The Hoodlum Saint (1947) - Star of the month... Angela Lansbury

'The Hoodlum Saint' is a 1946 romantic drama directed by Norman Taurog and starring William Powell, Esther Williams and Angela Lansbury with Rags Ragland, Lewis Stone, Frank McHugh, James Gleason and Slim Summerville.

Set in Baltimore in 1919, immediately after World War I. Major Terry O'Neill (played by Powell) returns home from the war, and finds the job he left as a newspaper editor is no longer waiting for him. Jobless and broke, Terry decides to crash a society wedding in order to try and make some connections and secure himself a job. At the wedding he meets and finds himself randomly kissing Kay Lorrison (played by Williams). After taking a job in New York, Terry finds himself torn between Kay and nightclub singer Dusty Millard (played by Lansbury).

Did you know...

• Although Angela Lansbury could sing, her singing in the film was dubbed by Doreen Tryden

Musical program

Angela Lansbury (dubbed by Doreen Tryden) performs 2 songs in the film:

• "If I Had You"
• "How Am I To Know?" 

Closing remarks

A below average romance from the 1940s has a few funny moments, but overall is nothing special. It is disappointing to see Angela Lansbury's singing dubbed once again - despite the fact Lansbury could sing quite well.  The other disappointment is the absence of Esther Williams' trademark swimming pool.

Life With Father (1947) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

"I won't have my life arranged for me. I bought this house for my own comfort. I will not submit myself to this indignity!" - William Powell (as Clarence Day Sr. in 'Life With Father')

'Life With Father' is a 1947 comedy directed by Michael Curtiz and stars William Powell, Irene Dunne, Elizabeth Taylor, Edmund Gwenn, ZaSu Pitts, Jimmy Lydon, Martin Milner and Clara Blandick. The film's screenplay was written by Donald Ogden Stewart, who adapted the play by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, who based the play on the autobiography of Clarence Day Jr.

Clarence Day Sr. (played by Powell) lives with his wife Vinnie (played by Dunne) and his five children. Clarence Sr. wants to be the man of the house, however finds he has little control with his wife making many of the decisions. Once it is discovered Clarence Sr. was never baptised as a child, Vinnie is devastated and has concerns she and Clarence may not be legally married, and she will forced to spend an eternity in heaven without him. After Vinnie tries forcing Clarence to be baptised, things get a little too much and Clarence is forced to put his foot down.

Public domain film

'Life with Father' is considered to be in the public domain. This means the either film's copyright was not renewed and expired, or the film was never copyrighted (as it's not listed in the Catalog of Copyright Entires). As a result, the film has been released by many different budget VHS/DVD distributors, who often use inferior quality copies. Sadly MGM is yet to release a high quality DVD print of this film.

Did you know...

• Mary Pickford was originally meant to make her big screen comeback as Vinnie Day in this film - MGM was concerned about her box office popularity after a 13 year screen absence, so director Michael Curtiz decided to use Irene Dunne
• William Powell & Irene Dunne had first wanted top-billing in this film and as a compromise half of the prints listed Irene Dunne, and the other half listed William Powell first - Either version alternated each day in cinemas, as did newspaper advertisements
• The original play ran from 1939 to 1947, and with 3224 performances it is still the longest-running non-musical play on Broadway, and the fifteenth longest-running play ever (as of October 2012)
• Due to the Hays Production Code, the last line from the play "I'm going to be baptized, dammit!" was unable to used in the film, leading to the line being rewritten as simply "I'm going to be baptized!"
• Aside from the color scenes in 'Leathernecking' (1930), this was Irene Dunne's only colour film

Awards & nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a leading role (William Powell)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction-Set Direction, color (Robert M. Haas & George James Hopkins)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography, color (J. Peverell Marley & William V. Skall)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Music, scoring of a dramatic or comedy picture (Max Steiner)
• Globe Globe Award winner for Best Score, Motion Picture
• New York Film Critics Circle Award winner for Best Actor (William Powell)

Closing remarks

I remember first watching this film when I was 14 years old, and remember enjoying it a lot, but I couldn't quite remember why. I watched the film again the other day and enjoyed it just as much as I did first time, and I realised why I couldn't remember. There is no particular reason why I enjoyed watching this film - almost everything about the entire film is enjoyable.

William Powell delivers an exceptional performance, and in my opinion one of his best.  Elizabeth Taylor is amusing supporting role as Mary, a girl whom Clarence Jr. becomes infatuated with.

