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| Barbara Stanwyck |
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| Ginger Rogers |
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| Bette Davis |
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| Tom Cruise |
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| Sean Connery |
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| Alain Delon |
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| Mary Astor |
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| Audrey Hepburn |
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| Audrey Hepburn |
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| Faye Dunaway |
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| Warren Beatty |
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| Natalie Wood |
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| Gregory Peck |
😎 Happy National Sunglasses Day!
🌟Classic Off-Screen Quotes: Donald Sutherland
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| “I don't get impressed. I admire. I love. But I do not get impressed. It's a fault” |
🛣️ Road Trip! Now Ain't That a Kick in the Head?- Dean Martin's Hometown Steubenville
“I don't mind being a legend."
Born in Steubenville, Ohio on June 8, 1917, Dino Paul Crocetti aka Dean Martin was also known as "The King of Cool",. A multi-talented American performer of the mid-20th century. He first rose to fame in 1946 alongside his partner Jerry Lewis in their act, Martin and Lewis. They entertained audiences in nightclubs, radio, television, and film, quickly becoming one of the most beloved duos of their time. Since the passing of Martin in 1995, Steubenville has paid tribute to him each year with an annual festival held in June. Attendees can enjoy tribute concerts, participate in singing competitions, and have the opportunity to meet Deana Martin, daughter of Martin.
A while back, I had the desire to attend Martin's town festival. Unfortunately, my boyfriend and I arrived late and missed out on all the excitement that took place over the weekend. The house where he was born has been torn down, leaving behind a field filled with weeds and trash. This once lively area now stands as just another empty plot of land in a city full of abandoned houses. Similarly, the elementary and middle schools he went to have also been shut down. The church where he was baptized and participated in Scouts with other sons of Italian immigrants has suffered the same fate and now sits empty on South 7th.
Luckily, we stumbled upon the bakery where Martin used to grab his favorite hot rolls and Italian bread after a night out. With its limited hours, we weren't sure if it was open or not. An older gentleman saw our confusion and kindly guided us inside. We ended up buying a loaf of fresh bread, a lovely reminder of the memories Martin must have had at that bakery.
We decided to ask him some questions about it. Curious about why I was in Steubenville, I mentioned my love for classic Hollywood stars. To our surprise, he started chatting animatedly about Dean, sharing his vast knowledge with us. We were completely captivated. He revealed why he knew so much about Dean. He was the former mayor of Steubenville for 25 years, Domenick Mucci Jr.! After learning of Dean Martin's passing on December 25, 1995, Mucci made it his mission to find a way to honor one of Steubenville's most beloved native sons. So the Dean Martin Committee was formed, leading to the creation of the Dean Martin Festival!
Before we left him, he lent me his Focaccia bread to pose with for a photo I just wish I had remembered to snap a photo with him too. Now ain't that a kick in the head!?
We also checked out The Visitors Center, which offers a "Dean Martin: Boyhood Footsteps" walking tour and a State Historical Marker. A bronze statue will be unveiled there soon.
I even got a photo in front of the fantastic Dean Martin mural painted by the talented artist Robert Dever on the side of the Kroger grocery store. The mural captures Martin in his element, with additional panels featuring Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr. In 1951, Dean and Sammy visited Steubenville, followed by a parade in their honor.
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I
had a lovely time in Steubenville! Despite missing the festival, it was
a wonderful surprise to bump into the person behind the Martin tribute.
It made my visit worthwhile.
I
had a lovely time in Steubenville! Despite missing the festival, it was
a wonderful surprise to bump into the person behind the Martin tribute.
It made my visit worthwhile.
I had a lovely time in Steubenville! Despite missing the festival, it was a wonderful surprise to bump into the person behind the Martin tribute. It made our visit worthwhile.
🎥 Review: Neptune's Daughter (1949)
"I'd like to tell you a story about a guy, a girl, and a bathing suit"
Neptune's
Daughter, a delightful technicolor musical romantic comedy film, is
celebrating its 75th anniversary. It was released on this very day in
1949 by MGM. This colorful masterpiece stars the talented Esther
Williams, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalbán, Betty Garrett, Keenan Wynn,
Xavier Cugat, Xavier Cugat, and Mel Blanc. Directed by Edward Buzzell,
it introduced the Academy Award-winning song "Baby, It's Cold Outside"
by Frank Loesser sung by the four main actors.
