Pages

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

You Were Never Lovelier- A 1942 Musical Movie Starring Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire- Directed by William Seiter



You Were Never Lovelier- A 1942 Musical Movie Starring Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire- Directed by William Seiter


Available on Internet Archives


A delightful way to spend 90 minutes


War Time Restrictions meant it had to be shot in black and white


Great Music with a Latin theme, Rita Hayworth, lots of comic twists..




Tuesday, February 27, 2024

The Holdovers - A 2023 Movie - Directed by Alexander Payne - Starring Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph


 


"The Holdovers" is a 2023 American comedy-drama film directed by Alexander Payne and written by David Hemingson.


The film stars Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham, a grumpy classics teacher at a prestigious New England boarding school who is forced to stay on campus over the Christmas break because he has nowhere else to go. He ends up reluctantly supervising a handful of students who also have nowhere to go, including Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), a troubled but intelligent student.

The film also stars Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Mary, the school's head cook, who is grieving the loss of her son in the Vietnam War. As Paul, Angus, and Mary spend time together over the holidays, they begin to form unlikely bonds and learn to deal with their own personal challenges.

The Holdovers was released to critical acclaim, with praise for its performances, writing, and direction. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Giamatti, Best Supporting Actress for Randolph, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.


"Purple Blossoms" - A Short Story by Carol Shields- Included in The Collected Short Stories of Carol Shields- 2004


 

"Purple Blossoms" - A Short Story by Carol Shields-8 pages- Included in The Collected Short Stories of Carol Shields- 2004 - 


This year, Buried in Print, a marvelous blog I have followed for over ten years,is doing a read through of the short stories of Carol Shields. I hope to participate fully in this event.


http://www.buriedinprint.com/


“Her stories have given me happiness, not just pleasure. They delight me at first by the clear and simple elegance with which they’re made. Then there’s something so bountiful and surprising about them, like the beautiful broken light of a prism.” —Alice Munro


The more I read in the stories of Carol Shields the more grateful I am to Buried in Print for turning me on to her work. There are sixty some stories in the collection,it is my hope to read and post on them all in 2024.

"Purple Blossoms" is the seventth story by Carol Shields I have so far had the great delight in reading.


Like all the previous stories "Purple Blossoms" centers around a literary work important to the central character.


"THERE IS A BOOK I LIKE by the Mexican poet Mario Valeso, who, by coincidence, lives here in this city and who, in the evening, sometimes strolls down this very street. The book is entitled Purple Blooms and it is said to resolve certain perplexing memories of the poet’s childhood. It is a work that is full of tact, yet it is tentative, off-balance, dark and truncated—and it is just this lack of finish that so moved me the first time I read it. I gave a copy of the book to my friend Shana, who’s been “going through a bad time,” as she puts it. People who meet her are generally struck by her beauty. She’s young, well-off and in excellent health, yet she claims that the disconnectedness of life torments her. Everything makes her sad. Lilacs make her sad. Chopin makes her sad. The thought of rain falling in a turbulent and empty ocean makes her sad."

There is an interesting plot which I will leave untold.


Another wonderful story.


The Carol Shields Literary Trust Website has an excellent biography 


https://www.carol-shields.com/biography.html



Monday, February 26, 2024

Mimic- A 1997 Film Directed by Guillermo del Toro- Starring Maria Sorvino, Jeremy Northam, Josh Brolin, and F. Murray Abraham


 Films Directed by Guillermo del Toro I have seen so far 

The Devil's Backbone (2001)

The Shape of Water (2017) - This film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for del Toro. It was also nominated for four Golden Globe Awards and seven BAFTA Awards.

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Pinnochio (2022)

Hellboy (2004)

Hellboy Two (2008)


"Mimic'' is a loyal occupant of its genre. But Del Toro is a director with a genuine visual sense, with a way of drawing us into his story and evoking the mood with the very look and texture of his shots. He takes the standard ingredients and presents them so effectively that "Mimic'' makes the old seem new" Roger Ebert 

In a decaying New York City plagued by a deadly disease spread by cockroaches, Dr. Susan Tyler and Dr. Peter Mann create a genetically engineered insect to eliminate the roaches. Their solution, however, has unforeseen consequences. Three years later, the engineered creatures, now sentient and monstrous, have evolved and lurk in the abandoned underground tunnels, mimicking human form to survive. Dr. Tyler, now a single mother, must face the horrifying consequences of her creation as she fights to protect her child and stop the creatures.

The film received mixed reviews upon release but has gained a cult following over the years.

It showcases del Toro's signature blend of gothic imagery, biological horror, and social commentary.

While the film features creatures inspired by insects, they are not simply giant cockroaches but rather grotesque hybrids designed to be terrifying and thought-provoking.



Sunday, February 25, 2024

Ball of Fire -1941 American comedy- Directed by Howard Hawks - Starring Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper

available on YouTube


Ball of Fire is a wonderful American comedy, great fun.


The film tells the story of a group of professors who are working on an encyclopedia of all human knowledge. They are all bachelors, except for one widower, and they have lived together for some years in a New York City residence.
The youngest professor, Bertram Potts (played by Gary Cooper), is a grammarian who is researching modern American slang. He is struggling to understand the latest slang terms, so he decides to go to a nightclub to hear how people are talking.


At the nightclub, he meets a nightclub performer named Katherine "Sugarpuss" O'Shea (played by Barbara Stanwyck). Sugarpuss is a tough-talking, wisecracking woman who knows all the latest slang. Potts is fascinated by her and invites her back to his apartment to help him with his research.


Sugarpuss agrees to go with Potts, but she has a secret: she is the girlfriend of a mobster who is wanted by the police. She is hoping to use Potts and the professors to hide out until the heat dies down.


