2016 In Review: The Films

Better late than never seems to be my blogging style these days. Approaching on two months since my favorite books of 2016 post went up, the film half is finally making its appearance.

At the beginning of 2016, I made the decision to make a list of every movie I watched that year so I could keep better track of the ones I saw and look back. It is somewhat incomplete, because I know I forgot to write down some, but most of them are recorded and I hope to keep better track this year.

Anyhow, here is a list of my top 10 films watched in 2016. Please note, that, after much debate, I have decided to only count films I saw for the first time. I’m going to talk about re-watched films at the very end because Singing In the Rain.

The Gunfighter (1950). Gunfighter Jimmy Ringo kills a young man in self defense and leaves town, traveling to another town where he hopes to be reunited with his family before the young man’s three brothers catch up seeking revenge. Starring Gregory Peck and featuring a stellar supporting cast, this western moves along quickly and packs an emotional punch.

Little Annie Rooney (1925). In a way 2016 was the year of silent movies for me and this one came out as one of my favorites. Mary Pickford is luminous and adorable. And this film contains what might be one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have ever watched. Watch it.

Casablanca (1942). I finally got around to watching this classic and why it took me so long I will never know. Claude Raines, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Heinreid, S.K. Sakall, and other familiar members of the Warner Brothers studio lot comprise a cast that made this the classic it is. And did I mention Claude Rains? His performance in this is superb.

Judgment at Nuremberg (1961). This intense drama based on the Nazis war crime trials that took place after the war packs a mean punch, only this film narrows down the focus onto German judges who were put on trial for their actions during the Nazi regime. An outstanding cast led by Spencer Tracy includes Burt Lancaster, Maximilian Schell, and Richard Widmark who are more than ably supported by Marlene Dietrich, Montgomery Clift, and Judy Garland.

The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935). Set on the Erie Canal as the railroads were beginning to flourish, a riverboat cook, born and raised on the river, falls in love with a farmer determined to find himself a farm to live out his dreams. Starring Janet Gaynor and Henry Fonda, this film took me by surprise and ended up delighting me.

No Highway in the Sky (1951). Scientist Theodore Honey has a theory about why a new airplane has been crashing and while en route to investigate the crash site, he finds himself on one of the planes he believes to be defective. With a cast that boasts Jimmy Stewart with Glynis Johns and Marlene Dietrich supporting, how can you go wrong? A thoroughly engrossing film.

The Shop Around the Corner (1940). Another classic I finally got around to watching, I had previously seen the musical remake In the Good Old Summertime starring Judy Garland. Two shop clerks get off on the wrong foot and dislike each other intensely, while falling in love with each through an anonymous correspondence. Starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan.

The Kiss of Death (1947). A film noir directed by Henry Hathaway, the plot follows ex-con Nick Bianco (Victor Mature) as he assists in helping the assistant DA collect evidence against his psychopathic former prison mate (Richard Widmark). Cast also includes Karl Malden in a bit role, Coleen Gray, and Brian Donlevy.

Desk Set (1957). Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn star in this romantic comedy where an efficiency expert finds his match in a researcher at a broadcasting company's reference library. I’ve been told Katharine Hepburn’s character’s job in this movie is what I should have been if I had lived in the 50s. I love looking up random facts and I usually remember them.

And tied for tenth place, I’m going to go with The General (1927) and Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928) two silent comedies starring Buster Keaton. Keaton is another silent film discovery I made in 2016. His serious take on slapstick comedy is film gold.

And now it’s time for honorable mentions. (You didn’t think you would get by without them, did you?)

First, I will go with two films that were re-watches for me but secured much higher rankings in my list of favorite films the second time around: The Great Escape (1963) and Singing In the Rain (1953).

I honestly lost count of how many times I watched The Great Escape in 2016. I first watched the recorded off TV copy that is my family’s and was horrified and aghast to discover the screen had been cropped from its glorious widescreen into a pan and scan. *ahem* I will refrain from ranting on the atrocity that is cropping widescreen films. Anyhow, it was shown on TCM in all its widescreen glory a couple of days later and all was made right. The Great Escape stars an all-star cast in a WWII POW escape story based on actual events.

