Doris Day and Lucille Ball team up for the hilarious Have I Got A Story To Tell You (1960)

Doris Day and Lucille Ball are a perfect pair in the comedy, Have I Got A Story To Tell You. The story has our two gals as rival bookstore owners who are forced to team up to stop a major bookstore chain from pushing their small stores out of the picture. Doris plays Lucy Street, whose store is called The Happy Book Store. Lucy plays Ann Morgan, whose store is called Friends and Books. Their stores are located right across the street from one another and have been for over 10 years. Lucy and Ann are respectful of each other and even share coffee every now and then but for the most part remain rivals. That is until major chain Big City Books seeks to expand their chain by opening up a store right in their small town of Kanesville, Colorado. They send their best PR man, Jerry McQueen (played by Tony Curtis) to convince the ladies that this is the best option for their businesses and town. Lucy and Ann band together to declare war on Big City Books but Jerry with his smooth talking ways tries to convince them otherwise. Jerry ends up romancing both women who fall hard until they come to their senses. When Jerry fails at his job, the president of Big City Books, Mr. Langford (Claude Rains) comes to town to handle the deal himself. 

Lucy as Ann Morgan

This is a simple comedy that may be light on story but great on chemistry between Day and Ball. It's a treat to see these two women converse and engage in pratfalls and getting one up on romeo Tony Curtis. It has a breezy run time of only 90 minutes but there are great comic scenes. Including the opening scene where both Lucy and Ann arrive at work to their respective stores and kind of mirror each other. It's a funny scene that lets both actresses mimic each other wonderfully. And then the scenes where Tony Curtis tries to seduce both women are funny as well. Have I Got A Story To Tell You is worth a look.

Tony Curtis and Doris Day

Cast:
Doris Day.................Lucy Street
Lucille Ball................Ann Morgan
Tony Curtis...............Jerry McQueen
Mr. Langford............Claude Rains
Patsy Kelly...............Esther
Pamela Tiffin.............Jilly

Oh btw in case people start scratching their heads about this movie, this is another in my series of fantasy films I just thought of and posted. In short, it doesn't exist. Just a fun exercise for me to work my imagination! Hope you guys liked it.

The 2nd set of matches are completed and the first round is in the books

The second set of matches for the first round are done and completes a fun first week of tourney play. Here are the results for the eras that have been reported.

Eleanor Powell dances into round 2

1930'S ERA

Carole Lombard 58-7 over Margaret Dumont
Jean Harlow 54-9 over Margaret Sullavan
Jean Arthur 37-36 over Una Merkel
Myrna Loy 49-25 over Thelma Todd
Bebe Daniels 37-32 over Shirley Temple
Eleanor Powell 52-14 over Luise Rainer
Ruby Keeler 42-26 over Mae West
Joan Blondell 48-18 over Jeanette MacDonald

It was upset city in the 30's era as three lower ranked seeds got shown the exit door early. And all occurred in the singers/dancers category. Top seed Shirley Temple lost to first time tourney player Bebe Daniels. 2nd seed Jeanette MacDonald got hammered by 7th seed Joan Blondell. And the brash 3rd seed Mae West got beat by 6th seed Ruby Keeler. There was almost another upset in the funny ladies category as 3rd seed Jean Arthur had to fight off a game Una Merkel. Overall top seed Carole Lombard cruised to her 9th tourney win as she had little trouble with Margaret Dumont.

Here's Lucy...

1940'S ERA

Rita Hayworth 27-21 over Eve Arden
Loretta Young 36-19 over Hedy Lamarr
Maureen O'Hara 38-19 over Rosalind Russell
Lucille Ball 29-19 over Betty Grable
Gene Tierney 33-8 over Carole Landis
Lauren Bacall 29-26 over Linda Darnell
Ida Lupino 38-15 over Veronica Lake
Claire Trevor 30-25 over Jane Greer

No real upsets here but there were a couple of close matches. Most notably Lauren Bacall had to fend off a gutsy Linda Darnell with a 3 vote victory. Claire Trevor made a strong rally after falling behind early to Jane Greer to take the match. Gene Tierney had the most dominating win by beating Carole Landis by 25 votes. Remember Gene made it all the way to the sweet sixteen last year in a very strong run. Oh and good news for Lucy fans as Lucille Ball makes it to round 2 but bad news for Roz fans as Rosalind Russell loses to Maureen O'Hara, another red-head.


