Must-See Classic Movies

A friend of mine asked for a list of "must-see" classic movies...and so here 'tis. Of course, those studios in 1930s-1950s produced movies even faster than they do now, and I'm sure that there are some classics that I have yet to see. 

...but still, here's a start:

 Citizen Kane--the most perfect movie ever made. I'm not the only one that says that.

 Casablanca--it's not just a cliched old movie. It really is fantastic.

 The Best Years of Our Lives--a great film about three soldiers readjusting from WWII.

Since You Went Away--my favorite home-front movie ever.

Mrs. Miniver--an Oscar-winning classic about the British home-front.

It's a Wonderful Life--I'm sure everyone knows about this one. ;)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington--...and this one...

Shadow of a Doubt--Alfred Hitchcock's favorite of his own films. (There's no blood and gore.)

Bringing Up Baby--Cary Grant plays a paleontologist and Katharine Hepburn is a ditzy heiress. Both of them end up chasing a leopard around the Connecticut countryside. Funniest movie ever.

Seven Brides For Seven Brothers--a musical about just what the title says..how seven brothers manage to get their brides. It's "terribly" funny.

Notorious--Another thriller of Hitchcock's--no blood/gore in this one either, just a great spy thriller.

Woman of the Year--a great Tracy/Hepburn comedy about completely opposite newspaper reporters

Adam's Rib--another Tracy/Hepburn comedy about two lawyers who manage to be the opposing councils in a trial.

Pat and Mike--last Tracy/Hepburn, trust me...about an athelete-of-all-trades and her trainer.

The Long, Long Trailer--a hilarious Lucy and Desi full-length about a couple who honeymoons in a trailer, driving it themselves. "TRAILER BRAKES FIRST!"

Singing in the Rain--one of those classic and well-known musicals...it's awesome.

Showboat--a musical about a riverboat on the Mississippi. Some of the most beautiful music.

Arsenic and Old Lace--Cary Grant thinks he's going insane. Needless to say, this is a great old comedy.

To Have and Have Not--Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

Dark Passage--you don't even see Bogie for the first half of the movie, but it still manages to be a great thriller.

His Girl Friday--another Cary Grant comedy about newspaper reporters...you may need subtitles, they talk faster than I've heard anyone talk in my entire life.

The Man Who Came to Dinner--great Christmas comedy

Kiss Me Kate--a musical retelling of Taming of the Shrew. More wonderful songs.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game--Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly teamed up for a few musicals, but this is my favorite.

Three Guys Name Mike--not particularly well-known, but it's definitely my favorite romantic-comedy. Ever. The body of the film is not the most scintillating, but your heart will melt (melt, I tell you) at the end, mostly if you're a girl.

On the Town--another Sinatra/Kelly musical, but this time with Ann Miller and Betty Garrett supporting. It's pretty fantastic, too.

Well, there's a list that watched all at once would take up the better part of a month. ;) I hope that it's enough....and anyone can feel free to comment with their favorites that I may have missed! 

Whirlwinds

(no particular reason for this pic, except it makes me happy)

First off, I want to thank everyone who offered words of comfort after the tragic events of two weeks ago. All of your sympathies were very much appreciated. Thank you...

I've been ridiculously busy lately, which does indeed explain why posting just hasn't been happening. Here's some of the things that I've done:

- Homework. Writing papers, reading books, trying (trying, trying, trying) to process the gobbledy-gook that is Chemistry (and math), violin...this doesn't even scratch the surface of the mind-bending craziness.

-I got to volunteer at a banquet for a pregnancy help center last Tuesday. It was a blast, and I really enjoyed it...but I also have decided that I should never be a waitress.


-I saw West Side Story (film) a couple of days ago. It was an amazing movie. I kind of hated the two lead characters (Tony especially just got on my nerves), but I cried at the end.  Possibly because it was late at night. Anyways, I may or may not be getting a movie review of sorts up here in the near or not-near future. (See how non-committal I sound? See above.)


