Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Bette Davis

Posted on April 5, 2013 by minooallen

Happy Birthday to CLassic Movie Lengend, Bette Davis, born April 5th, 1908.

“Well behaved women seldom make history”

Wonderful saying, right? One thing I’ve always loved about Classic Hollywood is that you can find a whole slew of history-making ‘not-so well behaved’ women. And one woman in particular that I would like to talk about today is birthday girl, Bette Davis.

Forget Beyonce, here is the Original Queen B

Bette Davis loved to work. She lived by the mantra that more than family, more than friends, your work is what you leave behind. Your work is your legacy. And because of that, she demanded control over her roles and her image. Of course, this is the time of the famed Studio System, when both your onscreen and public persona were carefully crafted by the studio machine. Davis, being the not-so-well-behaved woman that she was, balked at this. Feeling stifled by her contact at Warner Brothers, she did the unthinkable: she sued the studio.

Bette Davis as one of her most misbehaved characters in Jezebel (1938, director William Wyler)

After being forced to star in movie after movie that she felt were beneath her talent as an actress and sometimes contrary to her personal views, Davis sued Warner Brothers to get out of her contact. This, of course, is something no ‘well behaved woman’ would do. And as much as I would love to say she won and lived happily ever-after, she didn’t. In fact, she lost and returned to Hollywood in debt — and at Warner Brothers. However, her bad behavior must have garnered some attention because when she returned, she began what can be arguable be considered the greatest phase of her career.  From Marked Woman to Jezebel from Little Foxes to Now Voyager, Davis was finally given roles worthy of both her talent and star power. 

But without the gall to sue Warner Brothers, who knows where she would be. Probably not one of the greatest leading ladies in the history of Hollywood.  So, go on ladies, take chances, have a voice and above all, misbehave.

Bette Davis with Celeste Holm, misbehaving in All About Eve (1950, director Joseph L. Mankiewicz)

…..

Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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

Posted in Birthday Legends, Legends Tribute, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Gregory Peck

Posted on April 5, 2013 by minooallen

 

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Gregory Peck, born April 5th, 1916!

Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if Gregory Peck is actually human. I can’t help it. He is almost too perfect to be of this world. Is it really so crazy to think he is some short elaborate alien experiment to create the perfect human being? I mean, look at the evidence.

Exhibit 1: His Face

Who gets to this to be this pretty while simultaneously being this manly? How does nature create such a being?

…..

Exhibit 2: His Talent. Gregory Peck with Brock Peters in his Oscar winning role of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962, directed by Robert Mulligan)

OK. So he’s ungodly pretty, some people are just born lucky. But not everyone is lucky enough to be born pretty and talented. With 5 Academy Award nominations under his belt and one resting on his night stand*, I think it’s fair to say that, although his looks may have gotten him through the door, his talent and screen presence made him a legend.

…..

Exhibit 3: His Politics. Gregory Peck plays a politically progressive Lawyer in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962, directed by Robert Mulligan)

His fight for justice, civil rights, and government accountability may have landed him on Nixon’s list of enemies but it also landed him in the hearts of the oppressed everywhere. And although he was incredibly outspoken against the war in Vietnam, he remained supportive of his son and other soldiers who were fighting over there. So, he opposed the larger atrocities of the Vietnam War while understanding the need to support the individuals whose lives were irrevocably changed by fighting in said war. So, not only was he good looking and talented, but he was also a genuinely good “person” who gave support to the social and political causes he believed.

I’m sorry, but no person can be this good. There can be only one answer.

…..

Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

*Actually, if you count the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Oscar Award given to Peck in 1968, that would equal two Oscars won.

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

Posted in Birthday Legends, Legends Tribute, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Anthony Perkins

Posted on April 4, 2013 by minooallen

 

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Anthony Perkins, born April 4th, 1932!

Anthony Perkins’ acting career has fascinated me. Sure, there are a lot of actors who are either typecast or who only have a single memorable role, but with Perkins, it’s different.  I mean, it’s one thing to be typecasted because you fit the type; Eric Blore often played a butler for a reason. But it’s entirely different when you create a character so memorable, people can’t see you as anything else. What Perkins did was play a role so well, and so well crafted, that he created – not simply a character – but cultural icon.

He created a character so unique, so complex and so subversively menacing that Norman Bates has become a point of reference in American culture. Sure, Perkins was still able to make it as working actor after Psycho, but the phantom of Norman Bates was to follow him in every room he held auditions.  When I think about it, it amazes me. Perkins did such superb job in Psycho that it literally shaped how the public would view him for the rest of his life and ensured that Bates would live on far after his death. And although Perkins spent almost 50 years in the business and has over 60 acting credits to his name, he will only be truly remembered for one: Norman Bates.

