[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dTBvvSnKPs?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=500&h=375]

MEET JOHN DOE (1941)

starring Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper, released by Warner Bros.

December isn’t over yet, so one last Christmas movie is in order! I recommend Meet John Doe, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper. It’s the 1941 predecessor to It’s a Wonderful Life and the perfect alternative! In fact, I like it 10 times better!

Yes, MEET JOHN DOE is without a doubt my new favorite movie (excluding my childhood fav, Mary Martin’s Peter Pan, of course) the film I love the best, top’ a the list, number one!! The full film is here, for those of you who are all burnt out on the better known classics.

I think if you like movies with a message of love, movies that make you smile, those that resonate with human longing, and enthusiasm, and reconciliation, you’ll love this! And, if you are a Stanwyck fan as I am, this is a must-see!

1941 was a big year for Stanwyck, who starred in three of the most well-received hits of her career—-Meet John Doe, The Lady Eve, and Ball of Fire. So successful was this string of movies that they caused Miss Stanwyck’s career to hit a high that wouldn’t be topped until three years later, with the release of Paramount Pictures’ film-noir triumph, Double Indemnity.

Meet John Doe was the second of that 1941 trio of hits, and the most heartwarming. So, keep warm this winter the movie way, with Meet John Doe!

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKrrAa2o9Eg?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=500&h=375]

DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944)

Double Indemnity = one of the best films of all time! Barbara Stanwyck, Fred McMurray = great leads! If you like beauty, if you like mystery, if you like rainy nights and lovely Spanish-style homes, if you like twists and turns, and a touch of sweetness through all the trouble, watch this, watch this, watch this!!

WARNING: This film is accompanied by a wonderfully fitting musical score that is so smooth and yet dramatic, that it will even haunt your daydreams!

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

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If anyone ever gave Cary Grant (left) a run for his money, it was probably Gene Kelly (right), who,  in many ways, was his musical equivalent. Not only did they have a similar physical appeal, but their careers hit their stride at arguably the same time, between the 1940s and 1950s.

Great Performances: Season 25, Episode 6 Musicals Great Musicals: The Arthur Freed Unit at MGM (2 Dec. 1996)

                                      

Tonight on TCM, I saw a positively fabulous documentary on a wonderful film-maker, Mr. Arthur Freed. With such films as “Meet Me In St. Louis” (1944), “Singin’ In The Rain” (1952) and “An American in Paris” (1951), it’s no wonder then, that Joe Pasternak, admiringly referred to his unit as the “royalty” of MGM.

The one part of the documentary that probably summed Freed up the best was this (paraphrased):

“Almost the entire production-team of the Arthur Freed film, Gigi was together in one room, including star, Leslie Caron and director, Vincent Minnelli, and many others. And this lady named Hermione said, “You know, I’ve heard quite a lot about Mr. Freed, but I’m not exactly sure what his talent is. Could you tell me what some of his pluses are?” And, a fella at the table replied, “We’re all here. He brings us together.”

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ephemeral-:

by eko bintang

I can’t remember the last time I have loved art pieces so much! I love these—-mostly because looking at them only reconfirms what I’ve long thought—-1950s sophistication and lady fashion rocks! The classicist of all! Although, I will admit that the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s come pretty close too. I also like the first half of the 1960s—-albeit, such a specialized period cannot be easily distinguished in a retrospective set like this.

It was the cusp between the 1950s and 1960s (a period that is not readily recognized as distinct) that simply oozed elegance, charm, sophistication, and sex-appeal. Just take a look at old photos of the glamor stars of the day (Liz Taylor, Natalie Wood, and Deborah Kerr come to mind), and you’ll know what I mean. Ah, so lovely!

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mariedeflor:

Bette Davis in A Stolen Life, 1946

It’s ironic that I stumbled across this when I did (such a beautiful photo-set!), because A Stolen Life (1946) is one of the very next movies I plan to watch.

One note of interest is that Bette’s 1964 film, Dead Ringer has been dubbed by many fans as a sort of follow-up to this one. So, don’t make the same mistake I made—-watch A Stolen Life BEFORE you even think about watching Dead Ringer!

FYI: Dead Ringer was quite good, by the way. Implausible, but good. Still, that’s the subject of another post entirely. ; - )

1000 different ways to make the same movie and TV show...

There are a thousand different ways to see the same picture, and a million different ways to paint it. That’s why I often appreciate re-makes. Looking forward to the Bewitched and The Munstersreboots, coming soon. I’m not saying they will be as good as the originals, but it will be interesting to watch the different interpretations of the shows. Sometimes though, the re-make is better…

Here’s an example of a remake I actually think I prefer, “Miracle On 34th Street”:

1947 version:

VS.

1994 version:

Wishing to unwind with Joan Crawford and Bette Davis!

(Davis left, Crawford right)

This week is going to be tough! I’m already needing to unwind, and it’s only Monday! Would love to watch a little of The films of Joan Crawford and The films of Bette Davis, back to back. I liked them best when they were creepy, not in sad dramas, but in “campy” thrillers…starting from about the mid-1940s through to the late 1960s, I’d say. Would love to finally see Joan’s big hit, “Mildred Pierce” (1945). But, I  guess I’ll let reality set-in first. Sigh…

Lucille Ball (1911 - 1989)

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Rita Hayworth may have been known as “the Love Goddess” and Marilyn Monroe may have been the most beloved blond bombshell, but in my opinion (with all due
respect, of course) they all pale in comparison to that lovely red-head, Lucille Ball! To me, she was often the most glamorous woman ever to grace the silver screen, with her porcelain complexion, and sparkling blue eyes, like crystalline ponds of water, reflecting a perfect afternoon sky.

She may always be remembered as “that crazy red-head” but to me, she’s so
much more than that! That’s why i have almost all her 60-some movies on
video, and she was the first movie-star i ever liked——from way back at
the age of 5, i might add! Lucille ball was so much more than the
“First Lady of Television”—— she was “the star!” and my first-ever
favorite! Just see her here, in 1942 “DuBarry Was a Lady” My gosh! How
lovely she was!!