Hotels

 

Summer is the time for many people to travel especially before school starts and it made me think of where we travel and we we hang our hats at night. Many love the hotels and it got me thinking of these films like What's Up, Doc, The Best Exotic, Marigold Hotel, The Grand Budapest Hotel and If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium. These are some of my most favourite films of mine but I chose 3 more that I love…

1. THE LAST LAUGH-1924

I recently watched this powerful film, directed by the great F. W. Murnau, starring Emil Jannings as a proud man who works at a prestigious Hotel as the main footman who opens the doors for the patrons, takes care of their bags and helps them in their daily needs. When he comes home to his neighbourhood, the residents think he is grand for holding such a great employment. They are all preparing for his niece’s wedding when, Emil’s jerk of an employer, decides Emily is too old to hold his position and asks for his coat and demotes him to bathroom attendant. This proud man is destroyed by this uncaring demotion and his own neighbourhood now think he was lying about his position and demean him even more. Honestly, how many have held a good job to only lose it due to “ restructuring” . We can relate to this film in many ways and the direction, acting and cinematography by Karl Freund  are exemplary. It evoked immense sadness in me and regardless of the ending, which Murnau was forced to add on by the studio, this is one of the great films of silent cinema and cinema of the last 100+ years.

2. GRAND HOTEL-1932

This is the epitome of hotel movies where Lewis Stone states how many people come here and year, nothing happens. HA!  We have a large assortment of people whose lives will be forever changed after staying in this Berlin Hotel. You have a brutish lout( no, not Trump) who comes to this hotel with his secretary/ mistress. A ballerina( that’s too funny because Greta Garbo is not, what I call, elegant) who wishes to be left alone, a penniless Baron, played by John Barrymore, who marks Greta as his meal ticket, you also have a sweet but dying man, played by Lionel Barrymore, who is living his final dream. We watch how the mistress feels more than just a whore when in the company of the sweet old man, the Baron falls for the ballerina and vice versa and the bullying, bankrupt lout, played by Wallace Beery, is just whom he appears to be. It’s a lot of fun, opulent and you get to hear Garbo saying how she wishes she could be left alone.

3. SILK STOCKINGS-1957

This is one of my favourite musicals, which I say about most musicals but I do know this was Cyd Charisse’s favourite of her films and she shows some of her best work in this fun movie based on the film, “ Ninotchka” that starred Garbo. Cud is sent, from Russia, to retrieve 3 comrades from Paris who seem to have been taken by the capitalist decadence in Paris. When she arrives she is dressed in brown but that does not deter Fred Astaire who falls for this beauty. Many scenes take place in this decadent hotel and Ninotchka succumbs to the charms dancing in a closet most of us dream about. Unfortunately, when the composer, who has allowed Astaire to change his classical pieces to fit the hip, he and Ninotchka are appalled and feel rooked, leaving Gay Paris to go back to soot laden Russia. The hotel is a great backdrop with many dance numbers happening in the walls of this majestic hotel( that we could never afford to stay in). When watching Astaire, it is hard to believe he was 58 years old here and Cyd is just her best in every way, we even get to see Peter Lorre dance!

Which hotel movies can you think of?

Live Aid 1985

 

 Monday Music Movies Me has the theme of Summer fun, chilling or, summer getaways. 1985 was a very fun year and the summer was a cause for many celebrations. I had my big party in July which started Friday evening and lasted until Sunday. Everyone brought their tents, booze, food and clothing…plus booze and music! I had set up my stereo so we could listen to and dance to a variety of music from The Monkees, the Beatles and the Who to Depeche Mode and a variety of 80s music. I lived in the country so we had plenty of space along with a campfire and we owned an Esther Williams pool for swimming, of course. I met my best friend at my party and we fondly recall how we bonded on Sunday when we  took a dune buggy ride ( I forget how or who owned this) to Lake Erie and waded into the water talking. I wanted to move out and Loretta told me her fiancé owned a home( his parents had, sadly, passed away) in Welland and it would be a lot of fun( think partying, booze and basic mayhem) so, I was in! I met my other dearest friend, VJ, who moved from South Africa to..Welland( yup, I don’t get it either but, VJ claimed Niagara College had a great tourism degree, which he never did finish). 

