Key To The City(1950).

Key To The City(1950). Romantic comedy film. Cast: Clark Gable and Loretta Young. This was the second (and final) time that Gable and Young performed together in a film, the first being in the 1935 film, Call of the Wild.

The story begins, during a convention of the nation's mayors in San Francisco, Steve mistakes Clarissa for Sheila, his balloon dancer date for the evening, which insults Clarissa. Clarissa, forgives Steve's mistake and they soon develop a close friendship.

Steve's friend, Puget City fire chief Duggan, warns Steve that Henshaw, a crooked Puget City council member, is waging a campaign against him and that he should avoid any bad publicity while in San Francisco.

Steve holds an informal committee meeting with other mayors and their wives at the Blue Duck nightclub in Chinatown, The festivities come to a end when Steve sets off a huge fight. Clarissa tries to stop the fight by playing the piano and singing the song "San Francisco," but Steve insists that she leave the club before the police get there.

Unfortunately, Steve and Clarissa are arrested in a police raid. Police sergeant Hogan, tries to keep the matter quiet, but, as Clarissa leaves the station, a photographer takes her picture in front of a "Sobriety Test" room.

Though the picture causes problems for her in her hometown of Wenonah, Clarissa's uncle, Judge Silas Standish, is happy to see her having a good time.

As luck would have it, Clarissa and Steve are arrested on the street dressed as children for a costume party, but are soon released. While Steve and Clarissa ride back to the hotel in a taxi, the taxi swerves to miss some people and the two are thrown into each other's arms. During a romantic walk down the foggy streets of Telegraph Hill, Clarissa and Steve, fall in love and they make plans to marry. The engagement is soon called off, when Steve accuses Clarissa of being ashamed of his background. Steve, soon learns that Henshaw plans to override his veto of a pork barrel construction contract, Steve decides to leave the convention and return to Puget City. Clarissa, is heartbroken when she sees Sheila enter Steve's room.

Will Steve arrive in time to make sure his veto is not overridden and then save his relationship with, Clarissa?

This is one of those classic/funny/romance films staring Clark Gable, who is as charming as always and you can see the wonderful chemistry he has with, Loretta Young.




Fun Fact: The scenes that are supposed to be in Chinatown, really were filmed in Chinatown Los Angeles. Production also included interiors of the "Rice Bowl" restaurant as well as the bar areas. They were not sets on a Hollywood stage, but the real locations.

Final film of Frank Morgan.

Marilyn Maxwell (August 3, 1921 – March 20, 1972), best known for being a sexy blond she performed in several films and radio programs, and entertained the troops during World War II and the Korean War on USO tours with Bob Hope.

She started her professional entertaining career as a radio singer while still a teenager before signing with MGM in 1942 as a contract player. One of her first performances was in, The Abbott and Costello Show. Some of her other film roles include: Lost in a Harem (1944), Champion (1949), The Lemon Drop Kid (1951)and Rock-A-Bye Baby (1958).

This week on N and CF.

ON TCM, March 1, 2011: All About Eve(1950). The film stars Bette Davis as Margo Channing, a famous but aging Broadway star. Anne Baxter plays Eve Harrington, a overly helpful fan who pushes herself into Channing's life, ultimately threatening Channing's career and her personal relationships. George Sanders, Celeste Holm, Hugh Marlowe, Barbara Bates, Gary Merrill and Thelma Ritter also appear, and the film provided one of Marilyn Monroe's earliest roles. Please watch for my Bette Davis 6 part movie bio. through out the month of March. My biggest bio ever.. :)

Happy Birthday Star of the month: Jean Harlow. (March 3, 1911 – June 7, 1937) .Was a film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. Known as the "Platinum Blonde" and the "Blonde Bombshell". Please Click picture on side bar to view featured films.

Happy Birthday: David Niven.(1 March 1910 – 29 July 1983), was a British actor and novelist, best known for his roles as Phieas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days and Sir Charles Lytton, a.k.a. "the Phantom," in The Pink Panther. He was awarded the 1958 Academy Award for Best Actor in Separate Tables. Click picture on side bar to view past movie reviews.

Happy Birthday: Jennifer Jones. (March 2, 1919 – December 17, 2009) was a five-time Academy Award nominee, Jones won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in The Song of Bernadette (1943). Click picture on side bar to view past movie reviews.

I hope you like he new look here on N and CF. I have been looking for a movie theme background for a long time. :)

Monty and I, are also working on a little something to celebrate the Oscars. So please keep an eye out for our tribute to the Oscars.

Have a great week at the movies.

Happy Birthday: Elizabeth Taylor!

