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Reel Life | Who, What, Where, When, Why #2

So here I am again with my second part of the Who What Where When Why series. A few weeks ago I wrote about 'why' I love Classic Hollywood, this time I am going to explain how it started with 'what where and when.' While it is true my passion didn't develop until my late teen years, my interest was peaked at an early age.

As a young'n I would spend my days at my grandma's house while my parents were working. I would wake up  from naps to find the television screen had lost all of it's color and my grandma would laugh at me when I would ask what was wrong with it. She would explain that before there were colored televisions and cordless phones that people actually had to go out to the theaters to see movies. I was amazed and had to learn more about this medium from an 'ancient' time. We would sit there on that old orange sofa, I would be eating my silver dollar sized pancakes, and we would watch all of these different films. Some were full of music I would listen to and some made me laugh so hard I couldn't breathe. Without knowing it, my grandma was imprinting my brain with these wonderful films and stars. And then came the day she introduced me to I Love Lucy. I was officially hooked. My favorite episode was the one where Lucy mimics Carmen Miranda. I still bust out laughing if I watch that scene. Ma Ma Ma Yo Quero!

Then came the time when my parents divorced and I wound up living with my other grandma in northern Indiana. I spent a lot of my time there alone exploring the little town and the surrounding wooded area. My grandma had a room I wasn't allowed to go in, but I would often sneak in there to see what the big deal was. It was a pretty large room with wall to wall glass cases full of porcelain dolls. You could find every type of doll in that room, but the ones that caught my eye were in a case toward the back left of the room. There was a glamorous blonde in a pink dress, a funny looking red head with a mixing bowl wearing a black and white polka dot dress (I recognized her right away), and a handsome guy wearing a red-leather jacket with blue jeans. They were so different from the other dolls on display. They were cool, they were glamorous, they had so much personality. I would often pretend to be hanging out with them when I was out on my many adventures. I think it goes without saying that my imagination had no boundaries. I would later find out what the beautiful blonde was Marilyn Monroe, the funny lady was Lucille Ball, and the rebel was James Dean.

Years later that Marilyn Monroe doll was given to me and sat in my room for many years. The house where I lived in Indiana had caught fire and the doll was one of the only things to survive, without an arm, but she survived. It is funny how that doll made it's way into my life because if it hadn't been for it, I probably wouldn't have grown so fond of Old Hollywood.

Of course with age, those television sittings with my grandma and the imaginary friends would become a thing of the past and I would spend most of my time being a young teenager. It wasn't until a few days before my 7th grade Social Studies project was due that I was thrust back into the magical world of the Golden Age of Hollywood. I was sitting in my room racking my brain for an idea for my project when my eyes came across that Marilyn Monroe doll. A light bulb went off. If she was important enough to have a doll made of her, she must be interesting enough to do a project on. And there I went... printing pictures, learning about this fabulous woman, and sinking deeper into a love of the days when stars were so glam. That project would go on to win 3rd place, thank you very much. Ha.

After that project was over with, I made it my mission to see all of Marilyn's films. It was from this mission I was introduced to so many of my favorite Old Hollywood stars. Stars like Jane Russell, Bette Davis, Cary Grant, and Barbara Stanwyck. It was like a domino effect. I would watch one movie and it would lead to me loving another star and then another and then another! Before I knew it I had a long list of wonderful stars to learn about. From these discoveries I was introduced to three of my all-time favorite: Jean Harlow, Rita Hayworth, and Joan Crawford.

I will be forever grateful to both of my grandmas for helping me see into the past and discovering this wonderful time in cinema history.

And so there you have it... What Where When.

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!

Film | Dance, Girl, Dance (1940)

Sitting down to watch Dance, Girl Dance, I wasn't sure what I was in for. All I knew was that it was about the ups and downs of a group of ladies trying to make a living with their dancing skills. It turned out to be quite a good film. I enjoyed the dynamic between O'Hara and Ball's characters. The two were complete opposites, but still understood each other despite the back handing that happened.

