12/25/2008
12/13/2008
The Man Who Came To Dinner (1941)
An enjoyable film. Stage actor Monty Wooley plays a pompous, arrogant radio celebrity who intends to travel cross country with his assistant, played by Bette Davis. It's really interesting to see her in this comedy as a supporting player because her films from this period were mostly dramatic roles where she plays lead.After he suffers a fall, Monty (along with Bette) is forced to spend time in the house of the Stanleys (Grant Mitchell and Billie Burke) and the rest of their family.
During his stay, which spans the Christmas holiday season, he is very opinionated about everything and everyone, leading to a number of humorous moments. Jimmy Durante is also in this, and I must confess, I am not a fan of his; don't find him too funny. With Ann Sheriden. Directed by William Keighley (The Adventures of Robin Hood).
12/09/2008
12/07/2008
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) Movie Trailer
This is a very long movie about the events leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. I remember seeing this on television but not watching the full film. The trailer shows some of the actions sequences:
The Magnificent 60s blog does a better job than me in reviewing this movie. Check out these blog posts:
12/06/2008
De Sade (1969)
An OK biography of the writer, featuring colorful sets and costumes. John Huston (the most recognizable actor in this film) has a small supporting role as De Sade's uncle. The animated opening sequence is really interesting. Because of the sexuality and nudity in the film, the film was rated "X" when it was released in the United States in 1969. Later, it was rated "R".
13 Rue Madeline (1947)
Black and White film starring James Cagney. An OK movie about a spy during WWII in Paris.
11/30/2008
Disney Cartoon Short: Hitler's Children (1943)
Whoah, I stumbled upon this Walt Disney WWII-era short.
The Mortal Storm (1940)
This is a film that came out in 1940 and stars Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan.
It's a movie that I always remember as being one that stands out from many other films of 1940 because it talks about the politics in Germany at the time.
The film shows how a family breaks apart due to their political differences and affiliations.
Robert Stack co-stars as a relative who turns to the Nazi party, to the dismay of his relatives who align with the resistance. Frank Morgan plays a professor and the patriarch of the family.
Jacqueline of Another Old Movie Blog wrote a very good blog entry on this movie here.
10/21/2008
The Black Cat (1934)
A creepy film! Also a rare screen pairing of Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff (billed only as "KARLOFF" for some reason).As the film opens, Bela is on his way to Karloff's mansion for a visit. On the train he meets a young couple and invites them to come along with him, which may be a mistake.
When we meet Karloff, we learn that is a creepy dude. First of all, he's a Satanist who reads "The Rites of Lucifer", and is preparing for a black moon ritual which may or not involve Bela and the couple, who try to escape.
Bela plays a good guy in this and wants to escape too, especially when he learns that Karloff has been keeping corpses in his basement, including one of his dead wife. Creepy! That's enough for anyone to want to get out of there. Bela is terrified of black cats, though and gets freaked out whenever one walks into the room, making it tough for him to leave.
According to my research, this was one of the top box office hits in 1934.
9/13/2008
Sudden Fear (1952)
Joan Crawford stars in a sophisticated psychological thriller. Jack Palance plays her greedy husband who plots to murder her to gain an inheritance. The first half of the movie is about they met and their relationship began.Joan and Jack were both nominated for Oscars for their performances. Jack Palance was nominated for Supporting Actor, but it is a lead role. One of those Oscar oddities.
Highly recommended, especially if you are into digital audio recording and want to see what kind of recording equipment was used and being developed back in the early 50s.
Read more about this film from another blog, Old Hollywood Films
7/29/2008
The Odd Couple (1968) - Theme by Neal Hefti, Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Wow. I never knew that the theme music had lyrics. Here's proof from YouTube:
The theme to the Odd Couple, with lyrics (!). Lyrics by Sammy Cahn, Music by Neal Hefti (died 2008)
The theme to the Odd Couple, with lyrics (!). Lyrics by Sammy Cahn, Music by Neal Hefti (died 2008)
7/04/2008
Visit to the Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California (photos)
I visited the Reagan Library and Museum on the 4th of July 2008; here are a few photos from the trip that I thought you might enjoy seeing.
"Ya Basta" is a Spanish phrase that means "Enough is enough!" in English
There are exibits devoted to Reagan's movie and television career.
