Who Won The Oscar Song 1948

 So,  I have chosen the year, 1948 for the songs that were nominated for an Oscar, with one winning but there were many that were not even nominated. Over at Curious As A Cathy, the Monday Music Moves Me theme are international songs and songwriters which is pretty interesting and had me thinking how to combine both so let’s see if I did it well and let’s see if you can choose who won the Oscar, who was nominated and which got nuttin’…

1.  A COUPLE OF SWELLS SUNG BY FRED ASTAIRE AND JUDY GARLAND

This song is from the great musical, “Easter Parade” with all songs written by Irving Berlin. Irving is known as the American Songwriter but Irving was born in the Russian Empire. His family was Jewish and did not want to be part of the Pogroms, one which did destroy their village. Irving was only 5 when they emigrated to the States but he was part of his family’s beliefs and Jewish heritage even though he embraced his new country. This song is one of the best and one which both, Fred and Judy, enjoyed doing.

2. BUTTONS AND BOWS SUNG BY BOB HOPE

This song is from Hope’s big success, “ The Paleface” where he co-starred with Jane Russell  and it’s such a nice song that became a 2nd signature song for Bob Hope. It was written by Ray Evans( music) and Jay Livingston( lyrics) both born and raised in the U. S. Of A. This movie is quite funny and enjoyable.

3. THIS IS THE MOMENT SUNG BY BETTY GRABLE AND DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS JR

This song was written by Frederick Hollaendar who left Germany back in 1933 when Hitler came to power and found his way to Hollywood. He actually wrote a couple of famous songs that Marlene Dietrich sang ( Falling in Love Again) and made quite the name for himself before returning to live in Germany in the 1950s. He wrote the music while Leo Robin, born in America, wrote the lyrics. I’d love to see this film because it sounds like a fun movie.

So, I kinda met the theme…lol but, it is the time when I ask you if you know which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which came up with nothing. 

Thursday Film Picks- Berlin Wall

 

I have always had a fascination with this wall probably because my mom escaped from the East to the West, but not over this famous wall. She escaped an hour's drive south since she lived near Wittenberg. It was just guard towers and barbed wire and, yeah, she would have been shot if found, but not near Berlin. This infamous wall did not actually appear until August 1961 and went up, literally overnight. Over the years there were many who tried to escape, some made it, others did not. I remember when I was a kid, I heard, on the news, that a husband and wife, with their small child, jumped into the Spree River creating quite the calamity because the Stazi were shooting at them. The police, in the West, held their guns ready, in case the Stazi shot at the family when they reached the West. Unbelievably, they made it! It was a dumb move because most who tried that route died. I never forgot that nor my parents’ reaction to their bravery..or stupidity, taking that route with a babe. Sadly, most people don't even know about this wall and the political upheaval, but I watch whatever I can about this time. Here are 3 films about this divided city...

1. THE MAN BETWEEN-1953

This is one of my favourite films, starring James Mason and Claire Bloom, right after the Second World War in Berlin. Claire's brother works for the British consulate, married to a German and lives in one of the few homes left standing. She is visiting her brother and appears quite naive but she soon sees her sis in law talking with a mysterious man, Mason, and is intrigued. Soon, you find out that Mason is an agent for the East Germans because they know too much about him. They want him to bring back the brother's wife but, a case if mistaken identity happens and the British sister is taken. This could become a national incident, but, as often as it happened, the Stazi would just say they have no one with them by that name. Mason decides to bring her back but, at what cost? It's a riveting picture shot in Berlin when you see how ravaged it was by all the bombs. I love the music, the acting and the cinematography. It is worth seeing.

2. ESCAPE FROM EAST BERLIN-1962

I have not seen this film in decades but it still resonates with me. It's based on true events about a huge, daring escape using a tunnel. A U.S. soldier and an East German guard decide to bring across the German's sister and a couple of others but, it expands to more people( including Werner Klemperer better known as Colonel Klink from Hogan's Heroes). The soldier and the sister fall in love while digging the tunnel. It is a tense film that is well played out since this actual event recently happened.

3. BERLIN TUNNEL 21-1981

Ok this is not the TV film starring Richard Thomas but I could not find a trailer for it, sadly. I thought this is the next best thing. This is a TV remake of the film I talk about above but I like it so much that I had to include it. There are a few variations here but, overall, it's a taut movie with some really good acting especially by Richard Thomas, who was mainly known as John-Boy from "The Waltons". I'd like to see this movie again because I saw it back when it appeared on TV. It looks like I can see it on YouTube so I might check it out again.

Any films about the Berlin Wall you saw? 

Fences

 

Finally, we are getting a new fence that no one can complain about and our home won’t look like an eyesore after our beautiful ivy fence had to be torn down. So many people have come up to my hubby asking what happened, because they loved our fence. When he told them, they were on our side and so upset that this had happened. We just hope we will get our fireflies back and praying mantises. Getting our fence built gave me the idea for the songs this week which I am joining Monday Music Moves Me and one song came into my head right away…

1. DON’T FENCE ME IN SUNG BY BING CROSBY AND THE ANDREW SISTERS-1944

This song was written by Cole Porter ( with Robert Fletcher helping with the lyrics) of all people. I thought  it would have been written by some country western star but, nope, the elegant Cole Porter, mind you, he didn’t really like this song. Of course, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans sang the song and Kate Smith also made it a hit but Bing made a ton of money on this song for 1/2 hour in the studio. 

2. I’M GONNA MEND MY FENCES SUNG BY DORIS DAY AND HOWARD KEEL-1953

I was certain this must have come from her hit film, “ Calamity Jane”  but I did not see it listed and, I don’t remember it in this film. I think it’s a fun but sweet song. I love their voices together and so glad they appeared in this film. This was written by Robert Fletcher with an assist by Cole Porter so I almost think this is like a sister to Don’t Fence Me In,

3. SITTIN’ ON A FENCE SUNG BY THE ROLLING STONES-1965

Isn’t this a great song that does not actually sound like The Rolling Stones. I love the  instruments in this song and feel that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were exploring different styles of music. I find this a refreshing change even though I do love their music.

Any Fence song you can think of?

Who Should have Won the Oscar— Cinematography 1941

 

1941 was a volatile year because it was the year of Citizen Kane. Orson Welles and Herman Mankiewicz created a portrait of a newspaper tycoon who becomes a bloated narcissist dying in his huge mansion all alone with his last word being, “Rosebud.” To say William Randolph Hearst was livid was an understatement and he, along with Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM, tried to buy up the film rights to have it destroyed. Ya see, Hearst was the biggest Newspaper tycoon in the States who built his mansion with the largest zoo that was privately owned and who tried to make his mistress, the lovely Marion Davies, into a star like Garbo. He never could see Marion’s gift for comedy but, unlike the film, she did have talent and did care for the old goat. Today, it’s considered, arguably, the greatest film made but it did not win best film, that went to “How Green Was My Valley”. I do like this film and don’t like all the disparaging remarks it receives but  it gets dissed because it was up against and won the Oscar instead of Kane. I am not choosing  best picture, but best cinematographer.

