“What’s Up, Doc? The Animation Art of Chuck Jones” Exhibit at The Museum of the Moving Image

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Annmarie Gatti

Celebrating the Incredible and Inimitable Genius of Chuck Jones at NYC’s Museum of the Moving Image…

“Kill the Wabbit, Kill the Wabbit”… Yes I still have that song in my head! Really! As a matter of fact, I sang the song all weekend long to anyone who would listen as I told them about my delightful visit to the Chuck Jones Exhibit at The Museum of the Movie Image. Did I say ‘delightful visit?’ Well, that would be an understatement…

Whats Up Doc, The Animation of Chuck Jones Exhibit at The Museum of the Moving Image

So, what is it that made the Chuck Jones Exhibit so over-the-top delightful for me? Well, having grown up watching Looney Tunes cartoons every Saturday morning, I certainly expected to revel in fond memories and fabulous silliness, courtesy of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the iconic cast of ‘looney’ characters from my childhood. Mission accomplished. I certainly expected to laugh-out-loud watching these wonderful cartoons from the guise of adulthood, being able to fully appreciate their sophisticated wittiness, zany antics and off-the-wall humor. Again, mission accomplished. I certainly expected to see lots of original sketches and drawings, storyboards, production backgrounds, animation cells, style sheets, photographs and production notes. Yes, again, mission accomplished…

But what I certainly didn’t expect was to feel such a profound and awe-inspired respect for the genius and artistry of Chuck Jones and his collaborators.  What I certainly didn’t expect was to feel like a fly-on-the-wall as I learned about the incredible hard work involved in making inanimate drawings magically transform into living, breathing ‘friends’ that would travel with me throughout my entire life. What I certainly didn’t expect was to realize that I took Chuck Jones, his team, and his creations for granted all of these years… Wow. I am still overwhelmed by these thoughts, even days after my visit.  So I’ll say it again — absolutely over-the-top delightful…

chuck jones exhibit overview

That said, as you may suspect from my above musings, this Exhibit is just so wonderfully special that I am going to find it difficult to convey its scope here in this very limited space… So, the best I can do right now is provide a sampling of its many treasures  — and urge you to visit the Chuck Jones Exhibit either at The Museum of the Moving Image in NYC (through January 19, 2015) — or when the Exhibit travels through a city near you next year…

So, here goes… a whirlwind online ‘tour’ via a smattering of photos taken at the Exhibit…

All photos taken by me, courtesy of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, the Museum of the Moving Image and/or Warner Bros.™ Looney Tunes Characters (© & TM Warner Bros.)

Bugs Bunny Model Sheet, Chuck Jones Exhibit, Museum of the Moving ImageBugs Bunny Model Sheet

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Degas and the line, guide for Bugs Bunny, Chuck Jones Exhibit

A thorough knowledge of anatomy is crucial in animation because even an imaginary character has to move in a consistent manner and display a real sense of weight and physical presence. To quote Chuck Jones: each character “has an individual style of movement and of thinking, all subject to the restrictions of their own skeletal structures.”

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Van Gogh as inspiration for One Froggy Evening cartoon, Chuck Jones

In “One Froggy Evening” (1956), Chuck Jones created the construction worker’s bedroom to evoke Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, The Bedroom (1888). Jones often integrated fine art references into his cartoons. “One Froggy Evening” was inducted into The National Film Registry in 2003.

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Michigan J Frog, Chuck Jones Exhibit, Museum of the Moving ImageCharacter sketch of Chuck Jones creation, Michigan J. Frog, star of “One Froggy Evening” and WB Television Network mascot from 1995 to 2005.

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Listen: Chuck Jones and the Art of Directing Audio Clips, Chuck Jones Exhibit, Museum of the Moving ImageA wonderful array of audio clips from voice over sessions featuring Mel Blanc as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, and Arthur Q. Bryan as Elmer Fudd — complete with music and sound effects — plus marvelous interview clips with Chuck Jones.

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Short Film, From Pencil to Paint, Chuck Jones Exhibit, Museum of the Moving Image

Short film, from pencil to paint, chuck jones exhibit, museum of the moving imageScreen grabs from “From Pencil to Paint,” a short film that explores Chuck Jones’ animation process

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Background, Rabbit Seasoning, Chuck Jones Exhibit, Museum of the Moving ImageBackground from “Rabbit Seasoning” (1952)

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Character Layout Drawings, The Road Runner and Wiley E. Coyote, Chuck Jones Exhibit, Museum of the Moving ImageCharacter Layout Drawings of Chuck Jones creations, The Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote 🙂

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Nine Rules for The Road Runner, Chuck Jones Exhibit, Museum of the Moving Image

Chuck Jones worked within a clearly defined set of rules for each of his cartoons (as seen above for The Road Runner) to ensure that each of his characters had distinct personalities and behavioral traits.

