Friday, August 10, 2012

"Pat and Mike" 1952

In Spence and Kat's 7th film together they played athlete and sports promoter who join teams to make the best out Patricia's (or "Pat" as she prefers to be called) talents.




I love the oldies that have cartoons for titles!

Pat is dating Collier who is sure that Pat is not as great as she is. He wants her to quit the whole "I play sports" bit and get hitched. They both work at the university and play golf with their boss. Collier wants Pat to play easy since she tears it up on the greens so she can make the man look good. Pat gets irritated and shows them what she's really made of!


She gets flustered when Collier tells her to knock it off. Pat is sick of his crap, but instead of dumping him, she decides to take some advice and go out for the women's golf championship...and quit her job.


Pat ends up doing fabulous until Collier comes to watch. She can't do well when he is watching. Clear sign #2 she needs to dump him. Pat ends up catching the eye of shady sports promoter Mike (Tracy) and he breaks into her apartment to pitch his idea of representing her.


Mike finds Pat half naked and tries to convince her to join his crew. He does have a client, the future (hopefully) heavy weight boxer named Davie played by Aldo Ray. Pat says hell - to - the - no and Mike leaves. But Pat gets to thinking. Eventually she agrees and Mike learns not only is she fab in golf but she can play multiple sports!


Mike tells her no drinking, no smoking, no late nights, and no men! Pat is totally fine with this set up since she is getting tired of Collier. Icing on the lame cake? He sends her flowers that say, "Love from Collier who wants to make you jollier". Reason #3 to dump the guy.


 Pat gets to work and with Collier not around she starts to do well in golfing as well as tennis.


She does so well in tennis that she ends up going on tour and ends up playing at her alma mater where Collier is sure to be in attendance. She plays like a champ until she sees Collier and pals giggling on the sidelines. She has a tennis meltdown, a funny scene where Pat can't get the ball over the net and then faints.


Mike gets her motivated again and before you know it she is training again, but she is starting to get real cozy with her sports promoter and less with her boy toy.



This cute film is the favorite of Kat's films with Spencer. She was delighted to work on a film where she could play sports since she was an avid golfer as it was.



Wednesday, August 8, 2012

"Charade" 1963

Why didn't anyone think about putting these two together before the 60's? Add Mr. Donen and you have an amazing film with twists and turns starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant.


Audrey plays Regina who is on vay cay and is being a Debbie Downer. She tells pal Sylvia that she is getting a divorce from her rich hubby. As she eats her breakfast, she meets Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome, Peter Joshua (Grant). They exchange a witty flirtation and part ways, but not without Reggie giving out her digits. Talk about wasting no time!


I'm single and ready to mingle.


Before she knows it, Reggie learns her soon to be ex hubby has been killed, had several passports, conducted in funny business, and sold their entire household for cash which is missing. Reggie is left with nothing until Peter finds her and gives her some help.


Reggie is contacted by Hamilton Batholomew (Walter Matthau) who says he is with the CIA and wants the money back as her ex took what wasn't his. He thinks she knows where it is but she is clueless.


Reggie learns that the dead ex owed lots o' cash and it us up to her to get it back. All the ex had on him was a night bag with a comb, letter, wallet and some over night items. What is Reggie to do?


Although her things were sold, Reggie some how manages to pull off some fab Jackie O. type outfits courtesy of Mr. Givenchy. 


The pals go to the park to think things through when Reggie starts to be followed and thinks that Peter is also after this secret money. He starts to act shady and keeps changing his name, but really, how can you say to no Cary Grant!


Reggie gets into some beefs with some bad guys who are also after this money and Reggie doesn't know who to trust! And where is all this money?!




Reggie doesn't know who is telling the truth, or who is the one to believe. Peter Joshua? Hamilton Bartholomew? Before she knows it, people starting getting killed, and leave clues for her as she goes.


Before the end of this fabulous film, Reggie must find the money and learn who she can trust, all while falling in love...with someone! There are a few cute scenes among the cliff hangers, my favorite is where Cary Grant showers with his clothes on. So cute!



Cary Grant and others were concerned that the huge age difference between him and Audrey would throw people off, but it didn't because audiences were thrilled to see these two stars together. In my opinion, it is one of my favorite Stanley Donen films, and I love almost everything he touches!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Cut The Cake!

With my wedding already one month behind me, one of the things I am still reminiscing about is the cake. Oh yum! Wedding cake is always good, and when you are the couple of the day you get to cut it yourself!


Tyrone Power and Linda Christian
 Even the guy next to them wants a taste!


Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward:
simple and classic.


Rita Hayworth and Aly Khan getting down to business with a sword.


Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner cut their tiny 
cake after some beer.


I mean really, could there be a cuter couple?!


Jean Harlow and Paul Bern getting some friends to help out. 
(I spy the Thalbergs!)


Liz Taylor with Nicky Hilton, the first of many. 
Maybe the cake was the reason she remarried so often?


Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner. Nothing says, "ever after" like finger-less gloves, lace hoodie, and three tiers of sugar.

Everyday Alfred


Alfred: The Rolly Polly

Saturday, July 21, 2012

"Forever Darling" 1956

Hello friends! I am back from my honeymoon and what better film to watch than "Forever Darling" about a married couple. Throw in Lucille and Desi and some technicolor and you have a
 cute picture about love and relationships.


Susan and Larry have been married for 5 years. Larry is a chemist working on a bug killing formula, and Susan holds down the house. Susan spends a lot of time with cousin and BFF Millie whom Larry can't stand. 


Even Amy, the maid, can't stand her!

Larry finds out he is packing up the wife and headed on a vacation/bug formula trial run trip and decides it is the perfect time to tell Millie what he thinks of her over dinner. Susan is left upset after a bed time fight about the evening. The couple yell and complain about the things they hate about each other.


Larry goes to sleep in the study and Susan sees what she thinks is a ghost. Or an angel. Or she needs to lay low on the booze. Suddenly James Mason appears and chases her around the room until she runs to Larry. She thinks she is loosing it, he thinks she is freaking out about their relationship and the next day things don't get much better.




Susan starts to see James everywhere and even goes to a shrink. After some long talks with her dad she realizes she has a guardian angel, who happens to look like James Mason. Now she's OK with it. 



As Larry and Susan try to work out some problems, James is there to give Susan support and advice, while Larry just thinks Susan is out of her mind. The time comes for the big vacation and Susan decides to be supportive and go along to help, thinking it might be a second honeymoon. First stop, Yosemite to camp out and kill some bugs!





What Lucy and Desi production wouldn't be fit without some cute comedy scenes? Lucy is in her prime as she tries to fish, helps pitch the tent, and has trouble in her sleeping bag.

The next morning it is time to try out the bug formula and find out if all of Larry's work has paid off. Things don't go to planned as the couple fight and capsize the boat. Luckily, James shows up to give Susan some life lesson advice and help to fix Susan and Larry's problems. 


This film was originally intended for William Powell and Myrna Loy, but it was shelved. This was the first Desliu film. Cary Grant was in line to be the guardian angle, but he wanted too much money. 


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Light The Fireworks!

Hello fellow Americans! This year for the 4th I am unable to celebrate proper, being that I am on my honeymoon out of the country...but that doesn't mean The Affair needs to go without celebration!


Jimmy doing his American duty


Ann Miller, pledging her allegiance to the flag. Nice cuffs!


Looks like Joan forgot to run after she lit that firecracker!


Matches, Betty. You need matches.



Wow! Marilyn posing in a bathing suit...what a surprise!


Mary Pickford, showing off her explosives.

Happy Independence Day friends! 
Be safe!