Well, hello, Ms. Bacall... When life is in turmoil, people need release wherever they can find it, and the 1957 film, Designing Woman was one such break for Lauren Bacall. She called it "a nice, light comedy," and though she didn't think so initially, it was just what she needed during one of the toughest times … Continue reading Adjustments, All Sorts
Ingrid’s Casablanca
Welcome back, Ms. Bergman! What hasn't been said about Casablanca? What hasn't been asked about Casablanca? This is a film that's been parsed, analyzed, memorialized, quoted, parodied, and collected more homage than most films in history, with the exception of Citizen Kane and The Wizard of Oz, of course. What's left to be said? Plenty. It's a classic film that we … Continue reading Ingrid’s Casablanca
Dinner Is Served
The Barrymores have returned, y'all. MGM had a thing for ensemble films in the early thirties. Why have one box office draw when more just makes everything better? John and Lionel Barrymore got to be in on a few of these extravaganzas, and one of the most well-known is 1933's Dinner At Eight. Like their earlier hit, Grand … Continue reading Dinner Is Served
Origins: Sharks, Sharks Everywhere
We all know how sinister predators seem to be a real thing in summertime flicks. Maybe it's because summer is when people go camping or to the beach or something--it's an imagined feeling of impending doom. There's not much that compares to watching a roller-coaster of a disaster movie, armed with popcorn and Milk Duds, … Continue reading Origins: Sharks, Sharks Everywhere
Once More With Feeling
Fred and Ginger's RKO partnership ended after The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle in 1939. It wasn't that they hated each other, or had creative differences, or anything like that--they simply wanted to part ways. RKO's money problems were a determining factor as well. Ten years later, however, the two were reunited at MGM for a … Continue reading Once More With Feeling
I’ll Only Dance With You
Here come Fred and Ginger... What hasn't been said about these two? Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are the go-to's of both pairs dancing and Hollywood musicals. One of these was 1936's Swing Time, a light and airy film which was an escape for Depression-era audiences, as well as in the decades following. The movie opens at … Continue reading I’ll Only Dance With You
All the World’s A Stage
Happy birthday to Ms. de Havilland! I'll admit, while I'm very familiar with Olivia de Havilland in Gone With the Wind, I've never really had the opportunity to look at much of her other work. It's one of the reasons I love participating in blogathons--it's fun to explore new films and information. The 1937 film, It's Love … Continue reading All the World’s A Stage
Judy’s Voice
Right off the bat, I want to let it be known that I'm not an expert on the voice. I have played piano for many years, although I'm a little rusty now, and I did study voice for about fourteen years. So, while I'm not going to go all Sarah Brightman on anyone, I do … Continue reading Judy’s Voice
Marrying In Haste
World War Two was a heady time, and on-the-fly decisions weren't uncommon. Like getting married, for instance. 1942 has one of the highest marriage numbers on record in the United States. Some of these couples had been together for a while, but whirlwind courtships weren't unheard of. Sometimes called "gangplank marriage" or "shoving-off marriages," they … Continue reading Marrying In Haste
Broadway Bound Blogathon: Day Three
We have come to Day Three of our Broadway Bound Blogathon, and more great entries are ahead (See Day Two here). As usual, I will post new arrivals throughout the day. So let's get right to them... Amanda from Old Hollywood Films leads with a look at the history of The King and I. Who knew this classic got … Continue reading Broadway Bound Blogathon: Day Three
End of an Era
Long before MGM put his story on the screen, Florenz Ziegfeld was dipping his toe into Hollywood. The first film he produced was 1917's The Land of Promise. Starring Billie Burke, the film is a straightforward story of farmers and romance. It's also, unfortunately, lost. Other films were takeoffs of his stage shows, such as Rio Rita or Whoopee. Only … Continue reading End of an Era
Broadway Bound Blogathon: Day Two
Day Two, guys and gals! We've been having a great time so far on Broadway (Read Day One's entries here), and I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm excited to see what our participants have in store for us today. And unlike yesterday, you now have my undivided attention. 😉 So, without … Continue reading Broadway Bound Blogathon: Day Two
Broadway Bound Blogathon: Day One
The house lights have gone down, and the curtain has gone up... Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is the first day of the Broadway Bound Blogathon! I will endeavor to update this post throughout the day with all the lovely entries our participants have in store for us. Thanks so much for all your well-wishes … Continue reading Broadway Bound Blogathon: Day One
Shamedown #4: Too Hot To Handle
Presenting another Shamedown. And another Clark Gable movie. He's getting a lot of exposure this year on Taking Up Room. And in case you missed it before, the whole story of how this got started can be found at Cinema Shame. I don't know about other countries, but in America we hear a lot about women breaking the … Continue reading Shamedown #4: Too Hot To Handle
Radio Days
In this age of ubiquitous digital media, it's always interesting to look back at a time when broadcasting was newer, cruder, and a much, much bigger deal. 1941's The Great American Broadcast is a film that does just that. The film opens at an airport in 1919, where pilot Rix Martin (John Payne) taxis his … Continue reading Radio Days
Stage To Screen: Arsenic and Old Lace
Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic play and film, a slightly macabre mix of black humor and irony. Written by Joseph Kesselring, its original run on Broadway was 1,444 performances, and it still holds up today. The story initially seems very simple, but it likes to grab the viewer with lots of gotchas, done so … Continue reading Stage To Screen: Arsenic and Old Lace
The Broadway Bound Blogathon Is One Month Away
The calendar never lies, friends. Come June first, the curtain will rise on the blogging world's look at the Great White Way. Allow me to offer a great big thank you in advance to those of you who have already signed up. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your support and enthusiasm (not … Continue reading The Broadway Bound Blogathon Is One Month Away
Taking Up Room 