I found the film to be a fun and engaging watch, a perfect distraction for some entertainment.
Plot:
Swimmer-turned-entrepreneur Eve Barrett teams up with her pal Joe
Backett to run a chic swimsuit business. When Eve's sister Betty starts
swooning over a smooth South American polo player named Jose O'Rourke,
Eve steps in to steer her away. Little does Eve know, that Betty is
actually smitten with Jack Spratt, a masseuse pretending to be Jose. To
shield her sister from heartache, Eve tracks down the real Jose and
agrees to a date. But in a surprising twist, Eve ends up catching
feelings too.
The
film requires you to overlook the absurd plot elements (such as someone
confusing Skelton with a South American polo star) and just go along
with it. I repeatedly watch the movie solely to admire the vibrant
swimsuits and the beautiful wardrobe worn by Williams. Interestingly,
this film is responsible for popularizing the timeless Christmas
favorite, and Academy Award-winning song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by
Frank Loesser sung by the four main actors. Contrary to misguided
beliefs, this song is not promoting date rape. I really enjoyed the way
the song's lyrics were showcased in two different ways. In the first
duet, Montalban and Williams, Montalban pursues Williams. On the other
hand, in the duet between Garrett and Skelton, Garrett takes on the role
of the pursuer while Skelton defends himself. The version with the
main leads follows a more traditional and romantic approach, whereas the
duet with the supporting leads is filled with humor.
Williams
portrays a swimsuit designer in the movie and later drew inspiration
from the swimwear designs featured in the film to create her own line of
swimsuits.
When
Williams was filming the movie, she was actually pregnant with her
first child, so her swimming scenes are a bit calmer than you might
expect. Instead, the "chorus" is the one doing all the cool sliding and
diving stunts at the end, while Esther watches from a platform above,
cheering them on.
Williams
and Montalban, had co-starred in two movies together before this one:
Fiesta (1947) and On An Island with You (1948). Williams had also
collaborated with Red Skelton previously. He was her co-star in her
first major film, Bathing Beauty (1944) (and had a small role in Duchess
of Idaho, and starred alongside Williams in Texas Carnival (1951)).
Williams had recently finished filming a movie with Garrett, Take Me Out
to the Ball Game, which was released just two months before Neptune's
Daughter.
We Remember and Honor 🇺🇸 Glenn Miller
"Next
to Letters from Home, the Major Glenn Miller Army Air Force band was
the greatest morale builder in the ETO (European Theater of
Operations)."--Lt. Gen James "Jimmy" Dolittle, Eighth Air Force Commander
[Exhibit Video I captured during my visit to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio]
In
1942, famed band leader and trombonist Glenn Miller volunteered for
service in the Army Air Forces. Miller organized some of the most
talented dance musicians of the era into what became known as the "Glenn
Miller Army Air Force Band." In 1944, the band transferred to the UK to
boost morale for homesick military personnel. While there, the band
made more than 350 appearances—which were eagerly attended by 1,250,000
service members —and more than 500 radio broadcasts.
On
December 15, 1944, Miller took off on a flight to Paris in a UC-64 to
make arrangements to move the band to France. For unknown reasons, the
aircraft crashed somewhere in the English Channel. Although Miller was
lost, his band continued touring until the end of 1945.
The
Glenn Miller Band was the top-selling recording group from 1939 to
1942. Within four years, Miller achieved 16 number-one singles and 69
top-10 hits, surpassing the success of icons such as Elvis Presley and
the Beatles throughout their entire careers. Miller and his band were
featured in the films Sun Valley Serenade and Orchestra Wives, both
produced by Twentieth Century Fox. In the 1954 biographical film The
Glenn Miller Story, actor James Stewart depicted Miller's life and
musical career. Miller is acknowledged as a pioneer of modern military
bands in the United States.
