Jimmy and Jean Arthur in You Can't Take It With You:
Jimmy = dream date. *wink*
Monday, June 15, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Some lovely singing
Here's Jimmy singing Day After Day, a private recording with the Princeton Tirangle Dance Orchestra in 1931.
Jimmy sang the song in the Triangle Club's production of "Spanish Blades", the above photo is from that production.
I uploaded the song to MediaFire, which is a file sharing site, so you can download and listen! Here is the the download link.
Jimmy sang the song in the Triangle Club's production of "Spanish Blades", the above photo is from that production.
I uploaded the song to MediaFire, which is a file sharing site, so you can download and listen! Here is the the download link.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
"Into this mountain vastness comes a man in pursuit of danger..."
Here is my first movie review, for...
The Naked Spur was Jimmy's third Western with director Anthony Mann. Released in 1953 by M-G-M and co-starring Janet Leigh, Robert Ryan, Ralph Meeker, and Millard Mitchell.
I thought it was really good picture, the set-up and psychology of the film are tense and razor-sharp. And the outdoor scenery was absolutely gorgeous! I think the plot was interesting, mainly because it could have worked even if the film wasn't a Western.
***possible spoiler alert***
Basically, Howard Kemp (Jimmy) is trying to capture Ben Vandergroat (Robert Ryan) for a $5,000 reward. He enlists the help of an old prospector Jesse Tate (Millard Mitchell) for $20.00 and later an ex-Union solider Roy Anderson (Ralph Meeker). Once they capture Vandergroat and find out about the $5,000 Kemp is forced to make them his partners. So they take Vandergroat and his companion, Lina (Janet Leigh) along with them in order to turn Vandergroat and retrieve the reward money. --end of spoiler alert--
Obviously there's a lot more to it than that, but you the idea (I hope).
Jimmy's performance was superb, as usual. I don't think I've said it before, but I've never seen a movie with him that I didn't like. Just thought I'd point that out. :) And boy, oh boy! Was he handsome in this movie! No, really, with that cowboy hat and everything. I can't help but do some major swooning whilst watching. *wink*
The supporting actors were great. Robert Ryan did an excellent job in his role. However, I didn't really like the character of Jesse much, but maybe that's because I found Millard Mitchell a tad annoying? Though the character himself did seem trustworthy and believable, I just couldn't warm up to the actor. And, Janet Leigh surprised me. I guess I never realized that she was such a good actress because I had only seen her in Psycho before this. Before I first watched the movie I said to myself "Wait, she's in a Western?" but she actually came through with a solid performance. And of course, the direction by Mann is marvellous.
I thought the ending was really sweet, a little over-sentimental for a Western maybe, but sweet nonetheless.
All in all, a very entertaining movie. I suggest you see it, if you haven't already.
Sorry that review seemed kind of vague, but I didn't want to give anything away for those who haven't seen it. (So I'm guessing most of my movie reviews will be like this?) Need more reassurance that this really is a good movie? here's the movie trailer.
P.S. Don't forget about our monthly poll! We only have 4 votes and 19 more days until the poll closes, so if you haven't voted yet, please do so! And if you have, well, you could tell someone else to come and vote...or a few people...:)
The Naked Spur was Jimmy's third Western with director Anthony Mann. Released in 1953 by M-G-M and co-starring Janet Leigh, Robert Ryan, Ralph Meeker, and Millard Mitchell.
I thought it was really good picture, the set-up and psychology of the film are tense and razor-sharp. And the outdoor scenery was absolutely gorgeous! I think the plot was interesting, mainly because it could have worked even if the film wasn't a Western.
***possible spoiler alert***
Basically, Howard Kemp (Jimmy) is trying to capture Ben Vandergroat (Robert Ryan) for a $5,000 reward. He enlists the help of an old prospector Jesse Tate (Millard Mitchell) for $20.00 and later an ex-Union solider Roy Anderson (Ralph Meeker). Once they capture Vandergroat and find out about the $5,000 Kemp is forced to make them his partners. So they take Vandergroat and his companion, Lina (Janet Leigh) along with them in order to turn Vandergroat and retrieve the reward money. --end of spoiler alert--
Obviously there's a lot more to it than that, but you the idea (I hope).
