Abbott & Costello - Loafing

Abbott & Costello - "Find the Submarine"

It's A Wonderful Life {1946} - "The Phone Scene"

It's A Wonderful Life {1946} - "Lasso the Moon"

Abbott & Costello - A sequence from "The Noose Hangs High" {1948}

The Egg & I {1947}

Well, to take a break from all these Mickey Rooney movie reviews. How about some Colbert & MacMurray? Sounds good. Wonderful! :) 

The Egg & I is the story of a young married couple, who are city slickers, move to the country to start a chicken farm. You will follow their ups and downs of chicken farmers, and just young married life in general.

Trivia -

On May 5, 1947 Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray starred in radio version of this film that was broadcast on the Lux Radio Theatre. Click here to listen (Right click to download mp3).

This was the sixth of seven movies that paired Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. 

I loved this movie! It was quite funny and full of laughs. Also I love the pairing of Colbert & MacMurray. This is the first film I've seen them together and I loved them acting together!


If you haven't seen this film, you must. As it is sure to bring a smile to your face. 

~Ashley

What's My Line? - Ricky Nelson

Young Tom Edison {1940}

One of my favorite movies growing up was the Edison film series that came out in 1940. The first one was, Young Tom Edison starring Mickey Rooney as a young Tom Edison, Fay Bainter as Mrs. Nancy Edison, and Virginia Weidler as Tannie Edison (Tom's sister).

Most of the movie is based on true events, but they got the age and birth order of Tannie wrong. She is suposed to be Tom's older sister, like much older sister. :) But, we enjoy this small mistake in the movie.

The movie follows the life of Tom Edison. Well, at least the basic events. I must say though, that Tom Edison was much younger when his parents pulled him out of school and his mother started home-schooling him. Yes, Tom Edison was a home-school graduate. :) All in all, I love this movie!

If you have TCM it on this Thursday, December 23rd, 2010 at 2:00 PM.

Trivia - 

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on December 23, 1940 with Mickey Rooney and Virginia Weidler reprising their film roles. You can listen here (Right click link to download mp3).

Trailer -

http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index/?cid=150543

~Ashley 

Five Little Peppers and How They Grew {1939}

My whole teen years were spent reading the Five Little Peppers series. Thats why I was so excited to find out one day, that TCM was showing all the Pepper movies that had been made in 1939 & 1940. :)

The casting was quite good. Ronald Sinclair played Jasper King and he was just how I imagined him. And Dorothy Ann Seese, who played Phronsie Pepper was simply adorable! Well, the cast was just wonderful!

The storyline in the movies are off from the original story in the books, but they kept the spirit. They also changed the era from the 1880s to the 1930s. It looks like the movies never came out on VHS, or DVD - in the little research I've done. Hopefully someday they will. As they are great movies!

~Ashley

Thoroughbreds Don't Cry {1937}

Oh, how I love the pairing of Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland! ;-) But whats even better is that Ronald Sinclair (Five Little Peppers, The Christmas Carol, Desperate Journey) is in this movie too! The role Sinclair played was originally written for Freddie Bartholomew, and I can see that. And guess what? The actor who played the Grandfather in Little Lord Fauntleroy, C. Aubrey Smith, plays the Grandfather in this movie too. =)

Timmie Donovan, Mickey Rooney, playes a tough Jockey who can really win those races. (If you've seen Boys Town his character will remind you of Whitey Marsh.) That is until his father pretends to be sicks and tricks Mickey into throwing a race. His father will make you angry throughout the entire film. It also has the wonderful Judy Garland who plays Cricket West, a girl who lives at the jockey boarding house. And then Ronald Sinclair, the English boy who travels with his Grandfather over to America to race their horse in the races. 


This has to be one of my favorite Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney films that I have seen. As it is simply marvelous!!! :)

Trivia - 

MGM's top juvenile actor of 1937, Freddie Bartholomew, had been announced to play Roger Calverton, but Freddie's Aunt Cissy (who also was his adopted mother) withdrew him before production started because of a contract dispute. In later years, Judy Garland would quip that Freddie really opted out because his voice was changing. 

~Ashley

"Swing Time" - Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers

I LOVE, LOVE, Ginger's dress in this clip! It is so pretty! :D

You Can't Take It With You {1938}

Ah, yes. Another great Frank Capra film! :) You know what? His films are so good, and truthful. What his movies talk about are so relevant for today - still. Like there is a scene in this film that talked about income tax. The grandfather was questioning the government worker on why they taxed income. He asked, what did they do with his money? Let me find the scene on YouTube. :)







A rich banker is trying to buy up a city block to build a factory. Except one family won't sell their house, causing this banker lots of trouble. Also unknowing to the banker at first, his son has fallen in love with the granddaughter of the owner of the house that won't sell. Starring a stellar cast of: James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore, and Edward Arnold. This movie is wonderful! And will make you feel good.

- Favorite Quotes - 

Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff: Maybe it'll stop you trying to be so desperate about making more money than you can ever use? You can't take it with you, Mr. Kirby. So what good is it? As near as I can see, the only thing you can take with you is the love of your friends.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff: How would you like to come over to our house and work on your gadgets?
Poppins: Your house? Well I don't know, thank you.
Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff: Oh go on, you'll love it. Everybody at over at our place does just what he wants to do.
Poppins: Really?
Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff: Mmm-hmmmm.
Poppins: That must be wonderful. But how would I live?
Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff: The same way we do.
Poppins: The same way? Well who takes care of you?
Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff: The same One that takes care of the lilies of the field, Mr. Poppins, except that we toil a little, spin a little, have a barrel of fun. If you want to, come on over and become a lily too. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff: Penny, why don't you write a play about Ism-Mania?
Penny Sycamore: Ism-Mania?
Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff: Yeah, sure, you know, Communism, Faschism, Voodoo-ism, everybody's got an -ism these days.
Penny Sycamore: Oh
[laughs]
Penny Sycamore: I thought it was some kind of itch or something.
Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff: Well, it's just as catching. When things go a little bad nowadays, you go out, get yourself an -ism and you're in business. 

~Ashley

Baby Babalu - Ricky & Little Ricky {I Love Lucy}

One of my favorite scenes from I Love Lucy with Ricky & little Ricky. :)

~Ashley

Abbott & Costello - Mustard

What's My Line? - James {Jimmy} Stewart

Abbott & Costello - 13 X 7 is 28

I thought it would be fun to post some of my favorite Abbott & Costello routines.

Miracle on 34th Street {1947}

Miracle on 34th Street is a charming story Christmas story. About a wonderful old man who claims he is Santa Claus and is institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing. He also brings a new idea to Macy's, he is their Santa Claus, if Macy's doesn't have what the costumer wants, tell them what store does carry it.

The little girl in the movie is just adorable!!! Her name, Natalie Wood.

But guess what?!? William Frawley is in the movie too! You know, Fred Martz of the I Love Lucy show.

Favorite Quotes from the Movie:

District Attorney: What is your name? 
Kris Kringle: Kris Kringle. 
District Attorney: Where do you live? 
Kris Kringle: That's what this hearing will decide. 
Judge Henry X. Harper: A very sound answer, Mister Kringle. 
District Attorney: Do you really believe that you're Santa Claus? 
Kris Kringle: Of course. 
District Attorney: [long pause] The state rests, your honor. 


Kris Kringle: You see, Mrs. Walker, this is quite an opportunity for me. For the past 50 years or so I've been getting more and more worried about Christmas. Seems we're all so busy trying to beat the other fellow in making things go faster and look shinier and cost less that Christmas and I are sort of getting lost in the shuffle.





What are your favorite Christmas movies?


~Ashley

The Adventures of Robin Hood {1938}

Last night I watch the wonderful, swashbuckling film, The Adventures of Robin Hood {1938} with Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, and Basil Rathbone.  

The only other Robin Hood I've seen was the live-action Disney film, The Story of Robin Hood and his Merry Men {1952} with Richard Todd. Which is good, but the Errol Flynn version is so much better! ;-)

Sir Robin of Locksley, defender of the Saxons, runs into trouble with the Norman authority and is forced to turn outlaw. With his band of Merry Men, he robs from the rich, gives to the poor and still has time to woo the lovely Maid Marian, and foil the cruel Sir Guy of Gisbourne, and keep Prince John off the throne. It makes all for one exciting film, filled with adventure, sword fights (hurray!), and romance.

Some of my favorite quotes:

Robin Hood: I'll organize revolt, exact a death for a death, and I'll never rest until every Saxon in this shire can stand up free men and strike a blow for Richard and England. 
Prince John: Are you finished? 
Robin Hood: I'm only just beginning. From this night forward I'll use every means in my power to fight you! 


Will Scarlett: I'm tired. Robin Hood: What? After a nice refreshing sleep in the green wood? Will Scarlett: I pulled seven acorns out of my ribs. Robin Hood: Lovely, fresh air... Will Scarlett: My teeth ache with chattering. Robin Hood: Nightingales singing... Will Scarlett: An owl hooting in my ear. Robin Hood: Hooting? He was singing you to sleep! 

Lady Marian Fitzswalter: Tell me: when you are in love, is it hard to think of anybody but one person? Bess: Yes, indeed, m'lady, and sometimes it's a bit of trouble sleeping. Lady Marian Fitzswalter: I know! But it's a nice kind of not sleeping! Bess: Yes. And it affects your appetite, too. Not that I've noticed it's done that to you, 'cept when he was in the dungeon waiting to be hanged. Lady Marian Fitzswalter: And does it make you want to be with him all the time? Bess: Yes. And when he's with you, your legs are as weak as water. Now, tell me, m'lady: when he looks at you, do you feel a kind of pricky feeling, like goosey pimples running all up and down your spine? Lady Marian Fitzswalter: [blushes] Bess: Then there's not a doubt of it! Lady Marian Fitzswalter: A doubt of what? Robin Hood: [eavesdropping from the window] That you're in love!





~Ashley

Gene Kelly - Tap Dancing on Roller Skates

Thank you, Lindsay for showing me this clip. I just loved it! =)

What's My Line? - Doris Day

Meet John Doe {1941}

I love Frank Capra's movies! So far I've seen four of his movies and I love every single one. They are some of my top favorite movies. =)

A man needing money, John Willoughby {Gary Cooper} who was a former baseball pitcher, agrees to become an nonexistent person, John Doe, that was created by Ann Mitchell {Barbara Stanwyck} a  newspaper woman. This John Doe says he will be committing suicide as a protest to what is going on in the world - thus a political movement begins.  

And guess what?!?! The voice of Winnie-the-pooh is in it too! You know, Sterling Holloway. 


Quotes from the movie:


Long John Willoughby: Hey, stop worryin', Colonel, fifty bucks ain't gonna ruin me. The Colonel: I've seen plenty of fellas start out with fifty bucks and wind up with a *bank* account! Beany: Hey, what's wrong with a bank account, anyway? The Colonel: And let me tell you, Long John, when you become a guy with a bank account, they gotcha! Yes sir, they gotcha! Beany: Who's got him? The Colonel: The helots! 
Beany: What's a hee-lot? The Colonel: You've ever been broke, sonny? Beany: Sure, mostly often. The Colonel: All right. You're walking along, not a nickel in your jeans, your free as the wind, nobody bothers ya. Hundreds of people pass you by in every line of buisness: shoes, hats, automobiles, radios, everything, and there all nice lovable people and they lets you alone, is that right? Then you get a hold of some dough and what happens, all those nice sweet lovable people become hee-lots, a lotta heels. They begin to creep up on ya, trying to sell ya something: they get long claws and they get a stranglehold on ya, and you squirm and you duck and you holler and you try to push them away but you haven't got the chance. They gots ya. First thing ya know you own things, a car for instance, now your whole life is messed up with alot more stuff: you get license fees and number plates and gas and oil and taxes and insurance and identification cards and letters and bills and flat tires and dents and traffic tickets and motorcycle cops and tickets and courtrooms and lawers and fines and... a million and one other things. What happens? You're not the free and happy guy you used to be. You need to have money to pay for all those things, so you go after what the other fellas got. There you are, you're a hee-lot yourself.


As the movie is in the public domain you can download it for free from internet archive. Or watch it here. 



~Ashley

The Story of Alexander Graham Bell {1939}

A funny. Hilarious. Charming story, though not completely historical accurate Story of Alexander Graham Bell {1939}.  Minus that little fact I still love this movie! =) I adore Henry Fonda as Tom Watson. While Loretta Young was charming and simply wonderful as Mabel Bell. Of course, Don Ameche was marvelous as Mr. Bell.

This movie showcases the story of Mr. Bell's discovery of the telephone and - finding love. The movie starts off with you learning about his work with the deaf. Through this work and his scientific side project he meets the Hubbard's. Which is when he meets his future wife - Mabel. You will see his adventures and labors as he tries to invent the wonderful invention - the telephone.

Here is some fun little trivia about the movie, all the Hubbard sisters are played by real life sisters - the Young sisters. How charming.

Quotes from the movie:

Mrs. Hubbard: Mr. Watson, please eat something. You must have the appetite of a bird. 
Thomas Watson: Yes, Ma'am, a vulture


Alexander Graham Bell: Your honor... Have I committed some offense by starving in an attic? by spending sleepless nights at my work? by being too poor to own a decent scrap of paper, on which to tell her of my love? I have sat here for days and heard myself called liar, thief, fraud and cheat. I've seen my friends humiliated, my invention belittled, just as I have seen my business destroyed by methods which must leave every honest man appalled. 
__________________________________________________________________________
Alexander Graham Bell: ...shall the lonely scientist, the man who dreams, and out of his dreams benefits the world, is he, that often half-starved, lonely little man, to be told the world has no need of him the moment his work is done?
Alexander Graham Bell: Is he to be told that others, less gifted, but stronger, men with money and power behind them, are waiting to take the product of his genius and turn it to their own uses? -leaving him with liar and thief branded on his brow as his only reward? Do that, and you stop the clock of progress. You smother the spark of genius that lies hidden here and there throughout the world. Do that, and the world stands still. 

~Ashley

What's My Line? - Rogers & Hammerstein

Roman Holiday {1953}

Last week I watched my very first Audrey Hepburn movie, Roman Holiday {1953}. I LOVED it! I must say, I loved the acting of Audrey. And her skirt & blouse outfit was simply charming! This is also only the second movie I've seen with Gregory Peck. Does he remind any one else of a mix of Fess Parker & Cary Grant? Or is it just me? =)

  The story of Princess Anne {Audrey Hepburn}, from an unmentioned country, embarks on a highly publicized tour of the European capitals. The story begins with her in Rome and how the regimented schedule is driving her crazy. She wants a chance to do things normal girls do while traveling - instead of giving speeches, attending ceremonies, and smiling to crowds of people. One night after the doctor has given her some medicine to make her sleep, she sneaks out of the Embassy and escapes to the streets of Rome. Thus begins her adventure with an American newspaper reporter, Joe Bradley {Gregory Peck}.  

Some quotes from the film:

Princess Ann: At midnight, I'll turn into a pumpkin and drive away in my glass slipper. 
Joe Bradley: And that will be the end of the fairy tale
___________________________________
Princess Ann: I could do some of the things I've always wanted to.
Joe Bradley: Like what?
Princess Ann: Oh, you can't imagine. I-I'd do just whatever I liked all day long. 
___________________________________
Joe Bradley: Tell you what. Why don't we do all those things, together?
Princess Ann: But don't you have to work?
Joe Bradley: Work? No. Today's gonna be a holiday.
Princess Ann: But you want to do a lot of silly things?
Joe Bradley: [He takes her hand] ... First wish? One sidewalk cafe, comin' right up. I know just the place. Rocca's. 





~Ashley

What's My Line? - Yul Brynner

I found this one hilarious! You will see why. =)

I Love A Mystery - Donald O'Connor & Deanna Durbin

I found this video the other day and loved it! Someday I want to see a Deanna Durbin film, they are just never on TCM. Well, maybe someday one of her films will be on.

Gene Kelly - Dance Clips

After everyone telling me about Gene Kelly and recommending movies for me to see. I went on TCM to see if any of the movies you all recommend would be on. And two will be. I also went on YouTube and found some delightful video clips of Gene Kelly - dancing. I think I'm going to like Gene Kelly movies. =)

One of my favorites is from Singing in the Rain {1952} - Moses Supposes with Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor.  This movie will be on TCM in December and I can't wait! I have seen Donald O'Connor in Francis Goes to the Races. And I think I've seen him in two other movies, but that was so long ago that I don't remember the titles. I can remember scenes from the movies. =) Oh, well.

I also enjoy Singing in the Rain. I have a friend who sings this when ever it rains, so I know the song. =)



Another favorite is Sitting Tap Dance with Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor {1960}.



Here is a wonderful video of Julie Andrews & Gene Kelly - Tapping Game



Then this is just ingenious. Gene Kelly - Summer Stock Dance



For Me & My Gal - Judy Garland & Gene Kelly



I could post more. But I will stick with just these. =)

~Ashley

What's My Line? - Ronald Reagan

Last night I discovered this really neat show, What's My Line? and I decided to post my favorite ones ever so often. First one up, Ronald Reagan.

Desperate Journey {1942}

The very first Errol Flynn movie I watched was Desperate Journey {1942}. Starring: Errol Flynn, Ronald Reagan, Ronald Sinclair, Raymond Massey, Alan Hale, and Arthur Kennedy. I must say, I loved this movie! It began my love of Errol Flynn's movies.

I found it interesting that Errol Flynn played an Australian and Ronald Reagan an American in the story. As Flynn was from Australia, and of course Reagan was from America.

The chemistry between the actors was right on. It felt real. The jokes between Flynn and Reagan were marvelous. They gave me plenty of laughs.

When Flight Lt. Forbes (Flynn) and his crew are shot down after bombing their target, they are captured by the Nazis and discover valuable information about a hidden German aircraft factory, that they must make it back to England. They escape cleverly from the Nazis and are on a race to get across Germany without getting recaptured and causing as much damage as possible. They eventually become the "Three Man invasion" as one man after the other gives up his life. Then when the Nazis are about to recapture them they find a brilliant way to escape.  

One of our favorite lines to quote in our house is:


Flying Officer Johnny Hammond (Reagan): The iron fist has a glass jaw!









~Ashley

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House {1948}

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House {1948} with Cary Grant & Myrna Loy. This is one hilarious movie. Plus it has Cary Grant who is as funny as usual.

 The Blandings live New York City in a tiny apartment with their two girls. One day Mr. Blanndings decides that they should move out to the country - Connecticut that is.  They find a old tumble down house that leans and buy it. Thus begins their adventure.  

Here is one of my favorite quotes from the movie.

Jim Blandings: It's a conspiracy, I tell you. The minute you start they put you on the all-American sucker list. You start out to build a home and wind up in the poorhouse. And if it can happen to me, what about the guys who aren't making $15,000 a year? The ones who want a home of their own. It's a conspiracy, I tell you - -against every boy and girl who were ever in love. 

~Ashley

The Noose Hangs High {1948}

The Noose Hangs High {1948} is just like every other Abbott & Costello I have watched. It is filled with their jokes and silly antics.  

  

Abbot and Costello are two window washers who are mistakes by Nick Craig, a bookie, as the messengers he sent for to pick up $50,000. Now the person he sent them to sent two of his own men to get the money back.  Abbott and Costello try to mail the money to Craig but end up sending it to the wrong person - a woman. The woman has spent all but $2,000 when Abbott and Costello catch up with her. So they have to go out to the track and to try and collect $50,000 to give it back to the rightful person. 

You can watch the movie online at hulu.com. 

~Ashley

In the Good Old Summertime {1949}

I taped In the Good Old Summertime {1949} off of TCM yesterday. And today I watched it for the very first time. I loved it!

Starring Judy Garland & Van Johnson. In the Good Old Summertime {1949} is a musical remake of The Shop Around the Corner {1940} with James Stewart & Margaret Sullavan.  Can you believe it!?! They made a remake only nine years after the original.

It's the turn of the century America in Chicago when Andrew and Veronica first meet - by crashing into each other. They develop an instant and mutual dislike of each other right away. Which only grows when, later on, Andrew hire's Veronica as a saleslady at Oberkugen's music store. What they both don't know is, at night they both engage in an anonymous correspondence - with each other.  =)

For all you historical, or modern sewers out there. You will be excited to see a turn of the century sewing room. Plus, Judy has some really pretty clothes that she wears in the movie.

Also you can see Judy Garland's daughter in the closing scene. And she is the cutest thing ever! =)

~Ashley