Dance, Girl, Dance (1940)

"Heartbreak Behind Gayety of a Girly-Girl Show! "

THE PLAYERS:
Maureen O'Hara as Judy O'Brien
Louis Hayward as James 'Jimmy' Harris Jr.
Lucille Ball as Bubbles/Tiger Lily White
Virginia Field as Elinor Harris
Ralph Bellamy as Steve Adams

THE STORY:
Aspiring ballerina Judy O'Brien (Maureen O'Hara) dances with a struggling but respected company. Shortly after a fellow dancer, the man-hungry Bubbles (Lucille Ball), quits, the troupe disbands. Bubbles hires Judy for her new burlesque show, but their act may be torn apart when they both fall for Lothario Jimmy Harris (Louis Hayward) [Netflix]

 

MY THOUGHTS:
As I looked this film up online after watching it, I learned that it was directed by Dorothy Arzner. Arzner was one of the very few female directors in the studio system. She would also direct such films as the Katharine Hepburn film Christopher Strong (1933) and the Joan Crawford film The Bride Wore Red (1937). Arzner was brought in after shooting started because the original director quit due to a lack of story in the film. Dorothy had to redo the entire film and it was she who brought in the art vs commercial aspect between Ball and O'Hara.

With it's mix of backstage drama, romance, and rivalry the film was hard to market to the masses. Upon its release the film lost over $400,000 for RKO because it was universally panned by critics and audiences. Luckily the film has grown into favor over the years, as one of the earliest influences on the feminist movement. In 2007, the picture was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

Here we find Lucille Ball in her first starring role as the vivacious dancer Bubbles. While her character is setup to be beautiful, glamorous, and has all the men chasing after her, Ball is able to convey the inner insecurity that lies just below the surface. It is the insecurity that makes Bubbles want everything that all of her friends have, even if it is a man. Ball changed her auburn hair to blonde and spent quite a bit of time in New York burlesque shows preparing for this role. Which is probably why the able to do such a good job at the hula.

The other major player in this film was Maureen O'Hara who plays ballet loving Judy. After losing her mentor to a tragic accident Judy also loses her will to better her dancing. With her dreams dashed she even accepts the job of Bubbles' stooge. But toward the end of the film, she builds enough self-esteem to let those peeping toms who go to the burlesque know what they really are. Maureen delivers a speech those almost seems to be directed at the movie audience. It sorts of pokes at the industries exploitation of women to make a buck.

A great film, that is worth seeing again and again. If you want a taste of of this film is all about, look up Ball's hula on YouTube. In this clip you see the Bubbles out do Judy by using her bumps and grinds to win the job they are dancing for, while the quiet Judy watches on.

Film | The Big Street (1942)

THE BIG STREET (1942)

"Damon Runyon's thrill-packed story of Broadway . . . 

as only he could tell it !"

THE PLAYERS:
Henry Fonda - Agustus 'Little Pinks' Pinkerton, II
Lucille Ball - Gloria Lyons
Barton MacLane - Case Ables
Eugene Pallette - Nicely Nicely Johnson
Agnes Moorehead - Violette Shumberg

THE STORY:
Shy busboy "Little Pinks" (Henry Fonda) has a crush on haughty nightclub chanteuse Gloria (Lucille Ball), who doesn't even know he exists. When her jealous boyfriend (Barton MacLane) pushes her down the stairs, Gloria is crippled for life. Pinks takes care of the ungrateful star, paying her bills and sending anonymous bouquets, all in hopes of making her his. [Netflix]

 

MY THOUGHTS:

When I picked up the Lucille Ball Film Collection at Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago, I was most excited to see The Big Street. I had heard it was her personal favorite film role, even though shooting had not been all that much fun for her. From what I've read, her director (Irving Reis) was a novice, ex-boyfriend Henry Fonda was cold and unhelpful, and on top of that a jealous Desi Arnaz hung around the set to make sure nothing happened between Fonda and Ball.

The role of the hard edged Gloria Lyons was originally intended for Carole Lombard. Lombard felt she could not be cold enough to properly play the role and suggested her friend Lucille Ball for the part. Only being a B picture star, RKO wasn't sure Ball was a big enough star to carry the film. Having Henry Fonda on loan from 20th Century Fox, they went ahead with the film that went on to win rave reviews from the critics. When Carole Lombard died in a plan crash in 1942, it made Lucille want to prove herself as an actor in the role her close friend suggested her for. She even went to friend Charles Laughton who told her "Don't soften it, if you play a bitch, play it!"... and play it she did.

