Want a Leg or a Breast?

 

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?

Grillin’ and Chillin’

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. 

Deaf and Mute

 

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.”

Who Won The Oscar 1936

 

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? 

An Angel

 

It was Mother’s Day this past Sunday and I was thinking about my mom and know she will always be my angel.

52 Christmas- Colour Challenge- Pink, Blue and Grey

Addicted to Stamps- Christmas 

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.

Hope everyone has a great week.

Who Should Have Won Best Actor-2003

 

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.” 

Would you choose another actor? Let me know.

Horse Racing Songs

 

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?

Spring is Coming..One Day

 

Addicted to Stamps- Make Your Mark

Simon Says-Make It Colourful-

Stamplorations- Anything Goes

Try It Tuesdays- Make Your Own Background

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.

52 Christmas Cards- Sketch 

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. 

Military Hospitals

 

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.

What Military hospital shows have you seen?

The Merry Month Of May!

 

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.”

What songs do you think of that sing bout May?

Star Of The Month-Beulah Bondi

 

BEULAH BONDI

BIRTH: May 3, 1888

DEATH: January 11, 1981

AGED: 92 Years

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.

FILMS

1. Make Way For Tomorrow-1937

2. It’s a Wonderful Life-1946

3. Penny Serenade-1941

4. The Snake Pit-1948

5. Mr. Smith Goes To Washington-1939

6. Watch On The Rhine-1943

7. Our Town-1940

8. Vivacious Lady-1938

9. The Southerner-1945

10. Trail of the Lonesome Pine-1936

Bowling..A True He-Man’s Sport

 

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?

Baseball

 

It’s that time again, time for Baseball season to begin. Whenever I think about baseball I can’t help but think bout my brother who loves baseball. I don’t men he loves baseball, I mean he LOVES baseball. He bought baseball cards from the time he was 5 years old and kept them! When many kids placed the cards in the spoke of the bicycle wheels to get that whirring sound, my brother was creating stats fields on paper and marking them down from the back of the cards. He started playing baseball in the late 60s and was forced to stop just last year. His knees gave out and had to give up playing, but on his terms. He had knee replacement surgery on his left knee in January and is recuperating nicely but it has not been easy. 

I’m dedicating this post to my beloved bro and would love to know his baseball song pics in the comments below. I’m going with 3 big baseball players who have had songs (and movies) made about them. Here are my 3 choices for this week’s theme from Monday Music Moves Me..

1. THE BABE(BABE RUTH) SUNG BY TERRY CASHMAN-1994

https://youtu.be/JQa8wMPyx9M?si=Vzz83yEO_-ZtnTr0

Yeah.... you have to go to youtube to play this. I couldnt find it via Blig...grrrr. Terry Cashman is a noted music producer but is also famous for the song, “Talkin’ Baseball” but I thought of some famous baseball players who must have had songs written about them. The great Babe Ruth came to mind and I found this song. I think Terry wrote in 1994, but I wonder if this song is actually earlier….

2. JOLTIN’ JOE SUNG BY BETTY BONNEY WITH THE LES BROWN ORCHESTRA-1941

Joe DiMaggio is another very famous Baseball player from the 1930s and early 40s who had a 56 game hitting streak. He is also famous for falling in love and marrying Marilyn Monroe. Even though they divorced, they started getting closer, again, shortly before her death and was devastated when she died. He made sure her funeral was perfect and he sent a red rose to her grave every day.

3. DID YOU SEE JACKIE ROBINSON HIT THAT BALL BY COUNT BASIE-1949

This song was written by Buddy Johnson and became a hit. Jackie Robinson is a noted baseball player who deserves the accolades of a player in the big leagues, but he is also known as the first man to break the colour barrier. This man deserves so much more for heroic times on and off the field dealing with the horrible racism that is ingrained in the U.S, especially the South. I  like this song and I wish it was as well known as the standard ones like, “Take Me Out To The Ball Game.”

Which songs do you think of when baseball season comes round.

