Old Movie Reviews | Hollywood Yesterday

Movie Review: In Name Only (Carole Lombard, Cary Grant, Kay Francis)

July 27, 2019 By Joi

I have a confession to make – I have always watched movies based upon who is in them. For example, if one of my favorite actresses or actors is in a film, I will pop the popcorn, pour the raspberry tea, round up my cats and head for the den. I will plop in my favorite chair and escape with said favorite or favorites.

The great news is I have a lot of favorites, so I eat a lot of popcorn. However, there have (over the years) been a lot of wonderful gems I’ve come across simply because they were on when I needed a movie to watch – whether a favorite stars in it or not!

This was the case, recently with In Name Only. Don’t get me wrong, I have VERY MUCH liked Cary Grant and Carole Lombard for some time, now- they simply hadn’t reached the same “absolute favorite” rarefied air of, say Lucille Ball, Katharine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, Maureen O’Hara, Buster Keaton, James Stewart, Audrey Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Crawford, Ava Gardner, John Wayne, Robert Montgomery, Clark Gable, Marion Daviess… the stars I make time in my schedule for – even if it’s a movie I’ve seen a million and thirteen times…. looking at you, Sabrina and The Quiet Man.

Funny thing is, though, I often “meet” new favorites who ascend to the rarefied air this very way. Cary Grant and Carole Lombard just landed themselves smack in the middle of the aforementioned favorites and I’m now on a mission to see their complete filmographies.

In Name Only is a movie that had never been on my radar – as in, AT ALL. When I saw that it was on TCM recently, I actually had to look to see who starred in it! See? Completely OFF my radar. I’ve recently become a big fan of Cary Grant and needed to see Carole Lombard in something else (I’d only seen her in three), so… you guessed it.. popcorn was popped while the raspberry tea was being poured.

It didn’t take long for this fun and engaging movie to pull me in. Carole Lombard, even without the wonderful assistance from Cary Grant and a solid cast, has a way of luring you in. There’s a certain vulnerability about her that makes you want to enter into her world and help her fight her fights and clear the path to happiness for her.

Cary Grant is Alec Walker who is in a horrible marriage to gold digger, nasty Maida (played sublimely by Kay Francis). Alec meets and falls for beautiful widow (and mother) Julie Eden, played perfectly by Carole Lombard. Even though the nasty wife certainly doesn’t love him, she refuses to give him a divorce. Far too much money involved for that!

The movie then takes you on a roller coaster ride as you hope Maida gets her comeuppance as much as you hope Alec and Julie get their happy ever after.

I am not about to give anything away, but I do want to say this is a roller coaster ride of emotion… and one I enjoyed completely.

Find In Name Only on Amazon – it’s truly a hidden gem.

The Quiet Man: One of the Most Beautiful & Enjoyable Movies Ever Made (Review)

April 14, 2019 By Joi

The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara

Father Peter Lonergan, Narrator: “Well, then. Now. I’ll begin at the beginnin’. A fine soft day in the spring, it was, when the train pulled into Castletown, three hours late as usual, and himself got off. He didn’t have the look of an American tourist at all about him. Not a camera on him; what was worse, not even a fishin’ rod.”

And with those lines, one of the most special movies you’ll ever have the privilege of watching begins.

One of my absolute favorite actresses is Maureen O’Hara. Right up there with Lucille Ball, Rita Hayworth, and Audrey Hepburn.

Two of my favorite actors are John Wayne and Barry Fitzgerald.

How could one of my favorite movies NOT be The Quiet Man?! I mean, some things are just destiny.

Maureen O’Hara in The Quiet Man

Although.. truth be told… the writing, scenery, production, dialogue, direction – the EVERYTHING about The Quiet Man is so perfect, I have a feeling it would be one of my favorite movies even if these three exceptional stars weren’t in it.

But am I ever glad they are.

Director John Ford created an absolute MASTERPIECE with The Quiet Man – a masterpiece wherein every single thing is perfect. While the cast is as wonderful as a cast can possibly be, they’re darn near upstaged by the incredible scenery! In a word, Ireland is breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking.

Everything about The Quiet Man is phenomenal – the music, the scenery, the acting, the cast, the wardrobe, the dialogue, the writing. When I first watched it, years ago, I remember thinking (several times throughout the movie), “Please don’t take a bad turn… I’m falling in love with you.. please don’t go bad!”