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Whats Opera Doc Color Guide, Chuck Jones Exhibit

Color Guide for “What’s Opera, Doc?” (1957)

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Elmer Fudd sings I'm going to kill the wabbit, Chuck Jones Exhibit Museum of Movie Image

(couldn’t resist) Elmer Fudd singing “Kill the wabbit! Kill the wabbit!” (from “What’s Opera, Doc?”)

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Model Sheet for Cindy Lou Who, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Chuck Jones Exhibit, Museum of the Moving Image

Model Sheet of Cindy Lou Who from the television special “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

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Matinee Program, Chuck Jones Exhibit, Museum of the Moving ImageAn hour’s worth of ‘Big Screen’ Merriment during the Saturday/Sunday Cartoon Matinees 🙂 (see schedule here)

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As mentioned above, these photos represent just a small sampling of what you can see and learn at the Chuck Jones Exhibit. The collection also covers other iconic characters including Porky Pig, Pepe le Pew and Marvin Martian, as well as The Grinch and Horton (Hears a Who). There are music scores, production notes and looped cartoons, plus information on Chuck Jones’ artistry, inspirations and influences. And if that’s not enough, you can learn lots of fun facts as you progress through the Exhibit, such as the perfect number of frames to ensure a laugh when Wile E. Coyote falls off a cliff, and how the cartoon “Feed the Kitty” (1952, starring Kitty and Marc Antony) inspired a scene in Disney’s Monsters Inc (2001). 

All told, the Chuck Jones Exhibit is well worth the time (understatement). And, it’s only part of what The Museum of the Moving Image has to offer — there’s also a marvelous “Behind the Screen” Exhibit that features historic movie/TV cameras and equipment, classic movie/TV costumes and collectables, classic serial screenings, computer-based interactive experiences and more — but more about that another time…

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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

More Info:
“What’s Up, Doc? The Animation Art of Chuck Jones” is a traveling exhibition that reveals the creative genius behind some of the most enduringly popular cartoons and animated films of all time. The exhibition is a partnership between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, and the Museum of the Moving Image.
“What’s Up, Doc: The Animation Art of Chuck Jones” at Museum of the Moving Image is the first stop in a national tour organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.

 

Posted in Classic Movie Travels, CMH Features, Posts by Annmarie Gatti | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Rita Hayworth “Cover Girl” DVD Giveaway (Twitter Contest, Week of October 13)

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Annmarie Gatti

“Cover Girl” DVD Giveaway — Entry Task for this week’s  Twitter Contest

In celebration of getTV’s Star of the Month, Rita Hayworth, CMH is giving away the 2nd of our Rita Hayworth DVDs this month via Twitter, courtesy of getTV. That said, here’s how you can enter this week’s random drawing…

In order to qualify for this week’s Rita Hayworth “Cover Girl” DVD Giveaway on Twitter, you must complete the below task by Friday, October 17 at 5PMEST* (i.e. any time between now and October 17 at 5PM EST). A winner will then be selected at random and announced on Twitter and this blog post the following day.

Cover Girl DVD

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ENTRY TASK (2-parts):

1) Answer the below question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog post 

2) Then TWEET (not DM) the following message:
Just entered to win a Rita Hayworth “Cover Girl” DVD courtesy of @ClassicMovieHub & @getTV
BY Friday, October 17, 5PM EST

THE QUESTION:
What is your favorite Rita Hayworth dance number?

If you have any questions, please feel free to DM me on Twitter @classicmoviehub.

Rita Blogathon Banner…..

This DVD giveaway coincides with the airing of some of Hayworth’s most popular films on getTV (including You’ll Never Get Rich, You Were Never Lovelier, Cover Girl, The Lady From Shanghai, Gilda and Pal Joey) – as well as a month-long Rita Hayworth Blogathon event hosted by CMH, in which Classic Movie Bloggers will be pay tribute to the lovely and talented actress (see the list of participants here).

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Click here for the get TV Full Schedule

get TV October 2014 schedule

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*Please note that only Continental United States (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and the territory of Puerto Rico) entrants are eligible. (see contest rules for further information)

And — BlogHub members ARE eligible to win if they live within the Continental United States (as noted above).

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And if you can’t wait to win a Rita Hayworth dvd, you can buy them at amazon by clicking below:

           

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Good Luck!

–Annmarie Gatti from Classic Movie Hub

Posted in Contests & Giveaways, Posts by Annmarie Gatti | Tagged , | 10 Comments

getTV Rita Hayworth Blogathon: Separate Tables

Posted on October 13, 2014 by minooallen

 

getTV Rita Hayworth Blogathon: Separate Tables

Without the use of special effects, violence, or even a slick, polished plot, Delbert Mann’s Separate Tables remains one of the most riveting films I’ve ever seen. The 1958 masterpiece weaves together the desperate lives of the lonely, repressed residents of an English seaside hotel. The film offers its audience an intimate portrait of what it means to be a human being; quietly desperate for recognition even while surrounded by the people you call your neighbors. The film is told through a series of vignettes, offering the viewer a peak into the lives of these insular creatures of the hotel and featuring an exceptionally terrific ensemble cast of David Niven, Deborah Kerr, Burt Lancaster, Gladys Cooper, Wendy Hiller and our women of the evening, Rita Hayworth.

