Screen Queens: Bette Davis

Posted on June 17, 2013 by minooallen

 

Bette Davis: Queen of Strength

Bette Davis was strong, stubborn and fiercely independent. For this, she will forever be a beloved Gay Icon.

Bette Davis at her sassy best in All About Eve (1950, Joseph. L. Mankiewicz)

Bette Davis lived in a different era. Women, for the most part, were expected to be demure, submissive creatures – always polite, always accommodating. And this may have worked for some woman but not for Davis. Davis had different ideas, her own ideas. She wouldn’t be content waiting on the sidelines, letting others make her life decisions for her. You see, Davis wanted to become something more than just an actress. Davis wanted to become a star. And to do that, Davis had to be her own woman.

Bette Davis in the film that solidified her status as camp icon, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane (1962, Robert Aldrich director)

The Bette Davis the world remembers and loves was a larger than life, quick witted, almost brutal woman whose will to stardom knew no bounds…and that’s just her on screen persona. In reality, while the real Bette Davis still displayed the before mentioned traits, she was incredibly vulnerable while showing great strength through adversity.  She was a woman who made her own decisions, and her own mistakes, on her own terms. She wasn’t going to live by a societal code that kept her from getting what she wanted. She was the type of star that gay men at the time could both idolize and identify with. Today, she is remembered by the gay community as a pillar of personal strength in a time of great societal strife. For this, Bette Davis is a Screen Queen.

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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

Visit CMH’s BlogHub for more posts about Bette Davis by Veteran and Emerging Classic Movie Bloggers.

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Mark Thackeray: Classic Movie Characters with Kickass Confidence

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Michelle Kerrigan

Mark Thackeray — in To Sir with Love, played by Sidney Poitier

As an unemployed engineer looking for work, Mark Thackeray takes a temporary position as a teacher in the tough East End of London.

Thackeray’s students come from disruptive homes, so the one place where they take control is in the classroom. As an unruly mob, their goal is to ride roughshod over the teachers.

Sidney Poitier in To Sir With LovePhoto: Sidney Poitier as Mark Thackeray in To Sir With Love (1967, James Clavell director)

Mark Thackeray wins this battle of wills by taking a new approach: treat the students as adults. He throws out all the textbooks and allows the students to ask questions about real life. He also teaches survival skills, such as preparing an easy and inexpensive meal.

Thackeray gets high marks for kickass confidence, not only for his own ability to adapt and thrive in the world, but in passing these same skills on to a new generation, too.

His focus outside himself on the needs of his students earns trust, respect and, without doubt, their love.

–Michelle Kerrigan for Classic Movie Hub

 

Michelle Kerrigan is an expert in workplace performance who helps clients achieve success by developing the skills they need to increase their confidence. She shares “Classic Movie Characters with Kickass Confidence” because each of them has inspired her. She hopes that they inspire you too. For more about Michelle, visit www.workplaceconfidence.com.

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Mini Tribute: Mary Wickes

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

 

Born June 13, 1910 Character Actress Mary Wickes!

Character Actress Mary Wickes appeared in over 130 roles, playing lots of busybodies, nurses, housekeepers and nuns. Some of my favorite Mary Wickes roles? Well there’s lots, but for a start: Nurse Pickford in Now Voyager, Nurse Preen in The Man Who Came to Dinner and the wonderful Sister Clarissa in The Trouble with Angels and Where Angels Go Trouble Follows!

Bette Davis and Mary Wickes in Now VoyagerBette Davis and Mary Wickes in Now Voyager (1942, director Irving Rapper)

“My name’s Pickford — Dora, not Mary.”
-Mary Wickes as Nurse Pickford in Now Voyager

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Mary Wickes as Nurse Preen in The Man Who Came To DinnerMary Wickes as Nurse Preen in The Man Who Came To Dinner (1942, director William Keighley)

“I am not only walking out on this case, Mr. Whiteside, I am leaving the nursing profession.”
-Mary Wickes as Nurse Preen in The Man Who Came to Dinner

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Mary Wicks as Sister Clarissa in Where Angels Go Trouble FollowsMary Wickes as Sister Clarissa in Where Angels Go Trouble Follows

$12.40! My old bus wouldn’t use that much gas in a month!
-Mary Wickes as Sister Clarissa in Where Angels Go Trouble Follows

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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

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Mini Tribute: Film Pioneer Lois Weber

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

Born June 13, 1879 Film Pioneer Lois Weber!

