Two weeks ago, I had announced that I was going to have a contest and the winner was going to win Icons of Screwball DVD, that features four great comedies including "Too Many Husbands" and "My Sister Eileen". What you had to do in order to enter into the contest, was to write an entry about which film you would have liked to be and then email me the entry. After many entries, today I had to choose who the winner was. It was like choosing who my favorite kid(and I don't even have kids!) was, seriously it was hard! If I ever do another contest, I'm going to make sure it's a lot less painful. Haha Anywho, for me it really boiled down to two people- Millie and Kate. Though the other entries were good, none could compare to Millie's humor or Kate's eloquent entry. So I had to choose between the two and it took me a while but the winner of my contest is......................
KATE GABRIELLE!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats to Kate and also AMAZING job to Millie. I really loved everyone's and if I could I would send a movie to you all.
So I will be emailing the winner to verify if I have her correct address and she will receive her movies in the mail soon. Thanks to all of those who participated!!!
I will be posting the next post of my fashion series either tomorrow or on Friday, it all depends on how the day goes but hopefully tomorrow.
Before I even begin writing about the films that I saw last week, I just wanted to remind you all that today IS the last day for my contest, so please be sure to get your entries in before 11:59pm tonight.
A typical week I usually see about 2-4 movies but last week I saw more than usual. So in this post, I'm including what films I saw and mini review on them, just to give you my point of view on the film and what I liked and disliked about the film. I'm also including in here, some actors and actresses that I've newly discovered and I'm very eager to see more of their films.
WARNING: Some Spoilers May Be Revealed About The Films!!!
Cinderella Jones(1946) Starring Joan Leslie, Robert Alda, and William Prince Directed By Busby Berkeley
The film is about a young woman finding out that she will inherit a ton of money only though if she marries a man with a high I.Q. Unfortunately for Joan Leslie's character, she isn't all that bright and often doesn't realize what is right in front of her. It's hard to believe that this was directed by Berkeley because the style of it, is completely different from his other films. I know that a lot of people will disagree with me, but I actually liked the movie. It was a light-hearted film that you didn't need to overly think about. It was a generally cute movie and I would probably end up watching it again. The ending is kind of all over the place but overall I enjoyed it.
Margie(1946) starring Jeanne Crain, Glenn Langan, and Alan Young Directed by Henry King
The film is about a young girl who in the film is seen as an awkward and shy girl. Her awkwardness often makes her the butt of the joke and some of her supposed friends are only pretending to be nice to her face, only to say something rude behind her back. Throughout the film though, Margie looses the awkwardness that held her back and she soon becomes a mature teen with a few minor steps in between. The film was pretty good but I had quite a problem with how the french teacher behaved in some of the scenes. If I had seen a teacher acting like that, I would certainly be worried. I adored the scenery, costumes, and music that were included in the film. It certainly gave you the feeling you were in the 1920's.
High Sierra(1941)starring Ida Lupino, Humphrey Bogart, and Joan Leslie Directed by Raoul Walsh
The film is about an convict who was just released from prison and is planning on one more heist at a hotel. Two men that are going to be involved in the heist, have a woman tagging along and that it seems that the convict isn't too happy about her but as the film progresses, he grows to like her and eventually he does love her. When things go wrong with the heist, Roy Earle(the convict) is forced to run away, in hopes of not getting caught. I was genuinely surprised but I really loved this movie. As much as I loved Humphrey in this film, it was really Ida Lupino who did it for me. She was absolutely excellent and she played the character of Marie so well.
In This Our Life(1942)starring Bette Davis, Olivia De Havilland, George Brent, and Dennis Morgan
Directed by John Huston
The film is about two sisters, Stanley and Roy Timberlake and the drama that seems to follow them around. Not far from getting married, Stanley dumps her fiancee and runs off with her sister's husband. After picking herself up after loosing her husband, Roy begins a relationship with her sister's ex-fiancee Craig and they gradually fall for one another. On the other hand, no such happiness seems to be happening for Stanley and her new husband and Roy's ex-husband Peter. They constantly fight and one day, Peter can't handle the relationship any longer and he ends up killing himself. A lot more chaos and drama ensues within the film, which makes it even more interesting to see each actor in that type of intensity. The only thing I wish I had seen more of was of Peter(Dennis Morgan), I really wish his character would have taken a different route but I thought he did an excellent job in playing a drunkard.
Angels With Dirty Faces(1938)starring James Cagney, Pat O' Brien, Humphrey Bogart, and Ann Sheridan
Directed by Michael Curtiz
The film is about a man who is constantly in trouble ever since he was a teen. As he gets older, his troublesome ways become worse than before. A former childhood friend and pastor tries to help his former friend but when a rift comes between the two, it becomes difficult for the two to try again until the end of the movie. Out of all the gangster films, that I've seen with Cagney I think that this was alright. I much more prefer him in The Roaring Twenties or Public Enemy. Even though his role in the movie was rather small, I liked Humphrey's portrayal of the character.
A Letter To Three Wives(1949) starring Jeanne Crain, Ann Southern, Linda Darnell, Kirk Douglas, Paul Douglas(no relation), and Jeffrey Lynn
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
The film is about three women who receive a letter from a friend saying that she has left town with one of their husbands. The film shows each woman questioning whether or not, it's their husband through flashbacks. I was quite disappointed to find out that Jeffrey Lynn didn't have much screen time because I certainly would have loved to have figured out what type of person he was. I did enjoy Kirk Douglas' character the most. Overall though, I felt I gave the film too much hype, when it was an alright film.
The Petrified Forest(1936) starring Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, and Dick Foran
Directed by Archie Mayo
The film is about a traveller who stops at a diner in the middle of a desert. There he meets a waitress, who has dreams of leaving, and going to France in hopes of finding her true dreams. As the traveller is in the midst of leaving, gangsters stop the car, he's in and tells him and the passengers to get out. The traveller then walks all the way back to the diner, to warn the waitress but it's too late and he finds out that the gangsters are already there. Seriously the best part of the film was Leslie Howard's character Allan Squier, he portrayed a character that was filled with intellect and sarcasm. I've never seen a character quite like him before. Of course I very much enjoyed watching Bette, Humphrey, and Dick.
Now onto to the actors!
Joan Leslie
I had seen movies of hers before but I never really paid all that much attention to her until I saw "Cinderella Jones" and "High Sierra". I love that she can play two completely different roles and do them so greatly. I can't wait to see more of her movies.
Ida Lupino
Just the same with Joan, I had seen other movies with Ida but my attention was usually on someone else. Last week though, I was completely entranced with her performance in "High Sierra". The minute she arrives on the screen, you know you are in for a treat with how she plays the character. Absolutely wonderful to watch.
Humphrey Bogart
I've seen several movies of Humphrey's but I never really appreciated him before until now, he was an absolute genius in the films that I'd seen last week. When I first saw him in "Casablanca'', I couldn't stand him. I immediately wrote him off as this actor who expresses himself the same exact way, in each of his films. I can gladly say, that this has changed since. From playing a gangster, you are able to see this grittiness and horror that he portrays so well within his characters. You can see it in his eyes and his movements and he does it so good. I've just become a die-hard Humphrey Bogart and really am excited to see more of his movies.
I know that I've seen these actors before in other movies, but it's like I'm reintroduced to them again. I'm getting a chance to see them again with a different perspective and that's what makes it so interesting.
So sorry for not posting this on Wednesday but it was my younger brothers' 14th birthday and I spent the whole day doing things with them. Then on Thursday, I was planning on posting this but things turned out differently than expected.
It became more popular to wear pants in the 1950's and very quickly, women everywhere were seen wearing pants. Pants were comfortable and you could dress up with them or you could dress down with them. Pants have become so popular today, that it is rarely seen where women are wearing skirts and dresses anymore. Times change but at least, we have pictures to look at in awe at right? Let's see some pants shall we, but before you see some pics, I have to let you know that there aren't as many pics in this post because quite frankly it was quite difficult to find women wearing pants, so I grabbed what I could find. Also on the 27th, it will be the last day to enter into my contest, please do enter, I would love to read what you have to say, even if you don't get to win. Let's go on with the pants shall we!
Zsa Zsa Gabor
Sandra Dee
Judy Garland
Betty Field
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Virginia Mayo
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth
Lucille Ball
Ann Margret
Out of the ones posted, which is your favorite???
And for next week, what would you like to see? Men in Suits?? 60's Styles?? 50's Styles?? 40's Styles?? 30's Styles?? 20's Styles??? Sunglasses?? Whichever gets the most votes, will be up next week. Remember if you find pics that you would like on here, you can just send them to me and I will put them on here. Ta-Ta for Now :)
The first movie that completely captivated me to watch old movies was the 1955 classic "Rebel Without A Cause". Before even seeing any of James Dean's films, I was already a fan. I couldn't explain it then but I think what it was about James, was that he was able to make such a huge career in such a little amount of time. What was also so impressive was that each film of his, was applauded by critics and fans alike. To make such an impact in the entertainment world, in such a short time and with an even shorter career, James Dean instantly impressed me.
When I did first see "Rebel Without A Cause", I tried and tried my hardest in watching but with my Dad and brother interrupting and talking about how "fat" he was, I decided to wait. Right then I could tell, they weren't going to be watching old movies with me anytime soon and it's been like that ever since.
With my second attempt, I sat and watched not only James Dean's greatest performance ever but just how huge an impact it had made with teens in the 1950's. No longer were teens going to be seen as only bobbysoxers, but now they had a different identity and perspective thanks to JD. They were able to show a new side to their parents, teachers, and any adult who tried to step in their way. In the film, James can't tolerate the way his Father acts and in fact shows his father his anger by pushing him and telling him to man up instead of his Mother constantly bullying him. The madness that James' character feels towards his Father(played by Jim Backus) is so interesting to watch and I can't ever seem to take my eyes off of the scenes between the two. He hates to see his father in that kind of state and he wants to see him to stand up and show that he's not afraid of his mother.
What is so fascinating about the relationship between James Dean's character Jim and his father Frank Stark is that in real life James could not communicate with his father at all. Their views were different from one another and when James' Mother passed away, James' Father couldn't take the pressure of raising a son on his own and so James lived with his Aunt and Uncle. Towards the end of his life, James tried to work on his relationship with his Father but unfortunately it was too late. Even though it would have taken a much longer time for them to fix the broken relationship, in time I think the two would have found a middle ground, where they could get along with each other.
Anyway back to Rebel, one of my absolute favorite things in the film, is the relationship between Natalie Wood's Judy, James Dean's Jim Stark, and Sal Mineo's Plato. Without either or both parents in the picture, the three find solace with each other. Plato looks to Jim and Judy as if they are his new parents, always trying to seek approval from Jim and trying to show that he and Jim have a tight-knit relationship with Judy. If these three weren't cast, I really don't think the film would have been as good as it was. The three of them play their roles to perfection and they give you the belief that they are teens who are lost within themselves and their only happiness is with one another.
A little bio on James Dean for you-
James Dean was born on February 8th 1931 to parents Winton and Mildred Dean in Marion, Indiana. At the age of 9, James' Mother passed away and it was now up to his Father to take care of him. Unable to care for his young son, James went and lived with his Uncle and Aunt. Throughout High School, James was in several school plays and after quitting college, he went full time into the profession.
James spent much time in New York and met several people that would later become his friends such as Leonard Rosenman and Martin Landau. While in New York, James dated dancer, Liz Sheridan who would later pen a novel accounting their love relationship. Though he had dated the dancer, James had found love with actress Pier Angeli, while working on "East of Eden'', and she was working on another film. The two met and had quite tempestuous love affair until out of nowhere, Pier married singer Vic Damone(Pier's Mother was against the fact that James wasn't Catholic). In the 1970's, Pier killed herself and in her suicide note, said that James Dean was her one and only true love.
While doing the play, "The Immortalist", he was spotted by Elia Kazan who then cast him in the amazing 1954 film "East of Eden". With the film, James got instant fame and went onto make "Rebel Without A Cause" starring alongside Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo. After the success of both films, James then made what would be his last film "Giant", in which he starred with Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson.
During the day of September 30th 1955, while going to a racing event(One of James' favorite things to do was to race cars and he often won awards), James Dean was pulled over for speeding and received a ticket. Two hours later after the ticket, James Dean was killed instantly in his Porshe. It was discovered years later, that James was not in fact speeding when he was killed but it was the other driver who unable to see the car because of the sun, had accidentally killed the young actor.
Just weeks before his death, James had made a commercial about driving safely, unfortunately that was the way he died. James Dean died at the tender age of 24 and will forever be immortalized in his films. RIP James Dean 1931-1955
Last week I asked you what you would like next for my fashion blog posts and it was tied between Women's Hats and Women in Pants(My Mom voted on hats). So I had to split the tie and I decided that this week will be hats and then next week will be pants. Also included in this post are hair wraps and several other things women liked to put on their head. In today's society, you rarely see a woman wear a hat anymore unless they are going to a wedding or something like that. The entire blog post is on hats and quite frankly I wish they would come back in style. Well now time for some pictures of some lovely + drop dead gorgeous hats and some that may be quite bizarre looking as well. Enjoy!
Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman
Gene Tierney
Gene Tierney
Gene Tierney
Vivien Leigh
Vivien Leigh
Vilma Banky
Una Merkel
Tuesday Weld
Theda Bara
Theda Bara
Sylvia Sidney
Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren
Shirley Maclaine
Ruby Keeler
Rosalind Russell
Paulette Goddard
Olivia De Havilland
Natalie Wood(How cute is her outfit?)
Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood
Myrna Loy
Myrna Loy
Myrna Loy
Model: Unknown
Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marie Dressler
Margaret Hamilton
Loretta Young
Linda Darnell
Linda Darnell(What a huge hat!)
Linda Darnell
Leslie Caron
Leslie Caron
Lana Turner
Lana Turner
Kay Francis
Model: Unknown
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Judy Holliday
Judy Garland
Judy Garland
Judy Garland
Joan Fontaine
Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford
Joan Blondell
Joan Bennett
Joan Bennett
Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow
Jean Ackerman
Jean Ackerman
Janet Leigh
Jane Greer
Irene Dunne
Ida Lupino
Greta Garbo and her most famous hat
Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly
Gloria Swanson
Gloria Swanson
Glenda Farrell
Fay Wray
Fay Wray
Dolores Del Rio
Dolores Del Rio
Dolores Costello
Deanna Durbin
Cyd Charisse
Claudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert
Carole Lombard
Carole Lombard
Brigitte Bardot
Betty Grable
Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Bernice Ackerman
Bebe Daniels
Ava Gardner(I love that her hat matches her shirt)
Ava Gardner
Ava Gardner
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Tallulah Bankhead
Tallulah Bankhead
Tallulah Bankhead
Ann-Margret
Julie Andrews
Next week I'll post Women in Pants Blog Post, so be on the look out for that. As for this blog post, which of the hats was your favorite?
