Talking about movies, movies, movies. I believe movies are one of the best pleasures in life. Nothing better than watching a classic film and talking with others about them. Love the classics the most but will also talk about the newer stuff too. And covering all genres: comedy, action, horror, sci-fi, drama, musicals, etc. Will also discuss TV shows, more of the classics, but occasionally the newer stuff too. And anything else that might be on my mind. Feel free to drop by and have a chat.
It's almost that time of year..March Madness, Classic Movie Actress Style, as my 7th annual tournament returns on Sunday March 5th. A field of 64 classic movie actresses, broken down into 4 eras: the 30's, the 40's, the 50's and the 60's will compete in matches voted on by followers to determine the champion actress of 2017. Based on last year finishes, the top 4 seeds are: Myrna Loy- 30s era Rosalind Russell- 40s era Deborah kerr- 50s era Shirley MacLaine- 60s era
Me and my good friend John of Mythical Monkey will be hosting this year's tourney. I'll have the complete field of actresses competing in my next post. Gonna be fun..can't wait.
The Sweet Sixteen Round has come to a close and out of the 8 matches only one had any real drama. In one of the best matches all tourney so far, Doris Day and Deborah Kerr traded blows all week long with multiple lead changes to see Doris finally escape with a one vote win 38-37. In the other 50's era match-up, it was Audrey Hepburn finally beating Grace Kelly after losing two previous times, 54-20. That is the worst loss Grace Kelly has ever had in tourney play. Hell it makes for only her 4th loss compared to her 20 wins. Here are the complete scores of all the other matches in the other eras:
30'S ERA:
BARBARA STANWYCK defeated GRETA GARBO 49-16 MYRNA LOY defeated JOAN BLONDELL 43-22 40'S ERA: BETTE DAVIS defeated RITA HAYWORTH 50-7 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND defeated TERESA WRIGHT 50-10 60'S ERA: ELIZABETH TAYLOR defeated LEE REMICK 45-17 NATALIE WOOD defeated ROMY SCHNEIDER 46-18
50'S ERA:
DORIS DAY defeated DEBORAH KERR 38-37 AUDREY HEPBURN defeated GRACE KELLY 54-20 Round 5 (THE ELITE EIGHT) will begin Sunday and we are looking at some great match-ups. In the 30's era championship match it will be Barbara Stanwyck vs Myrna Loy In the 40's era championship match it will be Bette Davis vs Olivia de Havilland In the 50's era championship match it will be Audrey Hepburn vs Doris Day In the 60's era championship match it will be Elizabeth Taylor vs Natalie Wood You couldn't have asked for better era final matches as each winner will move on to the final four. I will write a post tomorrow detailing the above matches. Can't wait to get started!
TEAM CAROLE has 9 and 1/2 points TEAM VERONICA has 5 and 1/2 points Six matches this week will decide who gets to take The Lombard Cup home. Here we go...matches start tomorrow morning and run through Friday evening! Match 16 VIVIEN LEIGH (Team Carole)
vs BETTE DAVIS (Team Veronica)
************************** Match 17 DEBORAH KERR (Team Carole)
vs JANET LEIGH (Team Veronica)
************************** Match 18 ANN SHERIDAN (Team Carole)
vs ANN-MARGRET (Team Veronica)
*************************** Match 19 SUSAN HAYWARD (Team Carole)
vs BARBARA STANWYCK (Team Veronica)
****************************** Match 20 AUDREY HEPBURN (Team Carole)
vs ELIZABETH TAYLOR (Team Veronica)
**************************** Match 21 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND (Team Carole)
The 3rd round of the favorite actress tourney is underway in all eras except for the 40's, where a tie-breaker question will decide the winner between Lauren Bacall and Ida Lupino. That runs till this evening. But over in the 50's era there are two top notch matches taking place. Audrey Hepburn vs Deborah Kerr and Grace Kelly vs Marilyn Monroe. How's that for some heavyweight matches. Hepburn and Kerr faced each other last year and Audrey won in a rout, 73-45. Will this year be different? We shall soon find out. And the other marquee match has Grace Kelly facing Marilyn Monroe for the very first time. They head into this match kind of differently. Grace crushed Gloria Grahame 57-11 while Marilyn held on to outlast Lana Turner 35-33. So these two matches could be very exciting...or blow-outs. I hope they turn out to be very competitive. Click on the 50's era banner on the right side bar to go cast your vote. AUDREY HEPBURN
VS
DEBORAH KERR
***********************************
GRACE KELLY
VS
MARILYN MONROE
Oh and the other two matches in this era are Ava Gardner vs Eleanor Parker
Today my star selection is Ava Gardner. One of the most beautiful women ever to grace the silver screen. And a lot more talented than people gave her credit for. Here are some of my fave things about Ava. One of which being her passion for going barefoot a lot. I think my friend Irene would agree with me on that.