Elizabeth Taylor was born in London, England, on February 27, 1932. Her father was a art dealer who had his own gallery in a fashionable part of London. Her mother was an actress under the stage name, Sara Sothern. In 1939 the family moved to Los Angeles, CA, where Elizabeth was encouraged by her mother to become an actress. It did not take long for Elizabeth to be signed on by Universal in 1941.

The following year, Elizabeth Taylor signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and landed a part in the film, Lassie Come Home. In 1943 Taylor was cast opposite Mickey Rooney in the film, National Velvet, the story of a young girl who wins a horse in the lottery and rides it in England's Grand National Steeplechase.

Elizabeth Taylor loved the costumes, the make-up, and the attention while making films such as: Little Women, Father of the Bride, Cynthia and A Place in the Sun (1951), based on the novel An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser. It tells the story of a young man who is involved with two women. One who works in his wealthy uncle's factory and the other a beautiful socialite, with tragic results. Cliff and Taylor are wonderful together, in romance that will not be soon forgotten. If you are looking for a film with a good example of method acting this film is for you.



In 1956 she played opposite James Dean in the film, in a couple more of my of my favorite Elizabeth films, Giant, followed by Raintree County (1957), for which she received her first Academy Award nomination. She also performed in the film, Suddenly Last Summer (1959)for which she received her third Academy Award nomination. A melodrama/mystery. Based on the play of the same title by Tennessee Williams. The film is about a psychiatric doctor treating a female patient who, with the help of her wealthy aunt, is now a lobotomy candidate after witnessing the death of her male cousin while traveling in Spain. Hepburn and Taylor, are both at the top of their game in roles that seemed to be made especially for them. It's rare treat to see Hepburn play the villain.



While struggling with personal problems, she played the emotional part of Maggie in a wonderful film, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof(1958). Her portrayal of Maggie won her a second Academy Award nomination. The film is based on the play by Tennessee Williams. One of Williams's best-known works and his personal favorite the play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1955. The story takes place on the plantation home of wealthy cotton tycoon that goes by the name Big Daddy Pollitt and his relationships with his son Brick, Brick's wife Maggie the Cat, as well as Brick and his father and other family members. Even though this is a Elizabeth Taylor tribute, I would like to mention Jack Carter, who gives what I think one of his best performances. He seems to have a good heart even after years of jumping through Big Daddy's hoops and his scheming, wife plans.



In 1960 Taylor performed in one of her best screen performances as a call-girl in the film, Butterfield 8, for which she won an Oscar as Best Actress. A few months later, in 1961, she signed with 20th Century-Fox to perform in the film, Cleopatra, with Richard Burton. Which I saw for the first time not to long ago. Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. The screenplay was adapted by Sidney Buchman, Ben Hecht, Ranald MacDougall and Joseph L. Mankiewicz, from a book by Carlo Maria Franzero. The music score was by Alex North. Cleopatra, is about the struggles of Cleopatra VII, the young Queen of Egypt, to fight off Rome.



Two films, The VIPs (1963) and The Sandpiper (1965), preceded Elizabeth Taylor's screen triumph, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, for which she won another Oscar. Set on the campus of a small New England college, the film focuses on the challenging relationship of history professor George and his hard-drinking wife Martha, the daughter of the college president.



My favorite Elizabeth Taylor films:

1948 A Date with Judy
1949 Little Women
1950 Father of the Bride
1951 Father's Little Dividend
1951 A Place in the Sun
1954 Elephant Walk
1954 The Last Time I Saw Paris
1956 Giant
1957 Raintree
1958 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
1959 Suddenly, Last Summer
1960 Butterfield 8
1994 The Flintstones

Great On Screen Couples: Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier.

Laurence Olivier first met Vivien Leigh after her performance in, The Mask of Virtue(1936)and they quickly became friends. They made only three films together, but Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier worked together many times if you include their stage performances.

The first film that Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, performed together in was, Fire Over England (1937). A London Film Productions film drama, directed by William K. Howard and written by Clemence Dane from the novel Fire Over England by A. E. W. Mason. Leigh's performance in the movie helped to convince David O. Selznick to cast her as Scarlett O'Hara, in the film, Gone With the Wind. While playing lovers in the film, Olivier and Leigh fell in love in real life and began an affair. They wanted to marry, but both Leigh's husband and Olivier's wife at the time, did not want to give them a divorce. When they finally were divorced, they were married on 31 August 1940 with Katharine Hepburn and Garson Kanin as witnesses. They stayed together for over 20 years.

Another film they performed in together was, 21 Days, also known as 21 Days Together (1940). A British drama film based on the short play. It was directed by Basil Dean. It is a story about a man, who kills his lover's husband in self-defence and hides the body rather than turn himself in to the police. Then another man is arrested for murder. Now, will he turn himself in?

