Classically Speaking: Promoting Classic Movies in a Jaded World!

PETER CUSHING?

2009-11-11T09:05:00.000-08:00

PETER CUSHING (1913-1994), born Peter Wilton Cushing

Haven't you seen Horror of Dracula (1958)?

Watch this and then see these other four films.

The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
Tales From the Crypt (1972)
The Mummy (1959)
She (1965)

Contributed by: "Mark Orr" Date: Fri, Dec 14 2001 / 16:11:05 PST

Eric Jamborsky's FAVORITE HUMOROUS HORROR FILMS

2009-10-30T06:06:00.000-07:00

Horror is often just across a thin line from humor
and some films set out to blur the line.
These are some of my favorite humorous horror films.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) This is my favorite Abbott and Costello film and my favorite horror spoof. Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney and Glenn Strange play their monster roles straight.
Young Frankenstein (1974) This may be a couple of years after the cut-off point for this blog, but this is one of the two best horror spoofs made and is my favorite Mel Brooks film.
The Cat And The Canary (1927) The granddaddy of all spooky old house mysteries with a endangered heiress, a grasping hand and secret passages galore.
The Ghost Breakers (1940) Bob Hope, playing his patented comedy coward, aided by Willie Best comes to the aid of lovely Paulette Goddard in a spooky castle in Cuba. Watch for zombies and old hags.
King of the Zombies (1941) Mantan Moreland steals this film from stars Dick Purcell and Joan Woodbury. His performance is a comic masterpiece, easily overriding the usual stereotypes he was forced to play.
The Laurel And Hardy Murder Case (1930) Stan is the last of the Laurels and heir to a fortune, but he and Ollie have to go into a spooky old house and survive the night. Great fun.
The Old Dark House (1932) James Whale pulls out all the stops in this classic and best of the dark house mellers. Great cast includes Charles Laughton, Boris Karloff and Ernest Thesiger.
Bride Of Frankenstein (1935) Director Whale lets his sense of whimsey take hold in this, the best of the Universal Frankenstein films. Karloff, Thesiger and Elsa Lanchester shine.
The Ghost And Mr. Chicken (1966) This was Don Knotts's first starring film and it is a lot of fun.

Contributed by: Eric Jamborsky Date: Tues, Oct 17 2006 / 18:30:13 PST

KIRK DOUGLAS?

2009-10-15T05:12:00.000-07:00

KIRK DOUGLAS (1916-Present), born Issur Danielovitch Demsky, was the original dynamic man.

Haven't you seen Ace in the Hole (1951)? A Billy Wilder classic. Also known as The Big Carnival.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) Atmospheric noir with Barbara Stanwyck and Van Heflin.
A Letter to Three Wives (1949) One of the most sophisticated films ever made. If you can find a screenplay the equal of this one, it will probably also be by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
Champion (1949) The best boxing film of all time. (Yes, I've seen Raging Bull and Rocky.)
Young Man with a Horn (1950) Kirk teams with Lauren Bacall, Doris Day, and Hoagy Carmichael in a trumpeter biopic.

Contributed by: "Bjorn Federer" Date: Fri, Aug 26 2005 / 22:49:56 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Nominated for Actor 1949: CHAMPION
Nominated for Actor 1952: THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
Nominated for Actor 1956: LUST FOR LIFE
Honorary and Other Awards 1995 In recognition of his 50 years as a creative and moral force in the motion picture community. Winner presented a Statuette.

DORIS DAY?

2009-08-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

DORIS DAY (1924-Present), born Doris Mary Ann Von Kapplehoff, was America's Sweetheart and everybody's favorite girl next door. Both beautiful and sexy, Doris could sing, dance, and act. She was chosen to star opposite more leading men than any other actress I know. What a career!

Haven't you seen Pillow Talk (1959)? Doris Day and Rock Hudson are one of the most famous romantic teams in the movies. They made four films together.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Teacher's Pet (1958) She's teamed up with Clark Gable and you must see her Mamie Van Doren impression.
Calamity Jane (1953) You must see her in this role unlike any of her others. She's wonderful as Calamity Jane. Howard Keel plays her secret love, Buffalo Bill Cody.
Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960) No one should miss one of her wife and mother roles. Her husband's character is played by David Niven.
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) This is Hitchcock and Doris Day does dramatic as well as comedy. Her character's husband is played by James Stewart.

Contributed by: "Elizabeth Van Cleve Randolph" Date: Mon, Apr 30 2001 / 20:18:51 PST

Academy Awards®
Nominated for Actress 1959: PILLOW TALK

JANET GAYNOR?

2009-03-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

JANET GAYNOR (1906-1984), born Laura Augusta Gainor, had her first starring role in The Johnstown Flood (1926). She retired from the screen in 1938, returning almost twenty years later. She won the first Academy Award for Best Actress for her performances in three films; Seventh Heaven, Sunset, and Street Angel, the only time an actress was ever given the award for multiple film performances.