Rita Hayworth Seprate TablesRita Hayworth in Separate Tables (1958, Delbert Mann director)

In the film, Hayworth plays Ann Shankland, a beautiful but lonely cover girl who has come to the seaside hotel in Bournemouth to reconnect with her ex-husband, played by Burt Lancaster. Theirs is a simple but common narrative; a narrative of two broken souls so desperately in love, yet so terribly wrong for each other. From their shared scenes, we gather that their marriage was a whirlwind of delirious highs and maddening lows. Both characters seem to bring out the best and worst of each other, culminating in a prison sentence for abuse, and divorce with each character seemingly almost equal to blame.

What I love about Hayworth’s performance in this film is how multi-layered it is. When we first meet Ann, it’s through the eyes of the hotel residents. She is beautiful, cosmopolitan, young and seemingly dismissive of everyone in the hotel. The very model of, well, Model behavior. As the audience, we are meant to believe she is a cool, calm creature of ice and beauty. Like the rest of the residents at the Bournemouth, Ann offers surface airs of politeness, while remaining cold and distant from those she speaks with. All that changes, however, when her ex-husband John (Lancaster) enters the picture.

Burt Lancaster and Rita Hayworth in Seperate TablesI’m really starting to feel the whole ‘separate tables’ symbolism with this pic.

In their first scene together, we get their basic story. They loved, they fought, things turned violent and John went to jail. And during this scene, Ann has most of the control – control over herself, control over John and control over the situation. She, for the most part, remains the ice queen she was when she entered the picture and takes charge of the conversation. Just like with the residents of the hotel, Ann offers nothing but calculated politeness, urging him to give the information she wants – information about his life. Sure, she gives some information about her current life, but it’s clear she only wants to get a rise out of her old husband. She preys on his emotions and, understanding what makes him tick, conceals her true intentions under a guise of false charms and geniality. But right at the end of the scene, right after she gets the information she wants – that John is currently engaged to a women he loves – we see a slight shift in her icy demeanor, a glimmer of disappointment that she keeps repressed, despite its clear efforts to bubble up to the surface.

And it’s this bubbling repression that makes her performance so great, because for the rest of the film, we see those repressed emotions and that carefully-built facade crack until it crumbles. In her next big scene with Lancaster, things play out much the same way. She’s quiet and precise in her manipulation of John, pulling his strings until he rants and raves about their failed marriage and complicated history. However, as the scene progresses, some genuine emotions shine through. She admits to loneliness, softens her speech and still very much appears to be in-love with John despite that fact that he attempted to kill her during one of the most heated moments of their relationship. So, they retreat to her room – number 12.

Rita Hayworth and Burt Lancaster in Seperate TablesRita Hayworth and Burt Lancaster in Separate Tables (1958, Delbert Mann director)

Just as it seems that the two are going to reconcile their relationship, the dynamic shifts. John, still in love with Ann but dedicated to his new fiancee, calls her bluff. It wasn’t just love that brought her back, but the fact that he — her personal emotional play-thing for years — was engaged to someone else and she could lose him forever. And just like that, her masks falls away. The ice queen becomes the desperate beggar,  pleading with John to stay with her – so obviously desperate for his passionate but volatile attention. Gone are the airs of an upper east side fashion model with her false smiles and empty manners. Instead we see the final layer, the very core of Ann’s being – a lonely, sad woman despite the one thing that makes her actually feel, even if the feeling isn’t entirely positive. And with that reveal of her true self, Hayworth gives one of her best performances.

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Rita Blogathon Banner

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“This post is part of the “getTV Rita Hayworth Blogathon” hosted by Classic Movie Hub and running during the entire month of October. Please visit getTVschedule to see a full list of Rita Hayworth films airing on the channel this month, and please be sure to visit Classic Movie Hub for a full list of other Blogathon entries.”

–Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

Posted in Blogathons, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Rita Hayworth “Cover Girl” DVD Giveaway (Facebook/Blog Contest)

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Annmarie Gatti

“Cover Girl” DVD Giveaway — Entry Task for this month’s Facebook Contest

In celebration of getTV’s Star of the Month, Rita Hayworth, CMH is giving away a “Cover Girl” DVD via Facebook and the CMH Blog, courtesy of getTV. That said, here’s how you can enter this random drawing…

In order to qualify for this Rita Hayworth “Cover Girl” DVD Giveaway, you must complete the below task by Wednesday, October 22 at 5PMEST* (i.e. any time between now and October 22 at 5PM EST). A winner will then be selected at random and announced on Facebook and this blog post the following day.

