Vintage Romantic-Comedy: Three Coins in a Fountain (1954)

If you are physically unable to travel, you can always watch a movie that will take you to your dream destination. Italy has always been on my travel bucket list. And who wouldn't want to go to Rome, Italy?

When I was a kid, I watched a romantic movie called “Three Coins in a Fountain” (1954). There were numerous wonderful scenes of various sites in Italy. But I will never forget the scene where they were throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain.

The movie is about 3 American secretaries who are visiting Rome and their love affairs. The movie's memorable theme song was sung by none other than Old Blue-Eyes, Frank Sinatra.

Rotten Tomatoes gave this movie a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. That's probably because the reviewers don't know how to appreciate a vintage classic film. In my humble opinion, this movie earned 3 stars just filming on location in Rome, Venice, and Merano; and the other 2 stars for the acting. That's 5 out of 5 stars. LOL. ☺

Anyway! Ted Turner certainly appreciated it and that's why he preserved it in his TCM collection (Turner Classic Movies).

Image credit:  IMDb

* * *

MOVIE TRIVIA:

1. This movie is known by alternate titles “There's No Place Like Rome” and “We Believe in Love”.

2. The film is based on the novel by the same name written by John H. Secondari (Philadelphia, 1952).

3. It was nominated in 3 different categories for the 1955 Oscar Awards: Best Picture, Best Cinematography, and Best Song.

4. Even though the film title mentions 3 coins in the title, in that Trevi Fountain scene, only 2 coins were thrown into the fountain.

 

Original Source  

My Pick for a Classic Warren Beatty Film: "Splendor in the Grass" (1961)

Thought the Clutter is an entertainment blog that published a List of 28 Warren Beatty Movies, Ranked Best to Worst.  I have never been a huge fan of Warren Beatty.  There is no denying he was tall, dark, and handsome.  But frankly, I really admired his sister; the enormously talented actress Shirley MacLane.  However, giving credit where credit is due:

"Warren Beatty is an American actor and filmmaker who is the second person to be nominated for 'Academy Awards' for acting in, directing, writing, and producing the same film – which he achieved twice for the fantasy-comedy film 'Heaven Can Wait' (1978) and for the historical epic 'Reds' (1981). Of his total 14 'Oscar' nominations, he won the award for 'Best Director' for 'Reds' (1981)."

Posterazzi Splendor In The Grass Warren Beatty 1961 Photo Poster Print, (16 x 20)

That quote/fact was lifted from the TTC article list mentioned above.  Kudos to Mr. Beatty for his achievements.  Even so ... his movies never made it to my 'Oh I'm dying to watch or re-watch this list!"  However, if I were going to pick a classic film starring Warren Beatty, it would have to be “Splendor in the Grass” (1961).   Yes, the fact that Natalie Wood was the leading lady had a lot to do with it.

Warren Beatty | Biography, Movies, Sister, Wife, & Facts | Britannica ~ https://t.co/xGejmb6Toa
*Img: #WarrenBeatty & #NatalieWood in a promotional photograph for Splendor in the Grass (1961), directed by Elia Kazan. © 1961 Warner Brothers, Inc. #classicmovies #Entertainment pic.twitter.com/iajOol40BC

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) May 5, 2022

Hollywood Screen Legends and Icons: Sophia Loren (September 20, 1934 - )

 I love Sophia Loren and have been watching her movies since I was a little girl. She received the Academy Award for Best Actress in the 1960 film “Two Women”. As a matter of record, this was the first Oscar ever given for a performance in a “foreign-language” film. My memory of her performance in this film is that of a heroic performance, worthy of this kind of recognition. Since I watched so many of her movies, I thought I had seen them all. But “Sunflower” (1970) is one of her movies I did not discover until I was an adult and it is a gem! It’s another war movie and her co-star is Marcello Mastroianni. Those two always made a great onscreen couple. Her performance in this film is also memorable. Did you know that in the Soviet Union, they planted a sunflower for each fallen Italian soldier that the Germans forced to dig their own graves? I learned that watching this movie. Gold Derby published a list of her 15 greatest films, ranked from worst to best. Hey! Even in her “worst” films, her acting was still good! She made all of her leading men look good too! 

