Vacation Hiatus!

I'm going away for a friend's wedding! I'll be back in a couple of weeks.

Till then, take care all of you! xoxo

Natalie Wood's version of Beach Blanket Bingo (way cooler, in my opinion)!

Happy Mother's Day from Stardust!

Wishing all the mothers out there a very heartfelt Happy Mother's Day!

For all that you do, thank you!

Judy Garland & Baby Liza <3

High school nostalgia

One of the guys I used to go to high school with messaged me yesterday (if you're reading this, Hi Luke!). It's always an absolute pleasure to hear from people you haven't seen or heard from in more than ten years - I'm dating myself now, whoops! The thing that struck me most about his message to me was the fact that he still remembered that I love classic films. I'm going to quote him here: "I suppose in all the years that have passed, I don't think I have met anyone other than yourself who would know off the bat who Rudolf Valentino is :P" This made me smile. Like he said, after all these years, he still associates me with the classics. Sweet!

Astaire & Rogers in Flying Down To Rio (1933)

I think it's pretty safe to say that when I was in high school, I was the only student who had pictures of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers plastered all over the inside of their locker. This was the mid to late 90s when boy bands and rap-rock ruled and yet, you'd never find a poster of the Backstreet Boys in my locker (partly because I absolutely hated them!). For those of you who are curious (or nosey!) I was known as a grunge/goth girl. I wore baggy pants, drew all over my backpack and wore my hair in short dreads while I grew out my pixie cut from Grade 11. If you had seen me then, you'd be amazed! But, even though I looked completely different, I still had the exact same taste in movies as I do now; it was all about classic films for me, and still is! In fact, my birthday is coming up in a few days and an amazon package arrived for me last night. This past weekend my Mom gave me her Visa and told me that I could spend $50 of her money on amazon for some early birthday presents and the stuff that I had ordered arrived right before we sat down to dinner. My Mom wanted to see what I had spent her money on and just smiled and laughed to herself when I opened up the package and pulled out three classic films! She totally saw this coming! For the record, I had ordered The Lady Eve (1941) on DVD, The Diary Of Anne Frank (1959) on DVD, and the special collectors edition of Ben Hur (1959) on bluray.

This whole entry came about because someone chose to message me yesterday. It's funny how so much is brought to mind when someone emerges out of your past and evokes so many feelings and memories. Yes, I may be over-exaggerating a teeny-tiny bit here, but that message really made me think about how little has changed about me. I may look and act totally different now (and thank goodness that I do) but I still have the same passion and obsession for classic films. This just goes to show you that classic films are literally the loves of my life. And I'm absolutely fine with that :D

What were YOU like in high school? Have you changed much at all?

Foxy Fonda

Good Lord wrap me up in cellophane and call me Lucy!

I cannot take my eyes off of this manly specimen:

I mean, just look at him!!

I'm sat here watching Daisy Kenyon (1947) and, for the life of me, I cannot seem to focus on anything but Mr. Henry Fonda. Can someone please get me a fan?! It's way too freaking hot in here! I'm being totally honest when I say that I'm half-way through the movie and I honestly have no freaking clue what this thing is about. I may have to stop the film, calm down, re-group, and start over again.

Excuse this little outburst. I must be ovulating.

The Saint: Mary Astor in "Meet Me In St. Louis"

The Smith House at 5135 Kensington Ave, St. Louis

When I was around the age of 13 or so, I desperately wanted to live in the Smith household. Full of jolly family members, a crotchety old maid, and lovely Victorian decor, the Smith house conjured images of delightful sunny days spent singing 'round the piano and flirting with the boy next door. But, most of all, I wanted Anna Smith to be my mother.

Now wait, before anyone lets out a shocked gasp, I am not saying that my real mother wasn't or isn't good enough. No.  I'm simply saying that she was a little less high-spirited and less tolerant as Mama Smith was. You could disappear with the milkman for hours on end and Mama Smith would nonchalantly shrug it off (apparently kidnapping wasn't as much of an issue back then), or you could accuse your new neighbour of physically assaulting you and Mama Smith would dress you up in your older sister's frilly nightgown and feed you ice cream till you fell asleep (in a bed fit for a Queen, no less).

