TCM’s 31 Days of Oscar: CMH Picks for Week One (Feb 1)

Posted on February 1, 2014 by minooallen

 

Turner Classic Movies: 31 Days of Oscar

CMH Picks: Week One

It’s every Movies Lovers’ favorite time of year: Awards Season — when Hollywood’s most ambitious and artistic films are hoping for that Oscar gold. And if you’re a classic movie fan, then you even have more to be happy about: TCM’s 31 Days of Oscar programming event. During the entire month of February (spilling into March), TCM celebrates the Academy Awards by airing nothing but Oscar nominated/winning films. And, as I am sure you already deduced, this means there are A LOT of good films airing this month – and not nearly enough time to watch them all. So, how will you ever decide what to watch? Well, since we here at CMH believe in civil service, we thought we’d do our duty by doing some of the thinking for you. In fact, we already have given it a good deal of thought, and although there were some tough choices to make, we’ve picked what we consider to be the best of the batch for each day of the event. So, without further ado, here is this week’s picks:

Saturday, February 1: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington at 3:45PM EST
1 Win: Best Writing, Original Story Oscar 1940

mr_smith_goes_to_washington“Either I’m dead right, or I’m crazy!” – Mr. Smith standing up for what he believes in.

Many times a film fills a collective social need. During the depression, musicals were the ‘escape’ that many Americans needed. After World War II, film-noir represented the reality of post-war disillusionment. And right now, whatever side of the political fence you may or may not be on, I think we can all safely admit that world politics is a bleak looking place. Sometimes we just need to believe that there is still some moral and social justice in politics and that our leaders have the people’s best interest in mind. Sometimes, we just need Jimmy Stewart to show us that it’s going to be OK.

…..

Sunday, February 2: The Lost Weekend at 8:00PM EST
4 Wins: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Writing Screenplay 1946

The.Lost.Weekend

Ray Milland in the throes of addiction.

Winner of four Academy Awards, The Lost Weekend is Hollywood’s first attempt at showing the devastating effects of alcoholism.  The film’s plot is simple: we follow Don Birnan (Ray Milland) down his four-day alcoholic binge. And with that simple story we get one of Hollywood’s most brutal demonstrations of the struggles of addiction.

…..

Monday, February 3: Mildred Pierce at 7:00AM EST
1 Win: Best Actress 1946

Mildred Pierce_02

“You look down on me, because I work for a living. Don’t you.”- Oh, how that line breaks me.

Film-noir, family drama, and Joan Crawford all rolled into one little delectable slice of heaven. Made during the rise of post-war disillusionment, this film questions the nature of human morality and the family unit, asking the tough question: Is family certain?  The film was nominated for six Academy awards with Joan Crawford taking home the Oscar gold.

…..

Tuesday February 4: The Battle for Algiers at 1:45PM EST
3 Nominations: Best Foreign Language Film 1967, Best Director and Best Writing Story and Screenplay (Written Directly for the Screen) 1969

the battle for algiersStill from the French Legion parade.

The Battle for Algiers is a 1966 war film that shows the Algerian revolution from both the French and Algerian perspectives. The film used various techniques to make the film look like a documentary or newsreel, and used non-professional actors who lived through the revolution to make the film as true-to-live as possible. The results were an amazingly powerful fiction film that felt and looked like a documentary, successfully fooling many Americans to believe it was.

…..

Wednesday February 5: The Best Years of Our Lives at 8:00PM EST
7 Wins: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Writing Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Music Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture

best years of our livesPay particular close attention to this scene. Cinematographer Greg Toland’s artistry shines.

This is truly one of post-WWII America’s most important films. I have written papers and taught classes on the significance, both thematically and artistically, of this film.  Since I don’t have space to do so in this post, I will say this: pay attention to the cinematography of Greg Toland. In a film were everything is excellent, it’s truly amazing that the camerawork should stick out, but it does.

…..

Thursday, February 6: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at 8:00PM EST
5 Wins: Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography Black-and-White, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration Black-and-White, Best Costume Design Black-and-White 1967

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Well, this picture sure sums up a lot.