Favorite Ava film: THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA (1964) Favorite Ava role: Kitty Collins -THE KILLERS (1946) Favorite Ava co-star: Clark Gable (THE HUCKSTERS, MOGAMBO) Number of Ava Films seen so far: 16 out of 68
Star of the day, Ava Gardner
Today's Film: THE HUCKSTERS (1947) Much star power in this film. Besides Ava, we have Clark Gable, Deborah Kerr, Sydney Greenstreet, Edward Arnold, Keenan Wynn and Adolphe Menjou. Set in the world of advertising, Gable plays Victor Norman, fresh out of the service and looking for a job. Lands one at an advertising agency when he lands a rich widow (Deborah Kerr, never better) as a endorsee to a major client. Ava enters the picture as Jean Ogilvie, a singer, aspiring to be an actress. And who also happens to be an old flame of Victor, which creates some tension between him, her and Kay (Kerr's character).
Ava is stunning to say the least and quite funny. Check out this line when she meets Victor's boss... Mr. Kimberly: aren't you pretty Ms. Ogilvie. Jean: Why, aren't you nice...I'm doing my hair differently.
I may not be a woman, but this outfit Ava wears is just awesome!
She is like that pretty much the whole movie. Along with Gable and Kerr, the acting by these three is top notch. And nobody says darling better than Ms. Kerr. Plus Ava and Deborah wear some of the best clothes one could ask for! Rating: *** out of *****
TCM is showing several Tennessee Williams film adaptations today and I was able to watch some of The Night of the Iguana before leaving for work today. Iguana happens to be my 2nd favorite Williams work, only behind Cat on A Hot Tin Roof. Boasting stellar performances by Richard Burton (who has one helluva opening scene as a defrocked priest who lets his congregation have an earful); Deborah Kerr, in another strong role as a painter traveling with her grandfather and Ava Gardner lighting up the screen as Maxine, a woman who runs a motel and ex-flame of Burton's character. And let's not forget Sue Lyon, as the teenage nymphet Charlotte. Excellent film. I think I will come home to watch it, as I happen to own it on DVD. And in case you wondering, the other Tennessee Williams films being shown today on TCM include Cat on A Hot Tin Roof, Sweet Bird of Youth and Baby Doll. A great day of film-watching for those who can catch them.
Just wanted to spotlight what is to be one of the most high profile matches in the tourney so far. In the 50's era being held on Noir & Chick Flicks, for the second round, we will have 2nd seed Audrey Hepburn taking on 3rd seed Deborah Kerr in the sophisticates bracket. My, oh my. It doesn't get any better than this. I know plenty of Audrey fans, and plenty of Deborah fans, so I think this will be a nail biter. Both actresses romped to an easy victory in their first round matches, but now must face each other. Tourney history has not been kind to Kerr. Last year she lost her first round match to a spunky Debbie Reynolds. Audrey had much better success, as she made it to the 50's era final, only to lose to eventual final four finalist Grace Kelly. And whoever wins this match most likely will have to face Grace again, provided Grace beats Sophia Loren. So I'm expecting a donnybrook of a match between Audrey and Deborah. Match begins tomorrow morning and will run thru Wednesday night. Here's the link to go vote:noir and chick flicks
Here are the scores for all the matches going on for the Favorite Classic Movie Actress. They will continue through Wednesday night. So you still have time to vote if you haven't yet or in case you change your mind and want to change your original vote.