1. CITIZEN KANE- GREGG TOLAND

Gregg Toland is a master of his craft and nothing shows that more than in the film, Citizen Kane. From the very beginning when Kane dies to the shots when Kane is walking through his mansion, you can’t help but love how the camera is used to create emotions and depth of the characters. One of my favourite scenes is the montage of his marriage to his beautiful wife. In a few short moments, we see them loving and happy to distant, cold and so finished. The deep focus photography, viewing image from the bottom up to the ceiling and so much more unique shots were just not done in that style  and so it confounds me that he did not win the Oscar. I can only assume it was due to the powers at be making sure it would not win. This film should have won for the best cinematography but it didn’t and Gregg Toland was robbed.

2. HOW GREEN IS MY VALLEY- ARTHUR MILLER

This film won for Best cinematograph for Arthur Miller and, if it was for another year, I would say he deserved it but not this year. To be clear, I love this film about a miner’s family and the travails they endure including their only daughter falling in love with the local priest. The black and white photography is used to such great effect from the miners leaving their work to walk back into the nearby town to the home of the miner and his many kids. The home feels small, but cozy and the great expanse of the sky against the village just creates a warmth for the people that live and work there. I just believe that Gregg Toland deserved the Oscar over Miller.

3. SUSPICION- HARRY STRADLING JR.

From the glowing milk that Cary Grant is bringing to his wife to the opulent home he and his wife, Joan Fontaine, live in, you enjoy all the nuances that the look of the film creates the tension that Hitchcock was wanting. I am surprised that this film was not even nominated but “The Chocolate Soldier” was. I just don’t get it, because the scene, when they are playing scrabble, is a great moment in tension heightened by the cinematography. Poor Hitchcock never won an Oscar either but Joan Fontaine won her Oscar for this performance and I can’t help but feel that the way she was filmed helped her attain this award ( much to her sister’s chagrin ( Olivia DeHavilland). 

What do you think? Do you agree or would you choose another film or do you agree with the Academy for this year?

May Time Songs

 

I never danced around the May Pole that has its origins during Roman times when they would worship Flora, the goddess of flowers. It spread, over time, across Europe where Germany celebrated the night before with a great bonfire. On May 1st, the men and women dance around wrapping ribbons around the pole commemorating the lengthening of days, the coming of summer and, l’amour toujour. Get your lustful emotions out and let’s come and play… enter the Barry White music. Over at Monday Music Moves Me, it’s all about songs from May. I hope you like my 3 songs….

1. NOW IS THE TIME FOR MAYING SUNG BY CHILDREN-1937

This is from the Jeannette MacDonald/ Nelson Eddy film, “Maytime” and this is a scene where you see the town celebrating May Day, May 1st, with kids singing this song. I’m not one to hear cute kids singing but this is ok and fits the theme. This song was actually composed by Thomas Morley back in 1595…pretty damn old.

2. THE LUSTFUL MONTH OF MAY SUNG BY JULIE ANDREWS-1960

This comes from the famous Lerner and Lowe musical, Camelot, that starred Julie Andrews as Lady Guinevere, Richard Burton as King Arthur and Robert Goulet and Sir Lancelot with Goulet becoming a major star due to his role in this famous musical. Sadly, when the musical was made, Vanessa Redgrave played Guinevere which just didn’t work for me. 

3. WHILE STROLLING THROUGH THE PARK ONE DAY SUNG BY BING CROSBY-1961

This song, I think, we’ve all heard it in one form or another often played in cartoons but it’s an old Vaudeville song written by Ed Haley from the Vaudeville team of the Haley Brothers. I actually wanted to find this song sung by the wonderful Stanley Holloway who was in many films and TV shows including voicing many animated shows, the most famous being Winnie the Pooh. Here, Bing Crosby give it a good show and I love that the 2nd verse is “in the month of May”. 

BONUS…

Yup, that’s Bugs Bunny! This is from 1941…

That’s All Folks!

Star Of The Month- Alice Faye

ALICE FAYE

BIRTH: May 5, 1915

DEATH: May 9, 1998

AGED: 83 years

DIED FROM: Stomach Cancer

REAL NAME: Alice Jeanne Leppert

AFFAIRS: Possibly Rudy Vallée 

MARRIED: Twice- singer Tony Martin and Phil Harris-actor and Bandleader

CHILDREN: 2 daughters with Phil Harris

FRIENDS: Betty Grable

TALENT: Her beautiful singing voice and was known as the female crooner

KNOWN FOR: Her snarky one liners on TV with husband, Phil. Her wonderful attitude, Calling 20th Century Fox, Penitentiary Fox and her genuineness 

Alice Faye is little known now but she was one of the biggest stars of the 1940s often playing with Don Ameche( 6 films) or Tyrone Power( 3 films) and introducing the famous song, “You’ll Never Know” which became her signature tune even though she did not have the ability to claim rights to sing it nightclubs etc…She was a no nonsense, true lady who grew up in the notorious Hell’s Kitchen where her dad was, actually, a cop. She started in Vaudeville, ending up in a feature lead in George White’s Scandals on Broadway. Rudy Vallée saw her and snapped her up for his radio show and helped show her the ropes. When the star, Lilian Harvey, left the film, “George White’s Scandals”, Alice Faye became the star of the film opposite Rudy Vallée. From there, she became a hit as a wise-cracking gal who looked like Jean Harlow, with the platinum hair and pencil thin eyebrows. Darryl F. Zanuck, from 20th Century Fox,  decided to make her his protégé softening her look by letting go of that platinum hair and letting her eyebrows grow in. After starring with Shirley Temple a couple of times, she really hit her stride in a number of musical films and biopics. She was well liked by directors, stars and staff for her style, always on time, knowing her lines and never having airs. She showed her acting metal in “4 Jill’s and a Jeep” and was given the lead in “Fallen Angel”. When she saw the rushes of that film, she realized her part was cut way back favouring Linda Darnell. Alice was very hurt and angry, walking out and handing her keys to the security guard as she drove off the lot never to return. She only made a few films after that but, with her 2nd husband, Phil Harris, they star on a radio program before going to television. Phil, a part of the Jack Benny show, often referenced his wife and Alice was fine with this since her main focus was on her family and her home. She was one of many that starred in the movie, “Won Ton Ton, The Dog That Saved  Hollywood” and, her last appearance, in an episode of “Love Boat.” She deserves to be better known today but, alas, even big names like Katherine Hepburn and John Wayne are not known by the average person. At least, we have her singing, which many composers thought she was the best, like Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Cole Porter. She was a true Lady Dame.

