Classic Movie Hub Blog

Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Angela Lansbury

Posted on October 16, 2012 by minooallen

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Angela Lansbury, born on October 16, 1925!

I have a confession: I am Angela Lansbury’s biggest fan. Ok. Maybe not biggest fan, but I am in at least in the 10 percent of Lansbury fandom. It’s no secret to those around me that I adore this woman. I own multiple biographies, playbooks, and films all centered around Lansbury. I pretty much think the woman can do no wrong and my ultimate Christmas present would be to see her on Broadway while I still have the chance (you can take that as a hint). One might even say I am an Angela Fangirl of some sorts. But, you know what, if I am going to be labeled a fangirl, at least it is for someone as worthy as Angela Lansbury.

Why is she so worthy? Well, she did defeat the Nazis in Bedknobs and Broomsticks and raised a kid on her own in Beauty and the Beast. Then there is a matter of all those homicides she solved in Murder, She Wrote. And, my personal favorite, the time she used her powers of manipulation and political strategy to, in her words, create a state that “will make martial law seem like anarchy,” in The Manchurian Candidate. Obviously, Lansbury, the person, didn’t perform any of these feats, but Lansbury, the actress, did. When on screen, she is both Mrs. Potts and Mrs. Iselin. When on stage, she is both Anna Leonowens and Auntie Mame. She can play polar opposites and do it as well as any other actress, living or deceased.

But don’t just take my word for it. Just look at her record. She has been nominated for three Best Supporting Actress Oscars, eighteen Prime Time Emmys, has won six Golden Globes and an unsurpassed five Tony awards. To sum it up, Angela Lansbury is boss. And to celebrate this legend of legends (at least in my book), let’s look at her three of her most timeless roles.

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Angela Lansbury in her most recognizable role, Jessica Fletcher in the hit 80’s TV show Murder, She Wrote.

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Angela Lansbury in maybe her least recognizable role, Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. (1991, Gary Trousdale, director)

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Angela Lansbury in her most acclaimed role, especally in my heart, Mrs. Iselin in The Manchurian Candidate (1962, John Frankenheimer director)

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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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

Posted in Birthday Legends, Legends Tribute, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged angela lansbury, Anna Leonowens, beauty and the beast, bedknobs and broomsticks, broadway actresss, Classic Movie Actress, john frankenheimer, murder she wrote, The King and I, the manchurian candidate | Leave a comment

Mini Tribute: Character Actor Melville Cooper

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Annmarie Gatti

Born October 15, 1896 Character Actor Melville Cooper!

Plump-faced, droopy-eyed, Character Actor, Melville Cooper, appeared in over 100 film and TV roles — playing pompous ineffectual types — blunderers, cowards, thieves, disdainful servants, snobs. Most notably, he played the High Sheriff of Nottingham in The Adventures of Robin Hood, Gerald (the conman) in The Lady Eve, Mr. Tringle (the wedding supervisor) in Father of the Bride, and my personal favorite — Mr. Collins in Pride & Prejudice!

My dear Miss Elizabeth, I think you ought to take into consideration,
that in spite of your loveliness and amiable qualifications, you are
practically penniless and it is by no means certain that another offer
of marriage may ever be made you.
-Melville Cooper as Mr. Collins in
Pride and Prejudice

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Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

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

Posted in Character Actors, Mini Tributes, Posts by Annmarie Gatti | Tagged Father of the Bride, Melville Cooper, Mr. Collins, pride and prejudice, The Adventures of Robin Hood, the lady eve | Leave a comment

Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Lillian Gish

Posted on October 14, 2012 by minooallen

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend Lillian Gish, born October 14 in 1893!

Lillian Gish has a particularly important role, not only is the realm of Classic Hollywood Cinema, but in the world of Hollywood Cinema as a whole. And why is she so important you ask? Well, it’s simple, really. Lillian Gish was the first true movie star. Sure, there existed people on the screen who may have attracted audiences to the silver screen via feats of human spectacle, such as the strong man or the bearded lady, but they were not movie stars. They are what film theorist Tom Gunning refers to as “the cinema of attractions” — this is the concept that early cinema, still being somewhat novel, did not need a narrative to draw crowds to theaters. The simple act of being filmed, thus creating an approximation of reality, was spectacle enough for early cinema goers. Add in said strong man and you had a recipe for success. However, as filmic language developed and became more sophisticated, so did the need for marketing. And here enters Lillian Gish.

D.W. Griffith revolutionized American cinema. He helped create the mechanics for narrative film. You have to remember, the man basically invented the close up. And who was it that he preferred to film in close up? If you guessed Lillian Gish, then you are correct. Because of Griffith’s affinity for her look and acting style, he began to use Gish more and more in his films. So, as narrative film developed, so did Gish’s place in the cinematic world. Soon, her angelic face became more synonymous to Griffith’s films than Griffith himself. Audiences recognized her and would often frequent theaters just to see her films. Realizing this, it was her face that often graced movie posters and marquees. And what do you call someone who graces movie posters and marquees. That right: A Movie Star. So, let’s celebrate the “First Lady of the Silent Screen” by taking a look at a few of early films.