I first saw Singing In the Rain maybe seven(?) years ago but was not a massive fan. I honestly did not understand why it was such a classic. My younger sister and I decided to re-watch it one night and fell head over heels for it. It is a classic for a reason. It is such an exuberant film! The main cast includes Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor all at their finest. I highly recommend it.

Three more honorable mentions that I greatly enjoyed were: It’s Always Fair Weather (1955), The Four Feathers (1939), and Journey For Margaret (1942).

What were your favorite films watched in 2016? And what have been some standouts so far this year?

All photographs via Pinterest.

Film Review: Rio Grande (1950)

via Pinterest

 Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke (John Wayne) is stationed on the Texas frontier, trying to defend the territory against marauding Apaches. His job is difficult not only because his regiment is undermanned, but because the Apaches ride across the border into Mexico where Yorke and his troops cannot follow them. Further developments arrive when, after flunking West Point, Yorke's son (Claude Jarman Jr.) comes to the fort as one of the new recruits and Yorke's estranged wife (Maureen O'Hara) comes to try to take their son back east.

 Directed by John Ford and filled with a classic cast, Rio Grande (1950) latched itself onto my list of favorite western films even before I finished watching it for the first time. Something about it felt so very real. From the beginning of the film when Lt. Col. Yorke and his troops return to the fort tired, dusty, and wounded from their patrol to when the new recruits are being broken into western troopers. As the Sons of Pioneers lead the troops in song while on patrol or while resting around the campfire, and even to the daring rescue towards the end of the film. Everything feels natural and genuine.

via Pinterest

 As I mentioned, this film has a stellar cast who all not only turn in great performances individually but work well with each other. John Waynes gives, in my personal opinion, one of his best performances. (As a quick rabbit trail, my opinion of John Wayne as an actor sways with each movie I see of his. With some I feel like he's just acting the John Wayne persona in each film and then, with others, I am sitting going "Wow! You really could act!" It really depends on the movie.) Anyhow, his portrayal of Lt. Col. Yorke is splendid as a man who is trying to do the best job he can in a difficult situation.

via Pinterest

 Maureen O'Hara turns in another good performance per usual as Mrs. Yorke and Victor McLaglen will bring a smile to your face in the role of Sgt. Maj. Quincannon as he tries to whip the newest recruits into shape. The actors who really grabbed my attention in this movie, however, were Claude Jarman Jr., Harry Carey Jr., and Ben Johnson. That trio really stands out as the newest batch of troopers, with Jarman Jr. playing Yorke's son. Not to mention, Carey Jr.'s character has some great lines. Or maybe it's just the way he delivers them.

 Anyway, this is currently my favorite western and I have my doubts as to if it will ever be replaced. The studio executives of Republic Pictures, who would only let John Ford make The Quiet Man (1952) if he made a western with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara first, have my undying gratitude.

 The Legends of Western Cinema Blog Week is currently going on! Visit Emma at A Lantern In Her Hand and Olivia at Meanwhile, In Rivendell to find out more about the event and read their posts.

The Mid-June Report

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 Life has been extremely busy of late. A friend's wedding, siblings' sports games, and work has been keeping me busy these past couple days, leaving me with very little energy and time for blogging. However, I am determined not to slack off if I can help it. So here's a small glimpse of what I've been up to in the world of literature, writing, music, and film.

Reading

 The last book I finished was Cards On the Table by Agatha Christie. It was brilliant and probably my favorite Hercule Poirot mystery of the ones I have read. Currently, I am in the midst of London Afresh by E.V. Lucas and The Fisherman's Lady by George MacDonald. London Afresh I picked up at a book sale last year and apparently it is a rarity. I had to add it into the Goodreads database so I could shelve it!

Writing

 I began the process of reading through and marking the obvious mistakes in my recently finished first draft of The Letters of Lee Ames this past weekend. My sister is going through it with me. It is her first time reading past the first chapter, making it amusing when I notice a plot/character name discrepancy and start scribbling a note on the side of the paper to change it. I am also printing the manuscript in portions as needed. I think our printer might die if I printed all 311 pages in one go.

