Star of the Week: George Cukor

Last weeks star was Olivia de Havilland. This week is a bit different. The Star of the Week is a director. The one who directed such classics as My Fair Lady and The Philadelphia Story: George Cukor.

Real Name: George Dewey Cukor

Born: July 7, 1899 in

     New York City, New York

Died: January 24, 1983 (age 83)
Height: 5-8
Academy Award nominations:
Little Women (1933)

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

A Double Life (1947)

Born Yesterday (1950)

My Fair Lady (1964)     WON

I feel that George Cukor was one of the most underrated and underappreciated directors. He made so many classic movies but was often overlooked because of his homosexuality. I've enjoyed all the movies he's made but my favorites are The Philadelphia Story and The Women, which features an all-female cast and is a hysterical film. I personally enjoyed his films with Katharine Hepburn. He should have the recognition that Hitchcock, Capra, or Wilder had but he never got. Often forgotten is the fact that Cukor directed some of Gone With The Wind before he was fired from the project, and Clark Gable had nothing to do with it, contrary to legend. Cukor was known for throwing large parties which were attended by many in the Hollywood circle like Bogart and Bacall, Tracy and Hepburn, Judy Garland, Olivier and Leigh and many more. His frequent collaborations with Katharine Hepburn (10 films) stemmed from their real-life friendship.

Notable Films: The Philadelphia Story, Adam's Rib, My Fair Lady, A Star Is Born, Gone With The Wind (half), Gaslight, The Women

Top 6: Thelma Ritter

Thelma Ritter is probably my favorite character actresses ever. I love her sarcasm, wit, and that voice. While charactor actors were in abundance, charactor actresses were fewer and further between. I feel she definately needs to shown some love.

All About Eve...I love her in this. She's witty and takes no bs! If only she was in the movie longer!
Rear Window...the first film i watched of hers and boy, was she awesome. A good foil to Stewart and Kelly.
The Misfits...the last film Gable and Monroe appeared in. She holds her ground very well.
Pillow Talk
Birdman of Alcatraz

Movie Review #11 - The Philadelphia Story

                        The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Director: George Cukor

Cast: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, John Howard, Ruth Hussey, Virginia Weidler 

Running Time: 112 minutes

Production Co.: MGM Pictures

Academy Award Nominations:

Best Actress - Katharine Hepburn

Best Actor - James Stewart    WON

Best Director

Best Picture

Best Supporting Actress - Ruth Hussey

Best Writing, Screenplay   WON

Philadelphia socialites Tracy Lord (Hepburn) and C.K. Dexter Haven (Grant) married impulsively, with their marriage and subsequent divorce being equally passionate. They broke up when Dexter's drinking became excessive, it a mechanism to cope with Tracy's unforgiving manner to the imperfect, imperfections which Dexter admits he readily has. Two years after their break-up, Tracy is about to remarry, the ceremony to take place at the Lord mansion. Tracy's bridegroom is nouveau riche businessman and aspiring politician George Kittredge (Howard), who is otherwise a rather ordinary man and who idolizes Tracy. The day before the wedding, three unexpected guests show up at the Lord mansion: Macaulay Connor or Mike(Stewart), Elizabeth Imbrie (Hussey)- the two who are friends of Tracy's absent brother, Junius - and Dexter himself. Dexter, an employee of the tabloid Spy magazine, made a deal with its publisher and editor Sidney Kidd to get a story on Tracy's wedding. Mike is sent to photogaph the wedding but finds himself falling for the bride.

This socialite comedy stars three of the greatest stars ever to grace the silver screen: Cary Grant, James Stewart and Katharine Hepburn. Along with a great supporting cast, The Philadelphia Story shines with its brilliance. James Stewart won Best Actor for his role, though many believe it to be a "sorry" Oscar for him not winning for Mr. Smith. That may or may not be true, but Stewart is equally as good. His drunk scene is one of the funniest in film. Even with the great cast, he steals the picture from everyone else. And the whole switching family member roles is a crack up. Kate Hepburn is so great as a snottty, spoiled heiress who gets pulled down from her pedestal. While this isn't my favorite Hepburn-Grant collaboration (that belongs to Bringing Up Baby), this one is just as good, with a great script. While called a screwball comedy, i classify it more as a romantic comedy which i highly recommend. *****

Star of the Week: Olivia de Havilland

Last weeks star was that quiet cowboy Gary Cooper who is incredibly good looking. This week's is that glorious woman who played Errol Flynn's love interest so many times Olivia de Havilland.

