End of the Year...Lets Have a Laugh

 

It's still Christmas and, in case you don't know, that awful song, “The 12 Days of Christmas”, is between Christmas and 3 Kings Day- January 6th. So Christmas is still the way ta go! I'm still dealing with my weakness, cough and voice sounding weak, but I’m getting better. I'm joining in with Monday Music Moves Me even if it's Wednesday. To everyone, Happy New Year!

1. BLUE CHRISTMAS BY PORKY PIG-2011

When I first heard this, I laughed so hard, I had tears in my eyes. It's not Mel Blanc singing this but just a gifted individual at some party. Actually, I read it’s Seymour Swine and the Squeelers…ya, don’t know them either.

2. 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BY BOB & DOUG MACKENZIE-1981

I loved SCTV with so many Canadian icons on this show from Bob Thomas and Rick Moranis to John Candy, Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy. This was a great show filmed out of Edmonton, Alberta and these 2 became a big hit for a while.  

3. BING CROSBY NARRATES CHRISTMAS BY HOLDERNESS FAMILY-2020

I have watched a few of his videos with his very pretty wife and they are funny. They made it big on YouTube, Instagram, etc… and, I have to say, he makes me laugh and we need that now. 

What will the new year bring? Let’s hope, on a personal front, we have no major costs this year. A new furnace, water heater, followed by major vet bills and then, this past year, having to rip out our beautiful ivy fence and install a wooden one that meets the guidelines, is enough. My hubby and I are looking to create…maybe I will have my bathroom on the main floor. This bathroom has been gone since January 6th, 2018  and I would love to not crawl up the stairs at 3am for my nightly pee. My hubby is hoping to put in his garden pond and finally have my secret garden. 

My one friend will be going through a transformation, selling the home and divorcing that idiot who has told his 2 daughters not to give him any Christmas gifts and that he’s busy. Why? They dared to speak to my friend’s new boyfriend ( she used to go out with him when she was 20 and they met, by accident, at a festival in July and rekindled their relationship in September). My friend and her ex have been separated for over a year even though they still lived in the house. The ex found out, went ballistic, as I wrote before and made it about him and how he has been hurt by his wife blah blah. Now, he has kicked his 2 girls to the curb for “siding” with their mom, bringing back all their cards, school grades etc…that they gave to him over the years. Thankfully, this year, my friend can find her path.

My other 2 friends, they are brothers, have been caring for their mom, for over 20 years, since their dad died. They worked and, aside from vacations or the day they took off to Toronto, they spent every evening at their mom’s as well as the weekends. She is a good person but she has been manipulative making them feel guilty if they dared not be with her when they had a day off. This past summer, she fell and broker her pelvis and hip and has been bedridden since then. To say she has had physical ailments is an understatement, and she is tired. She is 89 years old and just wants to be with her husband and I can’t fault her for that. She is getting more confused and her body is literally broken. They have a sister and the 3 of them take turns being with her every day since she went home in October. They take shifts and a PSW, is with her from 11pm to 8am. I know she will soon meet up with her husband and it is so very sad. I wanted to visit her but couldn’t during Christmas because of my pneumonia. When she passes, the brothers will be lost because she has been a mainstay I. Their lives for the past 20+ years. I will make sure to invite them every month for dinner and be there for them whenever they need it. 

Sorry for going on and on but it just shows how some of us will be meeting the New Year with big transformations and others, like my husband and I, are happy to have a year less eventful. 

May all of you have a great year ahead without the major upheavals my friends will be experiencing. A boring life can be good too.

Happy New Year!🥳 

Merry Christmas!!

 

I had a wonderful Christmas with my Hubby and my brother. I did too much and am feeling the effects today so I am resting. Here are 3 films I hope to watch…

1. A CHRISTMAS CAROL-1951

This is my favourite version of a Christmas Carol and Alastair Sim is my favourite Scrooge

2. WHITE CHRISTMAS-1954

Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen all end up at an Inn ru; by their former WW2 Commander who may go bust since it is very warm and no snow. They decide to put on a show and t goes from there. You have the singing of Bing and Rosemary, the antics of Kaye and Vera-Ellen wows with her dancing.

3.  A CHRISTMAS STORY- 1983

This is such a fun story about a young boy, in the late 1940s, who wants a certain BB Gun, but all he hears is, “You’ll shoot your eye out”. You follow him dealing with bullies,  kid brother, parents, dogs, a freaky Santa, an horrible gift from an Aunt and the BB Gun.  Well worth the watch.

I am very late here as I don’t feel too well but I wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and may you feel peace, happiness, health and joy.

Merry Christmas!

 

It’s Wednesday, Christmas Eve,  it’s the big day for me as it’s when we open up the gifts and have the big meal this evening. Unfortunately, I am getting over pneumonia. I’m feeling much better from last week and got to the doctors in time, I finished my antibiotics but am way behind. Just so you know, I am making rouladen, with gravy, red cabbage, peas, carrots and mashed potatoes. I did make my shortbread and my traditional German cookies. I hope you enjoy the Christmas Music and am entering Monday Music Moves Me. Thank you…I truly mean it because you have red my blog and leave comments and I have been very bad in replying. I do sincerely thank you!!

1. GERMAN CHRISTMAS-1959

2. CHRISTMAS WITH THE BOSTON POPS AND ARTHUR FIEDLER-1959

3.  CHRISTMAS WITH IVAN REBROFF-1970

Just enjoy these albums I grew up with and love with ll my heart!

Angels

 

It’s less than a week before Christmas and my tree has lights on it…and nothing else! I usually have it all decorated, but I’m a bit late. It will get done and all will be ok…yeah..still have to go Christmas shopping too. It’s crazy..I know. With work being always crazy, feeling ill( will see the Dr tomorrow) and Bell being assholes, I thought of my mom and daddy and how much Christmas meant to them. I thought of angels and know they are angels and thought of the Christmas movies that involve angels so here we go.