From the silent/30's era...
Greta is stomping all over Anna May in first round action...
GRETA GARBO 42 ANNA MAY WONG 8
JANET GAYNOR 26 MARY PICKFORD 25 (Really close match!)
LILLIAN GISH 20 GLORIA SWANSON 31
CLARA BOW 28 LOUISE BROOKS 23 (Close match)
BARBARA STANWYCK 44 MIRIAM HOPKINS 9
MARLENE DIETRICH 41 ELSA LANCHESTER 11
JOAN CRAWFORD 30 NORMA SHEARER 21 (The Women Redux...)
CLAUDETTE COLBERT 36 MARY ASTOR 17 (this was much closer early on)
THE 1940'S ERA...
Kate is in firm control of her match with Jane Greer
VIVIEN LEIGH 32 RUTH HUSSEY 6 (Vivien rolling early)
GENE TIERNEY 20 GREER GARSON 18 (This match has been back and forth all day long)
INGRID BERGMAN 32 LORETTA YOUNG 7
LAUREN BACALL 27 ANN SHERIDAN 12 (looks like my girl Ann will be exiting early)
BETTE DAVIS 33 CLAIRE TREVOR 6 (Bette making a statement early)
LANA TURNER 19 JOAN FONTAINE 18 (A really exciting match!)
KATHARINE HEPBURN 29 JANE GREER 10 (This was actually tied at one point..)
OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND 29 IDA LUPINO 9
THE 1950'S ERA..
The English Rose, Deborah Kerr is handling Kim Novak quite easily
ELIZABETH TAYLOR 37 SHELLEY WINTERS 13
ELEANOR PARKER 27 ANNE BAXTER 18
SUSAN HAYWARD 30 JENNIFER JONES 16
AVA GARDNER 31 GLORIA GRAHAME 18
GRACE KELLY 39 RHONDA FLEMING 10 (Grace all over Rhonda!)
SOPHIA LOREN 27 ANNE FRANCIS 20 (Anne making a little comeback here after falling behind early)
AUDREY HEPBURN 32 DOROTHY MALONE 15
DEBORAH KERR 33 KIM NOVAK 15
THE 1960'S ERA..
Brigitte might become a spectator after this first round as she is losing to Claudia Cardinale
Dream Wife(1953). Romantic/comedy. Cast: Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, Walter Pidgeon and Betta St. John, Eduard Franz, Buddy Baer, Richard Anderson, Dan Tobin, Dean Miller and Movita. Directed by Sidney Sheldon. After performing in this film, Cary Grant retired from acting, turning down many films including: Sabrina and A Star Is Born. In 1955, director Alfred Hitchcock wanted Grant to perform in, To Catch A Thief, which maybe gave Grant the change that he was looking for.
While on a business trip to Bukistan, Clemson Reade, is invited to the home of the Khan of Bukistan. There he watches the princess Tarji, perform a seductive dance just for him. Her father Khan tells Clemson, that Tarji has been "trained" to devote her life to her husband. Clemson, loves the idea of a devoted wife, but he already has a fiancee Priscilla, who works for the United States, State Department. After he arrives home, Effie tells him that the wedding must be postponed until after the big oil deal is signed.
After, spending the afternoon with his co- workers complaining about independent women, Clemson, sends a marriage proposal to Tarji. The princess father quickly sends goats as part of her dowry. McBride, worried that Clemson will do something to ruin the oil deal, asks Priscilla to chaperon the two to make sure that things do not become.. too complicated.
Soon after, Tarji arrives Clemson, is surprised to learn that Eastern custom forbids any physical contact until after their marriage. To add to his frustration Clemson, is told that the wedding date is three months away. Tarji, soon learns how to speak English and loves the life that American women live.
