Dead Ringer 1964

Are you a fan of Bette Davis? Stupid question, who isn't? Then you'll love two of her, and evil to boot! This fab flick stars Bette playing twins, one who is jealous and the other who gets offed!

Bette first plays Margaret, who is mean and rich and newly widowed. Without remorse, Margaret gets a surprise visit from estranged sister Edith, also played by Bette. The two get together at Margaret's house after the funeral and Edith sees how rich her sister really is. She also learns that Margaret tricked her way into marriage many years ago when Edith also had the hots for the dead husband. Edith gets jealous a angry. 

Back at home, Edith is in a loveless relationship with a cop named Jim. She is deep in dept with her night club and devises a plan. She calls Margaret to come over and when she gets there, she kills her! Trading outfits, the plan is going right until annoying boy toy Jim stops by. Edith has to talk him away and the plans continue to take Margaret's identity. 

Edith assumes Margaret's life by "grieving" her husband's death and her sister's "suicide". Edith realizes that Margaret isn't a saint had had a man on the side named Tony. But the new Margaret isn't into it, and she finds herself in some sticky situations. Jim keeps in contact with Margaret and is not quite sure what happened to Edith and confesses his too late love. 

Margaret's fling comes to light and  Tony finds out the truth and then blackmails Margaret for money. Jim keeps pressing her for info and the investigation about Edith's suicide starts to take a turn. Will the truth come out? Will Edith pull off the murder and assumed identity forever?

Lana Turner was first for the role but turned it down. This film was applauded for the great special effects used to allow Bette to be side by side with herself. A class evil Bette movie, I really loved this oldie!

It Happend One Night 1934

I am not alone here when I say that this picture has to be about as good as it gets. Claudette complained every day, Clark was there as a punishment for breaking his contract, and everyone thought the film would be a disaster. The joke was on them when it won the big five Oscars, the first time out of three that this would happen in cinema history. 

Claudette plays Ellie, who is mad because she has just married a man that her daddy disapproves of. Daddy forces her to get an annulment and throws her on the yacht away from her man. The result is Claudette jumping off the boat!

The beauty of a 30's wedding gown. Long, sleek, bias cut goodness. 

Ellie decides to flee back to New York to be with her seeming confused almost husband. She has little money and one cute outfit when she hops on the bus. 

In another corner of the bus station, Clark (Peter) is giving his boss quite a roast. His buddies are keeping tabs and when the boss fires him and hangs up, Peter acts like he is tearing him a new one. He gets off the phone and jumps on the bus, not knowing what to do about his new found unemployment.

Peter finds a spot in the back with Ellie, and our road trip begins. Like all fab oldies, the two don't like each other from the start. Ellie is already in a bad mood over the days' events, and Peter thinks she is bitchy. She ends up falling asleep on Peter's shoulder and he realizes she's not all that bad. 

At the first stop Ellie looses her bags and is forced to face the fact that her pocket change is the only thing that is going to get her to New York. Naturally, she does what any woman would do when stressed and she tries to buy some chocolate.

Being a rich heiress and all, Ellie thinks that at the next stop the bus will wait for her as she heads off. When she returns the bus is gone, but Peter has stuck around. He has discovered who she is and that a marriage scandal like hers would get his job back. Que in the blackmail.

They head out together. Along the way they must hitchhike depicting the infamous scene of Clark trying hard to get a car and not succeeding, and Ellie showing some leg and getting a ride. 

When Fritz Freleng saw this film over at Warner Brothers he was inspired to create Bugs Bunny. 

I mean, check out Clark eating that carrot! And the ears! Dead ringer for sure. 

A night's rest is in order and Peter pays the bill for a 

room. A room, as in singular. Rich girl rich Ellie will have to share (*gasp*). Not pleased, Ellie watches Clark throw a sheet up and get undressed. This scene also made headlines, as Clark was not wearing an undershirt. Sales for undershirts dropped dramatically as men wanted to be a single layer guy like Clark. 

Ellie finds out Peter knows who she is and is forced to go along with him or he'll squeal to the public of her whereabouts. Ellie gets Peter's jammies and they platonically sleep the night away. 

As the journey continues, Ellie tells Peter she has fallen in love with him. As she goes to sleep, Peter heads off to make plans. Ellie wakes up and thinks that Peter has left her after she spilled the beans on her feelings. Now she is furious and calls Daddy. He is so happy she is found he gives her the okay to re-marry her hubby. Peter comes back to find her gone. Daddy knows something is up when Ellie is less than enthused to marry man #1. She tells him the whole story. Little does she know, Peter has come to her father and refused reward money. 

Ellie must find out in time whether or not Peter truly loves her, of if she will enter a marriage that she thought she wanted. 

Quote Of The Day

"Famous people feel that they must perpetually be on the crest of the wave, not realising that it is against all the rules of life. You can't be on top all the time; it isn't natural."

-Olivia de Havilland

Everyday Alfred

How the Hitchcock clan does Christmas.

Hello 2013!