Classically Focused Movie Days

In trying to find a way to relate to my grandparents, find some common ground for conversation, I discovered old black and white movies. I knew only one true 'classic' that my grandpa really liked and one day, I made a time and went over to watch it with him, my grandma, and my great-grandma. That movie, Casablanca. Casablanca is basically the movie that started me onto the era of black and white, or classic movies. I was captivated! The depth of the film fascinated me! Previously, I had only dabbled in the 'classics'. But Casablanca triggered many other movie days as I dove into that time in cinematic history.

Soon, I discovered Gregory Peck with To Kill a Mockingbird, Celeste Holm in Gentleman's Agreement, June Allyson in the Glenn Miller Story (that will break your heart!!), and eventually, in my grandpa's favorite movie EVER (literally, his favorite), Shane I found Alan Ladd. I will have to do a post on Shane one of these days. But that's not why I'm here today. I'm not even here to praise older movies...but one day I will get to those things. In the mean time, I just want to review two films that I recently watched with my great-grandma during one of these movie visits. (I have watched several Alice Faye movies for her benefit as Alice Faye's musicals are more my great-grandma's thing. :))

Alice Adams (1935)

Starring: Katharine Hepburn and Fred MacMurray

I liked this story, but I found the acting was a bit of a struggle.

Alice, Katharine Hepburn, an imaginative even naïve young woman, is unfortunately considered the poor girl of the neighborhood. Her father works at his meager job, she has a mother who wants better for her children (but is something of an 'old biddy' as my grandma said) :) and a brother that is 'good for nothing'. Alice is fortunate enough to be asked to society gatherings but not important enough to dance with. That is until one of the rich young men, enter Fred MacMurray, takes interest or pity on Alice. Alice, to ensure his continued attention, takes on a role of a society girl and continues the charade as long as she can in the hopes of securing a future for herself.

Haha, yes, the movie is very stereotypical. But even so, I did like it. However, I should warn you, Katharine Hepburn simply has to much personality to be an actress! (But she would make a fascinating conversational companion.) Haha. Like other roles that I have seen her play, it is difficult to distinguish the character she is assigned to play from the actress Katharine Hepburn. But I loved Fred MacMurray as the young interested gentleman that he is. There is a charming dance scene that left me grinning with glee, a humorously heated dinner, and a pleasing but rather rushed ending. (I thought Fred MacMurray was really sweet in this role!)

The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Starring: Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan

A 1940's film that later inspired a remake entitled You've Got Mail.

Set in Budapest, Alfred (Jimmy Stewart), and Klara (Margaret Sullavan), find themselves employed in the same department store. For both reasons of misguided first impressions and excitable 'tempers' (I use that word lightly), the pair simply don't get along. However each secures companions in form of pen-pals who they find to be 'intellectually stimulating'. It's not long before Alfred discovers the identity of his favored writing companion and must find a way to use the information to happy advantage. Intermingled in this story of romance are the lives of the other department store employees.

This was a cute little movie. I knew the storyline because I know You've Got Mail. I can't say there is much that is Hungarian about the film besides the names. Haha, everyone speaks English, particularly the two main characters. I liked Jimmy Stewart, which is something that comes to me naturally because of my mother. (Who is a huge fan.) And Margaret Sullavan played her part well--but I preferred Jimmy. Again, that's probably just a natural reaction to being my mom's daughter. Now, let me think of some good teaser scenes... the end. I'm sorry, just the end scene is simply perfect!! It will make you so happy! Yes, there is a funny errand boy that puts on airs, an obnoxious clerk that exudes less than charming airs, a married man with good advice but with comical reluctance to share and an overzealously jolly department store owner, but the end is what I'll be re-watching it for. :D

Well, TTFN.

Yours truly,
Cordy

P.S. Brownie points to any who know what TTFN means and can name the character that coined the phrase. At least, I think they coined it, hmmm.

P.P.S. I'm currently 'guest posting' at Heidi's author's blog! Heidi was wonderful to work with and I'm sure she would love to have you participate as well--even if you don't have a blog. So go and check it out!