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Review: The Passionate Plumber (Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante)

October 15, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

When you hear the name Buster Keaton, you tend to think of his legendary silent films. After all, his silent films are some of the ABSOLUTE best films ever made. The General, Steamboat Bill, Jr, The Cameraman… the list goes on and on – with each film as perfect as the last.

However, make absolutely no mistake about it, Buster Keaton made some outstanding “talkies” as well. One of my personal favorites is The Passionate Plumber (1932). While this film was not my first Buster Keaton film, it was my first Jimmy Durante film. So, while I knew what delicious antics to expect from Buster, I wasn’t prepared for how much I’d love Durante- the two of them, together, were almost more than my funny bone could stand.

It seems odd to confess it, now, but before The Passionate Plumber, all I knew about Durante was from cartoons I’d seen “him” appear in. I knew he had a trademark “snicker” and a distinguished nose. That was it.

Both make iconic appearances in this film by the way.

Plot: Buster Keaton plays Elmer Tuttle, a plumber who is summoned by a socialite named Patricia (Irene Purcell) to fix her shower. True to a Buster Keaton character’s form, our hero ends up falling in love with her!

Problem is, she already has a boyfriend… and a jealous one, at that. Jimmy Durante is beyond perfect as his bungling sidekick. The wonderful Polly Moran also appears in this outrageously fun romp as the socialite’s maid and object of Durante’s affection.

(Continued Below…)

The Basics

The Passionate Plumber was the first time MGM paired comedic giants Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante. They would also be paired in Speak Easily (1932) and What-No Beer? (1933).
An article in The Hollywood Reporter stated that Robert Montgomery was originally cast as the lead in August 1931 but was replaced with Buster Keaton the following month. Ironically, Robert Montgomery and Buster Keaton are two of my absolute favorite actors – so I was destined to love this film either way!
Irene Purcell, primarily a stage actress (and it’s apparent in her films) only appeared in 6 feature Hollywood films. She is best known for this role and as Robert Montgomery’s leading lady in The Man in Possession in 1931.

Irene Purcell and Buster Keaton

When I first saw The Passionate Plumber, I borderline hated the casting of Patricia. Irene Purcell was obviously meant for the stage and her entire performance screams this fact. (Speaking of which, there is a scene where she shrieks and screams at Buster Keaton’s Elmer and I’m pretty sure it would frighten the hair off of most cats.) In fact, after watching the movie for the first time, I even thought, “If it weren’t for Irene Purcell, this would be such a wonderful little movie.” I couldn’t believe that the same people who cast Buster Keaton, Jimmy Durante, and Polly Moran chose an actress who was so completely a polar opposite.

However… when I watched it recently, for the second time, I came away with a different view. “.. (they) chose an actress who was so completely a polar opposite….” – it was either luck or pure brilliance. After all, Elmer (Keaton), Julius (Durante), and Albine (Moran) are working class characters… and not necessarily at the head of the class lmao – whereas Patricia (Purcell) doesn’t even have to get her own glass of water.

She IS their polar opposite.

Would those in charge of casting realize that a stage actress without much film experience would, in fact, come across as a stage actress – rather snooty and not off-the-charts likable? For an average film situation, I’d say it’s “very possible.” For one in which Buster Keaton is involved and could, at any time, influence decisions.. I say it’s “very probable.”

Either way, this film (primarily Irene Purcell’s role in this film) is a classic example of why I ALWAYS say, “If you don’t like a particular film or star… give them another chance.” Heck, give them two or three more chances, at least.

Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante

As I often say with my reviews, I like to keep them sort, sweet, and to the point. Why?? So you won’t spend time reading how much I like it when you could be spending it finding out for yourself!

Speaking of which, the film in its entirety is below. Not time like the present for a Buster Keaton movie, I always say…

The Passionate Plumber Poster is available on Amazon. It’s a must-have for Buster Keaton, Polly Moran, or Jimmy Durante collectors.

Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante

His Private Secretary (1933): Evalyn Knapp and John Wayne Star in a FUN Pre-Code

September 24, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Evalyn Knapp, John Wayne, and Natalie Kingston in His Private Secretary (1933)

In His Private Secretary, John Wayne is Dick Wallace – a playboy who is as AGAINST working as his workaholic father is FOR working. He wants very little to do with work OR his father’s advice about women… or anything else, for that matter. When Dick meets beautiful Marion Hall (Evalyn Knapp), sparks fly. They fall in love and elope. Unfortunately, Marion Dick’s father doesn’t approve of Mario, as he believes she’s nothing but a gold-digger

In an effort to prove herself, she takes a job at the senior Wallace’s office, using her maiden name. She’s able to fool her father-in-law because he has refused to meet his son’s new bride.