Real Name: Olivia Mary de Havilland

Born: July 1, 1916

       in Tokyo, Japan (age 94)

Height: 5-3

Trademark: Quiet women with an inner strength

Academy Award nominations:

Gone With The Wind (1939)
Hold Back The Dawn (1941)
To Each His Own (1946)     WON

The Snake Pit (1948)

The Heiress (1949)      WON

As one of the last surviving leads from the Golden Age, Olivia de Havilland represents a time gone by. She is most known for her role as Melanie in Gone With The Wind and her on-off relationship with co-star Errol Flynn, with whom she starred in 8 movies. Olivia starred alongside some of the greatest stars of Hollywood including Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, James Cagney, Clark Gable, and Leslie Howard. She is also known for the feud with her sister, Joan Fontaine, another famous actress from the Golden Age who is still alive.

I've always liked Olivia de Havilland, ever since i first saw The Adventures of Robin Hood. She was so beautiful. But i saw, for the first time, that an actress could be beautiful and a great actress, something today's starlets have forgotten. My favorite of hers are her two most famous films: GWTW and Robin Hood. Even in GWTW when they tried to ugly her up, you could still see her beauty shining through. I always thought she was a very beautiful woman and a great great actress. God bless you Ms. De Havilland!!!

Notable Films: Gone With The Wind, The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Heiress, The Snake Pit, Captain Blood, movies with Errol Flynn

Top 6 - Barbara Stanwyck

                   Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyk was one of the great actresses of Hollywood. Not known as a sex-symbol, she excelled in playing sexy, mysterious dames. Here are her top 5 + an honorable mention:

Double Indemnity...the embodiment of the ambiguous female character
The Lady Eve...Stanwyck and Fonda heat up the screen
Sorry Wrong Number....one word-suspenseful!
Meet John Doe
Stella Dallas
Ball of Fire...this one is so cute

Movie Review #10 - Bringing Up Baby

                          Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Director: Howard Hawks

Cast: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Charles Ruggles, May Robson, Barry Fitzgerald, etc. 

Running Time: 102 minutes

Production Co.: RKO Radio Pictures

Academy Award nominations:

none

Mild mannered zoology professor Dr. David Huxley (Cary Grant) is excited by the news that an intercostal clavicle bone has been found to complete his brontosaurus skeleton, a project four years in the construction. He is equally excited about his imminent marriage to his assistant, the officious Alice Swallow, who is interested in him more for his work than for him as a person. David needs the $1 million endowment of wealthy dowager Mrs. Carleton Random to complete the project. Her lawyer, Alexander Peabody, will make the decision on her behalf, so David needs to get in his favor. However, whenever David tries to make a good impression on Peabody, the same young woman always seems to do something to make him look bad. She is the flighty heiress Susan Vance (Katharine Hepburn). The more David wants Susan to go away, the more Susan seems not to want or be able to. The entire movie is about Susan doing whatever she can to keep David. Susan's pet leopard Baby is the center of the story.

A notorious box-office flop in its day, Bringing Up Baby is one of the great classic screwball comedies of all time. Cary Grant is so funny as a nerdy professor who happens to look like Harold Lloyd. Katharine Hepburn appears in her only real comedic role and she shines. She borders on annoying because that's her character yet she is never ridiculous. The supporting cast is excellent. Also appearing are Asta, most famous in the Thin Man series and Baby, the leopard who belongs to Susan. Briskly directed by Howard Hawks, this movie moves at a breakneck speed. It jumps from laughs to more laughs and never lets up. The ending is classic. Why the movie failed, i will never know. Maybe because it was too ahead of it's time. After the film, Katharine Hepburn was named Box Office Poison. Both her and Hawks were fired from RKO. 

Let me say it again, this movie is a MUST SEE and my favorite comedy EVER! I've seen it many many times and it always makes me laugh. *****

Star of the Week - Gary Cooper

Last week's star of the week was Rosalind Russell. This week's star is none other than that famous leading man who starred in many westerns. No it isn't John Wayne. It is Gary Cooper.

Real Name: Frank James Cooper

Born:    May 7, 1901

        in Helena, Montana

Died:   May 13, 1961 (age 60)

Height: 6-3

Academy Award Nominations:

Mr. Deeds Goes To Town (1936)

Sergeant York (1941)      WON

The Pride of The Yankees (1942)

For Whom The Bell Tolls (1943)

High Noon (1952)       WON

*Honorary Oscar* (1961)

Trademark: Slow, deliberate drawl.

                Often appeared in Westerns

Gary Cooper was one of the most famous leading men of the Golden Age who was known for his quiet, stoic acting style. Gary Cooper changed his name in 1925 from Frank to Gary after a casting director suggested Gary because it was "rough and tough". Cooper went on to be one of the most successful and beloved actors of the sound era, making over 100 films and winning 2 Oscars. In 1999 The American Film Institute placed Gary Cooper as the 11th best male star. In my opinion he should be higher. Cooper died in 1961 of pancreatic cancer. He was 60 years young.

