A Whole Year of Possibly Decent Film-Related Writings by Me

Hello Everyone,

     As the title may or may not have alluded to, April 26th marked a whole year since I wrote my first review. My first review (which I suggest, for the sake of your faith in my...uh..."talent", you never read) was on 1935's Annie Oakley, and it's actually sort of scary how corny everything I wrote was. Not saying I've gotten any better, but at least I don't cringe reading last week's reviews whereas I do cringe at the first and the ones that followed.
     
     Now, like I said, the 26th was the anniversary (but in typically Natalie style we're mentioning it a day late), and I was trying to decide what to do special for the occasion. I finally decided on Rita Hayworth and cake. Because cake is good, but Rita is flawless: 

 

You know what would make this picture better?...Errol Flynn.

 

Oh! Hi Errol!

 Errol Flynn makes everything better. Other things that could improve this: the removal of Orson Welles and Nora Eddington, if the Reet's hair was red, and if the Reet and Flynnie were married. Just sayin'. Ha!

 

Note: Errol's face, the Reet's face, but most importantly Orson Welles' face. I mean, what on earth is he even looking at with his mouth hanging open like that?  

Anyhoo, happy reviewing-anniversary to me. Hoping to get a review up tomorrow, but I don't actually know what I want to review and I feel like posting pictures of Rita Hayworth, so I probably won't review anything, but I'll feel funny posting pictures two days in a row so I won't post anything at all. Ho hum. 'Tis the fate of indecisive people to be indecisive.

Until Later On~

Paulette Goddard Appreciation

Hiya Folks, 

      The subject of today's appreciation post is Paulette Goddard [or Paulie Goddess, whatever you want to call her]. She passed away on April 23rd in 1990, hence the appreciation post, whether or not you want to take into account the fact that it is now April 25th. 

     Paulette Goddard is one of my favorite actresses - really, I love her very much. More often than not I consider her my second favorite although on the actual list she is number four. Carole Lombard and Olivia de Havilland are also in the runnings for that ever-so-elusive, ever-changing place of second favorite - Carole is my "Profane Angel" [everyone's profane angel] and Olivia is, well, my Livvie Dee, one of the most darling persons ever to walk upon the face of the earth. Now, Paulette is just as good as both of them, yet devastatingly more underrated - and so undeservedly, too.


     Paulie is one of the most balanced actresses I've ever seen. By which I mean, she's good with both comedy and drama, to the point that I can't decide which genre I like best. In comedy she's a joy to watch. An adorable girl with even more adorable comedic timing. In dramas she's fantastic as well, none of this wait a moment while I get my big-as-the-world temper-tantrum-style dramatic outburst on - it seems so real. Perhaps that's what Ray Milland meant when he said she was the most honest actress he ever knew. 

     I think I do enjoy the fluff-from-the-forties the best though (The Ghost Breakers or The Crystal Ball being the favorite of hers). And in addition to her obvious talent as an actress - underrated as she may sadly be - she was gorgeous, just gorgeous.

 

RIP Lovely Paulette Goddard (1910-1990)  

 I lived in Hollywood long enough to learn to play tennis and become a star, but I never felt it was my home. I was never looking for a home, as a matter of fact.

Until Later On~

Awesome People for the Day: James Cagney and Joan Blondell

Hallo Folks! 

     Today's awesome person was supposed to have been James Cagney all by himself, but I have trouble finding pictures of actors alone unless I really like them. Therefore, I've resorted in the past to posting photos of the actor I'm supposed to be posting and a favorite actress. In this case, James Cagney and Joan Blondell (but they are actually really cute so I'm not sorry!): 

 

     I have actually never seen one of James Cagney's movies. I saw part of "Blonde Crazy", but I can't remember finishing it.

     His hair was a Van Gogh, Renoir, Titian red with… gold waving through. His eyes were delft blue, with the longest, thickest lashes I have ever seen. He blinked his eyes at me, and since I had never seen a blink like that before, I instantaneously fell in love. --Joan Blondell

 

Going to a Gone with the Wind party in 1939.

