Wednesday, August 31, 2022

School is About To Begin. I Always Hated This Time

 


If you have been reading my blog, you know that I was quite bullied in Grade school but, especially high school. On top of that, I'm a bright kid, at least I think I am, but I had trouble learning the way they taught us, I was an average C student except for Math...Yuck to Math. Anyhoo, I am picking 2 songs that I always equate with my high school years and my hubby picked one that he could relate to when he was a teen.

1. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN SUNG BY LED ZEPPELIN-1971


I actually went to quite a few school dances especially when I became friends with a girl, from another school, who took me under her wing and told me to be free with dancing and not care what others think. She was golden to me. This song, written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, was always the last song to be played. Now, no one ever asked me to dance so I would sit and watch the many kids slow dance to this song but, as the tempo quickened, the kids had no idea what to do. Some still tried to slow dance while others tried to start to fast dance the way white people do...you know...boring. I was always laughing by this point because of their utter confusion about how to dance.

2. ROCKETMAN BY ELTON JOHN-1972

This is my hubby's song that he though of first. He doesn't remember high school at all (he got into trouble...a lot!) but he always enjoyed being on his own, drawing, in his bedroom and this song would be playing. He loved Led Zeppelin too and he liked KISS. My hubby actually had the Gene Simmons dragon boots that he would walk around the mall proudly. I bet I passed him one or 2 times and i would have laughed. I wish he had those boots now because they might be worth something.

3.  WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS BY QUEEN-1977


This song, written by the late, great Freddy Mercury, has always been special to me.  I am not into sports at all and this song is often played at sporting events. I listened to it because it gave me strength when I was spat upon, tripped, told no one would ever love me and I am a waste and to go and kill myself as everyone would be better off. Every year my mom brought me to the emergency because the brats tried to break my right fingers or hand. My hand was just sprained but it did swell up. When I was held up by my neck so I could not touch the floor and they told me that, when they get the chance, they would slice my throat from ear to ear especially if I told someone about what just happened, I knew this song came in handy. Nasty bastards aren't they? Well, when I heard this song, it gave me strength because I am a Champion! I showed no fear and would walk, on my own, to classes. Mind you, I made sure I was in the library during free periods. I had no time for losers and that's what they were. I kept thinking that. One always remembers these horrible times but, I am so happy itbis the past. It shaped me for who I am today which is not bad. I'm blessed with a wonderful hubby, a good home, great friends in the real world and the blog world, wonderful pets and many great fond memories. That's what counts.

Aren't we all Champions. So what makes you think of school, music wise?

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Thursday Movie Picks: TV Edition-Boarding Schools

 


Wandering Through The Shelves picked a tough one for me this week and I may have cheated with one. So...on with the show...TV show that is...

1. THE INITIATION OF SARAH-1978


This is my favourite of the 3 when we had a lot of TV movies to watch back in the day. To me, it’s a Carrie inspired theme starring Kay Lenz. She was the It gal that was expected to make it big only to go...pffft. It’s a shame because I liked her but she met and married David Cassidy which was not good in the long one since his fame was ebbing. Anyhoo, this is about 2 sisters, Kay and Morgan Brittany, the pretty one, who go to school and want to get into a stupid sorority led by evil Morgan Fairchild. Morgan B. is accepted right away but not shy, repressed Kay. The den mom played by evil, over the top, Shelley Winters, taps into Kay’s psychic, telekinetic abilities wanting her to use it for her evil gains. Little do they know whom they are dealing with. This is campy with a capital C..I mean..Morgan Fairchild and Shelley Winters equals fun.

2.  DIFFERENT STROKES-1978-1986

In some ways this show is now more famous for the train wrecks of the 3 child stars than the series. The breakout star was Gary Coleman because he looked like such a cute shit with a give that brat a slap mouth. His “ what’s you talkin’ bout Willis" became a catch phrase and everyone thought he was the bees knees until he started growing up..Er...well, growing older, but staying the same size due to his kidney issues. He ended up working as a security guard..I think, and sued his parents for wasting money. Dana Plato played the daughter of Conrad Bains's character who got into drugs while on the show and was fired because of her addiction and died too young. Todd Bridges played older brother, Willis, and he, too, got into addiction and almost died, but he cleaned up his act and now does his best to help others. This show was about millionaire Bain adopting his housekeeper’s 2 sons when she died. They, I think, went to a private school and the daughter, later on, was sent off to college( aka she was fired). It had some basic stories but also dealt with some hard hitting subjects as well. I just couldn’t stand this show because of that brat, Played by Gary Coleman. I wanted him to get a slap for being a little asshole.  Sorry but couldn’t stand this show.