He voluntarily enlisted in the US military
in 1942 to provide entertainment for troops during World War II,
ultimately serving in the US Army Air Forces. Following established
military protocol, a year and a day after his disappearance, Miller was
officially declared deceased since his body could not be recovered. As a
tribute, a memorial headstone was placed at Arlington National Cemetery
in Virginia, operated by the US Army. In February 1945, he was
posthumously honored with the Bronze Star Medal.
🌟Classic Off-Screen Quotes: Elizabeth Taylor
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“I, along with the critics, have never taken myself very seriously.” — Elizabeth Taylor |
🎥 Review: Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965)
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to violence, the word and the act. This rapacious new breed prowls both alone and in packs, operating at any level, any time, anywhere, and with anybody. Who are they? One might be your secretary, your doctor's receptionist... or a dancer in a go-go club!
As the movie title song by the California band, the Bostweeds plays and the opening credits roll, our trio of go-go dancers hit the road, driving like crazy! It's a killer beginning that sets the wild vibe for the rest of the film.
The
movie starts with a rad radio-style intro that cautions about the risks
of women like your secretary, doctor's receptionist, or even a go-go
dancer. As the movie title song by the California band, the Bostweeds,
plays and the opening credits roll, the women hit the road, driving like
crazy! It's a killer beginning that sets the wild vibe for the rest of
the movie. 🎥🔥
The
movie starts with a rad radio-style intro that cautions about the risks
of women like your secretary, doctor's receptionist, or even a go-go
dancer. As the movie title song by the California band, the Bostweeds,
plays and the opening credits roll, the women hit the road, driving like
crazy! It's a killer beginning that sets the wild vibe for the rest of
the movie. 🎥🔥
The
movie starts with a rad radio-style intro that cautions about the risks
of women like your secretary, doctor's receptionist, or even a go-go
dancer. As the movie title song by the California band, the Bostweeds,
plays and the opening credits roll, the women hit the road, driving like
crazy! It's a killer beginning that sets the wild vibe for the rest of
the movie. 🎥🔥
The
movie starts with a rad radio-style intro that cautions about the risks
of women like your secretary, doctor's receptionist, or even a go-go
dancer. As the movie title song by the California band, the Bostweeds,
plays and the opening credits roll, the women hit the road, driving like
crazy! It's a killer beginning that sets the wild vibe for the rest of
the movie. 🎥🔥
Directed by Russ Meyer and co-written by Meyer and Jack Moran.
Cast: Tura Satana, Haji, Lori Williams, Ray Barlow, Sue Bernard, Dennis Busch, Stuart Lancaster, Paul Trinka.
Even if you're not too familiar with Russ Meyer's movies, just hearing his name probably gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect: lots of violence and plenty of cleavage. And you'd be right on the money with that guess.
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| Susan Bernard |
Go-Go dancers Varla, Rosie, and Billie are out causing trouble in the desert, as they do. When they come across a young couple, things take a dangerous turn. Varla ends up taking out the boyfriend, Tommy, and the girls decide to kidnap Sue Bernard as Linda, the girlfriend. They hear about an old man with cash hidden at his ranch, and Varla's greed leads them to head over there with Linda in tow. However, the old man isn't as harmless as they thought, and getting the cash won't be as easy as they expected. But these ladies are tough and ready for a fight, so they won't give up without a struggle.
Faster, Pussycat! was made on a small budget of around $45,000 and filmed in black and white to cut costs.
Many initially viewed the film as a sexist B movie, leading to mixed reviews and underwhelming box office performance. Despite its initial lackluster performance, it eventually gained recognition as an iconic counterculture film celebrating female empowerment in contrast to the prevalent themes of masculine power in cinema. This influential film served as a major inspiration for Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof.
Renowned feminist film critic B. Ruby Rich initially expressed strong disapproval towards Faster, Pussycat! when she viewed it in the 1970s, deeming it a misogynistic film that objectified women and bordered on being soft-core. Yet, upon revisiting the film in the early 1990s, her perspective shifted drastically. Rich came to appreciate Faster, cat! and even wrote a comprehensive piece in The Village Voice reevaluating the movie and reflecting on her change of heart.
