Tap, tap, tap... In 1936 Fred and Ginger were two years into their partnership, and Follow the Fleet was one of two movies they made that year. The film sports some Hollywood heavyweights and soon-to-be-heavyweights but is itself pretty lightweight. However, it's classic Fred and Ginger. Sparky chemistry, magical dance sequences, and fun. "Bake" Baker (Fred Astaire) … Continue reading Hit the Dance Floor
Nine Tips For A Successful Island Christmas
Christmas is coming... We all know 1960's Swiss Family Robinson. The Robinson family sets out from Berne to New Guinea, they get chased into a storm by pirates and they get shipwrecked. They do more than make lemonade out of the lemons they've been handed, of course. MacGyver would be proud of the Robinson clan's … Continue reading Nine Tips For A Successful Island Christmas
Impressing Bette Davis
Miss Moorehead is back... One thing that can be said about Agnes Moorehead, and Bette Davis for that matter, is that in an industry that prizes youth above talent they managed to stay relevant. And they did it without seeming contrived or going under the knife, thank you very much. A flagship example of their … Continue reading Impressing Bette Davis
We Gather Together
What are you thankful for? OK, you all know one of my all-time favorite shows is Christy (read my earlier thoughts here). The show had a short life, but they did manage to make one feature-length holiday special, "The Sweetest Gift," which originally aired on November 24, 1994. As it leads up to Thanksgiving and … Continue reading We Gather Together
Oxford Calling
The Barrymores are back, y'all... In 1936, MGM established a branch of its studio in Britain, starting out at the Denham Studios in London. In 1938 three of its biggest stars made A Yank At Oxford there: Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, and Maureen O'Sullivan, supported by a lady who would became rather infamous later. Lee (Robert Taylor) … Continue reading Oxford Calling
Vive La France
Welcome back, Mr. Rains... While France was occupied during the Second World War, its soldiers, sailors, and airmen managed to deal heavy blows to the Axis with assists from the English and Americans. Like many other aspects of the war this effort was fodder for Hollywood's movie factory, and in 1944 our guest of honor … Continue reading Vive La France
Astaire’s Worst Movie
Gotta dance... Fred Astaire wasn't immune to the occasional turkey and one of them is 1940's Second Chorus. Astaire plays Danny, a trumpet player in a college band. It sounds all right on the surface, except that Astaire was forty-one at the time. At least Artie Shaw was along to make it all better. Oh, … Continue reading Astaire’s Worst Movie
Home Sweet Haunt
Mwahahaha... Even the dark house subgenre has its cliches. The jumpscare. The dark and stormy night. The literal skeletons (and maybe various body parts) falling out of closets. Lots of screaming. Oh, and let's not forget the Spend-the-Night-In-the-House-And-Win-Something trope. 1958's House On Haunted Hill ticks all these boxes, adding in a bit of camp and the … Continue reading Home Sweet Haunt
See You In Court
Kate and Spence have returned, all... When Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy come up, people often talk about how well-matched they are. They're like two peas. Whatever Spence gave Kate, she gave back to him, and their love for each other was always evident. This dynamic played successfully in nine feature films, and one of … Continue reading See You In Court
Jean’s Breakthrough
Here's Miss Jean... Jean Arthur was an extremely competent actress and best remembered for her screwball comedies. She made several films with Frank Capra, one of which was the 1936 smash, Mr. Deeds Goes To Town. It was Arthur's breakthrough role and her first time working with Frank Capra, who was making the first of what would … Continue reading Jean’s Breakthrough
All For One, One For All
Hello again, Mr. Breen... Ah, The Three Musketeers. I remember watching the film when it came out in 1993 and thinking it seemed a tad derivative in the wake of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Both movies start out in a prison with guys getting done in for stealing. Both movies were scored by Michael Kamen … Continue reading All For One, One For All
Everybody’s Habitual
Hello, Miss Parker... Eleanor Parker certainly got around in terms of the roles she played, and in my opinion one of the more unusual ones was that of Zosh in the 1955 film, The Man With the Golden Arm. Oh golly, it's a doozy. It's a little bit beatnik. It's a little bit Requiem For A Dream. In the … Continue reading Everybody’s Habitual
The Atticus and Boo Blogathon Wrapup
We have come to the end of the blogathon, friends, and if anyone else felt like this event crept up on them, I totally get it. Things creeping up has become a daily or weekly occurance this year. Sigh. Of course, if anyone has any late posts, please feel free to send them to me … Continue reading The Atticus and Boo Blogathon Wrapup
The Documentary of the Future
Hey Boo... Robert Duvall has had a wildly diverse career to say the least. George Lucas, um, not really, but he's George Lucas. In 1971 the two of them made an unlikely team with the release of Lucas's first feature film, THX-1138, a dystopian tale of the world we live in, only not. THX-1138 bears a slight resemblance … Continue reading The Documentary of the Future
The Atticus and Boo Blogathon Has Arrived
Atticus and Boo are here, people. Who else is ready to celebrate these two great actors? You all know the drill: Please send me your entries today and tomorrow and I'll post them here. And if anyone has any late contributions, feel free to send them anyway because I'll be doing a wrapup post on … Continue reading The Atticus and Boo Blogathon Has Arrived
We Can Take It
Rule, Britannia, Britannia rules the waves... It's no secret that early in the Second World War the United Kingdom was among the few free nations fighting against the Nazis. By 1944 people were exhausted and pep talks were in order, one of which came in the form of the Carol Reed film, The Way Ahead. … Continue reading We Can Take It
Seven Days Until the Atticus and Boo Blogathon
One week to go, people. Are you ready? I'm looking forward to seeing what my wonderful bloggers come up with and sharing it with all of you. Want to join us? There's still plenty of space, so if anyone's interested, then click here for the details. OK, this weekend is Terence's Rule Britannia Blogathon, so … Continue reading Seven Days Until the Atticus and Boo Blogathon
Taking Up Room 