3. THE FACTS OF LIFE-1979-1988

This was a shoot off from Different Strokes when the housekeeper, played by Charlotte Rae, decided to become the den mom to these 4 gals..or was it 3...no...4, at boarding school. You had rich, blonde and pretty girl, a brunette brain, token cute black girl and funny fat girl. Sorry just being direct and not politically correct. It’s all about their travails while at school...snore. I hated this show and tried watching it more than once but blecchhh...I just couldn’t get into it even if George Clooney was on this firca while. I hated this show.

Can you think of 3 shows that fit this bill?

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Oscar Songs for 1963

 


This year, in Oscars, surprised me because I really didn’t know much about this year. Let’s see if any of you guess which song won the Oscar, which one was nominated and which was nadda. 

1. ITS A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD FROM THE SOUNDTRACK

My best friend and I love this movie and we yell out “Sylvester!”  sometimes, when we call each other and then laugh. Ethel Merman was hilarious as the worst mother-in-law one could have in this great movie and the music is well known but less known are the lyrics. This was written be Ernest Gold with lyrics by Mack David. It’s a long movie but so funny, you don’t realize it ..it’s priceless.

2.  BEACH PARTY TONIGHT SUNG BY ANNETTE FUNICELLO & FRANKIE AVALON

There were quite a few beach movies made, often starring Annette and Frankie plus Jody McCrea ( son of actor Joel McCrea and France’s Dee), Harvey Lembeck as Erik Von Zipper and his goons, and others. They were silly, sometimes stupid, but they had charm and this was one fun song.

3. CALL ME IRRESPONSIBLE SUNG BY BOBBY DARIN


This song comes from the film, “Papa's Delicate Condition” and was introduced by Jackie Gleason but became quite well known by Frank Sinatra, but I prefer Bobby Darin. The music was composed by James Van Heusen and lyrics by Sammy Cahn.

So take a guess and let’s see if you are right...

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Thursday Movie Picks-Dark Academia

 


I am coming clean...I had no clue what dark academia truly meant because I just kept thinking being taught Satanic crap. Of course, I was wrong...since I looked up the meaning. I already chose Goodbye Mr. Chips in a previous post and then my mind just went blank which meant no academia in this brain. Wandering Through The Shelves not only loves movies but books as well so this week’s theme is right up her alley. I decided to just go what popped into my head and here are my 3...

1. GOTHIC-1986

This is quite a wack-a-doodle British film that I really enjoyed watching. It’s based on the true story of Percy Bysshe Shelley, His future wife, Mary Shelley, Dr. Polidori all meeting up at Lord Byron's home by Lake Geneva. This fateful weekend, the nutty people decide to compete in writing a horror story. Mary ended up writing Frankenstein and the Doc wrote Vampyr. In this film, they make it into more of a horror type film with imagery and psychological mind screwing. They all seem to be seeing things and want to either harm themselves or others. It's quite an interesting and beguiling film. I want to see it again.

2. DEAD POET'S SOCIETY- 1989

I finally watched this film in the past year and,to be honest, was a bit underwhelmed by it. I know...sacrilege! Robin Williams is great as the original teacher in a prestigious all boys' school who awakens, in these boys, the ability to be whom they want to be and not conform to what society states one should be. It has a good message and the acting is great, but I guess I was waiting to be blown away. I think the hype got the better of me.

3. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN-2004

Truly, one could choose any of the Harry Potter movies because it's centre is Hogwarts, the school that all wizards and Witches attend to learn their craft. In fact, I took one of the tests to see where the sorting hat would place me and I belong to Ravenclaw but closely followed by Gryffendor. Hufflepuff was last. In this film, we meet Professor Lupin( one of my favourite characters) along with the dementors who suck out your soul, you know, like politicians:)). You learn about the class  of the dark arts taught by Lupin and you meet the prisoner who has escaped the hellish prison which is why those soul suckers are hovering around Hogwarts. You also learn about the Patronus spell that can protect them. It's a neat spell because each person has their own animal patronus charm. I love the whole Harry Potter film franchise and I enjoyed the books. 

