At The Beach: MITZI GAYNOR

I know the ocean is in the background but Mitzi is too damn distracting to notice it..

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

ALL GOOD THINGS in SEPTEMBER

After a busy summer of blogging, September will be a little more slower paced. I will still be blogging but I don't have any major events planned...no tourneys, no festivals, etc. Just regular, everyday stuff. The classic movie goddess for the month will be none other than Joan Crawford. And that will lead to my guest for the month...Jessica Ellen Rowe from Australia who is the biggest Joan Crawford fan I know. So how's that for synergy. I will post some reviews of some of my favorite Joan films and well as the usual facts and photos regarding the goddess of the month. Also hope to write the 1947 edition of the Monties, my version of the Oscars. And then anything else that might catch my fancy. So please stop by from time to time to take up some classic movie ambiance.

Summer Lovin' - GRACE KELLY

Simply Grace

Summer Loving' - JANE WYMAN and RONALD REAGAN

Former husband and wife Ron and Jane coming out of the pool

At The Beach: JULIE NEWMAR

All I can say is....WOW!

31 Stars In 31 Days: Day 19 - NATALIE WOOD

One of my all time favorite actresses, Natalie Wood gets her day under the sun as she is my star of the day. I have loved Natalie ever since I began watching classic movies so many years ago. I believe the first film I saw her in was the comedy Father was a Fullback (1949) with Fred MacMurray. AMC showed lots of her movies back then and I tried to watch them all. I recorded some movies of hers from TCM last year and will watch them today. Should be a very good Sunday.

Favorite Natalie film: LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER (1965)
Favorite Natalie role: Maggie DuBois (The Great Race)
Favorite Marilyn co-star: Tony Curtis in The Great Race/Sex and the Single Girl
Films of Natalie seen: 21 out of 45 films

Ummm, I wonder what films of mine Monty will watch today?

Today's films: from the 60's era when she had matured into adult roles with the slightest of ease.
Like I said I recorded these films last year from TCM and some I have never seen, so today will be a new Natalie experience for me. Including CASH McCALL (1960), co-starring James Garner. I also have BOB & CAROL & ALICE & TED (1969) the swinging comedy about well ummm swingers. And will top it off with The Great Race, which I have seen countless times but never get tired of watching it.

Hall of Fame new inductees for the month: Ginger Rogers and Rosalind Russell

A new month brings two more inductees for my Hall of Fame. Two more wonderful women. Ginger Rogers and Rosalind Russell.

Ginger earns his way into All Good Things Hall Of Fame thanks to her complete annihilation of other actresses in this year's Favorite Classic Actress tourney. I mean she crushed her competitors with some very lop-sided victories. Even took down my girl Carole Lombard. She joins first tourney winner Irene Dunne in that regard of inductees entering the hall of fame.

Rosalind Russell gets in thanks to her recent Montie win for Best Actress of 1940. Her memorable turn as reporter Hildy Burns is one for the ages. It's my favorite movie of all time and it's my favorite performance of hers.

So that brings the total to eight people currently in the Hall of Fame. Be back next month with two more additions.

At The Beach: RHONDA FLEMING

Rhonda looking so serene

Summer Lovin' - MAUREEN O'HARA

Maureen about to go for a swim

31 Stars in 31 Days: Day 16 - VIVIEN LEIGH

Tonight I will be watching a Vivien Leigh movie and no not Gone With The Wind, her most iconic movie and role. No, I shall watch Waterloo Bridge, which is actually my favorite performance of hers. But let's get to the necessary info first about Ms. Leigh shall we...

Favorite Vivien film: GONE WITH THE WIND (1939) - just too epic not be my fave..even
though it's not my fave film from that golden year of 1939..in fact it is way down that list..just saying..
I hope GWTW fans don't come after me with pitchforks now!
Favorite Vivien role: Myra (WATERLOO BRIDGE - 1940) - yes I thought she was better here
than in GWTW. So heartbreaking!
Favorite Vivien co-star: toss up between Clark Gable and Laurence Olivier
Films of Vivien seen: 7 out of 20 films..I need to watch me some more Viv!

