Happy Birthday... Katharine Hepburn

Born Katharine Houghton Hepburn on May 12th, 1907 it could easily be argued she was one of the best actresses of her time. She died on June 29th, 2003 at the wonderful age of 96! I'd say, and I'm sure she'd agree, she lived a long and wonderful life, both personally and professionally. Unlike many stars around her at the time, she truly did things her way and I think that's why many today can't quite understand her. There are rumors about how she lived her personal life, some proven and others remain murky to this day. But whatever you may think about who she was off camera, there is one thing that can't be denied about her on camera...my was she beautiful, and funny, and classy, but most of all, an amazing performer who far out-shined her co-stars. I love Katherine Hepburn at just about any age and in just about every movie I've had the pleasure of seeing her in.

Two days ago TCM showed some of her movies. Admittedly, for the exception of Bringing Up Baby, they weren't what I would consider some of her best roles. Below I'm going to list for you the ones I've seen and I would highly recommend you seek to watch as well. Many of them, I'm sure, will be featured on multiple occasions on TCM throughout the year.

Little Women (1933)
Stage Door (1937)
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Holiday (1938)
The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Woman of the Year (1942)
Adam's Rib (1949)
The African Queen (1951)
Pat and Mike (1952)
Summertime (1955)
Desk Set (1957)
Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

Looking back there were more Katharine Hepburn movies I DIDN'T see versus the ones I have seen. I'm not sad about it because it only helps me realize just how many more times I'll get to experience her nuanced way of smiling, and laughing, and just making me feel great while watching her act. The short list above doesn't even begin to cover some of the great roles she's played throughout her 40+ years spent as one of the most sought after stars. She played along side some leading men as well; most notably, Spencer Tracy whom she loved deeply till the day he died.

Of the list above my favorite serious role for her I'm torn between Suddenly, Last Summer and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. But as for her best comedic role I will probably always say Bringing Up Baby. No matter how many times I watch that movie I will always find myself laughing till I'm near tears.

What's your favorite Katharine Hepburn movie? Why?

Remembering: Mickey Rooney

Born Joseph Yule Jr. in Brooklyn, NY on September 23rd, 1920

Mickey Rooney is one of my favorite actors. He was one of the best teenage actors around. Almost as good as Shirley Temple was a child actor. But aside from his brilliant performances (that I'll get into in just a second) I want to point out what I will finally admit I truly loved about him! In a world of statuesque models in Hollywood, both male and female, the fact that Mickey Rooney, at only 5'1" (some have him as tall as 5'3"!) he was able to "get the girl" as good as any other more handsome man in the business. And while his roles were not exactly the kind you'd find Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, or Jimmy Stewart in, he left his mark in the cinema world same as the did. Being someone who is 5'1" myself I appreciated that he didn't let his short stature limit his career in any way.

His movie career, you could argue, started with the Andy Hardy movies. I must also now admit I have never seen any of those. I will rectify this of course after realizing he did a few with Judy Garland. Ah, Judy. I loved every movie (I saw) those two were in. And I think it only fitting to share a clip of the two of them doing what each does best:

That clip, if you don't recognize it, is from the movie Girl Crazy (1943), and definitely one of my favorite. No, I take that back, it IS my favorite Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland films. But, the song and the moment I believe they are most noted for comes from them singing Good Mornin' in the movie Babes in Arms (1939).



And those come from Mickey Rooney's teenage years. But his acting career (like many child stars) didn't stop or fizzle out, although his height was a hinderance for him when it came to getting roles where the man gets the girl. I guess Hollywood didn't think it would be possible for a man of 5'1" to get a girl unless she was his height? That's funny since his first wife happened to be Ava Gardner (listed as 5'6")!