Two more movies for your watch list are “Arabesque” (1966), her co-star was Gregory Peck; and “Houseboat” (1958), her co-star was Cary Grant. They are not war movies but rather delightful romantic comedies. Her acting skills are versatile. She could be very serious and dramatic OR lighthearted and funny!

• Sophia Loren Filmography: Classic Movie Hub (CMH)
• Sophia Loren (b. 1934) — Hollywood’s Golden Age

Where to watch and stream Sophia Loren movies

Two (2) Awesome Classic Movies For Your Watch List

These two films were made 20 years apart. But are two of the greatest movies in cinematic history. “Johnny Belinda” (1948) and “Wait Until Dark” (1967). 

There is no need to write a detailed blog post.  Trust this recommendation.  Not only watch them but re-watch them. :)  

What to Watch - Johnny Belinda 

What to Watch - Wait Until Dark 

War Movie Classics: The Dirty Dozen

If you are making a list of greatest war movies, The Dirty Dozen (1967) has to go on that list.  All-star cast. All-star action!  “The Dirty Dozen” is a war movie classic. 

Image credit.

This is my movie review.

Traditionally, in the United States, around Independence Day (4th of July), Memorial Day (celebrated the last Monday in May), Veterans Day (November 11), etc. television stations air military movies that are supposed to foster American patriotism. At one time FoxNews.com published a list of “The 30 Greatest War Movies of All Time”. Some of the movies I picked were on their list. Some were not. But they're still on my list for great war movies.

The Dirty Dozen (1967) is one of them. 

This is a great movie about 12 convicts being given a second chance to start life over if they serve their country on a military mission and of course if they survive. I still enjoy it every time I watch it. These two lines are the ones I still remember. 

*** (Background for the scene: There was an obvious commotion coming from the room; the definite sound of men fighting, or rather … settling their differences in the only way men know how.)

- Sergeant Clyde Bowren: [as Major Reisman exits the room ] : Whats going on, sir?

- Major John Reisman: Oh, the gentleman from the South had a question about the dining arrangements. He and his comrades are discussing place settings now.

***
Cracked up (laughed) when the major said that. Some say the movie Inglorious Basterds was inspired by this movie. Well it may have been inspired but it was nowhere near as good as this classic starring some of my favorite actors: Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas and Jim Brown, to name a few. They tried to do sequels but they are not as good as the original. 

No argument that it's a classic.  But some say the movie “Inglourious Basterds ” was inspired by this movie. Inspired?  Perhaps.  Better than?  Not even close!!  Have no doubt Quentin Tarantino, the Director of "Inglorious Basterds", would say "Amen!" to my comparison.  This classic film starred some of my favorite actors: Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas and Jim Brown, to name a few.

Original source

 * * * * * * * * IN MEMORY OF * * * * * * * * 

Remembering the stars who are no longer with us. 

* Lee Marvin (February 19, 1924 – August 29, 1987) 

* Charles Bronson (November 3, 1921 – August 30, 2003) 

* Aristotelis “Telly” Savalas (January 21, 1922 – January 22, 1994) 

* Jim Brown  (February 17, 1936 – May 18, 2023)

***

Hollywood Screen Legends and Icons: Barbara Stanwyck (July 16, 1907 - January 20, 1990)

I got to know “Miss Barbara Stanwyck” by being a loyal viewer of the Western TV series, “The Big Valley” (1965–1969). She was the matriarch of the Barkley family, mother of 3 sons and one daughter. My big sister said that because they called her “Miss”, it meant that she was worthy of respect and honor. So I had to start working backward from the television series to discover what roles she had played that had earned her so much respect and honor. I can honestly say that I have never watched a Barbara Stanwyck movie that I did not enjoy. Her professional career spanned 60 years. Gold Derby published a list of her 20 greatest films, ranked from worst to best.

