tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80938115995281532262012-01-19T15:20:22.418-05:00Miscellaneous Notes on Classic MoviesCarrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.comBlogger691100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-90169380280998201632009-04-01T19:22:00.000-04:002009-04-01T19:23:22.245-04:00

It's been more than a year now since I started Classic Ramblings. I didn't know quite what I intended for it at the beginning: What purpose would it serve? What would it stand for? I thought I would figure things out along the way.Never did.So I plugged aimlessly on, and as I did, I began losing track of what was most important to me. "Gotta post something! GOTTA POST SOMETHING!" I thought. And

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-28236067857921485652009-03-09T15:14:00.001-04:002009-03-09T16:10:27.890-04:00

Spencer Tracy & Loretta Young in Man's Castle (1933).The following excerpt comes from the pages of Calling Dr. Kildare by Max Brand. I liked the passage so well, I wanted to post it here; and although the above photo is from something else entirely, it does seem to capture the spirit of the words (and give this post the proper classic movie touch).Beyond the doorway she saw Martha Kildare with a

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-67274104127029945272009-02-28T01:39:00.001-05:002009-02-28T13:12:41.409-05:00

That well-worn 1944 Pocket Books edition of See Here, Private Hargrove has been replaced at last, but even though Henry Holt and Company's hardcover volume stands sturdy by my bedside, I'm keeping my old battered paperback, for there are treasures inside. Treasures such as a page entitled "Why You Must Save All Kinds of Paper", detailing the U.S. Victory Waste Paper Campaign, and that familiar

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-69077143371306457402009-02-25T22:38:00.004-05:002009-04-01T19:29:06.263-04:00

Hedy Lamarr and William Powell in The Heavenly Body (1944).This gorgeous still is borrowed, with thanks, from www.doctormacro1.info.A much larger version can, of course, be found there.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-24967102979088132312009-02-18T21:37:00.002-05:002009-04-01T19:29:17.919-04:00

(View a larger version of this photo.)Anne Shirley, who gave such a beautiful performance as the daughter of Stella Dallas (1937). She is posed in this publicity still from the film with John Boles and Barbara Stanwyck.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-51032072474828036872009-02-18T21:36:00.008-05:002009-02-21T15:18:53.088-05:00

One of the movies I love best is Rich Man, Poor Girl, an MGM "B" from 1938. Robert Young stars as the rich man, Ruth Hussey is the poor girl: respectively, the boss and his efficient—and quietly lovestruck—secretary. The lovestruck feeling is mutual, and Bob gives it voice in a proposal, but Ruth is wary of the difference between their millionaire and middle-class standings.In order to prove

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-3079222627079700192009-02-14T20:21:00.009-05:002009-04-01T19:29:31.415-04:00

Greer Garson, brunette for her role inMrs. Parkington (1944), opposite Walter Pidgeon.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-25336571808780368912009-02-04T19:52:00.015-05:002009-02-07T03:16:04.983-05:00

Because it was featured in John Springer's Forgotten Films to Remember (my most-prized book on classic movies), I was sure What Every Woman Knows (1934) would be something wonderful. It was: the charming story of a woman who, they say, has no charm.Scottish lass Maggie Wylie (Helen Hayes) is, by her own account, plain; but possessed of a quick mind and a good deal of gumption. The latter, most

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-83470058973115052552009-01-31T23:01:00.002-05:002009-04-01T19:29:42.254-04:00

Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer in Love Affair (1939).

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-47381433189387862422009-01-24T03:00:00.006-05:002009-04-01T19:30:05.191-04:00

Greta Garbo in The Kiss (1929).(View the full image.)