We’ve all had movies suddenly go from great to awful, halfway through or at the end. In fact, I’ve had THREE in the last month go from 10s to 3s within the last 30 minutes! When a movie goes south, it always feels like a blow, doesn’t it?

I was so thankful when The Quiet Man just kept getting better and better with each passing minute.

John Wayne plays Sean Thornton, an ex-boxer from America who had a horrifying experience in the ring and has moved to Ireland to reclaim a family homestead and escape his past. Right off the bat, in one of the most beautiful scenes in film history, Sean notices Mary Kate Danaher (perfectly portrayed by Maureen O’Hara). She’s (obviously) a very beautiful and spirited woman who happens to be the sister of a hot-head named “Red” Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen). Both of the Danahers (to varying enjoyable degrees!) cause trouble for Sean.

Mary Kate Danaher: Could you use a little water in your whiskey?

Michaleen Flynn: When I drink whiskey, I drink whiskey; and when I drink water, I drink water.

The relationship that develops between Sean and Mary Kate could not be more enjoyable – the chemistry between the two stars is palpable and the writing is superb. John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara were friends in real life and they worked magic when they were on the screen. This was the second of five movies they made together.

While the love story is a wonderful, huge part of the movie, it doesn’t strike me as purely a romantic movie. Will’s nastiness and the underlying plot of Sean trying to escape himself, to an extent, make for a compelling and fascinating movie.

When I stop and think about The Quiet Man, the thing that truly stands out is the characters. There are so many larger than life, lovable, and FUN characters in this film – they are a joy to watch. John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara lead the way, certainly, but The Quiet Man would not be the perfect movie that it is without Barry Fitzgerald as the wonderful Michaleen Oge Flynn or Ward Bond as Father Peter Lonergan.

The characters in this film stay with you long after you’ve seen the movie.

It’s one of those movies, too, that seems to be EVEN better each time you watch it. I think it’s because you notice new things each time – and everything is so stunningly wonderful about this film, noticing new things is a huge positive. You “catch” new lines of dialogue, too. I’ve seen the movie quite a few times and I often hear something one of the characters says and think, “I didn’t know he/she said that…’ The reason is there are so many wonderful lines, you’re often laughing at one while another is being said!

Fast Facts About The Quiet Man

The Quiet Man is one of the few Hollywood films in which Gaelic (the native Irish language) is spoken…. and it is a beautiful, beautiful thing. It adds to the authenticity of the movie so much.
Green, Ireland’s national color, can be seen in every scene of this beautiful movie.
In the famous scene where Sean finds Mary Kate in his cottage, the wind blew her hair so wildly that she kept squinting. Apparently John Ford screamed at her with a stream of profanity… something that didn’t go over well with Maureen O’Hara! Apparently she yelled back at him, “What would a bald-headed son of a bitch know about hair lashing across his eyeballs.” Sigh. I love her so.
Cast members Charles B. Fitzsimons (Hugh Forbes) and James O’Hara (Father Paul) were Maureen O’Hara’s younger brothers.
John Wayne described why the role of Sean Thornton (considered one of his best) was difficult to portray: “For nine weeks I was just playing straight man to those wonderful characters, and that’s really hard.”
Barry Fitzgerald, who plays the character of the Roman Catholic Michaleen Oge Flynn (not only one of the best characters in this movie, but one of the most enjoyable ones in any movie as far as I’m concerned!), and Arthur Shields, who played the Protestant vicar Cyril ‘Snuffy’ Playfair, were brothers in real life.
I’ve read that when Maureen O’Hara passed away (2015), she did so while listening to Victor Young’s score to The Quiet Man.
In 1986, a New York police officer, was shot and paralyzed on the job. His young wife mentioned to reporters that The Quiet Man was her husband’s favorite movie and that he was a huge fan of Maureen O’Hara. After reading this, Maureen O’Hara flew to New York to meet the officer and lift his spirits! She became involved with the couple as he recovered, attended their baby’s christening, and even marched in a parade on his behalf. Phenomenal woman… phenomenal.
The Quiet Man was Maureen O’Hara’s favorite of her movies.
The scene where Sean and Mary Kate take a stroll through the countryside is so beautiful and so perfect, it leaves me speechless. Okay, so this is more an opinion than a “fast fact,” but.. well, there you have it.

