Movie Reviewed: Prisoner of Zenda(1922)
Prisoner of Zenda, the silent version (1922)
When a king is drugged the day before his coronation by his evil brother Grand Duke 'Black' Michael and then he could put a look alike to the throne. When people accept the look alike as real king then Michael could seize the throne from the look alike. This is the gest of the story, but in 1922, Metro Studio casted some of the best of players of Hollywood that included Lewis Stone, Alice Terry, Ramon Novarro and Barbara La Marr as Antoinette de Mauban, the mistress of the king's treacherous brother. La Marr was referred to as “The Girl Who Is Too Beautiful,” had a very brief career in Hollywood and died at the age of 29. Novarro and Alice Terry were reunited in “Lovers,” but the success of “Prisoner of Zenda” and “Scaramouche,” both directed by Rex Ingram was never repeated in later movies.
This is a tale of gallantry and addiction to power, which led to the production of at least seven screen versions, including this 1922 adaptation. MGM was still not officially formed until 1923 but this movie came out as a product of Metro Studios, and director Rex Ingram brought in Ramon Novarro as the “Latin Lover” to replace Rudolph Valentino who went to work for the rival studio. Ingram gave some of the biggest hits of the silent era. During the production of the movie, Alice Terry married director Rex Ingram. Although the marriage lasted a long time, she also socially mingled with mainly gay men like co-star Ramon Novarro, Barry Norton and others. She accompanied Novarro frequently to speakeasies with predominantly gay clientele. This may have been done with the blessings of the MGM Studios, since Novarro was becoming a big hit and lots were at stake; and the studio wanted him to have the appearance of a man who likes women.
The quality of the DVD is acceptable, but if you are a fan of either Ramon Novarro, or Barbara La Marr or Alice Terry, I think you would like this movie: Highly recommended to all fans of Hollywood’s silent era.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Movie Reviewed: The Sin Of Madelon Claudet (1931), starring Helen Hays
Movie Reviewed: The Sin Of Madelon Claudet (1931), starring Helen Hays
Helen Hays in her Academy award winning role as Madelon Claudet
Helen Hays gives a marvelous performance in a story about mothers’ love for her child tear-jerker. The audience simply loved it. This is a story about a wrongly imprisoned woman who had turned to theft in order to support her son. Later, her son becomes a successful medical doctor but unaware of his mother’s sacrifices. In the final stages they reunite under unexpected circumstances. Helen Hays won her first Academy award in the category of best actress. The movie is based on a play by Edgar Selwyn who directed the film and the script written by her husband Charles MacArthur. It was practically a rewrite of Madame X. The movie is strongly supported by Neil Hamilton, Lewis Stone, Marie Prevost and Jean Hersholt. Robert Young, then a young MGM recruit gave a splendid support to her in this 1931 classic. This is a great movie to watch but a lot of drama.
Helen Hays in her Academy award winning role as Madelon Claudet
Helen Hays gives a marvelous performance in a story about mothers’ love for her child tear-jerker. The audience simply loved it. This is a story about a wrongly imprisoned woman who had turned to theft in order to support her son. Later, her son becomes a successful medical doctor but unaware of his mother’s sacrifices. In the final stages they reunite under unexpected circumstances. Helen Hays won her first Academy award in the category of best actress. The movie is based on a play by Edgar Selwyn who directed the film and the script written by her husband Charles MacArthur. It was practically a rewrite of Madame X. The movie is strongly supported by Neil Hamilton, Lewis Stone, Marie Prevost and Jean Hersholt. Robert Young, then a young MGM recruit gave a splendid support to her in this 1931 classic. This is a great movie to watch but a lot of drama.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Movie Reviewed: Mata Hari (1931), starring Greta Garbo and Ramon Novarro
Movie Reviewed: Mata Hari (1931), starring Greta Garbo and Ramon Novarro
The love story of Mata Hari
Was Mata Hari a spy for Germany? Did she betray France? Or was she a free spirited woman living in France, in early twentieth century, emulating other performers like Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis, the female revolutionaries of exotic dance and entertainment in Paris. In this MGM classic of 1931, starring Greta Garbo and Ramon Novarro, Garbo offers a stunning performance as Mata Hari, a German spy but falls in love with a young Russian officer named Lieutenant Alexis Rosanaff (Ramon Novarro). It was one of her several glamorous movie roles and the story start with a seductive Mata Hari style dance that is quite erotic. Ben Mickiewicz said on TCM that the dance may have been done by a stand-in. However, historical figure Mata Hari, in real life was very promiscuous, flirtatious, and openly flaunted her body. She captivated her audiences with her seductive acts at the Musée Guimet in Paris. She posed as a Java princess born to priestly Hindu family, and deeply immersed in the art of sacred Indian dance. She imagined the dance movement of Hindu God Nataraja which is portrayed in a deeply insensitive manner in this film. The artistic performance must not be hurtful to the religious sentiments of others.
