Classic movies are not just antiquated films from a bygone era...rather, they are beautiful, well-acted, well-written gems that ought not to fade into obscurity. Truly, Hollywood just doesn't make 'em like they used to!!! I hope you'll discover some must-sees by your visit here.
The classy, elegant Claudette Colbert begins her reign today as They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To's star of the month. This lovely lady provided one of my earliest introductions to classic films---through It Happened One Night---and I've counted her among my top 20 favorite actresses since that very first viewing. Two of her films---It Happened One Night and Imitation of Life---are among my 10 favorites of the 1930's and among my 25 all-time favorites. I look forward to highlighting this lovely lady, and I extend a hearty welcome to her.
Additionally, September will find me participating in two exciting events---the Gish Sisters blogathon hosted by Movies Silently and The Motion Pictures and the Journalism in Classic Film blogathon hosted by Comet Over Hollywood and Lindsay's Movie Musings. Additionally, I'll be re-capping Maureen O'Hara month, revealing my readers' favorite O'Hara film, as well as my own top 5. (I had written such a piece yesterday, but, somehow, someway, minutes before I intended to publish, I lost every single word through a flukey Blogger glitch. With my day's calendar already quite full, I wasn't able to reconstruct the article at the time, so I'll be getting at it this first week of September.)
It should be a busy, exciting month, and I look forward to having y'all along for the ride. Please be sure to weigh-in with your favorite Colbert film by taking part in the poll on my sidebar. I realize, of course, that since it's not feasible to include Claudette's entire filmography in the poll, your real favorite (perhaps The Palm Beach Story or So Proudly We Hail) may not be listed. I tried to include a cross-section of genre, leading men, and era with the voting choices.
Another of the films I caught on the big screen during Maureen O'Hara's recent birthday bash celebration is How Green Was My Valley. It's hard to believe that upon my first viewing of this film five or six years ago, I quite disliked it. I wasn't so bored by it that I needed to turn it off, and I certainly didn't hate it, but it was definitely in the "2-star, hard to get through" category for me. I found it excessively tedious and horribly depressing, and for the life of me, I couldn't understand how in the world it had come away with the Academy Award for Best Picture of 1941. What a difference a few years makes (or perhaps I should say, "a few generations"), for last week's viewing of that Oscar-winning film was seen through new eyes (or maybe I should say "old" eyes). Deeply and powerfully moved, I loved the film and, without question, moved it to 5-star status.
Directed by John Ford, How Green Was My Valley is a period drama with the terrific ensemble cast of Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, Donald Crisp, Sara Allgood, Patric Knowles, Anna Lee, John Loder, Barry Fitzgerald, and a very young Roddy McDowall. Nominated for ten Academy Awards, and coming away with the win in five categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Supporting Actor for Mr. Crisp, this heart-tugging film is based on Richard Llewellyn's novel of the same name.
Set in Wales in the late 1800's, How Green Was My Valley is the story of the Morgan family, who live in a small coal mining village. Family patriarch (Donald Crisp) and his five older sons all work in the local mine at a time when change is on the horizon. With wages being cut and workers being dismissed, the Morgan sons intend to get involved in the newly-forming unions---a fact which does not sit well with their father.
On the homefront are matriarch Beth (Sara Allgood), daughter Angharad (Maureen O'Hara), son Ivor's wife, Bronwyn (Anna Lee), and young son, Hugh (Roddy McDowall). Although father and mother bicker regularly, there is deep devotion between them. Angharad and the local preacher (Walter Pidgeon) have fallen in love; however, not wanting to subject her to the difficult life of a preacher's wife, he steadfastly refuses to marry her. Young Hugh, after overcoming a near-paralyzing accident, enrolls in a nearby school, where he is regularly taunted and beaten up. As providing for a family through the mill grows ever more difficult, some of the Morgan sons make the decision to leave Wales behind and to head for America. The remainder of the film chronicles the joys and heartbreaks of this loving, hardworking family.
There is very little that is feel-good about this film. Quite honestly, it's rather depressing. But it's well acted, especially by Donald Crisp, Sara Allgood, Maureen O'Hara, and Roddy McDowall. The cinematography is fantastic (and Oscar-winning), quite capturing the gritty harshness of a coal miner's life. Additionally, it's an incredibly heart-tugging story, and I found myself moved to tears on several occasions, all because I identify with it in a deep, powerful, and very personal way---something I did not do when I first watched this film in the mid 2000's.
In the last two years, I have gotten heavily into genealogy, and I have discovered that I, too, have a coal mining heritage. One of my great-grandfathers and at least five of my 2nd and 3rd-great-grandfathers (as well as several great-grand-uncles) were lifelong coal miners. While most of them worked in the United States, one of them also mined in England, before immigrating to America in the 1880's. Since the area of England from which he hailed was very close to the northern border of Wales, Donald Crisp's character could easily have been my grandfather, and through most of the film, that is how I saw him. As Mr. Morgan watched his sons leave their homeland and head to America, I pictured my ancestor getting on a ship with his younger children, while leaving his older children and deceased wife behind in England (knowing they would be buried on different continents). Beyond that particular grandfather, one of my other 2nd-greats was killed in a mine accident, and the mine fatalities in the film served to remind me of him; though I never knew that man, his blood runs in my veins. How could I not think of him---and the life he gave up mining coal. The scenes in which the anxious family members hover around the mine opening, awaiting news of those trapped below, affected me deeply and I was very nearly sobbing, as I thought of my relatives who endured similar situations. For those reasons, this film was very personal to me, enabling me to see it through fresh eyes and quite touching my heart. Depressing or not, it is a powerful, deeply moving story.
Out on DVD, How Green Was My Valley should be easy to track down. Additionally, it is on the TCM schedule for Saturday, November 2nd, at 8:00 p.m. (ET). I hope you get a chance to see it, because it is well worth viewing.
Hard as it may be to believe, one of the most beloved of all classic films---1952's The Quiet Man---did not cross my radar until just this past weekend---nearly seven years into my classic film journey. Not a John Wayne fan, I've never made The Quiet Man a priority, despite the fact that nearly everyone who claims to be a classic film fanatic has seen (and loves) this film. Choosing to put my lack of enthusiasm for Mr. Wayne aside, I had always intended to view this film for Maureen O'Hara month; however, when I realized that it was going to be showing on the big screen of Boise's Egyptian Theatre, and introduced by Miss O'Hara herself, I knew that was how I would catch it for the first time. Wow, what an amazing first-time experience it was---big screen, vintage theatre, 700+ crowd, introduction by Maureen O'Hara. All those things---plus the stunning scenery, the gorgeous musical score, and the beauty of the story itself---worked their magic on me, and I found myself absolutely loving this film (and even liking John Wayne). Without question, it is a 5-star film for me---making 8 such discoveries already this year, 2 of which are Maureen O'Hara films. It's been only 4 days since I saw it, and I find myself with an intense longingto watch it again.
Winner of two Academy Awards (Best Director and Best Cinematography, Color) and nominated for five others (including Best Picture), The Quiet Man was filmed on location in Ireland. Directed by John Ford, the film stars John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, and Barry Fitzgerald, with Victor McLaglen, Ward Bond, and Midred Natwick among the supporting players. Although a romantic drama, there are enough lighthearted, comical moments that the film could be considered a dramedy.
Sean Thornton (John Wayne), an ex-boxer with a past so tragic he has vowed to never fight again, has returned to his native Innisfree, Ireland, after many years of living in America. Desiring to live simply and quietly in the house in which he was born, he approaches the current owner, widow Tillane (Mildred Natwick), about the possibility of her selling. Although "Red" Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen) had already made an offer for the property, the widow chooses to sell to Thornton instead, which, naturally, causes strife between the two men. Thus, when Sean desires to court Danaher's sister, Mary Kate (Maureen O'Hara), he is forbidden to do so. While in America it might be acceptable for a young woman to be courted without the consent of her father or brother, in Ireland it is not, so Mary Kate and Sean are unable to pursue a relationship.
