Space Cowboys

OK, I can't help it. Of all the films Clint Eastwood has directed this is by far my favorite. If you have not seen it Shame On You
Here is the trailer.

Forgotten Film: The First Traveling Saleslady(1956).

The First Traveling Saleslady (1956). Cast Ginger Rogers, Carol Channing, James Arness and Clint Eastwood.

The story begins when Rose and her friend Molly, decide to head west to sell barbed wire. Unfortunately, they end up in trouble with the local cowboys. The the cowboys try to run them out of town, certain that the wire will injure the cattle. The women's only friend is horseless carriage inventor Charles Masters.

I thought it was a sweet little film and it was fun to see a Clint Eastwood, 26 years old..



Fun Facts:

The script for The First Traveling Saleslady was first offered to Mae West, who declined, and many of the film's reviewers, Rogers might have been wiser to do the same. "Lame, offbeat, an interesting but failed experiment, The First Traveling Saleslady only underlined the emptiness of such backward-looking fare in changing times," wrote Patrick McGilligan, author of Ginger Rogers.

Ginger Rogers would joke that this picture shut down RKO (it was the last film produced by that studio).

Clint Eastwood's first on screen performance with a speaking part.

Happy 80th Birthday Clint Eastwood!

Clint Eastwood, film actor, director, producer, and composer. He has received five Academy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, and five People's Choice Awards — including one for Favorite All-Time Motion Picture Star.

Eastwood is known for his action and western films. Following his performance as in the TV series Rawhide(1958), he went on to perform as the Man With No Name in the trilogy of Spaghetti Westerns in the 1960s and as Inspector Harry Callahan in the Dirty Harry films of the 1970s and 1980s. Eastwood also performed in Every Which Way but Loose and Any Which Way You Can, his two highest-grossing films.

In 1969, Eastwood performed in his only musical, Paint Your Wagon. With Lee Marvin. They played a couple of gold miners who share the same wife. Production for the film had many delays. The film was not a success, although it was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

Another favorite film of mine was, Two Mules for Sister Sara(1970) with Shirley MacLaine. The film, is a story about an American mercenary who gets mixed up with a woman disguised as a nun and aid a group of Juarista rebels during the time of Emperor Maximilian in Mexico. The film saw Eastwood perform as a mysterious stranger once more, unshaven, wearing a serape-like vest and smoking a cigar.


Eastwood turned his attention towards a story about a love between a middle-aged man and a teenage girl, Breezy(1973). During casting for the film, Eastwood met Sondra Locke for the first time, who performed in many of his films for the next ten years and in his life. Locke, who was 26 and was too old to play the Breezy part, actress Kay Lenz, who had performed in American Graffiti, was cast. The film was not a major critical or commercial success. But, I thought a very interesting story line. I have mixed feelings about this film because the girl is 18 and her love interest is 45.

For his work in the films Unforgiven (1992) and Million Dollar Baby (2004), Eastwood won Academy Awards for Best Director and for producer of the Best Picture and received nominations for Best Actor. These films in particular, as well as others such as Play Misty for Me (1971), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), Escape from Alcatraz (1979), Pale Rider (1985) and Gran Torino (2008), have all received great success. He has directed most of his star vehicles as well as films he has not acted in, such as Mystic River (2003) and Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), for which he received Academy Award nominations.

He also served as mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California from 1986–1988, tending to support small business interests on the one hand and environmental protection on the other.

This Week on Noir and Chick Flicks:

TCM Star of the Month, Mondays in June: Natalie Wood.(pictured above).Wood began acting at the age of four in the film, Miracle on 34th Street (1947). Her performance opposite James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955), earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and helped her to make the transition from a child performer. She then performed in the musicals West Side Story (1961) and Gypsy (1962). She also received Academy Award nominations for her performances in Splendor in the Grass (1961) and Love With the Proper Stranger (1963). Click picture on sidebar to view this months Featured Films.

ON TCM : Wed. June 2nd. Westward Woman(1951). In 1851, Roy Whitman (John McIntire) decides to transport marriageable women west to join his lonely men, hoping the couples will put down roots and settle his California valley. In Chicago, Roy recruits 138 "good women".

ON TCM: Fri. June 4th. The Feminine Touch (1941). John Hathaway is a professor of psychology at Digby College. His students are bored as he is with the students. He leaves college to go to New York to have his manuscript on jealousy published. John and Julie go to Elliott Morgan Publishing to discuss his book.

ON TCM: Sat. June 5th. Paint Your Wagon (1970).This one of those movies I'm embarrassed to admit I love. I really enjoy the friendship that develops between the two lead characters and their lack of singing talents, which is so bad that it becomes interesting..

