The Lady Is Willing (1942). Directed by Mitchell Leisen. Cast: Marlene Dietrich, Fred MacMurray, Aline MacMahon and Stanley Ridges.
When famous Broadway actress Liza, finds an abandoned baby, she decides to take it home. The first thing she does, is call pediatrician Corey T. McBain, to examine the the baby. Liza, then announces her wish to adopt the baby, who she names "Corey". Her business manager, Kenneth Hanline, wants her to return the baby, because he thinks that the courts, will not give custody, to a unmarried woman. Ken, is also worried that Liza, could be arrested for kidnapping. It is not long, before Sgt. Barnes of the New York police department and the child welfare bureau, come knocking on Liza's door, looking for a woman who took a baby from a apartment building. Liza's, building manager accidentally lets the cat out of the bag, when he comes to inform Liza, that she has been given permission to build a nursery. Mrs. Cummings from the welfare bureau, allows her to keep the baby until the next morning.
Liza, decides on a marriage of convenience so she can adopt Corey. That evening, when the baby develops a rash, Liza, once again calls for the pediatrician. While the pediatrician, is looking over the baby, he shares with her that his true passion is research and that he only became a baby doctor, to make a living. Liza, shares with him her problem of wanting to keep the baby and proposes to him, a marriage of convenience. Liza, then promises the pediatrician, that he can use her renovated apartment to raise rabbits for his research, and he accepts. The pediatrician, leaves his medical practice to raise rabbits and things are going as planned, until one day, Joe and Nellie Quig and their lawyer, K. K. Miller, claim that they are child's real parents and offer to give them custody for $25,000, but pediatrician exposes the Quigs as frauds.
The marriage of convenience turns into a real marriage of love. When the pediatrician's ex-wife, also comes hanging around looking for money. Lisa, suspects that they are having an affair and leaves New York. The baby becomes seriously ill, will the illness bring the couple back together?
Fun Fact:
Early in the shooting, Marlene Dietrich severely injured her right ankle in a fall, and her entire right leg had to be placed in a cast. That's why in this film she is always shown in full-length outfits (gowns, slacks, etc.) and just one shot of her unclothed leg is seen, and that is in shadow.
Fred MacMurray, plays a very charming pediatrician and Dietrich showed how wonderful she was at comedy. Aline MacMahon, co-stars as a wise-cracking assistant to Dietrich.
Harold Keel (April 13, 1919 – November 7, 2004). While living in London, Keel made his film debut in, The Small Voice (1948), released in the US as, Hideout. In the film he played an escaped convict holding a playwright and his wife hostage in their English cottage.
From London, Howard ended up at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer making his film musical debut in the film, Anne Get Your Gun (1950). Howard Keel, plays the part perfectly as rival sharpshooter Frank Butler, who becomes jealous whenever Annie, his love interest, becomes more famous than he does.
Show Boat (1951). Howard Keel's, voice was in perfect form, and he did a great job playing the gambler, Gaylord Ravenal.
Kiss Me Kate (1953). Keel and Grayson, are excellent in this film, inspired by, The Taming of the Shrew. It is a story about musical theater actors, Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, who were once married and now on such bad terms, that threatens the production's success.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). Had many memorable musical numbers and fabulous choreography. Harold Keel, plays the eldest of seven brothers who decides that living with six bachelor brothers and horrible cooking, is not the way he wants to live. Nobody, can believe it when Milly agrees to marry him on the same day they meet.
Adam, quickly learns that a wife, is more than a cooking and cleaning and how his actions can effect others. Milly, also learns that her plans don't always work out the way you first thought. The six brothers, learn that you can't just take what you want. The brides, are quite taken with the brothers, until the brothers decide to kidnap them and that is when the real trouble begins. But mostly, this is a wonderful musical and one of my favorite Howard Keel's films.
Kismet (1955).If you are a big fan of Mr. Keel, you will love this musical. The beautiful music, romance and adventure make this a fun film.