Ramon Novarro made an effective romantic foil in their only movie together. Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone and Karen Morley performed splendidly in their supporting roles in this George Fitzmaurice directed film. Though the title character was real, the events in the film are mostly fictional, and when this film was in production, it was rumored that Greta Garbo and Ramon Novarro were having an affair. But this couldn't have been the case since both had gay orientation. But they became very good friends after this movie. Mata Hari was certainly a box office hit that went on to make $2.23 million in total revenue. I very much enjoyed this movie and it is strongly recommended!
The love story of Mata Hari
Was Mata Hari a spy for Germany? Did she betray France? Or was she a free spirited woman living in France, in early twentieth century, emulating other performers like Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis, the female revolutionaries of exotic dance and entertainment in Paris. In this MGM classic of 1931, starring Greta Garbo and Ramon Novarro, Garbo offers a stunning performance as Mata Hari, a German spy but falls in love with a young Russian officer named Lieutenant Alexis Rosanaff (Ramon Novarro). It was one of her several glamorous movie roles and the story start with a seductive Mata Hari style dance that is quite erotic. Ben Mickiewicz said on TCM that the dance may have been done by a stand-in. However, historical figure Mata Hari, in real life was very promiscuous, flirtatious, and openly flaunted her body. She captivated her audiences with her seductive acts at the Musée Guimet in Paris. She posed as a Java princess born to priestly Hindu family, and deeply immersed in the art of sacred Indian dance. She imagined the dance movement of Hindu God Nataraja which is portrayed in a deeply insensitive manner in this film. The artistic performance must not be hurtful to the religious sentiments of others.
Ramon Novarro made an effective romantic foil in their only movie together. Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone and Karen Morley performed splendidly in their supporting roles in this George Fitzmaurice directed film. Though the title character was real, the events in the film are mostly fictional, and when this film was in production, it was rumored that Greta Garbo and Ramon Novarro were having an affair. But this couldn't have been the case since both had gay orientation. But they became very good friends after this movie. Mata Hari was certainly a box office hit that went on to make $2.23 million in total revenue. I very much enjoyed this movie and it is strongly recommended!
Movie Reviewed: The night is young (1934), starring Ramon Novarro and Evelyn Laye
Movie Reviewed: The night is young (1934), starring Ramon Novarro and Evelyn Laye
Ramon Novarro, in his last film as a MGM actor, worked with British actress Evelyn Laye who interrupted her long stage career in London to star in this 1934 movie. The story is about the schmaltzy romance between an archduke (Novarro) and a ballerina (Laye) that falls flat. The movie produced two hit songs “when I grow too old to dream,” and the title number. The Film uses the talents of Sigmund Romberg for music and Oscar Hammerstein II (libretto) but never captured the musical zest of producer Harry Rapf’s Broadway Melody (1929). Rosalind Russell, Charles Butterworth, Edward Everett Horton, Donald Cook and Una Merkel show their comedic talents in this otherwise boring movie.
Ramon Novarro, in his last film as a MGM actor, worked with British actress Evelyn Laye who interrupted her long stage career in London to star in this 1934 movie. The story is about the schmaltzy romance between an archduke (Novarro) and a ballerina (Laye) that falls flat. The movie produced two hit songs “when I grow too old to dream,” and the title number. The Film uses the talents of Sigmund Romberg for music and Oscar Hammerstein II (libretto) but never captured the musical zest of producer Harry Rapf’s Broadway Melody (1929). Rosalind Russell, Charles Butterworth, Edward Everett Horton, Donald Cook and Una Merkel show their comedic talents in this otherwise boring movie.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Movie Reviewed: Ben-Hur (1925), starring Ramon Novarro
Movie Reviewed: Ben-Hur (1925), starring Ramon Novarro
The tale of Judah Ben-Hur
The biggest gamble of MGM in its first year of birth (1925) was to inherit the movie rights for this epic story of Lew Wallace, Ben-Hur, from Samuel Goldwyn Company. Sam Goldwyn acquired the rights for the film after signing away 50 percent of its future income. The stage production of this story was such a huge success that critics forecasted big return on the film version of the story. At massive production budget, the movie started filming in Rome where enormous sets were constructed. When Goldwyn studio became a part of the MGM Studio, the new President Marcus Loew himself sailed to Rome to rescue the sluggish production with some big time replacements. Fred Niblo was chosen as the new director and Ramon Novarro was cast in the lead as Ben-Hur. At that time, Ramon Novarro had just emerged as the matinee idol after Latin Lover Rudolph Valentino. When Ben-Hur started to suffer from massive costs, the new studio head Louis Mayer and Irving Thalberg intervened and brought the production to California. When the movie was finally released, it was one of the biggest hits in the history of the studio.
