Movie Matinee Monday: To Catch a Thief (1955)

My opinions on the poster:

We've got Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, looking lovely as usual.  The bottom portion features a scene straight out of the movie; I like that the poster uses this scene, as it shows the mystery of the film.  I don't understand where there's all the blue up top.....and why just Cary's and Grace's heads are on there.

The stars:

Cary Grant ~ as John Robie (the Cat)

Grace Kelly ~ as Frances (Francie) Stevens

Jessie Royce Landis ~ as Jessie Stevens

Brigitte Auber ~ as Danielle Foussard

John Williams ~ as H.H. Hughson

The critic's opinions:

4.5/5 stars

This is undoubtedly one of my favorite Old Hollywood films.  Everything about it is perfect.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.  John Robie (Cary Grant) used to be a notorious cat burglar working for the French Resistance.  But now he just wants to live peacefully in his house and vineyard....but that's not going to happen.  After a string of robberies that closely parallel his former thieving style occur, the police are quick to put the blame on him.  But Robie escapes (with the help of his former Resistance buddies, especially Danielle Foussard) and heads to the Riveria, where he enlists an insurance salesman, H.H. Hughson, to help him save his reputation and catch the real 'Cat'. Things get complicated when the list of people worth stealing jewels from includes Francie Stevens (Grace Kelly) and her mother (Jessie Royce Landis). But Francie likes John very much, and is more than willing to help him catch the Cat.  Who really is the Cat?

One of my favorite Old Hollywood actors, Cary Grant, is fabulous as John Robie.  He's perfect for the role, and who doesn't enjoy seeing him and Grace on the French Riveria?  It's a lovely setting, with plenty of beautiful costume opportunities for Grace.  This film includes some of my favorite movie costumes of all time.  The suspense/mystery portion of the plot is intriguing and fun, with a dash of suspense.  This is my kind of mystery film: no bloodshed or yucky stuff, just sneaking around on roofs (dodging gunshots) and trying to catch the to cat burglar!!  Landis is hilarious and amusing as Francie's mother...and she actually couldn't care less about her jewelry!  "They're insured!" she informs Francie with a wave of her hand.  Grace really made very few films while in Hollywood, but this one is near the very top of the list as a favorite.  It's funny, suspenseful, romantic, and beautiful all in one neat little package.

The bottom line:

Please do not miss this film.  It's an amazing watch, and perfect for viewing with a big bag of popcorn and a cozy chair (for gripping the handrests!! ;-). ). I believe it's one of the best Old Hollywood films ever, and wholeheartedly recommend it.  It's high on my list for movies to own on DVD.

My favorite film moments {I try to stay spoiler-free}:

~ The ending

~ The costume ball....laced with a aura of suspense, with beautiful costumes all over the place!  Francie's ball gown is ridiculous and crazy, but it's lovely all the same.

~ The drive along the Riveria; Francie is a rather ruthless driver, but also a very capable one.

Photographs:

Behind-the-scenes:

Movie trailer:

Movie Matinee Monday: Forever Darling(1956)

My opinions on the poster:

It's very simple, but this was released at the height of Lucy's and Desi's popularity.  I don't think they needed more than two big drawings of their faces on the poster.  I didn't know that 'riotous' was a word....but I love it on the poster!!

The stars:

Lucille Ball ~ as Susan Vega

Desi Arnaz ~ as Lorenzo (Larry) Vega

James Mason ~ as the Guardian Angel Whom Just Happens to Look Exactly Like James Mason

Louis Calhern ~ as Charles Bewell

Natalie Schafer ~ as Millie Opdyke

The critic's opinions:

