Me: What made you start blogging?
Marsha: I love to write and I love movies, so I took a small plunge with a little post and just got carried away! I don't know how long I'll keep it up, but for now, it is rewarding.
Me: Well I for one hope you keep going for a very long time.
Me: Who are your favorite classic film stars? Name as many as you want
Marsha: I am sure this is a hard question for most film lovers and like most others, my favorites have changed over the years. I'll try to confine it to my top 5 male and female stars:
Male
Cary Grant
Charlie Chaplin
James Cagney
Buster Keaton
William Holden
But may I add: Douglas Fairbanks, Sr, Jack Lemmon, Peter O'Toole, Edward G. Robinson and William Powell?
Female:
Ann Dvorak
Audrey Hepburn
Vivien Leigh
Joan Crawford
Doris Day
But just can't omit: Clara Bow, Mary Pickford, Ann Sheridan, Susan Hayward, Hayley Mills, Jean Harlow, Irene Dunne and Kay Francis.
Me: Your list was immediately great when you led off with Cary Grant!
Me: What are some of your favorite films?
Marsha: Sunset Boulevard, City Lights, Vertigo, North By Northwest, Gigi, The Apartment, Laurel & Hardy's Big Business, and a bunch more!
Me: Some excellent films there Marsha. Especially Sunset Boulevard and The Apartment.
Me: Describe your first classic movie experience. Like where and when..at a cinema, on TV, etc..
Marsha: The very first classic film and star that I became enamored of was James Cagney in "The Public Enemy," which I happened to catch on a Sunday afternoon on WNEW channel 5 in NY. I was probably about 11 or 12. Prior to that, I discovered that I had the capacity to sit through multiple viewings of the same film (a sure sign of a movie junkie), when WOR channel 9 showed Abbott and Costello's "The Time of Their Lives" on Million Dollar Movie. The same movie ran every night during the week and I didn't miss one showing. The first classic film I saw in a theater was a re-release of "Gone With the Wind." Before it went to TV, this was a very big deal. And just to bring the story full circle, when the "Theme From Tara" started to play, I immediately thought "hey, that's the theme from Million Dollar Movie!" Anyone from NY in the 60s will know what I mean!
Me: Awesome Marsha!
Me: What films upon first viewing did you not like, then later on when re-watching them, loved them?
Marsha: Vertigo took a few viewings, now I'm obsessed (in a good way, of course). I admit it took a few viewings for Casablanca to grow on me (but now it has). I always have a bit of a problem with Bogart. I always end up liking him, but I have to force myself to sit down and watch him.
Me: I see...I was the same way with Vertigo as well.
Me: Describe the perfect way for you to watch a classic film.
Marsha: Seeing a classic film on the big screen with others is a treat, of course, and nothing beats seeing a silent with an audience full of people and live music. But, my first experience was alone, one the floor with a bowl of popcorn, getting lost in black and white (ok - everything was black and white in those days!), so I guess that still remains my favorite (but on the sofa now, not the floor!).
Me: Cool..nothing can beat a sofa in the comfort of your own home.
Me: How many friends, family member or co-workers share your love of classic films?
Marsha: Zero (though some pretend to be interested). This is why blogging and Facebook has proved to be such a blessing. It's been great fun to connect with people who share the same passion.
Me: Cool. And it is great to meet fellow classic movie lovers blogging and on facebook I completely agree.
Me: What is your favorite time period: the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's or 60's?
Marsha: That depends on what phase I am going through. All eras have been my favorite at one time or another. Right now, I seem to be loving the 50s.
Me: The 30's is my fave, but I love the 50's too.
Me: What are some of your favorite film quotes?
Marsha: Some favorites that I use are"
"It's lavish, but I call it home" - Waldo Lydecker, "Laura"
and a bunch from "Sunset Boulevard":
"All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."
"They'll love it in Pomona"
"Stars are ageless"
"If you need any help with the coffin, call me."
Me: What classic films have you yet to see for one reason or another?
Marsha: I have not seen as many classic foreign films as I'd like, so high on my list are:
Belle de Jour
The Bicycle Thief
Breathless, and
The Earring of Madame de.....
Me: Oh Marsha, you need to see Belle de Jour. In fact you need to see all of Catherine Deneuve's films ASAP. Kim Wilson can back me up on that.
Monty: What is your favorite genre?
Marsha: This again depends on the phase I am in. I am not a war or western fan (just a typical chick). I blow hot and cold with Noir - but I love a good mystery spiced with a sense of humor.
Me: cool
Me: If you threw a movie theme party, describe how you would do it. The costumes, decorations, food, etc.
Marsha: Oohh, I would love to throw a "Dinner at Eight" party. Naturally, I would be a platinum blonde in a tight, white satin evening gown! The entire theme would be white, and I would have white phones and boxes of bon-bons strategically placed throughout. Cocktails would be made in elegant, silver cocktail shakers, dinner would be served at eight (naturally), and the aspic would make it to the table!
Me: Sweet! I imagine it would be one heck of a party!
Me: What are some films that are widely loved that you couldn't care less about?
Marsha: The Godfather and all sequels. Plus any war movies, great or otherwise. Sorry, I am a total chick.
Me: That's cool Marsha...
Me: Who’s the biggest film fanatic that you know? Besides yourself of course.
Marsha: Well, there are a few people on my FlickChick Facebook page (who I won't name) who are just amazing. They blow me away with their knowledge and love of film. But, one film lover I truly admire is Woody Allen, whose movies always show his love of the medium. However, I will give a shout out to my late Aunt Lois who had photos of Rudolph Valentino on her bedroom wall as a teen and always referred to Jean Harlow as "Jean," as though she knew her personally. Here's the link to Marsha's FB page: flickchick
Me: That's great Marsha. And might I add, your FlickChick page is just amazing.
Me: And finally who are some of your favorite film characters?
Marsha: The Little Tramp, CK Dexter Haven, Gigi and - my all time favorite, Lina Lamont from "Singing in the Rain." That character deserved her own movie!
Me: Can't argue with you there.
I hope everyone enjoyed having Marsha (flickchick) stop by here this month and now know her just a little bit better. Please stop by a her amazing blog if you haven't before. It's a treat. Thanks again Marsha for coming by. Here's the link to her blog btw: A Person in the Dark
My love of classic films is beyond measure
Monty
4 comments:
Agree with many things on you, Marsha! Esp. about Lina Lamont - and Ann Dvorak (and most of your other fave female actors..)! Love most of your favourite films, too. Glad to learn more about you!
Okay, I agree that you need to see Belle de Jour. BUT...I can't say that you have to see all of Madame Deneuve's films (as I've seen 99% of them, so I feel qualified to say this), because some of them are less than desirable. In addition, The Earring of Madame de... is essential viewing. Watch more foreign films!
Marsha I totally agree on multiple viewings were needed with Vertigo and Casablanca. Glad to know I'm not weird for not liking these movies immediately.
I always love to discover new bloggers, hopefully one day I'll maybe be on answering these questions for you wink wink lol
Marsha i completely agree with you on Lina Lamont!! i love her so much she is one of the best movie characters ever. i always say she not a bad guy she's an antagonist but not a bad guy in any sense.
i loved reading your answers they were great :)
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