This weeks Chick Flicks at the Movies: Suddenly! (1954). Suddenly (1954) Director: Lewis Allen with a screenplay written by Richard Sale. The drama features Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, James Gleason and Nancy Gates. Click picture to view movie. Please look for my review over at the Cafe.

Have a great week at the movies. :)

Dennis Hopper (May 17, 1936 – May 29, 2010)

Dennis Hopper, was an actor, filmmaker and artist. As a young man, Hopper became a student of the Actors Studio. He made his first television performance in 1955, and performed in two films with James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). Over the next ten years, Hopper performed on television in guest roles, and by the end of the 1960s had played supporting roles in several films. He directed and starred in one of my favorite Dennis Hopper movies, Easy Rider (1969), winning an award at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay as co-writer of the film's script. This hard-living screen star, will be missed.

Classic Film and Fashion.

Film has always given us girls fashion ideas. Costumes not only help create a character, but it can start fashion trends. Here is a list of fashion trendsetting movies.


Brooks sleek hairdo and half-naked beaded flapper gowns were perfect for her character in PANDORA'S BOX. The look also worked for for Cyd Charisse and Melanie Griffith, who copied it for their performances in "Singin' in the Rain" and "Something Wild,".


Designer Adrian helped dress MGM queens: Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Greta Garbo and Jean Harlow, but it was his work in LETTY LYNTON (1932), that showed Hollywood just how much influence it had on the way women dressed. His designs showed off each star's best physical features. For Crawford he created a white organdy dress with shoulder ruffles, more than a million women added the white organdy dress to their own closets. And the broad-shouldered power suits he designed for Crawford became a very popular style with woman. Edith Head once called LETTY LYNTON the greatest influence on fashion in film history.


PAT AND MIKE (1952). This film was a perfect example of Katharine Hepburn liberating image. From her first performance, Hepburn defied convention by dressing like a man, saying her high-waisted trousers, men's shirts and loafers were more comfortable. The look seem to fit perfectly with her characters, which helped changed fashion for women. In 1986 the Council of Fashion Designers of America honored her with a special award. She never took herself too seriously, she accepted saying, "We're in a pretty serious spot when the original bag lady wins a prize for the way she looks."



Grace Kelly and designer Edith Head produced fashion magic in the movie, Rear Window(1954). Alfred Hitchcock wanted Grace Kelly to look, understated and elegant. With Kelly perfectly cast as a fashionable socialite, Head was able to create beautiful designs. From a pale green skirt suit to the floral print dress showed woman of the 50s how to be chic, and a new fashion icon was born.


When Brigitte Bardot sunbathed in her bikini in the film AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, her career began as the "sex kitten. The ballet flats and plunging necklines were soon the rage. And her tousled up-swept hair, is still to this day the height of casual elegance.


The combination of colors and exposed undergarments of Rosalind Russell costumes in the film, AUNTIE MAME (1958). Designer Orry-Kelly, found the glamour in Mame's bohemian lifestyle and her style continues to be popular today.



BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (1961). When Audrey Hepburn ate breakfast while looking in Tiffany’s windows, the little black dress she wore became the staple in many woman's wardrobe. Created by designer, Givenchy. That wasn't the only fashion influence in this classic 1961 comedy, the triple strand pearl necklaces, sleeveless dresses and oversized sunglasses, are still considered the height of elegance even today.



BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967). When Faye Dunaway, looked at Theodora van Runkle's printed scarves, pencil skirts, knitted sweaters, the one time model completely changed her style. "… until I met Theodora, clothes...had just been part of the job," Dunaway once said. "She taught me how much fun it can be." Soon all us girls wanted to look "retro chic". Even the beret, once only worn by Frenchmen and struggling poets, became a hot fashion item. Because of the film, BONNIE AND CLYDE, the '30s look became popular in the 1970s.

Ella Raines

Ella Raines, studied drama at the University of Washington and was performing in a play there when she was seen by Howard Hawks. She became the first actor signed to the new production company he had formed with the actor Charles Boyer, "B-H Productions", and made her film debut in Corvette K-225 in 1943.

During 1954 she performed in her own television series Janet Dean, Registered Nurse. She also performed in television series, Robert Montgomery Presents, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents, Lights Out, Pulitzer Prize Playhouse and The Christophers.

She retired from acting in 1957, but made one further acting performance with a guest role in the series Matt Houston in 1984.


From the movie: Phantom Lady (1944). Classic jazzy jam sessions with Ella Raines.

Impact(1949). Wanted by two women! One for Love! One for Murder!

