Another Summer Under the Stars is almost behind us. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go home on August 17th like I’d hoped, so I could only watch the evening of Carole Lombard day from my hotel room. I did watch 8 movies on Barbara Stanwyck day though which was exciting. Last week’s highlights were definitely Vincent Price and Loretta Young. I enjoyed a couple films on Doris Day’s day and I’m watching Bogart right now. Overall, I’d say my favorite days were Joan Blondell, Alan Ladd, Lombard, Stanwyck, and Young. However, that’s not to say that all the best has passed. Tomorrow is Ann Sheridan day.
Monday, August 28th–Ann Sheridan
Ann Sheridan is someone who deserves to be more well known than she is. She is well known among classic film fans, but never seemed to make that one movie that would push her into a higher echelon of Classic Hollywood stars. She never had a Casablanca or Gone With the Wind or The Wizard of Oz in her career. However, that’s not to say she wasn’t in good films. Many of her best films are featured on Monday. I love Honeymoon for Three (1941) featuring Sheridan with ex-husband George Brent. It All Came True (1940) is an interesting film where Sheridan was originally billed as co-starring with Jeffrey Lynn. Humphrey Bogart was third billed, but below the title. When this film was re-released, Bogart moved above the title with Sheridan. This is a funny movie where Bogart, playing a gangster, hides out in a boarding house with a bunch of eccentric characters. They Drive by Night (1940) is an excellent film featuring a tour de force performance from Ida Lupino. Sheridan is great too, but her part is much too short. The Unfaithful (1947) is a great film noir co-starring Zachary Scott and is a remake of “The Letter.” George Washington Slept Here (1942) is a very funny movie co-starring Jack Benny and Charles Coburn and is much in the same vein as “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.” The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) is a lot of fun with Sheridan playing a bossy actress and she wears this amazing blouse with hand shaped buttons. Finally the two film noir scheduled at primetime, Nora Prentiss (1947) and Woman on the Run (1950) are both excellent.
My Don’t Miss Titles: Honeymoon for Three (1941), It All Came True (1940), They Drive by Night (1940), The Unfaithful (1947), George Washington Slept Here (1942), The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942), Nora Prentiss (1947) and Woman on the Run (1950).
I’m Interested In: I’ve seen most of the movies scheduled, but there are a few I haven’t seen: One More Tomorrow (1946), City for Conquest (1940), Shine on Harvest Moon (1944), and Kings Row (1942).
Tuesday, August 29th–Woody Strode
In all honesty, I had never heard of Woody Strode before he was announced as a Summer Under the Stars honoree. I’ve never seen any of the films scheduled, so I don’t have many recommendations. His films are outside of my normal scope of interests, so I’ll need to look more into the films scheduled.
Wednesday, August 30th–Sophia Loren
I actually haven’t seen any of the films on Loren’s day and they’re not playing my favorite–Grumpier Old Men (1995), lol. I am interested in her film with Alan Ladd, Boy on a Dolphin (1957), and Arabesque (1966) with Gregory Peck.
I’m Interested In: Boy on a Dolphin (1957) and Arabesque (1966)
Thursday, August 31st–David Carradine
Here’s another person whose work I’m not familiar with, though I have seen Five Came Back (1939). This is an excellent survival film co-starring one of my favorites, Lucille Ball. The basic story is that twelve passengers take a flight from Los Angeles to Panama City. However, the plane is caught in a storm and crashes in a jungle. The plane is repaired, but due to the damage, it is discovered that the plane can only support the weight of five passengers.
My Don’t Miss Titles:Five Came Back (1939)
I’m Interested In: Stagecoach (1939) and The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
Unfortunately I’m still in the Bay Area after I was asked to extend my stay until the 23rd. Alas, I didn’t get to spend Carole Lombard day at home like I’d hoped. Right now, I am enjoying Barbara Stanwyck day from my hotel room with no plans for the entire day–so that is exciting!