With the help of the local matchmaker (Barry Fitzgerald, in a wonderful, memorable performance) and the local preacher and priest, Will is tricked into consenting to a courtship between his sister and Sean, and the two are soon married. However, when Will discovers he has been set up, he furiously denies Mary Kate her dowry, which while not bothering Sean, greatly upsets his bride. She demands that he obtain her full dowry from her brother, even if it means fighting him to do so. How it all plays out is the balance of the film.
Everything about The Quiet Man is perfect. The scenery is spectacular---if I didn't already want to visit Ireland, I certain do after viewing this film. The Academy Award-winning color cinematography captures the country's beauty completely. Maureen O'Hara is simply stunning, and she is terrific in this role. She's fiery, feisty, and incredibly passionate, and her chemistry with John Wayne is magical---it's easy to see why they were such a successful team. John Wayne (who, as noted, I don't ordinarily care for) is wonderful in his role. He brings Sean Thornton beautifully to life. I quite love his character---in love with the woman, not the money she will bring into the marriage. Of course, having been living in America and now unused to Irish customs, he has a bit of learning to do. All of the supporting players are wonderful too; I especially love Barry Fitzgerald and Ward Bond. Finally, the Victor Young score is gorgeous and greatly adds to the charm of the film. The story is incredibly romantic and passionate---sensual even---and all without being trashy. (If you doubt a film without a bit of nudity or gratuitous sex can be sensual, this scene will change your mind.)
While The Quiet Man is not going to topple A Place in the Sun from its place as my favorite film of the 1950's, it's not far off. Definitely, it's in my top 10---probably even my top 6 of the entire 1950's---and in my top 25 of all time. It's a complete gem of a film, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. (I only wish you could all catch it on the "big screen" of a beautiful historic theatre, like I did.)
Out on DVD, The Quiet Man should be fairly easy to track down; it would make a great film for St. Patrick's Day viewing . . . if you can wait that long! (I can't, so even if I do make it my annual St. Patrick's Day movie, I'll be watching it again long before then.)
Happy viewing!
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all photos were obtained from Doctor Macro (HERE)
Accompanied by her grandson, Conor FitzSimons, and looking incredibly beautiful in a fuchsia-colored blouse and black slacks, Maureen O'Hara made a public appearance at Boise's Egyptian Theatre this past Saturday, in order to introduce The Quiet Man---one of six of her films being shown at the historic theatre in celebration of the lovely lady's 93rd birthday. Because Miss O'Hara is in a wheelchair, she didn't ascend to the stage to address the audience but, instead, spoke to them from the front left-center floor area. I was sitting just to the right of center in the floor's middle section, meaning that I was about 10 rows back from her and about 8 people in. However, with the large crowd all clamoring for photos and my extremely sub-par photography skills, I might as well have been on the moon, for I was unable to get a decent picture. While I did get a few shots, they are all so horribly blurry that I am embarrassed to post them. Suffice to say (and you will have to take my word for it) that the lovely Irish lass is still exceedingly elegant and beautiful.
Speaking for about three minutes---in a voice as strong and vibrant as ever---Maureen introduced The Quiet Man as her "favorite movie," quipping that she "even got paid for it." Lovingly referring to director John Ford as "the old divil himself," she stressed what a terrific opportunity it was to have worked under him. (Yes, in Miss O'Hara's delightful Irish brogue, the word "devil" became "divil".) Smiling all the while and introducing the audience to her doting grandson, Miss O'Hara worked her charm on the 700+ crowd. We were brought to our feet twice, and before she departed the room, the audience serenaded her with "happy birthday."
The real downside to a live event like this, of course, is that there is no opportunity to hit the rewind button. If you miss something (because you're fussing with your camera or just because you're overwhelmed with the experience), you miss it forever. There's no rewind with live---so I can't remember much more than those few snippets of her address. I was so enthralled with the whole experience (really, a "once in a lifetime" thing for me) that I was in a bit of a daze. I felt somewhat felt like I was dreaming, or that I was looking in from somewhere outside myself. At any rate, because of my "overwhelmed" status, much of Maureen's introduction went by in a bit of a blur (like my photographs).
The Quiet Man was the only film being introduced by Maureen O'Hara herself, so naturally, it was the star attraction. According to the Egyptian's website, the theatre seats 745 people, and since I saw very few empty seats, my guess is that there were almost that many in attendance. Disappointingly, though, the other films (at least the two I saw) were shown to audiences of less than 50. Of course, since How Green Was My Valley was showing at the same time as the benefit dinner was taking place, that may have affected its attendance; after all, we humans still haven't learned how to be in two places at the same time! The evening showings (The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Only the Lonely) may have seen attendance on the rise---I hope so, as I don't like the idea of Miss O'Hara's new city of residence giving her anything less than a wholehearted reception.
Y'all are no doubt wondering what I thought of the three films I saw? Well, by the time my 6+ hours of viewing were finished, I had made another 5-star film discovery for the year; been powerfully and deeply moved by and moved to 5-star, "love it" status, a film which I didn't care for and gave 2 stars upon my first viewing; and made it through (and enjoyed) a film I had previously turned off in boredom after only 20 minutes. That makes two 5's and one 3 for me this weekend---and I call that highly successful movie viewing. Over the next few days, I'll be sharing my thoughts about each of those films. First up will be the star of the day---The Quiet Man, now my newest 5-star film discovery of the year.
NOTE: You can see photos of the event at the official Maureen O'Hara Magazine Facebook page. (HERE)
Happy 93rd birthday to one of my top-20 favorite actresses---the lovely, talented, Miss Maureen O'Hara (August 17, 1920). This beautiful lady is not only still alive, but she's in remarkably good health and will even be making a public appearance on her birthday---and I will be among those helping her celebrate.
Born Maureen FitzSimons in a suburb of Dublin, Ireland, the beautiful Miss O'Hara has a film and television career spanning six decades. After being "discovered" in London by Charles Laughton, and hand-picked by him to star opposite him in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, she made the move to Hollywood, where she worked with a variety of big-name directors and leading men.
Miss O'Hara came into my life many years ago through The Parent Trap, which I watched as a child and then as an adult with my own young children. Little did I know back in the 1960's or even in the 1990's that this lovely lady was destined to become one of my all-time favorite actresses. I find her completely delightful in every role she's taken on; plus, she's so incredibly beautiful that it's breathtaking to look upon her. With several "new to me" O'Hara films on my must-watch list this month, I may find that my current fave will be displaced. I'll weigh-in at the end of the month, with my blog readers' favorite O'Hara film as well as my own.
I'll be helping this gorgeous gal celebrate her birthday today by taking part in the "bash" she is throwing here in her new city of residence, Boise, Idaho. With big screen showings of three of Miss O'Hara's films---The Quiet Man, The Black Swan, and How Green Was My Valley---on my agenda for the day, I'm sure to have a stupendous Saturday. The birthday girl herself will be introducing The Quiet Man, and not only am I thrilled to have an opportunity to see her (and those three films), I'm excited to be part of an event which will benefit a cause near and dear to the lovely redhead's heart---the prevention of elder abuse.
So, Miss Maureen O'Hara, happy 93rd birthday to you!! I'm thrilled that you are in good health and surrounded by family and friends as you celebrate another year of life. What a joy it is to be among those sharing in your special day at Boise's Egyptian Theatre. You will always be one of my very favorite actresses, and I thank you for bringing so much enjoyment to my life through your many wonderful films!
NOTE: For more information about this lovely lady's life and career, visit the Maureen O'Hara Magazine, "the only site on the internet endorsed by Miss O'Hara herself." (HERE).
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