MARCH MADNESS is almost upon us...

March Madness is only a few days away and here is another banner for the tourney to decide favorite classic movie actress of 2012.

All Good Things welcomes Teresa Wright

Just a little welcome for the soon to be classic movie goddess of the month, Teresa Wright. One of the best actresses to ever grace the silver screen. I had hoped to have her on last year but I had to push her back a few months. And I promise her and all my readers I will not short change her one bit, what with this little thing of a tournament going on. I will post pics, reviews, trivia and the usual assorted goodies. And judging by the pics below, I am not the only one welcoming Teresa to All Good Things. So sit back and relax everyone as the month of March belongs to Teresa.

Awww Gary, you didn't have to come by to see me! But I'm glad you did!

And then after your visit here Teresa, me and you can go out shopping.

And a spot of tea. Won't that be nice?

Joel McCrea defeats Robert Taylor 25-17 in match play

Robert Taylor made a valiant comeback after being down early in his match with Joel McCrea, but still came up short. McCrea defeated Taylor 25-17 to improve his match play record to 2-1, while Taylor drops to 0-2. There will be no match play this week as we get ready for the Favorite Classic Movie Actress tourney, which begins next week.

Joel is feeling pretty good after his recent victory

Happy Birthday Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)

Less than a year since the great Elizabeth Taylor has passed. A truly amazing actress and all around iconic woman. Happy Birthday Elizabeth! And instead of the usual glamorous or sultry photo, I chose this delightful pic of Elizabeth playing with a water gun.

Tea Anyone: Annabella and Robert Young

Stars Annabella and Robert Young enjoying a break from filming with some tea....

Top Five Best Matches from the 2011 Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tourney

As the 2nd annual favorite classic movie actress tourney nears it kick-off date, I went back to look at last year's inagural tourney. And made a post about the top 5 best matches, based on most voter participation. And surprisingly the top match wasn't the championship final match. I will start with number 5 and count my way up to number 1.

5. IRENE DUNNE VS BARBARA STANWYCK (97 VOTES) This match took place in the second round of the silent/30's era bracket which saw Irene defeat Barbara soundly 59-38. Stanwyck was the number 2 ranked seed in this era while Irene was number ten. So this was a huge upset.

4. IRENE DUNNE VS VIVIEN LEIGH (97 VOTES) The championship match which decided the favorite classic movie actress was an exciting one, which saw Irene prevail 55-42 over Vivien. Make no mistake about it, Irene Dunne proved she could go the distance as she took out the more highly ranked actresses in this tourney.

3. CAROLE LOMBARD VS MYRNA LOY (100 VOTES) My girl Carole took down Myrna Loy in the 30's era semi-final match 59-41. And I loved it. I love Myrna with all my heart too, but I love Carole just a little bit more. Carole was one round away from going to the Final Four.

2.  IRENE DUNNE VS CLAUDETTE COLBERT (100 VOTES) Another match involving Irene Dunne. This time she crushed Colbert 64-36 in a blow-out 30's era semi-final match. And kind of surprising too. Colbert is fondly loved and one of the most popular actresses during this era.

1. IRENE DUNNE VS CAROLE LOMBARD (101 VOTES) How fitting that the most popular match from last year's tourney featured my top 2 favorite actresses. And so it came down to this, Carole against Irene. Now I was pulling for Carole all the way and was a little saddened when she lost 58-43. But now I had my second fave actress Irene to root for. This match was the most voted one in the entire tourney. And it was a great one

Looking back to last year's tourney and to see that Irene Dunne was involved in four of the five top matches just only adds more to her historic run. Just unbelievable as she went on her Cinderella run and never looked back. Here's to looking forward to this year's tourney which will see her defend her crown. Good luck to all 128 actresses that are competing.

Last minute subsitution....

The 128 field for the upcoming Favorite Classic Movie Actress tourney has been set for over a week now. Until last night when I decided to make one small change in the 60's era field. Specifically in the singers/dancers category where I dropped Anita Ekberg and replaced her with Edie Adams. Edie is a spectacular comedienne, but also a fabulous singer. She had a string of solid films during the 60's including The Apartment, Lover Come Back and It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. So I apologize to all Anita fans as she won't be making the tourney this year but maybe next year she will. I know 128 women may seem like a lot, but there are tons more actresses who got left out again. Gonna have to do something about this...next year!

