And you wouldn't happen to have a wife under the counter there?

It's time for Way Back Wednesday!

So, the other night (and by "the other night," I mean a good several months ago), I did something that I hadn't done in a long time and was well overdue for - I went to see a classic movie on the big screen.

That's not to suggest that I haven't done that often; I have. But it's been at least six months, if not a year or so, since I saw a classic movie in a theater. One of the local playhouses has movie nights during the summer and holidays. They have this nice, big screen they bring down over the stage and they sell $5 bags of popcorn. One of my good friends told me a couple of months ago that the theater was playing Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and I immediately put it in my calendar and saved the date. I invited another friend who I knew loved the movie too and we made a little night out of it. We went and got cocktails and dinner and then to the movie.

Like I said, I'm pretty pleased with the number of classic movies I've seen in theaters. I know I'm not breaking any records or anything - but I would never have guessed at the opportunities I've gotten. I've even seen Seven Brides on a big screen before - I got to see it on the TCM Classic Cruise when they invited Jane Powell. It was amazing. Jane Powell did this great interview with Robert Osborne and talked about the quilts that were used to make the costumes and the painted sets. And Robert Osborne told her she was the lynchpin that held the whole movie together. I even got to meet Jane Powell the day I saw the movie on the cruise! She was at the pool deck and I told her that I thought she was amazing. She was incredibly kind and shook my hand. I only regret not asking to take a picture with her - but when I circled back around to do it, she had gotten lunch and I didn't want to interrupt that.

Anyways... this was a different experience than that one. Obviously, there was no interview right beforehand. But, the audience who went to see the movie on the cruise was a bunch of dedicated movie buffs. They had paid over $1,000 to be there. Most of the people in that theater had seen it before. And on the TCM Cruises there was this habit of the cruisers to go to an interview and then slip out before the movie started in order to catch the next interview. It's kind of ridiculous in a way, when you think about it, but that's what a lot of people do. I did that for movies I didn't care to watch but I was curious about the interviews beforehand.

It may sound strange but this viewing of the movie was even better (not counting the interview at the beginning of the first viewing, of course). The theater was no cruise ship theater. It's an adorable theater but only boasts a few hundred seats. Those seats were filled. I think there were probably less than ten or twenty seats left. And the audience was one of the best theater audiences I have ever sat among. I suspect about half of them had either never seen the movie or were watching it for the first time a long time. Because the laughter was so genuine and so loud.

When I see a movie a million times, I laugh at the jokes, I laugh in anticipation of the jokes... but this audience made me laugh at jokes I'd forgotten were there. It was almost like watching it for the first time. When Caleb takes the cake from Adam and tells Ruth that he'll follow her "to the ends of the earth," I laughed the hardest at that line than I ever have. The jokes sometimes become so familiar, that you forget they're even there (at least some of them). And if, like me, you've been watching movies since before you really understood them, watching them as an adult is an entirely different experience as line after line and scene after scene finally make sense or have new meaning.

I have watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers countless times and shown it to tons of friends. But even old favorites can surprise me.

It's a great job to be a gob...

All right, kids. Last installment in the series, you ready?

Hit the Deck (1955)

This is one of my favorites. I know, I know. I say that about practically every movie I talk about on here. But if it isn't one of my favorites, then why bother? I bought this one because a boxed set that included Kismet (1955) was on sale and I'd wanted that movie for years so I snatched it up. The boxed set also included this one. I had heard about the movie only once from watching That's Entertainment! where they showed the finale. I remember watching it and thinking, "Ann Miller? Debbie Reynolds? Jane Powell? Together? What? I've got to see that!" and then I pretty much forgot about it. I bought the boxed set and watched Kismet for about a week before finally looking at the other movies I had acquired. I was, at the time, in a bit of a Vic Damone phase (I'm always in a Vic Damone phase) so when I saw his name on the cover, I was sold. I fell in love. I watched the movie and then, at ten o'clock at night, called my mom and asked if she was up for a movie, and then I went over to her house and watched it all over again. It's so cute!