 

James Cagney with a moustache. I can't decide whether I really like it or really hate it...it's altogether too interesting, honestly.

Until Later On~

Born to Dance (1936)

Hello Everyone! 

 

     I am going to attempt to not be too fan-girly about this movie. I honestly don’t know how it’s going to turn out, though - James Stewart was singing… 

     At first, this movie struck me as an amazing piece of ever-glorious Classic Hollywood, but on second thought it’s rather corny (right off the cob, as a certain Stanwyck character would say). In addition to that, I still don’t know exactly what happened to its plot. James Stewart plays Captain Ted Barker of the US Navy. While in New York he meets want-to-be dancer Nora Paige (Eleanor Powell) and they fall in love.  A romance cooked up by the publicity agent of a popular dancer, in addition to the fact that Jimmy thinks Nora is married, breaks up Nora and Jim’s romance; until, in classic 1930s-romantic-musical-style, everything turns out nicely. 

     I did enjoy this, though, and quite immensely. I definitely liked it more than the last Eleanor Powell movie I watched! As a matter of fact, dear Ellie didn’t impress me much last time, although I could tell she was good. This time she was utterly adorable and oh-so-beautiful. Her dancing was stunning. Something about the way she danced made watching irresistible – she’s like the female version of Fred Astaire. I also thought she and Jimmy Stewart looked darned-near-perfect together.

     Jimmy Stewart once said "What idiot of a producer convinced a director to make a movie where I have to sing and play musical instruments?"*. I think whoever thought to do it was a genius. So what if Jim’s singing was not of the sort that gave Bing Crosby or Dick Haymes a run for their money, nor his dancing comparable to Fred Astaire's or even Gene Kelly's? He’s still adorable. And anyone who doesn’t smile when Jimmy attempts to sing must have a heart of stone. *I think that was actually said in reference to Pot o' Gold (1941), but the idea stands.

     It (I mean, the movie) may not be up to par with a Preston Sturges comedy – eight-foot-thick layer of genius on top, if you know what I mean – but it’s hilarious in its own unbelievable way. Take for instance the scene where this telephone operator with the most horrendous voice is talking about Jimmy’s character and she says “What’s he like? Well, tall – sort of the answer to a maiden’s prayer on stilts. Honest, he must be six-feet-four and that’s just two inches shorter than a totem pole. Oh, but he’s got a smile like concentrated vodka…vodka...oh, it’s a Japanese drink made out of panther blood, I think.” 

     Probably not the best movie ever. Probably. All kidding and fan-girly tendencies aside, though, it’s completely worth watching. I really did enjoy it, in all its depression-era, comedic, oh-so-corny, musical splendor. 

 

Favorite Quote: 

"Mush" Tracy: You know, I’m getting out of the service in two or three weeks.

Waitress: Yeah, I was reading where they’re going to strengthen the Navy.

Until Later On~

Make Way for Tomorrow - Cover Girl (1944)

Hello Folks!

    Rita Hayworth is the name to say 'round these parts now, and I watched my second Hayworth film, Cover Girl (1944), this afternoon. Cover Girl is the story of a dancer named Rusty (Rita Hayworth) who becomes famous overnight after being selected as the cover girl for Vanity's golden wedding issue. This, of course, causes problems with her boyfriend (Gene Kelly). But it ends happily like every other over-the-top, technicolor, 1940s musical that wouldn't dare let an audience down.

     This may not have been the best musical I've ever seen, but, to be honest, I'm a picky musical lover. I did like the music, though - Long Ago and Far Away is a favorite of mine. I also liked Poor John, Make Way For Tomorrow, Sure Thing, and Who's Complaining - so, in this case, it was the actual movie I didn't find compelling. The beginning was entertaining, but I found the middle and end rather slow. Maybe I would've liked it better, too, had it starred Fred Astaire in stead of Gene Kelly - that's just me. 

