Submarine Command 1951: The 6th Golden Boy Blogathon

This entry is for the 6th Golden Boy Blogathon hosted by Ginnie from The Wonderful World of Cinema and yours truly!

In 1950, Mr. William Holden just became a superstar with his breakout role as Joe Gillis in Billy Wilder’s Sunset Blvd. One would think a slew of immediate hits would follow, but they actually slowly trickled in, and Bill didn’t receive his next major movie until reuniting with Wilder for his Oscar winning role in 1953’s Stalag 17. During that three year period, Bill did have steady work and even one hit with 1950’s Born Yesterday (which got Oscar noms including best picture and a win for his co star Judy Holliday).

I find this 1950-1953 time span of Bill’s career to be insanely intriguing, as here you have a breakout superstar after he had been working in Hollywood for over a decade, yet after Sunset Blvd, he basically goes straight back to working in random roles in films the studio tells him to do. While results are mixed, I think all of the movies had an over looked quality to them, as critics like to jump straight to 1953 and beyond. Submarine Command (1951) I count as one of these overlooked movies, and I think part of that is lack of DVD and little airplay on TV. I myself personally did not even find this movie until I stumbled upon it on YouTube one night and decided to jump at the chance to watch it. (It is finally being rescued by Kino Lorber and will have a blu ray release!)

Co-starring his Sunset Blvd leading lady Nancy Olson in their fourth and final pairing, Submarine Command is one of the first movies ever to address the then unknown feelings of PTSD. Lieutenant Commander Ken White (Bill) is out at sea in the Pacific theater of war, in charge of the USS Tiger Shark. Taking cover during a Japanese air raid, White orders the submarine to submerge, despite a warning from CPO Boyer (William Bendix), that the captain, Commander Josh Rice (Jack Gregson) is still on top.

(Wikipedia)

White refuses to listen to the advice of Boyer and submerges anyway; unfortunately Rice and a fellow crewman are both lost. Even more alarming is when the sub resurfaces, they are made aware WW2 is now over. Filled with guilt, and even though NO one but Boyer holds a grudge against him (Rice’s family does not blame him), White goes back to civilian life and chooses to remain in the Navy in a desk position.

Things go OK for White and he even marries his sweetheart Carol (Nancy Olson), until one day he gets news Tiger Shark is being recommissioned with Boyer as a fellow crew member. Boyer automatically tries to transfer, but is unsuccessful. It gets even worse when a fire breaks out on the Tiger Shark, and White makes Boyer follow the proper protocol when saving a trapped man, rather than jumping into immediate action.

Believing he can take no more, White actually makes plans to leave the Navy and all of his past demons behind until he gets news the Korean War has started. He takes control of Tiger Shark again, believing his new mission of saving two PoWs with vital war info is his last chance at redemption.

In terms of plot (including battle/action sequences), Submarine Command directed by John Farrow is probably not the most original, and is certainly predictable. It’s even been cited by some as one of the worst WW2 movies in terms of action and accuracy, but what I focus on is the actual emotion these actors are portraying. PTSD was a known feeling amongst fellow vets, just not formally or medically diagnosable. My own grandfather who was Army Infantry in WW2 certainly had un-diagnosed PTSD, and I can’t help but wonder how disillusioned he must have felt. Almost never talking about war was his style, but one thing he did remind me of, is he wanted further and future WW2 education to be about the everyday people who were there, and this is just what this movie is focused on: war vets.

I know some may say the manner in which PTSD was overdone, or unrealistic, and while that MAY BE true given modern day assessments, what is also true is this movie got the ball rolling on bringing the issue to light. Bill I think 100% could draw on his own war time experience, and I think he was just marvelous at portraying a disillusioned man you care about. Whether it be a fed up screenwriter frustrated with Hollywood OR a Navy submarine commander wanting to atone for his wrongdoings, Bill so honestly portrayed the emotion in a raw and real way. (I only wish I had my Grandfather’s pov of this movie, but I think he would enjoy it, as he often liked movies with interesting characters and plots.)

I also find the inclusion of family and domestic life an interesting part of the narrative. Although the Whites are newlyweds without children, it’s so evident Ken’s PTSD is damaging their relationship. You see his anger and inability to address his issues, while on Carol’s part, you see her wanting to help her husband, but not really sure how to do so. Husband-Wife and wartime relationships would be a recurring element in one of Bill’s films going forward with a similar situation appearing in The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954).

