Day 2: WITH A SONG IN MY HEART

Welcome April! Welcome to ALL GOOD THINGS!

This month, in salute to Spring returning to the land (OK, Fall for all y'all folks "down-under"), our theme will be:
WITH A SONG IN MY HEART
Featuring classic Hollywood Musicals, we begin with a timely favourite, "EASTER PARADE".

Trying our hands at something different, kids, this will be multiple choice!
Also, instead of pictures, you get to listen to the tunes! Let us know what you think in the comments!

H A P P Y . . E A S T E R, . . F I L M - F A N S !!
Paula Prentiss and her furry friend hope that you feel the special blessing of this occasion!

Happy April Fool's Day! Here are two darling birthday babies, who are also "April Fools", celebrating their birthdays on April 1st, Debbie Reynolds & Jane Powell.

Traditionally a day for Family and Feasting - and watching classic movies, today starts another month of fun with films.

The MONTIES (1948) - Olivia de Havilland makes history!

As promised, here I am with another edition of my Monties..and it's only been 4 weeks. The year is 1948 and a certain actress won yet another Montie to set her apart from her colleagues. Let's get to it shall we.

Add one more Montie for Livvy!

BEST FILM: 
Winner: The Snake Pit
Nominees: Easter Parade, Good Sam, The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre, The Red Shoes, State Of The Union, I Remember Mama, Johnny Belinda
Thoughts: I remember watching The Snake Pit during my teen years and was immediately captivated by this stirring drama with a knock-out performance by Olivia de Havilland. It's one of those films that is so good you're enthralled with it from the time the screen lights up with the opening credits. One of the best films ever made!

BEST DIRECTOR:
Winner: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger (The Red Shoes)
Nominees: John Huston (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre); Anatole Litvak (The Snake Pit); Frank Capra (State Of The Union); George Stevens (I Remember Mama)
Thoughts: The combination of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger in directing the fantastic film The Red Shoes edges out Anatole Litvak's The Snake Pit. They are terrific in crafting this dreamlike film that manages to take filmgoers to a wonderful place in terms of entertainment. 

BEST WRITER: 
Winner: Billy Wilder/Charles Brackett (A Foreign Affair)
Nominees: Frank Datros/Millen Brand (The Snake Pit); John Huston (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre); Emeric Pressburger (The Red Shoes); Irmgard Van Cobel/Allen Vincent (Johnny Belinda)
Thoughts: The team of Wilder and Brackett grabbed their 2nd Montie for writing. The duo previously won for 1945's The Lost Weekend, which also netted a Best Director Montie for Wilder. 

A dream pairing of Marlene and Jean had some wonderful dialogue 

courtesy of Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett

BEST ACTOR: 
Winner: Spencer Tracy (State Of The Union)
Nominees: Gary Cooper (Good Sam); Humphrey Bogart (The Treasure of The Sierra Madre); John Wayne (Red River); Lew Ayres (Johnny Belinda)
Thoughts: Believe it or not, this is the first win for Spencer Tracy. Some would argue he gave better performances but I thought he was really quite good here as Presidential candidate Grant Matthews who entire life is put under the microscope. Co-starring Katharine Hepburn, they once again deliver the goods as expected.

First step..win a Montie..next win the Presidency!

BEST ACTRESS:
Winner: Olivia de Havilland (The Snake Pit)
Nominees: Vivien Leigh (Anna Karenina); Irene Dunne (I Remember Mama); Jane Wyman (Johnny Belinda); Katharine Hepburn (State Of  The Union); Moira Shearer (The Red Shoes); Judy Garland (Easter Parade)
Thoughts: Olivia picks up her 3rd Montie in the space of 8 years reaffirming her dominance of the 40's. She won previously for The Strawberry Blonde (1941) and The Dark Mirror (1946). And her performance here as Virginia Stuart Cunningham, a woman who winds up in a mental institution is another magnificent triumph. Just edging out Irene Dunne's equally amazing performance in I Remember Mama. This also makes Olivia the first actress to win three Monties and she ties Cary Grant, who has that distinction for the men.

This is starting to seem like old hat for Olivia..

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Winner: Barbara Bel Geddes/Ellen Corby (I Remember Mama) - tie
Nominees: Agnes Moorehead (Johnny Belinda); Marlene Dietrich (A Foreign Affair); Claire Trevor (Key Largo)
Thoughts: The fact that Bel Geddes and Corby were both nominated for Oscars shows how strong their performances were. I really couldn't pick one over the other so I decided to go with a split decision. They were both terrific as Katrin and Aunt Trina respectively.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Winner: Walter Huston (The Treasure of The Sierra Madre)
Nominees: Montgomery Clift (Red River); Melvyn Douglas (Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House); Edward G. Robinson (Key Largo); Jose Ferrer (Joan Of Arc)
Thoughts: I love Walter's performance here in Sierra Madre..as the wild and woolly old prospector Howard who has seen it all and done it all and still wants to just enjoy doing some more.  He's awesome!

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Winner: THE RED SHOES
Nominees: The Naked City, Joan Of Arc, A Foreign Affair
Thoughts: Jack Cardiff provided one of the best looking films ever in The Red Shoes and wins a Montie for his effort.

BEST FILM SCORE:
Winner: EASTER PARADE (Johnny Green/Roger Edens)
Nominees: Max Steiner (Johnny Belinda); Alfred Newman (The Snake Pit); Hugo Friedhofer (Joan Of Arc)
Thoughts: Easter Parade just dances off the screen thanks to the singing of Judy Garland, the dancing of Fred Astaire and Ann Miller and the great music score done by Johnny Green and Roger Edens.

There you have it..another edition of the Monties. Quite the mixed bag too. The Snake Pit, The red Shoes and I Remember Mama each won 2 Monties. Spencer Tracy finally broke through to win his first Montie while Olivia de Havilland picked up her 3rd one, tying Cary Grant as the star with most Monties. I'll be back next month with the 1949 edition.

Be My Guest: Jackie Merritt

Another month means another guest. And this month brings one of my good friends that I met on Facebook, Jackie. So let's get things started shall we...

1. What made you start blogging?

The guest of the month...Jackie

Jackie does not write a blog as of yet

2. Who are your favorite classic film stars? Name as many as you want

Jackie: My favorite classic male stars are Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, William Holden, Gregory Peck, Paul Newman, Gene Kelly, Gary Cooper. Joel McCrea, Jack Lemmon, William Powell, David Niven Howard Keel. My favorite classic female stars are Irene Dunne, Katharine Hepburn,  Audrey Hepburn, Judy Garland, Deborah Kerr, Ingrid Bergman, Loretta Young, Maureen O'Hara, Debbie Reynolds, Mryna Loy, Doris Day, Kathryn Grayson.

Me: Nice selection of actors/actresses there Jackie

 3. What are some of your favorite films?

Jackie: I love  My Fair Lady, Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Singing in the Rain, It's a Wonderful Life, The Bishop's Wife, Friendly Persuasion, Show Boat, The Philadelphia Story, Harvey, How the West Was Won, Roman Holiday, Born Yesterday, Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation.

Me: I think you might be my first guest to have Friendly Persuasion on their list.

4. Describe your first classic movie experience. Like where and when..at a cinema, on TV, etc..

Jackie: I think my first classic movie experience had been watching the Wizard of Oz on TV. For years when I was little we would come in on the movie after it had turned to color. We were surprised when we first saw the tornado and the black and white part. I would play Wizard of Oz traveling the yellow brick road around my yard and pretend to meet the scarecrow, tinman, lion, good witch, and bad witch. I had a stuffed Pluto dog that I carried in a basket. And I would sing: "We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz". LOL

Me: The Wizard of Oz seems to be a lot of people's first classic movie experience. That and GWTW.

5. What films upon first viewing did you not like, then later on when re-watching them, loved it.

6. Describe the perfect way for you to watch a classic film.

 I love watching a classic movie with my husband in our travel trailer. We have a candlelight dinner first, then sit  close together on the couch, holding hands and watch a romantic movie.

How very romantic and wonderful Jackie.

7. How many friends, family member or co-workers share your love of classic films?

 Don't know for sure. Many.

8. What is your favorite time period: the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's or 60's?

Jackie: I love the 40's and the 50's. Too hard to choose from. But if I have to choose, I would say the 50's: An American in Paris, Roman Holiday, Love Is a Many Splendor Thing, Sabrina, An Affair to Remember, North by Northwest, Picnic, Singing in the Rain, Born Yesterday, Sunset Blvd.,To Catch a Thief, The African Queen. The list just keeps going...lol

Me:That's a pretty good era for films...can't argue with you on that

9. What are some of your favorite film quotes?

 1.  "When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are."Pinocchio.  2. "Good Morning. Good Morning to You".  Kathy sings in "Singing in the Rain".  3.  Ilsa says, "Play it Sam. Play As Time Goes By" "Casablanca"   4.. "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz".

"I'd think of someway to get him back. Afterall tomorrow is another day." 5. Rose says in The African Queen, "Nature. Mr. Allnut, is what we are put on this world to rise above." 6. Scarlett in Gone With the Wind. 7. Zo Zo in "It's a Wonderful Life". "Look Daddy. Every time you hear a bell rings, an angel gets it's wings." 8. From "How the West Was Won" Lionus Rawlings says,"Ma'am, seems you've been kissed before." Eve Prescott says,"Ain't been kissed permanent before." lol

10. What classic films have you yet to see for one reason or another.

 Jackie: I haven't seen Gaslight, A Streetcar Named Desire.

Me:

I haven't seen Gaslight either...but I have seen Desire..I recommend you catching it the next time TCM plays it.

11. What is your favorite genre?

 Jackie: My favorite genre has to be Musicals. I love music. Show Boat, My Fair Lady, The Wizard of Oz, Singing in the Rain, Oklahoma, Easter Parade, Music Man, An American in Paris, Royal Wedding, A Star is Born, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Top Hat,  are just a few that I like.

 12. If you threw a movie theme party, describe how you would do it. The costumes, decorations, food, etc.

 I have given movie them parties on Facebook. I call it Dinner and a Movie. and have had different themes for different movies. Last year, we did The Easter Parade. We watched the movie together on TCM and commented. I had everyone to bring to our cyber table a food or drink to celebrate Easter. We had ham and baked sweet potatoes.  I made a coconut jelly bean cake. And I asked everyone to wear an Easter Hat. So at the end of the movie, everyone went for a stroll down 5th Avenue with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland singing "In your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it". It was a lot of fun. We have also watched  "The Wizard of Oz" together and had a cyber table of country food: deviled eggs, baked sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, pork chops and strawberry short cake and tea to drink.  I dressed up like Dorothy in a jumper and started down the yellow brick road made out of poster board. lol.  "We're off to see the Wizard the wonderful Wizard of Oz".

Haha..awesome!

13. What are some films that are widely loved that you couldn't care less about?

 Jackie: Citizen Kane, Midnight Cowboy,The Godfather, On the Waterfront, Apocalypse Now, The Grapes of Wrath, Jaws. Horror films and anything that is real gory.

Me: Not a fan of Citizen Kane but the other films I have watched and liked..especially Jaws!

14. Who’s the biggest film fanatic that you know? Besides yourself of course.

 My brother-in-law loves movies. He could watch them all day.

Cool

15. And finally who are some of your favorite film characters?

Clarence the angel in "It's a Wonderful Life". "You had a wonderful life George." Eliza in My Fair Lady. From rags as a flower girl to riches dressed for the ball, Eliza stole our hearts. "I could of danced all night." Mr. Hobbs in Mr, Hobbs Takes a Vacation. I go into hysterics everytime I see him walking with his long legs bent, looking for birds. "What's that liitle fellow? "Barnswallows".

Thank you Monty. I have had a wonderful time being your guest.

Thank you Jackie for coming to All Good Things and bringing such wonderful answers.

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS beats EASTER PARADE by one vote to land a spot in the final four....

 Judy just can't wait to spread the news about Meet Me In St. Louis winning a trip to the Final Four


I doubt Judy Garland would complain but sentimental favorite Meet Me In St. Louis beat Easter Parade 12-11 to take the second spot in the final four of the favorite classic musical film tournament. It was back and forth for the entire match as Parade jumped out to an early lead, then St. Louis came back to tie and then pull ahead by 3 votes. Easter Parade made a strong rally that fell just one vote shy. Regardless, we have our second film set for the finals and now must wait on the 50's and 60's eras to play out. Congrats to all the fans of Meet Me In St. Louis who voted for that film to win. Side note: Meet Me in St. Louis also prevented Fred Astaire from placing his second film in the final four. Swing Time won the 30's era last week and had Easter Parade won, they would have been going to the dance together. Oh well. By the way, here's the link to go vote on the 50's era matches which began today: http://chickflicksmusicals.blogspot.com/

It's MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS vs EASTER PARADE for a spot in the FINAL FOUR (40's Era)

As expected Meet Me In St. Louis beat For Me and My Gal 18-3 and Easter Parade defeated The Harvey Girls 11-6 to set up one heck of a finals match of the 40's Era. The winning film earns a trip to the Favorite Classic Musical Film Tournament Final Four, where Swing Time is waiting as the winner of the 30's era. Judy Garland dominated the 40's era like no one else with all four of her films making it to the semi-final matches. And guaranteeing that a Judy Garland would be present in the final four. So Meet Me In St. Louis faces off against Easter Parade which should make for an exciting match. Starts immediately and runs through Tuesday night 8 pm EST. Here's the link to go vote: Singin and Dancing Back In Time

1940'S ERA CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

3 MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944)

VS

4 EASTER PARADE (1948)

WHOA! Judy Garland places all four of her films in the semi-finals....a remarkable feat

Judy Garland started off the 40's era with four films competing out of the 16 films chosen. Those same four films each made it to the semi-final matches of the Favorite Classic Musical Film Tournament over on Singin and Dancing Back in Time, which I am hosting for my friend Dawn. How impressive is that. Look at the final tally: The Harvey Girls knocked off top seed Yankee Doodle Dandy 14-4 in a blow-out win. Easter Parade edged out On The Town 12-7. For Me and My Gal upset 2nd seed Going My Way 11-5. And sentimental favorite Meet Me In St. Louis just beat down Holiday Inn 15-3 like it stole something, in the most lopsided match. So it is safe to say that one Judy Garland film will reach the final four. Hats off to the remarkable Ms. Garland. Here are the two semi-final matches which start immediately and will run through Saturday night 8pm EST. Click on the link to go cast your vote: Favorite Classic Film Musical Tournament

SEMI-FINAL MATCH 1

3 MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944)

VS

7 FOR ME AND MY GAL (1942)

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SEMI-FINAL MATCH 2

4 EASTER PARADE (1948)

VS

8 THE HARVEY GIRLS (1946)