Gary Cooper has a very interesting place on my lists. When i first discovered his movies i was not that interested in him as i don't like Westerns very much. But as i watched more movies of his i found his subdued acting refreshing. Some people have criticized him for this but i feel his acting is superb. Much better than any of Brad Pitt's or Tom Cruise's. Even though i still don't like westerns (mainly because of John Wayne), Cooper has made me like the Westerns he was in. But the jury is still out. I like him but he's not my most favorite actor ever. I want to watch more of his movies so i can make a decision. And i'm sure i will like him. I also find Gary Cooper to be extremely good-looking. He may not have been a sex-symbol or anything, but man, he sure was handsome.

Notable Films: Mr. Deeds Goes To Town, Sergeant York, High Noon, Meet John Doe, The Pride of the Yankees  

Top 6 - Errol Flynn

                    Errol Flynn
Errol is one of my favorite classic actors. Known for his swashbuckling movies and his turbulent off-screen life, he was one of the most famous and beloved actors. I've picked 6 of his films:

1. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) - The most famous Errol Flynn movie. This one is excellent
2. Captain Blood (1935) - Made Errol Flynn a star.
3. The Sea Hawk (1940)  - Excellent
4. Gentleman Jim (1942)
5. The Adventures of Don Juan (1948)
6. The Dawn Patrol (1938) - a very underrated classic

Movie Review #9 - His Girl Friday

                         His Girl Friday (1940)
Director: Howard Hawks

Cast: Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Bellamy

Running Time: 92 minutes

Production Co.: Columbia Pictures

Academy Award Nominations: none

Hildy Johnson (Russell) has divorced Walter Burns (Grant) and visits his office to tell him that she is engaged to another man and that they are going to get married the day after. Walter Burns can't let that happen and frames the other man, Bruce Baldwin (Bellamy), for a lot of stuff getting him into trouble all the time, while he tries to steer Hildy back into her old job as his employee (editor of his newspaper). He also wants her back.

Known for it's breathless dialogue, this movie is so funny. Personally i don't know how they talk so fast...Rosalind Russell steals the show. Cary Grant is great as usual. Coming off the success (ok maybe not box-office) of Bringing Up Baby, Howard Hawks does not disappoint. His Girl Friday is an absolute must see. Don't breath or you'll miss the movie.   

note

if you haven't noticed yer, all the Star of the Week and Movie Review are one day off. Everything will be back to normal next Monday!

Star of the Week: Rosalind Russell

Last week's star was Clark Gable. This weeks is one of the most underrated actresses of the Golden Age Rosalind Russell.

Real Name: Rosalind Russell
Born: June 4, 1907 in
    Waterbury, Connecticut
Died: November 28, 1976 (age 69)
Height: 5-8
Academy Award Nominations:
My Sister Eileen (1942)
Sister Kenny (1946)
Mourning Becomes Electra (1947)
Auntie Mame (1958)
Trademark: Wealthy, dignified ladylike roles

Rosalind Russell was a classy, talented actress who never got the recognition she deserved. She is best known for her role as Hildy Johnson in "His Girl Friday" and Mame Dennis in "Auntie Mame" though she starred in other roles. My favorite is His Girl Friday, where she and Cary Grant talked so fast they should have gotten tickets for speeding (haha ok stupid joke). Rosalind Russell died of breast cancer at age 69. RIP Roz.

Rosalind Russell is a treasure that should never be forgotten!

Notable Films: His Girl Friday, Auntie Mame, The Women, Gypsy

Movie Review #8 - The Lady Eve

                         The Lady Eve (1941)
Director: Preston Sturges
Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda, Charles Coburn, Eugene Pallette
Running Time: 94 minutes
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures
Academy Award Nominations:
Best Writing

Returning from a year up the Amazon studying snakes, the rich but unsophisticated Charles Pike (Henry Fonda) meets con-artist Jean Harrington (Barbara Stanwyck) on a ship. They fall in love, but a misunderstanding causes them to split on bad terms. To get back at him, Jean disguises herself as an English lady, and comes back to tease and torment him. Her father (Charles Coburn) is also a con-artist. Jean decides to keep away but she can't.

This is the screwball comedy. Barbara Stanwyck is absolutely amazing (and quite sexy) and Henry Fonda is good as the dimwitted scientist. Directed by the great Preston Sturges who has really grown on me. Barbara Stanwyck portayal of "Eve" as a temptress is spot on. She is very seductive. This has got lots of laughs and slapstick, which Fonda performs perfectly. I give a thumbs up and recommend it fully! Other Preston Sturges films i recommend include Sullivan's Travels and The Palm Beach Story!!

Top 6 - Leo McCarey

                     Top 5 - Leo McCarey 1. An Affair To Remember: My favorite tearjerker! Words can't describe how great it is!
2. The Awful Truth: Hilarious screwball comedy with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne.
3. Duck Soup: The best Marx Brothers film bar none! and so funny...
4. Going My Way
5. The Bells of St. Mary: Bergman is great in this.
I can't think of a sixth movie...

