[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNDsLhz3cGg?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=500&h=375]

JOAN CRAWFORD’S EERIE LAST WORDS:

I am in the process of reading my Joan Crawford biography, and I find her to be a very interesting character-study. She was a woman of contradictions that even she did not know. And, ya wanna hear something weird? Play this video! All those voice-mails from her. If played from beginning to end, you’ll be thinking WHOA!

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

The "Golden Age" of glamour wasn't just about looks!

Okay, it’s nice that people show some interest in the hair and make-up styles of the past. But, it’s disingenuous without the personality to match. There was a whole set of manners and social graces, way of speaking and behaving that distinguished the period too! Now, if only we could get back to that!

The "Golden Age" of glamour wasn't just about looks!

The mixed-blessing of Ted Turner's colorization of films...

In a way, I am so thankful for Ted Turner! B/c before he started colorizing b&w films, in the 1980s, people didn’t seem to have a care in the world about film preservation. But, suddenly, here comes this man (who’s intentions were essentially noble but reasoning was flawed) who has these very touchy plans, and suddenly, people cared. Shortly after, the National Film Preservation Act was passed by Congress—-which was AMAZING! In short, this:   led to… This: …which led to This: (a film preservation guide) Now, isn’t that wonderful?!

I certainly hope that the Act includes a clause about the horrid practice of pan and scan (i.e. “this film has been modified to fit your TV) because even though our new wide-screen TVs have made the practice relatively outdated, it doesn’t change the fact that some films can now only be viewed in that butchered condition—-like the highly under-appreciated Perfect (1985), for example.

To me, cutting off up to 40 % of a film’s picture is just as bad if not worse than colorizing! Maybe someone should come along and publicly threaten to do that to all films—-then, you’ll see what you’ve been missing…up to 40% of the picture!

I used to like VHS, but after I discovered that almost all films on home-video have been “modified” I can’t wait to trash my whole collection in favor of the better, “un-cut” DVDs.

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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!

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…

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

This is my # 1 favorite scary movie, followed by The Witches of Eastwick and The Poltergeist Trilogy! But, I love this one the most!!

What I don’t understand though, is that so many people have compared this to “Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte” and while I am very close to liking t hat one, I think it is to blatant about the bloody, gory side of things. So, while I almost love it, I can’t quite bring myself to add it to my list of favorites because of that. It somehow repulses me too much. But, not this one!

This one manages to scare me ans keep me guessing w/o making me straight up hate the characters. In fact, I find myself feeling for the both the sisters in this movie. And, I think that’s why I love it——because it gives me all the thrills and chills of horror and suspense, but it also pulls on the heartstrings too—- which is quite a feat for a movie of its genre. Hence, this movie top in its class! Fantastic!

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!!