To be quite honest, I don’t think I would have recognized any of them on the street! Took me a while to pick out Harpo. Nice to see them all together like this…
Zeppo, Groucho, Chico, Gummo and Harpo
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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
William Holden, the Golden Boy
I’ll be honest with you, (hopefully) loyal reader, it took me a while to ‘get’ William Holden. My first experience with Holden was in Billy Wilder’s Sabrina, and I found myself much more smitten by Bogart even though I freely admit Holden gave a better performance. After watching that film, I began my quest to watch any and all Bogart films I could get my hand on, while Holden slipped further and further from my mind. Of course, I had watched more Holden movies but my reasons were never to simply watch Holden. I watched The Bridges at Toko-Ri because of my love for Mickey Rooney and Grace Kelly, and saw Picnic while on a brief Kim Novak kick. It wasn’t until I re-watched my favorite movie, Sunset Blvd, for probably the 5th time, that the appeal of Holden hit me.
William Holden with Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina. (1954, Billy Wilder Director)
How could I not understand?
You see, even though Sunset Blvd is my favorite film; I never initially paid too much attention to Holden. Sure, I knew he gave a stellar performance, but I was also too distracted by the larger-life-performance of Gloria Swanson or the perfectly paced direction of Billy Wilder to truly notice Holden. But now, well; now I get it.
When I finally paid attention to Holden, I saw the sardonic whimsy he added to his performance. In world such as Sunset Blvd – a world of over the top characters and surreal situations – Holden’s attitude remained humorously observant. Although he participated in the riff-raff that was Norma Desmond’s life, he never becomes all-consumed by it. Even when he had given into Desmond’s personal affection, he remains sardonically aloof.
William Holden at his aloof best in Sunset Blvd (1950, Billy Wilder director)
And that is the essence of the Holden persona. Although grounded by reality, he never lets it dictate how he participates in the world. Rather than allow the seriousness and heaviness of life consume his behavior, he sees and points to the absurdities that exist within said seriousness. He floats through life, meandering from one situation to another, allowing himself to experience whatever absurdities are thrown his way before they throw him in a completely new direction.
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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub
I’m certainly not a film expert by any stretch of the imagination; I am simply ‘just’ a film fan. And yet, while I may not understand the technical underpinnings of Chaplin’s great artistry, I am absolutely thunderstruck by his brilliance none-the-less. My mind boggles at the mere thought of Chaplin’s immense genius (and I don’t use that word lightly) as Director, as Producer, as Actor, as Comedian, as Screenwriter, as Composer, as Editor, and yes, even as Choreographer (in Limelight).
What I love most about Chaplin’s work is that every time I watch one of his films, I am truly moved. He makes me laugh, he makes me cry, he makes me think, he makes me wonder. He makes me marvel at all the little nuances that make his films so magical – whether it’s simply how a scene fades out, or how the musical bed weaves into the storyline, or how incredibly ‘naive’ he looks when he’s on the brink of some slapstick calamity. In a nutshell, he makes me sit in awe and wonder how he could have had so much creative vision and the incredible discipline and focus to accomplish so much, so well. To sum it up, when I think of Charlie Chaplin, I think of poetry, masterpieces and artistry — but I also think of hard work, details and relentlessness.
That said, to celebrate Mr. Chaplin’s birthday, some scenes from some of my favorite Charlie Chaplin films:
The Gold Rush 1925 (Charlie Chaplin: Director, Producer, Actor, Writer, Editor, Composer). One of my favorite films since I was a little girl (thanks to my father :))
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Roller Skating Scene from Modern Times 1936 (Charlie Chaplin: Director, Producer, Actor, Writer, Editor, Composer)
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The Kid 1921 (Charlie Chaplin: Director, Producer, Actor, Writer, Editor, Composer)
The Kid was played by Jack Coogan who grew up to be The Addams Family’s Uncle Fester!
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City Lights 1931 (Charlie Chaplin: Director, Producer, Actor, Writer, Editor, Composer)
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And for good measure:
Clip about the film City Lights by the Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: How Chaplin Revolutionized Movies from a Music Perspective
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Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
Character Actor Hans Conried appeared in over 200 film and television roles — including Disney’s Peter Pan (as Captain Hook) and My Friend Irma (as Professor Kropotkin). He also most famously played Danny Thomas’ Uncle Tonoose on TV’s Make Room for Daddy!
Conried was also the voice of Snidely Whiplash (The Bullwinkle Show), Wally Walrus (The Woody Woodpecker Show) and Professor Waldo Wiggleswort (Hoppity Hooper).