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-48270956789026850892009-01-23T20:06:00.019-05:002009-01-24T02:32:49.009-05:00

While lately searching my movie shelves for the films of Robert Young (a favorite actor who will be featured here at Ramblings among twenty, one of these days), I came across The Bride Walks Out, an RKO title from 1936. It has many a terrific comedy scene, and also a swell cast to perform them. In addition to Bob Young, there's Barbara Stanwyck as the obstreperous bride of the title; Helen

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-15487431822270195192009-01-17T21:09:00.007-05:002009-04-01T19:30:19.865-04:00

(View a larger version of this still.)ORIGINAL CAPTION: Jennifer Jones, as Elizabeth Barrett, and Bill Travers, as Robert Browning, are in love in MGM's The Barretts of Wimpole Street [1957] and they intend to marry despite the objections of her tyrannical father, portrayed by John Gielgud. This special portrait was made by Cecil Beaton, noted British photographer.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-57836141147268410312009-01-17T02:23:00.002-05:002009-01-19T16:14:17.148-05:00

He was such a handsome guy, in looks and in spirit; a man I admired. May God comfort his family...

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-72059544445093716702009-01-13T03:37:00.002-05:002009-01-13T14:47:27.339-05:00

Having another Evelyn Keyes comedy to see has been a wish of some priority for a while now. At last, a comedy (and it's a lulu!) was gotten hold of as TCM aired A Thousand and One Nights (1945) this past December.Though appearing rather a ways into the Technicolored tale, Evelyn snags all attention as a playful, redheaded genie. She is first discovered, the pint-sized inhabitant of a magic lamp,

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-43491925128857387442009-01-07T04:20:00.002-05:002009-04-01T19:30:32.894-04:00

Teresa Wright, with David Niven in a film certainlyworthy of its title: Enchantment (1948).

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-23070529575341837252008-12-31T03:00:00.008-05:002009-04-01T19:30:47.176-04:00

For Ginger, who's just plain fun to see, a fun picture seemed the thing to post. This one was snapped by John Miehle at a skating party thrown by Ginger at Culver City's Rollerdrome on March 6, 1937.ORIGINAL CAPTION: HOLLYWOOD GOES ROLLER-DAFFY! Weaving her way 'round the track is Hostess Ginger Rogers, with the able assistance of Host Alfred G. Vanderbilt. Eager to help is Eddie Rubin (Benny's

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-6939581299636151732008-12-27T18:33:00.023-05:002009-04-01T19:31:02.309-04:00

(View a larger version of this photo.)Don Ameche and Loretta Young in a lovely moment fromThe Story of Alexander Graham Bell (1939).

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-82241747446428418582008-12-22T23:51:00.047-05:002009-04-01T20:12:29.292-04:00

Among the latest posts at Larua's Miscellaneous Musings is her entry in the 20 Favorite Actresses meme lately traveling around classic movie blogs. Laura tagged me to participate, too, so I set to work.First I needed to coax my memory back into action, for the flighty thing deserts at the mere mention of listmaking. It returned, of course, with a force necessitating much whittling down. But, I

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-67249019816454021982008-12-07T23:25:00.003-05:002008-12-20T17:10:22.126-05:00

Burning the cooking pots seems to have become a habit of mine lately. Three have gone black in the past two weeks, and each time the occurrence has reminded me of a scene in Meet the Stewarts (1942), when newlywed William Holden, with kind though perhaps insincere enthusiasm for his bride's culinary skills, asks, "Hey, what's cooking?" The bride (Frances Dee) takes a disheartened look at the

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-15203836257053122852008-11-15T20:28:00.008-05:002009-03-07T18:00:26.047-05:00

If one picture is worth a thousand words, then perhaps the one below will make up for some of the posting I've not been doing lately.Roland Young smiles at Loretta Young who, seated just off camera, is beautifully reflected in a mirror. Loretta' skirt can be seen billowing into the left edge of the photo, and upon close inspection, one can tell that she is holding a cigarette in one hand, an ice

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-50746819452316717842008-11-15T19:59:00.007-05:002008-11-15T20:24:02.533-05:00

Veterans Day sort of snuck up on me this year. In fact, it snuck right past. But my gratitude to our veterans is everlasting.In 1946, when Jennifer Jones was voted Best Actress by American servicemen, she said something I would like to repeat here.Accepting their GI Oscar, she thanked them "for this, and for, oh, so much greater things." She continued, "I hope we may prove worthy of your

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-45728708834465611772008-10-10T19:04:00.004-04:002008-10-11T13:03:58.401-04:00

Her Highness and the Bellboy (1945) seems as if it were made especially for dreamers like me. It begins, "Once upon a time..."In a far-off land lives a princess (Hedy Lamarr) who, despite her beauty and finery, is unhappy, for her duty has cost her the man she loves (Warner Anderson). In hopes of finding him again, she travels to New York, and there stays at the Hotel Eden where, through

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-63048348276948491912008-09-14T01:23:00.006-04:002008-11-15T20:14:31.089-05:00

Usually I like to spread out the photo posts a bit more, but at the moment I've two good reasons to do the unusual:I've got a cold, and zee mind, she iz too foggy to post much else.These photos arrived in Saturday's mail, and they're so lovely...If you click on either photo, you can view a larger version. From left to right in both are Clifton Webb, George "Foghorn" Winslow, and beautiful Frances

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-65378654909488971732008-09-11T16:13:00.004-04:002008-09-25T02:56:58.156-04:00

May God bless and bring comfort to those who lost someone, and to those who lived through this day seven years ago.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-69852545963705159742008-09-09T23:53:00.002-04:002008-09-10T04:06:21.118-04:00

ORIGINAL CAPTION: HEAVENLY MUSIC.....Little Margaret O'Brien listens enraptured to the violin music of her film father, Warner Anderson, in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Tenth Avenue Angel [1948]. The cast features, in addition to Miss O'Brien and Anderson, George Murphy, Angela Lansbury, Phyllis Thaxter and Rhys Williams. It was directed by Roy Rowland and produced by Ralph Wheelwright.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-1102168861191353892008-09-06T01:19:00.001-04:002008-09-06T03:41:10.233-04:00

This past Thursday evening was a delight as TCM began their Star of the Month salute to Kay Francis. Previously I'd seen only two and a smidgen of her films — The Feminine Touch (1941), Always in My Heart (1942), and bits of Four Jills in a Jeep (1944) — and wondered whether I'd be interested in the parade. Now I know.First shown was Raffles (1930), something to add to that ever-growing list of

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-25143457945320343972008-09-03T20:02:00.021-04:002008-10-08T15:43:46.582-04:00

Boom! Ragweed has hit, and as I reach again for the tissues, a scene from Daddy-long-legs (1919) comes to mind:While rushing to catch the train that will take her to college, Judy Abbott (Mary Pickford) is bogged down by the crowd at the gate. What's a girl to do?Sneeze!The crowd scatters to protect themselves from flying germs, leaving the gateway clear for Judy.Actually, I believe this bit of

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-66676265604831413402008-08-19T03:04:00.044-04:002008-10-09T21:13:18.210-04:00

It's nice when one beautiful thing reminds you of another...The photo above, of Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne surrounded by soft glowing city lights in When Tomorrow Comes (1939), makes me think of a moment in the Alice Faye musical You Can't Have Everything (1937). The movie opens with a shot of a rain-puddled street reflecting skyscrapers with similarly dreamy lights shining from their windows.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-21908320382816223922008-08-16T21:39:00.037-04:002008-10-08T15:46:26.422-04:00

There was something familiar about Kim Novak's first gown in Phffft (1954), yet the gown was distinctive enough for me to be sure this was one I'd not seen before. Its top was black, with V-neckline so wide it barely remained on the shoulders. The black continued in tendrils onto the full white skirt.The dress made its exit, a few minutes passed as I puzzled over whys and hows, then came the dawn

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-5696494018450156262008-08-14T00:57:00.017-04:002008-08-20T02:42:20.068-04:00

While watching Love is News again last week, I noticed something I hadn't seen the first time around: a black velvet dress with a lace scarf collar worn by bit player Carol Tevis. What made it interesting was the fact that Frances Dee had previously worn same the dress in Half Angel (1936). (I wish I had pictures...)That started me thinking of other times movie costumes have reappeared. These

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-37643328214836230102008-08-11T15:34:00.009-04:002008-08-20T02:27:22.534-04:00