The story is about a Jewish Prince, named Judah Ben-Hur who loses his wealth and power and becomes a slave. At enormous odds, he comes back as a prince again, finally to be blessed by Jesus Christ. Although most film goers remember the 1959 remake (also by MGM) with Charlton Heston as Ben-Hur, which won 11 academy awards. This 1925 classic was released when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was not even born. This movie is certainly a gem and I am sure all silent movie fans would love the film. The highlight of the movie is the famous chariot race which is as memorable as it is in the 1959 movie: Very highly recommended.
The tale of Judah Ben-Hur
The biggest gamble of MGM in its first year of birth (1925) was to inherit the movie rights for this epic story of Lew Wallace, Ben-Hur, from Samuel Goldwyn Company. Sam Goldwyn acquired the rights for the film after signing away 50 percent of its future income. The stage production of this story was such a huge success that critics forecasted big return on the film version of the story. At massive production budget, the movie started filming in Rome where enormous sets were constructed. When Goldwyn studio became a part of the MGM Studio, the new President Marcus Loew himself sailed to Rome to rescue the sluggish production with some big time replacements. Fred Niblo was chosen as the new director and Ramon Novarro was cast in the lead as Ben-Hur. At that time, Ramon Novarro had just emerged as the matinee idol after Latin Lover Rudolph Valentino. When Ben-Hur started to suffer from massive costs, the new studio head Louis Mayer and Irving Thalberg intervened and brought the production to California. When the movie was finally released, it was one of the biggest hits in the history of the studio.
The story is about a Jewish Prince, named Judah Ben-Hur who loses his wealth and power and becomes a slave. At enormous odds, he comes back as a prince again, finally to be blessed by Jesus Christ. Although most film goers remember the 1959 remake (also by MGM) with Charlton Heston as Ben-Hur, which won 11 academy awards. This 1925 classic was released when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was not even born. This movie is certainly a gem and I am sure all silent movie fans would love the film. The highlight of the movie is the famous chariot race which is as memorable as it is in the 1959 movie: Very highly recommended.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Book Reviewed: West of Sunset, by Stewart O'Nan
Book Reviewed: West of Sunset, by Stewart O'Nan
The troubled life of F. Scott Fitzgerald
This is partly a fictional biography of one of the greatest American writers of 20th century, F. Scott Fitzgerald. The book incorporates many real stories about his life, his struggling career and life in Hollywood during the "golden era." With his wife Zelda in a mental institution and Sheilah Graham, his girlfriend on the other, he struggled with booze, sex and writing screen plays for movies. He was once regarded as a great novelist and short-story writer, and some of his fans thought his writing was better than papa Ernst Hemingway himself.
His career began with a battle with alcoholism and obscurity, and then he moved to Hollywood in a desperate attempt to write for movies. He was hired by MGM Studios, and later he met many celebrities in movie business including Sheilah Graham, a British expatriate, and a Hollywood gossip columnist. Much of the book is devoted to his relationship with Graham; some of the stories narrated in this book are fairly accurate and it resonates with other literary work. The Fitzgerald-Graham love story is peppered with scintillating anecdotes about the movie stars and writers with whom they rubbed elbows at the trendy Sunset Blvd's apartment complex "Garden of Allah," a playground for rich and famous, and other trendy bars in its immediate vicinity.
After Fitzgerald's death, Sheilah Graham wrote about her romance with him in her book "Beloved Infidel," and a movie was also made with Deborah Kerr and Gregory Peck. There is a good deal of history in this book and I highly recommend this to anyone interested in the life of Scott Fitzgerald and the history of Hollywood.
The troubled life of F. Scott Fitzgerald
This is partly a fictional biography of one of the greatest American writers of 20th century, F. Scott Fitzgerald. The book incorporates many real stories about his life, his struggling career and life in Hollywood during the "golden era." With his wife Zelda in a mental institution and Sheilah Graham, his girlfriend on the other, he struggled with booze, sex and writing screen plays for movies. He was once regarded as a great novelist and short-story writer, and some of his fans thought his writing was better than papa Ernst Hemingway himself.
His career began with a battle with alcoholism and obscurity, and then he moved to Hollywood in a desperate attempt to write for movies. He was hired by MGM Studios, and later he met many celebrities in movie business including Sheilah Graham, a British expatriate, and a Hollywood gossip columnist. Much of the book is devoted to his relationship with Graham; some of the stories narrated in this book are fairly accurate and it resonates with other literary work. The Fitzgerald-Graham love story is peppered with scintillating anecdotes about the movie stars and writers with whom they rubbed elbows at the trendy Sunset Blvd's apartment complex "Garden of Allah," a playground for rich and famous, and other trendy bars in its immediate vicinity.
