Hollywood Friendship: Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman

For the Second Wonderful Ingrid Bergman Blogathon hosted by my friend Ginnie at the Wonderful World of Cinema, I decided to write about the legendary friendship between the two lovely stars of Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. (Sadly I haven’t seen too many of Bergman’s movies- but I want to change that!)

                

Cary and Ingrid may have only made to movies together: Hitchcock’s Notorious (1946) and Stanley Donen’s 1958 work Indiscreet- but the friendship they had was certainly amazing.

When work began on Notorious both stars were somewhat uneasy- David O Selznick wanted Cary replaced with Joseph Cotten, and Cary himself was unsure of how the movie would turn out as his previous Hitchcock film Suspicion (1941) had him cast against type. Ingrid was also a bit uneasy with working for Hitchcock again, as her previous film with him, Spellbound (1945) also was an unpleasant experience.

However as filming began, both stars were able to let go of their past feelings and found comfort in each other. Their easiness around each other is evident in one of the most famous kisses in screen history. As it is widely known most of the dialogue between the pair was improvised, as Hitch advised them to speak “as lovers would”. Although both stars found the scene somewhat uncomfortable to shoot, what resulted was just fabulous!

 

It would be 12 years before the pair were teamed again, but they always found room for each other! As we all know- Cary was one of the few people in Hollywood not to shut Ingrid out due to her romance with Roberto Rosselini, and even accepted for her 1957 Best Actress Oscar for Anastasia. That’s real friendship!

Then the next year, 1958 the two were reunited in Indiscreet. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it, and I’ve only watched it once, (same with Notorious I’m gonna have to watch both again) but I can say that the plot is really wonderful.I love the use of the split screen in the beginning and of course there is Cary’s dance scene. Ingrid gets some great lines, “How dare he make love to me and not be a married man!”

One of the last public appearances the duo had was at the AFI tribute to Alfred Hitchcock. Naturally both stars were there, and when Ingrid got up to reflect on Hitch, she surprised everyone by presenting the famous key from Notorious. After filming wrapped on Notorious, Cary kept it, then soon passed it on to Ingrid saying it could bring her luck, as it did him. At the presentation, Ingrid then gave it to Hitch!

After Ingrid died, Cary would often say he had four favorite leading ladies: Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Deborah Kerr, and Ingrid Bergman. He also was known to favor the two movies he made with her. Today, we may not know much about the two stars private friendship, but it still endures on screens to be treasured forever!

Photo Credit- Pintrest, Wikipedia.

20 film fun facts

Hello readers! Today since 8/27, it’s my Birthday, I thought it would be fun for you guys to learn a little bit about me!

But, instead of just naming 20 films I love, which is in my view is unfair to the would be 21st title on the list, I’m going to name 20 film fun facts about me- hopefully you will find them interesting! Here we go!

1- I specifically got a blu ray player to watch the 1953 classic Niagara (as its now very very expensive on DVD).

2-Henry Fonda was the first “leading man” I ever saw on screen in Yours Mine and Ours (1968). I was 9 years old when I first watched the movie in 2005.

3- The first Hitchcock I saw was Rear Window (1954), all because of Grace Kelly

4- The first Cary Grant movie I saw was Charade (1963)

5- In my life I have taken four (counting TCM’s slapstick class) formal film classes

6- The first William Holden movie I watched was Sabrina (1954), but I didn’t fall in love with / admire him until I saw Born Yesterday (1950)

7- A good friend of mine (you know who you are!)  got me into watching and admiring Billy Wilder films. 🙂 

8- I’m not a big Joan Crawford fan, however I do like Daisy Kenyon (1947)

9- I’m not a big Barbara Stanwyck fan, but I can’t help but like her because she saved Bill Holden’s career.

10- Gentlemen Prefer Blondes  (1953) got me to like Marilyn Monroe.

11- On average, there are only about three films a year I’m actually interested in seeing at the cinema- I do watch a lot of movies but they are usually on TCM!

12- My favorite Fred and Ginger movie is Swing Time (1936)

13- An under rated film noir, in my opinion, is Road House (1948)

14- When I was 6, I had an opportunity to do a stage production of The Wizard of Oz (1939), but I said no- I now regret that!

15- One of my favorite chick flicks is Easy A (2010)

16- I sadly didn’t see Titanic (1997) fully through until April 2012- my Mom and I saw the re-release for the 100th anniversary of the sinking/ 15th anniversary of the movie.

17- The only film, so far, that I have seen opening weekend is 17 Again (2009)

18- I like many genres, execpt Horror and sci-fi

19- As a kid, I saw Monsters Inc (2001)  5 times at the cinema; And Finding Nemo (2003) 3 times.

20- My Grandfather was a big John Wayne fan, and I am too because of him. Whenever I watch a John Wayne movie- I always think of my Grandfather. I’ve been told The Cowboys (1972) and Hondo (1953) were two of his favorites, but I never specifically asked him for myself.

And that’s that! Thanks to all my readers-regular and casual- for following! I am so grateful for all of your support! 😉 –Emily (The Flapper Dame) 

You Can’t Take it With You (1938)

(Note- Earlier I was working on this and I accidentally hit “publish” instead of “Save”- sorry to my email followers!)

Based of the hit Broadway play and directed by Frank Capra, You Can’t Take it With You (1938) is one of the best from the best. And because this is for the Barrymore blogathon, the star at the center of this film is Lionel Barrymore.

You Can’t Take it with You is a story about two people who just get engaged, Anthony “Tony” Kirby (James Stewart) and Alice Sycamore (Jean Arthur) but they come from two different worlds- Tony is from a rich, slightly stuffy family, while Alice comes from a poorer, slightly eccentric, but loving family. Alice fears she will not be accepted by Tony’s family, and Tony fears his stuffy family will not approve of his choice. The film then plays out to see whether or not the two families can get along for the sake of Alice and Tony.

Personally I just think this film is charming- as not only does it teach us to accept differences, its just a cute story in general. So many good moments and one liners (really don’t wanna spoil them!). I LOVE Jean Arthur- I probably relate to her more than any other actress- and James Stewart is just great. All the players were well cast right down to the supporting players. But it is Barrymore’s portrayal of Grandpa Martin Vanderhof that keeps everyone together- and is the conscience of the film. He’s just the type of guy you want as your own grandfather.

Sadly by the time of this picture’s production, Barrymore was suffering from health problems and the character was altered to accommodate his medical needs. The crutches, Grandpa Vanderhof uses served to help Barrymore stand, and it was explained in the movie as his character having a sprained ankle from sliding down the banister (because why else?? :-)) ) .

I say one of my favorite scenes has to be when Alice and Tony are sitting together at dinner and their dance together ! Its too cute! 😉

But in this film there is also a great irony, as in this movie, Barrymore plays the moral compass of the film, bringing everyone in and advocating for Tony and Alice’s union, but in Frank Capra’s other classic, It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), he plays the meanest of the mean, the banker Mr Potter. Just goes to show the versatility in Barrymore’s ability and that he can make audiences both adore, and (love to) hate him.

CREDIT GOES TO: Classic Movie Hub

IN the end, I do not call Capra’s films “CapraCorn” and even if they are- so what! They are all adorable and at the heart of all of them, contain a sweet love story. If you haven’t seen this Capra work, put it on your list- its just splendid!

Other picture credits- Wikipedia

 

 

The Alfred Hitchcock Blog Tag

So Yes- this is a day late- but for Mr Hitchcock- I’ll do almost anything! Eva at Coffee, Classics, and Craziness– you’re a genius for this idea!

What was the first Hitchcock film you ever watched?

Credit- filmsite.org

Rear Window! Summer of 2013 when I was bored, I took an interest to Grace Kelly and thought it looked interesting. My life then got better because Hitchcock was in it.

What’s your favorite Hitchcock film?

Again I say… Rear Window. The 39 Steps is also my favorite.  Rebecca, Suspicion, and To Catch a Thief are not to far behind.

What’s your least favorite Hitchcock film?

All of Hitch’s are good in their own way, but I’ve gotta say Jamaica Inn– Although I adore Maureen O’Hara.

What’s your favorite Hitchcock cameo?

Credit- The Hitchcock Zone

LOVE the cameo in Dial M for Murder, so clever! But the one in Mr and Mrs Smith– gotta love that one because Carole Lombard directed it, GO Carole!

Who’s your favorite Hitchcock villain?

Almost everyone is saying Uncle Charlie in Shadow of a Doubt– but I haven’t seen that one- yet. I’m gonna have to say Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson) from Rebecca- amazing performance! 

Hero?

TOUGH- Cary Grant in North by Northwest– he has several bar tenders dependent on him! AND he wears a really nice, well cut suit. (HeeHee 😉 )

Heroine?

Credit- The Hitchcock Zone

Again what makes this so hard? Ingrid Bergman in Notorious– who doesn’t root for her!?

What’s your favorite Hitchcock quote?

This one- “The only way to get rid of my fears is to make films about them” I wish I did that!

And, finally, how many Hitchcock films have you watched?

15.. and counting…

Laura (1944)

This is my entry for the film noir blogathon– Quiggy Thanks for Hosting!

Film noir is one of my favorite genres of film- for sure in the top 3- and one of my all time favorite films noir, hands down,  is Laura (1944)

Many of you may already know I love Dana Andrews when I confessed my reel infatuation for him as Mark McPherson, but he’s not the only star of this film, as we all know its Laura herself Ms. Gene Tierney!

To me Laura is a unique film noir. It has all of the classic film noir elements, yet it still feels different than say a “textbook” film noir of The Maltese Falcon, or The Big Sleep. 

Laura has a very melodramatic feel to it- but- at the same time its still very tense like the true atmosphere of a noir. Its also very different due to the fact that Laura isn’t really the femme fetale of a ‘dangerous woman ‘- she’s not corrupting nor is she manipulative. She does draw men into her complex web of confusion, and has a very mysterious manner to her- but we never see her put anyone directly in the line of fire. Branching off, I must mention too, that Laura is almost two different types of film, from the beginning to the part of Mark falling asleep under the picture, its a mystery. But from that point on (spoiler: When Laura appears)  its almost as if the film turns into a melodramatic crime drama.

For me personally, part of the allure of Laura is the subtle romance- Dana and Gene have great chemistry- and I totally believe it when Dana Andrews falls for this beautiful, charming, but seemingly dead woman in the picture. However- these two characters barely have much screen time together, (Spoiler: McPherson and Laura only share one kiss) .

EDIT- A lot of you mentioned in the comments how much Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb) steals the show and I completely agree. Webb is the one character that pushes all of the action forward and without him, there is no mystique- he’s just as mysterious as Laura herself. Webb as much a star as Andrews and Tierney and I wanted to mention him!

When Laura first came out in 1944, no one really knew what kind of reception it was going to have- and in the trailer, the studio publicized Laura as an extremely aloof woman, whom of which every man wants to know and every woman wants to be. And to this day- the pitch is still accurate, and still very effective.

I first saw Laura during the 2014 Summer of Darkness on TCM- it was featured as a daily dose clip, and it then aired on the channel soon after. Much like the studio pitch to audiences back in the day, I can’t tell you what it is about Laura that made me want to watch it. I just thought- “Oh that looks interesting, I should give it a try.”

So maybe I can’t quite put my finger on it, as the real reason as to why I love Laura so much, but the one thing for sure is that I have a heck of a time trying to figure out why, and every time I see the film, I adore the film even more!

Why I love The 39 Steps (1935)

Hello everyone! Before I begin my post, I want to say that I’m super extra excited to write about The 39 Steps (1935) and participate in this blogathon for three main reasons-

1- It’s a British themed Blogathon and if you don’t already know I love all British things- especially film!!!!

2- I get to write my first post about a film by my favorite director- Mr. Alfred Hitchcock (don’t ask me why I didn’t write about him sooner- I’m confused on that too)

And 3- From August 19- September 11 the South Australian Theatre Company will be presenting the award winning play The 39 Steps, (based on the original novel by John Buchan and Hitchcock’s film, it was adapted by Patrick Barlow for the stage), which will be is starring my favorite, Mr. Nathan Page!!!! (that’s Jack Robinson from Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, if you didn’t already know).

So with that being said, I’d like to personally dedicate this write-up to Nathan, as he’s starring in the play as the lead.

Mr. Page, if by some amazing twist of fate you’re reading this, please know this: Hitchcock would be impressed and Robert Donat would have been out of a job-  you’re incredibly talented and I know you are doing just a fantastic job in your role, as you always do. I would give anything to see the play in person and I wish you, and the cast/ crew, the best of luck with it- Break a leg!

Credit: The State Theatre Company of South Australia 

The 39 Steps is one of Hitchcock’s best films, and in my opinion, it’s terribly under-rated. YES there are similarities to his 1959 masterpiece North By Northwest– but it really stands on its own as a true Hitchcock classic. For those who are unfamiliar with the film, here’s a very brief summary: An innocent everyman, Richard Hannay gets caught up preventing a spy group called “The 39 Steps” from stealing secret military information, after he is mistakenly accused of murdering a counter espionage agent. Going on the run to Scotland, accompanied by a beautiful girl, Pamela, Richard must not only clear his name, but stop the spies and attempt to charm the girl along the way.  So, what is it about this film that makes me love it so much? Lots! So much so I can’t possibly name everything in this post.

For starters, I love the characters. Mr. Memory (Wylie Watson), an amazing fact file that puts Google to shame! Mr. Richard Hannay played by the ever so suave (but not as suave as Nathan Page 🙂 ) Robert Donat. Hannay has a perfect mustache and I love it how he just has to go with the flow- every twist and turn- no matter what happens to him he stays as cool as a cucumber. Of course, he has his frantic moments- the train scene– but who can blame him- (NOT ME!). And naturally I must mention the lovely Madeleine Carroll, the first Hitchcock blonde.  I love the feisty personality, and her ability to match Hannay word for word- their banter is just perfect.

Hannay: Now let’s make ourselves as comfortable as possible. What about that skirt of yours? It’s still pretty damp, you know. I don’t want to be tied to a pneumonia case on top of everything else. Take it off. I don’t mind.

Pamela: I’ll leave it on, thank you…My shoes and stockings are soaked so I think I’ll take them off.

Hannay: That’s the first sensible thing I’ve heard you say.

As much as I do adore North By Northwest, I do feel this film is somewhat superior. It just has something about it that makes it intriguing. Maybe it just has so many “moments” that make me say both “Awww” and “Ahhh!” at the same time or maybe it’s the fact it’s a British… Hitchcock… Film. Or maybe it’s this scene…

(dvdtalk.com)

Maybe this one????

The Famous Train Scene!   (The 1000 Frames of The 39 Steps Hitchcock Project )

OR perhaps I love this film so much because it’s this film introduces the world to the most famous Hitchcockian element, “The MacGuffin”. WHAT IS The 39 Steps? Who are they? What do they need? And what makes them so dangerous???? Well.. I’ll tell you, you see they are….