Listening

Brother - NEEDTOBREATHE

The Book Thief Soundtrack composed by John Williams

The Dancing In Gold album by The Von Trapps

Back Beat Boogie by Harry James and his orchestra is still a favorite too.

I have been falling in love with a couple pieces from The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns as well.
The score and vintage songs from The Help soundtrack.
I have eclectic tastes to say the least.

Watching

 Most recently, I watched By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953) starring Doris Day. It was the sequel to another Doris Day musical, On Moonlight Bay (1951). On Moonlight Bay is definitely my favorite of the two and it's a delight to watch Mary Wickes as the family's maid/cook. Did I mention that it takes place during the First World War?

What have you all been up to? Have you read any good books, discovered a new favorite song, or seen any good films lately?

I ♥ Thursday {No. I}

   Today I decided to finally link up for I ♥ Thursday over at Bramblewood Fashion and actually remembered to do the post before Friday rolled around and it was to late. So here's what I'm loving so far this week.

Source: Uploaded by user via Hanne-col on Pinterest

I am certain all writers can sympathize.

   

Ever since Ashley posted this video on her blog a couple of weeks ago I have listened to it just about once every day.

 

Kristen Chenoweth // The Girl in 14G

Source: cycletownusa.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Roy Rogers on a motocycle

~ Hanne-col

Silver Screen Blog Party Tag Questions

 First of all I want to apologize for not getting these up sooner. I meant to post them yesterday, but I never did get around to it.





 These questions were created by the lovely Miss Natasha of Day by Day for her silver screen blog party.

{1}

It seems to be standard procedure for blog party questionnaires to begin by asking you to introduce yourself to the rest of the party goers. Far be it from me to be remiss in my duty, therefore, do tell us a bit about yourself, in as many or few words as you wish.
Well, I'm 15 years old. I am a Christian. I am an aspiring novelist, a sister, and a daughter who wants to bring glory to her Savior, Jesus Christ.

{2}

What are a few of your favorite classic films?

Summer Stock (1950)

Something in the Wind (1947)

The Wackiest Ship In the Army (1960)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

The Magnificent Seven (1960)

Listen, Darling (1938)

Don't Fence Me In (1945)

Shall We Dance (1937)

High Society (1956)

Three Smart Girls (1936)

The Amazing Mrs. Holliday (1943)

Africa Screams (1949)

{3}

Out of those films, who are your favorite characters (not actor, character)?

Summer Stock (1950) - Jane Falbury

Something in the Wind (1947) - Charlie Reed

The Wackiest Ship In the Army (1960) - Capt. Rip Crandall

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) - Clarissa Saunders

The Magnificent Seven (1960) - Vin and Bernardo O'Reilly

Listen, Darling (1938) - Pinkie Wingate and Buzz Mitchell

Don't Fence Me In (1945) - Toni Ames

Shall We Dance (1937) - Petrov/Pete Peters

High Society (1956) - Mike Conners

Three Smart Girls (1936) - Michael Stuart and Penny Craig

The Amazing Mrs. Holliday (1943) - Ruth Kirke Holliday and Timothy Blake

Africa Screams (1949) - Stanley Livingston

{4}

Share one of your favorite movie lines...

Kay Craig: Haven't you any conscience?

Michael Stuart: Conscience? About what?

Kay Craig: You were just about to cheat that poor man, weren't you?

Michael Stuart: Oh, no. I wouldn't cheat anybody. Uhh. I just wanted to buy a little gift, for you.

Kay Craig: For me?

Michael Stuart: Yes.

Kay Craig: Do you think I'd accept a seven-thousand dollar ring that wasn't paid for?

Michael Stuart: Oh, I would have paid it. Uhh, on terms you know. A dollar down, a dollar a week.

Kay Craig: For seven-thousand weeks?

Michael Stuart: Eh ... That is a rather long time, isn't it?

from Three Smart Girls (1936)

{5}

What is your opinion on remaking classic films?

It usually depends.

{6}

How about colorizing black and white films?

