Pawsome Pet Pictures: Ann Blyth

Looks like Ann has her hands full...

Getting to know: Monty.

Monty, is a good friend and one of the regular contributors here on Noir and Chick Flicks. I thought it would be fun for us to get to know Monty a little better. Monty, loves to write,draw,travel and spending time with his wife Stephanie, family and friends. He loves all kinds of movies, especially the classics. He also collects comic books.

Dawn: Who are your top 5 favorite classic movie actor/actresses?

Monty: Cary Grant, Carole Lombard, Irene Dunne, William Holden and Myrna Loy.



















Dawn: Awesome, list of favorites! I think my only surprise was, William Holden. I do not remember you blogging much about him. Cary Grant's, acting he just made it all look so easy. Carole Lombard, was beautiful and talented. A woman full of wit and charm. Irene Dunne, amazing and in my opinion an underrated actress. Myrna Loy, popularity was at its peak in the late 1930s. She was named "Queen of the Movies". She defiantly made her mark in Hollywood. Describe why they are your favorite?

Monty: Cary is just perfect. The master of the screwball comedy. He was the one that got me hooked on the classics. More on that in one of your other questions. But Cary Grant to me is the greatest actor that ever lived. And close behind him is Carole Lombard, my favorite actress ever. I always loved how she handle comedy and drama equally and like Cary wasn't afraid to do slapstick. It's tragic that her life ended so soon.

Irene Dunne is just awesome. Her early roles where she played the classy lady who was always smarter than everyone else, including sometimes Cary Grant. William Holden was a great leading man and I loved the fact that there was no role he couldn't do. He may have played a lot of dramatic type films but every now and then he could loosen up and do comedy. I loved it when he appeared on I Love Lucy.

And finally Myrna Loy, forever known to me as Nora Charles. I loved Loy's great chemistry with William Powell and I loved her in all those wonderful screwball films she did. But I also loved her in The Best Years of our Lives. And I loved the fact that she was a great supporter of women and minority's rights. A great woman.

Dawn: I think Myrna Loy, gets little recognition for The Best Years of Our Lives. She really is the glue that holds the family together in the film. What movie got you hooked on classic movies?

Monty: His Girl Friday. I was 12 and it was the first classic movie I ever saw and was immediately attracted to it. It's just ironic that the very first classic movie I saw turned out to be my favorite film of all time and Cary is my favorite actor. Weird right? But I watch His Girl Friday 2-3 times a year and it is still an awesome film. I've seen it so many times I have lost count. It's a perfect mix of comedy and drama and has great classic characters.



Dawn: His Girl Friday, I agree.. is a perfect Classic romance, the typical battle of the sexes. :) What is your favorite classic movie?

Monty: I guess I sort of answered that with my last answer. Friday is just slightly ahead of Bringing Up Baby, another Cary Grant film. So either way you can't go wrong. I have watched these two films many a night as a double feature, laughing until it hurts. True classics.

Dawn: Bringing Up Baby, certainly is one of the fastest moving comedies ever filmed, and the whole cast is wonderful. I can totally understand why it is one of your favorite films. Who are your top 5 current favorite actors /actress?

Monty: Sandra Bullock (right from the very beginning of her career, she's is terrific), Denzel Washington, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kate Winslet and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Dawn: Sandra Bullock, love her, she seems like a nice person and full Of Life. Denzel Washington, is an awesome actor! I have loved every performance I have seen him in. Sarah Michelle Gellar, I have not seen many of her performances, but.. what I have seen, she can play any character. Kate Winslet, she has an inner grace that reminds me of, Grace Kelly. Gwyneth Paltrow, I agree.. is one of the leading actresses of today. She also has inner grace. Thank you, Monty for taking the time to chat with us. Please check out Monty's other blogs located on the side bar. :)

If any one else would like to share some thoughts about their favorite actresses/actors/movies, please let me know. I would love to spotlight you too.

Happy Birthday Priscilla Lane

(1912-1995) Happy Birthday Priscilla

Priscilla Lane attended the Eagin School of Dramatic Arts in New York before she began touring with her sisters in the Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians Dance Band. She was a popular singer with her sisters and, after 5 years, she was signed to a Hollywood contract with Warner Brothers in 1937. Her first film was Varsity Show (1937) where she had the hard task of portraying a singer with the Fred Waring Band. Priscilla was to play the nice girl against the temperamental star played by her sister Rosemary Lane. Over the years, Priscilla would play an assortment of girlfriends, daughters and fiancees. She would team with her two sisters, Rosemary Lane and Lola Lane, to make a series of drama's beginning with the film Four Daughters (1938). That film would be the one that made John Garfield a star. In most of her films, all Priscilla had to do was to look attractive and give a good supporting performance. Priscilla would also co-star with Wayne Morris in three 1938 releases. In The Roaring Twenties (1939), she would play the girlfriend of James Cagney. In Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), which was release 3 years after it was filmed, she would play the fiancee of Cary Grant. When Alfred Hitchcock was unable to get Barbara Stanwyck, he cast Priscilla in Saboteur (1942) where she was on the run with the hero. By that time, her movie career was almost finished and she would appear in just a couple of films over the next five years before retiring in 1948. She was married twice and had 4 children.

