ALL GOOD THINGS in JULY

Just a quick word about the things I have planned for my blog next month. First up, the classic TV actress will be That Girl herself, Marlo Thomas. Expect photos, facts, and anything and everything about the wonderful Marlo. My guest for the month will be my friend and blogger of Comet Over Hollywood and ace reporter at The Shelby Star, Jessica Noelle Pickens. And over on my FB page, where me and Desiree share this movie pick of the day event with a chosen star of the week, some of the stars we shall be doing shall include birthday gal Olivia de Havilland and William Holden. So please join me at either place for some good old classic fun.

THE LOMBARD CUP returns in September

Carole hopes to keep The Lombard Cup here at All Good Things

Since my last Lombard Cup went over so well last year I have embarked on a new edition for the 2013 cup. Last year it was competition between the classic and modern eras of actors. This time the event have matches between Team Carole (as in Carole Lombard) and Team Veronica (as in Veronica Lake). My friend Kristen of Journeys in Classic Film will be heading up Team Veronica while I of course will lead Team Carole. A few days ago we made our selections of actresses who made the cut. Here are the complete rosters for both teams. The Lombard Cup will begin Sunday, September 8th and have 5 matches per week and alternating between here at All Good Things and Kristen's blog Journey In Classic Films. Whichever team wins the most matches, their blog will hold The Lombard Cup for a full year until we meet again with new rosters and new matches the following year.

TEAM CAROLE

1. CAROLE LOMBARD
2. ROMY SCHNEIDER
3. GRACE KELLY
4. NATALIE WOOD
5. ROSALIND RUSSELL
6. ANN SHERIDAN
7. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND
8. JEAN HARLOW
9. AUDREY HEPBURN
10. ESTHER WILLIAMS
11. VIVIEN LEIGH
12. ELEANOR PARKER
13. DEBORAH KERR
14. GRETA GARBO
15. MARLENE DIETRICH
16. JUDY GARLAND
17. SHIRLEY JONES
18. DORIS DAY 
19. LOUISE BROOKS
20. SUSAN HAYWARD
21. IRENE DUNNE


TEAM VERONICA

1. VERONICA LAKE
2. MARGARET O'BRIEN
3. MARILYN MONROE
4. MYRNA LOY
5. LAUREN BACALL
6. KATHARINE HEPBURN
7. BETTE DAVIS
8. ELIZABETH TAYLOR
9. BARBARA STANWYCK
10. GENE TIERNEY
11. JANET LEIGH
12. ANN-MARGRET
13. RITA HAYWORTH
14. CYD CHARISSE
15. MAUREEN O'HARA
16. GINGER ROGERS
17. JOAN CRAWFORD
18. INGRID BERGMAN
19. JANE RUSSELL
20. JOAN BLONDELL
21. JENNIFER JONES

Classic TV Actress of the Month: Mary Tyler Moore (Part 3)

Continuing with my spotlight on this month's classic TV actress, Mary Tyler Moore. Here are some personal quotes by Mary over the years.

Sometimes you have to get to know someone really well to realize you're really strangers.

There is a dark side. I tend not to be as optimistic as Mary Richards. I have an anger in me that I carry from my childhood experiences -- I expect a lot of myself and I'm not too kind to myself.

Diabetes is an all-too-personal time bomb which can go off today, tomorrow, next year, or 10 years from now - a time bomb affecting millions like me and the children here today.

I'm not an actress who can create a character. I play me.

There are certain things about me that I will never tell to anyone because I am a very private person. But basically what you see is who I am. I'm independent, I do like to be liked, I do look for the good side of life and people. I'm positive, I'm disciplined, I like my life in order, and I'm neat as a pin. I love order and discipline. God, I sound like a Nazi don't I?

[about her pit bull Spanky]: He has, as with some dogs that have been written about, the ability to sense when things are off in their owners, their masters, whatever we're calling them in this day and age. He can tell when my blood sugar is dipping low.