When Sugarpuss arrives at the professors' apartment, she throws their quiet life into chaos. The professors are not used to having a woman around, and they are constantly flustered by her behavior. Sugarpuss, in turn, is not used to living with a bunch of intellectual eggheads.
Despite their differences, Potts and Sugarpuss begin to develop a relationship. Potts is attracted to Sugarpuss's toughness and independence, while Sugarpuss is softened by Potts's kindness and intelligence.


However, their relationship is complicated by Sugarpuss's past. The mobster she is involved with is not happy that she is hiding out with Potts, and he comes to the apartment to try to take her back.
"Ball of Fire" is a classic screwball comedy that is full of witty dialogue and physical humor. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Barbara Stanwyck. The film is still considered to be one of the best screwball comedies ever made.

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a 1988 American fantasy directed by Robert Zemeckis- - The film stars Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Stubby Kaye, Joanna Cassidy,


 


"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way" - Jessica Rabbit 

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a 1988 American live-action/animated fantasy comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman, and produced by Steven Spielberg. It is loosely based on the 1981 novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit? by Gary K. Wolf. The film stars Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Charles Fleischer, Stubby Kaye, and Joanna Cassidy.

The plot follows Eddie Valiant (Hoskins), a private investigator with a grudge against toons, who is hired by R.K. Maroon (Alan Tilvern), a cartoon producer, to investigate an adultery case involving Roger Rabbit (Fleischer), a mischievous cartoon star, and Jessica Rabbit (voiced by Kathleen Turner), Roger's beautiful and seductive wife. However, when Marvin Acme (Kaye), the owner of Toontown and Jessica's alleged lover, is found murdered, Roger is framed for the crime. Valiant must then put his hatred for toons aside and work with Roger to clear his name and uncover the real murderer.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit was a critical and commercial success, winning four Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects, and becoming the highest-grossing film of 1988. It is considered a landmark film for its innovative use of animation techniques, blending live-action and animation seamlessly. The film also received praise for its humor, story, and performances, particularly those of Hoskins and Lloyd.I 

The film was a critical and commercial success, winning six Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects


I first saw Who Framed Roger Rabbit about 30 years ago, on Television. I recall I thought it was very creative, lots of fun, unique and 
I liked Jessica Rabbit. I still felt the same after seeing it today.  

Friday, February 23, 2024

Pal Joey - A 1957 Musical Comedy- directed by George Sidney- Starring Rita Hayworth, Kim Novak, and Frank Sinatra


 
Pal Joey - A 1957 Musical Comedy- directed by George Sidney- Starring Rita Hayworth, Kim Novak, and Frank Sinatra 


Rita Hayworth, Kim Novak, Sinatra Sings and an adorable dog. Set in the theatre world of San Francisco-what not to like?

Pal Joey tells the story of Joey Evans (Sinatra), a charming but ambitious nightclub singer who dreams of opening his own club. He gets involved with two women: Vera Simpson (Hayworth), a wealthy widow who becomes his patron, and Linda English (Novak), a young dancer who falls in love with him.

The film was a critical and commercial success, and it won four Academy Award nominations, including Best Original Song for "The Lady Is a Tramp". Sinatra won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role.

Some of the other notable songs in the film include "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered", "My Funny Valentine", and "You're My Baby".

The film was shot on location in San Francisco, and it features some stunning cinematography.


Thursday, February 22, 2024

Cover Girl is a 1944 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Charles Vidor, and starring Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly. The film tells the story of a chorus girl given a chance at stardom when she is offered an opportunity to be a highly paid cover girl. It was one of the most popular musicals of the war years.



 Available on YouTube 

Cover Girl is a 1944 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Charles Vidor, and starring Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly. The film tells the story of a chorus girl given a chance at stardom when she is offered an opportunity to be a highly paid cover girl. 

If you like beautiful women, especially if Rita Hayworth entralls you, then Cover Girl is for you. Gene Kelly plays her on and off boyfriend. 


 Primarily a showcase for Hayworth, the film has lavish modern and 1890s costumes, eight dance routines for Hayworth, and songs by Jerome Kern and Ira Gershwin, including "Long Ago (and Far Away)".


Cover Girl was Columbia's first Technicolor musical, and songwriter Arthur Schwartz's first venture into producing.



Monday, February 19, 2024

Queen's Throat Opera, Homosexuality And The Mystery Of Desire by Wayne Koestenbaum- 1993 - 272 Pages



 Queen's Throat Opera, Homosexuality And The Mystery Of Desire by Wayne Koestenbaum- 1993 - 272 Pages

"This passionate love letter to opera, lavishly praised and nominated for a National Book Critics Circle Award when it was first published, is now firmly established as a cult classic. In a learned, moving, and sparklingly witty melange of criticism, subversion, and homage, Wayne Koestenbaum illuminates mysteries of fandom and obsession, and has created an exuberant work of personal meditation and cultural history." From The Publisher 

Wayne Koestenbaum's book is beyond amazing.  It is now a classic, about opera, the meaning of camp, growing up Gay in America.

Susan Sontag (-read her notes on camp) saw Opera as high camp striving to be high art.  koestenbaum's reflections on the nature of camp are very illuminating.