My Final Four Picks in the Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tourney

I was asked today by a friend who am I picking for my Final Four finalists for the favorite classic movie actress tournament. Of course for the 30's era it's my girl Carole Lombard. No offense to last year's winner Irene Dunne, but Carole is my favorite actress of all time. I'm going with Ann Sheridan for the 40's era. Elizabeth Taylor in the 50's era. And for the 60's I'm choosing Shirley MacLaine, slightly over Natalie Wood. And for Carole to win the whole thing. So those are my choices. Would love to see who everyone else will be going for.

MY FINAL FOUR PICKS

CAROLE

ANN

ELIZABETH

SHIRLEY

Pawsome Pet Pictures: Jean Harlow

Here are some pics of my classic movie goddess of the month Jean Harlow with some lovable pets...

Banners for 2012 Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tournament

Hi everyone! I just made some banners for the upcoming favorite classic movie actress tournament. I made four with each one representing a specific era. And I added them to my sidebar. So when the tourney starts, all you have to do is click on the picture and the link will take you to the other three sites where the matches are being held. I posted the banner photos below for everyone to see what they look like. Can't wait for this tourney to get started!

SILENT/1930'S ERA

1940'S ERA

1950'S ERA

1960'S ERA



The 2012 Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tournament Preview: the 60's Era

So now we arrive at the final preview for the 2012 Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tournament with the 1960's era. This bracket will take place right here on All Good Things and I have listed all the matches for the first round below, with the top seeds for each of the four groups highlighted. Tourney will start simultaneous with the other three blogs on Monday March 5th. I am going for Natalie Wood in this era.

60's Sophisticates Top Seed Jean Simmons

 60’s SOPHISTICATES

1 JEAN SIMMONS VS 8 CAROL LYNLEY

4 BRIGITTE BARDOT VS 5 CLAUDIA CARDINALE

2 FAYE DUNAWAY VS 7 VERA MILES

3 ROMY SCHNEIDER VS 6 ANNE BANCROFT

Overall top seed of 60's era Natalie Wood (and last year final four finalist)

60’S FUNNY LADIES/GIRLS NEXT DOOR

1 NATALIE WOOD VS 8 STELLA STEVENS

4 TUESDAY WELD VS 5 HAYLEY MILLS

2 JANE FONDA VS 7 PATTY DUKE

3 SANDRA DEE VS 6 GLYNIS JOHNS

60's Drama Queens top seed Julie Christie

60’S DRAMA QUEENS

1 JULIE CHRISTIE VS 8 TIPPI HEDREN

4 LIV ULLMAN VS 5 SUSANNAH YORK

2 LEE REMICK VS 7 JEAN SEBERG

3 CATHERINE DENEUVE VS 6 SHARON TATE

60's Singers/Dancers Top Seed Julie Andrews

60’S SINGERS/DANCERS

1 JULIE ANDREWS VS 8 JEANNE MOREAU

4 SHIRLEY JONES VS 5 RITA MORENO

2 SHIRLEY MACLAINE VS 7 EDIE ADAMS

3 ANN-MARGRET VS 6 RAQUEL WELCH

If It's Tuesday, Then It Must Be Grace Kelly - Her films to TV ratio

We all know that Grace Kelly made a limited number of films before giving up Hollywood to marry Prince Rainier of Monaco. She made 11 films, most of which were critical and commercial successes. Most likely she would have had a long and enduring film career. But I was surprised at the amount of TV work she did before her movie stardom skyrocketed. She appeared in 18 TV series and one tv movie. That's quite impressive considering she only acted from 1950 - 1956. Now for most of these series, she only did one episode but still that is amazing. Some of the series she starred in included: Big Town, The Clock, Somerset Maugham TV Theatre, The Prudential Family Playhouse, CBS Television Workshop, Robert Montgomery Presents, and Actor's Studio (where she played Princess Alexandra, which she would later re-create for the film, The Swan). Just wanted to share this interesting fact about the wonderful Grace.