After Fitzgerald's death, Sheilah Graham wrote about her romance with him in her book "Beloved Infidel," and a movie was also made with Deborah Kerr and Gregory Peck. There is a good deal of history in this book and I highly recommend this to anyone interested in the life of Scott Fitzgerald and the history of Hollywood.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Movie Reviewed: Animal Kingdom (1932), starring Ann Harding and Leslie Howard
Movie Reviewed: Animal Kingdom (1932), starring Ann Harding and Leslie Howard
Divided heart
This star-studded movie is based on Broadway show entitled “The woman of his house” stars Leslie Howard as the Tom Collier who does the mistake of marrying a socialite (Myrna Loy) rather than the woman he really loves (Ann Harding). Very soon he gets bored with friends and the social atmosphere. His wife begins to dislike the butler (William Gargan) her husband hired; he happens to be an old friend of Tom, and the butler’s behavior with the guests is undesirable and sometimes annoying. When the relationship turns sour, Tom retreats to the arms of his real love (Ann Harding).
The work of director Edward Griffith was tasteful in handling the delicate matter of marital infidelity, and movie critics lauded his efforts. But at the height of great depression, this 1932 movie did not generate enough enthusiasm about the infantile problems of wealthy and spoiled. The movie went on make a loss of $110, 000 which was a lot of money at that time, and borrowing Myrna Loy from MGM turned to be very costly for the RKO Studio. Overall, this is still an interesting pre-code film to watch and I recommend this to all fans of pre-code films.
Divided heart
This star-studded movie is based on Broadway show entitled “The woman of his house” stars Leslie Howard as the Tom Collier who does the mistake of marrying a socialite (Myrna Loy) rather than the woman he really loves (Ann Harding). Very soon he gets bored with friends and the social atmosphere. His wife begins to dislike the butler (William Gargan) her husband hired; he happens to be an old friend of Tom, and the butler’s behavior with the guests is undesirable and sometimes annoying. When the relationship turns sour, Tom retreats to the arms of his real love (Ann Harding).
The work of director Edward Griffith was tasteful in handling the delicate matter of marital infidelity, and movie critics lauded his efforts. But at the height of great depression, this 1932 movie did not generate enough enthusiasm about the infantile problems of wealthy and spoiled. The movie went on make a loss of $110, 000 which was a lot of money at that time, and borrowing Myrna Loy from MGM turned to be very costly for the RKO Studio. Overall, this is still an interesting pre-code film to watch and I recommend this to all fans of pre-code films.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Movie Reviewed: The Temptress (1926), starring Greta Garbo
Movie Reviewed: The Temptress (1926), starring Greta Garbo
The passion for Elena
MGM Studio picked Ibanez's novel for Greta Garbo's second film and assigned her Swedish mentor Mauritz Stilter as the director. But his slow working methods were reminiscent of recently fired Erich von Stroheim, therfore MGM quickly replaced him with Fred Niblo. The script was built around Garbo as a wicked and seductive woman with no morals. She attracted men like bees and then disgraced them, and drove some of them to suicide and murder and then led herself to the gutters. Her victims are Lionel Barrymore, Rory D'Arcy and Marc MacDermott. The story is a little depressing but Garbo looks as beautiful as ever. This movie produced much publicity and her next film with MGM Studios "Flesh and the Devil" released few months after Temptress exploded the box-office records. If you are fan of Greta Garbo, then you would certainly like this movie.
The passion for Elena
MGM Studio picked Ibanez's novel for Greta Garbo's second film and assigned her Swedish mentor Mauritz Stilter as the director. But his slow working methods were reminiscent of recently fired Erich von Stroheim, therfore MGM quickly replaced him with Fred Niblo. The script was built around Garbo as a wicked and seductive woman with no morals. She attracted men like bees and then disgraced them, and drove some of them to suicide and murder and then led herself to the gutters. Her victims are Lionel Barrymore, Rory D'Arcy and Marc MacDermott. The story is a little depressing but Garbo looks as beautiful as ever. This movie produced much publicity and her next film with MGM Studios "Flesh and the Devil" released few months after Temptress exploded the box-office records. If you are fan of Greta Garbo, then you would certainly like this movie.
Movie Reviewed: King of Kings (1927), dircted by Cecil DeMille
Movie Reviewed: King of Kings (1927), dircted by Cecil DeMille
Gospels Revisited
This is an epic that examines the life of Jesus Christ during his last few years of life leading up to crucifixion and resurrection. Director Cecil DeMille made this film in the hopes that it will be one of his finest creations. After watching this movie there is no doubt in mind that he is the master of movie making. Over the years, many versions of this movie have been made and my favorite is Cecil DeMille’s 1927 classic. This silent classic essentially captures the moment of Jesus’s crucifixion in a stunning photography and the resurrection scenes are magnificent. Much of the movie uses the apostolic verses from canonized gospels to narrate the story. This movie qualifies as one of the best holiday classics that must be aired during the holiday season.