The plot focuses on three sailors on leave in San Francisco. When one of the sailors, Danny (Russ Tamblyn) finds out that his sister, Susan (Jane Powell), is going out on a date, he and his pals, Bill and Rico (Tony Martin and Vic Damone, respectively) crash the party and fight with the date. After Susan's boyfriend (Gene Raymond) reports the three sailors, the pals spend their leave hiding from the Shore Patrol. But don't worry, they set some time aside for falling in love too. Bill has his fiancee, Ginger (Ann Miller) that he has to woo, Danny finds a cute actress, Carol, (Debbie Reynolds), and Rico falls for Susan! It's all fun and games until someone gets caught and then it's up to the three girls to save their men!

I'm going to warn you right now: most of the guys in this movie are pretty ridiculous. I mean, they're not the sharpest tools in the shed. They jump to conclusions and all of them are a little old-fashioned. Fortunately, they're all pretty good-looking, so that helps. What really saves the plot from being frustrating is that the girls are all totally awesome! They're clever, they're spunky, and they're all sorts of fun. The scene where Rico's Italian mother talks to the Shore Patrol is hilarious! But, I'm getting ahead of myself. The movie is basically about an over-protective brother who makes a hasty and ill-planned decision and his sister has to help him get out of the ensuing mess. Fun times!

The songs in this one are a little mismatched. They're all by Vincent Youmans but I think the lyricists are all different. The songs wind up having little to do with the actual plot, but they're fun songs anyway. And, to be honest, I'll forgive any song that Vic Damone sings because I just melt at the sound of his voice. Anyway, moving on... this movie is not the most famous or popular of '50's musicals but it's a lot of fun. I highly recommend checking it out if you have the chance! In terms of trivia, I've got nothin'. On IMDb, I read that Ann Miller's character is named Ginger after Ginger Rogers because the movie is based on Follow the Fleet. If that's the case, it's a very, very, very, very loosely based plot. There are sailors in it. Okay, so there are a couple of similarities, but very few. Anyway, I've tried to learn more about the making of this movie but it's really hard to find stuff on it. I've read Vic Damone's autobiography and I've looked at Debbie Reynolds' and it seems as though Damone was pretty much wrapped up with Pier Angeli at the time and Reynolds was busy falling in love with Eddie Fisher. So, neither had a whole lot to say about it. If you know anything, please let me know! I'd love to know more about this movie!

And that concludes the series! Did you like it? Would you like to see more of these types of posts? What was your favorite of the movies I discussed?

Don't forget to stop by my Facebook page for more pictures and film clips!

This time is my time

I think you all know by now how much I adore Vic Damone. I mean, look at him! He's so cute!!


I recently finished his autobiography, courtesy of my sister (who discovered it at the library and checked it out for me!). It was probably one of the best autobiographies I've read yet. Myrna Loy is still the best, in my opinion, but Vic Damone's is really up there. I mean, he has so many crazy stories to tell. They're all fascinating. Some of them are sad, but most of his book is pretty upbeat. And a great deal of it is just plain hilarious. I think everyone in my break room thinks I'm crazy by now (if they didn't think so already) because I kept bursting into random laughter and "what?" and "woah! that's crazy." Yeah. I'm a loud reader. Anyway, if you're looking for a good nonfiction book that's upbeat and gives some insight into days past, I recommend Vic's Singing Was the Easy Part.

Also, can we talk for a second about everyone (and I do mean everyone) called Jane Powell, "Janie." I think that says something about her personality if everybody connected with her called her by a nickname like that. Just saying. It's yet another reason to love her (as if I needed one). In his autobiography, Vic Damone talks about his first experience working with her in Rich, Young and Pretty. It was his first film and he was pretty inexperienced. At one point, he started drifting out of viewshot of the camera (he and Powell were supposed to be walking down the street together), and she took his arm, very naturally, and guided him back to where he was supposed to be. How nice is that! She didn't take the opportunity to steal the scene or anything. She was so professional and so nice! I love it!

I'm in love... with a voice.

So, I'm starting a new series all of a sudden. I don't know why. I just had a sudden urge. These are going to primarily get posted on Tuesdays. I'm not sure whether they're going to be regular or not. And I'm not sure if they'll be themed. Here's the series: movies I want to watch.

The wonderful thing (well, one of the wonderful things) about interacting in the blogging world is that you get to exchange ideas with like-minded people in a very unique way. We don't have to have long drawn out conversations. I say my piece, you say your piece, someone else says their piece and then we're all done. It's so tidy! Anyway, I already have a list going of movies I love (my 100 movies which is sadly neglected of late) so I thought it'd be nice to have an opposite list: movies I want to watch. Then, if you've seen the movie, you can tell me what you think, whether or not you think I'd like it, and so on. If you haven't seen it but want to, then it might prove to be for your edification as well as for mine!

So, let's get started. I'm actually going to start off with two (yeesh! cheating already!) because I'm happen to be debating between the two as to which one I want to buy. I'm going to be risky and buy a movie I've never seen. Yipes! I'm pretty sure I'll be happy buying either one but which one will I like more? This is the difficulty. Here are the movies:

Three for the Show (1955) - Betty Grable, Jack Lemmon, Marge and Gower Champion.
All 4 of the leads are reasons to want to see this movie in my opinion.
I'm also fascinated by the fact that the Too Many Husbands/My Favorite Wife plot line spouted so many remakes. It's incredible! I believe this one has a great deal of potential as it adds a very crucial plot point that was direly needed in predecessor Too Many Husbands - a fourth character to the love triangle. We're supposed to like both of the husbands. She's supposed to want both of them. We can't have one husband be likable and the other one unlikable; otherwise it's too obvious a choice and we'd wonder why she married him in the first place. With a second girl in the mix, we get a satisfying ending, a more palatable ending. I'm beginning to really, truly love Marge and Gower Champion and I want to see them dance together some more. Thus the main reason for my wanting to buy this film.

Rich, Young And Pretty (1951) - Jane Powell, Vic Damone, Fernando Lamas.
Vic Damone. Need I say more? Also, Fernando Lamas. The guy was pretty horrible to little Esther Williams but he was awfully pretty.
To be honest, I know very little about the plot line. I'm in love with Vic Damone so that's my main reason for wanting this one. I really like Jane Powell too so I'd like to see them together. I've read they're very cute together in this one.

Any thoughts on either movie? Have you seen one or the other?

and in Italy, everybody sings

Exciting news!!! I found one of my all-time favorite scenes from Hit the Deck on YouTube! Ah, YouTube. Seriously, what would I do without it? Anyway, this scene is one of my favorites because a) Vic Damone sings b) the song is cute and c) everybody in this scene has such good chemistry. It's incredible! I'm going to be honest; I'm not always very good at pointing out who has good chemistry with who. But. In this scene, I'm so caught up with how much fun they seem to be having with each other. You really feel like they get along famously. It's little things.
Like when:
Kay Arden winks at Tony Martin as she hands him his wine
and when Debbie Reynolds tugs on Russ Tamblyn's tie to tell him to sing
and then when Russ Tamblyn laughs after singing (probably because he really isn't)
and when Debbie Reynolds pulls Russ Tamblyn's arm closer around her and leans on his hand
and when Russ Tamblyn leans his head on Kay Arden's shoulder
and when they all dance around the room and switch partners as if it's a surprise
and when Jane Powell whispers something to Vic Damone and he laughs
and when Kay Arden taps Debbie Reynolds under the chin

can you tell I've watched this scene a couple of times?
Ahem. Yeah, I really like it. It's so fun to watch. And it's fun to sing. Try it.



Do tell me what you think of this scene!

Oh, it sets your senses in a whirl

So, my themed list for this month is going to be: favorite actresses who sing in movies. Note: not favorite singers, but favorite singers in the movies. Thus, some people may be lower on the list because they're not in many movies or I don't like the songs they sing in the movies they're in, etc. I'm still debating whether or not singing in the credits count. I haven't decided yet.

In the meantime, here is 16-20 in my list:

The Sopranos
I love these singers, but I don't always enjoy listening to their songs. I appreciate the fact that they made the movies more high high brow and I appreciate their contribution to film, but I'm just often not in the mood to sit through their numbers. However, I want to include them because they were a significant contribution to the musical genre and were immensely talented. Besides, I do like some of their songs. It's just that when we get into the long, lyrical ballads I get a little immature and skip forward. Ironically, my favorite songs of theirs are often the less classical sounding pieces.