FILMS

1. Poor, Little Rich Girl-1936

2. In Old Chicago-1938

3. Alexander’s Ragtime Band-1938

4. Rose Of Washington Square-1939

5. Lillian Russell-1940

6. Tin Pan Alley-1940

7. That Night In Rio-1941

8. Hello, Frisco, Hello-1943

9. The Gang’s All Here-1943

10. Four Jills and  a Jeep-1944

11. Fallen Angel-1945

James Mason at the Movies

 

I’m very late because I had to go to a conference  and had  no time u til now. I’m laying in my hotel room and thought of James Mason whom I had a big crush on. I first saw him in those Gainsborough British flicks where he almost always played the villain while Stewart Granger was the hero and Margaret Lockwood was the heroine or the wicked lady ( yes she was Wicked in the film of the same name). He was a lover of animals especially cats and I d love to find his book he wrote and illustrated about his cats. His voice is very distinctive and often imitated and sets him above the usual leading men. Here are 3 films I love him in, oh, I still need to see “Odd Man Out” so I don’t have that one listed.

1. THE SEVENTH VEIL-1945

I fell for this man watching this film when I was a teenager. I wonder why because he’s a narcissistic abuser, but he does have that brooding, dark haired look. He becomes the guardian of this young gal who has an aptitude for the piano. He grills her constantly, she has no life apart from him and the piano making her into a great concert pianist but at the cost of her sanity. Now, the doctor must unveil everything about her to help her find herself. This film was made when psychosis was all the rage and many films were made about this.its well acted and I enjoyed every part of it.

2. BIGGER THAN LIFE-1956

This is an early film about the dangers of prescription drugs. A man, in chronic pain, can’t take it anymore and is willing to die than go on. The doctors find a new drug, cortisone, that can help his pain. He can’t believe how much less his pain is and becomes a new man until he becomes addicted and the side effects come out, this is a hidden gem with James Mason in a tour de force performance. It’s a small film but one that packs a punch.

3. JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH-1959

This is one of my favourite movies that I can watch over and over again and always enjoy it. The professor, James Mason, finds an artefact from an explorer and decides to venture to the centre of the earth. He and his student aide, played by Pat Boone (believe it or not) travel to Iceland where they get knocked over the head and thrown into some barn. They are saved by Gertrude the Duck( yes, a duck) and her human, Hans, a big man whom they ask to come with them. One more hurdle, the wife, played by Arlene Dahl, of the dead explorer demands to come as well and they all start down this volcano, include Gertrude, the duck. They meets all sorts of adventures before they encounter dinosaurs ( just big lizards but it’s effective) and the lost city of Atlantis. It’s adventure at its best.

Sorry for being late…take care as now I must get ready, eat breakfast and drive out of Toronto back home.

Spring Colours...Again

 

Yes, that's me when I'm old and solving murders while residing in the English countryside. My friend, VJ , created this image using my face. ..what can I say? Hahaaa. So it's freebie week over at Monday Music Moves Me, and I just had these 3 songs in my head which I all love, by the way...

1. DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS BY MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS- 1967

I love this song because it's just so energetic. I love dancing to this which I did, often.

2. PURPLE HAZE BY JIMI HENDRIX- 1967

My brother introduced me to Jimi and, at the time, I was not a fan but that changed as I grew older and wiser. What a shame he died at only 27.

3. POOR BOY "THE GREENWOOD" BY ELO-1977

I have not spoken enough about ELO which, along with ABBA, was my favourite band back in the day. I own most of their albums and find that their best work is from the 1970s. Jeff Lynne is a fantastic composer and artist of music.

Do you like ELO? What song is your favourite of them? Or Jimi? Any other colour songs you can think of? Is there a song about chartreuse? Lol

Bad Girls

 

I’m late, I know but I saw 8 clients yesterday and with 20 minutes of paperwork, I didn’t get home until 9:30pm. I forget how draining it can be to listen. Anyhoo, I decided to talk about Bad Girls of which there are so, so many especially in the Film Noir genre which I love. There are way too many to choose from but I picked the first 3 that came into my head…

1. THE MALTESE FALCON-1941

This is considered one of the first…and one of the best Film Noirs that is a must see. You have Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade, a PI  whose life is turned inside out when a beautiful woman, played so well by Mary Astor, comes to him for help. From there, Spade meets all sorts of characters who are all after a priceless artifact called the Maltese Falcon, aka a big black bird. The thugs are Peter Lorre, Elisha Cook Jr and the big guy ( in more ways than one), Sydney Greenstreet who slithers onto the screen with a quiet-voiced charm. Unfortunately, the baddest Character of all has worked her way into Sam’s heart. Well acted, well written and directed with the moody black & white photography used to the best affect, it’s so good that I can’t recommend it enough.

2. DOUBLE INDEMNITY-1945

I have spoken about this film before and was going to choose other film but, it’s Barbara Stanwyck. She should have won the Oscar for her deft portrayal of one nasty femme fatale who wants her old geezer husband to die so she can collect the insurance policy. Enter Fred MacMurray, a hard edged, insurance agent whose head goes “BOING!” as soon as he sees the ankle bracelet on the shapely leg of  Phyllis (Stanwyck) who moves around her prey like a cat with a mouse. They soon hatch a plan to collect double the money based on the indemnity clause that he “sells” to her unsuspecting spouse. While they enjoy being slutty, his boss and friend Edward G. Robinson, suspects this insurance to be one nasty piece of work. From her severe blond wig to MacMurray’s sly talk, it’s another must see gem with top notch performances, direction and cinematography that is a killer.

3. DETOUR-1945

I just watched this Film Noir “B” film that stars Tom Neal as a hapless pianist working in bars when he should be with. Symphony orchestra. He has a good thing going with a sweet gal with a pretty voice but she’s fed up and decides to head to Hollywood hoping to make it big. He decides to go across country to meet with her but he has no money so he hitchhikes, he is soon picked up by a man in a caddy and they start talking and get along well. When it starts to rain, Tom pulls over to put the top up while the owner of the car appears asleep. He keeps  nudging him to help but the man doesn’t move. When he opens the passenger’s door, the man falls out and drops out hitting his head on a rock. So what does the dumb oaf do? He freaks and drags the man out and buries him but not before taking his money and his car. When he pulls over to put gas in the car, he sees a young girl hitching and offers to drive her. Well, what a bad move that is because, before he met the dead man, the dead man picked up a hitch hiker who scratched his face…who’s that nasty girl? Yup, the one Tom picked up is the nasty gal with the nails. This gal is on to Tom and blackmails him. Tom is not the brightest piece of wood and lets her wreathe her plan in her irritating voice that’s perfect for her role. It’s a really good film with some fun acting especially the nasty Ann Savage. 

