In the Good Old Summertime

The modern classic You've Got Mail has a much longer history than its 1998 release date. Audiences were first introduced to the story of the anonymous pen-pals in 1940 with The Shop Around the Corner starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan. This first version of the film is set in a leather goods store in Budapest, Hungary and tells the story of two people who begin writing anonymous letters to each other. Unknown to them they meet  each other in the leather store and are immediate enemies. Throughout they film they fight in person but fall in love on paper. The Shop Around the Corner is unfortunately only a fair film. I hate to speak badly of originals but honestly, I simply am not a fan of this one in particular. James Stewart is adequate in his role, Margaret Sullivan is a bit too whiny for my taste, and there is absolutely no chemistry between the two. However, The Shop Around the Corner does deserve credit for inspiring the two wonderful remakes to follow.

Nine years after The Shop Around the Corner, MGM released In the Good Old Summertime starring Van Johnson and Judy Garland. Like its predecessor, In the Good Old Summertime tells the story of two anonymous pen-pals who unwittingly meet and hate each other. This film is set in a music shoppe in turn of the century America. In contrast with almost dreary tone of The Shop Around the Corner, In the Good Old Summertime is light and bright, boasting a cast of classic character actors such as Buster Keaton and S.Z. Sakall. The addition of turn of the century style music also adds to the lovely picture of this film. All around, In the Good Old Summertime is an absolutely charming movie. The story is classic, the music perfectly suited, the acting impeccable, and the chemistry is magnificent.

Of all the old films I have seen, and believe me there are many, this is by far one of the best. There is simply nothing I do not like about it. I watch it regularly and I almost have the soundtrack memorized. In the Good Old Summertime is one of those lovely films that you will want to keep and watch over and over. This film is also a perfect start for introducing kids to old films. It is sweet and simple with fun characters and songs they will enjoy along with you.

So grab some popcorn and a bag of m&ms and relax In the Good Old Summertime.

Fondly,
J.H.

For Me and My Gal

Some actors get better with time. Others reach their peak and go down hill. Then there are those remarkable few who are good from the very beginning until the day they retire. Gene Kelly is one of those few. From his first film For Me and My Gal co-starring Judy Garland, through his career as a director, up to his last appearance in That's Entertainment III 1994, Gene Kelly was a master of his art. Or should I say arts. The man could act, sing, and dance. He could do funny and serious, romance and drama. He could be the guy who had it all together or the guy who was unsure but sweet. He could make you absolutely love him or completely despise him. There are many actors I admire for their acting, voice, or dancing. But only Gene Kelly had them all. The man was a Jedi of the screen. 

In his film debut, For Me and My Gal, Gene Kelly plays the part he was most known for. That arrogant guy who thinks he has it all together only to be put in his place by a beautiful woman. In this film that beautiful woman was Judy Garland. It to Judy that Gene Kelly owed the thanks for landing this role. The two had become friends shortly before production of For Me and My Gal and Judy got Gene the leading role. Eventually, Gene Kelly would have the opportunity to repay Judy Garland's generous friendship.

The story of For Me and My Gal follows to vaudevillians through their journey to fame. Jo (Garland) and Harry (Kelly) pair up in the beginning of the film and their popularity grows steadily throughout. For Jo, the joy of their success is not in the fame but in the time she spends with Harry. For Harry, the joy of their success is his fame. He has his own dream and is on the march to fulfill it little knowing what he is giving up for it. The point of this film is very simple. For Me and My Gal is about realizing what is really important.

Though For Me and My Gal is not the sweeping musical spectacle that is say Singin' in the Rain, the songs and vaudeville acts shown are spectacular in the simplest way. Sweet song and dance numbers make up this romantic drama and carry it fully into the great musical category. In For Me and My Gal you receive the complete package a film should be. Great music, great story, great acting. It will forever be one of my absolute favorites.

So grab some popcorn and a bag of m&ms and enjoy For Me and My Gal.

Fondly,
J.H.

Brigadoon

Most people think that the most romantic movie ever made is Titanic. They are wrong. Personally I never understood the romance of Titanic. Jack dies in the end and Rose pushes his body off the raft! So romantic. Anyway, please forgive that rabbit chase. Despite popular opinion, I believe Brigadoon, starring Van Johnson, Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse, is in fact the most romantic film ever made. I am generally not the most romantic person in the world. I may enjoy movies of the "romance" genre, but I personally do not consider them romantic. Brigadoon, however, surpasses every film of its genre. It boasts some of the greatest talent Hollywood has ever seen, the music is unparalleled, and the story simply could not be better. 

The story is that of two American hunters lost in the Scottish moors. They come upon a tiny village called Brigadoon. They go into the village for provisions and are warmly invited to the wedding taking place later that day. Throughout the course of the film, the two hunters find out the mysterious secret of Brigadoon's past. The reality of this secret is especially difficult for one hunter since he has fallen in love with a local lass. This is one of the most beautiful films to date. The setting is gorgeous and very well done. The score is among my favorites and possesses a wonderfully Scottish flare. 