Memorable Musical Numbers

 

Yesterday, I had the “Which song won the Oscar” and I have remembered to write the answer here! …Finally! So Three Coins In The Fountain”  won the Oscar…yuck. “the Man That Got Away” was nominated and “ When You’re In Love” from Seven Brides was not even nominated! This last musical won for best score so you would think it would have been  nominated for a best song, but, it wasn’t. When I think about “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers” I immediately thought of that gob-smacking barn dance sequence and it made me think of the musicals I love. I decided to think of musical numbers that just left me in awe of the dance  and chose the 3 that came into my head right away.

1. TOP HAT: THE CHEEK TO CHEEK NUMBER-1935

This is considered one of their best films from the very white Art Deco Venice to the great dance numbers culminating in this famous “Cheek To Cheek” number. Fred Astaire, along with his friend and choreographer partner, Hermes Pan, would work out all the dance moves. Enter Ginger who was taught all her dance moves by Hermes Pan before she and Fred would finally dance on screen. Fred was known as a perfectionist and a worrier about everything where his sister, Adele, and first dance partner,  called him “Moaning Minnie”. For this dance, Ginger had a certain look she wanted for her dress which included many feathers. Sadly, the dress started to shed the many feathers onto Astaire’s dapper top Hat and Tails. He wanted that dress gone and Ginger would not budge (Thank God) so the dress went back to the drawing board where each feather was individually sewed on. Thank heavens because this dress works in this highly charged, romantic scene.  In the end, Fred gave Ginger a new nickname, Feathers..lol. I was left in tears when I saw this dance number and have watched this number many times over the years. 

2. COVER GIRL:  THE ALTER EGO DANCE.-1944

This is a great musical that has gone under the radar today which should not happen to such a golden musical. It stars Gene Kelly, Rita Hayworth and Phil Silvers as 3 friends in Brooklyn. Gene owns a club and Rita is a chorus girl who loves Danny McGuire( Gene), but Gene is a bit blind to the fact that this stunningly beautiful, talented girlfriend is in love with him ( um..he must be blind…deaf and beyond stupid). Enter a dashing older man who is involved in Broadway, who sees Rita and is stunned because she is the spitting image of a girl he loved and almost married. It turns out, this was her grandmom, and he wishes to make her a star on Broadway. All that Gene has to do is say, “Stay with me!” but he does not want to stay in her way, so she leaves and becomes a star. What happens next? Well, you have to see the film. I loved how wonderful the 3 leads worked together but I was stunned by an amazing dance number Gene did…with himself. Danny is frustrated and not sure what to do with his girlfriend leaving. He ends up dancing with a ghostlike image of himself. There is no A.I., Kelly had to dance this number twice and the one was superimposed onto the other film. Kelly had to match his footwork, spins, twirls etc.. to the T. This was the first musical where Kelly was given the keys to do all his own choreography and it worked out beautifully. He and Stanley Donen, an oft collaborator, worked out the dance scenes. 

3. SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS: THE BARN RAISING DANCE-1954

I know I showcased this dance ( and the Cheek to Cheek #) before, but this just thrilled me when I first saw this dance number that brought in some acrobatic wowzers that left me wondering how can they do this!? When I rented it on VHS( remember this), I re-round the tape 3 times just to watch this number. This musical is based on the Rape of the Sabine Women, but much sweeter. Howard Keel is the oldest brother who all live up in the mountains. He comes to town for supplies and to find a wife and he finds her in the feisty cook, Jane Powell. She agrees to marry him and they venture back up to the mountains. Her dreams are dashed when she sees how horrible the cabin looks and how uncouth his 6 brothers are. She cleans everything up, including the brothers. They all go to a barn raising dance and they become enamoured with 6 girls who have suitors already. As winter encroaches, the love-stricken boys decide to steal the girls and bring them up to their mountain abode. They are successful, with an avalanche blocking them from going back to town and the townsfolk unable to get the girls back. The girls are not happy that they have been forcibly brought to the men’s home, but they soon realize that they are falling in love with the men. This is a dum rollicking musical with the dance sequences choreographed by Michael Kidd. The Barn raising sequence is a tour de force of dancing, strength and acrobatic feats done by the brothers. Tommy Rall, Marc Platt, Jacques D’Ambroise, and Russ Tamblyn played brothers and Julie Newmar, Virginia Gibson and Ruta Lee were the gals. You know Julie Newmar best as Catwoman from the TV show, “Batman”. Julie is in the purple dress just so you know. 