On loan at Warner Brothers, Keel played Wild Bill Hickok in, Calamity Jane (1953), a Oscar-winning musical starring Doris Day. The film was Warner Brothers' answer to Annie Get Your Gun.
"When I found out that I could carry a tune, well, I came to realize that I had a gift, that it was a kind of a blessing. And I think if you're given something special, you ought to try and give that something back. If you don't, it's a sin. No question".
Anne Francis (September 16, 1930 – January 2, 2011), Francis was a former model and Broadway actress who made her film debut in, This Time for Keeps (1947). In her early film career, she played supporting roles in films such as: Susan Slept Here, So Young So Bad, and Bad Day at Black Rock. Her first leading role was in, Blackboard Jungle (1955). Where Glenn Ford, plays Richard Dadier, an incoming English teacher at North Manual High School. An idealist who stands his ground and earns the respect of the school thugs. Anne Francis, plays his pregnant wife. The film was nominated for four Oscars.
Anne Francis. maybe best known for her role in, Forbidden Planet. playing the innocent blond romanced by Leslie Nielsen.
"I've lived by a man's code designed to fit a man's world, yet at the same time I never forget that a woman's first job is to choose the right shade of lipstick".
Linda Darnell (October 16, 1923 – April 10, 1965). By the age of 15, she signed a contract with 20th Century Fox. Her first film was, Hotel for Women (1939). A story about a girl, who travels to New York be with her boyfriend, a successful architect, who no longer in love with her. Her friends at a women's hotel, think that she is beautiful enough to be a top model. When her boyfriend wants to get back together with her, he finds his rivals standing in line.
Darnell, performed opposite Power, in the romantic comedy, Day Time Wife (1939). The story begins when a young wife starts to suspect the husband is cheating on her. Darnell, also has a married friend who helps feeds her suspicions. Linda, goes out looking for a job and becomes a secretary to another womanizer. As luck would have it, her husband and her boss, are business associates. That's when the film gets interesting. The film brought her lots of attention, but.. will never make the list of best comedies of the era or of the top ten films of, Tyrone Power or Linda Darnell.
She was next cast in the drama comedy, Star Dust(1939). Linda Darnell's character, is looking to be discovered. Her dreams begin to come true when Roland Young, ex-silent screen star and now movie studio talent scout, enters her diner looking for new talent. The film boosted Darnell's popularity, being nicknamed, "Hollywood's loveliest and most exciting star".
After performing in several small films, Darnell was cast in her first big film, performing again with Tyrone Power in, Brigham Young (1940), which was shot on location and was the most expensive film 20th Century Fox had yet produced.
Darnell, began working on the film, The Mark of Zorro (1940), in which she again co-starred as Power's love interest. A story begins when swordsman Diego Vega, returns to California from Madrid to reunite with his family. When he gets there, he finds that his father has been replaced by Alcalde Don Luis Quintero, who charges the people high taxes and punishment for those that can not afford to pay. Don Diego, keeps quiet that he is a skilled swordsman and pretends that he is a sophisticated wimp. Although.. he really is Zorro, who wears a mask to hide his identity.
The film received very little attention, unlike Darnell's next film, Blood and Sand (1941), which was shot on location in Mexico. Again she was re-teamed with Power, in the story of a young, naive bullfighter Juan Gallardo, who falls under the spell of a beautiful socialite. Damaging his marriage with Carmen, the girl who has loved him since childhood. It's not long before Juan, discovers the socialite was only using him until the tragic end.
Months passed by without any work, and in August 1941 she was cast in a supporting role in the musical, Rise and Shine (1941). The film was a setback in her career. In early 1942, Darnell filmed, The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe, another film that would not do much to improve her career. She soon realized that Darryl F. Zanuck had lost interest in her, and she was cast in roles that she hated. Eventually, she was loaned out for a supporting role in a B movie called, City Without Men.