1950'S ERA

Final numbers are not available yet

Paula Prentiss is overjoyed to be moving on to round 2

1960'S ERA

Julie Andrews 41-14 over Margaret Rutherford
Diana Rigg 43-19 over Julie Christie
Angela Lansbury 44-22 over Jean Simmons
Maggie Smith 50-16 over Vanessa Redgrave
Anne Bancroft 42-10 over Julie Harris
Tuesday Weld 41-24 over Jane Fonda
Paula Prentiss 38-25 over Faye Dunaway
Patricia Neal 33-30 over Geraldine Page

There is about an hour left in this era but pretty much all the matches are over with the exception of one. Patricia Neal clings to a 3 vote lead over Geraldine Page. Some surprising early exits though took place in this era. Julie Christie and Jean Simmons, both who have had good runs in the previous tourneys got bounced early to upstarts Diana Rigg and Angela Lansbury, first time players. Maggie Smith had the most convincing win with a 49-16 defeat of Vanessa Redgrave. I thought that would have been much closer. And I am happy to report that my Cinderella pic, Paula Prentiss took down Faye Dunaway and moves on to round 2.

Second round action will begin tomorrow afternoon/evening.

Facts and trivia about Lucille Ball

Here are some facts and trivia about my classic goddess of the month, provided by IMDB:


Red hair and blue eyes

Originally interred at Forest Lawn (Hollywood Hills), Los Angeles, California, USA, Columbarium of Radiant Dawn, Court of Remembrance. In 2003, she was re-interred in the Ball family plot in Lake View Cemetery, Jamestown, New York.

Was the first woman to own her own film studio as the head of Desilu Productions.

Was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 6436 Hollywood Boulevard; and for Television at 6100 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

Died the morning of April 26, 1989, the fifty-sixth birthday of her friend Carol Burnett. That afternoon Burnett received the flowers that Ball had ordered for her birthday.

She was fired from working at an ice cream store because she kept forgetting to put bananas in banana splits.

TV Guide picked her as the greatest TV star of all time.

Was known for a while as Dianne Belmont back when she was a model.

Pictured on a 34¢ USA commemorative postage stamp in the Legends of Hollywood series, issued 6 August 2001.

Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2002.

Her favorite movie she made was The Big Street (1942). Up to her dying day, she resented AMPAS for not recognizing her performance in the movie by including her for an Academy Award nomination.

Felt that she did not deserve the title of "Queen of Comedy" and felt that it belonged to her idol, Carole Lombard.

She was proud of her family and heritage. Her genealogy can be traced back to the earliest settlers in the colonies. One direct ancestor, William Sprague (1609-1675), left England on the ship "Lyon's Whelp" for Plymouth/Salem, Massachusetts. They were from Upwey, Dorsetshire, England. William, along with his 2 brothers, helped to found the city of Charlestown, Massachusetts. Other Sprague relatives became soldiers in the Revolutionary War and 2 of them became governors of the state of Rhode Island.

Her 1960 divorce from Desi Arnaz was quite amicable. They divided their $20 million television empire equally, each retaining 25% Desilu stock (282,800 shares), she got the homes in Beverly Hills and Rancho Mirage, and Desi got the beach house in Del Mar, California and his Horse Ranch in Corona, California. In addition, they agreed to joint custody of their children with him paying $450/month child support

Mother of Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr.

The Greatest TV Comedies - I LOVE LUCY (1951-1957)

I have written about the greatest TV comedies of all time before on my blog and it makes for perfect timing as Lucille Ball is my TV goddess of the month. And without a doubt, her series, I Love Lucy is one, if not, greatest sitcom of all time. I know any number of fans can chime with their all time greatest but if you made a list of top 5 sitcoms of all time, I Love Lucy would probably be on 99.9% of those lists. 