Side note: Sorry Dawn I haven't been posting much this week, been so busy. But glad you were still making some wonderful blogs. Next week should be a little better for me. Hope you have a great weekend. And Hey to you Paul.

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

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 93rd Birthday Celeste Holm

 Happy Birthday to Celeste Holm todayCeleste Holm was an only child, born into a home where her mother was a painter and her father worked in insurance. She would study acting at the University of Chicago and make her stage debut in 1936. Her Broadway debut came when she was 19. She appeared in many successful plays including "The Women", "Oklahoma!" and "Bloomer Girl". It was in the production of "Oklahoma!" that Celeste would sing the show stopper "I Cain't Say No". She was signed by 20th Century Fox in 1946 and appeared in her first film 'Three Little Girls in Blue'. With her third film 'Gentlemen's Agreement (1947)', she would win the Supporting Actress Oscar and a Golden Globe. Celeste would be nominated twice more for Academy Awards in the 'Come to the Stable (1949)' and 'All About Eve (1950)'. But Celeste was a star who loved the stage so she left Hollywood, only to return for two MGM musicals in the fifties. They were 'The Tender Trap (1955)' and 'High Society (1956). In addition to her stage career, Celeste appeared on Television in her own series "Honestly Celeste (1954)" and as a panelist on "Who Pays? (1959)". In 1970, Celeste returned to series Television as the chaperone to the president's daughter on "Nancy". For the next two decades, she would appear on Television in regular series, mini series and movies.

Top Ten: Recently Discovered Favorites

As we discussed earlier Dawn, here is my list of favorite actors and actresses that I have recently starting
following and watching their films. And it's thanks to you and your blog for making my first choice America's Mermaid. Here is my list:

1. Esther Williams
2. Joan Bennett
3. Miriam Hopkins
4. Dennis Morgan
5. Joan Caulfield
6. Joseph Calleia
7. Audrey Totter
8. Louise Brooks
9. Robert Taylor
10. Veronica Lake

Esther Williams Photos

Review: These Three (1936)

I watched this excellent film a few days ago and I thought it was one of the best films I've ever seen. Based on the Lillian Hellman play, The Children's Hour, the main storyline has been changed from lesbianism to a heterosexual triangle involving two women and a man. But the film still remains a solid dramatic effort. The film casts Miriam Hopkins as Martha and Merle Oberon as Karen, college roommates, who graduate and face the future with no place and no money.

Karen, however, has inherited a farmhouse from her grandmother, and gets the idea that she and Martha can turn it into a school for girls. They travel to the farmhouse, which turns out to be quite rundown, and all hope seems lost, until they meet Dr. Joe Cardin (played by Joe Cardin), who tells them not to give up, to take out a loan, fix up the farmhouse, and it will work out. And before you know it, the school is open and full of young girls. And Karen starts falling in love with Joe. Even though Martha longs for the good doc herself. All seems to go according to plan, until one student devises a scheme for revenge for being punished by the teachers. The student is Mary Tildford (played by Bonita Granville) as the child from hell. Her lie about an affair between Karen and Joe spreads quickly and all over town. And before you know it the parents quickly remove their kids from the school without an explanation to the titular three. Well Joe decides he wants answers and goes to Mary's grandmother's house to get some. Mary's grandmother is played by the wonderful Alma Kruger. Once there the story comes out to the three young people, they can't believe that this has happened. There is a trial and the whole town is against our three young individuals. After the trial Karen decides it's best if Joe leaves as she is preparing to close down the school. Flash forward a few months later and the truth finally comes out that Mary made the whole thing up and even bullied her classmate Rosalie (a superb Marcie Mae Jones) to corroborate her story. But the damage has been done, that has ruined the lives of three people. Martha finds out and is relieved but still saddened. Karen goes looking for Joe, who is living abroad and they end up together finally.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film from beginning to end. I thought all the actors involved gave very strong performances beginning with Hopkins who had the most delicate of the lead roles and she delivered it superbly. Hopkins shows that she can act when the need arises. Oberon was good also, but got kind of overshadowed by Hopkins in some scenes. It's not her fault, it's just that Martha is the juicier of the two roles. McCrea is his typical strong leading man self. Granville is truly monstrous as the child brat who is just teeming with hatred and deceit. But she finally gets what coming to her when her playhouse comes falling apart and gets one of the all time best film slaps in the face ever. And guess who delivers it.. none other than Margaret Hamilton, the wicked witch of the west, from The Wizard Of Oz. Hamilton plays the maid for Mrs. Tilford. And I cheered when she gave that slap to Granville. I was like finally someone steps up to give that girl what she truly deserved. These Three was expertly directed by the great William Wyler, who would also direct the remake, The Children's Hour (1962) with Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine. I haven't seen that version but I doubt it can be any better than this classic. This is what you get when you get all the stars aligned with great performances, solid direction, and that old Hollywood magic. These Three is a must see.
A-

