Happy Memorial Day!

Aside from acting, some of our favorite fellas served for the grand US of A.

Ronald

Clark

Elvis

Henry

James

Paul

William

Gene

Thanks men!

Picture Of The Day

Charlie Chaplin, resting in a tub in his 1922 film, "Pay Day".

"Take Me Out To The Ball Game"

I love Gene Kelly, I really like Esther Williams, I can tolerate Frank Sinatra, but overall, I was mildly impressed with this film starring all three.

Gene and Frank are on a Vaudeville act when baseball season starts. Being that they are multi talented, they ditch the stage and head for the field.

There is a new manager in town, and everyone thinks it is a male, until Ms. Williams shows up! Gene makes a move on her and disses the boss(little does he know his boss is right in front of him!) They get off on the wrong foot, but Frank is in love.

The boys realize that Esther is a slice when she is swimming in the pool one night. The season begins and Frank gets a cleat chaser named Shirley (Betty Garrett). 

Could Frank's waist be any smaller?

We meet some men who are gambling on Gene's team to loose so they trick Gene by offering him a gig at their new club. Only problem is he will have to sneak out at night and work some dance numbers. He agrees but his performance on the field starts to suffer, right before the pennant race!

Gene and Esther make amends and fall for each other once Frank decides he wants his stalker. 

This film was OK. I love to watch Gene sing and dance, so that was a plus, but overall, the film was bland.

Best Dressed

In Katharine Hepburn's debut film, "Bill of Divorcement", she wears a stunning dress with fabulous sleeves deigned by Josette De Lima. Josette was uncredited for her work and was only a costume designer for three films in her career. But I must say she knew her stuff. So beautiful!

Penny Serenade

The final pairing of Cary and Irene and follows their relationship through records from when they met until the present.

Irene plays Julie and is on her way out. She and hubby Roger are splitting. But what is the harm in listening to some records first?

The story goes back in time where Roger (Grant)  spots Julie in the record shop. He gets her attention and buys tons of records. On the walk home she learns Roger doesn't even have a record player! The romance begins.

During their courting, we get the sense that Julie wants to shack up and pop out some kids, while Roger is not as keen about the idea. Roger is a publisher and on New Years Eve breaks the news to Julie that he is going on assignment in Japan! Just when Julie thinks they are through, Roger asks her to marry him.

While in Japan, the newlyweds get pregnant. Things are swell until an earthquake hits and Julie looses the baby, and learns she may never have one again. I must say, for 1941, the earthquake scene is pretty well done!

They return to the states and Julie is depressed. Roger and her move into a new apartment which has a publishing room downstairs. Buddy Applejack joins the fun. The paper isn't doing so well but they decided to adopt as the still want a child.

After tons of red tape they finally get a little girl and are beyond the moon. Applejack helps out.

They get a one year trial with the little one and are worried they can't provide for her. The orphanage lady is hard on them and after a year they almost loose her because they are too poor. Time goes by and everyone is happy. Daughter Trina grows up well and even participates in a Christmas play.

But the good times don't last forever as Trina dies from an illness. Roger and Julie are so devastated they don't even talk any more. The orphanage lady is sad too.

We are taken back to the present and Roger and Julie are about to call it quits, when just in time, the phone rings. It's the orphanage calling with another child! Still grieving from their loss, the couple must decide if they want to start all over again and if they can be happy.

Irene said this was her favorite film because it reminded her so much of her own adopted daughter Mary with husband Francis Griffin. Cary earned an Oscar nomination in part from a scene where he begs the judge to let them be parents. They never made another film again, partly due to top billing, where both parties wanted to be first. Cary was quoted as saying, "It's ladies first in lifeboats, but not in movies, I'm afraid."

Motion Picture Bliss

For my recent birthday my good friend Amber gave me a copy of Motion Picture Magazine, February, 1947(15 cents, mind you). 

What joy it is looking through this find!

Miss Virginia Mayo gracing the cover.

An add for "The Man I Love" with Ida!

An article on Ronnie and spread about Mrs. Humphrey Bogart.

Your standard advertisement with new liquid lipstick.

"Instantly... make YOUR lips more thrilling!"

The back cover is a cancer stick ad with the lovely Ann Sheridan.

Thanks Amber!

A Closer Look At...

Busby Berkeley!

Busby was known for his elaborate kaleidoscope like choreographed films. 

10 facts about Busby Berkeley:

1. He was named after his actress mother's friend Amy Busby.

2. He was a field artillery lieutenant in WWI and directed parades and drills.

3.Became a stage director and choreographer on Broadway.

4. Begged Samuel Goldwyn to let him direct, and made his debut directing "Whoopee" in 1930.

5. Was the first to do long dragging close-ups of actresses while they danced.

6. Directed Gene Kelly in his first film, "For Me and My Gal" in 1942. 

7. Was married 6 times.

8. Famous for the films, "42nd Street", "Gold Diggers of 1933", and "Dames".

9. Killed 3 people while drunk driving, was tried 3 times for  murder, and was acquitted after 2 hung juries.

10. Was quoted as saying, "In an era of breadlines, depression, and wars, I tried to help people get away from all the misery...to turn their minds to something else. I wanted to make people happy, if only for an hour."

 Busby's Work