Some crazy, crazy stuff hit theaters during the Second World War. Audiences were receptive to it, as they were looking for an escape from worry or bad news. One of the craziest was 1943's Thank Your Lucky Stars. Warner Bros. not only crammed in every star it could, but many of them act delightfully out of character. … Continue reading The Show Must Go On
The Wizard of Oz Blogathon Is One Month Away
Professor Marvel says we're getting closer to Oz...are you ready? I'm so glad people are excited about this blogathon--The Wizard of Oz is such a beloved movie. The prevailing trend among our bloggers so far has been wanting to reminisce, which is completely natural. The film has pleasant associations for so many, and it's always … Continue reading The Wizard of Oz Blogathon Is One Month Away
Joan Goes Noir-ish
And here's Miss Joan... After World War Two, it really got to be a thing for studio actors to turn free-agent, and it became way more common for actors to both produce and star in their own films. One of these was 1948's Hollow Triumph, which is also known as The Scar, and as The Man Who Murdered Himself. Produced by … Continue reading Joan Goes Noir-ish
The Sunshine Blogger Award, Part Two
As promised, deja vu... 🙂 My second Sunshine Blogger Award in less than a month! Well, friends, this is an unexpected honor. This time I got nominated by my lovely friend, Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviews--thank you so much, Gill! I am immensely flattered that you thought of me for this award. Just like the first time … Continue reading The Sunshine Blogger Award, Part Two
Reading Rarities: Make Do and Mend
During the Second World War, rationing was a thing in most parts of the world, and Britain had some of the most stringent rules of any free nation. Then, as now, they relied heavily on imported goods and raw materials, and when shipping became a problem, conservation was the order of the day. Not only … Continue reading Reading Rarities: Make Do and Mend
At the Very Beginning
Production Code Time... The onscreen and offscreen partnership of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn is the stuff of legend, and it all started with the 1942 film, Woman of the Year. The story of two rival columnists, it's a classic battle of the sexes. Tess Harding (Katharine Hepburn) is an international affairs columnist for the New York Chronicle. … Continue reading At the Very Beginning
Janet and Meg
Time to talk about Ms. Leigh... One of my favorite movies is 1949's Little Women. I can't remember the first time I saw it. Maybe it was elementary school? I don't know. Anyway, it's a sweet version of Louisa May Alcott's story and one I always like to revisit. Our lady of the weekend, Janet Leigh, plays … Continue reading Janet and Meg
Shamedown #6: The Breakfast Club
Another Shamedown is upon us, and it's another teen angst-fest. First, though, if anyone would like to know what a Shamedown is, please have a look at Cinema Shame. Okeydokey, off we go... The late John Hughes was a master of the youth film. My personal favorite is Pretty In Pink, but I'm always interested in seeing his other … Continue reading Shamedown #6: The Breakfast Club
Stage To Screen: Mister Roberts
They say that truth is stranger than fiction, and some life experiences beg to be made into stories. Mister Roberts is one of those. Originally a novel by Thomas Heggen, it was published in 1946, premiered as a play in 1948, and released as a film in 1955. The story takes place very late in the war. … Continue reading Stage To Screen: Mister Roberts
A Woman Scorned
Welcome back, Miss de Havilland! One of the nicest things about blogging is that it invites people to branch out, and among the stars I'm enjoying learning more about is Olivia de Havilland. Prior to starting Taking Up Room, the only movies of hers I had seen were Gone With the Wind, Thank Your Lucky … Continue reading A Woman Scorned
Origins: Spider-Man: Far From Home
Another Spider-Man movie. How many of these have we had so far? Well, I guess Batman and Superman have had more, but Spider-Man is hot on their heels. The latest installment is Spider-Man: Far From Home, which stars Tom Holland as the title character, Zendaya as Mary Jane (only called MJ this time around) and … Continue reading Origins: Spider-Man: Far From Home
Taking Up Room 