My Journey with Olivia

My favorite photo of Olivia

Everyone's journey with Olivia de Havilland starts somewhere. For most it's her role as Melanie in Gone With the Wind (1939). Mine began when I was little. My dad was watching The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) on the old square tv. It was the scene where Robin Hood visits Maid Marion in her castle room. I wasn't much on the guy at the time - I've never been a fan of long hair on men - but Maid Marion, with her shining brown eyes, long thick braids, and shimmering blue dress definitely left a mark on me. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and I wished I looked just like her.

In the years following (and pre-internet at my house), I wondered what version of Robin Hood my dad had been watching and who that lady was who played Maid Marion so well (even better than the fox Maid Marion in my favorite Disney film).

Fast-forward to the year 2012. I was watching You've Got Mail on dvd for the first time (after seeing it countless times on television - though usually it was just the ending). After it was over, and with "Over the Rainbow" still playing in my head, I checked out the special features. One of them was titled "You've Got Chemistry" and it introduced me to many on-screen couples I would soon come to know and love. I already knew and loved Mickey and Judy (and of course Hanks and Ryan from the feature film). New-to-me couples included Bogie and Bacall, Powell and Loy, and lastly Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn. As I watched clips from their eight films together, scenes from their most famous pairing in The Adventures of Robin Hood let me know that I had finally found my childhood Maid Marion.

Over the next year I acquainted myself Powell and Loy as Nick and Nora and the sizzling on-screen love affair between Bogie and Bacall. Then, in 2014 we finally got Turner Classic Movies and I recalled that last couple I had yet to delve in to.

April 5, 2014 - I watched They Died with Their Boots on (1941), my first Flynn/de Havilland film and their last pairing. They were instantly a new favorite (and last year's post for the blogathon as well as the subject for one of my Cinema Wedding Gown posts). Three days later I watched The Adventures of Robin Hood in it's entirety for the first time, in all its Technicolor splendor. It far exceeded my expectations. Rather than feel dated, it leapt off the screen, as fresh and vibrant as if it had been filmed the day before. Olivia de Havilland was everything that Maid Marion should be: beautiful, smart, strong-minded, principled, courageous, and did I forget to mention gorgeous?

The next film I watched with one of these newly discovered stars was The Sea Hawk (1940) starring Errol Flynn and, in the lead female role, Brenda Marshall. If I could remake any classic film, I would remake this one with Olivia in the lead (and a more substantially part of course). Olivia never needed the hero, rather, he needed her.

After that was The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) with Errol Flynn, Bette Davis, and in a tiny part, Olivia. It pained me when Errol and Olivia didn't end up together. It just didn't feel right, like something was terribly wrong in the world! It was the same with The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), which aired on TCM a few days later.

In between those two films, I saw my first Olivia film without Errol, My Love Came Back (1940). And while it seemed wrong for her to love someone other than Flynn, it instantly became a favorite. Olivia, being the fantastic actress that she is, is very convincing as a violinist. Not to mention she can get a man to ask her to dance all the while acting like she's not interested but will oblige him anyway.

Other Olivia films that year included Hard to Get (1938), Gold is Where You Find It (1938), Wings of the Navy (1939), The Dark Mirror (1946) - another favorite where Olivia plays twins, Princess O'Rourke (1943) - a BIG favorite, Dodge City (1939) and Santa Fe Trail (1940) - both with Flynn, The Male Animal (1942), and In This Our Life (1942).

The year 2015 brought me The Ambassador's Daughter (1956), The Irish in Us (1935), Alibi Ike (1935), Government Girl (1943), The Strawberry Blonde (1941), Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943) - a cameo appearance, and Captain Blood (1935) - her first with Flynn.

Last year started off with her Oscar-winning performance in The Heiress (1949), Gone With the Wind (1939) for the first time in its entirety, and My Cousin Rachel (1952) - three powerful performances.

I was therefore extremely excited when Olivia was named the Star of the Month for July on TCM, especially since I was hosting a blogathon in celebration of her 100 years here on earth. Her birthday being on the first of the month couldn't have been more ideal as, while reading all of the posts, I was able to decide which films I HAD to watch. As it turned out, I wanted to watch every one of them.