There are many movies I would “make” people watch if I had the power. You know how it is when you love a movie so much you want everyone else to experience the joy for themselves. This is one of those movies I recommend to others… then frequently bug them by asking, “Have you watched The Quiet Man yet??”

I don’t mind being a pest when it comes to The Quiet Man. In fact, I insist upon it. Speaking of which, have you watched The Quiet Man yet?

John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara in The Quiet Man

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

April 9, 2019 By Joi

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?!

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

November 1, 2018 By Joi

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

The Bat: FUN Classic Horror Movie With Agnes Moorehead and Vincent Price (Review)

October 8, 2018 By Joi

Vincent Price and Gavin Gordon in The Bat

Although the weather here in Kentucky doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo, we are fast-approaching Halloween. What better time to focus a few movie reviews on delicious old horror films?!

First up to bat… well… The Bat!

I’m sure I’ve mentioned in my Old Hollywood movie reviews before that there are precious few classic movies I dislike. I am so completely in love with the Golden Age of Hollywood that I’m very easy to please when it comes to movies. Honestly, I’d rather re-watch the movies I don’t particularly like (Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Prince and the Showgirl, Mogambo) than to watch anything from Hollywood since 1980.

But that’s just me.

So, there will inevitably be movies now and then that I like or even love that others (possibly even you) may feel lukewarm about or even hate with a vengeance. The movie I want to rave about today might just be the poster child for such a situation. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever read anyone liking The Bat as much as I do.

The Bat was made in 1959, so you have to be understanding when it comes to special effects. Of course, those of us who pretty much live for our next old movie understand that.

The movie stars the always perfect Vincent Price and one of my favorite actresses, Agnes Moorehead. The wonderful cast is round out by Lenita Lane, Gavin Gordon, BEAUTIFUL Elaine Edwards (all caps… yes, deserving), John Sutton, and Darla Hood. Yes! That Darla Hood, from The Little Rascals. You’ll know her the minute she walks in the room – same face, same hair. It’s as though little Darla was simply stretched out and gussied up. Her role isn’t a large one, but she’s memorable.

Plot: A crazy killer known as “The Bat” is on the loose in a mansion (“The Oaks”) filled with people. Agnes Moorehead plays mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder who has rented The Oaks, along with her secretary/friend Lizzie (played by Lenita Lane… quite the scene-stealer).

{Review Continued Below…}

Agnes Moorehead in The Bat

Agnes Moorehead, Vincent Price, and Lenita Lane are outstanding in this movie. Somehow it just seems Mr. Price was born for this type of film, doesn’t it!?

Ironically, in an interview on Sinister Image in 1987, Vincent Price revealed that the stage version of “The Bat” had absolutely terrified him when he was a child. Apparently this is why he accepted the role in this film because he thought the filmmakers “would revive it and bring it up to date.” Sadly, he was disappointed with the final result because he didn’t believe it was a good script.

Could the script have been better? Well, yes. But that simply points out how wonderful the cast and director were to take an “okay” script and make a very entertaining film out of it.

The Bat would be the last film for both Lenita Lane and Darla Hood. Each actress would go on to live out their life outside of movies rather than in them.

The Bat isn’t, in my opinion, a very frightening film, but it IS very enjoyable and entertaining and absolutely perfect for this time of year!

On Amazon:

Vincent Price 5 Frightening Features (The Bat, Shock, The Jackals, The Last Man on Earth, and House on Haunted Hill )
Horror Hall of Fame Gift Set (Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Donald Sutherland, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing…)

Critic’s Choice Starring Lucille Ball and Bob Hope (Review)

June 8, 2018 By Joi

Critic’s Choice (Official Trailer)

When it comes to watching old movies, I’m obsessive and not the least bit confined. Many (most??) have a particular era or genre they’re most passionate about – the 40s, silents, musicals, the 50s, the 60s, westerns, etc. I’d imagine that specializing would make things a lot less complicated. There’d be fewer movies to DVR, fewer movies to add to actor/actress collections, and fewer favorite actors and actresses to name when asked for your favorites. You can see how that goes for me on the Hollywood Yesterday About page!