Unexpectedly, this movie gave me the personal theory that lead guitarist Ace Frehley of Kiss took inspiration from this movie for the song “Torpedo Girl” from the 1980 Unmasked album. I have strong reason to suspect it was, but even if it isn’t, to possibly believe Bill and my favorite guitarist could possibly be someone artistically connected with this work is a cool possibility. Ace was born in April 1951, which he often likes to make references to, and consider, this movie was made in 1951. This movie contains the line Man (your) battle stations, Torpedo, which Ace uses as the opening lines of the song. According to this official torpedo phrases reference guide, such a line does not exist, as similar phrases do but not exact verbatim. Finally at about the 5 min mark of the film, Bill as his character Ken White says it looks like a nice day for a swim, which Ace says the lyric, “I thought I’d go out and take a swim today“, in the first verse.

Overall, I am so thankful I watched Submarine Command and I want to thank Kino Lorber for rescuing it by putting it on on disc for the first time ever! I have it pre-ordered 🙂 and can’t wait to watch the new restoration! Bill’s lesser but hidden gems of movies are just a fun to watch as his legendary hits- and this movie is a prime and fine example of that! Would you expect anything less from the Golden Holden!!!??!!

Happy 106th birthday Bill!!!!!!

Bill being adorable in between takes!

DAY 1 of the 6th William Holden Golden Boy Blogathon! April 16 2024

HELLO ALL AND WELCOME! Welcome to the place to celebrate Mr. William Franklin Beedle Jr (aka Holden!) and all his glory as a performer.

I, Emily of the Blog The Flapper Dame will be your host for day 1, April 16 and my fabulous co-host and genius creator of the Blogathon, Ginnie of The Wonderful World of Cinema will be your host tomorrow on April 17 (Bill’s actual birthday!). Just leave your post in comments, sit back, relax and enjoy the 2 days that we honor Hollywood’s Golden Boy.

Today’s Entries:

Whimsically Classic takes a stroll down Sunset Blvd (1950), Bill’s breakout hit 11 years after his first leading role in 1939.

Classic Film and TV Corner gives us a lowdown of Paris when it Sizzles (1964). An under rated fan favorite loaded with chemistry.

The Midnite Drive In is inviting us all to Bill’s Picnic (1955)! Make sure you have your Neewollah costume!

Gill of Reelweegiemidget reviews a lesser known Bill film Ashanti (1979) with a stacked cast! I’ve never seen this one myself!

My co-host, Ginnie of the wonderful world of Cinema writes her article to Dear Ruth (1947). A truly hidden gem of a movie on Bill’s filmography.

The Stop Button enlightens us on The Dark Past (1948). One of Bill Holden’s noir films!

Hitchcock on The Big Screen

This post was written for The Second Master of Suspense Blogathon hosted by Classic TV and Film

When watching movies these days, there are many options: phone, laptop, tablet, TV screen. TV screen is probably my most common method, but the best method is still the old fashioned way: Movie theater setting on a big screen.

Thanks to living in the Chicagoland area, I have opportunities to see films on the big screen from a few different places. My personal preference is the Pickwick theater in Park Ridge, IL, and thanks to Fathom events, movies will screen straight at the local movie theater about 5 min from home.

I’ve gotten to see The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Titanic (1997) each twice in theater settings, and even The Thin Man in 2019, which was also something so rare, I treasure it dearly.

Credit: The Flapper Dame (Me, Emily)

So far as of April 2024, I’ve seen two Hitchcockian masterpieces in theaters. Rear Window in 2017, at the Pickwick and The Birds in Oct 2023, which was a Fathom event nationwide.

Credit: The Flapper Dame (Me, Emily)

Seeing these legendary pictures on a gigantic screen in front of me really immersed me in putting myself in the audiences shoes from back in the day. Grace Kelly’s famous entrance scene was even more alluring and gorgeous. Seeing Tippy be attacked by numerous birds over and over was super terrifying. Its 100% truth to say the big screen amplifies your feelings for these films, and you become even more emotionally connected to them. Hitchcock always intended for his most thrilling scenes to be viewed through a huge screen, so you can feel the detail he put into them, and now I get why.

Of course, you can’t forget about the actors! The actors never anticipated their faces would be on micro screens one day, and seeing them in all their glory makes you as the audience revel in their star power. As I’m a major fan of Grace Kelly, to see her in all her glory in a movie with her favorite director was priceless. I feel I understood Grace more as an actress, and that feeling is such a gift I’m grateful for.

In the future, I totally am on the lookout for more Hitchcock on the big screen. I’m not sure I am ready for say Psycho, but I really hope one day I can catch To Catch a Thief and also, Rebecca. (Imagine: Manderly and and Mrs. Danvers in a theater setting! )

Getting to view any film on the big screen is such a treat, but you can catch a legendary director’s movie, it’s basically a GO! Hitchcock is no exception, in fact it’s basically mandatory!

