Daisy Kenyon (1947) December 4, 2009

Call me Daisy Kenyon !! I would like to be in a love triangle with 2 dysfunctional man like Joan Crawford had with Dana Andrew and Henry Fonda.. I love How Otto Preminger use the camera in this movie A lot of extreme long shot less on the close up .. It’s is totally quintessential Noir / Woman picture at the same ti…me . And for sure an underrated Joan Crawford movie

Box Office Figures for “Daisy Kenyon”:

Top Grossing Film Position: #71 out of #93 films.
Gross Rentals: $1,750,000.
Inflation Value in 2008: $16,612,679.37.

Didi you know??

According to publicity materials contained in the film’s production files at the AMPAS Library, Joan Crawford wanted to buy the rights to the novel for herself, but Fox purchased them before she had a chance to bid. According to materials contained in the Twentieth Century-Fox Produced Scripts Collection, located at the UCLA Arts–Special Collections Library, Margaret Buell Wilder and Ted Sills wrote an incomplete first draft of the screenplay in August of 1945. In May of 1947, Ring Lardner, Jr. was hired to revise David Hertz’s screenplay, but the extent of their contributions to the final screenplay has not been determined.
Joan Crawford’s contract stipulated that the set be kept at temperatures that Henry Fonda and Dana Andrews found “too cold,” so Crawford bought both of them long underwear.

Otto Preminger told an interviewer in the 1970s that he had no memory of this film.Continuity: Near the end of the movie, there are snow chains already on the wheels when Daisy leaves the cottage at the cape. No one had been to the cape since it had snowed.

When Daisy backs out of the garage, the passenger window is down. A few minutes later, she wrecks the car and the window is up (and cracked).

At the divorce trial, Dan still has the bad scrape on his forehead. Soon after, he’s at the cape with Peter and Daisy and his forehead is all healed.

Movie I like to see July 10, 2009

There ’s so many classic movie that I like to see and next month TCM ’s Summer under the stars is full with the movie I like to see

• In a Lonely Place (1950)

An aspiring actress begins to suspect that her temperamental boyfriend is a murderer.
Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Gloria Grahame, Frank Lovejoy, Carl Benton Reid Dir: Nicholas Ray BW-93 mins, TV-PG

• Betrayed (1954)
  During World War II, a U.S. officer falls for a Resistance fighter suspected of being an enemy spy.
  Cast: Clark Gable, Lana Turner, Victor Mature, Louis Calhern Dir: Gottfried Reinhardt C-109 mins, TV-PG
• Manhattan Melodrama (1934)
  Boyhood friends grow up on opposite sides of the law.
  Cast: Clark Gable, William Powell, Myrna Loy, Leo Carrillo Dir: W. S. Van Dyke BW-90 mins, TV-G
• Love On The Run (1936)
  Rival newsmen get mixed up with a runaway heiress and a ring of spies.
  Cast: Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone, Reginald Owen Dir: W. S. Van Dyke BW-80 mins, TV-PG
• I See A Dark Stranger (1945)
  An Irish woman who hates the English turns Nazi spy.
  Cast: Deborah Kerr, Trevor Howard Dir: Frank Launder BW-112 mins, TV-G
• Tea And Sympathy (1956)
  A faculty wife risks her marriage to help a troubled teen tormented by his fellow students.
  Cast: Deborah Kerr, John Kerr, Leif Erickson, Edward Andrews Dir: Vincente Minnelli C-122 mins, TV-PG
• Please Believe Me (1950)
  Three men pursue a shipboard romance with a woman they think is an heiress.
  Cast: Deborah Kerr, Robert Walker, Mark Stevens, Peter Lawford Dir: Norman Taurog BW-87 mins, TV-PG
• Edward, My Son (1949)
  A possessive father destroys anyone who threatens his plans for his son.
  Cast: Spencer Tracy, Deborah Kerr, Ian Hunter, James Donald Dir: George Cukor BW-113 mins, TV-G
• Madame Bovary (1949)
  A romantic country girl sacrifices her marriage when she thinks she’s found true love.
  Cast: Jennifer Jones, Van Heflin, Louis Jourdan, Christopher Kent Dir: Vincente Minnelli BW-114 mins, TV-PG
• Design For Living (1933)
  An independent woman can’t chose between the two men she loves.
  Cast: Fredric March, Gary Cooper, Miriam Hopkins, Edward Everett Horton Dir: Ernst Lubitsch BW-91 mins
• Woman Chases Man (1937)
  A millionaire hires a lady architect to con the money for a housing project out of his wealthy son.
  Cast: Miriam Hopkins, Joel McCrea, Charles Winninger, Erik Rhodes Dir: John Blystone BW-69 mins, TV-G
• Gaslight (1944)
  A newlywed fears she’s going mad when strange things start happening at the family mansion.
  Cast: Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, Dame May Whitty Dir: George Cukor BW-114 mins, TV-PG
• Death On The Nile (1978)
  Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of an heiress during an Egyptian tour.
  Cast: Peter Ustinov, Bette Davis, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury Dir: John Guillermin C-140 mins, TV-14
• Futureworld (1976)
  Reporters uncover deadly secrets behind a theme park where guests live their dreams.
  Cast: Peter Fonda, Blythe Danner, Arthur Hill, Yul Brynner Dir: Richard Heffron C-104 mins
• Women’s Prison (1955)
  A crusading psychiatrist battles a sadistic female warden to improve conditions at a women’s prison.
  Cast: Ida Lupino, Jan Sterling, Cleo Moore, Audrey Totter Dir: Lewis Seiler BW-80 mins, TV-PG
• Some Came Running (1958)
  A veteran returns home to deal with family secrets and small-town scandals.
  Cast: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Shirley MacLaine, Martha Hyer Dir: Vincente Minnelli C-136 mins, TV-PG
• Haunting, The (1963)
  A team of psychic investigators moves into a haunted house that destroys all who live there.
  Cast: Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn Dir: Robert Wise BW-112 mins, TV-PG