Cover Girl DVD

 

ENTRY TASK:

1) Answer the below question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog post by Wednesday, October 22, 5PM EST

THE QUESTION:
What do you love most about Rita Hayworth?

If you have any questions, please feel free to DM me on Facebook or via the blog comment section below.

Rita Blogathon Banner…..

This DVD giveaway coincides with the airing of some of Hayworth’s most popular films on getTV (including You’ll Never Get Rich, YouWere Never Lovelier, Cover Girl, The Lady From Shanghai, Gilda and Pal Joey) – as well as a month-long Rita Hayworth Blogathon event hosted by CMH, in which Classic Movie Bloggers will be pay tribute to the lovely and talented actress (see the list of participants here).

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Click here for the get TV Full Schedule

get TV October 2014 schedule

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*Please note that only Continental United States (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and the territory of Puerto Rico) entrants are eligible. (see contest rules for further information)

And — BlogHub members ARE eligible to win if they live within the Continental United States (as noted above).

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And if you can’t wait to win a Rita Hayworth dvd, you can buy them at amazon by clicking below:

           

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Good Luck!

–Annmarie Gatti from Classic Movie Hub

 

 

Posted in Contests & Giveaways, Posts by Annmarie Gatti | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Rita Hayworth “Pal Joey” DVD Giveaway (Twitter Contest, Week of October 4)

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Annmarie Gatti

“Pal Joey” DVD Giveaway — Entry Task for this week’s  Twitter Contest

In celebration of getTV’s Star of the Month, Rita Hayworth, CMH is giving away the first of our Rita Hayworth DVDs this month via Twitter, courtesy of getTV. That said, here’s how you can enter this week’s random drawing…

In order to qualify for this week’s Rita Hayworth “Pal Joey” DVD Giveaway on Twitter, you must complete the below task by Friday, October 10 at 5PM EST* (i.e. any time between now and October 10 at 5PM EST). A winner will then be selected at random and announced on Twitter and this blog post the following day.

Pal Joey DVD

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ENTRY TASK (2-parts):

1) Answer the below question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog post 

2) Then TWEET (not DM) the following message:
Just entered to win a Rita Hayworth “Pal Joey” DVD courtesy of @ClassicMovieHub & @getTV
BY Friday, October 10, 5PM EST

THE QUESTION:
What do you love most about Rita Hayworth?

If you have any questions, please feel free to DM me on Twitter @classicmoviehub.

Rita Blogathon Banner…..

This DVD giveaway coincides with the airing of some of Hayworth’s most popular films on getTV (including You’ll Never Get Rich, You Were Never Lovelier, Cover Girl, The Lady From Shanghai, Gilda and Pal Joey) – as well as a month-long Rita Hayworth Blogathon event hosted by CMH, in which Classic Movie Bloggers will be pay tribute to the lovely and talented actress (see the list of participants here).

…..

Click here for the get TV Full Schedule

get TV October 2014 schedule

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*Please note that only Continental United States (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and the territory of Puerto Rico) entrants are eligible. (see contest rules for further information)

And — BlogHub members ARE eligible to win if they live within the Continental United States (as noted above).

…..

And if you can’t wait to win a Rita Hayworth dvd, you can buy them at amazon by clicking below:

           

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Good Luck!

–Annmarie Gatti from Classic Movie Hub

Posted in Contests & Giveaways, Posts by Annmarie Gatti | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Rita Hayworth DVD Giveaway starts Tomorrow!

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Annmarie Gatti

October is Rita Hayworth Month on getTV and CMH! 

In celebration of getTV’s Star of the Month, Rita Hayworth, CMH will be giving away FIVE Rita Hayworth DVDs in October, courtesy of getTV!

We’ll be giving away four DVDs via Twitter (2 Pal Joey + 2 Cover Girl) plus one DVD via Facebook and this blog (1 Cover Girl). You can stay up-to-date on contest announcements by following us on Twitter at @ClassicMovieHub and/or following us on Facebook at Classic Movie Hub, and/or checking back on this blog weekly.  Or you can click here for the full contest rules and details. 

pal joey and cover girl dvds

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This DVD giveaway coincides with the airing of some of Hayworth’s most popular films on getTV (including You’ll Never Get Rich, You Were Never Lovelier, Cover Girl, The Lady From Shanghai, Gilda and Pal Joey) — as well as a month-long Rita Hayworth Blogathon event hosted by CMH, in which Classic Movie Bloggers will be pay tribute to the lovely and talented actress (see the list of participants here).

Rita Blogathon Banner

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Click here for the get TV Full Schedule

get TV October 2014 schedule

…..

Please note that only Continental United States (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and the territory of Puerto Rico) entrants are eligible. (see contest rules for further information)

And — BlogHub members ARE eligible to win if they live within the Continental United States (as noted above).

…..

