Reflecting on a Week of Losses

Wow, what a week it's been.  Four (!!) classic film greats departing this life in the same week.  I can't remember a week in which we have lost so many.  The ranks of Classic Hollywood are thinning out rapidly, and it makes me very sad.  Just like they don't make films like they used to, they don't make stars like they used to either.  Yesteryear's stars exuded glamour, elegance, and style in a way stars of today do not---with class and grace.  We will not see their likes again.

The first loss of the week was Eleanor Parker.

My #4 gal (behind only Bette Davis, Susan Hayward, and Barbara Stanwyck in my heart), Eleanor is very beloved to me.  When my daughter told me of her passing (since I am largely offline these days and hadn't seen anything about it), I couldn't help weeping.  In memory of her, I chose to watch one of her films that evening, and since there is a Santa Claus scene in Never Say Goodbye, I'll be watching that one as part of my Christmas movie viewing this week.


Following closely on the heels of Miss Parker's death was that of Audrey Totter.

It was through a Classic Hollywood posting on Facebook that I learned of Miss Totter's passing, and my first thought was, "Oh, no, not another one."  In recent years, it seems that 2 or 3 stars (but not 4!) have often passed around the same time. Audrey was fantastic at portraying the icy femme fatale of the 1940's noirs, but she could lean to a softer side as well, as evidenced in my favorite of her films---The Set-Up.

Only days after Audrey's death,  Peter O'Toole passed away.

I am not overly familiar with Mr. O'Toole's works, but there are several of his films I've been wanting to see---especially Lawrence of Arabia and The Lion in Winter.

Barely had the news of Mr. O'Toole's death crossed my path, when I learned (again from my daughter) that Joan Fontaine had died.

This one, again, hit me very hard.  Miss Fontaine is one of my top-15 favorite actresses, and I had fully intended to have her as a star of the month this year.  She was to have been October's star; however, for a variety of reasons, I changed my schedule in September, then ended up taking a blog break before October was out.  Now, I am kicking myself for that decision.  Oh, sure, I can highlight Joan some month next year, but I would much prefer having honored her while she was yet alive (as I did her sister Olivia in July).  My favorite of Miss Fontaine's films is Rebecca.  I think her performance in that film was Oscar-worthy---even better than her Academy Award-winning performance in Suspicion.

So, as we bid goodbye to four beloved stars, I am reminded of my favorite George Eliot quote, "Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them."  Thanks to so many great films which have been preserved for us, we will never forget you Eleanor, Audrey, Peter, and Joan.

And in the words of Clark Gable, "Death is something none of us can avoid.  I suppose it's pointless to worry about it.  Just live your life how you want and hope somebody remembers you fondly."  (From Dear Mr. Gable's Facebook page)

We do remember you fondly, dear friends.  May you all rest in peace.

NOTE:  All photos were obtained from Doctor Macro (HERE)

Rest in Peace, Beloved Eleanor

Although I am on a blog break through the holiday season, I have to interrupt my break in order to pay tribute to one of my most beloved actresses---the beautiful, exceedingly talented Eleanor Parker, who passed away this morning at the age of 91, due to complications of pneumonia.  (June 26, 1922 - December 9, 2013)

This lovely, gentle-voiced lady resides near the very top of my favorite actress list---at #4!   I completely love Miss Parker and am definitely on a quest to see as much of her filmography as I can. She was a terrific actress, receiving a Best Actress Academy Award nomination three times.  (I go on record as saying that I think she ought to have won in 1950, for her performance in Caged. Though I adore Judy Holliday [who did win], Bette Davis [who was also nominated], and Sunset Boulevard [for which Gloria Swanson was nominated], I definitely feel that Miss Parker's performance was the most brilliant of them all and ought to have garnered her the Oscar.)

It was my search for Robert Taylor films which brought this delightful lady to my attention. The two of them made three movies together (Above and Beyond, Valley of the Kings, and Many Rivers to Cross), and when I watched Above and Beyond for the first time, I was surprised to see a name I recognized from The Sound of Music.  I had no idea that the Eleanor Parker of Sound of Music had been part of Hollywood's "golden era" or even that she had made other films.  (Of course, since I didn't get into classic films until 2006, it's no surprise that I was ignorant of Miss Parker's career for so many years.)  At any rate, I loved Eleanor in Above and Beyond, so in addition to tracking down the other two films she had made with the handsome Mr. Taylor, I sought out several of her other works, and the more I saw of her, the more impressed I became.  She very quickly rose to near the very top of my favorite actress list---where she will remain forever.

Besides the afore-mentioned Caged, Above and Beyond, Valley of the Kings, and The Sound of Music, some other highly recommended, very loved, titles include The Man with the Golden Arm, Lizzie, Interrupted Melody, Pride of the Marines, Never Say Goodbye, Detective Story, Escape from Fort Bravo, The Very Thought of You, Scaramouche, and A Hole in the Head.  A viewing of any one of those films will showcase Miss Parker's loveliness and the broad range of her talent.

Rest in peace, beloved Eleanor! You will always be one of my most favorite actresses.  Thank you for bringing so much enjoyment to my life through so many wonderful movies!!

Pride of the Marines (5 stars)

A fellow John Garfield fan and I were recently discussing the films which turned us on to Mr. Garfield and his incredible acting abilities, and since 1945's Pride of the Marines is the one that did it for me, I felt a re-watch of the film and a re-working and expansion of that review was in order.  A biographical World War II-era drama based on the real-life war experience of  U.S. Marine Al Schmid, Pride of the Marines stars Mr. Garfield and Eleanor Parker, with Dane Clark and Rosemary DeCamp taking on co-starring roles. The film is mostly a pre-going-to-war and recovering-from-war film...actual battle scene is only about ten minutes, so if you don't like war movies, you won't have much of that to endure.

The setting is Philadelphia in late 1941.  Al Schmid (John Garfield) and Ruth Hartley (Eleanor Parker) are "fixed up" by mutual friends, and after a rocky start to their romance, they are quite in love and are looking forward to the future.  The bombing of Pearl Harbor changes their plans, though, for Al enlists in the Marines and is sent off to the Pacific.  While at the train station before Al's departure, the two pledge their love, with Ruth promising to wait for Al.

Months later, while defending a position on Guadalcanal, Al takes a grenade in the face, resulting in the loss of his sight.  He is sent to a San Diego naval hospital to recuperate, and at first, hopeful that an operation will restore his sight, he is in good spirits, even dictating letters for his nurse to send to Ruth.

Not wanting Ruth's pity, nor wanting to consider that his blindness may be permanent, his letters never mention his condition.  Eventually, though, after an unsuccessful operation, he sends Ruth one final letter to break things off.  Although his nurse tells him that he is still the same man and that Ruth would still love him, a bitter Al refuses to allow Ruth to be a seeing-eye dog for him.

Does Al ever see again?  Does Ruth ever find out about his blindness?  Do they get back together?  And what happens when Al must return to Philadelphia for an awards ceremony?  These are the questions which play out in this lovely war-time drama.



As stated, Pride of the Marines is the film which turned me on to the incredible John Garfield.  As one who is passionately interested in all things related to the Second World War, I have long been on a quest to see all the (war) films made during the actual war years, and it was through that endeavor that Mr. Garfield entered my life.  I was beyond impressed with his portrayal of Al Schmid; I thought he was nothing short of spectacular and, thus, began seeking out more of his works.  As I did so, I became more enamored of this very under-appreciated actor, and he rapidly made the climb to "beloved" status on my favorite actor list.

Not only does Pride of the Marines give me an opportunity to enjoy one of my most beloved actors, it also gives me my 4th favorite actress ever---the beautiful Eleanor Parker.   I learned in Body and Soul, the Story of John Garfield that "Julie (as Mr. Garfield was always called) asked to have Miss Parker opposite him in his next picture" (which turned out to be Pride of the Marines). "Although Warners had been thinking along the lines of Joan Leslie or Alexis Smith, they delivered Miss Parker because they wanted to keep Julie happy..."  For me, the casting of Miss Parker was completely perfect---she was sensational in the role, plus, she and Mr. Garfield had great chemistry together.  I really liked the character she portrayed...strong, yet tender.  The way Ruth stood up to Al when he was being a jerk in the early stages of their relationship was great.

While TCM does air Pride of the Marines occasionally, I haven't noticed it on the schedule in quite awhile.  However, it is out on DVD, so, hopefully, it will be fairly easy to track down.  I  do hope you get a chance to see this inspiring, well-acted film.

Happy viewing!!

Above and Beyond (4 stars)

Today is the sixty-seventh anniversary of the day the United States dropped the atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan, which, when combined with the bombing of Nagasaki a few days later, would bring an end to the second world war. The dropping of that bomb was a very controversial action, and it is not my intent to debate whether or not President Truman made the right choice by doing so.

What I do want to do is recommend a movie which depicts this action and its effects on the crew involved in it. The movie, Above and Beyond, is from 1953 and stars Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker. Although it's a Hollywood movie and, therefore, probably saw much license being taken, it does depict the stress and uncertainty felt by the crew dropping the bomb, specifically focusing on the pilot, Colonel Paul Tibbets. Making the decision to go through with that mission was not something he took lightly, nor was it without personal consequences.  Mr. Taylor (as Colonel Tibbets) and Miss Parker (as Mrs. Tibbets) both play their roles to perfection, bringing their characters' very agonized emotions to life brilliantly.



Above and Beyond, a wonderful drama with some excellent aerial footage, would make a fabulous discussion piece.  I do believe the film is out on DVD; however, it is also available, in several different parts, on YouTube.  Try to catch it if you can.

(Just FYI, this film could easily have been included when I listed my 5 favorite Robert Taylor films yesterday; I was hard-pressed to determine if this one, Bataan, or Escape would take positions 4 and 5. Ultimately, I chose the other two over this one, but only by the narrowest of margins.  I really like this film and highly recommend it.)

Happy viewing!!!

Happy Birthday, Eleanor Parker!!

Happy 90th birthday to the talented and beautiful Miss Eleanor Parker.  (June 26, 1922)  Miss Parker is one of the few stars from the "golden era" who is still alive, so I most definitely want to celebrate her.

This lovely, gentle-voiced lady resides near the very top of my favorite actress list---at #4!  I completely love her and am definitely on a quest to see as much of her filmography as I can.  She was a terrific actress, receiving a Best Actress Academy Award nomination three times.  (I go on record as saying that I think she ought to have won in 1950, for her performance in Caged. Though I adore Judy Holliday [who did win], Bette Davis [who was also nominated], and Sunset Boulevard [for which Gloria Swanson was nominated], I definitely feel that Miss Parker's performance was the most brilliant of them all and ought to have garnered her the Oscar.)

It was my search for Robert Taylor films which brought Eleanor to my attention.  The two of them made three movies together (Above and Beyond, Valley of the Kings, and Many Rivers to Cross), and when I watched Above and Beyond for the first time, I was surprised to see a name I recognized from The Sound of Music.  I had no idea that the Eleanor Parker of Sound of Music had been part of Hollywood's "golden era" or even that she had made other films.  (Of course, since I wasn't a classic movie enthusiast through decades of my Sound of Music years, my ignorance of Miss Parker is understandable.)  At any rate, I loved her in Above and Beyond, so in addition to tracking down the other two films she had made with the handsome Mr. Taylor, I sought out several of her other works---and the more I saw of her, the more impressed I became.  She very quickly rose to near the very top of my favorite actress list.

My absolute favorite of Eleanor Parker's films is The Sound of Music, in which she had the role of the woman I disliked---that competitor for Georg's affections, the Baroness Schrader.  This wonderful movie, which has been a part of my life since I was a mere child, is very beloved to me and remains firmly on my "25 favorite movies of all-time list."

Rounding out my list of five favorite Eleanor Parker films are:

2.  Caged  (with Agnes Moorehead)

3.  The Man with the Golden Arm  (with Frank Sinatra and Kim Novak---reviewed HERE)

4.  Detective Story  (a very recent discovery, with Kirk Douglas---reviewed HERE)

5.  Pride of the Marines  (with John Garfield---reviewed HERE)

So, Miss Eleanor Parker, happy 90th birthday to you!!  I hope your birthday finds you in good health and surrounded by family and friends.  You will always be one of my very favorite actresses.  Thank you for bringing so much enjoyment to my life through so many wonderful movies!!

Detective Story (5 stars)

Detective Story, from 1951, which I just caught for the first time as part of my Eleanor Parker birthday month celebration, is one of my 5-star film discoveries of the year.  (While I've watched and reviewed other 5-star films in recent weeks, they are all films I've seen before; Detective Story I only just now discovered, so it gets put into the "5-star film discovery" category.)  Produced and directed by William Wyler, the film, which is based on Sidney Kingsley's 1949 play of the same name, stars Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker (in an Oscar-nominated performance), and William Bendix.  It is a bold, gritty, mature-themed drama, with incredible acting and a rather surprise/shocking ending; all those things combine to make this a 5-star film for me.

The film takes place within a several hour period of one day at a New York City police precinct, mostly focusing on one particular detective---Sgt. Jim McLeod (Kirk Douglas), an angry, hard-nosed man who believes there are no gray areas, only black and white.  Completely intolerant of criminals, McLeod does not believe in softness or in turning the other cheek, and he often behaves violently toward law-breakers in order to force a confession from them.

On this particular day, Sgt. McLeod is obsessed with getting the goods on one Dr. Carl Schneider---no matter what it takes, Jim intends to see the doctor convicted and put into the electric chair.   Although he doesn't realize it, Jim's vendetta against the doctor will have a very real and personal effect on his relationship with his wife, Mary (Eleanor Parker).  (So as not to give any of the plot away, I won't say anything more about that particular storyline.)

In addition to Dr. Schneider, several other lawbreakers are brought into the precinct. There's a shoplifter (played by Lee Grant, in her Oscar-nominated film debut)

a pair of hoods charged with armed robbery,

and Arthur, a previously-trustworthy young man who has stolen from his employer.  Although the fatherly Sgt. Brody (William Bendix) believes Arthur is really a good boy and can be shown leniency, McLeod doesn't believe in leniency and intends to throw the book at him.  How all these stories play out is the balance of the film.  (The trailer gives a bit too much away, so if you don't want any spoilers, don't watch it.)





Everything about Detective Story merits 5 stars...the acting, the cinematography, the direction, the bold (for its time) subject matter.  While I would not call myself a Kirk Douglas fan (and am not all that familiar with his work), I have to say that he was completely and totally fantastic in this film.  Quite honestly, this was his show...and he carried it brilliantly.  I was shocked to discover that he didn't even garner an Academy Award nomination for his work here.  (However, I have long thought The Academy got the 1951 awards wrong and that Montgomery Clift ought to have won for his work in A Place in the Sun.  While I still think that, I do believe Kirk Douglas deserved a nomination and that he would have given Mr. Clift a run for his money.)  Mr. Douglas is totally sensational in this film.

Though Douglas didn't receive Academy Award recognition here, the film did receive four nominations---Best Director (Wyler), Best Supporting Actress (Lee Grant), Best Writing, and Best Actress (Eleanor Parker).  For the second year in a row, Miss Parker received a Best Actress nomination, and while she is quite good here, the reality is, as I have stated, this is first and foremost Kirk Douglas's vehicle.

Cathy O'Donnell, of Ben-Hur (Tirzah) and The Best Years of Our Lives (Wilma) fame, portrays Arthur's love interest.  She is her usual sweet, gentle self.

Just FYI, Miss O'Donnell was the sister-in-law of William Wyler.  For 22 long, happy years (until death claimed her), she was married to the director's older brother, Robert.

The ending of the film is rather shocking...I definitely didn't expect things to work out the way they did.  While I like predictable, sometimes the unexpected quite adds to a film's credibility, which it definitely did in Detective Story.

Finally, just have to say, this is one of those films which absolutely MUST be looked at through the lens of its time, otherwise it will seem laughable.  The situation over which Kirk Douglas's character agonizes is something that society doesn't care about anymore.  Most people will look at his character's response and think, "Who cares.  Why make a big deal out of that?"  So, definitely, put on your early 1950's mind when you watch this film.

To my knowledge, Detective Story is not out on DVD, nor is it often on the TCM schedule.  I have been looking for this film for a couple years, and I finally tracked it down on YouTube a few months ago (put off watching it until now).  It's in 11 parts, but it's there nonetheless. (The first part was a little difficult to find, so HERE is the link to it.)  I am definitely hoping TCM puts this amazing movie on the schedule soon, so I can record it and have it as part of my collection.  Kirk Douglas fans won't want to miss this film.

Happy viewing!!

The Man with the Golden Arm (5 stars)

The Man with the Golden Arm, from 1955, is a bold and gritty drama which takes a hard look at the ugliness of heroin addiction.  Produced and directed by Otto Preminger and starring Frank Sinatra (in an Academy Award-nominated role), Eleanor Parker, and Kim Novak, this film was quite controversial in its day.  With the Hayes Production Code still in effect in 1955, and with the subject matter of drug addiction quite taboo, Mr. Preminger found himself moving forward on the film without receiving the Code office's seal of approval.  The result is an extremely realistic portrayal of the ugliness of drug use.

The film begins with Frankie Machine (Frank Sinatra) returning home after a six-month stint in a federal narcotics hospital.  Rehabilitated by his time "on the inside," Frankie, now clean and determined to stay that way, has learned to play the drums and is hopeful of obtaining a job with a local band; however, it soon becomes clear that his old supplier, Louie (Darren McGavin), and his unscrupulous former boss, Schwiefka (Robert Strauss), have no intention of making the straight road an easy one for Frankie.  Though Frankie swears he'll not deal cards for Schwiefka again, nor will he ever have another fix, his old pals are relentless in keeping their hold on him.

At home, Frankie's paralyzed wife, Zosh (Eleanor Parker), reminds him continually that it was his drunk driving that landed her in her wheelchair.  Controlling and clinging, and wanting Frankie to stay in the same bad-news surroundings which led to his drug addiction, Zosh discourages him about the potential band job.  Knowing that as long as she stays wheelchair-bound, Frankie's guilt will keep him with her, Zosh doesn't want any change in the status-quo.  If Frankie were to get a drumming gig---and be successful at it---he might make enough money for her to have treatment, and then he might leave her---so Zosh begs Frankie to keep working as Schwiefka's dealer.

With Zosh against him and Louie and Schwiefka bearing down on him, Frankie's resolve crumbles, and he heads to Louie's place for just "one fix."  But one fix leads to another, and once again Frankie is hooked, because, as Louie reminds him, "the monkey never dies...when you kick him off, he just hides in a corner waiting for his turn."

On the sidelines watching Frankie's downward spiral is Molly (Kim Novak), a former girlfriend.  With her love, support, and encouragement, Frankie may beat the monkey after all...or he'll die trying.  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.

While The Man with the Golden Arm is a stark, ugly, non-feel-good film, it is, nevertheless, an amazing, brilliantly-acted 5-star gem.  (Bold, mature-themed, well-acted adult dramas often merit 5 stars from me.  A film doesn't have to be warm and fuzzy for me to love it and rate it 5 stars.) The performance of Frank Sinatra is completely beyond spectacular.  I've often heard people say that they think Sinatra couldn't act, and I always beg to differ with that statement.  He was very good in nearly every dramatic role I've seen him in...but here, wow, he is nothing short of brilliant.  I truly believe this is, without question, the best performance of his career and that he ought to have won the Academy Award for his work here.  Although he was nominated, he lost out to Ernest Borgnine; while I've seen Marty and think Mr. Borgnine did a good job there, I definitely think the win that year belonged to Sinatra (even though the phenomenal James Cagney was also nominated for Love Me or Leave Me).  Here is a video clip of Frankie's withdrawal scene.



Eleanor Parker is just as stellar as Frank is...she is completely amazing as the clinging, wheelchair-bound wife.  Since she had already been nominated that year for her work in Interrupted Melody, she didn't even receive a nomination for Golden Arm.  Having seen both films, I think she was nominated for the wrong one.  Her performance here in Golden Arm is not only Oscar nomination-worthy, but also Oscar win-worthy.  (She's wonderful in Interrupted Melody too...I just think here performance here is even more exceptional.)

Robert Strauss and Darren McGavin are terrific in their roles as the low-lifes who just won't let Frankie go straight.  Otto Preminger's direction is fantastic, and the Academy Award-nominated Elmer Bernstein score is interesting and exciting...escalating to a fever pitch each time Frankie goes for a fix.  Truly, the score adds much to the film's intensity.  A bold movie for its time---and yet still relevant for the drug addictions many struggle with today---this is a definite must-see!

Out on DVD, The Man with the Golden Arm ought to be fairly easy to track down.  If you enjoy bold, realistic, mature-themed dramas, you are certain to love this film.  By the way, Golden Arm is my 20 year-old son's favorite old film, and Frank Sinatra is his favorite classic film actor.  (White Heat and James Cagney are a close second, but Golden Arm and Sinatra are top dog for him.)

Happy viewing!!

It's Gals This Month

While May was heavily devoted to the films of Tyrone Power and Gary Cooper, this month it's the girls' turn.  June is the birthday month of three of my top-10 favorite actresses...

Susan Hayward

Eleanor Parker

and Judy Holliday

Two of these lovely ladies are in my top 4...


Miss Hayward

and Miss Parker

One of those dear ladies is actually still alive and about to celebrate her 90th birthday!

I will be OD' ing on the films of these lovely ladies this month...plus enjoying the works of a few other faves...plus taking part in the "Cinematic World Tour" blogathon going on over at All Good Things.  I hope you'll join me...and perhaps discover a few "new to you" films which you simply must see.

Escape from Fort Bravo (4 stars)

Escape from Fort Bravo, from 1953, is a romantic Western adventure film starring William Holden, Eleanor Parker, and John Forsythe.  Directed by John Sturges, this color film features William Demarest, Richard Anderson, and Polly Bergen in supporting roles.

The story begins in 1863, at Fort Bravo...a remote Union prison in Arizona Territory.  One of the soldiers stationed at Fort Bravo is Captain Roper (William Holden).  A hardened, unkind, cynical man, Roper performs his duties with an iron hand.

Given the fort's remote desert location and the local warring Mescalero Indians, escape from the prison is hardly likely; however, when one man does try to escape, Roper, intending to make an example of him and, thus, discourage future break-outs, drags the man back to the fort at the end of a rope.  With Roper's rather inhumane methods, his superior, who doesn't approve of such actions, makes the statement that he's glad he and Roper are on the same army.

The Confederate prisoners, of course, despise Roper and even taunt him by whistling "Dixie" as he walks by.  Captain Marsh (John Forsythe) tells a few of his men that they are waiting for the right time and then they will break out....and the right time soon arrives...in the person of Carla Forrester (Eleanor Parker).

A friend of Roper's superior's daughter, Carla has come to the fort supposedly for a visit.

However, in actuality, she is engaged to Captain Marsh, and her purpose in being at the fort is to make arrangements with a Confederate sympathizer for guns and transportation of the prisoners.

Additionally, she is to distract Roper---a job which she does perfectly.

Completely smitten with Carla, Roper's emotionless facade begins to crack.

Totally in love with her, he asks her to marry him and to stay on at the fort.  Carla indicates she loves him too...but does she?

Has her playing at love become real?  Or are her kisses and tender words just an act?

What will Roper do when he discovers that several of his prisoners are gone...and that the woman he loves has deceived him?  And what about the Mescaleros?  As they move in for attack, will anyone be able to survive against them...especially in the harsh desert terrain of Arizona?  These are the questions which will play out in the balance of this film. 




William Holden was totally gorgeous at this point in his career!!  He is ruggedly handsome in this film, and he looks fabulous in the Union uniform.

As always, Mr. Holden's acting was super. He definitely could portray the hardened, cynical, unemotional man to the hilt.  Eleanor Parker was lovely, and although it was a bit unrealistic to think that she would have so many gowns with her (she was just visiting the fort), the gowns were stunning. There was great chemistry between Parker and Holden here---definitely passion in their kissing scenes. While I'm not a huge fan of Westerns, there was enough romance in this film to make it enjoyable for me.  The ending was a bit abrupt, though, and could have been better, so although I'm giving 4 stars, it's more like 3.5...still a very solid, enjoyable viewing experience and one which I highly recommend (even to those who don't ordinarily enjoy Westerns).

The film is out on DVD, so it ought to be fairly easy to track down.  Fans of William Holden and Eleanor Parker ought to especially enjoy it.

Happy viewing!!

A Hole in the Head (4 stars)

A Hole in the Head, directed by the fabulous Frank Capra, is a delightful little film starring Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Parker, Edward G. Robinson, Thelma Ritter, and a sweet little boy named Eddie Hodges.  Part comedy, part drama, it also has a few sentimental moments.

Tony Manetti (Frank Sinatra), a widower with a young son, owns and operates a run-down hotel in Miami.  Since business isn't all that good, Tony is constantly having to worry about the mortgage and an assortment of other bills.  A gambler, Tony is always sure that his big moment is just around the corner, that very soon, he will hit the jackpot and his financial worries will be over.  All he needs is a short-term loan, just to tide him over until his riches come in. 

Tony's brother, Mario (Edward G. Robinson), and his sister-in-law, Sophie (Thelma Ritter), are quite comfortable financially, and since they've helped him out in the past, Tony is sure they'll be willing to help him out again...especially because of their love and concern for Tony's son, Ally.  Mario, though, doesn't want to enable Tony to continue gambling and living on dreams.  He wants him to settle down, to get a real job and a wife.  He wants a real home, not a hotel, for his nephew, so he tells Tony he won't give him a dime.  Unless Tony is willing to marry and settle down, there will be no money from Mario and Sophie.

Tony agrees to meet Eloise Rogers (Eleanor Parker), a kind-hearted widow his sister-in-law knows, but he's really not sure he wants to give up his carefree existence to marry her...even if it means that Mario and Sophie take Ally back home to live with them.  So, he tries once more to get the big payoff, this time asking an old friend to finance him, but when that doesn't work out, Tony is forced to make some tough decisions.

There are some very tender moments in this film...I even get lightly misty-eyed a couple of times.  There are many lighthearted moments, though, and even some hearty laughs.  I am so used to Eddie G. as a gangster, so I was unprepared for just how funny he could be.  And the way he and Thelma Ritter played off of one another was great.  She is always fabulous, and she certainly doesn't disappoint here.  Also, the chemistry between Frank Sinatra and little Eddie Hodges was amazing.  I loved watching the two of them together.  Yes, their characters had a strong bond, but I believe that bond was off-screen as well.  They just connected in a wonderful way.

Also in this movie, Frank has a chance to show his musical abilities with the delightful "High Hopes."  It's always a treat to hear Ol Blue Eyes sing.

Anyhow, this sweet movie is out on DVD and should be quite easy to track down.  I hope y'all get a chance to see it.  Happy viewing!!

Lizzie (3 stars)

Lizzie, starring one of my favorite actresses, Eleanor Parker, is a 1957 drama that explores the subject of multiple personalities.  This is a role which, I think, really shows the amazing range Eleanor had as an actress.   She is joined here by Richard Boone and Joan Blondell.

Elizabeth Richmond is a quiet and rather dowdy-looking young woman, who suffers from forgetfulness and chronic headaches. Socially awkward, she refuses the invitations of her co-workers and, instead, prefers to retreat to the home she shares with her aunt. While at work one day, Elizabeth discovers a threatening letter in her purse, signed by "Lizzie." She has no idea who Lizzie is or why Lizzie would want to kill her.

Later that evening, after transforming into Lizzie, a bold and brash seductress, Elizabeth ventures out.  While enjoying drinks and flirtations with a man, Lizzie writes another threatening letter to Elizabeth.

Lizzie isn't the only personality living inside Elizabeth, though.  There's also Beth, the likeable "real" personality of this young woman.  It will take the skill of a good psychiatrist to uncover Beth and bring her to life.  That, of course, is the focus of this film.




Oh, there's a little treat in this movie, in the form of a very young Johnny Mathis singing "It's Not for Me To Say" in the nightclub scene.  Those who enjoy the velvet voice of Mr. Mathis will love it.

Happy viewing!!

Never Say Goodbye (4 stars)

Never Say Goodbye, from 1946, is a sweet little romantic comedy that TCM aired yesterday as part of a birthday month tribute to Eleanor Parker.  The lovely Miss Parker is my 4th favorite actress, behind Bette Davis, Susan Hayward, and Barbara Stanwyck, and just ahead of Grace Kelly and Judy Holliday; therefore, any time TCM airs a movie of hers that I haven't seen, I definitely set my DVR.  Yesterday, I recorded three, but Never Say Goodbye is the only one I've had a chance to watch so far.  This sweet movie, which also stars Errol Flynn, co-stars Lucille Watson and "Cuddles" Sakall, and it introduces a little girl named Patti Brady.

Eleanor Parker is Ellen Gayley, and Errol Flynn portrays her ex-husband, Phillip, a swimsuit artist.  While Ellen never stopped loving Phillip, nor he her, she grew weary of him continually wining and dining his lovely swimsuit models, so she divorced him.  They have an adorable 7 year old daughter named Phillippa (Flip), whose custody they share---six months with one parent, six months with another.

As the movie begins, Flip, who loves both her parents and yearns for them to get back together, is finishing up her time with her dad and is due to return to her mother.  When Phillip returns Flip to Ellen on the first anniversary of their divorce, he asks her to go to dinner with him at Luigi's, one of their favorite restaurants.  As the evening progresses, both Ellen and Phillip make it clear that they long to reconcile with one another; however, unremembered by Phillip, swimsuit model, Nancy, shows up at Luigi's for the date Phillip had made with her.  In a very funny scene (with "Cuddles" Sakall being his adorable, hilarious self), Phillip tries to dine with both women in one restaurant...without either one of them knowing of the other's presence.  Of course, he can't keep up the charade, and Ellen finds out that Phillip hasn't given up other women after all, causing her to walk out on him.

Meanwhile, little Flip, desirous of boosting armed services morale, has been writing letters to a Marine, signing them "Smoochy."  Only thing is, the photo she sent to him is one of her mother in a swimsuit, so when the man is in town on leave and stops by to meet his pen pal, he assumes Ellen, not Flip, is the one who has been writing him love letters.  Flip decides to use the situation to get her parents back together...and she does it adorably.

Never Say Goodbye is a total delight.  Though I've not watched many Errol Flynn films and, therefore, don't know him all that well, I found him very charming here.  And, of course, as I have already made clear, I love Eleanor Parker.  She is beautiful, graceful, and thoroughly captivating here.  There are a few screwball comedy moments, but mostly, this movie is just sweet and adorable.  Definitely try to see it if you can.  I believe it is out on DVD, but I know it's available on VHS.

Finally, just an aside, there is another movie called Never Say Goodbye, which I am longing to see.  It's a drama from 1956 and stars Rock Hudson.  In no way is it a remake of this.  Totally different films, just the same name.  Have any of y'all seen that one?  I keep hoping TCM will air it, but, so far, it hasn't been on their schedule.

Anyhow, happy viewing!!