Ruby Catherine Stevens aka Barbara Stanwyck: 

Unknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Most fans remember her for her role in the movie “Double Indemnity” (1944); her co-star was Fred MacMurray. It is a film noir and she played the part of a seductive, manipulative, and villainous femme fatale. Hey! She only talks the guy into a murder plot. Also included in the Gold Derby list is “Meet John Doe” (1941); her co-star is Gary Cooper. It is one of those “feel good” movies that end in romance. There is a third Barbara Stanwyck movie that I recommend which is not on the Gold Derby list. The title is “Always Goodbye” (1938). In this vintage film, she plays an unwed mother who gives up her child and makes a promise to never see or speak to him. But when she meets the young child accidentally, her maternal instinct kicks in and she has to decide whether or not she will keep her promise not to tell her child that she is his real mother. What do you think she decided to do? Excellent movie!

• Full list of Barbara Stanwyck Films — Classic Movie Favorites
• Barbara Stanwyck Bio, The Ultimate Guide | Rags to Riches Story

How to watch and stream Barbara Stanwyck movies

Hollywood Screen Legends and Icons: Audrey Hepburn (May 4, 1929 ~ January 20, 1993)

I love Audrey Hepburn and consider her to be “iconic”. There is not a movie that she has starred in that I did not like. However, if I were going to pick a Top 10 Favorites List, the 1953 movie “Roman Holiday” would be on my list. She played a princess who just wanted to know what it was like to be an “ordinary person” and not have the heavy burden of duties and responsibilities of a monarch. Her leading man was Gregory Peck (1916–2003). If you like old classic movies, you will love this movie! 

Also on my favorites list would be “Wait Until Dark” (1967). She was a blind woman with a loving husband (played by Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) who encouraged her to be independent, even though she could not see. Someone was smuggling contraband into the country and placed a doll in her bag. Since she was blind she was not aware of this and brought the doll home. Three really bad guys, who were desperate to retrieve the doll, show up at her home. She is home alone and when she becomes aware of their evil intentions, the worst of the 3 bad guys (played by Alan Arkin) is in her home with her. He is determined to retrieve the doll, even if he has to kill her. She is determined to do whatever it takes to survive! Suspenseful and intense!!

Gold Derby published a list of her 15 greatest films, ranked from worst to best. Both of the movies I suggested are on their list.

List of Audrey Hepburn films — Data Thistle

Audrey Hepburn Biography — life, family, children, name, story, death, school, mother, young

How to watch and stream Audrey Hepburn movies 

Original source

Hollywood Screen Legends and Icons: Elizabeth Taylor (February 27, 1932 ~ March 23, 2011)

In America, the word “icon” is often applied to a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol of society and culture and worthy of honor or great respect. Many celebrities or movie stars are often described as icons. If you were judging them based solely on their public persona, you would approve of them as “representative symbols”. If you were to include details about their private lives as reported, they might not be considered “iconic”.

Not On My List

Any list I make ignores the private lives of the celebrities. Have you ever made your own list of iconic female celebrities? Madonna, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga might be on your list. Not on my list. I’m old school. Many of the glamorous movie stars from back in my day (“my day” meaning the 50s, 60s, and 70s) are no longer with us. A few years ago, at one of my blogs, I published my unofficial top ten list of female celebrities that in my humble opinion were “iconic”. My Top 10 List of Iconic Female Celebrities

If you review my list (referenced above) you will note that my favorite movie star, Elizabeth Taylor, is not on my list. That's because I think she is iconic; legendary, and deserves her own spotlight.  So I published a separate blog post.

Call her “Elizabeth” or “Liz”. For those who wish to treat her as if she is almost royalty, call her Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, DBE. (DBE = Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire). She is American, but she was born in England so the Brits love her too! Queen Elizabeth officially acknowledged her as a “Lady”.

