Myra Breckinridge: Films mentioned in the novel (1968)
page #s refer to ISBN 0-349-10365-8
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- DirectorMichael SarneStarsMae WestJohn HustonRaquel WelchAfter undergoing gender reassignment surgery, an aspiring actress travels to Hollywood, where she also wants to make a claim on her wealthy uncle's estate.p.vii, in the 1993 introduction, Vidal claims not to have seen the film.
- DirectorHoward HughesEdmund GouldingJames WhaleStarsBen LyonJames HallJean HarlowBrothers Monte and Ray leave Oxford to join the Royal Flying Corps. Ray loves Helen; Helen enjoys an affair with Monte; before they leave on their mission over Germany they find her in still another man's arms.p5, Jean Harlow's bodice 4 min into 2nd reel
- DirectorRobert Z. LeonardStarsLana TurnerJames CraigJohn HodiakTheo has had many boyfriends who wanted to marry her. Since her mother, Mrs. Selworth, has been married many times, Theo is unsure of commitment. Without much thought, she finally accepts the proposal of Air Corps Lieutenant Tom West. After the honeymoon, Tom's father dies and Tom goes into the defense industry. When Theo has a baby, she hates the idea of being matronly and wants to be the old party girl. The problem is that her husband is working constantly. She looks to her friends, who are having their own problems, and to her old flame Captain Lancing. To decide on what she wants to do with her baby and her life, Theo must grow up.p10, 1st movie Myra saw; & Parker Tyler's book Magic and Myth of the Movies describing James Craig.
- DirectorOrson WellesFred FleckRobert WiseStarsTim HoltJoseph CottenDolores CostelloThe spoiled young heir to the decaying Amberson fortune comes between his widowed mother and the man she has always loved.p12, Tim Holt's derriere
Also states that Buck Loner was a singing cowboy up there with Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. - DirectorJames V. KernStarsAnn SheridanAlexis SmithJack CarsonWhile sharing a hotel suite during the World War II housing shortage in Washington, D.C., three friends discover that their respective marriages are not legally valid.p13, Ann Sheridan's low voice, 5th reel.
Also on that page, states Parker Tyler's theory that films are the unconscious expression of age-old human myths, and that no IRRELEVANT film was made in the US between 1935 and 1945, emphasis mine because I don't think that was the word used in the film. - DirectorKurt NeumannStarsJohnny WeissmullerBrenda JoyceJohnny SheffieldA group of archaeologists asks Tarzan to help them find an ancient city in a hidden valley of women. He refuses, but Boy is tricked into doing the job. The queen of the women asks Tarzan to help them.p14, Johnny Weissmuller's zaftig (glistening, overweight) body.
Also mentioned, without a film, Margaret Sullavan's vocal croak, and Brian Donlevy's narrow-eyed gazed when being asked about Akim Tamiroff. Buck Loner has a life-size color photo of Elvis Presley on his wall flanked by 2 American flags.
On p15: BL has a bronze bust of Pat Boone as the base of a lamp. - DirectorEdward BuzzellStarsLucille BallWilliam GaxtonVirginia WeidlerLucille Ball accepts a cadet's invitation to a military academy's senior prom in order to boost her career.p16, Myra learned the word jalopy from that film.
BL's Academy of Drama and Modeling has 1300 students and "mints money".
p21: BL mentions Gene Autry's eye for real estate, and describes the range of cowboy asses from Hoot Gibson to James Garner. - DirectorHenry HathawayStarsGary CooperFranchot ToneRichard CromwellThree British soldiers on the Northwest Frontier of India struggle against the enemy - and themselves.p26, Myra describing the boy with the Polish name (Rusty Godowski) as having long black lashes and curving mouth like Richard Cromwell. His gf (Mary Ann Pringle) is likened to Lupe Velez.
Also on this pg: "hate alone ... inspires us to action and makes for civilization. Look at Juvenal, Pope, Billy Wilder." - DirectorAlexander HallStarsRobert MontgomeryClaude RainsEvelyn KeyesBoxer Joe Pendleton dies 50 years too soon due to a heavenly mistake, and is given a new life as a millionaire playboy.p28, Myra claiming she's reborn like Robert Montgomery in this film.
Without naming film An American in Paris ('51), Myra says the Parisien cafe on the MGM lot looks just like Leslie Caron waiting for Gene Kelly.
p29: Andy Hardy's house. Ann Rutherford, Lewis Stone mentioned.
p30: mentions Gable, Garbo, Hepburn (K), Powell, Loy, Garland, Tracy, James Craig. The films of '35-'45 were the highpoint of Western culture.