They're at their best as Horatio Nelson and his mistress Emma Hamilton in the film, That Hamilton Woman(1941), a historical film drama, about a scandal that was similar their own relationship. Which takes place during the Napoleonic wars, produced and directed by Alexander Korda for Alexander Korda Films.

The story begins with no where to turn, alcoholic Lady Hamilton, now in prison shares her past life with her cell mates, in a flashback: Emma, looks into a mirror and remembers, her life as the mistress of Charles Francis Greville. Greville gives Emma to Sir William, in payment for his debts. Emma, over time comes to like Sir William, who marries her. When Horatio Nelson arrives in Naples, Emma is impressed by how he is against Napoleon and his beliefs. She leaves Sir William, to live with Nelson, their life together is threatened, when Nelson decides to leave to fight in the, Battle of Trafalgar. After his death, her life falls apart.



Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier were newlyweds at the time of filming and were considered the "dream couple".

Oscar Blogathon: Best Actress 1963: Natalie Wood in, Love with the Proper Stranger(1963).

Natalie Wood, had a long Hollywood career. Her versatility served her well, maybe because she began performing in movies by the age of four and was a successful child actor in films such as, Miracle on 34th Street (1947).

She also gave a wonderful performance in, Rebel Without a Cause (1955), which earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She then starred in the musicals: West Side Story (1961) and Gypsy (1962).

She also received Academy Award nominations for her performances in the films, Splendor in the Grass (1961) and Love with the Proper Stranger(1963). A Romantic/comedy/ drama. Directed by Robert Mulligan. Cast: Natalie Wood, Steve McQueen, Edie Adams, Herschel Bernardi and Harvey Lembeck. The film is also the screen debut of Tom Bosley. The film's title song, written by Elmer Bernstein and Johnny Mercer, was recorded by Jack Jones.

The film begins, when Angie Rossini a Italian-American girl, finds herself pregnant after a "one night stand". The father is a musician named, Rocky Papasano and when she finds him, he does not remember her. All she wants from him is to give her enough money to help pay for an abortion.

Rocky comes up with the money for the abortion, but.. it turns out the abortionist is not a doctor. Rocky, refuses to let her go through with the abortion. He seems to really care about her and his concern brings them closer together. After meeting her brothers, Rocky says that he is ready to "take his medicine" by marrying her. Angie feelings are hurt and refuses, Angie wants a love relationship, with "bells and banjos."

Angie decides that it is best to move out on her own and begins to date her friend, Anthony. Rocky and Angie, cant seem to forget each other and Angie, invites him to dinner, where he makes advances towards her.



Angie says she doesn't want to make the same mistake and throws him out. The next day, Rocky waits for her outside Macy's, where she works, ringing bells and playing a banjo. Will he win her over?

I find it amazing that Natalie was just 25 years old at the time and to this day remains the youngest person to ever receive 3 Academy Award nominations. Love with the Proper Stranger, is a wonderful movie and before you know it you find yourself really hoping that they will get together. Wood's performance shows the most vulnerable side of this character. You may think, this film sounds like it is a great"chick flick", but... the story is has some wonderful comedic scenes that may appeal to the guys, too.

Please click here to read Natalie Wood's past reviews.

Bus Stop(1956).

Bus Stop(1956), also known as The Wrong Kind of Girl. Directed by Joshua Logan. Drama. Cast: Marilyn Monroe, Don Murray, Arthur O'Connell, Betty Field, Eileen Heckart, Robert Bray and Hope Lange. Monroe sings one song: "That Old Black Magic".



When cowboy Beau and his friend Virgil take the bus from Montana to Phoenix, Arizona, Beau is also hoping to find his "angel". Beau falls in love with cafe singer Chérie performing "That Old Black Magic" and plans to take her back to Montana.

The next day, he thinks that they are getting married, but she wants to find her star in Hollywood. Beau forces her on the bus back to Montana. On the way, they stop at Grace's Diner. The road is shut down because of a snow storm and by now everyone at the cafe knows that Beau has kidnapped the girl. The men make Beau promises to leave Cherie alone. Later, the road is cleared, Beau, apologizes for his behavior. Will Cherie forgive him?

Fun Facts:

Film debut of Hope Lange.

Green top with black-lace like overlay Marilyn Monroe wears had originally been worn by Susan Hayward several years earlier in the film, With a Song in My Heart (1952).

Film debut of Don Murray.

