It is freebie week over at Monday Music Moves Me and It’s that time again to wonder which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which got nuttin’! It is also the time for me to forget to post, the following day the answers…I hope I remember, but let’s see if any of you guess correctly.
1. SOMEWHERE IN MY MEMORY SUNG BY A CHILDREN’S CHOIR
This song was composed by the esteemed John Williams with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and is from the little Christmas movie, “Home Alone.” We most often hear this song done by a children’s choir with a symphony orchestra which sounds quite beautiful.
2. IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE SUNG BY ROXETTE
This song is from the blockbuster “ Pretty Woman” and was written by Per Gessle who was the male half of this Swedish Pop group. Marie Fredriksson was the lead singer of this iconic song. Sadly, she died in 2019 from complications of her cancerous brain tumour she had been fighting for the past 17 years.
3. SOONER OR LATER SUNG BY MADONNA
This song, written by Stephen Sondheim, comes from the film, “Dick Tracy” that starred Warren Beatty and Madonna who had a brief affair with him during this time ( who didn’t sleep with Beatty….who hasn’t slept with Madonna?). When she was shown this song that she needed to sing, she thought it was old fashioned crap. I can’t recall her exact words but she was not enamoured with the song…sigh.
So…can you guess which one won, which was nominated and which came up empty-handed? Let me know.
My choice for Best Actress for 1982 will be controversial because most everyone loves the actress that did win and feels she deserved it for this year…except me…lol. So let’s get on with it with my choice for Best Actress…
1. JESSICA LANGE IN FRANCES
This is a film that I have not been able to watch since 1982! This is not because I didn’t like the film, but because it was so harrowing and disturbing that I still am emotional when I think about this film. Jessica Lange gave a mind boggling performance as the 1930s actress Frances Farmer, a beautiful woman who starred in a few films before her alcoholism and erratic behaviour took hold. In this film, it is very much implied that Frances’s mother, who wielded a power over the household, did not like her daughter’s independent spirit and was an active proponent to have her daughter committed to the insane asylum. You see Frances’s descent where she is raped while in the asylum and, finally, given a lobotomy. Once out, she is a shell of her former self. It is an incredibly sad film especially since it is based on a true story. Now, it is called a highly fictionalized film version but the real Frances Farmer was a proponent for better treatment of the patients and wanted an end to lobotomies that were in place back in the 40s and 50s. Jessica deserved her Oscar for this role and not the boring romantic foul to Dustin Hoffman’s Tootsie. Personally, I think she won that Best Supporting Oscar as a comeuppance for not winning the Best Actress.
2. MERYL STREEP IN SOPHIE’S CHOICE
I know, I know…sacrilege! How dare I say that Meryl should not have won for her role as a Polish woman, in the concentration camp being told to decide which of her children should live and which one should die. It is beyond disgusting but, for this moment, I just had a hard time dealing with her meh Polish accent and the long winded storyline of her love affairs with Kevin Kline, whom I love and Peter McNichol…um the very short guy who played the creepy nut in Ghostbusters 2. To be honest, I had a hard time keeping my eyes open watching this movie because, I found it…boring. Told you this would be controversial.
3. JULIE ANDREWS IN VICTOR/VICTORIA
Julie was, rightfully, nominated for her brilliant comedic turn as a starving woman in Paris, taken in by an old Queen, played by Robert Preston, who comes up with a brilliant premise. Julie is a woman, who pretends to be a man who pretends to be a woman. She/he sings up a storm and becomes a major star on stage winning the hearts of the audience especially visiting gangster, James Garner, and his moll, played so well by Lesley Ann Warren ( up for Best Supporting Actress)and Alex Karras, who steals many scenes as Garner’s secretly gay bodyguard. This is a brilliant comedy with some wonderful singing scenes showcasing Andrews’ 4 Octave range. I’m glad she was nominated and, if it wasn’t for Jessica Lange, I would have given the Oscar to Julie over, yes, Meryl.
Have you seen these films? I bet you disagree with me but if you don’t …thank you! Is there another actress you would have given this Oscar to? Let me know.
It’s a fun theme this week over at Monday Music Moves Me where we pick songs that makes you think of long summer days and warm nights. Nowadays, I enjoy the evenings, before the mosquitoes dive bomb to suck the blood from me, sitting and enjoying the flowers and that evening air which is just hard to explain. My 20s were filled with sadness but also contained a lot of fun! I often danced the night away and enjoyed a few parties, some with campfires, making friends that are still in my life. When I hear these songs, I always reflect back to those fun times. Here are 3 that I just love…
1. SUMMER IN THE CITY BY THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL-1966
I love this song, which has been used by a couple other people this week, but I still had to place this in, because I just love this song. I recall, sitting by many a fire listening to this song in the warm air, smelling of mosquito repellent, enjoying hearing this song.
2. GOOD VIBRATIONS SUNG BY THE BEACH BOYS-1967
Now, I danced to this song many, many times at the countless discos that were around in the 80s. They would play music from the 80s, but also the 70s and the 60s. The Beach Boys seem to epitomize the long summer days and I was happy dancing to their many tunes.
3. PARADISE BY THE DASHBOARD LIGHT SUNG BY MEATLOAF AND ELLEN FOLEY-1977
This song comes from the album, “Bat Out Of Hell” which I own and except for the song of the same name as the album title, I love all the songs and this particular song reminds me of the time when, at a campfire, we started to sing their song with us gals singing, “stop right there” and the guys miming, “sleep on it.” It was fun and dancing to it, sometimes, out on some patio, created memories that I will cherish. I still dance to it recalling times when it was paradise by the dashboard light. Come on, haven’t we all had fun in the backseat of some old car? Hmmmm, maybe I’ll take my hubby out to watch the submarine races.
What summer songs remind you of long summer days?
