March Madness #28: KARL MALDEN

Welcome to ALL GOOD THINGS! It's MARCH MADNESS! Visit daily to see a classic film Super-Star of the day - a personality renowned for portraying the really, really B.A.D. and also the sweetest-dearest-most darling!

Day #27 results: AVA GARDNER Voters clearly love Kitty Collins / "The Killers" over Ava's gentler role of Guinevere / "Knights of the Round Table".

TODAY the spotlight shines on KARL MALDEN ~ Who doesn't remember the man with the nose.. after Jimmy Durante, that is? Karl did many roles, both gentle and tough.

Which of KARL's character types do YOU prefer?

March Madness #27: AVA GARDNER

Welcome to ALL GOOD THINGS! It's MARCH MADNESS! Visit daily to see a classic film Super-Star of the day - a personality renowned for portraying the really, really B.A.D. and also the sweetest-dearest-most darling!

Day #26 results: FRANK SINATRA Voters responded enthusiastically: that lovable Nathan Detroit won by ONE 21- 20 over Frankie Machine. When I checked late last evening, it was a TIE!

TODAY the spotlight shines on AVA GARDNER ~ Beloved for her sultry good looks, and her solemn, serene gaze, Ava was also full of laughter, jokes and hijinks. Ava could be sweet as a lamb, or tough as a protective lioness.

Which of Ava's character types do YOU prefer?

Final Four Matches are now underway...

The two Final Four matches are now underway and will run through Thursday evening. Here is a primer on the two matches and the four actresses that are competing. And this is a historical tourney as Barbara, Audrey and Elizabeth all competed in the 2014 Final Four as well. To which none of them won.

BARBARA STANWYCK

30'S ERA CHAMPION

Lifetime Tourney Record (19-6)

Number of Final Four appearances: this is her 2nd Final Four

(lost to Bette Davis 49-47 in 2014 championship match)

2017 matches:

defeated Myrna Loy 37-36

defeated Jean Harlow 34-29

defeated Joan Crawford 21-20

defeated Claudette Colbert 30-4

what's at stake: to continue the dominance of the 30's era actresses

who have won 3 of the 6 previous tourneys

VS

AUDREY HEPBURN 

50'S ERA CHAMPION

Lifetime Tourney Record (22-6) 2nd best all time behind 

Grace Kelly's 24 wins

Number of Final Four appearances: this is her 3rd Final Four

(lost to Barbara Stanwyck 47-30 in 2014 and to Natalie Wood 305-232 in 2015)

2017 matches:

defeated Deborah Kerr 41-32

defeated Grace Kelly 35-31 (now holds 3-2 edge in head to head matches)

defeated Susan Hayward 36-13

defeated Shelley Winters 36-8

what's at stake: this marks Audrey 3rd trip to the final four, if she wins she

will join Carole Lombard and Natalie Wood in that same distinction

AVA GARDNER
40'S ERA CHAMPION

Lifetime Tourney Record (13-5)

Number of Final Four appearances: this is Ava's 1st trip to the Final Four

2017 matches:

defeated Ingrid Bergman 36-33

defeated Olivia de Havilland 30-26

defeated Vivien Leigh 26-23

defeated Joan Fontaine 31-14

what's at stake: not counting the first tourney, no actress has ever

won a tourney with their first Final Four appearance

VS

ELIZABETH TAYLOR

60'S ERA CHAMPION

Lifetime Tourney Record: (17-6)

Number of Final Four appearances: this is Liz's 2nd trip to the Final Four

(lost to Bette Davis 46-25 in 2014)

2017 matches:

defeated Shirley MacLaine 38-30

defeated Shirley Jones 30-19

defeated Julie Andrews 33-25

defeated Sandra Dee 42-10

what's at stake: Elizabeth could become only the 2nd actress to win a tourney 

in her second Final Four Appearance. Bette Davis is the other actress

to do so

The Final Four is set for the 7th Annual Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tourney

We started with 64 actresses and now have made it down to the Final Four. Whoo!
In the 30's era, it was tooth and nail the entire match but it was Barbara Stanwcyk edging out Myrna Loy 37-36
In the 40's era it was Ava Gardner finally pulling away from Ingrid Bergman for a tough win 36-33
In the 50's era, it was Audrey Hepburn cruising to a 41-32 victory over Deborah Kerr
And in the 60's era it was Elizabeth Taylor over Shirley MacLaine 38-30.

As per tradition the 30's era champion will face the 50's era champion which means Barbara faces Audrey
While the 40's era champion will face the 60's era champion..Ava vs Liz.

Those matches will begin on Sunday afternoon and tomorrow I'll post each actress stats and history in the entire tourney.

Round 4 is now underway

We are now at the Elite 8 portion of the 2017  Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tourney. And what spectacular matches we have. I'll be hosting the 40's and 60's era final matches while John over at Mythical Monkey handles the 30's and 50's era final matches. Here's the link to go vote on his page: http://mythicalmonkey.blogspot.com/

For the 40's era final match it will be Ava Gardner vs Ingrid Bergman

For the 60's era final match it will be Elizabeth Taylor vs Shirley MacLaine

These matches will run through Friday March 31st at 6pm!

THE MONTIES: 1947 - A little bit of something for everyone as the Monties get spread around

Wow, it's been 10 months since I last did a Monties post. Sorry about that. Been busy with work and actually doing more on my FB page for All Good Things than on here. Plus it gave me time to see more movies made for the year of 1947. So let's get started with a year that saw my Monties get spread around all over the place.

BEST FILM:
Winner: The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer
Nominees: The Farmer's Daughter, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Gentlemen's Agreement, Black Narcissus, The Bishop's Wife, Smash-Up: The Story Of A Woman, Miracle on 34th Street, Out Of The Past
Thoughts: One of the most diverse years ever with comedies, dramas, and film noir all mixing it up. Now while Gentlemen's Agreement, Black Narcissus and Smash-Up are definitely the type of films that get the Academy's attention I went with one of my favorite comedies of all time, The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer. Seeing veterans Cary Grant and Myrna Loy do their screwball thing brought back memories of the great comedies of the 30's. I have seen this film a gazillon times and it's still funny and fresh as seeing it for the first time.

Smile Cary..your film just won another Montie!

BEST DIRECTOR:
Winner: Jacques Tourneur (Out Of The Past)
Nominees: George Cukor (A Double Life); Michael Powell (Black Narcissus); Elia Kazan (Gentlemen's Agreement); Joseph L. Mankiewicz (The Ghost and Mrs. Muir)
Thoughts: Tourneur crafted one of the best film noirs in history with the excellent Out Of The Past. The other four nominees were no slouches but I felt Tourneur was the man to beat.

Jacques lining up a shot 

BEST WRITER:
Winner: Moss Hart (Gentleman's Agreement)
Nominees: Sidney Sheldon (The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer); Valentine Davis (Miracle on 34th Street); Dorothy Parker (Smash-Up); Eleazar Lipsky (Kiss Of Death)

A happy Moss Hart

BEST ACTOR:
Winner: Robert Mitchum (Out Of The Past)
Nominees: Rex Harrison (The Ghost and Mrs. Muir); Gregory Peck (Gentlemen's Agreement); Ronald Colman (A Double Life); Danny Kaye (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty); Cary Grant (The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer)
Thoughts: Bobby Mitchum was terrific as the private eye involved in double crosses and corruption. He denies Cary Grant for what would have been Grant's 4th Montie.

The man of the hour..Robert Mitchum

BEST ACTRESS:
Winner: Gene Tierney (The Ghost and Mrs. Muir)
Nominees: Loretta Young (The Farmer's Daughter); Susan Hayward (Smash-Up); Dorothy McGuire (Gentlemen's Agreement); Jane Greer (Out Of The Past); Deborah Kerr (Black Narcissus)
Thoughts: Gene Tierney gets her first Montie after losing out two years ago for Leave Her To Heaven. Her performance as Lucy Muir in the Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a wonderful one, mixing romanticism, strong willingness, and determination. Kudos to Gene.

Gene Tierney wins her first Montie

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: 
Winner: Ava Gardner (The Hucksters)
Nominees: Jean Simmons (Black Narcissus); Celeste Holm (Gentleman's Agreement); Natalie Wood (Miracle on 34th Street); Shirley Temple (The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer)

Thoughts: Ava scores a Montie on her first nomination. She missed out last year being nominated as Kitty Collins in The Killers by a hair as that year was top heavy with lots of strong female performances but she would not be denied this year. I loved her performance here and she had wonderful chemistry with Clark Gable. They would re-team again for Mogambo.

As does Ava

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: 
Winner: Edmund Gwenn (Miracle on 34th Street)
Nominees: Kirk Douglas (Out Of The Past); David Niven (The Bishop's Wife); Richard Widmark (Kiss Of Death); John Garfield (Gentleman's Agreement)
Thoughts: As good as Richard Widmark as crazed killer Tommy Udo in Kiss Of Death was, Edmund Gwenn was just awesome as the man named Kris Kringle who claims to be Santa with a sentimental and wonderful performance.