1. BEYOND TOMORROW-1940

This is a little known gem, in my opinion, starring 3 character actors, Charlie Ruggles, C. Aubrey Smith and Harry Carey, who are successful businessmen celebrating Christmas with the diminutive Maria Ouspenskaya playing the Russian landlady. Harry is jaded about the goodness of men so the other 2 decide to prove him wrong and they throw their wallets out to prove men are good( Hahahaaaa). The first woman to find a wallet, takes the $10 out and pays a man to drive her somewhere. The other 2 are found by a young man and woman who deliver the wallets to the home and are invited in for Christmas dinner. They accept and the 3 men are delighted to see the 2 fall in love. Unfortunately, all 3 men are killed in a plane crash but their spirits return to the home they live at. Harry is still somber about mankind but the other 2 believe and realize the 2 lovebirds need help when they see the young man become famous but become stupid falling for a wretched woman forgetting the sweet gal he truly loves. Makes me think of what my Oma said, “ When the dick is up, their brains are up their ass!”  Will the 3 angels see tru love triumph? Will the man wake up and realize he’s been an idiot? This is not a great film but it is a superlative B film which is held together by these 3 elderly actors especially the great Harry Carey as the disgruntled older man who does not believe mankind is inherently good. We can relate to this now, with all the sadness in the world and bitter, nasty words being said, we must see beyond this and know that goodness will win out. Look at the people who rose above and defended the defenseless. We will see good triumph.

2. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE-1946

You know I will speak about this great film that stars James Stewart as George Bailey. He is a man ready to take his life believing he has done nothing to help the people he loves or the town until Clarence, played so well by Henry Travers, comes down from heaven to help George see how much he has helped his world he lives in. Clarence decides to show George what life would be like if he were not born and, boy, does George get a rude awakening when he see how cold and unloving the town and people are. This is my favourite film and I cry, every time, I see the ending…not out of sadness, but out of joy! Very few films can make a person cry out of sheer joy especially when George’s brother arrives. The cast is perfect but Jimmy Stewart drives the film and, I think, that is partly due to the PTSD he was dealing with after coming back from the war. His prayer scene is iconic and the tears are real. 

3. THE BISHOP’S WIFE-1947

Cary Grant plays the debonair angel, named, of all things, Dudley, who comes to earth to help a Bishop raise funds for a cathedral. The bishop is truly thankful, but becomes very annoyed when Dudley ingratiates himself within his household, especially the Bishop’s wife, played by the holier than thou, Loretta Young. The Bishop, played by David Niven, becomes more jealous and dislikes Dudley even though the Angel is helping him. The casting is excellent ( well, anyone could have played the wife..like Donna Reed) and I can’t believe that Cary Grant was supposed to play the Bishop and David Niven was supposed to play Dudley. Thankfully, Cary Grant saw that Dudley was more to his liking and the powers that be agreed. This is a lovely film with an understated performance by Cary Grant and a shiny performance by Monty Woolley as the curmudgeonly professor who knows what Dudley is. 

What other angel movies can you think of that takes place around Christmas? Are you all ready or like me?

Which Song Won The Oscar-1951

 

I can’t believe Christmas is one week away! I’m back at work, I think I have a lung infection but I’m going to see the Dr on Friday. I am changing my tv, internet and phone to Bell…I’m in it now but this was a mistake. It’s been a nightmare…over 10 hrs on the phone last week, 5 technicians over at my home, I still don’t have my home phone connected nor the TV and I saw a bill I received from Bell for $599! This won’t do but will deal with it on Friday. 

Today I am choosing the year of 1951, so let’s see if you can guess which song was nominated, which won and which got none! I’m joining Monday Music Moves Me on a Wednesday, like I normally do and it’s “Anything Christmassy”.

1. SILVER BELLS SUNG BY BOB HOPE AND MARILYN MAXWELL

I still need to see the film, “The Lemon Drop Kid” that stars Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell but this song is now a Christmas standard and I consider it a Carol, not just a song. This song was written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans and it was originally called “Tinkle Bells” until Evans’ wife told him there is no way you can call it that because “tinkle” was a slang word for…you know.

2. IN THE COOL, COOL, COOL OF THE EVENING SUNG BY BING CROSBY AND JANE WYMAN

Another film I need to see, “ Here Comes The Groom” that stars Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman(. Ronald Reagan’s 1st wife), introduces this famous song that was written by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.  This is a fun song and quite catchy.

3. A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON SUNG BY KAY BROWN

This song was written by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby and Oscar Hammerstein 3rd. The first 2 write it for a Marx Brothersk movie but never used it. Oscar found it and reworked it for this film, “The Strip” that stars Mickey Rooney. Yup, another film I need to see.

So, which film won the Oscar, which was nominated and which came up nadda?

Who Should Have Won Best Actor-1987

 

I’ve had the week off for decorating purposes since I can no longer work, come home and start decorating. I just hate that and am trying to come to terms with this shit…oops, sorry. My decorating is coming along but I still have to put some more decorations up, iron the Christmas table cloths, put up my Nativity Scene and my Village..oh and the Christmas Tree which we still need to buy. I still have to bake too…I hope to visit some of your blogs very soon and thank you so much for visiting mine and commenting. I just so very much appreciate it🥰. 

I am going to choose whom,I’m think, should have won Best Actor, for 1987, and, yup, he was not, even nominated, if he was, I bet they would have placed him in Best Supporting category even though he is equal to his acting partner. Let’s see if you agree with me or offer someone different or agree with the academy.

1. JOHN CANDY IN PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

I watch this, almost, every year and, even though this takes place over the American Thanksgiving, it could easily be a Christmas movie. It stars the great John Candy and Steve Martin as 2 very different men, from different classes, who keep meeting up until they must join forces to get Steve Martin home for Thanksgiving. Much to Martin’s chagrin, Candy finds a motel room when their plane must land in Wichita because Chicago got belted with a snowstorm. One horrible event after another occurs, all the while Candy’s character tries to help Steve get home. This is an endearing, warm and very funny film where we can  recall scenes smiling when we do. Steve Martin and John Candy are great together and, if Candy lived longer, I bet they would have worked together in other films. The scene, above, just shows the range that Candy had as an actor and the words were improvised by Candy! The director loved it that he kept it in the  film and so glad he did. You find out what a dick Martin is and how he loosens up and becomes more human, thanks to Candy’s Character. Candy was not even nominated and this whole film was neglected. Steve Martin deserved a nomination as well as the actual film, the directing and that score! The music is so well placed in every scene that just adds to the richness of each scene. 

2. MICHAEL DOUGLAS IN WALL STREET

Michael Douglas finally won Best Actor in this film that co-stars Charlie Sheen as a young up and comer Wall Street broker who is taken under the wing, by Michael Douglas, a corporate Raider. It shows the underbelly of this world that I would never want to be part of. Oliver Stone showcases both actors to their best advantage and Douglas is excellent in his role as the evil Gordon Gekko who will do anything to make more money. I have seen this film and, while it is excellent, I could not get into the characters. I watched it and, promptly, forgot about it. Douglas deserved more accolades for the films, “Falling Down” and “The Wonder Boys.” 