By the way, the picture was taken in 1985 at my parent's home. I had a 3 day party with tents, music, fires and yes, lots of booze! We still talk about it!
I have 8 birthdays in May including my hubby on May 25th and ending June 2nd with mine and it was nice. I am loving all your comments you have left on my blog posts..they just bring a smile to my face when I read them…I wanted you to know that. I wondered, how many movies celebrate birthdays, whether it’s the main theme or just a part of the movie and I realized, it was hard to recall movies I have seen where a birthday takes place but I did think of 3…
1. THE LITTLE PRINCESS-1939
This film stars the ever perky Shirley Temple who is left at a fancy boarding school, by her dad, who is off to fight in the Boer War. The woman who runs the school is a nasty, beady-eyed bitch who treats Shirley with wonder since her daddy is rich. A sumptuous birthday party, with all the trimmings and grand gifts is given to Shirley until a letter comes with the message that her dad died and his money gone since it was in property which was seized. As soon as you can say, “Happy Birthday, my little pretty”, the bitch grabs Shirley’s gifts and takes almost everything for herself before grabbing the poor girl and brings her to her new digs. It’s the cold, damp attic that she must share with the other girl who cleans and scrubs the home. Shirley doesn’t believe the report that her father died and goes on a search to the local hospital to find her dad. It’s a sweet story with Shirley in top form still playing a young girl and does a great job as does all the actors. I love the side story about the rich, crotchety old man who has his Indian manservant help the 2 young maidens in The attic by providing, food and warm blankets. This film is also done in technicolour which is great to see in the original format.
2. HEAVEN CAN WAIT-1943
This is not the famous film done by Warren Beatty, which was from 1978, not 1943. This film stars Don Ameche as a rich but spoiled man about town who meets the beautiful Gene Tierney and marries her. We learn about their life together through his birthdays and if he is in the right place, He’ll, or if he should be in Heaven. I love this movie and find the writing, acting and directing superb and it should be better known.
3. 16 CANDLES-1984
I like this film better today than when it first came out, but it’s still not a favourite of mine because I’m just not a fan of Molly Ringworm..er…Ringwald. I never understood why she became so famous to be honest and it started with this comedy by John Hughes. You have a nice family, in a very nice home dealing with the upcoming nuptials of their eldest daughter completely forgetting that their younger daughter( Ringworm) has her Sweet 16 that day. Topping it off, aside from her grandparents coming in for their wedding knocking her out of her room, she must deal with her major crush on this hunky boy, but deals with a horny kid who is always bothering her in that gross adolescent way boys do, to her sister’s wedding day. The girl who plays the sister, Blanche Baker, did a very funny performance of a stoned out bride. I also love the foreign exchange student played by Gedde Watanabe who gets into quite a pickle. Actually, this character and the writing received harsh criticism, but, I believe, it’s just how these 2 old people think about foreign exchange students and , like every other kid, he just wants to party.
So what movies can you think of that is about birthdays or has a birthday party in the film?
I had a great birthday yesterday by doing almost nothing and watching a fun comedy with 2 of my dearest friends, Peter and Ron. They are brothers who do just about everything together. They have their own lives but they go on vacations together and do many fun events-today they will go to Niagara Falls and do some fun events since everything is half price this day. We watch, “Dodgeball”, a politically incorrect comedy, stupid but, I find, very funny. Peter did not like it…lol but, I think, Ron found it fun. Comedy is a hard one because not everyone likes the same thing. I like just bout every comedy style even the 3 Stooges. By the way, the deer picture was taken by my best friend, Loretta, who saw this outside her window. Ok, I digress, I am choosing songs about the wonderful month of June and I will join Monday Music Moves Me on Wednesday and here we go..,
1. MEMPHIS IN JUNE SUNG BY JULIE LONDON-1956
Julie created the album, “Calendar Girl” and I am enjoying all her songs and this one, written by Hoagy Carmichael and Paul Francis Webster, back in 1944, is special since it is bout the month of June.
2. JUNE COMES AROUND EVERY YEAR SUNG BY BING CROSBY-1944
This was written by the famous Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer and I always enjoy Der Bingle who sings this song with his usual flair.
3. JUNE IS BUSTIN’ OUT ALL OVER SUNG BY CLARAMAE TURNER AND BARBARA RUICK-1956
This is a great song by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein for the musical, “Carousel” that became a film starring Shirley Jones and Gordon MaCrea. He is a lout who marries a sweet gal who takes his crap. It takes place in June when the fair comes to town. The townsfolk with some special gals sing about this month. It’s fun and full of frolic.
DIED FROM: Overdose, ruled a suicide, but I do believe she was murdered
REAL NAME: Norma Jean Mortensen or Baker
MARRIED: 3 times- James Dougherty, Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller
AFFAIRS: where does one start…Johnny Hyde( famous agent), Yves Montana, Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Elia Kazan, Milton Berle, Charlie Chaplin Jnr. And his brother, Sydney, Elia Kazan, Andre De Dienes and JFK and RFK
CHILDREN:Sadly, none-3 miscarriages
FRIENDS: Jane Russell, Dorothy Dandridge, Hildegard Knef and Ella Fitzgerald Whom she helped get into higher end clubs that she, normally, couldn’t have entered due to her colour. Monroe got her in and made sure she used the front door!
OSCAR NOMINATIONS: none!
TALENT: her ability to know how to model and use her face and body. Wrote poetry, painting
KNOWN FOR: loving books, a stutterer( got help from diction coaches), wore glasses, loved children and animals. Active equal rights activist, her mental instabilities, lateness and anxieties.
There are over 60 books about her not counting all the film books that mention her, of which I have quite a few few. June 1st was her 100th birthday( today is my birthday, but I’m just 62 which is why I am late with this today), but she died, way too young, at 36. If she would have lived, I bet she would have had. Weight problem, like Elizabeth Taylor, she would have gone to Studio 54 and would have ended up at the Betty Ford Centre. I do believe she would have been a co-star on the Love Boat, helped Bob Hope entertain more troops and made more films finally being nominated, if not winning, an Oscar….If only.