Impact(1949).Noir. Cast: Brian Donlevy and Ella Raines. It was filmed in California including the scenes at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. The film was based on a story by film noir writer Jay Dratler.

Millionaire Walter William's, young wife, Irene, is trying to kill him with the help of her lover, Jim Torrance. Williams survives a hit on the head. Torrance takes off in Williams' car but dies in a head-on collision. Everyone believes that Williams was the driver.

Williams ends up in a small town in Idaho. He lands a job at a service station and falls in love with the station's owner daughter, Marsha. Meanwhile, the police arrest Williams' wife for his "murder." Marsha talks Walter into going back to clear his wife. You have to watch to see what happens next.
Click to view the movie: Suddenly(1949).

Fun Fact:
This was Anna May Wong's first screen performance since 1942.

I thought this "B" film noir is one of the best. A simple plot which has a wonderful twist. Also, to me it looks like one of the buildings is the same building in the film Vertigo(1958).

Ella Raines, studied drama at the University of Washington and was performing in a play there when she was spotted by Howard Hawks. She became the first actor signed to the new production company he had formed with the actor Charles Boyer, "B-H Productions", and made her film debut in Corvette K-225 in 1943.

During 1954 she starred in her own television series Janet Dean, Registered Nurse. She also performed in television series: Robert Montgomery Presents, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents, Lights Out, Pulitzer Prize Playhouse and The Christophers.

She retired from acting in 1957, but made one more acting performance in the series Matt Houston in 1984.

Have A Great Memorial Day Weekend Everyone...

Hey Dawn,

Just wanted to write a quick post to you and all our followers to have a great holiday weekend. Since I will be out of town until Monday, I wanted to leave with a great pic of my goddess of the month in May of Bette Davis and two of her best friends. Take care everyone and I will see you in a few days. Thanks Dawn for holding down the fort.

Viola Dana

Viola Dana, first silent film was made at a former Manhattan riding academy in 1910. The stalls had been made into dressing rooms. She fell in love with Edison director John Hancock Collins (1889 - 1918) and they married in 1915. Dana's performed in Collins's Edison films, Children of Eve (1915) and The Cossack Whip (1916). Soon after producer B. A. Rolfe, offered the couple contracts with his company, Rolfe Photoplays. Dana and Collins accepted Rolfe's offer in 1916 and filmed, The Girl Without A Soul and Blue Jeans (both 1917).

Soon after Viola Dana, moved out to California acting for Metro. In 1920, she became engaged to Ormer Locklear, an aviator and military veteran. Locklear was the prototype for the Robert Redford movie, The Great Waldo Pepper (1975), and Dana was an honored guest for the premiere of The Great Waldo Pepper.

One of Viola Dana's last important roles was in Frank Capra's, That Certain Thing (1928). She retired from the screen in 1929. Her final performances were in, Two Sisters (1929), One Splendid Hour (1929), and (with her sister Shirley Mason, née Leonie Flugrath) The Show of Shows (1929). Viola performed in over 100 films. More than 50 years after her retirement she performed in the documentary Hollywood (1980), talking about her career as a silent film star during the 1920s. Footage from the interview sessions was used in the 1987 documentary Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow.


Cinderella Twin (1920)
Connie McGill, a scullery maid dreams of better things. One day, while serving, she sees her Prince Charming, Prentice Blue. Unfortunately, Blue has nothing but his social standing and Nathaniel Flint, wishes his daughter Helen to marry him in order to gain family status. Flint gives a big party for Helen, which attracts the attention of the Du Geen band of crooks. They help the unsuspecting Connie with proper clothes, and she ends up at the party dancing with Blue, who falls in love with her. As she leaves, she accidentally leaves her slipper with Blue. Unknown to her, the crooks put a key in her shoe to Flint's safe.

Frank Capra "That Certain Thing" (1928)