Anthony Perkins with Janet Leigh in Psycho (1960, Alfred Hitchock)

…..

Anthony Perkins with Alfred Hitchcock on the set of Psycho (1960, Alfred Hitchock)

……

Anthony Perkins‘ most famous face, Norman Bates, in Psycho (1960, Alfred Hitchock)

…..

Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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

Posted in Birthday Legends, Legends Tribute, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Alec Guinness

Posted on April 2, 2013 by minooallen

 

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Alec Guinness, born April 2nd, 1914!

Some actors are divas. We’ve all heard the rumors of insane dressing room demands and the so-called “no-eye contact” clause. Yes, in our current celebrity culture. actors and actresses who obtain even the minutest amount of fame can think they are above the crowd and above the law, so rather then understanding that acting is simply a job, they take celebrity as some sort of justifiable lifestyle of entitlement and decadence. Pretty icky, right? But just like how not every celebrity is an actor, not every actor is a celebrity.

To me, Alec Guinness is an actor. Sure, millions of people have seen his films and know his name but that is an incredibly minor detail in an over 6-decade long career. Unlike other stars whose legend was aided by being plastered on the cover of tabloid magazines, Guinness kept his personal life, well, personal. Much like your average wage laborer, Guinness would show up for work, put his best effort forward and go home quietly when the final “cut” of the day was called. Even while working on projects he may have been less than enthusiastic about, such as a little one you may know called Star Wars, Guinness was always a professional — with director George Lucas crediting Guinness for inspiring the cast and crew to work harder. Not bad for someone who thought that the film was “fairy-tale rubbish.”  So, to celebrate an actor by trade, let us look at the man doing his job: acting.

…..

Alec Guinness in The Swan (1956, director Charles Vidor)

…..

Alec Guinness in Bridge on the River Kwai (1957, director David Lean)

…..

Alec Guinness in Lawrence of Arabia (1962, director David Lean)

…..

Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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

Posted in Birthday Legends, Legends Tribute, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BEYOND CASABLANCA Qualifying Entry Task (Wk of April 1)

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

BEYOND CASABLANCA: This Week’s Qualifying Entry Task:

In order to qualify for this week’s Beyond Casablanca Book Giveaway, you must complete the following task by Friday, April 5 at 7PM EST (i.e. any time between now and Friday, April 5 at 7PM EST):

In the book, Beyond Casablanca: 100 Classic Movies Worth Watching, Jennifer Garlen starts off by listing her “10 Essential Classic Films” — the films that “serve as the touchstones for the rest of cinematic history” — which include 1) Casablanca, 2) Citizen Kane, 3) Frankenstein, 4) Gone with the Wind, 5) It’s a Wonderful Life, and 5 more wonderful ‘must see’ classic films.

For this week’s Qualifying Entry Task, please:

1) CREATE your own list of “10 Essential Classic Films” (pre-1969**)  via Classic Movie Hub’s ‘Create a List Tool” (click here)

2) TWEET (not DM) the Link to your List (your “10 Essential Classic Films” List):
TO @classicmoviehub
WITH the two hashtags #BeyondCasablanca #QualifyingTask
BY Friday, April 5,  7PM 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, April 5, 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 the CMH database is missing any of your Essentials, pre-1969, please let me know and I will be happy to add it to the database

And if you don’t want to wait to win, you can purchase Jennifer’s book at amazon:

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

Contest Information and Rules.

Good Luck!

–Annmarie Gatti from Classic Movie Hub

Posted in Books, Contests & Giveaways, Posts by Annmarie Gatti | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Beyond Casablanca Book Giveaway Starts Today!

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

The BEYOND CASABLANCA Book Giveaway starts today!

I am happy to say that, Classic Movie Hub will be giving away some copies of the FABULOUS Classic Movie Book Beyond Casablanca: 100 Classic Movies Worth Watching written by veteran Classic Movie Blogger and CMH BlogHub Member, Jennifer Garlen of Virtual Virago!

We have a total of FIVE BOOKS to give away — including ONE AUTOGRAPHED COPY — so we will give away one book a week for the next five weeks (now through Friday May 3), and then on Sunday, May 5 (after all five winners have been chosen), there will be a special drawing to determine the winner of the exclusive autographed book.

Beyond Casablanca: 100 Classic Movies Worth Watching by Jennifer Garlen

Here’s how the contest will work:

1) I will tweet a Qualifying Entry Task on Mondays, with some re-tweets of that same Qualifying Entry Task throughout the week. I will include the hashtags #BeyondCasablanca #QualifyingTask on the Qualifying Entry Task tweets.