"Susan Sontag defined "camp" as the anarchic jolt we experience in the face of artistic artifacts that try to be serious and fail. But it is not the object's or the artist's failure that makes the artifact campy: the camp sensation is produced by our own joy in having discovered the object, in having been chosen, solicited, by it...I'm grateful, however, for the world's silence, for the privacy in which I study the image of Nellie Melba telegraphing "Either Alda or myself ' to the conductor Cleofonte Cam-panini. It's more sublime and more camp to keep quiet about joy and then rescue the story later, once everyone else has abandoned it. The pleasure I take in diva lore ("This moment, this aside, this tableau is useless and therefore I claim it as mine!")" From the Book

(I would personally expand the notions of Camp to include Arnold Zifiel and the Adamms Family)

"A love for opera, particularly on record, is a nostalgic emotion, and gay people are imagined to be a uniquely and tragically nostalgic population-regressive, committed to dust and souvenirs. A record, a memento, a trace of an absence, suits the quintessentially gay soul, whose tastes are retro and whose sexuality demands a ceaseless work of recollection: because queers do not usually have queer parents, queers must invent precedent and origin for their taste, and they are encouraged, aged, by psychoanalytic models, to imagine homosexuality as a matter of trauma and adaptation." From the Book 


"opera seemed campy and therefore available to gay audiences only when it had become an outdated art form, sung in foreign languages, with confused, implausible plots. Opera's apparent distance from contemporary life made it a refuge for gays, who were creations of modern sexual systems, and yet whom society could not acknowledge or accommodate. Opera is not very real. But gayness has never been admitted..into the precincts of reality. And so gays may seek out art that does not respect the genuine.into the precincts of reality. And so gays may seek out art that does not respect the genuine."


About the author

Wayne Koestenbaum is the author of six collections of poetry including Model Homes, published by BOA in 2004. Koestenbaum writes frequently for periodicals, including The New York Times Magazine, Parnassus: Poetry in Review, and the London Review of Books. He is also an art critic, participating in panels at the Whitney Museum of American Art, contributing regularly to Artforum. He is a tenured professor of English at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York

If you are interested in Opera, LGBTQ life in America before anyone used this expression I highly endorse Queen's Throat Opera, Homosexuality And The Mystery Of Desire by Wayne Koestenbaum- 


Sunday, February 18, 2024

Can Can- A 1960 American Musical Film Directed by Walter Lang Starring Frank Sinatra, Shirley MacLaine and Maurice Chevalier


 The film tells the story of Simone Pistache (MacLaine), a cabaret owner in Montmartre who defies the law by featuring the can-can in her shows. Judge Philippe Forrestier (Jourdan) is determined to shut her down, but he soon finds himself falling for her charms. Meanwhile, Simone's American boyfriend, François Durnais (Sinatra), tries to win her back.


"Can-Can" was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $10 million at the box office. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Music, Score and Best Song ("C'est Magnifique"). The film is known for its lavish costumes, catchy songs, and energetic dance numbers.

Here are some of the things that make "Can-Can" a memorable film:


The music: The film features a score of classic Cole Porter songs, including "I Love Paris," "C'est Magnifique," and "It's Alright with Me."

The dancing: The can-can numbers are energetic and exciting, and the choreography is top-notch.

The performances: The cast is uniformly excellent, with MacLaine delivering a particularly charming performance as Simone.

The setting: The film captures the beauty and charm of 19th-century Paris.



Silk Stockings is a 1957 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. It is based on the 1955 stage musical of the same name,[which had been adapted from the film Ninotchka (1939).[he film was choreographed by Eugene Loring and Hermes Pan.



Silk Stockings is a 1957 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. It is based on the 1955 stage musical of the same was adapted from the film Ninotchka (1939).the film was choreographed by Eugene Loring and Hermes 


Silk Stockings follows Ninotchka Yoschenko (Cyd Charisse), a stern and dedicated Soviet commissar sent to Paris to retrieve three defecting composers. However, Ninotchka's rigid communist ideals are challenged by the city's vibrant atmosphere and the seductive charms of American producer Steve Canfield (Fred Astaire). As she experiences the freedom and luxury of Parisian life, Ninotchka begins to question her beliefs and finds herself falling for Steve



It is based on the 1955 stage musical of the same name, which had been adapted from the film Ninotchka (1939).

The film was choreographed by Eugene Loring and Hermes Pan.

The plot revolves around an American producer who tries to convince a respected Russian music composer to score his next movie.

The composer is immediately charmed by the excess of Parisian nightlife and refuses to return to Russia.

Moscow dispatches a frigid bureaucrat to retrieve the wayward composer.


It was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards, for Best Film and Best Actress (Charisse).

The film was a critical and commercial success, and is considered one of the best musical films of the 1950s. It is also notable for its use of Technicolor, which helped to create a lush and vibrant visual style.


It was the last musical film that Astaire made for MGM.

Charisse was originally hesitant to take on the role of Ninotchka, but she eventually agreed and gave one of her best performances.

The film was shot on location in Paris, which added to its authenticity.



The film's score was nominated for an Academy Award, but it lost to the score for The King and I.


Saturday, February 17, 2024

Throughly Modern Millie - A 1967 Musical Movie directed by George Hill - Starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing


Available on Internet Archives 


The screenplay, by Richard Morris, is based on the 1956 British musical Chrysanthemum.

Millie Dillmount (Julie Andrews) is a young woman from Kansas who arrives in New York City in 1922 with dreams of becoming a modern flapper and marrying a wealthy man. She gets a job as a stenographer at Sincere & Company, where she sets her sights on her boss, Trevor Graydon (John Gavin). However, Millie's plans are complicated by a number of factors, including her roommate Dorothy Brown (Mary Tyler Moore), who is also in love with Trevor; her landlady, Mrs. Meers (Beatrice Lillie), who is secretly running a white slavery ring; and Jimmy Smith (James Fox), a poor paperclip salesman who falls in love with Millie.