Detective Story (1951)

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One day in a New York City police precinct where all kinds of people intersect. Kirk Douglas is the tough detective who is dealing with a case involving an abortionist. It also has a shoplifter, two dangerous burglars, and an embezzler. A taut in your face crime drama that features a strong performance by Mr. Douglas and another good one by Eleanor Parker who plays his wife. One of the best of the detective movies from the 1950's. Wonderfully directed by William Wyler.


Detective McLeod: "Take a couple of drop dead pills".

Happy Birthday Debbie Reynolds

To a wonderful actress and entertainer, Debbie celebrates her birthday today...She was born April 1, 1932 in El Paso, Texas

Debbie Reynolds Photos

Review: Five Came Back (1939)

Another great film from that golden year of 1939 that got overshadowed by the big guns of Gone with the Wind, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, The  Wizard of Oz and others. But this little taut thriller is really good and deserves to be on that list of 1939's best films. Twelve people are aboard Coast Air Line's flagship the Silver Queen enroute to South America when the airplane encounters a storm and is blown off course. The people include Lucille Ball as Peggy, a woman with a past. C. Aubrey Smith as Professor Spengler with his wife Martha (Played by Elizabeth Risdon). Also on board is Wendy Barrie as Alice, a secretary secretly eloping with her boss/fiancee Judson Ellis (played by Patric Knowles). Then there is the always reliable Allen Jenkins as racketeer Pete who is escorting Tommy, the son of his boss back to America. Also on board is John Carradine as Crimp, who is escorting the criminal Vasquez (played by Joseph Calleia) to stand trial for his crimes. And finally the pilots Bill (Chester Morris) and Joe (Kent Taylor).

The pilots are able to land the plane into a remote jungle, but it is populated with headhunters. The pilots have to repair the plane before they can try to take off and it's a race against time. As the headhunters drums signal they are preparing to attack. Days turns into weeks and most everybody pull their own weight except for Crimp and Ellis who become full on alcoholics. Everyone else remains strong and vigilant. The top performances are by Calleia who actually turns out to be a fair and actually likable man. He is at ease with the current situation because he knows once the plane if fixed, he is that much closer to being hanged for his crimes. Lucille Ball is very good in a rare dramatic role that makes her tarnished lady trying her best to be a better person, despite the resistance from others. Wendy Barrie is also very good as the lovestruck secretary who manages to put her alcoholic fiancee in check. Allen Jenkins is tops as Pete, who believes in honor, despite being on the wrong side of the law. Morris and Taylor are very good in their roles as the pilots. And C. Aubrey Smith is excellent as the Professor who is very knowledgeable about the current situtation. The final twist at the end is a shocker and makes one take value of life and choices. There are a few deaths before then but when the climax comes you will be completely enthralled.

The running time is only about 75 minutes long but it is a taut, tension filled 75 minutes. It's to the director's skill and credit that we actually never see the headhunters but we know they're coming thanks to those constantly banging drums. Five Came Back is a top notch thriller that deserves more attention now since it didn't receive it back then. A pleasing little B thriller from yesteryear.
B+
MOVIE CLIP FIVE WHO CAME BACK.

Union Station (1950) is thrilling from start to finish

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Exciting thriller set in LA, about a train station policeman named Lt. Willie Calhoun (super performance by William Holden) chasing down a ruthless kidnapper. The bad guy has taken the blind daughter of a millionaire and holds her for ransom. The kidnapping is seen by the rich man's secretary (a solid Nancy Olson). Calhoun swears that he will find the girl and put the kidnapper down, and everyone believes him because Calhoun is one hell of a cop. A very short film at about 80 minutes long, but it is packed with riveting drama and some terrific action. Holden is top notch as the policeman, this being one of his best performances ever. And Lyle Bettger is memorable as bad guy Joe Beacon, the kind you love to hate. Union Station is one of those little films that not too many people have heard about, much less seen, but it is one terrific movie. One of my personal favorites. The film-makers of Mel Gibson's 1996 thriller Ransom should have watched this film and took some notes on how to craft an exciting thriller. I mean, that was ok, but Union Station is so much better.
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Marge Wrighter: Gonna send that kid home, aren't you, Joe? I mean after we collect.
Joe Beacom: She'll go home...they ever fish her out of the river. Let's have the coffee, huh?
http://www.tcm.com/video/videoPlayer/?cid=187256&titleId=94488
Click to view movie trailer.