Musical Monday: “Seven Days’ Leave” (1942)

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Jnpickens

t’s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals.
In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 500. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals.

This week’s musical:
“Seven Days’ Leave (1942) — Musical #475

Studio:
RKO

Director:
Tim Whelan

Starring:
Victor Mature, Lucille Ball,

Plot:
Army Private Johnny Grey (Mature) discovers he is an heir of $100,000. However, he has to marry another heiress (Ball) in seven days in order to receive the money.

Trivia:
-Ball and Mature didn’t enjoy making this film. Ball had just completed “Big Street” and wanted to be taken more seriously in film. Ball was also unhappy because her husband Desi Arnaz was away fundraising for the war relief, according to The Films of Victor Mature by James McKay
-Mature was having an affair with Rita Hayworth and wanted her to be the leading lady rather than Ball. Mature’s attitude about it didn’t help his and Ball’s relationship, according to The Films of Victor Mature by James McKay.
-Several NBC radio shows are featured such as Truth or Consequence
-Remake of the 1930 Gary Cooper film, “Seven Days Leave,” according to 1000 Questions About Canada By John Robert Colombo.

Highlights:
-Victor Mature dancing and singing (but dubbed).
-Impressions of Lionel Barrymore and Ronald Colman by one of the soldiers. Though they aren’t terrific, I always enjoy hearing impressions of celebrities.
-The comedic ballroom dancing routine with Lynn Royce and Vanya. It starts out with a male and female dance number. Then a second man comes in for comedic relief, mostly at the lady’s expense.

Notable Songs:
-“Please Won’t You Leave My Girl Alone” sung by Victor Mature and a group of soldiers at the very beginning and the very end of the film. It’s not a good tune, but it’s the most memorable and catchy.
-“Can’t Get Out of This Mood” sung by Ginny Simms with the Freddy Martin Orchestra. This is the best song sung in the whole film. Moody and musically lovely.

My Review:
Neither of the stars were pleased to be in this film and I can’t blame them. The plot of having to marry someone in order to get money isn’t a new one. Romantic mix-ups should be expected. Though I wouldn’t say this movie was horrible, I also wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it multiple times.

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Classics in the Carolinas: Remembering Alicia Rhett, India Wilkes in “Gone with the Wind”

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Jnpickens

Leslie Howard with his on-screen sister Alicia Rhett.
(Scanned from “The Filming of Gone with the Wind”)

She was a true Southern lady.

Alicia Rhett was discovered on George Cukor’s Southern search for Scarlett O’Hara for the epic film “Gone with the Wind” (1939).

Rhett was cast as Ashley Wilkes’ sister, India Wilkes, in one of the biggest films of all time.

But Rhett’s art was more important to her than stardom.

“I enjoyed it (filming) immensely. I had the time of my life there (California). But when the film ended, I was happy to come home (to Charleston),” Rhett said in an interview in “The Rise of Charleston” by W. Thomas McQueene. “I liked to paint. It was what made me most happy. I really wasn’t interested in making more movies. I was interested in my art.”

Rhett was born in 1915 in Savannah, GA. After her father was killed in World War I, her family moved to Charleston, SC, according to McQueene’s book.

Casting the role of Scarlett O’Hara for the 1939 movie wasn’t an easy. Hundreds of actresses were considered. Director George Cukor made a trip through Southern states, believing an unknown actress may be the answer to their problem.

Director George Cukor with interviews actresses to play the role of “Scarlet O’Hara”: Louisa Robert, Atlanta; Susan Fallingant, Atlanta; Alicia Rhett, Charleston.
(Scanned from “The Pictorial History of Gone with the Wind”)

Hundreds of Southern women auditioned for the role of Scarlett, Melanie and Mammy, but only six women were considered for follow up auditions, according to “The Art of Gone with the Wind: The Making of a Legend,” by Judy Cameron and Paul J. Christman.

The auditions took place in 1937 in New York and the only Southerners who won roles were Alicia Rhett from Charleston, Mary Anderson who was cast as Maybelle Merriwether from Birmingham, AL and Marcella Martin of Shreveport, LA who was cast as Cathleen Calvert. Martin’s lines were dubbed because her accent wasn’t considered Southern enough, according to the Cameron and Christmas book.

“Alicia Rhett was an amateur actress. This young woman was so good,” Ann Rutherford is quoted by Cameron and Christman. Rutherford played the role of Careen, Scarlett’s younger sister. “She wasn’t Scarlett but Selznick cast her as India Wilkes. And she was excellent.”

During the filming of “Gone with the Wind,” Alicia Rhett made sketches between takes. Here with Evelyn Keyes and Ann Rutherford.
(Scanned from “The Filming of Gone with the Wind” by Herb Bridges)

The character of India Wilkes is the sister of Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard) and sister-in-law of Melanie Wilkes (Olivia De Havilland). In the film, India hates Scarlett O’Hara, because Scarlett marries the man India is in love with, Charles Hamilton. India never marries and Scarlett refers to her as an “old maid.”

Rhett was acting when Cukor found her in Charleston.

She was performing in the Oscar Wilde play “Lady Windermere’s Fan” at the Dock Street Theater. Her performance in the Wilde play had “style and élan,” said “Pictorial History of Gone with the Wind” by Gerald Gardner and Harriet Modell Gardner.

Alicia Rhett visits with Mrs. John Woodbury from Louiseville, KY. Woodbury was the past-president-general of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The Daughters dropped by to visit the filming of the Civil War film.
(Scanned from The Filming of Gone with the Wind by Herb Bridges)

“Gone with the Wind” novel author Margaret Mitchell liked Rhett for her name, according to the Gardner book.