Academics, booze, and broken self-delusions; who would have thought a movie with those things front-and-center could be so funny. Yes, the film is filled with the darker themes of personal dissatisfaction, alcohol, power and the ultimate absurdity of life, but it also offers the audience the coping mechanism of humor; the same mechanism used by the film’s leads Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. What makes the film so tragic, though, is that when the humor is taken away — the cold hard truth is laid bare for both the characters and audience to see.

…..

Friday February 7: The Search at 2:00PM EST
1 Win: Best Writing Motion Picture Story

the searchMonty discovering the young boy’s past in a concentration camp.

A joint production from The United States and Switzerland, this film follows a 9-year old Auschwitz survivor as he is found and cared for by American GI, Montgomery Clift. The film was shot in the ruins of post-war Europe, showing the devastation that occurred during and after the war. The film also marked Montgomery Clift’s debut, for which he was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar.

…..

Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

 

Posted in Oscars, Posts by Minoo Allen, TCM | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Classic Movie Coincidence: Clark Gable and Michael Kanin

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Annmarie Gatti

 

Clark Gable and Michael Kanin share a birthday and a film:

Michael Kanin co-wrote the story for Teacher’s Pet which starred Clark Gable — both Kanin and Gable were born today February 1 (9 yrs apart!).

Clark Gable and Doris Day in Teacher's Pet 1958

Clark Gable and Doris Day in Teacher’s Pet (1958, director George Seaton)

…..

Writers Michael and Fay Kanin

Teacher’s Pet co-writers Michael Kanin and his wife Fay Kanin.

…..

Clark Gable was born on in Cadiz, Ohio, and Michael Kanin was born on  in Rochester, New York.

…..

–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

Posted in Classic Movie Coincidence, Posts by Annmarie Gatti | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Musicals 101 (Part Seven): The Freed Unit

Posted on January 25, 2014 by minooallen

 

The Freed Unit: MGM Musicals, the Evolution of Integration.

There’s a saying you might know – it’s pretty popular among classic film buffs, and it goes a little something like this  “MGM has more stars than there are in heaven.” Well, I’m not here to argue whether that statement is true or not. I’m just here to tell you about a man who recruited many of those stars, and in the process created his own musical heaven. I am to tell you about Arthur Freed and what is now know as the Freed Unit. The unit was comprised of some of the most notable musical stars of the era, and produced some of the genre’s most memorable and innovative films such as On The Town, An American in Paris, Meet Me in St. Louis and The Band Wagon.

Members of the Freed Unit with their Oscar for the Gigi. Pictured: Maurice Chevalier,  Arthur Freed , Frederick Loewe , Alan Jay Lerner and Vincente Minnelli .

Arthur Freed was a songwriter based in Chicago who managed to capture the attention of MGM studios. After working on The Wizard of Oz as an associate Producer, he was promoted to head of his own division, where he concentrated on revitalizing the now stale genre of the movie musical. His job as division head was to assemble a team of the best that New York Theatre had to offer. He would end up buying a one-way, cross-country plane ticket for Broadway talents such as directors Vincent Minnelli and Charles Walters, vocal couch Kaye Thompson, song writing duo Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and a slew of on-stage talents such as Zero Mostel, June Allyson and Nancy Walker. He then carefully nurtured the careers of stars such as Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen, Lena Horne — and convinced an old favorite, Fred Astaire, to come out of retirement for the film Easter Parade.

Judy Garland and Fred Astaire in Easter Parade. (1948, director  Charles Walters)

What allowed the Freed Unit to blossom was the unprecedented freedom MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer gave the division. Given the freedom to act independently from the studio, Freed allowed his unit full creative control of their respective departments. With virtual free rein over the studio, directors and choreographers pushed the limits of the film form with numbers such as the 15-minute ballet that ends An American in Paris and Astaire’s famed Dancing on the Ceiling in Royal Wedding.

We have Arthur Freed to thank for this piece of beauty. An American in Paris. (1951, director Vincent Minnelli)

…..

Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

For more articles in this series:

Musicals 101 (Part One): An Introduction

Musicals 101 (Part Two): Integrated vs. Backstage Musicals

Musicals 101 (Part Three): Analyze the Dance, Part 1: Progression Integrated

Musicals 101 (Part Four): Analyze the Dance. Part 2: The Spectacle

Musicals 101 (Part Five): Busby Berkeley

Musicals 101 (Part Six): Fred and Ginger

 

Posted in Dancing, Musicals 101, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just Announced: TCM Classic Film Festival to Honor Jerry Lewis

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Annmarie Gatti

Just Announced: Turner Classic Movies to Honor Legend Jerry Lewis at 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival!

Jerry Lewis

The 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival will honor legendary actor, filmmaker and humanitarian Jerry Lewis with a multi-tiered celebration of his remarkable career. Highlighting the tribute, Lewis will have his hand and footprints enshrined in concrete on Saturday, April 12 in front of the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX. Following the hand and footprint ceremony, Lewis will attend a screening of his comedy hit The Nutty Professor (1963), which he also directed. As a special prelude to the film, Lewis will join award-winning actress Illeana Douglas on-stage for an interview about his extraordinary career, as well as about the making of the movie. After The Nutty Professor, Lewis will stick around to answer questions from the audience.

The Nutty Professor starring Jerry Lewis

“Jerry Lewis is a very important name whenever movie comedy is discussed and enjoyed,” said TCM host Robert Osborne, who also serves as the official host of the TCM Classic Film Festival. “Jerry has provided the world with great merriment and laughter, while also showing, in such films as Martin Scorsese’s The King of Comedy, what an exceptional dramatic actor he can be. Add to that his many credits as a popular director, producer and writer, and you see the reasons we are pleased to be able to honor him for his more than 60 years of contributions to the world of motion pictures.”

Marking its fifth year, the TCM Classic Film Festival will take place April 10-13, 2014, in Hollywood. The festival will coincide with TCM’s 20th anniversary as a leading authority in classic film.

TCM Classic Film Festival 2014

In addition to Lewis, this year’s TCM Classic Film Festival will pay tribute to Quincy Jones, who will appear at multiple events during the festival, including a 50th anniversary screening of Sidney Lumet’s powerful drama The Pawnbroker (1964), which marked Jones’ debut as a film composer. Other previously announced events during this year’s festival include a screening of the recently restored Gone with the Wind (1939) and a presentation of The Wizard of Oz (1939) in its stunning new IMAX® 3D format. The festival will also include three world premiere restorations: Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity (1944), which will be celebrating its 70th anniversary; Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil (1958); and William Wyler’s Best Picture Oscar® winner The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) — and a screening of the Harold Lloyd comedy classic Why Worry? (1923), with legendary silent-film composer Carl Davis conducting the live world premiere performance of his new original score.

Passes for the 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival can be purchased exclusively through the official festival website:  http://www.tcm.com/festival.

…..

–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

Posted in News, Posts by Annmarie Gatti, TCM | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mini Tribute: Character Actor Harry Davenport

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Annmarie Gatti

Born January 19, 1866 Character Actor Harry Davenport!

A veteran stage actor, Harry Davenport made his film debut at age 48. In his 37-year film career, he appeared in over 160 films and shorts, playing his share of grandfathers, judges and doctors. His films include Gone with the Wind (as Dr. Meade), Meet Me in St. Louis (as grandpa) and The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (as great uncle Judge Thaddeus Turner). He also co-founded The White Rats which would later become known as the Actors Equity Association.

…..

Harry Davenport, Gone with the Wind, Dr. Mead

Good heavens, woman! This is a war, not a garden party!
-Harry Davenport as Dr. Meade in Gone with the Wind

…..

Harry Davenport in Meet Me in St. Louis as grandpa

That young man is so excited he’s liable to leave on his
honeymoon without Rose.
-Harry Davenport as Grandpa in Meet Me in St Louis

…..

Harry Davenport in The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer as Judge Thaddeus

And who the devil is Richard Nugent???
-Harry Davenport as great uncle Judge Thaddeus Turner in The Bachelor
and the Bobby-Soxer
(pictured above with Myrna Loy as Margaret Turner, also a judge)

 …..

Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

 

Posted in Character Actors, Mini Tributes, Posts by Annmarie Gatti, Quotes | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Hitchcock at the Box Office: Guest Post by Author Brian Hannan

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Guest Post

 

Hitchcock at the Box Office

About eighteen months ago I was commissioned to write Darkness Visible, a short book of 15,000 words on my six favorite Hitchcock films. Delighted as I was to be asked, my first question to my publisher was: “Why the limit? Any Hitchcock fan could easily rattle off a dozen.” However, there was no arguing with the publisher. And although I enjoyed writing the book as well as felt confident about my selections, there was a nagging guilt that I had somehow short-changed British masterpieces like The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes.  Coincidentally, after the book was published, I took my then-fiancée (now wife) for afternoon tea to Cameron House Hotel in Loch Lomond, Scotland, where The 39 Steps was continually shown on a screen above the bar. Needless to say, it turned into a longer afternoon than planned as we sat and re-watched the classic.

39 Steps pic

The 39 Steps may be one of Hitchcock’s most perfect scripts.  Setting aside the thrilling suspense we’ve all come to expect from a Hitchcock film, the narrative shows an early maturity in that the story is built on the foundation of human relationships. While Donat and Carroll are the most obvious, the plot twists hinge on three other marriages. The crofter’s wife helps Donat while her jealous husband betrays him; the professor’s wife is surprisingly complicit in her husband’s evil-doing, while the soft-hearted innkeepers assist Donat and Carroll in evading the law. Apart from the crisp story-telling, what I enjoy most about this early Hitchcock film is seeing early uses of thematic and images that would be repeated in later films. The shoes at the beginning of The 39 Steps are reminiscent of the startling opening of Strangers On a Train; the train emerging from the tunnel echoes a train entering a tunnel in North by Northwest; and action seen while scrambling over the moors has similarities to the Mount Rushmore chase scene, also in North by Northwest. And, of course, that is without mentioning Hitchcock’s mastery of the sexual frisson – the removal of Madeleine Carroll’s wet stockings while still handcuffed to Robert Donat is just classic Hitchcock.

39Steps.StockingsRobert Donat removing said stocking from Madeline Carroll in The 39 Steps (1939, Alfred Hitchcock director)

So, naturally, I was curious about The 39 Steps’ initial reception. Prior to writing the Hitchcock book, I had been working on another book about the making of David Lean’s Lawrence Of Arabia and spent months researching trade newspaper archives that presented an alternative version of that film’s production and development.  So with no idea what I would discover about The 39 Steps, and certainly with no intention of writing another book, I dug into the archives.  According to Variety magazine, The 39 Steps was a massive hit in Britain, playing in first-run cinemas in London’s West End for four months. It was so successful that when its run at one first-run theatre ended it was snatched up by another cinema. In this fashion, it was shown in an unprecedented four of the West End first-run cinemas. According to biographer John Russell Taylor it was also ‘a sensational success in the States’, paving the way for Hitchcock’s move to Hollywood. I had no reason to believe this was not true especially as the other major biographers, including Donald Spoto and Patrick McGilligan, backed up the notion that producer David O Selznick hired Hitchcock based on his box office success in America. However, I was shocked to learn that was not necessarily true.

In the 1930s movies did not open nationwide, but in different cities at different times. The 39 Steps did not open, as you might expect, in New York or LA, but in Boston.  The film did reasonably well and was the third most successful film at the box office that week.  But from there it went to third-to-last in Washington, second-to-last in New Haven and Providence, and last in Philadelphia. This did not sound like ‘a sensational success’ to me. Upon further investigation, tracking the opening of The 39 Steps in over 20 major cities, I found out that Taylor was wrong about the film. The 39 Steps had not been a hit. So I continued to research, going back to earlier the same year for The Man Who Knew Too Much and going forward three years to The Lady Vanishes. What I discovered was that both of those films had generated even less money at box office than The 39 Steps.

The_man_who_knew_too_much_1934_posterAlso featured in the book, The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934, Alfred Hitchcock director)

So that got me thinking: Why had these films not done as well as we have all been made to believe? Why did the major biographers think these films had been hits? And, more importantly, how did that affect our knowledge of Hitchcock when he finally crossed the pond to Hollywood?  I had to write another book to find out.