"I never try anything. I just do it. And I don't beat clocks, just people! Wanna try me?"
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| Tura Satana |
Tura Satana as Varla steals the show with her electrifying performance as the pack's leader. With her striking high-arched brows her choice of skin-tight pants and a black v-neck that plunges, she exudes confidence. It's worth mentioning that Satana, a skilled martial artist holding a green belt in aikido and black belts in karate, judo, and kendo, took charge of the fight scenes. She explained that she had to personally carry each of her opponents to make the fights look realistic since no one else knew how to do them. She even had to lay one guy on the floor because he was afraid of getting hurt. Varla's strength and determination shine through in every scene.
Haji as Rosie stands out as the most clever and analytical of the three dancers.
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| Haji |
Varla, on the other hand, is portrayed as a power-hungry psychopath who is only interested in asserting her dominance.
She provides an interesting contrast to Lori Williams as Billie, who simply wants to enjoy herself.
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| Lori Williams |
However, both Varla and Billie share a lack of concern for the future, unlike Rosie who offers sound advice that neither of them heeds.
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| Dennis Busch as the Vegetable & Stuart Lancaster as The Old Man |
On the opposite side of the spectrum, we have Kirk, the elderly son of the Old man, portrayed by Paul Trinka. Kirk's dedication to his family has led his father to plot against him, and he is belittled for his love of reading.
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| Paul Trinka |
Despite his efforts to mitigate his father's harmful actions, Kirk ultimately finds himself striving to protect the kidnapped girl Linda from both his father and Varla. This character dynamic reveals a deep concern for familial loyalty and the value of protecting those in need.
It's worth noting that Kirk also has a not-so-healthy attraction to Varla. When Varla seduces him for information about the old man's hidden money, Kirk delivers some of the most memorable lines in the entire film. He compares Varla to his father in many ways before confessing,
“Because you’re a beautiful animal. And I’m weak, and I want you.”
However, Kirk's character isn't a tragic one like Rosie's because he ultimately breaks free from his attraction to Varla and actively opposes her. Speaking of Rosie (Haji), Varla's right-hand woman, she's a complex character as well. Despite initially arguing in favor of killing Linda, the kidnapped young girl, Rosie never actually goes through with it. The only time she causes harm is when she unintentionally runs over the old man. The film makes it clear that Rosie's actions are driven by love for Varla, making her the true tragic figure in the story.
In a rather controversial manner, feminism was a constant presence throughout the film. However, it wasn't the typical kind that was expected, even considering the period. Instead, it showcased a genuine appreciation for women beyond their sexual appeal. The three main characters, who happen to be female villains, are determined to lead independent lives, free from the constraints imposed by men. The catalyst for the story involves a woman defeating a man through a fair display of skills, rather than relying on seduction to secure victory. These women actively pursue sexual pleasure while maintaining their autonomy.
Lastly, the messed up situation at the center of the film is a direct result of toxic masculinity and the oppressive nature of patriarchy. Even the initial portrayal of disability, which may seem inaccurate, serves as a commentary on the dangers of societal conditioning and the importance of breaking free from its chains.
I truly appreciate the fact that this film is constantly engaging, with so much happening throughout that time just flies by. Every minute of the hour and twenty-minute runtime is packed with banter that is cheesy but memorable, the fight scenes are solid. car chases provocative scenes, and some truly unique character development allowing the talented cast to showcase their acting skills. With only two 'good' characters, the rest are portrayed as despicable, each revealing their sins gradually. The development of character relationships and the girls' pecking order was intriguing to watch.
If you're into trashy/exploitative cinema like Grindhouse and Giallo films, then this movie is right up your alley. I found it enjoyable from beginning to end. While it does toe the line between feminism and misogyny, it's fine if it's not your cup of tea. If it makes you uncomfortable, just skip it. But if you can handle it, go for it, this movie is a wild ride. For those who embrace it, it's pure fun with non-stop excitement. It's unapologetic about its intentions and challenges you to keep up - so buckle up and enjoy the ride!
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