2.5/5 stars

I hate to give a movie starring my favorite Old Hollywood couple a less than five star rating, but I've got to be fair.  The truth is, although I find the movie endearing and I adore it, it's not the best OH film out there.  Lucy and Desi play characters that are, at their root, Lucy and Ricky Ricardo of I Love Lucy.  Susan Vega has the same tendencies as Lucy Ricardo to get into scrapes, cause trouble, and end up in slapstick comedy.  And Lorenzo Vega continues to use such language as 'dun't' and other such classic English. :-). The first time I saw this movie, the only other film I'd seen James Mason in was North by Northwest (also starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint).  Quite a change of characters....Mason was the evil villain in the Hitchcock picture.  Here he plays Susan's guardian angel, and he does a terrific job; Mason definitely is able to play a wide variety of roles.  Of course, there's the terrific joke of the guardian angel looking like James Mason.....because he is James Mason!!  Many watchers of this film, even if they are die-hard OH fans, tend to find it a bit boring, and definitely a less than par watch.  The truth is, those watchers are agreeing with the box office back at the movie's original release.  Unlike The Long, Long Trailer, which was released three years earlier, Forever Darling just plain failed to be a box office smash.  In fact, it didn't even make all that much of a profit, at least compared to The Long, Long Trailer.  Forever Darling's budget was $951,000, and the box office was $2,288,000.  With The Long, Long Trailer, on the other hand, the budget was $1,534,000 and the box office was $4,985,000.  Quite a difference, huh?  The truth is, I think the guardian angel angle of the plot doesn't mesh in with the comedy.  The film is quite obviously an overall romantic comedy....but the guardian angel angle gives it some kind of odd fantasy/sci-fi overtone.  It just doesn't fit.  If the guardian angel had gotten to be more comedic, or there were more comedic episodes involving him, I think it would've been better.  I also wish he'd gotten a little more screen time towards the end....he completely disappears during the camping trip, and then randomly shows up at the end to save everything.  At first Susan is annoyed with the angel, and then she likes him.  As in, she like likes him.  Of course, at the end she likes him as a friend, but at times, the entire guardian angel plot seems like a completely different movie than the comedy parts.  Then there's one more little problem: Lorenzo's and Susan's marriage problems parallel Lucy's and Desi's at that time way too much.  It rather puts a damper on the entire film, since we know what they were going through at that point.  But, enough with the negative.  Why should you watch the film?  Well, Lucy and Desi are in it.  That's a million reasons right there.  Also, despite all my ranting, there are plenty of good scenes in the film, including the slapstick and awesome camping trip they go on near the end of the film.  And, it's fun to see Lucy in color, along with her outfits, a few of which I believe I also spotted on I Love Lucy.  Susan's wedding dress is beautiful, and also looks stunning in the many publicity photos it was featured in.  And finally, you have to see it just to see all of Lucy's 'major' films. :-)

The bottom line:

A decent watch.  I recommend seeing it at least once, just so you can judge it for yourself.  You may enjoy it more than others.  It's not a film I'd say to go buy on DVD, but if it's in a box set with others (like the TCM sets), I think it's a nice film to have around and watch occasionally.

My favorite film moments {I try to stay spoiler-free}:

~ The entire camping trip

~ Lorenzo's and Susan's wedding 

~ When Susan talks to the guardian angel for the first time and realizes he is real

~ The ending......it's amazing and fabulous.

Photographs:

I'm sorry all the photographs are lobby cards, but that was all I could find.  Which should give you an idea of how popular Forever Darling is....

Behind-the-scenes:

Movie trailer:

The trailer was not on youtube, unfortunately.  I am so sorry about that!!

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Ta-ta, dahlings!!

Jan

Movie Matinee Monday: Desk Set (1957)

Today I have for you a lovely Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy film, directed by Walter Lang (who also directed The King and I).

My opinions on the poster:

I like the vintage-style drawings.  Is it just me who feels that the big drawing of Kate and Spence kind of reminds you of a Rodgers and Hammerstein poster?

The stars:

Katharine Hepburn ~ as Bunny Watson

Spencer Tracy ~ as Richard Sumner

Gig Young ~ as Mike Cutler

Joan Blondell ~ as Peg Costello

The critic's opinions:

3.5/5 stars

It's a fairly traditional storyline at it's root: girl has a long "sort-of-engagement, but not really", and then meets another guy and falls in love.  The unique factor of this motion picture lies in it's research department of a television station setting.  Richard Sumner is on assignment: to install one of his smart computers (EMERAC) in the research library.  But he's ordered not to tell any of the research employees why he is there, and so all of the employees think they are being fired....and replaced by the said computer!!  At a few points the plot slows down considerably, and you wonder when it will pick up again.  I couldn't help but think that the huge computer in the film reminds me of IRAC in the 1970s Wonder Woman television show.  I love movies set in a business/professional setting, so there's that too.  Bunny is no idiot in this film.  She's practically a walking dictionary, able to recite off anything someone asks her, whether it's the amount of trees on Earth or the names of Santa's reindeer.  She's a smart woman, and I love her character.  Sumner originally thinks she's some kind of idiot, and gives her a complicated critical thinking test.....and she passes at 100%, and even answers spinoff questions that weren't on the test!  I was happy to see Joan Blondell in this film; she's best known as a 'blonde bombshell' actress of the 1930s, but she was wonderful in this.  She's one of Bunny's best friends, and gives her advice frequently.  The wide range of CinemaScope is perhaps a bit too much for this film; the only reason I'm glad it's so wide is so the viewers can see the whole library (I love it!). A few shots seem a bit stretched out.....like the actors or actresses are positioned as far away apart from each other as possible without looking ridiculous.  But, overall, Lang does a good job of filling the wide scope, so kudos to him for that.

The bottom line:

A wonderful under appreciated classic.  Great watch, if even just to see Joan Blondell in one of her later roles. I love practically any Tracy/Hepburn film, so it didn't take much for this movie to worm it's way into my heart.

My favorite film moments {I try to stay spoiler-free}:

~ When the giant computer goes crazy and starts spitting paper everywhere

~ When a new employee is brought in to manage the computer....she's completely annoying and ridiculous.