In 1943, she was cast, uncredited, as the Virgin Mary in, The Song of Bernadette. By 1943, Darnell was growing tired of only being known for her beauty, instead of her acting talent. Her next performance was in, Sweet and Low-Down (1944). Everything changed for her when she was named one of the four most beautiful women in Hollywood, along with Hedy Lamarr, Ingrid Bergman and Gene Tierney in a 1944 edition of Look magazine. Afterwards, the studio allowed her to be loaned out for the lead in, Summer Storm. Portraying a seductive peasant girl, who takes three men to their end before she herself is doomed.
Darnell, wanted more recognition from the studio, which caused Darryl F. Zanuck to cast her in, Hangover Square (1945), playing a role she really wanted. In January 1945, she was added to the cast of the film noir, Fallen Angel (1945). Otto Priminger, had just finished the film noir "Laura" when he followed up with this film. The story has the same type of plot as in the film, "Laura". Many men become obsesed with beautiful a woman. The acting is marvelous, especially Dana Andrews, Linda Darnell, and all those wonderful character actors.
She went on location to Monument Valley, for the filming of the western, My Darling Clementine (1946), playing a role for which she lost twelve pounds. This John Ford film, is about Wyatt Earp and his run ins with the Clanton gang in the town, Tombstone, Arizona. The film's theme centers around Doc Holliday, Old Man Clanton, the Clanton sons, and Wyatt Earp and his family. The cast, acting and costumes are all very important in telling the story.
In 1947, Darnell won the starring role in the film, Forever Amber, based on a bestselling historical novel. The character, Amber, was named because of her hair color, and this is the only film which Darnel plays a redheaded peasant girl, who refuses to be destroyed by her poverty. She used her sexuality and her brains to become the King's consort.
She spent hours in fittings for costume change and her strict diet, resulted in exhaustion and a serious illness that caused her to collapse on the set. Darnell, was disappointed that the film did not give her the recognition she wanted.
The following year, Darnell performed in the comedy, Unfaithfully Yours (1948), The movie stars Rex Harrison, as Sir Alfred de Carter, a world famous symphony conductor who, is madly in love with his bride, Daphne. Alfred's in-laws August and Barbara, are played wonderfully by Rudy Vallee and Barbara Lawrence.
It's not long before August, shares with Alfred, the news that he had a detective follow Daphne, while Alfred was out of town. Alfred, is so outraged that everything goes wild from there. Eventually, Alfred is given reason to think that Daphne might have needed some spying on after all. At his concert that evening, Alfred conducts three different pieces and with each piece, Alfred imagines the revenge he will take out on his wife Daphne for her cheating.
Linda, was then was rushed into production of the comedy/drama, A Letter to Three Wives (1949).
A Letter to Three Wives, has a wonderful cast with: Ann Southern, Jeanne Craine, Linda Darnell, Paul Douglas, and Kirk Douglas. This is a story about a group of friends who has one female who captures the hearts of all the men, and all the women despise her. One day, when three wives are working on a volunteer project, they receive a special delivery letter, from the woman that all the men are in love with. In the letter the woman says, that she is moving away and she is taking one of their husbands with her. The women are worried that it might be one of their own husbands. Darnell's performance, won her the best reviews of her career. Darnell, had been expected to win an Academy Award nomination for, A Letter to Three Wives. When this did not happen, her career began to fade.
Peter Lawford(7 September 1923 – 24 December 1984). He was a member of the "Rat Pack", and brother-in-law to President John F. Kennedy. In the late 1930s through the 1950s) he was very popular and starred in many films.
Once he signed with MGM, his mother, Lady Lawford, wanted the studio head Louis B. Mayer, to hire her as her son's personal assistant. Mayer, did not agree to her terms. Lady Lawford, said her son needed to be "supervised." When Lawford learned of his mother's actions their relationship was never the same.
