Ann B. Davis appeared in over 25 movie and TV roles, including Lover Come Back and All Hands on Deck — but she is most famously known as the lovable housekeeper, Alice, on TV’s The Brady Bunch!
Ann B. Davis, then and now
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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
The Lovely Mary Astor
Sometime between the Golden Age of Hollywood and the Modern era, a lot has changed. Take for instance the media’s treatment of, and the populace relationship with Celebrity. You see, back in the day, Celebrity meant something different. In a world before twitter feeds and 24-hour entertainment television, the world of Celebrity was one shrouded in glamour and exclusivity. To be a celebrity either took decades of hard work in your chosen field (usually involving the movie business) or decades of social climbing. The media was there to praise and promote, rather than expose and exploit. Today, one of the great American pastimes seems to be following the rise and fall of Celebrity, if our obsession with Brittany Spears, Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan is any indication. I sometimes wonder how Mary Astor would have fared in today’s celebrity-obsessed society.
Mary Astor in the 1920’s
You see, Mary Astor is sort of the ‘OG’ of fallen childhood stars. Much like child stars of today, Astor’s career was an extension of her father’s dreams. She was forced into pageants as a child by her parents and subsequently pushed into the movie business. As more roles began to come in and Astor’s star rose at Paramount studios, her parents began to spend her money lavishly. They bought a house above the Hollywood Hills, which they would often use to isolate Astor, keeping her from contact with the outside world. It was not until she was 26 that she sued her parent for financial control of her money. It was about this time that Astor developed a drinking problem and began having affairs; feeling emotionally detached from her husband. Eventually, she would check herself into rehab in the late 1940’s.
Mary Astors’s Autobiography My Story
If you haven’t read it, you should.
Although she may have been written about in a few of the trade papers, the general population wasn’t following her every move, hoping for her next misstep. She was allowed to hit rock bottom and not have 80 members of the paparazzi following her everywhere. Although her story is similar to, say, a Lindsay Lohan, I was able to read about her, in her own words from her own autobiography, rather than see a sensationalized headline at my local supermarket.
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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub
And if you’re interested in reading Astor’s book, here it is on amazon:
Visit CMH’s BlogHub for more posts about Mary Astor by Veteran and Emerging Classic Movie Bloggers.
Roy Atwell appeared in over 35 films and shorts from 1922 to 1947, but is probably best known for being the voice of Doc in Walt Disney‘s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)…
Roy Atwell as himself and Roy Atwell as Disney’s Doc
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–Annmarie at Classic Movie Hub
Visit CMH’s BlogHub for more posts about Roy Atwell by Veteran and Emerging Classic Movie Bloggers.
First of all, apologies for the delay in posting this Qualifying Task (which was due to my hectic schedule at the TCM Film Festival)… Hopefully the task will be easy and fun so that it won’t take long to complete 🙂
In order to qualify for this week’s Beyond Casablanca Book Giveaway, you must complete the following task by Friday, May 3 at 9PM EST (i.e. any time between now and Friday/tomorrow May 3 at 9PM EST):
In Beyond Casablanca: 100 Classic Movies Worth Watching,
For this week’s Qualifying Entry Task, please:
1) CREATE your own list of “10 Favorite Actresses” (pre-1969**) via Classic Movie Hub’s ‘Create a List Tool” (click here)
2) TWEET (not DM) the Link to your List (“10 Fav Actresses” List):
TO @classicmoviehub
WITH the two hashtags #BeyondCasablanca #QualifyingTask
BY Friday May 3 at 9PM EST
NEXT STEP: Once you have successfully completed the above Qualifying Entry Task, you will be eligible to win a copy of the book. Your next step will be to wait for my Trivia Question Tweet* which will be sent on Friday evening, May 3, at exactly 10PM EST — and correctly tweet the answer to the Trivia Question. The FIRST PERSON to correctly Tweet the Answer to that Trivia Question wins the book (assuming they’re already eligible because they’ve successfully completed the above-referenced Qualifying Entry Task).
*Here’s my twitter handle @classicmoviehub
**If you have any questions, please feel free to DM me on Twitter @classicmoviehub.
And if you don’t want to wait to win, you can purchase Jennifer’s book at amazon:
Contest Information and Rules.
Good Luck!
–Annmarie Gatti from Classic Movie Hub
Whether he’s playing Captain Spaulding in Animal Crackers, Dr. Hackenbush in A Day at the Races, or Otis B. Driftwood in A Night at the Opera, Groucho Marx will always have that instantly recognizable and unforgettable mark of confidence.
Photo: Groucho Marx as Rufus T. Firefly in Duck Soup (1933, director Leo McCarey)
Here’s a guy who’s totally comfortable with looking ridiculous. That zany walk and those exaggerated eyebrows and moustache are all exclamation points to his wise-cracking remarks that—like his ever-present cigar–comically get in the face of anyone who stands in his way.
Confidence is getting past anything that holds you back, and you can bet your life, your sense of humor can be the answer.
–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.
Okay, here we go… It’s time for the Trivia Question (red font below) which will determine this week’s winner of Beyond Casablanca: 100 Classic Movies Worth Watching
In the book, Beyond Casablanca: 100 Classic Movies Worth Watching
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 ‘Search’ by clicking here.
And if you don’t win, you can purchase Jennifer’s book at amazon:
Contest Information and Rules.
Good Luck!
–Annmarie Gatti from Classic Movie Hub
In his heyday, Fred Zinneman was as revered a name as his peers Hitchcock, Capra, and Wyler. Now, the other three are icons of the film industry, and Zinnemann, well, people just don’t talk about him as much. Of course, none of it has to do with inferior directorial skill. In fact, Zinnemann was incredibly skilled at his craft and developed a very particular style that coincided with his thematic narrative.
