Summer Under the Stars - Week 2

Hello, dear hearts.

Welcome back! I have for you my picks for week 2 of  TCM's Summer Under the Stars.  Again, it was painful to choose just one film per day, but I managed to do just that (with just one teensy weensy slip-up). And what a week of films!

Here are my picks for August 9 – 15:



SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 | WILLIAM POWELL

5pm PST - THE THIN MAN (1934)

This film is in my Top Five Favorite Films List. It's a must-see. Sophisticated wit, snappy dialogue, oh, and a murder mystery! So many excellent characters flit across the screen and Loy and Powell are sublime.

"I don't like crooks. And if I did like 'em, I wouldn't like crooks that are stool pigeons. And if I did like crooks that are stool pigeons, I still wouldn't like you!"

Psst. I realize I'm breaking my own One Film A Day Rule, but these are wonderful films on the schedule today:

7am PST - DOUBLE HARNESS (1933)
1:30pm PST - I LOVE YOU AGAIN (1940)

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 | CAROLE LOMBARD

3pm PST - MR. AND MRS. SMITH (1941)

This sexy comedy is directed by Alfred Hitchcock. I believe it's not a film that is well-known. I adore this one! Gorgeous to look at and (of course) beautifully directed. Fun from start to finish. Lombard and Montgomery were made for each other. I wish they would have done more films together. And by the way, Gene Raymond is nothing to sneeze at either (You'll get the reference once you watch the film. I hope.*wink*).


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MONDAY, AUGUST 11 | MARLON BRANDO

8:45pm PST - ON THE WATERFRONT (1954)

Where do I begin? The acting (by every actor in this film) is absolutely impeccable.  What was Kazan's secret? He could bring out the gritty, intense, grindingly realistic performances in his actors like no other. Keep an eye out for the heart-wrenching scene between Steiger and Brando in the back of the taxi. And the steamy, passionate apartment scene between Eva Marie Saint and Brando.,

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 12 | ALEXIS SMITH

12:30 am (August 13) PST - THE YOUNG PHILADELPHIANS (1959)

I've only seen this film once before. That was quite some time ago so I don't feel I can give you much insight. I definitely want to watch it again. What I remember most about this film was Alexis Smith's heartfelt role as a frustrated wife.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13 | CARY GRANT

9:45am PST - THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940)

Good grief. Too much to write about! Watch this film again and again. You'll catch something new every time. It's sparkling and brilliant. And remember these sage (but true) words from a drunken Macaulay Connor:

"Champagne is a great leveleler... leveleler. It makes you my equal."

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 | CHARLES CHAPLIN

9:30pm PST - CITY LIGHTS (1931)

I have a confession to make. I've never watched this film (runs and hides). I haven't seen it, but I have it on good authority that it's a masterpiece. I've avoided it because I've heard it's a tearjerker and let's face it, I'm a wimp. I am going to square my shoulders and watch it this time around. Who's with me?

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 | FAYE DUNAWAY

9pm PST - CHINATOWN (1974)

I love love (yes, I double love it) this film! A film noir in color. A modern film (neo-noir) set in the early 1900's Los Angeles. Directed by Roman Polanski, written by Robert Towne. It's a mesmerizing film. The acting is immaculate. Dunaway is a master. The costumes are heavenly. If you're as big a fan of noir as I am, I believe you will fall head over heels in love with this one.

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Week 2 complete! If you have a chance to watch these films, I hope you enjoy them as much as I will. Let me know your thoughts on any or all of them, if you wish.  I always love hearing from you, and I could talk movies till the cows come home!
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I will be back next week with my picks for August 16 - 22 next week.

Thank you for being you.

Until next time...

xo

♣ This Week's Classic Movie Pick ♣...

This week's classic movie pick is one of my all-time favorites, The Quiet Man. Since today is St. Patrick's Day, I thought it would be appropriate to feature this particular film. It's a delight from start to finish. The plot is simple, but there are all kinds of entertaining twists and turns. John Wayne plays an ex-boxer who retires to his roots in Ireland and searches for a proper wife. Maureen O'Hara plays the spunky lass who catches his eye.

There is an entire cast of lovable characters. John Wayne is handsome and bigger than life and Maureen O'Hara has never looked more beautiful and full of spirit. Directed by John Ford and also starring a favorite of mine, Barry Fitzgerald, this tribute to the Irish is a must-see for anyone who wants to escape for a time to a world of magical romance and enchantment.

♣ Happy St. Patrick's Day! ♣

Classic Movie Pick ~ "The Third Man"

I know I say this each time I chose a classic movie for this series, but truly, you must see "The Third Man". This amazing film is one of my very favorites. I never get tired of watching it or listening to its perfect sound track. I believe it has one of the best endings ever.

This 1949 film was written by Graham Greene, directed by Carol Reed and in beautiful black and white. It stars Joseph Cotton, Alida Valli, and Orson Welles. Now really, how can one go wrong with that excellent line-up? Joseph Cotton is irresistable and endearing, Alida Valli is beautiful and mesmerizing, and Orson Welles is, well, Orson Welles at his best. His first scene in this movie is one of the all-time great entrances. Also, the brilliant Trevor Howard is in this film.

The plot is mysterious and intriguing, but you won't get lost in the details. I don't want to give away the plot so the details are few. It's set in post-wwII Vienna, a pulp fiction writer comes to Vienna to see an old friend who has promised him a job, only to find his friend is dead. The more the writer looks into this death, the more corruption and mystery he uncovers. It's just such a satisfying story! I guarantee you will love it.

And the sound track is absolutely enchanting, all done with only one instrument. I hope you will take the time to enjoy this classic film. You will most definitely be smitten with it, just as I am. Here is a clip sure to motivate you into watching this gem.

Classic Movie Pick ~ "The Thin Man"

The movie I have chosen to be this week's pick is "The Thin Man". It is one of my top five all-time favorite movies. If you haven't seen this marvelous flick, please do take the time to watch it. The humor, the story, the fashion...all timeless and utterly delightful.

This film was made in 1934 and is directed by the marvelous and extremely talented W.S. Van Dyke, before the ratings committee took over movies. Starring two of my favorite actors, the debonair William Powell and spunky, lovely Myrna Loy. The chemistry between them explains why they made many, many films together. This film is a murder mystery and it's in beautiful black and white. I have included this movie clip from Turner Classic Movies for your viewing pleasure.

You can also find when it will be playing next on TCM, if you wish to see it.



I hope you will let me know if you see this perfect movie. I'd love to hear your thoughts about it.

Classic Movie Pick ~ "Notorious"

Welcome to the first installment of my classic movie picks! My favorite movie genre is most definitely the classics and I thought it would be fun to start a little series of recommendations for my blog visitors. If you aren't familiar with the classics, I hope you will give them a try. There's nothing like a beautifully directed and acted black and white film. I guarantee you will get hooked!

"Notorious" is one of my very favorite movies. I've watched it more times than I can say. This film was made in 1946, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant and Claude Rains. Cary is at his sexist in this film and Ingrid is gorgeous and irresistable. When you add longing and desire to a mix of foreign intrigue and danger you have a four star movie. Oh yes, one mustn't forget the breathtaking fashion in this film as well...

I hope you will put aside some time to watch this movie which, in my opinion, is as good as it gets. If you do, let me know how you like it.

You can look for the next showing of this film on Turner Classic Movies at http://www.tcm.com/