[on throwing her hat in the air for the title shots for "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970)]: "It was a hat that my aunt had given me for Christmas, and I brought it with me because they said: 'Be sure and dress warm. It's going to be freezing in Minneapolis.' So - I forget which writer it was - but we were all outside, and he said: 'You know what would be good? If you take that hat, the beret, and throw it in the air.' "

Classic TV Actress of the month: Mary Tyler Moore - Part 2

Here are notable facts about Mary. Info provided by IMBD.

Founded MTM Enterprises in 1969 with ex-husband Grant Tinker. Sold the company in 1990.

Her sister, Liz, was born 3 months earlier than her own son. Elizabeth was born March 20, 1956, and Richie was born July 3; both in Los Angeles at Queen of Angels Hospital.

Left dancing for acting because it "lacked the spotlight," and she "really wanted to be a star."

Vegetarian.

She won Tony Awards in 1980 and in 1985. She won in 1980 after taking over the lead in the play "Whose Life Is It Anyway?". She was so good that she was given a special Tony because she was not eligible for a traditional nomination due to being a replacement performer. She won in 1985 when her company, MTM, backed the revival of the play "Joe Egg".

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1992.

MTM's mascot is a cute orange-striped kitten named Mimsie.

The kitten that was the mascot for Mary's company, MTM Enterprises, would meow at the end of all MTM shows. In addition, it would even "wear costumes" reflecting the theme of the MTM show: At the end of  every St. Elsewhere episode, the kitty is seen wearing a surgical mask and it had a policeman's hat tilted on its head at the end of Hill Street Blues and Sherlock Holmes' trademark deerstalker hat and pipe at the end of Remington Steele.

Broke her kneecap after tripping over her adopted dog, Spanky [June 2, 2008].

Received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award on January 29, 2012 in Los Angeles

Mary Tyler Moore is a descendant of Lt. Col. Lewis T. Moore. While Commanding the 4th Va. Infantry Moore offered his home in Winchester, Va. to be the headquarters for Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. From there Jackson planned his Shenandoah Valley Campaign 1861-1862. In the 1960's the house was purchased and converted into a museum and includes much of Stonewall Jackson's memorabilia. Mary Tyler Moore helped pay for the restoration, which is now a National Historic Landmark.

Be My Guest: Melinda Kinnaird

My guest this month another friend and classic movie lover I met on Facebook, Melinda. Without further adieu, take it away Melinda....

Here they are! I am so glad you asked me to do this, I really enjoyed answering the questions. My mom, sister and I also enjoy talking about going to movie theaters that are no longer here in our hometown to see classic films. Anyway, here's my answers, and thank you again so much!

1. What made you start blogging? N/A

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

 Gene Kelly, Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Bette Davis, Olivia DeHaviland, Dana Andrews, Maureen O'Hara, Claudette Colbert, Clark Gable, Ginger Rogers, Sidney Poitier, Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda, Joseph Cotten, James Stewart, Robert Taylor, The Marx Brothers, and so many more.

3. What are some of your favorite films? 

Singin' In The Rain, The Wizard Of Oz, Rebel Without A Cause, Now Voyager, The Philadelphia Story, and Lillies Of The Field...and that's just for starters.

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

The first time I ever really remember seeing a classic film was when I was a little girl. I remember the whole family getting together to watch The Wizard Of Oz on TV...this was back before many families had VCRs and no DVRs, so it was appointment television. I loved watching the magical adventure! Years later, when the film was re-released for its 60th anniversary, my mom and I went to the theatre to see it. It was just as enchanting seeing it on the big screen as it was seeing it as a child on TV.

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

 The first time I saw Rosemary's Baby as a teenager, I didn't get it. Then I saw it again a few years later, and it scared the bejeezus out of me!

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

 Just setting everything else aside and watching it...maybe having a snack and watching it with my mom.