Here’s to the many sides of Hans Conried:
Hans Conried as Snidely Whiplash, himself, Captain Hook, Professor Waldo Wiggleswort, Uncle Tonoose and Wally Walrus
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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
Like many people, I’ve had a love affair with James Bond for years. I only chose Goldfinger, because it was my very first Bond movie.
I mean, c’mon—who doesn’t love a suave, sophisticated and sexy secret agent? The character oozes charm and exceptional taste in everything, including his greatest passion: beautiful women.
Photo: Sean Connery as James Bond in Goldfinger (1964, Guy Hamilton director)
But, what gives this classic movie character top marks in kickass confidence is Bond’s laser focus on his mission—to protect his country. This type of dedication takes guts and nerve, and that’s what I think I love the most about him.
Make no mistake: Bond is 007 first and foremost, with a license to kill—and, luckily for us–a license to thrill!
–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.
In order to qualify for this week’s Beyond Casablanca Book Giveaway, you must complete the following task by Friday, April 19 at 7PM EST (i.e. any time between now and Friday, April 19 at 7PM 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 Screwball Comedies” (pre-1969**) via Classic Movie Hub’s ‘Create a List Tool” (click here)
2) TWEET (not DM) the Link to your List (“10 Fav Screwball Comedies” List):
TO @classicmoviehub
WITH the two hashtags #BeyondCasablanca #QualifyingTask
BY Friday, April 19, 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 19, 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
One of my favorite scenes from You Can’t Take It With You:
Lionel Barrymore (as Grandpa Vanderhoff) and Charles Lane (as Wilbur G. Henderson from the IRS) in You Can’t Take It With You (1938, Frank Capra director)
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Grandpa Vanderhoff: I wouldn’t mind paying for something sensible.
Wilbur G. Henderson: Sensible? What about Congress and the Supreme Court — and the President? We’ve got to pay them, don’t we?
Grandpa Vanderhoff: Not with my money, no sir!
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Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
Born April 13, 1924 Director and Choreographer Stanley Donen!
Short and sweet, three of my favorite Stanley Donen dance scenes, in no particular order:
“I’m singin’ and dancin’ in the rain” – Gene Kelly, Singin’ in the Rain (1952, director Stanley Donen)
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“Everybody get your partner, there’s gonna be dancin'” -from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954, director Stanley Donen)
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“Look at me, I’m dancin'” – Jerry Mouse dancing with Gene Kelly in Anchors Away (1945, director George Sidney; co-choreographer Stanley Donen)
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Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
Stanley Donen has a special place in my heart. Though never reaching the levels of cultural fame achieved by his peers such as Vincent Minnelli or frequent co-worker Gene Kelly, his contribution to the movie musical is undeniable.
Like most musical directors, Donen got his start on Broadway where he performed in the chorus line. He went to Hollywood in the early 40’s and thanks to his buddy from Broadway, Gene Kelly, managed to get a job choreographing a few numbers for the Gene Kelly/Rita Hayworth film Cover Girl. From there, he would go on to choreograph Anchors Aweigh, a film famed for its musical number featuring Gene Kelly dancing with his cartoon comrade, Jerry the Mouse. And although this type of technical innovation is reason enough for me to appreciate Donen, his innovation of the movie musical form is what makes me respect his talents as a director.
Gene Kelly, dancing with Jerry the Mouse in Anchors Away before Roger the Rabbit was born (1945, George Sidney director)
Donen found that the musical as a story-telling device was underutilized in favor of the spectacle. Continuing in the tradition of the Fred and Ginger musical, Donen integrated singing and dancing into world of the film. Not content with the musical number as separate from the over-all plot, Donen used the song and dance number to further both plot and character development. The line between plot and musical number blurred until they were invisible. Donen created worlds where a barn-raising brawl turned into one of best-choreographed numbers in musical history and a rainstorm became the set of a dancing man’s confession of love.
Gene Kelly in one of pop-culture’s most beloved and parodied moments of the modern age: Singin’ in the Rain. (1952, Stanley Donen director)
So, since it’s his birthday today, I have a little assignment for you. Go to your local netflix URL and watch Funny Face. Why Funny Face? Well, it’s the only one of these films currently available on Netflix Instant.
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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub
Virginia Cherrill appeared in only 15 films, retiring from acting in 1933 after her marriage to Cary Grant. Cherrill is undoubtedly best known for her role as the Blind Flower Girl in Charlie Chaplin’s silent masterpiece City Lights.
Virginia Cherrill with Charile Chaplin in City Lights (1931, Charlie Chaplin director)
“You can see now?” -Charlie Chaplin (as The Tramp)
“Yes, I can see now.” -Virginia Cherrill (as the Blind Girl)
Behind-the-scenes footage of Chaplin directing Virginia Cherrill in City Lights
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Virginia Cherrill with husband Cary Grant
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Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