Which musical number wowed you when you first saw it. 

FYI- “ Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” from White Christmas; “ The High and the Mighty” from the movie with the same name and “ Hold My Hand” from Susan Slept Here were the other 3 nominated songs from 1944.

Which Song Won The Oscar-1954

 

As it goes onward, I keep forgetting to let you know which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which got 0 love. I will keep trying to remember to post, the next day, who won, etc… 1954 is at the height of many musicals before the decline of this major genre. Maybe the musical was already declining but I still like to think it was big back then. I'm joining Monday Music Moves Me  on Wednesday and hope you enjoy. Onwards to the 3 songs, let’s see if you guess which won, which was nominated and which ended up empty.

1. THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN SUNG BY FRANK SINATRA

I will be honest and say…I don’t like this song. I hate the way the tune starts up high before the singer takes the minor notes down…it just makes me cringe. This was written by Julie Stein with lyrics by Sammy Cahn who had a big hit since the majority of the people love this song which is why you can hear it still on other shows and movies( like Planes, Trains and Automobiles). This was sung by Frank Sinatra in the opening credits of the movie with the same name. It’s all about romance and this film is just that with the Trevi Fountain as the main focus in the film.

2. THE MAN THAT GOT AWAY SUNG BY JUDY GARLAND

This became a signature tune for Judy Garland, along with Over The Rainbow, which is from the film, “A Star Is Born.” This film is a remake from the same title from 1937, but done as a musical love note for Judy who should have won the best actress Oscar instead of Grace Kelly. Poor Judy was in the hospital, having just given birth to her son, Joey, surrounded by reporters, since everyone was expecting her to win. When Grace’s name was called, Judy said the reporters packed up so fast and left, she was feeling like very old news. This is one great song written by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Ira Gershwin that is one great torch song.

3. WHEN YOU’RE IN LOVE SUNG BY JANE POWELL AND HOWARD KEEL

This song, written by Gene de Paul with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, was the love song that united the characters played by Jane Powell and Howard Keel as she goes to her new home with her new husband. It’s a very sweet song that works so well with the soprano voice of Jane and the baritone voice of Keel. While they sing, his brothers really know how to dance and win the eyes and eventual hearts of 6 maidens during the Barn raising scene. This is a dance like no other with acrobatics, logs, boards and axes all part of the dance. That dance is a must see even if you never watch the film. 

So, can you guess which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which ended up empty? 

Ship Ahoy!

 

Over at Monday Music Moves Me, their theme was in dedication to Titanic that sank back on April 14, 1912. That made me think about all the Titanic films, then I went to movies involving ship disasters and finally, decided to just speak about movies that take place on a ship. I went with cruise ships and chose these 3 films…

1. ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS-1948

I now have TCM and you can tell I am loving it since my ass appears to be getting bigger. Anyways, I finally saw this film that introduces Doris Day in her first film and she does great job as a singer hired by Janis Paige to impersonate her on a cruise ship. Janis suspects that her husband is having an affair and remains in New York City to catch her husband in the act. Her husband, played by Don Defore, believes his wife is having an affair and hires a PI, played by Jack Carson, to watch over his wife. Yup, the perfect set-up for romance and, yup, Carson and Day meet up on the ship and fall in love with each believing the other is someone else. For good measure, throw in Oscar Levant for some ascerbic comedy and elegant piano playing. Doris sings her heart out and I love her fresh faced, but knowing character who you would never think would turn into a hoity-toity, business woman refusing Rock Hudson in later films. She and Carson have real chemistry( they had an affair while making this film) and she steals every scene.