This was the summer of that major Live Aid concert put on by Bob Geldoff to help the people of Ethiopia who were going through a huge health crisis-a major famine. So many people were starving to death and Bob Geldoff decided to do something and this was it. I loved watching this and was mesmerized by the huge audience in London and the sister companion in the States. No one can take away the amazing concert put on in the summer of 1985, that many had not seen since Woodstock. I am showcasing 3 artists from this concert…

1. QUEEN- A VARIETY OF THEIR MUSIC

I just had to show their entire concert piece because it is iconic! Freddie Mercury was at his best here and really knew how to make this moment magic. He stole the entire show! It is long, but it’s worth it.

2. DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME SUNG BY ELTON JOHN AND GEORGE MICHAEL

This is one of my favourite Elton John songs and when I saw Wham come on, my rolled my eyes until George Michael started to sing. He was, without doubt, one of the best at Live Aid. This was great!

3. DANCING IN THE STREETS SUNG BY DAVID BOWIE AND MICK  JAGGER

This seemed to be a cross over between Britain and the U. S.  Which was shown between the actual live performances of Live Aid. You watched these 2 sing this 60s hit in their funky clothes creating a huge buzz if these 2 great singers were having some sexual fun on the side. Actually, people still talk about it to this day, who remember this video. I say, who cares! Enjoy the fun these 2 seem to be having and disregard the dissing many people apply to these 2 greats. I always found it fun.

How many remember this concert performance? Did you watch it like I did? What was your favourite singer/band? Let me know

 

Sweets

 

Before I begin, yesterday, was my, “Who won the Oscar song” and the one who won was “The Shadow of your Smile”. The nominated song was “What’s New, Pussycat” and the song that came up empty was, “Baby, the Rain Must Fall”…always interesting. 

The summer was always a fun time to walk to the local convenience store to buy Popeye Cigarettes, sweettarts, delicious chocolate…you name it. This made me think of  movies that showcased sweets in some way and I came up with these 3…

1. CHITTY, CHITTY, BANG, BANG-1968

This is a favourite of mine that stars Dick Van Dyke as a widower with 2 kids who is an inventor of just about anything. He loves Truly Scrumptious, yup that’s the name of a young lady, who has fallen for Penis Van Lesbian…er..Dick Van Dyke and they end up in a car, with his 2 kids that makes the sound like Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang. Before they know it, the car sports wings and flies, bringing them to an idyllic looking town where there are no children. You find out that, the nasty King and Queen hate kids so they are rounded up and enslaved beneath the castle by this ugly catcher ( played with great  Robert Helpmann who creates a great evil character) who entices kids with candies and treats. This is a fun and sweet film ( sorry) that has a favourite song of mine called “Toot Sweets” about a sweet invented by Dickie. We also have Benny Hill as a toy maker who helps the family out. It’s quite a good movie and fun all around.

2. WILLIE WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY-1971

This movie is far superior to the remake starring a very creepy Johnny Depp, about a kid who finds the 5th golden ticket to enter a factory of this mysterious Willie Wonka. It stars Gene Wilder as Willie Wonka who is looking for someone who is true and honest to take over his factory. Wilder plays this character as one who appears a bit off centre but honest and yet, Machiavellian. There are 4 other kids that also have a ticket but each are gross in their own way and meet different fates. Along for the ride are the very creepy Oompa Loompas who are very orange and help out Willie Wonka in all ways. Funny, it was thought that these freaky Loompas would become a huge hit but the opposite was true, so many stores were stuck with stuffed Oompa Loompas. The visuals are quite striking and so are the costumes which make this strange musical even more appealing in a strange, effed up way.