Having only seen Lucille in Stage Door and on I Love Lucy, this was the perfect introduction to Ball's earlier works. She plays the part with what seems like such ease. Her acting was perfect in this role. In the beginning she was hard and almost unlikeable. It made you ask yourself what, Henry Fonda's character was so in love with. Later in the film you start to see that ice around her heart melt. Even when she is trying to be brave and hard-headed, Lucille Ball was able to use her eyes to show her vulnerability. I would have never guessed she would be such a great dramatic actress.

Henry Fonda is always a pleasure to watch. He plays Little Pinks so elegantly. His portrayal of this head-over-heels in love man with such a huge generous heart was spot on. His soft voice and innocent face add to the facade that he would do anything to help Gloria. I really felt for him when he finally gains her love and then loses it at the same instant.

I felt this was a great film with both of its leading stars delivering solid performances.

Reel Life | DVD Shopping

I was out on one of my usual [I do have a problem with buying too many movies] DVD purchasing adventures at Barnes and Noble, when I came across a DVD set I didn't even know existed... The Lucille Ball Film Collection. Well I did know it existed, but had forgotten about it. Back when I had seen it before, I didn't have the interest in Lucille Ball's films. After taking part in the Loving Lucy Blogathon in August, I had renewed interest in the funny lady's filmography. With all the talk of her films, I needed to see them!

I was happy to see all the films I wanted to see were in this set: The Big Street, Dance Girl Dance, Du Barry Was A Lady, and Mame. And as an added bonus, there is Critic's Choice with Bob Hope, a film I hadn't heard about. I really look forward to watching all of these. I was a little angry to find Amazon.com had the same set listed for $20 less than I paid in the store, but sometimes I like the satisfaction of having it with me when I get home.

Another DVD I was excited to find that I hadn't seen there before was Barbara Stanwyck's The Lady Eve. That excitement was short lived when I seen the $39.99 price tag. Why was it so much? It was apart of The Criterion Collection. I have never bought a film from this set, so I am a little confused as to why it would cost that much. There was even a copy of Charade listed at that same price and that is a film in 'public domain.'

I wish there were more places in New Orleans to find classic films that were better priced than Barnes and Noble. Every so often, I will find a random classic film at Target or Wal-Mart, but those times are too far in between. I know I can go online, but it just isn't the same as holding the movie in your hand... looking at it, then bringing it home. You have to wait a few days to a week and hope it didn't get damaged in route to your house.

Before last night I hadn't noticed ,but for those who do not browse well enough... you may spend more than you need to. I found quite a few films priced in the $20-30 range that are also available in a set (usually with 3-5 other films) for only a few dollars more. Now I am just rambling, but I just found some of the prices I seen on some films to be crazy. I noticed the Rita Hayworth Collection went UP $15 and It Happend One Night went up $6. And why? I guess that's retail for you though.

Anyways... I am done now. Thanks.

Birthdays | August

Well it's that time! Time for the Blame Mame to wish Happy Birthday to some of my favorite Classic Hollywood stars! So here we go!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Gene, Maureen, Norma, Lucille, 

Robert, Myrna, Mae, Esther, Ann & Alfred!
Happy Birthday to you!

I know this is a little silly, but it made me smile. And while I am at it... Happy Birthday to any of the followers who may have a birthday this month!

I Love Lucy | #37 "The Handcuffs"

I have always 'loved Lucy', but after True Classics Loving Lucy Blogathon, it reminded me how much I love I Love Lucy. Yes, I realize the term 'love' was just used way too much. 

I grew up watching I Love Lucy, but most of those times were when I was a child. As an adult, I have only watched all of Season 1. I was happy to find Season 2 of I Love Lucy at Target for $12.99. My wife and I sat down last night and watched the first disc. I don't think I have laughed that hard in quite some time. The funny thing is that it didn't have to be crude, rude, or gross to make me laugh. I was inspired to start a new series on Blame Mame to highlight my favorite episodes of I Love Lucy.

So here it goes...

"The Handcuffs" [Episode #37]

 

Blogathon | Loving Lucy

In celebration of Lucille Ball's 100th birthday celebration, True Classics is hosting the Loving Lucy Blogathon! Here is my contribution...

Most people know Lucille Ball as the hilarious housewife of Ricky Ricardo on the show I Love Lucy, but here are some things about Lucy you may not know. Who knows, maybe it will make you "love Lucy" more?