Lois Weber was the first American woman director of note, directing over 135 films between 1911 and 1934. She pioneered split screen technique in 1913 , was the first woman director to own her own film studio, and was one of the first directors to experiment with sound.

In 1916, Weber directed 10 feature films for Universal (nine of which she also wrote) — and she became Universal Studios’ highest-paid director, earning $5,000 a week.

Woman Director and Film Pioneer Lois WeberLois Weber

“She knows the motion-picture business as few people know it, and can drive as hard as anyone I’ve ever known.”
– Carl Laemmle, Liberty Magazine May 14, 1927

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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

Visit CMH’s BlogHub for more posts about Lois Weber by Veteran and Emerging Classic Movie Bloggers.

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Screen Queen: Marlene Dietrich

Posted on June 10, 2013 by minooallen

 

Marlene Dietrich: Queen of Drag

Marlene Dietrich is a woman of many titles. International movie star, cabaret artist extraordinaire, Allied power’s most valuable cheerleader and, of course, gay icon.

No-one pulls off a suit quite like Marlene Dietrich.

Considering she was a familiar face in the famed Weimar drag balls of  pre-war Berlin, Dietrich’s place in the gay community should come as no surprise  Like fellow gay icon Mae West, Dietrich’s career as an entertainer was deeply influenced by the gay cabaret and vaudeville acts that offered her that first chance of stardom. And again, like West, she was influenced by the sexual freedom offered by the gay circles of her time. And while West would use her work to explore themes of sex and male/female sexual relationships, Dietrich would use her career  to explore themes of sexuality as it applies to gender.

Marlene Dietrich, forever the winner of Most glamourous

Much of Dietrich’s career, especially in her early Weimar Berlin days, was an exploration in sexual ambiguity. On Monday morning she’d be dressed in the pinnacle of feminine fashion, and by Monday night she would perform donning a three-piece suit, complete with a top hat and tail. For Dietrich, the idea of gender and identity was something fluid and she enjoyed using the stage to experiment with those notions. She was able to both be a woman, yet dress and strut about like a man, inhabiting both genders at once – creating something completely new in the process. This form of entertainment casts aside any preconceived notions of the gender binary, opening Dietrich to an entirely new world of aesthetics and performance.  Although seen as scandalous at the time, the idea of gender performativity, the idea that is gender is essentially a form of acting and not necessarily the sex you are born, has since become a hot topic in the world of academia. So, like all the greats, Dietrich was simply ahead of her time and for that reason she is a Screen Queen.

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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

Visit CMH’s BlogHub for more posts about Marlene Dietrich by Veteran and Emerging Classic Movie Bloggers.

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Just for Fun: Lydia the Tattooed Lady

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

Just for fun! 

“Ah Lydia, she was the most gloooorious creature under the sun!”

I remember loving this clip ever since I was a little kid… just one of many magical musical moments from the Marx Brothers… Groucho Marx singing “Lydia the Tattooed Lady” from At the Circus.

Lydia the Tattooed Lady (music by Harold Arlen; lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) from At the Circus (1939, director Edward Buzzell)

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“Oh Lydia oh Lydia that encyclopedia. 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!”

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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

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Screen Queens: Mae West

Posted on June 3, 2013 by minooallen

 

Mae West: Queen of Sass

Mae West, owner of her sexuality (and plenty others)

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Mae West became a staple in the gay community. While coming into her own as a performer, she looked towards female impersonators Bert Savoy and Julian Eltinge as inspiration. Heck, she even had a short stint as a male impersonator during her vaudeville days. Though this obviously had an impact on the development of her career, it’s not exactly why she is remembered as a gay icon. It wasn’t the sex that she played on stage, but rather her attitude towards it that made her a gay icon. Basically, she was ally before it cool to be an ally.