Haven't you seen A Star Is Born (1937)? Janet is Esther Blodgett who gets rechristened Vickie Lester in this Hollywood grim fairy tale. She marries star Norman Maine (Frederic March) whose star is in rapid descent. Ironically, this film about a rising star was made just a year before Janet Gaynor decided to retire from the screen.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) Janet and George O'Brien portray a young country couple who make their first visit to the big city. There, her husband is seduced into trying to kill his wife. F. W. Murnau's expressionistic work is considered one of the greatest silent films.
Seventh Heaven (1927) This was the first film to team Janet with Charles Farrell as a romantic duo, on par with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. They live in a walk-up tenament apartment until separated by World War I. A great romance film that inspired the popular song "Diane".
State Fair (1933) Janet plays the daughter of farmer Will Rogers in this first version of the thrice-filmed story. She is romanced by Lew Ayres while her parents show their prize pigs. It's just as good without the songs.
Bernadine (1957) After 19 years, Janet came out of retirement to take a supporting role in this film based on a play by Mary Chase (Harvey). The film stars Pat Boone as a high school student who creates the perfect girl, the fictional Bernadine Mudd. Janet later made a number of television appearances, including "The Love Boat" in 1981.

Contributed by: "Eric Jamborsky" Date: Mon, Oct 3 2005 / 14:03:14 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Actress 1927: SEVENTH HEAVEN
Actress 1927: SUNRISE
Actress 1927: STREET ANGEL
Nominated for Actress 1937: A STAR IS BORN

HARRY DAVENPORT?

2009-01-15T09:09:00.000-08:00

HARRY DAVENPORT (1866-1949) Born in New York City to a long line of stage entertainers, Harry Davenport grew up in Philadelphia and made his stage debut at just five years old. His film career began at age 48, when he appeared in the silent film Too Many Husbands (1914). Despite his apparent "late" start, he has quite an impressive actor filmography of 159 films to his credit. His most notable films in which he appeared include The Life of Emile Zola, You Can't Take it With You, Gone with the Wind, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Foreign Correspondent, Kings Row, The Ox-Bow Incident, Little Women and Meet Me in St. Louis. He also directed 36 films, including some of the Mr. and Mrs. Jarr series of comedy shorts in which he portrayed Mr. Jarr.

Henry Davenport was a character actor with a kind face and the most endearing grandfatherly quality, which I love. There is just something so wholesome and good about him.

Much to my surprise and delight, when I began to learn more about him, I discovered that he is the father of actor Arthur Rankin, and grandfather of Arthur Rankin, Jr. (who along with partner Jules Bass is responsible for the equally wholesome family entertainment 60s-70s stop-motion animation gems, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Frosty the Snowman, which I also happen to love).

Harry had a total of six children, and his daughters, Dorothy Davenport, Fannie "Ann" Davenport and Kate Davenport all became actresses. Some of his great-great-grandchildren are actors today, so the family's illustrious show business legacy continues. All can trace their roots to renowned 18th century Irish stage actor, Jack Johnson. Talk about a rich history and generations of talent! Harry Davenport is also connected to another famous acting clan—he and Lionel Barrymore were brothers-in-law.

Still working steadily at the time of his death in 1949, Harry had a fatal heart attack in Los Angeles at the age of 83. He is undoubtedly remembered for his significant contributions to film, but also as being a champion of the rights of actors and other stage craft professionals. Harry was responsible for the spearheading of the organization that later became the Actors Equity Association. Through the efforts of Harry and co-founder Eddie Foy, Sr., they put an end to the atrocious working conditions that were the plight of the American actor at the time.

Haven't you seen The Enchanted Forest (1945)? In this Cinecolor low-budget whimsical fantasy by PRC Studio, Harry Davenport plays Old John, a hermit who lives in the trunk of a hollowed out redwood tree, away from society and in harmony with nature. He is able to communicate with all the animal creatures and can hear the "voice" of the enchanted forest itself. There is a train wreck and Old John rescues a surviving baby boy from the river and raises him as his own, in the forest. The boy's mother, played by Brenda Joyce, pines for her son and begins to visit the forest to be near where she lost him. Meanwhile, the forest and all its inhabitants are threatened by loggers. The plots converge at the end in a good old-fashioned happy ending for all when Old John reunites the boy with his mother, and the forest is spared. Edmund Lowe also stars in this warm and charming family tale woven with moral values and environmentalism. I have to thank my mother for turning me on to this film; she had seen it as a child and thought it was great. I have to agree.

Watch this and then see these other four fantastic films.

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) Harry plays Grandpa in this wonderful musical (about my hometown!) starring Judy Garland.
Little Women (1949) This classic film version of Louisa May Alcott's autobiography about growing up with her three sisters during the Civil War stars June Allyson, Margaret O'Brien, Elizabeth Taylor and Janet Leigh. Harry Davenport gives a fine performance as Dr. Barnes.
Gone With the Wind (1939) Ten years earlier, Harry also played the role of a doctor (Dr. Meade) in this Victor Fleming masterpiece that won eight Academy Awards.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) Wise old King Louis XI is portrayed by Harry Davenport in this adaptation of the classic novel.

Contributed by: "Deanna S." Date: Tues, Jan 24 2007 / 19:37:13 PST

All photos are hyperlinks. Click to view additional pictures if available.

REX INGRAM?

2009-01-15T08:49:00.000-08:00

REX INGRAM (1895-1969), distinguished black actor with a long career in film. His impressive bearing and personality often caused him to stand out over the nominal stars.