There was a mini-theater where you can step into and watch movie clips.
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| There are some items (mostly photos and posters) from Nancy Davis' film career. |
Replica of the Oval Office
Presidential items, gifts, etc.
In 1982 President Reagan received photographs of young Polish girls
holding a sign which reads, "Our father is sitting in prison for Solidarity"
Sports memorabilia on display
Motorcade vehicles, helicopers, etc.
There's even a retired Air Force One that you can walk through.
It's really awesome to see up close.
The plane overlooks this valley; you can step out and enjoy the scenery.
There is even an Irish Pub there, with two bartenders on duty.
I bought some "Lenin-Aid" (red lemonade)
More Presidential gifts, memorabilia
Chunk of the Berlin Wall.
President Reagan's final resting place. I remember seeing this on
television in 2004 during the televised memorial.
Overlooking the valley. It's really breathtaking.
7/02/2008
Yankee Doodle Dandee (1942) and Meeting Joan Leslie
I saw this (again) today with my friend Mike on the big screen at the Eygptian Theater in LA. Joan Leslie was there in person doing a Q and A. (She signed a photo for me) This is a movie fondly remembered by the critics who were polled by AFI (it made the AFI "Top 100" poll in 1998 and 2008). James Cagney is energetic as vaudevillian George M. Cohen, who went on to write numerous broadway productions and penned some classic American songs, such as "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "Over There". The movie highlights the entertainer's milestones and accomplishments. Filled with musical performances and show tunes taken directly from the shows he appeared in. This movie really keeps the legacy of George M. Cohen alive. Co-starring Walter Huston and Frances Langford.Unfortunately, there is a scene in the beginning with the "The Four Cohans" that feature them all in blackface, which is really troubling. As is known, minstrel shows were very popular in that time period. Every time I watch this movie I try to see past this and appreciate the legacy of Cohan's music. Also offensive are the lines in the lyrics to "Baby in the Bunch", a tune sung by Joan Leslie very fast paced.
THE WARMEST BABY IN THE BUNCH by George M. Cohan (1897)
[Verse 1]
You're well acquainted with the Highborn lady,[Chorus - only this part is sung in the movie]
You might have heard of Hot Tamale Sal,
But there's a wench that makes them all look shady,
You've got to take your hat off to dis gal,
You'll all be dazzled when you see dis member,
You'll think that you've been drinking nigger punch,
The steam comes from her shoes in cold December,
For she's the warmest baby in the bunch.
When they see her coming, all dem wenches take a chill,[Verse 2]
Diamonds glist'nin' all around and style enough to kill,
Her steady feller broke a crap game, Down in Louisville,
And buys her chicken ev'ry day for lunch.
"Come Seben!" Dreamy eyes that sparkle
and she rolls them mighty cute,
Colored gemmen say that lady cert'ny is a "beaut,"
"Go broke," dat she's a hot potater She's a red hot radiator,
She's the warmest baby in the bunch
The coons they all acknowledge she's a wizard,Read Sally Tonks' review from her blog Flying Down to Hollywood.
You'll cremate if around this gal you fool,
Last January when we had a blizzard,
She had to fan herself to take it cool,
The pol'cy shops are broken by this hummer,
She's luckier than a nigger with a hunch,
She leads a life of everlasting summer,
For she's the warmest baby in the bunch.
Read Monty's review from his blog 31 Days of Oscar.
6/29/2008
6/08/2008
Actor Who Played Young George Bailey Dies (6-8-08)
Actor Who Played Young George Bailey Dies
By Newsbot on June 8th, 2008
Bob Anderson, actor who played young George BaileyRobert J. Anderson, a former child actor best known for playing the young George Bailey in the 1946 Christmas film classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” has died. He was 75.
Known as Bobbie when he was young and Bob as an adult, Anderson died Friday of melanoma at his Palm Springs home, said Stephen Cox, a family friend and author of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Memory Book.”
Anderson was 12 when director Frank Capra cast him as Jimmy Stewart’s youthful counterpart in the heartwarming tale set in Bedford Falls. As the adult George Bailey contemplates suicide, his life is told in flashback so his guardian angel Clarence can get to know him. Young George rescues his brother from drowning, dreams about being an explorer and saves the town pharmacist, Mr. Gower, from accidentally poisoning a customer.
