Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Alfred Hitchcock 30-50% off? Yes please!

I really need to stay out of Barnes and Noble when they have things on sale. I was on my way home and was probably two blocks away from Barnes and Noble when I got an email from them talking about their great after holiday sales. Without hesitation I pulled in there and my wallet let out a little cry. 


I was in and the first thing I see is the book 'Marilyn Monroe: Intimate Exposures' by Bernard of Hollywood for 50% off. [Wound up getting it for $15.75, regular $35] Grabbed it without hesitation. I knew that this was going to be a great trip. I then headed up to my usual spot upstairs in the DVD section. Things only got better!

I am just browsing to see if they had anything new on sale and bam! Alfred Hitchcock on sale! Got the Limited Edition Alfred Hitchcock Essential Collection that I had been wanting, but didn't want to spend the $59.99 for it. The set includes Rear Window, Vertigo, North By Northwest, Psycho, and The Birds... and get this, it was only $31.49! Than I look to the left and there is one of those cheapie box sets with lesser known moves that usually sells for $9.99 that I got for $4.49. $4.49 for 20 of Hitchcock's films?! Yes sir! And finally I ran across Dial M For Murder for only $10! 

Some people need to drink or do drugs to get a high... all I need is to is walk out of that store with a bag full of Classic Hollywood goodies and I am one happy camper. As if all of the other stuff wasn't good enough, I ran across the book Lucille Ball Treasures and picked it up for $11.24!

Another great trip! $150 in merchandise for $75! Merry Christmas to me!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Put the blame on mame...

... and the holidays for my lack of updates. I work retail and the last couple of weeks have been so hectic! I have had many things planned, but couldnt get around to putting them together. Now that the holiday shopping season is over with, I will be updating with some new posts soon!


I do want to apologize to Backlots and Forever Classics for missing out on their wonderful blogathons. I really wanted to take part, but I just didn't have the time. Make sure you check out the Dueling Divas and Humphrey Bogart blogathons to read the other contributions!

I have been able to squeeze in some Classic Hollywood things into my life recently though! I have purchased or received the following: Rita Hayworth Film Collection ['You Excite Me' from Tonight and Every Night is awesome!], 'Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis', 'The Marilyn Monroe Treasures', and 'Judy: A Legendary Film Career'! The Judy book was a gift, but the other items I got for great prices! All three for $80! The Rita Hayworth Film Collection sells for $65 regular price by itself! I also was able to catch It's A Wonderful Life at the local theater! What a great film! I cried at least 4 times during it!

Well that is all for now... everyone have a great holiday!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Film | Gentlemen Prefer Blondes's Lost Musical Number

I am excited to say this will be the 100th post here on Blame Mame! I can't wait to write 1,000 more! I really am appreciative to the followers and other readers who make their daily stops by the blog. I love seeing your comments on the entries and over on the Blame Mame Facebook page!

If you weren't able to read between the lines through past posts, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is pretty much my favorite movie of all time! And with a cast that includes two of my top ladies (Marilyn Monroe & Jane Russell), musical numbers to die for, and stunning Travilla designed gowns... how could this film now be at the top of everyone's list?


Some of you may know this and some of you may not, but there was a musical number cut from the film before its theatrical release. Whenever I found this out I was so excited, but then I learned it may be lost forever. Most of the time the film that was cut from films literally was left 'on the cutting room floor.' How could there be a musical number from my favorite movie that I will never get to see?!?

I haven't been able to find out much about it, but I do know it was titled Four French Dances and would have been toward the end of the film when the girls make it to France. My best guess would be that it would have come right before the 'Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend' number because Lorelei and Dorothy can be scene in the costume when Mr. Esmund goes backstage to talk to the girls. From the productions stills stills I have seen, it looks like it would have been an amazing number. If you are interested, you can see a small clip from the scene in the film's trailer. Marilyn and Jane can be seen walking on a ladder. [around the 2.12 mark]



I also heard of another musical number that was cut from the film titled 'Down Boy'. I know the number was performed by Marilyn... possibly in the scene where she is dancing with Piggy in the gold lame gown on the ship. I think I read somewhere it was cut because the gown was too risque to be shown in theaters. I know I have heard the music from the number somewhere, but that was over 5 years ago and I cant find it again. If anyone knows where I can find the music, please let me know!

And as if that weren't enough, there is also a costume that was unused from this film that can be seen in wardrobe test for the film. The costume looks very revealing at first glance, but it is just another illusion by the master designer Travilla. I wonder when Marilyn would have worn it?


You can find more images from the Four French Dances number behind the cut...

Friday, December 16, 2011

Reel Life | Jean Harlow Collection

I have been wanting to get the Jean Harlow: 100th Anniversary Collection since came out in October. I was actually stalking the Warner Archive until the day it was released, and wouldn't you know I wasn't able to get it then? I then figured I should wait to get an awesome coupon from Barnes and Noble before I ordered it. I wound up getting the set for $39 with free shipping! It wasn't supposed to ship until December 29th, but it showed up a few days ago! I cant wait to dig into this box set of blonde and glamor!


So now that I have this set, it means I only need 6 more films to complete my Jean Harlow filmography! If you know where I can find the following, please let me know!

Red Dust (1932)
The Beast of the City (1932)
Three Wise Girls (1932)
Goldie (1931)
Iron Man (1931)
The Secret Six (1931)

One of these days I will finish my Jane Russell Filmography Project and I believe Jean Harlow will be my next subject. Anywho... the Top 10 Gowns list will be up this weekend!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Photo | Christmas Cheer With Liz

How about a little Christmas cheer with Elizabeth Taylor and an adorable kitten? I cant believe Christmas is only 11 days away! To get into the spirit of the season I will be watching Christmas In Connecticut (1945) and writing a review! I also want to do a post about what I would love to receive for Christmas... so please check back!


And in case you missed it, please stop by the last post and give your thoughts on the top gowns of Classic Hollywood!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Gowns! Do you have a favorite?

◄ Before you read this post... did you notice the new Christmas banner? Lovely isn't it?

So here I am again with another first on Blame Mame... a Top 10 list. I love doing things like this and this series is going to be started with my Top 10 Classic Hollywood Gowns. I love the fashions of Classic Hollywood sometimes as much as I love the movies and actors. Give me something designed by Adrian, Travilla or Edith Head and I am set! So before my list is revealed, I want to know know which gowns do you love? Please leave a comment here or over on the Blame Mame Facebook page!

Here are two gorgeous gowns that didn't quite make my top 10...


Saturday, December 10, 2011

Reel Life | Who, What, Where, When, Why #1

In the coming weeks I will be exploring my interest in the golden age of Hollywood in a new series I am calling Who What Where When Why. I will go through my introductions to old Hollywood, who influenced my interest, why it interest me, and what keeps me interested. I am often asked why this era in cinema history has become a big part of my life and I think this series will help me put into words what has always been hard to explain. Below is the answer to why I love this time period in Hollywood history so much. Make sure to check back for the other parts!



WHY?
They didn't call the Hollywood studio system the dream machine for nothing. Hollywood was a place where people went to make their dreams come true and produced a product that allowed the public to drift off into a dream world. You could escape the pressure of life and for a few hours sit in a darkened room watching the movie gods lure you into a a world very different from your own. The stars were larger than life and it was those stars that drew in the crowds my the theater full.


From Musicals to Film Noir, you were brought into a world that was fully created for your viewing pleasure. You could be dancing in top hat and tails with Fred Astaire or watch Joan Crawford go from shop girl to a wealthy socialite. There were beautiful movie sets, gorgeous costumes, and an overall feeling that everything would be okay in the end. That is one thing I love most about these films... most of them bring the story full circle and you don't leave the film not knowing what happened. In many of today's films the endings can be grim or vague, I prefer a conclusion with the end of my films.



Another thing I love about this time period is the fact that some of the biggest stars of the period, even today, were able to rise of the hard lives they were given and become movie stars that the world adored. While some stars had the obvious talent that made it easy to break into Hollywood, stars like Joan Crawford and Marilyn Monroe had to work hard to show they deserved their time in the spotlight. It is motivating to me to see someone go from nothing to being an icon on the silver screen. It makes you believe you can do anything you set your mind to.


I was reading an article shared by Movies Unlimited about how modern films just do not stand up against the classics of the golden age. Everything the author wrote touched on my feelings on the modern vs classic film debate. That period of time in film was like a phenomenon. It was a time where the right people came together to create this world of imagination we have all come to love. To create a world that would become a major part of my life. The person who wrote that article called classic Hollywood a passion and I don't know about anyone else, but that is my exact sentiment as well.

If you were to tell me in would never see another gory horror film or another romantic comedy starring Sarah Jessica Parker I probably wouldn't blink an eye. But tell me I would never see another Astaire/Rogers film or another Techinicolor musical like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and I would probably have a fit. Not probably... I would most definitely have a fit. I don't think the people in my life realize how important these movies and the world that went with them are to me..


Until you have enjoyed something like I do with Classic Hollywood it is hard to understand why it is something I like talking about or writing about or researching. It has become a way of life for me and that will never change. Give me a black and white movie or a Girshwin filled soundtrack and I am one happy clam.

