Championship Match is now set...GINGER ROGERS vs NATALIE WOOD

Well, well, well..if you had told me at the start of the favorite classic movie actress tournament, featuring 128 women, that the final match would be between Ginger Rogers and Judy Garland, I would have said no way! But that was what it was looking like up until 5 hours ago. While Ginger made it, Judy faltered down the stretch. Natalie Wood, who had been down the entire match since day one, made a furious comeback on the final day to beat Judy 140-130. So Wood, who was in the final four last year, only to lose to Vivien Leigh in a semi-final match, now is headed to the championship match.  And she will need to bring her A game as Ginger Rogers has been rolling in the tourney ever since she knocked off defending champion Irene Dunne. So as we get set for the final match which will begin on Saturday morning, here is how the ladies got here to the promised land.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

GINGER ROGERS (30'S ERA CHAMPION)

Defeated Joan Blondell 58-30

Hattie McDaniel 85-42

Irene Dunne 264-214

Greta Garbo 177-78

Carole Lombard 141-94

Grace Kelly 184-56

As you can see Ginger's fans came out when she battled Irene Dunne and never went away as she

has steamrolled over everyone else...

VS

NATALIE WOOD (60'S ERA CHAMPION)

Defeated Stella Stevens 52-9

Hayley Mills 57-29

Jane Fonda 65-59

Catherine Deneuve 53-32

Jean Simmons 45-25

Judy Garland 140-130

Natalie had only one real nail biter before her match with Judy and that was against Jane Fonda in round three where she prevailed by 6 votes. But this comeback victory over Judy Garland has to be one of her biggest wins, as it gets her into the final match for the very first time. Way to go Natalie!

The match starts Saturday morning and will conclude on Tuesday evening and then we will have our Favorite Classic Movie Actress champion of 2012. And yes I am going for Natalie!


My love of classic films is beyond measure

Monty

A new photo series dedicated to Springtime...

I have decided to start another photo series. This one called Springtime. As warm weather has hit most of the world, wanted to share some pics of classic stars that fits this occasion. I will post a pic a day. And we begin with this very cute pic of the lovely Bette Davis! Enjoy!

Bette Davis

Happy Birthday Bette Davis (1908 - 1989)

Happy Birthday to Bette Davis. I can't believe TCM is not showing a movie or two in her honor today. But that's cool. Because one of my recent birthday gifts was a Bette DVD collection consisting of Jezebel, Dark Victory, Old Acquaintance and Now, Voyager (of which Voyager is the only one I have never seen). So looks like I will have a mini-marathon of Bette movies when I get home from work today. At least watch Now, Voyager and one other film. Probably Dark Victory. Sounds like a good double bill..don't you think?

The Morning Movie: THE TUNNEL OF LOVE (1958)

As I was getting ready for work this morning, I caught some of The Tunnel Of Love on TCM. Part of Doris Day week, this cute little comedy co-starred Richard Widmark. Yes, Richard Widmark, more known for dramas and crime thrillers, he was in this little comedy with Doris. And guess what, he was pretty funny. The story from what I gathered invovles a couple (Day and Widmark) trying to adopt a baby. Through a series of misunderstandings, the wife thinks her husband is cheating on her and has another woman pregnant. Lots of confusion takes place in this movie, but it all works itself out by the end. I laughed quite a bit while watching it this morning. But now I need to see the first part, as I missed about 30 minutes of it.

Doris and Richard as the wonderfully named Isolde and Augie Poole

Be My Guest: Marsha Collock aka Flick Chick

This month, my guest is the much loved and well known Marsha. Better known as Flick Chick. She has this wondrous page at Facebook. And one cool blog called A Person in the Dark. I was glad she accepted by invite to be my guest this month so we can all get more acquainted with her. So let's get right to it shall we..

Me: What made you start blogging?

Marsha: I love to write and I love movies, so I took a small plunge with a little post and just got carried away! I don't know how long I'll keep it up, but for now, it is rewarding.

Me: Well I for one hope you keep going for a very long time.

Me: Who are your favorite classic film stars? Name as many as you want

Marsha: I am sure this is a hard question for most film lovers and like most others, my favorites have changed over the years. I'll try to confine it to my top 5 male and female stars:

Male

Cary Grant

Charlie Chaplin

James Cagney

Buster Keaton

William Holden

But may I add: Douglas Fairbanks, Sr, Jack Lemmon, Peter O'Toole, Edward G. Robinson and William Powell?