And if you can’t wait to win a dvd, you can buy them at amazon by clicking below:

           

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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

 

Posted in Contests & Giveaways, Posts by Annmarie Gatti | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Just for Fun: Lydia the Tattooed Lady (Groucho Marx from At The Circus)

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Annmarie Gatti

Just for Fun: Oh Lydia, she was the most gloooorious creature under the sun!  Thais, DuBarry, Garbo rolled into one!

Just sharing this marvelous clip of Groucho Marx singing “Lydia the Tattooed Lady” — a favorite song of mine ever since I was a kid (thanks to my Dad for introducing it, and The Marx Brothers, to me)!

Groucho singing “Lydia the Tattooed Lady” (by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, 1939) from The Marx Brothers’ film, At The Circus (1939, director Edward Buzzell)

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And the marvelous lyrics…

Oh Lydia, oh Lydia, say, have you met Lydia?
Lydia The Tattooed Lady.
She has eyes that folks adore so,
and a torso even more so.
Lydia, oh Lydia, that encyclo-pidia.
Oh Lydia The Queen of Tattoo.
On her back is The Battle of Waterloo.
Beside it, The Wreck of the Hesperus too.
And proudly above waves the red, white, and blue.
You can learn a lot from Lydia!

La-la-la…la-la-la.
La-la-la…la-la-la.

When her robe is unfurled she will show you the world,
if you step up and tell her where.
For a dime you can see Kankakee or Paree,
or Washington crossing The Delaware.

La-la-la…la-la-la.
La-la-la…la-la-la.

Oh Lydia, oh Lydia, say, have you met Lydia?
Lydia The Tattooed Lady.
When her muscles start relaxin’,
up the hill comes Andrew Jackson.
Lydia, oh Lydia, that encyclo-pidia.
Oh Lydia The Queen of them all.
For two bits she will do a mazurka in jazz,
with a view of Niagara that nobody has.
And on a clear day you can see Alcatraz.
You can learn a lot from Lydia!

La-la-la…la-la-la.
La-la-la…la-la-la.

Come along and see Buffalo Bill with his lasso.
Just a little classic by Mendel Picasso.
Here is Captain Spaulding exploring the Amazon.
Here’s Godiva, but with her pajamas on.

La-la-la…la-la-la.
La-la-la…la-la-la.

Here is Grover Whelan unveilin’ The Trilon.
Over on the west coast we have Treasure Isle-on.
Here’s Nijinsky a-doin’ the rhumba.
Here’s her social security numba.

La-la-la…la-la-la.
La-la-la…la-la-la.

Oh Lydia, oh Lydia, that encyclo-pidia.
Oh Lydia The Champ of them all.
She once swept an Admiral clear off his feet.
The ships on her hips made his heart skip a beat.
And now the old boy’s in command of the fleet,
for he went and married Lydia!

I said Lydia…
(He said Lydia…)
They said Lydia…
We said Lydia, la, la!

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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

Posted in Just for Fun, Posts by Annmarie Gatti, Video Clips | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

TCM Star of The Month: Janet Leigh

Posted on October 1, 2014 by minooallen

 

Janet Leigh: Not just Psycho 

janet leighJanet Leigh

Turner Classic Movie’s Star of the Month, Janet Leigh, has a very interesting place in the lexicon of film history. Although she never truly reached the highest echelons of Hollywood stardom, her image is one of the most studied in all of film history and theory. Yes, we all know the image I’m talking about. A little film you might have watched at some point in your life called Psycho. Leigh’s grizzly death in the film’s most infamous ‘shower scene’ has been viewed, reviewed, studied, picked-apart, dissected, analyzed, and theorized more times than probably any other film this side of Citizen Kane. And in all that scholarly research and all that academic analyzation, what gets lost is the fact that we are watching one of Hollywood’s greatest natural talents giving one of her best performances.

Yes, Leigh may be mostly remembered for her doomed role in one of Hitchcock’s greatest masterpieces, but her true Hollywood legacy is far more than just the one scene. She began her career like most other MGM starlets with little to no formal acting training, playing the beautiful ingénue in films such as The Romance of Rosy Ridge, Little Women, Scaramouch, and Safari. However, unlike many of the young MGM starlets who came and went, Leigh managed to develop her natural skill as an actress and graduate into more demanding roles in darker films such as Touch of Evil and The Manchurian Candidate. Despite these great performances and an almost 6-decade career, it is still hard for many viewers to disassociate Leigh with her most famous of roles. So this month, loyal readers I ask you to do just that. If you’re not sure what films to watch, might I offer a few suggestions below.

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the-romance-of-rosy-ridge-movie-poster-1947-1020706190

Janet Leigh stars with Van Johnson in The Romance of Rosy Ridge (1947, Roy Rowland director) airing Wednesday October 1st at 8:00PM on TCM.

…..the naked spur

Janet Leigh stars with James Stewart in The Naked Spur (1953, Anthony Mann director) airing Wednesday October 15th at 10:00PM on Turner Classic Movies.

