Classic Cinema
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Movie Monday: Desert Nights (1929)
It has been far too long since we have reviewed a silent film! So today is the day I change that! For this “Movie Monday”, I am discussing one of my favorite silent films (with one of my favorite silent film actors) Desert Nights. Desert Nights premiered the same year that another career changing film dubbed for John Gilbert. This was the same year that MGM (the movie studio that Gilbert was signed with at the time) would advertise what would become the “talkies”. Although this was a huge technological advancement for cinema, it ruined Gilbert’s career. Audiences considered his voice to be too feminine and high-pitched. Looking back now…
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Movie Monday: Gilda (1946)
For the first Movie Monday of 2019, we are starting out with a classic! The film Gilda is one of the most iconic and famous movies in popular culture. The entrance that Rita Hayworth’s character makes in this film is one referenced often, but never really recreated in the same way. You see, Hayworth that something special within her that translated with audience everywhere. It was especially impactful during the difficult World War II years. So let’s get this new year started off with the same amazing entrance that Gilda made! This was the second film I saw with Glenn Ford as a leading character (the first movie I saw…
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Movie Monday: Bachelor Mother (1939)
Bachelor Mother was Ginger Rogers’ film debut after starring in nine movies with Fred Astaire. Both needed space from one another, and this was Rogers’ answer to the previous roles she had became known for. Of course nerves surrounded the burgeoning actress, however, this film proved that she could certainly hold her own without relying on Astaire as a counterpart. These photos are not mine. In addition to the clear success of Bachelor Mother, not many people know that this was not the first version of this film. Back in 1935, a German version was produced called Little Mother. Yet another version of the film was made in 1956, called Bundle…
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Movie Monday: Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
It’s not the holidays without seeing the original Miracle on 34th Street! That is why it feels only right that we end our holiday celebration of Movie Monday with this classic! Revealed in Maureen O’Hara’s autobiography, O’Hara was vacationing in here native country of Ireland when she was called back to the United States to begin filming for Miracle on 34th Street. Although O’Hara was originally frustrated by the sudden ending of her time in Ireland, O’Hara could tell that his film would be a success as soon as she read the script. However, she could never have forecasted that it would become one of the all time classic holiday…
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Movie Monday: White Christmas (1954)
Arguably one of the greatest holiday films of all time, White Christmas is still enjoyed by audiences everywhere. You don’t have to celebrate Christmas in order to enjoy the talented actors/actresses who brought to life the characters in this film. The dancing scenes and musical numbers are instantly recognizable, and those comedic moments between Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are equally unforgettable! When White Christmas debuted in theaters in 1954, it was massively popular and became one of the highest grossing films of that year. All of the actors in the starring positions were greatly benefitted from the success of this movie. Crosby and Kaye were ranked high on the…
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Movie Monday: Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Continuing our celebration of the holiday season, this Movie Monday is about the 1940’s classic Christmas in Connecticut. This is one of the most famous films to watch during the holidays, and remains a favorite of Barbara Stanwyck fans. Before Christmas in Connecticut, Barbara Stanwyck was well known for here more serious roles. Having started in the exceptionally popular film Double Indemnity (1944) only one year prior this Christmas classic had Stanwyck at the top of her game. Although she did not receive an Oscar for her work in Double Indemnity, Stanwyck did have the honor of being nominated. The ensembles throughout Christmas in Connecticut remain one of the many…
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Movie Monday: Home Alone (1990)
Since we have officially entered the month of December, I felt it was time to begin our film celebration for the holidays. What better way to kick it all off than with one of the all time best holiday films Home Alone! These photos are not mine. This movie remains one of my favorite films to watch this time of year because the soundtrack is so on point! Every song is such a classic, and I get excited when I hear them on the radio because it reminds me of Home Alone. Chris Columbus had a talent for finding the right music for all of his holiday movies. This reminds…
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Movie Monday: It Should Happen to You (1954)
It Should Happen to You is yet another classic film that loves to play around with the idea of advertising/advertisements. In this film, Judy Holliday plays a character that comes up with the very original idea to advertise her own name on a billboard in the hopes of becoming famous. Well, the billboard project works! But I will leave what happens in the rest of the film out in case you haven’t ever seen it before. It is a great film though, and I highly recommend watching it! These photos are not mine. This Jack Lemmon’s first role in a Hollywood film! Unlike his role in Some Like It Hot,…
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Movie Monday: Funny Face (1957)
Audrey Hepburn is known as one of the most stylish ladies in cinema history for a good reason! There is no better example of this than the film Funny Face. Not to mention the classic dancing scenes and songs that are scattered throughout this film, it is no wonder Funny Face is held in high esteem. These photos are not mine. I simply love Funny Face for a number of reasons, one being how bright and colorful it is! For 1957, its scenes vibrantly fill the screen with colors, motion, and sounds that makes this film an overall exciting experience. With all of the senses being used, this is the…
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Movie Monday: The Thrill of It All (1963)
The classic film we are talking about on this #MovieMonday is The Thrill of It All! Doris Day always knew how make a film both lighthearted and memorable, and with James Garner by her side there was no way this movie wouldn’t end up a classic! Day was the on-screen darling of the 1960’s so it is no wonder she made a lot of hits throughout the decade. This is one of her most famous movies that didn’t have another one of her favorite co-stars in it, Rock Hudson. These photos are not mine. This is another one of those films that’s especially fun for people who love advertising. In…