Female:

Ann Dvorak

Audrey Hepburn

Vivien Leigh

Joan Crawford

Doris Day

But just can't omit: Clara Bow, Mary Pickford, Ann Sheridan, Susan Hayward, Hayley Mills, Jean Harlow, Irene Dunne and Kay Francis.

Me: Your list was immediately great when you led off with Cary Grant!

Me: What are some of your favorite films? 

Marsha: Sunset Boulevard, City Lights, Vertigo, North By Northwest, Gigi, The Apartment, Laurel & Hardy's Big Business, and a bunch more!

Me: Some excellent films there Marsha. Especially Sunset Boulevard and The Apartment.

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

Marsha: The very first classic film and star that I became enamored of was James Cagney in "The Public Enemy," which I happened to catch on a Sunday afternoon on WNEW channel 5 in NY. I was probably about 11 or 12. Prior to that, I discovered that I had the capacity to sit through multiple viewings of the same film (a sure sign of a movie junkie), when WOR channel 9 showed Abbott and Costello's "The Time of Their Lives" on Million Dollar Movie. The same movie ran every night during the week and I didn't miss one showing. The first classic film I saw in a theater was a re-release of "Gone With the Wind." Before it went to TV, this was a very big deal. And just to bring the story full circle, when the "Theme From Tara" started to play, I immediately thought "hey, that's the theme from Million Dollar Movie!" Anyone from NY in the 60s will know what I mean!

Me: Awesome Marsha!

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

Marsha: Vertigo took a few viewings, now I'm obsessed (in a good way, of course). I admit it took a few viewings for Casablanca to grow on me (but now it has). I always have a bit of a problem with Bogart. I always end up liking him, but I have to force myself to sit down and watch him.

Me: I see...I was the same way with Vertigo as well.

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

Marsha dreaming of the perfect movie to watch...

Marsha: Seeing a classic film on the big screen with others is a treat, of course, and nothing beats seeing a silent with an audience full of people and live music. But, my first experience was alone, one the floor with a bowl of popcorn, getting lost in black and white (ok - everything was black and white in those days!), so I guess that still remains my favorite (but on the sofa now, not the floor!).

Me: Cool..nothing can beat a sofa in the comfort of your own home.

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

Marsha: Zero (though some pretend to be interested). This is why blogging and Facebook has proved to be such a blessing. It's been great fun to connect with people who share the same passion.

Me: Cool. And it is great to meet fellow classic movie lovers blogging and on facebook I completely agree. 

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

Marsha: That depends on what phase I am going through. All eras have been my favorite at one time or another. Right now, I seem to be loving the 50s.

Me: The 30's is my fave, but I love the 50's too.

Me: What are some of your favorite film quotes?

Marsha: Some favorites that I use are"

"It's lavish, but I call it home" - Waldo Lydecker, "Laura"

and a bunch from "Sunset Boulevard":

"All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."

"They'll love it in Pomona"

"Stars are ageless"

"If you need any help with the coffin, call me."

Me: What classic films have you yet to see for one reason or another?

Marsha: I have not seen as many classic foreign films as I'd like, so high on my list are:

Belle de Jour

The Bicycle Thief

Breathless, and

The Earring of Madame de.....

Me: Oh Marsha, you need to see Belle de Jour. In fact you need to see all of Catherine Deneuve's films ASAP. Kim Wilson can back me up on that.

Monty: What is your favorite genre?

Marsha: This again depends on the phase I am in. I am not a war or western fan (just a typical chick). I blow hot and cold with Noir - but I love a good mystery spiced with a sense of humor.

Me: cool

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

Marsha: Oohh, I would love to throw a "Dinner at Eight" party. Naturally, I would be a platinum blonde in a tight, white satin evening gown! The entire theme would be white, and I would have white phones and boxes of bon-bons strategically placed throughout.  Cocktails would be made in elegant, silver cocktail shakers, dinner would be served at eight (naturally), and the aspic would make it to the table!

Me: Sweet! I imagine it would be one heck of a party!

Me:  What are some films that are widely loved that you couldn't care less about?

Marsha: The Godfather and all sequels. Plus any war movies, great or otherwise. Sorry, I am a total chick.

Me: That's cool Marsha...

