Classic Movie Goddess Of The Month: Ann Sheridan

Who better than Ann Sheridan to kick off March for my classic movie goddess blog. She is pretty high on my favorite actress list at number 4 and I feel she was very under-rated as an actress. She may have excelled at playing the tough dames alongside the likes of Bogart, Raft, and Garfield but she also displayed a knack for light comedy in The Man Who Came To Dinner, The Doughgirls, and I Was A Male War Bride. Below is her bio that I grabbed and pasted from IMDB. For the rest of the month, I will post some pics of Ann and facts and trivia that maybe some of you didn't know about her. And of course I will list her essential films in my opinion that showcase Ann at her very best. Mind you I haven't seen all of her films, but the ones I have will be the ones I will list. And plus full length reviews of some of her films as well. Plus a side piece about her on my friend Kate Gabrielle's blog Silents and Talkies. Kate, I have no idea what that will entail either, so give me a week or two to decide what I will write about. So,on with Ann's bio and a few pics of her as well.

Clara Lou Sheridan was born February 21, 1915, in Denton, Texas, to an automobile mechanic and his homemaker wife. The youngest of five children, she grew up in a normal childhood environment. She was a self-described tomboy and was very athletic, and played on the girls basketball team for North Texas State Teacher's College, where she was planning to enter the teaching field. Her sister thought her beautiful enough to send in a picture of Ann in a bathing suit to Paramount Studios. The "Search for Beauty" contest carried, as the prize, a screen test and a bit part in a movie. She won and was signed to a contract at the age of 19. Her first film was the prize: a bit role in Wagon Wheels (1934). Performing under her real name of Clara Lou, she appeared in 12 more films that year, most designed to showcase her beauty along with other starlets that Paramount had signed. Twelve more bit parts followed in 1935. The following year, she left Paramount and signed with Warner Brothers, where more of the same followed. It wasn't until 1938 that Clara Lou, now Ann, landed a role with substance as Laury Ferguson in Angels with Dirty Faces (1938). Known as the "Oomph Girl," a nickname she detested, she became one of the most glamorous women in Hollywood. Rex Harrison said of her, "I was struck by her extraordinary magnetism and directness," and noted that he liked her "distinctive quality of earthiness that never transcends to blatant sexiness." Her beauty made her a favorite pin-up, along with Betty Grable.

She grew into a leading star who could adapt to any role. She was put into a lot of comedies, many of which were quite forgettable, but the public loved her, and critics began to take notice of her after terrific performances in Torrid Zone (1940) and as the saucy waitress who marries George Raft in They Drive by Night (1940). She was also singled out for another standout performance in Kings Row (1942) with future politician Ronald Reagan. She starred with Cary Grant in Howard Hawks screwball comedy I Was a Male War Bride (1949). As she entered the 1950s, however, her career went into a decline. She was aging -- as was sadly evident in her last film, the turgid Woman and the Hunter (1957) -- and a crop of younger actresses coming up meant her services were no longer in demand. She moved to New York and took whatever acting jobs she could find, whether on stage or TV. Most soap opera fans may remember her in "Another World" (1964), but she is best remembered by TV audiences as Henrietta Hanks in the western comedy "Pistols 'n' Petticoats" (1966). Her career was taking off again, but the success was short-lived. Ann died on January 21, 1967, in San Fernando Valley, California, of cancer. She didn't get to live out her series' first season. She was 51.

New Poll Started

Since it's Oscar season, this month poll poses the question from the glorious year of 1939. If not Gone With The Wind, what would you choose as Best Film out of the other nominees. The other 9 films that were nominated that year were The Wizard Of Oz, Wuthering Heights, Ninotchka, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, Of Mice and Men, Love Affair, Stagecoach, Dark Victory, and Goodbye, Mr. Chips. You have all month to make a selection. Enjoy and let the choosing begin.

Poll Results - Favorite Movie Pairing

A poll that I started during the holidays asked the question who was your favorite movie pairing. And it became a three team race between Astaire & Rogers, Powell & Loy, and Grant & Dunne. Coming in third was Cary Grant and Irene Dunne with 15% (8 votes). Second was WIlliam Powell and Myrna Loy with  17% (9 votes) and coming in first was the super dance team of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers with 19% (10 votes). A total of 51 votes was accumulated and I like to thank everyone who voted. Check out my new poll that I just created for the month of March about the Oscars.