"That Certain Thing" (1928) is a silent romantic comedy starring Viola Dana, Ralph Graves, and Burr McIntosh. Directed by Frank Capra, this film is about a gold digger who is in search of a rich husband. Molly Kelly, played by Viola Dana, is a young woman from the tenements who works in a cigar stand to help support her widowed mother and two younger brothers. Even though she has the opportunity to marry a streetcar conductor, Molly wants to marry a millionaire. Molly's mother, Maggie Kelly, played by Aggie Herring, and the neighbors make fun of her fantasy. One day Molly literally bumps into Andy B. Charles, Jr., played by Ralph Graves, the son of the popular ABC restaurant chain. Totally smitten with Molly, Andy asks her out on a date that same night. Within a few hours, Molly and Andy get married. The following day, associates of Charles, Sr. arrive in the couple's honeymoon suite and confiscate all the wedding gifts Andy bought Molly on his father's credit account. Charles, Sr., played by Burr McIntosh, suspects that Molly married Andy for his money and promptly disinherits his son. At this point, Andy rolls up his sleeves and goes to work on a building site digging ditches to support himself and his wife. Molly, who is truly in love with Andy, packs her husband a box lunch daily and takes it to his worksite. When a minor problem on the job makes Andy lose his appetite, he offers his lunch to one of his co-workers, who is so impressed with Molly's box lunch that he swears he would be willing to pay good money for it. Pretty soon Molly starts making box lunches which Andy eagerly sells to his co-workers. When word gets out that Molly's box lunches are better than the ones from the Charles restaurant chain, Andy's millionaire father has to deal with some serious competition. What will happen when Charles, Sr. finds out his own son and daughter-in-law can drive him out of business?


Frank Capra's first Columbia feature, "That Certain Thing" is delightful and is worth watching just to see how clever a director he was in his silents. Even at this early stage of his career, this film has that Capra "feel good" touch. It showcases three of the four elements that later became customary in all Capra's films: comedy, romance, pathos, and drama. The pathos is missing, but this kind of film did not really need it. Columbia was a Poverty Row studio in 1928. Typical of Columbia films from this period, "That Certain Thing" suffers from the small budget, especially noticeable in the scenes shot in the office of millionaire Charles, Sr., which is rather cramped. However, the film has excellent lead performances from Ralph Graves and Viola Dana. Claiming that he was losing his hair and his sex appeal, Ralph Graves decided to become a director for Harry Cohn at Columbia in the late 1920's, although, in fact, he did continue acting until as late as 1949. At Columbia, Graves became associated with Frank Capra, whom the actor had become familiar with at the Mack Sennett studios. Aside from "That Certain Thing" (1928), Capra did star Graves in "Submarine" (1928), "Flight" (1929), "Ladies of Leisure" (1930), and "Dirigible" (1931). Viola Dana, who started her feature film work at seventeen with the Edison Company, worked in many silents for Edison, comedies with Mack Sennett, and starred in some fifty feature films for Metro where she was the highest paid female star. Viola Dana, who had a wicked sense of humor, always claimed that Frank Capra had chosen her for "That Certain Thing" (1928), because, when she walked, she had the "cutest little wiggle." Fast paced and filled with Capraesque humor, "That Certain Thing" is a forgotten gem of the silent screen that is worth discovering.

Pam Grier

Pam Grier has been a major African American actress from the early seventies. Her career started back in 1971 when Roger Corman of New World Pictures launched her into The Big Doll House (1971), about a woman's penitentiary and The Big Bird Cage (1972). Her strong role put her into a five year contract with Samuel Z. Arkoff of American International Pictures and from then Grier became a leading lady in action films such as two of the Jack Hill films: Coffy (1973) and Foxy Brown (1974), and the comic strip character Friday Foster (1975) and the William Girdler film 'Sheba, Baby' (1975). She continued work with American International where she portrayed William Marshall's vampire victim in the 'Blacula' sequel, Scream Blacula Scream (1973).

During the eighties she became a regular on "Miami Vice" (1984) and played a supporting role as an evil witch in Ray Bradbury's and Walt Disney Pictures Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) and then returned to action as Steven Seagal's partner in Above the Law (1988). Her most famous role of the 90s was probably Jackie Brown (1997), directed by Quentin Tarantino, which was a homage to her earlier 70s action roles, but she occasionally did supporting roles as in Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! (1996), In Too Deep (1999) and her funny performance in Jawbreaker (1999). More recently, she appeared in John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars (2001) and co-starred with Snoop Dogg in Bones (2001). Her entire career of over thirty years has brought only success for this beautiful and talented actress.

My personal favorites are:

Jackie Brown
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Foxy Brown
Friday Foster
Jawbreaker

List of Dawn's favorite John Wayne Movies.

The Shootist (1976)
Rooster Cogburn (1975)
Brannigan (1975)
McQ (1970)
The Train Robbers (1973)
The Cowboys (1972)
Big Jake (1971)
True Grit (1969)
Hellfighters (1968)
The War Wagon (1967)
El Dorado (1966)
The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
McLintock! (1963)
Donovan's Reef (1963)
Hatari! (1962)
Rio Bravo (1959)

Frances Gifford

Frances Gifford, While visiting the studios of Samuel Goldwyn to watch a film being made she was spotted by a talent scout who brought her to the attention of Goldwyn, who signed her on an acting contract. After only performing in minor roles, she moved on to RKO where she was cast in several uncredited supporting roles in the film, Stage Door (1937) starring Katharine Hepburn and Ginger Rogers.

In 1938 at the age of 18, she married character actor James Dunn and in 1939 performed her first leading role, in Mercy Plane, opposite her husband. she performed in another uncredited role in, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). She played several more minor roles before she was, loaned to Republic Pictures and cast in the role which Frances would be best known for as the girl, Nyoka in Jungle Girl(1941), a 15-chapter movie serial, based on the novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Soon after, She left RKO for Paramount Pictures where she acted in several films including, The Glass Key (1942). In 1943 she made another Tarzan type movie with Johnny Weissmuller in Tarzan Triumphs at RKO. That year she also left Paramount and moved to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio.

At MGM she performed in many leading roles in such films as: Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945) and She Went to the Races (1945) and The Arnelo Affair (1947). She also played in supporting roles including, Thrill of a Romance (1945) with Esther Williams,(pictured below) and Luxury Liner (1948) with Jane Powell.

She Went to the Races(1945). A NECK-TO-NECK FINISH!

She Went To the Races(1945). Director: Willis Goldbeck. Cast Frances Gifford, James Graig and Ava Gardner.

I did not get home in time to see the movie Heavenly Body, but.. I did catch the movie, She Went to the Races. I was surprised that it was such a cute movie to watch while I was cooking dinner.

When Dr. Ann Wotters, a young scientist at the Brockhurst Institute of Research, learns that her uncle Dr. Homer Pecke, is being forced to retire because the institute could not raise the $20,000 needed for his research, she wants to do something to help. Dr. Gurke, Dr. Pembroke and Dr. Collyer, are also worried about Homer, and they learn a quick way to raise money from, the janitor,who tells them about his winnings at the racetrack. Gurke, Pembroke and Collyer come up with a "scientific" formula to predict the outcome of future races. After, they let Ann in on their plans, they head off for Pasadena, where they hope to look for a place to stay and conduct thier experiments. Soon the scientists find out that all the hotels are booked. Not to be stopped, Ann talks her way into a hotel room that has been reserved for Steve Canfield, a horse owner. When Steve arrives in his room, Ann charms him into letting her stay. After, falling in love with Steve, Ann's troubles begin when socialite Hilda Spotts, the beautiful ex- girlfriend of Steve's, who owns a competing horse, shows up. (Ava Gardner, who steals the picture). Gurke, Pembroke and Collyer belive that Steve's horse, Mr. McGillicudy, will win the upcoming race, but Steve tries to discourage Ann from betting on his horse, saying that he cannot win in the rain. Will Ann win big at the racetrack and her new man?




I thought She Went to the Races, was a very cute romantic comedy. The supporting cast, is what really made this movie work for me.. Edmund Gwenn and Sig Rumann, as well as Ava Gardner in a well-played role as the other woman.

Happy Birthday Pam Grier

(1949-present)
Happy Birthday to Foxy Brown herself


Pam Grier in In Too Deep - 8/99 Photos

Happy Birthday John Wayne

(1907-1979)
Happy Birthday to The Duke today....

Sharon Tate

Sharon Tate, made her first on screen test in 1964 for Sam Peckinpah, opposite Steve McQueen, in the film, The Cincinnati Kid. Tate's timidity and lack of experience caused her to loose the part to Tuesday Weld.

She went on to gain experience with small television performances and auditioned unsuccessfully for the role of Liesl in the film, The Sound of Music. Although, Ransohoff did gave Tate walk-on roles in: The Americanization of Emily and The Sandpiper.

In 1965, Ransohoff gave Tate her first major role in the film, Eye of the Devil, co-starring David Niven, Deborah Kerr, Donald Pleasence, and David Hemmings. As part of Ransohoff's promotion of Tate, he filmed a short documentary called All Eyes on Sharon Tate, to be released at the same time as Eye of the Devil.



In the film, Eye of the Devil, Tate played Odile, a witch who has power over a landowner, played by Niven, and his wife, played by Kerr. Tate's performance was considered crucial to the film. Niven called Tate a "great discovery", and Kerr also thought, Tate would be a "great success". Much of the filming took place in France and after filming Tate, stayed in London, where she became interested in the fashion world and nightclubs. Around this time she met Roman Polanski.



While Polanski was in the planning stages of making the film, The Fearless Vampire Killers, which was being co-produced by Ransohoff, he wanted Jill St. John for the female lead. Ransohoff insisted that Polanski cast Tate, and after meeting with her, he agreed on the condition that she wore a red wig for the movie. Polanski also played one of the main characters, a young man who is interested in Tate's character and begins a romance with her. They began a relationship, and Tate moved into Polanski's London apartment after filming ended.

Tate returned to Hollywood to film, Don't Make Waves with Tony Curtis. Tate played the part of Malibu, which was believed to be the inspiration for the popular "Malibu Barbie" doll. The film was also intended to become one of "beach movies". A advertising campaign by Coppertone featured Tate, ran at the same time..

Polanski was contracted by the head of Paramount Pictures, Robert Evans, to direct and write the screenplay for Rosemary's Baby. Polanski wanted Tate to star in the film and had hoped that someone would suggest her, but he was not comfortable to make the suggestion himself and Mia Farrow was cast. Tate appeared uncredited as a guest in a party scene.

A March 1967 article about Tate in Playboy magazine began, "This is the year that Sharon Tate happens..." and included six photographs taken by Roman Polanski during filming of, The Fearless Vampire Killers. Also that year she had been signed to play a major role in the film, Valley of the Dolls. She admitted to Polanski that she did not like the book or the script.



Patty Duke, Barbara Parkins and Judy Garland were cast. Susan Hayward replaced Garland a few weeks later. Director Mark Robson was very critical of the three principal actresses but, according to Duke, directed most of his criticism at Tate.

Tate, Duke and Parkins developed a close friendship which continued after the completion of the film. During the shooting of Valley of the Dolls, Tate confided to Parkins that she was "madly in love" with Polanski. She frequently commented on her admiration for Lee Grant, with whom she had played several dramatic scenes.

When asked about her acting ambitions she said, "I don't fool myself. I can't see myself doing Shakespeare." In other interviews she said she wanted to become "a light comedienne in the Carole Lombard style". She talked about two contemporary actress that she was influenced by: Faye Dunaway and Catherine Deneuve.

The Wreaking Crew(1968)

The Wrecking Crew (1968). Cast: Dean Martin, Elke Sommer and Sharon Tate. The fourth and final film in a series of comedy-spy-fi featuring Martin as secret agent Matt Helm. As with the first three movies (The Silencers, Murderers' Row and The Ambushers), the film is based on Donald Hamilton's 1960 novel of the same name.

The story is simular to the Bond novel/film, Goldfinger, Helm's assignment is to bring down the evil count who is trying to steal gold. Along the way, Helm is partnered with a British agent played by Sharon Tate an accident-prone spy. Chuck Norris makes his film debut in a small role. It was the first film in the series to not be written by comedy writer Herbert Baker but by former police reporter and crime novel author William P. McGivern. The Wreaking Crew, is best known for the perfomance of Sharon Tate, who performed her own stunts and martial arts scenes cheroeographed by Bruce Lee.

Please click here to learn more about Sharon Tate.

Please click here to learn more about Elke Sommers.
When this movie first came out I thought it was a little corny..but, now I really enjoy watching it.

Happy Birthday Jeanne Crain

(1925-2003)

Jeanne Crain Photos

Jeanne Crain was born in Barstow, California, on May 25, 1925. The daughter of a high school English teacher and his wife, Jeanne was moved to Los Angeles not long after her birth after her father got another teaching position in that city. While in junior high school, Jeanne played the lead in a school production which set her on the path to acting. When she was in high school Jeanne was asked to take a screen test to appear in a film by Orson Welles. Unfortunately, she didn't get the part, but it did set her sights on being a movie actress.

After her high school career, Jeanne enrolled at UCLA to study drama. At the age of 18, Jeanne won a bit part in Fox Studio's film entitled The Gang's All Here (1943) and a small contract. Her next film saw Jeanne elevated to a more substantial part in Home in Indiana (1944) the following year, which was filmed in neighboring Kentucky. The movie was an unquestionable hit. On the strength of that box-office success, Jeanne was given a raise and star billing, as Maggie Preston, in the next film of 1944, In the Meantime, Darling (1944). Unfortunately, the critics not only roasted the film, but singled out Jeanne's performance in particular. She rebounded nicely in her last film of the year, Winged Victory (1944). The audiences loved it and the film was profitable.

In 1945, Jeanne was cast in State Fair (1945) as Margie Frake who travels to the fair and falls in love with a reporter played by Dana Andrews. Now, Jeanne got a bigger contract and more recognition. Later that year, Jeanne married Paul Brooks on New Year's Eve. Although her mother wasn't supportive of the marriage, the union has lasted to this day and produced seven children. Her 1947 was an off year for Jeanne as she took time off to bear the Brinkman's first child.