~ Bunny's critical thinking test: she positively aces it!!

~ The Christmas office party; 1950s style!

~ The ending......see it yourself to see why I love it so! :-)

Photographs:

Behind-the-scenes:

Movie trailer:

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Ta-ta, dahlings!!

Jan

Movie Matinee Monday: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)

I'm very happy to say that after practically deserting Pure Golden for months, I am back!  I'm in the midst of re-designing the blog.  The only thing I can't decide on is whether or not I should change the header.  If I could have a few opinions on that, I'd really appreciate it. :-).  I also feel like a total numbskull here, but if someone could inform me how to center my images in a post, I'd appreciate that too.  In this post, all the images are set on center, but as you can see, they are not centered.  I set all of the section titles on center too...but after half of them obeyed.  I don't know why Blogger hates me.  But I hope it doesn't hurt your eyes too much. ;-)

I have a few weekly series planned, including the one you'll start reading in a moment: Movie Matinee Monday.  It will be a review of a classic film, along with photographs and other tidbits of info.  I have at least one other weekly series planned, which will most likely start next week.  Other than the weekly series, I also will do a classic Hollywood related post every week.

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My opinions on the poster:

It's fun, and I like the different construction items that are integrated into the poster.  I can't help but think that Mr. Grant looks a bit annoyed....maybe he's supposed to?  I don't feel the poster Myrna Loy looks much like her; her eyebrows are too curved, I think.

The stars:

Cary Grant – as Mr. Jim Blandings

Myrna Loy – as Mrs. Muriel Blandings

Melvyn Douglas – as Mr. Bill Cole

The synopsis:

When advertising executive Jim Blandings (Cary Grant) discovers his wife's (Myrna Loy) plan to redecorate their New York apartment, he counters with a proposal that they move to Connecticut. She agrees, and the two are soon conned into buying a house that turns out to be a complete nightmare. Construction and repair bills accumulate quickly, and Jim worries that their future hangs in the balance unless he can come up with a catchy new jingle that will sell ham.  [Synopsis courtesy of Google]

The critic's opinions:

4/5 stars

This is a very lighthearted, entertaining film, based on the novel of the same name that was published in 1946.  I love movies like this with family/life events, such as building a house or a wedding, such as Father of the Bride (1950).  Somehow they seem very realistic. However, I feel that this one in particular is a cautionary film, warning us to look out for hidden fees in house-building!!  Anyways, Mr. and Mrs. Blandings' dream house turns out to be a total nightmare, from a closet that persists in locking people in, to the flower sink floor that cost $1,250!!!  (And that's in 1948, mind you.) The film is actually quite well-known, and a remake was even made in the 1990s. There is no mistaking the film as a comedy.  It is not slapstick, though, but the kind of comedy that happens in everyday life, and the characters involved keep a straight face.  It has a witty and hilarious script that makes me smile every time I watch it.

Cary Grant is great as the impulsive, loving, and slightly proud Mr. Blandings.  The expressions that Mr. Grant is able to make for the role are perfect, from his exasperated look at the man digging the well, to the jealous look at the 'old family friend'.  Although the film is fairly popular, it isn't one of the roles that would 'come to mind' when you mention him, especially not to a person unfamiliar with Old Hollywood.  I always felt that such roles were Arsenic and Old Lace or Bringing Up Baby.

The film isn't one of Myrna Loy's better known roles either, as she is better known for her starring role in The Thin Man series of movies.  Despite that, this is the film that clinched her place as one of my favorite classic actresses.  She has a soft way of speaking, and is incredibly convincing as Mrs. Blandings.  I don't know how to explain it, but she actually 'became' that role.  It's lovely and amazing, and I love it.  She's still a typical woman in classic Hollywood films though, fussing about her clothes and her flower sink, and insisting ever bedroom has two closets.  I adore her character.

Melvyn Douglas plays the 'old family friend', Bill Cole.  Apparently, Mrs. Blandings used to date him in college, and that doesn't go over well with Mr. Blandings!!  It's funny; sometimes Cole is a likable character in the film, and other times he drives me crazy.  He delivers a lot of snarky lines, which are sometimes hilarious, and other times you want to give him a punch in the nose.  He adds a lot to the picture, though, as a three-dimensional character.  And, some of his snarky lines are good for laughs.

The bottom line:

A very entertaining family film with two big stars in the billing.  Do not miss it.

My favorite film moments {I try to be spoiler-free}:

When Muriel is trying to explain to the painters what colors she wants.  "No, not the yellow dot by the hollyhock bush.  The little blue dot over there.  Yes, exactly that color."

Dicussing the difference between a rock, ledge, and a boulder.

Going around in circles while driving, and always coming back to the same bridge.

Photographs:

Behind-the-scenes:

Movie trailer: