A Closer Look At...

...Robert Osborne

There is nothing as comforting as listening to Mr. Osborne talk about the movies in between movies on TCM. Luckily, he is back which is great since nobody, not even Alec Baldwin, could replace him! Here is a closer look...

1. Born in 1932 in Washington.

2. Majored in journalism at Washington University.

3. Worked as a contract actor for Desilu Productions including a workshop program where Lucy and Desi helped rising stars.

4.Worked bit parts in television including a role in the pilot for The Beverly Hillbillies.

5.Took Lucy's advice after she suggested he combine his two great loves, films and writing. She told him, "You came from a nice middle class family and we have enough actors already, we don't have authors."

6. Wrote the book Academy Awards Illustrated.

 7.Worked as a columnist for The Hollywood Reporter.

8. Started hosting on TCM in 1994.

9.Discovered a building in New York called "The Osborne" after reading Rosalind Russell's auto bio and decide to buy 3 apartments there. 

10. Has never married.

Everyday Alfred

Time for tea?

Foreign Film Poster Friday

"Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" 1948

Happy Thanksgiving!

Eat, drink, and be thankful!

Bacall and Bogie chasing after din din.

Judy showing off her efforts.

Marylin, still wondering how someone convinced her to dress up like a slutty pilgrim and pretend to hunt turkey.

Jump!

Philippe Halsman was one of the great portrait photographers of his time. He worked with LIFE magazine and Salvador Dali, but his best work, in my opinion, was his Jump series. Politicians and artists, rulers and business owners, they all jumped for Halsman. But being a film nerd, the actors and actresses are my favorite.

Grace

Dean and Jerry

Marilyn

Anthony

Brigitte

Donald

Eva

Harold

Audrey

Sophia

"When you ask a person to jump, his attention is mostly directed toward the act of jumping and the mask falls so that the real person appears."

-Philippe Halsman

Check out his book, which is full of famous people jumping:

Foreign Film Poster Friday

"A Woman Of Affairs" 1928

Everyday Alfred

As I do my constant searching for awesome oldie pictures, I have learned one thing. Alfred Hitchcock, as much as he was behind the camera, loved to be in front of it too. What a ham! 

So I am starting a new post topic, "Everyday Alfred", 

to share the whimsicality that is Hitch.

Alfie, his plant, and an altered suit. Silly guy!

Picture Of The Day

Greta Garbo in her Snuggie.

Read This!

I just finished reading Kate Remembered, by A. Scott Berg. Published in 2003, the year of Katharine's death, this book is beautifully written by author as well as decades long friend to Kat. Scott writes not only about her life, but about their time together as friends. As a biography written by someone who knew Kat to the fullest, you learn about her opinions on almost everything (naturally), as well as details about her life including Howard and Spencer that she normally didn't share with the public. 

I must say I was sad finishing this, not only because it was such a good read, but because at the end, you get to know her a little bit closer, and understand how much she lived it up. 

Foreign Film Poster Friday

"Roman Holiday" 1953

Picture Of The Day

Mae West, working up a sweat.

Quote Of The Day

Spencer Tracy

When discussing why he never wanted Katharine Hepburn to get top billing in the films where they were paired, Joe Mankiewicz asked, "But Spencer, what about women and children first?"

Spencer replied, "It's a movie, not a sinking ship."

Picture Of The Day

Judy Holliday, hangin out.

Grab Your Wallets!

On November 29th, the Kerry Taylor Auction House in London will be hosting a "Passion For Fashion" auction. Items range from twenties gowns to recent designer threads, but the most exciting items 

(at least to an oldie film nerd like myself) are two pieces worn by Liz Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. Audrey's being the most thrilling.

For around $96,000 (projected) you can own Audrey's Edith Head designed dress shown in Roman Holiday and then altered for Audrey to wear as she excepted her first and only Oscar for the same picture. 

On a side note, the dress measures 32" bust, 24" waist, which seemed larger than I though Audrey would be. 

Next up is Elizabeth Taylor's fab Balenciaga gown worn in 1964.

Check out more at http://www.kerrytaylorauctions.com

A Closer Look At...

...Claude Rains

Born in London in 1889.

Made his first stage presence at the age of 11.

Served in WWI and was involved in a gas attack that left him blind in one eye for the rest of his life.

Failed his first screen test but was later hired after someone heard his voice from his screen test from another room.

Worked in theater until discovered for film in 1933 for The Invisible Man.

Became a US citizen in 1939.

Was nominated four times for Notorious, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, Casablanca, and Mr. Skeffington

Was married 5 times, divorced 4 times and widowed once.

Narrated Bible stories for children.

Died  in New Hampshire in 1967

Call Me!

Who knew this profound invention would be such a great prop piece!

Anita calling collect.

What's wrong Barbara? Miss your wake up call?

Hard to imagine Audrey ever having to wait by the phone.

Howard, the ultimate multi-tasker.

Hedy unimpressed with the telemarketer.

Natalie ordering pizza.

Doris, finally happy with her party line.

Does this man ever wear clothes when he is on the phone?

"Hello operator? Help. I am confused."

Old And New

When we watch our favorite oldies on screen they are beautiful and young. Nobody has botox or a brow lift. No lip fillers, no boob jobs. They shine just as they should. As they aged, some looked great, some not as much, but the faces we burned in our memory are still there. I can't help but smile and laugh a bit when I see these stars as newbies and as old veterans.

David Niven

Ava Gardner

Bette Davis

 Buster Keaton

Gloria Swanson

Gloria Stewart

Mr. Grant

Joan Crawford

Desi Arnaz

Jimmy Stewart

Olivia de Havilland

Robert Mitchum

Kat Hepburn