Babes In Arms

 The Mitchum siblings. John (L) and Robert (R)

 Bette Davis

 Basil Rathbone (L) and siblings

 Clifton Webb

 Waldo and sister Elsa Lanchester

 Sourpuss Franchot Tone

 Hedy Lamarr

 James Stewart

 Gene Tierney

 Rex Harrison

 Loretta Young

 Lauren Bacall

Vivien Leigh

A big thanks to Emily over at The Silver Screen Affair, I got a lot of photos from a wonderful blog she did a few weeks ago!

Tonight on TCM!
Get your horror on!

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Vintage Ads

 Bob goes all out for the holiday gifts.

 Ann Blyth is all for Lustre-Creme and looking like an alien.

 Burt goes Blatz!

 Allyson and Powell give themselves a break.

 Lucille Ball is a size queen.

Daniels for shoes no one wants to look at. Not the parrot, not Bebe, not the waiter, not even the dog.

Joan shills PBR. Respect.

Tonight on TCM!

I Know Where I'm Going (1945) A determined young Englishwoman sets out to accomplish her goals even at the risk of her heart. Dir: Michael Powell Cast: Wendy Hiller, Roger Livesey, George Carney.

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Bookworms!

Maureen O'Hara

Paul Henreid

Barbara Bel Geddes

Gary Cooper

Barbara Stanwyk

Errol Flynn

Judy Garland

Sterling Hayden

Lionel Stander

Tonight on TCM!

The last Tuesday to catch up on Jean Simmons!

I'll be recording Home Before Dark and Mr. Buddwing.

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Night of the Hunter (1955)

Whether it’s preaching for pocket money, robbing, or killing, Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) washes himself clean in his religious belief that God is guiding his hand in making the world a better place. Therefore, it is fortuitous that when Powell lands himself in jail he shares his cell with the doomed Ben Harper (Peter Graves) who, in the course of robbing a bank for ten thousand dollars, killed two people. Powell discovers Harper has hidden the money somewhere around his house and upon his release he sets out to woo Harper’s widow Willa (Shelley Winters) who has two children, John (Billy Chapin) and Pearl (Sally Jane Bruce). Soon Powell is convinced that Willa knows nothing about the hidden money and suspects that the children do. However, though Willa and the townspeople have fallen for his ruse as passionate preacher and a thoroughly holy man, John does not trust him. He must continually convince Pearl who is younger and more susceptible to Powell’s charm not to give up their secret. When the children prove to be harder to break, Powell kills Willa so that he can focus his full attention on them.

After a harrowing night spent trying to convince Powell the money is in the basement, John and Pearl manage to escape and float down-river in a small boat. Powell follows on land, practically a step behind. However, bible-thumper and do-gooder Rachel Cooper (Lillian Gish) captures them first. Despite her good intentions, John is wary of the very religious Cooper and does not warm up to her immediately. Suspecting that John is hiding something horrible in his past, Cooper’s suspicions are confirmed when Powell shows up to her farm wanting to claim the children. Unlike all the other adults, Cooper listens and believes John when he says Powell is no father of his. She demands Powell get off her land thus sparking an all night vigil with the very delicate Gish sitting in her rocking chair Mother Whistler style, shotgun at the ready. The game of cat and mouse ends when Cooper shoots Powell and he runs off to her barn howling like a wounded animal. The police arrive shortly after and collect their prisoner. The scene is so familiar to John who saw his real father arrested, that he runs to Powell begging the police not to take him away and giving up the money. A day in court reveals the irony of the townspeople who come out of the woodwork to lynch Powell for his evil doings.

Like the beginning of the film, the story ends on Gish, “I'm a strong tree with branches for many birds. I'm good for something in this world and I know it too. You know, when you're little, you have more endurance than God is ever to grant you again. Children are man at his strongest. They abide. They abide, and they endure.” After all, one must point out that there is difference between being religiously good and religiously evil.

This was the first and only film Charles Laughton’s ever directed and though it was a critical failure upon release, I certainly wouldn’t have minded if he had directed a few more. Some could blame Laughton’s extremely successful acting career up to this point overshadowing what is basically a horror film with elements of humor and dreamy expressionism. Or some could blame not understanding what is essentially the evilest character Mitchum ever played, having built his career on being a care-free outsider not easily angered.  Whatever the reason, Night of the Hunter blends horror, humor, and expressionism together successfully and has obviously become a cult classic. Whether you have seen the movie or not, the image of Powell’s tattooed knuckles are legendary. “Ah, little lad, you're staring at my fingers. Would you like me to tell you the little story of right-hand/left-hand? The story of good and evil? H-A-T-E! It was with this left hand that old brother Cain struck the blow that laid his brother low. L-O-V-E! You see these fingers, dear hearts? These fingers has veins that run straight to the soul of man. The right hand, friends, the hand of love. Now watch, and I'll show you the story of life. Those fingers, dear hearts, is always a-warring and a-tugging, one agin t'other. Now watch 'em! Old brother left hand, left hand he's a fighting, and it looks like love's a goner. But wait a minute! Hot dog, love's a winning! Yessirree! It's love that's won, and old left hand hate is down for the count!”