3. CHOCOLAT-2000

This is a romantic film with a dash of the sensual thrown in about a woman and her young daughter who, almost literally, blow into this quaint small, French town. The townsfolk are scared to let go and bring colour into their lives because of the mayor who forbids anything decadent. Enter this beautiful woman, played by Juliette Binoche, who creates a magical chocolate shop which is just too decadent for the mayor.  This is 1959, just before Lent and the mayor means war where Juliette just wants to spread love and peace via chocolate. She instinctively knows what each person needs in chocolate opening up temptations that this town needs. I love the characters from Lena Olin as the abused wife, Judi Dench as the old lady, Leslie Caron as a widow and Johnny Depp as a free spirited man, who travels with a group of Gypsies on a bunch of small boats who come into the lives of the townsfolk, Juliette and Johnny strike up a relationship culminating in mayhem. This is an enchanting film with great characters and with a slice of bewitchment. 

What types of candy did you love when you were a kid? Any movies that you can think of involving sweets?

These were my favourite suckers but I don’t know what their name is…

Which Song Won The Oscar-1965

 

This is freebie week for Monday Music Moves Me and it’s my “Which song won the Oscar”  time and we shall see if you guess things correctly for this year, 1965 when I was only 1 yr old. It’s an interesting array of musical tastes this year but “The Sound of Music” is not in this because  the songs were all part of the Broadway show so could not be eligible for an Oscar. Let’s see if you can figure out which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which came up empty-handed.

1. BABY, THE RAIN MUST  FALL SUNG BY GLENN YARBROUGH

This song, from the movie with the same name, was written by Elmer Bernstein and Ernest Sheldon and it’s quite a  good song sung by this man with the warbly voice. To be honest, not my favourite but it was a big hit in mid 60s times.

2. THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE SUNG BY ASTRUD GILBERTO

This song, written by Johnny Mandel with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster, comes from the film, “The Sandpiper” and it seems to fit the film and it works with Astrud’s voice. Sadly she died in 2023. 

3. WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT SUNG BY TOM JONES

Tom Jones is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to singing due to his strong voice and vocal range. This song is fun and I think Burt Bacharach, the music, and Hal David, lyrics, captures the fun of the film and Tom Jones can make any song sound sexy.

So, which song won, which was nominated and which song got zip? 

Canada and The U. S.

 

We all know the crap going on right now with that orange F#)’ who get his makeup from a cheesos bag, filibusters and places more and more tariffs because it’s his way of trying to force people to capitulate. This is not surprising because, if you read or watch documentaries or news reports about him from the 90s you will find out how, when an elderly woman refused to sell her childhood home, in Atlanta, to Trump, he tried to force her out but stopping her heat, hydro and water forcing her to find a lawyer. Thankfully, the lawyers worked for her pro bono since they were disgusted by Trump’s nasty antics. She won and Trump built his Casino, now bankrupt and gone, around her. She smiled and was happy she kept her home. When Trump wanted to build  a golf course and uber expensive resort for him and his cronies in Scotland, he wanted to buy up this small town, but was met with resistance headed by a lady upset that he wanted to destroy their unique hamlet. He pulled the same antics, stopping their water, heat and hydro, buying off people trying to force the townsfolk out. This one woman held her ground and she won! What did the asshole do? He made sure all all the dirt that was taken off his gold course was placed  in front of her view of the ocean so all she could see was the huge hill. Guess what? The golf course went bankrupt and another bites the dust. Canada will never…ever be part of the States and we won the war of 1812. The States thinking of Manifest Destiny did not work in 1812 and won’t work today. 

I decided to look at some Patriotic films including one that is very much The U. S.  rah rah type that I had to include because it is a good film. Here we go…

1. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY-1942

This is a very patriotic, U. S. Movie musical tht stars James Cagney as George M. Cohan, the songwriter, dancer, singer, writer, producer from Broadway who wrote Yankee Doodle, You’re a Grand Old Flag and Over There. It’s a great musical that showcases how musically gifted James Cagney was and showcases his versatility. It’s not an accurate account, obviously, but you can’t help but feel invigorated and was a great showcase to bring out ones’ patriotism during these dark days of World War 2. By the way, today is James Cagney’s birthday.