Today's film: WATERLOO BRIDGE (1940) - Heartbreaking film. Here is my full review when I wrote it a while back.. poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/2010/09/vivien-leigh-in-heart-breaking-waterloo.html

Cinematic World Tour: Next stop...Berlin (GRAND HOTEL)

Frequent contributor Rich over at Wide Screen World has wrote another contribution piece for our Cinematic World Tour Blogathon. He has chosen the hot spot of Berlin and the wonderful film Grand Hotel. Please check out the amazing post he did. I've read it twice so far. Here's the link:  widescreenworld.blogspot.com

Greta about to let everyone know that Rich has

done another wonderful post

At The Beach: ANN-MARGRET

Ann sporting a polka dot bikini...polka dots must were the rage back then

BRAVE (2012) is pure cinema magic!

Just got back from finally seeing Brave, Pixar's latest offering, and I was thoroughly entertained. One of the year's best films by far. My friend Irene just saw it a few days ago and raved about it and we pretty much have the same taste in films. So I knew going in that the odds were in favor of Brave being pretty good. And boy it did not disappoint. Featuring some dazzling animation and some lovely Scottish ballads, this tale about the rebellious Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) who refuses to bow down to tradition and be married to a suitable mate. Which puts her at odds with her strict mom Elinor (voiced wonderfully by Emma Thompson). Merida's dad, the jovial Fergus (voiced by Billy Connolly) is a lot more flexible. In fact he let Merida train with a cross bow at a very young age, which turns her into a pretty good archer. I mean this girl can sling arrows with the best of them. Yes, even Robin Hood. And Merida has hair to die for. Her long flowing red tresses are an eye popping visual treat. Along with her loyal steed Angus, Merida sets out to do things her way.

Look at all that glorious red hair

Things are pretty light and humorous until Merida makes a fateful decision that has a drastic impact on her and her family. I can't go into detail without spoiling the movie, but trust me, it's a doozy. Things come to a head with a fraught filled finale that will not disappoint. And call me sentimental, but it may get you a little teary-eyed. 

Fergus and Elinor

Brave was the most fun I had at the cinema this year since The Avengers. It's a really great film. And clocking in at a brisk 100 minutes, things never bog down or get slow. One of my favorite films of the summer. Heck one of my favorite films of the year. I liked it even more than Dark Knight Rises. Yep, it's that good. And I think this is the first film where I have heard so many awwwwwws from the audience. I lost count after about twenty.

Merida and Angus

****1/2 out of ***** stars

Merida shows the crowd how's it done!

Merida and her three younger brothers who manage to steal some scenes

in this movie

Seeing this guy brought back memories of William Wallace aka Braveheart

Take that Katniss

Summer Lovin': AVA GARDNER

Who wants to play catch with Ava?

31 Stars in 31 Days: Day 7 - GRACE KELLY

How appropriate that Grace fell on this day, a Tuesday. Why, you may ask. Because I do a regular series about her called If It's Tuesday, Then It Must Be Grace Kelly. Ahhh Princess Grace...The Queen of Hitchcock Films...Graciebird. So many names and titles but we could all call her Grace. Well maybe before she got married. Then we would have to call her Princess Grace. But regardless whatever we may call her, she is definitely one of my all time favorites.

Favorite Grace film: REAR WINDOW (1954)
Favorite Grace role: Lisa Fremont (REAR WINDOW) - so divine
Favorite Grace co-star: I'm actually taking Jimmy Stewart of Rear Window over my fave Cary Grant.
Films of Grace seen: 7 out of 12 films (she starred in over 15 episodes of TV that I'm not counting)

Well, well if it isn't Grace...oh that's right it's Tuesday

Today's film: THE SWAN (1956) - This is a film I recorded off TCM last year and never got around to watching it. That it is until now. So I will be popping this in tonight and spend my evening with Princess Grace.

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.

31 Stars in 31 Days: Day 5 - MARILYN MONROE

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Marilyn's tragic death. And to honor the wonderful classic film actress I will be watching some of her films, which I just bought on blu-ray. I plan to watch three films of hers if I have enough time but if not at least two. The Seven Year Itch and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. We love and miss you Marilyn. Here are some of my fave things about her.