Haven't you seen Green Pastures (1936)? Based on the play by Marc Connelly, the film looks at the Old Testament through the eyes of rural black children. Ingram plays Adam, De Lawd and Hezdrel. The cast is outstanding and this film is too rarely seen.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

The Thief of Bagdad (1940) Ingram is the genie of the bottle released by Abu, the thief. The film is incredible and Ingram is perfect.
The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1939) Ingram is Jim, the runaway slave, in this adaptation of Twain's novel.
Cabin In The Sky (1943) Another film, this one a musical, with an all black cast. Lena Horne is the temptress Georgia Brown. Satan, Jr. (Ingram) is after the soul of Little Joe (Eddie "Rochester" Anderson). Ethel Waters is the star. Another great film.
Tarzan's Hidden Jungle (1955) The Gordon Scott Tarzan films were a notch above the previous series with Lex Barker, and the producers brought in capable performers such as Vera Miles, Jack Elam, and a young Sean Connery. In this one Ingram is a tribal chief. It was a return to the dark continent. His first film role had been the 1918 Tarzan of the Apes with Elmo Lincoln.

Contributed by: "Eric Jamborsky" Date: Sat, Jul 1 2006 / 18:08:19 PST

EDDIE ALBERT?

2009-01-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

When I first learned Eddie Albert's name, I was watching "Green Acres" on television. I think everyone I knew could sing its theme song. I still imitate Eva's accent from time to time. In middle school, (in the early 70s), EDDIE ALBERT (1906-2005), born Edward Albert Heimberger, came to my school to give a lecture about conservation. He gave a slide show presentation and encouraged us to play trees. A huge group of us walked out to the front of the school to wave good-bye. I wanted so much to talk to him, but I felt too shy. I want him to know how much I'd enjoyed his work in movies and on TV. Somehow, it didn't seem appropriate. He had come to talk about more important things. He waved to us all and seemed like such a nice man. I was sorry to see him leave. It was after that I saw him in so many good films. Little did I know how much he had contributed to the motion picture industry as well. I heard he replaced Robert Preston on Broadway as The Music Man. I would have liked to have seen that. Beyond seeing him in several television shows over the years, I heard his voice in several animated productions. I remember him as Captain Standish in "The Mouse on the Mayflower" and the narrator in "The Lorax". Once you learn who he is, you'll see his guest appearances everywhere. When I purchased every season of "Kung Fu" and started watching them, I found he'd been in a two-part episode. I also saw him more recently in a rerun of "Murder She Wrote". It was one of the better episodes.

Haven't you seen Roman Holiday (1953)? It's truly a toss up, which film role I like best of Eddie Albert's. I love him in this. Here he's got a beard. He's a rather good looking guy, even when he's not the lead. This is a story about a princess that runs away from the castle for the day, just to live like a normal person. Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn also star. Eddie Albert plays a photographer named Irving Radovich.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Oklahoma! (1955) I absolutely love him as Ali Hakim, the traveling salesman who unsuccessfully avoids Ado Annie.
Escape from Witch Mountain (1975) He plays Jason O'Day who helps the children escape. He was in Beyond Witch Mountain as well.
Four Wives (1939) Eddie Albert portrays Dr. Clinton 'Clint' Forrest Jr. in this sequel to Four Daughters starring the Lane sisters. Eddie Albert is also in the third film Four Mothers, as well. I have all three in my collection and enjoy all three films.
The Fuller Brush Girl (1950) Albert plays Hubbell Briggs in this female remake of The Fuller Brush Man. Lucille Ball plays the fuller brush girl and Albert is her fiance. This film is not as good as the original, but I love it. I like Lucy and Eddie Albert together. It's a lot of fun. I own both films and see them as a companion set.

Contributed by: "Elizabeth Van Cleve Randolph" Date: Tues, Jun 27 2006 / 7:46:18 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Nominated for Supporting Actor 1953: ROMAN HOLIDAY
Nominated for Supporting Actor 1972: THE HEARTBREAK KID

ROBERT MITCHUM?

2009-01-03T06:51:00.000-08:00

ROBERT MITCHUM, born Robert Charles Durman Mitchum (1917-1997), was a top Hollywood tough guy who made making movies look like the easiest thing in the world. Often in trouble as a teen, I Was a Fugitive From a Chain Gang could have been his story, as he escaped from a Georgia chain gang at age fourteen. He drifted to Long Beach where he became involved with community theater. He appeared as a heavy in several Hopalong Cassidy Westerns before getting his big break in The Story Of GI Joe. In 1949, he served a short sentence for possession of marijuana, possibly taking the rap for a bigger Hollywood name. Very nonchalant on screen, he became one of America's favorite actors and appeared in a string of excellent films. In later years, he portrayed memorable roles on television, which included the gigantic 18-hour miniseries Winds of War (1983) and the War and Remembrance (1988) miniseries. They don't make them like him any more.

