All Good Things 2012 Classic Stars Of The Year

Welcome back everyone to my 2nd 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. 

Hitch lands at no 12.

12.) ALFRED HITCHCOCK - The director was prominent this year with two films, The Girl and Hitchcock. I have seen The Girl and thought it was interesting enough. Can't wait to see Hitchcock with Anthony Hopkins in the title role. I posted about Hitch a few times this year and had a tourney spotlighting the leading ladies of his films.

The urbane Claude

11.) CLAUDE RAINS - The incomparable Rains made some noise on All Good Things with his entrance into my Hall of Fame, one of twelve stars/directors chosen this year. He is also coming off his second Montie (my version of the Oscars) for Best Supporting actor in Casablanca.

The lovely Rita in one of her many summer pics

here on All Good Things

10.) RITA HAYWORTH - Ahhhhh, Rita. She was one of my classic movie goddesses for the year and she also made the most appearances in my at the beach photo series. Stunningly beautiful.

The dashing Flynn

9.) ERROL FLYNN - Another Hall of Fame inductee and much posting on my FB page to drive most women into a frenzy, specifically Classic Becky.

The definition of Classic Star Glamour, courtesy 

of Jean Arthur

8.) JEAN ARTHUR - Jean was another of my goddesses for the year and she also became a Hall of Famer. Plus I think she made a number of random postings thru the year here.

Good to see ya Carole...

7.) CAROLE LOMBARD - Pretty much, Carole will be on this list every year. No question about it. She is my favorite actress of all time and I post something about her at least once a month. I have posted about her 74 times since I started this blog in 2009. The most of any actress.

Hiya Cary!

6.) CARY GRANT - Same thing goes for Cary, as he is my favorite actor of all time. I have posted about Cary 81 times since 2009, the most of anybody here on All Good Things. And he is currently represented quite well with 8 films in my favorite screwball film tourney.

Irene knows how to make an entrance doesn't she

5.) IRENE DUNNE - The 2011 winner for Favorite Classic Film Actress didn't compete in this year's tourney but she still made some noise with regular postings and showing up with three films in the screwball film tourney.

Powell and Loy as Nick and Nora Charles

4.) WILLIAM POWELL & MYRNA LOY- Frequent film co-stars Bill and Myrna walked in together for the Hall of Fame. Her film, The Best Years of Our Lives picked up a slew of Monties. And she was just an all around good gal to hang out with here. They both had several films competing in this year's screwball film tourney

Marilyn

3.) MARILYN MONROE - It's Monroe. Pretty much says it all right there. Tons of pics and postings on here and my FB and Tumblr pages.

Grace, winner for Favorite Leading Lady

in a Hitchcock Film

2.) GRACE KELLY - After being a bridesmaid two years in a row in my Favorite Classic Film Actress tourney, Grace finally won a tourney. Wasn't for that, but for Favorite Leading Lady in an Alfred Hitchcock film. Plus, I continued to post about her with my weekly series, If It's Tuesday, Then It Must Be Grace Kelly.

Congrats Ginger!

1.) GINGER ROGERS - Looking like a repeat of 2011 as the favorite classic film actress tourney winner would claim top classic star of 2012. This year it's Ginger Rogers, who had a dominating run in the tourney for her eventual win as favorite actress here on All Good Things. Congrats Ginger! You are the top Classic Star of the Year!

Here's to another great year in 2013.

My love of classic films is beyond measure

Monty

Hall of Fame new inductees this month: William Wyler and Claude Rains

This month I proudly induct director William Wyler and actor Claude Rains into my Hall of Fame. William Wyler just picked up his third Montie for Best Director of The Best Years Of Our Lives, which gives him three so far. He won previously for These Three (1936) and Mrs. Miniver (1942).  And he may not be done yet. And Claude Rains is also a multiple Montie winner. Having won Best Actor for The Invisible Man (1933) and Best Supporting Actor for Casablanca (1942). Give a big welcome to both these fine and outstanding gentlemen.

Tea Anyone: Claude Rains and daughter Jennifer

Claude Rains and his daughter Jennifer enjoying some tea

Bonus Guest for this month....the wonderful Kate Love

This month we have a bonus guest as my friend Kate that I met on Facebook also accepted my invite to be the guest for this month. And she was very thorough in her answers. So let's get started shall we...First and foremost, she loves Audrey Hepburn..a lot!

Me: What made you start blogging?


Kate:  Well, I am not one to blog. I find nothing wrong with it and I enjoy looking at people’s blogs but it is not something that I do. The reason is that I can’t think of anything that would have people interested or want to read my blog. It would be one thing is I had an exciting and interesting life but I don’t. I have a pretty normal life and who would want to read about that.

Me: Who are some of your favorite classic film stars?

