On Vacation

Just a little post to let everyone know that I haven't abandoned this blog.  Classic movies remain near and dear to my heart, and writing about them continues to be something I love doing; however, this week, I am leaving for a 2-week vacation, so it won't be until after June 8th that I post here again.  And since I'll be on school break then and will have a bit more time on my hands, I hope to be able to review even more movies per week than I've previously been doing.

Anyhow, it's off to Florida for me...where I will be enjoying family, friends, sun, sand, and sea.  Please visit me again after I've returned from my trip.

Happy viewing to all of you!!

Coop and "Mommy" Movies

Although I love classic movies anytime, this weekend will be especially enjoyable for me.  Starting tomorrow, it's a "Coop and Mommy Movie" weekend for this gal.  You see, Gary Cooper, my #2 guy (just a smidge behind William Holden), has a birthday on Saturday, May 7th....his 110th.  So, in Coop's honor, I am going to watch my all-time fave of his movies...Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (which I reviewed HERE).  I am actually totally wild about several of Coop's movies, including, but not limited to, The Pride of the Yankees, Ball of Fire, They Came to Cordura, and Meet John Doe; however, if I HAD to choose an absolute favorite, it would be Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.  Although I've seen it at least a dozen times, for Coop's birthday, it deserves a re-watch.

Here's a clip from that sweet movie.

Also, in honor of Coop, I'll be watching High Noon for probably the dozenth time in my life.  High Noon is a great message movie, which found Coop receiving his second Best Actor Oscar.

In addition to Coop's birthday, it's also Mother's Day weekend, which means I watch "mommy" movies...you know, the kinds of movies that showcase a mother's love for her children.  I have four favorite "mommy" movies...Penny Serenade (reviewed HERE), Madame X (reviewed HERE), Stella Dallas, and Imitation of Life (reviewed HERE).

Here's a little clip from Imitation of Life:

Maybe I'll have a chance to watch all four of my "mommy" movies this weekend...highly doubtful, though, since I want to get two Coop movies in as well.  So, if I don't have the time for all four,  Madame X and Stella Dallas are the ones I think I'll watch this year.  I will definitely need to have the tissues nearby.

By the way, an old dog really CAN learn new tricks...even though I am quite unsavvy when it comes to techy things, I WAS able to figure out how to add these little video clips to my post.  I visit so many blogs that use them, and I always think they add so much to the post.  They really bring the movie to life, in a way that mere words alone cannot do. So, I set my mind to figuring out how to add them to mine, and, ta da...I did it!!  Wonders never cease.

For those of you who are Gary Cooper fans, I'd love to hear which of his films is your favorite.  Also, my "mommy" movies are all tremendous tearjerkers.  I love tearjerkers and am always looking to discover a new one.  So, please share with me about any of your favorites.

Anyhow, happy viewing to all.  And wishing all the moms out there a wonderful Mother's Day.

The Country Girl (4 stars)

Crooner Bing Crosby had a birthday yesterday (May 2nd).  At least he did according to some sources; other sources list his birthday as May 3, 1903.  Either way, though, Bing's 108th birthday is this week, which makes him the man of the hour so to speak.  To celebrate him, I thought I would do a review of The Country Girl, a 1954 drama starring Bing, Grace Kelly, and William Holden, which I recently enjoyed as part of a Bill Holden Movie Marathon.

Bing is Frank Elgin, an insecure, irresponsible, weak-willed actor with a penchant for drink.  Because of Frank's inability to function, his wife, Georgie (Grace Kelly), has been the strong one, and she has carried him for years.

Director Bernie Dodd (William Holden), is looking for an established actor/singer for the lead in his current play, and since he has long been an admirer of Elgin, Frank is his first choice for the role.  However, because of Frank's reputation as a drinker, Bernie has a hard time selling that casting to the producer.  Against his will, the producer agrees, and Frank is given the lead role---a fact which further shatters his already-low confidence.

As production of the play begins, Bernie is furious at the control Georgie Elgin seems to have over her husband.   Assuming that Georgie's strength is the reason for Frank's weakness, Bernie despises her and insists that she back off and that she not accompany them on tour.  But there are things that Bernie doesn't know.  There are reasons, of which Bernie is unaware, for the way Frank acts...reasons that could cause Frank to fall apart if Georgie is not with him.  As the movie plays out, Bernie (and the viewer) will discover why Frank cannot stand on his own two feet.

Bing received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his work in The Country Girl.  Although he didn't win (Marlon Brando did), I think his performance was far superior here to the performance he gave in Going My Way, for which he did win the Best Actor Oscar.  Grace Kelly, however, did win an Oscar for her role in The Country Girl...she won the Best Actress category, pulling an upset over Judy Garland in A Star Is Born.  For the bulk of the movie, Grace is a somewhat dowdy-looking housewife rather than her usual, glamourous self.  Perhaps that deviation from her norm is what swayed the Academy to give her the award in 1954.  I thought her work was wonderful, definitely Oscar-worthy, but I will admit that I haven't seen the Judy Garland version of A Star Is Born.  (I love the Fredric March/Janet Gaynor version, so I have been loathe to see the remake.)

Anyhow, The Country Girl is a very solid 4 star movie, with great performances by all three leads.  It's out on DVD and should be quite easy to track down.

Happy viewing!!