tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post5109929617848486158..comments2024-03-26T05:01:57.793-07:00Comments on DREAMS ARE WHAT LE CINEMA IS FOR...: MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS 1944Ken Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-88965965314664143012023-05-04T05:57:32.863-07:002023-05-04T05:57:32.863-07:00Oh, I love Bremer in this! Such a charmer as the s...Oh, I love Bremer in this! Such a charmer as the sister who tries to adopt mature airs that don't exactly rest easily on her narrow shoulders. Beyond her musical/dance appearances in other feature films, I think I've only seen her in one "acting" role....a film noir whose name escapes me, but my memory of her in it is fond.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-84754593232366285742023-05-01T17:47:32.077-07:002023-05-01T17:47:32.077-07:00Love all of it except the artificiality of Lucille...Love all of it except the artificiality of Lucille Bremer as an actress. How did she ever make it that far.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-80764108074143616712022-08-01T21:31:21.248-07:002022-08-01T21:31:21.248-07:00Thanks very much for the info contribution!Thanks very much for the info contribution!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-37455725070442539162022-07-31T07:16:39.339-07:002022-07-31T07:16:39.339-07:00@Unknown To clarify the movies nominated for Best ...@Unknown To clarify the movies nominated for Best Picture that year were the musical Going My Way (Bing Crosby becomes a priest), the psychological horror Gaslight (Ingrid Bergman thinks she's gone insane), the film noir Double Indemnity (Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray plot an insurance scheme), the biopic Wilson (Alexander Knox portrays US president Woodrow Wilson) and the homefront war drama Since you Went Away (Claudette Colbert takes care of Jennifer Jones and Shirley Temple). The latter two were patriotic pics designed to rally support for the US Armed forces. And given that WWII was underway and reaching its apex as the allied nations reached Normandy, it made sense to nominate at least one patriotic movie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-34658391444729359782020-12-16T04:01:48.700-08:002020-12-16T04:01:48.700-08:00Your comment about Chariots Of Fire is (ironically...Your comment about Chariots Of Fire is (ironically) hilarious. I think everyone was so taken by Vangelis' score they lost their heads. As much as his music for Blade Runner is one of my all-time favorites, I can't listen to Chariots Of Fire. It became too much of an instant piece of "instrumental favorites" cheese.petlodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271851273533301436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-76232817454038138782020-12-15T10:48:05.892-08:002020-12-15T10:48:05.892-08:00Hi Pete
I'm so glad you find the comments sect...Hi Pete<br />I'm so glad you find the comments section to be as enlightening, insightful, and an invaluable part of each post. Your acknowledgement of what you derive from it reinforces what I've always hoped: not to ever have the comments section of this blog turn into what "comment sections" have come to represent online...bile-spewing, argumentative, gripe-fests of negativity and ignorance.<br /><br />Because, I too, was so late in discovering this gem of a film, I can appreciate what it must have been like seeing it for the first time. And as you point out, it's amazing that time has decided (as it always does) what films become the classics we never forget. So few of them (Blade Runner, The Wizard of OZ, etc) were well-received in their time, or overshadowed by larger hits that are barely remembered today (that Best Picture Oscar win for CHARIOTS OF FIRE still feels like someone is telling a joke without a punchline).<br />And it's very funny you mentioned that sparkly snood Garland wears. I have the same fascination with it! It took everything I had not to include a screencap featuring it, but after I looked around online I saw EVERY post about MEET ME IN ST LOUIS uses the same shot and decided against it. But it is magnificently shot and looks so feting on Garland, you find yourself just staring at her head throughout that scene!<br />And I'm just lucky to have seen it on the big screen. My partner (a big fan of those old-time movie palaces) arranged it and I really didn't want to go. Thank god I wasn't my usual bull-headed self!<br />Thanks for commenting, Pete!<br />Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-4123048433641206562020-12-13T14:01:01.678-08:002020-12-13T14:01:01.678-08:00Hi Ken-
Yet another post where the insights in th...Hi Ken-<br /><br />Yet another post where the insights in the comments equal those made in your essay. I learn so much here, it's often nearly as emotional as the films themselves in a way. The personal insights certainly make it special, and I can't wait to view the film again with new perspectives.<br /><br />I'm late to the Meet Me party (having seen it for the first time just last year) but it's easy to see myself falling for its charms more each year. There's much to admire in the film. It's a shame it came out the same year as "Going My Way", a Bing Crosby movie that was #1 at the box office/swept the Oscars that I've never heard of (the sequel, "Bells Of St Mary's", has taken its place in the cinematic remembrance bank). It's a masterpiece alone for being a musical that's equally endearing in it's dramatic moments as it's iconic musical ones. Tootie is indeed wonderfully weird! And I've never been quite as captivated with an accessory as the sparkly snood. It's marvelously distracting.<br /><br />I'm so jealous you got to see this at the Palace Theater...petlodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271851273533301436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-21418194419916386252018-11-28T14:30:27.142-08:002018-11-28T14:30:27.142-08:00You make a wonderful point that isn't really a...You make a wonderful point that isn't really as off-the-mark as it might seem. Back when I was dancing and singing in musical theater during the 80s, my voice teacher was the vocal coach for Exene Cervenka, lead vocalist for the punk band X.<br />My instructor always told me that the vocal requirements of traditional musical theater and rock were not as divergent as they appear.<br />In musical theater an emotionally expressive voice is more valuable than a "pretty" voice (like a Miss America contestant or Sinatra style crooner) and stars like Garland had the quality of a lot of concert rock performers in being able to convey the emotion of a song with vocal power and technique.<br />So I think you were inspired by an apt model. An refreshing perspective I'm glad you shared here. Thanks!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-35646030486335802092018-11-25T19:34:16.964-08:002018-11-25T19:34:16.964-08:00This might blow some of you away, but when I was f...This might blow some of you away, but when I was first singing punk music it was Judy Garland that was my inspiration for vocal power, endurance, as well as setting my own sensitivities free within a song. Obviously, punk represents a different world from the music she performed, but to communicate subtleties of emotion and character, she was a master whose talent is as unparalleled as it is universally loved. So, I carefully listened and thought a lot about her expression. This enabled bringing to the fore what was waiting to pour out of me, all directed into and through the music.<br /><br />Punk may sound like it's an ugly uncontrolled mess to some, but it can be so much more when the singer realizes they are, indeed must be, vulnerable. This is what reaches out to envelope the audience just as Garland and singers like Cobain, Holiday, Mercury, and a handful of others did so beautifully. I cannot equate myself to them as they're the greats. Yet, I remember when I was finally making progress with what I’m trying to recount above (probably rather badly!) that people would enter our rehearsal space to stop, listen, and stare, then later give wonderful compliments. To think of having touched only a very small fraction of the people Garland did, and still does, made me a very happy singer.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-44687439997376585582016-08-20T14:07:28.624-07:002016-08-20T14:07:28.624-07:00Hi Allen
Yes...I can't recall what films gave...Hi Allen <br />Yes...I can't recall what films gave "Meet Me in St. Louis" so much Oscar competition that year, but it's a shame how often real excellence (devoid of pretentiousness like An American In Paris) is overlooked when it comes to musicals and comedies.<br />And you're so right about the DVD age. I have a great fondness for the musical numbers in a great many MGM films, no so much for the tiresome Boy-meets-girl plotlines. being able to fast-forward through the more "lumbering" parts of these films has been a treat.<br />Thanks, Allen, for sharing your appreciation of this film with us and for again stopping by! Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-70518696792910300882016-08-19T22:36:23.652-07:002016-08-19T22:36:23.652-07:00HI Ken,
Wonderful to read your "take"--...HI Ken,<br /><br />Wonderful to read your "take"--as well as your readers' comments--on this one-of-a-kind movie. I share your surprise that Judy Garland was not even nominated for an Oscar. And even more, that the movie itself was not even nominated...not even nominated...for Best Picture. What more could the Academy have wanted that this gem of a movie didn't give them?!!<br /><br />I appreciated your comments about how funny a movie it is, unlike so many other movies of its ilk. I remember after seeing it for the first time that I had even less patience for the silly plots of so many post "St. Louis" musicals. Happily, with dvds, we can now skip the plots of the more lumbering musicals and go right to their usually charming musical numbers.