If Anna Smith was my mother I'd be able to wash my hair in the kitchen sink with designer shampoo newly purchased in town. I could trudge through the house in dripping wet underthings and grandpa's shoes without being scolded for making wet, muddy footprints on the spotless Victorian rug. I could also belt out Meet Me In St Louis over and over again at the top of my voice without being unceremoniously ejected from the front (or back) door.

Christmas at the Smith house with Leon Ames & Mary Astor

Mary Astor is best known for her gritty roles in The Maltese Falcon (1941) and The Great Lie (1941) for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. In both films she portrayed shameless, wicked characters that were the polar opposite of her role in Meet Me In St. Louis (1944) as loving family matriarch Anna Smith. Meet Me In St. Louis was the first of Astor's films that I'd seen so I was totally unfamiliar with the rest of her work until I watched The Maltese Falcon a number of years later. I truly couldn't believe that it was the same woman I was watching onscreen - how could she be so ... mean?! Not to mention sexy! Mama Smith was not sexy; she was poised (in that prudent Victorian way). Case in point: she often wore frills. On her collars. On her cuffs. And on her nightdresses.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that Mary Astor was truly gifted in portraying all kinds of female characters, whether they be virtual saints or unforgivable sinners. In both roles she was magnetic on the screen and you could not take your eyes off of her. Astor possessed incredible range as an actress and captivated us all in the many roles she played. Right! That's enough sentimentality for one afternoon -- let's all make an effort this month to watch at least a couple of her films and remember what a dynamic woman Mary Astor was. What a dame!

Goodbye sweet angel

Deanna Durbin

1921 - 2013

While you've been at the TCM Classic Film Festival ...

Here's what I've been doing while everyone else has been enjoying themselves (immensely) at the 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival:

1. Getting covered in drywall dust!

I kid you not. And yes, I genuinely felt that I needed to mention this first! I live with my parents and we're in the process of finishing our basement (what that basically means is that we're turning it into a livable space rather than keeping it a cavernous scary hovel in the ground). The framing has gone up and so has the drywall. This afternoon, the workers are scheduled to come back to begin the disastrous process of sanding (omg the mess!).

My experience hasn't been quite as romantic as Cary Grant's & Myrna Loy's.

2. Watching all kinds of Busby Berkeley films!

Hooray! What could possibly be any more cheerful than this? If you haven't read my Busby's Buzz post yet, here's a list of the movies I've watched so far: 42nd Street, Gold Diggers of 1933, Dames, and Footlight Parade. The movie that's currently spinning in my laptop, you ask? Gold Diggers of 1935. HUMBOLT! Some of these films are ones I've seen before, so not all of them are new to me. Having said that though, watching these after a long while of not having seen them almost feels as if I'm watching them for the first time all over again. I'm really enjoying this latest obsession of mine!

Something completely out of a dream - Gold Diggers of 1933.

3. Re-introducing myself to all things film noir!

Currently on my fireplace mantle (that's where I keep the films that I'd like to watch): Daisy Kenyon (1947). I bought it off amazon for a paltry $6.99 the other day and I can't wait to see it! I'm actually kind of shocked that it's taken me this long to sit down and actually watch the damn thing - I mean, its stars Joan Crawford for goodness sake! My other noir obsessions at the moment include Gilda (1946), Laura (1944), and The Big Sleep (1946).

Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall sizzle in The Big Sleep (1946)

So you see dear readers, I haven't been idle while everyone else has been off enjoying themselves in sunny California. I've been working hard, making real changes in my life. I've been bettering myself as a person, really trying hard to improve not only my mind but my surroundings. All the while wishing I was right there with you all! If everything goes according to plan, I'll be joining the masses next year!