The order in which her films were shown, and in which I watched them, somewhat mirrored her career, beginning with period pictures and comedies then serious dramas. I was able to watch Raffles (1939), Call it a Day (1937), The Great Garrick (1937), It's Love I'm After (1937), Devotion (1943/1946), To Each His Own (1946), Hold Back the Dawn (1941), Light in the Piazza (1962), and Libel (1951). I saved Four's a Crowd (1938) - the only Errol/Olivia film I hadn't yet seen - for as long as possible.

There are still several I have yet to see (I didn't have room on the dvr last year to record all of the great films they showed. In fact, I had to make a list of the ones I could get from the library). I finally watched Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964) this year after finishing Feud: Bette and Joan. I will definitely be recording Anthony Adverse (1936) next Saturday and hope to actually get around to checking out some others from the library. I also need to make a new Top Ten List of her films, as I've seen so many more great Olivia movies since I originally published it.

The fact that Olivia is still with us and turned 101 today is a gift indeed to the Classic Movie Fan. I hear her goal is 110 and I plan on hosting a blogathon every year to celebrate her amazing body of work and her continued impact on people's lives.

This post is for the blogathon I am co-hosting with In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood. Here's hopefully to many more blogathons.

I just love these photos of Olivia from 2015 ♥♥♥

The Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn Blogathon Starts Tomorrow!

The Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn Blogathon starts tomorrow! I can not wait to celebrate Olivia's 101st birthday tomorrow and the life and career of her frequent co-star Errol Flynn.

Just come across this blogathon and want to join? Jump on in! You have until Monday to share your post! Have an old post (of a film or topic that's not been claimed) that you'd like to share? I'll add it to the bottom of the daily posts

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

Here's a few news articles on our beloved Olivia (and Errol) that have been published recently:

Olivia de Havilland sues FX over unauthorized use of her identity in 'Feud: Bette and Joan'

Olivia de Havilland on Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, and 'Feud'

Olivia de Havilland on becoming the oldest person to be named 'Dame'

Olivia de Havilland reflects on experience as Cannes Festival's first female jury president in 1965

The incredible story of how Olivia de Havilland introduced Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier of Monaco

Errol Flynn Biopic in the works (screenplay written by Flynn's grandson, Luke)

Is anyone planning on seeing the new My Cousin Rachel when it comes out next week? Below is the 1952 trailer with Olivia and the new trailer with Rachel Weisz.

Here's a list of upcoming Olivia and Errol films being shown on TCM:

July 8 - Anthony Adverse (1936) - Olivia de Havilland & Fredric March
July 12 - Too Much, Too Soon (1958) - Errol Flynn as John Barrymore
July 15 - Escape Me Never (1947) - Errol Flynn & Ida Lupino, Gig Young, Eleanor Parker
July 27 - The Sisters (1938) - Errol Flynn & Bette Davis
August 7 - Never Say Goodbye (1946) - Errol Flynn & Eleanor Parker, S.Z. Sakall
August 26 - The Strawberry Blonde (1941) - Olivia de Havilland & James Cagney, Rita Hayworth
September 3 - The Snake Pit (1948) - Olivia de Havilland
September 9 - Santa Fe Trail (1940) - Errol Flynn & Olivia de Havilland
September 15 - The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) - Errol Flynn & Olivia de Havilland

Ride the Wild Surf (1964)

Yesterday I watched Ride the Wild Surf (1964) starring Fabian, Tab Hunter, Barbara Eden, and Shelley Fabares - among others. I was pleasantly surprised to find a surfing movie that, though it had its clichés, was not corny and actually had a story-line, not unlike my beloved Gidget (1959).

The film tells the story of three college age guys (though only one's actually in college) - Jody Wallis (Fabian), Steamer Lane (Tab Hunter), and Chase Colton (Peter Brown) - who love to surf and are spending the Christmas holiday on the Hawaiian island of Oahu at Waimea Bay, where the waves are at their biggest.

Shirts on...

Shirts off ;)

Once the boys land in Hawaii they learn of a competition that is held every year where the last surfer to successfully ride the mammoth waves becomes "King of Wiamea" and gets his name on a surf board. Last years champ was Eskimo (James Mitchum) and he's back to retain his title.

When their not surfing however, the boys also find love on the island and the film traces their individual relationships in between the magnificent surfing scenes that spend more time on showing actual surfing than the actors faces.

Fun Fact: From late 1962 to March of 1963, the waves in Hawaii were especially large due to certain weather conditions. Jo and Art Napoleon shot footage of actual surfers and then wrote a script to go with it.

