Topic: January Movie Marathon: Actresses of Yesteryear

[addicted2dvd]

Actresses of Yesteryear
This month I decided to do something a little different with my marathon... while working on seeing some more of the classic films.
 I am taking a list of well known actresses from the past and each day that I can watch at least 1 movie I will draw a name by random and watch at least 1 film from my collection with her in it. Here is my current list of actresses for the marathon. If I am missing a well known actress from the past (lets say from the '30s to the '50s) let me know who and I will see if I have anything in my collection with her to add it to my marathon.

List of Actresses:
Anne Bancroft
Audrey Hepburn
Ava Gardner
Barbara Stanwick
Bette Davis
Betty Grable
Carole Lombard
Claudette Colbert
Doris Day
Elizabeth Taylor
Ginger Rogers
Grace Kelly
Greta Garbo
Ingred Bergman
Janet Leigh
Jessica Tandy
Joan Crawford
Joan Fontaine
Judy Garland
Katherine Hepburn
Lauren Bacall
Loretta Young
Mae West
Marilyn Monroe
Marlene Dietrich
Maureen O'Hara
Natalie Wood
Olivia de Havilland
Paulette Goddard
Shirley Temple
Susan Hayward
Vivien Leigh

So am I missing anyone important?

Also, anyone now a program (preferably free) that I can put a list of names in that will randomly pick a name for you?

[GSyren]

I wrote a little program for you that will randomize your list - Randomizer
It even includes the list of actresses in a text file. Just run, load, and click Randomize

[Dragonfire]

Maybe Lana Turner.  Veronica Lake.

[Wigram]

I've always had a soft spot for Jean Arthur.

[addicted2dvd]

I wrote a little program for you that will randomize your list - Randomizer
It even includes the list of actresses in a text file. Just run, load, and click Randomize

Thanks Gunnar... much appreciated!

[addicted2dvd]

Maybe Lana Turner.  Veronica Lake.

Lana Turner I have 1 title for.

Veronica Lake Also 1 title... from the '70s

[addicted2dvd]

I've always had a soft spot for Jean Arthur.

I have 1 title for Jean Arthur as well.

[addicted2dvd]

I wrote a little program for you that will randomize your list - Randomizer
It even includes the list of actresses in a text file. Just run, load, and click Randomize

Thanks Gunnar... much appreciated!

Just tested it out a bit. A little different then I imagined... but will definitely do the trick. Thanks again!

[addicted2dvd]

With the help from some at another forum... I updated the list some.

[addicted2dvd]

Well here we are... first day of the new marathon... and new experiment for myself. The drawing for today brought us...

The unfortunate thing for this one is I only have the one title for her. Though this could be a good thing as I do have to work today and my not have time for more. If by chance I do... I guess I would just have to do a second drawing for today? Sorry... never thought this through completely yet I guess.

Films for me to choose From:
- The Adventures of Robin Hood

Well... hard choice here... guess what I will be watching!

[addicted2dvd]

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938/United States) Warner Home Video (United States) Director: Michael Curtiz, William Keighley Writing: Norman Reilly Raine (Screenwriter), Seton I. Miller (Screenwriter) Length: 102 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Mono, Music Only: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Errol Flynn as Robin Hood
Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian
Basil Rathbone as Sir Guy of Gisbourne
Claude Rains as Prince John
Patric Knowles as Will Scarlett

Plot:
Dashing Errol Flynn triumphs in this lavish, fast-paced version of the Robin Hood legend, a winner of three Academy Awards®** in ravishing Technicolor®. Doing many stunts himself, Flynn is at his athletic, romantic best in a role originally intended for James Cagney. Olivia de Havilland (as Maid Marian), consummate screen villains Basil Rathbone and Claude Rains and a boisterous who's who of character actors co-star. Welcome to Sherwood!

** 1938: Best Film Editing, Interior Decoration and Original Score (Erich Wolfgang Korngold).

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Bonus Trailers
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Music Videos
• Outtakes/Bloopers
• Introduction by Leonard Maltin
• Newsreel
• Vintage Cartoons

My Thoughts:

This is the first time I ever seen this one. And I must say I enjoyed it very much! I loved the story line... which I knew I would as I have of course seen other versions. Errol Flynn was great as Robin Hood... as was Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian. I also liked the sense of humor used for a few of the characters in this film. Most noted Robin Hood himself. Being a film from 1938 I was surprised to see this film be in color. I am guessing this was the reason for the one thing I did find a little overdone. The color and fanciness of a lot of the costumes. Over all a great movie I can recommend with ease.

Rating:

[addicted2dvd]

Drawing time for Day #2...

OK... at least I have a few of her movies to choose from. And I am off today so hopefully will have time for more then one today!

From My Collection:
- Always
- Breakfast at Tiffany's
- Funny Face
- Paris When it Sizzles
- Roman Holiday
- Sabrina

[addicted2dvd]

Funny Face: 50th Anniversary Edition (1957/United States) Paramount Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Stanley Donen Writing: Leonard Gershe (Writer) Length: 103 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono, Portuguese: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish

Stars:
Audrey Hepburn as Jo Stockton
Fred Astaire as Dick Avery
Kay Thompson as Maggie Prescott
Michel Auclair as Professor Emile Flostre
Robert Flemyng as Paul Duval

Plot:
Paris, the City of Light, shines even brighter when Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire team up for the only time and bring their luminous starpower to this exquisite musical featuring songs by George and Ira Gershwin. This dazzling romp – filmed on location in Paris – garnered four Academy Award® nominations.*

In the role of bookstore clerk transformed into a modeling sensation, Hepburn showcases singing and dancing skills she had honed on the London stage, performing "How Long Has This Been Going On?," a "Basal Metabolism" dance in a cool-cat bistro and more. Astaire, as the fashion photographer who discovers her, conjures up his inimitable magic for sequences that include his "Let's Kiss And Make Up" matador diversion, a heavenly dance with Hepburn to "He Loves And She Loves" and, again with Hepburn, the title-tune enchantment, "I Love Your Funny Face." Now and forever, so do we.

*1957 Nomination: Best Art Direction (Hal Pereira, George W. Davis); Best Set Decoration (Sam Comer, Ray Moyer); Best Cinematography (Ray June); Best Costume Design (Edith Head, Hubert de Givenchy)

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

Going by the trailer I thought I would like this one more then I did. It is not a bad movie by any means. But I just couldn't get past not liking Audrey Hepburn's character in this one. And it really brought the enjoyment of the film down for me. I still found the movie worth the time put in to watch it... but it will not become one of my favorites.

Rating:

[addicted2dvd]

Roman Holiday: Special Collector's Edition (1953/United States) Paramount Home Entertainment (United States) Director: William Wyler Writing: Ian McLellan Hunter (Screenwriter), John Dighton (Screenwriter), Dalton Trumbo (Story By) Length: 118 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: English

Stars:
Gregory Peck as Joe Bradley
Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann
Eddie Albert as Irving Radovich
Hartley Power as Mr. Hennessy
Harcourt Williams as Ambassador

Plot:
Roman Holiday was nominated for ten Academy Awards®, and Audrey Hepburn captured an Oscar® for her portrayal of a modern-day princess rebelling against her royal obligations who explores Rome on her own. She meets Gregory Peck, an American newspaperman who, seeking an exclusive story, pretends ignorance of her true identity. But his plan falters as they fall in love. Eddie Albert contributes to the fun as Peck's carefree cameraman pal. Stylishly directed by William Wyler, this romantic comedy ranks as one of the most enjoyable films of all times.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

This one I really enjoyed. I liked all the characters and it has a good story. I definitely felt Hepburn did a wonderful job in this one. I couldn't imagine the role being done any better. Peck was also good here. I knew the character would do what was right in the end... so I can't say it wasn't predictable. But even being predictable the story keeps you invested through-out with ease. This one is definitely worth the time put in to watch it.

Rating:

[addicted2dvd]

Hey, I finally have time for a movie or two again! With today's drawing I get...

I am off today so hoping to watch a couple anyway.

From My Collection:
- Captain January
- Curly Top
- Heidi
- Just Around the Corner
- Little Miss Broadway
- The Little Princess