Thank you for all your great TCMFF tweets and blog postings - you know who you are!

Please identify yourself!

This entry is somewhat related to my last one (Busby's Buzz). At the moment I just can't get enough of the early Warner Brothers musicals! I've been watching them non-stop since last week. At the moment I've just begun watching Gold Diggers of 1935.

One of the things I love about the early Warner Brothers musicals (besides the fact that most of them are pre-code) are the opening credits - I think it's so neat to see all the actors in the film being pictorially introduced as the characters they each play. It really lends an air of familiarity to the film and it allows the viewer to essentially get his or her bearings in regards to who's playing whom and how each character's personality comes across.

Warren William's title card from Gold Diggers of 1933.

How do you feel about the actors being introduced this way? Do you wish more modern films would adopt this type of opening credit roll call?

Happy TCM Film Fest!

Wishing all of my friends who are attending this year's TCM Film Fest an absolutely wonderful time!

Remember to take a lot of pictures so that I can see them and live vicariously through you!

I'll see you there next year! Safe travels! xoxo

Carole Lombard, Fred MacMurray, & Una Merkel

Busby's Buzz

Lately I've been on a Busby Berkeley kick. I watched my first Berkeley film back in high school - Gold Diggers of 1933 - and that's when I was on my Ginger Rogers kick. I totally fell in love with her (as you do) and I had wanted to see every movie she was in. Quickly after that, I watched 42nd Street (1933) and that was the beginning of my love affair with early Warner Brothers musicals and Busby Berkeley!

"The Forgotten Man" number in Gold Diggers of 1933

Back then, I didn't know much about Berkeley or the effect that 42nd Street had on movie musicals. It basically resurrected the genre after movie audiences boldly avoided musicals at all costs (well, could you blame them? This was during the Depression after all). I can kinda understand why 42nd Street was such a hit back then, because it's such an enjoyable film to watch! Don't get me wrong, it's not one of those happy go-lucky musicals that MGM was so famous for. No, it was more gritty, more realistic. More horribly defeatist. Think typical Warner Brothers gangster fair mixed with a dash of The Jazz Singer (1927).

Ginger Rogers, Ruby Keeler, & Una Merkel take center stage in 42nd Street

It's amazing to think that Berkeley's kaleidoscopic musical numbers were actually executed and filmed back in the early 1930s. I mean, think of it this way: the man hardly used any special effects! He thought of all the numbers himself (usually whilst in the bathtub) and pulled them off by having the studio construct simple, moving wooden sets and directing from high above the stage on what was virtually a dumbwaiter! I don't know about you, but I'm astounded at what was accomplished! It must have taken HOURS - days even - to get those numbers down pat (no wonder Berkeley regularly drank himself into a stupor)!

An overhead shot of the 42nd Street chorus girls in action.

Keeping in mind how gigantic most of his sets were, it's highly unlikely that any of them actually fit on a theater stage (like movie audiences were led to believe). See, these Warner Brothers musicals usually told the story of a Broadway show on the brink of closing (due to lack of funding), and then by some twist of fate, the show goes on and is actually presented to rapturous Broadway audiences. These musical numbers were full of fantasy and ingenuity. The fact that they couldn't possibly fit on any stage makes absolutely no difference; these scenes served to entertain audiences and take them on a wild carpet ride through Berkeley's brain.

So, over the past week I've re-watched Footlight Parade (1933), Gold Diggers of 1933, 42nd Street, and Dames (1934). I plan on watching all of the other movies included in the Busby Berkeley 9-Film Collection as soon as I can get around to them (which will probably be sometime over the weekend). I'm also reading his newest biography: Buzz: The Life and Art of Busby Berkeley.

Obsessed much? I think so.

Come on, get happy!

Now that it's (finally) warmed up, I think it's safe to say that Spring is officially here! Hurrah!

