Hubby and I have been together for 19 years! Our Anniversary is September 16th and, I believe, most of my friends thought it would not last. We’ve been through job loss, mayhem with my mom, the dementia of my mom, death, car accident, pet deaths, major costs, major health issues and we are stronger now than ever.
I created this card for him creating the background using colour bursts. I sprinkled some coloured dust in yellow, green and red onto watercolour paper. I spritzed water onto the card and the colours burst forth. It’s really cool to see. Once it was dry, I stamped the trees in black and glued the backings, finally adding the saying.
Daughters come in all shapes and sizes and so do their parents. I decided to take the daughters and find their inner blossom. No, no get your head out of the gutter, they change from plain into a swan with either the help or against their parent. Here are my 3..
1. NOW, VOYAGER-1942
Poor Bette Davis is a nervous, plain Jane daughter of a viper of a mom, played with great evil by Gladys Cooper. When we meet poor Bette, she is a beaten down woman who cannot escape the caustic diatribes of her mom until she is sent to a care facility. Under the careful, gentle guidance of head psychiatrist, played, as always, with great aplomb, by Claude Rains, she shines and finds her true self. She takes a cruise and meets Hubba Hubba Paul Henreid where they begin a sensual love affair. We know this because he lights 2 cigarettes and hands her one..a huge sensual innuendo that made many women swoon, not to mention they have to share a sleeping bag. The true test comes when she finally comes home to meet back up with her mamma who does not approve. It is a romantic film not just because of the love affair but because of the romance Bette finds within herself and how she comes to find her destiny in helping a smaller version of herself. It’s a great film with a great score by Max Steiner.
2. SABRINA-1954
I just rewatched this enchanting tale that stars the exquisite Audrey Hepburn who is the daughter of the chauffeur dad played by John Williams, a prolific character actor that we know the face but not the name. When we meet Sabrina, she is a sweet girl in bare feet ( you actually see how big Audrey’s feet really are!) who longs to be part of of the party atmosphere of her dad’s employer specifically, in the arms of playboy William Holden ( in fact, they had a very intense love affair and he was planning to divorce his wife but when she spoke about having children, he crushed her dreams because he had a vasectomy. She ended the affair but Holden always carried a torch for her). Her dad was able to save money and invest wisely, by listening in on his employer’s stock tips, to send his daughter to Paris to become a chef. 2 years later, she returns and , boy, does she return dressed to kill in a very chic ensemble complete with toy poodle. Holden sees this lady and stops his little sports car offering to take her home not realizing this is the girl of the chauffeur. He invites her to another party his parents routinely give. She appears in an outstanding gown and is noticed by every man there but she only has eyes for playboy Holden. She is so excited when he asks her to meet him at his usual seduction place but is very disappointed when his older, all business brother appears in the form of Humphrey Bogart. Bogie decides to “woo” her to stop this romantic liaison between her and his brother because the family needs him to marry the daughter of some gazillionaire for business reasons. Audrey enchants as she wears one great dress to another and, although the costumes were designed by Edith Head, this is when Hepburn met Hubert De Givenchy who did design the iconic gowns including the little black dress. Hepburn rarely wore any other gowns after this and had a beautiful friendship with the designer until her early death, from cancer in 1993. This is a fun film by Billy Wilder even though Bogart seems a little too old for the role.
3. GYPSY-1962
Natalie Wood is the plain daughter to a stage mom to end all stage moms, played by the brilliant Rosalind Russell. Russell doesn’t think too much about Wood because she puts all her efforts into blond top-billed Baby June ( as in June Havoc who was a good actress in her day) during the heyday of Vaudeville. When Baby June leaves the act to elope with her boyfriend to escape the overbearing clutches of her mom, mom is devastated not thinking she has another daughter that will blow her socks off. Wood develops into a vavavoom siren but she doesn’t know it. Her mom, still wanting to be famous, reaches a new low by offering Louise as a stripper at the burlesque theatre. Louise goes on stage, reluctantly, and appears awkward but, somehow, she finds her confidence and wows the crowd after taking off one glove. Before you can say, 1st rate stripper, Louise becomes Gypsy Rose Lee, the most famous stripper ever, and finally stands up to her domineering mom. This is based on a true story from the book Gypsy Rose Lee wrote, becoming a famous play and musical.
What parent/daughter films can you think of? Any where the daughter blossoms under their guidance or against it?
This week on Monday Music Moves Me, it’s about dear diary…not diarrhea which is what I have written about regarding past loves and sad times I have been through. To be honest, I don’t keep a diary…too much work but I did keep a travel diary every time I went on vacation especially when I went to Europe so here are my diary choices…
1. IF IT’S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE BELGIUM SUNG BY BOJOURA-1969
I love the movie about group of American tourists who travel across Europe where they must follow the umbrella, deal with a variety of complications including a teen who hates being there ( I thought the girl was stupid, and still think so) until she meets up with the cool hippies listening to Donovan. Donovan wrote this song and it was sung by J P Rags in the film but I chose this lady who was big in the 60s and 70s.