Beauty / Elegance / Grace / Style / Commanding Presence - is communicated both verbally and nonverbally, she was amazing, Elizabeth Taylor. Beautiful eyes in picture 1. Pic. 3 where I first saw her as Velvet Brown in National Velvet 1944. Pic. 4 Liz as a young girl in London. pic.twitter.com/XdYf5vEDJM

— TV and Film Stars (@TVandFilmStars) January 13, 2019

My Favorite Elizabeth Taylor Films

Numerous documentaries have been aired on television or via the Internet about Ms. Taylor’s life and film career and I have watched too many of them to count. In discussing her significant films, one of the documentaries failed to mention ALL of my favorite Taylor movies. I have 3 favorite films and 2 out of the 3 movies on my faves list were not even mentioned. No matter. I’ll mention them now.

Below are the three motion pictures which starred Elizabeth Taylor that made a lasting impression on me, along with the memorable quotes. They are classic or vintage movies now, and they are worthy of being included in America’s cinematic history and legacy.

National Velvet 1944, her 1st starring role. Perfect in every way! Her faith and determination in a horse to win the race in a big way. She even cut off her hair. A Life's lesson film. pic.twitter.com/hivunUjv3g

— serendipitouspr (@serendipitouspr) April 23, 2020

♦
National Velvet (1944)
This was the story of a young girl who believed in her dream. She loved her horse named “Pi” and she believed that she and Pi could compete in a horse race for professionals. She was an unqualified jockey with no experience or training, and Pi had not been tested. It didn’t matter. She knew in her heart that they could and would win!


“ … by knowing the Pi can win and telling him so!”

“Oh mother! Were we the best that we could be?”

♦

Giant (1956)

This movie is a love story. A girl from the east married an oil millionaire from Texas. She had to make adjustments to her new lifestyle and married life had its difficulties. She loved her husband and he loved her back like vinegar on greens.

Elizabeth Taylor in Giant (1956) ♡ pic.twitter.com/BWiGL5EWyM

— 𝒜𝓏𝓊𝓁. (@tenlovesongs_) April 27, 2020

“Well, we Texans like a little bit of vinegar in our greens. It gives them flavor.” {NOTE: This is what Jordan Benedict (played by Rock Hudson) said to his wife, Leslie Benedict (Elizabeth Taylor’s character). It’s the line etched in my memory.}

♦

Cleopatra (1963)

The title is the name of the famous Egyptian queen who loved two powerful men, the Roman emperor Julius Caesar and a Roman politician and general, Mark Antony. These romantic liaisons were for love and for lust. She desired power. The rest of her story is history.

12 June 1963. Cleopatra, starring Elizabeth Taylor in the title role, premiered in New York City. pic.twitter.com/UolQGHAxRZ

— Professor Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) June 12, 2016

“How DARE you and the rest of your barbarians set fire to my library? Play conqueror all you want, Mighty Caesar! Rape, murder, pillage thousands, even millions of human beings! But neither you nor any other barbarian has the right to destroy one human thought!”

♦ In Memory Of: Elizabeth Taylor (1932 -2011)

Is Elizabeth Taylor on your list of favorite actresses and do you have a favorite Liz Taylor film?

* * *

(Original Source: RationalMind.club)

♦ How to watch and stream Elizabeth Taylor movies

If You Liked This, You Might Also Like:

Hollywood Legends: Iconic Female Celebrities: Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962)

Celebrities: In Memory of Doris Day (1922 - 2019)

Do You Remember Grace Kelly? (1929 - 1982)

Disney Animated Classic: The Aristocats (1970)

Growing up during the 50s and the 60s was the best of the times! We did not have cable TV or online streaming back then, but most of the local stations always showed cartoons on Saturday from early morning until around noon. My siblings and I would watch them together. My youngest daughter is an adult now but when she was little, we often watched animated movies on Saturday mornings. It was “our time”. I would go to the local library and check out videos. They had a great collection of animated videos for kids.