As Rhett performed in the epic Technicolor film about the Civil War and the Reconstruction of the South, Rhett had her own family Civil War history.

Her great-grandfather was Robert Barnwell Rhett, a secessionist politician from South Carolina, according to “A Short History of Charleston” by Robert S. Rosen.

Robert Rhett became a member of the South Carolina legislature in 1826 and resigned from the United States Senate in 1852 when South Carolina seceded from the Union.

Though she was an unknown actress, Rhett enjoyed the company of her A-list co-stars.

She said Leslie Howard, who played her on-screen brother Ashley Wilkes, was “delightful” and Clark Gable, who played Rhett Butler was “charming,” she said in an interview with McQueene.

Rhett (bottom right) in a scene with Marjorie Reynolds, Evelyn Keyes and Olivia De Havilland.

Rhett kept in touch with her on-screen sister-in-law Olivia De Havilland, who played Melanie Wilkes, for many years after filming. And she said Vivien Leigh was “just as pretty in person as she was on-screen,” McQueen quoted her.

But she returned to South Carolina after filming to embrace her first love: art.

Alicia Rhett who played India Wilkes, sister of Ashley Wilkes, in “Gone with the Wind” (1939)

Rhett went on to be one of the most important artists in Charleston, specializing in children’s portraits and also having her work hung in the president’s office at The Citadel.

Rhett passed away on January 4, 2014 at the age of 98. She was the oldest surviving member of “Gone with the Wind.”

Still living from the cast includes Olivia De Havilland, Mickey Kuhn who played Beau Wilkes and Mary Anderson.

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Party like it’s 1939

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Jnpickens

While bringing in the New Year, why not celebrate with a classic film star flare?
Here are a few beverages that some of your favorite stars may have been drinking on New Year’s Eve:

Vivien Leigh: Gin and Tonic
4 to 5 tonic water Ice Cubes
3 ounces gin
4 ounces tonic water
1 tablespoon squeezed lime juice
Lime wedge for garnish
Source: Vivien Leigh historian Kendra Bean

Charles Buttersworth: Martin with Gin
2 ounces dry gin
1 ounce dry vermouth
Ice
Olives or a twist of lemon, for garnish
Source: World’s Biggest Cookbook

Jean Harlow:
2 oz Bacardi 151 light rum
2 oz sweet vermouth
lemon peel for garnish
*The Comet’s personal favorite

John Wayne:
12 oz Cola
5 count Grenadine
6 count Jack Daniels

Marilyn Monroe:
Dom Perignon 1953 Champagne
Source: World’s Biggest Cookbook

Robert Benchley: Orange Blossom
3/4 oz gin
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
3/4 oz orange juice
Source: World’s Biggest Cookbook

Joan Crawford
Vodka on the rocks
Source: Confidential magazine, January 1957

If you don’t drink, Joan was also partial to Pepsi.

Humphrey Bogart:
Scotch
Source: World’s Biggest Cookbook

Ginger Rogers:
Ginger Rogers didn’t drink and the “bar” in her home was a soda fountain.
Source: Ginger Rogers’s autobiography “My Own Story”

Happy New Year everyone from Comet Over Hollywood! Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and stay safe! See you in 2014!

Cheers from Comet Over Hollywood (and Joseph Cotten)

Check out the Comet Over Hollywood Facebook page, follow on Twitter at @HollywoodComet or e-mail at cometoverhollywood@gmail.com

Musical Monday: “You’ll Never Get Rich” (1941)

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Jnpickens

It’s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals.
In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 500. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals.

This week’s musical:
“You’ll Never Get Rich” (1941) –Musical #48

Studio:
Columbia Pictures

Director:
Sidney Lanfield

Starring:
Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, Robert Benchley, Osa Massen, John Hubbard, Frieda Inescourt, Guin ‘Big Boy’ Williams

Plot:
Broadway choreographer Robert Curtis (Fred Astaire) gets mixed up in the philandering of producer Martin Cortland (Benchley). Cortland buys a bracelet for a pretty chorus girl Shelia Winthrop (Hayworth) but Cortland’s wife (Frieda Inescourt) find the bracelet after Shelia refuses it. Robert gets mixed up in Courtland’s explanations to his wife, and is able to escape the confusion when he is drafted into the Army.

Trivia:
-Rita Hayworth’s first starring role in a large budget film for Columbia Pictures. It was successful at the box office and turned Hayworth into a star.
-During the filming of this movie, the famous LIFE photo of Rita Hayworth in a negligee on a bed was published, making her even more famous along with this movie.
-Nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Music, Original Score by Cole Porter for the song “Since I Kissed My Baby Goodbye.” The second was for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture by Morris Stoloff.

Robert Benchley tries to woo Rita Hayworth with a bracelet in “You’ll Never Get Rich”

-Fred Astaire appeared in two pictures with Hayworth. This film and “You Were Never Lovelier.” Though he liked dancing with Hayworth, he didn’t want to do any more pictures with her. He wanted to get away from being associated as a team with any particular actress, such as Ginger Rogers, according to “Encyclopedia of American Cinema.”
-Astaire said Hayworth danced with “trained perfection and individuality,” according to his autobiography “Steps in Time: An Autobiography.”
-The film had a working title of “He’s My Uncle,” according to “The Complete Lyrics Of Cole Porter.”