I will, however, be the first to admit that some 60s movies are a breed all their own. As I’ve often said about much earlier films, you have to accept them for what they are… films made very, very long ago. I believe the problem a lot of people have with films from the 60s is that our brain sees they are in color, so we automatically think of them as “modern,” somehow, at least when compared to classics such as Top Hat, Christmas in Connecticut, and Casablanca.

It pays to remind yourself, when watching a colorful oldie that it’s still an oldie. I have to remind myself of this from time to time. I actually had to pause Two for the Road (1967) twice (once for each of the “Two,” I guess!) and give myself a wake up call. This particular era is fascinating to me because it’s so beautifully unique. Movie makers were trying new things… being more daring and bold, while clinging to many traditional plots and scenes.

Fascinating… yet, at times… well… in need of a pause or two.

One film from the 60s that never needs a pause is Critic’s Choice (1963) starring Lucille Ball and Bob Hope. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m an insanely huge fan of each of these household names or if it’s the fun pace of the movie, itself, but I can’t get enough of it. The humor is as hilarious today as it was then.

Bob Hope plays popular New York theater critic Parker Ballantine. He has a reputation for greatly impacting a star or play’s longevity or success with his reviews. The level of glee he gets from shredding what he considers to be a flop is priceless. As always, he is wonderful in each and every scene.

Speaking of wonderful, Lucille Ball plays Angie Ballantine, Parker’s wife. All’s fine and well until she decides that she wants to write a play. Things get especially tense when her play is made into a play. Parker doesn’t have a very high opinion of it which means, if he reviews it, it could be the end of his marriage. However, if he doesn’t, it could be the end of his self respect in a career he values very highly.

This is one of those movies you can turn on and watch again and again – Bob Hope and Lucille Ball are, without a single doubt, two of the greatest entertainers of ALL TIME. Each line… each expression… each move – they’re each pure magic, so when you combine the two… look out!

The always regal-looking Jessie Royce Landis (Angie’s mother, Charlie) and adorable Ricky Kelman (Parker’s son/Angie’s stepson, John) are major scene stealers in this movie – which is no small feat when the stars are Bob Hope and Lucille Ball. I remember Ricky from an episode of Gunsmoke but I’m really surprised he didn’t have more movies in his filmography. Not only was he a great little actor, he had a special something that made him stand out. When he was in a scene, you wanted to watch his reactions to what was playing out around him.

If you’ve never seen Critic’s Choice, I hope you’ll watch it asap and see exactly what I’m talking about with Ricky.

As for Jessie Royce Landis, the greatest compliment I can give her is that her beauty and screen presence stood next to that of Lucille Ball’s and didn’t diminish one bit. Each time I see the movie, I’m left wanting more scenes with her in them. When I watched the movie for, probably the third time, it occurred to me why this actress resonates so much with me – she has equal parts of two of my all time favorites – Maureen O’Hara and Lucille Ball.

Can’t beat that combo!

The movie serves as a perfect reminder (as though we even need it) of just how talented and special Bob Hope and Lucille Ball were. They broke the mold with these two, didn’t they?! As an Old Hollywood fanatic, I am just so thankful we have movies and television shows with these two legends side by side. They were very talented actors – a fact that they sometimes gets lost in the shadows cast by their glittery super stardom. They almost shined too bright for their own good. The same thing can be said of other wonderful entertainers who went on to become household names – often without households recognizing why they became household names in the first place. Elvis, Rita Hayworth, Bob Hope, Joan Crawford, Betty Davis, Marilyn Monroe… there is so much more to these individuals than the tiny little compartments people tend to place them in.

Old movies are an exceptional place to let them break loose and show you what they have.

One final word about Lucille Ball (not only is she one of my top three favorite actresses, she’s one of my absolute favorite people, so bear with me!) – we remember her, rightly, for being so deliciously funny. The woman was hysterical – there’s no other way to put it. Her timing, expressions… the things she did with her voice. Pure genius.

However, as I always point out when talking about her (which, admittedly, I do a great deal of) is this: She was absolutely, uncommonly, ridiculously beautiful. The gorgeous eyes, flawless skin, perfect figure (she had a dancer’s body… as enviable as that is), and beautiful “I-Dare-You-Not-To-Notice-Me!” red hair – they all went together to make one stunning human being.