Which movies can you come up with?

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

To My Best Friend

 

I love my best friend ( which is why I would choose this photo of us with my hair looking like I joined a punk rock band) who has been there for me for 37 years since we met in our early 20s. Her birthday is this Sunday and I thought I would do a little musical tribute for her. She was born in 1963 and I went searching to see what were the big hits this week all those years ago. 

1.  FINGERTIPS BY LITTLE STEVIE WONDER

This is lengthy but I wanted both parts 1 and 2 because it just seemed right to showcase both and it put Stevie Wonder on the map as a Wunderkind in the music industry. This was written by Clarence Paul and Henry Cosby and Little Stevie was a mere 13 years old...pretty amazing.

2. BAD TO ME BY BILLY J KRAMER & THE DAKOTAS

I always liked this song and, I bet, my bestie does too....anything 60s music is appealing to be honest and my bestie agrees with me. ..well, we like other eras too. I had no idea it was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney with Lennon wanting this group to sing it.

3. BLOWIN' IN THE WIND BY PETER, PAUL & MARY

I might have showcased this song before...I can’t remember, but I know she loves this song so I have to showcase this from this great singing trio. This was written by the talented, but, might I add, weird, Bob Dylan, it’s a great song.

Bonus...

4. YOURE  THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE SUNG BY ELVIS

I always liked this song sung by Elvis, but I like Elvis and I had no idea this song came out this year as I thought it was an earlier hit of this Rock and Roll legend.. it was written by Bill Giant, Bernie Baum and Florence Kaye. The song is backed with The Jordanaires who represent the Devil’s voice.

I hope you like the list

Thursday, August 11, 2022

Thursday Movie Picks: Old Coots Playing Along Much Younger Tootsie Rolls

 


Actually, the title is, “ Ageing Leading Actors Cast as Much Younger Men Playing Alongside Much Younger Actresses.” But it still applies. I decided to go with one lady, no, not Grace Kelly since she actually did sleep with almost everyone of her co-stars, because she was so young but seemed to exude a grace and poise that worked well with the old codgers she was paired with. Check out Wandering Through The Shelves to see what everyone else has chosen, here are my 3...

1. SABRINA-1954

Audrey Hepburn, a beautiful actress with such grace, poise and beauty that she just makes you believe in love and all that is good. In Sabrina, she plays the daughter of a chauffeur, to this very rich family, who is sent to an all girl’s school in Paris. When she returns, she is  every inch the beautiful young lady who immediately attracts the attention of the young rascal brother, played by William Holden. She is ecstatic since she has had a crush on him since she was a little girl but older brother, played by Humphrey Bogart decides to intervene so his younger brother gets in tune with his business side rather than his playboy side. This is a lovely comedy which introduced Audrey to her lifelong friend and clothing guru, Hubert De Givenchy. Audrey and Holden actually had a steamy affair  but, when she found out he had a vasectomy, she called it off. Bogie was 30 years older than  Audrey but, hey, it works in the movie.

2.  FUNNY FACE-1957

In this musical, Audrey plays a bookish waif who is greatly irritated when a troop of models with their boss lady and their premier photographer, played by Fred Astaire, come to her book store. Astaire is loosely based on Richard Avedon who was a free lance photographer for many major magazines but that is where it ends. Astaire sees a future model in Audrey who only believes in books but when she finds out she would be going to Paris and could meet her bookish philosophy Idol, she agrees. Off they all venture to Paris where she is groomed into a major model, becomes disappointed in the philosophy jerk she wanted to meet and finds out she is falling for Astaire and vice versa. In this instance, yes, once again, there is a 30 year age difference but, this time Astaire was uncomfortable playing her love interest because of his age. I like this movie which is beautifully filmed. 

3. LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON-1957

In this film, Audrey plays the daughter of Maurice Chevalier whohas been hired by a husband to get the dirt on his wife who has been having an affair with a devil may care cad, played by Gary Cooper. When she finds out the husband wants to kill Cooper, she prevents Cooper from being harmed and soon falls in love with him and he realizes he has feelings for her. Her dad is not amused. This is a nice film but, even then, it did not do well at the box office because the public did not take well to t(sir age difference. Cooper liked his role but when it came out why the film was not doing well, he went and got a terrible face lift. ..ughh, they never learn.  Cooper was the youngest..only 28 years apart.