2. CANADIAN BACON-1995

Michael Moore, of the great documentary films he creates, wrote and directed this film which is a great satire about the U.S. wanting to invade Canada. Yes, how apropos! It’s an excellent satire that is also quite dumb but that’s what makes it hilarious and it stars the great John Candy is his 2nd last film before his untimely death. It also stars Alan Alda as the inept U. S. President with a variety of famous people who are either involved in the U. S. Hijinks or the Canadians. I love this movie and laugh every time I watch it. 

3. COME FROM AWAY-2021

This is from a musical stage play that became a huge hit and has been playing  for over 20 yrs before finally ending, I believe, this year. This film takes the play and places it on screen depicting the disastrous moment in time when the twin towers were destroyed by planes hijacked by terrorists. The planes were not allowed into the States so some planes were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, a very small town, who opened their doors and hearts to the 7,000 stranded U.S. residents building friendships that have lasted to this day. It is a musical but so much more and lets us know how we are truly friends no matter what.

So, just an FYI, the amount of fentanyl coming from the States into Canada in triple the amount than the other way around. The amount of guns and other illegal arms, come from the U. S. Into our country. Sadly, Trump says patriotic words for his own agenda and lies about what really goes on. Not surprising so, let’s remember to laugh and to know that we are friends despite the political crap.

Bikini Time!

 

Chili Williams was never a star but she became a big hit during WW2 with this Life photo and I thought this would be perfect to use this week since it’s about swim wear and water fun. I owned 2 bikinis and that was when I was 40! My bikinis covered, no ass floss bikini for me. Now, I am happy wearing a one piece and I love the ones with a skirt. Check out Curious As A Cathy to see what they chose for their Monday Music Moves Me post. Here are my 3…

1. GERONIMO SUNG BY NANCY SINATRA-1966

This comes from the film, “The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini”  and you can clearly see a lot of gals in that swimwear. I love this hokey flick about a ghost trying to help her dead lover by making sure his former lawyer does not get a hold of his money but go to his rightful heirs, 2 young people who bring a bus load of kids up to the mansion for some beach party fun. This scene is by the pool where Nancy Sinatra sings a song that make the  bodies shake to jiggly effect.

2. HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI SUNG  BY THE KINGSMEN-1965

There are a few songs from this bikini/surfer flick that stars Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon but, I thought I’d go with this one that sings about bikinis..at least, I think it does…:))

3. DR. GOLDFOOT AND THE BIKINI MACHINE SUNG BY THE SUPREMES-1965

This flick was a fun spoof of the spy films especially James Bond, that stars Vincent Price as a mad scientist who builds robot bikini clad women who seduce millionaires into giving t(eir money to…guess who. I was surprised that the Supremes sang this song. It is catchy and a fun song for a fun flick.

I will never own an Itsy, Bitsy, teeny-weeny yellow polka dot bikini and nor should I wear one. Any bikini type songs you can think of?

Which Film should Have Won The Oscar-2017

 

Oh, I feel this is one charged year because you had many films that were not nominated for Best Picture like “Blade Runner 2049”, “ The Florida Project” and “The Big Sick” all films I have yet to see. I decided to stick with films I have seen that I chose in the nominated area and should have been nominated or should have won. I hope this makes sense but if not…oh well. This is just my own opinion, but one, I think, shared by many…at least for the film that should not have won. I am speaking about Best Picture for the films that came out in 2017…

1. THE SHAPE OF WATER

I like Guillermo Del Toro who directed this weird love story about a mute cleaner who works in a top secret facility who meets a creature, kept by evil scientists, and falls in love with the creature from the black lagoon. Oops, sorry, wrong movie, but you know Del Toro must love this 50s film. This movie was a huge hit but I just didn’t get into it. I had no care for the lead actress nor slime boy and their wet and wild times. My favourite was the always great, Octavia Spencer and Richard Jenkins who created great characters in this movie. This film won Best Picture but I don’t know why…he deserved it much more for “Pan’s Labyrinth”. 