Tom Neal is pretty damn good as the hapless oaf who, in reality was a real a hole who was involved in a big scandal involving, Barbara Payton( a B style actress) and her fiancé, Franchot Tone ( a really good actor who should be known more). Barbara was seeing both of them culminating in a fistfight between Neal and Tone. Unfortunately, for Tone, Neal was a boxer and smashed Tom’s skull creating major surgery due to head trauma. Neal and Payton did not work out ( big surprise) and Tom Neal remarried. She was found with a bullet in the back of her head and Neal was up for murder but, he was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Once he was out of prison, he lived only. Few months later before dying of a heart attack.

So what Femme Fatale caught your fancy?

Spring Colours

 

A belated Happy Easter to everyone. We voted on Friday and I pray the Liverals with Mark Carney get in and not that smarmy a-hole, Poillivre. Anyhoo, the theme, this week  over at Monday Music Moves Me, it's about Spring colours so, here are 3 I chose...

1. ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL PLAYED BY 

This song came out in 1961 and my mom bought the 45 single.  When my brother was just walking, he would dance to this song, so I was told. It was written by Ervin T. Rouse about the luxury train of the same name. I love this song and played it often. I don’t think my brother will dance to it now.

2. THINK PINK SUNG BY KAY THOMPSON-1957

This is one song, in this Gershwin musical, that was written by Roger Edens with lyrics by Leonard  Gershe. Kay Thompson was very funny in this film as the Diana Vreeland type character who decides pink is the new colour. I was never a pink gal, I only wanted blue and am still that way.

3. LAVENDER'S BLUE BY TIM HART & FRIENDS-1981

So, this song was in Cinderella but it comes from a folk song from the 1600s  and would eventually find its way to Walt Disney who  had Burl Ives sing a version in the film, “So Dear To My Heart.” And this was up for an Oscar. I like the version here, it just sounds sweet.

Any spring colour songs you can think of?

Stuntmen

 

I always have had the greatest respect for the stuntman and woman. I first became enthralled by them when watching the silent films with the Keystone Kops and the antics they went through knowing it was all real. Later, I loved Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin and the great Buster Keaton who did all his own stunts and even broke his neck once but didn’t realize it until a few years later when a doctor asked when he broke his neck. Many of the early stuntmen came from rodeos and circuses who knew how to develop the safe stunt. The grandfather of making western stunts safe is Yakima Canutt, a rodeo star who came to the movies and disliked how horses were killed for the sake of a stunt and many men ended up in the hospital. Whenever you see someone fall off a horse, being dragged by a horse or the “star” jumping from the stagecoach into the horse team only to fall underneath, is all Yakima. Yakima taught John Wayne many stunts but he was also a double for Wayne. The most infamous scene that brought in many rules to help the Stuntmen, is the flood scene from “Noah’s Ark” from 1928. When you watch the scene and see the extras in fear trying not to drown…that is real fear! Michael Curtiz didn’t give a rat’s ass about the people so much so that the cinematographer, left the set. You had over a million gallons of water being thrown into the set with the extras…3 people died, one lost a leg and many were badly injured. John Wayne, Ward Bond and Andy Divine were all extras and Wayne said he almost drowned. So, without further delay, here are my 3 picks involving great stunts…

1. SEVEN CHANCES-1925

This is a film my brother and I stumbled across when we were visiting our Aunt and Uncle in Michigan. Buster Keaton plays a man who will receive $7million if he can get married within a day. He tries to find women who are willing to marry him to no avail but then, the women find out he will become very rich and a throng of women chase him. He ends up running down a hill with all sorts of rocks, big and small roll with him and he must avoid all of them. We were just laughing so much at this scene and didn’t realize how dangerous it was but that is how Buster worked. 

2. WHAT’S UP, DOC-1972

I love…love this comedy that stars Barbra Streisand and Ryan O’Neal and introduces Madeleine Kahn as Eunice. All these cast of characters end up at a hotel and there are 4 bags that are identical, one holds top secret government information, another, priceless jewels, a third, clothes and lastly, igneous rocks. The climax is this amazingly funny chase scene through the streets of San Francisco( nope, you don’t see Karl Malden or Michael Douglas) creating much havoc, and damage. One man is in a convertible who goes through an awning before being hurled in the air into the bay. The stuntman suffered serious injuries and passed out and, later, could not remember the stunt. The director, Peter Bogdonavich, read that Volkswagens float so the stuntman drove the car into the bay only for the car to sink like a rock. After a tense 3 minutes, the stuntman finally came up for air but it was a close call. I have to watch this again…it is very funny.

3. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL-2011

Tom Cruise is crazy! I’m not one for this guy since he is a rabid Scientologist but I don’t mind many of his films and I do enjoy his Mission Impossible movies. He loves to run like no one can and he loves doing his own stunts like this one where he does climb up this building which is just way too high and then he swings across! Did I say he is nuts? Obviously, he is an adrenaline junky and loves climbing up these buildings, hanging from an airplane, riding a motorcycle off a cliff and jumping from one building to another (and breaking his foot in the process). The plot is a good one and I love the camaraderie of all the main people here which makes this one a fav of mine. 

Bonus…

HOLLYWOOD: HAZARDS OF THE GAME

I love the PBS series that aired in the mid 70s narrated by James Mason. Kevin Brownlow was a film historian who loved the silent film and could create this series that the average Joe loved to watch even if they didn’t like silent movies. It’s less than an hour but talks about the stuntman and what they did and went through. It’s pretty sad but, if you have the time, I hope you will watch this episode( one of 13) that makes your heart stop watching these stuntmen perform.

What stunts made you go…wow! No CGI either.

Which Song Won The Oscar-1969

 

So, it’s 1969 and times are a changing. There are quite a few songs, some traditional but you are hearing newer music coming to the fore. So let’s see if you can figure out which one won the Oscar, which was nominated and which one got no lovin’. I’m joining in on Monday Music Moves Me which you should check out what others love, music wise.

1. COME SATURDAY MORNING SUNG BY THE SANDPIPERS

This was written by  Fred Karlin with lyrics by Dory Previn shown in the film, “The Sterile Cuckoo”  which is a film I still need to see..one day I will.