Her childhood was horrible start8 g with a mom, who did love her, but suffered from mental health problems often ending up in a sanitarium. Monroe ended up in Foster Care, bouncing from one place to another and being raped by one of foster parents when she was 11. By the time she was 16, she was told she would have to go back to the orphanage or marry. She ended up marrying a childhood friend, James Dougherty, who went off to war soon after. She was one of the many gals who started working in a factory when, now sure how, Ronald Reagan saw her, and singled her out to be in films. She was already modeling, so she decided tht it was time to become a movie star. When her husband came back home,she g e him a kiss goodbye and off she went. She did a few extra roles, but times were tough which is when she posed for those famous nude photos. When they were “found”, she spoke to the reporters openly and said she was very hungry and needed the money. When asked what she had on, she famously said, “The radio”. You can see her climb the movie ladder from her short role in, “Love Happy” with the Marx Brothers to her breakout roles in “The Ashphalt Jungle” and “All About Eve”. When she finally hit the big time, she said, “Thank God that’s the last cock I have to suck”. She knew all about the casting couch and used it to get to the big times.
Today, they make it that she was raped by big time producers like Darryl Zanuck, but she used her assets to get a head, er, sort of speak. Today, she would be part of the Me Too movement, but there was no such thing back in her day. I have been reading and seeing videos making Monroe out to be the next Einstein, but, sorry, she was not this extremely intelligent woman who knew how to get more money by being late on the set and delaying production for her equal rights blah, blah, blah. She was average, but she was very curious and, never having a proper education, she was a veracious reader and loved learning. One director did note that he saw her start many books, but not sure she ever read the whole book. Unfortunately, she did inherit her mom’s mental issues and deal with extreme anxiety, depression and, later got hooked on barbiturates and alcohol. She was constantly very, very late on the set, stuck in her trailer, not wanting to come out and do the scene. The actors were often, very frustrated and angry with her because they would start at 8am and she would not come out of her trailer, often until 3, 4, or 5 pm! Sometimes, the actor or actress would be of great help like Jane Russell from “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” but you had Tony Curtis who claimed “Kissing Monroe was like kissing Hitler.” Because of his extreme frustration working with her on the set of “Some Like It Hot”. He later claimed they had an affair during this time but I don’t believe him. He never said he had an affair with her until decades later when he was writing his tell all book plus he was just too narcissistic in praising his prowess. Marilyn relied too much on her acting coaches, like Natasha Lytress and Lee Strassberg and his daughter, Paula Strassberg creating tensions on the set. Finally, her last film, “The Misfits” was hell to make. She was acting along side her teen-age crush, Clark Gable, but her marriage to Arthur Miller was failing and her mental health was not the best. Her delays on the set was upsetting Clark Gable who was always prompt making this set full of friction. Gable did many of his own stunts ( being dragged by a horse, for example) in high heat and with all these issues, he had a severe heart attack. While recuperating in the hospital, he suffered mother heart attack and died at just 59.
Marilyn, according to director/writer Billy Wilder, did not show any huge allure when you met her in person, but the camera captured something our eyes could not see. She looked beyond luminous and captured her sexual vulnerability on film. Despite not being able to remember her lines ( they did 76 takes when she walked into Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis’s room asking where the bourbon was. Wilder finally, pasted the line in the dresser when she opens up the drawer), being late, having major anxieties, she brought effervescence, gaiety, and gret humour to her roles. She enjoyed being photographed and having fun which Richard Avedon found when she created looks of the famous film stars from the turn of the century to the early 30s. She called her friend/lover, Andrede Dienes in the middle of the night to capture her inner feelings which is very haunting and sad. She wanted children so badly but suffered from endometriosis and suffered 3 miscarriages. She was rekindling her love for Joe DiMaggio at the end of her life and was going to have a Press Conference to talk about JFK and RFK when she died. It is, officially, ruled a suicide but, I do believe, she was murdered. She was a mess, mentally and hooked on drugs and alcohol, so it is easy to say she called it a day, but I don’t buy it. I watched an excellent documentary, years ago, about JFK’s death and all the people associated with his murder. It took a step by step approach about his murder and how over 170 people all died within the first 5 to 6 years after his death. The famous scene where Jack Ruby gunned down Lee Harvey Oswald to the many low lying people who just knew too much. Dorothy Kilgore was said to have committed suicide, but she was just way too logical to do this. Plus she stated she had the proof that JFK was shot by someone else and was going to go to the News with this, when she died. All her papers were gone. Marilyn showed no signs of the barbiturates in her stomach which would have shown up in the autopsy. They did find a needle mark between her toes! The maid could not open the door so, rather than calling the police, after she looked in Marilyn’s bedroom window, she went to the home in the back of Monroe’s yard to Peter Lawford who was the brother in law to JFK and RFK. He looked in and was on the phone with god knows who. It was a couple of hours before the police were called. Her diary, certain papers were ripped out, and other papers were gone. It is circumstantial but it does make one think. OK, this is lengthy, but she is an icon. I am going to showcase her unique photos by Richard Avedon and then the very sad images that Monroe said captured her soul, by Andrede Dienes.