I re-watched another of her movies recently, “Miss Grant Takes Richmond” (review should be up next week), and was blown away by just how lovely she was.

Most beautiful clown in the world.

Movie Review: To Please a Lady with Barbara Stanwyck and Clark Gable

May 17, 2018 By Joi

To Please A Lady (Official Trailer)

Some movies are tougher to write movie reviews for than others. Naturally, I could rave on and on about favorite movies such as Christmas in Connecticut, Top Hat, Lone Star, Autumn Leaves, etc… I also find movies that I really, really dislike easy to review. In fact, I’ll let you in on a little secret – it’s kind of fun to write reviews for the “stinkers.” Maybe it’s my way of exacting revenge for my misery.

Movies that I’m lukewarm on are a little tougher. If something doesn’t really inspire you one way or another, it’s hard to find the inspiration to even talk about it, you know?

For me, the absolute WORST movie to review is the one that stars one (or two or more) of your absolute favorites…. and yet, as a movie, leaves you wanting. You’re left lukewarm and can’t for the life of you wonder where the heat is. When you watch old movies as faithfully and for as long as I have, this is inevitably something you run into fairly often.

The following are some movies that starred some of my favorites (in parentheses) but scarcely scored a 3 on a scale of 1-10 for me:

A Farewell to Arms (Helen Hayes)
Mogambo (Ava Gardner and Clark Gable) – HATE this movie with a cruel, unbridled passion!
The Naked Spur (James Stewart)

Those are a few that come to mind that failed to rock my world, in spite of starring actors and actresses that did. The one I’m reviewing today is extra hard because it stars my main girl Barbara Stanwyck AND one of my absolute favorite actors, Clark Gable. How can a movie possibly miss with these two?!?!

That’s what I thought when I first sat down to watch To Please a Lady. While I have a lot of favorite actors and actresses (Hollywood Yesterday’s About Page will attest to that) – there is no one I’d put above Barbara Stanwyck and Clark Gable on any list.

TCM – To Please a Lady Intro by Robert OsborneI can actually remember the afternoon I sat down to watch To Please a Lady on TCM. I had my popcorn by my side, a cold glass of sweet tea, and a cat (Alexa) in my lap. She fully expected a lot from this movie, too (huge, huge, huge Clark Gable fan).

Now don’t get me wrong – To Please a Lady is not at all a bad movie and it’s far from being what I call a “stinker” (here’s mud in your eye, Mogambo), but it wasn’t anywhere near the earth-moving movie that this Stanwyck and Gable fanatic… or even her cat… expected. Is it possible we over-expected? Very possibly.. which is why I re-watched it a few years later. When I watched it the second time… going in without any “my world is about to be rocked off its axis” expectations, I enjoyed it a lot more. Like a lot of oldies, you simply have to hang on and enjoy the fun of the ride.

One of the things that caught me off guard was that neither of the stars’ characters were exactly lovable for the first half of the film. I had a pretty hard time figuring out who to pull for. Least favorite part of the movie? Gable’s character (Mike) smacks Stanwyck’s (Regina). I realize it was a different time then and that some things were perfectly acceptable THEN that make us cringe NOW, but I’ll be honest with you, a man smacking a woman will never NOT make me cringe so hard I can hear my mom saying, “Do you want your face to freeze like that?!” all the way from Heaven.

Had Regina returned the smack, I’d have accepted it – especially if she’d given worse than she got… but not only does she not belt him, she seems to find it irresistible. That seems to be the moment she falls for him. In spite of my pleas, “Smack him! Kick him! Run!,” she just stands there smitten.

Again, I realize the time the movie was made (1950), but still.

On to the positives!

While I’m not a huge racing fan, I have to admit that the cars and the racing were really cool. As I often say in my old Hollywood movie reviews, one of the funnest things about watching old movies is seeing the clothes, furnishings, buildings, and cars. They were all spectacular and were a lot of fun to see.

The chemistry between the two stars was pretty special. While I’d like to have seen a stronger movie and story-line for them, their chemistry was very strong and the two of them, somehow, actually make a pretty average script take flight.