One Saturday morning I was really tired. I went into her bedroom, popped the tape into the VCR, laid down on her bed, and fell back to sleep! When I woke back up my daughter was singing “Everybody … everybody … everybody wants to be a cat!” LOL. That movie had her full attention. She did not even notice that I had fallen asleep. Later on, I watched the movie by myself. I was curious because my baby girl clearly enjoyed it. After I watched it I knew why.

A one-word description for this Walt Disney film? Adorable!

Also, it's a great movie for jazz music lovers!

• "Scat Cat: Everybody wants to be a cat / Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at. 

Image credit:  * Happy 50th Anniversary, The Aristocats! by RichTheVoiceTrumpet: deviantart.com

The voice actors were well-known entertainers from my generation that I have always loved; such as Eva Gabor (“Duchess”), Scatman Crothers (“Scat Cat”), and especially Sterling Holloway (“Roquefort the Mouse”). I would recognize his voice anywhere! His voice was used in the “Wizard of Oz”, “Winnie the Pooh” and so many other animated films I watched as a child. His voice is memorable!

PLOT: The butler did it! A wealthy retired opera singer leaves her money to her cats. But the woman's butler drugs the cats and abandons them in the countryside so that he can inherit the fortune himself. The pampered cats meet up with a street smart easygoing alley cat who decides, with the help of his other cat friends, to help them return to their rightful home in Paris.

If you want to watch a delightful animated film with your child or children, I highly recommend The Aristocats (1970).

* * *

Related Links:

The Aristocats (1970) - IMDb

'The Aristocats' Live-Action Remake in the Works at Disney

The Aristocats | Disney Wiki | Fandom

Everybody Wants To Be A Cat (from The Aristocats) – YouTube

Original source

Great family classic movies to watch on @disneyplus
The Aristocats (1970) ~ https://t.co/JemdKC7gqB #familyfun #animatedfilms #classic #entertainment #forkids and for #jazzlovers @goshoppingbees pic.twitter.com/Ktj4jn04V1

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) January 22, 2022

Best 3 Cary Grant Movies Ever!

One of my favorite leading male actors when I was growing up was Cary Grant (1904 – 1986). Why did I like him? He reminded me of my father. No he didn’t look like my dad at all. But he dressed like my father. Always neat, well groomed, and very dapper! Grant was much like my father in that the suits he wore fit him perfectly. He was always well-dressed, even when his clothing was supposed to be “casual”, i.e. not a suit and necktie.

Admirers or fans have described Cary Grant as “debonaire”, “sophisticated” and “funny”! But before being described that way, when he was an unknown, he must have had enough confidence in himself to believe that he would be a “survivor”. Born and raised in Bristol, England, he did not have a very happy home life as a child. He was expelled from school at the age of 14, and so he had to go to work and fend for himself. His mother had been committed to a mental hospital and he and his father did not have much of a relationship. He went to work in a theater in his hometown. That introduced him to the world of entertainment and that put him on the path to Hollywood stardom.

He came to America at the age of 16. He was traveling with a group of entertainers from England. His first stop in the USA? New York City. When the people he came with went back home, he decided to stay in New York. When he grew into manhood he was quite a dashing figure. His handsomeness was attention-grabbing! Yet he did not get his first Hollywood acting contract until he was age 27; using the name Cary Grant.

He established himself as a comedic actor. His humor was really clean too! You don’t mind watching all of his movies, where he played comedy roles, with young children around. It was said that he only accepted roles that he thought portrayed him as a good moral character. He wanted anybody including children to be able to watch him on screen. That was the public image he always wanted to maintain and he did. The movies he starred in for the first half of his career were wholesome clean comedy. But when he teamed up with the great director Alfred Hitchcock, he proved that he could also play dramatic roles quite convincingly. Whether comedy or drama, he maintained that image of being a decent and upstanding gentleman.