One of my favourite films to watch around this time of the year - or any time of the year for that matter - is Summer Stock (1950). It's bright, it's cheerful, it takes place on a farm, it's got a bright red tractor in it (that unfortunately gets smashed to bits), and it stars two of the sunniest personalities of the studio era: Judy Garland and Gene Kelly (who, coincidentally, is hotter than the sun in this film). Just sayin'.

Summer Stock (1950) promo poster.

I hate to admit it, but sometimes while I'm watching a classic film, I'll want to skip through some scenes until I arrive at the "meat" of the film. Am I the only person who does this? Please tell me I'm not or else I'll feel horribly guilty. Despite my horrible habit of fast-forwarding, I have to say that I've never done it whilst watching Summer Stock. Every single moment of this film is a goldmine! The musical numbers are cool, catchy, and downright sexy. My personal favourites are Dig For Your Dinner, The Portland Fancy, Gene Kelly's improvised newspaper + creaky floorboard dance, and Get Happy. 

Judy Garland looking like a hot mama in Get Happy!

Hang on a minute now! Since I mentioned Get Happy, I might as well tell you about Judy Garland's miraculous transformation: for the first 3/4 of the film Garland appears as a dowdy, somewhat chunky farmer who takes the backseat to her more glamorous, yet bratty, sister (played by the charming Gloria DeHaven). Suddenly, come the last quarter of the movie, Garland appears on-camera all svelte and sexified! Clad in silk stockings, a fitted tuxedo jacket and very little else, Garland knocks our socks off in Get Happy. Not surprisingly, it's become one of her most famous musical numbers (aside from the obvious Over The Rainbow number from 1939's The Wizard of Oz).

L-R: Eddie Bracken, Phil Silvers, Gene Kelly, & Judy Garland.

Summer Stock's supporting cast is another reason why I love this movie so much! Phil Silvers, Marjorie Main, Eddie Bracken, Carleton Carpenter, and Hans Conried are simply delightful! All of them give stellar performances in this film that are often overlooked for more of their popular fare (like Conried's voice work for Captain Hook in Disney's Peter Pan). I've said it before and I'll say it again: without this group of talented supporting actors, Summer Stock wouldn't be as enjoyable as it is. They all lend a zany, hilarious feel to the movie without seeming the least bit "camp" or contrived. 

One more thing I need to mention before I sign off on this entry: it's always been fairly obvious how talented Gene Kelly was, but I feel that his dancing ability really shines through in Summer Stock. Keep in mind that this movie was made a couple years before mega-hit Singin' In the Rain was released. Kelly was approaching his prime in 1950 and I'm pretty sure he knew he was headed for greatness. If you haven't seen his improvised newspaper + creaky floorboard dance number yet, I suggest you go watch it now. Hang on, I'll paste the video below for you (that's how nice I am):

Okay, now that you've seen it, how do you feel? Impressed? Certainly. Turned on? Yup. Fucking thrilled to bits that this was ever conceived and filmed so that it would live on in eternity? Uh-huh. Do you see what I mean, though? Dude was headed for greatness. How could he not be, dancing like that?! I bet you a hundred dollars that millions of people signed up for dance lessons after seeing this movie. And yet, the number itself was so SIMPLE. Amazing.

What's your favourite movie to watch at this time of the year? Tell me about it in the comments below!

Sob Story

Is there any scene in a movie more heart-breaking than the final one in Splendor In the Grass (1961)? Deenie (played by the immaculate Natalie Wood) goes to visit her first love Bud (played by the newbie Warren Beatty) at his ranch with the hopes of re-igniting their love for each other only to find out that he's now married with one baby and another on the way. During their time spent apart, Deenie's been holed up in an insane asylum (although, a very pleasant-looking one) and Bud's suffered through time spent at a university his father forced him to attend.

The moment she realizes she's lost him for good.

No matter how many times I've seen this film, I always end up crying at the end. And you know what makes me tear up? Natalie Wood's face. Her face. Despite the fact that I know how the movie ends, I always root for her because she seems so darling and precious and how could anything go wrong for her now after what she's been through? Hmph. Let me tell you how wrong: girl shows up at her ex boyfriend's house to find he's married with children. BAM! Hits you like a slap in the face!