Ring on her Fingers July 8, 2009

Watch Gene Tierney and Henry Fonda in Ring on her fingers at

http://www.fancast.com/movies/Rings-on-Her-Fingers/116646/1075725824/Rings-On-Her-Fingers/videos

National Film Registry 2008 July 5, 2009

National Film Registry 2008

Films Selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress – 2008

1)  The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
2)  Deliverance (1972)

3) Disneyland Dream (1956)
4) A Face in the Crowd (1957)
5) Flower Drum Song (1961)
6) Foolish Wives (1922)
7) Free Radicals (1979)
Hallelujah (1929)
9) In Cold Blood (1967)
10) The Invisible Man (1933)
11) Johnny Guitar (1954)
12) The Killers (1946)
13) The March (1964)
14) No Lies (1973)
15) On the Bowery (1957)
16) One Week (1920)
17) The Pawnbroker (1965)
18) The Perils of Pauline (1914)
19) Sergeant York (1941)
20) The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)
21) So’s Your Old Man (1926)
22) George Stevens WW2 Footage (1943-46)
23) The Terminator (1984)
24) Water and Power (1989)
25) White Fawn’s Devotion (1910)

May 18, 2008

 

“Funny but over at Colombia and Fox if you are not sexually operational, forget your career , Cohn and Zanuck love sample the goodies . I got to tell you a funny story about zanuck . I went over to fox when i was ushered in to his office he promptly open the desk of drawer and took out a genuine gold , casting of his genitals . I must admit he was admirably hung, but I couldn’t help wondering what sort of obligation had hung over the ladies at 20th century Fox over the year . Isn’t it somthing??

Joan Crawford

Not the girl next door January 30, 2008

Charlotte Chandler became one of my favorite writer & Biographer these days . “A girl who walk home alone” was he best Bette Davis Biography I ‘d read yet. I recently just pick up a copy of ” Ingrid” last week . But the book that I ‘m waiting to be release is “Not the Girl Next Door: Joan Crawford, a Personal Biography”( release on February 5th) .

After Christina Crawford publish a bestselling memoir, Mommie Dearest,Crawford was portrayed as an abusive mother who had no understanding of, nor feeling for, her children. it became a movie, the book permanently destroy crawford reputation . But Chandler finds another truth in conversations with Cathy Crawford, who told her, “Our Mommie was the best mother anyone ever had.”

“In her biographies, Charlotte Chandler brings warm objectivity to a field dominated by cold subjectivity.” — Michelangelo Antonioni

“Charlotte Chandler’s Not the Girl Next Door illuminates what it meant to be a movie star in the golden age of stardom. This is a story of the Hollywood that was, and is no more.” — David Brown

“The former Lucille LaSueur’s story may never have been better told.” — Booklist

“Charlotte Chandler shares the life of her subject, and then she shares it with the reader.” — Sidney Sheldon

“After reading Charlotte Chandler’s book, I found myself wishing Joan Crawford had lived next door to me.” — Arthur Hiller

Pick up NOT THE GIRL NEXT DOOR at your nearest book store or buy it at amazon

CHARLOTTE CHANDLER is the author of several biographies of actors and directors, among them Groucho Marx, Ingrid Bergman, Federico Fellini, Billy Wilder, Alfred Hitchcock, and Bette Davis. She is a member of the board of the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Chandler is active in film preservation and lives in New York City

My Journey from Cloverfield to 27 dresses January 21, 2008

Last night I was so eager to see one of the most participated monster movie this year “Cloverfield” opent this weekend at 43 million. So I bought a ticket at the theatre waiting eagerly . Theatre was Pack .I thought it would be fun…
The first 1o minutes or so of “Cloverfield” takes us to the going-away party thrown for a dude who has to move to japan . Then the monster attack . Then they run .The movie try to be cool by filming a whole movie in hand-held style cam. But the guy who suppose to be the one who hold the cam , not only try to talk stupid geeky joke but also didn’t know how to hold a camera .The result is a lot of people feeling dizzy (I am one of them) . After 20 minute I saw a few people start to walk out . So I following them . One I stand up I feel horrible. On my way out i went straight to the first trash I saw and start to puke (Nasty Huh?)

After a little clean up in the restroom . I feel really up set and hurt by this A budget B-movie . So I decide to sneak in to the near by theatre to see pleasantly but predictable romantic comedy “27 dresses “

I have no idea who Katherine Heigl is . But I’m sure Ed Burn was hot. I’d nerver like James Marsden but I have to admit that he was really adorable in this movie . As I said the movie was cute but predictable . It’s kind of a movie that you can wait for DVD .Not much to say.

After movie was over I was back to cloverfild again . I thought I’m just gonna give this movie another chance .. the result another throw up ..YIKE

Colverfield *
27 dresses **1/2

Leslie Caron Hotel in France January 19, 2008

Auberge “La Lucarne aux Chouettes” – Leslie’s Caron delicious place in Burgundy… call it a hotel, a restaurant, a bed and breakfast, an inn… it is The Owl’s nest… your favorite place in France!… Renowned for great food and wine in the wine country par excellence. Your lunch and dinner under the trees and flowers lining the terrace, right on the river and sweet sleep follows under the canopy of antique beds, collected by Leslie herself with a passion for antiques.

http://www.lesliecaron-auberge.com/

DIANE (1956) *** January 19, 2008

Diane (1956)
Starring: Lana Turner, Pedro Armendáriz Director: David Miller .

At Castro theatre A couple week a go I had a chance to see one of Lana Turner least well-known MGM movie DIANE . It’ not suppose to be on schedule . But the Print of Elisabeth Taylor “the VIP” has a technical problem . So they replace DIANE instead .

Lana Play Diane de Poitiers who was a noblewoman and a fixture at the courts of Francis I and Henri II of France. She became notorious as the latter’s favorite courtesan, though she was 18 years his senior.

Also in the movie Roger Moore (one of his pre James Bond ) was a good choice of Henry II . I have to admit that the movie is a lot better than I thought . It show that My girl Lana can really act. Notable mention was a beautiful score by Miklos Rozsa and a wonderful costume by Walter Plunkett (Gone with the wind , Raintree Contree ) I mean just only costume is already worth the ticket.

DID YOU KNOW??

• DIANE was Lana Turner’s last film on her MGM contract.
• DIANE was a property that MGM had been holding since the 1930’s, when they had purchased it for Greta Garbo

January 8, 2008

“It’s an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen at San Francisco.”

Oscar Wilde,

DID YOU KNOW??? :From Here to Eternity January 8, 2008

• Burt Lancaster was nervous when he started the film. Most of his previous pictures had been fairly lightweight productions, and this was his first “serious” role. He was especially intimidated by Montgomery Clift’s skill and intensity.

• Joan Crawford refused a role because she abhorred the costumes.

• Columbia Pictures head Harry Cohn wanted Aldo Ray to play Prewitt and Joan Crawford for the Karen Holmes role. Director Fred Zinnemann had his own ideas.

• The scene in which Maggio meets Prew and Lorene in the bar after he walks off guard duty, was actually Frank Sinatra’s screen test for the part of Maggio. To impress director Fred Zinnemann, he did an ad-lib using olives as dice and pretending to shoot craps. The entire sequence was kept as is and used in the picture.

• In the scene where Burt Lancaster and Montgomery Clift play drunk sitting on the street, Clift actually was drunk, but Lancaster was not..
• Joan Fontaine was offered the role of Karen Holmes but had to decline due to family problems. She now regrets it and blames the failure of her late career to turning down the offer.
• The now classic scene between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the rushing water on the beach was not written to take place there. The idea to film with the waves hitting them was a last minute inspiration from the director.
• Harry Cohn was so convinced that Deborah Kerr could not be “sexy” enough to play the lead in this film that he almost did not cast her.
• Shot in a mere 41 days and for only $1 million.
• Frank Sinatra had to campaign especially hard to get this part as his career had hit a low point by this time
• Shelley Winters turned down the role of Alma, as she had just given birth to her daughter Vittoria.