2. MY PERSONAL PROPERTY SUNG BY SHIRLEY MACLAINE AND JOSEPH GERSHENSON

This song, written by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields, is another nice song from “Sweet Charity” which is a fun movie with some great singing and dancing from the main star along with Chita Rivera and Sammy Davis Jr. 

3. RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD SUNG BY BJ THOMAS

This song, written by Burt Bacharach with lyrics by Hal David comes from a western, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”  during a lull in the guys’ stealing. Etta Place, played by Katherine Ross, is having some fun with Butch, played by Paul Newman on a new tangled contraption called a bicycle. A modern song set during western times. 

So, which one won, which was nominated and which got nuttin’?

Who Should Have Won The Best Actor Oscar-1987

 

I wish to apologize for my unfinished post here. I just looked at it. Yesterday, my ex's sister in law died. Im still great friends with Jeff and his family was a huge part of my life. This is sad on many levels because she would still be here if she wasnt stubborn and refused to see a dr.  It is very sad and i was talking with Jeff and just winded. 

Some movies get all the accolades and others see no love. In 1987, I feel Spielberg’s film, “Empire of the Sun”  got very little love and it is, actually, not well known which is a shame. I’m going with best actor and this might bring controversy but, good, I welcome it! I will say whom, I think should have won, who did win and who was nominated so let’s go…

1. CHRISTIAN BALE IN EMPIRE OF THE SUN

I think this is one of the best Steven Spielberg films that he made. It stars a 13 year old Christian Bale( you know, Batman) as a spoiled kid of  English parents in China. When the Japanese invade, the family do their best to escape but they get separated from their son. The kid wanders back to his now empty home only to be on his own. The Japanese take him away along with many others to an internment camp. This kidl own how to survive and loves hanging out with the U.S. prisoners headed by John Malcovich. It's rich in story telling, acting, cinematography  and writing. I wish this you g Bale won. 

2. MICHAEL DOUGLAS  IN WALL STREET

Michael Douglas won the Os ar for playing this narcissistic, unscrupulous man who teaches the young guy, played by Charlie Sheen, how to get ahead in this crazy part of the world. It's a showy part but, I do t know, the movie was underwhelming for me and I wasn't into this character or Douglas's portrayal of him.

3. ROBIN WILLIAMS IN GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM

Robin Williams deserved this nomination plus earned respect on the acting field showing he was more than just Mork from Ork. It's based on a true story how this deejay brought great music to the GIs while butting heads with the establishment. It's really a good film.

I wrote this up quick and apologies that I did not see this until now. What are your thoughts for the year 1987?

Rain, Rain, Rain…With Some Snow, Sleet….

 

My Lexi wonders when warmer weather will come in our neck of the woods. We have been having rain but Toronto got some wet snow and other places had freezing rain. Honestly, I always think rain, at this time of year, is natures’ way of cleaning everything up. This week, at Monday  Music Moves Me, it’s about  Rain and, without further adieu, here are my 3…

1. SINGING IN THE RAIN SUNG BY CLIFF EDWARDS AND  THE BROX SISTERS-1929

This famous song did not start with Gene Kelly dancing with his umbrella, but in this 96 year old film with Ukelele Ike and the Brox Sisters introducing the song along with some of the most famous movie stars of the day. Joan Crawford is in this and she truly thought she could sing and dance…..no, just …no. I like seeing Buster Keaton in this and some of the greats that no one knows today. You can also see Arthur Freed who wrote the lyrics and Nacio Herb Brown who wrote the music. Freed became very famous with the Freed unit, his own production group that did  bring the very famous film, “Singing in the Rain”  to the cinemas.

2. THE RAIN IN SPAIN SUNG BY JULIE ANDREWS, REX HARRISON AND ROBERT COOTE-1956

 Of course, we know the famous film with  Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle who was dubbed by the famous voice, Marni Nixon but the role was originated by Julie Andrews on Broadway. When it came time to cast for the film version of the Lerner and Lowe musical, the studio didn’t want to take a chance on an unknown so they went with Audrey. Julie Andrews, instead, made a little film called, “Mary Poppins” and won the Oscar over…Audrey Hepburn.

3. ISN’T IT A LOVELY DAY TO BE CAUGHT IN THE RAIN SUNG BY FRED ASTAIRE-1935

This Irving Berlin song is sung by Fred Astaire and so wonderfully danced by Fred and Ginger Rogers. This is from their famous film, “Top Hat” that has so many great musical numbers and this is one of those great numbers. They, also, love to dance in the rain.

Any rain songs you can think of?

Thursday Film Picks

 

Richard Chamberlain died 2 days before he would have turned 91 on March 31st. I don’t know why but I just feel so very sad that he died even though he lived a nice long life ( unlike Val Kilmer, who just passed at only 65 from pneumonia but was dealing with Cancer for years although, I think, he was in remission). I think it’s because I had a crush on him when he became the King of the Miniseries back in the early 1980s. Strangely, I never saw him in his iconic TV series, “Dr. Kildare”  when women, all over the U. S. And Canada swooned over the handsome actor, but, one day, I will watch some episodes. I also love him in the Musketeer films that were so much fun and star filled( I consider these Musketeer films the best). I am talking about his miniseries roles and tv movies that I love…

1. SHOGUN-1980

This miniseries made Chamberlain a megastar after his Dr. Kildare series. The miniseries became a force since this show was on regular TV( yes, regular, no cable). He plays the Captain of a ship that became shipwrecked near feudal Japan and becomes embroiled in the war between 2 lords, one played by the legendary Toshiro Mifune,  and does his best to keep the peace while falling in love with a Japanese woman which is just not allowed. It is being remade now and getting huge accolades but this was the first.

2. THE THORNBIRDS-1983

This is an excellent miniseries with the legendary Barbara Stanwyck as a grande dame  who owns a very large sheep ranch. Her brother and his family come to help run the ranch and this is when we meet a very young Maggie who doesn’t get much love from her mom, played by Jean Simmons. Maggie is so happy to meet and become friends with the priest, played by Chamberlain. When, one New Year’s, she comes down the stairs, the priest has some very impure thoughts. Over the years, we see how their love for each other grows and grows culminating on a hot and heavy week on a beach. This mini series created a huge stir over at the Vatican that condemned this series for its depiction of a priest who dares fall in love and have sex with a woman( all altar boys were safe with this priest). It’s such a well acted series and remains faithful to the book which I did read, many moons ago.

