1940's Remember the Night

One of my favorite Christmas movies is not as well known as classics like White Christmas, or It's a Wonderful Life, but full of sentiment just the same. Starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray in their first of four pairings, Remember the Night follows John Sargent (MacMurray) and Lee Leander (Stanwyck) on an unlikely journey considering their circumstances. 

Lee is in trouble for stealing some jewels. She tries to make a run for it, but gets caught in the chase. She winds up in court with a wacky defender and John as the prosecutor. After a feeble attempt to acquit her, the judge orders the court to resume after Christmas leaving Lee stuck in the slammer. John has a soft spot and makes her bail so she won't be locked up over the holidays. 

Before John knows it, Lee is out on bail and in his apartment!  This puts a stick in John's spokes as he plans to take a road trip to visit his mother for Christmas. Lee doesn't have anywhere to go, and even after suggesting she go back to jail, John decides to buy her dinner and think of a solution.  He takes her to a swanky place with draped walls and chandeliers courtesy of interior decorator, A.E. Freudeman. Lee explains why she steals, they realize they are from the same place, and John decides to give her lift to her mother's house along the way. 

As their journey begins they end up in cow pasture, and get taken in for trespassing and stealing milk. After some quick thinking by Lee they are back on the road - but as fugitives! They reluctantly stop by Lee's mother's house. John learns that Lee's mother is still upset about her actions and shows no love by their impromptu visit. Feeling pity for Lee yet again, he decides to take her to his family's house for Christmas.

Lee is falling for John but knows that with her reputation she would not be a good fit for him. She is proud of his accomplishments as a lawyer and doesn't want to jeopardize his career. Once they arrive at the family home, she is welcomed and adored, even after hearing about her legal situation. The family celebrates the holiday together and John starts to have affections for Lee. They leave for New York by route of Canada as to avoid the cops from the farm fiasco. They spend a night at Niagara Falls and it's clear the two are "falling" for each other.  John suggests they skip town and run away together. Lee wants to go back to NYC and set things straight. 

Once back to the city Lee's trial resumes. John tries to do a lousy job so Lee will get off. Lee, knowing John is too good and decent for her, decides to plead guilty. You'll have to watch to see what transpires in the end, but this film does not have your your typical happy ending, especially for a Christmas film. I happen to love the ending as it is both romantic and realistic. 

This film was written by Preston Sturges who would continue to succeed at his craft with screenplays for The Palm Beach Story, Sullivan's Travels, and one of my favorites, The Lady Eve, of which also stars Stanwyck. It's important to note the film has a racial stereotyped character named Rufus played by Fred Toones. Toones's career included 225 credits, and most of his acting consisted of roles playing janitors, cooks, servants, and bellhops, which was typical for the times. Toones acted in six Oscar nominated films including Imitation of Life, 1937's A Star is Born, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. When he wasn't on set, Fred ran the shoe shining stand on the lot when he was contracted with Republic Pictures.  

Sturges became pals with Stanwyck during production and told her he would write a film just for her, which turned out to be The Lady Eve. He was so unhappy with the decisions made by director Mitchell Leisen on this film that he decided to direct his screenplays going forward. He started a brief production company with one of my favorite players, Howard Hughes, called California Pictures. This ended shortly after it started due to production disagreements and Howard being, well, Howard. Soon after, Hughes would buy RKO Pictures. 

A Closer Look At Edwin B. Willis

If you read the credits to any MGM film, you are bound to see the regulars; Cedric Gibbons, Arthur Freed, Adrian. Keep looking, and one of these titles belongs to Edwin B. Willis. With over 600 films under his belt and one of the busiest set designers for M-G-M during it's heyday, Willis decorated the sets of some of Hollywood's top films. 

The Women 1939

Set designers work with production designers, art directors, and prop masters to select anything that goes onto the set such as curtains, paint colors, decor, and lighting. You can get a good sense of Edwin's vision just by watching a few of his films. He is definitely my favorite set decorator.  

Laddies Who Meet 1941

Thrill of a Romance 1945

There isn't loads of information about the (mainly) men who did this line of work back in the day. It's a shame since the outcome of a set decorator can make or break a scene. Imagine Wizard of Oz's Munchkinland without that swirly golden yellow path and raffia topped houses. This master of a film was one of 46 films Edwin worked on just that year! The Shop Around the Corner wouldn't have its ruffled curtain windows and Christmas decor, nor would Donald O'Connor be able to make us laugh in Singin' In the Rain without that infamous bottom fringed green couch.

The Long, Long Trailer 1953

Edwin Booth Willis was born on January 28, 1893 in Illinois. He worked mainly for M-G-M throughout his career. He was married and divorced and had one child. He was nominated for 32 Academy Awards, and won eight, most notably for art direction on films like Gaslight, The Yearling, Little Women, and The Bad and the Beautiful. His older sister Verna was a film editor during the silent era. He died of cancer in

Hollywood in 1963.

Designing Women 1957

While Cedric Gibbons lead the team for M-G-M that made these images on screen a reality, Edwin contributed color, texture, and style that kept the studio on top for decades. His use of muted colors, stone work, and drapery could either give a set opulence, such as the glass bathtub with back lit perfume shelves in The Women,  or a down to earth homey feel like a grey and pastel yellow living room for two in the Long, Long Trailer. The best way to enjoy his work is to see it for yourself. You are sure to want more! 