Lucy in a typical Lucy situation

Lucille Ball created one of the most famous characters in TV history with the zany housewife Lucy Ricardo, who was married to Cuban bandleader Ricky (real life husband at the time Desi Arnaz). She would continually try to get into the biz herself through some kind of crazy shenanigans, usually involving her best bud, Ethel Mertz (played by good pal Vivian Vance). Ethel was married to Fred (played by William Frawley). The couples lived in the same apartment building which made for perfect comedic situations.

Fred, Ethel, Lucy and Ricky

The chemistry between the four leads was about as good as it gets. Ricky, usually losing his cool after finding out about Lucy's latest scheme...and the madder he got, the less English he would speak. And Lucy herself was perfect..playing off everyone with great timing. She wasn't called the First Lady of Television for nothing.

The Ricardos

The series produced 179 episodes over the course of six years to huge success and several Emmy wins. Everyone has their favorite episodes but once you start talking about them, a smile comes across your face and the memories come flooding back. Everyone remembers Lucy and Ethel working at the chocolate factory or Lucy get hammered on Vitameatavegamin, as she pitches the medicine for an advertisement. There are so many classic episodes to choose from that you can't go wrong with any of them.

Classic Lucy expression

Facts and trivia:

The original choices to play Fred and Ethel were Gale Gordon and Bea Benaderet, the co-stars of Lucille Ball's radio show, My Favorite Husband.

William Frawley and Vivian Vance actually hated each other in real life. In the show, displays of affection were forced.

Voted #2 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Show of all time.

Desi Arnaz invented the rerun during the pregnancy episodes of this series by re-airing some episodes from the first season to give Lucy some rest.

Lucy and Vivian each won an Emmy for their performances during the series 6 year run. The fellas did not. The show itself notched 2 Emmys for Best Situation Comedy in 1953 and 1954.

Follow-up series: which both had lengthy runs as well...

The Lucy Show (1962-1968, 156 episodes)
Here's Lucy (1968-1974, 144 episodes)

Classic TV Goddess of the month: Lucille Ball

Who me? Lucy playing coy

Ever since I started my blog three years ago, my main monthly feature was dedicated to the classic film actresses of our golden age. This year I decided to change things up by concentrating on actresses who had their biggest success on the small screen. And who better to kick off the year than with everybody's favorite redhead, Lucille Ball. So all month long I will be posting facts, photos, etc about the one and only Lucy. This post is just an introduction to her to everyone.

Listening in on as Ginger talks shop on the set of Follow the Fleet

First, Ms. Ball had a very successful film career when she started out. So I don't want to imply that she only achieved success on the small screen. At the young age of 22, she had a lot of uncredited roles in such films as Kid Millions (1934), Broadway Bill (1934), Roberta (1935) and Top Hat (1935). Her first major break came with another Astaire/Rogers movie, Follow the Fleet (1936) when she was cast as Kitty Collins. Larger roles in more big films would soon follow. Stage Door, Joy Of Living, Having Wonderful Time (with Ginger again), Room Service (with the Marx brothers) and headlining her own series, Annabel, a pair of screwball films co-starring Jack Oakie. 

Lucy in a very big hat

She got to flex her dramatic chops in the classic thriller Five Came Back (1939). She would meet her eventual husband Desi Arnaz in Too Many Girls (1940). Their pairing would eventually lead to the classic sitcom I Love Lucy, which of course I will be talking lots about in later posts this month.

With Red Skelton and Gene Kelly in DuBarry Was A Lady (1943)

But Lucy would star in lots more films during the 40's before I Love Lucy would air in the mid 50's. Other notable films during this decade include Dance Girl Girl (1940), Seven Days Leave (1942), The Big Street (1942), DuBarry Was A Lady (1943), Best Foot Forward (1943), Without Love (1945), Easy To Wed (1946), and Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949). Quite the output for an actress more known for later sitcom fare.