The Stars on the Film:
Rita Hayworth on the film:
-“The brass at Columbia had forgotten the fact that I was a dancer, until Fred Astaire, who knew my background, reminded them,” Rita Hayworth is quoted in the book “Hollywood Gold: Films of the Forties and Fifties” by John Howard Reid. “When Fred came to Columbia to make ‘You’ll Never Get Rich,’ they asked who they wanted as a dancing partner. Fred asked for me! That surprised me, but Fred knew what he was about. He knew my work. The film was a huge success and as a result, I was loaned out to Fox for ‘My Gal Sal.'”

Fred Astaire on the film:
Rita danced with trained perfection and individuality. Of course, she knew through experience what the dancing business was all about,” Fred Astaire is quoted in the book “Hollywood Gold: Films of the Forties and Fifties” by John Howard Reid. “That was apparent when I started working with her. I enjoyed making both ‘You’ll Never Get Rich’ and ‘You Were Never Lovelier‘ because of Rita.”

“She’s a natural. She’s constantly surprising me. Nothing is too difficult for her. She watches, goes up, practices up and the next day she has it perfect,” in the Oct. 1941, “Born to Dance-Together” in Movie Stars Parade.

Highlights:
-The film begins with Robert Benchley riding in a vehicle. He tells the chauffeur to slow down and we see the credits in the form of billboards along the road.
-The first musical number is an interesting dance number that mixes modern dance and tap dancing together.

-Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth’s duet tap dance at the beginning of the film when Astaire is showing her how to do a dance in the show. The number show’s off just how good a dancer Hayworth is.

-Popular 1940s singer Martha Tilton shows up at the end as a specialty performance for the “Wedding Cake Walk” number.

Singer Martha Tilton makes an appearance singing “The Wedding Cake Walk.” (Comet Over Hollywood/Screen Cap by Jessica Pickens)

Notable Songs:
-Shootin’ the Works for Uncle Sam sung by Fred Astaire
-The Wedding Cake Walk sung by Martha Tilton

My Review:
The biggest point of interest with “You’ll Never Get Rich” is this is the film that made Rita Hayworth a star and showed Fred Astaire could have other dancing partners besides Ginger Rogers.
While Fred Astaire sings a few songs and we hear two songs from the Four Tones group, this musical seems to focus more on dancing. It’s a vehicle for Rita Hayworth, showing off how good of a dancer she is, so she isn’t dubbed like she is in musicals in the future.
The plot is a bit zany and runs on miscommunication jokes, however it’s a fairly cute and entertaining film. The thing that stands out the most are the excellent dancing numbers with Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire.

Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire dancing in the “So Near and Yet So Far” number.

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Christmas with the Comet: “The Homecoming” (1971)

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Jnpickens

Applesauce cake, decorating the tree and a blooming Christmas cactus.

All of these are characteristic of the Walton family Christmas, but one thing is missing.

John Walton, the father, hasn’t returned from his job 50 miles away. It’s snowing, and the Walton family heard over the radio there has been a bus accident.

On Christmas Eve in 1933, it’s John Boy Walton’s job to find his Daddy.

This isn’t an episode of “The Waltons” but the made-for-television-movie “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” that aired on Dec. 19, 1971.

The 100-minute movie became the pilot for the television series “The Waltons” that aired from Sept. 1972 to 1981.

The television film is set in Virginia on Waltons Mountain and introduces the Walton children, grandparents and mother as they wait for John Walton to return on Christmas Eve.

Mary Ellen wants to decorate the Christmas tree with a bird’s nest, and Olivia Walton agrees it makes the tree look nice.

We see the growing pains of 13-year-old Mary Ellen, Erin as a young tattle tale, Jason’s desire to become a musician and the youngest children’s excitement about Santa Claus.

As it gets later, Olivia Walton (Patricia Neal) gets anxious about her husband’s return and sends her oldest son, John Boy (Richard Thomas), out to find his father.

During the search, John Boy runs out of gas and stops at an African-American church, and gets help from Hawthorne Dooley (Cleavon Little).

Hawthorne and John Boy visit the Baldwin sisters (Josephine Hutchinson, Dorothy Stickney), known for their bootleg whiskey, for help during the search.

As John Boy searches for his father, we get a glimpse at how he wants to be a writer, how he feels like a “mother duck’ to his brothers and sisters, and wants to be like his father, but isn’t good at farming and doesn’t like to hunt.

The Walton family originally appeared as the Spencer family in the film “Spencer’s Mountain” (1963), starring Henry Fonda, Maureen O’Hara and James McArthur.

The film was inspired by the book written by Earl Hamner, Jr. about life in Virginia. Hamner was not directly involved in the filming of “Spencer’s Mountain” like he later was with the 1970s TV show, according to “The Waltons: Nostalgia and Myth in Seventies America” by Mike Chopra-Gant.

The family again appears in “The Homecoming,” but the name was changed from Spencer to Walton to avoid legal problems with Warner Brothers, according to Chopra-Gant’s book.

Hamner said “The Homecoming” was a story he planned to write for many years based on his childhood, and he also wrote the screenplay and narrated the film, according to the Chopra-Grant book.

Lines in the film such as “What a woman I married” and “All my babies are thoroughbreds” are part of Hamner’s childhood. They were said by his father, Earl Hamner, Sr, according to the book “Earl Hamner: From Walton’s Mountain to Tomorrow: a Biography” by James E. Person.

The popularity of the television film spawned the television series.

“The Homecoming” gives us a glimpse at a Southern family living in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the Depression.

All Elizabeth Walton wants for Christmas is a doll. When she receives one from a missionary, it’s broken.

Olivia Walton can’t afford toys for the children and only plans on giving them hand-knitted scarves for Christmas. The family doesn’t have a phone, and buying the sugar for the applesauce cake was extravagant.

All little Elizabeth Walton wanted for Christmas was a page of dolls from the Sears-Roebuck catalog.

There are several funny scenes as the children bicker or as we meet the Baldwin sisters.

John Boy and Hawthorne stop at the Baldwin sister home for gas.

We also see the family’s strength and love through moving and heart-warming scenes, such as when John Walton finally returns home and recognizes John-Boy’s yearn for writing through his Christmas gift of writing tablets.

It is the perfect mix of drama, comedy and heart.

While all the child actors are the same, several of the characters in the television movie are different from the actors on the television show:

The Film:

John “John-Boy” Walton, Jr.- Richard Thomas

John Walton, Sr.- Andrew Duggan

Olivia Walton -Patricia Neal

Zeb/Grandpa” Walton -Edgar Bergen

Esther “Grandma” Walton- Ellen Corby

Jason Walton- Jon Walmsley

Mary Ellen Walton- Judy Norton Taylor

Erin Walton-Mary Elizabeth McDonough

Ben Walton- Eric Scott

Jim-Bob Walton -David W. Harper

Elizabeth Walton-Kami Cotler

Emily Baldwin- Dorothy Stickney

Mamie Baldwin- Josephine Hutchinson

Ike Godsey- Woodrow Parfrey

The Show:

John “John-Boy” Walton, Jr.- Richard Thomas

John Walton, Sr.- Ralph Waite

Olivia Walton – Michael Learned

Zeb/Grandpa” Walton- Will Geer

Esther “Grandma” Walton- Ellen Corby

Jason Walton- Jon Walmsley

Mary Ellen Walton- Judy Norton Taylor

Erin Walton-Mary Elizabeth McDonough

Ben Walton -Eric Scott

Jim-Bob Walton- David W. Harper

Elizabeth Walton-Kami Cotler

Emily Baldwin- Mary Jackson

Mamie Baldwin – Helen Kleeb

Ike Godsey- Joe Conley

It’s difficult to say if I like the casting of the show more than the film. After watching both for many years, each cast member has their own special touch.

While I love the television show, Patricia Neal as Olivia Walton has a certain grit and realism. Michael Learned is tough and motherly with her children but is glamorous in comparison to Neal.

Patricia Neal and Andrew Duggan play John and Olivia Walton in the Walton TV movie. Michael Learned and Ralph Waite play the parents on the TV show.

Andrew Duggan is a bigger and more rugged man as John Walton in comparison to Ralph Waite.

Grandpa Walton, played by Edgar Bergen and Will Geer, are similar characters. Both loveable, kind and constantly scolded by Grandma Walton.

Fun fact: This is a reteaming for Ellen Corby and Edgar Bergen, whose characters were married in “I Remember Mama” (1949).

Though the family struggles during the Great Depression in both the film and series, they aren’t poor hillbillies but are working the best they can to stay afloat with little complaint.

I have watched the television show and the film since I was a child, and the warmth that comes from the series feels like you are welcomed into the Walton home.

John Boy receives writing tablets for Christmas from his father.

“We walked a fine line between sentiment and sickeningly sentimentality,” Hamner later wrote about the film. “In the homecoming, Mary Ellen asks her mother if she’s pretty. Olivia replies, without missing a beat of the work she’s doing, ‘No, I think you’re beautiful.’ No tear in the eye, no touching, just a matter of fact statement.”

If you have the opportunity to see “The Homecoming” (and it’s on Youtube), you won’t be drowned in saccharine sweetness but realism and heart. It’s sentimental and welcoming.

Some of my favorite quotes:
Elizabeth: I’m not going to have any babies
Erin: What are you going to have, Elizabeth?
Elizabeth: Puppies!

Mary Ellen: You’re all a bunch of pissants.
Erin: Mama! Mary Ellen is calling us names.
Elizabeth: She said we were pissants. I don’t feel like a pissant.

Missionary: Why look to a foreign country for heathens when the Blue Ridge Mountains are full of them!

Mamie Baldwin: Papa always called them cousins, sister!
Emily Baldwin: Well, they sure dropped out of the family after Papa died.

Emily Baldwin: The nice thing about life is you never know when there is going to be a party!

The Walton children in the movie are the same actors as on the show.

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Christmas Musical Monday: “Holiday Inn” (1942)

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Jnpickens

This week’s musical:
“Holiday Inn” (1942) –Musical #22

Studio:
Paramount Pictures

Director:
Mark Sandrich

Starring:
Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale, Walter Abel, Louise Beavers

Plot:
Singer Jim Hardy (Bing Crosby) and dancer Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire) are both in love with Lila Dixon (Virginia Dale). When Lila jilts Jim for Ted, Jim decides to quit show business and live on a farm.Jim ends up converting his farm into a nightclub and hotel called the Holiday Inn which is only opened during the 15 holidays of the year.
When Jim meets Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds), she agrees to appear in his shows at the inn, and the two fall in love. However, Jim works to keep Linda from meeting Ted -who was also jilted by Lila-so he doesn’t steal her for an act and her heart.
Holidays and their songs include:
Christmas (twice)- “White Christmas”
New Years (twice) -“Happy Holidays” and “Let’s Start the New Year Right”
Valentines Day- “Be Careful, It’s My Heart”
Abraham’s Birthday: “Abraham”
Washington’s Birthday: “I Can’t Tell a Lie”
Easter: “Easter Parade”
Fourth of July: “Song of Freedom” and “Let’s Say it with Fireworks”
-Thanksgiving- “I’ve Got Plenty to Be Thankful For”

Trivia:
-The hotel chain Holiday Inn was inspired by the title of this film, according to the hotel founder Kemmons Wilson’s New York times obituary.
-This film introduced the song “White Christmas.” Irving Berlin thought of the song “White Christmas” in 1935 on the set of “Top Hat” and wanted to use it for a Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers film. Astaire liked the tune but it was never used until their film. Irving Berlin and Moss Hart worked and copyrighted the idea for a musical revue revolving around tunes for each holiday, according to “The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin” by Robert Kimball and Linda Emmett.

– Irving Berlin had a hard time writing the Christmas song “White Christmas” since he was Jewish. He ran the song by Bing Crosby, who thought it would be great, according to “Christmas’s Most Wanted” by Kevin Cuddihy.

Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds (dubbed by Martha Mears) sing "White Christmas" at the end of the film.

Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds (dubbed by Martha Mears) sing “White Christmas” which became a hit due to this film.

-The film originally was supposed include a dance number for Labor Day.

-The original version of the song “White Christmas” talked about basking in Los Angeles and longing for an old fashioned Christmas in New England. But the version we know now is more nostalgic, discussing a Christmas that a person won’t experience first hand-much like the soldiers fighting over seas during World War II, according to “World War II and the Postwar Years in America.”

-Mary Martin turned down the role of Linda played by Marjorie Reynolds because she was pregnant, according to her autobiography.

-Fred Astaire’s shoes he danced in during the Firecracker routine were auctioned off for $116,000 that went towards the war effort.

-The popularity of the song “White Christmas” created the spin off film “White Christmas” (1954) also starring Bing Crosby and co-starring Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney, according to the book “Christmas’s Most Wanted.”

-Fred Astaire was the first choice for the Danny Kaye Role in “White Christmas” (1954) to be a reunion after “Holiday Inn,” but Astaire turned down the role, according to the “Christmas Encyclopedia” by William D. Crump

-Paramount Pictures did not market this film as a Christmas movie since it covers many other holidays, according to “World War II and the Postwar Years in America” by William and Nancy Young.

Fred Astaire in firecracker number for the Fourth of July.

-The Fourth of July number was expanded and made more patriotic after the bombing of Pearl Harbor; including the song “Song of Freedom,” “Let’s Say it with Firecrackers” and a movie reel of war workers and soldiers marching.

-Paramount thought “Be Careful, It’s My Heart” would be the hit from the film. Though it made the Hit Parade first with Tommy Dorsey’s Band, “White Christmas” was the true hit, according to “World War II and the Postwar Years in America.”

-Won an Academy Award for Best Original Song- “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Score by Robert Emmett Dolan and Best Original Story by Irving Berlin.

-Marjorie Reynolds is dubbed by Martha Mears.

Highlights:

Fred Astaire dances with Marjorie Reynolds during the New Years scene where he took drinks of bourbon before each take.

-Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby imitate each other in the number “I’ll Capture Your Heart Singing.”
-Fred Astaire’s drunken New Years Eve dance. Supposedly Astaire had a drink of bourbon before each take-it took seven-to appear drunk in the scene.
-Fred Astaire’s “Say it With Fireworks” dance for the Fourth of July number where he throws down fireworks while he taps.
-The cartoon turkey on the calendar that runs between the dates for Thanksgiving Day. This is referring to “Franksgiving,” a controversy that occurred during the Roosevelt administration. President Roosevelt wanted to make Thanksgiving a week earlier.

Notable Songs:
Since the music is by Irving Berlin, all of the songs are fantastic. The top songs include:
-“White Christmas” sung by Bing Crosby. This is the most famous song in the movie. The version sung by Cosby in the movie is the one you hear most on the radio.
-“You’re Easy to Dance With” sung and danced by Fred Astaire and Virginia Dale
-“I Can’t Tell a Life” sung by Fred Astaire for Washington’s Birthday dressed in period clothing.
-“Easter Parade” sung by Bing Crosby to Marjorie Reynolds for the Easter portion.

My Review:
When I first saw this movie several years ago, I didn’t like it.
I thought Fred Astaire was a bit of a heel and had no redeeming features. However, as I rewatch it, I see both men are heels at different points in the movie.
Characters aside- the thing that stands out the most is the music-all revolving around holidays. Irving Berlin’s songs written for each holiday are catchy and clever.
Fred Astaire also is able to show off his dancing abilities both with partners and in solo numbers. Bing Crosby has an excellent score and sings the song he is most remembered for.
“Holiday Inn” is an interesting topic for a film and is musically beautiful.
If you are looking for a Christmas movie, it doesn’t completely revolve around the holiday (but Christmas is in the film three times) and introduced one of the most loved holiday songs.

Bing Crosby, Marjorie Reynolds, Fred Astaire, Virginia Dale

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Christmas at Comet’s: “It Happened on Fifth Avenue” (1947)

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Jnpickens

It’s easy for this Christmas film to slip through the cracks.

It isn’t as well-known as other Christmas classics such as “Miracle on 34th Street” or “White Christmas.” And many of the leads are character actors rather than superstars who star in other Christmas films like Barbara Stanwyck or Loretta Young.

You may have never seen or heard of “It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947), but this film is far too charming for that not to be remedied- and soon.

The story begins with homeless Aloysius McKeever (Victor Moore) sneaking into the wealthy mansion of Michael J. O’Connor (Charles Ruggles), the second richest man in the world. The O’Connors live in Virginia during the winter. For the past four winters, McKeever has stayed in the O’Connor home in New York from November 3 until March 13 while the family is away.

McKeever eats their food, wears Mr. O’Connor’s clothes, and occasionally dusts off the furniture.

When the O’Connor’s come back to New York, McKeever heads to their winter home in Virginia.

