A Classic Film Christmas Gift

Classic Film Santa---in the form of my daughter---gave me this wonderful book for Christmas. It highlights 50 films from Hollywood's most glorious year---1939.  (For me, 1937 is neck-and-neck with 1939 as my favorite film year.)  While I've seen several of the titles highlighted in the book (including beloved favorites Gone with the Wind and Dark Victory), many more I've never seen (The Women and Of Mice and Men to name just two), and there are even a few films I've never heard of (such as Hollywood Cavalcade and Confessions of a Nazi Spy).

One of my film goals for 2014 is to watch all 50 films highlighted in this book.  No, I won't be reviewing them all, but I hope to review at least twelve of them---one per month.

What about y'all?  What is your favorite year for films?  And what is your favorite of the 1939 releases?

An Invaluable Resource

During Audie Murphy month, I discovered a wonderful book, newly-published, and written by lifelong Audie fan, David Williams.  Since I didn't have an opportunity to finish the book until just a few weeks ago, I wasn't able to review it during Audie's month, so I am interrupting Claudette Colbert's "reign" to bring Mr. Williams' terrific book to y'all's attention.

Audie Murphy's Film and Television Co-Stars, From A to Z is much more than just a book---it’s a well-researched, tremendously informational, invaluable resource! Recognizing that the supporting players of a film are every bit as important as the "star," author David Williams, has spotlighted 600 of Audie's co-stars, providing information about their lives and careers.

Want to know a bit about frequent Audie co-star, James Best?  Or maybe you want to know where else you've seen Barbara Rush, Jay C. Flippen, Susan Cabot, or any of 600 others?  This book will tell you.  Plus, the book also contains hundreds of terrific photos, a complete listing of Audie Murphy's film and television works, 40 trivia questions---the answers for which will be discovered by reading the book---and even a brief biography of Mr. Murphy.

While Audie Murphy has gone down in history as the most-decorated soldier of WWII, that singled-out status was not something with which Mr. Murphy was comfortable.  Adamant that he didn't win the war alone---that it took teamwork and every man doing his part---Audie felt that his medals really belonged to his entire regiment. It’s the same with movies; the lesser-known character actors are just as essential to a film's success as the star.  They bring storyline, chemistry, and richness that would be sorely lacking without them. Recognizing the importance of supporting players---and paying homage to them through a book---seems exactly what an Audie Murphy appreciator would do.  In fact, it seems like something Murphy himself would do.

This resource isn't beneficial only for Audie Murphy films.  For instance, the Red River remake came on TV recently, and seeing Guy Madison's name on the cast, the person I was with said, "I'm pretty sure Guy Madison was in a TV Western, but I don't know which one." Since Guy Madison was in an early Audie film and, thus, is covered in Mr. Williams' book, I immediately was able to tell that person that the show was The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok.

On another occasion, while watching an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Theatre, the person I was with commented that she thought actress Joanna Moore had played Sheriff Taylor's girlfriend in The Andy Griffith Show.  Knowing that Joanna Moore had been in Audie Murphy's Ride a Crooked Trail and would be profiled in Mr. Williams' book, I quickly grabbed my copy and, within seconds, was able to tell the person that she was right...Joanna Moore had been in a few episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, and not only that...she was Tatum O'Neal's mother.

This is a book I will be referring to on a regular basis.  Highly recommended...worth every penny I paid for it.  A 5-star book, for sure.

By the way, Mr. Williams hopes to do a series of books like this; he's currently working on one highlighting the co-stars of Audrey Hepburn.  The goal is to have that book finished by 2015, after which he may tackle Tyrone Power's co-stars.  They will both be definite additions to my bookshelf.

Visit Amazon's page (HERE) for both the Kindle and paperback editions of this fantastic book.

NOTE:  All photos obtained from the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website  (HERE)

To Hell and Back (1955)

In just a few days, Audie Murphy will be taking over Stewart Granger's role as "man of the month" here at They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To.  However, with this being Memorial Day weekend and Mr. Murphy being the most decorated U.S. soldier of the Second World War, I thought it was perfectly appropriate to showcase him today as well.  Additionally, tomorrow is the 42nd anniversary of his untimely death (May 28, 1971), so I think Mr. Granger would totally approve of giving Audie a bit of attention a few days early.

Audie Murphy came into my life about six years ago, and he did so through the medium of homeschooling.  Teaching my children myself enabled me to tailor-make a curriculum for each of them.  While we studied the mandatory subjects, for those subjects which really grabbed my kids' attention, we delved deeper.  In fact, we often took two complete school years to do a more comprehensive study of certain topics, and for my son, World War II was one of the things he wanted to explore in-depth.  He devoured book after book about every aspect of the war---battles, soldiers, prisoners---and in the course of his reading, he learned about the most decorated soldier of the war...a brave and courageous young man who received over two dozen military medals, including the Congressional Medal of Honor...a man named Audie Murphy.

As surprising and hard to believe as it may be, I had never heard Mr. Murphy's name until my son mentioned him to me.  Back when I was going to high school (in the late '70’s), I never heard a word about him.  My American history book said nothing about him, nor did my American History teacher.  The most decorated soldier of the Second World War, and I never heard his name until well into adulthood?!  I find that shocking---and shameful!

Intrigued by Mr. Murphy's war experience and wanting to learn more about him, my son read Murphy's war memoirs, To Hell and Back.  Not long afterwards, we discovered the 1955 movie of the same name, starring none other than Audie Murphy himself.

The film, in which Audie portrays himself and which also stars Charles Drake, Marshall Thompson, David Janssen, and a few others, chronicles Murphy's years of service to our country during World War II. Underage and small in stature, Audie is rejected by other branches of the military, before being accepted into the U.S. Army. (In later years, Audie would admit to falsifying his age in order to enlist.) Though his size might dictate otherwise, Audie is courageous, capable, and committed and soon garners the respect of his superiors.  Seeing action in Africa and Europe, he proves his bravery again and again, ultimately fighting off the enemy from atop a burning tank, an action for which he would earn the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Even if you're not a fan of Murphy's Westerns, watch this movie---then read the book of the same name, which is superior to the film and which more vividly describes the incredibly dangerous conditions that brought about Murphy's medal---then be thankful for Murphy and men like him who so bravely fought for the cause of freedom.  (Isn't this an awesome photo?!)

5 stars for the film...5 stars for the book...10 stars for the man!!

Happy viewing!

Sparks Fly Upward---One Terrific Read

I just finished Stewart Granger's autobiography, Sparks Fly Upward, and I absolutely loved it! What an entertaining read it is...easily 5 stars. (And that is quite saying something, because the biographies/autobiographies of my beloved guys, Montgomery Clift, James Cagney, and John Garfield, are all 4-star books to me.)

Mr. Granger writes about his childhood years, living in a home with his mother, father, sister, and his mother's boyfriend (whom he had thought for years was his uncle); his friendship with well-known Brits Michael Wilding, Vivien Leigh, and "Larry" Olivier; behind the scenes stories from both his British and American film careers; the struggle he and his first wife endured to become parents; his 10-year marriage to the "ravishing young beauty" Jean Simmons, whom he said "could outsparkle anyone"; his and Jean's battles with Howard Hughes and his own murderous thoughts toward Hughes; his desire for good roles and his struggles with the studio to obtain them; roles he might have had, but didn't (From Here to Eternity and 1954's A Star is Born being two of them); telling off Hedda Hopper; his years as a rancher; and a host of other things.

Like a kiss-and-tell teenage boy, Mr. Granger writes of his many love affairs.  From the loss of his virginity at the hands of a French prostitute, to his acquisition of an STD while cheating on his first wife, to a near-episode with Hedy Lamarr, to a backseat limousine fling with Deborah Kerr, he recounts some of his more memorable sexual escapades.  (It must be noted that Deborah Kerr has said no such affair ever took place.  It is definitely a case of "he said, she said.")

With an absolute comic flair, Mr. Granger recreates the stories of his life, and I found myself positively howling on several occasions...such as when, at a Polynesian restaurant, chopsticks in hand, his dinner companion completely startled him by reaching under the table and groping at him, causing him to nearly choke on the shrimp in his mouth; or when older, established actor, Henry Kendall, mistakenly assumed that the naive, young Granger would be interested in having a same-sex encounter with him; or the roundabout way with which he credits himself for launching Anne Bancroft to a successful career; or his "it's not as easy as I thought it was" introduction to cattle breeding; or his determination to remain faithful to Jean while on location with Ava Gardner during the filming of Bhowani Junction.  All those episodes---and many more---are brought vividly and humorously to life in Mr. Granger's wonderful memoir.

Although published in 1981, the book abruptly ends in the early 1960's, shortly after the filming of North to Alaska. There is no mention of Granger's third marriage (which would also end in divorce) or of the daughter born from that marriage.  I found that strange.  He ended his story with these words, "I remembered Mrs. Perryman's (a fortune teller) prediction. "You'll cross the sea again and continue your success and later I see another marriage."  I wondered what she'd look like..."

He could easily have transitioned from that sentence into who she was and what she looked like, but for whatever reason, he opted to end the story in 1960.  I, for one, was completely enthralled and would have loved to have kept on reading and learned more.

I rate this book 5 stars---informative, fun, and very entertaining.  While there are a few inaccuracies and confusing statements (such as saying he missed out on making a Hitchcock film with Gary Cooper---not sure what he's talking about, as Coop never made a Hitchcock film; referring to his next-door neighbor Gene Tierney's husband as Igor Cassini, rather than Oleg; referring to Deborah Kerr's husband as Tony Bartlett instead of Tony Bartley; citing his appearance on the cover of Life magazine as June, 1952, rather than May 26, 1952), in all, Sparks Fly Upward is a totally terrific read.  Mr. Granger definitely had a flair for writing, and that is very evident here.  The book reads like an exciting novel, which is what sets it above the other biographies/autobiographies.  Not a list of dry, boring dates and facts, Sparks Fly Upward is alive with humor, adventure, and passion. While I checked the book out from my public library, it is one I definitely will be purchasing and adding to my own collection.

Occasional language and sexual situations give this book a PG rating.

Loretta in One Word---Devout

It's been a fun month celebrating the lovely Loretta Young.  I've enjoyed discovering some of her early 30's films and re-acquainting myself with some of her later films.  It's also been delightful reading through her authorized biography, Forever Young, The Life, Loves, and Enduring Faith of a Hollywood Legend, and as I close both the book and the month devoted to her, one word comes to mind...one word which summarizes Loretta's life and career...and that word is devout.

Miss Young wasn't a perfect woman by any means.  She had her faults, and she made her share of mistakes; however, she was a devout Catholic, whose commitment to God and His ways gave her a desire to live a righteous, upstanding, moral life.  She knew that, in the public eye as she was, she would have influence on others, and she wanted that influence to be positive.

With the exception of 1934's Born to Be Bad---a film in which her character encourages her young son to lie and cheat and, also, unashamedly seduces the married Cary Grant---I have never known Loretta to portray a less than honorable woman.  In every film of hers that I've seen, she has been decent, kind, and oftentimes, gentle...and now I know why.  Early in her career, her priest told her, "You have chosen a very public profession, Loretta....one through which you will be able to exert influence on others for better or worse....what does the Bible say?  Rather than give bad example, you should have a stone tied around your neck and be thrown into the sea.  Extreme, yes, but if you're not going to live according to your faith, you should at least get out of the movie business."  Through Father Ward's words Loretta began to realize that she needed to take seriously the influence she had on others.  "After that, she never wanted to play evil people in movies, or wear immodest costumes or do drape art (revealing photography shots)."

One rather comical way her commitment to decency and morality played out was during the filming of Come to the Stable, when she instituted the "swear box."  From the start of her career, Loretta had been bothered by profanity on the set---especially when the profanity was blasphemous towards God; however, early in her career, she hadn't the clout to do anything about it.  By the time Come to the Stable was filmed, Loretta was an Academy Award-winning star and was in a position to have a bit of pull; thus, the "swear box" was born.  With fines being charged for swearing and blasphemy and the money earned being donated to a Catholic maternity home, the box helped change the atmosphere on the set.  After that, Loretta chose to make the "swear box" a fixture on the films she made.

Over and over throughout her career, Loretta would have to fight the studio over her religious convictions.  From refusing to have an abortion (of her second son, with whom she discovered she was pregnant as arrangements were being made for a movie about Elizabeth Blackwell) to turning down scripts which glorified adultery, Loretta sought to live what she believed.  She didn't have just a "words only" faith; instead her actions bore her words out.  With very few stars (then or now) seeking to live by any kind of moral code, Loretta is a bright light in a world of darkness.  Her faith and integrity are beautiful to behold.  As a woman of faith seeking to live by godly principles myself, I appreciate her example.

All this to say, Forever Young is a totally lovely read.  If you enjoy positive, uplifting, inspiring life stories, rather than juicy, scandalous, gossipy ones, then you're sure to find this book completely delightful.

NOTE:  All information and direct quotations derived from Forever Young, the Life, Loves, and Enduring Faith of a Hollywood Legend, by Joan Wester Anderson, Thomas More Publishing, 2000.

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.

More of James Cagney's Words

Here are just a few more great passages from James Cagney's wonderful autobiography, Cagney by Cagney.  

About the final scene of Angels with Dirty Faces:

"Through the years I have actually had little kids come up to me on the street and ask, "Didya do it for the father, huh?"  I think in looking at the film it is virtually impossible to say which course Rocky took---which is just the way I wanted it.  I played it with deliberate ambiguity so that the spectator can take his choice.  It seems to me it works out fine in either case.  You have to decide."


About his wife, whom he called Bill:

"I went from chorus boy to specialty dancer---and in the show I met the great girl who became my wife.  I can't conceive of how lucky a guy can get, but this lady and I just celebrated our fifty-fourth wedding anniversary the other day, and it's been joy all the way."  (My take---in Hollywood, where most marriages were filled with unfaithfulness or ended in divorce, Mr. Cagney is one of the brilliant exceptions.  He was a faithful husband to one woman for over sixty years.  You gotta love that!)


About comedies:

"Mister Roberts is the kind of thing I enjoy doing best in the non-musical field, drama with comic overtones.  Comedies as such have never appealed to me particularly.  I have always thought a story with opportunities to drop in some fun was a lot better than trying to be funny for two solid hours."  (My take---most of my blog readers know I don't care much for comedy.  Far and away, I prefer drama---high drama; however, drama with occasional comic relief---the kind Mr. Cagney likes---works for me too.)


About heroes:

After talking a bit about Babe Ruth, he says this:  "It may be hard for young people to get such a kick now because I sense in America these years---and I'm saddened to say it---I sense a systematic attempt to tear down our heroes.  Eddie Robinson just said in his posthumously published autobiography about Charles A. Lindbergh, "To hell with his politics.  He is our last, great hero."  If ever our country needed heroes, it is in these melancholy days (he wrote this in 1976), and when I hear of things like the broadcast not long ago that said Thomas Jefferson slept with his slave girls, I am depressed.  Maybe Jefferson did, maybe he didn't; in any case, why drag that in?  What does that have to do with the greatness of this man?  I've seen announcement of a projected  story on George Washington purporting to prove he was drunk when he instigated a massacre of some French troops.  This robbing us of our heroes is the heritage of some fine so-called liberal thinking that tries to kill one of the finest things we possess---warrantable pride in our past..."

Mr. Cagney's thoughts echo my own; however, he said it far more eloquently than I could have.  I suppose the dismantling of "heroes," of digging up the dirt on people and then publishing a "tell-all" book, of sullying the character of men and women who aren't even alive to refute the story, is the main reason I don't read many biographies anymore.  I think it is important to think highly of people, and when shocking, scandalous stories are published about people long-dead, it only serves to ruin their good names.  Quite honestly, I don't think all "dirty laundry" needs to be made public.  (In my recent review of Slander [HERE], I said this same thing.)

I hope you all have enjoyed this small glimpse into the great Jimmy Cagney's autobiography.  If you are a Cagney fan...or if you would just like to learn a bit more about him...check your library for a copy of Cagney by Cagney.  It is a wonderful read!!

In James Cagney's Words

As previously made known, last month, I read James Cagney's autobiography, Cagney by Cagney.  It was a fascinating, delightful read, and by the time I reached the end, I was more wild about this fabulous actor than ever.  He is easily one of my top 5 actors, and, quite honestly, he isn't very far off the "beloved status" of my top 3 guys.  So that others might get a glimpse into this amazing actor's life, I want to share bits and pieces of some of the wonderful things I've read.

On growing up in a poor family:

"My chidhood was surrounded by trouble, illness, and my dad's alcoholism, but as I said, we just didn't have time to be impressed by all those misfortunes.  I have an idea that the Irish possess a built-in don't-give-a-damn that helps them through all stress.  Moreover, we had the advantage of an awful lot of love in our family..."

"If we didn't have much in material gain, we were amply supplied with the best in nonmaterial gain---lots of laughs."

"It never occurred to us, despite the poverty to hold our heads or feel sorry for ourselves.  We just did the best we could."


About one's work ethic:

"One shouldn't aspire to stardom, one should aspire to be doing the job well."  (My take on this---Mr. Cagney was completely successful at fulfilling this aspiration, because I do believe he may be the most brilliant actor there has ever been.  He always did the job well!)


About what kept him and his brothers from going wild despite being raised in a rough neighborhood:

"A question people have asked me through the years is why the Cagney boys didn't get involved with guns and crime the way my old Sing Sing pals did.  The answer is simple:  there wasn't a chance.  We had a mother to answer to.  If any of us got out of line, she just belted us, and belted us emphatically.  We loved her profoundly, and our driving force was to do what she wanted because we knew how much it meant to her."


Aren't these awesome quotes?!  I hope you all are enjoying the opportunity to get to know James Cagney a bit better through these snippets from his autobiography.  I have a few more passages to share and will be doing so in a future post.