Grant became an American citizen in 1942 and the naturalization process allowed him to legally change his name from Archibald Alexander Leach to “Cary Grant”. He made 70+ films over three (3) decades (1930s – 1960s), but it was easy for me to narrow down my 3 favorite films (listed below) because, in addition to being a huge Cary Grant fan during my youth, I was also a huge Alfred Hitchcock fan. Hitchcock is known as the “Master of Suspense”; and his films and his television show were extremely popular back in my day. One may wonder however since comedy was not really Hitchcock’s specialty, why he would even approach a comedic actor to star in his films. But isn’t the answer obvious? Cary Grant made a very attractive leading man and if you paired him with an equally attractive leading lady, how could your movie not be a hit? Of course, I don’t know if that was in Mr. Hitchcock’s mind, but that’s what I would have been my thinking.

1. Notorious (1946), leading lady, Ingrid Bergman
2. To Catch a Thief (1955), leading lady, Grace Kelly
3. North by Northwest (1959), leading lady, Eva Marie Saint

All of the women chosen to star in the films with Mr. Grant were just as popular as he was; and onscreen they made the perfect pair.

Notorious (1946), leading lady, Ingrid Bergman

This movie is a Hitchcock classic that will not disappoint anyone who loves old movies about espionage. Most of the action in this film takes place in Brazil, but the opening scene is Miami, Florida, the city where I was born and raised. For that reason only, the movie instantly captured my attention. Ingrid Bergman plays the daughter of a man who was convicted as a Nazi spy. She is as American as apple pie and there is no reason why she should be punished for the sins of her father. Cary Grant works for the United States government as an agent and he persuades Ingrid Bergman to accept an assignment because it is her patriotic duty. They caught her father and convicted him but they need to catch another bad guy. Grant and Bergman fall in love almost immediately and that makes her carrying out the assignment “complicated”.

To Catch a Thief (1955), leading lady, Grace Kelly

Cary Grant was a professional thief and he was a very good one known as “The Cat”. But he retired to the quiet life of a bachelor in a gorgeous villa where he grew beautiful flowers. Unfortunately, there is a copycat cat going around committing burglaries and stealing people’s jewels. Naturally, he becomes the prime suspect. He needs to catch the real thief to prove his innocence. While trying to find the victims, i.e. jewelry owners, that the copycat thief is likely to rob, he meets Grace Kelly, the daughter of one of the victims, and falls in love. She helps him catch the thief and she steals his heart as well.

North by Northwest (1959), leading lady, Eva Marie Saint

I have often heard people say that everybody in the world has a “twin”. I don’t really know if that it’s true, but in my own life experience, I have had people mistake me for being someone else. The person’s name was Julie. I never met her but people have approached me or waved at me from a distance calling out the name Julie. That’s not my name! Nevertheless being mistaken for someone else didn’t really disrupt or interrupt my life. In this movie, Cary Grant is mistaken for someone else and his life is turned upside down! There’s a lot of spying going and one of the spies is a woman. No worries. She’s one of the good guys. He’s no experienced secret agent but he decides to help her accomplish her mission. The two most memorable scenes in this movie? The one where the couple is on Mount Rushmore and the scene where Grant is running, and trying to avoid being run over by an airplane!

♦ These are my top 3 picks for favorite Cary Grant movies. My favorite leading lady was Ingrid Bergman. Agree or Disagree.

Original Soucre

In remembrance of Cary Grant, who passed #otd November 29, 1986 pic.twitter.com/jiAzvLUR6u

— 𝙉𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙜𝙞𝙖. (@Dear_Lonely1) November 29, 2022

Movie and Fun Fashion: The Truth About Charlie (2002)

“The Truth About Charlie” (2002) is a movie which starred Mark Wahlberg and Thandie Newton. When the movie was being hyped in the media, I listened to an interview with Mark Wahlberg discussing his character. He played an American agent who was assigned to a post in Paris, France. He said to make his character more believable, he decided to wear a beret. He figured since he was an American agent performing “undercover” activities, wearing the beret might help him blend in and be less noticeable.