Hitchcock At The Box Office Vol. 1 is the result. It not only covers the three films mentioned above in considerable detail but also examines the commercial forces that dictated the marketplace Hitchcock found himself in. For the first time it places Hitchcock in the context of the marketing of the film business in the early-to-late 1930’s. Above all, it explains why, contrary to previous thinking, Hitchcock was extremely lucky to be offered a contract in Hollywood at all.

vol1_071113

If you’re interested in reading, Hitchcock At The Box Office Vol. 1 you can find it on Kindle at Amazon here.

…..

–Brian Hannan for Classic Movie Hub

                

Posted in Books, Guest Posts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How Many Films did Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland Star in Together?

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Annmarie Gatti

How Many Films did Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland Star in Together?

Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland in The Adventures of Robin Hood

Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938, directors Michael Curtiz and William Keighley)

Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland starred in EIGHT films together, NINE if you count “Thank Your Lucky Stars” which was a cavalcade of stars WWII fundraiser film:

  1. Captain Blood (1935)  On DVD and Streaming (Warner Home Video)
  2. The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936)  On DVD and Streamin g (Warner Home Video)
  3. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)  On DVD, Blu-ray and Streaming (Warner Home Video)
  4. Four’s a Crowd (1938)  On DVD (Warner Home Video) 
  5. Dodge City (1939)  On DVD and Streaming (Warner Home Video)
  6. The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)  On DVD (Warner Home Video)
  7. Santa Fe Trail (1940)  On DVD (studio n/a)
  8. They Died with Their Boots On (1941)  On DVD and Streaming (Warner Home Video)   AND
  9. Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943)

 

    

Private Lives of Elizabeth & Essex            

…..

–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

Posted in How Many Films Did They Star In Together?, Posts by Annmarie Gatti, Warner Archives DVDs | Tagged | 3 Comments

Musicals 101 (Part Six): Fred and Ginger

Posted on January 11, 2014 by minooallen

 

Musical 101: Fred and Ginger, The Reigning Royalty of Dance

Without a doubt, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are the king and queen of the movie musical. Although absolutely wonderful on their own, together the two add up to far more than the sum of their parts. But why were they so prefect for each other? Well, I suppose it can be summed up by that ever-famous Katharine Hepburn quote. You know the one, it goes something like “Fred gave Ginger class, and Ginger gave Fred sex.” They complimented each other, offering each other that certain something that was previously missing from their on-screen personas.

Ginger Roders, Classic movie actressOne thing they both had in abundance: adorableness.

Although Fred Astaire’s talent as a dancer was second to none, he initially lacked what we in the business like to call “sex appeal.” Sure, he had a sort-of goofy, aristocratic charm about him but that’s where it ended. He was essentially the affable neuter, that good-natured, if somewhat awkward wingman for the Clark Gables of the filmic world — a far cry from the stylish, swoon-inducing leading man we think of today. Rogers, on the other hand, was pretty much the opposite. Although she was cute, comical and most definitely sexy, she lacked the refinement of both Astaire’s on-screen persona and disciplined dance technique. She did, however, possess the skill of acting and that is where the strength of this dancing duo lies.

She’s like putty in his hands. The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle. (1939, director H.C Potter)

Because of Astaire’s fluidity and ease as a dancer, he was able to elevate Ginger’s skill, giving her a grace and sophistication she lacked on her own.  And because Ginger was an actress first, dancer second; she was always focused on Astaire. Instead of simply dancing with Astaire, she was reacting to Astaire, allowing herself to be courted, seduced, and eventually, fall in love. Without the dancers need to focus on the technicalities of the perfect dance, her attention was focused on Astaire. She wanted him and because of that, we wanted him.

Yup, it’s working. Totally want him. Shall We Dance (1937, director Mark Sandrich)

It’s no surprise they were one of the most successful pairings of the 1930’s. With more people in bread lines than factory lines, Astaire and Rogers offered the audience a chance to participate in the world of luxury, to see the king and queen reign over their glimmering kingdom. They offered the audience something that was needed in their lives: the too short reprieve from the horrors of the depression.

…..

Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

Posted in Dancing, Musicals 101, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

TCM Star of the Month: Joan Crawford

Posted on January 1, 2014 by minooallen

 

TCM Star of the Month

Joan Crawford

Joan one

As a relatively young fan of classic movies, my introduction to Hollywood stars is not always through their films. More than once, I have encountered the myth of a movie star before catching a glimpse of the star him/herself. I knew John Wayne was a picture of manliness before I ever saw a picture of him. I knew James Dean was a rebel without a cause before seeing said rebel’s face. And I knew Joan Crawford was a histrionic narcissist with bushy-eye brows and an uncanny hatred for wire hangers before the age of 10.

Yes, that was my introduction to the great Joan Crawford: Mommy Dearest. Before watching Humoresque, before watching The Grand Hotel, before watching Mildred Pierce, I saw Mommy Dearest at the tender, and probably way too young age of nine. As a fan of all things corn and campy since the age of birth, I absolutely loved the movie. I watched it multiple times over the next few years, often times reciting Faye Dunaway’s lines and, yes, maybe grabbing a wire hanger once or twice. To me, this campy, crazed representation of one of Hollywood greatest stars wasn’t representation: it was truth. Or at least, the version I chose to believe.

Crawford, Joan (Grand Hotel)Joan Crawford with Lionel Barrymore in Grand Hotel. (1932, Edmund Goulding director)

It would be years later before I would see an actual Joan Crawford film and even then, I barley recognized her. Surely this young, beautiful, non-bushy browed actress starring opposite Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, and Lionel Barrymore couldn’t be Joan Crawford. Could it? Where was the camp? Where was the mania? Where was the eyebrow? I became intrigued about the star I thought I knew and soon set out to watch more of her films. Within the month, I sat myself down to watch three more Crawford films and saw a Crawford that I had never seen before. I saw her as an able businesswoman and caring mother in Mildred Pierce. I saw her as a vulnerable, terrified and disabled sister in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. I saw her as a fierce and independent woman in Johnny Guitar. Finally, I saw Joan Crawford’s representation of Joan Crawford. And it was like a whole new woman.

Joan Crawford mildredJoan Crawford with Ann Blyth (1945, Michael Curtiz director)

I discovered a woman who spent hours a night personally responding to fan mail; a woman who worked herself from nothing to become one of Hollywood’s most glamorous stars. I discovered a woman with more determination and grit then I could ever imagine. In a way, I rediscovered Joan Crawford.

This month, you too will have the chance to rediscover Joan Crawford as Turner Classic Movies celebrates her as its Star of the Month. Every Thursday you’ll have a chance to watch Crawford at her very best, doing what she does best: Being a Star.

fan mailJoan Crawford responding to fanmail

Some of you may be at a loss for which of her films to watch and that’s O.K. The woman did make over 100 TV/Film appearances.  But don’t you worry about that. That’s why I’m here. If you want to see young Crawford, a starlet still in the process of clawing her way to the top, I would suggest you tune in on Thursday, January 2nd, at 8:00pm for The Unknown opposite Lon Chaney. Then of course, there is the glamourous MGM version of Crawford, best typified in the aforementioned Grand Hotel, which you can catch Thursday, January 9th at 8:00pm. But if you want want to see Crawford at her Oscar best, be sure to watch Mildred Pierce on Thursday, January 23rd at 8:00pm on Turner Classic Movies.

…..

Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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

Fred Astaire: The Early Years at RKO Enter-to-Win Trivia Question (Saturday Dec 28)

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

It’s time for the Final Trivia Question (red font below) to win the Final Copy of the new TCM Fred Astaire 2-CD Set Giveaway — Fred Astaire: The Early Years at RKO, courtesy of Sony Masterworks (remember, in order to win, you must have already pre-qualified via the Qualifying Entry Task)

THE QUESTION:

The TCM 2-CD Set, Fred Astaire: The Early Years at RKO, features some classic Irving Berlin songs including “We Saw the Sea” and “Let Yourself Go.” What Astaire/Rogers film featured these songs”? If you need a hint, the film also starred Randolph Scott and Harriet Hilliard — and Astaire played sailor Bake Baker in the film. [if you need another hint scroll below]

The FIRST person (who already completed this week’s Qualifying Entry Task) to correctly TWEET the answer to the above question — wins!

If you need help with the answer, please click this link. Here is a picture from the film:

Follow the Fleet

You can read more about the book here at Sony Masterworks.

And if you can’t wait to win the CD, you can buy it right now on amazon:

 

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