While many directors are remembered for their flare with the camera, Zinneman preferred a less kinetic style of filmmaking. He preferred a less obtrusive documentary aesthetic and camera work that allowed the audience to focus on the reality of the characters. His choice to use a stoic camera rather than a flashy one gave priority to the actor, allowing for his characters to act as the key element of his filmmaking. It is through them that he molds this thematic constant: the inner struggle with the self and self as destiny. Even when major historical events happen in his movies, like say Pearl Harbor in From Here to Eternity, they act as setting, as background. To Zinnemann, the chaos of gunfire is far less intriguing than the reasons behind it. In short, the human condition is far more interesting than the conditions we create.
And this is the reason Zinnemann is seemingly “forgotten” today. Rather than push the limits of technical filmmaking for sake of spectacle, he chose to explore what it is to be human. So, let us remember this director by taking a second to look at some of his explorations.
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Montgomery Clift in screen debut, The Search (1948, Fred Zinnemann director)
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Teresa Wright with Marlon Brando in his screen debut, The Men (1950, Fred Zinnemann director)
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Frank Sinatra and Donna Reed in From Here to Eternity (1953, Fred Zinnemann director)
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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub
Although Cary Grant did not do the voice acting for his cartoon debut in The Flintstones, I guess you could still say that he still was ‘immortalized in stone’ — as Hollyrock Matinee Idol, Gary Granite — in The Flintstones’ episode “Monster from the Tar Pits” (Season 1, Episode 6, Nov 4, 1940).
FYI: The voice acting was performed by Bob Hopkins, who appeared in about 60 film & TV roles, mostly in uncredited and bit parts.
Bob Hopkins as the voice of Gary Granite — the cartoon ‘avatar’ of Cary Grant
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Gary Granite ‘preparing’ for a scene!
Director: Now Gary, in this scene you are climbing the cliff and at the top is Rock Pile (actor) with the girl you love, but you are having a little trouble because Rock Pile is dropping boulders on your head…Prop Man? Did you get the fake boulder?…Never mind, we’ll use real ones…Mr. Flintstone!…
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Fred Flintstone (Alan Reed) as Gary Granite’s Stunt Double
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“Monster from the Tar Pits” Video Clip from the WB website
By the way, that’s Hollyrock Starlet ‘Tuesday Wednesday’ (LOL Tuesday Weld?) in the arms of Granite
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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
Visit CMH’s BlogHub for more posts about Cary Grant by Veteran and Emerging Classic Movie Bloggers.
company.
The “Hooker with a Heart of Gold” is pretty common trope, dating back to ole the pre-feudalism days. The trope is pretty self-explanatory: you have a character who’s profession is outside of what polite society deems acceptable and thus, at first, is seen as a wise-talking, street smart, street-walker. However, as the narrative progresses, we learn that underneath the sex kitten façade is a sweet, good-natured person who only wants to help and be helped. And in the 50’s and 60’s, no one played that trope better than Shirley MacLaine.
Shirley MacLaine and dog in Irma La Douce (1963, Billy Wilder director)
To quote MacLaine’s own words, “I’ve made so many movies playing a hooker that they don’t pay me in the regular way anymore. They leave it on the dresser.” For me, that’s the beauty of MacLaine. She embraced the trope like no other and rather than accept the trope at face value, she managed and developed it beyond the red light district. Understanding the psychology of a hooker with a heart of gold, she transposed it to other similarly damaged characters.
Shirley MacLaine, with Jack Lemmon, as the broken but well intentioned Fran in The Apartment. (1960, Billy Wilder director)
Look at Fran from the Billy Wilder flick The Apartment. A hooker: no. Sleeping with her married boss: yes. Different professions, different situation but the same psychology applies. With Fran, MacLaine was able to portray the veneer of a strong professional, albeit quirky, woman who, in reality, is very broken and personally shamed due to her torrid love affair. Although she is engaged in activity that society deems immoral, Fran is not. Although a small part of her morality is blinded by that crazy little thing called love, nothing about Fran makes her seem malicious. In fact, she’s incredibly friendly and easy-going. Despite her situation, despite her self-proclaimed “brokenness,” she tries as hard as she can to project a positive person who is there to help others.
Unfortunately, at 84 years old, it appears her heart-warming street walker days are over. But hey, a good thing can’t last forever. And besides, who doesn’t love the elder Shirley MacLaine. Have you seen Steel Magnolias?
If you haven’t, I wont speak with you until you do.
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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub
Eddie Albert appeared in over 200 film and TV roles, including Roman Holiday, Oklahoma and The Longest Day. Perhaps Albert’s most famous role was on TV sitcom Green Acres as lawyer-turned-farmer Oliver Wendell Douglas!
Eva Gabor and Eddie Albert as Lisa and Oliver Wendell Douglas on Green Acres
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But more than that:
Eddie Albert was awarded the Bronze Star for rescuing 70+ wounded Marines while under heavy enemy machine-gun fire during WWII Tarawa invasion.
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And more than that:
Eddie Albert was also a social and environmental activist: Meals for Millions special envoy; World Hunger Conference consultant; founded City Childrens Farms; founded World Trees Foundation; was National Recreation and Park Association trustee; and the US Dept of Energy advisory board member…
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Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
To see more Classic Movie Actors who served their countries: http://www.classicmoviehub.com/facts.php?topic=military&topic_id=31&from=facts_topics
