Original Movie Posters Blog

Elizabeth Taylor Tribute – She Lit Up The Screen

2012-02-15T10:51:00.006-07:00

Sometimes, it seemed as if Elizabeth Taylor’s beauty obscured her talent on screen. In truth, however, Elizabeth’s talent matched her beauty. Later in life, she became an icon as an AIDS activist. With tremendous dedication and compassion, she helped raise awareness of this disease to raise money for many of the victims.

Her personal life was played out on the front pages of magazines and newspapers throughout her life. Consequently, she became larger than life.

Throughout her career she made many important and wonderful films that have survived the test of time. I fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor when I saw The Last Time I Saw Paris. Perhaps it was her beauty that first captivated me as a child. But her performance in this film rang true and made the movie come to life. It was a movie I never forgot.

As a tribute to Elizabeth, I would like discuss some of her most important films and why they should be watched and recognized for their contribution to film history. When she was very young, she had small parts in other movies, like Lassie Come Home and Jane Eyre. At twelve, her portrayal of Velvet Brown in National Velvet ensured that Elizabeth Taylor would always have her place on the screen.

Her portrayal of Angela Vickers in A Place In The Sun was unforgettable. She was only a teenager and yet, she could play love scenes as well as women much older than her. Hedda Hopper, who was a gossip columnist at that time, was quoted as saying, “Elizabeth, where did you learn to play love scenes like that?” Elizabeth became a Femme Fatale in this movie.

In Giant, Elizabeth plays Leslie Benedict, the wife of Rock Hudson’s character, Bick, who has a huge ranch, Reata, in Texas. As his wife, she moves to Texas to begin her new life. Leslie’s loving and compassionate nature has an uplifting effect on the people at Reata. Then, James Dean in his final film role, as Jeff Rink becomes enthralled with Leslie. The conflict between Rock Hudson and James Dean over oil, and Elizabeth Taylor makes this a true Giant of a movie. If you haven’t seen this one, rent it. All three principals were phenomenal.

Elizabeth was not happy with many of her movies in the early 50s. But, Giant and A Place In The Sun were her true crown jewels. The late 50s were Elizabeth’s powerful years on screen. Her beauty was at an all time high and, she startled audiences with three more remarkable performances.

The first one was as Susanna Drake in Raintree County. Elizabeth plays a southern belle who visits Indiana and falls in love with Montgomery Clift’s character, John Shawnessy. Although Susanna and John love each other, the conflict between the north and the south comes between them as they strongly disagree over the issue of slavery. As a tortured soul, Elizabeth gives a deeply moving performance. I believe that Raintree County suffered because it was compared to Gone With The Wind. Elizabeth’s beauty and performance, as well as the lush scenery, music and costumes are what made this movie memorable.

The second role was as Maggie in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Sadly, the censors of that day would not allow the full scope of Tennessee William’s story come to fruition so the movie, on some levels was confusing. Both Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman as, her husband, Brick were wonderful. Burl Ives as Big Daddy sparkled in a one of a kind role. Elizabeth suffered the loss of her beloved husband, Mike Todd, during the filming of this movie. But she returned to the set and gave a shocking performance as the neglected wife of a handsome husband.

Her third and best role was as Catherine Holly in Suddenly Last Summer. I never like to give away the plot of this movie. I believe that everyone should see it, for it is truly shocking. It is so shocking that Elizabeth wore a very sexy white bathing suit to lure audiences into the movie. Watching her play against Katherine Hepburn is thrilling. Both ladies were nominated for Academy Awards and I believe that is why neither won. In my opinion Elizabeth should have won the Academy Award for this movie.

The last movie in this series was the weakest. Elizabeth hated the role and did not want to play it, but she was under contract and she had no choice. She plays Gloria Wandrous in Butterfield 8. Elizabeth called the role that of a prostitute. Frankly, it was. She did it well, but I have always believed she received the Oscar for this movie because of the three that came before it. Elizabeth almost died of pneumonia before she won the Academy Award for this movie. When Eddie Fisher walked her to the stage to accept her Oscar, her tracheotomy scar was fully visible.

In 1962 Elizabeth made Cleopatra. She fell in love with Richard Burton and literally all hell broke loose. Was Cleopatra a good movie? See for yourself and decide. She is exquisite, so on that level you will not be disappointed.

She won a second Academy Award for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. She intentionally gained approximately twenty pounds and allowed the make-up artist to age her, so that she could play the part of Martha. She was thrilled to receive the award, but she truly wished that Richard could have won for playing George. The night she won that Oscar, I threw a party in my dorm room. I, frankly, think I may have been more excited then Elizabeth was when she received it.

For all Elizabeth fans, rent The Taming of the Shrew (1967). As a former actress myself, I know how difficult it is to work with Shakespeare’s dialogue. It is a challenge and I am always amazed when I see it done well. Elizabeth was sparkling and magnificent in her role as Katharina.

Elizabeth made many movies after this time. Some of them good, some of them better than that. If you are a true Elizabeth fan see all of her films and judge for yourself which ones you like. She also performed on stage and received rave reviews.

When Rock Hudson passed away, she became an AIDS activist. She helped found the American Foundation for AIDS Research and 6 years later, in 1991 created her own Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. She started a perfume line and performed on television. She lived a full, exciting and challenging life. Blessed with incomparable beauty and talent, her life was not without its challenges.

I have been collecting Elizabeth memorabilia since I was a little girl. When she made Cleopatra, I copied her make-up. When she made The Taming of the Shrew, I copied her hairstyle. Elizabeth lit up my life; she lit up the world; she lit up the screen. This is my tribute to Elizabeth Taylor.

Kim Novak: Bell, Book and Candle in the Night

2012-01-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

Kim Novak was one of the most beautiful actresses in the 1950s, and 1960s. With her short blonde hair and “come hither” eyes, she embodied the strong and the mysterious. Her movies were astonishingly successful and well received. Take Picnic, Pal Joey, Jeanne Eagels, The Eddy Duchin Story, The Man with the Golden Arm, Bell, Book and Candle and, of course, the extraordinary Vertigo. These were some of the most successful movies of their day.

What a body of work she created. Kim decided early in her career, however, that Hollywood was not where she wanted to spend her entire life. Kim’s great love was for animals. She married a veterinarian, Dr. Robert Malloy and together with her husband she loves caring for animals.

Later in her career she came out of semi-retirement and even appeared on TV in the night time soap opera, Falcon Crest.

Whenever I think of actresses who’ve had great careers, she is always at the top of my list. She reached the pinnacle and she did it her way. Kim, your fans still love you and appreciate your contribution to film history.

A Taste Of Art ArtWalk - Thursday, January 19, 7-9pm

2012-01-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

To all of our Barrett-Jackson car enthusiasts, golfers and other winter visitors, Welcome to Scottsdale!