Kathryn Grayson
Favorite song: "I Hate Men" from Kiss Me Kate

Ann Blyth
Favorite song: "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads" from Kismet (song clip starts at 1:42)

Shirley Jones
Favorite song: "Many A New Day" from Oklahoma

Jane Powell
Favorite song: "Goin' Cotin'" from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Irene Dunne
Favorite song: "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" from Roberta

Deanna Durbin was amazing as well, but I've only seen in her one film. I am working on that!

It's a lovely day today

Now, for my shorter list of dancers, the dancing teams that were paired but once - either for one film or for one number. I fear I must apologize for being inconsistent. You see, I put John Brascia and Vera Ellen in the longer list because they were in about 3 dances together and I figured that was enough. However, when I came back to look at this list later, I realized that Ann Miller and Tommy Rall and Fred Astaire and Jane Powell have also met that criteria. What do you think? Should I rearrange my list so tha John Brascia and Vera Ellen are moved to the shorter list? Or does it really matter? I suppose in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter too much, but I'd like to be consistent. I'll think about it. In the meantime, the list in no particular order:

Cyd Charisse and John Brascia
Favorite dance: "Frankie and Johnny" from Meet Me In Las Vegas

Ann Miller and Tommy Rall
Favorite dance: "Why Can't You Behave?" from Kiss Me Kate
(which is, unfortunately, unavailable)

Fred Astaire and Jane Powell
Favorite dance: "How Could You Believe Me?" but since that one is not available, here is my second favorite which is also from Royal Wedding

Gene Kelly and Rita Hayworth
Favorite dance: "Put Me To The Test" from Cover Girl

Donald O'Connor and Vera Ellen
Favorite dance: "Something to Dance About" from Call Me Madam

You see, if you think nice things, all doors open to you.

5. Jane Powell

click on photo for source

Favorite dance: "How Could You Believe Me" from Royal Wedding



I realize that Jane Powell is a little more well known for her singing than for her dancing but, frankly, I prefer watching her dance to hearing her sing. This scene has long been one of my favorites, but I'm often forgetting Royal Wedding. I seem to have this strange, lingering memory that it was a boring movie so I never think to watch it, despite the fact that all of the musical numbers are fantastic (even the dance following the ballad is funny). I like her fiery temper in this scene, and, ironically, how cool she is (I used to try and imitate her all the time when I was a kid), and how much fun she seems to have when dancing. I've heard that when Fred would dance, he'd sometimes mutter, "Now you're dancing!" to his partner. It could well be that it's in the script or something, but when he shouts, "Hey!" during this dance, I like to imagine that we're finally getting to witness that enthusiasm. It's so exciting! I suppose there are many dances of which I wish I could learn the choreography, but this is definitely one of them. It looks so fun. I also love her dress, but that's for another day..

By the way, I discovered this photo in my search. How cute is she?

click on photo for source

Seems they cried and kissed and kissed and cried all over that Roman countryside

I'm so glad to be getting such positive responses on my daily posts!! I'm taking a brief break from the list of dancers, however, with a continuation of my 100 movies.

#19 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)


I thought this choice was appropriate as I'm theming this month, more or less, on wonderful male dancers. What movie could showcase that better than a musical about 7 strapping, singing and dancing backwoodsmen? I love this movie! I don't think I've ever heard of anyone who didn't like this movie (except people who don't like musicals, which is a different matter).

The basic plot is as follows: When Millie (Jane Powell) agrees to marry Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel), she thinks she'll finally have a peaceful and quiet life after years of working in town. What she doesn't know is that Adam has six brothers back home. And when the brothers, Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frank, and Gideon decide they want wives of their own, Millie takes them under her sisterly wing to show them how it's done. The craziness begins, however, when Adam advises his brothers to just kidnap the girls of their choice and be done with it.


Doesn't that sound like fun? If you haven't seen it, you really should. It's fun from start to finish. There's some great dancing, great singing, and great dialogue. I'm really loving the month-long poll I have up. Keep the votes coming! I'm going to add another poll, though, for this movie and it will last a week (maybe two, depending on how many votes I'm getting). The question is, which brother is your favorite?