The story begins with a social gathering at the home of Mary Magdalene played by Jacqueline Logan. When she finds that her friend Judas Iscariot was not at her house, but he is with his new friend Jesus. Mary pays a visit to Jesus and there she finds saintly Jesus performing miracles and healing the sick and poor. Some of the highlights of the movie I liked are: Jesus healing a blind girl; cleansing Mary Magdalene from the seven deadly sins; the ambitious Judas trying to cast the devil out of a possessed boy, and Jesus chiding him mildly after that incident; the stoning of an adulteress with Christ exposing her accusers' own failings; and the spectacular earthquake following the Crucifixion. The glow around Jesus after resurrection is amazingly captured.
There is some downside to this movie; actor H.B. Warner who plays Jesus is blonde and blue eyed and has very little appearance of a Jewish man who lived in Nazareth 2000 years ago. In addition Warner was 52 when he played the role of Jesus who was in his thirties. The movie depicts the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene with utmost sensitivity and care, especially in light of the discovery of Gospel of Mary Magdalene at the end of 19th century along with many other gospels. Their interpretation by Biblical Scholars have been carefully examined and used in this story. In the movie, there appears to be some fondness between Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdalene which I was not familiar with from known Apocrypha. This movie is a great holiday classic and I highly recommend this DVD.
Gospels Revisited
This is an epic that examines the life of Jesus Christ during his last few years of life leading up to crucifixion and resurrection. Director Cecil DeMille made this film in the hopes that it will be one of his finest creations. After watching this movie there is no doubt in mind that he is the master of movie making. Over the years, many versions of this movie have been made and my favorite is Cecil DeMille’s 1927 classic. This silent classic essentially captures the moment of Jesus’s crucifixion in a stunning photography and the resurrection scenes are magnificent. Much of the movie uses the apostolic verses from canonized gospels to narrate the story. This movie qualifies as one of the best holiday classics that must be aired during the holiday season.
The story begins with a social gathering at the home of Mary Magdalene played by Jacqueline Logan. When she finds that her friend Judas Iscariot was not at her house, but he is with his new friend Jesus. Mary pays a visit to Jesus and there she finds saintly Jesus performing miracles and healing the sick and poor. Some of the highlights of the movie I liked are: Jesus healing a blind girl; cleansing Mary Magdalene from the seven deadly sins; the ambitious Judas trying to cast the devil out of a possessed boy, and Jesus chiding him mildly after that incident; the stoning of an adulteress with Christ exposing her accusers' own failings; and the spectacular earthquake following the Crucifixion. The glow around Jesus after resurrection is amazingly captured.
There is some downside to this movie; actor H.B. Warner who plays Jesus is blonde and blue eyed and has very little appearance of a Jewish man who lived in Nazareth 2000 years ago. In addition Warner was 52 when he played the role of Jesus who was in his thirties. The movie depicts the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene with utmost sensitivity and care, especially in light of the discovery of Gospel of Mary Magdalene at the end of 19th century along with many other gospels. Their interpretation by Biblical Scholars have been carefully examined and used in this story. In the movie, there appears to be some fondness between Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdalene which I was not familiar with from known Apocrypha. This movie is a great holiday classic and I highly recommend this DVD.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Movie Reviewed: On the Moonlight Bay, starring Doris Day
Movie Reviewed: On the Moonlight Bay, starring Doris Day
It is a wonderful life at the Moon Light Bay
I am a big fan of Doris Day, but I can’t help but remember MGM’s stellar classic “Meet Me in St. Louis” starring Judy Garland. Similarities are stunning; the parents of Marjorie Winfield (Doris Day) in this movie look and act similar to parents in “Meet Me in St Louis.” The story is very similar and some critics suggested that this is Warner Brothers version of MGM’s Christmas classic. But anyone who likes Doris Day and the musicals would love this movie. In fact this movie was such a hit that the studio filmed another direct sequel “By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953)” with all the actors playing the same characters.
The story is about the Winfield family who move into a small town in Indiana. Marjorie Winfield, the daughter of the family begins to romance William Sherman (Gordon MacRae) who lives across the street. Tomboy Marjorie slowly transforms herself into a beautiful young lady. Although Doris Day and Gordon MacRae are little old for the roles they play but their romance picks up and both display their vocal abilities in a number of songs. Jack C. Smith plays the role of Doris' persistent suitor who won't take no for an answer. Ellen Corby is a wonderful schoolteacher who tries to straighten the misbehaving Billy Gray, the brother of Doris Day and Mary Wickes as a maid who is constantly dropping the silverware. This is an outstanding movie despite the fact it has strong resemblance to “Meet Me in St. Louis.” I highly recommend this musical to all the fans of Doris Day.