2. 3 BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI

This film was nominated and Frances McDormand won best actress for her portrayal of a grieving mom trying to find answers that the cops could not. This film left me with so much emotional sadness but also, strangely, hope. It’s a character study of a grieving mom, a dying cop and his angry deputy played to perfection by the ever great, Sam Rockwell, who, also, won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This film may not be for everyone but, I think it’s such a great story about loss, anger, love and redemption.

3. THE GREATEST SHOWMAN

I love this film! Hugh Jackman is great as the showman, P. T. Barnum who  started the famous circus, “Barnum & Bailey’s Circus”  which showcased trapeze artists, clowns, animals and, yes, circus freaks. Thankfully, after over 100 years, they no longer have animals..oh..nor the circus “freaks” but still entertain people after restarting in 2023. This film was highly criticized for its inaccuracies but, duh! It’s a Hollywood musical and almost all biopics have creative licences to make a film people wish to see. Hugh Jackman excels as the man who coined, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” Dancing and singing dreaming he will create more musicals in the style of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. I love how he gathers up some future famous people like “Tom Thumb” who suffered from dwarfism and only stood at 3ft 4 inches but he was all proportionate, as well as, the bearded lady, Siamese Twins etc.. The music is excellent and I am dumbfounded that it was not even nominated for best score which should have won Best Oscar as well. It is a film more about people who are different and ostracized, but find a family within their own world rising above the people who snubbed their noses at them. Love the songs, costumes, art direction and the cinematography. This deserved to be nominated.

What do you think? Any films you think should have won Best Picture  or do you agree with me?

I Love These Tunes

 

My Lexi knows how to chill before she goes nutsy because that’s what she does. She reminds me of..me when I went out dancing, some 40 yrs ago..ugh…I can’t believe I’m talking like this because I am too young to talk like this. Now, I am recalling how I would sit around until some music would start to play, usually the 80s music which was great but, I love the older music too and I recalled going to one place, in Toronto, with 3 levels and the main floor centered on the 60s. I danced the night away and went crazy before plopping down somewhere, just like my Lexi. I’m joining on the Monday Music Moves Me which is freebie week.

1. HOUSE OF THE RISING SON SUNG BY THE ANIMALS-1964

I can’t believe this fantastic song came out the year I was born..holy Hanna Banana!! This is a great song and, when I went to the local pub in University all those years ago, some random student grabbed the mike and sang this song and he was …amazing! I still recall how great he was singing this song.

2. WILD THING SUNG BY THE TROGGS-1966

I always found this band’s name to be found in the film “One Million Years B.C.” This British band came out with this great tune which I danced to, many times, .but the best was in that disco I spoke of with all the psychedelic colours splattered onto the walls.

3. SOMEBODY TO LOVE SUNG BY JEFFERSON AIRPLANE-1967

I have this album and need to listen to it again. I love this band including the lead singer, the astounding Grace Slick whose voice is one of a kind. This song was written by her brother in law, Darby Slick but Grace and the band made it her own. 

What 60s songs do you love..hahahaaa, there are too many to love!

Stay Out of The Sun…Good Luck!

