Wednesdays Film Review - What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? 1962

What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? 1962

"What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?" is a thriller/horror film directed by Robert Aldrich and based upon a novel of the same name by Henry Farrell.

Main Cast:

"Baby" Jane Hudson: Bette Davis 

Blanche Hudson: Joan Crawford

Elvira Stitt: Maidie Norman

Elwin Flagg: Victor Buono

Young Jane: Julie Allred:

Young Blanche: Gina Gillespie

Dehlia Flagg: Marjorie Bennett

Mrs. Bates: Anna Lee

Liza Bates: B. D. Merrill

Ray Hudson/The father: Dave Willock

Singing voice of young Jane: Debbie burton

This is the chilling story of two sisters named Jane and Blanche Hudson. In 1917, Jane is a popular childstar with the stagename Baby Jane. She is her fathers favorite and very spoiled, while Blanche is completely ignored by the father. When Jane is on stage, Blanche and their mother watch from backstage. Blanche is angry and jealous of Jane, and the mother tells Blanche, that one day Blanche will be the star, and that she must remember to be kind to Jane, when that happends. The years pass and Blancche becomes an icredibly famous film star, while Jane becomes a has-been. Yet, Blanche has it written in her contract, that for every Blanche Hudson film which is produced, a film with Jane must be made. However, Janes films are not selling well and she begins to drink heavely. One night, after they have been at a party and Jane is extremely drunk, the two sisters drive home. One sister gets out to onluckthe gate, and the other tries to run her over.

Blanche is crippled and confined to a wheelchair.So is no longer able to have a carrier in the filmindustry.

Several years later they live together, and Jane takes care of Blanche. Their relationship becomes more and more tense, when the insane Jane learns that Blanche would like to sell the house and have Jane committed to an asylum. Jane is longing for her childhood and stardom and keep portraits of herself and her father everywere, plays her old signature songs, wears the same clothes (in larger versions) and keeps her hair in the same curls. Age has not been kind to Jane as it has to Blanche and Jane wears heavy makeup in an attempt to hide this. As their relationship becomes more hostile, Jane begins to psycologically torture Blanche and even becomes violent. Her obsession with her former life becomes deeper and she hires a pianist to help her revive her act even though nobody remembers her anymore. Blanche begins to fear for her life and tries to get help. But maybe Jane is not the only one with a dark side.

This film is a classic. And for good reason. It is absolutely epic. Unlike many other films of this era, which have a tendensy towards overacting, a huge part of this perfectly subtle. Even if this film is a black and white it surely could still scare children today. Bette Davis portrays the insane woman Baby Jane a finesse which grant the character multible faces. One minute she is a lost little girl in an old womans body - the next a grotesque abuser. Even if Davis and Crawford disliked each other to the point of sillyness, it certainly dosn't affect their acting, as the parring on screen has an amazing result. Joan Crawford is able to give Blanche such dimensions and makes her agony so believable, that it is heartbreaking.

My final tribute must go to the two childactresses, Julie Allred and Gina Gillespie, who, dispite that they are only present in the first part of the film, are doing and incredible job. They imbody all they agonies to come in their performance - especially Gine Gillespie whose performance as young Blanche is impressive.

 I give this five black cats.

Wants of the week! (7) - The Space Edition

1. WON HUNDRED "mila" top, farfetch.com

2. Silver Treggins by POP CHP, styleserver.de

3. Blue lipstick from Lime Crime

4. Atelier Swarovski Large Crystal Ring, boutique1.com

5. Jill's black crystal leaf brooch,  fantasyjewelrybox.com

6. Jason Wu Black Belted Jersey Dress, stylebop.com

7. Silver eyeshadow from Lancôme 

8. Alberta Ferretti Galaxy-Print Silk Dress, theoutnet.com  

9. Serigo Rossi Uptown Zinco Piper Pumps, intermixonline.com

Wednesdays Film Review - Some Like It Hot 1959

Some Like It Hot 1959

"Some Like It Hot" is a film created in 1958 and released in 1959. 