Monday, August 21st- James Stewart
Today’s featured star is James Stewart and while I’ve seen many of his films, barely any of them are featured in his summer under the stars schedule–including his Oscar-winning role in The Philadelphia Story (1940). However, what is featured is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), for which he lost the Oscar race to Robert Donat. It is thought that his award for ‘Philadelphia’ was a consolation prize. Anyway, ‘Mr. Smith’ is a good film, though it’s not one that I return to over and over again. Frankly, I find Stewart’s famous filibuster scene a bit tedious to sit through; but I get why it stands out as a powerful scene not only in Stewart’s career but in Hollywood history. Another film scheduled today is Born to Dance (1936) which features Stewart as the love interest for Eleanor Powell. The real reason to watch this film is for Powell’s dancing, but Stewart also sings! So there’s that. This film will show why James Stewart never became a musical star. I actually haven’t seen any of the other films featured, so there will be a lot for me to see.
My Don’t Miss Titles: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and Born to Dance (1936).
I’m Interested In: Speed (1936) and Come Live With Me (1941)
Tuesday, August 22nd- Geraldine Chaplin
I can’t say I know anything about today’s featured star, except that she was Charlie Chaplin’s daughter. The only film of hers that I’ve seen is Chaplin (1992) which is not scheduled. I don’t have much in the way of recommendations for this day.
Wednesday, August 23rd- Vincent Price
Yay! I’m coming home this day–FINALLY. I love Vincent Price, so this is an exciting day. The day starts with The Long Night (1947) which I think would be better had they cast a more glamorous woman than Barbara Bel Geddes in the lead. I find it hard to believe that Henry Fonda and Vincent Price would be going out of their minds fighting for her. The real reason to watch this film is that Vincent plays a magician whose act features a lot of puppies. I also love His Kind of Woman (1951) where Vincent plays an actor who meets Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell in Mexico. He is absolutely hilarious in this film and brings some levity to the proceedings. I also love House on Haunted Hill (1959) a great creepy movie, as well as very funny.
My Don’t Miss Titles: His Kind of Woman (1951) and House on Haunted Hill (1959).
I’m Interested In: The Last Man on Earth (1964) and The Tingler (1959).
Thursday, August 24th- Loretta Young
Loretta is someone who I recently discovered in the past couple of years and I just love her, especially in her precodes. I’m excited because I will be home on this day and I’m planning on taking the whole day off. Later this evening, I have movie tickets to see Red-Headed Woman with Jean Harlow in 35mm, so I’ll need to say adieu to Loretta during the evening. All of Loretta’s precodes are great. Loose Ankles (1930) features a very young Loretta (17-years old!) receiving a large inheritance, but with the stipulation that she marries someone within the same social set. A young Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is a playboy who Loretta falls for–the problem is he is very much not part of the social set. Midnight Mary (1933) is one of my favorite Loretta Young films. She plays the titular Mary who runs around with a gang. She’s developed a bit of a reputation as being a troublemaker due to her association with this gang at a young age. She meets the affluent and dignified Franchot Tone and wants to change her way of life. Employees’ Entrance (1933) is another great precode where Loretta has to keep fending off Warren William’s advances. Don’t miss Taxi! (1932) where Loretta plays opposite James Cagney in a fun precode. Finally, Cause for Alarm! (1951) is a later film in Loretta’s career, where she plays a woman whose husband suspects that she’s trying to kill him.
My Don’t Miss Titles: All the precode, but especially Loose Ankles (1933), Midnight Mary (1933), Employees’ Entrance (1933), Taxi! (1932) and Cause for Alarm! (1951).
I’m Interested In: The precode I haven’t seen, Week-End Marriage (1932), The Life of Jimmy Dolan (1933), Heroes for Sale (1933). Then the other Loretta I haven’t seen: The Unguarded Hour (1936), Bedtime Story (1941), Rachel and the Stranger (1948), A Night to Remember (1942), Key to the City (1950).
Friday, August 25th- Ernest Borgnine
I haven’t seen many Ernest Borgnine films except for From Here to Eternity (1953) which isn’t scheduled. I also know him from his appearance on The Simpsons and playing “Mermaid Man” in Spongebob Squarepants. I also know he won the Oscar for Marty (1955), which also isn’t scheduled. I do not have many recommendations for this day.
Saturday, August 26th- Doris Day
I’ve seen most of the films scheduled on Doris Day’s day. I highly recommend On Moonlight Bay (1951) pairing Doris up with Gordon MacRae. This film somewhat resembles Meet Me in St Louis, it even features Leon Ames as the father; but is set during World War 1. Doris plays an over-the-hill 18-year old who is too much of a tomboy for her father’s liking, as she needs to marry. She and Gordon are adorable. I also enjoy Billy Gray as her younger brother. He has a lot of funny parts in this film. Tea for Two (1950) is another Doris/Gordon film, except it also has Eve Arden and SZ Sakall. I can’t stand Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960), simply because I hate that they have an adult dubbing the baby’s voice. It is so annoying. The must watch of the day is Pillow Talk (1959) with Rock Hudson and Tony Randall. This is the perfect sophisticated romantic comedy. Move Over Darling (1963) pairs Doris up with James Garner and is a remake of Cary Grant and Irene Dunne’s My Favorite Wife. Even though it’s kind of corny and unbelievable, I somewhat enjoy Julie (1956). I can’t explain why. I also love its poster that asks the question: What happened to Julie on her honeymoon?
My Don’t Miss Titles: On Moonlight Bay (1951), Tea for Two (1950), Pillow Talk (1959), Move Over Darling (1963), and Julie (1963).
I’m Interested In: The Glass Bottom Boat (1966), just because I want to know why she’s wearing the costume on the poster.
Sunday, August 27th- Humphrey Bogart
I do love me some Bogart and surprisingly TCM does not have Casablanca (1942) scheduled, but they play it fairly often, so it’s no big deal. During the early part of the day, I recommend Conflict (1945) where Bogart plays a husband who is in love with his sister-in-law, Alexis Smith. Frankly, I don’t blame him for not being in love with his wife, at the beginning of the film she nags him relentlessly to eat mutton. Key Largo (1948) is excellent and my second favorite Bogart/Bacall film. To Have and Have Not (1944) is the film that brought us Bogie and Bacall, and is iconic. I love the film noir featured in the evening–The Maltese Falcon (1941) and In a Lonely Place (1950). The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947) co-starring Barbara Stanwyck is a good film, but one can’t help but feel that Bogart might be slighty miscast. Regardless, I still enjoy it.
My Don’t Miss Titles: Conflict (1945), Key Largo (1948), To Have and Have Not (1944), The Maltese Falcon (1941), In a Lonely Place (1950), and The Two Mrs Carrolls (1947).
I’m Interested In: The Bogart films that I haven’t seen: Crime School (1938), The Return of Doctor X (1939), The Oklahoma Kid (1939), and Chain Lightning (1950).
On Sunday, I leave for my first-ever Turner Classic Movies Film Festival (TCMFF)!! I am so excited. This is something that I’ve always wanted to do. My husband and I splurged on Spotlight passes and we’re staying at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. I wanted to go all-out for my first experience. We’ve been saving for for months, so it’s very exciting. If we go again next year, I am not sure that I’ll go all out again; though I will definitely have quite some time to save, so who knows. Anyway, but I digress.
My husband and I leave on Sunday on a 6AM flight from Portland to Los Angeles. Oof. However, prior to going to Hollywood, we are spending two days at Disneyland. This was a last-minute (decided less than a week ago) decision and we came just under the wire in booking a package and making reservations. Now I’m in the world of cutthroat dining reservations. After Disney, we’re headed to Hollywood and are going to visit the Los Angeles Zoo and hopefully Griffith Observatory. On the 12th at the un-godly hour of 6:45am, we are visiting the Los Angeles Breakfast Club for breakfast with Eddie Muller. We’re also scheduled for a WB Studio Classics Tour. I have dinner reservations at Formosa Cafe and Musso & Frank’s. I’m also hoping to fit in visits to: Frolic Room, Amoeba Music, Boardners, Hollywood Heritage Museum, Edelweiss Chocolates in Beverly Hills, Pink’s, and Tail O’ the Pup. We’ll see.
Then Thursday is when the 14th annual TCMFF starts. I have been obsessing over the schedule since it was released. My husband and I are trying to collaborate on a schedule, as we’re planning on attending the whole event together, no splitting up. He’s pretty easy going, so it hasn’t been difficult, but I definitely want him to have input. We’re also trying to take advantage of book signings and other activities that would be difficult to have outside the festival. While we are definitely going to watch movies, actually getting to see the big stars, and attending book signings is something I want to do as well. I hope that we’ll be able to see all five of the hosts.
This year’s festival has the overarching theme of “Legacy” with special emphasis on WB’s 100th anniversary. My goal is to see at least one program at each of the venues. Without further ado, these are our stream of consciousness decisions as we work through the schedule:
Thursday, April 13th, 2023
Since we have spotlight passes, we’ll definitely be doing the red carpet and attending the opening night film, which is Rio Bravo. Angie Dickinson is set to appear as well as Steven Spielberg and Paul Thomas Anderson. Neither my husband nor I have seen Rio Bravo, and while Westerns aren’t my favorite, I don’t want to miss a chance to see Angie, nor am I planning on missing an event that my premium pass allows me to attend. We were going to see the opening night film regardless of what it was. After the film, we’ll be attending the opening night gala cocktail party. I imagine that the cocktail party will fill the remainder of the evening, so we’ll probably be missing out on the rest of the evening’s events. If for some reason we were back at the festival in the evening and it’s not too late, I’d see The Wild One, but I doubt it.
HAVE I SEEN RIO BRAVO? No
HAVE I SEEN RIO BRAVO IN THE THEATER? No
BACK-UP CHOICE: N/A.
As you can see, the evening is a bit of a mess right now–everything sounds so great.
Friday, April 14, 2023
Friday morning we’re getting up early and heading down to the Chinese Multiplex #1 to see James Stewart in Harvey. I’ve heard a lot about this movie and have never seen it. It was also a title that my husband was interested in watching and has expressed interest in seeing it in the past. This is a tough timeslot as King Kong is scheduled at the same time at the IMAX. However, my husband and I literally just saw ‘Kong’ a couple months ago in the theater. If The Old Maid had been the originally-scheduled Old Acquaintance, that would have also been on my list.
HAVE I SEEN HARVEY? No
HAVE I SEEN HARVEY IN THE THEATER: No
BACK-UP CHOICE: King Kong (1933)
After Harvey, we are moving to Chinese Multiplex #6 for James Cagney and Joan Blondell in Footlight Parade.I’ve always wanted to see a Busby Berkeley movie in the theater, so this is the perfect chance. I would have preferred my favorite, Golddiggers of 1933, but I will settle for ‘Footlight.’ This is a tough timeslot, because I would have also happily selected East of Eden or Larceny, Inc. I could potentially risk ‘Footlight’ in hopes that it would repeat on Sunday in one of the TBA slots and see ‘Eden’ instead, but I really want to see Berkeley’s choreography on the big screen and don’t want to risk missing it.
HAVE I SEEN FOOTLIGHT PARADE? Yes
HAVE I SEEN FOOTLIGHT PARADE IN THE THEATER? No
BACK-UP CHOICE: East of Eden (1955)
At 3:00pm, we are planning on attending the Club TCM event devoted to the Looney Tunes. Looney Tunes are definitely a big part of WB’s legacy and I am happy that they are being celebrated. It’s painful that the event is blocking Blood on the Moon which I wanted to see; but I just purchased the blu ray during the recent WB Archive sale. Maybe I’ll get lucky and ‘Moon’ will be a TBA.
BACK-UP CHOICE FOR CLUB TCM EVENT: Blood on the Moon (1948)
This is where the evening gets tough, because I want to attend the poolside screening, but it starts at 8pm and Looney Tunes ends at 4pm. My husband isn’t interested in the 5pm Club TCM event and I could take it or leave it. There’s definitely room in the schedule for a film; but TCM has scheduled the poolside screening in a way that completely interferes with two entire blocks of films. I hate to be that person who leaves early from something; but that might be the situation this evening so that we can use our time the most efficiently. We might go to American Graffiti to see Richard Dreyfuss. Or perhaps Paris Blues, because it’s awesome and it ends only a little bit before the pool event so that we wouldn’t miss as much of the film. We’d also see The Killers, but we just saw it in the theater a few months ago. I know Penny Serenade is a big deal; but that movie was so sad, I don’t know if that will be the movie I’ll be drawn toward at the festival. Regardless of what film we see, we’ll be leaving early to get to the poolside screening.
HAVE I SEEN AMERICAN GRAFFITI? Parts of it
HAVE I SEEN AMERICAN GRAFFITI IN THE THEATER? No
HAVE I SEEN PARIS BLUES? Yes
HAVE I SEEN PARIS BLUES IN THE THEATER? No
HAVE I SEEN THE KILLERS? Yes
HAVE I SEEN THE KILLERS IN THE THEATER? Yes
BACK-UP: These are all back-ups to each other.
I wanted to go to a poolside screening, and of the three offered, Beach Party is the most appealing. Frankie Avalon is scheduled to appear, which makes this event even more exciting. I even have a “Beauty School Dropout” shirt for the occasion. This film would also be really fun to see poolside. However, its 8pm to 10pm timeslot effectively interferes two blocks of films. The entire block is awesome. I’m interested in the Spencer Tracy/Loretta Young precode, Man’s Castle, and I love Ball of Fire. Dana Delany is introducing ‘Fire,’ and I liked her appearances on TCM. She’s the one who introduced me to Alain Delon in Once a Thief. So we might leave Beach Party early, so that we can get to either House of Waxin 3D or 12 Angry Men. I can hope that ‘Castle’ or ‘Fire’ are one of Sunday’s TBAs.
HAVE I SEEN BEACH PARTY? Yes
HAVE I SEEN BEACH PARTY ON THE BIG SCREEN? No
HAVE I SEEN HOUSE OF WAX? No
HAVE I SEEN HOUSE OF WAX IN THE THEATER? No
HAVE I SEEN 12 ANGRY MEN: Yes
HAVE I SEEN 12 ANGRY MEN IN THE THEATER? No
BACK-UP: House of Wax 3D or 12 Angry Men
Then, because it looks so ridiculous, we’ll probably close out the evening with the midnight movie, The Batwoman. I don’t expect quality; but I expect a lot of fun.
HAVE I SEEN THE BATWOMAN? No
HAVE I SEEN THE BATWOMAN IN THE THEATER? No
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Straight off the bat, at 9am, the schedule is difficult. I want to see the precode, The Wiser Sex with Claudette Colbert, The Muppets Take Manhattan, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I’d even watch Paths of Glory which I really like, though for me I think I’d rather watch it later in the day. I’m going to gamble on The Wiser Sex being one of the TBA, because I wanted to see one of the two films that Russ Tamblyn is appearing at. He is introducing Peyton Place on Friday, but it’s interfering with Looney Tunes. Of the two films he’s introducing, ‘Brides’ would be my pick for a movie to see in the theater.
HAVE I SEEN SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS? Yes
HAVE I SEEN SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS IN THE THEATER? No
BACK-UP: The Wiser Sex (1932)
‘Seven Brides’ ends at 11am. We could possibly go to the Laurel & Hardy Shorts (though I think I’ve seen all the ones being featured) and leave a little early for our next event. Or we could take this time to eat an early lunch (if we’re hungry). We’re planning on attending the Club TCM event The Evolution of Henson Puppetry with Jim Henson’s son, Brian, leading the discussion. I’m hoping that Kermit the Frog or Grover make an appearance. The Club TCM event ends at 1:30pm. The next event we want to attend is at 3:00pm, so we could attend the Paramount Short Subject feature or go eat lunch if we didn’t eat earlier.
Because at 3PM…
ANN-MARGRET!
Once Ann-Margret was announced as a guest, it didn’t even matter to me what was scheduled against her. We were going to go see Ann-Margret. Thankfully my husband was in complete agreement. Ann-Margret is scheduled against Crossing Delancey, The Jackie Robinson Story, A Club TCM event with Russ Tamblyn, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde and Treasure of the Sierra Madre. In any other world, the pre-code Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde or Treasure of the Sierra Madre would be my choice. I’ve seen ‘Treasure’ and have even seen it in the theater; but I’d love to hear the discussion with John Huston’s son, Danny. I’ve also seen the precode Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and can only hope that it is one of Sunday’s TBAs. But it’s Ann-Margret, this block isn’t even open for debate. Bye Bye Birdieit is. I have an Ann-Margrock shirt and Conrad Birdie and Paul Lynde buttons!
HAVE I SEEN BYE BYE BIRDIE? Yes
HAVE I SEEN BYE BYE BIRDIE IN THE THEATER? No
BACK-UP: There is no back-up for this event in my world; but if I had to pick a back-up, it’d be Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948).
