[gallery]

Yes, for all the faults that people claimed she had, she was humble enough to read all her own letters and answer all her own fan-mail! That makes her one of the top, in my book!

Mame (1974)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—-I do believe that Mame is probably the movie-musical I love the most! And, Jerry Herman is a flippin’ genius! And, despite the fact that most would argue to the contrary, I think that Lucille Ball played the part perfectly well!

Highly recommended, with glamor and a score that just might stick with you for years!

New Year's a "best picture" don't make!

Here’s my movie-themed 2-cents for the day: It’s not saying much to claim that a film is “The best film of the year!” when the year has basically just began. Wait til December, then it might count.

PBS cooking shows

PBS cooking shows are the best! I find that they are more homey and warm-seeming than those on Food Network or what have you. Lidia’s Italy, Mexico: One Plate at a Time, and Lidia’s Italy: In America are so educational and visually amazing! And great soundtracks too! Thank you, PBS!

Rosie O'Donnel vs. Ellen vs. Bonnie Hunt

Back when The Rosie O’Donnell Show was popular in the mid-1990s, Rosie was the “it” thing, and her show had an old-fashioned showbiz appeal, while also being kid-friendly. After Rosie, The Ellen DeGeneres Show was basically the replacement. And, yes, I love Ellen and her show. But, it’s more modern in style and not nostalgic at all (nothing wrong w/ that, just saying…). Then, The Bonnie Hunt Show came, and I felt like finally, here’s a show that is really following in the footsteps of the original Rosie show. It was old-fashioned in it’s style, kid-friendly, and had nostalgic appeal, ala the show graphics. Dis anyone else see it that way? Yes, I like Ellen and her show. But, I prefer the style and mood that Rosie and Bonnie went with (with slight variations being that Rosie was more showbiz, Bonnie more homespun). I thought it was sooooo stupid when this show was canceled!

What's your favorite Dame Maggie Smith movie/role?

classicmoviehub:

In honor of Dame Maggie Smith’s birthday, we want to know what movies/roles you love her most in! 

This is a little late, but I think mine is “Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing”. Well, that’s my fav. movie in general. Rumor has is that Nicole Kidman is planning a remake to star in. But, she can’t top Maggie in my eyes. <3

As for fav role, I love her as Judith Hearne.

Hello, I wanted to respond to your note on a pin-up photo of Lucille Ball that I posted yesterday. The photo had a caption that Lucy would be appearing in a movie titled, "Personal Column". You mentioned that you had not heard of it and neither had I so I did a little research. As it turns out, Lucy's 1947 film "Lured" was known as "Personal Column" in the UK. I guess that's our answer! Best Wishes!!

Thank you so much for the kind reply. I must admit though, I was kinda hoping we were about to stumble across a hidden treasure of a long lost Lucy movie! Oh well… (^_^)

American Horror Story (2011- )

I like the occasional “scary” mystery (like Burnt Offerings or The Poltergeist Trilogy), as long as it doesn’t really “scare” me. I like to me intrigued, not scared stiff! I started watching the FX show, American Horror Story, and it’s just too much! Too much bad language and blood and just too much badness! I guess the kind of “horror” that isn’t so horrible is a rare thing indeed. Well, I’ll just say I’m sorry I even gave that show a chance…I am interested to see what happens, but I don’t think I should. So, I better bow-out now…

[audio http://storybellz.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/tumblr_lxk6zzcrzp1r01lioo1.mp3]

This is the opening theme to Dame Maggie Smith’s 2007 made-for-tv movie, “Capturing Mary”. Ah, the British television and films! Even their choice of sounds is compelling. In fact, I must admit that it’s the music that often helps me decide whether to keep watching  something or not. Because I have found that if I like the musical score, I usually like the story, in a similar way. It’s like you can’t have one without the other—-though, I would gladly listen to this music on it’s own, I’m not sure I can say the same of the movies. The musical score just makes such a difference!

And, luckily, I have enjoyed the musical scores of most of the movies I call my favorites…or…maybe that’s a big reason why I call them my favorites. Yes…yes, it is. : - )