If you have two hours to spare, I strongly recommend watching this film. Other than the poor quality of the print, I guarantee you will laugh yourself silly and won't be disappointed.

It's a Big Country (1951) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

'It's a Big Country' is a  1951 anthology film, comprised of eight individual segments celebrating the beauty and diversity of America.

Directed by Clarence Brown, Don Hartman, John Sturges, Richard Thorpe, Charles Vidor, Don Weis and William A. Wellman, the film is narrated by Louis Calhern.

The actors (referred to as citizens) include Leon Ames, Ethel Barrymore, Keefe  Brasselle, Gary Cooper, Nancy Davis, Van Johnson, Gene Kelly, Janet Leigh, Sharon MacManus, Marjorie Main, Fredric March, George Murphy, William Powell, S.Z. Sakall, Lewis Stone, James Whitmore and Keenan Wynn.

I have structured this blog post into segments, according to how the film is structured, discussing each segment in turn.

Segment #1 - 

Whilst on a train to New York, New York, Mr. Stacey (played by Whitmore) meets a Professor (played by Powell), and tells him he loves America. The Professor asks "Which America?", and goes on to teach Mr. Stacey about the diversity of America. Mr. Stacey learns America is politically, religiously, and culturally diverse, and always evolving. The segment ends as Mr. Stacey walks into the dining cart, and meets an elderly woman (played by Elisabeth Risdon), who says she loves America. Mr. Stacey asks her "Which America?". Although the segment ends there, it is obvious Mr. Stacey will use this an opportunity to pass on the knowledge which he has just acquired.  This opening segment sets the scene for what is to come in subsequent segments.

Segment #2

Set in Boston, the city of great American tradition and Paul Revere. Mrs. Brian Patrick Riordan (played by Barrymore) travels to her local newspaper to meet with the Managing Editor, Mr. Callaghan (played by Murphy) to report she was not captured in the recent census. At 74 years of age, Mrs. Riordan is concerned she may not be alive for the next census in ten years time.  With the help of reporter Michael Fisher (played by Wynn), Mrs. Riordan is visited by a government official for inclusion in the census.

This segment focuses on the Irish American community of America, and also demonstrates the importance of participating in the census.

Ethel Barrymore delivers one of her finest performances in her brief appearance in this film.

Segment #3

We are then taken through a who's who of successful African Americans, athletes and entertainers including Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Eddie Anderson and Ethel Waters.

Gene Kelly as Icarus Xenophon

This segment is very different to the others, in that there is no storyline or plot. It is simply a patriotic narration with images of successful African Americans. Considering the degree of African-American segregation in the early 1950's, I would be very interested to have been a fly on the wall during initial screenings of this film to witness the audience reaction, particularly in the Southern states.

Segment #4

In the next segment we meet Hungarian American Stefan Szabo (played by Sakall) and his six daughters. Stefan has a prejudice against Greeks, which becomes an issue for his eldest daughter Rosa (played by Leigh), who has fallen in love with Greek American Icarus Xenophon (played by Kelly).

Janet Leigh as Rosa Szabo

This segment serves as a parable for immigrants, that they should leave any ancient grudges behind when they arrive in America. A message still relevant in today's society.

Everyone's favourite Hungarian American S.Z. Sakall is perfectly cast as Stefan Szabo. Even in a dramatic role, Sakall makes as laugh.

Segment #5

 Mrs. Wrenley (played by Marjorie Main), is visited by
Sgt. Maxie Klein (played by Keefe Brasselle)

a tour of the armed forces,  soldiers, sailors, marines and the airforce

Sgt. Maxie Klein (played by Brasselle) visits Mrs. Wrenley (played by Main), the  mother of his war buddy Jack, who was killed in action.

It is interesting seeing Marjorie Main in a serious dramatic role.

Segment #6

We travel deep in the heart of Texas, where we meet a cowboy named Texas (played by Cooper). In this very short segment, Texas talks about the state of Texas, and myth busts rumours and perceptions of the other 47 states. 

When watching this film, it's important to remember in 1951 there were only 48 states in the USA. In 1959, Alaska became the 49th state.

Segment #7

Rev. Adam Burch (played by Johnson) takes on a new congragation, and receives constructive feedback by a Church sexton (played by Stone). As a result of taking on this feedback, the Reverend becomes a greater pasteur.

Segment #8

Joseph Esposito (played by Bobby Hyatt) is told by his teacher, Miss Coleman (played by Davis) that he needs glasses. His strict Italian American father, Joe Esposito (played by March) refuses to believe his son needs glasses and opposes Miss Coleman's recommendation.