Jimmy's performance was superb, as usual. I don't think I've said it before, but I've never seen a movie with him that I didn't like. Just thought I'd point that out. :) And boy, oh boy! Was he handsome in this movie! No, really, with that cowboy hat and everything. I can't help but do some major swooning whilst watching. *wink*
The supporting actors were great. Robert Ryan did an excellent job in his role. However, I didn't really like the character of Jesse much, but maybe that's because I found Millard Mitchell a tad annoying? Though the character himself did seem trustworthy and believable, I just couldn't warm up to the actor. And, Janet Leigh surprised me. I guess I never realized that she was such a good actress because I had only seen her in Psycho before this. Before I first watched the movie I said to myself "Wait, she's in a Western?" but she actually came through with a solid performance. And of course, the direction by Mann is marvellous.
I thought the ending was really sweet, a little over-sentimental for a Western maybe, but sweet nonetheless.
All in all, a very entertaining movie. I suggest you see it, if you haven't already.
Sorry that review seemed kind of vague, but I didn't want to give anything away for those who haven't seen it. (So I'm guessing most of my movie reviews will be like this?) Need more reassurance that this really is a good movie? here's the movie trailer.
P.S. Don't forget about our monthly poll! We only have 4 votes and 19 more days until the poll closes, so if you haven't voted yet, please do so! And if you have, well, you could tell someone else to come and vote...or a few people...:)
Sunday, June 7, 2009
In Memoriam: Jean Harlow, 1911-1937
It has been 72 years ago, today, since The Original Blonde Bombshell (and one of my personal favorite actresses), Miss Jean Harlow, passed away.
A detailed biography from JeanHarlow.com:
Before the days of Madonna and Marilyn Monroe, the "Original Blonde Bombshell" made her mark on Hollywood and the world, leaving behind a new image of the Hollywood sex goddess. Harlean Carpenter, later known as Jean Harlow, was born on March 3, 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri. Although she would sadly only live to age 26, Jean achieved a great deal of success during her lifetime. In an acting career that lasted 10 short years, Jean made 36 movies. Some of her other achievements included being voted No. 22 on the American Film Institute's list of the "Greatest American Screen Legends" (female), and becoming the first movie actress to appear on the cover of Life magazine.
Jean displayed talent in both her sensual and comedic performances, but she
initially captivated fans with her trendsetting platinum blonde hair. As she gained fame, peroxide sales in the United States skyrocketed. Botched attempts to look like Jean forced thousands of women to cut their hair. Hollywood producers of the past had consistently cast dark-haired women to play the parts of vixens, but Jean emerged as the first star to incorporate the platinum blonde look into her acting.
Jean was born the daughter of a successful dentist and his wife. Jean's mother, known as Mother Jean, had dreams of becoming an actress, which led her to divorce her husband and move to Hollywood with her young daughter. Jean's mother never allowed her to see her father, however Jean would sneak visits with him throughout her life. Mother Jean soon remarried a man named Marino Bello and the family moved to Chicago, where Jean attended high school.
Poor health afflicted Jean throughout her childhood. At age five, she contracted meningitis and suffered from scarlet fever at age 15. Jean left home at age 16 to marry 23-year-old Charles McGrew. Shortly after the wedding the couple left Chicago and moved to Beverly Hills. Jean's true aspiration in life was to be a wife and mother, however she sought work as an extra in films to please Mother Jean. Although at first Jean was not interested in making films, she received her first role in Why is a Plumber? in 1927. She and McGrew divorced after two years, but her big career break was about to occur.
In 1930, movie producer and entrepreneur Howard Hughes became interested in Jean and cast her in Hell's Angels. In Hell's Angels, she spoke the now famous line, "Would
you be shocked if I changed into something more comfortable?" Jean's appearance in Hell's Angels solidified her role as America's new sex symbol. This victory was followed by another hit, Platinum Blonde, and several films with Clark Gable. In total, she and Gable would star in six movies together including Red Dust, The Secret Six and Wife vs. Secretary. During the filming of Red Dust, Jean's second husband of only two months, producer Paul Bern, committed suicide.