With Esther Williams and Van Johnson in Easy To Wed (1946)

So I will begin with Lucy's legendary run in TV beginning with my next post. Hope you guys will stop by to check it out.

CLASSIC MOVIE GODDESSES in 2013...with a twist

Here is my schedule for the goddesses I will be featuring next year. The twist, you might ask? Well this time I am focusing on some of the best known TV actresses of yesteryear. Most of the actresses I chose did make feature films during their career too and some were extremely successful. But they achieved even greater success in TV. And most of their fans know them immediately once you say their name or sing their theme song or say a certain catchphrase. So here are the 11 women I will be featuring next year, one a month. There will be no Classic TV Goddess for the month of March (my annual favorite classic movie actress tourney takes place then). Here is the list below which may change if I decide to move the actresses around a bit, but these are definitely the eleven (ummm 13) I will be talking about. I will rotate every year between film and TV goddesses if this goes well.

Here's LUCY

JANUARY - LUCILLE BALL (had to kick things off with Lucy)
FEBRUARY - FLORENCE HENDERSON/BARBARA BILLINGSLEY (two for one)
APRIL - PATTY DUKE
MAY - NICHELLE NICHOLS/YVONNE CRAIG (Some sci-fi/comic book love)
JUNE - MARY TYLER MOORE
JULY - MARLO THOMAS
AUGUST - BARBARA EDEN
SEPTEMBER - ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY
OCTOBER - CAROLYN JONES
NOVEMBER - DIANA RIGG
DECEMBER - GRACIE ALLEN

Expect other notable TV actresses to pop up in the coming years such as:
DIAHANN CARROLL
SALLY FIELD (she did get her start on Gidget and The Flying Nun after all)
STEFANIE POWERS
TUESDAY WELD
SUZANNE PLESHETTE
LINDA EVANS
ELINOR DONAHUE
AUDREY MEADOWS

and many many more!

Be My Guest: Jessica Ellen Rowe

So I know I have been slacking of late here on my blog but thanks to friend Jessica Ellen, who hails from Australia and who I met on Facebook, she graciously accepted my invite to be my guest this month, to put be back on track. Which is perfect since she is one of the biggest Joan Crawford fans I know, and Joanie is my classic movie goddess for the month. So here's Jess to get this party started....Oh and here's a link to Jessica's awesome Tumblr page: http://theclutteredclassicattic.tumblr.com/

1. What made you start blogging?

Jessica: Well I’m not really a blogger per say, but I do have a tumblr page on which I post Classic Hollywood photos and do a lot of reblogging. There are such amazing photos being posted every day by other Classic Hollywood fans, it’s hard not to become addicted. I’ve spent many a glorious hour drooling over black and white (and Technicolor!).

Me: Yes, your Tumblr page is awesome and your page is what made me start one of my own. So thank you for that Jess!

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

Jessica: Oh gosh, never give me free reign like that Monty! You have been warned!

Bette Davis is my favourite actress of all time (the greatest of them all!) but coming a close and equal second are Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn and my current obsession, Lucille Ball.

I also adore Barbara Stanwyck, Gloria Swanson, Greer Garson, Deborah Kerr, Greta Garbo, Miriam Hopkins, Irene Dunne, Myrna Loy, Jean Arthur, Jean Harlow, Ginger Rogers, Norma Shearer, Lana Turner, Olivia de Havilland, Jeanette MacDonald and Claudette Colbert.

As for male stars, I love Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable, Robert Montgomery, Melvyn Douglas, John Barrymore, Fred Astaire, Cary Grant and William Powell.

But I’m SURE I'm missing people.

Me: what an awesome selection of faves!

3. What are some of your favorite films?

Jessica: ‘Sunset Boulevard’ (1950) is my all time favourite. I saw it first on the big screen in one of my very first film classes at university back in 2007. It blew my mind and it’s never been topped since. Although films that have come close are ‘All About Eve’ (1950) and ‘Humoresque’ (1946). And I also have a very strong bond with ‘The Women’ (1939).