Hmmm? Interesting fashion tip! Come to think of it, I don’t often see American men wearing berets. But I guess the men in France wear a beret?

Here's the answer to that question.

It turns out that berets were adopted by the French military. In the 1920s, a beret became a popular fashion accessory for both men and women. However, according to Trip Advisor, it's mostly just tourists you will see wearing the felt berets.

I am American and went to Catholic school. Our school uniform included a yellow beret. I rather like wearing berets. In USA not many men wear berets but women often sport them to accessorize their outfits.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

How to Style a Beret like an American | STYLE REPORT MAGAZINE

Beret Style Inspiration - How to Wear a Beret

The Truth About Charlie Movie Review (2002) | Roger Ebert

 

** Do you like wearing a beret?

I do.  When I was younger, my choice would have been a RED beret. Now that I’m older, my color pick is BLACK.

* * *

NOTE:  This movie is a modern remake of an old movie classic ~ “Charade” (1963) ~ which starred Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.  Since I am a loyal Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn fan, in my humble opinion, the remake did not hold a candle to the original.  But it was still fun to watch. Why not watch both of them back-to-back.  Great for Friday night OR Saturday afternoon at the movies.

The Pink Panther (1963) ~ Both the Movie and the Soundtrack are Classic!

The Pink Panther is a 1963 British comedy film.

Both the Movie and the Soundtrack are Classic!

Peter Sellers was the perfect person to play the clumsy French detective Jacques Clouseau.  His job is to prevent a notorious thief from stealing a world famous jewel known as "The Pink Panther" which belongs to a princess.

Image credit: Amazon

The Pink Panther Theme Music ~ youtu.be/lp6z3s1Gig0 

The Pink Panther | Soundtrack Suite (Henry Mancini) ~ youtu.be/ilull9eS3mQ 

I like the original music from the original Pink Panther movie. Henry Mancini won an award for it and he said he can't believe he received an award for making up such fun music. 

They remade the Pink Panther movie in 2006 ("The Pink Panther 2") and it starred Beyoncé and Steve Martin as Inspector Clouseau. Beyoncé also contributed to the soundtrack. I didn't care too much for the remake or the music from the remake. Even though I enjoy the comedic genius of Steve Martin, he could not top Peter Sellers.  I'm sure even Mr. Martin would agree with me.

Nope!  My mind was not changed, The original movie released in the 1960s and the soundtrack to the movie are both vintage classic memorable entertainment!

I would not recommend the 2006 remake; however I would recommend:  "The Return of the Pink Panther" (1975); "The Pink Panther Strikes Again" (1976); or any of the many other sequels to the original Pink Panther movie which starred Peter Sellers.  I would also recommend the hilarious animated TV series "The Pink Panther Show" (1969).


The Pink Panther | film by Edwards [1963] | Britannica

** In Memory Of:

Peter Sellers CBE (1925-1980)

David Niven (James David Graham Niven) (1910-1983)

In Memory of: Billie Holiday (1915 - 1959) | Jazz and Blues Lovers Will Always Love Lady Day

My late mother loved gardening. She had a way of arranging flowers in the front yard of our home, based on the season of the year. Do you remember back in the day when neighbors used to visit each other and sit outside and talk?  Well, I have a memory of one evening when my mom and some of her friends were sitting outside talking.  I don't know what season of the year it was, but when I came outside there was a wonderful scent in the air. I had to interrupt the adult conversation and ask my mom what was that delightful odor I was smelling. She told me it was the gardenias she had planted and that in the evening was the best time to smell their fragrance.

Image credit:  Amazon.com

Later on in life (in my teens), I learned about a jazz singer named Billie Holiday and she loved using gardenias to adorn her hair. I must say that she looked quite stylish. I wanted to copy her style so I bought fake flower hair ornaments. Sharing an image of the late Billie Holiday.  She was a great jazz vocalist but she had a really sad life. They did a movie about her life and Diana Ross played her part.  The movie was called “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972).  Some say a lot of the bio details are not accurate.  But don't most movies about famous people change details in the name of “artistic license”?  The film was adapted from a book, her autobiography by the same name, published by Doubleday in 1956.  Anyway!  Entertainment-wise, it was a really good film.  It's listed at TCM (Turner Classic Movies).  Even if you don't watch the movie, you should listen to music.  The soundtrack is pretty awesome!

