The Silver Screen Affair

Monday, March 19, 2012

For Me? Why Thank You!

Thanks to Monty over at ALL GOOD THINGS for the 7x7 Award!

Yes, this was over a week ago, but that is what wedding planning does to you. I am very honored, since Monty was my first non relative to follow my little blog. This award comes with some rules, they are as follows:

1. Tell the little people out there in the dark something no one knows about.

Something no one knows is that I never cry at movies. Never. Except one. It's random and not an oldie, and I have no idea why, but Tim Burton's "Big Fish" got the water works going. I loved the ending of this film, it is sweet and beautiful. Go check it out.

2. Link on of my posts that I personally best fits the following categories: most beautiful, most helpful, most popular, most controversial, most surprisingly successful, most underrated, and most pride-worthy.

Most Beautiful: Not sure what makes a blog post beautiful. Maybe one with Audrey Hepburn in it, since she is perfect. http://thesilverscreenaffair.blogspot.com/2011/04/picture-of-day.html

Most Helpful: I try to make all my posts helpful, without giving the best parts of films away. I would be so stoked if I knew readers, or a singular reader, went out and watched a movie I blogged about that they have never seen.

Most Popular: Easy, the post I did about the MGM lion(s). What a hit! I have over 18,000 page views on this post. I even had a journalist call me about this piece to confirm some facts. I did tons of research on this topic before I posted it. Either people really like this topic or many children are Googling lions for school!
http://thesilverscreenaffair.blogspot.com/2011/04/mgm-lion.html

Most Controversial: I try to stay away from mixing the pot. This is a fun blog after all. I do get anonymous comments correcting my little mistakes. I like that because I try to be as accurate as possible with facts and spelling!

Most Surprisingly Successful: I am going to base this award on the number of comments it received. My post on "Life With Father" got some people talking. I didn't like this film, but I guess I was alone on that thought.
http://thesilverscreenaffair.blogspot.com/2011/06/father-is-going-to-hell.html

Most Underrated: This is like saying the post I liked the most that others mihgt not have. That would be my Mack Sennett Bathing Beauties post. I loved writing this and I have always been intrigued with these ladies. It was the first projected "sex sells" campain that I can think of!
http://thesilverscreenaffair.blogspot.com/2011/05/macks-beauties.html

Most Pride Worthy: I would have to say "The Women", because it is my favorite film, I waited forever for the right time to blog about it, and because since I have seen it umpteen times, I figured I know a lot about it!
http://thesilverscreenaffair.blogspot.com/2011/04/ive-had-two-years-to-grow-claws-mother.html

3. Pass this award to seven other bloggers.

Well number three won't happen since I lag. Most people, at least in the film blog scene, already have one. This is of course because so many of my blog friends out there have fabulous blogs!

Here is one for a very deserving blog:

Mr. Tiny from Wacky Tacky.

This blog is amazing! I am not just saying that because he is a good friend of mine. From kitschy roadside stops to fun music and old movies, his blog keeps getting better and better!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Picture Of The Day

Cary and Randolph...out for a run.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Best Dressed

Bette Davis wore this beautiful Edith Head creation in "All About Eve". Brown with fur cuffs and pockets. So gorgeous! The day the dress was to be used on set, Bette tried it on and to Edith's horror, the dress was fitted too small and didn't fit up past Bette's shoulders. Bette had the idea of pushing it down below her shoulders and the problem was solved. This dress makes her performance, rated one of the best ever in a film, all the better.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Film Noir Greatness: Double Indemnity

What a film! This fantastic picture from 1944 stars Fred MacMurray, Barb Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson. Film noir is not my favorite genre of oldie films, but this one quickly became one of my favorites. Directed by Mr. Wilder and produced (uncredited by the way) by Buddy G. DeSylva and Joseph Sistrom. The scene opens to Walter Neff (MacMurray) walking into his bosses' office to record the story of his life, the story of how he murdered a man for money and a broad, and how it ended up hurting him in the end.

Classic film noir scene with the shadow of window treatments!

Neff sells insurance and starts his story at this amazing Spanish style house in LA where he meets his client's wife, Phyllis. She is half naked but gets dressed to come and see what Neff is all about.

With all that is torn down and demolished in Hollywood, it pleases me to say that the house is still there and virtually unchanged with exception to the garage door and some landscaping.

Phyllis comes down the stairs in nothing more than a towel and an anklet, and right away Neff wants more than just to sell insurance.

Neff gives her the sales pitch with some flirting added in as Phyllis tries not to notice. She mentions she wants accident insurance for her hubby but that she doesn't want him to know about it. She tells him to come back in a few days when her husband is supposedly going to be home. Neff thinks nothing of this conversation and practically drools out the door.

Neff tries to concentrate at work but can't stop thinking about Phyllis. Boss Barton Keyes played masterfully by Robinson and Neff talk insurance business. Keyes is no nonsense and relies on his gut to help him decide which insurance claims are fraud and which ones are legit. You don't mess with Edward.

"I want to commit adultery!"

I don't want to give too much away, so if you haven't seen the film yet, beware. This is a rare oldie that keeps you on the edge of your seat, so this is your official spoiler alert! Needless to say, the two fall in love and devise a plan to knock off the husband, make it look like an accident, collect insurance money, and live happily ever after.

The plan seems to work until Keyes hears about it and gets that gut feeling.

Neff is super paranoid and only wants to meet Phyllis at the grocery store.

A great set designed by the art department team at Paramount including Hans Dreier, Hal Pereira, and Bertram Granger

Phyllis goes for the "discrete" look by wearing sunglasses indoors.

Neff is worried the plan is going to fail and Phyllis gets mad that Neff won't hang out with her unless they are purchasing food.

Their love is being complicated by Neff's paranoia, his boss, and the attention that Phyllis desires as she chose him over her late husband. The pressure is intense for Neff and he finds himself not sure what to do. A definite cliff hanger, which is rare in old films, that you will have to watch to find out.

Wilder had no trouble getting male lead for this part, many wanted it including George Raft, Alan Ladd, and Dick Powell. Wilder wanted Barb but she was worried about her reputation playing an adulteress. Wilder asked her," Are you an actress or a mouse?" She was so furious she signed on that instant. Edward didn't want the part as he was far from the lead, but after learning he was receiving the same salary as Barb and Fred he signed on, and we are all glad he did. He might have been third billing, but his role intensifies the plot and makes this film much more suspenseful. A fun goof in this film is where Neff and Phyllis first kiss. You get a glimpse of Fred's personal wedding ring on his finger, as in reality he was married to wife Lillian Wehmhoener. It wasn't noticed until post production. Double Indemnity was nominated for 7 Academy Awards for Barb, and Billy, including best picture, but it won none, losing to Going My Way for best picture.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Picture Of The Day

Jayne and her burger.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Come Fly With Me...

Oh, isn't aviation grand?! Whether they own their own plane or stylishly fly commercial, these stars know how to jet set!

Katharine going for the "Amelia" look.

Fred and Gene with their carry ons.

Audrey getting ready to board with baby Sean.

Does this woman every look bad? I want those shoes!

Constance Bennett going all out with the accessories.

Grace has her princess wave down!

My boy Howard and his H-1 racer.

A goodwill tour for Gone With The Wind perhaps?

Robert Taylor showing pilots how flying dapper is done.

This plane isn't headed for any cornfields.

Norma rocking the black gloves for her flight.

Veronique and Gregory Peck.

Wallace Beery and his latest toy.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

And The Award Goes To...

It's finally here! Today is the day for all movie nerds to gather around the tube and enjoy the Oscars. It is our Super Bowl. Here are some lucky oldies who were proudly named cream of the crop.