*groan*

And though you really want to hate Bud's wife, Angelina (played by the charming Zohra Lampert), you don't. She's not at fault here, in fact, no one is. This is just how life worked out for these characters. If you want to hate anyone or anything in this film, then go ahead and hate fate. Fate is the culprit here. Oh, and maybe Bud's sadistic father (Pat Hingle). Now there's an asshole if ever I saw one *ahem*

Deenie moves on (cue the endless sobbing... NOW).

Natalie Wood tells Deenie's story with her face. The joys of a first love, the inevitable heartbreak that follows, the hardships of growing up in a suffocating decade, the sorrow of a sick mind, and the resolution one must form in order to move on despite losing the one they truly care for.

Celluloid Fixation: Jean Harlow

Is there a classic film star that you love just looking at?

For me, it's always been Jean Harlow. I love looking through pictures of her.

Posed, candid, movie stills, glamour shots - whatever! Is it because of her beauty? Obviously. Could it be because she became known as a tragic Hollywood figure (dying at the tender age of 26)? Yup, that could very well be it too. But, when I really take the time to think about it, I think the main reason why I love looking at her so much is because I find her PERSONABLE and RELEVANT. She wasn't one of those fussy, high maintenance actresses who only socialized with the Hollywood elite. No, she was an average Joe who swore like a sailor, cooked her own meals, and chatted to the film crew in between takes. She could match Clark Gable drink-for-drink, posed in the nude despite assurances from studio bosses that it would ruin her career, and dealt with all three of her failed marriages with class and aplomb.

Harlow was a blogger?! Who knew.

Jean Harlow was Hollywood's original "Platinum Blond." Her silver-white hair may have looked a tad bit jarring at first, but once her adoring public got used to it and saw how beautifully the camera photographed her, they quickly overcame their initial reservations. Light seemed to bounce off her curls and straight onto her face, highlighting her best features and making for some truly astounding portraits. Credit must be given where credit is due, therefore I have to mention studio photographer George Hurrell who, I think, took the best pictures of Harlow during her Hollywood heyday of the early to mid 1930s.  Dude knew what he was doing when Harlow stepped in front of his lens (and every other star for that matter)!

A seductive-looking Harlow photographed by George Hurrell.

I think the most poignant photograph I've ever come across of Jean Harlow is the one I posted below. A carefree woman in her 20s zooms around Hollywood without a care in the world, letting the wind blow through her hair, wearing hardly any makeup and looking HAPPY. Foregoing Adrian's magnificent gowns, she's clad in a simple short-sleeved knit sweater. No jewelry, no earrings, no need for adornment - except for that SMILE. Are you sniffling into your Kleenex yet? 'Cause I know I am! This photo captures Harlow in a truly candid moment and that's why I love it so much. I always come back to this one:

Hop in boys! A carefree Harlow zooming around California.

I wish I knew what year this photo was taken because then I could place her in the right period of her life. Did she have a few more months left to live? Or was it more like a few years? Weeks? Days? This whole post came about as I was trolling through Pinterest (as you do), thinking to myself: Why am I always re-pinning photos of Jean Harlow? After reading this whole thing, it's pretty obvious isn't it?! No matter -- I enjoyed writing this post and I hope you enjoyed reading it.

There's one thing I must say about my blog before I sign off for the night and it's this: my posts aren't professional nor are they highly factual. They're personal to me and most of my posts come about haphazardly whilst I'm busy doing other things. I enjoy writing about classic film because it's truly been the great love of my life and I really hope that my readers feel the same passion I do towards it. Stardust has been accused before of not having enough "depth," and that's fine, I'm totally okay with receiving constructive criticism, but shall we all just keep in mind that we're all fans of classic film here?  I'd like to think that we're all in this together and that all of our opinions matter xoxo

Harlow looking every inch the Hollywood bombshell.

I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet ...