All Good Things In March

In addition to my daily movie viewing next month, here are some other things I have planned in March.
The classic movie goddess will be one of my favorites, Ann Sheridan. I also promised Kate over at Silents and Talkies I would contribute a piece about Ann on her blog. I will do a spotlight on actress Brooke Bundy as I have promised by buddy C. Parker over at Starlet Showcase. And start a new poll since my last one will expire tonight. I think my new poll will focus on something about the Oscar. So I hope to be very busy next month, which begins in less than 6 hours from now. But at least I will enjoy what I'm doing. Oh and Dawn, we will get around to discussing Doris Day too, I promise. And plus regular postings on the other blogs I contribute to like FilmPhiles, Noir and Chick Flicks, Westerns, etc. So many blogs, so little time.

31 Days of Movies - Monty style

During next month, which also happens to be my birthday (the 31st) I am planning to watch at least one classic movie a day. That used to not be a problem but with work and other responsibilities and blogging, exercising, etc, there is not enough time in the day. But for next month I will try my very best to do it. Once upon a time, I use to watch 2 or 3 a day, so hopefully this will get be back into the flow of things. And I will try to post a review of the film I watch, if not I will at least mention it on my blog.  I sometimes feel like Cary Grant from Bringing Up Baby in the picture to your left. The first movie of the month for tomorrow night will be 42nd Street. I am taking a page from Nicole over at Vintage Film Nerd, who manages to see at least one classic film a day. My hats off to you Nicole. Keep up the good work as I do enjoy reading your blog.

Classic Movie Goddess Of The Month: Elizabeth Taylor Part 5

Happy 78th birthday to Liz Taylor today.

Review: These Three (1936)

I watched this excellent film a few days ago and I thought it was one of the best films I've ever seen. Based on the Lillian Hellman play, The Children's Hour, the main storyline has been changed from lesbianism to a heterosexual triangle involving two women and a man. But the film still remains a solid dramatic effort. The film casts Miriam Hopkins as Martha and Merle Oberon as Karen, college roommates, who graduate and face the future with no place and no money.

Karen, however, has inherited a farmhouse from her grandmother, and gets the idea that she and Martha can turn it into a school for girls. They travel to the farmhouse, which turns out to be quite rundown, and all hope seems lost, until they meet Dr. Joe Cardin (played by Joe Cardin), who tells them not to give up, to take out a loan, fix up the farmhouse, and it will work out. And before you know it, the school is open and full of young girls. And Karen starts falling in love with Joe. Even though Martha longs for the good doc herself. All seems to go according to plan, until one student devises a scheme for revenge for being punished by the teachers. The student is Mary Tildford (played by Bonita Granville) as the child from hell. Her lie about an affair between Karen and Joe spreads quickly and all over town. And before you know it the parents quickly remove their kids from the school without an explanation to the titular three. Well Joe decides he wants answers and goes to Mary's grandmother's house to get some. Mary's grandmother is played by the wonderful Alma Kruger. Once there the story comes out to the three young people, they can't believe that this has happened. There is a trial and the whole town is against our three young individuals. After the trial Karen decides it's best if Joe leaves as she is preparing to close down the school. Flash forward a few months later and the truth finally comes out that Mary made the whole thing up and even bullied her classmate Rosalie (a superb Marcie Mae Jones) to corroborate her story. But the damage has been done, that has ruined the lives of three people. Martha finds out and is relieved but still saddened. Karen goes looking for Joe, who is living abroad and they end up together finally.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film from beginning to end. I thought all the actors involved gave very strong performances beginning with Hopkins who had the most delicate of the lead roles and she delivered it superbly. Hopkins shows that she can act when the need arises. Oberon was good also, but got kind of overshadowed by Hopkins in some scenes. It's not her fault, it's just that Martha is the juicier of the two roles. McCrea is his typical strong leading man self. Granville is truly monstrous as the child brat who is just teeming with hatred and deceit. But she finally gets what coming to her when her playhouse comes falling apart and gets one of the all time best film slaps in the face ever. And guess who delivers it.. none other than Margaret Hamilton, the wicked witch of the west, from The Wizard Of Oz. Hamilton plays the maid for Mrs. Tilford. And I cheered when she gave that slap to Granville. I was like finally someone steps up to give that girl what she truly deserved. These Three was expertly directed by the great William Wyler, who would also direct the remake, The Children's Hour (1962) with Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine. I haven't seen that version but I doubt it can be any better than this classic. This is what you get when you get all the stars aligned with great performances, solid direction, and that old Hollywood magic. These Three is a must see.
A-