Favorite Marilyn film: THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH (1955) Without a doubt my all time
favorite Marilyn film.
Favorite Marilyn role: Lorelei Lee (GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES) - Perfection in this movie 
Favorite Marilyn co-star: toss up between Jane Russell in Blondes and Tom Ewell 
in Seven Year Itch, hence my choice of films today
Films of Marilyn seen: 15 out of 33 films

Today's films: THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH (1955) and GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953)
The Seven Year Itch is a wonderful comedy by Billy Wilder, who excelled at these kind of films. Well he actually excelled at all kinds of films because he was that awesome. And so is Marilyn who is simply cast as The Girl, an upstairs neighbor to a husband (Tom Ewell) who daydreams a lot about meeting and romancing women..all women. The action heats up when his wife and kid go away for the summer and he starts chatting with The Girl. All in good natured fun but it's a treat to watch how things unfold. 


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

 Girl falls down, man is there to catch her

In GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES,  Marilyn is amazing as Lorelei Lee, who along with best pal Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell, all sass and I love it) take a cruise ship to Paris and have one interesting adventure. Splashy musical comedy that lets Marilyn show why she is one of cinema's great icons. Gorgeous film and two gorgeous women. What more could anyone ask for?


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

I'm with the blonde here

My plan is to watch both of these films right after church and if I do get to sneak in one more Marilyn film, it will most likely be How To Marry A Millionaire. 

My love of classic films is beyond measure

Monty

What's New Pussycat (1965) is a definite product of the 60s...which is a good thing

Following the recommendation of my good friend and fellow blogger Irene, I finally had the chance to see this awesome film. First let me describe what I had to go through to finally watch it. I ordered it through Amazon over a month ago along with some other titles. The other movies came in 2 weeks ago and Amazon said they were still trying to find a copy to send me. The other day they sent me an email saying it was still out of stock and for me to cancel my order and resubmit at a later time. Which I did. So I then went to TCM and they did have the movie listed but it was out of stock. I was getting quite irritated now. Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Target did not have it either. But thanks to my awesome blu-ray player and the online service that comes with it, I was able to watch it through them. And glad I did. Whew..now on to my review.

Michael and Herr Doctor Fritz

Set during the height of 60's frantic comedies, What's New Pussycat pairs the two Peters, Sellers and O'Toole in this madcap farce set in England, about a young man named Michael James (O'Toole) who has trouble committing to his girlfriend Carole (ahhhh my new love Romy Schneider). You see Michael loves women. All women. He can't help himself. He has bedded so many women it's hard to keep track of them all. So he seeks out the help of a psychoanalyst named Fritz Fassbender (Sellers) who has problems of his own. He is married but longs for the life Michael has. Their sessions are quite interesting to say the least.

Carole and Michael

Carole wants to get married but Michael has cold feet and keeps putting her off. It doesn't help the matter much when he keeps running into different women and having sex with them. Including a transplated American stripper named Liz (a kooky performance by Paula Prentiss); a refined aristocratic nymphomaniac named Renee (Capucine in a departure for her usual staid roles); and a friendly parachutist named Rita (Ursula Andress). He also has to deal with his buddy Victor (played by Woody Allen, who also wrote the screenplay) who works at a gentleman's club. Victor also happens to love Carole and they have a funny scene in which Carole gets a little tipsy.

 LIZ

 RENEE

RITA

All the characters wind up a a hotel in the country for a wild and riotous afternoon of mistaken identity and sexual shenanigans. Things get sorted by the end as Michael and Carole walk down the aisle but it's a mad finish to the altar. And even then things are not bliss. Loaded with surprise cameos and in-jokes and that catchy title song by Tom Jones, What's New Pussycat is one hilarious movie. Some may find it over the top and childish at times but it's all in good fun. The sex is never vulgar and the mood is quite often funny for the most part.  I liked it quite a bit.