There are some movies that never get old. You can watch them ten times a day if you wanted to and never get sick of them. Easter Parade (1948) is one of those movies. It was one of the very first musicals I ever watched, and afterwards, I began collecting MGM musicals on VHS by the freaking boatload!

Judy Garland & Fred Astaire in Easter Parade (1948)

Easter Parade starred Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Ann Miller (those legs!) and Peter Lawford. And let's not forget the memorable cameo of MGM contract player Jules Munshin as a snooty, energetic Italian waiter (mix, mix, toss, toss!). I had heard that Gene Kelly was originally supposed to play Astaire's role in the film until he was sidelined with a broken ankle - loving Kelly as much as I do, I don't know that this would have turned out to be the same movie if Astaire hadn't been in the picture. Astaire and Kelly have two totally different acting and dancing styles and if Kelly had been able to fill the role of dancer Don Hewes, Easter Parade probably would have seemed more of an energetic romp through New York City (more along the lines of On The Town or An American In Paris) instead of a more breezily-paced romantic stroll through town.

As it is, this film is a wonderful slice of heaven. I often watch it on days when I feel down in the dumps or a little moody, and it always makes me feel brighter and lighter on my feet. Irving Berlin's songs and musical numbers are divine and everything is forgiven when bitchy Nadine Hale (played by uber-talented Ann Miller) shakes her tail feather and lets loose on the dance floor. The sheer amount of taps-per-minute and spins she executes in "Shakin' The Blues Away" is mind boggling and I'm often caught re-watching this number over and over again until I become dizzy.

Ann Miller shakes her blues away (rapid tapping style)!

Easter Parade is considered one of the greatest movie musicals ever made mainly because of its stellar line-up of musical numbers: Drum Crazy, A Fella With An Umbrella, Shakin' The Blues Away, Steppin' Out With My Baby, and the delightful A Couple Of Swells in which Astaire and Garland take the stage dressed as two homeless tramps. The film's witty dialogue is also a stand-out feature and it really showcases Garland's comedic timing as an actress. Oftentimes people just think of her as a singer (or, simply as Dorothy Gale from Kansas), but she had a killer sense of humour!

You shouldn't just watch Easter Parade come Easter - just like you shouldn't only watch It's A Wonderful Life come Christmas - you should watch it whenever you're feeling in need of a little extra bounce in your step, a flutter in your heart, or a smile on your face!

Happy Easter!

Wishing all of my readers a hoppin' Happy Easter!

Thanks for your support!

Now, let's all go watch Easter Parade!

A touch of tech!

Marlene Dietrich waxes poetic on the advantages of the iPad.

Isn't it funny how many classic films you can purchase from iTunes and store on your iPad? Don't you find that weird? I mean, I'm talking old, b&w films from the 1930s -- on an iPad! Who'd have ever thunk it, eh? (that's me being Canadian).

I wonder if the old studio bosses ever thought that people would be carrying around their favourite classic films in their pockets come 2013. I doubt it. They would have probably asked for more royalty payments! I marvel at how far we've come. I do. I'm going to be 31 years old come May and I feel like I've seen the comings and goings of so many things. Wasn't it just a little while ago that we were able to buy our favourite movies on VHS tape? Now it's just a matter of a simple click of the mouse (or a tap on a touch screen) and the movie is instantly purchased and downloaded to whatever device you're using.

A few weeks ago I purchased Ziegfeld Girl (1941) through iTunes and had it downloaded directly to my iPad whilst sitting at my desk at the office (pretending to be working), and I remember thinking: Wow. Who ever saw this coming?? As a huge classic film fan, this really affected me. I think I spent that whole entire day thinking about it - how seamlessly the world of classic film and modern day technology have melded together to form a wonderful utopia of viewing pleasure.

Does anyone else feel this way? I can't be the only one, can I?

A Shooting Star: Wings (1927) Part 2

Charles "Buddy" Rogers, Clara Bow, & Richard Arlen

This post was written after watching the second half of Wings (1927).