It is a wonderful life at the Moon Light Bay
I am a big fan of Doris Day, but I can’t help but remember MGM’s stellar classic “Meet Me in St. Louis” starring Judy Garland. Similarities are stunning; the parents of Marjorie Winfield (Doris Day) in this movie look and act similar to parents in “Meet Me in St Louis.” The story is very similar and some critics suggested that this is Warner Brothers version of MGM’s Christmas classic. But anyone who likes Doris Day and the musicals would love this movie. In fact this movie was such a hit that the studio filmed another direct sequel “By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953)” with all the actors playing the same characters.
The story is about the Winfield family who move into a small town in Indiana. Marjorie Winfield, the daughter of the family begins to romance William Sherman (Gordon MacRae) who lives across the street. Tomboy Marjorie slowly transforms herself into a beautiful young lady. Although Doris Day and Gordon MacRae are little old for the roles they play but their romance picks up and both display their vocal abilities in a number of songs. Jack C. Smith plays the role of Doris' persistent suitor who won't take no for an answer. Ellen Corby is a wonderful schoolteacher who tries to straighten the misbehaving Billy Gray, the brother of Doris Day and Mary Wickes as a maid who is constantly dropping the silverware. This is an outstanding movie despite the fact it has strong resemblance to “Meet Me in St. Louis.” I highly recommend this musical to all the fans of Doris Day.
Book Reviewed: Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars, by Scotty Bowers
Book Reviewed - Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars, by Scotty Bowers
Scotty Bowers from inside Hollywood
This book reads more like a trashy magazine sold at the checkout counters of the grocery stores. The author was a gas pump jockey and a part-time bartender at Hollywood private functions who rose to the level of a close confidant of well-known men and women in Hollywood, including the members of British Royal Family. The author likes to call “tricking” for his “escort service business.” It was a way of hooking of wealthy women and men for illicit affairs during late 1930s to 1970s. There is a long list of names and their fetishes and deviant sexual escapades. Some of his clients were also heterosexuals like Desi Arnaz, Bob Hope, and few others. The book paints a reckless and racy behavior of his clients that his book had to be vetted by a libel attorney before publication.
The author claims that he arranged various types of encounters for Cary Grant, Randall Scott, Tennessee Williams, Raymond Burr, James Dean, Tony Perkins, Montgomery Clift, Rock Hudson, Ramon Novarro, Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, Edith Piaf, Noel Coward, Desi Arnaz, Spencer Tracy, Somerset Maugham, Lawrence Olivier, Vincent Price, Cole Porter, and finally Camelot couple of mid-thirties Duke (formerly King Edward VIII) and Duchess of Windsor. The author fondly refers to them as Eddy and Wally. Edward's womanizing (and gay) behavior was reckless during 1920s and 1930s. This worried British Prime Minister Baldwin, King George V and the Royal Family. Both Duke and Duchess were known to have many male and female lovers, and the author claims that he arranged the “escort service.” Jimmy Donahue, an heir to the Woolworth fortune also boasted to have a liaison with the Duchess.
Describing the individual nature of his clients, the author observes that Errol Flynn was quite a lothario; he drank so much that he could not satisfy the ladies. Katherine Hepburn did not get along with many people around her, and the author says that the studio generated rumor that she was “madly in love” with Spencer Tracy was false. According to him, there was no evidence of “love for Tracy” during his “close friendship” with Hepburn. In fact she liked ladies, especially young brunettes. Director George Cukor is another well-known homosexual and legendary for wild pool parties was also a top client of the author.
Several critics and book reviewers suggested that this book is partly fictionalized but author and playwright Gore Vidal said many stories are correctly documented.
Scotty Bowers from inside Hollywood
This book reads more like a trashy magazine sold at the checkout counters of the grocery stores. The author was a gas pump jockey and a part-time bartender at Hollywood private functions who rose to the level of a close confidant of well-known men and women in Hollywood, including the members of British Royal Family. The author likes to call “tricking” for his “escort service business.” It was a way of hooking of wealthy women and men for illicit affairs during late 1930s to 1970s. There is a long list of names and their fetishes and deviant sexual escapades. Some of his clients were also heterosexuals like Desi Arnaz, Bob Hope, and few others. The book paints a reckless and racy behavior of his clients that his book had to be vetted by a libel attorney before publication.
The author claims that he arranged various types of encounters for Cary Grant, Randall Scott, Tennessee Williams, Raymond Burr, James Dean, Tony Perkins, Montgomery Clift, Rock Hudson, Ramon Novarro, Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, Edith Piaf, Noel Coward, Desi Arnaz, Spencer Tracy, Somerset Maugham, Lawrence Olivier, Vincent Price, Cole Porter, and finally Camelot couple of mid-thirties Duke (formerly King Edward VIII) and Duchess of Windsor. The author fondly refers to them as Eddy and Wally. Edward's womanizing (and gay) behavior was reckless during 1920s and 1930s. This worried British Prime Minister Baldwin, King George V and the Royal Family. Both Duke and Duchess were known to have many male and female lovers, and the author claims that he arranged the “escort service.” Jimmy Donahue, an heir to the Woolworth fortune also boasted to have a liaison with the Duchess.
