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!”

George Irving Character Actor…..

George Irving in Bringing Up Baby“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

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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 50th 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

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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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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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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

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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.

…..Cary Grant, an affair to remember, classic movie actor, leo mccareyDeborah 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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Yul Brynner, the king and I, classic movie actor, walter langDeborah 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)

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Burt lancaster, from here to eternity, classic movie actor, fred zimmermanAnd of course, Deborah Kerr with Burt Lancaster in her most famous scene in From Here to Eternity (1953, Fred Zimmeman director)

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Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Greer Garson

Posted on September 29, 2012 by minooallen

 

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Greer Garson, Born on September 29, 1904!

Nominated for seven Academy Awards and winner of one, Greer Garson was an immensely popular Hollywood star in the late thirties to late forties. However – although one of my favorite classic movie Stars – Greer Garson is not exactly what one would call a household name today. And it isn’t because she wasn’t as talented or as stimulating or as beautiful as the Monroe’s or the Hepburn’s who continue to dominate popular culture. It is because she was exactly what the people needed during that time period: World War II. Garson always exemplified class, stoicism, and courage under pressure in her films. During our era’s most bloody war, she was the star that movie goers could look up to as beacon of hope; as what they themselves could strive for during those uncertain times. To put it simply, she was the product of her era, but a product that the era needed so desperately. So today I will celebrate Garson by looking at her best roles, the roles which allowed her to act as a symbol of strength and a symbol of courage.

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Greer Garson in her most defining role in Mrs. Miniver (1942, William Wyler director)

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WAlter Pidgeon, Madame Curie, Classic Movie Actor, Melvyn LeRoyGreer Garson with frequent co-star Walter Pidgeon in Madame Curie (1943, Melvyn LeRoy Director)

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Greer Garson in my one of my personal favs. Random Harvest (1942, Melvyn LeRoy)

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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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DVD Giveaway: Jack Lemmon America’s Everyman

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Annmarie Gatti

Hollywood Collection DVD Giveaway Week Four: Jack Lemmon America’s Everyman

We are wrapping up our month-long DVD giveaway this week with a DVD about one of my all-time favorite actors! CMH is giving away FIVE copies of the Hollywood Collection DVD: Jack Lemmon America’s Everyman, courtesy of Janson Media!

All you have to do is be one of the 1st FIVE fans to rate 12 posts on CMH’s BlogHub. That’s it! Please support your ‘Local Classic Movie Bloggers’ and CMH by browsing and rating some of these really marvelous and informative blog posts.  I’m hoping that, as you browse and rate these posts, you’ll discover some new and exciting blogs to follow! There are currently 17 Classic Movie Bloggers on BlogHub so far, with many more to follow!

Jack Lemmon DVD America's Everyman Janson Media

Hope you enjoyed this month’s contest, and please check back for more contests soon!

About the Jack Lemmon America’s Everyman DVD:
Narrated on-camera by Jack Lemmon, this profile includes interviews with Lemmon’s son, the actor Chris Lemmon. Clips from some of Lemmon’s major films as well as archival footage add to this portrait of one of our most illustrious and productive stars. Also appearing are such legends as Jack’s life-long friend, the writer and director Billy Wilder, writer-director Garson Kanin, drama teacher Uta Hagen, and actor Gregory Peck. Actors Charles Durning, Maureen Stapleton, Betty Garrett, and Kevin Spacey, writer Neil Simon, director Delbert Mann, and other Hollywood luminaries help complete the profile. Clips from some of Lemmon’s major films as well as archival footage add to this portrait of one of our most illustrious and productive stars. LENGTH: 51 Minutes – Total Content: 93 Minutes

Contest Information

–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

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Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Mickey Rooney

Posted on September 23, 2012 by minooallen

 

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Mickey Rooney, born September 23, 1920!

Even though it’s a cliche phrase, I’m going to say it anyway: What can possibly be said about Mickey Rooney that hasn’t already been said? The man has won two different kinds of Academy Award (Juvenile and Honorary), two Golden Globes, an Emmy and on top of that, has a career that spans almost 90 years. Think about that for a second. For longer than the average life expectancy of most people, Mickey Rooney has been a part of what we like to call the crazy world of show business. So, not only do I want to celebrate this man’s 92nd birthday today, I want to also celebrate this man’s extraordinary and long career by posting a picture from him each decade he has worked in…which IS every decade he’s lived.

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Mickey Rooney in a publicity shot from the 1920’s.

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Judy Garland, babes in arms, classic Movie Acress, busby berkelyMickey Rooney with frequent co-star and long time friend, Judy Garland in Babes in Arms (1939, Busby Berkley director)

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Elizabeth Taylor, national velvet, classic movie actress, clarence brown Mickey Rooney with Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet (1944, Clarence Brown director)

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Mickey Rooney in Bridges at Toko Ri (1954, Mark Robson, director)

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Mickey Rooney in It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963, Stanley Kramer, director)

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Mickey Rooney in Pete’s Dragon (1977, Don Chaffey director)

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Mickey Rooney in the awesomely, amazing 1980’s sitcom The Golden Girls.

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Mickey Rooney in Babe: Pig in the City (1999, George Miler director)

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Mickey Rooney in Night at the Museum (2006, Shawn Levy director)

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Mickey Rooney in The Muppets (2011, James Bobin director)

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Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Erich Von Stroheim

Posted on September 22, 2012 by minooallen

 

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Erich Von Stroheim, born September 22, 1885!

To quote Sunset Blvd, “There were three young directors who showed promise in those days: D. W. Griffith, Cecil B. DeMille, and Max Von Mayerling.” If you’re familiar with the film, which I’m sure you are, you probably know that it is none other than Birthday Boy, Erich Von Stroheim, saying those words in the role of sad, defeated Max Von Mayerling. And of course as the best narratives go, Von Mayerling was analogous to Von Stroheim as the once highly respected director whose best creative days were surely behind him. What the movie leaves out, however, is Von Stroheim’s other abilities as writer/actor. I guess you can say that he represented a different type of triple threat than the Cagney’s of the world. So, to Celebrate this wonderfully talented man’s birth, I say we look at his unique combination of talents as writer, director, producer and actor. Did I say triple threat? Looks like I meant quadruple threat.

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Erich Von Stroheim as writer/director in his most notorious film Greed. (1924, Erich Von Stroheim director)

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Erich Von Stroheim as writer/director/producer in the Gloria Swanson vehicle Queen Kelly. (1929, Erich Von Stroheim director)

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Erich Von Stroheim as actor in The Grand Illusion.

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Minoo Allen for Classic Movie Hub

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