The Bear Rug

What is it with bear rugs and leading ladies? This must have been the latest thing back in the silver screen days. So I must ask, when did the past time of lying on a bear rug and posing loose it's pizazz? 

Here are some of our favorite gals to enjoy...

Marilyn relaxing in a house of death.

Ann Sheridan on a rug on a rug.

The trend setter Jean

Jayne's cheetah is terrified he'll end up like her swimsuit

Don't mess with Lisbeth Scott and her polar bear!

Gloria Swanson on a humongous tiger rug

1950's Born Yesterday

"Born Yesterday" has quickly become a favorite. Let's take a look at this empowered film with Judy Holliday and Bill Holden.

Judy stars brilliantly in this film with Mr. Holden as her side kick. Judy plays Billie, a mobster's fiancee who follows him around, takes orders, gets yelled at, and knows nothing about nobody. Broderick Crawford plays Harry, her tough guy beau who is looking to get in with some slime ball congressmen in Washington DC. William plays Paul, a reporter who meets Harry and the gang during an interview. 

Harry wants Billie to meet some important people and act proper, but Billie isn't interested and really doesn't know how. Instead of talking politics she would rather sing and dance. She was a chorus girl at one time. She even had lines!

Harry tracks down Paul to teach Billie some manners and get her to know her way around. Paul says yes since he thinks Billie is a doll.

A very cute scene is when Paul asks Billie to read the newspaper and circle anything she doesn't understand. The next morning she has the whole paper circled, and mentions from time to time how she wants to circle Paul when he is talking!

During an early lesson, Paul and Billie kiss. Billie is keen on Paul, but Paul doesn't want to mess with a mobster's girl especially since this one is a real a-hole.

Paul takes Billie all over Washington DC and she starts to slowly learn and grow interest in all sorts of things, including Paul. 

Before you know it, Billie is on to Harry's scheming and knows he is a dirty rat. She wants no part in his business anymore. 

Tough guy Harry is so mean to Billie, that eventually Billie gets wise and is more educated than him! She begins to stand up for herself.

This is one articulate fight!

Paul is in love, but doesn't know what to do about Harry. Billie wants out but knows Harry won't let her go so easily. What to do? 

Judy starred in the Broadway version of this story and nailed it. Surprisingly, Judy was almost last on the list for playing Billie in the film, but it turned out in her favor. Judy won the Oscar for her part. 

Picture Of The Day

Buster and his mini me.

"The Philadelphia Story"

What happens when you combine Kat Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Stewart, and George Cukor? Amazingness, that's what! This 1940 film stars Katharine as a rich divorcee ready to remarry. Cary is her ex and he is out to make her day miserable. He gets reporter James and his photographer gal pal Elizabeth (played beautifully by Ruth Hussey) to act as friends of the family and get an inside look to this private bride's special day.

We learn right away that Cary and Kat were over!

Cary's plan seems like it is going to work until he confronts Kat and tells her the truth about who James and Ruth really are. She goes along with it though and welcomes them in.

As the family plans the wedding, which is going to be held the next day, they talk about Cary and why he has suddenly shown up! But after a while the act like they don't mind that the ex is around and even include him in the festivities!

The family puts on a show especially little sister Dinah who parades around like a fool to make a good headline for James and Ruth. After a while, father has had enough. He tells them they are on to their ploy and invite them to stay! Katharine is fine with this because we see her start to have some kind moments with James. Cue in the foreshadowing. As it happens, she is never with her groom, George!

As James and Katharine start to canoodle, she learns from her friends and family that maybe she is acting like a queen. This is taken not well by Kat and she gets into a quarrel with Cary, and James, and father. Kat blows off some steam by taking a swim. Cary swoops in with a gift...a replica of the boat they sailed on during their honeymoon. Cary is laying it on thick!

Let's just take a second and drool over Kat's fabulous dress. Designed by Adrian, and one of my favorite oh his creations, this gown steals the show!

As the night progresses, James and Kat get closer while she and hubby begin to grow apart. Lots of booze is consumed which results in some late night swimming and heavy petting. Fiancee George catches James and Kat in the act as Cary watches with enjoyment.

The next morning everyone is hungover and trying to recall the events of the night. Katharine must face her fiancee and explain her actions. The wedding is nearing and us viewers must watch as she decides who to marry! Her fiancee? Her ex husband? Her new reporter boyfriend? What to do?

Nothing says "bride" like a lace up cummerbund and prairie hat with ribbon!

Katharine had the rights to this film, given to her as a gift from beau Howard Hughes. She wanted Clark Gable to play Cary's role and Spencer Tracy to play James' role, without ever meeting either of them. This film was shot without any retakes (unusual) and there are some improve scenes where you can see Cary giggling and looking down, as he was having too much fun on set. Cary gave his salary from this film to the British War efforts, and James won the Academy Award for best supporting actor. 

Quote Of The Day

"Fame was thrilling only until it became grueling. Money was fun only until you ran out of things to buy."

-Gloria Swanson

Movie Star Houses: Then and Now

Once upon a time in La La Land, all movie stars lived in town, and thanks to the internet you can reminisce  at the homes of our favorite oldies. Times may have changed, but these gems are still standing, Let's take a tour!

Bette Davis' House

Built in 1929, Bette lived here only a short time (the woman liked to buy houses). Located in one of my favorite Los Angeles neighborhoods, Toluca Lake. 

9918 Toluca Lake Ave. Los Angeles

Gloria Swanson House

Built in 1926, Gloria loved to entertain here with oldie visitors such as Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Doris Day, and even President Nixon. It sold in 2009 for $3.2 million and was up for sale again in 2011 for 1.9 million. Times are tough.

Go see this fab Spanish style for yourself.

418 Cazador Lane, San Clemente

Marilyn Monroe's "Suicide" House

Why would you take a bunch of pills when you have such a fabulous backyard? This is the house where Norma Jean was found dead. Built in 1929 in cozy Brentwood, this house was listed in 2011 for 3.9 million. Not too shabby!

12305 5th Helena Drive, Los Angeles

Bing Crosby House

Bing and the fam lived here from 1936, when the house was built, until 1943 when they moved due to a fire that killed their dog and destroyed Bing's record collection. Bummer. 

Jean Harlow House

Miss Harlow lived in this Beverly Hills home during her "Hells Angeles" days and married Paul Bern in the living room. Built in 1929, this house is now owned by a doctor and it is rumored to be haunted but not sure by who. She was living in another house on Palm Drive at the time of her death. 

1353 Club View Drive, Los Angeles

Katharine Hepburn Connecticut Estate

In the Hepburn estate since 1913, this house went up for sale in 2011 for a fresh $28 million. Something about this house no longer being in this eccentric family makes me sad. Kat lived in this house until 2003 when she passed away. She even swam in the sound every morning rain, snow, or shine.

Judy Garland House

Judy lived in this house right after "Wizard of Oz" with her momma, grandmother, and sister. Built in 1938, this house which was just flipped and put back on the market for over $7 million, features 5 bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms. 

848 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles 

Lana Turner House

What a house! This is where Lana's daughter Cheryl stabbed Lana's boyfriend Johnny Stompanato to death. Some called it justifiable, some called it a conspiracy, but the house where all this went down is still around today (and looking beautiful!).

730 North Bedford, Los Angeles

These houses are all privately owned so no snooping allowed, but if you are in the area, a quick drive by never hurt!