Be My Guest - Kristen (Journeys In Classic Film)

My guest this month is one pretty cool blogger named Kristen. She writes the awesomely amazing blog Journeys in Classic Film. We became friends last year and share a love for classic film. Right now she has this amazing tourney going on featuring the best actresses from the classic era to the modern era. And she will be helping me next month for my annual classic movie actress tourney. I thought it was high time everyone got to meet her. Some already know her but some will be meeting her for the first time. Take it away Kristen. Oh and here's the link to Kristen's cool blog:  journeysinclassicfilm.com

1. What made you start blogging?

Kristen: My blog started out as an experiment to see if I could actually commit to keeping one (I have a lot of one and done entries on the Interwebs).  When I started I was/am working for two other sites that kept me writing about contemporary, opening-weekend movies, and I wanted a chance to write about classic movies, which I don't normally get to discuss so as I was starting to blog regularly I noticed it was shifting more towards discussing classic movies.  The rest, as they say, is history!

Me: And a great history you are now making Kristen.

2. Who are your favorite classic stars?

Kristen: Veronica Lake, first and foremost, is my blog mascot so she's top.  Other leading ladies include Lauren Bacall, Natalie Wood, Marilyn Monroe, Julie Andrews, Katharine Hepburn, Joan Blondell, Bette Davis, Ann-Margaret, and Ingrid Bergman.  As for the men, I'll be hard pressed to find a boyfriend who won't have me comparing him to William Holden and Robert Mitchum.  Also adore Cary Grant, Warren Beatty, William Powell, Humphrey Bogart, Marlon Brando, Gene Kelly, and Jack Lemmon.  

Me: I reallty can't argue with none of your choices Kristen.

3. What are some of your favorite films?

Kristen: Such a lengthy list as any film blogger would say.  I'll leave it to classics only: Singin' in the Rain, Anne of the Thousand Days, Splendor in the Grass, West Side Story, Night of the Hunter, Sabrina, Bringing Up Baby, The Big Sleep, Gentleman Prefer Blondes, Some Like It Hot, Bye Bye Birdie, The Thin Man, A Streetcar Named Desire, Sullivan's Travels, I Married a Witch, Xanadu (yes, I included that).

Me: Some great films you named that I also love with the exception of West Side Story and Xanadu.

4. Describe your first classic movie experience

Kristen: I did see the Disney re-releases a few times, but my seminal classic movie experiences have to be in 7th and 11th grades.  In 7th grade my history teacher showed us Anne of the Thousand Days to spotlight the Tudor dynasty.  I was the only one who loved it, and actually wrote an extra credit paper on it.  Later in high school I took a film class and watching Singin in the Rain made me realize I needed to watch more.  So both my experiences were in a classroom (how sad that film classes are hardly offered now).

Me: I saw that in 10th grade English lit...love that movie! Like you too.

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

Kristen: Casablanca first off.  After seeing that in a theater, I really appreciated how representative of classic film it truly is.  Gentleman Prefer Blondes, Jaws.

Me: All three are winners in my book.

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

Kristen: The perfect setting would be in an old movie palace that actually showed classic movies in their heyday.  We used to have an old theater like that in my town, but it closed.  

Me: Sounds marvelous

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

Kristen: My mother is probably the second biggest classic film fan, but when I recommend her movies she has a very distinct taste (she hates screwball comedies) and we don't usually like the same films.  My best friend likes some, but she's particular to romances which I'm iffy on.  

Me: Oh she doesn't like screwball comedies...man those are my favorites!

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

Kristen: The 40s

Me: Good call...The 30's are my favorites but I also love the 40's quite a bit too.

9.  What are some of your favorite film quotes?

Kristen: "I can never have children."  "We'll adopt some" - Some Like It Hot.  "I sent her as far as I could, since we don't own Scotland" -Anne of the Thousand Days. "And his whiskers are real, too!" -Miracle on 34th Street (something about the way little Natalie Wood says this line makes me smile). "Can I still come over and push you in the pool?" -Sullivan's Travels.  "But with a little sex in it" -Sullivan's Travels "Isn't it better for a girl to be preoccupied with sex instead of occupied?" -The Moon is Blue 

Me: Great quote from The Moon is Blue

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

Kristen: Citizen Kane, The Godfather: Part 2, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Best Years of Our Lives, any of the work of Ingmar Bergman

Me: You have to see The Best Years of Our Lives Kristen..It is beyond great. Patti will back me up on that!

11.  What is your favorite genre?

Kristen: Drama which, to me, includes film noir, political, historical, ec.

Me: Cool..and there are tons of great dramas for sure

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

Kristen: It could be because I saw Gangster Squad, but I'm dying to do a 1940s Hollywood glamour type party based around The Big Sleep, The Blue Dahlia or Double Indemnity.  Of course the ladies would have coiffed hair a la the peekaboo style of Veronica Lake.  Lots of pinstripes, fedoras, hopefully my friends would be into talking like Edward G. Robinson.  

Me: Haha...awesome!

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

Kristen:  I always state my distaste for Gone With the Wind.  I also don't get the adoration for Mrs. Miniver.  Other movies I hate to admit I don't like include The Women, An American in Paris, and The Band Wagon.

Me: Right there with ya on An American in Paris and The Band Wagon. Don't like either of them.

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

Kristen: Most of the people I know that are bigger film fanatics are bloggers such as you Monty, Nick Powell of Cinematic Katzenjammer (although he's modern films), the amazing Patti of They Don't Make 'Em Like They  Used To, Lindsay of The Motion Pictures, the group at French Toast Sunday

Me: Nice shout out to Patti there!

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

Kristen: The entire cast of Some Like It Hot, Max Cady from Cape Fear, Harry Powell from Night of the Hunter, Jennifer of I Married a Witch, Sabrina Fairchild and David Larrabee of Sabrina, Elizabeth Lane of Christmas in Connecticut, Anne Boleyn of Anne of the Thousand Days, Donald Greasham of The Moon is Blue, the second Mrs. de Winter in Rebecca, Alicia Huberman and Devlin from Notorious, Susan of Bringing Up Baby

Me: Yes to all of those characters especially Elizabeth Lane..,my favorite Barbara Stanwyck role and film.

Well that wraps up another be my guest this month and I want to thank Kristen for taking the time to come on here and be a good sport and answer all my questions. She did an excellent job don't you agree? Please stop by and check out her amazing blog if you haven't already and I will see everyone back here next month with another new guest and friend.

Be My Guest - Tina Cosio

My guest for this month is my Tina Cosio, a friend I met on FB through the love of classic movies and film groups on Facebook. Let's get started and there is no number one question for Tina as she does not currently write a blog.

2.)  Who are your favorite classic film stars: 

Tina: Gary Cooper, Joseph Cotten, Gregory Peck, Paul Newman, Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable, Deborah Kerr, Marilyn Monroe, Jennifer Jones, Bette Davis, Ingrid Bergman, Natalie Wood

Me: We share some of the same favorites in Newman, Kerr, Monroe, Gable, Davis and Wood.

3)What are some of your favorite films?

Tina:  Gone With The Wind, Dr. Zhivago, To Kill A Mockingbird, Rear Window, Casablanca, Now, Voyager, Song of Bernadette, The Searchers, Mrs. Miniver, Jezebel, Some Like It Hot, The Sundowners, Roman Holiday, Portrait of Jennie, Little Women

Me: Some big time classics there Tina..love Rear Window, The Searchers, Some Like It Hot, To Kill a Mockingbird and Mrs. Miniver.

4) My first classic movie experience was when I was a child. Every Sunday, my mom would take my brother and I to the movies. We would see classic Mexican movies with stars like Maria Felix, Pedro Infante, Sylvia Pinal, Libertad LaMarque

Me: Awesome Tina!

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

Tina: Casablanca, Roman Holiday

Me: I liked Casablanca the first time I saw it. Holiday not so much.

6) What's the perfect way to watch a classic film?

 Tina: The perfect way for me to watch a classic film is on TV with a bowl of popcorn.

Me: I second that

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

Tina: Michael, my son, likes classic movies especially Italian classics. 

Me: cool

8) Tina: My favorite time period is the 40's. 

Me: My favorite era is the 30's..but I love the 40's too.

9) Tina: My fav film quotes: The stuff that dreams are made of, Fasten your seatbelts it's gonna be a bumpy ride (All About Eve) Oh, Jerry, don;t let's ask for the moon. We have the stars.(Now, Voyager) You're not to smart are you? I like that in a man (Bodyheat) 

Me: Some great film quotes you picked there

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

 Not sure about this one Monty

11) Tina: Favorite genre: Musicals, Romance

Me: Ahhhh...music and romance..what a combination

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

Tina: If I were to throw a movie theme party I would have to pick The Great Gatsby. I would have the invitations hand delivered. My guests would be picked up in 1920's vintage cars. The party would be in Napa, CA. In a white outdoor tent with chandeliers. We would start with a reception with live entertainment before a sit down dinner. The waiters would be dressed in 1920's style clothing. The waitresses would be dressed as flappers. The menu would consist of comfort food. Nothing over the top just delicious. Followed by dessert. And lots of champagne of course!

Me: Count me in...

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

Tina: Try as I might I do not care for silent films. Not any movie in particular all of them. 

Me: I've only seen a handful of silents but I would like to see some more.

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

Tina: cannot for the life of me think of one person who is a film fanatic. All my friends love movies!

Me: cool!

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

Tina: Scarlett O'Hara, Stella Dallas, Holly Golightly, Atticus Finch,

 Me: Can't go wrong with any of those characters.

Well that wraps up another guest for this month. I like to thank Tina for accepting my invite to come aboard and I think she did an awesome job.

Be My Guest: ALICIA GARBO

My guest this month is my good friend from Facebook, Alicia Garbo. We've been friends for almost 2 years and she is a great gal. She has several wonderful pages on Facebook that you should check out as she will talk about during her stint as my guest. Here's the link to one of them:  British-Beauties..now on to our interview! Alicia's answers are in red. My comments are in blue.

Introducing Miss Garbo..

• 1. What made you start blogging? disregard if you do not have a blog but you can count your facebook page if you like?

  *One of the main reasons I started my 'Women of WW2' & 'Blitz Memorial' Pages is because I have a keen interest in how World War Two affected people on a personal scale. I grew up with tales from older relatives retelling me their experiences of living through WW2 in Britain & it just sort of fueled my interest in that era.
  Also I felt there were many Facebook Memorial Pages for the men who fought during WW2 (quite rightly), but none really for the women who sacrificed so much too, either on the home-front or battle-front. So I thought it would be a nice sentiment to do a Memorial Page in their memory.
  
  And I think you for doing those wonderful pages Alicia. They are awesome.
  

  

  
  

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

  

  
  

  * There are so many I could name right now, but I will pick just a few. One's that come to mind are Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn, Vivian Leigh, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, Tippi Hedren, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Claudette Colbert, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Clarke Gable & Leslie Howard.
  
  You and Garbo...that's great. Glad to see Tippi Hedren up there too. Her name does not get called that often.
  
  

  3. What are some of your favorite films?
  

  

  
  

  * Some of the classic films I like are 'The Wizard of Oz, 'Gone with the Wind', 'Casablanca', 'Anna Karenina' (The Greta Garbo version), 'Since You Went Away', 'It Happened One Night', 'Holiday Inn', 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', 'The Misfits' & 'It's a Wonderful Life'.
  More modern films I like I would have to say 'Titanic', 'Sex And the City' movies, 'The Transformer' movies, 'The Terminator' movies & 'Cold Mountain', as-well as 'Pearl Harbor'.
  
  The only film you named that I'm not a fan of is Breakfast at Tiffany's..sorry.

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

  

  
  

  * My first classic movie experience happened when I was about 15 years old & a mentor at school borrowed me her VHS copy of 'Gone with the Wind'. I remember finishing school early one Friday afternoon & I decided to watch 'Gone with the Wind' at home. All I can say is that I was blown away by the scope & scale of the movie & I couldn't believe that it was made in 1939, it didn't seem that old to me. I so wanted to be like Scarlett O'Hara funnily enough & instantly my love affair with classic movies began.
  
  You couldn't asked for a better intro to classic movies. Mine was His Girl Friday,

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

  

  
  

  * One of the most recent films I can remember thinking that is 'Black Swan'. I went to see it at the cinema & found it a bit hard to follow, but once I understood what was going on I realized what a clever film it really was.
  
  Still have yet to see that one

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

  

  
  

  * Snuggled up on the sofa, on a cold winter night with the fire crackling & a cup of hot chocolate in-front of my TV.
  
  Sounds nice to me...it would be the same for me.

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

  

  
  * I think to be fair I am the only one who really loves old black & white movies, but my mother also likes a bit of Audrey Hepburn too.
  
  Well at least that is something..

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

  

  
  * I would probably have to say the 40's, 50's & 60's. Most of all I love the 40's, the women seemed so much more glamorous & feminine than they do today.

  9. What are some of your favorite film quotes?

  * Probably 'Gone with the Wind's', "Frankly my Dear I don't give a damn!" Also 'The Terminator's', "I'll be back!"
  
  All classic!

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

  

  
  

  *I've wanted to check out a few of Alfred Hitchcock's movies. Especially one's with Grace Kelly in them. Also I would like to check out Veronica Lake's movies, as she is such a huge icon of the 40's with her 'Peek-a-boo' hair-style.
  
  OH I love Hitch's films, especially the ones with Grace. But also his early films as well. I have seen a few of Lake's films like Sullivan's Travels and the ones she made with Alan Ladd. I was very impressed.

  11. What is your favorite genre?

  *I really like love-story's, as I am a hopeless romantic to be honest. I also love movies with a lot of action & special effects in them too.
  
  Sweet!

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

  

  
  
  *I think I would do a 30's/40's themed 'Casablanca' movie party. I'd want everybody to come dressed in 40's clothes ideally & have lots of 40's jazz music on & for it to be like "Rick's Café Américain".
  
  Sounds like an awesome idea! Please send me an invite when you do have one.
  
  

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

  * I can't really think of any at the moment to be honest.
  
  That's cool

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

  * Well if I'm being honest I can't think of anybody else, who loves movie night as much as myself, so I would have to say myself.
  
  Cool again...

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

  

  
  

  * I love the tempestuousness & bitchiness of Scarlett O'Hara & her will to get what she wants. Portrayed by the incredibly beautiful Vivian Leigh.
  I also like Sarah Connor & her courage & braveness to survive against all odds, from 'The Terminator' films, played by Linda Hamilton.
  I like Holly Golightly, a sort of free spirit, who's not what she seems at all & wonderfully represented by the exquisite Audrey Hepburn.
  Rose DeWitt Bukater from 'Titanic' & her struggles to break free from the confines of her life acted out by the marvelous Kate Winslet.
  Last but not least Rose Tabor the divorcee from 'The Misfits', who seems sort of flawed. Represented by the wonderful Marilyn Monroe.
  I seem to like very vulnerable characters for some reason,ha. :)
  
  
  Cool. Thank you Alicia for being my guest this month. Hope everyone enjoyed having her here as much as I did. And please check out her wonderful pages on Facebook!