Thursday Film Picks

 

Happy Halloween! I'm working today and late so my home is dark. I hate that but my hubby hates Halloween which I don't get. I'm going to share a couple of pictures when I was young and loving going out for candy. I thought it's a devilish night so I went with devils in films and here are my 3...

1. THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER- 1941

I need to see this film again because I have not seen this since I was a kid and I loved it. Basically, this man is down on his luck when the devil appears and promises him fortune without worry as long as he has his soul. What to do, what to do….of course he sells his soul and soon, the man’s luck changes and he becomes lucky and wealthy. This changes the man and not for the better, but when he meets Webster, a lawyer and senator, played so well by Edward Arnold, who defends him against the jury made up by the devil. This plot I have seen enacted in quite a few tv shows over the years. This is such an engaging film and makes one think how many people have sold their souls to get ahead.

2. CABIN IN THE SKY-1943

This is another film I need to see again because it is quite a good film and one with an all black cast directed by white, Vincent Minelli ( dad of Liza Minelli, mom being Judy Garland). Arthur Freed and Minelli both sought input from the black elders and spoke with the NAACP to make sure they did not  use racial stereotypes or be rude to the black people who were in the film or watched the film. It stars Eddie Rochester Anderson( from Jack Benny fame) as a gambler who ends up dying but is given a 2nd chance to redeem his soul and be let into Heaven. At first, he does well, working hard and paying more attention to his wife, Ethel Waters but, the devil, played so well by Rex Ingram, decides to tempt Eddie..in come Lena Horne. Lena is beautiful, an amazing singer and a gifted actress who lures Eddie away from his wife and down the hedonistic road of sin. What will happen?? Well, the devil seems very pleased with himself and is happy when Rochester succumbs to the hedonistic way of life. It’s a fun film with some wonderful acting and singing especially by, not only Lena Horne, but by Ethel Waters.

3. BEDAZZLED- 1967

This is a hilarious film that stars the comedy duo of Dudley Moore and Peter Cook who were big in the 60s for their comedy act and movies including this one. Dudley Moore works in a ho-hum diner who wishes he had enough nerve to tell this waitress how much he loves her but he can’t. He decides to kill himself when in enters the devil played so wickedly funny by Peter Cook. Cook grants Moore 7 wishes, along with the 7 Deadly sins, brought along for good luck. Moore can tell Cook his wishes and, if he has to leave, he has to blow a raspberry as he says” Julie Andrews” . Every time Moore thinks he has the devil  beat and Moore can enjoy his great love, the devil one ups him often with hilarious results. You have a funny cameo with Raquel Welch who plays, of course, Lust. This is the much better film to the remake that stars Elizabeth Hurley as the devil.

Which delish films can you think of? I’m working late so no kids this year but do you live in a busy area? 

When you went out for Halloween, what was your favourite costume? Here are a few of me in costume, of course.

I'm a witch with my brother, a Mexican Bandito. I'm also Luly Munster and Puss in Boots, with our neighbour, John, Dracula and my brother, who looks like an opium addled Confucius. I still have the witch hate and cape, Lily' cape but not Puss's costume. My mom created the outfits. 

One last song because I love it...

Happy Halloween!