Homeless McKeever (Victor Moore) dressed in Michael O’Connor’s clothes as he stays in his home.

With a set of keys to several mansions in New York, McKeever explains one day, he got tired of working and has been house hopping for the last 20 years and never has been caught.

But this winter, McKeever has company for the first time.

He meets Jim Bullock (Don DeFore), a veteran who was recently evicted from his apartment. The apartments are going to be torn down by Michael O’Connor’s company to build a skyscraper.

McKeever finds Jim sleeping on a park bench and invites him to his home, vaguely explaining that he is a guest of the O’Connor family.

But the O’Connor house gets more crowded than just the two men.

O’Connor’s daughter Trudy (Gale Storm) runs away from finishing school and goes to the house for clothes. The men think she is a thief, and she doesn’t correct them, but they let her stay.

Then Jim runs into his old Army buddies (Alan Hale, Jr., Edward Ryan) with their wives and children living in a car. They are invited to the O’Connor mansion too until they can find a home.

Wives of Jim's Army buddies use the foyer of the O'Connor home for hanging laundry as the house gets more crowded.

Wives of Jim’s Army buddies use the O’Connor home’s foyer for hanging laundry as the house gets more crowded.

The kicker is when Michael J. O’Connor (Charles Ruggles) and his ex-wife, Mary (Ann Harding), stay at their home-pretending to be homeless- in search of their daughter.

All the while, Jim and his Army friends are trying to bid on an Army camp for veterans who can’t find a home. Their bidding opponent is O’Connor.

“It Happened on Fifth Avenue” was originally supposed to be a Frank Capra Liberty Film. Still, he chose to make “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) instead, according to “Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas” by Alonso Duralde.

Wealthy Michael O’Connor (Charles Ruggles) exchanges his fancy clothes to dress like he is homeless.

The film was originally supposed to be released during the Christmas season in 1946 but wasn’t released until Easter of 1947, Duralde wrote.

It isn’t surprising that Capra considered this film. The theme of the poor creating life lessons for the rich is similar to many of his other films.

“It Happened on Fifth Avenue” is funny, far-fetched and charming.

It’s a comedy that makes fun of the rich, like the O’Connors, and makes the heroes poor. The O’Connors have an opportunity to look at their lives with the help of McKeever: Michael has disregarded everything for money, Mary lives in Palm Springs and denies she’s middle-aged, and Trudy is unhappy.

Romance blossoms between Trudy (Gale Storm) and Jim (Don DeFore)

Money is what broke up Michael and Mary O’Connor’s marriage. It takes a homeless man to bring them back together again. Trudy finds love and happiness with Jim, the unemployed veteran.

“There are richer men than I,” O’Connor says of McKeever.

Amongst the life lessons and heartwarming scenes, the movie is also hilarious.

With lines such as:

“That joint is as empty as a sewing basket in a nudist camp.”

And

“He called me ‘Sugar,’ because I was hard to get”-referencing rationing during World War II.

While on a mission to see every classic Christmas film I could get my hands on, I came across “It Happened on Fifth Avenue” back in 2010 when it was shown on Turner Classic Movies. Since then, it has become a family favorite in the Pickens household.

Add this one to your yearly Christmas viewing and see that “a house is only what its occupants make it.”

Check out the Comet Over Hollywood Facebook page, follow on Twitter at @HollywoodComet or e-mail at cometoverhollywood@gmail.com

Woman of a Thousand Faces: Remembering Eleanor Parker

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Jnpickens

Eleanor Parker as the Baroness in “Sound of Music” (1965).

Today’s audiences know her as the Baroness; the mean blond who was Julie Andrews’ romantic rival in “The Sound of Music” (1965).

Though her role in the 1965 musical is memorable, the talents of Eleanor Parker are so much more than that.

Parker started out at Warner Brothers studios in the early 1940s. She was fresh faced, pretty and red-headed.

Born in Ohio, Parker moved to Hollywood in 1942 and was discovered while sitting in the audience at the Pasadena Community Playhouse by a Warner Brothers talent scout, according to Glamour Girls of the Silver Screen.

Parker’s first role was in 1941, a deleted scene in the Errol Flynn and Olivia De Havilland film “They Died With Their Boots On.” This role was followed by short films, bit parts and B-movies. One of these early jobs included a voice on a record to a soldier husband in the Cary Grant war film, “Destination Tokyo” (1943).

Eleanor Parker in the 1940s

But her first major role with Warner Brothers was alongside John Garfield, Sydney Greenstreet and Paul Henried in “Between Two Worlds” (1944). The all-star cast is on a boat in the afterlife; waiting to see if they will go to heaven or hell.

Her next major role came in the romantic World War II drama, “The Very Thought Of You” (1944) with Dennis Morgan as her romantic co-star. Beulah Bondi and Henry Travers as Parker’s parents, who vehemently disapprove of her romance and eventual marriage to a soldier.

Parker showed her versatility as an actress from films like “Pride of the Marines” (1945), a drama about disabled war veterans co-starring John Garfield, to “Never Say Goodbye” (1946), a comedic romp set around Christmas with Errol Flynn.

She displays her acting abilities best in one of her top, and possibly most disturbing, roles in the prison drama “Caged!” (1950). Parker goes into jail as a naïve and innocent young woman and leaves hardened and cold. One horrifying scene includes Parker’s head getting shaved as a punishment. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in “Caged” but lost to Judy Holliday for “Born Yesterday.”

A year later she was getting drunk on tequila and flirting with Fred MacMurray in the comedy “Millionaire For Christy” (1951).

It’s no wonder that Eleanor Parker has been dubbed “Woman of a Thousand Faces.”

John Garfield, Clark Gable, Stewart Granger, Kirk Douglas, Glenn Ford, Errol Flynn and Humphrey Bogart are just a few of the top leading men she acted with.

“You didn’t go to her films to see Miss Parker being Miss Parker in a different dress and locale,” wrote Doug McClelland in his book “Eleanor Parker: Woman of a Thousand Faces.” “You went to see what person she had created on film.”

Parker helps husband John Garfield adjust to living life without sight in “Pride of the Marines” (1945). (LIFE)

Parker was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress two other times:

-“Detective Story” (1951) –Parker plays the wife of Kirk Douglas who was involved with and got pregnant from a racketeer before their marriage.

-“Interrupted Melody” (1956) –the biographical film about Australian opera singer Marjorie Lawrence who becomes paralyzed due to polio.

She also played a woman with multiple personality disorder in “Lizzie” (1957), the same year Joanne Woodward played a similar role in “The Three Faces Of Eve.” It was Woodward who won the Oscar that year.

In a 1988 interview, she said she was a character actress. That her roles were too diverse that her own personality never “emerged on screen,” according to an article from USA Today.

In her private life, she was shy and collected classical records, according to an April 30, 1945, LIFE article, “Eleanor Parker: Actress plays ‘Of Human Bondage,’ role that made Bette Davis famous.”

McClelland’s book suggests one reason Parker is forgotten today is because of her quiet, private life.

“I’ve prided myself on not dreaming up tales to see my name in print,” McClelland quotes her as saying in an interview.

Some of my personal favorite films of Parker’s include: “The Voice of the Turtle” (1947), “Woman in White” (1948), “Never Say Goodbye” (1946), “The Very Thought of You” (1945), “Pride of the Marines” (1945) and “Valley of the Kings” (1954).

Parker plays a fiesty female in “Scaramouche” (1952)

Eleanor Parker is one of those actresses that lights up the screen and makes the movie. The only films I remember not enjoying of Parker’s were the Rudolph Valentino biopic “Valentino” (1951) and “The Oscar” (1966). Neither of the films were bad because of Parker, but bad script writing.

Parker passed away today at the age of 91 due to complications from pneumonia, according to the Associated Press.

“Eleanor Parker was and is one of the most beautiful ladies I have ever known,” said “Sound of Music” co-star Christopher Plummer in Parker’s USA Today obituary. “Both as a person and as a beauty. I hardly believe the sad news for I was sure she was enchanted and would live forever.”

Goodbye to one of Warner Brothers’ brightest and most talented stars. “The Very Thought of You” will always make your fans smile.

Turner Classic Movies will be honoring Eleanor Parker on Tuesday, Dec. 17 (ET):
6 a.m. – The Very Thought of You (1944)
7:45 a.m. – Of Human Bondage (1946)
9:45 a.m – The Woman in White (1948)
11:45 p.m. – Caged (1950)
1:30 p.m. – Scaramouche (1952)
3:30 p.m. – Interrupted Melody (1955)
5:15 p.m. – Home from the Hill (1960)

Check out the Comet Over Hollywood Facebook page, follow on Twitter at @HollywoodComet or e-mail at cometoverhollywood@gmail.com

Musical Monday: “Funny Face” (1957)

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Jnpickens

This week’s musical:
“Funny Face” -Musical #32

Studio:
Paramount Pictures

Director:
Stanley Donen

Starring:
Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn, Kay Thompson
Model cameos: Dovima, Suzy Parker, Sunny Hartnett

Plot:
An intellectual book store clerk (Hepburn) gets caught up in a fashion shoot. Photographer Dick Avery (Astaire)-based off of real life photographer Richard Avedon- feels she would add something unique to the fashion magazine he works for.

Fred Astaire’s character was modeled after photographer Richard Avedon. Astaire is pictured with model, Dovima.

Trivia:
-This movie was originally going to be an MGM film in the Freed Unit. However, since both Astaire and Hepburn were both working for Paramount, the film was moved to that studio. The MGM executives also weren’t in love with the script, according to The Fifties: Transforming the Screen, 1950-1959 by Peter Lev.
-Fred Astaire only wanted Audrey Hepburn for the film. Filming was delayed, because she wanted husband Mel Ferrer to be with her, according to “Audrey: A Life in Pictures” by Carol Krenz.
-Hepburn was self-conscious about being too skinny and flat chested. Fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy said everyone would be looking more at her eyes, Krenz said.
-Astaire’s role is based on the life of famed fashion photographer Richard Avedon. Stanley Donen hired Avedon for the visual consultant, according to “The Audrey Hepburn Treasures.”
-During the “He Loves, She Loves” number when Hepburn is in the wedding dress, it was difficult for Astaire and Hepburn to dance due to slippery and muddy grass.
-Hepburn’s own dog appears in the train fashion shoot scene.
-The white socks Hepburn wears in the jazz dancing scene caused trouble on set. Hepburn thought all black, including the socks looked better. Director Stanley Donen said if she wore all black, she would fade into the the background in the dimly lit scene and there would be no definition in her movement, according to the Sam Irvin book “Kay Thompson: From Funny Face to Eloise.”

Highlights:
-“Think Pink” isn’t an excellent song but the pink fashion sequence that goes along with the song is to die for. The number has models, including famous Suzy Parker, modeling pink bathing suits, day wear, evening gown and using pink shampoo and tooth paste.

“Think Pink” fashion segment in “Funny Face.” Models include Sunny Hartnett and Suzy Parker. (Film strip made by Comet Over Hollywood)

-The fashion shoot with Audrey Hepburn. The different scenarios are fun and the clothes are gorgeous.

