Movies I Watched in July & Visiting Gary Cooper's Grave

Another light movie month as I went on vacation. And then my cousin introduced me to Chuck (2007-2012).

1. Annapolis Salute (1937) - Marsha Hunt, Van Heflin
2. A Damsel in Distress (1937) - Fred Astaire & Joan Fontaine, George Burns & Gracie Allen
3. Petticoat Larceny (1943) - Joan Carroll
4. Four Jill’s in a Jeep (1943) - Carole Landis, Kay Francis
5. The Mask of Dimitrios (1944) - Sidney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Faye Emerson 
6. Merton of the Movies (1947) - Red Skelton & Virginia O'Brien, Gloria Grahame
7. The Inside Story (1948) - Marsha Hunt
8. The Man Who Cheated Himself (1951) - Lee J. Cobb & Jane Wyatt
9. Dangerous When Wet (1953) - Esther Williams & Fernando Lamas, Jack Carson
10. The Girl He Left Behind (1956) -Tab Hunter & Natalie Wood, James Garner
11. Zero Hour! (1957) - Dana Andrews & Linda Darnell
12. The Honeymoon Machine (1961) - Steve McQueen, Jim Hutton & Paula Prentiss, Dean Jagger
13. The Horizontal Lieutenant (1962) - Jim Hutton & Paula Prentiss
14. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - Harrison Ford & Karen Allen
15. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) - Harrison Ford
16. Thor (2011) - Chris Hemsworth & Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston
17. Thor: The Dark World (2013) - Chris Hemsworth & Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston
18. Thor: Ragnarok (2017) - Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo 

Least Favorite Movie: There were several movies that, while not unwatchable, were not exactly amazing experiences. They were just ok.

Favorite Movie: The Man Who Cheated Himself (1950) had a bit of a slow start but an exciting finish. The on-location shooting really added to the atmosphere of the film and it was nice to see Lee J. Cobb in a leading man role instead of playing somebody's father. I also enjoyed the first Indiana Jones movie (I'd only seen the snake pit part before - I have also already seen the Holy Grail one) and the Thor Trilogy (I'm not really a comic book movie person. If Hollywood stopped making them I wouldn't be upset at all).

Full movie - not great quality though

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I visited my aunt on Long Island and while I was there I drove out to Montauk Lighthouse. On my way back I stopped by Gary Cooper's grave at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Cemetery in Southampton. He was moved there from Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California when his wife remarried in 1974 and moved to New York. Here is the  Find a Grave entry.

Here's the coordinates so you can see exactly where his grave is located within the cemetery.

I picked a couple flowers off his grave to press. Someone else had left a nickel on his grave so I left a dime. It seemed the most appropriate coin since he played characters affected by the Great Depression and one of the popular songs of the time was "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?"

 

I felt kind of weird taking a selfie but I was by myself and if I didn't take one was I even there??

The Dark Mirror (1946)

 

Twins! One who loves, and one who loves to kill!

That's one of the taglines used for The Dark Mirror starring Olivia de Havilland, Lew Ayres, and Thomas Mitchell. The film was, to me, reminiscent of Gaslight (1944), where Charles Boyer slowly drives his wife, Ingrid Bergman, to insanity. In this case however, one twin is slowly driving the other twin crazy. I found this film particularly intriguing as one is not used to seeing the sweet Olivia de Havilland acting so evil and ruthless.

The ink blot test plays a big part in the film.

She plays twins Terry and Ruth Collins. One of them murdered someone. Both have perfect alibis. One is psycho. The other is slowly being made psycho. There are several scenes involving psychology, as the film was made in a time where psychoanalysis was a new field. There are several scenes involving the Rorschach ink blot test and it is even used in the opening credits. The twins are told this is for a twin personality study, but really they are trying to determine which one is the killer.

Terry and Ruth wear lots of personalized jewelry to help others tell them apart. The pieces from the film, which were created by Joseff of Hollywood, were auctioned off last year and can be seen in the catalog pages below.

Meanwhile, the evil twin (Terry) is driving the good twin (Ruth) out of her mind slowly. She plays music on a record during the night and pretends not to hear it or remind her of things that one of them said that she doesn't remember. This causes the Ruth to start to lose her grip and wonder if  she maybe didn't commit the murder after all. She also begins to rely on sleeping pills to get a good night's rest, taking more than she needs at her sister's suggestion.

Ayres plays Dr. Scott Elliot. While conducting the tests on the twins, he falls in love with Ruth. After he has completed the tests, he knows which one is the killer and sets a trap. He invites Terry up to his apartment to tell her something "important" (the identity of the killer). He makes Terry believe that he thinks she is Ruth. When Terry comes to his apartment, he confronts her and tells her that he knows she's Terry and that she did it. She still tries to blame it on Ruth. They are interrupted by a call that Ruth has committed suicide. They rush to the apartment and Scott goes into the bedroom to confirm the death. Terry, thinking that Ruth is dead, now pretends that she is Ruth and that she was trying to help cover up Terry's crime. As she talks, she becomes more and more into her lie. Suddenly, the real Ruth's reflection appears in the mirror. Terry throws an object at the mirror and completely breaks down. After she is taken away, Scott explains why the had to pretend she was dead and comforts her.