Whenever I have been asked, why do you like old movies so much, it is sometimes hard to give a reason. If someone doesn't have a passion for something it isn't easy to explain a passion. It's the same case with football fans for me. I don't understand the fandom nor do I think I am capable of understanding. Classic Hollywood had imagination and a sense of mystic about it. Stars were created and their images were a commodity that was guarded by the studios. Unlike today's stars, you could look up at the icons on the silver screen and admire them for their talents and not their hardships in life. All I can say to those who ask why I love classic Hollywood is that I just do. The glamor, the music, the movies, the stars... That is why I love classic Hollywood.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Old Hollywood Headlines #3

Here Marlene and I are again with another addition of Old Hollywood Headlines! If you have seen an article or have a post you would like me to include in Old Hollywood Headlines, feel free to email me at blamemameblog[at]gmail.com.


Blame Mame

001. Earlier this week, Blame Mame did its first interactive post when the 'Guess the Starlet' game was introduced on the blog and on the Blame Mame Facebook page. Being new to the Classic Film Blog Community, I'm never too sure if anyone is interested in what I have to say, so I was really excited to see that 7 people took a guess at the mystery lady! I can't wait for the next little game!


Blogosphere

001. Ever wonder what makes a film a 'classic'? Is it content, is it the stars or is it just because it was made during a certain time period? Classic Film and TV Cafe explore this topic with their first annual Classic Film Survey.

002. Rianna over at Frankly, My Dear talks about how Hollywood jumped in to the  war effort after the bombing of Pearl Harbor... everyone from Bette Davis to Clark Gable did their share! Read about it here.

003. The Silver Screen Affair added to my need to see the Katharine Hepburn film Alice Adams, with their delightful review of the film.

004. Did you know Judy Garland and Marlene Dietrich were good friends? Well I didn't, but thanks to Backlots new post Judy on Marlene... I have learned something I hadn't known before!

005. Mandy over at Time Machine To The Twenties did an article on the superstitions on some of Classic Hollywood's biggest stars... Bette Davis and Mae West didn't like whistling in their dressing room. Who knew?


Reel Life

001. I do have my laptop back now and more free time than before, so I hope to start writing more on Blame Mame. Many of my posts have been film reviews, but I plan on getting back into writing my original articles (such as Jane Russell Sings! and Bette Davis: The Singer) and diving more into the people behind the magic of Hollywood (such as Kay Thompson). Remember to keep up-to-date with Blame Mame, like us on Facebook or follow the blog on Blogger... that way we show up on your Feeds!

002. If you have been keeping up with the blog, you can tell I have been writing quite a bit about the blonde bombshells of old Hollywood, and it doesn't look like that is going to stop anytime soon! Today I finally ordered my Jean Harlow: 100th Anniversary Collection DVD box set! I had been waiting to get a good membership coupon from Barnes and Noble to buy it and today I got a 25% off savings! Im pretty sure there will be a bigger coupon before Christmas, but I couldn't wait anymore! I got the set for only $39 with free shipping, but it wont be shipping until December 29th. I can't wait for it to come... Jean Harlow film fest anyone?

003. I also need to get back on track with the forgotten Filmography Project. I still have many Jane Russell films to see! If you don't know what I am talking about... check it out here.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Jayne Mansfield Makes It!

I guess you could say I have been on a blonde bombshell kick lately. I've been enjoying the likes of Marilyn Monroe and the lovely Jayne Mansfield. There is something about the style of these 50's blonde actresses. Although I have only seen Jayne Mansfield in one film, she is grown to be one of my favorite actresses of the Golden Era of Hollywood. With a film like The Girl Can't Help It, she doesn't need any others to qualify in my book. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't love to see more of her films.



Something I have recently rediscovered is Jayne's hip, swinging tune That Makes It from the 1966 film Las Vegas Hillbillies. In the song Jayne coos about the type of man she wants and the type that 'makes it' happen for her. She wants a man with dark hair that moves and grooves. 

In the video Jayne is seen twisting and swaying her hips to this groovy track, while she talks on the phone. The look on her face says she is a girl who knows what she wants and wont except anything else...

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Game | Guess The Starlet [Starlet Revealed]

Not only did I post this here on the blog, I also listed it on the Blame Mame Facebook page, and got quite a few answers. I do want to thank everyone who gave an answer, it is nice to know people are reading!

So without further adieu, here is that future star from the previous post...

It's Marilyn Monroe!


It's pretty amazing how a persona and hair change can make such a big difference!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Game | Guess The Starlet

A little something different, thought I would try a more interactive post. Hopefully you guys like it!


Do you know who this future icon is? She may look different here, but you can see the sparkle that made her so special. These photos are of the same person, just a few years apart. Leave your guesses in the comment section.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Photos | Rita In Color


To me there is nothing better than a color photo of Rita Hayworth. Now do not get me wrong, even in black and white Rita's inner light shines through, but in color you cant help but love her. I know she was known as the Love Goddess and was one of the top pin-ups in the 1940's, but she is too sweet to be sexy. Her smile could light up anyone's dark moments and let's not even start with her ability to captivate you while she dances... here are a few of my favorite color photos of Rita.