Throughout the film Laughton uses this dream-like expressionism, mostly with the use of the river the small town sits next to. Directly after we see Powell pounce on Willa, knife in hand, the camera cuts to John being awakened by the loud noise of a car. What follows is a much calmer scene, seaweed flowing breezily under water and as the camera pans over the seaweed begins to mingle with Willa’s hair as she sits upright and anchored to the car Powell has driven into the river after murdering her. Even now, that scene resonates it’s so powerful, so ahead of its time. What may have lost the audience were the scenes after John and Pearl escape down river. Using obvious unrealistic scenery mixed in with nature, the children’s oddessey is the most dreamlike sequences in the film and for me, the very best sequences. It’s quite appropriate for the mood of John and Pearl who are weary from days of trying to mentally outmaneuver Powell and physically running from him. The sequence is interrupted occasionally by Powell’s pursuit on land. Jarring against the serenity of the river, it reminds the audience what the children already know, they still need to be cautious. Powell will not give up easily.

Another aspect I like about this film is that, unlike today with psychotic thrillers, we do not get Powell’s background, the reason why he’s so twisted. Instead of spending part of the film figuring out why he uses his religion to do evil, Night of the Hunter proves that one can be thoroughly entertained by a whole lot of unexplained crazy.


A very compelling and frightening film, Night of the Hunter is a definite must see!


Did anybody else think for a moment that Harry Powell was Rachel Cooper’s son, the one she lost because of her devotion to religion?


Tonight on TCM!

Good Neighbor Sam (1964) A man poses as husband to his wife's best friend for one day that could turn into a lifetime. Dir: David Swift Cast: Jack Lemmon, Romy Schneider, Dorothy Provine.

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The Many Mini Reviews: British Invasion!

What better way to spend a terribly rainy weekend than to soak up some solid British acting?

Despite Dr. Bryerly’s (Esmond Knight) adamant objections, Carolyn Ruthyn (Jean Simmons), a recently orphaned girl concedes to her late father’s wishes that she go live with her Uncle Silas. Having never met her uncle, Carolyn is fascinated with the rumors she has heard about his misdeeds and apparent repentance of them. Thoroughly trusting him to care for her, Carolyn will soon regret ever agreeing to live with Uncle Silas.
I don’t want to give too much of this story away- it’s definitely a must see! Containing wonderful performances by Jean Simmons, Derrick DeMarney as her Uncle Silas and Katina Paxinou as Madam de la Rougirre his evil accomplice, Uncle Silas delivers as a substantial drama/horror mixture. I read that there is a TV version of this film with Peter O’Toole as Uncle Silas- I would LOVE to get my hands on that!

Behind the exterior of the shy and socially awkward Henry Holland (Alec Guinness), lies a man yearning to be rich but wise and patient enough to wait for a foolproof plan to arise before he robs his way to that goal. For twenty years, Holland has worked as a bank transfer agent for the delivery of gold bullion and it isn’t until he meets and befriends Pendlebury (Stanley Holloway), that he sees his dreams coming to fruition. Pendlebury, a maker of souvenirs, agrees with Holland when he suggests that Pendlebury’s smelting equipment could be used to forge gold into toy Eiffel Towers that could legally be transferred from England to France. Realizing that Holland is actually being serious, the two set out to find two more accomplises and begin an adventure wrought with several twists and turns.
A thoroughly entertaining film from start to finish, The Lavender Hill Mob is a must see! Be on the look out for Audrey Hepburn in a walk on role.

 Louis Manzzini (Dennis Price) vows to avenge his mother who was shunned by her aristocratic family for eloping with an Italian opera singer. A distant relative of the Duke of D'Ascoyne, Manzzini manages to successfully inherit the Dukedom by murdering the eight other heirs in the line of succession to the title only to be brought to heel by his jealous lover Sibella (Joan Greenwood). His deeds are as follows:
Young Ascoyne D'Ascoyne (son of Lord Ascoyne D'Ascoyne): Sent over a closed dam in a boat with his girlfriend.
Young Henry D'Ascoyne (photographer): Killed in the explosion of his darkroom when Manzzini substitutes petrol for the paraffin.
Reverend Lord Henry D'Ascoyne: Drinks poisoned port.
Lady Agatha D'Ascoyne: Dies in the crash of her air balloon while distributing suffragist leaflets, when Manzzini shoots an arrow at it.
Admiral Lord Horatio D'Ascoyne: Dies without assistance by Manzzini in a shipwreck of his own doing.
General Lord Rufus D'Ascoyne: Detonation of a bomb concealed in a pot of caviar.
Ethelred D'Ascoyne, 8th Duke of Chalfont: Lured into a mantrap and shot with his own gun, made to appear to be an accident.
Lord Ascoyne D'Ascoyne (Banker): Dies of shock on hearing of the death of Ethelred and the news that he is now the Duke.
A light comedy that is thoroughly entertaining from end to finish, Kind Hearts and Coronets is a must see. Kudos to Alec Guinness for playing each of the eight D’Ascoynes to perfection!

 Sister Clodah (Deborah Kerr) is given the responsibility of becoming Sister Superior when she and four other nuns are dispatched to the Himalayas to open a new convent. Sister Clodah, as well as her own Mother Superior, has doubts as to whether she can succeed. Although she knows she can depend upon Sister Phillipa (Flora Robson) and Sister Briony (Judith Furse), there are obvious misgivings about Sister Honey (Jenny Laird) who is quite young, and Sister Ruth (Kathleen Byron) whose devotion to the order is questionable. However, each sister’s strength and faith is tested with this new assignment. There is something in the clean, high altitudes of the Himalayas that causes Sister Clodah to reminisce about an early romance and Sister Phillipa to plant flowers instead of the food they need to eat. As for Sister Briony and Sister Honey, they clash over how to best treat their new patients with Sister Briony heeding local agent Mr. Dean’s (David Farrar) advice about treating the deathly ill as there would be dire consequences if the patient doesn't recover. As for Sister Ruth, she is slowly going mad, having become obsessed with Mr. Dean. When she decides to suddenly leave the order and go to him, his refusal of her leads to tragic results.
Black Narcissus was the second film that helped propel Deborah Kerr to fame in America, however I think Kathleen Byron completely steals the film away from her. Kerr’s Sister Clodah comes off not so much holy or generous as she does and critical and unapproachable. In fact, it seems no wonder that Sister Ruth is suspicious of her and eventually comes to despise her.  Sister Clodah is not at all likeable. Thoroughly likeable was Sabu as The Young General, with finery to match his fine manners. He adds a light touch to a heavy film. Though she speaks no lines, Jean Simmons as the young dancer Kanchi looks quite beautiful and exotic in her costume.
 I was very impressed with the use of Technicolor (Egads! Me?) in this film thanks to the magic hands of cinematographer, Jack Cardiff. The color adds eeriness to Sister Ruth’s decent into madness giving the film a spookier twist, especially on the close-ups.

Per tradition, Philippe de Montfaucon the Marquis de Bellac (David Niven) must sacrifice himself (literally) in order for his vineyards near Bordeaux to produce. He instructs his wife, Catherine (Deborah Kerr), to remain in Paris with the children. Disturbed by his behavior, Catherine follows a few days later with the children. The collective actions of Countess Estelle, Philippe's aunt (Flora Robson), Père Dominic (Donald Pleasance), the local priest, and the menacing Christian de Caray (David Hemmings) and his sister, Odile (Sharon Tate) leads Catherine to believe something evil is afoot. Will she be able to figure out what it is before lives are ruined?
Like some classic legends of the screen, Deborah Kerr got her horror movie on as well. Luckily she aged better than Bette Davis and didn’t have to resort to the same kind of fate as that dynamic star. Eye of the Devil has elements of the usual sixties horror fare though not particularly scary or even interesting. However, I love David Niven too much to pass on anything he may be in.

Tonight on TCM!
Hotel (1967) -A New Orleans hotel owner fights off a corporate raider while his guests struggle through a variety of personal problems. Dir: Richard Quine Cast: Rod Taylor, Catherine Spaak, Karl Malden.

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Speakeasy: Friends

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Hooray, Hurrell!

 Anita Page

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

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Table Talk!

 Joan Blondell and husband Dick Powell

 Mickey Rooney give Busby Berkley an oral exam.

 Peter Lawford and Lana Turner.

 Laurel and Hardy break bread.

 Jean Harlow and William Powell.

 John Wayne, Keenan Wynn, and John Ford enjoy a long repast.

 Roy Rogers and Dale Evans will eat with anyone!

Warren William and wife Helen

Tonight on TCM! Charles Laughton's one and only directorial debut! Can't wait!

The Night of The Hunter (1955) Atmospheric allegory of innocence, evil, and hypocrisy, with psychotic religious fanatic Mitchum chasing homeless children for money stolen by their father.

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