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Post by CrazyForKate on Jan 21, 2010 16:34:52 GMT -5
Totally recommend On the Beach (not so much for Fred, but for Peck and Gardner- and Kramer's direction- plus it's a fascinating story- though the book's better).
As for Stage Door Canteen- it's a patriotic thing- 1943- to celebrate the famous Stage Door Canteen (an establishment for entertaining soldiers). Stars would show up to entertain in the name of the war effort. I think Spence was at the Hollywood Canteen a few times. Anyway, so Kate's only in it for like five minutes...towards the end...don't know if you watched her part (she has the big speech)...but it's fun to look at it just for star-watching. (The Gypsy Rose Lee sequence is very funny.) Someone should upload it to YouTube...just so we can see Miss H without dealing with 2/12 hours of silly plot. (I would, but the DVD's back home. Curses!)
I totally thought it was a sequel to SD too.
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Post by Alicia on Jan 21, 2010 16:49:22 GMT -5
Wow great job on the video tribute! I can tell you put a ton of time into this and it looks wonderful. Like other people here, I have to credit Fred n' Ginger for my love of classic film. I used to watch them all over and over again with my grandma when I was little. I've always been more of a Fred fan than a Ginger fan, and I think Top Hat is probably my favorite just because I like the music better, although I admit it doesn't really highlight Ginger too much. Then as I got older I began watching their other films like Bachelor Mother and Holiday Inn (and I love Second Chorus too-- one of my fav Fred films 'cause I love Artie Shaw and I play the trumpet, too). I decided that I love the classic film style and the movie stars, and so watching them became my hobby.
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Post by gottamatch on Jan 21, 2010 16:50:31 GMT -5
Yeah okay it wasn't just me. I fastforwarded that movie like there was no tomorrow. Usually I'm really tolerant of b&w films but I was drifting and quickly lol so I think I did see Kate's speech (it was to that lady right, the lady they put on the cover with Hepburn misleading us to think it's a Kate movie?) but by then I had lost so much interest that I had no idea what was going on. (Brilliant as it was seeing Kate, mind you)
Jess
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Post by Judy on Jan 21, 2010 19:26:56 GMT -5
Judy, WOW! I must have read your story 4 times to fully take it in. How exciting! What was Miss Rogers doing rubbing shoulders with the public crowds!? Too bad you weren't able to talk to her for a little longer, long enough to get her autograph or something - but I can only imagine the crowds and more importantly, her rush. Did she have an entourage? Oh, and I can absolutely invision her outfit as you described haaaaaa so Ginger in the 1970s. What was with her, sequins and feathers, I'll never know. CFK, it took me many years to see all of the pair's films. They simily would not show / release them in Australia (I say Aus because generally you can always get stuff on Amazon, but for a young teen without a credit card and a conversion rate that is rediculously high it's a bit of a stretch). I also adore Fred but have not seen On the Beach. If it's a dramatic role, I don't think I've seen him in anything but a musical lol I have The Major and the Minor on DVD and although I like parts of it, I do agree, it was a bit on the strange side. I think watching it in our times just makes the whole story.. wrong? I guess it would have had more innocence and charm back in the day.. Farewellamanda and Judy, it is SO nice to hear more people actually admit to liking Barkleys (whoa, did I spell it wrong. I always think it's said Ba, but spelled weirdly, like with an extra 'e' lol) anywhoo.. I also love backstage stories. Judy, I'm sure you would also have loved Easter Parade with that in mind. And, how could you upset anyone on this board lol I really liked Ginger's performance in Stage Door, that kind of half dramatic half comedy type performance. Again, a backstage story. P.s. Can someone explain Stage Door Canteen to me? Still to this day I haven't watched the whole thing. I bought it thinking it was a Kate movie lol it was not to be. I assumed it was the sequel to Stage Door haha Jess Hi Jess, Well, as far as her rubbing shoulders is concerned, in New York those folks walk into the front door of the theatre just like anyone else, usually. I'm sure there are exceptions. But this was a major theatrical event and EVERYBODY was in the street jostling their way in to the theatre. She did have an escort with her, as I recall, but I didn't recognize him. No entourage. Just her and this guy. But, again, that's not unusual when people - I mean stars - go to the theatre. Yes, I love Easter Parade, too. And Singing in the Rain. And The Bandwagon, etc. About Ginger. I feel I should explain myself because perhaps it sounded like I did not like her, which is completely not the case. What I meant to say is that in my view, her movies with Astaire were art. Okay, popular art. But they and she are sublime and nothing that she ever did - even in performances I liked, but certainly not in her dramatic performances - came close to them. The notion that because they were musicals and not DRAMA (read: important) has always bothered me. There was more art in "Pick Yourself Up" - AND, I might add wonderful acting - than in any number of other dramatic movies she appeared in. Granted, she couldn't remain a dancer forever and I'm not saying she shouldn't have done those other movies, but the notion that because they were not musicals or comedies they somehow had more prestige or afforded her more respect is, in my view, wrong. I include her comedic performances - some of them - she's terrific in Stage Door and, say, The Major and the Minor - in with the Astaire stuff because she was a gifted comedic actress. That was her strength and she didn't need to EMOTE to carve out a spot for herself in the movie star pantheon. So that's what I meant when I said that I have a different view of her dramatic career and its importance to her as a performer. Frankly, I think Kitty Foyle is a dull soap opera. Of course, the fact that she won an Oscar for it in a year that included towering performances by Davis in The Letter and whatsername in The Philadelphia Story doesn't help it, in my estimation. The common wisdom is that she bowled everyone over by taking on such a sort of dark "realistic" role. I think that Davis and Hepburn probably canceled each other out. But that's just an unsubstantiated belief. Anyway, I think GR is terrific and I especially think so if she was the reason so many of you took to old movies. She's a pretty good ambassador.