The film was a critical and commercial success, and won six Academy Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Costume Design.




 

Friday, February 16, 2024

Hairspray - A 2007 Movie Musical Directed by John Spankman - Starring Michelle Phiefer, John Travolta and Nikki Blonsky


 Available on HBO GO 


"Hairspray" is just plain fun. Or maybe not so plain. There's a lot of craft and slyness lurking beneath the circa-1960s goofiness. The movie seems guileless and rambunctious, but it looks just right (like a Pat Boone musical) and sounds just right (like a Golden Oldies disc) and feels just right (like the first time you sang "We Shall Overcome" and until then it hadn't occurred to you that we should). It bounces out of bed with Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky), a roly-poly bundle of joy, whose unwavering cheerfulness shines on the whole movie. "Good morning, Baltimore!" she sings, as she dances through a neighborhood where everyone seems to know and love her, even the garbagemen who let her ride on the roof of their back-loader. She's like a free-lance cheerleader." From Roger Ebert 

The film is set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, and follows the story of Tracy Turnblad (Blonsky), a large, quirky teenager who dreams of dancing on the Corny Collins Show, a popular teen dance show hosted by the charismatic Corny Collins (James Marsden)

 When Tracy finally gets her chance to audition, she wins a spot on the show and quickly becomes a local celebrity. However, Tracy's newfound fame soon leads her to clash with the show's producer, Velma Von Tussel (Pfeiffer), who is determined to keep the show segregated.

With the help of her friends, her family, and her love interest, Link Larkin (Efron), Tracy sets out to integrate the Corny Collins Show and challenge the city's racial segregation laws. The film is a heartwarming and uplifting story about acceptance, friendship, and standing up for what you believe in..

The film features a number of memorable songs, such as "You Can't Stop the Beat," "Welcome to the Sixties," and "I Know Where I've Been." The choreography is also energetic and fun to watch.

The cast of Hairspray (2007) is uniformly excellent. Nikki Blonsky is charming and endearing as Tracy Turnblad, and John Travolta is hilarious as Edna Turnblad, Tracy's mother. The rest of the cast, including Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, Zac Efron, James Marsden, Amanda Bynes, and Brittany Snow, all give memorable performances



The Phantom of the Opera- 2004 - a Movie Musical Directed by Joel Schumacher, i starring Gérard Butler in the title role, with Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson,




The Phantom of the Opera- 2004 - a Movie Musical Directed by Joel Schumacher,  starring Gérard Butler in the title role, with Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, - Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber


I very much liked the apparel, the vivid color and the setting of the movie. I found at times


It was produced and co-written by Lloyd Webber and directed by Joel Schumacher.
It stars Gerard Butler in the title role, with Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson, Minnie Driver, Simon Callow, Ciarán Hinds, Victor McGuire, and Jennifer Ellison in supporting roles.


The film tells the story of Christine Daaé, a young soprano who is tutored by the mysterious Phantom of the Opera. The Phantom becomes obsessed with Christine and helps her career to flourish, but he also demands her love in return. Christine is caught between her feelings for the Phantom and her love for her childhood friend Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny.


The film was released in 2004 and was a box office success, grossing over $154 million worldwide. It received mixed reviews from critics, but was praised for its visuals and acting, particularly the performances of Butler, Rossum, and Wilson.


Here are some of the awards and nominations that the film received:


Academy Award for Best Original Song Score
Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Saturn Award for Best Musical Film


A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is a 1949 American comedy musical film directed by Tay Garnett and starring Bing Crosby, Rhonda Fleming, Sir Cedric Hardwicke and William Bendix


Available on Tubi

 A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is a 1949 American comedy musical film directed by Tay Garnett and starring Bing Crosby, Rhonda Fleming, Sir Cedric Hardwicke and William Bendix


"A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" is a musical fantasy comedy based on Mark Twain's 1889 novel of the same name. It stars Bing Crosby as Hank Martin, a 19th-century mechanic who is knocked unconscious and wakes up in 6th-century Camelot. He uses his modern knowledge to impress the king and the people, but he also gets into trouble with the evil magician Merlin


Bing Crosby's performance: Crosby is charming and charismatic as Hank Martin, and his singing voice is in top form.The film features a number of catchy songs by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, including "If You Stub Your Toe on the Moon" and "Busy Doing Nothing."

The film is full of funny moments, both physical and The film is a lot of fun to watch, as Hank Martin uses his modern knowledge to get himself out of jams and impress the people of Camelot





Thursday, February 15, 2024

The King and I is a 1956 American musical film, Starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr - Directed by Walter Lang and produced by Charles Brackett and Darryl F. Zanuck


 

The King and I is a 1956 American musical film, Starring Yul Brynner, Rita Moreno and Deborah Kerr - Directed by Walter Lang and produced by Charles Brackett and Darryl F. Zanuck


It is based on the 1951 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical of the same name


The film tells the story of Anna Leonowens, a widowed British schoolteacher who travels Siam in 1862 to become the governess for the many children of King Mongkut. Anna clashes with the King's stubborn and traditional ways, but she also begins to develop a grudging respect for him. As they work together to bridge the cultural gap between them


The film was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Yul Brynner 





Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Westside Story - 2021 - directed by Steven Spielberg -Starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in her film debut with Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, and Rita Moreno in supporting roles


 Available on Amazon Prime

The 2021 adaptation of West Side Story is a musical romantic drama film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Tony Kushner. It is the second feature-length adaptation of the 1957 stage musical of the same name, and it stars Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in her film debut with Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, and Rita Moreno in supporting roles. Moreno, who starred in the 1961 film adaptation, also served as an executive producer alongside Kushner. The film features music composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Differences from the 1961 film: Notably, the 2021 version aims for a more authentic portrayal of the characters' ethnicities and backgrounds, and it expands the roles of some female characters.