2. TWO FOR THE ROAD THEME BY HENRY MANCINI-1967
Henry Mancini, a great musician and composer, considered this piece his favourite. This is from a great European road picture starring Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finley which takes you throughout Europe from the time the couple meet to when they are less than enchanted with each other.
3. VIENNA SUNG BY BILLY JOEL-1977
I have been to Vienna more than twice and I wish to go back, over and over and over again. I love that city and know I have only seen a small part of it. In fact I could rhyme off more things I have not seen than what I have which means I must go back. I love St. Stephen’s Cathedral which is a brilliant piece of gothic architecture plus I love walking around this musical city where the greats such as Beethoven and Mozart both lived.
Robert Redford just died on the 16th of September at the age of 89 and it really affected me because he is one of the last of the giants of the big screen even though he is from the modern era. I’m changing this up just a bit because I can’t just choose 3…. I tried, but I couldn’t and I am choosing more than 3 going from my favourite on down and will not give a synopsis. There are some famous films he made that I have yet to see like, “All The President’s Men” so I won’t showcase some famous films he did make. You can let me know which ones I should watch in your comments. Here we go…
1. THE STING-1973
2. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID-1969
3. JEREMIAH JOHNSON-1972
4. BAREFOOT IN THE PARK-1967
5. THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER-1975
6. THE ELECTRIC HORSEMAN-1979
7. THE HORSE WHISPERER-1998
8. THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR-1975
9. BRUBAKER-1980
10. THE GREAT GATSBY-1974
You can see there are some major omissions because I have not seen them yet. Redford started the Sundance Festival in his home state of Utah but he was prolific behind the scenes as well as a Producer and Director. He won an Oscar for “Ordinary People” a film I still need to see. I noticed that I really like his directing style and here are 3 films I love…
1. THE MILAGRO BEANFIELD WAR-1988
2. QUIZ SHOW-1994
3. A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT-1992
If you watch all these trailers…thank you!! We lost a great one this week and I bow my head to this classic gentleman.
I'm writing this late, again, but I just heard that Robert Redford died. I'm in shock because I thought he would keep going well into his 90s. He looked boyish most of his life which just makes it even more shocking. He was someone who believed in film creating the Sundance Film festival and directing many films winning an Oscar for “Ordinary People”. I love his films he directed and produced because they were quiet films that spoke volumes but in hushed tones like “The Milagro Beanfield War”, one of my favorites. On with the music where I am choosing 3 songs, one that won the Oscar, one that was nominated and one that received 0 love. Let's see if you can choose the right way…
1. HOOKER'S HOOKER BY MARVIN HAMLISCH
Tis is a great film with a great soundtrack famous for the Scott Joplin tunes that became famous again because of this film. Marvin Hamlisch created some original works for this film and this is one of them evoking the Jazz style of that time.
2. YOU'RE SO NICE TO BE AROUND SUNG BY PAUL WILLIAMS
Has anyone seen “Smokey and the Bandit?” You see a short, freaky blond guy early in the film and, again, near the end and that hobbit looking guy with that stupid haircut is Paul Williams who wrote a ton of famous songs back in the 1970s and 80s including this song where he wrote the lyrics with John Williams writing the music. Now this song was not from Smokey but from “Cinderella Liberty” a film I still need to see.
3. THE WAY WE WERE SUNG BY BARBRA STREISAND
We should all know this iconic Streisand song that comes from the movie of the same name that costars her with the brilliant Robert Redford. This is another song written by Marvin Hamlisch that moves the film along on its romantic story about 2 people who fall in love despite their major differences.
So, who won the Oscar, who was nominated and who was jilted on both counts?
I have a lot of stuff hanging around my craft room that just wants to be made into a card and one is this Santa that I stamped a long time ago. I decided to make it vintage looking since I felt the actual stamped image wasn’t clear, to me. I used a couple of Tim Holtz distress ink pads, my foam piece to place on the ink pad and rubbed the whole image in a light colour. I took darker inks to sponge along the edges. I layered the image and added some gold corners and framed it in. Some bling was added onto the card and my Christmas card is done.
Tic, Tac, Toe Challenge- tttc279- diagonal. rectangle, 3 or more colours, embossing
I had this peacock on my desk for so long so he needed some loving. This is a stencil I had used and so I finally glued him in place on a background I created using yellow dye inks. I started stamping the ferns and other stamps I have to create a scenic frame. The peacock is viewed in a small clearing. I used green, brown and merlot distress inks to create the scene and coloured in the edges. I layered up the card with the last layer covered I tissue. The final bit were the borders in gold and some bling and stickles.
This is a toughie because 1997 was a good year for movies of all genres, well, almost all. I decided to choose Best Supporting Actor and will just say it...Don't hate me. This is the year the great Robin Williams won and he did give a great performance and a memorable one but I feel there is one equal and am going out on a limb here because it is for a comedy. Now, I miss Robin Williams so much and was very upset when he died. It was the same when John Candy died, some just leave a mark. I am trying to go by performance and, maybe on another day, I might choose Robin but not today...