Recently Purchased DVDS

Just bought two classic movie DVD sets, one with Cary Grant and the other with Frank Sinatra. There are 5 films in each set and I paid $40 bucks for both sets. Awesome deal. The Cary Grant set is called Screen Legend Collection and features 5 of Cary's early films. They are:

Thirty Day Princess (1934) with Sylvia Sidney
Kiss And Make Up (1934) with Helen Mack and Edward Everett Horton
Wings in the Dark (1935) with Myrna Loy
Big Brown Eyes (1936) with Joan Bennett
Wedding Present (1936) with Joan again.

And it will be a treat because I've never seen any of these films.

On the Sinatra set, the films are:

The Man With The Golden Gun (1955) with Kim Novak
Marriage on the Rocks (1965) with Deborah Kerr and pal Dean Martin
None But The Brave (1965) with Clint Walker and Tommy Sands
Some Came Running (1959) with Dean Martin and Shirley Maclaine
The Tender Trap (1955) with Debbie Reynolds

Now I have seen Some Came Running and The Tender Trap but it's been awhile. So all in all, 10 movies for $40 bucks is a heck of a deal. I got them at this local video store called Movie Stop. I have spent much money there over the years. Just wanted to share this with everyone.

Review: The Holiday (2006)

Well done romantic comedy/drama that features all four leads in great form. Let me start out by saying that Kate Winslet is one of my favorite modern era actress. She is awesome. For me it's Kate and Sandra Bullock, then everyone else. I've loved her ever since Heavenly Creatures (1994). Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz are women who are having men trouble and decide to switch homes over the Christmas holiday. Each will stay at each other houses to get away from their normal routine and away from their significant opposites. Kate comes to LA while Cameron goes to England. Jack Black and Jude Law play the new men who come into their lives. A very pleasing film with solid performances by all, especially Kate Winslet. Kate is one of the best actress in today's cinema. Cameron is funny as usual and gorgeous. Jack Black gives a surprising engaging performance as the guy who falls for Winslet. And Jude Law who in past movies can be very annoying is actually pretty good here. And veteran Eli Wallach almost steals the movie as a writer from Hollywood's golden age who becomes friends with Winslet. You will laugh and cry and enjoy this wonderful movie. The Holiday is one of me and wife's favorite movies.
B+


Graham: "Long distance relationships can work, you know."
Amanda: "Really? I can't make one work when I live in the same house with someone"

Review: The Lady Eve (1941)

Flixster - Share Movies

Very entertaining screwball comedy from Preston Sturges that teams Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda.
Fonda shines in a rare early comedy role, his second with Ms. Stanwyck. They paired up three years earlier in the delightful The Mad Miss Manton (1938). Here he plays Charles Pike, a young rich man, on his way back from a year long scientific research in the Amazon, aboard a cruise ship. Charles is accompanied by his bodyguard/friend Ambrose, played by Sturges regular William Demarest. Charles is promptly tagged by con artists Jean Harrington (Stanwyck) and Harry (Charles Coburn) who pretend they are father and daughter and who love take rich people to the cleaners, mainly through cards. Well on this rare occasion, Jean falls in love with Charles and is ready to settle down. But Charles finds out about her past and things turn sour fast.

Having being jilted by Charles, Jean tries to get back at him by pretending to be a English woman who is visiting Charles family. Of course Charles thinks it's Jean, but she tells him her name is Eve and he promptly falls in love with her. Cue screwball antics. I love this movie. It's one of my favorites of all time. Stanwyck and Fonda show that they can do more than just drama and thrillers and are perfect in this film. One of the funniest scenes to me in this film is when Jean is checking out Charles with her mirror on the ship and pretends to do the conversation she sees Charles having with a young lady. It's hilarious as all get out. I wouldn't be surprised if some of that was ad-libbed the way Barbara handles the scene. It's awesome. The duo get great support from Coburn and Demarest. One of the best screwball comedies ever made. And directed with the usual great flair by Preston Sturges.
B+