Credit: Wikipedia

High School Musical 2006: Ode to My Generation

This entry is for the Mis-Matched Couples Blogathon hosted by Realweegie Midget Reviews and Cinematic Catharsis. It runs from March 29-31 2024.

Music entered my life as early as it possibly could. Adopted at age of 1, my world became rock n’ roll and full of legendary music. I’m talking 70’s hard rock, Disney standards, mixed in with The Wizard of Oz (1939) soundtrack.

My toddler years were Kiss fan made VHS tapes, Def Leppard interviews, AC/DC Stuff Upper Lip tour updates on VH1, and plenty of Disney movie marathons. Full House reruns in my elementary years were watching Nick@Nite with Uncle Jesse playing concerts in the living room. Music like The Beach Boys and more rock standards such as “My Sharona” entered my life at this point. While all of this was good and plenty, getting healthy doses of legendary music, the musical staple of my own generation didn’t come around until 2006 with the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical.

Launching Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale to mega teen stardom, HSM was not anything technically, “new“, but it came around at a time when kids of my generation had nothing else that was their own.
Sure Disney had The Cheetah Girls and Lizzie McGuire containing original music, but they were not broad appeals (I wasn’t into either). High School Musical with its relatable Romeo and Juliet/ West Side Story inspired love story appealed to all kids and was insanely relatable, as it took place at school. Even elementary students like 4th grader, 9/ 10 year old me at the time, connected with it over the familiar setting.

(Disney)

Zac Efron stars as Troy Bolton: captain of the basketball team at East High School. He’s basically the typical all American jock, and with his dad as the team coach, there is extra pressure on him to be perfect. HS is his oyster: he has a best friend, co-captain Chad Danforth (Corbin Bleu), knows the teachers, and is popular with other students like performer twins Sharpay (Tisdale) and Ryan Evans (Lucas Grabeel).

On New Years Eve, Troy goes on vacation out of state to a ski lounge and ends up at a party with karaoke, in which he is randomly paired with Gabriella Montez (Hudgens). Neither wants to sing, and they do so reluctantly, but as “The Start of Something New” goes on, they feel more confident and comfortable with each other. In fact, they feel so comfortable with each other, by the end of the night they almost kiss.

Thinking they never will see each other again, the pair exchange numbers, but this turns out to be wrong when Gabriella walks up in homeroom the first day back to school, as a transfer student to East High. Gabriella soon discovers Troy is a jock, and she is taken in by the science club president Taylor McKessie (Monique Coleman), but that doesn’t stop them from pursuing their hidden passion, even auditioning for the winter musical (they sing What I’ve Been Looking For). Once this news breaks, Sharpay, Chad, Taylor, and even Troy’s Dad do everything in their power to stop it, as kids should “Stick to the Status Quo“.

But Troy and Gabriella are determined against the odds, and once their friends come around, everyone realizes its all better when they are “All in This Together“

At first, I was not on board with HSM, I believed it to be over hyped. It was a few weeks until I saw it, and my mom actually picked up the DVD at my my younger sister’s insistence. But then something shifted, I kept hearing “Breaking Free”, and was so taken in by that song. The melody, the visuals in which Troy and Gabriella were performing, it just spoke to me. (Of course, the twirl at towards the end and the sweet kiss on cheek once the song is finished were also aspects I admired!)

As far as the chemistry between these two goes, on paper, yes they are mismatched. Yet, I think what bonds them is the power of music, as well as the fact Gabriella isn’t impressed by Troy’s jock status, to her, that’s beside the point. Music I believe is a powerful force, and it can bring you surprising bonds with people you would never think you’d be friends with. With these two, it allows them to be their real selves, and it connects them on a deeper level than just surface level appearances.

Of course, I must mention, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens as actors, were paired together in auditions because the producers and director Kenny Ortega saw something between them that was blatantly obvious. They crushed on each other during filming in 2005 and then dated until 2010, 2 years after the HSM3 wrapped. “Zanessa” were a couple I totally believed was, “true love”, in my elementary/ middle school years. I don’t personally think it was a show-mance, as you look at Zac’s own personal romances since he broke up with Vanessa, and none have been successful or long lasting.

Overall, HSM is probably nothing more than a G rated Grease, or a West Side Story set in school, or as my Mom has always seen, just “something goofy on Disney Channel”. But to kids of my generation, this was something connective: the music was new, the stars were teens themselves, you had to wait for the other two movie installments, and you saw Zac Efron’s face plastered on Tiger Beat, Bop, and J-14 (Mags my sister and I got!). I don’t recall there has been something as major on the same vein as HSM since then, or maybe we have to wait a long while before something as major comes around again. Whatever the case, while I do have my own issues with the trilogy, and I have fallen out of love with the actors, and don’t care for some of the acting performances, HSM will always be something my generation can claim for themselves. That doesn’t always happen, and I’m not sure what my opinion will be 10 years from now, but, for me, just like for Troy and Gabriella, the music is what keeps me bonded with this trilogy. It’s a part of the music of my life, and it will forever represent my own childhood.

BONUS: This is my favorite Troy- Gabriella duet of the whole trilogy, HSM3’s Right Here, Right Now. I’ve always believed Zac’s voice possessed a tenderness not present in any other song. It is the hopeless romantic number of the trilogy, I found it tender at age 12, and I still believe that as an adult.

Forthcoming: The 6th Golden Boy Blogathon 2024

After taking a hiatus from 2023, 2024 is the perfect time to bring back The Golden Boy Blogathon! Ginnie from The Wonderful World of Cinema has asked me to co-host this year, and of course, I gladly accepted!

I’m always ready to celebrate Bill and the wonderful legacy he left, not only to the screen, but to the world around him, as he was equally a conservationist! 2024 marks his 106th birthday!

This year’s rules are as follows:

1- Choose a topic related to the Golden Boy! It can be anything about him as long as it is done with RESPECT 🙂

• Duplicates are not allowed, as Bill has an extensive filmography and there are a variety of non-film topics to chose from.
• Please submit your topic in the comments,and also provide the name of your blog and its URL. You can comment here on my blog or on Ginnie’s blog.

2- Once you’re approved, feel free to promote the event by including one of the fabulous banners Ginnie created on your blog / social media!

3- The blogathon will start  April 16, 2024, and end on April 17, 2024. You can submit your entrie(s) on any one of these dates! (late entries also accepted!)

4- We each are hosting a day. I am in charge of tthe first day April 16, while Ginnie will be taking over on Bill’s birthday, April 17.

Finally, please remember we will only be accepting new, unpublished material for this blogathon!

ROSTER:

The wonderful World of Cinema: Dear Ruth

The Flapper Dame: Submarine Command (1951)

Whimsically Classic – Sunset Boulevard

Box Office Poison – William Holden and Audrey Hepburn

Hoofers and Honeys of the Classic Movie Era – Born Yesterday

Real Weegie Midget Reviews – Ashanti

Musings of a Classic Film Addict – I Wanted Wings

The Midnite Drive-In – Picnic

In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood – Hollywood at Last (I Love Lucy episode) and William Holden Wildlife Foundation

Taking Up Room – 21 Hours at Munich

Pop Culture Reverie– TBA

Classic Film and TV Corner – Paris When it Sizzles

The Stop Button – Executive Suite 1954

18 Cinema Lane– Network 1976

Our Souls at Night (2017)

Our Souls at Night (2017) is kind of a new type of rom-com: a romance for elderly adults 70+. Directed by Ritesh Batra, it’s the story of two neighbors who are both widowed, and despite not knowing each other well, agree to sleep with each other at night for comfort to avoid loneliness. Right from the start of the film, it’s posed as a question by Addie (Jane Fonda) to Louis (Robert Redford). Agreeing to the condition, the two gradually fall in love despite all the entanglements they encounter such as health issues, age stigma, and family problems.

Because the movie stars long time on-screen love interests Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, the premise doesn’t seem weird, awkward, or unwelcome, rather it seems intriguing, because you already know the two stars have chemistry. Our Souls is their official fourth movie together (fifth if you count Redford’s un-credited role as a basketball player in 1960’s Tall Story) playing love interests. They previously appeared together in The Chase (1964), Barefoot in the Park (1967), and The Electric Horseman (1979).

I personally really loved watching this movie because it was sweet and realistic, but not overly sentimental, as there were some serious issues at play. As the movie goes along Addie and Louis become more comfortable with each other and their relationship advances. It doesn’t even hit a snag when Addie’s grandson, Jamie (Iain Armitage) has to stay with her for the summer when his parent’s marriage falls apart. While Louis’s daughter Holly (Judy Greer) seems OK with the new relationship, it’s Addie’s son, Gene (Matthias Schoenaerts) who seems to have a problem with it. Still, the two persist in their romance as they both take care of Jamie, with Louis and Jamie bonding over a train set and Jamie’s new dog.

The plot however, turns serious when Addie has a fall accident at home, and Gene insists his mom live with him so she can be looked after. Addie is then torn between her relationship with Louis or her well being and her son’s concern.

It’s always gonna be LOVE with these two!!

What’s cool about the movie is there are a bunch of little call backs to not only Jane and Bob’s films together, but films from their separate careers. There’s a nod to The Electric Horseman when Addie and Louis drive in the car with Willie Nelson playing. Bruce Dern co-stars as Dorlan, a man at Louis’s coffee gatherings, and he co-starred with both leads in previous productions They Shoot Horses Don’t They (1969), Coming Home (1978), and The Great Gatsby (1974). Louis teaches Jamie some baseball pitches, referencing The Natural (1984). Louis likes to paint, which is a hobby of Mr. Redford’s. The whole subplot of Addie’s grandson coming to stay with his grandma/ the elderly all summer is also a plot in On Golden Pond (1981). Finally, the movie was made in 2017, 50 years after Barefoot in the Park.

But the sweetest callback to Barefoot in the Park is certainly the hotel check in scene, in which Jane grabs Bob’s arm at the check in desk again. It was such a cool moment, not only in movie history, but in the on and off screen relationship of these two together. I was absolutely geek-ing out over it!

Overall, despite the movie being a Netlifx only movie, it’s bigger than the medium of release. I’ve heard some harsh critiques on social media comments saying Bob is sleepwalking in the part, or Jane was so restrained, but I didn’t buy any of that schlock. It was really heartfelt and endearing. Soulmates can find each other, at any age, and this film proves just that!

This post is for MovieRob’s February 2024 Genre Grandeur. You can watch Our Souls at Night on Netflix.

Charlie St Cloud (2010): Waking up from the teenage dream

Starring Zac Efron in the title role, Charlie St. Cloud is a 2010 supernatural dramatic romance about a young man’s second chance at life. Charlie dreams of being a professional sailor and has an adoring mother (Kim Basinger), but his goals come crashing down when he and his little brother Sam (Charlie Tahon) get into a car accident. While Sam dies, Charlie lives after being brought back from the dead by paramedic Florio (Ray Liotta), who believes there are no lost causes and second chances happen for a reason.

As a result of being revived, Charlie is given the gift of being able to talk to ghostly spirits who are not alive or dead, rather they are caught, “in between“. Keeping good on a promise, Sam and Charlie meet in the forest at sunset to play baseball. It all goes well until Charlie reconnects with a former high school classmate, fellow sailor Tess (Amanda Crew). Suddenly, Charlie feels torn between keeping his promise to his brother or pursuing a new relationship with Tess. 

At the time, the movie was seen as Zac’s transition from teen idol to adult actor. It’s even evidenced in the plot when his character starts off in senior year of high school, but then the narrative jumps to his life in his early 20’s. The film also saw Zac and director Burr Steers reunite from 17 Again (2009).

Charlie St. Cloud is a movie I have had a major love- hate relationship with since I was 13 or 14. However today at 27, as an adult, I can say, I just hate it. Watching the movie with adult eyes and an adult brain have made me see all the flaws that people like my mom saw when it initially came out. 

Rewinding back to the summer of 2010, as a teen, I remember thinking this was going to be an emotionally compelling drama, even if I wasn’t completely sold on the actress playing Zac’s love interest. I love Zac Efron, not out-loud, but quietly, yes! I adore him. High School Musical, all 3, were in my opinion, amazing movies, and I was a super-fan of 17 Again. (Hairspray (2007), not so much; I just never got into it, even though I did try to).

Zac and his baby blues… charming, but not in this movie

I was really looking forward to seeing Zac in a legit serious role, one that could elevate him to be a dramatic leading man, and went to see it with my friend Anna, as she too was a Zac fan. While we both enjoyed it, we also both were confused by it. 

The scene in which the truth about Tess is revealed to the audience, was horribly written. I recall the both of us totally bewildered, as we glanced over at each other and not knowing what just happened. It didn’t make any sense to us two teen girls, and it still does not make sense to me as an adult.

My major source of dislike with this movie have always rested in Amanda Crew and Zac Efron’s lack of chemistry. The boathouse kiss scene was not even sweet, and their chase/ make-out scene that follows in the graveyard was pure cringe. No chemistry means no one is actually rooting for them to be together. This romance is pivotal to the plot, as Charlie must choose between Tess and Sam, and with no chemistry, you start to question why Charlie would give up Sam for Tess.

Early 2010s romance at its worst.

