Filmland Follies

              It's cold and gloomy, at least where I am, and the perfect weather for some film escapism. Think bright colors, shiny costumes, sweeping landscapes, and a beloved storyline with even more beloved stars - in short, The Adventures of Robin Hood .               At this point in their careers, Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn were quickly-rising stars. This was their third movie together after the successive hits Captain Blood and The Charge of The Light Brigade . Olivia was 22 years old, making $500 a week (equal to $10,000 now), and gaining control over her on-screen persona. Robin Hood was a chance for her trademark witty heroine to shine through, helped along by her best screen partner Errol Flynn.                The movie follows the classic story of Robin Hood as he swordfights his way across Sherwood Forest, takes down the tyrannica...

             Hollywood loves to make fun of itself, and It's A Great Feeling is yet another vehicle for a studio system spoof. It's also a vehicle for Jack Carson and Dennis Morgan to be "the world's biggest hams," and a relatively-newfound singing sensation in her third film appearance - Doris Day!             It's also Doris's centennial this month, and I'm participating in  Love Letters to Old Hollywood's blogathon to celebrate!             After her successful debut in Romance on the High Seas , Doris Day became everyone's favorite cinematic songstress. She was quickly re-teamed with Jack Carson for a second movie, and then a third when  It's A Great Feeling   was dreamed up. Originally it was a Morgan-Carson comedy under the potential names of Two Guys and a Gal, Two Guys of the Nineties,  and Two Guys from Hollywood . (Dennis Morga...

              This is my entry for the 5th Annual Doris Day blogathon hosted by Love Letters to Old Hollywood ! I must preface my article with two confessions: 1. This is my very first blogathon (!!) and... 2. Before watching  Romance on the High Seas , I had never seen a Doris Day movie. Really!                         I thought it fitting, since I had never seen one of her films, to start at the very beginning. So fasten your seatbelts Bette Davis-style: we're going back to 1948!           The leading role in  Romance on the High Seas was originally written as a star vehicle for Judy Garland, but when that fell through, it went to Betty Hutton. When Betty became pregnant, the director (Michael Curtiz) was persuaded to audition a  relatively unknown band singer - can you guess who? Doris  Day was already an...