You see, Mae West was something of a sexual rebel at a time when sex wasn’t talked about on stage. Her plays, rampant with double-entendres and swaying hips, bucked the sexual norms of her time. By pushing the envelope of “polite entertainment,” she was changing the metaphorical terrain of sexual acceptance. Of course, not everyone was quick to accept her, and her bawdy, brash stage persona managed to land her in jail when the cops raided her Broadway play subtly titled, Sex. During this period she also penned The Drag, a comedy focusing on the (hilarious) every dramas of the gay life. So, at a time when being gay was still considered a mental illness, West was an unabashed supporter of gay rights, proudly writing, performing and working with the LGBTQ community. And it is because of this, as well as her extravagant style and sexual freedom, that she is considered a Screen Queen.

Mae West’s wardrobe: The envy of every Drag Queen ever.

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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

Visit CMH’s BlogHub for more posts about Mae West by Veteran and Emerging Classic Movie Bloggers.

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Norma Rae: Classic Movie Characters with Kickass Confidence

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Michelle Kerrigan

Norma Rae, played by Sally Field (Academy Award for Best Actress)

When I think of Norma Rae, I think of the incredibly powerful scene where she stands up on her work table at the cotton mill and holds up a sign that says one word on it–“UNION”. As she turns slowly around the room to be sure that every single worker sees her, the camera captures that unmistakable mark of confidence: the unshakable belief in yourself and your cause.

Photo: Sally Field in Norma Rae (1979, Martin Ritt director)

Kickass confidence often comes to us when we believe deeply that what we are about to do can help others. That kind of compassion moves us out our shell of shyness to take that next difficult step forward. It can be powerfully infectious, as it was in Norma Rae, creating what I call ‘collective courage”—strong enough to build great unions and teams.

When you fear doing anything you know in your heart to be true, ask yourself: ‘”If I do this, how many people can I help?” And then do it, and see what amazing things happen. Stand up on the table if you have to.

–Michelle Kerrigan for Classic Movie Hub

 

Michelle Kerrigan is an expert in workplace performance who helps clients achieve success by developing the skills they need to increase their confidence. She shares “Classic Movie Characters with Kickass Confidence” because each of them has inspired her. She hopes that they inspire you too. For more about Michelle, visit www.workplaceconfidence.com.

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Dynamic Duos in Classic Film Blogathon

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

Laughs, love, danger and adventure – TIMES TWO!  It’s the Dynamic Duos in Classic Film blogathon!

In a co-host gig with the fabulous Once Upon a Screen (@CitizenScreen), Classic Movie Hub (@ClassicMovieHub), is happy to announce this upcoming blogathon event dedicated to perilous, precarious and/or personable pairs.

Dynamic Duos in Classic Film blogathon

The duos can be…

Romantic:

Dynamic Duos in Classic Film Blogathon: Garbo and GarfieldProfessional partners:

Dynamic Duos in Classic Film Blogathon: Martin and LewisAdversaries:

Dynamic Duos in Classic Film Blogathon: Elmer Fudd and Bugs BunnySiblings:

Dynamic Duos in Classic Film Blogathon: Crawford and DavisOr non-human, for that matter.  But they must be classic – in the traditional sense, which for this event is designated to any film, character, personality, etc. before 1970 in order to stay true to the themes of both host sites.  You can be as creative as you want – any duo you wish to write about is welcome.

The details:

When:  July 13 – 14

If you are interested in taking part, and we hope you are, please follow these simple steps:

Either via email to either host –

Annmarie @ClassicMovieHub of Classic Movie Hub classicmoviehub@gmail.com

Aurora @CitizenScreen of Once Upon a Screen citizenscreenclassics@gmail.com

Or in the comment section of this post make note of the following:

  • The Name and URL of your blog
  • Your email address
  • Your Twitter tag if you have one
  • Your choice of film/characters/personalities, etc.  (Although all entries are welcome, there are so many wonderful Duos to be discussed, we prefer no repeats)
  • Your post date preference if you have one (either July 13 or 14)
  • AND, please help us promote the event by placing one of the banners included in this post on your site along with a link to the host sites.

More banner choices:

Dynamic Duos in Classic Film Blogathon: Ma and Pa KettleDynamic Duos in Classic Film Blogathon: Olivia de Havilland and Errol FlynnDynamic Duos in Classic Film Blogathon: Fred and GingerWe look forward to hearing from all the fabulous classic film bloggers out there in the dark.

