THE BIG SLEEP (1946) - my contribution for The Lauren Bacall Blogathon

Here is my contribution to the Lauren Bacall Blogathon!

Starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Martha Vickers, Dorothy Malone, Regis Toomey, Elisha Cook Jr, John Ridgely, Charles Waldron. 1946. Running time 114 minutes. Directed by Howard Hawks.

Classic film noir with Bogart as Los Angeles private eye Philip Marlowe, who is hired by General Sternwood (Waldron) to deal with several problems involving his family. Mainly blackmail toward the younger daughter Carmen (a terrific Martha Vickers). But this is just the beginning as Marlowe is dragged deeper and deeper into a sordid world of criminals and murder. Along the way Marlowe finds himself falling for the eldest daughter Vivian (played by Lauren Bacall). The Big Sleep is a very complicated movie that is still very entertaining. Featuring crisp dialogue and crackerjack performances. Bogart is cool as Marlowe in what I think is his best role. Bacall exudes enough sex appeal for 100 women. Vickers is delightfully seductive and droll in her child-like performance. And Dorothy Malone shines in her brief scene as a shapely bookstore clerk who flirts with Marlowe. An outstanding film and one of my all time favorites.


https://crystalkalyana.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/the-lauren-bacall-blogathon-a-big-thank-you-to-all-participants/

Eight Couples move on to Round 3

Here are the four matches that will begin on Sunday with the 8 couples that are remaining in the Favorite Classic Couple Tourney. All Good Things will host the Elaine Marriott and Erenia Russo brackets while Desiree will host the Josie Miller and Catherine Bellamy brackets on her blog, Rosalind Russell. The matches will run through Thursday evening. You will notice that three of the four matches feature match ups between the number 1 and 2 seeds. The underdog couple Rosalind Russell and Robert Montgomery, ranked 6th, are defying the odds and look to continue their upset streak.

THE ELAINE MARRIOTT BRACKET

1 FRED ASTAIRE AND GINGER ROGERS

VS

2 ERROL FLYNN AND OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND

***************

THE ERENIA RUSSO BRACKET

1 HUMPHREY BOGART AND LAUREN BACALL

VS

2 CARY GRANT AND IRENE DUNNE

**************

THE JOSIE MILLER BRACKET

1 WILLIAM POWELL AND MYRNA LOY

VS

6 ROSALIND RUSSELL AND ROBERT MONTGOMERY

**************

THE CATHERINE BELLAMY BRACKET

1 SPENCER TRACY AND KATHARINE HEPBURN

VS

2 NELSON EDDY AND JEANETTE MACDONALD

It's Tourney Time again!

Next month yields a new tournament that me and my friend Desiree are hosting. It's called The Favorite Classic Movie Screen Couples. That's right 32 of your favorite on screen couples will duke it out for the crown.We compiled a list of 32 couples from TCM's book, Leading Couples and from our own personal choices. So there are some couples that didn't make the cut like Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler. But I think we got the top ones selected. Why 32 you may ask? Well so things will break down evenly. It was either 32 or 64 and there was not enough couples to get that high. So 32 it is. We broke them down into four brackets and chose the top seed couple for each. As you can tell by the banner above who the top four couples are. Here is the complete list of all 32 couples that are competing. I will have 2 of the brackets and Desiree will handle the other two on her blog, Rosalind Russell. Oh and a big thank you to my friend Josie Miller who made that wonderful banner! The fun begins Sunday, November 3rd! I will have the match selections posted before then.

1 FRED ASTAIRE & GINGER ROGERS

2 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND & ERROL FLYNN

3 CARY GRANT & KATHARINE HEPBURN

4 CLARK GABLE & JEAN HARLOW

5 JAMES STEWART & JEAN ARTHUR

6 CARY GRANT & MYRNA LOY

7 RITA HAYWORTH & GLENN FORD

8 ESTHER WILLIAMS & VAN JOHNSON

1 HUMPHREY BOGART & LAUREN BACALL

2 CARY GRANT & IRENE DUNNE

3 GREER GARSON & WALTER PIDGEON

4 ELIZABETH TAYLOR & RICHARD BURTON

5 IRENE DUNNE & CHARLES BOYER

6 TONY CURTIS & JANET LEIGH

7 GARY COOPER & BARBARA STANWYCK

8 ALAN LADD & VERONICA LAKE

1 WILLIAM POWELL & MYRNA LOY

2 DORIS DAY & ROCK HUDSON

3 VIVIEN LEIGH & LAURENCE OLIVIER

4 GRETA GARBO & JOHN GILBERT

5 MARGARET SULLAVAN & JAMES STEWART

6 ROSALIND RUSSELL & ROBERT MONTGOMERY

7JOHN WAYNE & MAUREEN O’HARA

8 BETTE DAVIS & GEORGE BRENT

1 SPENCER TRACY & KATHARINE HEPBURN

2 JEANETTE MACDONALD & NELSON EDDY

3 PAUL NEWMAN & JOANNE WOODWARD

4 MICKEY ROONEY & JUDY GARLAND

5 CLARK GABLE & MYRNA LOY

6 ROSALIND RUSSELL & BRIAN AHERNE

7 TYRONE POWER & GENE TIERNEY

8 JOAN CRAWFORD & ROBERT MONTGOMERY

The 2013 Lombard Cup: Week 3 Matches

The action moves back over to Kristen's blog, Journeys In Classic Film, with the next five matches. And there are some choice ones plus one of the biggest matches ever to take place. I will save that one for last....

ESTHER WILLIAMS (TEAM CAROLE)

VS

GINGER ROGERS (TEAM VERONICA)

*****************

LOUISE BROOKS (TEAM CAROLE)

VS 

JOAN BLONDELL (TEAM VERONICA)

**********************

GRACE KELLY (TEAM CAROLE)

VS

LAUREN BACALL (TEAM VERONICA)

****************

MARLENE DIETRICH (TEAM CAROLE)

VS

INGRID BERGMAN (TEAM VERONICA)

*********************

and lastly...the big one...

NATALIE WOOD (TEAM CAROLE)

VS



MYRNA LOY (TEAM VERONICA)

Matches begin on Sunday and will run through Friday. Here's the link to go vote for your favorites..http://journeysinclassicfilm.com/

All Good Things 2012 In Review

As 2012 comes to a close, I figure now would be a good time to look back at some of the highlights that took place here on All Good Things. I've broken things down by month. So let's get started with January.

JANUARY

Lauren Bacall

Lauren Bacall kicked off the new year as my classic goddess of the month. I wrote a piece about the "H" letter films done by Paul Newman such as Hud, Harper and Cool Hand Luke. I started a new photo series called Tea Anyone, focusing on classic stars drinking or sharing their love of tea. The top post for the month was Things To Know About Lauren Bacall with 696 views.   poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/01/things-to-know-about-lauren-bacall Impressive Ms. Bacall..impressive.

FEBRUARY

Jean looking fabulous

Jean Harlow graced the month of February as the classic goddess of the month.  I did a Valentine Day linkup with my friend Kori over at Blonde Episodes. The most viewed post was my Top 50 favorite classic actresses list (revised) with 662 views.poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-favorite-top-50-classic-film I also wrote this funny little story about how we classic fans are a rare breed. Check it out here:  poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/02/joan-whoa-funny-little-story


MARCH 

Ginger wins it all

March Madness was back with my 2nd Annual Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tourney and it was much bigger. In fact I went from 64 contestants to 128. So large in fact I had to get help from two blogging buddies, Mythical Monkey and Desiree. By far my most ambitious project to date and one of the main posts yielded over 1200 views. WOW!  poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/03/2012-favorite-classic-movie-actress Ginger Rogers would eventually win the tourney continuing the tradition of a 30's era actress being champion. Irene Dunne won it in 2011. The tourney pretty much took over my blog but I still had time for Teresa Wright as my classic movie goddess of the month. And my contribution to the Gone Too Soon Blogathon with my piece on Natalie Wood.  poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/03/gone-too-soon-Natalie Wood

APRIL

Christmas came early as Christmas in Connecticut won a Montie

as Best Film of 1945

April was a quiet month. Well compared to March. The iconic Greta Garbo was my goddess for the month. I finally got back to my Monties, my version of the Oscars with my 1945 edition. Christmas in Connecticut was the big winner. And my morning movie spotlight on The Night of the Iguana was tops with readers with 924 views.  poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/04/morning-movie-night-of-iguana-1964


MAY

Anne Baxter

I started a blogathon called Cinematic Wold Tour, which used films as travel spots and locales. It ran all summer and I think it was successful enough to warrant it for a yearly occasion. Anne Baxter was the goddess of the month. And the be my guest feature with my friend Lori Kemp was the top post of the month with 241 views.  poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/05/be-my-guest-lori-kemp


JUNE

Jean Arthur

I started yet another a new series, called My Hollywood Crushes. And my first selection was Cindy Williams of Laverne and Shirley fame. Jean Arthur was my goddess for the month. My summer photo series, At The Beach, returned to the highest viewed post of the month with 470 views of the sexy Anne Francis. poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/06/summer-lovin-anne-francis 


JULY

Rita Hayworth

Rita Hayworth stormed into the month of July as my classic goddess. Perfect timing as I posted about her quite frequently. My Childhood crushes for the month were Jenny Agutter and Catherine Mary Stewart, they netted the most views with 516 and 584 respectively. poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-childhood-crushes-6-catherine-mary

AUGUST

One of my favorite new films

The summer was winding down and I started the month of August with my annual 31 Stars in 31 Days, spotlighting a different classic star each and every day. Such notable stars this time around included Grace Kelly, Errol Flynn and Natalie Wood among others. And a modern film, the animated Brave led all posts with 614 views.  poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/08/brave-2012-is-pure-cinema-magic

SEPTEMBER

My good friend Jessica Ellen Rowe from Australia

I love when things work out so perfectly. My classic goddess of the month and my guest of the month go hand in hand. Joan Crawford is one of my good friends favorite actresses and Jessica Ellen Rowe made for a delightful month. Her stint also yielded the most views for this month with 249. poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/09/be-my-guest-jessica-ellen-rowe


OCTOBER

Now you can add tourney winner to Grace's list of achievements

October proved to be a very busy month for me. First I had a new tourney going on, this one dedicated to the leading ladies of Alfred Hitchcock films. Grace Kelly finally snatched her first ever tourney trophy after coming so close twice before in my fave classic actress tourney. William Powell and Myrna Loy walked into my Hall of Fame. And my annual spotlight on the women of Hammer Horror Films return to a big response in Caroline Munro's post of 136 views, 2nd most for the month.  poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-women-of-hammer-films-caroline-munro


NOVEMBER

Team Classic put a beat down on Team Modern

My first annual Lombard Cup tourney began, pitting a team of classic era actors against modern era actors. Team Classic walloped those guys by the count of 16 and 1/2 points to 4 and 1/2 points. Natch, it was the most viewed post for the month with 107.  poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-lombard-cup-detailsteam-classic-vs
Jane Wyman was my goddess for the month. And my fall photo series returned with some great pics of classic stars in the lovely autumn weather.

DECEMBER

Walter and Hildy went to the tourney and came

home winners

And I wrapped up 2012 with surprise, another tourney. This one for favorite screwball film. Winner...His Girl Friday, which happens to be my all time favorite film ever.  poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-first-round-of-favorite-screwball My good friend Alicia Garbo from Facebook was my guest for the month. And my Holiday Cheer photo series returned with some cool holiday pics.

All in all, 2012 was a pretty good year in blogging for me. My pace from that record setting year in 2011 was way off. I only did 470 posts this year,compared to that mammoth 731 I did in 2011. Still it was my second best year ever, 100 more posts than the next closest year. I expect 2013 to be probably around that same mark of 400 + posts as I don't see me ever getting to that 700 plateau ever again. I would like to thank everyone who stopped by to check out my blog and I promise to keep things just as exciting in 2013.

My love of classic films is beyond measure

Monty

Be My Guest: ALICIA GARBO

My guest this month is my good friend from Facebook, Alicia Garbo. We've been friends for almost 2 years and she is a great gal. She has several wonderful pages on Facebook that you should check out as she will talk about during her stint as my guest. Here's the link to one of them:  British-Beauties..now on to our interview! Alicia's answers are in red. My comments are in blue.

Introducing Miss Garbo..

• 1. What made you start blogging? disregard if you do not have a blog but you can count your facebook page if you like?

  *One of the main reasons I started my 'Women of WW2' & 'Blitz Memorial' Pages is because I have a keen interest in how World War Two affected people on a personal scale. I grew up with tales from older relatives retelling me their experiences of living through WW2 in Britain & it just sort of fueled my interest in that era.
  Also I felt there were many Facebook Memorial Pages for the men who fought during WW2 (quite rightly), but none really for the women who sacrificed so much too, either on the home-front or battle-front. So I thought it would be a nice sentiment to do a Memorial Page in their memory.
  
  And I think you for doing those wonderful pages Alicia. They are awesome.
  

  

  
  

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

  

  
  

  * There are so many I could name right now, but I will pick just a few. One's that come to mind are Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn, Vivian Leigh, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, Tippi Hedren, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Claudette Colbert, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Clarke Gable & Leslie Howard.
  
  You and Garbo...that's great. Glad to see Tippi Hedren up there too. Her name does not get called that often.
  
  

  3. What are some of your favorite films?
  

  

  
  

  * Some of the classic films I like are 'The Wizard of Oz, 'Gone with the Wind', 'Casablanca', 'Anna Karenina' (The Greta Garbo version), 'Since You Went Away', 'It Happened One Night', 'Holiday Inn', 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', 'The Misfits' & 'It's a Wonderful Life'.
  More modern films I like I would have to say 'Titanic', 'Sex And the City' movies, 'The Transformer' movies, 'The Terminator' movies & 'Cold Mountain', as-well as 'Pearl Harbor'.
  
  The only film you named that I'm not a fan of is Breakfast at Tiffany's..sorry.

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

  

  
  

  * My first classic movie experience happened when I was about 15 years old & a mentor at school borrowed me her VHS copy of 'Gone with the Wind'. I remember finishing school early one Friday afternoon & I decided to watch 'Gone with the Wind' at home. All I can say is that I was blown away by the scope & scale of the movie & I couldn't believe that it was made in 1939, it didn't seem that old to me. I so wanted to be like Scarlett O'Hara funnily enough & instantly my love affair with classic movies began.
  
  You couldn't asked for a better intro to classic movies. Mine was His Girl Friday,

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

  

  
  

  * One of the most recent films I can remember thinking that is 'Black Swan'. I went to see it at the cinema & found it a bit hard to follow, but once I understood what was going on I realized what a clever film it really was.
  
  Still have yet to see that one

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

  

  
  

  * Snuggled up on the sofa, on a cold winter night with the fire crackling & a cup of hot chocolate in-front of my TV.
  
  Sounds nice to me...it would be the same for me.

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

  

  
  * I think to be fair I am the only one who really loves old black & white movies, but my mother also likes a bit of Audrey Hepburn too.
  
  Well at least that is something..

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

  

  
  * I would probably have to say the 40's, 50's & 60's. Most of all I love the 40's, the women seemed so much more glamorous & feminine than they do today.

  9. What are some of your favorite film quotes?

  * Probably 'Gone with the Wind's', "Frankly my Dear I don't give a damn!" Also 'The Terminator's', "I'll be back!"
  
  All classic!

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

  

  
  

  *I've wanted to check out a few of Alfred Hitchcock's movies. Especially one's with Grace Kelly in them. Also I would like to check out Veronica Lake's movies, as she is such a huge icon of the 40's with her 'Peek-a-boo' hair-style.
  
  OH I love Hitch's films, especially the ones with Grace. But also his early films as well. I have seen a few of Lake's films like Sullivan's Travels and the ones she made with Alan Ladd. I was very impressed.

  11. What is your favorite genre?

  *I really like love-story's, as I am a hopeless romantic to be honest. I also love movies with a lot of action & special effects in them too.
  
  Sweet!

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

  

  
  
  *I think I would do a 30's/40's themed 'Casablanca' movie party. I'd want everybody to come dressed in 40's clothes ideally & have lots of 40's jazz music on & for it to be like "Rick's Café Américain".
  
  Sounds like an awesome idea! Please send me an invite when you do have one.
  
  

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

  * I can't really think of any at the moment to be honest.
  
  That's cool

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

  * Well if I'm being honest I can't think of anybody else, who loves movie night as much as myself, so I would have to say myself.
  
  Cool again...

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

  

  
  

  * I love the tempestuousness & bitchiness of Scarlett O'Hara & her will to get what she wants. Portrayed by the incredibly beautiful Vivian Leigh.
  I also like Sarah Connor & her courage & braveness to survive against all odds, from 'The Terminator' films, played by Linda Hamilton.
  I like Holly Golightly, a sort of free spirit, who's not what she seems at all & wonderfully represented by the exquisite Audrey Hepburn.
  Rose DeWitt Bukater from 'Titanic' & her struggles to break free from the confines of her life acted out by the marvelous Kate Winslet.
  Last but not least Rose Tabor the divorcee from 'The Misfits', who seems sort of flawed. Represented by the wonderful Marilyn Monroe.
  I seem to like very vulnerable characters for some reason,ha. :)
  
  
  Cool. Thank you Alicia for being my guest this month. Hope everyone enjoyed having her here as much as I did. And please check out her wonderful pages on Facebook!

A big thank you to Lauren Bacall for being this month's Classic Movie Goddess

It's time for us to say good-bye to Lauren Bacall who made a fabulous classic movie goddess this month. I had a great time writing about her all month long and wished she could have stayed longer. But alas, she has to make way for Jean Harlow, who is arriving shortly. But I will probably have Ms. Bacall back for a return engagement if she is ok with that.

I think Lauren is a little shocked her time as Classic Movie Goddess is over...

well I'm sure she will have a good time with Bogie and Marilyn

Lauren welcomes Jean...

Almost time for Jean Harlow's appearance next month as my classic movie goddess and here's Lauren Bacall to greet her.....

Lauren: Hello everyone. I'm here to introduce Jean as next month's classic movie goddess and to also thank Monty for having me here this month. It was a great experience and I enjoyed every minute of it. I know you will too Jean.

Jean: Thank you Lauren. I'm sure I will. I've been waiting forever for Monty to ask me to be his guest and he finally did. These next few days of waiting are gonna kill me.

Lauren: You'll make it Jean. And I can't wait to see how your month goes. I know mine was fantastic.

Jean: Thanks Lauren. And thanks Monty. Come on February!

The Essential Films of Lauren Bacall

As this month winds down, now is the time where I list my favorite films of the classic movie goddess of the month. Miss Lauren Bacall. Now I haven't seen all of her films, so this list is not complete. But to me, these are the ones that show Miss Bacall at her best. Her essential films, if you will. In no particular order.

TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT (1944) Lauren's debut film is off the charts. Her character Marie 'Slim' Browning is perfection. And her onscreen chemistry with regular co-star and future husband Humphrey Bogart is a sight to behold.

Film: B+
Performance: A

THE BIG SLEEP (1946) Another crackling pairing between Bacall and Bogart with Lauren once again giving a crisp and crackerjack performance. By now, the timing between her and Bogie is an afterthought. Something they could do in their sleep.

Film: A+
Performance: A

DARK PASSAGE (1947) Maybe I should rename this The Essential films of Bacall and Bogart. Their third pairing is a little different from the first two films they did. It plays up the romantic angle of the pair a bit more. But it's still cinema magic.

Film: B
Performance: B

KEY LARGO (1948) The fourth film that teams Bogie and Bacall is more of an ensemble effort with co-stars like Edward G. Robinson and Claire Trevor on hand. But make no mistake, Bacall and Bogart represent well here in this nifty little gem as Robinson is a gangster who holes up in a Florida hotel, holding hostages, Bogie and Bacall among them. This is almost a turnabout for Bogie who played the gangster in The Petrified Forest.

Film: B
Performance: B

HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE (1953)  A colorful and splashy comedy musical which pairs Lauren with Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable. They play gold diggers on the prowl in Manhattan. Lauren is the more cynical one until she finally falls in love. A nice change of pace for her after so many film noirs and dramas.

Film: B
Performance: B+

WRITTEN ON THE WIND (1956) A top notch melodrama that does not let Lauren really shine. That honor goes to Dorothy Malone as the wild woman Marylee who lusts after Rock Hudson. Still Wind is a great film on Lauren's resume.

Film: B
Performance: B-

 My love of classic movies is beyond measure

Monty