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Lillian Gish in Broken Blossoms (1919, D.W Griffith director)

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Lillian Gish in Way Down East (1920, D.W Griffith director)

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Lillian Gish in The Scarlet Letter (1926, Victor Sjostrom)

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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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

Posted in Birthday Legends, Legends Tribute, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged Broken Blossoms, Cinema of Attractions, Classic Movie Actress, d.w. griffith, First Lady of the Silent Screen, Lillian Gish, silent film, The Scarlet letter, Tom Gunning, victor sjostrom, way down east | Leave a comment

Mini Tribute: Character Actor Jerome Cowan

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Annmarie Gatti

Born October 6, 1897 Character Actor Jerome Cowan!

The dapper and moustachioed Character Actor, Jerome Cowan, played over 200 roles including Dagwood’s boss in the Blondie films and Arthur Miller in the Astaire/Rogers film, Shall We Dance — but he is probably best known as the doomed Miles Archer in The Maltese Falcon & the District Attorney who must prosecute Santa Claus in Miracle on 34th Street!

Jerome Cowan as Miles Archer (right) with Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon (director John Huston, 1941)

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Jerome Cowan as District Attorney Thomas Mara questioning Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) in Miracle on 34th Street (director George Seaton, 1947)

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Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

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

Posted in Character Actors, Mini Tributes, Posts by Annmarie Gatti | Tagged arthur miller, blondie films, dagwood's boss, Edmund Gwenn, Fred Astaire, george seaton, Ginger Rogers, humphrey bogart, jerome cowan, john huston, maltese falcon, Miracle on 34th Street, shall we dance | Leave a comment

Mini Tribute: Character Actor George Irving

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Annmarie Gatti

Born October 5, 1874 Character Actor George Irving!

George Irving appeared in over 250 roles — and played LOTS of judges & doctors — but I know him best as Mr Peabody in Bringing Up Baby! And, quite frankly, just thinking about it, all I can hear in my head right now is Cary Grant saying
“I’ll be with you in a minute Mr. Peabody!”

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“Oh, I know we ought to go now but somehow I can’t move.”
-Cary Grant says to Katharine Hepburn as she throws rocks up to ‘Boopie’s’ window (George Irving as Mr Peabody) to wake him up. (Bringing Up Baby, Howard Hawks 1938)

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Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

Posted in Character Actors, Mini Tributes, Posts by Annmarie Gatti, Quotes | Tagged Bringing Up Baby, Cary Grant, classic movie actor, howard hawks, Irving George, katharine hepburn | Leave a comment

Lawrence of Arabia: A Re-Release of Epic Proportions!

Posted on October 4, 2012 by minooallen

Lawrence of Arabia: An Epic Fathom/Sony Event!

In honor of its 50^th anniversary, the epic classic Lawrence of Arabia is being re-released in theatres in digitally restored glorious 4k, the highest resolution possible. Now, I must admit something I am slightly embarrassed about…I have never actually seen Lawrence of Arabia. I know, it’s a classic of epic proportions that, as a film graduate and a classic movie aficionado, I should have seen by now. But, to be honest, I feel I am better for it because now my first time seeing the film will not only be in theaters, but restored to look as it did in 1962! So, I suppose good things do come to those who wait.

And be sure to stay tuned here at the CMH blog because coming your way will be a post about the film and my experience seeing a classic the way it was meant to be seen — in theatres.

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Event Details

List of participating theaters

Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

Posted in Fathom Events, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged 50th anniversary lawrence of arabia, classic movie, Fathom Events, lawrence of arabia, sony pictures | 3 Comments

Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Buster Keaton

Posted on October 4, 2012 by minooallen

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Buster Keaton, born on October 4, 1895!

Although one of the most hilarious comedians to grace the silver screen, Buster Keaton almost manages to break my heart. Sure, at first glance, Keaton may seem like a funnyman with a great shtick, with a great stone face. But when you watch and analyze the carefully crafted Keaton person, you realize how human the Stone face is.

You see, despite his hilarity, the very core of the Keaton persona is not actually comedy; it’s sadness. Keaton is the classic trope of the longing outsider, the man who wishes for acceptance in a world he could never be a part. He is a comedy of manners but of manners he will never understand. To put it simply, the comedy of Keaton revolves around the feeling of trying too hard to fit in a situation you will never understand. And let’s be honest, who hasn’t been there before? So, to celebrate this melancholy genius, I simply want you to look at this great stone face, and realize the pain it is hiding.