Of high priority on the list of movies I hope someday to see is Along Came Youth (1930). It stars Buddy Rogers opposite my favorite actress, Frances Dee, and sounds charming.From what I gather of the storyline, Buddy and Stuart Erwin are Americans stranded in London with too little dough between them. Eager to afford the fare of returning Stateside, the boys go into the advertising business, like

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-78100491305336916532008-07-28T15:34:00.034-04:002009-01-25T14:15:09.767-05:00

The scrumptious 10-film Tyrone Power: Matinee Idol DVD collection is being released by Fox this Tuesday. I'm delighted! And impatient, too. So impatient have I been that when the Fox Movie Channel aired Love is News (1937) last week, I taped it in order to see the movie a few days earlier.This is one of three included in the collection that co-stars Ty and Loretta Young; a screwball comedy in

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-58132841215192293052008-07-13T17:16:00.009-04:002008-07-13T21:20:08.171-04:00

When watching a classic movie in company, have you ever pointed out a person on the screen and said, rather proudly, "They're still alive"? I think I did that last Monday as we watched The Mating of Millie again, but Evelyn Keyes had already passed away, two days before on July 4. (The announcement was held until July 11 at the request of her lawyers.)Whenever another classic star passes I think,

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-72886399500769559942008-06-23T13:58:00.042-04:002008-09-05T03:21:52.578-04:00

I love the gentle, clever, amiable way of British comedies. These past few days I've been watching those included in the Ealing Studios Comedy Collection of DVDs, and I've delighted in all.Yesterday's pick was The Maggie (1954), which stars a Yank: Paul Douglas. Playing an American businessman, Douglas is impatient to charter a boat to haul a cargo of house furnishings. The valuable load winds up

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-80937716961509927742008-06-18T01:33:00.031-04:002008-06-20T15:55:26.789-04:00

The Unfinished Dance (1947)The Band Wagon (1953)It's Always Fair Weather (1955)

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-90100089163958907492008-06-03T13:46:00.024-04:002008-09-25T02:54:44.095-04:00

As I watched Too Many Husbands (1940) last night, I couldn't help but compare it with the 1955 remake, Three for the Show. Jean Arthur stars in the former, Betty Grable in the latter, and while details differ here and there between the two movies, both leading ladies face the same problem: having one husband more than they ought.The situation was gotten into quite innocently: the first husband (

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-65357716475744944662008-06-01T19:22:00.039-04:002008-07-07T13:27:06.865-04:00

Seems I've been rather short of ramblings lately. I think I'll start off the June postings with a photo from my favorite movie, The Voice of the Turtle (1947), also known as One for the Book."Whooo called?!"Eve Arden has just gotten word that her favorite beau, a Lieutenant Commander (Wayne Morris), is back on furlough. Now, what to do with the Sergeant (Ronald Reagan) who was supposed to take

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-23504316973412954182008-05-28T23:49:00.029-04:002008-08-20T02:30:41.794-04:00

These past few weeks I've been reading Starring Miss Barbara Stanwyck by Ella Smith, making my way through it slowly so I'll have longer to enjoy it. The book is excellent, written with admiration for its subject and fair-minded criticism of her films. And, naturally, reading it causes me to seek out the movies it covers.One of these is the 1949 drama East Side, West Side. Barbara is its heart,

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-57238578038963412372008-05-26T01:02:00.009-04:002008-07-07T13:28:14.134-04:00

From Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939):"Liberty is too precious a thing to be buried in books... Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say, 'I'm free, to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn't; I can, and my children will.'"Many, many thanks to those who have fought, and to those who continue to fight, for our freedom.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-55396599208606223952008-05-25T02:43:00.016-04:002008-07-07T13:28:51.822-04:00

Stills from The Young in Heart (1938) offer glimpses of several lovely-looking scenes that didn't make the final cut, such as this one between Richard Carlson and Janet Gaynor.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-38019048142498928242008-05-22T19:24:00.017-04:002008-07-27T15:54:46.832-04:00

