Between 1941 and 1942 America's military went from approximately 1.8 million to almost four million, and by the end of the war around twelve million Americans were in the Armed Forces. The popular myth about the United States in the period immediately following Pearl Harbor is that recruitment offices were jammed with volunteers, but according … Continue reading During World War Two: You’re In the Armed Forces Now
During World War Two: The “N” Word (No, Not THAT One)
Hollywood had a little appeasement issue early in the Second World War; namely, they avoided a certain four-letter word starting with "N" and ending in "I." It was no secret what the Nazis and their friends were up to. Everyone knew they were committing atrocities against the Jewish people and anyone else who went against … Continue reading During World War Two: The “N” Word (No, Not THAT One)
Five Reasons To See “Vertigo”
Hello, Miss Kim... Vertigo is, of course, one of Alfred Hitchcock's iconic films. It's got James Stewart. It's got a blonde. Two, actually, because it also features the wonderful Barbara Bel Geddes as the loyal but passed-over Midge. It's got twists. It's got turns. It's got a gorgeous score by Bernard Herrmann. It's based on a … Continue reading Five Reasons To See “Vertigo”
My Favorite Moments From “It’s A Wonderful Life”
Few movies, holiday or otherwise, are as iconic as 1946's It's A Wonderful Life, and I'm not going in for hyperbole here. We see this thing everywhere. It's parodied, excerpted, tributed, shown in the background in various languages (looking at you, Home Alone 2) and we know it like green bean casserole or Mom's sugar cookies. … Continue reading My Favorite Moments From “It’s A Wonderful Life”
Lucky Lindy
Seven years from now will be the one-hundredth anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight. Isn't that amazing? It used to be that people could barely move while planes were in the air because of ballast, and now commercial flights have wifi and comfy seats with lots of legroom, not to mention weirdly catchy safety videos. … Continue reading Lucky Lindy
After Happily Ever After
Carole's back, everyone... Carole Lombard was a successful comedienne, but she was not immune to a movie of hers tanking at the box office. That came in the form of 1939's Made For Each Other, which starred Carole opposite James Stewart. Produced by David O. Selznik and directed by John Cromwell, it's an uncomplicated story of … Continue reading After Happily Ever After
Walking the Tightrope
Mr. Rains is back... Claude Rains had a lot of classic roles, and one of his best in my opinion is that of Senator Joseph Paine in the 1939 film, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. This movie is well-trod territory for film buffs and Frank Capra fans, and it's definitely James Stewart's show, but he's effectively matched … Continue reading Walking the Tightrope
Curing Box Office Poison
Miss Hepburn is back... Joan Crawford wasn't the only Golden Age actress to garner the dreaded Box Office Poison label; Katharine Hepburn also got stuck with it. What's interesting is how differently these two women handled the setback. Joan's response was to smolder in her posh mansion while waiting for good parts to come along, … Continue reading Curing Box Office Poison
Shamedown #7: Thunderbolt
It's time for another Shamedown, and another invitation to pay the Cinema Shame folks a visit if anyone's curious about this whole Shame thing. And now, onward... Last year's Shamedown #7 was my review of the William Wyler documentary, The Memphis Belle, in which he flew several missions with a bomber crew, documenting their reactions and the … Continue reading Shamedown #7: Thunderbolt
My Five Flaming Hotties (Plus A Bonus!)
Surprise tag post time... A couple of years ago, Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviews and Catherine at Thoughts All Sorts did a Five Flaming Hotties tag, and Gill decided to resurrect it. She's tossed the idea around a few times on Twitter, so I thought I'd have a list ready. I think it speaks for itself, … Continue reading My Five Flaming Hotties (Plus A Bonus!)
My Five Favorite 50s Films
Happy National Classic Movie Day! Every year, Rick of Rick's Film and TV Cafe poses a question to the blogging world, and it's always a good surprise. Usually, but not exclusively, the number five figures into things somewhere, and this is one of those times. This year, Rick wants to know which films of the … Continue reading My Five Favorite 50s Films
Three Ziegfeld Girls
While The Great Ziegfeld is a terrific movie, only a small percentage of it focused on the actual making of the Follies. We barely even got to see those famed stairs. Like Broadway, the Follies are a big subject, and in 1941, MGM revisited them in Ziegfeld Girl. Starring James Stewart, Judy Garland, Lana Turner, and Hedy Lamarr, … Continue reading Three Ziegfeld Girls
Tap, Tap, Tap
Fred Astaire seemed like he had the corner on the whole top-hat-and-tails thing, but he had an equally strong counterpart in Eleanor Powell, who also rocked that particular form of evening attire. Only hers were often trimmed with sequins. Powell's dancing was gutsy, athletic, and precise. One of the roles she tapped her way through … Continue reading Tap, Tap, Tap
Who Really Shot Liberty Valance?
Looks like it's high noon... My dad used to rent a lot of westerns when I was growing up, and I remember I felt pretty blah about them after a while. Westerns can be like sci-fi in that they have their own archetype. There are gallops on horseback, shootouts (at high noon or otherwise), peppery women, saloons … Continue reading Who Really Shot Liberty Valance?
Stage To Screen: You Can’t Take It With You
Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a great December, too. My vacation was fun. 🙂 Lots of movies. Lots of Sims. Lots of reading. Lots of trying to resurrect my long-dormant piano skills. And yes, if you saw my social media, we went to see The Last Jedi. Bliss. Okay, let's get down to business. You Can't … Continue reading Stage To Screen: You Can’t Take It With You
THEN: Dear Friend…
Get ready for the "Then" in the Then and Now Blogathon! Who's up for a little shopping? In 1937, the play, Illatszertár, or Parfumerie premiered at the Pest Theatre in Budapest. Written by Miklós László, the play followed the story of a cosmetics shop in Budapest, and in particular two of the clerks, Amalia Balash and George Horvath. The … Continue reading THEN: Dear Friend…
Taking Up Room 