Kate: This is a hard one because they are so many great actor and actresses of the classical period . I will name you some that first come into my head. The first person that comes into my mind would be the handsome Ronald Colman. As if this man’s looks were not good enough, his voice was out of this world. His voice was made for the radio. I could listen to his voice all day and night. I loved him in the films Random Harvest , Lucky Partners, A Tale of Two Cities, The Talk of the Town and a silent film that he was in called The Winning of Barbara Worth.

Another actor that comes into my mind would be of course the distinguished Claude Rains. For those of you who don’t know me and I am sure that is many of you, I love this man. Again it was not his acting alone that I fell in love with but much more than that. Here was a man who was dirt poor growing up in England and yet he made something of himself. He was on the stage, in movies, radio and on T.V. shows. Though he may have not be a Tyrone Power in looks, there is something about him that makes me idolize him. Loved him in the films The Phantom of the Opera, Now, Voyager, Mr. Skeffington, Casablanca, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Kings Row and Notorious.

Speaking of idolizing someone, another actor that I love to see and hear is the great Sir Laurence Olivier. I fell in love with this man the first time I saw him in Wuthering Heights. After seeing him in that. I could not get enough of the man. I saw most of his films and while they were not all the greatest, his performance never disappointed me. He could do it all sing, dance, drama, comedy and so on. He could be Russian in one movie and than German in another movie. It was hard to believe that he was acting, it seemed so real. Pride and Prejudice, That Hamilton Woman, Rebecca, Bunny Lake is Missing, Carrie, Othello, The Shoes of the Fisherman and Marathon Man where all films of his that I really enjoyed.

When it comes to actresses, there is a ton but I would like to talk about my top favorite one if I may. The reason being is that I have so much to say about this actress. I am of course talking about the lovely Audrey Hepburn. When just saying her name, I have chills up and down my spine. Many of us have role models and well Audrey Hepburn is my top role model. The reason being is that she was just a simple and average woman who made so much out of her life. Yes, she was an actress and had the fame and all. Though, what people remember about her goes far beyond all that. She was a woman who wanted to be loved and wanted to love. She was not about the fame, she used her fame for the good of others. She grew up during WWII and went through hardships throughout her life. Her father left her at a young age, she suffered miscarriages, had two divorces and always never felt fully loved and accepting of herself. She loved and respected people for who they were. Her one passion in life was to help the children of the world. She was not only a mother to two boys but became a mother to all children. As far as Audrey Hepburn the actress, she was the best of the best. She worked with the best actors around such as Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Sean Connery and Gary Copper, just to name a few. She could do drama, comedy, suspense, romance films and all were believable. You could believe that she was Eliza Doolittle and that she was a flower girl. At the same time you could also believe that she was a Princess who has fallen in love with Gregory Peck. She you could say was the girl next door. Everyone weather you are male or female falls in love with the woman. Though I have never met the woman, I feel as though she is my dearest friend. Is that weird of me to think that, maybe but that is the truth.

Me:  What are some of your favorite films?

Kate: Well, this one is hard cause there a ton of great films that I like. It all really depends on my mood and what is going on in my life. If I want to cry I would watch films like An Affair to Remember, Beaches, The Notebook, P.S. I Love You, Wuthering Heights, Carrie(1952) and so on. If I want to laugh then I would watch films like Some Like It Hot, Duck Soup, It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Dinner at Eight, The Egg and I, Airplane and so on. If I wanted to just watch a movie to relax and enjoy myself than it would be an Audrey Hepburn movie, Claude Rains movie, Ronald Colman movie, Lillan Gish and Mary Pickford.

Me: Some good choices there Kate. I believe you're my first guest to choose It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. That movie is hilarious.
 



Me: What is your first Classical Experience?

Kate: I have really watched classical movies for years. Though I liked watching them, I never really got into to them so to speak till a few years ago. I would watch what my parents would be watching but never really got into the movies. For some reason during my high school years, I just fell in love with Audrey Hepburn and watched all of her films. Also during that time I wanted to see all different types of movies. I loved watching silent movies and black and white movies. To me it makes the movie that much better when in black and white.

Me: What are some movies that you did not like and then grew to like?
Kate: Can’t really think of anything.
Me: That's ok.

 



Me: What is the perfect way for you watch to watch a classic film


Kate: I don’t really know if there is a “ perfect” way to watch a classic film. When I watch an old time movie I like it to be at night, why I don’t know. I like it to be dark, especially when watching a black and white film. If think if there is color in the room, it is not with the movie. I like to be in that time of the film and color does not help with the effect. The best I can answer the question.


Me: For me personally, on the couch with no distractions is perfect for me.

 

Me: Who else shares your love for old movies?

