SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND

SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND: The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)


The Strange Love of Martha Ivers is an above average film noir starring Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin, Lizabeth Scott and, in his film debut, Kirk Douglas. Douglas and Van Heflin are both quite good and Stanwyck plays the cold, stiff type she plays so well in a tale about murder, power with more than a few interesting twists.




Watch the entire movie on YouTube here or download it for free from archive.org!

BORN TODAY

BORN TODAY: Claudette Colbert (1903 - 1996)

In the 30's French-born Claudette Colbert was the highest-paid movie actress. Her most famous role was opposite Clark Gable in It Happened One Night (1934), for which she won an Academy Award. That same year she also starred in Cecil B. DeMille's version of Cleopatra.
Continuing a very succesful decade throughout the forties, she made the switch to television and Broadway in the fifties.
An imagined imperfection made her insist the right side of her face was never filmed and disliked being filmed in colour because she believed she didn't photograph well in it.
She was the queen of screwball comedies, though she always maintained an air of elegance and didn't indulge in physical comedy. Her personal sense of style and fashion made her one of the most glamorous stars from the golden age of Hollywood.

Quotes:
"It matters more what's in a woman's face than what's on it."

"If I couldn't laugh, I'd rather die."

"I know what's best for me, after all I have been in the Claudette Colbert business longer than anybody."









with John Wayne

A scene from The Sign of the Cross (1932) as Poppea, enjoying a donkey milk bath:

SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND

SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND: Too Late For Tears (1949)



In the mood for a good film noir? Here's a gem from 1949 starring Lizabeth Scott, Dan Duryea and Don DeFore. By coincidence, Jane and Alan Palmer get hold of a sum of money that belongs to some gangsters. Alan wants to get rid of the money but Jane does not. It's a simple story which soon gets more complicated. Lizabeth Scott was not the world's best actress but she does OK here. Dan Duryea is always very watchable. Directed by Byron Haskin, who created the special effects for many well-known movies.  Other titles he directed include The War of the Worlds (1953), The Boss (1956), I Walk Alone (1948) and, one of my personal favourites, Conquest of Space (1955).



Watch the entire movie on YouTube:

BORN TODAY

BORN TODAY: Max Schreck (1879 - 1936)
An accomplished actor of stage and screen, Schreck will forever be associated with the one role that made him immortal: Count Orlok in the silent Nosferatu (1922). A thinly-veiled copy of the famous Dracula story, Nosferatu follows more or less the same story line as Bram Stoker's novel. But with Count Orlok Schreck created a unique vampire that, once seen, can never be forgotten.



The film Shadow of the Vampire (2000) portrays Schreck as he was working on Nosferatu, the twist being that he was supposed to be a real vampire, brilliantly portayed by Willem Dafoe.
Nosferatu was remade by Werner Herzog with Klaus Kinski in the role of Count Dracula (this time there was no need for pseudonyms)in 1979, a film with its own merits though it never eclipses the horrific original.
Why not celebrate Schreck's birthday by watching the entire Nosferatu on YouTube? Leave a light on when you go to bed though...

WATCH NOSFERATU

YOUTUBE IS NOT JUST FOR WATCHING FUNNY CATS

YouTube is not just for watching funny cats - though admittedly those cats are very entertaining. Did you know there are some true gems hidden among the footage of people falling down and 'remixes' of politicians' speeches?
Take this for example: The FULL version of Alfred Hitchcock's Rope (1948)! It's always been one of my personal favourite films by old Hitch (my top pick would be Lifeboat).
The quality here is perfectly watchable. So bookmark this and watch it on a Sunday afternoon with a drink and one of those funny YouTube cats on your lap!

BORN TODAY

BORN TODAY: George Montgomery (1916 - 2000)



The tall, chiselled George Montgomery was an actor for whom the expression 'ruggedly handsome' seemed to be invented. Starring in over eighty films, he was mostly cast as sidekick in numerous westerns. The more prominent titles from the long list of his movies include The Lone Ranger (1938), China Girl (1942), Orchestra Wives (1942), Davy Crockett, Indian Scout (1950) and Battle of the Bulge (1965). He almost always did his own stunts, as he had started out as a stuntman before becoming an actor.

George was also an accomplished artist, creating many sculptures of his famous collegues, as well as being a talented cabinet- and furniture maker, resulting in a lasting business that he ran for over forty years. Later he even branched out into home design and building.

He was married to Dinah Shore in the years 1943 to 1963.
Below is an entertaining video in which George Montgomery and Dinah Shore appear as the Mystery Guests on What's My Line?

SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (1951)
"What a joy! It's M-G-M's Technicolor musical!"

Directed by Vincente Minnelli
Starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron


To coincide with Gene Kelly's 100th birthday this week, our first Something for the Weekend features An American In Paris, the 1951 movie musical.

Inspired by the 1928 composition by Gershwin, the plot isn't that interesting or relevant. What makes this film a classic are the iconic songs and dance routines. Tunes like I Got Rhythm, I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise, Our Love is Here to Stay and 'S Wonderful are all from this film, as is the aforementioned Gershwin composition as a spectacular 16-minute dance finale.

An American In Paris won six Oscars, including the one for Best Picture. Cyd Charisse was set to play the female lead until she discovered she was pregnant and newcomer Leslie Caron took her place. Gene Kelly, though he's not credited as such, actually directed many of the dance sequences himself.

Watch the trailer and get in the mood for something musical for the weekend!

Tired Old Queen at the Movies

Steve Hayes loves his classic Hollywood movies. In fact, he adores them. It's his enthusiasm and his deep knowledge of all things vintage Hollywood that makes you want to watch the movie he's just been talking about.
His YouTube page Tired Old Queen at the Movies has tons of reviews of classic movies, generously peppered with Steve's witty remarks and outrageous impressions. Look up his review of your favourite movie or just browse them all for inspiration for your next movie night at home. A must for any classic movie fan!