Movie Review #7 - It Happened One Night

                     It Happened One Night (1934)

Director: Frank Capra

Cast: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert,

Running Time: 105 minutes

Production Co.: Columbia Pictures

Academy Award Nominations:

Best Picture      WON

Best Director     WON

Best Actor - Clark Gable       WON
Best Actress - Claudette Colbert     WON
Best Writing     WON

Spoiled heiress Ellie Andrews (Colbert) disobeys her fathers orders by jumping ship. She must find her way back to her husband. She accepts help from Peter Warne (Gable)...reluctantly. Either she sticks with him or he blows the whole scoop to the nation. He gets what he wants...a juicy story for the papers. But he gets something else. Features the famous scene where Claudette Colbert stops a car by lifting up her skirt and showing her leg.

                                                                  The first movie to win all five "major" Academy Awards. Considered to be the first great screwball comedy, this one is on my top 5 of screwball comedies. A funny story involves Gable, who was being punished for refusing parts. He was sent to Columbia, the lower studio as punishment. He would win the oscar for It Happened One Night. Clark Gable shines as the tough-on-the-outside guy with the soft interior.  This was the film that made me a fan of Claudette Colbert. Directed by Frank Capra who is one of my favorite directors. This movie has laughs (loads of them). My favorite scene is where Gable yells at Colbert as part of a disguise. It a hilarious scene that will make your sides hurt. Also an interesting note: this movie featured Clark Gable, not wearing a shirt. The next day shirt sales plummeted.

I definately, highly, and definately recommend this!

Movie Review - The Awful Truth

During the month of November, Movie Review's will feature Screwball comedies.

                The Awful Truth (1937)

Director: Leo McCarey

Cast: Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Ralph Bellamy

Running Time: 91 minutes

Production Co.: Columbia Pictures Corporation

Academy Award nominations:

Best Picture

Best Actress - Irene Dunne

Best Supporting Actor - Ralph Bellamy

Best Film Editing

Best Writing

Best Directing    WON

Before their divorce becomes final, Jerry (Cary Grant) and Lucy Warriner (Irene Dunne) both do their best to ruin each other's plans for remarriage, Jerry to haughty socialite Molly Lamont, she to oil-rich bumpkin Daniel Leeson (Ralph Bellamy). Funny strategies are used by Jerry and Lucy to "mess up" the others plan. But they realize that they can't live without each other.

This is a fun screwball comedy that solidified the Cary Grant persona. While Cary Grant is really good (as usual), Irene Dunne steals the show. She is excellent and funny as heck. Ralph Bellamy is superb as the stiff oilman from Oklahoma. Features Asta the dog, from The Thin Man series. A must see for screwball comedies. Leo McCarey won Best Director, and deservedly. A funny note: there was no script for this movie. Everything was improvised which made it all the better. Cary Grant's comedic timing was impecable. The next year he would star in my favorite comedy, Bringing Up Baby. The Awful Truth was good practice. I rate it 5/5 stars.

Star of the Week - Clark Gable

Last week's star was Deborah Kerr. This week's star is none other than the "King" of Hollywood: Clark Gable

Real Name: William Clark Gable

Born: February 1, 1901 in

              Cadiz, Ohio

Died: November 16, 1960 (age 59)

Height: 6-1

Academy Award Nominations:

It Happened One Night (1934)  WON
Mutiny on The Bounty (1935)

Gone With The Wind (1939)

Trademark: Often played a virile, lovable rogue whose gruff facade only thinly masked a natural charm and goodness.

 - Small pencil thin mustache

Known as "The King of Hollywood", Clark Gable was a force in Hollywood. Although he is known for his role as Rhett Butler in "Gone With The Wind", Gable was excellent in other roles. My favorite of his is It Happened One Night. Gable was paired alongside Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow, Norma Shearer, and Lana Turner. It was with his wife Carole Lombard that he is most famous. It's very sad that she died in a tragic plane crash. Years of drinking and smoking and his ballooning weight affected his health in his later years. Clark Gable died of a heart attack in 1960. In 1999 the American Film Institute listed Clark Gable as the 7th greatest male star of all time (behind Bogart, Grant, Stewart, Brando, Astaire (?), and Fonda).

Clark Gable is one of my favorite actors (only behind Cary Grant, James Stewart, and Humphrey Bogart). I used to be not like him very much but he's really grown on me. Only through watching his films did i come to realize that Clark Gable was so great. He definately embodied the word "man". and not bad looking either.

Notable Films: Gone With The Wind, It Happened One Night, Mutiny on The Bounty, The Misfits

Joan Crawford said of Gable "he was a king wherever he went. He walked like one, he behaved like one, and he was the most masculine man that I have ever met in my life."

Life Magazine called Gable: "All man... and then some."