Marilyn Monroe(June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962), Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946. Her early film appearances were minor, until her performances in, The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve (both 1950). By 1953, Monroe began to perform in leading roles. Her "dumb blonde" persona was used to comedic effect in such films as, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) and The Seven Year Itch (1955). Limited by typecasting, Monroe studied at the Actors Studio to broaden her range and her dramatic performance in the film, Bus Stop (1956), for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. Her production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, released, The Prince and the Showgirl (1957), for which she received a BAFTA Award nomination and won a David di Donatello award. She also received a Golden Globe Award for her performance in, Some Like It Hot (1959).

March Madness (Classic Movie Goddess style).

For the month of March on Monty's Awesome blog, "All Good Tings",  is March Madness (Classic Movie Goddess style). Begins Monday Feb. 28, 2011. Please do not forget to vote for your favorites.

Click here to view Monty's Blog: All Good Things.

Great On Screen Couples: Cary Grant & Deborah Kerr

Ah the sweet pairings of Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr gave the three films they made together an air of sophistication. The little seen and underrated Dream Wife (1953) was their first film together and is a good romantic comedy which has Grant trying to romance a visiting foreign princess while trying to keep his girlfriend (Kerr) from getting jealous. It's a typical 50's comedy that benefits greatly from the presence of Cary and Deborah. They would team up again four years later for the sentimental classic An Affair To Remember (1957). Constantly ranked as one of the all time romantic films, Grant and Kerr's chemistry is rock solid. This film was remade in the 90's with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, and while that pair did a commendable job, the original is the best version. The last film our couple would make was the 1960 romantic comedy/drama The Grass Is Greener, which featured the pair as a married couple for the first time. They shared the screen with Robert Mitchum and Jean Simmons, and a love quadrangle forms over the course of the film. It's a good film that gets tons of airplay on cable. So Grant and Kerr wound up with three good films and one of them being an all time classic. Not too bad.

Friendly Persuasion(1956).

Friendly Persuasion(1956). Civil War film . Cast: Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire, Anthony Perkins, Richard Eyer, Robert Middleton and Phyllis Love. The screenplay was adapted by Michael Wilson from the 1945 novel The Friendly Persuasion by Jessamyn West and was directed by William Wyler.

The story begins, as a family of Quakers, are getting ready to attend a Sunday meeting. Which soon comes to an end, when a Union officer, asks the Quaker men, how can they stand by and watch as their families and homes are being destroyed. He believes that they they are hiding behind their religion out of fear. Josh Birdwell agrees, that it might be true.

Jess is out working in his fields when he notices an huge cloud of smoke. His oldest son Josh, soon arrives and tells them the entire town has been destroyed and he is going to fight. Eliza tells him that by turning his back to their religion he's turning his back on her, but Jess can not stand by and watch his world crumble around him with out doing something about it..



One of the things I loved about this unforgettable film is the music. I also loved the lighthearted scene with Gary Cooper looking through curtain hoops at the the county fair. Not only does this film have it's light moments, it also has the message, to do what is right.

Fun Facts:

Final film of Charles Halton.

The role of Jess Birdwell was originally intended for Bing Crosby, who turned it down and recommended his close friend Gary Cooper for the part.

Katharine Hepburn turned down the role of Eliza Birdwell.

Gary Cooper wanted Ingrid Bergman to play Eliza Birdwell, but she turned the part down.

Gary Cooper hated the way he appeared in the film so much that he never even watched it.

Jean Arthur was considered to play the mother.

Gary Cooper originally did not want to play a father of grown up children. This was despite the fact that he was 55 in real life.

The battle depicted in the film, against the Confederate raiders led by General John Hunt Morgan, is based on an actual battle. On July 9, 1863, 450 members of the Indiana Home Guard met John Hunt Morgan's raiders in battle south of the town of Corydon, Indiana. The Home Guard held off the raiders for a half-hour, but the raiders numbered 11,000, and the Home Guard was eventually forced to retreat. The Morgan raiders occupied the town of Corydon for a single afternoon, during which time they looted stores in the town and forced several mill owners to pay cash ransoms in return for not burning their mills. At 5 o'clock, the raiders moved on. During the battle, the Morgan raiders suffered 11 men killed and 33 wounded, while the Indiana Home Guard lost only 5 men.

Dorothy McGuire (June 14, 1916 – September 13, 2001), her first film performance was in, Claudia.  Her screen performance was so popular that there was a sequel, Claudia and David , both movies co-starring Robert Young.

By 1943, at the age of 27, she was already playing mother roles, in such as, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.

She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for ,Gentleman's Agreement(1947).

Other well know films: The Enchanted Cottage, A Summer Place, Three Coins in the Fountain, Friendly Persuasion, Old Yeller, Swiss Family Robinson, The Greatest Story Ever Told, and The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.