<br /><br />All the best, Allen<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17398717936230097925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-30695511839389931962016-01-07T05:09:55.289-08:002016-01-07T05:09:55.289-08:00I so agree with you in extolling the virtues of th...I so agree with you in extolling the virtues of this film over some of the dazzling but somewhat bloated MGM musicals of later years. I like spectacle as much as the next guy, but there's something about this film that just hits all the right chords.<br />and as you mention, it's nice this is one of those musicals where the plot is propelled forward by the plot, not halted in its tracks.<br /><br />Garland is outstanding of course, but it's funny, I tend never to associate THIS Mary Astor with Bogart's. They're like two different people!<br />I'd never read anything about Tom Drake, I kinda hope what you've heard is right. Especially given the length of his career.<br />Thanks for adding your thoughts on MMISL to the others collected here, and a bonus thank you for the very complimentary comments!<br />Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-92233015711263335222016-01-07T04:44:27.704-08:002016-01-07T04:44:27.704-08:00Hi Argyle
Really loved your comments because I sha...Hi Argyle<br />Really loved your comments because I share with you an inability to sometimes be as receptive to musicals as i might. I love the term "appreciation hat" because i really do think one often has to be in the right frame of mind to allow oneself to surrender to the special kind of "magic" that is the movie musical.<br />My biggest problem is that i tend to marvel and enjoy the musical numbers of so many films, but I lose it when it comes the the of then silly films themselves. And 50s musicals got sooo self-serious and/or garish.<br />i get grumpy just thinking of "an American in Paris"<br /><br />MMISL was an easy sell for me, but you articulate your problems with the film very precisely and with a great deal of insight.insight. Your description of the final dance is spot-on and just the kind of thing one might bring up in a film class to get students to appreciate the depth within what appears to be a simple scene II'm no big June Lockhart fan, but she is so charming in her brief scene).<br />Whatever is delicate about Minnelli's treatment of his material here is precisely why I succumb; and it's lack in so many classic MGM musicals from that era is keenly felt by me.<br />But I have many films that would benefit from watching with an "appreciation hat" on (Summer Stock comes to mind). Who knows what I might discover?<br /><br />Oh, and that sparkly snood you mentioned always caught my eye. Just the kind of detail which means little but adds so much.<br />Thanks, Argyle - But perhaps fort this comment I'll say Thanks, Alonzo!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-73124786111859138252016-01-07T04:29:03.776-08:002016-01-07T04:29:03.776-08:00Hello Robert
I thank you for your flattering appli...Hello Robert<br />I thank you for your flattering application of my words, and commend you on following through with something I think really needs to be rectified. When researching this I read about how Benson wasn't on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Honestly, I would have thought she'd have a street named after her or something.<br />Everything you cite confirms the soundness of the nomination and if in some small way my enthusiasm for this film is useful in your crusade, all I can say is that I'm more than flattered to be a part of it.<br /><br />It's like in Hollywood, every now and then it comes to be known that somebody like KC and the Sunshine Band have a star on the Walk of Fame, but Robert De Niro doesn't (which is actually the case). A real head-scratcher.<br />If your letter should be met with success, i hope you stop by and give us all an update...Sally Benson IS St. Louis to a West-Coaster like me.<br />Thanks for making me a part of a worthwhile campaign!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-70957262511091121312016-01-06T12:13:32.553-08:002016-01-06T12:13:32.553-08:00What a pleasure it was to see MMISL through your e...What a pleasure it was to see MMISL through your eyes. After I read your review, I wrote a letter to the St. Louis Walk of Fame committee to re-nominate Sally Benson the book's author. For some reason, she has been nominated but never achieved this honor. I quoted your first two paragraphs (with proper citation) Here's a bit: <br />I wish to nomination Sally Benson, the author of the book, "Meet Me in St. Louis," which inspired the Vincent Minnelli movie of the same name. <br /><br />#1. She was born and raised in St. Louis. Unlike Sarah "Tootie" Smith, the youngest child in the family, she did leave St. Louis and move to New York City. (BTW, Sally was a nickname for Sarah in the olden days.)<br /><br />#2. Her stories about St. Louis, first published in the New Yorker magazine, the book (which included four additional stories) and the award-winning movie of the same name, continue to be the most delightful representation of St. Louis known to man.<br /><br />Of "Meet Me in St. Louis," popular movie blogger, Ken Anderson wrote on 12/31/15,(insert the first two paragraphs here.)