Describing the individual nature of his clients, the author observes that Errol Flynn was quite a lothario; he drank so much that he could not satisfy the ladies. Katherine Hepburn did not get along with many people around her, and the author says that the studio generated rumor that she was “madly in love” with Spencer Tracy was false. According to him, there was no evidence of “love for Tracy” during his “close friendship” with Hepburn. In fact she liked ladies, especially young brunettes. Director George Cukor is another well-known homosexual and legendary for wild pool parties was also a top client of the author.
Several critics and book reviewers suggested that this book is partly fictionalized but author and playwright Gore Vidal said many stories are correctly documented.
Book Reviewed: Malibu: A Century of Living by the Sea, by Julius Shulman
Book Reviewed: Malibu: A Century of Living by the Sea, by Julius Shulman
Malibu and the oceanfront homes; a pictorial history
Malibu has been the place for rich and famous with its oceanfront homes and picturesque views. The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) that cuts through the city sits right next to the ocean but beneath the Santa Monica Mountains giving auto drivers the best view of Pacific Ocean. Ever since the city was founded in 1920s, Rancho Malibu attracted the Hollywood elite who came here for peace and tranquility. This also attracted well known architects and interior decorators to design and decorate the residences that gave a depth to the seaside living. Of course the wealthy residents could afford the cost to build the best houses; thus came the magnificent mansions in Malibu
In this book the author provides a pictorial history of Malibu. There are many pictures of homes of movie stars of 1920s/30s/40s who made Malibu as their home. There is also some discussion of the work of architects in designing these houses. Historically significant houses like the Adamson house is also shown in this book with several views of the ocean, and also the interior of the house. This house still sits at its original spot across from Malibu Colony, a thriving shopping center and the house is open for visitors. The chief architect of Adamson’s house was Stiles O Clement.
Some of the historical pictures that interested me are the following: a 1890 picture of Paradise Cove; 1929 picture of the opening of picturesque Pacific Coast Highway (then called Roosevelt Highway); a 1893 picture of Rindge family home; 1939 picture of Malibu Colony with its own private beach; and 1924 picture of actress Louise Fazenda’s house.
The highly unconventional Stevens house of Malibu was designed by the architect John Lautner; one of the twentieth century’s most extraordinarily gifted and experimental designers. His work is shown in several pictures of the house still located in Malibu Colony. Moore House, “Windcliff” on the top of Saddle Peak (elevation 2,800 feet); another beautiful house was designed by architect James Moore. This house has stunning views of the ocean. The Hodges Castle is a 15,200 sq. foot castle built by architect Thomas Hodges. This structure is known for crenellated skyline, astonishing mass and perfect sitting on the landscape overlooking Malibu Lagoon State Park. This is the private home of a real princess and the castle was renamed as Kashan Castle. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Malibu, California; seafront homes; architecture and interior designing. This also makes a great book for your tea table.
Malibu and the oceanfront homes; a pictorial history
Malibu has been the place for rich and famous with its oceanfront homes and picturesque views. The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) that cuts through the city sits right next to the ocean but beneath the Santa Monica Mountains giving auto drivers the best view of Pacific Ocean. Ever since the city was founded in 1920s, Rancho Malibu attracted the Hollywood elite who came here for peace and tranquility. This also attracted well known architects and interior decorators to design and decorate the residences that gave a depth to the seaside living. Of course the wealthy residents could afford the cost to build the best houses; thus came the magnificent mansions in Malibu
In this book the author provides a pictorial history of Malibu. There are many pictures of homes of movie stars of 1920s/30s/40s who made Malibu as their home. There is also some discussion of the work of architects in designing these houses. Historically significant houses like the Adamson house is also shown in this book with several views of the ocean, and also the interior of the house. This house still sits at its original spot across from Malibu Colony, a thriving shopping center and the house is open for visitors. The chief architect of Adamson’s house was Stiles O Clement.
Some of the historical pictures that interested me are the following: a 1890 picture of Paradise Cove; 1929 picture of the opening of picturesque Pacific Coast Highway (then called Roosevelt Highway); a 1893 picture of Rindge family home; 1939 picture of Malibu Colony with its own private beach; and 1924 picture of actress Louise Fazenda’s house.