Jody is the beach bum of the group, who gave up on the idea of being an oceanographer when college proved too hard. He meets the (surprisingly sexy) Brie Matthews (Shelley Fabares of The Donna Reed Show). At first she thinks he's reckless, but then she discovers another side. She helps him see that he shouldn't give up on his dreams when he hits a snag.

Chase is the college student, and according to Augie Poole (Barbara Eden), a square. She tries to get him to loosen up, then worries when he actually does. Their meeting is the most memorable, as tomboy Augie challenges Chase to wrestle and quickly throws him on his back (she's a black belt).

Steamer is the hardworking orphan who falls in love with the lovely Hawaiian native Lily Kilua (Susan Hart). Their troubles stem from her mother's hatred of surfers - Lily's father ran out on them to chase the waves in Bora Bora ten years earlier and hasn't been heard from since. Love triumphs however when Mrs. Kilua realizes she had a hand in driving away her husband with her strong views against too much fun.

Eskimo (James Mitchum)

The surfing competition at the end is exciting to watch and made credible by the extensive use of surfing shots. Altogether, this was a delightful movie and I definitely plan on purchasing it on dvd one day. The cast, storyline, and authentic setting make for a fun summer film that can be watched year after year.

 

Ride the Wild Surf will be airing again on TCM again on September 1st at 4am ET.

It is also currently available on Watch TCM until June 30th.

This post is part of the Summer Movie Blogathon hosted by Blog of the Darned. Be sure to check out all of the other posts!

Cinema Wedding Gowns: How To Marry a Millionaire (1953)

Today's wedding dress is probably on of the better known ones in cinema. It is the lace dress worn by Lauren Bacall in How to Marry a Millionaire (1953).

Crafted of embroidered ecru lace in a floral pattern with iridescent sequins and a heavy satin lining, this exquisite mermaid style, off the shoulder gown was designed by Travilla.

The dress is fitted to just below the hip where a semi-circle piece is added to make it floor length and giving the dress movement. Three-quarter length sleeves and lace trim along the top complete the gown.

Rather than a veil, the dress is paired with a hat crafted of white sinamay and with piping swirled on the crown and hanging down the back. A small pearl necklace and bracelet are the perfect accessories.

 

The dress was later modified with the sleeves and ruffle across the front removed and straps added. It sold at Debbie Reynold's auction in 2011 for $8000, which was the start price. On another site it said that the modified dress was worn in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957) but, while the design is nearly identical, the lace is different.

Rio Bravo (1959)

 

Wednesday, June 7th, was the 100th birthday of the legendary crooner Dean Martin. Rio Bravo (1959), starring John Wayne, Ricky Nelson, and Walter Brennan, was one of Martin's first films after his split with long-time film partner Jerry Lewis (they began appearing in nightclub acts together in 1946 and made 16 movies between 1949 and 1956). And it is also one of my favorite of his roles.

 

In 2005 my uncle brought some recorded VHS tapes to give us when he came to visit. One had Rio Bravo and North to Alaska on it. My brothers and I watched those two films on a loop for over a month, whenever we had a moment (aka mom was gone and we were left to our own devices). They may not be Oscar-worthy films, but they are pure entertainment.

 

Rio Bravo, the film I am reviewing today, was based on a short story by B.H. McCampbell of the same name. Howard Hawks, who had been on a four year break from directing after a flop, took on this film supposedly as a response to High Noon (1952), which portrayed a sheriff who goes around the town asking for help against a gang of killers. In Rio Bravo, the sheriff, played by the one and only John Wayne, goes up against Nathan Burdette (John Russell), a man who pays others to do his dirty work, with just a drunk and an old man.

 

Are you calling me a drunk?

 

John Wayne plays John T. Chance (the "T." stands for Trouble). Dean Martin plays Dude, his drunk deputy who used to be good... real good. Now he's a town joke called Borochón, which means "drunk" in Spanish. Walter Brennan is the lovable Stumpy who walks with a limp. Other characters include Ward Bond as Pat Wheeler, who offers to help Chance and is killed for it, Ricky Nelson as Colorado, a young gunslinger who was in Wheeler's employ and now wants to get the man who shot his boss, and Angie Dickinson as Feathers, a woman who fits a lot of descriptions of a known card cheater's girlfriend. And of course the film wouldn't be complete without Pedro Gonzalez-Gonzalez, who plays Carlos. He owns the hotel/bar and is another loyal friend to Chance.