The film received seven nominations at the 94th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, with DeBose winning Best Supporting Actres. However, the film was a box office bomb, grossing only $76 million against a $100 million production budget, and an estimated $300 million break even target.





Mary Poppins - A 1964 Movie Musical Starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke - Directed by Robert Stevenson- Academy Award Best Actress



Mary Poppins - A 1964 Movie Musical Starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke - Directed by Robert Stevenson- Academy Award Best Actress


The screenplay is by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, based on P. L. Travers's book series Mary Poppins.
The film stars Julie Andrews in her feature film debut as Mary Poppins, a magical nanny who visits a dysfunctional family in London and employs her unique brand of lifestyle to improve the family's dynamic.



Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, and Glynis Johns are featured in supporting roles.
The film was released on August 27, 1964, to critical acclaim and commercial success, grossing $31 million in its original domestic run. It became the highest-grossing film of 1964, and at the time of its release, was Disney's highest-grossing film ever. During its theatrical lifetime, it grossed over $103 million worldwide.


It received a total of 13 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture—a record for any film released by Walt Disney Studios—and won five: Best Actress for Andrews, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Song for "Chim Chim Cher-ee".

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Fiddler on the Roof- 1971- A Movie Musical Directed by Norman Jewison - Winner of Three Academy Awards

Fiddler on the Roof- 1971- A Movie Musical Directed by Norman Jewison - Winner of Three Academy Awards
 
Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, the film takes us to the fictional Russian village of Anatevka in the early 20th century. We meet Tevye (played by the incredible Topol), a poor but hardworking milkman grappling with tradition and change as he tries to marry off his five daughters. As societal pressures and anti-Semitism rise, Tevye must navigate his unwavering faith and evolving family dynamics.

The film was a critical and commercial success, winning three Academy Awards (Best Score, Best Adapted Song, and Best Cinematography) and being nominated for five others, including Best Picture. It is widely considered one of the greatest musicals ever made and has been praised for its heartwarming story, memorable songs, and strong performances



Tevye's struggles come to a head when his eldest daughter, Tzeitel, falls in love with a poor tailor named Motel. Tevye does not approve of Motel, but he eventually gives his blessing to the marriage. However, the wedding is interrupted by a group of Russian soldiers, who are persecuting the Jews. Tevye and his family are forced to flee Anatevka, and they eventually emigrate to America

Here's a breakdown of some of the most popular songs and what they represent:



"Tradition": The opening number, sung by Tevye and the villagers, establishes the importance of tradition and faith in their small Jewish community.

"Matchmaker, Matchmaker": The three eldest daughters, Tzeitel, Hodel, and Chava, express their anxieties and desires about finding husbands through a matchmaker.

"If I Were a Rich Man": Tevye humorously daydreams about the problems he would solve if he were wealthy, highlighting his internal struggles between tradition and personal desires.

"Sabbath Prayer": A beautiful and moving song sung by Tevye, Golde, and the villagers, expressing their gratitude and devotion to their faith.

"To Life": A celebratory song sung by Tevye, Lazar Wolf, and the men, expressing joy and resilience in the face of challenges.

"Tevye's Dream": A comedic dream sequence where Tevye confronts his deceased ancestors and the Rabbi about his daughters' marriages.

"Sunrise, Sunset": A poignant duet by Tevye and Golde reflecting on the passage of time and the changing world around them.

From Act II:

"Now I Have Everything": A hopeful song by Perchik and Hodel expressing their love and optimism for their future together.

"Tevye's Rebuttal": Tevye argues against his daughters' choices in husbands, showcasing his traditional values clashing with their modern desires.

"Do You Love Me?": A tender and emotional duet by Tevye and Golde reaffirming their love and commitment to each other.

"Chavaleh (Little Bird)": Tevye sings to his youngest daughter, Chava, expressing his love and worry about her choice to run away with Fyedka.

"Anatevka": The final song, sung by the villagers as they are forced to leave their home due to the Tsar's decree, expressing their love for their community and hope for the future.






All That Jazz is a 1979 American musical drama film directed by Bob Fosse and starring Roy Scheider



 All That Jazz is a 1979 American musical drama film directed by Bob Fosse and starring Roy Scheider


Bob Fossee (1927 to 1987)

directed these films 


Sweet Charity - 1969

Cabaret - 1972

Lenny - 1974

All That Jazz - 1979

Star 80 - 1983


 All That Jazz centers around Joe Gideon (played by a phenomenal Roy Scheider), a driven and talented choreographer-director juggling multiple projects: a demanding Broadway musical, a Hollywood film in post-production, and his failing health. As he pushes himself to the limit, fueled by cigarettes, pills, and fleeting relationships, the film delves into the themes of self-destruction, workaholism, mortality, and the price of achieving artistic excellence.


All That Jazz" is considered a semi-autobiographical work, heavily influenced by Fossee's own experiences in the entertainment industry. His signature style, characterized by sharp angles, stark lighting, and intricate choreography, permeates every frame. The film's innovative editing techniques and fantastical musical numbers further solidify Fossee's status as a visionary 


The film garnered widespread critical acclaim, winning the Palme d'Or at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival and receiving nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Scheider. 