McGuire had a long Hollywood career. Her versatility served her well in  melodramas, The Spiral Staircase and Make Haste to Live, as well as in comedies, Mother Didn't Tell Me and Mister 880.

Silent Film Star: Carole Dempster.

Please click here to learn more about Carole Dempster.

Personal Quote:

I just never think about my days in pictures. I am always surprised that anyone remembers me. It was so long ago. So many of my movies were so sad. Maybe my fans would like to know that in real life Carol Dempster had a happy ending.

“Sally of the Sawdust” (1925)

“Sally of the Sawdust” (1925) is a silent comedy starring Carol Dempster, W.C. Fields and Alfred Lunt. Directed by D.W. Griffith, this film is a fascinating departure from the austere moral drama in which he specialized.












The story opens with the circus coming to town. Sally, played by Carol Dempster, is a circus waif who has been raised by a lovable con man, Professor Eustace McGargle, played by W.C. Fields, a sideshow juggler and entertainer. Flashbacks reveal that Sally’s mother had married a circus man against her father’s wishes and was ordered never to return home. Later, Sally’s mother became a widow with a child, and on her death bed entrusted her little girl to their best friend, McGargle. Now that Sally is a teenager, McGargle decides to return her to her grandparents who now live in Green Meadow. Stranded and broke in the town of Burryville, McGargle and Sally steal a ride on a train. Once they arrive in Green Meadow, McGargle and Sally both stir controversy when attending a charity event for homeless children near the estate of the very wealthy Judge Henry L. Foster, played by Erville Anderson and his wife, played by Effie Shannon, Sally’s grandparents. Complications arise when Peyton Lennox, the son of a respected citizen from Green Meadow, played by Alfred Lunt, meets and falls in love with Sally. Even though McGargle escapes arrest for dealing in a crooked card game, Sally is arrested for being his accomplice and must stand trial to be placed in a home for delinquent girls. Meanwhile, Peyton is sent out of town by his father in the hope that he will forget Sally. The ending is quite surprising.



“Sally of the Sawdust” was based on W.C. Fields’ popular play, “Poppy.” W.C. Fields in his second appearance on the screen made a standout characterization within a story that had mystery, jazz, comedy, romance and drama. Although it is remembered solely as a Fields’ comedy, Carol Dempster acquires most of the attention under Griffith’s careful supervision. Even though much has been said against the actress about her looks and talent, her plain looks only add to her role as Sally. One of my favorite scenes is during the charity event when Carol gets a complete makeover with styled hair, sparkling jewelry, and an evening gown. I think Carol was quite comical in many of the scenes with Fields. However, she gives a touching performance during the final courtroom battle. I liked, in particular, how Fields showcases his skills as a physical comedian in this film. He does a few inventive juggling acts and he is so graceful. Even though “Sally of the Sawdust” is not one of Griffith’s masterpieces, it is an enjoyable film to watch with its pristine quality print and the screen presence of W.C. Fields and Carol Dempster.




Born in Duluth, Minnesota, on December 9, 1901, Carol Dempster moved with her family to California, where she came to the attention of Ruth St. Denis and joined her dance school. She is apparently one of the dancers in the Babylonian sequence of “Intolerance” (1916), but whether Griffith noticed her at this point is unknown. Within three years, Carol was featured in Griffith’s productions of “A Romance of Happy Valley,” “The Girl Who Stayed at Home,” and “True Heart Susie,” all released in 1919. “The Love Flower” (1920) was Carol’s first starring role followed by “Dream Street” (1921). She gave one performance in a non-Griffith production, “Sherlock Holmes” (1922) starring John Barrymore. Carol ended her career starring in six of Griffith’s last films, “The White Rose” (1923), “America” (1924), “Isn’t Life Wonderful” (1924), “Sally of the Sawdust” (1925), “That Royle Girl” (1925) and “The Sorrows of Satan” (1926). Carol Dempster was the last star created by the man credited with creating the American motion picture as we know it today. Carol Dempster died on February 1, 1991. She was 89 years old.

Great On Screen Couples: Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn.

Katharine Hepburn made her first performance with Spencer Tracy in the film, Woman of the Year (1942), directed by George Stevens. A romantic comedy film. The movie is about a independent woman, who is chosen "Woman of the Year" and her co worker-turned-husband try to find a life of happiness.



Woman of the Year won an Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay and was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Behind the scenes the couple fell in love and would soon become one of Hollywood's most famous romances. Even though Tracy was married at the time.