 

I am writing this on July 2nd, the day back in 1997, when my favourite actor, James Stewart died at the age of 89. I was praying he would not die that week because I was getting married on July 5th, but he did and I was bummed. You bet your sweet bippy that I spoke about him at my wedding and I’m glad I did. Today is supposed to be National Stay Out of the Sun Day so I combined the 2. All I can say is that it’s stinkin’ hot outside and it is good to stay out of the sun…if you can. Here are my 3 films…

1. REAR WINDOW-1954

This is one of my all time favourite Hitchcock films and Jimmy Stewart films. It takes place around this courtyard during a sweltering summer with Jimmy Stewart as an adventurer photographer sidelined by a broken leg. He is holed up in his apartment with a cast all the way up to his upper thigh. He has a nurse who comes in every day, played by the incomparable Thelma Ritter and his beautiful fiance, played with great finesse by Grace Kelly. You meet all the people Stewart is peeping..er watching from Miss. Lonely Hearts, to the composer, the dancer, the couple with their dog and the husband with his invalid wife. You can feel the heat which just confines you even more than this intricate set. When the invalid wife is gone one day, Stewart expects foul play but is it? You get taken into his world and become a voyeur and can’t wait to  see what all the people are up to. Grace looks exquisite in her outfits and seems to be the only one who doesn’t sweat. It’s a must see film

2. ANATOMY OF A MURDER-1959

This takes place during a sweltering summer when a man is accused of murder and the only one who may be able to get him off is “aww shucks” James Stewart as the Defense Attorney. The accused, played by Ben Gazzara, claims he has no memory of killing a man who was accused of raping his wife, played by Lee Remick. The prosecutor is played by George C. Scott who was nominated for an Oscar for this role and, thought for sure he would win. When he didn’t, he was so disillusioned by the whole Oscar process, he vowed never to accept an Oscar if he ever won…and he kept that promise. Anyhoo, you feel the heat while in that court room especially when they used risqué words like panties, rape etc… In fact, these words caused quite the furor in its day and Stewart’s dad was so disgusted by the film he took out an ad, in his hometown, telling everyone to stay away from this film. It is quite well acted by everyone and I love Eve Arden as Stewart’s secretary. I can’t help but think this is the inspiration for the show Matlock with Andy Griffith in the title role.

3. THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX-1965

This is an all star cast with Jimmy Stewart as the pilot flying between to places in Libya carrying a variety of people associated with oil rigs. A dust storm takes them off course and they crash land in the desert. The group of men must now deal with the hot sun, doing their best to stay in the shade while rationing what little food and water they have. When an arrogant German ( who else?) finds a way to make the plane fly again, everyone gets to work despite the antagonism between Stewart and the German, played so well by Hardy Kruger. They must deal with all sorts of trials hoping they can find their way back to civilization before they die and shrivel up in the sun. This is a fun adventure film and a great character study. I enjoy watching this film whenever I get the chance. 

So, what movies can you think of that makes you think of staying away from the sun because it’s just too damn hot?

National Day- Celebrating Canada Day, Our Own Country!

It’s about National Day over at Monday Music Moves Me and I am so happy that Curious As A Cathy provided a link for all the days we celebrate something. Since yesterday was Canada Day, what better way than to celebrate the country I love. Here we go…

1. CANADIAN RAILROAD TRILOGY SUNG BY GORDON LIGHTFOOT-1967

This is considered part of Canada as much as Gordon Lightfoot who is a Canadian institution. He wrote this as part of our centennial and sung this during the celebrations back in 1967. He almost, always ended his concerts with this great song.

2. LAND OF THE SILVER BIRCH SUNG BY BONNIE DOBSON-1972

This is an iconic song that many kids know especially  when they go canoeing because they can sing it to the rhythm of paddling. Ok, it’s what I read…but it’s a song from a poem written by Pauline Johnson and it is used, to great effect, in the 2019 film, “Brotherhood” about the true story where 10 Boy Scouts and the Counsellor die after capsizing  in an Ontario lake. Rather a sad way to showcase this iconic song that now has come under fire being called racist. I’m just tired of all this complaining because just about every song can be construed in a negative way. 

3. CANADA-THE CENTENNIAL SONG SUNG BY A GROUP (Sorry) -1967

Oh gosh, I am trying to figure out who sang the song here but I was unable to find out. If you can find out, please let me know:)). This was written by Bobby Gimby for the Canadian Expo of 1967, again, to celebrate our centennial. I thought this song was appropriate as well.

