A Closer Look At...

Busby Berkeley!

Busby was known for his elaborate kaleidoscope like choreographed films. 

10 facts about Busby Berkeley:

1. He was named after his actress mother's friend Amy Busby.

2. He was a field artillery lieutenant in WWI and directed parades and drills.

3.Became a stage director and choreographer on Broadway.

4. Begged Samuel Goldwyn to let him direct, and made his debut directing "Whoopee" in 1930.

5. Was the first to do long dragging close-ups of actresses while they danced.

6. Directed Gene Kelly in his first film, "For Me and My Gal" in 1942. 

7. Was married 6 times.

8. Famous for the films, "42nd Street", "Gold Diggers of 1933", and "Dames".

9. Killed 3 people while drunk driving, was tried 3 times for  murder, and was acquitted after 2 hung juries.

10. Was quoted as saying, "In an era of breadlines, depression, and wars, I tried to help people get away from all the misery...to turn their minds to something else. I wanted to make people happy, if only for an hour."

 Busby's Work

"Midnight"

I hate it when I start a film and realize I have already seen it. I am bad with titles. So is the case with "Midnight" starring Claudette Colbert and one of my faves, Don Ameche. I realized I had seen this picture about 4 seconds in, but this time I was happy, because I remember it being so cute.

Claudette plays Eve Peabody. She is asleep on the train as it arrives in rainy Paris. She is dressed to the nines but without any cash.

All of her luggage was sold to a pawn shop and she needs a job. She runs into hottie taxi driver Don Ameche aka Tibor (he's Hungarian he tells her)who enjoys living pay check to paycheck and  instantly fancies Eve. He drives her around and buys her din din.

She likes him but she likes money more. She runs off when he gets too fresh with her and stumbles upon an invite only party. She gives up her pawn shop ticket as her invitation and joins the fun.

She needs money bad, look at that manicure!

Bored and tired she meets loaded John Barrymore and is asked to play cards. She pretends she is rich and takes Tibor's name and says she is a Baroness. During poker she meets Jacques who is secretly dating John's wife and is smitten over Eve the Baroness. She sweats a bit knowing she has no funds but John realizes this, slips some cash into her purse, and shares her secret.

She winds up at the Ritz and wakes up to realize she got there because of John. He saw how much Jacques was falling for Eve the Baroness and "hires" her to break him and John's wife apart. In return she gets a kick ass wardrobe and all the funds she would want. She agrees.

Look at this adorable night gown with fringe! 

So worth the trade off.

Paris looks so much nicer from the Ritz.

With all this money, what does the girl do? She goes shopping of course. Eve and the gang are going to John's summer estate so she needs a new hat. Meanwhile, Tibor is gathering his taxi gang to find his escapee. While shopping, Eve sees John's wife and Hedda Hopper who is playing "Stephanie" (I love Hedda in movies). She is in trouble for throwing out the wrong person last night at the party. Suspicion grows as they realizes someone is an impostor...dum dum dum!

Don't all French hat shops look like this?

Off they go to the summer house. Jacques is informed that Eve the Baroness is married, which doesn't really bother him. John's wife is convinced that the Baroness is not who she claims to be and does some digging. She finds what could be a picture of Eve and is about to blow her cover when Tibor, uh, I mean, the Baron shows up! He found out about her scheme and is there to get his gal.

How is Eve going to get out of this one! She argues, makes up lies about Tibor and must choose to lead a life of gold digging or true love. 

She needs the overly puffy sleeves to store dollar bills.

This film is classic screwball comedy. I love the cute scene when Eve tells her new friends that Tibor is nuts and that she once received a gift of one roller skate with Thousand Island Dressing on it from his grandfather!

John Barrymore would only read cue cards, Mary Astor was knocked up, and Billy Wilder fought like cats and dogs with director Mitchell Leisen over the writing, which inspired Wilder to start directing his own scripts. With all the drama, "Midnight" turned out to be a superb film about a gold digger who finds romance.

Picture Of The Day

Howard Hawks(left), reading the script over with his cast of 

"The Big Sleep".

Powder Your Nose

Contrary to what we are lead to believe, the stars didn't wake up looking as fabulous as they do on screen. They actually need a little help. Let's watch them get ready...

Vivian Leigh

Joan Bennett

Marilyn Monroe

Audrey Hepburn

Virginia Mayo

Louise Brooks

Jean Harlow

Elizabeth Taylor

Lillian Gish

Don't forget to blot!

In Love With "Now, Voyager"

I think it is safe to say that if you have not viewed "Now, Voyager" you should not consider yourself an oldie film nerd. Too harsh? Maybe this last statement will motivate those who have not seen Bette in her biggest box office draw into watching this spectacular film, and one of my top five faves.

You want romance? This is the film. Bette starts out as a total hag with a serious uni brow. She lives with her beyond strict and super mean mother. Bette has been told her whole life that she was not planned and is a bad egg.

Bette's sister-in-law arranges a head doctor to come visit Bette and see what can be done. He realizes the mother is nuts and that Bette is very crafty. He orders her to a stay at his mental institution. Bette just wants out of the house.

After her stay, sister-in-law and doctor think it is best if Bette goes on holiday. She jumps on a ship and is told by her beloved doctor to "try everything, and be open to everyone".

Along with couch lying comes a makeover, and Bette is introduced to a single traveler who needs a partner for the day. She takes the doctor's advice and says yes. Cue in (Jerry) Paul Henreid. Before I go on, I must say that at first, I wasn't too into him. Ehh, I thought the first time I saw this picture. This changes about 10 minutes after he is on screen. The chemistry between these two is strong! 

The two become friends and Bette learns Jerry is married and has two children. One of his daughters is miserable and her story greatly resembles Bette's before the makeover.

On an shore day adventure, Bette and Jerry get stuck in the woods after a minor car crash. They spend the night in a shack and Jerry realizes how he feels about her. 

Soon Bette meets his on-board friends and learns that Jerry's wife is a rag and that he is hiself miserable. Jerry learns about Bette's past and is OK with her mental issues.

It is time for Jerry to leave, and neither can bare it. They plan to just say goodbye and never see each other again, oh the agony!

Bette goes home to see her mother. She briefly tells her off, but is still under her harsh ways. Bette gets engaged to a nice but boring guy, but she still wants Jerry.

Bette decides to dump her beau and mother gets so upset she croaks. Bette decides to return to the loony bin for some rest.

 When she returns to the bin, she meets *gasp* Jerry's daughter. She is also unwanted by her mother and is there to get help. Bette takes her under her wing and they become fast friends. They even go camping. Jerry knows about this set up and is fine with it. 

In the end, Jerry must decide what to do about his daughter, and his great love, Bette. The most romantic thing about this film is the many times Jerry lights a cigarette for Bette. I usually would not promote or enjoy the cancer stick scenes, but these are so cute. He puts two in his mouth, lights them, then gives one to her, all without even asking her if she wants one.

This film is considered Bette's best work, and I would agree. Paul would finish shooting on this film and start filming for "Casablanca" the next morning. Talk about dedication! The boyfriend and I agree the, 'The End' title with the back of the ship was a nice touch.