I Am Eating My Words...a Bit

Well, my dear blog friends, I am finding myself eating my words a wee bit with regard to nearly everyone's favorite Alfred Hitchcock film---Rear Window.  As many of  you already know, I have admitted to not liking that film.  Yes, I know I am completely out of step with nearly every classic movie fan on the planet, but I just don't like it.  Oh, it has never been one of my 1-star, "hate it" films; rather, since my first viewing of it 3 or 4 years ago, it has been a 2-star, "don't like it" for me, for the sole reason that  I just don't happen to think a peeping Tom is a worthy ambition.  (It seems rather sex predator-ish to me.)  I could never root for a man who spied on this neighbors, and I kept wondering how I would feel if one of my neighbors looked through his binoculars at every house on the block.  I am even out of step with my own family, as they like the film; when I complain about the peeping Tom aspect, my always-joking son tells me "it is the neighborhood watch program in action."

With yesterday being the 30th anniversary of Grace Kelly's death, our family decided to enjoy one of her films last night.  Though I was hoping for The Country Girl (and, thus, a William Holden fix), the majority of my family was clamoring for Rear Window.  Being the trooper that I am, I decided to go with the flow, and you know what---I actually found myself moving from 2 to 3 stars. I still don't like the fact that a Peeping Tom is a "hero," and I still would be greatly unsettled if one of my neighbors was focusing his binoculars on my house, but I recognize that the story is interesting and exciting, that the direction is fantastic, that the chemistry between the leads is perfect, that the wit of Thelma Ritter is terrific, and that Grace Kelly is her classy, elegant, beautiful self.

So, my friends, I wanted to let you know that when it comes to the beloved Rear Window, I am eating my words just a little bit.  While it will never be my favorite Alfred Hitchcock film, the fact that I've gone from 2 stars, "don't like it," to 3 stars, "like it okay" is rather huge.  I'm not quite so out of step anymore.

Remembering the Beautiful Princess

It was 30 years ago today---September 14, 1982---that a bit of beauty, elegance, and grace departed this world, with the tragic passing of Grace Kelly.  This lovely lady, who was taken from us much too soon, is one of my top 10 favorite actresses; it is in memory and honor of her that I am re-reading this very delightful, 4-star book---A Touch of Grace...How to Be a Princess the Grace Kelly Way, by Cindy De La Hoz. (published 2010)

This is not a biography, though it does share little snippets about Grace's life and career. Rather, it's a compilation of thoughts and stories about living a Grace-filled life. As the author states on the dust jacket, "with rare and never-before-seen photos, anecdotes, quotes, and other biographical commentary, this collection will show any woman how to cultivate her own style, charm, and noble flair."

It contains quotes like this: "When you look at Grace, she reminds you of a cool breeze of fresh air." (Bing Crosby)

Here is the back of the book, which features this quote by Jimmy Stewart: "Grace brought into my life...a soft, warm, light every time I saw her, and every time I saw her was a holiday of its own."  (What a lovely thing to have said about oneself!)

There are life lessons from Princess Grace's life, such as: Remember birthdays, keep in touch, be hospitable, have a hobby, connect with people, leave behind warm memories. For all those lessons (and dozens more), the book provides little stories showing how this beautiful, elegant, and gracious lady exemplified them in her life.And, of course, the book is loaded with gorgeous photos...from Grace's childhood, her Hollywood career, her storybook wedding to a real life prince, and her life as Her Serene Highness of Monaco.

The fact that a book like this was written nearly thirty years after Grace Kelly's death and over fifty years after the end of her Hollywood career really speaks to the fact that she continues to be quite the epitome of grace, style, class, and elegance. I adore this woman and have seen all of her films; my favorite is Dial "M" for Murder, with The Country Girl (her Academy Award-winning role) not far behind.

Anyhow, while not a deep read, A Touch of Grace is a delightful, gracious, and all-together lovely way to remember the beautiful Princess Grace on the 30th anniversary of her death.

The Bridges at Toko-Ri (5 stars)

With it being Veteran's Day weekend, Grace Kelly's birthday, and the 30th anniversary of William Holden's death, I decided to watch The Bridges at Toko-Ri today.  This film, from 1954, which stars William Holden and features Grace Kelly, Fredric March, and Mickey Rooney in supporting roles, is a very realistic war drama.  Based on the James Michener novel of the same name, it takes place in  November 1952, during the Korean War.