     But that glorious red-head, that fantastic dancer, the cover girl herself, Rita Hayworth! She was near-perfect and adorable. I have a sneaking suspicion that she will attack and conquer part of my favorite actresses list before this month is all done. Honestly, she is the most darling person.

Let's keep on singing,
"Make way for tomorrow!"
The sun is bringing a new day tomorrow.
Don't let the clouds get you down,
Show me a smile, not a frown!
Stand up and win! Turn about! Don't give in! Let's give out!  
To the blues just refuse to surrender.
 One smile and you are a true solid sender.
What if it rains and it pours? It only rains out of doors!
Let every frown disappear,
And you'll find that tomorrow's here! 

Until Later On~ 

I'm Getting To Know: April

Gilda

 This link is the official "I'm Getting to Know" page.

     I've only seen one Rita Hayworth movie, but for the last month or so I have been addicted to photos of Rita Hayworth. For this reason (and others of slightly less importance), I'm going to try to get my hands on some Rita films to see how much I'll really like her. I know where to find You Were Never Lovlier, You'll Never Get Rich, Gilda, and The Lady From Shanghai; but if you know where I can find any others, or if you have any suggestions I welcome everything gladly.  

     Until Later On~

 

Kitty (1945)

'Ello Folks! 

     My first review in weeks, aren't you ashamed? ...

 

     Lovely Paulette Goddard stars as our title character, Kitty, in this 1945 period film:

     Kitty is an orphan, raised as a thief in the slums of London. One day she attempts to steal a pair of shoes from a wealthy artist, but ends up sitting for a portrait instead. Then, when Kitty’s portrait (named An Anonymous Lady) attracts attention from the Duke of Malmunster, Sir Hugh Marcy (Ray Milland) decides to use the Duke’s attraction for his betterment and revenge by teaching the beautiful “guttersnipe” how to be a lady. Kitty eventually marries two men for Hugh's sake because our dear thief-turned-lady is in love with him; but Hugh doesn’t realize what a prize he’s got in Kitty until it’s too late and she’s about to marry his best friend...

     Whether “gutter snipe” or duchess, Paulette Goddard is one of the best and the loveliest. Without a doubt, one of the most underrated actresses of her era (and one of my favorites). She’s delightful, oh so gorgeous, and in Kitty she’s got the most hilarious Cockney accent. Although, she is not only bright and amiable - that's obvious and undeniable - she’s also a brilliant dramatic actress. 

     Ray Milland, who plays Paulette's love interest much to my enjoyment, is another devastatingly underrated actor. I honestly don’t understand his being so underrated: he’s unbelievably charming, devilishly handsome, and a fantastic actor to boot! [He would win a Best Actor Oscar later for The Lost Weekend (1945)]. Even when he’s playing a selfish cad, like he does here, I can’t help but adore him, he’s so fantastic. Near the end of this movie, when Hugh realizes that he loves Kitty but doesn’t deserve her, Ray really starts to show off his heart-breaking greatness.

     Along with the leads’ performances, I rather enjoyed this whole movie. It slows down slightly in the middle, but not so much that it becomes unwatchable. I adore Mitchell Leisen as a director - he directed one or two of my very favorite movies including Arise, My Love (1940) which is probably the most beautiful movie I’ve ever seen – his movies are pieces of art, as far as I’m concerned. 

     All in all, slow though it may be at points, Kitty is a charming movie. I love the ending – that’s the undying romantic inside of me *Spoiler* compounded by the fact that if Kitty and Hugh hadn’t gotten together in the end I would’ve died. *End Spoiler* And the very last line is one of my favorites from the film: I don’t know, Sir, he’s so far beneath her…The irony of it all makes me smile.

Favorite Lines -

Kitty: What’s the game?

Hugh: Any game I had in mind is definitely off!

Until Later On~