...that I love Elizabeth Taylor. But the only movie of hers I actually own is Giant. If you like a lovely story, happy endings, your movie stars to be VERY tan, your movie stars to have very large eyebrows, anti-racist commentary, Texas, cattle, then this is the movie for you:) It stars Rock Hudson, Liz, and James Dean.
*disclaimer* If you have a big fat crush on James Dean. Be warned- he plays this really creepy bad guy and it may ruin your crush forever.
Rompi-i-ness. Light hearted, clever dialog. That's what's missing. Joel and I went to see 2 movies for our anniversary last weekend (11 years. Woohoo!). I know, I know. Your jealous of our jetsetter life. And rightly so. 1 movies is for normal people. 2 movies is classy. Flashy almost.
So- anywho, we went to two fairly disappointing movies. But if they hadn't been so disappointing, I don't think I would have enjoyed Pocketful of Miracles as much as I did. Lovely movie. With beautiful 1960's sets and Bettie Davis, Glenn Ford and Hope Lange (Remember her? She played the poor girl who killed her stepdaddy in Peyton Place. She was soooo tragic). The story line is completely ridiculous (my favorite kind of plot). A mobster with a soft heart turns an alcoholic street peddler (bettie davis) into society type so that she can fool her long lost daughter. Completely ridiculous, right? Ridiculously awesome more like.
...A Judy Garland movie I hadn't seen. It's a remake of The Shop Around the Corner. Or for those of you who don't share in my love of old movies, a much older version of You've got Mail. It's about two co-workers who don't like each other, without realizing they are each other's secret pen-pals. Very sappy, gooey and sweet. It was made in 1949. Which was not a great year for ol' Judy. Lots of drugs, and she was about to be fired from MGM. But if you are like me and like to play pretend, it's easy to get swept up in this sweet story. And I have yet to meet a Judy Garland song I didn't like.
I am a big fat giant chicken when it comes to movies. So don't be surprised when I say that Rebecca is- by far- the scariest movie I have ever seen. If you haven't scene it, you are in for a treat. From what I understand, it was Alfred Hitchcock's first big American film. He really was the master of the creepy unknown. I almost don't want to tell you any of the plot for fear it will spoil it for you. Here's just a taste- It starts with a young woman who is traveling as a companion with a wealthy aristocrat. She meets a wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter (played by Laurence Olivier). They fall in love (who wouldn't,right? Ol Lawrence was pretty easy on the eyes) and within weeks of knowing each other they get married. Maxim brings his blushing bride to Manderley (his beautiful yet very creepy home). And that's where the honeymoon ends. Maxim acts all weird and distant and the servants are even more weird and distant. They are all hung up on the first wife, Rebecca, who died under mysterious circumstances. And that's where I better stop before I spoil it for you.
...of seeing a Fred and Ginger flick. I have a suggestion of where you should start.
Shall We Dance
And no, it's not just a tease in the poster, there is a roller skating-tap dancing scene. And if that's not enough to immediately put it in your netflix queue, this is the movie that originated the songs "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" (You say neether, I say neyether) and "They Can't Take That Away From Me". Lovely songs, Lovely dancing.....Just Lovely.
So, I thought for todays post I would talk about my all - time favorite movie. Those of you who know me know that I enjoy a good black and white. Not because I'm anti Technicolor. Mostly I love a movie that relies on a plot, character development, good acting to tell a story rather than sex, violence and crudeness to cover up a lack of a story.And........okay, I enjoy a world where a good song and dance can solve any problem.
The best movie you will ever see. Ever. Here are a few reasons I love this movie (I won't bore you with all of the reasons)
1. There are no men in the movie. None. And the strange thing is after it's over you'll swear you remember there being men. They are definitely vital to the story. The writing is so good you feel like you know the characters that aren't even there.
2. It is filled with soooo many talented women. Rosalind Russell. Norma Shearer. Joan Fontaine. Joan Crawford....and even Ma Kettle. And the lead (Norma Shearer) looks like a normal pretty woman. Atleast a size 6 and no fake boobs.
3. Big fancy over-the-top dresses. Maybe that should have been #1. I love a ridiculously fancy dress.
But I'm not sure which decade I I would choose if I had the choice. Probably the sixties, just because of the shocking number of cardigans sitting in my closet. Yes, yes..definitely 1962. Or 1930-something. Claudette Colbert with her ridiculous eyebrows..... Ridiculously awesome. Did you know that she would only be filmed from one side? Such a Diva. Oooh and Fred and Ginger. I still have a poster from when I was a teenager, of them dancing (of course) in my bedroom (my husband doesn't seem to mind). Or maybe postwar Britain. I love a good plaid wool suit. I just finished watching the most wonderful movie- "I know where I'm going". It was filled with plaid wool. And shoulder pads. And a beautifully innocent love story. ~sigh~ of a woman determined on wealth who plans on marrying an old tycoon but falls for a young English officer ~sigh~.