The delightful Edmund

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Winner: BLACK NARCISSUS
Nominees: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir; Sinbad the Sailor; Lady In The Lake
Thoughts: One beautiful looking film..period.

The beautiful looking Black Narcissus

BEST FILM SCORE:
Winner: Max Steiner (Life With Father)
Nominees: Miklos Rozsa (A Double Life); Hugo Friedhofer (The Bishop's Wife)
Thoughts: This is actually Steiner's first Montie as I didn't start recognizing film scores until just recently. So it is a given he would have won for Gone With The Wind, Casablanca and a few more. But as he was still scoring films thru the 60's I wager he will pick up one or two more.

Life With Father

So the final tally is really spread out as Out Of The Past is the only film to pick up multiple Monties, with two (Best Director and Best Actor). The Bachelor and The Bobby-Soxer became the 6th Cary Grant film to win Best Film. Wow! Cary also still has the most Monties with three Best Actor trophies. I was glad to see Ava Gardner and Gene Tierney pick up statues for their work and I won't be surprised if Ava wins another Montie before I'm done. And speaking of which I hope to be back with the 1948 edition much sooner than 11 months. 

THE ELITE EIGHT

From the sweet sixteen round we are now at the elite eight. These upcoming four matches will decide who makes the final four. The eight women vying for the crown of 2013 favorite classic movie actress are:


1 BARBARA STANWYCK VS 1 CAROLE LOMBARD

Both women are number 1 seeds from their respective categories...Babs from 
Pre-Code Babes and Carole from Funny Ladies 

1 BETTE DAVIS VS 1 RITA HAYWORTH

Bette is top seed from Drama Queens and Rita is top seed from Sophisticates


2 DORIS DAY VS 2 AVA GARDNER

Doris is the second seed from Singer/Dancers while Ava is second seed from
Drama Queens


7 SHIRLEY JONES VS 7 DIANA RIGG

And finally two seven seeds are still hanging around, Shirley representing 
Song and Dance while Diana represents British Invasion. The last time a
seed this low was still around was when Irene Dunne, who was seeded 10th
in the original tourney went all the way and won the whole thing. So there's
a chance one of these women can make some magic again.

Matches begin today..

A pair of number one seeds take a fall

One thing is for certain..this year's final four will be all newcomers to the big dance. A few days ago, reigning 60's era champion Natalie Wood was ousted by Shirley Jones. Today, two more top seeds followed suit. Judy Garland made an impressive rally but fell just short as she lost to Bette Davis 44-39, in the most highest scoring match in the 40's era for this tourney. Garland made it to the final four last year in her maiden tourney debut. This marks just the second loss for Judy. Bette will now face Rita Hayworth, who pummeled Gene Tierney 40-24 in the other 40's era semi-final match.

Looking to three-peat as a final four finalist was 50's era reigning champion Grace Kelly. But alas Princess Grace had no answers for Ava Gardner who had an impressive win 44-22. Grace holds the all-time tourney and match play record with 16 wins. So beating her was an amazing achievement by Ava. Ava gets to face Doris Day, who upset Audrey Hepburn 34-32.

Over in the 60's era, a pair of 7 seeds will now face each other as Shirley Jones took down Anne Bancroft 34-18 and Diana Rigg blasted Catherine Deneuve 38-14.

These four matches begin tomorrow morning.

Sweet Sixteen Other era's update: Ava Gardner is leading Grace Kelly

A few more hours and the matches in the other era's will be complete. Here are the latest numbers:

THE 40'S ERA

BETTE DAVIS leads JUDY GARLAND 43-38

RITA HAYWORTH leads GENE TIERNEY 39-23

THE 50'S ERA

AUDREY HEPBURN leads DORIS DAY 30-27

AVA GARDNER leads GRACE KELLY 37-20

THE 60'S ERA

SHIRLEY JONES leads ANNE BANCROFT 34-18

DIANA RIGG leads CATHERINE DENEUVE 38-14

The big news here is that Ava Gardner is rolling over two-time final four finalist and reigning 50's era champion Grace Kelly. My oh my!