Mr. Martin, who combines a lethargic and casual manner to perfection, and Mr. Brennan, who can do more with a cackle or a horse laugh than most, give "Rio Bravo" the added notches that raise it above the average Western.

~ The NY Times 

 

When you really, really want that iced coffee, I mean... beer ;)

 

After arresting Joe Burdette (Claude Akins) for murder, Chance has to hole up at the jail to wait for the Marshall to arrive. Nathan Burdette, Joe's brother, is a powerful man who will do anything to get him out of jail.

You're a rich man, Burdette... big ranch, pay a lot of people to do what you want 'em to do. And you got a brother. He's no good but he's your brother. He committed twenty murders you'd try and see he didn't hang for 'em.

Let's get this straight. I don't like a lot of things. I don't like your men sittin' on the road bottling up this town. I don't like your men watching us, trying to catch us with our backs turned. And I don't like it when a friend of mine offers to help and twenty minutes later he's dead! And I don't like you, Burdette, because you set it up.

 

While their holed up, Dude decides to give up drinking. Chance gives him his old duds and pearl-handled pistols he bought after Dude had pawned them for liquor money.

There is a brief period of quiet before the action goes down and, since a Dean Martin movie wouldn't be complete without him singing a song AND you have Ricky Nelson in the cast, what better time for a duet?

If the tune sounds familiar, that's because it's the theme from Red River (1948) also starring John Wayne and directed by Howard Hawks. You can here the original theme here. The lyrics are in the comments.

Dean Martin also recorded another song titled "Rio Bravo" that, except for the last two lines, is not sung in the film. It was released as a single at the same time as the movie.

By the memory of a song,

While the river Rio Bravo rolls along.

Only the last two lines of the song are sung in the movie as Dude and Stumpy walk "into the sunset" at the end.

Before the end of the movie however, there is a rousing gunfight involving explosives and fist fights. And throughout the film Chance and Feathers argue and make up, ending with him finally saying he loves her.

Angie Dickinson on set with director Howard Hawks.

Here's a great TCM article on the film and how Dean Martin prepared for the role.

Fun Facts from IMDb:

This was the last film that John Wayne wore his hat from Stagecoach (1939). It was also his last of 22 films with Ward Bond and Bond's last feature film. Wayne also wore his belt buckle from Red River (1948).

There are only five close-ups in the movie: Joe firing his gun, Dude's hands trying to roll a cigarette, Dude pouring a shot of whiskey back into the bottle and a beer glass where a drop of blood falls in, and Chance's boots tapping together in Sheriff's office as he's sitting in a chair.

Feathers's dialogue was occasionally inspired by the character of "Slim" To Have and Have Not (1944), as when, after the first kiss, she says: "...it's better when two people do it," recalling the phrase "it's even better when you help;" and again later when she says, "I'm hard to get - you're going to have to say you want me," recalling Slim's "I'm hard to get, Steve - all you have to do is ask me."

Angie Dickinson was only 26 at the time of filming. John Wayne was 51.

There are a ton of behind-the-scenes photos from this film. I shared a bunch of them during the 2015 Summer Under the Stars, which you can view here.

Rio Bravo will be airing on TCM on August 12 at 12:45am ET.

 

Cinema Wedding Gowns: Honeymoon (1947)

 

Honeymoon (1947), starring Franchot Tone, Shirley Temple, and Guy Madison, is a movie about a soldier on leave and his girl who have planned to meet in Mexico City to marry and spend their two day honeymoon there. As usual, nothing happens the way it's supposed to, with the groom's flight being cancelled and neither having a way to contact the other. That's were Franchot Tone comes in, as the American Consul who tries to get them married before Madison's leave is over, or rather, as the poor guy Temple keeps coming to with her problems and creating problems for him in return.

 

 

The couple never is actually seen on their honeymoon, as the film ends with them finally getting married in the back yard of Tone's fiancé's house. The entire gown is never shown either. The only "full" glimpse is what is featured on the posters for the film. I did however find this photo that someone uploaded on Pinterest, saying it was their grandmother wearing the "Shirley Temple dress from Honeymoon." My guess is the dress was either sold in stores or perhaps even released as a pattern.

 

 

As you can see, the dress is crafted entirely of lace, with a sweetheart neckline, fitted bodice, long tapered sleeves that are gathered at the shoulder, and a full gathered skirt with peplum. The promotional photos below show the dress on Temple.