2. SHIP OF FOOLS-1965

This is not a happy film with many people on this ship having to deal with death, imprisonment, loss of beauty, racism/anti-semitism and a German asshole and blowhard. Simone Signoret plays a Contessa going to jail, in Spain, for aiding the Rebel Cause and uprising in 1933 Cuba. She falls in love with the doctor, played so well by Oskar Werner, with a severe heart condition. George Segal and Elizabeth Ashley are lovers who are artists but George doesn’t take his gal’s artwork seriously. Vivien Leigh is the once beautiful socialite whose beauty is declining along with her pleasant manner who has great disdain for Lee Marvin, a British baseball player who has eyes for the Flamenco dancers. Then you have the disgusting idiot German, played to the hilt by Jose Ferrer who openly shows his racial hatred to the Jewish people and other undesirables. The undesirable in question is the dwarf, played by Michael Dunn, who is the center for everything going on in this ship. Dunn received an Oscar nomination for this role and I’m glad he did. This is an excellent film to see as a great character study all set on this ship.

3. VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED-1975

This is the true story of the over 900 Jewish passengers, on board the St. Louis cruise ship headed by the heroic Capt. Schroeder, played by Max Von Sydow, who desperately tries to save the lives of these Jewish people. They thought they were home free escaping the persecution of the Jews in 1939 Germany, but were not allowed into Cuba because their Visas are now considered invalid. The Captain  travels to Florida beseeching the American Government to take on the Jewish refugees but were turned away. When the captain wants to run the ship aground, the American ships follow the refugee ship out to opens waters. His next stop is Canada but, they are turned away as well. The Captain travels to England where, finally, a third of the passengers are taken by England with the rest taken in by the French and The Netherlands. You find out that, since the Nazis took over France and The Netherlands before being defeated in 1945, that of over the 900 Jewish people on that ship, over 600 were killed in the camps. This is a star-studded film headed by Faye Dunaway and Oskar Werner as wealthy, avant-Garde couple plus others who  are terrified for their future. James Mason, Orson Welles, Lee Grant plus so many others are on this ship with lives that we get to see. It is a film forgotten but one that should not be. It’s an excellent film that is tension filled with a splash of glamour but it is no Love Boat.

Any cruise ship movies you can think of?

Titanic Songs

 

Since I was a kid, I was enthralled by anything Titanic. I was hoping to meet any survivor and some were still around back in the 70s and even, 80s. I read books and watched any movie about it. The best film, ever made about the Titanic is, “ A Night To Remember” from 1958, which recounts what happened including the snobbery of the 1st Class ( the 1997 flick has superb special effects, but the story is stupid, it’s The LoveBoat Sinking). Over at Monday Music Moves Me, in honour of the people who lost their lives as well as survived this famous sinking, it’s about Icebergs, ships, Big Band Music etc… and I went with these 3 songs that were all part of the repertoire of the White Star Line. They were probably played during this voyage if, not in fact, while the ship was sinking, by this very brave band.

1. THE MERRY WIDOW WALTZ BY FRANZ LEHAR

This piece came from the very famous operetta The Merry Widow from 1905 which was a huge hit and continues to be to this day. A few songs made their way on to the White Star Line list of music to play during its voyage. The original play came from 1861 but it’s the operetta that became famous with a few movies based on this musical including a silent version starring Mae Murray and John Gilbert.

2. LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART FROM 1910

I think we all heard this song in one version or another  and was a huge hit from this early time with music by Leo Friedman and lyrics by Beth Slater. This was played  during the voyage either during the luncheons or before the fancy dinners. I like to think they played this since so many men were saying goodbye to their wives, lovers or girlfriends helping them into the lifeboats knowing they will never see each other again. It takes on a new meaning when one thinks of this scene.

3. SONGE  D’AUTOMNE BY ARCHIBALD JOYCE FROM 1908

Archibald Joyce  was quite the prolific writer in his heyday and many of his musical pieces were part of the White Star Line and were, more than likely, played on the Titanic. In fact, some of the survivors said this song “Dream Of Autumn”  was the last song played by the musicians instead of “Nearer My God To Thee”. I still believe that it is the latter that was last played, but this song is pretty.

Bonus…NEARER MY GOD TO THEE FROM FILM A NIGHT TO REMEMBER-1958

Best Actress Oscar for 1998

 

I think 1998 is very new and, yet, it is 28 years ago….wowzers! I remember this Oscars because I thought Gwyneth Paltrow’s dress was ugly. It was a pink that seemed to wash her out and her spaghetti straps seemed so low tht I thought her boobs were at her waist. Gwyneth won the Oscar for her turn as the love interest to Shakespeare played by Josef Fiennes, yes, Ralph Fiennes’s brother. I don’t mind the movie, “Shakespeare In Love” and find it quite funny but, you know, I don’t agree with the winner….