Kate: Well, I don’t think any of my friends love or appreciate the good old films but some of them at least know a few old films. I think everyone has seen The Wizard of Oz as a child but there are a few films that my friends have seen that I was surprised about. My one friend loves Doris Day and has seen a few of her films. She may not be the classic era of Hollywood but it is a start. A few friends have hard of some old time movie stars such as Jimmy Stewart, Gene Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and those types of names.


As far as my family members, my father is the one who loves old movies as much as me. Though I think I can top him though. My mother does and does not like old movies. I like silent films and she hates them. I like black and white movies, she likes color ones. My sisters and brother do not like anything that is made before 1980. They are not a fan of old movies. My siblings are in their mid 30’s.

Me: What is your favorite era for classic films?

Kate: My favorite time period for movies would be the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. So many good and I mean good films were made in those decades. They knew how to make a good movie back then. Plus the actors and actress of those times were awesome.


Me: Awesome!

Please come back in a few days for part 2 of Kate's terrific answers.

TCM celebrates Claude Rains birthday with a batch of his movies today...

TCM celebrates actor Claude Rains birthday today with loads of some of his best films. Beginning at 6 am EST with the 1936 film Anthony Adverse. Then TCM airs the family film series that began with Four Daughters, continued with Four Wives and concluded with Four Mothers. Also on tap are Here Comes Mr. Jordan, Mr. Skeffington, and Now Voyager. That is a pretty impressive line-up right there. I have actually only seen Four Daughters and Here Comes Mr. Jordan, so I now get to watch some films that I have never seen before, including Now Voyager.

Classic Horror Movies: Day 11 (THE WOLF MAN - 1941)

"Even a man who is pure at heart/And says his prayers by night/May become a wolf when the wolf-bane blooms/And the moon is full and bright." Classic line from a classic horror film that casts Lon Chaney as Larry Talbot, a man who tries to save a girl from a wolf attack and becomes bitten by the creature and will soon turn into a monster himself at the first full moon. One of the best horror movies ever made that boasts a stellar cast. Besides Chaney, you have Claude Rains, Evelyn Ankers, Ralph Bellamy, Bela Lugosi, Patric Knowles, and Maria Ouspenskaya. Featuring some top notch makeup effects and a haunting music score.

THE MONTIES: 1933 - Jean Harlow drops a BOMBSHELL and picks up a Montie

I know originally I started my Monties with the year 1934, but now going back I realized I had saw enough films and performances for the year 1933 as well as 1932. So let me rectify that situation now by presenting the winners of the 1933 Monties..which feature a certain blonde bombshell picking up her first Montie.

BEST FILM:

42ND STREET - WINNER
THE INVISIBLE MAN
BABY FACE
DINNER AT EIGHT
BOMBSHELL
GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933 
LITTLE WOMEN
QUEEN CHRISTINA

One of the most entertaining musicals ever, 42nd Street grabs a Montie. With a spirited cast including Warner Baxter, Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Ginger Rogers, Bebe Daniels, George Brent and Una Merkel, this is one of my all time favorite films. As I like it just a little more than Gold Diggers of 1933. Any other year I would have given the Montie to that film, but for 1933, 42nd Street is the clear winner.

BEST DIRECTOR:


LLOYD BACON - 42ND STREET
ALFRED E. GREEN - BABY FACE
GEORGE CUKOR - DINNER AT EIGHT
MERVYN LEROY - GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933 (WINNER)
JAMES WHALE - THE INVISIBLE MAN

I'm going to go with Mervyn Leroy with his expert direction of Gold Diggers of 1933. Managing all that talent under one roof had to be quite the task and he pulls it off wonderfully.

BEST ACTOR:


CLAUDE RAINS - THE INVISIBLE MAN (WINNER)
JOHN BARRYMORE - DINNER AT EIGHT
LEE TRACY - BOMBSHELL
WARREN WILLIAM - GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933
WARNER BAXTER - 42ND STREET

Now you get to see real acting on display as Claude Rains gives a tremendous performance as the scientist who loses his mind after becoming invisible. Now you don't see Claude's face much in this film thanks to bandages or optical effects but it's his voice and mannerisms all on display. And it's a treat to watch...err...hear. Congrats Claude on your first Montie.

BEST ACTRESS:


BARBARA STANWYCK - BABY FACE
JEAN HARLOW - BOMBSHELL (WINNER)
JOAN BLONDELL - GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933
KATHARINE HEPBURN - LITTLE WOMEN
GRETA GARBO - QUEEN CHRISTINA

This was really between two women: Barbara and Jean. In the end, the Montie goes to Jean for her terrific turn as movie star Lola Burns who life is in a constant tizzy. Harlow is full speed ahead here and more than deserves a Montie. Sorry Babs. Your time will come.

I will be back shortly to present Monties for the year 1932.