What with TCM's day-long birthday tribute to Robert Montgomery yesterday, there was a lot of taping to be done. The trouble was deciding which of the movies to see last night, but as I was rewinding the tapes, I caught a glimpse of a frantic, disheveled Norma Shearer and decided upon Their Own Desire (1929). I had to find out what had happened.Norma stars as a flippant young woman who thinks

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-57227636013704959972008-05-19T02:51:00.004-04:002008-08-20T02:28:58.009-04:00

20th Century-Fox is my favorite studio for musicals. In 1950, they remade one of their finest, Tin Pan Alley (1940), as I'll Get By. I like the outcome.Technicolored and updated in setting from 1915 to 1939, I'll Get By stars William Lundigan and Dennis Day as song publishers struggling to make a go of their own business. To that end they are aided by the singing Martin Sisters (June Haver and

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-28355955559773322652008-05-16T01:27:00.010-04:002008-07-07T13:35:15.156-04:00

It's dangerous to watch Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (1938) late at night. Last night I was afraid my laughter would wake the house.What delighted me most is the dialogue, written by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett. It's wonderfully silly. Take, for instance, this casual exchange between Claudette Colbert and David Niven...COLBERT: I'm sorry I'm late. I was detained at the beauty shop... Right in

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-72178689364265715452008-05-08T01:28:00.041-04:002008-07-13T18:00:45.605-04:00

I think I shall finally have to break down and buy another copy of my favorite book, See Here, Private Hargrove by Marion Hargrove. My current copy has long been in sad repair. I've grown accustomed to opening the cover and having the first 88 pages fall out in a chunk, but now pages 141-144 have taken leave of the binding. It's too much.The movie is what first got me reading (and re-reading, and

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-11835952367867791852008-05-07T01:49:00.020-04:002008-09-05T03:29:54.345-04:00

The nifty thing about the TCMdb is a feature that allows you to vote for films to be released on DVD. Folks got to wondering which were the most requested titles, so TCM compiled a list of the top two-hundred. I was looking through that list the other day, and spotted something I'd never heard of: Thrill of a Romance (1945). My library system carried it, so I checked it out.The movie looked good

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-77212607671264126942008-05-04T03:32:00.035-04:002008-10-10T16:30:12.749-04:00

Loretta Young is one of my very favorite actresses, so you can imagine how I jump at the chance to see another one of her movies. But when it came to The Perfect Marriage (1947), I hesitated. It sounded like a divorce comedy and, despite The Awful Truth (1937) and Love Crazy (1941), I'm skittish about that kind.Well, I recently purchased a publicity photo from The Perfect Marriage, and

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-41585081617379744442008-05-02T22:04:00.011-04:002008-08-20T02:30:10.632-04:00

I pulled Tenth Avenue Angel (1948) off my shelf the other night so I could see Warner Anderson, who is fast becoming one of my favorite actors. He's rather on the periphery of the story as the father of Margaret O'Brien, the girl of the title who daily graces Tenth Avenue on one roller skate.The movie has a marvelous cast, including George Murphy (I've been wanting to see him in a straight

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-42418138171399517282008-04-30T00:25:00.026-04:002009-02-28T20:01:13.189-05:00

...in this scene still from The Heavenly Body (1944):Morris Ankrum, Hedy Lamarr and William PowellI wondered whether the mark on the doctor's face was a flaw in the photo or the photography, so I took another look at the movie (oh, what hardship!). 'Tis a shadow that fell across Morris Ankrum's face. I wonder what caused it. A piece of equipment they just didn't notice?At the top of this photo,

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-57220731225906288602008-04-28T23:53:00.007-04:002008-08-20T02:32:17.571-04:00

The Mating of Millie (1948) had that "tape me" look when I saw it on the TCM schedule, so I set my VCR. I'm so glad I did.Evelyn Keyes is Millie, a businesswoman with only one fella in her life: youngster Tommy Bassett (Jimmy Hunt). When he is orphaned, Millie wants to adopt, but regulations are against a single woman. So, Millie sets out to get herself a husband.Inexperienced at wooing, Millie

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-44235205153895621892008-04-25T03:32:00.045-04:002008-07-07T13:40:07.469-04:00

Quite the most fun I've had watching a theatrical trailer was had watching the one for Fast Company (1938). The movie is a sparkling mystery-comedy in Thin Man style, starring Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice as a sleuthing duo to rival William & Myrna. Click the image below to view the trailer at TCM.com.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-43815041260738528032008-04-21T21:17:00.022-04:002008-08-20T02:32:41.838-04:00

It was a two-Ginger day on TCM, meaning they showed two of Ginger Rogers' movies. What richness!I sat down this evening to watch In Person (1935), something I've been wanting to see for years. Ginger plays a movie star who's had a nervous breakdown. Afraid she will be recognized and mobbed by fans, she dons a black wig, glasses and buck teeth. Leading man George Brent takes a look at her in that

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-28717279682181206072008-04-16T01:49:00.041-04:002009-01-21T01:33:46.388-05:00

You know you've found something special when all day long you've been saying, "Wasn't that a good movie we saw last night?"The movie in this case is The Green Years (1946). Based on a novel by A. J. Cronin, it tells the story of Robert Shannon, an orphan come from Ireland to find a new home with relatives in Scotland. Poor fella. But he has a fast friend in Grandpa Gow (Charles Coburn), a

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-27618208296344266202008-04-15T02:00:00.033-04:002008-08-20T17:15:55.922-04:00

I liked Two Girls and a Sailor (1944) so well the first time around that I considered rewinding the tape and watching it again. The movie is a real treat.June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven are the girls. Brought up in show business, they've taken to double-duty in wartime: every evening after finishing work, they go out and find servicemen to invite to their canteen. One of these is the sailor of

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-77098008594544455872008-04-13T02:34:00.006-04:002008-07-07T13:43:06.107-04:00

Did you know there is a web site exclusively about Asta? Indeed there is: www.iloveasta.com.'Tis himself in the trailer for Another Thin Man (1939).

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-24685833742182216002008-04-12T02:25:00.007-04:002008-07-07T13:43:25.958-04:00

The Little Minister wasn't on anyone's schedule for the near future, so I bought me a used copy of the VHS. At last, it arrived today.I love it.What a wonderful adaptation of the novel. Things have been changed a bit, not much. The heart is there, scenes I had been waiting for were there, and I recognized much of the dialogue.John Beal plays Gavin Dishart, a young minister newly appointed to the

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-62771398769619318622008-04-10T19:35:00.010-04:002008-07-07T13:43:40.007-04:00

My copy of The Little Minister is long in coming. In the meantime, a photo, which illustrated A. L. Burt Company's mid-1930s edition of the book.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-32914563027680905622008-04-09T02:44:00.021-04:002008-08-30T15:13:09.910-04:00

Hullabaloo (1940) was indeed a dilly, and a film that lives up to its title. Frank Morgan plays Frank Merriweather, a good-hearted, irresponsible blow-hard trying desperately to break into radio. Given his chance, he panics 'em with a War of the Worlds-type broadcast. Disaster ensues for Frank: the bosses fire him, and the notoriety of the show returns the ex-Mrs. Merriweathers (Billie Burke,

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-68585319720245546812008-04-07T23:33:00.028-04:002008-07-17T16:25:36.442-04:00

A switch from dial-up to high speed internet service sparked this sudden interest in movie trailers. I've paid them scant attention before. But since the download time has been cut from 30 minutes to about three seconds, I've been searching TCM's Media Room for glimpses of favorite people and movies I've always wanted to see.Something that strikes me is how beautifully styled the trailers can be.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-79004414670488072222008-04-06T14:02:00.041-04:002008-08-20T02:34:26.464-04:00

There's so much to see on TCM; I'm utterly spoiled. Included in this week's schedule are the two movies featured below. Click the images to view the theatrical trailer for each film at TCM.com.Hullabaloo (1940)I like MGM's "B" pictures best of all their output. This one looks like it will be a dilly, with Frank Morgan genuinely funny as he does impressions of Charles Boyer, Maurice Chevalier and

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-69110164571285094782008-04-05T20:23:00.043-04:002008-07-07T13:45:24.095-04:00