When Joseph Mankiewicz, first introduced them, Hepburn, was wearing heels said, "I'm afraid I'm too tall for you, Mr. Tracy." Mankiewicz said, "Don't worry, he'll soon cut you down to size." As The Daily Telegraph observed in Hepburn's obituary, "Hepburn and Spencer Tracy were at their most seductive when their verbal fencing was sharpest: it was hard to say whether they delighted more in the battle or in each other."

Keeper of the Flame (1942). A dramatic film. Hepburn plays the widow of a famous civic leader who, just before his death, was planning against the government of the United States. Tracy plays a former war correspondent who is planning to write a biography, only to learn about his evil plans. The film was directed by George Cukor. Katharine Hepburn, wanted to add some romance to the film. She went to producer Victor Saville, about this but he ignored her comments, so Hepburn went directly to Mayer, who was happy to make the film into a Hollywood romance.

Without Love(1945). Romantic/comedy. Directed by Harold S. Bucquet. The story begins when a lonely widow Jamie Rowan, marries a military research scientist, Patrick Jamieson, who has set up his lab in her house. They both believe that a marriage can be a success without love. But as a romantic comedy goes... you know what happens.

The Sea of Grass(1947). Western/drama film. It was directed by Elia Kazan and based on the novel of the same name by Conrad Richter. Kazan was reported so embarrassed by the film that he urged people not to see it. Hepburn, plays a woman from St. Louis moving to New Mexico to marry a rancher, who does not want other ranchers using the government-owned range at all costs.

State of the Union(1948). Directed by Frank Capra. The story is about how Kay Thordyke loves Grant Matthews and helps him become Republican nominee for President. The Republicans, begins to worry as Grant begins to speak for himself...

Please click here to view State Of the Union(1948) movie review.

Adam's Rib (1949). Directed by George Cukor. Judy Holliday, in her first substantial film role. The music was composed by Miklós Rózsa, except for the song "Farewell, Amanda", which was written by Cole Porter. The story begins when, Prosecutor Adam Bonner, is assigned the case against a woman who tried to scare her adulterous husband and his lover by shooting at them, hitting him in the shoulder. Bonner's wife, Amanda, also a lawyer, decides to defend the woman in court. As the two try and win the case, the courtroom battle continues on at home..

Pat and Mike (1952). Comedy. The movie was directed by George Cukor, who also directed The Philadelphia Story and Adam's Rib. The story is about Pat Pemberton, is a talented golfer, except when her over baring fiance is around. He wants them to get married and forget her golf career, but she cannot give up on her dreams. She meets up with Mike Conovan, sports promoter and before they know it they become involved with mobsters and a jealous boxer.

Desk Set (1957). A romantic comedy film, directed by Walter Lang. The film begins at the "Federal Broadcasting Network". With Bunny Watson, is hard at work researching and answering questions on all types of subjects. The network is merging with another company, but.. is keeping it secret until the network head ordered two computers. Richard Sumner, the inventor of the computer, is brought in to see how the library works. The employees jump to the conclusion that the machines are going to replace them when they all receive pink slips.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), for which Hepburn won her second Academy Award for Best Actress. The story begins when, Joey Drayton brings her fiance, Dr. John Prentice, home to meet her parents.



After a romantic period, it became, a close friendship. But, when Tracy became ill, Hepburn took five years off from her career, following completion of the film, Long Day's Journey Into Night, to care for him. Out of consideration for Tracy's family, Hepburn did not attend his funeral. She was too heartbroken to ever watch the film, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

Pawsome Pet Pictures: Claudette Colbert

Pawsome Pet Picture: Jane Powell.

Personal Quote:

"The only thing I knew was MGM, where I had worked since I was 14. Unions were not even a part of my vocabulary. SAG meant a gravity problem. EQUITY meant owning a house."

Great On Screen Couples: Jean Arthur & Jimmy Stewart

When you think of great female screwball comedy actresses, you have to think of Jean Arthur. She starred in some of the most notable screwball comedies of all time: Easy Living, The Devil and Miss Jones, Too Many Husbands, and The More The Merrier. And let's not forget her three classic films for director Frank Capra: Mr. Deeds Goes To Town, You Can't Take It With You, and Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. The last two pairing her with Jimmy Stewart. The only two films these legendary stars appeared in. Jean and Jimmy were perfectly in these wildly popular and sentimental films. Both stars projected down home easy going manners that everyday people could relate to. Even though they only paired up for these two films, they made a lasting impression of film lovers everywhere and established them firmly as a top Hollywood on screen couple.

Come and Get It (1936).

Come and Get It (1936), Drama film directed by Howard Hawks and William Wyler. Based on the 1935 novel of the same title by Edna Ferber. Cast: Edward Arnold, Mary Nash, Charles Halton, Frances Farmer and Joel McCrea.