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touch of evil

Janet Leigh stars with Charlton Heston and Orson Welles in Touch of Evil (1958, Orson Welles director)

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Posted in Posts by Minoo Allen, TCM | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

getTV Mickey Rooney Blogathon Post: Boys Town

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Annmarie Gatti

“There is no such thing as a bad boy” – Father Edward J. Flanagan

That’s right, there’s no such thing as a bad boy — or is there?  Well, well, well…that brings me to my getTV Mickey Rooney Blogathon pick: Boys Town.

Why Boys Town? This should be an easy question to answer, right? Especially because I voluntarily picked it for my Blogathon post! But, as strange as it may seem, when I sat down to write this post, I found myself struggling with this question.  You see, Boys Town, for me, was never one of those films that I ran out to buy on DVD (still don’t own it to this day); it’s never been one of those films that I found myself streaming when I had time to kill (until today of course), and it was never one of those films that I purposely searched for in television listings.  As a matter of fact, I probably haven’t seen this film more than five times in my entire life.  So, why is it that I know every inch of this film? Why do I know every character, every scene? Why can I perfectly re-create pivotal scenes in my mind’s eye with no effort at all???  What is it about this film that has etched itself so indelibly in my mind and heart??? Well, I had to purposely watch it again to figure that out… so thank you getTV Mickey Rooney Blogathon!

getTV Mickey Rooney Blogathon

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A mere one hour and 33 minutes later, it became perfectly clear to me.  This movie resonates with me — from the first scene to the last.  It resonates with me for three reasons…

1) It shines a light on the wonderful ‘real life’ Father Edward J. Flanagan and his tireless efforts to help homeless, abandoned boys

2) The ever-steady presence of Spencer Tracy as Father Flanagan

3) Mickey Rooney’s portrayal of Whitey Marsh, a tough guy who turns out to be not-so-tough after all…

That said, for this Blogathon, I’d like to share some scenes with you of Whitey’s rocky road to adulthood…

 Mickey Rooney and Spencer Tracy in Boys TownFather Flanagan (Spencer Tracy) tries to take Whitey (Mickey Rooney) to Boys Town at the request of Whitey’s brother Joe who’s serving time in prison

Tracy: I’m Father Flanagan. I saw your brother Joe just a little while ago. We had a long talk about you Whitey. Joe wants you to come with me to Boys Town.
Rooney: You’ve got a swell chance taking me to that joint… What am I going to do in a broken down nursery like Boys Town?

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mickey rooney, spencer tracy, sidney miller, boys townWhitey is introduced to Mo Kahn (Sidney Miller) Boys Town’s 2nd baseman and barber 🙂

Miller: Hello!
Rooney: Hi eagle beak.

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Frankie Thomas, Mickey Rooney, Sidney Miller, Bobs Watson, Boys TownBoys Town Mayor Freddie Fuller (Frankie Thomas) with Whitey, Mo and Pee Wee (Bobs Watson)

Pee Wee: What’s your name?
Whitey: Go on, beat it kid!

Freddie: On a clear day you can see Omaha from here.
Whitey: Yeah? Then what’d you got?

Whitey: A guy would be a dope to try to do anything around here with 200 spies ready to run and tell teacher on him.
Freddie: There’s no squealing. Whenever you do anything wrong, you just go to Father Flanagan and squeal on yourself.
Whitey: Hey you wanna know something? I think you and Father Flanagan and this whole joint is screwy.

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Mickey Rooney, Boys TownWhitey is called to Father Flanagan’s office

Father Flanagan: Well, how do you like the place Whitey?
Whitey: The more I see of it, the more I don’t like it.
Father Flanagan: Well you will like it.
Whitey: I’m clearing out of here the first chance I get.

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Father Flanagan (Spencer Tracy) watches as Whitey (Mickey Rooney) tries to leave Boys TownFather Flanagan watches as Whitey tries to leave Boys Town

Father Flanagan: We have a boy in trouble…

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Mickey Rooney and Gene Reynolds, Boys TownCrafty Father Flanagan rings the lunch bell early! And Whitey runs back to Boys Town. Whitey sits next to Tony Ponessa (Gene Reynolds)

Freddie: The bell saved you, didn’t it buddy.

Tony: If you’re a Catholic or a Protestant, you can go right on being one.
Whitey: Well, I’m nothin’.
Tony: Then, you can go right on being nothin’, and nobody cares.

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Mickey Rooney and Sidney Miller, Boys TownWhen Whitey’s temper gets the best of him, Whitey and Mo must appear in Boys Town Court.

Freddie: Who struck the first blow?
Whitey: The first blow??? What, are you kidding, there was only one blow.

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Mickey Rooney, Boys Town, Whitey runs for mayorWhitey runs for Mayor, not because he cares, but because he wants the fringe benefits… incidentally, he’s running under the ‘Don’t Be a Sucker” ticket.

Freddie: He’s run a campaign rotten with lies and mud, and promises that he knew were lies when he made them!

