Happy Holidays: The Classic Movie Style!!!!
(Part 8)
Here
is part eight of our holiday season's best in pictures, music and all things
Classic Movies!! Hope you enjoy these installments as much as I do with putting
them together. It is a lot of fun to see our favorite screen celebrities and
lovely tunes to enjoy, what true gifts in my book! I will be posting a few of
these to keep us all posted as to what our ladies and gentlemen of the silver
screen are up to and singing for this holdiay season, so let's get a good egg
nog and put the lights down for some fun yule tides!!!! Happy watching. : )
I'll Be Seeing You (1944) / Selznick International Pictures Directed By: William Dieterle Starring: Ginger Rogers, Joesph Cotten, Shirley Temple
Costumes: Edith Head (for Miss Rogers)
Taglines: Both living a secret...each afraid to tell!
Plot:
The setting is the 1940's during the heigth of WWII and it is the holiday season and fastly approaching Christmas when we meet Mary Marshall (Rogers) and Sgt. Zachary Morgan (Cotten). On a train heading towards Pine Hill, both Mary and Zach find themselves sitting across one another on this ride. What they do not know about each other at this point is that they are both stunted individuals with a lot of package. Mary is on a eight day furlong from prison so she can spend Christmas with her aunt and uncle in the small town of Pine Hill. Where Zach is suffering from shell shock from the war and is granted a ten day leave from the millitary hospital to try to adjust to daily life. Each decides to hold onto their own secret when finally introducing themselves to one another. Mary tells Zach that she is a traveling saleslady going to visit her family for Christmas while Zach says he is going to Pine Hill as well to visit his sister. They both find this to be the more approachable story and something that they want to actually rather accept than the darker reality.
The train then arrives at the Pine Hill depot where the two exchange names and then part ways. Mary then goes to visit her Aunt Clara and Uncle Henry's home. During this time Zach heads into the town and checks into the local YMCA. Mary finds herself depressed while at the family home realizing that the idea of a family and husband are not going to happen due to prison. Shortly, thereafter a perfect phone call happens where Zach calls Mary and she invites him over for a lovely dinner. Together they enjoy friendly conversation and a nice home cooked meal. Afterwards Zach then decides to tell the truth to Mary that he does not have a sister in town but rather chose to stop in Pine Hill to be near Mary. Mary is taken back from this statement and seemingly starts to like him and they decide together to attend a movie at the local movie house.
Mary now knows that Zach was in the war and they head to the local cafe where the local soda jerk has a noticable facial tick. The man then recounts how he got it from having shell shock as well in WWI. With the fear that this is what will happen to him the facial and other ailments in the future Zach runs out of the cafe not able to verbally share any of this with Mary.
Mary is stunned and returns home where she is sharing a room with her cousin Barbara (Temple). Barbara distrusts Mary and labels possessions so they do not get used nor stolen. To get Barbara to better relate to her Mary told her the whole story of why she went into jail. Mary as a secretary is invited one night to go out with her wealthy boss. The dinner is in his apartment which the young Mary should have known better not tohave accepted since he was going to of course try to make advances. Mary truly believes what he says that it is a party she is attending but that quickly changes once arriving and no one is there accept the two of them. Horrible advances are made toward Mary from the boss which she is horrified and avoids. During one of the advances that Mary avoids she pushes him away which has enough momentum to throw him throw the apartment's open window and to his death thus bringing her to court and jail. Barbara now knows Mary's true story of what happened and is touched by her telling it to her so she pleads for forgiveness. The cousins are now better and understand each other.
The next day Zach arrives and invites Mary to spend the day at a local lake with him which she accepts. While they are at the lake Zach takes this time to tell her the real reasons for why he ran of the day before and his war experiences. Later Zach invites the family to the New Year's party at the YMCA where Aunt Sarah buys Mary a new dress to wear so she looks lovely. The party goes very well and at the end of the evening Zach walks Mary home. During this walk they are attacked by a dog where Zach fends him off and then Mary is pleased to tell him that he seems to be getting better. The next issue that Zach faces is that he leaves the next day as does Mary. Zach starts to discuss a future with the two of them and Mary asks to refrain on the topic and to delay it. Mary goes into the house crying and confides into Sarah that she truly loves Zach. During the evening Zach also then suffers a relapse and gets himself better by having himself hear Mary's voice. Yes, Zach truly loves Mary.
Mary finds out when they enter that train together that Zach acts odd and very distant and finds out that Barbara inadvertently says to Zach details of prison with Mary. Mary is then very sadden and cries and when it comes the night to arrive to prison gates in the dark , Zach steps from the shadows to embrace and declare his love.
Note from the classic gentleman:
This is a holdiay classic romance/drama that shows that during the height of WWII people can find true love during the holidays even with harsh circumstances.
Queen Kelly (1929) /Gloria Swanson Pics & United Artists
Directed By: Eric Von Stroheim
Starring: Gloria Swanson, Walter Byron & Seena Owen.