I just got home from the conference, which was excellent, and now, having to go to work. We stayed at a nice conference centre surrounded by nature and those bloody June bugs. I was able to go for a hike where they said it take a little over 15 min….i took over an hour but I could do it! I am sore but am so overjoyed that I did it. The bonfire was a bust because of those bloody June bugs that went into peoples’ hair, including mine, hitting into our heads, and one buzzed right into someone’s ear. So I thought I would talk about having an outdoor picnic, Barbeque or party with food and a fire. So here we go…
1. TO CATCH A THIEF-1955
This Hitchcock film stars Grace Kelly and Cary Grant who meet in Monaco ( this is when Grace met her future husband, Prince Ranier of Monaco) and have a famous picnic, on the side of the road overlooking the beautiful city. At one point she asks Grant if he wants a leg or a breast and Grant was perfect in his look and hesitation which just added to the sexual energy. Grant is wrongly accused of rejuvenating his old job as a cat burglar and he must clear his name. Kelly plays a rich daughter of a great mom( played by Jessie Royce Landis who was only 8 years older than Grant where Kelly was 25 yrs younger than Grant) who is certain Grant was to steal her jewels, amongst other things. Grant wants to clear his name and finds a way with the help of the mom and daughter plus the insurance agent. His old gang are angry with him believing he is the Cat but the daughter of Grant’s friend, helps him out. It’s a great fluff piece from Hitchcock. The luscious colours, gowns( I want that white and blue gown), it is luscious in colours, ambience and scenery. It’s a fun film with all the Hitchcock elements.
2. GRAN TORINO-2008
This is a great movie about a widower, played by Clint Eastwood, a Polish bigot who is not happy that people from China but are Hmong, move in next door. When the young son, urged by his deadbeat gang member cousin, to steal Clint’s Gran Torino, he reluctantly tries but is caught by Clint. Clint decides to use him to clean up around the house and the homes of other older people who can no longer do those things. Slowly, mainly due to the boy’s sister, Clint warms up to the neighbours and is invited to their Barbeque. He meets their grandmother who is equally bigoted and dislikes Clint. Clint teaches the boy about values and understanding and respecting the value of items. When the gang beat up the young boy, Clint makes a visit and goes all Magnum force on the gang. The gang retaliate by beating and raping the older sister which breaks Clint’s heart and makes hi one angry bear. This is a great film that I love and the bigoted words and prejudices shown are meant to showcase the narrow-mindedness of people, even people with an inner good heart. I love the Gran Torino, love the writing and the story. Very heart felt and the Barbeque scene is when Clint learns more about himself and tolerance of other people.
3. GROWN UPS 2-2013
Yup, this is a stupid comedy, it stars Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, Salma Hayek, Maya Rudolph and Maria Bella as the suffering wives of these bozos. These friends decided to move back to their home town and get into all sorts of escapades, at one point, ending up jumping off a cliff, nude, into the pond below when bullied by these Fraternity brats. It culminates at Sandler and Hayek’s home where they are having a big 80s themed party with a big fire. Tons of people arrive and start to party down, but when the Frat brats arrive ready to rumble, all hell breaks loose and a big fight ensues which is quite funny. This is a stupid comedy, not a great one, but one that makes me laugh which we all need on occasion.
Which picnic, BBQ. or bonfire movies can you think of?
Sorry that I have not visited any blogs, but I am away at a conference. I am writing this fast and funny, last night we were all supposed to have a nice big fire and have s’mores, but there were a ton of June bugs flying everywhere and they got into my hair and freaked most of the people back inside. It’s BBQ season and Monday Music Moves Me and I thought of 2 of these songs and my brother came up with the other one. I promise to visit everyone later this week.
1. LIGHT MY FIRE- BY THE DOORS-1967
I remember hearing this song at many BBQ’s over the years plus at campfires. It is a song sung, badly, but with great humour by Tom Hanks in the film, “Castaway”. Tom Hanks, surviving a plane crush ends up on a small deserted island and is overjoyed that he was able to make a fire. This is a great song, by the Doors, was, primarily, written by Rob Krieger, the guitarist for the Doors.
2. PROUD MARY BY CCR-1969
This Creedence Clearwater Revival was a favourite of my mom-in-law who loved this song and she loved playing it when having dinner outside. She loved camping and this song was a favourite of her’s. It was written by John Fogerty. We had so much fun sitting by a fire eating our food and listening to this classic.
3. HARVEST MOON- NEIL YOUNG-1992
Funny, I thought of this song because I have heard it while sitting by a fire many times. I asked my brother for. Suggestion and he thought of this song right away. This was written and performed by the Canadian Iconic, Neil Young.
Last night, we were ready to eat some s’mores beside a big campfire but this bloody June bugs were everywhere. I walked back to the retreat with a big June bug attached to my top in the front. More shrieks occurred while I walked back outside to flick it off.
I have no idea if saying or wring deaf and mute is politically correct or not but I don’t really care. It’s not supposed to mean anything degrading except that there are people who can’t hear and are unable to talk. It got me thinking about movies involving people who are deaf, either from birth or from when they were young so are often unable to voice words because they just don’t know how to voice an actual word. Anyway, here are 3 films I chose that fit this theme.
1. THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME-1923
This film has been done many times beginning with this very famous version of the Victor Hugo book about a deformed, deaf man who rings the bells for the famous cathedral in the late 1400s. My favourite version is the 1939 film version starring Charles Laughton as Quasimodo and Maureen O’Hara as the beautiful Gypsy, Esmeralda, but I wanted to pick this film because of the epic work of Lon Chaney. Lon Chaney was known as the Man of a Thousand Faces due to his many characters he played in film and suffered due to the make up he fabricated. This make up included a contact lens that created pain in his eye plus it damaged his sight, a heavy piece, that he developed, attached to his back not allowing him to stand upright along with a constrainment of his legs which also caused much pain for Chaney for the rest of his life. Lon Chaney helped Patsy Ruth Miller, who played Esmeralda, with her character and how to convey the emotions just with her eyes and motions. Lon Chaney grew up with deaf mute parents where he used facial expressions, movements and sign language to communicate with them. This added to his acting prowess in film. Through all this makeup, he conveyed so much emotion that your heart bleeds for this human being treated so harshly by the crowds, except for Esmeralda who gave him water. This film, although over 100 years old, is a must see film.