So, any songs, about Canada, can you think of..aside from our National anthem?

July Star of the Month-Janet Leigh

 

JANET LEIGH

BORN: July 6, 1927

DEATH: October 3, 2004

AGED: 77 years

DIED FROM: Vasculitis 

REAL NAME: Jeanette Helen Morrison

MARRIED: 4 times, 1st one was annulled, she was young 15/16 yrs. 3rd to Tony Curtis. Few days after that divorce, she married Robert Brandt, a stockbroker, from 1962 until her death.

AFFAIRS: Arthur M. Loew Jr. Possibly Frank Sinatra

CHILDREN: 2 daughters, Kelly Curtis, Jamie Lee Curtis. Was pregnant, much earlier, but miscarried.

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: Psycho- 1960

TALENT: highly intelligent-graduated high school at age 16. She could sing and dance  was in a choir when she was young.

KNOWN FOR: The first sream Queen.  Her versatility. Her bodacious ta-tas..sorry, but true

Everyone knows the famous shower scene when Janet Leigh let out those screams before grabbing the shower curtain and falling onto the floor, still as a dead person is supposed to be( except her eyes are not dilated as Doctors noticed). She had to lie there for a long time which is no easy feat and this scene caused her to never take showers ever again. This young girl, born to very poor family, excelled at school and graduated high school by the age of 16. The impetuous girl decided to marry but, this marriage was annulled. When she turned 18, she married again right around the time, Norma Shearer, a huge actress during the 1930s, saw her photo at a ski resort where Leigh’s parents were working. Shearer was struck by the beauty of Leigh, sought her out and decided to bring her to Hollywood. That is how Leigh ended up in the big town and onto to celluloid. The good thing is this very pretty gal with the 37-23-25 measurements could fill out a torpedo bra like no one, but she could, also, act. She met Tony Curtis at a party and soon, they were an item. She divorced her 2nd husband and, at age 23, married Tony Curtis with great friend, Jerry Lewis, as Best Man. To say their marriage had its ups and downs, is an understatement. She dealt with his numerous affairs and his narcissistic jealousy. Finally, after 12 yrs of marriage and 2 daughters, he filed divorce! He claimed adultery etc.., which blindsided Leigh to the point where she, allegedly, overdosed and her stomach had to be pumped. she was able to survive this publicity ridden fiasco and find the love of her life and married in 1962 staying with this man until she died. 

She was well liked, amiable and was a pretty good actress who could also sing and dance but when she took on the role in Bye Bye Birdie, the one dance scene was enough for her to say, “Never Again”. She ventured onto TV giving some great acting spots like the aging, forgotten star who commits murder in Columbo ( a really excellent episode if you can watch it). She starred with her daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis in “The Fog” and "Halloween:20 Years Later” confirming that both mom and daughter could be scream queens together. Sadly, she developed this Vasculitis and struggled with it in the final year of her life. I looked it up and saw a picture of a person’s lower legs…it’s not pretty. It’s a sad end to someone who was a solid leading lady in major roles and supporting roles. I chose most of the films from what I have seen. I always like to see Joel’s top 10 who has seen far more films than me:) 

FILMS

1. Bye, Bye, Birdie-1963

2. Psycho-1960

3. Who Was That Lady-1960

4. Holiday Affair-1949

5. Angels in the Outfield-1951

6. The Manchurian Candidate-1962

7. The Naked Spur-1953

8. My Sister, Eileen-1955

9. The Vikings- 1958

10. Touch of Evil- 1962

I'm going more by her performance, than the actual film which is why "The Manchurian Candidate" is low on my list. "Touch of Evil" is a star-studded film considered a gem in film. Everyone seems to love it, except me. Charlton Heston as a Mexican is as true as the Pope wearing the white jump suit from Elvis. 

I believe this interview is from a Canadian TV Program called, Saturday Night at the Movies with host, Elwy Yost..I miss this man.