You can watch the full movie here on YouTube.

This post is for The Third Annual Olivia de Havilland Blogathon hosted by myself and In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood. Please check out the other posts and come back next year to celebrate the lovely Olivia!

The Third Annual Olivia de Havilland Blogathon is Here!!!

It's here!! The Third Annual Olivia de Havilland Blogathon is here!!! It's smaller than the previous two celebrations but that doesn't make it any less special. Crystal and I are excited to be hosting this event again and can't wait to read all the entries celebrating the amazing and beautiful Dame Olivia!!!

THE POSTS

"I do hope people don't think I'm really like this..."

The Wonderful World of Cinema kicks things off with The Snake Pit (1948).

"I wonder if there will be a remake of this...?"

The Stop Button gives us an analysis of what does and doesn't work in My Cousin Rachel (1952).

"Don't be so angry, Bette. There's an annual blogathon for you too!"

Musings of a Classic Film Addict discovers In This Our Life (1942).

"So wait.. which one of us is real?"

I cover Olivia's duel role in The Dark Mirror (1946).

"I don't always make TV movies, but when I do I still look fabulous."

Realweegiemidget Reviews takes a look at one of Olivia's TV Movies, Murder is Easy (1982).

"I'm no angel?"

The Dream Book Blog finds Olivia to be no angel as famous author Charlotte Bronte in Devotion (1946).

"Next years' blogathon seems so far away!"

Caftan Woman sees Olivia de Havilland come full circle from her early Westerns in The Proud Rebel (1958).

"Just because you don't get the guy doesn't mean you can't look fabulous!"

Pure Entertainment Preservation Society looks at The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) from a historical and code perspective.

"I just love blogathons, don't you?"

Taking Up Room discovers a different side of  Olivia in It's Love I'm After (1937).

"Hello? 2018?"

Critica Retro finds Hold Back the Dawn (1941) to be a timely film.

"I'm not always window dressing!"

Movies Meet Their Match finds a deeper meaning in Santa Fe Trail (1940).

Old Hollywood Films wraps things up with The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936).

A huge thank you to all who helped celebrate and to Crystal for once again co-hosting this event with me!!! I hope to see you all again next year!!

Movies I Watched in June

We canceled our Netflix this month so I spent a lot of time finishing up some tv shows and documentaries. I also finished a film series this month, the Andy Hardy series! And watched a movie from this year!! *gasp!* I rarely watch a film the same year it's released lol.

1. Harold Lloyd shorts (1917-1919) - Harold Lloyd & Bebe Daniels, Snub Pollard
2. A Woman's Face (1938 - Swedish) - Ingrid Bergman
3. Father Takes a Wife (1941) - Adolph Menjou & Gloria Swanson 
4. Moon Over Miami (1941) - Betty Grable & Don Ameche, Robert Cummings & Carole Landis
5. Bathing Beauty (1944) - Esther Williams & Red Skelton 
6. Uncertain Glory (1944) - Errol Flynn, Faye Emerson 
7. Three Strangers (1946) - Geraldine FitzGerald, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre
8. Fiesta (1947) - Esther Williams, Ricardo Montalbon, Mary Astor
9. The Clay Pigeon (1949) - Bill Williams & Barbara Hale
10. Callaway Went Thataway (1951) - Howard Keel, Fred MacMurrey, Dorothy McGuire 
11. Anastasia (1956) - Ingrid Bergman & Yul Brenner, Helen Hayes
12. Andy Hardy Comes Home (1958) - Mickey Rooney, Faye Holden, Sara Haden, Cecilia Parker
13. A Global Affair (1964) - Bob Hope
14. The Double Man (1967) - Yul Brenner
15. The Devil’s Brigade (1968) - William Holden, Cliff Robertson 
16. Tomb Raider (2018) - Alicia Vikander 

This is Bob Hope (2017)

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2017)

 

Bill Williams and Barbara Hale in The Clay Pigeon. They were married in real life.

ANNOUNCING The Fred MacMurray Blogathon!!!

Fred MacMurray had one of the most diverse film careers in Hollywood. Screwball in the 30s, Noir and War films in the 40s, Westerns in the 50s, Disney and Television in the 60s, the man did it all. He also had an impressive list of leading ladies: Carole Lombard, Barbara Stanwyck, Katharine Hepburn, Claudette Colbert, Jean Arthur, and Madeleine Carroll to name a few. For quite some time I've been wanting to host a blogathon celebrating his incredible career and this year I've finally decided to do it.

The Blogathon will start on August 30th, our honoree's birthday, and conclude on September 1. Topics may cover any aspect of his career. Since MacMurray has such a huge amount of credits to his name I'm asking for no duplicates. You can view his filmography here.

Once you've decided on a topic, please drop a comment below with your choice, blog title, and blog link. Share one of these banners on your site and you're done!

I can't wait to see what everyone chooses and I look forward to celebrating this truly versatile yet underappreciated actor with you all!

