Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Jack Lemmon

Posted on February 8, 2013 by minooallen

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Jack Lemmon, born February 8th, 1925!

Some stars are created. They spend years perfectly crafting their screen images, refining everything from their manner of speech to the way they dress to the minutia of a little thing called their past. Others stars just, well, are. They exist in the world of classic Hollywood just as they exist in “real life.” Jack Lemmon is one of those stars.

Unlike other studio-era stars, Jack Lemmon wasn’t pressed with the task of projecting an image to the audience. Because he didn’t have to maintain an illusion of glamour or sophistication, he was free to explore his craft in a myriad of varying characters. Whether playing a cross dressing bass player, a married alcoholic or a grumpy old man, Lemmon always seems completely genuine and lost in his role. He was actor before he was a star, and that’s why we love him. So, let us celebrate this great actor’s birthday by looking at some of his greatest classic movie roles.

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 shirley maclaine, the apartment, classic movie actress, billy wilderJack Lemmon with Shirley MacLaine in The Apartment (1960, Billy Wilder director)

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Lee remick, days of wine and roses, classic movie actress, blake edwardsJack Lemmon with Lee Remick in Days of Wine and Roses (1962, Blake Edwards director)

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Ving Rhames, movie actorVing Rhames giving Jack Lemmon his award at the 1998 Golden Globes because, really, what better role can you play than an influence and inspiration.

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Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Ramon Novarro

Posted on February 6, 2013 by minooallen

 

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Ramon Novarro, born February 6th 1899!

Ramon Novarro

I often wonder to myself if any of my classic movie favorites would translate to modern film stardom. As much as I love people like Fred Astaire, Greer Garson and Cyd Charisse, I have a hard time believing they would be half the stars in today’s Hollywood climate as they were in the Golden Age. There is one star, however, I feel would have benefited by being born 100 years later: Ramon Novarro.

Ramon Novarro looking more modern than a person born before the twentieth century should be allowed.

Yes, of all the Classic Hollywood stars, I feel Novarro is the one can most translate into modern success. And it’s not simply because of his dark good looks or acting ability. The reason is because he seemed to have more modern view of the world; he seemed to be ahead of the time. Just look at this quote about his view on modern movies:

“I was always the hero – with no vices – reciting practically the same lines to the leading lady. The current crop of movie heroes are less handicapped than the old ones. They are more human.”

While I thoroughly enjoy watching Ramon Novarro, perfect hero/lover, I would love to see Ramon Novarro, broken hero/tragic lover as much as I’m sure he wanted to see, too. But until I get enough money to hire a team of mad scientists to build that time machine I’ve always wanted, all I can do is continue speculating and enjoy my perfect hero, Ramon Novarro.

Ramon Novarro as the perfect hero in Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925, director Fred Niblo)

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Mini Tribute: Ida Lupino

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

Born February 4, 1918 Ida Lupino!

Ida Lupino appeared in over 100 roles including They Drive by Night, The Sea Wolf, High Sierra, The Hard Way, Road House, On Dangerous Ground and Escape Me Never.

Ida LupinoIn 1949 Lupino stepped behind the camera — to write, produce and direct — becoming a widely respected pioneer for women filmmakers. Lupino was the first woman to direct a film noir (The Hitch-Hiker 1953). She also directed the 1966 family comedy The Trouble with Angels starring Rosalind Russell and Hayley Mills, as well as numerous TV show episodes including episodes for The Donna Reed Show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Have Gun Will Travel, G.E. True Theater, The Rifleman, The Untouchables and Gilligan’s Island.

And, last, but certainly not least, Ida Lupino appeared as the villainess Dr Cassandra Spellcraft on TV’s Batman!

Ida Lupino as Dr Cassandra Spellcraft from TV’s Batman, with Howard Duff as Cabala (photo)

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Mini Tribute: Character Actor Walter Catlett

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

Born February 4, 1889 Character Actor Walter Catlett!

Character Actor Walter Catlett appeared in over 150 roles including Bringing Up Baby (the constable that locks everyone up in jail), Yankee Doodle Dandy (the distracted stage manager), Mr Deeds Goes to Town (the drunken poet who offers to take Cooper out on a bender)!

Walter Catlett in Bringing Up BabyWalter Catlett with Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby (photo)

“Now you know that’s silly! There never was a leopard in the whole state of Connecticut!”
-Walter Catlett as the Constable in Bringing Up Baby

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Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Ida Lupino

Posted on February 4, 2013 by minooallen

 

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Ida Lupino, born February 4th, 1918.

To me, Ida Lupino is one of best female role models in the world of classic film. She had the gall of Katharine Hepburn, the independence of Bette Davis, and the talent/work ethic that rivaled any of her contemporaries. It’s always been a wonder to me why she hasn’t been embraced as an Icon of female independence in the way that Hepburn and Davis have been. Much like Hepburn and Davis, Lupino wouldn’t allow the studios to dictate her career. She famously barged into William Wellman’s office, unannounced, to audition for a role she wasn’t offered. She got the role, FYI. She also stood by her principles, refusing to act in roles she felt were no longer appropriate for her as an actress, often being placed on suspension for doing so. In fact, it was while on one of her many suspensions that she became interested in taking on another role – the role of director.

As a woman attempting to break into the male-dominated world of directing, I must admit this is one of the reasons I have such respect for Lupino. It’s hard enough breaking into the industry now, let alone 70 years ago when second-wave feminists were busy, you know, being born. For Lupino to direct was a HUGE deal. While on suspension, she would take that time to simply observe the process of filming and editing to gain a better understanding of the work that went to filmmaking. She would eventually go on to create her own independent company, The Filmakers, where she would act as producer, director and screenwriter for several low-budget, issue-oriented films. With the freedom to do as she pleased, she was unafraid to tackle taboo issues such rape, abuse, and sexuality. A truly modern woman in an era where that just wasn’t accepted.