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Buster Keaton‘s great stone face in The General (1926, Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman directors)

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Buster Keaton‘s great stone face in College (1927, Buster Keaton director)

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Buster Keaton‘s great stone face in Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928, Charles Reisner director)

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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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

Posted in Birthday Legends, Legends Tribute, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged Buster Keaton, charles reisner, classic film actor, classic film director, clyde bruckman, college, great stone face, steamboat bill jr, the general | 1 Comment

Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Leo McCarey

Posted on October 3, 2012 by minooallen

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Leo McCarey, born on October 3rd, 1898!

Some directors are remembered for their style. While watching an Orson Welles film, it’s easy to pick up that Welles liked wide-angle lenses and rather long takes. Some directors are remembered for their genres. Hitchcock isn’t called the master of suspense for nothing. And other directors are remembered for their collaborations. Although perhaps not the first director/actor duo that comes to mind, Leo McCarey’s work with Cary Grant is often credited with the creation of Grant’s refined screen persona. As the story goes, while working together on The Awful Truth, Grant would incorporate many of McCarey’s own mannerisms into his performance. Imagine if Grant would have done that with Hitchcock. Having a hard time? Yeah. Me too. So, let’s celebrate McCarey by looking at his collaboration with Grant and see what created the legend.

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Cary Grant in the movie that started it all, The Awful Truth (1937, Leo McCarey director)

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Leo McCarey and Cary Grant go for round two in Once Upon a Honeymoon (1942, Leo McCarey director)

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Leo McCarey and Cary Grant‘s final collaboration in An Affair to Remember (1957, Leo McCarey director)

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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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

Posted in Birthday Legends, Directors, Legends Tribute, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged an affair to remember, Cary Grant, Classic Movie Directors, leo mccarey, once upon a honeymoon, screwball comedy, The Awful Truth | Leave a comment

Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Groucho Marx

Posted on October 2, 2012 by minooallen

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Groucho Marx, born on October 2, 1890!

Sometimes you have a bad day. Your car won’t start, your computer at work crashes, or your boss blames you for all the problems in the office. On days like that, life seems dreary and hopeless, and you simply don’t want to do anything but sleep the day away. On days like that, I want to watch someone with the gall to do and say as he pleases with a wit so sharp and a tongue so acerbic, no one dare even object. I want to watch the common man stand up to the elite and beat them at their own game. On days like that, I want to watch — Groucho Marx. His lines, his delivery, his oh-so-recognizable face always manage to cheer me up on even the rainiest and most miserable days. So, if you are having a bad day, have no fear, for I have provided you with three of my favorite moments from my favorite Marx Brothers’ film, Duck Soup, starring Groucho Marx as the unforgettable Rufus T. Firefly.

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Groucho Marx exhibiting his great comedic skill.

Rufus T. Firefly: Now, how about lending this country twenty million dollars, you old skinflint?
Ambassador Trentino: Twenty million dollars is a lot of money. I’d have to take that up with my Minister of Finance.
Rufus T. Firefly: Well, in the meantime, could you let me have twelve dollars until payday?
Ambassador Trentino: Twelve dollars?
Rufus T. Firefly: Don’t be scared, you’ll get it back. I’ll give you my personal note for ninety days. If it isn’t paid by then, you can… keep the note.

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Groucho Marx mixing two of my favorite things: political satire and musicals in Duck Soup (1933, Leo McCarey director)

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How could I include a tribute to Groucho Marx and Duck Soup without this moment. That’s right. I couldn’t.

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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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

Posted in Birthday Legends, Legends Tribute, Posts by Minoo Allen | Tagged classic movie, classic movie actor, comedy, duck soup, Groucho Marx, leo mccarey, marx brothers | Leave a comment

Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Deborah Kerr

Posted on September 30, 2012 by minooallen

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Deborah Kerr, Born September 30, 1921!

Deborah Kerr is not what one would call a household name. If you were to ask most people under the age of 50 who she is, well, you’d probably get nothing back but a blank stare. However, in the lexicon of movie history, she is something far more important: she is a household image. And what do I mean by household image? Well, let me give you an example. One of the most iconic romance scenes ever filmed was of Kerr and Burt Lancaster. You know the one: the heated embrace, the crashing waves, the kiss. It’s become simultaneously one of the most mimicked, and one of the most parodied scenes, in all of film history. Even if someone hasn’t seen From Here to Eternity, heck, even if they don’t even know the movie exists, they know that scene. This is what I mean. Although some people may not remember her by name, they surely recognize her image. And in the world of motion pictures, that itself gives Kerr the ultimate immortality: pure image unmarred by scandals of a name. So, to celebrate this goddess of the silver screen’s birthday, let us look her immortal image.

…..Deborah Kerr with Cary Grant in An Affair to Remember (1957, Leo McCarey director). This scene was immortalized in the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan romanic comedy Sleepless in Seattle.

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Deborah Kerr Dancing with Yul Brynner in one of the most famous routines in musical history: Shall We Dance from The King and I (1956, Walter Lang director)