One more thing – be on the lookout for many more classic film events this summer.  Stay informed through the new Events Calendar featured at Classic Movie Hub.

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Participating Blogs

The Hollywood Revue – Greta Garbo and John Gilbert

Outspoken & Freckled – Nick and Nora Charles

Bogie Film Blog – Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre

Picture Spoilers – Dynamic Duos in Libeled Lady

Stardust – Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck

Caftan Woman – Roy Rogers and Dale Evans

Comet Over Hollywood – Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan

Thrilling Days of Yesteryear – Martin and Lewis

Silver Scenes – Walter Pidgeon and Greer Garson

Movies Silently – Vilma Banky & Ronald Colman in The Winning of Barbara Worth

Critica Retro – Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp film depictions

Shadows and Satin – Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake

The Joy and Agony of Movies – Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck

Greg McCambley on Citizen Screenings – Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles in The Third Man

Durnmoose Movie Musings – Abbott & Costello

Silver Screenings – Bob Hope & Bing Crosby in a “Road” picture

The Nitrate Diva – Josef von Sternberg and Marlene Dietrich

Weird Flix – Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, 50th Anniversary of Beach Party

The Man on the Flying Trapeze — Clark Gable and Jean Harlow, focus on Hold Your Man

Viv and Larry — Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier (on-screen and off-screen)

The Baz – Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone

Lime Reviews – Charlie Chaplin and Claire Bloom in Limelight

Furious Cinema – Lemmon and Matthau in The Odd Couple

Vienna’s Classic Hollywood – Thelma Ritter and Connie Gilchrist

Cinematic Catharsis – Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in Horror of Dracula

Krell Laboratories – Special Japanese legends Pairings

Film Flare – Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren

Lindsay’s Movie Musings – Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda’s friendship

The Vintage Cameo – Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra

The Jeanette MacDonald Blog – Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy

The Great Katharine Hepburn – Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant

Classic Movie Man – Irene Dunne and Cary Grant

Virtual Virago – Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney

Be Careful! Your Hand! – Maleficent and her crow Diablo from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty

Noir and Chick Flicks – Carole Lombard and Cary Grant

The Motion Pictures – Cary Grant and Joan Bennett in Big Brown Eyes and Wedding Present

The Stop Button – Lon Chaney Jr and Bela Lugosi

She Blogged by Night – Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi

Hitless Wonder Movie Blog – Evelyn Ankers and Lon Chaney Jr.

Movie Classics – Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

Hero Histories – The Lone Ranger & Tonto – film incarnations – Part 1

Secret Sanctum of Captain Video – The Lone Ranger & Tonto – Part 2

Western Comics Adventures – The Lone Ranger & Tonto – Part 3

The Last Drive In – Bette vs. Joan, “Get Back in the Chair Blanche”

The Last Drive In – Bette vs. Joan, “I wouldn’t piss on Joan Crawford if she were on Fire”

Trocadero Baby – Farley Granger and Robert Walker in Strangers on a Train

Terrible Movies – Godzilla and Mothra

Frankly My Dear – Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in Too Many Girls, The Long Long Trailer and Forever Darling

We Recycle Movies – Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson

The World’s Funniest Dissertation – Laurel and Hardy

Cinemalacrum – Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo in Godard’s Breathless

Classic Movie Hub – Groucho Marx and Margaret Dumont

Citizen Screenings – Batman (1966)

Once Upon a Screen – Crawford and Gable

Topic TBD

Wide Screen World

Goosepimply Allover

 

–Annmarie at Classic Movie Hub

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Mini Tribute: Mel Blanc

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

Born May 30, 1908 Legendary Voice Actor Mel Blanc!

Mel Blanc ‘appeared’ in an amazing 1,025+ shorts and films, and is the voice of some of the most iconic, lovable, and sometimes ‘despicable’ cartoon characters — including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn, Porky Pig, Barnie Rubble and Dino the Dinosaur!

Mel Blanc Man of a Thousand Voices, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and moreA little Tribute Montage for the Legendary Mel Blanc

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–Annmarie from Classic Movie Hub

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