One day, Tarji meets a group of young men and allows them to believe that she is single, which later causes a fight to break out and Tarji lands in jail.
After, hearing the news of the scandal, the Khan rushes to America and announces the end of his daughter's engagement with Clemson. Now, worried about the oil contract, Effie charms Khan and changes his mind about their engagement.
The day before he and Tarji are to marry, Clemson realizes that he is still in love with Effie. Will he find the courage to break off his engagement with Tarji?
Even though Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr make a wonderful couple and Grant's very cute facial expressions, this movie is just not one of their best performances.
Fun Facts:
First of three movies that paired Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant.
Betta St. John (26 November 1929). She made her film debut at age 10 in the unbilled role of a little girl who sings Marlene Dietrich's song "Little Joe" in the film, Destry Rides Again (1939).
She also performed in the films, Our Gang short and Jane Eyre (1943). Rodgers and Hammerstein took notice of this singing/dancing talent and cast her in, Carousel(1945). When the musical team were ready to cast the role of "Liat" for their new musical South Pacific(1949) they wanted Betta. Betta made her first adult role in the film, Dream Wife (1953).
As 2011 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
Anne Francis
The year started off with some sad news as veteran actress Anne Francis passed away. I spotlighted her with a little memorial. The classic movie goddess that kicked off the new year was Jeanne Crain. I started a new series comparing classic screen stars with their modern counterparts called From The Past To Now. The first post featured Jimmy Stewart and Tom Hanks. My series Box Office Attractions, spotlighted Sidney Poitier and his phenomenal year of 1967. And I did reviews of Penny Serenade and China Seas to name a few.
FEBRUARY
Cary and Irene
Ah, the month of love. And who better to be my classic movie goddess than Scarlett O'Hara..Vivien Leigh. Me and my co-blogger and friend Dawn combined our blogs to craft a series that focused on great Hollywood screen couples. I did posts on Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland; Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, on my blog. And then several more on Dawn's blog, Noir and Chick Flicks. I did a top 10 list of my favorite romantic films of all time. And From the Past to Now compared Vivien Leigh and Keira Knightley.
MARCH
March Madness begins....
This was the start of something very cool on my blog. My first ever Favorite Classic Actress Tournament. I gathered up 64 of the top actresses across four decades: the 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's to create what everyone thought was a fun and enjoyable tourney. The eventual winner turned out to be Irene Dunne, my second favorite actress of all time. And guess what the tournament will return this March, but this time expanded to 128 women. Should be even more fun than the first time. Not to overshadow my classic movie goddess of the month, I wrote several posts about the wonderful Carole Lombard. The first be my guest of the year was my friend and co-worker Lorie. I did a memorial for the legendary Elizabeth Taylor who passed away this month. And I did reviews of Giant and Princess O'Rourke.
APRIL
Samantha, Darrin and Endora
My guest for the month was Amanda from A Noodle In A Haystack. Two goddesses shared this month as Betty Grable and Sharon Farrell graced my blog in the first ever pairing of two classic film actresses. I did a cross-over with Dawn and Irene (And Then They Start To Sparkle) called Beware These Women, which focused on some of the most compelling female characters ever captured on film. I did several posts on TV's Greatest Comedies, including The Addams Family, Bewitched and The Brady Bunch. I also received a Stylish Blogger award from my friend Patti of And They Don't Make Em Like They Use To.
MAY
Lee Remick showing the women how it's done
Lee Remick was my classic movie goddess for the month. I wrote a fictional interview about the legendary Audrey Hepburn. My guest of the month was Audrey of Fedoras and High Heels. TV's greatest comedies posts included That Girl and Fawlty Towers. And my friend Irene hosted All Good Things for about a week while I was on vacation in New Orleans. Thanks bunches Irene. And I also started posting about Liz Taylor's problematic love life and all 8 marriages.
