BETTE DAVIS’ WITCHY FAMILY TREE
Did you know that Bette Davis was a direct descendant of the women of the Salem Witch Trials? That’s right! She sure was!
According to a fascinating documentary on Bette Davis called Stardust: The Bette Davis Story, she was related through her mother to the SWT.
So, the next time you think about those bewitching “Bette Davis eyes” or the next time you find yourself enjoying one of her haunting chiller classics, just remember—- you may just be under her spell!
Is anyone else having trouble with anonymous Tumblr message saying “You’re not going to like what they said about you on TumblrPic.com”?
Well, like a silly, I followed the link, concerned that I may have committed a copyright infringement with a picture on my page or something. And, I got nothing (or what seemed like nothing). No other website came up, just Tumblr telling me to sign in. And, well… I just logged in to Tumblr again to find a pornographic Halloween picture seemingly posted by me—-except that it wasn’t me!
How embarrassing! Now I know that when I clicked on that link and *I thought* it took me to nowhere/did nothing, what it really must have done was steal my info, i.e. password/username.
So, first of all, don’t click on links from anonymous users. And, secondly, if, after clicking on a link, you are asked to sign back in to Tumblr, do not do it!!
HALLOWEEN MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS: “Straight Jacket” (1964)
This chilling, creepy movie starring the iconic Joan Crawford will amuse you and confuse you. It will disturb you and unnerve you, as you start to realize what Fay Dunaway may have based her portrayal of “Mommie Dearest” on. And, it will relieve you as you entertain the thought that maybe Christina Crawford is actually Joan’s biggest fan after all? Hint-hint…
Low-budget bravado; simple, mellow, campy, fun, tacky movie-treasure! And, all in glorious black & white! Why is that significant? Well, as the lovely Hitchcock beauty, Ava Marie Saint once said in an interview (paraphrased), “Black and white is art. B&w films can be beautiful and are particularly suited to the horror, suspense and thriller genres, because the color’s contrast to reality protects the viewer from getting too carried away, thus acting as a protective shield between fantasy and reality, keeping the viewer nicely relaxed and entertained at the same time.”
I think it’s safe to lament that the days of the A-grade, sophisticated horror film generally ended with the end of black and white. In fact, I would venture to say that the late 1950s to 1960s was the only period in film history when the horror genre could be enjoyed by general audiences (with some parental supervision, of course). And, it was also the only period in which the genre could be described as eerily beautiful rather than repulsively grotesque.
Fortunately for us though, those horror gems still exist in various formats for us to enjoy. So, when you get a chance, treat yourself to a viewing of “Straight Jacket”—-you’ll love it!
Thanks! I figured if we are what we eat and all that jazz, then we are what we watch too—-esp. when we love it! By the way, you have a lovely blog!
If television didn’t exist, I’d probably be one of the folks working to invent it. I love me some TV!
Did you know that the world’s first commercial-television sets were sold in the US, the UK, and the Soviet Union only?
Yup. And, way back then (in 1928), they were unrecognizable compared to those of today; more like a weird-looking radio!
Source: Wikipedia
Quick: What year did the world’s first commercial television come out? Can anyone guess (no cheating!)?
Now, click here to see if you were right!
(via Minnie Mouse: Too Skinny at Barneys? – Style News - StyleWatch - People.com)
I’m sorry, but NONE of these classic characters should change their looks! It’s not so much the fact that she’s bone-thin that bothers me—-after all, Popeye’s Olive Oil was thin, and I have no issue with that, because it was what she was meant to be. She was a classic character with a set identity. And, that’s the point. Style is part of character—-and Minnie is a character loved by many. So, DON’T CHANGE HER STYLE!
And, to anyone who might want to argue that the change is only temporary, I can appreciate that. But, be warned: It’s a slippery slope, so we may as-well make our voices heard now.
First photos of Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly, in Grace of Monaco. Click here for more.
oh my god, what a deception, we send you all our apologizes for this mistake dear princess Grace, wherever you are now…
It’s true that Nicole Kidman is no Grace Kelly, but I am looking forward to seeing this, nonetheless! Always fascinated by a good biopic!
ode:
A kind of poem devoted to the praise of a person, animal, or thing. An ode is usually written in an elevated style and often expresses deep feeling. An example is “ Ode on a Grecian Urn,” by John Keats.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition.
Some people say that you’re no good,
so, perhaps I like you more than I should?
But, Miss Jean Brodie,
I shall stay,
and repent my sins another day.
That is to say,
if you’re no good,
I like you more than others would.
You mention that you’re in your prime,
you say it’s such a special time,
you tell your girls when they get older,
they’ll know love and they’ll live bolder.
Some people say that you’re no good,
so perhaps I like you more than it should?
Dear Miss Brodie, teach me how,
to be myself,
an upper brow,
To know the world of which you speak,
to know when I am at my peak,
To nurture every special whim,
to be like you,
“the crème de la crème”
From you, I’ll learn the truth in me,
although you’re an authority,
your peers claim you abuse your power,
but above such petty talk you tower,
it’s not your fault what others see,
they’re blind to your nobility,
honestly, I think you’re great,
you make me want to celebrate!
Truth, love, and beauty you teach,
and yes, you practice what you preach,
and though you clash much with the school,
it’s only cause you’re no one’s fool.
I’m sorry you got ratted out,
I believe your girls, you cared about,
Sandy was a frightful child,
Took off her clothes, and acted wild,
some say like you,
but I protest!
Her motives ought to be undressed!
But you meant well,
that made you right,
at least your heart was free of spite.
And, still some say that you’re no good,
so perhaps I like you more than I should?
~Inspired by the 1969 film, “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”, and dedicated to its Oscar-winning star, the beautiful Dame Maggie Smith!
Music Vid - Best friends Cybill and Maryanne get up to craziness.
I kinda think of these two as the American version of Eddie and Patsy (Absolutely Fabulous).
The OP is one to something! It is no coincidence that these two seem like the American version of Eddy and Patsy. Because in fact, that’s exactly what they were meant to be (IMDb has mentioned this fact)! It’s not exact through, so it’s best describes as a show inspired by AbFab. I guess that’s why Cybill was a considerable success, whereas the attempts at an exact American copy have all failed before the first episode even aired! My theory is that there is something about British humor that is too intense for Americans to tolerate without the beauty of the British accent (posh and others, like Cockney) to make it more demur—-and rather sophisticated. Case-in-point: brash-sounding American actresses Roseanne Barr and Carrie Fisher could never pull off the crude humor of Eddy and Patsy and still appear favorable to fans.
Whatever the reason, Americans (such as myself) can only handled a “watered down” version of a Stateside AbFab. And, that’s what the 1990s show,Cybill(1995-1998) provides us with.
The show can be seen weekdays, from 3 to 4PM on TV Guide Network.
Yes, I totally do! And, I have recently become familiar with a number of his films. One of my dad’s favorite movies is Inherit the Wind (1960).
Stanley Kramer’s filmography as a whole—-both as director and producer—-is pretty impressive, I think. But, what I hate is that regardless of how impressive his resume is, as you’ve said and indicated, he seems to be a bit under-appreciated and not well-known enough, for some strange reason. Even some of his films are hard to come by, such as the 1979 drama (his last), The Runner Stumbles, starring Dick Van Dyke as a priest who falls in-love with a nun (based on a true story)! And that, I simply can’t wrap my head around!
I mean, Dick Van Dyke was a veritable TV icon, and needless to say, Kramer worked with the best of the best! And, the fact that he was one of, if not *the first* independent film-maker in the business while still maintaining strong ties in the industry was really a feat! Plus, as you may gather from the two titles I mentioned already, the majority of his films veered on the controversial side, made news, and helped to change laws (i.e. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner helping to change the law about interracial marriage I think, and I heard that Bless the Beasts and Children had a similar impact on animal rights). Yet, relatively little is known about him compared to others. But, I really want to see his last film! I hope TCM shows it soon!
My grandpa used to be a famous script supervisor (imdb Marshall Schlom and you’ll see all his work) and so when my mom was a kid, she got to meet all sorts of people in the industry. My grandpa was also friends with Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn and people like that :]
As i´ve always said, I would have loved to see Deborah and Grace playing the roles of sisters in a film; Kerr as the older one, perhaps in a good drama or in a delicious comedy… I hate that Grace didn´t more films…
Perfect! And have Cary Grant play Deborah Kerr’s husband, while Gene Kelly plays the husband to grace! Yup, that would’da worked beautifully! It may have even fooled people into thinking forever after that they really WERE sisters!
LIZA MINNELLI MORPHS INTO CINDY CRAWFORD!
Am I the only one who is reminded of Caroline Kennedy every-time I look at a young Liza Minnelli? And, Caroline, in-turn, reminds me of Maria Shriver who, in-turn, reminds me of Super Model, Cindy Crawford! I’ll bet this is the first time that Liza has ever morphed into a Super Model! Hehe!
