor have gals who let them make out. "The more things change, the more they stay the same." http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053604/
"Caesar & Cleopatra (1945) Beautiful Vivien Leigh is the great queen as a kitten in George Bernard Shaws marvelous play. Claude Rains is terrific as the bemused Caesar. Lavish sets, costumes, some of Britains great actors in small parts, a wonderful score, make this a joy from beginning to end. But you have to listen. This one is not for anyone who can't pay attention to the great dialog. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038390/
"The Red Shoes" (1948) One of the greatest films about ballet. During the last half of the film, there is the full 15 minute title ballet. Some of the most beautiful color photography ever for a film. This played at road shows across the US for over a year. Two shows a day. We went all dressed up like we were going to a play. I don't remember how many times I went to see it in the year it was in my town, but a lot. The music, the dance, the actors all made it a magical experience. Thanks to TCM for showing it during their 31 Days Of Oscar. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040725/
3:10 To Yuma (2007) I love Westerns. I liked this remake of the 1957 film, but it is 30 minutes too long. The original was a tight, 1:32 minutes. This is 2:01 minutes. It is filled up with huge fires, explosions, fights that go on too long, etc. More is not better when you lose the tension. Some details of the story have been changed for what purpose I don't know.. Shoulda stuck to the original and let the new sets, cast and color photography made the difference. It's a great story and should have been a great film with this cast. But it isn't. Still, I'll take a new western when I can get it. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381849/
"16 Blocks" Bruce Willis a corrupt cop trying to get a petty criminal to a grand jury hearing against a bunch of worse cops trying to stop them. Didja get that? I was kept awake for the whole film. So it's not bad, cause a lot of 'um put me right to sleep. LOL
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450232/
"Batman Begins" (2005) This is one that I snoozed in more than once. I can't stand Bale. His mouth is too full of teeth. And his expressions are all the same. A really bad remake of the Michael Keaton Batman film. And Tomcats wife is no Kim Bassinger. 2/10 Bad!!! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372784/
"The Poseidon Adventure" (2006) Another remake that shouldn't have been greenlit. Awful. Not one character is the least bit interesting. Put me to sleep more than once, as I dozed the running time away. 2/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409182/
So I have been sleeping a lot. During films. What does that tell you. They are bad!
So sorry about the latest shootings at a college. Will we ever be able to find the reason and how to stop it? Maybe go back to the days when some people were deemed so dangerous that we had them locked in hospitals. Don't know the answer but hope the families of the victims can find solace in the many people who sympathize.
February 08, 2008
A Primary, rain, sleet and snow.................
The state of Missouri was part of super Tuesday and I got out in a cold rain to head to the polls and cast my vote. Back home before the sleet began, to the warm fire, a glass of wine, and watching movies. Since my last entry I have watched:
"Matchstick Men" (2003)
Nic Cage as a con man who gets conned. Worth a watch on a cold afternoon.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0325805/
"Twisted" (2004) Ashley Judd as a cop who keeps getting drunk and waking up with dead men. Not too bad, but too many foreshadowings. Samuel L. Jackson is her superior and Andy Garcia her partner.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0315297/
"Now, Voyager" (1942) Bette Davis and Paul Henried smoke. He lights two cigarettes at a time and Ladies swooned. One of the all-time quoted final lines in a film: "Jerry, let's not ask for the moon; we have the stars." Pan to the stars. Fade out. *sob*
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035140/
"A Stolen Life" (1946) Bette Davis plays twins. Glenn Ford is handsome and confused. Wonderful moody love story.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038984/
"Love Letters" (1945) Jennifer Jones has lost her memory. Joseph Cotton plays a returning wounded soldier with a secret. Terrific love story and a great title theme song.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037885/
"Without Love" (1945) Tracy & Hepburn in one of their quirkiest movies. Lucille Ball and Keenyn Wynn provide the laughs.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038256/
"Crash" (2004) I didn't think I would like this and only put it in my Que because it won an Oscar as best picture. Very surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Episodic and lots of coincindences, but well done. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375679/
So heading into this weekend I still don't see anything at theaters to make me go spend money. Nothing just grabs me. I'll continue to go through my collection, weeding out some and making notes on which ones I want to replace Video tapes with DVDs.
"Matchstick Men" (2003)
Nic Cage as a con man who gets conned. Worth a watch on a cold afternoon.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0325805/
"Twisted" (2004) Ashley Judd as a cop who keeps getting drunk and waking up with dead men. Not too bad, but too many foreshadowings. Samuel L. Jackson is her superior and Andy Garcia her partner.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0315297/
"Now, Voyager" (1942) Bette Davis and Paul Henried smoke. He lights two cigarettes at a time and Ladies swooned. One of the all-time quoted final lines in a film: "Jerry, let's not ask for the moon; we have the stars." Pan to the stars. Fade out. *sob*
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035140/
"A Stolen Life" (1946) Bette Davis plays twins. Glenn Ford is handsome and confused. Wonderful moody love story.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038984/
"Love Letters" (1945) Jennifer Jones has lost her memory. Joseph Cotton plays a returning wounded soldier with a secret. Terrific love story and a great title theme song.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037885/
"Without Love" (1945) Tracy & Hepburn in one of their quirkiest movies. Lucille Ball and Keenyn Wynn provide the laughs.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038256/
"Crash" (2004) I didn't think I would like this and only put it in my Que because it won an Oscar as best picture. Very surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Episodic and lots of coincindences, but well done. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375679/
So heading into this weekend I still don't see anything at theaters to make me go spend money. Nothing just grabs me. I'll continue to go through my collection, weeding out some and making notes on which ones I want to replace Video tapes with DVDs.