In 1933's Dinner at Eight, Jean was at her comedic best. Later that year she starred in Bombshell, a Hollywood parody based loosely on her real-life experiences with her controlling mother and greedy stepfather. Also in 1933, Jean married cinematographer Harold Rosson in a union that would only last eight months. To accompany her escalating career, in 1935 she legally changed her name to Jean Harlow, her mother's maiden name.
Following the end of her marriage, Jean found the love of her life in actor William Powell.
They were together for two years, however before they could wed, Jean's health declined. While filming Saratoga in 1937, Jean was hospitalized with uremic poisoning and kidney failure, a result of the scarlet fever she had suffered during childhood. In the days before dialysis and kidney transplants, nothing could be done and Jean died on June 7, 1937. The film had to be finished using long angle shots and a double, Mary Dees. Clark Gable was reported to have said that he felt as if he was "in the arms of a ghost." After a large Hollywood funeral organized by Louis B. Mayer of MGM, Jean was buried in the mausoleum in Forest Lawn Glendale, in Los Angeles.
Jean was labeled a "screen siren" for her sensational dialogue and revealing costumes, but audiences, directors and producers alike appreciated her flair for comedy and drama. Had she lived longer, it is likely that she would have stayed on a successful path in Hollywood for years to come. In an acting career that lasted only 10 years, Jean Harlow forever established herself as one of the most captivating actresses of all time.
Jean actually co-starred in a movie with Jimmy, one his first, 1936's Wife Vs. Secretary. He had a supporting part, as Jean's boyfriend in the picture.
Jimmy had this to say about Jean: "When it came to kissing - Harlow was the best.".
hehe ;).
She really seemed like such a sweet, down-to-earth lady. R.I.P Jean.
A detailed biography from JeanHarlow.com:
Before the days of Madonna and Marilyn Monroe, the "Original Blonde Bombshell" made her mark on Hollywood and the world, leaving behind a new image of the Hollywood sex goddess. Harlean Carpenter, later known as Jean Harlow, was born on March 3, 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri. Although she would sadly only live to age 26, Jean achieved a great deal of success during her lifetime. In an acting career that lasted 10 short years, Jean made 36 movies. Some of her other achievements included being voted No. 22 on the American Film Institute's list of the "Greatest American Screen Legends" (female), and becoming the first movie actress to appear on the cover of Life magazine.
Jean displayed talent in both her sensual and comedic performances, but she
initially captivated fans with her trendsetting platinum blonde hair. As she gained fame, peroxide sales in the United States skyrocketed. Botched attempts to look like Jean forced thousands of women to cut their hair. Hollywood producers of the past had consistently cast dark-haired women to play the parts of vixens, but Jean emerged as the first star to incorporate the platinum blonde look into her acting.Jean was born the daughter of a successful dentist and his wife. Jean's mother, known as Mother Jean, had dreams of becoming an actress, which led her to divorce her husband and move to Hollywood with her young daughter. Jean's mother never allowed her to see her father, however Jean would sneak visits with him throughout her life. Mother Jean soon remarried a man named Marino Bello and the family moved to Chicago, where Jean attended high school.
Poor health afflicted Jean throughout her childhood. At age five, she contracted meningitis and suffered from scarlet fever at age 15. Jean left home at age 16 to marry 23-year-old Charles McGrew. Shortly after the wedding the couple left Chicago and moved to Beverly Hills. Jean's true aspiration in life was to be a wife and mother, however she sought work as an extra in films to please Mother Jean. Although at first Jean was not interested in making films, she received her first role in Why is a Plumber? in 1927. She and McGrew divorced after two years, but her big career break was about to occur.