I prefer black and white films to stay black and white, but if I have a choice I'll usually try out the colorized version maybe once or twice.

{7}

Name a few of your favorite silver screen actresses.

Judy Garland

Deanna Durbin

Dale Evans

Ginger Rogers

Debbie Reynolds

Audrey Hepburn
Jean Arthur

are some

{8}

Now a few of your favorite actors.

Donald O’Conner

Fred Astaire

Frank Sinatra

Jimmy Stewart

Cary Grant

Roy Rogers

Gregory Peck

are some

{9}

Why are they your favorites?

I love their singing, love their dancing, love their acting, and love how they make me laugh and cry.

{10}

Do you enjoy westerns? Why or why not?

Oh yeah! I love westerns. Roy Rogers’s movies, The Roy Rogers Show, Wanted: Dead or Alive, and The Rifleman. 

{11}

Are you a purist when it comes to adapting a book you love to the screen?

I’m usually pretty forgiving, though I must say I have a list of complaints for the 1954 Ivanhoe adaption.

{12}

Are there any film adaptations that you enjoyed more than the original book?

Off hand, no. 

{13}

There are a lot of wonderful classic TV shows, but which one is your favorite? 

Oh, dear! What a question to ask. I think it's a close race between The Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy, The Dick van Dyke Show, and The Jack Benny Program. Yeah, I know that's four shows, but I love them all so much.

{14}

After watching a musical, do you hum and singing snatches of the songs as you go about your day?

Yes, unless I have a sore throat or a really bad cold.

{15}

Assuming the answer to the above is "yes", which song, without fail, get's stuck in your head?

Mack the Black sung by Judy Garland in The Pirate (1948). It is a very catchy tune.

{16)

What's the corniest film you've ever seen?

I'm sure there's one out there, but at the moment I can't think of it.

~ Hanne-col

Summer Stock (1950) - Movie Review

 Jane Falbury (Judy Garland) is struggling to keep her farm afloat due to past bad crops and, being unable to pay wages, her hands are forced to find employment elsewhere. After managing to get a tractor on credit from the store owner and her future father-in-law, Jane is shocked to return to the farm and find the place crawling with actors. Jane's sister, Abigail (Gloria De Haven), has returned home after offering the barn to Joe Ross (Gene Kelly) to put on his show that Abigail stars in. Jane at first tells Joe and his acting troupe to clear out, but eventually relents and lets them stay on condition that they help out on the farm too.

 I personally love this movie! Judy is lovely and adorable as always. Gene Kelly's character is a bit different than his usual ones- in a good way, he's not cocky in this movie.

Some Trivia:
 Summer Stock was Judy Garland's last movie for MGM and was originally meant to star Mickey Rooney in the Gene Kelly role. Mickey Rooney's box office draw was not much, however, and they cast Gene Kelly in the role.

 Judy Garland starred in Gene Kelly's first picture for MGM and his screen debut, For Me and My Gal. Gene Kelly starred in Judy Garland's last picture for MGM, Summer Stock.

Music:
 Here are two of the songs from the movie. I'd do several more, only I don't want to spoil it all for you.

Dig, Dig, Dig, Dig for Your Dinner

Howdy Neighbor, Happy Harvest

~ Hanne-col

What's On? (1950s TV Shows)

 In the 1950s television became popular and movie stars began having their own shows. Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, and Donna Reed had their own shows, but there was also a lovely TV show called What's My Line. In the show a panel had to try and guess what occupation their guests had. There would also be a mystery guest, usually a celebrity, who the panel would have to blindfold themselves for. Here are some of my favorites of both.

The Jack Benny Program - Guest Star Humphrey Bogart

The Jack Benny Program - Guest Star Ginger Rogers



What's My Line - Mystery Guest Debbie Reynolds



What's My Line - Mystery Guest Yul Brynner



What's My Line - Mystery Guest Fred Astaire



What's My Line - Mystery Guest Ronald Reagan



What's My Line - Mystery Guests Roy Rogers and Dale Evans



What's My Line - Mystery Guest Jack Benny

~ Hanne-col

Matinee Saturday - 1940s

 Today is Matinee Saturday for Going Through the Era's. There are so many movies I love from the 40s that I couldn't pick just one so I decided to make a list of some of my favorites.