Plot:
The kingdom of Kronberg is ruled by Queen Regina V (Owen) who rules with an iron fist. The Queen is not that friendly of a woman and is very jealous since her fiance Prince Wolfram (Byron) is a dashing young man. He is a ladies man where all young ladies are attracted to his good looks along with being athletic since the film starts out with him racing carriages against others. The Prince is a very active man and goes out with friends often from the guard and ladies seem to appear everywhere he is.
The very jealous Queen meets back with the Prince over dinner and decides prior to this meeting to have him get engaged with the miliatia of the palace to keep him busy on missions. The Queen thinks this will keep him in check at all times and not mingling with young ladies. At the same time during this dinner she announces in her very dramatic way as she only knows how to live life such as her appearance with her blonde hair bound up on top of her head and with feathers and jewels all over and her dog in her hand at all times. As we can see the Queen has been very pampered sleeping in and a life of leisure. So the statement is said that the marriage between the Prince and herself has been pused up , rather than waiting several week it was going to happen the very next day. Needless to say the Prince is stunned at this information but agrees with a smile.
Prince Wolfram departs on his travels with the other militia and meets up during the long travels on the road a group of school girls attending a local convent. The nuns speak with the future king and the girls of the conventall bow and meet the Prince. The prince instantly is smitten with one girl named Kelly (Swanson) as soon as he saw her. They spoke and he laughed at her for a piece of her under garnments fell off and that left Kelly feelin horrible so she threw them right at him! The nuns were horrified and the prince was not angry but seems to intrigued by this young lady.
Later that day, the Prince can not help but think about her more and then he and a friend decide to ride to the convent and visit Kelly. Upon arriving to the convent the question came, how to get Kelly out and spend time with her? The answer was to start a little fire within something that thw amoke would drive one and all out of the building locating Kelly. And this happened and worked they found Kelly in the fog of smoke where she passed out and they took her to the palace. The prince hides her day clothing that Kelly was holding onto during her leaving of the convent where now she has her nightgown and his goat on to sleep. She awakes startled and they talk and the sparks start to fly between them. These two are fast becoming romantically involved. The prince spends the rest of the night with Kelly having a huge dinner made for her in his room while the Queen is staying under the same roof but in her own wing. This new couple seem to have a lot of affection sharing stories and laughter and a kiss. Meanwhile, the Queen is waiting to see her fiancee so sneeks outside of the prince's bedroom to see the other woman sharing his bed! She quietly enters the room finding a whip hanging from the wall and then startles the young couple with her anger.
The queen demands for Kelly to leave her palace at once at to never come back. During this time she educates Kelly on the knowledge that the prince never spoke about which was their marriage thenext day. Kelly is visiablly shaken up and leaves crying and ashamed. The prince tries to run after her but is stopped by the queen saying if you try to that the girl will never make it out of the palace - a threat of course! The prince does not care and says I am never to wed you and want Kelly no matter what! This makes the Queen see RED with mad and she leaves the room and order the guards to not let him out and she goes after the grief stricken Kelly. She speaks to Kelly and then quickly in a very memorable scene start to whip Kelly over and over again. Kelly runs towards the main door as the Queen just goes at her again and again. The final words before Kelly leaves is by the Queen that she is to never going to see the prince and have him....NEVER!
The prince is put right into the prison for not obeying the Queen at her hand of marriage. Kelly is distraught and almost takes her own life from jumping off a bridge not being able to handle it though is saved by a policeman. Kelly with now not having her love around travels to German East Africa to visit her dying aunt. While there Kelly's life is in ruins and she has no value to anything and is forced by people to wed this gross man named Jan. Kelly's aunt passes away and leaves it to her so now Kelly is the new head Madam of the brothal. In the meantime the prince is freed and is in search of Kelly and during this Jan dies and the Queen is assasinated leaving the thrown available. The next in line is the Prince who weds the now official "QUEEN KELLY!"
Jack Benny & Jane Russell had a splendid time for being 2010's first ever. We did featured articles showing these stars in their holiday best and antics. It is time to choose yet another couple for this grand award. We will be announcing categories and who is nominated what we will need is YOUR VOTES!! Be on the lookout for the up-coming articles for the voting to begin!!!
Join "Love Those Classic Movies!!!" for our 2nd celebration with choosing the perfect classic actor and actress to be 2012's "Classic Mr.s & Mrs. Clause."
Last year's celebrities were Jack Benny & Jane Russell who were perfection as our very first to ring in this tradition! This year we want your particpation on choosing who would be best for wearing these hats. We will give you a lengthy list for both roles and will give you time to choose both - it is simple the actor and actress that received the most votes will become this year's Mr. & Mrs. Clause!
Directed By: Otto Preminger Starring: Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Pearl Bailey & Diahann Carroll
~ Oscar Hammerstein II also wrote the lyrics to music composed by George Bizet for his 1875 opera Carmen.
~ Nominated for 2 Academy Awards in 1955 - Best Actress (Dorothy Dandridge) & Best Musical Score.
~ Won Berlin International Film Festival Award in 1955 the Bronze Award for Otto Preminger
~ Won Golden Globe in 1955 for Best Motion Picture - Musical/Comedy.