 

ROSTER:

Phyllis Loves Classic Movies: Life Story & A Millionaire for Christie (1951)
In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood: Fred MacMurray and Carole Lombard
Caftan Woman: There’s Always Tomorrow (1955)
Widescreen World: Too Many Husbands (1940)
Love Letters to Old Hollywood: Murder, He Says (1945)
Realweegiemidget Reviews: The Apartment (1960)
Hamlette’s Soliloquy: Good Day for a Hanging (1959)
Back to Golden Days: The Collaborations of Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert
Critica Retro: The Collaborations of Fred MacMurray and Billy Wilder
The Midnite Drive-In: The Caine Mutiny (1954)
The Flapper Dame: The Princess Comes Across (1936)
Silver Screenings: Swing High, Swing Low (1937)
The Story Enthusiast: The Happiest Millionaire (1967)
Taking Up Room: Double Indemnity (1944)
The Stop Button: Pushover (1954)
Top 10 Film Lists: Remember the Night (1940)
Alex Windley: The Forest Rangers (1942)

***If you want your blog linked please make sure to include it in your comment. A lot of your names bring me to a Google+ profile and your blog isn't always linked, which means I have to Google your name/blog for a link.***

P.S. I'm not able to comment on my own blog again...

ANNOUNCING The Third Annual Olivia de Havilland Blogathon!!!

Okay, so I know I am announcing this way late but I couldn't motivate myself to make banners and then I had a funeral to sing at, a cold, and a heat rash. But I'm all good now and happy to announce that once again Crystal of In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood and I are hosting the Third Annual Olivia de Havilland Blogathon.

RULES:

Drop us a comment letting us know which movie or topic you want (no duplicates please) and the link to your blog. It would also be great if you could display one of the banners of your blog to help advertise. That's it! Check out the roster below to see which topics have already been claimed.

Don't you just love these recent photos of our beloved Olivia?

ROSTER:

Phyllis Loves Classic Movies: The Dark Mirror (1946)
In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood: The Heiress (1949) & TBD
Realweegiemidget Reviews: Murder Is Easy (1982)
The Stop Button: My Cousin Rachel (1952)
Caftan Woman: The Proud Rebel (1958)
Movies Meet Their Match: Santa Fe Trail (1940)

The Dream Book Blog: Devotion (1946)

The Wonderful World Of Cinema: The Snake Pit (1948)

Old Hollywood Films:  The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936)

Critica Retro: Hold Back the Dawn (1941)

Taking Up Room: It’s Love I’m After (1937)
Musings of a Classic Film Addict: In This Our Life (1942) & possible recipe post
Pure Entertainment Preservation Society: The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)

Thanks for joining!!

Movies I Watched in May

This month was another light movie month. I've started watching Our Miss Brooks on Decades TV, which is five episodes a week.

* means a rewatch

1. Blonde Venus (1932) - Marlene Dietrich, Herbert Marshall, Cary Grant, Dickie Moore
2. Angel (1937) - Marlene Dietrich, Melvyn Douglas, Herbert Marshall 
3. Having Wonderful Time (1938) - Ginger Rogers & Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Eve Arden, Jack Carson
4. Four Wives (1939) - Lane sisters, Claude Rains, Eddie Albert
5. Secret Enemies (1942) - Craig Stevens, Faye Emerson
6. Andy Hardy Leads a Double Life (1942) - Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Ann Rutherford, Esther Williams
7. Ladies Day (1943) - Eddie Albert & Lupe Velez, Patsy Kelly
8. Sabotage Agent (1943) - Robert Donat, Glynis Johns (also known as The Adventures of Tartu)
9. My Reputation (1944/46) - Barbara Stanwyck & George Brent, Eve Arden
10. Mildred Pierce (1945) - Joan Crawford, Anne Blyth, Jack Carson, Eve Arden
11. Whiplash (1948) - Dane Clark & Alexis Smith, Zachary Scott, Eve Arden, S.Z. Sakall
12. The Winslow Boy (1948) - Robert Donat
13. To Please a Lady (1950) - Clark Gable & Barbara Stanwyck, Adolph Menjou 
14. *Battle Cry (1955) - Van Heflin, James Whitmore, Aldo Ray, Nancy Olson, Tab Hunter, Dorothy Malone, Anne Francis
15. The Inn of Sixth Happiness (1958) - Ingrid Bergman, Robert Donat
16. Cash McCall (1960) - James Garner & Natalie Wood, Dean Jagger
17. Murder at the Gallop (1963) - Margaret Rutherford, Flora Robson
18. Murder Ahoy! (1964) - Margaret Rutherford
19. *Support Your Local Sheriff (1969) - James Garner
20. Volunteers (1985) - Tom Hanks, John Candy, Rita Wilson

Least Favorite Movie: I'm going to go the unpopular way and say Mildred Pierce. Don't get me wrong, the performances were top notch but I just didn't like the story. Veda made me angry and I like movies to leave me in a good mood. Cash McCall was kind of bland.

Favorite Movie: Sabotage Agent was really good. I'm trying to watch all of Robert Donat's movies, as he only made 19. Also Glynis Johns, a fave of mine, was absolutely amazing in it. I highly recommend it. It's on YouTube I believe.