Closing remarks

Although the content of the eight segments are a little dated, not surprisingly the messages contained within each segment are still relevant in today's society of discrimination and segregation.

The only criticism I have on this film is the sugar coated endings to each segment are often unrealistic and difficult to believe, however I appreciate this is the intention of the filmmakers to convey the messages.

How to Marry a Millionaire (1954) - Star of the month... Marilyn Monroe

How to Marry a Millionaire is a 1954 romantic comedy starring Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable as three fortune hunting women plotting to trap eligible bachelors William Powell, Rory Calhoun, Cameron Mitchell, David Wayne, Fred Clark and Alexander D'Arcy. The film is directed by Jean Negulesco and written/produced by Nunnally Johnson.


The film is best known as the first film ever to be filmed in CinemaScope widescreen, and the second CinemaScope film to be released. It was also the first colour film to be shown on network television in the US.

Marilyn plays near sighted blonde bimbo
Pola Debevoise

Schatze Page (played by Bacall), Loco Dempsey (played by Grable) and Pola Debevoise (played by Monroe) rent a luxurious penthouse apartment owned by Freddie Denmark (played by Wayne), who is avoiding authorities. They believe renting the apartment will help them find, trap and marry eligible millionaires with hilarious consequences.


Marilyn is typecast as a ditsy blonde bimbo who can't see without her glasses. Afraid men will not be interested in her if she wears her glasses, she risks her safety by taking them off and walking into walls.


The three leading ladies wear glamourous costumes designed by William Travilla.

Musical score

The film's musical score is by Alfred Newman, who can be seen in the overture conducting his orchestra. The overture "Street Scene" has no relevance to the rest of the film and was intended to show off new technology being used in the film: sterophonic sound and CinemaScope. Newman and the Orchestra reappear briefly for the end titles.

Legacy

A television series followed in 1957 with Barbara Eden (best known as Jeannie from 'I Dream of Jeannie'), Merry Anders, Lori Nelson and Lisa Gaye. The series ran for two years.


In 2007, Australian actress Nicole Kidman purchased the rights for the film with the intention of producing and perhaps starring in the film, however we are yet to see this surface.

Awards and nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design, Colour
• Writers Guide of America nomination for Best Written American Comedy
• BAFTA nomination for Best Film (USA)

Closing remarks

'How to Marry a Millionaire' is an enjoyable experience, with Marilyn Monroe once again stealing the film in one the great CinemaScope wonders of the 1950s. It is great to see 1930s film veteran William Powell as charming as ever in his second last film.

Love Crazy (1941)

Spotlight on Movie Mothers... Monster Mothers

Love Crazy is an MGM screwball comedy telling the story of a married couple, Steve and Susan Ireland (played by William Powell & Myrna Loy), whose marriage is on the verge of being broken up by Susan's interfering and disapproving mother.

While Steve is returning from an errand, he bumps into his former girlfriend, Kimble Grayson (played by Gail Patrick). Steve attempts to hide this meeting from Susan, however she soon finds out, and in a jealous rage files for divorce.

To hold off the divorce, Steve pretends to have a nervous breakdown, and pleads insanity. Steve does such a great job, he declared insane by the lunacy commission and committed to a mental institution.

To further complicate things, Susan meets and is romanced by archery champion Ward Willoughby (played by Jack Carson).

The significance of the mother-in-law

In this case, we are dealing with a monster mother-in-law, Mrs. Cooper (played by Florence Bates). Although Mrs. Cooper is only featured in several scenes, she is extremely significant to the story, acting as a catalyst for most of the film's events.
Firstly, Mrs. Cooper invites herself over during Steve and Susan's fourth anniversary dinner, as is tempted by a hidden agenda to sabotage the couple's evening. She also brings a gift of a very ugly rug, which Steve and Susan are forced to display near the front door. During her visit, she asks Steve to mail her insurance premium for her. This event is significant, as it is during this errand that Steve bumps into his former flame.
Throughout the rest of the film, Mrs. Cooper attempts to fill Susan's head with negative comments about Steve.


Concluding thoughts
Of all the classic movie pairings, my favourite leading couple would have be William Powell and Myrna Loy. Powell & Loy made marriage life on the screen sophisticated and fun. Love Crazy was the 10th of 14 films the duo made together, and is also my personal favourite.

DVD releases

'Love Crazy' has not been released on DVD in Australia. It is shown occasionally on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Australia on Foxtel.


It has been released on DVD in the US, as part of the Myrna Loy and William Powell TCM Spotlight Collection.