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Ida Lupino acts in High Sierra (1941, Raoul Walsh director)

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Ida Lupino directs the movie Outrage (1950, Ida Lupino director)

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Ida Lupino as herself, a role model for young women everywhere.

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Mini Tribute: Character Actor John Fiedler

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

Born February 3, 1925 Character Actor John Fiedler!

Character Actor John Fiedler appeared in over 185 film, TV and voice roles — most notably in 12 Angry Men (Feature Film Debut as Juror #2), The Odd Couple (as Vinnie), True Grit 1969 (as Lawyer Daggett) – & the adorable Piglet in Disney’s Winnie-the-Pooh!

“There are elements of Piglet that are me: the shyness and the anxieties and fears. Even after all these years. The more you know, the higher your standards are and the more you have to lose.” – John Fiedler

Character Actor John Fiedler as Piglet in Disney's Winnie the PoohJohn Fiedler as himself and John Fiedler as Piglet (photo)

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Mini Tribute: Character Actor Victor Buono

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

Born February 3, 1938 Character Actor Victor Buono!

Character Actor Victor Buono appeared in over 95 film and TV roles — most notably in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (Supporting Actor Nominee), Robin and the 7 Hoods, Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, The Greatest Story Ever Told  -& of course Batman as the villainous King Tut!

Victor Buono as King Tut on Batman

Being on ‘Batman’ allowed me to do something we actors are taught never to do: overact. -Victor Buono

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Mini Tribute: Character Actor S. Z. “Cuddles” Sakall

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Annmarie Gatti

Born February 2, 1883 Character Actor S. Z. “Cuddles” Sakall!

Character Actor S. Z. “Cuddles” Sakall appeared in over 100 films. He started his career in Hungarian and German silent films and early talkies, but is probably best remembered for his Hollywood era films including The Devil and Miss Jones, Ball of Fire, Casablanca, Christmas in Connecticut, The Dolly Sisters, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Cinderella Jones and In the Good Old Summertime.

“Everything is hunky dunky!” -S. Z. Sakall

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Character Actor S. Z. "Cuddles" SakallS. Z. “Cuddles” Sakall as Carl, the head waiter, in Casablanca (photo)

Customer: Are you sure this place is honest?
Carl the Head Waiter (S.Z. Sakall) Honest? As honest as the day is long!
-in Casablanca

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S. Z. Sakall and Barbara Stanwyck in Christmas in ConnecticutS. Z. Sakall and Barbara Stanwyck in Christmas in Connecticut (photo)

Watch now. I show you how to flip-flop the flop-flips.
-S.Z. Sakall as Felix Bassenak in Christmas in Connecticut

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Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Clark Gable

Posted on February 1, 2013 by minooallen

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Clark Gable, born February 1st, 1901!

Clark Gable is the type of man you don’t want to bring home to mother. Not because she wouldn’t approve – how could she not approve of all his devilish charm and suave appearance. You wouldn’t want to bring Gable home to mother because, well, he just might end up leaving said home with your mother.

Strong, ruggedly handsome, unwilling to take anyone’s attitude but more than happy to give his own, Gable is the perfect manifestation of the traditional male hero. He seemed most comfortable in the role of mysterious outsider whose reputation as a woman-chasing scoundrel cast him away from the inner circle of polite society while simultaneously adding to his already alluring mystique. It didn’t matter if he was in comedy or action/adventure, romance or drama; Gable always came across as the suave rebel, equally as likely to help you or take your money. So, let us celebrate this charming scoundrel by taking a look at the roles that best represent the title.

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Jean Harlow, Red Dust, Classic Movie Actress, Victor FlemingClark Gable with Jean Harlow in Red Dust (1932, Victor Fleming, director)

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Claudette Colbert, It happened one night, classic movie actress, Frank CapraClark Gable with Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night (1934, Frank Capra director)

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Clark Gable as Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind (1939, Victor Fleming director)

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Classic Movie Legend Tribute: John Ford

Posted on February 1, 2013 by minooallen

 

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, John Ford, born February 1st, 1894.

One of the most powerful aspects of film is its ability to create a self-contained world void of the trappings of reality. A well-crafted film can transport an audience from the comfort of their theater seats to the far reaches of time and space without having them question the logic of how they got there. It’s that willingness to suspend belief, to trust the filmmaker in guiding them safely through this new world, that gives the filmic image such power.  Whatever is represented on screen becomes truth for the viewer. Because of this, the title of filmmaker can sometimes be synonymous with that of mythmaker. No other filmmaker can demonstrate this point more than John Ford.

Although the western as a genre existed before Ford began making movies, it’s Ford who created what we collectively perceive as the Wild West. Ask the majority of people what they picture when they think of the Wild West. More than likely they will conjure up images of Indians fighting cowboys, gunfights in lawless western villages, and perhaps even the sun setting ever the distinct rock formations of Monument Valley as John Wayne rides his horse into unknown territories. They will conjure images created by John Ford, for in reality, the “Wild West” wasn’t really that wild at all. Gun fights were a rarity, Native Americans were rounded up then displaced by the US government and all cowboys did was sit around all day keeping an eye on, you guesses it, cows. Our collective perception of the Wild West, what we believe to be reality, is actually nothing more than a representation  — a myth created by John Ford. And to celebrate this maker of myths, this manipulator of perceived reality, let us take a look at the films that helped create the Legend of the Wild West.

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John Wayne as the mythical hero cowboy in Stagecoach (1939, John Ford director)

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Victor Mature in the mythic activity of gun fighting in My Darling Clementine (1946, John Ford director)

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Monument Valley, mythic land of the West in The Searchers (1956, John Ford director)

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