William Holden is Harry Brubaker, a Naval Reservist who had already served in WWII but who is called up for action in Korea.  Not only is he war-weary, but he is resentful of having been called back to duty...he just longs to go home to his wife, Nancy (Grace Kelly), and their two young daughters; however he is also committed to fulfilling his duty as a Reserve officer, so he agrees to an extremely dangerous mission in which a group of American planes will fly over Korea and attempt to bomb some bridges that are very important to the North Koreans.

Before the mission gets underway, however, Admiral Terrant (Fredric March), who has a paternal fondness for Harry, allows him leave, to spend time with his wife and daughters.  All too soon, though, Harry must bid goodbye to his family and take off on the bombing run.  His anxiety level is high, and feeling as though he won't make it home alive, he begins a farewell letter to Nancy.  Noticing Harry's jitteriness, his commander gives him an option to stay grounded, but Harry goes through with the mission.

As always, Bill Holden is great to look at....especially in the dress blues he wears while on leave in Tokyo early in the movie. Oh, and that smile of his!!  Grace Kelly, always the epitome of elegance and beauty, is stunning, and her dresses are incredibly gorgeous.  I, for one, wish we gals still wore dresses like that every day! Although Grace's part in the movie is fairly short, she was perfect in the role...and the chemistry between her and Holden was undeniable.

Mickey Rooney has some great comic relief moments.  Also, there is a funny scene in a Japanese bath house where Harry takes Nancy and the girls. Because bathing there is nude, he had reserved the pool for his family. However, a Japanese family has also booked the pool, and it is quite comical to watch the American family try to maintain their modesty.

The lighthearted moments are few, though, and this IS a war movie...a realistic one at that.  I have seen this film several times, and it never fails to move me.  The acting of William Holden is beyond incredible.  The way he brought Harry Brubaker to life was completely amazing; truly, Harry became very real to me.  I could totally feel his resentment at having to serve again and his anxiety over the upcoming mission.  I think William Holden had many spectacular performances, and this is definitely one of his very best.  Oscar-worthy, in my opinion.  (It is Holden's acting and the powerful, realistic ending that take this film from 4 to 5 stars for me.)

I don't know for sure if this is out on DVD, though I do believe it is on VHS.  Also, TCM airs it on occasion.  Definitely try to catch it.  I think this film is an absolute must-see! 

Happy viewing!!!

The Country Girl (4 stars)

Crooner Bing Crosby had a birthday yesterday (May 2nd).  At least he did according to some sources; other sources list his birthday as May 3, 1903.  Either way, though, Bing's 108th birthday is this week, which makes him the man of the hour so to speak.  To celebrate him, I thought I would do a review of The Country Girl, a 1954 drama starring Bing, Grace Kelly, and William Holden, which I recently enjoyed as part of a Bill Holden Movie Marathon.

Bing is Frank Elgin, an insecure, irresponsible, weak-willed actor with a penchant for drink.  Because of Frank's inability to function, his wife, Georgie (Grace Kelly), has been the strong one, and she has carried him for years.

Director Bernie Dodd (William Holden), is looking for an established actor/singer for the lead in his current play, and since he has long been an admirer of Elgin, Frank is his first choice for the role.  However, because of Frank's reputation as a drinker, Bernie has a hard time selling that casting to the producer.  Against his will, the producer agrees, and Frank is given the lead role---a fact which further shatters his already-low confidence.

As production of the play begins, Bernie is furious at the control Georgie Elgin seems to have over her husband.   Assuming that Georgie's strength is the reason for Frank's weakness, Bernie despises her and insists that she back off and that she not accompany them on tour.  But there are things that Bernie doesn't know.  There are reasons, of which Bernie is unaware, for the way Frank acts...reasons that could cause Frank to fall apart if Georgie is not with him.  As the movie plays out, Bernie (and the viewer) will discover why Frank cannot stand on his own two feet.

Bing received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his work in The Country Girl.  Although he didn't win (Marlon Brando did), I think his performance was far superior here to the performance he gave in Going My Way, for which he did win the Best Actor Oscar.  Grace Kelly, however, did win an Oscar for her role in The Country Girl...she won the Best Actress category, pulling an upset over Judy Garland in A Star Is Born.  For the bulk of the movie, Grace is a somewhat dowdy-looking housewife rather than her usual, glamourous self.  Perhaps that deviation from her norm is what swayed the Academy to give her the award in 1954.  I thought her work was wonderful, definitely Oscar-worthy, but I will admit that I haven't seen the Judy Garland version of A Star Is Born.  (I love the Fredric March/Janet Gaynor version, so I have been loathe to see the remake.)

Anyhow, The Country Girl is a very solid 4 star movie, with great performances by all three leads.  It's out on DVD and should be quite easy to track down.

Happy viewing!!