Thursday, June 6, 2019

Wandering through the Shelves: Babysitters/Nannies


Oh I could have picked The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins and, I think, they will be popular this week, but I went with others, of course:). Head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves and find out what the others have picked. Here are my 3...

1. ALL THIS, AND HEAVEN TOO-1940


Bette Davis stars as the sweet( yup, sweet) understanding governess/nanny to a wealthy man played by Charles Boyer-both were at the top of their game and the box office when this film was done. It is an excellent film that should be better known that takes place in the mid 1800’s about a wealthy man who hires a nanny to care for his children. The children warm up quickly to her since she is very patient, sweet and listens to their needs especially since their mom is a whack job. The father, sees how great the nanny is and they fall in love much to the chagrin of whack-job mom. Boyer can’t handle the witch any more and does her in..yup he kills his wife and this film becomes more fun when the nanny is implicated. It is a well done film with Barbara O'Neil receiving and Oscar nomination as the cookoo for cocoa puffs mother. I haven’t seen this film in years but would love to revisit it again.

2. DON’T BOTHER TO KNOCK-1952


This is a bit of a campy film, which I always love, starring Richard Widmark as a sadsack pilot who comes to a hotel meeting up with his girlfriend, played by Anne Bancroft, who dumped him because he showed no heart. You actually hear Bancroft sing and she is pretty damn good! On a side note, you have little Elisha Cook Jnr, the elevator operator, who finds out a couple need a babysitter for the evening so he mentions his niece, played by...Marilyn Monroe. They hire Monroe to watch over their daughter, not knowing this gal is slightly off her nut. She tries on the wife’s nightie and who should see her from his room window but horny toads Widmark. Little does he know that Monroe just got out of the nut ward and is quite the unstable lass (Monroe was unstable and never got the right treatment being the 50’s). I was actually impressed by Monroe’s acting in this flick who plays her character well and should be the last person to babysit.

3. UNCLE BUCK-1989


I love John Candy who died way too young at 43. He started in Second City and was brilliant on SCTV and became famous in movies often directed by John Hughes. This is one of them which is hilarious from the car he drives, to his talk with the school assistant principal. Parents with 3 kids need to travel to care for a parent who is ill but they can’t find a babysitter. Reluctantly, they call his brother, who still needs to grow up himself. Enter, John Candy with a car that reminds me of one I used to drive, who says he has no problem babysitting the kids. The 2 smaller kids( one played by Macaulay Culkin) don’t give him too much of an issue but the oldest, a teen with an attitude, makes him work for his money..or lack there of. During the time he takes care of the 3, he grows up a little as well. This is a fun 80’s comedy that is a nice movie to see and one that makes you laugh.

Thankfully, I never babysat kids..I made sure I told my mom I never wanted to do this and I never did..Thank the Heavens:) Which films would you choose?

61 comments:

  1. I only know Uncle Buck. You are really good at finding some good picks for your weekly challenge.

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    1. Thank you...i try and i surprise myself at how many films I have seen

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    2. i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
      or
      call/whatsapp:+2349057261346










      i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
      or
      call/whatsapp:+2349057261346

      Delete
  2. Uncle Buck was great!
    There's also Adventures in Babysitting witch also came out in the 80's.

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    1. U clue Buck 8s funny. I’ve never seen Adventures in Babysitting.

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  3. I've seen Uncle Buck of yours, but I didn't even consider Mary Poppins or The Sound of Music. Now they seem so obvious lol

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    1. I though those 2 films would be everywhere but the6 are not.

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  4. Babysitter here. Ever since I was a young teen. I did learn that I never wanted to have girls, whiny nasty little girls, lol. Loved Uncle Buck and have seen it several times. My first thought upon seeing the theme was Mrs. Doubtfire.

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    1. I never wanted to deal with kids even when I was a kid. I wasn’t whiny but quite shy so maybe I was a good girl..hahahaa. I love Mrs. Doubtfire.

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  5. I haven’t seen any of these. And I can’t believe neither The Sound of Music nor Mary Poppins crossed my mind.