1939 Lady of the Tropics

From the house of MGM comes 1939's Lady of the Tropics. Starring Hedy Lamarr in her first picture as a contract player, following her success in Algiers and co-starring Robert Taylor and Joseph Schildkraut.  Filmed on location in Cambodia, as well as the MGM lot, this film gave Hedy Lamarr the opportunity to spread her wings where she would go on to be a top player for the studio. The film is full of eye candy, from the sets decorated by MGM's leading decorator Edwin B. Willis and gowns by Adrian. 

Lamarr plays Manon, her beauty stemming from her Asian mother and French father. She is stuck in Saigon in more than one way. Manon is struggling with who she is, and feels moving to France is the answer. Problem is, she isn't allowed to leave Saigon due to her background and must rely on Pierre (Schildkraut), who's influence forces her to seem interested in his advances. 

Robert Taylor plays Bill, a man on the prowl and winds up catching a glimpse of Manon. After an awkward dance and a charming scene where Manon helps Bill shop, the desire to marry a woman of riches goes out the window. Bill and Manon marry, with Bill under the impression that his pals back in the states can pull some strings to get his new bride back home. Unfortunately, his friends think Bill is crazy for marrying a woman who is mixed race, and his attempts to leave Saigon are stalled. 

      

Manon encourages Bill to get a job, and while he is away Manon continues to pal around with Pierre in hopes of moving forward with papers so that she and Bill can go to America. Bill comes home to discover Manon had spent time with her old beau and when confronted, she lies. This leads to an epic fight where Bill eventually leaves Manon feeling guilty for lying to the man she loves. Figuring this feud is enough to end their marriage, she takes irreversible actions into her own hands that backfire when she learns Bill still wants her. 

Although this film wasn't a huge success, it did ignite Hedy's career for MGM. Robert Taylor's stardom was already high, and although he wasn't fond of the script, he took the role to help boost Lamarr, knowing she would be a star after the film premiered. Efforts made by Adrian are visually stunning, with gowns and hats adding beauty to the cinematography of George J. Fosley who later would go on to gain recognition (and several Oscar nominations) for films like Meet Me in St. Louis, and Million Dollar Mermaid. In her personal life, Hedy had already met composer George Atelier at a party, but their plan to invent a frequency hopping device to deter enemy torpedoes had yet to come into fruition.

It's A Return!

Hello there! Well here I am, ten years later. Much has changed in a decade. My husband and I moved to the country, we made new friends, and created new memories. We rescued a cat named whom we affectionately named Hedy after Ms. Lamarr. Technology has advanced, knowledge has been gained. During this time one thing has remained strong. My love for old films. From reading biographies, repeat watching old favorites, and discovered new films, actors, and filmmakers, the affair has continued! I hope to keep my hand in my passion and give me an outlet to share and learn more about this magical time in history. As Norma Desmond would say, it's not a comeback, it's a return! Let's have some fun!

                                                 

Picture Of The Day

Just Carole Lombard in her jammies jumping over a fence!

A Closer Look At...

....Ralph Bellamy

Born in 1904 in Chicago

Ran away at 17 to join a band of Shakespearean players

Became an acclaimed theater actor before jumping to film

Helped found the Screen Actor's Guild and served as president

Helped found and rally the Actor's Equity, which helped actors during the black listing years

Was married four times, three ending in divorce

Famous for the roles in movies such as, "The Awful Truth", "Carefree", "His Girl Friday", and "Rosemary's Baby". Who can forget his awesome performance in "Trading Places" with co-star Don Ameche?

Played many types of characters but set the standards for the "push over" type. He lost his gal in movies to the likes of Cary Grant and Fred Astaire.

Owned his own stock company for four years called the "Ralph Bellamy Players" 

Died at the age of 87 in Santa Monica

Thrill Of A Romance

Will I ever tire of Esther William's? Once I think I have seen all of her films, another one sneaks in and I am happily taken away to the land of technicolor.

In Thrill Of A Romance, Esther plays Cynthia, a swimming instructor who falls for a handsome rich guy who gives no indication in the 20 hours they court that he has time to be married. Things seem swell, so they get hitched and off they go on their honeymoon.

Why didn't I think to wear a khaki wrap dress with a leopard print scarf belt on my honeymoon?! And I seriously want this wallpaper in my bedroom.

 It's their wedding night and the newly minted husband gets a call to work and takes it! Esther is left alone on vay-cay as hubby of the year promises to come back soon.

Bummed out, Esther takes to where else - the pool! Here she meets stylish Maude, who's father just happens to be her newlywed's boss. They strike up a friendship and Esther helps Maude search for a man. 

Can we take a minute here to soak this set in? The swirly blue pool deck, the tasseled umbrellas, multicolored lounge chairs, vintage pony pool toys...and check out those tie up sandals! 

*Swoon*

Before the night is over Esther finds herself crying on her balcony and roaming the grounds where she meets hunky war vet Thomas played by Van Johnson. 

Esther gives him the scoop on her awesome marriage situation and he is pitifully in love. Lucky for him, there is plenty of time for the two to hang out, as Esther's husband is kept away on business much longer than expected. 

Esther doesn't want to fall in love with someone else, she'd rather be happy with man #1. But after a week of someone of the opposite sex giving her attention she falls hard. Now what to do about the loser hubby who btw only calls her like twice and can't understand why Esther is so peeved!?

Van is thinking...How can I swoop in and make this my honeymoon?

Esther and Van go on a walk when they get lost in the forest and are forced to spend more time together than expected after dark only to find out Esther's husband has returned and is looking for her!

This film is full of swimming, bathing suits, bright colors, and Esther being cute. I loved it! There is also a beefy part for Tommy Dorsey and his famous band, including a cameo by his talented daughter who rocks out on the piano.