Whitey: I think you and Tony are a pair of dirty double-crossing guys!

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Mickey Rooney, Spencer Tracy, Frankie ThomasWhitey and Freddie try to solve their differences in the ring…
Mickey Rooney knocked out in the ring, Boys Town…and Whitey is knocked out!!!

Pee Wee cries: Whitey!!!!!!!!!

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Bobs Watson and Spencer Tracey watch Mickey Rooney from window, Boys TownWhitey is ‘clearing out’…

Pee Wee: There’s Whitey. Where’s he going? Whitey!!!

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Bobs Watson pleads to go with Mickey Rooney in Boys TownPee Wee runs after Whitey…

Pee Wee: Wait for me Whitey! Whitey! Wait for me Whitey! Hey where you going?
Whitey: Go on, beat it will you!
Pee Wee: You going away?
Whitey: Sure, I’m blowing the plant. Go on back, will you Pee Wee? Where you belong. That’s a good kid. On your way.

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Bob Watson pleads to go with Mickey Rooney, Boys TownGet out your handkerchiefs! Pee Wee begs to go with Whitey, and they both burst into tears. Admittedly, my favorite scene in the entire movie.

Pee Wee: But we’re pals. Ain’t we?
Whitey: Ah, go on and beat it. Will you? Go ahead.
Pee Wee: I’m your pal, Whitey. Take me with you!
Whitey: I can’t be bothered. Go on and beat it will you!
Pee Wee: No. I want to go with you.
Whitey: Ah, go on beat it.
Pee Wee: No. I want to go with you.
Whitey: Go on back and scram, will you!

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Pee Wee hit by car, Boys Town, Bobs Watson, Mickey RooneyPee Wee runs after Whitey and gets hit by a car. (Hope you still have that hankie!)

Whitey: Pee Wee! Pee Wee! Pee Wee! I didn’t mean it! Honest I didn’t! Speak to me, Pee Wee! Oh golly, I’ll do anything, anything at all Pee Wee!

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Mickey Rooney, heart broken, after Pee Wee is hit by car Boys TownA distraught Whitey…
A distraught Mickey Rooney leaves Boys Town Wanders aimlessly into town…

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Mickey Rooney, Boys Town, Whitey in alleyWhitely stumbles upon a bank robbery, gets shot in an alley, and runs into his criminal brother, Joe (Edward Norris)…

Whitey: Joe! It’s me, Whitey!

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Mickey Rooney, Joe Marsh, Boys TownBrother Joe insists Whitey go ‘straight’…

Joe: You’ll be okay, just lie still. What are you doing out of school?
Whitey: I walked out
Joe: You walk back. Get me. You’re going straight. That’s why I put you there.

Joe: Listen Whitey. No squawking or squealing… Don’t talk ’til you’re dead sure I’m away…

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Now, I don’t want to ruin the ending for you, but suffice it to say that Whitey has some very serious choices to make… and he makes them… and although things do look bleak for a while, we do learn, after all, that… “There is no such thing as a bad boy”

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Now, just for fun, here are a few behind-the-scenes photos:

Mickey Rooney, Norman Taurog, Sidney Miller, behind the scenes, Boys Town Mickey Rooney with director Norman Taurog and Sidney Miller (in the background), on the set of Boys Town

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Mickey Rooney and director Norman Taurog behind the scenes, Boys TownMickey Rooney with director Norman Taurog

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Mickey Rooney with director Norman Taurog, Boys TownAnd, Rooney again with Taurog

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And, last but certainly not least…Mickey Rooney, Bobs Watson and the real Father Flanagan, behind the scenes, Boys TownMickey Rooney, Bobs Watson and the real Father Edward J. Flanagan, playing marbles

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This post is part of The getTV Mickey Rooney Blogathon hosted by Once Upon a Screen,Outspoken & Freckled and Paula’s Cinema Club taking place throughout the month of September. Please visit the getTV schedule for details on Rooney screenings throughout the month and any of the host sites for a complete list of entries.

And please don’t forget to check out the other fabulous Blogathon entries via one of the above three host sites!

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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

 

Posted in Blogathons, Posts by Annmarie Gatti | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Announcing the “getTV Rita Hayworth Blogathon”

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Annmarie Gatti


CMH is Happy to Announce the getTV Rita Hayworth Blogathon! 

“All I wanted was just what everybody else wants, you know, to be loved.”
-Rita Hayworth

In celebration of our classic movie LOVE for the beautiful and talented Rita Hayworth, CMH is happy to announce the getTV Rita Hayworth Blogathon! During the entire month of October, we invite fellow fans and bloggers to join in the fun and share a post honoring the lovely Ms. Hayworth — her life, her work or one of her films. And, no worries, duplicate subjects are a-okay!

