Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Women (1939) "Oh, l'amour, l'amour!"


The Women / MGM Studios
Directed By: George Cukor
Starring: Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Paulette Goddard & Joan Fontaine.


Gowns By: Adrian

Quotes:
There is a name for you, ladies, but it isn't used in high society... outside of a kennel.
I've had two years to grow claws mother. Jungle red.
Oh, l'amour, l'amour!

Plot: Mary Haines (Shearer) is a loving wife and mother in the 30's. Mary has a large circle of friends whom many bring gossip to an art form. ...One friend being Sylvia (Russell) especially the back stapper finds out that Mary's husband is having an affiar with a shopgirl named Crystal Allen (Crawford). All of these ladies want to meet Crystal and are torn about how to tell Mary about this horrible news. What a classic film where the claws come out with all of these socialites! This MGM classic is filmed in black and white though does have a beautiful color scene of costumes done all by the famed designer Adrian. This is one of my all time favorite classic films that is a must see for all classic movie fans!

Joan Crawford & Norma Shearer in a cat fight of words!!
Joan Fontain, Norma Shearer, Rosalind Russell, Mary Boland & Paulette Goddard







In Pictures: Vivien Leigh


In Pictures: Vivien Leigh
Here is our eighth installment of this feature to "Love Those Classic Movies!!!" where we simply enjoy via beautiful pictures some of our favorite golden age classic stars. Not a lot of writing at all or tid bits or extras just simply as it is stated, "in pictures!"
Hope you all enjoy Vivien Leigh in pictures, cheers!!!!




















Clark Gable & Vivien Leigh in "GWTW" 1939


Vivien Leigh at opening night of GWTW

Vivien Leigh on the set with George Kukor of GWTW


Clark Gable & Vivien Leigh in "Gone With The Wind" 1939


Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter & Karl Malden in "Streetcar"


The Bride Wore Red (1937) "Who Wants Love?"

The Bride Wore Red (1937) MGM Studios
Directed By: Dorothy Arzner
Starring: Joan Crawford, Franchot Tone, Robert Young, Billie Burke & Reginald Owen


~ Adrian the famous gown designer made all gowns for Joan Crawford in this film.
Plot:

A theory of Count Armalia (George Zucco) is that anyone with the right monetary funds can libe the same live. The only item that separates people is wealth and it is simple as that. The count decides to test his theory and put it to action when he meets Anni a poor singer. Anni aspires to bigger and better in life but does not have the name nor the opportunity such as money to get it. The count thinks Anni deserves to try a shot of the good life for two weeks with a limitless wealth. He sends Anni abroad with a new identity and a beautiful wardrobe and an entire glamourous overhaul from head to toe. The agreement is that Anni goes to a resort for two weeks paid in full to see if people fall for her new life that is all made up. Anni decides while being on this vacation from her reality that life at this lush resort is everything she has dreamed of and she will not leave it for any cost. The new plan is to meet a wealthy man and merry him in order to keep the lifestyle and to do so she can lure him with all the glamour she can buy for two weeks. Anni meets a handsome wealthy man named Rudi Pal (Young) though he is already engaged to Maddelena Monti (Lynne Carver) which is only a slight road bump in her plan. The issue Anni has is that her plan is surpassing two weeks and she needs to get Rudi to propose now. During her stay she also meets Giulio (Tone) the local postman whom is the perfect man for her except he is not of means. Anni and Giulio love spending time with one another but things need to keep at a ditstance. To Anni's happiness she finds that finally the engagement between Rudi and Maddelena is dissolved so the marriage that she has dreamed of can happen. The evenings at the swanky resort has always been an educational experience for Anni with the white gowns and lace to blend in with the rest of the guests though she has the perfect gown to wear.....the red sequined gown. This gown was made espeically for her and is the dream and she finally wears it one evening turing all heads to show the true Anni. That evening she comes to realize what she really wants and is after all the while. Joan Crawford and Frachot Tone are simply devine as a couple in love where we can see they were truly in love.









The red gown designed by Adrian














Humoresque (1946) "My Heart Stood Still"


Humoresque (1946) Warner Bros
Directed By: Jean Negulesco
Starring Joan Crawford, John Garfield & Oscar Levant

~ Nominated for an Academy Award, Scoring in a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
~ The famed costume designer Adrian did all gowns for Joan Crawford in this film. (Adrian & Joan had a long working relationship @ MGM which he designed many of her gowns and films).


Tagline: "TWO WHO MET AND KISSED AND NEVER SHOULD HAVE MET AGAIN!"

Plot:
This dramatic story centers on a woman named Helen Wrifght (Crawford) whom is high society. Helen meets a young and up-coming violinist Paul Boray (Garfield). Paul wants to be a successful musician but has a long way to do so. Helen sets her sights on him and becomes very smitten so they embark on an affair together. Helen with her social prominance and wealth can provide what Paul needs for his career, the right people and connections. In return the couple start to fall in love. The issue later is that Paul's love for his music is very much what is his primary importance in life and Helen sees this. His love and passion for his violin and career will come before anything even if it means love. This information kills Helen and she starts to see while his career rises thanks to her assistance the realtionship suffers and comes into question. A great love that Helen takes in such stride and importance may just bring her to the brinks of drastic decisions......A lovely film of Joan Crawford's that show's her love and dramatic side of the 40's a very well done film!

















Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Flamingo Road (1949) "A wrong girl for the right side of the tracks"


Flamingo Road (1949)/ Warner Bros
Directed By: Micahel Curtiz
Starring Joan Crawford, Zachary Scott & Sydney Greenstreet

Taglines: "A wrong girl for the right side of the tracks."


Plot:
Lane Bellamy (Crawford) is a lady in the cross roads of her life trying to make it but is having a ahrd time doing so. Curerntly, Lane is a carnival dancer which is a tiring line of work for her. Lane aspires for bigger and better things someday. One of the towns that the carnival is passing through Lane leaves the dancing behind and become a waitress. From the beginning from the first meeting with the small southern town's corrupt poilitical boss Titus Semple (Greenstreet) both Lane and the boss do not get along. Titus see's Lane as a political liability to his political future and wants her gone for good. While in town Lane meets the dashing Fielding Carlisle (Scott) and they both become romantically involved. Titus mounts a campaign to get Lane rushed out of town by keeping her from getting positions and eventually has her arrested. The charges are all fake due to morals but it is exactly what Titus wants to chase her out for good but it is not happening. Lane is released and finds a job as a hostess at a road house where she meets Dan Reynolds another person whom is part of the polical scene. Dan and Lane wed and start a life on the famed "Flamingo Road" in town where now they are powerful and can take Titius down.