"Flying Down To Rio"

This interesting film stars Dolores del Rio, Gene Raymond, Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers. Gene plays Roger, who is a playboy/aviator/band leader who gets fresh with the ladies in the crowd so much that his band is always being fired from gigs. He spots some fresh meat in the crowd and is quickly smitten.

Even Fred and Ginger had 4th and 5th billing at one point!

That fresh meat is Belinha (Dolores) who is already engaged but still looking for some action. She plays hard to get.

A young Ginger!

Roger gets fired again, but just in time to pick up a job in Rio! At the same time, he hears that new wanna-be honey Belinha is flying home to Rio and needs a ride. Roger tricks her into going with him only to have a crash landing on what they think is a deserted island. Luck Roger! He quickly finds a way to "break" the plane even more so he can have some sexy time with Belinha on the beach.

They smooch, then fight, then realize they are not as deserted as they think, and Belinha gets a ride home without Roger. 

In Rio, Roger tells band mates that he fancies his new gal.

(BTW everything about this picture is amazing.)

The hotel gets ready. The band is supposed to play a new show that will get the hotel rolling. Only one problem...they aren't allowed to get a permit for the show and can't go through with it! Fred and Ginger put their heads together with a plan.

And Fred throws in some dance numbers. 

Like they say in Hollywood...er..Rio, the show must go on! The band decides to rig tons of planes with scantily clad broads and have the planes fly around for hotel guests to see. Yeah, that sounds reasonable.

This scene is strange and awesome at the same time. Minutes go by with shots of girls, some wearing barely nothing, hoisted up on planes holding on for dear life as the "fly" through the air. 

Cue in the giant fan...

Guests seem mildly amused and Belinha's fiancee is not happy. He knows about Roger and is convinced to get her married right away to avoid any further complications. But what will happen to Roger and Belinha? Will the airplane trick get the band fired or re-hired?

This is the first pairing of Fred and Ginger. Fred was hesitant about their next film not wanting to be known as a partner act, especially since he danced with his sister for some many years. He decided to go through with it and the rest is history.

Everyday Alfred

The key to success perhaps?

A Closer Look At...

...Cary Grant

1. Born January 18, 1904 in Bristol, England.

2. Ran away to the circus at age 13 to be a juggler.

3. Cary’s mother was put in an institution when Cary was 9. He was told she was on holiday and did not see her again until he was in his mid twenties.

4. Was signed to Paramount in 1932.

5. Legal changed his iconic name in 1941. Good-bye Archie, hello Mr. Grant.

6. Gave his entire salary from “The Philadelphia Story” to the British was effort.

7. James Bond was created with Cary in mind.

8. Has always been rumored to have a romantic life long relationship with best pal Randolph Scott. Kat Hepburn said once she saw them kissing in a parking lot. They owned a house in Malibu and would live there whenever either one of them was in between marriages. You be the judge.

9. Took lots of LSD for “therapy” reasons.

10 Stated that “Father Goose” was the role he played that was most like him. 

Happy Birthday Hollywood boyfriend!

Picture Of The Day

Carol Channing, Gloria Swanson, 

and Tallulah Bankhead, chewing the fat.

Everyday Alfred

Put it out there, Alfie!

Men In Film

My friend Karissa sent me a link to a great video thinking I would fancy it. She was right! This thing is so cool. It goes in order and shows some of our current leading men, ending appropriately with George Clooney, whom I always thought looked like Clark Gable. How many men can you recognize? 

And in case you were wondering, yes, there is a girl version too. 

Thanks Karissa!

A Closer Look At...

...Oleg Cassini

1. Born 1913 in Paris.

2. Studied fine art at the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze after growing up with a mother who was a designer.

3. Moved to America in 1936, became a citizen and served in WWII as a second lieutenant in the army.

4. Worked as an assistant to Edith Head before being hired by Paramount and designed for movies such as "The Shanghai Gesture", "Leave Her To Heaven", and "Razor's Edge".

5. Married second wife, Gene Tierney and had two daughters,one whom was "retarded" and was institutionalized.

6. Was made famous for designing garments for Jacqueline Kennedy.

7. Dated and almost married Grace Kelly.

8.Had a secret third wife for many years named Marianne Nestor.

9. Was sued by his second child on behalf of her sister with special needs. 

10. Died after a stroke in New York in 2006.