My guilty pleasure favourite films are ‘Torch Song’ (1953) and ‘Mame’ (1974) but you can’t really call that last one a classic film, I know.

Me: I love Sunset Boulevard!

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

Goodness, I’ve told this story a thousand times when asked this question, haha! I think it was some time in either 2004 or 2005 when I was in my last years of high school. It was late at night, past midnight, and everyone had gone to bed but my Mother who stayed up to watch TV. I’d just gotten to sleep when I heard this roaring laughter coming from the lounge room. I had no idea WHAT my Mum was watching but with such intense laughter I HAD to find out! So I got up out of bed and stumbled sleepily into the living room, plonked myself into the arm chair beside the couch where my Mum was sitting and began to watch with her. It was an old, crackly black and white film being screened on ABC (Australia) in which a man and a woman were standing on a golf course arguing profusely over true ownership of a golf ball. From then on, I couldn’t stop laughing and to this day, nothing has made me laugh so hard as ‘Bringing Up Baby’ (1938) starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn! Such amazing comic timing and ridiculous yet extremely witty and intelligent situational humour! Comedy doesn’t get much better than that!

Me: Ahhhh what a cool story. And Baby is my second favorite film of all time!

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

Jessica: Eeeek! I’m having trouble answering this one because I don’t often re-watch films I didn’t like the first time. Actually ‘Double Indemnity’ (1944) seems to come to mind. I think, the first time I watched it, I may have been a little too ignorant to the workings of Classic film and the Film Noir movement. But I was ‘forced’ to watch it again in my Film Noir class a couple of years ago and really thoroughly enjoyed it. A very impressive film.

And actually ‘Mildred Pierce’ (1945) I didn’t think much of at first either. But again, I think I was too ignorant to appreciate it back then and have since written on it several times. There’s so much more to it than I thought!

Me: I see...I have from a few people they didn't care for Double Indemnity but I like it.

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

Jessica: That’s easy! It sounds corny, but I love being snuggled up on the couch in the middle of the day, poring rain outside, with a blanket and a bowl of pop corn.

Me: Sweet! Sounds great to me!

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

Jessica: My Nana has always adored them and is just ecstatic that I love them too. She still finds it wonderful that someone so young (I’m 24) can love “the oldies” so much. Says it brings back her childhood and it makes me happy that I can make HER happy that way.

My friends like Classic films but only because I’ve introduced them to the fact that they’re not all crackly and poppy with bad over exposure and jumping film. One of my best friends even thanked me for showing her that a lot of them have been beautifully restored and that they would have originally been stunning to watch. She thought they must have always been crackly! The horror!!

And lastly the person I think adores Classic film the most that I know is my thesis supervisor. He is so enthusiastic and got really excited the first time I met him that someone actually wanted to study classic film and not just be a filmmaker or writer like all the rest. I love his passion.

Me: I have a few friends that are into the classics but not too many of my family members or co-workers do.

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

Jessica: The 1940s is most definitely my favourite decade. I believe black and white was at it’s most beautiful then and even Technicolor was at it’s most glorious. But I also love it for the fashion. I adore vintage fashion and the 1940s was such a glamorous decade for women with both feminine and masculine elements in their clothing. I love 1950s fashion too but the 40s had a bit of a rebellious side to it that the 50s did not. After the war, the 50s stressed the feminine mystique and the importance of soft, obedient femininity. I can be a bit of a feminist sometimes.

Me: Mine is the 30's but the 40's was amazing as well!

9. What are some of your favorite film quotes?

Jessica: “And by the way… there’s a name for you ladies but it isn’t used in high society; outside of a kennel” – Crystal Allen (Joan Crawford) in ‘The Women’ (1939)

“All the religions of the world rolled into one and we’re gods and goddesses” – Margo Channing (Bette Davis) in ‘All About Eve’ (1950)

“Now it isn't that I don't like you, Susan, because, after all, in moments of quiet, I'm strangely drawn toward you, but - well, there haven't been any quiet moments” – David Huxley (Cary Grant) in ‘Bringin Up Baby’ (1938)

“One can feel nostalgia for places one has never seen” – Queen Christina (Greta Garbo) in ‘Queen Christina’ (1933)

“I AM big! It’s the PICTURES that got SMALL!” – Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ (1950)

And oh so many more!

