In Love With "Now, Voyager"

I think it is safe to say that if you have not viewed "Now, Voyager" you should not consider yourself an oldie film nerd. Too harsh? Maybe this last statement will motivate those who have not seen Bette in her biggest box office draw into watching this spectacular film, and one of my top five faves.

You want romance? This is the film. Bette starts out as a total hag with a serious uni brow. She lives with her beyond strict and super mean mother. Bette has been told her whole life that she was not planned and is a bad egg.

Bette's sister-in-law arranges a head doctor to come visit Bette and see what can be done. He realizes the mother is nuts and that Bette is very crafty. He orders her to a stay at his mental institution. Bette just wants out of the house.

After her stay, sister-in-law and doctor think it is best if Bette goes on holiday. She jumps on a ship and is told by her beloved doctor to "try everything, and be open to everyone".

Along with couch lying comes a makeover, and Bette is introduced to a single traveler who needs a partner for the day. She takes the doctor's advice and says yes. Cue in (Jerry) Paul Henreid. Before I go on, I must say that at first, I wasn't too into him. Ehh, I thought the first time I saw this picture. This changes about 10 minutes after he is on screen. The chemistry between these two is strong! 

The two become friends and Bette learns Jerry is married and has two children. One of his daughters is miserable and her story greatly resembles Bette's before the makeover.

On an shore day adventure, Bette and Jerry get stuck in the woods after a minor car crash. They spend the night in a shack and Jerry realizes how he feels about her. 

Soon Bette meets his on-board friends and learns that Jerry's wife is a rag and that he is hiself miserable. Jerry learns about Bette's past and is OK with her mental issues.

It is time for Jerry to leave, and neither can bare it. They plan to just say goodbye and never see each other again, oh the agony!

Bette goes home to see her mother. She briefly tells her off, but is still under her harsh ways. Bette gets engaged to a nice but boring guy, but she still wants Jerry.

Bette decides to dump her beau and mother gets so upset she croaks. Bette decides to return to the loony bin for some rest.

 When she returns to the bin, she meets *gasp* Jerry's daughter. She is also unwanted by her mother and is there to get help. Bette takes her under her wing and they become fast friends. They even go camping. Jerry knows about this set up and is fine with it. 

In the end, Jerry must decide what to do about his daughter, and his great love, Bette. The most romantic thing about this film is the many times Jerry lights a cigarette for Bette. I usually would not promote or enjoy the cancer stick scenes, but these are so cute. He puts two in his mouth, lights them, then gives one to her, all without even asking her if she wants one.

This film is considered Bette's best work, and I would agree. Paul would finish shooting on this film and start filming for "Casablanca" the next morning. Talk about dedication! The boyfriend and I agree the, 'The End' title with the back of the ship was a nice touch.

When They Were Kids

Not all actors are born stars. They are actually born as little tykes, just like us. Let's take a look, in fact let's make a game of it. Try to guess who these future famous oldies are. The answers are at the bottom. 

No peeking!

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14

Now for the answers!

#1: Vivian Mary Hartley aka Vivien Leigh

#2:James Maitland Stewart aka Jimmy Stewart

#3: Betty Joan Perske aka Lauren Bacall

#4:Gretchen Michaela Young aka Loretta Young

#5:William Clark Gable aka Clark Gable

#6:Reginald Carey Harrison aka Rex Harrison

#7:Lucille Fay LeSueur aka Joan Crawford

#8:Audrey Kathleen Ruston aka Audrey Hepburn

#9:Elizabeth Ruth Grable aka Betty Grable

#10:Elizabeth Rosamund Taylor aka Elizabeth Taylor

#11:Gene Eliza Tierney aka Gene Tierney

#12:Ruth Elizabeth Davis aka Bette Davis

#13:Archibald Leach aka Cary Grant

#14:Rosalind Russell 

Well, how did you do?

"Stage Door"

I was super excited to watch this picture. Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn, and Lucille Ball all together in one film. Oh what fun!

We fade in to the theater boarding house, "The Footlights Club". It resembles an episode of America's Next Top Model. Girls are arguing, accusing each other of stealing, talking over one another and pissing each other off. We learn that these girls work hard trying to land theater gigs, but have very little luck, and not much dough either.

In walks Terry, aka Katharine Hepburn. She's rich and very optimistic. Instantly the girls are caddy as Terry asks for a room and puts fifty bucks out as a down payment. She is roomed with witty Jean, Miss Ginger Rogers. They instantly don't care for each other.

Terry is jazzed that she gets to live in a poor house with "atmosphere" and Jean is just annoyed she has a roomie. They talk in bed while wearing shades because of the giant blinking sign out their window.

Notice Jean's creepy doll.

As Terry and Jean slowly become friends, we meet Kay, the best actress in the house who can't get a job and is in some serious need for some Zoloft. She really, really wants the roll in the new play being put on by womanizer and theater head Mr. Powell. He is busy "taking care" of another lady in the house, but spots Jean when rehearsing. 

Ann Miller lied about her age to work on this film. Here she is at 14 and is defiantly keeping up with Ginger! 

Jean is not interested, but realizes she wants him after he persuades her to go out. Lucille Ball keeps dating losers so she can get a good dinner away from the Footlights Club.

Terry meets with her rich dad who tries to talk her out of all this theater nonsense. She wants to do it with or without him. He wants her to fail so she will come home. (Way to be supportive!) Kay has a chance to read for a role but Mr. Powell cancels on her. He has moved on to Terry as his latest fling and she just wants a part in the theater.

She gets the roll which makes Kay go nuts. They throw her a birthday party, but she is so sad she does a 'Norma Desmond' like act up the stairs and looses it.

Look at those crazy eyes!

 Terry is upset about Kay but the show must go on and she gets ready for opening night.

The show is a success and we see just how great an actress Terry is (and Katharine). This film is so cute. The costumes are adorable thanks to first time costume designer, Muriel King. 

There is some cute dance numbers and the girls really work well together. Lucille Ball considered this her big break film and Katharine Hepburn was just glad nobody mentioned "box office poison" during production. Her role was made bigger because she was so good and she also got top billing with Ginger.