I’ll also give To Please a Lady this – the ending was very nice (I love a good ending). It ironically had one of my favorite Barbara Stanwyck scenes (and one of my favorite movie scenes, period), as well – when she’s trying on shoes in her office. The expressions, movements… vintage Barbara Stanwyck. There really isn’t another actress quite like her, you know.

They broke the mold with this lady.

If you’ve never seen To Please a Lady, I hope you’ll catch it – especially if you’re a fan of its stars. Seeing two legends starring in a movie is a wonderful thing – even if the movie doesn’t shine quite as brightly as they do.

Censoring Old Movies: In My Opinion, it’s a Conversation That Should Take Place

April 17, 2018 By Joi

Babes in Arms Movie Poster

This is kind of a controversial subject (and a diversion from the way I normally write on Hollywood Yesterday). Worst of all, it’s a horribly unfortunate look at an ugly part of history – insensitivity, intolerance, and the always hideous and heartbreaking racism.

When, like me, you are obsessed with both history and old Hollywood, there are days when you find yourself surrounded with beauty and there are days when you find yourself surrounded by ugly. One day, about a month ago, I was chin-deep in ugliness and it has left me (to this day) feeling uneasy and unsettled.

I began the day reading from a biography about a personal heroine, Harriet Tubman. The way this VERY brave and noble woman was treated isn’t, of course, surprising to me – I’ve read every book written about her… I know what happened, so it no longer surprises me. However, it continues to shock me.. and, I’m certain it always will.

After finishing the book and telling each of my cats that a braver non-Biblical human may not have ever lived, I decided that the sadness and darkness of the morning called for a little escapism with an old movie (one of my favorite ways to escape!).

I chose a movie from the DVR, Babes in Arms (1939), that I hadn’t seen in two… maybe three… forevers. I love Judy Garland like a sunflower loves sunshine, so the choice seemed like a no-brainer. I was enjoying the movie immensely until it came to a part I didn’t remember – a performance a few of the “babes” did in blackface. It was cringe-worthy, so cringe is exactly what I did.

I also hit “stop” on the movie and called it a day.

The next day, I was still thinking about it. Not about the fact that it happened, mind you. Like I said, as a history buff and old movie fanatic, I am fully aware of how much ignorance existed in the past. People seemingly just did not know how insensitive, ridiculous, and cruel they were. How could they NOT have known? I have absolutely no idea… then again, I don’t know how people could’ve ever enslaved other human beings either.

I just do not know.

It wasn’t “THEN” that troubled these particular thoughts… it was “NOW.” NOW we know better. NOW most of us are sickened by intolerance and racism. NOW many of us had rather endure an offense to US than to witness someone else being offended. I know I had.

Even more than history and old movies, I love children. I love everything about them… even dirty elbows, endless questions, and temper tantrums! After seeing this scene (well, a minute of it before I jumped on the stop button), I imagined what it’d be like to sit with a little girl or boy during this movie. How would you (how could you possibly?) explain to a precious child “WHY” something like this happened?

My primary concern for scenes like this are for children. Can we shelter them from every ugliness that has ever happened, will happen, or is happening? Of course not. But… when it’s entertainment, I think we can and should remove scenes like this whenever possible.

At the VERY least, identify scenes like this clearly in the movie’s description to avoid problems.

As old movie fans, we want more people to see and treasure these movies. After all, one of our primary goals is to keep these beloved stars shining bright. If we want more people to love these movies, we should do our part to make them move lovable!

While the feelings of children (as well as adults) is my primary concern, I have to admit it – I don’t want to see my favorite actors and actresses doing things so insensitive! Again, their actions are a sign of the times in which they lived. I’m not excusing it or even understanding it, to be sure, but it’s a fact.

The fact that I am FOR censoring these precious old movies may seem surprising… given my great love for them. I guess my only response to that is that there are far more important things than movies – like humans.

One of my favorite old movies is a wonderful Western, El Dorado. There is actually a scene in the movie (where James Caan’s character impersonates a Chinese man). Due to the scene being considered greatly insensitive, the scene is often cut from television telecasts. We recently watched El Dorado on television and the cut scene does nothing to harm the movie. In fact, the lack of a cringe-worthy moment makes it better, in my opinion.

Again, imagine sitting with a little Chinese boy or girl and trying to explain to them why this heroic character did what he did.

I can almost hear people, now, arguing, “But what about the way females were treated… if we start censoring for racist moments, we’ll have to start censoring for sexist moments…”

While my response would be, “Okay,” I do have to say this – many times the “sexist” moments happen in context of the plot. Fortunately, in fact, the woman proves the sexist person wrong and they come around to the startling fact that women are equal to men. Startling! On the other hand, racist moments are, more times than not, NOT pivotal… in any way… to the plot.

As I said above, at the very, very least, I’d love to see “Warnings” come on movies (dvd and televised broadcasts). Parents would then be able to decide whether or not they wanted to watch a movie with their child… or if they even wanted to watch it, themselves.

I will begin including blurbs in my old movie reviews on Hollywood Yesterday for this reason. It’ll take a while to go back and add them to old reviews, but I’ll get it done – though, to be honest, I haven’t reviewed many movies in which this would be applicable. I fall into that “…if they even wanted to watch it, themselves” category. There’s enough ugliness in the “real” world, I don’t want to invite any more than is necessary into the “reel” world.

I admit there would be a few slippery slopes – such as WHERE do you draw the line and WHEN is “far” actually “too far.” However, blackface, the N-word, and insensitive impersonations aren’t slipper slopes, they’re vile volcanoes!

Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments – and, do NOT worry, I am not the type who is hurt when people disagree with her… I look at such moments as opportunities for me to broaden my own horizons and possibly even learn something!

Review: The Stooge, Starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis (Love this Movie!)

March 21, 2018 By Joi

One of my favorite quotes of all time is, “I just want to spend the rest of my life laughing.” I honestly don’t know WHO originated the quote because each time I see (or hear) it, I’m too busy thinking, “AMEN!” to look for a name. I’m one of those people (for better or worse) who finds humor in most situations – if there isn’t any to be found, I do my darnedest to create some. If that can’t be done, I just part ways with the situation.

Okay, so I’m exaggerating a little but the truth of the matter is this – I love to laugh and do so many times throughout the day. Not surprisingly, many of my absolute favorite stars (Lucille Ball, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Carol Burnett, Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, Rue McClanahan, Bob Hope, Desi Arnaz, Redd Foxx, Don Knotts…) are those who fully support my funny bone fetish.

I’m convinced that it was actually Lewis and Martin, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, and Abbott and Costello that turned me into the clown I am. I grew up watching (and loving) them – I guess, as a child, I assumed every single day was filled with laughter. I soon learned that every day does not come with laughter… perhaps that’s when I began trying to create craziness where none existed.

One of our cats (Nacho) and I recently rewatched one of four favorite movies, “The Stooge,” (1951) starring the wonderful Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. These men were just brilliant – geniuses in every sense of the word.

Before getting to the movie, I have to tell you how much Nacho loves this movie. As you’d expect from a Classic Movie blogger, I watch a lot of old movies… A LOT. Yet, The Stooge is the only movie this particular cat will sit through with me. He settles in and, I kid you not, watches the entire movie with me. I used to think it was Jerry Lewis’ voice (especially high in this role) that fascinated him, but he doesn’t fully commit himself to other Lewis movies like he does this one.

Synopsis: Bill Miller (Dean Martin) is trying to make it big as a singer. In spite of having a phenomenal voice, he’s just not achieving the type of success he strives for OR the level of fame Bill fully believes Bill deserves!

His luck changes after he’s teamed up with an adorably flighty comic named Theodore (Jerry Lewis). They become a huge success but Bill’s pride is convinced the draw is HIM, not THEM…. and he certainly wouldn’t consider giving “Ted” any credit. Bill’s pride gets in his way and nearly ruins his relationship with Mary (played by the beautiful Polly Bergen) and his career. Mary, as well as everyone else, sees that the success is just as much the stooge‘s credit as Bill’s.

Jerry Lewis’ Ted Hitting the High Notes… as in Assaulting Them!

Too cute for her own good Marion Marshall appears in The Stooge as Genevieve “Frecklehead” Tait, Ted’s love interest and none other than Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee) stas as Ted’s mother. They help round out a very talented and hilarious cast.

As much as I love (love, love, love) The Stooge, I have to admit… it takes a hot minute to get going. Once it hits its stride, though, it’s an especially fun ride. The best part of the ride is, undoubtedly, the wonderful ending.

MOVIE. MAGIC.

I don’t know about you, but my movie motto is this: A movie is only as good as its ending. I’ve never understood why movie makers would settle for anything less than a stellar ending – after all, its the last thing a viewer sees and the first thing they remember.

The Stooge has one of the best endings of any movie and I love every single thing about it.

So does Nacho.

(Concluded Below….)

Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin: Just One More ChanceJerry Lewis called this his favorite Martin and Lewis movie, which is saying a lot since they were all extra, extra, extra special. He believed that this movie best-represented the phenomenon he and Martin had in real life.

Lewis and Martin made 17 movies together between 1949-1956. The Stooge was actually filmed in 1951, but it wasn’t released until 1953. Seems Paramount was entirely sure how this film’s dramatic moments would play out at the box office. Of all the Lewis and Martin movies, The Stooge brings the most drama. This is why, if you’re a huge fan of their comedies like I am, the film seems to take a bit to find its footing. It’s simply not the “one hilarious scene after the other” laughathons we’re accustomed to with their movies.

It is, however, one of the best – which is a real tribute to their talents.

Nacho and I both hope you’ll see this movie soon – whether it’s for the first or fortieth time, the ending will move you.

And don’t you love it when a movie does that?

Marion Marshall, Jerry Lewis, and Dean Martin in The Stooge

Review: The Major and the Minor

September 22, 2017 By Joi

Few things are as sweet as a movie that stars one of your all-time favorite actresses and one of your all-time favorite actors. It’s the very definition of movie magic. When it happens, I watch the magical movie so often I can say the lines right along with the stars. The Major and the Minor combines two of my absolute favorites, Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland and is (understandably) one of my favorite movies.

Is it a little far-fetched that any of the movie’s characters could actually believe beautiful Ginger Rogers’ character is a 12-year old girl? Yes, indeed. It’s far-fetched to the tune of an alien riding the Loch Ness Monster while a mermaid films the event.

And, yet… somehow they pull it off. While you can credit the director, the writers, and the outstanding costume department, you’d be far safer simply giving Ginger Rogers all the credit.

She makes the farce work beautifully and I marvel at this fact each and every time I watch this ridiculously fun movie.

I harp on it so often in my Old Hollywood Movie Reviews that I annoy my cats, but it is a fact that must be hammered home when talking about old movies from the delicious Golden Age of Hollywood – you have to throw nit-picking, reality-seeking, and fault-finding out the window and simply enjoy the film for the energetic fun and wonderful entertainment that it offers. I’ve actually told critics before, “If you want realism, watch the news. Then come back and tell me how that’s working for you!”

Sometimes you just have to be a wiseguy. Or in this case, wise gal.

The Major and the Minor is what they’d have called a “hoot” back in the day. It’s simply a lot of fun and those of us with a strong love for romance in movies can embrace the chemistry and special dynamic that Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland share.

Could a movie such as this be made in our politically correct and overly-offended world today? Absolutely not. Not a chance. No way. But things were a lot simpler in 1942 – a lot more innocent and uncomplicated.

The Major and the Minor Plot:

Susan Applegate (Ginger Rogers) needs train fare for a trip from New York to her home in Iowa. Lacking the necessary money, sh disguises herself as a 12-year old child so she can ride “half price.” She meets Major Philip Kirby (Ray Milland), who teaches at a military school. Major Kirby is oblivious to her farce AND age. When she accompanies him to the military school, she is an instant (and HUGE) success with all of the young men. This is one of the most entertaining things about the movie – the kids are a lot of fun to watch.

Susan falls head over heels in love with the Major but can’t do a thing about it. After all, she’s only a minor. Besides, he is spoken for and the one doing the speaking (Pamela) is a force to be reckoned with, herself.

While Ray Milland and Ginger Rogers are, understandably the main attractions in this movie, Diana Lynn (Lucy) steals more than her fair share of scenes. She plays Pamela’s somewhat nerdy teenage sister. She dives into this role so beautifully that she leaves you desperately wishing she had more screen time. She was absolutely adorable.

This wonderful movie is a must-watch for anyone who loves old movies, romantic films, Ginger Rogers, or Ray Milland. If, like me, you love all four… what are you waiting for?! You can find The Major and the Minor on Amazon.

The Major and the Minor Trailer: