Princess Beatrix (Jessie Royce Landis) is barely holding on to her royal title. She and her family have been exiled, but are desperate to win back favor through the current ruling family, headed up by Queen Maria Dominika (Agnes Moorehead). Queen Maria Dominika's son, Prince Albert (Alec Guinness), is planning to visit Beatrix's family, and … Continue reading The Swan (1956)
Professors Charles Osman (Marc Connelly) and Leon Sullivan (Ray Walston) don't know what's about to hit them at the beginning of a new semester at Custer College. That "what" is a new student, June Ryder (Jane Fonda), who mows the men down on her bicycle on her first day on campus. As fate would have … Continue reading Tall Story (1960)
Emily Kilbourne (Billie Burke) is a society lady with a spirited family. The Kilbournes have a lot of fun together, but one thing threatens to come between them: Emily's penchant for taking in drifters and ex-cons to work on the house staff. Just after having the family's silver stolen by the latest of Emily's "adoptees," … Continue reading Merrily We Live (1938)
The favorite film: Mr. and Mrs. Smith, a screwball comedy from the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock The synopsis: Ann and David Smith are a happily married couple living in New York City... but they have their share of fights. Fights that tend to last for up to eight days. Still, each time, they reconcile... … Continue reading Favorite things about… Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)
Larry Martin (Don Ameche) is an American in Rio, an entertainer performing at a casino with his girlfriend Carmen (Carmen Miranda). Part of Larry's show involves a skit poking fun at well-known womanizer Baron Manuel Duarte (also played by Ameche). When the Baron and his wife Cecilia (Alice Faye) attend the show, they're surprised to … Continue reading That Night in Rio (1941)
Did you know... ...that more women worked in the film industry in its first two decades than at any time since? ...that women created some of the first narrative films ever made? ...that in 1916, the highest-paid director in Hollywood was a woman? Today I'm excited to be one of several bloggers co-hosting a giveaway … Continue reading Early Women Filmmakers: Fun facts and Blu-ray/DVD Giveaway!
I never hear anyone talk about the remake of Out of the Past, probably because Out of the Past is practically sacred territory among classic film buffs. The 1947 noir is a film that I, personally, adore. Everything about it is great: the photography, the dialogue, the performances, the drama, the chemistry! It's a well-made film … Continue reading Remaking the Classics: Out of the Past (1947) and Against All Odds (1984)
In a boarding house specifically serving the budding stars of the stage, showgirl Dee (Alice White) lives with two of her best friends. Also rooming there is Billy (Charles Delaney), Dee's newly-minted fiance. Dee and Billy seem to have a happy future ahead. He runs the show she's in, and both are sure they're set … Continue reading Broadway Babies (1929)
Margot Weston (Barbara Stanwyck) is waiting for her fiance in the park, where they plan to meet up and head to the courthouse to wed. Though she makes small talk with another waiting bride about the prospect of being stood up, Margot is sure her man will arrive any minute. They're truly in love. But fate … Continue reading Always Goodbye (1938)
Malcolm Niles (Robert Montgomery) is a New York writer who should have no problem drawing inspiration from life, thanks to his latest romantic troubles. Excited for a romance with actress Vivian Herford (Claire Dodd), the fire is extinguished when Vivian's mother (Cora Witherspoon) shows up and immediately starts talking about weddings. Malcolm has no interest … Continue reading Three Loves Has Nancy (1938)