In 1930, movie producer and entrepreneur Howard Hughes became interested in Jean and cast her in Hell's Angels. In Hell's Angels, she spoke the now famous line, "Would
you be shocked if I changed into something more comfortable?" Jean's appearance in Hell's Angels solidified her role as America's new sex symbol. This victory was followed by another hit, Platinum Blonde, and several films with Clark Gable. In total, she and Gable would star in six movies together including Red Dust, The Secret Six and Wife vs. Secretary. During the filming of Red Dust, Jean's second husband of only two months, producer Paul Bern, committed suicide.In 1933's Dinner at Eight, Jean was at her comedic best. Later that year she starred in Bombshell, a Hollywood parody based loosely on her real-life experiences with her controlling mother and greedy stepfather. Also in 1933, Jean married cinematographer Harold Rosson in a union that would only last eight months. To accompany her escalating career, in 1935 she legally changed her name to Jean Harlow, her mother's maiden name.
Following the end of her marriage, Jean found the love of her life in actor William Powell.
They were together for two years, however before they could wed, Jean's health declined. While filming Saratoga in 1937, Jean was hospitalized with uremic poisoning and kidney failure, a result of the scarlet fever she had suffered during childhood. In the days before dialysis and kidney transplants, nothing could be done and Jean died on June 7, 1937. The film had to be finished using long angle shots and a double, Mary Dees. Clark Gable was reported to have said that he felt as if he was "in the arms of a ghost." After a large Hollywood funeral organized by Louis B. Mayer of MGM, Jean was buried in the mausoleum in Forest Lawn Glendale, in Los Angeles.Jean was labeled a "screen siren" for her sensational dialogue and revealing costumes, but audiences, directors and producers alike appreciated her flair for comedy and drama. Had she lived longer, it is likely that she would have stayed on a successful path in Hollywood for years to come. In an acting career that lasted only 10 years, Jean Harlow forever established herself as one of the most captivating actresses of all time.
Jean actually co-starred in a movie with Jimmy, one his first, 1936's Wife Vs. Secretary. He had a supporting part, as Jean's boyfriend in the picture.
Jimmy had this to say about Jean: "When it came to kissing - Harlow was the best.".
hehe ;).
She really seemed like such a sweet, down-to-earth lady. R.I.P Jean.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Photo Friday: "I'll bet you've got kind of a lovely face under all that paint, huh?"
This scene between Jimmy & Marlene from Destry Rides Again really sizzles, doesn't it? *swoon*
Thursday, June 4, 2009
June 2009 TV Listings & Monthly Poll
Hi all! I'm sorry I've been M.I.A lately, I've been meaning to post since the beginning of this week, and here it's now almost the end of the week. Anyway, here's the TV schedule for June:
All times are for the United States, Eastern Time Zone. Film synoposises and information is from TCM.com.
Sun, Jun 7, FMC 1:00 PM
The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)
When their plane crashes in the Sahara desert, the survivors - some businessmen and some British military officers - must find a way to survive the sun, the lack of water, and marauding Arabs. Somehow, they manage to repair the plane, using one engine, and take the risk that it will get them out of there.
Cast: James Stewart, Richard Attenborough, Peter Finch, Hardy Kruger, Ernest Borgnine Dir: Robert Aldrich C-149 mins, NR
Tue, Jun 9, FMC 2:00 PM
Bandolero! (1968)
Posing as a hangman, Mace Bishop arrives in town with the intention of freeing a gang of outlaws, including his brother, from the gallows. Mace urges his younger brother to give up crime. The sheriff chases the brothers to Mexico. They join forces, however, against a group of Mexican bandits who mortally wound both brothers.
Cast: Dean Martin, James Stewart, Raquel Welch Dir: Andrew V. McLaglen C-106 mins, TV-PG 13
Sat, Jun 13, TCM 1:00 PM
The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)
Charles Lindbergh risks his life to complete his historic flight from New York to Paris.
Cast: James Stewart, Murray Hamilton, Patricia Smith, Bartlett Robinson Dir: Billy Wilder C-135 mins, TV-PG
Sun, Jun 14, AMC 12:00 AM
Shenandoah (1965)
A Virginia farmer fights to keep his family together during the Civil War.
Cast: James Stewart, Doug McClure, Glenn Corbett, Patrick Wayne, Katharine Ross Dir: Andrew V. McLaglen C-105 mins, NR
Sun, Jun 14, MOMAXe 6:00 AM
Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962)
When a businessman decides to take his family on a vacation in a rented cottage on the West Coast seashore, everyone - from his teenage children to his married children and his own wife - starts to complain and create problems, until he steps in and saves the day.
Cast: James Stewart, Maureen O'Hara, Fabian Dir: Henry Koster C-116 mins, TV-PG
Mon, Jun 15, TCM 9:45 AM
Wife vs. Secretary (1936)
A secretary becomes so valuable to her boss that it jeopardizes his marriage.
Cast: Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Myrna Loy, May Robson, James Stewart Dir: Clarence Brown BW-88 mins, NR
Thu, Jun 18, HBOSGe 6:00 AM
Harvey (1950)
A wealthy eccentric prefers the company of an invisible six-foot rabbit to his family.
Cast: James Stewart, Josephine Hull Dir: Henry Koster B&W-103 mins, NR
In other news, I added a monthly poll to the sidebar. The question is: "Which of Jimmy's leading ladies do you think he did his best movie work with?" so, please go and vote, and feel free to comment with suggestions for future questions! :)
Take care, and have a great rest of the week!
All times are for the United States, Eastern Time Zone. Film synoposises and information is from TCM.com.
Sun, Jun 7, FMC 1:00 PM
The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)
When their plane crashes in the Sahara desert, the survivors - some businessmen and some British military officers - must find a way to survive the sun, the lack of water, and marauding Arabs. Somehow, they manage to repair the plane, using one engine, and take the risk that it will get them out of there.
Cast: James Stewart, Richard Attenborough, Peter Finch, Hardy Kruger, Ernest Borgnine Dir: Robert Aldrich C-149 mins, NR
Tue, Jun 9, FMC 2:00 PM
Bandolero! (1968)
Posing as a hangman, Mace Bishop arrives in town with the intention of freeing a gang of outlaws, including his brother, from the gallows. Mace urges his younger brother to give up crime. The sheriff chases the brothers to Mexico. They join forces, however, against a group of Mexican bandits who mortally wound both brothers.
Cast: Dean Martin, James Stewart, Raquel Welch Dir: Andrew V. McLaglen C-106 mins, TV-PG 13
Sat, Jun 13, TCM 1:00 PM
The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)
Charles Lindbergh risks his life to complete his historic flight from New York to Paris.
Cast: James Stewart, Murray Hamilton, Patricia Smith, Bartlett Robinson Dir: Billy Wilder C-135 mins, TV-PG
Sun, Jun 14, AMC 12:00 AM
Shenandoah (1965)
A Virginia farmer fights to keep his family together during the Civil War.
Cast: James Stewart, Doug McClure, Glenn Corbett, Patrick Wayne, Katharine Ross Dir: Andrew V. McLaglen C-105 mins, NR
Sun, Jun 14, MOMAXe 6:00 AM
Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962)
When a businessman decides to take his family on a vacation in a rented cottage on the West Coast seashore, everyone - from his teenage children to his married children and his own wife - starts to complain and create problems, until he steps in and saves the day.
Cast: James Stewart, Maureen O'Hara, Fabian Dir: Henry Koster C-116 mins, TV-PG
Mon, Jun 15, TCM 9:45 AM
Wife vs. Secretary (1936)
A secretary becomes so valuable to her boss that it jeopardizes his marriage.
Cast: Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Myrna Loy, May Robson, James Stewart Dir: Clarence Brown BW-88 mins, NR
Thu, Jun 18, HBOSGe 6:00 AM
Harvey (1950)
A wealthy eccentric prefers the company of an invisible six-foot rabbit to his family.
Cast: James Stewart, Josephine Hull Dir: Henry Koster B&W-103 mins, NR
In other news, I added a monthly poll to the sidebar. The question is: "Which of Jimmy's leading ladies do you think he did his best movie work with?" so, please go and vote, and feel free to comment with suggestions for future questions! :)
Take care, and have a great rest of the week!
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