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    1. I thought they would be the big films this week because they fit so perfectly

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  6. Hi there, all of these films are strangers to me, but would love to see the Bette Davis one as I love her films, Kate x

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    1. The film is good but it’s a bit slow at times. I still enjoyed it

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  7. Firstly I did think of Mary Poppins and Sound of Music but had used them before but they do fit the theme like a tight glove.

    I wish I could say I loved All This and... but while it's well-acted, fun to see Barbara O'Neil the soul of calm understand in GWTW as a complete bitch here, but I found it an eeennndddlleess slog of a film. Nice to see Bette in one of her gentle roles but I'd go to Dark Victory over this every time if I'm looking for that aspect of her.

    Don't Bother to Knock is a brilliant pick! I didn't find it campy just dated in some attitudes. Love all three main players, this was Bancroft's screen debut, but it's Marilyn's movie. She's fragile and sad as Nell and her final screen is heartbreaking. Side note-LOVE the in room intercoms that connected to the hotel lounge!! So cool.

    I put off Uncle Buck for years and while I can't say I was an ardent fan after seeing it the film was better than I hoped thanks to John Candy.

    I picked two nannies and a governess.

    Jane Eyre (1943)-After losing her parents and being raised in a hellish boarding school one step above an orphan asylum Jane Eyre (Joan Fontaine) is hired to be governess for Adele (Margaret O’Brien) the daughter of intense, brooding Edward Rochester (Orson Welles) at the remote Thornfield mansion. Attracted to him but wary she soon finds the mansion is a place of many secrets, some of which could be deadly. Based on the Charlotte Bronte novel.

    The Nanny (1965)-Nanny (Bette Davis), a London family's live-in maid, brings morbid 10-year-old Joey (William Dix) back from the psychiatric ward he's been in for two years, since the death of his younger sister. Joey refuses to eat any food Nanny's prepared or take a bath with her in the room. He also demands to sleep in a room with a lock. Joey's parents-workaholic Bill (James Villiers) and neurotic Virgie (Wendy Craig)-are sure Joey is disturbed, but he may have good reason to be terrified of Nanny. A battle of wits and wills ensues. Taut psychological drama was unfortunately lumped in with the hagsploitation films that became popular after the success of Davis’s “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” It is unrelated to them and much better.

    The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (1992)-During what should be a routine visit to her new obstetrician Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra) is molested by the doctor and reports him to the police. Rather than taking the rap the doctor commits suicide. The shock of the accusations and suicide causes the doctor's pregnant wife, Peyton (Rebecca De Mornay), to miscarry. Now unhinged mentally but seemingly normal Peyton poses as a nanny for the Bartel family with the intention of tearing Claire's life apart, seducing her husband (Matt McCoy) and eventually murdering the woman she blames for ruining her life. While the setup is a bit ripe De Mornay is fantastic and makes the picture much more than it should be.

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    1. I thought Music and Poppins would be everywhere this week..I was wrong. I don’t consider the Davis vehicle a slogfest but it is slow. I was really hoping Davis would go into Bitch mode. Monroe was excellent in the film and, probably, a bit too close for comfort to her mental state. John Candy made the film! You know, I still have to see Jane Eyre ..on my bucket list for movies. I have to see The Nanny...maybe I did but I can’t remember...regardless, need to see it. I haven’t seen your last pick at all which I will one day.

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    2. Joel....pick 5 movies you think I have not seen and should see. I will try to watch them:)

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    3. Birgit, Since I'm not completely sure what you haven't seen I'll give you ten and hopefully out of that there will be five you haven't seen yet! Thanks for asking!!

      Cry Havoc (1943)-Just an actress fest and it tends to get run this time of year, I think it will be on TCM sometime this month, so easier to access.

      The Breaking Point (1950)-John Garfield's best film and performance with an excellent Patricia Neal and Phyllis Thaxter in support.

      Crossing Delancy (1988)-A real charmer of a romantic comedy that captures a time and view of NYC that sadly doesn't exist any longer. The grandmother is a gem.

      The Man I Love (1947)-My favorite Ida Lupino film, a mix of noir and melodrama with a smattering of comedy.

      The Prize (1963)-The best Hitchcock film that Hitch didn't make! Paul Newman is a writer who loves the booze and wins the Nobel Prize. When he gets to Stockholm to collect it he falls into all sorts of chicanery having to do with Edward G. Robinson & Diane Baker while Elke Sommer tries to keep him out of trouble.

      It Started with Eve (1941)-Deanna Durbin's most delightful picture. A mistaken identity comedy with a scene stealing Charles Laughton and a beautiful Deanna.

      Woman's World (1954)-Lush, plush and as satisfying as a box of chocolates. Three men vie for the top job in an auto empire. Here's the cast Lauren Bacall, June Allyson, Clifton Webb, Arlene Dahl, Van Heflin, Cornel Wilde, Fred MacMurray and Margalo Gilmore (I LOVE Margalo!)

      Return of the Soldier (1982)-Alan Bates is an amnesiac WWI soldier who comes back to his palatial estate with no memory of his wife, the cold Kitty (Julie Christie) or his cousin the meek Jenny (an almost unrecognizable Ann-Margret) but longs for his long ago love Margaret (Glenda Jackson). It has a measured pace but its an acting powerhouse.

      The Mating Season (1951)-My favorite Thelma Ritter film. Thelma is a hardworking mother whose hamburger joint just went belly up when she travels to move in with her son who doesn't know she's coming she discovers he's just married Gene Tierney. What's a devoted mom to do but masquerade as the maid! All goes well until Gene's hoyden of a mother, Miriam Hopkins shows up!

      The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956)-Sweet comedy starring the priceless Judy Holliday as a small stockholder in Paul Douglas's huge corporation who causes no end of commotion.

      I hope out of those there are five you haven't seen. I tried to do a mix of decades and genres. I could go on and on. Would love to hear what you think of the ones you catch up with.

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    4. This is a great lis5 and I will now do my best to watch these films before the year is out. You know, I have only seen parts of some films except for the Deanna Furbin film which is my favourite of hers! Thanks so much!,

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    5. I share your love of It Started with Eve. She and Laughton have such a great chemistry, they hit it off behind the scenes tremendously. He was one of the few people she remained in contact with when she withdrew from Hollywood and public life.

      Have you seen their other costarrer Because of Him? It's not quite as good as Eve but a very cute film. I'd also say you should try and catch up with Deanna's Christmas Holiday which is definitely the darkest and strangest film she ever made.

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  8. I wouldn’t have got past Mary Poppins and Sound of Music. Saw them both as a child and was entranced by Julie Andrews.

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    1. Julie Andrews was one of my favourites when 8 was growing up and her voice is magic. What a shame that it was taken away from her.

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  9. Birgit,

    The two vintage films are introductions, so thanks for that. Uncle Buck we've seen and like you love John Candy. He's great in this movie! Thanks for putting a smile on my face as I recall some of the funny scenes from the film. :D

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    1. You’re welcome! Uncle Buck is great and my favourite is his scene with the assistant principal melamona...hahahaa

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  10. BIRGIT ~
    Oh, yeah, 'UNCLE BUCK' is a fun one. Heck, I like everything I've seen with John Candy in it. And SCTV blows up SNL like dynamite on a flea.

    This doesn't fit the theme *exactly* but... in a sense, Julius (Laurence Olivier) is kind of "babysitting" the two runaways (Diane Lane & Thelonious Bernard) in 'A LITTLE ROMANCE', and I love that movie.

    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079477/
    A French boy (Daniel) and an American girl (Lauren), who go to school in Paris, meet and begin a little romance. They befriend Julius, who enchants them with his storytelling. In an attempt to ensure the teens' love forever, the three journey to Venice.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'

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    1. I agree about SCTV and still giggle with the Perry Como parody. A Little Romance..I need to see this as I really like Olivier. If a film takes place in Europe I usually love watching it even if th film isn’t good because I love the locales

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  11. I only saw Uncle Buck and on TV, at that. I loved how you wrote up your takes on these films. You find the best OLD movies I've never heard of, and you bring them to life with your words of wisdom and humor.

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    1. Oh thank you! I’m glad you love my take on films.

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  12. I saw the new Mary Poppins recently. It was...fine. I like Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the music was pretty good, but the whole thing seemed unnecessary.

    Adventures in Babysitting (the original) was fun. I loved it as a kid, though I haven't seen it in years. I haven't seen the remake.

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    1. I still have to see the remake of Poppins but I don’t think anything could match the original

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  13. "Uncle Buck" was filmed in the northern suburbs of Chicago, as are a lot of John Hughes's movies ("The Breakfast Club", "Dennis The Menace," "Home Alone" etc.). One of the scenes (where Buck is dropping off his niece at school) features my high school, New Trier West (class of '74--Go Cowboys!).

    I can't think of any movies off he top of my head, but the TV show "The Nanny" has been on my mind lately, because someone posted videos of the butler and the business partner's battle of words that, of course after 6 seasons, ended in matrimony and maternity.

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    1. That’s pretty cool that your high school was in Uncle Buck. I actually enjoyed watching The Nanny but haven’t seen all the episodes

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  14. Uncle Buck, Adventures in Babysitting, and Mrs. Doubtfire all come to mind. Fun ones indeed. And you know, you don't ***k with the babysitter haha from the middle one.

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    1. I love Mrs. Doubtfire which makes me laugh every time. Some films love creating an evil babysitter

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  15. All This and Heaven Too gave me a great idea for a time travel story... I haven't written it, but I have most of the plot worked out.

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    1. Oh wow...that’s pretty cool. Your book sounds very interesting

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  16. Uncle Buck is my favorite John Candy movie. It's time for me to see it again. I love the snappy writing in your second choice, so much so I had to go find out who the writer was. I'm going to look for both the movie and the novel Mischief, by Charlotte Armstrong, on which the movie is based. Merci beaucoup.

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    1. The movie with Monroe is great and the first film was based on a very famous case that took place in the mid 1800’s.

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  17. I almost forgot about Uncle Buck! I used to watch that movie when I was little, but it's been so long since I watched that movie!

    Here’s my Thursday Movie Picks!

    Ronyell @ The Surreal Movies and TV Blog

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  18. I bet if you revisit it, you will laugh at scenes you may not have got when you were little.

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  19. I haven't seen any of these.

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  20. Haven't seen any of these! Thanks for sharing them, Birgit.

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    1. If you have a bad day, put in Uncle Buck...always cheers me up or if you have a great day..put in Uncle Buck:)

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  21. John Candy was hilarious.
    Both he and Chris Farley. Gone too soon.

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    1. Love John Candy but never cared for Chris Farley

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    2. I like John Candy more, but still enjoyed the idiocy of Chris Farley.
      As you know, I'm kind of an Idiocyphile.

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  22. Thanks for sharing these. So awesome.

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  23. I saw Uncle Buck but that's it from your list. Offhand I can't come up with a film about babysitters or nannies though I know there have been a bunch of them.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. I know, it’s hard to think of movies with this theme but there are many out there like The Sound of Music

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  24. I haven't seen any of your picks yet, but they all go straight to my to-watch-list!

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  25. John Candy and Chris Farley would have made a great team.

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  26. Oh my God. Uncle Buck is a classic. Hilarious. I just watched a John Candy movie last night. His death was such a loss for all of us.
    YOU have a great day.

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  27. Great list. I should watch Uncle Buck again sometime.

    I have a soft spot for Nanny McPhee, a movie that features major celebrity crushes for both my wife (Colin Firth) and me (Kelly Macdonald).

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  28. Uncle Buck is a great choice, one of my favorites. Adventures in Babysitting is right up there too-- I've watched it many times.

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  29. I haven't seen Uncle Buck in years- but I did love it back in the day and would like to see it again. I agree with Karen- Adventures in Babysitting is up there for me too. Reminds me of middle school and high school. :)
    ~Jess

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  30. Haven't seen the first two. Both sound eerie but good:)
    YOU have a great one.

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  31. I've only seen bits of Uncle Buck. I need to see the whole thing. I'm hesitant because John Candy is hit-or-miss with me. I also need to see the others.

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  32. i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
    or
    call/whatsapp:+2349057261346










    i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
    or
    call/whatsapp:+2349057261346

    ReplyDelete