Classic Film Review -Star of Midnight (1935)

Star of Midnight SUMMARY

When a friend approaches attorney Clay Dalzell requesting his help in finding a missing young woman, Dal reluctantly agrees. Before this amateur detective can even begin, long time friend and wannbe girlfriend Donna Mantin also requests his help retrieving some incriminating letters from a local gangster. That same evening a masked actress disappears from the theater after being recognized and Dal’s friend is shot in Dal’s apartment.

Dal must try to piece together the various puzzle pieces of these seemingly unconnected events while also fending off Donna’s amorous advances. But Dal is more accommodating towards Donna’s sleuthing efforts and allows her to help him investigate. No sooner do they discover a clue, but it turns up more questions. Will Dal and Donna crack this case or will it crack them? Continue reading “Classic Film Review -Star of Midnight (1935)”

Top Ten Tuesday -Books On My Winter TBR

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR

Hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish

I still haven’t read all the books on my Spring/Summer TBR list. And now it is time to make the list for this winter. Sigh…so many books, so little time.

The Awakening (Book 7 in the Age of Faith Series)-This one has no cover or specific release date. But rest assured as soon as it is available, I will be binge reading this latest book from one of my favorite authors. I adore her Medieval romances. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday -Books On My Winter TBR”

Foreign Film Friday -Mr. & Mrs. Murder (2013)

SUMMARY

Charlie and Nicola Buchanan are a happily married couple who also happen to work as crime scene cleaners. Their business allows them to feed their interest in solving crimes as amateur detectives. Aided by their niece Jess, they put their deductive reasoning and observations skills to good use as they work with local detective and friend Peter Vinetti to gather evidence that the police might not otherwise obtain. Continue reading “Foreign Film Friday -Mr. & Mrs. Murder (2013)”

It Takes a Thief Blogathon -Trouble in Paradise (1932)

Unlike in real life, in the cinematic world, thieves are usually lovable rogues thanks to their charm, intelligence and ingenuity. I blame Ernst Lubitsch. Long before we knew the names of John Robie, Thomas Crown or Danny Ocean, Lubitsch introduced us to the ideal image of a suave international thief in Trouble in Paradise.

SUMMARY

Our first introduction to Gaston Monescu (Herbert Marshall) comes just after a wealthy guest in a Venetian hotel has been robbed of 20,000 francs. Gaston, masquerading as a Baron, waits in a nearby hotel room for his dinner date, instructing a waiter on how to arrange the dinner. Before leaving to complete his instructions, the waiter picks a leaf off of Gaston’s dinner jacket. This is our first clue that Gaston is not all he seems.

Cue the arrival of Lily (Miriam Hopkins), a glamorous blonde claiming the title of Countess. She enters bemoaning the gossip of her peers, which will soon disclose her private dinner date with the Baron. But Lily is not what she appears to be either. Over dinner, the two confront each other over their real identities while also preening with pride over their skills as they reveal what they have stolen from each other. However, it’s not just wallets, watches and garters which are stolen this night, but hearts. It seems light fingers serve as an aphrodisiac. Gaston and Lily are instantly smitten. Continue reading “It Takes a Thief Blogathon -Trouble in Paradise (1932)”

Top Ten Tuesday -Favorite Films of My Childhood

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books I Want My Future Children to Read (Or nieces and nephews, Godchildren, etc.)

Hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish

I’m deviating a bit from this week’s prompt. I have been an avid reader since I was about four years old, so I read plenty of books in my childhood. But when I think back, the stories that stick out the most in my memory are those from the films I watched. These are movies that I love to recommend not just to the children in my life but also adults. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday -Favorite Films of My Childhood”

Clark Gable Blogathon – A Free Soul (1931)

FILM SUMMARY

Not only are Stephen (Lionel Barrymore) and Jan Ashe (Norma Shearer) father and daughter, but they comprise a team of two against the world. Stephen has raised his daughter to think for herself, stand on her own two feet and to live free of the trappings of his high society family.

Stephen’s work as a criminal defense attorney introduces the independent Jan to gangster Ace Wilfong (Clark Gable). Their instant attraction causes Jan to end her engagement to her long-suffering and faithful fiancé Dwight Winthrop (Leslie Howard). Jan’s obsession with Ace blinds her to his true character. But even still she keeps their relationship hidden from her father. When Ace pushes for marriage, Jan balks. But her hand is forced when her drunken father finds her in Ace’s apartment late one night.

Jan’s shame is only outweighed by her concern for her father. She strikes a bargain with him that she will stop seeing Ace if he will quit drinking. She is scared that he is close to ruining not only his career, but his life with his addiction to alcohol. Stephen very reluctantly agrees. Will father and daughter be able to keep their bargain or will their individual addictions ruin their lives? Continue reading “Clark Gable Blogathon – A Free Soul (1931)”

Eve Arden Blogathon -The Voice of the Turtle (1947)

I’ve been on a bit of an Eleanor Parker kick this year. So I chose to watch The Voice of the Turtle for her sake. However, when Eve Arden came onscreen I finished it for hers. But then, who can blame me? Eve Arden has always been a scene stealer.

SUMMARY

Originally a popular Broadway play, The Voice of the Turtle (also titled One for the Book) was adapted for film in 1947 starring Parker, Arden and the pre-political Ronald Reagan. Parker is the innocently sweet Sally Middleton who has been disillusioned in love. She is the opposite of her good friend Olive (Arden) who has no problem dating up all the various soldiers who come through New York on their weekend furloughs. Continue reading “Eve Arden Blogathon -The Voice of the Turtle (1947)”

Book Review -The Girl Who Chased the Moon

The girl who chased the moon SUMMARY

After her mother’s death, Emily Benedict moves south to Mullaby, North Carolina to live with the grandfather she never knew she had. But soon upon her arrival she notices some oddities about the town, not the least of which is her literal giant of a grandfather. Perhaps the worst, is the way many in the town respond to her. Their responses seem tied to her mother’s history in Mullaby. They leave Emily with more questions than answers about her mother’s past.

While Emily has just arrived, her adult neighbor Julia, is counting down the days until she can leave. She returned to Mullaby upon her father’s death.  Emily has been managing his famous barbecue restaurant until she can earn enough to pay off the mortgage and sell the business. Julia’s dream is to open her own bakery, but she tells no one the reason why. Her last six months can’t pass quickly enough, especially when a man with whom she shares a tragic history starts pursuing her. Continue reading “Book Review -The Girl Who Chased the Moon”

Classic Film Review -Light in the Piazza

I have a shameful confession to make. Although I adore classic films, I’m a bit of a snob about it too.  As a general rule I prefer black and white pre-war (that’s WWII) pictures. I like them even better if they are comedies. Although I have found some movies which don’t meet my criteria, generally these types of films are my first choice. So, a movie such as Light in the Piazza, a drama set in Florence in the 1960’s in full color is just the type of film I put off watching. But after finally giving it a chance, I found out just how much personal prejudices can be wrong. And I’ve never been more glad.

SUMMARY

Mother and daughter, Meg and Clara Johnson, are newly arrived in Florence from North Carolina. They are there to see the historical sights. But unbeknownst to Clara, this open ended vacation is all for her benefit. Because of an accident when she was young Clara has the mental capabilities of a ten year old but the body of a grown woman. She attracts men, but her innocent exuberance towards them leaves her vulnerable. After an incident with the grocery man, her mother whisks her away as a means of escape.

While in Florence the Johnson women meet a handsome young Italian man by the name of Fabrizio Naccarelli who is instantly smitten with the pretty blonde Clara. The attraction is mutual, but Clara’s naivety concerns Meg who does everything she can to keep the two apart.  She becomes even more worried when Fabrizio’s father encourages the relationship. Able to see that Clara and Fabrizio truly love each other she decides to separate them. Meg drags Clara with her to Rome where she has arranged for her husband to meet them. But after a conversation with her husband and witnessing Clara’s despair, Meg is left with a very important choice to make.

To read my full review, please follow me over to The Silver Petticoat Review.

 

Top Ten Tuesday -Women Who Lead

Today’s Topic: Ten Characters Who Would Make Great Leaders (Leaders of what? That’s your decision. Who could lead a country, an army, a book club, a classroom, etc. Or maybe characters that would be trendsetters?)

Hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish

I’ll admit today’s topic had me stumped for a bit. But then I decided to have fun with it and just play off the word lead. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday -Women Who Lead”