- I have proven the fact that I'm happier and smarter when my room in neat. It's decided...I hiring a maid.

- I am very angry that "Sherlock" Series 2 doesn't come out till May. Very Angry.

- I am very happy that an Orange Leaf has opened up in the neighborhood. If you don't know what that is, you need to Google it. If there's not one near you...move.

- Heels and pearl necklaces with an all black outfit make me happy. I think I'll wear them everyday. Yes.

- Well, that's pretty much it for today. I am looking forward to yet another jam-packed week, and here's hoping I squeeze a little living in there!

The End.

Swing Time

I can't think of a way to say this other than....I love Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Maybe a good alternative would be "I love Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers." Yes, that would work too.

Every time I watch their dances, I am absolutely mesmerized by them.

  
                    Backwards and in heels.

                                  

...and rollerskates. Did you evah?



My favorite dance ever, it always gives me warm fuzzies.

I don't know why, just does.

-----------------

"When two people love each other, they don't look at each other, they look in the same direction."  {Ginger Rogers}

"I have no desire to prove anything by dancing. I have never used it as an outlet or a means of expressing myself. I just dance. I just put my feet in the air and move them around." {Fred Astaire}

What's your favorite Astaire/Rogers film? Are there any other dancing teams from the era that you like?

Begin the Beguine...

~Olivia

Singing in the Rain. (I Wish.)

I wanted, I needed, I felt compelled to post on here right now. I feel that an update is needed, just so that you don't feel like I give up so fast.

You: that Olivia, she can't stick with anything for long, way too distracted. Tsk, tsk.
Me: SQUIRREL!

Anywho.

So here is what I've been up to to date. Well, that's just something I say. Here's what I can remember.

• School started on Monday. On the one hand I'm excited, on the other hand, I'm very nervous. I REFUSE to feel overwhelmed. I can grit my teeth and do this. With the help of God. I think that I'll love all that I'm doing that is speech-related...Chemistry, not so much. On my bucket list is to make an "A" in a difficult class. Maybe this will be it.

• I'm very happy that our governor, Rick Perry, is running for President. This country needs a little of what he embodies: strength, conviction and a good, hearty dose of Texas cowboy. 

• South Texas is almost literally cracking under this heat. With temperatures uniformly in the triple digits and no significant rain since the beginning of time, you just KNOW that that green grass was painted.

• On that note, my imagination is so vivid, and my thinking so wishful, every now-and-again...I can almost feel fall. Ah.

• I am considering how plausible it is for me to get all my homework done by the weekend so that I can sew myself one of the Sense and Sensibility Patterns swing dresses. That would be fun...to wear. 

•  I just completed my latest mission: to find vintage-style shoes. Target, of all places had a wonderful pair, not too 'spensive and very 30's/40's. I am smiling right now.

Well, that's all I can think of right now to post, so I will take my leave for tonight. Rest assured, I have some wonderful (IMHO) ideas for posts that revolve around 1940s-vintage greatness, so I'll try to have those up as soon as I do that Chemistry stuff.

I got a really nice compliment from a friend (you know who you are if you indeed see this) lately on this blog. I feel inspired to post. Thanks so much to everyone who I know either from Lucie Land or real life who has seen this and told me...it makes my day every time. :)

Adios,

Olivia

Actually, I saw one of the weather reporters down here do this once. I think we'd all be doing it if it rained again.

"I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love..."



The Death of a Bookstore

oh, maybe just a little. Let's just say...Borders is closing and I'm all very sorry. Mostly, I'm glad because it forced such really nice sales as this one. The sticker says: $4.99. Cue a happy squeal.


Coffee table book or no, this has so many really nice quality pictures and quotes.

Because I am crazy and had $10 to spend before the store collapsed on our heads, I bought two. Isn't that great?

Anyway, I'm done ranting and raving and bragging now. How are you? ;)