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I Could Go on Singing (1963)
Calling All Garland Fans
The great Judy Garland in her final role. And what a role it is. She plays Jenny Bowman, a singer who gave up her son as a baby to its natural father, with the agreement she would never try to contact the child. Now years later the two are reunited, and . . . you guessed it, she want to meet the boy, now a teenager away at school.
What follows is great drama as only Judy could deliver, and wonderful songs as only Judy could sing. Dirk Bogarde plays the icy cool love interest torn between reuniting his family or keeping the secret. The boy doesn't know Bogarde is his real father either, he thinks his parents died and he was adopted as a baby.
Jack Klugman in a supporting role plays Judy's manager.
Since she plays a singer the songs are concert style. In other words she's not suddenly singing on a trolley or a train. This is a drama with Garland songs here and there. But they are great songs, "Hello Bluebird", "By Myself", and the title song, "I Could Go On Sining."
This is a must see for anyone, especially all Garland fans.
Grand Avenue (1996)
Whatever Happened To Deeny Dakota?
The promo reads "Around Every Corner in America There's a Story Waiting To Be Told." The story here is about native Americans. One family in particular.
Mollie moves her two teenage daughters, and her young son, to a new neighborhood when they are expelled from their Indian Reservation after the death of her husband.
With no where else to go she goes to her cousin Anna, who lives on Grand Avenue.
Mollie has a drinking problem, can't hold down a job and has demons from her past.
The oldest daughter, Justine (portrayed perfectly by the beautiful and talented Deeny Dakota,) is an angry and rebellious girl. However, she has redeeming qualities. She is vulnerable and right from the start it is apparent she is hiding this behind her toughness, sexuality and her edge.
Her sister, Alice, is more reserved and responsible. She's the one that looks after little brother, Sheldon.
It's about a rough neighborhood, and the different races there, Blacks and Latinos, too. The Black gang thinks the native Americans are Latino. The black girl gang want to cut Justine, because she was messin with one of their men. This is the new "West Side Story."
It's also a soap opera in many ways. Past secrets etc.
This story is excellent. Superbly written, if you can get past the F-word (but hey folks, that's the way they really talk.)
Originally this was a two part mini-series on HBO. It can be bought or rented in a two video set.
Filmed on location in Santa Rosa, CA and Produced by Robert Redford. Yes, the Robert Redford. It co-stars A. Martinez, most recently of "General Hospital," and Alexis Cruz of "Touched By An Angel."
But the real star of the show is Deeny Dakota. This is her character's story. And Miss Dakota is as fine an actress as there has ever been.
Valley of the Dolls (1967)
"They Should've Kept Her In A Straight Jacket!"
The "her" in the above quote is refering to Neely O'Hara (played superbly by Patty Duke) as she crashes rival Helen Lawson's publicity party for her new show.
This is the story of what happens when three "normal" young women move to NYC to seek their fame and fortune in show biz. Anne, the socialite turned glamour spokeswoman, Neely,the kid "who's really got it," (talent that is,) and Jennifer, the sex goddess. "Face it all I have is a body," she laments.
Dolls (in the title)refers to sleeping pills. However, the other dolls in this campy, cult, classic are portrayed by Barbara Parkins and Sharon Tate. But this is truly Patty Duke's picture. She's the real star!
This movie has it all. Drama (?) Comedy (unintentional.) Great big hairdos! Freaky fashions! Bad musical numbers! Cat fights! Love, Sex, Romance! Booze and Dope! Show Biz Rivalry! And MUCH, MUCH, MORE!!!
They don't make 'em like this anymore. Check it out!!
Dolls trivia: Judy Garland was signed to play Helen Lawson. It was speculated that Jacqueline Susann based the character of Neely O'Hara on Judy. Sadly, Judy was fired from the picture because of some personal problems and was replaced by Susan Hayward.
Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)
Better Than "Baby Jane"
A follow up to "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?" and originally to reteam co-stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.
I don't know why this is one of my favorite movies ever. It really isn't my genre. However, the fact that it takes place in a big old house with lots of old southern history, with all these inexplicable things going on - and that it's filmed in black and white, with wonderfully melodramatic acting just makes it irresistable. It truly is a moody, creepy, and (sorry) stylish yarn (I know that last description is over used.)
Charlotte, a Lizzie Bordon-ish woman, lives alone in the old house she once shared with her family. 38 years ago it was her married lover who died at the hands of a hatchet wielding fiend, during a big party. Was it Charlotte? It was never solved. The whole town thinks she did it and she's crazy. The children from the town even play around and in her house at night. They laugh at her and sing that song. "Chop, Chop, Sweet Charlotte .. ."
Agnes Moorehead plays Velma, the sharp tongued and very strange housekeeper. Joseph Cotton is the town Dr. and Charlotte's physician. Olivia DeHavilland is cousin Miriam, "Comin' home after all these years."
Olivia DeHavilland replaced Joan Crawford (due to mysterious circumstances.) I believe this probably made the picture better, too.
Mary Astor plays Jewel Mayhew, the widow of the slain, and whom Charlotte has been recieving nasty notes and letters from ever since. Or has she?
You must see this picture! It seems slow at times, but it's all necessary to the story, so stick with it. in the end you will be
deliciously pleased.
You may even find yourself walking around in the dark alone late at night and calling out a past love's name.
Remember the Night (1939)
Charming, Sentimental Christmas Comedy
When you think of holiday classics you might not think of "Remember The Night." You may have never even heard of it. But it is a must see and as good as "Miracle on 34th St." or "It's a Wonderful life."
Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck star perfectly together (before they re-temed for "Double Indemnity.")
He is a prosecutor for the district attorney, she a shoplifter who gets caught stealing some jewelry just before Christmas. With the Christmas weekend holiday approaching, he arranges her bail so she won't be locked up over the holiday. Thinking he only did this so she would, um you know ... she shows up at his apartment as he is preparing to go home for the holiday. He convinces her that he's not after her uh ... you know.
Over dinner they discover they are both from Idaho, "how'd you like to go home for Christmas?. he asks her. He offers to drop her off at her folks on the way to his.
A road trip, comedy, drama, funny and likable supporting characters, and love and tears follow. Also, a wonderful moral to the story. All this without bit of sex, a word of profanity, violence or an explosion. This picture is for all ages. It won't offend or insult anyone.
Don't miss it.
Remember the Night (1939)
Charming, Sentimental Christmas Comedy
When you think of holiday classics you might not think of "Remember The Night." You may have never even heard of it. But it is a must see and as good as "Miracle on 34th St." or "It's a Wonderful life."
Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck star perfectly together (before they re-temed for "Double Indemnity.")
He is a prosecutor for the district attorney, she a shoplifter who gets caught stealing some jewelry just before Christmas. With the Christmas weekend holiday approaching, he arranges her bail so she won't be locked up over the holiday. Thinking he only did this so she would, um you know ... she shows up at his apartment as he is preparing to go home for the holiday. He convinces her that he's not after her uh ... you know.
Over dinner they discover they are both from Idaho, "how'd you like to go home for Christmas?. he asks her. He offers to drop her off at her folks on the way to his.
A road trip, comedy, drama, funny and likable supporting characters, and love and tears follow. Also, a wonderful moral to the story. All this without bit of sex, a word of profanity, violence or an explosion. This picture is for all ages. It won't offend or insult anyone.
Don't miss it.