3. ROBIN WILLIAMS IN GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM

Robin Williams wowed the critics and the audience about this real life DJ who shook things up in Vietnam and winning over the soldiers who are fighting in a war that they can’t win. Robin deserved the nomination since he explodes on the screen with his riffs, all spontaneously done by Robin, as well as his serious side coming through when he meets the soldiers who are fighting against all odds. This film could not exist without Williams who makes the audience laugh and cry in the span of 10 minutes. It’s a film worth seeing.

Do you agree with my assessment or would you agree with the Academy..or would you choose someone completely different?

Christmas Music

 

I’m on vacation this week so I am late reading people’s blogs and writing here. I’m just going to have  some Christmas music I love…

1. WALKING IN THE AIR SUNG BY KATHERINE JENKINS-2020

This comes from an animated Christmas film from 1982, composed by Howard Blake. This is a Finnish film that has become a staple Christmas favourite in Finland and in England. This song has grown in stature over the years, and rightly so. I love this song nd my hubby considers it one of the best Christmas carols.

2. O BAMBINO SUNG BY THE HARRY SIMONE CHORALE-1965

I love this song and it is one of my all time favourites. It was originally written by  Remo Capra, Tony Verona with music by Alfonzo Maria De’ Liguori but became most famous by Harry Simone from his arrangement. To me it is one of the most beautiful of carols.

3. SUO GAN SUNG BY CHARLOTTE CHURCH-2001

I tried to find the version sung by John McDermott from his album, “Christmas Memories” but I couldn’t find it, so I found this version sung by a young Charlotte Church, a child prodigy who has an amazing voice. This is a traditional Welsh lullaby created by an anonymous writer from around 1800. It’s such a pretty song and one I love listening to.

Any songs you love that are not traditional carols? Check out Monday Music Moves Me to see what the others have chosen this week.

Christmas Films I Finally Saw!

 

There are some films that have escaped my viewing until now. You won’t believe the first film that I have not seen until last weekend! Actually, you won’t believe the second film I have not seen until last year Christmas. So let’s start…

1. CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT-1945

Yes, this classic film is one that has escaped my viewing until last weekend. To be honest, I found this film in the bin in Walmart for under $6. Bucks! This is such a funny film and one I a. So happy to say I have finally seen and own. It starts off with 2 sailers who have survived the sinking of their ship by a German Submarine and were finally saved after adrift for many days. In the meantime, the head of a major corporation, wants his star of the magazine, to invite this sailer to her home in Connecticut for a splendid Christmas meal. Barbara Stanwyck plays this early version of a Martha Stewart who cooks up a storm of great meals while living at her cozy home in Connecticut, that she has decorated in her own style that people love to copy. The problem is that she has no home in Connecticut and has no idea how to cook! Now, she must entertain a soldier there for Christmas as well as her boss, played so well by Sydney Greenstreet and she is at a loss as well as her publisher. In comes a very rich man who wants Barbara as his wife who lets her use his home provided she finally accepts his marriage proposal. They all travel to that nice home, with an great fireplace, I might add, bringing along her fatherly friend, S. Z. “Cuddles” Sakall, who is the real chef behind her famous recipes. When the soldier, played by Dennis Morgan, arrives, sparks fly between him and Barbara but the ruse must continue which contains many funny moments. It’s a great movie and one I will watch every Christmas.

2. HOME ALONE-1990

Yes, I never saw this film until I, reluctantly, saw this with my hubby and the end of Christmas last year and really enjoyed it. I remember when it came out and became this mega hit with  so many interviews with MacCauley Caulkin, that browned me off wanting to see this movie especially because of this smarmy kid. I did my very best to avoid any movies starring this brat, as you can tell, I am not a lover of children who are smart asses, but, over the years I have seen a few like “ Uncle Buck” and “Home Alone 2”. Now, after all these years, I watched this movie and got a kick out of  the antics the 2 dumb ass robbers get into when they try to rob the home that the kid is living in. It starts off when the family are travelling to Paris for Christmas, but when the kid takes a hissy fit, mom, played by the golden Catherine O’Hara, sends him to the attic to sleep overnight. In all the chaos, the family take off for Paris forgetting about the brat. Kevin, the brat’s name, is happy being on his own, at first, but soon misses his family especially his mom. He notices the 2 bozos who want to rob the place and sets up booby traps all over the house. The  2 robbers, played so well by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, have one mishap after another evoking the old Warner Bros. Cartoons that Wile E. Coyote got into. It is funny and strangely endearing even though the family are truly bad…who forgets their son!? Mom realizes she has left Kevin at home, while on the plane to Paris and does everything she can to get home. It is a fun movie, not a great one, but a fun one.

3. LAST CHRISTMAS-2019

Emilia Clarke is one big fuck-up..sorry for the swear word but it really deserves to be used here. She drinks too much, sleeps around, has no care for other peoples’ stuff and is always late at work which she  wishes she could be anywhere else. She works, in downtown London at a year round Christmas store run by the evocative Michelle Yeoh, who keeps giving this gal 2nd and 3rd chances. After burning her last friend, she must endure living back home with her overly dramatic mom, played so well by Emma Thompson who wrote the script and produced the film. Her dad drives a cab who would rather work all the time than be home with his wife who centers on the negative a bit too much. Her sister is fed up with her ..um..fucked-up sister, believing people cater too much to Emilia. While at work, Emilia sees a young guy on his bike and goes out to speak with him. They are drawn to each other and start spending a lot of time together where he starts showing her that her life is precious and  should not be burned nor the people around her. You find out that this girl, who has the gift of a beautiful voice, suffered a severe illness which affected her heart resulting in a heart transplant. Over time, she starts to realize that this young guy really believes in her and they fall for each other. This is a witty movie and I love Michelle Yeoh’s quips as well as her budding romance with a Dane. Emma Thompson rules her scenes as the a former Yugoslavian who her and her family had to escape the war in her country, and focuses on the negative. There is also real chemistry between Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding as her love interest. What’s very strange is that Emilia Clarke, when on “Game of Thrones” suffered 2 brain aneurysms, in 2011 & 2013, and almost died. This is a good movie and worth seeing.

Which Christmas movie is still on your radar to see or have you just seen it?

Are They Christmas Songs?

 

It’s the Christmas Season and it’s whatever music moves you over at Monday Music Moves Me and it is  all about Christmas this month so I’m starting off with music that isn’t about Christmas but they have become Christmas songs. Now, one, I understand but the other 2, I don’t quite get. Let’s not pussyfoot around and let’s get to it….