 

 

The fingertip length veil is scalloped tulle with appliqued flowers and leaves attached to a head piece covered in small flowers. The bouquet is comprised of small flowers and roses with ribbons hanging from it.

 

A good look at the sleeves.

 

Here are some screenshots from the actual movie:

As you can see, Franchot Tone is very happy that they are finally married.

Movies I Watched in May

I love the packaging of this set (except for the fact that there's a picture of Carole and Clark Gable on the back and on the menu for Hands Across the Table when it's supposed to be Fred MacMurray).

This month I finally pulled out my Carole Lombard Glamour Collection dvd set and watched the four films on it that I hadn't yet seen. I've had it for over two years but kept putting off watching any of the films because I felt that if I did I would have to write a blog post on it. Believe me, I put off watching movies I really want to see for this reason all the time. But I was in the mood for some Carole so I just went ahead and watched it.

I also caught quite a bit of Clark Gable, who is TCM's Star of the Month, as well as his frequent co-star Joan Crawford. I definitely got a little misty eyed watching the documentary Clark Gable: Tall, Dark, and Handsome.

Another thing I accomplished was to finally watch the entire Back to the Future trilogy. Before this month I had only seen the end of the first one and the entire third one (three times). I am now working my way through the hours of special features included on the 40th anniversary Blu-ray set.

1. Laughing Sinners (1931) - Clark Gable & Joan Crawford
2. Possessed (1931) - Clark Gable & Joan Crawford
3. Chained (1934) - Clark Gable & Joan Crawford
4. We're Not Dressing (1934) - Carole Lombard & Bing Crosby, George Burns & Gracie Allen
5. Hands Across the Table (1935) - Carole Lombard & Fred MacMurray, Ralph Bellamy
6. After Office Hours (1935) - Clark Gable & Constance Bennett, Billie Burke
7. The Girl from 10th Avenue (1935) - Bette Davis & Ian Hunter
8. The Golden Arrow (1936) - Bette Davis & George Brent
9. The Princess Comes Across (1936) - Carole Lombard & Fred MacMurray, William Frawley 
10. Love Before Breakfast (1936) - Carole Lombard, Cesar Romero
11. And So They Were Married (1936) - Melvyn Douglas & Mary Astor
12. Cain and Mabel (1936) - Clark Gable & Marion Davies (my first of her films)
13. Varsity Show (1937) - Dick Powell, Priscilla & Rosemary Lane
14. Lucky Night (1939) - Myrna Loy & Robert Taylor
15. Strange Cargo (1940) - Clark Gable & Joan Crawford, Ian Hunter, Peter Lorre
16. Happy Land (1943) - Don Ameche, Harry Carey, Frances Dee
17. Adventure (1945) - Clark Gable & Greer Garson, Thomas Mitchell, Joan Blondell
18. Miranda (1948) - Glynis Johns, Margaret Rutherford
19. Pinky (1949) - Jeanne Crain, Ethel Waters, Ethel Barrymore 
20. Above and Beyond (1952) - Robert Taylor & Eleanor Parker
21. Mad About Men (1954) - Glynis Johns, Margaret Rutherford
22. *Smokey and the Bandit (1977) - Burt Reynolds & Sally Fields, Jackie Gleason (in theaters!!)
23. Back to the Future (1985) - Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd
24. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) - Rick Moranis
25. Back to the Future Part II (1989) - Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd
26. *Back to the Future Part III (1990) - Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd
27. *Sleepless in Seattle (1993) - Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks, Rosie O'Donnell
28. Ransom (1996) - Mel Gibson, Gary Sinise
29. Just My Luck (2006) - Lindsey Lohan & Chris Pine
30. *This Means War (2012) - Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy 
31. Hell or High Water (2016) - Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, Ben Foster

Favorite Film of the month: I watched a lot of great films this month but I have to say seeing Smokey and the Bandit on the big screen was a blast. I also really enjoyed Hands Across the Table.

Least favorite film: Although I love Carole Lombard, I'm going to have to say Love Before Breakfast. The Carole I know would not have put up with Preston Foster, whose character in the movie is a huge jerk. I'm pretty sure I had a look of disgust on my face whenever he showed up. Carole is gorgeous though and the Pekinese he gives her is absolutely the cutest thing ever (according to Carole and Co. it was Carole's best-known pet, Pushface).