The story is about how a lumber jack manager, by the name Barney Glasgow, climbs to the top of the logging industry. Barney and his best friend Swan, go to a saloon to celebrate where they meet singer, Lotta Morgan. Lotta and Barney fall in love but, Barney decides to and marry Emma Louise, the daughter of his boss Jed Hewett, to further his career. Lotta then marries Swan, whom she says is the kindest man in the world.

Many years later, his son Richard objects to his father destroying forests without planting new trees. Barney visits his old friend Swan Bostrom, who married Lotta after Barney left. Swan is now a widower raising his daughter on his own, also named Lotta, who looks exactly like her mother. Barney finds himself falling in love with the young woman and offers to pay for her education. Things become complicated when the son Richard meets Lotta and they fall in love...

I thought Frances Farmer's, performance was amazing how she played the saloon singer and the young daughters part. Joel McCrea's, performance is perfect and you can see how he would soon become a major Hollywood star.



Fun Fact:

Walter Brennan won the very first Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Swan Bostrom. In the span of four years (1936-40), Brennan won a then-unprecedented three acting Oscars, also for "Kentucky" (1938) and "The Westerner" (1940). Unmatched, until Katharine Hepburn won her third Best Actress award for 1968's "The Lion in Winter". Brennan's Oscar success was seen as largely due in part to the fact that the Screen Extras Guild consistently voted for him, as Brennan had been an extra for many years until his breakout success as one of Hollywood's most respected character actors.

Frances Farmer (September 19, 1913 – August 1, 1970). Farmer studied drama at the University of Washington.

During the 1930's. Farmer stopped in New York City, looking for a theater career. Instead, she was referred to Paramount Pictures talent scout, Oscar Serlin, who arranged for a screen test. Paramount offered her a 7-year contract. Farmer signed it on her 22nd birthday and moved to Hollywood.

She had top billing in two 1936 "B" movies. She married actor Leif Erickson, while filming the movie, Too Many Parents. Later that year, Farmer was cast opposite Bing Crosby in, Rhythm on the Range.

She was loaned to Samuel Goldwyn to perform in the film, Come and Get It(1936).

Wanting to be considered a more serious actress, she left Hollywood in 1937 to do summer stock in Westchester, New York. There she caught the attention of director Harold Clurman . He invited her to perform in the Group Theatre production of Odets' play, Golden Boy. Where her performance at first received mixed reviews.

Later, she returned to Hollywood and arranged with Paramount to make motion pictures, who in turned loaned her out to other studios for a starring role opposite Tyrone Power in the film, Son of Fury.

Great On Screen Couples: Myrna Loy and Cary Grant.

With Cary Grant's, talent for making the wildest situations seem believable, combined with Myrna Loy's charm and elegance, they complement each others performances, like in the wonderful comedy films: The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947). Comedy. Directed by Irving Reis. The screenplay was written by Sidney Sheldon. The story begins when seventeen-year-old Susan Turner, who develops a school girl crush on Richard Nugent, a handsome bachelor who gives a lecture on art at her high school. Susan's uncle, a psychiatrist, manages to talk him into playing along with Susan, hoping that she will soon become bored.



When his efforts fail, he throws himself into the charade hoping Susan's older sister Margaret will put an end to the affair. The film ends with Nugent and Margaret falling in love and Susan returning to her high school sweetheart, Jerry.

Myrna Loy and Cary Grant,second paring, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House(1948). Comedy. Directed by H.C. Potter. It was an adaptation of Eric Hodgins' 1946 novel.

The story begins with Jim Blandings, a account executive in the advertising business, who lives with his wife Muriel and two daughters, in a very small New York apartment. One morning, Jim Blandings, comes across an ad for new homes in Connecticut, seeing how expensive they are they decide on a "fixer upper" house, in Connecticut. Which turns out to be a dilapidated, two hundred-year-old farmhouse. Blandings purchases the property for more than than it is really worth. It turns out that the old house, has to be torn down. The Blandings hire architect to design and supervise the construction of their new home.

The nightmare begins with the well being drilled by Mr. Tesander, who has to go deeper and deeper looking for water, while just days later the contractors accidentally find water while digging the basement for the house, making the earlier drilling a costly waste of time. With no windows installed and the floors freshly varnished they move into their new home.

If that is not enough Jim, has been trying to come up with a slogan for "WHAM". Jim also wonders what is going on between his wife Muriel and his best friend Bill Cole, who spends a night alone together in the house during a violent thunderstorm. With all the expenses and his new assignment, Jim starts to wonder why he wanted to live in the country, in the first place...Will the house ever be finished?