After the excitement of Ann-Margret wears off, we’ll be into another whole block of great films. Despite liking Donald Bogle and him receiving the Robert Osborne Award, I am not a fan of Carmen Jones. I hate that Harry Belafonte was dubbed. Now if Harry Belafonte himself were to appear at the screening, I would definitely go see him. But he’s 96 and not announced, so this film is not on my list of must-sees. The Exorcist is immediately eliminated, because I don’t like that movie. The equally awesome Sorry Wrong Numberand How to Steal a Million are both scheduled at 6:30. Of the two, I want to go to Sorry Wrong Number with Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster, because I think that movie would be really exciting to see in the theater. I’m interested in A Mighty Wind poolside, which I have seen before and in the theater even. I liked that movie because they declared my birthday “National Folk Music Day.” But I think the allure of Stanwyck and Lancaster is more appealing than ‘Wind.’ Now if it were This is Spinal Tap, we might be having a different discussion.
HAVE I SEEN SORRY WRONG NUMBER? Yes
HAVE I SEEN SORRY WRONG NUMBER IN THE THEATER? No
BACK-UP: How to Steal a Million (1966)
At the 9pm block, I’m leaning toward Enter the Dragon, because I’ve never seen a Bruce Lee movie, and if I don’t go to 12 Angry Men, this would be the first potential screening for me at the Hollywood Legion. If I don’t go to ‘Dragon,’ I’d be interested in In the Heat of the Night, which I really like, or Unfinished Business, an Irene Dunne movie I’ve never even heard of, let alone seen. But of these films I mentioned, ‘Dragon’ might be the one I will try to attend. I hope Unfinished Business ends up as a Sunday TBA.
HAVE I SEENENTER THE DRAGON? No
HAVE I SEEN ENTER THE DRAGON IN THE THEATER? No
BACK-UP: In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Then at midnight is one of my most-anticipated events, Xanadu, starring Olivia Newton-John who passed away in August. I love Xanadu, so seeing it in the theater would be really exciting. I even have a silver sequined bomber jacket and other things just for the occasion.
HAVE I SEEN XANADU? Yes
HAVE I SEEN XANADU IN THE THEATER? No
Who knows?
Sunday, April 16, 2023
A lot of this day is up in the air because of the TBAs. So we’ll have play this day by ear somewhat. We possibly might head out for the 9am screening of Heaven Can Wait at the Chinese Multiplex #1. Or we can sleep in a little and head down to Larry Edmunds, because Nancy Olson is scheduled to appear at 11am. I already have an autographed copy of her book, but she’s supposed to have a talk with Alan K. Rode prior to the signings.
The 12 o’clock hour is difficult. I am thinking either the pre-code No Man of Her Own with Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, or the tried and true Casablanca, which I’ve seen in the theater four times, but never in an IMAX at the classic Grauman’s Chinese Theater no less! It’s a safe bet that No Man of Her Own will be a precode that will not repeat, seeing that it’s airing for the first time on the day of all the repeats.
HAVE I SEEN NO MAN OF HER OWN? No
HAVE I SEEN NO MAN OF HER OWN IN THE THEATER? No
HAVE I SEEN CASABLANCA? Yes a million times
HAVE I SEEN CASABLANCA IN THE THEATER? Yes. Four times.
HAVE I SEEN CASABLANCA IN AN IMAX? No
After whichever film we decide on, I’m trying to decide between Mr. Cohen Takes a Walk with Leonard Maltin, who I’ve always wanted to see. Or possibly All About Eve or The Music Man with Shirley Jones scheduled to attend. I’ve seen ‘Eve’ in the theater before. There’s also a 3PM TBA that could completely change my mind. The “con” with The Music Man is that it’s such a long event, it blocks a lot of the evening. There are also a bunch of other TBAs that could change my mind. We’re considering Clash of the Wolves, because we wouldn’t have seen a silent film yet and seeing it with live music would be really neat. However, there are more TBAs that could seem more exciting.
Then of course, we’ll close out our festival and our vacation with the Closing Night Party.
As one can clearly see, Sunday is really up in the air. The TBAs could help me catch up with all the films I missed in the previous days due to the interfering events.