• In Memory Of:  Eleanora Fagan Gough (1915-1959).  She chose the stage name “Billie Holiday” and was nicknamed “Lady Day” by Lester Young, a saxophonist in the Count Basie Orchestra.  The two worked together in nightclubs on New York's 52nd St.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

Billie Holiday: the highs and lows of Lady Day | Jazzwise

Lady Sings the Blues (1972) - Turner Classic Movies

‘Lady Sings The Blues’: Diana Ross Plays Billie Holiday | uDiscover

100 facts about Billie Holiday's life and legacy | USAToday

Why Do Gardenias Smell More at Night? | Home Guides | SF Gate

* * *

In Memory of Billie Holiday (April 7, 1915 - July 17, 1959) 

Classic Movie ~ Vintage Bette Davis : Jezebel (1938)

When I was growing up Sunday afternoon were special.  My big sister and I loved to watch movies on TV. We especially both loved Bette Davis; whether she was a bad lady or a good girl, she was a SUPER STAR!! 

In this particular movie, she was Julie Morrison, a brazen sassy boldacious Southern belle. She dared to be an independent woman with a mind of her own, who challenged society's norms. In the process of her being rebellious, arrogant, and contrary, she caused a rift between her and her future husband. What did she do that was so outrageous and shaemful? Uumm … she showed up to a party in a red dress!

I was very young at the time and being that red is my favorite color, I didn't get what all the huffing and puffing was about. My older sister explained to me that refined and cultured women in polite society would never wear a red dress. That's the mark of a whore!! A wicked woman!! A she-devil!!

With that very clear and graphic explanation provided by my big sister, I was able to better understand this scene and this line in the movie; and that also explains the name of the movie.

“𝙄 𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙄 𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙚.” ~ Bette Davis - JEZEBEL (1938)

♦ Bette Davis - "I'm Kneeling To You" from Jezebel (1938)

♦ Filmsite Movie Review: Jezebel (1938) ~ "The film earned a total of five Academy Award nominations with two major Oscar victories. Bette Davis won her second (and last) Academy Award for her portrayal of the tempestuous, manipulative Southern ante-bellum New Orleans belle for Warner Bros." 

Original Source

Bette Davis Movies on Amazon Prime Video

Related Posts:

 

* Another Man's Poison (1951) 

* Bette Davis Quotes  

Best of the Best Gangster Movies

I love to read The Guardian .  They have the most interesting content on just about every topic you can think  of.  I especially like their entertainment section and lists they publish like this one: 

The 30 Best Mobster Movies – ranked! | Movies | The Guardian

I'm not saying it's a bad list or ranking.  I'm just saying ... when it comes to gangster movies nothing tops "The Godfather".  Not even the sequels,  The Godfather II and III.  That horse head in the bed scene?  I'm never gonna forget about it!  When it comes to mobster movies, "The Godfather" is the best of the best.  Just sayin'.

***

Recommended Audiobooks:

• The Godfather by Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola - introduction, Anthony Puzo - note, Robert J. Thompson - afterword | 50th Anniversary Edition
• The Making of the Godfather by Mario Puzo
• The Godfather Notebook by Francis Ford Coppola

If you loved the #movie, you'll love these #audiobooks. #gift
1) The Godfather | 50th Anniversary Ed ~ https://t.co/wf333hpIjR
2) The Making of the Godfather by Mario Puzo ~ https://t.co/HqpS68tpmp
3) The Godfather Notebook by Francis Ford Coppola ~ https://t.co/HqpS68tpmp pic.twitter.com/lYFE2KCcYT

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) September 18, 2021