Main Cast: 

Joe/Josephine/Junior: Tony Curtis

Jerry/Daphne: Jack Lemmon

"Sugar" Kane Kowalczyk: Marilyn Monroe

Osgood Fielding III: Joe Evans Brown

"Spats" Colombo: George Raft

Sweet Sue: Joan Shawlee

The year is 1929. Two young musicians named Joe and Jerry are in Chicargo, where they withness "the Valentine's Day Massacre". Seven gangsters are killed by another gang, let by Spats Colombo. When the withnesses are discovered, they flee - barely escaping death and with holes in their instruments. They deside that going to the police is way to risky as they would be murderer before they could testify. They disguise themselves as women and take a job playing in an all women band conducted by Sweet Sue. They take the names "Josephine" (Joe) and "Geraldine" (Jerry), but Jerry quickly changes his name to "Daphne", because he never liked "Geraldine". 

The band travels by train towards Florida, where they are to play. During the trainride, they meet the band ukulele-player and vocalist, Sugar Kane, who is a heavy drinker and tries to hide alcohol from Sweet Sue as it is not allowed in the band. Sugar has often been caught, and when she drops a bottle during a rehearsal, she is immediatly suspected to be the owner. However Jerry takes the blame - winning Sugars thrust. During the trainride both boys fall in love with Sugar, and have to struggle not to reveal their secret. Joe learns that his male persona is exactly Sugars type, but also that she has joined the band in order to escape these men. Sugar plans to find a millionare in Florida and get married. 

Upon their arrival in Florida, a millionare named Osgood becomes sweet on Daphne. Joe creates a second character posing as a millionare named Junior in order to win Sugars love. She instantly falls for him. They have dinner on Osgoods yacht, while Jerry is keeping Osgood on land. Osgood proposes the Daphne, who accepts. Jerry believes he can have an anullement after the wedding and a large settlement. 

Meanwhile Joe is forced to leave Sugar (Junior leaves) as he has had her and are no longer able to continue the charade. Joe and Jerry discovers that the gangsters are at the hotel for a gathering. Spats Colombo and his men recognise the musicians and chase them. However these gangsters are murdered by other gangsters as revenge for the original massacre. Jerry and Joe withness this as well, and are now chased by the other gangsters - and still wearing womens clothes. The meet up with Osgood and flee to the yatch - saying Daphne wants to elope and get married quickly. Sugar runs to join them, and announces that she loves Joe and doesn't care that hes just like the guys she left behind. Daphne tries to convinse Osgood, that they can't marry.

Osgood is not affected by the desperate Daphne, who eventually takes of the wig and cries: "I'm a man!"

Osgood simply replies: "Well, nobody's perfect."

Marilyn Monroe is always pleasant to look at, this is certainly some of her better work. Even if the acting on her part is rather weak, she does provide excellent comedy. So, even if you're not a Monroe fan this is acceptable. 

Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon are definently the ones, who will drag you in to this. The many colourful charactes the both portray are provoking and humorous.If you are a Monroe fan, this is a MUST SEE. However this film is a great chickflick and/or family film, but it's not a major cinematic experience.

 

 

 

Portraits: Anna May Wong

Anna May Wong (1905-1961)

Wong Lui Tsong was a Chinese-American filmstar, and the first ever Asian-Amercan to become an international star. She was born in Los Angeles and had her first (uncredited) role as an exstra in The Red Lantern of 1919. In 1921 she appeared in her first credited role in Bits Of Life. She went on to star in such films as The Toll Of The Sea 1922, Piccadilly 1929 and Daughter Of The Dragon 1931.

Wants of the week! (5)

1. Armani Jeans Shirt

2. D&G Pink Medium Dory Cross Body Bag

3. Green 80's Glasses

4. Alexander McQueen Heart Peep Toe Skull Pump

5. Mid Pink Ponteroma Jacket from debenhams.com 

6.  Glamour Cat Ring in Bootsie from modcloth.com - SO CUTE! MIAV!

Wedneydays Film Review - Holiday 1938

Holiday 1938

  

"Holiday" was a remake of a film of the same name from 1930, and was directed by George Cukor. 