His Girl Friday (1940) - Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, and Ralph Bellamy star in this hilarious screwball comedy. Newspaper editor Walter Burns (Cary Grant) is given a surprise visit by his ex-wife and ex-reportor Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell) when she tells him that she is going to remarry. Next ensues chaos as Burns gets Hildy to do one last newspaper story for him in exchange for buying life insurance from her fiance (Ralph Bellamy), but as murderer escapes jail Burn's is trying to get the story and his ex-wife back.

Babes on Broadway (1941) - The third of the Mickey and Judy 'Backyard Musicals' finds Tommy Williams (Mickey Rooney) and two pals trying to get their big break on Broadway. One day with the thought of the next days private audition with a broadway producer glimmering before them Tommy's happiness is dimmed when he sees a girl, Penny Morris (Judy Garland), crying in another booth at the drugstore. Determined to cheer her up he talks to her and then takes her to her home. The next day their audition is crashed hundreds of other hopefuls and they end up not being able to audition. Mickey and his chums decide to put on their own show for broadway producers to see them and soon find a cause in the orphanage that Penny helps out at.

It Started With Eve (1941) - Jonathan Reynolds (Charles Laughton) is on his deathbed and near death as his only son and child Johnny (Robert Cummings) arrives in New York City and rushes home. Before he dies Johnny's father wants to meet his son's fiancee and so Johnny promptly rushes to her hotel. His fiancee and her mother are not in however and he is unable to find them anywhere. In desperation he asks the hat check girl Anne Terry (Deanna Durbin) to pretend to be his fiancee so his father can die happy. Johnny's father is pleased with the girl he thinks is his sons fiancee and unexpectedly recovers, leaving Johnny frantic for a way to resolve the mix-up without throwing his father into a relapse and Anne determined to attend the engagement party his father is holding and meet some broadway producers.

Don't Fence Me In (1945) - Magazine photographer Toni Ames (Dale Evans) is sent west to Twin Wells from New York City to try and find the outlaw from the wild west Wildcat Kelly. There she meets an old man who claims to have been a friend of the outlaw (Gabby Hayes). She goes to the dude ranch where he works along with Roy Rogers and the rest of the Sons of the Pioneers and begins to snoop around for clues.

Well, those are just four of some of my favorite movies from the 1940s and let met tell you there are many, many more.

___________

I think I'll close off this post with some pictures of one of my favorite singers and actresses Judy Garland.

 A publicity still for the 1948 film Easter Parade starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire. I really like this movie and wish Judy had been able to make another movie with Fred Astaire.

A movie still from the 1942 movie For Me and My Gal starring Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, and George Murphy. This movie was Kelly's big screen debut and another one of my favorites.

~Hanne-col

Modern Screen, November 1941

 Well, I'm back again with the other vintage movie magazine I bought alongside with the one last week. This time it is from 1941.

 The cover with some actor by the name of Stirling Hayden.

A pre-release movie review of the Deanna Durbin film It Started With Eve. Apparently before it's release they were calling it 'It Started With Adam'. 

An article on Roy Rogers the King of the Cowboys. It is really funny to see the publicity stunt that Republic Pictures did regarding Roy's birth place in here.

 A movie ad for the Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth film You'll Never Get Rich. Good movie by the way.

Here is a picture of Bonita Granville. She starred in four Nancy Drew films. 

 a closeup of the Bonita Granville picture.

 Gary Cooper

 An article on Judy Garland written by her mother.

And an article on Eddie "Rochester" Anderson. He was a regular on the Jack Benny Radio show starting with his very first appearance in 1937 and would later on become a regular as Jack's chauffeur/valet/butler. He would continue to become a regular on Jack Benny's television program too.

~ Hanne-col

Sing, Sing, Sing with a Swing (1940s Music)

Today is Fun Monday for Going Through the Era's and I am going to drown you with swing music! Well, maybe not really, but I do love music from the 1940s. Judy Garland, the Andrews Sisters, Benny Goodman and his Orchestra, and all those lovelies! *happy sigh* You get the idea.


