Call Me Madam (1953) "The Hostess With The Mostes"

Call Me Madam (1953) 20th Century FOX
Directed By: Walter Lang
Starring: Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Vera-Ellen, George Sanders & Lilia Skala.
Costumes By: Irene Sharaff

~ Film was nominated for 2 Academy Awards, including "Best Costumes" for Irene Sharaff and winning one for "Best Musical Scoring" for Alfred Newman. Ethel Merman won a Golden Globe for "Best Actress Musical/Comedy."

Background:

"Call Me Madam" the motion picture was based on a Broadway Musical with all songs written by Irving Berlin.  A few of the Irving Berlin songs used in the Broadway porduction were replaced by other Berlin songs for the film. Ethel Merman starred as Sally Adams in both the Broadway production and the motion picture.

Plot:

A brash and out-spoken Sally Adams (Ethel Merman) resides in a swanky Washinton D.C. home where she is a the best of hostess's. Sally is appointed very quickly to a vacant position for the US Government as US Ambassador to Lichtenburg. A small country that Sally knows nothing about but is swept into the role. The help of her very knowledgeable press attache Kenneth Gibson (Donald O'Connor) makes it a more successful appointment. While being in the foreign country of Lichtenburg both Sally and Kennth find love. Kenneth becomes smitten and taken back by the princess of Litchenburg, Princess Maria (Vera-Ellen).

The leaders of the fair country have a reason to treat the newly appointed Ambassador wonderfully since the agenda is to obtain a loan from the USA. During this time Sally meets while practicing her curtsies to a big ball to meet the Grand Duke she meets General Cosmo Constantine (George Sanders) who she falls for. We find that Sally with her brashness turns out to be a fantastic Ambassador to the country of Litchenburg and finds love with some great musical numbers along the way.

Note:

Lovely musical performances such as between Vera-Ellen and Donald O'Connor dancing in the palace's gardens to a Irving Berlin tune "It's A Lovely Day Today." "The Hostess With The Mostes" "The International Rag" "The Best Thing For You Would Be Me" & the finale "You're Just In Love/Something To Dance About." 



This is a grand 50's musical that is worthy of your time though often get's lost to others from that era.

Costume Screent Test with Ethel Merman

In Pictures: Ramon Novarro

In Pictures: Ramon Novarro

Here is our sixteenth installment of this very successful feature to "Love Those Classic Movies!!!" This article is simply an enjoyment  via beautiful pictures 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 one of the original kings of the silver screen Ramon Novarro and his brilliance in pictures, cheers!!!!

Mata Hari (1931) "The most dangerous spy of all time!"

Mata Hari (1931) MGM Studios
Directed By: George Fitzmaurice 
Starring: Greta Garbo, Ramon Novarro & Lionel Barrymore

Costumes By: Adrian

Tagline:
"The most dangerous spy of all time"

~ This is a pre-code motion picture based on the life of Mata Hari (the lady's real name was Margaretha Geertruida Zelle). Mata Hari was an exotic dancer and was executed for espionage in WWI.

Quote:
"The only way to resign from our profession is to die."

---

Plot:
During WWI in 1917, Mata Hari (Greta Garbo) is in Paris living a double life. Mata Hari is an exotic dancer and also secretly a spy for Germany. Her beauty has found to be a great gift where she has been able to obtain vital information from French and Russian officers in the bedroom. One person she has won over is General Shubin (Lionel Barrymore) who is a Russian General. Mata Hari's seductive ways are working very well for her with the higher power's that be in the millitary.

The French Secret Service is onto Mata Hari but has yet to be able to obtain the evidence needed to arrest her. Meanwhile. General Shubin is very much in love with her but for her it is only an act for her work. During this time Mata Hari meets a young and dashing Russian pilot Alexis Romanoff (Ramon Novarro). Mata Hari spends the night with the smitten pilot and she is able to obtain secret documents. The one item that she was not planning was that she is truly attracted to Alexis Romanoff and starts to see him more with deeper and true love from both for one another. This is a dangerous thing for any spy to tangle with where her judgement will be cloudy.

General Shubin finds out about the love affair that is going on between Mata Hari (his love) and Alexis Romanoff. The general is furious and blinded by his overwhelming jealousy and quickly acts upon his anger. Since his love is truly playing games with him and loves another she was not going to get away with her acts as a spy. The general finds the key evidence that the French Secret Service has been awaiting for and gives it to them very happily. Mata Hari is then arrested on the evidence of being a spy and doing acts such as war crime. Will Mata Hari ever be with her beloved Alexis and will he forgive her...you will have to see and think about that.

Classis Radioland: "The Little Foxes" starring Bette Davis

Classic Radioland: Bette Davis in "The Little Foxes"Here our classic film buffs is our fourth installment of our classic radioland article for all you lovers of movies and radio programs. This time around we are featuring leading lady Bette Davis in the classic radio production of "The Little Foxes."

Starring:

Bette Davis, Otto Kruger, Teresa Wright, Charles Dingle & Lurene Tuttle

Background:
"The Little Foxes" radio and film production are based on Lillian Hellman's play. Screen Guild Theatre's Radio Show, August 6th 1945. The motion picture was also famously starring Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, Teresa Wright, & Richard Carlson. The radio production re-teams Bette & Teresa.

This story tells about a  rutheless family being The Giddens residing in the deep south. Regina (Bette Davis) is a money hungry woman who due to her being a woman she missed out on receiving any inheritance from her wealthy parents.  Now she plans along with the rest of her family to wed her daughter to her brothers son to ensure the family's wealth. Very difficult decisions were made to ensure Regina's and her two brother's finances. Both the film and radio adaptation are very worthy of hearing/watching.

Now, turn the lights down, get something good to eat/drink and snuggle up and enjoy this great radio performance of "The Little Foxes!"

In Pictures: Bette Davis

In Pictures: Bette DavisHere is our fifteenth installment of this very successful 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 one of the original queens of the silver screen Bette Davis and her brilliance in pictures, cheers!!!!

Joan Crawford, Jack Warner & Bette Davis

Bette Davis 1942

Joan Crawford & Bette Davis on the set of "What Ever Happened of Baby Jane?"

George Brent & Bette Davis in "Dark Victory"

Jane Bryan, Bette Davis & Anita Luise