And…
As a special thank you to our Blogathon Entrants, all entrants with a continental US address will be automatically entered into a random drawing for a Rita Hayworth “Pal Joey” DVD provided to Classic Movie Hub by getTV.

getTV Rita Hayworth Blogathon Banner; Blogathon hosted by Classic Movie Hub…..

Here’s all you need to do to participate:

  • Let me know what topic you’ll be covering by either commenting below on this blog post or by tweeting me at @ClassicMovieHub *
  • Send me a link to your blog post when you are ready to publish so that I can properly promote it
  • Copy @getTV on all tweets related to this Blogathon
  • Include the Blogathon Banner above (on your blog or in your post) and link it back to this particular blogathon post — to help us promote the event
  • Include the following statement within your blog post:

“This post is part of the “getTV Rita Hayworth Blogathon” hosted by Classic Movie Hub and running during the entire month of October. Please visit getTVschedule to see a full list of Rita Hayworth films airing on the channel this month, and please be sure to visit Classic Movie Hub for a full list of other Blogathon entries.”

*if you have any trouble contacting me via this blog or tweeter, please contact me at classicmoviehub@gmail.com

Gilda_Rita_Hayworth_getTV

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And — just in case you need some inspiration — here’s a list of Hayworth films airing on getTV in October 🙂

Thursday, 10/2 –  Rita: The Early Years
–        Who Killed Gail Preston, 1938: airing at 7:00 PM ET
–        Angels Over Broadway, 1940: airing at 8:25 PM ET
–        The Lady In Question, 1940: airing at 10:15 PM ET
Thursday, 10/9 –  Musicals: Part 1 
–        You’ll Never Get Rich, 1941: airing at 7:00 PM ET
–        You Were Never Lovelier, 1942: airing at 9:00 PM ET
–        Music In My Heart, 1940: airing at 11:10 PM ET
Thursday, 10/16 – Musicals: Part 2
–        Cover Girl, 1944: airing at 7:00 PM ET
–        Down To Earth, 1947: airing at 9:30 PM ET
–        Tonight And Every Night, 1945: airing at 11:45 PM ET
Friday, 10/17 –  Happy Birthday Rita!
–        Music In My Heart, 1940: airing at 1:00 PM ET
–        You Were Never Lovelier, 1942: airing at 2:40 PM ET
–        You’ll Never Get Rich, 1941: airing at 4:55 PM ET
Thursday, 10/23 – Dramas: Part 1 
–        The Loves Of Carmen, 1948: airing at 7:00 PM ET
–        Affair In Trinidad, 1952: airing at 9:15 PM ET
–        The Lady From Shanghai, 1948: airing at 11:30 PM ET
Sunday,  10/26 – Silver Screen Favorites (repeats Wednesdays at 7:00PM ET)
–        Gilda, 1946: airing at 7:00 PM ET and 9:30 PM ET
Thursday, 10/30 – Dramas: Part 2
–        Pal Joey, 1957: airing at 7:00 PM ET
–        Fire Down Below, 1957: airing at 9:30 PM ET
–        Salome,  1953: airing at 12:05 AM ET

See the entire October lineup here: getTVschedule

You Were Never Lovelier, Rita Hayworth, Fred Astaire

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Participants so far:

Rita Hayworth: My Flamenco Idol:  BunnyBun’s Classic Movie Blog 

Separate Tables (1958): Classic Movie Hub (Minoo Allen)

Only Angels Have Wings (1930): Silver Embers 

The Image of Rita Hayworth: Classic Reel Girl 

You Were Never Lovelier: Girl Friday’s Diary

You’ll Never Get Rich: Girls Do Film

Gilda (1946): Once Upon a Screen

Down to Earth (1947): Critica Retro

The Strawberry Blonde (1941): Classic Movie Hub (yours truly)

Cover Girl (1944): Lit Lover 12 

Lady from Shanghai (1947): Outspoken and Freckled pending

Pal Joey (1957): The Vintage Cameo pending

Tonight and Every Night (1945): Phantom Empires pending

The first public face of Alzheimer’s Disease: Sister Celluloid  n/a

You Were Never Lovelier (1942): Paula’s Cinema Club n/a

 TBD: Virtual Virago n/a

Duplicate posts are a-okay, but if you need suggestions, we’re still missing Miss Sadie Thompson, Blood and Sand…

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Have fun blogging — and thanks so much (in advance) for participating!

–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

 

About getTV:
getTV is a digital subchannel available over the air and on local cable systems dedicated to showcasing Hollywood’s legendary movies. The network, operated by Sony Pictures Television Networks, launched in February 2014.  It features Academy Award® winning films and other epic classics titles. getTV distribution is close to covering nearly 70 percent of all U.S. television households across 65 markets, including 40 of the top 50 designated market areas (DMAs). The network is broadcast by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Univision Television Group and Cox Media Group owned stations and others. For information, visit get.tv and connect with the network on Facebook and Twitter @getTV.
Posted in Blogathons, Posts by Annmarie Gatti | Tagged , , | 52 Comments