Joan Who?...a funny little story

Sorry Joan...but no love today from some non fans

So today at work I asked some friends and co-workers out of two classic film stars, which one do they know. I randomly chose Joan Bennett and Joan Crawford, figuring even non-classic fans know who Crawford is. I only got to ask two people before I got bombarded with work. The two people I did ask make for a short funny story and I figured I would share. So the woman calls me up needing some information from me, which I didn't know right then. Had to look it up and then call  her back. Then I asked her out of the blue..Joan Bennett or Joan Crawford? She was like, excuse me. And I said again Joan Bennett or Joan Crawford? do you know them? She replied what department do they work in? Who do they work for? I was like are you serious? I had to explain they were not employees but classic film stars.

She was like...Monty, how old do you think I am? But I was for sure she would know Crawford. I was stunned and said ...you never heard of Joan Crawford? She said no again. And then I said, well how about Bette Davis? You must have heard of Bette. And she said I think so. But then she yelled over to her co-worker..and asked had he heard of Joan Crawford. I heard his answer in the background..he said..."Yeah, she was an old actress..from Dynasty, right..Alexis somebody.". I was like dude that was Joan Collins, not Joan Crawford. I was flabbergasted.

According to one co-worker, this is Joan Crawford

The woman then said..Monty, you can ask me about Brad Pitt, George Clooney, The Rock..I know all those guys..very well. Do you? I said Of course I know modern people, but can't believe you guys. She had a good laugh about it though. I said I was glad to make her day I guess. Just another little story to share and show that we classic film lovers are a rare breed.

But they knew Bette, kinda....so she stuck it to Joan again!

The 2012 Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tournament Preview: The 50's era

So now we're up to the 1950's era for the upcoming favorite movie actress tournament. This era will be handled by be but not here. My good friend Dawn has graciously let me use her blog Noir and Chick Flicks to stage the 50's bracket there. Will have the same schedule as the other two eras I have previewed: Monday, March 5th for the first round. Here is the link to Dawn's blog: noir and chick flicks
Below are the scheduled matches with the top 4 seeds of the the 4 categories highlighted. There is one big change from last year's tourney...Doris Day, the top seed of the 60's era will now compete in the 50's era. We will watch closely to see how well she fares in a new era. I think she will do just fine. My pick to win this era though is Elizabeth Taylor.

Overall top seed of 50's era Grace Kelly (and final four finalist last year)

50’S SOPHISICATES

1 GRACE KELLY VS 8 RHONDA FLEMING

4 SOPHIA LOREN VS 5 ANNE FRANCIS

2 AUDREY HEPBURN VS 7 DOROTHY MALONE

3 DEBORAH KERR VS 6 KIM NOVAK

Funny Ladies/Girls Next Door top seed Judy Holliday

50’S FUNNY LADIES/GIRLS NEXT DOOR

1 JUDY HOLLIDAY VS 8 PIER ANGELI

4 JAYNE MANSFIELD VS 5 JANET LEIGH

2 MARILYN MONROE VS 7 JOANNE WOODWARD

3 THELMA RITTER VS 6 EVA MARIE SAINT

Drama queens top seed Elizabeth Taylor

50’S DRAMA QUEENS

1 ELIZABETH TAYLOR VS 8 SHELLEY WINTERS (a match between A Place in the Sun
women....very cool)

4 ANNE BAXTER VS 5 ELEANOR PARKER

2 SUSAN HAYWARD VS 7 JENNIFER JONES

3 AVA GARDNER VS 6 GLORIA GRAHAME

Singers/Dancers top seed Doris Day

50’S SINGERS/DANCERS

1 DORIS DAY VS 8 JANE RUSSELL

4 VERA-ELLEN VS 5 LESLIE CARON

2 DEBBIE REYNOLDS VS 7 JANE POWELL (might be the best match of this round)

3 CYD CHARISSE VS 6 DOROTHY DANDRIDGE

ALL GOOD THINGS in March

The big news for March is of course the Favorite Classic Film Actress tournament. Featuring a whopping 128 contestants and spread across four blogs, this tourney should be very exciting. With help from John of Mythical Monkey and Desiree of Rosalind Russell, there is no doubt this tourney will be more competitive than last year's. Now while that will take up most of my time, there are still other things going on here next month. The classic movie goddess of the month will be one of my all time favorites, Teresa Wright. The quiet and popular actress, who is also competing in the tourney, will be represented with photos, facts and reviews of  her films. My guest of the month will be my good friend Patti of They Don't Make 'Em Like They Use To. She always writes the best reviews on her blog and has even made copies of movies that I didn't have and sent to me. What a great friend. So March is poised to be a very big month. It can't get here soon enough.

The 2012 Favorite Classic Actress Tournament Preview: The 1940's era

I'm back to preview the 1940's era for the upcoming favorite classic actress tournament. Now my good friend Desiree will be handling this era and she has set up some wonderful matches for the opening round. She broke her matches down into four categories just like I did for the 50's and 60's: Sophisticates, Drama Queens, Funny Ladies/Girls Next Door and Singers/Dancers. And the fun will begin on Monday March 5th at her blog: Rosalind Russell. I'm going with Bette to win this era. Here is the link:rosalind-russell:dazzling star

 Overall top seed of 1940's era Vivien Leigh (and last year's final four finalist)

SOPHISTICATES 

1 VIVIEN LEIGH VS 8 RUTH HUSSEY

4 GREER GARSON VS 5 GENE TIERNEY

2 INGRID BERGMAN VS 7 LORETTA YOUNG (should be an excellent match)
3 LAUREN BACALL VS 6 ANN SHERIDAN (I will be torned between these two)

 

Drama Queen top seed Bette Davis

DRAMA QUEENS

1 BETTE DAVIS VS 8 CLAIRE TREVOR

4 JOAN FONTAINE VS 5 LANA TURNER (go Lana!)

2 KATHARINE HEPBURN VS 7 JANE GREER (I smell a possible upset here..)

3 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND VS 6 IDA LUPINO

 

Funny Ladies/Girls Next Door top seed Rosalind Russell

FUNNY LADIES/GIRLS NEXT DOOR

1 ROSALIND RUSSELL VS 8 JEANNE CRAIN (yay for Roz!)

4 JANE WYMAN VS 5 DONNA REED (tough one! for me anyway)

2 LUCILLE BALL VS 7 MAUREEN O'HARA ( Oh my goodness! A battle of the red-heads)

3 EVE ARDEN VS 6 TERESA WRIGHT

 

Singers/Dancers top seed Judy Garland

SINGERS/DANCERS

1 JUDY GARLAND VS 8 MARGARET O'BRIEN

4 BETTY GRABLE VS 5 JUNE ALLYSON

2 RITA HAYWORTH VS 7 HEDY LAMARR (Should be a super match!)

3 ANN MILLER VS 6 VIRGINIA MAYO

Tea Anyone: Greer Garson

The always lovely Greer taking a moment to enjoy some tea...or it may be coffee..not for sure

Classic Stars Match Play #19 - Joel McCrea vs Robert Taylor

I know the favorite actress tournament will be kicking off in about 2 weeks but I still wanted to have at least one more match play. This time with the gents. Joel McCrea vs Robert Taylor. These guys both competed in last years actors tourney and the one thing they had in common: getting trounced by eventual champion Cary Grant. But Cary beat everyone so that's not a surprise. Anyway this match begins today and runs through Sunday 1 PM EST. Good luck to both men.

JOEL MCCREA

Name: Joel Albert McCrea
Birth Date: November 5, 1905 (South Pasadena, California)
Height: 6' 3"
Academy Awards: none
Monties: Two nominations (one for Best Supporting Actor - These Three: one for Best Actor
- Dead End)
My favorite McCrea film: These Three (1936)
Match play record: 1-1 (beat Bing Crosby in the 1940's era of the favorite classic actor
tournament before losing to Cary Grant)

CLASSIC STARS MATCH PLAY

ROBERT TAYLOR

Name: Spangler Arlington Brugh
Birth Date: August 5, 1911 (Filley, Nebraska)
Height: 5' 11 1/2"
Academy awards: none
Monties: 1 nomination (Best Actor - Waterloo Bridge)
My favorite Taylor film: Waterloo Bridge (1940)
Match play record: 0-1 (lost to Cary Grant 51-6 in first round of favorite classic actor
tournament 2010)