My Annual Holiday viewings:

ENCORES:

One Hour With You (1932) Jeanette MacDonald, Maurice Chevalier, Genevieve Tobin, Charles Ruggles. A delight. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023303/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1


WATCHED ANNUALLY:

Bachelor Mother (1939) Ginger Rogers, David Niven, Charles Coburn. Has one of the best Times Square New Years celebration scenes ever. Staged or filmed on a sound stage, it is a gem. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031067/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Remember The Night (1940) Barbara Stanwyke, Fred MacMurray, Beula Bondi, Elizabeth Patterson, Sterling Holloway. Preston Sturges wrote the screenplay but didn't get to direct. Not yet, but soon. The scenes of Fred taking Barbara to his home town for the holidays are perfect. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032981/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Christmas In Connecticut (1945) Barbara Stanwyke, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet, S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall. Lovely house, sleighs, Dennis sings, a great tree, and a funny and romantic script. One of the best. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037595/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

The Bishops Wife (1947) Loretta Young, Cary Grant, David Niven, Gladys George, Elsa Lancaster, Monty Wooley, James Gleason. With such a cast how could it be anything but a 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039190/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

It Happened On Fifth Ave. (1947) Victor Moore, Gale Storm, Don DeFore, Charles Ruggles, Ann Harding. A recent addition to Holiday films. The character actors are what make it a delight. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039502/

Holiday Affair (1949) Janet Leigh, Robert Mitchum, Wendell Corey, Henry Morgan. A little boy gets his wish. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041473/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Come To The Stable (1949) Loretta Young, Celeste Holm, Elsa Lancaster, Hugh Marlow. Not really about the holidays, but a feel good, charming film. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041257/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

A Christmas Carol/aka Scrooge in England. (1951) Alistaire Sim. Mervyn Johns, Hermione Baddeley, Kathleen Harrison. According to some experts the most accurate version in atmosphere and details of all the films of Dickens great story. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044008/

Christmas Vacation (1989) Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johny Galecki. Great cast of character actors make all the silliness fun. At the end , after everything that can go wrong, does, Chevy looks up in triumph and says "I did it." Anyone who has tried to give a huge family a great Christmas knows the feeling. Luv it!! 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Happy New Year to one and all.  Stay warm and safe.

MacDonald & Stanwyck - pre-code

FIRST VIEWINGS:

The Love Parade (1929) Jeanette MacDonald, Maurice Chevalier, Lilian Roth, Eugene Paulette. Director Ernst Lubitsch introduces delightful Jeanette as the queen of mythical Sylvania and marries a courtier, who finds his new life unsatisfying. He is dressed up in uniforms. But he has nothing to do. Trouble, trouble. Enjoyable and some nice songs, none of which have survived. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0020112/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Monte Carlo (1930) Jeanette MacDonald, Jack Buchanan, Zazu Pitts. Mix ups, runaway brides, Princes and Countesses, mythical kingdoms and one great song. Jeanette sings "Beyond The Blue Horizon" twice and it is a delight. Still sung by choruses today, it is a highlight of this romp. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021153/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Ladies They Talk About (1933) Barbara Stanwyke, Preston Forster, Lilian Roth, Lyle Talbot. Barbara is in prison for being part of a bank robbing gang. A guy who is an evangelist, who says he loves her, turns her in. Barbara and Lilian are fine, but the story and style of film, does them in.. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024238/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

ENCORES:

I saw first 3 fiilms in a theater during their year of release. I barely remember the Sturges, but did remember the laughing scene and the pool scene, fun for a 9 year old..   Watched many times since then.


Sullivans Travels (1941) Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake, William Demarest. Preston Sturges great comedy about the dark days of the 1930's depression and a Hollywood director who just wants to make a film about "real life." Cast of great character actors with the leads make a serious funny film. Love it and watch regularly. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034240/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

The Unsuspected (1947) Claude Rains, Joan Caulfield, Audrey Totter, Constance Bennett. Claude is suave and charming and menacing. The actresses are lovely in their fashions. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039941/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

We're No Angels) (1955) Humphey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, Joan Bennett, Also Ray, Basil Rathbone, Leo G. Carroll. My favorite Christmas film for a little tart among all the sweetness. Leisurely paced, it's points well made. Every Holiday season at least once. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048801/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1


NEW:  Never seen all the way through before. Rather long and really about uninteresting people, but a woman at the center of it all:

Far From The Madding Crowd (1967) Julie Christie, Terence Stamp, Peter Finch, Alan Bates. Gorgeous cinematography, but soooo slow that you really have to concentrate to keep from dropping off to sleep. Which I have every other time I tried to watch the whole thing. Made it this time, but really hated the middle part with our heroine besotted by the Uniform of the despicable Stamp. I have never been a fan of Christie so it was a chore from beginning to end. But beautiful scenery. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061648/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

A film with great rock & roll; plus pyramids and Australia.

Valley Of The Kings (1954) Eleanor Parker, Robert Taylor, Carlos Thompson. Location filming at the site of the tombs in 1954 is very interesting and worth seeing. Story is a muddle and rehash of various other films. Stars have neither the humor or spirit of earlier work together. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047641/

Let The Good Times Roll (1973) Documentary.  The greats of rock and roll before it was acknowledged as a cultural phenomena. Great music. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0143367/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Romulus, My Father (2007) Eric Bana, Franka Potenta, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Marton Csokas. Based on philosopher and writer Raimond Gaita's critically acclaimed memoir of his early life in a small farming community in Australia, with his emigrant parents. His mother is distant and seems unconnected sometimes; and then full of fun and laughter the next. She always neglects what needs to be done. His father is stoic and uncommunicative but manages to keep a roof over their heads. A rather joyless story of what the 1960's was like for poor people trying to find their way in a strange land. There was no help of any kind for mental illness. The acting is uniformly good. Cinematography marvelous - all buffy browns and slate skies. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462023/

Much praised - but a dud to me---

Martha, MarcyMae, Marlene (2011) Elizabeth Olsen, Sarah Paulsen, Hugh Dancy, John Hawkes. I was disappointed. A confused and disjointed film about paranoia, after leaving a cult, where our heroine has been for 2 years. She somehow manages to find and join her sister and hubby in their retreat home and try to fit in with their friends and lifestyle. Going back and forth between her life in the cult, her escape, finding her sister and beginning a new life; this was a muddle for me. About half way through I no longer cared what happened. That is the directors fault I think. He must have left some of the good stuff on the editing room floor, so to speak. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1441326/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

2 with Crowe; 1 Downey; 1 ensemble cast---

NEW:

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005) Robert Downey Jr, Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan. I'm not sure what this is about, but Downey is fun and Kilmer is too. Michelle is pretty and there is a good atmosphere. All about guys and gals in Hollywood - not the stars - just the wannabees and has beens. Entertaining. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373469/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1


ENCORES:

The Right Stuff (1983) Sam Shepard, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid, Fred Ward, Scott Glenn, Pamela Reed, Barbara Hershey. The Mercury Astronauts are picked and go through training. Interesting and entertaining with performances by future stars. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086197/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Master & Commander: Far Side Of The World (2003) Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany. Great scenes of sailing vessels and islands. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311113/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

State Of Play(2009)  Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright. Within the story of a corrupt politition and his downfall, is the tale of the downfall of a great newspaper. Mirren as chief editor and Affleck as the Senator, are both fighting a seemingly losing battle. The reporters, Crowe and McAdams, just keep on plugging away. Good story of our current scene. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473705/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Barbara Stanwyke day on TCM---

ENCORES:

The Big Heat (194) Glenn Ford, Gloria Graham, Jeanette Nolan, Lee Marvin. One of the best film noirs, and starring The Man; Glenn Ford. Watched often. 9/10    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045555/

A Night To Remember (1957) Kenneth More, Honor Blakeman. Another good film about the first voyage of the Titanic, hitting the iceberg, and the sinking. Accurate but emotionless. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051994/

Bullitt (1968) Steve McQueen, Don Gordon, Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset. That chase is still crazy wonderful. But film is a bit muddled. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062765/

Raising Arizona (1987) Nicholas Cage, Holly Hunter, John Goodman. Funny, funny, crazy funny! When life gets you down, watch this sweet, nutty film. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093822/

You've Got Mail (1998) Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Greg Kinnear, Dabney Colman, Awwwww! Another telling of The Shop Around The Corner. Luv it! 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128853/

Lantana (2001) Anthony LaPaglia, Geoffrey Rush, Barbara Hershey. I could not get interested in the stories of affairs, cheating, and a murder, which is almost a minor detail among the threads of this story. LaPaglia in an early cop role is good but it is almost a one note role and similar to his TV role in Without A Trace. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259393/

Maid In Manhattan (2002) Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci. I just like the players and the play. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0252076/

Doubt (2006-I) Meryl Streep, Philip Seymore Hoffman, Amy Adams. Still riveting with outstanding performances. 9/10     http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0918927/

FIRST VIEWINGS:

Three pre-code films starring Miss Barbara Stanwyke.  She was a star at 23 and never looked back. 