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

Things get out of hand frequently in this movie

My love of classic movies is beyond measure

Monty

31 Stars in 31 Days: Day 4 - FRANK SINATRA

Ol' Blue Eyes takes center stage today as the star of the day. A multi-talented performer who hit his peak in the mid 50's thru the mid 60's. I recently bought this 10 film collection a few months ago and decided to break some of them in today. With a double bill of Frank as Miami private eye Tony Rome in two jazzy films. But first as usual, let's get to my fave things about Mr. Sinatra.


Favorite Frank film: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953)
Favorite Frank role: John Baron (SUDDENLY) - I know he won an Oscar for his terrific turn as Private Angelo Maggio in Eternity but I love him even more as the ruthless hitman in Suddenly.
Favorite Frank co-star: even though he starred with tons of Hollywood's top actresses, I think his best co-star was Dean Martin.
Number of Frank films seen so far: 20 out of 64

Frank is taking requests today

Today's film: TONY ROME (1967) and LADY IN CEMENT (1968) - Frank is super cool as Miami detective Tony Rome in these two films. First in Tony Rome, he must solve the mystery of a missing diamond necklace for a millionaire. The millionaire's daughter (Sue Lyon in one of her first adult roles) is at the center of this mystery which quickly spirals out of control. Bodies start piling up fast around Tony and he becomes the main suspect. So he makes it his mission to find out what's going on. Co-starring Jill St. John, Richard Conte, and Gena Rowlands, Tony Rome is one cool film with Frank wise-cracking and drinking the whole time. Probably picked up some pointers from his buddy Dino. Oh and whoever did the close-up shots for this film has a running gag as every time a beautiful woman appears, the camera zooms in on her...ummm...posterior. Gotta love the 60's. And the fun and flirty banter Frank has with Jill is priceless.


Tony: This isn't a family. It's just a bunch of people living at the same address. 
Rating: *** out of *****

"You want me to do what?" Ann Archer is not thrilled about something

Frank would return the following year with another Rome film titled Lady In Cement which has Tony discovering a blonde floating at the bottom of the ocean while he is out searching for buried treasure. But once again things don't turn out as simple as they appear..as Tony gets caught up in Miami's elite and some of the city's worst scumbags. While not as good as his first outing, things are a little lighter. Take for instance Tony wears a light beige suit in this one as opposed to a dark suit in the first film. And his hair is lightly colored blonde this time out as opposed to black in the original. He still cracks jokes even faced with danger. Great support from Dan Blocker (TV's Bonanza) and the extremely sexy Raquel Welch as society queen Kit Forrest. Wait until she makes her appearance...all I will say is WOW! Oh and the running gag of zooming in on women's posteriors is still in effect.


Rating: **1/2 out of *****

Easy Tony, easy...I'll get you a drink!

At The Beach: ESTHER WILLIAMS

Perennial aqua-girl Esther looking so wonderful

31 Stars in 31 Days: Day 3 - ERROL FLYNN

A little swashbuckling for the day and who better than Errol Flynn. Whether firing arrows or clashing swords, Errol is your man. 


Favorite Errol film: THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938)
Favorite Errol role: Robin Hood
Favorite Errol co-star: a no-brainer here..OLIVIA de HAVILLAND
Number of Errol films seen so far: 17 out of 63

Star of the day, Errol Flynn

Today's film: THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938) - I was gonna go with another Errol film of somewhat lesser known variety but I just bought Robin Hood on blu-ray and wanted to see how it looks compared to DVD. And yes it looks amazing! I mean Robin Hood was already a gorgeous looking film in beautiful Technicolor and Blu-ray enhances it even more. Sounds and looks terrific. One of my favorite films of all time. Flynn and de Havilland are pure gold together. And Rathbone and Rains make terrific villains. 

The ever so thoughtful guest..Robin brings something to the feast

My favorite scene: has to be when Robin shows up at Nottingham Castle to have a little chat with Prince John (Rains) and Sir Guy (Rathbone) that begins friendly enough...but ends with Robin having to brawl his way out. Exhilarating stuff!

Oh and quite the charmer with the ladies too!

Rating: ***** out of *****
That's right...Robin Hood is a five star gem!

Whoops! Time to go!