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Post by charliesgirl7681 on Jan 21, 2010 21:29:26 GMT -5
SOOO COOL! First of all just to be going to the Merman/Martin show would put me into a coma and second to run into Ginger I probably would have died. I would have froze, that is so awesome!
This is why I LOVE classic Hollywood.
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Post by gottamatch on Jan 22, 2010 5:13:47 GMT -5
Hi Alicia, I'm sorry while I was posting mine I guess you were posting yours! Thank you for your kind words about my little video you are right, lots of time was spent lol but they are rewarding when you see them all done and other people get to enjoy! Judy, you brought up some really good points which I never considered. I find myself agreeing with most of what you said! P.S. I feel I need to also explain, although I have a feeling I mentioned her Oscar nod before, let it be known that I have never seen Kitty Foyle. I just know that she won an Oscar for it, so I can't even comment on the film cause I've never seen it lol Judy, I think the best point you made was when you mentioned something about 'dramas' not having to be compared to 'musicals' or 'musical comedy' as though they should be tossed aside because they are not dramatic pieces. I think I've said before, the reason it took me SO LONG to love Kate was because when my grandmother tried to show me her movies when I was little I would say 'is there any singing, dancing? If not, turn it off!' so dramatic movies actually aren't my favourite. Kate is pretty much, still, to this day, the only 'dramatic' actress I've got in my DVD collection. I've got a whole bookcase (converted into a DVD library!) devoted to my classic films and there's all my F&G, Garland, I Love Lucy, June Allyson (her musicals), Ann Miller, Gene Kelly, Ethel Merman... then... Katharine Hepburn. I think my mum is still shocked that I like her because of my love for musicals and comedies. I digress (to copy an earlier phrase), what I mean is that I completely agree. You brought up a great point. It always has annoyed me that musicals and comedies have not been considered perhaps as Oscar worthy because they are not dramatic pieces. You also brought up a good artistic point of view about the Fred and Ginger collection. Also: "Pick Yourself Up" is a fantastic number, ain't it. I'm glad you brought that one up. Again, from Swingtime. That whole movie is just fantastic. I think like Alicia, people like the music of Top Hat. I forgot that's really the one that has the great songs people remember Fred for. Charliesgirl, I also LOVE classic Hollywood. And the great thing is that nothing can spoil it. It's preserved by DVD so we can watch them over and over. Jess
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Post by charliesgirl7681 on Jan 24, 2010 17:44:28 GMT -5
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Post by gottamatch on Jan 25, 2010 1:15:43 GMT -5
Haaaaa I love that scene. I love how the other girl (who is it? lol) is screaming and I can't help but continue to watch Ginger. That's the sort of actress that was great. A rarity now.
I've never seen this entire picture, but I've seen this scene many times. A great one!
Jess
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Post by charliesgirl7681 on Jan 25, 2010 20:42:25 GMT -5
you should watch the movie! Its all around goodness. I LOVE young Jimmy in it. Its on youtube.
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Post by gottamatch on Jan 28, 2010 22:18:30 GMT -5
I totally couldn't find that movie on the Tube sad times. It's probably called some weird name.. hmmm.. if you've favourited it pleeeeeeeeeease link me! Jess
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Post by carol on Jan 31, 2010 11:17:47 GMT -5
Judy, how I envy you! That story is amazing!
My favourite movie of Fred and Ginger is also Swing Time (so far, cause I have yet to see 3 more I think..or 4..) But swing time is such a great movie! And the 'Never gonna dance' number is brilliant. I love the song, the dance, the scenario...
They were awesome.
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Post by charliesgirl7681 on Jul 27, 2010 18:26:11 GMT -5
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Post by gottamatch on Jul 29, 2010 5:37:05 GMT -5
That link didn't work for me Carol, I own all 10 F&G movies and Swing Time IS my favourite of their movies. I change frequently but always come back to Swing Time. It is truly Timeless. I love the end song and wish it was longer. Jess
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Post by carol on Jul 29, 2010 6:33:38 GMT -5
Me too! I've seen a few of their movies (not all) and Swing Time is my favourite so far. The 'Pick yourself up number' is just magic. I'm always amazed. An 'Never gonna dance' makes me smile. It's a great movie!
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Post by charliesgirl7681 on Jul 29, 2010 9:26:41 GMT -5
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