Ten Cents A Dance (1931) Barbara Stanwyck, Ricardo Cortez, Sally Blane. Pre-code. Story of the taxi-dancers that were lined up for men to pick and choose among to dance with, for a dime. At the beginning to the depression, with lots of girls from the farms having to go to the city for work, some ended up like the girls in this film. Barbara marries a guy and sticks through thick and thin. Even though a rich guy is in love with her. Stanwyke was 23 and her name was alone above the title in all caps.   She had already been in many successful films and was sought after by other studios.  She was darling and touching.  8/10    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022469/

Illicit (1931) Barbara Stanwyck, James Rennie, Ricardo Cortez, Joan Blondell. She thinks marriage kills love, so they live together and act silly. Until he decides they should marry anyway. Trouble trouble. Barbara is so pretty and the gowns are something to see. Cortez is in love with her and I would have run away with him, but she sticks to hubby. Much like a stage play. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021992/

Shopworn (1932) Barbara Stanwyck, Regis Toomey, Zazu Pitts, Clara Blandick. 23 year old Missy was already billed above the title and for this film, in all caps. Story of a poor, hard working waitress in a small mining town who catches the eye a young wealthy college student. His Mom is horrified and does everything to stop the romance, including having the girl arrested and framed on morals charges. Sent to the work house for three months, she is the wiser when she gets out, leaves town for the bright lights, and gets a job as a chorus girl. Her rise in show business is swift and she gets somewhat even eventually. The early 1930's was a time of transition for films, from silent to sound, and from frivolous to stories about the struggle of the working class. I see this film and since I am an 80 year old woman, I see my Mother. She left a small farming community to find work. She was from a family of 10 children that had lost their farm. All had to leave home except the last 2 school age boys. This film about a poor girls struggle resonates with me and I'm sure in 1932, it did with the struggling shopgirls who were the targeted audience. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023464/

Solitaire Man (1933) Herbert Marshall, May Robson, Elizabeth Allan, Lionel Atwill. Story of a jewel thief and his partner and lover attending a weekend at a rich woman's house party. The usual, and not done terrbly well, but two of the 1930's greatest character actresses, Mary Boland and May Robson, are the best things in it and worth sitting through to see. 6/10   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024590/

Appointment In Berlin (1943) George Sanders, Marguerite Chapman, Alan Napier, Gail Sondergaard. Sanders stars as a disgraced RAF officer drummed out of the service for speaking out about the pacifist leaders of England. He is then recruited by the secret service to go to Germany as a spy. He meets his Nazi bosses sister, who seems to question her countries path. Sanders is put to work doing English radio propaganda broadcasts. He embeds code into each one to get messages back to headquarters. Gail Sondergaard plays a member of the underground. Sanders is his usual charming self and the film is okay. 6/10       http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035643/

Bertie & Elizabeth (2002) James Wilby, Alan Bates, Juliet Aubrey. Retelling of the royal family from before WWII to the wartime broadcast by "Bertie", rallying the British public during the blitz. Aubrey is especially good as his wife, Elizabeth. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310733/

White Noise (2005) Michael Keaton, Chandra West. His wife dies in a car crash and he gets garbled messages on a TV screen with 'white noise' and ghostly images. Really gets repetitive after a while, and the other characters he meets are a bore. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375210/

Dear John (2010/I) Amanda Seyfried, Channing Tatum, Richard Jenkins, Henry Thomas. Pretty people meeting, falling in love and parting. Thought the Tatum character was sort of a jerk at the end. But his relationship with his father who seems autistic was nice and caring. All in all, the first half where young love prevails is good. The last half not so much. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0989757/

Extremely Loud, and Incredibly Close (2011) Tom Hanks, Oskar Schell, Sandra Bullock. Story of a boy whose father was killed at the World Trade Center disaster. The boy was released early from school that day, and gets home to find 5 messages on the answering machine from his father telling them he is all right. But when the phone rings again, he can't bring himself to answer and listens as his father says his last words. A year later he is still angry and trying to figure things out, when he knocks a vase over in his fathers closet. It breaks and he finds a key with the word 'Black'. He is obsessed with finding what and who the key belongs to and starts a scavenger hunt of all the Blacks in the phone book. At times touching and other times puzzling, it ends on a positive note. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477302/

Cinerama! Oh what a time----

The final films I watched in October:

Encores:


The Big Lift (1950) Montgomery Clift, Paul Douglas. A story about the Berlin blockade the Russians threw up around the whole city in 1948 or so. Had to fly in everything from coal to food. The film has two airmen who are sent with their crews to be part of the around the clock deliveries. Turns into a bit of a soap with the young women they meet. It was very interesting back then, but a bit slow now. Still "the ruins of Berlin" is a character in the film and the crews, except for the two main characters and the women, are all real servicemen. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042249/


This Is Cinerama (1952) Documentary. 7/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045231/

Cinerama Adventure (2002) Documentary 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279734/
The film that made me remember the 1950's and traveling to see the special event it was: This Is Cinerama. And the film that told all about the guys who invented the process and made the film and the theater screens to show it on: Cinerama Adventure.

This is how things were different: Before this I had never been on a plane in my life. Train or car travel was how we got around. Summer of '52 went by car to Chicago to see Cinerama. The shots of flying in the film were thrilling and made me sort of dizzy. The opening ride on the roller coaster made me queasy. You felt the way it leaned into some of the curves and that first plummet made you feel the weightlessness.

Later that year, in November, I went on my first plane trip - TWA to NYC and on Times Square I got to see the blazing lights for the Cinerama Theater; and for The King & I.

Lots of memories of a different world. Wonderful time. And these two films I DVR'd so I could take my time reliving those days.

Cash McCall (1960) James Garner, Natalie Wood, Dean Jagger, Nina Foch, Henry Jones.   Big bidness and it's men.  They goes after what they wants and get's it!  The two stars are pretty, so it is not difficult to watch.  7/10    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052680/

First Viewings:

The Lady In Question (1940) Brian Aherne, Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, Evelyn Keyes. A French farce remade for the American audience. A bicycle shop owner (Aherne) becomes a juror on a case of a young woman (Hayworth) accused of killing her boyfriend. He is the key to her acquittal and takes an interest in helping her after she is released. He brings her back home and gives her a room and a job. His son(Ford), home from school, falls for her and they decide to run away. Before long his whole family is in chaos because of his good deed. Hayworth and Fords first screen pairing, which was six years before Gilda. They made five films together and their chemistry is apparent here. Keyes is cute as the daughter of the house, in love with love. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032686/

The Nurses Secret (1941) Lee Patrick, Regis Toomey, Julie Bishop. Very dated and dull. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033966/

The Girl (2012-TV) Toby Jones, Sienna Milller, Imelda Staunton. The Hitchcock buffs are infuriated that this film casts Hitch as a villain, harassing and in effect, stalking his star, Hedron, while making two of his best films. Since it is from the woman's viewpoint, it naturally shows her perception of what is going on. It is plausible, given that both "The Birds" and "Marney" are about women who won't stay in their natural place for the 1950s - their home. In one she is aggressive and almost stalks the man she wants. In the other, she is hunted down, captured and examined, like a specimen. Both fantasies of the great director? From Hedrons' P-O-V it could be. She says"it is almost like he wants to be me - to get inside me." This is Hadron's story, so if that was the way she felt, then it is portrayed by Miller accurately. All in all, being a young woman in the 1950s, I loved both films but now see the issues differently. A great director, maybe obsessed. 7/10  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2132485/

Hedy, the Most Beautiful; Debut by Scott; our Princess---

Come Live With Me (1941) Hedy Lamarr, James Stewart, Ian Hunter, Verree Teasdale.[/b] He's a poor, struggling writer. She is a showgirl refuge who will be sent back to Europe when found out. Her rich boyfriend (Hunter) is married to clever Teasdale. Hedy discovers broke author down to his last dime, and pays him to marry her so she can stay in USA. Before long, poor boy takes girl home to farm and Grannie. Will true love blossom? Plot seems familiar. Hedy is gorgeous. She was voted "most beautiful woman in the world." 7/10 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033477/


The Mask Of Dimitrios (1944) Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Zachary Scott, Faye Emerson. The title gives the impression this is the story of a mans life. Far from it, this is about our two main characters trying to figure out who and where and - if - Dimitrios - is. Sidney and Peter are in fine form and tackle their parts with glee, which makes the viewer want to follow them around following clue after clue. Mystery writer Leyden and police inspector Haki share interest in a body that washes up on a shore in Istanbul. Haki tells the story of a career criminal and Leyden decides to follow the story where it leads - all over Europe. Along the way he meets up with Englishman, 300 pound Mr. Peters, obsessed with the fellow also, because he was swindled out of a fortune by the guy. Around and around they go, and we go too. Scott, in his screen debut, gives a portrait of pure evil. Lorre amd Greenstreet, as usual, are able to hold the screen and we are compelled to follow them. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037055/

The Swan (1958) Grace Kelly, Alec Guinness, Louis Jourdan, Jessie Royce Landis, Agnes Moorhead. Wonderful Molnar play filmed just before Grace became a real Princess. Gorgeous cinematography and sweet and humorous pokes at the aristocracy. Cast through the butlers, maids, etc. are all top actors. A favorite I watch often. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049815/

Win Win (2011) Paul Giametti, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Melanie Lynskey, Jeffrey Tambor. Giametti is a struggling lawyer barely making it in his small town. He also coaches the high school wrestling team. In court one day he tells the Judge he is the guardian of an elderly client and ends up getting the mans housing check each month. He finds a nursing home in the price range and pockets the difference. In the meantime, the old mans grandson, his daughter, and various others get involved. Giametti is great as the meek and mild Mike, just trying to muddle through. 7/10  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606392/


Beethoven (1992) Dharles Groden, Bonnie Hunt, Dean Jones. There they were. Stanley Tucci and Oliver Platt as the two goofy thieves, trying to corral a bunch of dogs smarter than they were. Can't believe they were ever that new and doing physical comedy. Never watched this before cause no kids in my house, and grands live half a country away. In my dotage, I thoroughly enjoyed slobbering, huge Beethoven. I never thought I would think Grodin was a bad guy, but he hates the dog. What?! He can't do that! And good guy Jones - a killer? Unbelievable. Enjoyed big ole Beethoven and all his friends. A lot. Of course, I don't have to clean up after them. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103786/

ENCORES:


On the one hand:

The Constant Nymph (1943) Joan Fontaine, Charles Boyer, Alexis Smith. O.M.G! When I was a teeny bopper in 1943 when this came to our neighborhood theater, I was entranced. A girl only a bit older than me in love with an older dreamy guy - and he loves her back. O.M.G! But , but! I watched the DVR'd copy last night and I was soooo disappointed. Fontaine is drippy. It is one of Boyers worst films. Smith comes out with her dignity in tact. And, I was underwhelmed by the music. I've longed to see this again all these years, but now wish it was still among the 'lost.' "Be careful what you wish for - you just might get it." 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035751/

On the other hand:

Saratoga Trunk (1946) Ingrid Bergman, Gary Cooper, Flora Robson, Florence Bates, Jerry Austin. An all time favorite. Ingrid's most beautiful film. Just fun to watch. Gary isn't bad lolling in that chair when she sees him first, too. Wonderful Max Steiner score. Watched at least once a year. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038053/

The Flight Of The Phoenix (1965) James Stewart, Hardy Kruger, Richard Attenborough. Marvelous ensemble cast. Story of a oil company plane that goes down during a sand storm and the survivors work to rebuild something that can get them back to a station http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059183/

The Group (1966) Joan Hackett, Joanna Pettet, Shirley Knight, Jessica Walter, Candice Bergen, Elizabeth Hartman, Larry Hagman. Episodic tale of wealthy young women in 1933 graduating from Vassar and embarking on their real lives. Some let parents control them because they hold the purse strings and are afraid to rebel. Others have the real world intrude on their delusions; all have a bumpy journey. Ten years or so later, and the wake for one, we see where they are at the beginning of WWII, which will continue their enlightenment. Or not. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060479/

Dressed To Kill (1980) Angie Dickenson, Michael Caine, Nancy Allen, Dennis Franz. I finally sat down and watched the whole thing again. Angie's walk through the gallery with the great art work playing a central part is mesmerizing. We see great works or art filmed with such skill to make us drunk with watching. The film goes lax from there on. Nancy Allen is wonderful, but Franz is very irritating. There is no mystery, because they make it so obvious who the big woman is and so there is no shock at the end. But still it holds you to 'the end'. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080661/

The Usual Suspects (1995) Kevin Spacey(Oscar) and a bunch of other actors. I finally watched this film all the way through. For years I have watched bits and pieces and tried to love it. But I can't and don"t. I have read and considered the reasons given for male love for it, but it is truly boring and tiresome to me. I'm too old, too female, and it just doesn't seem that amazing to me. 2/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114814/

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) Nia Vardalos stars as Toula Portokalos, and also wrote the screenplay. Michael Constantine as Nick Portokalos, her father, steals the show with his Windex bottle, and his lesson on the root of every English word being - Greek! Also great are Mama, Lainie Kazan, and John Corbett as the guy who falls into this Greek stew and marries the girl. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259446/

Jane Eyre (2011) Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Judi Dench. An okay version of this tale. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229822/

NEW TO ME:

Merrily We Live (1937) Constance Bennett, Brian Ahern, Billie Burke, Bonita Granville, Alan Mowbray. Screwball comedy with everyone trying too hard. Most of the antics and dialog miss their mark. Supposed to be sparking but really very dreary. Connie is especially desperate here and Billie just isn't funny. I'm being generous scoring it - 5/10. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030442/

Butterflies Are Free (1972) Goldie Hawn, Edward Albert, Eileen Heckart(Oscar-supporting). A look back at the hippie era and in particular a blind man of 20 and a free spirit of 19. They are getting along fine when Ma comes to visit baby boy. Lots of talk, a la a stage play, which is what it was. Goldie is darling. Heckart and Albert very good in their key scenes. And ! O.M.G. the fashions. Yow ! 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068326/

The Burning Plain (2008) Charlize Theron, John Corbett, Kim Basinger. Okay; I was lost very soon after this started. It meanders between now - and then. If the stories were at all captivating I might care who is doing what to whom, but they are not, and I didn't. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1068641/

Taking Chance (2009-HBO) Kevin Bacon. Fine film about the homecoming of the body of Pfc. Chance Phelps, killed at 19, and escorting it back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming from Dover, AF base, by Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl. (Bacon) Based on real-life events, the film is detailed in what the emotional journey of all involved go through. Strobl is conflicted that he took the safe way because he had a young family. Throughout history we play the trumpets and shout out approval for the warriors. But then someone has to, as the song says "bring him home" with all the heartbreak and tears. Sure we venerate the heroes. But we also ask ourselves and history, is this the best way? Bacon gives his usual fine performance. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1019454/

Cinema Verite (2011) Diane Lane, Tim Robbins, James Gandolfini. The first family to submit their lives to a reality show; The Louds. The question is - why? 7/10  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1623742/

Tower Heist (2011) Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick. Getting even with a rich guy over the Ponzi scheme he ruined them with. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0471042/

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Tom Hardy. Cold war spies in Europe. The first one, a TV show starring Alec Guinness, was boring and this one is no better. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1340800/

Win Win (2011) Paul Giametti, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Melanie Lynskey, Jeffrey Tambor. Giametti is a struggling lawyer barely making it in his small town. He also coaches the high school wrestling team. In court one day he tells the Judge he is the guardian of an elderly client and ends up getting the mans housing check each month. He finds a nursing home in the price range and pockets the difference. In the meantime, the old mans grandson, his daughter, and various others get involved. Giametti is great as the meek and mild Mike, just trying to muddle through. 7/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606392/

Deanna and Jane and Goldie----

ENCORES-watched many times:

100 Men And A Girl (1937) Deanna Durbin, Adolphe Menjou, Leopold Stokowski. That hat! That feather! Deanna is the daughter of an unemployes musician. They have 100 and are trying to be heard by a benefactor. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029347/

His Kind Of Woman (1951) Jane Russell, Robert Mitchum, Vincent Price, Charles McGraw, Tim Holt, Raymond Burr, Jim Backus. They all seem to relish their roles. The Dame, the Bum, the Ham, The Thug, The Law, the Killer, and The Doofus. Tongue in cheek all the way but playing it straight. Who cares who did what? Enjoy the scenery. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043643/

Stars And Stripes Forever (1952) Clifton Webb, Robert Wagner, Debra Padgett, Ruth Hussey. DVR's from TCM's 4th of July programming, I finally watched the last 30 minutes. Love those marches and they were never filmed better. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045187/

Support Your Local Sheriff (1969) James Garner, Joan Hackett, Walter Brennan, Jack Elam. Speaking of a cast with tongue firmly in cheek, here is a master class. Jim's lawman is on the way to Australia, Joan knows better, Walter and Jack steal their scenes and fun is had by the viewer. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065051/

Overboard (1987) Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Roddy McDowell, Edmund Herrmann, Katherine Helmond. Goldie as the rich bit-- and the good ole gal is priceless. Kurt is pretty. The kids are annoying. Helmond is too much, absolutely. Hermann and McDowell are always good. The clothes worn by Ma and Joanna on the yaught are a whole topic of their own. Fun to make fun of the ultra rich and their toys. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093693/

Queen Elizabeth I in 2 films---

---both from 1998.

Elizabeth (1998) Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Joseph Fiennes, Emily Mortimer. I love the story of the young Elizabeth and how she becomes the Icon of the last scenes. Horrible lessons in how to survive, having to be suspicious of everyone around you. Cate and Geoffrey are mesmerizing. Fiennes is good as the one who finally breaks her heart and teaches her that she will never be safe until she rules absolutely. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0127536/

Shakespeare In Love (1998) Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Imelda Staunton, Geoffrey Rush, Judi Dench, Colin Firth. The young Shakespeare falls madly in love with a young woman he sees pretending to be a boy at the theater. The film is wonderful at showing how everyday life for the players and all responsible for making theater in Elizabethan times are intertwined in his plays. I quote:
"Anyone who has done a play knows first hand the pure truth of the lines:
"It will all turn out."
"How will it?"
"I don't know, it's a mystery."
But "turn out" it does and this film is great fun and marvelously acted. 9/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138097/

It Happened In Brooklyn (1947) Kathryn Grayson, Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Jimmy Durante. These old MGM black and white musicals are so silly . A few lines from a main character - then a song. A few more lines or routines - then a song or two. And so it goes to the end. Love Jimmy; and Kathryn trilling the Bell Song from Lakme is great. Frank being Frank the teen-agers idol, and pretending to be backward with girls - is sooo fake. He can hardly keep the smirk off his face. Lawford is bland and doesn't interfere with anything. As a teen in '47, I liked this more than now. Durante is the pro that keeps ya watchin! "What a revoltin' development!" 6/10   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039501/

The Gift Of Love (1958) Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack, Evelyn Rudie. Gooey, awful mess. Just kept watching wondering what Lauren saw in this mess. See, she's dying and wants her absentminded husband to have someone to care for him when she dies of a heart attack. Scream now! Rudie is no Shirley, Margaret, or Peggy Ann, just annoying. Story is so dated and silly, it is not relevant to today and hardly was in 1958. I was a new wife having a baby and KNOW I was smarter that this woman. As for the husband, deliiiivvvvvvver me! 5/10 Scenery pretty. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051657/

2 ENCORES; 1 NEW to me---

ENCORES:

The French Lieutenants Woman (1981) Meryl Streep, Jeremy Irons. Meryl is drop-dead gorgeous in the costumes for the French Lt's. section of the story. Flaming hair and peaches and cream complexion. The story of a play that the cast is doing, and the characters in the 1800s is interesting, but confusing. I give it high marks for the beauty of the cinematography and the mystery, and the two leads, who are beautiful, too. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082416/


In And Out (1997) Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Tom Selleck, Matt Dillon, Debbie Reynolds.   A high school english prof is suddenly outed by a former student who won an academy award and told the whole world.  Not as funny as I remembered.  6/10   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119360/

NEW to me:
The Sinking Of The Laconia (2010-TVseries) Andrew Buchen, Franka Potente, Ken Duken, Brian Cox. A German U-Boat torpedo's and sinks a large passenger vessel that has been turned into a troop and prisoner ship. The story then is of the struggle of the German Captain on whether to save as many people as he can. Which is what he tries to do. There are many dilemmas and problems and the biggest is the US air force with orders to bomb the U-boat even with a large red cross visible across the bow. After being suckered many times in both theaters of war, the Allies shot first and ask questions later. That's war in all its' horror. Good film based on a true event. 7/10             http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504261/

Mary Astor, Connie Bennett, Ginger & Priscilla -----

---ahhh the ladies -----


Smart Woman (1931) Mary Astor, John Halliday, Robert Ames, Edward Everett Horton. Mary Astor as Mrs. Nancy Gibson, is returning to the USA by ocean liner with the attentive Sir Guy her constant companion. She tells him she is very much in love with her husband, and that he will meet the boat so she has no time for flirting. But hubby doesn't meet the boat and she discovers that he has not even opened her last three letters. He has a new young thing eager to marry him, because she thinks he is very wealthy. Big mistake. It's the wife who has the fortune. Rather than retire to Reno for a divorce, Nancy decides to get hubby back. Halliday is better in this than I have ever seen him and Mary Astor is gorgeous. Robert Ames as the husband is the weak link. No charm at all. You wonder why she hangs on to the doofus. I wanted her to take Sir Guy and never look back. LOL. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022404/


Bed Of Roses (1933) Constance Bennett, Joel McCrae, John Halliday, Pert Kelton. No doubt about it. The two gals getting out of the jail at the beginning are prostitutes.
   Stealing a wallet, they manage to get on a slow boat down the river to New Orleans. On the way one gets thrown overboard and is fished out of the river by a barge captain, who doesn't trust her a minute. Here again she hooks up with rich Halliday who sets her up in a fine apartment with lots of clothes. Our Lorry and Dan have a rough time getting together. Pert Kelton as the other gal on the primrose path is amusing and ends up with one heck of a bracelet! 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023786/

Having A Wonderful Time (1938) Ginger Rogers, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Lucille Ball, Peggy Conklin. Just barely watchable. An office worker has two weeks she has saved up for to take a vacation away from the crowded city. Off she goes after a tedious packing scene at her home with the 'family' all helping. Arriving for the peace and quiet, she is confronted by huge crowds of vacationers, loud and unpleasant. Her semi-private room is a dormitory with 5 others. And her first encounter is with an employee who is hateful. So what is it that suddenly makes these two fall in love or our girl finally warm up to these unlikeable people. It is a mystery. Ginger seems lost and Doug just going through the paces. 5/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030216/

Million Dollar Baby (1941) Priscilla Lane, Ronald Reagan, Jeffrey Lynn, May Robson. A wealthy old woman living in Europe discovers that her father swindled his partner out of his share of their business. As a result the man committed suicide and his heirs know nothing about the fortune they should have inherited. So off to NYC goes our old lady to right the wrong done, by giving the granddaughter a million dollars. Which turns out to be more difficult than it should be. She gets her NYC lawyer Lynn on the job but he botches early contact by coming off as a flirt and masher to our girl. When she finally gets the money she goes a little haywire and buys everyone presents galore. Struggling musician boyfriend is suspicious and refuses to have anything to do with it - and eventually - her. Problems of having money!??? Hahaha. We should all be so lucky. Cast is fine with Robson and Lane terrific. 7/10             http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033910/

Warren William as Perry Mason----

---and Bette Davis as Queen Elizabeth I in two films, plus Nick and Nora Charles - were a weeks winners.

The Case Of The Lucky Legs (1935) Warren William, Genevieve Tobin, Lyle Talbot, Patricia Ellis, Allen Jenkins, Barton MacLane. Warren William as the first Perry Mason in films.  This was the second in the series with William as Perry. Very entertaining with naughty repartee' between Perry and secretary Della Street. This was not your TV uptight Perry a la Raymond Burr. The case involves a competition to find the nicest legs for $1000 dollars. Of course, it is a scam and the promoter ends up very dead. Perry is enlisted to find the one responsible. He is slightly drunk and breezy and seems unserious, but manages to solve the crime, with Della wisecracking all the way. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026185/

Private Lives Of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) Bette Davis, Errol Flynn. Olivia de Havilland, Donald Crisp. A marvelous film with Bette in her element and Errol holding his own and as charming as ever. The war in Ireland about does in Essex and makes the lovers enemies but it is ambition that ruins his chances with his queen. With all the plotting going on it is no wonder she was so suspicious. Wonderful film from Hollywood's magical year - 1939.   9/10     http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031826/

Maisie (1939) Ann Sothern, Robert Young, Ian Hunter, Ruth Hussey. For some reason, I had never before seen the film that launched the series. While I can see that this is why Ann Sothern was rushed into 2 or three a year for 4 or 5 years, she is ill-served by Robert Young as a gangley wooden ranch hand. Ian Hunter brings some class and humor in his scenes with Maisie, and Hussey is suitable despicable as the cheating wife. The tag line for the advertising was "Maisie..a grand gal every body's crazy about---" Me too. Bought the whole set. 7/10    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031608/

Song Of The Thin Man (1947) Myrna Loy, William Powell, Keenan Wynn, Dean Stockwell, Gloria Graham. Final film in the series and it is still a pleasure to be in Nick and Nora Charles's company. They are attending a charity gambling boat off NYC and listening to a song written by the clarinet star in the band. Soon there is a murder for Nick to get involved in and solve. They get into the jazz and bebop world of musicians and Wynn has some crazy/funny scenes doing the dialog. Stockwell and Asta are along for the scenes at home and are cute. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039853/

The Virgin Queen (1955) Bette Davis, Richard Todd, Joan Collins, Herbert Marshall. Bette is still the Queen and this time her favorite is Sir Walter Raleigh but he is also ambitious and wants ships to sail to the New World. He also has the eye of a young lady-in-waiting to the queen. Against the Queens wishes, he marries the girl and there is hell to pay. Always fun to see Bette The Queen. She is a powerhouse. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048791/

Flight From Ashiya (1964) Yul Brynner, Richard Widmark, George Chakiris, Shirley Knight, Suzy Parker. Story about three men who did air-sea rescue flights after WWII. Confused plotting and jamming 3 stories into one with long action scenes in between the drama, makes a muddled film. Some of the sea rescue work didn't look real. To be a completest of Brynner's films, I had to watch, but only once. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058104/

The Double Man (1967) Yul Brynner, Britt Eckland, Lloyd Nolan. During the cold war, Russia tries to put an exact double for Dan Slater into the C.I.A. Dan's 16 year old son has been killed on a mountain in the Alps where he had been skiing. So cold methodical Dan goes to find out what exactly happened. He enlists the help of retired operative Frank Wheatley who was supposed to be watching out for the boy. He also connects with Gina who rode the ski lift to the top with the son and two other men. Slowly, Dan unravels the sinister plot. Great shots of the mountain ski runs and chalets tucked into the rocks. Story is a bit far fetched but Brynner is fun to watch. 6/10                              http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061594/


Days shorter and cooler now.  So glad the drought has been broken and the dangerous heat is past.

The Western is the ticket this week---

---all the rest are to fill the bill:

Upperworld (1934) Warren William, Ginger Rogers, Mary Astor, Andy Devine, Sidney Toler. Pre-code with good stars. Warren William is railroad tycoon Alex who is tired and bored with his wife Hettie's constant social climbing parties. On their anniversary he had a dinner for two all planned but she was too 'busy' so he and the chauffeur end up at a burlesque show, and meet featured dancer, Lily Linda (Rogers). One thing leads to another and we have blackmail, a killing, headlines, and ruin. Since it is just at the beginning of the crackdown, we have a somewhat questionable ending. The stars are good, especially Toler. 7/10             http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025935/

Too Hot To Handle (1938) Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Walter Pigeon, Walter Connolly. Two rival newsreel reporters and a woman flier in a film that so bogged down with unlikable people I was ready to get outta Dodge way before it ended. The tricks they play on each other for a story and good pictures, which must have amused people in 1938 made me cringe for them all. Myrna is always fun to watch, but Clark falls flat for this viewer this time. 6/10    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030879/

Confidential Agent (1945) Charles Boyer, Lauren Bacall. I was so bored, I went to sleep. Watched it again later. It was still boring. 5/10              http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037610/

Jalna (1935) Kay Johnson, Ian Hunter, C. Aubrey Smith, Nigel Bruce, Jessie Ralph. I usually enjoy Ian Hunter but he is so conflicted, as is much of the cast, I lost interest. Episodic story of a large family living on an estate, and their many intrigues and problems. Frankly, I was bored. 5/10   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026542/

Magnificent Seven (1960) Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Charles Bronson, Eli Wallach, Horst Buchholz. Great western. Peasants come to border town to hire men with guns to help them get rid of Calvera and the bandits that are raiding their town regularly. They first talk to Chris who agrees to help them pick out men and guns. He recruits Vin, Britt, Bernardo, and eventually decides he must go too. When they head back to the village, there are six, but the hot-headed native lad who was rejected finally gets to be part of the group. The training of the villagers, and setting some traps occupy the 7 and then Calvera rides in and before long we have a gun battle. The interaction between the gunmen and the peasants and the Seven and the village, are handled well. At the end 'the old man' says to Chris and Vin "only the farmers have won. They always win." Sometimes you wish you could ride off with Chris and Vin. LOL. 9/10                            http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054047/

The Family Stone (2005) Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Diane Keaton, Luke Wilson, Rachel McAdams. Yeah it's holiday time again! Joy to the world, all the boys and girls. What unlikable people, who think nothing of greeting the new fiancee' of one son as a pariah; humiliating her and making her feel in-the-way and unliked. It is too much. Maybe she is uptight and not on the same page as the rest, but I'd rather spend an evening with her than all the crazies they have lined up for us to 'get' and 'relate' to. Please. No way. Take my place off the table, pleeeez! I'm outta here, 5/10  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0356680/

Water For Elephants (2011) Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattison, Christoph Waltz, Hal Holbrook. A slice of 1930's life at the circus. Pattison is Jacob who is about to have finals for his degree and become a Veterinarian. But his parents are killed in an auto accident which leaves him penniless, homeless and out on his own. Stumbling along a railroad track he comes upon a mob of men ready to jump on any train to anywhere. The one he manages to board is a circus train. It is a fly-by-night deal; meaning the train arrives in a little town, sets up the tent, bleachers and midway, out by the railroad tracks; ready to do a show by sunset and break down and load up by midnight. Day after day the same. Jacob takes care of the animals. Owner, August, is a mean s-o-b and decides to acquire an elephant to bring in crowds. The one he shows up with won't do anything until Jacob discovers she was trained by Polish people. When she is commanded in that language, she is perfect. Jacob and August differ over how to treat the animal but most of all about Marlena, August's wife. I was surprised by Pattison. He is charming and good as a bewildered young man. I don't think the script served Witherspoon well. She did not seem like a battered wife. And she keeps playing Jacob, with all the dancing and rubbing his neck. I wasn't sure what she was up to, no good probably. Great sets and atmosphere. Just as tawdry and dusty and exciting as I remembered at my grandma's little Missouri farm town. 500 souls, 4th of July weekend, 1942 and a circus came to town.    7/10             http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1067583/

Still trying to learn all about my new TV with the internet connection, etc.  It may be smarter than I am ! 

Catching up on films watched----

---14 I have watched but not commented on:

Employees Entrance (1933) Warren William, Loretta Young, Wallace Ford, Alice White. Warren is Mr. Anderson, the manager of a large department store and hires and fires people at random, according to his rules. He has an eye for the young things that are desperate for work in the hard times of the 1930's. One young beauty is Madeleine, who he beds, then hires as a salesgirl. Martin West (Ford) is a go-getter that Anderson sees is much like he himself so he starts advancing him up the ladder. But Martin has met and fallen in love with Madeleine; they marry but must keep it a secret, and she tries to keep both of them afloat in this sea of misanthropy. William is his usual best at being bad and a cad. Ford is very good as the conflicted 2nd lead. Loretta is pretty. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023986/

Cleopatra (1934) Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxin, Ian Keith. If for no other reason, see this for the scene of the Queen Of Egypt give the slight nod of her head to her Major domo, to start the giant oars of the barge, to the beat of the drum - and that gorgeous Kopp score. Gad! DeMille knew how to put on a show. Magnificent. Claudette Colbert is terrific as the Queen - who must be obeyed. The men are all adequate but it is DeMille, the showman, who is the star. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024991/

Times Square Playboy (1936) Warren William, Gene & Katherine Lockhart, June Travis, Barton MacLane. "Pighead" Ben Bancroft comes to the big city to be best man at his old school chum Vic's wedding. Pighead gets it into his head that the fiancee' and her family are taking advantage of his friends good nature. Much bluster and telling off people goes on and soon Ben has everyone mad at everyone. Nice little Cohan story and good performances, make this worth seeing. Gene Lockhart and MacLane, pros that they are, steal scenes right and left. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028383/

Women Are Like That (1938) Kay Francis, Pat O'Brien, Thurston Hall. Dueling advertising execs is routine plot for lots of comedies. But this has Bill/O'Brien more obnoxious and unlikable than I have ever seen him. He has a temper tantrum and behaves like a spoiled child. Kay/Claire is his wife and partner at the firm, which her father/Claudius owned. Pop decides to retire but really is absconding with company funds, leaving son-in-law to clean up the mess. Bill uses his stock money to pay off debts and so he doesn't have to fire anyone. He ends up leaving the firm and Claire gets to work and makes a success. Kay is fine as the put-upon wife and successful business woman. Hall as the father steals every scene he is in and looks to be having a ball. No to Pat - what a boor. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030985/

Little Men (1940) Kay Frances, George Bancroft, Jimmy Lydon, Jack Oakie, Carl Esmond. Christopher Columbus!! Poor Kay. This was so beneath her. Jimmy Lydon is annoying in the extreme, and Bancroft and Oakie only need mustache and beards to twiddle and twaddle and twirl to make it more juvenile. Making 3 or more films a year for 5 years, Kay gives one of her best ever performances as a sweet viper in 1939s "In Name Only" and wonderful comic timing in 1940s "Play Girl." So we can forgive this one; a formula story of the bad boy becoming the savior of the school and family and all's right with the world; it is fine for children of all ages. All others - beware. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032717/

Play Girl (1940) Kay Francis, James Ellison, Midred Coles, Margaret Hamilton. Born in 1905, Kay is now 35! Too old to catch the rich gents, according to this film.(?) So she has to recruit a sweet young thing of 19 to catch the rich playboys. Hard for us to realize that women had so few choices that they played these games. Kay is radiant and seems to relish some of the lines she is saying. Coles is rather stiff. Hamilton, as the maid, steals scenes routinely. Ellison is goodlooking and nice. But Nigel Bruce as a man in his 30s or 40s?? Fantasy for old men. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032916/

The Feminine Touch(1941) Kay Francis, Rosalind Russell, Don Ameche, Van Heflin. John Hathaway(Ameche) is a professor of psychology at Digby College and has had his first book, on jealousy, accepted by Elliott Morgan Publishing. He and wife Julie go to NYC to meet with publisher, Elliott Morgan and his secretary Nellie, and talk about how to bring out the book. But all Elliott seems to want is some time with Julie. And Nellie is only interested in one section of the book. And Elliott. So with him chasing Julie and John just interested in getting published, they all end up at the retreat Elliott has on an off shore island. Sparkling dialog and slapstick routines ensue and it is lots of fun. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033596/

Bittersweet (1940) Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, George Sanders, Ian Hunter. Their 2nd technicolor film and it is beautiful. But, sadly, they are too old for the young lovers story they are making. Nevertheless, the sets are lovely, the music wonderful and so it is a nice hour and a half. And the lyrics: "I'll see you again, whenever spring breaks though again" so lovely and sad... 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032256/

Dark Passage (1947) Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Agnes Moorehead Character actors: Cab Driver -Tom D'Andrea; Clifton Young - blackmailer; Rlry Mallison - friend; Houseley Stevenson - Doctor; Tom Fadden - diner counterman; Mary Field - mother in bus station; Douglas Kennedy - cop who causes trouble; and of course, Jo Stafford's voice singing "You're Just too Wonderful". Holy - moly, kemosabi! What a cast!                    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039302/

Cry Of The City (1948) Victor Mature, Richard Conte, Fred Clark, Shelley Winters. In 1934 William Powell and Clark Gable were the original orphans who grew up to be on opposite sides of the law. Gable was the gangster; Powell ends up as the Govenor. Many, many films later we have this one. Conte gives a gritty performance as a guy who thinks of No.1 - himself. Mature is from the neighborhood and used to eat at Mama's table. When it comes time to bring Rome in, Mature plays him as just a cop doing his job. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040257/

Arthur (1981) Dudley Moore, Liza Minelli, John Gielgud (Oscar), Geraldine Fitzgerald, Ted Ross. One of the funniest comedies of the last 30 years. Watched it the other night and laughed all the way through even though I know it by heart. When someone asks "where shall we go now?" I always say "Through the paaak - you know how I love the paaak!" So many funny lines and Moores fumbling through Liza's apartment is still great timing by all and very funny. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082031/

Midnight Run (1988) Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto. Okay. Grodins an accountant for the mob. He know where the money is and helps himself. De Niro is a Bounty hunter who needs the money he will get for bringing the guy in. So the fun is when these two misfits are trying to get cross country without getting killed. Still fun but not quite as funny this time. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095631/

The Big Year (2011) Becoming a all-time fave that I will always stop and watch. It's the birds, feathered; and the people who chase them - only for spotting. Love it! 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1053810/

Bridesmaids (2011) Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, Jill Clayburgh. Only names I recognized. I did not laugh even once. I am not the target audiance - too old? 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1478338/

More Kay Francis from pre-code---

Guilty Hands (1931) Kay Frances, Lionel Barrymore, Madge Evans, Alan Mowbray. Babs(Evans) is wooed and won away from her young sweetheart by older cad, Gordan Rich(Mowbray). Her father, Barrymore(Richard Grant) vows to kill him and get away with it if he won't stop seeing Babs. Marjorie(Kay Francis) loves Gordan and sees what happens. . She threatens to unmask the real killer. It would take a few more years to have films made from the camera point-of-view This is melodrama 1931 style. Most actors came from the stage; lots of scripts were reworking Plays; directors also had mainly stage training. So, if we today criticize, using today's standards, it is very unfair. This is an interesting plot, with mostly pros in the title roles. The star in Barrymore and he is good. Kay Francis has lovely fashions to wear, and holds her own. And because it is pre-code, a surprising ending. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021933/

House On 56th Street (1933) Kay Francis, Ricardo Cortez, Gene Raymond, Margaret Lindsey. Kay is a 1905 showgirl (Peggy) on Broadway and lover to Lyndon Fiske. She also has young Monte Van Tyle(Raymond) wanting to marry her. So she does. He builds her a mansion - the title address. Hubby is drafted to war and Peggy has a baby girl.  And then Monte is killed, so Fiske pounces and says he needs her back, he is ill, etc. She says no. He takes out a gun. Ba-da-bing. In a struggle, he is shot and killed. Peggy is arrested, tried and given 20 years. House goes, baby goes to mother-in-law, and 20 years pass. We see Kay released and given a new start by an inheritance from her mother-in-law. From dowdy, grey haired convict, to glamorous widow sailing on a luxury ship and meeting up with crooked gambling man, Cortez. Eventually teaming up, they make lots of money and end up at the 56th St address, now the biggest gambling house/speakeasy in NYC. Well, now we have the set up for daughter and her beau, threatened by gambling problems. Suffice to say, Kay suffers but her daughter cries a lot as she sails off into the sunset with her young man, thanks to Ma and pre-code sensibilities. Kay wears a different gown in almost every scene in the speakeasy. Gorgeous. 8/10    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024144/

Just one or two more of the great Kay's films from her birthday on TCM.  May have to have cake again. Hahahaha

A favorite western

Cowboy (1958) Glenn Ford, Jack Lemon, Brian Donlevy, King Donovan, Richard Jaeckel, Dick York, Victor Mendoza.  A young starry eyed bell boy Harris/Lemon in a fancy Chicago hotel idolizes the violent and hard living trail hands who storm into the hotel where he works. The "boss" gets to drinking and gambling and ends up borrowing money from the young man, who gets a sworn promise that he now owns half of the assets of Ford/Reese. When Harris shows up at the rail yard ready to go with them back to Texas, Reese gets nasty and tells him to get lost. But Harris is stubborn and Reese relents. His Ramrod, Mendoza says "he must be telling the truth or you woud have killed him by now." A favorite western. Parts are cliche, but so many details of life on the trail are shown as hard and unsentimental of humans or animals, that it is difficult to watch at times. Ford at his hard-as-rock best, and Lemon as his befuddled but good guy best too; some great scenes together. The cattle drive is a classic theme and this one is on a par with Red River and the Wayne/Clift pairing. Always a pleasure when the pros are in charge. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051496/

A noir; and a western---

The Bribe (1949) Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Charles Laughton, Vincent Price, John Hodiak. On an island somewhere in the tropics, we have a USA Federal Agent looking for stolen airplane engines. His chief suspect has a gorgeous wife who sings in a nightclub. There are various and assorted sleazy men interested in getting in on the hustle. And it is steamy hot. Everyone mops their brow. Ava is beautiful and vamps a bit. Bob is serious and gets the hots for Ava. Laughten is just creepy and makes you want to shower. Have never been fond of this noir. Cinematography is shadowy and dark. But it is still dull. 6/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041207/

Man Of The West (1958) Gary Cooper, Julie London, Lee J. Cobb, Arthur O'Conner. Gary is a reformed outlaw who is taking a newfangled train to a big city to hire a school teacher.  It is interesting to see how nervous he is with each new burb or hiss of the big train engine.  The train is robbed and he and fellow travelers, the dancehall girl and a gambler, are able to survive and get away. He takes them to a relatives homestead not too far from the train tracks. A mean onery bunch. But now they all have to work together to survive. An unpleasant story about awful people. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051899/

The Merry Widow; The Firefly; Tales Of Manhattan---

The Merry Widow (1934) Jeanette Macdonald, Maurice Chevalier. Ernst Lubitsch directs the operetta with Jeanette as the widow, Sonia and Maurice as Count Danilo. All the music is here and it is a joy to watch. Just before the morality code took over films, so this has some delicious naughtiness. The Prince needs to woo the Widow and marry her and her millions to save their small kingdom. So they all go to Paris. Ups and downs. A good time with some lovely music. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025493/

The Firefly (1939) Jeanette MacDonald, Alan Jones, Warren William. Shown on Jeanette's day on TCM but also close to Warren Williams day, The Firefly has both acquitting themselves well. A popular operetta with some lovely songs. Jones has a light tenor and Jeanette a very high soprano. Their voices do not blend as well as hers with Eddy deep baritone, but will do. Usual nonsense going on. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028873/

Tales Of Manhattan (1942) Charles Boyer, Rita Hayworth, Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda, Edward G. Robinson. Episodes in the life of a tale coat, starting with the original owner, an actor who gets involved with a femme fatale. With a bullet hole, the coat next goes to a 2nd hand shop and is bought by someone else, and on to a good-will shop and finally is thrown out of plane going over a field being worked in by a black preacher. Each time it passes to someone else, their story is told. Finally there is a great deal of money stuffed in the coat. And that is when our preacher gets it. The best of the stories is the bum played by Edward G. Robinson who is tracked down by his class at law school. It is their Graduating anniversary and his sponsor at the mission talks him into going. They have this coat from the donations and everyone pitches in to get him all cleaned up. He goes and how it turns out for him is surprising. Eddie G. can make almost anything interesting, but this was short and sweet.   6/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035415/

Encores: watched many times;

Naughty Marietta (1935) Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Elsa Lancaster, Frank Morgan. Won Oscar for Best Sound Recording. 9/10  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026768/

Rose Marie (193) Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, James Stewart, Reginald Owen. 9/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028207/

Sweethearts (1938) MacDonald/Eddy, Frank Morgan, Florence Rice. 9/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030817/

More Kay Francis & Irene Dunne---

Confession (1932) Kay Francis, Basil Rathbone Review done 8/6/10 on my Blog 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028737/

Consolation Marriage (1931) Irene Dunne, Pat O'Brien, Myrna Loy. Well, you see, Mary(Irene), is dumped by Aubrey. Steve(Pat) is dumped by Elaine(Myrna). Mary and Steve have a night of drinking and discussing their fate and decide it is a brilliant idea to marry each other because there will be no hearts and flowers involved. Bam! Mary has a baby. And bang! The two outs decide they want back in and badabing! we have trouble. Made before studios discovered music to hide unwanted sounds on studio sets. Lots of early sound troubles. Story is rather clunky. The leads are attractive, but this is a programmer, to fill the bill. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021761/

British Agent (1934) Kay Francis, Leslie Howard, William Gargan, Phillip Reed, It's during the Russian conflict, and Howard (Steve) is assigned to the British Consulate. He meets a lovely secretary at Lenin's headquarters. But holy!-moly! 15 minutes have gone by before we see Elena (Kay) And she wears the same beret, plain dress and slicker coat in the whole movie. No gowns, no furs, no great outlandish hats, no diamonds and pearls! What we have here is a serious film, I guess. And it is boring. Howard muddles along, halfheartedly playing a spy, but with none of the charm of his Pimpernel. As the revolution goes on in the streets below, the stars are together. I forget why. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024915/

KAY FRANCIS in early 1930's

Kay Francis - Her Day on TCM: I am savoring each one----Known for her beauty and clothes, she had a great success with designers and worked with them to get the fit and look just right.

She was a shop girls and housewives favorite in the 30's and Hollywood could not make the films fast enough.  When anyone gets that popular it means power and so it has to be stopped and by silly picky things the press wrote about her, she was finally driven to despair.  But her best revenge was, she made a lot of money and lived very well. 

And she is remembered.  And her critics?  Well, we always have cats and dogs ----
This week I watched:

Jewel Robbery(1932) Kay Francis, William Powell. Pre-code with lots of naughty things going on, like smoking hashish, affairs, and assorted things to shock the natives. But it is a lot of fun. Powell's slick robber woos society lady. Their first encounter is like a lightning strike.

And we're in on the fun as the last scene, at the Jewelry store and robbery, as the cops scurry after the thief over the rooftops, has Kay turning to the camera as she says to her husband "My nerves. I must get away. The Riviera! Nice' - on tomorrow's first train." And gives us a delightfully wicked smile as she gives the shush! sign to the audience.

What a joy. I'm keeping it just for the fun she's having. Makes me giggle. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023074/


One Way Passage (1932) Kay, William Powell, Aline MacMahon, Frank McHugh. Joan is terminally ill and Dan is handcuffed to a detective taking him back to San Quentin where he faces hanging. On shipboard out of HongKong they meet and have a instant rapport. Two grifters on board help Don, but things seem to conspire to fail at every turn. One of the better "matinee' ladies' films pre-code. Of course, Kay has a wonderful wardrobe and a different outfit for every scene. The ladies sitting in the audience in their 'good dress' loved her and her doomed romances.  8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023305/

Mary Stevens, M. D. (1933) Kay, Lyle Talbot, Glenda Farrell, Thelma Todd. Kay(Mary) and Lyle(Don) graduate from medical school and set up practice in the same building, remaining good friends. Mary makes her reputation as a skilled and caring doctor. Don goes the society route, marrying a wealthy woman and disappearing into that life. On a vacation years later, Don and Mary run into each other and have a romance. Pre-code has this a bit more frank about what is going on. A good drama. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024307/

The Keyhole (1933) Kay, George Brent, Glenda Farrell, Allen Jenkins. In this one Kay has married a second time to a millionaire much older than she is, but learns her former husband and dancing partner, never followed through on their divorce. Now he is blackmailing her. Her sister-in-law devises a plan to get hubby # 1 out of the country so they can have his passport revoke by their good friends in the government. Meanwhile, hubby #2 is jealous and hires a private eye to follow her on her trip by boat to Havana, and report what she does every day. Big mistake. Brent, as the gumshoe, is all debonair charm and he and Kay enjoy the trip a little more than they are supposed to for a.spy and spyee. Kay has a fabulous wardrobe, and Farrell and Jenkins lending their wisecracks to the proceedings. For the early 30's, this was what those shop girls and housewives wanted when they got a night out at the movies. Kay, romance and gorgeous clothes. Troubles melted away for a few hours. 8/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024211/

More Kay Francis on the DVR to savor later.

Still hot and dry here in the Heartland.  Hate to go out and crunch through the grass, trying to keep the trees and shrubs alive.   With the horrible weather and politics, it makes movies with Kay the only refuge.

2 New and 1 Encore---

Ride, Vaquero (1953) Anthony Quinn, Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Howard Keel. Big stars, great scenery, but the script is bad and many places you go. 'what?' Taylor is a glum and silent Bob. Quinn blusters and shouts. Ava is pretty. Keel needs a song or two to liven things up. The story of this western country after the Civil War and the changes it brought with lots of new immigrants, might have been interesting, but it is brought to just a fight between the haves and the new guy wanting a share. And the motivation of some of the characters is muddled. All in all, I give it a 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046239/

Lion Of The Desert (1981) Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Raf Vallone, Rod Steiger. A wonderful performance by Quinn as Omar Mukhtar, the Lion of Libya. And Reed as Italian Gen.Rodolfo Graziani, who pursues him for Benito Mussolini. The time it takes - from 1911 to 1931 - is shown as the reason for the hatred of all foreigners. European countries carved up north Africa among themselves. Very effective use of the desert landscapes and using some actual newsreel footage of the refugee camps that stretch for miles. by the end. Some of the Italian officers were tried as war criminals. Interesting, and some great action scenes. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081059/

Encore:

Sideways (2004) Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh. Still a quietly funny film. Chuckles for me - not laugh out loud knee-slappers. Two guys set off on a weeks' trip through California wine country. One guy (Jack/Church) is going to get married but wants to party and lay anything in skirts for a final fling. The other (Miles/Giamatti) just wants to give his friend a week of golf, visit the wineries, have some good food and relax. As Jack gets crazier they finally meet two women and have a great night and the next few days/nights aren't bad either. But then---guess what happens? Ha. Find this film and you will have a good time, too. Scenery is lovely. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375063/

2 feel good films---

---for the super hot Heartland USA:

Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936) Freddie Bartholomew, C. Aubrey Smith, Delores Costello, Guy Kibbee. Made from an 1880's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this is a loving, sweet story of a fatherless boy and his mother and how they come into their own. The grandfather is gruff and unforgiving of his son for marrying a foreigner and going off to America. But all is put right by the sweet grandson, who loves his father's "dearest" as he calls his mother. Called back to England to take his rightful place at the manor, little Lord Fauntleroy is the pride and joy of everyone on the estate in short order. A wonderful film to this day for all who have a heart and are willing to go along with a world of make believe. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027893/


WALL-E (2008 - Animated Adventure) All machines and toys. None of those pesky humans. A charming movie, but I did nod off for a few minutes. But then, I'm an Ancient Pelican, not the target audience. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910970/

Tragic Consequences: Fulton, Missouri set the stage for the Henry Bellamann novel “Kings Row” and a future for a young Ronald Reagan

Tragic Consequences: Fulton, Missouri set the stage for the Henry Bellamann novel “Kings Row” and a future for a young Ronald Reagan

2 New; one repeat---

First viewings:

Rio Rita (1942) Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Kathryn Grayson, John Carroll. The Abbott & Costello routines were as I expected from watching them when I was a girl in the 40s. Very slapstick and rapid fire dialog. So fast if you didn't get one there was another already happening. The reason I had to watch was for sweet Kathryn Grayson and her lovely voice. And John - he was one of my fan mail guys and he sent a photo and a very nice letter - not a studio copy. Lots of music for us fans of Katey and John, and the nutty comedy routines for Lou and Buds fans. When I was ten, I loved them. But watching this film yesterday for the first time, I was only mildly amused. Loved the music. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035259/

Cowboys & Aliens (2011) Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Paul Dano. I am not a fan of scifi, but the cast was so good I stuck with it to the end, only turning the sound down and averting my eyes during the slimy alien parts. The horses and scenery were enjoyable. Craig okay. The two women had staring and nodding and whispering to do. Dano is daggone good as a bad 'un. Ford, grey and grizzled can still hold a scene. What's it about?   Shucks. I dunno?  7/10  
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409847/

Encore:
Pat & Mike (1952) Kathryn Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Aldo Ray, William Ching. Watched many times. Always a pleasure. 9/10   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045012/

Hot Millions; The Big Year; and a muddle in the middle---

Hot Millions (1968) Peter Ustinov, Maggie Smith, Bob Newhart, Karl Malden, Robert Morley, Cesar Romero. Charming story of two misfits who find each other and manage to pull off a computer crime for millions. They both live in a bed-sitting room in the same building. She happens to get a job at the firm he is hired at, and since she can't cope at any job, she is fired. He likes to conduct along with the radio broadcasts of the symphony. She plays the flute. The fun is seeing how at each step, one or the other could be caught but something always happens to save them. Droll and quiet with a few very funny scenes. Mostly just chuckles, but such a sweet story. A sort of Justice prevails. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063094/


The Tree Of Life (2011) Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Sean Penn. Okaaaay! I watched this about a month ago and said 'think I better see it again after I think about it a while.' So. I watched it again over the weekend and I guess I'm just not the target audience. It made no sense, unless the mistreatment of children is a theme you like. I must confess, I DVR'd this off HBO so I could see parts over as I went. And I needed to because I kept falling asleep. When a director does that, it is unforgivable, as it was in 1932, and it is in 2012, no matter how beautiful some of the cinematography. Since the actors had hardly any lines to speak, and very little physical acting to do, how are we supposed to assess their performances? All in all, a bad film IMHO. 4/10

The Big Year (2012) Owen Wilson, Steve Martin, Jack Black. Love it. Great shots of wild birds. I have watched it all twice (first comments on July 17th) and parts whenever it is on HBO. I know this will be a favorite for many years. It is just joyful. And some great thoughts on what is important in life. I'm adding a point to my rating. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1053810/

2 Encores; 2 New

ENCORES:


Along Came A Spider (2001) Morgan Freeman, Monica Potter, Michael Moriarty, Penelope Ann Miller. 6/10    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0164334/

The Ugly Truth (2009) Gerard Butler, Kathryn Heigl, Cheryl Hines.   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142988/

NEW:

Antitrust (2001) Ryan Phillippe, Tim Robbins, Rachel Leigh Cook. So. I put this one one my DVR'd list and finally watched it yesterday. 'Cause, you know, Ryan is cute in a bland sort of way. And Robbins is usually good. But my goodness. Ryan didn't change expressions more than - o - say about twice. Time was a real souless exec. I forget what the problems were. Doesn't matter. They were outdated already. Mercy me! I stayed 'til The End. But don't ask me why. 4/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218817/



Hoover wasn't who we thought he was in 1950

J. Edgar (2011) Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench, Armie Hammer. By The End, I was repulsed by Mr. J. Edgar and his bureau.