Happy Birthday Ava Gardner (1922-1990)

One of my favorite actresses, Ava Gardner has a birthday today on Christmas Eve. She would have been 90 had she still been alive. She had one of the most impressive careers of any actress, classic or modern. She began with a lot of uncredited roles around 1941 including one in The Shadow of the Thin Man. Maisie Goes To Reno in 1944 was one of her first credited roles. But it was in 1946 for the film noir classic, The Killers that put her on the map. Her turn as Kitty Collins was amazing. Afterward, the roles came pouring in. The Hucksters, One Touch Of Venus, Pandora, My Forbidden Past, Show Boat, Mogambo, The Barefoot Contessa, and then some strong performances in the 60's to wind down her career. Such as The Night of the Iguana, Seven Days in May and 55 Days at Peking. She continued to act through-out the 70's and 80's as well. Happy Birthday Ava!

Summer Lovin': AVA GARDNER

Who wants to play catch with Ava?

31 Stars in 31 Days: Day 2 - AVA GARDNER

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 *****

Let me show you a little trick here Clarkie...

At The Beach: AVA GARDNER

Ava playing around in the sand

The Morning Movie: THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA (1964)

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.

Ava is victorious over Hedy in a battle of classic film beauties...

Ava Gardner led Hedy Lamarr from the word go and never looked back. Final tally: Ava 20, Hedy 11. Ava improves her match play record to 2-1 while Hedy falls to an unbelievable 0-2. Thanks to everyone who voted and I will have a new match up within a few days.

Ava was playing tennis when informed of her victory

Classic Stars Match Play #13 - HEDY LAMARR vs AVA GARDNER

I'm back to kickstart the new year with a new match play. And I've chosen two women who both carried the title The Most Beautiful Woman in Hollywood at one time or another...Hedy Lamarr and Ava Gardner. Who was more beautiful? Who was more talented? Who has the better resume in films? This argument could go on for decades so in the meantime I figured a little match play was in order to see where both women stood...on All Good Things that is. The match begins today and will run thru next Sunday. Good luck to both women. And I will personally be present as to make sure that this match is kept clean and drama free. It's the least I could do.

HEDY LAMARR

Ummm Hedy...you don't need that whip, it's not that kind of match!

Name: Hedwig Eva Marie Kiesler
Birth Date: November 9, 1914 (Vienna, Austria-Hungary)
Height: 5' 7"
Academy Awards: none
Monties: 1 nomination so far (Experiment Perilous - 1944)
My favorite Hedy film: I know it's regarded as campy today but I love Hedy in White Cargo (1942).
Match Play record: 0-1 (lost to Rita Hayworth in the first round of the 40's era of the Favorite Classic Actress Tournament)

CLASSIC STARS MATCH PLAY

AVA GARDNER

Ava..you have a match now. You're going make it or you're gonna stay and fish?

Name: Ava Lavinia Gardner
Birth Date: December 24, 1922 (Grabtown, North Carolina...love that name!)
Height: 5' 6"
Academy Awards: One nomination (Best Actress for 1953's Mogambo)
Monties: None so far...but I haven't reached her peak era yet
My favorite Ava film: The Night Of The Iguana

Match Play record: 1-1 (beat Jane Russell but then lost to Grace Kelly (her Mogambo co-star) in the 50's era of the Favorite Classic Actress Tournament

Ladies...the stage is all yours!

THE FALL SERIES: Ava Gardner

AVA

We finally have our first tie....Elizabeth Taylor and Susan Hayward are dead locked

My, oh my, Elizabeth Taylor and Susan Hayward have battled to a tie. So I'm posting a tie-breaker poll in a few minutes. Let me just recap the other matches first. Top seed Audrey Hepburn rolled over Eva Marie Saint 39-21. Ouch! 4th seed Grace Kelly outlasted 5th Ava Gardner 31-27. So Audrey and Grace will meet in one semi-final match which is a marquee matchup. I am pulling for Grace on that one, much to the dismay of my friend Clara who is going with Audrey. We actually have a little bet going on that whoever loses has to write a post for the other one describing why we thought our pick would win. So come on Grace. And that perky Debbie Reynolds came back from an early deficit to beat Gloria Grahame 29-27, ending Gloria's Cinderella run. I must say this era has really been exciting. I was expecting this much drama but it's very entertaining.

1950's Era 2nd Round Final Scores:

1 AUDREY HEPBURN 39
9 EVA MARIE SAINT 21

4 GRACE KELLY 31
5 AVA GARDNER 27

10 DEBBIE REYNOLDS 29
15 GLORIA GRAHAME 27

3 ELIZABETH TAYLOR 29
6 SUSAN HAYWARD 29

The tie-breaker question asks which actress do you think gave the better Oscar winning performance: Susan in 1958's I Want To Live or Liz in 1966's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The poll will be open until tomorrow at 6pm. Good luck to both women. And the semi-final matches will begin immediately after that match is resolved. Whoever wins will square off against Debbie Reynolds.