Brigadoon reunites two of Hollywood's best dancers. Gene Kelly and Cyd Charrise. The two had done a number together two years earlier in Singin' in the Rain, another of the greatest musicals ever made. I always love watching Cyd Charrise dance. Her grace simply astounds me. She was a remarkable ballerina and her talent has yet to be matched. Gene Kelly was also a master of dance, though perhaps a different sort. I have never seen more energy yet perfect precision in a dance. In my opinion Gene Kelly surpasses them all, even, dare I say, Fred Astaire. I could write an entire blog on the difference between the two, however I will keep that for another day. 

Brigadoon sits in the highly prized classic film section on my movie shelf. Though I will say it collects no dust. I take it out and watch it regularly even if only to listen while I work on something else. Whether you watch or listen Brigadoon is a masterpiece.

So grab some popcorn and a bag of m&ms and enjoy your stay in Brigadoon.

Fondly,

J.H.

Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls is perhaps more well known than some of the others on my list but I wanted to include it because it is newest to me. If you can believe it, I just recently discovered Guys and Dolls, starring Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons, and watched it for the first time. I now love Marlon Brando and think the music in this film definitely deserves a top 7 ranking. I have two favorite songs from the musical, those being Luck Be a Lady and Woman in Love...well perhaps and If I Were a Bell. You know you've found a great musical when you cannot really choose a favorite song.

For those of you who have not yet seen Guys and Dolls, two words. Watch. It. I cannot believe I lived this long without seeing it. Though perhaps at my age I am now able to fully appreciate it. The story is about a two gamblers. One greatly in debt to the other. As a desperate attempt to pay off his debt, Sinatra bets Brando that he cannot get a cold, uptight missionary girl, Simmons, to go on a date with him. Well of course he does (because he's Marlon Brando) and they end up in love. The story is in a way, love it or hate it. It is certainly not for everyone, but even those who hate the film must love the score.

If you have not seen a Marlon Brando film, I would start with this one. See him as a singing gambler before he becomes a Godfather giving "offers that cannot be refused". Guys and Dolls was definitely a high point in his career. This film is definitely worth finding.

So grab some popcorn and a bag of m&ms and meet Marlon Brando in Guys and Dolls.

Fondly,
J.H.

My Top 7 Musicals

This week I would like to share with you some of my favorite musicals. Out of a list of about twenty, I have chosen a few of the perhaps more underrated. I hope that over this week of musical greatness you find something that strikes your fancy and find a new love in one of these great films.
I'll have you know it was very difficult to narrow this list down to a mere seven, so please note the honorable mentions at the end of the week and do some research on your own. Thank you!

1) Guys and Dolls
2) Brigadoon
3) For Me and My Gal
4) In the Good Old Summertime
5) Meet Me in St. Louis
6) Summer Stock
7) Tammy and the Bachelor

While You Were Sleeping

Happy New Year! While most people usually spend their New Year's Eve drinking and partying or at a friend's home eating and watching the ball drop, my family and I enjoy a simpler celebration. Most times we have an early dinner and relax at home with a cup of coffee and a movie. This year it was Leap Year. I never get tired of that one. It is one of the few modern movies I always enjoy repeating.
One of my favorite holiday (or really anytime) movies is While You Were Sleeping starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. I watch this movie Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Valentines Day, Groundhog Day, President's Day, whatever the heck day it is, it can always be a While You Were Sleeping Day. I love Sandra Bullock in most anything she does but I think While You Were Sleeping was one of her finest works.

 If you have never seen this movie, it is about a woman without any family facing yet another holiday alone. Because of a complete misunderstanding she is thrown into a big, dysfunctional-but-lovable family. Through these loving people she finds happiness and, in the end, she gets what she has longed for. A family. The story is so charming and it simply never gets old. I watch it every Christmas and about 112 times throughout the rest of the year. You can't get much better than snowy Chicago, crazy family antics, Sandra Bullock, and Bill Pullman  (in the one movie where he was actually pretty cute).

So grab some popcorn and a bag of m&ms and have a happy new year with While You Were Sleeping.

Fondly,
J.H.

3 Reasons Old Films Are Best

As I sit in bed surrounded by a fresh bouquet of roses, piles of squishy pillows, and a glass of wine, I reflect on the reasons I love classic films. Do not get me wrong, I still enjoy watching new movies and  have found many that I love to watch over and over. However, in my opinion, the timelessness and beauty of classic films will always overshadow today's films. Here are three of my reasons why:

1) Talent.
       - Before the age of computer animation and CGI effects, film directors only had camera shots and lighting     with which to make their point. Every interpretation, projection, and effect rested on the actors' portrayal and the director's staging and editing.

2) Simplicity.
       - When you think about the plot lines of classic films, they are really very simple. What is My Fair Lady really about? A poor girl wanting to be a lady. Gone With the Wind? A woman not seeing what is right in front of her. Singin' in the Rain? A man going back to his real talent. These are basic ideas portrayed beautifully.

3) Imagination.
        - Alfred Hitchcock once said, "There is nothing so frightening as an unopened door." The classic film era appreciated viewers' imagination and allowed them to use it. So many movies today steal the viewers' need to use their minds and imaginations because everything, and I do mean everything, is laid out in front of them.

I love classic films for more reasons than I could possibly explain. As I said, I do appreciate the works of today, but when compared to classic works, they simply cannot hold a candle. Call me what you will, but I will gladly turn on a black and white movie full of pops and static any day.

So grab some popcorn and a bag of m&ms and find some old black and white movie and enjoy a work of art from a finer generation of film.

Fondly,
J.H.