Okay. That's it. I'm officially a die-hard Wings fan. If you read my previous post about the first half of Wings, you'll know that I thoroughly enjoyed the film up till that point (the intermission) and that I would continue watching the rest of the movie over the weekend.

I'm going to give it to you plain and simple folks: this film is a masterpiece and totally deserved all the accolades and awards it was given upon its initial release back in the late 1920s. For a film so old, it's lived up quite well for modern audiences and it really, really did impress me. A lot of this had to do with Paramount's recent restoration of the movie. The picture was virtually perfect with no spots or blurry focus points at all! Everything on screen was so sharp and vivid and that helped a lot in terms of keeping me attentive because most silent features lose me after about 10 or 15 minutes.

The one big battle sequence in the second half of Wings lasted for a good five to ten minutes. Rumour has it that 3,500 extras were employed by the studio to do justice to the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and all of its tragic epicness. It's during this battle that one of our heroes is shot down by the Germans and presumed dead by not only the enemy, but by his comrades as well. He eventually finds his way back to base, but at a very steep price - I'm choosing to be very cryptic about the plot because I don't want to spoil the film for anyone who hasn't seen Wings yet (you can thank me later).

This was the first - and only - silent film that made me cry. And I'm not talking simple, wimpy tears here people! I'm talking full-blown frog-in-your-throat sobbing! Seriously.

The whole cast really impressed me. This was the first Clara Bow picture I've seen and before I sat down to watch it, I really didn't know what to expect in terms of her onscreen persona or her acting ability. Oftentimes silent movie actors overcompensated for the lack of sound with glorified hand gestures and strained facial expressions, but I didn't see that with Bow. She was actually quite natural in front of the camera and had a wonderful chemistry with onscreen love interest Charles "Buddy" Rogers. Richard Arlen's performance was quite touching and emotional and he portrayed his character beautifully; a struggling, yet brave, flying ace desperately wanting to go home to his parents safe and unharmed.

Bottom line: I truly fell in love with this movie and I will no doubt be watching it again soon.

Waste not, want not!

Cary Grant & Ingrid Bergman in Notorious (1946)

There are so many classic movies that I have sitting on my shelves that I haven't even opened yet. I always do this - I always order stuff off of amazon and then once the items arrive, I excitedly rip open the box, lovingly gaze at the DVD or bluray covers, and then stack them on my movie shelves. AND THAT'S IT! I always think to myself that once I have some free time on the weekend, I'll sit down and watch a couple of them, but no, I never do. Ugh. Why is that?!

Are any of you guilty of doing the same thing? I usually purchase classic films when I see that they're on sale (and amazon usually has some great sales throughout the year). Either that, or I'll buy some of the classic bluray new releases especially if they're some of my favourite films or special editions. And I don't just do this with classic films - oh no, I'm also guilty of buying TV series and modern films and then letting them sit idle on my shelves without so much as looking at them again.

I honestly think it comes down to the rush I get when I shop online. Just the thought of clicking the "Complete Your Order" button sends thrilling pulses though my brain. How would one go about shutting that off? I'm really curious to know how others have overcome their online shopping addictions.

Geez, now this has totally turned into an online shopping post! To bring the focus back on classic film, let me list just some of the movies I have yet to watch that are currently going unloved on my shelves:

Wild River (1960) starring Montgomery Clift

National Velvet (1944) starring Elizabeth Taylor

Dancing Lady (1933) starring Clark Gable & Joan Crawford

How To Marry A Millionaire (1953) starring Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, & Betty Grable

The African Queen (1951) starring Humphrey Bogart & Katharine Hepburn

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) starring Errol Flynn & Olivia DeHavilland

Wuthering Heights (1939) starring Laurence Olivier & Merle Obero

Notorious (1946) starring Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman & Claude Rains

Do you have the same problem? Do you often buy movies and then just leave them on your shelf, unwatched? I really must break this habit! It's such a waste of good classic movies!

A Shooting Star: Wings (1927)

Charles "Buddy" Rogers, Clara Bow, & Richard Arlen in all their depressed glory

Call me a silent movie convert if you will, because I have totally fallen in love with the genre ever since watching Flesh and The Devil late last year. Prior to this, I had never understood what all the fuss was about (re: silent films) and they never held my attention for very long. Maybe silent films are something that I had to "grow into," as it were.

Last night I had time to watch the first half of Wings (1927) starring Clara Bow, Charles "Buddy" Rogers, and Richard Arlen. First off, let me say that I was completely blown away by Paramount's recent restoration - right from the opening scene of Rogers lying on his front lawn to the dramatic aerial dog fights, the picture looks phenomenal and practically brand new! I couldn't believe that I was watching a movie that was filmed way back in 1927! Wowee!

The special effects used in the film were also really fantastic for something that was produced eighty-five years ago - colour processes were used to create the look of smoke and fire and really lend a feel of excitement and drama to a black and white silent film. At one point while I was sitting alone watching the movie, my Dad casually walked by behind me, glanced at the television and stopped in his tracks to watch a bit of the film. He stuck around to watch one of the incredible aerial fights between the Germans and the Americans and he looked quite impressed! And seriously, how could you not be impressed by this film?

Gary Cooper as Cadet White

Before I go, it's customary for me to point out every instance in which Gary Cooper graces the screen no matter how small the part or how paltry the movie. Basically, I love him. Yup. Full on fan-girling over him. Anyway, he appeared in Wings for a sparse couple of minutes and then exited the film in a blaze of glory. But while he was onscreen, I couldn't take my eyes off him (naturally). He was dating Clara Bow at the time this film was made, and it was thanks to her (no doubt) that he won the bit part of Cadet White. But someone on the other side of the camera must have loved him too, because he was given a couple of close-ups that were lit in such a way that he almost appeared angelic! Ahh bliss.

I'm going to finish watching the second half of the film either tonight or tomorrow (hooray for the weekend!). I'm sure I'll absolutely love the finished product since I'm already so ecstatic about it now. Have any of you seen Wings? What did you think? It's definitely worth mentioning that this move won the first ever Academy Award for Best Picture in 1929 (two years after its initial release date).

Play it again Sam. NOT!

There are some classic movies that I couldn't bear to watch  more than once. I'm not saying that these movies are crap, I'm just saying that I would find it incredibly hard to sit through them a second time. What brought this on? Last weekend I began watching some of the films I had DVR'd on TCM and The Grapes of Wrath (1940) was one of them. The first thing I noticed about this film was the 2.5 hour running time. Right away I thought "oh man, this one's gonna be a long one!" but then I thought that since Henry Fonda was in it, the 2.5 hours would fly by. Nope. That was wishful thinking on my part!

Let me just say this: I finally finished watching this movie last night. Thursday! So, from Saturday to Thursday I would watch little bits of it at a time because I couldn't sit for longer than that on the couch! But again, I'm not saying this movie was awful -- it wasn't, and I can totally understand the hype behind it and all the accolades it received and such. I'm just saying that it lagged in places, didn't keep my attention and was a bit too preachy for me. I will, however, say that it was beautifully photographed and inspirational. Yes, it's something that everyone should watch at least once (but a second or third time? I think not).

Another film that springs to mind is Citizen Kane (1941). A masterpiece? No doubt. But a masterpiece that I could watch on repeat? Holy Moses, spare me! Twice was enough - and yet, I still purchased it on DVD because I knew it was something I'd love to have in my collection. See? This is proof that I acknowledge the greatness that is this movie, but I haven't watched it again since I purchased it. Maybe if I give myself another couple of years, I'll be ready to sit through it again in its entirety without shutting it off after half an hour.

Rosebud? Yeah yeah I get it. Onwards!

What are some of your picks for films you couldn't sit through more than once? I could name a few others, but I'm scared that some of you would boycott me. Heh. Please don't do that.