In 1949, Jeanne appeared in three films, A Letter to Three Wives (1949), The Fan (1949), and Pinky (1949). It was this latter film which garnered her an Oscar nomination as Best Actress for her role as Pinky Johnson, a nurse who sets up a clinic in the Deep South. She lost to Olivia de Havilland for The Heiress (1949). Jeanne left Fox after filming Vicki (1953) in 1953, with Jean Peters. She had made 23 films for the studio that started her career, but she needed a well-deserved change. As with any good artist, Jeanne wanted to expand her range instead of playing the girl-next-door types.

She went briefly to Warner Brothers for the filming of Duel in the Jungle (1954) in 1954. The film was lukewarm at best. Jeanne, then, signed a contract, that same year, with Universal Studios with promises of better, high profile roles. She went into production in the film Man Without a Star (1955) which was a hit with audiences and critics. After The Joker Is Wild (1957) in 1957, Jeanne took time off for her family and to appear in a few television programs. She returned, briefly, to film in Guns of the Timberland (1960) in 1960. The films were sporadic after that. In 1967, she appeared in a low-budget suspense yarn called Hot Rods to Hell (1967). Her final film was as Clara Shaw in 1972's Skyjacked (1972).

Jeanne died of a heart attack in Santa Barbara, California, on December 14, 2003. Her husband Paul Brooks had died two months earlier.

Happy Birthday Binnie Barnes

(1903-1998)

Binnie Barnes Photos

British-born actress who appeared in both British and American films, but who found her greatest success in Hollywood second leads. After a variety of jobs, including nurse, chorus girl and milkmaid, Barnes entered vaudeville. She appeared in more than a score of short comedies with comedian Stanley Lupino before making her feature bow in 1931. Two years later she achieved prominence as one of the half-dozen wives of the King in The Private Life of Henry VIII. (1933). The following year she moved to Hollywood and began a career as the smart-aleck pal of the lead or as the angry "other woman." Barnes also played numerous leading roles, but spent most of the 1930s and 40s in strong supporting parts. In 1940 she married football star (and later producer) M.J. Frankovich and after the war, they moved to Italy and appeared in several films there and elsewhere in Europe. She retired from films in 1954, but returned for a few roles in the late 60s and early 70s. She worked busily with numerous charities until her death in 1998.

Una Merkel - Her Finest Moment

Dawn recently did a piece on Una Merkel, a solid character actress who got her start as a stand-in for Lillian Gish in 1920's Way Down East.  She is famous for her wisecracking blond character in 42nd Street, and is remembered best for such roles.  I wanted to pay homage to one of her performances as a mentally ill mother in 1961's Summer and Smoke, one of the most memorable characters in movies.  She had created the role on Broadway, and brought it to the screen, where her relatively small role shines alongside a stellar cast including Geraldine Page and Laurence Harvey.

Summer and Smoke was a play by Tennessee Williams originally titled Eccentricities of a Nightingale.  It tells the story of a southern spinster named Alma (Page), a shy, nervous daughter of a minister.  Alma is emotionally fragile, unable to handle the realities of life and her feelings.  She is easily embarrassed and fluttery with nerves, physically frail, a sad woman who longs for love but cannot express it or act on it.  She is a character well known to Tennessee Williams fans from his  body of work.  Una Merkel plays a character also often seen in Williams' plays.  She is Alma's mother, Mrs. Winemiller, who could be an older version of Alma, old enough to have become mentally unstable and not to be trusted for normal behavior in public.  One of Alma's unspoken fears is that will end up like her mother, the barely tolerated wife of a harried and intolerant husband and the bane of her child's difficult life.  Mrs. Winemiller mainly lives upstairs, an embarrassment and annoyance to her family. When her behavior becomes erratic enough, she is often ordered upstairs by her husband. She has fits of mania when she talks crazily, screams "Where's the ice cream man? I want the ice cream man!"  When she manages to get out of the house, Mrs. Winemiller is known all over the small town as a sneaky kleptomaniac, mainly pilfering hats from stores.  Alma is often the person who has the agonizing job of apologizing to storekeepers, imploring her mother not to humiliate her with that behavior.

Mrs. Winemiller is crazy, alright, but not too crazy to see through Alma, and mean enough to enjoy baiting her daughter with sudden flashes of sane insight into Alma's nerves and humiliation.  She makes fun of Alma for Alma's deeply felt and hidden love of her hell-raising neighbor (Laurence Harvey).  Mrs. Winemiller sings "Alma's in love, Alma's in love" in front of other people, well aware that her daughter is deeply embarrassed by this revelation.  It is very difficult to play crazy without eliciting laughter, but Una does it with an attitude of dignity and pathos in her cruel insanity in this difficult role.  She is a complex character, and Una uses all of her considerable acting talent to bring a marvelous performance to the movie.