The highly unconventional Stevens house of Malibu was designed by the architect John Lautner; one of the twentieth century’s most extraordinarily gifted and experimental designers. His work is shown in several pictures of the house still located in Malibu Colony. Moore House, “Windcliff” on the top of Saddle Peak (elevation 2,800 feet); another beautiful house was designed by architect James Moore. This house has stunning views of the ocean. The Hodges Castle is a 15,200 sq. foot castle built by architect Thomas Hodges. This structure is known for crenellated skyline, astonishing mass and perfect sitting on the landscape overlooking Malibu Lagoon State Park. This is the private home of a real princess and the castle was renamed as Kashan Castle. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Malibu, California; seafront homes; architecture and interior designing. This also makes a great book for your tea table.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Book Reviewed: The Tumbleweed Society: Working and Caring in an Age of Insecurity, by Allison J. Pugh
Book Reviewed: The Tumbleweed Society: Working and Caring in an Age of Insecurity, by Allison J. Pugh
Sociology of the divided mind: Tackling the mind-body disorders of the 21 century
The 21 century is becoming more like a tumbleweed society, where job insecurity is large and the economic disparities are wide. Will this eventually become 99.9 percent to 0.1 percent class system? What would be the future of let “free market” take care of itself so that the prosperity offered thus far will continue to get better, as many politicians like us to believe every four years when they need our votes. In this book, University of Virginia Professor Allison Pugh focuses on job insecurities and forging family connections. The insecurity resulting from the end of the traditional job and the traditional family (historically this was referred to married life between a man and woman) is already discussed by numerous sociologists, philosophers and management/business specialists. The premise is that we are moving away from an "insurance" state, where our basic security was protected by jobs and "till death do we part" marriages, with kids and moral support from parents/grandparents. There is no such thing as traditional marriage now, and the jobs could be anywhere in this global economy.
Professor Pugh sees a connection between the obligation of an individual to his/her job and the employer, and to his/her family. With greater sense of job insecurity, the individual turn to fulfilling family obligations and likes to develop intimate relationship to gain a sense of security. If family situation doesn’t pan out to be secure, then people construct stronger walls between themselves and the jobs and the family: The fabric of our connected lives weakens.
It is rather interesting to compare this work with the work of University of South Carolina Professor Jerald Wallulis who has studied this problem from a philosophical point, and concludes that the American dream of a well-paid job and greater prosperity for one's children is very remote and unrealistic romantic notion. Equally unrealistic is the expectation of sharing the American dream with the same partner for the rest of one’s life.
In this tumbleweed society, working and caring in an age of job insecurity is not a simple problem to tackle. We live in a global market where the goods and services are bought and sold across the borders. The global economy, technological advances and the multiculturalism is changing the way of life faster than we can imagine. Professor Pugh is seeing the problem through a very narrow window where she doesn’t even discuss how the tumbleweed society made of many cultures and age groups are affected by the new insecurities. There are many studies that suggest that age plays out differently on personal and professional insecurities. Younger generation handles things differently than older generations, and in the world of alcohol and controlled substances, moods and perceptions change, and priorities take whole new meanings.
Sociology of the divided mind: Tackling the mind-body disorders of the 21 century
The 21 century is becoming more like a tumbleweed society, where job insecurity is large and the economic disparities are wide. Will this eventually become 99.9 percent to 0.1 percent class system? What would be the future of let “free market” take care of itself so that the prosperity offered thus far will continue to get better, as many politicians like us to believe every four years when they need our votes. In this book, University of Virginia Professor Allison Pugh focuses on job insecurities and forging family connections. The insecurity resulting from the end of the traditional job and the traditional family (historically this was referred to married life between a man and woman) is already discussed by numerous sociologists, philosophers and management/business specialists. The premise is that we are moving away from an "insurance" state, where our basic security was protected by jobs and "till death do we part" marriages, with kids and moral support from parents/grandparents. There is no such thing as traditional marriage now, and the jobs could be anywhere in this global economy.
Professor Pugh sees a connection between the obligation of an individual to his/her job and the employer, and to his/her family. With greater sense of job insecurity, the individual turn to fulfilling family obligations and likes to develop intimate relationship to gain a sense of security. If family situation doesn’t pan out to be secure, then people construct stronger walls between themselves and the jobs and the family: The fabric of our connected lives weakens.
It is rather interesting to compare this work with the work of University of South Carolina Professor Jerald Wallulis who has studied this problem from a philosophical point, and concludes that the American dream of a well-paid job and greater prosperity for one's children is very remote and unrealistic romantic notion. Equally unrealistic is the expectation of sharing the American dream with the same partner for the rest of one’s life.
In this tumbleweed society, working and caring in an age of job insecurity is not a simple problem to tackle. We live in a global market where the goods and services are bought and sold across the borders. The global economy, technological advances and the multiculturalism is changing the way of life faster than we can imagine. Professor Pugh is seeing the problem through a very narrow window where she doesn’t even discuss how the tumbleweed society made of many cultures and age groups are affected by the new insecurities. There are many studies that suggest that age plays out differently on personal and professional insecurities. Younger generation handles things differently than older generations, and in the world of alcohol and controlled substances, moods and perceptions change, and priorities take whole new meanings.
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