Be My Guest: Rachel (The Girl With The White Parasol)

A new month means a new guest. For July, it's Rachel who writes the wonderful blog The Girl With The White Parasol. Here's the link to her blog so can visit it if you have never been to it:  thegirlwiththewhiteparasol

Rachel's profile icon

Now onto the questions and her terrific answers.

1. What made you start blogging?

Rachel: I think it all started a few years back when I started reading classic film blogs and realized, “Hey, there are people out there thinking about the same things I am.” I’d been sliding into a classic film obsession for awhile, but I’d pretty much given up on trying to talk about old films in the real world. Then I discovered the online community and felt right at home. Took the plunge during a lull in my real-life activities and haven’t regretted it since.

Me: Awesome!

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

Rachel: Humphrey Bogart, Jean Simmons, James Stewart, Gene Tierney, Barbara Stanwyck, Dana Andrews, Joseph Cotton, Thelma Ritter, Paul Newman, Fredric March, Katharine Hepburn, Dan Duryea, Henry Fonda, Cary Grant, Teresa Wright, Joan Bennett, and so many others. That’s just skimming the top of the list.

Me: Some excellent choices there Rachel.

3. What are some of your favorite films?

Rachel: Double Indemnity, Vertigo. Rear Window, The Magnificent Seven, Groundhog Day, 12 Angry Men, Witness, The Apartment, Midnight, Letter to Three Wives, The Best Years of Our Lives, The Heiress, Laura, The Lady Eve, Sunset Boulevard, Bringing Up Baby, Holiday,.Ninotchka, My Fair Lady, Shadow of a Doubt, The Letter, I Walked With a Zombie, The Unknown, Say Anything, When Harry Met Sally, Airplane!, Black Narcissus, The Reckless Moment, The Maltese Falcon…I could keep going.

Me: The one film on your list that stood out was Airplane...it's one of the funniest movies ever!

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

Rachel: Probably one of the Disney films was my chronological first. In addition to the animated ones, I really loved some of the live action ones like The Parent Trap or those swashbucklers with Richard Todd. Our VCR saw a lot of use in those days and I ended up with a whole library of VHS copies. But I think the first time I became consciously aware that a classic film was something to seek out was when my parents rented Stage Fright, telling me that Alfred Hitchcock always made good movies. Little did they know what they started that day…

Me: Cool story

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

Rachel: Well Vertigo, for one. Saw it when I was 12 and didn’t know what I’d just seen. It gave me uneasy dreams for the rest of the night and years later, I would hear the music and the hairs on the back of my neck would stand up. It wasn’t until I got old enough that I realized it was a masterpiece. Hmm, I also didn’t think much of Holiday when I first saw it. And I’m slowly working up a love for The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Very slowly. When I was a kid, I despised John Wayne’s character so much that it ruined the whole movie for me. But my family loves this film dearly and repeated viewing have given me a lot more empathy for the characters and the story.

Me: I wasn't too crazy about Vertigo the first time I saw either. Over time and repeat viewings and I like a little bit more than the first time I saw it.

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

Rachel: I guess outside, lying on a blanket. It would be a quiet evening with perfect weather and I’d be gazing up at a huge screen, in the midst of an enthusiastic, classic-loving audience. My second place be alone and snug on the couch while the fire’s crackling and the snow’s beating the windows.

Me: Sounds great either way!

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

Rachel: My parents always liked old films for the most part although there were certain kinds they would not touch (silents, melodramas, anything with Robert Mitchum). My mom is probably my favorite person to discuss films with. As for my friends and co-workers, they’re more likely to dip into a few films here and there rather than seek them out as a rule.

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

Rachel: The 40s are my number one. After that, the 30s and the 50s are roughly in second place.

  

Me: the 30's are my favorite era

9. What are some of your favorite film quotes?

Rachel: “I didn’t want to be an old maid. Not in Kansas!”

~Heaven Can Wait

“Then she tried to sit in my lap while I was standing up.”

~The Big Sleep

“A fellow will remember a lot of things you wouldn't think he'd remember. You take me. One day, back in 1896, I was crossing over to Jersey on the ferry, and as we pulled out, there was another ferry pulling in, and on it there was a girl waiting to get off. A white dress she had on. She was carrying a white parasol. I only saw her for one second. She didn't see me at all, but I'll bet a month hasn't gone by since that I haven't thought of that girl.”

~Citizen Kane (well anyone who knows my blog could see that one coming)

“Modern women.”

“They’ve been like that all down through the ages. Especially in a spot like this.” ~Plan 9 from Outer Space

“I am married to an American agent.”

~Notorious

“Walking through life with you, ma’am, has been a very gracious thing.”

~They Died With Their Boots On

  

Me: Some good quotes there Rachel!

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

Rachel: This is really embarrassing, but I haven’t seen Taxi Driver. Let me explain that one. My dad never wanted to watch it, got an idea in his head that he would hate it. So my mom never saw it. Then, when I got old enough to see it, Mom and I planned to finally see it together. Except one thing or another always came around to prevent us from watching it. And I would feel wrong if I saw it without her by this point so I guess it’ll have to wait until we can finally make that movie date. Oh, and I haven’t seen Jules and Jim, An American in Paris, Tokyo Story, Night of the Living Dead, or Blow-Up, to name a few other shameful gaps.

Me: Taxi Driver is pretty good. Intense but really good!

11. What is your favorite genre?

Rachel: I don’t know how to answer this one. I love film noir. I love screwball comedy. I love the romantic fantasies like The Ghost and Mrs. Muir or Portrait of Jennie. But I also really love some of the straightforward dramas and historical films. Maybe it would be faster to say what I least like which is most of the 60s comedies (too bloated and mean-spirited) and pretty near all slasher and horror films. I’m a scaredy cat when it comes to horror.

Me: I love screwball comedies...but I also love the comedies of the 60's as well.

And horror films too.

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

Rachel: Probably a film noir party. We could dress up to the nines, stage a murder in one of the cars, have a Guess Which Elisha Cook Jr. Movie This Is contest, have the couples pose for dramatic, dip-and-kiss homages to old film stills. And then in the morning, after waking up from a marathon drinking and film viewing session, the guests would confer on who had had the weirdest dreams.

Me: Cool!

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

Rachel: Well, I wouldn’t say “care less” because I always feel uneasy when they’re a film that others claim is great and I can’t see it. For classic films, I struggle with The Leopard, Sansho the Bailiff, and Spirit of the Beehive. All renowned films that have been praised to the skies by people I deeply admire…all films that bore me or numb me by turn. I’ll keep trying, maybe someday the switch will flip. As for popular films, I’m pretty indifferent to The Dark Knight, Avatar, The Matrix. But I don’t lose any sleep over not liking those ones.

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

Rachel: Huh. Lot of choices there. I think Nathanael over at Forgotten Classics of Yesteryear (http://www.forgottenclassicsofyesteryear.blogspot.com) and Nate’s Mini Reviews (http://www.natesminireviews.blogspot.com ) must watch 1-2 films a day, judging by the rate of his film commentary. And I’m always left in awe by his determination to leave no genre, style or stone unturned.

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

Rachel: Oh man. Well, I love Bruno Anthony from Strangers on a Train and Harry Lime from The Third Man, to start with a few villains. I love Bree Daniels from Klute, George Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life, Norma Desmond from Sunset Boulevard, and Ninotchka from well, Ninotchka. I guess for me, I know that I love a film character when I really want to follow them home at the end of the movie and see what happens next.

Me: I love Norma Desmond and Ninotchka too. Good choices Rachel. And that wraps up my interview with Rachel this month. I want to thank her for accepting my invite and answering my questions. Hope everyone enjoyed her stay here as well. And please check out her wonderful blog when you get a chance.

REAR WINDOW wins favorite Hitchock film tournament...

We did it Jimmy!

Rear Window defeated North By Northwest 15-9 to win as favorite Alfred Hitchcock film of All Good Things. So Patti was right when she named Rear Window as the eventual winner when this tournament first started. Thanks to everyone who came by and voted to make this tournament a success.

REAR WINDOW vs NORTH BY NORTHWEST for favorite HItchcock Film

It has finally come down to the final two films...Rear Window takes on North By Northwest for favorite Alfred Hithcock film on All Good Things. Rear Window took down The Lady Vanishes 10-3 while North By Northwest beat Rebecca 11-3. Both films are number 2 seeds that won their eras. Rear Window won the 50's era while North By Northwest, which had to compete in the 60's due to a shortage of films available by Hitch won that era. This match would have happened in the 50's final match most likely between these two loved films. So now we finally get to find out which one is more loved. Well here on All Good Things anyway. The match begins immediately and will run thru Sunday 5 pm EST. Good luck to both films. And thanks to everyone that voted during this tournament. And this will be my last tournament for this year. But I will be back with an expanded favorite classic actress tournament in March. Instead of 64 women competing, there will be 132. Oh my.

FAVORITE HITCHCOCK FILM TOURNAMENT

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

2 REAR WINDOW (1954)

VS

2 NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)

North By Northwest becomes last film to join the final four of the favorite Hitchcock film tournament

In the 60's era final match, North By Northwest (which got a waiver from me to play in this era due to a shortage of Hitch films for in this decade) easily defeated top seed Psycho 11-4 to earn the last spot of the final four. The film joins The Lady Vanishes (30's era winner); Rebecca (40's era winner); and Rear Window (50's era). I'm curious to see what would have happened if North By Northwest competed in the 50's era and if it battled Rear Window, which film would win. Those two films still could meet in the championship match. But let's see how the semi-final matches go first. The Lady Vanishes will take on Rear Window in match 1, while Rebecca squares off against North By Northwest in match 2. The final four starts immediately and these two matches will run thru Thursday 7 pm EST. Good luck to all four films.

SEMI-FINAL MATCH 1

1 THE LADY VANISHES (30'S ERA CHAMPION)

VS

2 REAR WINDOW (50'S ERA CHAMPION)

------------------------------------------------

MATCH 2

1 REBECCA (40'S ERA CHAMPION)

VS

2 NORTH BY NORTHWEST (60'S ERA CHAMPION)

Rear Window rolls to an easy win to grab a spot in the final four

No need to be worried Thelma and Jimmy...Rear Window rolled big time

As expected Rear Window crushed The Man Who Knew Too Much 28-2 in the 50's era of favorite Hitchcock film to advance to the final four. It joins 30's era winner The Lady Vanishes and 40's era winner, Rebecca. I thought Rear Window would win this era but I thought it would have to beat Vertigo. Instead The Man Who Knew Too Much ended up bouncing Vertigo to face Rear Window. Now we must wait on the 60's bracket to see who will claim the last spot. If I was a betting man, I would have to go with Psycho. But we'll see. Anyway congratulations to Rear Window.

REAR WINDOW vs THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH in the 50's era of favorite Hitchcock Film Tournament

After having the top seeds in the 30's and 40's era advance to the final four of the favorite Hitchcock film tournament, the 50's era will not have it's top seed present. Vertigo was ousted by 5th seed The Man Who Knew Too Much 10-8 in a surprise upset. In the other match, 2nd seed Rear Window easily handled Dial M For Murder 12-3. That sets the stage for Rear Window to take on The Man Who Knew Too Much and the winner earns a trip to the final four. The match begins immediately and runs thru Wednesday 8 pm EST.

50'S ERA FINAL MATCH

2 REAR WINDOW (1954)

VS

5 THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH (1956)

Hitchcock Film Tournament Update

In the 40's bracket, top seed Rebecca had to stage a last minute rally to defeat third seed Shadow of a Doubt 11-9 and move on to the final four. In the 50's bracket, we have our two semi-final matches set. Top seed Vertigo had little trouble with 8th seed I Confess 11-2. Second seed Rear Window shut out The Trouble With Harry 11-0. The Man Who Knew Too Much upset To Catch a Thief 8-6. And then Dial M For murder pulled  off an upset of third seed Strangers on A Train 9-4. So below are the semi-final matches set to begin today and run thru Monday 8 pm EST. Good news for Grace Kelly fans is that she still has two films in the tournament. Bad news is they play each other this round. I'm still miffed To Catch a Thief got knocked out. I have a photo from that film that I use as wallpaper on my computer screen at work. Oh well, at least Rear Window is still in the mix. Oh and I just realized Jimmy Stewart has to battle himself as Vertigo meets The Man Who Knew too Much. And actually he has three films left in the mix when you count Rear Window. So it's a safe bet to say he will have a film go on to the final four. Just a hunch.

50'S ERA SEMI-FINAL MATCH 1

1 VERTIGO (1958)

VS

5 THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH (1956)

--------------------------------------------

50'S ERA SEMI-FINAL MATCH 2

2 REAR WINDOW (1954)

VS

6 DIAL M FOR MURDER (1954)

If It's Tuesday, Then It Must Be Grace Kelly - Rear Window is my favorite Grace Kelly film

I rank Rear Window as my number 2 all time Alfred Hitchcock film, just behind The Lady Vanishes and tied with the equally excellent Shadow of a Doubt. Window is a treat for the viewer with gorgeous cinematography and excellent camera work from Hitch. The story is simple enough: maverick photographer Jeff (played by the great Jimmy Stewart) is laid up in his New York apartment with a broken leg. He is being cared for by his very upscale girlfriend Lisa (the luminous Grace Kelly) and his nurse Stella (the always reliable Thelma Ritter). With little to do Jeff begins spying on his neighbors across the courtyard and what neighbors does he have. You have a highly limber blonde dancer; a troubled songwriter; a lonely woman who can't find a date; a busybody old lady; a couple with an energetic little dog; and last but not least the couple directly across from him with a very large man named Lars Thorwald (played by Raymond Burr-before Perry Mason) and his sickly wife. Well amidst all the goings on between Jeff and Lisa-she is ready to marry, he not so much and Stella's constant needling, Jeff notices strange things between Lars and his wife. Before you know it, the wife has gone and Jeff suspects foul play. It takes a little convincing to bring Lisa and Stella to his way of thinking but eventually they agree. The police, on the other hand are a different story. So the trio decide they need proof and with Jeff hobbled with a cast on his broken leg, Lisa and Stella decide to do the leg work (no pun intended). What follows is a game of suspense taken up to the highest level. Rear Window is a near perfect film with fabulous performances. Stewart is solid as always as is Ritter, who gets to say most of the film's best lines including "Nobody ever invented a polite word for a killin' yet". And Burr makes an effectively creepy bad man. But it's Grace Kelly who makes the movie for me. She just lights up the room whenever she comes in and the banter she trades with Stewart is pure bliss. I believe this to be Ms. Kelly's best film performance ever. Yes even better than her Academy Award winning role in The Country Girl. She never hits a wrong note as Lisa, and is a true joy to watch. Rear Window is one of the best films ever made and one of the best from ol Hitch.


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