1. VINCENT D'ONOFRIO IN MEN IN BLACK
This comedic gem in acting is the best thing from this comedy. I’ve watched this film more than once because it’s brainless fun but I always get a kick out of Vincent D’Onofrio’s character. In fact, each time I’ve watched this, I am quite amazed how dexterous Vincent is moving in a jerky style with every joint seemingly going in different directions. He starts off as an a-hole husband with the IQ of a turnip, who investigates a crash and is quickly taken by some alien only to appear different, his face not quite attached. He asks his wife for sugar in water, gulps it down, freaks out his wife, who faints, and then proceeds to locate a galaxy. As he searches, he is looking more decayed but he continues to talk and move in a hilarious style that makes me laugh every time even though he is looking more gross by the second. I find his performance quite stupendous because of his range, his physical dexterity and, through the makeup, still be able to move his face making me laugh every time. He wasn’t even nominated and, I feel he should have won.
2. ROBIN WILLIAMS IN GOOD WILL HUNTING
Ughhh, Robin is so good in this film that, not picking him, feels like I just dropped kicked a kitten across the gorge. He did win the Oscar this year and I am happy about this but he deserved it for other years which I won’t say because I will pick this another time. Robin Williams is someone I still weep over because, I thought, he would live to be 95 years old. He was such a force of energy that it defied belief how much he knew and how he could use it to make us laugh. Thankfully, he rose above Mork from Ork, showing his huge range in films from the very funny like “Mrs. Doubtfire” to the very eerie like in “One Hour Photo.” In this film, he plays a professor who takes Matt Damon under his wing to help this bratty jerk develop his genius in mathematics and science. He won’t take bullshit shocking Matt Damon’s character and us. He made me cry when sharing, with Matt, his memories of his late wife who would fart while sleeping. In other hands, that scene may not worked but, in Robin’s hands, he made us laugh and cry at the same time. I don’t mind, at all, that he won the Oscar but, I just feel that Vincent’s comedic turn deserved to award more.
3. BURT REYNOLDS IN BOOGIE NIGHTS
Burt was very good in this role as a slimy director/ producer who cares for his porn people who seem to get into all sorts of icky situations. This film made a star of Mark Wahlberg as the lead porn star during the heyday of porn in the 1970s. He is recruited by Burt who sees potential( think long shlong) in this kid and, to make sure, has him have sex with Rollergirl, played by Heather Graham. You meet a number of people who work under Jack ( not “that” under) who deal with all sorts of issues not the least is cocaine which was a big problem back in the 70s and 80s. Jack becomes very angry when his higher ups want these films to go straight on video, not film which makes Jack feel will diminish his films. Burt knows this era having lived it but, not as a porn star, but as the biggest actor in the 70s. His character is believable as someone who truly cares about his actors, cameramen etc… while producing films that is the lowest of the low…porn. Burt was nominated and, I believe, he thought he was going to win, but didn’t. I remember seeing his face after he lost and his hidden anger and disappointment carried through the camera lens. Oh well, be happy you were nominated.
Do you agree with my assessment or are aghast that I chose someone other than the great Robin Williams (I’m sorry)? Would you choose someone completely different? Let me know.
For the Monday Music Moves Me theme it is a celebration of Grandparent’s Day. I never met my dad’s parents because my grandmom died, bleeding to death, after giving birth to another son( who also died) in October 1919 at the age of 39 and my granddad died in 1956 at the age of 86. I did know my mom’s parents and only met them a few times before my beloved Oma died on December 29th, 1986. I met her a few times, when they came here, back in 1968-69, in 1972, 1980 and 1982 when I brought them here for their 60th wedding anniversary. She was so tiny at just 4ft 8in. But she had a fierce will, a lovely way around her and such loving eyes. Opa came to live with us by June, 1987 when my mom’s sister had had enough of him. Opa was known for his quick temper, his artistic talent, and his incredible, I mean, incredible slowness. Where he was ultra slow, Oma was the opposite…she must have been very concerned thinking that he was dead. Anyhow, I have listed 3 songs that for this theme, seems to fit the bill.
1. MUSS I DENN SUNG BY NANA MOUSKOURI-1978
This is a traditional German folk song published back in 1827 after being adapted by Friedrich Silcher. It gained major notice when Elvis sang it back in 1960. I know my Oma loved folk songs and Nana Mouskouri so this works on both counts.
2. I LOVE LUCY AND SHE LOVES ME SUNG BY DESI ARNAZ-1953
My Oma loved this famous TV show and she would watch it every chance she could get. She often said that my mom, her youngest daughter, reminded her of Lucy and, I agree. My mom often got into some mischief and she also looked great in the hairstyle Lucy wore.
3. CARDINAL SUNG BY KASEY MUSGRAVES-2024
My Oma loved birds and would feed them near the window so she could watch them. She loved the little songbirds and, when her and Opa came to visit, in 1982, she loved the bright red of the cardinal and the beautiful blue of the blue Jay. My mom, also, loved birds and would feed the birds and watch them congregate together naming many blue jays because each had a different pattern. Anyway, after Oma died, I just felt a little empty which was strange since there was an ocean between us. The few times I was able to be with her, I just felt a huge kinship and, I know, she felt the same. When I think of my Oma, I often hear the cardinal and just felt that was her speaking to me and this was way before the cardinal was linked to the spirit world. Almost every morning, I hear the cardinal sing and see him perched letting me know she is near.
One more…
4. BREAKING AWAY THEME SONG BY PATRICK WILLIAMS-1979
This film was the sleeper hit of 1979 that was such a small film but ended up with many awards. The music was up for an Oscar, but didn’t win, but it’s often played on the Classical radio station. Why did I pick this film about a teen’s dream to be in the Tour De France? Well, I found out that my Opa was in bicycle races when he was young. When my mom told me he raced, I just about fell off my chair. When Oma died, 6 months later, Opa came to live with us in 1987. My mom was the only one who could handle Opa. He was living with Tante Ilse but that did not work and he had no desire to live under the rules of Uncle Harry so my mom was the best choice…and only choice. She never put up with his bullshit or his anger. To say Opa was slow would be like saying the Pope is slightly Catholic. He was THE slowest man on earth! I’m not kidding! My best friend didn’t believe me until I made her sit and watch him eat breakfast. When he buttered his toast, very slowly, he would sit back, a little burp coming from his lips, taking a deep breath as if he just rode 10 miles, before beginning to butter his 2nd piece of toast. His slowness is legendary amongst my friends.
I took quite a leave from creating cards. After Christmas, I chilled a bit while my hubby created more shelving to hold our film Collection. I think we must have over a 1,000 Dvds and we have run out of room so hubby has to create more shelving. The shelving, above, holds the actors we love plus action/adventure/crime films. We had 5 big, plastic tote boxes full of films, which I went through, slowly, dividing them amongst genres but, also, certain film stars. After getting this all organized and placed in a book, I finally made the keepsake box for my best friend's son's wedding.
It took a long time because I only had the weekend and often, just Sunday, because I had to do the stupid groceries and clean the house. This was my first time creating something using napkins, braids, fly away sparkly shit that went everywhere! I'm certain my colon will look sparkly the next time I have a colonoscopy. Here are some pics...
This is the interior. I stole..um, I mean, grabbed a serviette from their wedding and glued it into the box.
This is the stuff I used for all the edges on the box but it was very messy! In my hair, pants slippers...never again.
This is the inside of the top of the lid. Their colour was blue, like the cornflower which is my favourite flower. I used a variety of colours, in blues, and glued the photo of them that they used for their invitation.
These are serviettes I had which fit the style perfectly. I took off the 2 layers and glued on the patterned layer onto the box, already painted white. I shaded the edges, added the @*$# glitter, used modgepodge as well as varnish in semi-glossy. The dog is Moose, who is their child, at least, for now. If you can see, above and under the doggie, I have their first initials glued in place. The bling and braids adds the finishing touch. This box, I started in January and finished it at the beginning of June.
I am back to making cards and getting my mo-jo back.
I’m writing this late but I had to do a special on World War 2 with Japan because September 2nd was the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2 with Japan. This marked the total end of this World War and so much is talked about the war in Europe but so many suffered and died during the Japanese siege on the many islands in the Pacific. You know, I remember when a Japanese soldier was found on an island, in 1974, still believing the war was on. I was dumbfounded that he hid for all those years. Anyhoo, here are my 3..
1. THE SANDS OF IWO JIMA-1949
This stars John Wayne as the head of a group of men he must get into shape to survive the perils of the jungle and the Japanese force. He is not liked by his men but, when they start fighting, the quickly realize why he was so hard on them. Over time, many men die in battle but the men start to gain more respect for the soldier in charge. This is a pretty gritty war film that does hold up even after all these years. It’s well acted and the cinematography is great.
2. HELL IN THE PACIFIC-1968
This stars only 2 people, Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune as 2 men stranded on a deserted island during the war. They are enemies trying to outwit the other with the Japanese man having water and the American needing it. Over time they form an uneasy alliance as they try to survive and find a way off the island. It is well acted, tense and leaves you riveted wanting more. The stars own the film and this was my introduction to the great actor Toshiro Mifune.
3. HACKSAW RIDGE-2016
This is an excellent film based on a true story of Desmond Doss who signed on, but refused to carry a gun. Labeled a conscientious objector, he worked as a medic, during the battle of Okinawa. He ended up saving 75 men, carrying each one to the edge of the cliff they were on, lowering them down to the men below before going to the next one. Even when wounded, he continued to save the men, while under fire, before, finally, lowering himself to safety. He is the only conscientious objector to receive 2 bronze stars. This film stars Andrew Garfield who delivers a superb performance as the deeply religious man who wants to be part of the war but without killing anyone. You see how badly he was mistreated by his own fellow soldiers until he saves all the men. It is a brutal film without relenting the horrors of war. It is directed by, yup, Mel Gibson, and despite my dislike for this man, he delivered an A1 film. The editing is excellent and the acting, superb.
What films about WW2 films, set in the Pacific, China, Japan can you think of?
I was thinking about events that happened on September 3rd and the songs that instantly popped into my head so I hope you enjoy. I joined the Monday Music Moves Me which you should check out. By the way, doesnt my sweet Lexi look like she’s hyped on her favourite drug? Here we go…
1. I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU SUNG BY FRANK SINATRA-1962
I am praying I have the Sinatra version that sings the original lyrics which are pre-code. The original lyrics have “I get no kick from cocaine…” I always loved this Cole Porter song that was sung by Ethel Merman in the Broadway hit, “Anything Goes”. Today, that horrible woman, Griselda Blanco was shot to death while she was walking in 2012. To say she wasn’t a nice person is an understatement because she is responsible for many, many murders. She became a huge kingpin in the cocaine world of the 70s and 80s earning millions on the deaths of thousands. This song was written long ago for a Broadway show but the 1920s was rife with cocaine as well which is why the lyrics are in there.
2. RAPTURE BY BLONDIE-1980
I just love this song and, at one point, learned the lyrics which I found quite funky. It’s considered a hybrid of rock, 70s disco style, hip hop and rap. Back on this date, in 1976, there was the first Mars landing and what better way to celebrate than listening to this song. Her “Man from Mars” just made me laugh because it was so off the wall but works so well.
3. TILL THE END OF TIME SUNG BY PERRY COMO-1945
This became a big hit for Perry Como and his Pied Pipers in 1945 and was showcased in a film, of the same name, of the returning WW2. September 2nd was the end of the War when the Japanese finally surrendered. Sadly, it took the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki for them to capitulate and freed the many soldiers and civilians from their POW camps where many were starving since the Japanese did not abide by the rules of the Geneva Convention. When I saw pictures of the soldiers in a Life Magazine spread, I was horrified how they looked. This song became a huge hit in August of 1945 and carried on into September when these men came home.
What songs come into your head when you think of drugs, Mars and coming home from War?
MARRIED: Once, to Jack Bean, talent Agent and her manager, until he died. 52 yrs.
CHILDREN: None
FRIENDS: Bob Mackie, Liza Minnelli
TALENT: singing, dancing, knew how to entertain
KNOWN FOR: her perky demeanour. Knew how to calm a situation ie. Ethel Merman was fuming when Marilyn Monroe was late or would not come out of her trailer. Mitzi would give a wink making Merman believe Monroe was having a sex time with someone. This would neutralize Merman’s anger.
Known for her perky and effervescent personality, this sweet gal wished she could be known for her sexiness so she could get some roles that went to Marilyn Monroe but she did pretty good for herself, regardless. She is, actually, from Hungarian aristocracy ( sorry Zsa Zsa but she really is aristocracy)on her father’s side, who was a classical violinist and music director and her mom was a dancer, so her talents were inherited. Her nickname, “Mitzi” is a German endearment from the name “Maria” and she was called this since she was a child. When she came to Hollywood, a talent scout( I think), decided to change her last name to Gaynor, from the film actress, Janet Gaynor, which was fine by Mitzi who loved the actress. Her biggest time in film, were the 1950s with, her last film, being in 1963 when she realized her natural talents would be better utilized on stage. She began appearing in Las Vegas to sold out shows and she would often appear in Vancouver, BC- Canada, to try out a new show and loved the city and the people. She brought the house down during the 1967 Oscars when she sang the Oscar nominated song, “Georgy Girl” receiving a standing ovation that did not stop. The execs had a hard time to get the audience to stop clapping so they could continue on with the show. Mitzi, and her husband, who was her manager, had many TV specials during the late 60s and 79s where she won many Emmys and other awards. She knew how to stop the show especially in her famous Bob Mackie gowns. She continued to perform, on stage, well into the 1990s before she semi retired. She still would dance every day even into her 80s and kept her gorgeous figure. A fun note, she appeared on the Ed Sullivan show when the Beatles performed back in 1964. Afterward, she went out to dinner with them and they asked for her autograph! I love that:)
I’m going to list her film from my favourite on down but the last 4, I did not see but want to.
I think film land, at least Hollywood, is relying too much on remakes or, if the film is a hit, you will see a 2nd, 3rd or in the case of Fast and Furious, #350 in the series. There are some original films out there but, usually, they are made on a small budget. I just watched the latest version of a film based on a book by Erich Maria Remarque who fought in World War 1. So there are 3 versions based on his book, there may be others, but these films have the same title as the book. Here are the 3…
1. ALL QUIET IN THE WESTERN FRONT-1930
This is the first and, to me, the best version of this classic war novel that stars Lew Ayres as the young Paul who, along with his friends, get riled up by their school teacher into patriotic furor and join the German army in 1914. They must go through training with the trainer being their old postmaster who feels he is the next 5 star general and lords it over the kids. Soon enough, these young boys are in the trenches, terrified at the horrors facing them. Over time, one by one is killed until Paul is left alone in the trenches. This is an early sound film and was actually made as a silent until the higher ups realized that it must be a sound film. Sound is used to great effect from the machine gun blitzing the enemy like ducks in a game. The cinematography, by Arthur Edison, is stellar making the black and white come alive. Lewis Milestone is the director who understood what the book was about and knew how to end the film in a great way using his own hand at the very end. By the way, Lew Ayres was so affected by this film that he stated he was a conscientious objector during WW2 and faced taunts and threats. What many did not know is that he joined in the hospital medic field and was truly heroic coming to the aid of soldiers.
2. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT-1979
I’d love to see this version again which was a TV film that spanned over 3 nights. I had already seen the 1930 version so I was ready to be unimpressed by a tv movie but, I was wrong! This is an excellent adaptation that stars Richard Thomas ( John Boy from The Waltons) as Paul and Ernest Borgnine as the I,Der soldier that takes Paul under his wing. You also have the great Donald Pleasance as the tough commander faced with whipping these kids into shape. Donald Pleasance was in the war and was a prisoner of war for the last couple of years of WW2. It is well acted and the first movie filmed in the former Czechoslovakia, a Communist held country at that time. I hope, one day, you can see this version which, to me, is not quite as good as the original but it’s so worthy.
3. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT-2022
I just watched this newest take of this classic book and film versions that stars Felix Kammerer as Paul who, along with his friends, join in the last 2 months of the war so they can be war heroes. They learn very quickly that there are no heroes only mud, blood, tanks and death. The bloody scenes are quite realistic and I will not get the image of one soldier, flattened by a tank, out of my mind any time soon. The grittiness and horrors are very realistic and almost too much but I was left wishing for more. Whoever decided to change the time and have it start near the end of the war made me feel like I was gyped. They cut out the scenes when they were being trained and when they visited some French girls. Here it was just one soldier who left and came back with a scarf. Again, I felt like I was cheated and I never felt the real warmth for the characters like I felt in the first film nor the 2nd. The editing, especially at the beginning, left me a bit confused and the friends died so quickly that I just didn’t ….care. This did win many awards and, if I didn’t know the book nor the other 2 films, it might have done more for me but I just didn’t fall in love with the characters like the first one. In the first film, when the first dies and you see another wearing his boots, you feel bad for that boy and icky that his friend took his boots but you understood why. In this film, they omitted the hospital scene but dealt with the footwear in a different way…which I have already forgotten.
Which films have you seen all the versions and which do you like the best? You have Superman, Spiderman, Dune but you have Love Affair as well. Maybe you prefer the first Dune film and, if you do, you might need some shock treatments:)
Yes, I’m Canadian and proud of it but I always liked the Purple Heart which we don’t have in Canada otherwise my Dad would have one. The theme this week, over at Monday Music Moves Me, is about the theme of Honour or the colour Purple and since most chose Purple, I went a different route and hope you like it.
1. SHUTTERS AND BOARDS SUNG BY DEAN MARTIN-1962
This song was written by Audie Murphy with music by Scott Turner and you wonder…how is this appropriate? Audie Murphy is the most decorated American soldier ever. He was small in size, which is why he was not accepted by the Marines and the Paratroopers, but it was the Infantry’s gain. You need to read about him because he was in more than one skirmish with the battle of Anzio being the most famous. He was wounded but, in a burning tank, held off a German attack with a machine gun. He was known to have killed close to 300 German soldiers in battles he was in. After the war, he wrote the book, “To Hell and Back” which was later made into a movie starring Audie Murphy. He did become a film star, mainly in Westerns and was a better than average star but he also suffered from crippling PTSD and was an alcoholic. He wrote many pieces of music as well with this song being one. Sadly, he died in a plane crash in 1971 at the age of 45. To red more bout Audie Murphy, you can go here
2. THEME FROM M.A.S.H. SUNG BY THE RON HICKLIN SINGERS-1970
This song was written by Johnny Mandel with lyrics by Michael Altman and the instrumental version was the theme for the great TV show M.A.S.H. in fact, you see the Purple Heart given a few times in the TV show. It does show Ferret Face…aka Frank Burns put in for a Purple Heart because he stubbed his toe ( I am certain things like this truly did occur) but, the Purple Heart finds its way onto a baby who survived being shelled by friendly fire. James Garner, from Maverick and The Rockford Files fame fought in the Korean War and received 2 Purple Hearts one in combat and one due to Friendly Fire.
3. DOES ANYBODY KNOW I’M HERE SUNG BY THE DELLS-1968
This song made me think of the Late Senator John McCain, who earned 2 Purple Hearts plus other medals during his time in Vietnam. He was severely wounded in the legs and chest and was taken by the enemy in 1967. The North Vietnamese tortured him, beat him severely and he suffered from dysentery. He was in this hellish condition until 1973 when there was a POW swap. He could have left earlier, but he gave up his freedom, more than once, to have his fellow comrades who left for freedom. When he returned he suffered from PTSD and physical issues where he could never lift his arms over his head. He became a senator for the Republican Party and was a vocal opponent to the Cheesy ( who treated this courageous and honourable man atrociously) but, sadly, he died from cancer. He is a true hero. I never thought I’d say that about. republican:)
What songs spring to your mind when you think of songs of valour?
Today, I have, what I call, my sippy cup which is filled with 1 part orange juice and 3 parts soda water which has been my go to drink for decades now. Of course, back in the day, I would imbibe …often and have been cut off in more than one bar but those are other stories for another day. I loved the summers for hanging out with my friends, dancing every weekend with a screwdriver in my hand. There have been many films where the drinks are free flowing starting with the Thin Man series which I love, but I chose 3 other films that fit the bill.
1. SWING TIME-1936
I love musicals ( duh!) and the Astaire/Rogers musical is a great one with many gob-smacking dance numbers. Along for the ride are the staples that appeared in many of their films which included Helen Broderick, Edward Everett Horton and the supreme, Eric Blore. Astaire plays a famous dancer ( again…Duh!) and gambler who wants to marry but her dad won’t allow it unless he can come up with $25,000. His friends don’t want him to marry and do whatever it takes to screw things up. Astaire meets Rogers and sparks fly which goes the usual route of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back. In the meantime, you love how his friends do whatever they can to screw things up for him and Blore does it with great aplomb while holding a drink in his hand all the time. I love this character actor who deserves better recognition these days. He is so, so funny as the always inebriated friend.
2. MY MAN GODFREY-1936
Talk about a screwball comedy! This is one of the best that stars William Powell who is picked up by Carole Lombard, in the city dump as a homeless man for the Scavenger hunt her elite, rich friends are having. Before you can say, Holy insensitive, rich a-holes, Carole hires Godfrey as their Butler and he is now living at the wacky household that can make anyone go insane. The mother is constantly pixelated, Carole’s sister is a bitch, the dad is trying to keep things together and deal with his wife’s musical protege who is enjoying his freeloading ways. Carole is the younger daughter who knows Godfrey loves her and does everything to get him to admit this. During one party scene, Godfrey imbibes while serving drinks and it is quite hilarious. Carole is luminous and it’s always sad to know she won’t live much longer dying in a plane crash in 1942. This is a zany comedy that I enjoy watching.
3. THE PARTY-1968
Never mind when I was in my 20s, I would love to go to this party today! I think all 3 of these films are politically incorrect today but, I don’t care because they are funny especially this film that stars Peter Sellers as a bumbling, would be Indian actor( from India not Native American), who destroys a film set costing thousands. Somehow, he gets invited to a Hollywood party which is a party that is wild, to say the least. You have a very funny dinner scene, dancing, drinking, elephants, romance and Steve Franken as one of the butlers who keeps drinking the left over wine becoming quite drunk. This character actor, from film and TV is hilarious in a basic silent role stealing the scenes from Peter Sellers, not an easy feat. It’s a party I would go to in a minute especially when there are suds galore.
This is 1995, 30 yrs ago! I can't believe it because it seems so modern. I'm joining in for freebie week over at Monday Music Moves Me. Let's see if you can guess which song won the Oscar which one was nominated and which came up empty-handed in all areas..here are the 3...
1. CANCION DEL MARIACHI BY LOS LOBOS AND ANTONIO BANDERAS
This is from a fun flick, "Desperado" starring Antonio Banderos and Selma Hayek and it includes a lot of great music. When you look back, Hollywood always had a love for Mexican music starting in the 1940s. I love this soundtrack.
2. COLORS OF THE WIND SUNG BY JUDY KUHN
This song is from Pocahontas, with music by Alan Menkin and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, which depicts a nice sweet gal without any tattoos unlike the real Pocahontas who was covered in them and, died at 21 from, I believe, smallpox or pneumonia or TB…they are not sure.
3. YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME SUNG BY RANDY NEWMAN
This was written by Randy Newman for "Toy Story", a funny and endearing animated movie that we all know well. Frankly, there's something about Randy that just makes me want to bitch slap him upside the head.
On that lovely note, which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which came up empty-handed.
1941 was a big year for “ WTF won” due, mainly, to Citizen Kane not winning in almost every category and I do agree but I am going to talk about Best Actress because this is the year Joan Fontaine won over her sister, Olivia De Havilland. I can’t stand Joan Fontaine. As an actress, she is good, but the actress is a self righteous snot who portrays herself as someone who always took the high road but she didn’t. I can’t stand say this because I read her autobiography and I just wanted to bitch slap her. I worked with someone like her and she was good at portraying a caring person but they are clearly narcissistic. These 2 sisters are famous for their hatred of one another and their competitive natures came out big time this year. Olivia was the expected winner so it was an upset when Fontaine won and as she made her way to the podium, Olivia stood to congratulate her but Fontaine snubbed her as she headed up to claim her Oscar. Needless to say, you know I won’t be choosing her as the winner, in my book.
1. BARBARA STANWYCK IN BALL OF FIRE
I easily could have gone with Bette Davis for her brilliant performance in “ The Little Foxes” but as I kept thinking about the roles, I felt that Stanwyck’s performance in this film and in “The Lady Eve” were stellar and much more nuanced in her role as a gangster’s moll who holds up in a place where the cops could not find her, a group of old professors except for a bewildered and innocent man, Gary Cooper, who, also, lives there. He went to her club to learn the slang of the day since he is writing a book on slang terms not knowing that she is in with a big mobster. As she stays within those walls, her hard heart begins to soften for the elderly men and she begins to feel something more for Cooper when in comes her Mobster boyfriend. Stanwyck can play a hardened gal but also a softened girl and she makes it believable. She was the best in this film and in “The Lady Eve” which she was equally excellent but wasn’t nominated for that role opposite Henry Fonda.