2) You will need to successfully complete the Qualifying Entry Task before its Specified Due Date/Time (which will typically be Friday afternoon/evening*). The Entry Task will be EASY and you can do it at your convenience, but you must complete it by the Specified Due Date/Time in order to be eligible to win the book (see #3).

3) Then, on Friday night 10PM EST**, I will post a special trivia question.  The FIRST PERSON (who already successfully completed the Qualifying Entry Task) to tweet the correct answer to the special trivia question will win the book!

See complete information and rules here.

BlogHub members are eligible to win.

Only United States (excluding the territory of Puerto Rico) and Canada entries are eligible.

*For the week of April 22, the Qualifying Entry Task may be due significantly earlier, potentially Wed 4/24 (still to be determined)

**For the week of April 22, the Trivia Question may be tweeted significantly earlier, potential Wed 4/24 (still to be determined)

…..

–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

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

Johnny Case: Classic Movie Characters with Kickass Confidence

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Michelle Kerrigan

Johnny Case in Holiday, played by Cary Grant

Let me be clear—Cary Grant, for me, was, is, and will always be, the king of confidence. The way he talks, walks, and acts with such ease and enjoyment is pure classic movie gold. (I think he’s the only actor, besides Fred Astaire, who looks fabulous—not hilarious—in tails.)

In Holiday, Grant plays Johnny Case, a man with a plan: make enough money, then quit working and see the world while he’s still young enough and healthy enough to enjoy the ride. Johnny also has a fiancée—snooty, rich Julia Seton (Doris Nolan), who, with her stuffed-shirted father, tries to control our hero’s future, so that Johnny’s dream is turned into the one nightmare he’s trying to avoid: compromising freedom for fortune.

Cary Grant as Johnny Case in HolidayPhoto: Cary Grant as Johnny Case in Holiday (1938, George Cukor director)

Johnny Case has kickass confidence on so many levels, but what grabs my heart most is his dead-on clarity about what he wants, and his strong determination to get it.  That kind of quality of focus is a rare and beautiful thing, and usually takes you places you thought you’d never go.

Johnny gets his dream, and goes for the ride of his life. I can hear him now…“oh, c’mon darling, let’s not let the fun get out of it!”…and he never does.

–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.

 

 

Posted in Characters with Kickass Confidence, Posts by Michelle Kerrigan | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Jane Powell

Posted on April 1, 2013 by minooallen

 

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Jane Powell, born April 1st, 1929!

Some classic movie stars are timeless. Whether gracing the cover of Vogue in the 1950’s or having their likeness used for a product campaign in the 2000’s, they seem to never be out of style. Other classic movie stars, however, are representative of a precise time in movie making history. For me, Jane Powell is one of those stars.

Jane Powell: winner of ‘Most Adorable’

Jane Powell was the epitome of the 1950’s “girl next store.” Although never overtly sexy, there was an attractiveness to her that is undeniable. I mean, at 5 foot even, with wavy blonde locks and sky blue eyes, she was pretty much the epitome of the saccharine cute-ness her home studio of MGM prided itself it on. Add in her larger than life singing and enthusiastic performance style and you have THE embodiment of the MGM 1950’s musical. I mean look at her.

As I said, so sugary sweet, she could only belong in the 1950’s. And that’s why she’s so wonderful — because to look at her is to look at a time capsule. The most adorable time capsule ever.

…..

Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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

Posted in Birthday Legends, Legends Tribute, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mini Tribute: Producer Pandro S. Berman

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

Born March 28, 1905 Legendary Producer Pandro S. Berman!

Before I start, I must add a quick ‘disclaimer’ —  this post is only labeled a ‘Mini’ tribute because it is ‘mini’ in ‘written’ content — but given that Pandro S. Berman produced some of my all-time favorite films — this post is by no means ‘mini’ in terms of my respect for him!

So to celebrate Berman’s birthday, a pictorial tribute…

First, some behind-the-scenes photos:

Pandro S. Berman with Katharine Hepburn & Vincente Minnelli on set of Undercurrent Producer Pandro S. Berman (right) with Katharine Hepburn & Director Vincente Minnelli on set of Undercurrent (film released 1946)

…..

Ginger Rogers, director Garson Kanin and producer Pandro S. Berman on the set of Bachelor MotherProduction Manager Pandro S. Berman (aka executive in charge of production) (right) with Ginger Rogers and Director Garson Kanin on the set of Bachelor Mother (film released 1939)

…..

Elvis Presley, Barbara Lang and Producer Pandro S. Berman on the set of Jailhouse RockProducer Pandro S. Berman with Elvis Presley near the MGM or Paramount Studio gates (location not confirmed) around the time of Jailhouse Rock (film released 1957);  also pictured is actress Barbara Lang who was originally slated to appear opposite Presley in Jailhouse Rock (but the part ultimately went to Judy Tyler)

…..

Now for some of my personal favorite Berman films:

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, dancing to Cole Porter's "Night and Day" in The Gay Divorcee (Pandro S. Berman producer, Mark Sandrich director, 1934)Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, dancing to Cole Porter’s “Night and Day”  in The Gay Divorcee (Pandro S. Berman producer, Mark Sandrich director, 1934)

…..

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing to Irving Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek" in Top Hat (Pandro S. Berman producer, Mark Sandrick director, 1935)Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing to Irving Berlin’s “Cheek to Cheek” in Top Hat (Pandro S. Berman producer, Mark Sandrich director, 1935)

…..

Harriet Hilliard (Harriet Nelson) and Randolph Scott in Follow the Fleet (Pandro S. Berman producer, Mark Sandrich director, 1936Harriet Hilliard (Harriet Nelson) and Randolph Scott in Follow the Fleet (Pandro S. Berman producer, Mark Sandrich director, 1936)

Bilge (Randolph Scott): Well, watch my maneuvers — you can’t beat the navy.
Connie Martin (Harriet Hilliard): All right, sailor, I surrender.
Bilge: unconditionally?
Connie Martin: Well, I’m will to discuss terms.

…..

 Elizabeth Taylor and Spencer Tracy in the original Father of the Bride (Pandro S. Berman producer, Vincente Minnelli director, 1950)Elizabeth Taylor and Spencer Tracy in the original Father of the Bride (Pandro S. Berman producer, Vincente Minnelli director, 1950)

…..

Katharine Hepburn and Ginger Rogers in Stage Door (Pandro S. Berman producer, Gregory La Cava director, 1937)Katharine Hepburn and Ginger Rogers in Stage Door (Pandro S. Berman producer, Gregory La Cava director, 1937)

…..

And, yes, there are SO many more wonderful Pandro S. Berman films including National Velvet, Sweet Bird of Youth, Of Human Bondage, Roberta, The Hunchback of Notre Dame — so I’m sure this post will be continued at some point soon 🙂

…..

–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

 

Posted in Mini Tributes, Posts by Annmarie Gatti, Producers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Gloria Swanson

Posted on March 27, 2013 by minooallen

 

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Gloria Swanson, born March 27th, 1899!

There is a common myth in classic movie folklore. Well, there’s many myths in classic movie folklore actually, but I plan to focus on just one for now…

Sunset Boulevard (1950, Billy Wilder)

In 1950, a movie you might have heard about came out, a little movie called Sunset Boulevard. The story revolves around a writer, an aging actress, and whole mess of lies, deceits, and, ya know, the Hollywood usual. I’d tell you more about it but I’m not in the business of giving away spoilers. I am, however, in the business of spoiling myths — and the myth that needs spoiling in this particular case revolves around the before-mentioned aging actress.

Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (1950, Billy Wilder)

In Sunset Boulevard, Gloria Swanson plays Norma Desmond, a delusional, unwanted, aging silent actress desperately clinging to the fantasy that her best years are yet to come — when clearly they’ve already passed. In real life, Gloria Swanson was also an aging actress who had been out of filmic limelight since about the silent era and was desperately seeking a comeback. Well, actually, only part of that is true. Yes, Swanson was an aging actress, but I’m an aging writer and you are an aging human. And really, other than that, the similarities between Swanson and Desmond end. Sure, they were both huge stars who didn’t transition past the silent era, however, Swanson’s handling of the situation couldn’t had been more different than Desmond’s.

Gloria Swanson lookin’ fly in her old age.

Instead of isolating herself for 20 years in a mansion made of decadence (as Desmond did), Swanson moved to New York and started an inventions and patents company called Multiprizes. The company’s sole purpose was to rescue Jewish Scientist and inventors from war-torn Europe. She also began painting, sculpting, writing columns, and engaged in political activism — all while making appearances on the stage. Oh, and she also designed and marketed clothing. To compare, at this point in her life, all Desmond seemed to accomplish was buying a monkey then watching it die. So, despite the claim that Swanson was merely “playing herself” in Sunset Boulevard, well, we can consider that myth busted.

…..

Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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

Posted in Birthday Legends, Legends Tribute, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment