Classic Cinema
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Movie Monday: Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
Today for Movie Monday I am reviewing yet another Frank Capra classic – Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. Like Meet John Doe, Capra’s leading man in this movie is Gary Coopers. However this film replaces Barbara Stanwyck with the timeless actress Jean Arthur. Like in many (if not all) of Frank Capra’s films, we see an ordinary man be put into extraordinary situations. When all hope is lost, it is the will of the people that wins out. This, in my opinion, is a very American way of thinking. The idea that one man can make such a large impact on the lives of others around him all while simultaneously…
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Movie Monday: The Long, Long Trailer (1954)
If you know me then you know how much I love the television show I Love Lucy. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are one of the best comedy duos of all time, in my opinion. You can imagine my excitement when I found out that the film The Long, Long Trailer starred this iconic couple! This whole film is a series of laugh-out-loud moments, and one of my personal favorite films. That is why I am so excited to be reviewing it today! Growing up I always admired the funny ladies of Old Hollywood. From Bewitched to I Love Lucy, there was no shortage of comedic leading ladies to look…
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Movie Monday: The Divorcee (1930)
This Movie Monday is all about one of my all-time favorite actresses – Norma Shearer! Let’s face it, Shearer is one of the legends of old Hollywood, and she helped to revolutionize how acting is approached. We are just scratching the surface of what she did as an actress so to better explore her impact, I think it is time we review The Divorcee. The title says it all. This film is all about divorce and its many aspects, both good and bad. The Divorcee is one of Norma Shearer’s most famous films and an early talkie. Of course this is a classic, but it was pretty controversial at the…
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Movie Monday: Meet John Doe (1941)
Recently, I watched the film Meet John Doe for the first time and it instantly became one of my favorites! Plus, can you ever really go wrong with an inspirational Frank Capra film? Let’s review this classic! I find that Frank Capra films are chock full of symbolism and inspiration. Between Mr. Deeds Goes to Town and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Capra was never short of holding the “American Dream” in high esteem. Something about this film in particular, however, shows just how important the people are. The collective empowerment of how when looking out for one another you can really make a wonderful impact is one of the…
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Movie Monday: Born Yesterday (1950)
Although this film is considered a drama, Born Yesterday can still be considered one of the best love stories in cinema history (and just in time for Valentine’s Day!). Judy Holiday and William Holden make quite this couple in this classic film! Today’s Movie Monday is dedicated to Born Yesterday! The way I see it, Born Yesterday is a love story but more importantly a film about female empowerment. Judy Holiday’s character, Billie, in this movie has been told her whole life that she wasn’t smart enough or overall good enough to do any better than the abusive, mobster Harry Brock who she is living with. This mantra held Billie…
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Laura Petrie’s Revolutionary Style
It is hard to imagine a world where it isn’t normal for women to have the right to wear pants, but that was what the world was like back when the Dick Van Dyke Show debuted in 1961. I have talked about the Mary Tyler Moore’s fashion on her self title show from the 70’s, but I have yet to discuss how groundbreaking her style from the Dick Van Dyke Show was. Today that is all going to change! Let’s take a close look at what made Laura Petrie so influential on women’s style! Besides being absolutely hilarious and the perfect comedic complement to Dick Van Dyke, Laura Petrie never…
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Movie Monday: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)
Today, I wanted to review one of my favorite comedies! Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House is a Cary Grant and Myrna Loy classic! Watching this movie I always get a good laugh so I thought it was time we share a laugh together! Nobody can play a humdrum, miserable man like Cary Grant! I’m not trying to say he is a boring actor, anyone who has seen his films should know he definitely is not, but I am saying that this man is talented. Naturally, Grant has a lot of swagger to how he goes about his business so when he is casted in films like this one he…
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I Love Lucy & Her Style
I love the I Love Lucy television show! The many funny elements in this show was highly influential on me and crafted a large portion of my humor. When attempting to be funny (that’s right, I said attempting because who really knows if I am ever truly funny. But hey, a girl can try!), so many times my jokes can be very over-the-top like what would be on the I Love Lucy Show. The comedy wasn’t the only influential part of Lucile Ball’s career, however. When thinking of the typical 1950’s ladies fashion we often think of Lucy’s style. Today I want to talk a closer look at some of…
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Movie Monday: Harvey (1950)
I haven’t done many reviews of James Stewart’s classic films, but that is about to change today! One of my all-time favorite movies that he starred in was the 1950 film Harvey. Let’s dive a little deeper into what made this movie so special to audiences everywhere. If you haven’t ever watched the film Harvey before (which I highly recommend that you do), basically this movie is about how James Stewart’s character seems to have either escaped reality through the form of befriending an imaginary rabbit that stands six feet tall or this bunny (who is named Harvey) is very real and is here to show everyone involved that life…
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Movie Monday: My Man Godfrey (1936)
Recently, I watched My Man Godfrey for the first time. I knew immediately that I wanted to write a review on this film! The way that Carole Lombard and William Powell were able to portray their characters so perfectly that even to this day we still consider their performances amazing proves how talent they both were. After watching The Thin Man (another William Powell classic), I must say that I prefer Powell’s performance in My Man Godfrey. As controversial as this may seem, the way he was able to play the hard luck, bum the way he did really shows me his talents as an actor. Creating a wealthy, humorous…