Monday, February 12, 2024

Guys and Dolls - A 1955 Musical Comedy Starring Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons and Vivian Blaine - directed by Joseph Mankiewicz



 Guys and Dolls - A 1955 Musical Comedy Starring Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons and Vivian Blaine - directed by Joseph Mankiewicz


Available on YouTube 


Based on: The 1950 Broadway musical, which was in turn based on short stories by Damon Runyon


Cast:

Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson

Frank Sinatra as Nathan Detroit

Jean Simmons as Sarah Brown

Vivian Blaine as Miss Adelaide

Plot: Gambler Nathan Detroit tries to secure a location for his illegal craps game by making a bet with Sky Masterson. Sky must take the uptight missionary Sarah Brown on a date to Cuba in exchange for $1,000. Meanwhile, Nathan's long-suffering fiancée, Miss Adelaide, dreams of settling down and getting married.

Reception: The film was a critical and commercial success, winning two Academy Awards for Best Music Score and Best Song ("Luck Be a Lady"). 



















 



Westside Story - A Movie Musical - !961 - Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins - Starring Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno



Available on Tubi and YouTube 

Westside Story - A Movie Musical - !961 - Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins - Starring Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno

 This electrifying musical, winner of ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, reimagines “Romeo and Juliet,” is set during gang warfare in 1950s New York City.

Inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story tells the story of two star-crossed lovers, Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood), who belong to rival gangs: the Jets and the Sharks. Despite the animosity between their groups, Tony and Maria fall deeply in love, but their forbidden romance leads to tragedy.

The film's music, composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is considered one of the greatest musical scores ever written. Iconic songs like "Tonight," "Maria," and "America" have become timeless classics.





The film's choreography, by Jerome Robbins, is electrifying and innovative. It uses dance to tell the story of the characters' emotions and the tensions between the gangs.


Screenplay by: Ernest Lehman

Based on: the stage musical by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Jerome Robbins

Cinematography: Daniel L. Fapp

Editing: Thomas Stanford

Running time: 152 minutes


Sunday, February 11, 2024

The Sound of Music- A 1965 Musical - Directed by Robert Wise- Starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer

 


The Sound of Music is an adaptation of the 1959 stage musical, composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Lindsay and Crouse.

It is based on the 1949 memoir The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp, which is a fictionalized account of her experiences as a governess to seven children, her eventual marriage with their father Captain Georg von Trapp, and their escape from Austria during the Anschluss in 1938.

The film was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and becoming the highest-grossing film of 1965.

It is considered one of the greatest musicals of all time and has been preserved in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

The film is packed with iconic songs that have become ingrained in popular culture, including "Do-Re-Mi," "My Favorite Things," "The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music," "Climb Every Mountain," and "Edelweiss." These songs are beautifully integrated into the story, with memorable scenes like the children performing on the gazebo steps and the heartwarming singalong on the mountaintop.



The Sound of Music was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It remains one of the highest-grossing films of all time and is beloved for its uplifting story, memorable music, and stunning visuals. 




Chicago - A 2002 Movie Musical Starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, and Richard Gere - Directed by Rob Marshall





Big Bang Fans, Look for Leonard's mother!

The film, directed by Rob Marshall, dives into the roaring 1920s of Chicago, a time of jazz, flappers, and a fascination with celebrity. In this bustling backdrop, we meet Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger), a housewife with dreams of stardom, and Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), a vaudeville star fallen from grace. Both find themselves incarcerated for murder, vying for the spotlight and acquittal through the help of charming lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere). As they navigate the corrupt criminal justice system and manipulate the media for their own gains, the film exposes the dark side of fame and the power 




"Chicago" was a critical and commercial triumph, lauded for its dazzling visuals, catchy musical numbers, and sharp social commentary. It garnered numerous accolades, including:

Six Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound.
Three Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Renée Zellweger), and Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (Catherine Zeta-Jones).

Two BAFTA Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Memorable Elements:

Music and Choreography: The film features iconic musical numbers like "Cell Block Tango," "Razzle Dazzle," and "We Both Reached for the Gun," choreographed in true Bob Fosse style with sharp, energetic movements. The music, composed by John Kander and Fred Ebb, seamlessly blends into the narrative and drives the story forward.

Performances: The film boasts powerhouse performances from its lead cast. Renée Zellweger brings a captivating blend of naivety and ambition to Roxie, while Catherine Zeta-Jones oozes charisma and cynicism as Velma. Richard Gere is equally compelling as the smooth-talking, manipulative Billy Flynn.

Social Commentary: "Chicago" cleverly uses its Jazz Age setting and musical format to explore timeless themes of media manipulation, the pursuit of fame, and the corruption of the justice system.


Saturday, February 10, 2024

Cabaret - A 1972 Musical Movie directed by Bob Fossee- Starring Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey

"Liza Minnelli plays Sally Bowles so well and fully that it doesn't matter how well she sings and dances, if you see what I mean. In several musical numbers (including the stunning finale "Cabaret" number), Liza demonstrates unmistakably that she's one of the great musical performers of our time. But the heartlessness and nihilism of the character is still there, all the time, even while we're being supremely entertained." Roger Ebert



The 1972 film Cabaret is an American musical drama film directed by Bob Fosse. It stars Liza Minnelli, Michael York, Helmut Griem, Marisa Berenson, and Joel Grey. The film is based on the 1968 stage musical of the same name, which in turn was based on the 1951 play I Am a Camera by John Van Druten and the 1939 novel Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood.


Cabaret is set in Berlin in 1931, during the Weimar Republic. The story follows Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli), an American cabaret singer who is trying to make a name for herself in the city. She falls in love with Brian Roberts (Michael York), a British writer who is struggling with his sexuality. Their relationship is complicated by the arrival of Maximilian von Heune (Helmut Griem), a wealthy and decadent playboy. As their love triangle unfolds, the shadow of the rising Nazi party looms large, casting a dark pall over the carefree atmosphere of the Kit Kat Klub, where Sally performs. Sally and Brian live in the same boarding house. brian is in Berlin to advance his work for his PhD at Cambridge 


Cabaret was a critical and commercial success, winning eight Academy Awards, including Best Actress .