<br /><br /><br />As you know, Ms. Benson went on to be a well-respected screen-writer. Her other screen work includes Shadow of a Doubt (1943) for Alfred Hitchcock, Come to the Stable (1949), Summer Magic (1963), Viva Las Vegas (1964) and The Singing Nun (1966). Her screenplay for Anna and the King of Siam (1946) was nominated for an Academy Award.<br /><br />In looking over the list of current Walk of Fame inductees, very few of them scream, “St. Louis!” (Virginia Mayo?) Even the well-known Charles A. Lindbergh only lived in the St. Louis area for about two years: 1925-1927! On the other hand, Ms. Benson was born in St. Louis, grew up in St. Louis, wrote lovingly about St. Louis, and never forgot her St. Louis roots. "Meet Me in St. Louis" immortalized the fabulous City of St. Louis as nothing else ever has. I think you and your committee should again seriously consider adding Ms. Benson to the St. Louis Walk of Fame. <br /><br />Robbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17279476905603378115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-61858922037968641772016-01-06T10:57:36.091-08:002016-01-06T10:57:36.091-08:00Argyle, here, and I'm actually a third generat...Argyle, here, and I'm actually a third generation Alonzo (middle name.) It took me several viewings over the years before I got to where I really dug this movie. I think I was always enamored (mainly sight-unseen in the 70's and 80's) of the other big MGM musicals. I was living for the COLOR and the GLAMOUR and the RAZZ-MA-TAZZ. When I saw “That’s Entertainment” that was perfect - all the good parts strung together without all the exposition, etc. So when I finally had the chance to see some of them start-to-finish, I was usually all hyped-up but secretly sort of disappointed or confused. (I have to say, for me, “Singing in the Rain” was never disappointing, but for something like “The Bandwagon” or “Seven Brides...” or “Kiss Me Kate” I have to be in the right setting, really commit myself, and have my appreciation hat on. I also usually have to be alone because I have learned that some incredibly intelligent, sensitive people cannot deal with musicals of this sort. And part of me understands.) That said, I absolutely revere Arthur Freed, Roger Edens, Ann Miller, all of those people. But I would really need to be in an actual theater, projecting film, to entice me to watch “Gigi” or “American in Paris” again, start-to-finish.<br /><br />So when I saw MMISL the first few times I was kind of confused. Of course, Judy Garland’s presence and songs are mesmerizing immediately. Magic is not strong enough a word. She is so living and contemporary even in crazy candy-stripes; it’s mystical and inexplicable. But I didn’t understand why it wasn’t glamourous or urban or tongue-in-cheek. I was confused by the sincerity. I so wanted to like it; I told people I liked it. Secretly, I was not moved. I’m kind of always suspicious of episodic films, things hung on vignettes. But I stuck with it and eventually something happened to me - I don’t know what. I began to appreciate subtlety? I ended up living in the Midwest and walked along streets with houses like that? I experienced heavy snow? The magical powers of a sparkly snood? I don’t know but something happened and I grew to love MMISL.<br /><br />Now, if I happen to be wrapping presents or crafting something Christmas related and this movie comes on, I have to look around myself and think, how could I be so lucky? All kinds of horrible things could be (usually are) going on and this film can make me stop and be thankful. I don’t care what dumb things people say about Vincent Minnelli and Judy Garland - he understood her and dedicated himself to her, at least for a time, because he recognized what a unique power she had. I salute whoever for them both. They get a pass.<br /><br />In specific, and please pardon my memory lapses - I didn’t see it this season, one of the scenes that sticks with me is the dance. Where the scheming and assumptions of Judy and her sister are confounded by circumstances and it turns out that the new neighbor girl is actually gentle and charming, not awful. And it amazes me every time that June Lockhart (not a personal favorite) is able to gracefully embody that character. And just the way the grandfather takes the situation apart, gently exposing Judy, but is also her savior. And the scene manages to be funny, sort of scary, and charming all at once and you understand all the cross-currents. I’m full of admiration for the skill of the writing, direction, acting and design of that sequence.<br /><br />So now when “The Harvey Girls” or “Easter Parade” or something else comes on again for the __teenth time, I try to remember to put on my appreciation hat and buckle down. I never know when the sublime will pay a visit. Thank you, Ken, for your singular essays. Happy 2016!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-6922178152387396512016-01-06T05:06:11.966-08:002016-01-06T05:06:11.966-08:00Happy new year, Ken...what delightful movie to st...Happy new year, Ken...what delightful movie to start your 2016 edition of Le Cinema Dreams! This is Vincente Minnelli at his very best...his passion for detail in costume, production design and composition results in the richest use of Technicolor in any film I have ever seen. And Garland never appeared more gorgeous and glamorous in any other movie...her hair and makeup enhance her natural beauty. Aside from The Man That Got Away and Over the Rainbow, The Boy Next Door is my favorite Garland onscreen musical number. Minnelli obviously worshipped Judy. <br /><br />The simplicity of the musical numbers, used to move the story forward, is ingenious. I love starting the film with Harry Davenport (Dr, Meade from Gone with the Wind!) singing and dancing to the title tune. This was before MGM musicals got a little TOO imaginative and top-heavy. <br /><br />Also crazy about everyone else in the cast, especially Margaret O'Brien, Marjorie Main, Mary Astor (suddenly matronly just three years after playing that femme fatale in Maltese Falcon) Lucille bremer and the hunky Tom Drake (did I hear that he was openly gay in the 1940s? I hope so).<br /><br />Yayy, Ken, your blog is a boulevard of fabulous, immortal cinema dreams! I love reading everyone's commentary. too!!<br />-Chris <br />angelman66https://www.blogger.com/profile/16471674180789592940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-78162887653805310872016-01-05T20:11:50.736-08:002016-01-05T20:11:50.736-08:00Hi Joel
Although I'm so dotty about this movie...Hi Joel<br />Although I'm so dotty about this movie that I'm not as successful as I often am in being able to see the opposing point of view about a favorite film, what you say brings up an interesting aspect of film fandom.<br />When a widely-liked film fails to speak to us, I think we all try as best as we can to divine what exactly it is that doesn't connect with us.<br /><br />For example: I have no feeling at all for the Star Trek of Star Wars movies, but I'm actually kind of proud of that. But when it comes to having no affinity for a widely-liked film like "The Philadelphia Story" or "Lawrence of Arabia", I think it's natural to wonder if someday "all the tumblers will click" and you'll see what others see.<br /><br />In the end, I think it all comes down to personal tastes, and it turns out to be rather illuminating to hear opposing sentiments about a popular film.<br />You seem able to appreciate some aspects of "MMISL" while being able to articulate where the film falls short for you very well.<br />(I laughed at the tassled bedspread comment. I just recently read that dress shows up in "Hello, Dolly!" on an extra who just happened to be Rutanya Alda - Carol Ann of "Mommie Dearest".)<br />I'm glad you mentioned Joan Carroll, because she is awfully good and so overlooked. Likewise Henry H Daniels Jr. <br />Thanks for another great comment, Joel!<br />Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-1952323342785696392016-01-05T11:45:30.010-08:002016-01-05T11:45:30.010-08:00Hi Ken,
Lovely write up on a film that I think is...Hi Ken,<br /><br />Lovely write up on a film that I think is beautifully made and entertaining but one that I don’t adore. There are many parts of it that I think are tremendous but something has always held me back from completely loving it. <br /><br />I can’t even put my finger on exactly what it is. I love Judy in it and she looks great, although whoever dressed her in that tasseled bedspread dress needed a stern talking to. Mary Astor & Leon Ames have a nice vibe that really feels as if they are long time marrieds. I agree that the dynamic between all the characters has the feeling of family and those stalwarts Harry Davenport and Marjorie Main are inimitable as always but still the film isn’t one I stop and watch whenever I run across it like I do with the Ava Gardner “Show Boat” or the Judy/Lana/Hedy “Ziegfeld Girl”. I will stop dead and watch The Trolley Song or Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas but when they end I move on. <br /><br />Part of it IS Margaret O’Brien’s Tootie. I can see why she was such a hit at the time but I can also see why her appeal was limited to a few years. A little of her goes a long way for me, I’ve always preferred Joan Carroll’s equally spiky but less precious Agnes. Her quote you mention about Rose being so stuck up because she’s horrified that they put the dummy on the tracks may be my favorite piece of the film. <br /><br />I do love the ghoulish little Halloween sequence and the holiday dance is a dream, as is Judy in that red dress, I just can’t embrace the whole. <br /><br />One thing I’ve always wondered is why the dishy Henry H. Daniels Jr. who plays Lon never had much of a career. He was certainly as attractive as Tom Drake who played John Truitt and had quite a long career as a supporting actor and he was more charismatic. I was sad to see he died young as well. <br /><br />It’s a lovely postcard of a film, maybe someday all the tumblers will click in and I’ll fall for it more than I have.<br />joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-30185346231659104952016-01-05T00:21:46.583-08:002016-01-05T00:21:46.583-08:00Hi Jeffrey
Your compliment was so nice I did a dou...Hi Jeffrey<br />Your compliment was so nice I did a double take to make sure it wasn't written by a relative! Thank you so much. It's fun to imagine my offbeat taste in movies sometimes steers a person to a film they might not otherwise be aware of.<br />Your affection for "Meet me in St Louis" is clear, as is your appreciation of movie musicals in general. All your favorites are favorites of mine (although I confess to having a problem with Ann Miller whenever she stops dancing).<br />I only recently saw "Who Slew Auntie Roo?" and I've never heard of "Cash on Demand" - I looked it up, it sounds great!<br /><br />I think taking a poll of people's favorite "dark" films to watch during the holidays would be eye-opening. I have to thank George for bringing up the topic.<br /><br />My partner and I watched "Mary Poppins" this Christmas, and "Chitty Chitty..." owns a special place in our hearts for the Chuchi Face number alone.<br /><br />Thanks, Jeffrey for your very kind compliment and for sharing your fun list of favorite musicals! Gad you found us here and that you took the time to comment. Happy New Year!<br />Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-72738895819840988292016-01-04T21:50:59.239-08:002016-01-04T21:50:59.239-08:00(I must add that CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (1968) an...(I must add that CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (1968) and MARY POPPINS (1964) are both tied for third place along with MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS.)WaverBoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05862354521504490472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-36682775063093691452016-01-04T21:48:22.232-08:002016-01-04T21:48:22.232-08:00Ken,
You have what is possibly the best film blog...Ken,<br /><br />You have what is possibly the best film blog on the web. I've discovered quite a few worthy obscurities thanks to you! This one of course isn't obscure, and I'm so glad you love it as much as I do. As you say, it's all pretty much perfect. The first time I watched it, the trolley number blew me away, so much so that I made a habit of returning to that scene and watching it quite often, whenever I needed a little cinematic pick-me-up. Just wonderful. And the chemistry between Judy Garland and Tom Drake melts me every time I watch this film. It's in my top three musicals of all time. Number Two is TOP HAT (1935), and Number One (as well as my favorite film, period) is the also-perfect EASTER PARADE (1948), another Garland classic, with Fred Astaire and Anne Miller to boot. (I'd love to see you do a review for that one sometime...hint hint...)<br /><br />As George mentioned some dark Xmas choices, my faves in that department are CASH ON DEMAND (1961) and the immortal WHOEVER SLEW AUNTIE ROO? (1972), which I'd highly recommend to fans of Brit thrillers and hag horror. :-)<br /><br />Happy New Year to you and yours!<br /><br />Jeffrey NelsonWaverBoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05862354521504490472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-68543352601926549442016-01-04T19:25:10.012-08:002016-01-04T19:25:10.012-08:00Hi George
I like your holiday movie choices...all ...Hi George<br />I like your holiday movie choices...all of them quite stellar!<br />To be honest, I really used to gravitate to serious/dark films during the holidays too. Not out of morbidity or anything, but as you allude to, a sort of counter programming for all the holiday schmaltz. But that was when I was young. I’m still amazed by how i gravitate to the sentimental as I grow older. I can grow misty listening to a disco song, these days.<br /><br />But I'm glad you shared your resistance to this movie and don't feel at all "pressured" to like a film beloved by so many. I promise, no one here will make you feel like a Grinch. Not with your appreciation of Garland's vocal gifts.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-40168252852109402902016-01-04T10:55:56.486-08:002016-01-04T10:55:56.486-08:00Thanks, Gregory!Thanks, Gregory!Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-81223540966680575212016-01-04T09:46:15.844-08:002016-01-04T09:46:15.844-08:00So interesting to read everyone's loving comme...So interesting to read everyone's loving comments about this classic film... which I know I should like. It is a little bit like Roz Russell's Rose. Lots to appreciate, for sure. But finally, it's not really for me.<br /><br />For Christmas, I have long preferred a film like The Day of the Locust, or The Honeymoon Killers, or Who Killed Teddy Bear? Something sure to be the antidote to Hallmark. Vincente Minnelli was perhaps a little too painterly on this one, at least for my taste. I know the decor of this period was heavy, but nearly every frame of this movie seems crowded. <br /><br />Still, I'm awfully glad we have Garland's three classic songs from this film. We would be so much poorer without them. Her talent was simply greater than anyone else's. George W. Tushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13050905945846094987noreply@blogger.com