1. CATE BLANCHETT IN ELIZABETH

Cate Blanchett wowed me as the future Elizabeth 1st also known as The Virgin Queen. You see her go from a fun loving young woman to the Queen who loses her freedom by ruling one of the greatest nations (at that time) in the known world. She loves deeply and has great intelligence knowing how to keep the ones wanting her to fail, at arm’s length. She is the supreme ruler in a world dominated by men but she rises to the occasion. Cate kept me riveted in her multi layered role as this extremely pale monarch. To me, she deserved the Oscar hands down but I still need to see Fernanda Montenegro in the film, “Central Station” which many felt she should have won. 

2. GWYNETH PALTROW IN SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

Yup, this gal won the Oscar and , I do admit that Gwyneth is quite good in the role of a lady betrothed to a jerk ( played by Colin Firth) but wishes she could be an actor. The problem is that no self respecting woman would play…in a play. At this time, other men would play the female parts ( can you imagine some hairy guy playing Juliet?) but Gwyneth decides to play a boy so she can act but she does not expect to fall for the writer and star of the show, Joseph Fiennes. Joseph’s agent is played hilariously, by Geoffrey Rush⁸ and Ben Affleck is one of the actors and he does a pretty decent job, Judi Dench played the aging Elizabeth the 1st who won the Oscar for something like 8 minutes on the screen. This film was the big winner this year but it should have gone to other films and the Oscar for best actress should have gone to Cate.

3. JANE HORROCKS IN LITTLE VOICE

If I had seen “Central Station” I might change this blog post, but I am only going with films I have seen and this tiny gem was just a wonderful watch, it is biographical because Jane Horrocks can sing just like Judy Garland, Edith Piaf, you name it, she can sing just like them which makes the Michael Caine character see dollar signs. He plays a miserable prig who is dating her mother, also not the nicest person. The only person who seems to truly love her is the geeky guy, played by Ewan McGregor. I need to see this film again because I was quite enthralled by all the leads but no one was nominated.

Just so you know, the other nominees in this Oscar year are Fernanda Montenegro for Central Station, Meryl Streep for One True Thing and Emily Watson for Hilary and Jackie. 

Would you choose the same or pick someone else?

April…WTF!

 

The other day, when I got off the elevator to leave work, I saw…snow. Now, I like snow in November all the way through to end of February, but not now. After o said a few…words, I looked down at my phone for 5 seconds, I’m not kidding, and when I looked up, it was raining. I waited for my hubby to pick me up and when he came, 5 minutes later, it was sunny. That didn’t last long before it started to snow again. I surmise that the weather is psychotic and it means to screw us up. I thought of April and the songs written about it and had my own theme for Monday Music Moves Me. Oh, the calendar pussy cat is my Lexi

1. APRIL IN PORTUGAL SUNG BY JANE MORGAN-1953

I know the music well and always loved it but I did not know there were words to it. Bing Crosby does a nice version as well as Vic Damone, but I really like this version with the English lyrics written by Jimmy Kennedy. It was written by Raul Ferraro with lyrics by Jose Galhardo and made famous by the Portuguese singer Amalia Rodrigues. I just enjoyed listening to this song.

2. THE GIRL WITH APRIL IN HER EYES SUNG BY CHRIS DEBURGH-1978

Sorry Anabel:) I do love Chris DeBurgh and this song, from his album, “ Crusador”, just blew me away. I love the gentleness of this song and the fairy tale feel of it. 

3. I’LL REMEMBER APRIL SUNG BY JULIE LONDON-1956

The smouldering Julie London has an album called, “Calendar Girl” and she sang this song which was written by Gene De Paul with lyrics by Don Raye and Patricia Johnston. I had no idea this song made its debut in an Abbott & Costello film, “Ride’em Cowboy” from 1942. I know I heard the song since I watched this movie long ago but I don’t remember it but I like it. 

Here is Amalia’s version of of April in Portugal