Lawford's, first movie role was at age seven in the film, Poor Old Bill (1930). Eight years later, he made his Hollywood debut in, Lord Jeff. His first major movie role was, A Yank At Eton (1942), where he played a snobbish bully with Mickey Rooney. Lawford, also made uncredited appearances as an RAF pilot in, Mrs. Miniver (1942) and as a sailor in Sherlock Holmes, Faces Death (1943). In the film, The White Cliffs Of Dover (1944), he played a young soldier in World War II. MGM gave him another important role in, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945). Lawford also performed in, Son of Lassie (1945).
With Clark Gable and James Stewart, off to fight in the war, Lawford, was the most popular romantic lead on the MGM lot. Two of his films opened within days of each other: Cluny Brown (1946) and Two Sisters From Boston (1946). He also made his first comedy that same year, My Brother Talks To Horses (1947). He performed with Frank Sinatra for the first time in the musical, It Happened in Brooklyn (1947). Lawford, admitted that the most terrifying experience of his career was, the musical number he performed in the film, Good News (1947).
Lawford was given other important roles in MGM films over the next few years, including:
On an Island with You (1948). It is one of my favorite movies. Williams and Lawford are wonderful together and so are Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse. Especially, during their beautiful dance numbers. If you love happy and romantic musicals you'll love this movie. And don't forget.. we get to see Esther doing what she does best in beautiful water performances.
The story begins when Ricardo Montez, who is playing the part of a Navy man in love with a Polynesian woman, played by his fiancee, Rosalind. They hired Lawrence a Navy Lieutenant, as technical adviser, to help the director on the film's authenticity. During the filming of one of Rosalind and Ricardo's love scenes, Larry interrupts the shooting to take the opportunity to kiss Rosalind .
That evening, at the Royal Aloha hotel, the cast and crew attend a nightclub show performed by Xavier Cugat and his orchestra. Larry, finds another opportunity to get close to Rosalind, and asks her to dance. She refuses thinking that he is too forward.
The next day, Larry is to circle the set once in an airplane with Rosalind on board, but he flies the plane to the tropical island where they first met. Larry wants one dance with her before he returns her to the set. Rosalind, says she will kiss him to prove that she has no feelings for him, but the kiss shows that she is an attracted to Larry. When Larry and Rosalind return to the airplane, they find that the wheels and other parts have been stolen by the islanders. The two set out to find the natives village, but become separated. Will they be rescued before the natives have them for dinner? (wink/wink). I love the dance numbers with Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse.
Easter Parade (1948), Don Hewes and Nadine Hale are a dancing team, but she wants a career on her own. So he chooses, Hannah Brown, as a new partner. It is not long before Florence Ziegfeld, is interested in the new team, but... Nadine Hale, dances in the Ziegfeld Follies, so Don refuses. Don, is in now in love with Hannah, but, plans t keep it strictly business for now. Hannah, still believes that he is in love with Nadine, when he dances with her in a Night Club Show.
Little Women (1949). Meg, Josephine, Amy and Beth, all live with their mother, while their father serves with the Union army during the Civil War. Meg, is thought of as the second mother to the girls, while "Jo", the tomboy, takes on the role of man of the house. Amy, dreams of the good things in life, and Beth, the youngest and frailest of the four, loves to play the piano. A beautiful film of four young girls coming into womanhood.
It Should Happen to You (1954). Gladys Glover, has just lost her modelling job when she meets filmmaker Pete Sheppard shooting a documentary in Central Park. For Pete it's love at first sight, but Gladys has her mind on making a name for herself. Before she knows it,her name is plastered over town. Suddenly, all of New York, is clamoring for Gladys Glover, without knowing why and playboy Evan Adams III, is making a play for Gladys, that even Pete knows will be hard to beat.
The casino film, Ocean’s Eleven (1960) was a project Lawford first brought to Sinatra's attention. It became the first film to feature all of the "Rat Pack" members Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Lawford.
