Julia Misbehaves (1948) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor & Peter Lawford on the set of the film

'Julia Misbehaves' is a 1948 romantic comedy directed by Jack Conway and starring Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Lawford, Cesar Romero, Lucille Watson, Mary Boland and Reginald Owen.

Julia Packett is an actress living in London in 1936 who receives an invitation to her daughter Susan's (played by Taylor) wedding. She has not seen her daughter since she was a baby, and is excited about going to the wedding. Meanwhile Julia's disapproving mother-in-law (played by Watson) is horrrified once she finds out Julia is coming for the wedding and sends Julia's husband William Packett (played by Pidgeon) to stop her. On the trip to Paris, Julia meets acrobat Fred Ghenoccio (played by Romero), who proposes to Julia.  Matters are complicated once Julia has to chose between her estranged husband and her new fiancee. 

Musical program

Greer Garson sings two sings in the film:

• "When You're Playing With Fire"
• "Oh, What a Difference the Navy Made to Me!"

Song: "When You're Playing with Fire" - Greer Garson

Did you know...

Elizabeth Taylor & Peter Lawford in the film

• This was the fifth of eight movies to star Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon
• Peter Lawford gave Elizabeth Taylor her first on-screen kiss in this film
• Greer Garson met future husband E.E. Fogelson, a friend of Peter Lawford, on the set of this film

Closing remarks

Not a well known MGM romantic comedy, but still a lot of fun despite it's cliched plot and predictable ending. Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon still make a great pair in their fifth movie together, although  Elizabeth Taylor and Peter Lawford deliver average performances in this film. Supporting stars Cesar Romero and Mary Boland steal the film with their over the top comedic delivery. Worth watching and without high expectations and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Deep In My Heart (1954) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

"This is the wonderful thing about music. It is never quite new and never quite the same. And just when you love it best, you think that you have heard it before. And who knows, maybe you have deep in your heart." -  José Ferrer (as Sigmund Romberg in 'Deep in my Heart')


'Deep in my Heart' is a 1954 musical biography directed by Stanley Donen, and starring José Ferrer, Merle Oberon, Helen Traubel, Don Avedon, Walter Pidgeon, Paul Henreid and Jim Backus.

The fantastic Ann Miller in 'Deep in my Heart'

The film is based on the life and music of Sigmund Romberg (played by Ferrer). It features special guest star appearances from  Rosemary Clooney, Gene Kelly, Fred Kelly, Jane Powell, Vic Damone, Ann Miller, William Olvis, Cyd Charisse, James Mitchell, Howard Keel, Tony Martin and Joan Weldon.

Musical program

• "Overture (Deep in my Heart/When I Grow Too Old To Dream)" - MGM Orchestra & Chorus
• "You Will Remember Vienna" - Helen Traubel
• "Leg of Mutton" - José Ferrer & Helen Traubel
• "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise" - Tamara Toumanova
• "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise"(Reprise) - Helen Traubel
• "Mr. and Mrs." - Rosemary Clooney & José Ferrer
• "I Love To Go Swimmin' With Wimmin'" - Gene Kelly & Fred Kelly
• "Road to Paradise" - Jane Powell & Vic Damone
• "Will You Remember (Sweetheart)" - Jane Powell & Vic Damone
• "Girls Goodbye" - José Ferrer
• "Fat Fat Fatima" - José Ferrer
• "Jazza-Dada-Doo" - José Ferrer
• "It" - Ann Miller
• "Serenade" - William Olvis
• "One Alone" - Cyd Charisse & James Mitchell
• "Your Land and My Land" - Howard Keel
• "Auf Wiedersehn" - Helen Traubel
• "Lover, Come Back to Me" - Tony Martin & Joan Weldon
• "Stout-Hearted Men" - Helen Traubel
• "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" - José Ferrer

Song: "It" - Ann Miller

Song: "I Love To Go Swimmin' With Wimmin'" - Gene Kelly & Fred Kelly

Song: "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise" - Tamara Toumanova

Closing remarks

A very slow, very boring and very long musical biography. Not surprisingly, the film was not a critical success. Upon it's release, the New York Times said the film "calls for a strong digestive system and a considerable tolerance". 

José Ferrer's performance as Sigmund Romberg is below average at best. His rendition of "When I Grow Too Old To Dream", is probably the worst I have ever heard. :s

It is also a shame William Powell did not appear as Florenz Ziegfeld. While there is nothing wrong with Paul Henreid or his performance,  Powell had previously played Ziegfeld in two films and is considered to be the definitive actor to play this character.

This criticism aside, the film features lots of beautiful music by Sigmund Romberg. I particularly like the way the film opens: prior to the opening credits, we see footage of an extra playing an Overture, which gives us a moment to appreciate the beautiful compositions of Sigmund Romberg, without the distraction of credits.

'Deep in my Heart' also has two fantastic musical numbers... One by the brilliant Ann Miller, the other by Gene Kelly & his brother Fred Kelly (in their only feature film together).

The Screaming Woman - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

'The Screaming Woman' is a 1972 television film directed by Jack Smight, and starring Olivia de Havilland, with special guest stars Joseph Cotten and Walter Pidgeon. The film is written by Merwin Gerard and loosely based on the short story by Ray Bradbury.

The opening title card

Produced by Universal Television, the TV film was originally aired as an ABC Movie of the Week.




While walking the grounds of her property, Laura Wynant (played by de Havilland) hears a woman who has been buried alive screaming. 
Due to her mental history, Laura's family refuse to believe her, and use this as an opportunity to declare her insane and take control of her money. 


Terrorised by the sound of the screaming woman, Laura is determined to rescue her and prove to herself and those around her she is not insane.




Watch the film on YouTube:

Did you know...

• As of July 2012, this was the last time John William's composed a music score for a TV movie

Closing remarks

Average television film production of the 1970s with suspenseful musical score.
Olivia de Havilland gives a chilling performance, and single handedly carries the film. Although very mild when compared to horror films of today, 'The Screaming Woman' terrorised television viewers when it was first shown in 1972.