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

Marsha: Well, there are a few people on my FlickChick Facebook page (who I won't name) who are just amazing. They blow me away with their knowledge and love of film. But, one film lover I truly admire is Woody Allen, whose movies always show his love of the medium. However, I will give a shout out to my late Aunt Lois who had photos of Rudolph Valentino on her bedroom wall as a teen and always referred to Jean Harlow as "Jean," as though she knew her personally. Here's the link to Marsha's FB page:  flickchick

Me: That's great Marsha. And might I add, your FlickChick page is just amazing.

Me: And finally who are some of your favorite film characters?

Marsha: The Little Tramp, CK Dexter Haven, Gigi and - my all time favorite, Lina Lamont from "Singing in the Rain." That character deserved her own movie!

Me: Can't argue with you there. 

I hope everyone enjoyed having Marsha (flickchick) stop by here this month and now know her just a little bit better. Please stop by a her amazing blog if you haven't before. It's a treat. Thanks again Marsha for coming by. Here's the link to her blog btw:  A Person in the Dark

My love of classic films is beyond measure

Monty

THE FINAL FOUR is now set...with Ginger, Judy, Grace and Natalie

We now have our 4th final four finalist and her name is Judy Garland. Well in another hour, she will be, as she continues to lead over Bette Davis. It is just a formality as Judy has a sizable lead that I don't think Bette can overcome. Judy will join fellow bracket winners Ginger Rogers, Grace Kelly and Natalie Wood in the Final Four. What's so impressive about Judy Garland's soon to be victory is that she didn't even make the cut last year and compete at all. Well she made up for that this year with some impressive wins, including victories over Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, and now Bette Davis. She will now face Natalie Wood, who made it to the final four last year. Meanwhile Ginger Rogers will square off against another final four returnee in Grace Kelly. The matches begin Tuesday morning and will run through Friday evening. Then the winners of those two matches will face each other in the championship match beginning on Saturday. A champion will then be crowned on Tuesday night. Good luck to all four women. And the matches will all take place here on All Good Things. So please do drop by to cast your vote. Can Grace or Natalie make it to the championship match this year? Can Ginger Rogers win it all and make it two years in a row that the 30's era winner has won the tourney? Or will Judy Garland sing and dance her way to victory? Exciting scenarios all the way round.

SEMI-FINAL MATCH 1

1 GRACE KELLY (50'S ERA WINNER)

VS

3 GINGER ROGERS (30'S ERA WINNER)

-----------------------------------------

SEMI-FINAL MATCH 2

1 JUDY GARLAND (40'S ERA WINNER)

VS

1 NATALIE WOOD (60'S ERA WINNER)

Grace Kelly and Natalie Wood are in the Final Four for the second year in a row

The 50's and 60's era final matches are completed and we have our first final four finalists. And guess what, they're the same two actresses who made the final four last year. Grace Kelly and Natalie Wood. Kelly edged out Elizabeth Taylor in the 50's era final match 48-40 while Natalie Wood ripped Jean Simmons 45-25 in the 60's era final match. So Kelly and Wood will make a return trip to the final four. The only difference will be who will they face. Last year Kelly took on eventual tourney champion Irene Dunne while Wood faced Vivien Leigh. Well both those women are gone. Looks like Kelly will face Ginger Rogers, who is lighting up my girl Carole Lombard in the 30's era final by the count of 137-92 with less than a hour to go. Meanwhile over in the 40's era, Bette Davis and Judy Garland are trading blows back and forth with Garland currently holding an 10 vote egde. Their match will conclude on tomorrow. And the winner will face Natalie. And then the final four will kick off on Tuesday with the two semi-final matches. And run thru Friday night. We will then begin the championship match on Saturday and run thru Tuesday night.

My Favorite Things I love about Greta Garbo

Today marks the first day of a new month which means a new classic movie goddess. And that honor goes to the one and only Greta Garbo. All month long I will post pics, facts, trivia, and of course reviews of her films.

I will begin with my usual series called My Favorite Things. The things I love most about Greta.

1. The voice. Her very distinct voice was one of the best assets Greta had.

2. Her face. So beautiful and was actually her nickname at one point.

3. A true icon. You say Garbo, and everybody knows who you are talking about.

4. While she did tons of melodramas, my favorite film of hers is the romantic comedy, Ninotchka.

5. Her great style of fashion. No one looked better in a beret than she did.

6.  Extremely talented. Watch any of her films and it is acting 101. Pure and simple.


7. Just because...she is GARBO!