A Far cry from my youth when I revered the G-men. Back in the 1940s and 50s we thought the well dressed, clean cut young men were all that law enforcement officers should be. In my early 20's one of my galpals dated one and it had to be on the q-t because they both worked out of the Kansas City office. We had a very powerful mafia family that ran lots of K C politics and the city market and grocery stores. So my friend and her G-man went out in secret, and I doubled dated with my date and we ended the evening at a jazz joint where Baby Lovett was playing. Argument arose by two guys over a bimbo seated in the next booth. Fisticuffs, and we fled. G-man had to get the H--- out of there or be fired by The Boss, who would know by morning if he got involved. His cover was the fact the joint was known mafia owed and a hangout, So he could say he was 'working'. 1950's history.

As to this film. I was impressed by Leo. First time I have thought he had the chops for the role. He was effective. Watts was equally into her loyal to a fault secretary. Hammer was new to me, and seemed suited to his role of the ever-true Tolson..

The relationship between Hoover and Tolson, as presented, was ambiguous but it seems likely they were semi-lovers. Unless there are secret documents somewhere we will never know.

What Eastwood has done, as far as I am concerned, is lay out Hoovers absolute power over Washington D.C.s elite from 1950 to his death. His view of the world and people was narrow and only those he felt worthy were to be trusted with running the country. How he managed his world, by the end of the film, I hated. He was a unattractive man, doing awful things in the name of our country, and I hope we can resist the urge to give other characters unlimited power. But with the so-called Patriot Act, we seem to be going down the same path.

Have to give J.Edgar a 7/10 as I was fully engaged and interested. Maybe because I lived through some of the rise to power. The newspaper here in K.C. wrote only flattering things. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1616195/

Latest:

Encores:

Along Came A Spider (2001) Morgan Freeman, Monica Potter, Michael Moriarty, Penelope Ann Miller. 6/10             http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0164334/

The Ugly Truth (2009) Gerard Butler, Kathryn Heigl, Cheryl Hines.   7/10  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142988/


NEW:

Antitrust (2001) Ryan Phillippe, Tim Robbins, Rachel Leigh Cook. So. I put this one on my DVR'd list and finally watched it yesterday. 'Cause, you know, Ryan is cute in a bland sort of way. And Robbins is usually good. But my goodness. Ryan didn't change expressions more than - o - say about twice. Tim was a real souless exec. I forget what the problems were. Doesn't matter. They were outdated already. Mercy me! I stayed 'til The End. But don't ask me why. 4/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218817/

J. Edgar (2011) Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench, Armie Hammer. By The End, I was repulsed by Mr. J. Edgar and his bureau.

A Far cry from my youth when I revered the G-men. Back in the 1940s and 50s we thought the well dressed, clean cut young men were all that law enforcement officers should be. In my early 20's one of my galpals dated one and it had to be on the q-t because they both worked out of the Kansas City office. We had a very powerful mafia family that ran lots of K C politics and the city market and grocery stores. So my friend and her G-man went out in secret, and I doubled dated with my date and we ended the evening at a jazz joint where Baby Lovett was playing. Argument arose by two guys over a bimbo seated in the next booth. Fisticuffs, and we fled. G-man had to get the H--- out of there or be fired by The Boss, who would know by morning if he got involved. His cover was the fact the joint was known mafia owed and a hangout, So he could say he was 'working'. 1950's history.

As to this film. I was impressed by Leo. First time I have thought he had the chops for the role. He was effective. Watts was equally into her loyal to a fault secretary. Hammer was new to me, and seemed suited to his role of the ever-true Tolson.

The relationship between Hoover and Tolson, as presented, was ambiguous but it seems likely they were semi-lovers. Unless there are secret douments somewhere we will never know.

What Eastwood has done, as far as I am concerned, is lay out Hoovers absolute power over Washington D.C.s elite from 1950 to his death. His view of the world and people was narrow and only those he felt worthy were to be trusted with running the country. How he managed his world, by the end of the film, I hated. He was a unattractive man, doing awful things in the name of our country, and I hope we can resist the urge to give other characters unlimited power. But with the so-called Patriot Act, we seem to be going down the same path.

Have to give J.Edgar a 7/10 as I was fully engaged and interested. Maybe because I lived through most of the rise to power. The newspaper here in K. C. wrote only flattering things. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1616195/

More Encores:

Vivacious Lady (1938) Ginger Rogers, James Stewart, Buelah Bondi, Charles Coburn, James Ellison. Trifle about college professor going to big city, marrying a chorus girl and bringing her back home. With dear old Dad a bully, Mom a devious marshmallow who turns the tables, and another women as his fiancee, this guy has problems. Why Ellison didn't have a bigger career, I don't know. He was good as the drunken best friend/cousin to new hubby. Cast knew these roles by heart. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030944/

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) Joseph Cotton, Agnes Moorehead, Tim Holt, Anne Baxter, Delores Costello. Great film. It's just me, but I love this Welles much more than Citizen Kane. Booth Tarkington is more in touch with my type of people. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035015/

A Patch Of Blue (1965) Sidney Poiter, Shelley Winters, Wallace Ford, Elizabeth Hartman. Touching story of a black man trying to help a poor white blind girl with an abusive family. All roles acted to perfection. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059573/

Encores:

Alice Adams (1935) Katheryn Hepburn, Fred MacMurray, Fred Stone, Ann Shoemaker. Hattie McDaniel.   Marvelous story from the book by Booth Tarkington, of a small town girl who is trying to keep up appearances among her former friends, as her family sinks farther into poverty. One of her 'friends' invites her to the party of the season, at the mansion of her former girlfriends family, and she has to wear a 2 year old out-of-season gown. And go with her reluctant brother as her escort. There she meets a wealthy young man who dances with her and she is smitten. From this set up of the social order in this town, we have scenes of the home life of the Adams family. When the beau comes calling, Alice won't ask him in; she is too embarrassed about her home. Finally, he challenges her to meet the rest of her family; and her Mom keeps wanting her to have him for dinner. So she does. In a scene that is so funny it is heartbreaking, on the hottest night of the year; serving hot food when they are all melting; and melting aspic and ice cream, it is a disaster. Alice tells Arthur she knows he just wants to get away from this place. With a side story of her father and his problems and why the family has lost its' middle class existence, the film winds down to a happy ending when Arthur comes back and he and Alice make up. The book has a harsher end for Alice, but this is Hollywood. Good film anyway, with scenes that break your heart if you have ever been embarrassed by who you are, or by so-called friends. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026056/

Johnny Eager (1941) Lana Turner, Robert Taylor, Van Heflin(Oscar), Edward Arnold.   Lana and Bob get career boosting roles - Lana a brainy college student, Bob a nasty mob boss - in good Mervyn Leroy directed film. But Van wins all the marbles, as the boozy best friend of 'da Boss'. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033774/

All-time favorite -

Now Voyager (1942) Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Clause Rains, Gladys Cooper, Bonita Granville, Ilka Chase, John Loder.   Never tire of the players or the score.

Jerry lights two cigarettes and hands one to Charlotte.

"And will you be happy Charlotte? Oh Jerry, let's not ask for the moon. We have the stars." Music swells, fade on the stars. Wonderful schmaltz. 10/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035140/

Pre-code trouble for Stanwyke---

Forbidden (1932) Barbara Stanwyke, Adolph Menjou, Ralph Bellamy. Early "Matinee' Ladies" film with the heroine being done wrong by a rich, married cad. Capra himself described the story as "two hours of soggy, 99.44 percent soap opera." Lulu is on a cruise to Havana, a little librarian looking for romance and adventure. She gets both, but at what price. Ends up with a baby; and the father is a dog. But she loves him. So an arrangement is made and by manipulation, the baby ends up being raised by the cad, now a politician, and his wife, who happens to be crippled, so he 'can't leave her.'. More risque' than many later films after the film code was put in place to shield the hard facts of life from middle America. The actors are fine except Bellamy is directed to be over the top as a muck raking newspaper man. Can't believe he did it on his own. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022905/  
Note:  The reference to "99.44percent" is a reference to Ivory Soap, which back in the 1930's and 40's was advertised as being "99.44 % PURE."  And the soap operas broadcast on radio all day for the women homemakers of America.  My Mom and her neighborhood friends followed Stella Dallas, Backstage Wife, and so many more.  And of course, went to see Babs suffer, and debonaire Menjou, at the movies.