She was gorgeous! But their marriage barely lasted a year. He didn't let that get him down though. In the course of his lifetime he had 8 wives! Yep, you read that right, the man had 8 wives! Of the 8, his last wife, Jan Chamberlain (Jan Rooney) was his longest lasting marriage. They were together for 37 years, which is more than all 7 of his previous marriages combined. He is survived by Jan, 8 children (one died in 2006 at the age of 59), 19 grand children and several great grand children. I think he may have had the most marriages of any Hollywood star, including Elizabeth Taylor who although she was married 8 times two of them were to Richard Burton.

But, Mickey Rooney did some great movies when he got older. I won't mention them all since it's a LONG list. But I will share with you pictures and video clips of some that were my favorite and aside from his teen years with Judy, this adds to how I'll always remember him...

What, no images of Mickey and Judy?! Would I do that?

What, if any, Mickey Rooney movies have you seen? Did you love it or hate it?

Movie Spotlight: A Christmas Carol

Okay, I realize there are like a hundred gazillion different versions that have been made of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. And not all of them were given the same title. There are a few (terrible) variations on the title, A Diva's Christmas Carol comes to mind...but anyway...

Allow me to go back and time, not to ALL of them, since thankfully I have not seen EVER iteration that Hallmark or Lifetime or whatever other cable channel has annoyingly come up with for the sake of making a movie. What I rather do it quickly go over the classics, and more in-depth than I usually would of just simply listing them. Instead I will tell you why I liked the versions below and why I think they should be versions seen every year at Christmastime. And don't worry, a "Christmas Movies" Spotlight will be coming up soon, just a little closer to the 25th.

I thought I'd begin with a little nugget I discovered in putting this all together. It's a classic and will help to move me forward as I list these versions from oldest to newest. The year is 1939, when sitting around the radio was how most families chose to spend their time together. Specifically, it was December 24th, 1939, when everyone was gathered around the radio to hear, for the 5th year in a row, a legend in his own right, Lionel Barrymore, reprise his role as that lovable old miser, Ebenezer Scrooge. I have the MP3 version of this specific copy I'll share with you from YouTube but I'm most excited for my vinyl copy to arrive in the mail next week. I have a feeling it will sound much better that way. So, gather your family around your electronic device, turn the volume up, and listen to the below audio version, brought to you by Campbell's Playhouse, Directed by Orson Welles, starring Lionel Barrymore in Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.


Now that I've shared that with you (wasn't it wonderful by the way?) allow me to move forward, beginning with the role that initially was slated to cast Lionel Barrymore, who declined (not sure why??), giving the now classic lead to Reginald Owen.

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A Christmas Carol (1938)

For me, the young man who plays Tiny Tim is probably my favorite of all the Tiny Tim's in all the movie versions I'll be sharing. If anything, watch it for him. This Scrooge is really sad and pathetic looking. Not my favorite Christmas Carol, but definitely one that you'll find on some cable or local network this time of year.












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A Christmas Carol (1951)

Alistair Sims is to me the one Scrooge who looks so different. Probably because he's very thin and tall as opposed to the majority that may be tall but were hunched over and...well..."miserly" looking. Alistair Sims played Scrooge as a man who walked tall and almost invited the hate. The more he got the taller he stood. This movie is really all about him, where the three ghosts, Marley, and the Cratchit family, including Tiny Tim, for me, aren't that memorable. But like the Reginald Owen version, this one can most definitely be found on cable or local networks this time of year.








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Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962)
The first of only two animated Christmas Carol versions I'm mentioning. I mention this one only because who better to play Scrooge (besides Mr. Spacely from the Jetsons, who I left out so be all like WTH now and get it over with) than Mr. Magoo? That loveable blind man is a riot in this classic. As far as I know it's not easily found on tv this time of year but look anyway, some channel might have the good sense to show it. Otherwise you might have to fork over some dough to buy the DVD, but boy is it worth it.
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Scrooge (1970)

I love musicals so it stands to reason why THIS version of Dickens Christmas Carol happens to be my all time favorite. Sure the others are great in their own right but with this movie I can do a whole post about it all by itself! But, I'll keep this brief. The singing is spectacular and not cheesy whatsoever. The best song in my opinion? "Thank You Very Much" because, well, the dude DANCES on Scrooges casket! Yeah, if you haven't seen the movie, see it! You can find it on all major channels and YouTube has the whole movie as well.