Plot:
"Carmen Jones" is set during World War II on an army camp where Carmen Jones (Dandridge) struts around in her eye catching outfits and a flower in her hair. Carmen works in the parachute factory in the camp base and does not fit in with the rest of the women who hate her since their men stare and she seems to walk, talk, dress sex. Daily there are unkind words thrown at Carmen about the type of woman the other ladies think she is and she pays no mind.
One day Carmen is arrested for fighting with a co-worker who also reported her on arriving late to work (lateness is an occurance that happens often with Carmen). Carmen has her eye on Sgt. Joe (Belafonte) who though is engaged to another Cindy Lou. Cindy Lou comes up to visit and finds this Carmen who is a threat and does not like her that close to her sweet soon to be husband.
Carmen is then going to be arrested and needs to be delivered to the authorities and St. Joe Brown is assigned to take her. Carmen is needless to say thrilled that she is going to finally spend time with the man she has had her eye on and it will be only the two of them on this trip into the city of Masonville. During the trip Carmen applies her seduction towards Joe who is not taking any until an unfortunate accident of the army jeep lands in the river during on of their verbal battles getting hot and heavy. Carmen mentions an idea to head to her grandmother's home which is closeby and stay there overnight and to take the train the rrest of the trip. They both head to the grandmother's home and stay there where finally all the seduction and passion finally sweeps over Joe and kisses ignite between them both. Joe finds that he is truly attracted to Carmen and can not deliver her to the authorities. Though the next day he awakes to a note from Carmen who has left and ranaway not wanting to deal with what was in store for her (the jail time) though loves Joe.
With all of this occurring Joe is now in trouble with the army and is put into the stockade for allowing his prisoner to escape free with no idea where she went. A visit from Cindy Lou and one red rose is delivered as a gift from Carmen to Joe - Cindy decides to leave fast knowing what is going on. Carmen found work at a Louisiana Nightclub and is now waiting her time until Joe is relased and they can be together.
A dashing prizefighter Husky Miller enters with entourage on toe and see the beauty of Carmen and introduces homself to Carmen who does not send any mix messages toward him about interest since she was witrh Joe. Rum Daniels who is Husky's manager offers diamond jewelery, furs, fine clothing and a hotel suite if Carmen along with friends Frankie and Myrt (Carroll) come along to Chicago. Carmen thwarts him and declines the offer. Then Joe enters and sees Carmen and they leave together thoough has to report back for flight school. Now we see the next big issue the young couple Carmen and Joe now dating see a Major who is going to get Joe and Carmen into trouble and says some choice words so Joe bunches him. One big problem is that he is a superior to the Sgt. Joe so there will be a lot of ramification to happen so the young couple run away together to Chicago.
The couple start to experience many troubles in Chicago where Joe is unable to work or do much since fearing being court martialed so needs to hide inside their small apartment while Carmen does all errands and makes money for them. They are running out of money fast and so Carmen goes to see her friends Frankie (Bailey) for some assistance and gets some from her and Husky. Joe is stunned that with the little money they had that Carmen came back with a new outfit and a lot of food that their moeny could not have done. Carmen decides to push Joe away and tell him that she can not live like this and neds to go out and dress nicely so she goes out and spends time with Husky and Frankie and Myrt. Carmen gets the lovely outfits and items she needs and then Joe enters shocked and angry seeing Husky and Carmen kissing. Carmen says she is over with him and wants Joe to leave which he does and they are through. Carmen is back in the lush life of diamonds and finery provided by Husky.
Will, Carmen find her love back with Joe or is the diamonds and finery for what she has dreamed of all her life with Husky going to reign supreme? The qusetions will be answered in watching this classic musical.
A great song list performed in "Carmen Jones:"
"Send Them Along" ..... Chorus
"Lift 'Em Up an' Put 'Em Down" ..... Children's Chorus
"Dat's Love" ..... Carmen
"You Talk Jus' Like My Maw" ..... Joe and Cindy Lou
"You Go For Me" ..... Carmen
"Carmen Jones is Going to Jail" ..... Chorus
"There's a Cafe on the Corner ..... Carmen
"Dis Flower ("Flower Song") ..... Joe
"Beat Out Dat Rhythm on a Drum ("Gypsy Song") ..... Frankie
"Stan' Up an' Fight ..... Husky Miller
"Whizzin' Away Along de Track ("Quintet") ..... Carmen, Frankie, Mert, Dink, and Rum
"There's a Man I'm Crazy For" ..... Carmen, Frankie, Mert, Rum, and Dink
"Card Song" ..... Carmen, Frankie, and Chorus
"My Joe ("Micaëla's Prayer") ..... Cindy Lou
"He Got His Self Another Woman" ..... Cindy Lou
"Final Duet" ..... Carmen and Joe
"String Me High on a Tree" ..... Joe
from left to right Pearl Bailey, Dorothy Dandridge & Diahann Carroll
Here is our
22nd 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 great actress's of the silver screen Dorothy Dandridge and her brilliance
in pictures, cheers!!!!