In 1996, on the 50th anniversary of the movie’s release, Anderson recalled shooting scenes with H.B. Warner, who played Mr. Gower.
“He actually bloodied my ear,” Anderson told Cox for a Times story. “My ear was beat up, and my face was red and I was in tears. . . . I didn’t know what we were building for. H.B. was perfect. He reached the crescendo. At the end when it was all over, he was very lovable. He grabbed me and hugged me, and he meant it.”
The film, which initially flopped, became a holiday favorite in recent decades after it started airing repeatedly on TV when the copyright lapsed in the 1970s.
Anderson was born March 6, 1933, to a Hollywood family. His father, Gene Anderson, was involved in production at Columbia Pictures, and his uncle, William Beaudine, was a prolific director. Bobbie Anderson first appeared on screen as a toddler and went on to roles in the 1940 Shirley Temple movie “Young People,” “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” (1945) and “The Bishop’s Wife” (1947), among others. He also appeared on TV, including a supporting role to Disney’s “Spin and Marty” characters in the 1950s.
After serving in the Navy as a photographer, Anderson became an assistant director, production manager and producer for various studios.
“Most people don’t know what happened to him, mainly because he stayed behind the cameras,” Cox said Saturday. “Not that he didn’t like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ He was very proud of his work in it.”
Anderson is survived by his wife, Victoria; three sons, John of Lake Arrowhead, Bob Jr. of Long Beach and Joe of San Bernardino; three daughters, Kathleen Inman of Nyack, N.Y., Deborah Gutierrez of Boise, Idaho, and Heidi Anderson-Robinson of Ventura; 11 grandchildren; a brother, Beau Anderson; and a sister, Virginia McAfee.
Services are pending. Instead of flowers, donations in Anderson’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.
By Newsbot on June 8th, 2008
Bob Anderson, actor who played young George BaileyRobert J. Anderson, a former child actor best known for playing the young George Bailey in the 1946 Christmas film classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” has died. He was 75.Known as Bobbie when he was young and Bob as an adult, Anderson died Friday of melanoma at his Palm Springs home, said Stephen Cox, a family friend and author of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Memory Book.”
Anderson was 12 when director Frank Capra cast him as Jimmy Stewart’s youthful counterpart in the heartwarming tale set in Bedford Falls. As the adult George Bailey contemplates suicide, his life is told in flashback so his guardian angel Clarence can get to know him. Young George rescues his brother from drowning, dreams about being an explorer and saves the town pharmacist, Mr. Gower, from accidentally poisoning a customer.
In 1996, on the 50th anniversary of the movie’s release, Anderson recalled shooting scenes with H.B. Warner, who played Mr. Gower.
“He actually bloodied my ear,” Anderson told Cox for a Times story. “My ear was beat up, and my face was red and I was in tears. . . . I didn’t know what we were building for. H.B. was perfect. He reached the crescendo. At the end when it was all over, he was very lovable. He grabbed me and hugged me, and he meant it.”
The film, which initially flopped, became a holiday favorite in recent decades after it started airing repeatedly on TV when the copyright lapsed in the 1970s.
Anderson was born March 6, 1933, to a Hollywood family. His father, Gene Anderson, was involved in production at Columbia Pictures, and his uncle, William Beaudine, was a prolific director. Bobbie Anderson first appeared on screen as a toddler and went on to roles in the 1940 Shirley Temple movie “Young People,” “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” (1945) and “The Bishop’s Wife” (1947), among others. He also appeared on TV, including a supporting role to Disney’s “Spin and Marty” characters in the 1950s.
After serving in the Navy as a photographer, Anderson became an assistant director, production manager and producer for various studios.
“Most people don’t know what happened to him, mainly because he stayed behind the cameras,” Cox said Saturday. “Not that he didn’t like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ He was very proud of his work in it.”
Anderson is survived by his wife, Victoria; three sons, John of Lake Arrowhead, Bob Jr. of Long Beach and Joe of San Bernardino; three daughters, Kathleen Inman of Nyack, N.Y., Deborah Gutierrez of Boise, Idaho, and Heidi Anderson-Robinson of Ventura; 11 grandchildren; a brother, Beau Anderson; and a sister, Virginia McAfee.
Services are pending. Instead of flowers, donations in Anderson’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.
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