2. JOHNNY BELINDA-1948
I love this gentle film about a young deaf-mute girl, played so brilliantly by Jane Wyman ( who won an Oscar for her role), whom her dad and his sister believe is not that bright. It takes the new Doctor of the village, played by Lew Ayres, to open their eyes that Belinda is anything but dumb. The Doc teaches her sign language and when her dad sees how well she can speak using sign language he is overjoyed that his daughter can “speak”. Unfortunately, ( spoiler alert) a brutish lout decides to rape the young girl resulting in a pregnancy. The girl only loves her child and will protect her child no matter what. Yup, this gentle drama has some wowzers in the film but it never loses its genteel feel. Her dad and aunt were not very approachable at first, but they change when they see Belinda can learn and has a voice. I love when her dad starts to learn sign language so he can talk with his daughter. I also developed a major crush on Lew Ayres who was so gentle and good looking with that moustache:))
3. THE MIRACLE WORKER-1962
This is the famous story about how a young Annie Sullivan is hired by this aristocratic Southern family to care for their, so-called, simpleton daughter, a young Helen Keller. Little does the family realize that Annie means to teach this brat sign language but not before teaching her some manners. The pivotal scene in the dining room, where Helen must learn how to fold her napkin, and eat her food with a knife and fork, is shocking when Helen does not get her way and Annie refuses for Helen to take Annie's food from her plate. A battle of wills ensues making Annie the winner ( albeit the dining room is a disaster). Annie is allowed to take the 8 year old Helen to a cabin, away from her family who were just enabling her, so she can teach Helen sign language. Helen is not only deaf and mute, but blind so teaching her words is quite the task but will open up the world. Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke both deserved their Oscars for the stellar performances. Helen and Annie were inseparable for the rest of their lives( Annie passed away in 1936 and Helen in 1968. Helen became a world lecturer, writer and activist for the blind, equal rights for women and the poor plus she learned 5 languages- German, French, Greek and Latin! So, when we feel despondent that we can’t do something, think of this lady.
Can you think of any films about a character being deaf and or mute?
Oh, the answer to yesterday’s musical Oscar song is “ The Way You Look Tonight” won the Oscar, “ I’ve Got You Under My Skin” was nominated and “A Fine Romance” got nuttin’. The other nominees were, “ Did I Remember” from Suzy; “ A Melody From The Sky” from Trail of the Lonesome Pine; “ Pennies From Heaven,” from Pennies From Heaven and, “ When Did You Leave Heaven,” from Sing, Baby, Sing. I don’t know some of these songs at all which beat out some very famous songs we stil, know today like , “ Easy To Love,” “ Let’s Face The Music and Dance,” San Francisco.”
It’s been crazy weather..we went all the way up to 32C (89.6F) for the last 3 days and now we are down to 16C (60.8F). Work is crazy from the clients to stress that we must get the stragglers in before June 30th or their Consumer Proposals and Bankruptcies will be opposed and rejected. I am not sure how I will get through them all but it must get done. Last night I had an idiot for 6pm who finally called me at 6:45pm. She picked up stuff at the groceries and got her nails done completely forgetting about this Mandatory appointment that she asked for, because she can only do these appointments at 6pm because of work. Since the first session must be done in the first 60 days, I took her because my next free 6pm isn’t until the middle of July. I wish I could say that she got into debt due to illness, loss of job, marital breakdown but, nope, she went back to school, at 48( which is great), got the credit cards and wanted a truck so bought a big ass truck. She didn’t realize how much interest there would be so now she did a Proposal. Ughhhh!
Ok, I bitched enough:) It is freebie week over at Monday Music Moves Me and it is time to see if you know who won the Oscar for Best Song of 1936. Let’s see if you can guess which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which came up empty-handed. It’s a huge year for great songs, by the way.
1. I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN SUNG BY VIRGINIA BRUCE
This song is from the musical, “Born To Dance” starring Eleanor Powell and James Stewart ( who sang “Easy To Love” and, as he even said, he couldn’t screw it up since it’s such a great song) and sung by the ethereal Virginia Bruce as the other gal. All the songs were composed by Cole Porter.
2. A FINE ROMANCE SUNG BY FRED ASTAIRE AND GINGER ROGERS
This is a great song, written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields from the Astaire/Rogers film, “Swing Time.” It is sung by the 2 with a hopeful Astaire trying to woo the jaded Rogers. They each sing it I. The style of their emotions and it works so well. I love the chemistry of these 2 greats.
3. THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT SUNG BY FRED ASTAIRE
Another great song from the film, “Swing Time” written by Kern and Fields where Astaire serenades Rogers who dissed him just before she washes her hair. It’s a beautiful song.
So which one won the Oscar, which was nominated and which came up empty-handed?
I stamped the Angel in silver and embossed her in a silver sparkle . I took Tim Holtz Distress inks and, with a soft brush, coloured the background with a soft blue and pink. I placed it on a grey card background, added the border stickers and the stars. Nice and simple card today.
Best Actor for the films of 2003 was quite a good year in film. I thought most of the actors nominated deserved to be there..most of them. This will be a Bit different because, this year I agree with the Academy, barely, but I agree. So let’s see what I chose..
1. SEAN PENN IN MYSTIC RIVER
Sean Penn is a controversial figure because, he seems to be an a-hole, but one with conviction. In this film he plays one of 3 childhood friends where he grew up the become the local gangster. The other, played by Kevin Bacon, is a cop and Timothy Robbins plays an ex-convict who owns a convenience store. Penn’s daughter is found murdered and wants to find justice, his way while cop Bacon is just trying to find the killer. When Robbins shows up bloodied with an injured hand changing his story every 2 minutes, he comes the prime suspect. The issue is, is he guilty? I will have to say, Penn deserves this Oscar. It’s a showy role, but a great one and Penn delivers one of his best acting especially when he shows up at the crime scene. He’s intense but for all the right reasons. So, yes, he deserved this Oscar but I almost chose another actor for an understated performance who should have been nominated.