***
I will have another post after the festival to report back on what we actually ended up doing!
TCM shows short films as filler between films. Some of these short films are terrible, some are funny, some are horribly outdated, then there are some that are amazing. The best short hands down, is the 1965 “Wonderful World of Tupperware” 30 minute film that goes into the production of Tupperware. The second best short film, in my opinion, is the six-minute ad that specifically targets women to tell them how they can improve their quality of life by adding custom paneling to their Westinghouse refrigerator.
Everyone dances in front of the fridge at parties, right?
The commercial starts out with a woman walking aimlessly in the snowy woods, looking very down and out. Some maudlin-sounding flute music is playing. The opening is very reminiscent of the beginning of Valley of the Dolls. Then suddenly, a title card for Westinghouse pops up and the music gets a whole lot jazzier and more psychedelic. We then are treated to a montage of all the available pre-fabricated panels that you can purchase from Westinghouse to jazz up your boring Westinghouse refrigerator. Get fake wood paneling like Supreme Walnut or Catawba Cherry, or maybe go with a more tropical look and get rattan panels. Or perhaps you’re into something flashier and metallic, like Astro-Glo Bronze? Or maybe you want something sleek and dark, like Surtex Black.
Then comes to the greatest part of the commercial. You can make your own custom DIY panels! We see a woman grab some paper (wallpaper??) that matches the wallpaper in her kitchen. While dancing (because this is fun, remember), she grabs one of the panels from the fridge so she can measure twice and cut once. Then the commercial segues into showing how one can customize their fridge for any outfit, hobby, or occasion. The rest of the commercial is made up of a never ending dance party in front of the fridge. We see the fridge decked out for Halloween, Fourth of July, and New Years. The thought of somebody decorating their fridge to match their outfit is hilarious.
I absolutely love this commercial. It is so cheesy. So ridiculous. So absurd. But it is perfect. I am curious how many custom fridge panels Westinghouse sold. I highly recommend everyone search for “Match Your Mood” (1968) on You Tube and watch this amazing commercial. It’s 6.5 minutes and worth every second.
I’m back after a much too long hiatus. Things got busy, and I’ll admit, I probably got a little lazy. I signed up for too many blogathons as well (can’t help it, they all sound so wonderful!), and I think I overwhelmed myself. I feel bad when I don’t complete my blogathon entries, it’s akin to not doing my homework. Anyway, I need to scale back and not overcommit myself. Since my last entry back in July, I have since traveled to the Oregon Coast and Austin, Texas. Work has been busy. We had an alleged major snowstorm (I hate snow, blech!) which fortunately turned out to be nothing.
I want to work on my blog. I’ve been trying to figure out its place in the internet world. I need a niche. Or something to stand out. I don’t know. All I know is that I love classic movies and television and watch both frequently. I also want to work on my banner graphic.
I apologize that I haven’t updated for months. I didn’t want to be one of those people that abandoned their blog and then… I became one of those people. I think I overwhelmed myself by signing up for too many blogging events and suddenly, blogging became more of a chore than something that was fun. Well 2018 is here and I want to get back into blogging. I’ll admit that I am struggling with finding my voice and figuring out what I want my blog to be about, and while at the same time, try to create something different. There are a lot of Classic Film and Television blogs out there.
I decided that instead of trying to develop some sort of gimmick or shtick, I would just focus on what I like and what I enjoy about classic film and television. I do not want to focus on least favorite films, actors, etc. because that is not something that I enjoy reading about. Why focus on the negative?
I plan on starting a new feature on this blog entitled “Recently Watched…” where I will review a film that I just saw for the first time. This will hopefully be the result of one of my 2018 resolutions which is to watch a new film without any distractions, e.g. looking at stuff on the internet, playing games on my phone, etc. I find myself doing that almost absentmindedly. Another one of my 2018 resolutions involved reading more. I’m also signed up for the 2018 Reading Challenge on the Goodreads community. I am starting with a modest goal: 12 books, 1 book/month. Right now I am reading James M. Cain’s Mildred Pierce (1941), the novel that served as the source material for the 1945 classic film of the same name. I plan on starting another feature on this blog where I compare the novel with the film.