Me: Some good choices there Jess! Can't go wrong with The Women!

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

Jessica: A whole lot! I’m very close to owning 1000 Classic films on DVD but there are so many in my collection that I haven’t watched. Too many to even begin to name!

Me: Haha..sounds like me. I stopped counting once I got to 800 and that was about 5 years ago. So if I had to guess I am close to 1100 now.

11. What is your favorite genre?

Jessica: Those wonderfully emotionally intense films that cross women’s melodrama with Film Noir. I love to feel completely emotionally drained after a film; preferably due to a good cry. The best feeling!

Me: Cool

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

Jessica: Hmmmm… Everyone would have to come as they’re favourite actor, actress or film character (I would come as Lucille Ball!) and there would be film based games like charades, ‘name that quote’ and pictionary (Oh yeah, I’m cool). Then perhaps a film screening if we’re not all too hyped up to sit around and ignore each other for two hours. Oh and the food would be based on party food that was eaten during in the Golden Age. What that would be though, I have no idea. I just thought it sounded inventive, heehee!

Me: Sounds fantastic! I would come as Cary Grant.

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

Jessica: Please don’t hurt me…

‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961)

‘West Side Story’ (1961)

And anything with Judy Garland (except ‘The Wizard of Oz’)… sorry folks!

Me: Oh you just named two films I can't stand either...Tiffany's and West Side Story!

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

Jessica: One of my best friends, Emily. She especially loves Asian cinema and in particular horror and anime which I can get into occasionally too. We used to have horror movies nights were we’d go to the video store and hire out whole bunch of whatever looked like horror films (no matter how cheesy the cover!) and watch for hours and hours at night. We’d go from a really top notch horror film and being genuinely terrified, to a ridiculously low budget horror with blood so bright it HAD to be made of tomato sauce! Really fun nights. She does enjoy a good Classic too.

Me: I love watching horror movies. Every October that is all I watch. Emily sounds cool!

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

Norma Desmond from ‘Sunset Boulevard’, Margo Channing from ‘All About Eve’, Crystal Allen from ‘The Women’, Helen Wright from ‘Humoresque’, Susan Vance form ‘Bringing Up Baby’, Julia from ‘Julia Misbehaves’ (1948), Nick and Nora from ‘The Thin Man’ films, Terry McKay played by both Irene Dunne and Deborah Kerr in ‘Love Affair’ (1939) and ‘An Affair to Remember’ (1957) and lots more!

Oh, and I know it’s not technically film but can I add Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) from the ‘I Love Lucy’ (1951-57) series? I just adore her with all my heart!

Thanks Monty!! =) xx

Me: Oh some good choices once again Jess. Oh and thank you for be my guest this month and getting me and my blog back on track. And I hope everyone enjoyed having Jessica drop by this month. Please remember to check out her amazing tumblr page. 

My love of classic films is beyond measure

Monty

Sweet 16 Matches

Here are the match ups for round four or better known as Sweet Sixteen. Matches will begin tonight and run through Thursday night.

30'S ERA

1 GRETA GARBO vs 3 GINGER ROGERS
1 CAROLE LOMBARD vs 3 JOAN CRAWFORD

40'S ERA

1 JUDY GARLAND vs 5 GENE TIERNEY
1 BETTE DAVIS vs 2 LUCILLE BALL

50'S ERA

1 GRACE KELLY vs 2 DEBBIE REYNOLDS
1 ELIZABETH TAYLOR vs 5 JANET LEIGH

60'S ERA

1 JEAN SIMMONS vs 3 ANN-MARGRET
1 NATALIE WOOD vs 3 CATHERINE DENEUVE

As you can see there are still several top seeds left. And a couple of 5 seeds in Gene Tierney and Janet Leigh, who continue to surprise us all.