The love story intertwines seamlessly with the historical context, creating a thought-provoking and emotionally charged experience.

Mesmerizing performances: Minnelli's electrifying portrayal of Sally remains unforgettable, complemented by strong performances from the supporting cast.
Bob Fosse's unique directing style: His signature choreography and use of shadows create a visually stunning and symbolic production.

Only one of the musical numbers is sung outside of the Kit Kat Club






As the movie progresses we see how much Sally is hiding from others and herself 

Joel Grey is fabulous as the Master of Ceremony of the Kit Kat
Club





"A great movie musical. Taking its form from political cabaret, it's a satire of temptations. In a prodigious balancing act, Bob Fosse, the choreographer-director, keeps the period—Berlin, 1931—at a cool distance. We see the decadence as garish and sleazy; yet we also see the animal energy in it—everything seems to become sexualized. The movie does not exploit decadence; rather, it gives it its due. With Joel Grey as our devil-doll host—the master of ceremonies—and Liza Minnelli (in her first singing role on the screen) as exuberant, corruptible Sally Bowles, chasing after the life of a headliner no matter what; Minnelli has such gaiety and electricity that she becomes a star before our eyes." Pauline Kael in her review in The New Yorker

 

"Sailors Lost at Sea" - A Short Story by Carol Shields - Included in The Collected Short Stories of Carol Shields- 2004


 Today's story, "Sailors Lost at Sea" by Carol Shields, can be read in full, along with the illuminating introduction by Margaret Atwood, in the Kindle edition of The Collected Stories of Carol Shields 


"This ability to strike two such different chords at once is not only high art, it’s also the essence of Carol Shields’ writing—the iridescent, often hilarious surfaces of things, but also their ominous depths. The shimmering pleasure boat, all sails set, skimming giddily across the River Styx. Carol Shields died on July 16, 2003 at her home in Victoria, British Columbia, after a long battle with cancer. She was sixty-eight. The enormous media coverage given to her and the sadness expressed by her many readers paid tribute to the high esteem in which she was held in her own country, but her death made the news all around the world. Conscious as she was of the vagaries of fame and the element of chance in any fortune, she would have viewed that with a certain irony, but she would also have found it deeply pleasing. She knew about the darkness, but, both as an author and as a person, she held on to the light. “She was just a luminous person, and that would be important and persist even if she hadn’t written anything,” said her friend and fellow author Alice Munro." From the introduction by Margaret Atwood 


 Buried in Print, a marvelous blog I have followed for over ten years, is doing a 2024

read through of the short stories of Carol Shields. 


http://www.buriedinprint.com/

I hope to read and post on all the stories, 63, in the collection.


In today's story, "Sailors Lost at Sea", fourteen year old Helene and her mother, from Manitoba, are staying in an ancient town in France, St. Quay. Her mother is a well known poet to whom the Canadian government has given a grant to spend a year in France writing.  

I do not plan to say much about the plot action of the stories. Their joy is in the exquisite prose and the highly interesting people who populate them.


Hélène and her mother had never intended to spend the whole of the year in St. Quay. They had planned to travel, to drift like migrants along the edges of the country. (La France has the shape of a hexagon, Hélène has been taught in the village school; this fact is repeated often, as though it carries mystical significance.) Instead of traveling, they had attached themselves like barnacles—this was how Hélène’s mother put it—to this quiet spot on the channel coast, and Hélène had enrolled in the local school. There was a very good reason for this, her mother surprised her by saying. “The only way to get the feel of the country is to become a part of it.” Of course, as Hélène now knew, and as her mother would soon discover, it was not possible at all for them to become part of the community. Everywhere they went, to the boulangerie, to the post office, everywhere, there was a rustle and a whisper that went before them, announcing, just behind the weak smiles of welcome, “Ah, les Canadiennes!” It made Hélène feel weak; she always was having to compose herself, to imagine how she must look from the outside. In St. Quay there were a number of old churches, though the largest, a church dating from the thirteenth century, had been torn down ten years earlier. It had been replaced with a brown brick building that was square and ugly like a factory, and distressingly empty, distressing, that is, to the local priest."

Something exciting does happen,to my surprise, the Mother has a romantic interest back in Manitoba and Helene gets in a scary situation.


The Carol Shields Literary Trust Website has an excellent biography 


https://www.carol-shields.com/biography.html






Victor-Victoria- A 1982 Musical directed by Blake Edwards- Starring Julie Andrews and James Garner - Set in Paris


 

Victor-Victoria - A 1982 Musical directed by Blake Edwards- Starring Julie Andrews and James Garner - Set in Paris


A marvelous very engaging showcase for the talents of Julie Andrews 


Struggling to find work, Victoria (Julie Andrews) meets  a down-and-out songwriter. Together, they hatch a scheme to create a new act: Victoria will masquerade as a man named "Count Victor Grazinski," who in turn performs as a female impersonator named "Victoria." The act becomes a sensation, but complications arise when both a Chicago gangster and Toddy himself fall in love with Victoria.

Victor/Victoria was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning Best Original Score. Julie Andrews received praise for her performance, earning her a Golden Globe nomination. 



Friday, February 9, 2024

Moulin Rouge - A 2001 Movie Musical Directed by Baz Luhrmann - starring Nicole Kidman, among others- Set in Paris


 

Moulin Rouge - A 2001 Movie Musical Directed by Baz Luhrmann - starring Nicole Kidman- Set in Paris 


Moulin Rouges features songs from various artists and time periods, and is loosely based on Giuseppe Verdi's opera La traviata. The film tells the story of Christian, a young English writer who comes to Paris and falls in love with Satine, a beautiful courtesan who stars at the Moulin Rouge nightclub. 


