Filmland Follies

            The theme of this CMBA blogathon, Blogathon and the Beast, includes "complex protagonists who challenge social norms" - and what could challenge social norms more than Katharine Hepburn, directed by a woman, playing an Amelia Earhart-inspired character in Christopher Strong ?              Christopher Strong is a misleading title for this movie, because it's really about three women. True, their lives are intertwined through their relationships with Christopher Strong, but the film is constantly showing us that they can do without him. Pre-Code heroines already tend to be independent and self-sufficient - put a woman behind the camera, and suddenly the movie examines what these women can achieve when men aren't holding them back.             Dorothy Arzner began her career as a script writer and editor who became so valuable to Paramount Studios that s...

              "Hello, friends and enemies." Oh, The Philadelphia Story . One of the best romantic comedies out there, Old Hollywood or not. With a cast of familiar favorites, filled with one-liners and Oscar-winning acting and Jimmy Stewart singing "Over the Rainbow," it's hard not to love this movie.             After Top Hat , this was the second classic film I watched, and the one that I've rewatched the most. It also has one of the most compelling backstories. Katharine Hepburn, spurred by a late 1930s lull in her popularity (which included a feature on 1938's list of "Box Office Poison" actors), had made her way to New York City to return to her Broadway roots. In 1939, she was starring in Philip Barry's play The Philadelphia Story, which he had written specifically for her. The show was a smash hit, and completely reversed the Great Kate's negative publicity - the only remaining question was,...

              Katharine Hepburn and Laurence Olivier in a romantic period drama directed by George Cukor - sounds like a dream come true, right? Well, maybe if it was made in 1945. Here we are 30 years later, and while both actors are still undeniable stars, a lot of their talent gets lost in a muddled script and a strange plot. It's rare that I review a movie I didn't genuinely enjoy, but I found myself disagreeing with the glowing reviews of Love Among the Ruins .                  The movie begins in a rainstorm, as a wig-clad lawyer races from the courtroom to his office. He's late, but thankfully his client is later, and he spends the first ten minutes of the movie rushing around and shouting in preparation. This is our introduction to Sir Arthur Granville-Jones (Laurence Olivier), apparently the best lawyer in the business, but also the most erratic. It's clear the client he's wait...

                             Only five?!                I suppose if one is stranded on a desert island, the best thing to do would be to watch some classic movies. (Maybe this desert island has a DVD player somewhere). A big thanks to the Classic Movie Muse for nominating me! Here are a few rules: Nominate one or more people to review the film or films of your choice. Or you can request they review something from a certain year, genre, or star. Everyone can review the same thing, or you can request each person cover something different. As long as it’s something they haven’t written about yet, you’re good. Nominees are allowed to request a different pick for whatever reason no more than five times. Stuff happens. We all know it. Nominees must thank the person who nominated them and provide a link their blog. Nominees may nominate others to keep...

              Long time, no see! As some of you may know, I'm a high school student, and as most of you may know, high school is busy . I realized I haven't written an article since October 2021 (yikes!) but, like Katharine Hepburn in 1940, I'm making a comeback. Here it is, everyone - a new blog article about the Great Kate!                          Katharine Hepburn skyrocketed to fame in 1932 after her film debut in A Bill of Divorcement . Suddenly all of Hollywood was curious about this polished society beauty from the East Coast who had made her way to the West. She won her first Oscar in 1933 for Morning Glory , and made a hit adaptation of Little Women the same year. Needless to say, she was a quickly-rising star. But Kate wanted to prove herself on the stage, where her acting career had gotten its start. She asked for leave from her contract at RKO Radio Pictu...

               Oscars season is upon us again! I'm always excited to watch - especially for the red carpet - but I also love looking at photos and footage from Old Hollywood Oscars ceremonies. (It may be because those are the ones with actors I actually know.) I was thinking about this the other day when I realized something exciting - it's 2021! Which means it has been 80 years since my favorite Academy Awards ceremony, if one can have a favorite. Happy anniversary, 1941 Oscars!               The 13th Academy Awards was held on February 27, 1941, at the Biltmore Hotel. The ceremony honored films released the previous year, 1940, and was hosted by Bob Hope.                It was the first time the names of the winners were kept secret until the moment they received awards. This led to the line, "May I have the envelope, please?" Best Picture Who Won: Rebecca...

          Many famous actresses were also excellent athletes, both on- and off-screen. Here's an appreciation of four of these women. Esther Williams   Esther Williams was known as Hollywood's "Million Dollar Mermaid" after the 1952 film she starred in. A competitive swimmer from an early age, she had won three US National championships in breaststroke and freestyle by age 16. Esther planned to compete in the 1940 Summer Olympics before it was canceled when World War II broke out. She was discovered by MGM talent scouts while in Billy Rose's Aquacade, a singing, dancing, and swimming troupe. Her career in movies was defined by her starring roles in "aquamusicals" with elaborate synchronized swimming scenes, such as Neptune's Daughter and Dangerous When Wet . Katharine Hepburn Katharine Hepburn was a noted athlete who enjoyed swimming, tennis, running, diving, and golfing. She took frequent golf lessons as a child and made it to the semi-finals of th...