Funny, how many old buggers found their true love in much younger women. I call it the Tony Randall syndrome. He is an actor famous for playing Felix Unger in the TV Show, "The Odd Couple", with Jack Klugman in the 1970s plus in the comedies with Rock Hudson and Doris Day. When his first wife died of cancer, he met a young actress  who was 25...he was 70 and, yup, they married and had 2 kids! The poor kids never could get to know their dad since he was already quite old. 


Which movies can you think of that fits this bill?

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Names, Names, Names Plus More

 

I’m sorry for not responding to your great comments but I have been a bit crippled up. Hopefully, I can write better and not fall asleep right in the middle of writing things..which I have been doing. Don't you love my Harley?

I have always been fascinated by songs where the singers can drop famous names in their songs at a rapid rate. It seems almost like tongue twisters, some more so than others. I truly have no idea how they can sing it plus remember it all. Here the 3 songs plus 1 that came into my head and which I always loved.

1. VOGUE BY MADONNA-1990

I do like Madonna even though she is looking a bit more like an old whore with way too much plastic surgeries or is that Botox or whatever other crap these famous nuts are doing to themselves. This song came out at one of the heights of her career. She constructed this song after noticing the dance style called voguing...I thought the dance style came from the song not the other way around. I just loved all the names she dropped and was able to state exactly what the stars were about, now I’m off to vogue...

2. WE DIDN’T STOP THE FIRE BY BILLY JOEL-1989

When I heard this song I was just gobsmacked at how many events and famous people Billy Joel named in this song and with so much passion. He mentions all the events that occurred between the time he was born and the date he created this song.pretty cool, eh?

3.  ONE WEEK BY THE BARE-NAKED LADIES-1998

I love this iconic Canadian band that many people might know as the singers to the opening of the TV show "Big Bang Theory”. This song was written by by Ed Robertson who sings the incredibly fast lyrics of famous events and names in this song which also includes the singing vocals of Stephen Page who was part of this band for many of it famous songs. 

4. THE TCHAIKOVSKY SONG AND OTHER RUSSIANS SUNG BY DANNY KAYE 1941

This was actually the first song that came into my head because Kaye just excels at these tongue twisting songs that make my eyes wide open at how well he can pronounce all these famous Russian names. Kaye was in his element when he sang this song for the theatre production of “ Lady in the Dark.” With the music by Kurt Weill and lyrics by Ira Gershwin.


Can you think of any songs like these?

Friday, August 5, 2022

What I Watched in July

 

How to write quickly...that’s tough for me but I shall try so let’s go and read what I watched in July...oh and this is just a portion of the DVDs we own.

MOVIES

1. MY LEFT FOOT-1989


A great film performance by Daniel Day Lewis as the famous poet and artist Christy Brown who could only  use his left foot as he had cerebral palsy. Hugh O’Connor plays Christy as a kid and is also excellent. Such a great movie and so, so, so happy Day Lewis won the Oscar over The favourite, Tom Cruise, in “Born on the 4th of July.”

2. DOWNTON ABBEY #2- 2022


Glad I saw the movie but a bit disappointed. I think Julian Fellowes tried to please with too many sub-plots. Way too many...still fun though.

3. TOPPER-1937


I still laugh out loud with the great performance by Roland Young as the meek, hen-pecked Cosmo Topper who knows that Cary Grant and wife, Constance Bennett are ghosts having died in a car crash. These madcap marrieds decide to make meek Young their reason to get into heaven. Very funny and entertaining although Grant  was not a fan of Diva Bennett...who can blame him.

4. SUICIDE SQUAD- 2016


Stupid!  How’s that for short?

5. THE COMMAND - 2018


Excellent film based on the Kursk submarine disaster where  a Russian Sub blows up a good chunk of their sub, by accident, but 23 men live. The Russians, with their old, crappy submersibles can’t get afixed to the door to save the men and, when the British and others offer their help to save these men, the Russians turn them down. A few months after Putin was in power, he was still vacationing for 4 days after this disaster. I remember when this happened and it disgusted me but did not surprise me. Effective performances from everyone involved, from Matthias Schoenaerts as the leader of the 23 men, his wife played by the last James Bond love, Lea Seydoux and Colin Firth as the British admiral offering to help.

TV SHOWS

1. THE CAPOTE TAPES- 2019


A 2 part documentary based on the life of the weird, acerbic but intelligent Truman Capote, the author of "Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “ In Cold Blood.” It is worth a watch for sure.

2. DAVID SUZUKI:  THE NATURE OF THINGS-BODY LANGUAGE-1960 TO PRESENT


Yes, this show started in 1960 on the CBC and is, in many ways, a Canadian institution that gives some great information on wildlife,  culture, science and this was a really good one on Body Language from 2017. It was so interesting to learn the subtle nuances that we give without saying a word. I love anything like this.

3. KEN BURNS: JACKIE ROBINSON-2016


Anything Ken Burns does, I watch and this was no different, about the famous baseball player that had to deal with so much racial prejudice when he played professional baseball. This is one sports person I do admire and respect.

4.  THE ORVILLE-2017- PRESENT


I love this show, created by Seth McFarlane of Family Guy fame plus movies and Oscar host.  He clearly loves Star Trek and pays homage with this series. The first 2 seasons were, for the most part, much lighter, than the 3rd but he is knocking it out of the ball park with this latest season.  The 2 episodes based on the child of Bortus brought tears to my eyes. Deeply moving. 

What did you watch??
 

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Thursday Movie Picks-Math in Movies

 


I hate math! I don’t just dislike it...I hate it and it showed in my grades which were usually a straight D average. Funny, when you know I am a Credit Counsellor but budgeting is just adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying...there are no bloody fractions, integers, calculus, trigonometry, algebra or any triangles or trains going to Chicago. Wandering through the Shelves picked a unique theme this week and, to be honest, I was stumped at first and then my first pick came into my head followed by a ton more. I’m not trying to imitate anyone else and will only comment on their beautiful mind rather than the hidden figures each one wishes we had. Here are my 3...

1. DEAR BRIGITTE-1965

Being a Jimmy Stewart fan, it’s little wonder I would pick this cute comedy where James Stewart plays a poet professor who has a son with a gift for math. His kid can figure out the equation before the computer can. The only thing the boy wants to do is meet Brigitte Bardot...yup the nerdy mathematical kid has the lusts for Brigitte. We also see how he helps other people win bets at the track etc... it’s not the best Stewart comedy but it’s sweet and it stars Bill Mumy just before he he got Lost in Space.

2.  GOOD WILL HUNTING-1997

Finally, Robin Williams won an Oscar for his role as the psychiatrist who helps a nasty little shit see the light played by a young Matt Damon. Matt Damon is a janitor at MIT who solves this very difficult math equation which alerts a Math prof. To the talent of this young janitor. This kid has a major chip on his shoulder but with the help of his best friend, played by Ben Affleck and his girlfriend, Minnie Driver ( who started going out with Matt before being unceremoniously dumped by him), he begins to see that he should not throw his gift away. He gets the help from the psychologist, played by Williams, and becoming friends in the process. Damon and Affleck wrote the screenplay and won the Oscar for this. Williams is excellent in this but I still feel he should have won for the Fisher King.

3. OCTOBER SKY-1999

A young Jake Gyllenhaal plays the son of miner Chris Cooper who has aspirations of leaving the dusty mines and finding a life outside of black lung disease. It is set in 1957, when a group of kids decide to build and fly a rocket after being inspired by Sputnik. Jake plays the real life Homer Hickam who wants to find a better life but finds a huge barrier, named his dad, who thinks his kid is wasting his time and should work in the mines. Only their high school teacher believes in what these small group of kids want to do. It is quite a good movie that should be better known. 


Which movies can you think of that involves math?

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Crazy Times

 


I find that these times do feel crazy but, every decade seems to have crazy times when you think about it. We can have crazy times in our own little world or just crazy moments hence why I am showing our goof...Harley. He is just a crazy galoot like Yosemite Sam might say, but he brings so much joy except when he picks up garbage on the street and, before we can say “ Dang Nabbitt”, he is munching down it. I have tried to open up his jaws but that’s a laugh because his jaws close up like a vice. Anyway, back to crazy, here are 3 songs that came right into my head with the 3rd one being the best, in my opinion.

1. PSYCHO KILLER BY THE TALKING HEADS-1977

This is actually a song about a serial killer...I had no idea, so it actually feels sinister especially since it came out when the Son Of Sam killings were going on. Kind of freaky to be honest. I always did like this song...until finding out it’s from the viewpoint of a serial killer. I do like The Talking Heads whom I saw at my old high school! I couldn’t believe they came to this school and I enjoyed it.

2. SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY BY FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS-1988

I think my husband says this about me quite a bit...good. He drives me nuts, sometimes, so crazy is good...lol. I loved dancing to this song many times  and it was played  every time I went to a disco...yeah, we still called them discos in the late 80s.

3.  BRAIN DAMAGE BY PINK FLOYD-1973

This is one of my all time favourite songs by this band that comes from their legendary, iconic album, “Dark Side of the Moon” with the prism on the front cover. It is sung by Roger Waters and it’s based on their former band member, Syd Barrett. I had no idea but I guess Syd, who was a co-founder of this band took way too many psychotic drugs like LSD and, along with his mental instability,  brought on his downfall with this band where they dropped him. He would start playing a different song than the others, while on stage, and became very distant and moody. Even though he was out of the band, the band members always made sure he got his royalties. Syd was a gifted artist and spent the rest of his life painting and gardening before he died of pancreatic cancer in 2006. I didn’t know this and if any of you have more to add, I would love to know.


Which 3 crazy songs can you think of?

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Movie Star for August

 


FRED MACMURRAY

BIRTHDATE: August 30, 1908
DEATH: November 5, 1991
AGED: 83 yrs
DIED FROM: Pneumonia  but was dealing with leukemia plus other ailments
MARRIED: twice with the 2nd being the actress, June Haver
CHILDREN: 4 all adopted. The first 2 with his first wife; twins with June
NICKNAME: Bud
TALENT: Star athlete in High School(football); saxophone player; Singer; excellent in leather crafts like saddles.
KNOWN FOR: his extreme stinginess; the model for Capt. Marvel!; golfing; Republican

This is a forgotten star in many ways although he did many films, starred with many a leading lady, including 7 times with Claudette Colbert. He started off  singing and dancing in theatre but became most famous for his less than nice characters  in “ Double Indemnity” and “The Apartment” but also his affable, nice guy roles especially in his many Disney movies in the late 50s and 60s and his famous TV role as widower, Steve Douglas in “ My 3 Sons” that ran for 12 years.  He was not one to bed every leading lady or starlet although I am certain he was not virginal but he seemed to be true to his 2 wives. His first wife died of cancer in 1953 and he met ( through John Wayne) and married June Haver (after she left the nunnery) in 1954 and stayed with her until his death. He loved his hometown of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin mentioning it almost every time he was interviewed and even had it in some of his movies. He refused to be a bad guy in any more film roles when he was slapped by a woman while at Disneyland with his family. She took her kids to see "The Apartment" not thinking it was a film where he played a real jerk. Suffice to say tgatcwoman was an idiot.
He bought a large piece of land where he raised cattle and farmed enjoying this country life. This land is now owned by the Gallo family, famous for the wine and his daughter lives there and promotes  what her dad started. At one point, due to his shrewdness in real estate, he was the 4th richest person in the United States. In fact, this man knew how to shove a coal up his ass and have it come out a Diamond. His stinginess was legendary often bringing his lunch to work and tipping spariningly. 
When he started his TV venture, he orchestrated a great contract, not only money wise, but he wanted all his scenes filmed first. This meant that he only worked 65 days in a year so he could play golf and be on his farm with his family. The other players on this TV series had to play to someone off screen when talking to “dad”  and had to act around what Fred wanted. 
His later years was marked with much illness from emphysema, ( he was a huge smoker) a severe stroke, leukaemia and finally pneumonia.
He may not be one of NY all time favourites but I think he should be more well known than what he is today.

FILMS

1. The Gilded Lady-1935
2. Alice Adams- 1935
3. Honeymoon in Bali-1939
4. The Lady is Willing-1942
5. Double Indemnity- 1944
6. The Egg and I- 1947
7. Never a Dull Moment- 1950
8. The Caine Mutiny-1954
9. Good Day for a Hanging-1959
10. The Apartment- 1960

DISNEY FILMS

1. The Shaggy Dog-1959
2. The Absent-Minded Professor-1961
3. Son of Flubber-1963