For the Mommas

Here's a look at some actresses being moms.

Debbie Reynolds

Olivia de Havilland

Ingrid Bergman

Mary Astor

Jayne Mansfield

Betty Grable

Judy Garland

Joan Blondell

Tippi Hedren

June Allyson and Esther Williams

Joan Fontaine

Jane Greer

Happy Momma's Day!

"The Conquering Power"

I am not much of a silent film fan. I try really hard but I always want to fall asleep when I watch them. I think it is the soothing music that gets me. I did however manage to stay awake for a great Valentino film, "The Conquering Power".

Rudy plays a rich heir who likes to party. 

His father tells him to go visit his estranged uncle. He gives Rudy a gift, photos of Rudy's momma and dad on their wedding day. Rudy sets off. When he gets there, he meets his Aunt and Uncle. He also meets the maid and his very attractive cousin named Eugenie (played by Alice Terry). 

Eugine's dad has been giving her gold on each birthday and she has created quite a collection. Many men are trying to gold dig and make her their wives, but she isn't into it. Rudy learns that his father was badly in debt and has killed himself. He is very sad but Eugenie is comforting. Rudy's Uncle seems like a nice guy but you quickly learn he is obsessed with gold and tries to screw over Rudy and his possible fortunes. 

Eugenie and Rudy fall in love (remember, they are cousins, eww) and Uncle does not approve. He tries to get rid of Rudy but before he does, Eugenie gives him all her gold to help him start anew.

Uncle tries to cut the ties by telling Rudy by letter that he is arranging a marriage for his daughter and Rudy is super bummed. He decides to not write her back. Years go by and some people die, some people go crazy, but Eugenie still loves Rudy. In the end, we learn that patience is key and good people get what they deserve in the end.

"The Broadway Melody"

 Last night my bestie Jill came over and we did our usual of sushi and movie. We threw on the 1929 film "The Broadway Melody". This picture was the first talkie for MGM.

When watching movies with friends you always get a laugh out of things you wouldn't normally notice. Jill mentioned how all the characters talked in each others faces, probably because it was a new sound film and they were sharing microphones. We also picked up on some inappropriate sister love...

Hank and Queenie are sisters who perform in Vaudeville. They saved up their money and came to New York to make it big. There is a great aerial shot of NY from the late 20's.

"Sister love" alert #1 they are always cuddling.

They have no money but can still support their fine clothes and fur habits. Hank has a beau, Eddie, who has the ins at the local Broadway theater and says he can get them a gig.

"Sister love" alert #2 they help each other bathe.

They do their audition but they only want Queenie. This is easy to predict because every two minutes someone tells her she is beautiful. Queenie makes a deal so both sisters can perform.

Hank has a temper and is always getting in fights. Queenie gets asked out by socialite Jock. He is no good for her but wants him anyways. Eddie doesn't like this and tells her he might give her a ring on the phone but he will never give her a ring on her finger! 

Then he starts to have a thing for Queenie.

But the show must go on, and it does with amazing art deco sets and over the top 20's costumes.

"Sister love" alert #3 they always dance smashed against each other.

Queenie, Hank, and Eddie get into a big blow out over Jock and Queenie storms out to go to a party after knocking Hank to the floor.

 Queenie realizes at the party what a sap Jock is and Eddie  professes his love for her. Hank apparently has no problem with her boyfriend wanting to date her sister and encourages him to go after her. 

In the end, Hank finds a new act.  

Queenie and Eddie are happy.

And the sisters are free to show their feelings. 

This was a cute movie but has many funny moments that didn't make sense. It was one of those films where you realize how far motion pictures have come. Someone thought it was pretty good because it won best picture at the Oscars making it the first sound film to do so.

Read This!

Because today should be all things Audrey, I must recommend this fabulous book titled The Audrey Hepburn Treasures by Ellen Erwin and Jessica Z. Diamond.

This book is filled with great pictures of Audrey starting at her birth and carrying on all through her life. The best part is every few pages is a pocket with recreations of papers, documents, letters and post cards.

This book is a lot of fun and would make a great gift for any Audrey fan, and let's be honest, who isn't an Audrey fan. Think about it, have you ever met someone who said they just didn't like her? Nope.

Certainly not me!

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday Audrey. Nobody was or ever will be quite like you.

Mack's Beauties

Once upon a time ladies would parade around in bathing suits with confidence and were not worried about being too short, too fat, blah, blah... Mack Sennett created the 'Sennett Bathing Beauties' which included cute girls sporting the latest trends and giving the boys in WWI something to smile about.

These pin ups pranced around at the beach, in inner tubes, on rocks, and with each other. 

Love this suit, but not too sure about the heels in the sand look.

Mack knew the hotties when he saw them and hired such beauties as Claire Anderson, Juanita Hansen, Phyllis Haver, Marie Prevost, Mabel Normand, and Gloria Swanson.

Mack knew sex sells.

I would totally rock one of these bathing suits, although I am confused on the purpose of the socks and lace up booties. Tide pools maybe?