3. WALLENBERG: A HERO’S STORY-1985

When I watched this mini-series based on the heroism of this Swedish diplomat and a man with royal lineage, I had no idea who Wallenberg was. After watching this excellent tv movie ( thank God all the different cable channels and streaming didn’t exist) I had to learn more about Raoul Wallenberg and was sad to know that he was 5ake n by the Russians and ended up in one of their prisons. This man, working at the Swedish embassy, was able to save thousands of Jewish people during WW2 only to be treated in such abhorrent manner by the Russian government. The Russians took this man, placed him in prison until he died never admitting they took this hero.

4. THE BOURNE IDENTITY-1988

Who thought Matt Damon played the first Jason Bourne? Well, you are incorrect because Richard Chamberlain played him first and, I think, he does a really good job as the amnesiac assassin who is trying to find out who he is with the help of the beautiful Jacklyn Smith. Of course, the Damon films have a much bigger budget with great effects not to mention, car chases but this is an under-rated gem, in my humble opinion which held my attention all the way through.

Any Chamberlain films you can think of? What about Val Kilmer? 

Dieter's Dance Party

 

The 1980s was a fun time for me, with many bars and Discos laid waste to my vodka and OJ drunken escapades. It was fun dancing the night away and I got a kick out of the many German songs that made it big during this decade.  Some were good but some are just ...dumb  as dumb can be. It's freebie week over at Monday Music Moves Me  and I movin' to German songs baby..

1. DA, DA, DA BY TRIO-1981

I first heard this song when I was in Austria in 1982 and just thought it was the stupidest song I ever heard. That assessment has not changed. It took a while to make it here...still dumb as fu#$&. There was a commercial that used this song and it was funny.

2. 99 LUFT BALLOONS BY NENA-1983

This is a pretty cool song that still gets airplay in both the German and English language. What I find funny is how many guys found her sexy only to have their illusion shattered when she lifted her arms over her shoulders showing her hairy armpits. I don't know what it's like now, but the European gals never thought of shaving ...anything. I'll leave you with that. 

3. ROCK ME, AMADEUS SUNG BY FALCO-1985

This was a big hit for Falco who was inspired to write a song about this great composer after he saw the film about Mozart that starred Tom Hulce as Mozart and F. Murray Abraham as the jealous Salieri. I just recall dancing to it more than once. The Simpsons did a great parody of a musical Planet of the Apes with the words, “ Rock me, Dr. Zaius.”

What fun music did you rock to that came from  another country?

April Star of the Month- Melvyn Douglas

 

MELVYN DOUGLAS

BIRTH: April 5, 1901

DEATH: August 4, 1981

AGED: 80 years

DIED FROM: pneumonia and cardiac issues

REAL NAME: Melvyn Edouard Hesselberg

MARRIED: Twice-1st to Rosalind Hightower. 2nd to Helen Gahagan, an actress and the physical inspiration for the Evil Queen in Disney’s Snow White.  She became a 3 time Congresswoman(D)

CHILDREN: 3 kids. 1 from the first and 2 with his 2nd wife

GRANDKID: Illiana Douglas- check her out, you know her

FRIENDS: FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt 

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: “I Never Sang  For My Father”

OSCAR WINS: “ Hud” and “ Being There”

KNOWN FOR: winning trifecta in awards- Oscar, Emmys and Tony Awards

This man is a solid actor who had no illusions about age, stood up against tyranny, faithful to his wife and loved being an actor. His mom, came from high Southern family and  had her direct roots to the Mayflower while his dad was an immigrant from Latvia who was a Concert Pianist and composer and taught piano. Melvyn had no idea his dad was Jewish until he turned 14 years old and learned about his heritage from his aunts who were proud to tell him. He loved his Jewish ancestry and never hid from it where most people did in Hollywood, like all the studio heads. Melvyn never finished high school but signed up for WW1 and, after that, ended up on the theatre stage….his first love. He married twice, the first to  an artist and had one son with her who, in turn, had a daughter, Iliana Douglas, who made a name in her own right as an actress on film and TV. His 2nd wife was his big love and, together, they were a force, often fighting for injustice. When they visited Europe after they got married, in 1931, and saw first hand, the anti-Semitism in Germany and France, were appalled and fought fascism for the rest of their lives. After the 2nd World War, which he signed up and was head of  an Entertainment unit in Burma rising to Major, he and his 2nd wife started being called leftist sympathizers which caused a delay in his film career. I love that his wife became a 3 time congresswoman who went up against Nixon in 1950. Nixon fought dirty ( and won) calling her a Pinko and said he wouldn’t be surprised if her undies were even pink. She was the one that coined the term, “Tricky Dick”..I think I love her! When he returned to the big screen, he looked much older, probably due to his heart issues. Sadly, his wife died of cancer in 1980 and Melvyn was left bereft. He did make one more film, “Ghost Story” but sadly died before his scenes were done. The director worked around those scenes and it became his last film. A rare gentleman in Hollywood.

FILMS

1. Theodora Goes Wild-1936  ( my favourite)

2. Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream Home-1948

3. I Never Sang For My Father-1970

4. Hud-1963

5. Ninotchka-1939

6. Ghost Story-1981

7. Being There-1980

8. As You Desire Me-1932

9. That Gorgeous Hussey-1936

10. That Uncertain Feeling-1941

The Last 3 and others not mentioned, I have yet to see. I tried to placed the first 7 in order of my favourites…Ninotchka should be higher..just so darn hard.

 

The Mighty Beaver

 

Get your heads out of the gutter because I am talking about Canada’s emblem, the mighty beaver, that has turned 50 years old on March 24th. To be honest, I thought our beaver was older than that since l was 11 years old when the Beaver got the royal treatment. In honour of this  mighty rodent with the ever growing teeth and flat tail, I found 3 movies that has the beaver as the highlight.

1. THE BEAVER VALLEY-1950

I saw this when The Wonderful World of Disney was a staple at 7pm on Sundays with Walt Disney hosting (from beyond the grave) the hour long program. I know I watched this back then and was totally enthralled at how exciting Disney created this short documentary which won an Oscar! The male does all he can to protect his family from the elements, fun loving otters and predators. I always loved watching animal shows from Disney to Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.

2. GREY OWL-1999

This film is quite a good movie that is directed by Sir Richard Attenborough and stars Pierce Brosnan as Archie Grey Owl who was a Canadian fur trapper who became involved with a young Iroquois woman. She is disgusted how animals slowly die in the traps and when, a beaver mom is trapped, the woman saves her 2 kits and rears them. The little beaver kits get under the skin of Archie and, with her help, he begins to see how wrong it is to trap animals especially the beaver that, in the 1930s, was endangered due to all the killing for its fur. He writes a book and is an early environmentalist becoming famous lecturing on the problem of over hunting and fishing especially the beaver. He even spoke in front of the British Royalty but it soon comes out that he is not Native to Canada at all. This is based on a true story which I never knew about until I watched this film. If you ever get a chance, you should see this film especially for the cute little beaver kits.

3. THE BEAVER-2011

Yes, this is one strange movie and one that was supposed to bring Mel Gibson back after his out of control downward spiral. Jodie Foster directed this movie and stars as Mel’s unhappy wife. He is the owner of a toy company ready to go tits up, his wife is leaving him and his son hates him( Anton Yelchin who, sadly died, in 2016). Mel finds this beaver sock puppet in the trash and starts wearing it and speaking only through the beaver puppet. It’s a bit odd but I can see how Jodie created this character and film for her friend, Mel Gibson. I’m not sure I would see it again but it was ok to see it, at least, once.

What rodent films have you seen?

I still miss Leslie Nielsen..

Spring is Here...Somewhere

 

Like Harley, I'm waiting for Spring. Well, Harley would love more snow and we may get more on Wednesday...today. Let's think more about spring the theme, this week, over at Monday Music Moves Me. 

1. SPRING, SPRING, SPRING SUNG BY CAST OF BROTHERS AND BRIDES-1954

I love this movie which is, somewhat, based on the Rape of the Sabine Women. The uncouth brothers, taught manners by the bride( Jane Powell) of the oldest brother( Howard Keel), decide to find brides of their own. They take their brides from the town and due to a major avalanche, the townsfolk can’t get the girls back. The girls are aok, more than actually,  and by Springtime, are very happy as indicated in this song with music composed by Gene De Paul and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Spring is always about love or lust…interchangeable.

2.  SUDDENLY, IT’S SPRING SUNG BY HILDEGARDE-1944

This came from the film “Lady in the Dark”, a film I dislike that stars Ginger Rogers as a successful business woman but is unhappy because she doesn’t have a man..blecchhh. I should watch it again since I haven’t seen it since I was 20 but this song is nice, with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke.

3. I LOVE PARIS IN THE SPRINGTIME SUNG BY ELLA FITZGERALD-1956

This song was written by the great Cole Porter and was introduced by the singer Lilo in the Broadway hit Can Can which was later made into a movie starring Shirley MacLaine and Frank Sinatra. I had to go with the wonderful Ella Fitzgerald who is just exceptional.

Bonus…

SPRINGTIME FOR HITLER SUNG BY CAST-1968

Don’t get your tethers in a bunch as this was written by Mel Brooks who is Jewish. This is from his excellent film called, “The Producers” starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder who figure out how to become rich by making the worst musical ever. Mel Brooks, who fought in WW2 and saw the horrific events of the war and the starving Jewish people who had just left those camps vowed that the best way to get back at those murderous a-holes was to make fun of them. He knew that they would not appreciate  how he made fun of their thought process. I think it’s brilliant. 

Happy!

 

I think, today, is National Happy/Happiness Day so I decided to pick 3 films that have always made me laugh no matter how many times I have watched it. It is more special because I  watched these films with my dad who taught me to love movies. In all 3 of these films, I can recall when he started to laugh with tears streaming down his face, at the films we watched together. So here are the 3 films, I chose, that make me laugh ( there are so many more)…

1. ARSENIC AND OLD LACE-1944

Some people don’t care for this film because of Cary Grant’s manic acting but I think it perfectly fits with the feel of this classic comedy. Grant plays Mortimer Brewster, a famous author about how marriage should never be. Well, he is getting married to the very pretty, Pricilla Lane who was/is the girl next door. When they get back to their homes, she runs to her home to pack and he goes to his to do the same and tell his sweet aunts that he got married. The problem is that those sweet old Aunts are serial killers who give unsuspecting older men, they deem lonely, elderberry wine laced with arsenic. Their brother, who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt, believe the men are just another victim of yellow fever and must bury them in the basement. Mortimer finds this all out shortly after getting married and now must find a way to get his lovely aunts to stop killing men. Enter Mortimer’s evil brother, played with great relish by Raymond Massey, who along with a doctor, played by Peter Lorre, come home and wish to hide a body,  Massey’s latest victim, but has to deal with the nuttiness in the home. It’s so very funny especially when Massey reacts about looking like Boris Karloff( who played this character on stage). That reaction just made my dad laugh and laugh…and laugh. It’s a very funny film that I can watch over and over again.

2.  IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD, WORLD-1963

This is an all star cast headed by Spencer Tracy as a cop who asks his Dept. To watch over a bunch of people trying to reach this park after they find out money is hidden under the “Big W”.  You have many of the big comedians of that time all in this one film from Buddy Hackett, Sid Caesar, Milton Berle, Jonathan Winters to the great Terry-Thomas, Phil Silvers, and the very funny Dick Shawn as “Sylvester”. I can’t start on the plot but they are in a race to get to that park not realizing the cops are watching their every move. My friend Loretta (in the top pic with moi) and I have watched this film more than once and we just yell, “Sylvester!” In our best Ethel Merman impersonation making each other laugh. Dick Shawn’s stoned girlfriend, Barrie Chase (still alive) only dances in the film and I made my friend laugh when I got up and started to twist like Barrie….my dad was just crying from laughing when a bunch of the men end up on a whacked out fireman’s ladder. In fact, years later, my mom was just laughing so hard that I went upstairs to see what she was laughing about only to see the same scene. I sat down and we laughed together.

3. WHAT’S UP, DOC-1972

Every time this film came on TV, I had to watch it and it has never gotten old. It is a classic screwball comedy that stars Barbra Streisand as a madcap gal who ends up at this hotel when she sees Ryan O’Neil as Howard Bannister, a professor with his igneous rocks. You also see a crazy lady in hot pants who brings her jewels with her and a man with classified documents. Judy (Streisand), Howard, the lady and the man with the documents all own the same bag which creates confusion and mayhem resulting in one of the best car chases ever filmed. This film introduced Madeline Kahn as Eunice, Howard’s fiancée. The one scene, when she is dropped off at the address, she was told, the party would be, was so funny that, once again, my dad was laughing so hard that tears fell down his face. In fact thinking of her slowly going up those rickety stairs while she gently whines makes me laugh and I am not watching the movie as I write this. If you need to have a good laugh, this is another gem.

What films make you happy?

By the way, Christopher Cross won for Athur's theme, Sheena Easton was nominated  for Your Eyes Only and Neil got Nadda for America.

Which Song Won the Oscar-1981

 

It’s freebie week over at Monday Music Moves Me and it’s “Guess which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which got nuttin’ baby”  for the year, 1981. I hope people visit Cathy’s blog since she helps host this weekly music series. So let’s see who gets this right…

1.  AMERICA SUNG BY NEIL DIAMOND

At the height of Neil Diamond’s fame, Hollywood came calling and placed him in the lead of the film, “The Jazz Singer” that also starred Sir Laurence Olivier as his Jewish dad and Lucy Arnaz( Desi Arnaz’s and Lucille Ball’s daughter) as his wife. This is a remake of the famous film of 1927 that starred over the top Al Jolson, a film that brought in the Talking picture. The song was a great achievement for Diamond who wrote the song and became even bigger as time went on. It was a patriotic song after the 9/11 attacks with Diamond changing one lyric to make it more appropriate for that time.

2. THE BEST THAT YOU CAN DO SUNG BY CHRISTOPHER CROSS

This song was written a host of people including the lead singer, Christopher Cross, and Burt Bacharach for the film Arthur that starred Dudley Moore as a drunken playboy billionaire and Liza Minnelli as his lady love. Sir John Gielgud stole the show as his butler who knows how to deal with this nut of an employer. The song became a big hit and is also known as “Arthur’s Theme.”

3. FOR YOUR EYES ONLY SUNG BY SHEENA EASTON

This song, written by Bill Conti with lyrics by Mick Loeson became a huge hit for this Scottish babe, Shirley Easton, who sang this title song for the James Bond film of the same title that starred Roger Moore. In fact, it’s one of my favourite Bond films ever with great scenes taking place in Meteora, Greece, a place I must visit before I die even if I am scared of heights. I remember when Sheena sang this at the Oscars and her voice was spot on. Yeah, the Oscars must bring back the best songs being sung at the Oscars. That James Bond songfest, done this past year, was totally useless. 

So…do you know which song won, which was nominated and which song came up empty-handed? 

Jeff- A Great Guy!

 

This is my ex and my dear friend Jeff whom we recently took out for his birthday dinner. It was supposed to be on February 16th, his actual birthday, but we had a big snowstorm. Our friends, Peter and Ron, left on a cruise so, yadda, yadda, we finally took him out this past Saturday.

Jeff loves books, Shakespeare, Dante ( he memorized a classic piece  from Dante's Inferno..I think from there), Chaucer, but has great interest in architecture, the World Wars, snakes, camping, movies, humor  like the great Far Side, and ughh...his puns. He is a Master at that as many can attest like me. He has a great love of photography and bought a few cameras along with new lens. He loved being on Facebook and Instagram showcasing his talent and built quite a following until last Thursday. He joined a group called "Canadians Against Pierre Pollievre", but couldn't look further, as he was called away from his fun. About an hour later, he came back to read about that post, but he was banned, not suspended, but banned! Off Facebook and Instagram! A huge WTF is an understatement and devastated Jeff. Like you, with your blog or WordPress,  if you were suddenly cut off, I bet some of you would be pissed or upset.  He found out that this Facebook page about Pew Polyp, as I like to call him, was still up so it had to be someone following him that complained and got him banned. I mean, I showcased a wonderfully, sculptured head of Trump made from cow dung, and I'm still standing so, I just don't get it. 

I told Jeff about the wonderful blogs and people I have found on my Blog and some, yes, like Trump..I know, but they do( enter devilish grin with a wink to my blogger buds who like this person) and we all respect and get along and agree that Freedom of Speech is a must. I hope you look at his new blog and check out his posts with some great photos he has already posted. I will tell him about the Insecure Writer's Support Group and the A to Z  Challenge. Here is his link- https://jeffgaboury.blogspot.com/

I hope you enjoy his new blog

1960 Best Actor-Who Should Have Won

 

This is a tough one because all Best Actors were good this year but my heart goes to one that was not even nominated even though, later on, he sucked the life out of the character in sequels tht should never have been made. Anyways, I am picking the one who should have won, the won who did win and one who was nominated…did I tell you it was a tough year? 

1. ANTHONY PERKINS IN PSYCHO

Anthony Perkins was known as the kid next door, innocent but brave so, when Hitchcock was looking for someone to play Norman Bates, Perkins seemed perfect because nobody would suspect this innocent. Hitchcock used this ploy before when he had boy next door, Robert Walker, play the psychopath Bruno, in the brilliant, “Strangers On A Train.”  This film was shot on a low budget with his TV crew and, when it came out, Hitchcock made a trailer asking people not to divulge anything bout the film. If you haven’t seen the film yet, spoiler alert, you follow a young and Beautiful Marion Crane( Hitchcock had a thing about. Birds too) Who has taken money from her employer to run to her boyfriend but, after coming to a run down motel, she decides to go back and face the music. Unfortunately, she is brutally murdered in the shower by Norman’s mom and Norman must clean up the mess. What he does not anticipate is that her sister and Marion’s boyfriend trying to find her. It is well acted and Anthony Perkins excels as the nervous manchild who cleans up after mom. He truly deserved the Oscar, in my humble opinion, and, if you ever saw the last moment Perkins is on the screen, he conveys so much without saying a word.

2. BURT LANCASTER IN ELMER GANTRY

Burt Lancaster won the Oscar for his flamboyant role as a flim flam guy who sees his ticket in the preacher, played, brilliantly, by Jean Simmons. She has the way to seduce people into believing she can walk on water and people are coming to see her in droves. Of course, it’s not free and money is coming in much to his heart’s content. Actually, I think his toothy grin deserves a special Oscar all on its own because Burt soaked up every scene he was in. He is really great in this role and gave the character much more depth than one would think. Shirley Jones, mom from the “Partridge Family” won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar as a whore who knows Burt’s past but the one Jean Simmons was over-looked again, as the Minister who believes in what she is spouting. This is, somewhat, based on the famous Aimee Semple McPherson who was a huge “star” in the 1920s making a huge fortune on the gullible. 

3. SPENCER TRACY IN INHERIT THE WIND

Spencer Tracy was, rightly, nominated for his role as the defence attorney who comes to the small American town to defend a teacher who had the audacity to state that we descended from apes not  from God’s finger. Frederic March plays the prosecutor who is equally famous for his religious convictions and who ran to become the President. This is based on the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial where the poor teacher was persecuted for teaching, well, the truth ( Sadly, Florida and many others are hurtling backwards as we speak…freedom of speech where are you now). Both actors are legends by this point and Spencer really knew how to work up March. While March would give a glowing speech in the courtroom only to see Tracy pick his nose, obviously, off camera. This is an excellent film even if you don’t agree with what it states. It is well acted by, not only the 2 leads but Gene Kelly as a, somewhat, slimy reporter, and Dick York( Darrin from Bewitched) as the teacher. 

So, have you seen these films? Do you agree it would you say someone else was more deserving or that Burt should have and was the correct winner? I have to say, all 3 are excellent but what a shame that Perkins was not even nominated.