Theatrical trailers for classic movies were often comprised of alternate takes. So, when you watch a trailer, you may find something that didn't appear in the final cut of the film. Such is the case with Vivacious Lady (1937).Ginger Rogers, gorgeous in the title role, makes her first appearance in the movie singing "You'll Be Reminded of Me" in a New York nightclub. It's a jaunty number; Ginger

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-10200099393710681222008-04-04T02:18:00.014-04:002008-12-20T20:30:03.684-05:00

Have you ever been fascinated by a movie you've never seen? Somehow, something about it catches your fancy. You read about it, look for pictures from it, try to find a way to see it.It happens to me often.This time, the movie is The Little Minister (1934). I like the look of it from the pictures I've seen (some can be found at KatetheGreat.net). I like the settings -- a Scottish village and

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-9237224067698680402008-03-28T16:03:00.013-04:002008-09-01T20:59:29.393-04:00

Warner Baxter, Janet Gaynor and a troublesome policemanin One More Spring (1935).

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-41367650833327767702008-03-19T02:16:00.013-04:002008-07-07T13:50:34.277-04:00

There's a very nice musical comedy short by the name of Violets in Spring. Released by MGM in 1936, it stars Virginia Grey and George Murphy as office workers who, according to the janitor (Christian Rub), are "human machines". This, he insists, must not be, and as a student of psychology, Rub decides to take a hand. He sets them up to fall in love. They do, and the day's work takes on a new

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-35953281321079918092008-03-15T01:22:00.020-04:002008-07-07T13:51:12.093-04:00

Hedy Lamarr will be TCM's Star of the Month this April, and it looks like a beautiful time will be had. On the docket is Come Live With Me, a romantic comedy from 1941 co-starring Jimmy Stewart.Click this image to view the theatrical trailerfor Come Live With Me at TCM.com.Hedy plays a Viennese refugee who is on the verge of being deported. Her only chance of staying in the United States is to

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-39579866481563803762008-03-14T01:38:00.015-04:002008-09-04T15:01:13.033-04:00

I've always thought the composition of this shot from My Best Girl (1927) was just beautiful.Mary Pickford is the girl of the title, and Buddy Rogers is the boy who loves her. He's come to propose, but Mary is the sole support of her loveable but irresponsible family.Because this is a silent film, and intertitle tells us how she responds to his proposal: "I love you, Joe--but I can never, never

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-53207596542646667772008-03-11T13:53:00.013-04:002008-07-07T13:52:08.317-04:00

Carole Lombard has, I think, the best laugh in the movies. I was listening to it last night as I watched Hands Across the Table (1935). By all means, it's not a pretty laugh, one very polished and elegant. Carole's laugh is wild; it's loud, it bursts into action. It's just marvelous.

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-14880249068204147772008-03-07T20:39:00.017-05:002008-10-31T14:23:50.370-04:00

William Lundigan was my incentive for watching Sunday Punch (1942), one of those swell little movies you never hear about. I had seen Lundigan before, and liked him, as the leading man of Love Nest (1951), who returns from overseas to find wife June Haver has bought an apartment house and he's the landlord. Sunday Punch places him in similar surroundings: a New York boardinghouse, this one

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-79665307528850211772008-03-05T19:20:00.007-05:002008-07-07T13:54:16.121-04:00

It's always nice to find mention of my favorite actress, Frances Dee. Her name is included in the crossword of the March 2008 issue of Now Playing. The clue for 45-across reads "Frances, Ruby or Sandra".

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093811599528153226.post-81711715563398190512008-03-05T17:54:00.003-05:002008-07-07T13:54:30.523-04:00

Welcome to Classic Ramblings, a collection of notes, photos, odds & ends about classic movies.Let's begin with a photo.Virginia Grey is the star of this picture. You may remember her as one of "Les Blondes", Gable's band of chorines in Idiot's Delight (1939), or as the salesgirl who wisecracks over Joan Crawford's telephone conversation in The Women (1939).Here, off the set of Broadway Serenade (

Carrie Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402246943138647660noreply@blogger.com0