Mr. Blandings Builds his Own House" is a wonderfully funny comedy. Cary Grant is hilarious in the role of a man who wants the American Dream of owning his own home..

Wings In The Dark(1935), is a drama which will remind you a little of, Amelia Earhart and an aeronautical inventor who fall in love. Grant's character does not really care for Loy's character as a circus stunt flier. Loy, tells him that the kind of flying she does, is all that is available to her and she is proving to the world, that women can also fly planes. During an accident Cary goes blind and he gives his plane the ultimate test. The film Wings In The Dark, is a wonderful glimpse of both stars in their earlier years.

Genna Davis "looks like" Frances Farmer.

Geena" Davis (born January 21, 1957) is an American actress, film producer, writer, former fashion model, and a women's Olympics archery team semi-finalist. She is known for her roles in The Fly, Beetlejuice, Thelma and Louise, and The Accidental Tourist, for which she won the 1988 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 2004, she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for her role in Commander in Chief.

Frances Farmer (September 19, 1913 – August 1, 1970) was an American actress of stage and screen.

Films:
1936 Too Many Parents
Border Flight
Rhythm on the Range
Come and Get It
1937 Exclusive
1938 Ride a Crooked Mile
1940 South of Pago Pago
1942 Son of Fury
1943 I Escaped
1958 The Party Crashers

Great On Screen Couples: Alan Ladd & Veronica Lake

This duo made 4 films together plus one more where they played themselves. Their coming together as on screen partners was at first mainly out of physical necessity: Ladd was just 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) tall and the only actress then on the Paramount lot short enough to pair with him was Lake, who stood just 4 feet 11½ inches (1.51 m). So in their first pairing, This Gun For Hire (1942),which had Lake top billed as a singing magician trying to ferret out some enemy agents and Ladd as a hired killer looking for payback against the spies who double-crossed him. Audiences loved Ladd in this film and when it came time to reunite him and Lake in another film, The Glass Key (1942), he moved up from 4th billing to third. Both films were big hits for Paramaount. And the studio brought them back together for the third time in 1946's masterful film noir classic The Blue Dahlia where Ladd received top billing as his star was on the rise, while Lake's career was stalling. But their chemistry was still apparent as Blue Dahlia remains a film noir favorite. The duo played themselves in all star variety flick, Duffy's Tavern, which really is not fondly remembered as a bright spot for either star. Their fourth and final film was 1948's Saigon, which is widely regarded as the weakest film the pair did. Lake's career pretty much sputtered after the 40's ended while Ladd would go on to star in 30 more films inlcuding probably his most fondly remembered role as the laconic gunfighter Shane. But for three really good films, Veronica Lake and Alan Ladd joined the ranks of great Hollywood on screen couples.

Morocco (1930).

Morocco (1930). Directed by Josef von Sternberg. Cast: Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich and Adolphe Menjou. The story is from the novel Amy Jolly by Benno Vigny. The film is probably most famous today for a scene in which Dietrich performs a song dressed in a man's tuxedo.



It was nominated for four Academy Awards in the categories of: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Marlene Dietrich, who knew little English, and spoke her lines phonetically), Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Director: Josef von Sternberg.

The movie begins when American Legionnaire Tom Brown, who is just out looking for a good time, catches the eye of cabaret singer Amy Jolly, who has many suitors, including the debonair Kennington.

Meeting up with her at her apartment, Tom finds her embittered with life and soon becomes tired of her. He decides to keep his date with an officer's wife. Amy, follows and the officer's wife tries to talk beggars into attacking Amy, but.. Tom defends her and is arrested and is sent on a dangerous mission.

Learning that she has been seeing Kennington while he was gone, Tom decides to stay at a desert outpost after his mission is completed. Amy hears that he is wounded and goes to the post, with Kennington not far behind. Realizing that they are in love, Kennington offers to help Tom, desert the Legion. Will Tom decide to stay with his men ?

I think this film helped Dietrich create the image that we now know her for.. standing by her man when all else fails. One thing about the film Morocco, that is different from most of other Dietrich films, is that she's not in control of the situation.

Eve Southern (October 24, 1898 – November 28, 1972). She performed in 38 films between 1916 and 1936, before breaking her back in a car accident.

Great On Screen Couples: Lana Turner and John Garfield.

One of Turner's favorite film performances was in , The Postman Always Rings Twice(1946), which co-starred John Garfield. As claimed in a documentary, Turner did not get along with him and when she found he was her male lead, she said: "Couldn't they at least hire someone attractive?" This classic film noir marked a turning point in Lana's career. So, I guess sometimes when you do not care to much for someone.. that can also produce "a great on screen performance".

 Please click here to read Postman Always Rings Twice review.