Or so he thinks.

Here’s the pre-code movie in its entirety. It’s a real jolt to see John Wayne in a non-cowboy role, but after you get past the lack of horses and guns, the movie is a lot of fun. I actually love it. I’d love to have a really good copy of it, as you can tell, this one is an old movie and LOOKS it – fortunately we old movie lovers are used to that sort of thing.

This really is a great little movie and the cast is outstanding. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

McLintock! Starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara…. Love This One!

June 27, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Stefanie Powers and Maureen O’Hara McLintock

While I have a great number of “favorites”when it comes to actresses and actors from Old Hollywood, Maureen O’Hara and Lucille Ball are my measuring sticks. All others are held up to them as a means of determining if they’ve achieved “absolute favorite” status or not.

Some make it. Some don’t.

I had just as soon be sitting in front of a Maureen O’Hara movie as anyplace in the world. Even one I’ve seen far more times than I could even begin to count. Which, if we’re being honest is most of them.

It’s just that way with measuring sticks, you know.

The Quiet Man, McLintock, How Green Was My Valley, Rio Grande, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Parent Trap, The Black Swan… she has had some incredible movies – which makes being a fan extra fun.

McLintock (1963) is one of my favorites. John Wayne is one of those stars who passed the measuring test and made “absolute favorite” status – which means I watch movies he and Maureen were in together often… make that OFTEN. It’s actually playing right now as I work online.

It may or may not be the third time I’ve seen it just this year. It is.

Continued Below…

John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara McLintock

Westerns are just in my blood. Sometimes I think I’d rather watch a bad Western than a good movie from another genre. Naturally, a good Western is preferable and, cowboy oh cowboy, is McLintock ever a good one?!

It’s hilarious, fun, colorful, and just an awful lot of fun.

I think of McLintock as a Comedy-Romantic Western because it’s quite a bit different from Action Westerns (or Traditional Westerns) such as Stagecoach, Rio Bravo, El Dorado, The Undefeated, etc. If you go into McLintock looking for lots of action and shoot-outs, you’ll be left wondering what in the heck happened.

But if you go into it looking for an awful lot of fun and laughs and a little bit of romance, you’ll have a great time.

I should know!

The movie stars John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara as an estranged married couple. Stephanie Powers is their daughter. Patrick Wayne (John Wayne’s son), Yvonne DeCarlo, and Jerry Van Dyke are part of the excellent cast. Jerry Van Dyke’s role isn’t a big one but it’s a heckuva memorable one.

You can see the movie below in its entirety, so grab your popcorn and kick back for a fun ride.

Heidi (1937): Watch the Full Movie

April 15, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

I grew up watching (and loving!) Shirley Temple and all of her wonderful movies. I still watch them… and you’d better believe I still love them.

And her!

Below is the wonderful movie Heidi from 1937. I honestly believe we tend to take Shirley Temple for granted, simply because she made it look so easy. But this was a child with a tremendous amount of talent!

Grab some popcorn and enjoy Shirley Temple in this beautiful classic.

Buster Keaton’s The General: Full-Length Silent Movie

April 15, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Buster Keaton took on the role of director, writer, and star in this 1926 Silent Movie classic. The film also stars Marion Mack (as Annabelle Lee, Johnnie’s love interest), Glen Cavender (Captain Anderson), and Jim Farley (General Thatcher).

Plot: Johnnie Gray (Keaton) is an engineer who LOVES his locomotive, named “The General.” When the Civil War breaks out, he is turned down for service because he’s more valuable as an engineer than a soldier. His lady love, Annabelle, mistakenly believes he is cowardly.

When Union spies capture “The General” – with Annabelle on board – Johnnie must capture both of his great loves. He chases after them, right through enemy lines and the fun ensues.

Buster Keaton always claimed that The General was his favorite of all his movies. I can certainly see why he’d feel this way.. but, personally, I’d never be able to choose a favorite Buster Keaton film – they’re all sweet perfection.

Enjoy!

Dorothy Dandridge and James Mason in The Decks Ran Red (Full Movie + Review)

April 9, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

As I said a few days ago on Hollywood Yesterday’s Twitter page, I am in the midst of a glorious Dorothy Dandridge movie binge. With TCM, DVDs, and YouTube, finding movies that were once all but impossible to find is relatively easy these days.

I’ve loved Dorothy Dandridge for YEARS – since I saw her in Carmen Jones on late night tv many, many moons ago. Finding her movies has been a bit of a challenge, but as I said, that has gotten a lot easier of late.

I recently watched The Decks Ran Red on TCM. When I saw it in the listing, I basically moved my entire day around to spend a few hours with Dorothy Dandridge.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this film. To say I didn’t have my hopes up is an understatement. I don’t mind so much that you don’t hear about the movie often (I’ve found some of my favorite movies aren’t at all well known or “popular”). I also didn’t mind that the cast wasn’t filled with household names. Again, that often means buckus.

Maybe my knee-high hopes and expectations came from the fact that this movie had BOTH of the so-called strikes above going for it. You seldom (if ever) hear about this movie and the cast doesn’t exactly read like a who’s who among film stars. Aside from a few stars, even the most devoted film buffs would need to look up a few names.

I grabbed my popcorn and tea as a few of my cats found their favorite spots in the den. I settled into my favorite chair and readied myself for one of my favorite pastimes in the world – watching an old movie. I tried to push my low expectations aside… then one of the worst opening graphics I’ve ever seen in my life appeared on the screen! Someone apparently thought the splash of red in the word RED (as well as the drops of “blood”) would be pretty cool in an entirely black and white movie and graphic.

Heck, they may have even called it “the bee’s knees.” It wasn’t.

(That would be it in all of its glory below…)

I think even my cats were astounded.

Fortunately, the ugliness disappeared as fast as it came.

As a Dorothy Dandridge fan, I’m delighted to say the movie was good – darn good, in fact. It overcame the low expectations and ridiculous graphic right off the bat.

By the end of the very first scene, I knew this would be a fun ride. You know how some movies take a while to win you over – sometimes as much as half the movie? The Decks Ran Red was one of those delicious rare treats where you know from the first scene that you’re about to have a great time.

There was suspense, outstanding acting, and a healthy dose of intrigue. Funny how you forget the word intrigue even exists until a great book or film comes along and reminds you how much you love it.

James Mason (possibly best-known from starring alongside Judy Garland in A Star is Born) is outstanding as Captain Edwin Rummill. It’s a role that would have been easy to “overplay” but Mason brilliantly stayed allowed the writing to be the star. I can’t say enough about him – he was just wonderful. You found yourself pulling for him in every conceivable way – ready to fight anyone (aside from Dorothy Dandridge, of course) who gets in his way.

PLOT: Captain Rummill has been made a Ship’s Captain for the first time in his life. Very eager to prove himself, he sets out to do right by his ship and crew. He’s a great man, but is (of course only human), so he can’t help but notice the cook’s gorgeous wife, Mahia (played perfectly by Dorothy Dandridge) when she steps on board. He knows she will, undobutedly, cause trouble on a ship filled with (even more human than the Captain) men, but he doesn’t intervene.

Of course, trouble arises for Mahia and her husband.

There is more trouble than this aboard for the Captain. A few scoundrels on the crew plan and launch a violent mutiny.

Broderick Crawford (the leader of the scoundrels) and Stuart Whitman (his number one guy) give wonderful performances, but make no mistake about it, James Mason and Dorothy Dandridge are the stars of this surprisingly good film.

One of the things I really appreciate from the film is the fact that Dorothy Dandridge’s character played a pivotal role in the ending. She wasn’t, by any means, window decorations in this movie. She was vital to the entire movie and, as a huge Dorothy Dandridge fan… I applaud it long and loudly.

Stuart Whitman (Leroy) is an especially good actor – he plays a bad type beautifully. Like he was born to do so! He’s one of those actors who, when you see him in a movie or an episode on tv, you think, “I know you! Why do I know you?! Where do I know you from…”

Took me about half the movie to realize that I know him from everywhere. Seriously, his filmography and guest-starring roles are very impressive.

The full episode of The Decks Ran Red is below. I think you’ll love it as much as I did.

INTRIGUE… DOROTHY… what more could you ask for?!

Father Was a Fullback with Maureen O’Hara and Fred MacMurray: Watch the Movie Online

March 28, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

I collect the filmographies of my favorite actors and actresses on DVDs and buy my favorite movies as well. However, I also get a HUGE kick out of finding full movies on YouTube – whether they’re movies that are new to me or movies I’ve seen at least a dozen times. Many times, I actually own the DVD but watch it conveniently on my iPad or iPhone if I can find it on YouTube.

At least the DVD lasts longer this way!

Father Was a Fullback (1949) is one of those wonderful and delightful movies that somehow is more enjoyable each time you watch it. Fred MacMurray and Maureen O’Hara worked perfectly together… they both tended to work perfectly with their co-stars, didn’t they?!