2. JEFF BRIDGES IN SEABISCUIT
My hubby and I just rewatched this stellar film a couple of weeks ago and it just grabs your heart in so many ways. It is about the famous horse, Seabiscuit who grabbed the nation’s attention back during the Great Depression of the 1930s. 3 lost men, feeling out of place in a world changing around them come together due to a horse feeling much the same way. Each are damaged and hurt by the world they live in. Chris Cooper plays a rodeo performer and cowboy who no longer fits in with the modern world. He is hired by Rich Jeff Bridges, who made his money in cars but becomes enchanted with the world of horse racing. Bridges wants nothing to do with cars since his son died in an accident, his wife divorced him and he is unsure where his life will go. When he sees Seabiscuit, he sees something in himself and buys the horse and asks Cooper to train him. Cooper meets up with Red, played by Tobey Maguire, a defiant kid working in the stables and sees that he is just as lost and damaged as Seabiscuit. You follow all 4 of these damaged souls become famous because of The little horse that could. It culminates when Seabiscuit and the Great “War Admiral” come together for a race and the country stops to listen on the radio about this mighty race. Jeff Bridges gave a quiet, resilient performance as the rich man who understood what broken means and quietly restores the health of all 3, the cowboy, the jockey and the horse. How Jeff didn’t even get nominated is beyond me and if he would have won the Oscar, I would have been happy. Where Penn’s performance was flamboyant and magnetic, Bridges was calm, steadfast and equally magnetic, just in a different way.
3 JOHNNY DEPP IN PIRATES OFNTHE CARIBBEAN
Yup, Depp was nominated for his comedic performance in the comedy fantasy about a blacksmith (Orlando Bloom) and a Governor's daughter (Keira Kneightly who meet and fall in love amidst the Mahem of the Pirates who want to retrieve the medallion since it is part of a treasure horde they need to retrieve to undo the curse they are under. It’s a fun movie that grossed a ton of money and made many sequels. Johnny Depp developed this character that is flamboyant and over the top. I don’t mind it but I never thought he deserved to be nominated. To be honest, I now find the character a bit irritating and wish Depp would stop all those quirky mannerisms of this character. These films are funny and the make-up deserves an Oscar but not Depp.
Do you agree with my assessment? Just so you know, the other nominees were Ben Kingsley for “House of Sand and Fog”, Jude Law in “Cold Mountain” and Bill Murray from “Lost in Translation.”
The photo, above, is of the famous Seabiscuit, with his jockey, Red Pollard who was a very famous race horse that made the nation forget the Depression for a while and bring hope to the masses. This week, over at Monday Music Moves Me, is all about Horse racing or horses. I almost went with, “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” but I was intrigued about the horse racing side. It’s the fancy side of sports where men dress up in their finery and women wear fancy clothes and very silly hats. My dad went to the Woodbine Horse Racetrack in the 1930s, gambled on the horses and lost all his money! This was a big blow since it was at the height of the Great Depression. He walked home…from Toronto to Welland, Ontario. It takes over an hour by car( without traffic), so this was one long walk. He never went back and learned a rough lesson.
Here are my 3 songs about Race Horses and Racing…
1. THE SEABISCUIT SONG SUNG BY FRANK LOVATO JR-2009
This is a song written by Frank Lovato who is not famous, but wrote this wonderful song about the legendary Seabiscuit, a horse that griped the nation back in the 1930s. An excellent film, that I just rewatched, excels at telling the story about 4 broken males…the horse, the jockey, the trainer and the owner. It’s a must-see film.
2. MOLLY AND TENBROOKS SUNG BY BILL MONROE & THE BLUE GRASS BOYS-1947
This song depicts the rivalry of these 2 famous horses from the 1880s. It became a hit when Bill Monroe sang it in 1947 although it wasn’t released until 1949.
3. WHERE THE TURF MEETS THE SURF SUNG BY BING CROSBY-1937
The Del Mar Racetrack was created by William A. Quigley who was a great friend of Bing Crosby. Bing is the reason Del Mar exists and invested in building this racetrack by the sea. It became a big place to go and see all the famous stars of the day dressed up waiting to see the races. In fact, there were quite a few actors who owned racehorses and were avid goers to the Racetrack. Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Elizabeth Taylor and Rita Hayworth all owned thoroughbreds and went to the races. This song was written by Crosby, Johnny Burke and James Monaco.
Which song do you think of when you think of horse racing?
The Daffodil Stamp is a cling on Stamp. It's not adhered to wood but is a clear stamp that you can peel off of plastic and put it on a hard plastic base to stamp the card. It's by Flourishes, a Marcella Hawley design.
I had this left over piece of glitter lavender plus this corner butterfly cut out that I used my sizzex to cut it out. I took water colour paper and sprinkled colour bursts in yellow and purple to create the background. I stamped the flower in purple and embossed it in clear embossing powder. I fussy cut the flower out and adhered it to the card with pop up dots. I stamped the smaller flowers and embossed them as well. I coloured them all with tombow markers. I placed some greenery around using purple dye ink. These stamps are cling on( not Klingon...nyuck, nyuck). I added the crystals and here is the finished card. A little darker than I wanted but it still works.
CCAYR-Words beginning with I-Inspiration and J-Jewels
I enjoyed creating this simple card using the sketch from 52 Cards as my inspiration. I took my die cut to create the circle and embossed the saying in a blueish embossing powder. I took a couple of scrap papers to make the background. I used my pastel chalks on the white paper to create the bluish background and glued everything together. As a final sparkle, I added the white “jewels” and the sticker stars I. Silver and gold.