Lawford's later films include: The Longest Day (1962), and a role as a United States Senator in, Advise and Consent (1962). In 1961, Lawford and his manager Milt Ebbins formed Chrislaw Productions, which was named after his son Christopher Lawford and produced the 1963 action film, Johnny Cool, starring Henry Silva and Elizabeth Montgomery. He would go on to produce the 1965 Patty Duke film Billie, and his two films with fellow Rat Pack member Sammy Davis, Jr.: Salt and Pepper and One More Time.
He performed in, They Only Kill Their Masters (1972). Lawford's, last role was as Montague Chippendale in the comedy, Where's Parsifal (1983).
Personal Quote:
Explaining his disillusionment with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where he made his first films." Metro was really a star-builder, no doubt about that. You were wrapped in cotton wool. ... I was encouraged to emulate Robert Taylor, who came to the studio every day of his life in a pinstripe suit and pressed shirt with a pin through the collar. They were very high on pins through the collar".
Burt Lancaster (November 2, 1913 – October 20, 1994), was best known for his athletic build and smile. After first performing in "tough guy" roles, Lancaster reinvented himself in late 1950s and performed in more challenging roles, and became one of the best actors of his era.
Personal Quote:
On Kirk Douglas. "We both came from, sort of, well, shall we say, humble beginnings. We were both young, brash, cocky, arrogant. We knew everything, were highly opinionated. We were invincible. Nobody liked us".
Lancaster made six films over the years with Kirk Douglas, including:
I Walk Alone (1948), Frankie Madison, returns to New York after 14 years in prison. Noll Turner, Frankie's former bootlegging partner, is now a wealthy nightclub manager, and Frankie is expecting him to honor a promise they made when he was first arrested.
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957). Is a film starring Burt Lancaster as Wyatt Earp and Kirk Douglas as Doc Holliday, the story is about the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, in Tombstone, Arizona. The film was based on a real event which took place on October 26, 1881.
The Devil's Disciple (1959). Takes place in a small New England town, during the American War of Independence, Dick Dudgeon, is mistaken for minister Rev. Anthony Anderson, and arrested by the British. The minister's wife, Judith, mistakenly thinks that Dick, is in love with her. Taken to see the British commander General Burgoyne, Dudgeon is ready to die for his beliefs.
The List of Adrian Messenger (1963). Messenger, asks a friend to check into a list of names before leaving on a trip. After his plane blown out of the sky, his friend checks into the list, each person seems to have died in mysterious circumstances.
Video 1 of 10.
Seven Days in May (1964). The President, manages to get a nuclear disarmament treaty through the Senate. Jiggs Casey, a Marine Colonel, finds evidence that General Scott, the head of the Joint Chiefs, is not planning to wait. Casey, goes to the president with the information and the conflict begins, with each side not sure who can be trusted.
Lancaster and Douglas, are reunited for their final movie, Tough Guys (1986). Harry and Archie, are released from prison, now old enough to collect Social Security. But, their ideas for retirement, is to see if they can get away with a train robbery.
Although Douglas, was always second billed under Lancaster, in these films, with the exceptions of, I Walk Alone, in which Douglas played a villain, their roles were usually the same size, and in Seven Days in May, Douglas' part was larger but, much less dramatic than Lancaster's.
Lancaster, also asked his close friend Nick Cravat, to perform in his films. They co-starred together in nine films: The Flame and the Arrow (1952), Ten Tall Men (1951), Crimson Pirate, The Crimson Pirate (1952), Run Silent, Run Deep (1958), Scalphunters, The Scalphunters (1968), Airport (1970), Valdez Is Coming (1971), Ulzana's Raid (1972), The Midnight Man (1974) and Island of Dr. Moreau and The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977).
Lancaster starred in three films with Deborah Kerr: From Here to Eternity, Separate Tables, and The Gypsy Moths.