This is most evident in this scene here, in which it’s horrendous acting by everyone involved. Tess’s hand holding, Charlie’s tone of voice in explanation, Sam not convincing the audience he feels hurt. I thought it was a bit goofy when I was a teen, but now, it’s pretty insufferable. 

The one element that has altered 180° for me is Zac Efron’s performance. At 14, it’s what saved the movie for me, and it’s why I had it on DVD. I thought, “Zac is in the movie, and he does get some heartfelt scenes, the movie is still good!” But everyone, when viewing the movie for the first time in over a decade, Zac does not have the ability to make you cry or care about Charlie and his dilemma. Rather, he gives these blank, spacey stares as he looks confused on how to play the scene.

Referring back to my thoughts about Zac’s potential to be a dramatic actor, this is why it never happened: he doesn’t possess the ability to convey deep emotion, and is probably why his career has taken the comedy route. (This, in turn, is the reason why I lost interest in his movies, as all of them just look really stupid. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)?? Neighbors (2014)? Baywatch (2016)? NOPE, NOPE, AND NOPE! NO THANK YOU!) 

Saying something positive about the film, I really do admire the spiritual aspect of it. The idea of deceased loved ones watching over you is comforting to believe in. It is something I, myself, believe in. I recall loads of reviews around the time the film was released and that element being a major critique, but for me personally, it’s not why I dislike the movie. The script, the acting, and the emotional connectivity all need help. There are also some beautiful, scenic shots of Charlie and Tess sailing on the water, with the setting perfectly picturesque. Finally, YES, I do admit, Zac was so good looking in this movie. He was fit, but not overly muscle-y, with his piercing blue blues shining against the lush background. He was and still is adorable to look at on screen in this film. (If only he didn’t become a super muscle man!)

Overall, I’m glad to have revisited the movie, as it was a real assessment of something I was probably too young to even really give an opinion of initially. I would not watch it again, but I’m just grateful to have finally seen the truth of why the movie is flawed. It’s now a closed chapter in my, “life at the movies“, and I have a legit answer as to why I feel the way I feel.

THIS post was written for Sixth Annual So Bad, It’s Good Blogathon hosted by Taking Up Room.

Sunshine Award 2023/24 from Gil!

Real Weegie Midget has nominated me for 2 sunshine blogger awards! And even though the one is from August 2023, I still wanted to do them! The other is from late 2023/ early 2024. So here are the questions and my answers ( I’m not a fan of passing chain things on, but I always will answer the questions if someone passes it to me!) In leiu of 11 nominees, I’m gonna list 11 questions at the end, and anyone who wants to answer is welcome to answer! Thanks so much Gil times two for both awards and people, check out her website! It’s a real place to be if you love films and movies of any kind and all eras! You’re a fabulous connoisseur of entertainment!!!

List the award’s official rules…

• Display the award’s official logo somewhere on your blog.
• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Provide a link to your nominator’s blog.
• Answer your nominator’s questions.
• Nominate up to 11 bloggers.
• Ask your nominees 11 questions.
• Notify your nominees by commenting on at least one of their blog posts.

You are presented with an award for your services to film blogging, who do you choose to accept it from? I’d like to Accept an Awards from Gil, she’s so cool and kind! Plus she’s seen a ton and knows a ton of movies!

Which 1970s disaster movie group of survivors would you like to celebrate your blogging award with? The Towering Inferno! Bill Holden, Paul Newman, Fred Astaire, to name a few, what fun would that be!

Which child star do you think deserves an Oscar for their performance as a child actor? Natalie Wood! It’s so difficult to transition out of child roles, and she did.

What film or TV Series shouldn’t have been remade? Yours, Mine and Ours 2004 should never have been remade. I remember seeing it on DVD, as I never got to theaters for it (thankfully), I remember hating it, as a kid, thinking it was just was not funny or cute.

What fabulous film or acting talent have you discovered when writing your blog? I discovered Ingrid Bergman (Ginnie of The Wonderful World of Cinema loves her). I also now love Robert Redford too! I had seen his movies with Natalie Wood and, I liked him, but branched out and watched some of his other movies! Now I adore him!

What genre do you hate writing about? Sci-Fi. I just don’t get into sci-fi.

What’s your favourite instrumental piece written for a movie? I love the western theme music for The Searchers (1956). It can give you chills in a cool way.

What’s your favourite film musical? RENT 2005. I love RENT! It means so much to me, as I was born the same year it was it on broadway (1996) and it came into my life in 2005, when my mom became a fan of the movie. My grandma also died in 2005, and that was the first person in my life I lost to death. The soundtrack is the most cathartic healing tool when you’ve lost someone.

What TV Movie do you think should have been released as a feature film? With some minor changes, The Screaming Woman 1972. With the talent, it could have been a feature film, not just a TV movie of the week. It would need some tweaks though. High School Musical 2 (2007) could have been too, maybe.

Which movie star’s autobiography would you like to ghostwrite? Adam Pascal! (although he’s more Broadway rather than movie star) I’m available if you want me to write! If he ever chose to write one, I’d love to silently collaborate with him!

Which soap opera character would you want to be stuck on a desert island with? Blackie Parish?! I never watched John Stamos on General Hospital, but I know he was on GH, so why not him!!!

Second round of Questions:

Who would be your dream interview subject and why? I would love to be able to interview Colin Firth because I adore him!!! A well known actor, but not a Hollywood type!

What’s your favourite blogathon that you have either run or taken part in? I enjoy doing Blogtahons hosted by my fellow blogging friends! ! It’s so fun as we are all passionate about a certian actor/ actress or genre!

You have the choice of a film festival to attend in 2024 in an all-expenses paid trip, which do you choose…? Ohh interesting. Probably the TCM Film Festival, as they always have exclusives and world premieres.

What film-inspired present would you buy for me if you had 50 dollars (or your own currency) to spend…? I would by Gil a box set of one of her favorite TV shows that she doesn’t own yet! She would get to choose

Imagine that you are moving house, which actor or actress would you choose as your next door neighbour? I would love to live next door to Claire Foy! How cool would it be living next to the actress who won a Golden Globe for playing young Queen Elizabeth II!???

What’s your favourite film franchise? Probably Pirates of the Caribbean. I saw the 3rd, 4th and 5th installments in theaters and they are just fun movies.

Which year is your favourite in film, and support your answer with your top 3 movies from this time… Tough question! I’m just going with 1939 because The Wizard of Oz is my favorite movie ever. Stagecoach and Gone with the Wind are also some favorites from this year.

Recommend a film to me that you think would easily fit in my blog. Legal Eagles 1986 with Robert Redford and Debra Winger. I myself have not watched it yet, but it looks like 80’s fun! Plus, Sir Rod Stewart’s “Love Touch” is part of the soundtrack!

Without saying who the murderer is, which Agatha Christie inspired movie would you change the murderer in… Death on the Nile.

What’s your favourite film related  biopic? The Young Victoria 2009. You don’t see the young romantic queen that Victoria was very much on screen. Usually it’s her as an old woman, the young woman is just even more fascinating!

11 Questions open to anyone who wants to answer:

1. Is there a movie from your childhood you loved as a kid, but today as an adult do love?
2. Who was the teen idol of your generation?
3. Which remake movie is actually worth watching?
4. What movie would you delete from existence?
5. What is a movie that has a better soundtrack than plot/story?
6. Favorite movie from the decade you were born
7. A movie that is underrated?
8. A hit movie that you never got into/ liked
9. A movie couple that you don’t see the chemistry when everyone else does
10. Favorite sitcom TV show
11. Favorite page to screen adaption (can be movie or TV show)

What was I Thinking? 5 movies from childhood I can’t Stomach Today

When you’re a child and a teen, chances are you’re prone to watching a boatload of garbage movies. Sometimes it’s due to limited selection, or sometimes it’s due to the fact you are unaware other options are out there. I honestly believe being born in the 90’s and having a childhood of the 2000s/ early 2010s, I was subjected to the height of the kid/ teen movie market. While that was amusing, it was also over-saturated. I watched far too many wasteful movies, and I apologize to my mother who had to watch a majority of them with my sister and I. So, with all of that being said, I present to you 5 movies, which in my opinion, were never great to begin with, and over time, as an adult I’ve realized how actually horrendous they are.

Charlie St. Cloud 2010: I’m writing a full post about this for a blogathon, in the near future. This movie has probably always been inefficient, it’s just now I see it for myself. Zac Efron cannot charm me anymore in this movie, and there’s a honest reason why it flopped: it’s just terribly embarrassing. If you want a lesson in how to have no chemistry between leads when romance is crucial to the plot, this is how you do it. 

Picture This 2008: My sister and I liked this movie, but probably because it was PG-13 and we were getting older, she was 9 and I was 12. It sends the poor message to kids and teens, that if you sneak out and disobey your parents, in the end you still can get everything you want. Plus, it contains an insanely inappropriate scene (played for laughs) of an uncle baby sitting his pre-school aged nephew, accidentally visually exposing him to adult videos, NO.  

Life Size 2001: Looking back there’s something a bit creepy with this movie. A magical spell makes a doll turn into a full size human and tries to be your new BFF. Maybe it’s because I don’t see Tyra Banks as a positive role model anymore. Maybe it’s because I’m older. Maybe because it was goofy to begin with?  Perhaps all of the above? Whatever the case, this movie, although iconic and contains the catchy, Be a Star, should stay buried in the past. 

Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging 2008: Ah, British movies, enough to draw me in. But thinking about this movie now, this is not a positive movie for tweens/ teens. The main character literally says: “It’s boy stalking time!“, and a portion of the movie is spent with the girls stalking the guys they like: NOT OK! In any teen movie, romance is always an element, but it’s really annoying when romance is the ONLY thing that drives the plot. All these pre-teen girls in the movie feel their life will be over if they don’t have a boyfriend, OH PLEAZZZE! Bonus: This soundtrack sucks, She’s so lovely by Scouting for Girls: hella irritating!

Bring it On: In it to Win it (4) 2007: 2007: The year I consider was possibly the last year of my true childhood. Before then, I didn’t have to hide my interests for fear of them being too “babyish” and as I entered middle school, in fall 2007, that’s exactly what I began to do. While the original Bring it On will always be a cult classic, the sequels are all forgettable. I have no recollection of Bring it On: Again (2) 2004, and barely recall the third installment All or Nothing (2006), but I do have a memory of being fond of this fourth movie. Opinion now: it’s a dreadful piece of film. The characters are all completely unlikable, without charm, or redeeming qualities. Add on the cringe inducing rivalry between the Sharks and Jets (yes, a rip on West Side Story) and this movie is nothing but cliches of how a typical cheer-leading team would act.

The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)

This review is for Movie Rob’s December 2023 genre grandeur of animated Christmas movies!

In 1974, Rankin and Bass, made one of their final true classic animagic TV specials, The Year Without A Santa Claus.

The premise is actually based on a 1956 children’s storybook of the same name by Phyllis McGinley. Amazingly, a title song did not exist prior to the special, and one was created specifically for it. It does however, incorporate the pre-existing songs of “Blue Christmas” and “Here Comes Santa Claus”.

The plot of this special is all based on Santa (voiced once again by Mickey Rooney after he voiced Santa in 1970’s Santa Claus is Comin to Town) having a cold, and not wanting to take his big trip at Christmas! He doesn’t feel concerned about about missing the trip either, as he feels the world, particularly kids, do not care about him anymore. After Mrs. Claus (Shirley Booth in her final role) realizes she can’t take Santa’s place, as she would be recognized, she sends elves Jingle and Jangle out on a quest to a town called Southtown, with Vixen, to see just how much people do or do not care if Santa takes a holiday.

Although Santa, the elves, and the boy they meet on their quest in Southtown, Iggy, are all fun characters, the real highlight are the Miser Brothers: Snow Miser and Heat Miser. They sing the most memorable songs and are just so charming!!! I personally adore their backup dancers and lairs with their thrones.

Growing up this was one of my mom’s favorite Christmas specials she remembers watching on TV as it premiered, as she was 9 when it first aired. (Her all time favorite is Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer 1964, but that premiered on TV the year before she was born).

In my life, I was introduced to this special kind of later in my childhood, maybe when I was like 8 or 9, because of the lack of home video and broadcast scarcity. When we finally found it on DVD, my Mom was so excited, as if she was watching it for the first time!!

As far as Rankin/ Bass specials go, one could argue this is the last real classic Christmas special. Rudolph’s Shiny New Year debuted in 1976, however it’s almost rare as it (understandably) wasn’t on heavy TV rotation or as common on VHS like Rudolph 1964 and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. 1979 saw the R/B team reunite with Mickey Rooney in Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July. Rooney played Santa for the final time in 2008’s Miser Brother’s Christmas, although R/B was not involved.

NO. Not my Miser Brothers!

I always thought it was cool to see Frosty in the animagic style for Christmas in July, but was very unimpressed with the 2008 special. Even as a 12 year old, I just could not latch onto it they way it did with the original and I’ve dismissed it ever since. The puppets were completely redesigned, which is understandable if they were lost, BUT they were not even made to resemble the originals. The complete redesigns took the real magic away from the the brothers, and the plot was too generic and unoriginal.

For me, and I’m sure many others, The Year Without a Santa Claus is in the same camp as 1964’s Rudolph and 1970’s Comin’ to Town. It has the magic of the puppets, the sentimentality, and the all round cuteness that makes you believe in that legit Christmas magic. Have a very Merry Christmas and remember, “You’re too much!”