1. WINTER WONDERLAND  BY GUY LOMBARDO-1934

This is a song that seems to be played every hour on the hour during the Christmas season and just bout every singer has sung this. The music is by Felix Bernard and the lyrics, by Richard Bernhard Smith who thought up the words when he saw Honesdale Central Park, PA. Covered in snow. This became a huge hit for the Canadian Guy Lombardo  and his band, 91 years ago. There are over 200 different recordings of this song.

2. BABY, ITS COLD OUTSIDE SUNG BY RICARDO MONTALBAN AND ESTHER WILLIAMS-1949

This has become such a controversial song and I think most of us need to take a pill and  settle down. This song was written by Frank Loesser along with his wife, Lynn Garland who sang it at their dinner parties when they thought it was time for the guests to leave. It became a huge hit and has been covered by many singers over the decades and somewhat done to death. Later in the film, the roles are reversed with Betty Garrett chasing Red Skelton while singing this song and it is very funny.

3. MY FAVOURITE THINGS SUNG BY JULIE ANDREWS AND THE KIDS-1965

Nothing says Christmas than the warm summer sun, greenery and, oh yeah, Nazis! This song is sung by Julie Andrews to the kids who are scared by a thunderstorm( wussies). Christmas is mentioned in the song, written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, so that makes it a Christmas song. It is a great song, sweet and fun before the meanie Christopher Plummer stops the singing with one cold stare. 

So, what songs are played at Christmas, but it is not supposed to be a  Christmas song? Let me know.

Bonus…BETTY GARRETT AND RED SKELTON…

Star Of The Month-Jeff Chandler

 

JEFF CHANDLER

BIRTH: December 15, 1918

DEATH: June 17, 1961

AGED: 42 years

DIED FROM: pneumonia and blood poisoning after back surgery

REAL NAME: Ira Grossel

NICKNAME: Big Grey

MARRIED: once, to Marjorie Hoshelle-divorced

AFFAIRS: Esther Williams, Gloria DeHaven, Ann Sheridan, Julie Adams, Barbara Shelley, Mamie Van Doren(who didn’t!), Marilyn Maxwell, and Eartha Kitt

CHILDREN: 2 daughters. Both died in the early 2000s from cancer. His Aunt, Uncle and Grandfather also died from cancer. Genetic link to this horrible disease.

FRIENDS: Susan Hayward, Gordon MacCrea, Sammy Davis Jr.

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: Broken Arrow for his role as Cochise

OSCAR WINS: Nil

TALENT: singer, violinist, song writer

KNOWN FOR: Grey Hair and Chiseled features plus body hair. That had to be shaved for the movies so he was, often, quite itchy. An avid Democrat, proud of his Jewish Heritage and into civil rights.

What is sad is that Jeff Chandler is known more for what Esther Williams wrote in her autobiography, which was proven to be false, by her own admission, than for his acting ability plus his many other talents.  She wrote that he was a cross dresser and loved to wear women’s clothing, panties etc… while playing a he-man in his many films. This disgusting gossip went “viral” with all the TV shows, like “ Entertainment Tonight” plus even regular news, discussing Chandler’s “hidden”  fetish asking Esther Williams about his life. She loved talking all about this which made her book a best seller. Much later, it came out that she was asked to spruce up her autobiography so she decided to ruin this man’s reputation just to sell her book. She is not a nice person, sadly. I don’t care if a man wears women’s clothing as long as he is a nice person…let him do whatever he wishes, but when a man is not a cross dresser and can’t even defend himself because he has been dead over 40 years, that’s just very, very wrong. 

Jeff Chandler was very proud of his Jewish heritage starring in a couple of films and supporting them when they attacked Egypt which caused a stir. He formed his own production company, was a radio star plying the love interest to Eve Arden in “Our Miss Brooks” plus he was a singer and violinist. He played many Indians in film, which is now considered in bad taste, but these were the times so let’s get over it and move on. He also played many heroes from chivalrous heroes to swashbucklers and adventurers. 

He had many affairs which is understandable given his rugged good looks and his silver hair which started to turn white when he was 18. His chiseled features became the model for the main character in the comic, “Johnny Quest”. He loved baseball, was in WW2, and was a devoted friend. He went to school and became a life-long friend of Susan Hayward, and, when Sammy Davis Jr lost his left eye in a car accident and his right eye was feared to be affected, Chandler volunteered to have one of his eyes  taken, but the technology was not ( and is not) available. He had many talents but, sadly, he died suddenly and it was blatant malpractice. On the set of one of his movies, he injured his back ( playing baseball with U. S. soldiers who were extras in the film) and underwent surgery but his artery was knicked, developed blood poisoning and died. His family sued and won the case.

This man should be known for his acting, his devotion to his friends plus his many talents not the gossip that was proven to be false. 

FILMS

1. Broken Arrow-1950

2. Cochise-1950

3. Two Flags West-1950

4. Smuggler’s Island-1951

5. War Arrow-1953

6. Foxfire-1955

7. Merrill's Marrauders-1961

8. Thunder In The Sun-1959

9. The Tattered Dress-1957

10. Man In The Shadow-1957

Who Should Have Won Best Actress 1965

 

I post this on the 2nd week of each month and …I forgot! So, I’m posting it now and this one is close to my heart. In October1972, my mom took my brother and I to Europe to visit family, but before we traveled to Graz, Austria, we went to Vienna and then, to Salzburg. I loved every moment and my heart belongs to the mountains. When The Sound of Music made its premiere on TV, without editing, I was beyond excited! I remember watching the clock all day and telling my dad that we must watch this, not the news, and it starts at 7pm. That opening, showing the beauty of the land, had me enthralled and then, there was Julie twirling on that mountain in love with life. To say I was overjoyed, would have been an understatement and I bought the record, memorized all the tunes and dreamed of going back to Salzburg ( which I did in 1980 and 1993). So, I bet you can guess whom I think should have won for Best Actress…

1. JULIE ANDREWS IN THE SOUND OF MUSIC

This scene just captivated me and brought my tween romantic self out in full tilt! In this scene, not only did Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer dance this Liedler so sweetly, with great ease plus they show how much they have fallen for each other. While Christopher has that confidence, Julie shows raw emotion from love, sexual tension, realization and embarrassment. This, to me, showcased her acting range plus Julie carried the movie. She is in almost every scene with her strength, exuberance, charm and wondrous voice taking control of every part of the film. She won the previous year for Mary Poppins but, I think, she should have won for this film. 

2. JULIE CHRISTIE IN DARLING

I confess, I still must see this film so it’s somewhat wrong of me to say Julie deserves the Oscar more but, I know I would still vote for Julie….Andrews. Julie Christie won the Oscar playing the selfish, mod model/actress who values her career and surface fun over people and their feelings. She dabbles through men to get ahead using her wiles to get where she wants, but she doesn’t even know what she wants. Julie Christie had a big year in 1965 playing the narcissistic model as well as playing Lara, the beautiful paramour to Omar Sharif’s Dr. Zhivago. I must see this movie in the on coming year…if I can find it.

3. CATHERINE DENEUVE IN REPULSION

I have no clue why Catherine Deneuve was not even nominated for this demanding role as a beautiful but emotionally detached woman who lives with her sister, but has an inability to cope with life. When her sister leaves with her boyfriend for Rome. While they are gone Deneuve’s character falls deeper and deeper into madness and Deneuve carries the role so well. Seeing her descent is very unnerving especially when she kills the man who loves her. You realize she was broken long ago and those cracks she concentrates on, are the cracks she is experiencing in her mind. It’s considered a horror film, but you can easily call it a thriller. Maybe because of the chilling motif, she was not even nominated, but this is a crime.

Have you seen Darling? Would you agree with Oscar or with me? Do you think someone else should have won? Love to know:)

FYI- I love  the Glasgow Gallanter and read it every week but, for the last few weeks I can’t log in and leave comments! I tried logging in the normal way and even via Facebook and …nothing. It’s very frustrating. She has a great blog and my hubby and I had the privilege to meet her and her hubby and take them around Niagara Falls for the day. I love all her walks and what she sees. 

Which Song Won The Oscar 1945

 

I’m late, as per norm, but doubly late since I, normally, have this post in the 3rd week of each month. Why now? For the big reason that…I forgot!  Better late than never, I always say and this week, over at Monday Music Moves Me,  the theme is to choose songs that can make you happy and this fits for the Oscar songs from 1945. Let’s see if you can pick the song that won the Oscar, which was nominated and which came up short…

1. THE WORRY SONG SUNG BY GENE KELLY AND JERRY THE MOUSE

This song, written by Sammy Fain and Ralph Freed, was a breakthrough moment in film production because Gene Kelly dances with a cartoon character. Gene danced with one of his favourite off-screen partners, Carol Haney and the. The animators got to work and created Jerry the Mouse dancing to Carol Haney’s movements and, through the creativity and magic of film, have Gene teach Jerry that this King can sing and dance and that everyone has talent. It’s a wonderful fantasy sequence in the film, “Anchor’s Aweigh” and one of the highlights in musical film

2. IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING SUNG BY LOUANNE HOGAN

Jeanne  Crain plays the lovely daughter of farmer parents who have entered the state fair, Mom for her mincemeat pie and dad for his boar, Blue Boy. Jeanne longs for something more while her brother is disheartened that his girlfriend can’t make it to the fair. This is the only musical that Rogers and Hammerstein created for film, not Broadway. This is a romantic comedy musical, not just romance between Crain and Dana Andrews (who actually had a great singing voice) but romance with family and happiness in the simple things. 

3. ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE SUNG BY BING CROSBY AND SONNY TUFTS

This is a famous song written by the famous team Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen originally sung by Bing Crosby and Sonny Tufts in the film, “Here Comes the Waves”, it was made more famous when Bing sang the song with the Andrew Sisters. I always loved this fun and happy song even though this song was sung in blackface,  with the help of the WAVES, on a war ship to the troops. I could not find the excerpt from the actual film so, I hope, this version will do. Just an FYI, WAVES stands for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services.

Ok, so can you guess which song won, which was nominated and which got 0 love?

Movies in the Sahara Desert

 

I realized I totally missed my Oscar events in music and in film so I hope to do this next week…we shall see:) I was gone last week, Thursday to Saturday for our early Christmas party in Toronto  and fell behind here which is typical, sadly. My work put on a great event during the day. We ate at their local synagogue and the food was delicious. They hired 2 ladies to teach us line dancing, but since we were in the synagogue, women and men had to be separated. I tried the line dancing but my pain would not let me continue so I sat on the sidelines and the women were great. Since my pain was quite intense, I could stay and watch the men…that was hilarious especially when they had to do some hip movements…hahahaaaa. The night was at an Italian restaurant and it was excellent. I forgot how many courses comes before the main course followed by some decadent cakes…there must have been a dozen different cakes. I cheated and had carrot cake and strawberry shortcake. 

Now, my friend, VJ, had a great time riding a camel into the desert Staying overnight in a tent which is another tick off his bucket list. I am continuing the desert and Moroccan theme choosing 3 pics that fit this theme..

1. MOROCCO-1930

This is Marlene Dietrich’s first U.S. film and she was nominated for an Oscar for her film role in this drudge of a film. Yup, I said drudge because it seemed all so exciting at the beginning when she first meets Gary Cooper, playing a French Legionnaire. She plays a Cabaret headliner, in her men’s tuxedo with top hat, who ends up kissing a girl. To say this is racy, in pre-code Hollywood, is an understatement and made Marlene a huge star. In this film, she is damaged goods who does not want to fall in love with cad, Gary Cooper, a handsome, narcissist who screws them and leaves them. They fall in love despite his reluctance and knowing she would have a better life with rich, secure Adolphe Mengou, who wants to marry Marlene. This all take place in Morocco and the Saharan desert and the famous ending where, spoiler alert, she runs into the desert with her high heels before taking them off and going barefoot…in the Sahara..it gets extremely hot n the day and quite cold at night. It’s an early sound film and it’s neat to see Marlene at a young 29 and Gary, the same, but I was not enamoured with this movie, but, maybe, I need to give it a second chance.

2. CASABLANCA-1942

Even though this Classic, brilliant film was all filmed on a set, it really evokes all the intrigue and drama that did take place in this Moroccan city. If you haven’t seen this film yet…what the F#@, are you waiting for…lol. Humphrey Bogart plays Rick, who owns Cafe American, where intrigue and drama takes place every minute. His best friend, Sam (Dooley Wilson, who couldn’t play a note) plays the piano and we meet many characters including the bartender, played by S. Z. “Cuddles” Sakall, Madeleine Lebeau as the floozy involved with Rick, Peter Lorre as Ugarte who has Letters of Transit ensuing 2 people to leave this port, the great Claude Rains as the corrupt Capt. Renault, Sydney Greenstreet as Ferrari who would love to own Rick’ Cafe and the evil Nazi, Major Strasser, played by Conrad Veidt. Conrad was German, married a Jewish lady and was openly hostile against the Nazi regime. He was held by the Nazis and, due to British government intervention, he was allowed to leave. Actually, many German Jews played Nazis in films including this one. Anywho, enter Paul Henreid as Victor Lazlo with his wife, the stunning Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa where you soon find out she had an affair with Bogie back in Paris. The acting, directing, art direction and cinematography is excellent and the writing? The writing is great with so many one liners that became famous. It’s a must see.

3. THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX-1965

I love this film, starring James Stewart, as the pilot bringing back a group of men, mainly oil workers, to Benghazi but they run into a Sandstorm and crash in the Saharan desert. They have only enough water for 10 days or so and try to find water, make friends with some very bad Arab men( it didn’t turn out well) and try not to kill each other. A German aeronautical engineer feels they can fix this plane and get it running to get home, so the men are all tasked to help fix the plane. I find the acting brilliant and the writing, the same. There is a shocker I did not see coming near the end of the film which also made me laugh. It’s a great thrill of a movie.

Bonus…

THE SHEIK-1921

I have to include this luscious film that stars Rudolph Valentino as a Sheik who abducts an independent British lady, played by Agnes Ayers,  and brings her to his home in the Saharan desert. Women swooned watching this film hoping Rudolph would take them away and make love to them under the sandy stars. This was a mega hit  and solidified Rudolph’s immortality. 

The Desert and Morocco

My dear friend, VJ, is on another adventure and right now, he has taken a trip into the Sahara, by Camel, and is staying in a tent overnight. He arrived in Marrakech, Morocco on Saturday and met up with a friend ready to embark on a 2 week travel around Morocco. This excursion has been on his bucket list and now it has been fulfilled! He contacted me via WhatsApp  just to show me the golden desert and the caravan with his camel out front, resting where they will be pitching their tents. I told him, I hope no snakes or scorpions visit him in the night, but he is not fazed by this one bit. So, in honour of his escapade, I am choosing some desert songs that will work with the free theme over at Monday Music Moves Me.

1. WE’RE OFF ON THE ROAD TO MOROCCO SUNG BY BING CROSBY AND BOB HOPE-1942

This is a famous song sung by these 2 greats in their 3rd Road picture they did together. It’s sung almost tongue in cheek since they sing about making a picture with Dorothy Lamour who appeared in all but one of their famous Road pics. This song, written by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Johnny Burke is a fun entry to this funny movie as well as a great introduction to this famous duo. Well, you meet them beforehand, but this still helps develop these characters as they sing while fluffing up the camel’s hump. I wonder if VJ fluffed up his camel’s hump….not that there’s anything wrong with that.

2.  THE DESERT SONG SUNG BY GORDON MACREA AND KATHRYN GRAYSON-1953

This is the 3rd remake of this Broadway operetta written by Sigmund Romberg with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein which takes place in Morocco and the Sahara Desert. Here we have Triple D Kathryn Grayson sing oh so lovingly to Gordon MacCrea, the hero in this film. I am certain that VJ is rolling his eyes to this loving tune sung by 2 great singers/actors that deserve better recognition today.

3. MARRAKESH EXPRESS SUNG BY CROSBY, STILLS AND NASH-1969

After the Hope and Crosby song, this was the 2nd song that came into my head and one that I thought was done by Bread or even Simon and Garfunkel but, nope this comes from this trio ( Neil Young was gone) and was written when Nash was in this city and took note to paper to develop these characters’ songs.

4 DESERT ROSE SUNG BY STING AND CHEB RABAH-1999

I am not a Police fan and not really a fan of Sting’s voice but I really like this song and felt it was perfect for my Desert theme. I really love Cheb’s singing which gives that Moorish feel.

I hope VJ looks at this post and can’t wait to hear about his escapades. What desert song can you think of?

Patriotic Musicals

 

This Betty Grable photo, with her famous, insured legs, was the biggest pin up during WW2 surpassing the seductive portrait done by Rita Hayworth in 1941. This 1943 photo, by Frank Polowny, was created when Betty was clowning around for the photographer and became a beacon for millions of GI’s. During WW2, musicals became huge box office because it made people forget the horrors of this war. Hollywood cashed in( of course!) with tons of musicals taking place in front of GI’s, on glittering ships with sparkly guns, and flags everywhere. Here are 3 films that invoked the patriotic fervour…

1. STRIKE UP THE BAND-1940

Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney were a perfect pairing when they were in t(sir late teens/early 20s and became lifelong friends. It’s the 2nd of the “Let’s put on a show” musicals that were huge hits with the American audience, the soldiers overseas and, well, worldwide. Mickey Rooney must have had severe ADHD because he always looks like he is ready to bounce off the walls and his conducting is something less than to be desired. The simple plot is that Mickey wants to put on a show, this time in Chicago in front of the famous band leader Paul Whitman. Things never go smoothly but all is well in the end and these kids never sounded so good.

2. SHIP AHOY-1942

The great Eleanor Powell is, sadly, not very well known today but she was big for a few short years in the early 40s dancing her way to the very top. She can tap dance like no one else and has a very unique style with a strength that just leaves me gobsmacked. In this film, she believes she is helping the allies when she  is hired as a performer on board a cruise ship. Red Skelton plays a writer, with writer’s block, who is also on the cruise ship and comedic mayhem ensues. Soon Powell realizes she was duped by Nazi agents and finds a way to help the true allies by taping in Morse code. It’s a fun film highlighted by Eleanor's dancing. This gal danced as if she was on a battleship with huge guns in the background and, famously, with Fred Astaire in “Begin the Beguine”. Fred was extremely impressed with Eleanor but he felt she danced like a man and I can see that. She does not have that ladylike grace, at least to me. 

3. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY-1942

Of course, I’m going to include this film that stars James Cagney as George M. Cohan, the theatrical giant at the turn of the century into WW1. Cagney played him perfectly including his dancing style and won an Oscar for this energetic role. You get the chance to hear many of his songs that were written with a patriotic flair. This scene hits perfectly with the  feelings of the times. The States just entered WW2 6 months before and this film was to  promote patriotism, give the soldiers something to live for, and have more people enlist. This is a good film even though the patriotic fervour hits you over the head.

I have to add this

This is from Strike Up The Band, a unique interlude, which was created by George Pal. Maybe he took a hit of acid before coming up with this…lol

In Honour…

 

This week, on Monday Music Moves Me, it is all about remembering the fallen heroes in the wars of WW1, WW2 and beyond. To me, the heroes are all the men, women, civilians and animals that served and endured the wars that shaped our countries and our future. It would be a much grimmer world if the Allies did not win over the Nazi Regime. My dad fought in WW2, was part of the Liberation of Holland before being wounded in one of the last skirmishes in April 1945 in the Reischwald Forest. My Uncle Joachim was only 1 yr old when he died in his mother’s arms (my Oma) and my Uncle Kurt was wounded in the Russian Front recuperating in the hospital, near Wittenberg when the Russians came in, June 30, 1945, and shot and killed all the German soldiers, 178, including my Uncle. They were thrown into a pit and buried stating that they all died of their wounds. My mom was only 12 when she saw her brother, dead, in her mom’s arms and was devastated when her big brother, Kurt, was killed. They were very close and the last time she saw her brother, he bought her a 3 strand pearl necklace. She survived both the bombings of Hamburg and Dresden and was part of the German Resistance movement who set the dynamite under the bridges because she was small enough to get under the steel girders. She was the enemy, so, too, my Uncles, obviously, more my Uncle Kurt who fought at the front, but, in the end, he was just a scared 19 yr old kid facing down the barrel of a rifle. In honour of my family, I am showcasing 3 songs…there are so many…

1. THE GREEN FIELDS OF FRANCE SUNG BY JOHN MCDERMOTT-2023

This sad song was written in 1977 by Eric Bogle about a fallen soldier in WW1. It’s such a beautiful song and sung by the great John McDermott, a proud Canadian singer who dedicates a lot of his time and money to the veterans of the wars. I am so proud to say the My ex and I took my mom and his parents to see John McDermott  around this time, back in the 1990s. My mom was crying and dad, my in law, was visibly moved since he, too, was in  WW2, as a medic who saw many horrors including a concentration camp where he was shocked to see a huge pile of shoes that went way, way above his head. It was something he would never forget. At the end of the concert, we met McDermott who was glad to take a picture with my mom and my in laws.

2. WE’ll MEET AGAIN SUNG BY VERA LYNN-1939

Vera Lynn is a British Institution who sang this song, written by Ross Parker and Hughie Charles, in 1939 and became an instant hit. Many servicemen thought of leaving their home not knowing if they will meet again so this was a song close to everyone’s hearts. In 2009, Vera Lynn, had a record of her hits which became a best seller at the age of 92!

3. AULD LANG SYNE DONE BY GUY LOMBARDO AND HIS ROYAL CANADIANS-1939

My dad loved Guy Lombardo and daddy would turn on the TV on New Year’s Eve, to watch Guy and his Royal Canadians, much to my chagrin. I was a bratty kid who thought this guy and his music was old and did not appreciate the music and how much Lombardo meant to the Canadians during WW2. This song became his signature tune which he played at the end of each concert. 

Bonus…

BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLICAN SUNG BY JOHN MCDERMOTT-1999

Both my parents loved this song but, especially, my mom who took the lyrics to heart since she lived under Hitler and then, the Russians. She escaped, more than once, many skirmishes and, in 1950, got my grandfather out and into the West before the Russians had a chance to take my Opa, again, to the Gulags. We, are very, very lucky to be born in a free country with the wealth that we take for granted ( look at what we ll have in the grocery stores) and we have the freedom to speak our mind. We are blessed.

Which song come to your mind?

It Happpened In One Night

 

I was thinking of movies that take place over a day and then I thought, what about the night which does not involve zombies, vampires or homicidal maniacs. Here are my 3…

1. ARSENIC AND OLD LACE-1944

I want to own this film which I find hilarious. Cary Grant plays Mortimer Brewster, an author who writes about how marriage is so wrong, but he is marrying his girl next door, played so well by Pricilla Lane. After avoiding the reporters, they go back to their childhood homes to pack things up and start their life together. Little does Mortimer know that his 2 beautiful aunts have been killing men they feel are all alone. He finds out that the elderberry wine is spiked with something a bit stronger than wine. Their brother, who believes himself to be Teddy Roosevelt, is told there is another yellow fever victim. The night is young and gets even worse when Mortimer’s murderous brother and his sidekick doctor make an appearance at this  wonky home. Over the next few hours, Mortimer saves an old cuss ready to drink the wine while trying not to be killed by his brother and get his aunts committed to the home for the missed nuts. Frank Capra directed a very funny comedy with many character actors shining over the lead, Cary Grant. In fact, Grant hated his over-enthusiastic portrayal of his character. Some people agree but I think his acting fits right in. It’s a very funny screwball comedy.

2. ROPE-1948

I finally saw this Hitchcock film last year that stars James Stewart as a professor of 2 students who feel the need to put one over the professor by killing their mutual friend and hiding the body in a big chest. These 2 men, who live together, and show all the markings of 2 gay men which was quite daring back in the day, decide to have a dinner party inviting much older people, including the victim’s parents and his fiancée. We proceed to follow these men, one loving the cat and mouse feel while the other an F’d up mess, as they talk to their guests taking the food off this big chest that holds the body of the victim. Hitchcock loved trying different techniques and, with Rope, he filmed the scene in one long 10 minute take which was the length of the film in the camera. When it was time to change the film, the camera would centre on, for example, Stewart’s back before the new 10 minute piece would begin. The whole film takes place in one set and you still feel the suspense. It’s not one of Hitchcock’s best film but it is still one to see. This film is based on the famous Leopold and Loeb case from the 1920s where these 2 students killed a friend just to feel what it was like.

3. AMERICAN GRAFFITI-1973

I can’t believe this film is 52 years old….it just can’t be, since I remember when this came out. This is a classic film about the last night of kids who will be venturing off to college the next day. There are many different mini plots from Ron Howard and Cindi Williams as 2 high school sweethearts hoping their love will keep going as he goes off to college to Richard Dreyfuss trying to locate the blonde he saw in a car( memorably played by Suzanne Somers). We the the Toad, played by Paul LeMat, trying to impress a gal and John, Harrison Ford, who has to deal with a precocious 12 yr old, played by a young Mackenzie Phillips. It is set in 1962 and it’s a perfect telling of kids in all sorts of angst. The feel of the film and the great music provided the real DJ, Wolfman Jack, just sets this film on another level of teen films. It is a major film one needs to see.

Have you seen all these films? I know Stephen may have seen American Graffiti(LOL) and recommends it every time he can but are there any films you can think of that take place in one night that is not a horror film?

John Lodge..Sadness

John Lodge is a founding member of The Moody Blues, one of my all time favourite bands, and a leading contributor to the stupendous music this band created and performed. “Days of Future Passed” is an iconic album that is heralded, quite rightly, as one of the all time best albums ever. When he died, on October 10th, I was gut punched because I thought he would live into his 90s. There have been many tributes showcasing his most famous songs, “ Ride My See-Saw,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” “Evening Time To Get Away,” and “I’m Just a Singer in a Rock ‘N Roll Band.”  I’m going with some songs that may not be as famous but just as inventive and great. I’m joining on freebie week over at Monday Music Moves Me

1. EMILY’S SONG-1971

2. TORTOISE AND THE HARE-1970

3. MINSTRAL’S SONG-1970

4. EYES OF A CHILD-1969

5. SEND ME NO WINE-1968

6. HOUSE OF 4 DOORS-1968

9. ONE MORE TIME TO LIVE-1971

10. SLIDDIN’ IN A SLIDE ZONE-1978

 And his final album “10,000 LIGHT YEARS AGO”-2015…just the one song.

Star of the Month-Leatrice Joy

 

LEATRICE JOY

BIRTH: November 7, 1893

DEATH: May 13, 1985

AGED: 91 years

DIED FROM: Acute Anemia…I wonder if her Christian Scientist views contributed to her death

REAL NAME: Leatrice Johanna Zeidler

MARRIED: 3 times, the first to John Gilbert, a huge star who had a very sad and dramatic downfall when sound arrived.

CHILDREN: one daughter, Leatrice Joy Gilbert, an actress but an author of “Dark Star”, a biography on John Gilbert. This is an excellent biography which I highly recommend. 

TALENT: her knack for understanding what women want from her clothes, perfume and hair

KNOWN FOR: Her portrayals of independent women in a corporate world often in Mannish suits but, also, exquisite gowns setting off fashion crazes. She was a Christian Scientist, a devoted follower.

A woman, who called herself  “a ham at heart”, seems like quite the hoot when she was interviewed for the famous 13 part documentary, “Hollywood” by Kenneth Brownlow( a big film historian)..yup I own this but only in VHS since they ran into major problems trying to get permission from all these Estates. She is hilarious and you can see how much she loves the limelight. Her name was, originally, supposed to be Beatrice, but, on the way to her christening, her mom recalled that her husband’s former girlfriend was named Beatrice, she went through the alphabet until her mom came to a suitable replacement…Leatrice. She was one of the biggest stars of the 1920s, so big, that when, she impulsively cut her hair into a bob, it became a new craze for women around the world. When she started in films, Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin were already famous, she recalled seeing in restaurant windows that no dogs, cats or actors, were allowed. Later she earned over $250,000 for a film. ShE became Cecil B. DeMille’s muse placing her in  romantic fare showing off some great fashions. When sound came, her career waned, partly due to her thick New Orleans accent, but she still acted until 1952 that starred Marilyn Monroe. She captivated John Gilbert whom she rebuffed at first, but, later, became his first wife and they had 1 child, Leatrice Joy Gilbert, famous for her book, “Dark Star” about the life of her dad, John Gilbert. The marriage didn’t last long and she married twice more but, I believe, John Gilbert, was still the love of her life. When she was interviewed about John Gilbert, she remembered his quote he left on a photo he gave her, “To my beloved wife, for whom God patterned the angels.”

FILMS- (Most I have not seen but want to remedy this)

1. The Ten Commandments-1923

2. Changing Husbands-1924

3. Ace Of Hearts-1921

4. Manslaughter-1922

5. The Bellamy Trial-1929

6. Triumph-1924

7. First Love-1939

8. The Dressmaker From Paris-1925

9. The Clinging Vine-1926

10. Minnie-1922

The Scariest Episodes of the Twilight Zone

 

Yup, that's me as a witch and my brother as a Mexican Bandito. I wore my mom's old dress along with my Bavarian sweater and a cape my mom made. My mom made the hat which I still have! This was before one could buy all the Halloween outfits, so you had to create your own. My mom was great in creating something from her wealth of stuff she had. She made my crooked nose out of bandaid and used regular make up for our ghoulish looks. 

Since this is the day before Halloween, I was thinking of some shows that scared the hell out of me and I kept thinking of The Twilight Zone. I recall some of the episodes that really unnerved me when I first saw them and decided to share them with you.

1. IT'S A GOOD LIFE-1959

To this day, this Twilight Zone episode freaks the hell out of me. A young Billy Mumy, known for "Lost in Space"( and now over 70 yrs old), plays the supreme brat that no one dares defy. This kid just thinks what he wants and it happens which makes all the adults very terrified. They know, if they dare disagree with Trump, er, I mean this brat, they will be sent to the cornfield. Billy Mumy was really good as nasty, vile kid.

2. THE HOWLING MAN-1960

When I was a kid, I saw this episode and I did not expect this scene at all. A traveller ends up in a monastery where he hears a man ..howling. The monks, especially the head monk ( played, impeccably, by John Carradine) tells the traveller not to believe anything he says and that they captured the devil. Of course, the traveller is sceptical. I truly thought this would be some parable about not assuming a man is evil for some reason, but..I was wrong and thought that montage where the man turns into the devil shocked me. The way this was photographed was inspiring and the makeup is great. 

3. THE HITCHHIKER -1960

Inger Stevens plays a young woman driving to a new city and a new life. She sees this man who is hitchhiking but she  feels uncomfortable to pick him up, but she continues to see him. She feels nervous and uncertain so, she calls her mom but she hears her mom say that her daughter died in a car accident. The hitchhiker is the person to lead her to her final destination. This was one of the first episodes I watched and it was eerie and unsettling.

4. THE MASKS-1964

Yeah, I have to place 2 more episodes that are creepy. This episode is not so eerie but it is disturbing when an old, dying, rich man brings his remaining relatives to celebrate Mardi Gras. The 3 relatives are not nice at all, greedy, vain and lazy and only want the old man’s money but, in order to get the money, the old man told them that they must wear these Mardi Gras masks. He had them created to represent their main character trait. I love this episode because it stays with you and you feel justified in the end but what an ending.

5. NIGHTMARE AT 20,000 FEET-1963

Before he became Capt. Kirk, William Shatner was in this very famous episode as a man, who is recovering from having a nervous breakdown and was in the sanitarium to heal. While on the plane, he sees this monster on the wing of the plane trying to damage the wing. Understandably, he becomes very upset but no one believes him. He is trying to have someone believe him but to no avail. When Shatner opens up the cover over the window to meet the monster looking back at him, I jumped. I was a kid and it really got to me where I still look at the wings of the plane, when I am flying. Yes, I admit to this and I can’t help it. 

Have you ever watched the original Twilight Zone? Which episodes creeped you out?