Too wintry to write! Minnesota needs a heater!

Jack Nicholson in “The Shining”

 

Celebrate with Jackie Cooper, Clark Gable, and others in “The Christmas Party” (1931)

How does child actor, Jackie Cooper, host a Christmas party for all his football buddies when his house is too small?

Well, with a handy connection to MGM and some sweet-talkin’ to Norma Shearer, Hollywood stars of the 1930’s come out to help celebrate in “The Christmas Party” (1931)!

You’ll see a young Clark Gable serving chow and chatter to the team.

Handsome Ramon Novarro is hailed on the fly to bring tea and napkins.

Santa visits the children in the form of comedian “The Schnoz” Jimmy Durante.

Lionel Barrymore makes the rounds with warm biscuits for all the “whippersnappers.”

Join MGM’s party to catch even more Hollywood stars celebrating Christmas with Jackie!

Source: Visit rlosangeleskings on YouTube for more Christmas videos.

 

The best time of year: Halloween!!

Betty Grable, Halloween book

Looks like Betty Grable is going to read us a scary bedtime story!

Source: A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

 

“Always make the audience suffer as much as possible.” – Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock sketch

Alfred Hitchcock sketch from the Film Daily Yearbook of 1938. Artist unknown.

 

Charlie Chaplin – “The Tramp” in LEGO

Charlie Chaplin in LEGO

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mylegocreations/7858263496/sizes/c/in/photostream/

 

“Boy’s Cinema & Modern Boy” Movie Magazine – only for boys?

Apparently, in 1939 only boys, and “modern” boys at that, enjoyed watching exciting crime movies at the cinema! 

From the archives of Media History Digital Library: “Boy’s Cinema & Modern Boy” movie magazine featuring one of the Universal “Crime Club” series, Inside Information (1939), with Dick Foran, Harry Carey, June Lang, and Mary Carlisle. 

Heavens to Betsy! Can’t have our “modern” girls watching that spine-tingling stuff, can we?

 

What’s so funny about job hunting?

“9 to 5” (Nine to Five) – Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, & Jane Fonda

Truly, nothing is funny about job hunting! The only thing remotely funny about looking for a job might be viewing funny movies while you’re supposed to be viewing not-so funny job sites!

So, while I’m chasing down the perfect job, I’ll introduce you to, or remind you of, three, pretty perfect job-related movies from the 80’s. 

1) The very first one that can squeeze out of my resume-soaked gray matter is the 1980 movie, 9 to 5 (Nine to Five). Any day, I would savor the opportunity to see Judy, Violet, and Doralee play hardball with their chauvinistic boss, Mr. Hart. A choice cast with Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, and the man you love to hate, Dabney Coleman. Favorite line hollered by Doralee: “I’m gonna get that gun of mine, and I’m gonna change you from a rooster to a hen with one shot!” 

2) Another classic movie that limps out of my networking-battered brain is Working Girl (1988). The transformation alone of Melanie’s character from big-haired, frumpy secretary to sexy, sophisticated executive is worth the watch! Add one suave investment broker (Harrison Ford), one just plain nasty boss (Sigourney Weaver), and one ingeniously-played co-worker (Joan Cusak) to make this movie a hit! Favorite lines announced by Melanie’s idea-stealing, big-talking boss: “I really don’t think that’s a variable. We’re in the same city now, I’ve indicated that I’m receptive to an offer, I’ve cleared the month of June… and I am, after all, me.“

“Working Girl” – Melanie Griffith & Harrison Ford

3) Let us not forget the 1983 comedy, Mr. Mom, with Michael Keaton, Teri Garr, and Martin Mull. Keaton plays a laid-off auto worker who must survive as a stay-at-home dad. The scenes of Keaton’s character struggling with day-to-day kiddie dilemmas are hilarious! Favorite lines spoken by Keaton as he tries to convince his boy to give up his blankie: “I understand that you little guys start out with your woobies and you think they’re great… and they are, they are terrific. But pretty soon, a woobie isn’t enough. You’re out on the street trying to score an electric blanket, or maybe a quilt. And the next thing you know, you’re strung out on bedspreads Ken. That’s serious.“

“Mr. Mom” – Michael Keaton, Frederick Koehler & Taliesin Jaffe

Well, I don’t know about you, but I feel better already just reminiscing about my favorite career comedies. Those mind-sucking job alerts can wait! I’m going to the movies!

 

Love this guy!

One of my favorite movie actors, Jimmy Stewart, from Picture-Play Magazine, 1938. Early in his career, Jimmy appeared in quite a few short subjects: Art Trouble (1934), Important News (1936), and the Screen Snapshots series,to name a few. Also, Jimmy narrated various military-related shorts during and after WWII. Gotta love him!

Source: http://mediahistoryproject.org/collections/

 

State Fair Time! Here I come, Pronto Pups!

“State Fair” with Lew Ayres, Janet Gaynor and Will Rogers

Gosh darn it! I have to go to the State Fair and eat my way through it. I’ll be blogging after I’ve recovered!

 

Creature Comforts! Myrna Loy with friend.

Myrna Loy and friend

The very young Myrna Loy offering Santa’s (or someone’s) reindeer a nibble. Just thought of who could play her in a movie: Diane Keaton. What do you think?