Tea Anyone...Ida Lupino

Ida adds her own little special ingredient to her tea...

Olivia edges Greer in the latest match play 17-12

Olivia is quite jubilant her recent victory

Two fabulous actresses had a terrific match play but in the end it was Olivia de Havilland defeating Greer Garson 17-12. Olivia ups her record to 2-1 while Greer falls to an unbelievable 0-2. But I figure Greer will win a match eventually. She is too good and much loved by so many fans. I will have a new match up in a few days. And it will tie it with CMBA's blogathon they are having this week. I will pit two funny men against each other. Stay tuned...

After her defeat, Greer decides to listen to some music...

 My love of classic movies is beyond measure

Monty

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

ALL GOOD THINGS in February

Here's a quick preview of the things happening next month on All Good Things. Jean Harlow, the Platinum Blonde will be the classic movie goddess. Expect all the regular goodies about the goddess all month long: photos, reviews of  her films, facts, trivia, etc. My guest of the month is still up in the air. Either I will have two or none. I'm waiting to hear back from either one of my friends who I invited to be here. They have the questions so it will just be a matter of time when I hear from them. Also the theme next month will be romantic films since Valentine's Day falls in February. And I will start previewing the big Favorite Classic Actress Tournament, that is coming up in March. And all the other usual stuff that goes on here like match play, If It's Tuesday, Pawsome Pet Pictures, etc. So please do drop by and stay a spell.

 My love of classic movies is beyond measure

Monty

Be My Guest - Emily (Part 4)

Here we are..our final part to Emily's guest interview on All Good Things.


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

Emily: That is hard one. I love to throw theme parties but I have never had one based on a film. I have backyard movie screening parties and all the drinks at the bar coincide with the characters or parts of the film as we show the film on the big screen. Not really sure, anyone else have any good ideas?


Me: I have never had a movie theme party neither. If I were to do one, it would have to be related to screwball comedies, since that is my favorite genre. And I imagine that would make for a really fun party.

 Me: What are some films that are widely loved that you couldn’t care less about?

Emily: “Some Like It Hot”, “Seven Year Itch” or really any Marilyn Monroe film other than “How To Marry a Millionaire” and “Niagara”. She bugs me. Don’t care about “Citizen Kane” much either.


Me: Oh, that's where we disaagree. I love Some Like It Hot and Seven Year Itch. They are two of my favorite films and I do like Marilyn. I agree on Citizen Kane though. Can't stand that movie!

Me: And finally, who are some of your favorite film characters?

Emily: Crystal Allen in “The Women”, Jerry Durrance in “Now, Voyager”, Irene Jansen in “Dark Passage”, Letty Strong in “Born To Be Bad”, Roger O. Thornhill in “North By Northwest
 
Me: I've been getting a lot of Crystal Allen responses. You're the first to say Letty Strong though. Good choices Emily.
 
So that wraps up this month's interview with the wonderful Emily. I want to thank her again for doing this and I hope everyone enjoyed having her here. Until next month....
 

Pawsome Pet Pictures: Angela Lansbury

Angela's friend just ain't feeling it...

Tea Anyone...Photo #2

The lovely Marilyn enjoying a spot of tea

Happy Birthday Dorothy Provine (1935 - 2010)

The beautiful and funny Dorothy

Happy Birthday to Dorothy Provine, one of the most underrated actresses of all time. And quite the comedienne. She appeared in such films as It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World, The Great Race, Good Neighbor Sam, Who's Minding The Mint? and That Darn Cat. Happy Birthday Dorothy!

With Romy Schneider in Good Neighbor Sam (1964)

Dorothy with Hayley Mills and Dean Jones in That Darn Cat (1965)

With Ethel Merman and Milton Berle in It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963)

The colorful Dorothy

CMBA Comedy Classics Blogathon (Jan 22-27, 2012)

I will be participating in CMBA's Comedy Classics Blogathon, which begins on Sunday and runs thru Friday. My personal selection will be on His Girl Friday, my favorite movie of all time. But I am looking forward to all the other members choices such as Classic Becky's Arsenic and Old Lace; My Love of Old Hollywood's Easy Living; and Noir & Chick Flicks contribution about Gene Tierney and her romantic comedies. Should be a wonderful time.

The Pursuit of Love (1950) starring Cary Grant and Esther Williams....yes it's another Monty fantasy movie

 

So here is my fantasy movie had Cary Grant paired up with Esther Williams. The title is In The Pursuit Of Love and Cary plays suave playboy Peter Lassister who refuses to settle down with any one woman. That is until he sees Liz Watson, a model who aspires to be a swimming champion. Peter pursues Liz instantly while trying to avoid the clutches of  rich society girl Ann Pendergast (played by Joan Caulfield). All the while reporter Stu Blanchard (Eddie Albert) is trying to be be the first to get the story on Lassiter finally settling down. Of course Liz has no time for romance as she is busy trying to compete in swimming competitions. And listening to her is seen it all best friend Sally (Betty Hutton). Of course things will eventually get sorted by the two leads and they fall in love by the end of the movie. Directed by George Cukor and released in 1950. Cary and Esther had remarkable chemistry together as Cary brought out Esther's comedic ability. One of the film's funniest scenes has to be when Liz dares Peter to a swimming race and Peter brags that he doesn't want to show her up. Liz politely whips Peter in front of a bevy of onlookers quite easy. Of course he takes it in stride and wants to be with Liz all that more. A beaut of a comic gem from 1950. And wonderful support from Charlotte Greenwood as Aunt Jessie and Zachary Scott as Jack Gardner, an ex-boyfriend of Liz.

Peter looking all so dapper

Liz about to start her daily routine

Ann actually is not that bad of a girl..just that Peter has eyes
only for Liz

 

Genre: Comedy
Release Date: 1950
Running time: 103 minutes
Directed by George Cukor
Written by Charles Lederer

Cast:
Pete Lassister.....Cary Grant
Liz Watson......Esther Williams
Ann Pendergast.....Joan Caulfield
Stu Blanchard.....Eddie Albert
Sally Rogers.....Betty Hutton
Aunt Jessie....Charlotte Greenwood
Jack Gardner....Zachary Scott

Notes:

This marked the only film that paired Cary Grant with Esther Williams

The Pursuit of Love was a tidy hit, being one of the top 20 money-earners of 1950.

As usual, Esther did all her own swimming sequences..which apparently rubbed off on her
co-stars as Cary and Betty did all their own swim scenes as well.

Joan Caulfield was a last minute replacement as first choice Joan Leslie had to bow out
due to an illness.

Liz being playful

Notable quotes:

Peter: You don't make it easy for a fella do you?
Liz: Easy enough. All you have to do is catch me.

Stu: If I land this story first, I will be the most famous reporter ever! Well maybe second famous!

Aunt Jessie: My dear, men can be just as crafty as we are. The trick is to never let them know that.

Sally is a pretty good swimmer as well

Stu looking shocked!

The sweet Aunt Jessie

The no good Jack Gardner