Saturday Night At The Movies: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

Hello Readers!

With Halloween almost upon us I was initially going to watch a typical Halloween-esque film tonight but then I decided to rewatch another of my favorite love stories, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir from 1947 starring Gene Tierney as Lucy Muir and Rex Harrison as The Ghost, Captain Gregg. I suppose it's kind of appropriate for Halloween since there is a ghost in it- but it's far from a ghoul fest and it's far from a horror film!

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir opens in turn of the century London. A young widow, Lucy Muir informs her inlaws that she wishes to move with her daughter and maid to the seaside and expects to live off her late husband's income from stocks in a Gold Mine. 

Upon arriving, she realizes that her budget restricts her to Gull Cottage- a home that's been abandoned for 4 years since the apparent suicide of it's owner, Captain Daniel Gregg. Although the real estate agent valiantly attempts to deter her from the property based on the rumor that it's haunted, the defiant Lucy decides the cottage is perfect for her and her daughter.

Almost immediately after she moves in, she's confronted with the specter of the Captain. An unlikely friendship evolves between the callous specter and Mrs. Muir- who soon earn each other's utmost respect. 

Things go awry for Lucy however, when her inlaws inform her that her husband's gold mine stocks have crashed and she will be left without an income. Lucy couldn't think of anything worse than having to leave her seaside cottage and move back to London- can the Ghost come to her rescue?

A supernatural love affair blossoms between the Widow and the Ghost, 43 years before Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore hit the big screen with their box office smash. 

Also featured in the film, is 9 year old Natalie Wood who plays Anna Muir, Lucy's daughter. 

Overall, this film is absolutely beautiful. The backing music alone is stunning- and seems more suited to an epic or Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is perfectly cast and perfectly directed. It's a love story that transcends life and the after life. 

Put your typical Halloween films on hold this year, and give The Ghost and Mrs. Muir a chance. I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do!

It is currently available for viewing on Netflix.

Until next week, Stay Glamorous!

Saturday Night At The Movies: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Jon has 24 hour duty at the base tonight so I've decided to re-watch one of my favorite films- What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 

The 1962 film stars two of Hollywood's greatest leading ladies- Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. However, it's the kind of film you're going to either love or hate. For me, the pairing of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford on the same screen is just so electric that I can't help but obsess! 

Our film opens in 1917 with a run of the mill Vaudeville act featuring Baby Jane Hudson singing and dancing for a delighted crowd while her sister, Blanche waits off stage in the shadows. Fast forward 18 years to 1935 and we find Blanche Hudson at the top of her game in Hollywood while 'Baby' Jane is a loathed D-movie player. A highlight of this segment however, shows clips of period Joan Crawford and Bette Davis films (Sadie McKee, Ex-Lady and Parachute Jumper). 

We move forward in time again to present day (1962) and find Blanche and 'Baby' Jane living together in a decaying mansion. Blanche is crippled and confined to a wheelchair while Jane is a drunkard living in some absurd recreation of her youth. 

'Baby' Jane deludedly attempts to rekindle her stage career as Baby Jane Hudson and tensions build as the resentment between the sisters grows. How did Blanche really end up in a wheelchair? Was it 'Baby' Jane's fault, as she's been led to believe the past two and a half decades? How far will 'Baby' Jane go to become famous again?

An addicting film noir that takes you on a macabre ride as Hollywood's Golden Age was beginning to fade. 

Extraordinary acting (and no doubt the off screen tensions between the two megastars), classic cinematography and great direction make this film an absolute treat. 

You can currently watch What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? for Free with Amazon Prime here. I believe Amazon Prime is still offering 2 week Free Trials so if you don't want to fork over the money for it right now, you can try it for free (and watch Baby Jane for free!). 

Enjoy the movie and Stay Glamorous!

Saturday Night At The Movies: The Long, Long Trailer

This week, I was in the mood for something far more lighthearted than the previous two weeks installments! Therefore, tonight I'm watching the 1953 classic, The Long, Long Trailer.

The Long, Long Trailer stars Hollywood power couple and comic duo, Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz and was no doubt created to cash in on the success of their hit TV show, I Love Lucy which began in 1951. 

The story follows a newlywed couple, Nicky (Desi Arnaz) and Tacy (Lucille Ball) who decide to purchase a caravan as opposed to a bricks and mortar home. Obviously, hilarity ensues as the couple meander across the country with their new home in tow.

In true I Love Lucy spirit, the trip is far from peaceful and soon turns into a fascicle nightmare. Will the Long, Long Trailer doom their marriage? Or will it bring them closer together?

It's a little gem of a film, and sure to put a smile on your face. Even if the story and character's are typecast for Lucy & Desi, it's truly a thrill seeing them in technicolor!

On a side note, the film was actually based on the book The Long, Long Trailer by Clinton Twiss from 1951. You can read the book for free, online here. The book is somewhat different to the film (which was obviously adapted to better suit Lucy & Desi) but an easy reading delight nonetheless.

So put your woolly socks on and settle in with a cup of Cocoa and some Molasses Cookies. You're about to have a warm and cozy autumn evening!

Until next time, Stay Glamorous!

Saturday Night at the Movies

One of my favorite films, Anatomy of a Murder from 1959 starring my beloved James Stewart is currently available for viewing for free with Amazon Prime! 

Anatomy of a Murder tells the tale of a lawyer (James Stewart) defending a young military officer in a murder trial. Although the young man is undoubtedly guilty of the crime, was it justifiable homicide?

The film, directed by Otto Preminger features stellar performances from James Stewart, Lee Remick and George C. Scott. 

So what are you waiting for? Get the Popcorn out, put your feet up and let James Stewart take you on a bumpy ride! 

Click Here to Watch for Free with Amazon Prime