It was close but Kate gets by Audrey in The Battle of the Hepburns

For the latest Classic Stars Match Play, it was Katharine Hepburn edging out Audrey Hepburn 19-17. It was an exciting match which saw Audrey staging a late rally after she had felled behind by as many as 6 points. I like both actresses so it was a fun match to see. Kate improves her overall match play record to 3-1 with her sole loss to Ingrid Bergman while Audrey drops to 2-2. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to vote and I will have the next match up and running within a few days.

THE FALL SERIES: Natalie Wood and Robert Redford

Natalie and Robert listening attentively..and check out Charles Bronson in the back

Irene Dunne in THEODORA GOES WILD (1936)

Dunne plays small town girl Theodora Lynn, who lives with her two aunts in the quaint little town of Lynnfield. The town is small and pretty much ran by the women who likes to keep things simple and nice and decent. The women's literary club are at constant odds with the local newspaper who likes to run articles about the author Caroline Adams, who is a famous writer, known for her scandalous stories. The catch is Theodora is actually Caroline and lives a double life, keeping her family and townspeople in the dark about her other half. Theodora visits her uncle in New York, who has been written off by the family because of his own reputation. She uses that as her cover to see her publisher, who constantly tries to convince her to meet her adoring fans. Theodora holds her ground and ends up meeting Michael Grant, who is her book jacket illustrator, played by the always entertaining Melvyn Douglas. Once Theodora leaves New York to head back home, Michael follows her and makes life for her very complicated. The nosy townspeople wonder what he's doing in town and Theodora quickly puts him to work around her family's house. Of course things become harder and harder to keep secret especially when Theodora falls in love in Michael. There are a few dramatic scenes in this movie, like when Theodora goes off on the other women in town about her relationship with Michael. And a subplot involving a friend of Theodora who is run off from town because of the man she chose to marry, and eventually have a child with. But there are lots of moments of screwball hilarity that will have you busting a gut. Irene Dunne, one of my favorites, excels in these types of roles and she hits the mark again with this one. Her natural flair for comedy is most evident in her scenes with Douglas. They make quite the charming pair.

Theodora Goes Wild is one of the best screwball comedies ever made. And Dunne proves she is definitely one of the queens of comedy. I would rank her right up there with Carole Lombard and Myrna Loy. I enjoyed this film from start to finish. I loved the dog that Douglas's character picked up on the way into town and named him Jake...and the bond the two formed. I loved Theodora's two aunts, who were at first like all the other women in town, wound too tight and didn't care for any signs of questionable characters. But once they found out that their niece was the scandalous novelist, they didn't hesitate to have Theodora's back and slam anyone else for thinking bad of her. I also loved the newspaper editor who liked irking the Women's Literary Group just for the heck of it. All so many little things and other characters made this a highly entertaining movie. One I could watch over and over.

Film: A
Irene's performance: A

Classic Horror Films: Day 23 (THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY - 1945)

Though most of us will never have to face horrors featured in so many scary films – well, I really hope so.. - there is one “horror” each and every one has to deal with – some will have problems when they have to face it themselves – others when their love ones are affected: Mortality.

And that’s the theme of the film I am going to present today – based on the book by my adored Oscar Wilde:

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)

Victorian London: Dandy Dorian Gray (Hurd Hatfield) has his portrait taken by artist Basil Hallward (Lowell Gilmore) - and wishes for immortal youth and beauty.

When he later notices that his wish came true and all the wickedness he does is not affecting his looks but those of his portrait there is no more self-effacement for him – unwittingly encouraged by cynical friend Lord Henry Wotton (George Sanders).

But after some years Dorian plans to marry Basil’s niece Gladys (Donna Reed) and when Basil wants to re-visit his masterpiece – soon there will be blood dripping of the hand of the pictured Dorian Gray..

Wonderfully done –I especially love Angela Lansbury’s performance as sweet Sybil Vane – she looks of course gorgeous – her acting is just wonderful. Oh, and Peter Lawford is in this film, too.. And I am happy that they took some of the witty Oscar Wilde lines from the book - so you might catch some nice phrases to show your friends how witty/intellectual (based on the knowledge of your audience..) you are..

As a nice gimmick in my opinion the whole film is done in b/w – just the famous picture is shown in Technicolor. Very effective, I must say!

This might not be your classical monster film (anyway – seems like I am here for doing the not so scary films, Monty – ain’t I? ...) – but as often quoted in this film - and maybe the motto of at least my life:

“I myself am heaven and hell.”

And I think that is not only true but from times to times quite scary..

..and so is growing old..

..excuse me now: I need moisturizer..

RIGHT NOW.

The top 4 seeds in the 40's era of Hitchcock tournament all advance

The top four seeds of the 40's era of the Hitchcock tournament all advanced to the next round and shapes up to be a pair of exciting matches. Top seed Rebecca crushed Rope 18-5 and 4th seed Suspicion edged out Hitch's only full comedy film, Mr. and Mrs. Smith 11-9. Sorry to see my girl Carole exit another tournament early. 2nd seed Notorious beat Lifeboat 14-7 and 3rd seed Shadow of a Doubt defeated Spellbound. So now the semi-final matches set up like this: Joan Fontaine will battle herself as her films Rebecca and Suspicion square off in match 1 while Notorious will face Shadow of a Doubt. Matches begin immediately and will run through Tuesday noon. Good luck to all the films.

MATCH 1

1 REBECCA (1940)

VS

4 SUSPICION (1941)

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

MATCH 2

2 NOTORIOUS (1946)

VS

3 SHADOW OF A DOUBT (1943)

Birthday Roll Call: October 22nd

Happy Birthday to these four leading ladies and the happy coincidence that three of them
had fellow acting sisters...thank you Irene:

CONSTANCE BENNETT (1904 - 1965) Sister of Joan

Favorite films: Topper, Merrily We Live,
What Price Hollywood?


JOAN FONTAINE (1917 - present) Sister of Olivia de havilland

Favorite films: The Women, Rebecca, Suspicion


CATHERINE DENEUVE (1943 - present) Sister of Francois Dorleac

Favorite films: Repulsion, Belle de Jour, The Last Metro



ANNETTE FUNICELLO (1942 - present)


Favorite films: Beach Blanket Bingo, Beach Party

THE FALL SERIES: Elizabeth Montgomery

The enchanting Elizabeth Montgomery

THE LADY VANISHES knocks off THE 39 STEPS to land a spot in the final four...

Relax guys, you won the 30's era..now on to the final four

I am thrilled to announce that The Lady Vanishes (my favorite Alfred Hitchcock film ever) knocked off The 39 Steps 15-5 in the 30's era to secure a spot in the final four of the favorite Hitchcock film tournament. It must now wait on the other three eras to see what films it will be facing. Congrats to The Lady Vanishes.

THE FALL SERIES: Gloria Grahame

Gloria in this knockout of a dress!

Classic Horror Films: Day 20 (THE BAT - 1959)

Usually women in horror films are poor little creatures just screaming their souls out - chased by some maniac killer, aren’t they? You have the picture, right?

Great. Now take the lady from your imagination – and insert one of my all-time favourite actresses: Agnes Moorehead. Does the lady still look weak? Not really.. Endora from Bewitched wouldn't give in, would she?

That sassy woman (as gorgeous as always) now needs an equal partner, doesn’t she? So – we just take the crush of my life: Vincent Price – and we have what? Sure! The film of the day:

The Bat (1959)

Cornelia van Gorder (Agnes Moorehead) is a popular author of crime stories. With her housekeeper Lizzie (Lenita Lane) she just moved into the mansion of shortly diseased John Fleming (Harvey Stephens) – who had embezzled $ 1 Mio. from his bank and hidden somewhere in his house.

Dangerous situation – because also serial killer “The Bat” is searching the house for the money – and leaving some dreadful killed victims. Chauffeur Warner (John Sutton) is very suspect – and so is Dr. Wells (Vincent Price).. Will Lt. Anderson (Gavin Gordon) get “the bat” in time?

What can I say? I love it. Gorgeous cast – and for those who like to see what happened to former child actors: Darla Hood - yes, sweet Darla from Our Gang - has a part in this film, too..