Month: May 2020

I’m so honored to have been nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award by Tiffany Brannan of The Pure Entertainment Preservation Society.

This nomination means a lot to me for a couple of reasons. One is that it comes during a difficult time in my life and has been a silver lining for me. Another is that as much as I enjoy blogging here, I am certainly not a professional. I’m simply a fan who loves writing about things that bring me joy in the hopes that others might find something they too can enjoy. So, to have my amateur attempts recognized is special.

Before this post can begin, I must list the official rules of the Sunshine Blogger Award, which are the following:

1. List the award’s official rules
2. Display the award’s official logo somewhere on your blog
3. Thank the person who nominated you
4. Provide a link to your nominator’s blog
5. Answer your nominator’s questions
6. Nominate up to 11 bloggers
7. Ask your nominees 11 questions
8. Notify your nominees by commenting on at least one of their blog posts.

My Answers to Eleven Questions

I enjoyed answering the questions Tiffany provided. They certainly gave me many moments of pondering over some things I had never considered before.

1. If you could have gone on a date with any character from a movie, who would it be? I was very tempted to name Karel Novak from Romance in Manhattan whose joyful innocence is contagious. But I have to choose Bruce Templeton from The Glass Bottom Boat. Not only is he a beautiful piece of eye candy, but he’s also incredibly smart. You would think a scientist who runs his own company might be a bit dull, but Bruce is playful, with a wonderful sense of humor who also knows how to enjoy his free time. In other words, he’s the whole package.
2. What actor do you think should have played a really famous character (Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, Nancy Drew, etc.) in a film but didn’t?  Urban legend has it that Ian Fleming modeled James Bond after Cary Grant. Grant proved he could handle action and secretive characters in his Hitchcock films. So, it’s such a shame he never took on the characterization of Bond.
3. What actor do you think would have been perfect for playing a real historical character, who may or may not have ever been depicted on the screen? In researching a  past post about real life royalty depicted in film, I discovered a gross oversight.  There have only been two films made about William the Conqueror and both were made in France. For a historical figure of such major importance, I found this shocking! How did Hollywood overlook this leader who changed the world? I would have loved to see the classic Hollywood treatment given to such a subject. MGM was particularly great at grand film spectacles and I believe John Gilbert would have done a wonderful job playing such a larger than life figure.
4. What actor do you think would have been great as a current influential figure, such as a politician, celebrity, or influencer? Carole Lombard is an actress who would have translated well into our modern society with her progressive views. She was a style icon known for her glamour but who also remained down to earth. She was also eminently likable, able to relate to both men and women. These are all qualities I think would have served her well as a politician, celebrity or influencer, or even all three, in today’s world.
5. If you could live in any house or other dwelling from a film, which would you choose? Having recently re-watched Indiscreet, I couldn’t believe that I didn’t remember how stunning Ingrid Bergman’s apartment is. It’s the perfect blend of classic and modern, with a nice pop of color. And I love the regal wall paper in her bedroom which is fit for a queen.
6. If you could visit any fictional town, country, or realm from a film for your vacation, where would you go? Well, this one definitely presented a challenge, because there are several film places I wouldn’t mind spending my vacation including Bedford Falls and the auto court in Pillow to Post. But ultimately I had to go with  Camp Kare Free in Having Wonderful Time. I’ve always wanted to visit the Catskills. Since I always enjoyed summer camp as a kid, I think it would be great fun to have the same experience as an adult.
7. If a movie were going to be made of your life, what actor or actress would you want to play you? You can choose someone from any era.

   

   Though Eleanor Parker is absolutely beautiful and has a pleasant well-modulated voice, she also has a way of becoming the character she portrays. My life is not that interesting, but I know she could make it seem so.

8. When would you want your movie to be made, and by what studio? This doesn’t have to historically align with the actor or actress you chose to play the lead role. Hmm, seeing as how I love the look and feel of the 1960’s romantic comedies, I would love to see my life translated to that time by Universal who seemed to have the formula down for making these types of films a success.
9. To what classic actor or actress do you think you are the most comparable? This can be in terms of appearance, personality, or manner. Though I definitely don’t resemble Myrna Loy physically, I like to think I have a bit of her onscreen personality – a bit mischievous with a good sense of humor, I’m fairly easy going and not easily riled.
10. What is your favorite unseen character in a film? This can be someone who dies before the story begins or someone who is just discussed rather than actually seen. What actor or actress do you imagine in this role?  Can anyone argue that Rebecca from Daphne du Maurier’s novel of the same name has to be one of the most fascinating characters to never appear onscreen? She certainly grabs my attention.  I can envision Constance Bennett in this role. She’s slinky, sophisticated, selfish with a concealed edge of danger lurking beneath her surface.
11. If you could live in a movie for one day, which movie would you choose? Having finally recently seen the The Young Girls of Rochefort, I would love to spend a day inside it’s happy, musical cotton candy colored world, not to mention the the town’s fishbowl cafe.

My Nominees

I now nominate the following bloggers for the Sunshine Blogger Award. All of these are classic film bloggers I follow regularly and I encourage you to check out their sites if you haven’t already

1. Leah of  Cary Grant Won’t Eat You
2. Lê of Crítica Retrô
3. Rachel of Hamlette’s Soliloquy
4. Crystal of In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood
5. Maddy of Maddy Loves Her Classic Films
6. Michaela of Love Letters to Old Hollywood
7. Vincent of Carole & Co
8. Gabriela of Pale Writer
9. Phyl of Phyllis Loves Classic Movies
10. Paul –Silver Screen Classics
11. Emily of The Flapper Dame

My Eleven Questions

I can’t wait to hear their answers to the following eleven questions.

• What British or International film would you recommend to a friend who has never seen one?
•  Which classic film director do you prefer and what is your favorite of their films?
• Which character actor or actress do you think would have made a great lead?
• What child actor do you believe should have had success as an adult but didn’t?
• What film do you love, but dislike the ending?
• Whose onscreen wardrobe do you covet and would like to claim for your own?
• Which original film do you think could be improved as a remake and who would you cast?
• Which classic film actor or actress do you think would be successful in today’s film industry?
• What film trope do you never tire of seeing?
• If you could adapt a piece of classic literature that has not yet been made into a film, what book would you choose and who would you cast in the main roles?
• Which of today’s modern actors or actresses do you think would have been successful in classic films and why?

This has been so much fun. Thanks again to Tiffany!