"Sing, Sing, Sing" by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. A particular favorite.

"Drummer Boy" sung by Judy Garland in the movie "Strike Up the Band."



"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" sung by the Andrews Sisters in "Buck Privates"



"The Turntable Song" sung by Deanna Durbin in "Something in the Wind"



"Gotta Be This or That" sung by Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland on The Danny Kaye Show.



"Swinging on a Star" sung by Bing Crosby in the movie "Going My Way." The song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Bing Crosby would also win an oscar for best actor and his co-star Barry Fitzgerald won best supporting actor.



"The Nerve of Some People" sung by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans in the movie "Lights of Old Santa Fe."



"Cowboy Ham and Eggs" sung by Roy Rogers and The Sons of the Pioneers in the movie "Home in Oklahoma"



Well, I'd better close this before it gets too long, but I hope it has whet your appetite for more.

~ Hanne-col

Movie Review: Three Smart Girls (1936)

 Joan (Nan Grey), Kay (Barbara Read), and Penny Craig's (Deanna Durbin) parents have been divorced for ten years and girls live in Switzerland with their mother. Mrs. Craig, who still loves the girls' father, is heartbroken when she reads in the newspaper that their father is planning to remarry. So the girls decide to run away to New York City and prevent the wedding.

 Once in New York they surprise their father, millionaire Judson Craig (Charles Winninger), and shock his fiancee, Miss Donna Lyons (Binnie Barnes). The girls soon enlist the help of Bill Evans (John King), the man who manages their father's investments. Together they hatch a plot to get Miss Lyons away from their father by introducing her to someone even richer. But Bill is sent to Philadelphia and when the method for the girls to find him goes awry they end up getting the wrong man (Ray Milland).

 I LOVE this movie!! It is such a delightful movie, with some really funny movie lines. I highly recommend it. Oh, and I just found out you can find it on YouTube.

Movie Quotes:

Judson Craig: Do you realize that I have guests downstairs, that Miss Lyons was singing? I thought the ceiling would come down!
Penny Craig: Why didn't you stop her?

Kay Craig: Haven't you any conscience?
Michael Stuart: Conscience? About what?
Kay Craig: You were just about to cheat that poor man, weren't you?
Michael Stuart: Oh, no. I wouldn't cheat anybody. Uhh. I just wanted to buy a little gift, for you.
Kay Craig: For me?
Michael Stuart: Yes.
Kay Craig: Do you think I'd accept a seven-thousand dollar ring that wasn't paid for?
Michael Stuart: Oh, I would have paid it. Uhh, on terms you know. A dollar down, a dollar a week.
Kay Craig: For seven-thousand weeks?
Michael Stuart: Eh ... That is a rather long time, isn't it?

~ Hanne-col

Modern Screen, October 1936

 On the way back from Florida last December we stopped by an antique mall and I picked this delightful little goody. Modern Screen from October of 1936.

 The cover with a drawing of Jeannette MacDonald on it.

Only actress on this page that I know is Irene Dunne. 

 A closer look at the Irene Dunne picture and an interesting tid-bit on "Madame Curie." Hmm, I guess the movie ended up getting shelved or something. It didn't come out until 1943, and then Greer Garson had the title role.

 Claudette Colbert in what looks like a very good imitation of the dress she wore in It Happened One Night.

 an article on Katherine Hepburn.

 Two pages on Fall fashion, with Olivia de Haviland on the right.

 a closer look at the Olivia de Haviland page.

 My favorite part of the whole magazine though is this two-page beauty on Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' Waltz in Swing Time which they performed in the movie Swing Time.

closer look at each page.

Isn't it lovely? And I bought this with another magazine for only $5!

__________________

And now after looking at that two-page Astaire and Rogers spread I'm in the mood for some dance clips.

Waltz in Swing Time:



Hard to Handle:



Pick Yourself Up:



Aren't they just fabulous?

_________________________________

Oh, by the way this post is for my older sister's blog event "Going Through the Eras."

~ Hanne-col