There are many things to do while visiting our city, but there are some that shouldn’t be missed. One of them being the 4th Annual “A Taste of Art ArtWalk”, January 19th from 7 to 9 pm, which takes place in the Scottsdale Art District.

This spectacular event is sponsored by the Scottsdale Gallery Association (SGA) in conjunction with the City of Scottsdale. It is an evening filled with art, musicians performing on the streets and some of the most amazing cuisine in Scottsdale.

We invite you to stop by Femmes Fatales & Fantasies and meet Sherry Goldberg, a local artist who has resided in the Paradise Valley area for over 30 years. In addition to enjoying the breathtaking art of Sherry Goldberg, Femmes Fatales & Fantasies also exhibits rare one of a kind vintage posters. New posters and stills! Take a walk down memory lane.

Femmes Fatales & Fantasies is located at 7013 E. Main Street, west of Marshall Way and across the street from the well known Mabel’s on Main.

We hope to see you then.

Was Errol Flynn Really a Bad Boy?

2012-01-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

Frankly, I think Errol Flynn got a bad rap for being a “bad boy”. With hindsight being 20/20, how bad, really, was Errol?

Although he was charged with rape in the early 1940s, during the trial, the truth came out that Errol never raped anyone. Frankly, women were lined up around the block for their chance at a night, or more, with the handsome swashbuckler!

When you look at stars today, like Charlie Sheen and Mel Gibson, or many of the other now famous celebrities, you would see that Errol’s life was relatively normal and quiet compared to some of the famous people today. If Errol were alive today, would anyone even pay attention to what he did?

Let’s look closely at the career of Errol Flynn. I think everyone should go back and see movies like Captain Blood and the original Adventures of Robin Hood. You’ll see a man that could take a fantasy character, like a pirate, and imbue him with a reality and compassion that many actors of today cannot convey on-screen, as well as he did. With all the handsome actors in Hollywood today, I don’t think any can compare with the charisma and screen presence that was Errol Flynn. I would like to hear back if anyone disagrees with me.

For fans of Errol Flynn, I have included three of my favorite images in this posting. To view additional Errol Flynn posters and stills, visit our home page and search for Errol Flynn. Enjoy!

Errol, we miss you!

Clark Gable: Life’s Lessons

2011-12-20T07:08:00.004-07:00

How often have rumors or innuendos played a part in your life and changed what you might do in any situation? How vulnerable are we, as people, to hearing something about ourselves, or someone we love.

We have all heard of the great love affair between Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. But, the true course of love doesn’t always run smoothly. The truth was that Clark Gable had issues with commitment and monogamy.

Shortly before she died, beautiful Carole Lombard went on a trip to sell war bonds to help her country during WWII. Clark was supposed to go, but did not want to. Carole, ever the patriot, went with her mother and agent. At the time, Clark Gable was making a film with the beautiful Lana Turner. Carole had heard rumors that Clark and Lana were romantically involved on the set of Honky Tonk. Carole was extremely distressed.

When the war bond trip finished, Carole, her mother and agent were getting ready to head home. She had begun the war bond trip by train, but now she was in a hurry to fly home because of the rumors about Clark and Lana. Her mother was a numerologist and she begged Carole not to fly home. She explained that the numbers were all wrong and that the flight would be dangerous. But, Carole was determined to find out what was going on with her marriage and her husband.

On the tarmac, a coin was tossed to see whether Carole, her mother and agent would fly or take the train home. Unfortunately, Carole won the toss of the coin and the three of them boarded the plane.
Sometime a few hours later, somewhere over Nevada, Carole’s plane went down. All aboard were killed. It was Clark Gable himself, driven by his friend, Spencer Tracey, who went to the Nevada area to look for his wife, only to learn that she had died in the crash.

Whether Clark was having an affair with Lana is unimportant. Clark learned a tragic lesson of life. Our actions have consequences and if we believe rumors, we can sometimes take impulsive actions, which should not be taken. This was a life altering experience for Clark Gable. He matured after this. He joined the Armed Forces and became a hero in WWII. He never recovered from the loss of his beloved Carole, and their relationship, I believe, is a lesson for all of us: to appreciate what we have, and perhaps not take chances when we don’t have to.

Brigitte Bardot - A Journey through Time

2011-12-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

Wow! The photos and posters of Brigitte Bardot remind me of what she meant to French Cinema.

50 years ago, Brigitte Bardot represented French movies. She was the French Marilyn Monroe and an icon of her time.

Now, Ms. Bardot helps animals. Perhaps that is the best reason for aging. As we age, we can finally come to a place where we can stop thinking about how beautiful we are, and think about the others in this world who need us. That is truly a special transition.

We hear so much now about 40 being the new 30. But where does that leave the 30 year olds? Are they the new 20? We know that the 20 year olds can’t be 10, so one decade is going to be pretty overcrowded. Is this truly what we need or want in this society?

So this is our problem. Although we want to live forever, we don’t want to get older. So let us be who we are. Whatever age. Perhaps “new and improved”. Perhaps not. Perhaps just the fact that we have become wiser, and understand our place on this earth is truly the blessing of life. I believe Brigitte Bardot taught me that. And while I appreciate the beauty of her posters, I think she had many other gifts to offer.

Toulouse-Lautrec, Lorenz Hart, Judy Garland: The Three People I Wish I Could Hug

2011-12-02T08:42:00.003-07:00

As I look at the posters, I reflect upon how beautiful, handsome and powerful most of these people look in the renderings that the artists have drawn for the posters. As we all know, life doesn’t exactly imitate art in that way, and people are vulnerable.

With all due respect to Baz Luhrmann and the exquisite Nicole Kidman, the 1952 movie Moulin Rouge was far superior to the one that came later. I believe that many people feel as I do. If you are going to tell a story about a person’s life or a place in time, I think a director or producer owes it to the public to at least keep it realistic, so that future generations understand history, and not a figment of the imagination.

My complaint regarding the updated Moulin Rouge was that the music was not at all what was played in the late 1800’s in Paris at the real Moulin Rouge. To make matters far worse, Toulouse-Lautrec was portrayed as a fool.

I love Toulouse-Lautrec. I love the original Moulin Rouge. Director John Huston brought the people of that time to life. Toulouse-Lautrec was a talented artist who would sit in the Moulin Rouge each night and sketch the performers and the patrons. At 13 and 14 years of age, Toulouse-Lautrec broke first his left thigh bone and then his right thigh bone. These breaks never healed properly and left him disabled. Through his art, however, people today can see what life was really like at that time. The original film Moulin Rouge was authentic and portrayed the dancers, singer Jane Avril and the patrons with sensitivity and reality. The music in this film was consistent with the era. The costumes fit that time. Jose Ferrer, who ultimately received the Oscar for his portrayal of Toulouse-Lautrec, was a revelation. After I saw that movie, I wanted to hug Toulouse-Lautrec. I wish I could have told him how wonderful he was, and how much his work moved me. I hope, if we’re able to make contact with the other side, that he receives my thoughts and knows to this day how much people like me appreciate him, and his gift.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s story reminds me of Lorenz (Larry) Hart, Richard Rodgers’ first partner, before Oscar Hammerstein. Larry Hart was a sensitive, loving and talented spirit. But like Toulouse-Lautrec, he was extremely short and he felt unattractive. If he tried to approach a woman to whom he was attracted, invariably he would be rejected and this led him to become an alcoholic. For those who don’t know, Lorenz Hart contributed to music with magnificent songs like Falling in Love with Love, Johnny One-Note, My Funny Valentine, Isn’t it Romantic and Where or When. These songs are still being recorded today and will continue to play forever. He also wrote My Heart Stood Still, as well as With a Song in My Heart. Richard Rodgers wanted to continue working with Hart, but found it difficult. When Rodgers met Hammerstein, a new partnership formed. Larry Hart was devastated. On the opening night of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma, Hart was in the audience. After the play, he congratulated Richard Rodgers and told him he had a hit. Shortly thereafter, Larry Hart passed away. But Larry, too, is one person that I wish I could hug, and tell him how much I love him and appreciate his work.

Lastly, we come to Judy Garland. I’ve read many biographies about her and my heart has always gone out to this talented, vulnerable woman. Although she had tremendous success, she suffered from debilitating insecurities. Although she was a beautiful actress, the studios never portrayed that side of Judy. They allowed Lana Turner and Hedy Lamar to be glamorized, and Judy always felt like a poor third. Judy, if you can read this or hear my voice, history will always remember you and your contribution to films. Your voice will live on forever and because of you, perhaps we will all look Somewhere Over the Rainbow for what we seek.

Julie Christie

2011-11-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

Julie Christie. What more can anyone say? Julie Christie exploded on the screen in the 1960’s. With incredible talent and beauty, her career was launched. She won an Academy Award for Darling. As a result, she had the ability to choose any part she ever wanted.

Fast forward (oh my goodness!) 45 years, and Julie is just as beautiful and just as talented. She can still pick and choose any part she wants to play.

There are very few actors or actresses that can move across the decades as smoothly as Julie has done. From Doctor Zhivago, Far From the Madding Crowd and Shampoo to the beautiful and touching Away from Her, Julie has amazed and touched our souls.

It is an inspiration to all people to have watched this woman go through life with dignity, courage and grace. It should be a lesson for the ages. Thank you, Julie.

It’s No Bull

2011-11-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

It’s no Bull. Well maybe it is. . . actually it is a bull, a lion, and some dwarfs. Now I am being politically incorrect, but it is about a princess, a prince, a wicked witch and even a big bad wolf.

I’m talking about animation. You can do things in animation that you could never do in “real life”. Take Donald Duck. He could get angry, explode and yell in ways that Robert Young and Robert Reed could never do on Father Knows Best and The Brady Bunch.

I learned about life from animation. Take Lambert the Sheepish Lion. The story goes like this; back when storks delivered babies, the stork accidentally delivered a baby lion to an “expectant” mama lamb. Naturally, she was horrified. All of her friends had baby lambs and she had a lion to raise. Growing up, Lambert tried to be like a lamb but every time he butted heads with the rest of his flock, he got knocked on his keester and knocked out. He grew up afraid and frankly, quite sheepish in his own way. It wasn’t until one night when the big bad wolf got his mama, that he found his power . . . as a lion. After that, Lambert was the hero of his pride. So the moral of the story is never give up, you never know when you will find your power . . . just when you need it.

With Ferdinand the Bull, I learned that it’s ok if you don’t want to fight. Ferdinand grew up to be a very powerful bull. When the matadors saw him, he was their first choice to go into the ring. There in the middle of the ring, a beautiful lady threw a flower. That was it for Ferdinand. There was no way he would fight. He just wanted to smell the flower. So, from Ferdinand we can all learn an important lesson. If you don’t want to fight just say “no”. You will probably have a more peaceful life. . . if the rest of the world doesn’t walk all over you.

So let’s go back to some of the other animations to see what we can learn from them.

With Snow White, I learned never to take a poison apple from a wicked witch. And hell, if you do eat the apple, hopefully you will make friends with some loving dwarfs and be rescued by a handsome prince.

Cinderella taught me that if you lose your shoe on the castle steps, just leave it there. A handsome prince might come by and make your quest for love much easier.

Sleeping Beauty taught a very important lesson: never use a spinning wheel. Frankly, how many of us know how to use a spinning wheel? With our lack of knowledge we would have to prick ourselves. But even if you are cursed and have to sleep for 100 years don’t worry. It will all work out in the end.

From Bambi, I learned the most important lesson from Thumper’s mother, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.”
Frankly, a lot of people could learn this lesson in this aggressive, in your face, society.

So from Snow White to Nemo, to Avatar, animation has always been and always will be a part of our lives. We can learn lessons if we are open-minded and in many ways, childlike and accepting. But remember, all of these stories have a big bad wolf or a wicked witch, so never let down your guard and beware.

Man or Monster

2011-11-14T11:44:00.001-07:00

Although Halloween has passed, horror films have been a Hollywood staple since the beginning of film. Many people enjoy the thrill of this genre, with the blood, gore and suspense.

Film noir movies, however, scare me more than any horror films. Real people doing dastardly deeds. These things can actually happen . . . and do. When it comes to man versus monster, man scares me more than any monster.

Sometimes, man is the monster. Check out some film noir movies. Everyday people in very frightening situations with very scary realistic characters. Take Uncle Charlie in Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt. A seemingly wonderful man . . . who might be a serial killer. Or take handsome Jeff Bridges in Jagged Edge. He scared me more than Godzilla ever did.

I see people killing each other on Dateline, 48 Hours, and 20/20 all of the time. These are true stories of normal looking people who commit homicidal acts. Women killing men, men killing women, children killing, period. Godzilla doesn’t seem so scary after all.

Some of the best film noir movies are This Gun For Hire with Veronica Lake and the sorely missed Laird Cregar, who died before his time. Laird was a wonderful actor who also played in Hangover Square and The Lodger. Veronica Lake had a short but potent career in film noir movies. With her long hair covering one eye, her come hither looks inspired a generation of women to impersonate Veronica. It wasn’t until the war years when women were working in factories and couldn’t cover their eyes, that Veronica’s power on film lessened and Hollywood lost a truly talented performer.

Tyrone Power ignites the screen in my favorite, Nightmare Alley. Or watch Humphrey Bogart’s character disintegrate in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. This is real fear and these things can actually happen.

So, next year when you look for a costume to wear on Halloween, think about wearing a t-shirt and jeans, if you want to be really scary. Maybe I’m being cynical . . . or maybe just scary.

P.S.: One last thought . . . one of the most frightening images I can remember is that of the clown, Pennywise, in Stephen King’s It, played by the inimitable Tim Curry. A murderous clown coming out of a sewer. I haven’t been to the circus since. Way to go Stephen! Another scary movie is Midnight Lace with Doris Day. When this creepy surreal voice tells her, as she is walking by herself in the park, at night, in the fog “Mrs. Preston, I’m going to kill you, Mrs. Preston.”, it was unforgettable. To this day, I will never go to the park on a foggy night. It’s not going to happen. What’s your scariest movie?

Judy Garland: Hold It, You Three Dirty Hams!

2011-11-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

I love the stills from The Wizard of Oz. The Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion and Dorothy were four of the most loveable characters in motion picture history. Not only were they loveable by themselves, but all together, they presented a united front of friendship and a powerful partnership. They inspired generations of children and adults, and will continue to do so for as long as there is a planet.

What many people don’t know is that there was not love, kinship and camaraderie on the set. Jack Haley, Burt Lahr and Ray Bolger were three talented performers. Sadly, their kindness did not always extend to their co-star, Judy Garland. Victor Fleming was the director on the set, and he was constantly up in the air in a boom box so he could see what was going on with his characters and the Munchkins.

We all know “follow the yellow brick road”, and I’m sure we all remember the four of them dancing down the yellow brick road. What happened in reality is that many times, Jack, Burt and Ray closed ranks and danced down the yellow brick road leaving Judy behind them, dancing by herself.

Fleming would yell from his boom box, “HOLD IT, YOU THREE DIRTY HAMS! LET THAT LITTLE GIRL IN THERE!” They’d have to open ranks and allow Dorothy to be part of the group. I’ve read this story many times, and it always made me sad for Judy. When Judy told about this in a televised biography, she was able to reflect back on it with humor. What an honorable spirit and human being; truly one of the great talents of anyone’s lifetime.

Natalie Wood: Let Her Entertain You

2011-11-04T07:25:00.001-07:00

Natalie Wood had to be one of the most beautiful and vulnerable actresses. Her career began as a child, because her mother felt that Natalie had the ability to be a great actress. Her mom had to be one of the original “stage mothers”. As a young adult, Natalie carved her own destiny and became a major star. Natalie earned the success that she richly deserved.

How tragic that she died so young, and in such a horrible way. What makes her death more profound was that she carried the fear of dark water throughout her life.

The reason Natalie had this fear was that during the filming of The Star with Bette Davis, Natalie fell into dark water and almost drowned. As a result of this accident, she had a scar on her wrist and always wore bracelets to hide it.

I’ve read many biographies on Natalie Wood, and I understand that the aging process took a toll on her emotionally. It is not easy being one of the great beauties of the silver screen, and then find yourself getting older, and being offered fewer parts.

Natalie died right before the age of the night-time soap operas, like Dallas, Dynasty and Falcon Crest. If she had lived longer, she would’ve been one of the brightest stars of these night-time soaps. At that point, age would not have mattered. Natalie would have been able to make the pivotal change and face the next phase of her career.

Sadly, she never had that chance. But to all of her fans, she will always be one of the brightest stars, and one of the best remembered actresses of all time.

Ava, We Miss You

2011-10-27T10:58:00.003-07:00

The posters of Ava Gardner are gorgeous. Besides bringing back wonderful memories, it makes one long to see her films again. Ava Gardner never felt confident, despite her great beauty and natural talent.

She was always afraid of Hollywood. Ava had been discovered because her sister sent her photo to a talent agent in Hollywood. He was struck by her beauty. So her career was born.

After short lived marriages to Mickey Rooney and Artie Shaw, she finally settled down to a tempestuous marriage, to Frank Sinatra.

I have to say this; I believe Frank Sinatra loved her to the very end. Sometimes people can love each other, but their personalities and their careers collide, and it just doesn’t work. Loves that last forever are truly rare.

Just seeing these posters makes me want to see all of Ava’s movies again.

Grace Kelly: There but for Grace

2011-10-25T08:37:00.001-07:00

The poster for The Swan has to be the quintessential portrait of beautiful Grace Kelly. For all of us Grace Kelly fans, this would be the poster to have, although the movie doesn’t quite live up to the poster.

I’ve often wondered what would’ve happened if Grace had not met Prince Rainier. I believe that Grace traded in one fantasy life for another. Despite the beauty of the Pink Palace in Monaco, and despite the title of “princess”, I’ve often wondered if Grace did not have some regrets about giving up that phenomenal career that so few are privileged to have in Hollywood.

Despite three beautiful children, I often have believed, because I’ve read many biographies, that Grace longed to return to Hollywood and her identity as an actress.

Hitchcock desperately wanted her to return to films for the role of Marnie that ultimately went to Tippi Hedren. But, Rainier would not let Grace return to films. He told her that the people of Monaco would not accept their Princess performing in love scenes. Especially love scenes with Sean Connery!

With all due respect to her children, I wish that Grace could have returned to films and lengthened her legacy. From what I know, Prince Rainier lived the life that he wanted to live, without reservations. Did Grace not deserve to enjoy the career she fought hard to get?

This is just a thought from someone who has seen all of Grace’s films and wished there were more. As Eddie Fisher once sang, “Wish You Were Here”.

Flynn, Damita, Lombard & Dietrich

2011-10-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

They say that one picture is worth a thousand words. Have you ever looked at a photograph . . . I mean really looked at it? Nowadays, with digital cameras and cell phone cameras, we take hundreds of pictures; quickly, and probably discard them just as quickly.

In times past, it took time, effort and money to take a picture of someone. Look at old photos. Look at the people’s faces, their expressions, where their eyes are, where their arms fall. All of these characteristics say so much about the person. In the early part of the twentieth century, daguerreotypes, and subsequently photographs, said so much about family members and the family itself. Everyone looked serious as if this one photograph that was taken once a year would be what future family members would always remember.

Later on, people began smiling more as their picture was taken. Now they smile and take their clothes off. So a lot has changed in the ensuing years.

Let’s look at the photograph of Errol Flynn, his wife, Lili Damita, Carole Lombard and Marlene Dietrich in 1935. I was captivated by this photograph and had to have it for my collection. My husband asked me what it was about this photo that I loved so much. By reading everyone’s faces and demeanors, I could see what they were thinking and feeling.

Errol Flynn had yet to make his mark on Hollywood, but look how hopeful he looked, as if he knew that destiny was about to shine on him. Within a short time, he would make Captain Blood and Robin Hood, and his place in Hollywood history would be assured. Errol passed away on October 14, 1959. Although he has been gone for over forty years, the people who loved him will always recall his dashing presence.

Lili Damita, Errol’s wife, doesn’t look nearly so self-assured. Lili had been a leading lady for many years before she married Errol. She was a few years older than him. Although she campaigned for him to get the part of Captain Blood, she knew as his star ascended that her marriage was destined to fail. I can see that in her face. . . the fear, the insecurity.

Carole Lombard was a beautiful, talented, and generous actress who lost her life during WWII selling war bonds. In this photo, she appears exactly like she did on film; outgoing, fun loving, a joy to behold. I sometimes thought that Carole put on this persona because it was expected of her. She was one in a million.

Last, but definitely not least, there is Marlene Dietrich. Marlene was a gifted, talented and very loyal woman. She hailed from Germany and loved her motherland very much. As Adolph Hitler took over Germany, Marlene felt that she could not stay there and support the Nazi regime. She moved to the United States and began making movies here. When the war began, her mother remained in Germany and Marlene was not able to see her for the duration of the war. Hitler and Goebbels begged Marlene to return home and support the German cause. They promised her unparalleled stardom if she returned. Marlene staunchly refused. Instead, she went on trips to entertain the Allied Powers and she even fought with the troops on the front lines. She became their mother, their girlfriend and paragon of virtue. She was a true heroine. When the war was over, every country in the world recognized her with a peace award, except Germany. In her lifetime, she never felt fully comfortable going back to Germany, although she loved many German people, and they loved her. Her final resting place was in her beloved Berlin. In this photograph, I can see Marlene’s composure, but there is uneasiness in her eyes. Hitler was on the march and Marlene knew what was coming. She wasn’t going back but would the American audiences accept her, as a German actress, in the future?

Next time you look at old photographs, look at them carefully. For your ancestors these were treasures, as they were very rare. Technology has brought us very far. Let’s always hope that our spirits advance with technology.

Ben-Hur: The Bible Saves Hollywood!

2011-09-27T06:59:00.001-07:00

Picture this: it is the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. Television is the new invention that is sweeping the nation and capturing the audiences. Moviegoers are drifting away from the theatres to stay home and watch the little box. Hollywood was in a state of extreme agitation. What to do? What to do? Inventors came up with Cinemascope and Todd-AO, but with wider screens the producers needed great stories and they turned to the bible.

On September 27, Ben-Hur will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with a Blu-ray version. While Ben-Hur was a remarkable movie in every way, it was not the only biblical story that enticed moviegoers back to the theatre.

Movies like the Ten Commandments, Sodom and Gomorrah, Samson & Delilah, Salome and others captivated moviegoers in the 1950’s. The stories were action packed, well acted and directed. In the case of the Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur, there were more than enough extras in the cast to fill the Cinemascope screen.

Kudos should be given to all the actors who performed in those films, especially Charlton Heston. As Moses and Ben-Hur, he became the classic hero for those movies.

As I ponder the new Blu-ray version, I began to think about what director, William Wyler, would say about his great epic appearing on TV. But TV’s are not little boxes anymore. I think he would be proud. Amen.

Time Out of Mind

2011-09-13T11:51:00.001-07:00

Some images last forever. Jane Russell and her push-up bra in The Outlaw; Rhett Butler telling Scarlet (finally) “Frankly, My Dear, I don’t give a danm!” and Audrey Hepburn in her slinky black dress, upswept hairdo and long cigarette holder in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Audrey made many movies, all of them successful. She even won an Academy Award for Roman Holiday, in 1954. But all things considered, it is Audrey as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s that we will always remember. I think she would be happy.

1961 . . . That was the year Breakfast at Tiffany’s was made. Fifty years. . . Fifty years can be as if in the twinkling of an eye or it can be an eternity, depending on where we are and who we are. Yet, when we look at Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, we can easily go back in time. On September 20, the world will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this wonderful movie with a Blu-ray version.

But think . . . in the last 50 years, so much has changed. Forever. The world was different when Audrey Hepburn made this movie. As the sixties dawned, we had the youngest president, John F. Kennedy, in the White House with his beautiful wife, Jacqueline, and the world believed in Camelot. But in the next ten years, the world would reel from the changes.

The 60’s brought the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. We didn’t believe in Camelot anymore. But perhaps Camelot never existed. It was all an illusion. Movies became more cynical, but aside from the movies, let’s look at some of the inventions that have been created and have changed our world since the dawn of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

ATM
Cell phone
DNA testing
GPS
Gas grill
Cable TV
Airbag
Weed whacker
HDTV
Answering machine

Post-it Note
Food processor
Videogame
MP3 Player / Ipod®
MTV
Scanner
Call Waiting
asik surgery
Social media
Bar-coding

Personal computer
Internet
Blu-ray
Digital camera
Texting
Handheld video camera
Color printer
Cordless phone
Excessive Cosmetic Surgery
Botox

The list goes on as you, yourself, will think of more things. I would love to hear from you. What inventions have you thought of? Do you believe they were for better or worse, or are they a double edged sword?

But if we watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s and see Audrey Hepburn work her magic on film, we can go back in time and remember when life gave the illusion of being simpler. If you think I am being cynical, think again.

In 1999, when Princess Diana died, everyone criticized the Paparazzi for following her and taking her picture everywhere she went. Yet, haven’t we now, become a nation of Paparazzi? Everywhere we go, anyone can pull out their phone and take our picture, without our permission, and post it online for all of the world to see. Some would be flattered, some would call it bullying. Has life really improved? Do we really care? Has technology and all the inventions made the world a better place? Some would say yes, some would say no. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we are all the beholder.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is writer, Truman Capote’s, jewel in time. It deserves to be celebrated and appreciated once again. The score of the movie and song, Moon River won Academy Awards. Moon River is as recognized today as it was back then. Maybe we all are after the same rainbow’s end. Let’s hope there will be a rainbow.

Elizabeth Taylor: She Did It Her Way

2011-03-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

This week, all Elizabeth Taylor fans are mourning her passing. She lived a long and colorful life. She danced to her own drummer and inspired many emotions in people throughout the world.

I became an Elizabeth Taylor fan when I was six years old. Someone once asked me to explain my love of Hollywood Greats. My response to them was, “Who knows why someone goes ‘wow, yeah!’” Isn’t that true with all of our life experiences? It explains why we have a passion for chocolate over vanilla, or one entertainer over another. It is a pure gut feeling.

At nine years old, I was on the playground when the story about Elizabeth Taylor, Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds broke. Mike Todd had died and Elizabeth had fallen in love with Mike’s best friend, Eddie Fisher. Eddie, however, was married to Debbie Reynolds at that time. My friend, who was a Debbie Reynolds fan, looked at me, hands on hip, and said “Now what do you think of your friend, Elizabeth Taylor?” Elizabeth Taylor? My Friend? I could only wish. My response was “You can’t break-up a happy marriage.” What did I know, I was only 9, but I was quoting Elizabeth. I was her pint size press agent.

A few years later, Elizabeth Taylor fell in love with Richard Burton. This time, my friend did not say anything, but if one picture says a thousand words, her look to me said it all. Never mind, I still loved Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Taylor was an icon. She was beautiful, talented, generous and loving. Her gifts were many, and when she stumbled, she “owned it”.

All of us experience many events in our lives. None of us live perfect lives, but Elizabeth’s life was lived on the front pages of the newspapers. Perhaps she was lucky. If she were young today, she would be on CNN every hour on the hour. Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan would have to make room for her. Elizabeth was in that transitional stage. Case in point: back in the 1930s, Clark Gable was a major star and married to Carole Lombard. He was also a womanizer and having an affair with Lana Turner. Hollywood and the press were more conservative and kept many secrets from the public.
Clark also is reputed to have had a child with Loretta Young, but this was also kept secret. The studios did not want their stars tainted by any scandal and they protected them at all cost.

When Elizabeth Taylor was a young woman in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the paparazzi came into focus and have remained so to this day. Elizabeth and Eddie were photographed everywhere and criticized publicaly. When Elizabeth met Richard, again the paparazzi followed them everywhere and the world was consumed with what was going on in Elizabeth Taylor’s life. But even then, compared to today, this was mild.
So perhaps, Elizabeth was lucky.

Today, any celebrity caught in any scandal is news worthy on a continuous basis. Now, however, we have taken an even darker turn. We celebrate scandals and the celebrities make even more money for having been involved in a scandal. Bad news is better than no news. The internet has even contributed to the phenomena of celebrating and rewarding bad behavior.

Elizabeth Taylor received her first Academy Award in 1960 for Butterfield 8. Having seen all of Elizabeth’s films, my first reaction was “Butterfield 8?” Frankly, I didn’t think it was a great film and while she looked gorgeous in it, I didn’t think it was an Academy Award winning film on any level. Elizabeth Taylor deserved the award for Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and the unforgettable, Suddenly Last Summer. She was denied the award because of the Liz, Debbie and Eddie scandal. Between Suddenly Last Summer and Butterfield 8 she had become ill with pneumonia and almost died. As a result of this, they gave her the belated Oscar.

When Elizabeth was nominated for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, I was in college and I threw a giant party for her in my dorm. When she won I was so excited that I was jumping off walls. She truly deserved this Academy Award.

In her later years, she became an Aids Activist and an inspiration to millions of people around the world. She taught us that life is a journey. Live, love, laugh and learn.
When she passed, I felt as though I had lost a friend. So to my little friend on the playground, I’ll say this so many years later, Elizabeth Taylor was a great actress, a great humanitarian, a wonderful friend and a loving mother. That is how I will remember her.

Optical Illusion

2011-01-17T17:32:00.002-07:00

Optical Illusion, in the land of confusion, in the age of delusion, where lies the truth? Many years ago, my daughter was a strong competitor in speech and debate. She competed in many categories and one of them was impromptu speaking. This is where students are given either a phrase or a word, and they have two minutes to come up with and deliver a seven minute speech.

After one round of competition, my daughter came out and handed me a phrase and asked “What does this mean”. The phrase was “no good deed goes unpunished”. I was aghast I had never heard this saying before, and not only that, I thought it was a horrible idea to pass on to children. As parents, we always try to teach children “to do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. I then gave the phrase to another parent who was also aghast. He said to me, “What are they doing, giving kids these kind of sayings? We are trying to teach them to do good.”

Several years later, I heard the expression “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”. Oh my goodness! Now, I was really afraid. Every time I did a good deed or tried to help in a certain situation, I wondered how I was going to be punished or was I on the road to hell. Through the years, I learned that we always have to strive to do good no matter what terrible thing might befall us. That was the lesson, but it took me many years to come to this understanding. Still, in the back of my mind, every time I do good I wonder. . .

We live in a world where truth is ambiguous, not black and white. In fact, it appears that there can be many truths depending on who perceives what is happening or tells us what is happening. Let’s take the movie Wag the Dog. In this movie, a fictitious war was created for the public. It looked as if it were a real war, and the masses of people believed it was a real war, but it wasn’t. It was manufactured by certain people to manipulate the masses. So every time we look at the news, is what we see really true? Are we being manipulated? Questions, questions.

Now let’s take people I hope that if any young people ever read this, they learn that they are not trapped into believing that they are failures in life just because of some bad experiences in their youth. We can reinvent ourselves, and this has been done throughout history by some of the iconic celebrities. Take Frank Sinatra. Never, except maybe for Michael Jackson or Elvis, has there been a more powerful entertainer in show business. Consider that he began performing just out of his teens and remained at the top of his field until his death at age 80. He was the leader of the Rat Pack, which included Sammy Davis, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and other various people from time to time. As a matter of fact, all the hoopla and the screaming of fans first began with Sinatra, and then filtered down to Elvis and The Beatles, etc.

I recently read Frank Sinatra’s biography and learned that he did not serve in WWII. At the time of the war, to many soldiers and civilians, Frank was considered a draft dodger. There were times he was actually afraid to perform because of the back lash of his decision not to serve in the armed forces.

But years pass and perception changes. Frank actually suffered from a lack of popularity in the late 40s and early 50s. His days of making the teens scream had passed and he definitely needed a new path. When he was hired for From Here to Eternity and won an Oscar, his fortune changed again and he was back on top, never to reach bottom again. Never would they say that Frank didn’t serve in WWII. All of that was long forgotten and far in the past.

We never get stuck because as time passes events and perceptions are always changing. Movies like Fantasia can come out and fail, and yet years later be considered classics. So perhaps, the message of this blog is never feel like a failure or that you have come to a bad end. Simply, there is no end. One day marches into another. Fortunes and perceptions rise and fall.

There was once a young man who wrote a book, and he couldn’t get it published. He committed suicide. After his death, his mother sent his book out to publishers and she was able to get it published. How tragic it was for this young man not to see his success. Later, he even won the Pulitzer Prize.

On another note, musical, when Fred Astaire was trying out for the movie studios as a young man, one movie executive wrote, “can’t sing, can dance a little”. Wow, how wrong can you get?

On a more recent note, Kaley Cuoco from the Big Bang Theory was told “she was the worst actress in class and she would never make it”. Wow, how wrong can you get?

And when you watch the news, always question what you see and what you are being told. Is it really true? How do you know?

Thicker Than Water

2010-12-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

Several years ago I told one of the students whom I was coaching that “a stitch in time saves nine”. She looked at me quizzically and asked “What does that mean?” I looked at the girl. She was one of the most brilliant young girls I had ever met. She had received a full ride scholarship to an Ivy League school. I am sure, that by now, she has made a glorious career for herself, but she did not know what that saying or old wives’ tale meant. It means that if you fix something when it is small, then it will not grow to gargantuan proportions before it is addressed. Some would call this saying a precursor to early detection.

That being said, there are many sayings and old wives’ tales that have spanned the decades and remained because, if not completely true, there is more than a grain of truth to the sayings.

Many years ago, I was told that “blood is thicker than water”. That meant that no matter what, your family related by blood, would always be there for you. Others may leave but the blood ties stay with you. Ok, keep in mind I am an only child. For sure I was destined to be alone. Then as the years passed my perspective changed. . . Blood is Thicker than water. . . but is that really such a good thing? Forget Lizzie Borden, Casey Anthony and Susan Smith. That is way too unpleasant.

But sometimes bloodlines can carry huge responsibilities and legacies, great and damaging, and weaknesses as well as strengths. Sometimes people think, if only they were the child of a successful actor or producer, then life would be so much easier and doors would open for them. That is not necessarily true.

The Barrymores are a colorful and talented family. But all of the pressures of show business weighed mightily on this family. Kudos to Drew for becoming a glorious, successful and triumphant actress. Her great grandparents, Maurice and Georgie were talented beyond compare but in the case of Maurice, beset by alcoholism.

The next generation of Barrymores, showcased the talents of the incomparable Lionel (was there ever a better character actor who could portray everyman), Ethel and John or Jack, as he was known to his friends. All three of these Barrymores triumphed in their chosen field but Jack suffered from alcoholism which ultimately crippled and killed him.

The following generation of Barrymores saw a different challenge. How do you compare, when in your heart, you feel that you can’t compare to your predecessors.

Beautiful Diana Barrymore, daughter of Jack, struggled greatly with feelings of inadequacy and she later became an alcoholic and died young. Perhaps she would have been better off the child of a less famous person. Because of her family name, people expected a great deal from her and she was never able to live up to their expectations. In another life, perhaps she would have chosen a different path. Who knows?

John Drew Barrymore, Drew’s father, was handsome and charismatic but the demons of alcoholism and feelings of inadequacy plagued him also. He also died young.

In The Road You Didn’t Take, by Stephen Sondheim, says it best. We make our choices but sometimes the accident of birth plays tricks upon our path.

So congratulations must be given to Drew Barrymore. She learned to conquer her demons at a young age and triumph in a very difficult profession and be a credit to her illustrious family. Drew reminds me of her Great Grandmother, Georgie. Like her grandmother, she’s beautiful and her grandmother’s spirit shines through her in all of her films.

Every life is given joys and challenges. Lamenting any part of life is a waste. If we ask ourselves “Could it be worse?” and we are able to answer, yes. Perhaps we should give thanks. Amen.

When is a Genius not a Genius?

2010-08-06T13:59:00.003-07:00

Too often the title of Genius or Wunderkind is given to young people who have had success in movies. With all due respect to the great Orson Welles, he made one of the worst decisions in the late 1940s.

Orson Welles became famous and infamous for both Citizen Kane, and The War of the Worlds. He spent most of his life trying to reach the same level of fame and success in the rest of his endeavors that he had with his earlier work. Citizen Kane was applauded for its originality, but seriously outraged William Randolph Hearst when Hearst took offense because he felt that Kane was modeled after him. The War of the Worlds made the whole country feel like we were being invaded by aliens. Welles was to be respected, and held in awe for his power and talent.

Ah . . . perhaps we should not hold people in such awe. We can respect their talent, but all of us are mere mortals and Orson Welles proved himself to be just that. He married the one and only beautiful and unique Rita Hayworth in the late 1940s. I suppose he was infatuated with her beauty and talent, as was the whole world. But, why he felt it necessary to change her is the real question.

In 1947, Rita and Orson made a movie called The Lady from Shanghai. The movie was never equal to Citizen Kane, but the real tragedy was how Orson altered his exquisite wife. In the 1940s, Rita was the pin-up of the decade for the men fighting overseas in World War II. Her movies, like Gilda, Salome and Cover Girl, proved that she could carry a movie all by herself. With all due respect to Glen Ford, it was Rita’s Gilda that everyone remembers today. What was it about that image that Rita projected?
Besides having an exquisite figure, Rita was a dancer and knew how to move. She could also sing, but what made her truly unique was her long red hair which she tossed around while belting out sexy numbers like "Put the Blame on Mame". When Orson and Rita made The Lady from Shanghai, he decided he was going to cut Rita’s hair, and dye it blonde. Not only was this not becoming, it devastated her fans and it was totally unnecessary. I sometimes wonder if Orson was jealous of Rita’s sexually charismatic persona. Maybe this was a way to tone her down.

Later on, Rita divorced Orson and went back to her original look which made her famous and memorable. But, Rita was a very sensitive person, and I have to wonder if even she felt that this was a serious mistake letting Orson control her career to this extent. Rita will always be Rita. Her posters are memorable, beautiful and explain the force that was Rita Hayworth. Though she has been gone for many years, to those who love her, she was as beautiful inside as she was outside.

Perhaps Orson’s mistake is a lesson for all of us. When is a genius not a genius? We are all human. We are all gifted with certain genius, and certain failings. Perhaps we should not label others or ourselves as being better than anyone else. Every day we are put to different tests and the choices we make will reflect on what happens in our lives. As a wise man once said, “The garbage man is just as important as the celebrity. I can live without a celebrity but I can’t live without my garbage man.”

Bel Bel Belmondo

2010-07-21T12:21:00.002-07:00

Viva La France! C’est si bon! Jean Paul Belmondo! What all this mean is “Long Live France, It Is Good . . .” Jean Paul Belmondo! For several years, my husband and I would only go to see foreign films. They played in one theater and every time the movie would change, we would go to see it. Some of the best films that I remember from that era are Mediterraneo, Antonia’s Line, Queen Margo and Like Water For Chocolate. The Americans have produced films like this; mostly they are independent films and one of the best was Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle. I recently had the great joy of seeing Jean Paul Belmondo and Catherine Deneuve in Mississippi Mermaid directed by Francois Truffaut.

It was while watching this movie that I was reminded of all of the wonderful foreign films that I have seen throughout the years. What foreign films have, that American films lack many times, is substance and language. American films are full of special effects, excitement, nudity, and sis boom ba. Foul language has become standard fare. Not that I am criticizing, but oh, to watch a foreign film and hear people talking about feelings, hopes, failings, joy and despair brought back so many memories and made me want to see these films again.

Perhaps with the internet and so many LOL, and OMG, some of our appreciation of language and communication has disappeared and we need to bring it back. Take a look at the poster from Mississippi Mermaid. It is not only sensual and exciting, it makes you want to watch the movie.

Jean Paul Belmondo has been a major French star for many decades. Even as an older man, his charisma jumps off the screen. He is basically every man but better. You have only to see him in a movie, to want to see more of him. He reminds me of Jack Lemmon because Jack Lemmon represented every man, but Belmondo crossed into the sensuality and darkness area that Jack Lemmon rarely, if ever, crossed despite his remarkable talent.

Catherine Deneuve was the Femme Fatale in this film, and she was absolutely beautiful. One can understand how her career has spanned so many decades. Catherine Deneuve also performed with both Jack Lemmon in April Fools, and Jean Paul Belmondo.

So the next time you are looking for a good film and you don’t mind subtitles, check out some foreign films. You may find that you are opening a door to a new and exotic adventure. While I’m on the subject, I must say that I am loving subtitles more and more these days.

The Prince of Darkness Lightens Up the Screen

2010-07-01T12:44:00.002-07:00

When you say the name of Director, Ridley Scott, the movies that come to mind are Alien, Blade Runner, and Black Hawk Down. However, there is a gem of a movie that was produced in the 80’s called Legend, which has stood the test of time and has a cult following.

The story of Legend is basically simple, good vs. evil, light vs. dark. While the plot may appear simplistic, the performances of several actors stand out and give Legend its meaning and power. I was lucky enough to see both versions: one has the music of Tangerine Dream and the other, which I think is truly the most powerful, has the music of Jerry Goldsmith.

To all those who are unfamiliar with this movie, let me start out by saying it is one of Tom Cruise’s first films. Tom Cruise does a good job of portraying the hero, but it’s the performances of Mia Sara, David Bennet, Billy Barty and the incomparable Tim Curry that truly stand out and give Legend its magic. Tim Curry, as the Prince of Darkness, packs the most punch.

I first saw Legend when it came out in the 80’s. Then about five years later when I was in a pizza restaurant with my daughter, who was 8 at the time. She was eating her pizza and I looked over at her and she was staring up at a TV screen with her mouth open. My first thought was “What’s wrong or what could she possibly be looking at?”. When I looked at the TV, I saw it was Tim Curry as Darkness that held her spellbound. I recently played the movie for my husband, who is not into fantasy, but when he saw Tim Curry, he too was transfixed.

The scene between Tim Curry and Mia Sara is a stand out and as Darkness, Tim Curry, tells many truths about human nature.

For those of you, who are looking for a fascinating movie with a stellar cast, try Legend. It has Fairies and Unicorns and one of the most remarkable performances on film.

Sword and Sandal

2010-06-23T13:54:00.002-07:00

Ah . . . summertime, and the living is easy, or at least we hope it will be. For many parents, it is a time for trying to keep children entertained. For many, it is a time to go to the movies. The movies today are indeed very entertaining, although sometimes they are questionable in content.

With all due respect to 3D and all of the modern special effects, I think it is time to acknowledge some of the directors and movies of the past. Cecil B. DeMille never used 3D, but will any of us who ever saw the Ten Commandments ever forget the parting of the Red Sea?

Perhaps it’s time to rent some of the best movies that Hollywood has ever produced to watch with our children. And if you are worried about content, think about this: these movies come from the original book, The Bible. Think, Samson and Delilah, Sodom and Gomorrah, The Robe, Salome, Ben-Hur and the ever popular, The Ten Commandments. These movies offer the biggest names in Hollywood on every level. Think Richard Burton, Charlton Heston, Hedy Lamarr, Jean Simmons and Yul Brynner for some of the best performances you’ll ever see on screen. And of course, there is always a moral or a lesson to be learned. Perhaps it is time to revisit these films with the next generation and examine the sumptuousness and the power these movies exuded.

While we are talking about Yul Brynner, don’t forget about the King and I. There have been many actors who have portrayed the King in recent years, but none has ever been more powerful than the King himself, Yul Brynner. The music from Rodgers and Hammerstein, and the talent of Yul and Deborah Kerr, will never be surpassed. There is also a great lesson to be learned from this movie, and the costumes will enthrall audiences of all ages, “etc., etc., etc.”

Character is Everything

2010-02-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

We have all been told to "do unto others" so good things will happen for us. We've also grown up hearing how it is important to have a great character, for character is really everything. Frankly, after observing so many films for so many years, I'd have to say, indeed, character is everything.

Some of the greatest films were great because of their character actors. Leading men and women come and go and have a short shelf life. Although leading men have a longer shelf life, I believe that both leading people worry constantly about how the ageing process will affect their appeal and their position in Hollywood.

But character actors never have to worry about that. Think James Cagney, Laird Cregar, Edward G. Robinson, Peter Lorre, Thelma Ritter, Diane Wiest, Danny DiVito, Jeffrey Jones, James Cromwell, Jon Favreau, Harry Dean Stanton, Agnes Moorehead, Seth Green, Gary Oldman, Edie McClurg, Zooey Deschanel, Miguel Ferrer and his father, Jose Ferrer and Kathy Bates – the list goes on and on with these phenomenal actors. Honorable mention should also be given to those wonderful actors on TV in "The Big Bang Theory", Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar.

Whether they add the spark of light like Thelma Ritter, or the spark of dark, like Edward G. Robinson, every movie these character actors have ever been in, they have made the films better by their sheer presence. Without these people, the movies they were in would have fallen flat; something would have been missing. Many times, these actors are the unsung heroes. The success of their films largely depends on their personalities filling the screen, whether we realize it or not. Character actors are also lucky, in that they never have to worry about ageing, so that ensures them many years of work where leading ladies, many times, find their careers going much more slowly in their 30s than in their teens and 20s.

So to all the actors out there who want to be successful, and I don't say "stars", never despair if you do not look like Marilyn Monroe or Elizabeth Taylor. It is a great joy to be able to know that you'll be able to work for your entire life and your work doesn't depend on your youth or your beauty. And many of these people are very attractive, like Celeste Holm or Kathy Bates and while many of these people can look very attractive, they are not hired for that. But more power to them. I just had the privilege of watching Edward G. Robinson in "Key Largo". With all due respect to gorgeous Lauren Bacall and magnificent Humphrey Bogart, where would the movie have been without Edward G. Robinson? And Humphrey? Frankly, you were a leading man and a character and we miss you!