Albert Finney is also masterful in this role. So much so he won the Golden Globe this year for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy! He's not a singer but when he sings it'll melt your heart for sure. And the funniest moment? When he surprises the Cratchit family. The wife is a hoot in that scene! And check out that tag line in the poster?







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A Christmas Carol (1984)

Okay, so George C. Scott is like THE MAN. I think he actually gives Scrooge a bit of class and makes him not as dirty and just plain ick like the others do. To watch his portrayal of Scrooge you would think, "this is how Shakespeare would have written it." Oh, and by the way, check out his Bah Humbug, cause I'll say it right here and now, if you wish to EVER portray Scrooge THAT is how you say it! Nuff said!











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Scrooged (1988)

What can I say about one of the funniest men in movies from the 80's till now? I have not seen a Bill Murray I didn't like. My all time favorites of his that quickly come to mind are Stripes, Quick Change, and What About Bob? Not to mention Ghostbuster's which he's probably most known for! But back to this movie...

Yes, it's supposed to be a "spoof" of the movies...in a way...but to me I think it shouldn't be considered a spoof at all. It's a genuinely great movie. It's the only "modern" version I have on my list that's about a mean producer. The moment that makes this movie stand out is the very end when he talks directly into the camera and tells the world about the true meaning of Christmas. Forever a classic and shown every year, so find it and watch it.
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A Flintstones' Christmas Carol (1993)

This is the second and last animated one I'm choosing to showcase in my list. I love it because I love the Flintstones (more than the Jetsons, yes I said it!) and I just think how they set it up to be a stage play within their real lives and how Fred begins to show Scrooge-like behavior even when he's not on stage is great. Yes, Mr. Magoo is done in the same way, but I think this Flintstones version truly captured the meaning of Christmas in a great way.

And I gotta say, BamBam saying one of the THE most famous lines of the book and all the movies was one of the most memorable, for me.






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Ms. Scrooge (1997)

 Cicely Tyson is not the first or the only woman to portray Scrooge and she certainly won't be the last but I don't think anyone can do it better. I've seen Vanessa Williams, Susan Lucci, and even Tori Spelling try, but they all missed the mark completely! And what's better than Cicely Tyson as Scrooge? Why none other than Katherine Helmond (I know and love her from Who's the Boss?) as Maude Marley!

This is truly a classic that changed as little as possible from the book and other movie versions traditionally played by men as the lead. I think that's what the other female Scrooge movies missed, they changed and modernized it so much that it just takes the spirit right out of the whole thing. Watch this version if you are looking to see Scrooge portrayed as a woman. You'll be glad you did.



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A Christmas Carol (1999)

Ah, Patrick Stewart! If not for the Albert Finney version I would say THIS one is my favorite. Why? Well besides the fact that you'll be seeing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the role of Scrooge you mean?!

Hmm, well the moment I feel should have easily won him awards and accolades upon accolades in my book is when he realizes he's not dead. That moment is iconic among ALL true Christmas Carol movies. Everyone does it differently and each one is unique in their own way. But the laughter that comes forth from Patrick Stewart? I don't know where it came from or how he did it but you'll find yourself laughing with him. HE LIVES and is going to keep on LIVING! Now isn't THAT the point (among others) of Christmastime and this Dickens classic?




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A Christmas Carol (2009)

Of all the Christmas Carol movies I mentioned above this is the only one I saw on the big screen. In IMAX 3-D I believe. And it was great! Again, just the simple retelling of a true classic. The animation was superb and so lifelike. Jim Carrey outdoes himself again with the way he emotes with his voice the words of Scrooge.

It wasn't until this animated movie that I realized all the actor has to go on to show their true abilities is their voice and Jim Carrey's voice was definitely made for the part of Scrooge. I give props to the animation but a huge round of applause to the voice behind the man. You did Dickens and Scrooge proud for sure!

Actor Spotlight: Cary Grant

Yes, it's Christmas-time, so I figured, for these 12 Day so Christmas I'd bring you 12 Days of Spotlight. I'll discuss music, movies, actors, & authors that interest me. They won't all have to do directly with a Christmas theme in any way. I'm taking this opportunity to share with you all my interests outside of the many, many, many different books I read and have read this year. With that said, I bring you Cary Grant for Day 1 of my 12 Days of Spotlights!

What can I say about a man such as Cary Grant? He's acted in dozens upon dozens of movies and had hit after hit from the 40's on. As I spoke with a close friend about the various Cary Grant movies I've seen I never realized just how many I've seen! He's so well rounded with his acting, doing comedies, dramas, suspense, and romance without breaking a sweat. He has a charm about his stance and his voice that make women swoon and men want to be him.

If I could have the personality of any actor, past and present, I'd probably want it to come closest to Cary Grants. Unlike Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly who had to dance or Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra who had to sing, to get their women, Cary never had to do anything of that. He did more to move a woman to fall in love with him just by the way he looked at her. Just watch any of the movies I've seen (listed in released order) below and you'll know exactly what I mean. I've taken the liberty of including the leading lady he acted beside. I don't think there was any woman of his acting era who he didn't get to easily sweep off his feet. He is truly every man.

She Done Him Wrong (1933) - Mae West

Topper (1937) - Constance Bennett

The Awful Truth (1937) - Irene Dunne

Bringing Up Baby (1938) - Katherine Hepburn

Holiday (1938) - Katherine Hepburn

His Girl Friday (1940) - Rosalind Russell

My Favorite Wife (1940) - Irene Dunne

The Philadelphia Story (1940) - Katherine Hepburn

Penny Serenade (1941) - Irene Dunne

Suspicion (1941) - Joan Fontaine

The Talk of the Town (1942) - Jean Arthur

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) - Priscilla Lane

Notorious (1946) - Ingrid Bergman

The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947) - Myrna Loy

The Bishops Wife (1947) - Loretta Young

People Will Talk (1951) - Jeanne Crain

Monkey Business (1952) - Ginger Rogers

To Catch a Thief (1955) - Grace Kelly

An Affair to Remember (1957) - Deborah Kerr

Houseboat (1958) - Sophia Loren

North by Northwest (1959) - Eva Marie Saint

Charade (1963) - Audrey Hepburn

Father Goose (1964) - Leslie Caron

Now I tell you, name another actor who has had a line-up of women like that on THEIR resume of movies? And those are JUST the movies I've seen. He's got SO many others with other leading ladies I'm sure. I hope I get to see them all! I've noticed in the beginning he did a lot of movies with Katherine Hepburn and Irene Dunne (due to contracts with the studio at the time) but his friendship with Alfred Hitchcock put him in several of his movies. Unfortunately he declined to be in my favorite Hitchcock movie, Rope, because he was rumored to be gay and felt if he were to appear in the movie then critics would have that as proof that the rumors were true. Rope is laced with homosexual undertones throughout the movie. James Stewart stepped into the role and the rest is history.

Of all the Cary Grant movies I've seen I'd have to say the ones I love the most are His Girl Friday, The Bishops Wife, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Bringing Up Baby. They are all truly great but these four are by far my favorites. I can watch them each every single day and never get tired of them.

Which Cary Grant movie(s) have you seen?

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming (Book Review)

Casino Royale

by Ian Fleming

188 pages

Thomas & Mercer, 2012 (re-print)

suspense

Did No Finish

Rating: n/a

Amazon | BN

 

"The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning."

 

Review: First let me begin by saying I was reading this book back in the beginning of November and was supposed to have written this review on WHY I couldn't finish the book then. It's been almost four weeks later now, I've sweated over a 50K in 30 days novel of my own (NaNoWriMo), so please excuse me if I may not remember 100% the reason.

Let me begin by stating I absolutely loved every movie starring Sean Connery and Roger Moore as 007. There were other actors, including current Daniel Craig, but for me they'll never really count.

I decided to read all of the Bond books now, more than a decade after discovering the movies. And if you know me at all, I have to start at the beginning of any series I read (or re-read) and so I was excited that Casino Royale was under 200 pages. That size book I can usually finish in two days if it's during the week, one day if it's the weekend. So when I was not even halfway through the book by day three I knew I wouldn't finish it.

Here are my reasons and you may disagree with them but for me personally it was VERY slow moving. Also, I don't take to a book that doesn't explain certain scenarios and mannerisms well. It was as if I was expected to already be a native of France, know certain words, terms, behaviors, and I don't. For me, the mark of a great book is one that I can easily slip my feet into the shoes of the main character, ANY character, or ALL of them, interchangeably. But, I constantly felt like I was on the outside only getting a peek in at what was going on from time to time.

Then there's the story, which I must admit sounds great in theory. Bond is sent to a casino to follow some dude who's a heavy gambler and they want him to bankrupt him. I'm sure the whole thing is much more complicated and in depth than that but I only got so far in the book. The "woman" of this book is, from what I read, someone who works on his side but he's not pleased with the idea of having a woman along to help him. He's 007 damn it! Since when has 007 needed supervision or help.

M is introduced but after the idea of making him into a her for the last few movies I was thrown a bit. I LOVE Judy Dench as an actress and thought putting her in the role was brilliant. Of course I haven't seen any of the Daniel Craig Bong movies so I can't say how it works. I just like the idea. 

I also think it's telling that of the two Casino Royale movies made, the first was a spoof (1967) and the second, based on the actual book, starring Daniel Craig wasn't till 2006. Perhaps because of all the books written this one wasn't considered one of his best? 

In any case, it will remain on my book shelf as I collect the other Ian Fleming Bond Books that Thomas & Mercer have been reprinting with fancy covers like the one shown above. I'm a sucker for a fancy printed collection of books! Hopefully I will enjoy Live and Let Die better...

 

Summary: In the novel that introduced James Bond to the world, Ian Fleming’s agent 007 is dispatched to a French casino in Royale-les-Eaux. His mission? Bankrupt a ruthless Russian agent who’s been on a bad luck streak at the baccarat table.

One of SMERSH’s most deadly operatives, the man known only as “Le Chiffre,” has been a prime target of the British Secret Service for years. If Bond can wipe out his bankroll, Le Chiffre will likely be “retired” by his paymasters in Moscow. But what if the cards won’t cooperate? After a brutal night at the gaming tables, Bond soon finds himself dodging would-be assassins, fighting off brutal torturers, and going all-in to save the life of his beautiful female counterpart, Vesper Lynd.

Taut, tense, and effortlessly stylish, Ian Fleming’s inaugural James Bond adventure has all the hallmarks that made the series a touchstone for a generation of readers.

To learn more about Ian Fleming visit his official website here.

Top Ten Best/Worst Movie Adaptations

What an interesting topic. I happen to be someone who will read the book before I will see the movie version, especially if it's a recent movie then I will RUSH to read the book ASAP! Then there are the occasional movies I saw and did not realize they were originally a book, but here in what order I read the book and saw the movie is irrelevant. I've decided to split my list in half between the best and the worst adaptations.


Worst Adaptations:

Harry Potter series, movies 2-7 (books by J.K. Rowling)

The Hunger Games (book by Suzanne Collins)

The Da Vinci Code (book by Dan Brown)


Best Movie Adaptations:

Gone With the Wind (book by Margaret Mitchell)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (book by J.K. Rowling)

To Kill a Mockingbird (book by Harper Lee)

The Devil Wears Prada (book by Lauren Weisberger)

The Help (book by Kathryn Stockett)

And Then There Were None (book by Agatha Christie)

January, The Wrap-Up

I am very excited to share my first "updates" post of what I've reviewed this month. If I can accomplish it I'd like to have at least 10 reviews on my update posts every month. Between the books I've read and the movies I've watched (on TCM and in theaters) I think that should be easy to accomplish. So here we go... (disregard Eragon since I never finished it this month)

Books

• Mind Over Murder by Allison Kingsley


• The Pigman by Paul Zindel


• Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut


• Agenda 21 by Glenn Beck


• Divergent Veronica Roth


• Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Movies

• TCM Presents...We're No Angels


• TCM Presents... Cabin in the Sky

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Number of books read: 6*
Number of pages read: 1,895*

*I'm using Daytum to keep track of my reading for the 2013 year. You can see my progress here.

Top Ten Tuesday: Posts I Think Give You The Best Glimpse of ME

 

Learn more and check out the TTT schedule now available through November!

My blog is still pretty new. Although I imported my “more opinionated” blog that I kept from previous years, I’ve learned to enjoy the arts more and leave my troubles behind me. It’s been almost one year since I’ve decided to shed my old skin and embrace a new one which involves going to the movies, the theater, and reading a good book every now and then. I can’t say all the movies and theater and books I’ve attempted were great and worth enticing others to follow suit, but the journey has always been and will always be worth it. I figure, why not share my thoughts (albeit one sided from time to time) with an audience I hope to increase some day. Enjoy!

Book Reviews:

1. The Hunger Games - After reading the HP series I found myself becoming nostalgic for YA books. It turns out you’re never too young to read them. And while I will NEVER read the Twilight series, there are other “less popular” but just as great if not better YA series out there. The Hunger Games was my official stepping stone…

2. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened - I believe this is one of the best reviews I’ve ever written simply because this is one of the best books of 2012 I’ve ever read. I’d also go so far as to say it’s the best comedic true story I’ve ever read as well.

3. Cinder - A YA series I happened to come across one day while browsing in the book store. The cover caught my eye and the description was unforgettable. Had I known I’d have to wait a year before the next one came out I probably wouldn’t have read it. I still remember waiting for the next HP book to come out and needing to stand in line over night to buy it at the stroke of midnight. While this series probably won’t have that kind of pomp and circumstance I’m glad I read it and can share my thoughts on it with you. Just be aware book 2 (Scarlet) does not come out till February 2013.

4. The Little Red Guard - I enjoy reading autobiographies very much. My long list of book signings I’ve been to can attest to it. I don’t just buy them I read them. This story however differs from any autobiography you’ll ever read. It was, and I believe still is, a best-seller and a true story of a 3 generation family growing up in China. I read this book in under a week and appreciated the author for sharing this story.

Movie Reviews:

5. Rear Window - Just one of many movies I’ve seen growing up that now I get to see on the big screen!

6. TCM Presents… Julie - I’ve started this new section on my blog that will have me reviewing a movie I watch on TCM that I’ve never seen before. I just love Robert Osborne. Don’t you?

7. Snow White and the Huntsman - I have to give credit where credit is due to Kristen Stewart who proved to me sometimes it’s the movie not that actors that can give me the wrong impression. A slice of humble pie anyone?

8. Dark Shadows - Another reminder but this time in the reverse. Just because I love a particular actor doesn’t mean they’ll be amazing in any movie they do. Johnny Depp disappointment but lesson learned.

9. Titanic - A movie I avoided for as long as I could, then my brother dragged me, kicking and screaming. Here is my review of a movie I didn’t want to see, EVER!

The Greats:

10. Marlene Dietrich - Something else I’ve added to my blog is this segment known as “The Greats.” It doesn’t have to be related to movies. It can be anyone or any place. I like lists so I love this idea I started.