JUNE
Cary Grant
Well fair is fair as the men's tournament got underway this month after the success the women's tourney had back in March. Without a doubt Cary Grant walked away with honors of favorite classic actor. Irene of And Then They Start To Sparkle was the guest of the month. Doris Day was my classic movie goddess of the month. TV's greatest comedies posting on Laverne & Shirley.
JULY
Olivia and friend
A birthday celebration in honor of Olivia de Havilland who also happened to be my classic movie goddess for the month. Love it when things like that work out so well. It was so great having Irene as my guest last month, that she stayed over another month. Helped me out because my original guest could not do it. Thanks Irene. I wrote a few pieces on the 1960's, which is my second most favorite decade ever, right behind the 30's. And I kicked off the Monties (my version of the Oscars) with posts on the years 1934, 1935, and 1936.
AUGUST
Constance Bennett helped kick off At The Beach
Esther Williams was my movie goddess of the month. And I got a little help from Dawn to celebrate that occasion. I started a new photo series called At The Beach, which showcased classic film stars hanging out at the beach. I served up more Monties for the years 1937, 1938 and 1939. And did a new post for my Grace Kelly series, If It's Tuesday Then It Must Be Grace Kelly.
SEPTEMBER
Shirley Jones
My friend from Facebook, Janine Wild was my guest of the month. Shirley Jones was my classic movie goddess of the month. And I did another tournament, this time about musicals. I staged it over at Dawn's blog, Singin and Dancing Back In Time. I posted updates here on my blog and the eventual winner would be Singin in the Rain. And I did more Monties, this time for 1940 and 1941.
OCTOBER
Rear Window is named Favorite Hitchcock film on All Good Things
Just as summer winded down and my At The Beach series came to an end, I started a new series caelld The Fall Series, showcasing classic stars in fall/winter attire. My annual Classic Horror Films Fest returned, and this time I had help from the wonderful Irene Palfy. My classic movie goddess of the month was none other than Irene Dunne, who had a heck of a year on All Good Things. My guest for the month was appropriately enough Renata, who is the biggest Irene Dunne fan I know. And I started a new series of matches called Classic Stars Match Play which pitted stars who didn't meet up in my tournaments. Such as Bette Davis vs Joan Crawford and John Wayne vs Gary Cooper. Oh and yet another tournament in the form of Favorite Alfred Hitchcock film where the eventual winner would be Rear Window.
NOVEMBER
The English Rose, Deborah Kerr
The English rose, Deborah Kerr was my classic movie goddess of the month. My good friend Desiree was my guest of the month. From The Past to Now compared Grace Kelly and Gwyneth Paltrow. I started posted Pawsome Pet Pictures, featuring classic stars with animals. And Thursdays became drama filled as I posted short reviews on similar themed films. One week it was military dramas and one week it was cop dramas. And so on.
DECEMBER
Simply Audrey
2011 has come to a close with a rather festive month. Audrey Hepburn finally graced my blog as the classic movie goddess. My guest was Clara of Via Margutta 51. Holiday Cheer was a series of pics depicting classic starts in the holiday mood. I posted the top 12 stars of All Good Things, and surprise, it was Irene Dunne. I continued on with the Monties, Classic Star Match Play and all the assorted goodies everyone is accustomed to here on All Good Things.
And now as we say bye to this year, we look ahead to the new year which I promise to be as good as this year was, if not better. I'll try anyway.
Welcome to the first annual Classic Stars of the Year list as chosen by All Good Things. These are the stars that made the most noise on my blog. That I wrote and talked about the most or who won the most tournaments or polls. In general the best of the best. I based it on Entertainment Weekly's yearly Entertainers of the Year list. So there will be 12 distinguished actors and actresses who made the cut (1 for each month) and I will begin with number 12 and work my way down to number one.
Virginia and Jimmy Cagney in the classic film WHITE HEAT (1949)
12.) VIRGINIA MAYO - The stylish actress makes it onto the list thanks to her recent birthday and my mini-marathon of watching several of her movies which aired on TCM. Virginia was one of the first of my classic movie goddesses I did when I started my blog two years ago. She has surged to my favorite actress list and resides at number 20. A very talented actress who deserved a lot more praise and attention. Well Virginia you have some attention now as you are one of the top classic stars on All Good Things.