Main Cast:

Johnny Case: Cary Grant

Linda Seton: Katherine Hepburn

Julia Seton: Doris Nolan

Ned Seton: Lew Ayres

Professor Potter: Edward Everett Horton

Mrs. Susan Potter: Jean Dixon

Edward Seton: Henry Kolker

The plot of this film is relatively simpel. The young man, Johnny Case, was born with nothing, but succeeded in making something of himself. He falls in love with a beautiful young woman named Julia Seton, and is eventually introduced to her father and siblings. He learns that Julia is in fact quite rich, and that heer family leads a life in luxury. He himself is thinking about stopping work, and try to enjoy life more. One must keep in mind that this was during the depression, and that sort of thing would have been unthinkable and provoking to the audience with there being no jobs at the time. He wonders how he going to tell Julia and her ambicios father. They are shocked and a distance evolves between Julia and Johnny. However he find a soulmate in Julia's sister Linda, who a free-thinking creature. Now, Johnny has a difficult choice to make. Pursue his bold dreams or stay secure in Julias arms?

The film is a good romantic "chick-flick" or whatever. Katherine Hepburn does this very well, but I must admit that some of the characters, for an example Julia Seton (Doris Nolan) seem somewhat "cartoony". It becomes a joke. This is however sort of a commedy, so to many this will go unnoticed, but if you are looking for an experience,  this is not the way to go. But this is certainly suitable for an evening with the girls and icecream.

 

 

Czech Republic: Prague, Second Trip, Day 1

This being my first travel post since I changed blog, I'm very exited to share this trip with you. If wish to see the pictures from my former trips to Berlin and Paris, they are still available at amadeacordula@blogspot.com for som time. Now this is my second trip to Prague, which I must say (and bear in mind I have been to many wonderful place; Germany, France, Egypt, Malta, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Spain, Austria ect.) is this most beautiful city in which I have ever been. The architecture of this place is simply stunning. People here are very friendly and most people speak English so communication will not be a problem for you. The city is a mecca for historically interrested people, as it is so wonderfully intact and contains wonderful examples of gothic, rennaissance, rococo, victorian, Sovietstyle buildings. Today I took a  with one of the guided touristboats, which can be recommented for those who are unfamiliar to the city and short on time. I then went shopping in the old city/city centre. I'm staying at hotel Amarilis at Stepanska 18, which is a quite good hotel at an affordable price.

Here are a couple of pictures I shot today:

Charles Bridge:

View from Charles Brigde:

Streets of Prague (me in the first photo as well):

Týn Church in Old Town Square

Astronomical Clock/Orloj

Rococo Day: Shoes

!8th century court shoes often had leather soles, and were made primarily from silk. The tips were pointed and the shoes were heeled. At the time there was no left or right shoe, but the shoes were identical. They then shaped themselves a litttle after the feet of the person wearing them, and so became more comfortable.

1) Yellow silk shoes, France, c.1760s
2) Pink silk shoes, England, c. 1735-1750
3) Embroidered black silk shoes, England, 1780-85
4) Silk shoes, France, c. 1760

Wants of the week! (4)

1. SMYTHE smoking jacket from stylebob.com

2. Ring from fantasyjewelrybox.com

3. Leggins brilan from mango.com

4. Pink Pearl bracelet

5. Alexis Bittar Sugar Diamond Kite Earrings

6. Ted Baked shirt

7. Christian Louboutin boots 

8. Seeking Thrift Shopper Earrings

Wedneydays Film Review - Dracula 1931

Dracula 1931

Now, this is of course a horror classic, and therefore I'm a little hesitant at writing a review of this. A negativ opinion might lead to drama. But, it 's not as if I'd have many of those. The principle of this is that I bring you films, which I believe you should bother watching  - either for a cinematic experience or a good laugh at old technology. And in addition I'd just like too apologise for posting this on a sunday.