Haven't you seen Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)? Mitchum plays an American Marine shipwrecked on a Japanese held island with nun Deborah Kerr. It is primarily a two person show and the stars are a dream. John Huston directed. This is a great place to start an appreciation of Mitchum's films.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Thunder Road (1958) Okay. I'm prejudiced on this one. A few scenes were shot in Knoxville, Tennessee, where I grew up. Mitchum plays a Kentucky moonshine runner and son James plays his younger brother. A lot of the stunt driving is handled by real Moonrunners (soon to become NASCAR drivers). They also provided some of the cars. Gene Barry portrays the law. Mitchum wrote the lyrics for the theme song and made a hit record from it. It was certainly better than Lee Marvin's recording of "Wanderin' Star". This is a fun, exciting film to watch.
Night Of The Hunter (1955) Mitchum is outstanding as a fake preacher con man and serial killer. He meets his match in Lillian Gish, an elderly lady who cares for orphans. Mitchum is in pursuit of two children who hold the secret to a stash of money stolen in a payroll robbery by their father. They escape and find shelter with Gish. Charles Laughton's direction is outstanding. This film is a true classic.
The Enemy Below (1957) Mitchum is the canny skipper of an American destroyer involved in a game of cat and mouse with a German U-Boat commanded by Curt Jurgens. Acting is superior and director Dick Powell has crafted a very suspenseful film. This movie was unofficially remade as the episode "Balance of Terror" during the first season of Star Trek.
The Wonderful Country (1959) Mitchum becomes involved in one of the many revolutions that rocked Mexico. Julie London costars. This is a superior Western.

Autographed still provided by: Eric Jamborsky
Text reads: Eric,
Thank you for your
kindness -
Robert
Mitchum

Contributed by: "Eric Jamborsky" Date: Sat, Feb 17 2007 / 14:54:07 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Nominated for Supporting Actor 1945: THE STORY OF G.I. JOE

Don't Know...I.A.L. DIAMOND?

2008-12-25T13:57:00.000-08:00

You really should know who I.A.L. DIAMOND is! I.A.L. DIAMOND (1920-1988), born Itek Dominici in Romania, was a very talented screenwriter. He emmigrated to Brooklyn, New York at the age of nine and moved to Hollywood when he was twenty-one. He changed his name to Isidore Diamond. He chose the initials I.A.L. as his nom de plume. He teamed up with Billy Wilder and began writing and co-writing several Billy Wilder films. His friends called him Iz. People like to speculate what the initials I.A.L. represent. Irregardless, Iz should be known for the art he produced, not the controversy surrounding his initials. He was a truly talented man.

A fine place to start is by viewing: Some Like it Hot (1959). An extremely funny film; one of the best ever made. Great script and cast. It stars Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Monkey Business (1952) A witty comedy starring Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers and Marilyn Monroe.
Avanti (1972) A romantic comedy set in Italy with Jack Lemmon and Juliet Mills in the lead roles.
The Apartment (1960) A comedy with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine.
Irma La Douce (1963) Another comedy with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine.

Contributed by: "Nina M." Date: Thurs, Nov. 24 2005 16:48:49 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Nominated for Writing - Screenplay (Based on Material from Another Medium) 1959: SOME LIKE IT HOT
Writing - Story and Screenplay (Written Directly For The Screen) 1960: THE APARTMENT
Nominated for Writing - Story and Screenplay (Written Directly For The Screen) 1966: THE FORTUNE COOKIE

GEORGE TOBIAS?

2008-12-04T07:25:00.000-08:00

GEORGE TOBIAS (1901-1980), was known to me as Samantha and Darrin Stevens' neighbor Abner Kravitz on the 60s' television show "Bewitched" long before I learned he'd acted in films, and lots of them, as a character actor. George Tobias played everything well. He did ethnic parts, villains, good pals of heroes, comedic parts and straight dramatic parts in some sixty films, in addition to appearing in scores and scores of television shows. George Tobias began acting at the age of fifteen, on stage in New York City. He later played on Broadway and moved to films in his late thirties, appearing in dramas, comedies and musicals. I haven't seen every film George Tobias ever made, but I recognize him again and again and feel you should, too. He always gives a good performance and those watching movies with me, hear me say, "Oh look, it's George Tobias," along with the qualifier, "You know, Abner Kravitz from "Bewitched"." From this day forth, I hope you'll look for George Tobias and point him out to those you know.

Haven't you seen Sergeant York (1941)? He does a stellar performance as Michael T. "Pusher" Ross.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Silk Stockings (1957) As Vassili Markovitch.
The Glenn Miller Story (1954) As Si Schribman.
Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) As Dietz.
The Glass Bottom Boat (1966) As Mr. Fenimore.

Contributed by: "Elizabeth Van Cleve Randolph" Date: Wed, Sept 13, 2006 / 07:23:48 PST

AVA GARDNER?

2008-12-03T09:11:00.000-08:00

AVA GARDNER (1922-1990), born Ava Lavinia Gardner, was a lovely, Southern born actress who made her mark both as a great beauty and a talented actress.

Haven't you seen Knights of the Round Table (1953)? (MGM) Gardner is Queen Guinevere playing opposite Mel Ferrer's King Arthur and Robert Taylor's Sir Lancelot. Sir Thomas Malory has never been the same.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

The Barefoot Contessa (1954) A tale of tragedy amidst the nobility of Italy. Costars are Humphrey Bogart and Rossano Brazzi.
55 Days in Peking (1963) Ava is a disgraced Russian Duchess. She is lovelier than ever. Costar is Charlton Heston.
On the Beach (1959) End of the world drama set in Australia. Co-stars are Gregory Peck and Fred Astaire.
The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952) Again teamed with Gregory Peck in a film based on a story by Hemingway.

Contributed by: "Eric Jamborsky" Date: Thurs, May 2 2002 / 16:23:35 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Nominated for Actress 1953: MOGAMBO

RED SKELTON?

2008-11-14T06:08:00.000-08:00

RED SKELTON (1913-1997), born Richard Bernard Skelton, was a comic genius. He was called Red, due to his red hair. I first saw Red on his own television show, "The Red Skelton Show". I was just a wee thing, but I remember looking forward to seeing him swing on this enormous swing out into the audience. I laughed and laughed at all the funny faces he made. It was later I saw him in movies and learned how enormously talented he truly was. My father gave me three prints of clowns Red had painted. I heard the original paintings earned Red Skelton a small fortune.

Haven't you seen The Fuller Brush Man (1948) aka That Mad Mr. Jones (UK)? This is my favorite Red Skelton film. He plays Red Jones, the man who can't hold a job. Selling Fuller Brush door to door is his last chance. The film was remade to spotlight the queen of comedy, Lucille Ball. That film is fun, too, but it doesn't hold a candle to the original with Red.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

The Yellow Cab Man (1950) In this light comedy, Red Skelton plays accident prone Augustus 'Red' Pirdy who accidentally comes up with a million dollar idea. He calls it elastic-glass and decides his unbreakable glass is perfect for the automotive industry. Unfortunately, there are those who want to steal his formula.
Whistling in the Dark (1941) This is the first of three 'Whistling' films starring Red Skelton as Wally 'The Fox' Benton, radio star of a murder mystery serial. Wally Benton is truly a fraidy-cat, but somehow gets enmeshed in true life murder mysteries. These films are full of slapstick, great sight gags, and faces only Red can do.
Whistling in Dixie (1942)... aka Mary Names the Day (UK)
Bird lovers would love this one. We find a parrot who can whistle Dixie. It's a fun story.
Whistling in Brooklyn (1943) This is my favorite of the 'Whistling' pictures. My little boys watched them again and again. This story involves a case of mistaken identity. An escaped convict fools everyone by posing as his twin brother, a kind and gentle soul.

Ann Rutherford co-stars in all three 'Whistling' films. After the shooting of these films, she was seen by a doctor for severe chest pains and difficulty in taking a breath without pain. Her doctor asked if she had blown up balloons for a long period of time. It was then she realized that her pain stemmed from Red Skelton having made her laugh so much on the set. She had laughed until she couldn't breathe way too many times and suffered internal injury as a result. Fortunately, Ann got better, but no more 'Whistling' films were made.

Contributed by: "Elizabeth Van Cleve Randolph" Date: Wed, Jun 14 2006 / 18:06:23 PST

SIDNEY POITIER?

2008-11-05T05:52:00.000-08:00

SIR SIDNEY POITIER (1927-Present)

Every movie buff should know the first black movie star. There were other black actors before the 1950s, but never was there the type of roles we see today, for handsome and intelligent leading men not of the Caucasian persuasion. Poitier gained international recognition for his Oscar nominated appearance in The Defiant Ones.

Sidney Poitier paved the way for non-stereotypical roles for black people.

Haven't you seen To Sir With Love (1967)? This film ranks high in my top fifty favorite films. Poitier plays a high school teacher in London, England who turns around an entire class of delinquents that no one else could teach and gains their ultimate respect.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) This film stars Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn who play a couple whose daughter brings home her fiancé to meet them and they soon see it is to be a mixed marriage. This film won two Academy Awards and was nominated for eight others. Hepburn won Best Actress.
A Patch of Blue (1965) This is the story of a white blind girl who falls in love with a sighted black man. Shelley Winters won Best Supporting Actress for her role of the blind girl's mother, a horrible woman. The film was nominated for four other Academy Awards.
The Defiant Ones (1958) This is the story of two escaped convicts (Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier) shackled together who try to flee the police in the deep south. The film won two Academy Awards and was nominated for seven others. It won Best Writing and Best Cinematography. Poitier was nominated for Best Actor.
Porgy and Bess (1959) This film is full of incredible Gershwin music and won an Academy Award for best musical scoring on top of being nominated for three other Academy Awards. It's a folk opera about the love, dreams and jealousy of the poor folk of Catfish Row. Dorothy Dandridge and Sammy Davis, Jr. also star.

Contributed by: "Elizabeth Van Cleve Randolph" Date: Sun, Dec 2 2001 / 16:03:00 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Nominated for Actor 1958: THE DEFIANT ONES
Actor 1963: LILIES OF THE FIELD
Honorary and Other Awards 2002.

Who Are...TRACY AND HEPBURN?

2008-10-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

You really should know who TRACY AND HEPBURN are! This is one of the best pairings in film history. Although, they never married each other (Tracy was already married), the chemistry between the two of them was magic on and off the screen and lasted some twenty-five years. Tracy and Hepburn made nine films together, the first, being Woman of the Year in 1942. Four more, and also my favorites, are suggested here. Tracy and Hepburn were caring people. When their dear friend Humphrey Bogart was dying of throat cancer, they were two of the only people who visited him and his wife, Lauren Bacall. They were at their home on practically every evening up until his death. After Humphrey Bogart died, Lauren Bacall wanted Spencer Tracy to give her husband's eulogy, but Tracy had to decline; it was too emotionally painful for him. John Huston ended up giving the eulogy instead. I hope you'll watch these films and grow to love Tracy and Hepburn as much as I do.

A fine place to start is by viewing: Desk Set (1957)? This is my favorite of the nine films Tracy and Hepburn made together. Here they play Richard Sumner and Bunny Watson. Sumner is an efficiency expert who installs a computer which is supposed to aid the research department where Bunny works. The plan backfires.

See that and watch them in the following four films:
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (1967) In Spencer Tracy's last film, Tracy and Hepburn play Matt and Christina Drayton, whose daughter brings home her fiance to meet them for the first time. There's something she didn't tell them. Joanna Drayton is played by Katharine Hepburn's niece, Katharine Houghton, who makes her film debut.

A little piece of trivia concerning the memorabilia from this film is in June of 2004, Sotheby's Auction House hosted a two-day estate auction of Katharine Hepburn's personal belongings. The most expensive item was a bronze bust of Spencer Tracy that Hepburn created, which had been featured in Guess Who's Coming To Dinner. This three-inch sculpture sold for $316,000, when its original estimate had been only $3,000 to $5,000.

Woman of the Year (1942) They play Sam Craig and Tess Harding. You have to see the scene when feminist Tess Harding (Katharine Hepburn) tries to cook.
Adam's Rib (1949) Tracy and Hepburn play Adam and Amanda Bonner, a married couple who both have the same profession. They are attorneys. All is well until they are up against each other.
Without Love (1945) They play Pat Jamieson and Jamie Rowan. This is the story of a scientist and his assistant who enter a loveless marriage only to find they cannot escape love.

Contributed by: Elizabeth Van Cleve Randolph Date: Tues, Sept 19, 2006 / 07:30:28 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
SPENCER TRACY
Nominated for Actor 1936: SAN FRANCISCO
Actor 1937: CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS
Actor 1938: BOYS TOWN
Nominated for Actor 1950: FATHER OF THE BRIDE
Nominated for Actor 1955: BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK
Nominated for Actor 1958: THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA
Nominated for Actor 1960: INHERIT THE WIND
Nominated for Actor 1961: JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG
Nominated for Actor 1967: GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER

KATHARINE HEPBURN
Actress 1932: MORNING GLORY
Nominated for Actress 1935: ALICE ADAMS
Nominated for Actress 1940: THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
Nominated for Actress 1942: WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Nominated for Actress 1951: THE AFRICAN QUEEN
Nominated for Actress 1955: SUMMERTIME
Nominated for Actress 1956: THE RAINMAKER
Nominated for Actress 1959: SUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER
Nominated for Actress 1962: LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT
Actress 1967: GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER
Actress 1968: THE LION IN WINTER
Co-winner with Barbra Streisand
Actress 1981: ON GOLDEN POND

CAROLE LOMBARD?

2008-10-23T05:09:00.000-07:00

CAROLE LOMBARD (1908-1942), born Jane Alice Peters

Haven't you seen My Man Godfrey (1936)? Arguably her most famous role and one that best distills her comedic sensibilities.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Twentieth Century (1934) the film that really put Lombard on the map as a comic actress
Hands Across the Table (1935) smart, albeit relatively unheralded film; the first of her four teamings with Fred MacMurray
Nothing Sacred (1937) Carole's only outing in Technicolor
To Be or Not to Be (1942) sublime black comedy directed by Ernst Lubitsch; Lombard's final film

Contributed by: "Vincent Paterno" Date: Sat, May 5 2001 / 10:49:15 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Nominated for Actress 1936: MY MAN GODFREY

GINGER ROGERS?

2008-10-21T08:22:00.000-07:00

GINGER ROGERS (1911-1995), born Virginia Katherine McMath

Haven't you seen The Major and the Minor (1942)?

This comedy costars Ray Milland. Ginger's real life mom plays her mom at the end.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Vivacious Lady (1938) This comedy costars Jimmy Stewart Beula Bondi plays Stewart's mom and is wonderful when she does the Big Apple dance!
I'll Be Seeing You (1944) Costars Joseph Cotton, Ginger plays a convict out on parole, touching story.
Having Wonderful Time (1938) Another comedy which costars Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Ginger goes on vacation, watch for Ann Miller among the campers!
Top Hat (1935) This musical costars Fred Astaire. I love all of the Roger/Astaire movies but this is my favorite one. You can't beat songs like "Cheek to Cheek", "Top Hat", and "White Tie and Tails"! Lucy Ball is the flower shop girl.

Contributed by: "Deborah Lovejoy" Date: Wed, Jun 20 2001 / 16:18:46 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Actress 1940: KITTY FOYLE

PAUL NEWMAN?

2008-09-28T17:36:00.000-07:00

I really believe in PAUL NEWMAN (1925-2008), born Paul Leonard Newman. In this day and political climate, one needs someone to believe in. He made many movies before '72, and many after.

Haven't you seen The Long Hot Summer (1958)?

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) Played Elizabeth Taylor's husband. The part made him look unkind, but just watching the two of them was a pleasure.
Cool Hand Luke (1967) Paul was a convict and a hard case. He wouldn't conform. He bet he could eat lots of hard boiled eggs and he won the bet.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) The story is about two down and out cowboys who thought they would be able to make a better life in Mexico, by stealing there. A sad ending, but what a treat to watch Paul Newman with Robert Redford.
Nobody's Fool (1994) Newman plays Sully Sullivan and Jessica Tandy, Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith also star.

Contributed by: "Emily Omar" Date: Fri, Nov 11 2005 / 10:44:32 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Nominated for Actor 1958: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF
Nominated for Actor 1961: THE HUSTLER
Nominated for Actor 1963: HUD
Nominated for Actor 1967: COOL HAND LUKE
Nominated for Picture 1968: RACHEL, RACHEL — Producer
Nominated for Actor 1981: ABSENCE OF MALICE
Nominated for Actor 1982: THE VERDICT
Honorary and Other Awards 1985
In recognition of his many memorable and compelling screen performances and for his personal integrity and dedication to his craft. Winner presented a Statuette.
Actor 1986: THE COLOR OF MONEY
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award 1993 For his humanitarian efforts.
Nominated for Actor 1994: NOBODY'S FOOL

AUDREY HEPBURN?

2008-08-11T04:50:00.000-07:00

AUDREY HEPBURN (1929-1993), born Audrey Kathleen Ruston

Haven't you seen Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)?

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Roman Holiday (1953) She is just the perfect princess; her Oscar-winning performance will get you hooked on her in no time.
Two for the Road (1967) One of my all time favorite movies; simply the best.
Charade (1963) The ultimate pairing - Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. Pure magic!
Wait Until Dark (1967) Oh, so scary .... And she shows that she is talented in everything she does, whether it's comedy, romance or thrillers).

Contributed by: "Leehee" Date: Tue, May 15 2001 / 09:59:56 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Actress 1953: ROMAN HOLIDAY
Nominated for Actress 1954: SABRINA
Nominated for Actress 1959: THE NUN'S STORY
Nominated for Actress 1961: BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S
Nominated for Actress 1967: WAIT UNTIL DARK
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award 1992. Awarded posthumously to Ms. Hepburn for her work as UNICEF's ambassador to the world's children. Award accepted by her son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer.

GARY COOPER?

2008-07-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

GARY COOPER (1901-1961), born Frank James Cooper

Haven't you seen Sergeant York (1941)?

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
The Westerner (1940)
Pride of the Yankees (1942)
Friendly Persuasion (1956)

Contributed by: "Paul R." Date: Sat, Dec 1 2001 / 11:02:04 PDT

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Nominated for Actor 1936: MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN
Actor 1941: SERGEANT YORK
Nominated for Actor 1942: THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES
Nominated for Actor 1943: FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
Actor 1952: HIGH NOON
Honorary and Other Awards 1960. For his many memorable screen performances and the international recognition he, as an individual, has gained for the motion picture industry. Winner presented a Statuette.

TYRONE POWER?

2008-07-13T14:05:00.000-07:00

TYRONE POWER (1914-1958), born Tyrone Edmund Power, Jr.

Haven't you seen Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938)?

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Witness For The Prosecution (1957)
The Eddy Duchin Story (1956)
The Mark of Zorro (1940)
Rose of Washington Square (1939)

Contributed by: "Alice Faye S." Date: Wed, May 15 2002 / 13:28:36 PST

TOSHIRÔ MIFUNE?

2008-06-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

TOSHIRÔ MIFUNE (1920-1997), born Sanchuan Minlang, was the best-known Japanese actor of the 20th Century. Mifune was a performer of stunning depth and was capable of playing a wide range of characters, from samurai to petty crooks to doctors. He became better known in America playing the character Toranaga on "Shogun". He was one of the great film actors of all-time. I cannot begin to go into his modern era films here, but seek them out and enjoy the performances.

Haven't you seen Yojimbo (1961)
(Japan) [aka: The Bodyguard (International: English title - literal title); Yojimbo the Bodyguard (alternate title: USA); Yojinbo (Japan - modified Hepburn romaji)]? A Ronin, a masterless samurai, wanders into a town controlled by two warring factions. He plays one side against the other, finally coming out on top. Mifune was named Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for this role. And if the plot seems familiar, it was "borrowed" by Sergio Leone for A Fistful Of Dollars.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Aru kengo no shogai (1959)
(Japan) [aka: Samurai Saga (USA); Life of an Expert Swordsman (literal title)] This was Rostand's play Cyrano de Bergerac transplanted to 17th Century Japan, and it is a truly beautiful adaptation. Mifune is Komaki, poet and warrior with a rather large nose. In love with Princess Chiyo, he helps her chosen suitor to woo her despite his own feelings. If you do not cry at the end, you have no heart.
Shichinin no samurai (1954)
(Japan) [aka: The Seven Samurai (USA); Seven Samurai (UK); Shichi-nin no samurai (Japan: alternative transliteration)] Peasants hire seven Ronin to protect their village from the annual attack from bandits. Obviously, this was remade in the U.S. as The Magnificent Seven. There are not enough superlatives to describe this film. Directed by Akira Kurosawa it also stars Takashi Shimura as the leader of the Ronin. Mifune is a young Samurai who has a secret. Before I saw this I was under the impression they only made Godzilla movies in Japan.
Kumonosu jô (1957)
(Japan) [aka: Throne of Blood (USA: original subtitled version); Macbeth; Cobweb Castle; Spider Web Castle; The Castle of the Spider's Web] Kurosawa takes Shakespeare's Macbeth and places it in Medieval Japan. Mifune is Washizu, a noble who kills his way to the top before his well-deserved end. Outstanding.
Kakushi-toride no san-akunin (1958)
(Japan) [aka: The Hidden Fortress (USA); The Three Villains of the Hidden Fortress (informal English title); Three Bad Men in a Hidden Fortress (International: English title: literal title); Three Rascals in the Hidden Fortress (International: English title)] A princess, aided by two comic servants and accompanied by a sardonic warrior (Mifune) is pursued by Darth Vader, er, I mean an enemy general. George Lucas admitted this film inspired several elements of the Star Wars story. Mifune is the Princess's general, disguised as a servant as they attempt to make their way across enemy lines. A true classic, but beware newer prints that insert profanities, nonexistent in Japan, into the subtitles.

Contributed by: "Eric Jamborsky" Date: Sat, Aug 12 2006 / 14:27:57 PST

Autographed still provided by: Eric Jamborsky

This picture was sent off to Japan to get autographed. It traveled further any other picture and further than I ever will.

JOHN WAYNE?

2008-06-25T03:06:00.000-07:00

JOHN WAYNE (1907-1979), born Marion Morrison

The Duke was the epitome of the American movie star in a career that spanned six decades. Though mostly noted for Westerns, Wayne appeared in a great variety of films outlasting many contemporaries. To many around the world John Wayne was the image of America.

Haven't you seen The Quiet Man (1952)? Wayne portrays Sean Thornton, an American returning to his roots in Ireland. It is one of the great romantic films of all time. Maureen O'Hara co-stars. A true classic film by John Ford.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

The Alamo (1960) Wayne produced and directed this epic tale of the Texas Revolution of 1835-36. He originally intended to appear in a cameo as Sam Houston, but his backers insisted he star. He portrays Davy Crockett. A flawed, but still worthwhile film. Try to see the restored "Director's cut", now out of print.
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) The second of John Ford's "Cavalry Trilogy" and the only one in color. Wayne delivers one of the best performances of his career as Captain Nathan Brittles, a career soldier nearing retirement. It is a powerful portrayal of a warrior seeking a peaceful solution to a looming Indian uprising. Magnificent!
True Grit (1969) John Wayne was awarded an Oscar for Best Actor in this rollicking film from the Charles Portis novel. It is a good performance in an enjoyable film. The supporting cast is outstanding.
Stagecoach (1939) This is the film that started the Duke on the road to stardom after laboring for nearly 10 years in low budget features, learning his craft. John Ford gave him the chance to show what he could do. His Ringo Kid is a memorable Western character.

Contributed by: "Eric Jamborsky" Date: Tues, May 14 2002 / 16:26:26 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Nominated for Actor 1949: SANDS OF IWO JIMA
Nominated for Best Picture 1960: THE ALAMO — Producer
Actor 1969: TRUE GRIT

LUCILLE BALL?

2008-05-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

It's truly surprising that someone living in America doesn't know who LUCILLE BALL is. "I Love Lucy" is the most recognized television show in world. It was the first show to ever be rerun during prime time scheduling and the only show I know that never stopped being rerun. It has never been off the air and is always playing somewhere in the world. It even transmits in outer space. Several space-age fantasy television shows have mentioned having seen or heard "I Love Lucy". Lucille Ball (1911-1989), born Lucille Désirée Ball, was dubbed the queen of comedy and rightly so. You may know her from television, but she was a well-known actress before television.

Haven't you seen Yours, Mine and Ours (1968)? This is a story about a widow with ten children falling in love with a widower, played by Henry Fonda. There's only one problem. He has eight children. It's a wonderful family film, both funny and endearing.

Watch this and then see these other four films. There are many films from which to choose, but these will get you started.

Fancy Pants (1950) This film is my favorite Bob Hope film. It was the first film my daughter, as a very little girl, loved. She's in her twenties now and this film still makes us laugh, recalling it.
Mame (1974) Lucille Ball stars as Auntie Mame. This is the musical version of the Rosalind Russell film, Auntie Mame.
The Fuller Brush Girl (1950) This is the female equivalent of the Red Skelton film, The Fuller Brush Man. Eddie Albert plays her boyfriend. My favorite part involves Lucy giving home permanents and naughty little boy with a chemistry set interfering.
The Long, Long Trailer (1954) There are so many Lucille Ball films from which to choose. Since I can only choose five by this blog's guidelines, I cannot skip this one. Here Lucy stars opposite her husband at the time, Desi Arnaz, whom we know from "I Love Lucy".

Contributed by: "Elizabeth Van Cleve Randolph" Date: Wed, Aug 31 2005 / 21:43:00 PST

JOAN FONTAINE?

2008-05-08T06:53:00.000-07:00

JOAN FONTAINE (1917-Present), born Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland, was a huge star in the early 40s; she worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Haven't you seen Rebecca (1940)? This was Hitchcock's only film that won the Best Picture Academy Award.

Watch this and then see these other four films.

Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948) This is a classic tearjerker, with fine acting and a good story.
Jane Eyre (1944) Orson Welles also stars in this terrific version of the literary classic.
Suspicion (1941) Joan stars opposite Cary Grant in another Hitchcock thriller.
A Damsel in Distress (1937) One of Joan's earliest movies; Fred Astaire is the male lead.

Contributed by: "Charles T." Date: Tues, Jan 15 2002 / 11:18:44 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
Nominated for Actress 1940: REBECCA
Actress 1941: SUSPICION
Nominated for Actress 1943: THE CONSTANT NYMPH