Burt showing off his Rose Tattoo
11.) BURT LANCASTER - Started doing some short reviews recently and Burt was quite a frequent topic with such films as From Here To Eternity, Seven Days In May and Elmer Gantry. Burt is one of my fave actors and never gave a bad performance. Well in my opinion anyway.
Shirley looking so beautiful
10.) SHIRLEY JONES - Shirley was a recent classic movie goddess and she was the reason I changed my format a little showcasing my goddesses. And it appears you guys like the new format so I think I shall stay with it. Thank Shirley for that.
The one and only Grace Kelly
9.) GRACE KELLY - I do a weekly feature about Grace called If's It Tuesday, Then It Must Be Grace Kelly. I have no other recurring series featuring a sole star..not even Cary Grant or Carole Lombard. So that says a lot about Grace doesn't it. Also did a recent post comparing a modern actress to her in my From the Past to Now series. Yes, I do love Grace Kelly. Not to mention the fact her film Rear Window won my favorite Hitchcock film tournament.
The English Rose, Deborah Kerr
8.) DEBORAH KERR - One of my best classic movie goddess features yet as I had an awesome time writing about Deborah last month. Such an amazing actress and I just love gushing about her. Expect her to appear quite a bit here on All Good Things.
One of the frequent beach pics that put Joan on this list
7.) JOAN BLONDELL - Take one guess who was the star that I posted about the most during my At The Beach photo series over the summer...none other than Joan Blondell. Not Marilyn, not Rita Hayworth, not Ava Gardner..but Joan. A funny, beautiful and super talented classic star like no other.
Even dirty, Errol is all smiles
6.) ERROL FLYNN - The dashing Flynn was a hot topic here and at the blog I co-write with Irene Palfy, Let The Show Begin. In fact he was the first star on that maiden blog when we launched it last month. And Mr. Flynn has since rocketed up my favorite actor list to now settle in the top ten.
Joan posing a little
5.) JOAN CRAWFORD - Why hello Joan Crawford. Joan has been racking up Monties this year (2 so far, and a possible third on the way...1945 is on deck..Mildred Pierce anyone). I even wrote a post about her rubbing that fact in to her rival Bette Davis. All in good fun though. And thanks to my friend Jessica Rowe on FB, I have become a much bigger Joan fan than ever before.
LIZ
4.) ELIZABETH TAYLOR - When the divine Liz passed way earlier this year, the whole world felt the loss. She was one of a kind. She is a frequent topic here on All Good Things. And that won't end anytime soon.
Carole looking so beautiful!
3.) CAROLE LOMBARD - My all time favorite actress ever! Hands down! I love Carole Lombard. I can watch her films all day long. And I can definitely talk about her all day long too. I was so proud of her run in the favorite actress tournament and now that she is winning big in my recent poll. Just overjoyed. I tend to post random pics about Carole for absolutely no reason..just because it's Carole!
Cary getting ready yet again for another honor
2.) CARY GRANT - And my all time favorite actor..none other than Cary Grant. Winner of 3 Monties this year, winner of Favorite Actor in All Good Things Tournament this year, and the ost written about star here on this blog with 54 entries. Wow! Cary is the man!
Congratulations Irene! On a terrific year!
1.) IRENE DUNNE - There really could be only choice as to the Classic Star of the Year here on All Good Things. Irene Dunne. Like Cary, she dominated in the tournament for actresses, even knocking off my girl Carole. Won a Montie for The Awful Truth. And is the most frequent actress I have blogged about with 36 entries. I place Irene ahead of Cary because she had a lot more competition to deal with. Cary kind of walked his way through his tourney and was the top choice. Irene had to work her way up the chain and take on such heavyweights like Carole Lombard, Barbara Stanwyck, Grace Kelly and Vivien Leigh. And came out on top. So congratulations Irene, you are the Classic Star Of The Year!
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