The film was a critical and commercial success, winning two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and three BAFTA Awards. 


The music: The film's soundtrack is a mix of popular songs from the 19th century to the late 20th century, and it is one of the most iconic soundtracks of all time. The music is used to great effect in the film, and it helps to create a sense of energy and excitement.


The film features a stellar cast, including Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, Jim Broadbent, and Richard Roxburgh. Kidman is particularly good as Satine, and she gives a heartbreaking performance.

 The film is visually stunning, with its use of vibrant colors, elaborate costumes, and stunning sets. The film is a feast for the eyes, and it helps to create a sense of the world of the Moulin Rouge.

 The story of Moulin Rouge! is a classic love story, but it is told in a unique and original way. The film is both romantic and tragic.



Singin' in the Rain - A 1952 Musical Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen- Starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Daniel O'Connor



Singin' in the Rain - A 1952 Musical Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen- Starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Daniel O'Connor


Singin' in the Rain is a 1952 American musical romantic comedy film directed and choreographed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, starring Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds, and featuring Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell, and Cyd Charisse. It offers a lighthearted depiction of Hollywood in the late 1920s, with the three stars portraying performers caught up in the transition from silent films to "talkies".


The film was a critical and commercial success, and is now considered one of the greatest musicals of all time. It is known for its iconic dance numbers, including "Singin' in the Rain," "Make 'Em Laugh," and "Good Mornin'


The film is set in 1929, as Hollywood is transitioning from silent films to sound films. Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) is a silent film star who is paired with Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) on screen. However, Lina has a grating voice that is unsuitable for talkies


Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) is a young aspiring actress who meets Don and impresses him with her talent. Don convinces Kathy to dub Lina's voice in their new talking picture, "The Broadway Melody." The film is a success, but Lina takes all the credit.


Don and Kathy fall in love, but their relationship is complicated by Lina's jealousy. Lina tries to sabotage Kathy's career, but Don ultimately exposes her and declares his love for Kathy.






















Thursday, February 8, 2024

EvIta - A 1996 Musical - Directed by Alan Parker - Starring Madonna - Music by Andrew Lloyd Weber



 EvIta - A 1996 Musical - Directed by Alan Parker - Starring Madonna - Music by Andrew Lloyd Weber 


"All of these thoughts, as I watched Alan Parker's “Evita,” did not in the least prevent me from having a good time. I suspect Parker has as many questions about his heroine as I do, and I am sure that Che (Antonio Banderas) and Juan Peron (Jonathan Pryce) do--not to mention Oliver Stone, co-author of the screenplay. Only Evita herself, magnificently embodied by Madonna, rises above the quibbles, as she should; if there is one thing a great Evita should lack, it is any trace of self-doubt. Here we have a celebration of a legendary woman (for those who take the film superficially) and a moral tale of a misspent life (for those who see more clearly)." Roger Ebert 

Evita (1996) is an American musical-historical drama film directed by Alan Parker, based on the 1976 concept album of the same name by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It stars Madonna as Eva Perón, Antonio Banderas as Che Guevara, and Jonathan Pryce as Juan Perón. The film tells the story of Eva Perón's rise from poverty to power as the First Lady of Argentina, and her eventual death from cancer at the age of 33. 
The film follows Eva's rise from poverty to power, her marriage to President Juan Perón, and her eventual death from cancer. It explores themes of ambition, power, love, and the complexities of political life.

Music: The film features the music from the original Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical, including iconic songs like "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," "You Must Love Me," and "Another Suitcase in Another Hall."

The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $141 million worldwide. Madonna won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her performance.
It won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Original Song for "You Must Love Me".

Ruffington Bousweau attended her funeral, having met her  during her tour of Italy.



Sweet Charity- A 1969 Musical- Bob Fossee's Directorial Debut with his choreography- Starring Shirley MacLaine




Sweet Charity- A 1969 Musical- Bob Fossee Directorial Debut with his choreography- Starring Shirley MacLaine 

Directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse (in his feature directorial debut)

Stars Shirley MacLaine as Charity Hope Valentine, a taxi dancer with a heart of gold who is always looking for love.

Based on the 1966 Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn is based on Federico Fellini's 1957 film Nights of Cabiria.

Charity Hope Valentine works as a taxi dancer at the Fandango Ballroom, a rundown dance hall in New York City. Despite her difficult circumstances, Charity remains optimistic and hopeful, always looking for love. She has a series of bad dates with men who take advantage of her, but she never gives up hope.

One day, Charity meets Vittorio Vidal, a famous Italian movie star. She is immediately smitten with him, and he seems to be interested in her as well. However, their relationship is short-lived, and Vittorio leaves Charity heartbroken.

Feeling discouraged, Charity decides to give up on love. However, she soon meets Oscar Lindquist, a shy and reserved man who works as an accountant. Oscar is kind and genuine, and Charity begins to fall in love with him.

Sweet Charity received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the film's performances, music, and choreography, while others criticized its dark tone and lack of humor. However, the film was a box office success, grossing over $20 million at the box office.

Sweet Charity is considered a classic of musical cinema. The film's innovative choreography and iconic songs, such as "Big Spender" and "If My Friends Could See Me Now," have been praised by critics and audiences alike.

I see Sally Bowles and Roxie coming.

 Awards and nominations 

Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

 Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Shirley MacLaine)

Directors Guild of America Award nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures (Bob Fosse)