March Madness #23: OLIVIA De HAVILAND

Welcome to ALL GOOD THINGS! It's MARCH MADNESS! Visit daily to see a classic film Super-Star of the day - a personality renowned for portraying the really, really B.A.D. and also the sweetest-dearest-most darling!

Day #22 results: JACK LEMMON fans had their say, and HOW! Gentle-Lamb PETE SHEPHERD won 31 votes - head n' shoulders over the good-hearted, courageous, determined Jack Godell.

TODAY the spotlight shines on OLIVIA De HAVILAND. Beautiful and talented, Olivia won hearts for being gentle and mild, but also a few roles featuring a tougher Lioness-at-heart.
Which of Olivia's character types do YOU prefer?

March Madness #22: JACK LEMMON

Welcome to ALL GOOD THINGS! It's MARCH MADNESS! Visit daily to see a classic film Super-Star of the day - a personality renowned for portraying the really, really B.A.D. and also the sweetest-dearest-most darling!

Day #21 results: JUDY GARLAND fans left no doubt that the darling DOROTHY ("The Wizard of Oz") was the fan favourite. Sorry to "A Star is Born"'s Vicky Lester.

TODAY the spotlight shines on JACK LEMMON. Likely more famed for his comedic roles - who could forget FELIX in "The Odd Couple"? But he could show a tenacious, lion-hearted, fierce side, too. Which of Jack's character types do YOU prefer?

The Final Four in the 2nd Annual Favorite Classic Movie Actor Tourney is now set and underway

Well we started with 64 classic movie actors and now are down to the final four. An what an interesting final four it is. William Powell, who won the 30's bracket will face 50's era winner John Wayne while 40's era winner James Stewart will face 60's era winner Jack Lemmon.  William Powell is the only previous final four finalist to make it back to the big dance.  The matches will run through Friday afternoon. And I want to thank my good friend John Parker of Mythical Monkey who helped me put on this tourney.

FINAL FOUR MATCH 1

Round 4: Era Finales

Now we get to the exciting part. 4 matches and 8 actors left for the 2nd Annual Favorite Classic Movie Actor Tourney. One match per era to decide who will represent the final four. The two matches taking place here are the 40's and 60's era finales while my good friend John at Mythical Monkey handles the 30's and 50's era. Here's the link to his awesome blog: mythicalmonkey
These matches will run through Friday afternoon and then the final four will begin on Saturday. 

Lombard Cup Week Three Matches (Breakdowns)

Team Modern is down by 7 full points after two weeks to Team Classic. They need to win a lot of matches...quickly to get back in it. Let's see what will happen this week.

Match 11: Gary Cooper vs Gary Oldman
The battle of the Garys. Coop takes on the very popular Gary Oldman. Gary Cooper is one of those larger than life film stars of the golden era...loved by many. Oldman has a huge fanbase as well and has been in some of the biggest films of all time. Can you say Dark Knight and Harry Potter. I have recently became a fan of Cooper but I am leaning toward Oldman for this match. Please don't hate me Patti! I do think Coop will win this match though.

Match 12: Jack Lemmon vs Leonardo DiCaprio
Everyone loves Jack Lemmon..and I do mean everyone. I'm a big fan of him and Leo as well. But the edge has to go to Jack for this one. I mean, come on, we're talking Jack Lemmon here people. Sorry Leo.

Match 13: Kirk Douglas vs Christopher Walken
The powerful on screen persona of Kirk Douglas goes head to head against the hyper and quirky Walken. I like Kirk in the majority of films he has done but I love Walken. I'm taking Chris for the upset in this one.

Match 14: William Holden vs Robert DeNiro
Now we get to the marquee match of this week. Golden Boy William Holden against Robert "Bobby" DeNiro. A dream match up to say the least. Holden is my 2nd favorite actor of all time, behind only Cary Grant. DeNiro is one of my top ten favorite modern actors. Kind of a close call for me but in the end I will go with Holden. I can hear Patti cheering loudly in the background.











Match 15: William Powell vs Samuel L. Jackson
The debonair Powell vs the volatile Jackson. One of the most unpredictable matches so far. Jackson is known for his fiery brand of acting while Powell is smooth and charming. I love both guys and I will have to think on this one.

So there you have it, five more matches set to begin tomorrow and run through Friday. Good luck to all the actors and thanks to everyone that has been voting in the Lombard Cup so far. 

Carole is here and supporting William for his match

Go Bill!

31 Stars in 31 Days: Day 30 - ROMY SCHNEIDER

Ahhh, Romy, Romy, Romy. The Austrian born beauty has quickly become one of my favorite classic film actresses. She currently sits at number three on my all time favorite actresses list. Behind only Carole Lombard and Irene Dunne. Heady company there. Me and my best friend Irene Palfy constantly talk about her all the time. I have only seen a few of her films but what I have seen I have loved. But since I haven't seen enough of her films I won't be listing my favorite film or role of hers. I need to see more. And right now the only film I own of hers is Good Neighbor Sam (1964) with Jack Lemmon, which I absolutely love. So I will be watching that this evening once I get home.

The enchanting Romy

Today's film: GOOD NEIGHBOR SAM (1964) - A wonderful comedy from the 60's which casts Romy as a recent divorcee who must ask her married neighbor Jack Lemmon to pretend to be her husband to land a big time inheritance. From the first time we see Romy, she is amazing. And her chemistry with Mr. Lemmon is great. Can't wait to watch it again.

Rating: **** out of ***** stars

A double feature on love and marriage...60's era style

Watching a most apt double bill of 60's era situation comedies about marriage relationships. First up will be A Guide For The Married Man (1967) with Walter Matthau has a husband, who happens to be married to the gorgeous Inger Stevens, but listens to his co-worker on how to get away with fooling around. I saw this film a long time ago back on AMC but recently bought the DVD. I remember it being quite funny. And it is loaded with guest stars galore: Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Art Carney, Jayne Mansfield, Sid Caesar, Phil Silvers, Carl Reiner, and Terry-Thomas. And believe it or not, it is directed by ace song and dance man Gene Kelly. Popping the DVD in now as I write this.

The happy couple...Virna and Jack

And after I watch that, next will be How To Murder Your Wife (1965). Dang Monty, you weren't kidding about a most suitable double bill. In this one, Jack Lemmon is a carefree bachelor who gets drunk one night and wakes up the next morning, married to Virna Lisi. Yeah, I know what you thinking..whats the problem. Well I have never seen this one all the way through so I will let you know once I do. But at first glance I don't see a problem being married to Virna. Maybe it's just me. Terry-Thomas also co-stars in this one too, so maybe I should call this a Terry-Thomas double feature.

Note for my 31 Stars in 31 Days schedule

Since my little event has each of the three stars pictured above scheduled 
for a certain day, it's a safe bet to say that I'll be watching 
The Great Race at some point and time

Just wanted to mention one little thing about my upcoming 31 Stars in 31 Days schedule. I'm still going to do it but just to be clear, it will be one day behind. I will watch the movie of the particular star the day of but won't write about it until the following day. So I can critique it properly. Say for instance Cary Grant is my star for Wednesday August 1st, I will watch a film of his that night then post about it on August 2nd. I will follow that pattern for the entire month. So my girl Carole Lombard, who is slated for August 31st, will be my final write-up on September 1st. Just wanted to let everyone know that in advance. 

My love of classic films is beyond measure

(in any language)

Monty

All Good Things presents Cinematic World Tour 2012 Blogathon

Looks like Cary and Eva are all set...

Everybody has taken a vacation at one time or another. Traveling from your hometown to another state or even country. By car, train or plane, enjoying the sights and making new friends along the way. Of course there are always some hiccups along the way, such as lost luggage, snooty hotel clerks, flight delays, etc. But the overall experience makes up for all that. So I decided to do a blogathon based solely on that. Taking a page from TCM's recent Around the World with Oscar, I am inviting all my friends to plan a fantasy summer vacation using classic movies. Choose a particular destination, like New York or England, and write about movies that use those places as their location. Say you plan to visit Florida, would you stay at the hotel in Key Largo or Miami Beach (Some Like It Hot)? Or maybe Aunt Elizabeth could put you up at her nice home in Connecticut (Bringing Up Baby). Or visit the scenic Big Sur (The Sandpiper). Or travel abroad to England, France or Australia. You can choose as many places as you want, just depends on how much traveling you plan on doing. Load them up with plenty of pics and let us know where you stayed at, and what was on your itinerary. Be as creative as possible. And unlike most blogathons, which usually last a weekend or a week, this one will last all summer long. So your tickets will be open-ended. Beginning Memorial Day on Monday, May 28th and running through Labor Day on Monday, September 3rd. So you can post as many times over this summer. And I hope to have this as a recurring series each and every summer. I will be thinking of where I will take my vacation this year. I actually think we may get to visit New York for real with a friend, so I may add that destination to my cinematic post. And if we don't make the trip, then I will have the movies set in New York to rave about. Just leave a comment here on this post or email me if you wish to join in on the fun. Oh and have your passport and cameras ready! I will post more details before everyone starts taking their vacations. Giving you plenty of time to decide the places you want to visit. And I won't restrict it just to classic films. Some modern films and their locations are gladly welcomed!

Hopefully we won't be engaged in a 'Great Race' while traveling...

come to think of it, that might be fun



You Can't Run Away from It(1956).

You Can't Run Away from It(1956). Comedy starring June Allyson and Jack Lemmon. Directed and produced by Dick Powell, the film is a remake of the Academy Award-winning film, It Happened One Night(1934).

The story begins when, Ellie Andrews, a wealthy socialite rebelling against her father's wishes marries a well known gigolo, Jacques Ballarino. Her family kidnaps her and holds her on their San Diego yacht, in hopes that they can have the marriage annulled. Before the papers can be signed, Ellie jumps overboard and boards a Greyhound bus headed for Houston, where her groom is waiting for her.(it was filmed in Tuscon, and I recognized some landmarks). On the way she meets news reporter, Peter Warne, who agrees to help Ellie in exchange for her exclusive story, but the two fall in love while on the road.

You will see many of the classic moments from the film, It Happened One Night: the group song in the bus, the search for raw carrots, the hitch hiking scene, and the "walls of Jericho". Maybe, this film is not as wonderful as the original, but still a fun film.

Paul Gilbert (December 27, 1918 – February 13, 1975). played various roles and appeared as himself from The Spike Jones Show in 1954 through Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In in 1973. Gilbert also appeared in other early television shows: The NBC Comedy Hour, The Colgate Comedy Hour, Lux Video Theatre, Perry Mason, and The Dick Van Dyke Show.

Gilbert and his fourth wife Barbara Crane adopted Melissa Gilbert who played Laura Ingalls Wilder and Jonathan Gilbert who played Willie Oleson on the NBC TV series Little House on the Prairie.

Some birthday treats from Jack Lemmon and Lana Turner

About set to watch some movies in honor of two stars who have birthdays today. Jack Lemmon and Lana Turner. Up first will be Jack Lemmon in a funny if very sexist 60's comedy, Under The Yum Yum Tree. He plays a lecherous landlord named Hogan who rents out units to luscious young women at half price.  And then tries to make a move on them. He meets his match in Robin Austin (played by Carol Lynley). I haven't seen this movie in years but remembering liking it. Has a super supporting cast in Edie Adams (yay!), Dean Jones, Paul Lynde, and Imogen Coca. It fits in with all those sex comedies of the 60's like Sunday In New York, Barefoot In The Park, Don't Make Waves, Sex and the Single Girl and others.

Next up will be Lana in Who's Got The Action?, another comedy from the 60's. Paired with Dean Martin as a married couple who must deal with Dino's gambling problem. Solution..Lana as Melanie Flood becomes his mysterious bookie and hopes that her husband will lose enough money to call it quits. The opposite happens as Steve (Dean's character) gets on a lucky streak. A funny movie with a solid supporting cast, including Eddie Albert, Nita Talbot, and Walter Matthau. 

I know Jack and Lana did better movies, but I am in the mood for some mindless comedies. And these seem to fit the bill.


Happy Birthday Jack and Lana!

TCM spotlights some of the 60's best sex comedies on Friday, January 13th

Just a quick little mention as I am fighting off this cold that came out of nowhere, that TCM will be airing some of the best sex comedies of the 60's. You know the type of movies that were cranked out on regular basis during this time period as times and attitudes were changing. Men and women in relationships, are lack thereof and trying to understand each other always led to hilarious results. And while they are known as sex comedies, they are in fact pretty mild. I mean the women dress sexy, and the men drop some crass remarks every now and then, but it's pretty mild. Nothing too risque or offensive. Nothing on the level of say modern films like The Hangover. On the docket will be The Apartment (1960) with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine; Any Wednesday (1966) with Jane Fonda and Jason Robards; Sunday in New York (1963) Jane again this time with Rod Taylor and Cliff Robertson; Boys' Night Out (1962) with James Garner, Kim Novak and Tony Randall; and finally Bachelor in Paradise (1961) with Bob Hope still swingin', this time with Lana Turner. I can recommend all except for Bachelor in Paradise which I haven't seen. I was surprised Sex and the Single Girl with Natalie Wood and Tony Curtis or Under The Yum-Yum Tree (1963) with Jack Lemmon and Carol Lynley didn't make the schedule. But regardless, Friday seems like a great day for movie watching. Especially if you like the 1960's and comedies. Starting at 7am EST and running through 5:30 pm.

Rod and Jane enjoying a nice relaxing Sunday afteroon..

I just left THE APARTMENT and now headed for ZOMBIELAND...

Talk about an unusual double bill. I just finished watched the great classic film, The Apartment, on TCM. It was part of Shirley MacLaine day as Summer Under The Stars is in full swing now. It's one of my favorite films that I don't own so I was definitely going to watch it tonight. Once it was over though, I had a desire to see a good zombie movie. Probably because me and my friends from work today was talking about zombie movies. So I decided to put in Zombieland to enjoy a few good laughs and gory deaths. What a strange double feature even for me.

BATTER UP!

We have a tie....

For only the second time in tournament play (men and women) we have a tie. Sidney Poitier and Peter O'Toole are deadlocked at 17 apiece. So I will have a tie-breaker question to decide the winner. That winner will face off against top seed Paul Newman who deafeated Jack Lemmon 20-14. So for the tie-breaker question I will leave in the hands of the great Katherine Hepburn. She appeared with both men in different films: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner with Sidney and The Lion in Winter with Peter. The question is which film do you prefer more with Kate as the connecting piece. I will have this poll up for 24 hours to decide the winner.

The Great Race (1965)

The Great Race was on TCM last night as part of their Natalie Wood tribute and this epic comedy is still tremendously funny. The story of a go for broke automobile race in 1908 between dashing good guy Sir Leslie (a charming Tony Curtis) and arch-rival Professor Fate (Jack Lemmon in a terrific performance). The race begins in New York and goes to Paris by way of Siberia. Along for the ride is Leslie's right hand man Hezekiah (played by Keenan Wynn) and Fate's sidekick Max (Peter Falk). Also on board is TCM's star of the month Natalie Wood as Maggie Dubois (who is my favorite Natalie role she ever did....funny, sexy and take charge). Lemmon also does double duty as a royal prince. The Great Race is one of my favorite films as it has a constant barrage of slapstick and pratfalls and anything else you could want in a comedy. It's very large in scale, comparable to It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World and it features several cameos inlcuding Vivian Vance, Dorothy Provine, Larry Storch, Denver Pyle, and Ross Martin. It also features a rousing and amusing film score, the Professor Fate theme is to die for. It's awesome seeing Curtis and Lemmon paired up again after their classic Some Like It Hot. And great to see Natalie Wood in an all out comedy. I truly believe that comedy was her best genre even though she was very good in dramas too. I just enjoy her more in comedies like The Great Race. And wonderfully directed by Blake Edwards (The Pink Panther).While the film runs well over 2 and a half hours, it never drags. It will keep you entertained the entire time. One of the best comedies ever made.
B+

Memorable Quotes:

Max: We gotta do something.
Professor Fate: Oh, don't worry. Before this iceberg melts and we drown like rats, we're going to do plenty.
Max: Yeah? What?
Professor Fate: We're gonna starve!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maggie DuBois: You mean amazing because I'm a woman.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professor Fate: The eternal struggle takes time, Max.

Notes:

This movie is loosely based on an actual 1908 New York-to-Paris race. "The Leslie Special", four of which were built for the movie, was a loose interpretation of the 1907 Thomas Flyer that won the real race.


In the film's press kit, Natalie Wood divulges that she took fencing lessons, sidesaddle lessons and practiced smoking cigars, but her biggest challenge was driving the Stanley Steamer. The steering was difficult ("like turning a tractor, I suspect", she says) and going into reverse was nearly impossible.


During the pie throwing scene there is a running gag that The Great Leslie remains clean while everyone else is covered in pie. Tony Curtis was required to change clothes several times when he was accidentally splattered with debris from a pie that had hit someone else.


The pies used during the pie throwing scene were real, containing fruit, custard, whipped cream and other ingredients. Following this scene the crew devoured more than 300 leftover pies.

Some Like It Hot - Running Wild

Happy 50th Anniversary to the Films of 1959

It just occurred to me that while watching Some Like It Hot, which came out in 1959, is celebrating 50 years. So I then realized how many great films came out during 1959 and was amazed. It really was a very good year and I thought about posting about some of them through-out the month of December. Just look at some of the films that came out 50 years ago:

Ben-Hur
Anatomy Of A Murder
Some Like It Hot
North By Northwest
The Diary Of Ann Frank
Imitation Of Life
Rio Bravo
Pillow Talk
A Summer Place
The Nun's Story
On The Beach
Sleeping Beauty
Suddenly, Last Summer
Operation Petticoat
Compulsion
Look Back In Anger
Room At The Top

Impressive list. Of course 1939 is still the dream year of all time, but 1959 deserves a special nod too. So to start it off, I will choose Some Like It Hot, since I just watched it.


Very funny comedy with everyone involved at the top of their game. Ace director Billy Wilder leads Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon through this delightful funny romp set during the Prohibition era. Curtis and Lemmon posing as women to get away from the mob, end up joining Monroe's all girl band. Complications ensue. Doesn't get much better than this. Easily one of the best comedies ever made. Curtis and Lemmon make a great team and Monroe is super as Sugar Kane the singer who stays in trouble. Also notable is George Raft as head of the mob trying to catch the two guys who are witnesses to a murder.

Classic Movie Quote

Oscar Madison: I can't take it anymore, Felix, I'm cracking up. Everything you do irritates me. And when you're not here, the things I know you're gonna do when you come in irritate me. You leave me little notes on my pillow. Told you 158 times I can't stand little notes on my pillow. "We're all out of cornflakes. F.U." Took me three hours to figure out F.U. was Felix Ungar!