• If Columbia head Harry Cohn had gotten his way, the film would have starred Aldo Ray as Prewitt, Edmond O’Brien as Warden, Joan Crawford as Karen, Julie Harris as Lorene and Eli Wallach as Maggio.
• An urban myth regarding the casting of Frank Sinatra was that the Mafia made Columbia Pictures an offer they couldn’t refuse. This of course was fictionalized in Mario Puzo’s novel “The Godfather” and its subsequent film adaptation. The real reason for Sinatra’s casting was mainly his then-wife Ava Gardner, who was shooting a film for Columbia head Harry Cohn and suggested to him that he use Sinatra. Although initially reluctant, Cohn eventually saw this as being a good idea, as Sinatra’s stock was so low at the time that he would sign for a very low salary. Sinatra had been lobbying hard for the role,even suggesting he would do it for nothing, but he was eventually hired for the token amount of $8,000.

• Harry Cohn resisted the idea of casting Montgomery Clift as Prewitt as “he was no soldier, no boxer and probably a homosexual”. Fred Zinnemann refused to make the film without him.
• The film went on to gross $18 million, the tenth highest grossing film of the 1950s.

• Fred Zinnemann insisted on filming in black and white, as he felt that “color would have made it look trivial”. He also eschewed the use of any of the popular new widescreen ratios.

• Montgomery Clift threw himself into the character of Prewitt, learning to play the bugle (even though he knew he’d be dubbed) and taking boxing lessons. Fred Zinnemann said, “Clift forced the other actors to be much better than they really were. That’s the only way I can put it. He got performances from the other actors, he got reactions from the other actors that were totally genuine.”
• Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra and author James Jones were very close during the filming, frequently embarking on monumental drinking binges. Clift coached Sinatra on how to play Maggio during their more sober moments, for which Sinatra was eternally grateful.
• As scripted, Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster’s classic clinch on the beach was to be filmed standing up. It was Lancaster’s idea to do it horizontally in the surf. The scene was filmed at Halona Cove on the eastern side of Oahu, near Koko Head Crater and Sandy Beach, and the location became a major tourist attraction for years after.
• The MPAA banned photos of the famous Burt Lancaster-Deborah Kerr passionate kiss on the beach for being too erotic. Many prints had shortened versions of the scene because projectionists would cut out frames to keep as souvenirs.
• The censors demanded that Deborah Kerr’s swimsuit should feature a skirt in its design so as to not be too sexually provocative.

• The film helped to popularize Aloha shirts.

No Globe January 8, 2008

“We are all very disappointed that our traditional awards ceremony will not take place this year and that millions of viewers worldwide will be deprived of seeing many of their favorite stars celebrating 2007’s outstanding achievements in motion pictures and television,”

Jorge Camara, President of The Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

NOT just any woman January 7, 2008

” I wasn’t working that day so I came to the studio very well dress ( I thought) in slack with my hair back and a scarf around it. LB look at me turn absolutely red , and told me to go back home and dress the way a star should be seen in public, and never appear looking the way just ‘ any woman” would. So I numbly let his driver take me home and come back an hour later looking absolutely elegant . I never again appear in public , at least consciously looking like ” just any woman” . To this day some little or big voice inside of me says ” Joan Go out there looking like a star ” and I’m damn uncomfortable when i don’t”

“In my Metro Years I think more money was spent on my wardrobe ,per movie, than on the script. Watch the credit of the older movies and see how prominently name like Irene , jean louis , Edith Head and above all Adrien , appear . But , obviously , it was something public wanted. “

“The Crawford wardrobes had some practical application because they could be copies so easily , all the way down to Mainboocher to sears. So variety reason I became conscious of the way i dressed, even in private.

But doesn’t every woman love well designed clothes, and to know that she can afford them? The feel good fabrics , the confidence that comes with knowing you’re wearing a Jean Louis or an Adrian rather than a May company off the rack?? and Furs ? And Jewels??”

“God dammit , if people want to see Joan crawford the star they were going to see Joan crawford the star ,not character actress in blue jeans . They paid their money and they were going to get their money ’s worth. If all sound like snobbery or affection -it isn’t . In my day a star owed the public a continuation of the image that made her a star in the first place”

Joan Crawford
(Conversation with Joan Crawford by Roy Newquist)

Daisy Kenyon to be release in March January 7, 2008

My favorite Director + My favorite diva Daisy Kenyon will be release on DVD March 11 ,2008

Also Jaspace has been link in Joan Crawford German Wikipidia . How cool is that!!

Bette Davis Eyes December 28, 2007

This handout image provided by the U.S. Postal Services shows a 2008 postage stamp honoring actress Bette Davis. (AP Photo/USPS)