Her performance was noticed, and Una was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work.  Una Merkel rounded out her career with this fine piece of serious acting, light years from her early years as a dithering, wisecracking blond.  Well done, Una.  You have left a piece of genius in movie history.

Suddenly (1954)

Suddenly (1954). Director: Lewis Allen with a screenplay written by Richard Sale. Cast: Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, James Gleason and Nancy Gates.

Tod Shaw, the sheriff of a town called Suddenly, is dating Ellen Benson, a widow whose husband was killed in the War. Ellen and her young son Pidge live with her father-in-law, Pop Benson, a retired Secret Service agent. Ellen, is overprotective mother and will not allow her son to see war movies or play with toy guns. Ellen can not believe it when she sees that Tod has bought her son a toy cap pistol. Which puts a strain on their relationship.

Soon after Tod is made aware that a train carrying the President will be arriving at the town's railroad station later in the day. Then travel by car to a ranch for a fishing vacation. Tod meets with the secret service, led by agent Dan Carney. Carney and his men secure all the buildings around the station, including the Benson house. Carney is surprised to learn that his former boss Pop lives in the house. Soon, John Baron, Benny Conklin and Bart Wheeler, hired killers posing as FBI agents, arrive and ask to inspect the house. Pop, asks Baron why his men are there. Baron orders that no one is to leave the house, he tells Pop about the president's arrival and he has information about a potential threat to the president.

When Tod brings Carney to the house to see Pop, Baron shoots and kills Carney and Conklin shoots Tod in the arm. Baron then threatens to harm the little boy unless they follow his instructions. Will the Sheriff, Pop and Ellen be able to stop Baron from going though with his plans?


Even though it was a very different role for Sinatra performing as a vicious killer. I thought Sinatra was very believable playing his part. Nancy Gates, also gives an emotionally believable performance. James Gleason was perfect as a Gruff Old Man. "Suddenly", was surprisingly tough film for era which the film was made.

Click to view the film SUDDENLY in full.

Good Morning from Norma Shearer

Here is a lovely pic with the lovely Norma Shearer

Judy Holliday" You have to be smart to play a dumb blonde".

Judy Holliday, began her career in a night-club act, before working in Broadway plays and musicals. Her success in the 1946 stage production of Born Yesterday as "Billie Dawn" led to her being cast in the 1950 film version, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. She performed in many films in the 1950s. She was best known for her performance on Broadway in the musical Bells Are Ringing, winning a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical and reprising her role in the 1960 film.

Also in 1954, she performed in a couple of my favorite films with Jack Lemmon in, It Should Happen to You, and again (in 1954), in Phffft!.


Judy Holliday, Kay Starr, Janet Blair and Tyrone Power(1955).

Bells are Ringing(1960)

Bells Are Ringing (1960) Romantic/comedy/musical. Director: Vincente Minnelli. Cast: Judy Holliday and Dean Martin.

Brooklyn Switchboard operator Ella Peterson, works for telephone answering service Susanswerphone. Even though Sue's orders are only to "take and give" messages, Ella uses different voices to help her clients with their lives, even posing as Santa Claus to convince a small child to behave. Ella becomes interested in playwright Jeffrey Moss, who calls her "Mom". He just recently lost his writing partner and his having trouble finishing the outline for his play.. "Mom" tries to boost his ego, but instead.. Jeffrey drinks himself to sleep.



Meanwhile, Inspector Barnes and his assistant Francis, suspect that Susanswerphone is really a prostitution ring, pretend to be magazine reporters, interview Ella while wire-taping the switchboard.

Sue's boyfriend, J. Otto Prantz, moves into the apartment to run his music distribution business, Titanic Records, which is really a front for a bookkeeping operation. During a meeting with his bookies, Otto explains the new system: When customers place their bets, they will be translated into a classical music record album code for instance, "Beethoven" is really Belmont Park and "five hundred orders" is a $500 bet.

The next morning, when Jeffrey does not answer Ella's wake up call, she goes to his apartment, excited to finally to know what he looks like. The trouble is, how will she tell him who she really is?

I'm a huge Dean Martin fan!! I thought Holliday and Martin were soooo cute together. At first I thought it might be an odd paring.. The songwriting dentist will give you a few chuckles too.

Fun Facts:

This was Arthur Freed and Vincente Minnelli's last musical for MGM.

Judy Holliday's last film.

Jean Stapleton(born January 19, 1923). She is best known for her portrayal of  Edith Bunker,  in the 1970s TV comedy, All in the Family.