My dad fought in World War 2 and was injured in the Reischwald Forest near the end of the war. He was sent to Belgium to recuperate from being shot. He awoke and found he was unshaven, was cold and found out his dad was told he died. The Red Cross came in and offered to shave him, give him a blanket and write to his dad… for a fee! They were going to charge him to bathe him, shave him, charge him for a blanket and charge him for writing a letter. My dad told them, to take their offer and shove it where the sun don’t shine. Later, the Salvation Army came in and did all of this without asking for one dime. He was warm, clean shaven, bathed and, most importantly, wrote a letter to his dad and mailed it free of charge. When I met my ex, his dad was also shot near the end of the war, sent to a Belgium hospital and had the exact same experience! 81 years ago, both brave men went through the same experience and I thought this would be a great theme…the military hospital. I love the film, “M.A.S.H.” But I spoke about it more than once so I chose not to talk about it this time. Here are my picks on Military Hospitals…
1. CAPTAIN NEWMAN M.D.-1963
This is an under-appreciated film that stars Gregory Peck as a Military psychiatrist who chooses unique therapy methods to try and help his many patients dealing with all sorts of PTSD, which used to be called Battle Fatigue in WW2 and She’ll Shock in WW1. Peck is under-staffed, but he is able to convince Tony Curtis, an orderly with an unorthodox way to help the patients, plus Angie Dickenson, to help him deal with his, too many, patients. The patients include Bobby Darin, dealing with survivor’s guilt abusing alcohol, a soldier who is catatonic who hid out in a basement for a year in a Nazi occupied town and a colonel, played so well by Eddie Albert, who is severely unhinged because the men who served under him died. It is not all serious but also has some good comedic moments.
2. 36 HOURS-1964
This is a little different because it’s about an army Major, played by the always great James Garner, dealing with amnesia in an U. S. military hospital. His psychiatrist, played by Robert Taylor and Taylor’s nurse, Eva Marie Saint, are trying to help him remember the details of early June, 1944. It is 1950, and Garner is trying to recall what his life was before the War ended until he sees his paper cut on his finger. When he dupes one of the orderlies who promptly stands at attention in a very German way, he realizes he is being duped. The war is still on and it is early June, 1944. He has been captured and the bad Germans are trying to get him to disclose details of an oncoming invasion. It’s a pretty good thriller with all sorts of duplicity going on. It’s a good thriller with great actors and worth a watch.
3. COMING HOME-1978
This film was made because of Jane Fonda’s dedication to her negative views about the Vietnam War. She plays the wife to Bruce Dern, who is about to be deployed to Vietnam. When he leaves, she changes her life by moving into an apartment and buying a sports car. Her friend coaxes her to volunteer at a military hospital where she meets an angry Joh Voight. He is a Vietnam Vet left a paraplegic because of thewar. They knew each other in high school and slowly develop a friendship which leaves to love. This happens surrounded by the turmoil and destruction of human beings because of this war. Their bliss is interrupted when her husband returns broken because of the war. I saw this when it first came out and should see it again. I would have liked the film if it centered less on the lovey story ( and Fonda’s orgasm scene) and more on the actual soldiers. I do remember the Oscars because this film was up for many awards along with, “The Deer Hunter” which became a bitter rival. I think the 2 directors even started to fight at one of the awards shows…oh brother.
Bonus..
TV SHOW M.A.S.H.- 1972-1983
I love this TV show that ran for 11 seasons and the finale is still the highest rated TV ending..ever! This show came from the 1970 film of the same name. Alan Alda plays Hawkeye Pierce, a top notch surgeon, Loretta Swift plays head nurse, Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlahan who loves men that outrank her.Gary Burghoff plays the company clerk, Radar O’Rielly, who also appeared in the film. Mclean Stephenson, Larry Linville, Wayne Rogers, Jamie Farr and William Christopher were in the first part of this series but in season 4, McLean and Rogers left the show and, in season 5, Linville left. Harry Morgan, Mike Farrell and then David Ogden Stiers entered the show and stayed until the end. This show started out as an all out comedy with some serious overtones but, once Alda became the star of the series, he changed the format and it became more of a dramedy. I do love the early episodes and, I think, once Alda became Creative Consultant, director and writer on the series, it lost that black satiric comedy. I do believe Alda went overboard in a couple of episodes clubbing us over the head with his preach ways. Overall, though, this show is one of the very best written shows that takes place during the Korean War at a MASH hospital. I hope young people find this show and continue to keep this famous as it deserves to be.
It is freebie week over at Monday Music Moves Me and it’s the first week of May…May! I can’t believe we are in the 5th month already, the days are longer, more birds are singing and it’s warm….forget that last one. I just hope we have a Spring and it doesn’t go to major heat waves. Anywhooo…here are my 3 songs about the Month of May
1. THE MERRY, MERRY MONTH OF MAY SUNG BY NELSON EDDY-1948
Poor Nelson Eddy was a big hit with Jeanette MacDonald in the mid to late 30s singing light operetta before falling out of favour. In his nightclub act, he had a good sense of humour and would often make fun of his old persona from his movies. His baritone voice worked well with MacDonald’s soprano and they had great chemistry. This old song, was written back in 2862 by Stephen Foster which, I’m certain, we have all heard versions of this song.
2. MAY TIME SWING PERFORMED BY SUSANNA HEYSTEK-2015
Apparently, this is a Canadian song, written by Graham Townsend that is quite popular. I don’t really know it but enjoyed listening to it and decided to showcase it here.
3. PEOPLE WHO ARE BORN IN MAY SUNG BY JULIE LONDON-1956
Julie London created a whole album based on each month of the year and this is her version of this May song written by Earl Brent. I have a whole new appreciation for this seductive siren that I first learned about when she starred as a nurse on the tv show, “Emergency.”
DIED FROM: Pulmonary Complications caused by breaking her ribs falling over her cat
MARRIED: Never Married
AFFAIRS: None
CHILDREN: None
FAMOUS FRIENDS WITH: Margaret Hamilton ( the witch in “The Wizard of Oz”) and RobertStrong Woodward (American Painter).
OSCAR NOMINATIONS: The Gorgeous Hussey-1936: Of Human Hearts-1938
OSCAR WINS: None
TALENT: an Intellectual, Love of Elocution, love of acting
KNOWN FOR: loving acting, loving cats, world travel, Fashion
This lady has been in countless films often playing the mom who just needs some TLC. She is often long suffering but resilient, soft but with a hidden strength, she had a soft voice that could turn cold and sharp…she was a superb actress that made her mark as a character actress. She may have been typecast as the “mom” but she made the most of it and we remember her face if not her name. We all know her as the mom to Jimmy Stewart I. “it’s a Wonderful Life,” which was their 4th pairing together on film( she played his mom 8n an episode of his TV show, “The Jimmy Stewart Show.”) and they shared a special bond getting along famously which showed on their on screen chemistry. She became famous when she was in her early 40s and worked u til her untimely death at age 92. This very intelligent lady, with a Masters in Oratory, loved philosophy, and high fashion. She had a huge collection of vintage fashion with many gowns designed by Natasha Rambova ( once married to Rudolph Valentino). She was an avid traveller venturing to Australia, around the world trips and a few trips to Africa and on safari, even well into her 80s. She loved her work and was only disappointed twice, once when not given the role of Ma Joad, in, “The Grapes of Wrath” and, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” For the role of Ma Joad, she went to visit the migrant workers and bought a jalopy to drive around in, believing she secured the role. For Tom Sawyer, she actually got the role when May Robson fell ill but lost it when Robson recovered faster than expected. Nonetheless, she continued working receiving a standing ovation when she won the Emmy for her role as Martha Walton in the TV series, “The Waltons”. She makes my eyes tear up every time I watch, “Make Way For Tomorrow,” as the old wife and mom Separated from her husband by her unfeeling kids. It’s a timeless film and one that should have been nominated for Oscars in many categories. In fact, I think the director, Leo McCarey and Beulah should have been nominated. Sadly, this lady, dedicated to her work who never married or even had affairs, loved cats. Her favourite cat, Mr. Cat, was the reason she died. She tripped over her cat breaking 3 ribs and dying from pulmonary complications as a result of her broken ribs. I hope her cat still got a good home. She is one of the Grande Dames of supporting actresses that is remembered to this day.
When I was a kid, in the 70s, there used to be a show called, “Bowling For Dollars.” It was dreck…boring as dirt but it stayed on TV for years…I’m not sure who watched it, but I figured people who gave up on life. Aside from that, I like bowling but only the small balls and I can’t bowl the normal way. I’m the granny who take the ball in both hands, move my feet like Fred Flintstones, and throw the ball down the lane watching it go into the gutter. It made me think of movies with bowling in it and I realized I saw 3 movies with bowling a big part of the movie.
1. UNCLE BUCK-1989
I love John Candy and this film stars Candy in a John Hughes film about a lazy git who lives off of horse betting and doing as little as possible. His sister in law’s father has suffered a heart attack, and they must travel back to care for her dad but they have no babysitter. Enter Uncle Buck, who is available and, with his exhaust fumed car, agrees to babysit the kids. The 2 youngest like their Uncle but the oldest kid, with a huge chip on her shoulder, does all she can to disrupt her Uncle. At one point, he takes them all bowling with some hilarious antics. This is not a great film, but it is funny and sweet plus it showed how much chemistry Candy had with a young McCauley Caulkin. I think my favourite scene is between Candy and the Principal of youngest niece’s school. The huge mole on this lady’s face gives Candy all he needs to make this scene beyond funny. I also realize I had a car similar to the one in this movie.
2. KINGPIN-1996
Woody Harrelson plays a down and out alcoholic who once had a promising career as a professional bowler only to have been scammed by a fellow bowler which resulted in the crippling of his hand. He now uses a rubber hand but his career is over. In fact, he reaches a new low when he sleeps with his very gross landlady instead of paying his rent. He meets up with Randy Quaid, who is an Amish man who loves bowling. Woody sees that Quaid is an excellent bowler and decides to train him to enter a championship in order that Quaid can save his family’s farm from being taken over by the bank. This is one very, very funny movie that I need to see again. The one scene that stuck in my head and my ex is the gross bedroom scene between Woody and the Landlady. Funny, when my ex and I went to Prague, in 1997, we arrived just before midnight in this skanky train station. I was lucky to get Czech money just before the money exchange closed and went to call the Taxi service. My ex needed to go to the washroom but it costs money to get into that icky bathroom. I turned around to see this very gross looking woman yelling at my ex about paying. She looked exactly like the landlady in this movie that I could not help doing a gesture, that landlady made to Woody resulting in Woody throwing up, to my ex. I thought he was going to throw up. My ex was able to use that washroom, we got a taxi that I haggled to a reasonable amount and looked like the taxi from “Planes, Train and Automobiles,” and we reached our hotel. Getting back to this movie, it is an under-rated film that is very funny.
3. THE BIG LEBOWSKI-1998
This is a cult film with Jeff Bridges as The Man! the Dude who is cooler than cool. The Coen Brothers wanted to make a film based on the Raymond Chandler films from the 40s with a convoluted plot that, in the end, you don’t care too much about. It’s all about the characters and The Dude is the cool one. He doesn’t do too much except for bowling and enjoying life doing as little as possible. I’ve tried to figure out the plot but, like “the Big Sleep,” I have to watch it many time to try and understand it. Jeff Bridges deserved an Oscar for his brilliant portrayal as the Dude who gets involved with thugs, kidnapping and other mayhem. It is worth watching and has become a cult film.
Can you think of anny other films that showcase Bowling?