2. IRENE DUNNE FOR PENNY SERENADE
Irene Dunne is one of the best actresses to never have won an Oscar and she was nominated many times but, strangely, not for this tear jerker Romance film co-starring Cary Grant who plays her husband. The 2 meet in Japan, marry and are happy to learn she is pregnant but before you can say, uh-oh, an earthquake hits and she loses the baby. They move back to California and, at the suggestion of their friend, they decide to adopt. There are some humorous moments like when they have no idea how to change a diaper but also some gut wrenching scenes that showcases Grant’s acting ability as much as Dunne’s. She was so good in this film and helped evolve her character into substance creating a melodrama that I really enjoy watching.
3. JOAN FONTAINE IN SUSPICION
Yes, Joan won for her role in Suspicion directed by Alfred Hitchcock and, don’t get me wrong, she is good as the wife of potential killer, Cary Grant but she didn’t deserve the Oscar as the nervous wife of cad, Cary Grant who can’t seem to hold down any job. In fact, I think Hitchcock should be recognized for his ability to make this actress look good in her role here and in “Rebecca”. Here, she goes against rich daddy and marries schemer, Cary Grant who, annoyingly, calls her monkey face. As time goes on, she believes her husband could be a murderer and becomes more on edge wondering when he will make his strike against her. The film is good despite the ending but, it was the time of the studios who had the last say, so I can forgive their oversight. I love Cary Grant who always delivers and Fontaine was able to capture a very nervous woman who just needs a good bitch slap.
Have you seen these films? Do you agree or would you pick someone different?
FYI- This is my friend's cute little doggie, not mine nor my pool:). It is mid summer, although I always think of July as mid summer, and summer seems to last into September when it used to be getting rather rainy and colder when I was young…I hate climate change which does exist, sadly. Right now, we have been having temperatures at 32-34C( 89.6-93.2F) but with the bloody humidity it feels more like 44C or 111F. My glasses fog up and I have a hard time breathing…I hate this weather. Anyways, venture over to Curious As A Cathy who co-hosts Monday Music Moves Me…here are my choices:
1. STEAM HEAT SUNG BY CAROL HANEY WITH BUZZ MILLER AND KENNETH LEROY-1957
It is mid summer, although I always think of July as mid summer, and summer seems to last into September when it used to be getting rather rainy and colder when I was young…I hate climate change which does exist, sadly. Right now, we have been having temperatures at 32-34C( 89.6-93.2F) but with the bloody humidity it feels more like 44C or 111F. My glasses fog up and I have a hard time breathing…I hate this weather. Anyways, venture over to Curious As A Cathy who co-hosts Monday Music Moves Me…here are my choices:
1. STEAM HEAT SUNG BY CAROL HANEY WITH BUZZ MILLER AND KENNETH LEROY-1957
Carol Haney originated her role in the original Broadway version of “The Pajama Game” ( Shirley MacLaine was her understudy and was able to go on, one night, when Haney was ill, creating quite the splash starting her career) and kept her role for the film version starring Doris Day and John Raitt( yes, the dad of Bonnie Raitt). This is a great dance routine created by Bob Fosse who danced with Haney before in “Kiss Me, Kate”. Haney was a favourite of Gene Kelly who would dance with him in other films but, sadly she died of pneumonia at age 33 brought on by diabetes and alcoholism.
2. WE’RE HAVING A HEAT WAVE SUNG BY MARILYN MONROE-1954
I consider this one of the lesser versions of this classic song but Marilyn sounds like she’s in heat during a heatwave and, well, I have no idea why I said this because I just don’t think about lust when I am not in air conditioning ( thankfully, we have air air conditioning). The song was written by Irving Berlin and Monroe just can’t help singing it like this and she did sing but, from what I read, in my musical books, she sang the song ( all her songs even Dimonds are…) many times, and the editors pieced the best together so it sounds good all the way through. She wasn’t a bad singer, but she could hit some notes flat or slightly off so they had no choice but to piece it together. Carol Haney originated her role in the original Broadway version of “The Pajama Game” ( Shirley MacLaine was her understudy and was able to go on, one night, when Haney was ill, creating quite the splash starting her career) and kept her role for the film version starring Doris Day and John Raitt( yes, the dad of Bonnie Raitt). This is a great dance routine created by Bob Fosse who danced with Haney before in “Kiss Me, Kate”. Haney was a favourite of Gene Kelly who would dance with him in other films but, sadly she died of pneumonia at age 33 brought on by diabetes and alcoholism.
2. WE’RE HAVING A HEAT WAVE SUNG BY MARILYN MONROE-1954
I consider this one of the lesser versions of this classic song but Marilyn sounds like she’s in heat during a heatwave and, well, I have no idea why I said this because I just don’t think about lust when I am not in air conditioning ( thankfully, we have air air conditioning). The song was written by Irving Berlin and Monroe just can’t help singing it like this and she did sing but, from what I read, in my musical books, she sang the song ( all her songs even Dimonds are…) many times, and the editors pieced the best together so it sounds good all the way through. She wasn’t a bad singer, but she could hit a flat note or miss one.
3. SUMMER IN THE CITY SUNG BY THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL-1966
I have a feeling this will be popular, but this was the first song that came into my head and it is a classic song by this American-Canadian band that had a few great hits during the 60s. I always loved this song and seems to be perfect for a summer song.