February 02, 2008
February - A new month; elections; etc....
We turned a page on the calendar and will be having a primary in my state of Missouri. Part of super Tuesday. Wish I was excited. At least we are getting closer to being rid of The Bush Clan.
Weather has been a newsmaker across the country, as usual. But we are having another thaw for a few days. But last week was another by the fire watching films. I saw:
Other Peoples Money (1991) Danny DeVito as a romantic lead may seem strange, but in this film works. Penelope Ann Miller as a lawyer duking it out with takeover shark deVito, is sublime. Gregory Peck is stalwart and Piper Laurie, steadfast. An interesting story of corporate manipulation and Wall Street.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102609/
Hello, Frisco, Hello (1943) Alice Faye introduces what becomes her signature song, "You'll Never Know", singing to John Payne. Lynn Bari is the femme fatale that comes between them. Jack Oakley and June Havoc are great doing turn-of-the century music-hall numbers. A wonderfully entertaining 20th Century Fox musical. During the last year of WWII, lots of couples slow danced to "You'll Never Know." Later in the 1960's Perry Como had a hit record with the song.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035982/
Balalaika (1939) Nelson Eddy sings Russian songs and wears Cossack costumes as the Prince/Officer and looks great doing both. Ilona Massey is lovely as a bolshevic tavern/opera singer. The usual conflicts but all ends up happily ever after, in Paris of 1920. The music is fine and the stars have great rapport. Supporting cast reliable. Very entertaining.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031074/
The Millionaire (1931) George Arliss, early matinee' idol, as a rich car manufacturer who has health problems. Doctor makes him retire to a warmer climate. He gets bored and takes a job in a filling station. The main reason to watch it the old cars, stations, and clothes. Shows a way of life that is gone forever. I enjoyed watching it on Turner Classic Movies.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022151/
That Midnight Kiss (1949) Tenor Mario Lanza was introduced to audiences in this film. Beautiful Kathryn Grayson and Ethel Barrymore, along with Keenyn Wynn round out a great MGM cast to give him a fine vehicle to showcase his fine tenor. One of my favorite musicals from my late teens. I saw it numerous times at a movie palace that is no more.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041956/
Toast Of New Orleans (1950) Mario and Kathryns second pairing. As soon as this couple had the 1st hit, the MGM studio got busy with another pairing of their stars. This one is about a cajun lobster fisherman discovered by David Niven as the New Orleans director of the opera. The final of the film is a scene from Madame Butterfly that is lovely singing as well as funny, and great cinematography. TCM showed both films, back to back, the last day of January. What a way to say "Goodbye" to a long, dark, cold month!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043053/
So, bring on February. The shortest month. The Presidents birthday month.
Weather has been a newsmaker across the country, as usual. But we are having another thaw for a few days. But last week was another by the fire watching films. I saw:
Other Peoples Money (1991) Danny DeVito as a romantic lead may seem strange, but in this film works. Penelope Ann Miller as a lawyer duking it out with takeover shark deVito, is sublime. Gregory Peck is stalwart and Piper Laurie, steadfast. An interesting story of corporate manipulation and Wall Street.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102609/
Hello, Frisco, Hello (1943) Alice Faye introduces what becomes her signature song, "You'll Never Know", singing to John Payne. Lynn Bari is the femme fatale that comes between them. Jack Oakley and June Havoc are great doing turn-of-the century music-hall numbers. A wonderfully entertaining 20th Century Fox musical. During the last year of WWII, lots of couples slow danced to "You'll Never Know." Later in the 1960's Perry Como had a hit record with the song.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035982/
Balalaika (1939) Nelson Eddy sings Russian songs and wears Cossack costumes as the Prince/Officer and looks great doing both. Ilona Massey is lovely as a bolshevic tavern/opera singer. The usual conflicts but all ends up happily ever after, in Paris of 1920. The music is fine and the stars have great rapport. Supporting cast reliable. Very entertaining.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031074/
The Millionaire (1931) George Arliss, early matinee' idol, as a rich car manufacturer who has health problems. Doctor makes him retire to a warmer climate. He gets bored and takes a job in a filling station. The main reason to watch it the old cars, stations, and clothes. Shows a way of life that is gone forever. I enjoyed watching it on Turner Classic Movies.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022151/
That Midnight Kiss (1949) Tenor Mario Lanza was introduced to audiences in this film. Beautiful Kathryn Grayson and Ethel Barrymore, along with Keenyn Wynn round out a great MGM cast to give him a fine vehicle to showcase his fine tenor. One of my favorite musicals from my late teens. I saw it numerous times at a movie palace that is no more.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041956/
Toast Of New Orleans (1950) Mario and Kathryns second pairing. As soon as this couple had the 1st hit, the MGM studio got busy with another pairing of their stars. This one is about a cajun lobster fisherman discovered by David Niven as the New Orleans director of the opera. The final of the film is a scene from Madame Butterfly that is lovely singing as well as funny, and great cinematography. TCM showed both films, back to back, the last day of January. What a way to say "Goodbye" to a long, dark, cold month!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043053/
So, bring on February. The shortest month. The Presidents birthday month.
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