Audrey Hepburn fashion shoot (Film strip made by Comet Over Hollywood)

Notable Songs:
All of the music is by George and Ira Gershwin, so most of it is familiar and fairly enjoyable. However, some of the songs aren’t as recognizable Gershwin favorites like “Lady Be Good” and “I Got Rhythm.”
-“Funny Face” sung by Fred Astaire to Audrey Hepburn as he convinces Hepburn to model. Probably the most memorable song in the film.
-“S’Wonderful” sung by Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn
-“Let’s Kiss and Make Up” sung by Fred Astaire
-“How Long Has This Been Going On?” sung by Audrey Hepburn

My Review:
Though it’s said Fred Astaire wouldn’t do the film without Audrey Hepburn, Astaire is sadly wasted in this film. Astaire has two major dance numbers, but I don’t feel like it gives him an opportunity to really show off his talent.
However, “Funny Face” gives Audrey Hepburn a rare time to show off her dancing skills on screen. Hepburn originally trained to be a ballet dancer before going into films. Hepburn dances with Astaire and does the bohemian jazz, modern dance number.
Hepburn also does her own singing, rather than being dubbed like she was in “My Fair Lady.” Her voice, though, is better suited for the Gershwin tunes than the operatic score of “My Fair Lady.”
On a whole, though the plot isn’t fantastic- this movie is GORGEOUS. Beautiful color, beautiful clothing and my favorite are the fashion montages.
On a personal note: This film taught me the definition of empathy and made me want a black turtleneck.

Astaire and Hepburn dancing in “Funny face”

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Musical Monday: Three Little Words (1950)

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Jnpickens

This week’s musical:
“Three Little Words” (1950) — Musical #280

Studio:
MGM

Director:
Richard Thorpe

Starring:
Fred Astaire, Red Skelton, Vera-Ellen, Arlene Dahl, Keenan Wynn, Gloria DeHaven, Debbie Reynolds, Carleton Carpenter

Plot:
Set in the early 1920s, the movie is a biographical film about Tin Pan Alley songwriters Bert Kalmar (Astaire) and Harry Ruby (Skelton).
Kalmar and his partner Jessie Brown (Vera-Ellen) have a vaudeville act, but he has ambitions of being a magician. After failing at that, Brown and Kalmar have a successful routine until Bert hurts his knee and can’t dance for a year.
Bert hears a song written by Harry Ruby and the two team up to write more music together, eventually writing popular songs, music for films and Broadway plays.

Trivia:
-Actress Gloria DeHaven makes a cameo playing her mother, Flora Parker DeHaven. Flora acted on stage and screen with her husband Carter Davis during the 1920s.
-Songwriters Harry Ruby and Bert Kalmar were friends with Fred Astaire, who played Bert Kalmer, during his vaudeville days. Kalmer died in 1947, before the film was made but had agreed to it before his death. Ruby died in 1974.

The real Harry Ruby and Bert Kalmar.

-Arlene Dahl plays real life actress Eileen Percy. Percy was in films 1917 to 1933. In the film and in real life, Percy and Harry Ruby were married from 1936 until her death in 1973.
-In the film Jesse Brown and Bert Kalmar marry. They did in real life as well but eventually divorced.
-The real Harry Ruby makes a cameo in one of the baseball scenes with Red Skelton.
–The dress worn by Gale Robbins in the “All Alone Monday” number is the same dress worn by Ann Miller in the “Girl on the Magazine Cover” in Easter Parade (1948).
-Debbie Reynolds has a cameo in the role of real life actress Helen Kane. Kane dubs Reynolds’s singing.

Debbie Reynolds dressed as Helen Kane with Carleton Carpenter singing “I Wanna Be Loved By You.”

-Vera-Ellen is dubbed by Anita Ellis

Highlights:
-Gloria DeHaven plays her mother in the film. B
-Debbie Reynolds acts in the role of Helen Kane-who was later the voice of Betty Boop. Reynolds’s singing voice is dubbed by Kane.

Notable Songs:
-“All Alone Monday” sung by Gale Robbins. My favorite song in the film. Though 1930s recordings of the song I came across later were more upbeat and happy sounding, Robbins sang it with a bluesy and mournful feel.
-“Three Little Words” sung by Fred Astaire. The title song isn’t sung or written until the very end of the film but it is the most memorable and leaves you humming after the movie is over.
-“I Wanna Be Loved By You” sung by Debbie Reynolds who is dubbed by Helen Kane, who originated the song. Personally, Kane’s voice grates on my nerves but it is a memorable and famous song.

My Review:

Though parts of this film are fictional-such as the conflict between Bert Kalmer and Harry Ruby- is a good movie as far as biographical pictures go. In many biographical films, the love interest is made up of several different people that the main character had relations with during their career. The love interest also sometimes different name to protect the real life person-examples of this could be Jayne Mansfield’s character in the “George Raft Story” who is supposed to be Betty Grable, or Evelyn Keyes’s character in “The Al Jolson Story,” who is supposed to be Ruby Keeler.
In comparison, both men in this movie were represented with wives that they were involved with in real life.
I also liked the added cameos of people like Gloria DeHaven who plays her mother in the film.
My only beef is that the clothing worn by the female leads isn’t period appropriate and looks more suitable for 1950 and not the 1920s.
In all, “Three Little Words” is an excellent mix of gorgeous Technicolor, excellent dance numbers with Vera-Ellen and Astaire, comedy from Red Skelton and catchy songs.

Red Skelton, Vera-Ellen and Fred Astaire in “Three Little Words”

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