Main Cast:

Count Dracula: Bela Lugosi

Mina Harker: Helen Chandler

Van Helsing: Edward Van Sloan

John Harker: David Manners

Renfield: Dwight Frye

Lucy: Frances Dade

DR. Seward: Herbert Brunston

The film was directed by Tom Browning and based upon Bram Stokers novel of the same name. 
No, summary seems needed, as I'm quite sure we've all encountered Dracula in some form or another. However, a man named Renfield is making his way through the Carpaithian mountains of 
Transylvannia in a carriege. He and Count Dracula are closing a deal. 
Dracula has leased Cairfax Abbey in England. When Renfield is about to retire for the night, 
he is attacked by Dracula, who turns him in to his slave and gives him a crawing for insects. 
The two now make their way to England. When the ship arrives, it is discovered that 
every single man on the ship is dead, exept a raving Renfield, 
who is found among the cargo by the police. He is now placed in Dr. Sewards sanatorium for mentally ill people. A night Dr. Seward is in the teater with his daugther Mina, his ward Lucy and John Harker. 
There they meet a charming foreign gentlemann, who introduces himself as Count Dracula. 
This man takes an interest in first Lucy, then later in Mina. Meanwhile, bodies a being found all over the city with two holes in their necks. When Lucy is found dead as well, and Mina begins to act strange, Dr. Seward seek the help of Van Helsing, who seems to know exactly what they're dealing with - and how to stop it. The question remains: Who is the vampire? Is it the insane Renfield as the suspect? And more importantly: How do they trap him in time to safe poor Mina?

Well done! Allthough the lighting is disturbing in some parts of the film, the acting is wonderful. Do I have to comment upon Bela Lugosi? Everyone knows he IS Dracula and no one can do it quite like him. Helen Chandler is certainly worth noticing. Her performance differs greatly from the typical lead female roles of the period, as she is not only a pretty face with a loud scream. She gives the character so much more. Mina becomes quite 3d, especially when she is under the spell of  Dracula. The two other major acting performances must be Dwight Frye and Edward Van Sloan. 

Frye fills out the character and gives it such depth, that you dont know whether to laugh at him or cry with him. For Renfield is truly a man torn between his loyalty and obedient affection for his dark master, and his own humanity and care for his fellow man. Half undead, half man.  

Van Sloan dominates the conversations of huge parts of the film, and  his perfomance is brilliant - althought at times a little 2d. All in all, if you haven't seem this - shame on you! Have a nice day. :) 

Rococo Day: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wants of the week! (3)

1. Boudoir dress from suzannah.com

2. Hat from debenhams.com

3. Purple dress from dorothyperkins.com

4. Black Burberry coat from stylebob.com

5. Worthington Pearl Bracelet

6. Two Lips Caskade I from zappos.com

Wedneydays Film Review - M 1931

M

"M"is a German thriller directed by Fritz Lang, and written by Lang a his wife Thea von Harbou. 

It takes place in Berlin, in what appears to be the late 20s. 

Main Cast:

The murderer Hans Beckert: Peter Lorre

Inspector Karl Lohmann: Otto Wernicke   

Der Schränker: Gustaf Gründgens

Mrs. Beckmann: Ellen Widmann  

Elsie Beckmann: Inge Landgut

Inspector Groeber: Theodor Loos

Georg John: Blind ballon salesman

Franz: Friedrich Gnaß

In the beginning we see a group of children standing in a circle. One of the girls leads the other in a song about a child murderer - to much discontent for the parents, as there recently has been a number of murders of little girs. Mrs. Beckmann is waiting for her daughter, Elsie, to come home from school. As Mrs. Beckmann is preparing dinner, we see little Elsie leaving the school. In her hands she has her beloved red ball, which she bounces against a poster pole with a poster about the murders. Suddenly, we hear a voice coming from behind Elsie. A man greats the girl, and politely speaks with him. Suspecting nothing she lets him take her by the hand, and leves with him. Meanwhile, Mrs. Beckmann is getting more and more nervous and calls for Elsie through the window. She eventually goes out to look for her. 

Elsie and the man (whose face we have not yet seen) are walking down the street. They stop by an old blind man selling ballons, and the man buys Elsie a ballon. As they walk on, he begins to whistle "In the hall of the mountainking" by Edvard Grieg. In the next shot we see Elsies ball rolling through grass and the ballon flying away. 

Inspector Lohmann gets a call from his superior urging him to catch this murder, who has been terrorising Berlin. Karl Lohmann organises a nightly raids in the criminal parts of the city, to great anger of the criminals (burglars, prostitutes, robbers, theirs bosses ect.), who are forced to show their papers and have their business made imposible. The police uses fingerprinting and handwriting analysis in order to try to catch the murderer. Meanwhile, the criminals decide that they cannot just sit around waiting for the police to catch him as the raids are costing them money. And as an innkeeper remarks to the police, they would surely kill him themmselves if they saw him, because even the toughest criminals have a soft spot for children. The criminals decide to cath him themselves, inlisting the beggars to watch every street in the city. 

As the police follows the idea that the murderer may have a record in the psykiatric hospitals and seach for him in the archieves, the question remains: Who will catch the killer?    

This film is the stuff legens are made of. If you are in any way interrested in crime, vintage or thrillers, you simply MUST see this. This is Peter Lorres first major film, and the popularity of it made  his career, Especially the monoloque he has at the end upon the reasons for the killings is simply breath taking. Even though the film is old and techniques so far from the modern, it still takes you in. There's not much to say, butt well done to all involved! It is the first of it's kind. This is a masterpiece. Period.  

Rococo Day: Marie Antoinette's Dress

Wants of the week! (2)

1. Strawberry Tea Dress from modcloth.com

2. Ring from swarovski.com

3. Vintage Tabitha Dress from coggles.com

4. Nadine Alice shirt by Temperly

5. Necklace from 1928.com

6. Gabrielle Rocha Tama shoes from zappos.com

7. Pinup dress from modcloth.com

8. Ring from fantasyjewelbox.com

Wednesdays Film Review - Gilda 1946

Gilda 1946

 

Main Cast:

Gilda: Rita Hayworth

Johnny Farrel/Narrator: Glenn Ford 

Ballin Mundson: George Macready

Singing voice of Gilda: Anita Ellis

 

In the beginning of the film we meet the main character Johnny Farrel. Mr. Farrell is newly arrived in Argentina, where he is gambling with American sailors. Using a pair of false dice he winds the game and takes the money. When out in the streets he is attacked by a man, who wishes to rob him and is armed. Farrel is saved by a mysterious gentleman with a peculiar cane (There's a blade hidden in the cane, which shoots out of the end by the press of a button). The gentleman introduces himself as Ballin Mundson and offers Farrel a cigarette. He gives Farrel an access-card to an illigal casino, but advises him not to "bring his own dice", as Mundson is aware that they are false. However, when he arrives at casino, Farrel cheats again, this time in a cardgame. Two men take him to see the boss. In the office, Mundson reveals himself as the owner of the casino. The two become friends as Johnny Farrels is given the job of managing the casino. One day Mundson comes home from a shorter trip and calls Farrel to his house. Mundson introduces Farrel to his new wife Gilda, noticing the odd reaktion from Gilda and Farrel when they meet. Gilda and Johnny Farrel have in fact already meet. But how will they succeed in keeping this from Ballin Mundson, and how far will they go in their hate and contempt for each other? What will Farrel do, when he is asked by his boss to control his young, beautyful, outrageous and provoking femme-fatale of a wife? What is the past that unites them?    

"Gilda" is a film-noir directed by Charles Vidor. It has achived legend status within this genre, which absolutely understandable. My sincere admiration to Mr. Vidor. 

First of all I must comment upon the ligthing of this film and the beautyful photography by Rudolph Mate. Yes, I am aware that you do not watch films for the ligthing, but the way in which this is done is simply amazing.

Even though the role isn't giving her very much to play with, the acting by Rita Hayworth is not to be missed. She lights up the film and brings such depht and charisma. Also her wonderful dancing is completely worth watching the film for. 

For those of you whose mother tongue is not English - have no fear. The dialog is very clear - provided of course that you have a proper sound system. 

All in all, "Gilda" is a wonderful, charismatic film and Miss. Hayworth shines as a goddess upon the screen!

 

 

Portraits: Nita Naldi

Nita Naldi (1894-1961)

 Nita Naldi was born Mary Dooley in New York. She began her carrier as a model and later moved on to vaudeville. Later she became a silent film actress and starred in such films as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,  (1920), Divorce of Convenience,  A Sainted Devil and La Femme Nue/The Model From Montmartre.

The Shirelles

 

 

Rococo Day: Floral Designs

1) Marie-Louise de Parma in her weddingdress, 1765
2) Wall at Sturehov Manor
3) Floral Print
4) "Bouquet Of Flowers In A Sculpted Vase" by Jan Frans Eliaerts
                  

Wants of the week (1)

1. Blue vintage inspired dress.

2. Vintage peach ring from debenhams.com

3. Vintage Chanel Suit

4. Jewelry Red Cranberry Vintage Drop Earrings from 1928.com

5. Vintage-Effect Boot by Maison Martin Margiela Line 22

6. Retro 80's sunglasses from urbanexcess.com

7. Beautiful yellow dress from modcloth.com

Portraits: Frances Dee

Frances Dee (1909-2004)

Frances Marion Dee was an American actress, born in Los Angeles. Frances Dee began her carrier as an extra, and had her first lead in the pictury; Playboy Of Paris. She went on to make such films as An American Tragedy, Becky Sharp, Little Women and June Moon.

Wedneydays Film Review - The Maltese Falcon 1941

The Malteese Falcon 1941

 

"The Maltese Falcon", in this case the 1941 remake of the 1931 film based upon the novel of the same name, was produced by Warner Bros. and written/directed by John Houston. 

Cast:

Samuel Spade: Humphrey Bogart

Brigid O'Shaughnessy: Mary Astor

Joel Cairo: Peter Lorre

Kasper Gutman: Sydney Greenstreet

Miles Archer: Jerome Cowan

Wilmer Cook: Elisha Cook Jr.     

The story begins with private detective Sam Spade, who runs a detective agentcy with his partner Miles Archer. One day a new client walks through the door. The young, beautiful woman introduces herself as Ruth Wonderly. She asks the detectives for assistance in a difficult matter. Her sister, she says, is missing. She has tracked the sister to San Francisco, but the young woman is with her boyfriend, Floyd Thursby, who has a violent nature. Miles Archer agrees to join the woman, when she is to meet Thursby this same night. That night Miles Archer is shot. Sam Spade arrives at the crime scene, but quickly learns that the police is suspecting him, because he once had an affair with Archer's wife Iva. Samuel Spade also learns that the true identity of Miss Wonderly is infact Brigid O'Shaughnessy, and that the reason for her visit is something complety differrent. The situation becomes even more intense, when a criminal named Joel Cairo shows up at his office with an offer, a request and a gun. Spade also notices a young man following him in the streets. Before to long Spade finds himself with three clients: O'Shaughnessy, Cairo and "The Fat Man", who all wish him to recover at mysterious black figure of a bird. 

"The Maltese Falcon" is a wondeful mysterious film, which dragges you in to the story. If English is not your native lauguage however, you might want to watch this with subtitles as the dialog is sometimes mumbled - especially by Bogart. The setting is very well done and contributes nicely to the mood of the film. Even though Humphrey Bogart does the main character of Sam Spade well, the major acting performances are by Mary Astor and Peter Lorre. Mary Astor is right at home in the part of this femme fatale. She succeeds in making this character very threedimentional, and even though the feeling of both Spade and the audience towards O'Shaughnessy shift back and forth from being on her side to suspicion and contempt, she still maintains some of our sympathy - even in O'Shaughnessy's darkest hours. 

Peter Lorre is brilliant in the role of the eccentric and mysterious Joel Cairo, who is also a major participant in the comedy which sometimes appears. His experience as an actor is a very positive thing for this film. Also he is very threedimentional compared to other minor character and even Samuel Spade. 

The film is simply a "must" for vintage film lovers, and very recommedable - and everybody likes a good crime mystery!  

A new beginning...

Hi, for personal reasons I decided to abandon my old blog. I plan to make this one even better, and I hope you'll like it. <3