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

My mother, certainly. She was born in 1932, so I think it gave me an appreciation for these classic gems. And my sister loves them too. She often tells me how she went to the a theater here in my hometown to see a classic film. She watches many with her husband and son. And I have several friends who love great films like I do.

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

Tough choice. I love the 1940s and 1950s. I would have loved to have seen so many of my favorite films in the theatre when they first opened. I also like how times were easier and manners were more present back then. Still, I do love the 1920s and 1930s as well, and many of my favorite musicians, movies and TV shows happened in the 1960s.

9. What are some of your favorite film quotes? 

"There's No Place Like Home." "Here's Looking At You, Kid." 

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

 I've never seen Lawrence Of Arabia. And I know it's in the 1970s, but I'd like to see The Godfather (1 and 2).

11. What is your favorite genre?

 Musicals and comedies, but I do love a good drama or suspense film too!

12. If you threw a movie theme party, describe how you would do it.

 The costumes, decorations, food, etc. My cousin is a HUGE Judy Garland found, so she might help me put a Wizard of Oz party together. It would be cool to have apples (since they walk past the apple trees), and have lollipops as party favors.

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

I'm not a big Woody Allen fan. Also, I didn't really like Touch Of Evil, even though I love most of the actors in it. And I liked Giant, but wish it wasn't so long.

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

My mom

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

Don Lockwood (Singin' In The Rain), Dorothy Gale (The Wizard Of Oz), Plato (Rebel Without A Cause), Maria Von Trapp (The Sound Of Music)

Thank you Melinda for being my guest and for such wonderful answers. I'm sure my readers enjoyed getting to know you as much as I did.

Classic TV Actress of the month: Mary Tyler Moore - Part 1

Mary Tyler Moore is my classic TV actress this month and I would argue to say that behind Lucille Ball, she has to be in the running for 2nd greatest and beloved of all TV actresses. At least in the top 3, as Elizabeth Montgomery would be in the mix too. Anyway, let's get on with some facts about the wonderful woman named Mary.

Born December 29th, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY (a Brooklyn girl!)
Married three times: Current husband is Ted Levine (1983 - present)
Second husband was Grant Tinker (1962 - 1982) 20 year marriage
First husband was Richard Meeker (1955 - 1962) which produced one child, son Richie in 1956.
Mary has one sister, Liz, who was born in 1956, 3 months before the birth of Richie.

Having fun on The Dick Van Dyke Show

After a few years with appearances on TV series such as Richard Diamond, Private Detective, Checkmate, and 77 Sunset Strip in the late 50's, Mary finally landed her first prime gig in the role as Laura Petrie, wife to Rob (played Dick Van Dyke). The show was a huge success running for 5 seasons and 158 episodes. Mary was 24 when she started on this series. It would pave way for an even bigger and more personal success for her a few years later.

Surrounded with some insane talent on The Mary Tyler Moore Show

The Mary Tyler Moore show premiered in 1970 and this time Mary was front and center as the star. And she surrounded herself with one of the best ensembles in TV history. Ed Asner, Ted Knight, Gavin MacLeod, Valarie Harper and later on Betty White. The show ran for 7 seasons and 168 episodes winning tons of Emmys. Mary was one of the biggest stars in the world at the time.

Mary and Rhoda (Valarie Harper)

After that series wrapped, Mary appeared every now and then on other shows but never had the same type of success. So she shifted gears and when to the movies. She had a few films before back in the 60's most notably the Elvis Presley vehicle Change of Habit but it 1980's Ordinary People that proved to be her biggest hit. Directed by Robert Redford, the film won 4 Oscars including Best Film and gave Mary an Oscar nomination. It earned over $50 million back in 1980 which is a nice tidy sum.

During the rest of the 80's and 90's Mary appeared in TV movies and shows every now and then, keeping herself in the public eye. She recently appeared on the TV Land series, Hot In Cleveland, reuniting with former cast mate Betty White.

Mary Tyler Moore. Classic TV Actress for the month of June. I will be back with more postings about this wonderful woman.