This is actually one of the Maureen O’Hara films I don’t have on DVD, yet… the horrors! While I’m thinking about it, I need to just go toss it directly into my Amazon cart. I actually have a Judy Garland biography, Maureen O’Hara coffee mug, and Katharine Hepburn dvd waiting for me anyway.

Me and my redheads!

Father Was a Fullback has a phenomenal cast. In addition to Maureen O’Hara and Fred MacMurray, the cast includes Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), Natalie Wood, Jim Backus (Thurston Howell III), Thelma Ritter, and Rudy Vallee.

Plot: College football coach George Cooper (Fred MacMurray) not only has his hands full with his football team, but with his wife (Maureen O’Hara) daughters, Ellen (Natalie Wood) and Connie (Betty Lynn) as well!

Maureen O’Hara was only 6 years older than Betty Lynn, who played her daughter.

Enjoy the movie – it’s a lot of fun.

Movie of the Month Review: Sanctuary (1961) with Lee Remick and Odetta

November 1, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

Lee Remick (Temple) and Odetta (Nancy) in Sanctuary

Ready for an understatement? I watch a lot of old movies. A. LOT. OF. OLD. MOVIES. Like most fans of the Golden Age of Hollywood, I watch and re-watch the classic favorites (Gilda, It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas in Connecticut, The Stooge, Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy…. what do you mean it’s not a classic… watch your mouth!… etc….). I also have a great affection for jumping into movies no one really ever talks about. “Random” movies like the one I’m telling you about today – Sanctuary from 1961.

Most of the time, I’ll select a random movie based upon a favorite actress or actor starring in the movie (such was the case for Lured, for example.. George Sanders and Lucille Ball are both favorites, so that was an easy pick). A few times, however, either the plot or the fact that I know absolutely nothing about the cast will inspire the selection. This was the case with Sanctuary. Sure, I was familiar with Lee Remick from television but couldn’t recall ever seeing one of her movies. As for her co-stars, not a one of them rang a bell.

It was intriguing enough to make me grab a tall glass of iced tea and settle in.

Lee Remick (Temple) in Sanctuary

While I did enjoy the movie and while I was blown completely away by Lee Remick and Odetta (more about their performances in a minute), make no mistake about it – this is a disturbing movie. There is one “scene” where Lee Remick’s character “Temple” is presumably sexually attacked by a man nicknamed “the Candy Man.” The scene goes black before you actually see anything other than her horrified expression.

That’s disturbing enough, of course… but then Temple falls in love with The Candy Man. In fact, when relaying the story to another character, she basically claims that she was never forced into anything. Add this to the murder of a child AND the way race was dealt with in what seems like prehistoric times in some movies and you have a disturbing movie.

However…

You knew there’d be a however, right? Lee Remick’s breathtaking and complex performance as Temple causes you to make sense of where she’s coming from. She’s young with emotions and hormones that are wired for trouble. The job this lovely, innocent-looking actress does with this character is phenomenal. Before I go on raving about her more, just let me remind you that I’ve seen countless movies and even more actor and actress performances in my life. I’m in no way new to movies or the fascinating world of acting.

Odetta (Nancy) in Sanctuary

After watching Sanctuary, I will never be able to talk about an actor or actress giving the performance of a lifetime without mentioning Lee Remick and her multi-layered Temple. She glides from innocent little rich girl to unpredictable hellcat as easily as a professional ice skater glides across the ice.

Another outstanding performance in this movie was turned in by beautiful Odetta. I wasn’t familiar with Odetta before. This talented lady was a songwriter, guitarist, actress, and legendary black folksinger. She was actually trained in opera singing as a teenager. I’m currently looking for movies Odetta starred in and am VERY anxious to hear her sing. Her performance in Sanctuary would have completely stole the movie, if not for Lee Remick’s outstanding work as Temple.

Odetta in Sanctuary

The movie also stars Yves Montand, Bradford Dillman, Howard St. John, and Harry Townes, but make NO mistake about it, it’s the two ladies who carry this movie. Sanctuary is, honestly, worth watching for Lee Remick and Odetta, alone.

Sanctuary, based on the William Faulkner novel of the same name, takes place in the South in the 1920s. The governor’s pampered and adored daughter (Temple) makes a shocking confession to the governor in hopes of keeping a household servant (Nancy) from execution for the murder of Temple’s child and the governor’s grandchild.

Disturbing? Make no mistake about it. Worth watching? Again… make no mistake about it. These are two outstanding performances and, if you love movies, you don’t want to miss them.

Watch the full movie below or on YouTube